Silsilat al-Ahadith al-Sahihah

Abdullah bin Naji narrates from his father that he was walking with Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him), carrying a vessel of water for purification. When they reached the place of Nainawa on their way to Siffin, Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) called out: "Abu Abdullah! Stop, stop by the bank of the Euphrates River." I asked: "What is here?" He said: "One day I went to the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), and his eyes were filled with tears. I asked: 'O Messenger of Allah! Has someone angered you? Why are your eyes shedding tears?' He (peace and blessings be upon him) replied: 'Before you came, Jibreel (Gabriel) had just left me. He informed me that Husayn will be killed by the bank of the Euphrates River.' Then he (peace and blessings be upon him) said: 'He (Jibreel) said: Shall I let you smell the fragrance of its soil?' I said: 'Yes.' So he stretched out his hand, took a handful of soil, and gave it to me. I could not control myself and began to weep.'"