496. Waq`at Siffin: The sign of the people of Iraq in [the battle of] Siffin was a white piece of wool cloth worn over their heads and shoulders and their slogan was “O God! O Ahad (One)! O Samad (O Everlasting Refuge)! O Lord of Muhammad! O Compassionate, O Merciful!”
And the sign of the people of Shām was a piece of yellow cloth worn over their heads and shoulders and their slogan was: “We are the slaves of God indeed, indeed; O Avengers for `Uthmān’s blood!”1
C. Inculcation of Victory
497. al-Jamal – narrating from `Amr ibn Dinār: “The Commander of the Faithful said to his son Muhammad: “Hold the banner and move on!” Ali (a.s.) was behind him, he then called him: “O Abu al-Qāsim!”
He replied: “Yes. O Father!”
He said: “My son! What you see should not frighten you. I carried the banner when I was smaller than you and the enemy did not frighten me for I did not confront anyone except that I instilled in myself that I would kill him.
So with the help of God inculcate in your mind that you will triumph over them; and do not let mistrust in yourself bring you to your knees as it is the worst of degradations.
[Muhammad said:] I said: “O Father! I hope I will be the way you wish for me to be. God willing!”2
D. Warning against Fleeing from the Battleground
498. Imām Ali (a.s.): “Escape from the battle is among the great sins.”3
499. Imām Ali (a.s.): “Escape is one of the two degradations.”4
500. Imām Ali (a.s.): “Launch successive attacks and feel ashamed of escaping for it is a disgrace among generations to come and a cause of fire on the Day of Judgment. Give your lives (to God) willingly and walk towards death with ease.”5
1.. Waq`at Siffin, p. ۳۳۲, Bihār al-Anwār, vol. ۳۳, p. ۲۷, h. ۳۸۰, Sharh Nahj al-Balāghah, vol. ۸, p. ۱۵.
2.. al-Jamal, p. ۳۶۸.
3.. Da`ā'im al-Islām, vol. ۱, p. ۳۷۰, al-Musannif fi al-Ahādith wa al-Athār, vol. ۷, p. ۷۳۳, h. ۶.
4.. Ghurar al-Hikam, h. ۱۶۶۳.
5.. Nahj al-Balāghah, Sermon ۶۶, Tārikh Dimashq, vol. ۴۲, p. ۴۶۰
