What could be the aim of such writers and editors? Were these works done with good intentions, or is there a logical way to interpret them?

Anyone can analyze and arrive at the conclusion that our time is a peculiar time just as history has been a peculiar history with respect to the Shia! We have been fated to be always paying the price, to put up with the fabrications and lies that have accumulated against us, we must witness, in our time, the alliance between enemy and foreigner, and then we are told: Silence! Do not defend yourselves, if you want us to recognize your Islam, you have to disavow the Prophet’s progeny whom he (s) ordered us to follow along with the Qur’an!

Anti Shia attacks had reached such a degree that writers among our Sunni brothers had to refute some of these accusations. They said; why do you slander and level accusations against a respected sect known for a long time in the history of Islam for their great love for the Prophet and his progeny?

Perhaps, the idiocy of the accusers and the weakness of their proofs made thousands of learned Muslims search for Shiism to find their long-sought goal, and declare the honour of belonging to it. But that did not take the responsibility away from the ulama. As a result, some of the Shiite ulama set out to answer the accusations. One of them was the great pious Sheikh Abu Talib at-Tabrizi, to whom we offered some of these accusations and he conceded to write these chapters.

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Darul- Qur’anul-Kareem

Ali al-Kurani al-Aamili

23/5/1417 A.H.

3) Seeing the angels on the Day of Resurrection is possible.

The verses showed that those who did not believe in Allah said: “Can we see our Lord?” So, Allah answered that they can see the angels on the Day of Resurrection. If seeing Allah had been possible, Allah would have granted them such. What will happen on that day is meeting Allah without seeing Him. There are only four Prophetic traditions in the books of the Sunnis apparently proving that Allah will be seen on the Day of Resurrection. These are traditions narrated by Jarir, Abu Hurayra, Ibn Razin, and Suhayb.

These four traditions, besides the weakness of their series of narrators, have been attested to only once (Aahaad) and are not beneficial in arriving at certainty; therefore, we cannot depend upon them as beliefs. There must be definite evidence.

Allah says:

And pursue not that of which you have no knowledge; surely, the hearing and the sight and the heart, all of these, shall be questioned about that. (17:36)

It has been definitively proven that seeing Allah is impossible. Rational and traditional proofs have stood up against the corporeality of Allah and honored Him against such. To meet Allah on the Day of Resurrection means to perceive Him without any means, including the means of sight. A blind man can meet some physical object without seeing it. After that, there are many proofs showing that Allah is not a physical object, because a physical object is limited in place and time.

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We have said in our book titled Jami’ Baraahin Usul ul-I’tiqadaat (A Collection of Proofs-The Principles of Beliefs) pp. 64-67, that it is impossible for the Necessary Being to be a physical object. We had mentioned many proofs concerning them. Here are some of them:

2. Movement means to be in one place at one moment and to be in another place at the next moment. Being at rest means to be in a particular place at one moment and to be in the same place at the next moment. Thus, every physical object has two cases: to be in one place in the first moment and, in the second moment, to be in the same place or in another place.

3. Being in one location at one moment and in the same location or another location at the next moment are two existential states different from each other, it is possible if one of them occurs the other will not.

4. Every physical object has a special existence and a particularity by which it is distinguished from other physical objects. This particularity is being at a certain time in a certain place. And since the source of all particularity is existence and the particularity of a physical object is by means of its very essence, then all its essential concomitants and particularities have the existence of the physical object as their source. Thus the change of being in a certain place at a certain time necessitates a change of the existence of that physical object.

5. Being is existence. Thus a change in being is a change of existence. A physical object always changes. At every moment its existence is different from its existence prior to that moment. Movement and change are in its very existence and not in anything external to its existence. Movement is in the essence and substance of the physical object itself. This proves that every physical object has substantial motion.

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6. Becoming non-existent and becoming existent is the reality of movement i.e. becoming non-existent at one moment and existent the next moment. Moment by moment, all physical objects become existent and then non-existent, and every existence is preceded by its non-existence and succeeded by its non-existence.

Indeed, if we consider the quiddity of a physical object, movement and being at rest are not included in its quiddity, rather they are external and accidental to it. However, the existence of the physical object and its being is not different to its existence and being in the first moment. Thus it becomes evident that the physical object does not have two existences at the same moment, one of the two being its existence and the second being its existence at that moment. Rather it has but only one single existence. Thus the change in the second moment is the non-existentiating of its existence in the first moment and the existentiating of another existence…and so on in successive moments. This is not inconsistent with the existences of the physical object having a (common) connected form at all successive moments and in terms of this common form, considered to be one physical object. The connected form of movement in the same way requires the designation of a single motion to this connected form from its beginning to its end.

You may say that the Category, when, is one of the nine accidental categories which have two sides, one of which is time, and time is abstracted from the movement of the heavens.

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My answer is that time, which is nights, days and their parts, is an abstraction from the movement of the heavens which contains the sun, or from the positional movement of the earth and its revolution around its axis as had been discovered in the last few centuries. However, substantial motion and the essentiality of the physical object have been established through the already mentioned proof. Therefore the relationship of the moments- from which time is composed-, to it (substantial motion) and to the movement of the heavens is the same, whether the heavenly movement is spatial or not.

7. A physical object is always originated, its origination being renewed at every moment, and that which is originated at every moment is not the same as that which had originated prior to it.

It has been established that it is impossible for a physical object to be the Necessary Being, and it is not necessary for Him, the Most High to be a physical object because nonexistence is impossible for Him. And how could non-existence be possible for Him whilst the existence of all that exists is from Him. He is the Creator of all beings, immaterial and physical, earthly and heavenly, of all places and all times, of those things that stand still and those that move, of all states and of all moments.

“And for those who disbelieved in their Lord is the punishment of Hell, and evil is the resort.” (67:6)

“But as to those who are careful of (their duty to) their Lord, they shall have gardens beneath which rivers flow.” (3:198)

“Their reward with their Lord is gardens of perpetuity beneath which rivers flow.” (98:8)

There are many other verses with such a meaning in the Holy Qur’an.

“...and whoever disbelieves in the communications of Allah then surely Allah is quick in reckoning.” (3:19)

“Shall We treat those who believe and do good like the mischief-makers in the earth?” (38:28)

“And he who obeys Allah and His Apostle, and fears Allah, and is careful of (his duty to Him), such are those that will achieve.” (24:52)

“...this was because they disobeyed and used to exceed the limit.” (5:78)

We have mentioned these verses only as examples. Those verses that ascribe actions to the servant are indeed much more than these.

Man’s deviation has originated from the negative application of his free will. Even with the delusions of the Devil and many things else, he still has a free will. Allah has given him the ability of belief and disbelief and the ability of perception, and has made the signs and evidence of guidance and Divine Unity at his disposal and plain for him to see. Allah therefore, does not cause man’s deviation, although He, the Almighty, has irresistable power over His servant. Allah says, “If He pleased, He would guide all of Mankind.” Allah can force Mankind to accept guidance willingly or unwillingly, but since He has made the way and the means to guidance easy, and has made Man free to choose between guidance and deviation, He has given man a great favor. If he choses deviation and rejects guidance, then he would stand accused.

An example of the aforementioned idea is that of an individual who gave a poor man some money to buy bread, but the latter bought some poison instead, drank it and killed himself. The giver is not to be blamed, for he bestowed a favor upon him in order that he spend the money in his benefit and not for his destruction.

Some Qur’anic verses show that none except Allah possesses power and capability, praise be to Him

He says: “There is no power save in Allah.” (18:39) There is no contradiction at all between this meaning and man’s freedom of choice and power to do whatever he likes, because in the face of the Divine power and Lordship he is completely impotent, having no authority over good or bad for himself. Taking into consideration that Allah has given man power and ability, man’s very power is a manifestation of Allah’s power, thus eliminating the inconsistency between the establishment of power in man and the meaning of His words when The Most High says, “There is no power save in Allah.” A very large number of verses attest to this meaning. Allah says, “ ... so let him who pleases believe, and let him who pleases disbelieve.” (18:29)

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“Whoever disbelieves, he shall be responsible for his disbelief, and whoever does good, prepare (good) for their own souls. (30:44)

“... and whoever is grateful, he is grateful only for his own soul, and whoever is ungrateful, then surely my Lord is Self-Sufficient, Honored.” (27:40)

Some verses show that benefit and harm are in the hands of Allah exclusively. Allah says, “Say: I do not control any benefit or harm for my own soul except as Allah pleases.” (7:188)

“... so let him who pleases believe, and let him who pleases disbelieve.” (18:29)

“... and had your Lord pleased they would not have done it.” (6:112)

“... and if Allah had pleased, they would not have done it.” (6:137)

From these verses, we notice that Allah has given man the ability to believe if he wants, or to disbelieve if he wants. If Allah wants to prevent man from that freedom of choice, He will deprive him of ability and make him unable to do what he wants. Later on, we will prove that this is one aspect of the Shias’ concept of intermediacy.

First: Man’s existence, and all his actions, whether from his body or his soul, has its source in the Creator, Exalted and Elevated is His Might. He has given man the ability to do good or bad and to choose the good that takes him to the elevated stations of the Highest Ones whose ranks cannot be attained without freedom of will.

Thus, if man is the cause of his actions, and Allah is the cause of man’s existence, his abilities, and his will to do or not to do, then Allah is a remote cause of man’s actions.

Second: The power of the Maker encompasses the actions of man. Thus If He wants to prevent man from choosing certain actions or to let him act in other ways He can, He says, “If He pleased, He would guide you all.” (6:149)

Allah has created people to try them. He (Elevated is His Might) says, “Who created death and life that He may try you, which of you is best in deeds.” (67:2) Thus He does not prevent them from exercising their choice in thinking and belief, rather, He has placed it within the sphere of their will

He says: “... so let him who pleases believe, and let him who pleases disbelieve.” (18:29)

In short, the actions of man are related to Allah in so far as there is no prevention or opposition to what man chooses to do.

Third: Lusts and instincts that mislead and delude man are from Allah (Exalted is He). Allah has given man the ability to do good or bad deeds so as to try him in this worldly life.

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Since lusts and instincts are from Allah, deviating is from Allah, despite the fact that man goes astray willingly and of his own free volition. What Allah says about the idols in the story of Prophet Ibrahim (a) confirms this although Allah does not want people to deviate. He (Exalted is He) says, “My Lord! Surely, they have led many men astray.” (14:36) The people deviated on their own. The idols were just sculptures having no sense and they could not lead people astray, for they had no will.

In summary, the conditions for the actions of man are a part of the sufficient cause of his actions, which is from Allah (Exalted is He).

Another proof confirming the Shia concept of intermediacy between constraint and free will is when Allah says, “... and you did not smite when you smote (the enemy), but it was Allah Who smote.” (8:17)

This verse clearly ascribes the smiting to man himself for Allah says, “when you smote,” at the same time it includes the opposite for Allah also says “and you did not smite” this negates the ascription of the act to man thus proving the concept of intermediacy.

Allah says:

“And had they, when they were unjust to themselves, come to you and asked forgiveness of Allah and the Apostle had (also) asked forgiveness for them, they would have found Allah Oft-Returning (to mercy), Merciful.” (4:64)

As-Samhudi, in his Wafa’ul-Wafa’ vol. 2 p. 411, records:

“The ulama understood from this Qur’anic verse that it applied in general to the two cases of life and death. They ruled that it is recommendable for everyone who visits the tomb (of the Prophet) to recite that verse.”

He commented: “It was mentioned in ibn ul-Muqri’s Mu’jam, “For him who comes to visit me, it will be incumbent upon Allah to make me an intercessor for him on the Day of Resurrection.”

He also commented that ibn us-Sakan mentioned this prophetic saying in his book as-Sunan as-Sihah under the subject of Allah’s reward for visiting the Prophet’s shrine. He said that this Prophetic saying was unanimously confirmed to be right by the ulama. This tradition includes, in general, visiting the Prophet during his life and after his death.

4) Ad-Darqutni and at-Tabarani in his books al-Kabir and al-Awsat mention a tradition narrated by Hafs bin Dawud al-Qari, from Layth, from Mujahid, from Ibn Umar that the Prophet Muhammad (s) said: “He who goes on pilgrimage to Mecca and visits my tomb after my death will be regarded the same as those who had visited me during my life.”

