I finished my first history book, I was correct in choosing these three points in time as they were rich in content in relation to `Ali and leadership as you shall see. The first history book I chose is popular and big, it took a lot of reading and a lot of writing to finish this.
My work:
Read the related sections from beginning to end.
Find anything in relation to `Ali ibn abi Talib, his opinions, his words and his actions.
Summarize it and write what is important.
Translate some full quotes word for word.
So I want you guys to read this, not taking into consideration the authenticity or even the fact that some stories sound a bit odd or that some narratives contradict others, rather only concentrate on `Ali's divine right of Imamah, and keep in mind that the Shia claim that this man was publicly appointed as successor in front of thousands, try reconciling this with his words and actions in history.
(I'll start with a new book after I get your feed back InshaAllah)
AL-KAMIL FIL-TAREEKH
By al-Imam abu al-Hasan `Ali bin abi al-Karam ibn al-Atheer al-Jazari (d. 630h)
1st print, Dar-ul-Kutub al-`Ilmiyyah, Beirut, Lebanon.
Year 11 (Vol 2 / Pages 182-195):
-While mentioning the death of the Prophet (saw), he records the Hadith of `Abbas and `Ali wondering who would be the successor and leader after Rasul-Allah (saw) passes away. `Abbas advises `Ali to ask but `Ali refuses out of fear that other men might be chosen.
-The Ansar gathered in Saqifah and wished to appoint Sa`d bin `Ubadah, Abu Bakr and the Mouhajiroun followed and tried to change their opinions and told them that the leaders are from Quraysh, Abu Bakr proposed `Umar and abu `Ubaydah but they refused and appointed him instead.
-Some of the Ansar said: “We’ll only give allegiance to `Ali.” Banu Hashim and `Ali and Zubayr and Talhah refrained from Bay`ah and gathered in Fatimah’s house.
-He mentions two stories, one says that they refrained and `Umar ordered them to go and give Bay`ah and he ordered that al-Zubayr’s sword be broken, another story says that `Ali when he heard that Abu Bakr received Bay`ah hurried to him in order to give him Bay`ah. He says both stories are incorrect and no Bay`ah was given for six months.
-He mentioned that abu Sufiyan wished to give `Ali Bay`ah and promised to overthrow Abu Bakr by force, but `Ali accused him of enmity towards the Muslims and refused to accept.
-He mentioned many reports of the conversations that took place between the Mouhajiroun and the Ansar with no sign of any of them having heard anything about an appointed man, rather they discussed who had more merit and more value in Islam, and they discussed whether it should go to the Mouhajiroun or the Ansar and who was most deserving.
-When the Ansar gave Bay`ah to Abu Bakr, a man from them called Bashir bin Sa`d said: “I hated to compete with them(Quraysh & the Mouhajiroun) about a matter(Leadership) that Allah has reserved for them.” Sa`d bin `Ubadah was his cousin and he held it against him.
-He mentions that Sa`d bin `Ubadah went into his house and refused to give Bay`ah as he saw that he had more right to it. They ignored him since he was alone in his decision.
Year 23 (Vol 2 / Pages 459-475):
-He starts off by stating what the people told `Umar, that he must appoint a successor, `Umar said if abu `Ubaydah or Salim were alive he would’ve nominated them to succeed. The people then told him to select `Abdullah ibn `Umar but he rejected as he cannot face Allah having chosen his own son.
-`Umar said: “If I appoint then one who was better than I did, and if I do not choose a successor then one better than I did.” `Umar said that he thought of the matter and had intended to nominate a worthy successor who can carry them on the correct path and he pointed to `Ali, but he saw in a dream a matter which made him reconsider his decision to appoint anyone, he said that if he chose a person then all responsibility would fall on his shoulders, so he left the nation in the hands of six men whom Rasul-Allah (saw) was pleased with.
-`Abbas advised `Ali: “Don’t enter the consultation with them.” `Ali said: “I hate to cause a difference between the people.”
-`Umar advised them to consult for three days, and he told them what to do in order to reach a decision and not cause a conflict, he told them to go with the majority always, after that he said: “I do not think anyone will be given authority except these two” and he pointed to `Ali and `Uthman, then mentioned the qualities of each of the six.
