9. Tārikh al-Tabari –narrated from Muhammad ibn al-Hanafiyya: “I was with my father when `Uthmān was killed. He suddenly stood up and entered his house and the companions of the Messenger of God (s.a.w.) came to him and said: ‘This man has been killed and the people must have a leader. Moreover, we know nobody for this affair more rightful than you, or with such a past [in Islam] or being closer to the Messenger of God (s.a.w.).
My father said: “Do not do this, for I am better for you as a counselor than I am as a commander.”
The people said: “No, by God, we will do nothing until we swear allegiance to you.”
He said: “So let it be in the mosque, as allegiance to me is not to be done in secrecy and will not be without the consent of the Muslims.”1
10. Imām Ali (a.s.) –in what he said in response to Talha and Zubair: “By Allah, I had no liking for the caliphate nor any interest in government, but you yourselves invited me to it and prepared me for it. Then, when it [caliphate] came to me, I kept the Book of God in my view and I followed everything that He had put therein and I acted according to what the Prophet (s.a.w.) had taught.”2
11. Imām Ali (a.s.) –from what he said when leaving for Dhi Qār: “You swore allegiance to me, while I was not happy [about it]. God the Glorious knew that I did not have any liking for ruling over the community (ummah) of Muhammad (s.a.w.), and I heard him say: “There is no ruler who will lead something of the affairs of my nation without being brought on the Day of Resurrection in front of all creation with his hands tied to his neck. His book [of deeds] will be presented, and if he was just he will be saved and if he was a tyrant he will perish.”3
1.. Tārikh al-Tabari, vol. ۴, p. ۴۲۷, Ansāb la-Ashrāf, vol. ۳, p. ۱۱.
2.. Nahj al-Balāghah, Sermon ۲۰۵.
3.. al-Jamal, p. ۲۶۷, Bihār al-Anwār, vol. ۳۲, p. ۶۳, Sharh Nahj al-Balāghah, vol. ۱, p. ۳۰۹.