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,

______________________________________________________________

*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?

____________________________________________________________

*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.)

___________________________________________________________

*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

_________________________________________________________________

*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

______________________________________________________________

*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.

_____________________________________________________

*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

______________________________________________________________

*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.)

_______________________________________________________________

*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?

_____________________________________________________________

*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”.)

_______________________________________________________________

*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.)

____________________________________________________________

**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

______________________________________________________________

*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

______________________________________________________________

*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

_______________________________________________________________

*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

______________________________________________________________

*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:

_________________________________________________________

*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’:

____________________________________________________________

*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:

_______________________________________________________________

*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

___________________________________________________________

*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,

___________________________________________________________

*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

______________________________________________________________

*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”.**

_____________________________________________________________

**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.

________________________________________________________________

*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.

____________________________________________________________

×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

______________________________________________________________

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

__________________________________________________________

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

_________________________________________________________

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.

________________________________________________________________

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:

__________________________________________________________

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

___________________________________________________________

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

__________________________________________________________

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”.)

_____________________________________________________________

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)