The Murji'a
The Murji'a appeared on the Islamic arena during Umayyad era. They played a dangerous role in formulating the political events at those times. They supported and defended the Umayyad government. It is necessary for us to give an outline about them and to explain the
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1. Al-Tafsir wa al-Mufasirun, p. 2, p. 33.
2. Wafayat al-A'yan, vol. 1, p. 548.
3. Koran, al-Anbiya', 30.
4. Koran, Taha, 81.
5. Roudat al-Wa'izin, vol. 1, p. 144.
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attitude of Ima`m Abu` Ja'far (al-Baqir), peace be on him, towards them. That is as follows:
1. The Meaning of the Murji'a
The researchers differed over the meaning of the Murji'a. For they differed over understanding the word from which the Murji'a was derived. The following is some of their views:
A. Some of them thought that the word murji'a was derived from the verb arja'a, which means he gives (someone) time and delays (him). They were called the Murji'a, for they postponed the affair of those who disagreed on the caliphate to the Day of Judgment. They did not judge any of
them.
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B. Some of them thought that the Murji'a was derived from the verb arja'a, meaning hope. For they did not decide that the one who committed a major sin would be from the people of the fire or from the people of the garden. Rather, they postponed the decision concerning him to the Day of Judgment. With that they gave hope for forgiveness. In other words, they hoped that Allah would forgive every Moslem.
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C. It was said that they were called the Murji'a, for they thought that the heart and the tongue confirmed faith, and that they delayed act.
3 They thought that Allah would save the believers because of their hearty faith, though they did not pray and fast. With this they advanced faith and postponed
act. Ahmed Amin favored the first view.
4 Yankilson favored the second view.
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The Growth of the Murji'a
We firmly believe that the Umayyads ordered this sect to formed. Then they spread its beliefs among the people. For this sect
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1. Al-Firaq al-Islamiya, fi al-'Asr al-Umawi, p. 264.
2. Naqd al-Ilm wa al-'Ulama', p. 102.
3. Tajj al'Arus, amddat raja'a.
4. Fajr al-Islam, p. 279.
5. Al-Firaq al-Islamiya, fi al-'Asr al-Umawi, p. 265.
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regarded as legal the caliphate of the Umayyads. Meanwhile, it said that Allah would decide on the Day of Judgment the grievous events which the Umayyads made, and that no one had the right to criticize their acts.
The Murji'a was formed for political reasons. The main leaders of the Murji'a obeyed the Umayyad and the Abba`sid kings. Al-Ma'mu`n said: "Al-Irja' or postponement is the religion of the kings.
1 This sect did not oppose the ugly deeds of the Umayyad kings. So, it deviated
from the true Islam.
Shawqi Dayf said: "The views of the Murji'a served the Umayyad house. The Shi'a and other pious people thought that this house deviated from religion. So, they thought that the Moslems had to replace it
with the 'Alid House. The Murji'a disagreed with the Shi'a on this opinion. For they did not want to prefer Moslem to Moslem. They did not want to judge any person with piety or without piety. It was enough for the Moslem to be Moslem. No one had the right to judge his act.
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Ukhudabakhsh said: "The Murji'a made an agreement with the Umayyad government for livelihood.
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The Murji'a was among the hirelings of the ruling authorities at that time. They played a positive role in supporting the Umayyad and justifying its policy standing on oppression and tyranny.
The Shi'a and the Murji'a
There was an intense disagreement between the Shi'a and the Murji'a. For they differed over the succession after the Prophet, may Allah bless him and his family. The Shi'a thought that Ima`m 'Ali, the Commander of the Faithful, peace be on him, was the direct successor after the Prophet. Besides they thought that the Umayyad government was illegal, and that the Moslems had to destroy it. However, the Murji'a thought that the Umayyad government was legal, and that no
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1. Tayfur, Tarikh Baghdad, p. 86.
2. Al-Tatawir wa al-Tajjdid fi al-Shi'r al-Umawi, p. 50.
3. Grimar, Islamic Civilization, p. 19.
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one had the right to revolt against it. There was a strong conflict between the two sects. For the Shi'a vexed the Murji'a when they mentioned 'Ali, peace be on him, in their clubs and assemblies. In this connection, a Shi'ite poet said:
If you are pleased to see the Murji'a die with their illness before their death,
then renew mentioning 'Ali's name before them, and bless the Prophet, and the members of his house.
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The Shi'a criticized the Murji'a for preferring the caliphs to Ima`m 'Ali, the Commander of the Faithful, peace be on him. They regarded them as narrow-minded.
