15. What is the answer of Shi′a about the traditions, which mention the virtues of other companions of the prophet?

Answer:

There is no contradiction with the traditions in praise of Ali

Shi′as believe in the virtues of all posterity since the time of the Muhajirun and the Ansar, may Allah be pleased with them and they with Him, and these are beyond count or reckoning.

Certain verses of the Book (Qur'an), in addition to a few Sunni sahih books, suffice the researcher for a testimony in this regard. Shi′as have not found them at all to be in contradiction to the traditions that praise ‘Ali (‘a), or even in any way eligible to disqualify him [from caliphate]. Yes, their opponents may stand alone in narrating the traditions, which are not authentic according to their sources.

Moreover, Shi′a scholars have scrutinized the traditions pertaining to these virtues recorded by their sources, and they could not find any clues in them opposing such caliphate, nor do they contain anything suggesting it; therefore, they have not been relied upon by anyone to prove the legitimacy of the caliphate of the three caliphs.