Once Mu’aviah, the first Umayyad Caliph, ordered Sa’d ibn Abi-Waqass -a famous companion of the Prophet (PBUH & HP)- to insult Imam Ali (AS). Mu’aviah was the enemy of Imam Ali (AS) and would order people to say bad things about him in public. But Sa’d refused to do that.Mu’aviah said: why don’t you insult “Aba-Turab” (Imam Ali)? Sa’d replied: I won’t insult Aba-Turab because I remember him in three events that if those had happened to me it would be better for me than having so many red camels (symbol of richness) Sa’d narrated three stories about Imam Ali (AS) but, here, we mention the third one: 

… Once this verse was revealed to the Prophet (PBUH&HP):

فَمَنْ حَاجَّكَ فِيهِ مِن بَعْدِ مَا جَاءَكَ مِنَ الْعِلْمِ فَقُلْ تَعَالَوْا نَدْعُ أَبْنَاءَنَا وَأَبْنَاءَكُمْ وَنِسَاءَنَا وَنِسَاءَكُمْ وَأَنفُسَنَا وَأَنفُسَكُمْ ثُمَّ نَبْتَهِلْ فَنَجْعَل لَّعْنَتَ اللَّهِ عَلَى الْكَاذِبِينَ ‎﴿٦١﴾‏

Should anyone argue with you concerning him (Jesus), after the knowledge that has come to you, say, ‘Come! Let us call our sons and your sons, our women and your women, our souls and your souls, then let us pray earnestly, and call down Allah’s curse upon the liars.’ (61) (The Holy Quran, 3:61)

The Prophet (PBUH & HP) called Ali, Fatimah, Hassan and Hussain and then said: “O God! These are my family” (1)

The Christians of Najran 

When Prophet Muhammad (PBUH & HP) sent messages to the kings around the world and invited them to Islam, he also wrote a letter to the bishop of Najran’s church (a city in Arabia). 

They sent a group of priests and Christian scholars to talk with the Prophet (PBUH & HP) and discuss with him on the Message of Islam. They discussed on the question: Is Jesus the son of God or not? 

Each side insisted on their beliefs and the Christians wouldn’t accept that their belief is wrong. Then this verse was revealed to the Prophet (PBUH & HP):

Indeed the case of Jesus with Allah is like the case of Adam: He created him (Adam) from dust, then said to him, ‘Be,’ and he was. (59) This is the truth from your Lord, so do not be among the skeptics. (60) Should anyone argue with you concerning him (Jesus), after the knowledge that has come to you, say, ‘Come! Let us call our sons and your sons, our women and your women, our souls and your souls, then let us pray earnestly, and call down Allah’s curse upon the liars.’ (61) (The Holy Quran, 3:59-61)

So Allah said to the Prophet (PBUH & HP) that the only way to clarify which side is telling the truth is Mubahala.

What does Mubahala mean?

When two groups of people have an argument with each other, after so many discussions with no results, they come to a place and call down Allah’s curse upon the liars. They pray that Allah punishes the ones who tell lies right in the time. This is called Mubahala. 

The Prophet’s family 

So, both sides agreed and promised to be present on a specific day (Du al-Hijjah the 24th) in the desert for Mubahala. In the morning of Mubahala day, the Messenger of Allah came to Imam Ali’s house and took Imam Hassan and Imam Hussain’s hands. The Prophet, Imam Ali, Lady Fatimah, Imam Hassan and Imam Hussain went to the desert. 

When the Christians saw them, asked: who are those people with Muhammad?

They were answered: that man is his cousin and son in law. He loves Ali the most. Those children are his grandsons and that woman is his lovely daughter.

The Christians said: Muhammad is sitting there like the real Prophets. If he wasn’t right, he wouldn’t bring the closest ones with him for Mubahala. He must be so sure about his message. If we participate in this Mubahala, there will be no Christian left in Najran till next year. 

So they refused to participate in the Mubahala and went back to Najran. 

What do Sunni scholars say about this event?

•    Hakim an-Neisaboori, one of the most prominent Sunni scholars, says:

“There are so many historical records concerning this event that the Messenger (PBUH & HP) brought Ali, Fatimah, Hassan and Hussain in the Mubahala day and then said: “these are our sons and our souls and our women so you (Christians) bring your sons and souls and women for Mubahala so that we call down Allah’s curse on the liars” (2)

•    Ibn Kathir, another great Sunni scholar also admits that this verse is about Imam Ali, Lady Fatimah, Imam Hassan and Imam Hussain. He says that Jabir ibn Abdullah al-Ansari (one of the most important companions of the Prophet) said:

“By ‘our souls’ Allah means the Prophet (PBUH & HP) and Imam Ali (AS)” (3)

Here soul, in Arabic culture, means that Imam Ali (AS) is so close to the Prophet (PBUH & HP) that there is no difference between him and the Prophet; it’s like they are one soul in two bodies. Obviously, the only difference is that Imam Ali is not a prophet but on the other levels Imam Ali and the Prophet are the same. 

