among the Companions, who did not receive anything from Alī. No reliably established body of Quranic exegesis [from him] (1) is known to be in circulation among Muslims. The works of hadith and Quranic exegesis are filled with reports from the Companions and Successors, yet very little of what they contain is from Alī.

Most of the Quranic exegesis attributed to Jafar al-Sādiq in al-Sulamī’s Haqā'iq (Realities) is falsely ascribed to Jafar, just as other things have also been falsely ascribed to him, as stated earlier.

[Section on the Rāfidī’s assertion that knowledge of the spiritual path is attributed to Alī—may Allah be pleased with him—and its refutation]

(Section)

The Rāfidī (2) said:

“As for knowledge of the spiritual path, it is attributed to him, for all the Sufis trace the cloak of initiation back to him.”

The response is as follows:

First, those possessed of spiritual knowledge and the realities of faith, who are held in honorable repute throughout the Muslim community, unanimously accord precedence to Abū Bakr and hold that he was the greatest member of this community in the realities of faith and states of spiritual realization. What comparison is there between one whom they accord precedence in the spiritual realities—which, in their view, are the most excellent of all matters—and one to whom people ascribe the wearing of the cloak of initiation?

It is narrated in the two Sahīh collections that the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—said:

“Allah does not look at your appearances or your wealth; rather, He looks at your hearts and your deeds.” (3)

What comparison is there, then, between the realities of hearts and garments worn on bodies?