The connection between verse 227 of Surah Ash-Shuara and Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him) indicates the lofty status of the Master of the pious among the believers and the true followers of the Quran, as he is the outstanding example of faith, piety, and defense of the truth.
Verse 227 of Surah Ash-Shuara
إِلَّا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَ عَمِلُوا الصّالِحاتِ وَ ذَكَرُوا اللهَ كَثِيراً وَ انْتَصَرُوا مِنْ بَعْدِ ما ظُلِمُوا وَ سَيَعْلَمُ الَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا أَيَّ مُنْقَلَبٍ يَنْقَلِبُونَ
“Except those who believe, do good, remember Allah often, and (poetically) avenge (the believers) after being wrongfully slandered. The wrongdoers will come to know what (evil) end they will meet.”
According to the narration of Imam al-Hadi (peace be upon him) in the al-Ghadir supplication, this verse recalls the exalted rank of Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him).
In the passage of al-Ghadir supplication, it is stated:
“So none believed in that which Allah revealed concerning you to His Prophet except a small number, and it increased most of them in nothing but loss. Before that as well, Allah revealed this verse about you while they did not like it. O Allah, curse the one who opposed it, was arrogant towards it, denied it, and disbelieved: “The wrongdoers will come to know what (evil) end they will meet” (Ash-Shuara/227).
Verse 227 of Surah Ash-Shuara, which is counted among the Alawi verses in the holy Quran, is related to Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him), for he was a complete exemplar of faith, righteous action, and defense of the truth, and his life abounds in genuine models of steadfastness on the path of truth.
Ali ibn Ibrahim has explained the meaning of this verse as follows:
“It refers to Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him) and his children.” (1)
Imam al-Ridha (peace be upon him) has narrated from his forefathers concerning the lofty station of Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him):
The Seal of the Prophets said:
“Anyone who wants to remain loyal to my faith and seek redemption through the Ark of Salvation must recognize Ali ibn Abi Talib (peace be upon him) as their guide.” He will maintain his status as the community’s guardian during my life and serve as my successor after I pass away. He will become the leader of all Muslims and believers until the end of time. His speech and his commands and prohibitions are like my speech and my commands and prohibitions. The person who aids him through following him acts as someone who has followed and helped me, and the one who refuses to help him acts as someone who has done so to me.
He then said:
“Anyone who leaves Ali following my death will not encounter me at the time of resurrection because I will not encounter him either.” The person who opposes Ali after my death will be denied entry into Paradise by Allah, who will assign him to reside in the Fire. The person who chooses to abandon Ali on the day of his appearance before Allah will be forsaken by Allah. The person who provides assistance to Ali will receive assistance from Allah during his encounter with Allah, and he will be granted correct answers during the questioning period.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family) then said:
“After their father, al-Hasan, and al-Hussain become two Imams in my community who lead the youth who will enter Paradise through their mother, Fatimah, who serves as the leader of Paradise’s women, and their father, who serves as the leader of all successors.” The ninth Imam, who will arise from al-Hussain’s descendants, is my son, the Qaim, whose obedience equals my own, while disobedience to him equals disobedience to me. Concerning those who deny their virtue and neglect their rights, after my death I will complain to Allah, and Allah is the best Guardian and the best Helper for my family and the Imams of my community, and He will take vengeance on those who deny their right: ‘The wrongdoers will come to know what (evil) end they will meet.”’ (Ash-Shuara/227) (2)
