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.

Janabe Zahra (sa) leaves the house

At this time, Janabe’ Zahra (s.a.) left her house in the condition that she had worn the headdress of the Prophet (s.a.w.). Imam Hasan (a.s.) and Imam Hussain (a.s.) were clutching at her fingers and tears were streaming down her face. She was separating the people while accompanied by the women of Bani Hashim who were also weeping. She cried out, “O Abu Bakr, how soon did you turn your face away from the Ahle’ Bayt (a.s.) of the Prophet (s.a.w.)? By Allah, I will not speak to Umar for what remains of my life.[1] O Abu Bakr! I share no relationship with you of any kind and of any manner. Do you wish make my children, orphans and me, a widow?

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.”

People forcibly dragged Hazrat Ali (a.s.) from his House - Part 1

The people forcibly dragged Hazrat Ali (a.s.) from his house.[1] Umar was especially harsh on Hazrat Ali (a.s.)[2] and was pulling him mercilessly.[3] The rest of the people followed this procession. Hazrat Ali (a.s.), while talking about this incident says, “I was dragged by the people for bay’at just as a camel is dragged.[4] The swords of the people were drawn and their spears were shining in readiness.” His condition was such that he was in a state of extreme sadness and often was filled with fury. But with great patience he overcame his anger.[5] He was also extremely weary and tired.[6]

The Attack on the house of Janabe Zahra (sa) Part 1

The crowd left towards the house of Hazrat Ali (a.s.). The harbored the intention of burning down the house along with the inhabitants.[1] Ibn Abi Ka’ab reports that we heard the neighing of horses, the clatter of bridles and the clanging of spears. We left our houses. The crowd had already gathered at the house of Hazrat Ali (a.s.).[2] Janabe’ Zahra (s.a.) was standing behind the door. There was a bandage on her head. It was obvious that she had been weakened by the relentless grief for her father[3] – the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.). When she saw the approaching crowd, she shut the door to her house. She was confident that these people would not enter the house without her permission.[4]

The people reached the door and knocked on it with great force.[5] They began pushing and pulling at the door violently. They kept on hurling abuses at the inhabitants of the house[6] and insisting that they do the bay’at of Abu Bakr.[7] Umar shouted, “O son of Abu Talib, open the door![8] I swear by Allah that if you do not open the door, I will burn it down.[9] I swear by the One in whose Hands is my life, come out and do bay’at or else I will set this house on fire. O Ali, come out and accept the verdict of the people, or else we will wage war with you.[10]

Preparation of the attack on the house of J. Zahra (sa) - Part 2

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?”

Invitation towards helping the truth

Janabe’ Salman reports that during the night, Hazrat Ali (a.s.), accompanied by Janabe’ Zahra (s.a.) and his sons, Imam Hasan (a.s.) and Imam Hussain (a.s.) visited the houses of the companions of the Holy Prophet. He asked them by the right of Allah (s.w.t.) to help and support him. But besides us four, nobody even gave him a reply. We shaved our heads and prepared ourselves for his help. When Hazrat Ali (a.s.) saw that people were not ready to support him and that instead, all of them were in support of Abu Bakr, he confined himself to his house.[1]