It was clear that the victim was Ali.

It was clear that the victim was Ali. Abdul Fattah Abdul Maqsood writes: For the Quraish the principle of age of ignorance was a fixed policy. Further, a staunch attachment to tribal bigotry to limits of worship was their characteristic. Members of the committee were from such a tribe with such an outlook. To break down family unity of Bani Hashim was an ambition and aspiration of Quraish. Umar performed his duty, which was to isolate Caliphate from Bani Hashim.

This was already in efforts since passing away of Prophet. There was no possibility left for Ali to win the contest. Whoever heard the names of the members of this committee became sure of the choice of Uthman.” [1] “How Umar introduced each member of Shura, highlighting their defects and kept them in line with Ali? His motive is clear.

He wanted that the man most deserving to this office and most competent to this job should not come to power.” [2] In the same way Umar told Ibne Abbas while speaking to him about Ali refusing him to accompany to Syria unveiling the matter of the pen and paper by confessing that: “The Prophet during his sickness wanted to introduce Ali as his successor but I prevented him.” [3] On another occasion the Second Caliph says: “His Eminence, during his illness decided to clarify this matter but I prevented him.” [4] [1] Ibid.

Pgs. 59-60 [2] Ibid. Pg. 66 [3] Ali Muhammad Meer Jalili: Imam Ali (a.s.) wa Zamaamdaaraan (Imam Ali and the Rulers), Pgs. 79-80; quoting from Sharh Nahjul Balagha, Ibne Abil Hadeed, Vol. 12, Pgs. 77-78 [4] Yusuf Gholami: Pas az Ghuroob (After Sunset), Pg. 44, quoting from Sharh Nahjul Balagha, Ibne Abil Hadeed, Vol. 3, Pg. 97 These confessions nicely disclose the plots he had designed one after another to hinder the way for Ali to attain the Caliphate.

In conclusion, it can be said: “Not only the behavior of Caliphs was not good with Ali (a.s.) and Ali did not cooperate with him whole-heartedly, the behavior of Abu Bakr towards him was very cold and Umar did not give any office to Bani Hashim. On the contrary, he used to give key positions to Bani Umayyah and by reviving practices and malice of the days of ignorance he compelled Ali (a.s.) to isolation.

In a gathering Umar told Saeed bin Aas, an Umayyad, in the presence of Ali: You are looking at me as if I have killed your father, while it was Ali who killed your father.” [1] Allamah Askari has narrated the aforesaid conversation in his book Saqifah . His source is Tabaqaat of Ibne Saad (Vol. 5, Pg.