Hazrat Ubaidah (may Allah have mercy on him) narrated that Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) addressed the people and said: "Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) consulted me regarding the mothers of children (ummuhat al-awlad), so my decision and Umar's was that they should be set free. Accordingly, Umar implemented this decision during his lifetime, and Uthman (may Allah be pleased with him) also acted upon it during his lifetime. But when I was given the caliphate, I changed my opinion and wished to make them slaves again." Ubaidah (may Allah have mercy on him) said: "The opinion of the group of Umar and Ali (may Allah be pleased with them both) is more beloved to us than the individual opinion of Ali (may Allah be pleased with him)."