Understanding Wilayah Taqwiniyyah: Delegated Authority.
Quran 42:9: All Authority and Guardianship rests Strictly and Exclusively with Allah (swt)
Quran: Ash-Shuraa 42:9
Translation: Fadel Soliman, Bridges’ translation

Or have they taken others as guardians apart from Him? Yet Allah is the Ultimate Guardian, and He gives life to the dead, and He is All-Powerful over everything.

أَمِ ٱتَّخَذُوا۟ مِن دُونِهِۦٓ أَوْلِيَآءَ ۖ فَٱللَّهُ هُوَ ٱلْوَلِىُّ وَهُوَ يُحْىِ ٱلْمَوْتَىٰ وَهُوَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍۢ قَدِيرٌۭ

Reference  : Quran: Ash-Shuraa 42:9
 
Establishing Wilayah Taqwiniyyah, Delegated Authority
Quran 44:8: He "alone" gives life and causes death.

Reference: Quran: Ad-Dukhan 44:8

Quran: Ad-Dukhan 44:8
Translation: Dr. Mustafa Khattab, the Clear Quran

There is no god ˹worthy of worship˺ except Him. He ˹alone˺ gives life and causes death. ˹He is˺ your Lord, and the Lord of your forefathers.

‏لَآ إِلَهَ إِلَّا هُوَ يُحْىِۦ وَيُمِيتُ ۖ رَبُّكُمْ وَرَبُّ ءَابَآئِكُمُ ٱلْأَوَّلِينَ

Reference  : Quran: Ad-Dukhan 44:8
 
Quran 32:11: "Your soul will be taken by the Angel of Death."
Quran: As-Sajdah 32:11
Translation: Dr. Mustafa Khattab, the Clear Quran

Say, ˹O Prophet,˺ “Your soul will be taken by the Angel of Death, who is in charge of you. Then to your Lord you will ˹all˺ be returned.”

قُلْ يَتَوَفَّىٰكُم مَّلَكُ ٱلْمَوْتِ ٱلَّذِى وُكِّلَ بِكُمْ ثُمَّ إِلَىٰ رَبِّكُمْ تُرْجَعُونَ

Reference  : Quran: As-Sajdah 32:11

Is this a contradiction of the previous verse? Rather, it is an expansion, and explanation of the method by which Allah (swt) asserts his authority.

Additional References:
 
Examples of Wilayah Taqwiniyyah, Delegated Authority
Quran 3:49: Allah (swt) instructs Isa (as) to claim Wilayah Taqwiniyyah.
Quran: Ali 'Imran 3:49
Translation: Dr. Mustafa Khattab, the Clear Quran

and ˹make him˺ [Prophet Isa] a messenger to the Children of Israel ˹to proclaim,˺ ‘I have come to you with a sign from your Lord: I will make for you a bird from clay, breathe into it, and it will become a ˹real˺ bird—by Allah’s Will. I will heal the blind and the leper and raise the dead to life—by Allah’s Will. And I will prophesize what you eat and store in your houses. Surely in this is a sign for you if you ˹truly˺ believe.

وَرَسُولًا إِلَىٰ بَنِىٓ إِسْرَٓءِيلَ أَنِّى قَدْ جِئْتُكُم بِـَٔايَةٍۢ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ ۖ أَنِّىٓ أَخْلُقُ لَكُم مِّنَ ٱلطِّينِ كَهَيْـَٔةِ ٱلطَّيْرِ فَأَنفُخُ فِيهِ فَيَكُونُ طَيْرًۢا بِإِذْنِ ٱللَّهِ ۖ وَأُبْرِئُ ٱلْأَكْمَهَ وَٱلْأَبْرَصَ وَأُحْىِ ٱلْمَوْتَىٰ بِإِذْنِ ٱللَّهِ ۖ وَأُنَبِّئُكُم بِمَا تَأْكُلُونَ وَمَا تَدَّخِرُونَ فِى بُيُوتِكُمْ ۚ إِنَّ فِى ذَلِكَ لَءَايَةًۭ لَّكُمْ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ ‎

Reference  : Quran: Ali 'Imran 3:49
 
Quran 21:81: Allah (swt) subjects the wind to blow by Sulayman's (as) command.

Reference: Quran: Al-Anbya 21:81

Quran: Al-Anbya 21:81
Translation: Dr. Mustafa Khattab, the Clear Quran

And to Solomon We subjected the raging winds, blowing by his command to the land We had showered with blessings. It is We Who know everything.

