Ali Ibn Abi Talib - Volume 1 of 2

illi ibn Abi Ttlib 21 7
consultation and running the aFfairs of the Muslims. Ihn Katheer and
a number of scholars narrated that 'Ali (&) renewed his oath of
allegiance six months after the fust oath, after the death of Fitimah
($+I, and there are sound reports about this. l3 When the second oath
of allegiance took place, some narrators thought that 'Ali (&) had
not sworn allegiance before that, so they denied the earlier pledge.
However, what is proven takes precedence over what is denied.I4
There is a book entitled al-Imam 'Ali Jadal al-Haqeeqah wal-
Muslimeen - al-Wa~iyyah wash-Shoora (Imam 'Ali, the Truth and
the Mnslims - Instructions Regarding the Succession and
Consultation), by Mamoud Muhammad alLCAli. Its author claimed
to be researching and seeking the truth, hut he could not rid himself
of the Shia Rifia approach when discussing this issue. He put poison
in the honey, as it were, and we must point it out. He discussed 'Ali's
oath of allegiance and said that 'Ali's right to the caliphate was based
on the instructions of the Prophet (gg). ~.
1.2. 'Ali (&) and his support for Abu Bakr (&)
during the Wars of Apostasy
'Ali (&) was a sincere adviser to Ahn Bakr (&), prefening
that which was in the best interests of Islam and the Muslims to
anything else. There are many signs of his sincerity to Ahu Bakr
(&), to Islam and to the Muslims, and of his keenness to protect the
position of the caliphs and to uphold Muslim unity. One clear sign is
his advice when he heard that Abu Bakr (&) was determined to go
to fight the apostates in Dhul-Qi~sah and to lead the military
campaign against them himself. 'Ali (&) recognised the danger that
this posed to the survival of slam.'^ It was narrated from Ibn 'Umar
(4) that 'Ali (&) said [to Abu Bakr]: "I shall say to you what the
Messenger of Allah (g) said on the day of Ulpd: 'Keep your sword
sheathed, and do not cause us grief by your loss.' Go back to