“Counter argument: ‘Shia sources’ suggest that the Prophet (P.B.U.H&H.P) appointed Abbas as caliph on his deathbed
Ibn al Hashimi stated:
When they (the people) had left (the room), he (the Prophet) said: “Send back to me my brother (Ali) and my uncle (Abbas).”
They sent for someone to call them and he brought them. When he had them sitting close, he (the Prophet) said: “Uncle of the Apostle of Allah, will you accept my testamentary bequest (wasi), fulfill my promise, and carry out my religion?”
“Apostle of Allah, your uncle is an old man with the responsibilities of a large family,” answered Al-Abbas. “You vie with the wind in liberality and generosity. You have made promises which your uncle could never fulfill.”
Then he (the Prophet) turned to Ali ibn Abi Talib, and said: “Brother, will you accept my testamentary bequest (wasi), fulfill my promises, carry out my religion on my behalf and look after the affairs of my family after me?”
“Yes, Apostle of Allah,” he (Ali) replied.
(Kitab Al-Irshad, by Shaykh Mufid, p.131)”
Reply: This reference relates to the appointment of one to settle any outstanding debts
This Nasibi knows fully well that this reference that he cited had nothing whatsoever to do with his appointing a successor. The discussion here concerned the Prophet asking whether his uncle implement his will, pay off his debts and tend to the needs of his family. The word ‘Deeni’ does not exclusively mean ‘religion’; it is also used for the term ‘debts’. Thus the translation of the above cited passage can also be read as follows:
When they (the people) had left (the room), he (the Prophet) said: “Send back to me my brother (Ali) and my uncle (Abbas).” They sent for someone to call them and he brought them. When he had them sitting close, he (the Prophet) said: “Uncle of the Apostle of Allah, will you accept my testamentary bequest (wasi), fulfill my promise, and carry out my debt?” “Apostle of Allah, your uncle is an old man with the responsibilities of a large family,” answered Al-Abbas. “You vie with the wind in liberality and generosity. You have made promises which your uncle could never fulfill.” Then he (the Prophet) turned to Ali ibn Abi Talib, and said: “Brother, will you accept my testamentary bequest (wasi), fulfill my promises, carry out my debt on my behalf and look after the affairs of my family after me?” “Yes, Apostle of Allah,” he (Ali) replied.
The Prophet (P.B.U.H&H.P) seeking to appoint a debtor would concur with the fact that the Prophet (P.B.U.H&H.P) died owing debts, as was evidenced by Khateeb Sherbini in Mughni al-Muhtaj, Volume 2 page 10:
بأنه عليه الصلاة والسلام توفي ودرعه مرهون عند يهودي
“He (P.B.U.H&H.P) died and his armor was mortgaged to a Jew”
We read in Sahih al-Bukhari, Volume 5, Book 59, Number 743:
Narrated ‘Aisha:
The Prophet died while his armor was mortgaged to a Jew for thirty Sa’s of barley.
As the elder of the family and his uncle it was appropriate to ask him in the first instance. When he rejected the offer he then turned to Imam Ali (A.S) who duly obliged. The text has no reference to caliph, and the response of his uncle “Apostle of Allah, your uncle is an old man with the responsibilities of a large family,” is making it clear that he lacked the financial means to pay off any debts the Prophet (P.B.U.H&H.P) owed, it would have been nonsensical for him to give this repose if he had been offered the Caliphate since his ability to lead would have no link with the size of his family! Abbas understood the offer to be one relating to implementing his will, not being the caliph after him. When the Prophet (P.B.U.H&H.P) then turns to Ali (A.S) he again asks that he implements his religious obligation and tends to his family with these words: “Brother, will you accept my testamentary bequest (wasi), fulfill my promises, carry out my debt on my behalf and look after the affairs of my family after me?” These words do not refer to succession; they clearly refer to fulfilling the dying wishes of the Prophet (P.B.U.H&H.P), nothing else. Abbas and Ali (A.S) the parties in the room at the time, never took this instruction to refer to Caliphate, how does Ibn al Hashimi conclude this?
source : sibtayn
