Ameer al Momineen (a.s.) openly challenged the Democratic Caliphate and proved his Right with the same proofs that his opponents used at the Saqifa. His proof was, in fact, more valid than that of his adversaries. His was a protest against the politics that resulted in the ‘elected ruler’ who assumed the status of Caliph of the Prophet (s.a.)! In his protest there was neither wish for acquiring power nor craze for position of strength. If he had such ambitions he could have also indulged in politics of the same order that the other group did. He could have accepted the cooperation of persons who had offered their support to him for such moves. But he discreetly turned their offers down.
When the selection of Hazrat Abu Bakr was taking place in Saqifa, the Umavi Chief Abu Sufian was not present in Madina. The Prophet (s.a.), during his last days, had deputed him for some work away from there. When he returned after the Prophet (s.a.)’s demise, and heard about the passing away of the Prophet (s.a.) and the elevation of Abu Bakr to the Caliphate, he raised a hue and cry. He went running to Abbas ibne Abd al Mutallib and after discussing with him came to Hazrat Ali (a.s.) and wanted to assure him of the support of his tribe to stand against the self styled rulers. Therefore, in a very confident tone he said:
“How has the governance gone into the hands of a person from the lowliest family of the Qureish. If you wish, by Allah, I can fill Madina with cavaliers and foot-men!”
Ref: Tareeq e Tabari, Vol 2, Page 449
Any ordinary person would find it very difficult to control his emotions. He might tend to accept such an offer in a similar situation. But Ameer al Momineen (a.s.) was never influenced by emotions nor could he be tricked by wearing a cloak of friendship. He read through the subterfuge of Abu Sufian that it was not the spirit of friendship and fairplay that motivated his offer. But it was his ulterior motive to cause trouble in the fledgling Islamic State and usurp power in the bargain. Refusing his offer, the Imam (a.s.) angrily said:
“By Allah! Your aim is only to create disorder. You have always opposed Islam and I don’t need your sympathies and advice!” Ref: Tariq e Tabari, Vol 2, Page 449
This fact needs consideration that what enmity Abu Sufian had with Hazrat Abu Bakr that immediately on arrival he started lobbying against him. In fact both persons were always very chummy and even during the days of Abu Sufian’s infidelity,Hazrat Abu Bakr didn’t like to hear anything against him. Once some companions, amongst whom were Salman, Sohaib and Bilal, were sitting at a place when Abu Sufian passed by. They passed a remark that the enemy of Allah was not killed Allah’s Swords even to that day! Hazrat Abu Bakr was angry at their remark and said that they were making an impertinent remark against a senior chief of the Qureish and moved away from there. He then went to the presence of the Prophet (s.a.) and repeated what he had heard them say about Abu Sufian. The Prophet (s.a.) said:
“Perhaps you have offended those persons! If you have angered them, you have angered Allah!”
Ref: Ansaab al Ashraaf, Vol 1, Page 489
Hearing these words from the Prophet (s.a.), Hazrat Abu Bakr returned to those persons and asked them if they were upset with what he told them concerning Abu Sufian. They only said, “May Allah forgive you!”
This incident can only be from the days of Abu Sufian’s infidelity. If he wasn’t an infidel the persons wouldn’t have termed him as Allah’s enemy and deserving of getting killed by Allah’s Swords. Even Abu Bakr wouldn’t have referred to him only as a senior Qureish Chief. Some historians have clarified that this event took place at the time of Hudaibia in 7 H and Abu Sifian embraced Islam after the conquest of Makka in 8 H.
It becomes evident from this event that neither Abu Sufian had any enmity with Hazrat Abu Bakr, nor Abu Bakr disliked him. Then how is it that the person thought of disturbing his apple cart and trying to bring a person from the Tribe inimical to his own who had personally dispatched many of his close kinsmen in recent battles! The truth is that he played the trick to give an impression to the rulers of the day that he was capable of creating a group in opposition to them to put their rule in danger. This way he wanted to frighten Abu Bakr and his cohorts to get things decided the way he wanted them. Therefore, this strategy of his proved successful. When the rumor spread that Abu Sufian was conspiring with Bani Hashim against the rulers, the rulers quietened him by giving him undue favors. Hazrat Omer told to Abu Bakr:
“Abu Sufian has arrived! He is bound to create some mischief. The Prophet (s.a.) himself used to keep him appeased with regard to Islam! The charities that are in his control they should remain with him. Therefore, Abu Bakr did accordingly and Abu Sufian was happy. He extended his Bay-ath!” Ref: Aqd al Fareed, Vol 3, Page 62
Abu Sufian was not only appeased in this manner. His son Yazid was appointed the governor of Syria that proved as the cornerstone of the Umavi Dynasty!
Hazrat Ali (a.s.)’s discreet quiet is reflective of his sagacity and understanding of the fissiparous conditions prevalent at that time. If he had agreed to fight at the instigation of Abu Sufian, the conflict wouldn’t have been given any other name than the search for power. The hands of the enemies of Islam would have strengthened as a result of the war of attrition between two groups of Muslims. People would have felt that taking shelter behind the Prophet (s.a.)’s name he was running after acquisition of power. Then his silent protest against the existing power center would have gone in vain. He still had strength in his arms to face any adversary, the example s of which he had set time and again in the Ghazwaat that he won singlehanded while other important functionaries were fleeing, and he had the courage and will to stand any onslaught. But his farsightedness stopped him from taking any precipitate action. The defeated Jews and the captive Ansaar were looking for a chance to rise no sooner they smelled that the Muslims were a divided house. The hypocrites were busy in the garb of Muslims as well. All these forces were raring to unite under one flag to
inflict one final blow to the Muslims! This is a great favor to Muslims from Hazrat Ali (a.s) that he made only silent protest and didn’t rise against the persons who had deprived him of everything that was rightfully his as Ordained by Allah and His Prophet (s.a.).
Aal-e-Qutub Aal-e-Syed Abdullah Shah Ghazi 