He commented, “Ibn Al-Jawzi related this tradition in his book Muthir ul-Gharam us-Sakin according to the same chain of narrations, but he added to the tradition, ‘…and accompanied me.’ The same tradition was also mentioned by ibn Adiy in his book al-Kamil with the same series and addition, and by Abu Ya’la with the same series, but without the addition. In some narratives, the hadith was related in the following way: He who goes on pilgrimage and visits me will be regarded the same as those who had visited me during my life.. At-Tabarani mentions this tradition in his books al-Kabir and al-Awsat narrated by ‘Aa’isha bint Yunus —Layth’s wife—, from Layth bin Abu Sulaym, from Mujahid, from Ibn Umar that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him -and his family-) said, “He who visits my tomb after my death is as if he had visited me during my life.”

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COMMENTARY: As-Suyuti, in his book al-Jami’us-Saghir, mentions the hadith in the same manner as the first narration, from Ahmad in his Musnad, Abu Dawud, at-Tirmidhi and an-Nassa’i, from al-Harith.

5) Ibn Adiy mentions in his book al-Kamil a tradition narrated by Muhammad bin Muhammad bin an-Nu’man, from his grandfather, from Malik, from Nafi’, from Ibn Umar that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him -and his family-) said, “He who visits the Holy Kaaba but does not visit me is turning away from me.” As-Sabki said: “Ibnu-Jawzi mentions, in al-Mawzu’at, something like that.”

6) Ad-Darqutni, in his book as-Sunan, mentions a tradition narrated by Musa bin Harun, from Muhammad bin al-Hasan al-Jili, from Abdur-Rahman bin al-Mubarak, from Awn bin Musa, from Ayyub, from Nafi’, from Ibn Umar that the Prophet (s) said: “For him who visits me in Medina, I will be a witness and an intercessor for him on the Day of Judgment.”

7) Abu Dawud at-Tayalissi mentions a tradition narrated by Siwar bin Maymun abul-Jarrah al-Abdi from a man of Umar’s family that Umar said: “I heard the Prophet (a) saying: For him who visits my tomb —or visits me—, I will be an intercessor and a witness for him.”

8) Abu Ja’far al-Aqili mentions a tradition narrated by Siwar bin Maymun, from a man of the family of al-Khattab that the prophet (peace be upon him -and his family-) said: “He who visits me intentionally will be my neighbor on the Day of Resurrection.”

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9) Ad-Darqutni and others mention a tradition narrated by Harun bin Qaz’a, from a man of Hatib’s family, from Hatib that the Prophet (peace be upon him -and his family-) said: “He who visits me after my death is as if he had visited me during my life.”

10) Abul-Fat’h al-Azdi mentions a tradition narrated by Ammar bin Muhammad, from his uncle Sufyan, from Mansur, from Ibrahim, from Alqama, from Abdullah that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him -and his family-) said: “He who performs the hajj, visits my tomb, participates in Jihad, and prays in Jerusalem, will not be asked by Allah about his religious duties on the Day of Judgment.”

11) Abul-Futuh mentions a tradition with his own series of narrators, narrated by Khalid bin Yazid, from Abdullah bin Umar al-Umari, from Sa’id al Maqbari, from Abu Hurayra that the Prophet (peace be upon him -and his family-) said: “He who visits me after my death is as if he had visited me when I was alive, and whoever visits me I will be a witness and an intercessor for him on the Day of Judgment.”

12) Ibn Abu-Dunya mentions a tradition narrated by Isma’il bin Abu Fudayk, from Sulayman bin Yazid al-Ka’bi, from Anas bin Malik that the Prophet (peace be upon him -and his family-) said: “For him who visits me in Medina, I will be a witness and —, according to another tradition— an intercessor for him on the Day of Resurrection.” The same was mentioned by al-Bayhaqi with the same series of narrators, but in other words: “He who sets out to Medina to visit me will be my neighbor on the Day of Resurrection.”

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13) Ibnu-Najjar in his book Akhbar ul-Medina mentioned a hadith related to Anas that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him -and his family-) said: “He who visits me after my death will be as if he had visited me when I was alive, and whoever visits my tomb will deserve my intercession.”

14) Abu Ja’far al-Aqili mentioned a hadith related to ibn Abbas that the Prophet (peace be upon him -and his family-) said: “He who visits me after my death will be as if he had visited me in my life, and for him who visits me until he reaches my tomb, I will be a witness (or he said: an intercessor) for him on the Day of Resurrection.”

15) Some muhadditheen in the time of Ibn Mundah mentioned a tradition narrated by ibn Abbas that the Prophet (peace be upon him -and his family-) said: “He who goes on pilgrimage to Mecca and goes to visit me in my mosque will be granted (the reward of) two admitted pilgrimages.” He commented: This tradition is recorded in Musnad ul-Firdaus.

16) Yahya bin al-Hasan bin Ja’far al-Husayni —in Akhbar ul-Madina— mentions a hadith narrated by Imam Ali (a) that the Prophet Muhammad (s) said: “He who visits my tomb after my death will be as if he had visited me in my life, and whoever does not visit me is turning away from me.” Ibn Asaakir mentioned a hadith narrated by Imam Ali (a) saying, “He who visits a prophet’s tomb will be in the neighborhood of the Prophet Mohammad (s).”

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17) Yahya, too, narrated by someone, from Bakr bin Abdullah that the Prophet (peace be upon him -and his family-) said: “He who comes to Medina visiting me will deserve my intercession on the Day of Resurrection.”

These were the prophetic traditions that as-Samhudi has mentioned. Although they are quite numerous, they confirm each other. They are also confirmed by the other hadiths that will be mentioned although we do not need them for proving our claim, the definitive conduct and the actions of Muslims proves this to the level of its necessity.

As-Samhudi quoted in his book Wafa’ul-Wafa’, from as-Sabki that Ayyadh said: “Visiting the Prophet’s tomb is a tradition among Muslims and a recommended virtue.”

As-Sabki said: “All of the ulama have agreed upon the recommendation for men to visit the graves. The Zahirites have also said that it was obligatory. But they have had different opinions concerning women visiting the graves. The holy Prophet’s shrine has been distinguished (from other graves) for special reasons, so I would say that there would be no difference between men and women in this regard.”

The Prophet Muhammad (s) visited his mother’s grave although opponents have claimed that she was a polytheist. Muslim, Ibn Maja and an-Nassa’i mentioned a prophetic saying narrated by Abu Hurayra that the Prophet (s) visited his mother’s tomb, wept, and caused all those who were around him to weep. He then said, “I asked my Allah to permit me seek His forgiveness for my mother, but He did not permit me. I asked Him to permit me to visit her tomb and He permitted. So, you visit the graves for they remind you of death. An-Nawawi, in his book titled Sharh Sahih il-Bukhari, said: “It is a true Hadith, no doubt.”

Muslim mentioned that whenever the turn of ‘Aa’isha came —for the Prophet (s) to spend that night with her—, he used to go out at the end of night to the cemetry of al-Baqi’ and say: “Peace be upon you, the inhabitants of this house of believers. May Allah grant you what He has promised.” He (s) taught ‘Aa’isha what to say after she had asked him what to say. He (s) said: “Say: Peace be upon the people of the abodes; believers and Muslims).”Muslim has recorded this hadith.

Although we believe that all the forebears of the Prophet were believers according to the true Hadiths and we do not accept the claim that the Prophet’s mother was a polytheist, we have quoted this Hadith to raise an objection to those who forbid the visiting of graves.

Some people find fault with the Shias claiming that they believe in the intercession of the Prophet, the Imams and Saints and that they ask them to be intercessors for them with Allah on the Day of Judgment.

Allah says:

“Who is he that can intercede with Him but by His permission?” (2:255)

“Whose intercession does not avail at all except after Allah has given permission to whomsoever He pleases and chooses.” (53:26)

“...and they do not intercede except for him whom He approves.” (21:28)

This type of intercession consists of simply asking Allah on behalf of him who is to be interceded for.

Another kind of intercession is asking Allah to forgive others. Allah has permitted his Prophet Muhammad (s) to ask Him for forgivness for believing men and believing women.

Allah says:

“…and ask pardon for them, and take counsel with them in the affair.” (3:159)

“…and ask forgiveness for them from Allah.” (24:62)

“…and ask forgiveness for them (women) from Allah.” (60:12)

Allah has promised to forgive whoever asks Him for forgiveness and beseeches the Prophet (s) to intercede for him.

He, The Almighty says: “And had they, when they were unjust to themselves, come to you and asked forgiveness of Allah and the Apostle had (also) asked forgiveness for them, they would have found Allah Oft‑Returning (to mercy), Merciful.” (4:64)

Allah has mentioned that the angels ask Him to forgive the believers.

He says: “... Celebrate the praise of their Lord and believe in Him and ask protection for those who believe… grant protection to those who turn (to Thee) and follow Thy way, and save them from the punishment of Hell.” (40:7)

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Allah has also mentioned the prayer of the prophet Noah and his asking Allah to forgive the believers: “My Lord! Forgive me and my parents and him who enters my house believing, and the believing men and the believing women.” (71:28)

He has also spoken about the prophet Ibrahim’s prayer and his asking Allah to forgive the believers.

He says: “O our Lord! Grant me protection and my parents and the believers on the Day when the reckoning shall come to pass!”(14:41)

Allah has taught the believers how to ask Him for forgiveness: “Our Lord! Surely, we believe, therefore forgive us our faults and save us from the chastisement of the Fire.” (3:16)

“Our Lord! Forgive us our faults and our extravagance in our affair.” (3:147 and other verses)

Allah has forbidden asking Him to forgive the polytheists.

He says: “It is not (fit) for the Prophet and those who believe that they should ask forgiveness for the polytheists, even though they should be near relatives, after it has become clear to them that they are inmates of the flaming Fire. And Ibrahim asking forgiveness for his sire was only owing to a promise, which he had made to him; but when it became clear to him that he was an enemy of Allah, he declared himself to be clear of him.” (9:113-114)

Allah, likewise, has forbidden asking Him to forgive the disbelievers and confirmed He will not accept it.

He says: “It is alike to them whether you beg forgiveness for them or do not beg forgiveness for them, Allah will never forgive them.” (63:6)

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He has praised some people by saying: “Surely, they who lower their voices before Allah's Apostle are they whose hearts Allah has proved for guarding against evil, they shall have forgiveness and a great reward.” (49:3)

He has dispraised some people by saying: “As for those who call out to you from behind the private chambers, surely most of them do not understand.” (49:4)

The Prophet (s) enjoys the same sanctity whether he is alive or dead.”

Abu Ja’far submitted and said: “O’ Abu Abdullah, may I face the Qiblah to pray or should I face the (shrine of the) Prophet?” Malik answered, “Why do you turn your face away from him when he is your intermediary and your father Adam’s intermediary to Allah on the Day of Judgment? Turn your face towards him and ask him to be your intercessor with Allah. Allah (Exalted is He) says, ‘And had they, when they were unjust to themselves, come to you and asked forgiveness of Allah and the Apostle had also asked forgiveness for them, they would have found Allah Oft-returning to mercy, Merciful.’ (4:64)

The author of Khulasat ul-Kalam says that this tradition was mentioned by as-Sabki in his book Shifa’us-Siqam fi Ziyarat Khayr ul-Anam, as-Samhudi in his book Khulasat ul-Wafa, al-Qastalani in his book al-Mawahib al-Laduniyya, Ibn Hajar in his books Tuhfatuz-Zuwwar and al-Jawhar ul-Munazzam and many others who wrote about the etiquette of visiting the tomb of Prophet Muhammad (s).

Ibn Hajar said in his book al-Jawharul-Munazzam: “This tradition, narrated by Imam Malik, came with a true source that could not be suspected.”

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Az-Zarqani said in Sharh ul-Mawahib: “The relation was narrated by Ibn Fahad from an affirmed source and by the Judge Ayyadh in his book ash-Shafa from a true source. All the narrators of this relation were reliable and no one was an inventor or liar.” He added: “He wanted to refute those who charged Malik that he disliked facing the Prophet’s tomb.”

Ibn Hajar in his book as-Sawa’iq ul-Muhriqa said that Imam ash-Shafi’i beseeched the Prophet’s family when he composed the lines:

The Prophet’s family is my excuse

And my means to gain Allah’s content

I hope that tomorrow (Day of Judgment)

I will be given my book with my right hand

By means of their honor near Allah

The author of Kashf ul-Irtiyab on page 260 of the book has added;

“However, the supplications transmitted from the Imams of the pure Household of the Prophet which have the status of being uninterrupted transmissions (tawatur) are replete with them beseeching their grandfather (s), his pure family, through his right and theirs, and through this adjuring the Most High. They knew more about their grandfather’s traditions and the laws of their Lord than Ibn Taymiyyah and Ibn Abdul-Wahhab and their followers from among the Arabs of Najd. This is because they were the gate of the city of knowledge of Muhammad (s) and the inheritors of his knowledge from whom he ordered us to learn.”

