It is also narrated in Musnad Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, v3, pp 84, 94.

It is also narrated in Musnad Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, v3, pp 84, 94. Think for a while... Why would the Prophet (PBUH&HF) compare his companions to the Jews and the Christians, knowing full well that the Jews and the Christians have mutilated and perverted the religion of Allah (SWT)? Because Allah (SWT) had told him (PBUH&HF) that your companions will turn back, except the select few.

Imam Ali (AS) was still a divinely-appointed Imam during the time of the first three rulers, and what these rulers could take from him was the rulership (which is one of the rights of Imam) and not the position of Imamat. As for Imam Ali pledging Abu Bakr, Umar and Uthman, he was compelled to that since he had no choice and he was compled to do so. We, however, never accuse the Imams of being cowards. What Imam Ali did was his duty which is similar to what Haroon did as his duty.

Quran states that when Moses (PBUH) came back from MIQAAT he was very angry since Allah had informed him that his community went astray during his absence. Moses came and started questioning his brother Haroon, that why he did not take action to prevent this corruption. Quran states that Haroon (Aaron) replied: "(O' Moses) people did oppress me and they were about to kill me." (Quran 7:150). The above verse gives another striking similarity between Ali and Haroon.

Since Muslims all believe that Haroon was a true prophet of God, they do not allow themselves to call him coward. In fact Taqiyya (dissimulation) is mentioned in Quran in several verses. This requires another article by its own, to explain the importance of Taqiyya according to Quran and the numerous traditions of Prophet (PBUH&HF) reported in the authentic Sunni collections.

Nevertheless Ali did his duty after the death of the Messenger of Allah, as Haroon (Aaron) did: "Before this, Aaron had already said to them: 'O my people! you are being tested in this, for verily your Lord is (Allah) Most Gracious; so follow me and obey my order.'" (Quran 20:90). Sahih al-Bukhari confirms that Imam Ali refused to give his allegiance to Abu Bakr for six months.

He gave his allegiance to Abu Bakr only after the martyrdom of his wife Fatimah al-Zahra, Daughter of the Holy Prophet, six month after the departure of Prophet. (see Sahih al-Bukhari, Arabic-English version, Tradition 5.546).