Nasb-and-the-Nawasib

The reason for this was that he (i.e. ʿAlī) came afterwards and the dispute
occurred in his time which caused those who rebelled to rebel against
him. So the reason for the proliferation of his merits was that many of
the Ṣaḥābah M mentioned them in refutation of those who opposed
him. Hence people were split into two, but the innovators were very few.
Thereafter transpired with ʿAlī I whatever transpired. As a result, a third
group who fought him was born. Then the matter became even graver and
they began to denigrate him and deemed cursing him upon the pulpits
an official practice. The Khawārij also agreed with them in hating him,
and added to that they excommunicated him also. Hence the people were
now split into three: the Ahl al-Sunnah, the Khawārij and his opponents
the Banū Umayyah and their followers. The Ahl al-Sunnah, thus, were
compelled to propagate his merits. Consequently, people excessively
narrated them. Or else the fact of the matter is that if the merits of any of
the four Khulafāʾ are documented with fairness, a person will never part
with the stance of the Ahl al-Sunnah. 1
This is on the one hand. On the other hand the scholars of the Ahl al-Sunnah
begun expressing their views regarding two very pertinent issues which were
heavily disputed:
a. Considering ʿAlī I to be correct in all his battles,
b.
And deeming him to be the fourth person deserving of the Khilāfah and
the fourth most superior amongst the Ṣaḥābah M.
2. Authoring books regarding the merits of ʿAlī I and the Ahl al-Bayt and
their rights
Many books consisting of various styles have been written in this regard:
• Some books specifically discuss merits, whether they be dedicated to
discussing his merits alone, or his merits alongside the merits of the other
1 Fatḥ al-Bārī 7/71; al-Iṣābah fī Tamyīz al-Ṣaḥābah 4/565.
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