It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) that Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) staked his own life: he wrapped himself in the cloak of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and slept in his place. The polytheists were throwing (stones) at the bed of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), while he (peace and blessings be upon him) had clothed Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) in his cloak. Quraysh were intent on killing the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him); they kept throwing stones at Ali (may Allah be pleased with him), thinking all the while that he was the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) wrapped in his cloak. Meanwhile, Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) kept turning over and writhing (from the pain). Then, when the polytheists realized that it was Ali, they said: You turned out to be very mean-spirited; you were writhing, whereas your companion (Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him)) never writhed, and we did find your state suspicious. The chain of this hadith is sahih (authentic), and the two Shaykhs did not record it. Abu Dawud al-Tayalisi and others have also narrated it from Abu Awanah with some additional words.

It is narrated from Ali bin al-Husayn that the first person to offer his life for the pleasure of Allah was Ali bin Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him), and Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) recited these verses on that perilous night on the bed of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him): "With my own life I protected the one who is the most exalted of all who tread upon the pebbles and of all who circle the Ancient House and the Black Stone, namely the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), concerning whom it was feared that the enemies would plot; so Allah Almighty, the Possessor of bounty, saved him from that plot. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) remained in the cave in complete safety, with Allah's protection and covering over him, while I spent the whole night watching the enemies as they wished for my death, though I had fully prepared myself to be killed or taken captive."