it is replied:

Nor was it permissible to fight him on the grounds that he was unable to put ʿUthmān’s killers to death. Indeed, even if he had been able to put them to death and it were assumed that he had failed to perform this duty—whether because of an interpretation he adopted or through sin—that would not have warranted dividing the Muslim community, refusing to pledge allegiance to him, or fighting him [N: “and fighting him”]. Rather, pledging allegiance to him was, under all circumstances(1), better for the religion, more beneficial to the Muslims, and more obedient to Allah and His Messenger than withholding allegiance from him.

It is established in the Sahih that the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—said:

“Allah is pleased with three things for you: that you worship Him without associating anything with Him; that you all hold fast to Allah’s rope and do not become divided; and that you offer sincere counsel to those whom Allah has placed in authority over you.”(2)

It is also established in the Sahih that the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—said:

“A Muslim must hear and obey in hardship and ease, whether willing or reluctant, and even when others are given preference over him, unless he is commanded to commit an act of disobedience. If he is commanded to commit an act of disobedience, there is no hearing and no obedience.”(3)

In the two Sahih collections, ʿUbāda—may Allah be pleased with him—said:

“The Messenger of Allah—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—took our pledge that we would hear and obey in ease and hardship, whether willing or reluctant, and even when others were preferred over us; that we would not dispute authority with those to whom it belongs; and that we would speak—or stand—for the truth wherever we might be(4), fearing no one’s reproach for Allah’s sake.”(5)

And it is established in the Sahih from