Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah

Hazrat Habib Abi Thabit narrates that in the Battle of Siffin, the flag of Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) was in the hands of Hashim bin Utbah. He was blind in one eye. Hazrat Ammar said, "O one-eyed! Come forward, there is no good in that one-eyed person who does not face fear." He felt shy and came forward. Hazrat Amr bin Aas said, "I am seeing an action in the one with the black flag; if he remains like this, today the Arabs will surely accomplish something." He was saying, "Every water has a watering place, and people come to the water; O servants of Allah! Be patient, Paradise is under the shade of swords."

Muslim bin Ajda’ Laysi reports that Hazrat Ammar came out during the Battle of Siffin and at that time the flags were raised. He proclaimed in a loud voice, “Move towards Paradise, the maidens of Paradise are ready.”

Ammar bin Yasir was saying during the Battle of Siffin that whoever desires to have a wide-eyed houri should walk between the two ranks with the intention of reward. I am seeing such a rank that will strike you in a way about which you are in false doubt. By the One in Whose hand is my soul, even if they utterly destroy us, I will still be certain that I am on the truth and they are on falsehood.

Hazrat Ammar says that even if they kill us with swords until they destroy us completely, I will still be certain that we are on the truth and they are on falsehood.

Hazrat Riyah bin Harith narrates that I was with Hazrat Ammar bin Yasir in the Battle of Siffin, my knees were touching his knees. A man said that the people of Syria have committed disbelief. Hazrat Ammar said, "Do not say this. Their and our Prophet is one, their and our Qibla is one. They are afflicted by tribulation, they have turned away from the truth. It is obligatory upon us to fight them so that they may return to the truth."

Hazrat Riyah narrates that Hazrat Ammar said: Do not say that the people of Syria have disbelieved, rather say that they have committed sin and acted unjustly.

Hazrat Riyah narrates that Hazrat Ammar said: Do not say that the people of Syria have disbelieved, rather say that they have committed sin and acted unjustly.

Abu Wa'il says that Abu Maisarah Amr bin Shurahbeel, a close companion of Hazrat Abdullah, saw a dream that I entered Paradise and saw a very beautiful palace with a dome. I asked, "Whose is this?" I was told that it belongs to Dhu’l-Kila’ and Houshab. Both of them were with Hazrat Muawiyah in the Battle of Siffin and were martyred. I asked, "Where are Ammar and his companions?" I was told that they are in front of you. I said, "These people killed each other, so how did they all enter Paradise?" I was told that when they met Allah, they found Him to be Most Merciful. I asked, "What happened to the people of Nahr?" I was told that they faced severity.

Hazrat Hanzala bin Khuwailid Anzi says that I was sitting with Hazrat Muawiya when two men came to him claiming the martyrdom of Hazrat Ammar. One said, "I killed him," and the other said, "I killed him." Hazrat Abdullah bin Amr (may Allah be pleased with him) said, "Each of you will have to withdraw in favor of the other, because I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) say that Ammar will be martyred by a rebellious group." Upon hearing this, Hazrat Muawiya said, "O Amr! What is your opinion about us?" He replied, "I am with you, but I will not fight. My father complained about me to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), so he told me to obey my father and not to disobey him as long as he is alive. Therefore, I am with you, but I will not fight."

Hazrat Saad bin Ibrahim narrates that Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) was passing among the slain, holding the hand of Hazrat Adi bin Hatim, when they passed by a man. I recognized him and said, "O Commander of the Faithful, I testify regarding this man that he is a believer." He (Hazrat Ali) said, "Now what is the ruling concerning him?"

Hazrat Abu Qaqa’ says that I saw Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) riding the Prophet’s (peace and blessings be upon him) she-mule Shahba, moving around among the slain.

Hazrat Salhab Faqasi says that during the Battle of Siffin, there were corpses lying outside our tents and due to the stench, we could not even eat food. A man said that on the day the people of Syria committed disbelief, someone had sent for a mule. Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) said that they had fled from disbelief.

Hazrat Hakeem bin Sa’d narrates that in the Battle of Siffin, so many spears were thrust between us and them that if someone wanted to walk on the spears, he could have done so.

Hazrat Ibn Abi Dhi'b narrates that when Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) fought with Hazrat Muawiyah, the companions of Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) took control of the water. Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) told them to let them also take water; one cannot be prevented from water.

It is narrated from Hazrat Umm Salamah that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "A rebellious group will martyr Hazrat Ammar."

