But Ali himself says in one of his speeches...

But Ali himself says in one of his speeches: "When I surprised him by the question in the public he was dumbfounded, knew not what to answer me." Ali did compagin against the SAQIFA calamity and did not leave the matter to recede into oblivion. Although the circumstance cornered him leaving no alternative but to yield which he did unwillingly and without his inclination.

To quote his own words from his speech: "I endured while a thorn in my eye and a bone in my throat and I see my inheritance being robbed." His wife, Fatimah, died. People ignored him. Hectic days had surrounded him. He was forced under coersion to acknowledge Abuhaker's authority. A constant tyranny kept haunting him. He had no supporter or help. Somnolence had gripped the nation which had obtenebrated his days. He was not left free to dwell upon his will.

Tyranny had reduced him to a victim and a victim finally yielded. He has said in NAHJUL BALAGHA this: "By God, my right is taken away from me. Tyranny is sanctioned against me since the Prophet died till to this day." He used to purport by 'till to this day' the times of his caliphate. Such was the stand of Ali. We find him quite open in his speech of SHAKH SHAKHIA. But, the history tries to hide his frankness. In any case, history does not deny that right is with Ah and Ali with right.

Ali's personality does not allow any blame to be attributed to him. Of course, it has had been an endeavor of history to interpret the wrongs of SAQIFA as otherwise and to supply various representations to it. But history has failed in its flounder and stood the chagrin because of the displeasure of the robbed one which keeps the file of robbery ever open to debate and dispute. The case is closed only at the return of the stolen goods because the owner has never registered his forgiveness.

The books of BUKHARI and MUSLIM besides other books point out to this fact that people cared him as long as Fatima was alive. As he died people too left Ali alone. It was upon this that he recognized Abubaker. Fatima lived only six months after the death of her father the Prophet. Once more we see his opinion about the consequences of SAQIFA in his reply to Mawiya. Mawiya accused him of rebelling against the caliphs and execrating them.

Ali writes in answer: "I take refuge in God because I am not a rebellion. As for execrating to them, it is not a public concern and I see no reason for an excuse to be brought forward."50 50- Refer to SHERH AL-NAHAJ (409:3) Previous…