In the name of Allah the Most Beneficent the Most Merciful
After Abu Bakr’s party shammed Islam, it tried tirelessly to influence Rasul Allah’s (s.a.w.a.) teachings; and one of the favored methods was to object rudely in his face. Subjects they objected ranged from worship to morals to the Caliphate, etc.
Although no other Muslim objected to Rasul Allah (s.a.w.a.) as they knew he only transmits what Allah tells him and does not speak from his own. As the Holy Quran says:
“Nor does he speak out of desire It is naught but revelation that is revealed [1]”.
Two examples of these rude objections are as follows:
1- During Holy Prophet’s (s.a.w.a.) farewell pilgrimage to Mecca, when it was announced that he will teach Muslims for the first and last time how to perform this great duty, Umar objected in his face with his harsh tone and in this rude way:
“Do we leave as pilgrims, whilst our heads and hair drip water[2]?!
Rasul Allah (s.a.w.a.) said: You surely will never believe in this, ever [3]”.
It has also been narrated that Umar objected and said:
“Do we leave as pilgrims, whilst the penis of one of us drips semen?![4]”
And just as he foretold, when Umar came to power claiming to be Rasul Allah’s caliph, he forbade the Hajj e Tamattu, warning Muslims that he will punish anyone who followed Rasul Allah’s (s.a.w.a.) teachings by performing the Tamattu pilgrimage.
Even though it is short, but Rasul Allah’s (s.a.w.a.) answer to Umar reveals much more.
2- Whenever Rasul Allah (s.a.w.a.) ordered Muslims to call Imam Ali (a.s.) with the title Ameerul Mo’meneen, Abu Bakr’s group objected and were strongly reproached by Rasul Allah (s.a.w.a.) for their continuous objections. Following is one example of such objections:
Buraydah narrates:
“One day Ammaar and I were with Rasul Allah (s.a.w.a.) in the palm plantation of the Bani Najjaar tribe when Ali joined us. He greeted us and we returned his greetings.
Later other Muslims joined us and Rasul Allah ordered them to greet Ali with the title Ameerul Mo’meneen[5] and they obeyed.
Then Abu Bakr and Umar entered and greeted Rasul Allah, and he told them to greet Ali with his title.
Abu Bakr and Umar said: Is this order from Allah and his messenger?
Rasul Allah said, ‘Yes, it is.’
Then Talhah and Sa’d bin Maalik entered and greeted Rasul Allah, and he ordered them to greet Ali with his title.
Talhah and Sa’d said: Is this order from Allah and his messenger?
Rasul Allah said, ‘Yes, it is.’
Then Salman and Abu Zar entered and greeted Rasul Allah, and he ordered them to greet Ali with his title; and they did without any questions.
Then Uthman and Abu Ubaydah entered and greeted Rasul Allah, and he ordered them to greet Ali with his title.
Uthmaan and Abu Obaydah said: Is this order from Allah and his messenger?
Rasoolollah said, ‘Yes, it is.’
And other Muslims also came and greeted Rasul Allah and he ordered them to greet Ali with his title. Most of them obeyed without questions, and some questioned his order.
When the place was crowded, Rasul Allah said:
Listen and understand; I have indeed ordered you to greet Ali with his title Ameerul Mo’meneen, and some of you questioned my order saying: “Is this order from Allah and his messenger?”
Mohammad would never bring to you anything from himself, but he will bring to you what is revealed to him and what Allah orders him to deliver to you. I swear by Allah if you disobeyed and violated my order you will —indeed — become infidels, and you will — indeed — leave what my Allah sent me to deliver to you (Islam). So whoever wants will believe and whoever wants will disbelieve.
Later I saw those who had questioned Rasul Allah’s order together, when Umar told Abu Bakr:
Did you not see what Mohammad said about his cousin and his position?!
Abu Bakr replied, “Restrain yourself; do not think what he said about his cousin was important. If Mohammad dies this thing will be under our feet[6].”
[1] Surah 53, Aayah 3 and 4.
[2] Meaning: from Ghusl-e- Janaabat.
[3] Biharul Anwaar, vol. 21, page 391.
[4] Biharul Anwaar, vol. 30, page 610.
[5] Ameerul Mo’meneen means: Commander of the faithful. This title was given to prophet Mohammad’s first Caliph Imam Ali by Allah. Calling Imam Ali with this title meant that he was the Caliph; and Rasul Allah’s (s.a.w.a.) emphasis upon Muslims to call Imam Ali (a.s.) with this title was for this reason, and the insistence of Abu Bakr’s party to object were for the hope that Rasul Allah may for -even- once agree that this title was not given to Ali by Allah, and that would have meant that he was not the appointed by Allah to be the Caliph.
[6] Biharul Anwaa, vol. 28, page 91.