Imam Reza (AS) and Mubahala 

Sheik Mufid, one of the greatest Shiite scholars, narrates a dialogue between Imam Reza (AS) and Ma’moon (an Abbasid Caliph):

Once, Ma’moon asked Imam Reza (AS) about the best privilege of Imam Ali (AS) that the Quran has mentioned. 

Imam Reza (AS) said: it is the event of Mubahala. In that day when the verse was revealed to the Prophet (PBUH&HP), he called Imam Hassan and Imam Hussain, who were his sons, Lady Fatimah, who was the woman mentioned in the Quran, and finally Imam Ali which was the soul mentioned in the Book. 

Imam Reza (AS) also said: clearly the Prophet (PBUH & HP) is the most supreme person in the world. So it is obvious that his soul which is Imam Ali is also the most supreme creature. 

Ma’moon said: why don’t you think that here soul means the Prophet himself and no one else?

Imam Reza (AS) said: because it doesn’t make sense to call yourself and bring yourself for Mubahala. When you call somebody or order somebody to come with you, it is obvious that the person is not yourself. And we all know that the Prophet brought no one except Imam Ali; so undoubtedly, Imam Ali is his soul. 

Ma’moon said: with this answer, there is no question left! (4)

Resources 

1.  Sahih Muslim, vol.4, Pg.1871
2.  Ma’rifah al-Olum al-Hadith, Hakim an-Neisaboori, vol.1, Pg.50
3. Tafsir al-Quran al-Azim, Ibn Kathir, published by dar al-Kotob al-Elmiyah, vol.2, Pg.47
4.  Al-Fosul al-Mukhtarah, Sheik Mufid, vol.1, Pg.38
    

1. Trust Allah

Trusting in Allah is the expense for achieving whatever worthwhile and the ladder toward whatever elevating.

al-'Allama al-Majlisi, Bihar al-anwar, vol.78, p.364.

2. The All-Present 

Feeling Allah in every breath is more advantageous than exhausting your body in worshipping Him.

al-'Allama al-Majlisi, Bihar al-anwar, vol.78, p.364.

3. Four Things a Believer Needs 

The believer is in need of Allah's favor, his/her inner guide, and being open to the goodwill of the well-wishers.

 Ibn Shu'ba al-Harrani, Tuhaf al-'uqul, p. 457.

4. Visiting Friends 

Visiting your friends, even for a short time, improves your health and elevates your mind.

al-Shaykh al-Mufid, Al-Amali, p.329.

5. Do not Trust Unheedfully 

Trusting someone before making sure [of his/her personality] ends up in pain and catastrophe.

al-'Allama al-Majlisi, Bihar al-Anwar, vol.78, p.364.

6. Prosperity 

The believer prospers in not depending on others.

 al-Shaykh al-Mufid, Al-Amali, p.109.

7. The Hidden Secret

Life reveals the hidden secrets to you, [as it goes by]. 

 al-Shaykh al-Mufid, Al-Amali, p.365.

8. Allah's Supervision

Know that you are constantly under Allah's supervision, so beware of yourself.

Ibn Shu'ba al-Harrani, Tuhaf al-'uqul, p. 455.

9. Wrong Deeds

If you approve of a wrong deed, you will be considered to have a share in committing it.

 al-'Allama al-Majlisi, Bihar al-Anwar, vol.75, p.82.

10. Ask Your Needs from Allah

Whoever turns to anyone other than Allah, Allah will leave his/her matters to that other person. 

al-'Allama al-Majlisi, Bihar al-anwar, vol.68, p.155.

11. Don't Be Pretentious 

Don't pretend to be Allah's friend while being His enemy in secret. 

al-'Allama al-Majlisi, Bihar al-anwar, vol.75, p.365.

12. Going through a Deed

If you are confused about entering a deed, you'll be desperate in coming out of it.

al-'Allama al-Majlisi, Bihar al-anwar, vol.75, p.364.

13. Receiving Affection

You receive affection through gaining three characteristics; being fair in your relations, sympathizing [with others] in their hardship and happiness, and keeping your heart unstained [from sins]. 

Baha' al-Din 'Ali b. 'Isa al-Irbili, Kashf al-ghumma fi ma'rifat al-a'imma, vol.3, p.139.

14. A Mischievous Person

Avoid befriending a mischievous person, since he/she is like a bare blade whose look is alluring, while its impact [wound] is hideous. 

al-'Allama al-Majlisi, Bihar al-anwar, vol.74, p.198.

15. Generosity 

The good that generous people do for others benefits them more than the ones in need of help since its reward, honor, and reputation belong to them. Therefore, any favor that one does first benefits him/herself. So he/she shouldn't expect to be gratified for what he/she has done. 

Baha' al-Din 'Ali b. 'Isa al-Irbili, Kashf al-ghumma fi ma'rifat al-a'imma, vol.3, p.137.

16. Sincerity 

The best worship is sincerity in [intention]. 

Warram b. Abi Firas al-Hilli, Tanbih al-khawatir wa nuzhat al-nawazir , vol.2, p.109.

17. Listening to Someone

When you listen to a speaker, you have turned into his/her slave (follower); if the speaker's words are directed toward Allah Almighty, the listener has glorified Allah, and if his/her words are directed toward Satan, the listener has worshipped Satan.