On page 260, he recorded:

“A kind of beseeching the Prophet (s) is to turn towards his honored tomb while praying. This was common in the tradition of the Muslims for centuries, and for generations. Imam Malik had issued his fatwa about this matter and recommended it in his saying to al-Mansur, ‘Why do you turn your face away from him when he is your means and your father Adam’s means to Allah? You should turn your face towards him and ask him to be your intercessor.’”

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The author of Khulasat ul-Kalam said:

“The scholars of the Islamic rites said that turning the face towards the Prophet’s honored tomb while visiting and praying is better than to turn it towards the Qiblah.”

Ibn Hajar said in al-Jawharul-Munazzam:

“What leads us to turn towards the Prophet’s tomb is that we all agree that the Prophet Muhammad (s) is alive in his tomb and he knows his visitors. If he (s) is alive, one cannot but turn the face towards him and turn his back to the Qiblah, therefore, it is the same to visit him in his tomb.”

He then quoted Malik’s saying to al-Mansur, which is mentioned above.

He then said: “Az-Zarqani said in his book Sharh ul-Mawahib that the books of the Malikis are full of traditions recommending praying near the tomb (of the Prophet) facing it and turning the back to the Qiblah. He quoted from the doctrine of Abu Hanifa and that of ash-Shafi’i’s and from the generality of the schools of thought in Islam something similar. Then he said: Imam Ahmad is different from the others, but the scholars think that he turned towards the holy tomb like anybody else.”

On page 258, he said: “As-Samhudi said: Many scholars within the four schools have mentioned in their books of Islamic rites concerning visiting the Prophet (s). It was recommended for visitors to turn their faces towards the honored tomb beseeching Allah to forgive them and to grant them what they ask for and to make the Prophet their intercessor.”

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On page 263 he said: “Abu Hanifa mentioned in his Musnad that Ibn Umar said, ‘It is recommended that when you visit the Prophet’s tomb, you turn your back to the Qiblah facing the tomb and you greet him.’ Ibn Jama’a mentions in his book al-Mansak ul-Kabir, ‘The sect of Abu Hanifa’… until he said… ‘he turns until he stands towards the holy face with his back to the Qiblah and gives his greeting”

It is agreed upon by all Muslims that this tradition (We, Prophets, do not devise…) was narrated by Abu Bakr only. It also runs contrary to the Holy Qur’an and has no support. It therefore cannot repeal the Holy Qur’an especially since afterwards it has been refuted by the Prophet’s family and denounced as untrue by Fatima az-Zahraa (peace be upon her), the Chief of the Women of all the Worlds, based upon irrefutable textual evidence attested to by all. She silenced the Caliph Abu Bakr when she reasoned that it would have been incomprehensible for the Prophet to have informed Abu Bakr alone about this and not inform his heirs. But how surprising it is that there are those who try to bring down the Holy Qur’an down to their level, abrogating its verses because of a narration by one Companion singled out for the purpose in spite of the fact that the purified family of the Prophet has denied that tradition and considered it as untrue!

The truth of the matter is that the Shia say Allahu Akbar (Allah is greater) three times after their prayers raising their hands when they say it. This is established in their books. They believe that the best recital after prayers is to say Allahu Akbar three times then to recite what Fatima (a) recited after her prayers, which is to glorify Allah one hundred times; saying Allahu Akbar thirty four times, Subhan Allah (Glory be to Allah) thirty-three times and saying al Hamdu lillah (Praise be to Allah) thirty-three times.

Ibn Asaakir said in his book The History of Damascus vol. p.45: Abu Bakr Muhammad bin al-Husayn bin al-Marziqi told us that abul-Husayn Muhammad bin Ali bin al- Muhtadi told us that abul-Hasan Ali bin Umar bin Muhammad bin al-Hasan told us that al-Abbas bin Ahmad told us that Nasr bin Abdur-Rahman abu Sulayman al-Washa’ told us that Zayd bin al-Hasan al-Anmati told us that Ma’roof bin Kharbooth al-Makki told us that he had heard from Abut-Tufayl Aamir bin Wathila that Hudhayfa bin Useid said, “When Prophet Muhammad (s) had come back from his last hajj (farewell hajj), he ordered his Companions to stop at some trees which were near each another in the desert. He came and did his prayer under the trees. Then he stood up and said,

‘O people, Allah the Most Kind the Omniscient has told me that no apostle lives to more than half the age of him who had preceded him. I think I am about to be called (die) and thus I must respond. I am responsible and you are responsible, then what do you say?’ They said, ‘We witness that you have informed, advised and striven. May Allah bless you.’ He said, ‘Do you not bear witness that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is His servant and Apostle, and that His Heaven is true, His Hell is true, death is true, the Resurrection after death is true, that there is no doubt that the Day of Judgment will come, and that Allah will resurrect the dead from their graves?’ They said, ‘Yes, we bear witness’. He said, ‘O Allah, bear witness.’ Then he said, ‘O people, Allah is my Lord and I am the lord of the believers. I am worthier of believers than themselves. Of whomsoever I had been Gurdian, Ali here is to be his Guardian. O Allah, be a supporter of whoever supports him (Ali) and an enemy of whoever opposes him.’ Then he said, ‘O people, I will go ahead of you and you will arrive at my Pond (in Heaven) which is wider than the distance between Basra and San’a. It has receptacles as numerous as the stars, and two cups of gold and two of silver. I will ask you about the two weighty things that I have left for you when you come to me to see how you dealt with them. The greater weighty thing is Allah’s book—the Holy Qur’an. One end is in Allah’s hand and the other is in your hands. Keep it and you will not deviate. That other weighty thing is my family and my descendents. The Most Kind the Omniscient had told me that both of them, would not separate until they come to my Pond.”

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The aforementioned account has been a summary of the tradition. We will now cite some of its sources along with the names of the Companions who had heard it from the Prophet (s), as quoted from the books of our Sunni brothers. After omitting names that have been repeated the following is what we have gathered from their books:

1) Narrated by Zathan, from thirteen persons, mentioned in (Ahmad’s book Musnad) vol. 1 p. 84.

2) Ziyad bin Abu Ziyad, from twelve persons, who had fought in the battle of Badr. (Ahmad’s Musnad) vol. 1 p. 88.

3) Sa’id bin Wahhab, from five or six persons (an-Nassa’i’s book al-Khasa’is), p. 21 and Ahmad’s Musnad vol. 5 p. 366.

4) Sa’id bin Wahhab, from six persons – Al-Khasa’is p. 26 and 40.

5) Sa’id bin Wahhab, from six persons in The History of Damascus, vol. 2 p. 28.

6) Sa’id bin Wahhab, from thirteen persons-Majma’uz-Zawayid, vol. 9.

7) Sa’id bin Wahhab and Zayd bin Yathigh, from twelve persons- Musnad, vol. 1 p. 118.

8) Sa’id bin Wahhab and Zayd bin Yathigh, from some persons- Kifayat at-Talib, p. 18.

9) Zayd bin Yathigh, from six persons- Al-Khasa’is, p. 26.

10) Amr Dhi Mur, Sa’id bin Wahhab and Zayd bin Yathigh, from thirteen persons-The History of Damascus, vol. 2 p. 18.

11) Amr Dhi Mur and Sa’id bin Wahhab, from six or seven persons- The History of Damascus, vol. 2 p. 19.

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12) Sa’id bin Wahhab and Abd Khayr, from some persons-The History of Damascus, vol. 2 p. 20.

13) Zayd bin Arqam, from sixteen persons-Musnad, vol. 5 p. 370.

14) Abut-Tufayl, from many persons-Musnad, vol. 4 p. 370

15) Abut-Tufayl, from thirty persons- Musnad, vol. 4 p. 370.

16) Abut-Tufayl, from seventeen persons- Al-Isaaba, vol. 4 p. 156.

17) Abu Zumayla, from some persons- (Ibn abul-Hadid’s book, Sharh Nahjul-Balagha).

18) Abdur-Rahman bin Abu Leyla, to twelve people- Musnad, vol. 1 p. 118.

19) Abdur- Rahman bin Abu Leyla-The History of Damascus, vol.2 p. 9.

20) Also Abdur-Rahman bin Abu Leyla-The History of Damascus, vol.2 p. 9.

21) Amr bin Sa’d, from six persons- Al-Khasa’is, p. 21.

22) Umayra bin Sa’d, from twelve persons- Hilyatul-Awliya’, vol. 5 p. 26.

23) Umayra, from eighteen persons-The History of Baghdad, vol. 2 p. 13.

24) Umayra, to eight-The History of Baghdad, vol. 2 p. 13.

25) Amr Dhi Mur, to some persons- Al Khasa’is, p. 40.

26) Abu Qulaba, to more than ten people- Al-Kuna wa al-Asma’, vol. 2 p. 61.

27) Abu ‘Ishaq as-Subay’i, from more than ten people- Mushkil ul-Athar, vol. 2 p. 307.

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28) Abu Hurayra, Anas and Abu Sa’id, from nine persons and others besides- Majma’uz-Zawa’id, vol. 9 p. 708.

29) Umar bin Abdul-Aziz, from some persons- Hilyatul-Awliya’, vol. 5 p. 364.

30) Abd Khayr, Amr Dhi Mur and Habbatul-Urani, from twelve people- Ibnul-Maghazili’s Manaqib p. 20.

31) Al-Asbagh bin Nabata, from some persons- Al-Isaaba, vol. 4 p. 80.

32) Riyah bin al-Harith, from some of the Ansar- Musnad, vol. 5 p. 419.

33) Riyah bin al-Harith, from some people- Musnad, vol. 5 p. 419.

34) Salama, abu at-Tufeil from Hudhayfa bin Useid al-Ghifari- Ahmad’s Manaqib.

35) Salama from Hudhayfa bin Usayd, at-Tirmidhi’s Sahih, vol. 13 p. 165, The History of Damascus, vol. 2 p. 45.

36) Ma’ruf, from Hudhayfa bin Usayd al-Ghifari.

37) As’ad bin Zurara, from his father- Muwazihul-Awham, vol. 1 p. 91.

38) Isa bin Talha, from Talha bin Abdullah- Al-Kafi ash-Shafi, p. 95.

39) Sa’d bin Abu Waqqas-The History of Damascus, vol. 2 p. 53.

40) Umar bin al-Khattab-The History of Damascus, vol. 2 p. 80.

41) Malik bin al-Huwayrith-The History of Damascus, vol. 2 p. 80.

42) Habashi bin Junada- Al-mu’jam ul- Kabir, p. 127.

43) Amr Dhi Mur- Al-Bidayah wa an-Nihayah, vol. 5 p. 210.

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44) Abdullah bin Bamil- al-Isaaba, vol.2 p. 374.

45) Talha- Al-Kafi ash-Shafi, p. 95.

46) Habba bin Juwayn al-Urani- Usdul-Ghaba, vol.1 p. 376.

47) Hamid bin Imara- Majma’uz-Zawa’id, vol.9p. 107.

48) Bishr bin Harb, from Jarir- Al-Mu’jam ul-Kabir of At-Tabarani, p. 127.

49) Hamid at-Tawil, from Anas-Ibnul- Maghazili’s Manaqib.

50) Sa’d bin Malik- Mustadrak us-Sahiheyn, vol.3 p. 116.

51) Abul-Hamra’- Arjah ul-Matalib, p. 581.

52) Musa bin Ayyub, from Abu Hurayra-The History of Baghdad, vol.8 p. 290.

53) Al-Bazzar, from Abu Hurayra- Al-Khawarizmi’s Manaqib, p. 94.

54) Ibrahim bin al-Husayn, from Abu Hurayra-The History of Damascus, vol.2 p. 72.

55) Abu ‘Ishaq al-Khitabi, from Abu Hurayra, Vol.2 p. 74.

56) Mansur bin abul-Aswad, from Abu Hurayra-…. vol.2 p. 74.

57) Abu Ya’la, from Abu Hurayra-The History of Damascus, vol.2p. 74.

58) Abdullah bin Adiy, from Abu Hurayra-The History of Damascus, vol.2 p. 75.

59) Habshun, from Abu Hurayra-The History of Damascus, vol.2p. 75.

60) Ali bin Shu’eib, from Abu Hurayra-The History of Damascus, vol.2 p. 76.

