My father said...

My father said: 'Do not do this; I am better for you as a counselor (vizier) than a chief.' The people said: 'No, No by God, we won’t do anything; unless we swear allegiance to you.' He said: 'So let it be in the mosque, as my allegiance with you is not secrecy and would not take place except by Muslim’s consent'.”[^14] Imam Ali (a.s.) – stated in response to Talha and Zubayr: “By Allah, I had no liking for the caliphate nor any interest in government, but you yourselves invited me to it and prepared me for it.