Author: Shukran Ahmadi
The Biography of Hazrat Ali “A.S” (Part 9)
The secret of the delay of Hazrat Ali’s caliphate
Those who are aware of the history of revolutionary movements and reform movements, know very well that many revolutionary and reform movements have started and founded on the basis of “calling” for reform and struggle or corruption; But in the process of establishing the government, obtaining political and military power and allocating the seat of the presidency to the family of the “leader” of that revolution and founding the movement, they have failed and have gained bitter experiences in this regard. For this reason, clever people and wise future thinkers have been sensitive to religious invitations and movements and have always been afraid of their results.
This sensitivity is clearly evident in the conversation between Harkal (Heraklius), the emperor of “Byzantine Rome” and Abu Sufyan, and one of his questions to Abu Sufyan was whether any of his ancestors were kings. When Abu Sufyan said no, Hercules said: If one of his ancestors was a king, I would have said that he brought this ritual for a reason, to protect his lost kingdom and to claim his paternal inheritance, when Hercules said to a person who he calls people to believe in Allah and his mission, based on a historical foundation, he infers and judges like this; So, in your opinion, if as a result of the call of the Prophet, a hereditary government and monarchy emerged and the “immediate” successor of that Hazrat was first transferred to a member of his family, wouldn’t the world infer that the prophethood call and reform efforts, may Allah’s grace be granted, were all in the service of the Hazrat’s family? and all his efforts were aimed at strengthening his family, providing a prosperous life and a bright future, and dedicating leadership to his family?
Allah’s destiny and plan was such that the Messenger of Allah did not appoint anyone to succeed him, and after him, none of the “Hashemi” family immediately succeeded him. Rather, his first successor was Hazrat Abu Bakr who was from the tribe of “Bani Tamim” and after him Hazrat Umar bin Al-Khattab was from the tribe of “Bani Sa’edah” and then Hazrat Osman bin Affan came to the caliphate who was from the “Bani Amir” and once the caliphate belonged to Hazrat Ali he reached and among the Muslims and the companions of the prophet there was no one better and more capable than him to carry the burden of the caliphate, thus there was no room for objection and suspicion for anyone. Because it was not a matter of class, ethnicity, family or racial prejudice; Rather, it was a matter of merit, competence and ability for this work; So “the secret of the delay of the caliphate of Hazrat Ali ” was mentioned according to the wisdom that Allah Almighty had in mind and His work is always carefully planned and calculated and must be implemented. Professor Afad says: Hazrat Ali was 30 years old when the Prophet (PBUH) died, and this age was one of the most difficult obstacles for a nation that attached great importance to age and special respect for Olders.
Hazrat Ali’s pledge of allegiance to Hazrat Abu Bakr
There are different narrations about when Hazrat Abu Bakr pledged allegiance to him: Hafiz Abu Bakr Bayhaqi narrated from Abu Saeed Khedri that Hazrat Abu Bakr climbed the pulpit and looked at the people present, because he did not find Ali, he asked for him and He said: O cousin and son-in-law of the prophet, do you want the unity of Muslims not to be broken? Hazrat Ali replied: O Caliph of Allah’s Messenger I have no complaints and grievances and then pledged allegiance. Ibn Kasir says: It is narrated from this that Hazrat Ali pledged allegiance on the first or second day of the Hazrat’s death, and this is also authentic; Because Hazrat Ali was always with Hazrat Abu Bakr and was present behind him in all prayers.
It is known that Hazrat Ali did not pledge allegiance for some time to honor the memory of Fatimah, when he passed away six months after the death of the Hazrat Fatimah, Hazrat Ali pledged allegiance to Hazrat Abu Bakr in public. Ibn Kasir and many scholars are of the opinion that this second pledge was to confirm and renew the first pledge.
Sincere cooperation with Hazrat Abu Bakr
Hazrat Ali as expected, his honor, lineage and sincerity required, he was always during the caliphate of Hazrat Abu Bakr his sincere friend and compassionate advisor and he preferred the interest of Islam and Muslims above everything else and he did not in any way Sacrifice and courage do not hesitate.
One of the clearest reasons for Ali’s sincerity and honesty with Abu Bakr and his benevolence for Islam and Muslims and his support for the existence of the Caliphate and the unity of Muslims was his position against Abu Bakr’s departure for Jihad with the apostates and assuming the command of the Islamic Army.
Ibn Kathir says: Darqutni narrated from Saeed bin Musayb from Ibn Omar that when Abu Bakr mounted his chariot to move towards Zi al-Qasa, Ali ibn Abi Talib took the reins of the chariot and said: O Caliph, Messenger of Allah Where are you going? I am telling you the same thing that the Messenger of Allah said on the day of Uhud: unsheath your sword and do not make us suffer from the sadness of your separation; Because I swear to Allah, if you get hurt, the order of Islam will fall apart. Hazrat Abu Bakr returned to Madinah on the advice and prohibition of Hazrat Ali. Zakaria al-Saji and Zohri also narrated this incident from Ayesha.
If Hazrat Ali Al-Ayaz Ballah was not happy with Hazrat Abu Bakr and had reluctantly pledged allegiance (or had entered through the door of taqiyyah), he would have used this golden opportunity to his advantage and prevented him from going to the battlefield, perhaps Abu Bakr this way he would lose his life, thus he would be relieved, and the field would remain empty for him. It is true that Allah (S.W.T) has said,محمدرسول الله والذین معه اشداء علی الکفار رحماء بینهم (فتح / 29).