61) Ad-Daqqaq, from Abu Hurayra-The History of Damascus, vol.2 p. 77.

62) Samra bin Jundub-The History of Damascus, vol.2 p. 71.

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63) Shuriet bin Anas-The History of Damascus, vol.2 p. 72.

64) Abu Leyla bin Sa’id- Al-Jarh wet-Ta’dil, vol.4 p. 431.

65) Qubaysa, from Jabir bin Abdullah-The History of Damascus, vol.2 p. 65.

66) Qubaysa, from someone else-The History of Damascus, vol.2 p. 63.

67) Muhammad bin al-Munkadir, from Jabir bin Abdullah-The History of Damascus, vol.2 p. 65.

68) Abu Salama, from Muhammad bin al- Munkadir- Ibnul- Maghazili’s Manaqib, p. 25.

69) Abdullah bin Muhammad bin Aqil, from Muhammad bin al- Munkadir- Kifayatu at-Talib, p. 14.

70) Abdullah bin Muhammad bin Aqil, from someone else- The History of Damascus, vol.2 p. 62.

71) Abdur-Rahman bin Bahman-The History of Damascus, vol.2 p. 63.

72) Ibn Abbas bin Burayda- Al Khasa’is, p. 21.

73) From another direction to Ibn Abbas from Burayda,- Al Khasa’is, p. 21.

74) Tawus, from Burayda- Al-Mu’jamu s-Saghir, vol.1 p. 71.

75) From another direction, to Tawus, from Burayda- Hilyatul-Awliya’, vol.4 p. 23.

76) Sa’id bin Ubayda, from ibn Burayda, from his father, Ahmad’s Musnad, vol. 5 p. 358.

77) Sa’id bin Ubayda from another direction- Musnad, vol. 5 p. 358.

78) Sa’id bin Umayr, from ibn Burayda, from his father- Al Khasa’is, p. 21.

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79) Al-Mansur, from his father, from his grandfather, from Ibn Abbas-The History of Baghdad, vol.12 p. 343.

80) Umar bin Maymun, from Ibn Abbas- Musnad, vol.1 p. 331.

81) Aamir bin Wathila- Talkhis ul-Mustadrak, vol.3 p. 109.

82) Aamir bin Wathila from another direction- Al Khasa’is, p. 24.

83) Abdur-Rahman bin Abu Leyla-The History of Baghdad, vol.14 p. 236.

84) Abdur-Rahman bin Abu Leyla from another direction- Ibn Kathir’s Tafsir, vol 2 p. 14.

85) Abdur- Rahman bin abu Leyla from a third direction- Tafsir, vol.2 p. 14.

86) Jundu’ bin Amr bin Mazin- Usdu l-Ghaba, vol.1 p. 308.

87) Tawus, from his father- Ahmad bin Hanbal’s Manaqib, (Manuscript).

88) Abu Leyla bin Sa’id, from his father- Al-Jarh wa at-Ta’dil, vol.4 p. 431.

89) Ya’la bin Murra- Usdu l-Ghaba, vol.3 p. 233.

90) Abu Ayyub- Al-mu’jam ul- Kabir, p. 157.

91) Abu Ayyub from another direction- Usdu l-Ghaba, vol. 5 p. 6.

92) Abu Bastam, Usama’s freed slave-The History of Damascus, vol.2 p. 86.

93) Alqama, from Abu Sa’id-al-Bukhari’s book The History of Bukhari, vol.2 p. 194.

94) Al-Abdi, from Abu Sa’id- Al-Khawarizmi’s Manaqib.

95) Bint Ka’b (Ka’b’s daughter) from Abu Sa’id- Al-Bidayah wa an-Nihayah, vol. 5 p. 208.

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96) Al-Abdi, from Abu Sa’id- Khawarizmi’s Manaqib.

97) Ali bin Khadim, from Abu Sa’id-The History of Damascus, vol.2 p. 69.

98) Abu Ubayd, from Ibn Maymun, from Zayd bin Arqam- Musnad, vol.4 p. 372.

99) Auf, from Ibn Maymun, from Zayd bin Arqam- Al Khasa’is, p. 22.

100) Shu’ba, from Ibn Maymun, from Zayd bin Arqam- The History of Islam, vol.2 p. 196.

101) From another direction to Shu’ba, from Zayd bin Arqam- The History of Damascus, vol.2 p. 42.

102) Ibn Wathila, from Zayd bin Arqam- Mustadrakus-Sahiheyn, vol.3 p. 109.

103) Al-Hakam bin Abu Sulayman, from Zayd bin Arqam- Ibnu l-Maghazili’s Manaqib, p. 23.

104) Al-Hasan bin Kathir, from Zayd bin Arqam- Faza’ilu as-Sahaba, of As-Sam’ani, (Manuscript).

105) Yahya bin Ja’da, from Zayd bin Arqam-The History of Damascus, vol.2 p. 41.

106) Abdul-Malik, from Zayd bin Arqam- Ahmad’s Musnad, vol.4 p. 370.

107) Atiya al-Aufi, from Zayd bin Arqam-The History of Damascus, vol.2 p. 39.

108) From another direction to Atiya- Musnad, vol.4 p. 370.

109) Abu at-Tufayl, from Zayd bin Arqam- Al Khasa’is, p. 21.

110) From another direction to Abu at-Tufayl, from Zayd bin Arqam- Al-Mu’jamu l-Kabir, p. 127 (Manuscript).

111) From another direction to Abu at-Tufayl, from Zayd bin Arqam- Kifayatu at-Talib, p. 13-14.

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112) From another direction to Abu at-Tufayl, from Zayd bin Arqam- ibn Kathir’s Tafsir, vol.2 p. 14.

113) Abu Maryam or Zayd bin Arqam- Al-Bidayah wa an-Nihayah, vol.7 p. 348.

114) Abu Surayha or Zayd bin Arqam-The History of Damascus, vol.2 p. 36.

115) Hudhayfa bin Usayd or Zayd bin Arqam- Al-Mu’jamu l-Kabir, p. 157 (Manuscript).

116) Abu Abdullah ash-Shami, from Zayd bin Arqam-The History of Damascus, vol.2p. 38.

117) Abuz-Zuha, from Zayd bin Arqam- Ibnul-Maghazili’s Manaqib, p. 20.

118) Zayd’s wife, from Zayd bin Arqam- Ibnul-Maghazili’s Manaqib, p. 16.

119) Habibu l-Iskafi, from Zayd bin Arqam-The History of Damascus, vol.2 p. 41.

120) Abu ‘Ishaq, from Zayd bin Arqam-The History of Damascus, vol.2 p. 41.

121) Yazid bin Talha- Al-Bidayah wa an-Nihayah, vol. 5 p. 108.

122) Abu ‘Ishaq as-Subay’i, from al-Bara’ bin Aazib- Al-Kuna wa al-Asma’, vol.1 p. 160.

123) Abd bin Thabit, from al-Bara’ bin Aazib- al-Khawarizmi’s Manaqib, p. 93.

124) Al-Bara’ bin Aazib from another direction- Fara’idus-Samtein, vol.1 p. 64.

125) Al-Bara’ bin Aazib from a third direction- Fara’idus-Samtein, vol.1 p. 65.

126) Al-Bara’ bin Aazib from a fourth direction- Ibn Maja’s Sunan, vol.1 p. 55.

127) Al-Bara’ bin Aazib from a fifth direction- Musnad, vol.4 p. 281.

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128) Al-Bara’ bin Aazib from a sixth direction- Musnad, vol.4 p. 282.

129) Al-Bara’ bin Aazib from a seventh direction- Al-Bidayah wa an-Nihayah, vol. 5 p. 208.

130) Al-Bara’ bin Aazib from an eighth direction- Al-Bidayah wa an-Nihayah, vol. 5 p. 208.

131) Al Bara’ bin Aazib from a ninth direction- Al-Bidayah wa an Nihayah, vol. 5 p. 208.

132) Al-Bara’ bin Aazib from a tenth direction-The History of Damascus, vol.2 p. 48.

133) Al-Bara’ bin Aazib from an eleventh direction-The History of Damascus, vol.2 p. 50.

134) Al-Bara’ bin Aazib, from another direction-The History of Damascus vol.2 p. 50.

135) Abu ‘Ishaq, from al-Bara’ bin Aazib and Zayd bin Arqam-The History of Damascus vol.2 p. 52.

136) Hudhayfa bin al-Yaman-al-Hasaqani’s Du’atul-Hudat.

137) Ammar bin Yasir-Fara’idus-Samtein vol.1 p. 195.

138) Fatima (Prophet’s daughter-peace be upon her)-Arjahul-Matalib p. 448 and 571.

139) Abdullah bin Mas’ud-ibnul-Maghazili’s Manaqib p. 23.

140) Amr Dhi Mur, from Imam Ali-Mizanul-I’tidal vol.2 p. 303. The History of Damascus vol.2 p. 30.

141) From another direction to Amr Dhi Mur, from Imam Ali-Fara’idus-Samtein vol.1, p. 67.

142) Abu Maryam and one of Imam Ali’s Companions-Ahmad’s Musnad vol.1, p. 152.

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143) Umar bin Ali, from Imam Ali-Al-Bidayah wa an-Nihayah vol. 5, p. 221.

144) Aamir bin Wathila, from Imam Ali-Khawarizmi’s Manaqib, vol.1, p. 41.

145) Salman, from Imam Ali-Khawarizmi’s Manaqib, vol.1 p. 41.

146) Zayd bin Wahhab and Abd Khayr, from Imam Ali-Ibn Kathir’s Tafsir, vol.2, p. 14.

147) Al-Husayn bin Ali, from Imam Ali-The History of Damascus, vol.2, p. 26.

148) Umar bin Ali, from Imam Ali-The History of Damascus, vol.2 p. 28.

149) Abu at-Tufayl, from Imam Ali-The History of Damascus, vol.2, p. 20.

150) Zayd bin Arqam, from Imam Ali-The History of Damascus, vol.2, p. 20.

151) Some persons, from ibn Abu Awfa-Al-Kuna of al-Bukhari, p. 66.

152) Atiyah, from ibn Abu Awfa-ibnul-Maghazili’s Manaqib, p. 24.

153) Umayra bin Sa’d-ibn al-Maghazili’s Manaqib, p. 26.

154) Amr bin al- Aas-Khawarizmi’s Manaqib, p. 125.

155) Abdur-Rahman bin Saabit, from Sa'd bin Abu Waqqas-Ibn Maja’s Sunan, vol.1, p. 58.

156) Aamir bin Sa’d, from Sa’d bin Abu Waqqas-History of Islam, of ath-Thahabi, vol.2.

157) Ayman, from Sa’d bin Abu Waqqas-Al Khasa’is, p. 4.

158) ‘Aa’isha bint Sa’d, from Sa’d bin Abu Waqqas-Al Khasa’is, 24-25.

159) From another direction to (‘Aa’isha bint Sa'd)…. from Sa’d bin abu Waqqas- Al-Bidayah wa an-Nihayah, vol. 5 p. 208.

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160) Abu at-Tufeil, from Abu Qudama- Usdul-Ghaba, vol. 5 p. 276

161) Ya’la, from Aamir bin Leyla- Usdul-Ghaba, vol.3 p. 93

162) Ya’la bin Murra, from Yazid or Zayd bin Shuraheel - Usdul-Ghaba, vol.2 p. 233.

163) Hudhayfa bin Usayd and Aamir bin Leyla bin Zamra- Usdul-Ghaba, vol.3 p. 92.

164) Aamir bin Leyla from another direction- Usdul-Ghaba, vol.3 p. 93.

165) Abu Amra, from Amr bin Mahz- Usdul-Ghaba, vol.3 p. 307.

166) Abu Zaynab- Usdul-Ghaba, vol.3 p. 307.

167) Sahl bin Hunayf- Usdul-Ghaba, vol.3 p. 307.

168) Khuzayma bin Thabit- Usdul-Ghaba, vol.3 p. 307.

169) Abdullah bin Thabit al-Ansari- Usdul-Ghaba, vol.3 p. 307.

170) Habashi bin Junada- Usdul-Ghaba, vol.3 p. 307.

171) Ubayd bin Aazib- Usdul-Ghaba, vol.3 p. 307.

172) Nu’Man bin Ajlan- Usdul-Ghaba, vol.3 p. 307.

173) Thabit bin Wadi’a- Usdul-Ghaba, vol.3 p. 307.

174) Abu Fuzala al-Ansari- Usdul-Ghaba, vol.3 p. 307

175) Ibn Umar-The History of Damascus, vol.2 p. 83.

