حدثنا أحمد بن الحسن القطان، قال، حدثنا أحمد بن يحيى بن زكريا القطان، قال: حدثنا بكر بن عبد الله بن حبيب، قال: حدثنا حسان بن علي المدائني قال: حدثنا العباس بن مكرم، عن سعد الخفاف ، عن الأصبغ بن نباتة قال: كتب عثمان ابن عفان حين أحيط به إلى علي بن أبي طالب عليه السلام: أما بعد، فقد جاوز الماء الزبى، وبلغ الحزام الطبيين، وتجاوز الامر بي قدره، وطمع في من لا يدفع عن نفسه. فإن كنت مأكولا فكن خير آكل * وإلا فأدركني ولما أمزق.
1.	We were told by Ahmad bin Hasan al-Qattan, that he said: We were told by Ahmad bin Yahya bin Zakariya al-Qattan, that he said: We were told by Bikr bin Abdullah bin Habib, that he said: We were told by Hassaan bin Ali al-Mada’ini, that he said: We were told by Abbas bin Makram, from Sa’d al-Khaffaf, from Asbagh bin Nubata, that he said: Uthman bin Affan wrote, when he was surrounded, to Ali bin Abi Talib, peace be upon him: To proceed, the water has exceeded the zuba, the belt has reached the tubyayn, the matter has exceeded its extent with me, and I have been sought by those who do not repel from themselves. Hence, if you are one who eats, then be the best one who eats. Otherwise, catch up with me while I am being ripped.