The Battle of Nahrawan. The Ibadi Perspective.

“Do not say that those killed in God’s path are dead; they are alive, though you do not perceive it.” (Qur’an 2:154)

﷽ 

Dedicated to those who were slain. 10 Safar 38/17 July 658

This article is dedicated to those companions who are known as the first teeth, the companions of the Blessed Prophet Muhammed (saw), The Ahl Suffa, Those who participated in the Battle of Badr. Your opponents may have tried to erase your names. And Allah alone knows the reality of the number of you. Your reward is with Allah (swt).

You can kill men. However, you cannot kill the truth!

Among those blessed companions and tabi’un that were slaughtered at Nahrawan

Among them are: Hurqus ibn Zuhair Al-Sa’di, Abdullah ibn Wahb Al-Rasibi Al-Azdi, Zaid bin Husayn Al-Taie, Shajrah bin Aufa Al Salmi, Shuraih bin Uufa al-Abasi, Thermala bin Bani Handala, Nafi Mawla Thermala, Umair bi Al-Harith, Abu Amr bin Al-Nafi’, Hakam bin Amr Al-Ansari, Al-Khairat bin Rashid Al-Sami And others whom Allah does know that they are the companions of the Blessed Messenger (saw) from the people of Nahrawan, as well as from the tabi’un (May Allah be pleased with them all)

Source: (Jawhar Al Munteqah -Shaykh Abdul Qasim Al Barradi published by Dar Al Kutub Al Masriyyah, Cairo with the number 21791b)

Before you proceed it would absolutely be necessary for you to read the previous entry here:

What really happened at the battle of Siffin? The Ibadi perspective.

To continue to read this entry without the background and knowledge of the previous entry in its entirety is to do yourself and this article an injustice. For often one tragedy has its seeds in a previous tragedy.

The backdrop for the battle of Nahrawan.

After Siffin those companions and tabi’un who knew well the ruse of Al-Ash’ath bin Qais and strongly opposed the arbitration withdrew to various places; among them, Kufa, Basra and Nahrawan.

Many people claim that the people of Al-Nahrawan rebelled against Ali This is an unsound claim. For according to us Ibadis, Al Nahrawan had insisted that Ali should stay as the Caliph/Imam of the Muslims.

However, when he accepted arbitration, they freed themselves from the allegiance because they didn’t see any point in negotiating his right as an elected Caliph/Imam by Muslims. His concession to the arbitration with Mu’awiyah’s group means that his election was questioned; therefore, they were free to elect their own Caliph/Imam. What they warned against happened, for arbitration was hatched by Al-Ash’ath bin Qais who was an asset to Mu’awiyah and a double agent in Ali’s camp.

They left his camp peacefully.

The Caliph/Imam they chose was amongst the most pious companions of the Prophet (saw). This person was none other than Abdul-Allah bin Wahab Ar-Rasbi Al-Azdi (ra). He was the Imam Al Difa. The Imam of Defense. Ali was called to repent and renounce the arbitration. However, when it was seen that Ali was recalcitrant then the post of Imam Abdul-Allah bin Wahab Ar-Rasbi changed form the Imam Al Difa to the Imam Al Dhuhr (The Manifest Imam).

The companions asked their brothers, including Imam Ali, to give allegiance to the newly chosen Imam. However, Ali bin Abi Talib saw that the allegiance was given to Azdi A non Qurashi , so he fought them before they could get any stronger and thus, the Quraish would lose the Imamate. This was the only reason for the Battle of Al-Nahrawan. Ali’s attack upon the people of Nahrawan was politically motivated.

From the Ibadi view the attack on the people of Nahrawan was politically motivated for two reasons.

1. Tribal concerns. That the Imamate would be given over to Non-Qurashi.
2. Al-Ash’ath bin Qais continuously whisper’s dark things in the heart of Ali bin Abi Talib and he succumbed to it.

Al-Ash’ath bin Qais motive was clear.

1. Divert Ali’s attention away from the Syrians. Giving them more time to strengthen and solidify their positions.
2. Pit Ali against the former die hard loyalist knowing full well that the killing of these companions and tabi’un would leave a bitter taste in the mouth of many -as we will see with Ibn Abbas (ra).
3. Ensure the nexus of power remains among the Qurash and that any non-Qurashi would not even have a whiff of authority over the Qurash.

How did the sectarian historians managed to fool the masses of the believers?

I would ask you the reader to put on your thinking cap for a moment. We are going to do a little critical thinking. So, the sectarian historians have told us that in Mu’awiyah’s army there were companions and students/children of the companions. In Ali’s army there were companions and students/children of the companions.

So are the X Men?

No, I am not talking about Cyclops, Wolverine and Jean Grey. I am talking about these supposed no names that broke with Ali after it was clear he would not repent nor give allegiance to the new Imam. Who are these X Men (Anonymous) individuals. The only exceptions that you will get to those who Ali fought against at Nahrawan is the piece of literary fiction involving someone known only as ‘ Dhu’th-Thudayyah’ and Imam Abdul-Allah bin Wahab Ar-Rasbi (ra). The latter is simply too famous to ignore or blot out completely.

Just like we were duped into thinking that a bunch of a X Men appeared out of no where and assassinated the Caliph Uthman. The companions just stood around and let that happen.

Every now and than though the truth slips through the layers of protection and obfuscation over these matters. Like the below mentioned Salafi Shaykh who went from ignorant to RadiAllahu Anhu! Why? Because his doctrine demands it. No matter how inconsistent.

Salafi preacher insults the companion Amr b. al-Hamiq al-Khuzāʿī for stabbing Uthman in the chest 9 times.

To give another example of the graph above. This should be crystal clear.

If one was to drink from the bottle they will drink water. If one drinks from the cup they will drink water. That is because the liquid contained in the cup is from the water.

Thus the intelligent and thinking Muslim starts to come to a realization to who these X-Men truly are. They are none other than companions and students and children of the companions.

Once this cat is out of the bag then comes the copium. Sunni copium in particular. Because remember, in our previous article they are theologically invested in the doctrine of the uprightness of the companions. So we do not need 1000, or 100 or even 10 companions at Nahrawan. Just one companion and the myth of adalat al-sahaba implodes. Because you cannot have such a view and have the companions be called ‘the dogs of hellfire’. More on this latter insh’Allah.

37873- Yahya Bin Adam Told us, Ibn Ayina told us from ‘Asim Bin Kulaib Al-Harmi from his father said: I exited the Masjid as I see Ibn Abbas when he came from Mu’awiyah in the matter of the two arbitrators, so he entered the house of Sulaiman Bin Rabi’ah, so I entered with him, so man started throwing [words] at him then a man after a man, (Oh Ibn Abbas you disbelieved, (other synonyms: became Mushrik and associated with Allah), Allah said in his book so, and said so and said so) until some of it came to me, he said: and who are these? By Allah they are the first teeth, the companions of Muhammed, Ahl Al Barani wa Sawari, which are the Ahl Suffa so Ibn Abbas said: bring me the most knowledgeable and strongest in argument to speak, so they chose a one-eyed person called ‘Utab from Bani Taghlab, he stood and said: Allah said so and so, as if he extracts his argument from one Surah, Ibn Abbas said: I see that you are a reciter of the Qur’an, knowledgeable with what you separated and joined. I call you by Allah who has no god beside him, did you know that the people of the levant asked for this and we hated it and rejected it, so when you got injured, your pain bit you and you got banned from the water of the Euphrates so you asked for it. And Mu’awiyah told me that a far horse was brought from the land to run on it then brought it from you (I have no Idea what this sentence means) and said: I made the people of Iraq come in waves like the people the night of mobilization in Mecca, then Ibn Abbas said: I call you by Allah who has no god beside him, what kind of man was Abu Bakr? they said: good and they praised him, He said: you see if there was a man who went to Umrah or Hajj, then found a deer or some animal, so he ruled on it by himself, would it be for him, And Allah says: (as judged by just two men among you)[5:95], the matter you are differing about is greater, He says: do not deny to arbitrators regarding the Blood of the Ummah, Allah made in killing a bird to arbitrators, And made two arbitrators when a man differs with his spouse to establish justice and to be fair between them in what they differ in.

