Imam Ahmad and most of his followers held that there was no harm in doing so, because Alī ibn Abī Tālib—may Allah be pleased with him—said to Umar ibn al-Khattāb, “May Allah bless you.” This view is more correct and preferable.

However, singling out one of the Companions or the Prophet’s relatives, such as Alī or anyone else, for invocations of blessings to the exclusion of others, in imitation of the way blessings are invoked upon the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, so that this becomes a recognized hallmark associated with his name—this is the religious innovation.