One day the Noble Prophet (s.a.w), accompanied by the Commander of the Faithfuls(a.s), had been heading towards the mosque of Quba when they happened to come across a lush-green garden. Witnessing it Imam ‘Ali (a.s) commented: “O Prophet of Allah! It is a nice garden.” The Noble Prophet (s.a.w) responded: “Your garden in Paradise is nicer!”
They passed by the garden and continued on their way; in the course of their walk they passed by seven gardens and on each occasion the same conversation ensued between the two. Then, the Noble Prophet (s.a.w) took ‘Ali (a.s) into his arms and began weeping intensely, causing the Imam (a.s) to weep too. When he (a.s) sought to know the reason for the Noble Prophet’s (s.a.w) weeping, he (s.a.w) said: “I suddenly recollected the malice that has taken root in the breasts of the people towards you and which they shall make manifest after my death.”
The Imam (a.s) inquired: “O Prophet of Allah! What should I do?” He (s.a.w) advised: “Patience and fortitude. If you fail to exhibit patience you shall fall into far greater difficulties.”
He (a.s) said: “Do you fear the destruction of my faith and religion?” He (s.a.w) replied: “Your (faith and religion’s) existence lies in patience.” ( Dastan-ha-e-Zindagi-e-’Ali, pg. 97 (a work of this author, published by Intesharat-e-Nasir, Qum); Aine-e-Dil; Manaqib (of Ibn Shahr Ashub), vol. 1, pg. 322 )