وَلِسُلَيْمَنَ ٱلرِّيحَ عَاصِفَةًۭ تَجْرِى بِأَمْرِهِۦٓ إِلَى ٱلْأَرْضِ ٱلَّتِى بَرَكْنَا فِيهَا ۚ وَكُنَّا بِكُلِّ شَىْءٍ عَلِمِينَ

Reference  : Quran: Al-Anbya 21:81
 
Quran 26:63: Allah (swt) inspires Musa (as) to strike the sea with his staff, after which it splits.
Quran: Ash-Shu'ara 26:63
Translation: Dr. Mustafa Khattab, the Clear Quran

So We inspired Moses: “Strike the sea with your staff,” and the sea was split, each part was like a huge mountain.

فَأَوْحَيْنَآ إِلَىٰ مُوسَىٰٓ أَنِ ٱضْرِب بِّعَصَاكَ ٱلْبَحْرَ ۖ فَٱنفَلَقَ فَكَانَ كُلُّ فِرْقٍۢ كَٱلطَّوْدِ ٱلْعَظِيمِ

Reference  : Quran: Ash-Shu'ara 26:63
 
Quran 2:260: Allah (swt) instructs Ibrahim (as) to call a cut up and scattered bird to fly to him in haste.
Quran: Al-Baqarah 2:260
Translation: Dr. Mustafa Khattab, the Clear Quran

And ˹remember˺ when Abraham said, “My Lord! Show me how you give life to the dead.” Allah responded, “Do you not believe?” Abraham replied, “Yes I do, but just so my heart can be reassured.” Allah said, “Then bring four birds, train them to come to you, ˹then cut them into pieces,˺ and scatter them on different hilltops. Then call them back, they will fly to you in haste. And ˹so you will˺ know that Allah is Almighty, All-Wise.”

وَإِذْ قَالَ إِبْرَهِۦمُ رَبِّ أَرِنِى كَيْفَ تُحْىِ ٱلْمَوْتَىٰ ۖ قَالَ أَوَلَمْ تُؤْمِن ۖ قَالَ بَلَىٰ وَلَكِن لِّيَطْمَئِنَّ قَلْبِى ۖ قَالَ فَخُذْ أَرْبَعَةًۭ مِّنَ ٱلطَّيْرِ فَصُرْهُنَّ إِلَيْكَ ثُمَّ ٱجْعَلْ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ جَبَلٍۢ مِّنْهُنَّ جُزْءًۭا ثُمَّ ٱدْعُهُنَّ يَأْتِينَكَ سَعْيًۭا ۚ وَٱعْلَمْ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٌۭ ‎

Reference  : Quran: Al-Baqarah 2:260
 
Quran 5:110: Through the support of the Holy Spirit, Isa (as) spoke as an infant.
Quran: Al-Ma'idah 5:110
Translation: Dr. Mustafa Khattab, the Clear Quran

And ˹on Judgment Day˺ Allah will say, “O Jesus, son of Mary! Remember My favour upon you and your mother: how I supported you with the holy spirit so you spoke to people in ˹your˺ infancy and adulthood. How I taught you writing, wisdom, the Torah, and the Gospel. How you moulded a bird from clay—by My Will—and breathed into it and it became a ˹real˺ bird—by My Will. How you healed the blind and the lepers—by My Will. How you brought the dead to life—by My Will. How I prevented the Children of Israel from harming you when you came to them with clear proofs and the disbelievers among them said, “This is nothing but pure magic.”

إِذْ قَالَ ٱللَّهُ يَعِيسَى ٱبْنَ مَرْيَمَ ٱذْكُرْ نِعْمَتِى عَلَيْكَ وَعَلَىٰ وَلِدَتِكَ إِذْ أَيَّدتُّكَ بِرُوحِ ٱلْقُدُسِ تُكَلِّمُ ٱلنَّاسَ فِى ٱلْمَهْدِ وَكَهْلًۭا ۖ وَإِذْ عَلَّمْتُكَ ٱلْكِتَبَ وَٱلْحِكْمَةَ وَٱلتَّوْرَىٰةَ وَٱلْإِنجِيلَ ۖ وَإِذْ تَخْلُقُ مِنَ ٱلطِّينِ كَهَيْـَٔةِ ٱلطَّيْرِ بِإِذْنِى فَتَنفُخُ فِيهَا فَتَكُونُ طَيْرًۢا بِإِذْنِى ۖ وَتُبْرِئُ ٱلْأَكْمَهَ وَٱلْأَبْرَصَ بِإِذْنِى ۖ وَإِذْ تُخْرِجُ ٱلْمَوْتَىٰ بِإِذْنِى ۖ وَإِذْ كَفَفْتُ بَنِىٓ إِسْرَٓءِيلَ عَنكَ إِذْ جِئْتَهُم بِٱلْبَيِّنَتِ فَقَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ مِنْهُمْ إِنْ هَذَآ إِلَّا سِحْرٌۭ مُّبِينٌۭ ‎

