Ihyaaud Deen An Effort to Revive Deen in Totality
The Shiah claim that Hazrat Ali (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) hated Hazrat Abu Bakr and Hazrat Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhuma) due to them usurping the Khilaafah from him. This claim is false and baseless as it is authentically proven that Hazrat Ali (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) loved Hazrat Abu Bakr and Hazrat Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhuma) and regarded them most worthy for the Khilaafah. In fact, it is reported that Hazrat Ali (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) was not pleased with any person becoming the Khalifah after the demise of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) besides Hazrat Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu).
عن الحسن البصري عن علي بن أبي طالب قال قدم رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم أبا بكر فصلى بالناس وإني لشاهد غير غائب وإني لصحيح غير مريض ولو شاء أن يقدمني لقدمني فرضينا لدنيانا من رضيه الله ورسوله لديننا (أسد الغابة 3/328)
Hazrat Hasan Basri (rahimahullah) reports that Hazrat Ali (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) said, “Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) appointed Hazrat Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) to lead the people in salaah (during his final illness). At that time, I was present, not absent, and I was healthy and well, not sick. If Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) had wished to appoint me to lead the people in salaah, he could have done so (but he did not appoint me and appointed Hazrat Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu)). We are thus happy for that person to lead us in our dunya (in becoming our Khalifah) whom Allah Ta‘ala and His Rasul (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) were happy with to lead us in our deen (by leading us in salaah).”
Similarly, it is reported that Hazrat Ali (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) did not regard anyone more worthy and entitled for the post of khilaafat after the demise of Hazrat Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) than Hazrat Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu).
عن سيار أبي الحكم أن أبا بكر لما ثقل أطلع رأسه إلى الناس من كوة فقال يا أيها الناس إني قد عهدت عهدا أفترضون به فقام الناس فقالوا قد رضينا فقام علي فقال لا نرضى إلا أن يكون عمر بن الخطاب فكان عمر (مصنف ابن أبي شيبة 17/71)
When Hazrat Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) had fallen ill and was nearing his end, he addressed the people from his window saying, “I am about to appoint a khalifah (who will take charge of your affairs after my demise). Will you be pleased with the person whom I appoint as khalifah over you?” The people responded, “We will be pleased with whomsoever you appoint as khalifah over us.” Thereafter, Hazrat Ali (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) stood up and said, “We will not be pleased with anyone besides Hazrat Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu).” Thereafter, Hazrat Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) was appointed as khalifah.
From the above narrations, it becomes abundantly clear that Hazrat Ali (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) loved Hazrat Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) and Hazrat Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) and regarded them to be most worthy for the Khilaafah in their respective eras.
