Preface
ThosewhoareawareoftheprevailingconditionsintheIslamicworldwellknowthattodaytheIslamicnationhasappearedtobesplitanddividedintonationswithamiscellanyofideologies.Asaconsequence,Islamiccommunitieshaveconstantlybeenruledbygroupsof[opportunist]people-whoalwaysseektheirhegemonyinfanningthefireofdisunity.Theseopportunistrulershavefullyinvestedandemployedvariousmeansinordertoachievetheirominoushegemonicgoalsthroughoutthehistory.
Undoubtedly,thereexistsdiversityofopinionsamongtheIslamicsects,thoughmostofsuchdifferencesarerootedintheologicalissues(Kalaam)createdbyIslamictheologians.Generally,ordinaryMuslimsdonotknowmuchaboutthesetheologicaldifferences.
Despitealltheexistingareasofdifference,therearesomecommonPivotalviewsamongtheIslamicsectsthatactasthe'connectinglink',whichkeepthewholeIslamiccommunityclosetoeachother.
ItisremarkablethatthenumberofcommonviewpointsamongIslamicsectsconsiderablyexceedsthatofcontroversialissues,butunfortunately,theopportunistshaveexploitedtheseveryfewdifferencestoboostuptheclashesbetweentheIslamicsects.TheyhavealwaysrefrainedfromposingthesharedthoughtsoftheIslamicsectsthatexistbothintheirmainandsecondaryprinciples.
Inoneoftheconferencesheldbythe'WorldAssemblyfortheApproximationofIslamicSects',IwasassignedtodeliveraspeechontheJurisprudentialviewsofdifferentIslamicsectswithregardto'personalaffairs'(includingmarriage,divorce,inheritance,etc.).ItwasmuchsurprisingfortheparticipantsatthatseminartolearnthatShiiteJurisprudencesharesthesameperspectivesregardingtheabovethreeissueswiththeotherfourSunniteschoolsofthought.Itisafactthattheoppositiongroupshavenot,indeed,identifiedthetruenatureofShiism,andwronglyconceiveitasaseparatedsect.TheyconstantlymakeunjustpropagandaagainsttheoppressedsectofShiaintheirmassmedia.Thisunfair
approachtowardsShiismisnotbutservingthecommonenemiesofMuslimsandenhancingtheirominousplots.
IwishherebytonotifytheseunawarepeoplethattheestablishmentofcloserelationshipswiththeShiascholarswillremovetheveilsofignorancefromtheireyes,andtheywillrealizethatShiaaretheirfull-bloodbrothers,whomtheywereawaitingforlongcenturies.
Inthisway,wemayfulfillwhattheAlmightyasksusinthefollowingverse:
نودبعاف مكبر انا و هدحاو هما مكتما نا
(Verilythis,yournationsareonenation,andIamyourLord,soworshipMe.)
Oneoftheoldplots,appliedbythecolonizersagainsttheIslamicnations,istoinstilldoubtsinordertoharmthegloriousIslamicRevolutionofIran.Thisisanoldmethod,whichhasbeenprevalentintheMiddleEastandsomeotherareasoftheworldindifferentforms.
Once,atthetimeofHajjPilgrimage,somepilgrimsofothercountrieswhohadacquaintedwiththeIslamicRevolutionofIranposedalotofquestions.TheywereMuslimpeople,whosemindswereinfectedbytheillpropagandaagainsttheShia.
Thegeneralityofabove-mentionedqueries,mostlyinreligiousandculturalfields,arebeingcollectedinthisbook,andouresteemedscholar,Mr.SayyidRizaHosseiniNassab,hasmadeeffortstoarrangethesequestionsandanswersundermydirections.Wehavemadeourbesttoexplaintheanswersasmuchaspossible;atthesametime,extraexplanationshavebeenavoidedinordertoprepareasmuchsummarizedresponsesaspossible.Moreelaborationontheanswersshallbepostponedtosomeothertime.
WehopeImamMahdi(a.s)grantsthislittlework.
JafarSobhani
IslamicSeminary,Qom1995
TheTranslator’sNote:
Duetothehighimportanceof'TheShiaResponds',Ideemeditnecessarytotranslateitinordertoprovidethegroundsforthereaders‟betterunderstandingoftheShiahighteachings,especiallyintheEnglish-speakingworldandanswertotheinstilledmisgivingsandmisrepresentationsinthisregard.ThebookseekstogivethereaderssomereasonablegroundstostudytheShiawithappreciativeanalysis.
Toachievethisend,Iputalotofeffortsintotheworkforaboutthreesuccessivemonthsnightandday,hopingthatitcandelivermeontheDayofResurrection.Inaddition,Ihaveattemptedtogiveastransparentandasfairtranslationofthebook,yetstillitisnotdevoidoffaults,andIamresponsibleforanythinginthetranslationthatisamiss.Ishouldbeverygladtohearfromthereadersusingthebookwhofindmistakes,orwhohavecommentsorsuggestionsofanykind.Pleasewritemeatm-ghasemi@ahl-ul-bait.org.
Asthelastword,itisclearasdaythatthecreationofanyworkusuallyinvolvesthecooperationandeffortsofavarietyofpersons.Thisworkisnoexception.Tomyintimatefriends,Mr.HushangBakhtiyari,MehdiHassanzadeh,andMassudMeshki,Iexpressmydeepappreciation.Besides,IamgratefultoMr.ZiyaJavaheriforgivingmetheideaoftranslatingthisbook.
Inaddition,Iowemywifeadebtofgratitudeforfreeingmefrommanyoflife‟sdailydemands,sothatIcouldtranslatefreely.Ialsoexpressmygratitudetomyparents,whoalwaysprayedGod,theAlmighty,formysuccessinthisway.Surely,withouttheirsupport,thistranslationsimplywouldnotexist.
MehdiGhasemi,
February2004
Questionno.1Whichoneisaccountedastheauthenticphrase[inSaqlaynhadith]:
يترتعو (andmyhousehold)or يتنسو (andmytradition)?
IntheirHadithbooks,thenarratorshaverecordedSaqlaynhadith,whichisofhighcredit,intwoversions,andnow,weareabouttofindouttheauthenticone:
1st. يتیب لها يترتعو هللا باتك (God‟sBookandmyhousehold)
2nd. يتنسو هللا باتك (God‟sBookandmytradition)
Theanswer:
TheProphet‟strueandauthentichadithistheone,whichincludesthephraseيتیب لها issourcesdocumentaryitsofauthenticitytheand,(householdmyand)و
beyonddoubt,whilethedocuments,presentedfor يتنس seem(traditionmyand)وunsound.
Theevidenceofthephraseو يتیب لها (andmyhousehold):
Twograndnarratorshavenarratedthefollowingtext:
1-Inhisbook,entitled„Sahih‟,MoslemnarratesfromZeidIbnArghamthatoncetheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)deliveredasermonnexttoKhum,apoolinaregionbetweenMeccaandMedina,inwhichhepraisedGodandadmonishedthepeopleassaying,
نیلقث مكیف كرات انا و بیجاف يبر لوسر يتای نا كشوی رشب انا امناف ، سانلا اهیا الا :
هللا باتك يلع ثحف – هب اوكسمتسا و هللا باتكب اوذخف ، رونلا و يدهلا هیف هللا باتك امهلوا
يتیب لها يف هللا مكركذا ، يتیب لها يف هللا مكركذا ، يتیب لها و : لاق مث هیف ،ورؼب
يتیب لها يف هللا مكركذا *
(O,people!Verily,Iamaman,andsoontheangelofdeathwillcometome,andIwillsubmitmyselftohiscall.Ileavebehindtwoinvaluablethings:theDivineBook,whichisthelightandguidance,soadheretoit.Hethenwenton,andmyhousehold,andmyhousehold,andmyhousehold.)
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*Sahih,Moslem,vol.4,p.1803,no.2408
Daramiinhis'Sonan'hasrecordedthissermon,too,**andtheauthenticityofthesetwodocumentarysourcesisbeyonddoubt.
2-Tirmizihasalsonarratedthishadithwiththephrase يتیب لها يترتع و
(andmyhousehold)asfollows,
لبح هللا باتك : رخالا نم مظعا امهدحا ؛ يدعب اولضت نل هب متكسمت نا ام مكیف كرات ينا
ضوحلا يلع ادری يتح اقرتفی نل ، يتیب لها يترتع و ضرالا يلا ءامسلا نم دودمم ،
اهیف ينوفلخت ؾ يك اورظناف *
(Ileavebehindamongyoutwothings.Youwillnevergoastrayifyouholdfasttothem;andoneofthemisgreaterthantheother:theBookofAllah,whichisastringfromtheheaventotheearth,andmyhousehold(Ahlul-Bait).Theywillneverbeseparatedfromeachotheruntiltheyjoinmeatthepond.Bewarehowyouwilltreatmytrusts.)
ThisprovestheauthenticityofourassertionthatMoslemandTirmizi,the
authorsof'Sahih'and'Sonan',havehighlightedthephrase يتیب لها my)وhousehold),anditsauthenticityisbeyonddoubt.
Theevidenceofthephrase يتنسو (andmytradition):
Thetradition,havingappliedthephrase يتنسو (andmytradition),isafake,andinadditiontoitsunsounddocuments,itisbelievedthattheUmayyadagentshavefakedit:
1-Inhis'Mostadrak',HakemNeishaburihasnarratedthebelowtraditionfromthefollowingnarrators:
AbbasIbnAbiOvaysnarratedfromAbiOvaysfromThurIbnZeidulDeilamifromAkramahfromIbnAbasthattheholyProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)said,
هیبن هنس و هللا باتك : ادبا اولضت نلف هب متمصتعا نا ، مكیف تكرت دق ينإ سانلا اهیا ای *
(O,people!Ileavebehindtwothings;youwillnevergoastrayifyouholdfasttothem:theBookofAllahandHisProphet‟stradition.)
IshmaelIbnAbiOvaysandAbiOvays,thefatherandtheson,two
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**Vol.2,p.431-32
*Vol.5,p.663,no.37788
*Mostadrak,vol.1,p.93
ofthenarratorsofthishadith,arenotonlyunreliable,butalsochargedofforgeryandlie.
Thegenealogists’viewsonthem:
HafezMazi,agenealogicalscholar,inhisbook,entitled'TahzibulKamal'writesaboutIshmaelandhisfatherassuch:
'YahyaIbnMoe'en(oneofthegreatscholarsinthefieldofgenealogy)believesthatAbiOvaysandhissonareunreliable'.Hehasbeennarratedassayingthattheyhavecommittedbreachoftrustaboutthehadiths.WithregardtoAbiOvays'son,hesaid,'Heisunreliable',andNesaeebelievesthatAbiOvays'sonisunsoundanduntrustworthy.AbulQasemLalkaeesaid,'Nesaeehasalotofassertionsagainsthimsuchas,'hisnarrationsoughttobeabandoned'.
Besides,IbnAdi(thegenealogist)says,“IbnAbiOvayshasnarratedanumberofqueertraditionsfromMalek,hisuncle,thatnobodybelievesinthem”.*
IbnHejrintheprefaceofhisbook„FathUl-Bari'hasasserted,'OnecannotrelyonIbnAbiOvays'narrations,becauseNesaeehasreprimandedhim”.**
Inhisbook,called'FathulMolkUl-Ala',HafezSeyedAhmadIbnSediqquotedSalmatIbnSheidthathehadheardfromIshmaelIbnAbiOvayssaying,“WhenthepeopleofMedinahaveadiversityofopinionaboutsomethingandfallintwogroups,Ifakesometraditions”.***
Thus,IshmaelIbnAbiOvaysinaccusedoffakinghadiths,andIbnMoe'enhasascribedthemendacitytohim.Inaddition,hisnarrationshaveneverbeenrecordedinanysoundbooks,including'Sahih'bybothMoslemandTirmizi.
Moreover,AbuHatamRaziin'JarhandTadil'writes,“AbuOvays'hadithshavebeenrecordedinsomeofthebooks,butnoonerelieson
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*TahzibulKamal,HafezMazi,vol.3,p.127.
**FathUl-Bari,IbnHejrAsghalani,thepreface,p.391,DarulMarefahedition.
***FathulMolkUl-Ala,HafezSeyedAhmad,p.15
theminhisdebates,becausetheyarenottrustworthy”.*Thetraditions,narratedbythem,areunsoundandincases,contradictthesoundandauthenticones.
Itisworthytomentionthatthehadithtransmitter,i.e.,HakemNeishaburi,hasrectifiedthelackofauthenticityofthehadithnarrators,sohehasnotendeavoredtorectifyit.Onthecontrary,hehaspresentedevidence,provingtheauthenticityofthehadithcontent,butthisevidenceaddsinvaliditytoit,andhereishisunsoundevidence:
Thesecondevidenceofthephrase يتنس :(traditionmyand)و
HakemNeishaburihasnarratedthefollowingasMarfuhadith**fromAbuHurirah,
يلع ادری يتح اقرتفی نل و يتنس و هللا باتك : امهدعب اولضت نل نیئیش مكیف تكرت دق ينا
ضوحلا ***
Hakemhasnarratedthishadithwiththefollowingchainoftransmission:
AlzabinarratedfromSalehIbnMusaAl-TalhifromAbdulAzizIbnRafifromAbiSalehfromAbiHurirah.
Likethepreviousone,thishadithisafake.SalehIbnMusaAl-Talhaisoneofthenarrators,andbelowarethegreatgenealogists‟viewsonhim:
YahyaIbnMoeensays,“SalehIbnMusaisnotreliable”.AbuHatamRazireprimandshimassaying,“hisnarrationsarenotsound,andheascribessomeinvalidstatementstothetrustworthyindividuals.Nesaeebelieves,“hisnarrationsoughttobeabandoned”.*
In„ThahzibUl-Tahzib‟,IbnHejrreferstoIbnHabaenassaying,“SalehIbnMosaascribessomestatementstothetrustworthyindividuals,whiletheyhavenoconformitywiththeirspeech”.Hethenadds,“hisnarrationsarenotreliable,andAbuNaeemalsobelievesthathisnarrationsshouldnotbetrusted,becausehealways
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*JarhandTadil,AbuHatamRazi,vol.5,p.92
**Thehadith,thenarratorofwhichdoesnotascribeittotheInfallible.
***Hakem,Mostadrak,vol.1,p.93
*TahzibUl-Kamal,HafezMazi,vol.13,p.96
**TahzibUl-Tahzib,IbnHejr,vol.4,p.355
***Taghrib,IbnHejr,no.2891
narratednullandvoidnarrations”.**Also,IbnHejrin'Taqrib'***writes,“hisnarrationsareabandoned”,andZahabiin'Kashef'****says,“Hisnarrationsareunreliable”.Healsoin'MizanUl-Etedal'*hasquotedtheabove-mentionedtradition,assertingthatitwasoneofSalih'sinvalidtraditions.
Thethirdevidenceofthephrase يتنسو (andmytradition):
IbnAbdulBerin'Tamhid'**hasrecordedthesametraditionwiththefollowingchainoftransmission:
AbdulRahmanIbnYahyanarratedfromAhmadIbnSaeedfromMohammedIbnAbrahamAldabilifromAliIbnZeidulFaraezi,fromAl-HonainifromKathirIbnAbdollahIbnAmroIbnOuffromhisfatherfromhisgrandfather.
WithregardtoKathirIbnAbdollah,ImamShaffeesaid,“Heisoneofthepillarsofmendacity”.***AbuDawudalsoasserted,“Heisoftheliars”.IbnHabanstated,“AbdollahIbnKathirhasnarratedabookoftraditionsfromhisfatherandgrandfatherwhichisafakefromthebase,andanyexcerptionfromthebookornarrationfromAbdollahisprohibited,saveforcriticismorrebuttal”.****
NesaeeandDarulGhatnaareoftheopinionthathisnarrationsareunreliable,andImamAhmadconfirmsthathisnarratedhadithsareunsoundandtherefore,
rejected,andIbnMoe‟enisofthesameopinion.
ItisawonderthatIbnHejrin'Al-Taghrib'hasonlysufficedittodescribehimas'unsound'andhascalledthosewhohavechargedhimwithmendacityasextravagant,whereastheleadersofgenealogyhaveaccusedhimofmendacityandfake;asZahabisays,“hiswordsareinvalidandunfounded”.
Thenarrationwithnoevidence:
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****Kashef,Zahabi,no.2412
*MizanUlEtedal,Zahabi,vol.2,P.302
**Al-Tamhid,vol.24,p.331
***Tahzibul-Tahzib,IbnHejr,vol.8,p.377,Darulfikredition:TahzibUl-Kamal,vol.24,p.138
****Ibid.
Inhis'Al-Movata',Malekhasnarratedthistraditionwithoutevidenceorchainoftransmission,anditisevidentthatsuchatraditionisofnocredit.*ThisstudyclearlyprovesthatthemendaciousnarratorsortheUmayyadagentsthroughimitatingtherealhadithhavefakedthishadith.Duetothisfact,themosquespeakersandpreachershavetoabandonthistradition,whichhasnotbeennarratedbytheMessengerofGod,andinstead,acquaintthepeoplewiththesoundtradition;thetradition,whichMoslemhasrecordedinhis„Sahih‟as لهايتیب (myhousehold)andTirmizias يتیب لها و يترتع (myhouseholdand
Ahlul-Bait).Moreover,theseekersofknowledgeshouldstudythehadithsciencesoastodistinguishthesoundhadithsfromtheunauthenticones.
ItisnoteworthytomentionthatwhattheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)meantbythephrase يتیب لها washishousehold,suchasFatima,Hasan,andHussein(a.s),becauseMosleminhis'Sahih'‟*andTarmaziinhis
„Sonan‟**havequotedfromAyeshaassaying,
مكنع بهذیل هللا دیری امنا – ملسو ] هلآ و [ هیلع هللا يلص – يبنلا يلع ةیالا هذه تلزن
و [ هیلع هللا يلص – يبنلا اعدف ، ةملس ما تیب يف ، اریهطت مكرهطی و تیبلا لها سجرلا
لاق مث ءاسكب هللجف هرهظ ؾ لخ يلع و ءاسكب مهللجف انیسح و انسح و ةمطاف – ملسو ] هلآ
: ای مهعم انا و هملس ما تلاق ا. ریهطت مهرهط و سجرلا مهنع بهذاف يتیب لها ءالوه مهللا
ریخ يلا تنا و كناكم يلع تنا : لاق ؟ هللا يبن .
(Theverse اریهطت مكرهطی و تیبلا لها سجرلا مكن ع بهذیل هللا دیری امنا
(Allahonlydesirestokeepawaytheuncleanlinessfromyou,O,Peopleofthehouse!Andtopurifyyouathoroughpurification)wasrevealedinthehouseofOmmeSalameh.Then,theholyProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)coveredFatima(a.s),Hasan,andHusseinunderthecloakwhileAliwasbehindhim.HealsocoveredAliwiththecloakandsaid,“O,myLord!Thesearemyhousehold.
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*Al-Movata,Malek,p.889,hadithno.3
*Sahih,Moslem,vol.4,P.1883,hadithno.2424.
**Sonan,Tirmizi,vol.5,P.663
Removefromthemtheimpurityandpurifythem”.Then,OmmeSalamehaskedtheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants),“AmIconsideredasyourhousehold?”andtheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants.s)replied,“Stayinyourplace(Donotcomeunderthecloak);youareonthewayofgoodness”.)
TheconceptofSaqlaynhadith:
TwoconclusionsaredrawnfromthefactthattheholyProphet(peacebeuponhimandisdescendants)mentionedhishouseholdalongsidetheholyQuran,andthencalledbothofthemastheDivineauthorityoverhisnation:
1-LiketheholyQuran,thewordsoftheProphet'shouseholdserveastheDivineauthority,andtheymustadheretotheminthereligiousaffairs.AlthoughtheMuslimsweredividedintotwogroupsontheissueofCaliphateandthemanagementofthenation'spoliticalaffairsaftertheProphet'sdemiseandeachofthemhadtheirownideologies,thereremainsnoroomforanydifferenceamongthemontheAhlul-Bait(a.s)asthereligiousauthority,becauseallofthemagreeonthevalidityofThaqlaynhadith,whichcallsfortheholyQuranandtheProphet'shouseholdasthesourceofideologyandDivinelaws.ItisevidentthatiftheIslamicnationsactinaccordancewiththishadith,theirdifferenceswillbelessandless,andasaresult,theywillreachtounity.
2-TheholyQuranisimmunefromtheerror,becauseitistheWordofGod,andHedescribesitassuch,
دیمح میكح نم لیزنت هفلخ نم وال هیدی نیب نم لطابلا هیتای *ال
(Nofalsehoodfindswaytoitinthepresentorfuture;thedescendingofitisbytheSource,theWisdom,thePraised.)
IftheholyQuranisimmunefromtheerror,itsmateshouldbeso,becauseitisnotsensiblethatthefallibleorsinfulpersonsaccompanytheDivineBook.
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*FoselatSura,verseno.42
**Ale-ImranSura,verseno.42
ThistraditioncertifiestheinfallibilityoftheProphet'shousehold,butitisnoteworthytomentionthatinfallibilityisnotalwaysaccompaniedwithprophecy.Therearesomeinfalliblepersonswhoarenottheprophets.Inaccordancewiththeverse,
نیملاعلا ءاسن يلع كافطصاو كرهط و كافطصا هللا نإ **
(Allahhaschosenyouandpurifiedyouandhaspreferredyouoverthewomenoftheworld),theholyMaryispurefromsins,butnottheprophet.
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*SafatSura,verseno.83
Questionno.2
Whatdoestheterm'Shia'mean?
Theanswer:
Theterm'Shia'intheArabiclanguagemeansthe'follower'.TheholyQuraninthisregardsays, میهاربال هتعیش نم نا theofoneisAbraham)وfollowersofNoah)*.ButintheMuslims'terminology,theterm'Shia'isappliedtoagroupofMuslims,whobelievethattheProphetofIslam(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)hadappointedhissuccessorandtheMuslims''Caliphbeforedepartingthislifeinsomespecialoccasions,amongwhichhappenedtobeonZil-Hajah,18,the10thyearofHijrah,knownasGhadir,inabigcongregation,inwhichheintroducedtheMuslims'political,scientific,andreligiousleader.ItisnoteworthytosaythataftertheProphet'sdemise,Mohajerin(theMigrants)andAnsar(theHelpers)weredividedintotwogroups:
AgroupwasoftheopinionthattheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)hadnotneglectedtheissueofCaliphateandthushadappointedhissuccessor,andthatisAliIbnAbiTalib(a.s),thefirstbelieverafterhim.
Thisgroup,consistedofsomeofMohajerin(theMigrants)andAnsar(theHelpers),headedbytheBani-HashemnobilitiesandsomeofthebrilliantdisciplesoftheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants),suchasSalman,Abuzar,Meghdad,KhababIbnArat,etc.TheyremainedsteadfastonthisbeliefandwereentitledasAli'sShia.
ThehonoredProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants),ofcourse,appliedthistitletoAli‟sfollowersinhislifetime,wherehereferredtoAliIbnAbiTalib(a.s)as:
ةمایقلا موی نوزئافلا مهل هتعیشو اذه نا ، هدیب يسفن يذلاو **
(ByAllah,WhommylifeisinHishand,he[Ali(a.s)]andhisfollowersareprosperousontheDayofResurrection.)
Therefore,theterm'Shia'isappliedtoagroupofMuslims,whowereso-calledduetotheirbeliefthatGodappointsHiscaliphs.ThisgrouphasalreadyremainedbelievinginfollowingtheProphet‟sAhlul-Bait(a.s).
ThisfactclarifiestheShiapointofview,andtherefore,thebaselessnessofthebiasedorignorantfabricators'claims,statingthatShiismcameintoexistenceaftertheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)isproved.ForfurtherstudyonthehistoryofShiism,refertothebooks'Shiismandtheprinciples','Al-Morajeat',and'AyanUl-Shia'.
TheothergroupbelievedthattheCaliphatepositioniselective;therefore,theysworeallegiancetoAbubakr,andlatertheywereentitledastheSunnites.Consequently,inspiteofalotofcommonpointsintheirprinciples,majordiscrepanciesoccurredtobothsidesontheissueoftheCaliphateandtheProphet'ssuccessorship.Mohajerin(theMigrants)andAnsar(theHelpers)werethepreliminarysourcesofformingbothgroups.
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**JalalUdinSuyuti,DurUl-Manthur,vol.6,onthecommentaryofBayanehSura,the7thverse
Questionno.3
WhyisAliIbnAbiTalib(a.s)thesuccessortotheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)?
Theanswer:
Asstatedbefore,theShiaissteadfastinhisbeliefthatCaliphateis'appointedbyGod'.TheyalsobelievethatImamateaftertheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)resemblesprophethoodinsomeaspects.LiketheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants),itisAllah,whoappointstheProphet‟ssuccessors.
ThechronicleoftheProphet‟slifebearswitnesstothisfact,becausehehasintroducedAli(a.s)ashissuccessorinvariouscases,including:
1-Attheadventofhispropheticmission:
Whenbeingcommissionedtoinvitehisrelativestomonotheisminaccordancewiththeverse نیبرقالا كتریشع رذناو
(Andwarnyourtribeandnearkinsmen)*,theProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)addressedthemassaying,“Whosoeverassistsmeinthiswayismysuccessor,minister,andexecutor”.
TheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)phrasedhiswordsassaying,
مكیف يیصو و يتفیلخ و يریزو و يخا نوكی نا يلع رمال اذه يف ينرزاوی مكیاف
(Whodoesassistmeinthiswaytobemybrother,minister,executo,and
successoramongyou?”)
TheonlyonewhorespondedpositivelytothisheavenlyproclamationwasAli(a.s),thesonofAbuTalib.
Then,theProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)wenton,
هوعیطا و هل اوعمساف مكیف يتفیلخ و يیصو يخا اذه نا *
(He[Ali]ismybrother,executor,andsuccessoramongyou;listentohiswordsandfollowhim”.)
2-InTabukbattle:
TheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)toldAli(a.s),
يدعب يبنال هنا الا يسوم نم نوراه هلزنمب ينم نوكت نا يضرت اما **
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*ShoaraSura,verseno.214
*TarikhTabari,vol.2,p.62-63;TarikhKamel,vol.2,p.40-41;MosnadAhmad,vol.1,p.111;ACommentoryonNahjulBalaghah,IbnAbilHadid,vol.13,p.210-12.
**Sireh,IbnHesham,vol.2,p.520;AlsavaeghUl-Mohareghah,IbnHejr,section9,chapter2,p.121
(“AreyounotpleasedtoknowthatyouaretomelikeAarontoMoses,exceptthattherewillexistnoprophetafterme”.)
ItdenotesthatasAaronwastheimmediatesuccessorofMoses,Ali(a.s)wastheProphet'ssuccessor,too.
3-Inthe10thyearofHijrah:
WhenreturningfromhislastpilgrimagetoMecca,theProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)introducedAli(a.s)astheMuslimsandbelievers'guardianinaregion,called'GhadirKhum'inabigcongregationassaying,
هالوم يلع اذهف هالوم تنك نم
(“Henceforth,AliistheguardianofthoseIhavebeentheirguardian”.)
Tobeginwith,theProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)stated,
؟ مكسفنا نم مكب يلوا تسلا
(“AmInotsuperiortoyourselvesthanyou?)AndtheMuslimsstoodupconfirminghimunanimously.Therefore,theterm يلوم (guardian)inthishadithsignifiesthesuperiorityandtheguardianshipoverthebelievers.Fromthisstatement,itisdeducedthattheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)highlightedthesameguardianshippositionofhimselfforAli(a.s).ItoccurredonthesamedaythatHasanIbnThabetversifiedthehistoricalmovementof'Ghadir'andcomposedthefollowingpoems:
ایدانم لوسرلاب عمساو مخب مهیبن رید ؽ لا موی مهیدانی
ایماعتلا كانه اودبی مل و اولاقف ؟ مكیبن و مكالوم نمف لاقف
ایصاع هیالولا يف انم قلت ملو انیبن تناو انالوم كهلا
ایداه و اماما يدعب نم كتیضر ينناف يلع ای مق : هل لاقف
ایلاوم قدص عابتا هل اونوكف هیلو اذهف هالوم تنك نمف
ایداعم ایلع يداع يذلل نكو هیلو لاو مهللا : اعد كانه *
GhadirhadithisoneoftheIslamicsuccessivehadiths,
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*AlManaghib,KharazmiMaleki,p.80;TazkerahKhasAl-Oma,SebtIbnJoziHanafi,p.20;KefayatulTalib,GanjiShafei,P.17,…
which,inadditiontotheShiailluminatefigures,hasbeennarratedbyabout360SunniScholars(forinstance,refertothebook'SavaeqUl-Moharaghah',IbnHajr,Section9,Chapter2,p.122),andthereexistthedocuments,whichshowtheapprovalof110oftheProphet'sdisciples.Besides,26brilliantlearnedhavewrittenseparatebooksconcerningthedocuments,provingtheauthenticityofthishadith.
AbuJafarTabari,thefamousMuslimhistorian,hascollectedthedocuments,dealingwiththisthemeintwothickvolumes.Forfurtherinformation,refertothebook'Al-Ghadir'.
Questionno.4
WhoaretheShia"Imams‟?
Theanswer:
Inhislifetime,theholyProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)specifiedthattwelvepersonswouldruleasCaliphsafterhim,andthattheyallwouldbefromQurayshtribe.HealsoaddedthattheIslam'sglorywouldbeprotectedundertheirCaliphate.
JabirIbnSamarehsaid,
مل ةملك لاق مث ةفیلخ رشع ينثا يلا ازیزع مالسالا لازیال لوقی ) ص ( هللا لوسر تعمس
شیرق نم مهلك : لاقف ؟ لاق ام يبال تلقف اهعمسا *
(IheardtheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)saying,“Islamwillbereveredbythetwelvecaliphsandleaders”.AndthensaidaphraseIdidnothear,soIaskedmyfather,andhereplied,“TheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)saidthattheyallwerefromQuraysh”.)
InthehistoryofIslam,thetwelveCaliphsastheprotectorsofIslam‟sgloryare,indeed,thetwelveImams,inwhomtheShiabelieves,becausethetwelveCaliphs,theProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)introduced,weresoonappointedasCaliphsafterhim.
Now,whoarethesetwelvepersons?
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*Sahih,Moslim,vol.6,p.2.
ApartfromthefourCaliphs,knownas'Rashedin'intheSunniteterminology,theothercaliphswerenotanhonortoIslam.ThehistoryoftheUmayyadandAbbasidCaliphscertifiesthisfact,but,onthecontrary,thetwelveImamsofShiahavealwaysbeenthesymbolofpietyandvirtueintheirownerasandthereafter.Asaconsequence,theypreservedtheProphet'straditionsandwerehonoredbytheirdisciples,followers,andthenextgenerations.Thehistorianshavecertifiedtheirimmenseknowledgeandauthority,and….
Theyareasfollows:
1-AliIbnAbiTalib
2-HasanIbnAli(Mujtaba)
3-HusseinIbnAli
4-AliIbnHussein(ZeinUl-Abedin)
5-MohammadIbnAli(Baqir)
6-JafarIbnMohammed(Sadeq)
7-MusaIbnJafar(Kazim)
8-AliIbnMusa(Reza)
9-MohammedIbnAli(Taqi)
10-AliIbnMohammed(Naqi)
11-HassanIbnAli(Askari)
12-ImamMahdi(Ghaem).
TheIslamicnarratorshavenarratedasuccessivenumberoftraditions,called'Mahdi,thePromised‟fromtheholyProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants).Forfurtherstudyonthelivesofthesehonoredleaders,whosenameshavebeenstatedbytheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants),refertothefollowingbooks:
1-Tazkeratul-Khavas
2-Kefayatul-Athar
3-Vafiyatul-Ayan
4-AyanUl-Shia(bySeyedMohsenAminAmeli),whichismorecomprehensivethantheabove-mentionedbooks.
Questionno.5
WhydotheShiasendtheirregardsbothtotheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)andhisdescendantsassaying,
يلص مهللا
دمحم لآ و دمحم يلع
(O,God,senddownYourblessingsonMohammedandhishousehold)?
Theanswer:
ItisevidentthattheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)himselftaughttheMuslimsthewayofsendingregards.Whentheverse
امیلست اوملس و هیلع اولص اونمآ نیذلا اهیا ای يبنلا يلع نولصی ةتكئالم و هللا نا *
(Surely,AllahandhisangelsblesstheProphet,O,youwhobelieve,callforDivineblessingsonhimwithasalutation)wasrevealed,theMuslimsaskedtheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)howtheycoulddoso,andtheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)answered,
** ارتبلا ةولصلا يلع اولصتال
(Neversendmeincompleteregards).Theyrepeatedtheirquestion,andhereplied,“say: دمحم لآ و دمحم يلع يلص مهللا
(O,God,senddownYourblessingsonMohammedandhishousehold).
ThestatusoftheProphet‟sAhlul-Bait(a.s)issohighthatShafee‟inhisfamouspoemsays:
هلزنا نآرقلا يف هللا نم ضرف مكبح هللا لوسر تیب لها ای
هل ةولص ال مكیلع لصی مل نم مكنا ردقلا میظع نم مكافك *
(O,theProphet‟sdescendants,havingaffectiontowardsyouisareligiouscommandment,andAllahhasrevealeditintheholyQuran.
Yourpositionissoelevatedthatthereisnoregardforhewhodoesnotsendhisregardstoyou.)
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*AhzabSura,verseno.56
**2-Al-SavaeghUl-Mohareghah,IbnHijr,thesecondedition,section11,chapter1,p.146.AlsoinDurUl-Manthur,vol.5,thecommentaryontheverse56AhzabSura
*Ibid,section11,chapter1,p.148;AlsoAthaf,Shiravi,p.29;MoshareqUl-Anvar,HamzaviMaleki,p.88;Al-Mavaheb,Zarghani;andAl-Asaf,p.119.
**Mostadrak,Hakem,section3,p.148.Al-SavaeghUl-Moharaghah,section11,chapter1,p.149.Also,thisconceptisseeninKanzulAmal,section1,chapter„AdherencetotheBookandTradition‟;andinMosnadAhmad,section5,p.182-89
Questionno.6
WhydotheShiaaccounttheirImamsasinfallible?
Theanswer:
ThereexistvariousproofsfortheinfallibilityoftheShiaImams,theProphet‟sAhlulBait(a.s).Sufficeittosay,accordingtoboththeShiaandSunnitescholars,theProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)inthelastdaysofhislifeasserted,
يلع ادری يتح اقرتفی نل امهنا و يتیب لها و هللا باتك نیلقثلا مكیف كرات ينا
ضوحلا **
(Ileavebehindtwoworthythings,theBookofAllahandmyhousehold,andthesetwowouldnotbeseparateduntiltheyjoinmeatthePond.)
ItisnoteworthytosaythattheholyQuran,beyonddoubt,isimmunefromanyerror,becauseAllahisitssender,theangleofrevelationisitsbearer,andtheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)isitsrecipient.Theyarewhollyinfallible,andthewholeMuslimsaffirmtheinfallibilityoftheholyProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)inreceivingtheWordofrevelation,itsprotection,andpropagation.Moreover,itisapparentthatwhentheholyQuranenjoysfirminfallibility,theProphet'sAhlulBait(a.s)areawayfromerroranddeviation,too.Duetothisfact,liketwowingsofabird,theProphet‟sAhlul-BaitinthishadithhavebeenequallyconceivedastheholyQuranforthenations‟leadershipandguidance.
Inotherwrods,thereisnoroomforthefalliblepersonstobecountedastheaffiliationoftheholyQuran.
ThemostapparentevidanceontheinfallibilityoftheAhlul-Bait(a.s)isthe
Prophet'sstatement:
ضوحلا يلع ادری يتح اقرتفی نل
(Theywouldnotbeseparateduntiltheyjoinmeatthepond.)
Iftheyhaderred,theywouldbeseparatedfromtheholyQuran,whichisdefinitelyawayfromerror,andthehonoredProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)hasnegatedtheissueofhisAhlul-Bait‟sfallibility.
Inaddition,theterm'Ahlul-Bait'includesnotthewholeProphet'sdescendants,because,nodoubt,theywerenotwhollyimmunefromsin.Therefore,onlyaspecialgroupofhishouseholdattainedthestateofimmunityfromsinanderror,knownasAhlul-Bait(a.s),whohavebeentheilluminatorsforthepeopleandtheprotectorsoftheProphet'straditionandtheDivinelawsthroughoutthehistory.
Questionno.7
WhydotheShiasay هللا يلو ایلع نا دهشا (ItestifythatAliistheDivineguardian)inthePrayerCall(Azan)andcertifytheguardianshipofAli(a.s)?
