seek the caliphate, and how Sa'd refused (1) to do so, when none of the members of the consultative council besides him remained.

It is narrated in Sahīh Muslim: “Āmir ibn Sa'd ibn Abī Waqqās said: Sa'd ibn Abī Waqqās was among his camels when his son Umar came to him (2). When Sa'd saw him, he said, ‘I seek refuge in Allah from the evil of this rider.’ He dismounted and said to him, ‘Have you settled among your camels and sheep while leaving the people to contend among themselves for power?’ Sa'd struck him on the chest and said, ‘Be quiet. I heard the Messenger of Allah—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—say: “Allah loves the servant who is pious, self-sufficient, and inconspicuous.”’” (3).

As for Muhammad ibn Abī Bakr, it is said that he assisted in the killing of Uthmān, whereas his father, Abū Bakr—may Allah be pleased with him—was among those who held Uthmān in the highest esteem. Has any Sunni ever related criticism of Abū Bakr because of his son’s action (4)?

If it is said, “Mu'āwiya—may Allah be pleased with him—appointed Yazīd as his successor, and it was because he had been placed in power that he did this,” the reply is: If appointing him as successor was permissible, then what he did could not harm Mu'āwiya. If it was not permissible, then that was a separate sin, even if he had not killed al-Husayn. Moreover, Mu'āwiya was among those most intent upon honoring al-Husayn—may Allah be pleased with him—and safeguarding his inviolability, let alone his blood (5). Given this intention and exercise of judgment, the deeds of corrupt men cannot be attributed to him.