of (* his merit (1), then Uthmān’s followers could treat (2) the Kharijites’ claim that he was an unbeliever as evidence *) (3) of the opposite (4), with even greater reason. It is thus clear that only an ignorant person would invoke this argument; moreover, it turns against him rather than in his favor. This is why people knew that the Rāfidah were more ignorant and mendacious than the Nāṣibah.
As for his statement:
“His two sons were the two grandsons of the Messenger of Allah—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—the two leaders of the youth of Paradise, and two imams by the Prophet’s explicit designation—may Allah bless him and grant him peace.”
The reply is:
What is established beyond doubt from the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—in the Sahīh is: “He said concerning al-Hasan, ‘This son of mine is a leader, and Allah will reconcile through him two great groups of Muslims.’” (5), and it is likewise established from him in the Sahīh: “He would (6) seat him and Usāmah ibn Zayd on his thigh and say, ‘O Allah, I love them both, so love them both (7), and love whoever loves them both.’” (8).
(1) B reads: “his merit.”
(2) H reads: “then their counterparts—the followers of Uthmān—could treat”; S and R read: “then their counterparts could treat.”
(3) The passage between the asterisks is omitted from A.
(4) B alone reads: “as evidence of his merit, the Kharijites could treat that as evidence that its opposite was true.”
(5) This hadith appeared earlier in this book, 1/539–540.
(6) A and B read: “It is established from him—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—that he would.”
(7) “So love them both” is omitted from B alone.
(8) In *al-Musnad* (al-Halabī ed.), 5/205, Usāmah ibn Zayd—may Allah be pleased with him—said: “The Prophet of Allah—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—would take me and seat me on his thigh, and seat al-Hasan ibn Alī on his other thigh. He would then embrace us and say, ‘O Allah, have mercy upon them both, for I have mercy upon them both.’” Also in *al-Musnad* (al-Halabī ed.), 5/210, Usāmah ibn Zayd said: “The Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—would take me and al-Husayn and say, ‘O Allah, I love them both, so love them both.’” The hadith is also recorded in *Fadā’il al-Sahābah*, 2/768 (hadith no. 1352). The editor states: “Its chain of transmission is authentic.”