Theanswer:
Toanswerthisquestion,thefollowingsshouldbeconsidered:
1-TheShialearnedhavespecifiedintheirjurisprudentialbooks,includingreasoning,etc.thatattestationtotheguardianshipofAli(a.s)isnotapartofthePrayerCall(Azan),andnooneisallowedtocountitasapartofit.
2-IntheQuranoutlook,Ali(a.s)hasbeendeemedastheDivineguardian,andhisguardianshipOverthebelievershasbeenspecified,whereitstates:
و ةوكزلا نوتوی و ةولصلا نومیقی نیذلا اونمآ نیذلا و هلوسر و هللا مكیلو امنا
نوعكار مه *
(Verily,AllahisyourguardianandHisMessengerandthosewhobelieve,thosewhoperformprayersandpaythepoor-ratewhenbowingdown(inprayer).
TheSunnitesoundtraditionshavealsocertifiedthattheabove-mentionedversewasrevealedontheoccasionthatAli(a.s)donatedhisringtothepoorwhilebowingdown.**Then,HesanIbnSabetversifiedthiseventas:
عكار ریخ ای موقلا سوفن كتدف عكار تنا ذا تیطعا يذلا تناف
عیارشلا تامكحم يف اهنیب و هیالو ریخ هللا كیف لزناف
(Youaretheone,whodonatedwhenbowingdown;Maymysoulbesacrificed
foryou,O,thebestofbowers.SotoyouAllahsentdownthemostparamountguardianshipandstateditinHisfirmLaws[theholyQuran]).
3-TheholyProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)oncesaid,تاینلاب لامعالا امنا (Man'sdeedsareindeedmeasuredbyhisintentions.)
Accordingtothisstatement,whatifweconsiderAli'sguardianshipasaprinciple,specifiedintheholyQuran,and
__________________________________________________________
*MaedehSura,verseno.55
**Theconcerneddocumentsontherevelationofthisverseareabundant;amongthem
a)Tabari,theCommentary,vol.6,p.186
b)Akhamul-Quran,vol.2,p.542
c)Bayzavi,theCommentary,vol.1,p.345
DurUl-Manthur,vol.2,p.293
notasapartofthePrayerCall(Azan)?AndifaddingaphraseorastatementtothePrayerCallisunbecoming,andowingtothisfact,theShiaiscriticized,howthetwofollowingpointsarejustified:
1-Theauthentichistorytestifiesthatthephrase
لمعلاریخ يلع يح
(Hurryuptoperformthebestdeeds)hasbeenapartofthePrayerCall*whileitwasdeletedfromitatthebehestofthesecondCaliph,anditremainedsoduetothefactthatthepeoplewhenhearingitconsideredprayerasthebestdeedandneverparticipatedinJihad.**
2-AtthetimeoftheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants),thestatement مونلا نم ریخ ةولصلا (Performingprayerisworthierthan
sleeping)wasnotapartofthePrayerCallandwasaddedtoitlater.*Therefore,Shafee‟inhisbook,called'Al-Om'states:
هركذی مل ةروذحم ابا نال مونلا نم ریخ ةولصلا ناذالا يف هركا **
(Iamreluctanttosaythephrase موىلا هم زيخ ةولصلا
inmyPrayerCall,becauseAbaMahzureh(oneofthenarrators)hasnotnarrateditinhis(bookof)hadith.)
_____________________________________________________________
*KanZulAmal,thebookonprayer,vol.4,p.266;Beihaghi‟straditions,vol.1,p.424-5;MotanMalek,vol.1,p.93
**KanzulErfan,vol.2,p.158;SharhUl-Tajreed,Ghoshji,Imamatesection,p.484;SeratulMostaghimVaJavaherUl-AkhbarValAthar,vol.2,p.192
*KanzulAmal,thebookonprayer,vol.4,p.270
**Quotedfrom„Al-DalaelUl-Sedgh,‟vol.3,2ndpart,p.97
Questionno.8
WhoisMahdi(a.s),andwhyaretheShiawaitingforhisreappearance?
Theanswer:
Oneofthecommonissuesofthewholeheavenlyreligionsistheissueoftheuniversalsavior,whoreappearsattheendoftheTime.NotonlytheIslamicsociety,butJewishandChristiancommunitiesarewaitingforthissaviortocome.ThisfactisclarifiedwhenreferingtothebooksoftheOldandNewTestaments.***
Inthisregard,theProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)hassomehadiths,narratedbytheMuslimnarrators,including,
امك الدع اهالمی يتیب لها نم الجر هللا ثعبل موی الا رهدلا نم قبی مل ول
اروج تئلم *
(Godwillsendamanfrommyhouseholdtofilltheearthwithjusticeafterithasbeenfilledwithinjusticeevenifthereisonlyonedayremainedoftheworld.)
Asstatedbefore,thewholeheavenlyreligionsareinfullagreementinthereappearanceofsuchasavior,andalsothereexistanabundantnumberoftraditionsregarding„Mahdi,theSavior'intheSunnitesoundandsupportedbooks.Inaddition,theIslamicnarratorsandresearchers(bothoftheSunniteandtheShia)havewrittenexcessivenumberofbooksonhim.
Thesetraditions,whichspecifyhissignsandcharacteristics,clearlyverifythatheisthesonofImamHasanAskari(a.s),theeleventhImamofShia.
____________________________________________________________
***TheAncientTimes:David‟sPsalms,psalmno.96–97;theBookofDaniel,theprophet,section12.TheModernTimes:Mattew,section13;Luke,section21
*SahihIbnDavood,Egyptsection,Al-Motbaatul-Taziah,vol.2,p.207andYanabiulMavadah,p.432,andNoorUl-Absar,section2,p.154
Aproposeofthesetraditions,heisthetwelfthImam,*whohasbeencalledaftertheholyProphet**(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)andisoneofImamHussein'sgrandsons.***Mahdi,thePromised,wasbornintheyear255ofHijra,andnow,liketheothermen,heisstilllivingamongusbutunanymously.Itisnoteworthytosaythatsuchlongevityisneithercompatablewithsciencenorlogic.Thescienceintheworldtodayisabouttoincreaseman‟slife-spanandfirmlybelievesthathumanbeingshavepotentialtolivelongeriftheymanagetoanticipalethecalamitiesandthentakestepstopreventthemhappening.Thehistoryhasrecordedthenamesofsomeindividuals,whohavehadlonglives.
ConcerningNoah,theprophet,theholyQuranstates:
اماع نیسمخ الا ةنس ؾ لا مهیف ثبلف
(Sohelivedamongthemforninehundredandfiftyyears).
AndaboutJoseph,itsays,
نوثعبی موی يلا هنطب يف ثبلل نیحبسملا نم ناك هنا الولف *
(HaditnotbeenthatheinvokedtoAllahforacceptinghisrepentance,hewouldhavesurelyremainedinthebellyofthecrocodileuptoDayofJudgment.)
Besides,accordingtotheholyQuranandMuslims'outlook,Elias(a.s)andJesus(a.s)arestillliving.
____________________________________________________________
*YanabiUl-Mavadah,p.443
**Sahih,Tirmizi,Delhipublication,1342,vol.2,p.46;MasnadAhmad,Egyptpublication,1313,vol.1,p.376
***YanabiUl-Maradah,p.432
*SafatSura,Versno.144
Questionno.9
WhyistheShiaasmallminorityifitisrightful,andwhydonotthegeneralityoftheworldMuslimsbelieveinit?
Theanswer:
Onecannotdistinguishbetweenthewrongandtherightwayviathescantorlargenumberoftheirfollowers.Intheworldtoday,thenumberofMuslimsinproportiontothenon-Muslimsisonefifthorsixth,andthemajorityoftheFarEastinhabitantsareidolators,cattle-worshippers,etc.
Chinawithmorethanonebillionpopulationisconsideredasthecenterofatheistcommunism,andtheidolatorsandcattle-worshipperscoverthemajorpartsofIndia,whichconsistsofnearlyonebillionpeople.
Asaconsequence,themajorityisnotalwaysright.TheholyQuranoftenblamesthegeneralityand,onthecontrary,praisestheminority.Forinstance,
نیركاش مهرثكا دجتالو *
(Youwillnotfindinmostofthemanygratitude.)
نوملعی ال مهرثكا نكلو نوقتملا الا هئایلوا نا **
(Nomancanbeitscustodians,exceptthepious,butmostofthemdonotunderstand.)
روكشلا يدابع نم لیلقو ***
(Butveryfewofmyworshippersaregreatful.)
Therefore,thescantorlargenumberofone‟sfollowersmakestherealisticmanneitherafraidnorproud.Thiscallsforonetorefertohismindandrensoning.
_____________________________________________________________
*ArafSura,verseno.18
**AnfalSura,verseno.34
***SabaSura,verseno.13
Onceuponatime,someoneaddressedImamAli(a.s)andaskedhim,“HowisitpossiblethatyouropponentsinJamalbattlebewrongwhiletheyareinmajority”?AndImamreplied,
لطابلا رعا ، هلها رعت قحلا رعا ، لاجرلا رادقاب نافرعیال لطابلا و قحلا نا
هلهارعت
(Therightandwrongarenotrecognizedwiththemumberoftheirfollowers;youwillknowwhoisrightifyourecognizethetruth,viceversa.)
ItisobligatoryforaMuslimtoanalyzethisissueviaresearchandreasoningandappliesthisQuranverse,whichgoes
ملع هب كل سیل ام قتالو *
(Anddonotinvolveyourselfwiththatwhichyouhavenoknowledgeof)thatinordertoenlightenhisway.
Fromanotherangle,itisclearlyevidentthattheShiaislessthantheSunniteinnumber,i.e.,ifanyprecisecensusistaken,itwillberevealedthatonefourthoftheworldMuslimsareShia,andtheyhavesettledindifferentregionsthroughouttheworld.**
Besides,therehavebeensomefamousscientists,writers,poets,etc.countedamongtheShia.WorthytomentionthatthefoundersoftheIslamicscienceshavebeenmostlyfromtheShia,forinstance,
AbulAsvadDueli,thefounderof"Syntax‟KhalilIbnAhmad,thefounderof"Prosody‟
MaazIbnMoslemIbnAbiSareKufi,thefounderof"ArabicGrammar‟AbuAbdollahMohammedIbnImran,KatibKhorasani(Marzbani),oneoftheheraldsin"RhetoricandElequency‟*,tonamejustafew.ForfurtherstudyontheabundantworksoftheShiascientistsandlearned,refertotheworthybook"Al-ZariahElaTasanifEl-Shia(AstudyontheShiawritings);alsoforfurtherinformationonthegreatShiafigures,referto"AyanUl-Shia‟.ThehistoryofShiismcanbereferredtoin"thehistoryoftheShia‟.
____________________________________________________________
*AsraSura,verseno.36
**Forfurtherstudy,refertoAyanUl-Shia,vol.1,p.194
*Referto'TasisUl-Shia(theShiaoundation),SeyedHasanNasr.
Questionno.10
Whatdoestheterm هعجرلا (Raja't)mean,andwhydotheShiabelieveinit?
Theanswer:
Theterm هعجرلا means'return'inArabic,anditsignifiesthereturnofagroupofhumanbeingsaftertheirdeathandbeforetheDayofResurrectiontotheworldanew,synchronizedwiththeoccurrenceoftheuniversalmovementofMahdi,thePromised,andthisfactisneitherinconsistentwithlogicnormind.
FromtheIslamicviewpointandtheotherDivinereligions,man‟sessenceconsistsofhisabstractsoul,so-called'hisself',whichcontinuesexistingeternallyafterhisbodyisannihilated.
Furthermore,God,theAlmighty,asalsospecifiedintheholyQuran,isOmnipotent,andnooneisabletocircumscribeHisOmnipotence.
Thisbriefintroductionclarifiesthattheissueofreturning,basedonlogic,isfeasible,becausethe'returning'ofthepeoplesoundsmucheasierthantheircreationforthefirsttime.TheCreator,whohascreatedthemwithnomeans,isabletoreturnthemanewtotheworld.
Listedbelowarejustafewexamplesof'returning'inthepreviousnations,presentedintheholyQuran:
مث . نورظنت متنا و هقعاصلا مكتذخاف ةرهج هللا يرن يتح كل نمون نل يسومای متلق ذاو
نوركشت مكلعل مكتوم دعب نم مكانثعب *
(Andrememberwhensomeofyousaid,“O,Moses!WewillneverbelieveinyouuntilweseeAllahmanifestly”.Then,thethunderboltseizedyouwhileyouwerebeholdingandwaitingforsomeresponses.Then,Weraisedyoutolifeafter
youweredead,sothatyoumaycometoyoursensesandbecomethankful.)
InAleImranSura,verseno.49,itsaysaboutJesusChrist:
هللا نذاب يتوملا يحا و
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*BagaraSura,versesno.55-56
**NamlSura,versesno.82-83
(AndwillbringtolifethedeadbyAllah‟sleave.)
TheholyQuranendorsesthepossibilityofmass„returning‟andapprovesitsoccurrenceafterman‟sdeath.Inthefollowingverses,theholyQuranrefersimplicitlytothereturningofagroupofpeopleaftertheirdeathandbeforetheoccurrenceoftheResurrection:
نونقوی ال انتایاب اوناك سانلا نا مهملكت ضرالا نم هباد مهل انجرخا مهیلع لوقلا عقو اذا و
نوعزوی مهف انتایاب بذكی نمم اجوف ةما لك نم رشحن موی **و
(Andwhenourcommandcomesagainstthedisbelievers,Weshallbringoutfromtheearthagiganticbeasttotalktothem;becausetheyhadnofaithinourRevelationandSigns.OntheDaythatWeshallgatherfromeverynationthosewhodisbelievedinoursignsandmiracles;theyshallbekeptinranks.)
Nowtoclarifythediscussiononthisissue,considerthefollowingpoints:
1-TheIslamiccommentatorsareoftheopinionthatthesetwoversesalludetheissueofResurrection;buttheformerdeclaresonesignofthepre-Resurrection.AsJalalUlDinSoyutiinhiscommentarybook'DorUl-Manthur'narratedfromIbnAbiShibahfromHazifah,theappearanceofthegiganticbeastisoneoftheincidents,occurringbeforetheResurrection*.
2-Thereisnodoubtthat,thewholehumanbeingsandnotaspecialgroupwillberesurrectedontheDayofResurrection.Inthisregard,theholyQuransays:
سانلا هل عومجم موی كلذ **
(ThisisaDayonwhichthepeoplewillbegathered.)***
AndinKahfSura,verseno.47,itnotes,
ادحا مهنم ردا نؽ ملف مهانرشح و ةزراب ضرالا يرت و لابجلا ریسن موی و
(AndremindthemoftheDaythatWeremovethemountains
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*DorUl-Manthure,vol.5,p.177,inthecommentaryofNamlSura,verseno.82
**HoodSura,verseno.103
***DorUl-Manthure,vol.3,p.349hasinterpretedthisdayasDoomsday.
andsettheminmotion;andyoucanseetheearthutterlyleveled.AndWeshallgatherallmankindtogether,andWewillnotleaveoutanyofthem.)
3-Thefollowingversespecifiestheresurrectionofaparticulargroupofmen,andnotthewhole.Itsays,
انتایاب بذكی نمم اجوف هما لك نم رشحن موی …و
(OntheDaythatWeshallgatherfromeverynationthosewhodisbelievedinoursignsandmiracles;theyshallbekeptinranks.)
Thisverseisquiteexplicitabouttheresurrectionofsomehumanbeings.
Conclusion:
Thethreeabove-mentionedpointsexplicitlyrevealthat'theresurrectionofthosedisbelievingthedivinesignsoccursbeforethehappeningoftheResurrection,becauseman'sresurrectionontheDayofResurrectionincludesthewhole
people'.
Thisexplanationprovesthatourclaimistrue,andthisphenomenonisknownas„returning‟.
Withregardtothisfact,theProphet'sAhlul-Bait(a.s)astheauthenticcommentatorsoftheDivinerevelationhashadsomeremarks,including:ImamSadeq(a.s)said,
ةمایقلا موی و ةركلا مویو مالسلا هیلع مئاقلا موی ةثالث هللا مایا
(TheDivinedaysarethree:theDayofImamMahdi‟sRising,theDayofReturning,andtheDayofResurrection.)
Andsomewhereelse,hesaid,
انتركب نمإی مل نم انم سیل
(Hewhobelievesnotinourreturningtotheworldisnotofourdisciples.)
Now,considerthefollowingpoints:
1-Thephilosophyof‘returning’:
Reflectingonthemotivesof„returning‟,twoultimategoalsofthisphenomenonareclarified;first,thedemonstrationofIslamgrandeuraswellasthedisgraceofunbelief,andsecondtherewardofthebelieversandpiousaswellasthepunishmentoftheunbelieversandsinners.
2-Thesalientdistinctionbetween‘returning’and‘metempsychosis’:
ItisnoteworthytosaythatfromtheShiapointofviewtheissueof'returning'isnotaffiliatedwiththetheoryofmetempsychosis,becausethelatterisbasedonthenegationofResurrectionandconsiderstheworldlylifeinacontinualcirculation;eachcircleistherepetitionofthepreviousone.
Thistheoryisbasedonthesupposedpassingofthesoulatdeathintoanotherbody,eitherhumanoranimal.Therefore,ifthesoulbelongedtoapiousmaninthepast,itwillbepassedtoabodythatenjoysthetimeandviceversa.This
passingofthesoulintoanotherbodyisconsideredashisResurrection!whilethosebelievingintheissueof'returning'believeinResurrectionandconceivenottheoccurrenceofmetempsychosisfeasible.*
TheybelievethatonlyagroupofmenreturntothisworldbeforetheDayofResurrectionandthenturnbacktotheireternalabodeaftertheDivineinterestsareachieved,andtheywillberesurrectedonceagainalongwiththeothers,andone‟ssoulisneverpassedintoanotherbodyafteritisseparatedfromtheoriginalbody.
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*SadrUl-Mutaalehininhisbook,called'Asfar',vol.9,section8,chapter1,p.3negatestheissueofmetempsychosis.
Questionno.11
Whatdoes'intercession'mean,andwhydotheShiabelieveinit?
Theanswer:
IntercessionisoneoftheevidentprinciplesofIslam,acceptedbyalltheIslamicsectsduetoitspresentationintheholyQuranandthetraditions,thoughtheyhavediversityofopinionsontheresultofit.Intercessionspecifiesthattheholymen,whoenjoyaspecialstatusbeforeGod,askHimfortheforgivenessofothermen‟stransgressionsortheirsoulelevation.
TheholyProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)inthisregardsaid,
يتمال اهترخداف هعافشلا تیطعا و … اسمخ تیطعا *
(Iwasgrantedwithfivequalities….Intercessionwasgrantedtome,andIstoreditformynation.)
Thelimitationofintercessionscope:
TheholyQuranrejectstheideaoftheabsoluteandunconditionalintercession.AccordingtotheholyQuran,theintercessionworkswhen:
Firstly,theintercessorhasbeenpermittedtointercedebyAllah.Onlyaspecialgroupofhumanbeingswho,inadditiontotheirspiritualconnectionwithAllah,havebeenpermittedbyHimareabletointercede.TheholyQuraninthisregardsays:
ادهع نمحرلا دنع ذختا نمالا ةعافشلا نوكلمیال *
(NoonehasthepowerofintercessionsavethosewhohaveacovenantwithAllah.)
Andsomewhereelse,itsays:
الوق هل يضر و نمحرلا هل نذا نمالا ةعافشلا عفنت ال ذئمإی **
(OnthatDay,nointercessionisacceptedsaveofhimwhohasAllah‟spermissionandwhosewordheispleasedwith.)
Secondly,hewhoisintercededmustdeservetoenjoytheDivinegrace.Inotherwords,heshouldhavenotcuthisspiritualconnectionwithAllahandtheintercessors.Therefore,theunbelievers,havingnobeliefinDivinity,aswellassomeoftheMuslimsinners,suchas
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*MasnadAhmad,vol.1,p.301;Sahih,Bokhari,vol.1,p.91,Eqyptedition.
*MaryamSura,verseno.87
**MaryamSura,verseno.87
thoseperformingnottheirprayers,andthemurderers,whodonotholdanyspiritualconnectionwiththeDivineintercessors,donotdeservetheintercession.
Withregardtothisfact,theholyQuransays,
نیعفاشلا ةعافش مهعفنت امف *
(Nointercessionofanyintercessorwillbenefitthem.)
Andconcerningthetransgressors,itsays,
عاطی عیفشال و میمح نم نیملاظلل ام **
(Thedisbelieversswallowtheirangersincethereisnointimatefriendtotalk
toabouttheirdistressandnointercessortohelpthembylisteningtotheircomplaint.)
Thephilosophyofintercession:
Likerepentance,intercessionisconsideredastherayofhopeforthosewhocanforsaketheirownsinsandturnbacktothestraightdirectionaftertheyhavebeendeviated.Andthereafter,theyreallychangetobecomeAllah'sobedientservants.Duetothisfact,wheneverthesinnerfeelsthathecanattainthisopportunityinsomespecialconditions(andnotineverycondition),heendeavorstoadjusthimselftotheconditions.
Theresultofintercession:
Thecommentatorshavediversityofopinionontheresultofintercession,whetheritcausestheforgivenessofone'ssins,orbringsabouttheelevationofone‟srank;however,accordingtotheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants),theformerisapproved.TheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)said,
يتما نم رئابكلا لهال ةمایقلا موی يتعافش نا *
(MyintercessionontheDayofResurrectionwillevenincludethosewhohavecommittedthemortalsins.)
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*ModdassirSura,verseno.48
**MomenSura,verseno.18
*SonanIbnMajah,vol.2,p.583;MosnadAhmad,vol.3,p.213,SonanIbnDavood,vol.2,p.537
Questionno.12
Isitpolytheismtobegtherealintercessorsforintercession?
Theanswer:
Toanswerthequestion,itshouldbestatedthatintercessionbelongsonlytoAllah;asstatedintheholyQuran:
اعیمج ةعافشلا هللا لق *
(Say:“toAllahbelongsalloftheintercessions”.)
Therefore,beggingintercession,whichisnomorethanHisdue,ofothersisindeedanactofworshippingnone-godsandtotallyincompatiblewithmonotheism.
Theterm'polytheism'isnottoattributepolytheisminAllah'sEssence,HisCreativePower,orHisWillbutpolytheisminworshippingHim.
Itisevidentthattheelaborationofthisissueneedsapreciseinterpretationontheconceptofworshipandservitude,andeveryoneofusclearlyknowsthatanykindofsubmissionorrequestfromthepeopleisnotdeemedasservitude.
AsstatedexplicitlyintheholyQuran,theangelsprostratedtoAdam:
نوعمجا مهلك ةكئالملا دجسف . نیدجاس هل اوعقف يحور نم هیف تخفن و هتیوس اذاف *
(AfterIfashionedhimandbreathedaspiritfromMyPresenceintohim,thenyouallbowtohim.Theangelsallboweddown
_________________________________________________________
*ZomarSura,verseno.44
*SadSura,versesno.72&73
**YousefSura,verseno.100
tohim.)
Buttheessenceofthisprostrationwasnotanactofworship;otherwise,Allahwouldneverordertheangelstodothat.
Also,weallknowthatJacobandhissonsprostratedtoJoseph:
ادجس هل اورخ و شرعلا يلع هیوبا عفرو **
(Josephplacedhisfatherandmotheronthethroneandtheyallbowedtohim.)
IfsuchastateofprostrationwasreallyanactofworshiptoJoseph,neitherJacob,theDivineandinfallibleprophet,woulddoit,norhewouldbecontentedwithhissons/actofprostration.Therefore,wemustdrawacleardistinctionbetweentheconceptofworshipandhumility.TherealityofworshipsignifiesthatmanconceivesOneasGodandthenworshipsHim,becauseHehasthestrongestWill-powerandisOmnipotenttoforgivethesins.But,onthecontrary,thehomagetoothermenisasignofreverencewhenweconceivethemneitherasGod,norastheOmnipotent.
Toanswerthequestion,ifwebelievethattherightofintercessionhasbeensubmittedtotherealintercessors,andtheycanintercedeunconditionallyand,asaconsequence,forgiveourtransgressions,suchabeliefis,nodoubt,accountedaspolytheism,becausewehavebeggednone-godswhatonlyandonlyGodcando.ButifwebelievethatGodhaspermittedanumberofHisinfallibleservantstherightofintercessioninacertainframewithouthavingthesolepossessionorcontrolofit,wehaveneverthoughtofthosepiousasGod,butwehavebeggedthemforwhattheydeservetodo.IntheProphet‟slifetime,thesinnersfrequentlybeggedhimforforgiveness,butheneveraccusedthemofpolytheism.AsquotedfromtheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants):
ؾ صن لخدی نا نیب ينریخ هناف لاق . ملعا هلوسر و هللا انلق ؟ ةلیللا يبر ينریخ ام نوردتا
اهلها نم انلعجی نا هللا عدا هللا لوسر ای انلق ، ةعافشلا ترتخاف ةعافشلا نیب و ةنجلا يتما
ملسم لكل يه لاق *
(DoyouknowwhatAllahbestoweduponmetonight?
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*Sonan,IbnMajah,vol.2,sectionZekrUl-Shafaa,p.586
**NesaSura,verseno.64
Wereplied,“AllahandHisMessengerknowthebest”.Hewenton,“Heempoweredmetochoosebetweentwooptions:whetherhalfonmynationentertheheaven,ortherightofintercession;andIchosethelatter”.Then,wesaid,“O,Messenger!AskHimforourintercession”,andhesaid,“IntercessionwillbeforeveryMuslim”.)
Inthishadith,theProphet'sdisciplesbeggedhimclearlyforintercessionastheysay,… هللا عدا (AskAllah…)
TheholyQuraninthisregardsays,
اباوت هللا اودجول لوسرلا مهلرف ؽ تسا و هللا اورف ؽ تساف كواج مهسفنا اوملظ ذا مهنا ولو
ا میحر **
(IftheyhadcometoyouwhentheyhavewrongedthemselvesandhadbeggedAllah‟sforgiveness,andtheMessengerhadbeggedforgivenessforthem,indeed,theywouldhavefoundthatAllahistheMercifulRepentanceAccepter.)
Andsomewhereelse,itsaysasquotingJacob‟ssons,
نیئطاخ انك انا انبونذ انل رفتسا انابا ای اولاق *
(Theysaid,“O,ourfather!Askforus,forgivenessfromAllahagainstoursins;verily,wehavebeensinful”.)
AndJacob(a.s)promisedthemtheDivineforgivenessandneveraccusedthemofpolytheism.
میحرلا روفلا وه هنا يبر مكل رفتسا وس لاق **
(Jacobsaid,“IwillsoonaskmyCreatorandNurturer‟sforgivenessforyou;verily,AllahistheMercifulForgiving”.)
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*YousefSura,verseno.97
**Ibid,verseno98
Questionno.13IsappealingtootherbeingsthanAlmightyGodconstruedaspolytheism?
Theanswer:
AproposoftheWordoflogicandrevelation,thehumanbeings-likethewholephenomenaintheworld-needGodnotonlyfortheircreation,butalsoinallfacetsoftheirlives.Withregardtothisfact,theholyQuranstates,
دیمحلا ينلا وه هللا و هللا يلا ءارقفلا متنا سانلا اهیا ای *
(O,men!YouareallinneedofAllahandAllahisthepraiseworthyIndependent”.)
Andsomewhereelse,itascribesallthetriumphtoAllah,theAlmighty,assaying,
میكحلا زیزعلا هللا دنع نم الا رصنلا ام **و
(Andindeed,thereisnovictoryexceptfromAllah,theSource-WisdomSupremePower.)
AccordingtothisIslamicindisputableprinciple,theMuslimsrecitethefollowingverseinalltheirdailyprayers:
نیعتسن كایاو دبعن كایا ***
(Youalonedoweworship,andYouraidalonedoweseek.)
Now,toclarifythequestion,itshouldbestatedthataskingothersforhelpisoftwodistinctivetypes:
1-ThefirsttypeistoconsideranindividualoraphenomenonfreefromwantandindependentofGodandthenbegforhisblessings.Thistypeofpleaformercyfromsomeoneis,nodoubt,polytheism,andtheholyQuranrebutsitas
saying,
نود نم مهل نودجیالو ةمحر مكب دارا وا اءوس مكب دارا نا هللا نم مكمصعی يذلا اذ نم لق
اریصنالو ایلو هللا *
_______________________________________________________________
*FatirSura,verseno.15
**Ale-ImranSura,verseno.126
***HamdSura,verseno.5
*AhzabSura,verseno.17
(Say,“WhocanshelteryouagainstAllah‟swrath?IfitbeAllah'sWilltopunishyouortobestowgraceuponyounothingcanbarHiscommandtobefulfilled;andthey,thepeoplecannotfindanyguardianandsupporterbutAllah”.)
2-ThesecondtypeistoconsideranindividualasGod'screatureandentirelydependentonhimandthenbeghimforhelp,owingtothefactthatGodhasbestowedhimthisgiftsoastosolvesomeofmen'sproblems.
Accordingtothisview,hetowhomwepleadforassistanceis,indeed,theintermediaryGod,theAlmighty,hasappointedasameanstofulfillsomeoftheirneeds.Thiskindofseekingforhelp,one,infact,asksfortheDivinemercy,becauseitishe,whohasdedicatedthispotentialtoandenabledhimtofulfillthepeople‟sneeds.
Thesemeansprincipallylaythefoundationsofman'slife,sothatwithoutthem,man‟slifeisdisturbed.Now,lookingatthismatterfromthisangle,weclearlyseethatthiskindofpleahasdefinitelynoinconsistencywithmonotheism.
Ifagod-fearingfarmermakesuseofsomefactors,suchastheland,water,light,
etctoproducehigh-qualitycrops,he,infact,hasmadeanappealtoGodforhelp,becauseitisHe,whohasgrantedhimwithpower,talent,andthenaturalfactors.Itisevidentthatthiskindofpleaforhelpisentirelycompatiblewithmonotheism.Withregardtothisfact,theholyQuranordersmantopleadsomephenomena,suchasprayerandresistance,forhelpwhenitsays,
ةولصلاو ربصلاب اونیعتساو **
(Andseekmyhelpwithperseveranceandprayer.)
Asaconsequence,mancankeephispatienceandperseveranceasameanstoachievehisend,andithasnoinconsistencywiththeverse,whichgoes,
نیعتسن كایاو
(AndYouraidalonedoweseek.)
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**BaqarahSura,verseno.45
Questionno.14
Doescallinguponsomebodynecessitatehisworship?
WhatcausethisquestiontoarisearesomeoftheversesoftheholyQuran,whichapparentlyprohibitusfromappealingtoothers,saveGod:
ادحا هللا عم اوعدت الف هللا دجاسملا نا *و
(ThemosquesareworshippingplacesforAllah;sodonotworshipothersbesidesAllahatall.)
كرضی وال كعفنیال ام هللا نود نم عدتالو **
(AnddonotworshipinsteadofAllahthosethatneitherprofityounorharmyou.Ifyoudosoyoushallcertainlybeofthosewhodowrong.)
Underthepretextoftheseverses,someoneshaveregardedthecallupontheDivineguardiansandthepiousmenaftertheirdemiseaspolytheismandtheactofworshiptothem.
Theanswer:
Toanswerthisquestion,itisnecessarytoclaritythemeaningoftheterms ءاعدلاand هدابعلا
Thereisnodoubtthattheterm اعد inArabicsignifies'tocall'andtheterm هدابعلاdenotes'toworship';therefore,theyarenotsynonyms,andonecannotsaythattocallisanactofworship,because:
Firstly,theterm هوعدلا hasbeenemployedforseveraltimesintheholyQuran,butitnevermeans'worship',suchas:
اراهنو الیل يموق توعد ينا بر لاق *
(Noahsaid,“O,myCreator!Truly,Icalledmypeopleby
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*JinSura,verseno.18
**YonosSura,verseno.106
*NoahSura,verseno.5
nightanddayconstantly”.)
DoesNoahmeanthathehasworshippedhisnationnightandday?Therefore,theterm هوعدلا [call]and هدابعلا [worship]arenotsynonyms,andwhensomeonepleadswiththeProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)ortheinfallibleImams(a.s)forhelp,infact,hasnotworshippedthem.
Secondly,theterm اعد intheseversesimpliesaspecialinvitationandcanbeaccompaniedbytheterm'worship',becausealltheseversesasawholewererevealedabouttheidolaterswhoknewtheidolsastheirsmallgods.
Thereisnodoubtthattheidolaterssupplicatedtheidols'forgivenessandmercy,astheyhadbeenentitledasthepossessorsoftheintercessionright,forgiveness,etc.Theyalsoknowthemastheabsoluteintheworldlyandover-worldlyaffairs,andevidently,thistypeofsupplicationtotheidolsisaserviceofworship.Thefollowingverseisthemostevidenttestimonytothefactthattheycalledupontheidolstohelpthemastheirdivinities:
ءيیش نم هللا نود نم نوعدی يتلا مهتهلآ مهنع تنا امف *
(AndtheirgodsuponwhomtheycalledexceptAllah,didnotavailthemaught.)
Hence,theversesathandareirrelevanttooursubject,whichmainlyisaboutaman'sappealtoanotherforhelpwhileknowshimneitherasGod,norastheAbsoluteinhisworldlyandover-worldlyaffairsbutastheDivinereverend
servantswhomAllahhaspledgedtofulfilltheirprayersaboutotherservants.TheholyQuraninthisregardsays,
امیحر اباوت هللا اودجول لوسرلا مهل رفتساو هللا اورفتساف كإاج مهسفنا اوملظذا مهناولو **
(IftheyhadcometoyouwhentheyhadwrongedthemselvesandhadbeggedAllah'sforgivenessandtheMessengerhadbeggedforgivenessforthem,indeedtheywouldhavefoundthatAllahistheMercifulRepentanceAccepter.)
Thirdly,theaforementionedversesclearlytestifythefactthattheterm هوعدلاdoessignifyman‟sinvitationtoworshipGod.Dueto
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*HoodSura,verseno.101
**NesaSura,verseno.64
thisfact,inthefollowingverse,theholyQuranemploystheterm تدابع[worship]aftertheterm ينوعدا [toinvoke],whichbelongstothefamilyoftheterm توعد (invitation).
نیرخاد منهج نولخ دیس يتدابع نع نوربكتسی نیذلا نا مكل بجتسا ينوعدا مكبر لاق *و
(AndyourCreatorhasstated,“InvoketoMe!Iwillansweryourinvocationbyfulfillingwhatyouhaveprayedfor.ButthosewhooutofvainarroganceavoidworshippingMe,theywillsurelyentertheHellwhiletheyaredisgraced”.)
*
Theemploymentoftheterms يتدابع and ينوعدا testifythattheidolaterscalledupontheidolswhichhadbeenmarkedwithDivinefeatures.
Conclusion:
Itisconcludedthatthemainpurposeintheseversesistoprohibittheinvitation
oftheidolaters,whoknewtheiridolsasAllah'spartnersandintercessors.Theyimploredtheidols‟forgivenessandbeggedthemfortheirneedsduetothefactthattheirsmallgodscouldfulfilltheDivineaccomplishment.TheyalsobelievedthatGodhastakenoverapartoftheirworldlyandover-worldlyaffairstotheidols.
Whatistherelationshipbetweentheseversesandbeseechingtoapurespirit,whoiscountedasAllah'shonoredandreverendservant?
AccordingtotheholyQuran,
ادحا هللا عم اوعدت الف هللا دجاسملا نا *و
(ThemosquesaretheworshippingplacesforAllah;sodonotworshipothersbesidesAllahatall.)
ItprohibitstheArabsattheAgeofIgnorancefromworshippingidols,angels,Jinnee,orthegalaxies,andinstead,invitesthemtoworshipGod,theAlmighty.Thereisnorelationshipbetweentheseversesandimploringaperson'sprayer,whileweconsiderhimasAllah'sreverendandhonoredservantandnotastheDivine.
OnemayassertthatcallingupontheDivineguardiansis
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*GhafirSura,verseno.60
*JinSura,verseno.18
permittedwhentheyarealive,butaftertheyhavepassedaway,itispolytheism.
Belowareprintedtheanswertothisquestion:
Firstly,weimploretheholyspiritsofAllah‟sinfallibleservants,suchastheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)andImams(a.s),forassistance(andnottheircorpses).Andifweseekhelpfromthemwhenvisitingtheirtombs,itisbecausethisstatuscausesourmoreattentiontotheirholyspirits.In
addition,asstatedintheIslamictraditions,theygrantourprayers.
Secondly,theirlifeordeathcannotbeacriterionforpolytheismormonotheism.Ourtopicisaboutthecriterionforthedistinctionbetweenpolytheismandmonotheism,astheusefulnessoruselessnessofoursupplicationstothemisnotrelatedtoourdiscussion,andthisissuewillbediscussedindetaillater.
