My father رحمه الله narrated to us. He said: Muhammad b. Mu`aqqal al-Qarmisini narrated to us. He said: Ja`far al-Warraq narrated to us. He said: Muhammad b. al-Hasan al-Ashaj narrated to us from Yahya b. Zayd b. `Ali from his father from `Ali b. al-Husayn عليه السلام. He said: One day, the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم went out to pray Fajr. Then, he said: O people! Which of you will rise against the three people who swore by al-Lat and al-`Uzza that they will kill me? For, by the Lord of the Ka`ba, they have lied. He said: The people refrained, and no one said anything. So, he said: I do not see `Ali b. Abi Talib among you. So, `Amer b. Qutada went to him and said: He had a fever this night and did not come out to pray with you. Do you permit me to inform him? So, the Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said: Do as you wish. So, he went to him and informed him. So, Amir al-Mu’minin `Ali b. Abi Talib عليه السلام came out resolutely in a tunic with its corners tied around his neck. So, he said: O Messenger of Allah! What is this news? He said: A messenger of my Lord informs me of three people who have risen to kill me, but they have lied, by the Lord of the Ka`ba. So, `Ali عليه السلام said: O Messenger of Allah! I will fight them myself. I will go and wear my clothes (armour). So, the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said: Rather, here are my clothes, my shield, and my sword. So, he dressed him in his armour, his turban, and his likeness, and he had him mount his horse. Amir al-Mu’minin عليه السلام went out. Three days had passed, and Gabriel had not come to him (the Prophet) with news about him; nor had there been any news from the Earth. So, Fatima came forward with al-Hasan and al-Husayn upon her hips, saying: I hope that these two boys have not been orphaned. So, the eye of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم began to weep. Then, he said: O people! Whoever comes to me with news about `Ali, I will give him the glad tidings of Paradise. So, the people spread out to seek [him], as they had seen how crucial this was to the Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم. The search parties went out; and `Amer b. Qutada came forth with glad tidings of `Ali عليه السلام. Then, Gabriel came down to the Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم and informed him of what had happened to him. Amir al-Mu’minin `Ali عليه السلام came forward with two captives, a [severed] head, three camels, and three horses. So, the Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said: Would you like me to inform you of what had happened to you, O Aba’l Hasan? So, the hypocrites said: Just a moment ago, he was overtaken with distress, yet at this moment, he wishes to tell his story for him! So, the Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said: Rather, you tell it, O Aba’l Hasan, so that you can be a witness over the people. He said: Yes, O Messenger of Allah. When I reached the valley, I saw them riding the camels. So, they called to me: “Who are you?” So, I said: “I am `Ali b. Abi Talib, the cousin of the Messenger of Allah.” So, they said: “We do not know of a Messenger of Allah. Whether we come across you or Muhammad, it is the same to us.” So, this person who was killed rushed toward me. We traded hits when a red wind blew. I heard your voice in it, O Messenger of Allah, and you were saying: “I have cut the pouch of his shield for you, so strike the cord of his shoulder.” I struck it, but I did not overcome him. Then, a yellow wind blew. I heard your voice in it, O Messenger of Allah, and you were saying: “I have uncovered the shield from his thigh, so strike his thigh.” So, I struck him, stabbed him, severed his head, and threw him aside. So, these two men said to me: “We were told that Muhammad was gentle, compassionate, and merciful. So, take us to him, and do not rush toward us. Our companion [that you killed] was like one thousand knights. So, the Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said: O `Ali! As for the first voice that you heard, that was the voice of Gabriel عليه السلام. As for the other voice, that was Michael عليه السلام. He went to one of the men and said: Say “there is no god but Allah”, and bear witness that I am the Messenger of Allah. So, he said: Carrying Mount Qubays would be more beloved to me than saying these words. So, he said: O `Ali! Strike his neck. Then, he said: He went to the other [man] and said: Say “there is no god except Allah”, and bear witness that I am the Messenger of Allah. So, he said: Let me join my friend. He said: O `Ali! Strike his neck. He said: When Amir al-Mu’minin was about to strike his neck, Gabriel عليه السلام came down to the Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم and said: O Muhammad! Surely, your Lord delivers the salaam to you, and says to you: “Do not kill him, for he is of beautiful character, and he is generous among his people.” So, the Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said: O `Ali! Hold on, for a messenger from my Lord informs me that he is of beautiful character, and that he is generous among his people. So, the pagan said from beneath the sword: This messenger from your Lord has informed you of this?! He said: Yes. He said: By Allah, I have never withheld one silver coin from a brother of mine, nor have I even made a scornful face whilst at war. I bear witness that there is no god but Allah, and that you are the Messenger of Allah. So, the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said: This is one whose beautiful character and generosity will take him into the Gardens of Bliss.