Ali Ibn Abi Talib - Volume 1 of 2

I explain the allegiance that 'Ali (&) swore to 'Uthmh (&)
when he assumed the caliphate, and I refute the lies that have
surrounded the incident. I speak of 'Ali's efforts in support of
'Uthmin's state, how he defended 'Uthmh (&) against the
troublemakers, his attitude towards the unrest that led to the siege and
murder of 'Uthmiin (&), and his stance after this martyrdom. I write
of the intermdage between the family of 'Ali (4) and the family
of 'Uthmk (&).
I quote the comments of 'Ali (&) concerning the Rightly
Guided Caliphs who came before him, which are indicative of the
love and respect he had for them, and his disavowal of those who
slandered and reviled them. He carried out the hadd5 punishment for
slander on those who reviled Abu Bakr and 'Umar (may AUah be
pleased with them both). The Muslim reader cannot help hut weep
when he or she reflects upon the words of Amir al-Mn'mineen 'Ali
(&) concerning the caliphs and his interactions with that unique
Qur'anic generation and its noble leaders.
I recount the swearing of allegiance to 'Ali (&) as caliph and
how it was done; why he was most entitled to it; the consensus of the
Companions concerning it; how Tabah and az-Zuhayr swore
allegiance to him voluntarily, without any pressure or compulsion;
how consensus was formed about his caliphate; the conditions
stipulated by 'Ali (&) in his oath of allegiance; the first sermons he
gave; the decision-makers in his state; a little about his virtues and
most important attributes and the foundations of his system of rule. I
discuss at length his attributes, describing his vast knowledge, deep
understanding, asceticism, humility, generosity, noble attitude,
modesty, devotion and gratitude to Allah (B), patience, sincerity
and humble supplication; the ultimate reference point for his state
and how it adhered to the Book of Allah and the Snnnah of His
Messenger (g) and followed the example of the Rightly Guided