Questionno.15
Whatdoestheterm ءادبلا [Bada]mean,andwhydotheShiabelieveinit?
Theanswer:
Theterm ءادبلا [Bada‟]inArabicsignifies'theappearanceandrevelation',andintheShiaterminology,itdenotesachangeinthenaturalcourseofsomeone'sdestinyundertheauspicesofperforminggooddeeds.Theissueof ءادبلا [Bada'],whichhasitsoriginintheWordofrevelationandintellectualism,isoneofthefundamentalteachingsoftheShiaschoolofthought.
AccordingtotheholyQuran,manisnotalwayshelplesstowardhisdestiny,knowingthatthepearly-gateofprosperityisopentohim,andhecanalterthecourseofhislifethroughreturningtothewayoftruthandperforminggooddeeds.Itrepresentsthisissueasaconstantandgeneralprincipleasfollows:
مهسفناب *
ام اوریی يتح موقب ام ری ؽ يال هللا نا
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*RadSura,Verseno.11
(Verily,Allahwillnotchangethegoodandbestowedconditionofapeopleuntiltheychangewhatisinthem.)
Orsomewhereelse,itsays,
ضرالاو ءامسلا نم تاكرب مهیلع انحتفل اوقتا و اونمآ يرقلا لها نا ولو *
(Andifthepeopleofthetownshadbelievedandtriedtobepious,Wewould
haveopeneduponthemgatesofblessingsfromtheheavenandtheearth.)
WithregardtothechangeofJonah‟sdestiny,italsoclaims,
نوثعبی موی يلا هنطب يف ثبلل نیحبسملا نم ناك هنا الولف **
(HaditnotbeenthatheinvokedtoAllahforacceptinghisrepentance,hewouldhavesurelyremainedinthebellyofthedolphinuptoDayofJudgment.)
Fromthisverse,itisdeducedthatJonahseemeddestinedtoremaininthebellyofthatdolphinforever,buthisgooddeeds,suchasglorifyingAllah,changedthecourseofhislifeanddeliveredhim.
ThisfacthasbeenapprovedintheIslamictraditions,too.Withregardtothisfact,theholyProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)said,
ربلا الا رمعلا يف دیزیال و ءاعدلا الا ردقلا دریالو هبیصی بنذلاب قزرلا مرحیل لجرلا نا .*
(Duetohispersistenceincommittingsins,man'ssustenanceiscutshort,andnothingcanchangethisdecree,saveprayerforforgiveness,andnothingcanprolonghislifespan,savebenevolence.)
Fromtheabove-mentionedtradition,oneisforcedtotheconclusionthatman'spersistenceincommittingsinsresultsinhisdeprivationfromtheDivineblessingsandviceversa.
Conclusion:
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*ArafSura,Verseno.96
**SafatSura,Verseno.143-144
*Mosnad,Ahmad,vol.5,p.277;Mostadrak,Hakim,vol.1,p.493;andsimilarto
thisin'AltajAljameUlusool,vol.5,p.111
FromtheversesoftheholyQuranandthetraditions,itisdeducedthatman'sbaddeedsmaydrivehimtoaspecialdestiny,andifhecontinueshisdeeds,theDivineguardians,suchastheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)andtheImams(a.s),mayadmonishhimoftheunpleasantconsequencesofhisdeedsinadvance.Then,ifhealtershiswayoflifethroughshowingsignsofrepentance,hehas,inturn,madeachangeinhisdestiny.
ThisfactwhichhasitsoriginintheWordofrevelation,theProphet'stradition,andthecommonsenseisknownas ءادبلا [Bada']inShiaterminology.
ItisnoteworthytomentionthatthistermdoesnotonlybelongtotheShia,butalsoisobservedinthewritingsoftheSunniteandtheProphet‟swords.Forinstance,theProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)hasemployedthisterminthefollowingtradition:
مهیلتبی نا لجوزع هللادب *
Itmustbestatedthattheissueof ءادبلا [Bada']doesnotsignifythealterationintheDivineomniscience,becauseAllahisfullyawareofman'snaturaldispositionaswellasthefactorsthatmayinfluencethisprocessandbringabout ءادبلا [Bada']inadvance;asstatedintheholyQuran.
باتكلا ما هدنع و تبثی و ءاشیام هللا وحمی **
Therefore,when ءادبلا [Bada‟]occurs,God,theAlmighty,disclosesareality,havingbeenknowntoHimsinceeternity,tous.ThisiswhyImamSadeq(a.s)said,
هلودبی نا لبق هملع يف ناك الا ئش يف هللادب ام *
(Bada'hasneveroccurredtoGod,savethatHehasbeenawareofitsinceeternity.)
ThePhilosophyofBada’:
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*Al-NahayatoFiGharibEl-HadithValAthar,writtenbyMajdDinMobarak,Vol.1,P.109
**Ra'dSura,verseno.39
*OsulKafi,vol.1,KitabUl–Tawheed,SectionAl-Bada‟,Hadithno.9
Apparently,ifmancherishesthehopethatheisabletomakechangesinhisdestinythroughperforminggooddeeds,hewillstrivetoelevatehismindandmoralsand,asaresult,buildabrightfuture.
Toputitinotherwords,likerepentanceandintercession,Bada'deliversmanfromdespairandthenmakeshimhopefultowardthebrightfutureundertheauspicesofhisefforts.Asthelastword,manknowsthatthisoutlookcanalterhisdestinytobetterthroughtakingstepsaheadtowardabrightfuture.
Questionno.16
DoestheShiabelieveinthedistortionoftheholyQuran?
Theanswer:
AllofthefamousShiascholars,exceptoneortwo,believethattheholyQuranhasnotbeenfalsified,andtheversioninourhandisthesameBook,revealedtotheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)withnodistortion.Toprovethisclaim,wepointtoafewoftheclearevidencesinthisregard:
1-God,theAlmighty,hasguaranteedthepreservationoftheMuslims‟heavenlyBook,assaying,
نوظفاحل هل انا و ركذلا انلزن نحن انا *
(Verily,WehavesentdownthisReminder[theholyQuran]andWewillassuredlybeitsProtector.)
ItthusbecomesquiteevidentthattheShiathroughouttheworldpayhomagetothisverseandfirmlybelieveintheauthenticityoftheholyQuranasthefoundationoftheirthoughtandbehavior.
2-ImamAli(a.s),thegrandShialeader,whoalsotranscribedtheWordofrevelationafteritwassentdowntotheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants),hasinvitedthepeopleinvariousoccasionstoapplytheholyQuranteachingsintheirlives.
Belowaresomeofhiswords:
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*HijrSura,verseno.9
لضیال يذلا يداهلاو شی ال يذلا حصانلا وه نآرقلااذه نا اوملعاو *
(BewarethattheholyQuranisanadmonition,whichneverbetraysandisaguidethatneverleadsyouastray.)
نیبملا هببس و نیتملا هللا لبح هناف نآرقلا اذه لثمب ادحا ظعی مل هناحبس هللا نا **
(Allah,glorybetoHim,hasneversentdownanybetteradmonitionthantheholyQuran.ItistheDivinefirmbondandHisconfirmedmediumofinstruction.)
لضیال اجاهنمو . هدقوت اوبخیال اجارس ،و هحیباصم افطت ال ارون باتكلا هیلع لزنا مث
هناهرب دمخیال اناقرف و … هجهن ***
(Then,AllahsentdowntheBook,alight,whichnevergoesdim,andaway,whichneverleadsitswayfarerastray.Itisacriterionforthedistinctionbetweentruthandfalsity,anditslogicshowsnosignsofabating).
ThisfacthasitsoriginsinthespeechofthegrandShialeader,signifyingthattheholyQuranisabrightlight,whichilluminatesthewayformen,anditwillremainintactforgood.Nothingcanstopitshiningorleadthewayfarersastray.
3-TheShiascholarsallagreethattheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)said,“Ileavetwoinvaluablethingsamongstyou:oneistheBookofAllah(theholyQuran)andtheotherismyhousehold,aslongasyouholdfasttothem,youwillnevergoastray”.
ThishadithisoneofthefrequentlynarratedhadithsbyboththeShiaandtheSunnitenarrators.Invokingthishadith,theShiabelievethattheholyQuranhasremainedintactthroughthepassageoftime,becauseanyadherencetotheholyQuranwhileithasbeenfalsifiedbringsaboutadversity,anditisentirelyinconsistentwiththisfrequently-narratedhadith.
4-InthewordsoftheShiaImams(a.s),narratedbytheMuslimnarrators,ithasbeenspecifiedthattheholyQuranisthecriterionforthedistinctionbetweenrightandwrong.Thatistosay,eventhe
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*NaljulBalagheh(SobhiSaleh),Sermonno.176
**Ibid.
***Ibid,Sermonno.198
traditionsandhadith,transmittedtous,havetobecomparedwiththeversesoftheholyQuran;ifnocontradictionexists,itisauthentic,andviceversa.Thereareanabundantnumberoftraditionsinthisregard,narratedintheShiabooksofnarrationandjurisprudence.Bellow,wepointtooneofthem.
ImamSadeq(a.s)said,
رخز وهف نآرقلا ثیدحلا نم قفاوی ملام *
(AnystatementinconsistentwiththeholyQuranisfutile.)
ItisdeducedfromreferencetothesetraditionsthatnoalterationhasoccurredintheholyQuran;thus,itisregardedasthecriterionforthedistinctionbetweenrightandwrong.
5-TheeminentShiascholarsasthevanguardsoftheIslamicandShiaculturehavealwaysadmittedthattheholyQuranhasneverbeenexposedtoanyalteration.Itiscertainlydifficulttomentionalltheirnames;however,werefertosomeofthem:
i.AbuJafarMohammadIbnAliIbnHosseinBabveyQomi,knownas'Saduq'(diedin381yearofHijra),said,“webelievethattheholyQuranistheWordofGod;nofalsificationhaspenetratedinityet,andithasbeenrevealedtomanbyWiseOmniscientGod,andHeisitsSenderandProtector”.
ii.SeyedMortezaAliIbnHusseinMossaviAlavi,knownas'AlamulHoda'(diedin436yearofHijra)said,“AnumberoftheProphet'sdisciples,suchasAbdollahIbnMassod,ObayIbnKa'b,etcrecitedtheholyQuranfromthebeginningtotheendmanytimestotheProphet(a.s),andthisistheclearevidence,provingthattheholyQuranhasbeenaccumulatedandwell-arranged
withnodispersionoromission”.*
iii.AbuJafarMohammadIbnHasanTusi,knownas'SheikhUl-Taefa'(diedin460yearofHijra)said,“ToraiseobjectionsontheholyQurananditsfalsificationisnullandvoid,becausethewholeMuslimsunanimouslyrejectanyadditionsmadetotheholyQuran.
Also,theMuslimsapparentlydenyanykindofomissioninit,
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*OsulKafi,vol.1,thebook'FazlUl-Elm',thesectionAl-AkhzBelsenateVaShavahed,traditionno.4
*MajmaUl-Bayan,vol.1,p.10
too.OurreligionevidentlyclaimsthatnothinghasbeenaddedtotheholyQuran,andSeyedMurtezahasconfirmedthisclaim.Theothertraditions,implicitlyorexplicitly,confirmthisfact,too.Somecommentatorsintheircommentarybookshavereferredtosometraditions,narratedbyboththeShiaandSunnitenarrators,specifyingtheideaofomissioninsomeversesorchangeintheoriginalpositionsofsomeotherones,however,thesetraditionsareofsingle-origin,whichhavenoauthenticityandcastnoobligationtoactbasedonthem,andwe‟dbetterdisregardthem”.*
iv.AbuAliTabarsi,thewriterof'MajmaUl-Bayan,theCommentary‟believes,“ThewholeIslamicnationsareunanimousthatnoadditionshavebeenmadetotheholyQuran,butasfortheomissionsintheverses,fewofourscholarsandanumberof'Hashvieh'scholars-oneoftheSunnitesects-havenarratedsometraditions,whichareinfulldisagreementwithourreligiousteachings”.**
v.AliIbnTavusHelli,knownas'SeyedIbnTavus'(diedin664yearofHijra)said,“theShiafirmlybelievethatnoalterationhasbeenmadetotheholyQuran”.***
vi.Inhiscommentaryontheverse هل اناو ركذلا انلزن نحن انا
نوظفاحل
SheikhZeinUl-DinAmeli(diedin877yearofHijra)stated,“thisversesignifiesthatHeprotectstheholyQuranagainstalteration,whetheradditionoromission”*.
vii.GhaziSeyedNoorUl-DinTastari,thewriterof„AhghaghUl-Hagh‟(diedin1019yearofHijra)cited,“The
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*Tebyan,vol.1,p.3
**MajmaulBayan,vol.1,p.10
***SadUl-Sud,p.144
*EzharulHagh,vol.2,p.130
ImamiShiaareaccusedthattheybelieveinthealterationstotheholyQuran,butitisnotgrantedbyalltheShia,saveasmallgroupwhoduetotheirwrongbeliefsareignoredamongtheShiasect”.**
viii.MohammadIbnHussein,knownas„BahaUl-DinAmeli‟(diedin1030yearofHijra)said,“theholyQuranisperfectlyimmunefromanyadditionoromission,andtheclaimthatthenameofImamAli(a.s)hasbeendeletedfromtheholyQuranhasnotbeenadmittedbythescholars,andwhosoevermakesathoroughresearchintheIslamichistoryandtraditionswillfindoutthatthecontentoftheholyQuranisconstantandawayfromalteration,anditwasaccumulatedatthetimeoftheProphet”.***
ix.AfterpresentingsomeQuranicverses,including, نحنانا
نوظفاحل هل اناو ركذلا انلزن ,FeizKashani,thewriterof'Wafi',said,“HowcanalterationmakewayintheholyQuran[withthepresenceofthesedocuments]?Infact,thesefalsetraditionsareutterlyopposedtotheDivineBook,thus,wemustdescribethesetraditionsas
unfounded”.*
x.SheikhHurAmeli(diedin1104yearofHijra)writes,“HewhoinvestigatestrulyintheIslamichistoryandhadithsbearswitnesstothisfactthattheholyQuran,accordingtotheapprovalofthousandoftheProphet‟sdisciplesaswellasthefrequently-narratedtraditionsinthisregard,isconstant,anditwasaccumulatedattheProphet‟slifetime”.**
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**AlaulRahman,p.25
***Ibid.
*Safi,theCommentary,vol.1,p.51
**AlaUl-Rahman,p.25
xi.Thegreatresearcherofthebook„KashefUl-Ghata‟writes,“AstheversesoftheholyQuranandthescholarsinallerastestify,theholyQuranhasbeenimmunetoanykindofalterationundertheDivinepreservationandconservation,thoughthedisapprovalofthefewisnotworthconsidering”.
xii.Asanotherevidence,AyatollahKhomeini,thegrandleaderofIslamicrevolution,confirmed,“WhoeverisfullyawareoftheMuslims‟sincereeffortstoaccumulate,safeguard,transcribe,andrecitetheholyQuranattesttotheblamelessnessofthisclaim(thefalsificationoftheholyQuran),andthetraditions,narratedinthisregard,arewhetherunreliablethattheyarenottobetrusted,oranonymousthattheymayhavebeenforged.TheymayalsoincludethetraditionsthecontentofwhichoriginatesfromtheallegoricalinterpretationoftheholyQuran,etc.Toelaboratethesesortsoftraditions,weneedtowriteacomprehensivebookinthisregard,andifitwasnotforthefearofbeingirrelevanttothesubject,IwoulddiscussthehistoryoftheholyQuranandclarifythatthediversityofopinionsamongtheholyQuranrecitersisanewmatter,whichhasnorelationwithwhatGabrielrevealedtothepureheartoftheholyProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)”.*
Conclusion:
TheWholeMuslimcommunities,includingboththeShiaandtheSunnite,areoftheopinionthatthisheavenlyBookispreciselywhatrevealedtotheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants),anditisawayfromanykindoffalsificationoralteration,additionoromission.
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*TahzibUl-Osul,ImamKhomeini‟slessons,vol.2,P.96[WrittenbyJafarSobhani]
Consequently,thewrongaccusation,whichismadetotheShia,provedtobebaseless.Itisnoteworthytosaythatthenarrationoftheseunreliabletraditions,whichisthemaincauseofthisaccusation,doesnotonlybelongtothefewsectofShiism,becauseanumberoftheSunnitecommentatorshaveconfirmedit,amongthem:
1-AbuAbdollahMohammedIbnAhmadAnsariGhartabiinhiscommentarybookontheholyQuranquotedAbubakrAnbaziashehadquotedUbayIbnKabthatattheProphet‟slifetime,AhzabSura(whichconsistsof73verses)wasaslongasBaqaraSura(whichconsistsof286verses),andtheRajmverse×[stoningtodeath]hasbeenintheformerwhilenotraceofthisverseisdetectedinthisSuranow).
Inthesamebook,healsoquotesAyeshehassaying,“AhzabSuraconsistedof200versesattheProphet‟slifetime,butitwasdiminishedtowhatispresenttousafteritwastranscribed”.**
Thewriterofthebook„Al-Atghan‟narratesthattherewere116Surasin„Ubay‟versionoftheholyQuran,becausetwootherSuras,entitled„Hafad‟and„Khala‟hadexistedinit.***
Aseveryoneknows,theholyQurancontains114Suras,andnotraceoftwoabove-mentionedSurasisdetectedinit.
3-HabatUlahIbnSalamainhisbook,entitled„Al-NasekhValMansukh‟,narratedAnasIbnMalikassaying,“weusedtoreciteaSuraaslongasTubehSuraatthetimeoftheProphet(a.s),andIrememberonlyoneverseofit:
ؽي تبال اثلاث هل نا ول و اثلاث امهیلا ؽي تب ال بهذلا نم نایداو مدآ نبال نا ول
بات نم يلع هللا بوتی و بارتلا الا مدآ نبا ؾ وج المی وال اعبار اهیلا !
WeknowthatsuchaversedoesnotexistintheholyQuranandisinconsistentwiththeeloquentstyleoftheholyQuran.
4-JalalUl-DinSoyutiinhiscommentarybookoftheholyQuran,entited'DurUl-Manthur',narratedfromOmarIbnKhatabassayingthatAhzabSurawasaslengthyasBaqaraSura,and'Rajm'versewasinit.*
Thus,asmallgroupofboththeShiaandtheSunnitehavenarratedunreliabletraditionsconcerningthefalsificationoftheholyQuran.ThesetraditionshavenotbeenadmittedbyalmostalltheMuslims,includingtheShiaandtheSunnite,andbasedontheQuarnicverses,thefrequently-narratedandauthentictraditions,theconsensusofMuslimscholars,andconformityofthousandsoftheProphet‟sdisciplesaswellastheMuslimsallovertheworld,noalteration,whetheradditionoromission,hasbeenmadetotheholyQuran.
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×Ghartabi,theCommentary,section14,p.113,atthebeginningofAhzabSura
**Ibid.
***Atghan.Vol.1,p.67
*DurUl-Manthur,Vol.5,P.180,atthebeginningofAhzabSura
Questionno.17
WhatistheShiaviewabouttheProphet'sdisciples?
Theanswer:
FromtheShiaviewpoint,those,whohadthehonortoaccompanytheProphetInhisbook,entitled'Al-NasekhValMansukh',fallintoseveralcategories,butitseemsvitaltodefinetheterm„disciple‟inbriefbeforedealingwiththequestion.
TherehavebeenpresentedvariousdefinitionsabouttheProphet'sdisciples,including:
1-AccordingtoSaee‟dIbnMosayeb,“ThediscipleistheonewhohasaccompaniedtheholyProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)fortwoorthreeyearsandhasparticipatedalongsidehiminoneortwobattles”.1
2-Vaghedisaid,“ThescholarsareoftheopinionthatwhoeverhasseentheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)andthenembracedIslam,ponderedonitsteachingsandappliedtheminhislifeisregardedastheProphet'sdisciple,evenforanhourinaday”.2
3-AsMohammedIbnIshmaelBokharistated,“AnyMuslimwhohasseenorconversedtheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)isofhisdisciples”.3
4-AhmadIbnHanbalbelieves,“WhoeverhasaccompaniedtheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)foronemonth,oneday,orevenonehourorhasmerelyvisitedhimisconsideredashisdisciple”.4
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1-AsadeUl-Ghabah,vol.1,p.11-12,Egyptedition.
2-Ibid.
3-Ibid.
4-Ibid.
Thephrase‘IdalatSahabeh’[thejusticeofthedisciples]hasbeenconsideredasoneofthefirmprinciplesamongtheSunnitelearned,denotingwhoeverhasaccompaniedtheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)isjust!5
Now,wewouldbetterstudythisprinciplewithreferencetotheQuranicversesandthenpresenttheShiaviewpoint,whichhasitsoriginintheWordofrevelation:
ThehistoryhasrecordedthenamesandcharacteristicsoftwelvethousandpersonsastheProphet'sdisciples.Nodoubt,theProphet'scompanywasagreathonortothem,andduetothisfact,thewholeIslamicnationpaytributestothem,becausetheyhavebeentheheraldsofIslamicteachingsandfaith.
TheholyQuranglorifiestheirdeedsassaying,
و دعب نم اوقفنا نیذلا نم هجرد مظعا كئلوا لتاق و حتفلا لبق نم قفنا نم مكنم يوتسیال
6 اولتاق
(TheyarenotequalthoseamongyouwhospentinAllah'swayandtookpartinthewarbeforethevictoryofMecca,andthosewhospentinAllah'swayandfoughtafterthat.)
ItmustbestatedthattheProphet'scompanyisnotthealchemytochangeman‟sessence,insurethemagainsttheSatanictemptationsuntiltheendoftheirlives,andputthemamongtherighteous.
Toillustratethematter,werefertotheholyQuran,whichhasbeenacknowledgedbytheMuslimsthroughouttheworld.
ThedisciplesformtheQuranicstandpoint:
AproposoftheWordofrevelation,thosewhohavehadthehonortomeettheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhis
_____________________________________________________
5-Al-EstiabFiAsmaEl-Ashab,Vol.1,P.2,quotedfromIbnAthir
6-HadidSura,Verseno.10
descendants)andaccompanyhimfallintotwocategories:
ThefirstgroupconsistsoftheoneswhomtheholyQuranglorifiesthemandcallsthemasthefoundersoftheIslamgrandeur,andherewepointtosomeofthem:
1-Theheralds:
مهنع هللا يضر ناسحاب مهوعبتا نیذلاو راصنالاو نیرجاهملا نم نولوالا نوقباسلاو
7 میظعلازوفلا كلذ ادبا اهیف نیدلاخ راهنالا اهتحت نم يرجت تانج مهلدعا و هنع اوضرو
(AndtheforerunnersofMohajerinandAnsarandalsothosewhofollowedthemingooddeedsarethosewhoarewell-pleasedbyAllah,andtheyarealsopleasedtoAllah;AllahhaspreparedforthemGardensinwhichstreamsflow,toabidethereinforever:andthatistheGreatAchievement.)
2-Thosewhosworeallegianceunderthetree:
هنیكسلا لزناف مهبولق يف ام ملعف هرجشلا تحت كنوعیابی ذا نینمإملا نع هللا يضر دقل
ا.8 بیرق احتف مهباثا و مهیلع
(Allah'spleasurewasonthosebelievers,whosworeallegiancewithyouunder
thetree,andHeknowswhatwasintheirhearts,andHesentdownonthemtheDivinetranquility;andHegrantedthemthenearvictory.)
3-TheMigrants:
و هللا نم الضف نو ؽ تبی مهلاوما و مهراید نم اوجرخا نیذلا نیرجاهملا ءارقفلل
نوقداصلا مه كئلوا هلوسر و هللا نورصنی و اناوضر .
(SomeofthebootiesshouldbegiventotheneedyoftheMigrants,whoweredrivenoutfromtheirhomesandproperty;andwhoareseekingAllah'sgraceandpleasure,andtheydohelpAllahandhisMessengerinAllah‟spath,andtheyareindeedsincereintheirdeeds.)9
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7-TubehSura,verseno.100
8-FathSura,verseno.18
9-HashrSura,verseno.8
4-Themenofvictory:
ادجس اعكر مهیرت مهنیب ءامحر رافكلا يلع ءادشا هعم نیذلاو هللا لوسر دمحم
10. دوجسلا رثا نم مههوجو يف مهامیس اناوضر و هللا نم الضف نو ؽ تبی
(MohammadistheMessengerofAllah,andhisfollowersarehardandharshagainstthedisbelieversbutkindandcompanionatetoeachother.YouseethembowingdownandprostratinginprayersseekingAllah'sfavorandpleasure.)
ThesecondgroupconsistsoftheoneswhoweretheProphet'scompanies,buttheywerehypocritesormalignant,andtheholyQuranhasrevealedtheirnaturesandwarnedtheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)oftheirplots.Herearesomespecimens:
1-Theidentifiedhypocrites:
هللاو هلوسرل كنا ملعی هللا و هللا لوسرل كنا دهشن اولاق نوقفانملا كءاج اذا
نوبذاكل نیقفانملا نا دهشی .
(Whenthehypocritescometoyou,theysay:“WebearwitnessthatyouareindeedtheMessengerofAllah.AllahHimselfistheknowerthatyouareHisMessenger.SoHebearswitnessthattheyareliars).11
2-Theunidentifiedhypocrites:
ال قافنلا يلع اودرم هنیدملا لها نم و نوقفانم بارعالا نم مكلوح نمم و
12. مهملعن نحن مهملعت
(SomeofthedesertdwellersofArabsaroundyouarehypocrites,andsomeofthepeopleofMedinaarethose
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10-FathSura,verseno.29
11-MonafeghunSura,Verseno.1
12-TubehSura,Verseno.101
whopersistinhypocrisy,youdonotknowthem;weknowthem…)
3-Theheart-sick:
ارور الا هلوسر و هللا اندعو ام ضرم مهبولق يف نیذلاو نوقفانملا لوقی ذاو
(Andinthatsituation,thehypocritesandthoseinwhoseheartsisadiseasesaid:“thepromiseofAllahandhisMessengerwasnothingbutdeceit.)13
بوتی نا هللا يسع ائیس رخآ و احلاص المع اوطلخ مهبونذب اوفرتعا نورخآ و
14 میحر روف ؼ هللا نا مهیلع
(Andthereareotherswhohaveconfessedtheirsins;theyhavemixedtheirgoodactswithevilones;itmaybethatAllahwillforgivethem;verily,Allahisthemercifulforgiving.)
InadditiontotheversesoftheholyQuran,therehavebeennarratedanabundantnumberoftraditionsfromtheProphet(apeacebeuponhimandhisdescendants),reproachingsomeofhisdisciples.Forinstance:
1-AbuHazemquotedfromSahlIbnSadasquotingfromtheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)assaying,
يلع ندریل و ادبا امظی مل برش نم و برش درو نم ضوحلا يلع مكطرف انا
مهنیب و ينیب لاحی مث يننوفرعی و مهفرعا ماوقا
(Iwillsendyoutothepondofabundance;whoevergetstherewillsurelydrinkandwhoeverdoesso,willnevergetthirstyagain,whilesomegroupswillcometomewhomIknow,andalsotheyknowme,thenagapfallsamongus.)
NomanIbnAyashheardthistraditionwhileAbu
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13-AhzabSura,Verseno.12
14-TubehSura,verseno.102
Hazemwasrecitingit,hethenasked,“DidyouhearitfromSahl”?Andheconfirmedit.Then,Nomanwenton,“IbearwitnessthatAbuSaeedKhodrinarratedthefollowingfromtheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants):
يدعب لدب نمل اقحس اقحس لوقاف كدعب اوثدحا ام يردت ال كنا لاقیف ينم مهنا .
15
(Theyareofme,anditissaidthatyouarenotawareofwhattheydidafter
you;then,Isay,“MayAllah‟sblessingsbeawayfromthosewhodistortedthereligiouscommandmentsafterme”.)
Fromthestatements“Iknowthem,andtheyknowme”and“distorted…afterme”,itiscomprehendedthathehasreferredtohisdiscipleswhohaveaccompaniedhimforawhile(BokhariandMoslemhavenarratedthistradition,too).
2-BokhariandMoslemhavenarratedfromtheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)assaying,
نع نوولحیف - يتما نم لاقوا - يباحصا نم طهر همایقلا موی يلع دری
مهنا كدعب اوثدحا امب كل ملع ال هنا لوقیف يباحصا برای لوقا ف ضوحلا
16 يرقهقلا مهرابدا يلع اودترا
(OntheDayofResurrection,anumberofmydisciples-orfrommyOmah-entertome,buttheyarepreventedfromgoingtowardthePondofabundance,thenIsay,“O,God!Theyareofmydisciples',andGodreplies,'Youarenotawarewhattheydidafteryou,theyturnedbacktowhattheywereintheAgeofIgnorance'.)
Conclusion:
ItisdeducedfromtheholyQuranversesandtheProphet‟straditionsthatallofthosewhohave
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15-JameUlOsul,IbnAthir,vol.11,p.120,hadithno.7972
16-Ibid,hadithno.7973
accompaniedtheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)arenotofthesamerank.Someofthemwerethepurepersons,whosesincereeffortsbrought
aboutIslamfruitfulness,whereassomeothersweremalignanthypocritesorsinners.17
Asaconsequence,itwasillustratedthattheShiastandpointontheProphet'sdisciplesisinaccordancewiththeholyQuranandtheProphet'stradition.
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17-Forfurtherstudy,refertoMonafeghunSura
Questionno.18
Whatismeantby هعتملا [temporarymarriage],andwhydoestheShiaknowitlawful?
Theanswer:
Marriageisaunionbetweenamanandawoman.Asamatteroffact,itissometimespermanentwithnolimitandsometimestemporarywithaspecifiedduration.Bothofthemarelawful,andthereisadegreeofresemblancebetweenthem,justtosaythatoneispermanent,andtheotheristemporary.
Thefollowingpointsareascommoninthetemporarymarriageasthepermanentone:
1-Theremustnotbeanylegalobjectionstothemarriage,suchaskinshiporrelationbylaw;otherwise,themarriagecontractisinvalid.
2-Thecompromisedmarriage-portionmustberecordedinthemarriagecontract.
3-Thetermofmarriage
oughttobespecified.
4-Thelegalmarriagecontractmustbedeclared.
5-Thechild,bornofthem,istheirlegitimatechild.Likethepermanentmarriage,anIDcardmustbeissuedforthechildwhoisbornoftemporarymarriage.
6-Thefatherhastopaymaintenancetohischildren,andtheyinheritfromtheparentsaswell.
7-Whenthetemporarymarriageapproachesitsterm,ifthewomanhasnotreachedmenopause,shemustkeepthewaitingperiod,called'Edah',andifsheissupposedtobeconceived,shemustrefrainfromanyothermarriageuntilshegivesbirthtothechild.
Besides,theotherrulesandregulationsofthepermanentmarriagemustbeobservedinthetemporarymarriage.Theonlydifferenceisthatthehusbandhasnottopaythewife‟smaintenanceduetothefactthatthetemporarymarriagehasbeenlegislatedtoovercomethestraitenedcircumstances,andthewomanwillnotinheritfromherhusbandifshedoesnotstipulatethisconditioninthemarriagecontract.Anditisevidentthatthesetwodifferencesleavenotagreateffectontheessenceofmarriage.WeallbelievethatIslamistheeternalandthelastreligion,whichfulfillsallman'sneeds.Now,considerayoungmanwhoneedstoresideabroadorinastrangecityforyearsinordertopursuehisstudies,andheisunabletomarryduetohisstraits.Hethushasseveralchoicesopentohim,including:
I:Toremainbachelor
II:Tocommitlewdness
III:Tomarryawomanlawfullyaccordingtotheaforementionedconditionsforaspecifiedterm.
Asforthefirstchoice,itismostlyproventobeafutileattempttoabandonfromsexualdesires;however,fewpeoplecanendurethissituationforever.
ThesecondchoiceisunlawfulfromtheIslamstandpointandthosewhochoosethiswayaredoomedtocorruptionandadversity.Itsprescriptionunderthepretextofexigencyisbutastateofbeingmisled.
Therefore,thethirdchoiceproposedbyIslam,islaiddown,anditwasperformedduringtheProphet'slifetime,butthen,itwasdisputed.
Itisnoteworthytosaythatthosewhodecrythetemporarymarriage,consideringitunlawful,musttakethisfactintoconsiderationthatthewholeIslamicresearchersandscholarshaveadmittedakindofmarriage,similartopermanentbasedoncontent,sothatisthecouplesareallowedtodivorceinmoreorlessthanoneyear.
Itisevidentthatsuchamarriageisoutwardlypermanent,but,infact,temporary.Themaindifferencebetweenthistypeofpermanentmarriageandtemporaryoneisthattheformerisoutwardlypermanentbutinwardlytemporary,whereasthelatterisinwardlyandoutwardlyspecified.
Now,howthosewhoprescribethistypeofpermanentmarriage,admittedbythewholeIslamiclearned,dreadtolegislatethetemporarymarriage?Heretofore,wegotconversantwiththeessenceofthetemporarymarriage.Now,itistimetopresentthereasonsforitslegalityasfollowsintwophases:
1-ThelegalityoftemporarymarriageintheearlyperiodofIslam.
2-Thenon-abrogationofthislegaldecreeatthetimeoftheProphet'slife.
Nowconsiderthisverse,assaying,
1 هضیرف نهروجا نهوتاف نهنم هب متعتمتسا امف
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1-NesaSura,verseno.24
(Then,astothoseofwhomyouseekcontent,givethemtheirright(thespecifiedmarriage-portionasaduty.)
Thisversehasbeenrevealedonthetemporarymarriagebecause:
Firstly,theterm عاتمتسا [seekcontent]isappliedtothetemporarymarriage;otherwise,nocontextualclueisneededforthepermanentmarriage.
Secondly,theterm نهروجا meanstheirright,whichclearlyspecifiesthetemporarymarriage,becauseasforthepermanentmarriage,thetermssuchas'marriage-portion'and'nuptialgift'areused.
Thirdly,boththeShiaandtheSunnitecommentatorsareoftheopinionthattheaforementionedversehasbeenrevealedonthetemporarymarriage.
Inhiscommentarybook,called'DurUl-Manthur',JalalUdinSoyutinarrates
fromIbnJarirTabariandSadithatthisverseisonthetemporarymarriage.2
Besides,AbuJafarMohammedIbnJarirTabariinhiscommentarybookconfirmsthisfactasnarratingfromSadi,Mojahed,andIbnAbbas.3
Fourthly,thewritersofthesoundbooksoftraditionshavegenerallyadmittedthisfact.Forexample,MoslemsIbnHajjajinhisbook,entitled'Sahih'writesasquotingJabirIbnAbdollahandSalamatIbnAkvaa,
هعتم ينعی اوعتمتست نا مكل نذا دق هللا لوسر نا لاق ص( ( هللا لوسر يدانم انیلع جرخ
4 ءاسنلا
(TheProphet'sproclamationcametousthattheMessengerofGodhaspermittedyoutoenjoythewomen;andthatistrough
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2-DurUl-Manthur,vol.2,p.140,belowtheverse.
3-JameulBayan,FiTafsirEl-Quran,section5,p.9
4-Sahih,Moslem,chapter4,p.130,Egyptedition
temporarymarriage.)
Therearenumeroussoundtraditionsinthisregard,andtheIslamicscholarsandcommentatorsagreethatthetemporarymarriagewaslegislatedattheadventofIslamandintheProphet'sera.5Now,'Hasthetemporarymarriagebeenabrogated?‟
TheIslamictraditionsandhistoryprovethatthisDivinedecreewasprevalentamongtheMuslimsuntiltheCaliphateofthesecondCaliph,and,then,heprohibitedit.
Inhisbook,entitled'Sahih',MoslemIbnHajajnarratesthatIbnAbbasandIbnZobeirwereindisagreementonthetemporarymarriageandthetemporaryHajj,then,JabirIbnAbdollahstated,
6 امهل دعن ملف رمع امهنع اناهن مث ) ص ( هللا لوسر عم امه انلعف
(WealongwiththeProphet(a.s)performedthesetwoacts;then,Omarbannedusfromthemsuchthatweneverperformedthemanymore.)
JalalUl-DinSoyutiinhiscommentarybookquotesAbdulRazaqandAbuDavudandIbnJarir,allquotingfromHakamthathewasasked,'wastheverseonthetemporarymarriageabrogated'?Andheretorted,'never'.AndImamAli(a.s)said,
7 يقش الا ينز ام هعتملا نع يهن رمع نا الول
(IfOmarprohibitednotthetemporarymarriage,noone,exceptthewicked,wouldcommitrape.)
