Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah 34291 — The virtues of Ali bin Abi Talib

Sayyiduna al-Bara' bin Azib (may Allah be pleased with him) said: the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) sent out two armies. Over one of them he appointed Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) as commander, and over the other Sayyiduna Khalid bin al-Walid (may Allah be pleased with him). Then he said: "If there is fighting, then Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) will be the commander over the people." Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) conquered the fort and took a slave girl exclusively for himself. Thereupon Sayyiduna Khalid (may Allah be pleased with him) wrote a letter informing him (peace and blessings be upon him) of this. When the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) read this letter he said: "What do you say about 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?"