3. Abu al-Hasan al-Ash'ari said: "We a f h e d the validity of

'Ali's leadership after 'Uthmin (&) on the basis of the allegiance swom by those of the Companions who were people of prominent position and decision-makers, because none of the members of the consultative committee was nominated other than him at that time, and there was consensus on his virtues and justice. The fact that he refrained from nominating himself for the caliphate at the time of the caliphs was the right thing to do, because he knew that his time had not yet come. Then when he was appointed to the position, he gave it his all and did not fall short, thus he followed the straight path, as did the caliphs and leaders of justice before him, following the Book of their Lord and the Sunnah of their Prophet. These four are the ones on whom there is consensus with regard to their justice and virtue, may Allah be pleased with them."43 4. Abu Na'eem al-Asbahini said: "When there were differences of opinion among the Companions as to who were the first to migrate and who were the first to enter Islam and who were the early supporters who defended the faith, the Ummah is agreed on their seniority because of their virtue and prominence in The oath of allegiance to 'Ali, his characteristics & his way of life religious and worldly affairs, and they never disputed concerning them (the four caliphs) with regard to who was most entitled to the position of caliphate among the group whom the Messenger of Allah (s) testified were people of paradise among the ten with whom he was pleased when he died. Those who were left of those ten accepted 'Ali's pre-eminence, and no one denied that he was one of the most prominent and highest in status among the Ummah, because of his seniority and his virtues and knowledge, and because he had been present at major events. Allah and His Messenger loved him, and he loved Allah and His Messenger. The believers loved him, and the hypocrites hated him. His position is not undermined by the fact that some other Companions of the Messenger of Allah (g) were more senior than him; rather that increased his standing because he recognised the virtue of those to whom he gave precedence over himself, because that even existed among the Prophets and Messengers (blessings and peace of Allah he upon them). Allah says: $Those Messengers! We preferred some of them to others; ... but Allah does what He likes.) (Quran 2: 253) The fact that some are superior to others did not undermine the position of those who are of lesser status. All of the Messengers are chosen by Allah and are the best of His creation. 'Ali (&) became the leader of the Muslims and ran their state on the basis of justice and lack of interest in worldly gains, following in his conduct the way of the Messenger (g) and of his Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) until Allah took him as a martyr, guided and guiding others, leading them on the path of truth.""