Some people started thinking that he had retained them...

Some people started thinking that he had retained them because of his close relationship with them. They said that if `Uthman had favored Banū-Umayyah as functionaries of state, what was wrong? The question is whether these functionaries were honest, just and capable of performing the assignment entrusted to them. But `Uthman’s functionaries were conceited, ill behaved and absolutely incapable of good administration.

If he had placed persons who were men of piety, honest and capable, the criticism of nepotism would not have been leveled. The persons whom `Ali (a.s) appointed were above criticism as far as their honesty, piety and capability were concerned. Just because of the relationship with the caliphs, putting the functionaries of both the administrations on the same level is not justifiable.

This comment would be justifiable if the Hashemite functionaries were appointed all over as the Umayyad functionaries were predominantly all over the realm during `Uthman’s caliphate. During `Ali’s period there were only a few Hashemites in important positions and their antecedents were immaculate. Was no Hashemite deserving of any important position? If they were capable, keeping them away from assignments just because they were Hashemite was no justice.

It is surprising that over a period of twenty-five years after the Prophet (a.s) no Hashemite is seen in any important position of the state! `Ali’s yardstick for appointment of any person was his piety, capability and character. If the person did not measure up to these requirements he would not consider him fit for the assignment, be he a Hashemite, Muhajir or Ansar! If any functionary were found committing an impropriety, he would not be spared of the punishment, whosoever he was.