Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah

Hazrat Umair bin Zawdi Abu Kathirah narrates that Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) delivered a sermon to us one day. During this sermon, the Khawarij stood up and interrupted him. He descended and went into a chamber, and we also went inside with him. He said, "I was consumed on the day the white bull was consumed." Then he said, "My example is like that of the three bulls and the lion who gathered in a den. One bull was white, one was red, and one was black. Whenever the lion tried to eat the bulls, all three would unite and confront the lion, keeping him at bay. One day, the lion said to the red and black bulls, 'The color of the white bull is the cause of our disgrace in this den. You both let me eat that bull, then the three of us will live peacefully in this den. My color is like yours.' So the two bulls fell for his deception, agreed to it, and the lion immediately attacked and finished off the white bull. (2) After that, whenever the lion wanted to kill either of the two remaining bulls, they would unite and keep him at bay. Then one day, the lion said to the red bull, 'O red bull! Because of the presence of the black one here, our honor is being tarnished. Allow me to eat him, then you and I will remain here alone. My color is like yours, and your color is like mine.' So the red bull gave him permission, and he finished off the black bull. (3) Then the lion waited for a while and then said to the red bull, 'O red bull! I will eat you.' He said, 'Will you eat me?' The lion said, 'Yes, I will eat you.' The bull said, 'If you are going to eat me, then allow me to make three cries. Then do as you wish.' Then the bull said, 'I was actually consumed on the day the white bull was consumed.' (4) Then Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) said, 'Remember, the day Hazrat Uthman was martyred, I became weak on that very day.'"