The Prophet (PBUH) invited his relatives to luncheon and after the meal told them, \u201cI know of no one who has brought to his people better things than I have brought to You. God has commanded me to invite you to draw toward Him. Who is there who will assist me in this matter and be my brother and inheritor (Wasi) and vicegerent (Khalifah) among you?\u201d All remained silent, but \u2018All, who was the youngest of all, exclaimed, \u201cI shall be your deputy and aide.\u201d<\/p>\n
Then the Prophet (PBUH) put his arms around him and said, \u201cHe is my brother, inheritor and vicegerent. You must obey him.\u201d Then the group began to depart laughing and telling Abu-Talib, \u201cMuhammad has ordered you to obey your son.\u201d 1<\/p>\n
Hudhayfah has said, \u201cThe Prophet of God (PBUH) said: \u2018If you make \u2018Ali my vicegerent and successor\u2014which I do not think you will do\u2014you will find him a perspicacious guide who will direct you toward the straight path!’\u201d 2<\/p>\n
Ibn Mardawayh has said that the Prophet (PBUH) said, \u201cWhoever wishes that his life and death be like mine and that he enter paradise should after me love \u2018Ali and follow my household, for they are my descendants and have been created from my clay. My knowledge and understanding have been bestowed upon them. Therefore, woe unto those who deny their virtues. My intercession [on the Day of Judgement] will never include them.\u201d 3
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\n1 Tarikh Abi \u2018l-Fida\u2019, vol. I, pp. 116.<\/p>\n
2 Hilyat Al-Awliya\u2019, of Abu-Nu\u2019aym Isfahani, vol. I, Cairo, 1351, pp. 64; Kifayat Al-Talib, pp. 67.<\/p>\n
3 Muntakhab Kanz Al-\u2018Ummal, on the margin of Musnad Ahmad, Cairo, 1368, vol. V, pp. 94.<\/p>\n