Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah 40710 — Reports on the Khawarij

Abu Razin said: When the arbitration took place at Siffin, the Khawarij left Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) and went away, abandoning him. The Khawarij were in one army and Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) in another army. When Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) returned to Kufah with his army and they went to Harura' with their army, Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) sent Sayyiduna Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) to them, and he spoke to them, but it had no effect on them. Then Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) went out to talk to them, discussions took place with them, and all became content with one another. And they returned to Kufah. This contentment lasted two days or so. Then Sayyiduna al-Ash'ath bin Qays (may Allah be pleased with him), who often used to visit Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him), came and said: "The people are saying that you have turned back, for their sake, from disbelief." The next day, or on Friday, Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) ascended the pulpit, praised and glorified Allah Almighty, and in the sermon admonished them. He mentioned their separation from the people and the matter over which they had separated. Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) condemned them and their way. When he came down from the pulpit, voices began to come from the corners of the mosque: "There is no rule except Allah's!" Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "I am waiting for Allah's ruling concerning you." Then, on the pulpit, he signalled to them with his hand to be silent. Meanwhile, one man of the Khawarij came with his fingers on his ears, reciting this verse: "If you associate partners with Allah, your deeds will surely become worthless, and you will surely be among the losers." [Al-Zumar: 65]