28 Merits specifically for Imam Ali (as)

The following is taken from the book Al-Qatra by Sayed Ahmad Mustanbat Vol. 2, Pg. 205, Hadith. 57:

From the book ‘Al-Majmoe al-Raiq min azhaar al-Hadaiq’, 100 merits specifically for Amir al-Momineen (ع), from those which Shaikh Sadooq narrated on the day of Ghadeer in the year 361 Hijri, with the chain of narrators going up to the Prophet (ص) about those merits which Allah (عز وجل) chose specifically for Amir Al-Momineen (ع). And from those I have chosen 28 merits:


أن الله تعالى خلقه من نور عظمته، كما قال النبي: خلقت أنا و عليّ من نور واحد

Allah (تعالى) created Imam Ali (ع) from the light (Noor) of His greatness/Majesty, as the Prophet (ص) has said, "I and Ali were created from a single light (Noor)."


أنه كان يعبد الله في أصلاب آبائه و أرحام امهاته من لدن آدم

Imam Ali (ع) worshiped Allah (عز وجل) in the loins of His forefathers and wombs of his mother's since Adam (ع).

أنه لما وُلد ظهر نور من عنان السماء إلي ظهر الكعبة، و سقطت الأصنام الّتي كانت على الكعبة [على وجوها]، و صاح إبليس و قال: ويل للأصنام و عبدتها من هذا المولود

When Imam Ali (ع) was born, light (noor) appeared from the sky to the surface of the Ka'ba. And the idols that were upon the Ka’ba fell down [upon their faces]. And Iblees cried out saying, 'Woe be to the Idols and its worshipers from this new born'


أنه [كان] يفسّر حديث رسول الله و يذكر حديث كلّ نبيّ.

Imam Ali (ع) used to explain (tafseer) the sayings (hadith) of the Prophet (ص) and He used to narrate (or remember?) the sayings (hadith) of all the Messengers.


أنه عيبة علم رسول الله.

Imam Ali (ع) is the container of the knowledge of the Prophet (ص).


أنه مفرّج الكرب عن وجه رسول الله.

Imam Ali (ع) was the one to drive away distress/worries from the face of the Prophet (ص).


أنه شبيه عيسى بن مريم في دلالته إلّا النبوّة

Imam Ali (ع) is similar to Isa bin Maryam (ع) in his proofs except for ProphetHood.


أنه شبيه أيّوب في صبره

Imam Ali (ع) is similar to Ayyub (ع) in his patience.


أنه شبيه إبراهيم في سخائه

Imam Ali (ع) is similar to Ibraheem (ع) in his generosity.


أنه شبيه داود في قوّته و صوته

Imam Ali (ع) is similar to Dawood (ع) in his power/strength and in his voice.


أنه شبيه سليمان في بهجته و ملكه

Imam Ali (ع) is similar to Sulayman (ع) in his splendor/beauty and his supremacy.


أنه شبيه لقمان في حكمته

Imam Ali (ع) is similar to Lukman (ع) in his wisdom.


أنه شبيه إسماعيل في تسليمه و صدقه

Imam Ali (ع) is similar to Ismaeel (ع) in his acceptance/submission and honesty.


أنه شبيه نوح في إجابة دعائه

Imam Ali (ع) is similar to Nooh (ع) in the acceptance of his prayer.


أنه شبيه ذي النون في أمره

Imam Ali (ع) is similar to Yunus (ع) in his affairs.


أنه شبيه رسول الله في قضائه إلّا النبوّة

Imam Ali (ع) is similar to the Prophet (ص) in his judgment/ruling except for ProphetHood.


أنه كان [في الغزوات] جبرئيل عن يمينه، و ميكائيل عن يساره، و ملك الموت بين يديه فلا يرجع حتّى يفتح الله عليه.

Imam Ali (ع) when in battles, had Jibraeel on his right side and Mikaeel on his left side، and the angel of death in front of Him. And He did not return until Allah (عز وجل) granted victory upon Him.


أنه أوّل من يدعى باسمه يوم القيامة

Imam Ali (ع) is the first one to be called by His name on the day of Judgement.


أن الملائكة تتقرّب إلى الله [تعالى] بولايته

The angels seek nearness to Allah (عز وجل) by means of Wilayat of Imam Ali (ع).


أنه قالع باب الخيبر الرامي به خلف ظهره أربعين ذراعاً ثمّ جعله جسراً، [حمله] على كفّه حتّى عبّر [عليه] جميع العسكر

Imam Ali (ع) uprooted the door of Khaibar and threw it behind his back to a distance of 40 arm’s length. Then made it a bridge, carrying it on the palm of his hand until all the soldiers crossed over.


أنّ ولايته عرضت على بقاع الأرضين، فمن قبل ولايته طاب و زكا، و من لم يقبل صار سباخاً

The Wilayah of Imam Ali (ع) was put forth to parts of the earth. So those parts that accepted His Wilayah become beautiful and pure. And those who did not accept His Wilayah became salty land (not supporting any growth)


أنّ ولايته عرضت على النبات، فما قبل ولايته صار نافعاً للناس، و من لم يقبل صار سمّاً قاتلاً

The Wilayah of Imam Ali (ع) was put forth to the plants. So those that accepted His Wilayah became beneficial/useful for the people and those that did not accept His Wilayah became poisonous killing.


أنّ القمر كلّمه ليلة القدر

The moon talked to Imam Ali (ع) on the night of Qadr.


استغناؤه عن جميع الناس و افتقارهم إليه في العلوم

Imam Ali (ع) was free (in no need) from all the people and the people were in need of Imam Ali (ع) in knowledge.


أنّه كان مع كلّ نبيّ سرّاً و مع رسول الله جهراً

Imam Ali (ع) was along with all the Prophets secretly and with Prophet Mohammad (ص) apparently.


أنّ حلقة باب الجنّة إذا ضربت طنّت و قالت: يا عليّ

When the ring of the door of paradise is hit/struck, it rings and says ‘Ya Ali’.


أنّ شجرة طوبى في الجنّة في داره، و أغصانها في دور المؤمنين.

The tree of Tooba in Paradise is in the house of Imam Ali (ع) and its branches are in the houses of the believers.


أنّه كتاب الله الناطق.

Imam Ali (ع) is the speaking book of Allah (عز وجل).

[Source: Al-Majmoe al-Raiq min Azhar al-Hadaiq, Vol. 2, Pg. 320]