How can one understand the statement, "Ali was, without dispute, the strongest candidate for the Imamate after the killing of Umar," found in Sheikh Muhammad Hassan's book "Al-Fitna Bayna Al-Sahabah" (The Sedition Among the Companions), given that Uthman was the third Caliph, and what other books can be referred to by the Sunni and Jama'ah for further details on the sedition among the Companions?

It is not possible to accurately judge the writer's statement without its context. However, if the writer meant that Ali was more deserving of the caliphate than Uthman, then this is an error. Uthman, may Allah be pleased with him, was the most deserving of the caliphate by the consensus of the Muhajirun and Ansar. This has been established by authentic narrations in Bukhari and other collections, where Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, made the caliphate a matter of consultation among six individuals. Then the matter was narrowed down to Uthman and Ali. After Abd al-Rahman ibn Awf consulted the Muhajirun, Ansar, and others, everyone pledged allegiance to Uthman. Preferring Ali over Uthman is considered a disparagement of the Muhajirun and Ansar.