The Stronger Position on the Issue of Preferring 'Ali and 'Uthman (may Allah be pleased with them both)

Question:
The Shaykh (may Allah grant you success) has received many questions, asking about 'Ali ibn Abi Talib taking action against 'Uthman, and whether this issue is related to creed, such that one who disagrees on it is considered misguided?

Answer:
There is scholarly disagreement on the issue of preferring 'Ali or 'Uthman, although the stronger position is that 'Uthman is preferred, with the evidence being that the Companions chose him for the caliphate. 'Abd al-Rahman ibn 'Awf (may Allah be pleased with him) said, "I see that the people do not consider anyone equal to 'Uthman." So 'Uthman is better than 'Ali without doubt. If it is said that 'Ali is better, this is a matter that is easy and does not require [much discussion]. As for the caliphate, no, it is not said that 'Ali is the most deserving of the caliphate. That would be a denial of the consensus of the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them). So there is a difference between the issue of preference and the issue of the caliphate. Yes.