بسم الله الرحمن الرحیم

In the name of Allah, The All-beneficent, The All-Merciful

The writer is an erudite scholar who, with authority discusses the Islamic and Arabic sciences, the factors responsible for their emergence and the various stages of their development throughout Shi'a sources..

قال اللهُ تعالی:

إِنّما یُرِیدُ اللّهُ لِیُذْهِب عنْکُمُ الرِّجْس أهْل الْبیْتِ ویُطهِّرکُمْ تطْهِیرًا

Indeed, Allah desires to repel all impurity from you, O People of the Household, and purify you with a thorough purification. (Sūrah al-Aḥzāb 33:33)

The most authoritative books on Hadīth and Tafsīr (Quranic exegesis), amongst both Sunni and Shi'ah sources, cite Prophetic traditions that confirm verse 33:33 as being exclusively revealed in relation to the five who were ‘covered by the Cloak’; namely Muhammad, ‘Alī, Fātīmah, al- Hasan, and al- Husayn, (peace be upon them), to whom the term ‘Ahl al-Bayt’ (People of the House) is specifically attributed.

For instance, refer to the following reference books:

(1) Ahmad ibn Hanbal (d. 241 AH), al-Musnad, 1:331; 4:107; 6:292, 304. (2) Ṣahīh Muslim (d. 261 AH), 7:130. (3) Al-Tirmidhī (d. 279 AH), Sunan, 5:361 et al. (4) Al-Dūlābī (d. 310 AH), al-Dhurriyyah al-Tahirah al-Nabawiyyah, pp. 108. (5) Al-Nassa’i (d. 303 AH), al-Sunan al-Kubra, 5:p108, 113. (6) al-Hakīm al-Nayshābūrī (d. 405 AH), al-Mustadrak ‘alā aṣ-Ṣaḥīḥayn, 2:416, 3:133, 146, 147. (7) al-Zarkāshī (d. 794 AH), al-Burhān, pp. 197. (8) Ibn Hājar al-Asqalānī (d. 852), Fatḥ al-Barī Sharḥ Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, 7:104. (9) Al-Kulaynī (d. 328 AH), Uṣūl al-Kāfī, 1:287. (10) Ibn Bābawayh (d. 329 AH), al-Imāmah wa’l-Tabṣirah, pp. 47, H. 29. (11) Al-Maghribī (d. 363 AH), Da’ā’im al-Islām, pp. 35, 37. (12) Aṣ-Ṣadūq (d. 381 AH), al-Khiṣāl, pp. 403, 550. (13) Aṭ-Ṭūsī (d. 460 AH), al-‘Amālī, H. 438, 482, 783.

For more details, refer to the exegesis of the holy verse involved in the following reference books of tafsīr: (1) Aṭ-Ṭabarī (d. 310 AH), Book of Tafsīr. (2) Al-Jassāss (d. 370 AH), Aḥkām al-Qur’an. (3) Al-Waḥīdī (d. 468 AH), Asbāb al-Nuzūl. (4) Ibn al-Jawzī (d. 597 AH), Zād al-Maṣīr. (5) Al-Qurṭubī (d. 671 AH), al-Jāmi‘li-Aḥkām al-Qur’an. (6) Ibn Kathīr (d. 774 AH), Book of Tafsīr. (7) Al-Tha’ālibī (d. 825 AH), Book of Tafsīr. (8) Al-Suyūtī (d. 911 AH), al-Durr al-Manthūr. (9) Al-Shawkanī (d. 1250 AH), Fath al-Qadeer. (10) Al-Ayyashi (d. 320 AH), Book of Tafsīr. (11) Al-Qummī (d. 329 AH), Book of Tafsīr. (12) Furt al-Kūfī (d. 352 AH), Book of Tafsīr; in the margin of the exegesis of verse 4:59. (13) Al-Tabrīzī (d. 560 AH), Majma’ al-Bayān

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The Faith of the Imamiyyah Shi'ah

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قال رسول الله (صلی الله علیه و آله):

إنِّی تارک فیکم الثّقلین،

کتاب الله و عترتی بیتی اهل

ما ان تمسّکتم بهما لن تضلّوا ابدا

“.الحوض علیّ یردا حتّی یفترقا لن وانّهما

The Messenger of Allah (ṣ) said:

“Verily, I am leaving among you two precious things [thaqalayn]:

The Book of Allah and

my progeny [‘itratī], the members of my Household [Ahl al-Bayt].

If you hold fast to them, you shall never go astray.

These two will never separate from each other

until they meet me at the Pond [ḥawḍ] (of Kawthar).”

Some references:

Al­Ḥākim an­Nayshābūrī, Al­Mustadrak ‘alā’ṣ-Ṣaḥīḥayn (Beirut), vol. 3, pp. 109-110, 148, 533

Muslim, Aṣ-Ṣaḥīḥ, (English translation), book 31, hadīths 5920-3

At­Tirmidhī, Aṣ-Ṣaḥīḥ, vol. 5, pp. 621-2, hadīths 3786, 3788; vol. 2, p. 219

An-Nasā’ī, Khaṣā’iṣ ‘Alī ibn Abī Ṭālib, hadīth 79

Aḥmad ibn Ḥanbal, Al-Musnad, vol. 3, pp. 14, 17, 26; vol. 3, pp. 26, 59; vol. 4, p. 371; vol. 5, pp. 181-182, 189-190

Ibn al­‘Athīr, Jāmi‘ al­Uṣūl, vol. 1, p. 277

Ibn Kathīr, Al­Bidāyah wa’n­Nihāyah, vol. 5, p. 209

Ibn Kathīr, Tafsīr al-Qur’ān al-‘Aẓīm , vol. 6, p. 199

Naṣīr ad-Dīn al-Albanī, Silsilāt al-Aḥādīth aṣ-Ṣaḥīḥah (Kuwait: Ad-Dār aṣ-Ṣalāfiyyah), vol. 4, pp. 355-358

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THE FAITH

OF

THE IMAMIYYAH SHI`AH

ÉÉWith additions and commentary by

`Abd al-Karim al-Kirmani

Translated by

Badr Shahin

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نام کتاب: عقائد الإمامیة

نویسنده: محمد رضا المظفر

مترجم: بدر شاهین

زبان ترجمه: انگلیسی

The Faith of the Imamiyyah Shi`ah

Author: `Allamah Muhammad Riza al-Muzaffar

Reviser: `Abd al-Karim al-Kirmani

Translator: Badr Shahin

Editor: Iffat Shah

Project supervisor: Translation Unit, Cultural Affairs Department/The Ahl al-Bayt (`a) World Assembly (ABWA)

Publisher: The Ahl al-Bayt (`a) World Assembly

First Printing: 2008

Printed by: Layla Press

Copies: 7,000

www.ahl-ul-bayt.org

info@ahl-ul-bayt.org

ISBN: 978-964-529-435-7

All rights reserved

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Attributes of Almighty Allah—91

Divine Justice—95

Religious Duties—99

Predetermination and Divine Decree—101

Bada'—107

Laws of the Religion—113

PART TWO:

PROPHETHOOD

Prophethood—119

Prophethood being Part of Divine Grace—119

Miracles of the Prophets—125

Infallibility of the Prophets—131

Attributes of the Prophets—135

The Prophets and their Books—137

Islam—139

The Lawgiver of Islam—145

The Holy Qur'an—147

Proving the Divine Status of Islam and the Past Religious Laws—151

PART THREE:

IMAMATE

Imamate—165

Infallibility of the Imam—167

Attributes and Knowledge of the Imam—169

Obedience to the Imams—175

Love for the Ahl al-Bayt—191

The Holy Imams—199

Imamate Decided by a Divine Commission—201

Number of the Imams—209

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Al-Mahdi—219

The Return (Raj`ah)—225

Pious Dissimulation (Taqiyyah)—233

PART FOUR:

TEACHINGS OF THE AHL AL-BAYT

FOR THEIR FOLLOWERS

Prelude—247

Supplication—249

The Supplications of al-¯ahifah al-Sajjadiyyah—267

Pilgrimage to the Holy Shrines—285

Forms of Ziyarah—288

Etiquettes of Visiting the Holy Shrines—290

Shi`ism According to the Ahl al-Bayt —297

Imam al-Baqir’s Conversation with Jabir al-Ju`fi—299

Imam al-Baqir’s Conversation with Sa`id Ibn al-Hasan—301

Imam al-¯adiq’s Conversation with al-Kinani—302

Aphorisms of Imam al-¯adiq (`a)—303

Oppression and Injustice—307

Cooperation with Oppressors—313

Holding Offices in Despotic Governments—321

Calling upon Islamic Unity—325

Mutual Rights of Muslims—337

PART FIVE:

ESCHATOLOGY

Resurrection and Final Assemblage—351

Somatic Resurrection—353

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Bibliography—361

The book is an attempt to present a general and throughout outline of the doctrines, practices and history of Twelver Shi'ah Islam.

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To assist the seekers of truth, the Ahl al-Bayt World Assembly has endeavored to present a new phase of these arguments contained in the studies and translations of the works of contemporary Shi‘ah writers and those who have embraced this sublime school of thought through divine blessing.

The Assembly is also engaged in edition and publication of the valuable works of leading Shi`ah scholars of earlier ages to assist the seekers of the truth in discovering the truths which the School of the Prophet’s Household (`a) has offered to the entire world.

The Ahl al-Bayt World Assembly looks forward to benefit from the opinions of the readers and their suggestions and constructive criticism in this area.

We also invite scholars, translators and other institutions to assist us in propagating the genuine Islamic teachings as preached by the Prophet Muhammad (s).

We beseech God, the Most High, to accept our humble efforts and to enable us to enhance them under the auspices of Imam al-Mahdi, His vicegerent on the earth (may Allah expedite his advent).

We invoke Almighty God’s mercy upon the soul of Shaykh Muhammad Ridha al-Muzaffar, the author of the present book and express our gratitude to Mr. `Abd al-Karim al-Kirmani, for commenting on the text of the book and Br. Badr Shahin, its translator. We also thank our colleagues who have participated in producing this work, especially the staff of the Translation Office.

Cultural Affairs Department

The Ahl al-Bayt (`a) World Assembly

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4. `Aqa’id al-Imamiyyah: al-Muzaffar, Muhammad Ridha (1322 – 1384 AH), with an introduction by Hamid Hafni Dawud (with noteworthy additions); Cairo: Al-Najah Publishers, 1391 AH; Pocket size (120 x 180 mm); Number of pages: 126.

5. `Aqa’id al-Imamiyyah: al-Muzaffar, Muhammad Ridha, with an introduction by Muhammad Mahdi al-Asifi and Hamid Hafni Dawud; (publisher is not mentioned) 1393 AH, Pocket size (120 x 180 mm); Number of pages: 135; Offset printing.

6. `Aqa’id al-Imamiyyah: The Reformist Mujtahid Muhammad Ridha al-Muzaffar, with an introduction by Hamid Hafni Dawud; Qum: al-Sharif al-Radhi Publishers; Second Edition, 1411 AH, Envelope C5 size (162 x 229 mm); Number of pages: 136.

7. `Aqa’id al-Imamiyyah: al-Muzaffar, Muhammad Ridha, (d. 1384 AH) with an introduction by Muhammad Mahdi al-Asifi and Hamid Hafni Dawud; Qum: Shukuri Publishers 1371 AHS/1413 AH, Third Offset Edition, Pocket size (120 x 180 mm); Number of pages: 147.

8. `Aqa’id al-Imamiyyah: The Great `Allamah (well-versed scholar) Shaykh Muhammad Ridha al-Muzaffar (1904 – 1964 CE); with revision and commentary by Muhammad Jawad al-Turayhi; Qum: Imam `Ali Foundation (mu’assasat al-imam `ali); First Revised Edition, 1417 AH; Envelope C5 size (162 x 229 mm); Number of pages: 512.

9. Bidayat al-Ma`arif al-Ilahiyyah fi Sharh `Aqa’id al-Imamiyyah: Commentary and revision by Sayyid Muhsin al-Kharrazi; Qum: Islamic Publication Center (markaz an-nashr al-islami); First Edition; Date of Introduction: 1366 AHS/1418 AH; Envelope C5 size (162 x 229 mm); 2 volumes: 1st volume: 320 pages; 2nd volume: 281 pages.

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10. `Aqa’id al-Imamiyyah: `Allamah Shaykh Muhammad Ridha al-Muzaffar; Qum: Doctrinal Research Center (markaz al-abhath al-`aqa'idiyyah); 1422 AH, Pocket size (120 x 180 mm); Number of pages: 176.

11. `Aqa’id al-Imamiyyah: The Reformist Mujtahid Muhammad Ridha al-Muzaffar, with an introduction by Hamid Hafni Dawud; Qum: Ansariyan Publications; Fourth Reprint, 1422 AH; Number of pages: 135.

12. `Aqa’id al-Imamiyyah: al-Muzaffar, Muhammad Ridha (d. 1384 AH), with an introduction by Hamid Hafni Dawud; Tehran: The Major Islamic Library (al-maktabah al-islamiyyah al-kubra), Be`sat Foundation (date is not mentioned); Pocket size (120 x 180 mm); Number of pages: 136.

13. `Aqa’id al-Imamiyyah: al-Muzaffar, Muhammad Ridha (date and publishers are not mentioned), Pocket size (120 x 180 mm); Number of pages: 136.

14. `Aqa’id al-Imamiyyah: al-Muzaffar, Muhammad Ridha, with an introduction by Hamid Hafni Dawud; Tehran: Ninawa Modern Library (maktabat ninawa al-hadithah) (date is not mentioned); Pocket size (120 x 180 mm); Number of pages: 136.

15. `Aqa’id al-Imamiyyah fi Thawbihi al-Jadid; Faris `Ali al-`Amir; Qum: al-Sharif al-Radhi Publishers; Second Edition; Envelope C5 size (162 x 229 mm); Number of pages: 227.

16. Bidayat al-Ma`arif al-Ilahiyyah fi Sharh `Aqa’id al-Imamiyyah: Commentary and explanation by Sayyid Muhsin al-Kharrazi; Qum: Islamic Publication Center (markaz an-nashr al-islami); Seventh Edition; two parts in one volume.

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In Other Languages:

1. In English: The Faith of Shi`ah Islam: al-Muzaffar, Muhammad Ridha (1904 – 1964); Qum: Ansariyan Publications; 1409 AH/1989 CE; Number of pages: 89.

2. In French: Translated into French by `Abbas al-Bostani; commentary by Muhammad Jawad al-Turayhi; Qum: Imam `Ali Foundation (date is not mentioned); Number of pages: 270.

3. In Russian: Translated into Russian by Translation Department in the Ahl al-Bayt (`a) World Assembly 1998; Number of pages: 152.

4. In Chinese: Translated into Chinese by Sulayman Hi Khwa; Tehran: Islamic Culture and Relations League; 1997; Number of pages: 87.

5. In Urdu: Translated into Urdu by Muhammad Naqvi Najafi; Revised by Muhammad Jawad al-Turayhi; Qum: Imam `Ali Foundation; First Edition; Number of pages: 340.

6. In Urdu: Edited by Ahmad Husayn Naqvi; Qum: Imam `Ali Foundation; 1420 AH; Number of pages: 440.

7. In Farsi: Translated into Farsi by `Ali Ridha Masjid-Jami`i; Tehran: Ministry of Islamic Culture and Guidance; Publication and Printing Organization; 1380 AHS; A5 Size (148 x 210 mm); Number of pages: 368.

8. In Tajik: Translated into Tajik by Iqbal Strochni; Tehran: Islamic Culture and Relations League; 1997; Number of pages: 212.

Because of summing up, we will not mention the other prints of this book, which have been published by the aforesaid publishers as well as others.

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We would like to express our gratitude and acknowledgement to all those who have contributed to this cultural project, especially our esteemed brother, His Eminence Shaykh Dr. Muhammad Jawad al-Turayhi and those who have collaborated with him in the production of the book’s distinctive edition of Imam `Ali Foundation. Our acknowledgement also extends to the eminent scholar, Ayatullah Sayyid Muhsin al-Kharrazi, whose efforts to explain and comment on the book are praiseworthy, and the hardworking scholar, Mr. Faris `Ali al-`Amir, who has not only dressed the book in a new garment but also omitted, added, and re-coined many of the book’s words and expressions. We thus pray Almighty Allah to lead all of us to all that which is good for us.

Because the material of this book is rich, agreeable, and fulfills the requirements and levels of divergent classes of people, this diverse need is divided between various milieus of society as follows:

A. Shi`ite Milieu: This milieu comprises the juvenile and young Shi`ah, including the scholarly youth and teachers, who are at different levels of schools and universities on the one hand and seminaries (hawzah: institutes of religious studies) on the other. A Shi`ite individual strives to acquire materials that enable him/her to achieve self-education concerning the basics of his/her sect and the fundaments of his/her faith in an easy and facile way.

B. Sunni Milieu: Sunnis generally persevere in gaining knowledge of the doctrines and beliefs that their Shi`ite brethren embrace. Normally, a thirsty person tries to drink from a headspring; therefore, Sunnis have the desire to become acquainted with the Shi`ah through the Shi`ah themselves, but not through mediators, strangers, or biased people.

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C. Non-Muslim Milieus: Non-Muslim milieus who desire to acquaint themselves with Muslim Shi`ite beliefs also try to gain such knowledge from the Shi`ah themselves through their own words and pens with the hope of saving time and procuring tranquility.

Among matters that have confirmed the need for turning to studying the Muslim Shi`ite doctrines are the events and developments witnessed by the present age, such as:

(a) the blessed Islamic revolution of Iran,

(b) the collapse of the Soviet Union,

(c) the changes that the extremist radical movements (salafiyyah) are facing,

(d) the eviction of the Iraqi Shi`ah and their spread all over the world, and,

(e) the traumatic experiences of the Shi`ah in countries like Lebanon, Bahrain, Afghanistan, Iraq, and Azerbaijan.

Having noticed the significance and the need for this book, as well as the variety of its seekers and their levels, we can now understand the various methods used in displaying it. It was important to consider the up-to-date requirements and the prerequisites necessitated by this age. As is visible in the aforementioned list, you will have noticed that the book was first published as simply as possible. The second edition included further remarks and details. The third edition was complemented by varying additions and commentaries. Similarly, the release of non-Arabic versions of the book stems from the surrounding circumstances and the scope of the need for it. Factors that have a hold over the way of displaying and printing the book depend upon the publishers’ interest in the scientific, cultural, and artistic

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issues, in addition to their taste and financial potentials.

Noticeably, the aforementioned editions of this book, despite their diversity, do not satisfy its utmost purpose. Some of these editions do not meet with the multi-aspect modern standards inspite of the typographical technical improvements they made. Other editions have not succeeded in meeting the modern scientific needs of indexing and documenting the quotations from the Holy Qur'an, the Sunnah (i.e. the Holy Prophet’s (s) reported words and deeds), and other references that are mentioned in the book; and some editions have not cited the references completely or accurately.

Moreover, other editions have been originally dedicated to scholarly purposes; they therefore comprise explanations and theological details. Although other editions have comprised additional, yet valuable, information, such additions have been even more than the original material of the book. Other editions have also included translations of the book besides its original language.

Undeniably, such explanations, commentaries, additions, and translations involve many advantages, but, at the same time, they have caused the book to lose its purpose, as visualized by the author of the book, the late `Allamah Muhammad Ridha al-Muzaffar, and the foremost publisher, the virtuous scholar, Muhammad Kazim al-Katabi.

As is confirmed by the author himself in the introduction of the first and second editions of the book, their purpose of publishing this book was to publicize its material. However, the book became restricted to a certain class of people. On the other hand, the bigger a book the more expensive and, as a result, its distribution and publishing became limited. Despite everything, we still believe that there must be variety and change in the presentation of the book whenever time and age require it.

In view of that, I have humbly attempted to present this book on the following lines:

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(1) I have committed myself to observing the middle state by manifesting some points presented by the author and in hinting at some themes, which, in my opinion, are significant. I have therefore employed brevity in explaining the doctrines, the concepts, and the fundamentals and basics mentioned in the book. I have also done my best to avoid expatiation and elaboration.

(2) I have stressed thesignificance of the principle of proximity between the followers of the same religion (the followers of the different sects of Islam), based on the author’s purpose behind writing this book. A considerable number of reference books trusted by both Sunni and Shi`ite Muslims have been used to classify and document the narrations, quotations, and opinions that are cited in the book to satisfy the readers of all sects. They also show the similarity of Muslim doctrines that unite the followers of the School of the Ahl al-Bayt (`a) and their brethren of other Muslim sects. When this aim is achieved, the points of discrepancy between Muslim sects will automatically diminish and the sources of the genuine heritage of Islam will shine forth.

(3) I have aimed at making the reader realize that the doctrines of the Imamiyyah Shi`ah are not extraneous or intrusive to the doctrines of Islam but in keeping with the instructions of the Seal of the Prophets, Muhammad, (may peace be upon him and his Household). He clearly dictated unswerving adherence to the two Weighty Things—the Holy Qur'an and the Immaculate Progeny of the Holy Prophet—. Had it not been for some opportunistic elements who wished to gain individual and family advantages and control the resources of power, domination, and supremacy, all Muslims would certainly have assembled around the Ahl

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al-Bayt (`a) from whom Almighty Allah removed all impurity and whom He purified thoroughly and made heir to the knowledge of His Prophet (s). Very soon shall all Muslims gather under the (Divinely commissioned) leadership of the Ahl al-Bayt (`a)at the imminent, expected Advent of the Guide of all nations, Imam al-Mahdi (`a), who shall unite all different opinions and spread justice over the east and the west of this globe. Such have come the good tidings from his grandfather, the Holy Prophet (may peace be upon him and his Household).

(4) I have worked on guiding observant readers towards some reference books that grant them an opportunity to elaborate on the topics that attract their attention.

(5) I have notified the death-date of the authors (mentioned in the book) in the margins to facilitate researchers to have an idea about the historical sequence of the topics under discussion. Repetition of such information in the margins of the book will allow readers to learn these dates and, consequently, contribute by teaching Muslims the history of the personalities and famous individuals of their nation.

(6) I have made every single effort to observe accuracy and honesty in citing and documenting all information related to the topics under discussion.

I end with the prayer that Almighty Allah guide our steps towards genuine prosperity and forgive us our transgression. He is verily the All-Forgiver and Hearer of prayers.

`Abd al-Karim al-Kirmani

Rajab 15, 1423 AH

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Muhammad Husayn, attended the classes of his brother Shaykh Muhammad Hasan. He also joined the classes of Shaykh Agha Aiya' al-Din al-`Iraqi in the field of `Ilm al-Usul, and the classes of Shaykh Mirza Muhammad Husayn al-Na'ini in the fields of jurisprudence and `Ilm al-Usul. He also studied, yet distinctively, the theses of Shaykh Muhammad Husayn al-Isfahani in the fields of jurisprudence, `Ilm al-Usul, and supreme theo-philosophy.