Moreover,asAliIbnMohammadGhushchinarrates,onceOmarIbnKhatabascendedthepulpitandaddressedthepeopleassaying,
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5-Considerthefollowingdocuments:
a)Sahih,Bokhari,sectionTamatob)Masnad,Ahmad,vol.4,p.436andvol.3,p.356c)Sonan,Beihaghi,vol.7,P.306d)Tabari,thecommentary,vol.5,P.9e)Nahaya,IbnAthir,vol.2,p.249f)Razi,thecommentary,vol.3,p.201g)Thehistory,IbnKhalkan,vol.1,p.359h)AhkamulQuran,Hasas,vol.2,p.178i)Al-JameulKabir,Soyuti,vol.8,p.293j)FathUlBari,IbnHijr,vol.9,p.141
6-Sonan,Beihaghi,vol.7,p.206andSahih,Moslem,vol.1,p.395
7-DurUl-Manthur,vol.2,p.140;belowtheverseonthetemporarymarriage.
8-TheDescriptionofTajrid,Ghoshchi,ImamateChapter,p.484
يه و نهیلع بقاعا و نهمرما و نهنع يهنا انا هللا لوسر دهع يلع نك ثالث سانلا اهیا
8. لمعلا ریخ يلع يح و جحلا هعتم و ءاسنلا هعتم
(O,people!Iherebyprohibitthreeacts,whichwerecommonatthetimeoftheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)andpunishtheirdoers.Theyare„temporarymarriage‟,'temporaryHajj',andthestatement
لمعلاريخ يلع يح
(Hurryupfortheaccomplishmentofthebestdeed.)
Itmustbestatedthatthetemporarymarriageisasubdivisionofmarriage,becausemarriagefallsintwocategories:temporaryandpermanent.Thus,thewomaninthetemporarymarriageisconsideredasman'swife,andviceversa.
IftheholyQurancites,
مهنامیا تكلم ام وا مهجاوزا يلع الا نوظفاح مهجورفل مه نیذلاو
(Thebelieversarethosewhorestraintheirsexualpassion,savewiththeirwivesoffreewomenorthoseslavegirlswhomtheyhavepossessedinthewarsagainstthepagans.)9
Accordingtothisverse,thewomaninthetemporarymarriageisconsideredasone'swife,andtheterm مهجاوزا [theirwives]denotesthisfact.Andiftheabove-mentionedversedeclaresthesexualrelationwithtwogroupsofwomen,includingone‟swifeandtheslavegirlspermissible,thewomaninthetemporarymarriageisofthefirstgroup.
ThewonderisthatsomecommentatorsbelievethatthisverseabrogatestheissueoftemporarymarriageinNesaSura,however,weareawarethattheabrogatingverseisalwaysrevealedaftertheabrogatedverse,andthatisnotthecasehere.MomenunSuraisMeccan(i.e.itwasrevealedtotheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)inMeccabeforehemigratestoMedina)whileNesaSura,whichcontainstheverseontemporarymarriage,wasrevealedatMedina(i.e.itwassentdowntotheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)afterhismigrationtoMedina).Now,how
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9-MomenunSura,verseno.5-6
canaverseinaMeccanSuraabrogateaverseinaSura,revealedatMedina?
Inaddition,therecordsofabundanttraditionsinthisregardfromthetimeoftheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)isanotherproofwhichnegatestheabrogationoftheverseonthetemporarymarriage,suchastheaforementionedtradition,narratedbyJalalUl-DinSoyutiinhisbook,entitled'DorUl-Manthur'.10
ItisnoteworthytosaythattheinfallibleImamsasthemeansofthehumanguidanceandtheinseparablecompanyoftheholyQuran(accordingtoSaqlaynhadith),havealsospecifiedthelegalityoftemporarymarriage.11
Besides,thefactthatIslamiscapableofsolvingtheproblemsofhumancommunitiesapprovesthelegalityofsuchamarriage,becausenowadays,andtemporarymarriageinaspecialframeworkis,infact,oneofthewaystokeeptheyouthsfromfallingintothecorruption.
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10-DorUl-Manthur,vol.2,P.140–141;belowtheverse.
11-VasaelUlShia,Vol.14,thebookonmarriage,section1,p.436
Questionno.19
WhydotheShiaprostrateonsoil(Torbat)?
Theanswer:
Somepeoplesupposethatprostrationontheclayorthesoilofthemartyrmeanstoworshipthemandconsideritasanpolytheisticact.
Toanswerthisquestion,itshouldbepointedoutthatthedifferencebetweenهللادوجسلا [prostrationforAllah]and ضرالا يلعدوجسلا
[prostrationonearth]isclear;thisproblemarisesbecausethisdifferenceisneglected.
Nodoubt,thephrase هللادوجسلا signifiestheprostrationforAllah,whilethephraseضرالا يلع دوجسلا meanstheprostrationonearth.Ontheotherhand,whenone
prostratesonearth,heactuallyisworshippingAllah,andindeed,alltheMuslimsthroughouttheworldprostrateonsomething,butitisaprostrationbeforeHim.ThewholepilgrimsofMeccaprostrateonthestonesofMasjidUl-HaramwhiletheiraimistoworshipGod,theAlmighty.
Asaresult,prostrationonsoil,plants,etc.doesnotsignifythatweworshipthem;rather,weprostratebeforeAllahbysubmittingourselvestothelowestlevelassoil.Besides,itisconcludedthatprostrationonearthisnottoworshipit.TheholyQuraninthisregardsays,
1 ضرالا و تاوامسلا يف نم دجسی هللاو
(Andwhoeverisintheheavensandtheearth,prostratesbeforeAllah.)
TheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)alsosays,
ا2 روهط و ادجسم ضرالا يل تلعج
(Theearthwasmadetobeaprostratingplaceasacauseforpurificationforme.)
Thus,theprostrationonearth,soil,etc.isinconsistentwithpolytheism,becausetheprostrationonearthandplantisthesignofultimatehumilityandsubmissionbeforetheOne.
Now,toilluminatetheShiastandpointonthisissue,werefertooneofthetraditionsofImamSadeq(a.s):
(HeshamIbnHakamnarratedthathehadaskedImamSadeq(a.s)aboutwhathecouldprostrateon,andImam(a.s)replied,“prostrationismerelypermittedonearthorwhatisgrownfromit,savecomestiblesandtheitemsofclothing'.Then,Iwenton,“Maymysoulbesacrificedforyou,whatisthereason?'Heanswered,“Becauseprostrationshowsman'shumilitytowardsGod,anditshouldnotbedoneonclothingandcomestibles,duetothefactthatthematerialistsaretheslavesofvictualsandclothing.Whenprostrating,manisindeedworshippingAllah,soheshouldavoidplacinghisforeheaduponthematerialists‟objectsofworship.Thus,theprostrationonearthissuperior,becauseitismoreproportionatetohumilityandsubmissionbeforeGod,theAlmighty”.)3
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1-RadSura,verseno.15
2-Sahih,Bokhari,thebookonprayer,p.91
3-BiharulAnvar,vol.85,p.147,quotedfromElalulSharae.
Thistraditionclearlystateswhyprostrationmustbedoneonearth,becauseitismorecompatiblewithhumilityandsubmissionbeforetheAbsolute.
Now,anotherquestionisposedandthatiswhydotheShiaprescribetheprostrationonearthandsomeplantsandnotalltheobjects?
Toanswerthequestion,itmustbestatedthatasthereligiousprinciplesarelegislatedbytheIslamicandtheDivinelaw,theirexecutiveconditionsmustbeextractedfromthewordsanddeedsoftheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants),becauseaccordingtotheholyQurantheMessengerofGodisthepracticalsampleofthepious.
Now,weconsidertheIslamichadiths,illustratingtheprophet‟spracticeandtradition,whichallsignifythattheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)prostratedonearth,andsomeplants,suchasmat,astheShiabelieveinit:
1-AgroupofMuslimnarratorshavesetforththattheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)introducedtheearthasaplaceforprostrationintheirsoundbooks,wherehesaid,
ا روهط و ادجسم ضرالا يل تلعج
(Theearthwasmadeformeastheplaceforprostrationandthecauseforpurification.)
Theterm لعج connoteslegislationandtransferstheideathatprostrationonearthisaDivinedecreefortheMuslims.
2-AgroupoftraditionsdenotethattheholyProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)orderedtheMuslimstoputtheirforeheadsonsoilwhenprostrating,butOmmeSalameh(theProphet'swife)quotesfromhimassaying,هللا كهجو برت (PutyourfaceonsoilforthesakeofAllah.)4
Theterm برت meanssoil,andalsothisactisobligatoryduetothefactthattheterm برت ,extractedfromtheterm بارت [soil]isanimperativeverb.
3-TheholyProphet‟sbehaviorisalsoanotherevidentproof,whichdirectstheMuslimstotherightway.VaelIbnHijrsaid,
5 ضرالا يلع هفناو هتهبج عضو دجس اذا ملسو ] هلآو [ هیلع هللا يلص يبنلا تیار
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4-KanzUl–Amal,Vol.7,Halabedition,P.465
5-AhkamUl–Quran,JahasHanafi,Vol.3,P.209,Beirutedition,Sectionprostrationonface
(TheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)puthisforeheadandnoseonearthwhenprostrating.)
AccordingtoAnasIbnMalik,IbnAbbas,someoftheProphet‟swives,suchasAyeshehandOmeSalamah,andanumberofnarrators,
6 هرمخلا يلع يلصی هللا لوسر ناك
(TheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)usedtoprostrateonAlkhomrah,thatwasakindofmat,madefromthefiberofpalmtree.)
AbuSaeed,oneoftheProphet‟sdisciples,said,
7 ریصح يلع يلصی وه و ملسو ] هلآو [ هیلع هللا يلص هللا لوسر يلع تلخد
(IvisitedtheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)prayingonamat.)
Thisisanotherevidence,provingtheShiastandpointonthelegalityofprostrationonwhatisgrownfromtheearth,exceptvictualsandclothing.
4-ThewordsanddeedsoftheProphet'sdisciplesalsotestifyhispractice.
JabirIbnAbdollahAnsarisaid,
نم هضبق ذخاف ملس و هلآ و هیلع هللا يلص هللا لوسر عم رهظلا يلصا تنك
8 رحلا هدشل اهیلع دجسا يتهبجل اهعضا يفك يف دربتل ءاصحلا
(PerformingmynoonprayeralongwiththeProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants),Ikeptahandfulofpebblesinmyhanduntiltheycooled,andIcouldputmyforeheadonthosewhenprostrating,andthatwasbecauseoftheexcessiveheat.)
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6-Sonan,Beihaghi,Vol.2,P.421
7-Ibid.
8-Ibid,vol.1,p.439,thebookonprayer
Then,thenarratoradded,“Ifprostrationwaspermissibleonclothes,itwouldhavebeeneasiertoprostrateoninsteadofkeepingthepebblesinthehandandcoolingthem”.
IbnSad(diedin209yearofHijra)writesinhisbook,'Al-TabaghatUl-Kobra',assuch,
هنیفسلا يف اهیلع دجسی هنبلب جرخی جرخ اذا قورسم ناك
(Whentraveling,MasrughIbnAjdausedtotakeapieceofsoiltoprostrateonintheship.)9
ItisnoteworthytosaythatMasrughIbnAjdawasoneoftheProphet'sdisciplesandIbnMasud‟scompanion.Thewriterofthebook'Al-tabaghatUl-Kobra'hasconsideredhimasoneoftheprominentfiguresofKufaandoftheoneswhohasnarratedsometraditionsfromAbubakr,Omar,Othman,Ali(a.s),andAbdollahIbnMasud.ThistraditiondefusestheclaimofthosewhoconsiderprostrationonapieceofsoilasheresyorpolytheismandprovesthattheheraldsinthehistoryofIslamhaddonethisact,too.10
Nafesays,
11 ضرالاب هتهبج عضی يتح اهعفری همامعلا هیلعو دجس اذا ناكرمع نبا نا
(Whenprostrating,IbnOmarremovedhisturbantoputhisforeheadonearth.)
Razinsays,
نم حولب يلا ثعبا نا هنع هللا يضر سابع نب هللادبع نب يلع يلا بتك
12 هیلعدجسا هورملا راجحا
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9-vol.6,P.79,Beirutedition.
10-Formoreinformation,refertoSiratenabyAlamehAmini‟sbook.
11-Sonan,Beihaghi,vol.2,P.105,firstedition.
12-Azraghi,thenewsofMecca,Vol.3,p.151
(AliIbnAbdollahIbnAbbaswrotetomethatIsendhimachunkofstonefrommarvelmountsothathecouldprostrateonthem).
5-SomenarratorshavepresentedsometraditionsthattheholyProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)prohibitedthosewhoprostratedontheirturbans.
SalihSabaeeinthisregardsays,
يلع متعا دقو هبنجب دجسی الجر يار ملسو هلاو هیلع هللا يلص هللا لوسر نا
13 هتهبج نع ملسو هلآو هیلع هللا يلص هللا لوسر رسحف هتهبج
(TheholyProphet(a.s)observedamanprostratingwhilehisturbanhadcoveredhisforehead.TheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)thenremovdtheturbanfromhisforehead.)
كتمامع عفرا هدیب امواف هتمامع روك يلع دجسی الجر ) ص ( هللا لوسر يار
14 هتهبج يلا اموا و
(TheMessengerofGod(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)observedamanprostratingonthecornerofhisturban.Hepointedtohimtoremovehisturbanandthenpointedtohisforehead.)
Itisclearlycomprehendedfromtheabove-mentionedtraditionsthattheprostrationonearthatthetimeoftheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)wasamatterofcertainty,sothattheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)prohibitedanyoneoftheMuslimswhodidnotprostrateon
earth.
6-TheShiainfallibleImams,whoaretheProphet‟shouseholdaswellastheinseparablemateoftheholy
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14-Ibid.
13-Sonan,Beihaghi,vol.2,P.105
Quran,-accordingtoSaglaynhadith-havealsocertifiedthisfact.
ImamSadeq(a.s)says,
هنس هرمخلا يلع و هضیرف ضرالا يلع دوجسلا
(TheprostrationonearthisaDivinecommandment,andonmat,theProphet‟stradition.)15
Healsosays,
سبل وا لكا ام الا ضرالا تتبنا ام يلع وا ضرالا يلع الا زوجیال دوجسلا
(Prostrationisnotpermissible,exceptonearthandwhatgrowsfromitapartfromclothingandvictuals).16
Conclusion:
Tosumthewholeaforementionedtraditionsup,itisascertainedthatprostrationonearthandwhatgrowsfromit(exceptclothingandvictuals)ispermissible.
Moreover,itisquiteevidentthatprostrationonthementionedobjectsispermissiblewhilethelegalityofprostrationonotherthingsisamatterofirresolution.Asaresult,we‟dbetterprostrateonthepermissiblethingsjustasprecaution,whichisthemeansofprosperityandsalvation.Intheend,thisissue
isamatterofreligiousjurisprudence,whichmayraisethediversityofopinionsamongtheMuslimjurisprudents;however,thesekindsofjurisprudentobjectionsarenomatterofconcern,becausethesedifferencesarealsodiscernedamongthefourmainsectsoftheSunnite.Forinstance,theMalekibelievethatwhenprostrating,thenosemustbeplacedonthegroundwhiletheHanbaliknowsthisactobligatoryanditsabandonmentinvalidatestheprostration.17
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15-VasaelUlShia,vol.3,p.593;thebookonprayer,the7thhadith.
16-Ibid,the1sthadith.
17-Al-FighAlalMazhabulArbaa,vol.1,P.161,Eyyptedition,thebookonprayer.Prostrationsection.
Questionno.20
WhydotheShiakissthegatesandthewallsoftheholyshrineswhenvisitingthemaspilgrims?
Theanswer:
ToseekrefugeintheDivineguardians'monumentsisnotahereticalbelief,butitsorigingoesbacktothehistoryoftheProphet'slifetimeandhisdisciples'.Furthermore,notonlytheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)andhisdisciples,butalsothepreviousDivineprophetsdidpracticeit,andnow,letusreasonoutthelegalityofseekingrefugeintheDivineguardian‟smonumentsthroughtheholyQuranandthetraditions:
1-AsstatedintheholyQuran,whenJoseph,theprophet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants),introducedhimselftohisbrothersandthenforgavethem,said,
ا1 ریصب تای يبا هجو يلع هوقلاف اذه يصیمقب اوبهذا
(Nowgowiththisshirtofmineandcastitoverthefaceofmyfather,andhewillrecoverhissight)
Andthengoeson,
2 اریصب دتراف ههجو يلع هاقلا ریشبلا ءاج نا املف
(Then,whenthebearerofgoodtidingscametohim,andcastJoseph‟sshirtonJacob'sface,hiseyesightreturnedtohim.)
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1-YousefSura,verseno.93
2-Ibid,verseno.98
TheseversesnotonlysignifytherefugeofJacobtotheshirtofJoseph,butalsoproclaimhowJoseph'sshirtbroughtbackeyesighttoJacob.
Hence,canoneclaimthatthebehaviorofthesetwoholyprophetsispolytheism?
2-ThehistoryhasrecordedthattheholyProphetofIslam(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)kissedandsalutedtheBlackStone(HajarUl-Asvad)whilecircumambulatingtheKaba.Inhisbook,'Sahih',Bokhariwrites,“oneaskedAbdollahIbnOmaraboutkissingtheBlackStone”,andhereplied,
3 هلبقی و هملتسی ) ص ( هللا لوسر تیار
(IobservedtheProphet(a.s)whenkissingandtouchingit.)
Whereasiftouchingandkissingastonewasindeedpolytheism,theProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)whoproclaimedmonotheismwouldneverdoit.
3-Thereexistanabundantnumberoftraditionsintheauthenticbooks,specifyingthattheProphet‟sdisciplessoughtrefugetohisbelongings,suchasgarments,waterofablution,watervessel,etc.Theirdeedsprovidesufficientreferencesforusonthelegalityandapprovalofsuchact.Herearesome:
A.Bokhariinhis'Sahih'inapartofalengthyhadithwhichpresentssomeofthequalitiesoftheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)andhisdisciplessays,
4 هئوضو يلع نولتتقی اوداك اضوت اذاو
(WhenevertheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)wasperformingablution,theMuslimsrushed
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3-Sahih,Bokhari,section2,thebookonHajj,P.151-152,Egyptedition.
4-Ibid,vol.3,p.195,thesectiononJihadandPeace
toobtainthewaterofhisablution.)
B.IbnHijrnarrates,
5 مهیلع كربیف نایبصلاب يتوی ناك ملسو هلا يلعو هیلع هللا يلص يبنلا نا
(TheMuslimstooktheirchildrentotheholyProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants),andheprayedfortheirblessings.)
MohammadTahirMakkisays,“OmmeSabetnarratedmethatoncetheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)cameroundtomyhouseanddranksomewaterfromthehangingwater-skin;then,Istoodupandcuttheopeningofthewater-skin”.
Thenadded,“Tirmizinarratedthisnarrativeandbelievedthatitsauthenticityisbeyonddoubt.Also,thenarratorinthebookentitled'RiyazUl-Salehin'goeson,“OmmeSabetcuttheopeningpartofthewater-skininordertokeeptheplaceoftheProphet'smouthandtobeblessedwithit.Also,theProphet'sdisciplesalwaysusedtodrinkwaterfromwheretheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)haddrunk”.6
هنیدملا مدخ ءاج هاد ؽ لا يلص اذا ملسو ] هلآ و [ هیلع هللا يلص هللا لوسر ناك
هاد ؽ لا يف هوإاج امبرف هیف هدی سم ؼ الا ءاناب يت وی امف ءاملا اهیف مهتینآب
7 اهیف هدی سم ؽ يف هدرابلا
(TheMedinaservantsbroughttheirwaterpotstotheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)atthetimeoftheMorningPrayer,andtheholyProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)immersedhishandinthepots.Ithappened
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5-Al-Isabah,vol.1,p.7,thebookonsermon,Egyptedition.
6-TabarukUl-Sahabeh,MohammadTaherMaki,Chapter1,P.29,Ansaritranslation
7-Sahih,Moslim,section7,thebookonfazael,ChapterGhorbUl-Nabi,P.79
thatsometimestheycametohiminthecoldmornings,andhestillimmersedhishandintheirpots.)8
Thus,thereasonsforthelegalityofseekingrefugeintheDivineguardians'monumentswerepresented,anditwasrevealedthatthosewhochargetheShiawithpolytheismhavenotdigestedtherealconceptsofmonotheismandpolytheism,yet,becausethelatteristoregardanotherbeingastheGodheadorascribeGodlyattributestohimandregardhimasindependentorabsoluteinessenceorexistence.
Onthecontrary,theShiacounttheDivineguardiansasAllah'sservants,whoaredependentonHimfortheirexistenceandcreation.ItisworthytomentionthattheShiaseeksrefugeinhisleadersasthepromulgatorsoftheDivinereligiononlyforexpressingtheirgreataffectionandgratitudetothem.
IftheShiakisstheshrinesoftheholyProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)andhisAhlulBait(a.s)ortouchtheirgatesandwallswhenvisitingthem,itisonlybecauseoftheiraffectionandsentimentalattachmenttowardsthem,whichmaymanifestinthenatureofeveryman.
Asweet-spokenmanoflettersinthisregardwrote,
ارادجلا اذ و رادجلا اذ لبقا يملس راید رایدلا يلع رما
ارایدلا نكس نم بح نكلو يبلق نف شؽ رایدلا بح امو
(IpassSalmi‟shomelandandkissthiswallandthatone;thathomelanddoesnotexhilarate,buttheaffectiontowardsthehomelanddwellerdoesmyheartgood.)
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8-Forfurtherinformation,refertothefollowingdocuments:
a)Sahih,Bokhari,thebookAshrabeh.
b)MotaMalik,vol.1,P.138.
c)AsadUl-Ghabah,vol.5,P.90.
d)MasnadAhmad,vol.4,P.32
e)FathUl-Bari,vol.1,P.281-82
Questionno.21
IsreligionseparatefrompoliticsfromtheIslamicpointofview?
Theanswer:
Torealizetherelationshipbetweenreligionandpolitics,theconceptof'Politics'needsclarification.Therearetwodistinctmeaningsfortheterm'Politics':
1.Theterm'Politics'meansdissimulation,trick,andtheabuseofanymeanstoachievetheend(theendjustifiesthemeans).
Itisquiteevidentthatthisisnottherealmeaningoftheterm'Politics'andisinconsistentwithreligion.
2.Theterm'Politics'istoadoptapolicyforimprovingthepublicinterestsandlifeaffairsthroughthetrueIslamicprinciplesinvariousaspects.
Inthissense,politicsasthemanagementoftheMuslimaffairsundertheauspicesoftheholyQuranandtheProphet'spracticeisapartofthereligion.
Now,itsoundsnecessarytomentionsomeofthereasonsforthecompatibilitybetweenreligionandpoliticsandtheexigencyofestablishingagovernmentbasedonthem:
ThemostevidenttestimonytothisclaimistheholyProphet'swayduringhischallengingperiodofhisprophethood.WhenstudyingtheholyProphet'swordsanddeeds,itgetsclearasdaythathewasabouttoestablishafirmgovernment,whichcouldmakeappropriatepoliciesanddesignIslamicstrategiesbasedonbeliefinAllah.
Below,someoftheproofs,signifyingtheProphet'shigh-mindedefforts,arepointed:
TheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)asthefounderoftheIslamicgovernment:
1-WhentheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)wascommissionedtorevealhisDivinemessage,headoptedsomepoliciestolaythefoundationoftheMuslimarmy.Toachievethisend,hevisitedthemembersofsomeofthegroupswhohadcometovisitKabafromcloseordistinctregionsandtheninvitedthemtoembraceIslam.
HealsoheldtalkswithtwogroupsfromMedinaatAghabeh,wheretheyconcludedanagreementtoinvitetheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)totheirowntownandsupporthim.1
Asaresult,thepreliminarystepstowardhispolicy-makingfortheestablishmentoftheIslamicgovernmentweretaken.
2-AftermigratingtoMedina,theProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)tookdecisiveactionstolaythefoundationofastrongarmy,anarmywhichlaterparticipatedin82battlesduringhisprophethoodandmanagedtoovercomethewholeimpedimentstothewayofestablishingoftheIslamicgovernmentthroughitsgloriousvictories.
3-AfterthesettlementoftheIslamicgovernmentinMedina,theProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)heldrelationshipwiththepowerfulsocio-politicalsuperpowersofhistimethroughdispatchingenvoysandwritingthehistoriclettersandthen
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1-Sireh,IbnHesham,vol.1,p.431,2ndedition,Egypt.
concludedeconomic,political,ormilitaryagreementswiththeheadsofsomegroups.
ThehistoryoftheProphet'slifehasrecordedhissignificantletterstoKesra,theemperorofIran,Caesar,theemperorofRome,Muqukas,thesultanofEgypt,Negus,theAbyssinianruler,etc.Someoftheresearchershaveaccumulatedtheabove-mentionedlettersintheseparatebooklets.2
4-ToFulfilltheIslamicobjectivesandfortifythepillarsoftheIslamicgovernment,theMessengerofGod(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)appointedgovernorsforanumberoftribesandtowns.Forinstance,theholyProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)dispatchedRefaatIbnZeidashisenvoyinhistribeandwrotealetterassuch:
دیز نب ةعافرل ) ص ( هللا لوسر دمحم نم ) باتك اذه ( میحرلا نمحرلا هللا مسب
نمف هلوسر يلا و هللا يلا مهوعدی مهیف لخد نم و هماع هموق يلا هتثعب ينا
3 نیرهش نامأ هلف ربدأ نم و هلوسر بزح و هللا بزح يفف مهنم لبقا
(InthenameofGod,thecompationate,theMerciful.ThisisaletterfromMohammed,theMessengerofGodtoRefaatIbnZeid.IherebysendhimtowardhistribetoinvitethemtothewayofGodandHisMessenger.HewhoacceptshisinvitationwillbeofGodandHisProphet'sparty,andhewhorefuseswillhaveonlytwomonthsofrespite.)
Nodoubt,theProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)throughputtingtheseactsandmeasuresintopracticeintendedtoestablishafirmgovernmentinordertosettletheuniversalIslamicJurisprudenceinthewholedimensionsofman'slifefromtheadventofhis
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2-Al-VethagulSiyasiyah,MohammedHamidUllahandMakatibUl-Rasul,AliAhmadi.
3-MakatibUl-Rasul,vol.1,p.144
prophethood.
Isconcludinganagreementwiththeinfluentialgroupsandtribes,layingthefoundationofapowerfularmy,dispatchingenvoystodifferentregions,warningthekingsandrulersandhavingcorrespondencewiththem,appointinggovernorsandcommandersforthetribesandtowns,etc.differentfrompolitics,i.e.,themanagementofthesocietyaffairs?ApartfromthehistoryoftheProphet'spoliticalefforts,thepracticesoftheforCaliphs,especiallyImamAli'swaybear
witnesstothecompatibilityofpoliticsandreligionamongboththeShiaandtheSunniteatthetimeofhisCaliphate.
ThelearnedofbothIslamicsectshavepresentedvariousreasons,extractedfromtheholyQuranandtheProphet'straditions,ontheexigencyofthegovernmentandthemanagementofthesocietyaffairs.Forinstance,inhisbook'AhkamSoltanieh',AbulHassanMavardiwrites:
نمل اهدقع ،و ایندلا ةسایس و نیدلا ةسارح يف ة وبنلا هفالخل ةعوضوم ةمامالا
4 عامجالاب بجاو ةمالا يف اهب موقی
(TheImamateandgovernmenthavebeenappointedassubstitutesfortheprophethoodinordertosafeguardthereligion,politics,andthemanagementoftheworldlyaffairs,andtheestablishmentofthegovernmentforthosewhoadministeritisobligatorythroughtheMuslims'consensusofopinions.)
ToJustifythisfact,thisIslamicscholar,whoisawell-knownSunnitescholar,takesastandontworeasons:
1-Logicalreason
2-Legalreason
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4-Ibid,Section1,P.5,1stedition,Egypt
Withregardtothelogicalreason,hewrites:
يف مهنیب لصفی ،و ملاظتلا نم مهعنمی میعزل میلستلا نم ، ءالقعلا عابط يف امل
5 نیعاضم اجمه و نیلمهم يضوف اوناكل ةالولا الولو ، مصاختلا و عزانتلا
(Tofollowtheleaderisinthenatureofthewisemen,becauseitcanpreventthemfromoppressingoneanotherandsettlethedisputesamongthem.Iftherewasnoleader,thepeoplewouldbedisunitedandwouldlosetheircompetence.)
Andregardingthelegalreason,hecites:
ای : لجوزع هللا لاق ، نیدلا يف هیلو يلا رومالا ضیوفتب عرشلا ءاج نكلو
انیلع ضرفف . مكنم رمالا يلوا و لوسرلا اوعیطاو هللا اوعیطا اونمآ نیذلا اهیا
6 انیلع نورماتملا ةمئالا مه و انیف رمالا يلوا ةعاط
(ThelegalreasonforentrustingtheaffairstotheguardiansinreligioniswhatAllah,theAlmighty,asserts:“Oyouwhobelieve!ObeyAllahandobeytheProphetandtheguardians”.Therefore,Allahhasmadetheobediencefromtheguardiansmandatoryandhasassignedthemasourleaders.)
SheikhSaduqnarratedalengthytraditionfromFazlIbnShazanashenarrateditfromImamAliIbnMusaAl-Reza(a.s),inwhichtheexigencyofestablishinggovernmentisdiscussed.Thisisanexcerpt:
سیئر و میقب الا اوشاع و اوقب للملا نم ةلمال و قرفلا نم ةقرف دجن ال انا
كرتی نا میكحلا ةمكح يف زجی ملف ایندلا و نیدلا رما نم هنم مهل دبال امل
نومسقیو مهودع هب نولتاقیف هب الا مهل ماوق الو هنم مهل دبال هنا ملعی امل قلخلا
7 مهمولظم نم مهملاظ عنمی و مهتعامج و مهتعمج هب نومیقی و مهئیف هب
(Weneverfindagroupornationthatcanliveonwithno
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5-Ibid.
6-Ibid.
7-Elalul-Sharae‟,section182,hadithno.9,p.253
ruler;arulerwhocanprovidetheworldlyandreligiousaffairsofthepeople.Therefore,itisfarfromtheDivinewisdomtodeprivethepeoplefromwhattheyreallyneedandcannotstandontheirfeetwithoutthem.ThePeoplefighttheirenemiesatthebehestoftheirruleranddividethewarspoilsaccordingto
hisdecree.TheyalsoholdthecongregationalandFridayprayers,anditishe,whoadministersjusticeinthesociety,ofcourse.)
ItisbeyondtheboundsofpossibilitytoanalyzethewholetraditionsandstatementsoftheIslamicjurisprudentsinthisbrief,butwhenstudyingtheIslamicjurisprudencecomprehensively,itisclarifiedthatthegreatervolumeoftheIslamicjurisprudenceisnotfulfilledwithouttheestablishmentofastronggovernment.
Islaminvitesustojihad,defense,administrationofjustice,theexecutionoflegalpunishmentandIslamicjurisprudence,enjoiningtogoodandforbiddingfromevil,thesettlementofacodifiedfinancialsystem,andtheprotectionofunityintheIslamicsociety,and,nodoubt,theachievementofthestatedgoalswithouttheenjoymentofacapablesystemandgovernmentsoundsimpossible;becausethedefenseoftheIslamicjurisprudencerequiresastrongarmy,andtheestablishmentofthestrongarmynecessitatestheestablishmentofapowerfulgovernmentbasedontheIslamicvalues.Moreover,theexecutionofthelawfulpunishment,whichhasbeensetforpreventingthepeoplefromcommittingthesinandadministratingtherightsoftheoppressed,etc.isnotpracticalwithouttheexistenceofanorganizedsystemandmayresultinchaos.
AlthoughthereasonspresentedfortheestablishmentofthegovernmentinIslamarenotlimitedtowhatwasstatedhere,itisconcludedthatnotonlythereligionisnotseparatefrompolitics,butalsotheestablishmentoftheIslamicgovernmentbasedontheIslamicjurisprudentsystemisanexigencyandthemaindutyoftheIslamiccommunitiesthroughouttheworld.
Questionno.22
WhydotheShiaconsiderAli'ssons(HasanandHussein)theProphet‟schildren?
Theanswer:
Whenstudyingthehistory,traditions,andthecommentarybooks,itbecomesplainthatthisissuedoesnotonlyincludetheShia,butitcanbesaidthatthewholeMuslimresearchersfromdifferentsectsareconsensusofopinionswithregardtoit.
Now,westudythisissuethroughrelyingontheholyQuran,thetraditions,andthewell-knowncommentators'statements.
Basically,theholyQuranknowsone'sconsanguineouschildrenashisownchildren.Alsothechildren,borntohisownchildren[includingbothhissonsanddaughters],areregardedashisownchildren,too.
ThereareanabundantnumberoftestimoniesforthisclaimfromtheholyQuranandtraditionsstandpoint,including:
1-TheholyQurancallsJesusChristasoneoftheoffspringofAbrahamwhileJesusisthesonofholyMary,buthereachestoAbrahamthroughhismaternalrelationship.Itsays:
دوواد هتیرذ نم و لبق نم انیده احون و انیده الك بوقعی و قحسا هل انبهو و
و نینسحملا يزجن كلذك و نوراه و يسوم ؾو سوی و بویا و نامیلس و
1 يسیع و يیحی و ایركز
(AndwebestowedIsaacandJacobuponAbrahamanddirectedeachoneof
themtotherightway,andguidedNoahbeforehim,andofhisdescendentsDavidandSolomon,JobandJoseph,andMosesandAaron.Andthuswerewardthepious.And[fromAbraham'soffspring]ZechariahandJohnandJesus.)
TheMuslimscholarsrefertothisverseasclearevidenceonthefactthatImamHasan(a.s)andImamHussein(a.s)aretheProphet'soffspring.Forinstance,
1-JalalSoyutiquotes:
نیسحلا و نسحلا نأ معزت كنا ين ؽ لب : لاقف رمعی نب يیحی يلا جاجحلا لسرأ
ملف هرخآ يلا هلوا نم هتأرق دق و هللا باتك يف هدجت ) ص ( يبنلا ةیرذ نم
هدجأ .
ػو لب يتح نامیلس و دوواد هتیرذ نم و : ماعنالا ةروس أرقت تسلأ : لاق
؟ بأ هل سیلو میهاربا ةیرذ نم يسیع سیلأ : لاق . يلب : لاق ؟ يسیعو يیحی
2 تقدص : لاق
(Once,HajjajaddressedYahyaBinYamorassaying,“IwasreportedthatyouconceiveHasanandHusseinastheProphet'soffspringandthatyouinvoketheholyQuranforyourclaim.IhavestudiedtheholyQuranfromthebeginningtotheend,butneverfoundthisstatementinit”.
YahyaBinYamarreplied,“HaveyoureadthisverseofAnamSurathatsays,
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1-AnamSura,verseno.84-85
2-DurUl-Manthur,vol.3,p.28,Beirutedition,belowtheverse.
ناميلس [andofhisdescendentsDavidandSolomon]untilitsays يسيعو ييحي[and
JohnandJesus]”?“Yes”,hesaid.Then,Yahyawenton,'wasn'tJesusdeemedasAbraham'soffspringwhilehehadnofather[andreachestoAbrahamthroughhismother'?“AndHajajconfirmedit.)
ThroughthementionedverseandtheholyQurancommentator'sstatements,itgetsquiteclearthatnotonlytheShiabutalsothewholeMuslimscholarsconsiderImamHasan(a.s)andImamHussein(a.s)astheProphet'soffspring.
2-OneoftheversesoftheholyQuranatteststhattheauthenticityofthementionedstatementisbeyonddoubt,andthatisMobahalaverseinAle-ImranSura,whichgoes,
و مكءانبأ و انءانبأ - عدن اولاعت لقف ملعلا نم كءاج ام دعب نم هیف كجاح نمف
نیبذاكلا يلع هللا هنعل لعجنف لهتبن مث مكسفنا و انسفنا و مكءاسن و انءاسن
(Andwhosodisputeswithyouaftertheknowledgethathascometoyou,say,“Come,now,letuscalloursons,andyoursons,ourwomenandyourwomen,ourrelativesandyourrelativesandthenletusinvokeandlaythecurseofAllahonthosewholie.)3
Accordingtothecommentators,theabove-mentionedverse,knownas'MubahalaVerse'wasrevealedatthetimeoftheholyProphet'sdisputeswiththeheadsofNajranChristiansduetotheirobstinacy.TheholyProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)tookAliIbnAbitalib,Fatima,ImamHasan,andImamHussein(a.s)undertheDivinedecreetomakemutualcursing.
ObservingtheProphet'scompanions,theChristian
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3-Ale-ImranSura,verseno.61
headsfearedtheirlivesandaskedtheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)torenouncecursing.Heacceptedtheirproposalandconcludedapeacetreatywiththem.
