ভূমিকা
Please inform me about the People of the Ditch. Which era did the People of the Ditch live in? Where were their homes? Who was their king? Did God the Almighty send a Prophet to them or not? How were they destroyed? Their name is mentioned in God's Book but there is no news about them there.” Then Ali (s) said, “You have asked me about something that no one else had asked me about before. No one will tell you anything about it after me, unless they quote me.
There are no verses in the Almighty God's Book that I do not know. I also know the interpretation of all the verses. I know were they have been revealed - in the mountain or in the valley. I know at what time they have been revealed - at night or in the daytime.” At this point, Imam Ali (s) pointed at his chest and said, “Here there is a lot of knowledge. However, there are very few who seek it. Soon they will be sorry when they lose me.” The Imam continued, “O Brother from the Tamim clan!
This is their account. They were a tribe that worshipped a pine tree which they called Shah Derakht [324] . Yafith ibn Noah had planted it beside a spring called Dooshab . This spring had gushed out for Noah (s) after the Flood.