The enemies of Islam...

The enemies of Islam, the MUNAFIQIN and the pagans, would have been furnished with deadly effect. It is therefore clear that by remaining at the Prophet's bedside at that moment Imam Ali saved Islam from dishonor and ignominy, and shut the door against all the criticisms that could otherwise have been raised by the MUNAFIQIN and the pagans. He saved Islam, and lost the caliphate.

And later on, he avoided causing the ruination of Islam and the reversion to paganism, by desisting from taking up the sword…