Reference  : Quran: Al-Ma'idah 5:110
 
Delegates are not limited to Angels and Prophets
Quran 27:38-40: The chiefs brought the throne of Bilqis to Sulayman (as) in a blink of an eye.
Quran: An-Naml 27:38-40
Translation: Dr. Mustafa Khattab, the Clear Quran

38 - Solomon asked, “O chiefs! Which of you can bring me her throne before they come to me in ˹full˺ submission?”

 

40 - But the one who had knowledge of the Scripture said, “I can bring it to you in the blink of an eye.” So when Solomon saw it placed before him, he exclaimed, “This is by the grace of my Lord to test me whether I am grateful or ungrateful. And whoever is grateful, it is only for their own good. But whoever is ungrateful, surely my Lord is Self-Sufficient, Most Generous.”

قَالَ يَٓأَيُّهَا ٱلْمَلَؤُا۟ أَيُّكُمْ يَأْتِينِى بِعَرْشِهَا قَبْلَ أَن يَأْتُونِى مُسْلِمِينَ

قَالَ ٱلَّذِى عِندَهُۥ عِلْمٌۭ مِّنَ ٱلْكِتَبِ أَنَا۠ ءَاتِيكَ بِهِۦ قَبْلَ أَن يَرْتَدَّ إِلَيْكَ طَرْفُكَ ۚ فَلَمَّا رَءَاهُ مُسْتَقِرًّا عِندَهُۥ قَالَ هَذَا مِن فَضْلِ رَبِّى لِيَبْلُوَنِىٓ ءَأَشْكُرُ أَمْ أَكْفُرُ ۖ وَمَن شَكَرَ فَإِنَّمَا يَشْكُرُ لِنَفْسِهِۦ ۖ وَمَن كَفَرَ فَإِنَّ رَبِّى غَنِىٌّۭ كَرِيمٌۭ

Reference  : Quran: An-Naml 27:38-40

 
Establishing the Prophet's (ﷺ) Moral Authority
Quran 68:4: He has the best of moral character.

Reference: Quran Al-Qalam 68:4

Quran.com: Al-Qalam 68:4
Translation: Dr. Mustafa Khattab, the Clear Quran

And you are truly ˹a man˺ of outstanding character.

‏وَإِنَّكَ لَعَلَىٰ خُلُقٍ عَظِيمٍۢ
Reference  : Quran Al-Qalam 68:4
 
Quran 33:21: In the Messenger of Allah you have an excellent example.

Reference: Quran: Al-Ahzab 33:21

Quran.com: Al-Ahzab 33:21
Translation: Dr. Mustafa Khattab, the Clear Quran

Indeed, in the Messenger of Allah you have an excellent example for whoever has hope in Allah and the Last Day, and remembers Allah often.

‏لَّقَدْ كَانَ لَكُمْ فِى رَسُولِ ٱللَّهِ أُسْوَةٌ حَسَنَةٌۭ لِّمَن كَانَ يَرْجُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَٱلْيَوْمَ ٱلْءَاخِرَ وَذَكَرَ ٱللَّهَ كَثِيرًۭا
Reference  : Quran: Al-Ahzab 33:21
 
Quran 2:151: Teaching mankind that which they never knew.
Quran.com: Al-Baqarah 2:151
Translation: Dr. Mustafa Khattab, the Clear Quran

Since We have sent you a messenger from among yourselves — reciting to you Our revelations, purifying you, teaching you the Book and wisdom, and teaching you what you never knew

