Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah 34251 — The virtues of Ali bin Abi Talib

Al-Hakam (may Allah have mercy on him), al-Minhal (may Allah have mercy on him) and Isa (may Allah have mercy on him), all of them said that Abd al-Rahman bin Abi Layla (may Allah have mercy on him) said: Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) used to go out in winter in a waist-wrapper and a cloak, two light garments, and in summer in a warm gown and heavy clothes. So the people said to Abd al-Rahman: "If you were to ask your father, he would tell you, because he talks with him at night." So I asked my father: "The people see something in the Commander of the Believers which they find strange." He asked: "What is it?" I said: "He goes out in the intense heat in a warm gown and heavy clothes, and he does not mind it at all. And in the intense cold he goes out in two light garments and small sheets, and he does not mind this at all, nor does he protect himself from the cold. Have you heard anything from him about this? For the people have told me to ask you to inquire of Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) about this when you talk with him at night." So when he talked with Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) at night, he said to him: "O Commander of the Believers, the people have observed something about you." He asked: "What is it?" He said: "You go out in the intense heat in a warm gown or heavy clothes, and in severe cold you go out in two light garments and sheets, and you do not mind this, nor do you try to protect yourself from the cold." He said: "O Abu Layla, were you not with us at the Battle of Khaybar?" I said: "Of course! By Allah, I was with you." He said: "The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) sent Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him). He set out with the people, but he came back defeated. And he sent Sayyiduna Umar (may Allah be pleased with him), but he too came back defeated. Then the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: 'I shall certainly give the flag to a man who loves Allah and His Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him), and whom Allah and His Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) love. Allah will grant him victory. He is not one who turns his back and flees.' Then he (peace and blessings be upon him) sent a messenger to call me. I presented myself, and I was suffering from an eye inflammation and could see nothing. So he (peace and blessings be upon him) put his saliva in my eye, then supplicated: 'O Allah, suffice him against cold and heat.'" He said: "Since then, neither cold nor heat has ever harmed me."