Question:

According to Al-Mufid, did Imam Ali (a.) swear allegiance after six months?

Answer:

Ali Ash-Sharif Al-Murtada writes:

ومن كلامه أيضا في الدلالة على أن أمير المؤمنين عليه السلام لم يبايع أبا بكر قال الشيخ أدام الله عزه قد أجمعت الأمة على أن أمير المؤمنين عليه السلام تأخر عن بيعة أبي بكر فالمقلل يقول كان تأخره ثلاثة أيام ومنهم من يقول تأخر حتى ماتت فاطمة عليها السلام ثم بايع بعد موتها، ومنهم من يقول: تأخر أربعين يوما ومنهم من يقول تأخر ستة أشهر والمحققون من أهل الإمامة يقولون: لم يبايع ساعة قط فقد حصل الاجماع على تأخره عن البيعة ثم اختلفوا في بيعته بعد ذلك على ما قدمنا به الشرح

“As evidence, Al-Mufid also presents in his treatise that the Commander of the Believers (a.) never took the oath of allegiance to Abu Bakr. Al-Mufid, God still honours Him for a long time, said: “The community agreed that the Commander of the Believers (a.) hesitated to make the oath of allegiance to Abu Bakr and the opinion of the lesser of the two delays was: “He was hesitant for three days. Others of them say: “He hesitated until Fatimah (a.) died. Then, after her death, he swore allegiance.” Others of them say: “He hesitated for forty days”. Others of them say: “He hesitated for six months.” Those of the followers of the Imams (a.) who come to the truthful result say: “He never took the oath of allegiance.” It was already agreed that he would be hesitant to take the oath of allegiance. Then, in accordance with the explanation we provided, different positions were taken on his oath of allegiance.” [Al-Fusul-ul-Mukhtarah, page 56]