It is unfortunate that Imām Ali (a.s.) did not enjoy the company of such persons toward the end of his government. The most outstanding of his (a.s.) companions who were eloquent explainers and advocates of his path were no longer present. The absence of Mālik al-Ashtar, `Ammār, Hāshim ibn Mirqāl, Muhammad ibn Abi Bakr, `Abdullah ibn Badil, Zaid ibn Suhān and others who were among the companions of Imām Ali (a.s.) was sadly felt. No longer was it possible to hear those passionate, encouraging and stimulating sermons among the troops. On the other hand, there were many evil-minded, misleading and ill-hearted individuals who raised difficulties and spread apathy.
It is due to such an atmosphere of chaos, sedition and insubordination that Imām (a.s.) remembers with sorrow those vigilant, insightful ‘worshippers in the night and fighting lions in the day’, who were pioneers in the fields of action and warriors on the battlefields, saying:
Where are those who were invited to Islam and accepted it wholeheartedly? Those who read the Qur'ān, acted according to it and established it in their hearts. Those who were exhorted to fight and leapt towards it as a she-camel leaping towards its young, drew their swords out of their sheaths and went out and took control of lands in groups and ranks. Some of them passed away and some survived. The good news of their survival did not please them nor did they condole the dead(living in this world would not make them happy as departing this transient life could not sadden them). Their eyes turned white from weeping, their bellies were emaciated because of fasting, their lips were dry because of constant praying, their color was pale because of staying awake and their faces bore the dust of God-fearing humility. They were my comrades who have departed. Therefore, it behooves that we long for them (and desire their presence) and bite our hands(out of sorrow) from being separated from them.1
In the end of his painful words, uttered in the last days of his life, he said: