Imam Ali b. Abi Talib (a): Difference between revisions

Under the governance of first three caliphs, which lasted 25 years, Imam 'Ali (a) did not alienate himself from the affairs of the Muslim community. In fact, he contributed to many scholarly endeavors and social services. This included activities like the compilation of the [[Qur'an]] ([[Mushaf of Imam 'Ali]]), and advising the three caliphs with regards to religious issues, conquests, and governance. He continued to give extensive charity to the poor and the orphans, and bought and freed a thousand slaves. He would farm and plant trees, dig canals, build mosques (like the [[Fath mosque]] in [[Medina]], a mosque near the grave of [[Hamza b. 'Abd al-Muttalib|Hamza]], in [[Miqat]], in [[Kufa]], and in [[Basra]]). He would also dedicate ([[waqf]]) real estates and places for religious causes, whose annual income was 40,000 dinars.<ref>Ibn Shahrashub, ''Manaqib al Abi talib'', vol. 1, p. 388</ref> Some of the most important historical events of the period is as follows.

With the beginning of the caliphate of Abu Bakr some tragic events occurred to the [[Ahl al-Bayt (a)]], such as: [[invasion to the home of 'Ali (a)]] in order to secure his [[allegiance]] for [[Abu Bakr]],<ref>Tusi, ''Talkhis al-shafi'', vol. 3, p. 76; Shahristani, ''al-Milal wa l-nihal'', vol. 2, p. 95; Ibn Qutayba, ''al-Imama wa l-siyasa'', vol. 2, p. 12</ref> the illegal confiscation and [[usurpation of Fadak]], and the martyrdom of the [[Lady Fatima (a)]].

When Imam 'Ali (a) and a few companions refused to swear [[allegiance]] to [[Abu Bakr]], this proved to be a serious problem for Abu Bakr and [['Umar]]. The two decided to address this problem by forcing Imam 'Ali (a) into pledging allegiance with Abu Bakr.<ref>Pishwa'i, ''Sira-yi pishwayan'', vol. 2, p. 191</ref>

When they arrived at his house, they insulted [[Lady Fatima (a)]] and slammed the door on her such that she became stuck between the door and the wall (which caused her a severe injury which later lead to her martyrdom). When she came out of house, they whipped her and attacked Imam 'Ali (a), wrapping his clothes over his neck, and taking him by force towards [[Saqifa Bani Sa'ida]].

When he was taken towards Saqifa Bani Sa'ida, they asked him to pledge allegiance with Abu Bakr. Imam 'Ali (a) replied: "I am worthier than you with regards to the caliphate and I shall never pledge allegiance to you. Rather, you ought to pledge allegiance to me, since you took the caliphate over the [[Ansar]] according to your relationship with the Prophet (s) [while my relationship is closer], and now you usurp it from me...."<ref>Ibn Qutayba, ''al-Imama wa l-siyasa'', vol. 1, p. 28</ref>

There is disagreement among the historians as to Imam Ali's (a) pledge of allegiance to Abu Bakr. Some believe that it occurred after the martyrdom of Lady Fatima (a), some maintain that it occurred forty days (or six months, according to others) after the Event of Saqifa. However, al-Shaykh al-Mufid holds that Ali (a) never pledged his allegiance to Abu Bakr.  

During the caliphate of Abu Bakr, which lasted two years, despite all the problems, Imam Ali (a) tried to guide the caliph to what was right and good for the Muslim ummah as much as his words were accepted. Sunnis maintain that Abu Bakr used to consult with Ali (a) for important decisions and follow his advice so much so that he did not allow Ali (a) to go out of Medina so that he can use his advice when needed. Although Imam Ali (a) would refrain from accepting any official positions, he would not refrain from offering his advice to the caliph for the welfare of the Muslim ummah. In this regard, Ya’qubi writes, “Among the ones from whom jurisprudence was learned in the time of Abu Bakr was Ali b. Abi Talib.” With regard to the battles and conquests in the time of Abu Bakr, Imam Ali (a) had a neutral standpoint, or merely helped as a consultant, but never participated in any on them. It is reported that Abu Bakr consulted with the Companions regarding the conquest of Syria, and eventually accepted Ali’s (a) opinion.  

In his will, which was written by Uthman, Abu Bakr called the people to Umar's caliphate: "I appointed Umar b. al-Khattab as your ruler. Listen to, and obey, him!"

