372 - Abd al-Malik al-Maymuni informed me, saying: Muhammad b. Abd Allah related to us, from al-Talid b. Sulayman, from Abu al-Jahhaf, from Ali, who said: Abu Bakr stood up three days after he was appointed caliph and said: "Who will release me from my pledge of allegiance so that I may release him?" I say: By Allah, no one will release you, nor will anyone ask to be released from you. Who is it that would put you back when the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, has put you forward?