31662. On the authority of Rifá`ah b. Iyás al-¬abbí from his father from his grandfather who said:
I was with `Alí during (the battle of) al-Jamal when he sent word to ^al<a saying: Come and meet me!
He met him and he (`Alí) said: "I adjure you by Allah did you hear the Messenger of Alláh, blessings and salutations of Alláh on him, say: Of whomsoever I am master, `Alí is his master. O Alláh, befriend the one who befriends him and be at enmity with one who is at enmity with him?"
He said: "Yes."
He said: "Then why do you fight against me?" (Ibn `Asákir)