He was among the earliest pioneers of Islam, fought at Badr and every subsequent battle, and was also known by the kunya Abū Turāb.

ʿAbd al-ʿAzīz ibn Abī Ḥāzim narrated, from his father, from Sahl, that a man from the family of Marwān was appointed governor of Medina. He summoned me and ordered me to abuse ʿAlī, but I refused. He then said, “If you will not, then at least curse Abū Turāb.” Sahl continued: ʿAlī had no name dearer to him than this; whenever he was called by it he would rejoice. The governor said, “Tell us the story—why was he called Abū Turāb?” Sahl replied:

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ came to Fāṭimah’s house and did not find ʿAlī there. He asked, “Where is your cousin?” She answered, “Something occurred between us that upset me, so he left and did not rest here.” The Prophet said to someone, “Go and look for him.” The man returned and reported, “Messenger of Allah, he is lying in the mosque.” The Prophet ﷺ went to him and found him stretched out; his cloak had slipped from one side of his body and dust had settled upon him. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ began wiping the dust from him and kept saying, “Get up, Abū Turāb! Get up, Abū Turāb!” Recorded by Muslim.

Abū Rajāʾ al-ʿAṭāridī said: I saw ʿAlī as an elderly man, bald but with abundant hair, as though he were wrapped in a sheep’s skin; of medium stature, with a large belly and a thick beard.

Suwaydah ibn Ḥanẓalah said: I saw ʿAlī with a beard that had turned yellow.

Muḥammad ibn al-Ḥanafiyyah related: ʿAlī once dyed his hair with henna, then