that has arisen is a momentous matter—far graver than one man killing another, or even (as some say) a band killing a man, or one tribe killing another tribe.
They replied, “You have spoken truly and well. Go back; if ʿAlī arrives holding the same view, the affair will be set right.” So he returned to ʿAlī, informed him, and ʿAlī was pleased. The two parties now stood on the brink of conciliation: those who disliked it were displeased, and those who approved, approved.
ʿĀʾishah then sent word to ʿAlī to tell him that she had come only for reconciliation (1); both camps were delighted.
ʿAlī rose and addressed the people. He recalled the Age of Ignorance, its misery and its deeds, and then spoke of Islam and the happiness its people enjoyed through mutual affection and unity. He reminded them that, after the Prophet ﷺ, Allah had gathered them around the Caliph Abū Bakr al-Ṣiddīq, then around ʿUmar ibn al-Khattāb, and then around ʿUthmān. “After that,” he said, “this calamity occurred—brought upon the ummah by people who crave the world, who envy those upon whom Allah has bestowed His favor and the virtue He has granted them, and who wish to turn Islam and its blessings back on their heels. Yet Allah will assuredly accomplish His purpose.”
He then declared, “Know that I shall depart tomorrow, so depart with me; but let no one who had any hand in the killing of ʿUthmān set out with me.”
When he said this, a number of their leaders gathered—al-Ashtar al-Nakhaʿī, Shurayḥ ibn ʿAwfā, ʿAbd Allāh ibn Sabaʾ (known as Ibn al-Sawdaʾ), Sālim ibn Thaʿlabah, ʿIlbāʾ (2) ibn al-Haytham, and others—two thousand five hundred strong. By Allah’s grace, not one of them was a Companion.
They said, “What sort of opinion is this? ʿAlī—by Allah—is more knowledgeable of the Book of Allah (3) and is himself among those who demand justice from ʿUthmān’s killers, and he is the one most likely to carry it out. Yet you have heard what he just said: tomorrow he will gather the people against you. They all want you; you are few and they are many—what will you do?”
Al-Ashtar answered, “We know how Ṭalḥah and al-Zubayr regard us, but we did not know ʿAlī’s view until today. If he has reconciled with them, then the reconciliation has been made over our blood. If that is the case, we shall send ʿAlī to join ʿUthmān and the people will be satisfied to leave us alone.”
Ibn al-Sawdaʾ replied, “What a foul suggestion! If we kill him, we will be killed ourselves (4). We, O slayers of ʿUthmān, are only two thousand five hundred, while Ṭalḥah and al-Zubayr and their followers are five thousand; you have no strength against them, and it is you they want.”
ʿIlbāʾ ibn al-Haytham said, “Leave them alone and let us withdraw until we can secure some territory and fortify ourselves in it.”
Ibn al-Sawdaʾ—may Allah disfigure him—said, “How wretched a proposal! If you do that, by Allah, the people will snatch you up one by one.” Then he continued, “My people, your honor lies in mingling with the masses (5); so ingratiate yourselves to them (6). When the armies meet, ignite war and fighting among the people; do not let them unite. Those who are with the one in whose camp you find yourselves will see no choice but to defend you. Allah will occupy Ṭalḥah and al-Zubayr and those with them with what they dislike and bring them what they detest. Consider this plan well, and part having agreed upon it.”
The next morning ʿAlī set out, passing by the tribe of ʿAbd al-Qays; they joined him, and he marched with them until they encamped at al-Zāwiyah. From there he continued toward Basra, and he proceeded