Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.W.) used to climb the mountain to the cave of Hira where he used to pray for days at a time. Ali (A.S.) was always there with him in the prayers.
When the angel Jibraeel (A.S.) came to the Prophet (S.A.W.W.) and delivered Allah’s message to start the preaching of Islam, Ali (A.S.) was there and saw it all. In his own words:
“I was still a new born baby, when the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.W.) took me from my parents. I used to cling to him and he used to feed me, and (when I grew a little older) he never found me uttering a lie or feigning a deceit. To me he was like a guiding star and I used to follow his actions and deeds carefully. I was attached to him like a camel foal attached to its mother. He used to place before me high values of morality, and used to advise me to follow them; every year, he would spend some days at the cave of the Mount Hira and I used to be with him, I was his only companion then and none else could meet him at Hira, there I used to see the light of revelation, and used to smell the fragrance of Prophethood. Once the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.W.) told me: Ali! You have attained a very eminent place. You see what I see and you hear what I hear.”
Sources: Hulyatul Aliya, vol. I, p. 67
Tafsir Durre Manthur, Suyuti
Ibne Ab-il-Hadeed-e-Mu’tazali
Nahj-ul-Balaghah, Sermon 190
Ali (A.S.) was the first one to second the Prophethood of Muhammad (S.A.W.W.) followed by the Mother of all Momineen, Lady Khadijah (S.A.), daughter of Khuwelad (A.S.).
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