of the greatest importance, because neither he nor others like him among the dialectical theologians knew these matters. They merely transmitted what was related in heresiographical works, which contain many falsehoods (1) of the same kind as those found in historical chronicles.

Yet the fabricators of this calumny claim that Abū Bakr and Umar were among the army and that the Messenger intended to send them away so that they could not challenge Ali. Only someone utterly ignorant of the circumstances of the Messenger and the Companions, and utterly intent upon lying, could tell and fabricate such a claim. Throughout his illness, the Messenger—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—was instructing Abū Bakr to lead the people in prayer while everyone was present. Whoever the Messenger of Allah—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—had appointed over the people, they would have obeyed; and the Emigrants and the Helpers would have fought anyone who defied the command of Allah and His Messenger. They were the very people who had supported Allah’s religion from beginning to end.

Had the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—wished to appoint Ali to lead the prayer in his stead, could anyone have prevented it? Had he wished to place Ali in command of the pilgrimage over Abū Bakr and those with him, would anyone have challenged him? Had he said to his Companions, “This man is your commander and the imam after me,” could anyone have prevented it?

The great body of the Muslims—the Emigrants and the Helpers—were with him, all obedient to the Messenger of Allah—may Allah bless him and grant him peace. None of them hated Ali, nor was there anyone among them whose relative Ali had killed.

The Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—entered Mecca in the Year of the Conquest with ten thousand men: one thousand from Sulaym, one thousand from Muzaynah, one thousand from Juhaynah, one thousand from Ghifār, and so forth. And the Prophet—