Ali and The Caliphate of Umar

hasted towards the house where the sacred dead body of Abu Bakr was kept and presented him accolade in the following words:

“O Abu Bakr! May Allah have mercy upon you. You were the first to believe in the Holy Prophet and adopt Islam. Your faith was sheer sincerity. Your belief was the strongest of all. You were incomparable in generosity and the fastest in the matters of Islam. You were the firmest in your love for the Holy Prophet and careful in the matters regarding him. You were the guardian of the Companions of the Prophet. You were the best as a friend. Your virtues were the greatest and best of all. You had the utmost rank and were the closest to the Holy Prophet. You had the most resemblance with the Holy Prophet. You had ultimate splendour and glory in the court of the Holy Prophet and were the most trustworthy in his eyes. O Abu Bakr! May Allah grant you the best reward on behalf of His religion Islam, His Prophet and all the Muslims. You validated the message of Prophet Mohammad when people demurred it. Thus, the Holy Prophet entitled you as „the truthful‟.”

The sermon of Ali ibn Abi Talib was a like a roaring ocean which depicted his emotions for Abu Bakr. I have shortened it to avoid prolongation.

Umar had great regard and devotion for Ali ibn Abi Talib since the life of the Holy Prophet and even before holding the seat of caliphate. This can be verified through various incidents.  Fatimah bint Mohammad, the Lady of Paradise, was the dearest to the Holy Prophet. Several notable people of Quraish wished to marry her but the Holy Prophet did not give positive response to anyone. Ali, the Lion of God, also

wished to have the honour of marrying her but was hesitant because of his not so good financial status. Abu Bakr and Umar observed Ali‟s hesitancy in this regard so they encouraged him to talk to the Prophet regarding this matter and promised to financially support him. When the Holy Prophet accepted Ali‟s proposal, he went to Abu Bakr and Umar overjoyed. They were also very delighted to hear this and persuaded Usman as well to support him financially.

(Kashf al-Ghumma Vol. I)

 In Battle of the Trench, when Ali cut the head of the chief warrior of Arab, Amr ibn Abd al-Wud and presented it in front of the Holy Prophet, both Abu Bakr and Umar stood up in joy and kissed the head of Ali. Such ardent love and devotion is for the dear ones only. (Kashf al-Ghumma Vol. I)  Before death, Abu Bakr appointed Umar as his successor

Caliph. The people of Islam pledged allegiance to him and so did Ali ibn Abi Talib.

 Ali ibn Abi Talib was member of the consultation committee (Majlis-e-Shura) during Umar‟s caliphate. All the political, jurisprudential and military affairs were decided only after consulting him. Umar often preferred Ali‟s advice over others‟ suggestions.  Umar had established an advisory department Dar-ul-Ifta in which free advice was provided on the legal matters. Several prestigious Companions having prudence about legal matters were associated with this department who would give their valuable suggestions free or on stipend. Ali was also part of this department. No one in the Islamic state was allowed to pass fatwa37 except Ali.  In the Battle of Nahavand, lakhs of Persian troops were fighting against Muslims. When their famous and experienced

37 Legal verdict on point of Islamic law.

solider Firuzan called for duel, the Caliph, Umar ibn Khattab himself wanted to fight with him. Several Companions appreciated the decision but when Ali was consulted, he said: “The base of victory in Islam is not on the number of warriors, rather Islam is the religion of Allah which He has made dominant. These are the soldiers of Allah, He has prepared and aided them Himself, that is why they have achieved success and progression. Allah has promised us, He will fulfil His promise and grant victory to the Muslim army. Although the Arab Muslims are smaller in number but they are significant due to the beneficence of Islam. They have strength and dominance because of their harmony and unity. O Leader of the Believers! You become the pivot of your army and direct them from here. Crush the non-believers and

send them to hell. (Tareekh al-Khulafa, Vol. II)

 When Umar allocated allowance for the Companions from treasury, he deemed the rank of the Companions. The highest ranked group was allocated the stipend of five thousand dirhams annually and Ali ibn Abi Talib was also included in it. Ali received the allowance in the caliphate of Umar which depicts two things. Firstly, Ali considered the caliphate of

Umar rightful. Secondly, Umar had extreme regard and devotion for Ali.

 Umar asked Ali for his daughter Umm Kulthum‟s hand in marriage to which Ali agreed. The couple was wedded in

Dhul al-Qadah 17 AH. All the authentic historians have mentioned about this wedding in their books.

Ibn al-Athir mentions in his book Al-Kamil fit-Tareekh (The Complete History):  Umar married Umm Kulthum bint Ali who was the daughter of Ali and Fatimah bint Mohammad. She was given forty thousand dirhams in mehr.”