Verse 19 of Surah al-Tawbah – famously known as the “Verse of Providing Water to the Pilgrims” (Saqayat al-Hajj) – has been considered by a number of scholars as evidence of the superiority of the Commander of the Faithful (peace be upon him) over other companions. Verses 20 and 21 of this same surah also implicitly refer to the virtues of the Commander of the Faithful (peace be upon him). He is regarded as the embodiment of these verses, as a personality who, from the beginning of Islam until the final moments of his life, was a pioneer in faith, self-sacrifice (ithar), migration, and jihad in the path of Allah.
Verse 19 of Surah al-Tawbah (9:19)
“Do you consider the providing of water to the pilgrims and the maintenance of the Sacred Mosque as equal to the deeds of one who believes in Allah and the Last Day and strives in the path of Allah? They are not equal in the sight of Allah. And Allah does not guide the wrongdoing people.”
Verse 20 of Surah al-Tawbah (9:20)
“Those who have believed, migrated, and striven in the path of Allah with their wealth and their lives are greater in rank in the sight of Allah. And it is they who are the triumphant.”
Verse 21 of Surah al-Tawbah (9:21)
“Their Lord gives them glad tidings of mercy from Himself, of His good pleasure, and of gardens wherein they will enjoy lasting bliss.”
According to the narration of Imam al-Hadi (peace be upon him) in the Ghadiriyya Pilgrimage, these verses recall the lofty station of the Commander of the Faithful (peace be upon him).
In a passage of the Ghadiriyya Pilgrimage referring to Verse 19 of Surah al-Tawbah, it is stated:
“You are the one whose superiority the Qur’an proclaims, for Allah the Exalted said: ‘Do you consider the providing of water to the pilgrims and the maintenance of the Sacred Mosque as equal to the deeds of one who believes in Allah and the Last Day and strives in the path of Allah? They are not equal in the sight of Allah. And Allah does not guide the wrongdoing people.'”
In a passage of the Ghadiriyya Pilgrimage referring to Verse 20 of Surah al-Tawbah, it is stated:
“You are the one whose superiority the Qur’an proclaims, for Allah the Exalted said: ‘Those who have believed, migrated, and striven in the path of Allah with their wealth and their lives are greater in rank in the sight of Allah. And it is they who are the triumphant.'”
In a passage of the Ghadiriyya Pilgrimage referring to Verse 21 of Surah al-Tawbah, it is stated:
“You are the one whose superiority the Qur’an proclaims, for Allah the Exalted said: ‘Their Lord gives them glad tidings of mercy from Himself, of His good pleasure, and of gardens wherein they will enjoy lasting bliss, abiding therein forever. Indeed, with Allah is a great reward.'”
The connection of Verses 19 to 21 of Surah al-Tawbah to the wilayah (guardianship) of the Commander of the Faithful (peace be upon him) – among the ‘Alawi verses of the Noble Qur’an – is presented because these verses point to the virtue of faith, jihad, and striving in the path of Allah. Certain exegetes see these qualities manifested at the highest level in the personality of the Commander of the Faithful (peace be upon him).
Imam al-Hadi (peace be upon him) visited the tomb of the Commander of the Faithful (peace be upon him) on the day of Eid and, referring to Verses 19, 20, and 21 of Surah al-Tawbah, said:
“Allah the Exalted said: ‘… Do you consider the providing of water to the pilgrims and the maintenance of the Sacred Mosque as equal to the deeds of one who believes in Allah and the Last Day and strives in the path of Allah? They are not equal in the sight of Allah. And Allah does not guide the wrongdoing people.’ (9:19)
‘Those who have believed, migrated, and striven in the path of Allah with their wealth and their lives are greater in rank in the sight of Allah. And it is they who are the triumphant.’ (9:20)
‘Their Lord gives them glad tidings of mercy from Himself, of His good pleasure, and of gardens wherein they will enjoy lasting bliss, abiding therein forever. Indeed, with Allah is a great reward.’ (9:21)
I bear witness that you are devoted to the special praise of Allah and sincere in obedience to Allah, that you sought no substitute for guidance, and that you associated none as partner with your Lord in worship.” (1)
Abu Dharr, referring to Verse 19 of Surah al-Tawbah, narrated:
“The Commander of the Faithful (peace be upon him) recited this verse to those present on the day of the council (shura) for the selection of the third caliph, and all those present in that council confirmed that this verse was revealed concerning him.” (2)
Imam al-Baqir and Imam al-Sadiq (peace be upon them) said regarding the occasion of revelation (sha’n al-nuzul) of Verse 19 of Surah al-Tawbah:
“This verse was revealed concerning Hamzah, the Commander of the Faithful (peace be upon him), Ja’far, al-Abbas, and Shaybah. They took pride in providing water to pilgrims and in custodianship of the Sacred Mosque. Then Allah, Mighty and Majestic, revealed this verse: ‘Do you consider the providing of water to the pilgrims and the maintenance of the Sacred Mosque as equal to the deeds of one who believes in Allah and the Last Day and strives in the path of Allah? They are not equal in the sight of Allah. And Allah does not guide the wrongdoing people.’
The intended (referring to those who believe and strive) are the Commander of the Faithful (peace be upon him), Hamzah, and Ja’far – those who believed in Allah and the Last Day and strove in His path. These two are not equal in the sight of Allah.” (3)
Abu al-Jarud, an exegete of the second century AH and a companion of Imam al-Baqir and Imam al-Sadiq (peace be upon them), narrated regarding Verses 19 and 20 of Surah al-Tawbah:
“Imam al-Baqir (peace be upon him) said: ‘This verse was revealed concerning Ali ibn Abi Talib (peace be upon him):
“… as equal to the deeds of one who believes in Allah and the Last Day and strives in the path of Allah? They are not equal in the sight of Allah. And Allah does not guide the wrongdoing people.” Then he described Ali ibn Abi Talib (peace be upon him) by this verse: “Those who have believed, migrated, and striven in the path of Allah with their wealth and their lives are greater in rank in the sight of Allah. And it is they who are the triumphant.”‘” (4)
- Tafsir Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them), Vol. 6, p. 74; Bihar al-Anwar, Vol. 97, p. 363
- Tafsir Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them), Vol. 6, p. 76; Bihar al-Anwar, Vol. 36, p. 38
- Tafsir Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them), Vol. 6, p. 66; Al-Kafi, Vol. 8, p. 203; Al-Burhan; Nur al-Thaqalayn; Al-‘Ayyashi, Vol. 2, p. 83; Bihar al-Anwar, Vol. 36, p. 35
- Tafsir Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them), Vol. 6, p. 76; Al-Qummi, Vol. 1, p. 284
