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Thul-Hijjah 14, 1329 1) I have, indeed, read this hadith on page 111 of
Volume One of Ahmed's Musnad and ascertained the reliability of his sources and
found them to be the most reliable authorities. Then I researched his avenues avenues in
narrating this hadith, and I found them to be sequential: each one of them supports the
other; therefore, I have contented myself to believe in its contents. 2) But you do not rely on an authentic hadith that
deals with the issue of succession unless it is sequentially narrated [mutawatir],
for succession, according to your Shi`a philosophy, is one of the roots of religion, and
this hadith cannot be considered as "mutawatir" (consecutively reported)
and, therefore, it cannot be relied upon. 3) It may be said that `Ali is the successor of the
Prophet (pbuh) in his own Household alone; so, where is the text that testifies to his
succession among the general public? 4) This hadith may even be revoked, since the
Prophet has refrained from publicly supporting the gist thereof. Because of this, the
companions found no reason why they should not swear the oath of allegiance to the three
righteous caliphs, may Allah be pleased with them. Sincerely, S
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