Question: What is the concept of administration traditions?
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Answer: Lexically the Arabic term, وصایت, translated to “administration” means covenant. When it is said, اوصی الی ..., means that he made a covenant. Now, if the case of covenant is specified, it is applied to the same case. However, if the object of covenant is not specified, it includes all applicable cases.However, administration traditions with respect to Hazrat Ali Ebne Abitaleb (a.s.) all belong to the second type, where the case of testament is not specified or it has been compatible with the religious affairs and social positions. Therefore, we can conclude that Prophet’s (s.a.) covenant and testament includes absolutely all of his positions, such as leadership, Imamate and sovereignty over Moslems.Allameh Shiekh Ali Bahrani says: The concept of administration and acting in all aspects including possessions, Walayat, …, is induced from the administrator at the time of its application. Then, if Ali (a.s.) is the acting of Prophet (s.a.), then, he would be deputy for authorization of rulings, politics of Islamic nation and other positions of Prophet (s.a.). Then, Ali (a.s.) is the caliphate and Imam after Prophet (s.a.), because Imamate and caliphate is nothing save acting in all aspects …[1],[2]
Question: Why is Ali (a.s.) called Wasi of the Prophet (s.a.w) ?
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Answer: Ali (a.s.) has been Wasi of the Prophet (s.a.w.) in two situations:
1. Equipping the body of the Prophet (s.a.w.): At the last days of his life, the Prophet (s.a.w.) was sick in bed. He recommended Ali (a.s.) to ceremoniously wash him, to bury him and to pay off his debt. So, Ali (a.s.) didn’t undertake any other task to do these ones. Both of the Shi`ites and Sunnis are agreed about it.[3]
2. Being appointed as the successor by the Prophet (s.a.w.): The Prophet (s.a.w.) appointed Ali (a.s.) as his successor and Caliph to be the leader of the Muslims. If we be fair and impartial, we will find that even at the time of the Prophet (s.a.w.) the issue of the succession (Caliphate) of Ali (a.s.) was so clear since Wasi was one of the titles which was given to the Imam, and used in the poetry and prose of those days. The commentators regarding the verse “And warn your nearest relations”[4] and the scholars of Tradition (Hadith) regarding the cause of Revelation of this verse have said that: “when the mentioned verse-in which God commands the Prophet (s.a.w.) to invite his nearest relations to the religion of Islam- was revealed, the Prophet (s.a.w.) invited the great men of Banihashim and offered his religion (Islam) to them. Then he said: “O sons of `Abdulmutallib! I have brought you the best of things for this world and the Hereafter. God has commanded me to invite you to that. Which of you will assist me in this matter and will be my Wasi and my successor among you?” All remained silent, but Ali, who was the youngest of all. Then the Prophet (s.a.w.) said that: “he is my brother, the executor of my testament, and my successor. You must obey him.” This tradition is known as the tradition of Yawm al- Dar and it has been narrated by most of the historians and the writers of the Life story of the Prophet (s.a.w.).[5] The evidences approving the Wisayah of Imam Ali (a.s.) are not confined to this Hadith, but Hadith of Thaqalayn,Hadith of Safinah and Hadith of Ghadir are all evidences of his Wisayah .For being brief, we don’t mention them.
Amir al-Muminin regarding the Household of the Prophet (a.s.) (Ahlul Bayt) says that: “the Prophet (s.a.w.) has willed about them and they are the Heirs of the Prophet (s.a.w.).” [6], [7]
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[1] منار الهدی, page 207-208
[2] Ali Asghar Rezvani, Imamology and reply to questions (2), page 199
[3] Tarikh ibn `Asakir, vol.2, p.487, tradition No.1006. Mustadrik of Hakim , vol.1, p.362. Musnad of Ahmad, Printed in Egypt, vol.1, p.260
[4] Quran, 26:214.
[5] Tarikh Tabari, printed in Dar al-Ma`ari f of Egypt, vol.2, p. 319-321. Tarikh ibn Athir, vol.12, p.62-63. The selection of Kanz al-`Ummal in the margin of Musnad of Ahmad, vol.5, p. 41-42.
[6] Nahj al-Balaghah, sermon No.2.
[7] The selection of the Guide of the Truth,p.133.
