349 - Muhammad informed us, saying: Waki' reported to us, from Abu Bakr al-Hudhali, from al-Hasan, that Qays ibn 'Ubad and Ibn al-Kawwa' came to 'Ali and said: "Do you have any covenant from the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) regarding this affair?" He replied: "I seek refuge in Allah! By Allah, I was the first to believe in him, so I will not be the first to lie against him. By Allah, I have no covenant from the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) regarding this affair; for had I any covenant from the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace), I would have fought with these two hands of mine."