Wilayat Mission

Ana Howa (I Am That)- sayings of Imam Ali (asws)

Share on:

PDF and paperback include bonus gift of 50 Glorious Sayings of Ameerul Momineen and Prayer on the Day of Eid e Ghadeer.

Introduction

Those sayings of Ameerul Momineen where Moula Ali (asws) tells about His station. These hadiths are taken from various authentic books of hadith.

All praise is for the Lord of the entire Creation. Salam be upon Muhammad (saw) and His Holy Progeny (asws). It is impossible for humans to have the ability to properly describe the attributes of Ameerul Momineen (asws) regardless if it’s about His knowledge, bravery, jihad, patience, or His mysteries. Moula Ali (asws) is the only personality in the entire history of mankind where the people failed to reach a balanced understanding of His true nature and character. Some groups emerged claiming Moula Ali (asws) to be Allah Himself.

Others claim Moula (asws) is only an Imam. Others say He is simply a companion and a caliph while yet another group emerged whose sole purpose was to disgrace and belittle the true status of Moula Ali (asws) and turn people against Him. There is a very famous and indisputable hadith narrated from RasoolAllah (saw) where RasoolAllah (saw) says, “O’Ali (asws)! No one  recognized You except Allah and Myself. No one recognized Me except Allah and You. No one has recognized Allah except You and Me.” This hadith alone proves that from today until the Day of Judgment the marifat (recognition) of Ameerul Momineen (asws) is the greatest worship. Quran is filled with the praises of Ameerul Momineen (asws) and regardless of which sect you ascribe to, there are countless hadiths from RasoolAllah (saw) which are in praise of Ameerul Momineen (asws). 

The scholars from these various sects have gathered their hadiths into various books. Everyone has to admit there are certain aspects of the character of Ameerul Momineen (asws) which are beyond human understanding. In certain hadiths Moula Ali (asws) describes the mysteries of His attributes Himself and even the worst enemy of Moula Ali (asws) is unable to refute or deny these hadiths. In this book, we attempted to compile those hadiths where Moula Ali (asws) introduces various aspects of His attributes. Every hadith begins with “Ana”, I am. May Allah accept our effort and may we be successful in properly sharing these hadiths with you.

Moula Ali (asws) said,

1.I am howa (that). (Israr al Sharia)

2.I am the “I am” and I am the  “I am”. I am the essence of every essence and the essence of every essence is also Me.  (Mashariqul Anwar al Yaqeen)

3.I am zahir (apparent). I am batin (hidden). (Jamia al Israr)

4.I am the first and I am the last. (Jamia al Israr)

5.I am the source of all noors. (Jamia al Israr, Israr al Sharia)

6.I am the one who gives life and I am the one who orders death. (Al Zam al Nasib)

7.I am the one whose mother named Him, “Haider”.

On the day of Khayber, Moula Ali (asws) said this to Marhab, “My mother named Me Haider. I attack like the lion of the jungle and no one can escape from My attack. (Biharul Anwar vol 33)

Ibne Qateeba narrates Moula Ali (asws)’s mother named Him “Asad”. Asad was the name of her father. When Moula Ali (asws) appeared in the Kaaba, Abu Talib (as) was not present in Mecca. When Abu Talib (as) returned to Mecca, he named Moula Ali (asws) upon the order of Allah. Asad and Haider are the same name and its literal meaning is “lion”. (ibne Abi al Hadeed, Biharul Anwar vol 41)

8.I am the one named Aliyia in Injeel, Briha in Taurat, Aree in Zaboor, Kabkar amongst the Hindus, Bitris amongst the Romans, Jabeel amongst the Persians, Taiber amongst Turkish,  and Jabter amongst Habash. Allah named Me “Ali”. In Quran Allah calls Me by various names. (Biharul Anwar vol 33, Bashariat al Mustafa, Tafseer Noor al Saqlain, Mani ul Akbar)

9.I am Ali (asws) ibn Abi Talib (as), brother of  RasoolAlalh (saw). (Tafseer Noor al Saqlain)

10.I am the Father of the Holy Imams (asws) that appear in My Offspring. (Fazail ibn Shazaan)

11.I am Abu Hasan who destroyed the kufr (disbelief). (Manaqib ibne Shahr Ashoob)