Source: (Al-Kitab Al-Musannaf Fi Al-Ahadith Wal A’thar (The classified book in Hadiths and Narrations) By Imam Al-Hafiz: Abu Bakr Abdullah Bin Muhammed Bin Abi Shaibah Al-Kufi Al-Absi Volume 7)

Prima Qur’an comments: Though the above narration is obviously told through the perspective of a sectarian historical lens one cannot help but notice the glaring admission here:

he said: and who are these? By Allah they are the first age, the companions of Muhammed, the people of Baranis (a type of cloth) and Sawari (walkers/flagpoles IDK what it means in this context)

In fact, it is the literary accretions of the editor that Ibn Abbas (ra) was dismissive of such people as he knew full well who they were. If they were not people of standing Ibn Abbas (ra) would not be sent to them.

Other points for the keen eyed reader.

1. so they chose a one-eyed person called ‘Utab from Bani Taghlab. Notice straight away the narrator comments on the physical nature of the individual rather than the strength of his argument. one-eyed person as if to cast aspersions on the individual as a type of dajjal (liar)
2. “He stood and said: Allah said so and so, as if he extracts his argument from one Surah.” Wouldn’t it have been nice to know exactly what the man said? That is if the narrative is even true. However, the narrator does acknowledge that this interlocutor is acute. He presents his (unnamed arguments) from one chapter of the Qur’an. Which is another way of saying: “This man knows his stuff!”
3. The Narrator has Ibn Abbas (ra) acknowledge the strength of the interlocutor: “Ibn Abbas said: I see that you are a reciter of the Qur’an, knowledgeable with what you separated and joined.”

Try as the narrator could by being dismissive of Ibn Abbas opponents in the debate, even the narrator knew who they were.

It worked once why not try it again? The creation of literary fiction.

The hadith of prophecy concerning Ammar Bin Yasir (ra) is clear. It is crystal clear that Ali was in the right during his war with Mu’awiya’ the rebel. That Ammar bin Yasir (ra) would be killed by the baghy (rebels), which happen to be Mu’awiya and his cadre of rebels.

So clear is this hadith and the implications of it are crystal clear.

Thus, the success of this Prophecy was in turn to be replicated by inventing hadith and putting them in the mouth of the Blessed Prophet (saw) that none but the blind would not be able to see it for what it is.

Both hadiths the hadith of Ammar Bin Yasir (ra) and the hadith of the companion-aka-saying to the Blessed Prophet (saw) ‘Be Just’ both serve the same purpose.

It is to give the one who hears them certainty about where one stands.

The hadith about “Muhammed Be Just” is literary fiction.

If you look at the reports you will see that there are very huge changes in the text.

The matn of the particular hadith all clash with one another.

The matn of the hadith hide the individual who supposedly came to the Blessed Prophet (saw).

The matn of the hadith becomes mixed and added with an authentic report from the Blessed Prophet (saw)

The authentic report it becomes mixed /co-joined with are the following:

In fact you can see that the chapter heading is called: Chapter: Mention of the Khawarij

“It was narrated from Ibn ‘Umar that:

The Messenger of Allah (saw) said: “There will emerge people who will recite the Qur’an but it will not go any deeper than their collarbones. Whenever a group of them appears, they should be cut off (i.e. killed).” Ibn ‘Umar said: “I heard the Messenger of Allah say: ‘Whenever a group of them appears, they should be killed‘ – (he said it) more than twenty times- ‘until Dajjal emerges among them.'”

Source: (https://sunnah.com/ibnmajah:174)

Prima Qur’an comments: There will emerge people -in other words they are not currently among you. Whenever a group of them appears. When taken with other hadith it means that such people will be a re-current theme for the Muslim Ummah at the end of times.

Also under the Chapter: Mention of the Khawarij

It was narrated that Anas bin Malik said:

“The Messenger of Allah (saw) said: ‘At the end of time or among this nation (Ummah) there will appear people who will recite the Qur’an but it will not go any deeper than their collarbones or their throats. Their distinguishing feature will be their shaved heads. If you see them, or meet them, then kill them.'”

Source: (https://sunnah.com/ibnmajah:175)

Prima Qur’an comments: This narrative above cannot be a reference to any people at the battles of Jamal, Siffin or Nahrawan as they are not at the end of time.

It was narrated that ‘Ali said:

“I heard the Messenger of Allah (saw) say: ‘At the end of time there will appear young people with foolish minds. Their faith will not pass through their throats, and they will go out of Islam as an arrow goes through the target. If you meet them, then kill them, for killing them will bring reward to the one who killed them on the Day of Resurrection.'”

Source: (https://sunnah.com/nasai:4102)

Prima Qur’an comments: This narrative above cannot be a reference to any people at the battles of Jamal, Siffin or Nahrawan as they are not at the end of time.

Abu Musa narrated that the Messenger of Allah (saw) said:

“Before the Hour comes there will be Harj.” I said: “O Messenger of Allah, what is Harj?” He said: “Killing.” Some of the Muslims said: “O Messenger of Allah, now we kill such and such a number of idolaters in one year.” The Messenger of Allah (saw) said: “That will not be like killing the idolaters, rather you will kill one another, until a man will kill his neighbor and son of the cousin and a relative.” Some of the people said: “O Messenger of Allah, will we be in our right minds that day?” The Messenger of Allah (saw) said: “No, reason will be taken away from most of the people at that time, and there will be left the insignificant people who have no reason.”

Source: (https://sunnah.com/ibnmajah:3959)

Again those who have not I would also strongly urge you to read the following article. It is supplementary and complimentary to this one.

The noble companion Hurqus ibn Zuhair and the deception of Ahl Sunnah “Be Just!”

It is beyond doubt that the above hadith about the unnamed individual who latter is identified by Ibn Kathir to be Hurqus b Zuhair al-Sa’di (ra). The verdict on the hadith in the article: The Noble companion Hurqus ibn Zuhair and the deception of Ahl Sunnah ” Be Just!” is that these are fabrications. They are Da’if and Mawdu’.

The only semblance of truth that can be gleaned as having high probability as coming from the Blessed Messenger (saw) are the following:

“There will be people who will recite the Qur’an but it will not go beyond their throats, and they will go out of Islam as an arrow goes out through the game, and they will kill the Muslims and leave the idolaters. Should I live till they appear, I would kill them as the Killing of the nation of ‘Ad.”

“Then he said: “A people will come at the end of time; as if he is one of them, reciting the Qur’an without it passing beyond their throats. They will go through Islam just as the arrow goes through the target. Their distinction will be shaving. They will not cease to appear until the last of them comes with Al-Masih Ad-Dajjal. So when you meet them, then kill them, they are the worst of created beings.”

The keen eye will note that for the above two quotations I gave no source from sunnah.com We know this is possible to trace to the Blessed Messenger (saw) because of the independent reports in Ibn Majah and Nasai that have been mentioned above. Those reports are independent of literary fiction surrounding the distribution of spoils and the anonymous individual who spouts ‘Be Afraid of Allah/Be Just’.

These hadiths remind combined that mention certain groups that come towards the end of time fit hand in glove with a certain sect among the Muslims that have hardly lifted their hands in du’a let alone their tongues in defense of our Muslim brothers and sisters in Palestine and yet we see Hindu temples flourish in Bahrain, Yemen, U.A.E & Oman.

We see this sect attack other schools with such vigour and it is not possible that Imams and teachers from other Muslim schools do good except that they can find fault with them!

What is the end game of these cooked up narratives? What is the objective?

Recall that the hadith of Ammar Bin Yasir (ra) being killed by the unjust group is clear and unequivocal. This is a far cry from the muddled and disorderly concoctions concerning the companion who says to the Prophet (saw) ‘Be Afraid of Allah/Be Just’

So let us see how they employ this supposed prophecy. What is the efficacy of it?

Hadith #1 to be analyzed.

