Ali Ibn Abi Talib - Volume 2 of 2

416 'Ali's anitude towards the Kharijites and Shia
is appointed by Allah as an Imam (rnler) whom everyone should
obey." He denied that the imamate or caliphate of 'Ali (&) was
on the instrnction of Allah (+~g)."' If these are the wordd of Ahl
al-Bayt, and they are the descendants and supporters of 'Ali
(&), what do you think others should say?556
2. The hadith about 'Ali (&) being appointed in charge
of Madinah when the Prophet (g) went to Tahook
The campaign to Tabook tookplace in Rajab 9 AH. This was a
very important event in the life of the Prophet (g), in which he
achieved goals that had a far-reaching effect on the Muslims and the
Arabs, and on the course of Islamic history.557 The Messenger of
Allah (@) appointed 'Ali (&) in charge of Madinah, and the
,.
hypocrites found an opportunity to express what was in their hearts of
resentment and hypocrisy. They started talking about 'Ali (&) in
offensive terns, such as saying: "He [meaning the Prophet (@)I only
left him behind because he finds him burdensome." This talk about
him on their part was a clear and prominent sign of their bypocrisy.
According to the sound hadith, 'ALi (&) said: "By the One Who
split the seed and created the soul, the unlettered Prophet (g)
affirmed to me that no one loves me except a believer, and no one
hates me except a
At that point, he went and caught up with the army and wanted
to go on the campaign with them. He said: "0 Messenger of Allah,
why did you leave me behind with the children and women?" The
Messenger of Allah (g) said: "Does it not please you to be to me like
Haroon was to Moosa, except that there is no Prophet after me?"559
There is nothing in this hadith to support what the Shia understand
from it, that Amir al-Mu'mineen 'Ali ihn Ahi T%b (&) was the
successor of the Messenger of Allah (g). That view may he refuted
in several ways: