Imam Ali’s (as) Triumph Over the Jewish Scholar

When Umar bin Khattab became caliph, he was approached by a Jewish scholar, who said, “O Amir al-Mu’minin, I have three three and one questions. If you can answer them, I will embrace Islam. If not, direct me to someone who can.”

‘Umar replied, “Ask that young man, Ali ibn Abi Talib.”

The Jew went to Imam Ali (‘a), who asked him, “Why did you say three, three, and one, but not seven?”

The Jew responded, “I feared if you couldn’t answer the first three, I’d have no reason to ask the others.”

Imam Ali (‘a) then said, “If I answer your questions, will you accept Islam?” The Jew replied, “Yes.”

Then, Imam Ali (‘a) said, “Go ahead and ask.”

The Questions & Imam Ali’s (as) Profound Answers

The Jew asked, “Which were the first rock placed on the earth, the first spring which gushed out of the earth, and the first tree which grew on the earth?” 

Imam Ali (‘a) replied, “O Jew! You (the Jews) say that the first rock placed on the earth was the one in Bayt al-Maqdis (the Holy Shrine in Jerusalem), but you lie; rather, it was in fact the rock which Adam brought down to the earth from Paradise.”

“You say that the first spring which gushed out on the earth was one in Bayt al-Maqdis, but you lie; rather, that spring was the spring of youth in which Joshua the son of Nun washed the fish and the same one from which Al-Khasir drank. Whoever drinks from it will become immortal.”

The Jew said, “You are true. This has been recorded in Aaron’s handwriting on the authority of Moses.”

Then, Imam Ali (‘a) continued, “You say that the first tree which grew on the earth was an olive tree, but you lie; rather, the first tree was the date-palm tree that Adam brought down to the earth from Paradise.”

The Jew said, “You are true. This has been recorded in Aaron’s handwriting on the authority of Moses.”

The Final Questions and the Jew’s Embrace of Islam

Then, the Jew asked, “How many are the leaders of true guidance of this community who are not affected by the disappointment of those who will disappoint them?”

Imam Ali (‘a) said, “They are twelve in number.”

The Jew said, “You are true. This has been recorded in Aaron’s handwriting on the authority of Moses.”

Then, the Jew asked, “Where in Paradise does your Prophet sit?”

Imam Ali (‘a) said, “He sits in the noblest and highest place in the Eden Gardens.”

The Jew said, “You are true. This has been recorded in Aaron’s handwriting on the authority of Moses.”

Then, the Jew asked, “Who will accompany him in his place of residence?”

Imam Ali (‘a) replied, “He will be accompanied by the Twelve Divine Leaders.”

The Jew said, “You are true. This has been recorded in Aaron’s handwriting on the authority of Moses.”

Then, the Jew asked the seventh question and accepted Islam.

Reference: Uyun Akhbar Al-Reza 2:57