they were sincerely devoted to Allah and followed what they had been commanded regarding (1) obedience to the one who deserved precedence. Since this tribulation had befallen the Muslims, everyone was obliged to examine the truth, adhere to fairness (2), give the truth its rightful place (3), and not wrong the one entitled to it. Allah Most High says:

“Surely Allah’s curse is upon the wrongdoers.”

[Surah Hūd: 18]

In reply, it is said to him:

First: What should have been said is: “When one faction held one view and another faction held another, one must examine which of the two views is sounder.” But if one faction chose to follow the truth and the other chose to follow falsehood, then if this was (4) already clear, there would be no need for examination; and if it was not yet clear, it should not have been stated until it became clear.

It is also said to him:

Second: Your statement that “he sought leadership for himself by a right that he possessed, and the few pledged allegiance to him” is a lie about Alī [may Allah be pleased with him] (5). He did not seek leadership for himself during the caliphates of Abū Bakr, Umar, and Uthmān. He sought it only when Uthmān was killed and allegiance was pledged to him. At that time, most people were with him; it was not merely the few who were with him.

The [adherents of] (6) the Sunnah and the Shia agree that Alī did not call upon anyone to pledge allegiance to him during the caliphates of Abū Bakr, Umar, and Uthmān, nor did anyone pledge allegiance to him on that basis. The Rāfidah, however, allege that he desired this and believe that he was the Imam entitled to the imamate rather than anyone else,