One of the Imam's companions stood up and came before him (peace be upon him) and said: O Commander of the Faithful (peace be upon him), first you prevented us from arbitration, and then you also gave its command. It is not known which of these two things is more correct. (Hearing this) the Imam struck his hand on his hand and said: This is the punishment of one who has broken covenants and loyalty. By Allah! When I gave you the command to accept arbitration, if that unpleasant matter (war) had kept you firm, in which Allah would have done good for you, so you had remained firm on it, it would have taken you on the straight path, and if you were crooked, it would have straightened you, and if you refused, it would have remedied you. Then it would certainly have been a strong method. But with whose help and on whose reliance? I was seeking my remedy from you, and you were my disease. Like one who extracts a thorn with a thorn, knowing that this will also bend toward it. O Allah, the remedy-givers have become helpless from this harmful disease, and those pulling the ropes of this well have become tired and sat down. And where are those people who, when they were invited to Islam, accepted it, and when they read the Quran, also acted on it. When they were urged to jihad, they advanced with such enthusiasm as milking camels advance toward their young. They drew swords from their sheaths, and advancing hand in hand and rank by rank, gained control over the regions of the earth. (Some of them died, some survived. They neither become happy from the glad tidings of those who remain alive, nor are affected by the condolences of those who die. Their eyes became white from weeping, their bellies became emaciated from fasting, their lips became dry from supplications, and their colors became yellow from staying awake, and their faces became dust-covered toward those who show humility and humbleness. These were my brothers who (passed away from the world). Now we are on the side of truth. If we are thirsty for their sight, and cut our boots in their separation. Certainly, Satan has made his paths easy for you. He wants to untie every knot of your religion and create division among you instead of unity. You should turn away from his whisperings and incantations, and accept the gift of the one who offers advice, and tie his knot in your selves.