53 Another existing tradition related by the Imam (a.

53 Another existing tradition related by the Imam (a.s) reads like this: "The verses of the Surah of Bara'ah were revealed to the Holy Prophet and he called for Abu Bakr and gave the verses to him to take to Mecca and proclaim them to its inhabitants. But after a short period he summoned me and said: Go after Abu Bakr and wherever you reach him retrieve the letter from him, take the verses to Mecca and proclaim them to the inhabitants there.

I met Abu Bakr in "Johfeh" and retrieved the letter from him. Abu Bakr then returned to the Holy Prophet (s.a.w) saying: O' Apostle of Allah, has something been revealed concerning me. The Prophet replied: No, But Gabriel came to me and said: "Other than you or a man of you no one may pronounce the prophetic message on your behalf". 54 There is another tradition from Sa'ad Waqqas.

This companion of the Prophet (s.a.w) says: "The Prophet (s.a.w) sent Abu Bakr with the verses of Bara' ah towards Mecca. He was still on the way when the Prophet sent Ali after him (to get the verses from him and go himself to perform the duty of Proclamation). Ali (a.s) got the verses and went with them to Mecca. Abu Bakr returned to the Holy Prophet (s.a.w) in much distress and sadness and complained to him.

The Prophet saying: 55 Once again according to this tradition, the Holy Prophet (s.a.w) makes the propagation restricted to himself or a man of himself saying: "Myself or a man from me must perform the duty of propagation and the communication of this divine Mission." Ibn Abbas spoke in more detail. He reports that the Prophet sent Abu Bakr and Omar together to Mecca placing the letter in Abu Bakrs hands. These two started out and progressed a distance.

Away along the road they saw a man on a camel coming towards them and they called out: "Who are you?" The man astride the camel replied: "It is I, Ali! Abu Bakr give me the letter! (the letter containing the verses of Bara'ah)" Abu Bakr asked him: "Has something happened?" Amir-ul-Mo'meneen Ali (a.s) replied: "Its alright, its nothing bad with regard to you". Then Ali (a.s) took the letter from him and started out towards Mecca in order to announce it to the pagans.

Omar and Abu Bakr upon their return to Medina asked the Prophet: "What's new regarding us, and what has happened?" The Prophet replied: "Its alright, however; 56 "I have been told and the order has been given, that no one shall deliver the divine message except myself or a man who is from me".