According to certain reports, several of the individuals associated with the group of Saqifah were among those who, at daybreak, approached the house of Amir al-Muminin Ali (peace be upon him).
The Reaction of the Usurpers of the Caliphate to the Hidden Burial
Imad al-Din al-Tabari narrates:
“When morning arrived, the people set out toward the house of Lady Fatimah (peace be upon her), intending to pray over her pure body and attend the rites of her funeral and burial. On the way, Miqdad encountered Abu Bakr and said to him, ‘We buried Fatimah last night.’
Upon hearing this, Umar said, ‘O Abu Bakr, did I not tell you they would do this?’
Miqdad replied, ‘Fatimah so instructed, so that you would not pray over her.’
Umar raised his hand and struck Miqdad upon his head and face repeatedly until he grew weary. Those present intervened and delivered Miqdad from him.
Miqdad then stood and said to them, ‘The daughter of the Messenger of God (peace be upon him and his family) has passed away while blood was flowing from her back and side—because of the blows of swords and whips you inflicted upon that noble lady. And I, compared to Ali and Fatimah, am far more insignificant in your eyes; hence, you beat me so viciously.’
When the people heard this, they said, ‘By God, the people were driven toward Ibn Abi Talib by force and threats.’ They then went to Ali, who was seated at his door while his companions surrounded him.
Umar said, ‘O son of Abu Talib, you will never abandon this ancient envy of yours. You washed the Messenger of God without our presence; you prayed over Fatimah without us; and you caused al-Hasan to tell Abu Bakr to descend from the pulpit of his father.’
Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him) remained silent.
Aqil responded, ‘By God, you are the most envious of people and the foremost in hostility toward the Messenger of God and his Household. Yesterday you harmed her, and she departed this world while her body was stained with blood and while she was displeased with you.’”
The Anger of Amir Al-Muminin (peace be upon him)
“Umar reached toward Aqil, and when Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him) beheld this, he immediately seized Umar by the collar and said with fury, ‘By God, I will not release you until everything concealed within you becomes exposed.’
At this moment, the Banu Hashim rose in support of Ali, and Zubayr, al-Abbas, Abdullah ibn Jafar, Salman, Miqdad, Abu Sufyan ibn al-Harith ibn Abd al-Muttalib, Abu Dharr, Ammar, and other faithful companions also stood by him. Amidst the commotion, Khalid drew his sword toward Ali.
Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him) said, ‘O corrupt and vile man, with what audacity do you raise your sword against the Messenger of God? You and your father are the ones responsible for such conduct.’
Abu Bakr rose, took the hand of Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him), and said, ‘O Abu al-Hasan, sit down.’
Ali (peace be upon him) replied, “We shall go to the space between the grave and the pulpit.”
The Complaint at the Resting Place of the Seal of Prophethood
“When Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him) reached that place, he sat and swore an oath by the sanctity of the grave and the one who rests within it, saying, ‘The Messenger of God entrusted me, saying that no one should see my body except you, and that whoever beholds my nakedness shall be struck with blindness.
I said, “O Messenger of God, who shall assist me?”
He said, “Gabriel, together with the angels brought near (to God).”
I washed the Prophet, and al-Fadl ibn Abbas, with his eyes closed, poured the water. The angels turned the body of the Prophet from one side to the other according to my request.
I wished to remove the garment from the body of the Messenger of God when suddenly I heard the voice of a righteous being, though I could not see him, saying, “Do not remove the garment from the body of the Prophet of God.”
I prepared the shroud and the perfumes, wrapped the Messenger of God in the shroud, and only then removed his garment.
As for Hasan, you know that when the Messenger of God delivered sermons, he would come forward, place his legs around his blessed neck, and sit upon his shoulders.
But when he saw another person (Abu Bakr) upon the pulpit of the Prophet, though he was but a child, he became deeply saddened and said, “Descend from the pulpit of my father.” By God, I did not command him to say that.
As for what transpired between Fatimah and you, you know it well. She departed this world with a distressed heart. She instructed me, ‘If Abu Bakr and Umar pray over me, I shall complain of you before my father, just as I shall complain of them.’ And I would never disobey her in this.’”
The Disavowal of Imam Jafar al-Sadiq (peace be upon him) from the People of Saqifah
Al-Mufadal ibn Umar narrates from Imam Jafar al-Sadiq (peace be upon him):
“Every injustice committed in Islam, and every injustice that will occur until the Day of Resurrection; every unlawful bloodshed until the Day of Resurrection; and every reprehensible and immoral deed committed until the Day of Resurrection—all of it rests upon the necks of those two men (the first and the second) and their followers, supporters, and all who are content with their authority.”
