648 - Al-Hasan ibn Salih informed me, saying: Muhammad ibn Habib narrated to us, saying: Muhammad ibn Abi Hassan narrated to us, saying: I asked: "O Abu ‘Abd Allah, was ‘Ali an Imam?" He replied: "Yes, he was a just Imam, may Allah have mercy on him." His uncle was present, and he said to me in the presence of Abu ‘Abd Allah, while Abu ‘Abd Allah was listening: "These are the corrupt and wicked people who do not affirm the Imamate of ‘Ali. Was he a man who used to distribute the fay’ (spoils of war), carry out stoning, establish the prescribed punishments (hudud), and was called the Commander of the Faithful, and yet [they claim] he was a Kharijite and a liar? And would the Companions of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) be liars?" And Abu ‘Abd Allah was silent and smiling.