We parted yesterday on an agreement.

We parted yesterday on an agreement. If you choose I will sit for you; otherwise I will not have any ill feelings against anyone (if you change your opinion)." They said: "We are still on the same principle as yesterday."[^4] People elected him. It is said that Talhah was the first one who gave him his allegiance.[^5] The people of Kufa said that Malik Al-Ashtar was the first one who gave ‘Ali his allegiance.

Unachievable Goals The Imam reluctantly accepted the election although he wished that the caliphate had been diverted from him to another person. The caliphate in his view was not an end. He viewed it only as a means of spreading justice among people realizing brotherhood among the followers of the Islamic message and leading the nation to a life ruled by principles of the Holy Qur'an and the instructions of the Holy Prophet.

All evidence was pointing to the fact that the achievements of these goals had become impossible. The unity of the nation had come to an end during the reign of the Third Caliph. His saddening death was expected only to increase the division of the nation and magnify the flame of dissention. ‘Ali's program called for implementation of equality in distribution of public funds executing justice removal of corruption and elimination of discrimination.

This was expected only to meet the strongest opposition from elements of strong influence who were not willing to relinquish their acquired privileges. Quraish's Hostility Quraish the community that blocked ‘Ali's way to the caliphate for twenty-five years (thinking that if he comes to power the caliphate will remain in his house) will do all it can to destroy his caliphate.

The Privileged The class of companions who were preferred in salary by the Second and Third Caliphs and acquired wealth through investment of the surplus fund which they received will oppose ‘Ali because he believes in distributing the public funds equally among the Muslims.

Those who enriched themselves by accepting huge sums of money and vast pieces of land from the Third Caliph and his appointed governors will also oppose the Imam because he intends to recover what they received illegally and put it back in the Islamic treasury. The Promoted Talhah and Al-Zubayr members of the Electoral Convention were representing a new class of companions and endeavored to bring the reign of Uthman to an end (hoping that one of them will replace him).

They were expected to try to fight ‘Ali with all their power.