It is narrated from Sayyiduna Hudhayfah bin Asid (may Allah be pleased with him) that he said: I saw Sayyiduna Ali bin Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him) pray four long rak'ahs when the sun had passed its zenith, so I asked him about it, and he said: "I saw the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) praying this prayer, so I asked him (peace and blessings be upon him) about it, upon which he (peace and blessings be upon him) said: 'Indeed, when the sun passes its zenith the gates of the heavens are opened, and they are not closed until the Zuhr prayer has been performed, so I love that some good deed of mine should be raised to the court of Allah, the Mighty and Majestic, (at this blessed time).'"
In the chain of this report one narrator is unnamed; however, the virtue of these four rak'ahs after the zenith and the subject of the gates of the heavens being opened are established by other authentic hadith and supporting reports.
Hadith Referenceالمطالب العالية بزوائد المسانيد الثمانية / كتاب النوافل / 619
Hadith Gradingمحدثین:إسناده حسن
Hadith Takhrij«حکم الحدیث المطالب العالیہ محققاً تنسیق د. سعد بن ناصر بن عبد العزيز الشَّثري- مکتبہ شاملہ :إسناده حسن لغيره. » «أورده ابن حجر فى "المطالب العالية"، 619، وأخرجه ابن أبى شيبة فى «مصنفه» برقم: 6007»