Muhammad Ibn Ismail:
Narrated Ikrima bin Khalid: Ibn Umar said, "I went to Hafsa while water was dribbling from her twined braids. I said, 'The condition of the people is as you see, and no authority has been given to me.' Hafsa said, (to me), 'Go to them, and as they (i.e. the people) are waiting for you, and I am afraid your absence from them will produce division amongst them.' " So Hafsa did not leave Ibn Umar till we went to them. When the people differed Mu'awiyah addressed the people saying, 'If anybody wants to say anything in this matter of the Caliphate, he should show up and not conceal himself, for we are more rightful to be a Caliph than he and his father." On that, Habib bin Masalama said (to Ibn Umar), "Why don't you reply to him (i.e. Mu'awiyah)?" `Abdullah bin `Umar said, "I untied my garment that was going round my back and legs while I was sitting and was about to say, 'He who fought against you and against your father for the sake of Islam, is more rightful to be a Caliph.' But I was afraid that my statement might produce differences amongst the people and cause bloodshed, and my statement might be interpreted not as I intended. (So I kept quiet) remembering what Allah has prepared in the Gardens of Paradise (for those who are patient and prefer the Hereafter to this worldly life)." Habib said, "You did what kept you safe and secure (i.e. you were wise in doing so).
Source: Bukhari.
Our Questions:
1 - Ibn Umar said, "The condition of the people is as you see, and no authority has been given to me." What does ibn Umar mean by no authority has been given to him by the people?
2 - Mu'awiyah said, "If anybody wants to say anything in this matter of the Caliphate, he should show up and not conceal himself, for we are more rightful to be a Caliph than he and his father." So what right and quality did Mu'awiyah possess that he was more eligible of leadership then Abdullah ibn Umar and his father 'Umar ibn Al-Khattab?
3 - Why was ibn Umar afraid to speak his mind?
4 - What was ibn Umar practicing when he concealed this matter?
5 - Why did ibn Umar choose to remain silent on the issue and why isn't the same rule applied for Alee (a.s) who did not oppose the usurpers? Was ibn Umar a coward?
6 - Ibn Umar said, "He who fought against you and against your father for the sake of Islam, is more rightful to be a Caliph." Who fought Mu'awiyah and his father for the sake of Islam?
7 - Is it not evident from the words of Mu'awiyah that Umar ibn Al-Khattab is not more eligible for this position than himself. Then who was more eligible?
8 - Does this narration not prove in itself that Mu'awiyah did not fight Imam Alee (a.s) to avenge the blood of Uthman ibn Affan but for the seat of leadership?
9 - Sunni books of faith attest that the Caliphate of the first 4 Caliphs were based on consecutive levels of superiority from amongst all the companions. Mu'awiyah certainly did concur with this point of view, hence his claim to a greater entitlement of leadership than Umar. So whose view is the correct one? Present day Ahl ul-Sunnah or the beloved son of Hinda?
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March 28, 2015, 11:21:14 AM