When my fears came true and the caliphate was usurped...

When my fears came true and the caliphate was usurped, I was overcome with grief, but the anguish of losing Allah’s Prophet (S) was more intense. So, I used to go and visit the Banī Hāshim whenever they gathered in the house specially reserved for the Noble Prophet (S). Sometimes, I used to go visiting the elders of the Quraysh. By doing this, I managed to keep their activities under careful observation and follow up on every event that occurred.

After the earthly departure of the Holy Prophet (S) was announced, I noticed that it did not take long for Abū Bakr and ‘Umar to disappear, and all of a sudden, news reached us that they had met with a certain other group and held secret discussions at the Saqīfah of Banī Sā‘idah. After a short while, further news reached us that some of them had paid allegiance to Abū Bakr. After hearing this sad news, I came out of my house without delay.

I saw Abū Bakr surrounded by ‘Umar and Abū ‘Ubaydah Jarrāh along with another group of people. This gang was taking Abū Bakr round the streets of Medina. Wherever they met a person passing by, they would stop him and forcibly take hold of his hands and put them into Abū Bakr’s hand, saying, ‘You must pay allegiance to the Noble Prophet’s (S) successor.’ I got very disgusted by this kind of forced allegiance and rushed to the house of Banī Hāshim as fast as I could.

I knocked the door of their house frantically, and insisted on seeing them. I said, ‘There is no hope left for this community because the people have paid allegiance to Abū Bakr’.”[^7] We can deduce from this historical narrative that Barā’ loved the Noble Prophet’s (S) family very much and that he firmly supported ‘Alī ibn Abī Tālib ( ‘a ), who was busy with the burial rites of the Holy Prophet, while his absence was cashed upon by the politically motivated companions [ sahābah ] of the Holy Prophet (S).

The Transmitter of Divine Guardianship In addition to being a supporter and follower of the noble Prophet’s (S) Household, the other grace that Barā’ enjoyed was transmitting the event of Ghadīr-e Khumm , when ‘Alī ibn Abī Tālib ( ‘a ) was appointed by Allah’s Prophet (S) as the Commander of the Faithful. Ibn Jawzī says, “Barā’ ibn ‘Āzib recounts that on the day of Ghadīr , the call to afternoon congregational prayers was made. The Noble Prophet (S) led the congregational prayers.