Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah 40616 — The journey of Aishah, Ali, Talhah

It is reported from Sayyiduna Sulayman bin Surad (may Allah be pleased with him): I came to Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) on the day of the Battle of the Camel. With him were Sayyiduna al-Hasan and some of his companions. When Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) saw me, he said: "O Ibn Surad, you grew weak and slack and stayed behind. Do you see what Allah has done? Allah Almighty has made us free of need of you." I said: "O Commander of the Believers, the course is still long, and matters remain in which you will come to know your enemy from your friend." He said: When Sayyiduna al-Hasan stood up, I said to him: "You did not support me at all, nor did you offer any excuse on my behalf to this man (Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him)), although I had been eager that you should bear witness for me before him." Sayyiduna al-Hasan said: "He has blamed you for what he blamed you for. Yet on the day of the Battle of the Camel, as the people were marching towards one another, he said to me: 'O Hasan, may your mother lose you! What do you think of a man who has brought these two armies face to face? By Allah, I see no good after this.' I said: 'Be quiet, lest your companions hear you and say that you have fallen into doubt, and they kill you.'"