The Holy Qur'an and Ahlul Bayt(A.S.)
Based on a parallel (Mutawatir) tradition upon whose authenticity all
Muslims agree, the Messenger of Allah (AS) informed his followers in
several occasions that he would leave them two precious/weighty things
and that if Muslims adhere to both of them, they will never go astray
after him. They are the Book of Allah (Quran) and the Members of the
House of the Prophet (Ahlul-Bayt), peace be upon them all.
It is narrated in Sahih Muslim as well as many other sources that:
Someday (after his last pilgrimage) the Messenger of Allah
Based on a parallel (Mutawatir) tradition upon whose authenticity all
Muslims agree, the Messenger of Allah (AS) informed his followers in
several occasions that he would leave them two precious/weighty things
and that if Muslims adhere to both of them, they will never go astray
after him. They are the Book of Allah (Quran) and the Members of the
House of the Prophet (Ahlul-Bayt), peace be upon them all.
It is narrated in Sahih Muslim as well as many other sources that:
Someday (after his last pilgrimage) the Messenger of Allah (S.A.W.)
stood to give us a speech beside a pond which is known as Khum (Ghadir
Khum) which is located between Mecca and Medina. Then he praised Allah
and reminded Him, and then said: "O' people! Behold! It seems the time
approached when I shall be called away (by Allah) and I shall answer
that call. Behold! I am leaving for you two precious things. First of
them is the book of Allah in which there is light and guidance... The
other one is my Ahlul-Bayt. I remind you in the name of Allah about my
Ahlul-Bayt. I remind you in the name of Allah about my Ahlul-Bayt. I
remind you in the name of Allah about my Ahlul-Bayt. (three times)."
Sunni Reference:
· Sahih Muslim, Chapter of the virtues of the companions, section of the
virtues of Ali, 1980 Edition Pub. in Saudi Arabia, Arabic version, v4,
p1873, Tradition #36.
· And many others such as Sahih al-Tirmidhi, Musnad Ahmad (see below).
For the English version of Sahih Muslim, see Chapter CMXCVI, v4, p1286, Tradition #5920
As we can see in the above tradition in Sahih Muslim, not only
Ahlul-Bayt has been put beside the Quran, but also it has been mentioned
three times by the Prophet (S.A.W.).
Despite the fact that the author of Sahih Muslim and many other Sunni
traditionists have recorded the above tradition in their authentic
books, it is regrettable that the majority of Sunnis are unaware of its
existence at the best, or deny it at the worst. Their counter argument
is that the most reliable tradition in this regard is the one recorded
by al-Hakim in his al-Mustadrak, on the authority of Abu Huraira,
attributing to the Messenger of Allah saying: "I leave amongst you two
things that if you follow or act upon, you will not go astray after me:
The Book of God and my Sunnah (traditions)."
There is no doubt that ALL Muslims are required to follow the Sunnah of
the Prophet (S.A.W.). However, the question remains that which Sunnah is
genuine and which one is invented later and was falsely attributed to
the Prophet.
On tracing the source of this report of Abu Huraira which states "Quran
and Sunnah," we found out that it has NOT been recorded in any of the
six authentic Sunni collections of the traditions (Sihah Sittah). Not
only that, but also al-Bukhari, al-Nisa'i, and al-Dhahabi and many
others rated this report (Quran and Sunnah) as weak because of its weak
Isnad. It should be noted that although the book of al-Hakim is an
important Sunni collection of traditions, yet it is ranked inferior to
the six major Sunni books. This is while Sahih Muslim is in the second
rank among the six Sunni collections of traditions.
al-Tirmidhi reported that the "Quran and Ahlul-Bayt" version of the
tradition is traced to 30+ companions. Ibn Hajar al-Haythami reported
that he knows of 20+ companions witnessed that also. This is while the
"Quran and Sunnah" version reported by al-Hakim has only one source!
Thus we must conclude that the "Quran and Ahlul-Bayt" version is much
more reliable. Moreover al-Hakim has also mentioned the "Quran and
Ahlul-Bayt" version in his book (al-Mustadrak) through several chain of
authorities and confirmed that the "Quran and Ahlul-Bayt" version of the
tradition is authentic based on the criteria of al-Bukhari and Muslim.
