Introduction

God is One and Only

Abandoning the Present to Attain the Promised

Oppressive Characteristics

Characteristics Rooted in Love for Religion

One Characteristic for Five Characteristics

A Characteristic for a Characteristic

A Saving Characteristic

The Loftiest Characteristic of the Religion

No Two Things Combined which are Better than the Combination of Two Characteristics

A Characteristic that is the Honor of This World and the Hereafter

The Most Knowledgeable Person Is One who Combines One Characteristic with Another One

There Is One True Prosperity And One True Misery

A Characteristic for Which the People Deserve to be Rewarded or Punished

A Characteristic that Is the Noblest Holy War

The Hardest Thing is One Characteristic that Cannot Be Avoided Unless We Abandon Another Characteristic

A Believer’s Honor Is in One Characteristic and His Glory Is In Another Characteristic

One Characteristic Is the Key to All Evil

A Characteristic Due to Justice

A Characteristic Due to Which We Are Interested in How Others Judge About Us

Seek Nearness to God with One Characteristic

God Has Not Tested the Servants with Anything Harder Than One Characteristic

A Characteristic that Is the Result of Being Kind

A Characteristic that Stabilizes One’s Faith and One that Makes Him Lose His Faith

A Characteristic that Destroys a Believer’s Dignity

A Good Characteristic Which No Other Characteristic Is Better Than, and a Bad Characteristic That No Other Characteristic Is Worse Than

A Characteristic That Guarantees Who Will Not Become Poor

The Form of Chivalry of the Members of the Holy Household

A Characteristic Due to One’s Chivalry

A Characteristic that Is Not Good for a Dignified Man

God Loves One Characteristic and Despises One Characteristic

One Who has This Characteristic Would Not Be Thankful for Blessings

A Characteristic Due to Humbleness

A Characteristic that Is Close to Blasphemy and A Characteristic that Might Change Destiny

A Characteristic that Destroyed Previous Nations

Martyrdom Is Expiation for Every Sin Except for One’s Debt

God the Almighty Has Sent Muhammad (sw) and His Nation a Gift That He Has Not Given to Any Other Nation

A Characteristic that One Should Have If He Wants to Increase Goodness in His House

God Will Look at Whom He Likes. Once He Looks at Him, He Shall Grant Him One of Three Gifts

The Hereafter is the Wedding of the Pious Ones

A Characteristic That is Like its Opposite

The Most Wicked People Are Those Who Are Respected for Possessing One Characteristic

A Characteristic in This World is Abstinence, and a Characteristic That is Gratitude for all Blessings

Nothing Deserves to Be Restrained More Than the Tongue

Whoever Raises his Aspirations Does Wrong

Good Deeds Are Recorded for a Muslim as Long as He Remains Quiet

A Characteristic Having Which Will Result in God Saving You From the Fear of the Hereafter

The Most Intelligent Characteristic

The Most Pious, the Best Worshipping, the Most Ascetic and the Most Hard-Working People

Becoming Sorry Is the Same as Repenting

Whoever Earns More Than His Meals fom This World

A Characteristic That Deserves to Be Willed

A Characteristic That Causes One to Be Thrown Out and a Characteristic That Causes One to Be Joined

Lofty Characteristics and Bad Characteristics for the People of the World

There Is No Honor Except Through One Characteristic. There Is No Nobility Except Through Another Characteristic

When God Loves a Servant He Will Make Him Suffer from a Great Calamity

A Characteristic That Leads to Hemorrhoids

A Hand on Which There Is an Iron Ring Is Not Clean

Do Not Respond to Whoever Talks Before He Greets You

A Characteristic That if Practiced Implies Despise for Muhammad’s Religion

Only One of the Proverbs of the Prophets Has Remained

When God Wishes a Servant Well, He Will Expedite His Punishment in This World, and When He Wishes Someone Bad, He Will Procrastinate His Punishment

Be Patient with the Enemies of the Blessings

The Prophet (sw) and Ali Ibn Abi Talib Were Created from the Same Root

A Characteristic That is Gratitude for All Blessings

Religion Is the Same as Love

When Two Believers Shake Hands They Shall Depart from Each Other Void of Any Sins

A Characteristic That Revives the Hearts

A Characteristic That Revives the Affairs of the Almighty God’s Proofs

God the Almighty Has Not Created Anything More Delightful Than This Characteristic