12.Upon Moula Ali (asws) hearing about the declaration of war from Talha (la), Zubair (la), and Ayesha (la), Moula Ali (asws) delivered this sermon. He praised Allah and sent salam upon RasoolAllah (saw) and said:

“O’people! Verily I have protected this ummah, but today they have abandoned their oath of allegiance towards Me and have risen against Me. I warned them about the rebellion which they were committing against Me but instead they wage war against Me. I am amazed they are unaware of My station. They cannot make Me have fear regarding the war. They know I do not fear from anything. They should remember how I am able to fight in the battlefield. They should remember I am Ali and they have seen Me fighting in the battlefields. They should not forget no one can escape from My wrath. I am Abul Hasan who destroyed kufr (disbelief) and waved the flag of Islam. Even today I meet My enemies in the battlefield with the enthusiasm the same way I did before.

O’people! No one can escape from the death. No one is able to run away from it, and there is no one who can protect you from death. Even if a person is not slain, he still has to face death.

Verily, the greatest death is to die in the way of Allah. I swear by the One in whose hand lies the life of Ali. Dying by the wounds from a thousand swords is better than dying in one’s bed. O’Allah! You are aware Talha (la) broke My bayyat (allegiance) and they are the killers of usman (la). Now they desire to wage war against Me.  (Sharah ibne Abi al Hadeed)

13.Moula Ali (asws) wrote this letter to muawiyah (la),
“What will you do at the time when this world will be taken from you?! You loved this world and became lost in its temporary satisfactions. It called you and you answered its call. You are in the obedience of the world, but remember! Soon you will be standing before Allah and nothing will protect you from your sins. Therefore I warn you to refrain from opposing Me. If you do not, then let Me tell you who it is that you are following and that is shaitan (la) who has made his house inside of you. He has become your master. You run to obey his commands.

O’muawiya (la)! Who gave you this authority to become the ruler of muslims? Have you forgotten who you are? Your forefathers were the greatest enemies of Islam. You and your forefathers embraced Islam not out of love but out of fear. Why have you waged war against Me? Why did you bring this huge army? Instead come out onto the battlefield and face Me, if you have the courage. If you are forgetting who I am, then let Me remind you that I am Abul Hasan. I am the one who slaughtered your grandfather, your uncle, and your brother on the day of Badr. And today the same courage and the same  swords is with Me, and I meet the enemies of Allah with the same ferocity. You claim you want the revenge of the blood of usman (la) but you very well know who is the killer of usman (la). Why do you not go take the revenge from them?  I know it is your everlasting hatred against Me which will not allow you to have comfort, but I assure you that soon you will face the immense wrath of Allah.” (Sharahul Najul Balagha)

14.I am the Father of Shabber (Imam Hasan asws) and Shabbir (Imam Hussain asws). (Ayyun al Mawiaz al Hikm)

15.I am the caretaker of orphans. (Fazail ibne Shazaan)

16.I am the Imam upon the Creation of Allah. I am the successor of RasoolAllah (saw) and I am the Husband of Syedatul Nisa al Alameen. (Tafseer Noor al Saqlain)

17.I am the master of the pious.  (Ayyun al Mawiaz al Hikm)

18.I am Ameerul Momineen. (Fazail ibne Shazaan)

19.I am the son of Abdul Muttalib (as). (Sharah Najul Balagha)
Regarding His lineage, Moula Ali (asws) wrote to muawiya (la) that “You claim you are also the offspring of Abdu Munaf, but don’t forget neither was Ummayah like Hashim nor was Harb like Abdul Muttalib (as) nor was Abu Sufian (la) like Abu Talib (as). A liar cannot be like the trustworthy. Haq (truth) cannot be like batil (falsehood). Neither can a momin be like a kafir. Verily, you are from the worst family and you will follow in the footsteps of your forefathers. Allah honored Us with nabuiyat (prophet hood) while you are from those who brought Islam through force and fear.” (Najul Balagha)

20.I am the brother of Muhammad (saw) and the son of His uncle and no one will ever be able to claim this other than me. (Masnud Abi Yalli)

21.I am the brother of RasoolAllah (saw), His protector, and  the one through whom He chastises. (Tafseer Noor al Saqlain)

