Maʿānī al-ʾAkhbār 1, narration 93

Translation

11. We were told by Ahmad bin Hasan al-Qattan, that he said: We were told by Ahmad bin Yahya bin Zakariya al-Qattan, that he said: We were told by Bikr bin Abdullah bin Habib, from Tamim bin Buhlul, from his father, from Abu’l-Hasan al-‘Abdi, from Sulayman bin Mahran, from ‘Abaya bin Rab’I, that he said: A man came to Ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him, and said to him: Tell me about the anza’, the bateen [1], Ali bin Abi Talib, peace be upon him, for the people have differed about him. Then Ibn Abbas said to him: O man, by Allah, you have certainly asked about a man whom none stepped on pebbles after Allah’s Messenger, Allah’s blessings be upon him and his Family, who was better than him. Indeed, he is, verily, the brother of Allah’s Messenger, Allah’s blessings be upon him and his Family, the son of his paternal uncle, his Bequeathed and Successor over his nation. Indeed, he is, verily, stripped from polytheism, filled with knowledge. I have, verily, heard the Messenger of Allah, Allah’s blessings be upon him and his Family, say: The one who wants salvation tomorrow, let him hold onto the waist cloth of this anza’. Referring to Ali, peace be upon him.

Translation: Basel Kadem — published with the edition, reproduced verbatim.