It is narrated from Hazrat Abdullah bin Sabe’ that I heard Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) say: Surely, surely this (beard) will be stained with this. The people said: Tell us about his (the killer’s) family so we may destroy them. Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) said: By Allah! Then you will kill someone other than my killer. The people asked: Why do you not appoint a caliph? Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) replied: No! Rather, I will leave you just as the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) left you. The people asked: Then when you meet your Lord, what will you say to Him? Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) replied: I will say: O Allah! You kept me among them (for a period), then You called me to Yourself while You Yourself were present among them. So if You had willed, You would have set them right, and if You had willed, You would have corrupted them.