1667 — Abū Bakr ibn Abī Dāwūd also narrated to us, saying: Ahmad ibn Yahyā ⦗2176⦘ al-Sūfī narrated to us, saying: Muhammad ibn Ubayd narrated to us, saying: Shurahbīl ibn Mudrik al-Juʿfī narrated to us, from Abdullah ibn Nujayy al-Hadramī, from his father—who was responsible for carrying Ali’s ablution vessel (may Allah be pleased with him)—who said:

We set out with Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) for Siffīn. When he came abreast of Nīnawā, he exclaimed, “Be steadfast, Abū Abdullah! Be steadfast, Abū Abdullah, on the bank of the Euphrates!”

I asked, “What is this about?”

He replied, “I once entered upon the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) while his eyes were streaming with tears. I asked him, ‘Has anyone upset you, Messenger of Allah? Why do I see your eyes streaming with tears?’

“He said, ‘Gabriel (peace be upon him) has informed me that my nation will kill my son al-Husayn.’ He then asked me, ‘Would you like me to show you some of the soil from the place where he will be slain?’

“I replied, ‘Yes.’ He extended his hand and took a handful. When I saw it, I could not keep my own eyes from streaming with tears.”