A Characteristic That Constitutes Nine-Tenths of Religion

Whoever is Pleased with His Destiny or is Displeased with it

A Characteristic for Which Even Red-Haired Camels Are Not Loved

A Characteristic That Increases the Daily Bread

A Characteristic That Leads to Hypocrisy and Poverty

The First Gift Given to a Believer Due to a Characteristic

A Characteristic for Which One Who Has No Good Deeds is Forgiven on the Resurrection Day

A Characteristic That is the Root of All Sins

How Awkward It Is If a Man Enters Heaven Having Lost His Honor

A Characteristic Doing Which Will Cause the Almighty God to Have Mercy Upon You

A Characteristic Doing Which Will Cause Increased Good for One’s House

On Him Whose Health Has Overcome His Illness but He Treats Himself and Dies

A Characteristic Which a Believer Avoids

Nothing Ruins Faith as Much as One Characteristic Does

One Who Lives to See his Successor Is Prosperous

A Believer’s Honor is More Than That of the Ka’ba

It Suffices for a Believer to See God’s Aid in the Form of His Enemies Engaged in the Almighty God’s Disobedience

A Gift Will Eliminate Animosities

Prosperous Be the One Who is Indifferent

A Characteristic That Will Make One Poor in the Hereafter

A Group of People Who Are the Masters of Heaven

God’s Prophet Made His Ablutions One Organ at a Time

The Characteristic That Is the Best Goodness

The Prophet Put off His Special Prayer for One Characteristic

A Characteristic That is the Best Form of Worshipping and a Characteristic That is the Noblest Form of Being Religious

