Khilafat-e-Rashidah — Page 68
68 KHILAFAT-E-R A SHIDAH Election of Hadrat Ali ra After this, Hadrat Usman ra was martyred and the Companions ra who were present in Medina— witnessing that discord was spreading among the Muslims—persuaded Hadrat Ali ra to accept the Bai‘at of the people. On the other hand, some miscreants also rushed to Hadrat Ali ra and told him that the Islamic state was facing the risk of destruction. They pleaded that he should accept the Bai‘at of the people in order to dispel fear and to establish safety and peace. In short, he was compelled to accept the Bai‘at and he took the responsibility after declining many times. Some of the eminent Companions ra were not present in Medina, and some were forced to take the Bai‘at. It is related that Hakim bin Jablah and Malik Ashter were sent with some aides to force Hadrat Talhah ra and Hadrat Zubair ra to take the Bai‘at at the point of the sword. They brandished their swords before them and asked them to take the Bai‘at of Hadrat Ali ra or they would kill them. According to some traditions, they were brought dragging on the ground for Bai‘at. Obviously, such an expression of allegiance cannot be called Bai‘at. Further, they took the Bai‘at on the condition that Hadrat Ali ra would take revenge from the murderers of Hadrat Usman ra. However, later, when they felt that Hadrat Ali ra was not taking any prompt action, they abandoned their Bai‘at and went from Medina to Mecca.