The twenty fourth day of Dhu al Hijjah is a very important day in Islamic history, the day on which one of the divine verses was revealed to the Final Prophet. As a result of this very revelation, the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) unveiled a very important matter and informed the people of the story of Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him) giving his ring.
When verse 55 of Surah Al Ma’idah was revealed – the Verse of Wilayah – the important news was the announcement of the wilayah (authority) and succession of Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him), a reality that the Prophet of Islam, by the command of his Lord, declared and unveiled.
Verse 55 of Surah Al Ma’idah
إِنَّمَا وَلِيُّكُمُ اللَّهُ وَرَسُولُهُ وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا الَّذِينَ يُقِيمُونَ الصَّلَاةَ وَيُؤْتُونَ الزَّكَاةَ وَهُمْ رَاكِعُونَ
“Indeed, your guardian (wali) is Allah, His Messenger, and those who believe – those who establish prayer and give zakah while they are bowing (rāki‘ūn).”
The Story of the Ring according to Jabir
Jabir ibn ‘Abdullah al Ansari, the loyal Companion of the Prophet of Islam who witnessed the story of Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him) giving his ring at close hand, narrated:
“One day we were sitting in the presence of the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family). Suddenly an Arab man entered, disheveled and wearing old, tattered clothes. Poverty was evident from his face. After entering, he greeted and began reciting verses that spoke of the hardship of his life ‘My daughter weeps incessantly, and her mother is distraught seeing her condition. With one sister, two young daughters and an elderly mother, poverty has robbed me of my reason. My life is entirely filled with destitution and deprivation, and I have nothing to eat that might sweeten or bitter my mouth. I am compelled to seek refuge with you – is there anyone except the prophets who is a refuge for people?’ When the Prophet heard his words, he was deeply moved and wept. Then he turned to the Companions and said: ‘O Muslims! God has provided you with an opportunity to earn heavenly rewards – rewards such as houses whose status is equal to the house of Ibrahim the Khalil. Which of you is willing to help this man and show sympathy for him?’ Yet no one answered.
At that moment, the Commander of the Faithful, Ali ibn Abi Talib (peace be upon him), was praying in a corner of the mosque.
He indicated that the Arab man should go to him. Then he showed his ring and allowed that needy man to remove the ring from his finger. After seeing the generosity of the Commander of the Faithful (peace be upon him), the Arab man praised the Prophet of God and, reciting a said:
‘You are a master from whom everyone expects that God will strengthen the religion through you. Among all creation there are five persons whose station is blessed among the people – and those five are you, the noble family.’ Then he left the mosque.”
Jabir continued: After this incident, Gabriel descended upon the Prophet and said: ‘Peace be upon you, O Messenger of God! Your Lord has a message: “Recite:
إِنَّمَا وَلِيُّكُمُ اللَّهُ وَرَسُولُهُ وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا الَّذِينَ يُقِيمُونَ الصَّلَاةَ وَيُؤْتُونَ الزَّكَاةَ وَهُمْ رَاكِعُونَ.
Then the Prophet stood up and said:
“‘O Muslims! Which of you performed a good deed today such that God has made him the guardian (wali) and protector of every believer?’ The Companions answered: ‘O Messenger of God! No one except your cousin Ali ibn Abi Talib (peace be upon him) performed any good deed.
He gave his ring in charity while praying to help a needy man. The Final Prophet said: ‘The reward of this good will be for my cousin Ali ibn Abi Talib (peace be upon him).’ Then the Messenger of God recited the Verse of Wilayah.” (1)
The Messenger of God’s Question to the Beggar
Imam al Baqir (peace be upon him) narrated concerning the giving of the ring:
“One day, the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) was praying in the mosque when a poor man passed by him. The Prophet of God asked him: ‘Has anyone given you charity?’ The poor man replied: ‘Yes, I went to a man who was bowing (in prayer), and he gave me his ring.’ The poor man pointed with his hand to that person, and it became clear that he was the Commander of the Faithful, Ali ibn Abi Talib (peace be upon him).
Immediately, verse 55 of Surah Al Ma’idah – was revealed
إِنَّمَا وَلِيُّكُمُ اللَّهُ وَرَسُولُهُ وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا الَّذِينَ يُقِيمُونَ الصَّلَاةَ وَيُؤْتُونَ الزَّكَاةَ وَهُمْ رَاكِعُون
After that, the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) said: ‘He is your guardian and protector after me.’” (2)
The Value of the Ring
Imam al Sadiq (peace be upon him) narrated:
“The ring that the Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him) gave in charity for the sake of God weighed four mithqals. Its band was made of silver, and its gem – which was a red ruby – weighed five mithqals and had a value equal to the land tax (kharāj) of the land of Syria! The kharāj of Syria consisted of three hundred camel loads of silver and four camel loads of gold.
This ring belonged to Marwan ibn Tawq, whom Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him) killed in battle and took the ring from his hand. Then he offered all the war spoils, including this ring, to the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family).
The Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) ordered him to keep the ring for himself. Thus, when the Commander of the Faithful (peace be upon him) was wearing this ring, a beggar came to him while he was praying, and he gave it as charity to him while still in the state of bowing.” (3)
Citing the Verse of Wilayah
In the six member council that was formed to determine the caliphate, Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him) said:
“I adjure you by God – is there anyone among you other than me about whom the verse
إِنَّمَا وَلِيُّكُمُ اللَّهُ وَرَسُولُهُ وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا الَّذِينَ يُقِيمُونَ الصَّلَاةَ وَيُؤْتُونَ الزَّكَاةَ وَهُمْ رَاكِعُونَ
was revealed?” They all answered: “No.” (4)
(1) Bihar al Anwar, vol. 35, p. 193
(2) Bihar al Anwar, vol. 35, p. 198; Mustadrak al Wasa’il, vol. 17, p. 258
(3) Tafsir al Burhan / Tafsir Ahl al Bayt (peace be upon them), vol. 4, p. 110
(4) Bihar al Anwar, vol. 31, p. 336; Al Ihtijaj, vol. 1, p. 139
