Al-Hakim adds that this order was a declaration of war and...

Al-Hakim adds that this order was a declaration of war and an order for attack issued by az-Zubayr. Ibn A'tham and many other historians write: In the battle of Hunayn the Prophet picked up a handful of earth and threw it at the enemy, saying may they be disgraced!

'A'ishah, too, imitated this gesture of the Prophet and used it against the Muslims in the battle of al-Jamal, and in throwing a handful of pebbles at 'Ali's army, she said: "May they be disgraced!" At this moment a man of 'Ali's army reproached 'A'ishah and said: " 'A'ishah! It was not you who threw earth at 'Ali's army; it was the hand of Satan that made you commit such an ugly act."100 After this actual declaration of war 'A'ishah's army formally began their assaults.

Abu Mikhnaf and other historians write: Shooting at 'Ali's forces were begun by 'A'ishah's army. His forces cried out: "O Commander of the faithful! 100. Translation of the History of Ibn A'tham 171-180, Description of Nahj al-balaghah of Ibn Abi al-Hadid 1/85. Our patience is at an end. They are exhausting and extirpating us! Issue the order for defense!" At this time they brought to 'Ali's tent the body of a man who was covered with the arrows of the enemy and said: "O Amir al- Mu'minin!

This is the corpse of one of your devoted friends destroyed by the enemy." The Imam looked up at heaven and said: "O God! Be a witness!" Then he turned to them and said: "Be patient! Let the enemy be given every opportunity for peace!" Again they carried in another corpse and said: "O Emir!

This is so and so who was killed by the enemy's arrows!" Once more 'Ali looked up at heaven and said: "O God Almighty!" You are a true Witness' and again this time 'Ali did not issue the command to begin the fighting, and said to his followers: "You must show a greater fortitude against the enemy's injustice and aggression, and give more proof of your rightfulness by giving them every opportunity to turn to peace." At that moment 'Abd Allah ibn Badil al-Khuza'i who was a companion and friend of the Prophet, brought the bloody corpse of his brother 'Abd ar-Rahman and placing it down in front of 'Ali said: "O 'Ali!

This is my brother who has been killed unchivalrously by the enemy!" 'Ali who had given the enemy every opportunity to make peace, saw him faced with an accomplished wrong action and was left with no alternative but war. So he uttered the holy phrase "We are from God and return to Him," and put on the Prophet's chain mail named…