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Refraining from Punishment on the Basis of Conjecture
443. al-Jamal: “Ibn `Abbās visited the Commander of the Faithful (a.s.) and he first started to speak and said: “O Ibn `Abbās! Do you have any news?”
He said: “I saw Talha and Zubair.”
He told him: “The two asked my permission for `Umra (pilgrimage) and I granted them permission after I had them pledge not to deceive, commit betrayal or get involved in corruption. O Ibn `Abbās! By God, they have no intention other than treason. I know that they have gone to Mecca to seek assistance against me; for the treacherous wicked Ya`lā ibn Munyah has taken the wealth of Iraq and Persia to spend it all. The two men will soon ruin my affair and shed the blood of my followers and companions.”
`Abdullah ibn `Abbās said: “If you think so, why did you give them permission and why did you not put them in jail and shackle them so that you would save Muslims from their harm?”
The Imām (a.s.) said: “O Ibn `Abbās! Are you asking me to hasten to tyrannize and practice evil instead of doing good and punish on the basis of conjecture and accusation? Far be it! By God, I will not withdraw from the pledge I made to God as to judge on the basis of justice and speaking the truth.
O Ibn `Abbās! I gave them permission and I know what they will commit; however, I asked God for help against them and I swear by God that I will kill them and make them hopeless and they will not fulfill their wish, for God will punish them for their injustice and transgression towards me and their violation of my allegiance and persecuting me.”1
