What is the authenticity of the hadith: “On the night I was taken up in ascension, I saw women…”

Q: What is the authenticity of the hadith narrated from Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) that he and Fatimah entered upon the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) and found him weeping? When he was asked about it, he said: “On the night I was taken up in ascension, I saw women from my Ummah in severe punishment. I was shocked by their condition because of the severity of their punishment. I saw a woman hanging by her hair, the brain in her head boiling… and so on.”

A: This report is well known and circulated by many people. It is invalid and a fabrication attributed to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). It has no basis and is among the fabrications attributed to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), as well as to Ali and Fatimah (may Allah be pleased with them both). Many things are fabricated by some of the Shi'ah against Ali (may Allah be pleased with him). Whoever comes across something like this should destroy it and inform those around him that it is a lie. May Allah grant us assistance.