The merits of the Commander of the Believers Ali bin Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him) not recorded by the two Shaykhs: the virtues of Ali bin Abi Talib

Ahmad bin Hanbal said: "There have not been narrated for any of the Companions of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) as many virtues and merits as have been reported concerning Sayyiduna Ali bin Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him)."

Yahya bin Ma'in said: "The name of Abu Talib was Abd Manaf."
Imam al-Hakim said: Ziyad has likewise transmitted it from Muhammad bin Ishaq, whereas there are mass-transmitted reports that Abu Talib's kunyah was in fact his name; and Allah knows best.

Yahya bin Ma'in said: "The honoured mother of Sayyiduna Ali bin Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him) is Fatimah bint Asad bin Hashim."

It is narrated from Mus'ab bin Abdullah al-Zubayri that Fatimah bint Asad bin Hashim was the first Hashimi woman to bear children from a Hashimi man (Abu Talib). In the blessed era of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), she held the highest rank of faith. She passed away during the outward lifetime of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), and he (peace and blessings be upon him) himself led her funeral prayer. The name of Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) was (initially) Asad, and it is in this connection that he used to recite this rajaz verse (on the occasion of the Battle of Khaybar): 'Ana alladhi sammatni ummi Haydarah' (I am the one whom my mother named Haydar (lion)).