Part 1:The Imams from Ahlebayt whom Shia consider to be their divinely appointed Imam

[Ibn_Sadique]

Re: Part 1:The Imams from Ahlebayt whom Shia consider to be their divinely appointed

@Texan_Dude

Here, in this letter to Muawiyah, Imam Ali (AS) is quoting the argument which was once employed against him when he refused to give his oath to Abu Bakr. Imam Ali (AS) mentioned that if an election by people is the criterion to decide on the Caliphate, a general election took place in Medina to elect him as Caliph by Emigrants and Helpers and nobody can deny this fact. Therefore even according to the principles formulated by the opponents of Imam Ali (AS), his election was lawful, regular and bonafide.Thus Muslim who already accepted such principles to legitimize the election of the Abu Bakr, have no the right to speak or act against him (Ali). AndMuawiyah had no right to propose re-election nor to refuse allegiance when, in practice, he recognized this principle for Abu Bakr.

Brother again, I would recommend before jumping to any conclusions, I would recommend look into the whole context for the sermon. Imam Ali AS, gave that sermon when people wanted to elect him Caliph after the murder of Usman.
Please read the sermon below and it will clear things up for you
“If you want me for your worldly ends, then I am not ready to serve as your instrument. Leave me and select someone else who may fulfil your ends. You have seen my past life that I am not prepared to follow anything except the Qur’an and sunnah and would not give up this principle for securing power. If you select someone else I would pay regard to the laws of the state and the constitution as a peaceful citizen should do. I have not at any stage tried to disrupt the collective existence of the Muslims by inciting revolt. The same will happen now. Rather, just as keeping the common good in view I have hitherto been giving correct advice, I would not grudge doing the same. If you let me in the same position it would be better for your worldly ends, because in that case I won’t have power in my hands so that I could stand in the way of your worldly affairs, and create an impediment against your hearts’ wishes. However, if you are determined on swearing allegiance on my hand, bear in mind that if you frown or speak against me I would force you to tread on the path of right, and in the matter of the right I would not care for anyone. If you want to swear allegiance even at this, you can satisfy your wish.”******

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But if the Imamate of ordained by Allah (swt) upon Hz. Ali (ra); Hz. Ali (ra) has not right to bargain it off for something else. This beyond him – He was very brave indeed and would have faced any hardship to proclaim his Imamate if indeed there was one.

Can you imagine the Prophet (ra) postponing his Prophethood just to satisfy some people? Never!!!

Following was his response!

“O my uncle! By Allah, if they put the sun in my right hand and the moon in my left on condition that I abandoned this course, I would not abandon it until Allah has made it victorious, or I perish therein.

@Texan_Dude

I hope the above sermon would give you the true intentions of Hazrat Ali AS. It shows, how he perceived khilafat. Imam knew people around him and what their intension might be…. He denied Caliphate if people wanted him for wordly ends, and at the same time he clarified in the matter of right he would not care for any on, he clarified the following stand of his which is a duty of Imam

Refer to Nahjul Balagha SERMON 91

He said “We are facing a matter which has (several) faces and colours, which neither hearts can stand nor intelligence can accept. Clouds are hovering over the sky, and faces are not discernible.”Hz. Ali (ra) did NOT KNOW people and what their Intentions were!!!

**When people decided to Swear allegiance(1) at Amir al-mu’minin’s hand after the murder of `Uthman, he said: **

Leave me and seek some one else. We are facing a matter which has (several) faces and colours, which neither hearts can stand nor intelligence can accept. Clouds are hovering over the sky, and faces are not discernible. You should know that if I respond to you I would lead you as I know and would not care about whatever one may say or abuse. If you leave me then I am the same as you are. It is possible I would listen to and obey whomever you make in charge of your affairs. I am better for you as a counsellor than as chief. Nahjul Balagha SERMON 91

@Texan_Dude

You have seen my past life that I am not prepared to follow anything except the Qur’an and sunnah and would not give up this principle for securing power.
If you doubts about this sermon and how Imam perceived Khilafat of that time, I would recommend looking into the history. There are groups of people who did not have any issues with the first few caliphs, but when the great personality who clarified his stand before people paid allegiance to him and who was declared Mawla by Holy Prophet P.B.U.H these people came against him and at the same time regard people who came against him as Ameer ul Momineen. ****

About 25 years had passed from selection of Hz. Abu Bakr (ra) and about 22 year from nomination of Hz Umar al Khattab (ra) – These are new generation of people – most of the earlier people has passed away!!!