Khilafah al-'Alam al-Islami
Islamic State: The only solution
Part Seven
Abu Bakr got the bay'ah from the majority of the people in Medina (both Muhajireen and Ansar). The fact that Sa'd Ibnu Ubadah did not give the bay'ah is not of importance here because the majority of the people gave Abu Bakr the bay'ah. Sa'd Ibnu Ubadah believed he should be the Khalifah. After the discussion which took place in Saqifat Banu Sa'idah the people gave the bay'ah to Abu Bakr. Al-Habab Ibnu Al-Munthir (who is from the Ansar) was the first to give the bay'ah to Abu Bakr (according to some references. Usaid Ibnu Hudhair and the Aws supported Abu Bakr from the beginning. It is also narrated that Abu Bakr asked Sa'd Ibnu Ubada if he heard the Prophet saying that the Khilafah will be in Quraish and Sa'd approved that.
What about Ali, was he consulted? Ali and Alzubier were preparing the coffin of the Prophet and did not attend the gathering in the Saqifa. But since the majority of the Muslims in the Saqifa chose Abu Bakr, this choice is binding to Ali. Ali is not the majority, he is one person. There was a necessity to choose a Khalif to prevent any Fitna and there was enough people in the saqifa to choose a Khalif. Also Abu Bakr became a Khalif after the general Bay'ah which was given to him by the majority of Muslims in Madina next day in the Mosque. The fact that Ali did not give bay'ah for six month does not refute the fact that Abu Bakr was given the bay'ah by the majority of the Muslims in Medina.
Let's now examine what is written in Nahj Al-Balagha the book which is attributed to Ali. In that book it is written that after Ali became the Khalif he said: "The caliphate has now come back to its right place and has reached the position assigned to it by the Heaven. "And in another place he says that Ahlul bayt should be the Khalifs.
Those above statements (at best) reflect the opinion of Ali which is obviously contradict the opinion of the rest of the Sahabah. The majority of the sahabah believed that the Prophet (pbuh) did not appoint any one as his successor. So what is more Islamic the opinion of Ali alone or the opinion of the rest of the Sahabah.
Secondly, these above statements contradict what Ali says about Abu Bakr and Umar as narrated in Bukhari and other authentic sources: Al-Bukhari reported on the authority of Muhammad bin Al-Hanafiya:
I asked my father ('Ali bin Abi Talib), "Who are the best people after Allah's Apostle ?" He said, "Abu Bakr." I asked, "Who then?" He said, "Then 'Umar. " I was afraid he would say "Uthman, so I said, "Then you?" He said, "I am only an ordinary person.
Would someone believe that Abu Bakr and Umar are the best people after the Prophet accuse them of disobeying Allah and of taking his right which was given to him by Allah (as the above statements say).
Al-Bukhari reported on the authority of Ibn 'Abbas: While I was standing amongst the people who were invoking Allah for Umar bin Al-Khattab who was lying (dead) on his bed, a man behind me rested his elbows on my shoulder and said, "(O 'Umar!) May Allah bestow His Mercy on you. I always hoped that Allah will keep you with your two companions, for I often heard Allah's Apostle saying, "I, Abu Bakr and 'Umar were (somewhere). I, Abu Bakr and 'Umar did (something). I, Abu Bakr and 'Umar set out.' So I hoped that Allah will keep you with both of them." I turned back to see that the speaker was Ali bin Abi Talib.
Al-Bukhari reported on the authority of Ibn Abbas: When (the dead body of) 'Umar was put on his deathbed, the people gathered around hi m and invoked (Allah) and prayed for him before the body was taken away, and I was amongst them. Suddenly I felt somebody taking hold of my shoulder and found out that he was 'Ali bin Abi Talib. 'Ali invoked Allah's Mercy for 'Umar and said, "O 'Umar! You have not left behind you a person whose deeds I like to imitate and meet Allah with more than I like your deeds. By Allah! I always thought that Allah would keep you with your two companions, for very often I used to hear the Prophet saying, 'I, Abu Bakr and 'Umar went (somewhere); I, Abu Bakr and 'Umar entered (somewhere); and I, Abu Bakr and 'Umar went out.'
