Mukhtasar Bukhari

Narrated from Sayyiduna Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) that during the illness of death of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), one day Sayyiduna Ali bin Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him) came out from the presence of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). The people asked: "O Abu al-Hasan! How is the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) today?" He replied, "Praise be to Allah, today he is better." Upon hearing this, Sayyiduna Abbas bin Abdul Muttalib (may Allah be pleased with him) took the hand of Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) and said, "By Allah! After three days you will be left as a man with a stick (i.e., anyone who wishes will drive you away), and by Allah! I think that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) will soon pass away in this illness. I am well aware of the signs of death among the sons of Abdul Muttalib. So come, let us ask the Noble Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) about the caliphate. If he gives us (i.e., Banu Hashim) the caliphate, we will know, and if he appoints someone else as caliph, we will also know, and he will advise him to treat us well." Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) said, "By Allah! If we ask the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) about the caliphate and he forbids us, then the people will never make us caliph. And I will never ask the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) about the caliphate."