“Yes,” he answered. Abū Ṭālib then said, “So stand by your cousin and support him.” ʿAlī accepted Islam before Abū Bakr.

Qatādah stated: ʿAlī carried the banner of the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, at Badr and in every subsequent engagement.

Abū Hurayrah and others related that on the day of Khaybar the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, declared, “Tomorrow I shall give the standard to a man who loves Allah and His Messenger, and Allah and His Messenger love him; through him Allah will grant victory.” ʿUmar said, “Never before had I desired leadership as I did that day.” The Prophet then called for ʿAlī and handed the banner to him. The remainder of the tradition is recorded earlier under the expedition of Khaybar with its various chains.

Muḥammad ibn ʿAbd al-Raḥmān ibn Abī Laylā, transmitting from al-Minhāl, from ʿAbdullāh ibn Abī Laylā, said: “My father used to spend the evenings in conversation with ʿAlī. ʿAlī would wear summer clothes in winter and winter clothes in summer. I said to my father, ‘Why do you not ask him about that?’ So he did, and ʿAlī replied, ‘The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, sent for me on the day of Khaybar while my eyes were inflamed. I said, “Messenger of Allah, my eyes are sore.” He spat in my eye and prayed, “O Allah, remove from him heat and cold.” From that day to this I have never felt heat or cold.’”

Jarīr narrated from Mughīrah, from Umm Mūsā: “I heard ʿAlī say …”