This saddened Ali, because he did not want to be away from the Messenger. It is reported also that some hypocrites circulated a rumor that the Messenger left him behind because he did not like to accompany him
Whatever was the reason, All followed the Messenger and reached him while he was still near Medina. A dialogue between the Prophet and Ali took place. The Prophet concluded the dialogue with a very important declaration which was recorded in the most authentic and highly considered books of hadith and history. Al-Bukhari recorded that Saad lbn Abu Waqas reported the following:
Al-Bukhari also reported that Saad said: “The Proph- et said to Ali: Are you not satisfied to be to me like Aaron to Moses?’’2
lmam Ahmad in his Musnad 3 and AI-Hakim in his Al- Mustadrak4 recorded that Ibn Abbas said in a hadith the following:
“The Messenger and the people departed for military operations in Tabook. Ali said to him: I will depart with you. The Prophet said to him: No. Ali became sad. The Messenger said to him: Are you not satisfied to be to me like Aaron to Moses, except that you are not a prophet? It would not be proper that I leave unless you are my successor.”
Mohammad Ibn Saad in his book Al-Tabaqat recorded that Zeid Ibn Arqam and Al-Bura Ibn Azib reported con- cerning the military journey of Tabook the following:
“The Messenger said to Ali: It would be necessary that I stay, or you stay (in Medina). So he left him in Medina. When the Messenger departed, some people said: He left Ali behind him only for something he hated about him. When this word reached Ali, he followed the Messenger (and informed the Messenger about what people were say- ing). The Messenger laughed and said: Ali, are you not satisfied to be to me like Aaron was to Moses, except that you are not a prophet? Ali said: Yes, Messenger of God. The Messenger said: It is as I told you."5 ‘Ibn Husham recorded in his Biography of the Proph- et that the Prophet said to Ali on that day:
“Ali, are you not satisfied to be to me like Aaron was to Moses, except that there shall be no prophet after me?”6
Muslim in his Sahih through channels to Saad Ibn Abu Waqas recorded that the Messenger said to Ali on that day: “Are you not satisfied that you are to me like Aaron to Moses, except that there shall be no prophethood after me?”7
Imam Ahmad reported this hadith through four chan- nels to Saad Ibn Abu Waqas.8
Mohammad lbn Majah in his Sunan reported the hadith of Saad.9 Al-Termathi also reported it in his Sunan.10
lmam Ahmad recorded that this hadith also was reported by Asma Bint (daughter of) Omeis.11
Al-Hakim in AI-Mustadrak recorded the hadith of Saad.12
Ibn Abd-Af-Barr in his book “AI-Istee-ab” recorded the following:
‘And the Prophet said to Ali: ‘You are to me like Aaron to Moses except that there shall be rio Prophet after me.” The saying of the Prophet to Ali: You are to me like Aaron to Moses was reported by many companions and it is one of the best hadiths and most authentic. It was reported by Saad Ibn Abu Waqas Also it was report- ed by Ibn Abbas, Abu Sa-eed Al-Khidri, Om Selemah (wife of the Prophet), Asma Bint Omeis, Jabir lbn Ab- dullah, and numerous others”13
2. AI-Bukhari, his Sahih, part S,p. 24.
3. Jtnan Ahmad,A1-Musn ad, part 1, p. 131.
4. Al-flakim,A1-Mustadrak. part3,p. 133.
5. Ibnsaad,AI-Tabaqat, part 15, p. 176.
6. IbnHushan,,A/-SeeratAl-Nczbaweyah, part2,p. 172.
7. Muslim hisSahih, part iSp. 176.
8. ImamAhmad,AtMusnad, part 1,pp. 175-117-179-182.
9. IbnMajah, his authenticsunan, part 1, p.45.
10. A1-Termaihi, his authenticSnnan, part S p.302.
11. ImamAhmad,Al-Musnad, part 6, p.3-23.
12.AI-Hakitt,AI-Mustadrak, part ,p.
13.Mohamniad Ibn AM Al-Barr, ,4/-Islee-ab, pan 3, p. 1097.
