15. The Researcher al-Karki (d. 940 A.H.)

Al-Karki, the researcher, has said, “... and he sought his oath of allegiance by insulting him and threatening to burn his house. He gathered firewood at the door and Fatima (A.S.) miscarried Muhassan. This is why they mentioned, as our folks have narrated, how they enticed the others to oppress them and to seek revenge against them.”^[1]

He also said, “... in addition to forcing him [i.e. forcing Ali (A.S.)] to do it [to swear the oath of allegiance to Abu Bakr], putting a great deal of pressure on him, threatening him to burn his house, gathering firewood at his door, as narrators and historians, such as al-Waqidi and others, have narrated.”^[2]

He has also said, “Transmitters of events and those who recorded history, and one who reviews the pages of biography books will ascertain, that when `Omer swore the oath of allegiance to his friend, and Ali (A.S.) lagged behind and did not swear it, he went to the house of Fatima (A.S.) to ask Ali (A.S.) to swear it, and he spoke rudely to him, ordering firewood to be brought in order to burn the house and everyone inside it. Inside it were: the Commander of the Faithful (A.S.), his wife and sons in addition to those who joined them, including al-Zubayr and a group from Bani Hashim.”^[3]

He also said, “Had the Messenger of Allah (A.S.) recommended both of them to take charge, appointing them as the imams, he would never have permitted them to penalize anyone who refused to swear fealty to them by burning him with fire even if he were among the least in status among the people and the most insignificant individual. So, what would you so when they both claimed caliphate..., etc?”^[4]