176) Najiya bin Amr al-Khuza’i- Usdul-Ghaba, vol. 5 p. 6.

177) Miqdad bin Amr- Usdul-Ghaba, vol. 5 p. 6.

178) Zurr bin Hubaysh, from Abdullah bin Badil bin Warqa’- Al-Kashshi’s men, p. 45.

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179) Al-Asbagh, from Ubayd bin Aazib al-Ansari- Usdul-Ghaba, vol.3 p. 307 and vol. 5 p. 205

180) Amr bin al-Aas- Khawarizmi’s Manaqib, p. 126, Al-Imama wa as-Siyasa, p. 93.

181) Qays bin Sa’d bin Ubada- Al-Kashshi’s Rijal, p. 45.

182) Ibn Abbas-Ahmad’s Musnad, vol.1 p. 331.

183) Jabir bin Samra- Kanzul-Ummal, vol.6 p. 398 from Ibn abu Sheiba.

184) Sulaym bin Qays, from some persons, one of them was Abu Dharr- Fara’idus-Samtein, vol.1 p. 315.

185) Hasan bin Thabit- Fara’idus-Samtein, vol.1 p. 73.

186) Habib bin Badil bin Warqa’- Usdul-Ghaba, vol.1 p. 368.

187) Qays bin Thabit bin Shamaas – Usdul-Ghaba, vol.1 p. 367.

188) Hashim bin Utba- Usdul-Ghaba, vol.1 p. 368.

192) Ibn Uqda in At-Tara’if, p. 142 by Asma’ bint Umays al-Khatha’miya

193) Ibn Uqda- At-Tara’if, p. 142 by Umm Salama (the Prophet’s wife)

194) Ibn Uqda-At-Tara’if, p. 142 by Jibila bin Amr al-Ansari.

195) Ibn Uqda, At-Tara’if, p. 141 and Abu Bakr al-Ju’abi in his book Al-Manaqib, vol.3 p. 26 by Imam Husayn bin Ali (peace be upon them).

196) Abu Bakr al-Ju’abi, Al-Manaqib, vol.3 p. 26 by Khalid bin al-Walid

197) Ibn Uqda in his book Al-Wilayah, —chap. At-Tara’if, p.142 by Sa’id bin Sa’d bin Ubada.

198) Ibn Hajar in his book Al-Isaaba, vol.2 p. 255 narrated by Aamir bin Umayr an-Nimyari.

199) Ibn Uqda, Al-Wilayah —chap. At-Tara’if, p. 142 by ‘Aa’isha bint Abu Bakr.

200) Ibn al-Maghazili, Al-Manaqib p. 27 by Abdur-Rahman bin Auf.

201) Ibn Uqda and al- Khawarizmi in his book Maqtal, p. 48 by Abdur-Rahman bin Ya’mur ad-Daylami.

202) Ibn Uqda, Tara’if, p. 141 by Abdullah bin Abu Abdul-Asad al-Makhzumi.

203) Ibn Uqda, Tara’if, p.142 by Abdullah bin Bashir al-Mazini.

204) Ibn Uqda, Tara’if, p. 141 by Abdullah bin Ja’far.

205) Ibn Uqda, Tara’if, p. 141 by Uthman bin Affan.

206) Ibn Uqda, Tara’if, p. 142 by Abu Wasma Wahshi bin Harb.

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207) Ibn Uqda, Tara’if, p. 142 by Abu Juhayfa Wahhab bin Abdullah.

208) Mentioned by Abu Hatim, Ibn Asaakir and Muhibbud-Din at-Tabari in book Arjahul-Matalib, p. 339 by Ibn Shurayh.

209) Abu Bakr al-Ju’abi, Manaqib, vol.3 p. 24 and Ibn Uqda, Tara’if, p. 141 by Rifa’a bin Abdul-Munthir

210) Ibn Uqda, Tara’if, p. 141 and Ibnul-Maghazili, Manaqib, p. 27 by az-Zubeir bin al-Awwam.

211) Ibn Uqda, Tara’if, p. 142 by Zayd bin Abdullah.

212) Ibn Uqda, Tara’if, p. 142 by Sa’d bin Junada.

213) Abu Bakr al-Ju’abi, Manaqib, vol.3 p. 26 by Sa’d bin Ubada.

214) Ibn Uqda, Tara’if, p. 141 by Salman al-Farisi.

215) Ibn Uqda, Tara’if, p. 141 by Salama bin Amr bin al-Aqua’

216) Ibn Uqda, Tara’if, p. 142 by Abu Umama as-Sadiy bin Ajlan al-Bahili.

217) Ibn Uqda, Tara’if, p. 142 by Zumayra al- Asadi.

218) Ibnul-Maghazili, Manaqib, p. 27 by al-Fazl bin Muhammad from Sa’id bin Zayd.

219) Ibn Hajar, Isaaba, vol.2 p. 255 by Musa bin Aqtal from Aamir bin Umayr.

220) Ibn Hajar, Isaaba, vol.3 p. 257 by Aamir bin Leyla al- Ghifari.

221) At-Tabarani, Ihya’ul-Mayyit, by Abdullah bin Huntub

222) Khawarizmi, Maqtal, p. 48 by Abdullah bin Rabi’a.

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223) Khawarizmi, Maqtal, p. 48 by Amr bin Shurahil.

224) At-Tabarani, Kanzul-Ummal, vol.6 p. 154 and Ahmad bin Hanbal, by Amr bin Murra

225) Ibn Uqda, Tara’if, p. 141 and Abu Bakr al-Ju’abi, Manaqib, vol.3 p. 26 by Abul-Haytham bin at-Tayhan.

226) Ibn Uqda, Tara’if, p. 141 and Abu Bakr al-Ju’abi, Manaqib, vol.3 p. 26 by Abu Rafi’

227) Ibn Uqda, Tara’if, p. 142 and Khawarizmi, Maqtal, p. 48 by Abu Thuwayb

228) Ibn Uqda, Tara’if, p. 142 by Umm Hani.

229) Ibn Uqda, Tara’if, p. 142 by Zayd bin Haritha.

230) Ibn Uqda, Tara’if, p. 142 by Abdullah bin Abu Awfa al- Aslami.

231) Ibn Uqda, Tara’if, p. 141 by Abdullah bin Umar bin al-Khattab.

232) Ibn Uqda, Tara’if, vol.3 p. 142 by Abdur-Rahman bin Mudlaj.

233) Abu Na’im, Hilyatul-Awliya’, chap. Al-Yanabi’ p. 38 by seventeen persons, one of them was Adiy bin Hatim.

234) Abu Na’im, Hilyatul- Awliya’, chap. Al-Yanabi’ p. 38 by seventeen persons, one of them was Uqba bin Aamir.

235) Ibn Uqda, Tara’if, p. 141 by Umar bin Abu Salama.

236) Ibn Uqda and Khawarizmi in his Maqtal, p. 48 by Imran bin Husayn.

237) Ibn Uqda, Khawarizmi, Maqtal, p. 48 by Amr bin al-Hamq.

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238) Ibn Uqda, Tara’if, p. 142 by Fatima bint Hamza.

239) Ibn Uqda, Tara’if, p. 141 by al-Miqdad bin Amr.

240) Ibn Uqda, Tara’if, p. 141 by Abu Barza Fazla bin Utba.

241) Ibn Uqda, Tara’if, p. 142 by Atiya bin Bisr.

242) Abu Bakr al-Ju’abi, Manaqib, vol.3 p. 26 by Ubada bin as-Samit

243) Abu Bakr al-Ju’abi, Manaqib, vol.3 p. 26 by Abdullah bin Unays

244) Abu Bakr al Ju’abi, Manaqib, vol.3 p. 26 by Urwa bin Abu al-Ja’d

245) Abu Bakr al-Ju’abi, Manaqib, vol.3 p. 26 by Amr bin Hurayth

246) Abu Bakr al-Ju’abi, Manaqib, vol.3 p. 26 by Abdul-A’la bin Adiy

247) Abu Bakr al-Ju’abi, Manaqib, vol.3 p. 26 by Uthman bin Hunayf

248) Abu Bakr al-Ju’abi, Manaqib, vol.3 p. 26 by Bashir bin Abdul-Munthir

249) Abu Bakr al-Ju’abi, Manaqib, vol.3 p. 26 by Qays bin Aasim and by Abu Kahil on the same page

250) Abu …

251) Abu Bakr al-Ju’abi, Manaqib, vol.3 p. 26 by Abu Rifa’a

252) Abu Bakr al-Ju’abi, Manaqib, vol.3 p. 26 by Hubab bin Utba

253) Abu Bakr al-Ju’abi, Manaqib, vol.3 p. 26 by Jundub bin Sufyan

254) Abu Bakr al-Ju’abi, Manaqib, vol.3 p. 26 by Khabbab bin Samra.

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Al-Amini quoted that in his book Al-Ghadir, vol.1 p. 239 –246 from thirty of the books of the Sunnis.

The author of An-Nihayah says:

“Wilaya –guardianship- means administration with ability and action. Whoever takes charge of something becomes its Mawla –guardian-… Umar’s saying to Ali, ‘You have become the mawla (guardian) of every believer,’ means taking charge of every believer’s affairs.”

The author of al-Qamus says:

“Wilaya –guardianship- means policy, command, and authority. Being the Mawla i.e. taking charge of something means being responsible for it. To take charge of the orphan means to be responsible for his affairs…”

The author of Lisan ul-Arab says:

“Sibawayh says, “Wilaya stands for the guardianship of someone; taking charge of his affairs and fulfilling his needs. The mawla (guardian) of a woman is he who undertakes the responsibility of contracting marriage on her behalf; she cannot get married without his agreement. Prophet Muhammad (s) says: (For women who got married without the permission of their guardians, their marriage is invalid.)

Thus, the real meaning of this word (mawla) is to take charge of a matter and to carry it out. The various uses of the expression simply express this basic fact, such as saying the word ‘man’ for Zayd, Amr and Bakr. Allah is called Mawla because He is the ruler of the affairs of Man. The master is addressed as mawla because he is in charge of his slave, and the slave is also called mawla because he is in charge of carrying out his master’s affairs. Likewise, neighbors, cousins, allies and sons-in-law are called mawla because they help those who need their help. So, it has a common literal meaning.”

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So, the meaning of Prophet’s saying (Of whomsoever I am guardian, Ali here is to be his guardian) is that over whomsoever I took charge of his affairs, Ali will take charge of his affairs. This is clear concerning the leadership, imamate and guardianship of the nation. Since the Prophet Muhammad (s) was the leader, guardian and commander of the nation, so also will Ali.

This is the real meaning of the word according to the opinions of the linguists. If one rejects this meaning in preference for the other manifold meanings of the word ‘mawla’, it would be a word that would be common in expression, but having various meanings independent from each other. In this case there would be no doubt that the meaning that agrees with the tradition would be the first one. Some senior scholars have discussed this subject in their books. Abu Ubayda says in his book Ghareebul-Qur’an: “Mawla means worthier.” He cited al-Akhtal’s poetic verse to Abdul-Malik bin Marwan as his evidence.

Al-Anbari said in his book Tafsirul-Mushkil fil-Qur’an:

“Mawla means the worthier.”

Az-Zajjaj and al-Farra’ said, as mentioned in al-Fakhr ar-Razi’s book At-Tafsir, vol. 29 p. 227, Egyptian edition that

“Mawla means worthier.”

It was mentioned that Abul-Abbas al- Mubarrid had said that Mawla means worthier and most deserving.

Az-Zamakhshari said in his Tafsir, vol. 4 p. 66, Egyptian edition:

“In fact, Mawla means your place, where it would be better for you to be.”

Al-Halabi, in his book At-Taqrib, said:

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“Mawla, in fact, means worthier and the other expressions are derived from it. The master is a mawla because he is worthier to manage his slaves’ affairs and to bear with their faults. The slave is a mawla because he is worthier to obey his master. So too are the freed slave, the helper who is more worthy of helping whom he helps, the ally to be more worthy of supporting his allies, the neighbor to be more worthy of helping his neighbor and defending him, the son-in-law to be more worthy of his relatives, the imam to be more worthy of whom he leads and the cousin to be more worthy of helping his cousins.”

Since the word (Mawla) means worthier, there is no excuse to turn it away from its real meaning and seek other ones.

(2) forcing them not to deny what he (s) wanted after this by appointing Ali a commander and a ruler over them. Therefore, Mawla, here, means authority and leadership and nothing else.

