Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah 34293 — The virtues of Ali bin Abi Talib

Sayyiduna Imran bin Husayn (may Allah be pleased with him) said: the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) sent out an army and appointed Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) as commander over them. Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) did something which the people disliked. So four of the Companions of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) pledged to one another that they would mention this to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him). Whenever these people returned from a journey, they would begin with the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him): they would greet him (peace and blessings be upon him) and look upon him, then go back to their camel saddles. The narrator said: When all the men of the army had arrived and had greeted him (peace and blessings be upon him), one of those four stood up and said: "O Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), what is your opinion about Ali (may Allah be pleased with him), that he has done such a thing?" The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) turned towards that man with signs of anger evident on his (peace and blessings be upon him) 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 Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) is the friend of every believer after me."