Ali Ibn Abi Talib - Volume 1 of 2

326 The oath ofallegiance to 'Ali, his characteristics & his way of life
the caliphate; rather he affirmed his right to that position. It was
narrated from Abu Muslim al-Khawl2ni that he and some other
people came to Mu'iwiyah (&) and said: "You are disputing
with 'Ali (4); are you like him?' He said: "No, by Allah. I
know that he is better than me and has more right to the position
of caliph than me. But don't you know that 'Uthmih (+) was
killed unlawfully, and I am his cousin and am seeking retribution
for his blood? So go and tell him that he should hand over to me
the murderers of 'Uthrnin (&). and I will stop disputing with
him." So they went to 'Ali (&) and spoke to him, but he did not
hand the murderers over to him.67
Ibn Katheer narrated via Ibn Deezeel, with his chak of
narration going back to Abu ad-Dard? and Abu Umhah (may
Allah be pleased with them both), that they entered upon Mu'iwiyah
and said to him: "0 Mn'Ziwiyah, why are you fighting this man? For
by Allah, he has more seniority in Islam than you and your father, he
was closer to the Messenger of AUah (g) than you and he is more
deserving of this position than you." He said: "I am fighting him
because of the issue of seeking retribution for the blood of 'Uthmin
(&), and he has given refuge to his killers. So go to him and tell
him: Let him exact retribution on the murderers of 'Uthmin (&),
then I will be the first of the people of Syria to swear allegiance to
him."68
The reports concerning this matter are many, and they are well
known to the scholars.69 They indicate that MuC2wiyah (&) was not
disputing with 'Ali ( 4) for the caliphate, and this was stated by the
scholars who examined this issue and established this fact7' Imam
al-Haramayn al-Juwayni said: "Even though Mu'Ziwiyah fought 'Ali,
he did not deny the validity of his caliphate, and he never wanted it
for himself; rather he was pursuing the killers of 'Uthmin (&)
because he thought that he was correct, but he was wrong."71 Ibn