Election as Khalifa

I have previously spoken about Hazrat Uthman’s (ra) martyrdom and Hazrat Ali’s (ra) election as Khalifa in detail, but I will briefly mention it again. When Hazrat Uthman (ra) was martyred, everyone rushed towards Hazrat Ali (ra), among whom were the Companions as well as others. They unanimously proclaimed that Hazrat Ali (ra) was the “Leader of the Faithful”. They came to Hazrat Ali’s (ra) house and wished to perform the bai‘at. They asked Hazrat Ali (ra) to extend his hand for the bai‘at as he was most worthy.

Hazrat Ali (ra) responded, “This is not your job to decide; rather, this is a matter for the Companions of Badr. Thus, the Khalifa will be the one whoever the Companions of Badr choose.”

All of the people gathered around Hazrat Ali (ra) and said, “We do not see anyone more worthy than you for this office. Therefore, extend your hand so we can pledge allegiance.”

Hazrat Ali (ra) enquired of the whereabouts of Talha (ra) and Zubair (ra). The first person to verbally pledge allegiance was Hazrat Talha (ra) and the first person to pledge allegiance at the hands of Hazrat Ali (ra) was Hazrat Saad (ra). Subsequently, Hazrat Ali (ra) headed towards the mosque and stood up on the pulpit. Hazrat Talha (ra) was the first person to climb the pulpit and pledge allegiance to Hazrat Ali (ra), followed by Hazrat Zubair (ra) and the other companions.

(Ali Ibn al-Athir, Usd al-Ghabah fi Ma‘rifat al-Sahabah, Vol. 4, Dhikr Ali bin Abi Talib (ra) [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, 2008], 107)