In these three fields of knowledge, Shaykh al-Muzaffar was much influenced by the opinions of Shaykh al-Isfahani, so he imitated his course of research in his book of ‘Usul al-Fiqh in chaptering and indexing the fundaments of jurisprudence—a fact which the author has referred to in his introduction to this book. As is noticed from the accomplished parts of his book of ‘Usul al-Fiqh’, Shaykh al-Muzaffar acted upon his mentor’s private basics of jurisprudence. He also had great regard for his mentor, al-Isfahani, and showered him with the most respectful words whenever he would refer to or mention him and show his love and admiration for him more than any other student who sincerely admired his mentor.

This feeling towards his mentor and loyalty to him manifests itself to the reader from his writings in the introductions to his jurisprudential and philosophic books, theses, and essays, such as the introduction to his book of ‘al-Asfar’.

Shaykh al-Muzaffar also graduated under his mentors in jurisprudence, `Ilm al-Usul, and philosophy although he had his idiosyncratic views, inferences, and researches to which his mentors confessed. In the midst of all that and apart from his remarkable efforts in the schools and faculties of Muntada al-Nashr (Forum of Publishing), he engaged himself with teaching the highest levels of preliminary and higher education in the fields of jurisprudence, `Ilm al-Usul, and philosophy.

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As for his clear-cut helping hand in the establishment of Muntada al-Nashr, he dedicated his entire life to developing and building up this forum in various aspects. He thus taught arts, logic, philosophy, jurisprudence, and `Ilm al-Usul from the primary to the highest levels of study, forgetting about his eminent status in the Seminary (hawzah) and his superlative intellectual competence. Many times was he seen delivering lectures in the primary classes of the schools of Muntada al-Nashr, receiving simple questions of the pupils with large-heartedness, prompting them to search, study, and think, and wedging himself in the middle of them as if he was talking to his classmates, not his pupils. Above all, he was distinguished by profundity, accurate gesture, good taste, and prescience as is obvious from his approach in jurisprudence, `Ilm al-Usul, and philosophy.

In the beginning of his scholarly life, Shaykh al-Muzaffar acquainted himself with the sciences of mathematics, astronomy, physics, and prosody.

In the early years of his youth, it once happened that Shaykh al-Muzaffar’s sight fell on an aspect of modern thought he found worth inspecting, so he attempted to open the way to this new culture with others who also agreed with him. On corresponding with some scientific magazines, such as ‘al-Muqtataf’, and other publications, he asked for issues of these papers and copies of books that were engaged in this new color of thought. Afterwards, Shaykh al-Muzaffar carried on in this manner, went along with this innovatory intellectual movement, and received an abundant share of these so-called “modern sciences”. He was greatly influenced by this tendency besides jurisprudence, `Ilm al-Usul, and philosophy.

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It is not an exaggeration to say that this book is a big triumph for philosophical writings because the major problem of philosophy is that its tools cannot find styles of writing that can express it suitably. Shaykh al-Muzaffar has thus attempted to make styles of writing submit to the material of philosophy or make philosophy submit to styles of writing. He has attempted to bring together these two things in his book.

Furthermore, the pen of Shaykh al-Muzaffar displays excellence of communication and coordination in the sense that he attempts to make each point of discussion occupy its natural place without losing its private position, which may cause disorder to the areas of discussion and, as a result, confusion may appear to the points under discussion. The best example of such coordination can be seen in Shaykh al-Muzaffar’s book of ‘al-Mantiq (Logic)’, in which the topics of the book follow each other smoothly in a natural sequence without any need to refer the reader to another topic outside the book or another chapter inside the book.

In addition to the other two books of ‘al-Usul (Fundaments of Jurisprudence)’ and ‘al-Falsafah (Philosophy)’, which have not been granted the opportunity to be published completely, Shaykh al-Muzaffar’s book of ‘al-Mantiq’ is considered a revolution in the authorship of books of curricula and a new triumph in this field. We thus pray to Almighty Allah to guide some people to follow the footsteps of Shaykh al-Muzaffar in this domain.

In the books of Shaykh al-Muzaffar, a researcher can easily sense the fecundity of research and analysis, which has become a distinctive feature of all of his books. This feature is clearly visible in his book ‘al-Saqifah’, in which he critically examines the meeting of the Muslims under the

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shed (Saqifah) of Banu-Sa`idah and the events that took place therein. He analyzes the attitudes of the Muhajirun((1)) and the Ansar((2))concerning the question of succession (khilafah) after the Holy Prophet (s), and the situation of Imam `Ali (`a) vis a vis the caliphs.

In his book ‘al-Mantiq’, such fecundity in analysis can be sensed when the author makes use of mathematical signs for the four ratios in his discussion of ‘Division’. Besides this, excellence of expression and cohesion of approach is apparent in every part of this book.

problem is that the nature of the latter stage rejected any transformation or revolution in its shape and contents and it could not be submitted to any specific methodical order. In plain words, study in this stage did not adopt any system and it could hardly compete with the methodical and general definition of study.

Furthermore, due to the nature of this stage, discussions and research could not be restricted or regulated to a certain rule nor exams act as incentives to study and research. Hence, the only stage that could be reformed and required guidance and ordering was the primary stage.

Shaykh al-Muzaffar also realized that the reasons for the existence of such problems were shortage of material and weakness of style.

As for material, a primary stage student of the Seminary of al-Najaf was given lessons that were restricted to studying (Arabic) grammar, morphology, rhetoric, logic, exegesis of the Holy Qur'an (tafsir), Muslim jurisprudence (Fiqh), and

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fundaments of jurisprudence (`Ilm al-Usul) although there was some expansion in the study of the last two subjects.

It is true that these materials played a major role in the composition and growth of the students’ mental capabilities, but they alone could not promote all their duties of guidance, propagation, preaching, and education. Hence, a student could not limit himself to the material that he received at this stage of study in order to fulfill his duty of guidance and propagation on a wider scope.

As for style, Shaykh al-Muzaffar noticed that, in addition to disorganization in the field of research, obscurity and complication were still prevailing on the curricula given to the student of the Seminary of al-Najaf at this stage of study. This fact would make the student exert great effort in order to understand a certain statement and decode the obscurity and complication that encompassed such statements.

As for propagation and guidance, Shaykh al-Muzaffar discovered that oration and writing were the favorite tools of propagation and propagation for Islam had suffered weakness in these two domains.

As for oration, Shaykh al-Muzaffar pointed out that the current style of oration in al-Najaf was not satisfactory. A Muslim orator would not be able to fulfill his Islamic mission unless he had a sufficient idea about the horizons of modern thought and the methods of experimental knowledge, in addition to a thorough comprehension of the issues of Islamic ideology in such fields as jurisprudence, exegesis of the Holy Qur'an, narration, history, and the like.

As for Islamic writings, Shaykh al-Muzaffar noticed that the religious status of al-Najaf required greater contribution to

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the propagation of Muslim thought than before, and it should ensure all Islamic propagation by means of writing, authoring, printing and publishing on a much wider scale. Additionally, the ideological aspect, which was the foundation of such campaigns of propagation for Islam, needed to carry with it the principles of faith and reformation in their most obvious shapes to embrace the entire globe and reach every point in which a human being might be living. Nevertheless, the Seminary of al-Najaf was in most cases in no need for materials of writings and research.

On the other hand, it was noticeable that individuality was the feature that distinguished the writings and research in al-Najaf. In plain words, theses and research presented by a writer from al-Najaf were the result of individual efforts more than collective.

A third point is that al-Najaf, at that time, lacked well-equipped printing machines and publications that would befit the fertile scientific material that this city could present to the press.

With complete objectivity and comprehension, Shaykh al-Muzaffar had the opportunity to investigate these conditions in al-Najaf. Meanwhile, he knew that the presentation of this problem would lead to nothing unless honest efforts would cooperate in order to meet these needs. He also knew for sure that negative thinking would be a waste of time and of no use unless there was an establishment to manage the efforts. He also concluded that reformative work under such circumstances would also be worthless unless matched by an objective and comprehensive investigation of the situation, deliberation upon it and gradual treatment.

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Shaykh al-Muzaffar had realized all that and thought of it for a considerable time. Having embarked upon the practical aspect of the problem, he pushed himself into the field of performance although he knew that there would be strenuous obstacles to pass in order to continue in this path. The first step was to find a conscientious group of virtuous personalities of the Seminary who understood the surrounding conditions of life in al-Najaf and comprehended the actuality of the huge intellectual mission that was imposed on this city.

On the fourth of Shawwal, AH 1353 corresponding to January 10, 1935, a group of scholars of religious studies, including Shaykh al-Muzaffar, submitted a statement to the Ministry of Interior demanding the establishment of a religious association in the holy city of al-Najaf carrying the name of Muntada al-Nashr (Forum of Publishing). Along with this statement, they submitted a copy of the foundational system of this Forum. After great effort, the Ministry licensed the establishment of this Forum.((1))

Afterwards, attempts were made to organize the study, simplify the curricula, and expand the books of study. Shaykh al-Muzaffar found that the first step in this regard would be to methodize the study irrespective of how important and useful individual study might be. He suggested that a special system of study must complement the one prevailing. Thus, Shaykh al-Muzaffar attempted to achieve a part of the reformation.

In AH 1355, he “put a plan for establishing a high school for religious studies or a faculty for Ijtihad, by starting the first class in which he taught four fields of religious knowledge; namely, Argumentative Jurisprudence (al-fiqh al-istidlali), Exegesis of the Holy Qur'an (tafsir),

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Fundamentals of Jurisprudence (`ilm al-usul), and Philosophy. The latter would be studied in the form of separate lectures in a plain, easy-to-understand language. Shaykh `Abd al-Husayn al-Hilli volunteered to teach the first two materials, and Shaykh `Abd al-Husayn al-Rashti to teach the two others.

In fact, these two master scholars’ volunteering to teach these materials systematically was one of the most important events in the history of al-Najaf, since it signified such unique sacrifice that history would record in appreciation and admiration for their reformative spirits. In the summer holidays, these classes stopped in order to restart again in the next academic year, but “they refused to restart and none except some of the members of the board of directors knew why they stopped; was it due to coquetry, or weariness, or any other reason that was not expected especially from such master scholars? How rare moral courage is! When it is terribly needed, it absents itself!”((1))

In AH 1376, Shaykh al-Muzaffar finally established the College of Jurisprudence in the holy city of al-Najaf after numerous attempts and long-lasting experiments. In AH 1377, the Iraqi Ministry of Education licensed this college in which the following branches of knowledge were taught: jurisprudence of the Imamiyyah Shi`ah sect, comparative jurisprudence, fundamentals of jurisprudence, exegesis of the Holy Qur'an and its principles, hadith and its principles, education, psychology, literature and its history, sociology, history of Islam, Muslim philosophy, modern philosophy, logic, modern history, principles of teaching, grammar, morphology, and a foreign language.

With sincerity and unprecedented faith, the late Shaykh al-Muzaffar dedicated his whole lifetime to developing this

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foundation. He used to teach Muslim philosophy and manage the other classes when the other teachers would be absent. At the same time, he worked on preparing the volumes of his valuable book ‘Usul al-Fiqh’ to be taught at the College of Jurisprudence. Besides, he would undertake the responsibilities of management, deanship, authorship, and even writing down the documents of the college. On many occasions, I myself saw Shaykh al-Muzaffar write on the registers of the students or type some formal letters on the printing machine. Hence, this foundation came into being by virtue of the efforts of Shaykh al-Muzaffar who dedicated his entire life to it, built it with the particles of his heart, and utilised all his potentials for it.

That was not everything; Shaykh al-Muzaffar also established other foundations and projects of Muslim culture some of which lasted while others failed to continue. In addition, his movement of publishing and writing that he aroused in al-Najaf, such as the publication of ‘al-Badhrah’ and ‘al-Najaf’ magazines, cannot be underestimated.

He was indeed the pivot and founder of the different aspects of such activities although neither his discourse nor his pen showed any indication of the huge efforts he undertook, except when the question of responsibility was brought up. Then he would show himself ready to declare the responsibility with firm and unshakable faith.

Too many were the occasions on which Shaykh al-Muzaffar delivered lessons to his fresh students, offered advice and directions, or guided them in spirituality and simplicity.

For such a long time, he never showed any sign of egoism since he believed that egoism brings about Almighty Allah’s contempt or causes one to love something other than Him. Shaykh al-Muzaffar’s spirit was too great to take

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in humiliation and too enormous to quarrel or be hostile. Commenting on his situation vis-à-vis his rivals or, more accurately, the rivals of the Foundation, he says, “More than anyone else, I excuse a big group of those who adopted an opposite stance against our project, especially those whose intentions we trust and who trust ours.”

Such elevated level of self-sacrifice and self-abnegation for the sake of one’s faith can hardly be seen among men of intellect.

I would like to end with the following statement of Shaykh al-Muzaffar, which bespeaks his greatness of character:

“We are ready to offer a new sacrifice and withdraw ourselves from our project once we find others having the desire to undertake it instead of us, especially when such people believe that their involvement in this work will give it publicity. Let them know that we will always be servants of this project wherever we are and whatever shape we take, and we do not intend to prove our good will, since it is unnecessary after all the efforts that we have exerted. The most important point in our view is that this project progresses in such a way that befits the good reputation of al-Najaf and it fulfills its duty completely, no matter how big the price, even if it be our lives. Our lives have no value unless sacrificed for duty. Very frequently, I have repeated that we have only stepped forward a short step for the sake of the objectives of this project.”

Such was the story of a great spirit.

Muhammad Mahdi al-Asifi

Holy Najaf

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of the Twelve Imams from the books of its embracers and to get to know the doctrines of these people from the reference books of their masters and adept scholars and researchers. It is natural that the master scholars of a sect know more about their beliefs than their rivals, no matter how eloquent and persuasive these rivals may be.

In addition, scientific honesty, which is the foremost foundation of modern scientific methodology—the method that I have chosen for myself and made my constitution in all my research and writings whenever I attempt to discover material and spiritual facts—requires complete verification while quoting texts and investigating them carefully. Hence, it is unsuitable for a skilled scientific researcher to rely upon an unfounded basis while investigating the texts appertaining to Shi`ism.

This fact provoked me to study the Shi`ah and Shi`ism from the books of the Shi`ah themselves and to get to know their doctrines from what they had written and said about themselves without addition or omission, to avoid the confusion which other historians and critics had fallen into while judging the Shi`ah and Shi`ism. As a rule, a researcher who investigates a set of facts from other than their primary sources and original habitats has definitely taken a misleading path and a futile course. Such a researcher has nothing to do with true knowledge.

Such has been the effort of `Allamah Dr. Ahmad Amin when he discussed Shi`ism in his books. As he attempted to demonstrate some aspects of Shi`ism, he wrongfully engaged himself in many Shi`ite doctrines. For example, he claimed that Shi`ism stemmed from Judaism, and except for a few of them, the Shi`ah claim that they will not be subjected to Hellfire, and Shi`ism follows `Abdullah ibn

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Saba', etc. Such claims and others have been proven false and the Shi`ah are totally innocent of such forgeries, since Shi`ite master scholars have refuted them by methods of criticism and contestation. The best discussion in this respect has been presented by `Allamah Muhammad Husayn Al-Kashif al-Ghita' in his book of ‘Asl al-Shi`ah wa-Usuluha (The Origin and Fundaments of Shi`ism)’.

During my investigations about the resources, fundaments, and original habitats of Shi`ism, I was pleased to meet an old friend and a noble Iraqi publisher, namely Sayyid Murtadha al-Kashmiri, carrying some masterpieces of Shi`ite reference books, which he published in Cairo. One of the books that this publisher gifted to me was the aforementioned book of ‘Asl al-Shi`ah wa-Usuluha’, and the book of ‘`Abdullah ibn Saba’’ and some parts of ‘Wasa'il al-Shi`ah’, as well as other books, which are considered reference books of Shi`ite doctrines and jurisprudence.

Today, Sayyid al-Kashmiri has given me a new book written by Mr. Muhammad Ridha al-Muzaffar, the dean of the College of Jurisprudence in the holy city of al-Najaf, which he has written on the doctrines of the Imamiyyah Shi`ah. Sayyid al-Kashmiri, having confirmed his intention to print and publish this magnificent book, asked me to write down an introduction and to reveal my plain opinion about the book.

As soon as I skimmed over the book, I was impressed by the author’s fine compilation and presentation of the Imamiyyah doctrines as well as his lucid performance in the exposition of his ideas. The instant you taste the flavour of the author’s fine presentation of these doctrines through the well-ordered outline of the book and its well-sorted chapters, you

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will enjoy the splendor of its statements and the elegance of its style. Furthermore, the book generally combines complete utilization, with brevity and concentration on the points that the author intends to convey to the readers, which is the objective of researchers in the books of the Shi`ah. Such being the case, this book is a comprehensive reference that touches on all extremes of the subject matter in a highly concentrated and brief form.

Through my current writing, I do not mean to praise or honor the author but to treat the truth fairly and reveal it before the readers of this magnificent yet small book, since, in my conception, it contains the primary scientific principles which researchers aim at when they depict the facts and attempt to put them where they must be. In view of that, this book will acquaint the readers with some outstanding viewpoints which the author has presented, then filled it with proofs and points of evidence and embroidered it with arguments and instances from the Holy Qur'an, the Holy Prophet’s traditions, or the sayings of the Twelve Imams, (may Allah’s pleasure be upon them).

Undoubtedly, these outstanding views, which I shall provide the readers, will definitely strike the sight of the well-informed readers in the same way as they have caught my eyes, and will attract them as they have attracted me even if the readers will not peruse my introduction to the book. The objectives of researchers and readers are usually the same, because the truth is invariably the same as long as those who communicate with it and build their conceptions on it judge with their intellects and brains, not their hearts and personal whims, and, as long as they act fairly and leave no place for fanaticism in their minds.

One of these questions that attracts a reader is the question

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of ijtihad in the view of the Imamiyyah Shi`ah. The view inherited from Sunni authorities about ijtihad is that the door of absolute ijtihad was closed after the four master scholars of jurisprudence; namely, Abu-Hanifah, Malik ibn Anas, al-Shafi`i, and Ibn Hanbal. However, the attempts of ijtihad that took place after these four imams at the hands of certain jurisprudents were no more than partial or inner ijtihad that fell under a certain sect or school of Islamic law [madhhab].

Such secondary ijtihad in Sunnism scarcely continued until the fifth century of Hijrah. The ijtihad of al-Ghazzali in the fifth century, Abu-Tahir al-Salafi in the sixth century,`Izz al-Din ibn `Abd al-Salam and Ibn Daqiq al-`«d in the seventh century, Taqi al-Din al-Sabaki and Ibn Taymiyah, the heretic,((1)) in the eighth century, and that of `Allamah Jalal al-Din `Abd al-Rahman ibn Abi-Bakr al-Suyuti in the ninth century, were no more than verdicts issued, that had nothing to do with ijtihad, according to modern scientific methodology. More light has been thrown on this kind of ijtihad in my book of ‘Tarikh al-Tashri` al-Islami fi Misr (History of Islamic Legislation in Egypt)’.

As regarding the scholars of the Imamiyyah Shi`ah, they have authorized themselves to act upon and practice ijtihad in all of its aforementioned forms and insist on practicing it resolutely and never closed its door in the face of their scholars throughout the past centuries up to the present day.

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Furthermore, they make it obligatory upon the Shi`ah to obey the verdicts of a living mujtahid directly after the demise of the past mujtahid as long as this living one had derived his ijtihad—in its origins and branches—from the past mujtahids, and initially inherited it from the Imams (`a).

This view and practice of ijtihad in Shi`ism is not the main point that has attracted my attention and won my heart; rather, what is new is that ijtihad in this manner complies with the developments in life, making Islamic legislation active, vivacious, developing and keeping pace with the laws of time and space. They are devoid of stagnancy that sows dissension between religion and life and between doctrine and scientific progress; the stagnancy that encompasses most of the sects that object to Shi`ism.

In my conception, the big numbers of Imamiyyah Shi`ite writings and the steady increase in the library of Shi`ism are attributable to the wide opening of the door of ijtihad in Shi`ism.

The second view that arouses the attention of the intellectuals and induces them to follow up the unique features of this sect and delve into its issues are the discussions on the goodness and evilness of things: whether a good thing is good in essence, or by reason of its nature, or, just because Almighty Allah decided it was good. Similarly, they discuss whether an evil thing is evil in its essence, or by virtue of its nature, or just because Almighty Allah has declared it to be thus.

When you read these discussions and follow up what the author has stated about the doctrines of the Imamiyyah Shi`ah in this respect, you will notice that they adopt the first opinion about both good and evil. In view of the Shi`ah

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in general and the Imamiyyah Shi`ah in particular, good and evil are subjective and substantial in things and they have not held such characteristics due to Almighty Allah’s enjoining or forbidding things. Indeed, this course engages the attentions of many researchers and brings about astonishment after long hours of pondering over and contemplating the question.

As for us, we do not find any astonishment or confusion in the matter, because the Imamiyyah Shi`ah, in most of the religious laws, used to act upon the course of reason in the same amount as their acting upon the course of narration (i.e. traditions reported from the ancestors). Hence, their opinion about good and evil of things is the same as the opinion of the master scholars of the Mu`tazilah.

There is one question that I should answer here: Did the Shi`ah act upon the Mu`tazilah or the opposite? The majority of researchers believe that the Shi`ah acted upon the Mu`tazilah in their adoption of the course of reason (i.e. rationalism). However, I can assert that it was the Mu`tazilah who acted upon the Shi`ah, since Shi`ism, as a belief, existed earlier than Mu`tazilism as a belief. Mu`tazilism was born and brought up in the laps of Shi`ism and the heads of Shi`ism existed before the master scholars of Mu`tazilism. I can confirm this as long as we agree on submitting to historical facts and as long as we do not doubt the fact that the advanced party of the Shi`ah began to appear since the age of the Orthodox Caliphs and, indisputably, expanded during the caliphate of Imam `Ali—(Allah may honor his face). No sooner had the Imam been assassinated wrongfully to move to the Abode of the Hereafter than the Shi`ah formed a party opposing all the religious and political parties that appeared in Islam.

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Shi`ism is not as it is defined by the dotard, pro-Sufyan researchers who introduce it as a purely traditional sect based on religious mores that are full of myths, illusions, and Israeli-made fables, or having derived its principles from `Abdullah ibn Saba' or the like imaginary personalities of history. Shi`ism—in the view of our modern scientific methodology—is exactly contrary to the claims of its rivals. It is indeed the first Muslim sect that cared very much for both traditions and reason-based principles and could find itself a far-reaching, comprehensive path from among the other Muslim sects. Had it not been that Shi`ism is distinctively characterized by coordination between reason-based principles and traditions, we could not have found such an up-to-date spirit in fields of ijtihad and time and space developments in jurisprudence that are not contradictory to the immortal laws of Islam.