Moreover, the word "Sunnah" by itself does not serve the purpose of
knowledge. All Muslims irrespective to their persuasions claim that they
follow the Sunnah of the Prophet (S.A.W.). The differences among
Muslims come from the transmitted Prophetic traditions through different
avenues. Such traditions serve as explanatory means of the Holy Quran
upon whose authenticity all Muslims agree. Thus divergence in the
transmitted traditions, which in turn has led to differing
interpretation of Quran and the prophetic Sunnah, has created numerous
versions of Sunnah. All Muslims, as a result, splintered into different
schools, groups, offshoots, which is believed to add up to seventy three
groups. All of them are obeying their own version of Sunnah which they
claim to be the true one. Which of these groups follow the true Sunnah
of the Prophet? Which one (out of 73 groups) will be the prosperous one,
and will survive? Other than the tradition of Sahih Muslim mentioned
above, the following authentic traditions provide a unique detailed
answer for this question:
The messenger of Allah (S.A.W.) said: "I am leaving for you two precious
and weighty Symbols that if you adhere to BOTH of them you shall not go
astray after me. They are, the Book of Allah, and my progeny, that is
my Ahlul-Bayt. The Merciful has informed me that These two shall not
separate from each other till they come to me by the Pool (of
Paradise)."
Sunni references:
1. Sahih al-Tirmidhi, v5, pp 662-663,328, report of 30+ companions, with reference to several chains of transmitters.
2. al-Mustadrak, by al-Hakim, Chapter of "Understanding (the virtues) of
Companions, v3, pp 109,110,148,533 who wrote this tradition is
authentic (Sahih) based on the criteria of the two Shaikhs (al-Bukhari
and Muslim).
3. Sunan, by Daarami, v2, p432
4. Musnad, by Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, v3, pp 14,17,26,59, v4, pp 366,370-372, v5, pp 182,189,350,366,419
5. Fadha'il al-Sahaba, by Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, v2, p585, Tradition #990
6. al-Khasa'is, by al-Nisa'i, pp 21,30
7. al-Sawa'iq al-Muhriqah, by Ibn Hajar Haythami, Ch. 11, section 1, p230
8. al-Kabir, by al-Tabarani, v3, pp 62-63,137
9. Kanz al-Ummal, by al-Muttaqi al-Hindi, Chapter al-Iti'sam bi Habl Allah, v1, p44.
10. Tafsir Ibn Kathir (complete version), v4, p113, under commentary of verse 42:23 of Quran (four traditions)
11. al-Tabaqat al-Kubra, by Ibn Sa'd, v2, p194, Pub. by Dar Isadder, Lebanon.
12. al-Jami' al-Saghir, by al-Suyuti, v1, p353, and also in v2
13. Majma' al-Zawa'id, al-Haythami, v9, p163
14. al-Fateh al-Kabir, al-Binhani, v1, p451
15. Usdul Ghabah fi Ma'rifat al-Sahaba, Ibn al-Athir, v2, p12
16. Jami' al-Usul, Ibn al-Athir, v1, p187
17. History of Ibn Asakir, v5, p436
18. al-Taj al-Jami' Lil Usul, v3, p308
19. al-Durr al-Manthoor, al-Hafidh al-Suyuti, v2, p60
20. Yanabi al-Mawaddah, al-Qundoozi al-Hanafi, pp 38,183
21. Abaqat al-Anwar, v1, p16
... and many more ...
Of course, any Muslim should follow the Sunnah of the Prophet (S.A.W.),
and as such, we, the Followers of Ahlul-Bayt, submit to the genuine
(practice) Sunnah of the Holy Prophet of Islam (S.A.W.) and consider it
to be the only path of salvation. But the above tradition gives evidence
to the fact that any so-called Sunnah (practice) which contradicts
Ahlul-Bayt is NOT a genuine Sunnah and has been innovated later on by
some pay-rolled individuals in support the tyrants. That's why the
Prophet had emphasized so much on Ahlul-Bayt in loving them and
following them since they carry his genuine Sunnah. And this is the
basis of the Shia School of Thought (the School of Ahlul-Bayt). The
Ahlul-Bayt of the Prophet who are raised in his house know more than
anybody else about the Sunnah of the Prophet and what it entails, for as
the proverb goes: "The people of Mecca know its paths better than
anyone else."
