The Superiority of Imam Ali (Peace Be Upon Him) over Abu Bakr

One day, Muhammad bin Sulaiman al-Abbasi turned to Bahlul during a gathering and asked, “Bahlul, who is superior, Ali ibn Abi Talib or Abu Bakr?”

Bahlul replied, “God made the Amir (Ali) righteous, for Ali is from the Prophet, just as a thing is from the thing, and a part is from the whole, and the bone of the forearm is from the elbow. But Abu Bakr is not from the Prophet, and he does not compare to the Prophet in virtue, except in the way that one is like the Prophet.”

Explaination

Bahlul’s answer highlights the close, inherent connection between Imam Ali (Peace Be Upon Him) and the Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him). He explains that Imam Ali is not only the Prophet’s cousin but is also spiritually and physically linked to him, as a part is linked to its whole, like an arm to its elbow. In contrast, Abu Bakr, although a companion of the Prophet, was not from his family and does not share the same intrinsic connection. Thus, in terms of virtue and closeness to the Prophet, Imam Ali holds a unique and higher position.