English Translation

Abu al-Abbas narrated to us, Ibrahim ibn Marzuq narrated to us, Wahb ibn Jarir and Abu Dawud narrated to us; and Abu Bakr ibn Ishaq narrated to us, Isma'il ibn Ishaq al-Qadi informed us, Sulayman ibn Harb and Hafs ibn Amr narrated to us, (through their chains) from 'Amr ibn Murra, from Abdullah ibn Salama who said: 'We — I and two men, one from among us and one from Banu Asad — visited Hadrat Ali (may Allah be well pleased with him). He sent the two of them on an errand and said: You are two robust men, so strive for your religion. Then he entered the lavatory, came out, and called for water and washed his hands. Then he began reciting the Quran. It was as though we found it strange. He said: It is as if you two found that strange? The Beloved Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) used to relieve himself, then recite the Quran, and eat meat — nothing would prevent him from reciting except janaba (major ritual impurity).' This hadith has an authentic chain. The two Shaykhs did not use Abdullah ibn Salama as proof — the hadith revolves around him — yet Abdullah ibn Salama has no criticism against him.