Ali Ibn Abi Talib - Volume 1 of 2

Xli ibn Abi Tilib 21 9
Then he said: "Shall I not tell you of the best of this Ummah
after Abu Bakr (&)? 'Umar (&)."19 ..
3. It was narrated that Abu W2il Shaqeeq ibn Salamah said: It
was said to 'Ali ibn Abi Tilib (&): "Why don't you appoint
someone over us?" (meaning someone to rule after he was
gone) He said: "The Messenger of Allah (g) did not appoint
anyone to succeed him so that I should appoint anyone to
succeed me, but if Allah (s) wills good for the people, then
He will unite them behind the best of them after I am gone, as
He united them behind the best of them after their Prophet (g)
was gone."z0
4. 'Ali (&) said: "I will not be brought anyone who gives me
precedence over Abu Bakr and 'Umar, but that I will carry out
the hadd punishment of the fabricator on him.""
5. 'Ali said to Abu Sufyin (&): "We found that Abu Bakr (&I
was most qualified for it."
There are reports which further highlight the good relationship
between 'Ali and Abu Bakr, such as the following:
(a) It was narrated that 'Uqbah ibn al-Hzth said: "I went out
with Abu Bakr (&) after 'Asr prayer a few days after the
Prophet (g) died, and 'Ali (&) was walking beside him.
He passed by Hasan ibn 'Ali, who was playing with some
boys, and he canied himon his shoulder, saying: 'May my
father be sacrifced for the one who looks like the Prophet
but he does not look like 'Ali.' And 'Ali laughed."22
(b) It was narrated that 'Ali(&) said: "Whoever moves a
hand span away from the main body of Muslims has gone
beyond the pale of slam."^^ Could 'Mi (&) have moved
away from the other Muslims? He (&) hated division and
was very keen for unity. Al-Qwbi said: "Whoever