SinceboththeShiaandtheSunnitescholarsfirmlybelievethatAliIbnAbiTalib,Fatima,HasanandHussein(a.s)hadaccompaniedtheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants),itisproventhattheterm انءانبا [ourchildren]includesImamHasanandImamHussein(a.s).
Itisnoteworthytomentionthatthecommentatorshavealsoexpressedtheircommentariesinthisregard,including,
A.JalalDinSoyutiquotesHakimIbnMorodiyeh,andAbuNaeemastheyquoteitfromJabirIbnAbdollah
نیسحلا و نسحلا : انئانبا ،و يلع و ) ص ( هللا لوسر : مكسفناو انسفنأ
4 همطاف : انءاسنو
Theterm انسفنأ [ourselves]signifiesAliIbnAbiTalib,andtheterm انءانبأ [oursons]denotesHasanandHussein,andtheterm انءاسن [ourwomen]connotesFatima.
B.Inhiscommentary,FakhrUl-DinRazibelieves,
5 ثیدحلاو ریسفتلا لها نیب اهتحص يلع قفتملاك ةیاورلا هذه نا ملعاو
(Knowthatthisisatradition,whichthemenofhadithunanimouslyagreeonitsauthenticity.)
Then,hecontinues,
لوسر ينبإ اناك ) ع ( نیسحلا و نسحلا نأ يلع ةلاد ةیالا هذه : ةعبارلا ةلاسملا
6 هینبا نوكی نا بجوف نیسحلا و نسحلا اعدف هءانبا اوعدی نا دعو ) ص ( هللا
(Thefourthmatter:thementionedversebearswitnesstothefactthatHassanandHussein(a.s)weretheProphet‟soffspring,becausetheMessengerofGod(a.s)hadpromisedtosummonhischildren,andthenhecalledHasanandHussein.)
C.AbuAbdollahQurtabiinhisCommentarycites:
ا7[ ءانبا نومسی تانبلا ءانبا نأ يلع لیلد ] انءانبأ
(Theterm اوءاىبا [ourchildren]inthementionedversesignifiesthatthechildrenofone‟sdaughterareregardedasone‟sownchildren,too.)
3.TheProphet‟swordsarethemostevidenttestimonythatImamHassanandImamHussein(a.s)arehischildren.Belowaretwooftheprophet‟sstatements:
ينبحأ دقف امهبحأ نم يانبإ ناذه
(HasanandHusseinaremytwochildren;whosoeverlovesthemhasindeedlovedme.)
ایندلا نم يتناحیر نیذه ينبا نإ
(ThesetwochildrenofminearetwoBasils(akindofflower)intheworld.)
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4-DurUl-Manthur,vol.2,P.39,Beirutedition,belowtheverse.
5-MafatihUl-Ghayb,theCommentary,Vol.2,P.488,firstedition,Egypt,1308yearofHijra.
6-Ibid.
7-Al-JameUl-AhkamUl-Quran,Vol.4,P.104,Beirutedition
Questionno.23
WhydotheShiaconsidertheCaliphateasTansisi?
Theanswer:
ItisevidentthatIslamisauniversalandeternalreligion,andthattheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)playsacrucialroleoftheOmmaleadershipduringhislifetime,buttheleadershippositionmustbepassedtothemostcompetentandvirtuousmembersofthesocietyassoonasheispassedaway.
ThereexisttwoviewsonthefactthatwhethertheleadershipofOmmaisTansisi(thatischosenbytheDivinedecreeandthespecificationoftheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants))aftertheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)orelective?
TheShiabelievethattheleadershipisaTansisiposition,anditisAllah,whoappointstheProphet'ssuccessors,whiletheSunnitebelievethatthispositioniselective,andtheMuslimnationmustelectapersonaftertheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)torunthecommunity.
ThesocialconsiderationsbearwitnessontheCaliphateviaTansisi(appointment):
TheShiascholarshavepresentedmanyreasonsontheexigencyoftheCaliphateappointmentintheirworks,butwhatispresentedhereistheanalysisoftheconditionsoftheProphet'sage,whichprovestheauthenticityoftheShiastandpoint.
WhenstudyingtheIslamnationalandforeignpolicyatthetimeoftheProphet
(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants),wecometothepointthattheProphet'ssuccessorshadtobeappointedbyAllahandtheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants),becausetheIslamiccommunitywasalwaysthreatenedbytheenemies,including,RomanEmpire,IranEmpire,andthehypocrites.Besides,thenation'sinterestsnecessitatedthattheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)unitesthewholecommunityagainsttheforeignenemiesthroughtheappointmentofapoliticalleaderanddefusetheenemies'plots,fortifiedbytheinternalconflicts.
Theexplanation:
TheRomanEmpirewasoneoftheanglesofthishazardoustriangle.Thissuperpowerhadbeenlocatedonthenorthofthepeninsula,andithadfullyoccupiedtheProphet'smind,andheneverfeltateasewiththeRomanthreatuptothelastmomentsofhislife.
ThefirstmilitaryconflictbetweentheMuslimsandtheRomanChristianarmyoccurredinPalestineinthe8thyearofHijra.ThisconflictresultedinthemartyrdomofthreecommandersofIslam,calledJafarTayar,ZeidIbnHares,andAbdollahIbnRavaha,andasaresulttheMuslimswerebitterlydefeated.ThedefeatoftheIslamarmyencouragedtheCaesararmysothattheMuslimsweresubjecttobeattackedtheretoforthindifferentregions.Thus,theProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)preparedanequippedarmyandmovedtowardsthebordersofSyriatoleadpersonallyanykindsofmilitaryclashesintheninthyearofHijra.
TheMuslimarmythenmanagedtoregainitslonghonorandrenovateitspoliticallifedespiteallpainsandsorrows.TheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)didnotsufficethispartialvictory,andsomedaysbeforehisdemise,hecommissionedtheIslamarmy,commandedbyOsamah,tosettleinSyria.
IranEmpirewastheMuslims'secondmainenemy.ItwassothatKhosroParviz,thekingofIran,toreuptheProphet‟sletterfuriouslyandexpelledhismessengerandthenorderedthegovernorofYementoarresttheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)andthenkillhimifhedidnotabstainfromsuchacts.
AlthoughKhosroParvizpassedawayatthetimeoftheholyProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants),theissueofYemenindependence-thecolonyofIranforyears-wasnotawayfromthemindsoftheIraniankings,andthearroganceoftheIranianpoliticiansneverallowedthemtostandtheexistencesuchapower.
Ontheotherside,thethreatofthehypocritesasthefifthparty,whoplayedhavocnonstopwiththeMuslims‟unity,wasthethirdthreat.TheyhadplannedtoassassinatetheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)onthewayfromTabuktoMedina.TheywereoftheopinionthattheProphet'sassassinationwouldputanendtotheIslamicmovement,andtheycouldlivealifeofease.3
TheholyQuranbewarestheMuslimsofthehypocrites'destructivepowerinAle-Imran,Nesa,Maedeh,Anfal,Toubeh,Ankabut,Ahzab,Muhammed,Fath,Mojadeleh,Hadid,Monafeghin,andHashrSuras.4
Thus,doesitsoundlogicaltoleavesuchanewlybuiltcommunitywithnosuccessorasthereligiousandpoliticalleaderwhiletheenemieshadlaininwait?
ThesocialconsiderationsdecreethattheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)hadtopreventanykindofdisputesamongtheMuslimsandensuretheIslamicunitythroughtheappointmentofacompetentleader.He,infact,wasabouttoavoidacatastropheandmischiefthatwouldoccurinthesocietyafterhim,suchastheclaimofeverygrouportribeintakingtheleadershipintheir
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3-TurSura,verseno.30
4-Excerptedfrom„FroughAbadiyat,JafarSobhani.
hands.ThesesocialconsiderationsprovethattheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)hastakenanappropriatedecisionontheleadershipappointment.
TheevidenttestimonyoftheMessengerofGod:
Basedonthesocialgroundandotherreasons,theProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)hadexpressedthekeyissueofhissuccessorshipfromthefirstdaysofhisprophethoodtothelastdayofhislife-wheninvitedhiskinstodisclosehisprophethoodintheearlydaystillhewasturningfromthelastHajjpilgrimageinGadirKhominthelastdaysofhislife.
WhenconsideringtheaforementionedsocialstatusintheadventofIslamandalsoreferringtotheholyProphet‟sdecisiononappointingandintroducingImamAli(a.s),itisclearlycomprehendedthattheissueoftheleadershipappointmentwasvital.
Questionno.24
IsswearingonbeingsotherthanAlmightyGodconsideredaspolytheism?
Theanswer:
TherealconceptsofthetermsmonotheismandpolytheismshouldbeinterpretedaccordingtotheholyQuranversesandthetraditions,becauseitistheholyQuranandtheProphet'spracticesthatarethebestcriteriaforthedistinctionofrightandwrong,andlikewise,monotheismandpolytheism.
Therefore,itisworthytoevaluateanythoughtandbehaviorthroughreferencetothewakeconsciencewithnoprejudiceaswellastheLogicofrevelationandtheProphet'spractice.
Now,wepointtosomeofourevidentproofs,specifyingthepermissibilityofswearingonnone-GodfromtheviewoftheholyQuranandtheProphet'straditions:
1-TheholyQuranswearsonsomeofthephenomena,suchastheProphet'slife,mans'soul,thepenasthesymbolofwriting,thesun,themoon,thestars,nightandday,theheaven,theearth,thetime,themounts,andtheseasinsomeofitseternalverses,including,
1 نوهمعی مهتركس يفل مهنا كرمعل
(Verily,byourlife,intheirintoxication,theywerewanderingblindly.)
و اهیش يؽ اذا لیللاو اهیلج اذا راهنلا و اهیلت اذا رمقلاو اهیحض و سمشلا و
و اهروجف اهمهلآف اهیوس ام و سفن و اهیحط ام و ضرالا و اهینب ام و ءامسلا
2 اهیوقت
(IswearbytheSunanditsspreadinglight.AndbytheMoon,whichfollowsthesun.AndbytheDaywhenitmanifeststhelightofthesun.AndbytheNightwhenitcoverstheday.AndbytheSkyandtheOne,whohasbuiltit.AndbytheEarthandtheOne,whohasexpendedit.AndbytheSoulandtheOne,whocreatedit….)
3 … يوه اذا مجنلا و
(Iswearbythestarwhenitdisappears.)
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1-HejtSura,verseno.12
2-ShamsSura,verseno.1-8
3-NajmSura,verseno.1
نورطسی ام و ملقلاو ن،
(Nun,Iswearbythepenandwhattheywritwithit.)4
رسخ يفل ناسنالا نا رصعلاو
(Iswearbytheera,thatmanwillbeindeedinagraveloss.)5
رشع لایل و رجفلاو
(Iswearbythedown.AndbythetenNights[thefirsttennightsofZihhajehmonth].)6
عوفرملا ؾ قسلا و رومعملا تیبلا و روشنم قر يف روطسم باتك و روطلا و
روجسملا رحبلا و
(IswearbytheTurMount.AndbytheBook,whichis[revealed]andwritteninapublishedparchment,bytheBait-Ul-Mamur,andbytheloftyroofoftheheaven,andbythesea,whichisfilledwithfire.)7
Also,swearingontheworldlyphenomenaiswitnessedinNazeat,Morsalat,Boruj,Taregh,Balad,Tin,andZohaSuras.
Itisbeyonddoubtthatifswearingonnone-Godisaspolytheism,theholyQuranasthebookofmonotheismneverdoesthis,whileitsversesarebutarebuttaltothesecharges.
2-TheMuslimsthroughouttheworldhaveadoptedtheholyProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)astheirrolemodel,andhiswayoflifeandpracticearecountedastheircriteriaforthedistinctionbetweenrightandwrong.
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4-GalamSura,verseno.1
5-AsrSura,verseno.1-2
6-FajrSura,verseno.1-2
7-TurSura,verseno.1-6
TheMuslimresearchersandwritershavealsonarratedmanycasesinwhichtheholyProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)hasswornonnone-God.
AhmadIbnHanbal,theheadofHanabelehsect,quotesfromtheMessengerofGodassaying,
تكست نا نم ریخ ركنم نع يهنت ؾو ورعمب ملكتت نال يرمعلف
(Iswearbymysoul,itisbettertoenjointogoodandforbidfromevilthanbeingquiet.)8
Inhisbook,entitled'Sahih',thatisconsideredadoneofthesixauthenticbooks,MoslemIbnHajajhasnarratedassuch:
لاقف ؟ ارجا مظعا هقدصلا يا هللا لوسر ای لاقف ) ص ( يبنلا يلا لجر ءاج :
لمات و رقفلا يشخت حیحش حیحص تنا و قدصت نا هنابنتل كیبا و اما
9 … ءاقبلا
(OneaskedtheholyProphet(a.s),hereplied,“Iswearbyyourfatherthatyouwillknowit,andthatistopaycharitywhenyouarehealthyandgreedyandcontinueyourlifewiththefearofpovertyandhopeofalonglife.)
HowthosewhoconsiderthemajorityofMuslimsallovertheworldaspolytheistsduetoswearingonnone-GodjustifytheProphet'sact?
3-InadditiontotheDivineBookandtheProphet'spractice,themanneroftheProphet'sdisciplesbearswitnesstothepermissibilityofswearingonnone-God.
Insomeofhissermons,AliIbnAbiTalib(a.s)swearsonhisownsoul.Forinstance:
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8-Mosnad,Ahmad,vol.5,p.224&225
9-Sahih,Moslem,section3,EgypteditionthebookofZakat,chaptercharity,p.93-94
افاعضا يدعب نم هیتلا مكل نفعضیل يرمعلو
(Iswearbymylife,yourdeviationwillbemultipliedafterme.)10
Andsomewhereelse,hestated:
11 كنوبلطی لیلق نع مهنفرعتل كقاقش و ؼكی نع عزنت مل نال يرمعلو
(Iswearbymylife,ifyoudonotabandonyourdeviationandadversity,youwillrecognizetheoneswhoarelookingforyou.)12
Itisevidentthatnoreasoningorjustificationcanstandagainsttheseauthenticandproofs,andnootherclaimscanbringachargeagainsttheholyversesoftheQuran,ortheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)andhisclosedisciples‟practice,suchasImamAli(a.s)oraccusethemtopolytheismofdualism.
Conclusion:
FromtheholyQuranverses,theProphet‟spractice,andthefirmbelievers‟standpoint,itisclarifiedthatswearingonnone-Godisacertainprincipleandhasnoinconsistencywithmonotheism.
Therefore,ifanytraditionimplicitlycontradictswhathasbeenalreadyproven,itshouldbeinterpretedsothatitagreethecertainprinciplesoftheholyQuranandtraditions.
Now,letusmakeareferencetooneofthoseambiguoustraditionsandthenanswertoit:
اوفلحت نا مكاهنی هللا نا لاقف . يبا و : لوقی وه و رمع عمس هللا لوسر نا
13 تكسی وا هللااب ؾ لحیلف افلاح ناك نم و مكئاباب
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10-NahjulBalaghah(MohammadAbdah),sermonno.161
11-Ibid,letterno.9
12-Forfurtherstudy,refertosermonsno.198,182,187andlettersno.6&54
13-SonanUl-Kobra,vol.10,p.29;SonanNesaee,vol.7,p.4-5
(TheholyProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)heardOmarswearingbyhisfather.TheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)said,'VerilyAllahhasbannedyoufromswearingonyourfathers,andhewhoswears,shouldswearbyAllahorremainquiet'.)
AlthoughtheauthenticityofthistraditioncannotbecomparedwiththeholyQuranversesandtheevidenttraditionsinthisregard,however,itcanbeansweredassuch:prohibitingOmarandotherpersonsfromswearingbytheirfathersisduetothefactthattheirfatherswereidolatersorpagans,andthe
pagansoridolatersdonotdeservetobeswornby.
Questionno.25
IsitpolytheismorheresytoinvoketheDivineguardians(forassistance)?
Theanswer:
SupplicationistoresorttoanintermediarytoactbetweenmanandGodinordertoelevatehissoul.
Inhisbook,entitled'LesanUl-Arab',IbnManzurwrites:
1 هیلع هفطعت هرصآ همرحب هیلا برقت ، اذكب هیلا لسوت
(Tosupplicatehimthroughsoanddomeanshemanagedtoholdoneclosetohimthroughrespectandwhatcouldattracthisattention.)
TheholyQuraninthisregardsays:
اوعتباو هللا اوقتا ونمآ نیذلا اهیا ای هللا لیبس يف اودهاج و هلیسولا هیلا
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1-LesanUl-Arab,vol,11,p.724
نولحفت مكلعل
(Oyouwhohavebelief!BeinaweofAllahandseekthemeansofnearnesstohim,andstrivehardinHiswaysothatyoumaybeprosperous.)2
Juhariinhisbook,'SahahUl-Loggah'definestheterm'means'assuch:
ریلا يلا هب برقتی ام هلیسولا
(Theterm'means'signifieswhatweholdourselvesclosetotheotheronethroughit.)
Thus,theworthymeansthroughwhichwecanholdourselvesclosetoGodiswhetherourowngooddeedsandsincereworshiporthereverendindividualswhoareheldinhighesteemandgreathonorbeforeGod,theAlmighty.
TheKindsofSupplication:
TheSupplicationfallsintothreecategories:
1-Supplicationtogooddeeds;asJalalUl-DinSuyutiwritesinthecommentaryoftheabove-mentionedverse:
و هتعاطب هللا يلا اوبرقت : لاق ) هلیسولا هیلا اوتبا و :( يلاعت هلوق يف هداتق نع
هیضری امب لمعلا
(Withregardtotheverse هليسولا هيلا اوغتبا meansitsays,GhatadehوtoholdoneclosetotheLordthroughobeyingHimandperformingthedeedsthatpleasesHim.)3
2-SupplicationtothesincereprayersofthepiousmenofGod;astheholyQuranwithregardtoJoseph‟sbrothersstates: لاق نیئطاخوه هنا يبر مكلرف ؽ تسؤس
انك انا انبونذ انلرفتسا انابا ای اولاق
4 میحرلا روفلا
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2-MaedehSura,verseno,34
3-DorUl-Manthur,vol.2.p.280,Beirutedition,belowtheverse.
4-YousefSura,versesno.7-8
(Jacob'ssonssaidtotheirfather,'Ofather!Askforgivenessforusforthesinswehavecommitted,becauseweweresurelysinners'.Heanswered,'Nearly,IshallaskforgivenessforyoufrommyLord;verily,HeistheMerciful,theForgiving'.)
Theabove-mentionedverseclarifiesthatJacob‟ssonssupplicatedtheirfatherforforgivenessandknewitasthebestmeansfortheirforgiveness.Inthiscondition,Jacobnotonlydidnotobjecttotheirsupplication,butalsovowedthathewouldaskfortheirforgiveness.
3-SupplicationtothereverendnobilitieswhoareheldinhighesteembyAllahinordertoachievetheDivinenearness.
ItisnoteworthytosaythattheProphet'sdiscipleshadadoptedthiskindofsupplicationattheadventofIslam.Now,letusstudythereasonsofthisfactundertheauspicesofthetraditions,theProphetandtheIslamnobilities‟practiceasfollows:
AhmadIbnHanbalquotesOthmanIbnHanifassuch:
هللا عدا لاقف ملس و } هلآ و { هیلع هللا يلص يبنلا يتا رصبلا ریرض الجر نا
لاقف ، ریخ وهف كاذ ترخا تئش نا و كل توعد تئش نا : لاق ، ينیفاعی نا :
مهللا ، اعدلا اذهب وعدی و نیتعكر يلصیف هئوضو نسحیف اضوتی هرماف . هعدا
يلا كب تهجوت ينا دمحم ای همحرلا يبن دمحم كیبنب كیلا هجوتا و كلئسا ينا
يف هعفش مهللا يل يضقتف ، هذه يتجاح يف يبر
(Once,ablindmancametotheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)andimploredhimassaying,“askGodtocureme”.TheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)replied,'Iprayforyourightnowifyouwant.
ButifIpostponeittosomeothertimethatisbetterforyou'.Heaskedthe
Prophet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)todoitnow.TheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)orderedhimtotakeablutioncarefullyandthenperformatwo-Rakatprayerandthenprayassuch:“O,myGod!IaskyouandresorttoyouundertheauspicesofMohammed,theProphetoflenience.O,Mohammed,IsupplicateGodthroughyoutograntmyneed.OGod,makehimmyintercessor.)5
ThenarratorshaveallagreedontheauthenticityofthishadithsothatHakemNeishaburiinhis'Mostadrak'describesitasasoundhadith,andIbnMajehquotesAbuIshaqassaying,“thisisanauthentichadith”.Also,Tirmiziinhisbook,'AbvabUl-Asiyeh',believesthattheauthenticityofthishadithisbeyonddoubt.Inthisregard,MohammedNasibRefaeein'Al-TavasulelHaghightUl-Tavasul'writesassuch:
بیرال و كش الب هیف تبث دق و … روهشم و حیحص ثیدحلا اذه نا كش ال
هل ملس و } هلآ و { هیلع هللا يلص هللا لوسر ءاعدب يمعالا رصب دادترا
(Nodoubt,thisisasoundandfamoustradition…andinit,ithasbeenproventhatablindmanregainedhiseyesightbytheProphet'sprayer.)6
ThementionedtraditionclearlyprovesthepermissibilityofsupplicationtotheholyProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)inordertograntourneeds.Moreover,theProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)obliged
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5-Mosnad,AhmadIbnHanbal,vol,4,p.138,sectionofOthmanIbnHanif‟snarrations.
6-Ibid,p.158,firstedition,Beriut
theblindmantoprayandimploreGod‟sblessingthroughputtingtheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)asanintermediarybetweenhimandGod.ThisisconsideredastherealmeaningofsupplicationtotheDivineguardians.
2-AbuAbdollahBokharialsowrites:
نب سابعلاب يقستسا اوطحق اذا ناك هنع هللا يضر باطخلا نب رمع نا
معب كیلا لسوتن انا و انیقستف انیبنب كیلا لسوتن انك انا مهللا : لاقف بلطملادبع
نوقسیف لاق انقساف انیبن
(Wheneverthereoccurredadraught,OmarIbnKhatabaskedAbasIbnAbdulMotaleb,theProphet‟suncle,tosupplicatetoGodforrain.Hethensaid,“O,God!WeusedtosupplicatetoGodthroughtheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)inhislifetime,andYoualwayssentustherainofmercy.NowwesupplicatetotheProphet‟suncleforyourblessings.)7
3-TheissueofsupplicationtotheDivineguardiansattheadventofIslamwassoprevalentthattheMuslimsevenintheirpoemsintroducedtheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)asanintermediarybetweentheirselvesandGod.
SawadIbnGharebhascomposedanodetotheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)whereinhesays,
بلا لك يلع نومام كنا و هری بر ال نا دهشا و
بئاطالا نیمركالا نب ای هللا يلا هلیسو نیلسرملا يندا كنا و
(IbearwitnessthatthereisnogodsaveAllah,andyouaretrustworthytoallsecretsandhidden,andIbearwitnessthatyou-O,thesonofthepure-aretheclosestmeanstoAllahamongsttheotherDivineprophets.)8
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7-Sahih,Bokhari,Section20,abookonFriday,chapterEstesgha,p.27Egyptedition.
8-AldorarUl-Saninah,,SeyedAhmadIbnZeiniDahlan,p.29,quotedbyTabarani
AlthoughtheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)heardthispoemfromSavadIbnGhareb,heneithercriticizedhim,noraccusedhimofpolytheism
orheresy.
Shafeialsopointstothisfactinthefollowingcoupletassaying:
يتلیسو هیلا مه يتعیرذ يبنلا لا
يتفیحص نیمیلا يدیب اد يطعا مهبوجرا
(TheProphet'sdescendantsaremymeanstowardAllah,andIhopetoreceivemybookofdeedsinmyrighthandonbehalfofthem.)9
AlthoughthereexistanabundantnumberoftraditionsonthepermissibilityofsupplicationtotheDivineguardians,thisissuehasbeenalsospecifiedintheProphetandhisdisciples'practiceaswellasthegreatIslamicscholars,andthereisnoneedforfurtherdiscussion.Asaconsequence,thebaselessnessofthisclaim,i.e.,supplicatingtotheDivineguardiansispolytheismandheresy,isproven.
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9-Al-SavaeqUl-Moharaghah,IbnHejrAsghalani),p.178,Cairoedition.
Questionno.26
IsthecelebrationoftheDivineguardians‟birthdayanniversariesconsideredaspolytheismorheresy?
Theanswer:
Fromthewisemen'sstandpoint,thecelebrationofthememorialofthereverendservantsofGod,suchasholdingtheirbirthdaycelebrationsisasensibleissue;however,tocastlightonit,wepresentthereasonsforitslegalityasfollows:
1-Holdingceremoniesgivesexpressiontoouraffection:
TheholyQuraninvitestheMuslimstolovetheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)andhishousehold.
1 يبرقلا يف هدوملا الا ارجا هیلع مكلاسا ال لق
(Say,Idonotaskyouforanyfavor,saveloveformyclosekins.)
ThereisnodoubtthatcelebratingtheDivineguardians‟anniversariesistoembodythepeople‟saffectiontowardthem,andtheholyQuranhasadoptedthisfact.
2-HoldingceremoniesisatributetotheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants):
InadditiontoouradvocacyoftheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants),theholyQuranconsidersthetributetotheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)asthecriterionforsalvationandprosperity:
مه كئلوا هعم لزنا يذلا رونلا اوعبتا و هورصن و هورزع و هب اونمآ نیذلاف
2 نوحلفملا
(Sothosewhobelievedinhim,glorifiedandadvocatedhim,andfollowedthelightthathasbeenrevealedtohimareprosperous.)
Itisfullycomprehendedfromtheabove-mentionedversethattheglorificationoftheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)fromtheIslamicviewpointispraiseworthy,andglorifyinghisesteembringsabouttheDivinepleasure,becauseaccordingtothisverse,
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1-ShuraSura,verseno.23
2-ArafSura,verseno.157
thereshouldbefourattributesforone‟sprosperity:
A.Faith: اوىمآ هیذلا [thosewhobelievedinhim].
B.FollowingtheLight: يذلا روىلا اوعبتا و
عم لزوا [andfollowedthelightthathadbeenrevealedtohim].
C.Supportinghim: يوزصو .[himadvocatedand]و
D.Glorifyingandhonoringhim: يورزع .[himglorifiedand]و
Therefore,theglorificationoftheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)andhomagetohiminadditiontofaith,advocacy,andobedienceofhiscommandmentsisessential.
3-HoldingceremoniesistoobeytheDivinecommandments:
God,theAlmighty,dignifiesthehonoredProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)intheholyQuranwhereHesays,
كركذ كل انعفر و
(Andexaltedyouresteem)3
ThisversedenotesthatAllahhaswilledtoelevatetheProphet'sstatusanddignitythroughouttheworld,andduetothisfact,HeHimselfglorifieshimintheholyQuran.
TofollowthecommandmentsoftheholyBook,weacknowledgehisExcellencyastherolemodelofvirtueandperfectionthroughholdingmagnificentcommemorationsandexpressingourobediencetotheLordoftheworlds.
Now,itbecomesquiteplainthattheMuslim'sultimategoalofholdingceremoniesisnone,savetoexalttheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants).
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3-InsherehSura,verseno.4
4-Thedescentofrevelationisnolessthanthedescentofthetable:
TheholyQurannarratesfromJesusChrist(a.s)assuch:
ادیع انل نوكت ءامسلا نم هدئام انیلع لزنا انبر مهللا میرم نبا يسیع لاق
نیقزارلا ریخ تنا و انقزرا و كنم هیا و انرخا و انلوال
(Jesus,thesonofMary,said,'O,Allah,ourLord!SenddowntousatablefromtheheaventobeafestivalforusandasignfromYou,andprovideuswithsustenance,forYouarethebestofProviders.)4
JesusimploredGodtoprovidethemwithaheavenlytablesothattheycouldcelebratebyfeasting.
Now,letusposethisquestionthatwhileaDivineprophetcelebratesbyfeastingadaywhereintheheavenlytable-thatisthecauseofbodilyenjoyment-issentdowntohim,whyistheMuslim'scelebrationontheProphet'sbirthday,the
causeofhumansalvationandman'sspiritualrevival,consideredaspolytheismorheresy?
5-TheMuslims’practice:
Sincetimeimmemorial,thefollowerofIslamreligionhaveheldceremoniesforthecommemorationoftheholyProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants).
Inhisbook,'TarikhUl-Khamis',HusseinIbnMohammedDiyarwritesassuch:
و مئالولا نولمعی و مالسلا هیلع هدلوم رهشب نولفتحی مالسالا لها لازی وال
يف نودیزی و رورسلا نورهظی و تاقدصلا عاوناب هیلایل يف نوقدصتی
لضف لك هتاكرب نم مهیلع رهظی و میركلا هدلوم هئارقب نونتعی و تاربملا
5 میمع
(TheMuslimcommunitiesallovertheworldalwayscelebratebyfeastingthemonth,inwhichtheholyProphet
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4-MaedehSura,verseno.114
(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)wasborn,andgivecharityonitsnights.Theyalsogiveexpressiontotheircontentmentandmakemanybenefactions,andtheyrecitesomeodestohimontheoccasionofhisbirthday.Then,hislimitlessmercyandblessingsarerevealedtoall.)5
Asaresult,thepermissibilityofholdingceremoniesforthecommemorationoftheDivineguardians'memorialisclassifiedaccordingtotheholyQuranandtheMuslims'practice,becauseheresyisabelieforactthatisgenerallyorspecificallycontrarytotheteachingsoftheholyQuranandthetraditionswhilethegeneralverdictoftheissueunderdiscussionisextractedfromtheholyQuran,thetraditions,andtheMuslims'practice.
Furthermore,holdingtheseceremoniesissolelytopaythemastheservantsoftheLordoftheworlds;thus,ithasnoinconsistencywiththeprincipleofmonotheism.
Consequently,theclaimofthosewhoconsiderthecommemorationoftheDivineguardiansaspolytheismisgroundless.
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5-TarikhUl-Khamis,Vol,1,p.233,Beirutedition.
Questionno.27
WhydotheShiaperformtheirfivedailyprayersinthreetimesaday?
Theanswer:
Tobeginwith,theviewsofthejurisprudentsarepresentedinthisregard:
1-ThewholeIslamicsectsagreethatonecanperformhisnoonandafternoonprayersallatonceduringnoontimeoneaftertheotheronthedayofArafeh.HealsocanperformhisduskandIshaprayersoneaftertheotherallatonceatthetimeofIshainMozdalafeh.
2-AccordingtotheHanafi,theperformanceofnoonandafternoonprayersandthatofduskandIshaallatonceareonlypermissibleinArafehandMozdalefeh,anditisnotpermittedinothercases.
3-TheHanbali,Maleki,andShafe'eareoftheopinionthatinadditiontothetwomentionedcases,theperformanceofnoonandafternoonprayersaswellasduskandIshaprayersispermissiblewhentraveling.Someofthesesectsalsobelievethattheperformanceoftwoprayerstogetherinurgencycases,suchasillness,fear,rain,etc.ispermissible.
4-TheShiabelievethateachofthenoonandafternoonprayersaswellasduskandIshaoneshaveaspecialtimeandacommontime:
A:Thespecifictimeofnoonprayerbeginsfromthemidday(thetimeofnoonAzan)andcontinuesforawhileinwhichonecanperformafour-Rakat(unit)prayer.Inthisshorttime,onecanonlyperformhisnoonprayer.
B.Thespecifictimeofafternoonprayer,thatisashorttimeuptosunset,andonecanonlyperformhisafternoonprayer.
C.Thecommontimebetweennoonandafternoonprayers,whichbeginsfromtheendofthespecifictimeofnoonprayertothebeginningofthespecifictimeofafternoonprayer.
TheShiabelievethatonecanperformnoonandafternoonprayerstogetherduringthecommontimewhiletheSunnitebelievethatthespecifictimeofnoonprayerstartsfromthemidday(thetimeofAzan)uptothetimewhentheshadowofthingsisequaltotheirlength,andoneisnotpermittedtoperformhisafternoonprayerinthistime.Fromthistimeonwardsuptosunsetisallocatedtoafternoonprayer,andasaresult,oneisnotallowedtoperformhisnoonprayerthen.
D.Thespecifictimeofduskprayer,whichstartsfromduskAzanuntilthetimewhenonecanperformathreeRakaat(unit)prayer,andonecanperformhisduskprayerduringthistime.
E.ThespecifictimeofIshaprayer,andthatisashorttimeuptothelegalmidnightthatonecanperformafourRakaat(unit)prayer.
F.ThecommontimebetweenduskandIshaprayers,startingfromtheendofthespecifictimeofduskprayertothebeginningpointofthespecifictimeofIshaprayer.
TheShiabelievethatonecanperformhisduskandIshaprayerstogetherduringthecommontime,whiletheSunnitebelievethattheduskprayermustbeperformedfromthebeginningofsunsetuntilthefadeoftheeveningtwilight,andoneisnotpermittedtoperformhisIshaprayerduringthistime.Also,oneoughttoperformhisIshaprayerfromthefadeoftheeveningtwilightuntilthelegalmidnight,andonecannotsayhisduskprayerthen.
Asaconsequence,accordingtotheShia,onecanperformhisafternoonprayerimmediatelyafterthenoonprayerorpostponethenoonprayeruntilashorttimebeforethespecifictimeoftheafternoonprayer.Then,onecanperformbothhisnoonandafternoonprayerstogether.ItisnoteworthytomentionthatitisrecommendedtoperformthenoonprayersoonafterthenoonAzanandtheafternoonprayerwhentheshadeofthingsturnsoutequaltotheirlength.ThisisthecaseabouttheduskandIshaprayers.
ThisistheShiastandpoint,whereastheSunnitedonotlegalizeittoperformnoonandafternoonprayersorduskandIshaonestogetheratalltimesand
places.Thus,theissueunderdiscussioniswhethertheperformanceoftwoprayerstogetheratalltimesandplaces,suchasArafehandMozdalefeh,ispermissible.
ThewholeMuslimsunanimouslyagreethattheholyProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)performedhisprayersoneaftertheother,buttherearetwodifferentinterpretationsaboutthisnarration:
A.TheShiaisoftheopinionthatonecanperformtheafternoonprayerimmediatelyafterthenoonprayerafternoonAzan,andlikewise,performIshaprayersoonafterduskprayerafterduskAzan,andthisgenerallyincludesallconditionswithnoconcerntoanyparticulartimeorplace.
B.Theothersstatethisnarrationsignifiestheperformanceofnoonprayerattheendofitstimeandafternoonprayeratthebeginningofitstime,andlikewise,itincludesduskandIshaprayers.
Nowtoclarifythisissue,westudythetraditionsinhisregardinordertoprovetheShiaview,i.e.theperformanceofbothprayerstogetherinthecommontimeandnottheperformanceofoneattheendofitstimeandtheotheratthebeginningofitstime.
Thetraditions:
AhmadIbnHanbal,theheadoftheHanabeleh,quotesJabirIbnZeidassaying,
هللا يلص هللا لوسر عم تیلص : لوقی سابع نبا عمس هنا دیز نب رباج ينربخا
هنظا ءاثعشلا ابا ای هل تلق لاق اعیمج اعبس و اعیمج اینامث ملس و ) هلآ و ( هیلع
كلذ نظا انا و لاق ءاشعلا لجع و بر ؽ ملا رخا و رصعلا لجع و رهظلا رخا
(JabirIbnZeidquotesashearingfromIbnAbas,“IperformedeightRakaatsofnoonandafternoonprayersaswellassevenRakaatsofduskandIshaprayerstogetheralongwiththeprophet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)”.Then,IsaidtoAbuShatha,“IsupposetheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)postponedhisnoonprayerandperformedhisafternoonprayerearliertogetheranddidthesamewithhisduskandIsha
prayers”,andheconfirmedme.)1
Hence,itbecomesobviousthattheholyProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)hadperformedhisnoonafternoonprayersaswellashisduskandIshaprayerstogether.
