THE CALIPHS' PERIOD - Imam Ali the Commander of Faithful [Electronic resources] نسخه متنی

THE CALIPHS' PERIOD

The Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.) passed away with his
head on the lap of Imam Ali (a.s.).(74) He departed to
his Lord, the Most High, while still worried about the
future of the Mission and the nation. This had been shown
at his visiting the graves of the believers in Baqi', at
the beginning of his fatal illness, when he said, "O
inhabitants of the graves! Rejoice at what you are in,
unlike what the people are in. Trials are coming like the
dark parts of the night, their first following their
last...."(75)

He continuously used to stress the necessity of
adherence to 'Al-Thaqalain' (The Scripture and his pure
progeny).(76) In the last hour of his life he asked for
an inkpot and a sheet to write on it to the nation what
would protect them from going astray after him.(77)

These and others were signs of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.)
being worried about the future of the Islamic progress,
despite having taken care to fortify the nation against
falling into trials.

No sooner had the soul of the Messenger (s.a.w.)
sublimated out of his pure body, and had Imam Ali (a.s.)
and the housefolk started to prepare for the funeral,
than the Ansars and some of the Muhajirin held a meeting
in "Saqifah bani Sa'idah" to appoint a
successor to lead the Muslims after the Prophet (s.a.w.)

After sharp and long arguments, under a climate of
tension, anxiety, violence and dispute, Umar bin
Al-Khattab hastened to give the pledge of allegiance to
Abu Bakr(78) as the Caliph after the Messenger of Allah
(s.a.w.), and demanded from those present to do as he
did. Imam Ali (a.s.) knew nothing about what was going
on, but the news broke to his ears from the noise made by
the people leaving the meeting at Al-Saqifah on their way
to the Prophet's Mosque.

Imam Ali (a.s.) and the housefolk were still busy in
funeral arrangements for the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.),
whose pure body remained three days(79) so that the
Muslims could pay their last respects to him before his
burial.

As the Imam (a.s.) was not convinced by what had
happened, and was firmly believing in his own right to
Caliphate, he withdrew from the society and kept away
from the people and their affairs for six months, during
which his voice could not be heard in the so-called
"Apostasy Wars" nor elsewhere.(80)

Then certain grave incidents happened endangering
Islam and threatening its very existence, such as the
appearance of fake prophets after the passing away of the
Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.). There were many of them in
the Arab Peninsula, such as: Musailamah al-Kaddab (the
liar), Talhah bin Khuwailid al-Affak (the falsifier),
Sijah bint al-Harth Addajjalah (the impostor) and others.
Their appearance was a real threat to the Islamic State.

At the same time, the hypocrites became stronger and
their power grew in Medinah. The Romans and the Persians
were also laying ambush for the Muslims.(81)

Furthermore, diverse political groups began to appear in
the Islamic society as a result of the Saqifah
allegiance.

Imam Ali (a.s.), in dealing with the caliphate, was in
accordance to the interests of Islam, to protect it and
its unity against being torn to pieces and lost, and to
realize the high Islamic objectives for which he had
fought.

In a letter, Imam Ali (a.s.) recalls these times in this
respect:

"...at every stage I kept myself aloof of the
struggle for supremacy and power-politics. Still I found
heretics had openly taken to heresay and schism and were
trying to undermine and ruin the religion preached by our
Holy Prophet (s.a.w.). I felt afraid that even after
seeing and recognizing the evil, if I did not stand up to
help Islam and Muslims it would be a worse calamity to me
than losing authority and power over you, which is only
transient and temporary. Therefore, when I stand up
amidst the pressing swarm of innovations and schisms, the
dark clouds of heresay dispersed, falsehood and
factionalism were crushed and the religion was saved.(82)

But Imam Ali's (a.s.) voice was heard only when he was
consulted and his opinion was sought. He tried, in this
respect, to direct Islamic life in accordance with the
teachings of the Message of Allah, the Most High, in
legislative, executive and judicial fields.

Consequently, a historian studying the life of Imam Ali
(a.s.) quickly meets hundreds of situations and
events-during the caliphates of Abu Bakr, Umar and
Uthman--which no one but Imam Ali (a.s.) could manage and
settle according to the teachings of Islam.

The three caliphs had but to consult Imam Ali (a.s.)
whenever affairs in their hands became confused. Thus,
you would see him acting as a guide correcting Islamic
rule in an instance, or as a judge giving his verdict in
another case, or as a leader, directing the ruler to
where the high Islamic ideals could be realized on the
other occasions.

His missionary role was tangible from the very details of
his conduct during the rule of the caliphs before him.

A. THE CALIPHATE OF ABU BAKR:

1. Abu Bakr once thought to attack the Romans. On
consulting with a number of the companions, they
hesitated, giving no decisive guidance. But on consulting
with Imam Ali (a.s.), he told him positively: "If
you do, you will be victorious."

