The invalid claim of Abu Bakr Khalifa

398. Ibn Mahboub, from Amro Bin Abu Al-Maqdaam, from his father who said: I said to Abu Ja’far عليه الصلاة والسلام that: ‘The generality (of the Muslims) are alleging that the pledging of the allegiances to Abu Bakr where the people gathered was with the Pleasure of Allah عز وجل and Allah عز وجل did not like the strife (Fitna) in the community of Muhammad صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم after him صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم. So Abu Ja’far عليه الصلاة والسلام said: ‘Have you not recited the Book of Allah عز وجل? Has not Allah عز وجل said: “[3:144] And Muhammad is no more than a messenger; the messengers have already passed away before him; if then he dies or is killed will you turn back upon your heels? And whoever turns back upon his heels, he will by no means do harm to Allah in the least and Allah will reward the grateful” I said to him عليه الصلاة والسلام, ‘They are explaining it upon another perspective’. So he عليه الصلاة والسلام said: ‘Has not Allah عز وجل Informed about those who were before them from the communities who had differed from after the Proofs had come to them, where He عز وجل Said: “[2:253] and We gave clear miracles to Isa son of Marium, and strengthened him with the holy spirit. And if Allah had pleased, those after them would not have fought one with another after clear arguments had come to them, but they disagreed; so there were some of them who believed and others who denied; and if Allah had pleased they would not have fought one with another, but Allah brings about what He intends”, and in this is the evidence against the companions of Muhammad صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم who had differed among (themselves) after him صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم. “So there were some of them who believed and others who denied”.