Prophet of Allah, the Hashimi Messenger صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم say that indeed, looking at the face of Ali is an act of worship.” ^([1])

This form of worship, physically seeing Sayyiduna Ali رَضِىَ اللّٰهُ عَـنْهُ was granted to the noble Companions and some fortunate Tabiin. Where is this blessing in our destiny today? How fortunate we would be if Sayyiduna Mawla Ali رَضِىَ اللّٰهُ عَـنْهُ were to show kindness upon us, appear to us at least in a dream, and allow us sinners to be blessed with his vision.

(3) Love for Ali is a Sign of Faith

This is a Hadith from Sahih Muslim, and its narrator is Sayyiduna Ali al-Murtada رَضِىَ اللّٰهُ عَـنْهُ himself. He said:  اَنْ لَّا یُحِبَّنِیْ اِلَّا مُؤْمِنٌ وَّ اَنْ لَّا یُبْغِضَنِیْ اِلَّا مُنَافِقٌ

He swore by the One who splits the grain (bringing forth crops from seeds) and the One who created the soul, that the Prophet, Muhammad Arabi صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم, promised him: “None will love me except a believer, and none will harbour hatred for me except a hypocrite.” ^([2])

O lovers of the Companions and the Ahl-e-Bayt! This blessed Hadith clearly shows that love for Sayyiduna Ali al-Murtada رَضِىَ اللّٰهُ عَـنْهُ is a sign of faith, and, Allah forbid, hatred towards him is a sign of hypocrisy.

‘Allamah Ibn Hajar رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَـلَيْه writes: Among the noble Companions رَضِیَ اللهُ عَنْهُم, this was the method: whenever they wished to assess whether someone was a believer or a hypocrite, they would judge it through love or hatred for Ali. If they saw a person harbouring hatred towards Sayyiduna Mawla Ali رَضِىَ اللّٰهُ عَـنْهُ, they would recognize him as a hypocrite.^([3])