406. Ansāb al-Ashrāf: “Ali’s (a.s.) secret agent in Shām came to him and handed him a report on Busr. This secret agent is said to have been Qays ibn Zurāra ibn `Amr ibn Hityān al-Hamadāni who used to report all news from Shām to him.”1
407. Imām Ali (a.s.) – from his letter to `Abdullah ibn Badil: “Beware of encountering the enemy’s troops until I come to you! Send the secret agents toward them and make sure they carry arms with them to fight with. The secret agents should be from among the brave troops; for the coward would not bring you correct reports. You and whoever is with you should abide by my commands, by the will of God. Wassalām.”2
408. Imām Ali (a.s.) – in his report on the battle of Siffin: “A man from the Himyar tribe by the name of Hasin ibn Mālik was with Mu`āwiya and used to have correspondence with Ali ibn Abi Tālib (a.s.), informing him about the weaknesses of Mu`āwiya.”3
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Reforming the Enemies
409. Imām Ali (a.s.): “He who reforms his enemy has [indeed] added to the number of his company.”4
410. Imām Ali (a.s.): “He who reforms the opponents will achieve his goal.”5
1.. Ansāb Al Ashrāf, vol. ۳, p.۲۱۲
2.. al-Mi`yār wa al-Muwāzin, p. ۱۳۱.
3.. al-Futuh, vol. ۳, p. ۷۸.
4.. Ghurar al-Hikam, h. ۸۲۳۰, `Uyun al-Hikam wa al-Mawā`iz, p. ۴۴۵, h. ۷۸۳۸.
5.. Ibid, h. ۸۰۴۳.