Alī had a well-known charitable endowment. How could someone without wealth establish endowments? Umar endowed only his share in Khaybar; he had no other real estate, whereas Alī owned property at Yanbu(1) and elsewhere.

[The Rāfidī’s second claim—that Alī, may Allah be pleased with him, was the most devoted of all people to worship—and the response to it]

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The Rāfidī(2) said:

“Second: He was the most devoted of all people to worship. He fasted by day and stood in prayer by night. It was from him that people learned the night prayer, voluntary prayers by day, and most forms of worship. The supplications transmitted from him would take up all one’s time. He would perform one thousand units of prayer over the course of each night and day(3), and he never neglected the night prayer(4), even on the Night of Clamor.

“Ibn Abbās said: ‘I saw him during the fighting, watching the sun. I asked, “Commander of the Faithful, what are you doing?” He replied, “I am watching for the sun to pass its zenith so that I may pray.” I asked, “At a time like this?” He replied, “We are only fighting them over prayer(5).”’

“Thus, even in the most difficult circumstances, he never neglected to perform acts of worship(6) at the beginning of their prescribed times.

“Whenever iron(7) was to be removed from his body, he would be left until he entered