 Muhammad ibn Ya'qub al-Kulayni, al-Kafi, vol.6, p.434.

18. Being Thankful 

The blessing, which is not gratified, is like a sin, which has not forgiven. 

Hasan ibn Muhammad Deilami, Aalam al-din fi Sifat al-Moumenin, p.309.

19. Relying on a Mischievous Person

The least punishment of the one who relies on a mischievous person is being deprived of his/her aspiration.

Aziz Allah, Atarodi, Mosnad Imam al-Jawad (AS), p.248.

20. Unwise Words

Unwise words cause many disputes.

 Sabbagh al-Maliki, Al-Fusul al-muhimma fi ma'rifat al-a'imma, p.274.

21. Piety

If you stay pious despite being in a chaotic situation, Allah will bestow His mercy upon you and show you a way out.

Sabbagh al-Maliki, Al-Fusul al-muhimma fi ma'rifat al-a'imma, p.274.

22. Death

Death is like your sleep at night, except that the fatal sleep is longer, and you won't wake up from it until the Day of Judgement.

al-'Allama al-Majlisi, Bihar al-anwar, vol.3, p.134. 

23. Hope

The needs are requested by hope and answered by divine will. Undoubtedly, the best blessing is well-being.  

Hasan ibn Muhammad Deilami, Aalam al-din fi Sifat al-Moumenin, p.309.

24. Your Trustee and Guardian

The one whom Allah is his/her trustee and guardian will never go astray or get disappointed. 

al-'Allama al-Majlisi, Bihar al-anwar, vol.68, p.155.

25. Salvation

Whoever desires Allah will surely be saved. 

 al-'Allama al-Majlisi, Bihar al-anwar, vol.68, p.155.

26. Foresight

Unexpected incidents and calamities will devour the one who lacks foresight.

al-'Allama al-Majlisi, Bihar al-anwar, vol.68, p.340.

27. Blaming People

Blaming people without any evidence or reason causes anger and distress, and they will never forgive you for this.

al-'Allama al-Majlisi, Bihar al-anwar, vol.71, p.181.

28. Your Daughter's Suitor

If you are sure about the piety, faith, and trustworthiness of your daughter's suitor, agree to his request; otherwise, it will lead to great misfortune and ruin. 
Muhammad ibn Ya'qub al-Kulayni, al-Kafi, vol.5, p.347.

29. The Ignorant

There will be no dispute among people if the ignorant remain silent.

al-'Allama al-Majlisi, Bihar al-anwar, vol.75, p. 81.

30. Consider Different Aspects of a Task

Whoever accepts and submits [to a task, command, etc.] without considering its different aspects, has exposed him/herself to destruction and distress. 

al-'Allama al-Majlisi, Bihar al-anwar, vol.75, p. 364.

31.  Dependence and Independence 

People will be dependent on the one who, by relying on Allah, considers himself independent. And the pious will naturally be favored by people even if they aren't pious themselves. 

al-'Allama al-Majlisi, Bihar al-anwar, vol.75, p. 79.

32. Learning

Strive in gaining knowledge and wisdom, and know that learning is obligatory (Wajib) and discussing [what has been learned] is recommended (Mustahab).

al-'Allama al-Majlisi, Bihar al-anwar, vol.75, p. 80.

33. Imam Jawad (AS) Knowledge 

Knowledge is the means of helping friends and relatives, the reason for and sign of fairness, a gift and means of entertainment in gatherings, the human's companion in travel, and one's mate in lonely times. 

al-'Allama al-Majlisi, Bihar al-anwar, vol.75, p. 80.

34. Modesty and Humility 

Modesty and humility are the adornments of knowledge and wisdom.

al-'Allama al-Majlisi, Bihar al-anwar, vol.75, p. 91.

35. Politeness 

Politeness and being good-natured are signs of reason and forbearance.

al-'Allama al-Majlisi, Bihar al-anwar, vol.75, p. 91.

36. Patience, Poverty, Impulses

Rely on patience in all your life, see poverty as your companion, and stand against your whims and impulses. 

 al-'Allama al-Majlisi, Bihar al-anwar, vol.75, p. 358.  

37. Prayer (Salat)

One should perform prayer (Salat) in a modest manner. 

al-'Allama al-Majlisi, Bihar al-anwar, vol.74, p. 131.

38. Repentance

The conditions for your repentance to be accepted by Allah are feeling regret at heart, asking for forgiveness by the tongue, compensating for your mistakes, and being determined not to commit those sins again. 

Baha' al-Din 'Ali b. 'Isa al-Irbili, Kashf al-ghumma fi ma'rifat al-a'imma, vol.2, p.349.  

39. Two Kinds of Knowledge 

There are two kinds of knowledge; one is heard, and the other is practiced [besides being heard]. There is no use in the knowledge that is heard but not practiced. 

al-'Allama al-Majlisi, Bihar al-anwar, vol.75, p. 80.

 40. Injustice

The one who does an injustice, the one who participates in it, and the one who is content with it all have a share in it.  

al-'Allama al-Majlisi, Bihar al-anwar, vol.75, p. 81.