Imam’s house and to force the Imam to pledge allegiance to Abu Bakr. Umar became stern. He took some fighters and went to the Imam’s house. He thought that the best way to force the Imam to pay homage was setting fire to his house. He took a flambeau, and the fighters carried firewood. They angrily hurried to set fire to the house that Allah has permitted to be exalted and His name may be remembered in it, from which He took uncleanness away and completely purified. Any way, Umar angrily attacked the house and was shouting at the top of his voice: “By Him in whose hand is Umar’s soul, he (Imam Ali) should come out; otherwise, I will set fire to it (the house) with all those in it.[1] Some people blamed and warned him against the punishment of Allah. They said to him: “Fatima is in the house!”
He paid no attention to them and shouted at them: “Even though! Even though!”
The dear daughter of Allah’s Apostle (a.s) went out. She was terrified and astonished. She bitterly criticized them, saying: “I have never known a people doing worse than you have done!” You left Allah’s Apostle (a.s) as a corpse before us. You decided your affair among you. You did not consult us and did not return our right to us.”
The haughtiness of the people dispersed, and their violence melted. Umar hurried to Abu Bakr and urged him to force the Imam to pay homage to him. He said to him: “Do you not punish this one who has not pledged allegiance to you?”
Abu Bakr sent Qunfudh to the Imam (a.s) and he refused to go with him. As a result, Umar and his helpers set out to the Imam’s house. They knocked on the door and came into the house. The daughter of the Prophet (a.s) called out her father and sought help from him, saying: “O father, O Allah’s Apostle,
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[1] Traditions ensured by many ways of narration have mentioned that Umar threatened Imam Ali, the Commander of the faithful, with setting fire to his house. Most historians have mentioned that. This event has been mentioned in the books: Al-Imama wa al-Siyasa, vol. 1, pp. 12-13. Ibn Abi al-Haddeed, Sharh Nahjj al-Balagha, vol. 1, p. 34. Al-Tabari, Tarikh, vol. 3, p. 202, (Daar al-Ma‘rif edition). Abu al-Fida’, Tarikh, vol. 1, p. 156. Al-Ya‘qubi, Tarikh, vol. 2, p. 105. ‘Alaam al-Nisa’, vol. 3, p. 205. Abu ‘Ubayd, al-Amwal, p. 131. Al-Mas‘udi, Murujj al-Dhahab, vol. 1, p. 414. ‘Abd al-Fattah, Imam Ali, vol. 1, p. 213. He has mentioned it in vol. 4, p. 171. Hafiz Ibraheem, the poet of the Nile, has written poetry on it, saying:
Umar said a statement to Ali; venerate its listener; respect its speaker:
I shall burn your house and do not leave you alive wherein if you do not pay homage, even if al-Mustafa’s daughter is in it.
None said it except Abu Hafs (Umar) when he addressed Adnan’s Knight and Protector.