Explanation of al-Aqidah al-Wasitiyya – Lesson 69

Lesson 69:[THE RULING ON PREFERRING ALI OVER UTHMAN]However, some of Ahlus Sunnah differ concerning (the ranking of) Uthman and Ali with regards to superiority, after having agreed upon giving precedence to Abu Bakr and Umar. Some people gave precedence to Uthman, remained silent, or placed Ali in fourth place. Others gave precedence to Ali, and yet others did not voice an opinion. However, the affair of Ahlus Sunnah settled with their placing Uthman before Ali. Even though, in the view of the majority of Ahlus Sunnah, this issue, i.e. the issue of Uthman and Ali, is not one of the fundamental issues such that anyone who opposes it is considered to be misguided. However, one is ruled to be misguided if he opposes them in the matter of the Khilafah. This is because they believe that the Khalifah after the Prophet ﷺ was Abu Bakr, then Umar, then Uthman and then Ali. Whoever reviles the Khilafah of any of these is more misguided than his domesticated donkey.Lesson Notes: ⁠⁠sc.isb.org.au/aw-nts⁠Lesson Date: 18/12/2024