Let me now render a third viewpoint that you might believe to be contrary to the rational methodology to which I have referred in the previous paragraph:

The Shi`ah tend to visit the shrines of the Saints and Imams from the Holy Prophet’s Household (the Ahl al-Bayt) and they perform acts of worship (to Almighty Allah) near these shrines, such as offering the obligatory prayers and holding sessions of (religious) knowledge and ceremonies of commemorating the Twelve Imams. According to some modern Muslim rationalists and experimentalists, such acts are meaningless superstitions. Moreover, some Muslim sects consider such acts to be a kind of atheism and apostasy, especially the followers of Ahmad ibn `Abd al-Halim ibn Taymiyah and the followers of his student, Muhammad ibn `Abd al-Wahhab al-Najdi, the founder of the Wahhabiyyah sect, as well as other contemporaries which I disdain mentioning.

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The majority of Sunnis believe as their Imamite Shi`ite brethren that neither those Saints and Imams nor anyone else on this globe can provide you with any help nor ever do any harm to you except that which Almighty Allah has decided for you. In plain words, these Saints and Imams have no influence, use, or harm upon somebody but with the permission of Almighty Allah. On the strength of this fact, the visiting of the tombs of these elite people is only aimed at following their examples, patterning after their morals and wonderful feats, and learning lessons from their life accounts. Such acts are allowable in the view of the two sects—Sunnism and Shi`ism.

A fourth viewpoint that has obliged me to express my appreciation and admiration while I am reading this book is the author’s competence in explaining the doctrines of the Imamiyyah Shi`ah in such appropriate diction that reveals the Shi`ah’s being influenced by the rationalistic methodology. As I have previously mentioned, the reason behind such influence is the Shi`ah’s deep penetration into rational sciences as much as transferring the traditions of their Imams. This can in fact serve as another decisive indication of the substantive relationship between Shi`ism and Mu`tazilism and between the master scholars of Shi`ism and those of Mu`tazilism.

A reference to my book entitled ‘al-Sahib ibn `Abbad’ can obviously make one notice that master scholars of Shi`ism were the same as those of Mu`tazilism and vice versa except a few exceptions. Such relationships attained the climax of mutual understanding between the two sects in the middle of the fourth century of Hijrah in the personality of al-Sahib ibn `Abbad who held the leadership of both Mu`tazilism and Shi`ism in the second half of the aforementioned century during which the Islamic civilization reached its peak.

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When the author of this book confers the ‘Unity of Attributes’ upon the Essence of Almighty Allah, he reminds us of the doctrine of the Mu`tazilah who believe in the unity of Attributes. Owing to this doctrine, they have called themselves ‘Ahl al-Tawhid (People of Monotheism)’. Hence, both the Shi`ah and the Mu`tazilah believe that the Attributes of Almighty Allah are His very Essence. In plain words, they both share the same belief that Almighty Allah is Essentially All-seeing, All-hearing, and so on. They thus do not set any difference between Almighty Allah’s Essence and His Attributes—a topic that in most cases confuses intellects and plunges minds into polytheism (ishrak). Undoubtedly, such belief is the result of the most wonderful pondering over the meaning of monotheism.

Shi`ism and Mu`tazilism both agree on the meaning of Divine Justice, as it being incumbent upon Almighty Allah to do only the good and always avoid the evil. Both the Shi`ah and the Mu`tazilah have set such a principle as one of their beliefs only for purpose of guarding themselves against attributing wrong to Almighty Allah—Allah forbid!

The Imamiyyah Shi`ah interpret the following holy verse of the Holy Qur'an, which the Sunnis set as evidence on their belief, with a suitable meaning:

لَا یُسْأَلُ عَمَّا یَفْعَلُ وَهُمْ یُسْأَلُونَ

“He cannot be questioned concerning what He does and they shall be questioned. 21:23”

The Shi`ah do not approve the following poetic verse of Ahmad al-Dardir, one of the master scholars of Sunnism and Sufism in 12 AH, when he says:

One who claims that a good deed is incumbent upon the Lord has in fact done badly.

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Nonetheless, I completely excuse them because they, believing in such, have good intentions, which is to avoid attributing wrong to Almighty Allah, even if such wrong is not wrong in reality.

In truth, the Mu`tazilah and the Shi`ah stand together on one side while the Sunnis and Sufis stand on the other, even though each party has its own way of extolling the Perfection of Almighty Allah. In other words, the Mu`tazilah and the Shi`ah have adopted the defense of Divine Justice while the Sunnis and Sufis have adopted to defend Divine Freedom, which says that Almighty Allah has the freedom to do anything—a freedom that is not restricted to anything and is not overpowered by anything. As evidence on such ‘Freedom’, Sunnis and Sufis quote the following holy verse:

لَا یُسْأَلُ عَمَّا یَفْعَلُ وَهُمْ یُسْأَلُونَ

“He cannot be questioned concerning what He does and they shall be questioned. 21:23”

In view of the modern scientific methodology, each of these two opposing parties has its own notion to embrace.

Attached to the above is the author’s opinion about the question of Predestination and Divine Decree (al-qadha' wal-qadar), whether man is or is not free to choose or, as is termed by the Imamiyyah Shi`ah, whether man is compelled to do what he does or has the power to manage his life.

Although this issue is strongly related to the philosophy of Divine Justice, which is almost the same between the Shi`ah and the Mu`tazilah, it is noticeable that the Imamiyyah Shi`ah, specifically at this point, pursue another path, which is between the two extremes. They neither believe in absolute fatalism (jabriyyah) in which fatalists, also called al-Jahmiyyah, believe, nor in absolute indeterminism

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(mufawwidhah) in which a group of the Mu`tazilah, specifically called al-Qadariyyah, believe.

The Imamiyyah Shi`ah do not agree with the fatalists because to believe that all events are predetermined by Almighty Allah negates man’s freewill and freedom to choose originally and makes man like a toy in the hands of fate or like a feather in the wind. If so, then Almighty Allah’s calling man to account for evil things that man has done will be exorbitant injustice because man has had no choice or will to stop doing such evil things and had no power to stop falling into sin. Hence, the Imamiyyah Shi`ah reject such fatality, because it cancels out the attribute of justice that Almighty Allah enjoys. In plain words, to punish man for doing things that he had no power to stop is like tying one’s hands and throwing him in a sea and then ordering him not to get wet!

The Imamiyyah Shi`ah also disagree with those who believe in absolute power to do things and absolute freedom of choice, because such belief involves that man’s deeds and words are absolutely independent from Almighty Allah’s will and power. Such belief of the Indeterminists involves that man can create his own deeds without intervention of Almighty Allah’s power. Some critics of doctrines have cited traditions censuring those who carry such beliefs. For instance, the Imam (`a) is reported to have said, “The qadariyyah (Indeterminists) are the Magians of this nation (of Islam).”

In view of that, we can conclude that the fault of the jabriyyah (Fatalists) is that they have canceled the justice of Almighty Allah since their belief involves that He calls man to account for things that He has installed in him without giving him freedom to choose. The fault of the

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Indeterminists is that they have canceled out Almighty Allah’s power over His creatures. Hence, both the parties are extremely far away from truth.

As the Imamiyyah Shi`ah take up the opinion of Imam Ja`far al-Sadiq (may Allah be pleased with him) who says, “There is neither (absolute) fatalism nor indeterminism; rather, it is an in-between matter,” this means that the Imamiyyah Shi`ah agree totally with their Sunni brethren whose master scholars adopt the very same view and state that there is an optional part in man; so, man is neither absolutely compelled to do his deeds nor is he the creator of his own deeds. The most eminent scholar who has adopted this view was Abu’l-Hasan al-Ash`ari.

Moreover, Fakhr al-Din al-Razi has attempted to “philosophize” the harmonization between fatalism and indeterminism; therefore, he is reported to have said, “Man is compelled intrinsically but enjoys freedom of choice extrinsically.” In fact, this saying is too precise to be ignored by the well-versed scholars and those having full acquaintance with the details of Muslim doctrines.

Let us end this introduction with a fifth viewpoint: the Imamiyyah Shi`ah believe in bada' which explicitly means to do something and then cancel it. They have attributed such bada' (changeability) to Almighty Allah and believed in it so firmly that they are reported as saying, “The best ever worship is to believe that Almighty Allah may change an earlier determination.”

Many thinkers have accused the Shi`ah of idiocy and feeble-mindedness as they attribute changeability of decisions to Almighty Allah. Changing (or canceling out) an earlier determination is one of the features of creatures—since to decide something and then cancel it may indicate

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incidental thinking, or reaching at the right decision after practicing a wrong one, or having knowledge after ignorance (and all these are impossible for Almighty Allah).

As a matter of fact, the Imamiyyah Shi`ah are too far above such accusations that stem from the people’s misunderstanding of bada', because both the Shi`ah and the Sunni have unanimously agreed that the knowledge of Almighty Allah is Eternal and far above changeability, alteration, or thinking, which are among the features of the creatures. The Divine decisions that are exposed to changeability and alteration after determination are those written in the Guarded Tablet (al-lawh al-mahfuz), as is confirmed by Almighty Allah:

“Allah erases what He pleases and establishes (what He pleases), and with Him is the basis of the Book. (13/39)”

To shed more light on the notion of bada' as one of the Imamiyyah Shi`ah doctrines, let us give the following example:

Unhappiness has been decided for X in the beginning of his lifetime, but when X becomes forty years old, he repents before Almighty Allah; so, he is included in the list of the happy people in the Guarded Tablet. In this example, bada' stands for erasing X’s name from the list of the unhappy ones and including him with the happy ones. The Eternal Knowledge of Almighty Allah includes the entire history of this issue, including the erasing and the establishment of X’s name in the list of the happy ones after his repentance. To clarify, Almighty Allah has already known that X would change his behavior and become righteous at that age when Almighty Allah would lead him to repentance.

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The doctrine of bada' in which the Imamiyyah Shi`ah believe is only the issue of passing judgments according to the apparent aspect of Almighty Allah’s deeds towards His creatures as it is required by His Wisdom. In other words, bada' is the judgment that is passed on the basis of the apparent deed as is seen by us. By virtue of this definition, the wrong judgment that has been aroused by those who have found fault with the Shi`ah concerning their belief in this doctrine has in fact sprung from their false claim that the Shi`ah attribute changeability (or bada') to the Eternal Knowledge of Almighty Allah, not to the records of the Guarded Tablet.

The clear-cut presentation of the reality of bada' as believed by the Imamiyyah Shi`ah, will enable the reader to comprehend the validity of bada' as one of the doctrines of the Imamiyyah Shi`ah and the profundity of their acceptance of bada'. In my opinion, it means that Almighty Allah develops His creatures according to the prerequisites of the environment and time that He creates them in. In fact, bada' explains the need for repealing (nasikh) and repealed (mansukh) verses in the Holy Qur'an. For example, the forbidding of intoxicants being revealed progressively shows that Almighty Allah wished to treat the crookedness of the human soul step by step, and then rescue it from the drastic chains of habit, and help it achieve righteousness. Had Almighty Allah declared the forbiddance of intoxicants at once, souls would certainly have suffered much hardship. This is the belief of bada' that is adopted by the Imamiyyah Shi`ah.

I am pleased to inform that I have decided to bring the Muslim sects closer in a single book in which I hope, by the guidance of Almighty Allah, that I will be able to clarify the extent of agreement among these sects in essence and

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objectives even if they seem to be different in appearance and methods.

Finally, I do congratulate the author on the success that he has achieved in combining the reason-based principles with the reported traditions while presenting the doctrines of the Imamiyyah Shi`ah and on the doctrinal culture that he has offered to the readers with great skill through evidence combined with presentation. This is sufficient for anyone who thinks and ponders.(1)

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reviewed this thesis and inserted some corrections and additions as much as my time, that is overcrowded with problems, has permitted me to do. I have also proofread the first edition in order to mark and correct the clerical and non-clerical slips so that I could provide them to the press, hoping that Almighty Allah would guide me to achieve the pursued objective and arriveon the path of righteousness and truth. Verily, Almighty Allah is the best Besought of all.

The Author

Shawwal 21, 1380 AH

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book form with an attached series and publish them. The need arose when many accusations were being leveled at the Imamiyyah Shi`ah, especially by some modern writers in Egypt and other countries, who were using their pens to wage vehement campaigns against the Shi`ah and the doctrines of Shi`ism owing to their ignorance, or pretended ignorance of the religious methods of the Ahl al-Bayt (`a).

They united their efforts to abuse the truth and publicize ignorance among the readers of their books in order to sow dissension among Muslims, arouse rancor and malice in their hearts, and even set Muslims against each other. A well-informed person cannot neglect the urgent need for approximation between the opposing Muslim sects to bury their rancor, especially in the present times, even if we cannot unite them and bring them under one pen.

Unfortunately, I have to admit that we will never be able to achieve unity through such modest attempts, which we have already tried with writers like Dr. Ahmad Amin and his group who call for disunity. Our demonstration of the doctrines of the Imamiyyah Shi`ah has not increased anything except stubbornness in such writers and our drawing their attention to the truth has not increased anything in them except obduracy in wrong.

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We would not have cared for such people had it not been that we fear that the simple-minded people would be deceived by such offensive attacks and arouse their rancor and malice against their brethren. Whatever the case may be, I only hope that truth-seekers would find useful material in this book and I would thus serve not only Islam but also entire humanity. I have arranged this thesis in an introduction and a number of chapters, seeking success from none save Almighty Allah.

Muhammad Ridha al-Muzaffar

Holy Najaf, Iraq

Jumada al-Akhirah 27, 1370 AH

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He, the Exalted, thus says:

 إِنْ یَتَّبِعُونَ إِلَّا الظَّنَّ

…They follow naught but an opinion… (6/116)

We believe that it is our intellect that forces us to reflect upon creation to know the Creator of the universe, as also to examine the claims and miracles of anyone who claims prophethood. Such being the case, it will no longer be acceptable to act upon the view of any person, even if that person has the gift of great knowledge or holds an esteemed position.

The Holy Qur’an has urged us to reflect upon creation, stick to science, and acquire knowledge. This urging has come to confirm the natural freedom of thought, which all sages agree upon, draw the attention to the human soul’s inclination to knowledge and thinking, and open and direct the mind towards the functions for which it was created.

It is thus impossible for man to neglect the doctrinal affairs or to depend upon his mentors or any other persons concerning his beliefs. It is necessary for man—on account of his natural intelligence that is confirmed by the Holy Qur’an—to investigate, examine, and come to a clear understanding of the fundaments of his religion (usul al-din),((1)) which are:

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• Monotheism (belief that there is only one God),

• Prophethood (belief that Muhammad (s) is the Prophet and messenger of Almighty Allah),

• Imamate (belief in the Divinely commissioned leadership of the Twelve Imams (`a)) and,

• Resurrection (belief that there is another life after death).

One who follows the dictates of his forebears or any other person in these matters has indeed committed a big mistake, strayed off the Right Path, and made all his acts inexcusable.

The above discussion can be summed up in the following two points:

(a) It is obligatory to investigate and understand the fundaments of our beliefs, since it is unacceptable to depend upon others’ beliefs in this respect.

(b) In addition to its being a religious duty, reflection upon the fundaments of one’s belief is a requirement stemming from reason, i.e. such knowledge must not be derived from religious texts, which, however, can act as supportive factors after the exercise of the intellects.

The meaning of reason-based requirement is that we must realize the necessity of knowledge, the reflection upon the fundaments of one’s beliefs, and the inference of these

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beliefs through reason.

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(b) exercise juristic precaution (ihtiyat: act according to the views of the jurisprudents so as to act upon the actual ruling) if one is able to do so, or

(c) act upon the verdicts of a well-qualified mujtahid who must enjoy decency and rationality in addition to other qualifications. Such a mujtahid according to religious traditions:

صَائِناً لِنَفْسِهِ، حَافِظاً لِدِینِهِ، مُخَالِفاً لِهَوَاهُ، مُطِیعاً لأمْرِ مَوْلاَهُ.

…preserves himself against wrongdoing and worldly pleasures, cares for his religion, opposes the dictates of his desires, and obeys the commands of his Lord.((1))

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It follows that if one is not qualified enough to practice ijtihad, or to act upon ihtiyat, and still refrains from acting upon the verdicts of a well-qualified religious authority, then all of one’s acts of worship will be invalid and unacceptable even if one offers prayers, observes fasting, and performs acts of worship one’s entire lifetime unless:

(1) Such acts be compatible with the views of the jurisprudent upon whose verdicts one relies after that,((1))

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and

(2) previous acts were intended to seek nearness to Almighty Allah (qurbah).).

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all Muslims in all ages are under the obligation of practicing ijtihad, but should one of them become proficient in ijtihad thus becoming a well-qualified mujtahid, all Muslims will be acquitted from this responsibility and they will then act upon his verdicts and refer to him in the secondary affairs of religion.

In all ages, Muslims must consider their religious duty to choose an authority from among themselves. If they find a volunteer who has gained the degree of ijtihad, which cannot be gained except by those who have good fortune, and who is qualified enough to be followed by the others, they may then accept him as their religious authority and turn to him in getting knowledge of the laws of their religion.

If they fail to find one enjoying such a supreme degree of knowledge, then they are religiously required to attain the rank of ijtihad individually or to nominate one from among them to obtain this rank when it is impossible or unfeasible for all to devote themselves to gaining this rank.

It is impermissible for them to act upon the verdicts of a deceased mujtahid.

Ijtihad can be defined as the examination of the sources of the shari`ah (i.e. the religious code of Islamic laws) to reach knowledge of the secondary laws which the Holy Prophet (s) has conveyed to his nation. Of course, these laws are unalterable and cannot be changed when times or conditions change. It has thus been declared:

حَلاَلُ مُحَمَّدٍ حَلاَلٌ إلَی یَوْمِ القِیَامَةِ، وَحَرَامُهُ حَرَامٌ إلَی یَوْمِ القِیَامَةِ.

What Muhammad (`a) has made halal (legal) will be halal until the Day of Judgment, and what he has made haram (forbidden) will be haram until the Day

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of Judgment.”((1))

The sources for religious laws are the Holy Qur’an, the Holy Sunnah (words, deeds, and confirmations of the Holy Prophet (s) and the Holy Imams (`a)), consensus (ijma`) and reasoning (`aql). Details of these sources are mentioned in the texts of usul al-fiqh (fundaments of jurisprudence).

To attain the position of a mujtahid requires many years of study and acquiring various branches of science that not everyone can attain except one who works painstakingly and makes every possible effort by devoting himself to attaining this position. requires many years of study and acquiring various branches of science that not everyone can attain except one who works painstakingly and makes every possible effort by devoting himself to attaining this position.

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In view of that, a well-qualified mujtahid is not only a competent authority for issuing verdicts; but he also enjoys general authority (i.e. in all aspects of life) over people. People should therefore turn to him in judicature, passing of judgments, and ruling—affairs that are relegated to him exclusively—since none is allowed to hold these positions without permission of the well-qualified mujtahid. Similarly, it is impermissible to carry out the religious punishments and provisions (hudud) except by the permission of such supreme authority.

Moreover, in issues pertaining to finance, it is obligatory to

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refer to the well-qualified mujtahid as long as such financial items are the Imam’s rights and responsibilities. Such general authority has been given to the well-qualified mujtahids by the Imam (`a) so that they will act as representatives of the Imam (`a) when the latter is absent.

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Our Doctrines concerning:

• Almighty Allah

• Divine Unity

• Attributes of Almighty Allah

• Divine Justice

• Commands of Almighty Allah

• Predetermination and Divine Decree

• Bada'

• Religious Ordinances

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our senses in its most accurate meaning must be a created and made thing, just like us, as has been expressed by Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (`a). How sagacious a description and how accurate and profoundly scientific it is.((1))

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Similarly, one who believes that Almighty Allah will be seen by His creatures on the Day of Judgment is an unbeliever, even though one may deny that the Lord has corporeality. The bearers of such false claims have in fact limited their minds to the outer meanings of the words of the Holy Qur'an or hadith and denied the real meaning; hence, they lack the capacity of interpreting even the extrinsic meanings as exactly as required by sound reflection, evidence, and rules of metaphor and figuration. and denied the real meaning; hence, they lack the capacity of interpreting even the extrinsic meanings as exactly as required by sound reflection, evidence, and rules of metaphor and figuration.

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nearness to someone or something other than Him. According to the laws of Islam, such ostentatious persons are subject to the same rulings pertaining to those who worship idols, without any difference.

The visiting of graves and holding of ceremonies on the death anniversaries of the Holy Prophet (s) and Imams (`a), cannot be considered as acts seeking nearness to other than Almighty Allah, as assumed by those who intend to attack the rites of the Imamiyyah Shi`ah owing to their inadvertence of the reality of such rites. In fact, such rites are acts seeking nearness to Almighty Allah through righteous acts, exactly like seeking nearness to Him through visiting the sick, participating in funeral ceremonies, visiting one’s brethren-in-faith, and helping the poor.

For example, to visit a sick person is a good act in itself through which a believer seeks nearness to Almighty Allah. It is thus not an act aimed at seeking nearness to the sick person to be considered worshipping other than Almighty Allah or associating others in worshipping Him. The same thing is applicable to the other aforementioned righteous acts.

Through Muslim jurisprudence, it is easy to prove that visiting the graves and holding of mourning ceremonies on the anniversaries of the deaths of the Holy Prophet (s) and Imams (`a) are within the righteous acts recommended by the Islamic code of laws. However, to prove it requires an independent discussion, which is not suitable in this thesis.

In brief, these actions are neither expressions of polytheism, as some people may suppose, nor are they aimed at worshipping the Imams (`a); rather, the purpose behind the performance of such rites is only to revive the

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memory of these Imams and to renew reference to them and also to venerate the rites of Almighty Allah through them. In this respect, Almighty Allah says in the Holy Qur'an:

ذَلِکَ وَمَنْ یُعَظِّمْ شَعَائِرَ اللَّهِ فَإِنَّهَا مِنْ تَقْوَی الْقُلُوبِ 

And whoever venerates the rites of the religion; that is of the godliness of their hearts. (22/32)

It has been demonstrated in the Islamic code of law that these acts are recommended; hence, if a person offers them with the intention of seeking nearness to Almighty Allah and asking for His pleasure, then he will deserve the promised rewards and gifts.It has been demonstrated in the Islamic code of law that these acts are recommended; hence, if a person offers them with the intention of seeking nearness to Almighty Allah and asking for His pleasure, then he will deserve the promised rewards and gifts.

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Uncreated, and the First Cause—in reality belong to one literal attribute, which is Self-Subsistence for His creatures. From this single attribute, several attributes can be produced depending upon the variety in effects and signs.

As for the attributes of non-entity, which are also called the attributes of Majesty, all of them belong to one non-entity, which is the dispossession of possibility, which requires, and also means, that corporeality, form, movement, motionlessness, heaviness, lightness, and all similar features are not attributed to Almighty Allah. In other words, deficiencies cannot be attributed to Him.

As a matter of fact, the negation of these possibilities is referable to the Necessity of His Essence, which is one of His positive Attributes of perfection. So, the negative attributes of Majesty ultimately go back to the positive attributes of perfection. Almighty Allah is One in all aspects; there is no numeration in His Divine existence, and there is nothing compound in the reality of the One, Self-Independent Lord.

