So the Commander of the Faithful - Exalted is His Might - said to them: "Have you heard what Abdullah bin Saba said?"

So they said: "Yes."

So he commanded them that they gather the firewood and that the fire be kindled for them, and he threatened them [for] three days if they did not cease from their call, or else he would burn them with the fire.

So Abdullah and his companions said: "Now we have verified that You are Allah, the Ancient, the Eternal, and the Noble Lord who has not ceased to be, and we will not return from our saying."

So when their threat [period] ended and they did not return from their saying, he commanded the people that they gather to the desert of the trench (al-ukhdud). So the people gathered, and he commanded that Abdullah and his companions be brought out. So he brought them before him and said to him: "Indeed these people have denied what you said concerning me, and if you do not return, I will burn you with the fire."

So he said to him the like of the first saying.