72 — Abd Allāh narrated to us: Surayj ibn Yūnus narrated to me from his book: Marwān ibn Mu‘āwiya al-Fazārī narrated to us: Abd al-Malik ibn Sal‘ al-Hamdānī informed us, from Abd Khayr. He said: I heard him say:

‘Alī stood upon the pulpit and mentioned the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), saying:

“The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) passed away, and Abū Bakr was appointed caliph. He acted as the Messenger had acted and followed his way, until Allah took his soul while he remained upon that path. Then ‘Umar was appointed caliph. He acted as they both had acted and followed their way, until Allah took his soul while he remained upon that path.”