Throughout Islamic history, the status of Imam Ali (A.S.) has remained a point of profound reverence and, at times, controversy. However, the words of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) himself leave no room for ambiguity regarding Ali’s sanctity and position. In several authentic Sunni sources, the Prophet (PBUH) explicitly equates cursing Ali (A.S.) with cursing himself, emphasizing the deep spiritual and divine connection between them.
This article, as part of the Zarb al-Haydari series, sheds light on these hadiths from Sunni books, reinforcing the undeniable truth that love and respect for Imam Ali (A.S.) are integral to the love and obedience of the Prophet (PBUH) himself. Those who insult or demean Ali (A.S.) are, in reality, dishonoring the Messenger of Allah (PBUH), as stated in multiple narrations.
Despite these clear statements from the Prophet (PBUH), history has witnessed figures who openly cursed and opposed Imam Ali (A.S.), defying the Prophet’s warnings. From the Umayyad rulers who institutionalized the cursing of Ali (A.S.) on pulpits for decades, to those who distorted historical narratives to diminish his status, these individuals disregarded the Prophet’s command and earned the divine wrath. Their actions serve as a stark reminder of the consequences of deviating from the path of truth and justice.
Let us now explore Some authentic narrations from Sunni Books that highlight the grave reality of those who curse or demean Imam Ali (A.S.), are, in reality, cursing or dishonoring Prophet(pbuh):
We Read in Musnad Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, volume 44, hadith 26748, page 328 - 329:
Yahya bin Abi Bukayr narrated to us, saying: Israel narrated to us, from Abu Ishaq, from Abu Abdullah Al-Jadali, who said:
I entered upon Umm Salama, and she said to me, "Is the Messenger of Allah ﷺ being cursed among you?"
I replied, "God forbid! Or 'Glory be to Allah,' or something similar."
She said, "I heard the Messenger of Allah ﷺ say: 'Whoever curses Ali has indeed cursed me.'”
We also Read in Al Mustadrak ala Sahihayn, Vol 3, Page 130:
Ahmad bin Kamil Al-Qadi narrated to us, saying: Muhammad bin Sa’d Al-Awfi narrated to us, Yahya bin Abi Bukayr narrated to us, Israel narrated to us, from Abu Ishaq, from Abu Abdullah Al-Jadali, who said:
I entered upon Umm Salama (may Allah be pleased with her), and she said to me, "Is the Messenger of Allah ﷺ being cursed among you?"
I replied, "God forbid! Or 'Glory be to Allah,' or something similar."
She said, "I heard the Messenger of Allah ﷺ say: 'Whoever curses Ali has indeed cursed me.'"
We also Read in Majma' Al-Zawa'id, volume 9, hadith 14840, page 123:
Abu Abdullah Al-Jadali narrated:
I entered upon Umm Salama, and she said to me, "Is the Messenger of Allah ﷺ being cursed among you?"
I replied, "God forbid! Or 'Glory be to Allah,' or something similar."
She said, "I heard the Messenger of Allah ﷺ say: 'Whoever curses Ali has indeed cursed me.'"
Narrated by Ahmad, and its narrators are those of the authentic (Sahih) collections, except for Abu Abdullah Al-Jadali, who is trustworthy.
Verily, the words of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) are the criterion of truth, the scale upon which faith and hypocrisy are measured. When he (PBUH) declared, “Whoever curses Ali has indeed cursed me,” he established an eternal decree, an undeniable reality, and an unalterable divine truth. This statement is not a mere expression of kinship but a revelation of Imam Ali’s (A.S.) sacred position, inseparable from the station of Prophethood itself.
The annals of history bear witness to those who, in their arrogance and blindness, transgressed the limits set by Allah and cursed the very one whom the Messenger (PBUH) commanded to be loved. Did they not hear his words: “Ali is with the truth, and the truth is with Ali”? Did they not comprehend that enmity toward Ali (A.S.) is enmity toward the Messenger (PBUH), and enmity toward the Messenger (PBUH) is enmity toward Allah (SWT)? What fate awaits those who raised their tongues against the one whom the Prophet (PBUH) declared his own soul?
O people of discernment! Know that to recognize Ali (A.S.) is to recognize divine guidance, and to turn away from him is to turn away from the straight path. For Allah (SWT) has decreed that His earth shall never be devoid of a Hujjah, a proof, an Imam who upholds His command. The chain of divine leadership that began with Adam (A.S.) and reached its perfection in Muhammad (PBUH) finds its rightful inheritor in Ali (A.S.) and the Imams from his lineage, the righteous guides and the bearers of divine wisdom.
May Allah make us among those who uphold the covenant of Wilaya, who seek nearness to Him through love and obedience to His chosen ones, and who are resurrected under the banner of Amir al-Mu’minin (A.S.) on the Day when the truthful shall be separated from the false, and justice shall be established in its absolute form.
Wassalam.