But dialogue with them with the Prophetic tradition that...

But dialogue with them with the Prophetic tradition that they had no choice but to accept it.” Ibn Abbas went to them, but talking with them was not fruitful because the Kharijites were ready for a fight. However, before the battle, Ali (PBUH) also went to their camp and said: “ Were you all with us in the battle Siffin?” They responded: “ Some of us were there while some were not.

“ He said: “ So, separate those who were present in Siffin into a group, and those who were not present into another group, so that I may speak to each group as it suits them. “ The Imam spoke to the people: “Listen to what I say and turn to me with your heart, and the person I want to testify will speak about it as he knows: Was it when out of trickery and deception, they (the Syrians) raised the Qur’an, didn’t you say that they are our brothers and co-religionists?

They asked for pardon from us and turned to the Book of Allah, that we should accept their opinion and free them.

I told you that this is an act that openly means accepting the judgment of the Qur’an, but the secret of which is enmity with Allah and faith?” Some of them testified to this and thereafter Ali told Abu Ayyub Ansari to raise a flag and he (PBUH) said: “Whoever comes under this flag is safe.” Five hundred of them under the leadership of Farwa ibn Nawfal Al-Ashja’i separated from the Kharijites and moved to the city of Daskara. A group went to Kufa and a hundred people came to Ali.

But most of them remained and said: “You are right, we accepted the judgment and by so, we became disbelievers. Now we have returned to Allah, if you also repent of your disbelief, we will be with you.” Ali said: “May the stone of calamity fall on you so that it leaves no trace of you. After believing in Allah and fighting with Muhammad Mustafa (PBUHH), how could I testify to my disbelief?! If I do so, I will be lost and have no way to salvation.

Take the present and the path of the past as your guide. Verily, all of you shall be degraded and become the prey of the victorious sword of the oppressors after me.” Seven or nine of Ali’s companions were martyred in this battle while only nine from among the Kharijites remained. Ali (PBUH) said before the commencement of the battle: “By Allah, ten of them would not remain and ten from you would not be killed.” The battle with the Kharijites ended in favour of the central caliphate.

However, the negative effect it had on the spirit of many Iraqis was worse than the previous battle.