Saalim came to Imam Baqir (a.s.) and said that I have come to speak to you about that person.
Imam (a.s.): About which person?
Saalim: Ali Ibn Abi Talib (a.s.)
Imam (a.s.): Regarding which affair?
Saalim: Regarding his actions (errors – Allah forbid).
Imam (a.s.): Reflect over the traditions that have reached you from the narrators.
Imam (a.s.) continued: Has this tradition reached you that the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.) on the Day of Khaibar had given the standard of Ansaar to Sa’d Ibn Maaz and his attack was repelled? Then he (s.a.w.a.) sent Umar Ibn Khattab with the standard of the Muhaajir? Sa’d was brought injured and Umar returned in a state that the he called his companions a coward and they were calling him a coward.
This is what the Muhaajir and Ansaar did until he (s.a.w.a.) repeated thrice: Tomorrow, I will certainly give the standard to a person who is vigorous and will not flee from the battlefield. Allah and His Messenger love him and he loves Allah and His Messenger.
He (Saalim) said: Yes and the entire nation also agreed (that Prophet (s.a.w.a.) said so)
Imam (a.s.): O Saalim! If you say that Allah loves him but does not know what he (Ali a.s.) is going to do, you have disbelieved. And if you say that Allah loves him and Allah knows what he is going to do, then where is the error you claim you have seen from him?
Saalim: Repeat (the narration) for me
Imam (a.s.) repeated it.
Saalim: I have been worshipping Allah in a state of deviation for seventy years.
Al-Ehtejaaj vol. 2 p. 328