Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated from the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), he (peace be upon him) said: "Today I will hand over the flag to such a person who loves Allah and His Messenger." The narrator stated: So the noble Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) hoped to receive this (flag) (and they began to look to see who would get the flag). Then he (peace be upon him) said: "Where is Ali?" He (peace be upon him) was informed that his eye was hurting, so he (peace be upon him) called him and put saliva on his hand and applied it to his eye, then commanded him to go and fight. So Allah granted victory at his hand that day. Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) did not feed his family wheat bread to their fill for three days.