The Status of Sayyiduna Ali Radi Allahu Anhu and Islamic Brotherhood
Sayyiduna Ali Radi Allahu Anhu is counted among the esteemed companions and is also the fourth rightly guided Caliph of Islam. He had many close relationships with the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم, including Islamic brotherhood, the relationship of being paternal cousins, and the relationship of being a son-in-law. The bond of Islamic brotherhood, which took precedence over all other relationships, was a major reason for the virtue of Sayyiduna Ali Radi Allahu Anhu.
The Reality of the Islamic Relationship
In some narrations, a specific brotherhood relationship between Sayyidina Ali رضي الله عنه and the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم is mentioned, which is considered against scholarly integrity. The Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم had an Islamic brotherhood relationship with all the Companions, but some people claim that the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم established a special brotherhood relationship with Sayyidina Ali رضي الله عنه after the migration. Let us examine the evidence for this claim:
Evidence Number 1: Narration of Sayyidina Abdullah bin Umar رضي الله عنهما
According to the narration, when the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم established brotherhood among the Companions, Sayyidina Ali رضي الله عنه came to the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم weeping and said that you have not made me anyone’s brother. To this, the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم said:
’أَنْتَ أَخِي فِي الدُّنْیَا وَالْآخِرَۃِ‘
Investigation of the Narration
This narration is “weak” in terms of chain of transmission because:
➊ Hakim bin Jubair Asadi, who is the narrator of this hadith, is considered “weak” and “abandoned” by the majority of hadith scholars. Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal, Imam Yahya bin Ma’in, Imam Nasai, and other scholars have declared him weak.
➋ In Mustadrak Hakim, the narration is transmitted through Salim bin Abu Hafsa, but this chain is also false because it includes Ishaq bin Bishr Kahli, who is an “abandoned” and “fabricator” narrator, counted among the fabricators of hadith by Imam Ibn Adi.
Evidence Number 2: The narration attributed to Sayyiduna Zaid bin Abu Awfa (may Allah be pleased with him)
According to the narration, there was a dialogue between the Holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and Sayyiduna Ali رضي الله عنه in which the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said that your status with me is like that of Harun to Musa عليه السلام. During this conversation, Sayyiduna Ali رضي الله عنه asked about inheritance, and the Holy Prophet ﷺ clarified that the inheritance of the Prophets includes the Book of Allah and the Sunnah, and in Paradise, Sayyiduna Ali رضي الله عنه will have a position alongside you ﷺ.
Investigation of the Narration
This narration is invalid in terms of its chain of transmission and has several reasons:
➊ Abdul-Mu’min ibn ‘Abbad ‘Abdi, who is the narrator of this narration, is unanimously considered unreliable by the scholars of hadith.
➋ Imam Bukhari رحمه الله says: “He narrates rejected narrations”
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➌ Imam Abu Hatim Razi رحمه الله also classified him as “weak”
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➍ Imam ‘Aqili رحمه الله called one of his narrations weak
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➎ Hafiz Ibn Hajar, may Allah have mercy on him, has also counted it among weak narrators
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➏ There is no mention of the life circumstances of Yazid bin Ma’n, which further casts doubt on the chain of this narration.
➐ There is also an ambiguous narrator in the narration, whose identity could not be determined.
Further defects in the chain:
➊ In Tarikh Kabir
the narrators of this narration, Ibrahim bin Bashir Azdi and Yahya bin Mu’in Madani, are both “unknown”
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➋ No authentication was found for Sa’d bin Sharhabil either.
Opinions of the Muhaddithin
➊ Hafiz Ibn Abdul Barr, may Allah have mercy on him, states that “undoubtedly there is weakness in its chain”
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➋ Imam Bukhari, may Allah have mercy on him, declared this chain “unknown” and said that it is a rejected narration and the hearing of its narrators is also unknown
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➌ Hafiz Dhahabi, may Allah have mercy on him, called it a “severely rejected” narration
and further wrote that the narrator named Zaid is not known anywhere else except this fabricated narration
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Argument Number 3: The narration of Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them)
According to the narration, the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said to Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him):
‘أَنْتَ أَخِي وَصَاحِبِي’
(You are my brother and companion).
