They were helpless before the might and dominance of Islam.

They were helpless before the might and dominance of Islam. They were forced to pretend that they had embraced Islam. Al-Tabari writes: “The hypocrites blamed each other and returned and said that since the Quraysh had embraced Islam, they had no way other than following suit!”[2] This task was not as simple as it appeared. The truce agreements with the infidels were being abrogated and entry into the Al-Masjid al-Haram and performance of Hajj by them was banned.

It was possible that they turned rebellious and started to conspire against the Muslims. Because of these fears the Prophet (a.s) was worried about the safety of `Ali (a.s) and was eagerly awaiting his return. When Abū-Dharr gave the news of his return, the Prophet (a.s) was overjoyed. He went out of the city with his companions and welcomed `Ali (a.s).

For this task removing one emissary and appointing another was not the personal decision of the Prophet (a.s) but it was in compliance to a Revelation from Allah. All the Commands of Allah have always a definite purpose behind them. The purpose behind the change must have been the need to highlight the importance and the superiority of the person entrusted with the job! Therefore, if from the beginning `Ali (a.s) was deputed, it would have been considered a matter of routine.

Detailing an important person and withdrawing him midway to send `Ali (a.s) highlighted the importance of the task and the eminence of the person who replaced the earlier emissary! Then the announcement that the replacement was at the Command of Allah gave the act more eminence! It is a matter of conjecture that a person whom Allah did not deem fit to propagate a couple of Verses of the Qur’an to the people of Makkah, was elevated to the caliphate after the demise of the Prophet (a.s)!

[1] Tārīkh al-Tabarī, Vol 2, Page 383 [2] Tārīkh al-Tabarī, Vol 2, Page 283 It is a pity that some people took shelter behind the excuse of public opinion and installed a person to caliphate and sending the candidate into oblivion who was most deserving of the position. The Commentator of the Qur’an, Ibn `Abbas, too mentions about this incident to prove `Ali’s right to caliphate. He says: “By Allah!