Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah

It is narrated from Hazrat Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) that a man came to the Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and said: I saw a cloud from which ghee and honey were dripping, and people were taking from it, some taking more and some less. Meanwhile, a rope was let down from the sky. Then you (the Prophet) came and held that rope and climbed up. Thus, Allah, the Exalted, raised you to great heights. After you, a man came, he also held the rope and began to climb, so Allah, the Exalted, raised him to great heights as well. Then after both of you, another man came, he also held the rope and began to climb, and Allah raised him up as well. Then after all three of you, a man held the rope, but the rope was cut. Then it was joined again, so that man also began to climb, and Allah raised him up as well.

Hazrat Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) said: O Messenger of Allah! Allow me to interpret this dream. You gave him permission. He said: The cloud refers to Islam, and the ghee and honey refer to the Qur'an, and the rope refers to the path upon which you are walking and ascending to great heights. Thus, Allah, the Exalted, will raise you to great heights. Then after you, a man will follow in your footsteps and ascend to great heights, and Allah will raise him up as well. Then after both of you, a man will follow in your footsteps and go towards the heights, and Allah will raise him up as well. Then after all three of you, a man will follow in your footsteps, then a hindrance will come before him, then that hindrance will be removed, so he will go towards the heights, and Allah will raise him up as well.

After this, he said: O Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him)! Did I interpret correctly? You said: You interpreted correctly and also made a mistake. He said: O Messenger of Allah! I ask you by Allah to tell me. You said: Do not swear.