كَمَآ أَرْسَلْنَا فِيكُمْ رَسُولًۭا مِّنكُمْ يَتْلُوا۟ عَلَيْكُمْ ءَايَتِنَا وَيُزَكِّيكُمْ وَيُعَلِّمُكُمُ ٱلْكِتَبَ وَٱلْحِكْمَةَ وَيُعَلِّمُكُم مَّا لَمْ تَكُونُوا۟ تَعْلَمُونَ
Reference  : Quran: Al-Baqarah 2:151
 
Establishing the Prophet's (ﷺ) Political & Legislative Authority
Quran 33:6: "Surely the Prophet has a greater claim over the believers than they have over each other"

Reference: Quran: Al-Ahzab 33:6

Quran: Al-Ahzab 33:6
Translation: Fadel Soliman, Bridges’ translation

The Prophet is worthier as a guardian of the believers than they are of themselves, and his spouses are(as) mothers to them. And blood relatives are worthier than the(other) believers or the immigrants1as heirs of one another according to Allah’s Scripture—except that youp may do an upright act to your allies; that has been inscribed in the Scripture.

 
Translation: Tafheem-ul-Quran - Abul Ala Maududi

Surely the Prophet has a greater claim over the believers than they have over each other, and his wives are their mothers. According to the Book of Allah, blood relatives have greater claim over each other than the rest of the believers and the Emigrants (in the cause of Allah), except that you may do some good to your allies (if you so wish). This is inscribed in the Book of Allah.

ٱلنَّبِىُّ أَوْلَىٰ بِٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ مِنْ أَنفُسِهِمْ ۖ وَأَزْوَجُهُۥٓ أُمَّهَتُهُمْ ۗ وَأُو۟لُوا۟ ٱلْأَرْحَامِ بَعْضُهُمْ أَوْلَىٰ بِبَعْضٍۢ فِى كِتَبِ ٱللَّهِ مِنَ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَٱلْمُهَجِرِينَ إِلَّآ أَن تَفْعَلُوٓا۟ إِلَىٰٓ أَوْلِيَآئِكُم مَّعْرُوفًۭا ۚ كَانَ ذَلِكَ فِى ٱلْكِتَبِ مَسْطُورًۭا

Reference  : Quran: Al-Ahzab 33:6
 
Quran 4:105: Allah (swt) sent down the Quran to the Prophet, to judge between people.

Reference: Quran: An-Nisa 4:105

Quran.com: An-Nisa 4:105
Translation: Dr. Mustafa Khattab, the Clear Quran

Indeed, We have sent down the Book to you ˹O Prophet˺ in truth to judge between people by means of what Allah has shown you. So do not be an advocate for the deceitful.

إِنَّآ أَنزَلْنَآ إِلَيْكَ ٱلْكِتَبَ بِٱلْحَقِّ لِتَحْكُمَ بَيْنَ ٱلنَّاسِ بِمَآ أَرَىٰكَ ٱللَّهُ ۚ وَلَا تَكُن لِّلْخَآئِنِينَ خَصِيمًۭا
Reference  : Quran: An-Nisa 4:105
 
Establishing the Prophet's (ﷺ) Authority of Love.
Quran 42:23: He asks for no reward, except the love of the Ahlulbayt.
Quran: Ash-Shuraa (42:23)
Translation: Shakir

That is of which Allah gives the good news to His servants, (to) those who believe and do good deeds. Say: I do not ask of you any reward for it but love for my near relatives; and whoever earns good, We give him more of good therein; surely Allah is Forgiving, Grateful.

 
Translation: Yusuf Ali

That is (the Bounty) whereof Allah gives Glad Tidings to His Servants who believe and do righteous deeds. Say: "No reward do I ask of you for this except the love of those near of kin." And if any one earns any good, We shall give him an increase of good in respect thereof: for Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Ready to appreciate (service).

 
Translation: Qaribullah & Darwish

This is the glad tidings that Allah gives to His worshipers, who believe and do good works. Say: 'For this I ask of you no wage except the love of the (Prophet's) relatives. We will add good to whosoever gains a good deed. Allah is the Forgiving and the Thanker'

 
Translation: Sarwar

This is the glad news which God gives to His servants, the righteously striving believers. (Muhammad), say, "I do not ask you for any payment for my preaching to you except (your) love of (my near) relatives." Whoever achieves virtue will have its merit increased. God is All-forgiving and Appreciating.

 
Translation: Qarai

Such is the good news that Allah gives to His servants who have faith and do righteous deeds! Say, ‘I do not ask you any reward for it except the love of [my] relatives.’ Whoever performs a good deed, We shall enhance its goodness for him. Indeed Allah is all-forgiving, all-appreciative.

