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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Biography of Imam `alĪ Ibn AbĪ-tĀlib Propagation of SŪrat Bara`ah The infidels and hypocrites of Arabia used to perform the Hajj at the Ka`bah and even after the conquest of Makkah, they continued the practice. In their practices, circumambulating the Ka`bah in naked state was one amoral aspect. It was necessary to stop it. So far, the Prophet (a.s) had not banned them from coming for the ritual.

But the initial Verses of the Sūrah of Bara’ah express disgust for the infidels and hypocrites. In compliance with this, it was felt necessary to stop them from entering the precincts of the Ka`bah. The Prophet (a.s) gave these verses to Abū-Bakr and sent him to Makkah. Soon after sending him, he deputed `Ali (a.s), to proceed on his personal camel, al-`Adhbah, and take the parchment on which the Verses were inscribed from Abū-Bakr and proceed to Makkah to recite them to the people there.

`Ali (a.s) rode the camel fast, overtook Abū-Bakr, communicated the Prophet’s message, obtained the Verses from him and proceeded to Makkah. He also told Abū-Bakr that if he wished he could go along with him or else return to al-Madinah.

Ibn al-Athir writes: “The Prophet (a.s) gave the Sūrah of Bara’ah to Abū-Bakr to take to Makkah, but called him back from the way and told him that for the propagation of the Verses the person from his own house was suitable and therefore entrusted the Verses to `Ali (a.s)”[1] Al-Tabari has written about this event in greater detail: “The Prophet gave the verses to Abū-Bakr and sent him appointing him as the emir of the Hajj.

When he reached the Valley of Dhū-Halifah near the Masjid al-Shajarah, `Ali (a.s) arrived and took the Verses from him. Abū-Bakr came back to the Prophet (a.s) and said, ‘I sacrifice my parents on you! Is there any revelation about me?’ The Prophet said, No!

But [1] Jāmi` al-Usūl, Vol 9, Page 475 these Verses have to be propagated either by me or the one who is from me!”[1] Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s), on reaching Makkah, recited the Verses to the people at `Arafat and Mina and announced that the hypocrites who had committed the breach of trust, the truce agreement with them would go void in four months.

And then no infidel and hypocrite, who has not embraced Islam, shall be allowed to enter the precincts of Ka`bah to circumambulate it for performing the Hajj Pilgrimage. It caused some brows to frown among the hypocrites, but none had courage to say anything.