22.I am the Husband of Batool who is Syedatul Nisa al Alameen, who is Pure and Purifier, trustworthy, beloved by Allah and His Prophet, whose Sons are the Sons of RasoolAllah (saw). (Tafseer Noor al Saqlain)

23.I am from Hasan (asws) and Hussain (asws) and Hasan (asws) and Hussain (asws) are from Me. (Ibne Abi al Hadeed)

24.I am the one whose uncle is the Master of Martyrs. (Fazail ibne Shazaan)

25.I am the brother of Jafar e Tayyar (as). (Fazail ibne Shazaan)

26.I am the first one who worshipped Allah. (Ibne Abi al Hadeed)

27.I am the custodian of nabuiyat (prophet hood) and executor of the will of RasoolAllah (saw). (Ibne Abi al Hadeed)

28.I am the first to pray alongside RasoolAllah (saw). (Kunz al Aimal)

29.I am the advisor of RasoolAllah (saw). (Fazail ibne Shazaan)

30.I am the first to recite “La illaha illallah” (there is no god except Allah). (Ibne Abi al Hadeed)

31.I am the first to testify to the nabuiyat (prophet hood) of RasoolAllah (saw). (Fazail ibne Shazaan)

32.  I am the one who destroyed kufar (disbelief). (Fazail ibne Shazaan)

33.I am the one who dedicated His entire life to the religion of Allah. (Ayyun al Mawaiz al Hikm)

34.I am the one who slept in the bed of RasoolAllah (saw) and protected Him from the kufar (disbelievers). (Fazail ibne Shazaan)

35.I am the protector of RasoolAllah (saw). (Tafseer Noor al Saqlain)

In a debate with abu bakr (la) Moula Ali (asws) said, “O’abu bakr (la)! I ask you to swear by Allah who protected RasoolAllah  (saw), you (la) or Me? abu bakr (la) said, “Verily, You (Moula Ali asws) did.” (Tafseer Noor al Saqlain)

36.I am a part of RasoolAllah (saw). My blood is His blood. My flesh is His flesh. My knowledge is His knowledge. My war is His war. My treaty is His treaty. My heart is His heart. My grandfather is His grandfather. (Ayyun al Mawaiz al Hikm)

37.I am the most beloved of RasoolAllah (saw). (Manaqib al Mughazli)

38.I am the light of RasoolAllah (saw). (Ayyun al Mawaiz al Hikm)

39.I am the one who removed the worries from RasoolAllah (saw). (Ayyun al Maqaiz al Hikm)

40.I am the standard bearer of RasoolAllah (saw) in this world and in the hereafter. (Tafseer Noor al Saqlain)

41.I give life to the Sunnah (traditions of RasoolAllah saw) and destroy bidat (innovations). (Ayyun al Mawaiz al Hikm)

42.I am the killer of kufar (disbelief). (Fazail ibne Shazaan)

43.I slaughtered kufar on the day of Badr o Hunain. I am the one who will punish those who denied Allah. (Tafseer Noor al Saqlain)

44.I destroyed those who gathered against RasoolAllah (saw) on the day of Uhad. (Fazail ibne Shazaan)

