Ali Ibn Abi Talib - Volume 2 of 2

'Ali ibn Abi Trilib 75
Dr. Sulayman ibn Hamad d-'Awdah said: "We may say that
the report of aflahari, which speaks of the Saba'i role in the Battle of
the Camel, is referring to the same people who are described as thugs
in other reports. Even if these thuggish groups, which are referred to
in other reports, did not have a direct connection to the Saba'is or
share the same aims and goals, it is possible that these thuggish
groups became the element that Ihn Saba' and his helpers took
advantage of, which is usually the case in some demagogic
movements that may be taken advantage of by some evildoers."228
We should not forget that the atmosphere of turmoil played a
major role in these events. There can be no doubt that at times of
chaos, people may not be able to see things that others can see very
clearly. They may have their own justification for doing things while
others can clearly see the reality of what they are doing, without any
effort. The darkness of turmoil is sufficient to prevent a person from
thinking carefully and seeing clearly.229 For example, we may note
that d-Alpaf ibn Qays, who is one of those who lived through the
events of this battle, went out with the aim of joining 'Ali ibn Abi
Taib (&), but he was met by Abn Bakrah, who said: "0 anaf, go
back, for I heard the Prophet (g) say: 'If two Muslims face one
another with swords, then the slayer and the slain will be in hell.' I
said - or it was said: '0 Messenger of Allah, as for the slayer @IS
case is clear), but what about the one who was slain?' He said: 'He
wanted to kill his companion."'230
Fighting alongside 'Ali (&) was right and correct, and
whoever was killed fighting alongside him is a martyr and will have
two rewards. However, Abu Bakrah (&) was quoting a hadith that
was mentioned in a different context to'that in which 'ALi (&) was
fighting those who were transgressing. This was his own
understanding, hut it was not appropriate in 'Ali's case. From this
report, we understand that 'Ali (&) faced many obstacles when he