ذَلِكَ ٱلَّذِى يُبَشِّرُ ٱللَّهُ عِبَادَهُ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّلِحَتِ ۗ قُل لَّآ أَسْـَٔلُكُمْ عَلَيْهِ أَجْرًا إِلَّا ٱلْمَوَدَّةَ فِى ٱلْقُرْبَىٰ ۗ وَمَن يَقْتَرِفْ حَسَنَةًۭ نَّزِدْ لَهُۥ فِيهَا حُسْنًا ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَفُورٌۭ شَكُورٌ ‎
Reference  : Quran: Ash-Shuraa (42:23)
 
Establishing the Authority of Ali bin Abu Talib from Hadith.
'Ali is from me, and I am from him, and he is the Wali (وَلِيُّ) of every believer after me."
Jami` at-Tirmidhi Book 49 Hadith 108
Narrated 'Imran bin Husain:

that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) dispatched an army and he put 'Ali bin Abi Talib in charge of it. He left on the expedition and he entered upon a female slave. So four of the Companions of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) scolded him, and they made a pact saying: "[If] we meet the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) we will inform him of what 'Ali did." When the Muslims returned from the journey, they would begin with the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and give him Salam, then they would go to their homes. So when the expedition arrived, they gave Salam to the Prophet (ﷺ), and one of the four stood saying: "O Messenger of Allah! Do you see that 'Ali bin Abi Talib did such and such." The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) turned away from him. Then the second one stood and said as he said, and he turned away from him. Then the third stood before him, and said as he said, and he turned away from him. Then the fourth stood and said as they had said. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) faced him, and the anger was visible on his face, he said: "What do you want from 'Ali?! What do you want from 'Ali?! What do you want from 'Ali?! Indeed 'Ali is from me, and I am from him, and he is the wali of every believer after me."

حَدَّثَنَا قُتَيْبَةُ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا جَعْفَرُ بْنُ سُلَيْمَانَ الضُّبَعِيُّ، عَنْ يَزِيدَ الرِّشْكِ، عَنْ مُطَرِّفِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، عَنْ عِمْرَانَ بْنِ حُصَيْنٍ، قَالَ بَعَثَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم جَيْشًا وَاسْتَعْمَلَ عَلَيْهِمْ عَلِيَّ بْنَ أَبِي طَالِبٍ فَمَضَى فِي السَّرِيَّةِ فَأَصَابَ جَارِيَةً فَأَنْكَرُوا عَلَيْهِ وَتَعَاقَدَ أَرْبَعَةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَقَالُوا إِذَا لَقِينَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَخْبَرْنَاهُ بِمَا صَنَعَ عَلِيٌّ وَكَانَ الْمُسْلِمُونَ إِذَا رَجَعُوا مِنَ السَّفَرِ بَدَءُوا بِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَسَلَّمُوا عَلَيْهِ ثُمَّ انْصَرَفُوا إِلَى رِحَالِهِمْ فَلَمَّا قَدِمَتِ السَّرِيَّةُ سَلَّمُوا عَلَى النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَقَامَ أَحَدُ الأَرْبَعَةِ فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَلَمْ تَرَ إِلَى عَلِيِّ بْنِ أَبِي طَالِبٍ صَنَعَ كَذَا وَكَذَا ‏.‏ فَأَعْرَضَ عَنْهُ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ثُمَّ قَامَ الثَّانِي فَقَالَ مِثْلَ مَقَالَتِهِ فَأَعْرَضَ عَنْهُ ثُمَّ قَامَ إِلَيْهِ الثَّالِثُ فَقَالَ مِثْلَ مَقَالَتِهِ فَأَعْرَضَ عَنْهُ ثُمَّ قَامَ الرَّابِعُ فَقَالَ مِثْلَ مَا قَالُوا فَأَقْبَلَ إِلَيْهِ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَالْغَضَبُ يُعْرَفُ فِي وَجْهِهِ فَقَالَ ‏ "‏ مَا تُرِيدُونَ مِنْ عَلِيٍّ مَا تُرِيدُونَ مِنْ عَلِيٍّ مَا تُرِيدُونَ مِنْ عَلِيٍّ إِنَّ عَلِيًّا مِنِّي وَأَنَا مِنْهُ وَهُوَ وَلِيُّ كُلِّ مُؤْمِنٍ مِنْ بَعْدِي ‏"‏ ‏.‏ قَالَ أَبُو عِيسَى هَذَا حَدِيثٌ حَسَنٌ غَرِيبٌ لاَ نَعْرِفُهُ إِلاَّ مِنْ هَذَا الْوَجْهِ مِنْ حَدِيثِ جَعْفَرِ بْنِ سُلَيْمَانَ ‏.

