It is a common Shia belief that Ali bin Abi Talib and the other eleven Imams have access to angels. Shia narrations from their books of fiqh are filled with such examples.
One of the top Shia scholars of all time, Al-Mufeed states in his Awa’il Al-Maqalat p. 69 under the chapter of the Imams having the ability to hear angels even though they cannot see them, “It is accurate (that this occurred) for the Imams – peace be onto them – and the good Shias that I have mentioned with clear proofs and evidences, and this is the opinion of the Imami jurists and hadithists.”
However, upon returning to Nahjul Balagha, we find that this concept was very foreign to Ali himself. We find in Sermon #233 that Ali bin Abi Talib says, “May my father and my mother shed their lives for you. O Messenger of Allah! With your death the process of prophethood, revelation and heavenly messages has stopped, which had not stopped at the death of others (prophets).”
The quote is self-explanatory and does not require any commentary.
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