ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Black Thursday Part 3: Caliphate of Amirul Momineen Praise be to Allah for His favor. The right returned to its owner. (Imam ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib) Imam ‘Ali (a) was supported by divine help. He remained patient in spite of troubles. Even though he saw his right being usurped, he did not turn away from working for the benefit of Muslims. He did not fight the three caliphs keeping in mind the well-being of Islam.

He used to give his precious advices in the interest of Islam wherever required. It was natural that after Uthman’s murder, Imam ‘Ali (a) should have presented himself for Caliphate and have tried all possible means for it. However Imam ‘Ali (a) was such an elevated personality that he did not try to gain Caliphate in such a situation also even though Islamic Ummah was forcing him to take charge. Imam ‘Ali (a) did not require Caliphate, instead the Caliphate required Imam ‘Ali (a).

Tabari narrates the story of Caliphate of ‘Ali as follows: Emigrants and Helpers gathered after Uthman’s murder. Talha and Zubair were also among them. All of them came to Imam ‘Ali (a) and told him: “We want to pay allegiance to you.” He replied: “I don’t want your kingdom and I don’t care whom you appoint.” They said: “We would not appoint anyone, except you.” Imam ‘Ali (a) rejected their offer.

After that, Emigrants and Helpers came to Imam ‘Ali (a) a number of times and requested him to take charge. On 18th Zilhajj, Imam ‘Ali (a) had gone to the market. People surrounded him and requested him to take the charge of Caliphate. Imam ‘Ali (a) broke himself away from them and went to the orchard of Bani Amr ibn Mabdhool. There was a high wall surrounding this orchard. Imam ‘Ali (a) ordered Abi Amr ibn Umar ibn Mohsin to shut the gate.

The people had gathered outside the gate and they were knocking it. When the door opened, the crowd of Emigrants and Helpers surged in. Talha and Zubair again requested Imam ‘Ali (a) to take Caliphate and requested him to stretch his hands so that they could pay allegiance to him.

One of Talha’s hands was paralyzed and when he paid allegiance, Habib ibn Zuaib said: “The allegiance began with a paralyzed hand!”[^1] After taking allegiance from the people, Imam ‘Ali (a) delivered a sermon explaining the features of his rule as follows: Almighty Allah has revealed the book of guidance. He has narrated good and evil in it. You should accept the good and shun evil and fulfill your duties. “O servants of God!