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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Al-Muraja'at Letter 26 Thul-Hijjah 17, 1329 I Clear Texts Recounting Ten of ‘Ali's Exclusive Merits, Suffices you, besides the hadith of the Household, what Imam Ahmad has indicated in Vol. 1 of his book Al-Mustadrak , and al-Thahbi in his Concise, who both admit its authenticity, as well as other authors of the sunan from generally accepted avenues.

They all quote ‘Umar ibn Maymun saying: "I was sitting once in the company of Ibn ‘Abbas when nine men came to him and said ‘O Ibn ‘Abbas! Either come to debate with us, or tell these folks that you prefer a private debate.' He had not lost his eye-sight yet. He said: ‘I rather debate with you.' So they started talking, but I was not sure exactly what they were talking about. Then he stood up and angrily said: ‘They are debating about a man who has ten merits nobody else ever had.

They are arguing about a man whom the holy Prophet (pbuh) has said, ‘I shall dispatch a man whom Allah shall never humiliate, one who loves Allah and His Messenger (pbuh) and who is loved by both,' so each one of them thought to him such an honour belonged. The holy Prophet (pbuh) inquired about ‘Ali. When the latter came unto him, with his eyes swelling in ailment, he (pbuh) blew in his eyes, shook the standard thrice and gave it to him.

‘Ali came back victorious with Safiyya bint Huyay [al-Akhtab] among his captives.'" Ibn ‘Abbas proceeded to say, "Then the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) sent someone with surat al-Tawbah, but he had to send ‘Ali after him to discharge the responsibility, saying: ‘Nobody can discharge it except a man who is of me, and I am of him.'" Ibn ‘Abbas also said, "The Messenger of Allah (pbuh), with ‘Ali sitting beside him, asked his cousins once: ‘Who among you elects to be my wali in this life and the life hereafter?' They all declined, but ‘Ali said: ‘I would like to be your wali in this life and the life to come,' whereupon he (pbuh) responded by saying: ‘You are, indeed, my wali in this life and the life hereafter.'" Ibn ‘Abbas continues to say that ‘Ali was the first person to accept Islam after Khadija, and that the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) took his own robe and put it over ‘Ali, Fatima, Hasan and Husayn, then recited the verse saying: "Allah wishes to remove all abomination from you, O [people of my household] and purify you with a perfect purification (Qur'an, 33:33)." He has also said: "‘Ali bought his own soul.