In both cases, the hadith means that Imam Ali (a) had the right to dispose of their affairs and that they had to obey him and not to prevent him from this.

Moreover, Many Sunni and Shiite scholars have quoted the Prophet’s saying, ‘Of whomsoever I had been guardian, Ali here is to be his guardian,’ after his saying, ‘Am I not worthier of your selves than you are?’ with slight differences in wording. Here are the names of some of such scholars:

1. Abu Hatim

2. Abu Musa

3. Abu Na’im

4. Abu Ya’la

5. Abul-Faraj

6. Ad-Darqutni

7. Ahmad bin Hanbal

8. Al-Aasimi

9. Al-Anbari

10. Al-Ayji

11. Al-Badkhashi

12. Al-Bayhaqi

13. Al-Bayzaawi

14. Al-Hakim

15. Al-Halabi

16. Al-Hamawini

17. Al-Hasakani

18. Al-Haythami

19. Al-Jazari

20. Al-Kanji

21. Al-Khal’i

22. Al-Khatib

23. Al-Khawarizmi

24. Al-Maqrizi

25. Al-Maybadi

26. Al-Mulla

27. Al-Qati’i

28. Al-Wassabi

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29. An-Nisaa’i

30. Ash-Sharif

31. Ash-Shaybani

32. Ash-Shaykhani

33. As-Saharniwari

34. As-Sajistani

35. As-Sam’ani

36. As-Samhudi

37. As-Suyuti

38. Asilud-Din

39. Ath-Tha’labi

40. Ath-Thahabi

41. At-Tabarani

42. At-Tabari

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43. At-Taftazani

44. At-Tahawi

45. At-Tirmidhi

46. Az-Zarandi

47. Gazz Aughli

48. Ibn Asaakir

49. Ibn Batta

50. Ibn Hajar

51. Ibn Hajar al-Makki

52. Ibn Kathir

53. Ibn Maja

54. Ibn Uqda

55. Ibnul-Athir

56. Ibnul-Maghazili

57. Ibnus-Sabbagh

58. Ibnus-Samaan

59. Kamalud-Din

60. Muhibud-Din

61. Shihabud-Din

62. Waliyyud-Din

63. Zia’ud-Din

The Prophet (s) said after the conveying the news of Ali’s guardianship:

“O Allah, You are a witness that I have informed and advised.”

This shows that he informed of a great and important matter which he had made the Muslims for and had acquitted himself of this great duty.

At-Tabari mentioned in his book al-Wilayah a tradition narrated by Zayd bin Arqam that the Prophet Muhammad (s) had said, “Say that we have given a vow from ourselves and a word from our tongues and a homage with our hands which we pass on to our offspring and to our families. We will never change that…”

The author of Rawzatus-Safa mentioned in vol. 1 p. 173, that Prophet Muhammad (s) sat in a tent and let Imam Ali sit in another. He ordered people to congratulate Imam Ali in his tent. When the men had finished congratulating Imam Ali, the Prophet (s) ordered his wives to go and congratulate Imam Ali.

Al-Ghazali said in his book Sirrul-Aalameen, in the Fourth Essay:

((The fact was crystal clear and the public had unanimously agreed on with the content of the Prophet’s speech when he said on that Day in Ghadir Khum:

“Of whomsover I had been guardian, Ali here is to be his guardian.”

Umar then said: “Excellent, O Abul-Hasan (Imam Ali’s surname)! You have become my guardian as well as that of every believer; man and woman.”

Thus there was acceptance, approval and the appointment of his leadership. But later on this right was defeated by the passion for being in charge, for bearing the title of the caliphate, for the waving of ensigns and the snorting of horses in the wars and for conquering countries. All of this made them drink the cup of vanity and go back to the first discord. They threw the right behind their backs and sold it for a little price, and what a bad thing they had bought!))

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It was mentioned in many traditions that the Qur’anic verses:

One demanding demanded the chastisement, which must befall the unbelievers… (70:1-3), had been revealed for this occasion.

And Ali, our Imam and our standard bearer,’

As it had been revealed in the Holy Qur’an.

When the Prophet said, Of whomsoever I had been guardian,

This is to be his guardian, great and honorable.

2. Al-Husayn bin al-Hasan from Abu Sa’id al-Khudri from Umm Salama (The Prophet’s wife) (The History of Baghdad) vol.9 p. 126

3. Hisham bin Salim, from Wahhab bin Abdullah, from Umm Salama (Al-Mu’jam ul- Kabir) p. 134.

4. Abdul-Malik bin Sulayman from Ata’ from Umm Salama (Al-Mu’jam ul- Kabir) p. 134.

5. Sharik bin Namr, Ata’, Umm Salama (Ma’alimut-Tanzil) p. 213.

6. Muhammad bin Sawqa from someone from Umm Salama (Akhlaq un-Nabi) p. 116.

7. Abdullah bin Abu Riyah, from someone, from Umm Salama (Ath-Tha’labi’s Tafsir) Manuscript.

8. Abdullah bin Abu Riyah, Hakim bin Sa’d, Umm Salama (Ibn Kathir’s Tafsir) vol.3 p. 483.

9. Atiyah from his father from Umm Salama (Ibn Kathir’s Tafsir) vol.3 p. 483.

10. Atiyah, from Shahr bin Hawshab, from Umm Salama (Ibn Kathir’s Tafsir) vol.3 p. 483.

11. Sufyan bin Zayd, Shahr bin Hawshab, Umm Salama (At-Tirmidhi’s Sahih) vol.13 p. 248.

12. Zubayd, Shahr bin Hawshab, Umm Salama (Mawzzihul- Awham) vol.2 p. 281.

13. Abdul-Hamid bin Bihram, Shahr bin Hawshab, Umm Salama (Ahmad’s Musnad) vol.6 p. 298.

14. Dawud bin Abu Auf, Shahr bin Hawshab, Umm Salama (Al-Qawlul-Fasl) vol.2 p. 177.

15. Ajlah, Shahr bin Hawshab, Umm Salama (Ahmad’s Musnad) vol.2 p. 173.

16. Athal, Shahr bin Hawshab, Umm Salama (Al-Bukhari’s History) vol.1 p. 70.

17. Shu’eib bin al-Minii’, Shahr bin Hawshab, Umm Salama (Al-Bukhari’s History) vol.1 p. 70.

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18. Ja’far bin Abdur-Rahman, al-Hakam bin Sa’id, Umm Salama (Al-Bukhari’s History) vol.1 p. 70.

19. Muhammad bin Shirin, Abu Hurayra, Umm Salama (Tafsir Jami’ul-Bayan) vol.22 p. 7.

20. Awaam bin Hawshab, from his cousin, from ‘Aa’isha (Al-Qawlul-Fassl) vol.2 p. 215.

21. Mus’ab bin Sheiba, Safiyyah, ‘Aa’isha (as-Sunanul-Kubra) vol.2 p. 149.

22. Awza’i, Abu Ammar, Wathila bin al-Asqa’ (Mustadrak) vol.2 p. 152.

23. Abdur-Rahman bin Amr, Shaddad bin Abdullah, Wathila bin al-Asqa’ (Siyer A’lamin-Nubala’) vol.3 p. 212.

24. Al- A’mash, Atiyah, Abu Sa’id al-Khudri, (Jami’ul-Bayan) vol.22 p. 6.

25. Abul-Hijaf, Atiyah, Abu Sa’id al-Khudri (Al-Mu’jam us Saghir) vol.1 p. 134.

26. Imran bin Muslim, Atiyah, Abu Sa’id al- Khudri (The History of Baghdad) vol.10.

27. Ibn Umar al-Kirmani, Atiyah, Abu Sa’id al-Khudri (Tabaqatul-Muhadditheen) p. 149.

28. Abdur-Rahman bin Abu Bakr, Isma’il, from his father Abdullah bin Ja’far (Al-Qawlul-Fasl) p. 185.

29. Abdur-Rahman bin Abu Bakr, Ibn Abbas (Arjahul-Matalib) p. 54.

30. Hammad bin Salama, Ali bin Zayd, Anas bin Malik (Ahmad’s Musnad) vol.3 p. 259.

31. Abdur-Rahman bin Abu Bakr, Hamid, Anas bin Malik (Al-Mustadrak) vol.3 p. 159.

32. Abaad bin Abu Yahya, Abu Dawud (p. 6), Abul-Hamra’ (An-Najaari’s Kuna) p. 25.

33. Yunus bin Abu ‘Ishaq, Abu Dawud, Abul-Hamra’ (Muntakhab Theyl al-Mutheyl) p. 83.

34. Mansur bin Abul-Aswad, Abu Dawud, Abul-Hamra’ (Al-mu’jam ul- Kabir) p. 134.

35. Abu ‘Ishaq as-Subey’i, Abu Dawud, Abul-Hamra’ (History of Islam) vol.2 p. 97.

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36. Umayr Abu Arfaja, Atiyah (Usdul-Ghaba) vol.3 p. 413.

37. Al-Aufi, Amr bin Atiyah and al-Husayn bin al-Hasan, from Atiyah (The History of Baghdad) vol.9 p. 126.

38. Bukeyr bin Mismaar, Aamir bin Sa’d, Sa’d (Jami’ul-Bayan) vol.22 p. 8.

39. Abu Balah Amr bin Maymun (Al-Mustadrak) vol.3 p. 132.

40. Yahya bin Ubayd, Attar bin Abu Riyah, Umar bin Abu Salama (At-Tirmidhi’s Sahih) vol.13 p. 200.

41. Yahya bin Ubayd, Sahl bin Sa’d (Al-Isti’aab) vol.2 p. 460.

42. Abu Hurayra, Sahl bin Sa’d (Al-Isti’aab) vol.2 p. 56.

43. Bureyda al-Aslami, Sahl bin Sa’d (Al-Isti’aab) vol.2p. 56.

44. Abdullah bin Umar, Sahl bin Sa’d (Al-Isti’aab) vol.2 p. 56.

45. Imran bin al-Husayn, Sahl bin Sa’d (Al-Isti’aab) vol.2 p. 56.

46. Salama bin al-Aqua’, Sahl bin Sa’d (Al-Isti’aab) vol.2 p. 56.

47. Ma’qil bin Yasaar (At-Tirmidhi’s Sahih) vol.13 p. 248

Finally, the tradition concerning the Qur’anic verse of purification and its being specifically about them (Peace be upon them), in the words of al Haddad al Hadhrami is one of the correct, famous, widespread, and well known traditions upon which all the umma has agreed and seventeen of great Hadithists have confirmed that it was true.

Surely, I will make you an Imam of men. Ibrahim said, ‘and of my offspring?’ My covenant does not include the unjust, said He. (2:124)

And whoever goes beyond the limits of Allah, he indeed does injustice to his own soul. (65:1)

And whoever exceeds the limits of Allah those are they that are the unjust. (2:229)

Infallibility was a condition for the divine Imamate and it was limited, after Prophet Muhammad (s), to the Twelve Imams for no one else was infallible other than them according to consensus. In addition to this, the Qur’anic verse; Allah only desires to keep away uncleanness from you, O People of the House, and to purify you with a thorough purification. 33:33, confirms that Imam Ali, Imam Hasan and Imam Husayn were infallible. Many prophetic traditions also confirm the infallibility of the Twelve Imams (peace be upon them).

The previously mentioned verse provides proof of the infallibility of the Prophet’s family. It also shows that their purification is from Allah and is not a legislative matter, because the legislative will of purification from uncleanness does not concern the Prophet’s family alone, but includes all people. The legislative will also concerns one’s own actions whereas this Qur’anic verse shows that Allah’s will in purifying these persons from any uncleanness is His creative will. Allah says,

“His command, when He intends anything, is only to say to it, ‘Be,’ and so it is.” (36:82)

Of course, what is intended by uncleanness is not bodily uncleanness, but the internal uncleanness which is blasphemy, disbelief, guilt, disobedience, and everything sinful.

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If one says that the purification might mean that Allah would forgive their sins.

I would answer that forgiveness does not purify uncleanness from the soul of the disobedient, but it takes the punishment away from him. Besides, forgiving a sin would not exist unless the sin had been committed. So, the sinful is not purified during committing the sin, while the Qur’anic verse indicates a complete purification.

The Prophet (s) said: “I am the city of knowledge and Ali is its gate.”

The Prophet Muhammad (s) ordered all the doors of his Companions that opened to the mosque to be closed except the door of Imam Ali.

The prophet (s) said: “Ali and I are the fathers of this nation.”

“People are from various trees but I and Ali are from one tree.”

“There are three veracious people and Ali bin Abu Talib is the best of them.”

