ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books The Hidden Truth about Karbala Chapter 5: The Intrigue In the preceding chapter, we saw a formidable record of evidence, from historical as well as Islamic traditional sources, which show that from the very first day of proclaiming Islam to the last moments of his life, the Prophet (S) indicated and expressly nominated, on every occasion, Imam Ali (a.s.) as his immediate successor.

The nomination of Imam Ali (a.s.) was not a personal whim of the Prophet (S). The Qur’an declares that the Prophet (S) never spoke out of his personal wish, desire, or whim.[^1] The Qur’an further declares that the Ahlul Bayt (a.s.) do not wish anything which God does not wish.[^2] The nomination of a successor was never left to the Prophet (S), much less to his Umma. It was always according to the Divine commandment.

However, every community suspected that there was no such thing as Divine command and that their Prophet (S) was acting by himself in appointing his successor. When Talut was appointed, the Israelites challenged saying:“How can he exercise authority over us when we are better fitted than he to exercise authority and he is not even gifted, with wealth in abundance.” Their Prophet (S) replied:“Allah has chosen him above you, and has gifted him abundantly with knowledge and bodily prowess.

Allah grants authority to whom He pleases.”[^3] Imam Ali (a.s.) is universally acknowledged as the first person to accept Islam even when he was just in his teens.[^4] Coupled with this is the fact that unlike all other companions of the Holy Prophet (S), Ali had never worshiped any idol.

Imam Ali (a.s.) is universally acknowledged as the most wise and knowledgeable.[^5] He is universally acknowledged as the only soldier who stood by and fought for the Prophet (S), often alone, to rescue the Prophet (S) from imminent dangers.[^6] Whenever the Prophet (S) spoke of Ali (a.s.) being his successor, the companions who were always in doubt about the Prophet’s motives, questioned:“ Is this from you or from Allah ?.”[^7] The companions always had a lingering suspicion as to the wisdom of the Prophet’s words and deeds, for they measured the Prophet (S) with their own parameters.

Coupled with this suspicion was their hope that if the Prophet’s nomination of a particular individual was proved wrong, then they might stand a chance to succeed.. Before proceeding further, we may recall here a parallel.