In the version of Kitab Sulaym Ibn Qays Hilali that has passed through my hands is the traditional report narrated by Salman, Abu Dharr and Miqdad that some hypocrites gathered and they were discussing that Muhammad talks of Paradise and the bounties that are prepared for his followers there and also speaks about Hell and its punishment which is there for his enemies.
If he is really truthful, he should show us what position our male and female ancestors are having in the hereafter so that we may know what position we are having in the world and the hereafter. When the Messenger of Allah (S) learnt of this, he asked Bilal to announce that they should gather in the Masjid. People gathered at the Masjid and no place was left.
After that the Holy Prophet (S) came out in such a condition that he was extremely angry and had wrapped up his hands and feet with a cloth. He mounted the pulpit and after praise and glorification of the Almighty said: “O people, I am also a man like you.
The Almighty Allah sends divine revelation to me and He has specialized me with His message and chose me for prophethood and gave excellence over the whole progeny of Adam. He informed be of the unseen as much as He liked. So you can ask me whatever you like. By the one in whose hands is my life, I can definitely inform about the place of you and your ancestors in Paradise or Hell.
This Jibraeel is standing to my right and is conveying it to me from the Almighty Allah. So you can ask me whatever you want. A person who was a sincere believer in Allah and the Prophet arose and asked: “O Messenger of Allah (S) who am I?” “You are Abdullah bin Ja’far.” Ja’far was his father whom people correctly considered as his father.
That man was pleased when he found that his parentage was legitimate. Then a hypocrite malicious of the Prophet stood up and asked for his parentage and instead of his father was told that he was born from such and such shepherd of Bani Asma, which is the worst branch of Bani Thaqif, who disobeyed the Almighty in the worst way and the Almighty Allah had degraded them.
Hence that hypocrite was badly exposed and humiliated, although before that he was considered to be a noble of Quraish lineage. Another hypocrite who was full of doubts asked whether he will go to Paradise or Hell. The Prophet told him that his final destination will be Hell and he was also insulted badly.
After that Umar bin Khattab arose, fearing that he might be the next one to be exposed by the Prophet and he said: “O Messenger of Allah (S), we are satisfied at the lordship of the Almighty Allah and we have chosen Islam as our religion and accepted you as our prophet and we seek refuge from the Almighty Allah and His Messenger. Please forgive us so that the Almighty Allah may also forgive us and keep our defects concealed so that the Almighty Allah may keep you concealed by the veil of infallibility.
The Messenger of Allah (S) said: “You can ask whatever you like.” “Please forgive your nation,” and he did not think it advisable to pose any questions. After that Imam Ali (a.s.) stood up and said: “O Messenger of Allah (S), please explain my parentage so that people may know my close relationship with you.”
The Holy Prophet (S) said: “O Ali, the Almighty Allah has created me and you from two pillars of the same light which were seen below the Arsh and both the pillars used to praise and glorify the Almighty Allah two thousand years before the Almighty Allah created the creatures. Then from those two pillars the Almighty Allah created two sperms which were clinging to each other.
Then he continued to transfer those seeds from pure loins to clean wombs, till half of it came into the loins of Abdullah and half in Abu Talib. Thus I was created from one half and you from the other as the Almighty Allah says:
وَهُوَ الَّذِي خَلَقَ مِنَ الْمَاءِ بَشَرًا فَجَعَلَهُ نَسَبًا وَصِهْرًا ۗ وَكَانَ رَبُّكَ قَدِيرًا
“And He it is Who has created man from the water, then He has made for him blood relationship and marriage relationship, and your Lord is powerful.”25
Therefore man implies Amirul Momineen (a.s.) who is joined by the Almighty to the Holy Prophet (S) in close relationship and nobility. Then the Prophet said: “O Ali, you are from me and I am from you; your flesh is mixed with my flesh and your blood is mixed with my blood and only you are the connection between the Almighty Allah and His creatures.
Thus one who denies your Wilayat, has cut off the connection between himself and the Almighty Allah, which would have taken him till the elevated stations. O Ali, Allah cannot be recognized except through me and after me through you. Thus one who denied your Wilayat has in fact denied the lordship of Allah.
O Ali, you are the great sign of Allah on the earth and a great pillar of Allah on Judgment Day; so one who will be in the shade of your affection on Judgment Day will be successful. Because the accounting of the creatures will be through you and their return is to you and the balance (Mizan) of Judgment Day is your balance and the Sirat bridge is yours and the halting places in Qiyamat shall belong to you and the accounting of that day will be your accounting. So one who is inclined to you will be successful and one who opposes you, will be destroyed. After that he said twice: “The Almighty Allah be a witness,” then he came down from the pulpit.