Sermon (66): Upon Hearing of the Martyrdom of Muhammad ibn Abi Bakr

When the Imam (peace be upon him) entrusted the governorship of Egypt to Muhammad ibn Abi Bakr, and as a result, rebellion was raised against him and he was killed, the Imam said: I had wanted to make Hashim ibn Utbah the governor of Egypt, and if he had been made the ruler, he would never have left the field empty for the enemies, nor would he have given them respite. This is not meant to criticize Muhammad ibn Abi Bakr. He was very beloved to me and was my protégé.