Election & Change of Governor | Caliphate of Ali | Olevel Islamiat | 2058/02 | Muhammad Yousuf Memon

Following the assassination of Hazrat Uthman in 656 AD, rebels sought to appoint a new Caliph. They first approached Hazrat Talha and Hazrat Zubair, who both declined, stating that Hazrat Ali was more deserving. When the rebels then approached Hazrat Ali, he initially refused. However, under pressure, particularly the threat of widespread chaos if a Caliph wasn't chosen within 24 hours, Hazrat Ali agreed. He insisted, however, that his election be public, not secretive, to avoid suspicion and rumors about his involvement in Uthman's murder. This public oath of allegiance (bay'ah) took place in the Prophet's Mosque, where many Companions pledged their loyalty.

Hazrat Ali's caliphate began in 656 AD and lasted for five years until 661 AD. His first significant action was to address the grievances that had plagued Uthman's caliphate, particularly the accusation that Uthman had appointed many of his relatives to key official positions (nepotism). Hazrat Ali decided to remove these governors, believing their presence was a source of unrest and division. He argued that removing them would establish stability and unity, which he considered a priority before pursuing justice for Uthman's death.

Hazrat Ali systematically replaced the governors appointed by Uthman. For instance, Uthman bin Haneef was appointed governor of Basra, Sa'd bin Ubadah was appointed for Egypt, Abdullah bin Abbas for Yemen, Ummar bin Salmah for Kufa, and Soheil bin Haneef for Syria. This decision, however, was met with resistance, especially from Hazrat Muawiya, the governor of Syria and a relative of Hazrat Uthman. Muawiya refused to step down, demanding justice for Uthman's assassination first. Many of Uthman's relatives and senior Companions interpreted Ali's priority on unity over immediate retribution as a deliberate delay, fueling suspicions due to the long-standing rivalry between the Bani Hashim (Ali's tribe) and Bani Umayyad (Uthman's tribe). This disagreement over the immediate pursuit of Uthman's killers and the changing of governors would become a major cause of future conflicts, including the Battle of Camel, which the video plans to discuss next.