What Is A Lot but Its Doers Are A Few

A Characteristic That Constitutes Half of the Religion

A Characteristic That is the Best Thing Given to a Muslim

The Prophet and Ali Ibn Abi Talib Were Created from One Light

A Servant’s Well-Being Depends Upon the Well-Being of One of His Organs

12-4 حدثنا علي بن أحمد بن عبد الله بن أحمد بن أبي عبد الله البرقي قال: حدثني أبي، عن جده أحمد بن أبي عبد الله البرقي قال: حدثني النهيكي قال، حدثنا أبومحمد خلف بن سالم قال: حدثنا محمد بن جعفر قال: حدثنا شعبة، عن عثمان بن المغيرة، عن زيد بن وهب قال: كان الذين أنكروا على أبي بكر جلوسه في الخلافة وتقدمه على علي بن أبي طالب عليه السلام اثنى عشر رجلا من المهاجرين والانصار وكان من المهاجرين خالد بن سعيد ابن العاص والمقداد بن الاسود وابي بن كعب وعمار بن ياسر وأبوذر الغفارى وسلمان الفارسي وعبد الله بن مسعود وبريدة الاسلمي، وكان من الانصار خزيمة بن ثابت ذو الشهادتين وسهل بن حنيف وأبوأيوب الانصاري وأبوالهيثم بن التيهان وغيرهم فلما صعد المنبر تشاوروا بينهم في أمره فقال بعضهم: هل ان أتيه فننزله عن منبر رسول الله صلى الله عليه وآله وقال آخرون: إن فعلتم ذلك أعنتم على أنفسكم وقال الله عز وجل "وَلاَ تُلْقُوا بِأَيْدِيكُمْ إِلَى التَّهْلُكَةِ" ولكن امضوا بنا إلى علي بن أبي طالب عليه السلام نستشيره ونستطلع أمره فأتوا عليا عليه السلام فقالوا: يا أمير المؤمنين ضيعت نفسك وتركت حقا أنت أولى به وقد أردنا أن نأتي الرجل فننزله عن منبر رسول الله صلى الله عليه وآله فإن الحق حقك، وأنت أولى بالامر منه فكرهنا أن ننزله من دون مشاورتك، فقال لهم علي عليه السلام: لو فعلتم ذلك ما كنتـم إلاحربا لهم ولا كنتم إلا كالكحل في العين أو كالملح في الزاد، وقد اتفقت عليه الامة التاركة لقول نبيها والكاذبة على ربها ولقد شاورت في ذلك أهل بيتي فأبوا إلا السكوت لما تعلمون من وغر صدور القوم وبغضهم لله عز وجل ولاهل بيت نبيه عليهم السلام وإنهم يطالبون بثارات الجاهلية والله لو فعلتم ذلك لشهروا سيوفهم مستعدين للحرب والقتال كما فعلوا ذلك حتى قهروني وغلبوني على نفسي ولببوني وقالوا لي: بايع وإلا قتلناك فلم أجد حلية إلا أن أدفع القوم عن نفسي وذاك أني ذكرت قول رسول الله صلى الله عليه وآله "يا علي إن القوم نقضوا أمرك واستبدوا بها دونك، وعصوني فيك. فعليك بالصبر حتى ينزل الامر ألا وإنهم سيغدرون بك لا محالة فلا تجعل لهم سبيلا إلى إذ لالك وسفك دمك، فإن الامة ستغد ربك بعدي كذلك أخبرني جبرئيل عليه السلام عن ربى تبارك وتعالى" ولكن ائتوا الرجل فأخبروه بما سمعتم من نبيكم ولا تجعلوه في الشبهة من أمره ليكون ذلك أعظم للحجة عليه [وأزيد] وأبلغ في عقوبته إذا أتى ربه وقد عصى نبيه وخالف أمره قال: فانطلقوا حتى حفوا بمنبر رسول الله صلى الله عليه وآله يوم جمعة فقالوا للمهاجرين: إن الله عز وجل بدابكم في القرآن فقال: "لقد تاب الله على النبي والمهاجرين والانصار" فبكم بداوكان أول من بدا وقام خالد بن سعيد بن العاص بادلاله ببني أمية. فقال: يا أبا بكر اتق الله