Statement of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.): “O people, to what do you testify?”
They replied: “We testify that there is no god, except Allah.”
He asked: “After that?”
They replied: “That Muhammad is His servant and messenger.”
Then he asked: “Who is your Master (Wali)?”
They replied: “Allah and His Messenger is our master.
At that time, the Prophet raised the arm of Imam Ali (a.s.) and said: “Of whomsoever Allah and Prophet are masters, Ali is (also) his master.” This statement is narrated from Jarir.1
Placing Mastership (Wilayat) in the context of divine monotheism (Tauheed)
and prophethood; and its mention after absolute mastership of God and His
Prophet, is not possible, except that it should imply Imamate to include
precedence over the life of people [just as the Prophet is more deserving
regarding the believers:
النَّبِيُّ أَوْلَى بِالْمُؤْمِنِينَ مِنْ أَنْفُسِهِمْ
“The Prophet has a greater claim on the faithful than they have on themselves.”2
Ali (a.s.) is also having greater claim on believers.]
Fourth context
The statement of the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.) after the end of the tradition:
الله اكبر على اكمال الدين و اتمام النعمه ورضى الرب برسالتي والولايه لعلی بن ابی طالب
Allah is the greatest for the completion of religion and perfection of blessing
and pleasure of God by conveyance of message and Mastership (Wilayat) of Ali
Ibne Abi Talib (a.s.).
In your view, which meaning other than Imamate, implies perfecting
programs, completing propagation of religion, establishing bases of prophethood,
completion of religion, perfecting bounty and gaining approval of the Lord in the
delivery of message?
In that case, one, who becomes responsible for this sacred duty, is having
more authority on people than they have on themselves.
Fifth context
Statement of the Prophet, before mention of Mastership (Wilayat):
“As if I have been summoned or that it is near that I will be called and I will
harken to the call.”
Or: “Know that it is near that I will separate from you.”
Or: “Very soon, the caller to Lord will come and I will harken to his call.”
And as we mentioned previously, numerous scholars of tradition have
mentioned this statement many times.
It explains to us that an important matter remained in the message of the Prophet and the Prophet was careful lest before announcing it, his death should
approach (and he does not get an opportunity to announce it) and his
messengership remains incomplete.
On the basis of the quotation of Muslim3 after this care and preparation,
other than Mastership (Wilayat) of Ameerul Momineen (a.s.) and Mastership
(Wilayat) of his pure progeny, he did not announce anything else. Whether this
important matter, which is related to this Mastership (Wilayat), other than
Mastership (Wilayat), which is clarified in numerous Sihah books? Is the owner
of this Mastership (Wilayat) not more eligible with relation to people?