Muha`rib b. Ditha`r al-Hadhli, main leader of the Murji'a, tried to refute the Shi'a in a poem.
2 Mansur al-Nimri, a Shi'ite poet, answered him in a poem, too.
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The Shi'a criticized and mocked the Murji'a for postponing Ima`m 'Ali, the Commander of the Faithful, peace be on him, and making equal between him and 'Uthma`n and Mu'a`wiya and the Kha`rijites. Al-Sayyid al-Himyari refuted their views in a poem.
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Grimar's Claims
Grimar thought that there were relationships between the principles of the Murji'a and the teachings of the eastern church. He tried to show that through the beliefs of the Murji'a, which said that the sinners would not be abiding in the fire. This is in what the fathers of the eastern church oppose the western church. He also thought the calm belief of the Murji'a agreed with the teachings Yohanna al-Dimashqi, who was busy doing religious studies when the Murji'a appeared, and who was very famous in the capital of the Umayyad caliphs. Moreover, Grimar underlined that the beliefs of the Murji'a
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1. Al-Bayyan wa al-Tabiyyin, vol. 2, p. 149.
2. Al-Aghani, vol. 7, p. 10.
3. Ibid, pp. 10-11.
4. Ibid, p. 15.
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had close ties with the religious philosophy of the eastern church.
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As for this view, it is very weak. For the theological studies prospered in early time in Islam. No study of them was taken from Christianity or the like. Dr. Yousif Khulayf said: "I think that the irja`' or postponement, such as asceticism, was not Christian in growth and tendency. Rather, it was Islamic in growth and tendency. This does not mean that Christianity had no effect on it and supplied it with some of its trends. However, it has clear Islamic qualities.
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The Definition of Faith
The Murji'a believed that faith was certitude by the heart, and that words and deeds were not important. If man believed (in Allah) with his heart, then he was a believing Moslem. That did not depend on his prayers, his fasting, and his pilgrimage (to Mecca). These religious duties were not important. With that they opposed the Mu'tazilites, who thought the one who committed a major sin was neither a believer nor unbeliever. Rather, he was in a rank between the two ranks. They also opposed the Kha`rijites, who said that the one who committed a major sin was an unbeliever. In this connection, these words of them are famous: "No sin harms belief. No obedience avails unbelief.
3 So, they said that the Christians and the Jews were unbelievers. They took care of them and did not want to hurt their feelings. For the Umayyad palace was full of the Christians and the Jews who occupied high offices in the Umayyad state.
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Ima`m al-Ba`qir and 'Amru`` al-Ma`sir
'Amru`` b. Qays al-Ma`sir believed in the irja`' or postponement. He and a companions of his went to Ima`m Abu` Ja'far (al-Ba`qir), peace be on him. He said to the Ima`m: "We do not dismiss our followers from faith because of sins." The Ima`m refuted his corrupt
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1. Islamic Civilization, p. 65.
2. Hayat a,-Shi'r fi al-Kufa, p. 312.
3. Al-Maqariz, khutat, vol. 4, p. 171.
4. Al-Firaq al-Islamiya, fi al-'Asr al-Umawi, p. 305.
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claims, saying: "O Son of Qays, Allah's Apostle, may Allah bless him and his family, said: 'The believer does not commit fornication nor does he steal.’ You and you friend go wherever you wish.
1 The Murji'a limited faith in this way that opposed the traditions reported on the authority of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and his family. For the person who believes in Allah and the hereafter does not commit fornication nor does he steal. Rather it is the unbeliever who commits such sins. Faith prevents the soul from committing sin. Therefore, whoever commits sins has no faith.
Abu` Hanifa and the Irja`'
Some sources mentioned that Abu` Hanifa believed in the irja`' or postponement, and that his religious school stood on it.
2 Mohammed b. 'Amru`` said: [I heard Abu` Mishir say:] "Abu` Ha`ni was the head of the Murji'a." 'Amr b. Sumayd said: [I heard my grandfather say: I said to Abu` Yousif:]
- Was Abu` Ha`ni from the Murji'a?
- Yes.
- Was he a Jahami?
- Yes.
- Why did you keep silent?
- Abu` Ha`ni was a teacher. We accepted his good words and left his ugly words.
This accusation caused Abu` Hanifa many slanders. Some ruling circles launched a bitter slanderous campaign. However, we are not sure of such an accusation.
The Kha`rijites
The sect of Kha`rijites were one of the oldest revolutionary sects that appeared on the arena of the political life in Islam. It appeared
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1. Al-Ammi, Tafsir Fatihat al-Kitab, p. 164.
