This they did with their own will...

This they did with their own will, as there was no force, no compulsion and no violence. From the view point of Shia Ali (AS) had been the caliph since the moment the Prophet had died. Regardless to what they have written in their books the fact is that the people were compelled to accept whom the caliph had appointed in advance. Therefore, the Sunni people had no ideology in their government.

Even to this day of ours one of their scholars says that Islam has no specific method in appointing a ruler. D. The Factor of Religious difference by dividing Islam (Muslims) into two sects Shia and Sunni: Love to govern and to attain pomp and ostentation is the prime factor. They pondered and saw nothing would avail them nor would they avail a thing if they left things go as they were in the preaching and the teachings of the Prophet.

In his lifetime they should plough so as to harvest after his death: Ambition held them together and the secrecy of intentions brought a confederation between them. They contrived a plan. What the Prophet says or orders or permits or prohibits should not constitute a binding upon them nor should it have a bearing on what they wished. Such a line suited the trend and fitted to the taste.

So a thought void of the Prophet’s teachings should be pushed ahead side by side along the Prophet’s line, a banner, a slogan, a title that could deceive much and do nothing was a necessity to push the thought ahead. “The book of God is enough for us”, this they chose and adopted as their mission. The name of God and the name of His book served as a tool. They turned it in whatever direction the need was. The screw was tightened and loosened.

Whatever direction it turned, the banner stood a justification for it. In other words, so to say, it actually served as a fortification for them where they were quite safe. They obeyed and disobeyed the Prophet; they accepted and rejected the Prophet; they believed and disbelieved in the Prophet; they were the Prophet’s friends and also his enemies. Such was the banner and such was the use they drew out of it. It was through this means that they invalidated the sayings of the Prophet.

Thus they were preparing for the great event which was yet to come. They put it to test when the Prophet (SAW) in his last days demanded a pen and paper to write down his will. They said; “Pain has overtaken him.