Zaid b. Wahb Juhani reported and he was among the squadron which was under the command of Ali and which set out (to curb the activities) of the Khawarij. ‘Ali said:

“O people, I heard the Messenger of Allah (saw) say: There would arise from my Ummah a people who would recite the Qur’an, and your recital would seem insignificant as compared with their recital, your prayer as compared with their prayer, and your fast, as compared with their fast. They would recite the Qur’an thinking that it supports them, whereas it is an evidence against them. Their prayer does not get beyond their collar bone; they would swerve through Islam just as the arrow passes through the prey. If the squadron which is to encounter them were to know (what great boon) has been assured to them by their Messenger (saw) they would completely rely upon this deed (alone and cease to do other good deeds), and their distinctive mark is that there would be (among them) a person whose wrist would be without the arm, and the end of his wrist would be fleshy like the nipple of the breast on which there would be white hair.” You would be marching towards Mu’awiya and the people of Syria and you would leave them behind among your children and your property (to do harm). By Allah, I believe that these are the people (against whom you have been commanded to fight and get reward) for they have shed forbidden blood, and raided the animals of the people. So go forth in the name of Allah (to fight against them). Salama b. Kuhail mentioned that Zaid b. Wahb made me alight at every stage, till we crossed a bridge. ‘Abdullah b. Wahb al-Rasibi was at the head of the Khawarij when we encountered them. He (‘Abdullah) said to his army: Throw the spears and draw out your swords from their sheaths, for I fear that they would attack you as they attacked you on the day of Harura. They went back and threw their spears and drew out their swords, and people fought against them with spears and they were killed one after another. Only two persons were killed among the people (among the army led by ‘Ali) on that day. ‘Ali said: Find out from among them (the dead bodies of the Khawarij) (the maimed). They searched but did not find him. ‘Ali then himself stood up and (walked) till he came to the people who had been killed one after another. He (‘Ali) said: Search them to the last, and then (‘Ali’s companions) found him (the dead body of the maimed) near the earth. He (‘Ali) then pronounced Allahu Akbar (Allah is the Greatest) and then said, Allah told the Truth and His Messenger (saw) conveyed it. Then there stood before him ‘Abida Salmani who said: Commander of the Believers, by Allah, besides Whom there is no god but He, (tell me) whether you heard this hadith from the Messenger of Allah (saw). He said: Yes, by Allah, besides Whom there is no god but He. He asked him to take an oath thrice and he took the oath.”

Source: (https://sunnah.com/muslim:1066f)

Prima Qur’an comments:

Why is there a man making him (Ali) swear oaths about what he says , up to three times? As if they do not believe in his credibility.

Also notice the interpolation in the mouth of the Blessed Prophet (saw):

“They would recite the Qur’an thinking that it supports them, whereas it is an evidence against them.” You do not find this in any other hadith. However it is a very convenient plot device that goes against those who opposed the Arbitration.

Lastly, why can’t we have the name of this individual? This is unlike the Prophecy concerning Ammar Bin Yasir (ra) which is very crystal clear.

Hadith #2 to be analyzed.

‘Ubaidullah b. Abu Rafi’, the freed slave of the Messenger of Allah (saw), said:

When Haruria (the Khawarij) set out and as he was with ‘Ali b. Abu Talib (Allah be pleased with him) they said, “There is no command but that of Allah.” Upon this ‘Ali said: The statement is true but it is intentionally applied (to support) a wrong (cause). The Messenger of Allah (saw) described their characteristics and I found these characteristics in them. They state the truth with their tongue, but it does not go beyond this part of their bodies (and the narrator pointed towards his throat). The most hateful among the creation of Allah is one black man among them (Khawarij). One of his hand is like the teat of a goat or the nipple of the breast. When ‘Ali b. Abu Talib (Allah be pleased with him) killed them, he said: Search (for his dead body). They searched for him, but they did not find it (his dead body). Upon this he said: Go (and search for him). By Allah, neither I have spoken a lie nor has the lie been spoken to me. ‘Ali said this twice and thrice. They then found him (the dead body) in a rain. They brought (his dead) body till they placed it before him (Hadrat ‘Ali). ‘Ubaidullah said: And, I was present at (that place) when this happened and when ‘Ali said about them. A person narrated to me from Ibn Hanain that he said: I saw that black man.

Source: (https://sunnah.com/muslim:1066g)

Prima Qur’an comments: Why can’t we have the name of this individual? This is unlike the Prophecy concerning Ammar Bin Yasir (ra) which is very crystal clear.

Notice the strange parallel between this hadith and the one above: Ali supposedly states:

“By Allah, neither I have spoken a lie nor has the lie been spoken to me. ‘Ali said this twice and thrice. ”

The one above has:

Then there stood before him ‘Abida Salmani who said: Commander of the Believers, by Allah, besides Whom there is no god but He, (tell me) whether you heard this hadith from the Messenger of Allah (saw). He said: Yes, by Allah, besides Whom there is no god but He. He asked him to take an oath thrice and he took the oath

Hadith #3 to be analyzed.

Abu Katheer, the freed slave of the Ansar, narrated:

I was with my master `Ali bin Abi Talib when the people of an-Nahrawan were killed, and it was as if the people were upset about their being killed. `Ali said: O people, the Messenger of Allah (saw) told us about people who would pass out of the faith like the arrow passes through the prey, then they will never come back to it until the arrow comes back to the string of the bow. And the sign of that is that there would be a black man among them who had a deformed arm: one of his arms would be like the breast of a woman, with a nipple like the nipple on a woman`s breast, around which are seven coarse hairs. Look for him, for I think he must be among them. So they looked for him and they found him on the bank of the river, lying beneath the slain. They brought him out and ’Ali said: Allahu Akbar! Allah and His Messenger spoke the truth. He was holding an Arabian bow of his; he took it in his hand and started poking the man`s deformity with it and said: Allah and His Messenger spoke the truth. The people said Allahu Akbar when they saw that and they rejoiced and no longer felt upset.

Source: (https://sunnah.com/ahmad:672)

Prima Qur’an comments: Notice the hadith mentions that the people were upset with the Ahl Nahrawan being killed. It was only after Ali supposedly mentions an alleged hadith of the Blessed Prophet (saw) that the people ‘no longer felt upset.’

Hadith #4 to be analyzed.

Ali said:

When I narrate to you from the Messenger of Allah (saw), it would be dearer to me to be thrown down from the sky than to tell a lie about him But if I narrate from someone else, then I am a warrior and war is deceit, I heard the Messenger of Allah (saw) say: `There will emerge at the end of time people who are young in age and immature, but their speech will be like the best of people. But their faith will not go any further than their throats. Wherever you encounter them, then kill them, for killing them brings to the one who kills them reward on the Day of Resurrection.

Source: (https://sunnah.com/ahmad:912)

Prima Qur’an comments: Why is this hadith make Ali look like someone who is accused of reporting false information from the Blessed Prophet (saw) ? Why does Ali allegedly distinguish that he will be truthful when narrating from the Prophet (saw) but alas, he is a warrior and war is deceit?

Why is this narration clearly speaking about such a group appearing in the end of time and not applied to Ahl Nahrawan?

Hadith #5 to be analyzed.

Ali said:

Whenever I narrate to you anything from the Messenger of Allah (saw) believe it to be absolutely true as falling from the sky is dearer to me than that of attributing anything to him (the Holy Prophet) which he never said. When I talk to you of anything which is between me and you (there might creep some error in it) for battle is an outwitting. I heard the Messenger of Allah (saw) as saying: There would arise at the end of the age a people who would be young in age and immature in thought, but they would talk (in such a manner) as if their words are the best among the creatures. They would recite the Qur’an, but it would not go beyond their throats, and they would pass through the religion as an arrow goes through the prey. So when you meet them, kill them, for in their killing you would get a reward with Allah on the Day of Judgement.

Prima Qur’an comments:

Why is this hadith make Ali look like someone who is accused of reporting false information from the Blessed Prophet (saw) ? Why does Ali allegedly distinguish that he will be truthful when narrating from the Prophet (saw) but alas, When I talk to you of anything which is between me and you (there might creep some error in it) for battle is an outwitting?

Why is this narration clearly speaking about such a group appearing in the end of time and not applied to Ahl Nahrawan?

Hadith #6 to be analyzed.

