Furat says: “I was told by Ali ibn Muhammad ibn Umar Zahri.” He (Umar) said: “I was told by Qasim ibn Ismael Ambari.” He (Qasim) said: “I was told by Hafz ibn Aasim and Nasir ibn Muzahim and Abdullah ibn Mughira on the authority of Muhammad ibn Haroon Sindi.” He (Muhammad) said: “I was told by Aban ibn Abi Ayyash on the authority of Sulaym ibn Qays.” He said:
“Amirul Mumineen Ali Ibn Abi Talib (AS) came out when we were sitting in the mosque, after returning from Siffin and before the day of Nehrwan. Ali (AS) sat down and we gathered around him. A person told him: “O Amirul Mumineen, tell us about your companions.” He said: “Ask.”
And he told a lengthy incident and said: “I heard the Holy Prophet (SAW) in one lengthy matter say: “I have been commanded by Allah that I keep friends with four men from my companions, and He has informed me that He also keeps friends with them and paradise is waiting for them.”
So he was asked: “Who are these people?” He replied: “Ali ibn Ali Talib.” Then he kept quiet. So people asked: “O Messenger of Allah, who are these people?” He replied: “Ali.” Then he kept quiet again. So they asked: “O Messenger of Allah, who are these people?” He replied: “Ali, and three with him, and he is the Imam of them all, their argument, and guide. They will neither turn back nor deviate, nor return and nor will their hearts be hardened with passing of time – Salman, Abu Dhar, and Miqdad.”
Then he mentioned a very lengthy incident.
Then he said: “Call Ali for me.” So I came humbly to him and he secretly showed me one thousand doors of knowledge, with each door a thousand doors opened.”
Then Amirul Mumineen turned towards us and said: “Ask me before I do not remain. By Him, who separated the seed and created Insan. Indeed, I know Torah more than the people of Torah, and I know Injil more than the people of Injil, and I know Quran more than the people of Quran.
By Him, who separated the seed and created Insan, there is no group that reaches up to one hundred until the Day of Judgment but I know who their leader is, and who pushes them from behind.
Ask me about Quran because everything is mentioned in the Quran. The knowledge of Awwaleen and Aakhireen is present in there, and Quran has not left anything for anyone to say it. ‘but none knows it interpretation except Allah, and those who are firmly rooted in knowledge’ (Surah Ale ‘Imran: 7)
And he is not one, and the Holy Prophet (SAW) is from them. Allah has taught him about it, and the Holy Prophet (SAW) taught it to me. They (my children) will continuously remain after me until the Day of Judgment.” Then Amirul Mumineen recited: ‘and residue of the relics of what the children of Musa and the children of Haroon have left.’ (Surah Baqarah: 248)
And I am to the Holy Prophet (SAW) like Haroon was to Musa, and knowledge will remain in my children until the Day of Judgment.”