To Ziyad ibn Abeen, when Ali learned that Muawiya had approached him
Nahj al-Balāgha|Volume 1|Book 2|Chapter 44
Nahj al-Balāgha
Book 2, Chapter 44
To Ziyad ibn Abeen, when Ali learned that Muawiya had approached him
فَلَمَّا قَرَأَ زِيَادٌ الْكِتَابَ قَالَ: شَهِدَ بِهَا وَرَبِّ الْكَعْبَةِ، وَلَمْ تَزَلْ فِي نَفْسِهِ حَتَّى ادَّعَاهُ مُعَاوِيَةُ.
(as-Sayyid ar-Raḍī says:) When Ziyād read this letter he said, “By Allāh he has testified to it.” This point remained in his mind till Mu‘āwiyah claimed him (as his brother by his father).