Ali Ibn Abi Talib - Volume 2 of 2

232 The Battles of the Camel and Sifeeq and the issue of arbitration
added, or from which things have been omitted, or which have
been interpreted in the wrong way. As for those reports that are
sound, they are excused for their conduct; or they based their
conduct on what they thought was right, and they got it right;
or they based their conduct on what they thought was right, but
they got it wrong."'814
8. Ibn Katheer said: "With regard to that concerning which they
differed amongst themselves after the death of the Prophet
(s), some of it happened without their intending it to, such as
the Battle of the Camel; some of it was based on what they
thought was correct, such as the Battle of Siffeen. A decision
may be mistaken, but the person is excused, even if it is wrong,
he will be rewarded for it, and the one who gets it right will
have two rewards."815
9. Ibn Hajar said: "Ah1 as-Sunnah are unanimously agreed that it
is not allowed to criticise any of the Companions because of
what happened to them, even if we know who was in the right,
because they did not fight these battles except on the basis of
what they believed was right. Indeed, it is proven that (the one
who got it wrong) will have one reward, and the one who got it
right will have two rewards."*16
Ah1 as-Sunnah are unanimously agreed that it is obligatoly to
refrain from becoming too involved in examining the fimah that
occurred among the Companions after the murder of 'Uthm2n (&),
and that we should pray for mercy for them, recognise the virtues of
the Companions, acknowledge their precedence and spread reports of
their good