Anonymous user
Six-Member Council: Difference between revisions
adding references.
imported>Shakeri No edit summary |
imported>Mortezanazarzadeh (adding references.) |
||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
{| class="toccolours" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" style="dir: rtl; float: right; clear: right; margin: 0cm 0cm 0 0; text-Align:center; border: 1px solid #888;" | {| class="toccolours" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" style="dir: rtl; float: right; clear: right; margin: 0cm 0cm 0 0; text-Align:center; border: 1px solid #888;" | ||
|colspan="2"| | |colspan="2"| | ||
| Line 31: | Line 30: | ||
== The Story of the Council == | == The Story of the Council == | ||
[['Umar b. al-Khattab]] was injured in [[Dhu l-Hijja]] 23th, 24/644 by someone by the name of Firuz or [[Abu Lu'lu']], the slave of [[Al-Mughira b. Shu'ba|Mughira b. Shu'ba]] (he passed away three days after his injury).<ref> | [['Umar b. al-Khattab]] was injured in [[Dhu l-Hijja]] 23th, 24/644 by someone by the name of Firuz or [[Abu Lu'lu']], the slave of [[Al-Mughira b. Shu'ba|Mughira b. Shu'ba]] (he passed away three days after his injury).<ref>Masʿūdī, ''Murūj al dhahab'', vol. 2, p. 320-321; Yaʿqūbī, ''Tārīkh al-Yaʿqūbī'', vol. 2, p. 159-160.</ref> While he was in bed because of his injury, 'Umar b. al-Khattab began to think about his successor. He believed if [[Mu'adh b. Jabal]], [[Abu 'Ubayda al-Jarrah]], and [[Salim Mawla Hudhayfa]] had been alive, he would have handed the caliphate to them.<ref>Ibn Qutayba, ''al-Imāma wa l-sīyāsa'', vol. 1, p. 42.</ref> Yet none of the mentioned people were present at that time, therefore he devised a new plan for selecting the next caliph.<ref>Ibn Saʿd, ''al-Ṭabaqāt al-kubrā'', vol. 3, p. 344.</ref> | ||
== Establishment of the Council == | == Establishment of the Council == | ||
| Line 38: | Line 37: | ||
Prior to that time, specifically after the Holy Prophet's (s) demise, some of the Prophet's [[companion]]s gathered together in a place called [[Saqifa]] and selected [[Abu Bakr]] as the caliph of Muslims, disregarding the [[Event of Ghadir]] in which the [[Prophet (s)]] had introduced [[Imam Ali (a)]] to the Muslims as the caliph. The companions made people pledge allegiance ([[bay'a]]) to Abu Bakr through different ways. They reasoned that the selection of the caliph must be assigned to people. It is people who choose their Imam. However, Abu Bakr reversed his opinion at the end of his lifetime by selecting 'Umar as his successor. | Prior to that time, specifically after the Holy Prophet's (s) demise, some of the Prophet's [[companion]]s gathered together in a place called [[Saqifa]] and selected [[Abu Bakr]] as the caliph of Muslims, disregarding the [[Event of Ghadir]] in which the [[Prophet (s)]] had introduced [[Imam Ali (a)]] to the Muslims as the caliph. The companions made people pledge allegiance ([[bay'a]]) to Abu Bakr through different ways. They reasoned that the selection of the caliph must be assigned to people. It is people who choose their Imam. However, Abu Bakr reversed his opinion at the end of his lifetime by selecting 'Umar as his successor. | ||
