It is narrated from Muhammad that Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) delivered a sermon in Basra: "By Allah, I did not kill Uthman, nor did I assist in his killing." When he descended from the pulpit, one of his companions said, "Then what did you do? Now your companions are separating from you." So when Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) returned to the pulpit, he said, "Who is the one asking about the killing of Uthman? Surely, Allah killed Uthman, and I will be with him (meaning I too will be killed)." Muhammad says: "This statement has two meanings."