2. Appointment of governors

at the time of 'Ali (&) Allegiance was sworn to 'Ali (a) as caliph after the murder of 'Uthmin (&). There was turmoil in different regions of the state , ., as a result of 'Uthmin's murder; hence 'Ali (&) was given allegiance in difficult circumstances, in which the Islamic state began to lose a great deal of its stability and energy. This unrest emerged clearly in Madinah itself, and things became chaotic in other regions of the state, too. The sincere advisers and consultants sensed the seriousness of what was taking place, so some of them offered sincere advice to 'Ali from the outset, especially with regard to his governors.227 2.1. Ali's attitude towards the governors of 'Uthmsn, and his appointment of his relatives 2.1.1. 'Ali's attitude towards the governors of 'Uthmiin Amir al-Mu'mineen 'Ali (&) understood fully that one of the .. main causes of the turmoil was that some people were not pleased with the governors of 'Uthmk (&). That was because of the rumours spread by the leaders of the turmoil against 'Uthmsn (&) Govemor.~ at the time of 'Ali ibn Abi Tcilib and his governors, not because they were incapable or unjust. Many contemporary writers, however, in their discussion of 'Ali's policies in appointing governors, start by saying that 'Ali (&) would not have agreed to leave 'UthmWs governors in their positions for one minute after he was appointed caliph, and that what prevented him from doing so was his religious commitment and sincerity.228 How terrible this accusation is against 'Uthmin (&) and his governors. I have refuted it in my book Tayseer al-Kareem al-Manncinfi Seerat 'Uthmin ibn 'Affcin, where I devoted an entire section to discussing the facts about the governors of 'Utbmin (&).229 Whoever wishes to know more may refer to it. Those who criticised 'U(bm$n's governors relied on reports that are well-known to b