I ask again would someone who believe that Umar is the only one who he likes to imitate accuse him of taking his right and disobeying Allah?
Dr. Musa Al-Musawi in his book "Shia and Correction" quoted Ali in several places in Nahj Al-Balagha praising Umar and Uthman, I wonder the one who quoted the above statements from Nahj Al- Balagha why did not he quote the paragraphs in which Ali praises Umar and Uthman? Is that the honesty in the discussion and research. I am sorry not to be able to translate what Ali said about the Khalifs who came before him but for those who can read Arabic see the Book by Dr. Musa Al-Musawi "Shia and Correction", the author is Shi'i himself. He discusses in detail the claim by the Shia that Abu Bakr, Umar and Uthman took the right of Ali and therefore their bay'ah is illegitimate.
Another point of importance here, would people like Abu Bakr, Umar and Uthman who received many complements from Allah and the Prophet commit such a big sin by disobeying Allah and take the right of Ali which was given to him by Allah. The answer by anyone who takes Quran and Sunnah as the base for his/her thinking is NO. It is very clear that Ali was not appointed by the Prophet as a Khalif otherwise the Sahabah would obey and Ali would not give bay'ah to the Khalifs. He gave the bay'ah to Abu Bakr after six months and he gave the bay'ah to Umar and Uthman immediately. After the death of Uthman, Ali said to the Muslims try to find someone else as a Khalif, I am better as a minister than an Amir. Would someone believe he was appointed by Allah as a Khalif ask the Muslims to give bay'ah to someone else and disobey Allah?
When Ali wanted to punish someone for drinking Alcohol he said: " The Prophet (pbuh) slashed him 40 times and Abu Bakr 40 and Umar 80 and each of them is Sunnah." In the next message I will provide the reference and the exact words of Ali. So Ali is referring to the action of Abu Bakr and Umar to learn from them, would he do that unless he believes they are good examples?
Part Eight
Note 1: There are two distinguished books in the
topics I am discussing in this series of messages. They discuss the Principles
of the ruling system in Islam and the Bay'ah. They are both written by
Dr. Mahmoud Al-Khalidi and to the best of my knowledge they are the most
extensive studies on those two topics. The titles of the two books are:
1. Qawa'id Nitham Al-Hukm Fi Al-Islam (The Principle
of the Ruling System in Islam)
2. Al-Bay'ah fi Al-Fikr Al-Siasi Al-Islami (Bay'ah
in the Islamic Political Thinking).
Note 2: I will start sending one message every
day insha' Allah instead of
sending a messge every two days.
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In this message I will discuss the bay'ah of Umar. Before I do that I will clarify two points related to the last message.
First, in the last message I mentioned a saying by Ali regarding Alcohol punishment but I did not give the reference. Here is the reference and the exact saying: Muslim reported that Ali Ibnu Abi Talib said "The Prophet flogged (the person who drank alcohol) forty lashes, and Abu Bakr forty lashes and Umar eighty lashes, and each of them is Sunnah."
Secondly, I discussed the position of Sa'd Ibnu Ubada and Ali Ibnu Abi Talib from the bay'ah of Abu Bakr assuming that the first did not give bay'ah at all and the second gave it six months later. I showed that even if this is true it does not refute the legitimacy of the bay'ah of Abu Bakr. However there are authentic evidences which prove that both persons gave the bay'ah to Abu Bakr immediately.
For the case of Sa'd Ibnu Ubada it was mentioned in some authentic sources that he did not give bay'ah at all, but the author was not sure (see Fath Al-Bari, Ibn Hajr, vol. 7 page 159). On the other hand there are other authentic sources which prove that Sa'd Ibnu Ubada gave Abu Bakr bay'ah in the courtyard of Banu Sa'edah (see Al-Seerah Al-Halabiah, Ali bin Burhanu deen Al-Halabi, vol. 2, page 481, and see Al-Bay'ah Fi Al-Fikr Al- Siasi Al-Islami, Mahmoud Al-Khaldi, page 58). This shows that Sa'd gave the bay'ah with the others in the Saqifah.
For the case of Ali I never read in any authentic book that he gave the bay'ah only six months later. I heard it before and on this list, that is why I discussed this possibility. However, there are many evidences which show that Ali gave the bay'ah to Abu Bakr immediately. When Abu Bakr got the bay'ah from the people Ali was his house, he was told that the people are giving the bay'ah to Abu Bakr in the mosque (the second day after the saqifah), upon that Ali left his place without Izar (waist sheet) and Rida' (cloak) in order not to be late in giving the bay'ah. (see Al-Bay'ah Fi Al-Fikr Al-Siasi Al-Islami, Mahmoud AL-Khaldi page 58, he cited Al-Kamel Fi Al-Tareekh, Ibnu AL-Atheer, vol. 2, page 325 and 447, and Al-Seerah Al-Halabiah, vol. 2, page 485).
In another incident Ali said that the people after the death of the Prophet chose the best person. When Ali was stabbed the people asked him to appoint a successor he said: The Prophet (pbuh) himself did not appoint a successor so I would not do it. But if Allah wants good for the people he will unite them after me on the best person among them as he did when he united them on the best person after the death of the Prophet (pbuh), (he means Abu Bakr). (see Tareekh Al-Khulafa', Al-Sauti, page 7).
In the battle of Jaml, Ali said: O people, the Prophet (pbuh) did not give us any clue of who should be his successor as an Amir, and we chose to appoint Abu Bakr. (see Tarikh Al- Islam, Al-Thahabi, vol. 1, page 328, 329 and Majma' Al-Zawa'id, Al-Haithami, vol. 5, page 175).
I will end this issue, the bay'ah of Abu Bakr and Ali's opinion concerning it, by the following narration from Al-Seerah Al-Halabiah, vol 2, page 483. "Abu Bakr called the Muhajereen and the Ansar (the migrants and helpers) and said: You are free from the bay'ah you gave to me and if you find another person for it I will be the first to give him the bay'ah. Upon this Ali said: Sure we do not find anyone more suitable than you, hold your hand out, then Ali and the people who were with him gave Abu Bakr the bay'ah".
All of the above prove that Ali gave the bay'ah to Abu Bakr and he considered Abu Bakr as the best person among the Muslims. It is also evident from the above that the bay'ah of Abu Bakr was taken from the people by their free well and consent.
I continue now with the bay'ah of Umar. When Abu Bakr felt that his illness was fatal he called upon the Muslims to consult them about who would become the next Khalif. He nominated Umar and Ali. Then the Muslims through three months during the life of Abu Bakr, chose Umar by their majority. Based on the consultation and the Muslims' choice he announced to them that Umar would be the Khalif after him. After the death of Abu Bakr the Muslims came to the mosque and gave the bay'ah of Khilafah to Umar so he became Khalif by this bay'ah and not by the consultations nor by the announcement of Abu Bakr. What is surprising is the claim that Abu Bakr chose Umar against the well of the Muslims. As was reported by several historians Abu Bakr consulted Uthman, Abdur-Rahman bin Auf, Ali, Usaid Ibnu Hudhair, Sai'd Ibnu Zaid and many people from Muhajireen and Ansar (see The Islamic History "Al-Tarikh Al-Islami" volume 3 by Mahmoud Shakir, page 100-104, and History of Islam "Tarikh Al- Islam", volume 1, by Hassan Ibrahim Hassan, page 173-174 and the references therein).
What was attributed on this list to Talha that he opposed appointing Umar is baseless. In the references mentioned above it is reported that a man opposed the nomination of Umar (this is used when the person is not known). Moreover, it is an opinion of one person (regardless if it is Talha or not) who opposed appointing Umar while the majority of the Muslims accepted that. How can someone then claim that appointing Umar was against the well of the Muslims just because one person opposed it. What an honest reading of the history?
It is narrated that when Abu Bakr knew the opinion of the Muslims and he wanted to announce the result of his consultations he said: O people... I have nominated a successor would you accept it. Upon that Ali said: We would not accept but Umar. (see Al-Bay'ah Fi Al-Fikr Al-Siasi Al-Islami, Mahmoud Al-Khaldi, page 165).
Part Nine
Bay'ah Of Uthman
When Umar was stabbed, the Muslims asked him to appoint a successor for him but he refused. They insisted, so he mentioned six of the Sahabah. After his death, the nominees appointed one of them as a representative who was Abdul Rahman Ibn Auf. He referred to the opinion of the Muslims and consulted them. Then he declared the bay'ah to Uthman. The Muslims stood up and gave their pledge to Uthman, and thereby he became a Khalif by the pledge of the Muslims and not by the announcement of Abdul Rahman. In the following two Hadiths Umar first does not appoint anyone and in the next Hadith Umar mentioned the name of the six people. In Muslim he reported the same thing in a different Hadith. But from both, Al-Bukhari and Muslim, we find that Umar appointed the six people after the Sahabah insisted on him to do so.
Al-Bukhari reported on the authority of 'Abdullah bin 'Umar: It was said to 'Umar, "Will you appoint your successor?" Umar said, "If I appoint a Caliph (as my successor) it is true that somebody who was better than I (i.e., Abu Bakr) did so, and if I leave the matter undecided, it is true that somebody who was better than I (i.e., Allah's Apostle) did so." On this, the people praised him. 'Umar said, "People are of two kinds: Either one who is keen to take over the Caliphate or one who is afraid of assuming such a responsibility. I wish I could be free from its responsibility in that I would receive neither reward nor retribution I won't bear the burden of the caliphate in my death as I do in my life."
Al-Bukhari reported on the authority of Amr bin Maimun when Umar was stabbed to death: "The people realized that he would die... The people said (to 'Umar), "O chief of the believers! Appoint a successor." Umar said, "I do not find anyone more suitable for the job than the following persons or group whom Allah's Apostle had been pleased with before he died." Then 'Umar mentioned 'Ali, 'Uthman AzZubair, Talha, Sad and 'Abdur-Rahman (bin Auf) and said, "Abdullah bin 'Umar will be a witness to you, but he will have no share in the rule. His being a witness will compensate him for not sharing the right of ruling. If Sad becomes the ruler, it will be alright: otherwise, whoever becomes the ruler should seek his help, as I have not dismissed him because of disability or dishonesty."
Umar added, "I recommend that my successor takes care of the early emigrants; to know their rights and protect their honour and sacred things. I also recommend that he be kind to the Ansar who had lived in Medina before the emigrants and Belief had entered their hearts before them. I recommend that the (ruler) should accept the good of the righteous among them and excuse their wrong-doers, and I recommend that he should do good to all the people of the towns (Al-Ansar), as they are the protectors of Islam and the source of wealth and the source of annoyance to the enemy. I also recommend that nothing be taken from them except from their surplus with their consent. I also recommend that he do good to the 'Arab bedouin, as they are the origin of the 'Arabs and the material of Islam. He should take from what is inferior, amongst their properties and distribute that to the poor amongst them. I also recommend him concerning Allah's and His Apostle's protected people (i.e. Dhimmis) to fulfill their contracts and to fight for them and not to overburden them with what is beyond their ability." So when 'Umar expired, we carried him out and set out walking. 'Abdullah bin 'Umar greeted ('Aisha) and said,"'Umar bin Al-Khattab asks for the permission." 'Aisha said, "Bring him in." He was brought in and buried beside his two companions.
