5. Are there any convincing proofs from the Book, which could divert the Shi′a belief from yielding to the common beliefs?

Answer:

More than Three Hundred Verses

Has there been anyone praised therein like the Purified ‘itra? Have its perfect verses described any as purified from all uncleanness other than them?

"Indeed, Allah wants to repel all impurity from you, O People of the Household, and purify you with a thorough purification." (Qur′an; 33:33)

Has the perfect Revelation commanded love for any others?

"Say, I do not ask you any reward for it except love of [my near] relatives." (Qur′an; 42:23)

Has Gabriel brought the verse of Mubahala (Imprecation) in praise of anyone else?

"Should anyone argue with you concerning him, after the knowledge that has come to you, say," Come! Let us call our sons and your sons, our women and your women, our souls and your souls, then let us pray earnestly, and call down Allah's curse upon the liars." (Qur′an; 3:61)

Has He not granted them the general authority? Has He not confined it only to them after the Prophet?

"Your guardian is only Allah, His Apostle, and the faithful who maintain the prayer and give the zakat while bowing down." (Qur′an; 5:551

Is not their "Wilayat" part of the "trust" about which the Almighty says,

"Indeed, We presented the Trust to the heavens and the earth and the mountains, but they refused to bear it, and were apprehensive of it; but man undertook it. Indeed, he is most unfair and senseless." (Qur′an; 33:72)2

Has Allah not emphasized conveying it in such a language, which sounded like threatening, saying,

"O Messenger, preach what is revealed to you from your Lord. If you will not preach, it would be as though you have not conveyed My message. God protects you from men. He does not guide the unbelieving people." (Qur′an; 5:67)3

Has not the Messenger of Allah (S) conveyed it on the Ghadir Day, having reached its plains and delivered the Message whereupon Allah revealed this congratulating verse,

"Today the faithless have despaired of your religion. So do not fear them, but fear Me. Today I have perfected your religion for you, and I have completed My blessing upon you, and I have approved Islam as your religion." (Qur′an; 5:3)4

Who are those that we should obey them completely as we obey Allah and His messenger?

"O you who have faith! Obey Allah and obey the Apostle and those vested with authority among you. If you dispute concerning anything, refer it to Allah and the Apostle, if you have faith in Allah and the Last Day. That is better and more favorable in outcome." (Qur′an; 4:59)5

• 1. . Scholars of exegesis are unanimous, as al-Qawshaji, imam of the Ash’aris, has admitted in his chapter on "Sharh al-Tajrid," saying that this verse was revealed in honor of ‘Ali (as) when he offered charity while engaged in the ceremonial supplication performing the prayers. In his sahih, al-Nisa'i quotes ‘Abdullah ibn Salam testifying to its revelation in honor of ‘Ali (as). This view is supported by the author of Al-Jami’ Baynal Sihah al-Sitta while explaining Surat al-Ma'ida [Chapter of Table of Viands]. Al-Tha’labi has indicated its revelation in honor of the Commander of the Faithful in his book Al-Tafsir al-Kabir.
• 2. . Refer to the meaning of this verse in Al-Safi, and in ‘Ali ibn Ibrahim's Tafsir, and to the traditions narrated by Sunnis explaining its meaning as compiled by the Bahraini scholar in Chapter 115 of his work Ghayat al-Maram.
• 3. . Imam al-Wahidi, while commenting on Surat al-Ma'ida in his book Asbab al-Nuzul, quotes Abu Sa’id al-Khudri saying: "This verse was revealed on the Day of Ghadir Khumm in honour of ‘Ali ibn Abu Talib (as)." Imam al-Tha’labi has included it in his Tafsir from two sources, and al-Hamawani al-Shafi’i includes it in his Fara'id from various sources from Abu Hurayrah, and it is transmitted by Abu Na’im in his book Nuzul al-Qur'an from two sources: Abu Rafi’ and al-A’mash, both quoting ‘Atiyyah. In Ghyat al-Maram, there are nine ahadith narrated by Sunnis and eight authentic ones by Shi’as conveying the same meaning; so, refer to it in Chapters 37 and 38.
• 4. . According to authentic narrations, Sunnis have included six ahadith in their own books of traditions that in the end quote the Messenger of Allah quite clearly emphasizing this very theme. Its explanation exists in Chapters 39 and 40 of Ghayat al-Maram.
• 5. . There are many other verses, which demonstrate the Imams' virtues and merits. Ibn ‘Abbas has said, "In praise of ‘Ali alone, three hundred verses were revealed." (Sawa’iq al-Muhriq, chap 9, p. 76)