This story about 'Ali ibn Abi Taalib has no origin

19-4-2016 | IslamWeb

Question:

Assalaamu alaykum dear Scholars. Is this story of 'Ali ibn Abi Taalib, may Allaah be pleased with him, reported in any authentic Islamic texts? Your assistance in the matter will be highly appreciated. May Allaah reward you. The story is narrated as follows:
'Ali ibn Abi Taalib, a companion of Prophet Muhammad, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, was once traveling on horseback and stopped in an unfamiliar town. Upon stopping outside of a mosque, he asked a nearby young man to watch his horse while he stepped inside to pray. When 'Ali ibn Abi Taalib, may Allaah be pleased with him, returned, he discovered that the young man and his horse were nowhere to be seen. Upon searching, he saw the young man attempting to sell his horse at the nearby market. Staying hidden from the young man’s sight, he asked another man standing by him to ask the young man how much he was selling the horse for. When the man returned, he informed him that the price was 10 dirhams, which the man claimed to be entirely too much for the horse that he was selling. Instead of marching forward and taking back his horse, 'Ali ibn Abi Taalib, may Allaah be pleased with him, asked the same man to purchase the horse. When prompted as to why he would pay so much for the horse, he informed him of everything and stated that he had planned to pay the young man that exact amount earlier, simply for watching his horse, since he had the wealth and was always willing to help other Muslims.

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Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

We have no knowledge of this story, and we have not found any mention of it in any of the reference books that we have at hand.

Allaah knows best.