Ali About Love of and Spite Toward Ahlul Bayt:
In sermon 109, page 162 Ali refers to those who love Ahlul Bayt and those who oppose them:
In this sermon Ali talks about the Might of Allah, the angels, the bounties and guidance of Allah and those who are ungrateful. He also talks about death, Day of Judgment, the Holy Prophet (pbuh) and his family Ahlul Bayt. The segment about Ahlul Bayt is herewith translated:


We [Ahlul Bayt] are:
* The lineage of Prophethood,
* The staying place of (Divine) Message,
* The descending place of angels,
* The mines of knowledge, and
* The fountainheads of wisdom.
* Our supporters and devotees anti te [expect] Divine mercy;
* Our opponents who malign us anti te Divine wrath.

Fountainheads of Wisdom and
Mines of Knowledge: Of the many attributes Ali ascribes to Ahlul Bayt, these stand out. Ali says Ahlul Bayt are the fountainheads of wisdom, who learned it in the family, and were endowed with it by the Divine endor t. Men are to seek them for their spiritual guidance and counsel.

Ali Sheds a Simile About Ahlul Bayt:
In sermon 100, page 146 Imam Ali gives a remarkable similitude about Ahlul Bayt:
In this sermon Ali explains about the bounty of Allah, the guidance of Islam, disbelief, the mischief people can lead into, then he refers to the example of the Prophet (pbuh), and instructs us to examine Ahlul Bayt and extols their status. The segment about Ahlul Bayt is herewith translated:


Lo! The similitude of the descendant (Aali) of Muhammad (pbuh) is like that of the stars in heaven.
When one star sets another will rise.
Thus the Merciful Lord has completed His blessings amongst you. And the Almighty has shown you that which you wish for.

Ali About the Lofty Status of Ahlul Bayt:
In sermon 154, page 215 Imam Ali cites the magnificent status of Ahlul Bayt:
In this sermon Ali alluded to the Sunnah of the Prophet (pbuh) and the people who caused disturbances when the liars spoke and the believers remained silent. He talked about faith, man's finality, and mentioned Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and [Ahlul Bayt]. Ahlul Bayt are mentioned as follows:



The grace of the Holy Quran is about them, [by virtue of AhlulBayts deeds].
They are the treasure-houses of the Merciful Lord.
When Ahlul Bayt speak they speak the Truth. If silent, then prudence was indicated.
* As the prototype Ahlul Bayt report the truthful and the correct, so believe them.
* They use their wisdom for man's well-being, so trust them.
* They think more of the everlasting life [so learn from them], and
* They teach people to pay heed to the hereafter; because man came from the origin and would go back to it.

Virtue of Ahlul Bayt: Ali implies that for Ahlul Bayts deeds, for their virtue, and for their piety, Allah honors them in the Quran. As such, Ali urges the society to consider and reflect about them, not only then but through the ages. For Ahlul Bayt would always utter the Truth, offer the spiritual best, and lead man toward his salvation. The teachings of Muhammad (pbuh) are passed down in its pristine manner through them. In effect, Ali says to believe in them, trust them, and follow their example.
Once more, how did Ali know Ahlul Bayt were going to be of this exceptional character and of this ideal status, after all, most of them were not even born at that time. The answer is, by virtue of Ali's accuracy to the letter, what he had said must have come through the Prophet (pbuh) [by way of Jubra'eel].

Ali Challenges on Behalf of Ahlul Bayt:
In sermon 144, page 201 Ali challenges anyone who claims otherwise about Ahlul Bayt:
In this sermon Ali cited the Prophethood, mentioning deputation of Prophets and the works of Muhammad (pbuh). He then alluded to Ahlul Bayt, the predicament Quraish led to, and challenges anyone who denies the deep knowledge of Ahlul Bayt about Islam. Ali also refers to those who detract, hurt, or speak ill of Ahlul Bayt. Below, the passage about Ahlul Bayt is reproduced:


Where are those who falsely claim that they are deeply versed in knowledge, as against us [Ahlul Bayt]. In so saying it is a lie and an affront.
Lo!
* While Allah has ennobled us in prominence, He made them inferior.
* And while Allah has privileged us with His bounty, He deprived them of it.
* And while Allah welcomed us in the fortress of knowledge, He kept them out.
Lo! With us [Ahlul Bayt] guidance is to be sought as a gift; and through us blindness of ignorance is to be exchanged for the Light.
Surely the Imams are from Quraish. The Imams have been planted in this lineage through the clan of Hashim. Thus the (Imamah) does not suit others nor would others be suitable for it.

Ali About the Unparalleled Ahlul Bayt:
Part of sermon 2, page 47 Ali mentions the value of Ahlul Bayt's teachings.
This sermon was delivered on the way back from Siffin, whereby Ali glorifies Allah and His favors, extols the Prophet (pbuh), then talks about condition of the society in Jahiliya. He talks about Satan and his evil works in the heart of people. He then hails the Prophet (pbuh) and his family [Ahlul Bayt] in the following manner:


* None of the Ummah can measure up to the Prophet's progeny [Ahlul Bayt], nor considered equivalent to them. One who is under their domain cannot be a match to his superior. For there can be no parallel between the distributor of bounties and the ones who receive them, ever.
* Ahlul Bayt are the b*ttress of Islam and the pillars of faith. The best of men call upon them [for guidance], and ordinary men will later approach for guidance.
* What belongs to Ahlul Bayt is the right of Wilaayah [Imamah and Khilaafah] and in their favor exist the privilege of the Legacy and Will of the Prophet (pbuh).
* The Khilaafah has now come back to its rightful place and has reached the position assigned to it by the Divine.

Ali Speaks of the Authority of the Imams:
Part of sermon 152, page 212, Ali mentions the greatness of the attributes of Allah and the science of knowledge about the Almighty. As part of this sermon Ali alludes to Ahlul Bayt as follows:


Certainly the Imams are the sovereign of Allah over His creatures, and they are the ones to enlighten and inform about the Almighty.
* By virtue of this knowledge, no one will enter the Heavenly Bliss except he who comprehends their teachings about Him, glory be to Him.
* And no one will enter Hellfire except he who denies their teachings [Islam], thus denies the Almighty.
* Allah the glorified has distinguished you [O People!] with Islam and has chosen you for it. Islam indicates [to mankind] and honors the [deserving]. Allah the glorified, chose Islams way and disclosed its pleas through open knowledge and undisclosed maxims. The Quran.....

Comment: Imam Ali draws a pen-picture of the mind on behalf of Ahlul Bayt. He says that after the Prophet (pbuh), Aali Muhammad [Ahlul Bayt] are the source for knowledge about Islam in all its dimensions. Ali describes the status of Ahlul Bayt, and urges people to pay homage to them, and implores them to learn from them. It was to be 329 years from the Hijrah, through twelve generations, that Ahlul Bayt unfailingly continued to educate the people about Islam. They taught Islam sincerely, correctly, with the attitude of paying heed to Allah in every move or thought in their endeavor. They did that despite the hurdles and the frightful barriers they were subjected to because of the politics of the time.

Ali also reminds us that Muhammad (pbuh) followed by his family [Ahlul Bayt] have guided mankind from the obscurity of ignorance and infidelity towards the splendors of knowledge and religion. He says that they raised the standards of life and culture. Because of this the lights of truth and wisdom became evident and mankind could come out of the darkness of heathenism and decadence.

wow... - -

Subhan Allah.