Abū Bakr to command expeditions in which one-fifth shares were due. Thus, his knowledge of the rulings governing them undoubtedly equaled Alī’s, for the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) would appoint no one to a task unless that person knew what he was being appointed to oversee. It has also been authentically established that Abū Bakr and Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both) issued legal opinions during the lifetime of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace), and he was aware of this. It is inconceivable that he would have permitted them to do so unless they were more knowledgeable than others (1). The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) also appointed Muādh and Abū Mūsā al-Asharī, alongside Alī, to serve as judges in Yemen. Thus, many others shared this distinction with Alī, including Abū Bakr and Umar. Abū Bakr then stood alone in possessing the bulk and greater part of the knowledge.”

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The Rāfidī said (2): “It was concerning him that the following statement of Allah, Exalted is He, was revealed:

‘And that a receptive ear might retain it.’

(Surah al-Hāqqa: 12).”

The response is that the hadith to that effect is fabricated by agreement of the scholars (3). It is self-evident that Allah, Exalted is He, did not mean that it would be retained by only one receptive ear out of all ears, nor specifically by the ear of one particular person. Rather, the expression denotes the entire category and thus includes every receptive ear (4).