God knows that I
noticed in 'Ali's visage signs of pity and compassion
for 'Uthman.
Ibn 'Abbas
We read that Imam 'Ali repeatedly and sincerely stood
up to save 'Uthman and negotiated with his representatives
from one side and the oppressed people as the other
side as mediator, in order to quench the fire of revolution
and keep the caliph immune. But despite all his efforts,
whenever, 'Uthman promised to fulfill the wishes of
the people and put an end to the domination of the
Umayyads oppressors over the life and property of
the Muslims, he was led astray by his unwise the Umayyads
companions headed by Marwan. Thus he would break his
promises, with the consequence that renewed riots
began once again and 'Uthman had to call on 'Ali to
his aid. But the weakness and incapability's of 'Uthman
went so far that the Imam had to abstain from further
aid and leave the caliph to himself to deal with the
situation and let him and his adviser Marwan and other
Umayyad chiefs reach an agreement with the people
who had besieged him to secure their rights and see
justice done, and accepted no promise but his abdication.
'Ikrimah, quoting Ibn 'Abbas describes as follows
the account of 'Uthman's siege: They besieged 'Uthman
twice. The first time he was in siege by the Egyptians
for twelve days which ended with the mediation of
'Ali at Dhu Khushub. I swear to God that 'Ali endeavored
with perfect sincerity to save 'Uthman and spared
no effort in this way until they vexed him with 'Uthman.
The reason was that Marwan, Sa'id and their relatives
instigated 'Uthman against 'Ali and he believed their
words and even confirmed them. They said to him: "If
only 'Ali desires, no one dares to approach and criticize
you."
Meanwhile, 'Ali gave advice to 'Uthman and guided
him and spoke harshly of Marwan and his relatives
with him. They, in their turn, were uneasy at this
conduct of 'Ali and said to 'Uthman: "Though
you are his Imam and leader and have priority over
him and are his cousin and near of kin, he speaks
thus to your face. Then what would he not say behind
your
