Verse 7 of Sura al-Bayyina and Ghadir
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| Ayah Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Surah Name | Sura al-Bayyina |
| Ayah Number | 7 |
| Juz' | 30 |
| Ayah Content | |
| Place of Revelation | Medina |
| Ayah Recitation | |
Verse 7 of Sura al-Bayyina is a verse revealed during Hajjat al-Wada' concerning Amir al-Mu'minin, in which he is referred to as the best of creatures.
Verse 7 of Sura al-Bayyina is considered among the verses revealed during the Ghadir event. The context of the revelation of this verse is described as follows:[1] After performing the rituals of Hajj during Hajjat al-Wada', the Prophet (s) used every opportunity to prepare the people for the declaration of wilaya.
For instance, at one time, the Prophet (s) was standing beside the Ka'ba, and Jabir b. 'Abd Allah al-Ansari was also with him. At this moment, 'Ali (a) approached him. The Prophet (s) said: "My brother has come to you." Then he turned his attention to the Ka'ba, struck it with his hand, and said: "By Him in whose hand is my soul, this ('Ali) and his Shi'a are the successful ones on the Day of Resurrection. He is the first among you in faith in me, the most loyal among you to God's covenant, the most steadfast among you in upholding God's command, the most just among you among the people, the most equitable in distribution, and the most exalted among you in the sight of God.
At this moment, Verse 7 of Sura al-Bayyina was revealed:
اِنَّ الَّذینَ آمَنُوا وَ عَمِلُوا الصّالِحاتِ اُولئِکَ هُمْ خَیْرُ الْبَرِیَّةِ
- Indeed those who have faith and do righteous deeds—they are the best of creatures.
The Prophet (s) immediately interpreted the verse in the presence of his companions and, pointing to Amir al-Mu'minin 'Ali (a), said: "The best of creatures (khayr al-bariyya) has come."[2]
Footnotes
References
- al-Amali; Muhammad b. Hasan al-Tusi, Qom: Dar al-Thaqafa, 1414 AH.
- Bihar al-Anwar al-Jami'a li-Durar Akhbar al-A'imma al-Athar; Muhammad Baqir b. Muhammad Taqi al-Majlisi, Beirut: Dar Ihya' al-Turath al-'Arabi, 1403 AH.
- Bisharat al-Mustafa li-Shi'at al-Murtada; 'Imad al-Din Muhammad b. 'Ali al-Tabari al-Amuli, Najaf: al-Matba'a al-Haydariyya, 1383 AH.
- Tarikh Madinat Dimashq; 'Ali b. Hasan al-Shafi'i (Ibn 'Asakir), ed. 'Ali Shiri, Beirut: Dar al-Fikr, 1415 AH.
- Tafsir Furat al-Kufi; Furat b. Ibrahim al-Kufi, ed. Muhammad al-Kazim, Tehran: Wizarat al-Thaqafa wa al-Irshad al-Islami (Mu'assasat al-Tab' wa al-Nashr), 1410 AH.
- Waqi'a Qur'ani Ghadir: Guzarish Safar Yek-Mahe Payambar Baraye I'lan Wilayat Dar Saye Ayat Qur'ani; Muhammad Baqir Ansari, Qom: Intisharat Dalil Ma, 1386 SH.