[Surah al-Sāffāt: 12–37].

This passage concerns the polytheists who denied the Day of Judgment. They will be questioned about affirming Allah’s oneness and believing in His messengers and the Last Day. What bearing could love for Alī possibly have on their questioning? Do you suppose that if they loved him despite such unbelief and polytheism, it would benefit them? Or do you suppose that if they hated him, what significance would their hatred for him have beside their hatred for Allah’s prophets, His Book, and His religion?

No one would interpret the Quran in this way and claim, “The Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—interpreted it in such a manner,” except a godless heretic who makes a mockery of religion and impugns Islam, or someone so steeped in ignorance that he does not know what he is saying. What difference is there between loving Alī and loving Talha, al-Zubayr, Saʿd, Abū Bakr, Umar, and Uthmān?!

If someone were to say, “They will be questioned about their love for Abū Bakr,” his statement would be no more far-fetched than that of one who said, “They will be questioned about their love for Alī.” Nor is there anything in the verse (1) to indicate that the latter statement is more warranted. Rather, the verse’s bearing (2) on the affirmation or negation of the two claims (3) is identical, while the proofs indicating (4) the obligation to love Abū Bakr are stronger.

Fourth: The expression “to be questioned” is unrestricted, and no pronoun has been attached [to it] (5) that would restrict it to any particular matter. Nor is there anything in the context that calls for mentioning love for Alī. The claimant’s allegation that the expression signifies that they will be questioned about their love for Alī is therefore among the gravest lies and calumnies.