When Hazrat Ali (a.s.) completed the burial of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.), he busied himself in those works, which the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.) had entrusted him with. He remained within the confines of his house.[1] Few members of Bani Hashim, some Ansar[2] and some Mohajirs presented themselves before him. Amongst these were Abbas[3], Zubayr[4], Miqdad[5], Talha[6], Sa’ad ibn Abi Waqqas[7] and No’man.
These people were displeased with the bay’at (allegiance) to Abu Bakr and wished to free themselves from it.[8] They desired to express their disapproval of the same[9] and wanted to pledge their support to Ali ibn Abi Talib (a.s.).[10]
Mu’awiyah has pointed towards this incident in one of his letters to Hazrat Ali (a.s.). He wrote, “You harbored jealousy in your heart towards Abu Bakr. You did a mischief against him. You tried to spread terror against him. While seated in your house, you tried to deviate the people so that they would not pledge their support to Abu Bakr.”[11]
Umar gathered all those who had paid allegiance to Abu Bakr – these included Sayyed Ibn Hazeer, Salmah ibne Salaamah – and they met the group of people who were agitated. They insisted that since all the people had accepted Abu Bakr as the caliph, this group should follow suit and do the same. On hearing this, Zubayr drew his sword to fight. At this Umar said, “stop this dog and protect us from his evil.” Salmah ibne Salaamah grabbed Zubayr and disarmed him. He handed over his sword to Umar who promptly threw it on the ground and broke it.[12]
[1] Isbaat ul Wasiyyah, page 155-156
[2] Taarikhe’ Tabari, volume 3 page 202; Taarikhe’ Yaqoobi, volume 2 page 126; Nahjul Haq, page 271
[3] Eqdul Fareed, volume 2 page 259
[4] Taarikhe’ Tabari, volume 3 page 202
[5] Shar’he Nahjul Balagha, volume 2 page 56
[6] Taarikhe’ Tabari, volume 3 page 202; Kamil ibne Aseer, volume 2 page 325; the narration of these 4 persons is found in Seerate’ Halbiyah, volume 3 page 360
[7] Shar’he Nahjul Balagha, volume 2 page 56
[8] Riyaz un Nazarah, volume 1 page 241; Tareekhe’ Khamees, volume 1 page 169
[9] Al Hamal, page 117
[10] Shar’he Nahjul Balagha, volume 2 page 56
[11] Shar’he Nahjul Balagha, volume 15 page 186
[12] The writer says that the incident of incident of Zubayr of removing his sword, is reported in the second attack, prior to the third attack, with some differences. And then Zubayr swore allegiance under duress. Please note – Tareekhe’ Tabari volume 3 page 203; Kamil Ibne Aseer, volume 2 page 325; Shar’he Nahjul Balagha volume 2 page 45/50/56; Shar’he Nahjul Balagha volume 6 page 47/48; Al Mustarshid, page 378. But regarding the first attack, historians have clarified that Hazrat Ali (as) did not do bay’at. But answering Umar, Hazrat Ali (as) said, “By Allah! Neither will I submit to you, nor will I swear allegiance to Abu Bakr.” In another narration, it is reported that people were silent on hearing the reply of Hazrat Ali (as). Hence for the narrations regarding the first attack, please refer to these books – Al Ayzah, page 367; Al Mustarshid, page 381. In short, we can conclude the coming out of Zubayr with his sword raised has been misreported by the historians due to the confusion regarding the first and second attack.
