Is the statement of the people of misguidance, that the Prophet, may God’s prayers and peace be upon him, requested Ali to the exclusion of others, based on the narration in Musnad Ahmad ibn Hanbal which mentions his request for Ali, then for Abu Bakr, Umar, and Al-Abbas, correct?

The aforementioned narration does not indicate that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, did not want anyone other than Ali to supplicate for him, nor does it diminish Ali, nor does it grant him a virtue superior to that of the other Rightly Guided Caliphs. This is for several reasons, including:

1. His mere supplication for Ali does not mean that he did not want anyone else. If that were the case, he would not have accepted Abu Bakr, Umar, and Al-Abbas to supplicate for him. 2. Aisha's, Hafsa's, and Umm al-Fadl's offer to supplicate for Abu Bakr and those with him is not considered a disparagement of Ali. 3. The Prophet's command to Abu Bakr to lead the people in prayer indicates a status greater than merely requesting Ali. 4. There are other narrations that clarify that this supplication was not for a testament, and that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, died without leaving a will. 5. If the Prophet had wanted Ali for an important matter, he would have requested him a second and third time until he came, as he did in the conquest of Khaybar.