Note: "And he is your wali after me" clearly restricts wilayat to him and only him. Support, friendship, love, and the like are clearly not confined to one single person. As such it would therefore exclude the wives and other companions of the Prophet (ﷺ).

 
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: "'Ali is from me and I am from 'Ali. And none should represent me except myself or 'Ali."
Jami` at-Tirmidhi Book 49 Hadith 116
Narrated Hubshi bin Junadah

that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "'Ali is from me and I am from 'Ali. And none should represent me except myself or 'Ali."

حَدَّثَنَا إِسْمَاعِيلُ بْنُ مُوسَى، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا شَرِيكٌ، عَنْ أَبِي إِسْحَاقَ، عَنْ حُبْشِيِّ بْنِ جُنَادَةَ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ "‏ عَلِيٌّ مِنِّي وَأَنَا مِنْ عَلِيٍّ وَلاَ يُؤَدِّي عَنِّي إِلاَّ أَنَا أَوْ عَلِيٌّ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ قَالَ أَبُو عِيسَى هَذَا حَدِيثٌ حَسَنٌ غَرِيبٌ صَحِيحٌ ‏.
 
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: "If I am a person`s mawla then ‘Ali is also his mawla."

Reference: Musnad Ahmad 952

Musnad Ahmad 952
It was narrated that Sa`eed bin Wahb. and Zaid bin Yuthai’ said:

‘Ali adjured the people at ar-Rahbah, saying: Whoever heard the messenger of Allah (ﷺ) speak on the day of Ghadeer Khumm, let him stand up. And (of the people) around Sa’eed, six men stood up, and (of the people) around Zaid, six men stood up, and they testified that they had heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) say to ‘Ali (رضي الله عنه) on the day of Ghadeer Khumm. “Isn`t it Allah Who is closer to the believers?” They said: Yes. He said: `O Allah, if I am a person`s mawla then ‘Ali is also his mawla; O Allah, take as friends those who take him as a friend, and take as enemies those who take him as an enemy.”

حَدَّثَنَا عَبْد اللَّهِ، حَدَّثَنَا عَلِيُّ بْنُ حَكِيمٍ الْأَوْدِيُّ، أَنْبَأَنَا شَرِيكٌ، عَنْ أَبِي إِسْحَاقَ، عَنْ سَعِيدِ بْنِ وَهْبٍ، وَعَنْ زَيْدِ بْنِ يُثَيْعٍ، قَالَا نَشَدَ عَلِيٌّ النَّاسَ فِي الرَّحَبَةِ مَنْ سَمِعَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَقُولُ يَوْمَ غَدِيرِ خُمٍّ إِلَّا قَامَ قَالَ فَقَامَ مِنْ قِبَلِ سَعِيدٍ سِتَّةٌ وَمِنْ قِبَلِ زَيْدٍ سِتَّةٌ فَشَهِدُوا أَنَّهُمْ سَمِعُوا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَقُولُ لِعَلِيٍّ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ يَوْمَ غَدِيرِ خُمٍّ أَلَيْسَ اللَّهُ أَوْلَى بِالْمُؤْمِنِينَ قَالُوا بَلَى قَالَ اللَّهُمَّ مَنْ كُنْتُ مَوْلَاهُ فَعَلِيٌّ مَوْلَاهُ اللَّهُمَّ وَالِ مَنْ وَالَاهُ وَعَادِ مَنْ عَادَاهُ.
Reference  : Musnad Ahmad 952
In-book reference  : Book 5, Hadith 377
 
Establishing the Authority of Ali bin Abu Talib from the Quran by his actions.
Quran 5:55: Your guardian is only Allah, His Apostle, and the faithful who maintain the prayer and give the zakat while bowing down during prayer.
Quran: Al-Ma'idah (5:55)
Translation: Sarwar

Only God, His Messenger, and the true believers who are steadfast in prayer and pay alms, while they kneel during prayer, are your guardians.

