O Muhammad! Where is your brother, Ali (a.s)?

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(1) (Omitting the chains of narrators) Abu Basir has narrated from Imam Ja’far Sadiq (a) that he has reported through his forefathers from Imam Ali (a) that he said that the Messenger of Allah (s) said to Imam Ali (a): On the night I was taken up for Meraj, I was welcomed on each heaven by the angels and they gave many glad tidings till Jibraeel introduced me to many groups of angels. All said: If the people of your community had united on the love of Ali (a), Almighty Allah would not have created Hell. O Ali, Almighty Allah presented you to me on seven occasions, so I derived your company and comfort: (1) When I reached up to the heavens Jibraeel asked: Where is your brother, Ali (a)?  I said: “I have left him on the earth.” Jibraeel told me to pray to Allah to bring him there for me. I prayed and saw your facsimile and then saw some angels in array. I asked: “Who are these?” Jibraeel replied: “They are some groups through whom Almighty Allah will be proud of you on Judgment Day.” I went to them and spoke with them about the past and future events till Judgment Day.

(2) When I was taken to the Arsh for the second time, Jibraeel asked: O Muhammad, where is your brother, Ali (a)? I said: “I left him on the earth. Jibraeel told me to pray to Allah to bring him there for me. I prayed and saw your image and all the curtains of the seven heavens were removed from my eyes. I saw the inhabitants of the celestial kingdom and saw every person who was in the sky at any place and you also saw him.

(3) When I was sent for the Jinns, Jibraeel asked: O Muhammad, where is your brother, Ali (a)? I said: “I have left him in my place, but whatever I said to the Jinns and whatever they said to me was heard and memorized by you.

(4) Almighty Allah specialized me with the Night of Power (Lailatul Qadr) but you share it with me.

(5) When I conferred with Almighty Allah in confidence at the highest heaven, you were with me. And each time I prayed to Allah for you and He gave everything to you except prophethood, because there will no prophet after me.

(6) When I circled Baitul Mamoor, I saw you with me and when the prophets prayed behind me your facsimile was behind me.

(7) During the period of Rajat (return) when I will eliminate the groups of infidels, you will be there with me. O Ali, the Almighty Allah has given me excellence over all the people of the world and gave you excellence over them after me. And gave excellence to Fatima over all the ladies of the world and gave excellence to Hasan and Husain and Imams from the progeny of Husain (a) over all the people after me and you. O Ali, I found your name joined to my name and on some occasions this afforded me peace and comfort. First of all, on the night of Meraj, when I reached Baitul Muqaddas, I found written on the arch of Baitul Muqaddas: “There is no god, except Allah. Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah. I have strengthened Muhammad through his vizier and helped him through him.” I asked Jibraeel: “Who is my vizier?” “Ali Ibne Abi Talib (a),” he replied. Secondly when I reached Sidratul Muntaha, I found written there: “There is no god except Me and Muhammad is My chosen one from My creatures. I have strengthened him through his vizier and brother and helped him through him.” Thirdly, when I passed Sidratul Muntaha, and reached to Divine Throne, I found it inscribed on the pillar of Arsh: “I am Allah, the One and Muhammad is My beloved and My chosen one from My creatures. I have strengthened him through his vizier and brother and helped him through him.” Only these three occasions are mentioned in the traditional reports whereas in the beginning four occasions were mentioned. So, the readers may excuse us for the disparity. (Translators) O Ali, the Almighty Allah has bestowed me seven things regarding you:

1- You are the first whose grave would be opened with my grave.

2- You would be with me on the Siraat Bridge and you would say to the Hell: Take this one and leave that one.

3- And when I would be dressed up on Judgment Day you would be the first one to be dressed up with me and when I would be raised from the grave, you would also be revived.

4- You would be the first one to stand to the right of the Arsh with me.

5- You would be the first one to knock at the door of Paradise.

6- You would be the first one to be settled at Illiyeen.

7- You would be the first one to be given the sealed drink with me, which would be sealed with musk and people who are eager should take precedence over one another and be eager for it.1

(Omitting the chains of narrators) it is narrated from Abu Buraida Aslami that he heard the Holy Prophet (s) say to Amirul Momineen (a): O Ali, the Almighty Allah presented you for me on seven occasions so I derived your company and comfort:  

(1) When I reached to the heavens Jibraeel asked: Where is your brother, Ali (a)? I said: “I left him on the earth. Jibraeel told me to pray to Allah to bring him there for me. I prayed and saw your facsimile and then saw some angels in array. I asked: “Who are these?” Jibraeel replied: “They are some groups through whom the Almighty Allah will be proud about you on Judgment Day.” I went and spoke with them about the past and future events till Judgment Day.

(2) When I was taken to the Arsh for the second time, Jibraeel asked: O Muhammad, where is your brother, Ali (a)? I said: “I left him on the earth.” Jibraeel told me to pray to Allah to bring him there for me. I prayed and saw your image and all the curtains of the seven heavens were removed from my eyes. I saw the inhabitants of the celestial kingdom and saw every person who was in the sky at any place and you also saw him.

1 Amali, Shaykh Tusi, Vol. 2, Pg. 255; Biharul Anwar, Vol. 18, Pg. 388, Tr. 97.

(3) When I was sent for the Jinns, Jibraeel asked: O Muhammad, where is your brother, Ali (a)? I said: “I left him in my place,” but whatever I said to the Jinns and whatever they said to me was heard and memorized by you.

(4) Almighty Allah restricted the Night of Power (Lailatul Qadr) to me, but you share it with me.

(5) When I whispered in secret to Almighty Allah at the highest heaven, you were with me. And each time I prayed to Almighty Allah for you and He gave everything to you, except prophethood, because there will no prophet after me.

(6) When I circled Baitul Mamoor, I saw you with me and when the prophets prayed behind me, your facsimile was also behind me.

(7) During the period of Rajat (return) when I will eliminate the groups of infidels, you will be there with me.1

1 Mukhtasar Basair, Pg. 69; Tafsir Qummi, Vol. 2, Pg. 335.

Ibne Abbas has said that the Holy Prophet (s) saw Hazrat Ali (a), Fatima, Hasan and Husain (a) on the heavens during the Meraj and he greeted them, whereas he had left them behind on the earth.