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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books A Victim Lost in Saqifah 1-4 What Does Scrutiny of Statistics Show? A) Items of Abu Bakr’s Consultation with Imam Ali (a.s.) The following are the results of statistical analysis of First Caliph’s consultations with Amirul Momineen (a.s.): In all there were 14 instances when Abu Bakr referred to Ali. Its detailed order is: 9 items concern knowledge and religion, 4 items regarding justice, legislature, criminal sentences and jurisprudence.

One item only on military side. In finance there is no item registered in history. Point worth noting in this is that the mode of contacting the Imam: Four times Abu Bakr contacted directly without any formality. Three of them were for religious matters and learning and one for religious decrees. Only in one instance, he consulted his companions and then finally sought Ali’s view and opinion. The question was a military matter.

In other words in nine remaining instances Imam’s presence in the scene or in affairs is completely overlooked. And in fact the Caliph never referred to the Imam. Rather the Imam himself, in spite of this negligence in two instances after the Caliph’s consultation with the companions expressed his view. There are two incidents when Imam himself interfered, since he was present there.

There are other three instances when the Imam received the news he took steps; and lastly in two other cases the questioner referred to the Imam. So we leave judgment to the reader.

In spite of these open matters they still say: “And in this way, Abu Bakr, the First Caliph, has benefited from Imam Ali (a.s.) in difficult issues.” [1] Or they say: “During his Caliphate Abu Bakr consulted Imam Ali (a.s.) in most important matters.” [2] In order to invalidate the latter claim it is sufficient to say that Abu Bakr in the last moments of his life appointed Umar as his successor.

“Abu Bakr being conscious of oppositions that will pose later, first [1] Abdul Kareem Bi-Aazaar Shirazi: Seemai Imam-e-Muttaqeen, (Portrait of the Imam of the Pious), Vol. 6, Pg. 14 [2] Ibid. Seemai Imam-e-Muttaqeen, (Portrait of the Imam of the Pious), Vol. 7, Pg. 8 summoned Abdur Rahman bin Auf and informed him about his decision and after his initial disapproval secured his permission. Then the next person he acquainted with his decision was Uthman bin Affan.

It is worth mention that when Abu Bakr spoke he advised both of them to keep the matter secret.