anything (1) in the well-known hadith reports recognized by the scholars of transmission to indicate that he appointed Alī as caliph. By contrast, authentic hadiths do indicate the caliphate of Abū Bakr. Yet they also claim that he had (2) explicitly designated Alī as caliph in a clear and conclusive statement that left no room for excuse. If he had done so, the document would have been unnecessary. And if those who heard that designation would not obey him, neither would they obey the document. What benefit, then, would the document have held for them, even if matters were as they claim?

[Response to the Rāfidī’s Claim Concerning the Dispute over Preparing Usāmah’s Army]

As for his statement (3):

“The second dispute, which occurred during his illness (4), was that he said: ‘Prepare Usāmah’s army. May Allah curse whoever holds back from joining it.’

“Some said, ‘We must obey his command, and Usāmah has already gone forth (5).’

“Others said, ‘His illness has become severe, and our hearts cannot (6) bear to leave him.’”

The answer (7) is:

“This is a fabricated lie by the unanimous agreement of those well versed in transmitted reports. The Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—never said, ‘May Allah curse whoever holds back from joining it.’ This has not been transmitted through any established chain; indeed, it has no chain of transmission whatsoever in the books of the hadith scholars. Nor would any of Usāmah’s companions have refused to go with him had he set out. Rather, Usāmah was