Ameerul Momineen Ali ibn Abi Talib (a.s.) said:
أَمَا وَاللَّهِ لَوَدَدْتُ أَنَّ رَبِّي قَدْ أَخْرَجَنِي مِنْ بَيْنِ أَظْهُرِكُمْ إِلَى رِضْوانِهِ ، وَأَنَّ الْمَنِيَّةَ لَتَرْصُدُنِي ما يَتَعُ أَشْقاها أَنْ يَخْضِبَها ؟ – وَتَرَكَ يَدَهُ عَلَى رَأْسِهِ وَلِحِينِهِ – عَهْداً عَهِدَهُ إِلَيَّ النَّبِيُّ الْأُمِّيُّ وَقَدْ خابَ مَنِ افْتَرَى ، وَنَا مَنِ اتَّقَى وَصَدَّقَ بِالْحُسْنَى
By Allah, I wish that my Lord would take me away from among you to His pleasure. Death is ever waiting for me—why does the most wretched one does not hasten to dye it?” (He then placed his hand on his head and beard). This is a covenant that the Ummi Prophet (s.a.w.a.) made with me. Indeed, the one who fabricates lies has failed, while the one who fears Allah and believes in goodness has succeeded.
Al-Ihtijaj by Al-Tabarsi, vol. 1, p. 382
Abu Salih Hanafi narrates:
“I saw Ali (peace be upon him) delivering a sermon while placing the Mushaf (Quran) on his head, to the extent that I could see its pages trembling on his head.
“O Allah! They have deprived me of what is in this (Book), so grant me what is in it. O Allah! I have despised them, and they have despised me. I have grown weary of them, and they have grown weary of me. They have forced me into behaviour that is contrary to my nature, disposition, and character, which was never known of me. O Allah! Replace them with people better than them for me and replace me with someone worse for them. O Allah! Melt their hearts just as salt dissolves in water.'”
Al-Gharat, vol. 2, p. 458
At another time, Imam (a.s.) laments the ignorant and unperceptive people of his time, saying:
“Are you expecting a leader other than me who will walk with you on the path and guide you to the right way?”
Nahjul Balagha, Sermon 182
Note: These are the heartfelt grievances of Ameerul Momeneen (a.s.) about the hypocritical people—those who speak excessively but do not act. The Imam (peace be upon him) suffered because of the people of his time.
First, they followed the usurping oppressors. For 25 years, they were led astray by the innovations of those self-appointed rulers. Then, these same undisciplined and misled people killed Usman, and later gathered at the door of the Imam (a.s.).
Per his divine duty and the mission already conveyed by the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.), the Imam (a.s.) took charge of the caliphate. Within four years and a few months, he purified Islam from the filth of the Nakeseen (oath-breakers), Qaseteen (oppressors), and Mariqeen (rebels).
This four-year period became a historical legacy for the Shia during the era of the later Imams (a.s.) and even during the period of occultation. It serves as a guiding principle to distinguish between those who follow the path of the Infallible Imams (a.s.) and those who oppose it.