'Umar chose a new method, confessing that selecting Abu Bakr had not been Muslims' option. He declared Muslims must participate in choosing their own caliph from now on.<ref>Ibn | 'Umar chose a new method, confessing that selecting Abu Bakr had not been Muslims' option. He declared Muslims must participate in choosing their own caliph from now on.<ref>Ibn Saʿd, ''al-Ṭabaqāt al-kubrā'', vol. 3, p. 344.</ref> Consequently, he established a council comprising of six people who would select one of themselves as the caliph by consulting with each other. The followings are the members of the council: Ali b. Abi Talib (a), [['Uthman b. 'Affan]], [[Talha b. 'Ubayd Allah]], [[Zubayr b. 'Awam]], [[Sa'd b. Abi Waqqas]], and [['Abd al-Rahman b. 'Awf]].<ref>Suyūṭī, ''Tārīkh al-khulafāʾ'', p. 129.</ref> | ||
Based on 'Umar's opinion, more number of votes for a person results in his caliphate. If there was a disagreement between the two groups of three on a candidate, the opinion of 'Abd al-Rahman group is preferred. 'Umar also commanded to cut off the head of any member opposing the idea of the majority. If there was a dispute between the two groups, the group who were opposed to 'Abd al-Rahman's vote must be castigated by cutting off their heads. Another command of him was to cut the head of all the members if they were unable to select the caliphate after three days.<ref> | Based on 'Umar's opinion, more number of votes for a person results in his caliphate. If there was a disagreement between the two groups of three on a candidate, the opinion of 'Abd al-Rahman group is preferred. 'Umar also commanded to cut off the head of any member opposing the idea of the majority. If there was a dispute between the two groups, the group who were opposed to 'Abd al-Rahman's vote must be castigated by cutting off their heads. Another command of him was to cut the head of all the members if they were unable to select the caliphate after three days.<ref>Yaʿqūbī, ''Tārīkh al-Yaʿqūbī'', vol. 2, p. 160; Bilādhurī, ''Ansāb al-ashrāf'', vol. 2, p. 261.</ref> Fifty people from [[Ansar]] were responsible to monitor conformation to 'Umar's will.<ref>Suyūṭī, ''Tārīkh al-khulafāʾ'', p. 129-137.</ref> | ||
== The Bias of Council == | == The Bias of Council == | ||
It was predictable that 'Uthman would be elected by the council. As [[Imam Ali (a)]] had anticipated, Sa'd would not disagree with his cousin 'Abd al-Rahman. On the other hand, 'Abd al-Rahman, who was 'Uthman's brother-in-law would vote for him. Concerning these factors, if Talha and Zubayr were Imam Ali (a)'s advocates, it would be useless; since 'Abd al-Rahman was supporter of 'Uthman.<ref>Ibn | It was predictable that 'Uthman would be elected by the council. As [[Imam Ali (a)]] had anticipated, Sa'd would not disagree with his cousin 'Abd al-Rahman. On the other hand, 'Abd al-Rahman, who was 'Uthman's brother-in-law would vote for him. Concerning these factors, if Talha and Zubayr were Imam Ali (a)'s advocates, it would be useless; since 'Abd al-Rahman was supporter of 'Uthman.<ref>Ibn Abī l-Ḥadīd, ''Sharḥ Nahj al-balāgha'', vol. 1, p. 188.</ref> | ||
Sa'd stated he had the same vote with 'Abd al-Rahman, whatever he decides. Zubayr gave up nominating for caliphate in favor of Imam Ali (a). 'Abd al-Rahman announced he was not seeking caliphate. Talha, who was 'Abd al-Rahman's cousin and Imam Ali (a)'s opponent, gave up nominating in favor of 'Uthman. Therefore, the only candidates were Imam Ali (a) and 'Uthman,<ref> | Sa'd stated he had the same vote with 'Abd al-Rahman, whatever he decides. Zubayr gave up nominating for caliphate in favor of Imam Ali (a). 'Abd al-Rahman announced he was not seeking caliphate. Talha, who was 'Abd al-Rahman's cousin and Imam Ali (a)'s opponent, gave up nominating in favor of 'Uthman. Therefore, the only candidates were Imam Ali (a) and 'Uthman,<ref>Ṭabarī, ''Tārīkh al-'umam wa l-mulūk'', vol. 3, p. 296; Ibn Abī l-Ḥadīd, ''Sharḥ Nahj al-balāgha'', vol. 1, p. 188.</ref> meaning 'Abd al-Rahman's vote became very important and notable. | ||
