SHAFAQNA –
Imam Ali (AS) was the confidant of the Prophet of Islam (PBUH) and the Prophet (PBH) shared his secrets with him (Imam Ali (AS)). In this regard, Imam Ali (AS) said: The position I had with the Prophet (PBUH) was for no one else. I used to go to the prophet (PBUH) every dawn [1].
Boraidah Al-Aslami narrated: Whenever we used to travel with the Prophet (PBUH), Ali (AS) was responsible for the Prophet’s (PBUH) provisions and personal belongings and Ali (AS) never separated them from himself. Whenever we used to stay in a place, Ali (AS) used to inspect the provisions and belongings to see if they needed replacing or repairing and if the prophet’s (PBUH) shoes needed repair, Ali (AS) used to repair them [2].
Regarding his upbringing, Imam Ali (AS) said: You all know my connection with the Prophet (PBUH) is due to family bond and my special position. The Prophet (PBUH) nurtured me since I was an infant and used to embrace me and I benefited from the pleasant smell of his scent. The Prophet (PBUH) used to chew the food and place it in my mouth; he never heard me tell a lie and did not see any error or misbehaving by me [3].
[1] Mosnad Ahmad, Vol. 1, Pages 77-85.
[2] Beharul Anwaar, Vol. 37, Page 303.
[3] Nahjul Balaghah, Hadith 192.