Salam
Please find below a rough draft for what Shah Waliullah mentions in his Anfas al-Arifin pp 99-100 quoting from his father that:
“He said that in the beginning I wished to keep a continuous fast. I turned my attention to the Prophet (Upon him be peace). I saw in a waking state (bi chashm haqiqat) that the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) was giving me some bread. Hazrat Abu Bakr al-Siddiq (Allah be pleased with him) expressing happiness said, ‘gifts are shared’. I presented the bread to them and they took a piece.
At this point Hazrat Umar (Allah be pleased with him) said, ‘gifts are shared’, again I presented the bread to him, and he also took a piece.
Then Hazrat Ali (Allah be pleased with him) said, ‘gifts are shared’ so I also presented the bread to him, and he also took a piece.
At this point Hazrat Uthman (Allah be pleased with him) said, ‘gifts are shared’, I said: If the bread will continue to be divided in this manner then which portion will the darwesh receive? He (Hazrat Uthman) pulled back his hand. At this point I awoke.
For a period of time I closely reflected on what the hidden point was in the excuse presented to Hazrat Dhul Nurayn [Uthman} (Allah bless him and give him peace). Finally I came to know that in the mithali forms the aim is the connection to the mithal. Such as Hazrat Abu Bakr al-Siddiq’s (Allah bless him and give him peace) link to the Naqshbandi order, our lineage extending to Hazrat Umar (Allah bless him and give him peace) and by means of my mother the origin of our lineage extends to the person of Hazrat Ali. Likewise the Naqshbandi order and other Sufi orders extend back to his person, and on some occasions we have received spiritual benefit (fuyud) from his person. Thus this matter being limited to these three persons was necessary, whereas with Hazrat Uthman (Allah be pleased with him) none of these reasons or causes is present. And Allah knows best.”