It is narrated from Sayyiduna Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) that Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) came out from the presence of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) during the illness in which the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) passed away. The people asked: O Abu al-Hasan! How did the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) fare this morning? He replied: All praise is due to Allah, he is now better. Sayyiduna Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) says that Abbas bin Abdul Muttalib (may Allah be pleased with him) took him by the hand and led him aside and said: Do you know! By Allah, after three days you will become the subjects of others, meaning you will be under the authority of others. And by Allah, I can see that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) will pass away in this illness, because I know how the faces of the sons of Abdul Muttalib look at the time of death. Let us go to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and ask him about the caliphate. If it is to be among us, we will know it, and if it is to be among others, then we will ask him to make a will regarding us. Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) said: By Allah! If we ask and he forbids us, then after him the people will never give us authority. By Allah! I will never ask the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) about this matter.