Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah

Hazrat Abdul Aziz bin Rafee’ says that when Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) went to Siffin, he appointed Hazrat Abu Mas’ood as the in charge of the people. He delivered a sermon to the people on Friday and found the people to be few in number. So he said, “O people! Go out, whoever goes out will be secure. By Allah, we know that some of you dislike this situation and find it burdensome. Go out, whoever goes out will find security. By Allah, we do not consider it a state of well-being that these two groups fight and fear each other. Rather, well-being is that Allah Almighty rectifies the Ummah of Muhammad and gathers them together. I will tell you about Hazrat Uthman and about those who took retribution against him. People did not martyr him to establish any truth, but they were jealous of the blessings that Allah had bestowed upon Hazrat Uthman. When Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) arrived, he said, ‘O Farukh! Did you say that which I heard?’ You are an old man whose intellect has ceased.’ He replied, ‘My mother gave me a better name than the one you have given me. Has my intellect departed and has Paradise become incumbent upon me from Allah and His Messenger? You also know this matter. My intellect has not gone. We used to discuss among ourselves what is the ultimate evil. When they were at Sailheen or Qadisiyyah, he came before the people and water was dripping from his hair, it seemed as if he was preparing for Ihram. When he intended to mount his ride, the people said, ‘O Abu Mas’ood! Advise us.’ He said, ‘Taqwa is obligatory upon you and remain connected to the congregation of Muslims, for the congregation of Muslims cannot unite upon misguidance.’ The people again requested advice, so he said, ‘Taqwa is obligatory upon you and remain connected to the congregation of Muslims. A good man finds rest, or relief is found from an evil one.’