Therefore...

Therefore, when he was returning from the Battle of Siffin, he lost one of his armor chain. After some time he saw a Christian wearing the same armor. The Christian insisted that it was his property. `Ali (a.s) went in appeal to the court of the Shurayh the judge. On inquiry by the judge, the Christian said that the armor belonged to him and that he was in possession of it was the proof of his ownership.

Shurayh asked `Ali (a.s) his [1] Wasā’il al-Shī`ah, Vol 3, Page 395 proof of the ownership of the material. The Imam (a.s) said, “The armor is mine! I have neither sold it nor have I gifted it to anyone!” Shurayh was confused that on the one hand the claim of `Ali (a.s) could not be wrong and on the other hand the respondent had the strong proof of the possession of the…