Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah

Hazrat Imran bin Husain (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) sent an army and appointed Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) as their commander. Then Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) did something which the people disliked. So four people from among the companions of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) made a pact that they would mention this matter before the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him). And when these people returned from the journey, they intended to inform the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him). So they greeted him and looked towards him, then the people turned back to their saddles. The narrator says: When all the people of the army had come and greeted the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), one of these four stood up and said: O Messenger of Allah! What is your opinion about Ali (may Allah be pleased with him), for he has done such and such a thing? The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) turned towards that person, and signs of anger were visible on his face. He (peace and blessings be upon him) said: What do you want from Ali (may Allah be pleased with him)? What do you want from Ali (may Allah be pleased with him)? Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) is from me and I am from Ali (may Allah be pleased with him), and after me, Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) is the friend of every believer.