Whenever I had a chance to be alone with any of them I...

Whenever I had a chance to be alone with any of them I reminded them of the Reckoning on the Resurrection Day, and frightened them of the result of their unjust demand. They would agree with me on the condition that I turn the Caliphate position over to them after myself. They knew well that I could not do so and act against the Quran and the decree of the Prophet (MGB), and turn over to them what God had withheld from them.

Then one of the radical persons in the council made a radical move, took the affairs out of my hands, and turned the position of the Caliphate over to Uthman, although he never matched any of the members of the council since he was a wealthy and materialist person. He never paid any attention to the people’s noble character and religious beliefs. He ignored all spiritual noble characteristics for which God had honored the Prophet (MGB) and his Holy Household.

I do not even think that the very same members of the council who appointed Uthman to the position of the Caliphate became sorry for their choice before the night of that very same day, and started to blame one another. No long time passed before they who had empowered the dictator denounced and abandoned him. Uthman got worried. He went to his supporters and his other companions and asked that they accept his resignation. He expressed his sorrow and repentance. O Jewish brother!

This was even a harder calamity than the previous ones! I hoped it had never happened. I was under so much pressure for this event that it cannot be described in words. However, I had no choice but to be patient! On the very same day of pledging allegiance to Uthman, the members of the council came to me and apologized for having opposed me. They asked me to revolt against Uthman and put him out of office.

They all pledged allegiance to me and promised that they would sacrifice their lives to achieve this end. However, I put things off whenever they came by and had them attend to something else. For example, once I asked them to go shave their heads before we revolt. At another time I asked them to arrange for a private meeting in such and such place. This way I kept them busy and divulged their secrets.’ O Jewish brother!