Al-Bayhaqī said: The same report is also narrated by Ḥabīb ibn Sālim from al-Nuʿmān ibn Bashīr, and in that version the Well of Arīs is mentioned, exactly as we recorded earlier from the narration of Ibn al-Musayyib.

Al-Bayhaqī further remarked (1): In brief, the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—had fashioned a signet ring which he wore. After him it was worn by Abū Bakr, then by ʿUmar, and then by ʿUthmān, until six years into ʿUthmān’s caliphate it slipped from his hand into the Well of Arīs. From that moment his governors began to be reproached and the causes of dissension surfaced, just as was uttered on the tongue of Zayd ibn Khārijah.

I say: This is what is meant by his statement, “Two have passed and four remain,” or in another wording, “Four have passed and two remain.” Allah knows best.

Al-Bukhārī (2) states in his History: “Zayd ibn Khārijah al-Khazrajī al-Anṣārī was present at Badr. He died in the time of ʿUthmān, and he is the one who spoke after death.”

Al-Bayhaqī (3) added: Speech after death has been reported from several individuals through sound chains of transmission. Allah knows best.

Ibn Abī al-Dunyā said: Ḥadathānā Khalaf ibn Hishām al-Barrār, ḥadathānā Khālid al-Ṭaḥḥān, from Ḥuṣayn, from ʿAbd Allāh ibn ʿUbayd al-Anṣārī: A man from the Banū Salamah (4) spoke, saying, “Muḥammad is the Messenger of Allah; Abū Bakr is the Siddīq; ʿUthmān is gentle and merciful.” He (ʿAbd Allāh) said, “I do not know what he said concerning ʿUmar.” (5)

This is how Ibn Abī al-Dunyā recorded the report in his book (6).

Al-Ḥāfiẓ al-Bayhaqī also said: Abū Saʿīd ibn Abī ʿAmr informed us, Abū al-ʿAbbās Muḥammad ibn Yaʿqūb narrated to us, Yaḥyā ibn Abī Ṭālib narrated to us, ʿAlī ibn ʿĀṣim narrated to us, Ḥuṣayn ibn ʿAbd al-Raḥmān narrated to us, from ʿAbd Allāh ibn ʿUbayd al-Anṣārī, who related: “While they were turning over (7) the slain on the day of Ṣiffīn—or perhaps on the day of the Camel—one of the fallen Anṣār suddenly spoke, saying, ‘Muḥammad is the Messenger of Allah; Abū Bakr is the Siddīq; ʿUmar is the martyr; ʿUthmān is compassionate.’ Then he fell silent.” (8)