For the sake of argument, if we accept that the two versions of the
tradition ("Quran and Ahlul-Bayt" vs. "Quran and Sunnah") are both
authentic, then one must submit to the interpretation that the word "my
Sunnah" given by al-Hakim means the Sunnah which is derived through
Ahlul- Bayt and not any other source, as it is evident from the
Ahlul-Bayt version given by both Mustadrak al-Hakim and Sahih Muslim.
Now let us take a look at the following tradition:
Narrated Umm Salama:
The Messenger of Allah said: "Ali is with Quran, and Quran is with Ali.
They shall not separate from each other till they both return to me by
the Pool (of Paradise)."
Sunni references:
· al-Mustadrak, by al-Hakim, v3, p124 on the authority of Umm Salama
· al-Sawa'iq al-Muhriqah, by Ibn Hajar, Ch. 9, section 2, pp 191,194
· al-Awsat, by al-Tabarani; also in al-Saghir
· Tarikh al-Khulafaa, by Jalaluddin al-Suyuti, p173
The above tradition gives evidence to the fact that Imam Ali and Quran
are non-separable. If we accept the "Quran and Sunnah" version to be
authentic, then one can conclude that the one who carries the Sunnah of
Prophet is Imam Ali since he is the one who has been put beside Quran.
Interesting to see, al-Hakim has many other traditions about necessity
of following Ahlul-Bayt, among which is the following tradition. This
tradition is also narrated by many other Sunni scholars and is known as
the "Tradition of the Ship" in which the Prophet (S.A.W.) stated:
"Behold! My Ahlul-Bayt are like the Ark of Noah. Whoever embarked in it
was SAVED, and whoever turned away from it was PERISHED."
Sunni references:
1. al-Mustadrak, by al-Hakim, v2, p343, v3, pp 150-151 on the authority
of Abu Dhar. al-Hakim said this tradition is authentic (Sahih).
2. Fadha'il al-Sahaba, by Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, v2, p786
3. Tafsir al-Kabir, by Fakhr al-Razi, under the commentary of verse 42:23, Part 27, p167
4. al-Bazzar, on the authority of Ibn Abbas and Ibn Zubair with the wording "drowned" instead of "perished".
5. al-Sawa'iq al-Muhriqah, by Ibn Hajar Haythami, Ch. 11, section 1,
p234 under Verse 8:33. Also in section 2, p282. He said this Hadith has
been transmitted via numerous authorities.
6. Tarikh al-Khulafaa and Jami' al-Saghir, by al-Suyuti
7. al-Kabir, by al-Tabarani, v3, pp 37,38
8. al-Saghir, by al-Tabarani, v2, p22
9. Hilyatul Awliyaa, by Abu Nu'aym, v4, p306
10. al-Kuna wal Asmaa, by al-Dulabi, v1, p76
11. Yanabi al-Mawaddah, by al-Qundoozi al-Hanafi, pp 30,370
12. Is'af al-Raghibeen, by al-Saban
The above tradition gives evidence to the fact that those who adopt the
school of Ahlul-Bayt and follow them, shall be saved from the punishment
of Hell, while those who run away from them shall meet with the fate of
the one who tried to save his life by climbing up the mountain, with
the only difference that whereas he (Noah's renegade son) was drowned in
water, but these people will be drowned the fire of Hell. The following
tradition also confirms it:
The Prophet (S.A.W.) said about Ahlul-Bayt:
"Do not be ahead of them for you will perish, do not turn away from them
for you will perish, and do not try to teach them since they know more
than you do!"
Sunni references:
1. al-Durr al-Manthoor, by al-Suyuti, v2, p60
2. al-Sawa'iq al-Muhriqah, by Ibn Hajar al-Haythami, Ch. 11, section 1, p230, quoted from al-Tabarani, also in section 2, p342
3. Usdul Ghabah, by Ibn al-Athir, v3, p137
4. Yanabi' al-Mawaddah, by al-Qundoozi al-Hanafi, p41, and P335
5. Kanz al-Ummal, by al-Muttaqi al-Hindi, v1, p168
6. Majma' al-Zawa'id, by al-Haythami, v9, p163
7. Aqabat al-Anwar, v1, p184
8. A'alam al-Wara, pp 132-133
9. Tadhkirat al-Khawas al-Ummah, Sibt Ibn al-Jawzi al-Hanafi, pp 28-33
10. al-Sirah al-Halabiyyah, by Noor al-Din al-Halabi, v3, p273
Here is another one:
The Messenger of Allah (S.A.W.) said: "My Ahlul-Bayt are like the Gate
of Repentance of the Children of Israel; whoever entered therein was
forgiven."
