from his mother who said: "I entered upon Umm Salamah, and I heard her saying: "The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to say: "No hypocrite loves 'Ali, and no believer hates him."
Hadith Commentary: Chapters on Virtues
Book: Jami' at-Tirmidhi | Hadith Reference: Jami` at-Tirmidhi 3717
Textual Analysis
This noble hadith establishes a fundamental criterion for distinguishing between true believers and hypocrites through their relationship with 'Ali ibn Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him). The Prophet (ﷺ) declares that love for 'Ali is inseparable from true faith, while hatred toward him is a characteristic of hypocrisy.
Scholarly Interpretation
Classical scholars explain that this hadith highlights 'Ali's distinguished status among the companions. His unwavering faith, profound knowledge, and early acceptance of Islam made him beloved to true believers. The hypocrites, however, resented him due to his strict adherence to truth and his uncompromising stance against falsehood.
Imam al-Tirmidhi classified this hadith as hasan (good), and numerous scholars have authenticated its meaning through supporting narrations. The love mentioned here refers to recognizing 'Ali's virtues and honoring his position as one of the rightly-guided caliphs and a foremost companion.
Spiritual Implications
This teaching serves as a spiritual barometer for the heart's condition. Love for the Prophet's household and his chosen companions reflects sound faith, while harboring hatred toward them indicates spiritual disease. The hadith does not imply that mere verbal claim of love suffices, but rather that true love manifests through following their example and upholding their teachings.