Love of Imam Ali (May Allah Honor His Face) in the Hadiths of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)

The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was keen on teaching his companions the love for Imam Ali (May Allah Honor His Face) in preparation for the spiritual inheritance Imam Ali would carry after him. The companions were keen on learning this matter and consulting with each other. One of the most prominent of these hadiths is what was narrated by the great companion Salman (RA), where a man said to him, “O Salman, how intense is your love for Ali!” Salman immediately replied, “I heard the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) say: ‘Whoever loves Ali, loves me, and whoever dislikes Ali, dislikes me.'”

This hadith clearly shows that the love for Imam Ali (May Allah Honor His Face) is also a love for the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), and thus, it is a love for Allah (SWT). Therefore, loving Imam Ali is a means to attain the love of the Prophet, and it is also a means to love Allah.

The Prophetic Guidance and the Importance of Loving Imam Ali

One of the important hadiths from the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) concerning Imam Ali (May Allah Honor His Face) is the one that encourages loving him. The Prophet (PBUH) said: “This is the one whom Allah and His Messenger love, and he is the one who loves Allah and His Messenger.” This hadith highlights the love of Allah and His Messenger for Imam Ali (May Allah Honor His Face), as well as their love for him, and it also shows the guidance of the Prophet to invite people to Islam with peace and mercy, not just through military might.

Imam al-Shafi’i (RA) mentioned in his poetry:

“O family of the Messenger of Allah, your love is a duty
From Allah in the Qur’an, it was revealed
Your pride is enough that you are
The ones who don’t pray unless you are remembered.”

Imam Ali’s (May Allah Honor His Face) Approach to Life

The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) continued guiding the companions to consider Imam Ali (May Allah Honor His Face) as a spiritual guide for the guidance of the Ummah. This is clearly shown in a hadith when he was asked: “Who will lead after you?” The Prophet (PBUH) answered: {If you appoint Abu Bakr, you will find him trustworthy and ascetic in the world, seeking the hereafter; if you appoint Umar, you will find him strong and trustworthy, fearing nothing in the cause of Allah; and if you appoint Ali, and I do not see you doing that, you will find him a guide who guides you along the straight path.}

The historian Al-Hafiz al-Siddiq al-Ghamari commented on this hadith saying: “This is an authentic hadith, clearly indicating the superiority of Ali over the other two companions in guiding the caliph to the true way and recognizing the truth expressed by the straight path, and how he guided through the special connection with the Sufi mystics.”

Imam Ali (May Allah Honor His Face) and the Sufi Perspective

The words of Imam Ali (May Allah Honor His Face) were comprehensive of high spiritual meanings, as he said: “Faith stands on four pillars: patience, certainty, justice, and struggle,” explaining each of them into ten levels. He was the first to speak about states and stations, which made them the focus of study for the Sufi mystics in their spiritual studies.

It was narrated from Imam Ali that he said in a hadith with Kumayl ibn Ziyad: “Here is knowledge, if there are those to carry it,” and he pointed to his heart. This points to the high spiritual status of Imam Ali, as he possessed the ability to explain Tawhid (the Oneness of Allah) and knowledge.

Knowledge and Spiritual Guidance of Imam Ali

Hadiths from Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) demonstrate the spiritual stature of Imam Ali through the references and spiritual messages which prepared him to be the spiritual guide of the Ummah. When Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: “Looking at Ali’s face is an act of worship,” he was referring to the spiritual connection that must exist between the Muslim and Imam Ali.

Also, the hadith of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH): “You are from me and I am from you,” confirms Imam Ali’s distinction in his spiritual rank and shows the close relationship between Imam Ali and the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), which is not only about kinship but also includes the spiritual and missionary relationship.

The Virtues of Imam Ali (May Allah Honor His Face)

  • First to embrace Islam among the youth: Zaid ibn Arqam narrated: “The first to pray with the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was Ali (May Allah Honor His Face).”
  • Brother of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH): When the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) made the pact of brotherhood between the migrants and helpers, he made Ali (May Allah Honor His Face) his brother, saying: {You are my brother and companion in this world and the hereafter}.
  • Praised for his leadership: Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: {Ali is the leader of the Arabs}.
  • Allah’s Protector and the Protector of the Believers: Allah (SWT) said: {Indeed, your ally is Allah and His Messenger and those who have believed — those who establish prayer and give zakah while they bow [in worship]}.
  • The greatest judge among the companions: Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: {The best among you in giving judgment is Ali}.
  • Beloved by the believers, hated by the hypocrites: Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: {Only a believer loves you, and only a hypocrite hates you}.

Conclusion

In summary, from these spiritual virtues, it becomes clear that Imam Ali (May Allah Honor His Face) was not only the strong and dedicated man in battles but also the spiritual guide and educator who carried the banner of Islam after the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).