2. Maqalat al-Islamiyin, vol. 1, p. 202.
3. Tarikh Baghdad, vol. 13, p. 375.
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when Mu'a`wiya was defeated and was about to escape. Hence, he resorted to raising copies of the Koran asking Ima`m 'Ali to use it as a referee. As the Kha`rijites had no political and social awareness they hurried to the Ima`m and asked him to accept that. The Ima`m told them that it was a military trick, that the Umayyads did not believe in the Koran, and that they did not respect Allah. However, the Kha`rijites disobeyed him. They unanimously agreed on that they would remove him or stop the war operations. Then they drew their swords in his face. Meanwhile, the vanguards of the Ima`m's army headed by the great commander, Ma`lik al-Ashtar, was about to win victory and capture Mu'a`wiya b. Abi Sufya`n. So, a discord was about to occur among the army of the Ima`m. Thus, the Ima`m responded to them and ordered the battle to be stopped. Then, the document of arbitration was written between the two sides. Noteworthy, the document did not state that 'Ali was the Commander of the Faithful. Afterwards, the stupid Kha`rijites understood that they followed a plain error, and that the Umayyads deceived them when they raised copies of the Koran. Hence, the refused the arbitration. They were so displeased with it that they asked the Ima`m to announce his repentance and to go on the battle. However, the Ima`m refused to accept this weak view from them. He was not ready to violate the truce and to announce his repentance. Rather, it was they who committed such a sin when they disobeyed the Ima`m and shouted: "No one has the right to rule except Allah.
These words were their official motto. When Ima`m 'Ali, peace be on him, heard these words, he said: "They are true words, but they want to achieve falsehood through them." However, the rule was for the sword not for Allah. They illegally spread killing among the people. They also spread corruption in the earth. Ima`m 'Ali spared no effort to convince them of their corrupt, but all his efforts were in vein. They insisted on aggression and error. The Ima`m was forced to fight against them. Thus, the Battle of al-Nahrwa`n took place. Most of the Kha`rijites were killed at that battle. Shame and dishonor accompanied them. Their blood was shed while they were in plain
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error. Moslems were indignant with them. The poets satirized them. Among them was al-Kumayt.
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Their blood was shed, for they fought against the truth and wanted to enliven falsehood. This is what Sayyid Hayder showed in his poems.
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Ima`m 'Ali, the Commander of the Faithful, peace be on him, uprooted them at the Battle of al-Nahrwa`n. He killed their main leaders. However, some of them escaped. Hence, they began to proclaim their beliefs that summoned the people to mutiny against the standing rule. They led many bloody revolutions in the Islamic countries. Many people were killed during those revolutions. The historians have mentioned them in details.
Their Religious Views
The Kha`rijites stood alone in their views that deviated from Allah's book and the Sunna of his Prophet. The following is some of their views:
1. They regarded as unbelievers Ima`m 'Ali, peace be on him, Mu'a`wiya, the two arbitrators ('Amru`` b. al-'As and Abu` Mu`sa` al-Ash'ari), and the Companions of the Camel ('A'isha, Talha, and al-Zubayr).
2. They regarded as unbelievers those who committed major sins. They decided that such sinners would be immortal in the fire.
3. They said that it was permitted for the non-Qurayshi persons to be caliphs. With that they opposed all the Sunnis who unanimously agreed on that the caliph should be from Quraysh. They (the Kha`rijites), said that the Ima`m should not be appointed through nomination and designation. With that they opposed the Shi'a who believed in the nomination (of the Ima`m). Moreover, they said that it was possible for the world to remain without an Ima`m. If the world was in need of an Ima`m, then the slave, the free, the Egyptian, and the
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1. Tahdhib al-Kamal, vol. 1, p. 86.
2. Manaqib Al- Abi Talib, vol. 2, pp. 371-372.
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like had the right to be caliph.
1 They had other views the books of the sects and the like have mentioned them.
Ima`m al-Baqir and Nafi'
Na`fi' al-Azraq, one of the main leaders of the Kha`rijites, came to Ima`m Abu` Ja'far (al-Ba`qir), peace be on him, and questioned him about some religious matters. When he had finished his questions, the Ima`m said to him: "Say to these rebels (the Kha`rijites), with what did you regarded as lawful the separation from the Commander of the Faithful, peace be on him? Had you not shed your blood before him to obey him and to approach Allah through supporting him? They will say to you: He (Ima`m 'Ali) had appointed an
arbitrator in the religion of Allah. Say to them: Allah had also chosen two persons from his creatures (to be arbitrators). That was when He said: And if you fear a breach between the two (the man and the woman), then appoint an arbitrator from his family and an arbitrator from her family. If they both desire an agreement, Allah will effect harmony between them.
2Allah's Apostle, may Allah bless him and his family, appointed Sa'd b. Ma'adh as an arbitrator between himself and the Banu`` Qurayza. So, Sa'd decided between them according to the words of Allah, the Great and Almighty. Did you not know that the Commander of the Faithful ordered the two arbitrators to decide according to the Koran and not to exceed it? He stipulated that he should refuse the judgments contrary to the Koran. The Kha`rijites asked Ima`m 'Ali: Whom have appointed as an arbitrator over you? He replied: I have not appointed a creature as an arbitrator (over me). Rather, I have appointed the
Book of Allah as an arbitrator.
Na`fi' admired the words of Ima`m al-Ba`qir, peace be on him. Then he said: "I have never heard such words before. They are true, Allah willing.
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Ima`m Abu` Ja'far (al-Ba`qir), peace be on him, had other debates
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1. Al-Milal wa al-Nihal, vol. 1, p. 158.
2. Koran, al-Nisa', 35.
3. Roudat al-Wa'izin, vol. 1, p. 245.
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with the Kha`rijites on The Oneness of Allah. We will mention them when we talk about the atheist views that invaded the Moslem countries at that time.
The Shi'a
I want to be sincere to the truth when I will talk about the Shi'a. I also want to be neutral when I will speak of their beliefs. For the Shi'a has suffered until now from baseless accusations. That is as follows:
The Meaning of the Shi'a
In Arabic the Shi'a means the followers or the supporters. Then this name (the Shi'a) has included all those who follow and support Ima`m 'Ali, peace be on him, and the members of his house. So, this name concerned them.
1Shaykh al-Mufid said: "In Arabic, Shi'ism means to follow and obey sincerely
the followed one. Allah, the Great and Almighty said: The one who was of his followers (Shi'a) asked him for help against the one who was of his enemies.
2 So, He distinguished between them according to following and enmity. The reason for Shi'ism (following) to one of them is obedience as it is in this clear verse. When the definite article the is added to the word shi'a, then the word refers to the followers of the Commander of the Faithful, the blessings of Allah be on him and his family.
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The word Shi'a refers to those who believe in the Ima`mate of the Commander of the Faithful and his succession after the Prophet, may Allah bless him and his family. They have unanimously agreed on that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and his family, entrusted succession to the Commander of the Faithful, peace be on him.
The Beginning of Shi'ism
We firmly believe that it was the Prophet, may Allah bless him
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1. Tajj al-'Arus, vol. 5. p. 405.
2. Koran, al-Qasas, 15.
3. Awa'il al-Maqalat, p. 2-4.
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and his family, who started Shi'ism. That was when he addressed Ima`m 'Ali, saying: "O 'Ali, you and your followers (Shi'a) will come to me very thirsty at the (sacred) waters (of Heaven).
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Ima`m Ka`shif al-Ghita`' said: "The leader of the Islamic law (the Prophet) was the first to plant the seed of Shi'ism in the field of Islam. Namely the seed of Shi'ism was put alongside the seed of Islam.a
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Al-Noubakhti said: "The Shi'a was the first of the sects. It was the sect of 'Ali b. Abi Ta`lib. It was called the Shi'a of 'Ali at the time of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and his family, and after him. They (the Shi'a) were known for their obedience to him and their belief in his
Imamate.
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Shaykh Mohammed al-Husayn al-Mudafar said: "Shi'ism started on the day when the great savor, Mohammed, the blessing of Allah be on him, called at the top of his voice: There is no god but Allah. When these words of Him: Tell your close relatives, came down to the Prophet, he gathered the Banu` Hashim and asked them: 'Which of you will be my brother, my inheritor, my trustee, and my successor among you after me?’ None of them answered. So, the Prophet said: 'This is my brother, my trustee, my helper, my inheritor, and my
successor among you after me. Listen to him and obey him.’ The summons of the leader of the message to follow Abu al-Hasan (Ima`m 'Ali) was side by side with the summons to the twofold testimony. Then Abu` Dharr al-Ghifa`ri was among the followers (Shi'ites) of 'Ali, peace be on him.
In Khitat al-Sham4 Mohammed Kurd 'Ali said: "A group of the main companions were known for their following 'Ali at the time of Allah's Apostle. Among them was Salma`m al-Fa`rsi, who said: 'We pledged allegiance to Allah's Apostle, may Allah bless him and his family, to be sincere to the Moslems and to follow and obey 'Ali b.
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1. Majjma' al-Zawa'id, vol. 9. p. 131.
