So, if we want to understand this Hadith, we should go to the Holy Quran, and understand the relationship between Harun and Moosa (a.s), which will help us understand the position of Imam Ali (a.s) to our beloved Prophet Muhammad (SAWA), with the exception of Nubuwwat, as clarified by Rasulullah (SAWA).
According to Afosa.org, the position is clear when we study verses 29 – 32 of Surah Taha (chapter 20 of the Holy Quran):
وَاجْعَلْ لِي وَزِيرًا مِنْ أَهْلِي
29. And give me a Minister from my family,
هَارُونَ أَخِي
30. Haroun, my brother,
اشْدُدْ بِهِ أَزْرِي
31. Confirm my strength with him,
وَأَشْرِكْهُ فِي أَمْرِي
32. And let him share my task
These verses make the position of Imamate so clear for all of us.
The month of Dhul Hijja is the month of Wilayat. Verse 142 of Surah A’araaf (chapter 7 of the Holy Quran), which was the main verse under discussion in this sermon, reminds us of the Hadith from Rasulullah (SAWA) on the status of Imam Ali (a.s).
In the coming special days of this sacred month, we have numerous other verses of the Holy Quran and Prophetic Hadith narrations, which even more explicitly speaks about the leadership of the Ummah, and the Wilayat and Imamate of the Ahlul Bait (a.s) with Imam Ali (a.s) appointed as the first Imam to succeed Rasulullah (SAWA).
We learn through history what the terrible consequences there are for deviation from the leadership. The endless trouble, which our Ummah is facing today, is mainly due to the deviation from the path of divine leadership.
Lack of leadership, which can give clear direction, has left us in this terrible position all over the world. We, as followers of the Ahlul Bait (a.s), are really privileged to have that leadership of the Ahlul Bait (a.s), and the continuation of this leadership in the form of Marja’iyyah (grand spiritual authorities) and Wilayat-e-Faqih (guardianship of the Islamic Jurist) represented by our great leaders like Ayatollah Khamenei and Ayatollah Sistani. Look at their vision, role and influence on the people and their direction towards the Islamic ideals, beyond any doubt.
