Ali Ibn Abi Talib - Volume 2 of 2

396 'Ali's attitude towards the Kharijites and Shia
for someone to knock at your door before you give the zakih due on
your wealth? Undoubtedly the former is be1ter.4'~
1.f.
Their saying that leadership is meant by the word 'wali' in this
verse is not in accordance with the words of Allah (&): (Verily, your
WaE [Protector or Helper] is none other than Allah, His Messenger,
and the believers) (Qur'an 5: 55). Allah (g) cannot be described as
being the ruler and leader of His slaves. He is their Creator, Provider,
Lord and Sovereign, and His is the creation and commandment,485
but it cannot be said that Allah (a) is the leader (amir) of the
believers as it is said that a ruler such as 'Ali is Amir al-
~u'mineen.4~~ With regard to its meaning friendship as opposed to
enmity, Allah takes care of His believing slaves. He loves them, and
they love Him; He is pleased with them, and they are pleased with
Him. Whoever takes a friend of His as an enemy, Allah (B) declares
war on him!87 This type of friendship is what is meant in the verse.
Moreover, the phrase Band they are Rriki'oon [those who bow
down or submit themselves with obedience to AUah in prayer])
(Qur'an 5: 55) means that they are submitting to their Lord and
following His commands. Tbe word rukoo' (which may mean
bowing) originally means submission, so it means that they establish
prayer and pay zakih in a state of submission, which is humility and
humbleness before ~llah.4~~ Allah (g) said, concerning Dswood
(@I: (And Diwood [David] guessed that We have hied him and he
sought forgiveness of his Lord, and he fell down prostrate [kharra
r&ki'an] and turned [to AUah] in repentance) (Qur'an 38: 24). He fell
down in prostration, but it is described as rriki'an [lit. bowing] here
because it was an expression of his state of humility and submission to
Allah (&). Allah also says: (And when it is said to them: 'Bow down
[irka'u]!' They bow not down) (Qur'an 77: 48). Here, 'bow down'
means humble yourselves and submit to the command of ~llah.4'~