`Ali b. Hatim informed me. He said: Ahmad b. Muhammad b. Sa`id al-Hamadani narrated to us. He said: Ja`far b. `Abdullah al-Muhammadi narrated to us. He said: Kathir b. `Ayash narrated to us from Abi’l Jarud from Abi Ja`far . Regarding the saying of Allah, “Surely, your guardian is Allah, His Messenger, and those who believe …” (5:55), he said:

A band of Jews had converted to Islam, among whom were `Abdullah b. Salam, Asad, Tha`laba, Ibn Yamin, and Ibn Suraya. They went to the Prophet (s) and said: “O Prophet of Allah! Surely, Musa deputed Yusha` b. Nun, so who is your deputy O Messenger of Allah, and who is our guardian after you?” So, this verse was revealed, “Surely, your guardian is Allah, His Messenger, and those who believe – those who establish prayer and give zakat whilst they are bowing.” (5:55) Then, the Messenger of Allah (s) said: “Stand up.” So, they stood up and went to the Mosque, when a beggar went out. So, he said: “O beggar! Did anyone give you anything?” He said: “Yes, this ring.” He said: “Who gave to you?” He said: “The man that is praying gave it to me.” He said: “In what position did he give it to you?” He said: “While he was bowing.” So, the Prophet (s) did takbir, and the people of the Mosque did takbir. So, the Prophet (s) said: “`Ali b. Abi Talib is your guardian after me.” They said: “We are pleased with Allah as a Lord, with Islam as a religion, with Muhammad as a prophet, and with `Ali b. Abi Talib as a guardian.” So, Allah revealed, “Whoever aligns with Allah, His Messenger, and those who believe, then surely, the Party of Allah will prevail.” (5:56) It is reported from `Umar b. al-Khattab that he said: By Allah, I gave forty rings in charity whilst I was bowing so that a verse may be revealed about me in the same way that one was revealed about `Ali b. Abi Talib , but one was not revealed.