AhmadIbnHanbalquotesthefollowingtraditionfromAbdollahIbnShaqiq,
قلع و موجنلا تدب و سمشلا تبر ؼ يتح رصعلا دعب اموی سابع نبا انبطخ
هولصلا : لوقی لعجف میمت ينب نم لجر موقلا يف و هولصلا هنودانی سانلا
و { هیلع هللا يلص هلا لوسر تدهش ؟ هنسلاب ينملعتا لاق بض فؽ لاق و هولصلا
تدجوف هللادبع لاق ءاشعلا و بر ؽ ملا ،و رصعلا و رهظلا نیب عمج ملس و } هلآ
هقفاوف هتلاسف هریره ابا تیقلف ائیش كلذ نم يسفن يف
(Aftertheafternoonprayer,IbnAbasmadeusaspeechuntilthesunsetandthestarsappearedandthepeoplecalledforprayers;therewasamanamongthemfromBaniTamimtribewhorepeatedlyshoutedtheterm'prayer,prayer'.ItmadeIbnAbbasangry.Hethenaddressedthemanassaying,'AreyougoingtoteachmetheProphet'spractice?IwitnessedtheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)performedhisnoonandafternoonprayers
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1-Masnad,AhmadIbnHanbal,vol.1,p.221
togetherashedidittohisduskandIshaPrayer.Abdollahthensaid“Iwasindoubtaboutthisstatement;laterinameetingwithAbuHarirahIaskedaboutit,andheconfirmedit”.)2
3.MalikIbnAnas-theheadoftheMalekieh-inhisbook,entitled'Movata'witesassuch,
وخ رییف اعیمج ءاشعلا و برملا ،و اعیمج رصعلا و رهظلا ) ص ( هللا لوسر يلص
رفسال و
(TheMessengerofGod(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)performedhisnoonandafternoonprayerstogetheranddidthesamewithhisduskandIshaprayersevenifhewasnottravelingnorwiththefearoftheenemy.)3
4.MalikIbnAnasquotesMa‟azIbnJabalassaying,
ءاشعلا و برملا ،و رصعلا و رهظلا نیب عمجی ) ص ( هللا لوسر ناكف
(TheMessengerofGodusedtoperformhisnoonandafternoonprayersaswellasduskandIshaprayersoneaftertheother.)4
5.MalikIbnAnasquotesNafeashequotesitfromAbdollahIbnOmarasfollows:
ءاشعلا و برملا نیب عمجی ریسلا هب لجع اذا ) ص ( هللا لوسر ناك
(Wheneverbeinginahurrytogosomewhere,theProphet(a.s)performedhisduskandIshaprayersalltogether.)5
6.MalikIbnAnasquotesthisnarrationfromAbuHerirehassaying,
يلا هرفس يف رصعلا و رهظلا نیب عمجی ناك - ملس و } هلآ و { هیلع هللا يلص - هللا لوسر نا
كوبت
(OnthewaytoTabuk[battle],theProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)performedhisnoonandafternoonprayerstogether.)6
7.MaliknarratesfromNafeinhis'Movata'assuch:
مهعم عمج رطملا يف ءاشعلا و بر ؽ ملا نیب ءارمالا عمج اذا ناك رمع نب هللادبع نا
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2-Ibid,p.251
3-Movata,Malik,thebookonprayer,p.125,hadithno.178
4-Ibid,p.134,hadithno.174
5-Ibid,p.125,hadithno.177
6-Ibid,p.125,hadithno.175
(Whenithappenedtoberaining,theEmirsusedtoperformtheirduskandIshaprayerstogether,andAbdollahIbnOmardidthesame.)7
8.MalikIbnAnaswirtesashequotesAliIbnHussein:
و رهظلا نیب عمج هموی ریسی نآ دارا اذا - ملس و } هلآ و { هیلع هللا يلص - هللا لوسر ناك
ءاشعلا و بر ؽ ملا نیب عمج هلیل ریسی نا دارا اذا و رصعلا
(TheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)performedhisnoonandafternoonprayerswheneverhewasgoingsomewhereduringtheday,andlikewise,heperformedhisduskandIshaprayerswheneverhewasabouttogosomewhereatnight.)8
9.Inacommentaryon'Movata',MohammedZarghaniquotesAbiSahthaassaying,
سیل ءاشعلا و بر ؽ ملا و ءيش امهنیب سیل رصعلا و رهظلا هرصبلاب يلص سابع نب نا
ءيش امهنیب
(AbdollahIbnAbbasperformedhisnoonandafternoonprayerstogetherinBasra,astherewasnopauseamongthem,andlikewise,hedidittohisduskandIshaprayers.)9
10.ZarganiquotedthefollowingtraditionfromTabaraniashequoteditfromIbnMasud:
لیقف ءاشعلا و بر ؽ ملا نیب و رصعلا و رهظلا نیب ملس و } هلآ و { هیلع هللا يلص يبنلا عمج
يتما جرحت الئل اذه تعنص : لاقف كلذ يف هل
(TheholyProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)performedhis
afternoonprayerimmediatelyafterthenoonprayerashediddoforhisduskandIshaprayers.Hewasaskedaboutthecause,andhereplied,“sothatmynationarenotputintrouble”.)10
11.MoslemIbnHajajquotesAbuZoeirandSaeedIbnJobayrdirectlyastheynarrateitfromIbnAbbas,
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7-Ibid,hadithno.175
8-Ibid,hadithno.181
9-Zarghani‟sCommenteryonMovata,Section1,p.294,Egyptedition.
10-Ibid,p.294.
و وخ ری يف هنیدملاب اعمیج رصعلا و رهظلا }– هلآو { هیلع هللا يلص - هللا لوسر يلص
11 رفس ال
(TheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)performedhisnoonandafternoonprayerswithnodreadoftheenemywhilehewasinMedina.)
Then,IbnAbbasadded,“theProphet‟sobjectwasnottoputhisnationintrouble”.12
12.Inhis'Sahih',MoslemquotesSaeedIbnJobayrashenarratesfromIbnAbbas:
ءاشعلا و بر ؽ ملا ، رصعلا و رهظلا نیب - ملس و } هلآ و { هیلع هللا يلص - هللا لوسر عمج
رطم وال وخ ری نم ، هنیدملا يف
(TheholyProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)performedhisafternoonprayerimmediatelyafterthenoonprayeraswellhisIshaandduskprayerswithnodreadofenemyorrainwhilehewasinMedina.)13
Then,IbnSaeedsaidthathehadaskedIbnAbbasaboutthecause,andhereplied,“BecausetheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)didintendtosparehisnationasmuchtroubleaspossible”.14
13.AbuAbdollahBokharihasallocatedaspecialchaptertothisissueunderthetitleof'Thepostponementofnoonprayertothetimeofafternoon'.Thistitleinitselfisthemostevidenttestimonythatonecanpostponehisnoonprayerandthenperformhisnoonandafternoonprayerstogether15.Then,Bokharistatedassuch:
،و رصعلا و رهظلا ، اینامث و اعبس هنیدملاب يلص - ملس و } هلآ و { هیلع هللا يلص - يبنلا نا
ءاشعلا و بر ؽ ملا
(TheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)performedsevenRakaats(duskandIshaprayers)aswellaseightRakaats(noonandafternoonprayers)inMedina.)16
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11-Sahih,Moslem,Section2,p.151,Egyptedition.
12-Ibid,belowthementionednarration
13-Ibid,p.152
14-Ibid,belowthementionednarration
15-Sahih,Bokhari,section1,p.110,thebookonprayer,Egyptedition,1314yearofHijra.
16-Ibid.
Fromthisnarration,itiscomprehendedthatnotonlyonecanpostponehisnoonprayerandthenperformitwithafternoonprayertogether,butalsohecanfollowtheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)asdoingthatabouthisduskandIshaprayers.
14.Bokharisomewhereelseinhis'Sahih'states:
هلآ و { هیلع هللا يلص يبنلا يلص : مهنع هللا يضر سابع نبا و بویا وبا و رمع نبا لاق {
ءاشعلا و بر ؽ ملا ملس و
(AbdollahIbnOmar,AbuAyubAnsari,andAbdollahIbnAbbashavenarratedthattheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)performedhisduskandIshaprayersoneaftertheother.)17
15.Inhis'Sahih',MoslemIbnHajajwritesasfollows:
ال : لاق مث تكسف هولصلا لاق مث تكسف هولصلا لاق مث تكسف هولصلا سابع نبال لجر لاق
و { هیلع هللا يلص – هللا لوسر دهع يلع نیتالصلا نیب عمجن انك و هولصلاب انملعتا كل ما
ملسو } هلآ
(IbnAbbasreactedwithasenseofoutrageamanwhorepeatedtheterm„Hurryuptoprayer‟forfourtimes[hemeantitwasthetimeofprayer]assaying,“AreyougoingtoteachmetheprayerwhileweperformedbothprayerstogetheralongwiththeProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)”?)18
16.Moslemnarrated,
هوز يف اهرفاس هرفس يف هالصلا نیب عمج - ملسو } هلآ }و هیلع هللا يلص – هللا لوسر نا
هلمح ام ، سابع نبال تلقف دیعس لاق ءاشعلاو برملا ،و رصعلا و رهظلا نیب عمجف كوبت
19. هتما جرحی ال نا دارا : لاق ؟ كلذ يلع
(TheholyProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)performedhisnoonandafternoonprayersaswellasduskandIshaprayerstogetherwhenhewassettingoffforTabukbattle.Then,SaeedIbnJobayraskedIbnAbbasaboutthecauseofthisact,andhereplied,“TheholyProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)wasgoingtosparehisnationasmuchtroubleaspossible.)
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17-Ibid.p.113
18-Sahih,Moslem,section2,p.153
19-Ibid,p.151,Egyptedition
17.MoslemIbHajajnarratedMaazasfollows:
و رهظلا يلصی ناكف كوبت هوز ؼ يف ملسو } هلآ و { هیلع هللا يلص هللا لوسر عم انجرخ
اعیمج ءاشعلا و بر ؽ ملا و اعیمج رصعلا
(WeweresettingoffforTabukbattlealongwiththeProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)asheperformedhisnoonandafternoonprayerstogether,andhedidthesametohisduskandIshaprayers.)20
18.MalekIbnAnasinhisbook,'Movata',writes:
لاقف ؟ رفسلا يف رصعلا و رهظلا نیب عمجی له : هللادبع نب ملاس لاس هنا باهش نبا نع :
؟ هفرعب سانلا هالص يلا رت ملا ، كلذب سابال معن
(OnceIbnShahabaskedSalemIbnAbdollah,“canoneperformhisnoonandafternoonprayerstogetherwhiletraveling?”Heanswered,“Yes,haveyounotseenthatthepeopleperformtheirprayersoneaftertheotherinArafat?”)21
ItisnoteworthytosaythatthewholeMuslimsknowitpermissibletoperformtheirafternoonprayerimmediatelyafterthenoonprayeronthedayofArafatinArafatregion.Inaccordancewiththisfact,SalemIbnAbdollahbelievesthatthepeoplecanperformtheirotherprayerswithnopause.
19.Inhisbook,entitled,'KanzUl-Ammal',MottaqiHindiwritesassuch:
و بر ؽ ملا ،و رصعلا و رهظلا نیب رفاسم ری امیقم ) ص ( هللا لوسر انل عمج : هللادبع لاق
نا هتما جرحیال نال : لاق ؟ كلذ لعف ) ص ( يبنلا يرت مل : رمع نبال لجر لاقف ءاشعلا
لجر عمج
(AbdollahIbnOmarsaid,“theholyProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)performedhisnoonandafterprayerstogetherwhilehewasnotyettraveling”.Then,amanaskedhim,“whytheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhis
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20-Ibid,p.152
21-Movata,Malik,p.125,hadithno.180,thethirdedition
descendants)didso'?Andhereplied,“Becausehedidintendtosparehisnationasmuchtroubleaspossible”.)22
20.Itisalsostudiedin'KanzUl-Ammal'that:
نیتماقا و ناذاب رصعلا و رهظلا نیب عمج - ملس و } هلآ }و هیلع هللا يلص - يبنلا نا رباج نع
(Jabirsays,“TheholyProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)performedhisnoonandafternoonprayerswithonePrayerCall(Azan)andtwoEqama.)23
21.Also,itisnarratedin'KanzUl-Ammal'that:
امهنیب عمجف هكمب سمشلا هل تبر ؼ - ملس و } هلآ و { هیلع هللا يلص - هللا لوسر نآ رباج نع
24 رسب
(JabirIbnAbdollahsays,“Whenthesunset,theholyProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)wasinMecca,butwhenhereached'Sarf'25,heprayedhis[duskandIsha]prayerstogether.)
22.In„KanzUl-Ammal‟,itisquotedformIbnAbbasassaying,
ءاشعلا و بر ؽ ملا ،و رصعلا و رهظلا نیب - ملس و } هلآ و { هیلع هللا يلص - هللا لوسر عمج
هعسوتلا دارا : لاق ، كلذ لعف هارت مل ، سابع نبال تلق : لاق ، رطم الو رفس ؼری يف هنیدملاب
هتما يلع
(WhileSettinginMedina,theholyProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)performedhisnoonandafternoonprayersoneaftertheotheraswellashisduskandIshaones,evenwhenitwasraining.“ThenarratorgoesonassayingthathehadaskedIbnAbbasaboutthecause,andhereplied,“becausetheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)didnotintendtocausedifficultyforhisnationandfacilitatetheritualforthem.)26
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22-KanzUl-Amal,thebookonprayer,vol.8,p.246,firstedition,1391yearofHijra.
23-Ibid.p.247
24-Ibid
25-Sarfisaregion,about25kmsawayfromMecca.
26-KanzUl-Amal,thebookonprayer,Chapter4,vol.8
Conclusion:
Tosumup,wepresenttheevidentproofsontheperformanceoftwoprayerstogether,specifyingtheShiapointofviewasfollows:
1.Theperformanceoftwoprayersatonetimeinordertofacilitateitandsparethepeopleasmuchtroubleaspossible:
ThegeneralityofnarrationsbearwitnesstothisfactthatperformingprayersseparatelycausestoilfortheMuslims,andthus,theProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)madeitpermissibletoperformtheprayersatonetime.Refertonarrationsno.10,16,19,and22.
Iftheaforementionednarrationssignifythatonecanpostponehisnoonprayerandthenperformitwithhisafternoonprayeratitslegaltime(untiltheshadow
ofthingsturnoutequaltotheirlength)astheSunnitebelieve,itsparesnotthebelieversbutmakesmoredifficultyforthem.Then,itisdeducedthatthebelieverscanperformbothprayerswhetheratthebeginningortheendofthecommontime.
2.TheperformanceoftwoprayersatonetimeinArafatprovestheauthenticityofthisclaim:
ThewholeIslamicSectsunanimouslyagreeonthelegalityofperformingnoonandafternoonprayersatonetimeinArafat,andsomeofthementionednarrationstestifythisfact.Ontheotherhand,someothernarrationsgeneralizethisideaassayingthattheperformanceofnoonandafternoonprayersatonetimenotonlyinArafatbutalsoineverywhereelseispermissible.Inthisregard,refertonarrationno.18.
Asaresult,aMuslimcanperformhisprayerstogethereverywhereashedoeshisnoonandafternoonprayerstogetherinArafat.
3.Theperformanceoftwoprayersatonetimewhiletravelingprovesitsauthenticity:
AlthoughthejurisprudentsofHanbali,Maleki,andShafeehaveonlylegalizedtheperformanceoftwoprayersatonetimewhentraveling,theothernarrationsinthisregardspecifythatthereisnodifferencebetweentravelingandbeingathomeastheholyProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)performedhisprayerstogetherwhethertravelingorbeingathome.Refertotraditionsno.3,11,13,19,and22.
Inaccordancewiththisfact,asonecanperformthetwoprayersatonetimewhiletraveling(astheShiabelieves),accordinglyhecandosowhileathome.
4.Theperformanceoftwoprayersatonetimewhenoneisindistressprovesitsauthenticity:
AnabundantnumberoftheauthentictraditionsbearwitnesstothisfactthattheholyProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)andhisdisciplesperformedtheirprayersinurgencycasesatonetime,astheShiabelieve,suchasillness,thedreadoftheenemy,andrain.Duetothisfact,manyofthe
jurisprudentsofdifferentIslamicSectshaveissuedadecreeonthelegalityofperformingtwoprayerstogether,whilethementionedtraditionsspecifythatthereexistnodifferencebetweentheurgencyandordinarycases.Inthisregard,refertonarrationsno.3,11,12,and22.
5.ThepracticeoftheProphet’sdisciplesprovetheauthenticityofperformingtwoprayersatonetime:
Accordingtothementionednarrations,anumberoftheProphet‟sdisciplesusedtoperformtheirtwoprayersatonetime.AbdollahIbnAbbasusedtopostponehisduskprayeruntiltheskygotdarkandthestarsappeared.HethenneglectedtheonewhocalledrepeatedlyforprayerandfinallyperformedhisduskandIshaprayersatonetime.Inresponsetothosewhoraiseobjectionstohim,hesaid,“IwitnessedthattheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)didso”,andthen,AbuHarirehconfirmedhim.Inthisregard,refertonarrationsno.2,7,9,and15.
ThereisnodoubtthatIbnAbbasperformedhisprayersatonetime,astheShiabelieves.
6.TheProphet’spracticeprovestheauthenticityofperformingtwoprayersatonetime:
Fromthenarrationno.21,itisfullycomprehendedthattheholyProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)wasinMeccaatdusk.HepostponedhisduskprayeruntilhereachedtoSarf,aregionlocatedabout9milesawayfromMecca,andthenperformedbothhisduskandIshaprayerstogether.Takingitintoconsideration,thelowmeansoftransportationandthattheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)hadleftMeccaatdusk,hesurelyarrivedinSarfafterapartofnighthadelapsed.
Fromthementionednarrations,extractedwhollyfromtheSunnitesourcesofsoundandsupportednarrations,theauthenticityoftheShiabeliefregardingthelegalityofperformingtwoprayersatonetimeandthefactthatitcanbeperformedsoinallplacesandtimesisproven.
Questionno.28
WhataretheShiajurisprudentialsources?
Theanswer:
TofollowtheBookofGodandtheProphet'straditionsandtocomprehendthereligiouscommandments,theShiaresorttothefouressentialsourcesasfollows:
1.TheDivineBook
2.TheProphetandtheInfallibleImams'traditions
3.Consensus
4.Reasoning
Amongthefourmentionedsources,theDivineBookandtheProphetandImams'traditionsarethemostfundamentalsourcesoftheShiajurisprudence,andwewilldiscusstheminbrief.
TheDivineBook;TheholyQuran:
ThefollowersoftheShiaschoolregardtheholyQuranasthemainsourceoftheirJurisprudenceandthecriterionfortheDivinecommandments,becausetheShialeadershaveintroducedthisheavenlyBookasthemostsublimereferenceforextractingthejurisprudentlaws,sothatanytheoryisadoptedifitisinconsistentwithitsteachingsoftheholyQuranandviceversa.Withregardtothisfact,ImamSadeq(a.s),thesixthImamoftheShia,says,
رخز وهف هللا باتك قفاوی ال ثیدح لك و
(Anyspeech,whichisnotinaccordancetotheholyQuranisgroundless.)1
Also,ImamSadeq(a.s)quotestheholyProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)assaying,
2 هلقا ملف هللا باتك لاخی مكءاج ام و هتلق اناف هللا باتك قفاوی ينع مكءاج ام سانلا اهیا
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1-OsulKafi,vol.1hadithno.3
2-Ibid,hadithno.5
(O,people!IfanystatementthatisattributedtomeisinaccordancewiththeDivineBookisofmine,andviceversa.)
FromtheabovementionedhadithsandtheShiastandpoint,itbecomesobviousthattheheavenlyBookistheprimarysourcefromwhichtheMuslimsinferthelawfulcommandments.
TheProphet’stradition:
TheProphet'stradition,whichisthesecondsourceoftheShiajurisprudence,signifiestheProphet'swordsandpractice.TheImams,whoaretheProphet‟sdescendants,arethetransmittersofhistraditionsandknowledge.Furthermore,theProphet'swordsiftransmittedthroughthereliablesourcesareacceptedbytheShia.
Now,westudythisissuefromtwoaspects:
1.ThereasonsforadheringtotheProphet’stradition:
InadditiontotheholyQuran,theShialeadershaverecommendedtheProphet'straditionstotheirfollowersandconsideredtraditionstotheirfollowersandconsideredthemastwocomplimentsImamSadeq(a.s)says,
يذلاف الا و ) ص ( هللا لوسر لوق نموا هللا باتك نم ادهاش هل متدجوف ثیدح مكیلع درو اذا
هب يلوا هب مكءاج
(Wheneverahadithisnarratedtoyou,confirmitsauthenticityafteryoufinditsevidencesintheholyQuranandtheProphet'straditions.Otherwise,you‟dbetterneglectit.)3
Inaddition,ImamBaqir(a.s)regardedtheadherencetotheProphet'straditionsasthefundamentalcriterionfortheJurisprudentsashesays,criterionforthejurisprudentsashesays,
يبنلا هنسب كسمتملا ، هرخالا يف بارلا ، ایندلا يف دهازلا هیقفلا قح هیقفلا نا
(Theactualjurisprudentishewhoavoidstheextremeworldlyenjoyment,showsenthusiasmtotheoverworldlylife,and
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3-Ibid,hadithno.2
adherestotheProphet'stradition.)4
ThegrandShialeadersconsideranyoppositiontotheDivineBookandtheProphet‟straditionsasblasphemy.Withregardtothisfact,ImamSadeq(a.s)says,
رفك دقف ) ص ( دمحم هنس و هللا باتك لاخ نم
(HewhoopposestheholyQuranandtheProphet'straditionsisanunbeliever.)5
Asaresult,itisclarifiedthattheShiaacknowledgestheProphet'straditionsmorethananyoftheIslamicSects,andthus,itprovestheclaimsofthose,accusingtheShiaofbeingheedlesstotheProphet'straditions,totallyunfounded.
2.ThereasonsforadheringtotheAhlul-Bait’straditions:
ToclarifytheShiastandpointinthisregard,weareobligedtodiscussthefollowing:
A:TheessenceoftheinfallibleImams'traditions.
B:ThereasonsfortheauthenticityandexigencyforadheringtotheProphet‟shousehold.
Now,letusdiscusstheseaspectsthroughresortingtotheevidentproofsinbrief:
TheessenceoftheinfallibleImams’traditions:
FromtheShiaviewpoint,itisonlyAllah,WhohastherighttolegislateandthencommissiontheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants),astheintermediarybetweenGodandman,tocommunicatetheDivinecommandmentstoman.Therefore,iftheShiaconsiderstheImam'straditionsasajurisprudencesource,itdoesnotmeanthatheisregardlesstotheProphet'straditions,but,onthecontrary,thecredibilityofthesetraditionsisduetothefactthattheytakeoriginfromtheProphet'straditions.
Consequently,theShiainfallibleImamsdonothaveavoiceoftheirownandwhattheysayis,infact,theProphet'stradition.
Toelaborateonthisissue,itisworthytopresentsomeofthe
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4-Ibid,hadithno.8
5-Ibidhadithno.6
Imams'traditions:
1.ImamSadeq(a.s)inresponsetoamanwhoaskedhimsomequestionssaid,
ءيش نم انیارب لوقن انسل ) ص ( هللا لوسر نع وهف ءيشب هیف كتبجا امهم
(WhatIsaidinresponsetoyourquestionwasfromtheholyProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants),forwedonotexpressawordofourown.)6
Andsomewhereelse,hesaid,
ثیدحو ، نیسحلا ثیدح يدج ثیدح ،و يدج ثیدح يبا ثیدح ،و يبا ثیدح يثیدح
ثیدح نینمإملاریما ثیدحو ، نینمإملاریما ثیدح نسحلا ثیدح ،و نسحلا ثیدح نیسحلا
لج وزع هللا لوق هللا لوسر ثیدحو ) ص ( هللا لوسر
(Mywordisthatofmyfather(ImamBaqir)andthatofmyfatherismygrandfather's(ImamAliIbnHussein)andthewordofmygrandfatheristhatofHusseinIbnAli,andthewordofHusseinisthatofAliIbnAbiTalib,andthewordofAliisthatoftheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants),andthewordoftheProphetistheWordofGod,theAlmighty.)7
2.ImamMohammedBaqir(a.s)saidtoJabir,
كثدحا املك ،و لجوزع هللا نع ) ع ( لیئربج نع ) ص ( هللا لوسر يدج نع يبا ينثدح
دانسالا اذهب
(Myfathernarratedmefrommygrandfather,theMessengerofGod(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants),ashehadquoteditfromGabriel,whohadquoteditfromAllah,theAlmighty,andwhatInarratetoyouisfromthischainoftransmission.)8
ThereasonsforthecredibilityandexigencyforadheringtotheProphet’shousehold:
TheShiaandtheSunnitenarratorsareoftheopinionthattheMessengerofGodhaslefttwoinvaluablethingsafterhimselfandtheninvitedthewholeMuslimstofollowthemthattheiradherenceto
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6-JameUl-AhadithUl-Shia,vol.1p.129
7-Ibid,p.127
8-Ibid,p.128
themwillresultintheirguidanceandprosperity;oneofthemistheDivineBookandtheotheroneistheAhlulBait(a.s).
Wepointtosomeofthesetraditionsasfollows:
1.Inhisbook'Sahih',TirmizinarratesfromJabirIbnAbdollahAnsariashenarrateditfromtheholyProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)assuch:
يتیب لها يترتع و هللا باتك : اولضت نل هب متذخا نا ام مكیف تكرت دق ينا سانلا اهیا ای
(O,people!Ileavebehindtwothings.Youwillnotbedeviateduntilyouadheretothem:theDivineBookandmyhousehold.)9
2.Also,Tirmiziwritesinthesamebookasfollows:
يدعب اولضت نل هب متكسمت نا ام مكیف كرات ينا ملس و هیلع هللا يلص هللا لوسر لاق
يتیب لها يترتع و ضرالا يلا ءامسلا نم دودمم لبح هللا باتك : رخالا نم مظعا امهدحا
امهیف ينوفلخت يك اورظناف ، ضوحلا يلع ادری يتح اقرتفی نل و
(TheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)said,“Iwillleavetwoinvaluablethingsbehind;youwillnevergoastrayifyouadheretothem:oneofthemissuperiortotheother,andthatistheDivineBook,whichisasajoiningstringbetweentheheavenandtheearth,theotherismyhousehold,andtheynevercometoseparationuntiltheycomeagaintomebesideKautharPond.Soseehowyouwilltreatthemafterme.)10
3.Inhis'Sahih',MoslemIbnHajjajhasmentionedatraditionfromtheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)assaying,
امهلوا نیلقث مكیف كرات انا و بیجاف يبر لوسر يتای نا كشوی رشب انا امناف سانلا اهیا الا
ورؼب هللا باتك يلع ثحف هب اوكسمتسا و هللا باتكب اوذخف رونلا و يدهلا هیف هللا باتك
يف هللا مكركذا يتیب لها يف هللا مكركذا يتیب لها يف هللا مك ركذا يتیب لها و : لاق مث هیف
11 يتیب لها
(O,people!Verily,Iamaman,andsoontheangelofdeathwillcometome,andIwillsubmitmyselftohiscall.Ileavebehindtwoinvaluablethings:theDivineBook,whichisthelightandguidance,soadheretoit.Hethenwenton,andmy
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9-'Sahih',Tramazi,Almanaqeb,vol.5,p.662,hadithno.3786,Beirutedition.
10-Ibid,p.663,hadithno.3788
11-Sahih,Moslem,Section7,p.122-23,Egyptedition.
household,andmyhousehold,andmyhousehold.)
4.AnumberofnarratorshavenarratedtheholyProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)assaying,
ضوحلا يلع ادری يتح اقرتفی نل امهناو يتیب لها و هللا باتك نیلقثلا مكیف كرات ينا
(Ileavebehindtwoinvaluablereminders;oneistheDivineBookandtheotherismyhousehold.TheynevercometoseparationuntiltheyjoinmenearKautharPondontheDayofResurrection.)12
Itisnoteworthytosaythatthereareanabundantnumberoftraditionsinthisregardthatcannotbedealtwithinthiswriting,justtomentionthatSeyedMirHamedHussein,thegrandscholar,hasaccumulatedthedocumentsofthesetraditionsinasix-volumebook,entitled'AbaghatUl-Anwar'.
Undertheauspicesofthesetraditions,itbecomesevidentthattheadherencetotheProphet‟shouseholdalongwiththeobedienceoftheDivineBookandtheProphet'straditionsisoffundamentalissuesinIslam,andtheirnegligenceendsinman'sdeviationandadversity.
NowwhoaretheProphet'shouseholdthatwehavetoobeythem?
Toelucidatethisissue,weinfertosomeofthetraditionswithregardtotheProphet‟shousehold:
WhoaretheProphet’shousehold?
Fromtheaforementionedtraditions,itisdeducedthattheholyProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)recommendedthewholeMuslimsobeyhishouseholdandintroducedthemasthereligioussourceafterhimselfalongsidetheholyQuran,statingthat,“theholyQuranandmyhouseholdwillnevercometoseparation'”.
Inaccordancewiththisfact,theProphet‟shouseholdaretheones,whoenjoythestatusofinfallibility;otherwise,theywillseparatefromtheDivineBook.AstheholyProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)stated,“theywillneverseparatefromeachotheruntiltheycometomebesideKautherpond”.
Accordingly,theexigencyofquestfortheimmenseknowledgeoftheProphet‟shouseholdandtheirhigh
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12-Mostadrak,Hakim,section3,p.148;Al-SavaeqUlMoharaghe,section11,chapter1,p.149;Mosnad,Ahmad,section5,p.182&189
attributesisknown.Now,weendeavortopresentsomeevidenceundertheauspicesofthenarrationsofthegreatIslamicnarrators:
1.AfterrecitingSaqlaynhadith,MoslemIbnHajjajsaid,
“YazidIbnHayanaskedZeidIbnArgham,“WhoaretheProphet'shousehold?AretheytheProphet'swives”?Andheanswered,
اهموق و اهیبا يلا عجرتف اهقلطی مث رهدلا نم رصعلا لجرلا عم نوكت هارملا نا هللا میاو .ال
هدعب هقدصلا اومرح نیذلا هتبصع و هلصا هتیب لها
(No,byGod,awomanaccompaniesherhusbandforawhile,andthemanispermittedtodivorceherduringwhichshereturnstoherfamily.TheProphet‟shouseholdsignifiestheones,whoarebannedfromreceivingcharityaftertheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)andhavedeeprootsofkinshipwithhim.)13
ThistraditionbearswitnesstothefactthatliketheadherencetotheholyQuran,adherencetotheProphet'shouseholdismandatory;theProphet'shouseholdareofbothphysicalandspiritualconnectionwithhim.TheyalsoenjoysomesublimeattributesthatmakethemparamountwiththeholyQuranandoneofthemainreligioussourcesfortheMuslimsallovertheworld.
2.TheholyProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)didnotonlypointtotheAhlul-Bait‟sattributes,butalsoclearlyannouncedtheirnumber,thatistwelve.
MoslemquotesJabirIbnSamarehassaying,
ينثا يلا ازیزع مالسالا لازیال لوقی - ملس و } هلآ و { هیلع هللا يلص - هللا لوسر تعمس
شیرق نم مهلك لاقف ؟ لاق ام يبال تلقف ، اهمهفا مل هملك لاق مث . هفیلخ رشع
(IheardtheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)saying,“Islamwillneverdecline,anditwillkeepitsesteembytwelveCaliphs”.HethensaidsomewordsIdidnotcomprehendwell,soIaskedmyfatherandhesaid,“TheyareallfromtheQurayshtribe”.)14
Inaddition,MoslemIbnHajjajquotedtheMessengerofGod(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)assaying,
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13-Sahih,Moslem,section7,p.123,ChapterontheattributesofAliIbnTalib.
14-Sahih,Moslem,vol,6.p.3,Egyptedition
15-Ibid.
(Aslongasthetwelvemenreignoverthepeoples,theiraffairsarerunproperly.)15
ThesetwonarrationsclearlyprovethetruthfulnessoftheShiaclaimassayingthatthetwelveImamsofShiaarethetrueleadersofthepeoplesaftertheholyProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants),becauseinIslam,thetwelvecaliphs,whohavemanagedtheMuslims'affairsarenone,savethetwelveImams,whoarefromtheProphet'shousehold.IfweputasidethefourCaliphs,socalled'Rashedin',othercaliphsfromBaniOmayehandBaniAbbas,asthehistorytestifiescausedshamefortheIslamiccommunity.
Consequently,theAhlul-Bait(a.s),whomtheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)introducedthemasthemateoftheholyQuranaswellastheMuslims'leadingsource,arethetwelveImams;thepreserveroftheProphet'straditionsandthebearerofhisDivineKnowledge.
3.AliIbnAbiTalib(a.s)alsoknowstheMuslimleadersfromBaniHashemtribe[abranchofQuranyshtribe]thatisanotherclearproofonthetruthfulnessoftheShiaclaimassaying,
وال مهاوس نم يلع حلصت ال مشاه ينب نم - نطبلا اذه يف اوسر ؼ شیرق نم همئالا نا
مهری نم هالولا حلصت
(TheImamsfromQurayshtribearefromBaniHashem,andothersdonotdeservetoruleoverthepeople,andasaresult,theirguardianshipisunfounded.)16
Conclusion:
Theaforementionedtraditionselucidatetwofacts:
1.LiketheobedienceoftheholyQuran,adherencetotheProphet'sAhlul-Bait(a.s)andtheirobedienceisobligatory.
2.TheProphet'sAhlul-Bait(a.s),whoarethemateoftheholyQuranandtheMuslims'leadingsource,havethefollowingcriteria:
A.TheyallbelongtoQurayshtribeandBaniHashemclan.
B.Theyallhaveablood-kinshipwiththeholyProphet(peacebe
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16-NahjulBalaghah,Sermonno.144
uponhimandhisdescendants)sothatgivingcharitytothemisprohibited.
C.Theyallareinfallible;otherwise,theywouldhavebeenseparatedfromtheholyQuran,whereastheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)said,“TheywouldneverseparatefromeachotheruntiltheymeetmebesideKautharPond”.
D.Theyarealltwelve,whoareappointedastheMuslims‟guardiansoneaftertheotheraftertheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants).
E.ThesetwelveCaliphsarethecauseofesteemanddignityfortheReligion.
Whenconsideringthestatedfactsinthisregard,itisclarifiedasdaythattheProphet'shouseholdare,infact,thetwelveImams,theShiaisrecommendedtoobeyandadherestotheminrecognizingthejurisprudentcommandmentsandisproudofthem.
Questionno.29
WasAbuTalibabelieverthattheShiavisithisshrine?
Theanswer:
AbuTalibwasthesonofAbdulMottalib,thefatherofImamAli(a.s),andtheholyProphet'suncle.FromtheShiaviewpoint,hewasafirmbelieverintheProphet'spropheticmissionandthereforesupportedhiminallthehardshipsandstraitsintheadventofIslam.
AbuTalib’sfamilybackground:
HewasborninthefamilyofAbdulMottaleb,theProphet'sgrandfatherandoneofthesteadfastfollowersoftheProphetAbraham.AsthehistoryoftheArabianPeninsulahasrecorded,hedidnotdesistfromhismonotheisticbeliefsevenamomentinthemostcriticalconditionsthroughouthislife.WhenAbrahapreparedanequippedarmyofelephantsandmovedtowardMecca,aimingatdemolishing'theKaba',heconfiscatedsomeofAbdulMottalib'scamels.WhenAbdulMottalibwenttorestorehiscamels,Abrahaaskedhimsurprisingly,“Whydon'tyouaskmetowithdrawmyarmyanddesistformdemolishingtheKaba”?AbdulMottalibrejoinedhimwithaspiritoffaithinGod,
هیمحی { هعنمی بر تیبلل و لبالا بر انا {
(Iamtheownerofmycamels,andthishouse-theKaba-hasanOwner,whosurelywillprotectit.)1
Then,hemovedtoMeccaandwenttoKabaandimploredtoGodwhileholdingthehandleofitsdoorassuch,
اكامح مهنم عنماف بر ای اكاوس مهلوجرا ال بر ای
اك انف اوبرخی نا مهعنما اكاداع نم تیبلا ودع نا
(O,God!Ihavehopetonoone,saveYou.O,God!SafeguardYourholysanctuaryfromtheenemies;theenemieswhoare,infact,inclashwithYou.PreventthemfromdemolishingYourHouse.)2
TheseeloquentstatementsbearwitnesstoAbdulMottalib'sfirmbeliefinmonotheism.Duetothisfact,YaqubiwritesaboutAbdulMottalibinhishistorybookassuch,
3 لجوزع هللا دحو ، مانصالا هدابع ضفر
(He[AbdulMottalib]refusedtoworshipidolsandinsteadbelievedintheonlyGod.)
Nowlet'sseewhatthisgod-fearingfatherthinksofhisson-AbuTalib:
AbdulMottalib’sviewonAbuTalib:
IthasbeenwritteninthehistoricalbooksthatsomeoftheilluminatepredictorshadinformedAbdulMottaliboftheholyProphet'sbrightfutureandhisprophethood.
