حدثنا قتيبه بن سعيد قال حدثنا ابو الاحوص عن ابي اسحاق عن علي بن ربيعه قال شهدت عليا اتي بدابه ليركبها فلما وضع رجله في الركاب قال بسم الله فلما استوي علي ظهرها قال الحمد لله ثم قال سبحان الذي سخر لنا هذا وما كنا له مقرنين الزخرف وانا الي ربنا لمنقلبون الزخرف ثم قال الحمد لله ثلاثا والله اكبر ثلاثا سبحانك اني ظلمت نفسي فاغفر لي فانه لا يغفر الذنوب الا انت ثم ضحك فقلت له من اي شيء ضحكت يا امير المؤمنين قال رايت رسول الله صلي الله عليه وسلم صنع كما صنعت ثم ضحك فقلت من اي شيء ضحكت يا رسول الله قال ان ربك ليعجب من عبده اذا قال رب اغفر لي ذنوبي انه لا يغفر الذنوب غيرك
‘Ali ibn Rabī‘ah reported: I was there when a mount was brought to ‘Ali ibn Abi Tālib (may Allah be pleased with him) to ride on. When he put his foot in the stirrup, he said: "In the name of Allah". When he settled himself on its back, he recited: "Exalted is He who has subjected this to us, and we could not have otherwise subdued it. And indeed we, to our Lord, will surely return." He then recited: "Praise be to Allah" three times, and then: "Allah is the Greatest" three times. Then he said: "Exalted are You above any imperfection. I have wronged myself, so forgive me, for none but You can forgive sins" and then he laughed. It was asked: "O Commander of the Believers, what made you laugh?" He replied: "I saw the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) doing as I have done then he laughed." I asked him: ”O Messenger of Allah, what made you laugh?” He said: “Your Lord, the Exalted, is pleased when His slave seeks His forgiveness; he (the slave) knows that none can forgive sins except Allah."
