Ahmad bin Mohammad bin Ubaidillah Al-Hafiz narrated from ALI bin Sinan Al-Mousili, from Ahmad bin Mohammad Al-KhALIli Al-Amoli, from Mohammad bin Saleh, from Sulaymaan bin Ahmad, from Ziyad bin Muslim, from Abdul Rahman bin Yazid bin Jabir, from Salaam from Abi Salama, who said:
I heard the MESSENGER OF ALLAH (SWT) say:
On the night of Me’raaj, ALLAH (SWT) asked me, “Did the Messenger believe in what was revealed to him from his Lord?”
I said, “Yes. And the believers believed in ALLAH (SWT), His angels, His books, and His messengers.”
ALLAH (SWT) said, “You are right.”
Then ALLAH (SWT) asked, “Who did you choose as a successor?”
I said, “The best of my nation.”
ALLAH (SWT) asked, “Do you mean ALI BIN ABI TALEB (ASWS)?”
I replied, “Yes, O ALLAH (SWT)!”
Then ALLAH (SWT) said:
O MOHAMMAD (SAWW) ! I looked at all of My creation and I chose you from among all of them. Then I derived a name for you from My name. Therefore, it is not permitted that anyone mention Me without mentioning you with Me. My name is Mahmoud and your name is Mohammad.
Then I looked again (at all of My creation) and I chose ALI (ASWS) , and I derived a name for him from My name. So My name is ALI, the extremely high, and his name is ALI.
O MOHAMMAD (SAWW), I created you, ALI (ASWS) , FATEMA (SAWS) (SAWW), HASAN (ASWS) , HUSAIN (ASWS), and the rest of the Imams from HUSAIN (ASWS)’s sons from My own light. Then I asked all of my creation in the skies and the earths to accept your Wilayat.
I consider those who accept it as believers, and I consider those who refuse it as Kafers.
O MOHAMMAD (SAWW)! If a slave from among My slaves worships Me until he is torn and nothing is left from him, but he refuses to accept your Wilayat, ALI (ASWS) ’s Wilayat, and the Wilayat of the Imams from his sons, I will not accept him or forgive him until he accepts your Wilayat, ALI (ASWS) ’s Wilayat, and the Wilayat of the Imams from his sons.
Then ALLAH (SWT) asked me, “O MOHAMMAD (SAWW), would you like to see them?” I replied, “Yes, O ALLAH (SWT).”
ALLAH (SWT) said, “Look to the right of the Throne.”
Then I looked and I saw ALI (ASWS) , FATEMA (SAWS) , HASAN (ASWS), HUSAIN (ASWS), ALI bin HUSAIN (ASWS), MOHAMMAD BIN ALI (ASWS) , JAAFAR BIN MOHAMMAD (ASWS), MUSA BIN JAAFAR (ASWS), ALI BIN MUSA (ASWS), MOHAMMAD BIN ALI (ASWS) (ASWS), ALI BIN MOHAMMAD (ASWS), HASAN BIN ALI (ASWS) (ASWS), AND THE MAHDI (ATFS).
They were surrounded by light and they were all standing and praying to ALLAH (SWT). MAHDI (ATFS) was in the center and he was shining like a brilliant star.
Then ALLAH (SWT) said:
O MOHAMMAD (SAWW), they are My decisive proofs, and MAHDI (ASWS) will take revenge on My behalf.
I swear by My Magnificence, he supports My friends and takes revenge on My enemies. Following them and accepting their Wilayat is WAJIB (obligatory) on everyone. With my permission, they prevent the skies from falling on the earth.
(Ref : Bihar Volume 27 Page 199 Hadees No.27)