45.I slaughtered amr bin abu dowd (la) in the battle of Khanduq.
In the battle of Khanduq, amr bin abu dowd (la) challenged the army of Islam to a battle. He was a very brave warrior and was known throughout Arabia. The whole of the companions of RasoolAllah (saw) feared him.
Moula Ali (asws) said, “O’RasoolAllah (saw)! I will go and fight him.”
RasoolAllah (saw) said, “O’Ali(asws)! This is amr bin abu dowd (la). He is a wellknown fighter.”
Ameerul Momineen (asws) replied, “If he is amr (la) then I am Ali (asws) ibn Abi Talib (as).”
RasoolAllah (saw) said, “O’Ali (asws)! Come close to Me.”
When Ali (asws) came near, RasoolAllah (saw) placed His turban upon the head of Ali (asws) and gave Zulfiqar to Him. Then RasoolAllah (saw) prayed, “O’Allah! Bless Ali (asws) with victory.”
Moula (asws) entered into the battlefield. Amr (la) asked Moula (asws), “O’young man! Who are You?”
Moula (asws) replied, “I am Ali (asws) ibn Abi Talib (as), cousin and son in law of RasoolAllah (saw).”
Amr (la) said, “Your father, Abi Talib (as), was my friend. Therefore I dislike to have to slaughter You. Please return and send someone else instead.”
Moula (asws) replied, “But I would prefer to slaughter you.”
Amr (la) became angered and said, “I have heard Muhammad (saw) says, “If a muslim is killed in the battlefield, then he will go to jannah or if he kills a kafir then he will be rewarded with jannah”.
Moula Ali (asws) replied, “Yes, this is true, but I have also heard that you said, “If a person challenges me to three things on the battlefield, then I will without doubt accept one of the three.”
Amr (la) replied, “Without doubt.”
Moula Ali (asws) said, “I offer you three things then. The first is to recite the kalima and become a muslim.”
Amr (la) said, “I reject this.”
Moula Ali (asws) said, “Then return back.”
Amr (la) said, “This is impossible. The women of Arabia would never allow me to live without accusing me of fearing a child.”
Moula Ali (asws) said, “Then come forward and attack Me.”
Amr (la) said, “I cannot imagine anyone from Arabia is able to say those words to me.” Amr (la) attacked Moula (asws). A cloud of dust gathered around them in such a way that neither could be seen.
When the munafiqs (hypocrites) saw this they said, “Ali (asws) has been slaughtered.”
But when the dust settled, the people saw Ali (asws) was holding the head of Amr (la) in His hand and the blood dripping from His sword. Moula Ali (asws) returned to RasoolAllah (saw) in this state while saying, “I am the son of Abdul Muttalib (as) running from the battlefield for a young man is worse than death.”
When RasoolAllah (saw) saw Moula Ali (asws), He (RasoolAllah saw) embraced Him (Moula Ali asws), and then recited the famous hadith:
“One stroke of Ali (asws)’s sword is greater than the worship of the entire creation.” (Tafseer Noor al Saqlain)

46.I am Ali (asws) ibn Abi Talib (as). Moula Ali (asws) said these words to abu dowd (la) when he challenged the muslims to come and fight him. However the entire army of Muslims became so frightened they were sitting like statues frozen in place. Each time amr bin abu dowd (la) challenged the Muslims Ali (asws) would stand up, but RasoolAllah (saw) would say, “O’Ali (asws)! Be seated.” When amr (la) repeated his challenge for the third time Ali (asws) again rose and RasoolAllah (saw) said, “O’Ali (asws)! He is amr bin abu dowd (la).” Moula Ali (asws) replied, “But I am Ali (asws) ibn Abi Talib (as).” This is the moment when RasoolAllah (saw) recited the famous hadith, “The entire iman (faith) is going to fight the entire kufr (disbelief).” (Tafseer Noor al Saqlain)

47.I am the one who slaughtered Marhab (la). (Fazail ibne Shazaan)

48.I am the one who was victorious in the battle of Khayber (Ayyun al Mawaiz al Hikm)

49.I am the one who was victorious in the battle of Khanduq. (Ayyun al Mawaiz al Hikm)

50.I am the one who was victorious in the battle of Uhud.  (Ayyun al Mawaiz al Hikm)

51.I am the one who was victorious in the battle of Badr. (Ayyun al Mawaiz al Hikm)

52.I am the one who was victorious in the battle of Hunain. (Ayyun al Mawaiz al Hikm)

53.I am the one who slaughtered those who were known as brave on the day of Khayber. (Fazail ibn Shazaan)

54.I am the one who destroyed the idols in the Kaaba. (Fazail ibne Shazaan)

55.I am the one who vanquished shirk in this world. (Fazail ibne Shazaan)

56.I am the manifestation of Allah upon His creation. (Tafseer Qummi)

57.I am Izn Allah (ear of Allah). (Tafseer Noor al Saqlain)

58.I am the one about whom Allah will question the people on the day of judgment regarding their oath of allegiance to My Wilayat. (Fazail ibne Shazaan)

59.I am the one for whom Allah revealed this ayah, “This day have I perfected for you your religion and completed My favor on you and chosen for you Islam as a religion” (Sura Maaida ayah 3) (Fazail ibne Shazaan)

