The Prophet and Ali are from the same root (essence)
Ibn Abbas narrates that the Messenger of Allah (ص) said:
﴿ أَنَا وَعَلِيٌّ مِنْ شَجَرَةٍ وَاحِدَةٍ، وَالنَّاسُ مِنْ أَشْجَارٍ شَتَّی ﴾
"Ali and I were created from one tree and people from various trees"
Root in reference, is not the purport. It refers to the light of ‘Nabuwah’ (prophethood) and ‘Wilayah’ (guardianship) where a single radiance is emitted from both, right from the origin. When this light of prophethood and guardianship reached the backbone of Abdul-Muttalib, they separated where one got transferred to the back of Abu Talib and the other was transferred to the back of Abdullah.
Dailami, Ferdaus al-Akhbar, V. 1, page 77; Ibn Asaker in Tarikh Madinah-Damishq, V.42, page 64, 66; Qunduzi, Yanabi al-Muwadda, V.74, page 242; Muttaki Hindi, Kanz al-Ummal, V.11, page 608.
It is narrated from Ibn Umar that the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.) said, “People are from various trees and Ali and I are created from one tree”.
Refer to Iji, Tauzeeh ul-Dalayil, page 123
