Al-Ṭabarānī said:
“Muḥammad ibn ʿAbd Allāh al-Khuḍarī narrated to us, ʿUthmān ibn Abī Shaybah narrated to us, Jarīr narrated to us, from ʿUmar ibn Ḥārith, who said:
‘When ʿAlī ibn al-Ḥusayn passed away and they washed his body, they noticed dark marks across his back. They asked, “What are these?” It was said, “He used to carry sacks of flour on his back at night and give them to the poor of Madinah.”’⦗1⦘

Ibn ʿĀʾishah said: ‘I heard the people of Madinah say, “We never missed the secret charity until ʿAlī ibn al-Ḥusayn died.”’⦗2⦘

ʿAbd Allāh ibn Ḥanbal related—through Ibn Ishkāb, from Muḥammad ibn Bishr, from Abū al-Minhāl al-Ṭāʾī—that whenever ʿAlī ibn al-Ḥusayn handed alms to a poor person, he would first kiss it and then give it over.

Al-Ṭabarī reported: ‘Yaḥyā ibn Zakariyyā al-Ghallābī told us; al-ʿUtubī told us—my father told me—that ʿAlī ibn al-Ḥusayn, who was one of the four most outstanding men of Banū Hāshim, said: “My son, be patient when calamities strike and do not trespass upon people’s rights. Never disappoint your brother except in a matter whose harm to you outweighs its benefit.”’

Al-Ṭabarānī also transmitted from him that he was once sitting with a group when a cry was heard from inside his house. He rose, went in, and then returned to the gathering. They asked, ‘Was the cry on account of some misfortune?’ He answered, ‘Yes.’ They offered condolences and marveled at his composure, whereupon he said, ‘We—people of this house—obey Allah, exalted is He, concerning what we love, and we praise Him for what we dislike.’

Al-Ṭabarānī further related that he said:
‘On the Day of Resurrection a herald will call out: “Let the people of excellence stand!” A group will rise and it will be said to them, “Proceed to Paradise.” The angels will meet them and ask, “Where are you going?” They will reply, “To Paradise.” The angels will ask, “Before the reckoning?” They will answer, “Yes.” The angels will say, “Who are you?” They will reply, “We are the people of excellence.” The angels will ask, “What was your excellence?” They will say, “When others acted ignorantly toward us, we showed forbearance; when we were wronged, we were patient; and when we were mistreated, we forgave.” The angels will say, “Enter Paradise—how excellent is the reward of those who act!”

‘Then a herald will call, “Let the people of patience stand!” Another group will rise and be told, “Proceed to Paradise.” The angels will meet them and ask the same questions. They will reply, “We are the people of patience.” The angels will ask, “What was your patience?” They will say, “We restrained our souls to obey Allah, restrained them from disobeying Allah, and bore affliction.” The angels will say, “Enter Paradise—how excellent is the reward of those who act!”

‘Then the herald will call, “Let the neighbors of Allah in His abode stand!” A small group will rise and be told, “Proceed to Paradise.” The angels will meet them and ask the same questions, saying, “By what did you merit being neighbors of Allah, exalted is He, in His abode?” They will answer, “We used to visit one another for Allah’s sake, sit together for Allah’s sake, and give to one another for Allah’s sake—exalted is He.” It will be said, “Enter Paradise—how excellent is the reward of those who act!”’

ʿAlī ibn al-Ḥusayn also said: ‘Allah loves the believing sinner who constantly repents.’

And he said: ‘Whoever neglects enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong is like one who throws the Book of Allah behind his back—unless he fears them for his safety.’ They asked, ‘What kind of fear?’ He replied, ‘He fears that a stubborn tyrant may attack and oppress him.’