3. Challenge of Ameerul Momineen (a.s.) on the day of Rahba1 during 35 A.H.
When Ameerul Momineen (a.s.) learnt that they blame him for what is narrated about the precedence of Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.) in praising him and they dispute about his Caliphate, he was present among people in Rahba in Kufa. He challenged those, who disputed the matter of his Caliphate through the tradition of Ghadeer.
Such is the importance of this reasoning and challenge that a large number of companions of companions have mentioned it and it is quoted in books of numerous scholars. I have found it in the statements of four companions and fourteen companions of companions.2 Among them is Abu Sulaiman Muezzin, Abul Qasim Asbagh bin Nubata3 , companion Zaid bin Arqam Ansari4.
Ibne Abil Hadeed in Sharh Nahjul Balagha5 , has through his authorities narrated from Abu Sulaiman Muezzin.
Ali (a.s.) adjured the people: “Which of you have heard from the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.): Of whomsoever I am the master, Ali is also his master?” A group of people replied in positive, but Zaid bin Arqam, in spite of knowing, refrained from responding and Ali (a.s.) cursed him to become blind, thus he became blind and after his blindness, he mentioned this tradition to people.
4. Challenge of Ameerul Momineen (a.s.) and his argument against Talha on the day of the Battle of Jamal in the year 36 A.H.
The great Hafiz, Abu Abdullah Hakeem, in his book of Mustadrak6 , has narrated through his chains from Rafaa Ibne Ayas Zabbi from his father from his grandfather that:
“I was with Ali (a.s.) on the day of the Battle of Jamal. The Imam sent message to Talha bin Ubaidullah to come and meet him. When he came, the Imam asked: ‘I adjure you by Allah, did you not hear from the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.) that he said: Of whomsoever I am the master, Ali is also his master. O Allah, love those, who love him and be inimical to those, who are inimical to him?’
‘Yes,’ he said.
Imam (a.s.) asked: ‘Then why have you come out to fight me?’
He replied: ‘I did not remember it.’
Then Talha went away.
Masudi has also quoted this incident in Murujuz Zahab7 and it is as follows:
When Zubair returned, Ali (a.s.) called out to Talha:
‘O Aba Muhammad, what brought you out to fight with me?’
He replied: ‘In revenge for the murder of Uthman.’
Ali (a.s.) said: ‘May Almighty Allah kill all, who have a role in spilling the blood of Uthman. Have you not heard that the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.) said (about me): O Allah, love those, who love him and be inimical to those, who are inimical to him? You were the first of those, who pledged allegiance to me and then you broke the pledge and Allah, the Mighty and Sublime says:
فَمَنْ نَكَتَ فَإِنَّمَا يَنْكُتُ عَلَى نَفْسِهِ
“Therefore whoever breaks (his faith), he breaks it only to the injury of his own soul.”8
At that time Talha said: ‘I seek the forgiveness of Allah,’ and returned.”