The Reasoning of Imam Ali with Abu Bakr Citing Forty-Three Issues

O Abal-Hassan! I swear by God that I had no plans for the Caliphate nor did I have any desires for it. I am not eager for that position and do not trust myself to be able to fulfill the needs of this nation. I have no wealth or power; do not have a supporter; and I did not want to get it from someone by force. Why are you upset with me? Why do you look upon me with disdain?’ Then Ali (MGB) told him, ‘If you had no desire for the position of Caliphate and you were not sure whether you could carry it out, then why did you accept the responsibility for being the Caliph?’Abu Bakr said, ‘The reason for this was a narration which I had heard from the Prophet (MGB) who said, ‘Indeed God would not let all my nation unite on an issue that opposes guidance’ I accepted the call of the nation. Had I known that there was someone who opposed me, I would not have accepted.’Ali (MGB) said, ‘You cited a narration from the Prophet (MGB) stating ‘Indeed God would not let all my nation unite on an issue that opposes guidance’. But wasn’t I one of the members of this nation or not?’Abu Bakr said, ‘Yes, you were.’Ali (MGB) added, ‘What about the others who opposed you such as Salman, Ammar, Abuzar, Al-Miqdad, Ibn Ebada and those of the Helpers (Ansar) who were with him?’Abu Bakr said, ‘Yes. They were all members of the nation.’Ali (MGB) said, ‘Then how could you rely on that narration from the Prophet (MGB) and the like, while you knew well that the people who opposed you were all of the great companions of the Prophet (MGB)? They are recognized by the nation and have never neglected in wishing well for the cause of the Prophet (MGB).’Abu Bakr said, ‘I did not know at the beginning that they are opposed to me. Later on, after I took charge of the affairs I realized that they are opposed to me. However, I feared that the people might turn back from the religion if I resign. I thought that it would be easier to change your mind and bring you in line with me, rather than have an outbreak of a civil war and some of the people return to atheism. I knew that you are not any less interested in protecting the Muslims and their religion than I am.’Ali (MGB) said, ‘Fine. Can you tell me what attributes should the person who is worthy of the position of Caliphate have?’Abu Bakr said, ‘He should be a well-wisher and loyal person, and he should not be unduly generous. He should be polite, just, knowledgeable of the Book, the traditions and the Divine Decrees. He should abstain from the world with little interest in it. He should take the rights of the oppressed from the oppressors, whether they be his relatives or strangers.’Then Abu Bakr remained silent.Then Ali (MGB) said, ‘O Abu Bakr! I swear to you by God! Do I possess these attributes or do you?’Abu Bakr said, ‘O Abal-Hassan (Ali)! Certainly you possess them.’Ali (MGB) said, ‘O Abu Bakr! I swear to you by God! Was it I who accepted the Prophet’s invitation to Islam before anyone else considered Islam or was it you who did this?’ Abu Bakr said, ‘Of course, it was you.’Ali (MGB) said, ‘I swear to you by God! Was it you who accepted God’s Prophet’s (MGB) call to Islam before any other men or was it you?’ Abu Bakr said, ‘Of course, it was you.’Ali (MGB) said, ‘I swear to you by God! Was it you who recited the Bara’at Chapter (Declaration of Immunity) for the pilgrims and the whole nation during the Hajj season, or was it you who did it?’ Abu Bakr said, ‘Of course, it was you.’Ali (MGB) said, ‘I swear to you by God! Was it I who sacrificed myself to protect the life of God’s Prophet (MGB) when he (MGB) took refuge in a cave, or was it you who did it?’ Abu Bakr said, ‘Of course, it was you.’Ali (MGB) said, ‘I swear to you by God! Was it I who is the subject of the following verse regarding giving my ring in charity ‘your real friends are (no less than) Allah, His Messenger, and the (fellowship of) believers,- those who establish regular prayers and regular charity, and they bow down humbly (in worship)’ or was it you?’ Abu Bakr said, ‘Of course, it was revealed regarding you.’Ali (MGB) said, ‘I swear to you by God! Am I the Master of you and all the Muslims according to what God’s Prophet (MGB) said on the Day of Qadir Khum, or you?’ Abu Bakr said, ‘Of course, you.’Ali (MGB) said, ‘I swear to you by God! Am I the Prophet’s vizier and do I have the same rank as Aaron had to Moses (MGB) in relation to the Prophet (MGB), or do you have it?’ Abu Bakr said, ‘Of course for you.’Ali (MGB) said, ‘I swear to you by God! Did the Prophet (MGB) take me, my family and my children out for the imprecation of the Christian unbelievers, or did he take you and your family out for the imprecation of the unbelievers?’ Abu Bakr said, ‘Of course, you.’Then, Ali (MGB) said, ‘I swear to you by God! Was the verse of purity from all abominations ‘…And God only wishes to remove all abomination from you, ye members of the Family, and to make you pure and spotless’ revealed for me, my family and children, or was it revealed for you and your family?’ Abu Bakr said, ‘Of course, it was revealed for you and the members of your family.’Then Ali (MGB) said, ‘O Abu Bakr! I swear to you by God! On the Kasa assembly day did the Prophet (MGB) supplicate for me, my family and my children and say, ‘O God! These are the members of my Family! Please keep them far away from the fire’ or did he supplicate for you?’ Abu Bakr said, ‘Of course the Prophet (MGB) supplicated for you, your family and children.’Then Ali (MGB) said, ‘O Abu Bakr! I swear to you by God! Does the following Quranic verse refer to me ‘They perform (their) vows, and they fear a Day whose evil flies far and wide’ or does it refer to you?’ Abu Bakr said, ‘Of course, it refers to you.’Then Ali (MGB) said, ‘O Abu Bakr! I swear to you by God! Are you the knight about whom the following was announced from the Heavens ‘There is no sword like Zulfaqar and there is no true knight but Ali’, or me?’ Abu Bakr said, ‘Of course, it refers to you.’Then Ali (MGB) said, ‘O Abu Bakr! I swear to you by God! Were you the person who missed his prayer so the sun was returned for you to pray, and then it set, or was it me?’ Abu Bakr said, ‘Of course, it was you.’Then Ali (MGB) said, ‘O Abu Bakr! I swear to you by God! Were you the person to whom God’s Prophet (MGB) handed his flag on the day of the Battle of the Trench and by whom God brought victory in that Battle, or was I that person?’ Abu Bakr said, ‘Of course, it was you.’Then Ali (MGB) said, ‘O Abu Bakr! I swear to you by God! Were you the person who relieved the Prophet’s sorrow by killing Amr ibn ‘Abd Wudd , or was I that person?’ Abu Bakr said, ‘Of course, it was you.’Then Ali (MGB) said, ‘O Abu Bakr! I swear to you by God! Were you the person whose leadership of the genies God’s Prophet (MGB) acknowledged and the genies accepted it, or was I that person?’ Abu Bakr said, ‘Of course, it was you.’Then Ali (MGB) said, ‘O Abu Bakr! I swear to you by God! Were you the person whose legitimacy the Prophet praised from Adam to his own father by saying ‘Your lineage and mine starting from Adam to Abdul Mutalib and are all the result of wedlock’, or was I that person?’ Abu Bakr said, ‘Of course, it was you.’Then Ali (MGB) said, ‘O Abu Bakr! I swear to you by God! Was I the person who was chosen by God’s Prophet (MGB) to whom he (MGB) married off his daughter Fatimah and said, ‘God married you off’, or was it you?’ Abu Bakr said, ‘Of course, you.’Then Ali (MGB) said, ‘O Abu Bakr! I swear to you by God! Am I the father of Al-Hassan and Al-Hussein who are the two sweet basils of the Prophet (MGB) about whom he (MGB) said, ‘These two are the Masters of the Youth in Paradise. Their father is better than them’, or are you?’ Abu Bakr said, ‘Of course, you.’Then Ali (MGB) said, ‘O Abu Bakr! I swear to you by God! Is the person who is adorned with two wings with which he flies in Paradise along with the other angels your brother or my brother?’ Abu Bakr said, ‘Of course he is your brother.’Then Ali (MGB) said, ‘O Abu Bakr! I swear to you by God! Was it I who pledged to pay off the Prophet’s obligations and declared that during the Hajj pilgrimage season or was it you?’ Abu Bakr said, ‘Of course, you.’Then Ali (MGB) said, ‘O Abu Bakr! I swear to you by God! Was I the person about whom God’s Prophet (MGB) prayed to ‘O my Lord! Please send me your most beloved creature to share this bird with me’ when he (MGB) wanted to eat a roasted bird, or was it you?’ Abu Bakr said, ‘Of course, it was you.’Then Ali (MGB) said, ‘O Abu Bakr! I swear to you by God! Was I the person about whom the Prophet (MGB) brought the good news of killing the perfidious party (Nakiseen), the deviators, and the apostates according to the interpretations of the Quran, or was it you?’ Abu Bakr said, ‘Of course, it was you.’Then Ali (MGB) said, ‘O Abu Bakr! I swear to you by God! Was it you who heard the last words of God’s Prophet (MGB), performed his ritual ablutions (wuzu) for the dead, and buried him (MGB) or was it me?’ Abu Bakr said, ‘Of course, you.’Ali (MGB) said, ‘I swear to you by God! Were you the person about whom God’s Prophet said, ‘Ali is the best of the judges amongst you’, or did that refer to me?’ Abu Bakr said, ‘Of course, you.’Then Ali (MGB) said, ‘O Abu Bakr! I swear to you by God! Was I the person about whom the Prophet (MGB) ordered his companions to call as the Commander of the Faithful during his own lifetime, or was it you?’ Abu Bakr said, ‘Of course, you.’Then Ali (MGB) said, ‘O Abu Bakr! I swear to you by God! Were you closer in ties of kinship to God’s Prophet (MGB), or was I?’ Abu Bakr said, ‘Of course, you.’Then Ali (MGB) said, ‘O Abu Bakr! I swear to you by God! Were you the person who gave a Dinar to the Prophet (MGB) when he (MGB) needed it and Gabriel pledged allegiance to you? Were you the one who kept the Prophet (MGB) and his family as guests, or was that me?’ Then Abu Bakr cried and said, ‘Of course, you.’Then Ali (MGB) said, ‘O Abu Bakr! I swear to you by God! Were you the person whom the Prophet (MGB) put on his shoulders to bring down and break the idols of the Ka’ba and could even extend his hands to the heavens if he willed, or was it me?’ Abu Bakr said, ‘Of course, you.’Then Ali (MGB) said, ‘O Abu Bakr! I swear to you by God! Were you the one about whom God’s Prophet (MGB) said, ‘You are the one to uphold my flag in this world and the Hereafter’, or was it me?’ Abu Bakr said, ‘Of course, you.’Then Ali (MGB) said, ‘O Abu Bakr! I swear to you by God! Were you the one whose door was left open from the mosque when all the other doors of the companions of family members of the Prophet were shut and the Prophet (MGB) allowed what God had allowed for him, or was it me?’ Abu Bakr said, ‘Of course, you.’Ali (MGB) said, ‘I swear to you by God! Was it you who gave charity before having a private consultation with God’s Prophet (MGB), or was it me? It was at that time that the Honorable the Exalted God blamed a group of people and revealed the following verse, ‘Is it that ye are afraid of spending sums in charity before your private consultation (with him)? If, then, ye do not so, and God forgives you, then (at least) establish regular prayer; practise regular charity; and obey Allah and His Messenger. And Allah is well-acquainted with all that ye do.’ ’ Abu Bakr said, ‘Of course, you.’Then Ali (MGB) said, ‘O Abu Bakr! I swear to you by God! Were you the person about whom God’s Prophet (MGB) explicitly referred to in what he (MGB) told Fatimah, ‘I married you off to the first person to have believed and his faith is the most superior of all’, or did that refer to me?’ Abu Bakr said, ‘Of course, you.’Then Ali (MGB) kept on mentioning the characteristics which the Honorable the Exalted God had given to him and no one else and Abu Bakr kept on saying, ‘Of course, you.’Abu Bakr said, ‘That is right. Such are the required characteristics for one to be in charge of the affairs of the nation of Muhammad (MGB)!’Then Ali (MGB) told him, ‘Then what fooled you so much that you turned away from God, His Prophet (MGB) and His religion? You lack what those who abide by His religion need.’Then Abu Bakr cried and said, ‘O Abal-Hassan!. You are right. Give me today to think about my affairs and what you said.’ Then Ali (MGB) told him, ‘O Abu Bakr! Fine. Do as you wish.’Then Abu Bakr left Ali’s presence. He went home and closed the doors upon himself and did not let anyone come in until night time. Umar kept walking amongst the people, since he had heard that Abu Bakr and Ali had held a private meeting.When Abu Bakr slept he dreamed of the Prophet (MGB) who was sitting in his own place. Abu Bakr rushed to the Prophet (MGB) to greet him, but the Prophet (MGB) turned his face away from him. Abu Bakr asked, ‘O Prophet of God! Have you issued any orders which I have not followed?’ God’s Prophet (MGB) replied, ‘You want me to greet you back even though you act against God and His Prophet? And even though you act against the one who is the friend of God and His Prophet? Return the right to its possessor!’ Abu Bakr asked, ‘Who is its possessor?’ The Prophet (MGB) answered, ‘It is the same person who blamed you. It is Ali.’ Abu Bakr said, ‘O Prophet of God! I shall entrust the Caliphate to him according to your orders.’Then when the morning came Abu Bakr cried and told Ali (MGB), ‘Give me your hand.’ Then Abu Bakr pledged allegiance to him and entrusted the Caliphate to him and told him (MGB), ‘I shall go to the Prophet’s mosque, inform the people about the dream I had last night and tell them what was exchanged between me and the Prophet (MGB) in my dream. I shall resign from the position of the Caliphate in the presence of the people and submit the affairs to you.’ Then Ali (MGB) told him, ‘Fine.’Abu Bakr left while he was pale and ran into Umar who was looking for him. Umar told him, ‘O Caliph of God’s Prophet! How are you?’ Then Abu Bakr informed him of what had been exchanged between him and Ali (MGB). Then Umar said, ‘O Caliph of God’s Prophet (MGB)! I swear to you by God not to be deceived by the Hashemites witchcraft! This is not the first time which they have used witchcraft.’ Umar kept tempting him until he changed his mind, gave up his decision, and became inclined to rule. Umar forced him to return and keep his previous position. When Ali (MGB) went to the mosque at the appointed time he (MGB) did not see either one of them and realized their wicked plans. Then he (MGB) went and sat at the grave of God’s Prophet (MGB). Umar passed by and said, ‘O Ali! You will never get what you want.’ Thus, Ali (MGB) realized what he had done. He (MGB) got up and returned home.”