Abu Wa'il says that I once asked Sayyiduna Abdur Rahman bin Awf (may Allah be pleased with him), "How did you people pledge allegiance to Sayyiduna Uthman (may Allah be pleased with him) instead of Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him)?" He replied, "What fault is mine in this? I had first said to Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) that I pledge allegiance to you on the Book of Allah, the Sunnah of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), and the way of the two Shaykhs (may Allah be pleased with them). He said to me, 'I will try to do so as much as I am able.' But when I made this offer to Sayyiduna Uthman (may Allah be pleased with him), he accepted it."