Ali on the Status of Abu Bakr and Umar

Muhammad b. Al-Hanafîyah – Allâh have mercy on him – reports, “I asked my father (‘Alî), ‘Who is the best person after Allâh’s Messenger – Allâh’s peace and blessings be upon him?’ He replied, ‘Abû Bakr.’ I said, ‘And then who?’ He replied, “Then Umar.’ I feared he would say ‘Uthmân; I said, ‘And then you.’ He said, ‘I am just a man amongst the Muslims.’”

Al-Bukhârî and others.

Commenting on ‘Ali’s response ‘I am just a man amongst the Muslims,’ Ibn Hajr states in Fath Al-Bârî, “He said this out of modesty and humbleness, despite knowing that at the time of asking he was the best of people at the time, for this was after the killing of ‘Uthmân.”

May Allâh be pleased with them all.

More:

  1. A False testimony of Faith [hypocrisy and the shahadah]
  2. Isn’t this that time?
  3. Love and Praise for the Companions
  4. Risking your religion through Argumentation
  5. Don’t ask the Polytheists
  6. Characterless
  7. Guilty by Association

January 3, 2009

Topics: 'Aqîdah, Biographical

Names:

5 Responses to “Ali on the Status of Abu Bakr and Umar”

  1. umm yusuf on September 13, 2009 22:42

    who is muhammad bin hanafiyah, did Ali radiyAllahu anhu have a son called Muhammed?

  2. Owais Al-Hashimi on September 14, 2009 00:52

    Yes, the reporter of this narration is Muhammad b. Al-Hanafeeyah. He is one of the sons of Ali – Allâh be pleased with him. He is the half brother of Hasan and Husayn. His mother was the right-hand possession of Ali, her name is Khawlah bint Ja’far Al-Hanafeeyah. He was born during the last days of the Caliphate of Abû Bakr – Allâh be pleased with him. He is one of the elder Tâbi’ûn and reports hadiths from his father, ‘Umar, Abû Hurayrah, ‘Uthmân, ‘Ammâr b. Yâsir and Mu’âwiyah – Allâh be pleased with them all. Imam Al-Dhahabî describes him as ‘Sayyid’ and ‘Imam.’ Allâh have mercy on him.

  3. Bint Khaled on January 22, 2010 07:25

    Why does he fear that Ali would say `Uthman after Umar – May Allaah be please with all of them?

  4. Owais Al-Hashimi on January 23, 2010 08:23

    Ibn Hajr explains Muhammad b. Al-Hanafeeyah – at the time of asking the question – thought his father was the best person after Abu Bakr and Umar; he did not know Uthman was next. He feared Ali might say Uthman out of humbleness and modesty. One report of this narration also tells us that Muhammad b. Al-Hanafeeyah himself explains this was because of his young age.

  5. Bint Khaled on January 25, 2010 05:07

    Alhamdulillaah, I understand now. Jazaak Allaahu khairan.