An Excerpt from 'The Life of Ali Ibn Abi Talib':
The masses surrounded Imam Ali (‘a) and asked him to hold the reins of government, but the Imam (‘a) answered,
'I am by no means in need for ruling over you. I will accept anyone else you will choose for this position.'After Imam Ali (‘a) had refused to assume power, the military forces held a meeting in which they discussed the dangers that would befall the Muslim community if they would remain without a leader. They therefore summoned the people of Al-Madinah and the prominent personalities and threatened that they would kill Imam Ali (‘a), Talhah, and Al-Zubayr, creating a massacre as a result, if a man would not be appointed as the caliph.
Hence, the people of Al-Madinah hurried fearfully to Imam Ali (‘a) and shouted, 'Pledge of allegiance! Homage! Can’t you see what has befallen Islam and what tribulations we have encountered because of the people of the villages?'
Once again, Imam Ali (‘a) insisted on refusing their proposal, saying,
'Leave me and find another one!'
Expressing the reasons for his refusal, Imam Ali (‘a) added,
'We are facing a matter which has (several) faces and colors, which neither hearts can stand nor intelligence can accept. Clouds are hovering over the sky, and faces are not discernible. You should know that if I respond to you I would lead you as I know and would not care about whatever one may say or abuse. If you leave me then I am the same as you are. It is possible I would listen to and obey whomever you make in charge of your affairs. I am better for you as a counselor than as chief.'
Nevertheless, people poured forth on Imam Ali (‘a) from all sides, demanding him to accept assuming caliphate.
Expressing the insistence of the people, Imam Ali (‘a) says,
'At that moment, nothing took me by surprise but the crowd of people rushing to me. It advanced towards me from every side like the mane of the hyena so much so that Al-Hasan and Al-Husayn were crushed and both the ends of my shoulder garment were torn. They collected around me like the herd of sheep and goats.'
Finally, Imam Ali (‘a) asked for respite to the next day so that he would think about the matter ponderously. Only then did the people leave him.The next morning, the masses hurried to the mosque, waiting impatiently for the Imam’s acceptance. Before long, Imam Ali (‘a) came while the two grandsons of the Holy Prophet (S) were to his two sides and the other pure Companions, like ‘Ammar and Malik, surrounded him. The voices of the masses rose with cries of complete support to the Imam (‘a) who, then, ascended the minbar and delivered these words to the masses:
'O people! Verily, no one has any word about this affair of you except the one you choose as leader. Yesterday, you and I left after I had been unpleased to respond to your request. Nevertheless, you insisted that I should be your chief. Behold! I am not allowed to take for myself a single dirham more than what you take. If you wish, I will sit (on the rule seat) to preside over you; otherwise, I will not accept the pledge of allegiance made by any one of you.'
Once again, cries from all sides of the mosque rose to declare their consistent insistence on selecting Imam Ali (‘a) for leadership. They thus said, 'We still bear the same idea of yesterday.'