After the assassination of Uthman, a most pious and God-fearing Caliph who considerably strengthened the Muslim state and ensured justice for all people, Ali was elected as a new Caliph, by popular choice. His election was confirmed by a general pledge of loyalty given by the people of Madinah and also by the rebels who were responsible for Uthman’s killing. However, many rumors were spread about Ali’s election, most of which were false. Ibn Al-Arabi mentions and refutes some of these in his concluding remarks about the first major period of political chaos in Islamic history. We will look at his account before adding Al-Khateeb’s annotation:
The one who initiated the pledge of loyalty for Ali was Talhah ibn Ubaydellah. People began to say: “It was a paralyzed hand that made the pledge to Ali. By God, this affair will not be properly settled.”
Should it be said that Talhah and Al-Zubayr pledged their loyalty to him under duress, we say that it is inconceivable that in the circumstances they could have been compelled to make such a pledge. Besides, their being under duress, if true, would not have had any effect on the validity of his choice, because the pledge of loyalty would have been valid if one or two people made it. Those who give it after that are bound by it. In fact, people are required under Islamic law to give such a pledge. Had Talhah and Al-Zubayr refused to pledge their loyalty to Ali, their refusal would not have had any effect on them or on the validity of his choice. As for the one who spoke about a paralyzed hand and an issue remaining unsettled, this was all speculation which subsequent events proved wrong.
Should it be attributed to Talhah that he said that a sword was drawn out behind his neck to force him to pledge his loyalty, we emphatically state that this is a lie that betrays ignorance. Their reference to a paralyzed hand is of no value, because a hand that was badly injured in defending God’s Messenger (peace be upon him) is a blessed hand which could confirm any matter. Ali’s choice was done in accordance with Islamic rules, but the liars continue to make their false allegations.
If it is said that they made their pledges to him on condition that he would kill Uthman’s assassins, we say that such a condition would not be correct. The pledge was given to him on condition that he would judge in accordance with right and justice. This means that a claim should be made and the defendant is brought forward. The case is then heard, allowing the defendant to state his defense. When all evidence is heard, judgment is made. To take anyone on the basis of wild statements or unconfirmed actions is alien to Islamic law.
Some of those who came to be known as pro-Uthman claim that a number of the companions of the Prophet (peace be upon him), including Saad ibn Abi Waqqas, Muhammad ibn Maslamah, Abdullah ibn Umar and Usamah ibn Zayd withheld their support. The fact is that none refused to give their pledges of loyalty. As for actively supporting him by joining his army, some people did not come forward to give such active support. Those mentioned by the pro-Uthman party were among them. However, this is a question on which people may have different views. Each one makes his choice on the basis of the way he views the situation at the time.
The first of these remarks outline the Islamic rule on choosing a ruler. The choice becomes valid when anyone pledges his loyalty to him. The matter is then put to the community, and if it is confirmed, then the chosen person becomes the Caliph or the president, according to whatever title he is given. Hence the claim that Talhah and Al-Zubayr were compelled to give their pledges is seen to be ridiculous. To start with, there was no need for them to come forward if they did not wish to do so, and their refusal, should they refuse, would not have affected the validity of Ali’s choice. Why, then, would anyone try to force them when there is nothing to be gained by such use of force?
The derogatory remarks about Talhah’s hand being paralyzed show how ignorant the people making them were. Talhah gained great honor and much respect in the Battle of Uhud when he defended the Prophet and protected him from a determined attack by the unbelievers who were out to kill him. In that battle, Talhah received no less than 24 wounds, but he continued to defend the Prophet until he ensured his safety. On that day, the Prophet named him Talhah the Goodness. He also subsequently named him Talhah the Generous. He was one of the ten companions of the Prophet assured of being admitted to heaven.
In his annotation of Ibn Al-Arabi’s book, Al-Khateeb quotes several reports confirming Talhah’s standing in the Muslim community. One of these mentions that on the day of the Battle of the Camel, when Ali and Talhah were on opposed sides, Ali heard someone saying: “Who is this Talhah?” Ali rebuked him and said: “You were not present in the Battle of Uhud. I saw him then when he was making himself a shield to defend the Prophet while people’s swords were hitting him. He simply shielded the Prophet with his own body.” He was hit by an arrow in his hand, which caused him permanent injury. As Al-Khateeb says: “Had Talhah’s hand been the first to pledge loyalty to Ali, that would have been a greater blessing, because it was the hand that defended the Prophet while Al-Ashtar, the man said by the Kufah people to have been the first to give his pledge to Ali, still had fresh blood on it, since he participated in Uthman’s killing.
The last point concerning a condition of the pledge given to Ali is clear. The condition as stated would require Ali to take immediate action to kill Uthman’s assassins. Such a condition could have never been accepted by Ali because it was contrary to Islamic law which requires solid proof before punishing anyone accused of any crime. What Ali could commit himself to do was to ensure justice in accordance with Islamic law. This means that the case of Uthman’s killing should be put for judgment, and those who would be accused of committing this crime would be given the right to defend themselves. The killers would then be punished according to the provisions of the law.
Nevertheless, the case of Uthman’s assassins was to be a sour point causing much more trouble in the Muslim state, which we will look into in future articles, God willing.
