from the Book Ahkām wa Masā’il Kitāb o Sunnat ki Roshni Mein by Shaykh Mubashar Ahmad Rabbānī
Is the narration “I am the city of knowledge and ʿAlī is its gate” authentic? What is its correct meaning according to hadith literature?
The narration:
«أنا مدينة العلم وعليٌّ بابُها»
“I am the city of knowledge, and ʿAlī is its gate.”
is often quoted by certain individuals who exaggerate in their praise of ʿAlī رضي الله عنه and use such weak or fabricated narrations to construct incorrect beliefs.
In recent times, Rāfiḍī groups have frequently cited this narration and even named their institutions and publications after it.
They argue that:
This interpretation, however, is incorrect on multiple grounds, both in terms of hadith authenticity and rational understanding.
Imām al-Ṭayyibī رحمه الله writes:
"This narration does not serve as proof for their claim. Paradise is greater than the house of wisdom, yet it has eight gates.
So, if Paradise can have multiple gates, why should the city of knowledge have only one?"
Mullā ʿAlī al-Qārī رحمه الله explains:
"The meaning is: ʿAlī is one of the gates to this city, not the only one."
This narration is weak with all its chains, and Shaykh al-Albānī رحمه الله has classified it as:
Fabricated (mawḍūʿ)
Some chains include Abū al-Ṣalt ʿAbd al-Salām ibn Ṣāliḥ al-Harawī, who is accused of lying.
Sources documenting his unreliability include:
Another chain contains Shurayk ibn ʿAbd Allāh, a narrator known for weak memory.
This version is found in Jāmiʿ al-Tirmidhī (Ḥadīth: 3723) and Ḥilyat al-Awliyā’ (1/64).
Another version from Jābir رضي الله عنه is cited in al-Mustadrak of al-Ḥākim, but includes Aḥmad ibn ʿAbd Allāh al-Ḥarānī, a fabricator and impostor.
Further references:
Silsilah al-Ḍaʿīfah, al-Fawā’id al-Majmūʿah by Imām al-Shawkānī, Hadith: 2
Another version of the narration states:
“I am the city of knowledge, Abū Bakr is its foundation, ʿUmar is its walls, ʿUthmān its roof, and ʿAlī its gate.
So speak nothing but good regarding Abū Bakr, ʿUmar, ʿUthmān, and ʿAlī.”
However, those who excessively propagate the “city of knowledge” narration rarely accept this full version, which equally honors all four caliphs.
From a logical and practical standpoint:
This proves that the gate comes last, not first — hence, by their own analogy, ʿAlī رضي الله عنه's caliphate being fourth is completely consistent.
Some scholars have suggested an alternative grammatical reading, where the word "ʿAlī" is interpreted as an adjective (ʿaliyy) meaning:
“And its gate is elevated and noble.”
This interpretation, however, is rare and not mainstream.
❖ The narration “I am the city of knowledge and ʿAlī is its gate” is:
❖ Even if it were authentic, it does not prove exclusivity of knowledge through ʿAlī رضي الله عنه.
❖ The complete narration includes all four Rightly Guided Caliphs, establishing their honored and interconnected roles.
❖ Rationally and structurally, ʿAlī’s position as the fourth caliph is in harmony with this analogy.
May Allah guide us to truth and balance, and protect us from exaggeration and misguidance. Āmīn.
❖ Question:
Is the narration “I am the city of knowledge and ʿAlī is its gate” authentic? What is its correct meaning according to hadith literature?
✿ Answer:
The narration:
«أنا مدينة العلم وعليٌّ بابُها»
“I am the city of knowledge, and ʿAlī is its gate.”
is often quoted by certain individuals who exaggerate in their praise of ʿAlī رضي الله عنه and use such weak or fabricated narrations to construct incorrect beliefs.
In recent times, Rāfiḍī groups have frequently cited this narration and even named their institutions and publications after it.
They argue that:
- The Prophet ﷺ is the house of wisdom and city of knowledge,
- ʿAlī رضي الله عنه is its only gate,
- Based on the verse:
﴿وَأْتُوا الْبُيُوتَ مِنْ أَبْوَابِهَا﴾
“Enter houses through their doors.” — [al-Baqarah: 189] - Therefore, true access to prophetic knowledge is only through ʿAlī,
- Hence, he is the only rightful immediate successor to the Prophet ﷺ and the sole inheritor of his knowledge.
