And he said: "I will surely take from Your servants a designated portion."} The first used to be called the Successor of the Messenger of God, and the second by the title of Commander (al-Amara); these two names in reality belong to our Master Amir Almuminin—exalted be his glory.

His uncle al-Muqawwim ibn Abd al-Muttalib named him: al-Salsal

Al-Salsal is the dust that rises above all things. He intended by it, in the language of the Arabs, "movement" and "speed." Our Master—exalted be his glory—was intense in movement; for this reason, the Prophet—exalted be his glory—gave him the patronymic Abu Turab (Father of Dust), because He is the father of everything created from dust.

His nurse (his wet-nurse) named him: Maymun (Fortunate/Blessed)

(273) Our Master al-Sadiq—exalted be his glory—said: "His nurse was a Bedouin woman of the Hilali tribe who suckled him in the desert; his foster-brother was Uthman ibn Maz'un." At the door of the house pitched for them was a pool of water. His nurse went away for some of her needs, leaving Uthman ibn Maz'un and Ali as two infants crawling—Mighty and Sublime, Exalted is He far above what they say. Amir Almuminin shouted at Uthman, who fled from before Him and tumbled into the pool. Our Master Amir Almuminin—exalted be his glory—caught Uthman by the leg while Uthman was screaming. His nurse arrived and found them in this state, saying to our Master—exalted be his glory: "O Maymun, you have indeed bestowed a favor upon me by saving my child."

Muhammad ibn Ishaq the Judge said: I related that she said to him: "O Mujammi' (the Uniter), you have united my child with me." Among the Bani Hilal, there is a house called "Majma'", meaning a blessed house.

His grandmother named him: Khabira (The All-Aware)