=== Abd al-Rahman's Decision === | === Abd al-Rahman's Decision === | ||
[['Abd al-Rahman b. 'Awf]] consulted with people especially with the elite and rulers. Ultimately, he declared his decision. He asked [[Imam Ali (a)]] if he could act according to the [[Holy Qur'an]], the Prophet's (s) tradition (sunna), and Abu Bakr's and 'Umar's approach in caliphate. Imam Ali (a) responded: "I hope I will act according to Qur'an and the Prophet's (s) tradition as much as my knowledge, my power, and my effort are" (means I will not go on the approach of previous caliphs). Then, 'Abd al-Rahman stated his conditions for 'Uthman and he immediately accepted. As the result, 'Abd al-Rahman b. Awf pledged allegiance to 'Uthman. | [['Abd al-Rahman b. 'Awf]] consulted with people especially with the elite and rulers. Ultimately, he declared his decision. He asked [[Imam Ali (a)]] if he could act according to the [[Holy Qur'an]], the Prophet's (s) tradition (sunna), and Abu Bakr's and 'Umar's approach in caliphate. Imam Ali (a) responded: "I hope I will act according to Qur'an and the Prophet's (s) tradition as much as my knowledge, my power, and my effort are" (means I will not go on the approach of previous caliphs). Then, 'Abd al-Rahman stated his conditions for 'Uthman and he immediately accepted. As the result, 'Abd al-Rahman b. Awf pledged allegiance to 'Uthman. | ||
Some references have stated that Imam Ali (a) believed 'Abd al-Rahman's condition (acting as the previous caliphs) was a deception. He told 'Abd al-Rahman: "You selected 'Uthman so that to regain caliphate. This is not the first time you get united against us ([[Ahl al-bayt (a)]]) and deprive us of our right. This has become a custom against us"<ref> | Some references have stated that Imam Ali (a) believed 'Abd al-Rahman's condition (acting as the previous caliphs) was a deception. He told 'Abd al-Rahman: "You selected 'Uthman so that to regain caliphate. This is not the first time you get united against us ([[Ahl al-bayt (a)]]) and deprive us of our right. This has become a custom against us"<ref>Yaʿqūbī, ''Tārīkh al-Yaʿqūbī'', vol. 2, p. 162; Ṭabarī, ''Tārīkh al-'umam wa l-mulūk'', vol. 3, p. 296, 302; Ibn Abī l-Ḥadīd, ''Sharḥ Nahj al-balāgha'', vol. 1, p. 194.</ref> | ||
==Notes== | ==Notes== | ||
| Line 57: | Line 56: | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
{{references}} | {{references}} | ||
* | *Bilādhurī, Aḥmad b. Yaḥyā al-. ''Ansāb al-ashrāf''. Edited by Suhayl Zakār wa Riyāḍ Ziriklī. Beirut: Dār al-Fikr, 1417 AH. | ||
* Ibn Qutayba, | *Ibn Abī l-Ḥadīd, ʿAbd al-Ḥamīd b. Hibat Allāh. ''Sharḥ Nahj al-balāgha''. Egypt: Dār Iḥyāʾ al-Kutub al-ʿArabīyya, 1382-1387 AH. | ||
* Ibn | *Ibn Qutayba al-Dīnawarī, ʿAbd Allāh b. Muslim. ''Al-Imāma wa l-sīyāsa (Tārīkh al-khulafāʾ)''. Bierut: Dār al-Aḍwāʾ, 1410 AH. | ||
* | *Ibn Saʿd, Muḥammad b. Manīʿ al-Baṣrī. ''Al-Ṭabaqāt al-kubrā''. Beirut: Dār al-Kutub al-'Ilmīyya, 1410 AH. | ||
* | *Masʿudī, ʿAlī b. al-Ḥusayn al-. ''Murūj al-dhahab wa maʿādin al-jawhar''. Qom: Dār al-Hijra, 1409 AH. | ||
*Suyūṭī, Jalāl al-Dīn b. Abī Bakr al-. ''Tārīkh al-khulafāʾ''. Aleppo: Dār al-Qalam al-ʿArabī, 1413 AH. | |||
* | *Ṭabarī, Muḥammad b. Jarīr al-. ''Tārīkh al-'umam wa l-mulūk''. Beirut: Dār al-Turāth, 1387 AH. | ||
* | *Yaʿqūbī, Aḥmad b. Abī Yaʿqūb al-. ''Tārīkh al-Yaʿqūbī''. Beirut: Dār al-Ṣādir, [n.d]. | ||
{{end}} | {{end}} | ||