If it was not for your wrong assumption that I may fear death...

If it was not for your wrong assumption that I may fear death, my prayer would undoubtedly have lasted longer!" Then he spent a few moment of convocation with God, saying: "O God! I complain to you of the Muslims ummah!

I swear to God that if you killed me in this land, you would be killing the first Muslim who has uttered words of testimony to the Uniqueness of God and the first Muslims warrior who has stepped on this land!" Then the executioner approached him with drawn sword, and Hujr trembled slightly. The man said: "You thought that you did not fear death. Declare your immunity from your friend, and thereby save your life!" Hujr said: "Why should I fear death?

A grave is dug, a shroud is prepared, and I see a drawn sword before me! But even if I were to fear death, I would never utter a word that might rouse the wrath of my God!" They killed that steadfast and Godly man and six of his friends.

But two of them asked the official to take them back to Mu'awiyah and said: "We are of the same opinion as Mu'awiyah about this man (meaning Imam 'Ali)." They were taken back to Mu'awiyah who said to one of them: "Do you declare your immunity from the religion in which 'Ali worshipped God?" The man remained silent, and some of his relatives interceded for him. Mu'awiyah set him free and ordered to exile him to the city of Mosul (in the north of Iraq).

Then he addressed the other man and said: "O brother Rabi'i!217 What do you say about 'Ali?" The man said: "Let me be, and forego this question since it will be to your interest!" Mu'awiyah said: "By God! I won't let you be!" The Kufi man said courageously: "I testify that 'Ali was a man who always remembered God.

He enjoined right and did justice, and showed indulgence towards people's blunders." Mu'awiyah said: "What do you say about 'Uthman?" The man said: "He was the first man to open the doors of oppression and block the ways of right." Mu'awiyah said: "So you are killing yourself." The brave man of Kufah said: "No!

I have killed you!" Then he added: "In this land there are none of the Rabi'ah tribe to come to my aid." Mu'awiyah ordered to send the man back to Ziyad ibn Abihi, telling him to kill the man in the worst possible manner. The mean and cruel governor obeyed the order, and on the charge of loving and supporting Imam 'Ali, he buried him alive. 218 May God bless the soul of these devotees!