It is narrated from Umair bin Sa'd that when Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) returned from the Battle of Jamal, he began preparations for the Battle of Siffin. The people of the Nakhai tribe gathered and came to Ashtar. He asked, "Is there anyone in the house besides the Nakhai?" They replied, "No." Then he said, "This Ummah has targeted its best man and killed him. We went to the people of Basra; they were a nation who had pledged allegiance to us, so because they broke their pledge, we were helped against them. And tomorrow you are going to a nation who are the people of Syria, and they have not pledged allegiance to us. So let each of you see where he places his sword."