Shaykh Tusi has narrated from Imam Ja’far Sadiq (a.s.) that the Messenger of Allah (S) said to Imam Ali (a.s.): 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.s.), the Almighty Allah would not have created Hell.
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.s.)? 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 the Almighty Allah will be proud about 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.s.)?
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 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.s.)?
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) The Almighty Allah specialized me with the Night of Power (Lailatul Qadr) but you share it with me. (5) When I whispered in secret to the Almighty Allah at the highest heaven, you were with me.
And each time I prayed to the 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 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.s.) 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 Maqdas, I found written on the arch of Baitul Maqdas: “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 Ibn Abi Talib (a.s.).”
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.” I asked Jibraeel: “Who is my Vizier?” “Ali Ibn Abi Talib (a.s.),” said he. Sayyid Ibn Tawus has narrated through reliable chains from Amirul Momineen (a.s.) that the Messenger of Allah (S) said: “One night I was sleeping in Hijre Ismail when all of a sudden Jibraeel arrived and woke me up gently and said: “O Muhammad, come mount this, as your Lord has summoned you.”
And he had brought a quadruped which was smaller than a mule and bigger than an ass. Its steps were in proportion to its body. It had wings of gems and it was named Burraq. I mounted it and when I reached to Aqba I found a person standing there and his hair were lying on his hands. When he saw me, he said: Peace be upon you, O the first. Peace be upon you, O the last one. Peace be upon you, O the gatherer (Hashir). Jibraeel said: “Reply to his greetings.”
So I said: “And peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah and His blessings.” When I reached in between the Aqba I saw a white haired person who also greeted me like the first person and without Jibraeel urging I replied to his salutation. He said thrice: Protect the dignity of your legatee, Ali Ibn Abi Talib (a.s.) because he is the privileged servant of the Creator. When I reached Baitul Maqdas, I saw there an extremely handsome man who also saluted me in the same manner, and I replied to him as Jibraeel signaled.
He said thrice: O Muhammad, protect the sanctity of your legatee, Ali Ibn Abi Talib (a.s.) because he is the privileged one of the Almighty Allah and the trustee of Hauze Kauthar and the intercessor of Paradise.” Then I dismounted and Jibraeel held my hand to enter Baitul Maqdas. The mosque was full of people I could not recognize. Jibraeel took me ahead of the rows of people and suddenly a voice came from the heavens: O Muhammad, come forward to lead the prayer. Jibraeel made me stand ahead and I prayed with all of them.
A staircase of pearls was fixed to the first heaven. Jibraeel held my hand and took me to the sky. When we reached near the sky I beheld guards and arrows of fire. Jibraeel knocked at the door; angels asked who it was. “I am Jibraeel.” “Who is with you?” “Muhammad (S).” Angels asked: “Has he been raised?” “Yes.”
They opened the gate and said: “Welcome O brother of a high rank and Caliph of the Lord of the lords and chosen one of the powerful God. You are the last of the prophets, and there will be no prophet after you. Then a staircase of ruby was fixed, which was adorned with green emerald. Through it I reached to the second heaven.
Jibraeel knocked at the door; angels asked like the angels of the first heaven. When the door was opened, I was welcomed in the same manner and then from there a staircase was fixed to the third sky. This was surrounded my many types of lights. Jibraeel said: O Messenger of Allah (S), remain firm footed and the Almighty Allah will guide you.
In this way I crossed all the heavens and reached the seventh heaven, where I heard a great sound and was told that it belonged to the Tree of Tuba and it produced that sound in my eagerness. I was struck with terror. Jibraeel said: O Messenger of Allah (S) you have reached the point not reached by any creature. Go near your Lord.
If the merit of your companionship had not been there even I would not have been able to reach till here and my wings and feathers would have burnt up in divine effulgence. Then due to the Taufeeq of the Almighty Allah I crossed the stations of majesty and honor and seventy veils were removed from my eyes.
Then a voice came from the Lord: “O Muhammad.” When I heard this, I fell in prostration saying: “Labbaik, O Lord of power.” “O Muhammad, rise up and ask whatever you like. I will give it to you. Indeed you are My beloved, My chosen one, My prophet on My creatures and My trustee on My servants. When you have come in My vicinity, whom have you appointed as your successor?”
I said: “O my Lord, I have appointed one whom you know better than me. He is my brother, son of my uncle.” The Almighty Allah said: “I swear by My might and honor, I will not accept the faith of anyone in My being and on your prophethood if it is not accompanied with faith in his Imamate and Wilayat. O Muhammad, do you want to see him in the celestial kingdom?” “Yes,” said I. “Raise your head.”
I raised my head and saw Ali (a.s.) along with the privileged angels on the high heavens and I was elated to see him and I said: “O Lord, my eyes have become illuminated.” I was told: “O Muhammad, I make a covenant about Ali (a.s.), Ali is the ensign of the path of My guidance, chief of the righteous ones, eliminator of infidels and leader of the obedient ones. He is word that I have made compulsory for the pious.
And gave My knowledge and understanding in his inheritance. Therefore whoever loved me has loved Me. And whoever has been inimical to him has been inimical to Me. I will test the people through him. O Muhammad give him these glad tidings.” Jibraeel came to me and said: O Messenger of Allah (S), go on further.
When I moved ahead, I reached a stream whose banks were having domes of gems and rubies. And the water of that stream was whiter than snow, sweeter than honey and more fragrant than musk. Then Jibraeel came to me and I asked him about it. He said: “This is Kauthar, which the Almighty Allah has presented to you as He says:
إِنَّا أَعْطَيْنَاكَ الْكَوْثَرَ
“Surely We have given you Kauthar.”60
I saw some people in the act of being cast into Hell, and on inquiring who they were, was told they were Kharijis, Nasibi and Bani Umayyah, and those that are inimical to the Imams of your the Prophet’s progeny and your sons, and these five groups have nothing to do with Islam. Are you happy? I said: I thank that God, Who made Ibrahim (a.s.) as his Khalil, spoke to Musa (a.s.), bestowed the great kingdom to Sulaiman (a.s.) and spoke to me and made me His beloved and gave me a great matter with regard to Ali (a.s.).
O Jibraeel, tell me who were those whom I saw in the first Aqba and they saluted me. He said that he was his brother, Musa who had said: Peace be upon you, O the last one, because you are the last prophet. And his saying: Peace be upon you, O the gatherer (Hashir), it is so because all the communities will be raised during your prophethood.
Then I asked: Who were those seen in between the Aqba. Jibraeel (a.s.) said: He was your brother, Isa (a.s.), who advised you about your brother, Ali Ibn Abi Talib (a.s.). I asked: “Who were those in Baitul Maqdas?” He said: “He was your respected father, Adam (a.s.) and he told you about Ali Ibn Abi Talib (a.s.) that he is the king of the believers.”
I asked: “Who were the ones who had prayed behind me in Baitul Maqdas. He said: They were prophets and angels whom the Almighty Allah had presented for your dignity. So that they may pray behind you. Thus when the Messenger of Allah (S) returned that night from Meraj, he called for Ali (a.s.) and said: “O Ali, let me narrate to you that Musa and Isa and your father Adam (a.s.) have sent greetings to you and all have recommended about you.”
Ali (a.s.) began to weep in joy and he said: “I praise the God Who made me known among His prophets.” Then he said: “O Ali, I give you another good news, that when I reached to the Arsh of my creator, I saw your image over there and the Almighty Allah took promise from me about you. O Ali, all the inhabitants of the high heavens pray for you and the chosen persons of the lofty heavens pray to Allah for permission to visit you and you will intercede for communities on Judgment Day when they will stand besides Hell.