Habbah Arni says that I once saw Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) laughing on the pulpit in such a way that I had never seen him laugh so much before, to the extent that even his back teeth became visible. Then he said that I remembered something my father Abu Talib once said. One time, I was praying with the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) in Batn Nakhlah when Abu Talib came and said, "Nephew! What are you both doing?" The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) presented Islam to him. He said, "There is nothing wrong with what you both are doing, but by Allah! I will not be able to raise my hips (in prayer)." Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) laughed in amazement at his father's words and said, "O Allah! I do not take pride in the fact that, besides Your Prophet, any servant of Yours in this Ummah worshipped You before me." Repeating this statement three times, he said, "I performed prayer seven years before the people started praying."