Abdur Rahman bin Abi Laila says that once, Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) made the people swear in the courtyard of Kufa and said: Whoever heard any statement from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) about me at the occasion of Ghadir Khumm, let him stand up, and only he should stand who saw the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). Upon this, twelve men stood up and said: We ourselves saw that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) held the hand of Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him), and we heard him say: "O Allah! Befriend whoever befriends Ali, and be the enemy of whoever is hostile to him. Help whoever helps Ali, and forsake whoever forsakes him." On this occasion, there were three men who did not stand up; Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) invoked a curse upon them and they were afflicted by it.