for twenty nights, and then returned to the Prophet’s City of Medina.

Although Ja'far was the best of Banū Hāshim after Alī during his lifetime, the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—nevertheless appointed Zayd ibn Hāritha, who belonged to Kalb, as commander over him (1). This makes it clear that precedence is accorded on the basis of excellence in faith and piety, as well as other considerations dictated by the interests at hand—not on the basis of lineage. For this reason, the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—gave precedence to Abū Bakr and Umar over his own relatives. The Messenger of Allah issues commands at Allah’s command; he is not like kings who, following their whims, give preference to their relatives, clients, and friends. Abū Bakr and Umar—may Allah be pleased with them both—acted likewise, so much so that Umar said:

“Whoever appoints a man because of kinship or friendship between them, when he can find someone better among the Muslims, has betrayed Allah and His Messenger and betrayed the believers.”

[Section: The Universal Principle That We Must Not Regard Anyone after the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—as Infallible]

(Section) (2)

The universal principle in this matter is that we must not believe anyone after the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—to be infallible (3). Rather, caliphs and non-caliphs alike (4) are liable to error. As for the sins they commit, they may repent of them; those sins may be expiated (5) on account of their many good deeds; and they may [also] (6) be afflicted by calamities through which Allah expiates those sins for them,