He has made a public statement from which he can not rightfully withdraw.

He has made a public statement from which he can not rightfully withdraw." Marwan said: "What does this have to do with you?" Then Marwan said to Uthman: "To persist in an error for which you must seek God's forgiveness is better that to repent because you are afraid. If you so will, you may seek repentance without acknowledging error." Uthman said: "Go out and speak to them, for I am ashamed to do so." So Marwan went (to people) and said: "Why have you gathered here like looters? ...

You have come to snatch our power (Mulk; kingship) from us. Go! By God, if you mean us (any harm), you will encounter something distasteful from us, and you will not praise the result of your opinions. Return to your homes, for by God we are not men to be robbed of our possessions." People informed Ali of the news.

Then Ali came to Uthman and said: "Surely you have satisfied Marwan (again), but he is satisfied with you only if you deviate from your religion and reason, like a camel carrying a litter that is led around at will. By God, Marwan is devoid of sense in regard to his religion and his soul. I swear by God, I think he will bring you in and then not send you out again. After this visit, I will not come again to chide you.

You have destroyed your own honor and you have been robbed of your authority." When Ali departed, Uthman's wife told him: "I have heard that Ali said to you that he will never return to you, and that you have obeyed Marwan (again), who leads you wherever he wishes." Uthman said: "What shall I do?" She responded: "You should fear God alone, who has no partner, and you should adhere to the practice of your two predecessors (Abu Bakr and Umar). For if you obey Marwan, he will kill you.

Marwan enjoys no prestige among the people, and inspires neither awe nor love. People have only abandoned you due to Marwan's position (in your councils). Send to Ali, then, and trust in his honesty and uprightness. He is related to you and he is not a man whom people disobey." So Uthman sent to Ali, but he refused to come, saying: "I told him I would not return." Sunni reference: History of al-Tabari, English version, v15, pp 176-179 On the death of Uthman, Imam Ali (AS) said: By God!

I have persisted in defending him (Uthman) until I was filled with shame. But Marwan, Muawiyah, Abdullah Ibn Amir, and Sa'd Ibn al- Aas have dealt with him as you witnessed.