(264) It is related that while our Master Amir Almuminin—exalted be his glory—was heading toward the Kharijites, he was met by a lion of terrifying form. The army fled from before it, but our Master said to them: "Do not be alarmed; make way for it." They made way for the lion until it drew near to our Master—exalted be his glory—and said in a clear tongue: "Peace be upon you, O Amir Almuminin. I am al-Hamm ibn al-Him ibn Laqis ibn Iblis. I have come to you this day to meet the Kharijites who have come out to fight you. Return, O my Master; I shall suffice you against their evil if You permit me." Our Master said to it: "Return to your place." The lion returned swiftly until it vanished from their eyes. Some people, at the return of the sun in Babylon, had said: "By God, Ali has performed sorcery." Our Master said to them: "If I were a sorcerer of the sun, then I am a greater sorcerer of the lion."

Our Master marched to fight the Kharijites until he reached the bridge. Among them was a man called Dhu al-Thudayya, who had a growth like the teat of a bitch. Our Master—exalted be His power—killed him that day. When it reached Aisha that our Master had killed a man with such a growth, she struck her cheeks and wept. It was asked of her: "Why do you weep?" She said: "In regret for my negligence in fighting Ali. I heard the Messenger of God—exalted be his glory—say: 'Dhu al-Thudayya is the worst of people and mortals; he shall be killed by the best of people and mortals.'" Amir Almuminin prayed the noon prayer with his companions, then crossed the bridge and said—exalted be his glory: "Charge upon them, for fewer than ten of you shall be killed, and fewer than ten of them shall remain." The people charged. The Kharijites cried out: "There is no god but God, Muhammad is the Messenger of God." The companions of Amir Almuminin ceased fighting upon hearing this, but our Master—exalted be his glory—said: "It is a word that has not reached beyond their throats; fall upon them and fight them."