The famous Ahle Sunnat scholar, Maufaq bin Ahmad Khwarizmi has narrated in his Manaqib Amirul Momineen (a), through his chains of narrators from Anas bin Malik that once the Messenger of Allah (s) led us in Asr Prayer. He prolonged the genuflection of the first unit considerably, till we thought
that he had erred. After a long time he lifted his head and recited: Sami Allahu liman hamida. Then he recited the prayer in brief and concluded with the Salaam. Then he started searching in the rows of worshippers one after the other. He face shone like a full moon amidst a cluster of stars. Then he stood up and the Masjid was awashed in his light. Then he asked, “Why am I not able to see my cousin, Ali Ibne Abi Talib (a)?”
Ali (a) who was in the last row, stood up saying,“Here I am, O Messenger of Allah (s).”
“Come here,” said the Prophet. Ali (a) cut through the rows of worshippers, leaped over the necks of the Ansar and Muhajireen reached His Eminence.
Messenger of Allah (s) said, “Why were you late today, O Ali?”
“O Messenger of Allah (s), I had to make ablution and I went home for that, but I could not find anyone there even though I called for Hasan, Husain and Fizza. Suddenly a caller called out: O Abul Hasan, O brother of Prophet; look here! When I looked there was a pail of gold filled with water and covered with a cloth. I lifted the hanky and put it across my right shoulder and stretched my hand to the pail, but water from it automatically reached my hands. I performed the ablution with that water which was as smooth as butter and as sweet as honey. It was fragrant with the smell of musk. When I concluded, the pail as well as the hanky disappeared into thin air.
Messenger of Allah (s) smiled; he clasped Amirul Momineen (a) to his chest, kissed him on his forehead and then said: “Abul Hasan, shall I not convey the good news to you that it was the pail of Paradise and that hanky and the water were from the Firdos Paradise. Jibraeel prepared you for the prayer and that cloth was held by Mikaeel.
O Ali, by the one, in whose control is the life of Muhammad till you did not join the prayer, Israfeel continued to hold my knees in the Ruku, not allowing me to arise. Despite this excellence, would the people still condemn me for loving you so much? While Almighty Allah above the heavens and His angels are also devoted to you.
Manaqib, Khwarizmi, Pg. 216; At-Taraif, quoting from Manaqib, Pg. 68;
Biharul Anwar, Vol. 39, Pg. 116, Tr. 4.