Many other hadiths in this regard are mentioned in Sunni and Shiite reference books.

The Prophet Muhammad (s) had instituted the bonds of brotherhood between his Companions and said to Ali, “You are my brother,” as it was mentioned in Sunni books narrated by ibn Abbas, Sa’id bin al-Musayyab, ibn Umar, Zayd bin Abu Awfa, Anas bin Malik, Zayd bin Arqam, Hudhayfa bin al-Yaman, Makhduj bin Zayd, Abu Umama, Jami’ bin Umayr, Jabir bin Abdullah, Abu Sa’id, Abdur-Rahman bin Aweym and Abu Hurayra.

Ahmad bin Hanbal mentioned in his book Faza’ilus-Sahaba a tradition narrated by Akrima, that was heard from ibn Abbas that the Prophet Muhammad (s) said: “There is no Qur’anic verse that begins with ‘O you who believe,’ without Ali being their (i.e. those who believe) head, leader, and their distinction. Allah has censured the Prophet’s Companions in the Qur’an but He did not mention Ali save in praise.”

The same was also mentioned in Dhakha’ir ul Uqba p. 89, Egyptian Edition.

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It was also mentioned by at-Tabarani and ibn Abu Hatim in As-Sawa’iq ul-Muhriqa p. 125; Egyptian Edition, and Tarikh ul-Khulafa’ (History of the Caliphs) p. 116; Lahore Edition.

Abu Na’im mentioned in his book Hilyatul- Awliya’ vol.1 p. 64; Egyptian edition, a tradition narrated by ibn Abbas that the Prophet Muhammad (s) had said: “Allah had not revealed any verse beginning with ‘O you who believe,’ unless Ali was its head and amir.”

Ahmad bin Hanbal sums it up for Imam Ali when He said: “No one of the Prophet’s Companions had virtues like that of Ali bin Abu Talib.”

This saying has been mentioned in many books; al-Mustadrak, al-Isti’aab, al-Kamil of ibn ul-Athir, Kifayat ut-Talib, ar-Riyazun-Nazira, Tahthib ut-Tahthib, Fat-hul-Bari fi Sharh il-Bukhari, Tarikh ul-Khulafa’, as-Sira al-Halabiyah, ar-Rawzul-Azhar, Is’aaf ur-Raaghibin and others.

There is a tradition, which was agreed upon by the Sunnis showing the preference of Fatima, the Prophet’s daughter, (peace be upon her) over all others.

The Prophet said: “Fatima is the chief of women of Paradise.”

This hadith has been narrated by some Companions: Hudhayfa bin al-Yamaan as in Sahih ut-Tirmidhi vol. 13 p. 197, ‘Aa’isha as in Sahih ul-Bukhari vol. 4 p. 203, and Umm Salama in Sahih ut-Tirmidhi vol. 13 p. 250.

There is also an agreed upon tradition among Sunnis showing the preference of Imam Hasan and Imam Husayn.

The Prophet (s) said: “Hasan and Husayn are the masters of the young men of Paradise.”

This hadith was narrated by some Companions of the prophet: Abu Sa’id al-Khudri as in Sahih ut-Tirmidhi vol. 13 p. 190, Musnad of Ahmad vol. 3 p. 3., Hudhayfa as in Sahih ut-Tirmidhi vol. 13 p. 197, and by Abdullah bin Umar in the Sunan of ibn Maja vol. 1 p. 56.

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The Sura Al-Insaan (76) was revealed concerning Imam Ali, Fatima, Hasan and Husayn. In addition, the Qur’anic Verse of purification: “Allah only desires to keep away uncleanness from you, O People of the House, and to purify you with a thorough purification. (33:33),” was revealed concerning them. This has been narrated by many of the Prophet’s Companions such as Wathila bin al-Asqa’, Amr bin Abu Salama, ‘Aa’isha, Umm Salama , Sa’d bin Abu Waqqas, Abu Sa’id, Imam Ali, Ja’far bin Abu Talib, Abu Barza, Sabih, ibn Abbas, Anas, Abul-Hamra’, Atiyah, Sahl bin Sa’d, Abu Hurayra, Burayda, Abdullah bin Umar, Imran bin al-Husayn, Salama bin al-Aqua’ , Ma’qil bin Yasaar, and Abdullah bin az-Zubeir. This has been mentioned by al-Heythami in his book Majma’uz-Zawa’id and as-Suyuti in his book al-Jami’us-Saghir narrated by al-Bazzaz p. 113 and by ibn Hajar in his as-Sawa’iq ul-Muhriqa p. 184 and Miftah un-Naja p. 9, Yanabi’ul-Mawaddah p. 187, al-Fat-hul-Kabir p. 133, Arjahul-Matalib p. 330, as-Sayf ul-Yamani al-Maslul p. 9. And it has also been narrated by Aamir bin Wathila, which was mentioned by al-Hafiz ad-Dulabi in his book al-Kuna wa al-Asma’ vol. 1 p. 76. It was narrated by Salama bin al-Aqua’ which was mentioned by ibnul-Maghazili and ash-Shafi’i in his book al-Manaqib, and mentioned in other Sunni books like Arjah ul-Matalib p. 330 and Yanabi’ul-Mawaddah p. 28. Also it was narrated by Imam Ali, which was mentioned by Muhibbud-Din at-Tabari in his book Dhakha’ir ul-Uqba p. 20 from ibnus-Seri.

Some people spuriously criticize the Shias cursing the wives of Prophet Muhammad (s), especially ‘Aa’isha (daughter of Abu Bakr; the first caliph) and Hafsa (daughter of Umar; the second caliph), and that they ascribe adultery to them, Allah forbid!

I swear by the fig and the olive and Mount Sinai and this city made secure. (95:1-3)

I swear by the soul and Him Who made it perfect. (91:7)

Of course, in the Sharia a legal oath (e.g an oath given in court or an oath on a legal document) by other than Allah or His attributes is not acceptable. This is a legal oath and anything other than this is considered to be only a manner of emphasizing a point.

O you who believe! If an evildoer comes to you with a report, look carefully into it. (49:6)

And follow not that of which you have not the knowledge. (17:36)

In their jurisprudence, the Shia depend upon the traditions narrated by the Prophet’s family because they were the authority for the nation after Prophet Muhammad (s). This is confirmed by the prophetic tradition of Thaqalayn, the two weighty matters upon which all Muslims agree.

We have mentioned this tradition in our book (Al-Jami’ li Barahin Usul ul-I’tiqadat). At-Tirmidhi mentioned this tradition in his book (Sahih) vol. 13 p. 200, narrated by Zayd bin Arqam and in another chain by Abu Sa’id that Prophet Muhammad (s) had said: “I have left to you two very weighty matters. If you keep to them, you will never go astray after my death. One, the greater than the other is the Holy Qur’an, which is as a string extended between Heaven and Earth, and the other is my family. They will never separate until they come to me in Paradise. Be careful how to obey me through obeying them.”

Some Sunni scholars have certified this tradition and its many sources. One of them was ibn Hajar in his book titled As-Sawa’iq. He said: “The tradition of ath-Thaqalayn has been narrated by thirteen Companions. Many of its chains of narration are true and correct.”

It was also mentioned by al-Hadhrami in his book titled Al-Qawlul-Fasl vol. 1 p. 49. He said:

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“The tradition of ath-Thaqalayn was narrated by more than twenty Companions. Its chains of narration were true and acceptable. It was a mutawatir tradition meaning that the tradition had an uninterrupted sequence of trustworthy narrators. All scholars of hadith have said that this was a true tradition.”

The profusion of narrations of this tradition has led to the conclusion that it was said by Prophet Muhammad (s) on four occasions. The first occasion was the Day of Arafah when he made a speech from above his she-camel, al-Quswa, the second was at the Kheif Mosque, the third was on the Day of al-Ghadir when he was returning from his last hajj, and the fourth, on the day of his death when he gave a sermon on the pulpit.

Here are some of the paths by which this tradition has been narrated from the books of the Sunnis;

1.Narrated by al-A’mash, from Atiyah, from Abu Sa’id- (mentioned by ibn Sa’d in his book Tabaqat ) vol.2 p. 114.

2. From another direction, al-A’mash, Atiyah, Abu Sa’id, (al-Maghazili’s Manaqib) p. 235.

3. From a third direction, al-A’mash, Atiyah, Abu Sa’id (al-Maghazili’s Manaqib) p. 235.

4. Ibn Numayr, Abdul-Malik bin Abu Sulayman, Atiyah, Abu Sa’id (Ahmad’s Manaqib).

5. Ali bin Musahir, Abdul-Malik bin Abu Sulayman, Atiyah, Abu Sa’id (al-Mu’jam ul-Kabir) p. 137.

6. Harun bin Sa'd, Atiyah, Abu Sa’id (al-Mu’jam us-Saghir) vol.1 p. 135.

7. Fuzeil bin Marzuq, Atiyah, Abu Sa’id (al-Ma’rifa wa at-Tarikh) p. 537.

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8. Kutheir an-Nawaa’, Atiyah, Abu Sa’id (al-Mu’jam us Saghir) p. 73.

9. Abu Isra’il, Atiyah, Abu Sa’id (al-Ma’rifa wa at-Tarikh) p. 537.

10. Muhammad bin Muzaffar al-Baghdadi, Abu Sa’id (Miftah un-Naja) p. 51.

11. Salman ul-Farsi (Yanabi’ul-Mawaddah) p. 36.

12. Ja’far bin Aun, Abu Hayyan, Yazid bin Hayyan, Zayd bin Arqam (ad-Darimi’s Sunan) vol. 2 p. 431.

13. Ya’la bin Ubayd, Abu Hayyan, Yazid bin Hayyan, Zayd bin Arqam (al-Bayhaqi’s Sunan) vol. 10 p. 113.

14. Isma’il bin Ibrahim, Abu Hayyan, Yazid bin Hayyan, Zayd bin Arqam (Muslim’s Sahih) vol. 7 p.122.

15. Muhammad bin Fuzeil and Jarir, Abu Hayyan, Yazid bin Hayyan, Zayd bin Arqam (Muslim’s Sahih) vol.7 p.123.

16. Ali bin Musahhir, Abu Hayyan, Yazid bin Hayyan, Zayd bin Arqam (Ibnul-Maghazili’s Manaqib) p. 236.

17. Hasaan bin Sa’id, ibn Masruq, Yazid bin Hayyan, Zayd bin Arqam (Muslim’s Sahih) vol. 7 p. 123.

18. Al-A’mash, Yazid bin Hayyan (Al-Mu’jam ul-Kabir) vol. 5 p. 190.

19. Abu Sa’id, Habib bin Abu Thabit, Zayd bin Arqam (At-Tirmidhi’s Sahih) vol.13 p. 200.

20. Al-A’mash, Habib bin Abu Thabit, Zayd bin Arqam (Al-mu’jam ul- Kabir) vol. 5 p. 190.

21. Al-A’mash, Abuz-Zuha, Zayd bin Arqam (Al-Mu’jam ul- Kabir) vol. 5 p. 190.

22. From another direction to Abuz-Zuha, Zayd bin Arqam (Al-Mu’jam ul- Kabir) vol. 5 p. 190.

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23. From a third way to Abuz-Zuha, Zayd bin Arqam (Al-Mu’jam ul- Kabir) vol. 5 p. 190.

24. Al-Hasan bin Abdullah, Muslim bin Subayh, Zayd bin Arqam (Al-Mustadrak) vol.3 p. 148.

25. Kuheil, Abut-Tufayl, Zayd bin Arqam (Wasilat ul-Ma’al) p. 55.

26. Habib bin Abu Thabit, Abut-Tufayl, Zayd bin Arqam (Al-Mustadrak) vol.3 p. 109.

27. Hakam bin Jubayr, Abut-Tufayl, Zayd bin Arqam (Al-Mu’jam ul- Kabir) p. 137.

28. Ali bin Rabi’a, Zayd bin Arqam (Al-Ma’rifa wa at-Tarikh) p. 536.

29. Al-Husayn bin Abdullah, Zayd bin Arqam (Fara’id us-Samtein) vol.2 p. 142.

30. Zayd bin Thabit (Al-Mu’jam ul- Kabir) vol. 5 p. 171.

31. From another direction to Zayd bin Thabit (Al-Mu’jam ul- Kabir) vol. 5 p. 171.

32. From a third direction to Zayd bin Thabit (Al-Mu’jam ul- Kabir) vol. 5 p. 171.

33. From a fourth direction to Zayd bin Thabit (Al-Mu’jam ul- Kabir) vol. 5 p. 171.

34. Al-Anmati, Ma’ruf bin Kharbuth, Abu Tufayl, Hudhayfa bin Usayd (Al-Mu’jam ul- Kabir) p. 157.

35. Zayd bin al-Hasan, Ma’ruf bin Kharbuth, Abu Tufeil, Hudhayfa bin Usayd (Fara’id us-Samtein) vol.2 p. 574.

36. Ahmad bin Abdullah bin Salam, Hudhayfa bin al-Yaman (Yanabi’ul-Mawaddah) p. 35.

37. Urwa bin Kharija, Fatimat uz-Zahra’ (peace be upon her) (Yanabi’ul-Mawaddah) p. 30.

38. Ja’far bin Muhammad, from his father, from Jabir bin Abdullah (At-Tirmidhi’s Sahih) vol.13 p. 199.

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39. Abdur-Rahman bin Khallad, Jabir bin Abdullah (Yanabi’ul-Mawaddah) p. 40.

