A study of the narration of "Let Alone Imam Ali (PBH)", answering the drawbacks of Abdulrahman Damascus on this Hadith

Imam Ali was the first Imam after the Holy Prophet of Islam (PBH), and many narrations have been issued by the Ahl al-Bayt and the Holy Prophet in the virtues of that Imam. Hadiths such as the hadith of "Manzalat" and the hadith of "Ghadir" are available in both Shiite and Sunni hadith books, regarding the great place of Imam Ali (PBH). Nevertheless, some Wahhabis have tried to deny and reject these virtues. Abdulrahman Damascus is one of the Wahhabis who has challenged the narrations on the virtues of the Ahl al-Bayt. One of those narrations is the hadith "let alone the Imam Ali, He is part of me and I am part of him, and he is my successor". Abdulrahman Damascus claims that this narration has no authoritative source and its narrator is not reliable. While, both Sunni and Shia scholars verified the source of this Hadith. Abdulrahman Damascus also claims that the word "next" in this narration is fabricated, but if we have a close look, it will be revealed that this word has a high frequency in narrations of this kind. In Damascus's view the word "Vali" in this narration means support and not "successor", claiming that Shia misuse this word for his aims. While, the scholars maintain that "Vali" is used in the meaning of successor. Furthermore, there are narrations contain the word "caliph" concerning Imam Ali (PBH). But, Damascus claims that these kinds of narrations are issued in other companions as well. While, these kinds of narration are not issued except for Imam Ali (PBH).