| acceptance of the terms of caliphate.
'Ali accepted that duty to the extent of his power and
ability, and assurance of his conscience before God
and His prophet. But 'Uthman in order not to let the
chance of caliphate escape him, accepted unconditionally
all those I conditions, irrespective of his power and
ability.
In accepting the terms of the son of 'Awf, 'Ali was
more eager to win the consent of God and His prophet,
and Muslims' interests than to gain the position of
caliph and command, whereas 'Uthman cherished that position
rather than anything else. God knows whether, at the
outset, 'Uthman possessed perfect discernment of the
task faced by him, or whether he realized it, later
on, since this is an internal matter about which we
cannot issue a verdict and we can only judge by appearance.
Historical
verdicts of 'A'ishah
At first 'A'ishah agreed to 'Uthman's caliphate and
confirmed it. Then she turned against him and gave an
opposite verdict. For that reason, her authority is
not reliable. But 'Ali, despite establishing the reasons
for his rivalry with 'Uthman on the issue of caliphate,
did not, unlike 'A'ishah, rise in conflict with Uthman.
After 'Uthman was killed, 'Ali refused
to accept allegiance of Talhah and az-Zubayr except
in the mosque and in the presence of all people, and
when they forced him to accept caliphate, he rose in
the mosque and said:" I was weary of becoming your
caliph, but you favored only my command. Remember that
I shall take no step except with your approval and advice.
I hold the keys to your public funds, but I shall never
take one drachma of it without your approval."
Then he asked: "Do you agree to this?" The
people shouted their agreement, and 'Ali said: "O
God! Be their witness," and then he accepted the
caliphate.
'Ali had made the right decision and thus he left no
excuse for people, since it was they who forced him
to accept that position and not because he himself desired
it. Therefore, anyone who shirked his duty and opposed
'Ali, would be a traitor and guilty, and he who remained
loyal would be a true
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