My father رضي الله عنه narrated to us. He said: Sa`d b. `Abdullah narrated to us. He said: Ahmad b. Muhammad b. `Isa narrated to us. He said: al-`Abbas b. Ma`ruf narrated to us from `Abdullah b. al-Mughira. He said: Abu Hafs al-`Abdi narrated to us from Abi Harun al-`Abdi from Abi Sa`id al-Khudri. He said: The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said: When you ask Allah, ask Him for the means to me. So, the Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم was asked about the means, so he said: It is my rank in Paradise. It consists of one thousand degrees, between each degree of which is the travel distance of one month on a horse – from a degree of jewel, to a degree of aquamarine, to a degree of ruby, to a degree of gold, to a degree of silver. It will be brought forth on the Day of Resurrection and installed with the degrees of the prophets. It will be to the degrees of the prophets as the Moon is to the stars. There will not be a prophet, saint, or martyr on that day except that he says: “Blessed is he to whom these degrees belong.” Then, a call will come from Allah, which will be heard by the prophets and all of creation: “These are the degrees of Muhammad”. I will then proceed, and on that day, I will be wearing a gown of light, with a crown of rulership and a wreath of dignity. `Ali b. Abi Talib will be in front of me, with my banner in his hand, which is the Banner of Praise. On it, it is written: “There is no god but Allah. The successful are those who prevail by Allah”. When we pass by the prophets, they will say: “These are two Angels of Proximity. We do not recognize them, nor have we seen them before.” When we pass by the angels, they will say: “These are two commissioned prophets”, until I ascend the degrees with `Ali following me. Once I reach the highest of its degrees, with `Ali under me by one degree, there will not be a prophet, saint, or martyr that day except that he will say: “Blessed are these two servants. How Allah has blessed them!” Then, a call will be made from the direction of Allah, which will be heard by the prophets, the saints, the martyrs, and the believers: “This is My Beloved, Muhammad, and this is My Friend, `Ali. Blessed is he who loves him, and woe to he who hates him and lies against him.” Then, the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said: On that day, there will not remain one person who loves you – O `Ali – except that he will be relieved by these words. Their faces will be illuminated, and their hearts will be gladdened. There will not remain one person who opposed you, warred against you, or denied your right except that their faces will be darkened, and they will stomp their feet. Two angels will come to me – one of them will be Ridwan, the treasurer of Paradise, and the other will be Malik, the treasurer of the Fire. Ridwan will come forward and say: “Peace be with you, Ahmad.” I will say: “Peace be with you, angel. Who are you? How beautiful is your face and how sweet is your fragrance!” So, he will say: “I am Ridwan, the treasurer of Paradise, and these are the keys of Paradise. The Lord of Glory has given it to you, so take it, Ahmad.” So, I will say: “I accept that from my Lord. Praise be to Him for what He has ennobled me with. I give it to my brother `Ali b. Abi Talib.” Then, Ridwan will go back, and Malik will come forward and say: “Peace be with you, Ahmad.” So, I will say: “Peace be with you, angel. Who are you? How unpleasant is your face and how adverse is your appearance!” So, he will say: “I am Malik, the treasurer of the Fire, and these are the reins of the Fire. The Lord of Glory has given it to you, so take it, Ahmad.” So, I will say: “I accept that from my Lord. Praise be to Him for what He has ennobled me with. I give it to my brother `Ali b. Abi Talib.” Then, Malik will go back, and `Ali will come forward with the keys of Paradise and the reins of the Fire until he stands at the mouth of Hell, with its sparks flying, its roar amplifying, and its heat intensifying. `Ali will be holding the reins when Hell says to him: “O `Ali! Your light is extinguishing my flames.” So, `Ali will say to it: “Calm down, Hell. Take so-and-so and leave so-and-so. Take this enemy of mine and leave this friend of mine.” On that day, Hell will be more obedient to `Ali than one of your servants will be to his master – if he wants, he can take it right, and if he wants, he can take it left. On that day, Hell will be more obedient to the orders of `Ali than all of creation.
