In that time he developed acquaintance with a Khariji woman, Qatam bint Taymiyah.

In that time he developed acquaintance with a Khariji woman, Qatam bint Taymiyah. He fell for her at the first sight. When he knew that she was a spinster, he proposed marriage to her. Qatam’s father and brother were killed in the battle of Nahrawan and she wanted to wreak vengeance on `Ali (a.s). But she did not find any way to fulfill her wish. When Ibn Muljim proposed to her, she saw a ray of hope in the proposal.

Therefore, she said, “I am willing to marry you but my dowry is 3,000 dirhams, a male slave, a slave girl and the killing of `Ali ibn Abi-Talib.” Ibn Muljim was already having plans for that crime, he had come there for that purpose and now another strong motive presented itself to make him more determined for the act. But outwardly he expressed surprise at the suggestion and he said, “Killing `Ali is not an easy task!” Qatam said, “You can make a surprise attack and kill him.

If you succeed, it is well and good. Even otherwise you will get the Blessings of the Hereafter!” When Ibn Muljim saw that Qatam had the same feelings as himself, he told her that he had come to al-Kūfah with the same purpose and wanted to avenge the deaths of his men in the battle of Nahrawan. Then Qatam told him that he must act with determination and she would talk to dependable persons of her tribe to extend their cooperation. Therefore, she prepared Dardan ibn Mujalid to assist him.

Ibn Muljim took Shabib ibn Bajrah al-Ashja`i and al-Ash`ath ibn Qays into confidence and kept waiting for the day and time of the act. During that month of Ramadan, `Ali (a.s) was alternately going to the houses of his children and that of `Abdullah ibn Ja`far to break his fasts. His appetite had gone down very much and he used to take only a few morsels of food.

When asked about it, he would say: “I wish that when my death comes, I should be on an empty stomach!”[1] On the night of 19th Ramadan, the Imam (a.s) went to her daughter Ummu-Kulthūm’s house. She offered him two breads of barley, a bowl of milk and some salt. When he saw the food he said, “In following the foot steps of the Prophet (a.s) I have never had more than one type of food on my spread. O Daughter!

There is accountability for the legitimate and retribution for the [1] Al-Kāmil fit-Tārīkh, Vol 3, Page 195 illegitimate. Do you want your father to stay longer at the station of accountability of the Day of Judgment?