As for Muāwiya, the Muslims knew better and were too just to say to Alī, “Pledge allegiance to Muāwiya.” Rather, they would have said to him (1): “Pledge allegiance to Talha and al-Zubayr,” for both (2) were members of the consultative council.

Abd al-Rahmān ibn Awf died during Uthmān’s caliphate, leaving four who remained after Uthmān’s death.

As for Sa'd, he withdrew from the civil strife and took no part in fighting any Muslim. He outlived all the others and was the last of the Ten to die. He withdrew to al-Aqīq, and when he died, he was borne on people’s shoulders and buried in al-Baqī.

In Sahīh Muslim, Āmir ibn Sa'd ibn Abī Waqqās reports that Sa'd ibn Abī Waqqās was among his camels when his son Umar came to him. When Sa'd saw him, he said, “I seek refuge in Allah from the evil of this rider.” Umar dismounted and said to him, “Have you settled down among your camels and sheep, leaving the people to dispute rulership among themselves?” Sa'd struck him in the chest and said, “Be quiet! I heard the Messenger of Allah—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—say, ‘Indeed, Allah loves the servant who is God-fearing, self-sufficient, and inconspicuous.’” (3).

This son of his, Umar, loved power, even if it came to him by reprehensible means. For that reason, when he was appointed to an office and was told, “We will not appoint you unless you take charge of fighting al-Husayn and his companions,” he became the commander of that expeditionary force.

As for Sa'd—may Allah be pleased with him—his supplications were answered, and he was granted sound judgment in his time,