Investigation of the narration
This narration is weak and the reasons are as follows:
➊ Hajjaj bin Artaah, who is the narrator of this narration, is considered “weak” and “mudallis” by the majority of hadith scholars.
➋ In Tarikh Dimashq
the Shuba’ah followed Hajjaj, however, this is also insufficient to strengthen the chain.
➌ This narration also includes the tadlees (concealment) of Hukm bin Utaybah. Hukm heard only four or five hadiths from Muqsim and this narration is not among them, which makes this narration disconnected.
Argument Number 4: The narration of Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Umar (may Allah be pleased with them)
It is narrated that the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was searching for Sayyidina Ali رضي الله عنه in Medina in a garden, where he found him sleeping on the ground in a dusty state. The Prophet ﷺ, without blaming those who called him Abu Turab, said to please Sayyidina Ali رضي الله عنه that you are my brother, my minister, my debtor, and the fulfiller of promises.
Investigation of the narration
This narration is very weak and the reasons are as follows:
➊ Laith bin Abu Sulaym, who is the narrator of this narration, is considered “weak” by the majority of hadith scholars and he suffered from memory impairment.
➋ Abdullah bin Muhammad Tahawi is also a narrator of this narration, who is unknown and there is not much information available about him.
➌ Hafiz Haithami رحمه الله states that there is a narrator in the chain of this narration whom he does not recognize
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Argument number 5: Narration attributed to Sayyidina Ali رضي الله عنه
According to the narration, the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, found Sayyidina Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, sleeping in a ditch and woke him up. The Noble Prophet, peace be upon him, said that he does not blame those who call you Abu Turab, and then to please you, he said that you are my brother, the father of my grandsons, and the protector of my Sunnah. Whoever loves you will die in peace and faith, and whoever harbors enmity will die the death of ignorance.
Investigation of the Narration
This narration is weak, and the reasons are as follows:
➊ The reliability and conditions of the narrator named Abdul Momin are unknown, which weakens the chain of transmission.
➋ Regarding the narrator Suwaid bin Saeed, Hafiz Ibn Hajar, may Allah have mercy on him, states that he was truthful, but after becoming blind, he accepted prompting, which makes it difficult to trust his narrations
.
Evidence Number 6: Narration Attributed to Sayyidina Ali, May Allah Be Pleased With Him
In this narration, the Holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said to Sayyidina Ali رضي الله عنه:
‘یَا عَلِيُّ، أَنْتَ أَخِي، وَصَاحِبِي، وَرَفِیقِي، فِي الْجَنَّۃِ’
(Ali! You are my brother, companion, and my companion in Paradise).
Investigation of the Narration
This narration is fabricated (false), and the reasons are as follows:
➊ Uthman bin Abdul Rahman Waqasi, who is the narrator of this narration, is unanimously considered “weak” and “abandoned” by the scholars of hadith. Hafiz Dhahabi رحمه الله states that the scholars agree on his abandonment.
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➋ There is no authentication for Imran bin Sawar al-Baghdadi.
➌ Ali bin Hussain did not live during the time of his grandfather Sayyidina Ali رضي الله عنه, which further weakens this narration.
Evidence Number 7: Narration Attributed to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ
In this narration, the Holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said to Sayyidina Ali رضي الله عنه:
‘أَنْتَ أَخِي، وَأَنَا أَخُوکَ’
(You are my brother, and I am your brother).
Investigation of the Narration
This narration is very weak, and the reasons are as follows:
➊ Hafs bin Jami’ Kufi is considered “weak” by the majority of hadith scholars
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➋ Simak bin Harb’s memory deteriorated in his later years, making it difficult to trust his narrations.
➌ Umar bin Ubaidullah Taymi’s authentication is only by Imam Ibn Hibban, while other hadith scholars have not authenticated him, which makes him “unknown status.”
Evidence Number 8: Narration of Sayyiduna Anas رضي الله عنه
The narration states that Sayyiduna Anas رضي الله عنه heard the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم say from Sayyiduna Ali رضي الله عنه:
‘أَنْتَ أَخِي فِي الدُّنْیَا وَالْآخِرَۃِ’
(You are my brother in this world and the Hereafter).
Investigation of the Narration
This narration has come with a weak chain and the reasons are as follows:
➊ Amr bin Abu Muqadam bin Thabit, who is the narrator of this narration, is considered “weak” and “abandoned” by the majority of hadith scholars.
