[Machine] Ali said to a captive from Muawiya's companions, "I will not kill you willingly, for I fear Allah, the Lord of the worlds." Al-Shafi'i and Al-Harbi fought fiercely on the Day of Siffin, with Muawiya fighting aggressively throughout his reign, either maintaining his position or overpowering his opponents. Ali said to the captive from Muawiya's companions, "I will not kill you willingly, for I fear Allah, the Lord of the worlds." The esteemed scholar, may Allah have mercy on him, commented on the statement of Al-Shafi'i and Muawiya fighting fiercely throughout his reign, either maintaining his position or overpowering his opponents. This means that at times they were equals in battle, and at other times one would overpower the other. The captive was a member of Muawiya's faction, yet Ali did not kill him, nor did he seek permission to do so. It is said that Ali considered himself in a state of balance regarding this matter, as he claimed to seek revenge for the blood of Uthman. And he considered himself in a position of authority in the eyes of others, as they knew that Ali was innocent of Uthman's blood. The first opinion is more authentic, although there is a weak hadith narrated on this subject.  

عَلِيٌّ ؓ لَا أَقَتُلُكَ صَبْرًا إِنِّي أَخَافُ اللهَ رَبَّ الْعَالَمِينَ فَخَلَّى سَبِيلَهُ ثُمَّ قَالَ أَفِيكَ خَيْرٌ تُبَايِعُ؟ قَالَ الشَّافِعِيُّ وَالْحَرْبُ يَوْمَ صِفِّينَ قَائِمَةٌ وَمُعَاوِيَةُ يُقَاتِلُ جَادًّا فِي أَيَّامِهِ كُلِّهَا مَنْتَصِفًا أَوْ مُسْتَعْلِيًا وَعَلِيٌّ ؓ يَقُولُ لِأَسِيرٍ مِنْ أَصْحَابِ مُعَاوِيَةَ لَا أَقَتُلُكَ صَبْرًا إِنِّي أَخَافُ اللهَ رَبَّ الْعَالَمِينَ قَالَ الشَّيْخُ الْإِمَامُ رَحِمَهُ اللهُ قَوْلُ الشَّافِعِيِّ وَمُعَاوِيَةُ يُقَاتِلُ جَادًّا فِي أَيَّامِهِ كُلِّهَا مُنْتَصِفًا أَوْ مُسْتَعْلِيًا مَعْنَاهُ أَنَّهُ كَانَ يُسَاوِيهِ مَرَّةً فِي الْقِتَالِ وَيَعْلُوهُ أُخْرَى فَكَانَ فِئَةً لِهَذَا الْأَسِيرِ وَمَعَ ذَلِكَ لَمْ يَقْتُلْهُ عَلِيٌّ ؓ وَلَمْ يَسْتَجِزْ قَتْلَهُ وَقِيلَ مُنْتَصِفًا عِنْدَ نَفْسِهِ لِدَعْوَاهُ أَنَّهُ يَطْلُبُ دَمَ عُثْمَانَ ؓ وَمُسْتَعْلِيًا عِنْدَ غَيْرِهِ لِعِلْمِهِمْ بِأَنَّ عَلِيًّا ؓ كَانَ بَرِيئًا مِنْ دَمِ عُثْمَانَ ؓ وَالْأَوَّلُ أَصَحُّ وَقَدْ رُوِيَ فِي هَذَا حَدِيثٌ مُسْنَدٌ إِلَّا أَنَّهُ ضَعِيفٌ