It is narrated from Qais bin ‘Abad, he says: We were traveling in the company of Sayyiduna ‘Ali (may Allah be pleased with him). Whenever he reached a place, ascended a hill, or descended into a valley, he would say: Subhan Allah, Sadaq Allahu wa Rasuluhu. (Allah is free from all defects, Allah and His Messenger have spoken the truth). I said to a man from Banu Yashkur: Come, let us go to the Commander of the Faithful and ask him about this statement. So we went to him and said: O Commander of the Faithful! We have observed that whenever you reach a place, descend into a valley, or ascend a hill, you say these words: Sadaq Allahu wa Rasuluhu. (Allah and His Messenger have spoken the truth). Has the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) given you any special instruction regarding this? He turned away from us, but when we insisted, he said: By Allah! Whatever the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) has commanded the general people, he has commanded me the same. But people became involved in tribulation regarding Sayyiduna ‘Uthman (may Allah be pleased with him) and martyred him. The condition and actions of others, except me, were very bad. So I saw that compared to others, I was more deserving of this caliphate, so I hastened towards it. Now Allah knows best whether we did right or wrong.