Ubaidullah b. Abu Rafi’, the freed slave of the Messenger of Allah (saw), said:

When Haruria (the Khawarij) set out and as he was with ‘Ali b. Abu Talib they said, “There is no command but that of Allah.” Upon this ‘Ali said: The statement is true but it is intentionally applied (to support) a wrong (cause). The Messenger of Allah (saw) described their characteristics and I found these characteristics in them. They state the truth with their tongue, but it does not go beyond this part of their bodies (and the narrator pointed towards his throat). The most hateful among the creation of Allah is one black man among them (Khawarij). One of his hand is like the teat of a goat or the nipple of the breast. When ‘Ali b. Abu Talib (Allah be pleased with him) killed them, he said: Search (for his dead body). They searched for him, but they did not find it (his dead body). Upon this he said: Go (and search for him). By Allah, neither I have spoken a lie nor has the lie been spoken to me. ‘Ali said this twice and thrice. They then found him (the dead body) in a rain. They brought (his dead) body till they placed it before him (Hadrat ‘Ali). ‘Ubaidullah said: And, I was present at (that place) when this happened and when ‘Ali said about them. A person narrated to me from Ibn Hanain that he said: I saw that black man.

Source: (https://sunnah.com/muslim:1066g)

Prima Qur’an comments: Notice once more the theme of (Ali) swearing oaths about what he says , up to three times?

“The statement is true but it is intentionally applied (to support) a wrong (cause).”

“That is the word of truth behind which wrong is intended.” In response to that, Al-Imamu Abu ‘Ubaida, the second Ibadhi leader, said: “Those people have uttered those words with their mouths, what did make ‘Ali know what was confined in their hearts?”

Exactly! Remember where another companion of the Blessed Prophet (saw) slaughtered a man without justice and the Blessed Prophet (saw) was enraged.

We give you the account here:

It is narrated on the authority of Usama b. Zaid that the Messenger of Allah (saw) sent us in a raiding party. We raided Huraqat of Juhaina in the morning. I caught hold of a man and he said:

There is no god but Allah, I attacked him with a spear. It once occurred to me and I talked about it to the Messenger (saw). The Messenger of Allah (saw) said: Did he profess” There is no god but Allah,” and even then you killed him? I said: Messenger of Allah, he made a profession of it out of the fear of the weapon. He (the Holy Prophet) observed: Did you tear his heart in order to find out whether it had professed or not? And he went on repeating it to me till I wished I had embraced Islam that day. Sa’d said: By Allah, I would never kill any Muslim so long as a person with a heavy belly, i. e., Usama, would not kill. Upon this a person remarked: Did Allah not say this: And fight them until there is no more mischief and religion is wholly for Allah? Sa’d said: We fought so that there should be no mischief, but you and your companions wish to fight so that there should be mischief.

Source: (https://sunnah.com/muslim:96a)

If the Blessed Prophet (saw) himself depended entirely on the Divine Revelation in judging what is not physically seen, then we must logically conclude that by criticizing the people for something that was beyond human knowledge, ‘Ali was incorrect since he did not receive divine revelation. This may not be convincing to Imami Shi’a but certainly to Sunni Muslims this should give them pause.

ALI SAID DO NOT KILL THE KHAWARIJ???

None of the above hadiths can be a reference to Ahl Nahrawan! Recall the following information from the above hadith:

Hadith #1 ” they would swerve through Islam just as the arrow passes through the prey.”

Hadith #3 “who would pass out of the faith like the arrow passes through the prey.”

Hadith #4 “Wherever you encounter them, then kill them, for killing them brings to the one who kills them reward on the Day of Resurrection.”

Hadith #5 “and they would pass through the religion as an arrow goes through the prey. So when you meet them, kill them, for in their killing you would get a reward with Allah on the Day of Judgement.”

“Do not fight the kharijites after me, because one who seeks a right but does not find it, is not like the one who seeks a wrong and finds it.” -Ali Ibn Abu Talib

Source: (Nahju Al-Balagha Vol. 1, p. 67, speech no. 56.)

The words “He who seeks a right but does not find it” – as ‘Ali himself says – is an allusion to the Nahrawanees who are otherwise known as the Khawarij. The words “Unlike he who seeks misguidance intentionally” refer to Mu’awiya and his Syrian forces.

1st point.

The word khawarij is an interpolation by a later redactor. That is because when you look at the above hadith how could he Ali make impermissible what the Blessed Prophet (saw) instructed to do? Namely Hadith #4 & Hadith #5 above: So when you meet them, kill them

2nd point.

“Are the Khawarij mushrikun?” Ali said: “They flee from shirk.” Are they munafiqun? Ali said: “The hypocrites remember Allah only a little.” Then what are they? Ali said: “They are our brothers who transgressed against us (ikhwanuna baghaw ‘alayna), so we fought them for their transgression.” Source: (Al-Bidāya wa l-Nihāya 10:591)

So according to the above statement the so called Khawarij cannot be a reference to those in Hadith #1 and Hadith #3 namely: “Who would pass out of the faith like the arrow passes through the prey.” The narrative above has Ali stating that his complaint was against transgression not that these people were mushrik,or munafiq, rather that they were brothers.

Furthermore

Ali identifies Mu’awiya as the Khawarij!

‘Ali told one of his followers named Al-Ashtar: “I told you that I assigned to Muhammed bin Abi Bakr the governorship (of Egypt); (but) these Khawarij have revolted against him.” Thus, according to ‘Ali, Mu’awiya and his followers were the Khawarij.

Sources: (Al-Tabari Al-Taarikh Vol. 6, p. 31.)

Sources:(https://www.kalamullah.com/Books/The%20History%20Of%20Tabari/Tabari_Volume_17.pdf

Abu Sa’id Al-Khudri’s hadith about Khawarij point to Mu’awiya and his Syrian forces.

Al-Hakim in his Al-Mustadrak narrates on the authority of Abu Sa’id Al-Khudri that when asked about the Khawarij, Abu Said’s answer pointed to Mu’awiya and his Syrian followers as being the Khawarij. That was why, in his answer, he quoted the Blessed Prophet (saw) as saying: “Ammaar (bin Yasir) would be killed by a rebellious group” and he was, as a matter of fact, killed by the Syrian forces who were under the leadership of Mu’awiya. This can be taken to show that the Khawarij, in the view of Abu Sa’id, were Mu’awiya and his followers otherwise he would need not to have mentioned them as his answer to the question of “Who were the Khawarij

Sources: (Refer to Al-Hakim Al-Mustadrak Vol. 2, p. 162-163. tradition no. 2653. Ibn Abdi Rabih Al-Iqdu Al-Farid Vol)

*Note* some publications have began to remove the reference in Al-Hakim!

Summary

We have already shown that using the ‘Be Afraid of Allah/Be Just’ hadith as some prophecy that supposedly vindicates Ali at the battle of Nahrawan. We have already shown those hadith to be spurious.

It was an ill intentioned attempt to replicate the success of the real and actual prophecy concerning Ammar Bin Yasir (ra).

Lastly, several hadith that are purported to come form Ali have him mention that such people would come at the end of time.

A narrative is spun. The so called-Kharijites are ultra violent fanatics.

1. We can see where this narrative is spun that apparently those opposed to Imam Ali’s decision for arbitration threatened to kill Hassan & Hussein. We already took apart this spacious claim.
2. Now there is an evolution in their blood thirsty behavior. Allegedly these people interrogate the common people concerning their views on Uthman and Ali. They execute on the spot anyone who doe snot share their views. They are alleged to have beheaded a companion , disemboweling a pregnant woman and killing her unborn infant. Certainly these people were savages. They are beyond all reproach.

Thus, we get a buffet of hadith demanding no quarter and no mercy towards them.

1. Kharijites are the dogs of hellfire. Fabricated hadith attributed to the Blessed Prophet (saw)
2. Ali’s exhortation to kill the Kharijites. -Which he mentions no such thing as the hadith is talking about those who come at the end of time.
3. The anonymous individual hadith. (‘Be Afraid of Allah/Be Just’) Fabricated hadith attributed to the Blessed Prophet (saw)

The alleged killing of ‘Abdallah, the son of Khabbab (ra) and company.

“A man from the Banu Abd al-Ways who was one of the Khawarij but then separated from them: (The Khawarij) entered a village and ‘Abdallah, the son of Khabbab the Companion of the Prophet, came out in terror dragging his rida. They asked him, “Why are you frightened?” and he answered, “By Allah you have made me terrified.” They asked, “Are you ‘Abdullah the son of Khabbab the Companion of the Prophet?” and he answered, “Yes” They asked, “Did you hear from your father a report (hadith) that he narrated from the Prophet, according to which the Prophet said, ‘(There will be) a fitnah in which the sitting man is better than the standing, the standing better than the walking, and the walking than the running. And if you are alive then, the servant of Allah, be the one who is slain?” (Ayyub said: I do not know any other version but that in which the Prophet said, “Do not be, servant of Allah, the one who is the slayer.” Ibn Khabbab answered them, “Yes.” So they brought him to the canal bank, where they cut off his head and his blood flowed like the lace of a sandal, and they pierced the womb of his concubine (umm walad) and emptied it of its contents).”

Source: (https://www.kalamullah.com/Books/The%20History%20Of%20Tabari/Tabari_Volume_17.pdf)

“The Khawarij who came from al-Basrah proceeded until they drew near their brethren on the canal. A band of them went out and came upon a man who was driving a donkey carrying a woman. They crossed to him, called to him, threatened and terrorized him, and said, “Who are you?” He replied, “I am ‘Abdallah, the son of Khabbab the Companion of the Prophet.” Then he grasped at his robe {thawb}, lifting it from the ground where it had fallen when they were terrorizing him. They said, “Have we frightened you?” and he answered,
“Yes.” They said, “There is no need to be alarmed. Tell us a hadith that your father heard from the Prophet. Perhaps Allah will give us some benefit by it.” He said, “My father told me from the Prophet, ‘There will be a fitnah in which the heart of a man will die as does his body. In the evening he will be a Believer and by the next morning an unbeliever, and in the morning he will be an unbeliever and by the next evening a Believer.” They said, “This is the hadith we have asked of you. And what do you say about Abu Bakr and ‘Umar” He heaped praise on them both. They asked, “What do you say about ‘Uthman in the first part of his caliphate and in the last part?” He said, “He was in the right in the first part and in the last part.” They said, “And what do you say about ‘Ali before the appointment of the arbitrators (tahkim) and afterward?” He answered, “He knows more of Allah than you do. He is more Allah-fearing in his religion (din), and more perceptive in his views.” They said. “You follow your own inclinations and support men according to their names rather than their deeds. By Allah, we will inflict on you a death such as we have never inflicted on anybody.” They took him and bound him and then led him and his wife who was in the last stages of pregnancy beneath heavily laden palm trees. A date fell from them and one of them took it and put it in his own mouth. Another said, “(You do that) without permission and without paying!” and he spat it out. Then he took his sword and began swinging it around. A pig belonging to one of the “protected peoples” (ahl al-dhimmah) passed by, and the Khariji struck it with his sword. They said, “This is evil in the land,” and the one who struck it went to the owner of the pig and gave him satisfaction for it. When Ibn Khabbab saw them doing that, he said, “If you are sincere in what I have seen, I need fear no evil from you. I am a Muslim who has not caused any wrong in Islam, and you have given me security when yo said, “There is no need to be alarmed.” But they took him and made him lie down, and they slaughtered him so that his blood flowed into the water. Then they came to his wife, who said, “I am only a woman! Do you not fear Allah?” But they slit open her belly. And they killed three women of Tayyi, as well as Umm Sinan al-Saydawiyyah.

When Ali and those of the Muslims heard about the way in which the Khawarij had killed ‘Abdallah b. Khabbab and about the slaughter 9i’tirad) they were imposing, he sent al-Harith b. Murrah al-Abdi to them, to go to them and enquire about what he had heard concerning them and to write back about it fully and without concealment. He left and when he had
got as far as the canal, intending to question them, they came out against him and killed him. News of this reached the Commander of the Faithful (Ali) and his followers, who came to him saying, “Commander of the Faithful, why you are letting them remain at our backs, to take our properties and our families from us? Lead us against them and then, when we have settled the matter with them, we will go against our Syrian enemy.”

Source: (https://www.kalamullah.com/Books/The%20History%20Of%20Tabari/Tabari_Volume_17.pdf)

Prima Qur’an comments: One has to be extremely dimwitted to believe such cooked up nonsense. If one is able to reconcile this contradictory reports than it is possible to reconcile all contradictions in the Bible. First of all why would anyone pick this particular companion (Abdallah b Khabbab) to cook up a story? His father Khabbab ibn al-Aratt (ra) was a very pious companion loved by all. It makes sense to use his son as a plot device to further polarize an already divided community. Also, it gives Ali ibn Abu Talib a pretext for attacking Ahl Nahrawan. For according to what YOU have been told. This and THIS ALONE is THE reason for him attacking them.

1. Did they find Abdallah as they entered a village or did they find him when they went out of the village? The Khawarij) entered a village and ‘Abdallah, the son of Khabbab the Companion of the Prophet, came out in terror dragging his rida vs. A band of them went out and came upon a man who was driving a donkey carrying a woman
2. Did they ask Abdallah to confirm a hadith or narrate a hadith? Did you hear from your father a report (hadith) that he narrated from the Prophet vs. Tell us a hadith that your father heard from the Prophet
3. Did they kill his wife or his concubine? and they pierced the womb of his concubine (umm walad) vs. Then they came to his wife, who said, “I am only a woman! Do you not fear Allah?” But they slit open her belly. Btw ….umm walad is quite an anonymous name as it simply means mother of the child.
4. Did they only kill him (Abdullah) and his concubine or they kill him (Abdullah) his wife and four additional women. So they brought him to the canal bank, where they cut off his head and his blood flowed like the lace of a sandal, and they pierced the womb of his concubine (umm walad) vs. they slaughtered him so that his blood flowed into the water. Then they came to his wife, who said, “I am only a woman! Do you not fear Allah?” But they slit open her belly. And they killed three women of Tayyi, as well as Umm Sinan al-Saydawiyyah

That’s just the major contradictions. Now let us look into the superfluous and excessively fantastical account of one these stories.

“A date fell from them and one of them took it and put it in his own mouth. Another said, “(You do that) without permission and without paying!” and he spat it out. Then he took his sword and began swinging it around. A pig belonging to one of the “protected peoples” (ahl al-dhimmah) passed by, and the Khariji struck it with his sword. They said, “This is evil in the land,” and the one who struck it went to the owner of the pig and gave him satisfaction for it.”

We are really to believe that these people acted as such? They gave greater care for taking a date without permission or paying the dhimmi for the life of his pig taken without right. Whereas no reason or rhyme for killing these other people they just do it?!

Particularly amusing is the following:

“Then he took his sword and began swinging it around. A pig belonging to one of the “protected peoples” (ahl al-dhimmah) passed by, and the Khariji struck it with his sword.”

So some Khawarij dude is just out there swinging and hacking and slashing like a torrent of of death a violent tornado and in all that hacking and slashing this poor lil pig just got in the way of it all didn’t he?

Also note the following from the Tabari account that people were goading Ali to go and fight the people of Nahrawan.

Ali heard that the men were saying among themselves, “If only he would go with us against these Haruriyyah (Ahl Nahrawan) , and we dealt with them first and then, having finished with them, we turned our attention to the profaners of Allah’s law (al-mu1 illin-Syrians)!” So Ali addressed them, and after praising Allah and extolling Him, said, “I have heard what you have been saying : ‘If only the Commander of the Faithful would go with us against this group of Kharijites that has rebelled against him, and we dealt with them first and then, having finished with them, we turned to the profaners of Allah law.’ But others are more important for us than these Kharijites. Stop talking about them and march instead against a people who are fighting you so that they may be tyrants and kings and take the servants of Allah as chattel .” And the men shouted from every side, “Commander of the Faithful, lead us wherever you wish!”

Source: (https://www.kalamullah.com/Books/The%20History%20Of%20Tabari/Tabari_Volume_17.pdf

Yet, let us really see who were those who committed out and out atrocities against the believers.

Muhammed bin Abi Bakr Al-Siddiq was killed on the orders of Mu’awiya. He was inserted into the stomach of a donkey and then burned! Shall we say “May Allah be pleased with such a man” and expect people to enter into Islam?

Sources: (Top right: Al-Isabah fi Tamyeez As Sahabah الإصابة في تمييز الصحابة Correctness, in recognizing the companions By Al Hafiz Ibn Hajar Al-Asqalani Narration number 173)

Sources: (Top Left: Muawiyah Bin Abi Sufian A great companion and a Mujahid King By Munir Mohammed Al Ghadban pg.298)

Sources: (Bottom: Al’alam, Qamoos Tarajim, Li Ashhar Ar-Rijal Wan Nisa’ Minal Arab Wal Musta’ribin Wal Mustashrikin الأعلام، قاموس تراجم، لأشهر الرجال والنساء من العرب والمستعربين والمستشرقين The marks, Dictionary of Biographies, For the most famous men and women from Arabs Arabists and orientalists By Khair Ad-Deen Az-Zarkalia V.2 pg.169)

Muhammed ibn Abi Bakr’s neck was cut off by order of Mu’awiya, the rebel. He was the first head to be cut off in Islam!