2. Asl al-Shi'a wa Usuliha, p. 77.
3. Firaq al-Shi'a, p. 15.
4. Khutat al-Sham, vol. 5, p. 251.
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Abi Ta`lib, peace be on him.’ Among them was Abu Sa'id al-Khudari, who said: 'He (the Prophet) ordered the people (to perform) five (duties). However, they performed four (duties), and left one (duty). When he was asked about the four (duties), he replied: (They are) the prayers, zaka`t (alms), fasting the month of Ramada`n, and the pilgrimage (to Mecca).’ Then he was asked about the one (duty) which they left, he answered: (It was) the succession of 'Ali b. Abi Ta`lib (to authority).
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Shi'ism started at the time of the great Prophet, may Allah bless him and his family. Thus, it was he who put its fundamentals. That was when he nominated the Commander of the Faithful, peace be on him, as successor after him. There are many proofs for that. The following is some of them:
1. The Prophet, may Allah bless him and his family, was the leader of a message and summons. He came to free and save all the world. He spared no effort to carry out the message of his Lord. He plunged into fears. He was engaged in battles. He suffered from many persecutions from which no social reformer in the earth suffered. So, was it possible for him to leave the authorities in chaos after him? Was it possible for him to ignore the affairs of the succession on which the fate of his community depended? Surely, the
Prophet, may Allah bless him and his family, took care of the succession after him. Hence, he designated the Commander of the Faithful, peace be on him, as successor after him. With that he wanted to protected his community from division and discord. He wanted to preserve its interests. Moreover, he wanted his community to go on conveying his brilliant message to all the people.
2. The leadership of the community was in need of outstanding qualities. All these outstanding qualities came to gather in the Commander of the Faithful, peace be on him. He was the most knowledgeable of all the people in the affairs of the Islam message. He was the gate of the city of knowledge of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and his family. He was the most knowledgeable of the
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1. Tarikh al-Shi'a, p. 9.
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community in giving legal decisions. He was the most ascetic of all the people. For he renounced all the pleasures of life, and he divorced his world three times. Moreover, he was the most just of all the people. So, was it possible for the Prophet, may Allah bless him and his family, to ignore this Ima`m who had these outstanding qualities?
3. Many traditions were reported on the authority of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and his family, concerning the Commander of the Faithful, peace be on him. All the Moslems have narrated the traditions and underlined that they are authentic. Among these traditions are: the tradition of the grilled bird, the tradition of the house, the tradition of al-Ghadir, the tradition of al-Thaqalayn, the tradition of the boat, and the like. All these traditions and the like have mentioned the outstanding qualities of Abu al-Husayn (Ima`m 'Ali), peace be on him. Whoever considers carefully these traditions understands why the Prophet, may Allah bless him and his family, appointed the Commander of the Faithful, peace be on him, as successor after him.
4. Ima`m 'Ali, peace be on him, refrained from pledging allegiance to Abu` Bakr. The main Companions (of the Prophet) also refrained from pledging allegiance to him. Among them were Abu` Dharr, 'Amma`r b. Ya`sir, Salma`n al-Fa`risi, Kha`lid b. Sa'id, and the like. They told him that Ima`m 'Ali was the worthier of him of the position of Allah's Apostle, may Allah bless him and his family. Kha`lid b. Sa'id said to Ima`m 'Ali: "We will pledge allegiance to you. By Allah, none of the people is worthier than you of the position of Mohammed.
Fa`tima the chaste, daughter of Allah's Apostle, may Allah bless him and his family, was indignant with Abu` Bakr. That was when he occupied the office and position of the Commander of the Faithful, peace be on him. She made a famous speech. In the speech she summoned (the Moslems) to revolt against the government of Abu` Bakr. For she, peace be on her, was sure of that her father appointed Ima`m 'Ali, peace be on him, as successor after him. The historians
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1. Al-Ya'qubi, Tarikh, vol. 2, p. 105.
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said that Fa`tima asked Ima`m 'Ali to bury her in the darkness of night, and that Abu` Bakr and 'Umar should not attend her funeral.
5. All the Moslem figures knew that Ima`m 'Ali, peace be on him, was the testamentary trustee of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and his family. Among them were Khuzayma b. Tha`bit, the man with two testimonies, 'Abd al-Rahma`n b. Ju'ayl, 'Abd Allah b. Abu` Sufya`n b. al-Harth b. 'Abd al-Mutalib, Hijr b. 'Adi al-Kindi, al-Ash'ath b. Qays al-Kindi, al-Nu'ma`n b. 'Ajla`n, al-Fadl b. Abba`s, and Hassa`n b. Tha`bit.
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