It is narrated from Sayyiduna Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) that once Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) came out from the presence of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) during the illness of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) before his passing. The people asked: "Abu al-Hasan! How is the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)?" He replied: "Now, since morning, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) is, all praise is due to Allah, well." Sayyiduna Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) says that upon this, Sayyiduna Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) took the hand of Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) and said: "Do you not see? By Allah! From this illness, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) will not recover and will pass away. I recognize the state that overtakes the faces of the sons of Abdul Muttalib at the time of death. So come, let us go to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and ask him who will have the caliphate after him. If it is to be among us, we will know about it, and if it is to be among others, then we will speak to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) so that he may advise the coming caliph regarding us." Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "By Allah! If we request this from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and he refuses to grant our request, then people will never give us the caliphate. Therefore, I will never make this request to him."