He was asked about someone who says, “I do not consider ‘Alī superior to others,” yet invokes blessings upon ‘Alī alone whenever he is mentioned: “Is it permissible for him to single him out for blessings to the exclusion of others?”

He replied:

No one may single out anyone other than the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—for invocations of blessings: neither Abū Bakr, nor ‘Umar, nor ‘Uthmān, nor ‘Alī. Whoever does so is an innovator. Rather, he should either invoke blessings upon them all or refrain from invoking blessings upon any of them.

What is prescribed is to say:

“O Allah, send blessings upon Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, as You sent blessings upon Abraham. Indeed, You are Praiseworthy, Glorious. And bless Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, as You blessed Abraham among all peoples. Indeed, You are Praiseworthy, Glorious.”

Whoever says, “I do not consider ‘Alī superior to others,” is mistaken and contradicts the scriptural evidence. And Allah knows best.