-`Abbas told `Ali: “I never tell you to do anything except you come back when it’s too late with bad news! I told you to ask Rasul-Allah (saw) when on his deathbed if the leadership was ours but you refused, I told you after he passed away to be quick when dealing with this matter but you refused, and now I told you to refrain from entering the consultation but you refused.”
-`Abdul-Rahman said that he was willing to remove himself from the nominees and judge between them, all of them accepted including `Ali who told him: “Promise me that you shall follow truth and leave your desires (when judging), and never favor a relative nor leave the advice of the Ummah.”
-`Abdul-Rahman spoke to them one by one and when he reached `Ali he told him: “You say that you are the most worthy of this matter (leadership) because of your close blood relation to the Prophet (saw), your earliness in Islam and your good efforts in support of the religion, but if this matter ends up in possession of another man, who would it be?” `Ali said: “`Uthman.”
-`Abdul-Rahman then spoke to `Uthman and said: “You say you are a Shaykh(honored leader) of the tribe of bani `Abd-Manaf (from the biggest tribes in Quraysh), husband of the Prophet’s (saw) daughters, his cousin (saw), and a man who acquired both earliness and virtue (in Islam), who should be in charge of this affair in case you were not chosen?” He said: “`Ali.”
-`Abdul-Rahman spoke to both al-Zubayr and Sa`d similarly and they both selected `Uthman. `Ali met Sa`d and told him: “Fear Allah, by this son that I have from the Prophet (saw) (through Fatimah), and by my uncle Hamzah’s close relation to you, do not side with `Uthman and `Abdul-Rahman against me.” `Abdul-Rahman consulted the companions and army generals for several nights.
-`Abdul-Rahman called on al-Zubayr and Sa`d again and asked them, this time al-Zubayr said: “My share I give to `Ali.” Sa`d seemed undecided so `Abdul-Rahman told him: “Give me your share.” Sa`d said: “Only if you select yourself. However, should you select `Uthman then I shall not give you my share as `Ali is more beloved to me. Relieve us and just give Bay`ah to yourself.” `Abdul-Rahman refused to choose himself as he did not want the responsibility and burden, and he told him that the people will not be pleased with anyone after Abu Bakr and `Umar.
-`Abdul-Rahman called al-Miswar and he had no doubt that it would be in `Ali’s possession, so al-Miswar called on `Ali and they discussed for a long time, then they called `Uthman and they discussed for a long time, on the next day `Abdul-Rahman gathered the companions and the army commanders and asked for their opinions, `Ammar said: “If you do not wish for the Muslims to differ among themselves, choose `Ali.” Al-Miqdad said: “He speaks truth, if you select `Ali we will say: We listen and we obey.” However, ibn abi al-Sarh said: “If you choose to create division and conflict within Quraysh, you would choose other than `Uthman.” `Abdullah ibn abi Rabee`ah said: “He speaks truth, if you choose `Uthman we will listen and obey.” Bani Umayyah and Bani Hashim disputed and `Ammar advised that they keep this matter in the family of the Prophet (saw).
-`Abdul-Rahman asked `Ali: “Do you promise by Allah, to work according to Allah’s book and the Sunnah of the messenger (saw) and to follow the example of Abu Bakr and `Umar?” `Ali said: “I hope I can, with my knowledge and ability.” He repeated the same question to `Uthman and he replied more confidently: “Yes, I will.” Thus `Uthman was chosen.
-`Ali told `Abdul-Rahman that this isn’t the first time his tribe opposed Banu Hashim and that he only chose `Uthman so he may succeed him in leadership so `Abdul-Rahman was angry at `Ali’s words.
-Al-Miqdad said: “O `Abdul-Rahman, you left him? He was one who judged with justice.” Meaning `Ali. `Abdul-Rahman replied: “O Miqdad, by Allah I did my Ijtihad for the benefit of the believers.” Miqdad ibn al-Aswad said: “If that is the case then may Allah reward you.”
-Talhah came late from his travels, he asked if all of Quraysh had agreed on `Uthman and gave him Bay`ah, after he saw this he then went and gave `Uthman Bay`ah.
