It is narrated from Sayyiduna Ahban bin Saifi, may Allah be pleased with him, who was a Companion, that he says: When Sayyiduna Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, arrived in Basra, he sent for me and said: What is preventing you from accompanying me? I said: My beloved friend and your cousin, that is, the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, advised me that: Soon there will be turmoil and discord among the people; at that time, break your sword and make a wooden sword, and remain secluded in your house until either a tyrannical hand or death reaches you. Therefore, I did exactly what the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, commanded me. O Ali! If you have the strength not to become that tyrannical, sinful hand, then you must do so.

(Second chain) Hadithah bint Ahban bin Sayfi narrates that she was with her father, Sayyiduna Ahban bin Sayfi (may Allah be pleased with him), at his house. He fell ill and then recovered. At that time, Sayyiduna Ali bin Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him) was in Basra. He came to their house and, standing at the door of his room, greeted him with salam. My father replied to his salam. He (Ali) said: Abu Muslim! How are you feeling? My father said: I am fine. Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) said: Will you not come out with me to help me against those people? My father said: Why not, provided that you agree with what I say, then I will go with you. Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) said: What is that? So my father said: Girl! Bring me my sword. I took the sword out of its sheath and placed it in his lap. He drew the sword slightly from its sheath, then raised his head towards Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) and said: My beloved and your cousin, that is, the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), said to me: When discord and conflict arise among the Muslims, make a sword of wood. So this is my sword; if you wish, I will go out with you carrying this. Upon hearing this, Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) said: We have no need of you or your sword. Then Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) left the door of the room and did not return.

(Third chain) Sayyiduna Ahban (may Allah be pleased with him) said: My beloved friend and your cousin, that is, the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), advised me: Soon there will be tribulations and disagreements; when such circumstances arise, break your sword and make a wooden sword. And when my father became seriously ill, he instructed his family that when they shroud him, they should not dress him in a shirt, but we dressed him in a shirt. When morning came, we saw that the shirt was hanging on a peg.