Incident of Saqifa: Difference between revisions

* '''Henri Lammens''': In 1910, the Belgian scholar Henri Lammens (1862-1937) published an article entitled ''Triumvirate of Abu Bakr, 'Umar, and [[Abu 'Ubayda al-Jarrah|Abu 'Ubayda]]'', in which he argued that the close cooperation of these three men in the lifetime of the Prophet (s) and their plans for the succession resulted in the caliphate of Abu Bakr and 'Umar. Had Abu 'Ubayda not died during the caliphate of Umar, he would have certainly become the third caliph. Although Lammens does not speak of a conspiracy to attain the caliphate, his claim certainly implies this term. He claims that [[A'isha]] and [[Hafsa]] informed their father of all the hidden thoughts and decisions of their husband.

* '''Leone Caetani''': The Italian orientalist Leone Caetani talks about a deep rift between Abu Bakr and [[Banu Hashim]], and considers Abu Bakr's claim to succession in the Event of the Saqifa surprising. He indirectly accepts the seriousness of Ali's claim to the succession. Later, Caetani affirmed Lammens' theory of the triumvirate of Abu Bakr, Umar and Abu Ubayda.

* '''[[Wilferd Madelung]]''': In his book ''[[The Succession to Muhammad (book)|The Succession to Muhammad]]'', Madelung has thoroughly explores the topic of the succession to the Prophet (s). Unlike most historians, he believes that the gathering at the Saqifa was not initially intended to choose a successor for the Prophet (s). The [[Helpers]] simply thought that after the [[demise of the Prophet (s)]], the allegiance to him had expired and the integrity of the society was in danger. So they decided to choose a ruler from themselves for their own city, [[Medina]]. This is why they gathered without informing the Immigrants, whom they thought would return to [[Mecca]]. And those who did not want to return, the Helpers thought, would have no problem with the rule of a Helper over [[Medina]].  

Madelung maintains that it was only Abu Bakr and Umar who believed that the successor of the Prophet (s) should rule over all the Arabs, and the [[Qurashites]] are the only ones deserving of the succession. He holds that prior to the demise of the Prophet (s), Abu Bakr had the plan to become the successor of the Prophet (s) and to surpass his rivals, the most important of whom were [[Ahl al-Bayt (a)]]. The gathering at the Saqifa provided an opportunity for Abu Bakr to reach his goal. In that gathering, he first suggested that Umar and Abu Ubayda, who did not have any chance, should succeed the Prophet (s). It is clear that this suggestion was not serious and was intended only to create arguments among the participants and lead to the conclusion of the session in his favor.

Madelung believes that the point made by some [[Sunni]]s and Western scholars that Ali (a) was not a serious candidate because of his young age and inexperience compared to Abu Bakr and Umar is false and that there are other reasons why Ali (a) was not chosen for the [[caliphate]].