Why Did ʿAlī رضي الله عنه Not Take Retribution from the Killers of ʿUthmān رضي الله عنه During His Caliphate?
Reference: Fatāwā Rashidiyyah, Page 536
❖ The Question
What was the reason that ʿAlī ibn Abī Ṭālib رضي الله عنه did not take retribution (qiṣāṣ) from the killers of ʿUthmān رضي الله عنه during his caliphate?
❖ The Answer
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-s-salāmu ‘alā Rasūlillāh, ammā ba‘d!
➊ Differences at the Beginning of the Caliphate
Not all of the Companions رضي الله عنهم agreed upon the caliphate of ʿAlī رضي الله عنه in the beginning.
- Some gave their allegiance (bayʿah).
- A large group withheld their pledge until retribution for ʿUthmān رضي الله عنه’s killers was taken.
- Among this group were Muʿāwiyah رضي الله عنه and other noble Companions.
➋ Condition of ʿAlī رضي الله عنه’s Supporters
Among those who pledged allegiance to ʿAlī رضي الله عنه, there was a large number of the very rebels who were involved in ʿUthmān رضي الله عنه’s murder.
- To extract retribution from them immediately was extremely difficult, if not impossible.
- Had ʿAlī رضي الله عنه proceeded hastily, ignoring the political realities, his own caliphate would have been endangered.
➌ Need to Stabilize the Caliphate
A great portion of the Companions رضي الله عنهم were opposed to him, and he did not have their support.
- If he had acted with severity against the rebels in his own camp, even his remaining supporters would have deserted him.
- Since he was the most rightful for caliphate at that time, abandoning it was also not appropriate.
- Therefore, he sought first to unite the Ummah and stabilize governance, after which retribution would be feasible.
- ʿAlī رضي الله عنه himself expressed this intent.
➍ The Stance of Other Companions
On the other hand, nearly eighty Companions, including Muʿāwiyah رضي الله عنه, insisted that retribution be taken first, then allegiance and other matters be settled.
- All were mujtahidūn; whether correct or mistaken, their ijtihād was based on sincerity.
- This clash of perspectives prevented the implementation of qiṣāṣ.
➎ Preoccupation During His Caliphate
From the beginning to the end of his caliphate, ʿAlī رضي الله عنه remained engaged in conflicts:
- The Battle of Jamal against ʿĀ’ishah رضي الله عنها and other Companions.
- The Battle of Ṣiffīn against Muʿāwiyah رضي الله عنه and his supporters.
- Continuous struggles against the Khawārij.
Eventually, he was martyred by a Khārijī assassin.
✿ Conclusion
The lack of unity among the Ummah regarding his caliphate, the demand of many Companions to first avenge ʿUthmān رضي الله عنه, and the turbulent circumstances prevented ʿAlī رضي الله عنه from carrying out retribution during his rule.
ھذا ما عندی، واللہ أعلم بالصواب