Sunni References:
· Majma' al-Zawa'id, by al-Haythami, v9, p168
· al-Awsat, by al-Tabarani, Tradition #18
· Arba'in, by al-Nabahani, p216
· al-Sawa'iq al-Muhriqah, by Ibn Hajar al-Haythami, Ch. 11, section 1, pp 230,234
· Another fairly similar tradition was recorded by al-Darqunti as well
as Ibn Hajar in his al-Sawa'iq al-Muhriqah, Ch. 9, section 2, p193 where
the Prophet (S.A.W.) said: "Ali is the Gate of Repentance, whoever
entered therein was a believer and whoever went out was an unbeliever."
The above tradition was in connection with verses 2:58 and 7:161 of
Quran which describe the Gate of Repentance of Bani Israel. Those of
companions of Moses who did not enter the Gate of the Repentance were
lost in the desert for forty years, while those who did not enter the
ark of Noah were drowned. Ibn Hajar concludes that:
"The analogy of the Ark of Noah signifies that those who love and honor
the Ahlul-Bayt and derive from their guidance will be rescued from the
darkness of opposition, and those who will turn against them will be
drowned in the sea of ingratitude and will perish in the desert of
insubordination and rebellion."
Sunni reference: al-Sawa'iq al-Muhriqah, by Ibn Hajar, p91
Have we ever asked ourselves why the Prophet put so much emphasis on
Ahlul- Bayt? Was is just because they were members of his family, or was
it because they carried his true teachings (Sunnah) and they were the
most knowledgeable individuals among his community after him?
Different versions of the Tradition of Two Weighty Things (al-Thaqalain)
which prove conclusively that it is compulsory to follow the Quran and
the Ahlul-Bayt, are not ordinary traditions. They are repeated many
times and are related on the authority of more than thirty of the
companions of the Holy Prophet through various sources. The Holy Prophet
repeated these words over and over again (and not merely in one
isolated instance but on several occasions) publicly to show that it is
compulsory to follow and obey the Ahlul-Bayt. He made the announcement
during the Farewell Pilgrimage, on the day of Arafat, on the day of
Ghadir Khum, on the return from Ta'if, also in Medina from the pulpit,
and in his deathbed when the room was packed with his disciples, he
said:
"O folk! I am soon going to depart from here, and although I have
already told you, I repeat once more that I am leaving with you two
things, namely, the Book of Allah and my descendants, that is, my
Ahlul-Bayt." Then he lifted Ali by the hand and said: "Behold! this Ali
is with the Quran and the Quran is with him. These two shall never
separate from each other until they come to me at the Pool of Kawthar."
Sunni reference: al-Sawa'iq al-Muhriqah, by Ibn Hajar, Ch. 9, section 2
Ibn Hajar al-Haythami wrote:
"The Traditions of Adherence has been handed down through a large number
of sources and more than twenty of the disciples have related it."
He further wrote:
"Here a doubt arises, and it is that while the Tradition has come down
through various sources, some say that the words were spoken during the
last pilgrimage, others that they were spoken at Medina when he lay on
his deathbed and the room was packed with his disciples, yet another
saying that he spoke these words at Ghadir Khum, or in another Hadith,
on the return from Ta'if. But there is NO inconsistency in these, since
having regards to the importance and greatness of the Quran and the pure
Ahlul-Bayt, and with a view of emphasizing the point before the people,
the Holy Prophet might have repeated these words on all these occasions
so that any one who had not heard them before might hear them now."
Sunni reference: al-Sawa'iq al-Muhriqah, by Ibn Hajar al-Haythami, Ch. 11, section 1, p230
Concluding the above traditions, the Quran and Ahlul-Bayt are the only
two precious things that the Prophet left for Muslims, and stated that
if Muslims follow BOTH of them, they will not go astray after him, and
they will be led to Paradise, and that those who forsake Ahlul-Bayt will
not survive. The above traditions have been designed by Prophet
(S.A.W.) to answer which "Sunnah" is genuine and which group caries the
true "Sunnah" of the Prophet. It is aimed at not leaving Muslims at loss
as to which way to go after the departure of the Prophet (S.A.W.). On
the other hand, if we use the word "Sunnah" alone, it does not give us
any specific answer for this question since all the groups among the
Muslim nation follow their own version of Sunnah as well as their own
interpretation of the Quran and Sunnah. Thus the prophetic instructions
were clear in urging Muslims to follow the interpretation of Quran and
the Sunnah of the Prophet transmitted through the channel of Ahlul-Bayt
whose sinlessness, purity, and righteousness is confirmed by the Holy
Quran (the last sentence of verse 33:33).
