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Dismissing `Uthmān’s Administrators
66. Tārikh al-Ya`qubi: “Ali (a.s.) dismissed `Uthmān’s administrators from the cities, except Abu Musā al-Ash`ari whom Mālik al-Ashtar recommended, so he was kept in office.”1
67. al-Ikhtisās: “People gathered around Ali (a.s.) and said to him: “Appoint your opponents as governors and then dismiss them.” Ali (a.s.) said: “Cheating, deception and treachery are in Fire.”2
68. Al-Amāli –narrating from Sahim: “When allegiance was sworn to the Commander of the Faithful Ali ibn Abi Tālib (a.s.), he was informed that Mu`āwiya had refused to pledge allegiance and had said: “If he reinstalls me as governor of Shām and gives me back the responsibilities that `Uthmān had assigned to me, I will swear allegiance to him.”
After this, al-Mughayra came to the Commander of the Faithful and said: “O Commander of the Faithful! You know Mu`āwiya very well and that the ruler before you appointed him as the governor of Shām. Appoint him with the same post so that the situation will not lose order, then if you happen to change your mind, dismiss him.”
The Commander of the Faithful said: “O Mughayra! Do you guarantee my life in between his appointment and his dismissal?”
He said, “No.”
Ali (a.s.) said: “Would not God Almighty ever ask me how I installed him over two Muslims in the darkness of the night?” “…Nor do I take those who mislead as assistants.”3 However, I will send for him and call him to what is with me from the Truth. If he complies, he is considered as a Muslim who has rights and duties like those of others, and if he refuses, I will complain of him to God.”
Mughayra returned while saying: “Then complain of him”, and recited:“I advised Ali about the son of Harb,
He rejected the advice and fate will not give him a second chance.
He did not accept my advice that I came to him with,
And that advice was sufficient for him.
Others said to him the best and most sincere of advices,
And I said to him that this advice is priceless.4
1.. Tārikh al-Ya`qubi, vol. ۲, p. ۱۷۹.
2.. al-Ikhtisās, p. ۱۵۰, Bihār al-Anwār, vol. ۴۰, p. ۱۰۵.
3.. Qur'ān, ۱۸: ۵۱.
4.. al-Amāli by al-Tusi, p. ۸۷. h. ۱۳۳, Bishāra al-Mustafā, p. ۲۶۳, Manāqib Ali ibn Abi Tālib, vol. ۳, p. ۱۹۵.