فقد علمت ما تقدم لعلي عليه السلام من رسول الله صلى الله عليه وآله ألا تعلم أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وآله قال لنا ونحن محتوشوه في يوم بني قريظة، وقد أقبل على رجال منا ذوي قدر فقال: "يا معشر المهاجرين والانصار أوصيكم بوصية فاحفظوها وإني مؤد إليكم أمرا فاقبلوه، ألا إن عليا أميركم من بعدي وخليفتي فيكم، أوصاني بذلك ربي وإنكم إن لم تحفظوا وصيتي فيه وتأووه وتنصروه اختلفتم في أحكامكم، واضطرب عليكم أمر دينكم، وولي عليـكم الامرشراركم ألا وإن أهل بيتي هم الوارثون أمري، القائلون بأمرامتي، اللهم فمن حفظ فيهم وصيتي فاحشره في زمرتي، واجعل له من مرافقتي نصيبا يدرك به فوز الآخرة، اللهم ومن أساء خلافتي في أهل بيتي فأحرمه الجنة التي عرضها السماوات والارض ."فقال له عمر بن الخطاب: اسكت يا خالد فلست من أهل المشورة ولا ممن يرضى بقولهفقال خالد: بل اسكت أنت يا ابن الخطاب، فوالله إنك لتعلم أنك تنطق بغير لسانك، وتعتصم بغير أركانك، والله إن قريشا لتعلم [أني أعلاها حسبا وأقواها أدبا وأجملها ذكرا وأقلها غنى من الله ورسوله و] إنك ألامها حسبا، وأقلها عددا وأخملها ذكرا، وأقلها من الله عز وجل ومن رسوله. وإنك لجبان عند الحرب، بخيل في الجدب، ليئم العنصر ما لك في قريش مفخر. قال: فأسكته خالد فجلسثم قام أبو ذر رحمة الله عليه فقال بعد أن حمد الله وأثنى عليه: أما بعد يا معشر المهاجرين والانصار لقد علمتم وعلم خياركم أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وآله قال: "الامر لعلي عليه السلام بعدي، ثم للحسن والحسين عليهما السلام، ثم في أهل بيتي من ولد الحسين." فأطرحتم قول بنيكم. وتناسيتم ما أوعز إليكم، واتبعتم الدنيا، وتركتم نعيم الاخرة الباقية التي لا تهدم بنيانها ولا يزول نعيمها، ولا يحزن أهلها ولا يموت سكانها وكذلك الامم التي كفرت بعد أنبيائها بدلت وغيرت فحاذيتموها حذو القذة بالقذة، والنعل بالنعل، فعما قليل تذوقون وبال أمركم وما الله بظلام للعبيد[ثم قال:] ثم قام سلمان الفارسي - رحمه الله - فقال: يا أبا بكر إلى من تستند أمرك إذا نزل بك القضاء، وإلى من تفزع إذا سئلت عما لا تعلم، وفي القوم من هو أعلم منك وأكثر في الخير أعلاما ومناقب منك، وأقرب من رسول الله صلى الله عليه وآله قرابة وقدمة في حياته قد أوعز إليكم فتركتم قوله وتناســيتم وصيتـهفعما قليل يصفوا لكم الامر حين تزوروا القبور، وقد أثقلت ظهرك من الاوزار لو حملت إلى قبرك لقدمت على ما قدمت، فلو راجعت إلى الحق وأنصفت أهله لكان ذلك نجاة لك يوم تحتاج إلى عملك وتفرد في حفرتك بذنوبك عما أنت له فاعل، وقد سمعت كما سمعنا ورأيت كما رأينا، فلم يروعك ذلك عما أنت له فاعل، فالله الله في نفسك فقد أعذر من أنذرثم قام المقداد بن الاسود رحمة الله عليه فقال: يا أبا بكر إربع على نفسك. وقس شبرك بفترك وألزم بيتك، وابك على خطيئتك فإن ذلك أسلم لك في حياتك ومماتك، ورد هذا الامر إلى حيث جعله الله عز وجل ورسوله ولا تركن إلى الدنيا ولا يغرنك من قد ترى من أوغادها فعما قليل تضمحل عنك دنياك، ثم تصير إلى ربك فيجزيك بعملك وقد علمت أن هذا الامر