Pledge of Allegiance to Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra)

There are varying narrations in regard to Hazrat Ali (ra) pledging allegiance [bai‘at] to Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) because according to some narrations, Hazrat Ali (ra) did not immediately and wholeheartedly pledge his allegiance to Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra), whereas others state the contrary.

Nevertheless, Hazrat Abu Saeed Khudri (ra) relates that when the Muhajireen and the Ansar had pledged their allegiance to Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra), he stood at the pulpit and looked towards the people, but was unable to find Hazrat Ali (ra) among them. Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) then enquired about Hazrat Ali (ra).

Some men from the Ansar went and brought Hazrat Ali (ra) with them. Addressing Hazrat Ali (ra), Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) said, “O paternal nephew of the Holy Prophet (sa) and his son-in-law! Do you wish to destroy the strength of the Muslims?”

Hazrat Ali (ra) replied, “O Khalifa of the Messenger (sa) of Allah! Do not rebuke me for this.” Following this, he pledged initiation to Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra).

(Sirat Amir-il-Momineen Ali bin Abi Talib Shakhsiyyatuh wa Asruh, p. 119, Vol. 2, Ali bin Abi Talib fi Ahd al-Khulafa al-Rashidin … Dar al-Ma‘rifah, Beirut, Lebanon, 2006) (Ibn Kathir, Al-Sirah al-Nabawiyyah, Dhikr E‘tiraf Saad bin Ubadah bi Sihhat Ma Qalahu al-Siddiq Yaum al-Saqifah [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, 2005], 693)

In Tarikh al-Tabari, it is mentioned that Habib bin Abi Thabit relates that Hazrat Ali (ra) was in his home when an individual came to him and informed him that Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) was about to take the pledge of allegiance. Hazrat Ali (ra) was wearing a loose upper garment at the time. He immediately left the house, in a state where he was not wearing a waist-wrapper or his cloak, in fear of being delayed by this. Hence, he pledged allegiance to Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) and sat down beside him. Following this, he sent for his clothes and got dressed, but remained seated in the company of Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra).

(Muhammad Ibn Jarir al-Tabari, Tarikh al-Tabari, Vol. 3, Hadith al-Saqifah [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Fikr, 2002], 257)

Allama Ibn Kathir says that Hazrat Ali (ra) pledged allegiance to Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) the very next day or the second day after the demise of the Holy Prophet (sa). This indeed is the reality as Hazrat Ali (ra) never stopped his support of Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra), nor did he ever abandon offering his prayer behind Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra).

(Ibn Kathir, Al-Sirah al-Nabawiyyah, Dhikr E‘tiraf Saad bin Ubadah bi Sihhat Ma Qalahu al-Siddiq Yaum al-Saqifah [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, 2005], 694)