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Is the chain of narration for the report: "A man is not a Sunni until he hates Ali," attributed to Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal, authentic?

1 min readAlso available in العربية

The mentioned report is not authentic, as the Rafidah are unique in mentioning it, and they are known for lying and being lenient in it. For this reason, the people of knowledge have agreed that the Rafidah are the most mendacious of sects. Furthermore, the chain of narration contained unknown narrators, and this report contradicts Imam Ahmad's belief in loving and revering the Companions, despite his inclusion of hadiths on the virtues of Ali, may Allah be pleased with him. The Sunnis do not exaggerate in their love for Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, or any other Companion; rather, their love is obligatory within the bounds of Islamic law. Imam Ahmad narrated from Ali his saying: "Two types of people will be destroyed because of me: an excessive lover and a hateful slanderer."

Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026

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