It is not surprising that some people argue that Almighty Allah’s positive attributes are referable to His negative attributes, because they have failed to realize the fact that Almighty Allah’s attributes are the same as His Essence. Accordingly, they have imagined that the positive attributes are ascribed to negation so that they can assuredly claim that His Essence is indivisibly One. Nevertheless, they have fallen in a worse matter when they made the Divine essence—which is the selfsame existence, the pure Existence, and the free from any defect or impossibility—

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the very nonexistence and pure negation. May Allah save us from the slips of illusion and blunders of the pen.

It is also not surprising that some others argue that Almighty Allah’s positive attributes are added to His Essence; they have therefore accepted the plurality of the Eternal Being or the existence of partners to the Necessary Self-Existent Lord, or they have claimed that the Lord is compound. Almighty Allah is too Exalted for such false claims.

Our master, Imam `Ali Amir al-Mu'minin (`a) says:

وَکَمَالُ الإخْلاَصِ لَهُ نَفْیُ الصِّفَاتِ عَنْهُ، لِشَهَادَةِ کُلِّ صِفَةٍ أنَّهَا غَیْرُ المَوْصُوفِ، وَشَهَادَةِ کُلِّ مَوْصُوفٍ أنَّهُ غَیْرُ الصِّفَةِ، فَمَنْ وَصَفَ اللهَ سُبْحَانَهُ فَقَدْ قَرَنَهُ، وَمَنْ قَرَنَهُ فَقَدْ ثَنَّاهُ، وَمَنْ ثَنَّاهُ فَقَدْ جَزَّأهُ، وَمَنْ جَزَّأهُ فَقَدْ جَهِلَهُ.

The perfection of His purity is to deny His attributes, because every attribute is a proof that it is different from that to which it is attributed, and everything to which something is attributed is different from the attribute. Thus, whoever attaches attributes to Allah recognizes His like, and whoever recognizes His like regards Him as two, and whoever regards Him as two recognizes parts for Him, and whoever recognizes parts for Him has mistaken Him.((1)))

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(1) He is ignorant of the matter and He does not know that it is evil!

(2) He knows about the reality of the matter, but He has been compelled to do it and unable to desist from it!

(3) He knows about its reality and he is not compelled to do it, yet He needs to do it! Or

(4) He knows about its reality, and he is not compelled to do it, and he does not need it; so, His deed will be on account of whim, vainness, and pastime!

All these probabilities are impossible for Almighty Allah, since they ascribe imperfection to Him, while He is in reality the Absolute Perfect. In view of that, we must judge that Almighty Allah is too Exalted to wrong anyone or to do any evil deed.

Some Muslims, however, have argued that Almighty Allah—Sacred be His Names—may do evil, may punish the obedient to Him, may allow the disobedient and even the disbelievers to enter Paradise, may take a soul beyond its scope, and may impose upon His servants to do what they have no power to do! In spite of this, He may punish them for they did not do what they have no power to do! Such Muslims have also argued that Almighty Allah may treat unjustly, do wrong, lie, and deceive; and that He may do unwise, aimless, useless, and worthless things! To justify such corrupt arguments, they have cited the following holy verse as pretext:

لَا یُسْأَلُ عَمَّا یَفْعَلُ وَهُمْ یُسْأَلُونَ

He cannot be questioned concerning what He does and they shall be questioned. (21/23)

It is the lord of the bearers of such corrupt beliefs who is

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unjust, wrongful, foolish or reckless; a deceiver, evildoer, and one shunning the good. Glory is to Almighty Allah, and High and Great is He beyond measure above all that they say!

Such false arguments are nothing but clear-cut disbelief.

As for Almighty Allah, He has stated in the Holy Qur'an:

وَمَا اللَّهُ یُرِیدُ

ظُلْمًا لِلْعِبَادِ

Allah does not desire injustice for His servants. (40/31)

وَاللَّهُ لَا یُحِبُّ الْفَسَادَ

Allah does not love corruption. (2/205)

وَمَا خَلَقْنَا السَّمَاءَ وَالْأَرْضَ وَمَا بَیْنَهُمَا لَاعِبِینَ

We did not create the heavens and the earth and all that is between them in jest. (21/16)

وَمَا خَلَقْتُ الْجِنَّ وَالْإِنْسَ إِلَّا لِیَعْبُدُونِ

I have not created the jinn and mankind except to serve Me. (51/56)

رَبَّنَا مَا خَلَقْتَ هَذَا بَاطِلًا سُبْحَانَکَ فَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ

Our Lord! You have not created this in vain! Glory be to You! Save us then from the chastisement of the Fire. (3/191)

The Holy Qur'an is full of verses denoting the same facts.

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from His kindness and mercy to them.

The servants (of Almighty Allah) are usually unaware of most of their interests. They also do not know how to attain prosperity in this world and the next. They have no knowledge of much of that which causes them harm and loss. Almighty Allah is indeed All-compassionate and All-merciful in His Essence; and these two attributes are parts of His Absolute Perfection, which is His selfsame Essence and which can never be separated from Him.

His servants’ disobedience to Him and non-compliance with His commands and warnings do not cancel out His kindness and mercy.His servants’ disobedience to Him and non-compliance with His commands and warnings do not cancel out His kindness and mercy.

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Cause of all things.

Of course, those who adopt such a view ascribe injustice to Almighty Allah. He is far above such false ascription.

Another sect, the Mufawwidhah (Indeterminists), argue that Almighty Allah has given absolute authority to the creatures to do whatever they do and removed His act and determination from their acts. This is because these indeterminists believe that to ascribe all actions to Almighty Allah results in ascribing imperfection to Him; and all existent beings have their own causes even though all these causes stem from the Creator of all causes and the First Cause; namely, Almighty Allah.

As a matter of fact, those who adopt this conception have cancelled out the full power of Almighty Allah over all things and have decided a partner to Him in creation!

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With reference to this point, we follow what we have received from our Immaculate Imams (`a) who have decided that the answer is in reality between the two extremes and our belief is a middle view between fatalism and indeterminism. Our belief is not accepted by both groups of theologians, as some neglect the reality of the matter while others go to the other extreme. However, after several centuries, science and philosophy finally came to the same conclusion.

It is not surprising that some of those who have had no familiarity with the wisdom and maxims of the Holy Imams (`a) think that the notion of ‘Middle Course’ in this issue has been one of the discoveries of some late Western philosophers! The fact is that our Holy Imams (`a), having founded this principle, preceded all others by about ten centuries.

Our Imam, Ja`far al-Sadiq (`a), has demonstrated this ‘Middle Course’ through his famous words:

لاَ جَبْرٌ وَلاَ تَفْویضٌ؛ وَلکِنْ أمْرٌ بَیْنَ أمْرَیْنِ.

There is neither compulsion (by Almighty Allah on doing things), nor there is absolute delegation of power (tafwidh); rather, it is a course in the middle of these two courses.((1))

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What a marvelous significance this saying holds! How exact its meaning is!

To sum it up, this ‘Middle Course’ means that our deeds are, on one hand, ours in reality, because we are their natural causes and they are under our power and choice and, on the other hand, they are under the authority and within the absolute power of Almighty Allah, because He is the grantor of existence to all things. Almighty Allah has not forced us to do these deeds; therefore, He will not wrong us when He punishes us for the acts of disobedience to Him that we committed as long as we had the power and choice to avoid doing what we did. Similarly, He has not entrusted us with the making of our deeds; therefore, we are not out of His absolute power and authority. Indeed, creation, judgment, and management of all affairs are His; and He has full power over all things and He encompasses all things.

Anyhow, we believe that predetermination (qadha') and Divine decree (qadar) are within the secrets of Almighty

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Allah. One must thus recognize them as suitably as possible by means of neither immoderation nor negligence. It is not obligatory upon one who fails to recognize them properly to dedicate oneself to understanding and investigating them, because improper understanding of such subtle secrets will definitely lead to missing the reality and corrupting one’s faith. They are in fact among the most accurate fields of philosophy that none can realize except a very few people and, as a result, many theologians have slipped while trying to argue these secrets.) are within the secrets of Almighty Allah. One must thus recognize them as suitably as possible by means of neither immoderation nor negligence. It is not obligatory upon one who fails to recognize them properly to dedicate oneself to understanding and investigating them, because improper understanding of such subtle secrets will definitely lead to missing the reality and corrupting one’s faith. They are in fact among the most accurate fields of philosophy that none can realize except a very few people and, as a result, many theologians have slipped while trying to argue these secrets.

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example of the natural meaning of bada' (i.e. in relation to all things created) is that the opinion of somebody about a certain act may be changed because he has concluded a result that he has not known before according to which he must change his opinion and idea about that act. Therefore, it looks wise to leave doing that act after learning about the true interest and show regret for the previous opinion.

Bada’ in this sense is impossible for Almighty Allah, because it is part of ignorance and imperfection—two matters that are impossible for Almighty Allah to hold, as is confirmed by the belief of the Imamiyyah Shi`ah.

Laying stress on this faith, the Imamiyyah Shi`ah adhere to the following rule stated by Imam Ja`far al-Sadiq (`a):

مَنْ زَعَمَ أنَّ اللهَ تَعَالَی بَدَا لَهُ فِی شَیْءٍ بَدَاءَ نَدَامَةٍ فَهُوَ عِنْدَنَا کَافِرٌ بِاللهِ العَظِیم.ِ

Whoever claims that Almighty Allah changes a previous decision (i.e. on the basis of bada') on account of regret (at a previous action) is decided by us as having disbelieved in Allah the All-great.((1))

He is also reported as saying:

مَنْ زَعَمَ أنَّ اللهَ بَدَا لَهُ فِی شَیْءٍ وَلَمْ یَعْلَمْهُ أمْسِ فَأَبْرَأُ مِنْهُ.

Indeed, I disavow anyone who claims that Almighty Allah has changed a previous decision about an affair because He has come to know about

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something that He had not known in the past!((1))

On the other hand, our Holy Imams (`a) are reported to have stated some sayings giving the false impression that bada' in the previous sense might be applicable to Almighty Allah. For instance, Imam Ja`far al-Sadiq (`a) is reported as saying:

مَا بَدَا للهِ فِی شَیْءٍ کَمَا بَدَا لَهُ فِی إسْمَاعِیلَ ابْنِی.

Almighty Allah has not changed a decision about an affair like what He has done in the case of my son Isma`il.((2))

Because of such traditions, some writers of certain Muslim sects have accused the Imamiyyah Shi`ah of believing in bada’((3)) in the aforesaid sense so as to defame Shi`ism and

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the School of the Ahl al-Bayt (`a). They have added this false claim to the other vituperative campaigns that they lead against the Shi`ah.

The fact in this regard is that we, the Shi`ah, believe in bada' as exactly as it is stated by Almighty Allah in the Holy Qur'an:

یَمْحُو اللَّهُ مَا یَشَاءُ وَیُثْبِتُ ۖ وَعِنْدَهُ أُمُّ الْکِتَابِ

Allah erases what He pleases and establishes what He pleases, and with Him is the basis of the Book. (13/39)

Accordingly, the Imam (`a) meant that Almighty Allah’s decision in the case of Isma`il, the Imam’s son, was unprecedented so none of Almighty Allah’s other decisions were like it. The Lord took back Isma`il before his father to tell people that Isma`il would not be the Imam after his father,((1)) while circumstances led them to believe that Isma`il, the Imam’s eldest son, would be the next Imam.

Similar to this meaning of bada’ is the abrogation (naskh) of

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previous religious laws by the new code of law brought by our Prophet, Muhammad (`a), and even the abrogation of some laws brought by the Holy Prophet (`a) himself.) of previous religious laws by the new code of law brought by our Prophet, Muhammad (`a), and even the abrogation of some laws brought by the Holy Prophet (`a) himself.

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themselves nor subjective goodness or evilness. In truth, this argument is in violation of rational necessity.

Others have argued that Almighty Allah may do evil and, as a result, enjoin us to do an act that may beget disadvantage to us and warn us against doing an act that may achieve prosperity for us!

As has been previously cited, such false charges carry an awful venture, because it ascribes ignorance and frailty to Almighty Allah—supremely exalted is He against such allegations.

In summary, regarding the laws of religion we must believe that when Almighty Allah commanded us to carry out certain duties and forbade us to do other things, He did not have private interests or conveniences to achieve for Himself; rather, these duties bring about advantages to us and these prohibitions save us from inconveniences if we abide by them. It is also meaningless to claim that these do’s and don’ts do not achieve our interests and save us from corruption, because Almighty Allah never commands us to do something in vain as He never forbids us to do something aimlessly. Indeed, He is too Self-sufficient to need His servants.In summary, regarding the laws of religion we must believe that when Almighty Allah commanded us to carry out certain duties and forbade us to do other things, He did not have private interests or conveniences to achieve for Himself; rather, these duties bring about advantages to us and these prohibitions save us from inconveniences if we abide by them. It is also meaningless to claim that these do’s and don’ts do not achieve our interests and save us from corruption, because Almighty Allah never commands us to do something in vain as He never forbids us to do something aimlessly. Indeed, He is too Self-sufficient to need His servants.

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Our Doctrines Concerning:

• Prophethood

• Prophethood being Part of Divine Grace

• Miracles of The Prophets

• Infallibility of The Prophets

• Attributes of The Prophets

• The Prophets (s) and Their Books

• Islam

• The Lawgiver of Islam

• The Holy Qur'an

• Proving the Divine Status of Islam the Past Religious LawsProving the Divine Status of Islam the Past Religious Laws

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Allah knows best with whom to place His message. (6/124)

Likewise, people have nothing to do with those whom Almighty Allah sends as guides to bear good tidings for those who believe in them and warn those who disbelieve against the Lord’s chastisement. They also have nothing to do with the laws, regulations, and rules that are conveyed by these messengers.

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The Holy Qur'an contains many other verses clearly indicating the emotions and whims on which human beings have been fashioned.

On the other hand, Almighty Allah has created in man a guiding intellect, which leads him to prosperity and loci of goodness, and a deterrent conscience that prevents him from committing evil and wrong and blames him for doing any hideous and censured act.

Internal conflict between desires and intellect is always there inside human souls; hence, he whose intellect overcomes his desires will find himself a high-ranking place among the ones advanced in humanity and perfect in spirituality. However, those who are overcome by their whimsical desires will be with the losers and degenerate to the rank of beasts.((1))

Unfortunately, the stronger of these two contending powers is desire. This is why we find most people plunging into deviation and detaching themselves from true guidance by acceding to their desires and responding to the calls of their passions. Referring to this fact, the Holy Qur'an reads:

وَمَا أَکْثَرُ النَّاسِ وَلَوْ حَرَصْتَ بِمُؤْمِنِینَ

And though you try much, most men will not

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believe. (12/103)

In consequence of his imperfection and ignorance of all the facts and secrets of things that surround him and stem from his own self, man is not competent to recognize all that which harms or benefits him or brings him happiness or misery respecting his own self and his species, society, and surroundings. Furthermore, man is always ignorant of himself; and the more man advances in knowledge of natural things and material beings the more he realizes his self-ignorance.

In order to attain the highest ranks of happiness, man is consequently in the most urgent need for individuals who can show him the straight path and the clearest course that drives him into orthodoxy and true guidance. By means of such, the defence of the intellect will be strengthened and man will be able to overcome his vehement enemy when he readies himself to storm through the battlefield that decides between acting upon the intellect or following the desires.

Such need of someone to guide man to the path of prosperity and uprightness becomes imperative when man’s whims make what he does seem fair to him and make his deviant acts seem alluring to him. These whims show him evil as good and good as evil and confuse the path to prosperity, uprightness, and bliss, especially when man lacks knowledge through which he can discriminate between what is good and beneficial and what is evil and harmful. Each one of us is the victim of such conflict consciously or unconsciously, except these whom Almighty Allah protects against it.

It is difficult even for an enlightened civilized man, to attain the path of prosperity and uprightness through personal

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competence and discriminate between what benefits him and what harms him in this world as well as the next. Concerning his own self and his species, society and surroundings, no matter how much he collaborates with his associates and reveals his ideas before them, or how many conferences, councils, and assemblies he holds he still needs spiritual guidance.

It has been thus necessary for Almighty Allah, out of His kindness and mercy to human beings, to “send a messenger from among them who recites to them His communications and purifies them, and teaches them the Book and the Wisdom.” He warns them against whatever causes them corruption and guides them towards whatever brings about prosperity and happiness to them.

Clarifying this fact, Almighty Allah says in the Holy Qur'an:

هُوَ الَّذِی بَعَثَ فِی الْأُمِّیِّینَ رَسُولًا مِنْهُمْ یَتْلُو عَلَیْهِمْ آیَاتِهِ وَیُزَکِّیهِمْ وَیُعَلِّمُهُمُ الْکِتَابَ وَالْحِکْمَةَ وَإِنْ کَانُوا مِنْ قَبْلُ لَفِی ضَلَالٍ مُبِینٍ

He it is who sent among the unlettered ones a messenger of their own, to recite unto them His signs, and to purify them and to teach them the Book and Wisdom; although they were before certainly in clear error. (62/2)

This gracious act of Almighty Allah is necessary because His grace to His servants is part of His absolute perfection. Verily, Almighty Allah is All-gracious, All-magnanimous, and All-generous.

Therefore, when an object is worthy of and ready to receive His magnanimity and grace, then it is necessary for Him to shower His magnanimity on it since His mercy is free from miserliness and His magnanimity and generosity are

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seamless.

“Necessity” in this course does not mean that it is incumbent upon Almighty Allah to obey the command of someone, since He is too Exalted to receive any command from any being; rather, “necessity” in this respect bears the same sense of necessity in our saying, “the Necessity Existent”, which means coexistence and inseparability.

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messengers the power to manage such supernatural phenomena, these miracles act as introducers of and indicators of the messengers. Such paranormal phenomena are called ‘miracles’ because human beings are unable to manage or do the like of them.

Since it is necessary that each prophet come with a miracle through which he can prove being a prophet before the people to substantiate the Lord’s argument against them, his miracle must be inimitably manifest so that men of knowledge and experts of that age, aside from ordinary people, cannot bring the like of it. Associated with such a miracle, a prophet must declare himself as the messenger of the Lord so that his miracle would act as evidence on his claim and as proof of the truth of his declaration.

Hence, when distinguished individuals will not be able to bring the like of the miracle, everybody will know that the miracle is beyond the scope of human power and is extraordinary. This would definitely prove that the owner of the miracle, namely the prophet, is an extraordinary person, because he has a special spiritual contact with the Maker of all beings. These two factors—manifestation of the miracle and claim of prophethood—would make people believe and consequently have faith in his mission, submit to his instructions, and acknowledge his deeds. After that, some would believe in him as prophet and others would disbelieve.

In view of that, we notice that the miracle of each prophet was in accordance with the arts and sciences that were prevalent during his age. For instance, the miracle of Prophet Moses (`a) was the rod that devoured the falsities of the enchanters of that time, since the art of enchantment was the most widespread art at that time. Therefore, when

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the rod of Prophet Moses (`a) came, the very art of enchantment was proven false and the enchanters knew for sure that the rod could do things beyond their competence and over all their art, since the art produced by that rod was paranormal and beyond man’s ability.((1))

Similarly, the miracle of Prophet Jesus (`a), which was the healing of the blind and the leprous and bringing the dead to life, took this form because medication was the most

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widespread art of that time in which physicians and healers enjoyed the highest rank in society. Hence, when Prophet Jesus (`a) came with an extraordinary medicine, the sciences of these physicians and healers could not compete with him.((1))

As for our Prophet, Muhammad, peace be upon him and his Household, his immortal miracle is the Holy Qur'an that came with miraculous eloquence and articulacy in an age when rhetoric was the most widespread art and orators were in the fore of everyone else due to their excellent diction and lofty purity of language. Like a thunderbolt, the Holy Qur'an came to humiliate and astound these eloquent people and to convey to them the message whose eloquence they would never be able to resist; they therefore cringed before it as they were convinced that they

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would never have the power to challenge it.((1))

The occasion for their inability is that the Holy Qur’an challenged them to produce ten comparable chapters (surah), but they could not;((2)) it then challenged them to produce one such surah, but they could not.((3))

Because they were unable to compete with this challenge, they used their swords rather than their words. Thus we understand that the Holy Qur’an is a miracle with which the Holy Prophet, Muhammad (s), came as evidence of his

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claim to prophethood and bearer of the Lord’s message.

We have thus realized that he—peace be upon him and his Household—is truly the messenger of Almighty Allah and he came with the truth and verified it.

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It is necessary to prove the infallibility of the prophets (`a),((1)) because if a prophet commits a sin, an act of disobedience to Almighty Allah, an error, or any similar act, then the matter will be restricted to one of the following probabilities:

(1) it is still obligatory to follow him in such an act, or

(2) it is not obligatory.

As for the first probability, if it is obligatory to follow him in such acts, this will definitely mean that it is permissible,

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and even obligatory, to commit acts of disobedience to Almighty Allah by His permission; and this is absolutely invalid on account of religious and reason-based necessities.

If we decide that it is not obligatory to follow the prophet, this will definitely be in violation of the essential principle of belief in Prophethood. Obedience to the Prophets is an obligation once they have been recognised.((1)) Such being the case, each and every act of a prophet would be exposed to the probability that it was an act of disobedience to Almighty Allah or a mistake; hence, we would have the pretext not to follow the prophets in any of their words and deeds. The inevitable result would be the loss of the benefit of sending messengers and prophets by Almighty Allah. Moreover, a prophet would no longer be an extraordinary person and his words, deeds, and knowledge would no longer have such precious value that is always reliable; and it would no longer be imperative to obey or trust the instructions and words of the prophets.

This very proof is applicable to the infallibility of the Holy Imams, because we believe that Almighty Allah selects an Imam for this position to guide human beings and represent prophets.

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Abraham, David, Solomon, Moses, and Jesus (`a) as well as the other prophets whose names have been cited in the Holy Qur'an. Thus, to deny any of them is to deny all of them in general and the prophethood of our Prophet Muhammad (s) in particular.

It is also obligatory to believe in their Books and in whatever has been revealed to them from the Lord.

However, it has been proven that the current Torah and Gospel (i.e. the Old and New Testaments) have been distorted and their contents are not the identical revelations of the Lord. Many alterations, modifications, additions, and deletions, have been made to these two Divine Books since the times of Prophet Moses (`a) and Prophet Jesus (`a). Moreover, the majority, if not the entire, contents of these Books were written by the followers and disciples of these two Prophets a long time after their death.majority, if not the entire, contents of these Books were written by the followers and disciples of these two Prophets a long time after their death.

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who are unfortunately plunging into wrong and corruption, there must come a day when Islam becomes most powerful and its justice and laws spread all over this globe.

If the laws of Islam are applied to the entire world completely and properly, peace will reach all human beings and pleasure will find its way to each one of them, and they will attain the utmost of their dreams of luxury, dignity, opulence, meekness, and virtuous morality. Besides, clouds of persecution will be driven away from the horizons, amicability and fraternity will prevail among people, and poverty and dearth will be extinct.