لعلي عليه السلام وهو صاحبه بعد رسول الله صلى الله عليه وآله وقد نصحتك إن قبلت نصحيثم قام بريدة الاسلمي فقال: يا أبابكر نسيت أم تناسيت أم خادعتك نفسك أما تذكر إذا أمرنا رسول الله صلى الله عليه وآله فسلمنا على علي بإمرة المؤمنين، ونبينا عليه السلام بين أظهرنا فاتق الله ربك وأدرك نفسك قبل أن لا تدركها وأنقذها من هلكتها، ودع هذا الامر ووكله إلى من هو أحق به منك، ولا تماد في غيك، وارجع وأنت تستطيع الرجوع فقد نصحتك نصحي وبذلت لك ما عندي، فإن قبلت وفقت ورشدتثم قام عبد الله بن مسعود فقال: يا معشر قريش قد علمتم وعلم خياركم أن أهل بيت نبيكم صلى الله عليه وآله أقرب إلى رسول الله صلى الله عليه وآله منكم وإن كنتم إنما تدعون هذا الامر بقرابة رسول الله صلى الله عليه وآله وتقولون: إن السابقة لنا فأهل نبيكم أقرب إلى رسول الله منكم وأقدم سابقة منكموعلي بن أبي طالب عليه السلام صاحب هذا الامر بعد نبيكم فأعطوه ما جعله الله له ولا ترتدوا على أعقابكم فتنقلبوا خاسرينثم قام عمار بن ياسر فقال: يا أبا بكر لا تجعل لنفسك حقا جعله الله عز وجل لغيرك، ولا تكن أول من عصى رسول الله صلى الله عليه وآله وخالفه في أهل بيته واردد الحق إلى أهله تخف ظهرك وتقل وزرك وتلقى رسول الله صلى الله عليه وآله وهو عنك راض، ثم يصير إلى الرحمن فيحاسبك بعملك ويسألك عما فعلتثم قام خزيمة بن ثابت ذو الشهادتين فقال: يا أبابكر ألست تعلم أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وآله قبل شهادتي وحدي ولم يرد معي غيري؟ قال: نعم، قال: فاشهد بالله أني سمعت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وآله يقول: "أهل بيتي يفرقون بين الحق والباطل، وهم الائمة الذين يقتدى بهم ".ثم قام أبو الهيثم بن التيهان فقال: يا أبابكر أنا أشهد على النبي صلى الله عليه وآله أنه أقام عليا فقالت الانصار: ما أقامه إلا للخلافة، وقال بعضهم، ما أقامه إلا ليعلم الناس أنه ولي من كان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وآله مولاه، فقال عليه السلام: "إن أهل بيتي نجوم أهل الارض فقد موهم ولا تقدموهم ".ثم قام سهل بن حنيف فقال: اشهد أني سمعت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وآله قال على المنبر: "إمامكم من بعدي علي بن أبي طالب عليه السلام، وهو أنصح الناس لأمتي ."ثم قام أبو أيوب الانصاري فقال: اتقوا الله في أهل بيت نبيكم وردوا هذا الامر إليهم سمعتم كما سمعنا في مقام بعد مقام من نبي الله صلى الله عليه وآله " أنهم أولى به منكم " ثم جلسثم قام زيد بن وهب فتكلم وقام جماعة من بعده فتكلموا بنحو هذا. فأخبر الثقة من أصحاب رسول الله صلى الله عليه وآله أن أبا بكر جلس في بيته ثلاثة أيام فلما كان اليوم الثالث أتاه عمر بن الخطاب وطلحة والزبير، وعثمان بن عفان، وعبدالرحمن بن عوف، وسعد بن أبي وقاص، وأبوعبيدة بن الجراح مع كل واحد منهم عشرة رجال من عشائرهم. شاهرين السيوف فأخرجوه من منزله وعلا المنبر، وقال قائل منهم: والله لئن عاد منكم أحد فتكلم بمثل الذي تكلم به لنملان أسيافنا منه، فجلسوا في منازلهم ولم يتكلم أحد بعد ذلك

