As for the claim that he drank from the navel of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and thereby acquired the knowledge of the first and the last generations, this too is a lie. The knowledge that ‘Alī learned from the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, had already been acquired before the Prophet’s death. Whatever understanding, learning through hearing, and additional knowledge Allah granted him after the Prophet’s death did not come from drinking water from his navel. Nor has anyone ever acquired any knowledge at all by drinking from a prophet or anyone else. None of the Companions—neither Abū Bakr, ‘Umar, ‘Uthmān, ‘Alī, nor anyone else—possessed the knowledge of the first and the last generations.

The virtues of the Companions, may Allah be pleased with them, established in the authentic hadith collections are such that Allah has left no need for the lies of fabricators. These include the Prophet’s statement, authentically transmitted through several chains:

“Were I to take anyone on earth as an intimate friend, I would take Abū Bakr as an intimate friend.”

And his statement:

“Let every small doorway into the mosque be sealed except that of Abū Bakr.”

And his statement:

“No one has done more for us through his companionship and wealth than Abū Bakr.”

And his statement:

“O people, I came to you and said, ‘I am Allah’s Messenger to you.’ You said, ‘You are lying,’ but Abū Bakr said, ‘You speak the truth.’ Will you not leave my companion alone for my sake? Will you not leave my companion alone for my sake? Will you not leave my companion alone for my sake?”

And his repeatedly issued instruction during the illness in which he died:

“Tell Abū Bakr to lead the people in prayer.”

Another example is his statement to ‘Ā’ishah: “Call your father and your brother to me so that I may write a document for Abū Bakr, so that people will not disagree after me.” Then he said: “Allah will not accept