ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books A Numeric Classification of Traditions Oncharacteristics Section 2 Section 2 O Jewish brother! It would have been right for me not to have paid attention to these points and demanded my rights.

All the companions of the Prophet (MGB) including those who have now passed away and those who are present here acknowledge that my power is more than others; my tribe is nobler than all the other tribes; my followers are loftier** [670] ** and more obedient than others; the motivation of my followers to support me is higher and their nobilities and background are more outstanding as others as me myself have a good background of association with the Prophet (MGB), closeness to the Prophet (MGB), and I am the Trustee of the Prophet (MGB).

Moreover, I deserve to be in charge of the position of the Caliphate due to the explicit will of the Prophet (MGB) and the pledge of allegiance which they had made to me. When the Prophet (MGB) passed away, the rule of the affairs was in the hands of his family - not their hands or that of their families. The members of the household of the Prophet (MGB) which had been purified by God deserved more to run the affairs of the state than others.

They possessed all the necessary characteristics for the position of the Caliphate.’ Then Ali (MGB) turned towards his companions and asked, ‘Was it not so?’ They replied, ‘O Commander of the Faithful! Yes, it was so.’ Then the Commander of the Faithful (MGB) said, ‘O Jewish brother! And about the fourth occasion I should say that the one was put in charge after Abu Bakr consulted with me from the beginning to the end of everything he wanted to do and issued all decrees according to my opinion.

He always sought my opinion regarding tough issues and acted accordingly. My companions and I do not know of anyone else whose counsel he seeks. No one but me was eager to become the Caliph after him. When he was attacked and about to die without any previous illnesses, I had no doubts that I was going to regain my right of Caliphate without any problems; that the future would be as I wished it to be; and that God would bring about a good future.

However, he named six persons as candidates for the position of the Caliphate at the end, and I was named as the last one. He did not even consider me to be equal to them. He did not remember the fact that I was the Prophet’s relative and Trustee. He did not even remember that I was the Prophet’s groom.