Ali in the Holy Quran

References to Ali in the Holy Quran

According to the commentators of the Holy Quran there are numerous verses in the Holy Quran which have implied references to Ali. According to the Shia commentators there are as many as three hundred verses of the Holy Quran which have an implied reference to Ali. According to the Sunni commentators, the number is much smaller. Some of the verses which according to the consensus of the commentator refer to Ali are given hereunder:

Verse 33, Sura 33

Verse 33 of Sura 33 of the Holy Quran {33:33} reads: "Allah's wish is to remove uncleanliness far from you O'Folk of the Prophet's household, and cleanse you with enough cleaning". Ali is obviously included in the expression "Folk of the Prophet's household".

Verse 61, Sura 3

Verse 61 of Sura 3 provides {3:61}: "And who so disputes with you concerning God after the knowledge which has come to you say to him: Come, we will summon our sons, your sons, our women and your women and ourselves and yourselves. Then we will pray humbly to our Lord, and solemnly invoke the curse of Allah upon those who lie."

This verse alludes to the deputation of the Christians of Najran who came to Madina to hold discussion with the Holy Prophet about the truth of Islam. In this verse, the reference to "Our sons, and our women" includes reference to Ali, Fatima, Hasan and Husain. Verse 3, Sara Verse 3 of Sura 9 provides: And a proclamation from God and His Apostle to the people on the day of 'Greater Pilgrimage' that Allah is free from obligation to the idolaters and so is His Messenger. So, if you repent it will be better for you; but if you are averse, then know that you cannot escape Allah. Give tidings O Muhammad of a painful doom to those who disbelieve". In pursuance of this verse, the Holy Prophet commissioned Ali to go to the 'Greater Pilgrimage' to announce the verses of the Sura of "Immunity" wherein God absolved the Muslims from all obligations under the treaties previously concluded with the idolaters.

Verse 23, Sura 42

Verse 23 of Sura 42 reads {42:23}: "Say O Muhammad to mankind: I do not ask of you any reward for it, but love for relatives, and whosoever earns good".

According to traditions when the Holy Prophet was asked as to who were the relatives alluded to in the verse, the Holy Prophet said, "Verily, the reference is to Ali, Fatima, Hassan and Husain".

Verse 21, Sura 45

Verse 21 of Sura 45 reads {45:21}: "Do those who commit evil deeds suppose that We shall treat them like those who believe and do good deeds-that their lives and their deaths shall be equal. No, bad is their judgment".

According to Ibn Abbas "the doers of good" referred to in this verse refer to Ali, Hamza and Ubaydah b Harith.

Verse 17, Sura 11

Verse 17 of Sura 11 reads {17:11}: "Is he to be counted equal with those who rely on a clear proof from his Lord and a witness from Him recites it, and before it was the Book of Moses, an example and a mercy ? Such believe therein. Whoso disbelieves therein the Fire is his appointed place. So be not you in doubt concerning it. Lo, it is the truth from your Lord, but most of mankind believe it not".

In one of his sermons, Ali said that there was hardly a man from amongst the Quraish who had not been referred to in the Holy Quran. Ali was asked to recite some verse which alluded to him. Thereupon he recited the above verse.

Verse 4, Sura 66

Verse 4 of Sura 66 reads {66:4}: "Now if both of you turn to Allah repentant it will be better for you, as your hearts are already so inclined. But if you back up each other against him, surely Allah is his helper, and Gabriel and the righteous among the believers, and furthermore all other angels too are his helpers".

According to Ibn Abbas, the Holy Prophet said that the "righteous men" alluded to as "helper" in this verse refers to Ali.

Verse 18, Sura 32

Verse 18 of Sura 32 reads {32:18}: "Is he who is a believer like him who is an evil doer? Verily, they are not equal".

According to Ibn Abbas "believer" in this verse refers to Ali, and 'evil doer" refers to Walid b Utba.

Verse 54, Sura 25

Verse 54 of Sura 25 reads {25:54}: "And He it is Who created man from water, and has appointed for him kindred by blood, and kindred by marriage and your Lord is all powerful".

According to traditions "kindred by blood" and "kindred by marriage" refers to Ali.

Verse 36, Sura 24

Verse 36 of Sura 24 reads {24:36}:"The lamp of light is lit in houses which Allah has allowed to be exalted so that His name be remembered in them. Therein He is glorified in the mornings and evenings."

According to traditions, the Holy Prophet said that the "houses" referred to in this verse include the house of Ali and Fatima.

Verse 55, Sura 5

Verse 55 of Sura 5 reads {5:55}: "Your friend is only Allah and His Messenger, and the believers who observe prayer and pay the poor rate."

According to traditions "believers" referred to in this verse includes a reference to Ali.

Verse 12, Sura 58

Verse 12 of Sura 58 provides {58:12}: "O ye who believe! When you consult the Messenger in private, give alms before your consultation. That is better and purer for you. But when you do not find the wherewithal, lo! Allah is Forgiving and Merciful. "

According to traditions when this verse was revealed the Holy Prophet wanted to fix an amount, which every person who consulted the Holy Prophet should pay. Ali represented that, as the people were generally poor no amount should be fixed, and the option should rest with the person concerned to pay whatever alms he could.

Verse 181, Sura 7

Verse 181 of Sura 7 reads {7:181}: "And of those We have created there are people that guide men with truth, and do justice therewith."

According to traditions, the reference to "people that guide men with truth" in this verse includes a reference to Ali.

Verse 57, Sura 43

Verse 57 of Sura 43 reads {43:57}: "And when the son of Mary is cited as an example, behold, the people jeer thereat". According to traditions, the Holy Prophet is said to have told Ali one day that his example would be like that of Jesus Christ. A section of the people would love him so much that they would willingly die for him, while there would be some people who would fight against him.

Verse 29, Sura 48

Verse 29, of Sura 48 reads {48:29}: "Muhammad is the Apostle of God and those with him are firm against the disbelievers, and merciful amongst themselves. Thus see them bowing down, and prostrating themselves in prayer, seeking grace from Allah and His pleasure. Their mark is upon their faces, being the traces of prostration. Such is their description in the Torah. And their description in the Gospel is like a seed that sends forth its sprout, then makes it strong; it then becomes thick, and stands on its stem, delighting the sowers, and causing the disbelievers to burn with rage at the sight of them. Allah has promised to those of them who believe and do good works, forgiveness and a great reward."

According to the commentary of Imam Abu Musa this verse was revealed in favor of Ali.

Verse 43, Sura 13

Verse 43 of Sura 13 reads {13:43}: "And those who disbelieve say 'You are not a Messenger'. Say to them Sufficient is Allah as a witness between me and you, and so is he who possesses knowledge of the Book".

According to commentators, the phrase "Whosoever has the knowledge of the Book", alludes to Ali.

Verse 64, Sura 8

Verse 64 of Sura 8 reads {8:64}: "O prophet! Allah is sufficient for you and for such of the followers as follow you." According to commentators the phrase "such of the followers as follow you", alludes to Ali.