Q 14: Those who follow the Manhaj (methodology) of Al-Mukrimy claim that `Aly ibn Abu Talib is the first Caliph; they abuse the other Caliphs and the rest of the Sahabah (Companions of the Prophet), and they also accuse the Mother of the Believers, `Aishah.

A: There is a lot of evidence that the first Caliph after the Prophet (peace be upon him) was Abu Bakr Al-Siddiq (may Allah be pleased with him), whether they were reported from him or from other Sahabah. However, the Prophet (peace be upon him) did not say this directly and definitely, but he only gave orders that entails so; he asked him to lead the people in Salah (Prayer) when he (peace be upon him) was ill. When he was asked about his successor, he (peace be upon him) said, Allah and the Mu'minun (believers) do not admit anyone to that position but Abu Bakr. Thus, the Sahabah, including `Aly (may Allah be pleased with him), gave him their Bay`ah (pledge of allegiance) after the death of the Prophet (peace be upon him). They unanimously agreed on Abu Bakr being the best among them. (Part No. 2; Page No. 155) It was authentically reported in the Hadith narrated by Ibn `Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both) that the Sahabah (may Allah be pleased with them) used to say during the lifetime of the Prophet (peace be upon him), The best of this Ummah (nation) after the Prophet are Abu Bakr then `Umar then `Uthman. The Prophet (peace be upon him) acknowledged this. Athar (narrations from the Companions) were narrated by a significant number of narrators that `Aly (may Allah be pleased with him) used to say, "The best one among the Muslims after their Prophet is Abu Bakr then `Umar ." He (may Allah be pleased with him) also used to say, "Anyone who claims that I am better than them will be whipped for slander." He never claimed that he is the best one among the Ummah, that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) enjoined that he would be his successor, or that the Sahabah wronged him and usurped his right. (Part No. 2; Page No. 156) When Fatimah (may Allah be pleased with her) died, he gave a second Bay`ah to Al-Siddiq in assurance of the first Bay`ah and to show the people that he approved of the Bay`ah of Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him). When `Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) was stabbed, he made the matter a Shura (consultation) among six of the ten Sahabah who were given the glad tidings of entering Jannah (Paradise); among whom was `Aly (may Allah be pleased with him). He did not denounce `Umar for this, neither in his lifetime nor after his death, and he did not say he has priority over them all. How can anybody tell lies on the tongue of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) and claim that he had appointed `Aly as his successor, even though `Aly himself did not claim this, nor did any of the Sahabah? They unanimously agreed on the validity of the Caliphate of Abu Bakr, `Umar and `Uthman `Aly (may Allah be pleased with him) admitted this, and cooperated with the three of them in Jihad (fighting in the cause of Allah), Shura and other issues. The generation after the Sahabah unanimously agreed on what the Sahabah agreed on. Thus, it is impermissible for anyone, whether Shi`ah (Shi'ites) or others, to claim that `Aly is the successor of the Messenger of Allah, and that the Caliphate before him was Batil (null and void). It is also impermissible for anyone to claim that the Sahabah wronged `Aly and usurped his right. This is an evident falsehood and a form of mistrust in the Sahabah, including `Aly (may Allah be pleased with them all).Allah (Exalted be He) protected the Islamic Ummah (nation) from consensus on (Part No. 2; Page No. 157) a falsehood. It was authentically reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said in many Hadiths, A group of people from my Ummah will remain victorious (and on the right path). It is impossible that the Ummah unanimously agrees on falsehood in the best of centuries, which is the Caliphate of Abu Bakr, `Umar and `Uthman Anyone who believes in Allah (Exalted be He) and the Day of Judgment, and who has the slightest idea about Islam would never say so.Abusing the Sahabah (may Allah be pleased with them) is a Munkar (that which is unacceptable or disapproved of by Islamic law and Muslims of sound intellect) and adversity to Allah (Exalted be He) and His Messenger (peace be upon him). Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) clarified many times in the Qur'an that He is pleased with them, such as His Saying, And the foremost to embrace Islâm of the Muhâjirûn (those who migrated from Makkah to Al-Madinah) and the Ansâr (the citizens of Al-Madinah who helped and gave aid to the Muhâjirûn ) and also those who followed them exactly (in Faith). Allâh is well-pleased with them as they are well-pleased with Him. He has prepared for them Gardens under which rivers flow (Paradise), to dwell therein forever. That is the supreme success. He (Exalted be He) also says, Indeed, Allâh was pleased with the believers when they gave the Bai‘ah (pledge) to you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) under the tree. If a person dies while still abusing the Sahabah or accusing the Mother of the Believers, `Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her), they have died while in a state of Kufr (disbelief), as they have doubted the truth of Allah and His Messenger, for Allah (Glorified be He) (Part No. 2; Page No. 158) has praised the Sahabah, is pleased with them and has declared the innocence of `Aishah in the Qur'an.