What is the guardianship (wilayah) that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, intended for Ali ibn Abi Talib, may Allah be pleased with him, with his saying: "He is your guardian after me" or "He is the guardian of every believer after me"?

Scholars differed regarding the authenticity of the addition "and he is your guardian after me" or "and he is the guardian of every believer after me" in the Hadith of Mawalah. Some deemed it authentic, while others deemed it weak. The phrase "guardian of every believer after me" is considered a fabrication against the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, because he is the guardian of every believer during his lifetime and after his death. If this wording is authentic, it is interpreted to mean that Ali is a supporter of Muslims after the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, or that he took charge of the affairs of the Ummah through the caliphate, or that it is to draw attention to Ali's virtue and love. It is not permissible to interpret it as meaning that he became the guardian immediately after the Prophet's death, peace and blessings be upon him, because that would necessitate diverting the word from its apparent meaning and attributing misguidance to the Ummah. It is possible that "guardian" here means a loving ally, and that "after me" refers to rank, not time. The Sunnis believe in the virtue of Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, his deeds, and his lineage. If "after me" in the hadith is interpreted as referring to time, then it contains glad tidings for Ali of his steadfastness in his religion after the death of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, and the persistence of his right over Muslims.