So eager were they for goodness that, when they set out at the appointed time, the Prophet ﷺ summoned ʿAlī. It happened, however, that he was not present because his eyes were sore. When he did arrive, the Prophet ﷺ spat into both eyes with his blessed saliva, and the pain disappeared completely. He then entrusted ʿAlī with command of the army and instructed him to advance calmly until he reached the enemy fortress, where he was to invite them to embrace Islam. If they responded, he was to inform them of the obligations incumbent upon a Muslim. The Prophet ﷺ also made clear to ʿAlī the superiority of calling people to Allah: if a single person is guided at one’s hands, that is better than the finest worldly wealth—how much greater, then, if more than one is guided.

Relevance of the hadith to the chapter: it establishes the legitimacy of inviting people to Islam, which is the substance of bearing witness that there is no god but Allah, and it clarifies the virtue of doing so.

Lessons derived from the hadith:

1. The manifest excellence of ʿAlī ibn Abī Ṭālib, may Allah be pleased with him, and the Prophet’s testimony that he was devoted to Allah and His Messenger, believing both outwardly and inwardly.
2. Affirmation that Allah loves His friends with a love appropriate to His majesty, just as befits all His noble and perfect attributes.
3. The Companions’ eagerness for goodness and their competition in righteous deeds, may Allah be pleased with them.
4. The prescribed etiquette during battle: eschewing rashness and needless clamour.
5. A leader’s duty to direct his officers to be gentle and lenient without weakness or loss of resolve.
6. The obligation to invite people to Islam, especially before fighting disbelievers.
7. Whoever among the disbelievers refuses the invitation must be fought.