Ali Ibn Abi Talib - Volume 1 of 2

'Ali ibn Abi Tilib 299
Another piece of evidence is the strong blood relationship and
ties of kinship that existed among the Rightly Guided Caliphs, as
well as the expressions of love among them. As we have seen, 'Ali,
al-Hasan and al-Husayn named some of their children after Abu Bakr
and 'Umar. Could anyone name his children after the worst of his
enemies among the disbelievers and those whom he hates the most?
Could he bear to hear the names of his enemies reverberating around
his house throughout the day, time and time again?292
The Companions, the Tgbi'oon who followed them and the
imams of the Muslims did not lean anything from Amir d-
Mu'mineen 'Ali(&,)
except love for Abu B&, 'Umar and 'Uthmk
(may Allah be pleased with them) during their lifetimes, dnring their
caliphates and after their deaths. Duing their caliphates, 'Ali(&)
,.
listened to them and obeyed them; be loved them, and they loved
him; he respected them, and they respected him. He was sincere in his
love for and obedience to them. He strove in jihad against those
whom they strove against, loved those that they loved and hated
those that they hated. They used to consult him with regard to new
issues that arose, and he would offer sincere advice on the basis of
compassion and love; many of their decisions were based on his
advice.293 These feelings were mutual, and it was said that love of
Abu Bakr, 'Utbmk, 'Umar and 'Ali (may Allah be pleased with
them all) could not be combined except in the hearts of the most
pions of this ~ rnrnah.~~~ Sufyin ath-Thawri said: "Love for 'Uthmin
and 'Ali cannot be combined except in the hearts of the noblest of
men."295 Anas ibn Milik said: "They said: 'Love for 'Uthmzn and
'Ali (may Allah be pleased with them) cannot be combined in the
heart of a believer,' but they lied, for Allah combined love for them
both in our hearts, praise be to Allah."296