to the invitations of slaves, and he would ride a donkey; indeed, I saw him on the day of Khaybar mounted on a donkey whose bridle was made of palm fibre.
Yaʿqūb ibn ʿAbd al-Raḥmān related—through Abū Ḥāzim—from Sahl ibn Saʿd that on the day of Khaybar the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, declared: “Tomorrow I shall place the banner in the hand of a man through whom Allah will grant victory. He loves Allah and His Messenger, and Allah and His Messenger love him.” The people spent the night discussing which of them would receive it. At daybreak they came eagerly to the Messenger of Allah, each hoping to be given the banner. He asked, “Where is ʿAlī ibn Abī Ṭālib?” They replied, “Messenger of Allah, he is suffering with his eyes.” He said, “Send for him.” When ʿAlī was brought, the Messenger of Allah spat into his eyes and prayed for him, and they were healed as though he had never been in pain. He then handed him the banner. ʿAlī said, “Messenger of Allah, shall I fight them until they become like us?” He answered, “Advance at a gentle pace until you reach their courtyard, then invite them to Islam and inform them of what Allah requires of them; for, by Allah, if Allah guides a single man through you, it is better for you than possessing a whole herd of red camels.” He (the author) cited this on the authority of Qutaybah, from Yaʿqūb.
Suhayl ibn Abī Ṣāliḥ narrated—from his father—from Abū Hurayrah that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “Tomorrow I will give the banner to a man whom Allah and His Messenger love; Allah will grant victory through his hands.” ʿUmar remarked, “I never desired leadership except on that day.” The Prophet then summoned ʿAlī, dispatched him, and said, “Go forth, fight until Allah grants you victory, and do not look back.” ʿAlī asked, “Over what shall I fight the people?” He replied, “Fight them until they testify that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger. Once they do that, their blood and property are protected—except for what is due by right—and their account rests with Allah.” Muslim recorded this report, and both of them transmitted a similar version from