Did Imam Ali, may Allah honor his countenance, pay zakat while he was bowing, and what is the interpretation of the noble verse: "Your protector is none but Allah and His Messenger and those who believe, those who establish prayer and give zakat while they are bowing"?

The noble verse: "Your protector is none other than Allah and His Messenger and those who believe – those who establish prayer and give zakat while they are bowing down" (Al-Ma'idah: 55) does not mention Ali ibn Abi Talib. It came to command allegiance to Allah, His Messenger, and the believers, after prohibiting allegiance to Jews and Christians. The phrase "while they are bowing down" means submission and obedience, and does not refer to giving zakat during the state of bowing.

The narrations claiming that Ali gave his ring in charity while bowing are incorrect and have weak chains of transmission. Scholars of Hadith have unanimously agreed that the story narrated in this regard is a fabricated lie, and that the verse was not revealed specifically concerning Ali. The Imamiyyah believe that the verse is proof of Ali's Imamate, and that "wali" (protector) means the most deserving of authority, but this is refuted from several angles:

1. The invalidity of what was attributed to Ali concerning his giving his ring in charity. 2. The evidence contradicts their doctrine of the twelve Imams' guardianship, because it restricts guardianship to Ali using the form "innama" (none other than). 3. Giving charity during prayer is not commendable and was not done by the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, and it might invalidate the prayer. 4. Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, was not among those upon whom zakat was obligatory during the time of the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him. 5. Interpreting "walīykum" (your protector) as leadership is inconsistent with the guardianship of Allah the Exalted, for the guardianship in the verse is love, not leadership.