Some Traditions on the Virtues of Imam Ali (A.S)
part 1
It is narrated that:
The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: "He who wants to see Noah (A.S) in his determination, Adam (A.S) in his knowledge, Abraham (A.S) in his clemency, Moses (A.S) in his intelligence and Jesus (A.S) in his religious devotion should look at Ali Ibn Abi Talib (AS)."
Sunni references:
Sahih al-Bayhaqi
Musnad Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, as quoted in
Sharh Ibn Abil Hadid, v2, p449
Tafsir al-Kabir, by Fakhruddin al-Razi, under the commentary of the Verse of Imprecation (Mubahilah), v2 p288.
He wrote this tradition has been accepted as all genuine.
Ibn Batah has recorded it as a tradition related by Ibn Abbas as is stated in the book "Fat'h al-Mulk al-Ali bi Sihah Hadith-e-Bab-e-Madinat al-Ilm", p34, by Ahmad Ibn Muhammad Ibn Siddeeq al-Hasani al-Maghribi.
Among those who have admitted that Imam Ali (A.S) is the store house of the secrets of all the Prophets is the Chief of Gnostics, Muhyiddin al-Arabi, from whom al-Arif al-Sha'rani has copied it in his al-Yawaqeet wa al-Jawahir (p172, topic 32).
It is also narrated that:
The Prophet (PBUH) said: "There is amongst you a person who will fight for the interpretation of the Quran just as I fought for its revelation." The people around him raised their heads and cast inquisitive glances at the Prophet (PBUH) and at one another. Abu Bakr and Umar were there. Abu Bakr inquired if he was that person and the Prophet (PBUH) replied in the negative. Then Umar inquired if he was that person and the Prophet (PBUH), replied "No. He is the one who is repairing my shoes (i.e., Ali)."
Abu Said Khudri said: Then we went to Ali and conveyed the good news to him. He did not even raise his head and remained as busy as he was, as if he had already heard it from the Messenger of Allah (PBUH)."
Sunni references:
al-Mustadrak, by al-Hakim, v3, p122, who said this tradition is genuine based on the criteria of al-Bukhari and Muslim.
al-Dhahabi, also records it in his Talkhis al-Mustadrak and admitted that it is genuine according to the standard of the two Shaikhs.
Khasa'is, by al-Nisa'i, p40
Musnad Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, v3, pp 32-33
Kanz al-Ummal, by al-Muttaqi al-Hindi, v6, p155
Majma' al-Zawa'id, by al-Haythami, v9, p133
Ahmad Ibn Hanbal and al-Hakim recorded with authentic document from Abu Said al-Khudri, that the Apostle of God said to Ali: "Verily you will do battle for (implementation of) the Quran, as you has done for its revelation."
Sunni reference: Tarikh al-Khulafaa, by Jalaluddin al-Suyuti, p173
al-Hakim recorded that Anas Ibn Malik narrated that the Holy Prophet said to Ali:
" You shall inform my nation about the truth and what they dispute after me":
Sunni reference:
al-Mustadrak, by al-Hakim, v3, p112, who wrote this is an authentic Hadith according to the stipulation of the two Shaikhs (al-Bukhari and Muslim). [This would mean that the chain of narrators are considered to be authentic as stipulated by Bukhari and Muslim]
refrences: shia.org
Other Links:
Ali’s Antagonisation
Abstinence and Piety of Imam Ali (A.S)
The Vastness of Imam Ali’s Knowledge
Ali’s Attraction: Secrets and Causes (Part 1)
Ali’s Attraction: Secrets and Causes (Part 2)