hadith
2373
۞
Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘As regards the oppression against us in this matter in spite of being the foremost in descent and bearing the strongest relationship to the Messenger of Allah (SAWA) - it was [a result of selfishness. The hearts of some people coveted it [the leadership whereas the hearts of others did not care for it. And the Arbiter is Allah.
الإمامُ عليٌّ (عَلَيهِ الّسَلامُ): أمّا الاسْتِبدادُ علَينا بهذا المَقامِ ـ ونحنُ الأعْلَونَ نَسَبا والأشَدُّونَ برسولِ اللّه (صَلَّيَ اللهُ عَلَيهِ وَ آلِهِ) نَوْطا ـ فإنّها كانتْ أثَرةً، شَحَّتْ علَيها نفوسُ قومٍ وسَخَتْ عنها نفوسُ آخَرِينَ، والحَكَمُ اللّهُ.