Abu Bakr was pleased with this, and said to him:
"May you receive good tidings!" He then ordered
the expedition under the leadership of Khalid bin
Sa'id.(83)

2. At another time, Abu Bakr wanted to punish to a
wine-drinker. The man had said: "I drank it without
knowing that it is prohibited."

Abu Bakr sent somebody to ask Imam Ali (a.s.) what to do.
Amir al-Mu'minin Imam Ali (a.s.) said:

"Let the man be taken by two trustworthy
Muslims amongst the Muhajirin and the Ansars, asking if
anyone of them had recited to him the "prohibition
verse" or if anyone had told him about it on the
authority of the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.). If the two
men testify that they did, then, punish him. If not, then
ask him to repent and let him go."

The caliph did so, and finding out that the man was
truthful, he released him.(84)

3. Muhammad al-Munkadir narrates that Khalid bin al-Walid
wrote to the caliph Abu Bakr that he had found a man in
some Arab quarters who was having sexual intercourse with
another man. Abu Bakr summoned a number of the companions
of the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.), among them Imam Ali
bin Abi Talib (a.s.), who had then the most decisive
word.

He said:

"This is a crime committed by no nation except
one, that was the people of Lot. You know how Allah
treated them. I see that this man should be burnt by
fire." Abu Bakr wrote to bin al-Walid to do so.(85)

4. An Archbishop of the Christians, together with a
hundred of his people, put some questions to Abu Bakr.
The Caliph sent for Imam Ali (a.s.). to come and answer
all the questions of the Bishop. Below is one example:

The Imam (a.s.) ordered some wood to be brought before
him. He made a fire. When it was kindled, he asked the
Bishop:

"Tell me where is the face of this fire?"

The Bishop said: "It has a face from every side
of it."

Imam Ali (a.s.) said: "This fire, which is
man-made, no one knows where its face is, and its creator
does not resemble it: 'Unto Allah belongs the East and
West and whichsoever you turn, there is Allah's
countenance.' Nothing is hidden from our Lord?"(86)

5. The Emperor of the Romans sent an envoy to Abu Bakr
asking him about a man who never hoped to go to Paradise,
never feared the Fire, never feared Allah, never prayed,
never prostrated, who eats carrion and blood, gives
testimony to what he has never seen, likes evil and hates
the truth. Abu Bakr informed Imam Ali (a.s.). He said in
his reply:

"This man is a good servant of Allah. He never
hopes for Paradise and never fears the Fire, but fears
Allah. He never fears His injustice, but fears His
justice. He neither bows nor prostrates in performing
prayer on a dead body intended for burial. He eats
locusts, fish and liver. He likes wealth and children:
"...your possessions and your children are a
test..." He testifies to the existence of Paradise
and the Fire, neither of which he has ever seen, and he
hates death, which is a truth."(87)

These were some examples of his role in the historical
advance of Islam during the rule of Abu Bakr.

B. THE CALIPHATE OF UMAR BIN AL-KHATAB:

1. When Umar bin al-Khattab wanted to invade the Roman
Empire, he consulted with the Imam (a.s.). Imam Ali
(a.s.) advised him not to lead the army himself. He told
him:

"...appoint an experienced officer to take
charge of the invasion and place under him such soldiers
who can face hardship, obey orders, and who have
experience in war. If Allah grants them victory you will
achieve your aim. If they are defeated you will be there
at the center to protect and help the Muslims
state."(88)

2. Once Baitul Mal (the Public treasury) received a
lot of money from Bahrain. Umar divided it among the
Muslims, yet there remained some surplus. Umar called the
Muhajirin and the Ansars and asked them what he should do
with the surplus.

They said:

"O Amir al-Mu'minin, we have kept you too busy
with our affairs to let you attend to your family, trade
and your own affairs, so you may take it."

Umar turned to Imam Ali (a.s.) and asked him.

"What do you say?"

"They did tell you," he replied.

"You tell me," said the caliph.

The Imam (a.s.) said, "Why should you take the
doubtful and leave the certain?" Then he told
him about a similar situation in the life of the
Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.).

At the end, he told him to distribute the surplus
among the poor: "I advise you not to take any of
this surplus for yourself, but to give it out to the
poor."

Umar said: "You are right, by Allah!"(89)

3. Ibn Abbas was quoted to have said: "I heard
Umar bin al-Khattab say: 'I will not leave this wealth
inside the Ka'bah-. I will take it out and spend it in
the way of Allah and in the way of good. Imam Ali bin Abi
Talib (a.s.) was there, hearing. Umar asked him, 'What do
you say, by Allah? If you encourage me I will do
it."

Imam Ali (a.s.) said, "How could you give it
to us, whereas its owner is a man who would come at
‘the end of time’?"

Thus, Umar was convinced that the jewelery of the
Ka'bah should not be touched.(90)

4. Abu Ubaidah bin Jarrah and Burrah bin Ruman
al-Kalbi wrote to Umar: "People are taking to
drinking wine in Al-Sham. We have (so far) punished
forty, but we do not think this will do.

Umar consulted the people.

