Ali Ibn Abi Talib - Volume 1 of 2

442 The oath of allegiance to 'Ali, his characteristics & his way of lqe
high as it is here (meaning in the west) at the time of the afternoon
prayer, then he would get up and pray two raka'ahs. Then he would
wait until the sun was here (meaning in the east) as high as it is here
(meaning in the west) at the time of the noon prayer, then he would
get up and pray four raka'ahs. (And he would pray) four raka'ahs
before the noon prayer when the sun passed the meridian and two
afterwards, and four raka'ahs before the aftemoon prayer, separating
each two raka'ahs with salh upon the angels who are close to Allah
(s) and the Prophets and those who followed them of the believers
and Muslims.' 'Ali (&) said: 'That is sixteen raka'ahs of optional
prayer that the Prophet (g) did during the day, and very few people
can persist in doing that."'438
Elsewhere, Amir al-Mu'mineen (&) explained the teachings
of the Messenger of Allah (a) concerning ~ i t r He . ~ said: ~ ~ "The
Messenger of AUah (@)prayed witr at the beginning of the night and
at the end of it and in the middle, and as late as just before dawn."440
Explaining what the Prophet (B) did after his prayer, Amir d-
Mu'mineen 'Ali ibn Abi Taib (&) said: "When the Prophet (g)
said sdim at the end of his prayer, he would say: '0 AUah! Forgive
me what I have done in the past, what I will do in the future, what I
have concealed, what I have done openly, and what I have exceeded
in, whatever You know about me more than I. You are the One Who
brings forward, and You are the One Who puts hack. There is no god
except
3.5.3. Amir al-Mu'mineen 'Ali's
description of the noble Companions
When Amir d-Mu'rnineen 'Ali ibn Ahi T%h (4) noticed
some negligence and laziness among his companions with regard to
worship, he reminded them of the lives of their predecessors, the
Companions of the Messenger of Allah (g). Among the reports