Umar said to Abu Bakr, “What stops you from summoning him (Hazrat Ali (a.s.)) and forcing him to submit to your caliphate?[1] If you are unable to do so, I am most certainly capable of it.” Then he stepped out in a fit of rage and called his tribesmen and his family members, “Answer the call of the caliph of the Prophet (s.a.w.)!” At this call, the people began gathering in the Masjid of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.). At that moment, Umar said to Abu Bakr, “I have arranged riders and foot soldiers for you”[2] Abu Bakr, seeing this spectacle said, “Now should we send somebody to his house?”
Umar said, “Send Qunfuz for he is ill natured and short tempered and he is from Bani Adi Bin Ka’ab (check). Send him along with some people who will be his helpers.”[3] Qunfuz was instructed, “Go to the house and order them to come out and give their bay’at. If they do so willing, it is fine. Or else gather some wood and let them know that if they do not come out for the oath of allegiance, the entire house down along with its inhabitants will be set on fire.”[4]
Qunfuz went and sought permission from Hazrat Ali (a.s.) to enter his house, which was denied to him. He returned to Umar and Abu Bakr. At that moment, they were seated within the Masjid and were surrounded by people. Qunfuz said that they were not granted permission to enter the house. Umar ordered him to return to the house of Hazrat Ali (a.s.) with the instruction that he should seek permission once again. The group left to complete this order.
Janabe’ Zahra (s.a.) said that under no circumstances will I allow you to enter my house without my permission. Hearing this, Qunfuz stood his ground while the others left to inform Umar and Abu Bakr. They said, “Janabe’ Zahra (a.s.) is not permitting us to enter, hence we did not consider it appropriate to enter her house.”
