from his father, saying "Mu'awiyah bin Abu Sufyan ordered Sa'd, saying 'What prevented you from reviling Abu Turab?' He said: 'Three things that I remember from the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) prevent me from reviling him. That I should have even one those things is more beloved to me than red camels. I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) speaking to 'Ali, and he had left him behind in one of his battles. So 'Ali said to him: "O Messenger of Allah! You leave me behind with women and children?" So the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said to him: "Are you not pleased that you should be in the position with me that Harun was with Musa? Except that there is no Prophethood after me?" And on the Day of (the battle of) Khaibar, I heard him saying: "I shall give the banner to a man who loves Allah and His Messenger, and Allah and His Messenger love him." So we all waited for that, then he said: "Call 'Ali for me." He said: 'So he came to him, and he had been suffering from Ramad (an eye condition), so he (ﷺ) put spittle in his eye and gave the banner to him, then Allah granted him victory. And when this Ayah was revealed: 'Let us call our sons and your sons, our women and your women...' (3:61) the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) called 'Ali, Fatimah, Hasan, and Husain and said: "O Allah, these are my family."
Hadith Commentary: The Virtues of 'Ali ibn Abi Talib
This narration from Jami' at-Tirmidhi (Hadith 3724) in the "Chapters on Virtues" presents three profound merits of 'Ali ibn Abi Talib that prevented Sa'd from speaking ill of him. The classical scholars explain that these virtues establish 'Ali's unique status among the Companions.
First Virtue: The Position of Harun
The Prophet's statement "Are you not pleased that you should be in the position with me that Harun was with Musa?" signifies 'Ali's role as deputy and successor during the Prophet's absence. Scholars note this indicates 'Ali's superiority and closeness to the Prophet, similar to Harun's relationship with Musa, though without prophethood.
Second Virtue: The Banner of Khaybar
The Prophet specifically chose 'Ali for the banner at Khaybar, describing him as one "who loves Allah and His Messenger, and Allah and His Messenger love him." Classical commentators emphasize this demonstrates 'Ali's exceptional faith and divine acceptance, making him worthy of such honor during a crucial military campaign.
Third Virtue: Inclusion in the Ahl al-Bayt
When the verse of Mubahala (3:61) was revealed, the Prophet presented 'Ali, Fatimah, Hasan, and Husain as his family. Scholars explain this establishes 'Ali's purification and special status as among the purified household of the Prophet, deserving of respect and love from all Muslims.
Scholarly Conclusion
Traditional scholars conclude that these three virtues collectively demonstrate 'Ali's elevated status, making it impermissible for any Muslim to revile him. Sa'd's refusal to comply with Mu'awiyah's request reflects proper understanding of the Companions' respect for each other's merits.