60.I am the zikr (remembrance) of Allah. (Tafseer Noor al Saqlain)

61.I am the one who will stand on Araaf. (Tafseer Noor al Saqlain)

62.I am the hujjat of Allah upon His creation. Munafiq (hypocrites) will be recognized through My animosity. No one will love Me except the momin (believers) and no one will have animosity towards Me except the munafiq (hypocrite). (Tafseer Noor al Saqlain)

63.I am Siddiq e Akbar (most trustworthy). (Tafseer Noor al Saqlain)

64.I am the one who will punish the people of hell. No one can say this except Me. If another claims this, then he is a liar. (Tafseer Noor al Saqlain)

65.I am that strong rope of Allah which will never be broken. (Fazail ibne Shazaan)

66.I am the distributor of jannah and jahunnum. (Fazail ibne Shazaan)

67.I am the Lord of the Kauthar. (Fazail ibne Shazaan)

68.I am the one who gave His ring as sadqa during prayer. (Ayyun al Mawaiz al Hikm)

69.I am the dot of bismillah. (Manaqib ibne Shahr Ashoob)

70.I am the dot. I am the khat (letter). (Yanabe al Muwada)

71.Allah made Me and My Ahlul Bayt (asws) as Lords of the entire universe. (Al Kafi)

72.I swear by Allah I am Imam e Mubeen (clear book). (Tafseer Safi)

73.I am the one who differentiates between haq (truth) and batil (falsehood). (Tafseer Safi)

74.I am the inheritor of RasoolAllah (saw). (Tafseer Safi)

75.I am the Wajha (face) of Allah in the heavens. (Fazail ibne Shazaan)

76.I swear by Allah I am al Muntizir (the Awaited One). (Fazail ibne Shazaan)

77.I am that strong rope of Allah which Allah orders His creation to hold onto. (Fazail ibne Shazaan)

78.I am the one who will remove the munafiqs (hypocrites) from the Kauthar. (Kunz al Amal)

79.I am the one chosen by Allah for His creation. (Fazail ibne Shazaan)

80.I am the one through whom Allah is worshipped. (Fazail ibne Shazaan)

81.I am the one through whom the creation will find salvation. (Fazail ibne Shazaan)

82.I am the one for whom the angels perform ziarat of in the heavens. (Fazail ibne Shazaan)

83.I am the one who paid sadqa while in the state of rukoo. (Fazail ibne Shazaan)

84.I am the one for whom RasoolAllah (saw) said, “Whomsoever I am his Moula, then Ali (asws) is his Moula”. (Fazail ibne Shazaan)

85.I am the one for whom Jibrael (as) said, “There is no sword like Zulfiqar and there is no bravery like Ali (asws).” (Fazail ibne Shazaan)

86.I am the door the city of knowledge. (Ayyun al Mawaiz al Hikm)

87.I am the door of Allah. One who enters through it obtains salvation. One who attaches himself to My Wilayat will be saved from the hell fire. (Fazail ibne Shazan)

88.I am the representative of Allah. (Fazail ibne Shazaan)

89.I am the zahir (apparent) of Allah. (Fazail ibne Shazaan)

90.I am the one who will carry the flag on the day of judgment. (Ayyun al Mawaiz al Hikm)

91.I am the hujjat (proof) of Allah upon His creation. (Fazail ibne Shazaan)

92.I am the prayer of the momin (believer). (Fazail ibne Shazaan)

93.I am hayya ala salat (hasten to prayer). (Fazail ibne Shazaan)

94.I am hayya ala falah (hasten to salvation). ((Fazail ibne Shazaan)

95.I am hayya ala khairul amil (hasten to the best deed). (Fazail ibne Shazaan)

96.I am the trustee of the knowledge of Allah. (Fazail ibne Shazaan)

97.I am Zul Qurnain. (Ayyun al Mawaiz al Hikm)

98.I am the zahir (apparent) of the Lord. (Biharul Moarif)

99.I am the Lord of the Successors. (Tafseer Noor al Saqlain)

100.I am the one who possesses the knowledge of all things. (Fazail ibne Shazaan)

101.I am the witness and I am the one that is witnessed to. (Mashariqul Anwar)

