Abi Dhar Al-Ghefaari, said:
I saw the MESSENGER OF ALLAH (SAWW) put his hand on the shoulder of ALI BIN ABI TALEB (ASWS) and say:
O ALI (ASWS)! Whoever loves us is an Arab, (Arab in this Hadith does not mean an Arab man. It means a master, as opposed to a servant) and whoever hates us is a disbeliever.
Our Shia are the people of honour and respect, and they are conceived legitimately. No one is in the nation of Ibrahim (AS) except for us and our Shia, and the rest of mankind are excluded from it. ALLAH (SWT) and His angels destroy the sins of our Shia, just like people destroy a building.
(Ref : Amaali of Tousi 1:194. Amaali AI Mufid 169. Irshaad AI Qoloub 254.)