12-4 Ali ibn Ahmad ibn Abdullah ibn Ahmad ibn Aba Abdullah Al-Barqy narrated that his father quoted his grandfather Ahmad ibn Aba Abdullah Al-Barqy, on the authority of Al-Nahiki, on the authority of Abu Muhammad Khalif ibn Salim, on the authority of Muhammad ibn Ja’far, on the authority of Al-Shu’bat, on the authority of Uthman ibn al-Muqayrih, on the authority of Zayd ibn Wahab, who said: “Those who were opposed to the rule of Abu Bakr before Ali ibn Abi Talib (AS) were twelve persons from the Emigrants (Muhajirin) and the Helpers (Ansar). The ones from amongst the Emigrants were Sa’id ibn Al-As; al-Miqdad ibn al-Aswad; Abi ibn Ka’ab; Ammar ibn Yasir; Abuzar al-Qaffari; Salman al-Farsi; Abdullah ibn Mas’ood; and Baridat al-Aslami. And those who were from the Helpers were Khazimat ibn Sabit Zulshahadatein; Sahl ibn Hanif; Abu Ayoob Al-Ansari; Abul Haysam ibn al-Tayhan and others. When Abu Bakr sat on God’s Prophet’s (sw) pulpit as the Caliph they consulted with each other in this regard. Some of them said, ‘Let us go and force him down from the pulpit.’ The others said, ‘This would be like contributing to our own destruction and the Honorable the Exalted God has said, ‘And make not your own hands contribute to (your) destruction;’ It is better that we all go to see Ali ibn Abi Talib (AS) and consult with him to see what he says.’ Then they all went to see Ali (AS) and said, ‘O Commander of the Faithful! You have given up your position and your due right. We do not want to take Abu Bakr down from the pulpit without consulting with you.’ Ali (AS) told them, ‘A war would break out if you do so. You are nothing when compared with them in terms of force. The people have agreed to his Caliphate now and have not acted according to what the Prophet (sw) said. They have denied their Lord! I consulted with my family on this issue. They believe that there is no solution except being silent since these people hate the Honorable the Exalted God and the Prophet’s Household. They want to retaliate for the blood shed in the Age of Ignorance. I swear by God that if you do so, they will unsheathe their swords and become ready for a battle as they quarreled with me so much that they defeated me; dominated over me; surrounded me and said, ‘Either you pledge allegiance or we will kill you.’ I had no way except to protect myself since I remembered the words of God’s Prophet (sw) who told me, ‘O Ali! If these people did not let you become the Caliph; disagreed with you and disobeyed my orders regarding you, you must be patient until God descends an order for you. Beware that they will certainly deceive you. You should not give them any excuses, since then they will belittle you and shed your blood. Gabriel has informed me on the authority of the Blessed the Sublime God that the nation will break their pledge of allegiance after me.’ You should all go to that man and tell him what you have heard from your Prophet (sw), so that he may have no doubts in what he is doing. It would be best to give him an ultimatum so that he deserves a greater punishment from his Lord, since he has disobeyed God’s Prophet (sw) and has acted against his orders.’ Then they all waited until Friday when they surrounded the pulpit of God’s Prophet (sw). The Helpers told the Emigrants, ‘Indeed the Honorable the Exalted God has preferred you to the Helpers and said, ‘Allah turned with favor to the Prophet, the Muhajers and the Ansar …’ Therefore, you may speak first. Because of this the first one who stood up and started to speak was Khalid ibn Saeed ibn Aas with the support of the Umayyads. He said, ‘O Abu Bakr! I admonish you to fear God. You well know what God’s Prophet (sw) has said about Ali (AS). Don’t you know that on the day of the Battle of the Qariza clan, (when we were all around him) faced the noble ones of us - and said, ‘O Emigrants and Helpers! I have a recommendation to you which you must honor. I have an order which you must obey. Beware that Ali (AS) is your Commander and my Trustee after me. My Lord advised me so. If you do not respect my will in this regard, and do not support and assist him, you will fall into disunion regarding your decrees. Your religious affairs will be in a mess, and the most wicked ones amongst you will take charge of your affairs. The members of my Household are in charge of the affairs after me. They are to run the affairs of my nation after me. O my Lord! Please include anyone who honors my will regarding Ali (AS) to be amongst those who are resurrected along with me. Also grant them some of my Friendship with which they can become prosperous in the Hereafter. O my God! Please forbid Paradise which is wider than the heavens and the Earth for whoever mistreats my Household.’ When Khalid said this Umar ibn al-Khattab yelled and said, ‘O Khalid! Shut up. You are not one of the members of the council or the ones on whose sayings we could rely.’ Then Khalid said, ‘O Ibn al-Khat’tab! You should shut up. I swear by God that you well know that you are not just saying what you yourself think. Rather, you are defending other people’s interests. I swear by God that all of the Quraysh know that my lineage is nobler than everyone else. I am the most literate, the most well-known one and expect the least from God and His Prophet (sw), but you are of the worst lineage, the most infamous one that is much more distant from the Honorable the Exalted God and His Prophet (sw). Indeed you are a coward in fighting, stingy at times of drought, and of a base lineage. You have nothing to be proud of amongst the Quraysh.’ Thus, Khalid silenced him and sat down. Then Abuzar (ra) stood up, praised God, expressed God’s glorifications and said, ‘O group of the Emigrants and the Helpers! You and the good ones amongst you all know well that God’s Prophet (sw) said, ‘The Rule over the affairs belongs to Ali (AS) after me. After him, it belongs to Al-Hassan (AS) and al-Hussein (AS). Then after them it belongs to the members of my Holy Household from the progeny of Al-Hussein (AS). You have ignored what God’s Prophet (sw) said. You have become materialists and have forgotten what God’s Prophet (sw) said. You have forsaken the permanent blessings of the Hereafter which is everlasting and never ends or gets ruined where the residents neither grieve nor die. You have become just like the deviated nations who changed the orders of their Prophets after them. Soon you will be bitterly punished for your deeds. God doesn’t oppress His servants.’ Abuzar finished his speech and then Salman al-Farsi (ra) stood up and said, ‘O Abu Bakr! Who do you cite when you issue your judgements and to whom do you seek refuge when you are asked things which you do not know? Who is more knowledgeable in the nation than you are? Who is closer to God’s Prophet (sw) than you are? Who has a more extensive background with God’s Prophet (sw) than you do? You have ignored the Prophet’s orders which he issued when he was alive. You have forgotten the Prophet’s (sw) will. Soon everythingwill become very clear for you when you die and enter the graveyard with a heavy load of sins and wicked deeds. When you enter your grave you will find exactly what you sent ahead of yourself. If you pay attention to the truth and be fair and acknowledge the right of the just ones, it will save you on a Day on which you will be in need of your own deeds and when you will be left alone in your grave with your (own) deeds. You have heard what we have heard and you have seen what we have seen. Why do these remarks not prevent you from doing what you are doing? I beseech you by God to consider God. Whoever ponders over things in advance would act according to what is right.’ Then Al-Miqdad ibn al-Aswad (ra) stood up and said, ‘O Abu Bakr! First measure yourself and see how much you measure up to. Sit in your own house and cry over your sins, since that would be better for you in this life and after your death. Return the position of the Caliphate to the one whom God and His Prophet (sw) have already determined. Do not rely on this world as your supporter and do not let these lowly people deceive you. Soon the world will end for you and you will be taken to your Lord to be rewarded for what you have done. You know well that the position of the Caliphate belongs to Ali (AS). He (MGB) is the one to whom it belongs to after God’s Prophet (sw). I have only advised you. You may accept it or not as you please.’Then Barideh Aslami stood up and said, ‘O Abu Bakr! Have you really forgotten things or do you pretend to have forgotten? Are you deceiving yourself? Don’t you remember that God’s Prophet (sw) ordered us to greet Ali (AS) as the Commander of the Faithful during his lifetime. Fear God and get a grip on yourself before it gets too late. Save yourself from destruction! Leave the position of Caliphate and entrust it to the one who deserves it. Do not go astray. Return while you still can. I have only advised you and did my best. You may accept it or not as you please. You will become triumphant and prosper if you accept it.’ Then Abdullah ibn Mas’ood stood up and said, ‘O the Quraysh clan! You and all the good ones amongst you well know that the members of the Household of your Prophet are closer to God’s Prophet (sw) than you are. If you claim the position of the Caliphate to be for the relatives of God’s Prophet (sw) and say you have a background in Islam, then the members of the Household of God’s Prophet (sw) are closer to him than you are. They are closer to God’s Prophet (sw) and have a more extensive background with him. Ali ibn Abi Talib (AS) is in charge of this after your Prophet (sw). Therefore, entrust to him what God has already entrusted him with and do not step backwards, since then you may experience a detrimental ending.’ Then, Ammar ibn Yasir stood up and said, ‘O Abu Bakr! Do not grasp by force the right which God has granted to someone else. Do not be the first one to disobey God’s Prophet (sw) and oppose him regarding his Household. Return the right to its owner. Lighten the load and burden on your back and meet God’s Prophet in such a manner that he may be pleased with you. Then you may go to the Merciful God for the Reckoning of your deeds and asking you about what you have done.’ Then Khuzayma ibn Sabit Zul-Shuhadatayn stood up and said, ‘O Abu Bakr! Don’t you know that God’s Prophet accepted my testimony alone and did not ask for anyone else’s testimony?’ Abu Bakr replied, ‘Yes.’ Khuzayma said, ‘I swear by God and bear witness that I heard God’s Prophet (sw) say, ‘The members of my Household are the ones who distinguish the difference between right and wrong. In fact, they are the Divine Leaders whom you must follow.’’ Then Abul Haysam ibn al-Teehan stood up and said, ‘O Abu Bakr! I bear witness to the Prophet (sw) and his Holy Household that God’s Prophet (sw) raised up Ali (AS) by his arm.’Then the Helpers said, ‘The Prophet (sw) indeed raised him up by his arm for the position of Trusteeship.’ Others said, ‘The Prophet (sw) raised him up so that the people could know who is the Master of whomever the Prophet (sw) is the master of and that the Prophet (sw) had said, ‘Beware that the members of my Household are the stars on the Earth! Honor them and do not surpass them.’’Then Sahl ibn Hanif stood up and said, ‘I bear witness that I have heard God’s Prophet (sw) say the following from the pulpit, ‘Your Divine Leader after me will be Ali ibn Abi Talib (AS). He is the one person who is the most caring of the nation!’’ Then Abu Ayoob al-Ansari stood up and said, ‘Fear God regarding the members of the Holy Household of your Prophet and return this Rule to them. You should listen and obey as we did from the Prophet (sw) in one position after another as they are more deserving for that rank than you are.’ Then he sat down. Then Zayd ibn Wahab stood up and spoke. Then a group of people stood up after him and spoke likewise saying similar things. It has been reported on the authority of one of the trustworthy companions of God’s Prophet that after this session Abu Bakr stayed in his house for three days. On the third day Umar ibn al-Khat’tab, Talha, Zubayr, Uthman ibn Affan, Abdul Rahman ibn Oaf, Sa’id ibn Abi Waqqas, Abu Ubaydat ibn al-Jarah each accompanied with ten men armed with swords went to his house and took him to the pulpit. One of them announced, ‘Should any of you say what he said before, we shall tear him into pieces with our swords.’ Thus, they stayed home and did not say anything any more.

Al-Khiṣāl

Book 13, Chapter 3