stood to give us a speech beside a pond which is known as Khum (Ghadir
Khum) which is located between Mecca and Medina. Then he praised Allah
and reminded Him, and then said: "O' people! Behold! It seems the time
approached when I shall be called away (by Allah) and I shall answer
that call. Behold! I am leaving for you two precious things. First of
them is the book of Allah in which there is light and guidance... The
other one is my Ahlul-Bayt. I remind you in the name of Allah about my
Ahlul-Bayt. I remind you in the name of Allah about my Ahlul-Bayt. I
remind you in the name of Allah about my Ahlul-Bayt. (three times)."
Sunni Reference:
· Sahih Muslim, Chapter of the virtues of the companions, section of the
virtues of Ali, 1980 Edition Pub. in Saudi Arabia, Arabic version, v4,
p1873, Tradition #36.
· And many others such as Sahih al-Tirmidhi, Musnad Ahmad (see below).
For the English version of Sahih Muslim, see Chapter CMXCVI, v4, p1286, Tradition #5920
As we can see in the above tradition in Sahih Muslim, not only
Ahlul-Bayt has been put beside the Quran, but also it has been mentioned
three times by the Prophet (S.A.W.).
Despite the fact that the author of Sahih Muslim and many other Sunni
traditionists have recorded the above tradition in their authentic
books, it is regrettable that the majority of Sunnis are unaware of its
existence at the best, or deny it at the worst. Their counter argument
is that the most reliable tradition in this regard is the one recorded
by al-Hakim in his al-Mustadrak, on the authority of Abu Huraira,
attributing to the Messenger of Allah saying: "I leave amongst you two
things that if you follow or act upon, you will not go astray after me:
The Book of God and my Sunnah (traditions)."
There is no doubt that ALL Muslims are required to follow the Sunnah of
the Prophet (S.A.W.). However, the question remains that which Sunnah is
genuine and which one is invented later and was falsely attributed to
the Prophet.
On tracing the source of this report of Abu Huraira which states "Quran
and Sunnah," we found out that it has NOT been recorded in any of the
six authentic Sunni collections of the traditions (Sihah Sittah). Not
only that, but also al-Bukhari, al-Nisa'i, and al-Dhahabi and many
others rated this report (Quran and Sunnah) as weak because of its weak
Isnad. It should be noted that although the book of al-Hakim is an
important Sunni collection of traditions, yet it is ranked inferior to
the six major Sunni books. This is while Sahih Muslim is in the second
rank among the six Sunni collections of traditions.
al-Tirmidhi reported that the "Quran and Ahlul-Bayt" version of the
tradition is traced to 30+ companions. Ibn Hajar al-Haythami reported
that he knows of 20+ companions witnessed that also. This is while the
"Quran and Sunnah" version reported by al-Hakim has only one source!
Thus we must conclude that the "Quran and Ahlul-Bayt" version is much
more reliable. Moreover al-Hakim has also mentioned the "Quran and
Ahlul-Bayt" version in his book (al-Mustadrak) through several chain of
authorities and confirmed that the "Quran and Ahlul-Bayt" version of the
tradition is authentic based on the criteria of al-Bukhari and Muslim.
Moreover, the word "Sunnah" by itself does not serve the purpose of
knowledge. All Muslims irrespective to their persuasions claim that they
follow the Sunnah of the Prophet (S.A.W.). The differences among
Muslims come from the transmitted Prophetic traditions through different
avenues. Such traditions serve as explanatory means of the Holy Quran
upon whose authenticity all Muslims agree. Thus divergence in the
transmitted traditions, which in turn has led to differing
interpretation of Quran and the prophetic Sunnah, has created numerous
versions of Sunnah. All Muslims, as a result, splintered into different
schools, groups, offshoots, which is believed to add up to seventy three
groups. All of them are obeying their own version of Sunnah which they
claim to be the true one. Which of these groups follow the true Sunnah
of the Prophet? Which one (out of 73 groups) will be the prosperous one,
and will survive? Other than the tradition of Sahih Muslim mentioned
above, the following authentic traditions provide a unique detailed
answer for this question:
The messenger of Allah (S.A.W.) said: "I am leaving for you two precious
and weighty Symbols that if you adhere to BOTH of them you shall not go
astray after me. They are, the Book of Allah, and my progeny, that is
my Ahlul-Bayt. The Merciful has informed me that These two shall not
separate from each other till they come to me by the Pool (of
Paradise)."