Imam Ali (a.s.) said:

"My opinion is to punish them with the penalty
prescribed for falsehood, eighty lashes. Because if a man
drank wine he would rave, and if he raved he would spread
falsehood. So, Umar used the advice in Medinah and wrote
to Abu Ubaidah, who used it in al-Sham, too."(91)

5. It is narrated that Umar bin al-Khattab one night
caught a man and woman indulging in adultery. In the
morning he said to the people: "If an Imam saw a man
and a woman indulging in adultery and he punished them as
prescribed, what would you say?"

They said: "you are the Imam."

But Imam Ali bin Abi Talib (a.s.) said to him: "You
have no right to do so, otherwise you yourself will be
punished. Allah is not satisfied in this affair with less
than four witnesses."

Umar ignored the matter for a longtime, then he asked
them once again about it. They answered him with their
former answer, and Imam Ali (a.s.) repeated his same
reply. Umar acted according to Imam Ali's (a.s.)
judgement.(92)

6. On the authority of Ibn Sirin, Umar bin al-Khattab
asked the people: "How many wives may a slave
have?" Then he turned to Imam Ali (a.s.) and said,
"I am addressing the man with the Ma'afiri (a cloak
he wore)."

The Imam (a.s.) replied: "Two".(93)

7. After the conquest of al-Sham by the Muslims, Abu
Ubaidah bin al-Jarrah gathered the Muslims and consulted
them about marching on to Bait al-Maqdis (Jerusalem) or
to Qisariyah. Ma'adh bin Jabal told him to write to Amir
al-Mu'minin Umar about it. When Umar read the letter, he
consulted the Muslims about it. Imam Ali (a.s.) said:

"Tell your man to descend with his army to
Bait al Maqdis. After conquering it, he may go towards
Qisariya, as it will be conquered after Bait al-Maqdis,
if Allah wills.

This is what we had been told by the Messenger of
Allah (s.a.w.)."

Umar said: "Right was al-Mustafa (the Chosen one)
(s.a.w.) and right you are, O Abul Hasan." Then he
wrote to Abu Ubaidah to act as Imam Ali (a.s.) had
advised.(94)

8. After the Muslims's victory over the Persians
during Umar's rule, Umar consulted with the companions of
the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.) about the Kufa region.
Some of them said: "Let us divide it among
ourselves." He, then, consulted Imam Ali (a.s.) in
the matter. Imam Ali (a.s.) told him:

"If you divide it today there will remain
nothing for those who will come after us. So let them
cultivate it for their benefit, and in this way it will
be for us and for those who will come after us."

Umar said to Imam Ali (a.s.): "May Allah make you
successful...this is the (right) opinion."(95)

9- Tabari in his 'History', quotes Sa'id bin Musayab
as having said:

"Umar bin Khattab gathered the people and asked
them: ‘With which day should we start the
date?"

Imam Ali (a.s.) said: "From the day when the
Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.) emigrated from the land of
idolators (Mecca)." Umar acted accordingly, and
historians started to date the events accordingly,
too.(96)

These were some features of the missionary role of the
Imam Ali (a.s.) during the caliphate of Umar bin Khattab.

C. THE CALIPHATE OF UTHMAN BIN AFFAN:

1. An old man married a virgin girl. She became
pregnant, but the old man claimed that he had not had
intercourse with her. Uthman asked the woman:

"Did the old man deflower you?"

"No," she replied.

So he ordered the prescribed punishment be
administered on her.

Imam Ali (a.s.) interposed saying:

"A woman has two orifices for the menstrual
flow, and the orifice for urine. Perhaps the old man was
close enough to her that his semen managed to flow into
her menstrual orifice, and thus became pregnant."

The old man admitted, saying: "I used to
discharge semen on her vulva, but without reaching the
point of taking her virginity."

Imam Ali said:

"The pregnancy is because of him, and the
child is his. I see that he should be punished for
denying it."(97)

2. On the authority of Malik's 'Muwatta" ,
quoting Ba'jah bin Badr Juhani, who said that a woman was
brought before Uthman because she had given birth to a
child only after six months of pregnancy. He was about to
order her to be stoned, but Imam Ali (a.s.) told him:

"If she argued with you according to the Book
od Allah, she would win. Allah, the Most High, says:
"...and the bearing of him and the weaning of him is
thirty months..." and He says: "Mothers shall
suckle their children for two whole years, (that is) for
those who wish to complete the suckling." So, two
years are the suckling period and six months are the
pregnancy period."

Uthman said: "Let her go."(98)

SUMMARY

These were a few examples of the great responsibility
that Imam Ali (a.s.) had to understand during the
Caliphs' periods. He was urged to do this by his loyalty
to the Prophet's mission, to keep Islamic unity and to
protect the advancement of Islam against deviation.

The second caliph recognised the importance of what
Imam Ali (a.s.) did in this respect. Several times he
praised Imam Ali's (a.s.) favors and singled out their
importance in the advance of the Caliphate. He once said
to him, "I take refuge in Allah from having to live
in a community where you are not there, O
Abul-Hasan!"(99)