Narrated Abu Hazim: A man came to Sahl bin Sa`d and said, "This is so-and-so," meaning the Governor of Medina, "He is calling Ali (as) bad names near the pulpit." Sahl asked, "What is he saying?" He (i.e. the man) replied, "He calls him (i.e. `Ali (as)) Abu Turab." Sahl laughed and said, "By Allah, none but the Prophet (s.a.w.a.) called him by this name and no name was dearer to `Ali (as) than this." So I asked Sahl to tell me more, saying, "O Abu `Abbas! How (was this name given to `Ali (as))?" Sahl said, "`Ali (as) went to Fatima (as) and then came out and slept in the Mosque. The Prophet (s.a.w.a.) asked Fatima (as), "Where is your cousin?" She said, "In the Mosque." The Prophet (s.a.w.a.) went to him and found that his (i.e. `Ali's (as)) covering sheet had slipped of his back and dust had soiled his back. The Prophet (s.a.w.a.) started wiping the dust off his back and said twice, "Get up! O Abu Turab.
Sahl ibn Sa'd related that the name which 'Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, liked best was Abu Turab and that he was happy when he was called that. Only the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, called him that. One day 'Ali was cross with Fatima and went out and reclined against the wall of the mosque. The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, came to look for him and was told that he was leaning against the wall. The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, went up to him and found that his back was covered with dust. The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, began to wipe the dust off his back and said, 'Sit down Abu Turab (father of dust)!
Sahl b. Sa`d reported that a person from the offspring of Marwan was appointed as the governor of Medina. He called Sahl b. Sa`d and ordered him to abuse `Ali. Sahl refused to do that. He (the governor) said to him:
If you do not agree to it (at least) say: May Allah curse Abu Turab. Sahl said: There was no name dearer to `Ali than Abu Turab (for it was given to him by the Prophet himself) and he felt delighted when he was called by this name. He (the governor) said to him: Narrate to us the story of his being named as Abu Turab. He said: Allah's Messenger (s.a.w.a.) came to the house of Fatima and he did not find `Ali in the house; whereupon he said: Where is your uncle's son? She said: (There cropped up something) between me and him which had annoyed him with me. He went out and did not rest here. Allah's Messenger (s.a.w.a.) asked a person to find out where he was. He came and said: Allah's Messenger, he is sleeping in the mosque. Allah's Messenger (s.a.w.a.) came to him and found him lying in the mosque and saw that his mantle had slipped from his back and his back was covered with dust and Allah's Messenger (s.a.w.a.) began to wipe it away from him (from the body of Hadrat `Ali) saying: Get up, covered with dust (Abu Turab); get up, covered with dust.