Sunni references:
1. Sahih al-Tirmidhi, v5, pp 662-663,328, report of 30+ companions, with reference to several chains of transmitters.
2. al-Mustadrak, by al-Hakim, Chapter of "Understanding (the virtues) of
Companions, v3, pp 109,110,148,533 who wrote this tradition is
authentic (Sahih) based on the criteria of the two Shaikhs (al-Bukhari
and Muslim).
3. Sunan, by Daarami, v2, p432
4. Musnad, by Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, v3, pp 14,17,26,59, v4, pp 366,370-372, v5, pp 182,189,350,366,419
5. Fadha'il al-Sahaba, by Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, v2, p585, Tradition #990
6. al-Khasa'is, by al-Nisa'i, pp 21,30
7. al-Sawa'iq al-Muhriqah, by Ibn Hajar Haythami, Ch. 11, section 1, p230
8. al-Kabir, by al-Tabarani, v3, pp 62-63,137
9. Kanz al-Ummal, by al-Muttaqi al-Hindi, Chapter al-Iti'sam bi Habl Allah, v1, p44.
10. Tafsir Ibn Kathir (complete version), v4, p113, under commentary of verse 42:23 of Quran (four traditions)
11. al-Tabaqat al-Kubra, by Ibn Sa'd, v2, p194, Pub. by Dar Isadder, Lebanon.
12. al-Jami' al-Saghir, by al-Suyuti, v1, p353, and also in v2
13. Majma' al-Zawa'id, al-Haythami, v9, p163
14. al-Fateh al-Kabir, al-Binhani, v1, p451
15. Usdul Ghabah fi Ma'rifat al-Sahaba, Ibn al-Athir, v2, p12
16. Jami' al-Usul, Ibn al-Athir, v1, p187
17. History of Ibn Asakir, v5, p436
18. al-Taj al-Jami' Lil Usul, v3, p308
19. al-Durr al-Manthoor, al-Hafidh al-Suyuti, v2, p60
20. Yanabi al-Mawaddah, al-Qundoozi al-Hanafi, pp 38,183
21. Abaqat al-Anwar, v1, p16
... and many more ...
Of course, any Muslim should follow the Sunnah of the Prophet (S.A.W.),
and as such, we, the Followers of Ahlul-Bayt, submit to the genuine
(practice) Sunnah of the Holy Prophet of Islam (S.A.W.) and consider it
to be the only path of salvation. But the above tradition gives evidence
to the fact that any so-called Sunnah (practice) which contradicts
Ahlul-Bayt is NOT a genuine Sunnah and has been innovated later on by
some pay-rolled individuals in support the tyrants. That's why the
Prophet had emphasized so much on Ahlul-Bayt in loving them and
following them since they carry his genuine Sunnah. And this is the
basis of the Shia School of Thought (the School of Ahlul-Bayt). The
Ahlul-Bayt of the Prophet who are raised in his house know more than
anybody else about the Sunnah of the Prophet and what it entails, for as
the proverb goes: "The people of Mecca know its paths better than
anyone else."
For the sake of argument, if we accept that the two versions of the
tradition ("Quran and Ahlul-Bayt" vs. "Quran and Sunnah") are both
authentic, then one must submit to the interpretation that the word "my
Sunnah" given by al-Hakim means the Sunnah which is derived through
Ahlul- Bayt and not any other source, as it is evident from the
Ahlul-Bayt version given by both Mustadrak al-Hakim and Sahih Muslim.
Now let us take a look at the following tradition:
Narrated Umm Salama:
The Messenger of Allah said: "Ali is with Quran, and Quran is with Ali.
They shall not separate from each other till they both return to me by
the Pool (of Paradise)."