WhenSeifIbnZiYazanheldthereinsofgovernmentinAbyssinia,AbdulMottalibmetwithhimattheheadofadelegationandmadeaneloquentspeech.Then,theAbyssiniarulergaveAbdulMottalibgladtidingsthatagrandprophetwillbeborninhisfamilyanddescribedsomeofhisattributesassuch:
4 همع و هدج هلفكی و هما و هوبا تومی - ملس و } هلآ و { هیلع هللا يلص - دمحم همسا
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1-KamilIbnAthir,vol,1.p.261,Egyptedition
3-Yaqubi,theHistory,vol.2.p.7,Najafedition.
4-SirehHalabi,vol.1,p.136-37,Egyptedition,p.114-15,Beirutedition
(HisnameisMohammed(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants);hisfatherandmotherdiesoonandhisgrandfatherandunclewilltakehisguardianship.)
Then,hewenton,
لدع همكح و لصف هلوق . ناثوالا رسكی و نارینلا دمخی و ناطیشلا ضحدی و نمحرلا دبعی
هلطبی و ركنملا نع يهنی و هلعفیو ؾ ورعملاب رمای و
(HeworshipsGod,thebeneficent,andrenouncesSatanandputsoffthefiresandbreaksdowntheidols.Hiswordsarethecriterionforthedistinctionbetweenrightandwrong,andhisjudgmentisbasedonjustice.Heenjoinsthepeopletogoodness,andhepracticesit.Healsoforbidsthemfromevilandcleansesallimpurities.)5
Then,headdressedAbdulMottalibassaying.
بذك ریغ ةلطملادبع ای هدجل كنا
(Verily,youarehisgrandfather.)6
Afterhearingthesegladtidings,AbdulMottalibprostratedasthanksgivinganddescribedtheblessedchildassaying,
هنمآ يموق مئارك نم همیرك - هتجوز ينا و اقیقر هیلع و ابجعم هب تنك و نبا يل ناك هنا
انا هتلفك و هما و هوبا تام ادمحم هتیمسف مال بؽ تءاجف هرهز نبا انم دبع نب بهو تنب
بلاط ابا ينعی { همع }و
(Ihadason,whomIlovedhimverymuch.Iarrangedhismarriagetoanhonoredlady,calledAmaneh,thedaughterofWahabIbnAbdManaf.Shethengavebirthtoason,whomInamedhimMohammed.Afterawhile,hisfatherandthenmotherdepartedthislifeandasaresult,hisuncleandItookhisguardianship.)7
Fromthesestatements,itisdeducedthatAbdulMottalibhadbeenawareoftheorphanson'sbrightfuture,andtherefore,hedecidedtogiveoverhisguardianshiptohisdearestson,AbuTalib,anddepriveothersthisgreathonor[theguardianshipoftheProphet.]
ItbecomesevidentthatAbuTalibwassoelevatedincharacterandmindthathisgod-fearingfatherknewhimworthy
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5-Ibid.
6-Ibid.
7-Ibid.
totaketheProphet'sguardianship.8Now,wepresentsomeoftheclearproofs,signifyingAbuTalibs'faith:
1.AbuTalib'sliteraryandscientificworks:
TheIslamicscholarsandhistorianshavenarratedsomeattractiveodes,denotinghistruefaith.Herearesome:
میرم نبا حیسملا و يسومك يبن ادمحم نا سانلا رایخ ملعیل
مصعی و يدهی هللا رماب لكف هب اتیا ام لثم يدهب اناتا
(ThehonoredmenshouldknowthatMohammed(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)isaProphetasMosesandJesusandenjoysthesameheavenlylightastheyhad.Therefore,thewholeDivineprophetsenjointhepeopletogoodandforbidthemfromevilatthebehestofGod.)9
بتكلا لوا يف طخ يسومك الوسر ادمحم اندجو انا اوملعت ملا
بحل اب هللا هصخ نمیف يح وال هبحم دابعلا يف هیلع نا و
(DoyounotknowthatMohammed(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)isaProphetasMosesasithasbeenstatedintheScriptures?Thepeopledolovehim,andtransgressionagainsthe,whomGodhasputHisaffectioninthePeoples‟heartsisblameworthy.)10
دمحا سانلا يف هللا قلخ مركاف ادمحم يبنلا هللا مركا دقل
ادمحم اذه و دومحم شرعلا وذف هلجیل همسا نم هل قش و
(God,theAlmighty,hasreveredHisProphet,Mohammed.Basedonthisfact,AhmadisthemosthonoredcreatureofGod.HehasderivedhisnamefromHisowntoglorifyhim.Therefore,theCreatorisMahmud(thepraiseworthy)andHisProphetisAhmad(theworshipper).11
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8-Forfurtherinformation,refertoSirehHalabi,vol.1,p.134,Egyptedition;SirehIbnHeshem,vol.1,p.189,Beriutedition;AbuTalib,aQurayshbeliever,p.109,Beirutedition,Thegreatlevels,vol.1,p.117,Beirutedition
9-Al-Hojah,p.57;MostorakHakem,vol.2,p.623
10-ThehistoryofIbnKathir,vol.1,p.42;AcommentaryonNahjulBalaghah(IbnAbiHedid),vol.14,p.72,2ndedition
11-AcommentaryonNahjulBalaghah(IbnAbilHadid),vol,14,p.78,2ndedition;thehistoryofIbnAsaker,vol.,p.275,ThehistoryofIbnKathir,vol.1,p.266;ThehistoryofAl-Khamis,vol.p.254.
انیفد بارتلا يف دسوا يتح مهعمجب كیلا اولصی نل هللا و
انویع كنمرق و كلذب رشباو هضاض ؼ كیلع ام كرماب عدصاف
انیما مه تنك و توعد دقل و يحصان كنا تملع و ينتوعد و
انید هیربلا نایدا ریخ نم ) ص ( دمحم نید ناب تملع دقل و
(O,MessengerofGod,theenemiescannothurtyoutillIamlaidtorestatmy
grave,sodonotfretandrevealwhatyouhavetofulfillasmissionandgivegladtidingstopeopleandenlightenthem.Youenjoinedmetoyourreligion,andIknowthatyouarebenevolenttome.Youarealsofirmandoutstandinginyourcall,andIconfirmthatMohammed‟sreligionisthebestofreligionsintheworld.)12
دمحا يبنلا نید يلع ينا دهشاف يلع هللا دهاش ای
يدتهم يناف نیدلا يف لض نم
(O,God'sevidencetome!BearwitnesstomyfaithinMohammed(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants),theMessengerofGod;Iamguided,nomatterthatotheraredeviated.)13
Inthelastdaysofhisfruitfullife,AbuTalibrecommendedtheQurayshnobilitiestoadvocatetheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)inhisholyobjectsinthefollowingverses:
اسابع موقلا خیش و ایلع ينبا هعبرا ریخلا يبن رصنب يصوا
اسانلا ينود ادوذت نا ارفعج و هتقیقح يماحلا دسالا هزمحو
اسارتا سانلا نود دمحا رصن يف تدلو ام و يما مكل ءادف اونوك
(IrecommendfourpersonstoadvocatetheProphet:mysonAli;Abbas,theprominentfigureofourtribe;Hamzeh,God'slion,whohasbeensupportingtheholyProphet;andJafar(myson).Maymysoulbesacrificedforyou,shieldtheProphet
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12-KhazenatulAdabBaghdadi,vol.1,p.261;ThehistoryofIbnKathir,vol.3,p.42;theCommenteryonNahjulBalaghah(IbnAbilHadid),vol.14,p.55;FathAlbari,vol.7,p.153-54…
13-ACommetaryonNahjulBalaghah(IbnAbilHadid),vol,14,p.78,2ndedition;AbuTalibDivanp.75
14-MotashabehatUl-Quran,(IbnShahrAshubMazandarani),inthecommentaryofHajjsura,belowtheverse.
(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)againsttheenemies.)14
Afterobservingtheseliteraryworks,signifyingAbuTalib'struefaithinGodandtheProphet‟sprophethood,anyrighteouspersondiscoversthetruthfulnessoftheShiaview,anditputsanendtothegroundlessaccusations,whichsomeofthewriterswiththepoliticalaimshavebeenascribedtothebelieverofQuraysh,theholyProphet‟suncle,andthegrandadvocatoroftheDivinereligionintheseriousstraitsattheadventofIslam.
2.AbuTalib’sbehaviortowardtheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)signifieshisfaith:
ThewholeoutstandingIslamichistorianshavestatedthatAbuTalib‟suniquedevotiontotheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)isclearevidencetohisfirmbelief.
InordertofortifyIslamandprotecttheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants),AbuTalibpreferredtosettlein'ShebAbiTalib',avalley,besidetheMessengerofGodforthreeyearsinsteadofpresidingovertheQurayshtribe.HestayedwithhimuntiltheMuslims'economicsanctionwasoverandenduredthestraitsinthoseunendurableconditions.15
Inaddition,hecalledonhisson,Ali(a.s),toaccompanytheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)andadvocatehiminthedifficultcircumstancesduringtheearlyperiodofIslam.
IbnAbilHadidinhisCommentaryonNahjulBalaghahnarratedAbuTalibasadvisinghissonAli(a.s)assaying,“TheMessengerofGodenjoinsyoutogoodness,soaccompanyhimuphillanddowndale”.16
ItisnowevidentthatAbuTalib'sworthyservicestotheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)andhislimitlessdevotionsinprotectingtheReligionbearwitnesstohistruefaith.
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15-Forfurtherstudy,referto:
a)SirehHalabi,vol.1,p.134b)Al-Khamis,theHistory,vol.1,p.253-54
c)SirehIbnHesham,vol.1,p.189d)ACommentaryonNahjulBalaghah,IbnAbilHadid,vol.14,p.52e)TabaghatUlKobra,vol.1,p.119.
16-vol.14,p.43,2ndedition.
Duetothisfact,IbnAbilHadid-thegreatIslamicScholar-composedapoemonAbuTalib'scrucialroleinprotectingtheholyProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)andhisreligionassuch:
اماقف اصخش نیدلا لثم امل هنبا و بلاطوبا الول و
امامحلا سج برثیب اذه و يماحو يوآ هكمب كاذف
يماعت ریصبوا لؽي لوهجج بلاط يبا دجم رض ام و
(TheIslamreligionwouldneverupriseiftherehappenedtobenoAbuTalibandhisson.HeshelteredtheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)inMecca,andhissonplayedwithdeathinMedina.NooneisabletoharmAbuTalib'sglory;neithertheignorantidletalkersnortheawareonespretendingignorance.)17
3.AbuTalib’swillisaclearevidencetohisfaith:
Thewell-knownMuslimhistorians,includingHalbiShafeeinhis'Sirah'andMohammedDiyarBekriinhis'thehistoryofAl-Khamis'havewrittenthatbeforehisdemise,AbuTalibcalledonhistribetosupporttheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)assaying,
وال دشر الا هلیبس مكنم دحا كلسیال هللا ،و هامح هبزحل ،و هالو هل اونوك شیرق رشعم ای
تعفدل و زئازهلا هنع تففكل رخات يلج وال هدم يسفنل ناك ول ،و دعس الا هیدهب دحا ذخای
كله مث . يهاودلا هنع
(O,peopleofQuraysh!FollowMohammedwithaffectionandbackhisparty(Islam).IswearbyGod,hewhofollowshisteachingswillbeprosperous.
Verily,Iwouldhavesparednoeffortinremovingthestraitsinhiswayifmylifehadcontinued.Hesaiditandthendepartedthislife.)18
4.ThePorphet’saffectiontowardAbuTalibbearswitnesstohisfaith:
TheMessengerofGoddignifiedhisuncle,AbuTalib,andexpressedhisaffectiontowardhiminanumberofoccasions,aswe
_________________________________________________________
17-Ibid.p.no.84
18-ThehistoryofAlkhmis,vol.1,p.300-301,Beirutedition;SirehHalabivol,1,p.391,Egyptedition
pointtotwoofthem:
A.AnumberofhistorianshavenarratedthistraditionthattheholyProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)saidtoAqilIbnTalib(thesonofAbuTalib)asfollows:
19 كایا يمع بح نم ملعا تنك امل ابحو ينم كتبارقل ابح نیبح كبحا ينا
(Iloveyoufortworeasons:first,becauseyouaremykinandsecond,Iknowthatmyuncle(AbuTalib)lovedyou.)
B.Halabiinhisbook'Sirah'quotedtheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants),glorifyinghisuncle'sstatus:
بلاطوبا تام يتح ) ههاركلا دشا يا ( ههركا ائیش ينم شیرق تلان ام
(QurayshpagansdidnoseriousharmtomeuntilAbuTalibwasalive.)20
TheProphet'saffectiontowardAbuTalibandglorifyinghishighstatusisaclearwitnesstohisfirmbelief,becauseaccordingtotheholyQuran,theholyProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)onlylovesthetruebelievers,butharshagainstthepagansandnon-believers.Inthisregard,theholyQuransays,
مهنیب ءامحر رافكلا يلع ءادشا هعم نیذلا و هللا لوسر دمحم
(MohammedistheMessengerofAllah,andhisfollowersarehardandharshagainstthedisbelieversbutkindandcompassionatetooneanother.)21
وا مهءابآ اوناك ول و هلوسر و هللا داح نم نوداوی رخالآ مویلا و هللااب نونموی اموق دجت ال
22 … نامیالا مهبولق يف بتك كئلوا مهتریشع وا مهناوخا وا مهءانبآ
(YouwillneverfindanypeoplewhobelieveinAllahandthedayofResurrectionyetestablishfriendshipwiththosewhoopposeAllahandHisMessenger,eveniftheybetheirfatherortheirsonsortheirbrothersortheirrelatives.Allahhaswrittenfaithintheheartsofthesincerebelievers…)
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19-ThehistoryofAl-Khamis,vol.1,p.163,Beirutedition;Al-Esti'ab,vol.2,p.509
20-Sirah,Halabi,vol.1,p.391,Egyptedition.
21-FathSura,verseno.29
22-MojadelehSura,Verseno.22
23-Someotherverses,includingverseno.1inMomtahenehSura;verseno.23inTubehSura,andversesno.54&81inMaedehSuraconfirmthisfact.
Consideringtheabove-statedversesandcomparingthemwiththeProphet'saffectiontowardAbuTalib,thereremainsnodoubtaboutAbuTalib'sfirmbeliefinAllahandHisProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants).
5.ThetestimoniesoftheProphet’sdisciples:
ThetestimoniesoftheProphet‟sdiscipleshavetestifiedtoAbuTalib'struefaith.Herearesome:
A.WhenanignorantpersonmadeanunjustaccusationaboutAbuTalib,ImamAli(a.s)wasoutragedandreplied,
ضرالا هجو يلع بنذم لك يف يبا عفشول ایبن قحلاب ادمحم ثعب يذلاو ، كاف هللا ضف ، هم
هللا هعفشل
(Keepquiet!MayGodshutyourmouth.IsweartoGod,WhoappointedMohammed(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)asHisMessenger,ifmyfather-AbuTalib-intercedesanysinner,Allahwillforgivehim.)24
Somewhereelsehesays,
مشاه ينب يلع هفاخم هنامیا متكی املسم انموم بلطملادبع نب ؾ انم دبع بلاطوبا هللاو ناك
شیرق اهذبانت نا
(IsweartoGodthatAbuTalib,thesonofAbdManafIbnAbdulMotalib,wasapiousbeliever,buthedissimilatedhisfaithfromtheQurayshinfidelssothathecouldkeepBaniHashemclanimmunefromtheirhostility)25
ImamAli'swordsnotonlyconfirmsAbuTalib'sfirmbelief,butalsoconsidershimasoneoftheDivineguardiansthatisabletomakeintercessionforotherswithAllah'spermission.
B.AbuzarGhafarisaidaboutAbuTalib:
ملسا يتح هنع هللا يضر بلاطوبا تام ام وه الا هلا ال يذلا هللا و
(IsweartoAllah,WhoistheOne,AbuTalibdepartedthislifeafterhehadembracedIslam.)26
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24-Al-Hujah,p.24
25-Ibid.
26-AcommentaryonNahjulBalagheh(IbnAbilHadid)vol.14,p.71,secondedition.
C.IthasbeennarratedfromAbbasIbnAbdulMottalibandAbubakrIbnAbiGhahafehthat:
هللا لوسر دمحم هللا الا هلا ال : لاق يتح تام ام بلاط ابا نا
(AbuTalibdidnotpassawayuntilheuttered:ThereisnogodsaveAllah,andMohammedisHisMessenger.)27
6.AbuTalibinAhlul-Bait’sview:
ThewholeImamshavespecifiedAbuTalib'struebeliefanddefendedthisloyalcompanyoftheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)indifferentoccasions.Herearesome:
A.ImamBaqir(a.s)said,
يرخالا هفكلا يف قلخلا اذه نامیاو نازیم هفك يف بلاط يبا نامیا عضو ول
بلاط يبا نامیا حجرل
(IfAbuTalib'sfaithisputinonesideofascaleandthatofthepeopleintheother,AbuTalib'swillbeheavier.)28
B.ImamSadeq(a.s)narratedfromtheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)as:
بلاطابا ناو ، نیترم مهرجا هللا مهاتاف رفكلا اورهظا و نامیالا اورسا ؾ هكلا باحصا نا
نیترم هرجا هللا هاتآف كرشلا رهظا و نامیالارسا
(ThepeopleofKahfdissimilatedtheirfaith(duetosomereasons)andpretendedthattheyweredisbelievers,soAllahrewardedthemtwice.AbuTalibalsodissimilatedhisfaithanddidpretenddisbelief.Therefore,Allahrewardedhimtwotimes.)29
Fromtheabovestatedpoints,itbecomesclearasdaythatAbuTalibenjoyedthe
followingattributes:
1.HehadafirmbeliefinGodandHisMessenger.
2.HeadvocatedtheMessengerofGodandsacrificedhisselfforthesakeofIslam.
3.TheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)hadaffectiontowardhim.
4.HepossessedtheintercessionrightbeforeAllah.
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27-AL-Ghadir,vol.7,p.398,3rdedetion,Beriut,1378
28-ACommentaryonNahjul-Balaghah,vol.14.p.68.
29-ACommentaryonNahjulBalagah,vol.14,p.70,Secondedition.
Fromwhatwasstated,twofactsaredisclosed:
1.TheholyProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants),hisdisciples,ImamAli(a.s),andotherImamshaveapprovedAbuTalib'sfaith.
2.Theunjustaccusations,madetohim,areprovenunfounded.TheseaccusationsweremadeduetopoliticalendsbytheincitementofanumberofBaniOmayehandBaniAbbasrulers,whowerealwaysinclasheswithAbuTalib‟sdescendentsandAhlul-Bait(a.s).
Now,letusconsiderZahzahhadith,themosteminentwaytheenemiesappliedtodegradethehonorofAbuTalib,theloyalcompanyoftheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants),andthenproveitunfoundedundertheauspicesoftheholyQuran,theProphet'straditions,andtheinsightofthecommonsense.
ThestudyofZahzahhadith:
Someofthewriters,includingBokhariandMoslemhaveascribedthefollowingtwostatementstotheholyProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)astheyhavenarratedthemfromSofyanIbnSaeedThuri,AbdulMalekIbnOmayr,AbdulAzizIbnMohammedDravardiandLeithIbnSad:
حاضحض يلا هتجرخاف رانلا نم تارم يف هتدجو
(Ifoundhim(AbuTalib)inapileoffireandthentransferredhimtoZahzah.)30
هامد هنم يلی هیبعك ػ لبی رانلا نم حاضحض يف لعجیف همایقلا موی يتعافش هعفنت هلعل
(OntheDayofResurrection,myintercessionwillbebeneficialforhim–AbuTalib–sothathewillbeputinaShallowholeoffireuptohisanklessothathisbrainwillboilinit.)31
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30-Theterm'Zahzah'isahole,thedepthofwhichislesserthanman'sheight.
31-Sahih,Bohari,vol.5,Managhebchapters,sectionthestoryofAbiTalib,p.52,Egyptedtition.
Althoughthepresentationofthepre-statedtraditionsprovethebaselessnessofthecalumnyaboutAbuTalib'sfaith(Zahzahhadith),however,inordertoclarifythisissue,westudyitfromtwoaspects:
1.Thebaselessnessofthisdocument:
Asstatedbefore,thenarratorsofZahzahhadithareSofyanIbnSaeedThuri,AbdulMalekIbnOmayr,AbdulAzizIbnMohammedDravardi,andLeithIbnSad.
Now,letusstudythestatusofthesenarratorsthroughinvokingtheSunnitescholarsofIlmUl-Rejal[genealogy]inthisregard:
A.SofyanIbnSaeedThuri:
Withregardtohischaracter,AbuAbdollahMohammedIbnAhmadIbnOthmanZahabithewell-knownSunnitescholarofIlmUl-Rejal[genealogy]says,
ءافعضلا نع سلدی ناك
(SofynIbnThurialwaysnarratedthefabricatedhadithsfromtheunknownnarrators.)32
ThisstatementprovesthatSofyanalwaysnarratedtheanonymousorunknownnarrators,andasaresult,itinvalidateshisnarrations.
B.AbdulMalikIbnOmayr:
Zahabievaluateshimasfollows:
طلخی يعض : دمحا لاق و هظفح ریت ، ظفاحب سیل متاحوبا لاق هظفح ءاس و هرمع لاط ،
هنا دمحا نع جسوكلا ركذ و هاضریال هبعش ناك : شارخ نبا لاق و طلخم : نیعم نب لاق و
ادج هفعض
(Helivedalonglifeandthengotmentalderangement.AbuHatamsays,“Helosthismemorysothathecouldnotrememberthehadiths”.Also,AhmadIbnHanbalsays,“AbdulMalekIbnOmayrwasnarratingfabricatedandunfoundedhadiths”,andIbnMoeenbelievedthathehadmixedupthetrueandfalsehadithstogether.IbnKharashsays,“EvenShobehwasdissatisfiedwithhim”.Inaddition,KusajnarratedthatAhmadIbnHanbalalsorejectedthehadithsnarratedbyAbdulMalek.)33
Fromtheabove-mentionedstatements,itisdeducedthat
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32-MizanUl-Etedal(Zahabi),vol.2,p.169,firstedtion,Beirut.
33-Ibid.
AbdulMalekIbnOmayrwas:
1.Forgetful
2.Unauthentic(someonewhosenarrationscannotbetrusted(inIlmUl-Rejal[genealogy]).
3.Fullofblunders
4.Mixedup(Hewhomixesthetrueandfalsetraditionstogether.)
Thus,eachofthementionedcharacteristicsbyitselfrebutstheauthenticityofAbdulMalek'snarrations;however,heenjoyedalltheseweakpoints.
C.AbdulAzizIbnMohammedDravardi:
TheSunnitescholarsofIlmUl-Rejal[genealogy]knowhimforgetful;thus,hisnarrationscannotbetrusted.
Inthisregard,AhmadIbnHanbalcertifies,
لیطاوبب ءاج هظفح نم ثدح اذا
(Wheneverrecitingatraditionbyheart,hedeliveredirrelevantandgroundlesswords.)34
AccordingtoAbuHatam,
هب جتحی ال
(Hiswordsarenortrustworthy.)35
Also,AbuZaraehhasintroducedhimasforgetful36.
D.LeithIbnSad:
WithreferencetothegeologicalbooksoftheSunnite,itisclarifiedthatthewholenarratorswhosenamesareLeithareeitheranonymousorunauthentic,andtheirnarrationsarenottrustworhy.37LeithIbnSadhasalsobeenoneofthose
unreliablewhohasbeennegligentinhearingandnarratingthehadiths.
YahyaIbnMoeencriticizeshimassaying,
عامسلا و خویشلا يف لهاستی ناك هنا
(LeithIbnSadhasbeennegligentwithregardtobothhearingthehadithsandthosehehasnarratedfrom.)38
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34-Ibid,p.634.
35-Ibid.
36-Ibid.
37-MizanUl-Etedal,vol.3,p.420to423,firstedition
38-Ibid,p.423
Nabatihasalsoconsideredhimasunauthentic,registeringhisnameinhisbook,entitled'Al-TazlilAlalKamel',amongthenamesoftheunauthenticnarrators.39
Thus,itisclarifiedthatthemainnarratorsoftheZahzahhadithareunauthentic,andtheirnarrationsarenotreliable,either.
2.TheincompatibilityoftheZahzahhadithcontextwiththeholyBookandtheProphet’straditions:
Inthishadith,itisinscribedtotheMessengerofGodthathetransfersAbuTalibfromthepileoffiretoashallowholeoffire,andconsequently,hedecreaseshistorment,orontheotherhand,heintercedeshimontheDayofResurrection,whereastheintercessionaccordingtotheholyQuranandtheProphet'straditionsareonlyacceptedforthebelievingMuslims.Asaconsequence,ifAbuTalibwas,infact,apagan,theholyProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)couldnotintercedehimordecreasehistorment.
Thus,thebaselessnessofthecontextofZahzahhadith-signifyingAbuTalibasapagan-isproven.
Now,letusconsiderthisissueundertheauspicesoftheDivineBookandtheProphet'straditions.
A.TheholyQuraninthisregardsays,
كلذك اهباذع نم مهنع ؾ فخی وال اوتمیف مهیلع يضقی ال منهج ران مهل اورفك نیذلا و
روفك لك يزجن
(Andforthosewhodisbelieve,thereisthefireofHell;theyareneithersentencedtodeath,northeirtormentislightened.Thus,doWerecompensethedisbelievers!)40
B.AccordingtotheProphet'straditions,therewillbenointercessionforthedisbelievers.AbuzarGhafariquotedtheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)assaying,
ائیش هللااب كرشی ال نم يتما نم هلئان يه و هعافشلا تیطعا
(MyintercessionwillincludetheonesfrommynationwhobelieveinAllah.)
Asaresult,thecontextofZahzahhadithisunfoundedand
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39-SheikhUl-Abtah,p.75;Ibid,vol.3p.423
40-FatirSura,verseno.36
totallyincompatiblewiththeBookandtheProphet‟straditions.
Conclusion:
Tosumup,itisrevealedthatZahzahhadithisnullandvoidbasedonbothcontextandcontentandthedocumentarysources,anditcannotbeinvoked.
Therefore,thestronghold,usedtomisrepresentAbuTalib'sfirmbeliefisbrokendown,andAbuTalib‟sdignityremainsluminous.
Questionno.30
AccordingtotheShiaview,hasGabrielbeendisloyalincommunicatingtheDivineMessageandrevealingtheholyQurantotheMessengerofGodinlieuofAliIbnAbiTalib(a.s)?
Theanswer:
Toanswerthisquestion,wewouldbetterfirststudytheoriginsoftheseunfoundedaccusations,whichhavebeeninscribedtotheShiabytheignorantorspitefulpersons.
Theoriginsoftheaccusation:
AccordingtotheholyQuranversesandtherelatedtraditions,theJewswereoftheopinionthatGabrielwasdisloyalincommunicatingthemessageofprophethood,forhewasorderedtodedicatetheprophecytotheIsraelites,whereashededicatedittotheIshmael'sdescendents,andthatwasagainsttheDivinedecree!Duetothisfact,theyknowGabrielastheenemyofGod1,andthephrase نیمالا ناخ
(Gabrielcommittedtreason!)istheirmotto.Onthecontrary,theholyQuranrebutstheirideaintroducinghimasatrustfulandloyalangelinthefollowingverses:
2 نیرذنملا نم نوكتل كبلق يلع نیمالا حورلا هب لزن
(BythetrustedSpirithasbeenbroughtdown.Andhasbeenrevealeduponyourheartinorderthatyoubecomeoneoftheadmonishers.)
Italsosays,
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1-FakhrRazi,theCommentary,vol.1,p.436-37,Egyptedition.
2-ShuraSura,verseno,193-194
3 … هللا نذاب كبلق يلع هلزن هناف لیئربجل اودع ناك نم لق
(Say;whoeveristheenemyofGabriel(isAllah'senemy)forhebringsdowntherevelationstoyourheartbyAllah'sleave…)
Therefore,themotto نیمالا ناخ hasoriginatedfromtheJewishsuperstitions,andthensomeoftheignorantwriterswhohavehadalonghostilitywiththeShiahavenarratedthesamewordsandthenchargedtheShiawith.
ProphecyintheShiaview:
UndertheauspicesoftheDivineBookandtheProphet'straditions,theShiaregardnotonlyMohammedIbnAbdollah(a.s)asaDivineProphet,whomGodappointedfortheuniversalMission,butalsoasthelastoftheprophetsbutnottheleastandhasbestowedthehighestleveluponhim.AliIbnAbiTalib,theShiagrandleader,pointsoutthisfact,
و نییبنلا متاخ هلوسر و هدبع ادمحم نا دهشا و هل كیرش ال هدح و هللا الا هلا ال نا ادهشا
نیملاعلا يلع هللا هجح
(IbearwitnessthatthereisnogodbutHe,forwhomthereinnopartner,andIbearwitnessthatMohammedisHisservantandMessenger:TheProphetandtheDivineGuardianovertheworld[mankind].)4
Also,ImamSadeq(a.s)states:
و ابیعش و لیعامسا و احلاص و ادوه ءایبنا هسمخ الا برعلا نم لج وزع هللا ثعبی مل
نیبنلا متاخ ادمحم
(GodappointedfiveprophetsfromtheArabs:Hud,Saleh,Ishmael,Jethro,andMohammed,thelastProphet.)5
ThesehadithsintroduceMohammed(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)asthelastDivineProphetandspecifiesthebaselessnessoftheunjustaccusation,inscribedtotheShia.
Duetothisfact,theShiaconsiderGabrielloyalandtrustfulincommunicatingtheMessagetoMohammedIbnAbdollahasthelast
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3-BaqaraSura,verseno.97
4-NahjulSa‟adah,vol.1,p.188,Beirutedition.
5-Forfurtherstudy,refertoanabundantnumberoftraditionsinthisregardintheconceptsoftheholyQuranbyJafarSobhani.
andtrueMessengerofGodandAliIbnAbiTalib(a.s)ashissuccessor.
Atthispoint,itisworthytoconsider'Manzalathadith',whichhasbeenagreedbyboththeShiaandtheSunnite,andtheyhaverecordeditintheirauthenticbooks.Asitgoes,theholyProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)introducedAli(a.s)ashissuccessoraftertheendofhisprophethood.TheholyProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)addressedAliIbnAbiTalibassaying,
يدعب يبنال هنا الا يسوم نم نوراه هلزنمب ينم نوكت نا يضرت اما
(AreyounotpleasedtoknowthatyouaretomeasAaronwastoMosesasAaronwasMoses'successoryouaremysuccessor,savethattherecomesnoprophetafterme.)6
Thistradition,theauthenticityofwhichhasbeenapprovedbyboththeShiaandtheSunnite,provesthetruthfulnessoftheShiaclaimandsignifiesthetwofollowingpoints:
1.MohammedIbnAbdollah(a.s)istheholiestMessenger,appointedbyGod'sdecree,toaneternalanduniversalprophethood,andtherewillbenoprophetafterhim.
2.AliIbnAbiTalib(a.s)istheProphet'ssuccessorandtheMuslim'scaliphafterhim.
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6-Thishadithhasbeenstateninanabundantnumberofbookstonamejustafew:
One.Sahih,Bokhari,vol.6,p.3,Egyptedition,ChapterTabukbattle
Two.Sahih,Moslem,vol.7,p.120,Egyptedition,ChapterImamAli'sattributes.
Three.Sonan,IbnMajah,vol.p.55firstedition,Chaptertheattributesoftheprophet‟sdisciples
Four.Mostadrek,Hakem,vol.3p.109,Beirutedition
Five.Mosnad,Ahmad,vol.1,p.170,177,179,182,184,185,and3,p.32
Six.Sahih,Tarmazi,Vol.5,p.21,Beirut,ChapterAliIbnAbiTalib'sattributes
Seven.Managheb(Ibnmaghazeli),p.27,Beirutedition,1403yearofJijra.
Eight.BaharulAnvar,Nol,37.P.254,secondedition,Beirut.
Questionno.31
Whatisthecriterionof'Taghiyeh'?
Theanswer:
Theterm'Taghiyeh'signifiesthedissimulationoftheinnerbeliefsandthedenialofones'faithasaprecautionarymeasurewhenfacingtheopponentstosafeguardhimfromthephysicalandspirituallosses.ItisoneoftherecommendedcommitmentsofeveryMuslim,havingitsrootsintheholyQuran.
TaghiyehinholyQuranview:
WithregardtoTaghiyeh,theholyQuranhassomeverses,including:
ءيیش يف هللا نم سیلف كلذ لعفی نم و نینمإملا نود نم ءایلوا نیرفاكلا نونمإملا ذختی ال
1 هیقت مهنم اوقتت نا الا
(Thebelieversshouldnottakefriendsfromthedisbelieversratherthanthebelievers;anyonewhodoesso,therewillbenohelpfromAllahforhiminanyway,unlessonefearsindeedadangerfromthem…)
Thisversespecifiesthatmakingfriendshipwiththedisbelieversisnotpermittedexceptfortakingprecautionarymeasurestosafeguardone‟sselffromdanger.
اردص رفكلاب حرش نم نكل و نامیالاب نئمطم هبلق و هاركا نم الا هنامیا دعب نم رفك نم
میظع باذع مهل و هللا نم بض ؼ مهیلعف
(ThosewhodisbelievedaftertheirbeliefinAllah,saveapersonwhounderpersecutionhasbeencompelledtoutterblasphemyandhisheartwasfulloffaith:butwhosohisheartfindsateasewithdisbelief,uponsuchshallbethewrathofAllah,andforthemshallbeagravetorment.)2
Withregardtotheoccasionofthisverserevelation,thecommentatorsareoftheopinionthatonceAmmarIbnYaseralongwithhisfatherandmotherwasobligedbytheenemytorenounceIslamforpolytheism.Ammar'scompanionsexpressedtheirbeliefintheOnenessofGodandtheholyProphet'sprophethood,andasaresult,theywereeithertorturedseriouslyormartyred,whileAmmarunwillinglydeniedhisrealbeliefandoutwardlyconfirmedwhattheysaidwiththewordofmouth,sohewasreleased.WhenmeetingtheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants),he
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1-Ale-ImranSura,verseno.28
2-NahlSura,verseno.106
regretted,buttheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)consoledhim,andthen,theabove-mentionedversewasrevealed.3
Throughthisverseandthecommentators‟comments,itisrevealedthatthedissimulationofone‟sinnerbeliefastheprecautionarymeasurestosafeguardhisselffromthematerialandspirituallosseshasbeenprevalentattheageoftheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)andislawfulinIslam.
TaghiyahintheShiaview:
SincethebrutaldynastiesofBaniOmayehandBaniAbbasmassacredthousandsoftheShiafortheirreligiousbeliefs,theyresortedtoTaghiyahasthelastresorttosavetheirbrother‟sandtheirownlivesatthebehestoftheholyQuran.
Itisevidentthatinthatatmosphereofdespotismandtyranny,therehadremainednootherwayfortheShiatoattaindeliverancefromcaptivity,saveTaghiyah.Surely,theShiawouldneverhaveresortedtothismeansifthetyrannicalrulersandtheircruelappointeeshadnotshownhostilitytowardthem
andmassacredthem.4
ItisnoteworthytomentionthatTaghiyahdoesnotonlybelongtotheShia,buttheotherIslamicsects,especiallywhentheydonothaveenoughpowertodefythemselvesresorttoTaghiyahandthusconcealtheirinnerbeliefsinordertohindertheblood-thirstyenemy(suchastheKhavarejandthecrueltyrannies)fromtheirmassacreandsavetheirsouls.Asaresult,ifalltheIslamiccommunitieshadnodiversityofopinionsandlivedwithunityandunanimitywithoneanother,therewouldremainnoroomforTaghiyahamongtheMuslims.
Conclusion:
1.TaghiyahtakesoriginfromtheholyQuran,andthepracticeoftheProphet‟sdisciplesaswellashisapprovalisevidence,signifyingitslegalitysincetheadventofIslam.
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3-Referto'DurUl-Manthur'writtenbyJalalUl-DinSuyuti,vol.14,p.131,Beirutedition
4-ForfurtherstudyregardingthemassacreoftheShiabytheBaniOmayehandBaniAbbastyrants,refertothefollowingbooks:
MaghatelUl-Talebin,AbulFarajEsfahani
ShohadaUl-Fazilah,AlamehAmini
Al-ShiaandAl-Hakemun,MohammedJavadMoghnieh
2.TheShiamainmotiveforTaghiyahistohinderthecruelmassacreoftheShiaandtheoppressivewave,whichwasmovingthissecttowardannihilation.
3.TaghiyahdoesnotonlybelongtotheShia,butitiscommonamongalltheMuslimsects.
4.Taghiyahisnottodissimulateone'sreligiousbeliefsfromthepagansatalltimes,buttohideone'sinnerbeliefsfromthebloodthirstyenemywhenhedoesnothaveenoughpowertoopposehim,anditsfulfillmentinthiscaseisamust.
