The amazing statement of Ibne Hajar in Sawaiq:1
“It is not said that Ali is more intelligent than Abu Bakr due to traditional
reports recorded in his excellence, like:
‘I am the city of knowledge and Ali is its gate.’
Since we will reply that this tradition is not correct. And if we accept it to be
authentic or good, then Abu Bakr is its niche (center or the best places of the
city).
And the report: One, who seeks knowledge should come through the door.
Does it not show that Ali is the most intelligent, because one, who is not the most
learned would be as such. Since every issue has to be explained. And who has
free time for people, but the most learned is not as such.
Moreover, these traditional reports contradict the report of Firdos: I am the
city of knowledge and Abu Bakr is foundation; and Umar is its walls and Uthman
is its roof. And Ali is its gate. And this report clarifies that Abu Bakr was most
knowledgeable of all.
Thus, the command to enter from gate is due to the point, which we
mentioned and not because of his nobility being more on the Caliphs preceding
him, because it is natural that pillars, walls and roof are higher than the door.”
Allamah Amini says: Not regarding the tradition as authentic: I am the city
of knowledge…is only from Ibne Jauzi and all those like him, who speak without
evidence. And before this, we stated that:2
Some scholars have clarified its authenticity, some have regarded it as good
and some have also certified the statements of these two groups, and we will
invalidate the belief of Ibne Jauzi.
As for the report of Firdos, which he has mentioned, no two persons have
disputed regarding exceeding knowledge of Ameerul Momineen (a.s.) regarding
which are statements of Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.).
Ibne Hajar himself regards this tradition rejectable; he has considered it
weak and written in Al-Fatawa al-Hadithiya:3
“This tradition: ‘Muawiyah is the ring of that door’, is also weak.
However, shame in protest, made him neglectful from this command and the
same report he regarded as weak, is used by him to prove that Abu Bakr was the
most learned of people.
In Asniul Matalib, Sayyid Muhammad Darwish Hoot says:4
“The report of: ‘I am the city of knowledge and Abu Bakr is its base,’ is not
worthy to be mentioned in academic books, especially by the like of Ibne Hajar
Haithami, who has mentioned this in Sawaiq5 and Zawajar. And this, from
someone like him, is not good.”
That is why no one can dare to debate what is mentioned for the Master
(Maula) that he is the gate; and for others, terms like base, walls and roof are
used. It remained concealed from Ibne Hajar that the implication of Prophet was
benefiting from knowledge of prophethood, through his Caliph, Ameerul
Momineen Ali (a.s.) just as entering the city is through its gate. Thus, this is a
metaphor, which is used to convey the above meaning.
Then he has added to this emphasis and said:
“One who intends to enter the city, should come through the gate.”
On the basis of this, Ali Ameerul Momineen (a.s.) is the gate, through whom
people are tested, and with him is all knowledge of prophethood and whatever human beings needed: including jurisprudence, exhortation, morals, practical
laws, wisdoms, political, planning and foresight, unambiguity and sincerity.
Thus, necessarily, he is the wisest of men and this man is a companion and
width of Holy Quran and these two are two heavy things and successors of Holy
Prophet (s.a.w.a.) and they will not separate from each other till they arrive at the
Cistern of Kauthar to His Eminence:
فَمَنْ شَاءَ فَلْيُؤْ مِنْ وَمَنْ شَاءَ فَلْيَكْفُرْ
“So let him who please believe, and let him who please disbelieve.”6