ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books The Caliphate Its Conception and Consequences Chapter One : the Theory of Non-appointment and Why It Was Invented Very soon after the arrival of the Prophet at MEDINA, it became evident to all that a Muslim state was in the making. With this knowledge, the idea naturally entered every mind as to who the next ruler of this state after the Prophet would be.

As time went on and the state expanded, this idea took deeper root and different shapes in the minds of different persons. It was all too plain that the Prophet (P) had selected Imam Ali to be his successor. But this was not to the liking of many people, and their sullen mood was fed and fostered for their own ends by those who thought themselves to be in a position to make a bid for the prize.

They set about canvassing and inviting people to their way of thinking, with the result that a party comprising this ambitious and refractory element was soon formed. By the time the question of the succession arose, this opposition party had gained considerable strength and momentum of its own. The gradual acquisition of power and the cause that led to their ultimate success, form the subject matter of the following pages. But a formidable difficulty faced the opposition from the outset.

According to the tenets of Islam and the behests of the QUR'AN, they had to yield unquestioning submission to the will of the Prophet and were to carry out his orders without demur, nay without feeling even the slightest disinclination in their hearts. They were to take these orders with a joyful acceptance springing from their firm conviction in the infallibility of the Prophet and the honesty of his purpose. In fact this was the main condition of their being accepted into the fold of Islam.

Without this unquestioning submission and unhesitating obedience, they could not be Muslims. Now the dilemma before them was this; if they unquestioningly accepted and obeyed the orders of the Prophet designating Imam Ali as his successor, they would have to give up the long cherished desire of their hearts and lose the Caliphate for ever; yet if they were to declare themselves openly in opposition to the wishes of the Prophet, they would be stigmatized as KAFIRIN (unbelievers) and so losing the caliphate anyway as no opponent of the Prophet could be his successor.

It was certainly a mastermind of politics who devised the means to steer clear of this rock.