Hazrat Sulaiman bin Mehran says that during the Battle of Siffin, Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) was biting his lip and saying, "If I had known that the matter would reach this point, I would never have come out. O Abu Musa, go and decide between us, even if it means giving my head."

Hazrat Abu Salih narrates that Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) said to Hazrat Abu Musa during the Battle of Siffin: "Go and decide between us, even if it means giving my head."

Hazrat Harith narrates that when Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) returned from Siffin, he had realized that he would never be victorious, so he said some things that he had never said before and stated: "O people! Do not dislike the leadership of Muawiyah, because if you lose him, heads will fall from necks just as colocynth falls."

Hazrat Hajar bin Anbas says that during the Battle of Siffin, it was said to Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) that those people have come between us and the water. Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) said, "Call Ash'ath." When he came, he said, "Bring me the armor of Ibn Sahar." He wore that armor, fought, and drove them away from the water.

Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) said to both arbitrators of the Battle of Siffin: Decide in the light of the Book; if you do not decide in the light of the Book of Allah, then your decision will not be acceptable.

Hazrat Ja'far narrates that Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) said to the arbitrators in the Battle of Siffin: Decide in the light of the Book of Allah; give life to what the Qur'an has given life to, and declare dead what the Qur'an has declared dead, and do not deviate from the right path.

Hazrat Abdullah bin Hasan narrates from his mother that during the Battle of Siffin, the Muslims martyred Ubaidullah bin Umar and acquired his wealth as spoils of war.

Hazrat Abu Ja'far narrates that during the Battle of Siffin, whenever a prisoner was brought to Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him), he would take his mount and weapons, make him promise that he would not return to the army, and then set him free.

Hazrat Muhammad bin Sirin states that in the Battle of Siffin, the number of those killed reached up to seventy thousand; people used bamboo sticks to count them.

Hazrat Yazid bin Bilal says that I participated in the Battle of Siffin on the side of Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him). Whenever a prisoner was brought to him, he would say, "I will never kill you; the fear of Allah, Lord of the worlds, prevents me." He would take the prisoner's weapon, make him swear that he would not fight against them, and give him four dirhams.

Hazrat Shaqiq was asked whether he participated in the Battle of Siffin. He replied that those were the worst ranks.

Hazrat Dahhak, in the commentary of the verse { وَإِنْ طَائِفَتَانِ مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِینَ اقْتَتَلُوا فَأَصْلِحُوا بَیْنَہُمَا فَإِنْ بَغَتْ إحْدَاہُمَا عَلَی الأُخْرَی فَقَاتِلُوا الَّتِی تَبْغِی حَتَّی تَفِیئَ إِلَی أَمْرِ اللہِ } of the Holy Quran, says that correct it with the sword. A student asked, what is the ruling regarding those killed by them? He replied that they are martyrs who receive sustenance in Paradise. He was asked, what is the ruling regarding the rebels? He replied that they are of the people of Hell.

Hazrat Ata bin Saib narrates that several people told me that once a judge from Syria came to Hazrat Umar and said, "O Commander of the Faithful, I have seen a dream that has frightened me. I saw that the sun and the moon were fighting each other, and the stars were divided equally between the two. Hazrat Umar asked him, 'Which side were you on?' I said, 'I was with the moon and fighting against the sun.' Hazrat Umar recited this verse of the Holy Qur'an { وَجَعَلْنَا اللَّیْلَ وَالنَّہَارَ آیَتَیْنِ فَمَحَوْنَا آیَۃَ اللَّیْلِ وَجَعَلْنَا آیَۃَ النَّہَارِ مُبْصِرَۃً } then said, 'Go away, I will not assign you any task in the future.' Hazrat Ata says that I learned that he was killed in the Battle of Siffin in the company of Hazrat Muawiyah."

Hazrat Abdullah bin Urwah narrates that a man who participated in Siffin told me that Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) went out one night, saw the people of Syria, and prayed: O Allah! Forgive them and forgive me as well.

Hazrat Abdullah bin Salma narrates that I saw Hazrat Ammar in the Battle of Siffin; he was extremely old, his hand was trembling, and he was holding a spear in his hand. He was saying that even if the enemy kills us and completely destroys us, I will still be certain that our reformers are on the truth and those people are on falsehood.

