This is the announcement of Maula Ali (a)’s sainthood.
God is a saint, the Messenger of God (s) is a saint and Ali (a) is a saint.
And what is the sign of this…
The Announcement of Maula Ali (a)’s Sainthood in the Qur’an
We are going to discuss verse 55 of Surah Al-Ma’ida.
First, I will tell you its background story then I’ll ask you where you think it comes from.
The background of this verse is that the Prophet (s) is engaged in prayer in the Mosque of the Prophet (s).
Maula Ali (a) is also praying.
In the meanwhile, someone enters the mosque.
During the prayers he makes a call, 'I am helpless and needy, help me'.
All while everyone was engaged in prayer.
He kept calling out, however, everyone was engaged in prayer.
He called out 4-5 times and noticed that no one replied,
so he was about to retreat, but before he did, he said,
'O' God, look, I came to the mosque of your Prophet (s), everyone is here but no one could help me.
I have come to the mosque of your Messenger! No one here can help me. No one is listening to me’.
Hazrat Ali (a), whilst still in prayer, raised and pointed his finger towards that man.
He came and held the finger of Maula Ali (a) and Maula Ali (a) shook his finger, on that finger was a ring.
Maula Ali (a) gesticulated for him to take it.
He took the ring and left.
The prayers ended and people then told the Prophet (s) that a man had come and he said such and such.
When no one paid him any heed then Maula Ali (a) raised his finger, which had a ring, and he gave that man his ring, which the man took away.
This pleased the Prophet (s) quite a lot.
In a short space of time, this verse was revealed which was in honour of Maula Ali (a).
Verse 55 of Surah Al-Ma’ida.
God descended this verse in honour of Maula Ali (a).
‘innamaa waliyyukumul laahu wa Rasooluhoo…’
which means ‘God and His Messenger befriend you…’
and ‘wal lazeena aamanoo…’ This here is for the people.
The one who came to the mosque, it is for him, that ‘God and His Messenger befriend you’.
And ‘wal lazeena aamanoo…’ ‘and those too are your friends that have faith in their hearts…’
There are no other such friends that would help you while in prayer.
‘Wal lazeena aamanoo…’ ‘and those too are your friends that have faith in their hearts…’
‘al lazeena yuqeemoonas salaata wa yu'toonaz zakaata…’
which means ‘those who are engaged in prayer and also offer charity’.
If we are not aware of the incident that transpired in the Mosque of the Prophet with Maula Ali,
then we'd presume that God is asking one to engage in prayer and then also offer charity, separately.
However, it’s like the saying: don’t drink and drive.
Meaning that you cannot do both things simultaneously.
You understand what ‘don’t drink and drive’ means, right?
So here the verse reads: wal lazeena aamanul lazeena yuqeemoon as salaata wa yu'toon az zakaata.
And when did he offer zakat (charity)? ‘Wa hum raki’oon’ ‘When he was in rukku’.
Now, who is capable of doing such a thing?
It was only Maula Ali (s) that offered charity (to the man) whilst still in prayer.
Who else has ever offered charity to someone while praying? Has anyone done this?
Bring forth any clergyman that offered charity whilst engaged in prayer.
This is a reference to that particular incident.
This is the announcement of Maula Ali's sainthood.
That Maula Ali (s) is a saint.
God is a saint, the Messenger of God (s) is a saint and Ali (a) is a saint.
And what is the sign of this?
That he offers charity even whilst being engaged in prayer.