Question
I know that this question does not affect my belief but I just wanted to know.
After the disagreement between Ali (may allah be pleased with him) and Muawia (may allah be pleased with him)it is reported mostly by scholars of a certain sect that in the mosques during the caliphate of Ummaya family bad things were said about Ali (may allah be pleased with him). I initially did not make much of it but then I saw it written in Seerat-un-Nabi by Shibli Naumani and Suleman Nadvi. Is it true.
The other questions that come to my mind are:
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what was the reason Ali (may allah be pleased with him) was hesitant to ask the qasas of Uthman (may allah be pleased with him).
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Was it true that during the Ummavi caliphate bad things were said about Ali and his family.
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an unrelated question. In seerat-un-nabi it mentions the age of Aisha (may allah be pleased with him) as 6 years at the time of marriage. I keep that book in high esteem. The reason it looks strange is that I know that both the authors were of school of thought of Farahi. Amin Ahsan Islahi was also one of the pupils of Maulana Farahi and he was teacher of Mr. Ghamidi who you are associated with. It just looked strange to find such a thing in their writing (i find your arguments to be true regarding her age).
I have also gone through the Haqiqat-e-khilafat and Malokiat on the topic of disagrrements between Ali and Muawia.
Sorry for writing too many questions.
Your younger brother in Islam
Answer
The reports which tell us that during the Umayyad caliphate Ali (ra) had been the victim of abusive language, are found in most of the books dealing with the early Islamic history. However, as you have correctly implied, they are entirely of a political nature and have no religious significance. Furthermore, keeping in view the affect of anti-Umayyad propaganda on narrations of Muslim history as well as the high moral standard of the Muslim community, in general, it is highly improbable that the referred immoral public incidents could really have taken place. In our opinion, therefore, the referred reports seem only to be a part of unfounded propaganda against the Umayyad dynasty.
As regards the matter of Ali’s being hesitant to ask for the Qisas for the blood of Uthman (ra), there may be numerous reasons for that. Most plausible is the one forwarded by Ali (ra) himself that he was not in position to do so. He held that he would certainly punish the culprits once he got full control. Most of the rebels had joined his camp. In these relentless circumstances it was difficult for him to execute the murderers.
As regards the matter of Ayesha’s (ra) age I would say that it is not the personalities who determine the validity of a certain view, it is rather the argument which substantiates their view. We do respect all the scholars of the past who shared their knowledge with the subsequent generations. They all deserve respect since their contributions are unsurpassed but we have to submit to the truth. If someone comes up with a viewpoint better argued than that, which we hold we must then capitulate. It is in fact the hardest test in ones life. We try to acknowledge the reality no matter where it originates from. This recognition of the counter view does not signify derision rather it is the pursuance of the truth.
I hope this helps
Tariq Mahmood Hashmi
November 21, 2002