Abdullah bin Nafi’ bin Azraq was one of the leaders of the Khawarij sect, known for being one of the fiercest enemies of Imam Ali and his family (peace be upon them). He said, “If I knew that there was anyone on earth who would debate with me on the matter that Ali killed the people of Nahrawan and did not commit injustice in doing so, I would certainly go to him.”
He was asked: “What if one of his children could answer this question?” Abdullah replied, “Is there any scholar among his children?” He was told, “This is the beginning of your ignorance. How could this family ever be without scholars?” Abdullah replied, “Who is the scholar among them today?” The response was: “Muhammad ibn Ali ibn al-Husayn ibn Ali.”
Abdullah, along with several of his companions, went to Imam Baqir (peace be upon him) and entered Medina. Imam Baqir (peace be upon him) then sent for the children of the Muhajirun and the Ansar and gathered them. After that, he went to the people, as if he were a part of the moon. He stood to address them, praised God, and sent blessings upon His Messenger (peace be upon him). He then said: “All praise is for God who has honored us with prophethood and chosen us for His friendship. O children of the Muhajirun and the Ansar, whoever remembers a virtue of Ali ibn Abi Talib (peace be upon him), let him rise and speak.”
The people stood up and recited the virtues of the Imam. Abdullah said, “I too will narrate these virtues, but I speak of Ali’s apostasy after the arbitration.” The discussion continued until they reached the Hadith of Khaybar, the hadith in which the Prophet (peace be upon him) said during the Battle of Khaybar: “Tomorrow I will give the banner to a man whom Allah and His Messenger love, and he loves Allah and His Messenger. He will not turn his back but will continue fighting until Allah grants victory through his hands.”
Imam Baqir (peace be upon him) turned to Abdullah and asked, “What do you say about this hadith?” He replied, “This hadith is true, and there is no doubt in it, but later Ali declared disbelief.” Upon hearing this, Imam Baqir (peace be upon him) said: “May your mother mourn you. Tell me, when Allah loved Ali ibn Abi Talib (peace be upon him), did He know that he would later kill the people of Nahrawan or not? If you say He did not know, you have disbelieved.” Abdullah responded, “He knew.” Imam Baqir (peace be upon him) asked: “Did Allah love him because he obeyed Him or because he disobeyed Him?” Abdullah answered: “Because he obeyed Him.” Imam Baqir (peace be upon him) said: “Then rise, for you have lost.”
Abdullah stood up and said, “Until a white thread appears from the black thread of dawn, Allah Himself knows where He will place His message.”[1]
(Taken from the book “Guides on the Path of Light – The Life of Imam Muhammad Baqir (peace be upon him)” by Ayatollah Sayyid Muhammad Taqi Modarresi)
Footnote:
[1] Fi Rahab A’imma Ahl al-Bayt, page 9