He then repeated twice more his earlier proclamation but...

He then repeated twice more his earlier proclamation but those words of truth made no impact on the hearts of those gathered in that assembly. No one apart from 'Ali peace be upon him responded to the call of the Prophet peace and blessings be upon him and his family. 'Ali's acceptance of that summons and his declaration of agreement with the Prophet peace and blessings be upon him and his family came at a time when lie was just entering manhood.

While everyone else sat voiceless and silent he arose courageously and affirmed his acceptance of the Prophet's call a second time. Thereupon the Prophet turned to the assembly and said: " 'Ali is my brother and legatee and my successor among you.

Obey him follow him and pay heed to his words." ( 2 ) The reaction of the assembled guests was extremely hostile for they wished to strip this declaration by the Prophet peace and blessings be upon him and his family of its effect and they therefore stood up and quit the meeting in the most unworthy and discourteous fashion. This event constitutes one of the plainest and most significant chapters in history and none of the well known historians has ever seen fit to deny its ( 49 ) occurrence.

Not even the most narrow-minded among them have been able to excise this historic occurrence from their writings. At that delicate and dangerous juncture when the Prophet peace and blessings be upon him and his family found himself alone in pursuing his great and glorious goal he needed a helper and ally capable of supporting him powerfully and historically.

Such a person could only be one who was prepared to devote himself fully to the Prophet peace and blessings be upon him and his family and who had attained the highest degree of sincerity courage and obedience to God so that once he came to exercise the office of successor he would be a mirror reflecting all the knowledge wisdom and moral purity of the Prophet peace and blessings be upon him and his family.

The Prophet peace and blessings be upon him and his family knew that although some of his relatives might accept his call and come to embrace Islam none among them would be prepared to commit himself to active collaboration or to confront the various forces arrayed against him the idolators of Arabia and the People of the Book.