➋ Imam Abdullah bin Mubarak, Imam Yahya bin Ma’in, Imam Bukhari, Imam Darqutni, Imam Abu Hatim Razi, Imam Abu Zur’ah Razi, Imam Nasai, and Imam Ibn ‘Adi (may Allah have mercy on them) have declared it “weak” and “abandoned.”
➌ Hasan bin Husayn Arni, the narrator, has been declared defective.
➍ Umar bin Hasan Qazi has also been declared unreliable.
➎ Hasan Basri has been called a “mudallis” (one who practices concealment in narration) by the muhaddithin, which further weakens the narration.
Evidence Number 9: Another narration of Sayyiduna Anas (may Allah be pleased with him)
According to this narration, Sayyiduna Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) heard the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) say to Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him):
‘أَنْتَ أَخِي، وَأَنَا أَخُوکَ’
(You are my brother, and I am your brother).
Investigation of the narration
This narration is fabricated (mawdu’), and the reasons are as follows:
➊ Matar bin Maymun Muharibi has been declared “abandoned” and a “fabricator” (one who forges hadith) by the muhaddithin.
➋ Hafiz Ibn Hajar (may Allah have mercy on him) called him “abandoned.”
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➌ Imam Ibn Hibban, may Allah have mercy on him, stated that this narrator reported from Sayyiduna Anas bin Malik, may Allah be pleased with him, narrations that he never actually narrated. Taking narration from him is forbidden.
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➍ This hadith was declared “fabricated” (man gharrat) by Hafiz Ibn al-Jawzi, may Allah have mercy on him,
and Hafiz Al-Dhahabi, may Allah have mercy on him,
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Evidence Number 10: Narration of Sayyida Asma bint Umais, may Allah be pleased with her
In this narration, the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, said that I say the same as my brother Musa (Moses), peace be upon him, said:
‘رَبِّ اشْرَحْ لِي صَدْرِي وَيَسِّرْ لِي أَمْرِي’، {وَاجْعَلْ لِي وَزِيرًا مِنْ أَهْلِي} عَلِيًّا أَخِي اشْدُدْ بِهِ أَزْرِي’
(My Lord, make my task easy for me, and grant me strength through my brother Ali).
Verification of the Narration
This narration is weak and the reasons are as follows:
➊ Regarding Haseen bin Yazid Tha’labi, Imam Bukhari, may Allah have mercy on him, said: “Fiha nazar” (He is not reliable)
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➋ Except for Imam Ibn Hibban, may Allah have mercy on him,
,
no one authenticated him, which makes this narrator “unknown in status”.
➌ The authentication of Ahmad bin Abdul Malik Awdi is also required, whose absence further weakens the chain of this narration.
Argument Number 11: The narration of Mahdooj bin Zaid Zahli
According to this narration, the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, established brotherhood among the Muslims, took the hand of Sayyidina Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, placed it on his chest, and said:
‘یَا عَلِيُّ، أَنْتَ أَخِي’
(Ali, you are my brother).
Investigation of the narration
This narration is false, and the reasons are as follows:
➊ Saad bin Tarif Al-Saff was declared “abandoned” and a “fabricator” (one who forges hadith) by the majority of hadith scholars.
➋ Yahya bin Abdul Hamid Hamani is considered “weak” by the majority of hadith scholars.
➌ Qais bin Rabi’ was also declared “weak” by the hadith scholars.
➍ Atiyah Awfi is considered “weak” by the majority of hadith scholars.
➎ There is disagreement about Mahdooj bin Zaid being a companion.
Argument Number 12: The narration of Sayyidina Abu Imamah Bahili, may Allah be pleased with him
It is narrated that when the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, established brotherhood among the people, he made Sayyidina Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, his brother.
Investigation of the narration
This narration is an outright lie, and the reasons are as follows:
➊ Ayub bin Madrak Hanafi has been declared “abandoned” and “liar” by the majority of hadith scholars.
➋ Imam Ibn Hibban, may Allah have mercy on him, states that Ayub bin Madrak narrated a fabricated version from Imam Makhul, even though he never saw Makhul.
