مسند امام احمد بن حنبل · Hadith 648

It was narrated from 'Abdullah bin Nujayy from his father that he travelled with 'Ali (RA) - he was the one who carried his vessel for wudoo'. When he reached Neenawa on his way to Siffeen, 'Ali (RA) called out: Be patient, Abu 'Abdullah; be patient, Abu 'Abdullah, on the banks of the Euphrates. I said: What did he say? He said: I entered upon the Prophet (PBUH) one day and his eyes were flowing with tears. I said: O Prophet of Allah, has someone upset you? Why are your eyes flowing with tears? He said: "No, but Jibreel left me a while ago. He told me that al-Husain would be killed on the banks of the Euphrates, And he said: 'Would you like to smell his dust (the dust of the land where he will fall)?' I said: Yes. He stretched out his hand and picked up a handful of dust and gave it to me, and I could not help but weep."

Translated by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan · Reviewed by Islamic University of Madinah · Published March 2020