Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah

Saif bin Fulan bin Muawiyah Anzi narrates from his maternal uncle, and he from my grandfather, that when the day of the Battle of Jamal came, the people were anxious. People would stand before Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) and make various claims. When the voices increased and Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) could not understand the people’s voices, he said, “Is there not anyone who can sum up his words in five or six phrases?” So I quickly stood up on one leg and said, “If I cannot sum up my words, I will sit down nearby.” Then I said, “O Commander of the Faithful! My speech is not of five or six words, but only two words: Attack or Retribution.” He looked at me and counted up to thirty with his hand. It is said that Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) looked at me and said, “What you have counted is beneath my feet.”