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Imam Ali (A.S.), the Distributor of Paradise and Hell
By: Ayatullah Dastghaib Shirazi
There is a narration about Prophet Muhammad’s High Station (Maqam-e-Mahmood), which you mention in the Ziyarat of Ashura. It is a part of the Field of Gathering. All the Messengers, saints and righteous people, chief of whom is Muhammad, would be present there.
It is a lofty pulpit of light having a thousand steps. On the first step is the seal of the Prophets, Muhammad (‘s) and on the next one, Lion of God Almighty (Asadullah Al-Ghalib), Ali bin Abi Talib (‘a). On all other steps would be the rest of the Messengers, Prophets, and righteous people according to their status. At the base would be the believers, who would also gain entry to that high place. In this praised location (Maqaame-e-Mahmood), for which the Holy Prophet prays, an extraordinarily and extremely handsome angel comes to the Holy Prophet (‘s) and says, “I am Rizwan, the keeper of Paradise.” He brings with him the key of the gate of Paradise and says, “I have been ordered to hand over the key to the gate of Paradise to your honor.” Thereafter, an extremely frightening angel comes up and says, “I am the keeper of hell and I am commanded to hand over the key of hell to your honor.” The Holy Prophet says, “O Ali! Take up these keys; the division of people for entry to paradise and hell is in your hand.” The Holy Prophet (‘s) himself announces, “I am also coming and setting on, on the Sirat. Anyone who has permission from Ali (‘a) can cross the bridge of Sirat happily and luckily.”
If the master does not intercede on the Day of Judgment in our favor, we will take offence against the decorator that he made us ugly. (Persian couplet)
It is mentioned in an authentic tradition that, on that Day, all would be wailing, “O God! Be merciful to me, save me, save me.” There would be only one gentleman who would appeal, “O Lord! Save my Ummah, my Ummah (Followers)”, and that person is Muhammad (‘s).
It is mentioned in Khasais of Shaykh Sadooq, that when the Holy Prophet (‘s) narrated the prophecy of Husain’s martyrdom to Zahra (‘a) till he even described the grave of Husain (‘a) he said, “Tomorrow, on the Day of Judgment, I will intercede in favor of anyone who visits the grave of Husain (‘a).” The most hope-filled sentence is that the Holy Prophet said, “I myself would search that person so that I may give salvation to him; even if he is in a deep cavity he would get salvation.”
Would such a person have any sign? Yes, it would be written on his forehead in radiant writing: Here is the one who visited the grave of Husain.
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