Some years later, Imam Ali (a) described this appointment as unjust and wrong: "It is strange that during his lifetime, Abu Bakr wished to be released from the caliphate [as he would say, "Leave me! I am not the best of you!] but he confirmed it for the other one after his death."

Umar's caliphate lasted ten years. The Imam (a) continued to refuse holding official positions, but did not refrain from offering his advice when needed. Sunni historians have reported that Umar did not do anything without consulting with Ali (a), because he believed in Ali's (a) wisdom and piety. Ali's (a) standpoint regarding the conquests remained the same, as there is no report of his participation in any conquests during Umar's caliphate, but since the conquests drastically increased in this period, the role of Imam Ali (a) as a consultant was reinforced. According to a hadith from [[Imam al-Baqir (a)]], Umar consulted with Imam Ali (a) for various affairs of the caliphate, the most important of which was the issue of the conquests. The supporters of Ali, on the other hand, played significant roles in the conquests in Umar's time.  

The Six-Member Council  

Prior to his death in [[23]]/[[644 CE|644]], Umar appointed a six-member council to choose the next caliph and obliged all to accept the decision of the council or otherwise be executed. The members of the council were Imam Ali (a), [[Uthman b. Affan]], [[Talha b. Ubayd Allah]], [[Zubayr b. Awamm]], [[Sa'd b. Abi Waqqas]], and [[Abd al-Rahman b. Awf]]. As the Imam (a) had predicted, taking into account the inclinations of the members, the council chose Uthman b. Affan as the third caliph of the Muslim ummah.  

With the beginning of Uthman's caliphate, Imam Ali's (a) presence and role in the caliphate's decisions decreased. There is no mention in the historical sources of any consultation with the Imam (a) regarding the conquests. This was a result of Uthman's ruling style, in which the Quran and the Sunna of the Prophet (s) were explicitly violated, the public treasury was distributed unjustly, the high positions of the caliphate were given to Uthman's relatives, including the Umayyads and Banu Abi Mu'it, and the Companions of the Prophet (s) were persecuted and banished. Such wrong actions led to an increasing separation between the Imam (a) and Uthman. However, some of the companions of Imam Ali (a), such as [[Hudhayfa b. Yaman]], [[Salman al-Farsi]], and reportedly [[al-Bara' b. 'Azib]] participated in the conquests in the time of Uthman.

Ali (a) was against the assassination of Uthman. It is even reported that the Imam (a) tasked his two sons, al-Hasan and al-Husayn, and some others with guarding Uthman's house and that he rebuked the guards for not adequately protecting Uthman. However, considering historical evidence related to this incident, some scholars have doubted the authenticity of these reports. They maintain that even if these reports were authentic, the motivation behind such measures was guarding al-Hasan (a) and al-Husayn (a) against the accusation of participation in the assassination of Uthman. After questioning the authenticity of these reports, [[al-Sharif al-Murtada]] also states that the reason behind Imam Ali's (a) tasking al-Hasan (a) and al-Husayn (a) with guarding Uthman's house—assuming that the Imam (a) did so—was preventing Uthman's assassination and providing his family with food and water, not preventing the overthrow of his caliphate, because the caliphate of Uthman deserved to be overthrown due to his wrong and unjust conduct.

[[Sayyid Ja'far Murtada]] explains that although Imam Ali (a) did not regard Uthman's caliphate as legitimate and was aware of his unjust conduct, he was against his assassination, because he knew that it would provide an excuse for the opportunists to cause dissension and conflict in the ummah (nation). Thus, he adds, assuming that the Imam (a) did task al-Hasan (a) and al-Husayn (a) with guarding the house of Uthman, it was meant to prevent accusations of participating in the assassination of Uthman against himself. It is reported that the Imam (a) said, "By God, I defended him so much that I was afraid I was committing a sin."

 

When Abu Bakr became [[caliph]], he was hesitant to carry out the Prophet's (s) command to fight the Romans (as the Prophet (s) had commanded before his death). So, he consulted with the [[Companions]]. Each of the companions advised differently, but none of them could convince Abu Bakr of what to do. Finally, Abu Bakr consulted Imam 'Ali (a) who urged him to act according to the commands of the Prophet (s) and said, "If you fight, you will win." Abu Bakr was pleased with his encouragement and said, "It was a good omen and you brought me good tidings."<ref>Ya'qubi. ''Tarikh Ya'qubi'', vol. 2, p. 11</ref>