Fath al-Rabbani

It is narrated from Abu Hassan that when Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) would order someone to do a task, after completing it, people would come and say, “We have done that task.” Upon hearing this, he would say: “Allah and His Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) have spoken the truth.” Ashtar said to him: “This statement of yours has now become common among the people. If Allah’s Messenger has said something to you, then please state it.” Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) did not say anything to me specifically, apart from the general people, except for one thing which I heard from him, and it is written and present in the sheath of my sword.” The people insisted on it until he took out that writing. It was written in it: “Whoever initiates a bid’ah (innovation) or gives refuge to an innovator, upon him is the curse of Allah, the angels, and all people. Neither his obligatory nor his voluntary worship will be accepted.” And it was also written in it: “Hazrat Ibrahim (peace be upon him) declared Makkah as sacred, and I declare Madinah Munawwarah as a sanctuary; the entire area between its two fields is sacred. Its pasture grass should not be cut, its game should not be chased away, and its lost property should not be picked up except by one who will announce it. (He may pick it up.) None of its trees should be cut, except that a man may feed leaves to his camel. Weapons should not be raised in it for fighting.” In that document, it was also written: “The blood of the Muslims is equal. Even the lowest among them can grant protection. They are united and a single group against the disbelievers. A believer will not be killed in exchange for a disbeliever, nor will a dhimmi be killed during his covenant.”