How can one respond to those who claim that the Prophet (peace be upon him) was "delirious" at the time of his death, that Fatimah al-Zahra was buried secretly to deprive the Companions of the reward for attending her funeral, and that the succession after the Prophet belonged solely to Ali (may Allah be pleased with him), knowing that these claims provoked anger and were not accepted?

A Muslim's salvation is achieved by following the Quran and Sunnah, understood through the comprehension of the Companions. The Prophet informed us that the Ummah would divide into seventy-three sects, only one of which would be saved, and that is the one that adheres to what he and his Companions were upon. The doubts raised about the Companions are flimsy and false, for they are the best of the Ummah after the Prophet. The statement of Omar, may Allah be pleased with him, when the Messenger asked for a document, that he said: "The Prophet is overcome by pain," was out of compassion for him. It has not been authentically reported that he said: "He is delirious." Omar's virtue is established by authentic hadiths, such as the saying of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him: "Indeed, Allah has placed the truth upon Omar's tongue." Ali ibn Abi Talib also prayed for mercy upon him and praised him. As for the story of the burial of Fatimah, may Allah be pleased with her, there is no authentic evidence regarding the virtue of carrying her funeral. She was buried at night, and Ali prayed over her. Asma bint Umays made a bier for her to cover her. As for Ali's virtue, may Allah be pleased with him, it is abundant, including the Prophet's saying, peace and blessings be upon him: "Of whomsoever I am the mawla, Ali is his mawla," and "Are you not pleased to be to me as Harun was to Musa?" It is authentically reported from Ali that the Prophet did not single him out for anything that he did not make common to the people, except for what was in a scroll on his sword, which contained curses upon those who slaughter for other than Allah, steal land markers, curse their parents, and shelter an innovator. This indicates that he did not conceal any knowledge from the Companions. A Muslim must preserve his creed and distance himself from doubts and those who spread them, for the heart should be like a solid glass bottle, not like a sponge that absorbs doubts.