Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah 39881 — Reports on the caliphate of Ali bin

It is narrated from Abdullah bin Subay', who said: I heard Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) say: "This (beard) will certainly be dyed from this. What is the most wretched one waiting for?" The people said: "Tell us about him (the killer) and we will destroy his family." Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "By Allah, in that case you would kill someone other than my killer." The people asked: "Why do you not appoint a caliph?" Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "No; rather, I will leave you just as the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) left you." The people asked: "Then what will you say to your Lord when you meet Him?" Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "I will say: 'O Allah! You left me among them (for a time), then You called me back to You while You Yourself remained among them. So if You wished, You would set them right, and if You wished, You would corrupt them.'"