ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Biography of Imam `alĪ Ibn AbĪ-tĀlib Leading the Congregation The Prophet (a.s), during his illness, as long as he had strength, regularly kept going to the mosque for prayers. But when the ailment increased, he had to stop going there. Therefore, on Monday, after the call for the morning prayers was sounded, Bilal came to the Prophet (a.s) and reminded him to go for the prayer.

He told him that he did not have enough strength to reach the mosque and that someone else may be asked to lead the congregation. `A’ishah suggested that her father, Abū-Bakr, be asked to do it. Hafsah said her father `Umar could do the job. When the Prophet (a.s) heard the names of Abū-Bakr and `Umar from them, he realized that instead of being in the Contingent of Usamah they were still in al-Madinah contrary to his orders. In anger, he got up and with difficulty proceeded towards the mosque.

He thought that one of them might lead the prayer and make it an excuse for elevation to the position of the Caliphate. He kept his arms round the shoulders of al-Fadl ibn `Abbas and `Ali ibn Abi-Talib and went to the mosque. He found that Abū-Bakr had reached the arch of the mosque. The Prophet (a.s) waved him to move back, went forward and led the congregation.

The incident had been given another color that the person who was the deputy of the Prophet (a.s) at the congregation, deserved to be the first Caliph of Islam. But we have to see whether Abū-Bakr, on his own, went to the Prophet’s place of prayer or he was ordered to do so? Even if he was ordered to lead a prayer in the mosque, is it a qualification to be named the Caliph?

The traditions recorded in the books of History are so different and contradictory that it is very difficult to accept them as authentic. One narration says something and another something else about the same incident. Most of these narrations are from `A’ishah. The contradictory nature of these narrations render them weak. We shall mention a few of the narrations to prove our point of view.

Ibn Husham writes: “Bilal reminded the Prophet (a.s) of the prayer when he asked `Abdullah ibn Zum`ah to ask someone to lead the congregation. `Abdullah says, ‘I went out and did not find Abū-Bakr and `Umar with the people there. I asked `Umar to come and lead the prayer. When he loudly sounded the Takbir, the Prophet (a.s) asked where was Abū-Bakr? Allah and the Muslims do not agree that `Umar leads the prayer.