Sunni references:
· al-Mustadrak, by al-Hakim, v3, p124 on the authority of Umm Salama
· al-Sawa'iq al-Muhriqah, by Ibn Hajar, Ch. 9, section 2, pp 191,194
· al-Awsat, by al-Tabarani; also in al-Saghir
· Tarikh al-Khulafaa, by Jalaluddin al-Suyuti, p173
The above tradition gives evidence to the fact that Imam Ali and Quran
are non-separable. If we accept the "Quran and Sunnah" version to be
authentic, then one can conclude that the one who carries the Sunnah of
Prophet is Imam Ali since he is the one who has been put beside Quran.
Interesting to see, al-Hakim has many other traditions about necessity
of following Ahlul-Bayt, among which is the following tradition. This
tradition is also narrated by many other Sunni scholars and is known as
the "Tradition of the Ship" in which the Prophet (S.A.W.) stated:
"Behold! My Ahlul-Bayt are like the Ark of Noah. Whoever embarked in it
was SAVED, and whoever turned away from it was PERISHED."
Sunni references:
1. al-Mustadrak, by al-Hakim, v2, p343, v3, pp 150-151 on the authority
of Abu Dhar. al-Hakim said this tradition is authentic (Sahih).
2. Fadha'il al-Sahaba, by Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, v2, p786
3. Tafsir al-Kabir, by Fakhr al-Razi, under the commentary of verse 42:23, Part 27, p167
4. al-Bazzar, on the authority of Ibn Abbas and Ibn Zubair with the wording "drowned" instead of "perished".
5. al-Sawa'iq al-Muhriqah, by Ibn Hajar Haythami, Ch. 11, section 1,
p234 under Verse 8:33. Also in section 2, p282. He said this Hadith has
been transmitted via numerous authorities.
6. Tarikh al-Khulafaa and Jami' al-Saghir, by al-Suyuti
7. al-Kabir, by al-Tabarani, v3, pp 37,38
8. al-Saghir, by al-Tabarani, v2, p22
9. Hilyatul Awliyaa, by Abu Nu'aym, v4, p306
10. al-Kuna wal Asmaa, by al-Dulabi, v1, p76
11. Yanabi al-Mawaddah, by al-Qundoozi al-Hanafi, pp 30,370
12. Is'af al-Raghibeen, by al-Saban
The above tradition gives evidence to the fact that those who adopt the
school of Ahlul-Bayt and follow them, shall be saved from the punishment
of Hell, while those who run away from them shall meet with the fate of
the one who tried to save his life by climbing up the mountain, with
the only difference that whereas he (Noah's renegade son) was drowned in
water, but these people will be drowned the fire of Hell. The following
tradition also confirms it:
The Prophet (S.A.W.) said about Ahlul-Bayt:
"Do not be ahead of them for you will perish, do not turn away from them
for you will perish, and do not try to teach them since they know more
than you do!"
Sunni references:
1. al-Durr al-Manthoor, by al-Suyuti, v2, p60
2. al-Sawa'iq al-Muhriqah, by Ibn Hajar al-Haythami, Ch. 11, section 1, p230, quoted from al-Tabarani, also in section 2, p342
3. Usdul Ghabah, by Ibn al-Athir, v3, p137
4. Yanabi' al-Mawaddah, by al-Qundoozi al-Hanafi, p41, and P335
5. Kanz al-Ummal, by al-Muttaqi al-Hindi, v1, p168
6. Majma' al-Zawa'id, by al-Haythami, v9, p163
7. Aqabat al-Anwar, v1, p184
8. A'alam al-Wara, pp 132-133
9. Tadhkirat al-Khawas al-Ummah, Sibt Ibn al-Jawzi al-Hanafi, pp 28-33
10. al-Sirah al-Halabiyyah, by Noor al-Din al-Halabi, v3, p273
Here is another one:
The Messenger of Allah (S.A.W.) said: "My Ahlul-Bayt are like the Gate
of Repentance of the Children of Israel; whoever entered therein was
forgiven."
Sunni References:
· Majma' al-Zawa'id, by al-Haythami, v9, p168
· al-Awsat, by al-Tabarani, Tradition #18
· Arba'in, by al-Nabahani, p216
· al-Sawa'iq al-Muhriqah, by Ibn Hajar al-Haythami, Ch. 11, section 1, pp 230,234
· Another fairly similar tradition was recorded by al-Darqunti as well
as Ibn Hajar in his al-Sawa'iq al-Muhriqah, Ch. 9, section 2, p193 where
the Prophet (S.A.W.) said: "Ali is the Gate of Repentance, whoever
entered therein was a believer and whoever went out was an unbeliever."