It is noticeable, in the present day, that those who claim being Muslims are experiencing shameful and derogatory conditions. The reason for this is that the religion of Islam with its laws and spirit was not implemented since the first century of its advent. It was certainly not their obedience to the precepts of Islam that caused such disgraceful retardation. Quite the reverse, it was their disobedience to the precepts of Islam, their underestimation of its regulations, and the spread of oppression and aggression among all their social classes, beginning with their kings and retinues down to the paupers and ordinary subjects. All these have been the factors that crippled the movements of Muslims, enfeebled their powers, destroyed their spirituality and caused them affliction and distress. As a result, Almighty Allah has destroyed them on account of their faults:

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ذَلِکَ بِأَنَّ اللَّهَ لَمْ یَکُ مُغَیِّرًا نِعْمَةً أَنْعَمَهَا عَلَی قَوْمٍ حَتَّی یُغَیِّرُوا مَا بِأَنْفُسِهِمْ ۙ وَأَنَّ اللَّهَ سَمِیعٌ عَلِیمٌ

That is because Allah never changes the Grace He has bestowed on any people until they first change what is in themselves. (8:53)

Thus does Allah treat His creatures:

إِنَّهُ لَا یُفْلِحُ الْمُجْرِمُونَ

Lo! The guilty are never successful. (10/17)

وَمَا کَانَ رَبُّکَ لِیُهْلِکَ الْقُرَی بِظُلْمٍ وَأَهْلُهَا مُصْلِحُونَ

In truth, their Lord would never destroy their cities unjustly till their folk were doing right. (11/117)

وَکَذَلِکَ أَخْذُ رَبِّکَ إِذَا أَخَذَ الْقُرَی وَهِیَ ظَالِمَةٌ ۚ إِنَّ أَخْذَهُ أَلِیمٌ شَدِیدٌ

Even thus is the grasp of the Lord when He grasps the cities while they are doing evil. Lo! His grasp is painful, terrible. (11/102)

How do they expect that the religion of Islam will extricate this nation from its abyss while the religion in the view of the members of this nation is mere ink on paper! They do not carry out even the least amount of its instructions.

Although the prime foundations of Islam are faith, honesty, truthfulness, sincerity, good behavior, altruism, loving for one’s brother-in-faith whatever one loves for oneself, and the like moral standards, Muslims have left these morals far behind since ages up to the present day.

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With the progress of time, we find Muslims increasingly separating into scattered fragments, sects, and parties, rushing madly upon the transient pleasures of this world, crushing each other for fancies, and accusing each other of atheism through incomprehensible notions or affairs that are not their concern.

Such matters have distracted them from the essence of religion and from pursuing the interests of their communities and their own. Useless questions like:

• whether the Holy Qur'an is eternal or was created afterwards;

• whether it is correct to believe in the Divine menace and the Final Return or not; or

• whether Heaven and Hell have already been created, or will be created in future.

Such disputatious issues cause them to wrangle against each other and accuse each other of atheism.

If such disputations carry an indication, they certainly indicate the deviation of these polemical individuals from the norms that were drawn up to take them to the right path after it had been already paved for them. They also indicate that they are following the other crooked paths that bring about nothing but perdition and extinction.

With the passage of time, Muslims’ departure from the right increased until ignorance and deviation surrounded them as they engaged themselves with worthless and trivial affairs and concentrated on tiring matters, myths, illusions, wars, disputes, and vainglory that finally led them to bottomless abysses. While they were diving in inadvertence and carelessness, the West, the vigilant yet bitter enemy of

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Islam, colonized their territories and threw them into an unending abyss whose extent and bottom no one knows except Almighty Allah:

وَمَا کَانَ رَبُّکَ لِیُهْلِکَ الْقُرَی بِظُلْمٍ وَأَهْلُهَا مُصْلِحُونَ

In truth, the Lord would never destroy their cities unjustly while their folk were still doing right. (11/117)

There is no alternative for Muslims today except that they gather their parts and settle an account with themselves for their past negligence. They must then start with disciplining themselves and their coming generations through the orthodox precepts of their religion to eradicate all traces of oppression and injustice among them. Only by doing so can they escape the current catastrophic calamity. The next step must be that they fill the earth with justice and fairness after it has been filled with injustice and oppression. This is the promise of Almighty Allah and His Messenger to them and this is exactly what is expected from their religion since it is the sealing of all religions without which there is no hope to set this world right.

To achieve this, it is inevitable that a leader (imam) shall come out to erase all delusions, innovations, and aberrations that have been imputed to Islam, save people from the wide-ranging corruption and incessant oppression they are experiencing, and redeem them from the current underestimation of moral standards and disparagement of human souls. May Allah hasten his reappearance and make easy his advent.((1))

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لَا یَأْتِیهِ الْبَاطِلُ مِنْ بَیْنِ یَدَیْهِ وَلَا مِنْ خَلْفِهِ ۖ تَنْزِیلٌ مِنْ حَکِیمٍ حَمِیدٍ

Falsehood cannot come at it from before it or from behind. It is sent down by One Full of Wisdom, Worthy of all Praise. (41/42)

One of the testimonies to the miraculous nature of the Holy Qur’an is that with the progress of time and evolution of science and art, the Holy Qur'an has always kept its freshness and beauty as well as its supreme objectives and notions. It never contradicts a fixed scientific theory nor does it disagree with a positive philosophical fact.

On the contrary, with the development of scientific researches and the presentation of modern theories, we notice that some books of scholars and master philosophers seem to be trivial, repugnant, or fallacious, irrespective of what elevated scientific rank or intellectual level their writers might have attained. Such fallacies are visible in the works of even the greatest Greek scholars and philosophers like Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle who have been recognized as fathers of knowledge and intellectual excellence.

We also believe that it is obligatory to respect and esteem the Holy Qur'an in words and deeds; it is therefore impermissible to defile even a single word of it intentionally, as the Holy Qur'an states:

لَا یَمَسُّهُ إِلَّا الْمُطَهَّرُونَ

None shall touch it save the purified ones. (56/79)

It is also impermissible for those who are ceremonially

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impure, whether by major impurity((1))—such as janabah,((2)) menstruation, puerperium, and the like—or minor impurity((3)) including sleeping unless ritual bathing or ritual ablution has been performed. The details of these laws are mentioned in the books of Shi`ite jurisprudence.

Furthermore, it is impermissible to destroy the books of the Holy Qur'an by fire or to offend them by any deed that is conventionally considered a sort of insult, such as throwing them away, staining them, or putting them under one’s feet or in a despised place. Whoever intentionally insults or despises the Holy Qur'an through any of these deeds or their likes is decided as having reneged faith and disbelieved in the Lord of the Worlds.

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However, Islam verifies them with decisive and convincing testimonies through the Holy Qur'an.

We, Muslims, are required to testify to and believe in the past religious laws just because we are required to believe in whatever has been conveyed to us by this religion, such as its information about the authenticity of the prophethood of a number of previous prophets, as has been previously discussed.

It therefore follows that a Muslim, after he has accepted the teachings of Islam, is not required to evaluate the truth of Christianity or Judaism or such religions, because belief in Islam necessarily entails belief in the past messengers and prophets (`a). It is consequently unnecessary for Muslims to investigate and inspect the truth of the miracles of the prophets of these religions, because a Muslim is supposed to believe in these religions and prophets once he believes in Islam.

However, if one investigates the religion of Islam but is not convinced of its truth by the evidence provided, it becomes obligatory upon one, on the grounds of reason and necessity of knowledge and inspection, to investigate the truth of Christianity, because it is the last religion before Islam. If one, after investigation, does not reach certitude, then he is required to investigate the last religion before Christianity, which is supposedly Judaism, until one reaches conviction of a religion, or reject them all.

The issue is contrary for those who have grown up believing in Judaism or Christianity; a Jew’s belief in his religion does not release him from the liability of investigating the truth of Christianity and Islam; rather, it is obligatory upon him to inspect and have knowledge of the

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other religions according to reason. Similarly, it is not correct for a Christian to satisfy himself with his belief in Jesus Christ (`a); rather it becomes obligatory upon him to investigate and evaluate the truth of Islam, because both Christianity and Judaism do not deny the coming of a new religion that would abrogate the laws of these two religions. Moreover, neither Prophet Moses (`a) nor Prophet Jesus (`a) claimed that no prophet would come after them.

How is it then acceptable for Jews and Christians to rest on their beliefs and lean on their religions before they investigate the religion that is next to theirs, namely Christianity and Islam for the Jews and Islam for the Christians. By virtue of reason, it is also obligatory upon the followers of these religions to investigate the authenticity of the subsequent claim of prophethood so that they might follow it if proven true; otherwise, it would be wise for them, by virtue of reason too, to abide by their current beliefs and religions.

As has been previously cited, a Muslim, when accepting the belief of Islam, is not required to investigate the other religions, including the past ones and the coming ones that claim coming with a new religion, because:

As regarding the past religions, a Muslim is supposed to believe in these religions; therefore, he is not required to ask for proofs on them. The matter is predetermined for him. The laws of Islam abrogate all laws of previous religions. As a result, a Muslim must not act upon those laws.

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As regarding future religions,((1)) a Muslim is also exempted from investigating and evaluating them, because the Holy Prophet, Muhammad (s), has confirmed:

لاَ نَبِیَّ بَعْدِی.

No prophet will come after me.((2))

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In the view of Muslims, the Holy Prophet, Muhammad (s), is unquestionably the most honest and most truthful of all. He is as exactly as described by Almighty Allah in the Holy Qur'an:

وَمَا یَنْطِقُ عَنِ الْهَوَی إِنْ هُوَ إِلَّا وَحْیٌ یُوحَی

Nor does he (the Holy Prophet) speak from his own desire. This is naught but a revelation from Us. (53/3-4)

A Muslim is thus not required to inquire a proof on the authenticity of a later prophethood.

On account of the long period between us and the age of

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Prophet Muhammad (s), the bearer of the message of Islam, a great variety of schools of law and opinions, a divergence of sects and creeds has mushroomed. It is a must upon a Muslim to take the path that he trusts will lead him to an acquaintance with the laws revealed to the bearer of the message, because every Muslim individual is under the duty of acting upon the laws of Islam as exactly as they command.

However, a question arises in the minds in this respect: How can a Muslim recognize the laws of Islam as exactly as they command while they are at variance following divergent sects? The methods of performing the obligatory prayers are not the same! Acts of worship are not alike! Laws of transactions are not similar! What then should a Muslim do? According to which method should he perform the prayers? Which opinions should he follow in order to act upon the laws of Islam in all acts of worship and transactions, such as matrimony, divorce, inheritance, merchandising, establishing of religious provisions, blood money, and the like issues?

Of course, it is not permissible to follow one’s fathers or to submit to the practise of one’s folks and companions. Rather, it is necessary to go through self-conviction in the issue of one’s doctrine and to build a doctrinal relationship with one’s God, because comity, flattery, partiality or fanaticism must not play any role in doctrinal issues.

The one and only conviction that one must attain is that one has pursued the best of all ways that is believed to release one from responsibilities and duties towards Almighty Allah and to approach the conviction that one is not liable for any duty before the Lord and is released from the Lord’s punishment or reproach since one has followed

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the most favorable sect and acted upon its laws. Such being the case, one must never be influenced by any factor as long as one has followed the right path that achieves the pleasure of the Lord. The Holy Qur'an reads:

أَیَحْسَبُ الْإِنْسَانُ أَنْ یُتْرَکَ سُدًی

Does man think that he is to be left aimless? (75/36)

بَلِ الْإِنْسَانُ عَلَی نَفْسِهِ بَصِیرَةٌ

Nay! Man shall be proof against himself. (75/14)

إِنَّ هَذِهِ تَذْکِرَةٌ ۖ فَمَنْ شَاءَ اتَّخَذَ إِلَی رَبِّهِ سَبِیلًا

Lo! This is a rejoinder, that whosoever will, may choose a way unto his Lord. (76/29)

The first question that comes to one’s mind is whether one should follow the way of the Prophet’s Household (i.e. the Ahl al-Bayt) or the ways headed by others. If one follows the way of the Ahl al-Bayt (`a), one would also wonder whether the most accurate way is that of the Imamiyyah Twelvers’ or the ways adopted by the other followers of the Ahl al-Bayt (`a).

If one, on the other hand, follows the way of the Ahl al-Sunnah (i.e. Sunnis), one will then wonder which of the four major schools or the other schools he should follow. This must be the way of thinking adopted by those enjoying free minds and choice until they resort to a true, firm side.

In view of the above, it seems necessary to investigate the doctrine of Imamate (al-imamah) and its appendages in the belief of the Twelver Imamiyyah Shi`ah..

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Our Doctrines Concerning:

• Imamate

• Infallibility of the Imam

• Attributes and Knowledge of the Imam

• Obedience to the Imams

• Love for the Ahl al-Bayt

• The Holy Imams

• Imamate being Decided by Divine Commission

• Number of the Imams

• Al-Mahdi

• The Return (Raj`ah)

• Taqiyyah (Pious Dissimulation)

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necessary to refer to persons who we believe have achieved such knowledge of religious duties, such as the Imam, according to the faith of the Imamiyyah, and others, according to each sect’s faith.

Even if man does not believe in Imamate and does not suppose that it is a fundamental of Islam, he should, examine the concept of Imamate, if only to absolve himself of responsibility in this matter.

We also believe that Imamate, just like Prophethood, is a necessary grace of Almighty Allah. As a result, there must be in each age an imam (leader) to represent the Prophet in his missions of guiding and leading human beings towards the right path that they might achieve prosperity and pleasure in this world as well as the next. Such a leader must also enjoy the same authority enjoyed by the Prophet, such as supreme authority over the people, so that he can manage their affairs and interests, maintain justice among them and wipe out injustice and oppression.

Accordingly, Imamate is only a continuation of prophethood, and the reason for which Almighty Allah sends messengers and prophets is also the reason why the Prophet must be succeeded by an Imam.

In view of that, we, the Imamiyyah Shi`ah, state that Imamate cannot be decided without a commission from Almighty Allah conveyed to us by the Holy Prophet (s) or the previous Imam (`a). Imamate is thus not subordinate to selection or choice by the people, for they are not authorized to nominate anyone to this position if they desire and to depose anyone they do not like from this position and thus remain without an Imam, because:

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مَنْ مَاتَ وَلَمْ یَعْرِفْ إمَامَ زَمَانِهِ مَاتَ مِیتَةً جَاهِلِیَّةً.

He who dies without recognition of the Imam of his time has in fact died just like the ignorant ones who died before accepting Islam.((1))

Through uninterruptedly transmitted narrations, reporters quoted the Holy Prophet (s) as having confirmed the previous decision.

From the above, we conclude that it is impossible that any age can be devoid of a Divinely commissioned leader, it

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being obligatory on the people to obey him (i.e. the Imam), whether they like him or not, support him or not, obey him or not, or whether he is present or absent from their sight.((1))

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In the same way as it is acceptable for the Prophet (s) to absent himself from people’s sights, such as his disappearance from view in the cave((1)) or in the col,((2)) it is acceptable for the Imam to absent himself from view, be his occultation long or short, according to reason. Almighty Allah has said in the Holy Qur'an:

وَلِکُلِّ قَوْمٍ هَادٍ

And there is a guide for every people. (13/7)

وَإِنْ مِنْ أُمَّةٍ إِلَّا خَلَا فِیهَا نَذِیرٌ

There is not a nation but a warner has passed among them. (35/24)

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رَّبِّ زِدْنِی عِلْمًا

O Lord, increase my knowledge! (20:114) ((1))

Psychological studies have proven that each human being passes by an hour or several hours in his lifetime during which he can have knowledge of a number of things by intuition, which is part of inspiration, by virtue of the power that Almighty Allah has granted man to acquaint himself with such knowledge. This power, however, differs among people; increase or decrease owing to each man’s nature. During such hours, man’s mind suddenly gets to know certain things without intervention of the thought process or instruction of mentors. In fact, each individual can experience such states many times in his lifetime.

On the grounds of this experimental fact demonstrated by ancient and recent philosophers, certain people can attain their utmost inspirational competence.

On the strength of this fact, we can conclude that the Holy Imams (`a) hold the highest degree of the power of intuition, especially when we come to know that they possess the purest minds that are ready to receive information at all times, in all states, and under all

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circumstances. Accordingly and as has been previously maintained, when the Imam gives attention to something and wills to know it, he will know it through this holy inspirational power without premeditation, introduction, or instruction of mentors. Such information will then manifest itself in the minds of the Holy Imams in the same way as visible things reflect themselves in mirrors without dimness or obscurity.

This fact reveals itself very clearly in the history of the Holy Prophet (s) and Imams (`a) who never attended the classes of any mentor, nor received the instructions of any scholar since early childhood up to maturity. Nobody ever taught them any aspect of science or art, including reading and writing. History tells us that they were never reported to have joined elementary schools or studied under a teacher.((1)))

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In spite of this they never delayed an answer to any question that was addressed to them. Moreover, their tongues never uttered the statement, ‘I do not know,’((1))

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and they never withheld the answer to a question so as to consult others or deliberate,… etc.

Unlike the Holy Imams (`a), biographies of every Muslim jurisprudent, narrator, or master scholar contains information about the names of those who educated, taught, and trained them in fields in which they excelled. Moreover, such biographies contain situations in which such scholars could not find answers to many questions and doubted many others. This is indeed ordinary in the lives of human beings in all places and times.

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opening the way to Almighty Allah, the paths leading to Him, the signs pointing out to Him, the bearers of His knowledge, the interpreters of His revelations, the pillars of [the belief in] His Oneness, and the custodians of His recognition. By virtue of this, they have always been the cause of security for the inhabitants of the earth just as the stars are the cause of security for the inhabitants of the heavens,((1)) as is expressed by the Holy Prophet (s) who has

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further demonstrated their positions by saying,

مَثَلُ أهْلِ بَیْتِی فِی هَذِهِ الأمَّةِ کَسَفِینَةِ نُوحٍ؛ مَنْ رَکِبَهَا نَجَا، وَمَنْ تَخَلَّفَ عَنْهَا غَرِقَ وَهَوَی.

The likeness of my Household in this nation is the Ark of Noah; whosoever embarked upon it was

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saved, but whoever turned away from it was drowned.((1))

As for the Glorious Qur'an, it has described them, saying:

بَلْ عِبَادٌ مُکْرَمُونَ لَا یَسْبِقُونَهُ بِالْقَوْلِ وَهُمْ بِأَمْرِهِ یَعْمَلُونَ

[They are] honored servants who speak not until He

has spoken and act by His Command. (21/26-7)

Furthermore, they are those whom Almighty Allah has kept away from impurity and cleansed with a thorough cleansing.((2))

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Furthermore, we believe that the commandments of the Holy Imams (`a) are verily the commandments of Almighty Allah, their prohibitions are His prohibitions, to obey them is to obey Him, to disobey them is to disobey Him, to adhere to them is to adhere to Him, and to show enmity towards them is to show enmity towards Him. It is also forbidden to reject them, because to reject them is to reject the Holy Messenger (s), and to reject the Holy Messenger (s) is to reject Almighty Allah.((1))

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It is thus obligatory to submit to them, give oneself over to them, and accept whatever they say.

Pursuant to this, we believe that the religious laws, commissioned by Almighty Allah, must not be derived from any resource other than their salubrious resources, yet it is invalid to take these laws from other than them, and the religious responsibility of any person who refers to other than them is not fulfilled. Indeed, such a person must not feel content that he has carried out the duties imposed upon him by Almighty Allah unless he carries them out according to the teachings of the Holy Imams (`a).

In this tumultuous ocean overcrowded with billows of seditious, misleading, litigious, and fallacious matters, the Holy Imams (`a) represent Noah’s Ark; whosoever embarks upon it will be definitely saved, but whoever falls behind will be drowned.

In this thesis, we will not seek to prove that the Holy Imams (`a) were the legal caliphs (i.e. religious and political leaders of the Muslim nation) and successors of the Holy Prophet (s), and that they possessed Divine authority, because proving it will not bring back the circle of time or restore the usurped rights to their due owners. The most important point in this thesis is to prove the obligation of referring to the Holy Imams (`a) in obtaining the religious laws of Almighty Allah, and in gaining the directions of the Holy Prophet (s) in their most accurate forms.

The purpose of this discussion is to verify the fact that to

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receive the religious laws of Islam from reporters and scholars who have not derived them from the Holy Imams’ (`a) pure resources and have not sought light from their luminous sources is definitely deviation from the straight path of religion. Moreover, a Muslim, who learns his religious duties from any other source besides the Holy Imams (`a), must not be sure that he has fulfilled his duties towards Almighty Allah because there is a great divergence in opinions among the different sects of Muslims regarding the laws of Islam. An ordinary Muslim faces immense difficulty in choosing for himself from these divergent sects and schools. He is required to probe and investigate until he acquires a decisive pretext before Almighty Allah to follow a certain sect that he believes will lead him to the actual laws enacted by the Lord and thus, fulfill his duties toward Him. Generally, a certain engagement with a duty is required for certain release from it.

Categorical proofs demonstrate that it is obligatory to refer to the Ahl al-Bayt (`a) in the learning of the religious laws and that they are the genuine resources of the Divinely revealed laws of the religion after the Holy Prophet (s); at least on account of his authentically reported following statement:

إنِّی قَدْ تَرَکْتُ فِیکُمْ مَا إنْ تَمَسَّکْتُمْ بِهِ لَنْ تَضِلُّوا بَعْدِی أبَداً؛ الثَّقَلَیْنِ، وَأَحَدُهُمَا أکْبَرُ مِنَ الآخَرِ: کِتَابَ اللهِ، حَبْلٌ مَمْدُودٌ مِنَ السَّمَاءِ إلَی الأرْضِ، وَعِتْرَتِی أهْلَ بَیْتِی. ألاَ وَإنَّهُمَا لَنْ یَفْتَرِقَا حَتَّی یَرِدَا عَلَیَّ الْحَوْضَ.

Verily, I am leaving among you that which shall forever save you from straying off [the straight path of the religion] as long as you hold fast to them.

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They are the Two Weighty Things [thaqalayn]((1)) one of which is more significant than the other: [first] the Book of Almighty Allah, which is a rope extending from the heavens to the earth, and [second] my progeny [‘itrah],((2)) the members of my

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Household [Ahl al-Bayt]. Verily, they shall never separate from one another until they join me at the Divine Pond.((1))

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This tradition has been unanimously narrated by both Sunni and Shi`ite reporters alike. If you consider this momentous tradition carefully, you will come across marvelous and persuasive structure and significance. For instance, how remarkable the following statement is:

I am leaving among you that which shall forever save you from straying off [the straight path of religion] as long as you hold fast to them.

What the Holy Prophet (s) has left with us is the Two Weighty Things together, which he has considered one thing and has declared that it is not sufficient to hold fast to one of them and leave the other; rather, safety from straying off can be achieved only through holding fast to both of them.

Another example, very clear is the purport of the following statement:

These two will never be separated from each other until they join me at the Pond.

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Whoever separates these two from one another and shuns holding fast to both of them shall never touch on true guidance. In view of this fact, the Ahl al-Bayt (`a) have been the ark of salvation and the security for the inhabitants of the earth; sinking into the bottomless tumults of deviation is the unavoidable fate of everyone who fails to join them; and perdition will be the end result.