5.ThereremainsnoroomforTaghiyahamongtheMuslimsiftheylivetogetherinunityandunanimity.
Questionno.32
WhyhasJafariSectbeendeclaredastheofficialsectintheconstitutionofIslamicRepublicofIran?
Theanswer:
ItisbeyonddoubtthatthewholeIslamicsectshavebeenhonoredintheconstitutionoftheIslamicRepublicofIran;however,thereexistanumberofdifferencesamongtheIslamicsects(includingJafari,Maleki,Shafee,Hanbali,Hanafi,etc.),andtheyarenotofthesameviewontheindividualandsocialrightsofthepeople.
Ontheotherside,agreatneedisfeltfortheestablishmentofharmonybetweenthestatusofthesocietyandthelegislationofthecivillaws,andasaresult,toavoidthecivilandsocialunrest,onlyoneofthesesectsshouldbechoseninonecountry.Legislationcausesinharmoniouslawsandasaresult,discordwhenthereexistvarioussourcesoflegislationwithremarkabledifferences.Duetothisfact,itissensibletoascertainonlyoneofthesesectsasthelegislativesourceofthecivilandsociallawsinordertosafeguardthecountryagainstthechaosanddisorder.
WhyJafarisect?
Atthispoint,anotherquestionisposedandthatiswhatisthecriterionfortheascertainmentofJafarisectasthelegislativesourceinIran?
Theanswerofthisquestionisquiteplain.ThegeneralityoftheIraniansareMuslims,andJafarisectisthelegislativesourceoftheirindividualandsociallives.Thus,theascertainmentofJafarisectintheconstitutionoftheIslamic
RepublicofIranastheofficialreligioussectisquitenaturalandinconformitywiththelegalandthelogicalcriteria.
ThehonorandstatusofotherIslamicsects:
InspiteofthefactthatJafarisecthasbeenascertainedasthebaseoftheconstitution,theothersects,includingShafee,Hanbali,Hanafi,Maleki,andZeidihavebeenhonored,andtheirfollowersarefreetoactaccordingtotheirjurisprudentprinciplesinthefollowinggrounds:
1.Performingtheirreligiousrites
2.Holdingeducationalclasses
3.Observingtheirspecialreligiousregulationsinmarriage,divorce,inheritance,writingwill,etc.Moreover,whentheyareinmajorityinsomeregions,thecouncilstakethelocalmeasuresinfavorofthatsectwhiletherightsofthefollowersoftheothersectsarefullyobserved.
Forfurtherelaborationonthisissue,wepointoutsection1,Article12oftheIslamicRepublicofIranConstitution,whichspeaksinthisregard:
“TheofficialreligionofIranisIslam,andtheschoolofthoughtisJafarioftwelveImams,andthisprinciplewillremaineternallyimmutable.OtherIslamicschools,includingtheHanafi,Shafee,Maleki,Hanbali,andZeidiaretobeaccordedfullrespect,andtheirfollowersarefreetoactinaccordancewiththeirownjurisprudenceinperformingtheirreligiousrites.Theseschoolsenjoyofficialstatusinmatterspertainingtoreligiouseducation,affairsofpersonalstatus(marriage,divorce,inheritance,andwills)andrelatelitigationincourtsoflaw.InregionsofthecountywhereMuslimsfollowinganyoftheseschoolsofFighconstitutethemajority,localregulationswithintheboundsofjurisdictionoflocalcouncilsaretobeinaccordancewiththerespectiveschoolofFiqhwithoutinfringingupontherightsofthefollowersofotherschools”.
Undertheauspicesofthisclause,thehonorandstatusoftheotherreligioussectsintheconstitutionoftheIslamicRepublichasbeenclarified.
Questionno.33
DotheShiadeem'VatrPrayer'mandatory?
Theanswer:
'VatrPrayer'isofmid-nightsupererogatoryprayers,theperformanceofwhichhasbeenrecommendedtotheMuslims,buttheShiajurisprudentshavereferredtosomeoftheProphet'sattributes,andtheobligatoryperformanceof'VatrPrayer'forhimisoneofthem.
Inhisbook'TazheratUl-Foghaha',AlamehHelienumeratesaboutseventyattributesoftheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants).Tobeginwith,hewrites:
يور . هیحضالا - ج رتولا - ،ب كاوسلا لا : روما هتما نم هری ؼ نود هیلع تابجاولا اماف
1 … هیحض الا و رتولا و كاوسلا : مكیلع بتكت ملو يلع بتك ثلث : لاق هنا - ص - هنع
(WhatwereobligatorytoperformfortheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)andnothisnationareasfollowsa.brushingtheteeth,b.performingVatrPrayer,c.hallalingthelawfulanimals.ItalsohasbeennarratedfromtheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)assaying,“thesethingsareobligatorytomeandnottoyou:brushingtheteeth,performingVatrprayer,andhallalingthelawfulanimals”.)
Tosumup,theperformanceof'VatrPrayer',accordingtotheShiaview,isobligatorytotheProphet(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants)butrecommendedfortheotherMuslims.
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1-TazkeratUl-Foghaha,Vol.2,thebookofNekeh,theroutthindroduction
Questionno.34
IsthebeliefinthesupernaturalpoweroftheDivineguardiansconsideredaspolytheism?
Theanswer:
Itisquiteplainthatwhenapersonbegsanotheroneforhelp,heissurethatitiswithinhispowertohelphim,andthispowerisoftwokinds:
1.Thispoweriswithinthematerialandnaturalframework,aswemayasksomebodyforaglassofwater.
2.Thispowerissupernaturalandbeyondthematerialandnaturalframework,aswebelievethatJesusChrist,thereverendservantofGod,wasabletotreattherefractorydiseasesandcurethehelplesspatients.
NodoubtthisbeliefisasthebeliefinthematerialandnaturalpowerifitstemsfromtheDivineomnipotenceandisneverconsideredaspolytheism,becauseHe,whohasgrantedmanwithphysicalandnaturalpower,isabletoprovidesomeofhispiousguardianswithsupernaturalpower.
ItisnoteworthytomentionthatthebeliefinthesupernaturalpoweroftheDivineguardiansfallintotwocategories:
1.Thebeliefthatsomeoneistheautonomousoriginofthesupernaturalomnipotence,andthatheisabletoachieveGodlyactsindependently.
Itisquiteevidentthatthiskindofbeliefisaspolytheism,becausewehavetakennone-GodasthesourceofautonomousomnipotenceandascribedhimtheGodlyattributes,whereasGodistheonlysourceofallpowers.
2.ThebeliefthatthepiousservantsofGodandtheDivineguardians,while
confessingthattheirpowerstemsfromtheDivineEternalOmnipotenceandthattheyhavenopowerofthemselves,embarkonthemanifestationoftheDivineOmnipotencewithHisleave.Theyhavenoautonomy;nevertheless,theyaredependantonGodbothintheirexistenceandthepracticeofthesupernaturalpower.
ItisplainthatsuchabeliefisnottoregardtheDivineguardiansasGod,becausetheyonlymanifesttheDivinesupernaturalOmnipotencewithGod'sleaveandwithoutautonomy.
Withregardtothisfact,theholyQuransays,
هللا نذاب الا هیآب يتای نا لوسرل ناك ام و
(AnditwasnotexpectedfromanyMessengerthatheshouldbringamiracleexceptbyAllah'sleave.)1
Assresult,itgoesevidentthatsuchabeliefisnotpolytheism.
ThesupernaturalauthorityoftheDivineguardiansfromtheholyQuranview:
TheheavenlyBookofIslamenumeratesanumberofDivineguardiansthatenjoyedthissupernaturalpowerwithGod'sleave.Below,wenamejustafew:
1.Moses’supernaturalpower:
God,theAlmighty,orderedHisprophetMosestostrikehiswalkingsticktoastonyrock;then,thespringoflimpidwaterflowedout:
انیع هرشع اتنثا هنم ترجفناف رجحلا كاصعب برضا انلقف هموقل يسوم يقستسا ذا و
(AndrememberwhenMosesseekingwaterforhispeople,prayedandthenWeordered,“Striketherockwithyourstaff!”Then,gushedforththerefromtwelvesprings.)2
2.Jesus’supernaturalpower:
ThesupernaturalpowerofJesushasbeenpresentedintheholyQuranindifferentplaces,butherewepointonlyoneofthem:
و همكالا يربا و هللا نذاب اریط نوكیف هیف خفناف ریطلا هئیهك نیطلا نم مكل قلخا ينا
هللا نذاب يتوملا يحا و صربالا …
(Iwillcreateafigureofbirdoutofclay;then,IwillbreatheintoitanditanditbecomesabirdbyAllah'sleave,andIwillhealthosebornblindandthelepersbyAllah'sleaveandwillbringtolifethedeadbyAllah'sleave…)3
3.Solomonsupernaturalpower:
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1-RadSura,verseno.38
2-BaqaraSura,verseno.60
3-Ale-ImranSura,verseno.49
WithregardtothesupernaturalpowerofSolomon,theholyQuranStates:
اذه نا ءيیش لك نم انیتوا و ریطلا قطنم انملع سانلا اهیا ای لاق و دوواد نامیلس ثرو و
نیبملا لضفلا وهل
(AndSolomonwasDavid'sheir,andheaddressedthepeoplesaying,“O,people!We{myfatherandI}havebeentaughtthelanguageofbirdsandhavebeenbestowedbountiesofallkinds;thissurelyisthesignofAllah‟sfavoruponus.)4
Itisbeyonddoubtthattheaccomplishmentofsuchacts,suchastheflowofspringwaterfromthestonyrockwiththestrokeofMoses'stick,thecreationofafactualbirdoutofclay,thetreatmentofrefectorydiseases,therevivalofthedead,andSolomon'sknowledgeofthebirds‟languagesareconsideredasthesupernaturalelementsandoutofman‟snaturalskills.
Isourbeliefintheirsupernaturalpowersconsideredasheresyorpolytheism
whiletheholyQuranintheseversesandmanyotherspointsoutthesupernaturalpoweroftheDivineguardians?
Thus,itisproventhathavingbeliefinthesupernaturalpoweroftheDivineguardiansisnottoregardthemasGodorascribeGodlyattributestothem.
Hence,itisnotconsideredasdualismifonebelievesthattheDivineguardians'supernaturalpowerstemsfromGod'seternalOmnipotence,andthisisGod'sgifttothem,butratheritconformswithmonotheism,becausethemonotheismistoaccountGodasthesolesourceofallwillsandascribeallpowersintheuniversetoHim.
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4-NamlSura,verseno.16
Questionno.35
WhyistheImamatepositionaccountedsuperiortothepositionofprophecy?
Theanswer:
Tobeginwith,itsoundsnecessarytoelaborateonthethreeconceptsofprophecy,prophethood,andImamateinaccordancewiththeholyQuranandthehadithssoastoclarifywhyImamatepositionissuperiortoprophecyandprophethoodpositions.
1.Theprophecyposition:
Theterm يبن (Nabi)isderivedfromtheterm ابن (Naba),whichsignifieshotandbreakingnews.Therefore,theterm يبن (Nabi)isappliedtothebearerofgreatnewsorthenewsbearer,anditisalsotheexactequivalentoftheterm„Messenger‟.IntheQuranicterminology,thistermisappliedtotheonewhoreceivestheDivinerevelationfromGod,theAlmighty,fromvariousmeans,orthereporterwhocommunicatestheDivinewordstomanwithnointermediary.Thescholarsdefinethistermasfollows:
رشبلا نم هطساو الب هللا نم دوم هنا
(Theterm يبن (Nabi)istheonewhoperfectlyconveystheDivinerevelationtomanwithoutintermediary)1
Inaccordancewiththisdefinitionthemessenger‟sdutyisrestrictedtoreceiveandconveythewordofrevelationtomankind,theholyQuraninthisregardsays,
نیرذنم و نیرشبم نییبنلا هللا ثعبف
(Therefore,Allahraisedtheprophetsasthebearersofgoodtidingsandthe
admonishersoftorment.)2
2.Theprophethoodposition:
Theterm'prophet'isappliedtothemessenger,whohasbeencommissionedtocommunicatetheDivinemessagetothepeopleinadditiontoreceiveitfromtheLord.
TheholyQuraninthisregardstates:
نیبملا غالبلا انلوسر يلع امنا اوملعاف متیلوت ناف
(Butiftheyturnawayfromthetruth,knowthatitisforourMessengeronlytoconveytheDivinemessageonlypublicly.)3
Therefore,theprophethoodpositionisanotherposition,whichis
________________________________________________________________
1-ResaelUl-Ashar,ShekhTusi,p.111
2-BaqaraSura,verseno.213
3-MeadehSura,verseno.92
grantedtotheMessenger.Inotherwords,eachoftheprophecyandprophethoodpositionsreferstoaparticularattributeoftheDivineMessengers,sothattheMessengersduetothefactthattheyreceiveandconveytheDivinerevelationarecalledtheprophets(Nabi),andduetothefactthattheycommunicatetheWordofrevelationtothepeoplearecalledMessengers(Rasul).
Asaconsequence,theprophetsarethehumanguides,whodeclarethelawfulandunlawfulactsanddirectthepeopletothewaysoffelicityandprosperity.Theirmainresponsibilityistoreceiveandcommunicatethewordsofrevelationuptothetimethattheyenjoytherightandpositionofprophecyandprophethood.
3.Imamateposition:
InaccordancewiththeholyQuran,theDivinepositionofImamateincludesawiderrangeofresponsibility,becauseitcoversthesocietymanagementandthepeopleleadershipinadditiontotheresponsibilities,definedforthetwomentionedpositions.
NowletusputforwardourreasonsinthisregardundertheauspicesoftheholyQuran:
1.WithregardtoAbrahams‟Imamteposition,theholyQuranspecifies,
يتیرذ نم و لاق اماما سانلل كلعاج ينا لاق نهمتاف تاملكب هبر میهاربا يلتبا اذا و
(WhentheCreatorandNurturerofAbrahamtriedhimwithcertainwordofcommands,whichhefulfilled,Allahstatedtohim,“Verily,IwillappointyouastheDivineleader(Imam)formankind”.Abrahamsaid,“andmyoffspring”?)4
Thisverserevealstwofactstous:
A.ThementionedverseclearlystatesthedifferencebetweentheconceptofImamateandtheconceptsofprophecyandprophethood,becauseAbrahamhadattainedthepositionofprophecymanyyearsbeforebeingputontheDivinetrials,amongthemwashisdecisiontosacrificeIshmael,hisson.
WeareallawarethattheAlmightyGodgranted
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4-BaqaraSura,verseno.124
Abraham'stwosons[IshmaelandIssac]inhisoldage.Inthisregard,theholyQuranquoteshimassaying,
قاحسا و لیعمسا ربكلا يلع يل بهو يذلا هللادمحلا
(ThanksgivingandadorationisonlyduetoAllah,whograntedmeinoldage
IshmaelandIssac.)5
ItthenbecomesevidentthatAbrahamattainedtheImamatepositionafterhepassedtheDivinetrialssuccessfully,i.e.,thedecisiontosacrificeIshmaelinthelastdaysofhisholylifewhilehehadattainedthepositionofprophesy.Ontheotherhand,theDivinerevelation-thesignofprophecy-wassentdowntohimbeforehavinganychildren.6
B.Besides,fromtheformerverse,itisdeducedthatthepositionofDivineImamateandtheleadershipofthenationstandsinahigherleverthanprophecyandprophethood,becauseinaccordancewiththeholyQuran,Abrahamhadtotakeunendurabletrialsafterhehadattainedtheprophecyandprophethoodpositions,andthenImamatepositionwasgrantedtohimsoonafterhepassedthosetrialssuccessfully,becauseinadditiontoreceivingandcommunicatingtheWordsofrevelation,thepositionofImamateincludestheguardianshipofthesocietyandtheappropriatemanagementoftheaffairstodirectthepeopletowardsperfectionandprosperity.Itisquitenaturalthattheattainmentofsuchastatus,whichisofhighersensitivitywithoutpassingtheunendurableandsuccessiveexamsseemssuccessfully,seemsimpossible.
2.Fromtheformerverse,itiscomprehendedthattheAlmightyGodgrantedthepositionofImamateandthesocietyleadershiptoAbrahamafterhepassedtheDivinetrailswithflyingcolors,andthenhebeggedGodtobestowthispositiontohisoffspring.Then,Godbestowedthispositiontohisgod-fearingandtruthfuloffspring.
TheholyQuransays,
امیظع اكلم مه انیتآ و همكحلا و باتكلا میهاربا لآ انیتآ دقف
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5-AbrahamSura,verseno.39
6-Forfurtherstudyinthisregard,refertoverses99-102ofSafatSura;53-54ofHijrSura,and70-71ofHudSura.
(WealsobestoweduponAbraham'stheBookandWisdom,andWegavethem
amightykingdomaswell.)7
Fromthisverse,itisdeducedthatImamateaswellasthesocietyleadershipisGod'sgrantonAbrahaminadditiontothepositionofprophecy,andthatisbecauseofhissuccessinsuccessivetrials.Inresponsetohisrequest,GodacceptedtobestowtheBookandWisdom-thesignsofprophesyandprophethood-andvastkingdomtohisoffspring(i.e.,bothprophecypositionandtheleadershipofthesociety.)
Tosumup,Imamatepositionisofsuperiorlevelthanprophecyandprophethoodpositions,andduetothisfact,itincludesawiderscopeofresponsibility.
ThesuperiorityofImamateposition:
Fromthepre-mentionedstatements,itisclarifiedthattheprophet'sdutyistoadmonishandguidethemankindduetothefactthattheyconveytheDivineMessage,butwhenattainingImamateposition,theyalsohavetoplaysomeothercrucialroles.TheyhavetofulfilltheDivinecommandmentsanddirecttheirnationstotherightwaysoastoensuretheirprosperityinbothworlds.
Itisclearasdaythattheaccomplishmentofsuchaheavyduty,whichisaccompaniedbytheintolerablepressuresandthestrugglesagainstthedesires,needsmoreinsistenceandperseveranceintheDivinewaywiththeintentionofattainingtheDivinepleasure.Hence,God,theAlmighty,grantedImamatepositiontoAbrahamafterhepassedaseriesofdemandingtrialsinthelastdaysofhislife.Thispositionalsohasbeenbestoweduponsomeotherservants,suchastheholyProphetofIslam(peacebeuponhimandhisdescendants).
IsthereanyrelationshipbetweenprophecyandImamate?
Letusanswerthisquestionwithanotherquestionthat“ShouldanybodywhohasattainedthepositionofprophecynecessarilybeanImam,too,orshouldhewhoisanImamnecessarilyattaintheprophecyposition”?
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7-NesaSura,verseno.55
Theanswerofthesequestionsisnegative.Atthispoint,letuselaborateonthisissueundertheauspicesoftheWordofrevelation.InaccordancewiththeQuranverses,revealedaboutSaulandhiscampaignsagainstGoliath,itisclarifiedthatAllahgrantedtheprophecypositionafterMoses'demisetoaperson,so-calledIshmael,whileHeappointedSaulastheImamandtheleaderofthesociety.ThestorygoesthatafterMosespassedaway,agroupoftheIsraelitessaidtotheprophetoftheirowntimetoassignaleaderforthemsothattheycouldcampaignontheDivinewayunderhisleadership.Then,theirprophetinformedthemassaying,
مل و هنم كلملاب قحا نحن و انیلع كلملا هل نوكی ينا اولاق اكلم تولاط مكل ثعب هللا نا
يتوی هللا و مسجلا و ملعلا يف هطسب هداز و مكیلع هافطصا هللا نا لاق لاملا نم هعس توی
میلع عساو هللا و ءاشی نم هكلم
(AllahhasappointedSaulasthekingoveryou.Theysaid,“Howcanheexerciseauthorityoveruswhenaremorerightfulthanhim,andheisnotgiftedwithabundanceofwealth”?Hereplied,“Verily,Allahhaschosenhimoveryouandhasincreasedhimabundantlyinknowledgeandphysicalstrength;andverily,AllahgrantsHisKingdomtowhoeverHewills,andAllahistheKnowing-Dominionbestower”.)8
Thefollowingpointsareextractedfromtheabove-statedverse:
1.TheprophecymaybeseparatedfromtheImamateforsomeinterests,sothattheprophecyisgrantedtosomeoneandtheleadershiportheauthorityofthesocietytosomeoneelsebasedontheirqualities.Duetothisfact,theIsraelitesneverraisedanyobjectionsfortheseparationofthesepositionsandneverassertedtotheirprophetthathewasmorequalifiedthanSaul,buttheysaidobjectively,“Wearemorequalifiedthanhim”.
2.GodHimselfassignedSaultothispositionasitisassertedintheabove-mentionedverse,“AllahhasappointedSaulasthekingoveryou”.
3.Saul'sDivinepositionwasnotrestrictedtothearmyleadership,buthewas
theIsraelites'leaderandruler.Althoughthe
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8-BaqaraSura,verseno.247
mainpurposeofhisleadershipinthosedayswastoleadtheIsraelitesinordertocampaignfortheDivineway,thispositionenabledhimtoaccomplishothertasksinthedomainofthesocietyleadership.Asitsaysattheendofverse,“AllahgrantsHisKingdomtowhoeverHewills”.
4.TheimmenseknowledgeandthephysicalandspiritualabilitiesareconsideredasthemostimportantattributesfortheImamofthesociety,especiallyfortheleadersofthattimewhohadtoaccompanythetroopsinthecampaigns.
HenceitisclarifiedthatthereisnoseparationbetweenprophecyandImamate.ItispossiblethatsomeoneattainsthepositionofprophecywithoutattainingtheImamateposition,orsomeonemayreachtotheImamatepositionandruleoverthesocietybutnotbeastheprophet,andsometimes,theAlmightyGodmaygrantbothpositionstosomeonewhodeservesbothofthem.TheholyQuraninthisregardsays,
ءاشی امم هملع و همكحلاو كلملا هللا هیتا و تولاج دوواد لتق و هللا نذاب مهومزهف
(Following(theirpray),theydefeatedthembyAllah‟sleave,andDavid(whowasofSaul‟smen)killedJalut,andAllahgavehimthekingdomandwisdomandtaughthimofthatwhichHewilled.)9
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9-BaqaraSura,verseno.251
Questionno.36
WhatisthecriterionforthedistinctionbetweenMonotheismfrompolytheism?
Theanswer:
Tofindoutthedistinctionbetweenmonotheismandpolytheismisthemostimportantmatter,andaslongasthisdistinctionisnotclarified,thetruebeliefsinthisregardarenotextracted.Duetothisfact,itsoundsnecessarytostudythedifferentaspectsofmonotheismandpolytheismanddrawanobviousdistinctionbetweentheminbrief:
1.MonotheisminEssence:
Monotheisminessenceisoftwokinds:
A.Godoraccordingtothetheologians'terminology'theSelf-Existent'isOneandhasnolikeness.Thisistherealconceptofmonotheism,whichhasbeenclearlyspecifiedintheholyQuraninvariousformssuchas,
ءيیش هلثمك سیل
(ThereisnolikenessofHim.)1
Andsomewhereelse,itsays,
2 ادحا اوفك هل نكی ملو
(Andthereisnoequal,andnoneislikeHim.)
Ofcourse,thiskindofmonotheismissometimesinterpretedasthenumericalmonotheism,i.e.,GodistheOneandnottwo,anditisquiteplainthatthiskindofmonotheism(numerical)isnotappropriatefortheDivineposition.
B.God'sessenceinnotcompoundbutsimple,becausewhensomethingiscomposedofdifferentelements,itneedsallitselementstoliveon,andneedisthesignofpossibility,andpossibilityrequiresthecause,andtheyareallincontradictiontothe'Self-Existence'position.
2.MonotheisminCreation:
Monotheisminthecreationisanotherkindofmonotheism,highlightedinboththewordoflogicandIslamictraditions.
Accordingtologic,thereexistsasystem,whichlacksperfectionapartfromGod,andwhateverisinit,originatesfromtheSourceofthe'Self-Existent'.Thus,whateverofbeautyandperfectionisseenintheuniversebelongsonlyandonlytoHim.
ThereareanabundantnumberofversesintheholyQuranwithregardtothemonotheismincreation,suchas,
3 راهقلا دحاولا وه و ئش لك قلاخ هللا لق
(Say,“AllahistheCreatorofallthingsandbeings,andAllahistheOneyettheDominantoverallthings”.)
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1-ShuraSura,verseno.11
2-EkhlasSura,verseno.4
3-RadSura,verseno.16
Thetheologiansallagreeontheconceptofthemonotheismincreation;however,thereexisttwointerpretationsinthisregardasfollows,
A.AnysortoftheReason-Causesystemsorrelations,whichexistamongthebeings,originatefromtheCauseofallcausesorReasonofallreasons,andGod,
indeed,istheAbsoluteIndependentCreator,andthewillofnone-GodincausingeverythingtakesrootfromHiswill.
ThistheoryspecifiestheexistenceoftheReason-Causesystemintheuniverse,thetruthfulnessofwhichhasbeenadmittedbythehumansciences,too.ItisHe,whohascreatedthissystem,andthissystemtakesitseffect,reason,andcausefromHim.
B.ThereisonlyoneCreatorintheuniverse,anditisGod.Inthesystemofexistence,thereisnoeffectandcauserelationamongtheobjects,andGodistheonlySelf-ExistentCreatorofallthenaturalphenomena,andeventhehumanpowerhasnoeffectonHiswill.
Therefore,thereexistsonlyoneCauseintheuniverse,andHestandsforwhatthescienceidentifiesasthenaturalcauses.
ItisnoteworthytomentionthattheAsharitesthinkershavepresentedthisidea,too,butsomeoftheirnobilities,suchasImamUl-Harmin,andthenSheikhMohammedAbdehinhistreatiseonMonotheismhaverejectedthistheoryandadoptedtheformer.
3.MonotheisminGovernance:
SincecreationsolelybelongstoAllah,thegovernanceofthesystemofexistenceiswithinHispower,anditisHe,whogovernsthewholeuniverse.Besides,thelogicalreason,whichprovesthemonotheismincreation,provesthemonotheisminthegovernance.
TheholyQuranalsoinvariousversesintroducesGodasthesolelyprudentManageroftheuniverse:
ءيش لك بر وه و ابر ؽي با هللا ریا لق
(Say,“ShallIseekagodotherthanAllahwhileAllahistheCreatorofallcreatures?”)4
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4-Anam,Sura,verseno.164
5-NazeatSura,verseno.5
Ofcourse,thesamecomments,whichwerepresentedforthemonotheismincreation,aretrueaboutthemonotheismingovernance,whichsignifiestheDivineSelf-Governance.Accordingly,itistheDivineWillthatbringsaboutallthesystemsofgovernance,whichexistamongthebeingsinthesystemofexistence.TheholyQuranalsoreferstothisfactassaying,
ا رما تاربدملاف
(Bytheangelswhomakeplansandregulatetheaffairsoftheworld.)5
4.MonotheisminSovereignty:
MonotheisminthesovereigntysignifiesthatthesovereigntyistheparticularrightonlyforGod,anditisonlyHe,whorulesoverthemankind.AstheholyQuranstates,
هللا الا مكحلا نا
(TheDivinecommandisforAllahonly.)6
Hence,theothers‟sovereigntyrecurswiththeDivineWillsothatthetruementakethereinsofgovernmentinthesocietyandguidethepeopletothewayofprosperity.TheholyQuranalsohighlightsthisfactassaying,
قحلاب سانلا نیب مكحاف ضرالا يف هفیلخ كانلعج انا دوواد ای
(ODavid!WedidindeedappointyouasaDivinegovernorintheland,sojudgeamongmenaccordingtothewordofjustice.)7
5.MonotheisminObedience:
MonotheisminobediencesignifiesthattheobedienceofGod,theAlmighty,isabsolutelynecessaryformankind.Therefore,theDivineWillordainstheobedienceofother
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6-YusofSura,verseno.40
7-SadSura,verseno.26
ones,suchastheprophets,Imams,thereligiousleader,parents,etc.
6.MonotheisminLegislation:
MonotheisminlegislationsignifiesthatthesolerightoflegislationbelongstoGod,theAlmighty.Duetothisfact,ourheavenlyBookconsidersanydecreethatisnotintheframeworkoftheDivineLawastransgression.AccordingtotheholyQuran,
8 نورفاكلا مه كئلواف هللا لزنا امب مكحی مل نم و
(AndwhosoeverdoesnotjudgebyAllah‟sWordsofDecree,sucharethedisbelievers)
9 نوقسافلا مه كئلواف هللا لزنا امب مكحی مل نم و
(AndwhosoeverdoesnotjudgebyAllah‟sWordsofDecree,suchareindeedconsideredthedisobedient.)
10 نوملاظلا مه كئلواف هللا لزنا امب مكحی مل نم و
(AndwhosoeverdoesnotjudgebyAllah‟sWordsofDecree,sucharethetransgressors.)
7.MonotheisminWorship:
Themostimportanttopicwithregardtomonotheisminworshipisthedefinitionofthetermofworship;becausethewholeMuslimsunanimouslyagreethatworshiponlyandonlybelongstoGod,andnoonedeservestobeworshipped.AstheholyQuransays,
نیعتسن كایا و دبعن كایا
(Youalonedoweworship,andyouraidalonedeweseek.)11
Fromthisholyverse,itisdeducedthatthisissuehasalwaysbeenacommonsyllabusinthemissionsofthewholeDivineprophetsandthephilosophyoftheirpropheticmission.AccordingtotheholyQuran,
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8-MaedehSura,verseno.44
9-Ibid,verseno.47
10-Ibid,verseno.45
11-HamdSura,verseno.4
تو ؼ اطلا اوبنتجا و هللا اودبعا نا الوسر هما لك يف انثعب دقل و
(WedidsendamongeverypeopleaMessengertoproclaim:“WorshipAllahandkeepawayfromtheDevil”.)12
Thus,itisbeyonddoubtthatworshipbelongsonlytoGod,andnooneelse,andhewhohasgotthisbeliefisaMonotheist.
Butwhatistherealconceptofworship?Iskissingthehandoftheteacher,parents,etc.accountedasworship?Ishomageandsubmissionequivalenttotheactofworship?
Itisnoteworthytomentionthatthereisanelement,untilwhenitdoesnotoccur,theact,evenprostration,isnotaccountedasworship.Butwhatisthatelementthatcolorsourhomageandsubmissionasworship?
ThemisconceptionofWorship:
Anumberofwritershavedefinedtheactofworshipassubmissionorextremehumility,buttheyhavenotmanagedtoconformtheirideatothepresentedconceptinanumberoftheholyQuranverses.TheholyQuranexplicitlyasserts:
مدال اودجسا هكئالملل انلق ذا و
(AndWestatedtotheangels,“BowdowntoAdam”.)13
TheangelsperformedtheactofprostrationexactlyinthesameformthattheyalwaysdidittotheDivinity,buttheformerwaswiththeintentionofhumility,andthelattermeantforworship.Withregardtothisfact,theholyQuranalsoasserts:
اهلعج دق لبق نم يایور لیوات اذه تبا ای لاق و ادجس هل اورخ و شرعلا يلع هیوبا عفر و
14 اقح يبر
(Josephplacedhisfatherandmotheronthethroneandtheyallthankfullyprostratedbeforehim(Joseph)andhesaid,“O,myfather!Thisistheinterpretationofmydreaminthepast.MyCreatorhasindeedfulfilledittrue”.)
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12-NahlSura,verseno.36
13-BaqaraSura,verseno.34
14-YusofSura,verseno.100
ItshouldbenotedthatJosephhaddreamedthatelevenstarsalongwiththesunandthemoonwereprostratingbeforehim.TheholyQurannarrates:
نیدجاس يل مهتیار رمقلا و سمشلا و ابكوك رشع دحا تیار ينا
(“Isawinmydreamtherewereelevenstarsandthesunandthemoon,Isawthemprostratingtome”.)15
TheelevenstarsinthisversestandforJoseph'sbrothers,thesunsymbolizeshisfather,andthemoonisthesymbolofhismother.Besides,thisversespecifiesthatnotonlythebrothers,butalsoJacob,hisfather,prostratedtoJoseph.Butwhythisprostrationisnotregardedastheactofworship?
Thelameexcuse!
Inresponsetothisquestion,thementionedgroupofwritersspecifies,“BecauseGod,theAlmighty,orderedthem[theangelsandtheJoseph'skins]tosuchacts,itisnotpolytheism”.Butthisanswerdoesnotmakesense,becauseGodneverordersthemankindtoanactionwhileitispolytheisminessence.TheholyQuransays,
نوملعت ال ام هللا يلع نولوقتا ءاشحفلاب مكرمایال هللا نا لق
(Say,“Verily,Allahdoesnotenjoinindecency;doyousayagainstAllahsuchthingsthatyouhavenoknowledge”?)16
Infact,God‟scommanddoesnotmakeanyalterationintheessenceofthedeeds.Ifonepayshomagetotheotherwiththeintentionofworship,andGodorderstoit,itisactuallytheactofworship.
Therealconceptofworship:
Thewholemonotheistsallovertheworldunanimouslyagreeon'theprohibitionofworshippingnone-God'.Ontheotherside,itiscomprehendedthattheangels‟prostrationtoAdamandJacobandhissons'prostrationtoJosephisnotconsideredastheactofworship.
Now,letusseewhatistheelement,whichoncecolorsanactasworshipandonceashumility?
WhenreferringtotheversesoftheholyQuran,itisclarifiedthatworshipisthesubmissiontothebeingwhileweregardhimas
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15-Ibid,verseno.4
16-ArafSura,verseno.28
GodorascribeGodlyattributestohim.ThebeliefinGodandHisOmnipotenceistheelement,whichgivesthecolorofworshiptoourdeedwhenaccompaniedbyit.
Thepagansthroughouttheworld,especiallyintheArabicPeninsula,hadadeepsenseofhumilitytosomeofthebeings,buttheyknewthemasGod'screatures.TheybelievedthatGodhadbestowedsomeoftheDivineattributes,suchastheforgivenessofthesinsandintercession,uponthem.
SomeoftheBabylonpagansworshippedthecelestialbodiesandcalledthemastheLordbutnottheirCreator;theones,whohavebeenappointedtoruntheaffairsintheworld.ThestoryofProphetAbrahamisbasedonthisfactthattheyconceivedthesebeingsnotasGod,butthestrongcreatures,whohadbeenascertainedtomanagetheworld.
TheholyQuranhighlightstheterm بر thatmeansthemanagerorauthorityinitsverses17.ThelandlordinArabiciscalled تیبلا بر
(RabulBeit)andtheownerofthefarmisentitledas هعیضلا بر (RabulZiah),becauseitishewhorunstheaffairsinthehouseorthefarm.
Onthecontrary,theholyQuranthroughintroducingGod,theAlmighty,asthesoleManagerandCreatoroftheworldstandsfirmlyagainstthepagans'claimandinvitesthepeopletoworshipGod,theOne.Itsays,
میقتسم طارص اذه هودبعاف مكبر و يبر هللا نا
(Verily,AllahismyCreatorandyourCreator,soworshipHim:thisisthestraightway.)18
Andelsewhere,itsays,
هودبعاف ءيش لك قلاخ وه الا هلا ال مكبر هللا مكلذ
(ThatisAllah,yourCreator;thereisnogodbutHe,theCreatorofallthings;soworshipHimalone.)19
InDokhanSura,italsospecifiesassaying,
نیلوالا مكئابآ بر و مكبر تیمی و يیحی وه الا هلا ال
(ThereisnogodbutAllah,andHeistheOne,whogiveslifeandcausesdeath,andHeistheCreatorofyouaswellasyourancestors.)20
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17-AnamSura,versesno.76-78
18-Ale-ImranSura,verseno.51
19-AnamSura,verseno.102
20-AnamSura,verseno.102
TheholyQuranalsoquotesJesusChristassaying,
مكبر و يبر هللا اودبعا لیئارسا ينب ای حیسملا لاق و
(Jesussaid,“O,ChildrenofIsrael!WorshipAllah,myCreatorandyourCreator”.)21
Theseversescertifythatanykindofsubmission,whenitisdevoidofbeliefintheDivinityandDivineattributes,isnotaccountedastheactofworship,evenitisinthehighestlevelofhumility.Asaresult,thechild'ssubmissiontotheparentsandthatofthenationtotheProphetisnottoworshipthem.
Accordingly,invokingtheDivineguardiansandkissingthegatesandwallsoftheirshrines,holdingceremoniesontheoccasionsoftheirbirthdayandmartyrdom,etc.,thattheignorantpersonscoloritastheworshipofotherthanGod,isawayfrompolytheism.
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21-Maedeh
"Wisdom is the lost property of the Believer,
let him claim it wherever he finds it"
Imam Ali (as)