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Thul-\ijjah 14, 1329
1) I have, indeed, read this <ádíth on page 111 of Volume One of A<med's Musnad and ascertained the reliability of his sources and found them to be the most reliable authorities. Then I researched his avenues avenues in narrating this <ádíth, and I found them to be sequential: each one of them supports the other; therefore, I have contented myself to believe in its contents.
2) But you do not rely on an authentic <ádíth that deals with the issue of succession unless it is sequentially narrated [mutawatir], for succession, according to your Shí`a philosophy, is one of the roots of religion, and this <ádíth cannot be considered as "mutawatir" (consecutively reported) and, therefore, it cannot be relied upon.
3) It may be said that `Ali is the successor of the Prophet (pbuh) in his own Household alone; so, where is the text that testifies to his succession among the general public?
4) This <ádíth may even be revoked, since the Prophet has refrained from publicly supporting the gist thereof. Because of this, the companions found no reason why they should not swear the oath of allegiance to the three righteous caliphs, may Alláh be pleased with them.
Sincerely,
S