Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah 34267 — The virtues of Ali bin Abi Talib

Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) said that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "I shall certainly give the flag today to a man who loves Allah and His Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him)." The narrator said: Then the people began raising themselves on their feet to make themselves seen. He (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Where is Ali (may Allah be pleased with him)?" They said: "He has pain in both his eyes." He (peace and blessings be upon him) called him, put his blessed saliva in his palm, and rubbed both eyes of Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) with it. Then he (peace and blessings be upon him) gave him the flag, and that very day Allah granted him victory.