To claim that such holding fast to them stands for mere love for them without accepting their instructions and following their course is definitely fleeing from the right; a method adopted by the extremists who deliberately design to ignore the accurate course of interpreting Arabic words.

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The Holy Prophet (s) said:

حُبُّ أهْلِ بَیْتِی عَلاَمَةُ الإیمَانِ، وَبُغْضُهُمْ عَلاَمَةُ النِّفَاقِ. مَنْ أحَبَّهُمْ أحَبَّ اللهَ وَرَسُولَهُ، وَمَنْ أبْغَضَهُمْ أبْغَضَ اللهَ وَرَسُولَهُ.

Love for my Household is a sign of belief, and to show enmity towards them is a sign of hypocrisy.((1))

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Whosoever loves them has in fact loved Almighty Allah and His Messenger; and whosoever shows enmity towards them has in fact shown enmity towards Almighty Allah and His Messenger.((1))

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Indisputably and unquestionably, love for the Ahl al-Bayt (`a) is one of the necessary fundaments of Islam. This belief is held by all Muslims, despite their divergent and different opinions, except a few factions who adopted the enmity of the Ahl al-Bayt (`a) and, as a result, were called ‘Nawasib’ (i.e. those who show open hostility to the Household of the Holy Prophet). Consequently, they are included with those who reject the decisive form of Islam. As a general rule, whosoever rejects the established form of the religion, such as the obligation of prayers and fasting, is decided as having rejected the origin of the Mission of Islam and the Mission of Islam altogether, as is confirmed by established proofs, even if one has uttered the profession of faith (i.e. shahadah).

Thus, hostility to the Ahl al-Bayt (`a) is one of the testimonies of one’s hypocrisy, and to love them is one of the signs of true faith. Consequently, hostility to the Ahl al-Bayt (`a) is clear hostility to Almighty Allah and to the Holy Prophet (s).

Almighty Allah has commanded us to love the Ahl al-Bayt (`a) and to hold them dear because they are worthy of such love and devotion by virtue of their occupying nearby

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positions to Almighty Allah, high levels of eminence, and absolute innocence from polytheism, acts of disobedience, and whatever drives away from the area of His pleasure.

It is wrong to even imagine that Almighty Allah might impose upon us the love of someone who disobeys Him or fails to obey Him as He should be obeyed, because all Almighty Allah’s,creatures, in His view, are His servants whom He has created equally, the noblest among them, in His sight, being the most righteous.((1))

Thus, the person/s whom Almighty Allah imposes upon His creatures to love and hold dear must be the most righteous and the most virtuous of all; otherwise, another person would be worthier of such love. It might also be said that Almighty Allah—far be it from Him—prefers some people to others unjustly or playfully without these preferred people deserving such preference!

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In this respect, our Imam, Ja`far al-Sadiq (`a), says:

مَا جَاءَکُمْ عَنّا مِمَّا یَجُوزُ أنْ یَکُونَ فِی المَخْلُوقِینَ وَلَمْ تَعْلَمُوهُ وَلَمْ تَفْهَمُوهُ فَلاَ تَجْحَدُوهُ، وَرُدُّوهُ إلَیْنَا. وَمَا جَاءَکُمْ عَنَّا مِمَّا لاَ یَجُوزُ أنْ یَکُونَ فِی المَخْلُوقِینَ فَاجْحَدُوهُ وَلاَ تَرُدُّوهُ إلَیْنَا.

Whatsoever, which is possible for the creatures to hold, is reported to you about us, but you have had no previous idea about it or you have not been able to understand it, then you must not deny it; rather, you must refer it to us. However, if what is reported to you about us is impossible for the creatures to hold, then you must deny it and you must not refer it to us.((1))

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Without any difference, Imamate submits to the same laws of Prophethood in this respect. In plain words, no human being holds the right to express his opinion about the one whom Almighty Allah chooses as guide and leader for entire humanity. Similarly, none has the right to nominate, propose, or select such persons, because this mission needs one upon whom Almighty Allah has bestowed sacredness from His Sacred Spirit and who is ready to undergo the burdens of general leadership and capability to guide all human beings; and such a person cannot be nominated by anyone except Almighty Allah Who, alone, has the right to select him.

We also believe that the Holy Prophet, Muhammad (s), did nominate his successor and representative who would be the leader (i.e. imam) after him. He thus declared his cousin, `Ali ibn Abi-Talib (`a), to be the commander of the believers, the keeper of the Divine Revelation, and the leader of people on many occasions. Moreover, the Holy Prophet (s), on that day in Ghadir Khumm (known as the Ghadir Day), appointed Imam `Ali (`a) to the position of the next leadership and ordered the attendants to pay homage to him as their next leader. He thus said:

ألاَ، مَنْ کُنْتُ مَوْلاَهُ فَهَذَا عَلِیٌّ مَوْلاَهُ. اَللَّهُمَّ وَالِ مَنْ وَالاَهُ، وَعَادِ مَنْ عَادَاهُ، وَانْصُرْ مَنْ نَصَرَهُ، وَاخْذُلْ مَنْ خَذَلَهُ، وَأدِرِ الحَقَّ مَعَهُ کَیْفَمَا دَارَ.

Behold! `Ali is (now) the master of everyone who has regarded me as his master. O Allah! (please do) support whoever supports `Ali; and be the enemy of

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whoever incurs the hostility of `Ali; and aid whoever aids `Ali; and forsake whoever forsakes `Ali; and make the right turn to any side that `Ali takes.((1))

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That was not the first occasion; in fact, the first occasion on which the Holy Prophet (s) declared the leadership (Imamate) of Imam `Ali (`a) was when the Holy Prophet (s) invited his nearest relatives and members of his clan and declared the following before all of them:

إنَّ هَذَا أخِی، وَوَصِیِّی، وَخَلِیفَتِی مِنْ بَعْدِی؛ فَاسْمَعُوا لَهُ وَأطِیعُوا.

Verily, this (`Ali) is my brother, my successor, and my vicegerent after me. You must then listen to him and obey him.((1))

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When the Holy Prophet (s) said the above about him, Imam `Ali (`a) had not yet come of age.

On many other occasions, the Holy Prophet (s) repeated the following statement:

یَا عَلِیُّ، أنْتَ مِنِّی بِمَنْزِلَةِ هَارُونَ مِنْ مُوسَی، إلاَّ أنَّهُ لاَ نَبِیَّ بَعْدِی.

O `Ali! Your position in relation to me is the same as (Prophet) Aaron’s position in relation to (Prophet) Moses except that no Prophet is to come after me.((1))

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Besides, many holy Qur'anic verses and traditions have confirmed the general leadership of Imam `Ali (`a), such as the following holy verse:

إِنَّمَا وَلِیُّکُمُ اللَّهُ وَرَسُولُهُ وَالَّذِینَ آمَنُوا الَّذِینَ یُقِیمُونَ الصَّلَاةَ وَیُؤْتُونَ الزَّکَاةَ وَهُمْ رَاکِعُونَ

Only Allah is your Guardian, and His Messenger, and those who believe—those who keep up prayers and pay the poor-rate while they bow. (5/55)

This holy verse was revealed to speak of Imam `Ali (`a) when he gave his ring as alms while he was bowing in a prayer.((1))

The purpose for which this thesis has been written does not

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conduce to citing or explaining all the holy verses and traditions concerning the Imamate of Imam `Ali (`a).

In the same manner, Imam `Ali (`a) declared the Imamate of Imam al-Hasan (`a) and Imam al-Husayn (`a). The latter declared the Imamate of Imam `Ali ibn al-Husayn (Zayn al-`Abidin) (`a) and so did every Imam concerning the next Imam up to the last of them who will be discussed in an independent chapter of this book.

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who have been commissioned by Almighty Allah to hold the position of leading the Muslim nation. The Holy Prophet, Muhammad (s), had referred to all of them by name((1))

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before each Imam declared the name of the person who would be the next Imam after him. They are thus as follows, Peace be upon them all:

1. Abu’l-Hasan, `Ali ibn Abi-Talib, al-Murtadha (the Well-Pleased); BH (before Hijrah) 23 - AH (After Hijrah) 40.

2. Abu-Muhammad, al-Hasan ibn `Ali, al-Zaki (the Pure); AH 2 - AH 50.

3. Abu-`Abdullah, al-Husayn ibn `Ali, Sayyid al-Shuhada'

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(The Master of Martyrs); AH 3 - AH 61.

4. Abu-Muhammad, `Ali ibn al-Husayn, Zayn al-`Abidin (The Adornment of the Worshippers); AH 38 - AH 95.

5. Abu-Ja`far, Muhammad ibn `Ali, al-Baqir (The Ripper of Knowledge); AH 57 - AH 114.

6. Abu-`Abdullah, Ja`far ibn Muhammad, al-Sadiq (The Veracious); AH 83 - AH 148.

7. Abu-Ibrahim, Musa ibn Ja`far, al-Kazim (The Suppressor of Rage); AH 128 - AH 183.

8. Abu’l-Hasan, `Ali ibn Musa, al-Ridha (The Amiable); AH 148 - AH 203.

9. Abu-Ja`far; Muhammad ibn `Ali, al-Jawad (The Magnanimous); AH 195 - AH 220.

10. Abu’l-Hasan, `Ali ibn Muhammad, al-Hadi (The Guide); AH 212 - AH 254.

11. Abu-Muhammad, al-Hasan ibn `Ali, al-`Askari (Resident of `Askar City); AH 232 - AH 260.

12. Abu’l-Qasim, Muhammad ibn al-Hasan, al-Mahdi (The Well-Guided); AH 256 - …

The twelfth Imam, al-Mahdi (`a), is Almighty Allah’s argument against His creatures in the present day. He is the awaited savior who shall reappear (after occultation) to fill the earth with fairness and justice as it is filled with injustice and prejudice; may Almighty Allah hasten his advent and make easy his reappearance.

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been overcome by injustice and oppression,((1)) are indisputably reported from the Holy Prophet (s) by all Muslims who, apart from their various sects and opinions, have recorded and reported his traditions in this regard.

The belief in the advent of Imam al-Mahdi (`a) during the last period of existence of this globe is not an inventive idea that is embraced by the Shi`ah alone due to their being oppressed, as is falsely claimed by some malevolent, mistaken writers. They exert all efforts to rim this Divine, deep-rooted belief with a baseless frame, alleging that the belief in the advent of a leader who shall cleanse the earth from the filths of oppression has been the produce of the dreams of the Shi`ah.

Among the other unquestionable beliefs that were brought by Islam, the belief in al-Mahdi (`a) has been firmly established in the minds of all Muslims. Their intellects were saturated with it to the extent that those who claimed Mahdism in the first century after the advent of Islam—such as the followers of Kaysaniyyah,((2)) the `Abbasids,((3)) a group

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of the `Alawiyyah,((1)) and many others—easily deceived the public and used this belief to grab power and authority. The false claim of Mahdism was thus the surest way to influence the public and prevail over them.

We, the Shi`ah, incontrovertibly believe in the religion of Islam as the truest and the seal of all Divine religions and we do not expect any other religion to reform humanity. We are witnessing great oppression on this globe, the dangerous spread of corruption, the Muslims’ retreat from their religion, the inactivation of the laws and regulations of Islam in all Muslim countries, and the Muslims’ non-compliance with even one per mil of the laws of Islam. In spite of all that, it is still imperative for us to wait for the Relief that will restore Islam’s power and capability to reform the world that is sinking in the arrogance of oppression and corruption.

Besides, Islam cannot restore its power and domination over entire humanity while it is still encountering the current and earlier diversity of its followers in its laws,

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regulations and opinions, their heresies and distortions of its laws and seditious arguments that they have been attaching to it.

The religion of Islam cannot restore its strength unless a great reformer appears to lead it, reunify the divergent word of its followers, refute the distortions of the vain doers, and abrogate the heresies and heterodoxies attached to it through custody and grace from Almighty Allah. He will make this reformer a well-guided person enjoying a momentous position and grant him general authority over human beings and an extraordinary power to fill the earth with justice and fairness and root out injustice and oppression.

In short, the current corruptive conditions of humanity, which have attained their climax in dishonesty and wrong—despite our belief in Islam as the truest and the sealing of all religions—demand that we must expect this reformer, namely Imam al-Mahdi, to come and save the world from its sufferings.

In view of this fact, all Muslim sects and non-Muslims believe in this expectation; yet the difference between the Imamiyyah Shi`ah and the others is that the Imamiyyah Shi`ah believe that this reformer is a definite, well-known person who was born in AH 256 (AD 870) and still alive. He is the son of al-Hasan al-`Askari (`a) and his first name is Muhammad, as has been proven through predictions of the Holy Prophet (s) and the Holy Imams (`a) as well as the uninterrupted narrations about his birth and his concealment from human sight.

It is impossible to suspend Imamate in any age even though the Imam may be invisible for a certain time before

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he reappears on a day predefined by Almighty Allah other than Who none can predict or determine.

It is also believable that the disappearing Imam’s survival for such a long time is a miracle granted to him by Almighty Allah—a miracle that is not more marvelous than the miracle of his holding the responsibility of Imamate while he was just five years old after his father passed away and moved towards the Supreme Comrade. It is also as marvelous as the miracle of Prophet Jesus (`a) who spoke to people as a Prophet while he was a child in the cradle.

Besides, to live longer than the natural age of human beings, as is imagined by people, does not contradict or disagree with biological sciences. Even though modern science has not yet gained access to what may prolong man’s life, it is undeniable that Almighty Allah has power over all things and can do whatever He wills. Examples are already touched on; the Holy Qur'an has informed us about the long life span of Prophet Noah (`a) and about the continuous existence of Prophet Jesus (`a). However, if we doubt the Holy Qur'an, then we must bid farewell to Islam!

It is thus very surprising for a Muslim individual who claims absolute belief in the Holy Qur'an to wonder about the possibility of such an occultation.

It is worth mentioning and worth remembering in this respect that our expectation of al-Mahdi (`a), the savior and reformer, does not mean, by any means, that Muslims should not lift a hand to support their religion, restore their rights, strive painstakingly for its sake, act upon its laws and regulations, enjoin the right, or forbid the evil. Quite the opposite, Muslims are always required to carry out the religious duties, act upon the religious instructions revealed by their Lord, exert all possible efforts to acquaint

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themselves with these instructions and duties in their best manners through following the most accurate ways that lead to them, enjoin the right, and forbid the evil. Verily, “All of you must be supervisors and all of you are responsible for your subjects.”((1))

For that reason, no Muslim individual is allowed to dispense with his duties under the pretense that he is expecting al-Mahdi (`a), the reformer guide, because such unfounded pretense neither releases any Muslim individual from liabilities nor authorize him to postpone the doing of a duty.

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corruption. After the return, they will die again and be resurrected on the Day of Judgment to receive the reward or punishment that they deserve because of their deeds. This is understood from Almighty Allah’s information in the Holy Qur'an about the manners of those who would not take advantage of the first raising from the dead in this world before they will be again resurrected on the Day of Judgment. After they incur hatred from Almighty Allah, they will desire a third resurrection through which they will wish to perhaps act righteously and make amends. Reporting their desire, the Holy Qur'an says:

قَالُوا رَبَّنَا أَمَتَّنَا اثْنَتَیْنِ وَأَحْیَیْتَنَا اثْنَتَیْنِ فَاعْتَرَفْنَا بِذُنُوبِنَا فَهَلْ إِلَی خُرُوجٍ مِنْ سَبِیلٍ

[They will say:] Our Lord! Thou hast caused us to die two deaths, and Thou hast given us twice to live; now we confess our sins. Is there any way to go forth? (40/11)

As the Holy Qur'an has actually proclaimed the Return to this world, reported traditions of the Ahl al-Bayt (`a) have confirmatively given details of this belief and the Imamiyyah Shi`ah have unanimously agreed upon its authenticity. However, a few Imamite individuals have interpreted the Return as the restoration of political authority and power to the Ahl al-Bayt (`a) when the Awaited Imam, al-Mahdi (`a), shall come. Yet, they have denied the return of certain personalities and the raising of others from the dead.

As for Sunni Muslims, they consider the belief in the Return to be so heretical that to believe in it is hideous atheism. Similarly, Sunni biographers have decided the belief in the Return as one of the calumnious and defamatory features

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due to which a reporter believing in it is rejected and his reports are declined. Moreover, it seems that they have regarded the belief in the Return as heterodox as disbelief in Almighty Allah or even more heretical! As a result, the belief in the Return has been the most insulting and vituperative feature attributed to the Imamiyyah Shi`ah.

Undoubtedly, such sort of evil-intended intensifications were used by Muslim sects as expedient to vituperate each other and wage campaigns against each other. Actually, such intensification is unjustified because the doctrine of the Return taints neither the doctrine of monotheism nor Prophethood. It rather confirms them, since the Return bespeaks Almighty Allah’s absolute power to raise the dead and to resurrect—two extraordinary matters that can act as miracles for our Prophet, Muhammad, and for his Household, peace be upon them all.

This miracle is similar to Prophet Jesus’ (`a) miracle of restoring the dead to life even though the miracle of the Return is more profound, because it represents the resurrection of dead persons after their bodies have become dust:

قَالَ مَنْ یُحْیِی الْعِظَامَ وَهِیَ رَمِیمٌ قُلْ یُحْیِیهَا الَّذِی أَنْشَأَهَا أَوَّلَ مَرَّةٍ ۖ وَهُوَ بِکُلِّ خَلْقٍ عَلِیمٌ

Says he (man): ‘Who will give life to the bones when they are rotten?’ Says (Allah): ‘He will give life to them Who brought them into existence at first, and He is cognizant of all Creation.’ (36/78-9)

Some people have disapproved of the doctrine of the Return, claiming that it is part of metempsychosis, which is

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totally in the wrong. In fact, these people do not have the faculty to differentiate between metempsychosis and somatic resurrection, while the Return is a sort of such somatic resurrection. Metempsychosis stands for the transmigration of the souls or, in plain words, the passage of the soul of a creature into a new body completely separated from the first creature’s body unlike the somatic resurrection, which stands for the reformation of the same body along with its psychological features. The Raj`ah holds the same definition.

If the Return is considered to be a sort of metempsychosis, then Prophet Jesus’ restoring the dead to life must have been a sort of metempsychosis, too; and if the Return is a sort of metempsychosis, then the somatic resurrection and the final assemblage on the Judgment Day must be such, too.

In the long run, the issue of the Return can be discussed through the following two probabilities exclusively:

First: the Return is impossible to take place practically.

Second: The traditions pertaining to the doctrine of the Return are untrue.

Supposing that these two probabilities are true, the disbelief in the Return must not be of such an extreme degree of enormity as depicted by the rivals of the Shi`ah.

To tell the truth, the other Muslim sects adopt too many beliefs that are impossible to believe, or have not been proven by a single authentic tradition. Nevertheless, these beliefs have not taken them out of the circle of Muslims nor have they caused them to be charged of atheism.

Too many are the examples of such baseless beliefs: some

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of them believe that the Holy Prophet (s) was liable to forget, to be inattentive, or even to disobey Almighty Allah!((1)) Others believe that the Holy Qur'an is as eternal as Almighty Allah!((2)) Others believe in Almighty Allah’s (conditional) threat! Others believe that the Holy Prophet (s) did not nominate a successor!

Nevertheless, the two aforementioned probabilities are false. As already cited, the Return is a sort of somatic resurrection and the final assemblage (after death), which is not impossible, and the only difference between the Return and the Resurrection is that the Return will take place at a predefined time in this world, and all points of evidence proving the Resurrection are applicable to the Return.

There is no reason for astonishment except that we have not come across such raising of the dead during our lifetime and we also ignore the reasons for or the obstacles against the happening of such Return due to which we confess or deny it. As a general rule, it is not easy for man’s imagination to admit something that man has not encountered before, exactly like those who find strange the

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resurrection on Judgment Day; so, they, as the Holy Qur'an demonstrates, wonder:

مَنْ یُحْیِی الْعِظَامَ وَهِیَ رَمِیمٌ

‘Who will revive these bones after they rot and become dust?’ (36/78)

قُلْ یُحْیِیهَا الَّذِی أَنْشَأَهَا أَوَّلَ مَرَّةٍ ۖ وَهُوَ بِکُلِّ خَلْقٍ عَلِیمٌ

Say: ‘He will revive them Who brought them into existence at first, and He is Cognizant of all Creation.’ (36/79)

In such a situation, where there is no intellectual evidence either to deny or to prove it, we must have recourse to religious texts, which stand as the resources of Divine Revelation. The Holy Qur'an, the most authentic and major source of Divine Revelation, has comprised texts proving the possibility of the return to the worldly life after death, such as the miracle of Prophet Jesus (`a) who restored the dead to life. In this respect, the Holy Qur'an reads:

وَأُبْرِئُ الْأَکْمَهَ وَالْأَبْرَصَ وَأُحْیِی الْمَوْتَی بِإِذْنِ اللَّهِ

[Jesus said] And I heal the blind and the leprous and bring the dead to life with Allah's permission. (3/49)

The Holy Qur'an also reads:

قَالَ أَنَّی یُحْیِی هَذِهِ اللَّهُ بَعْدَ مَوْتِهَا ۖ فَأَمَاتَهُ اللَّهُ مِائَةَ عَامٍ ثُمَّ بَعَثَهُ

[Uzair wondered] When will Allah give it life after its death? So, Allah caused him to die for a hundred years then raised him to life. (2/259)

As has been previously cited, the Holy Qur'an reads:

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قَالُوا رَبَّنَا أَمَتَّنَا اثْنَتَیْنِ وَأَحْیَیْتَنَا اثْنَتَیْنِ فَاعْتَرَفْنَا بِذُنُوبِنَا فَهَلْ إِلَی خُرُوجٍ مِنْ سَبِیلٍ

[They will say] Our Lord! Thou hast cause us to die two deaths, and Thou hast given us twice to live; now we confess our sins. Is there any way to go forth? (40/11)

This holy verse cannot hold any reasonable sense unless it is interpreted to denote the doctrine of the Return (to the worldly life after death), even though some exegetes of the Holy Qur'an have exerted overabundant efforts to drive it away from this doctrine, but all their efforts have been incompatible with the sense of the holy verse.

As for the second aforesaid probability, it is unfounded because the issue of the Return is one of the necessary subjects on which the Holy Imams (`a) have laid great stress through their uninterruptedly reported traditions.

On balance, it is rather odd that a famous writer, namely Ahmad Amin, who claims holding considerable knowledge, says in his book of ‘The Dawn of Islam (Fajr al-Islam)’:

Judaism can obviously be seen in Shi`ism through the belief in the Return (Raj`ah).((1))

To answer this claim, Judaism can also be seen in the Holy Qur'an more obviously through the same doctrine of the Return, which is mentioned on many occasions in the Holy Qur'an, as has been previously cited.

Moreover, Judaism and Christianity must be seen in many of the doctrines and laws of Islam, because the Holy Prophet, Muhammad (s), has come confirming the bygone

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Divine religions even though he has abrogated some of their laws. As a result, the emergence of Judaism and Christianity in some doctrines of Islam is not a fault of Islam, even if it be the doctrine of the Return, as is claimed by Ahmad Amin.

In any case, the doctrine of the Return is not among the fundaments of the religion that must be investigated and believed; rather, we have believed in it corresponding to the authentic traditions reported from the Holy Imams of the Ahl al-Bayt (`a) whom we believe to be inerrant. The belief in the Return is finally one of the unseen matters that we have adopted because of the information received from our Holy Imams (`a) and which is not impossible for Almighty Allah.

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forefathers.((1))

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He (`a) also said,

مَنْ لاَ تَقِیَّةَ لَهُ لاَ دِینَ لَهُ.

Whosoever has no taqiyyah((1)) has no belief.((2))

Raised as their motto, the Ahl al-Bayt (`a) used to practice taqiyyah in order to protect themselves and their followers from harm, prevent bloodshed,((3)) enhance the conditions of

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Muslims, unify their situations, and reunite their scattered intentions.

Taqiyyah is still the distinctive feature of the Imamiyyah Shi`ah amongst the other sects and nations. As required by the naïve nature of sound reason, it is normal for every human being to conceal his beliefs and guard himself against pitfalls when he anticipates that a danger will befall him or his property if he proclaims or speaks out his beliefs openly.

History confirms that the Imamiyyah Shi`ah and their Imams (`a) faced more tyrannical oppression than any other sect or nation.((1)) Most of the time, the Imamiyyah

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Shi`ah had to practise taqiyyah to conceal their actual beliefs from their rivals and hide their doctrines and private rites in order to avoid persecution in their worldly and religious affairs. This is why the Imamiyyah Shi`ah, and none else, have been known for their abidance of taqiyyah.

Mentioned in detail in the books of Shi`ite jurisprudence, taqiyyah has certain rules and regulations in terms of its obligation or non-obligation that are defined according to the diversity of the conditions that bring about anticipated harm.

Taqiyyah is thus not obligatory under all circumstances; rather it is sometimes allowable while on other occasions, it becomes forbidden, such as in conditions like when support of the religion and serving and striving for Islam rely upon the open declaration and demonstration of the truth. In such conditions, neither property nor lives should be preferred to religion.

Correspondingly, taqiyyah becomes forbidden under such circumstances; killing of innocent people, circulation of the wrong, causing corruption to religious principles, or serious injuries to Muslims by misleading them or exposing them to injustice and oppression.

Contrary to the opinion of the rivals of Shi`ism, taqiyyah does not mean that the Imamiyyah Shi`ah should form a secret association purposed for demolition and destruction, nor does it mean that the religion and its laws become such undiscovered secrets that those who believe in them must never divulge them. This is definitely untrue, because books and writings of the Imamiyyah Shi`ah on various subjects such as jurisprudence, laws of Islam, theology, and doctrines are too many to be counted and much more than

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any other nation or sect.

Our doctrine of taqiyyah has been used by rivals of the Imamiyyah Shi`ah as another reason to kill them. It seems as if nothing will quench their thirst but that swords find their way to the necks of the Shi`ah so as to annihilate them as was done during the rule of the enemies of the Holy Prophet’s (s) Household, such as the Umayyad, `Abbasid, and Ottoman dynasties.

However, if those who vituperate the Imamiyyah Shi`ah for their belief and practice of taqiyyah, claiming that this practice is illegal on grounds of religious laws, we must then invite them to listen to the following points:

First: We follow our Imams (`a) and abide by their instructions, which represent the most excellent guidance to the truth. These Holy Imams (`a) have ordered us to believe in and practice taqiyyah and imposed it upon us to practice it when necessity rules. Moreover, in the view of our Holy Imams (`a), taqiyyah is part of the religion, as expressed by Imam al-Sadiq’s previously cited saying:

مَنْ لاَ تَقِیَّةَ لَهُ لاَ دِینَ لَهُ.

Whosoever has no taqiyyah has no belief.

Second: The legitimacy of taqiyyah is proclaimed in the Holy Qur'an:

...إِلَّا مَنْ أُکْرِهَ وَقَلْبُهُ مُطْمَئِنٌّ بِالْإِیمَانِ

…not he who is compelled while his heart is at rest on account of his faith. (16/106)

This holy verse was revealed to discuss the manner

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of`Ammar ibn Yasir who had to show disbelief in order to save himself from the enemies of Islam.((1))

On another occasion, the Holy Qur'an clarifies:

إِلَّا أَنْ تَتَّقُوا مِنْهُمْ تُقَاةً

…except that when you [have to] guard yourselves against them with thorough guarding… (3/28)((2))

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On a third occasion, the Holy Qur'an says:

وَقَالَ رَجُلٌ مُؤْمِنٌ مِنْ آلِ فِرْعَوْنَ یَکْتُمُ إِیمَانَهُ

And a believing man of Pharaoh's people who hid his faith... (40/28) (40/28)

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• Prelude

• Supplication (Du`a’)

• Supplications of al-Sahifah al-Sajjadiyyah

• Pilgrimages to the Holy Shrines

• The Meaning of Shi`ism According to the Ahl al-Bayt (`a)

• Oppression and Injustice

• Cooperation with Oppressors

• Holding Offices in Despotic Governments

• Calling upon Islamic Unity

• Mutual Rights of Muslims

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religious sciences. However, we can allude to some doctrines that the Holy Imams (`a) taught their followers to ensure they constituted a righteous community, approximated them to Almighty Allah, cleansed them of the filth of sins and vices, and gave rise to decency and honesty in their inner selves.

Among such socially useful teachings of the Holy Imams (`a) is taqiyyah, discussed in the previous chapter. We will therefore mention some other teachings., discussed in the previous chapter. We will therefore mention some other teachings.

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اَلدُّعَاءُ سِلاَحُ المُؤمِنِ، وَعَمُودُ الدِّینِ، وَنُورُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالأرْضِ.

Supplication has thus become one of the distinctive features of the Imamiyyah Shi`ah who have excelled all others in this peculiarity. As a result, they have written down tens of books, both brief and elaborate, on the merits and etiquettes of supplicating. Such books have also comprised the prayers and supplications reported from the Holy Imams of the Ahl al-Bayt (`a), achieving the purpose which the Holy Prophet (s) and his Household (`a) aimed at when they urged and aroused the interests of people to supplicate Almighty Allah through numerous statements and traditions, such as the following:

أفْضَلُ العِبَادَةِ الدُّعَاءُ.

Supplication is the most favorite act of worship.((1))

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أحَبُّ الأعْمَالِ إلَی اللهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ فِی الأرْضِ الدُّعَاءُ.

For Almighty Allah, supplication is the most desirable act (of worship) that is done on this earth.((1))

Moreover, the Ahl al-Bayt (`a) said:

إنَّ الدُّعَاءَ یَرُدُّ القَضَاءَ وَالبَلاَءَ.

Verily, Supplication may hold off predetermined calamities and misfortunes.((2))

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الدُّعَاءُ شِفَاءٌ مِنْ کُلِّ دَاءٍ.

Supplication is a remedy for all maladies.((1))

Narrations have described Imam `Ali Amir al-Mu'minin (`a) as markedly suppliant.((2)) A great deal of supplication is expected to be an outstanding feature of one who is described as the chief of the monotheists and the leader of the devout.

Like his sermons, Imam `Ali’s (`a) supplications, one of which is the famous Supplication of Kumayl (known as du`a’ kumayl)((3)), have been masterpieces of Arabic

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eloquence. They contain such marvelous Divine facts and religious directives that provide an advanced program of education for true Muslims.

If carefully observed, the supplications of the Holy Prophet (s) and Imams (`a) contain an excellent pattern of conduct that a Muslim individual can follow. They arouse the powers of true faith and conviction, stimulate the spirit of sacrifice for the truth, present the secrets of worship and the pleasant taste of confidential talk with the Almighty, and prescribe what one should learn from one’s religion, what brings one close to Almighty Allah, and what drives one away from corruption, whims and heresies.

In short, these supplications cover all aspects of morality and self-discipline as well as all aspects of Muslim belief. Furthermore, they are the most important references to philosophical views and scientific research in the fields of Divinity and ethics.

Had all people been able to abide by the points of true guidance that are introduced in the excellent contents of these supplications, there would have been no single trace left for corruption on this globe, which is overburdened with corruption, and these souls enchained with evil would have soared freely high overhead in the skies of truth.

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Nevertheless, how can humanity listen to the words of the reformers and respond to the calls of the truth after Almighty Allah has revealed their reality, saying:

إِنَّ النَّفْسَ لَأَمَّارَةٌ بِالسُّوءِ

Most surely, man's soul is wont to command him to do evil. (12/ 53)

وَمَا أَکْثَرُ النَّاسِ وَلَوْ حَرَصْتَ بِمُؤْمِنِینَ

And most men will not believe though you desire it eagerly. (12/103)

The pillar of evil in human souls lies in self-conceit, blinking at one’s faults, and the false fancy that causes man to reckon that all his deeds are good. Such being the case, man begins to wrong and oppress others, lie to and deceive others, and give free rein to his lust to lead him wherever his caprice commands. Even so, man believes that he is doing exactly what he should do, shutting his eyes to wrongdoing, and treating too lightly his sins.

These supplications, on the other hand, are focused on teaching man how to achieve self-seclusion and devotion to Almighty Allah—two matters that lead man to confess his faults and admit that he is blameworthy and needs to apply himself solely to Almighty Allah, beg Him for forgiveness and acceptance of his repentance. Besides, these supplications point out man’s places of vanity and sinfulness in his inner self, teaching him to say the following statement, quoted from the famous Du`a’ Kumayl:

إِلهی وَمَوْلای! أَجْرَیْتَ عَلَیَّ حُکْماً إِتَّبَعْتُ فیهِ هَوی نَفْسی، وَلَمْ أَحْتَرِسْ فیهِ مِنْ تَزْیینِ عَدُوّی، فَغَرَّنی بِما أَهْوی، وَأَسْعَدَهُ عَلی ذلِکَ الْقَضاءُ؛ فَتَجاوَزْتُ بِما

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جَری عَلَیَّ مِنْ ذلِکَ بَعْضَ حُدُودِکَ، وَخالَفْتُ بَعْضَ أَوامِرِکَ.

My God and my Protector! Thou put into effect through me a decree but I followed the caprice of my own soul, And [I] did not remain wary of the adorning of my enemy. So, he deluded me through my soul's caprice and therein destiny helped him. So, in what was put into effect through me in that situation, I transgressed some of Your statutes, and disobeyed some of Your commands.((1))

Undoubtedly, to reveal such confessions in privacy is much easier than to reveal it in public in the presence of people although it is also one of the most difficult admissions made in private. If man tries, it will contribute greatly to the alleviation of the evil ardors within and training oneself on seeking goodness.

One who really intends to discipline oneself must achieve such privacy and call oneself to account. Hence, the easiest method of such introspection is to repeat these supplications till their contents penetrate into the depths of the self. For instance, one may repeat the following statement of the famous supplication known as Du`a’ Abi-Hamzah al-Thamali:((2))

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أَیْ رَبّ جَلّلْنِی بِسِتْرِکَ، وَاعْفُ عَنْ تَوْبِیخِی بِکَرَمِ وَجْهِکَ.

O my Lord! Cover me with Your protective covering, and overlook reproaching me out of the Majesty of Your Face.

Pondering over the expression ‘cover me…’ shows that it arouses in the self the desire to conceal all its evils so that one may perceive these extraneous factors in oneself. The expression then alludes to a confession of this fact when one reads the following statement:

فَلَوِ اطّلَعَ الْیَوْمَ عَلَی ذَنْبِی غَیْرُکَ مَا فَعَلْتُهُ! وَلَوْ خِفْتُ تَعْجِیلَ الْعُقُوبَةِ لاجْتَنَبْتُهُ!

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In fact, if anyone other than You has watched me while committing these sins, I may not commit them; and had I anticipated immediateness of punishment, I might have avoided doing them.

This confession of the existence of such extraneous factors and the necessity of concealing such evils in oneself arouses the desire to pray for Almighty Allah’s pardon and forgiveness. One does not wish to be humiliated before people when Almighty Allah decides to punish one in this world or on the Day of Resurrection because of the evil deeds that one has done. Just then, one finds the pleasant taste of confidential conversation with the Almighty and devotes oneself to Him, praising and thanking Him for being tolerant and pardoning one although He has always had the power to do otherwise by disclosing one’s faults before people. The supplication then continues:

فَلَکَ الْحَمْدُ عَلَی حِلْمِکَ بَعْدَ عِلْمِکَ، وَعَلَی عَفْوِکَ بَعْدَ قُدْرَتِکَ.

Hence, all praise be to You, for You act tolerably although You have full knowledge (of the faults); and for Your pardon even though You have the absolute authority (to punish).

The next paragraphs of the supplication inspire one with ways of admitting faults and seeking pardon for past violations on the grounds of Almighty Allah’s lenience and pardon. The bond that attaches a servant with his Lord will not break and the servant will realize that his acts of disobedience to the Lord have not been based on his denial or belittling of Almighty Allah. So, the supplication continues:

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وَیَحْمِلُنِی وَیُجَرّئُنِی عَلَی مَعْصِیَتِکَ حِلْمُکَ عَنّی! وَیَدْعُونِی إِلَی قِلّةِ الْحَیَاءِ سِتْرُکَ عَلَیّ! وَیُسْرِعُنِی إِلَی التّوَثّبِ عَلَی مَحَارِمِکَ مَعْرِفَتِی بِسَعَةِ رَحْمَتِکَ وَعَظِیمِ عَفْوِکَ!

It is Your forbearance that gives me latitude and makes me dare to break Your laws; and it is Your concealment of my faults that makes me act shamelessly in Your presence; and it is my acquaintance with the broadness of Your mercy and the magnitude of Your pardon that makes me hurry to violate that which You have forbidden.

In this fashion, supplications pursue the course of confidential talks that aim at disciplining oneself and pledging obedience to Almighty Allah and shunning acts of disobedience.

This brief thesis does not allow me to cite more examples of such sublime supplications.

However, I am inclined to mention some supplications that carry a method of offering pleas before Almighty Allah for the sake of seeking His pardon and forgiveness, such as the following paragraph of Du`a’ Kumayl:

وَلَیْتَ شِعْرِی یَا سَیِّدِی وَإِلَهِی وَمَوْلایَ! أَتُسَلِّطُ النَّارَ عَلَی وُجُوهٍ خَرَّتْ لِعَظَمَتِکَ سَاجِدَةً؟ وَعَلَی أَلْسُنٍ نَطَقَتْ بِتَوْحِیدِکَ صَادِقَةً وَبِشُکْرِکَ مَادِحَةً؟ وَعَلَی قُلُوبٍ اعْتَرَفَتْ بِإِلَهِیَّتِکَ مُحَقِّقَةً؟ وَعَلَی ضَمَائِرَ حَوَتْ مِنَ الْعِلْمِ بِکَ حَتَّی صَارَتْ خَاشِعَةً؟ وَعَلَی جَواِرحَ سَعَتْ إِلَی أَوْطَانِ تَعَبُّدِکَ طَائِعَةً وَأَشَارَتْ بِاسْتِغْفَارِکَ مُذْعِنَةً؟ مَا هَکَذَا الظَّنُّ بِکَ وَلا أُخْبِرْنَا بِفَضْلِکَ عَنکَ!

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Would that I knew—my Master, My God and my Protector

Wilt Thou give the Fire dominion over faces that have prostrated themselves before Your Omnipotence;

over tongues that have sincerely professed Your Unity and given thanks to You in praise thereof;

over hearts that have acknowledged Your Divinity through verification;

over minds that have gained knowledge of You until they have become humble;

and, over bodily members that have sped to the places of Your worship in obedience and begged for Your forgiveness in submission?

No such opinion is held of You! Nor has such been reported -thanks to Your bounty- concerning You.

Re-read this passage and reflect upon the excellence, eloquence, and diction of these words of argument. At the same time as these words inspire the soul to concede its shortcomings in servitude to the Almighty, they instruct it not to despair of His mercy and kindness. Looking with a stealthy glance, these words address the souls and remind them of their primary duties by supposing that all the required duties towards the Almighty have been carried out, to lay stress on the fact that man will deserve forgiveness of Almighty Allah only after carrying out all these duties completely. This style fills man, who has not yet accomplished these duties, with the desire to review his manners and then make up for the duties, which he missed.

The following passage of the same supplication is another

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style of offering pleas:

فَهَبْنِی، یَا إِلَهِی وَسَیِّدِی وَمَوْلایَ وَرَبِّی، صَبَرْتُ عَلَی عَذَابِکَ، فَکَیْفَ أَصْبِرُ عَلَی فِرَاقِکَ؟ وَهَبْنِی صَبَرْتُ عَلَی حَرِّ نَارِکَ، فَکَیْفَ أَصْبِرُ عَنِ النَّظَرِ إِلَی کَرَامَتِکَ؟

Then, suppose—O My God, Master, Protector, and Lord—that I am able to endure Your chastisement, but how can I endure separation from You? And suppose that I am able to endure the heat of Your Fire, but how can I endure not gazing upon Your generosity?

These statements draw the attentions towards the necessity of tasting nearness to Almighty Allah and touching on His honor and absolute power over all things by bearing love for Him and hankering after what He has prepared for His loving servants. They also emphasise the fact that such pleasure must attain such an elevated level that it influences souls more than chastisement and the heat of fire do. Supposing that man can stand the heat of Hellfire, he will not be able to stand separation from Almighty Allah.

Besides, the previously cited passage of the supplication tries to make us understand that such love and pleasure of gaining the favor of the worshipped and beloved Lord will be the best means a sinful individual can find to win His pardon and forgiveness. Undeniably, seeking the affection and favor of the Lord—the All-generous, All-forbearing, the Forgiver of sins, and the Acceptor of repentance—are definitely blessings that He confers upon His servants.

Let us end with a brief, yet comprehensive, supplication that encloses all nobility of character and demonstrates the praiseworthy features that each organ in the human body

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should hold:

اَللّهُمَّ ارْزُقْنا تَوْفیقَ الطّاعَةِ، وَبُعْدَ الْمَعْصِیَةِ، وَصِدْقَ النِّیَّةِ، وَعِرْفانَ الْحُرْمَةِ، وَأَکْرِمْنا بِالْهُدی وَالاِْسْتِقامَةِ، وَسَدِّدْ أَلْسِنَتَنا بِالصَّوابِ وَالْحِکْمَةِ، وَامْلأَْ قُلُوبَنا بِالْعِلْمِ وَالْمَعْرِفَةِ، وَطَهِّرْ بُطُونَنا مِنَ الْحَرامِ وَالشُّبْهَةِ، وَاکْفُفْ أَیْدِیَنا عَنِ الظُّلْمِ وَالسَّرِقَةِ، وَاغْضُضْ أَبْصارَنا عَنِ الْفُجُورِ وَالْخِیانَةِ، وَاسْدُدْ أَسْماعَنا عَنِ اللَّغْوِ وَالْغِیبَةِ، وَتَفَضَّلْ عَلی عُلَمائِنا بِالزُّهْدِ وَالنَّصیحَةِ، وَعَلَی الْمُتَعَلِّمینَ بِالْجُهْدِ وَالرَّغْبَةِ، وَعَلَی الْمُسْتَمِعینَ بِالاِْتِّباعِ وَالْمَوْعِظَةِ، وَعَلی مَرْضَی الْمُسْلِمینَ بِالشِّفاءِ وَالرّاحَةِ، وَعَلی مَوْتاهُمْ بِالرَّأفَةِ وَالرَّحْمَةِ، وَعَلی مَشایِخِنا بِالْوَقارِ وَالسَّکینَةِ، وَعَلَی الشَّبابِ بِالإِنابَةِ وَالتَّوْبَةِ، وَعَلَی النِّساءِ بِالْحَیاءِ وَالْعِفَّةِ، وَعَلَی الأغْنِیاءِ بِالتَّواضُعِ وَالسَّعَةِ، وَعَلَی الْفُقَراءِ بِالصَّبْرِ وَالْقَناعَةِ، وَعَلَی الْغُزاةِ بِالنَّصْرِ وَالْغَلَبَةِ، وَعَلَی الأُسَراءِ بِالْخَلاصِ وَالرّاحَةِ، وَعَلَی الاُْمَراءِ بِالْعَدْلِ وَالشَّفَقَةِ، وَعَلَی الرَّعِیَّةِ بِالإنْصافِ وَحُسْنِ السّیرَةِ، وَبارِکْ لِلْحُجّاجِ وَالزُّوّارِ فِی الزّادِ وَالنَّفَقَةِ، وَاقْضِ ما أَوْجَبْتَ عَلَیْهِمْ مِنَ الْحَجِّ وَالْعُمْرَةِ، بِفَضْلِکَ وَرَحْمَتِکَ یا أَرْحَمَ الرّاحِمینَ.

O Allah; (please do) grant us success in obeying (You), remoteness from disobeying (You), true intention, and identification of sanctity. (Please do) honor us with true guidance and straight-forwardness. Dedicate our tongues to truth and wisdom. Fill our hearts with knowledge and

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learning. Purify our stomachs from illegally and suspiciously gotten food. Withhold our hands from oppression and larceny. Turn our sights away from licentiousness and treachery. Block our hearings against vainness and backbiting. Bless our scholars with asceticism and good advice, our learners with hard work and desire (to learn), our listeners with following and learning (lessons), our Muslim patients with healing and comfort, our dead Muslims with forgiveness and mercy, our old ones with somberness and gentleness, our youths with turning (to You) and repentance, our women with shyness and chastity, our rich with modesty and generosity, our poor with patience and contentment, our warriors with triumph and primacy, our prisoners with release and comfort, our rulers with justice and sympathy, and our subjects with impartiality and good behavior. (Please do) Bless the pilgrims to Mecca and the visitors (to the tombs of the saints) with provision and expenditure. Help them settle the Hajj and `Umrah that You have made incumbent upon them. [Let this be] on account of Your grace and mercy; O the most Merciful of all those who show mercy.((1))

Seizing this opportunity, I recommend my dear brethren, the readers, not to miss rehearsing these supplications, yet with full ponderation over their significances and objectives with presence of heart and devotion, and supplicate before

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Almighty Allah with reverence and submission. I also recommend them to read these supplications as if they are expressing their personal states, with full observance of the etiquettes that the Ahl al-Bayt (`a) have instructed us to do while reading them.

It is important to note that reading these supplications with absent minds and distracted hearts will be no more than shaking of tongues that neither increase knowledge, nor take man closer to the Almighty, nor his prayers achieve acceptance. It has been reported that:

إنَّ اللهَ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ لاَ یَسْتَجِیبُ دُعَاءً بِظَهْرِ قَلْبٍ سَاهٍ؛ فَإذَا دَعَوْتَ فَأقْبِلْ بِقَلْبِکَ ثُمَّ اسْتَیْقِنْ بِالإجَابَةِ.

