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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books And Caliphate Precedence and Priority In Nahj al-Balaghah this matter has been rationalized on three principles: The will and designation of the Holy Prophet. The worthiness of Amir al-Mu’minin, (A.S.) and the fact that the robe of Caliphate was suitable only for him. The close genealogical and spiritual relation that Hazrat had with the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.A.).

Will and Designation Some reckon that the matter of designation has not been mentioned in Nahj al-Balaghah at all and what is referred to is only the matter of competency and worthiness. Such reckoning is incorrect because first of all, just as it was mentioned in the previous chapter, in Sermon No.2, ‘Ali (A.S.) very explicitly says about : وَ فِيهم الوَصِيَّةُ وَ الْوِراثَةُ i.e. the testament and the inheritance of the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.A) are concerning them .

Secondly, ‘Ali (A.S.) on many occasions has spoken about his right in such manner that one cannot explain them save by the mailer of appointment and clarification of his right to the seat of Caliphate by means of the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.A.). In those talks, ‘Ali (A.S.) does not wish to say that why they have kept him aside and appointed others in spite of comprehensiveness of the conditions. By his talks it is meant that they have robbed his certain and definite right.

It is evident that it is only by designation and previous appointment by the Holy Prophet that one can speak of certain and definite right. Competency and worthiness establishes potential right and not actual right and in the case of potential right it is wrong to speak of snatching away of certain and decisive right. Now we shall mention some instances where ‘Ali (A.S.) reckons the Caliphate to be his just right.

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