عَنْ اَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع قَالَ: اِنَّ اللهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ نَصَبَ عَلِيًّا ع عَلَمًا بَيْنَهُ وَ بَيْنَ خَلْقِهِ فَمَنْ عَرَفَهُ كَانَ مُؤْمِنًا وَ مَنْ اَنْكَرَهُ كَانَ كَافِرًا وَ مَنْ جَهِلَهُ كَانَ ضَالًّا وَ مَنْ نَصَبَ مَعَهُ شَيْئًا كَانَ مُشْرِكًا وَ مَنْ جَاءَ بِوَلَايَتِهِ دَخَلَ الْجَنَّةَ.
Imam Baqer (peace be upon him) says:
“Certainly, Allah the Almighty, established Ali, peace be upon him, as an emblem between Himself and His creation. Whosoever acquires his recognition is a believer and whosoever denies him is a disbeliever. Whoever remains ignorant of him is deviated. Whoever raises anyone to his status is a polytheist. While the one who reaches (Allah) with belief in his mastership enters heaven.”
References:
1. Al-Kaafi, vol. 1, p. 437, H. 7
2. Amaali, p. 487, H. 1067
3. Wasaael al-Shiah, vol. 28, p. 353, H. 34951
4. Behaar al-Anwaar, vol. 32, p. 324, H. 300