Hadith 115

Commentary

a. The Messenger of Allâh صلى الله عليه وسلم spoke these words to 'Ali رضي الله عنه when the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم set out for the battle of Tabuk, and charged 'Ali رضي الله عنه to look after the affairs of Al-Madinah in his absence. 'Ali رضي الله عنه grieved at being left out from jihâd (fighting in the cause of Allâh) and said: "Do you want to leave me with children and women?" It was in response to this that the Messenger of Allâh صلى الله عليه وسلم spoke the words quoted above. (Bukhari: 4416). b. Some people have tried to deduce from this Hadith proof of 'Ali's being the immediate successor of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم. Hârun رضي الله عنه, they argue, was the successor of the Prophet Musa عليه السلام, therefore 'Ali رضي الله عنه must also be considered the rightful successor of the Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم as caliph of the community. It is because of this assumption that they question the validity of the appointment of the first three caliphs and hold them guilty of usurping the right of 'Ali ﷺ. This is a clear case of misconception as the commission of Hārūn رضي الله عنه as his brother's deputy was just a temporary arrangement meant to last only as long as Musa رضي الله عنه lived. Similarly, 'Ali's commission to work as the Prophet's deputy during the Prophet's military campaign of Tabuk was for a certain period of time during the lifetime of the Prophet ﷺ. Moreover, Hārūn رضي الله عنه never succeeded Musa رضي الله عنه, as he had already died during the lifetime of his brother. It was in fact Yusha' bin Nun رضي الله عنه who assumed the mantle of Musa رضي الله عنه after his death. Thus, even if the Hadith is interpreted as containing a promise of 'Ali's caliphate, there is no basis to believe that he would be the first caliph after the Prophet's demise, without anyone intervening in between.