The Prophet (exalted is his might) said: "Ali bin Abi Talib presented it by a name from the Great Names of Allah." Then he said: And supporting this meaning is his saying (exalted is his might): "You were with the prophets secretly (sirran), and with me manifestly (jahran)."

Elucidation (Bayan): Through this noble Prophetic speech, we deduce that our Master, the Commander of the Faithful, is Asif, and that he used to manifest with the prophets, as is the case with us and in accordance with our firm and correct doctrine.

[179] And from it: On the authority of Ibn Sinan, who said: Abu 'Abd Allah (exalted is his might) said: The Messenger of Allah (exalted is his might) said, when my Lord (Mighty and Majestic) took me on the night journey, He revealed to me from behind a veil what He revealed, and He spoke to me until He said: "O Muhammad, Ali is the First and Ali is the Last, the Manifest and the Hidden, and he is Knowing of all things."