Musnad Ahmad

Abu Hassan says that whenever Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) would give a command and people would come and say, "We have done such and such," he would say, "Allah and His Messenger have spoken the truth." One day, a person named Ashtar asked Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him), "The sentence you say has become very widespread among the people; is this something that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) specifically advised you about?" He replied, "The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) did not give me any advice specifically, apart from the people. However, what I heard from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), I wrote in a scroll and kept it in the sheath of my sword." The people insisted that Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) show them that scroll. He took it out, and it was written in it: "Whoever invents a bid'ah (innovation), or gives refuge to an innovator, upon him is the curse of Allah, the angels, and all people. Neither his obligatory nor his voluntary deeds will be accepted." It was also written in it: "Sayyiduna Ibrahim (peace be upon him) declared Makkah as a sanctuary, and I declare Madinah as a sanctuary. The area between its two boundaries is sacred; its grass should not be cut, its game should not be frightened away, and nothing fallen there should be picked up except by one who will announce it to its owner. No tree should be cut here, except if a man feeds his animal with it, then that is a different matter. And weapons should not be raised here for fighting." It was also written in it: "The lives of Muslims are equal among themselves. If even the lowest of them grants protection to someone, his protection should be respected. And Muslims are united against others like a single hand. Beware! No Muslim should be killed in exchange for a disbeliever, and no dhimmi should be killed as long as he is under the contract and abides by its conditions."