It is widely recorded by Muslim scholars that in the 9th Hijri, the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) replaced Abu Bakr with Ameerul Momineen (a.s.) for the propagation of the first nine (ten) verses of Surah Baraat (9) on divine command.
- Manaqib Aal-e-Abi Talib (a.s.) v 2 p 144
- Al-Ghadeer v 6 p 337-350
- Musnad of Ahmad v 1 p 151, v 3 p 212, 283
- Sunan Tirmizi v 3 p 339
- Fath al-Bari v 8 p 239-242
- Khasais p 91
- Al-Musnif v 7 p 506
When Abu Bakr protested to the Prophet (s.a.w.a.) on why he was replaced with Ali (a.s.), Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) informed it was because Jibrail had commanded him (s.a.w.a.):
None can perform the task except you or a man from you
- Musnad Ahmad trad 1,309
- Majma al-Zawaid trad 11,039
- Fazail al-Sahabah trad 1,206
- Mustadrak al-Sahihain trad 4,424
- Fath al-Bari fi Sharh Sahih al-Bukhari under Surah Tauba (9): 3
- Tohfah al-Ahwazi Sharh Sunan al-Tirmizi under Surah Tauba
Why Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) avoided ‘others’ and sent Ali (a.s.) to the Meccans
The Holy Prophet’s (s.a.w.a.) experience with other companions on communicating with the Meccans was not positive.
For instance, Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) wanted to send the second one with a message for the Meccans. He (s.a.w.a.) called for him and asked him to take his message to the Quraish chiefs.
The second one said: O Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.) I am fearful of Quraish.
Sayyid Ibn Taoos (r.a.) records: Consider the position of Ali (a.s.) vis-à-vis his opponents and how he (a.s.) was willing to sacrifice his self over the Prophet (s.a.w.a.) while the others preferred to preserve themselves rather than obey the Prophet’s (s.a.w.a.) command.
- Iqbal al-A’maal p v 1 p 318-319
- Behar al-Anwar v 35 p 287
This is even though the challengers had not killed anyone from Quraish in battle but did not want to deliver the message which shows they were supportive of the Quraish. While Ali (a.s.) whose sword blows had not spared anyone in Mecca, did not care and stood among the thousands of idolaters and revoked their treaty and invalidated their religion in conveying verses of Surah Baraat.
With regard Ali (a.s.) replacing Abu Bakr, Sayyid Ibn Taoos (r.a.) points out:
From the strange affairs of the Muslims is that it is recorded in books of Ahmed Ibn Hanbal, Sihaah, Tafseer al-Thalabi that:
Abu Bakr was not considered fit to propagate Suran Baraat (initial verses) even though their Prophet (s.a.w.a.) was alive and behind him and Abu Bakr was ordered to return while on his way and Ali Ibn Abi Talib (a.s.) was sent forth in his place.
Their Prophet (s.a.w.a.) declared that Allah commanded him (s.a.w.a.) to recall Abu Bakr and send forth Ali (a.s.). So how can the Muslims consider one worthy for the whole caliphate regarding whom Allah and His Messenger (s.a.w.a.) do not consider fit for a part of it (with regards a few verses). And how did Abu Bakr unilaterally after the Prophet (s.a.w.a.) undertake all the affairs while he could not even accomplish a small part of the affairs in the Prophet’s (s.a.w.a.) lifetime?!
- Al-Taraif v 2 p 397-398
Another strange matter of the Muslims is that they believe that Allah made elaborate plans to propagate nine to ten verses of Surah Baraat to a small community of Meccans in the Prophet’s (s.a.w.a.) lifetime. However, Allah did not make any arrangements to propagate the entire Quran and the Shariah AFTER the Prophet (s.a.w.a.) to the entire world till the Day of Judgment?!
Why Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) considered Abu Bakr unfit for Surah Baraat
Abu Bakr to Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) on being recalled from conveying Surah Baraat:
O Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.) did you think that I will not be able to deliver your message?
Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.): On the contrary, Allah did not want anyone other than Ali Ibn Abi Talib (a.s.) to deliver this message.
When Abu Bakr protested further, Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) revealed: How was it possible for you to convey this to Meccans while you were in the cave (so much frightened in spite of the fact that you were concealed from the idolaters)?
- Behar al-Anwar v 35 p 288
- Iqbal al A’maal v 1 p 319
The incident of Surah Baraat clearly underlines who is fit and unfit to propagate the Quran, and we are not talking of the entire Quran, rather just a few verses. When the ‘caliphs’ were found wanting in this regard in the Prophet’s (s.a.w.a.) presence and replaced by Allah immediately, how can they be deemed fit for caliphate, which is more than propagating nine verses, after the Prophet (s.a.w.a.) while the worthy one (Ali a.s.) is still in their midst?!
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