Ruling on singling out ‘Ali (may Allaah be pleased with him) for the words “May Allaah honour his face”
Question

                We often hear and read a phrase used in reference to the cousin of the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), ‘Ali ibn Abi Taalib (may Allaah be pleased with him), which is “karrama Allaahu wajhahu (may Allaah honour his face)”. 

Is it correct to say this?
Praise be to Allah.
    Ibn Katheer said in his Tafseer (3/517):

    This phrase is used a great deal by scribes who are transcribing books in 
    which the phrase “ ‘alayhi al-salaam (upon him be peace) is used in 
    reference to ‘Ali (may Allaah be pleased with him), to the exclusion of 
    other Sahaabah, or the words “karrama Allaahu wajhahu (may Allaah 
    honour his face)” are used. Although the meaning is acceptable, we should 
    respect all the Sahaabah equally in this way, because this is a kind of 
    veneration and honouring, and the two shaykhs [Abu Bakr and ‘Umar] and Ameer 
    al-Mu’mineen ‘Uthmaan are more deserving of that – may Allaah be pleased 
    with them all.

     The following question was submitted to the Standing 
    Committee (3/289):

     Why are the words “karrama Allaahu wajhahu (may 
    Allaah honour his face)” said after mentioning the name of ‘Ali ibn Abi 
    Taalib?

     They answered: 

    Saying the words “karrama Allaahu wajhahu (may Allaah 
    honour his face)” after mentioning the name of ‘Ali and singling him out in 
    this manner is one aspect of the way in which the Shi’ah exaggerate about 
    him. It was said that this is because he never looked at the ‘awrah of any 
    person at all, or because he never prostrated to an idol. But this is not 
    something that is unique to him, as other Sahaabah who were born in Islam 
    also shared these characteristics.

     Some of them said that the words “karrama Allaahu wajhahu 
    (may Allaah honour his face)” are only said in reference to ‘Ali because he 
    never prostrated to any idol.

     I say: because the Raafidis, the enemies of ‘Ali and the 
    enemies of the family of the Messenger of Allaah  (peace and blessings 
    of Allaah be upon him) use this phrase, we should avoid imitating the people 
    of bid’ah (innovation). And Allaah knows best. 

    They have reasons for doing that which do not justify 
    singling out ‘Ali for this phrase, such as the fact that he never looked at 
    the ‘awrah of another person, or that he never prostrated to any idol. But 
    those Sahaabah who were born in Islam also share these chracateristics. It 
    should also be noted that when giving any reason it is also essential to 
    offer evidence and proof.

     Note:

     In Musnad Ahmad it is narrated that Abu Sa’eed 
    al-Khudri (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: “The Messenger of Allaah 
     (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) took the banner and waved 
    it, then said, ‘Who can take this and give it its due.’ So and so came and 
    said, ‘I will,’ but he said to him, ‘Keep away.’ Then another man came and 
    he said, Keep away.’ Then the Prophet  (peace and blessings of Allaah be 
    upon him) said: ‘By the One Who honoured the face of Muhammad, I shall 
    certainly give it to a man who will never flee. Take it, O ‘Ali.”

     In the text of some ahaadeeth, you will find their words – “karrama 
    Allaahu wajhahu (may Allaah honour his face)” – when ‘Ali (may Allaah be 
    pleased with him) is mentioned, but we do not know of this in any marfoo’ 
    report, and it is not known that any of the Sahaabah said these words in 
    reference to ‘Ali, so these may be the words of the scribe.