The Conception of the Sahaba's Ultimate Decency and the Political Authority in Islam

Chapter 4 - Allah's Marrying His Confidant and His Apostle's Successor

Fatima­bnt­Mohammed is the mistress of the ladies of the world[61] and the nearest to the Prophet whose satisfaction is attained only when she is satisfied, and whose ire is arisen when she is irate. This matter is unanimously agreed upon by the entire Muslims.[62] Every noble and celebrity wished if he could have had her in marriage. She was the exemplar of the ideal woman. Numerous suitors asked for her hand, but the Prophet refused. The same thing happened with Abu­Bakr and Omar[63] who said, referring at the Prophet in this regard: "He is waiting for his Lord's instruction."

The Good Tidings

One day, the good tidings of Fatima's marriage came to the Prophet who conveyed it to his companions: "A good tidings I have received from my Lord concerning my brother and cousin, and my daughter; God has married

[61] bn­Abdil­Berr's Alisti'ab (in the margin of bn­Hajar's Al­Issabetu Fi Tamyizis­Sahaba) part.4 page377, 284 and 285, bn­Hajar's Al­Issabetu Fi Tamyizis­Sahaba part.4 page378, Ibnul­Atheer's usdul­Ghabeh part.5 page437, At­Tabari's Thekha'irul­Uqba page44, Al­Qanduzi's Yenabi'ul­Mawadda…ect. [62] bn­Quteibeh's Al­Imametu Wes­Siyaseh page5 Chapter: Fatima's argument with Abu­Bakr and Omar. [63] In addition to the following references, many other books referred to this fact: Al­Kinji's Kifayetut­talib, pages 302 and 304. Al­Heithami's Majma'uzzawa'id, part.9 page205­6. An­Nisa'i's Al­Khassa'is page114. bn­Hajar's As­Sawa'iqul­Muhriqah page139. Az­Zerendi's Nudhumu Duraris­Simtein page148. At­Tabari's Thekha'irul­Uqba page27. Ibnul­Meghazili's Menaqibu Ali Bin Abi Talib page346. Ibnul­Jawzi's Tethkiretul­Khawass page306. Ibnul­Atheer's Usdul­Ghabeh, part.1 page38. bn­Hajar's Al­Issabetu Fi Tamyizis­Sahaba part.1 page347. Ibnul­Atheer's Jami'ul­Ussoul part.9 page474. bn­Abil­Hadid's Sharhu Nahjil­Belagha part.3 page261. Zeini Dehlan's As­Seeretun­Nubawiya (In the margin of As­Seeretul­Halabiya) part.2 page7. Al­Khatib Al­Baghdadi's Tarikhu Baghdad part.1 page363. bn­Sa'd's At­Tabaqat part.2 page240…

Fatima to Ali."[64] On many occasions, the Prophet reminded Fatima of this divine grace. He also spoke about it many times before his companions. He (peace be upon him and his family), once, addressed at Fatima: "Are you not satisfied that God has selected two men from among people of the earth; the first is your father and the other is your groom?"[65]

She, once, complained to her father for marrying her to Ali while he was poor. The Prophet answered her: "Are you not satisfied that God has selected two men from among people of the earth; the first is your father and the other is your groom?"[66]

The Prophet visited his diseased daughter and asked her about her manners. "By God, my grief has been increasing, my destitution has been expanding and my ailment has been continuing." whimpered Fatima. Here, the Prophet said: "Are you not satisfied that I have married you to the principal Muslim, the most knowledgeable and the most self-possessed?"[67]

The Blessed Progeny

The Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) declared before the Muslims: "God has created each prophet's progeny from his own flank. My progeny is originated from Ali's."[68] "Every female's sons are belonged to their lineage saving Fatima's sons. I am their warden and I am their lineage

[64] Al­Khawarzmi's Al­Menaqib, page246. Al­Khawarzmi's Maqtelul­Hussein, part.1 page60. Al­Qanduzi's Yenabi'ul­Mawadda page304. Ibnul­Atheer's Usdul­Ghabeh, part.1 page206.  bn­Hajar's As­Sawa'iqul­Muhriqah, page171. [65] bn­Asakir's Tarikhu Dimeshq Chapter: The Life Account Of Ali Bin Abi Talib part.1 page249. Ibnul­Jawzi's Tethkiretul­Khawass page308. Kenzul­Ummal part.15 page95. At­Tabari's Ar­Riyadhun­Nedhira part.2 page240… [66] Al­Hakim's Al­Mustedrak part.3 page129. bn­Asakir's Tarikhu Dimeshq Chapter: The Life Account Of Ali Bin Abi Talib part.1 page249. Ibnul­Jawzi's Tethkiretul­Khawass page309. Al­Qanduzi's Yenabi'ul­Mawadda page421. Al­Kinji's Kifayetut­Talib, page297. Kenzul­Ummal part.6 and 5 page391 and 95. Ihqaqul­Haqq part.5 page266. Al­Khatib Al­Baghdadi's Tarikhu Baghdad part.4 page195­6. [67] Az­Zerendi's Nudhumu Duraris­Simtein page188, bn­Abil­Hadid's Sharhu Nahjil­Belagha part.3 page261, Muntakhabu Kenzil­Ummal (In the margin of Ahmed's book of Hadith) part.5 page31 and At­Tabari's Ar­Riyadhun­Nedhira part.2 page55… [68] Kenzul­Ummal part.6 page152 hadith 5210.

and I am their father."[69] "Regarding you, Ali, you are my brother and the father of my sons…"[70] "This - Ali - is my brother and the son of my brother and my cousin and my son­in­law and the father of my sons…"[71]

It is not a matter of chance that the Prophet's progeny is restricted to Fatima's sons. The whole nation did realize well that the Prophet had no sons but Fatima's. With great pride, the Prophet was always repeating this saying before his companions: "This is Al­Hassan, my son. This is Al­Hussein, my son. It was God Who has chosen their names. They are the masters of the youth of the Paradise, and my basils among this nation."

In spite of the surpassing endeavors of terminating the Prophet's offspring, including the processes of poisoning Al­Hassan and assassinating Al­Hussein, twelve Imams, the last of whom was Al­Mahdi the messiah, descended from this blessed progeny.

The Habitation of the Prophet and His Successor

Even the matter of the lodging of the Prophet and his successor was organized by the Divine Care that attracted people's attention to this point for the purpose of discernibility.

In one of his harangues, the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) spoke: "I see there are some men feel something about the matter that I have lodged Ali in the mosque and displaced the others. By God I swear, it was not I who displaced them out of the mosque and lodged Ali. It was Allah Who displaced them and lodged Ali. Allah, the Elevated, revealed to Moses to take for their people houses to abide in Egypt and make these houses places of worship and keep up prayers. To me, Ali is indeed enjoying the same standing of Aaron to Moses. He is my brother. Except for him, none of you is licit to copulate with women in this mosque." [72]

[69] At­Tabarani records this hadith. It is the hadith 22 written down in bn­Hajar's As­Sawa'iqul­Muhriqa, part.2 page112. [70] Al­Khawarzmi's Al­Menaqib page27. [71] Al­Amini's Al­Ghadeer part.3 page119. [72] Al­Muraja'at pages 161­75 and Al­Qanduzi's Yenabi'ul­Mawadda, Chapter: The Prophet's Household's Merits, 18.

Al­Abbas wondered his nephew, the Prophet, how he should take him out of the mosque and lodge Ali. "It was not I who displaced you out of the mosque and lodged Ali. It was Allah Who displaced you out and lodged Ali."[73]

A number of the Sahaba's houses had doors having prospect over the mosque. The Prophet ordered: "All these doors are to be crossed out except that of Ali's house." People, however, showed dislike against this procedure. Accordingly, the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) ascended the pulpit and orated:

"Praised and thanked be Allah".

As I ordered of eradicating these doors except that of Ali's house, you criticized. It was not I who closed or opened. It was but an instruction I was asked to carry out.[74] I have neither taken you out of the mosque out of my desire, nor have I neglected this order. I am but a restricted servant to be carrying out what I am ordered of. I follow only what is revealed to me.[75] Allah did reveal to Moses, His prophet, to construct a sanitary mosque in which none should lodge saving Moses and Aaron. Correspondingly, Allah did reveal to me to construct a sanitary mosque in which none should lodge saving Ali, my brother, and I.[76]

Ali is the Prophet's Disciple

Assertively, the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) declared that Ali should be his disciple. He said: "This one is my brother, disciple and successor." The familiar hadith of Ad­Dar has been decided as one of the

[73] bn­Madgeh's book of Hadith part.1 page92, At­Tirmithi's book of Hadith and An­Nisa'i's book of Hadith. It is the hadith 2531 recorded in Kenzul­Ummal part.6 page153. It is also registered in Ahmed's book of Hadith part.4 and 1 page164 and 151. [74] This hadith is recorded by Ahmed in his book of Hadith part.4 page369 and Ad­Diya Al­Meqdisi and At­Tabarani. It is also recorded in Muntakhabu Kenzil­Ummal (In the margin of Ahmed's book of Hadith) part.5 page39. [75] According to Muntakhabu Kenzil­Ummal (In the margin of Ahmed's book of Hadith) part.5 page29, At­Tabarani records this hadith. [76] bn­Hajar's As­Sawa'iqul­Muhriqah, Aim 5 Verse 4.

most authentic traditions.[77] The Prophet, repeatedly, emphasized on Ali's being his disciple. He said: "Every prophet had a disciple and an heir. Ali is my disciple and heir."[78] "Every prophet had a disciple and an heir. My disciple and heir is Ali­bn­Abi­Talib."[79] "Indeed, my disciple and my trustful person and the best of whom I should allocate to fulfilling my promises and settling my debts is Ali­bn­Abi­Talib."[80]

A similar oration the Prophet addressed at Anas­bn­Malik: "O Anas! The coming man who shall enter from this door is the prince of the believers, the master of the Muslims, the leader of the bright­faced, the shining and the last of the prophets' disciples." Not too long after that speech, Ali entered… There is a considerable continuation of this hadith.[81]

The Prophet addressed at Fatima an alike speech: "O Fatima! Have you not been acquainted of the matter that Allah, the Elevated, scrutinized people of the earth and elected your father as the messaged prophet. And scrutinized them again and elected your groom. Then, He revealed to me to marry Ali to you and betake him as my disciple."[82]

[77] At­Tabari's book of history part.2 pages 319­21. Ibnul­Atheer's Al­Kamilu Fit­Tarikh part.2 pages 62­3. As­Seeretul­Halabiya part.1 page311. Ahmed's book of Hadith part.5 page41­2. bn­Asakir's Tarikhu Dimeshq Chapter: The Life Account Of Ali Bin Abi Talib part.1 page85 and many other references. [78] bn­Asakir's Tarikhu Dimeshq Chapter: The Life Account Of Ali Bin Abi Talib part.3 page5. Ibnul­Meghazili's Menaqibu Ali Bin Abi Talib page200. Al­Khawarzmi's Al­Menaqib, page42. At­Tabari's Thekha'irul­Uqba. At­Thehbi's Mizanuli'tidal part.2 page273. Al­Qanduzi's Yenabi'ul­Mawadda page232 and 273… and many other references. [79] bn­Asakir's Tarikhu Dimeshq Chapter: The Life Account Of Ali Bin Abi Talib part.3 page5, Al­Khawarzmi's Al­Menaqib page42, Ibnul­Meghazili's Menaqibu Ali Bin Abi Talib page200 and At­Thehbi's Mizanuli'tidal part.2 page273… besides many other references. [80] Majma'uzzawa'id part.9 page113, Kenzul­Ummal part.6 page154 and Ahmed's book of hadith part.5 page32. [81] Abu­Na'eem's Hilyetul­Awliya part.1 page63. bn­Abil­Hadid's Sharhu Nahjil­Belagha part.9 page169. Al­Khawarzmi's Al­Menaqib, page42. Al­Kinji's Kifayetut­Talib, page212. At­Thehbi's Mizanuli'tidal part.1 page64. Fedha'ilul­Khamseh Mines­Sihahis­Sitteh part.2 page254. bn­Talha's Metalibus­Sa'ul page21. [82] Al­Kinji's Kifayetut­talib, page296. Al­Heithami's Majma'uzzawa'id, part.8 page253. Ibnus­Sebbagh's AL­Fussoulul­Muhimmeh page281. Ibnul­Meghazili's Menaqibu Ali Bin Abi Talib page101. Al­Qanduzi's Yenabi'ul­Mawadda page92. Al­Amini's Al­Ghadeer part.3 page23. Al­Muraja'at, the Index page244.

Just after the Prophet's decease, Al­Hassan used the characteristic of discipleship in his argument when he spoke: "…I am the son of the Prophet and the son of his disciple."[83]

Ali's discipleship has been commonly mentioned in literature, especially in poetry and prose.[84] Jabir was used to saying: "I was informed by the disciple of the disciples…" referring to Ali.[85]

Denial of the Prophet's Nominating Ali As His Inheritor

Muslim and Al­Bukhari denied that the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) had willed of Ali's being his inheritor. They rested upon the report imputed to A'isheh, Ummul­Mu'minin. She claimed that the Prophet had not willed of anything, since he died while he was laying between her breast and neck, and was placed on her thigh. The familiarly authentic reports assert that the event of the Prophet's decease had not occurred in the previous form. Mentally, this event should not occur in this form. As a matter of fact, the Prophet died while he was on Ali's breast. Besides, tremendous efforts were exerted for the purpose of preventing the Prophet from explicating the general situation to his people. These efforts, however, succeeded in occluding him from recording what he was intending to. Al­Bukhari himself relates the following narrative to bn­Abbas:

"The Prophet willed of three matters; taking the disbelievers out of the Arab Peninsula, permitting the delegation in the same way he had adopted and …I forgot the third!!" In this very form, Al­Bukhari records this narrative.[86]

In addition, the form imputed to A'isheh about the Prophet's decease is not true. In fact, he departed this world while he was placed to Ali's chest. This fact is recognized by Omar­bn­Al­Khattaab. During his reign, the Sahaba were attendant when Ka'b asked about the last words the Prophet had said.

[83] At­Tabari's Thekha'irul­Uqba page138. [84] Nasr Bin Muzahim's Waq'atu Siffine pages 227, 382 and 436, and Al­Khawarzmi's Al­Menaqib pages 38, 65, 134 and 288, and Al­Mas'udi's Muroujut­Theheb part.2 page238 and bn­Abdi Rabbih's Al­Iqdul­Fareed part.4 page411 and Ibnus­Sebbagh's Al­Fussoulul­Muhimmeh page8 and Al­Muraja'at The Index page284. [85] At­Thehbi's Mizanuli'tidal part.1 page83 and Al­Muraja'at The Index page284. [86] Al­Bukhari's book of hadith, Chapter: The Prophet's Missive To Khosrow And Ceasar, and Chapter: The Prophet's Final Disease And Decease part.5 page137.

"You should address this question at Ali." answered Omar. Hence, Ali narrated the way of the Prophet's decease and the last words he had uttered… When the Prophet was moribund, he ordered: "Summon my brother!" They, consequently, summoned Ali. "Come near to me." the Prophet asked Ali and went on wording to him till his blessed soul went out.[87]

In brief words, the Prophet did not depart the life in the form imputed to A'isheh and taken as an evidence on denying the Prophet's will.

The Endowments Exclusively Enjoyed By the Leader and the Prophet's Successor

In the attendance of the Sahaba, the Prophet said: "O Ali! I am distinct from you in the matter of prophesy. Indeed, there shall be no prophesy after me. You are distinct from people in seven singularities about which no Quraishi individual can dispute you. They are: your being the foremost to believing in Allah, the most loyal to the covenant of Allah, the best accomplisher of mandates of Allah, the finest equalizer, the greatest upright, the most intelligent in issues and the most preferable to Allah."[88] "Ali is being with the Quran, and the Quran is being with Ali. They shall never be departed till they join me at the Divine Pool."[89] "Ali is being with the right, and the right

[87] This narrative is recorded in bn­Sa'd's At­Tabaqat part.2 page262­4 and 51. Kenzul­Ummal part.4 page55 hadith 1106­8 and part.6 page392 hadith 1009. bn­Abil­Hadid's Sharhu Nahjil­Belagha part.2 page196 and Vol.2 pages 561, 207 and 509. The very narrative is related by Ali, bn­Abbas, Ummu Selemeh, Abdullah Bin Omar, Ali Bin Al­Hussein and the other imams of the Prophet's household. [88] Abu­Na'eem's Hilyetul­Awliya part.1 page65­6. bn­Asakir's Tarikhu Dimeshq Chapter: The Life Account Of Ali Bin Abi Talib part.1 page117 hadith 160. At­Tabari's Ar­Riyadhun­Nedhira part.2 page262. bn­Talha's Metalibus­Sa'ul part.1 page95. bn­Abil­Hadid's Sharhu Nahjil­Belagha part.9 page173. Al­Khawarzmi's Al­Menaqib, page71. At­Thehbi's Mizanuli'tidal part.1 page313. Al­Kinji's Kifayetut­talib, page270. Al­Amini's Al­Ghadeer part.3 page96. Al­Qanduzi's Yenabi'ul­Mawadda page315. Muntakhabu Kenzil­Ummal (In the margin of Ahmed's book of Hadith) part.5 page34. Fera'idus­Simtein part.1 page223 hadith 174. [89] Al­Khawarzmi's Al­Menaqib, page110. At­Tabarani's Al­Mu'jamus­Sagheer part.1 page55. Al­Kinji's Kifayetut­talib, page399. bn­Hajar Al­Kifayeh pages 122 and 124. As­Suyouti's Tarikhul­Khulefa page173. Is'afur­Raghibin (In the margin of Nourul­Absar) page157. Nourul­Absar page73. Al­Amini's Al­Ghadeer part.3 page180. Al­Qanduzi's Yenabi'ul­Mawadda pages 40, 90 and 185… Ghayetul­Maram page540. As­Suyouti's Al­Jami'us­Sagheer part.2 page56…

is being with Ali. They shall never be departed till they join me at the Divine Pool on the Day of Resurrection."[90]

The Immunization of the Leader and the Prophet's Successor

In the presence of his companions, the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) addressed at Ali: "O Ali! He whoever desists from me is decided as desisting from Allah. Those who desist from you, Ali, are desisting from me."[91] "He is reviling at me that whoever reviles at Ali." [92] "Reviling at Ali is reviling at me. Reviling at me is reviling at Allah. He whoever reviles at Allah shall be forcibly cast off on his nasals in the Hell­fire." [93] "He is

[90] Al­Khatib Al­Baghdadi's Tarikhu Baghdad part.41 page321, bn­Asakir's Tarikhu Dimeshq Chapter: The Life Account Of Ali Bin Abi Talib part.3 page119 hadith 1162, Ghayetul­Maram page539, bn­Quteibeh's Al­Imametu Wes­Siyaseh part.1 page73 and Muntakhabu Kenzil­Ummal (In the margin of Ahmed's book of Hadith) part.5 page30. [91] Al­Hakim's Al­Mustedrak, part.3 page146. At­Tabari's Thekha'irul­Uqba page66. Majma'uzzawa'id, part.9 page135. bn­Asakir's Tarikhu Dimeshq, part.2 page268 hadith 789. Ibnul­Meghazili's Menaqibu Ali Bin Abi Talib page241. At­Tabari's Ar­Riyadhun­Nedhira part.2 page220. Al­Qanduzi's Yenabi'ul­Mawadda page91. At­Thehbi's Mizanuli'tidal part.2 page18…etc [92] An­Nisa'i's Al­Khassa'is page24. Al­Khawarzmi's Al­Menaqib, page82. At­Tabari's Thekha'irul­Uqba page66. bn­Asakir's Tarikhu Dimeshq Chapter: The Life Account Of Ali Bin Abi Talib part.2 page184. Al­Heithami's Majma'uzzawa'id, part.9 page130. As­Suyouti's Tarikhul­Khulefa page73. Mishkatul­Massabih part.3 page245. An­Nebhani's Al­Fetihul­Kabeer part.3 page196. Muntakhabu Kenzil­Ummal (In the margin of Ahmed's book of Hadith) part.5 page30. [93] At­Tabari's Thekha'irul­Uqba page66. Al­Khawarzmi's Al­Menaqib, page81­2. Ibnul­Meghazili's Menaqibu Ali Bin Abi Talib page83. Ibnus­Sebbagh's AL­Fussoulul­Muhimmeh page111. At­Tabari's Ar­Riyadhun­Nedhira part.2 page219…

hurting me that whoever hurts Ali."[94] "He is cherishing me that whoever cherishes Ali. And he whoever despises him is despising me."[95]

[94] Al­Hakim's Al­Mustedrak part.3 page122. At­Thehbi's Talkhissul­Mustedrak. Ahmed's book of Hadith part.3 page483. bn­Asakir's Tarikhu Dimeshq Chapter: The Life Account Of Ali Bin Abi Talib part.1 page389. Al­Hassakani's Shawahidut­Tanzil part.2 page98. Ibnul­Meghazili's Menaqibu Ali Bin Abi Talib page52. bn­Abdil­Berr's Alisti'ab (in the margin of bn­Hajar's Al­Issabetu Fi Tamyizis­Sahaba) part.3 page37. At­Tabari's Thekha'irul­Uqba page65. bn­Hajar's As­Sawa'iqul­Muhriqah page73. Al­Belathiri's Ansabul­Ashraf part.2 page146. As­Suyouti's Tarikhul­Khulefa. Al­Muraja'at, the Index pages 151­2… [95] bn­Abdil­Berr's Alisti'ab (in the margin of bn­Hajar's Al­Issabetu Fi Tamyizis­Sahaba) part.3 page37. At­Thehbi's Mizanuli'tidal part.2 page128. Ibnul­Meghazili's Menaqibu Ali Bin Abi Talib page109. At­Tabari's Ar­Riyadhun­Nedhira part.2 page165. Ahmed's book of Hadith part.5 page30. Al­Muraja'at, the Index pages 153…