 
Translation: Qarai

Your guardian is only Allah, His Apostle, and the faithful who maintain the prayer and give the zakat while bowing down.

 
Translation: Shakir

Only Allah is your Vali and His Apostle and those who believe, those who keep up prayers and pay the poor-rate while they bow.

إِنَّمَا وَلِيُّكُمُ ٱللَّهُ وَرَسُولُهُۥ وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ٱلَّذِينَ يُقِيمُونَ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَيُؤْتُونَ ٱلزَّكَوٰةَ وَهُمْ رَكِعُونَ
Reference  : Quran: Al-Ma'idah 5:55
 
Establishing the Authority of Ali bin Abu Talib by Elimination.
Quran 4:59: Obey Allah, Obey the Messenger and those in Authority among you

Reference: Quran: An-Nisa 4:59

Quran: An-Nisa 4:59
Translation: Dr. Mustafa Khattab, the Clear Quran

O believers! Obey Allah and obey the Messenger and those in authority among you. Should you disagree on anything, then refer it to Allah and His Messenger, if you ˹truly˺ believe in Allah and the Last Day. This is the best and fairest resolution.

‏يَٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ أَطِيعُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُوا۟ ٱلرَّسُولَ وَأُو۟لِى ٱلْأَمْرِ مِنكُمْ ۖ فَإِن تَنَزَعْتُمْ فِى شَىْءٍۢ فَرُدُّوهُ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ وَٱلرَّسُولِ إِن كُنتُمْ تُؤْمِنُونَ بِٱللَّهِ وَٱلْيَوْمِ ٱلْءَاخِرِ ۚ ذَلِكَ خَيْرٌۭ وَأَحْسَنُ تَأْوِيلًا
Reference  : Quran: An-Nisa 4:59

Note: 1. Obeying, by definition is unconditional. To obey unconditionally, those in authority among you must be infallible, else we could be committing a sin. Hence, we can conclude that the only types of people this can possibly apply to are the Ahlulbayt, who Allah (swt) has purified in Quran 33:33.

2. Allah (swt) reminds us in Quran 14:22: Be careful of who you take as your leader, if they misguide you, they will not be able to protect you on the day of judgement.

3. It's evident that those in authority of the Muslim ummah did order Muslims to sin, for example, Abd Rabb al-Ka'ba testifies that Mu'awiayh ordered them to unjustly consume wealth and kill one another. Clearly, Allah (swt) cannot be telling us to obey such people unconditionally.

4. The Quran also tells us in Quran 11:113: Do not incline to those who do wrong, and therefore this verse can only refer to those who are infallible, the AhlulBayt.

 
Quran 11:113 Do not incline to those who do wrong

Reference: Quran: Hud 11:113

Quran: Hud 11:113
Translation: Saheeh International

And do not incline toward those who do wrong, lest you be touched by the Fire, and you would not have other than Allah any protectors; then you would not be helped

‏وَلَا تَرْكَنُوٓا۟ إِلَى ٱلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا۟ فَتَمَسَّكُمُ ٱلنَّارُ وَمَا لَكُم مِّن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ مِنْ أَوْلِيَآءَ ثُمَّ لَا تُنصَرُونَ
Reference  : Quran: Hud 11:113
 
Quran 76:24 Do not obey sinners or disbelievers.

Reference: Quran: Al-Insan 76:24

Quran: Al-Insan 76:24
Translation: Saheeh International

So be patient for the decision of your Lord and do not obey from among them a sinner or ungrateful [disbeliever].

فَٱصْبِرْ لِحُكْمِ رَبِّكَ وَلَا تُطِعْ مِنْهُمْ ءَاثِمًا أَوْ كَفُورًۭا
Reference  : Quran: Al-Insan 76:24
 
Quran 14:22: The lowly followers will appeal to their leaders, but their leaders will not offer them any protection on the day of judgement from their misguidance.

Reference: Quran: Ibrahim 14:21

Quran: Ibrahim 14:21
Translation: Dr. Mustafa Khattab, the Clear Quran

They will all appear before Allah, and the lowly ˹followers˺ will appeal to the arrogant ˹leaders˺, “We were your ˹dedicated˺ followers, so will you ˹then˺ protect us from Allah’s torment in any way?” They will reply, “Had Allah guided us, we would have guided you. ˹Now˺ it is all the same for us whether we suffer patiently or impatiently, there is no escape for us.”

