Thus, these descendants of Abd al-Muttalib do not number twenty men. Where, then, are the forty?
Fifth:
His claim, “Each man among them used to eat a young sheep and drink a faraq (a large measure) of milk,” is a lie(1) about those people. The Banū Hāshim were not known for such prodigious appetites, nor was anyone among them known to eat a young sheep or drink a faraq.
Sixth:
His statement to the assembled group, “Whoever responds to me in this matter and supports me in carrying it out shall be my brother, my minister, the executor of my will, and my successor after me,” is a fabrication against the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and may not be attributed to him. Merely accepting the two declarations of faith and assisting in this undertaking does not entail all of that. All the believers accepted those two declarations, assisted him in this undertaking, and sacrificed their lives and wealth to uphold it and obey him(2). They left their homelands, made enemies of their brothers, and patiently endured separation after fellowship, humiliation after honor, poverty after wealth, and hardship after ease. Their history is well known and widely attested. Yet despite all this, none of them thereby(3) became his successor.