Besides...

Besides, referring to the general consensus is only applicable in those cases where the tasks of the Muslims have not been explained to them. Under such conditions, Muslims can become aware of their tasks. In those cases where their tasks have been put down, there is no need for consultation.

For this very reason when al-Habbab ibn al-Mundhir came to meet the Prophet to get permission to change the location of the army headquarters, he told the Prophet “إِن كان عن أمر سلمنا و إن كان عن الرأي فالتأخرُ عن حصنهم” “If concerning this there is a special divine command we have nothing to say but if it is among the issues, where consultation is required, we think it better to change the location of the military headquarters.” [^8] The issue of Imam Ali (as)’s successorship after the Prophet, has been frequently confirmed by different narrations.

The Prophet, on different occasions, such as Yaum-al-Dar, Ghadir Khum and even on his deathbed, has referred to Imam Ali as his successor. Therefore, why should the issue of the prophet's successor be solved by consultation? Is this decision making not against the Holy Quran or offering views against God's decisive verdicts? The Holy Quran refers to this incident in a verse: when Zayd, the Prophet's stepson divorced his wife (Zaynab), the Prophet married her due to God's command.

This was an important issue for Muslims because at the time of Ignorance a step-son was considered a true son: marriage with the wife of one's son, or step-son, was an abominable act. They expected the Prophet to follow their views while the Prophet had done so to break the wrong tradition of the age of Ignorance. Thus, referring to the general consensus is irrelevant when God's command is involved.

Hence, in the following verse, the Holy Quran severely condemns those who interfere with God's commands in appointing certain tasks for people: ﴿ وَ ما كانَ لِمُؤْمِنٍ وَ لا مُؤْمِنَةٍ إِذا قَضَى اللَّهُ وَ رَسُولُهُ أَمْراً أَنْ يَكُونَ لَهُمُ الْخِيَرَةُ مِنْ أَمْرِهِمْ وَ مَنْ يَعْصِ اللَّهَ وَ رَسُولَهُ فَقَدْ ضَلَّ ضَلالاً بَعِيداً ﴾ “And it beholds, not a believing man nor a believing woman, that they should have any choice when Allah and his Apostle have decided a matter: and whoever disobeys Allah and his Apostle, he surely strays off a manifest straying” [^9] [^1]: .

Quran 3:159. [^2]: . Quran 42:38. [^3]: . Sirah Ibn Hisham, vol 1, p. 615; Maghazi Waqedi, p. 48. [^4]: . Sirah Ibn Hisham, vol. 2, p. 63. Maghazi Waqedi, vol. 1. [^5]: .

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