Accepting Islam after witnessing a miracle

Sayyidunā ʿAli رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ and his army were travelling to Ṣiffīn when they passed by an area with no water. The entire army became restless due to severe thirst. The monk of a nearby church told them the nearest source of water was 14km away. Sayyidunā ʿAli رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ sat on his mule and ordered his men to dig a specific area of land.

The digging was underway until they came across a large rock they could not remove. Sayyidunā ʿAli رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ dismounted his mule, took hold of the rock with both hands and lifted it out of the ground. As he moved the rock, pure, sweet water gushed forth and the entire army drank from it.

The monk from the church saw this unfold. Seeing the spring come forth, he approached Sayyidunā ʿAli رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ and asked, “Are you a prophet?” He replied by saying no. The man asked, “Are you an angel?” Sayyidunā ʿAli رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ replied by saying no again. The monk finally inquired, “Then who are you?” He explained, “I am a Companion of the final Prophet: Muhammad صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم.” Upon hearing this, the monk recited shahādah and accepted Islam.

Sayyidunā ʿAli رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ asked him, “Why did you not accept Islam before this?” He replied, “It is written in our books that a spring of water is hidden near this church. They said only a prophet or a companion of a prophet will be able to unveil it. I and many before me were waiting for this. You unveiled the spring of water, and this is why I have accepted Islam.” These words had great effect on Sayyidunā ʿAli رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ, and he cried so much that his beard became wet. “اَلْـحَمْـدُ لـِلّٰـهِ”, he exclaimed, “I am mentioned in their books.”^[1]

May Allah grant us true love for Sayyidunā ʿAli رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ, the Ahl al-Bayt and all honourable Companions رَضِىَ اللّٰهُ عَـنْهُم. May He grant us the ability to remain