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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Imamate and Leadership Irresponsible Attitudes of the ( 67 ) Lesson Seven Here the following question arises.

Given the fact that the Prophet peace and blessings be upon him and his family proclaimed 'Ali to be his legatee (wasiyy) and successor (khalifah) emphatically designation him as the leader of the Muslims both at Ghadir Khumm and on other appropriate occasions how did it happen that after the death of the Most Noble Messenger his (Sahabah) ignored God's command and abandoned 'Ali that noble and precious personage decided not to obey him chose someone else to be leader in his place and entrusted the reins of rule to him?

Was there any ambiguity in the words of the Prophet or were all those different phrases and expressions establishing 'Ali's rank and designating him leader not enough? A clear answer to this question can be found by examining the events that took place in the age of the Prophet peace and blessings be upon him and his family.

We see that there existed among his elements who whenever his commands ran contrary to their wishes and inclinations pressed him to change his mind in the hope of preventing him by whatever means possible from carrying out his plans. When they despaired of reaching their goal they would start complaining.

The Qur'an warns these people not to oppose the commands of the Prophet in the verse that reads: "Let those who oppose the commands of tire Prophet fear disaster and a painful ( 68 ) torment." (24:63) During the last days of his blessed life1 the Messenger of God prepared an army to do battle with the Byzantines and he appointed Usamah b. Zayd to be its commander.

This appointment of a young man despite the availability of older and more experienced men proved displeasing to some of the and led to an argument among them. Those who were strongly oppossed to Usamah b. Zayd asked the Prophet to dismiss him but he paid no attention to their request and commanded Abu Bakr 'Umar and 'Uthman to join the ranks of the Muslim army as it departed from Madinah.

However they not only disregarded military discipline but also disobeyed the categorical command of the Prophet. Instead of proceeding to the front with the army they split off and returned to Madinah.