took hold of its two rims and drank until he was fully satisfied; then ʿUthmān came, grasped its two rims and drank until he too was fully satisfied; then ʿAlī came, seized its two rims, whereupon the bucket was pulled away and some of its water splashed onto him.”

In the Sunan collections it is reported from Safīnah that the Prophet—may peace and blessings be upon him—said:

“The caliphate upon the prophetic way will last for thirty years; thereafter it will turn into kingship.”

Thus this