The above tradition was in connection with verses 2:58 and 7:161 of
Quran which describe the Gate of Repentance of Bani Israel. Those of
companions of Moses who did not enter the Gate of the Repentance were
lost in the desert for forty years, while those who did not enter the
ark of Noah were drowned. Ibn Hajar concludes that:
"The analogy of the Ark of Noah signifies that those who love and honor
the Ahlul-Bayt and derive from their guidance will be rescued from the
darkness of opposition, and those who will turn against them will be
drowned in the sea of ingratitude and will perish in the desert of
insubordination and rebellion."
Sunni reference: al-Sawa'iq al-Muhriqah, by Ibn Hajar, p91
Have we ever asked ourselves why the Prophet put so much emphasis on
Ahlul- Bayt? Was is just because they were members of his family, or was
it because they carried his true teachings (Sunnah) and they were the
most knowledgeable individuals among his community after him?
Different versions of the Tradition of Two Weighty Things (al-Thaqalain)
which prove conclusively that it is compulsory to follow the Quran and
the Ahlul-Bayt, are not ordinary traditions. They are repeated many
times and are related on the authority of more than thirty of the
companions of the Holy Prophet through various sources. The Holy Prophet
repeated these words over and over again (and not merely in one
isolated instance but on several occasions) publicly to show that it is
compulsory to follow and obey the Ahlul-Bayt. He made the announcement
during the Farewell Pilgrimage, on the day of Arafat, on the day of
Ghadir Khum, on the return from Ta'if, also in Medina from the pulpit,
and in his deathbed when the room was packed with his disciples, he
said:
"O folk! I am soon going to depart from here, and although I have
already told you, I repeat once more that I am leaving with you two
things, namely, the Book of Allah and my descendants, that is, my
Ahlul-Bayt." Then he lifted Ali by the hand and said: "Behold! this Ali
is with the Quran and the Quran is with him. These two shall never
separate from each other until they come to me at the Pool of Kawthar."
Sunni reference: al-Sawa'iq al-Muhriqah, by Ibn Hajar, Ch. 9, section 2
Ibn Hajar al-Haythami wrote:
"The Traditions of Adherence has been handed down through a large number
of sources and more than twenty of the disciples have related it."
He further wrote:
"Here a doubt arises, and it is that while the Tradition has come down
through various sources, some say that the words were spoken during the
last pilgrimage, others that they were spoken at Medina when he lay on
his deathbed and the room was packed with his disciples, yet another
saying that he spoke these words at Ghadir Khum, or in another Hadith,
on the return from Ta'if. But there is NO inconsistency in these, since
having regards to the importance and greatness of the Quran and the pure
Ahlul-Bayt, and with a view of emphasizing the point before the people,
the Holy Prophet might have repeated these words on all these occasions
so that any one who had not heard them before might hear them now."
Sunni reference: al-Sawa'iq al-Muhriqah, by Ibn Hajar al-Haythami, Ch. 11, section 1, p230
Concluding the above traditions, the Quran and Ahlul-Bayt are the only
two precious things that the Prophet left for Muslims, and stated that
if Muslims follow BOTH of them, they will not go astray after him, and
they will be led to Paradise, and that those who forsake Ahlul-Bayt will
not survive. The above traditions have been designed by Prophet
(S.A.W.) to answer which "Sunnah" is genuine and which group caries the
true "Sunnah" of the Prophet. It is aimed at not leaving Muslims at loss
as to which way to go after the departure of the Prophet (S.A.W.). On
the other hand, if we use the word "Sunnah" alone, it does not give us
any specific answer for this question since all the groups among the
Muslim nation follow their own version of Sunnah as well as their own
interpretation of the Quran and Sunnah. Thus the prophetic instructions
were clear in urging Muslims to follow the interpretation of Quran and
the Sunnah of the Prophet transmitted through the channel of Ahlul-Bayt
whose sinlessness, purity, and righteousness is confirmed by the Holy
Quran (the last sentence of verse 33:33).
إِنَّ اللَّهَ وَمَلَائِكَتَهُ يُصَلُّونَ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ يَا أَيُّهَا
الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا صَلُّوا عَلَيْهِ وَسَلِّمُوا تَسْلِيمًا 
