In between these declarations...

In between these declarations, he also made statements indicating, sometimes by implication, sometimes expressly, that Ali was to succeed him. To refute his enemies and confound the MUNAFIQIN, it was necessary to establish beyond all doubt that Ali's appointment was not due to nepotism or a selfish desire for personal or family aggrandizement.

This object was achieved by announcing Ali's appointment at the very beginning of his ministry at MAKKA, when no one could dream of a worldly position for Muhammad, not to speak of an empire, when forlorn and forsaken he wandered from place to place meeting with derision and scorn everywhere, and when his very life was in danger.

This announcement came at a time when the great events of his life were yet to follow; he was to be pursued and persecuted from place to place; he was to have to seek the protection of his uncle Abu TALIB, without which his life was in danger; he, with all the children of HASHIM, was to be confined in a cave and to be excommunicated. "After a time the situation became intolerable.

The resources of the believers who were independent were insufficient to support the strain of their starving brethren, nor was the life of the latter endurable, amid ceaseless vexations and persecutions". In the end, life at MAKKA became so intolerable that flight from the place was thought the only means of safety. All these events were yet to come when this nomination was made.

The announcement of Imam Ali's nomination as a Vizier and successor of Muhammad (p), coming as it did at a time when despair and disappointment stared Muhammad in the face, proves conclusively the sincerity of his heart and the truth of his mission. We proceed to describe this very important event. THE ANNOUNCEMENT AT THE FEAST: Ali's Caliphate was announced at the same meeting and at the same time, as the prophet's own NUBUWWA was announced. This was done under express divine command.

I refer to SURA XXVI, 213, which translated into English runs as follows: "Admonish thy nearest relations". Muhammad had not as yet publicly announced his mission, for he could not do so without God's permission. Now this permission had been given, but it was restricted to his nearest relatives. I quote from ABU AL-FIDA? "For the first three years, the prophet carried on his work of conversion secretly. After that, God commanded his Prophet to invite people openly.

This AYA was therefore revealed to the Prophet (P).