102.I am the owner of Zulfiqar. (Ayun al Mowaiz al Hikm)

103.I am the one whom jinns fear. (Fazail ibne Shazaan)

104.I am Siratul Mustaqeem (straight path). (Biharul Anwar)

105.I am the leader of the group which was guided through Me and who run towards My Noor. (Najul Balagha)

106.I am the one whose Shia will be counted amongst the Auliya (friends of Allah) on the Day of Judgment. (Fazail ibne Shazaan)

107.I am the one who knows the names of every one of My Shia. (Fazail ibne Shazaan)

108.I am the one whose Shia only love others because of Me or hate others of Me regardless if the one they love is their fathers or their sons. (Fazail ibne Shazaan)

109.I am Ali (asws) ibne Abi Talib (as) whom you love.
Uqba narrates, “I heard Imam Jafar Sadiq (asws) say, “When a person is about to die, during his last moments he sees Ali (asws) ibne Abi Talib (as), who says to the person, “I am that Ali (asws) ibne Abi Talib (as) whom you loved.”  Narrator says, “I asked Imam, “Is it possible for a person to witness this and then return to this world?” Imam (asws) replied, “This can never happen.” (Tafseer Noor al Saqlain)

110.I am the helper of Momineen and will intercede on their behalf with the Lord. (Tafseer Noor al Saqlain)

111.I am the one who recognizes trickery in all of its forms, and I recognize those who break the oath of allegiance. (Biharul Anwar vol 41)

112.I am Me and muawiya (la) is shaitan (la) ibne shaitan (la). (Sharahrul Najul Balagha)

113.I am the first one to call the creation towards the Book of Allah. (Sharahul Najul Balagha)

114.I am the Guide. (Najul Balagha)

115.I am the destroyer of fitna. (Biharul Anwar)

116.Who am I?
While Ameerul Momineen (asws) was delivering a sermon ibne Sabah stood and said, “You are You and only You are You”, and he continued to repeat this. Ameerul Momineen (asws) said, “May  the wrath of Allah be upon you. Explain what you mean. Who am I?” The man replied, “You are Allah.” Ameerul Momineen (asws) ordered His companions to arrest him and all of the those who were from his group. (Sharahul Najal Balagha)

117.I am the servant of Allah.
Once Ameerul Momineen (asws) was traveling in the month of Ramazan, He saw a group of people eating. Moula (asws) asked them, “Are you people travelers or are you ill?” They replied, “Neither.” Moula (asws) asked them, “Then why are you eating during Ramazan?” They replied, “You are our Lord. You are our Allah. Therefore we do not have to fast in Ramazan because You will forgive us.” Upon hearing their words, Moula (asws) dismounted from His horse, performed sajdah on the ground, and said, “May the wrath of Allah be upon you! I am only the servant of Allah. I warn you to return back to Islam, and recite La illallaha illallah”. But they refused. Moula (asws) asked them several times, but each time they refused to accept. Then Moula (asws) ordered them to be tied with ropes and for a fire to be lit. Then He ordered for them to be thrown into the fire. Before throwing them in the fire, Moula (asws) asked them again to return back to Islam. But again they denied and said, “Verily, You are Allah.” Moula (asws) ordered for all of them to be thrown in the fire, and they all were burned in the fire.  (Sharahul Najul Balagha)

118.Me and My Two Sons.
During the caliphate of Ameerul Momineen (asws), the River Furat flooded. Moula (asws) went there with Imam Hasan (asws) and Imam Hussain (asws). People gathered , and Moula (asws) delivered a sermon. He said, “I swear by Allah, Me and My Two Sons will be slaughtered. And Allah will keep one Imam from My lineage in Ghaibat (occultation). When He will reappear, He will take the revenge of Our blood. (Al Ghaibah)

119.By the Lord of the Kaaba, I am successful.
This is that well known and famous words of Ameerul Momineen (asws) which has been narrated by all historians throughout the ages. When ibne muljam (la) struck the sword upon Ameerul Momineen  (asws)’s head, Moula (asws) said these words, “By the Lord of the Kaaba, I am successful.” (Biharul Anwar, Manaqib ibne Shahr  Ashoob, Asad al Ghabba, Tareeq ibne Asakar, etc)