عَنِ الثُّمَالِيِّ قَالَ قَالَ اَبُو جَعْفَرٍؑ اِنَّ عَلِيّاً آيَةٌ لِمُحَمَّدٍ ﷺ وَ اِنَّ مُحَمَّداً يَدْعُو اِلَى وَلَايَةِ عَلِيٍّ ع
Abu Hamzah al-Thumaali (r.a.) reports that Imam Abu Ja’far al-Baqer (peace be upon him) said,
“Surely, Ali (peace be upon him) was a miracle for Muhammad (peace be upon him and his holy progeny) and surely Muhammad (peace be upon him and his holy progeny) invited towards the mastership of Ali (peace be upon him).”
Note:
In a university, there are several professors and they vary in knowledge and experience. How do we come to know which professor is greater in knowledge and better than others? There are various ways and one of them is through the students. If the students are more knowledgeable and have deeper understanding than students of other professors, you come to know that this professor is better.
Ameerul Momineen (peace be upon him) was the sign of the greatness of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him and his holy progeny) vis-à-vis knowledge and other perfections. He (peace be upon him) was the self of the Prophet (peace be upon him and his holy progeny). When Ali (peace be upon him) is so knowledgeable, you can understand how great his teacher must be?
The Holy Prophet (peace be upon him and his holy progeny) invited the people towards the mastership of Ali (peace be upon him). Wasn’t he (peace be upon him and his holy progeny) truthful? Definitely, he was truthful and even the pagans acknowledged this fact. So, if the mastership of Ali (peace be upon him) was not good or right for the people, he (peace be upon him and his holy progeny) would never have invited the people towards it.
References:
1. Behaar al-Anwaar, vol. 23, p. 208, H. 11
2. Basaaer al-Darajaat, p. 71, H. 5, Chapter 7