worship, they bitterly execrate the three usurpers (Abu-Bekr, ʾOmar, and ʾOthmân), who intercepted his indefeasible right to the dignity of Imâm and Khalîfah. Even the sanctity of the Prophet's burial-place is no safeguard against riot and bloodshed, which have often been occasioned by the attempts of Persian pilgrims to pollute the tombs of Abu-Bekr and ʾOmar (which are in close proximity to that of the Prophet), by throwing upon them sonme unclean substance wrapt in a handsome shawl or turban. In the language of the Shîahs, the name of ʾOmar expresses the perfect accomplishment of wickedness and impiety.
There appears no reason to suppose that ʾAly was personally connected with the rebellion in which ʾOthmân was slain. But though he did not directly join the Khalifah's enemies, yet he did not help him with that vigour and activity which his relation and sovereign might naturally have expected of him; and this want of zeal was made the most of and exaggerated by ʾAly's enemies.