‏وَبَرَزُوا۟ لِلَّهِ جَمِيعًۭا فَقَالَ ٱلضُّعَفَٓؤُا۟ لِلَّذِينَ ٱسْتَكْبَرُوٓا۟ إِنَّا كُنَّا لَكُمْ تَبَعًۭا فَهَلْ أَنتُم مُّغْنُونَ عَنَّا مِنْ عَذَابِ ٱللَّهِ مِن شَىْءٍۢ ۚ قَالُوا۟ لَوْ هَدَىٰنَا ٱللَّهُ لَهَدَيْنَكُمْ ۖ سَوَآءٌ عَلَيْنَآ أَجَزِعْنَآ أَمْ صَبَرْنَا مَا لَنَا مِن مَّحِيصٍۢ

Reference  : Quran: Ibrahim 14:21
 
Quran 33:33: Only the Ahlul-Bayt have been purified by Allah (swt), and only they can meet the criteria established by Allah (swt) for leadership and authority.

Reference: Quran: Al-Ahzab 33:33

Quran: Al-Ahzab 33:33
Translation: Pickthall

Allah's wish is but to remove uncleanness far from you, O AhlulBayt (Folk of the Household), and cleanse you with a thorough cleansing.

 
Translation: Dr. Mustafa Khattab, the Clear Quran

Allah only intends to keep ˹the causes of˺ evil away from you and purify you completely, O AhlulBayt (members of the ˹Prophet’s˺ family).

 
Translation: Saheeh International

Allah intends only to remove from you the impurity [of sin], O people of the AhlulBayt (Prophet's household), and to purify you with [extensive] purification.

‏وَقَرْنَ فِى بُيُوتِكُنَّ وَلَا تَبَرَّجْنَ تَبَرُّجَ ٱلْجَهِلِيَّةِ ٱلْأُولَىٰۖ وَأَقِمْنَ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَءَاتِينَ ٱلزَّكَوٰةَ وَأَطِعْنَ ٱللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُۚۥٓ إِنَّمَا يُرِيدُ ٱللَّهُ لِيُذْهِبَ عَنكُمُ ٱلرِّجْسَ أَهْلَ ٱلْبَيْتِ وَيُطَهِّرَكُمْ تَطْهِيرًۭا
Reference  : Quran: Al-Ahzab 33:33
 
A'isha identifies who the members of the AhlulBayt are, and who was purified in Quran 33:33

Reference: Sahih Muslim 2424

Sahih Muslim 2424
`A'isha reported:

that Allah's Apostle (ﷺ) went out one norning wearing a striped cloak of the black camel's hair that there came Hasan b. 'Ali. He wrapped hitn under it, then came Husain and he wrapped him under it along with the other one (Hasan). Then came Fatima and he took her under it, then came 'Ali and he also took him under it and then said:

Allah only desires to take away any uncleanliness from you, O people of the household (AhlulBayt), and purify you (thorough purifying) - (Quran 33:33)

حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَكْرِ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ، وَمُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ نُمَيْرٍ، - وَاللَّفْظُ لأَبِي بَكْرٍ - قَالاَ حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ بِشْرٍ، عَنْ زَكَرِيَّاءَ، عَنْ مُصْعَبِ بْنِ شَيْبَةَ، عَنْ صَفِيَّةَ بِنْتِ شَيْبَةَ، قَالَتْ قَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ خَرَجَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم غَدَاةً وَعَلَيْهِ مِرْطٌ مُرَحَّلٌ مِنْ شَعْرٍ أَسْوَدَ فَجَاءَ الْحَسَنُ بْنُ عَلِيٍّ فَأَدْخَلَهُ ثُمَّ جَاءَ الْحُسَيْنُ فَدَخَلَ مَعَهُ ثُمَّ جَاءَتْ فَاطِمَةُ فَأَدْخَلَهَا ثُمَّ جَاءَ عَلِيٌّ فَأَدْخَلَهُ ثُمَّ قَالَ ‏{‏ إِنَّمَا يُرِيدُ اللَّهُ لِيُذْهِبَ عَنْكُمُ الرِّجْسَ أَهْلَ الْبَيْتِ وَيُطَهِّرَكُمْ تَطْهِيرًا‏}‏‏
Reference  : Sahih Muslim 2424
In-book reference  : Book 44, Hadith 91
Additional References: