The Role of Holy Imams in Revival of Religion

History Confirms Our Opinions

In order to better clarify the events we narrated we will once again return to history.

During the Prophets dying moments, Abu Bakr was in his own home (which was on the outskirts of Medina in 'Sunh'. 175

Historians, writers of Hadiths, and geographical experts all agree that Sunh, the location of Abu Bakr's home, was outside the city of Medina. Even upon gaining the leadership he remained there for some time, sometimes coming mounted to lead the communal prayers and sometimes not coming at all, when Umar prayed in his place. 176 As such, Abu Bakr was not in Medina at the time of the Prophets death. The events that led to him leaving for home were as such: Abu Bakr led the morning prayers without the Prophets permission. When the Prophet heard his voice he opened his eyes and lifted his head from Ali's lap saying: Pick me up. Ali took him under one arm and Fadhl Ibn Abbas took him under the other and they brought him to the mosque. The Prophet was so ill and in so much pain that he couldn't put his feet on the ground. According to Bukhari in his book "Sahih". 177 The Prophets legs were like two sticks being pulled on the ground and as such drew lines in the dirt. In this condition he went towards the "Mehrab" (pulpit), pushed Abu Bakr aside thus interrupting the prayer, then he himself beginning the prayer........

Abu Bakr was thus confronted with defeat, and so he wouldn't be completely broken and totally set aside from the scene, after prayers he went to the Prophet saying: Allow me to go home! The Prophet possessing modesty and decency gave him permission without saying anything else to him and he left for Sunh. Therefore all of the events before and simultaneous with the Prophets death occured without the presence of Abu Bakr. The political directors on the scene however felt danger and were afraid that an oath of allegiance would be pledged without Abu Bakr being there, and so to say the god of the governorship and leadership of the nation would inevitably slip from their hands. Because of this they acted out another plan. Umar began screaming: The Prophet has not died. Like Moses he has gone to his lord - Moses disappeared from among his people for forty days and after forty days he returned, but the people had said he had died - I swear to God that the Prophet will return just as Moses returned and he will cut off the arms and legs of those who thought him dead. 178 And in another narration; I will cut off the head of any one who says he is dead with this sword. These actions, which were performed with great energy and vigor, surprised everyone and made them hesitate, some asking him: Has the Prophet spoken to you about this or made a special testimony to you on the matter of his death? After which he gave a negative reply.

Umar screamed and threatened so much that his mouth foamed. 179 In the middle of all this, Salem, Abu Huzaifehs freed slave, one of his close aids and one of those loyal to his party (cause) went to Sunh to bring Abu Bakr. The raving and threats continue until Abu Bakr enters the center of the crowd. When Umar saw Abu Bakr his shouting and clamour was forgotten and he sat down. 180 During that time one of the Prophets companions had recited Quranic verses for him which proved the Prophets' death; but he had not listened, and payed no attention. Amr-e-Ibn Ghais Ibn Zardeh read this for him:

'---Arabic text---'

181 and others mentioned other reasons but it had no effect on him. Just seeing Abu Bakr and hearing his speech (even though he only repeated those very verses) pacified Umar.

Historians have given various explanations for this occurance. Some say: Because of Umars great affection and love for the Prophet he couldn't believe his death. Some said: He had lost control of his senses because of the severity of the tragedy and thus his actions on that day were not based on a sound state of mind. But we think that the great scholar Ibn Abi al-Hadids opinion is correct when he said:

[When Umar heard of the Prophets death he feared the peoples revolt and uprising on the matter of the Imamate. He was afraid that the Ansar (helpers) or some others would take over the leadership and government. Consequently he saw it expedient to keep the people quiet in any way possible, and for this reason he said what he said and caused the people to hesitate and doubt so that the religion and government remained intact. All of this went on until Abu Bakr arrived.]

As such we see that the party was at work and was striving to gain control of the events taking place. Preventing the Prophet from writing his last testimony in the final moments of his life was only for fear of the written, decisive appointment of the next leader. After his death they also took control of events so that this appointment could not be made by oath of allegiance.......

Here, although it does not deal with the particular incident at hand the narration of this historical point is necessary in our discussion We may read in Tabaris book "Tarikh" and in other creditable records; When Abu Bakr was at his dying hour he called for Uthman. No one else was present. Abu Bakr said; Write this down:

In the name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful. This is what Abu Bakr testifies as his last will to the Muslims......

saying this he fained. Uthman continued writing:

I have appointed Umar Ibn al-Khattab as my successor and in doing so had your best interest in mind.

At this moment Abu Bakr came to and said to Uthman:

Read to me what you have written.

Uthman read the will to him: Abu Bakr said:

"Allahu Akbar"

and then added:

I think you feared if I died in this state of unconsciousness the people would end up in dispute?

Uthman said:

Yes!

Abu Bakr then said:

'---Arabic text---'

and then signed Uthmans' writing.

Afterwards they took the will to the mosque. Umar was sitting among the people and with a stick in his hand he says:

O' People, listen to and obey the words of the Holy Prophets' (s.a.w) Caliph, he says: I have done all I could in your best interests!

Pay attention here that Umar does not say Abu Bakr was talking in delirium and doesn't think that pain has overtaken him, and does not take refuge in Gods scripture. Those were all peculiar to the Prophets last testimony. We ask you, was the matter as simple as it appeared or did they by any possible means wish to prevent the Prophet from writing his will? Was the real reason for the prohibition of narrating Hadiths fear that they would become confused with the Quran. Or did they fear that the pure and good men among the companions would be clarified, who were not of their group and party - or that the insurgents and hypocrites would be revealed.

Haven't we read in the Quran:

"There are some people in Medina who are so experienced at hypocrisy that you don't recognize them, We recognize them. You as a human being even with all of your greatness, intelligence and insight can not distinguish them from the others who are faithful, we must inform you of their existence in revelation".

According to explicit Quranic verses these persons existed in Medina among the Muslims and were so mysterious and sly that the only way to recognize them was to rely on divine revelation and the words of the Prophet. Because of this the words of the Prophet must not be related so that in their midst curtains would be drawn and a group discovered. In this way we have come to understand the reasons for the occurance in Abdullah Ibn Amr-e-Aas's Hadith and the events subsequent to the Prophets death. We have also arrived at the reasons for the prohibition of the narration and recording of Hadith. We have discovered the mysteries and secrets surrounding this important event.

Up to this point we have studied the first means for the alteration, change and concealment of Islamic truths which was the prohibition of the relating and writing of the Prophets Hadiths; and we have judged it within the limits of these short discussions. For one hundred years Hadiths were not written, and they trained the Muslims just as they wished. In other words, the ruling administration took hold of the peoples religious, political and social limits and rules and in all of these subjects gave the people their own way of thought, controlling them as such. They gained this power when the Prophets Hadith, the second pillar of Islam, was eliminated from the social scene and lifestyle for the Muslim community. Only that which caused no harm to the ruling administration and did not oppose the governments political policies was propagated.