Hazrat Abdullah bin Amr (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that when, at Siffin, people raised their hands for attack, Hazrat Amr bin Aas recited these verses: The battle has intensified, I have prepared a brave and high-bred horse for this fight. He meets hardship with hardship, and when horsemen draw near to each other, he becomes even stronger. He is swift and large, and when he is drenched with water, he becomes even more agile. After this, Hazrat Abdullah bin Amr (may Allah be pleased with him) recited verses: If the young men of Siffin were to see me standing, their hair would turn white. It was that night when the people of Iraq came like clouds. At that time, our ranks were surging like the waves of the sea. Their mill turned and our mill turned, and our shoulders pressed together. When I would say that they had fled, a group of them would suddenly come and attack. They would say to us, pledge allegiance at the hand of Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him), and we would say, you fight.

Hasan narrates that Hazrat Jundub was with Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) in the Battle of Siffin, but he did not participate in the fighting.

Hazrat Mansur says that I asked Ibrahim whether Hazrat Alqamah participated in the Battle of Siffin. He replied, yes, and his sword was also stained, and his brother Abi bin Qais was killed.

Hazrat Abu Bakhtari narrates that Hazrat Alqamah returned from the Battle of Siffin, and his sword was colored, and he was on the side of Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him).

Hazrat Sahl bin Hunaif said to the people during the Battle of Siffin: O people! Do not consider your opinion to be certain. In the company of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), it was always easy for us to understand the reality of matters, but in this matter, we cannot make any definite decision.

Hazrat Abdullah bin Salma narrates that I saw Hazrat Ammar in the Battle of Siffin; he was extremely old, his hand was trembling, and he was holding a spear in his hand. He was saying that even if the enemy kills us and completely destroys us, I will still be certain that our righteous ones are upon the truth and those people are upon falsehood.

Hazrat Kulayb Jurmi narrates: I was outside the mosque when I saw Hazrat Abdullah bin Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) returning from Hazrat Muawiyah regarding the matter of the rulers. He entered the house of Hazrat Sulaiman bin Rabee’ah, and I entered with him. One man taunted him, then another man taunted him, then another man taunted him and said, “O Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both)! You have committed disbelief, you have committed shirk, and you have made an equal to Allah. Allah Almighty says in His Book this, and He says this, and He says this.” The narrator was asked, “Who were they?” He replied, “They were the great companions of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him).” (2) Hazrat Abdullah bin Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) heard their words and said, “Choose from among yourselves the most knowledgeable and the greatest debater, and let him debate with me.” They chose a one-eyed man whose name was ‘Atab and who was from Banu Taghlib. He stood up and said, “Allah Almighty says, Allah Almighty says.” It was as if he was proving his point from a surah of the Qur’an. (3) Hearing his words, Hazrat Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) said, “I consider you a scholar of the Qur’an, because you have presented your case with great clarity. I ask you by the One besides whom there is no deity: Do you know that the people of Syria demanded arbitration and we disliked it and refused? Then when you were wounded, suffered distress, and were deprived of the water of the Euphrates, you began to demand arbitration?” Hazrat Muawiyah told me that a thin-waisted horse was brought to him so that he could mount it and flee until someone from among you arrived. He said, “I left the people of Iraq like those who were scattering here and there in Mecca on the night of Nafr.” (4) Then Hazrat Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) said, “I ask you by the One besides whom there is no deity: What kind of man was Abu Bakr?” All said, “He was a good man,” and they praised him. Then he asked, “What kind of man was Umar bin Khattab?” All said, “He was a good man,” and they praised him. Then Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) said, “In your opinion, if a person goes for Hajj or Umrah and kills a deer or any of the creatures there and decides the matter himself, will his decision be valid, while Allah Almighty says (يَحْكُمُ بِهِ ذَوَا عَدْلٍ) (that two just men should judge it)? Whereas the matter in which you differ is much greater than this. When Allah Almighty has appointed two judges for the matter of a bird's [sacrifice], and two judges for the matter of a man and his wife [in dispute], then why can there not be two judges in your dispute, which is greater than these?”

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.’

Hazrat Muhammad bin Ammarah bin Khuzaymah bin Thabit narrates that my father kept away from weapons during the Battle of Siffin and the Battle of Jamal. But when Hazrat Ammar was martyred, he drew his sword from its sheath and said, "I heard the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, say that a rebellious group will kill Ammar." Then he fought and was martyred.

It is narrated from Hazrat Amr bin Aas that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "A rebellious group will kill Ammar."