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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books A Victim Lost in Saqifah 1-4 Discourse Fourefforts To Prove the Bay’at Was of Free Choice After Zahra’s Martyrdom A suspicion Sunni sources mention that Bay’at with Abu Bakr took place in a free atmosphere with a free choice. Ibne Abil Hadeed Motazalli (d. 656) has this to say in this aspect: “This is what a group of narrators say and reputed persons of prominence among them too say. He (Ali) did not do Bay’at with Abu Bakr for six months.

He remained in his house. He did not do Bay’at until the death of Fatima. When she died he did Bay’at voluntarily.” [1] Cause of Zahra’s wrath against Abu Bakr Readers by now must have become aware of the claim Sunni sources allege that Ali performed Bay’at with Abu Bakr by his own will and wish, after Zahra’s martyrdom!! As if the only hindrance of his willing Bay’at was remaining alive of the daughter of the Prophet.

And if there was delay in this for some months it was only because of this hindrance and there was no other reason!! Such claims convey that Ali did not see any wrong in doing Bay’at in addition to his having recognized the legitimacy of Abu Bakr’s Caliphate. The handicap was the daughter of the Prophet whom he revered and respected. Therefore as soon as she passed away he hurried over to Abu Bakr and paid allegiance to him!!

It is nothing but a clever ploy to gain legitimacy of the Caliphate of Abu Bakr and to cast doubts on the sacredness of the anger of Hazrat Zahra (s.a.) on Abu Bakr and make it as insignificant as female emotion. [2] Analysis and criticism about allegation that Bay’at with Abu Bakr took place with his (Ali’s) free choice becomes important: [1] Ibne Abil Hadeed: Sharh Nahjul Balagha, Vol. 2, Pg.

22 [2] Thus Ibne Kathir in his audacity has put a question mark of the infallibility of Hazrat Zahra (s.a.) who is protected by the guarantee of the Verse of Purification. (Ibne Kathir: Al-Bidaya wan Nihaya, Vol. 5, Pg. 249 & Pg. 286) Because Sahih Bukhari[1] and Muslim[2] mention that it entailed wrath of Zahra against Abu Bakr.

In fact, the text runs thus: Likes of Muhammad bin Ismail Bukhari and Muslim bin Hajjaj Nishapuri have used words like: “So Fatima, daughter of Prophet of God, got enraged at Abu Bakr and left him (deserted). She boycotted him till her death.”[3] “and Fatima got angry at Abu Bakr. So she left him and did not talk to him till she died.”[4] They have mentioned these points in their books.