The answer may be given from several angles:

First: The second major premise is denied, for we do not concede that Ali was the best person of his time. Rather, the best member of this ummah after its Prophet was Abū Bakr, followed by Umar, as is established on the authority of Ali and others. The answer to their arguments, as well as the substantiation of what we have stated, will follow.

Second: Although the majority of our scholars and others maintain that the best-qualified person must be appointed whenever possible, this Rāfidī has offered no proof for this premise. Indeed, many scholars have disputed it. The verse cited provides him with no evidence, for what is mentioned in [the verse] is one who guides (1) to the truth and one who cannot find the way unless he is guided. It is not necessarily true that an inferior person cannot be guided unless the superior person guides him (2). Rather, he may attain abundant guidance without learning from the superior person. A man may acquire knowledge from someone superior to him even if that superior person has died, while the living man [who] (3) is superior to him has learned nothing from him.

Moreover, the One (4) who guides to the truth in the absolute sense is Allah, whereas being unable to find the way unless guided is a description applicable to every created being, for no created being is guided unless Allah Most High guides him. This is the intended meaning of the verse: worshipping Allah is more worthy than worshipping His creation.

As He says in its context:

“Say, ‘Is there anyone among your partners who guides to the truth?’ Say, ‘