He said: Abul Hasan ALI b. Muhammad al-Katib reported to me from al-Hasan b. ALI al-Zafarani, who reported from Abu Ishaq Ibrahim b. Muhammad al-Thaqafi, who reported from al-Masoodi, who reported from al-Hasan b. Hammad, from his father, who reported from Razin Bayya' al-Anmat, who said:
I heard Zaid b. ALI b. HUSAIN , peace be upon him, narrating from his father who reported from his father who said: I heard AMIRUL MO’MINEEN (ASWS), peace be upon him, addressing the people thus:
"By ALLAH (SWT), people gave allegiance to abu bakr (LA) while I was worthiest of them all, together with the attire of mine. But I swallowed my anger, and waited for my Sustainer's will, keeping my chest low to the ground (i.e. adopting a low profile).
Then abu bakr (LA) died, appointing umar (LA) as his successor, though he knew that I was the worthiest of them all, together with this attire of mine. But I swallowed my anger and waited for my Sustainer's will.
Then umar (LA) died and made it an agenda for the consultative committee (al-Shura). He appointed me the sixth among the six members, like the share of the grandmother! And he said: 'Kill the dissenting minority;' and by this he meant no one but me. But I swallowed my fury, waited for my Sustainer's will and kept my chest low on the ground.
Then, the dissenting people did what they did after having sworn allegiance to me; and I had no alternative but either to fight against them or disobey ALLAH (SWT)."
(Ref: Al-Amali Shaikh Mufeed : The Nineteenth Assembly : Hadees No.5)