“Who would you nominate to be the Khaleefah?”

‘Abdur-Rahmaan bin ‘Awf visited ‘Alee one day and said to him: “If I do not choose you to be the Khaleefah, then tell me who would you nominate to be the Khaleefah?” ‘Alee said: “‘Uthmaan bin ‘Affaan.” ‘Abdur-Rahmaan then visited ‘Uthmaan and asked him: “If I do not choose you to be the Khaleefah, then tell me who would you nominate to be the Khaleefah?” ‘Uthmaan said: “‘Alee bin Abee Taalib.”

[Saheeh al-Bukhaaree: 7207]