Musnad Ahmad 840 — Musnad of Ali ibn Abi Talib

Abdullah bin Salamah says that once I and two other men, one of whom was from my tribe and the other from Banu Asad, were sent ahead by Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him), and he said, "You both are still inexperienced, so practice to understand the religion." Then he went to the toilet, relieved himself, and when he came out, he took a handful of water and wiped it over his face, and began to recite the Qur'an. When he saw that we were surprised at this, he said, "The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) would also begin to recite the Noble Qur'an after coming out from relieving himself, and he would eat meat with us as well. Nothing except major ritual impurity (janabah) could prevent him from reciting the Noble Qur'an."