Tabarani, Al-Mu’jam As-Saghir, V.2, page 88; Haithami, Al-Zavaed, V.9, page 121. It’s come down in Kanz al-Ummal that the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.) said to Ali (a.s.): “Compliments to the master of the Muslims and the leader of the pious.

”Abu Na'im Esfahani in Hilyatul Auliya (V. 1, page 63) narrates a hadith from Anas that the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.) said, “Anas, bring for me water for ablution.” Then he got to his feet and prayed two Ra’kat. Thereafter, he said, “O Anas! The first person who would enter is the Commander of the Faithful, the master of the Muslims, the leader of the radiant faces and the seal of the Guardians (Wasi).

”Anas reports: I raised my hands in prayer, saying O Lord! May this man be from the Ansar, and I hid this request from the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.). Then Ali entered and the holy Prophet said, O Anas! Who is it? I said, “Ali”. The Prophet (s.a.w.a.) arose happily and hugged him, then he rubbed the sweat of his face on Ali’s face and the sweat of Ali’s face on his face.

Ali said, O Messenger of Allah! You did something to me what you had not done before! The holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) said, “Why should I not do it while you are the one who will fulfill my commitments, you will have my voice heard by the people and you will guide them to what they disagree after me.

”Ibn Asaker, Tarikh Madinah-Damishq, V.42, page 302; In al-Mustadrak (Hakik Naishapuri V.3, p.137-138) it is recorded that: “Three things have been revealed to me about Ali. He is the master of the Muslims…….”

Hakim writes: This hadith possesses authentic chain of transmission but Muslim and Bukhari have not mentioned in their books.