The Context of the Prophet's Will: A Sunni-Shia Discussion (Part 4 of 4)

Amongst the points raised in the discussion was that companions not following the Prophet’s commands in providing him with paper could be taken as a failure in his mission, and thus should be dismissed as a  possibility. However, this was rejected as a weak argument as the disobedience of a people is not an indication of success or indeed a  failure of prophets or for that matter God. Of the more interesting points raised during the discussion was the acknowledgement by certain  Sunni scholars that the Prophet had indeed wanted Ali to be the successor, however since this was a communal matter, it was up to the community to decide ultimately i.e., the Prophet’s words were just advice and not binding.