Abū Turāb, is a title attributed to Ali ibn Abi Talib, the fourth MuslimCaliph, who is seen by Shia Muslims as the first of their Imams. According to Islamic tradition the Arabic title "Abu Turab" was given to Ali ibn Abi Talib by Muhammad, when he found Ali sleeping while covered with dust.[1] Sahih Muslim Vol. 1 mentions a story in which the Islamic prophet Muhammad saw Ali sleeping in the Medina mosque, while he was covered in dust. Muhammad then woke him up by saying, "Get up, Abu Turab". Abu Turab's title refers to this incident.
Abu Turab means "Father of Soil/Dust". The Quran says,' Indeed, We have warned you of a near punishment on the Day when a man will observe what his hands have put forth and the disbeliever will say, "Oh, I wish that I were dust!" '[2]
According to Vaglieri this title might have been given to him by his enemies, and fictitious narrations have emerged in the following centuries to give this title an honorable appearance.
The earliest non-Islamic source where this nickname for ʿAli b. Abī Ṭālib appears is in George of Reshʿaina in 680 AD.[3]