‘Ali bin Rabee‘ah reports that on one occasion, Hazrat Ja’dah bin Hubairah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) came to Hazrat ‘Ali (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) and said, “O Ameer-ul-Mu’mineen! At times, two people come to you (with their dispute). One of the two is such that you are more beloved to him than even his own family and his wealth, whereas the other person has such enmity for you that if he was able to slaughter and kill you, he would do so. Yet, despite this, you pass judgment in favor of the one who hates you, against the one who loves you!”
Hearing this, Hazrat ‘Ali (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) slightly struck his hand on the chest of Hazrat Ja’dah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) (as a sign of affection and to draw his attention to the point he was about to make) and said, “If judgment was based on my wishes, then I could have decided in favor of whomsoever I please. However, judgment is based on the command of Allah Ta‘ala (and since the person who hates me is on the haq, I will have to pass judgment in his favor).”
(Al-Bidaayah Wan-Nihaayah 11/108)
