( 1 ) The disrespectful mumblings of some of the greatly...

( 1 ) The disrespectful mumblings of some of the greatly vexed the Messenger of God peace and blessings be upon him and his family and with a heart full of pain and concern for his people he came forth from his house and addressed the people as follows: "O people what are these words of yours concerning the appointment of Usamah that have come to my ears? Just as you are criticizing him now you once objected to the appointment of his father Zayd b. al-Harithah as commander.

I answer by God that just as he was worthy of command so too is his son." ( 2 ) Even after the death of the Prophet 'Umar came to Abu Bakr and demanded that he should dismiss Usamah. The caliph replied: "The Messenger of God appointed him and you wish me to dismiss him?" ( 3 ) The Prophet's wish and desire during the final days of his life was to empty Madinah of the leaders of both the Emigrants and the Helpers.

He therefore has Usamah's army prepared for battle and gave the command for jihad ordering the army to advance in the direction of the Syrian border. Insistently he asked the foremost of the to leave Madinah and fight under the banner of Usamah retaining only 'Ali to stay at his bedside. This remarkable act on the part of the Prophet ( 69 ) was very significant. However those failed to comply with his instructions and they withdrew from the army commanded by Usamah.

Throughout his life the Prophet never appointed anyone as commander over the head of 'Ali peace be upon him; it was always he who was the standard bearer and commander. ( 4 ) By contrast Abu Bakr and 'Umar were to be simple soldiers in the army of Usamah and the Prophet personally ordered them to serve under him when he appointed him commander at the battle of Mu'ta. Historians are unanimously agreed on this point.

Likewise at the Battle of Dhat al-Salasil when the army was commanded by Ibn al-'As Abu Bakr and 'Umar again served as simple soldiers. This contrasts with the case of 'Ali b. Abi Talib whom the Prophet from the beginning of his mission until his death never made subordinate to anyone an extremely significant point. History will never forget the time when the Most Noble Messenger peace and blessings be upon him and his family was on his deathbed his state becoming progressively more grave.

He felt that the last strands of his life were being plucked apart.