that had overstepped—the aggressor faction. ʿAli had already informed them of this hadith and of the sign by which they could be recognized, so they went looking for the maimed man but could not find him. At last ʿAli himself rose, searched among the slain, located the man’s corpse, and prostrated in thanks to Allah.

In the Ṣaḥīḥ it is related that the Prophet—may Allah’s blessings and peace be upon him—said:

“After I am gone there will come rulers who delay the prayer beyond its appointed time. Perform the prayer at its proper time, and regard the prayer you offer with them as supererogatory.”

Such rulers did in fact emerge some time later: they would postpone the ẓuhr (noon) prayer until the time of ʿaṣr (afternoon), and they would delay the ʿaṣr prayer until the sun had begun to yellow.

Al-Bukhari and Muslim also narrate that he said:

“You will meet with favoritism after me, so be patient.”