Ali Ibn Abi Talib - Volume 2 of 2

'Ali ibn Abi Tcilib 491
from the Qur'an or from the Sunnah of the Prophet (@) or from the
Companions of the Messenger of Allah (s), including 'Ali, will be
guided.
This notion - that the one seeking knowledge of the Qur'an
from anyone other than 'Ali is doomed - is not part of Islam, and it
is known to he false beyond any doubt. The Prophet (@J did not
single out any one of his Companions for knowledge of Sharia to the
exclusion of others. AUah (s) says: h d We have also sent down
unto you [0 Muhammad] the Dhikr [reminder and the advice (i.e. the
Qur'an)], that you may explain clearly to men what is sent down to
them% (Qur'an 16: 44). This verse proves that explanation of the
Qur'an is for all people, not just one individual or group, even if they
are members of his household. Amir al-Mu'mineen 'Ali (&) stated
that the Messenger of Allah a) did not single him out for specific
knowledge to the exclusion of other people.824 The Prophet (g)
addressed his Companions and those who came after them and
encouraged them to convey his Sunnah, and he did not single out one
of them in that regard. He said: "May Allah make his face radiant, the
one who hears the hadith from us and memorises it so that he can
convey it to others, because it may be that a person who has some
knowledge hut does not fully understand it may convey it to someone
who has better understanding than him."825 This hadith was also
narrated in the major reference books of the Twelver hia as,"^ and it
will count as evidence against them.
Let us consider the claims that the noble Qur'an was not
addressed to anyone but the twelve Imams, that no one knows the
Qur'an except them and that the Qur'an is only understood by those
to whom it is addre~sed."~ According to this sick understanding, the
Companions of the Messenger of Allah (@), the Tgbi'oon and the
leading scholars of Islam throughout the ages would he regarded as
being doomed and as causing the doom of others because they