Hence, Hazrat ‘Ali (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) immediately went out, looking for some work that he could do to earn some food which he could present to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). As Hazrat ‘Ali (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) went around looking for work, he came to an orchard belonging to a certain Jew. Hazrat ‘Ali (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) offered to draw water from the well for the Jew, on the condition that for every bucket of water, the Jew should pay him one date.

Hazrat ‘Ali (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) then drew seventeen buckets of water from the well. When the time of payment arrived, the Jew offered Hazrat ‘Ali (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) to take any dates that he wished from his orchard. Thus, Hazrat ‘Ali (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) took seventeen dates of the ‘Ajwah variety, and then brought them and presented them to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam).

When he presented the dates to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) addressed him by his kunyah (filial title) and asked him, “O Abul Hasan! Where did you get these dates from?” Hazrat ‘Ali (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) replied, “O Nabi of Allah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam)! I heard of the hunger that you are undergoing, so I went out seeking some work so that I could acquire some food to present to you!”

Hearing this, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) asked him, “Did you do this solely out of love for Allah Ta‘ala and His Rasul (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam)?” Hazrat ‘Ali (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) replied, “Yes, O Nabi of Allah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam)!”

Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) then said, “There is no slave who possesses true love for Allah Ta‘ala and His Rasul (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), except that he will be tested (at times) with poverty. Hence, the one who possesses true love for Allah Ta‘ala and His Rasul (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) should prepare himself for the tests of sabr.”

(Sunan Kubra lil-Bayhaqi #11649 and Sunan Ibnu Maajah #2446)