It is mentioned in reliable books of Ahle Sunnat that the Messenger of Allah (S) said: On the night I went for Meraj, I saw on the fourth heaven an angel sitting on a pulpit of light surrounded by many angels. I asked Jibraeel about him and was told to approach him and greet him. I went to him and greeted him and saw that he was my brother, Ali Ibn Abi Talib (a.s.).
I said: “O Jibraeel, has Ali preceded me to the heavens?” He replied: “O Messenger of Allah (S), angels petitioned the Almighty Allah that they should be allowed to see Ali (a.s.), so the Almighty Allah created with Noor this angel in the form of Ali and angels every Friday eve perform his Ziarat a thousand times and glorify and praise the Almighty Allah and gift that reward to the followers of Ali (a.s.).