The Shaheed, Sheikh Muhammad Sa’id Ramadan al-Bouti makes an interesting and important observation regarding the Hadiths narrated about the virtues of Imam Ali and Sayidatuna Fatima (a.s).
He says:
In fact, we notice that most of the hadith that praise the virtues of Ali and Fatima were in fact narrated by A’isha.
From the reliable narrations, A’isha was asked, ‘Who was the most beloved to the Messenger of Allah?’ She replied, ‘Fatima.’ It was then asked, ‘And from the men?’ She replied, ‘Her husband (i.e., Ali). He was, as you know, perpetually fasting the days and praying the nights.’ (Tirmidhi)
It was also she, who narrated the hadith of the virtues of the Ahl ul-Bait (Family of the Prophet ﷺ), considered one of the greatest virtues of Ali, may Allah’s Pleasure be upon him.
She narrates, ‘The Prophet ﷺ left early one morning and over him was a black, woollen cloak. Al-Hassan came to him and the Prophet ﷺ entered him under the cloak. Then came Al-Hussein and entered with him. Then along came Fatima and he made her enter too. Then came Ali, who the Prophet ﷺ also covered. The Prophet ﷺ then recited, ‘Allah only intends to remove all the impurity of sins from you, O People of the House (of the Prophet ﷺ) and purify to the utmost purity.’ (Muslim)
‘A’isha; Wife to the Prophet, Mother to a Nation: A Short Biography’ – translated by Omer Siddique (Dhikr Publications)
Those who understand the significance of this point (that Lady A’isha narrates most of the Hadiths on the virtues of Sayiduna Ali and Sayidatuna Fatima) will know that this point alone is sufficient in delivering a knockout blow to orientalists, Shi’is and other modern writers who attempt to interpret events according to their delusions and desires as opposed to the truth.
Orthodox Muslim 