They said: "O Amir Almuminin, we have missed the afternoon prayer." Our Master called to it as it had descended for setting: "Return to the time of your afternoon!" It returned, and the Lord prayed the afternoon prayer with them, then it set.

(262) During his march toward the Kharijites, he passed by the cave containing the heads. By his standing there, he missed the afternoon prayer and the sun set. Our Master—exalted be His power—called out to it: "Return to the time of your afternoon!" It returned as he commanded it, obediently. He prayed the afternoon prayer with them and it set, and the night grew dark.

(263) It is related that when he turned toward Siffin to fight Mu'awiya, the path brought him to the monastery and the cell upon the Euphrates at the time of the noon prayer. He prayed with his companions, then he—exalted be his glory—rode his mule and the army followed him. He stood by the monastery and shouted to the monk. The monk overlooked him from the cell with a cross upon his neck and a cross between his eyes. Our Master—exalted be his glory—said to him: "The book that was in your hand just now as you were reading it, which you placed between your two cushions—take it in your hand and bring it out from the window." The monk did as our Master—exalted be his glory—commanded him. Amir Almuminin said to him while the army surrounded him—numbering twenty-four thousand horsemen and footmen, hearing what our Master—exalted be His mention—said. Our Master said to the monk: "Your book contains: 'In the name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful: This is from the Prophet of God, Solomon son of David, to his successor Asaph ibn Berechiah: Indeed, God sent prophets and established intermediaries as givers of excuses and warnings. There shall be an Arabian prophet from the children of Ishmael commanding the truth and bringing sincerity.