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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Imamate and Leadership Reliance On Unsound Criteria ( 91 ) Lesson Ten The atmosphere at the Saqifah was such that even if impartial and concerned people had been present they would have been unable to present matters in their true light.

The privileges that those gathered there claimed for themselves as their title to the caliphate derived neither from the Book of God nor from the Sunnah; not even one of those present mentioned piety wisdom moral probity profound knowledge of the bases and ordinances of Islam or freedom from pollution by sin as a qualification for exercising leadership of the Muslims.

They totally ignored all the true criteria and attributes required for the office that are intimately connected with the spirit of Islam and the Qur'an. This complete lack of attention to spiritual perfection and attainment on the part of those who were laying claim to Islamic rule in that decision making body was particularly regrettable. When the Helpers were gathered around Sa'd b.

'Ubadah he addressed them as follows: "O Helpers you embraced Islam more promptly than others which constitutes a particular virtue for the Prophet peace and blessings be upon him and his family spent years inviting his own people to Islam without more than a small group coming to believe in him and accepting his summons. Even they were unable to defend themselves so God Almighty showed you His favor and enabled you to become the defenders of Islam.

In the battles ( 92 ) and struggles that followed He caused your superior strength to prevail and to compel the polytheists to surrender. As a result of your efforts the Prophet was strengthened and his enemies were crushed. When he departed this world he was content with you and you were the light of his eyes.

So lay firm hold of the leadership for none is more worthy of it than you."' ( 1 ) If there had been any concern for the welfare of Islam and the Muslims thought would have given instead to continuing in the way of the Messenger of God.

In place of these criteria primacy would have been accorded to comprehensive knowledge of the shari'ah understanding the cultural dimension of religion and the various needs of Islamic society and freedom from the taint of sin and moral pollution and one possessing all these attributes would have been chosen as leader entitled to obedience.