My father 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 . He said:

One day, the Messenger of Allah (s) 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 (s) said: Do as you wish. So, he went to him and informed him. So, Amir al-Mu’minin `Ali b. Abi Talib 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 said: O Messenger of Allah! I will fight them myself. I will go and wear my clothes (armour). So, the Messenger of Allah (s) 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 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 (s) 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 (s). The search parties went out; and `Amer b. Qutada came forth with glad tidings of `Ali . Then, Gabriel came down to the Prophet (s) and informed him of what had happened to him. Amir al-Mu’minin `Ali came forward with two captives, a [severed] head, three camels, and three horses. So, the Prophet (s) 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 (s) 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 (s) said: O `Ali! As for the first voice that you heard, that was the voice of Gabriel . As for the other voice, that was Michael . 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 came down to the Prophet (s) 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 (s) 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 (s) said: This is one whose beautiful character and generosity will take him into the Gardens of Bliss.