that if someone says that Alī and the other Companions sinned by delaying compliance with what they had been commanded to do until the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—became angry, the response would be the same as that given to someone who says that Ā’isha sinned in this matter. Some interpret the matter by saying: “They delayed only because they were acting on an interpretation, hoping that the situation might change and that they would enter Mecca.” Others say: “Had their interpretation been acceptable, the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—would not have become angry. Rather, they repented of that delay (1) and abandoned it.” Moreover, their good deeds erase a sin such as this, and Alī was among them—may Allah be pleased with them all.
As for the hadith he related, namely the Prophet’s words to her, “You will fight Alī while being unjust to him” (2), it is unknown in any of the authoritative books of knowledge and has no known chain of transmission. It is more akin to fabricated lies than to authentic hadiths. I have not found this fabricated hadith. Indeed, it is unquestionably false, for Ā’isha neither fought nor set out to fight. She set out only with the aim (3) of reconciling the Muslims, believing that her departure would serve their interests. She later realized that it would have been better not to have gone. Whenever she remembered her departure, she would weep until her veil was soaked.
Likewise, most of the foremost Companions regretted becoming involved in the fighting. Talha, al-Zubayr, and Alī—may Allah be pleased with them all—regretted it. Those involved had no intention of fighting (4) on the Day of the Camel; rather, the fighting broke out against their wishes. For when Alī exchanged messages