3. Imām Ali (a.s.), in a letter to Talha and Zubair: “Now, you both know, even though you conceal it, that I did not approach people till they approached me, and I did not ask them to swear allegiance to me until they themselves swore allegiance to me. In fact both of you were among those who wanted me and swore allegiance to me. Indeed, the masses did not swear allegiance to me under any force or for any money given to them.”1
4. al-Futuh: `Ammār ibn Yāsir came to Ali ibn Abi Tālib (a.s.) and said: “O Commander of the Faithful, now that people have sworn allegiance to you obediently and not out of compulsion, send for Usāma ibn Zaid, `Abdullah ibn `Umar, Muhammad ibn Maslima, Hassān ibn Thābit, and Ka`b ibn Mālik and invite them to what the Muhājirin and Ansār have taken part in.” Ali (a.s.) said: “We are not in need of those who are reluctant and unwilling toward us.”2
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The Imām’s Reluctance to Rulership
5. Imām Ali (a.s.) in his speech after the people’s allegiance (bai`ah): “[After praising God] Verily, as God in His heavens and over His Throne knows I was reluctant to assume authority over the community of Muhammad (s.a.w.) until you (people) agreed upon this (my ruling) and I then accepted it.”3
6. Tārikh al-Tabari –narrating from Abu Bashir al-`Abidi: “I was in Madina when `Uthmān was killed and the Muhajirin and Ansār gathered along with Talha and Zubair and went to Imām Ali (a.s.), saying: “O Abu al-Hasan! Let us swear allegiance to you.” The Imām said: “I have no need in ruling over you. I am with you and I will accept whomever you chose. So choose (you).” But they said: “By God we choose nobody other than you.”
He [Abu Bashir] said: “They used to visit the Imām after `Uthmān was killed and in the last meeting they said: “The people’s affairs will not be settled except under a rulership and this [your acceptance of caliphate] has taken too long.”
He said to them: “Verily, you have come to me many times and my reply to you is that if you accept what I say I will accept ruling and if not, I have no need of it.”
They said: “We will accept whatever you say, if God wills.”
The Imām came and ascended the pulpit where the people gathered around him and he said: “I was reluctant to rule over you, but you refused everything other than me ruling over you. Indeed, I have nothing to hide from you , but the keys of your wealth are with me. Indeed, I have no right to take one dirham from it without your consent. Do you agree with this?” They said: “Yes.”
He said: “O God! Bear witness to them.” He then accepted their allegiance.” 4
1.. Nahj al-Balāghah, letter ۵۴, Kashf al-Ghumma, vol. ۱, p. ۲۳۹, al-Futuh, vol. ۲, p. ۴۶۵, al-Imāma wa al-Siyāsa, vol. ۱, p. ۹۰.
2.. al-Futuh, vol. ۲, p. ۴۴۱.
3.. al-Amāli by al-Tusi, p. ۷۲۸, h. ۱۵۳۰, Bihār al-Anwār, vol. ۳۲, p. ۲۶, h. ۹.
4.. Tārikh al-Tabari, vol. ۴, p. ۴۲۷, al-Kāmil fi al-Tārikh, vol. ۲, p. ۳۰۲ ۳۰۴, al-Kāfi, p. ۱۲, h. ۷.