Allamah Tabarsi in his Ehtijaj relates from Ahmad bin Hisham that during the days of the Caliphate of Abu Bakr, I went to Ubadah bin Samit (a Companion of the Prophet). I told him, “Did the people consider Abu Bakr superior to others before he assumed the seat of Caliphate”? Ubadah replied, that we are silent in this regard, thus you too remain silent and do not spy. By Allah ! Ali (a.s.) was more worthy for the Caliphate as the Prophet of Allah (s.a.w.s.) was more worthy for Prophethood than Abu Jahl. Apart from this, hear this report from me, one day we were in the presence of the Prophet of Allah (s.a.w.s.); Ali, Abu Bakr and Umar came to the door. First Abu Bakr entered therein followed by Umar and then Ali (a.s.) entered. Seeing this, the Prophet’s face turned grey as if ash was rubbed on it. Then he (s.a.w.s.) told Ali (a.s.), “These two men have preceded you, when Allah (s.w.t.) has appointed you Commander upon them”? Abu Bakr said, “O Prophet of Allah (s.a.w.s.) ! I forgot”. Umar said, “I committed mistake and was negligent”. The Prophet (s.a.w.s.) told them, “Neither did you forget nor did you commit a mistake. It is as if I see the two of you snatch away the Caliphate from him and fall in dispute and battle (with him) to take the reins into your hands. While the enemies of Allah (s.w.t.) and His Prophet (s.a.w.s.) have aided you in this regard. I also see that you have spread bloodshed among the Emigrants and the Ansars who are thrusting at each other with their swords for want of this world. And it is as if I see my Ahlulbait (a.s.) being oppressed and dishonored, while they are scattered around, and this has been passed in the ‘Knowledge’ of Allah (s.w.t.)”. Then the Prophet (s.a.w.s.) wept to such an extent that his tears flowed down. Then he told Ali (a.s.), “O Ali ! Bear patiently ! Bear patiently, until the Command of Allah (s.w.t.) comes forth ! And there is no Might and no Power except with Allah, the Most High, the Most Great. And there is such amount of reward with Allah (s.w.t.) reserved for you, that the two Angels authorized to writethe deeds cannot calculate them. And after the Caliphate comes into your hands, there will come upon sword & sword and killing & killing,[111] until the opponents return back to the word of Allah (s.w.t.) and the Prophet of Allah (s.a.w.s.), for you are upon the truth, as also those alongwith you, who have risen against those upon falsehood. Similarly your sons[112] after you shall be upon the truth until the day of Qiyamah”.
[111]Referring to the battles of Jamal, Siffeen and Nahrwan
[112.Referring to the eleven Aimmah from the Progeny of Imam Ali (a.s.).