There can be no doubt that this and similar claims are lies fabricated by an ignorant person who sought to counter what had been established (1) concerning Abū Bakr in the words of Allah:

“The most righteous will be kept far from it—the one who gives his wealth to purify himself—not in return for any favor owed to anyone, but only seeking the Countenance of his Lord, the Most High. And he will surely be well pleased.”

[Surah al-Layl: 17 - 21].

He sought to do so by ascribing something of the same kind to Alī. Since he could not falsely claim that Alī had done such a thing during the earliest days of Islam, he fabricated this lie, which could deceive only someone grossly ignorant.

Moreover, how could the Prophet—peace and blessings of Allah be upon him—have said in Medina, after the Hijrah and after receiving support, “Appoint for me a minister from my family—Alī—and strengthen me through him,” when Allah had already given him might through His aid and through the believers, (2) as the Most High says:

“He is the One who supported you with His aid and with the believers.”

[Surah al-Anfāl: 62].

And He says:

“If you do not support him, Allah certainly supported him when the disbelievers drove him out, as one of two, while they were both in the cave. He said to his companion, ‘Do not grieve; Allah is indeed with us.’”

[Surah al-Tawbah: 40].

The one who was with him when Allah supported him—“when the disbelievers drove him out”—was Abū Bakr. They were two, with Allah as their third. Likewise, on the day of Badr, when a shelter was erected for him, it was Abū Bakr (3) who entered the shelter with him, to the exclusion of all the other Companions. Every Companion made a commendable effort and performed a righteous deed in support of the Messenger of Allah—peace and blessings of Allah be upon him.

A report also relates: “When Alī came carrying his sword on the day of Uhud, he said to Fātimah, ‘Wash it on the day of Uhud