He stuck to his decision of deposing all the functionaries immediately.

He stuck to his decision of deposing all the functionaries immediately. In some peoples minds there is a thought that if the Imam (a.s) had accepted the suggestions he might not have faced the difficulties that were to follow. But the truth is that these functionaries did not turn rebellious because of their summary dismissal. They were the Imam’s enemies since long.

Even if they were left in their positions, they would consider the Imam (a.s) an impediment to their worldly schemes and would continue to weave the web of intrigue all the same. When both the alternatives seemed like bringing about the same result, then the Shari`ah demanded that the step that was commensurate with the demands of the Faith must be taken.

Therefore, the reasons for the deposition of the functionaries were: Firstly , the first purpose of the Imam (a.s) was to establish a truly Islamic regime. To do this it was important to close the avenues of selfishness, opportunism, avarice and to take steps to cleanse the society of these ills. This was not possible only with the change of the caliph.

It was very important to remove the functionaries who were taking shelter behind political subterfuges and playing the game of family relations with the previous incumbent. The history bears evidence that because of the activities of those functionaries, the Islamic way of life was falling behind. If those men were continued in their positions, it was not possible to constitute a truly Islamic establishment.

Secondly , the Muslims were demanding from `Uthman to remove those conceited and cruel functionaries and to place just and morally steadfast persons in their place. When these demands were turned down, they took revolutionary steps. If the Imam (a.s) had agreed with the suggestions not to disturb the set-up, then once again the tyranny of the functionaries would provoke the revolutionary tendencies in the people.

Thirdly , Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s) was personally doubtful of the honesty and integrity of those functionaries and had been expressing his opinion about them in the past as well. In fact he had advised `Uthman to do away with the functionaries. `Uthman made some excuse or other to continue with the status [1] Al-Istī`āb, Vol 3, Page 259 quo. About Mu`awiyah he made an excuse that he was appointed by `Umar as the governor of Syria. This excuse did not have any weight!