while the moon is in Scorpio, your companions will be defeated”—or words to that effect.

ʿAlī replied: “Rather, I shall set out, trusting in Allah, relying upon Him, and rejecting your claim.” He set out, and Allah blessed that expedition, in which he ultimately killed most of the Khārijites. This was among his greatest sources of joy, for he had fought them at the command of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace.

As for the report some people mention that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, “Do not travel while the moon is in Scorpio,” it is a fabricated lie, according to the consensus of hadith scholars.

As for the claim that this was the art of Idrīs, the first response is: this is an assertion made without knowledge. Such a thing can only be known through an authentic report, and the person making this claim has no means of establishing one. Their books, however, mention “Hermes of Hermeses,” whom they claim to be Idrīs. Among them, “Hermes” is a generic designation; hence their expression “Hermes of Hermeses.” The believer knows with certainty that what they transmit from their Hermes has not been faithfully transmitted from any prophet, because of the lies and falsehood it contains.

The second response is: if this originally came from Idrīs, then it was a miracle granted to him and knowledge Allah bestowed upon him, and would therefore belong to the prophetic sciences. These people, however, appeal only to experience and analogy, not to reports from the prophets, blessings and peace be upon them.