Peak of Eloquence Nahjul Balagha By Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib - English Translation - Sermon 167

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Having sworn allegiance to Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib (􀁸), some
people from among the companions of the Prophet (􀁨) said to him.
“You should punish the people who assaulted Othman,” whereupon
he said the following :
O Brethren! I am not ignorant of what you know, but how do I
have the power for it while those who assaulted him are in the height of
their power? They have superiority over us, not we over them. They are
now in the status that even your slaves have risen with them and bedouin
Arabs, too, have joined them. They are now among you and are harming
you as they please. Do you see any way to be able to do what you aim at?
This demand is certainly that of the pre-Islamic (jahiliyya) period,
and these folks have support behind them. When the matter is taken up,
people will have different views about it. One group will think as you do,
but another will not think as you think, and there will be still another
group that will be neither this way nor that. Be patient till people quiet
down and hearts settle in their places so that rights can be achieved for
people easily. Rest assured from me and see what is given to you by me.
Do not do anything which shatters your power, weakens your strength and
engenders feebleness and disgrace. I shall control this affair as far as
possible, but if I find it necessary, the last treatment will, of course, be
branding with a hot iron (through fighting).