غزواته وسراياه صلى الله عليه وسلم
Sahl ibn Sa‘d As-Sā‘idi (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Verily, I will give the flag tomorrow to a man who loves Allah and His Messenger, and is loved by Allah and His Messenger, and Allah will bring victory under his leadership." So, the people spent the night wondering as to who of them would be given the flag. In the morning, they all went to the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) each hoping to be that person. He asked: "Where is ‘Ali ibn Abu Tālib?" He was told that he was suffering from some eye ailment. They sent for ‘Ali and he came. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) spat into his eyes and supplicated Allah for him. ‘Ali at once was cured as if he had no ailment at all. Then, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) gave him the flag saying: "Proceed to them steadily and do not hurry till you enter their land. Then, invite them to Islam, and inform them of what is enjoined upon them, for, by Allah, if Allah guides even one man through you, it will be better for you than possessing red camels.”
عن سهل بن سعد الساعدي -رضي الله عنه- مرفوعاً: "لأعطين الراية غدا رجلا يحب الله ورسوله ويحبه الله ورسوله، يفتح الله على يديه، فبات الناس يدوكون ليلتهم أيهم يعطاها فلما أصبحوا غدوا على رسول الله -صلى الله عليه وسلم- كلهم يرجو أن يعطاها: فقال: أين علي بن أبي طالب؟ فقيل: هو يشتكي عينيه، فأرسلوا إليه فأتي به، فبصق في عينيه، ودعا له فبرأ كأن لم يكن به وجع، فأعطاه الراية فقال: انفذ على رسلك حتى تنزل بساحتهم، ثم ادعهم إلى الإسلام وأخبرهم بما يجب عليهم من حق الله -تعالى- فيه، فوالله لأن يهدي الله بك رجلا واحدا خير لك من حمر النعم".
شرح الحديث :
The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) gave the Companions the glad tidings of the Muslims' victory over the Jews on the next day under the leadership of a man who was of great virtue and loyalty to Allah and His Messenger (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him). Each of the Companions hoped that he would be that man, out of their keenness on doing good. When they went to the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) he asked for ‘Ali, who was not present because of some sickness he suffered in his eyes. Then he came and the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) spat some of his blessed saliva into his eyes, and the pain and sickness that ‘Ali was feeling were completely cured. Then the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) appointed him the leader of the army and ordered him to move forward with ease and patience until he would reach the fortress of the enemy, and start by inviting them to Islam. If they accepted, he would inform them about the obligations imposed upon a Muslim. Then the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) explained to ‘Ali the virtue of inviting people to Islam, and that the one who calls to Islam, if one person accepts Islam because of him, then this will be better for him than attaining the best type of wealth in this world, not to mention if more people accept Islam because of him.