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➌ Alaa bin Amr Hanafi was also an expert in fabricating false hadiths.
➍ There is no established hearing (sama’) of Makhul from Sayyidina Abu Imamah, may Allah be pleased with him.
Evidence number 13: Narration of Sayyidina Ali, may Allah be pleased with him
According to this narration, Sayyidina Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, said about the Noble Prophet, peace be upon him:
‘وَاللّٰہِ إِنِّي لَـأَخُوہُ وَوَلِیُّہٗ وَابْنُ عَمِّہٖ’
(By Allah, I am your brother, heir, and cousin).
Investigation of the narration
This narration is weak, and the reasons are as follows:
➊ Samak bin Harb, although considered “Hasan al-Hadith” by the majority of hadith scholars, his narration from Ukramah is “Mudarib” (conflicted).
➋ Hafiz Ibn Hajar, may Allah have mercy on him, states that he was a truthful narrator, but his narration from Ukramah is especially conflicted, and towards the end of his life, his memory deteriorated.
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Evidence Number 14: Another narration from Sayyiduna Ali, may Allah be pleased with him
This narration states that the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, told Sayyiduna Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, ten things, one of which was:
‘یَا عَلِيُّ، أَنْتَ أَخِي فِي الدُّنْیَا وَالْـآخِرَۃِ’
(O Ali! You are my brother in this world and the Hereafter).
Investigation of the narration
This narration is false, and the reasons are as follows:
➊ Nasr bin Muzahim al-Kufi has been declared “Matrook” (abandoned) and “Kadhdhab” (liar) by hadith scholars.
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➋ The life conditions of other narrators in this narration could not be ascertained.
Evidence Number 15: Narration of Sayyiduna Ya’la bin Umayyah, may Allah be pleased with him
It is narrated that the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, established brotherhood among the people but left Sayyidina Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, out, upon which he said that you have left me out. The Noble Prophet, peace be upon him, said that I left you out for myself; you are my brother, and after you, anyone who claims this will be lying.
Investigation of the Narration
This narration is very weak, and the reasons are as follows:
➊ Umar ibn Abdullah ibn Ya’la has been declared “weak” and “majruh” (critically flawed) by the majority of hadith scholars.
➋ Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal, Imam Yahya ibn Ma’in, Imam Abu Hatim Razi, Imam Abu Zur’ah Razi, Imam Bukhari, Imam Nasai, and Imam Ya’qub ibn Sufyan Fasawi, may Allah have mercy on them, have declared it “weak.”
➌ Imam Darqutni, may Allah have mercy on him, declared it “abandoned.”
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➍ The biography of Ruh ibn Abdul-Mujeeb Baladi is unknown.
Evidence Number 16: Narration of Sayyidina Abu Hurairah, may Allah be pleased with him
According to this narration, the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, established brotherhood among the companions and said:
‘Ali is my brother and I am his brother, and I love him.’
Verification of the Narration
This narration is very weak, and the reasons are as follows:
➊ Hijaj bin Bustam al-Harawi has been declared “weak” by the majority of hadith scholars.
➋ Imam Yahya bin Ma’in, Imam Nasai, Imam Abu Hatim Razi, Imam Ibn Hibban, and Imam Ibn Adi, may Allah have mercy on them, have declared it “weak.”
➌ Hafiz Ibn Hajar, may Allah have mercy on him, states that he is a weak narrator and his son Khalid used to narrate strongly contradictory reports from him.
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Evidence Number 17: Narration of Sayyiduna Abu Tufail, may Allah be pleased with him
The narration states that when Sayyiduna Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, established the council of consultation at the time of his death, Sayyiduna Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, said that the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, did not establish brotherhood with anyone else besides him.
Investigation of the Hadith
This narration is a false story, and the reasons are as follows:
➊ Abu Jarood Ziyad bin Mundhir is “a liar,” “abandoned,” and a Rafidhi.
➋ Imam Yahya bin Ma’in, may Allah have mercy on him, states that he is a liar and an enemy of Allah
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➌ Saeed bin Muhammad Azdi’s reliability has not been established.
➍ Ishaq bin Ibrahim Azdi’s reliability has also not been confirmed by the Muhaddithin.
