The burial of Janabe’ Zahra and the lamentation of Ali (a.s.)

Hazrat Ali (a.s) remained sorrowful and at the same time he was secretly taking help from Asma binte’ Umays till the last moments of the life of Janabe’ Zahra (s.a). In her will, Janabe’ Zahra expressed her desire that he (a.s) should give ablutions to her dead body, bury her in the darkness of the night and erase all signs of her grave. She also insisted that neither these two nor their friends should be allowed to participate in her funeral and the funeral prayers.

People forcibly dragged Hazrat Ali (a.s.) from his House - Part 2

The people took Hazrat Ali (a.s.) to Abu Bakr and made him sit before him.[1] At that moment Umar stood behind him holding a sword to his neck. Khalid ibne Waleed, Abu Obaydah bin Jarrah, Saalem Maula Abu Huzayfah, Ma’az bin Jabal Mughayrah bin Shoaybah, Aseed ibne Saeed and some other companions were gathered there with their arms.

Hazrat Ali (a.s.) said, How soon have you attacked the house of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.). O Abu Bakr! On the basis of which right, on the basis of which inheritance or which merit are you seeking allegiance from the people. Did you not, on the order of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.), give bay’at to me and acknowledge my wilayat and leadership?[2] At this, Umar sat on Hazrat Ali’s (a.s.) thigh and held him tight with both hands.[3] He shook Hazrat Ali (a.s.) and said, “Leave all this aside and just do bay’at. ” Hazrat Ali (a.s.) challenged him saying, “and if I do not agree to give bay’at? ” They said, “We will kill you with utmost disgrace and humiliation.” Some narrations attribute this statement to Abu Bakr and others to Umar – “We swear by La ilaha illallah, we will sever your head.”

Hazrat Ali (a.s.) refused to pay allegiance to Abu Bakr - Part 1

All the members of Bani Hashim who were present there were rounded up and taken to Abu Bakr. They were told, pay your allegiance to Abu Bakr as others have done. And by Allah, if you don’t, we will use our swords against you. In such a helpless situation, Bani Hashim offered their allegiance to Abu Bakr.[1]

However, Hazrat Ali (a.s.) refused to pay allegiance to Abu Bakr and countered, “I am more worthy of this position than you. You all should swear allegiance to me. You have sought allegiance from the Ansar on the basis of your proximity to the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.) and now you wish to snatch this right from us, Ahle’ Bayt (a.s.)? Did you not offer this argument that on account of your closeness to the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.) you are more eligible for the caliphate than them? Surely it is on this account that they handed over this position to you.

what was the conduct of the ummat towards Ahle’ Bayt (a.s.)?

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]