Chapter One: Allegiance of Light
1 / 1
The Date of Allegiance to the Imām
Historians and hagiographers have differed in determining the accurate date of the people’s pledge of allegiance to Imām Ali (a.s.). Some hold that on the same day which `Uthmān was killed people swore allegiance to the Imām (a.s.). 1 Others believe that the allegiance to the Imām took place several days after the murder of `Uthmān. This interval, varying from one to five days, is a matter of disagreement among the historians.2
It is reported in some historical sources that the allegiance to Ali (a.s.) was sworn on Friday 25th of Dhil Hijja, which people is supposed to be the same day that 'Uthmān was killed.3
Finally, according to what4 Ibn Abi al-Hadid quoted his teacher Abu Ja`far Iskāfi5 and based on what is reported in Tārikh Dimashq
and Tadhkirat al-Khawāss6, people swore allegiance to the Imām on Friday Dhil Hijja 18, 35 AH/June 12, 656 CE.
In my opinion, this last view is closer to reality; for besides being asserted by the foregoing sources, it is compatible with the view
of those who identify the date of allegiance to the Imām with the date of the murder of `Uthmān, since according to the most authentic traditions, `Uthmān was murdered on the 18th of Dhil Hijja.7
On the other hand, considering the political circumstances of the Islamic society of that time and the exclusive situation of Imām Ali (a.s.), to claim that there was an interval of time between `Uthmān’s murder and the appointing of a new leader is far from reality.
1.al-Isti`āb, vol. ۳, p. ۲۱۷, h. ۱۸۷۵, Muruj al-Dhahab, vol. ۲, p. ۳۵۸, Tārikh al-Tabari, vol. ۴, p. ۴۳۶, al-Kāmil fi al-Tārikh, vol. ۲, p. ۳۰۵.
It is narrated in the above volumes that: “People presumed that allegiance to the Imām took place the day `Uthmān was killed.” al-Mustadrak `Ala al-Sahihayn, vol. ۳, p. ۱۲۳, h. ۴۵۹۴. It is reported in this volume that, “It is said that the allegiance to Imām took place after `Uthmān was killed”.
2.. It is reported in some sources that the allegiance took place one day after the killing of `Uthmān. Cf., Ansāb al-Ashrāf: vol. ۳, p.۷. Other sources state that the allegiance was sworn three days later. Cf. al-Mustadrak `ala al-Sahihayn: vol. ۳, p.۱۲۳, h. ۴۵۹۴, al-Akhbār al-Tiwāl: p. ۱۴۰. Some sources report that the allegiance took place four of five days later. Cf., al-Mustadrak `Ala al-Sahihayn, vol. ۳, p.۱۲۳, h. ۴۵۹۴.
3.. Tārikh al-Tabari, vol. ۴, p. ۴۳۶, al-Kāmil fi al-Tārikh: vol. ۲, p. ۳۰۵.
4.. Tārikh al-Tabari, vol. ۴, p. ۴۲۸.
5.. Sharh Nahj al-Balāghah, vol. ۷ p. ۳۶.
6.. Tārākh Dimashq, vol.۴۲, p. ۴۳۷, Tadhkira al-Khawās, p. ۵۶.
7.. Fadā'il al-Sahāba, vol. ۱, p. ۴۸۰, h. ۷۷۸,
