A Critical Analysis of the Hadith “Ali is the Gate of Knowledge”
Source: Ahkam wa Masail, Fada’il wa Khisal ka Bayan, Vol. 1, p. 472
❖ Question
In the Hadith it is mentioned that the Prophet ﷺ said: “I am the city of knowledge, and Ali is its gate.”
What is meant by the word “gate” in this Hadith?
❖ Answer
Alhamdulillah, waṣ-ṣalatu wa-s-salāmu ‘ala Rasoolillah, amma ba‘d!
This narration is found in Jami‘ al-Tirmidhi. However, in its chain of transmission, Sharik ibn Abdullah al-Nakha‘i appears, who is regarded as a weak narrator.
It is also reported in al-Mustadrak of al-Hakim, but in that chain Abdus-Salam ibn Salih al-Harawi appears, who too is a weak narrator.
Therefore, based on both these chains of transmission, this narration is not reliable nor can it be used as evidence.
ھذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب
