142. Through his chain of authority, he, peace be on him, said: ['Ali b. al-Husayn, the blessings of Allah be on him, said: While the Commander of the faithful, peace be on him, was addressing the people, a young man stood up before him and said:] "O Commander of the faithful, tell me about the excellence of the invasion in the path of Allah."

He, peace be on him, answered: "I was riding behind Allah's Messenger, may Allah bless him and his family, on his she-camel al-'Adba`' when we came beck from the Campaign of Dha`t al-Sala`sil. I asked him about what you have asked me about, and he answered: "Surely, if the invaders intend to make an invasion, Allah writes for them freedom from the Fire, and if they prepare themselves, Allah vies (in glory) with the angels through them, etc.'"

The tradition is long; the greatest Messengers, may Allah bless him and his family, has presented therein the excellence of invasion and jiha`d in the path of Allah, which is one of the gates to the Garden, and which Allah has opened for his special friends, as it was said by the Commander of the faithful, peace be on him.