The rebels of Egypt went to Hazrat ‘Ali(ra), who was commanding a section of the army outside Madinah at the time, which stood ready to crush the rebels. They approached him and said that Hazrat ‘Uthman(ra) was no longer suitable for Khilafat due to his administrative incompetence and that they had come to dismiss him and hoped that Hazrat ‘Ali(ra) would accept this office after him. Upon hearing their proposal, he demonstrated such a degree of religious indignation as befitted a man of his stature. Thus, he rebuked them and acted very harshly towards them saying:
“All pious people know that the Holy Prophet(sa) has foretold of the armies that would setup camp in Dhul-Marwah and Dhu Khashab (where the rebels had setup camp) and then invoked curse upon them.1 Hence, may God ruin you! Be Gone!”
They replied, “Very well, we shall return.” After this, they returned.
1 Al-Bidayatu Wan-Nihayah, By Hafiz Ibni Kathir Dimashqi, vol. 7, p. 169, Sanatu 35 Hijri, Dhikru Maji’il-Ahzabi Ila ‘Uthmanu Lil-Marratith-Thaniyati Mim-Misra (Wa Ghairiha Fi Shawwali Min Hadhihis-Sanah), Darul-Kutubil-‘Ilmiyyah, Beirut, 2001 edition,