Ali Ibn Abi Talib - Volume 1 of 2

252 'Ali ibn Abi Ttlib at the time of the Rightly Guided Caliphs
should not he divided. He followed his opinion and said: "Were it not
for the sake of the coming generations of Muslims, I would not have
conquered any city but I would have divided it among the conquerors
as the Prophet (g) divided ~ha~bar."'~~
2.2.l.c. "You should certainly share it out"
Some wealth was brought to 'Umar (&), and he divided it
among the Muslims. There was some left over, so he consulted the
Companions about it, and they suggested that he keep it for any
emergencies that might arise. 'Ali (&) was among the people, but
he kept quiet. 'Umar (&) wanted to hear 'Ali's opinion, so 'Ali
(&) reminded him of the hadith about the wealth of Bahrain, when it
was brought to the Prophet (@) and he divided it all. 'Umar said to
'Ali (may Allah be pleased with them): You should certainly share it
out. So 'Ali (&)shared it out.130 It seems that this took place before
the setting up of the government ministries.131
2.2.2. 'Ali (4) and administrative matters
When 'Umar (&) needed to establish a fixed calendar in
order to organise the affairs of state, he gathered the people together
and asked them from which date the calendar should begin. 'Ali (&)
said: "From the day the Messenger of Allah (@J migrated and left the
land ofpolytheism," so 'Umar(a)
did that.132 'Umar (&) thought
of 'Ali (&,) as one of the best ofthose who could lead the people. It
was narrated from him that he was talking with a man among the
An& and he said: 'Who do you think will succeed me?" The An$%
listed the names of some of the Muhiijireen, but he did not mention
'Ali. 'Umar said: "What do you think of 'Ali? For by Allah, if you
appointed him, he would lead you on the path of truth even if yon
were reluctant."133 After 'Umar (&) was stabbed, he said to his son
Abdullah ibn 'Urnar (&): "If th& appoint the bald one ('Ali), he
will lead them on the straight path."134