-He quoted another narration from abu Ja`far al-Tabari, which that of `Umar’s death, and from it he quoted the part relevant to the consultation, and in it that the six men spoke each giving an eloquent sermon, until it was `Ali’s turn and from what `Ali said was that he praised the prophetic household, both their virtue and knowledge, then said: “We have a right to this matter (of leadership), if we are offered it then we shall take it, but if we were denied then we shall be like the rider of the old camel through the long night, if Rasul-Allah (saw) had promised us anything (with regards to leadership) we would have fulfilled it, and if he had ordered any of us (to be leaders) then we would have disputed with our opponents until death, no one will beat me to declaring the truth and honoring the blood-relation (by obeying the prophet)” Then he warned them of Fitan and advised them to follow wisdom.
-Then he mentions `Uthman’s Khilafah and from the first matters he had to deal with was the crime of `Ubaydullah ibn `Umar who attacked the killers of `Umar, and `Ali was near `Uthman and from his advisers.
Year 35 (Vol 3 / Pages 46-88):
-The Fitnah of the trouble makers began against `Uthman, so he consulted three men: `Ali and Talhah and al-Zubayr, and he told them that people are criticizing their rulers and governors, and they advised him to cut some of the salaries or gifts which he might be giving to relatives such as Marwan bin al-Hakam and `Abdullah bin Khalid. `Uthman then returned all of which he had given them, so the three men praised him and said: “Correct, you have done a good thing.” Mu`awiyah was also present and we saw the first argument between him and `Ali during this event.
-Mu`awiyah asked `Uthman to move to al-Sham where it is safer for him but `Uthman refused to leave the presence of the Prophet (saw). Mu`awiyah then told al-Zubayr and `Ali and a couple of the Mouhajiroun to support `Uthman and aid him as he shall be returning to al-Sham, `Ali and the rest of the men accepted the advice and were satisfied with it.
-Khawarij came from different locations to Madinah, they used Hajj as an excuse to leave in big numbers and confront `Uthman, groups from Basarah favored Talhah, groups coming from Kufa favored al-Zubayr, and groups coming from Misr favored `Ali.
-The Khawarij who favored `Ali went to him to try and give him Bay`ah, they found him with a small army outside Madinah holding his sword and he had sent his son al-Hasan to defend `Uthman in Madinah, they told him what they wished to tell him so he screamed at them and said: “The righteous know that the army of Dhi al-Marwa and the army of Dhu-Khushb and al-A`was have been cursed by Rasul-Allah (saw)” These were location where the Khawarij had set up camp. Talhah also sent his two sons and chased away the Basris who came to his Bay`ah, and so did al-Zubayr who had sent his son `Abdullah to guard `Uthman.
-After they spoke to `Uthman and were silenced by his arguments, they left each in the direction of their cities only to return shortly, The Egyptians claimed they had received a letter ordering their execution by `Uthman, `Ali exposed their plan by asking them: “How did you all receive the same letter when each group went in a different direction?”
-The trouble makers remained in the city and `Uthman was on the pulpit delivering a sermon in which he said that Rasul-Allah (saw) had cursed their likes and several of the Sahabah stood and testified to this, so the trouble makers were enraged and they threw stones at the dwellers of the Masjid and injured `Uthman badly and was carried to his house. Sa`d bin abi Waqqas, al-Husayn bin `Ali, Zayd bin Thabit and abu Hurayrah accompanied him until `Uthman asked them to leave.
-`Ali, Talhah and al-Zubayr visited `Uthman to check on his condition, and to complain to him about what they are dealing with because of the Khawarij. A group from banu Umayyah were in `Uthman’s house, from them was Marwan so they started saying to `Ali: “You’re going to cause us all to perish by what you did!” As if accusing him of being behind this, so he left angrily.
-`Uthman was apparently following the advice of some of his relatives which made things worse, so when the folks decided to kill him, he went to `Ali and said: “O my cousin, my relation to you is close, and I have a right upon you, and these people plan to come to me in the morning, and your word is heard among these people, so ride to them and stop them, because if they enter upon me they will lower my value (as Khalifah) and they will take me lightly.” `Ali said: “Why should I stop them!?” `Uthman said: “I will begin following your advice and counsel.” `Ali said: “I have talked to you and advised you time and again, every time we agree on something and we decide to do it, you turn back! This is surely the doing of Marwan and ibn `Amir and Mu`awiyah and `Abdullah ibn Sa`d, you keep obeying them and you never listened to me.”
-`Ali rode with some of the Mouhajiroun and the Ansar and talked to the Egyptians, he was able to convince them to return back and abandon this matter and guaranteed them that `Uthman will fulfill their wishes. `Ali then returned to `Uthman and informed him of this and had a discussion with him about it. However, Marwan came the next day and convinced `Uthman to stand and tell the people that the Egyptians went back and that he never promised to fulfill their wishes, Marwan told `Uthman: “If you keep accepting everything they tell you to do, then many others will come to you and will ask you for things you cannot handle!”
-`Amro bin al-`Aas is said to have been from those who turned people against `Uthman, and he tried to turn `Ali and Talhah and al-Zubayr against him.
-In another narration `Ali told `Uthman after he had convinced the Egyptians, he advised him to tell the people that he shall go back on some of his policies and that he repents to Allah from this, and `Uthman accepted and he stood on the pulpit and spoke eloquent words about his repentance and he cried and they cried as opposed to the previous narration. `Ali told him: “Otherwise we can’t be safe from others coming from Kufa and Basarah, then you’ll tell me to ride to them and convince them to turn back and if I don’t you’ll tell me that I cut the ties of blood-relation between us and didn’t give you your due right.”
-When `Uthman returned home, a group from Banu Umayyah were there among them Marwan who was not pleased with what `Uthman did and thought of it as disgraceful, he started a fight with `Uthman’s wife. Meanwhile, a large group of people came to `Uthman’s door to see what more he had to say, so `Uthman told Marwan: “Go and talk to them in my place for I feel shy to face them.” So Marwan went outside `Uthman’s door and instead of talking to them kindly, he started insulting them and accusing them of wanting to steal “Our kingdom from our hands” and he said horrible things.
-Some of the people told `Ali of what Marwan did, so `Ali was not pleased and said that after a long time `Uthman spent as a companion of Rasul-Allah (saw) and due to his very old age, he has become a toy in the hands of Marwan, he plays with him as he wishes. `Ali went to `Uthman and reproached him and told him what he thinks of Marwan.
-`Uthman’s wife told him that the main reason people began to dislike him was because of Marwan being by his side, and she advised him to send after `Ali and reconcile with him. `Ali was too angry and he refused to come. Marwan heard of this matter and went to `Uthman and insulted `Uthman’s wife in front of him so `Uthman shut him up and told him: “Stop and do not mention anything with regards to her unless you wish for me to darken your face! By Allah she is better in advice to me than you.”
-`Uthman went to `Ali that night and talked to him, `Ali said: “After you stood on the Mimbar of Rasul-Allah (saw) and humbled yourself in front of the people and returned home, then Marwan stood at the door of your house insulting the people and harming them!” Meaning, how will they be able to fix things after what Marwan did. `Uthman then accused `Ali of abandoning him, to which `Ali said: “By Allah out of all the people I am the one who defended you the most, but whenever I come to you with something which I believe will please you, you instead take what Marwan has to say over my word.” `Ali stopped trying to help `Uthman until the incident where the Khawarij and the trouble makers cut the water from him.
-The Egyptians returned as previously stated with a message saying that they should be killed, `Uthman denied and some narrations pointed to Marwan. Maslamah and `Ali who had previously talked the Egyptians into going back, they said regarding `Uthman: “He is truthful.” While the trouble makers ordered `Uthman to leave leadership or die, they said they would kill him if he does not. `Uthman said that he shall not give it up as it is a trust from Allah and said: “I do not order anyone to fight against you, whoever fights you then it is not by my orders, if I had wished to fight I would have wrote to the armies to come or went into safer lands (Syria).”
-The author repeated similar versions of some stories with the exact same content, and he mentions a narration where `Uthman asks for Talhah and `Ali and Zubayr, and delivers a sermon, bidding them farewell and wishing for his successor to be better than he, also reminding them of his right and earliness in Islam and virtue, and the sanctity of the blood of a Muslim. They replied by saying that he was right about what he said regarding his earliness and virtue and they said: “You were like this and you were worthy of leadership” but then they said that he changed his way and that corruption spread and that this is a punishment for what he did. `Uthman then entered his house in silence and ordered the people of Madinah to stop defending him, and they all went back except al-Hasan bin `Ali, `Abdullah bin al-`Abbas, Muhammad bin Talhah, `Abdullah bin al-Zubayr and their likes.
-The Khawarij cut-off `Uthman from the people of Madinah and the water, so he secretly called for `Ali and Talhah and Zubayr as well as the wives of the Prophet (saw). The first who responded to him was `Ali and Umm Habibah, `Ali told them: “No believer nor even a Kafir does what you men are doing, for even the Persians and Romans feed their prisoners!”
-When the savages heard that the people from all over the lands were coming to break the siege, they hurried and broke `Uthman’s door and attempted to kill him, they were prevented by al-Hasan, ibn Talhah, ibn al-Zubayr, Marwan, Sa`eed bin al-`Aas and some young Sahabah. `Uthman told them: “You are not responsible for supporting me!” but they insisted to help him.
-`Uthman was killed and from those who witnessed his Janazah were `Ali, Talhah, Ka`b bin Malik, Zayd bin Thabit and the companions in general.
-He mentions a narration in which the companions including Talhah and al-Zubayr gather after `Uthman’s death and ask `Ali to receive the Bay`ah: “The people must have a leader” but he responded by saying: “I need not be your leader, I am satisfied with whoever you choose.” They said: “We don’t know from among us anyone who has more right to it than you nor as early in his Islam and closer to Rasul-Allah (saw) than you.” He responded: “I am better for you as an adviser than a ruler.” They insisted so he accepted to receive it at the Masjid.
-Ansar all gave Bay`ah except a few such as Hassan bin Thabit, Ka`b bin Malik, Maslamah bin Makhlad, abu Sa`eed al-Khudari, Muhammad bin Maslamah, al-Nu`man bin Bashir, Zayd bin Thabit, Rafi` bin Khadij, Fadalah bin `Ubayd, Ka`b bin `Ajrah and they were `Uthmaniyyah (loyal to `Uthman).
-From those who never gave him Bay`ah were also `Abdullah bin Salam, Suhayb bin Sinan, Salmah bin Salamah bin Waqsh, Usamah ibn Zayd, Qudamah bin Madh`oun and al-Mugheerah ibn Shu`bah.
-It was also narrated that Talhah and al-Zubayr only gave Bay`ah because they were compelled and they disliked it. This is because when `Uthman died the rebels were confused as to who must succeed, some went for Talhah, some for al-Zubayr and some for `Ali. All three men chased them away, and so did Sa`d and ibn `Umar, and they feared that the state would collapse if there was no leader so they gathered the people of Madinah and told them to choose a man, and they will follow whomever they chose, and if they do not choose one then they will kill al-Zubayr and Talhah and `Ali and other leaders in Madinah.
-People went to `Ali and tried to convince him but he said: “Leave me and find someone else, we will be facing a matter with many faces and colors” They insisted on him so he finally said: “I will accept, and I shall lead you to the best of my knowledge, but if you leave me for someone else, then I shall be like any of you and I shall listen and obey to whomever you grant authority.”
-al-Ashtar sent armed men to force a Bay`ah out of al-Zubayr and Talhah thus making sure that their followers do the same.
-`Ali stood on the Mimbar saying: “O people, this matter of leadership is up to you, no one has a right to it except one whom you choose. Yesterday we parted ways and I had hatred for this matter of leadership but you insisted…”
-After his sermon, `Ali returned home and Talhah and al-Zubayr came to him alongside a group of companions, they said: “O `Ali, we had placed as a condition that punishments be executed (for `Uthman’s killers) etc…” He responded: “O brothers, what can we do? They own us and we do not own them etc…” Later al-Mugheerah and ibn `Abbas advised `Ali to keep `Uthman’s governors until things cool down, otherwise he might be accused of `Uthman’s blood but `Ali did not listen and what happened happened.
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February 21, 2015, 02:56:05 PM