Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah 34274 — The virtues of Ali bin Abi Talib

Shaddad Abu Ammar said: I came to Sayyiduna Wathilah (may Allah be pleased with him) while some people were sitting with him. They mentioned Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) and began to revile him, and I too spoke ill of him along with them. Sayyiduna Wathilah (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "Shall I not tell you of the hadith that I myself heard from the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him)?" I said: "Of course, please do tell it." He said: "I went to Sayyidah Fatimah (may Allah be pleased with her) and asked her about Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him). She said: 'He has gone to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him).' So I sat waiting until the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) came, and with him were Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him), Sayyiduna al-Hasan (may Allah be pleased with him) and Sayyiduna al-Husayn (may Allah be pleased with him), each of the two holding his hand, until they entered the house. Then he (peace and blessings be upon him) brought Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) and Sayyidah Fatimah (may Allah be pleased with her) close to him and seated them both in front of him. He also seated Sayyiduna al-Hasan (may Allah be pleased with him) and Sayyiduna al-Husayn (may Allah be pleased with him), these two being on his thighs. Then he (peace and blessings be upon him) put his garment, or a cloak, over all of them. Then he recited this verse: 'O household of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), Allah only wishes to remove impurity from you.' Then he (peace and blessings be upon him) said: 'O Allah, these are my household, and my household are the most deserving.'"