What was inscribed on the piece of cloth which was attached to the pommel of Nabi’s (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) sword?

Question

Is this authentic?

Ali ibn Abi Talib (radiyallahu anhu) said: I found inscribed on the handle of the Messenger of Allah’s (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) sword:

“Forgive those who have wronged you, reconcile with those who have cut you off, show excellence to those who have shown you evil, and speak the truth even if it’s against yourself.”

Answer

This narration is recorded by Imam Ibn Najjar and in a Hadith Juz’ of Abu ‘Ali ibn Shadhan. Hafiz Ibn Hajar Al ‘Asqalani (rahimahullah) has pointed out a weak narrator in the chain. See here

(Refer: At Talkhisul Habir, vol. 4 pg. 1897 and Kanzul ‘Ummal, Hadith: 6929)

The wording of the narration is as follows:

عن علي بن أبي طالب قال ضممت إلى سلاح النبي صلى الله عليه و سلم فوجدت في قائم سيفه رقعة فيها صل من قطعك وأحسن إلى من أساء إليك وقل الحق ولو على نفسك

Sayyiduna ‘Ali (radiyallahu ‘anhu) reported: “I took hold of the sword of Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) and found a piece of cloth attached to the pommel. Inscribed on it were the following words, ‘Join ties with those who sever ties, do good to the one who harms you and speak the truth even if it is against you.”

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.

Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala

Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar