Question
The Shi’ah are circulating the following message. Is it authentic?
Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said:
“On the night of Mi’raj every time I passed by a group of Angels, they asked me about Ali ibn Abi Talib that I started to believe that ‘Ali was more famous in the skies than I was.
When I reached the fourth sky, I saw the Angel of death.
The Angel of death asked me, ‘O Muhammad! how is ‘Ali?’
I said, ‘O my friend, how do you know ‘Ali?’
He said, ‘O Muhammad, I am responsible for taking the life of everyone that Allah has created except for two beings, that is your life and ‘Ali’s life, because Allah himself will take your lives.”
Then I reached under ‘Arsh (the Throne) and when I looked up I saw Ali ibn Abi Talib standing under the Throne of my Rabb. I said, ‘O Ali, did you race me up here?’ Then Jibril asked me, ‘O Muhammad, to whom are you speaking?’ I replied, ‘I am talking to my brother, ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib.”
Jibril replied, ‘O Muhammad, this is not ‘Ali. This is an Angel that Allah has created in the form of Ali ibn Abi Talib. When we (Angels) miss ‘Ali, we go and look at this Angel”
Answer
I have not come across this narration in any authentic Hadith source. This narration is recorded in a book written by an Imam of the Rawafid (extremist Shi’ahs).
(Refer: Siyaru A’alamin Nubala, vol. 18 pg. 121)
The Hadith is not suitable to quote.
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar
Checked by: Moulana Haroon Abasoomar