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sallam) for him to decide and distribute.

After Ali returned to Mecca, the person in charge of the goods was persuaded to lend
each man sufficient cloth for a fresh change of clothing and this he did.

When they reached Mecca Ali met them and was surprised to see them all wearing
clean clothes. When Ali asked the man in charge of the merchandise he replied, “I gave
them some cloth so that they would reach the pilgrims with better appearance.” Ali was
upset they had taken the matter into their own hands and not waited for the Prophet
(salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) to determine its distribution and ordered them to take off
their new clothes and put their soiled ones back on. This gave rise to discontent among
the party but when the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) heard their murmuring he
said, "O people, do not blame Ali, for he is zealous in the Path of Allah and should not be
blamed." For those who heard his word it was sufficient, but for those unaware of the
Prophet's statement, a feeling of unfairness stirred in their heart.

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