Hadith al-Tayr is one of the most important Hadiths that every Shi’i should be aware of. It has crucial importance in illustrating the high station of Imam Amir al-Mu’mineen Ali b. Abi Talib (AS) as the most superior companion and proving his legitimacy for caliphate. It is unfortunate that many Shi’a today remain either unaware of this invaluable Hadith or remain uncertain about how to justify its authenticity. For those unfamiliar, it is a well-known and widely transmitted

The defining feature that distinguishes the virtues of Amir al-Mu’mineen (as) from the other companions is their mass-transmission. Indeed, when something was truly uttered by the Prophet (saw) and carries major significance, we will find that many people narrate it. The Prophet (saw) would be more wise than to say a significant virtue that carries a theological implication to just a single person. 

Perhaps, we humans may love a thing without rationale, and favour something without a clear purpose or a definitive standard, or maybe there is a reason, but we fail to articulate it into words. However, Allah (swt), being the Most wise, would not establish a being or creature as the most beloved of all to Him except that there is an objective rationale that explains this favour.