Sources: (Kitab At-Tazkirah, Bi Ahwal AlMauta Wa Ujuril Akhirah كتاب التذكرة، بأحوال الموتى وأجور الآخرة The book of reminder, on the states of the dead and the reward of the hereafter By Imam Abu Abdullah Mohammed Bin Ahmed Al-Ansari pg.1105)

The companion of the Prophet (saw) and brutal relentless general of the rebel Mu’awiya , none other than Busr Ibn Abi Artah

Various spellings for his name are given in English: Busr Ibn Abi Artat /Busr ibn Arta’ah/Busr ibn Abi Artah.

This companion of the Blessed Messenger (saw) and general of Mu’awiya was a real piece of work. The man is recounted in Sunni sources for his vicious barbary. He took a large number of their women and children into captivity. This was the first time in the history of Islam up to that time that Muslim women and children had been taken into captivity. Busr martyred two of ‘Ubayd Allah’s children who had remained behind in Medina.

Sources: ( Al-‘Aqd al-Farid, vol. 5, p. 11. By Ibn Abd Rabbih -the Maliki and close friend of the Umayyad court in Cordova Spain. /Muruj al-Dhahab, vol. 3, p. 22. by al-Masudi the descendant of the companion Ibn Masud (ra)/  Ibn Athir, Al-Kamil fi al-Tarikh, vol. 2, p. 425)

It was in the face of the increasing brutality of the Umayyad Imperium that the ideological descendants of the Ahl Nahrawan began to differ over the application of such passages such as:

“And there is life for you in (the law of) retaliation, O men of understanding, that you may guard yourselves.” (Qur’an 2:179)

Those who later history know as the Ibadi were the Jamaat al Qaida -those that sit down. Quietist that did their level best to withdraw their hand from the blood of other Muslims.

The discordant and contradictory account from the so called historical narratives.

1st Contradiction.

Al Tabari in his Al-Taarikh, followed by Ibn Al-Athir in his Al-Kamil for example states that: “All (Ahl Nahrawan) returned to join Ali”)

Sources: (Al-Tabari, Al-Taarikh Vol 6. p 13 & Ibn Al-Athir, Al Kamil Vol 2. p.679)

This is flatly contradicted by Ibn A’atham in his Al-Futuh. He states that those who rejoined Ali as a result of the discussion numbered 8,000 while few others stuck to their stance. He says:

“He exempted eight thousand of them, and four thousand persisted in fighting a war against him.”

Source: (Ibn A’atham , Al-Futuh Vol 2 pg. 125)

Second Contradiction.

If the Ahl Narhawan all returned to join Imam Ali’s army then who did he fight? There would have been no battle of Nahrawan at all!

Third Contradiction.

The idea that “All (Ahl Nahrawan) returned to join Ali”) But this claim goes against one of the alleged aims of Ali to meet with Ahl Nahrawan that is to submit to him those who killed a man named Abdullahi ibn Khabab. Surprisingly according to the same accounts, Ali did not even mention the issue of Abdullahi ibn Khabab at all! Instead he simply asked them to rejoin him!

Fourth Contradiction.

To arbitrate or not to arbitrate. This was actually covered more in depth in the previous article: What really happened at the battle of Siffin? The Ibadi perspective.

Suffice it to say that the question arises here is: Why did Ali blame Ahl Nahrawan that it was they who forced him to accept arbitration, and that he hated the whole idea of arbitration. While at the end of the same narration, he defended the idea of arbitration as being good and constructive. If it was a good thing which had been ordered by the Qur’an and it was the so called: “Khawarij” who suggested the urgent necessary to accept it then why did he blame them for it? It means they wanted the good thing and Ali did not!

For Instance, the account that quotes the companions of the Blessed Messenger (saw) that went to Nahrawan as saying to Imam Ali about his acceptance of the true and later the arbitration: “That was a sin of which you have to repent.”

Source: (Al-Tabari, Al-Tarikh Vol. 6. P.18.)

Ali according to this account replied: “That was not a sin at all!”

Source: (Al Tabari Al-Tarikh Vol. 6. P.18.)

And as already mentioned and I think any thinking Muslim can realize the futility of sending Ibn Abbas (ra) to convince people of arbitration who already believed in it!

Tabari accounts are unreliable due to the transmitter Abu Mikhnaf , Lut Bin Yahya.

Here is what the people of Al-Jahr wa l-Ta’dil had to say about him.

Ibn Hajar in his Lisanu Al-Mizan, Al-Dhahabi in his Mizan al-I’itidaaal, Ibn Abi Hatim in his Al Jarhu Wa al-Ta’adil and others, have vigorously renounced his narratives. Read, for example, what both Ibn Hajar and AL-Dhahabi write about Abu MIkhanf. They say: “He is an evil and unreliable reporter.” He has been abandoned by Abu Hatim and his counterparts. Al-Daraqutni says: ‘He is weak.” Yahya ibn Ma’in says: ‘He is not reliable.’ Al-‘Uqaili has mentioned him in his Al-Dhu’afaa (a book on weak narrators of traditions). Al Dhahabi added: “he is a professional Shi’a narrator who narrates their accounts (on their creeds).

Sources: (Refer to Ibn Hajar Lisanu Al Mizan Vol 4. p. 492, biography no. 1568. More details about him can be found in MIzan Al-I’itidaal vy Al-Dhahabi, Vol 4. p 340. biography no. 6992. Also refer to Al-Jahr Wa alTa’adil by Ibn Abi Hatim Vol 7 p.182 biography no. 1030)

Those women loving Kharijites!

‘Imran ibn Hittaan & Ibn Muljam -men who traded it all for the love of women! Ah to be young and naïve again!

Of course this type of polemic goes well to cement such people as  Ahl al-ahwa’ (The people who follow base desires)

Is it not interesting that the polemic derived against those who are known to be the ideologically aligned with the idea that the arbitration was a mess that they are known to fall for the beauty and graces of women?

Imran Ibn Hittan

So for example they say about Imran Ibn Hittan the following:

‘Imraan ibn Hittaan was one of ahl al-Sunnah, and he married a Khaariji woman in order to set her straight, but then he ended up becoming one of the leaders of the Khawaarij. 

Source: (Siyar A’laam al-Nubala’ by al-Dhahabi (2/214). 

This looks more like a plot device as if to say that Bukhari narrated from him (Imraan ibn Hittan) when he was from “Ahl Sunnah” but did not when he left “Ahl Sunnah”

Allah knows best the truth of the matter. Yet, where have we heard this story before? The story of someone supposedly putting it all on the line for a woman! Enter Ibn Muljam.

Abdur-Rahman Ibn Muljam

Our teacher Shaykh Hilal Al Wardi when asked about Abdur-Rahman Ibn Muljam gave a fair and balanced perspective concerning him (Abdur-Rahman Ibn Muljam).

So there are three things in relation to Abdur-Rahman ibn Muljam.

1. That he took the right of the people of Al Nahrawan. Ali killed them with injustice and Abdur-Rahman was applying Qisas. *
2. That Abdur-Rahman Ibn Muljam fell in love with a woman named Qatam bint Shajna and that he chanced upon her while she was broken with grief over the loss of loved ones at Al Nahrawan. Abdur-Rahman Ibn Muljam proposed to marry her at which she wanted as dowry the head of Ali Ibn Abu Talib.
3. That Al-Ash’ath bin Qais, the double agent was not done sabotaging Ali. That Mu’awiya received word of what happened at Nahrawan and how people were deeply displeased with Ali’s actions (we saw the cooling in relation between Ali and Ibn Abbas-ra) and we also noted that Ibn Abbas (ra) was with Ali at the battles of Jamal and Siffin but absent at Nahrawan. Mu’awiya received word of the people’s displeasure sent Al-Ash’ath bin Qais who chanced upon Abdur-Rahman Ibn Muljam and hatched the plot to kill Ali.

