An assessment of the tradition love for Ali is a good deed in the presence of which sin does not harm and opinions about it

There are many traditions that lay stress on the love for the progeny of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him and his progeny), among which top are in number the traditions that encourage love for Ali considering it as a source of salvation. One such tradition is this 'love for Ali is a good deed in the presence of which sin does not harm…'. The strange content of this tradition has caused scholars to adopt different positions in regard with it. Following a method based on traditions and intellectual analysis, this article assesses three main opinions: 1) Denial of tradition and the impact of love for Ali on Human happiness 2) Love for Imam Ali eliminates minor sins 3) love for Ali prevents one from committing any sin. According to this article love for Imam Ali is the basis of Islam and the criterion for faith. Ali's friends who are naturally Muslims are immune from the main harm that is punishment or eternal punishment in the hereafter, though they might however face punishment in this world or in barzakh (that is an intermediary world between this world and the hereafter).