while standing or sitting, would he not deserve this allegiance?

If it is said, “This was intended (1) to identify Alī in particular (2),” the response is: The distinguishing attributes by which Alī could be identified (3) were many and evident. How, then, could his familiar attributes be omitted and he be identified (4) by something (5) known only to someone who had heard and believed this report?

The majority of the Muslim community did not (6) hear this report, nor [is it] (7) found in any of the Muslims’ authoritative books—not in the Sahīh collections, the Sunan works, the comprehensive collections, the Mu'jams, or any of the major source works. One of two conclusions must therefore follow: if the intent (8) was to praise him by this description, it is invalid; and if the intent (9) was to identify him, it is likewise invalid.

The ninth response is that, according to their interpretation, the words, “and give zakat while bowing,” require that he had given zakat while bowing. Yet Alī—may Allah be pleased with him—was not among those upon whom zakat was obligatory (10) during the lifetime of the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—for he was poor. Zakat on silver becomes obligatory only for someone who has possessed the minimum taxable amount for a full year, and Alī was not among such people.

The tenth response is that giving a ring as zakat is not valid according to many of the