*Note* There are historical reports that Abdur Rahman Ibn Muljam was with Ali in the killing of the people of Al Nahrawan, felt guilt and remorse and wanted to make amends by extracting vengeance upon Ali. The other is that he was with the people of Al Nahrawan all the while.

Other information is that he migrated during the Caliphate of ‘Umar (ra) And that he had received knowledge of Islam at the hands of Mu’aath ibn Jabal (ra) he was among the people of piety, and jurisprudence and among the and he was among the qurrā and the people of Fiqh and worship.

Source: ( al-Aʻlām: Qāmūs Tarājim li-Ashhar al-Rijāl wa-al-Nisāʼ min al-ʻArab wa-al-Mustaʻribīn wa-al-Mustashriqīn by Khayr al-Dīn al-Ziriklī -publisher  Dār al-ʻIlm lil-Malāyīn, Bayrūt, Lubnān, 2002 )

If anyone has an issue with Shaykh Hilal’s comments then this person would take issue with the Blessed Prophet (saw) himself who said:

Narrated `Aisha:

Usama approached the Prophet (saw) on behalf of a woman (who had committed theft). The Prophet (saw) said, “The people before you were destroyed because they used to inflict the legal punishments on the poor and forgive the rich. By Him in Whose Hand my soul is! If Fatima (the daughter of the Prophet (saw) did that (i.e. stole), I would cut off her hand.”

Source: (https://sunnah.com/bukhari:6787)

No one from among the Muslims is exempt from the justice of Islam, regardless of their status, clan, heritage etc.

So it can simply be that Abdul Rahman Ibn Muljam wanted revenge for the death of his loved ones, friends, family etc. that fell to Ali’s army. There are some people who among Muslims that believe that the blood of Ali is expensive and the blood of other Muslims is cheap. No, this is not the case at all. Nonetheless Allah (swt) is the final judge. In regard to Abdul Rahman Ibn Muljam acting as some type of loan wolf. The last he knew is that the people of Nahrawan were unjustly attacked by Ali’s forces. To his (Ibn Muljams) knowledge there was no peace treaty or terms reached with Ali or his forces. Thus, being in a state of war he continued to act as a person in a state of war whose last legitimate authority was attacked and killed.

“Two years later Seyyidina Ali was murdered by one Ibn Muljam in 40H (661 CE) to avenge the massacre of the relatives of his wife at the battle of Nahrawan. The conspiracy to kill him was hatched, according to Jalaluddin Assyuti, In Mecca, not in Basra where there was a large concentration of the people of Nahrawan. The identity of Ibn Muljam s not known but
some historical sources allege that he was a Khariji, and so they accuse the Khawarij including the Ibadhis, of having murdered Seyyidna Ali. Today some Muslim leaders bitterly complain that the Western media unjustifiably accuse Muslims in general of terrorism
because of the tragedy which happened in the World Trade Center in New York on 11th of
September, 2001 and perpetrated by a group of young men belonging allegedly to the Islamic faith. But the same Muslim leaders had been in the forefront in accusing Ibadhis today for a crime which was committed by one man almost 1400 years ago. Allah will punish the individual who murdered Seyyidna Ali but not all future generations belonging to a particular sect or madh-hab.”

Source: (pg.152 Ibadhism The Cinderella of Islam by Shaykh Soud H. Al-Ma’awaly)

Prima Qur’an comments: So you can see by the title of Seyyidina in front of the name Ali that Shaykh Soud H. Al-Ma’awaly is among those who believe that Ali repented for his actions. Though, I do not know on what basis he says that Allah (swt) will punish Ibn Muljam for his actions if the news of Ali’s repentance did not reach Ibn Muljam or as stated above no news of a cessation in hostilities reached him (Ibn Muljam). Allah knows best.

Lastly, Nahrawan & Karbala. Can you imagine if those of our school commemorated the atrocity of Nahrawan in the way that many Shi’a do with Karbala.  I mean imagine if every year people from the Ibadi school commemorated the massacre of the Muslims of al Nahrawan with poems, and wailing, and public displays of anger and sadness. How is that helpful to the unity of Muslims to commemorate such historical tragedies?

And a Large majority of those killed from Ahl Nahrawan were companions and thousands of Muslims and the majority of those killed from Ahl Nahrawan that day were from the best of people on the earth that day and the most ascetic. Amongst them were those who fought the battle of Badr; those who gave allegiance under that tree and reciters and the best of the tabi’un.

Evidence used by the Ibadi school to show that Ali Ibn Abu Talib had repented for his sins.

That is repentance for the sin of arbitration and for the slaughter of the people of Nahrawan. That he felt remorse in his heart and realized that killing the people of Nahrawan was a greave mistake. Thus, by extension is reasoned that he would not feel that way if he did not see them as being in the right. ipso facto-the arbitration was a colossal mistake.

In other words there came a point in which he felt the walls closing in around him and saw the great loss the chain of events that befell him. These Ibadis are those who hold Ali Ibn Abu Talib in wilayat. They do not hold him in bara’ah. Nor do they practice wuquoof. They will often say Karram Allahu Wajhahū (Allah honoured his face). Though it is unlikely they will say Radeyallāhu ′Anhu (May Allah pleased with him). As this is exclusively reserved for those companions who were not known to do any open sins against Allah (swt). However, the act of repentance is certainly the most pleasing forms of worship.

And Narrated From Ikrimah – Client Of Ibn Abbas: Abdullah B. Abbas “That Narrated to Him From Qunbur – Client of Ali that when Ali had killed the people of Al-Nahr, Me And Him Turned our faces towards the river to wash off, whilst we were doing such he(Ali) then began to cry; And he cried for a long time before I then asked him: “Why these tears oh Amir al-Mu’minin.?” He said: “Woe to you oh Qunbur, do you know who we have just fought and killed here? We fought with and killed the best amongst of this Ummah and our reciters!” I then said: “Indeed! By Allah it is as you say Oh Amir al-Mu’minin..” I then too began to cry, Ali Then said again:” Woe to you Oh Qunbur” scrunching his nose and frowning he then cried for a long time again and his regret for his action of killing them(people of nahr) became apparent and we could this from the situation he had entered.” And It Was told to me that Ali’s companions after killing the people of al nahr they walked around surveying the dead. So they could bury them then one of them passed by his brother(his corpse) and said: “This is my brother so-and-so.” He then brought dust over His head and fled the army(out of anger) And that those who fled the army just that day alone amounted to 12,000 in numbers, That they would search the dead then see they’re own and then bury them and flee from Ali’s army and dissent from him.”

Source: (Al-Jawahir Al-Muntaqah الجواهر المنتقاه The selected gems By Abul-Qasem Bin Ibrahim Al-Barradi -May Allah have mercy on him pgs. 155-156)

Narrated From ‘Attab B. Mukhallad Narrated to Him(From) Al-Sha’abi That: “After Ali Finished Killing the people of Al-Nahr, wished to straighten things and so he said to his son; do not dislike pledging allegiance to Mu’awiya. For by Allah if you lose this allegiance you will see heads falling from they’re shoulders as if they were horse-heads!” He Then Said: “When Ali Arrived At Kufa, After killing the people of Al-Nahr, his son Al Hassan said to him: ‘Oh My Father Have you killed a people?’ He said: ‘Yes’ I(Hassan) Then said: “Will those who killed them see heaven?” He(Ali) Then Said: “Oh How I(We) Wish we could even if it was loved to us(Jannah)” And That Whilst Ali Was In Kufa he no longer heard those sounds he would hear at night as if it were the buzzing of bees(research this bees, they’re buzzing is apparently are soothing SubhanAllah!) We Told Him: ’We Have Killed them on that day of Al-Nahr!’ He Said: ‘Those We’re Our Brothers and Jurists!!’“ 

Source: ( Al-Jawahir Al-Muntaqah الجواهر المنتقاه The selected gems By Abul-Qasem Bin Ibrahim Al-Barradi -May Allah have mercy on him pg. 158)

And our companions(The Ibadis) have differed As regard to when did Ali exactly kill the people of nahrawan: in some sources it is mentioned that it was before the sending of the two arbitrators and after they’re gathering at dumat al jandal(city in Saudi now); whilst others mention that it was after the sending of the two arbitrators and after they’re decision to depose those they represented. And The people killed from Al Nahrawan numbered up too 4,000. Amongst them: 70 witnessed The battle of Badr and 400 of them were of those known as Al-Sawari: They were known for rarely leaving the masjids. And Ali regretted killing them And he would bring each killer and ask for forgiveness for them and say: ‘What have we done! We have killed the best amongst us and our Jurists!!” And the people differed(Opinions I Assume) in these 4 Tribulations: Fitna Al Dar, Al Jamal, Al Siffin And Al Nahrawan. 

