1. The report, which was mentioned previously:1 “When the Prophet became
eager for Paradise, he kissed the beard of Abu Bakr.”
Firozabad and Ajluni have said2 that this report is among the most famous
fabricated traditional reports and is from lies, whose invalidity is known to
reason.
2. Reports, which Ajluni has mentioned in Kashful Khifa:3 “Ibrahim Khalil and Abu Bakr Siddiq have white beards in Paradise.”
After that he writes in Maqasid4 quoting from his teacher Ibne Hajar:
“The report, which says: ‘Khalil and Siddiq have white beards in Paradise,’
is not authentic and I have not seen it in any of the famous books of traditions or
other writings.”
Then he writes: “Supposing this report is issued by Prophet, in my view it is
having exigency; as for its exigency regarding Khalil is that he is like a father to
Muslims and he had named them as Muslims and they are commanded to follow
his religion. As for its exigency regarding Siddiq is that he is like second father of
Muslims, because he opened the door of their acceptance of Islam.”
Allamah Amini says: The Muslim nation has an ideal and spiritual father,
who is worthier than Khalil (a.s.); and he is Holy Prophet, Muhammad (s.a.w.a.).
As narrated from His Eminence (s.a.w.a.) that he said: “Indeed, I am like a father
for you.”5
The real life of this nation is this very prophethood and it is him, who called
them to life-giving teaching and permanent honor of Ummah is from him only;
thus, His Eminence (s.a.w.a.) is more deserving than his father, Khalil and his
companion, Abu Bakr, that his beard should be in Paradise.
More amazing is the fact that they regarded Abu Bakr as second father of
nation on the pretext that he opened the door of the Ummah in embracing Islam,
whereas one, who raised the noble call, brought right proofs, showed clear
miracles, sacred revelations, good manners and morals, severe battles, completely
opened the door for the nation to enter Islam, was the Messenger of Allah
(s.a.w.a.).
Thus, he was more deserving that his beard should be in Paradise. When the
Ummah does not even recognize the door, which the Caliph had opened for
entering Islam, and no one knows on what occasion he opened it? And where and
for whom did he open it? And which door was that?
Yes, it is clear to whole Ummah that he closed the door on the Ummah and
it was the best of the Muslims and knowledge and guidance which he closed; and
he closed the door, which according to widely narrated texts was the door of the
city of knowledge of Prophet, Maula Ameerul Momineen Ali (a.s.), and he is the
gate that leads to Almighty Allah and saints have focused their attention on that
door.
If Imamate had not been seized from him, his sciences would have been
dispersed and his teachings would have blossomed and his wise statements would
have reached to all, and his commands would have been acted upon and people
would have been showered with indulgence and bounties.
But His Eminence was denied his right, therefore people became ignorant
and there were famines in the country and rains did not fall and corruption
appeared in the land and sea because of the acts of people and to Allah do we
complain.
If by ‘opening of door’ Ajluni implies expansion of territories, which
occurred during the reign of Caliph, it should be said that the second Caliph was
more worthy that his beard should be in Paradise, because the expansion of
territories was more during his Caliphate.
Yes, if someone had this eligibility that after the Prophet (s.a.w.a.) he should
be the second father of the Ummah, it is Ameerul Momineen (a.s.) through whom
the call of the Prophet was perfected and victory in battles was achieved at his
hands.
He was the holy self of Prophet and on the basis of clarification of Prophet,
his Caliph. Therefore, it is narrated from Anas bin Malik from the Prophet that he
said:
“The right of Ali on this Ummah is the right of father on son.”
Also, it is narrated from Ammar and Abu Ayyub Ansari that: “The right of
Ali on every Muslim, is just like the right of father on his son.”6