40. Al-Husayn bin Ali (s) from Imam Ali (s) (Fara’id us-Samtein)

41. (Aabir) bin Wathila, Imam Ali (Ibnul-Maghazili’s Manaqib) p. 117.

42. Muhammad bin Umar bin Ali from his father, Imam Ali (Kanz ul-Ummal) vol.1 p. 340.

43. Ubaydullah bin Musa, from his father, from his grandfather, from Imam Ali (Wasilat ul-Ma’al) p. 57.

44. Asbagh bin Nabata, Imam Ali (Yanabi’ul-Mawaddah) p. 39.

45. Sulaym bin Qays, Imam Ali (Yanabi’ul-Mawaddah) p. 114.

46. Asbagh bin Nabata, Abu Rafi’ (Yanabi’ ul Mawaddah) p. 39.

47. Muhammad bin Abdur-Rahman bin Khallad (Arjah ul-Matalib) p. 341.

48. Hudhayfa bin al-Yaman (Yanabi’ ul Mawaddah) p. 36.

49. Talha (Yanabi’ ul Mawaddah) p. 35.

50. Abdur-Rahman bin Auf (Yanabi’ ul Mawaddah) p. 35.

51. Sa'd bin Abu Waqqas (Yanabi’ ul Mawaddah) p. 35.

52. Ibn A’atham al-Kufi, Ibn Abbas (As-Safina) .

53. Ata’, Abu Yahya, Ibn Abbas (Yanabi’ ul Mawaddah) p. 35.

54. Abdullah bin al-Hasan, from his father, al-Hasan bin Ali (s) (Yanabi’ ul Mawaddah) p. 20.

55. Anas, (Yanabi’ ul Mawaddah) p. 191.

56. Abu Rafi’; the freed slave of Prophet Muhammad (s) (Arjah ul-Matalib) p. 337.

57. Jubayr bin Mut’im, (Yanabi’ul Mawaddah) p. 31.

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58. Abdullah bin Huntub (Ihya’ul-Meyyit) p. 115.

59. Sakhra al-Aslami (Yanabi’ul Mawaddah) p. 38.

60. Abd bin Hamid (Yanabi’ ul Mawaddah) p. 38.

61. Abu Dharr (Al-Mu’jam ul- Kabir) vol. 5 p. 538.

62. Abu Hurayra (Majma’uz-Zawa’id) vol. 9 p. 163.

63. Um Hani (Wasilatul-Ma’al) p. 59.

64. Umm Salama (Arjah ul-Matalib) p. 338 and (Yanabi’ ul Mawaddah) p. 36.

It should be mentioned that the tradition (I have left to you two very important things; the Holy Qur’an and my Sunna,) which the Sunnis put to be against the tradition of Thaqalayn was not mentioned in any of their six Sahih books and it could not be narrated by any Companion who was in opposition to the Prophet’s family, because the motto of Prophet’s family was the Prophet’s Sunna, while the motto of the Companions who were in opposition was ‘The Holy Qur’an is enough for us.’

They prevented people to write down or narrate the Prophet’s Sunna during the reigns of Abu Bakr, Umar and Uthman. They collected all what had been written down and burnt them. They punished people for narrating the Prophet’s traditions except what they themselves narrated.

They fell into innovation because they turned away from the path of knowing the Islamic Law which the Prophet (s) had determined for the Muslims. He said, “I am leaving to you two weighty things; the Holy Qur’an and my family. You will not go astray if you keep to them.” He made his family the guide for Muslims like the Holy Qur’an and told them that they (his family) were the depositories of the knowledge of the Sharia. He (s) said: “I am the city of knowledge and Ali is its gate.”

Imam Ali (a) said: “The Messenger of Allah had taught me one thousand sections of knowledge from each one thousand sections are opened.”

Imam Ali deposited this knowledge with the Infallible Imams and each in turn inherited it.

It has been established from the traditions of the Infallible Imams that when the sun passes the zenith, it is the time for the two prayers but this (the first prayer) is before that (the second prayer). Similarly, when the evening comes, it is time for the two prayers but this is before that.

Allah has permitted the joining of the prayers and His Messenger did so without any purpose other than of making it easy for his umma. Why should Muslims have to make it difficult upon themselves just to make the separation of the prayers obligatory and sometimes miss the Asr and the ‘Isha Prayers which has happened not only to ordinary people but to some of the Sunni scholars as well?

He also recorded in vol. 3 p. 465 (tradition No. 1406):

“In the Sahih of Muslim and the Sahih of an-Nassa’i, there was another tradition that relates Abu Dharr as saying, ‘The two pleasures (mut’atan) are not applicable except for us.’

He meant that of the temporary marriage and that of hajj.”

Ar-Razi mentioned, in his Tafsir vol. 10 p. 25:

“The third evidence on permitting temporary marriage is based upon that which Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said from atop the minbar (pulpit) ‘Two pleasures were permissible at the time of the Prophet but now I forbid them; the pleasure of hajj and the temporary marriage.’

This confirms that temporary marriage was permissible in the time of the Prophet (s). Umar’s saying ‘I forbid them’ indicates that it was not the Prophet but Umar who repealed them. Thus proven, we can say that this is a proof of the fact that temporary marriage had ben permissible during the time of the Prophet and that he (s) did not repeal it, but Umar did. Therefore, Umar’s repeal is invalid. This was the evidence that Imran bin Husayn cited with when He said: “Allah revealed a Qur’anic verse about temporary marriage and He had not repealed it by any other verse. The Prophet (s) ordered us to practise temporary marriage and he did not forbid it. But someone gave his opinion as he liked -he meant that Umar forbade it-.”

These have been some ways of proving the legality of the temporary marriage.

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Ad-Daylami mentioned in his book Firdous ul-Akhbar that Umm Salama (the Prophet’s wife) said that the Prophet (s) had said:

“Ali and his Shia –followers- are the winners on the Day of Resurrection.”

The same was also mentioned by al-Manaawi in Kunuz ul-Haqa’iq p. 98, and al-Qanduzi in Yanabi’ ul Mawaddah p. 188 and 237, -Istanbul Edition-.

Sabt bin al-Jawzi has mentioned in his book Tadhkirat ul-Khawaas p. 59, a tradition narrated by Abu Sa’id al-Khudri that the Prophet (s) looked at Ali bin Abu Talib and said:

“This Man and his Shia are the winners on the Day of Resurrection.”

Al-Khatib al-Khawarizmi mentioned in al-Manaaqib p. 178 that the Master of Narrators, Abu Mansur Shahrdar bin Shirwayh bin Shahrdar told him in his letter from Hamadan that Abul-Fat'h Abdus bin Abdullah bin Abdus al-Hamadani told him that Sharif Abu Talib al-Mufazzal bin Muhammad bin Tahir al-Ja’fari (may Allah be pleased with him) in his house in Isfahan, Sikkatul-Khawr that Sheikh Abu Bakr Ahmad bin Musa bin Mardwayh bin Fawrak al-Isfahani told him that Ahmad bin Muhammad bin as-Sariy told him that al-Munthir bin Muhammad bin al-Munthir told him that his father told him that his uncle al-Husayn bin Sa’d told him that his father told him that Isma’il bin Ziyad al-Bazzaz told him that Ibrahim bin Muhajir told him that Yazid bin Shurahil al-Ansari, Imam Ali’s clerk, told him that he had heard Imam Ali (a) saying,

The Prophet (s) said to me while he was leaning on my chest, O Ali, you have heard Allah’s saying: Those who believe and do good; they are surely the best of men. (98:7)

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They are you and your Shia. My rendezvous and yours will be at the Pond when the nations gather for the Judgement and you (and your Shias) will come with honor and radiant.”

This tradition was also mentioned by as-Suyuti in his ad-Durr ul-Manthur vol. 6 p. 379 -Egyptian edition-.

Al-Khatib ul-Baghdadi mentioned in his Muwazzih Awham uj-Jam’ wa at-Tafriq vol. 1 p. 43; Heidarabad, that Abul-Hasan Muhammad bin Abdul-Wahid bin Muhammad bin Ja’far told him that Ali bin Umar ad-Darqutni told them that Abul-Hasan Ali bin Muhammad bin Ubayd told them that Ahmad bin Hazim told them that Sahl bin Aamir told them that Fuzeil bin Marzuq heard from Abul Jihaf, from Muhammad bin Amr bin al-Hasan, from Zaynab, from Fatima the daughter of the Prophet (as) that the Prophet said to Ali,

“O Abul-Hasan (Ali), you and your Shia will be in Paradise.”

Al-Haythami mentioned in his book Majma’uz-Zawa’id vol. 10 p. 21 -Egyptian edition-, that Umm Salama said: “When the Prophet (s) was in my house one night, Fatima and Ali sat with him. He raised his head towards them and said, “O Ali, be delighted. You and your Shia will be in Paradise.”

He also mentioned, in vol. 9 p. 173, a tradition narrated by Abu Hurayra that the Prophet (s) said to Ali, ‘You and your Shia are with me in Paradise.”

The same was mentioned by al-Khatib al-Baghdadi in his The History of Baghdad vol. 12 p. 289 -Egyptian edition-.

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Ibnul-Maghazili ash-Shafie has mentioned, in al-Manaqib p. 293 tradition No. 335, that the judge Abu Ja’far Muhammad bin Isma’il al-Alawi told them that Abu Muhammad bin Abdullah bin Muhammad bin Ithman al-Muzani, who was called ibnus-Saqqa’ told them that Abu Abdullah Ahmad bin Ali al-Razi told them that Ali bin al-Hasan bin Ubayd ar-Razi told them that Isma’il bin Ibban al-Azdi told them that he heard a tradition narrated by Amr bin Hurayth, from Dawud bin Sulayk, from Anas bin Malik that the Prophet (s) had said,

“Seventy thousand from among my umma will enter Paradise without there being any reckoning.” Then he looked at Ali and said: “They are from your Shia and you are their Imam.”

This hadith was mentioned by al-Khawarizmi in his al-Manaqib p. 229, ibn Hasnawayh al-Musily in Durr Bahr il-Manaqib p. 119, and al-Qanduzi in Yanabi’ ul Mawaddah p. 124.

Besides, these traditions are the historical facts that the Sunni books and history have certified. They have demonstrated that Shiism originated just after the Prophet’s death when some people exploited the situation when Imam Ali and the Prophet’s family were occupied with the Prophet’s funeral preparations. In spite of the fact that the Prophet had recommended Ali to be his successor and that they had paid homage to Ali in Ghadir Khum, they arranged to give their allegiance to Abu Bakr as caliph after the Prophet (s). This prompted Imam Ali and his followers to protest and refuse to pay homage to Abu Bakr. This led Umar to attack the house of Fatima, the Prophet’s Daughter, and set it on fire. Other accidents happened after that. Since then, those who had supported Imam Ali (a) came to be known as the Shia of Ali (followers) and their doctrine came to be known as Shiism. There were no Jews or Magi among them. The ruling authorities persecuted them whereas Jews and Christians were best liked by the State.

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It was allowed for Ka’bul-Ahbar (previously a Jew) and the like to sit in the Prophet’s Mosque and to talk to Muslims about Jewish ideas. The ruling authorities allowed storytellers to sit in the mosques and tell Jewish, Christian, and pre-Islamic stories, and they encouraged poets to recite poems about love, wine, praise and satire. At the same time, the ruling authorities prevented the Prophet’s family and others to publicize the Prophetic traditions, giving the excuse that they might be mixed with Qur’anic verses!

Finally, we do not have save Allah to judge.