He wanted to show the nation the guiding Minaret which the...

He wanted to show the nation the guiding Minaret which the nation would need after the Prophet. As the Messenger announced to the Muslims the unique honor which he bestowed upon ‘Ali by "brothering" him he was expected to announce publicly the other two high honors which he conferred on him: of being his executor and successor. For what the nation needed more than anything else was the good leadership to which it might resort after the Messenger. Such a leadership is what could secure the…