Khatib Khwarizmi Hanafi in his book of Manaqib1 mentions a letter of Muawiyah to Amr Aas, in which he had requested him to help him in Battle of Siffeen and then quotes the reply of Amr Aas as follows:
“As for your attributing injustice and jealousy to the brother of Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.) and his successor, Abul Hasan with regard to Uthman, accusing him of being a transgressor and thinking that he instigated the killing of Uthman, is nothing more than a lie and a deceit.
Woe be on you O Muawiyah, do you but know that Abul Hasan risked his life to protect the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.) and slept in his bed. He has precedence over others in Islam and in Hijrat. And the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.) said regarding him: He is from me and I am from him. He also said: He is to me like Harun was to Moosa. On the day of Ghadeer, he said: Of whomsoever I am the master, Ali is (also) his master. O Allah, love those, who love him and be inimical to those, who are inimical to him. And help one, who helps him and degrade one, who causes disrespect to him.”
11. Reasoning of Ammaar Yasir with Amr Aas in the Battle of Siffeen
Nasr bin Muzahim Kufi2 , in Kitab Siffeen3 has narrated a lengthy tradition of Ammaar addressed to Amr Aas during the Battle of Siffeen that he said:
“The Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.) ordered me to fight the oath-breakers (Nakiseen), and I did that.
Also, he ordered me to confront the unjust (Qasiteen) and you are that same group.
And as for the apostates (Mariqeen), I don’t know whether I will be able to reach them or not. O one, whose progeny is cut off and who is foolish, do you not know that the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.) said regarding Ali (a.s.):
Of whomsoever I am the master, Ali is (also) his master. O Allah, love those, who love him and be inimical to those, who are inimical to him. So, I am the slave of God, the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.) and Ali (a.s.), and you have no master.”4
Masudi’s statement
Abul Hasan Masudi Shafei2 has written in Murujuz Zahab5 :
Following issues made companions of Prophet gain precedence over each other:
Precedence in faith and migration (Hijrat); supporting the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.); proximity to him, contentment, loyalty to Prophet, knowledge of Quran and its interpretation, Jihad in the path of God, piety, abstemiousness, adjudication, chastity and knowledge and Ali (a.s.) is having the largest share in all these things.
Some are special merits of Ali (a.s.); like that statement of Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.) to Ali, when he established brotherhood among the companions:
“You are my brother,” whereas the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.) is without contradiction [no one has the capacity to contradict the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.) and there is no equal for him].
Also, the statement of the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.): “You are to me as Harun was to Moosa, except that there is no prophet after me; and his statement:
Of whomsoever I am the master, Ali is (also) his master. O Allah, love those, who love him and be inimical to those, who are inimical to him.”
Also, the supplication of the Prophet, when Anas brought the roasted bird for him:
“O Allah, send to me the most beloved person so that he may share this bird with me.” Suddenly Ali (a.s.) entered.
إِنَّ هَذِهِ تَذْكِرَةً فَمَنْ شَاءَ اتَّخَذَ إِلَى رَبِّهِ سَبِيلًا
“Surely this is a reminder, then let him, who will take the way to his Lord.”6
Amr said: “Why do you abuse me, Aba Yaqzan?”