Evidence Number 18: Narration of Sayyiduna Abu Saeed Khudri, may Allah be pleased with him
According to this narration, Sayyiduna Abu Saeed Khudri, may Allah be pleased with him, heard the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, saying from Sayyiduna Ali, may Allah be pleased with him:
‘أَنْتَ أَخِي’
(You are my brother).
Investigation of the Hadith
This narration is false, and the reasons are as follows:
➊ There is no information about Malik bin Atiyah Jahni.
➋ The reliability of Hasan bin Mahbub bin Wahb Zarad has not been established.
➌ Imam ‘Aqili, may Allah have mercy on him, states that the narration of Abu Ja’far Muhammad bin Ali is not connected to Sayyiduna Abu Saeed Khudri, may Allah be pleased with him
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Argument Number 19: The Narration of Sayyiduna Abu Dharr رضي الله عنه
In this narration, it is stated that Sayyiduna Abu Dharr رضي الله عنه was leaning against the Kaaba and said that the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم said about Sayyiduna Ali رضي الله عنه:
‘O Allah! Grant him victory, indeed he is Your servant and the brother of Your Messenger.’
Investigation of the Narration
This narration is weak and unproven, and the reasons are as follows:
➊ It is not established that Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq رحمه الله heard from any companion. Hafiz Ibn Hajar رحمه الله mentioned him in the sixth category, whose meeting with companions is not proven.
➋ Ja’far ibn Ibrahim al-Ja’fari is “unknown,” and Imam Ibn Hibban states that his narrations can be mentioned in follow-ups and corroborations
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➌ Many narrators in this chain have not been authenticated.
Commentary of Shaykh al-Islam Imam Ibn Taymiyyah رحمه الله
Sheikh al-Islam Imam Ibn Taymiyyah, may Allah have mercy on him, states that all the hadiths regarding the establishment of brotherhood (Mu’akhah) among the Muhajireen themselves and among the Ansar themselves are false. The Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, did not establish Mu’akhah with Sayyidina Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, nor with Sayyidina Abu Bakr, may Allah be pleased with him, or Sayyidina Umar, may Allah be pleased with him. He, peace be upon him, established Mu’akhah between the Muhajireen and the Ansar, as was the case between Sayyidina Abdur Rahman bin Awf and Sayyidina Sa’d bin Rabi’, Sayyidina Salman al-Farsi and Sayyidina Abu Darda, and Sayyidina Ali and Sayyidina Sahl bin Hunayf, may Allah be pleased with them.
Summary of the Investigation:
The Holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ had a bond of Islamic brotherhood with all the companions, including Sayyidina Ali رضي الله عنه, however, there is no authentic evidence of a special brotherhood relationship specifically with Sayyidina Ali رضي الله عنه. The narrations that mention the establishment of brotherhood between the Holy Prophet ﷺ and Sayyidina Ali رضي الله عنه after the migration are all “weak” and unreliable.
According to the principles of the Muhaddithin (scholars of Hadith), there is no narration with an “Hasan” or “Sahih” chain of transmission that proves this claim. If anyone can present such a narration with a Sahih or Hasan chain, it will be examined according to the principles of the Muhaddithin. At present, to our knowledge, there is no narration that is proven according to the principles of the Muhaddithin.
Narrations of Brotherhood of Abu Bakr Siddiq رضي الله عنه:
The Holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ specifically called Sayyidina Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه his brother, some authentic references of which are as follows:
➊ It is narrated from Abdullah bin Abbas, may Allah be pleased with them both, that the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, said:
“If I were to take a friend from among my Ummah, I would have taken Abu Bakr as a friend, but he is my brother and companion.”
➋ Abu Saeed Khudri, may Allah be pleased with him, reports that the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, said:
“Among the people, the one who has been most kind to me in wealth and companionship is Abu Bakr. If I were to take a friend besides my Lord, I would have taken Abu Bakr as a friend, but Islamic brotherhood and love are sufficient.”
➌ When Sayyida Khawlah bint Hakim sought the hand of Sayyida Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her, for the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, Sayyidna Abu Bakr, may Allah be pleased with him, said:
“This Aisha is the daughter of the Prophet’s brother Abu Bakr, how can there be a relationship?”
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
“You are my Islamic brother and I am yours, but your daughter is lawful for me.”
Upon this, Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) married Sayyida Aisha to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
