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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books The Caliphate Its Conception and Consequences Chapter Five : the Nomination To appreciate fully how wisely and cautiously the delicate problem of the nomination was handled by the prophet, we must realize the awkward situation created for him by his enemies and by the attitude of his companions towards this problem.

From the very beginning, QURAISH had accused Muhammad of seeking personal aggrandizement in the garb of a prophet, and had been harping upon this theme ever since the message was announced. What was worse, among his own followers there had arisen a faction which had an eye on the throne, and were ready to exploit any rumor or murmuring against the prophet and his mission.

And the nomination of Ali, which appeared to them to amount to the perpetuation of rule in his family, was a theme well worth building a huge edifice of calumny and vilification on. The prophet (P) knew full well that they were likely to stop at nothing, however damaging to the interests of Islam, to achieve their object.

As s matter of fact, when the nomination became well known it at once brought about a fusion between these two parties, that is, the pagan Arabs with their veneer of Islam, generally known as the MUNAFIQIN, and the party of ambitious companions of the prophet who were determined to make a bid for the throne. The existence of such a party among his followers, and the prophet's knowledge of it, have already been discussed.

The prophet (p) therefore had to take every step in this direction with a caution bordering on hesitation. But at the same time he had to proceed in the matter as it was imperative for the continuance and development in the right direction of his mission, which, as he honestly believed, was to endure for all time to come. The message could not be completely and entirely executed unless and until he had made arrangements for its continuance after his death.

Therefore, keeping in view all these things, the prophet proceeded cautiously but firmly and with undaunted determination. His method, which was characterized by caution, clarity and thoroughness was this; to prepare the people for the final announcement, he declared on every proper occasion that in Ali were combined those qualities of head and heart -and indeed he possessed those requirements- which are essential and indispensable for a successor of the last of the prophets.