In Jafri's view, the inclusion of Ali in the committee simultaneously recognized his claims, blocked his chances, and removed his freedom to independently seek the caliphate. The last item is a reference to an exchange to this effect between Ali and Muhammad's uncle Abbas, reported by al-Baladhuri and al-Tabari. Coercion Perhaps aware of his minority position within the committee, a reluctant Ali was compelled to participate in the committee, threatened by fear of arms, according to some reports by al-Baladhuri and al-Tabari. Alternatively, Ayoub surmises that Ali participated in the committee to save the community from dissension, even though he was aware that the committee was biased towards Uthman. When asked why he accepted the offer by al-Ma'mun () to be his heir apparent, the Shia Imam Ali al-Rida () is reported to have responded, "The same thing which forced my grandfather the Commander of the Faithful [Ali] to join the arbitration council [assembled by Umar]." This "same thing" might have been coercion based on another statement by al-Rida, "I was also forced to accept (the succession to the throne) even though I did not like to. I unwillingly accepted it when I was about to be killed," as reported in the Shia source Uyun akhbar al-Rida. Deliberations The candidates could not reach an agreement and the decision was soon in the hands of Ibn Awf, who had the deciding vote, and ultimately played a key role in the accession of his brother-in-law, Uthman. A report by al-Tabari reads that Ali initially objected to this arrangement but relented when Ibn Awf swore to be impartial. Ibn Awf then reportedly asked each candidate privately whom they would vote for if they were out of the race. In that case, Uthman said he would support Ali, while Ali, Sa'd, and Zubayr supported Uthman. Keaney finds it odd that Ali supported Uthman in this report, noting that the former thought the committee was stacked against him. Some reports by al-Tabari suggest that Sa'd and Zubayr did not press their own or Talha's claims and thus the choice soon narrowed down to Uthman and Ali. Alternatively, Ibn Ishaq () and al-Tabari include reports in which Talha was present and withdrew in favor of Uthman, Zubayr for Ali, and Sa'd for Ibn Awf. This account evidently contradicts the version in which Ibn Awf has the deciding vote. Ali By some accounts, Ali successfully appealed to