When he was buried, the
group (recommended by 'Umar) held a meeting. Then 'Abdur-Rahman said, "
Reduce the candidates for rulership to three of you." Az-Zubair said, "I
give up my right to Ali." Talha said, "I give up my right to 'Uthman,"
Sad, 'I give up my right to 'Abdur-Rahman bin 'Auf." 'Abdur-Rahman then said (to 'Uthman and 'Ali), "Now which of you
is willing to give up his right of candidacy to that he may choose the
better of the (remaining) two, bearing in mind that Allah and Islam will
be his witnesses." So both the sheiks (i.e. 'Uthman and 'Ali) kept silent.
'Abdur-Rahman said, "Will you both leave this matter to me, and I take Allah as my Witness that I will
not choose but the better of you?" They said, "Yes." So 'Abdur-Rahman took
the hand of one of them (i.e. 'Ali) and said, "You are related to Allah's
Apostle and one of the earliest Muslims as you know well. So I ask you
by Allah to promise that if I select you as a ruler you will do justice,
and if I select 'Uthman as a ruler you will listen to him and obey him."
Then he took the other (i.e. 'Uthman) aside and said the same to him. When
'Abdur-Rahman secured (their agreement to) this covenant, he said,
"O 'Uthman! Raise your hand." So he (i.e. 'Abdur-Rahman) gave him (i.e.
'Uthman) the solemn pledge, and then 'Ali gave him the pledge of allegiance
and then all the (Medina) people gave him the pledge of allegiance.
The details of what Abdul Rahman did is clear in the next narration. Al-Bukhari reported on the authority of Al-Miswar bin Makhrama: The group of people whom 'Umar had selected as candidates for the Caliphate gathered and consulted each other. Abdur-Rahman said to them, "I am not going to compete with you in this matter, but if you wish, I would select for you a caliph from among you." So all of them agreed to let 'Abdur-Rahman decide the case. So when the candidates placed the case in the hands of 'Abdur-Rahman, the people went towards him and nobody followed the rest of the group nor obeyed any after him. So the people followed 'Abdur-Rahman and consulted him all those nights till there came the night we gave the oath of allegiance to 'Uthman.Al-Miswar (bin Makhrama) added: 'Abdur-Rahman called on me after a portion of the night had passed and knocked on my door till I got up, and he said to me, "I see you have been sleeping! By Allah, during the last three nights I have not slept enough. Go and call Az-Zubair and Sa'd.' So I called them for him and he consulted them and then called me saying, 'Call 'Ali for me." I called 'Ali and he held a private talk with him till very late at night, and then 'Al, got up to leave having had much hope (to be chosen as a Caliph) but 'Abdur-Rahman was afraid of something concerning 'Ali. 'Abdur-Rahman then said to me, "Call 'Uthman for me." I called him and he kept on speaking to him privately till the Mu'adhdhin put an end to their talk by announcing the Adhan for the Fajr prayer.
When the people finished their morning prayer and that (six men) group gathered near the pulpit, 'Abdur-Rahman sent for all the Muhajirin (emigrants) and the Ansar present there and sent for the army chief who had performed the Hajj with 'Umar that year. When all of them had gathered, 'Abdur-Rahman said, "None has the right to be worshipped but Allah," and added, "Now then, O 'Ali, I have looked at the people's tendencies and noticed that they do not consider anybody equal to 'Uthman, so you should not incur blame (by disagreeing)." Then 'Abdur-Rahman said (to 'Uthman), "I gave the oath of allegiance to you on condition that you will follow Allah's Laws and the traditions of Allah's Apostle and the traditions of the two Caliphs after him." So 'Abdur-Rahman gave the oath of allegiance to him, and so did the people including the Muhajirin (emigrants) and the Ansar and the chiefs of the army staff and all the Muslims.
