Chapter 9(b)

4. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Isma’if ibn Marrar from Yunus from abu Bakr al-Hadramiy who has said the following: “I heard abu ‘Abd Allah عليه السلام, saying, ‘In the ways of the dealings of Ali عليه السلام, with the people of al-Basra, the benefit for the Shi ‘ah was greater than all things on which the sun shines. He عليه السلام, knew that those people will become dominant. Were he to make them prisoners his followers would have been made prisoners likewise.’ I then asked, ‘Will al-Qa’im عليه السلام, deal with people like his dealings?’ He (the Imam) replied, ‘No, Ali عليه السلام, dealt with them with favors due to his knowledge of their domination. Al-Qa’im will deal with them differently because they will not have any domination.’”