3. The religion of Allah (&) will never be supported except by one

who is prepared to support it in all ways. This was the response of the Prophet (g) to al-Muthanna ibn Hcthah when he suggested to the prophet (g) that he could offer hi~n protection at the Arab water but not-at the Persian water. Whoever has lengthy experience of politics will recognise the unequalled farsightedness of the Prophet (g).95 4. 'Ali (4) saw the impact of Islam on al-Muthanna and his people after they became Muslim, and how Banu Shayhsn took upon themselves the burden of standing up to the Persians. AlMuthanna ibn Hcthah - later on - was one of the leaders of the conquest of Iraq at the time of Ahu Bakr (&). Their faith in this religion gave them the courage to fight the Persians. These are some of the concepts and lessons that 'Ali (&) learned from the Messenger of Allah (g) in his negotiations with the leaders of Banu Shaybh.

Xli ibn Abi Tcilib 2.8. His offering himself as a sacrifice for the Prophet (g) When the tribe of Quraysh met in Dar an-Nadwah, they agreed to kill the Prophet (gg) and to be rid of him, but Allah (&) told His Prophet (g) about that. The Prophet (gg) was the wisest of Allah's creation. He wanted those who sought to kill him to keep looking at his bed, waiting for him to come out to them, so he told 'Ali ibn Abi Tilib (&) to sleep in his bed that night. Who could dare to stay in the bed-of the Messenger of Allah (B) when his enemies were surrounding the house, lying in wait in order to kill him? Who would be able to stay in that house, knowing that the enemies would not see the difference between him and the Messenger of Allah (g) in his bed? No one except the most heroic of men, and the most courageous, by the grace of ~ l l a h . ~ ~ The Prophet (@) told him to stay in Makkah for a few days in order to return the trusts, and items that had been deposited with him for safekeeping, to their owners among his enemies, without subtracting anything. This is the greatest justice and fulfilment of tn1sts.9~ According to one report, the Messenger of Allah (@) said to 'Ali (&): . . "Sleep in my bed, wrap yourself in this green cloak of mine and sleep in it, and no hann will befall you from them."98