This interpretation, however, is incorrect on multiple grounds, both in terms of hadith authenticity and rational understanding.
① Commentary of Classical Scholars:
Imām al-Ṭayyibī رحمه الله writes:
"This narration does not serve as proof for their claim. Paradise is greater than the house of wisdom, yet it has eight gates.
So, if Paradise can have multiple gates, why should the city of knowledge have only one?"
Reference: Sharḥ al-Ṭayyibī 12/3887
Mullā ʿAlī al-Qārī رحمه الله explains:
"The meaning is: ʿAlī is one of the gates to this city, not the only one."
Reference: Mirqāt al-Mafātīḥ 10/269
② Authenticity Status of the Narration:
This narration is weak with all its chains, and Shaykh al-Albānī رحمه الله has classified it as:
Fabricated (mawḍūʿ)
Reference: Silsilat al-Aḥādīth al-Ḍaʿīfah wa al-Mawḍūʿah, Ḥadīth: 2955
Some chains include Abū al-Ṣalt ʿAbd al-Salām ibn Ṣāliḥ al-Harawī, who is accused of lying.
Sources documenting his unreliability include:
- al-Mughnī fī al-Ḍuʿafā’ (1/624)
- al-Jarḥ wa al-Taʿdīl (6/257)
- Mīzān al-Iʿtidāl (2/616)
- Lisān al-Mīzān (7/287)
- al-Ḍuʿafā’ al-Kabīr (3/70)
Another chain contains Shurayk ibn ʿAbd Allāh, a narrator known for weak memory.
This version is found in Jāmiʿ al-Tirmidhī (Ḥadīth: 3723) and Ḥilyat al-Awliyā’ (1/64).
Another version from Jābir رضي الله عنه is cited in al-Mustadrak of al-Ḥākim, but includes Aḥmad ibn ʿAbd Allāh al-Ḥarānī, a fabricator and impostor.
Reference: Talkhīṣ al-Mustadrak 3/127–129
Further references:
Silsilah al-Ḍaʿīfah, al-Fawā’id al-Majmūʿah by Imām al-Shawkānī, Hadith: 2
③ Even If the Narration Were Accepted:
Another version of the narration states:
“I am the city of knowledge, Abū Bakr is its foundation, ʿUmar is its walls, ʿUthmān its roof, and ʿAlī its gate.
So speak nothing but good regarding Abū Bakr, ʿUmar, ʿUthmān, and ʿAlī.”
Reference: Musnad al-Firdaws, p. 43–44 | Tārīkh Dimashq 9/20, 45/321 | Kashf al-Khafā’ 1/204 | Mirqāt 10/470–471
However, those who excessively propagate the “city of knowledge” narration rarely accept this full version, which equally honors all four caliphs.
④ Rational Consideration:
From a logical and practical standpoint:
- In any building, the foundation is laid first,
- Then walls are built,
- Then the roof is placed,
- And only afterward is the door installed.
This proves that the gate comes last, not first — hence, by their own analogy, ʿAlī رضي الله عنه's caliphate being fourth is completely consistent.
⑤ Rare Interpretation:
Some scholars have suggested an alternative grammatical reading, where the word "ʿAlī" is interpreted as an adjective (ʿaliyy) meaning:
“And its gate is elevated and noble.”
This interpretation, however, is rare and not mainstream.
✔ Conclusion:
❖ The narration “I am the city of knowledge and ʿAlī is its gate” is:
- Not authentic,
- Declared fabricated by leading scholars,
- Incorrectly used to support sectarian beliefs.
❖ Even if it were authentic, it does not prove exclusivity of knowledge through ʿAlī رضي الله عنه.
❖ The complete narration includes all four Rightly Guided Caliphs, establishing their honored and interconnected roles.
❖ Rationally and structurally, ʿAlī’s position as the fourth caliph is in harmony with this analogy.
May Allah guide us to truth and balance, and protect us from exaggeration and misguidance. Āmīn.
