Hadith #2922

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds. Peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure progeny, and his noble companions.

In this profound hadith, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes his vast knowledge and understanding of the Qur'an. He urges the Muslims to seek knowledge from him before losing the opportunity, as he possesses comprehensive knowledge regarding the verses of the Qur'an, including the context of revelation and the location of revelation, whether it be in the plains or on the mountains. This statement highlights the depth of Imam Ali's knowledge and his unique position as the gate to the city of knowledge.

To understand the significance of this hadith, we can turn to the Qur'an itself, where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) repeatedly emphasizes the importance of seeking knowledge and the elevated status of those who possess knowledge.

Allah says in Surah Al-Mujadila (58:11):

O you who have believed, when you are told, 'Make room in assemblies,' then make room; Allah will make space for you. And when you are told, 'Arise,' then arise; Allah will raise those who have believed among you and those who were given knowledge, by degrees. And Allah is Acquainted with what you do.

This verse highlights the elevated status of those who possess knowledge. They are raised by Allah in ranks and are given honor and respect. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), being the cousin and son-in-law of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), and having spent his entire life in the company of the Prophet, was blessed with an immense amount of knowledge and wisdom.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Zumar (39:9), Allah says:

Are those who know equal to those who do not know? Only they will remember [who are] people of understanding.

This verse emphasizes the distinction between those who possess knowledge and those who do not. Those who have knowledge are the ones who truly understand and comprehend the teachings of Islam. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), being the gate to the city of knowledge, possessed a deep understanding of the Qur'an and its teachings.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) further mentions that his Lord has gifted him with an intelligent heart and an eloquent tongue. This highlights his exceptional qualities and abilities. His intelligent heart allowed him to comprehend the deeper meanings of the Qur'an, while his eloquent tongue enabled him to effectively convey and explain its teachings to others.

In Surah Al-Qasas (28:14), Allah says:

And when he reached his full strength and was [mentally] mature, We bestowed upon him judgement and knowledge. And thus do We reward the doers of good.

This verse refers to Prophet Musa (Moses) (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and highlights the divine gift of knowledge bestowed upon him. Similarly, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) was blessed with knowledge and wisdom by Allah, enabling him to guide and lead the Muslim ummah.

In conclusion, this hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a reminder to Muslims of the importance of seeking knowledge and the significance of those who possess knowledge. Imam Ali's vast knowledge of the Qur'an, including the context and location of revelation, highlights his unique position as the gate to the city of knowledge. Muslims are encouraged to seek knowledge from him before losing the opportunity, as his profound understanding and eloquence in conveying the teachings of the Qur'an are unparalleled. May Allah grant us the ability to seek knowledge and benefit from the wisdom of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and the Ahl al-Bayt.