Source: (Al-Jawahir Al-Muntaqah الجواهر المنتقاه The selected gems By Abul-Qasem Bin Ibrahim Al-Barradi -May Allah have mercy on him pg. 160)

‎‏لقد قُتل جميع هؤلاء وغيرهم من الصحابة وآلاف من المسلمين في هذه الواقعة ، وعلى الإجمال فإن أهل النهروان كانوا من خيار أهل الأرض يومئذ وزهادهم ، فيهم من أهل بدر وممن بايع تحت الشجرة والقراء ، ومن خيار التابعين.

‎‏(. لتتبع أسماء الصحابة من أهل النهروان يراجَع كتاب الجواهر المنتقاة لأبي القاسم بن إبراهيم البرادي ، ت 750هـ ، والكتاب مخطوط في دار الكتب المصرية بالقاهرة . تحت رقم 21791ب)

‎‏الصحابي عبدالله بن عباس انتدبه علي ابن ابي طالب لمناظرة أهل النهروان ، وتختلف المصادر هاهنا فمنها ما يقول حجَّهم ومنه ما يقول حجُّوه ، وقد ذكرنا ما رواه الطبري من مقولة ابن عباس في التحكيم ، فرأيه رأي أهل النهروان ، والمصادر الإباضية تورد رسالة شديدة اللهجة من علي إلى ابن عباس ومما يقوله فيها ( وقد بلغني عنك أنَّك تقول : ((بعثني علي إلى قوم لأخاصمهم فخصموني بما كنت أخصم به الناس)) ، فلعمري لئن كنت تعلم أني قتلت الخوارج ظلماً وماليتني على قتلهم ، ورضيت به ، فأنت شريكي في قتلهم ، وإن كنت تضمر لي أمراً وتظهرُ خلافه ، فلقد شقيت في الدنيا والآخرة…) ثمَّ تذكر المصادر الإباضية جواب ابن عباس لعلي ، وبه تفصيل للمناظرة ، وما تمَّ فيها وحجج الفريقين واضحة ولا يهم أين وردت وإنما المهم قوة الحجة ونصاعة البرهان ، في أي مصدرٍ كانت ، وأنت تعلم الآن أنَّ من أهل النهروان من هو لا يقل فضلاً عن ابن عباس بل هنالك من هو أطول منه صحبة وقد شهد بدرا .

‎‏الطبري 3/114

Source: (Al Tabari 3/114 and Al-Jawahir Al-Muntaqah الجواهر المنتقاه The selected gems By Abul-Qasem Bin Ibrahim Al-Barradi -May Allah have mercy on him)

And a Large majority of those killed from them were companions and thousands of Muslims and the majority of those killed from Al nahr that day were from the best of people on the earth that day and the most ascetic. Amongst them were those who fought the battle of Badr; those who gave allegiance under that tree and reciters and the best of the tabieen.

(To see the names of all the companions of Al nahr, please refer to the book ‘jawhar al Munteqah’ by Abul Qasim Al Barradi(died: 750h), the book has been publish by dar Al Kutub Al Masriyyah, Cairo, with number 21791b).

The Companion Abdullah B. Abbas had been appointed by Ali B. Abi Talib to debate the people of Al Nahrawan. And the reports differed here; with some reports saying that he won them over with his proofs whilst other reports saying they established proofs against him and won. And We Had Mention Here(Or will mention I think..? First is more correct.) what Al Tabari (I believe it’s his Taarikh): 3:114.) Said About Ibn Abbas on his view on the arbitration And his view is same as that of the people of nahrawan. And The Ibadi sources contain a strongly worded letter from Ali to Ibn Abbas, from it he says: ‘And it has reached me that you say – Ali Has sent me to a people to debate yet they debated me with that which I used to debate others with – By my life if you knew that I had killed them, the khawarij(dissenters) and you Aided Me(Financially) in Killing and satisfied with such then you are also a partner in killing them and if you hold something against me and show otherwise then indeed I will be miserable in this world and miserable in the hereafter…’ The Ibadi Sources mention Ibn Abbas’s reply to this and in it is an explanation of the debate that occurred between them(him and Ahlul Nahrawan) and all the evidences brought forth by both parties; Regardless of whatever sources mention this, it does not matter what matters is the strength of the arguments and evidence brought forth no matter what book it’s found. And you (oh reader!) now know that those from Ahl Nahrawan were people who were not less in virtue than Ibn Abbas rather from there are those who were companions for longer than Ibn Abbas and witnessed the battle of Al Badr. 

Source: (Al-Jawahir AlMuntaqah الجواهر المنتقاه The selected gems By Abul-Qasem Bin Ibrahim Al-Barradi -May Allah have mercy on him.)

Of course the Shi’a and Sunni narratives are contrary to this. Thus, they offer the following account:

When Ali had finished with the people of Nahrawan, he praised Allah and extolled Him and then said (to his own men), “Allah has favored you and reinforced your victory, so direct yourselves immediately against your enemy.” ‘They answered, “Commander of the Faithful, our arrows are exhausted , our swords have become blunt, the tips of our spears have fallen off, and most of them have been broken in pieces. Go back to our garrison town and let us make the best possible preparation. Perhaps the Commander of the Faithful will add to our equipment that of those of us who have died, fitted to confront the enemy.” Their
spokesman in putting that forward was al-Ash’ath b. Qays. Ali went and stopped at al-Nukhaylah, where he told the men to remain in their camp and prepare themselves for jihad, and to cut down on visiting their wives and children until they set out against their enemy. They remained there for some days, but then they slipped away from their camp and entered (the town), apart from a few of their leaders, and the camp was left empty. When ‘Ali saw that, he entered al-Kufah and his idea of departing to fight Mu’awiyah was shattered.

After Ali had slain the people at al-Nahrawan, many came out in opposition to him . His outlying provinces rebelled against him and the Banu Najiyah opposed him . lbn al Hadrami came to al-Basrah, the people of al-Ahwaz rebelled, and those subject to the kharaj were eager to avoid it, Then Sahl b. Hunayf was expelled from Fars, where he had been Ali’s governor.

Source: (https://www.kalamullah.com/Books/The%20History%20Of%20Tabari/Tabari_Volume_17.pdf)

Prima Qur’an comments: So who was in Ali’s army when he attacked Ahl Nahrawan? Al-Ash’ath b. Qays! Why of course. Then what happens when Ali goes back to Kufa these half hearted supporters abandon him. Ali was faced with open rebellion. Who was the spokesperson for those who did not want to push on to fight the Syrians? Al-Ash’ath b. Qays!

What did we say the motivations truly were?

Al-Ash’ath bin Qais motive was clear.

1. Divert Ali’s attention away from the Syrians. Giving them more time to strengthen and solidify their positions.
2. Pit Ali against the former die hard loyalist knowing full well that the killing of these companions and tabi’un would leave a bitter taste in the mouth of many -as we will see with Ibn Abbas (ra).
3. Ensure the nexus of power remains among the Qurash and that any non-Qurashi would not even have a whiff of authority over the Qurash.

Ibn Muljam may have killed Ali Ibn Abu Talib but with a poisonous double agent like Al-Ash’ath b. Qays among his ranks Ali Ibn Abu Talib was already finished.

And now my dear brothers and sisters in Islam, my dear truth seekers, now you know the truth.

May Allah (swt) forgive the Ummah!

May Allah (swt) guide the Ummah!

May Allah (swt) unify the Ummah!

All praise be to Allah. Those who are not thankful to people are not thankful to Allah. I want to thank our teacher, Shaykh Hilal Al Wardi, a brilliant man who has been patient with us in answering our questions. I want to thank Tanweer Oqul -the servant of Allah.

Al-Jawahir AlMuntaqah الجواهر المنتقاه The selected gems By Abul-Qasem Bin Ibrahim Al-Barradi -May Allah have mercy on him -available for download here: