Welcome to this week’s episode of the series Let’s Know Islam. Today, we discuss the approach adopted by the First Infallible Imam of the Prophet of Islam’s Household, Imam Ali (Peace be upon him), on denial of his right of succession of Prophet Mohammad.

As of today’s episode, we briefly study the political, social, and ideological tradition of Prophet Mohammad’s Household, after the demise of Prophet Mohammad (Blessings of God upon him and his progeny). This phase in time lasted 250 years, beginning from 11^th AH, and ending in the year 260 AH, which marks the start of occultation of the 12^th Infallible Imam of Prophet Mohammad’s Household, Imam Mahdi (May God hasten his reappearance). This phase in time, despite of some apparent differences, generally marks a steady and continuous movement.

Although in different phases in time, the Infallible Imams have adopted apparently different approached; they maintained the same goals, all along. This is like assuming that someone has lived 250 years, and has gone through many ups and downs throughout his lifetime; at times moving slowly, while at other times advancing or retreating in his path. Although this individual has adopted different approaches under different conditions, he has always maintained a specific goal.

The pivotal efforts of Infallible Imams in this long period of time have been to introduce the true Islam, and to avoid any harm against his sacred religion. Infallible Imams have always put emphasis on the topic of Imamate, because upon the leadership of an Imam, who has been appointed by God and the Prophet of God, many of the problems of people would be lifted and the path of Islamic Ummah toward prosperity and salvation would be paved.

With this introduction, we take a look at the days after the demise of Prophet Mohammad; and the beginning of Imamate of Imam Ali (AS).

Imam Ali (AS) was the most merited figure, after the Prophet of Islam, for administration of the affairs of Islamic Ummah. This is because in the Islamic territory, after the Prophet of God, nobody equaled Imam Ali in ethical virtues, piety, knowledge, perception of Islamic teachings, familiarity with judgment; awareness on Islamic rules and regulations, Jihad for the sake of God, and other human virtues. Due to these merits, Imam Ali was introduced as the future leader of Muslims by Prophet Mohammad, on several occasions; some of which we pointed out in previous weeks.

One of these occasions, was during the farewell Hajj pilgrimage of Prophet Mohammad, and the event which took shape in a region called Ghadir-e Khom; within which Imam Ali was appointed as the successor of Prophet of Islam. Imamate maintains an elevated status and Imam is only appointed by God.

The 124^th ayah of Surat al-Baqarah notes: “And when his Lord tested Abraham with certain words, and he fulfilled them, He said, ‘I am making you the Imam of mankind.”

As it is pointed out in this ayah, Abraham was appointed to leadership after going through difficult divine tests. Thus, the Imam is appointed by God.

With due regard to countless evidences, it was expected that Imam Ali would lead Muslims after the demise of Prophet of God. However, other incidents took place and due to a decision which was made in “Saq  iode in "sion whic , other incidents took place, adn irtues. fo nowledge, perception of Islamic teachings, familarity ife Bani Sa’edeh”, Imam Ali was placed aside from the political scene, despite the recommendations and emphasis of the Prophet of Islam to the contrary.

After Abu Bakr came to power and people swore allegiance with him; Imam Ali (AS) made efforts to clarify that according to Prophet’s testament, he was the righteous successor of Prophet Mohammad. Imam Ali presented clear reasons in regard to this fact, and criticized the situation that had emerged. However, incidents showed that these protests would not get anywhere and the then ruling system insisted on maintenance of the then situation. In this phase in time, Imam Ali had two options. He could either resort to force to attain power with the assistance of the Prophet’s Household, and his supporters, or he could bear that situation and to solve community’s problems and carry out his personal and social duties, as much as possible.

The great divine leaders always think of more elevated goals and ideals. Under sensitive and fateful conditions, they let go of their own rights and prioritize the interests of Islam and Muslims in order to safeguard this divine religion. Thus, Imam Ali prioritized the protection of divine religion of Islam. Imam Ali (AS) upon the assessment of conditions of Islamic Ummah concluded that if he would emphasize his right to leadership; the then status quo would have led to a blow against the efforts of Prophet of Islam.

If Imam would have resorted to power in order to attain caliphate, the flames of war would have been fanned and many people would have lost their lives amid confrontations. Thus, Muslims would have been undermined in the capital of caliphate. Therefore, Imam Ali did not believe in an armed confrontation in order to prove his righteousness, and took measures based on reconciliatory approaches.

Several years later, when Imam Ali (AS) was heading for Basra to confront those, who had broken their allegiance, such as Talheh and Zobair, he delivered a keynote sermon, noting: “When the Prophet of God passed away, Qoraish selfishly prioritized itself over us, and denied us of our rights. But, I realized that maintenance of patience was better than emergence of discord among Muslims.”

In that phase in time, many of the groups and tribes who had converted to Islam in the waning years of Prophet’s lifetime,  were not familiar as such with Islamic teachings and rays of faith in God had not penetrated their hearts. Therefore, when they were informed of the Prophet’s demise, some of them returned to apostasy and idolatry. They practically opposed the Islamic ruling system and refused to pay their taxes. Even some of them threatened the capital of the Islamic ruling system, Medina. Therefore, the first measure that the new ruling system took was to mobilize a group of Muslims to crush the rioters and to contain the flames of sedition. While a group of enemies threatened the Islamic ruling system, the conditions were not in place for Imam Ail to stage an uprising. Imam Ali, in a letter to people of Egypt, points out this fact and notes: “I swear to God I never thought that Arabs, after the demise of Prophet, would take away Imamate and leadership from Prophet’s Household, and would deny caliphate from me. When this situation occurred, I stood still until I saw with my very eyes that some intended to somehow destroy Islam. I feared that if I would not assist the followers of Islam, I should bear witness to emerging rifts among Muslims which was a worse woe than denial of my right to caliphate.”

In addition to threats posed by apostates, fake prophets also emerged; with each gathering a number of supporters. However, with the unity and cooperation of Muslims, their conspiracies were foiled. The danger of possible attack by Romans could also generate concerns among Muslims. This is because till then Muslims had confronted Romans a number of times, and Romans felt threatened by Islamic lands. Thus, they intended to seize an opportunity in order to attack the Islamic ruling system. If Imam Ali would have staged an armed uprising, upon the collapse of the domestic front of Islamic Ummah, the best opportunity would have been raised for foreign enemies, such as Romans and Iranians, to exploit the situation.

Upon consideration of the then conditions, it becomes crystal clear that why Imam Ali adopted self-restraint after the demise of Prophet of Islam, and relinquished any campaign to rule the Islamic Ummah. Imam Ali remained silent in order to protect the solidarity of Islamic Ummah and to prevent the destruction of sacred religion of Islam, practically proving that he was the main harbinger of Islamic unity. In the meantime, he also put emphasis on his right to rule the Islamic community. Undoubtedly, if Imam Ali was not concerned over the painful consequences of discord, he would have not allowed the right of Prophet’s Household to lead Muslims to be taken away from this Infallible Household. The prudent silence of Imam Ali overall lasted for 25 years.

MR/MG