After the nomination of Imam Ali (peace be upon him) as the successor of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him and his progeny) at Ghadeer-e-Khumm, some individuals could not accept this decision and pressured the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him and his progeny) to change it. This event is also alluded to in the Holy Quran. Let us analyse the verse of Surah Yunus (10) verse 15 under the exegesis of narrations of Ahle Bait (peace be upon them)
Mufaddal ibn Umar asked Abu Abdallah Imam Jafar Al-Sadeq (a.s.) about the words of Allah, the Most High:
ائْتِ بِقُرْآنٍ غَيْرِ هذا أَوْ بَدِّلْهُ
Bring a Quran other than this or change it. [Surah Yunus (10):15]
قَالُوا أَوْ بَدِّلْ عَلِيّاً عَلَيْهم السَّلام
The Imam (peace be upon him) said, “They said, ‘Change Ali (peace be upon him).”
[Reference: Al Kaafi, v.1, pg. 419, ch.108, h. 37]
Abu Hamza Al Somali asked Abu Ja’far Imam Mohammad Baqir (peace be upon him) about words of Allah the Exalted:
ائْتِ بِقُرْآنٍ غَیْرِ هذا أَوْ بَدِّلْهُ َ
‘Come with a Quran other than this one or replace him’ [Surah Yunus (10):15]
ذَلِكَ قَوْلُ أَعْدَاءِ اللَّهِ لِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلی اللّٰه علیه و آله مِنْ خَلْفِهِ وَ هُمْ یَرَوْنَ أَنَّ اللَّهَ لَا یَسْمَعُ قَوْلَهُمْ لَوْ أَنَّهُ جَعَلَ إِمَاماً غَیْرَ عَلِیٍّ أَوْ بَدَّلَهُ مَكَانَهُ
Imam Mohammad Baqir (peace be upon him) said: ‘That is the speech of the enemies of Allah, to His Messenger (peace be upon him and his progeny) behind his back and they were thinking that Allah does not listen to their speech. If only he would appoint an Imam other than Ali (peace be upon him) or replace him his place. Then Allah responded against their speech:
قُلْ ما یَکُونُ لِی أَنْ أُبَدِّلَهُ مِنْ تِلْقاءِ نَفْسِی یَعْنِی أَمِیرَالْمُؤْمِنِینَ (علیه السلام) إِنْ أَتَّبِعُ إِلَّا ما یُوحی إِلَیَّ مِنْ رَبِّی فِی عَلِیٍّ (علیه السلام) فَذَلِکَ قَوْلُهُ ائْتِ بِقُرْآنٍ غَیْرِ هذا أَوْ بَدِّلْهُ
Say: It does not beseem me that I should change it of myself meaning Ameerul Momineen (peace be upon him), I only follow what is revealed to me from my Lord with regards to Ali (peace be upon him).
These are His Words: ‘Come with a Quran other than this one or replace him’ [Surah Yunus (10):15]
[Reference: Bihaar Al-Anwaar, v.36, pg.139, h.98 narrating from Tafseer of Furat bin Ibrahim al-Koofi]
Notes
- Above verse emphasises that the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) only conveys what is revealed by Allah and has no personal authority to alter the appointment or Mastership (Wilayah) of Imam Ali (a.s.).
- The leadership and position of Ameerul Momineen Ali ibn Abi Talib (a.s.) is a matter divinely ordained and not subject to human intervention or pressure.