Alternative Sources for Sermon 97 (1) Kitab Sulaym ibn Qays...

Alternative Sources for Sermon 97 (1) Kitab Sulaym ibn Qays, 110; (2) al-Kulayni, al-Kafi, II, 236; (3) Ibn Qutaybah, `Uyun, II, 301; (4) Abu Nu`aym, Hilyah, I, 76; (5) al-Mufid, al-'Irshad, 161; (6) al-Mufid, al-Majalis, 105; (7) Sibt, Tadhkirah, 137; (8) Ibn `Asakir, Ta'rikh, biographical account of `Ali (A); (9) al-Jahiz, al-Bayan, II, 68; (10) al-Baladhuri, Ansab, II, 142; (11) al-Tusi, al-'Amali,* 62.

[^1]: In the atmosphere that had been created soon after the Prophet the Ahlul Bayt (members of his family) had no course except to remain secluded as a result of which world has remained ignorant of their real qualities and unacquainted with their teachings and attainments, and to belittle them and keeping them away from authority has been considered as the greatest service to Islam.

If `Uthman's open misdeeds had not given a chance to the Muslims to wake up and open their eyes there would have been no question of allegiance to Amir al-mu'minin and temporal authority would have retained the same course as it had so far followed. But all those who could be named for the purpose had no courage to come forward because of…