The author of al-Muqni’ah fil Imamah, Shaykh al-Astarabadi says, “When the caliphate of Abu Bakr was established, the people came from Saqifah to the houses near the Masjid. ‘Umru b. al-As started maligning the Ansar and calling them mean, wretched and degraded. Through his actions, he revealed the grudge and envy he harboured against Islam from the time of the Prophet, and at this moment in time, he had the chance to bare his animosity.
When Imam ‘Ali was informed about this, he got up and went towards the Masjid. He ascended the mimbar (pulpit) and spoke about the merits of the Ansar and related the Qur’anic verses revealed in their praise in front of the Muslims present. Then he continued, ‘It is necessary upon everyone to recognize the rights of the Ansar and safeguard their honour.’
The people requested Hisan b. Thabit, a renowned poet of the Ansar, to recite verses in praise of ‘Ali due to his seniority in Islam. In this manner, those people from amongst the Ansar who had not sided with Imam ‘Ali in Saqifah, regretted their actions.
At this point, Hisan b. Thabit recited the following verses, ‘May Allah’s best rewards be upon Abul Hasan and the reward lies in His Hands, and who is similar to Abul Hasan; the Quraysh take pride that you are from amongst them, thus your chest is wide and your heart tested; some people from amongst the Quraysh desired to acquire your position, far be it that a feeble one compares himself with a sturdy one; and you aided Islam in evey situation, you were similar to the bucket fastened with a rope (Islam is like a well, full of blessings and you became a medium of reaching the blessings to humanity); you were enraged when ‘Umru (b. al-As), due to his speech killed piety and enlivened tribulations; you are the hope (of people) from among the progeny of Luwayy b. Ghalib, in all the present affairs and those to come in the future; you safeguarded the Prophet and his progeny for us, and who is more deserving for it (the caliphate) other than you and you alone. Are you not the brother of the Prophet in guidance and his vicegerent, and the most learned among them with regards to The Book (al-Qur’an) and the customs (sunnah of the Prophet); and until the roots remain in Najd and Yemen, you will be (the most) honourable among us.’”
House of Sorrows Translation of Baytul AhzanShaikh Abbas Al – Qummi