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Almighty Allah will not respond to the prayer that is said while the heart is distracted; therefore, when you pray to Him, your heart must be present. Only then can you be sure of response.((1))

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to his house, dejected and full of sorrow.((1)) Nobody had the courage to visit him and he was unable to instruct people on what was obligatory upon them to do and most proper.

As a result, he had to resort to the style of supplicating which is, as has been already cited in this book, one of the finest educational courses of self-discipline. The Imam (`a) followed this style as a means of spreading the Qur'anic directives and the Ahl al-Bayt’s method of education and to teach people the spirit of religiosity, asceticism, self-discipline and moral ethics.

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This was the method of dissemination that the Imam (`a) adopted to teach people their religion without arousing the suspicion of the ruling authorities who kept an eye on his activities, and not provide them with an opportunity to persecute him. The Imam (`a), therefore, composed many such supplications, some of which are in his famous al-Sahifah al-Sajjadiyyah,((1)) which is also called ‘The Psalms of Islam or The Psalms of Muhammad’s Household.’

In both style and significance, these supplications occupy the top position in the list of Arabic literature as well as comprise the noblest directions of Islam, the finest secrets of monotheism and Prophethood, and the most accurate method of teaching people the Holy Prophet’s (s) high moral standards and the ethics of Islam.

Dealing with various topics of religious education, these supplications become a method of teaching the true religion and morality in the form of prayers, or prayers in the form of teaching the true religion and morality.

Coming after the Holy Qur'an and Nahj al-Balaghah,((2)) the supplications of Imam `Ali ibn al-Husayn (`a) are composed

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of the finest diction of the Arabic language. They are also considered the chief philosophical source of Divinity and Ethics.

Some of these supplications teach us how to glorify, venerate, praise and thank Almighty Allah.

Others teach us how to introspect by establishing a confidential conversation with Him, how to meditate by focusing on Him, and repent by devoting ourselves to Him.

Others clearly explain the significance of praying to Almighty Allah to shower His blessings upon His Prophet, Messengers and Saints.

Others teach us the meaning of kindness to parents.

Others classify one’s duties toward parents, duties of fathers toward their sons, duties towards neighbors, duties toward relatives, duties toward Muslims in general, and duties of the rich towards the poor and vice versa.

Others call attention to what we should do when we are financially indebted to others, what we should do concerning our economic and financial affairs, how we should deal with our mates, friends, and people in general, and whom we should choose to serve us.

Others enumerate all traits of nobility of character; they act as a perfect course of ethics.

Others direct us how to face misfortunes and calamities patiently, and what to do in both sickness and health.

Others present the duties of Muslim armies and the duties of people toward them.

Striking all chords, these supplications deal with all topics necessitated by the instructions of the Holy Prophet and the

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Muslim code of law. All these topics, and more, have been discussed in one style—the style of supplication.

However, the supplications of Imam `Ali ibn al-Husayn al-Sajjad (`a) possess some common features that are summarised below:

First: These supplications comprise a description of Almighty Allah and His grandeur and omnipotence over all things in addition to explaining His inseparable Oneness. The finest scientific expressions are used in these supplications to introduce the Almighty as too Exalted to allow us to imagine anything that is incompatible with His Holiness and Majesty. Indications to these topics are repeated in almost each supplication said by the Imam (`a), yet in a different way each time. For instance, in the first supplication of al-Sahifah al-Sajjadiyyah, we can read the following:

اَلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الأَوَّلِ بِلا أَوَّلٍ کَانَ قَبْلَهُ، وَالآخِرِ بِلاَ آخِرٍ یَکُونُ بَعْدَهُ؛ الَّذِی قَصُرَتْ عَنْ رُؤْیَتِهِ أَبْصَارُ النَّاظِرِینَ، وَعَجَزَتْ عَنْ نَعْتِهِ أَوْهَامُ الْوَاصِفِینَ. اِبْتَدَعَ بِقُدْرَتِهِ الْخَلْقَ ابْتِدَاعاً، وَاخْتَرعَهُمْ عَلَی مَشِیَّتِهِ اخْتِرَاعاً.

All praise is due to Allah, the First before Whom no being preceded, and the Last after Whom there will be no other; Whom the eyes of those who see cannot perceive, and Whom our descriptive imaginations cannot envisage. With His Power, He brought Creation into being out of nothingness, and made His creatures totally subservient to His Will.

In this passage, there is a subtle explanation of the

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meanings of ‘the First’ and ‘the Last’ being among the Attributes of the Almighty. There is also a reference to the Elevation of Almighty Allah as being incomprehensible by any sight or imagination. The significance of the powers of ‘creation’ and ‘making’ of the Lord is also visible in this passage.

In the sixth supplication of the book, we can read a different style of presenting Almighty Allah’s absolute power and management of affairs:

اَلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِی خَلَقَ اللَّیْلَ وَالنَّهَارَ بِقُوَّتِهِ، وَمَیَّزَ بَیْنَهُمَا بِقُدْرَتِهِ، وَجَعَلَ لِکُلِّ وَاحِدٍ مِنهُمَا حَدّاً مَحْدُوداً وَأَمَداً مَمْدُوداً. یُولِجُ کُلَّ وَاحِدٍ مِنْهُمَا فِی صَاحِبِهِ، وَیُولِجُ صَاحِبَهُ فِیهِ، بِتَقْدِیرٍ مِنْهُ لِلْعِبَادِ فِیمَا یَغْذُوهُمْ بِهِ وَیُنْشِئُهُمْ عَلَیْهِ. فَخَلَقَ لَهُمُ اللَّیْلَ لِیَسْکُنُوا فِیهِ مِنْ حَرَکَاتِ التَّعَبِ وَنَهَضَاتِ النَّصَبِ، وَجَعَلَهُ لِبَاساً لِیَلْبَسُوا مِنْ رَاحَتِهِ وَمَنَامِهِ، فَیَکُونَ ذَلِکَ لَهُمْ جَمَاماً وَقُوَّةً وَلِیَنَالُوا بِهِ لَذَّةً وَشَهْوَةً…

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Praise belongs to Allah Who created night and day through His strength, set them apart through His power, and appointed for each a determined limit and a drawn-out period. He makes each of the two enter into its companion, and makes its companion enter into it, as an ordainment from Him for His servants in that through which He feeds them and with which He makes them grow. He created for them the night that they might rest in it from tiring movements and wearisome exertions. And He made it a garment for them that they might be clothed in its ease and its sleep that it might bring for them refreshment and strength that they might gain therein pleasure and passion…

In this supplication, the Imam (`a) continues to mention the advantages of day and night and how man is required to thank the Lord for this grace.

In the seventh supplication of this book, we view another style through which the Imam (`a) demonstrates that all affairs are subservient to Almighty Allah:

یَا مَنْ تُحَلُّ بِهِ عُقَدُ الْمَکارِهِ، وَیا مَنْ یُفْثَأُ بِهِ حَدُّ الشَّدائِدِ، وَیا مَنْ یُلْتَمَسُ مِنْهُ الَمخْرَجُ إِلی رَوْحِ الْفَرَجِ، ذَلَّتْ لِقُدْرَتِکَ الصِّعابُ، وَتَسَبَّبَتْ بِلُطْفِکَ الاَْسْبابُ، وَجَری بِقُدْرَتِکَ الْقَضاءُ، وَمَضَتْ عَلی إِرادَتِکَ الاَْشْیاءُ، فَهِیَ بِمَشِیَّتِکَ دُونَ قَوْلِکَ مُؤْتَمِرَةٌ، وَبِإِرادَتِکَ دُونَ نَهْیِکَ مُنْزَجِرَةٌ…

O He through whom the knots of detested things are untied! O He through whom the cutting edge of hardships is blunted! O He from whom is begged the outlet to the freshness of relief! Intractable

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affairs yield to Your power; means are made ready by Your gentleness; the decree goes into effect through Your power; and all things proceed according to Your desire. By Your desire, they follow Your command without Your word; and by Your will, they obey Your bans without Your prohibition…

Second: These supplications comprise presentations of Almighty Allah’s incessant favors on His servants and His servants’ inability to thank Him for these favors no matter what great extents the servants can reach in worship, obedience, and devotion to Him. Let us read the following passage quoted from the thirty-seventh supplication:

اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّ أَحَداً لاَ یَبْلُغُ مِنْ شُکْرِکَ غَایَةً إِلاَّ حَصَلَ عَلَیْهِ مِنْ إِحْسَانِکَ مَا یُلْزِمُهُ شُکْرَاً، وَلاَ یَبْلُغُ مَبْلَغاً مِنْ طَاعَتِکَ وَإِنِ اجْتَهَدَ إِلاَّ کَانَ مُقَصِّراً دُونَ اسْتِحْقَاقِکَ بِفَضْلِکَ، فَأَشْکَرُ عِبَادِکَ عَاجِزٌ عَنْ شُکْرِکَ، وَأَعْبَدُهُمْ لَک مقَصِّرٌ عَنْ طَاعَتِکَ…

O Allah: No one reaches a limit in thanking You without acquiring that of Your beneficence, which enjoins upon him thanksgiving, nor does anyone reach a degree in obeying You, even if he strives, without falling short of what You deserve because of Your bounty. The most thankful of Your servants does not have the capacity to thank You, and the most worshipful of them falls short of obeying You.

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Because Almighty Allah’s graces and favors that He endows upon His creatures are endless, man fails to thank Him duly. Naturally, the case will be worse with those who dare to disobey Him. Hence, whatever such disobedient persons do after that, they will never be able to make amends for even a single act of disobedience to Him that they have committed. The following passage, quoted from the sixteenth supplication, refers to this fact:

یَا إِلَهِی! لَوْ بَکَیْتُ إِلَیْکَ حَتَّی تَسْقُطَ أَشْفَارُ عَیْنَیَّ، وَانْتَحَبْتُ حَتَّی یَنْقَطِعَ صَوْتِی، وَقُمْتُ لَکَ حَتَّی تَتَنَشَّرَ قَدَمَایَ، وَرَکَعْتُ لَکَ حَتَّی یَنْخَلِعَ صُلْبِی، وَسَجَدْتُ لَکَ حَتَّی تَتَفَقَّأَ حَدَقَتَایَ، وَأَکَلْتُ تُرَابَ الأَرْضِ طُولَ عُمْرِی، وَشَرِبْتُ مَاءَ الرَّمَادِ آخِرَ دَهْرِی، وَذَکَرْتُکَ فِی خِلاَلِ ذَلِکَ حَتَّی یَکِلَّ لِسَانِی، ثُمَّ لَمْ أَرْفَعْ طَرْفِی إِلَی آفَاقِ السَّمَاءِ اسْتِحْیَاءً مِنْکَ، مَا اسْتَوْجَبْتُ بِذَلِکَ مَحْوَ سَیِّئَةٍ وَاحِدَةٍ مِنْ سَیِّئَاتِی!

My God: If I weep before You until my eyelids drop off, wail until my voice wears out, stand before You until my feet swell up, bow to You until my backbone is thrown out of joint, prostrate myself before You until my eyeballs fall out, eat the dirt of the earth for the rest of my life, drink the water of ashes until the end of my days, mention You through all of that until my tongue fails, and not lift my glance to the sky's horizons in shame before You, yet would I not merit through all of that the erasing of a single one of my evil deeds!

Third: Explaining Divine Reward and Punishment and introducing Paradise and Hellfire, these supplications denote that the entire reward of Almighty Allah is in fact

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one of His favors that He confers upon His servants for we deserve His punishment on account of the least act of disobedience that we commit audaciously, and Almighty Allah has thorough evidence of it.

As a matter of fact, all the supplications of al-Sahifah al-Sajjadiyyah constantly strike on this effective chord so as to convey to the souls the necessity of fearing the punishment of Almighty Allah and desiring His reward. Through a variety of eloquent styles that seep into the hearts of those who read them attentively, these supplications make them fear even thinking of committing an act of disobedience to Almighty Allah. For instance, let us review the following passage quoted from the forty-sixth supplication:

حُجَّتُکَ قَائِمَةٌ لاَ تُدْحَضُ، وَسُلْطَانُکَ ثَابِتٌ لاَ یَزُولُ. فَالْوَیْلُ الدَّائِمُ لِمَنْ جَنَحَ عَنْکَ، وَالْخَیْبَةُ الخَاذِلَةُ لِمَنْ خَابَ مِنْکَ، وَالشَّقَاءُ الأَشْقَی لِمَنِ اغْتَرَّ بِکَ. مَا أَکْثَرَ تَصَرُّفَهُ فِی عَذَابِکَ! وَمَا أَطْوَلَ تَرَدُّدَهُ فِی عِقَابِکَ! وَمَا أَبْعَدَ غَایَتَهُ مِنَ الْفَرَجِ! وَمَا أَقْنَطَهُ مِنْ سُهُولَةِ الْمَخْرَجِ! عَدْلاً مِنْ قَضَائِکَ لاَ تَجُورُ فِیهِ، وَإِنْصَافاً مِنْ حُکْمِکَ لاَ تَحِیفُ عَلَیْهِ. فَقَدْ ظَاهَرْتَ الْحُجَجَ، وَأَبْلَیْتَ الأَعْذَارَ…

Your argument is established, never refuted. Your authority fixed, never removed. Permanent woe be to him who inclines away from You. Forsaking disappointment be to him who is disappointed by You, and the most wretched wretchedness be to him who is deluded about You! How long he will move about in Your chastisement! How long he will frequent Your punishment! How far his utmost end from relief is! How he will despair of an easy exit!

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[All of this] as justice from Your decree (You are not unjust in it!), and equity from Your judgment (You do not act wrongfully against him!). You supported the arguments, tested the excuses…

Another example is the following passage quoted from the thirty-first supplication:

اَللَّهُمَّ فَارْحَمْ وَحْدَتِی بَیْنَ یَدَیْکَ، وَوَجِیبَ قَلْبِی مِنْ خَشْیَتِکَ، وَاضْطِرَابَ أَرْکَانِی مِنْ هَیْبَتِکَ، فَقَدْ أَقَامَتْنِی یَا رَبِّ ذُنُوبِی مَقَامَ الْخِزْیِ بِفِنَائِکَ، فَإِنْ سَکَتُّ لَمْ یَنْطِقْ عَنِّی أَحَدٌ، وَإِنْ شَفَعْتُ فَلَسْتُ بِأَهْلِ الشَّفَاعَةِ.

O Allah: so, (please) have mercy upon my being alone before You, the pounding of my heart in dread of You, the trembling of my limbs in awe of You! My sins, O my God, have caused me to stand in the station of degradation in Your courtyard. If I remain silent, none will speak for me; and if I seek an intercessor, I will not be worthy of intercession.

Another example is quoted from the thirty-ninth supplication:

فَإِنَّکَ إِنْ تُکَافِنِی بِالْحَقِّ تُهْلِکْنِی، وَإِلاّ تَغَمَّدْنِی بِرَحْمَتِکَ تُوبِقْنِی. اَللَّهُمَّ إِنِّی أَسْتَوْهِبُکَ یَا إِلَهِی مَا لاَ یَنْقُصُکَ بَذْلُهُ، وَأَسْتَحْمِلُکَ مَا لاَ یَبْهَظُکَ حَمْلُهُ، أَسْتَوْهِبُکَ یَا إِلَهِی نَفْسِیَ اَلَّتِی لَمْ تَخْلُقْهَا لِتَمْتَنِعَ بِهَا مِنْ سُوءٍ، أَوْ لِتَطَرَّقَ بِهَا إِلَی نَفْعٍ، وَلکِنْ أَنْشَأْتَهَا إِثْبَاتاً لِقُدْرَتِکَ عَلَی مِثْلِهَا، وَاحْتِجَاجاً بِهَا عَلَی شَکْلِهَا. وَأَسْتَحْمِلُکَ مِنْ ذُنُوبِی مَا قَدْ بَهَظَنِی حَمْلُهُ، وَأَسْتَعِینُ بِکَ عَلَی مَا قَدْ فَدَحَنِی ثِقْلُهُ. فَصَلِّ عَلَی مُحَمَّدٍ وَآلِهِ، وَهَبْ لِنَفْسِی

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عَلَی ظُلْمِهَا نَفْسِی، وَوَکِّلْ رَحْمَتَکَ بِاحْتِمَالِ إِصْرِی.

If You recompense me with the right, You will destroy me; and if You do not shield me in Your mercy, You will lay me waste. O Allah, my God: I ask You to grant me that whose giving will not decrease You, and I ask You to carry (on behalf of me) that whose carrying will not weigh You down. My God, I ask You to pardon my soul, which You did not create to keep Yourself from evil nor to find the way to profit. No, You brought it forth to demonstrate Your power over (making) its like and to provide an argument against its matches. I ask You to carry those of my sins whose carrying weighs me down and I seek help from You in that whose heaviness oppresses me. So, (please) bless Muhammad and his Household; and pardon my soul in spite of its wrongdoing, and appoint Your mercy to carry my burden!

Fourth: Through these supplications, the Imam (`a) intended to make the supplicants disdain evil and vices so that their inner selves become pure and their hearts free from filth. The following passage, quoted from the twentieth supplication, is a good example:

اَللَّهُمَّ وَفِّرْ بِلُطْفِکَ نِیَّتِی، وَصَحِّحْ بِمَا عِنْدَکَ یَقِینِی، وَاسْتَصْلِحْ بِقُدْرَتِکَ مَا فَسَدَ مِنِّی… اَللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَی مُحَمَّدٍ وَآلِهِ، وَمَتِّعْنِی بِهُدًی صَالِحٍ لاَ أَسْتَبْدِلُ بِهِ، وَطَرِیقَةِ حَقٍّ لاَ أَزِیغُ عَنْهَا، وَنِیَّةِ رُشْدٍ لاَ أَشُکُّ فِیهَا… اللَّهُمَّ لاَ تَدَعْ خَصْلَةً تُعَابُ مِنِّی إِلاَّ أَصْلَحْتَهَا، ولاَ عَائِبَةً أُؤَنَّبُ بِهَا إِلاَّ حَسَّنْتَهَا، وَلاَ أُکْرُومَةً فِیَّ نَاقِصَةً إِلاَّ أتْمَمْتَهَا…

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O Allah: Complete my intention through Your gentleness, rectify my certainty through what is with You, and set right what is corrupt in me through Your power… O Allah: Bless Muhammad and his Household, give me to enjoy a sound guidance which I seek not to replace, a path of truth from which I swerve not, and an intention of right conduct in which I have no doubts… O Allah: Deposit in me no quality for which I will be faulted unless You set it right, no flaw for which I will be blamed unless You make it beautiful, and no deficient noble trait unless You complete it!

Fifth: Through these supplications, the Imam (`a) suggests to the supplicants that it is necessary to disdain begging people and showing humility to them. He (`a) also suggests that one must not provide one’s need before anyone except Almighty Allah, since to desire what people possess is one of the lowliest traits of character. An example of these suggestions can be read in the following passage, quoted from the twentieth supplication:

وَلاَ تَفْتِنِّی بِالإسْتِعَانَةِ بِغَیْرِکَ إِذَا اضْطُرِرْتُ، وَلاَ بِالْخُضُوعِ لِسُؤَالِ غَیْرِکَ إِذَا افْتَقَرْتُ، وَلاَ بِالتَّضَرُّعِ إِلَی مَنْ دُونَکَ إِذَا رَهِبْتُ، فَأَسْتَحِقَّ بِذَلِکَ خِذْلاَنَکَ وَمَنْعَکَ وَإِعْرَاضَکَ.

(Please) Tempt me not to seek help from other than You when I am distressed, to humble myself in asking from someone else when I am poor, or to plead with someone less than You when I fear, for then I would deserve Your abandonment, Your withholding, and Your turning away.

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A similar suggestion is present in the following passage, quoted from the twenty-eighth supplication:

اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّی أَخْلَصْتُ بِانْقِطَاعِی إِلَیْکَ، وَأَقْبَلْتُ بِکُلِّی عَلِیکَ، وَصَرَفْتُ وَجْهِی عَمَّنْ یَحْتَاجُ إِلَی رِفْدِکَ، وَقَلَبْتُ مَسْأَلَتِی عَمَّنْ لَمْ یَسْتَغْنِ عَنْ فَضْلِکَ، وَرَأَیْتُ أَنَّ طَلَبَ الْمُحْتَاجِ إِلَی الْمُحْتَاجِ سَفَهٌ مِنْ رَأْیِهِ وَضَلَّةٌ مِنْ عَقْلِهِ.

O Allah: I showed sincerity by cutting myself off from everything but You. I approached You with my whole self. I averted my face from everyone who needs Your support. I ceased to ask from any who cannot do without Your bounty. I see that the needy who seeks from the needy is foolish in his opinion, and misguided in his intellect.

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Another similar suggestion can also be read in the following passage, quoted from the thirteenth supplication:

فَمَنْ حَاوَلَ سَدَّ خَلَّتِهِ مِنْ عِنْدِکَ، وَرَامَ صَرْفَ الْفَقْرِ عَنْ نَفْسِهِ بِکَ، فَقَدْ طَلَبَ حَاجَتَهُ فِی مَظَانِّهَا، وَأَتَی طِلَبَتَهُ مِنْ وَجْهِهَا. وَمَنْ تَوجَّهَ بِحَاجَتِهِ إِلَی أَحَدٍ مِنْ خَلْقِکَ، أَوْ جَعَلَهُ سَبَبَ نُجْحِهَا دُونَکَ، فَقَدْ تَعَرَّضَ لِلْحِرْمَانِ، وَاسْتَحَقَّ مِنْ عِنْدِکَ فَوْتَ الإِحْسَانِ.

So, he who strives to remedy his lack through what is with You and wishes to turn poverty away from himself through You has sought his need in the most likely place and come with his request to the right quarter. He who turns in his need towards one of Your creatures or assigns the cause of its being granted to other than You has exposed himself to deprivation and deserves to miss Your beneficence.

Sixth: These supplications teach people that it is obligatory upon them to respect the rights of each other, help each other, and treat each other with terms of compassion, sympathy, and altruism so as to put into practice the meaning of fraternity of Islam. Such teachings can be read in the following passage, quoted from the thirty-eighth supplication:

اَللَّهُمَّ إِنِّی أَعْتَذِرُ إِلَیْکَ مِنْ مَظْلُومٍ ظُلِمَ بِحَضْرَتِی فَلَمْ أَنْصُرْهُ، وَمِنْ مَعْرُوفٍ

أُسْدِیَ إِلَیَّ فَلَمْ أَشْکُرْهُ، وَمِنْ مُسِیءٍ اعْتَذَرَ إِلَیَّ فَلَمْ أَعْذِرْهُ، وَمِنْ ذِی فَاقَةٍ سَأَلَنِی فَلَمْ أُؤْثِرْهُ، وَمِنْ حَقِّ ذِی حَقٍّ لَزِمَنِی لِمُؤْمِنٍ فَلَمْ أُوَفِّرْهُ وَمِنْ عَیْبِ مُؤْمِنٍ ظَهَرَ لِی فَلَمْ أَسْتُرْهُ.

O Allah: I ask pardon from You for a person

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wronged in my presence whom I did not help, a favor conferred upon me for which I returned no thanks, an evildoer who asked pardon from me and whom I did not pardon, a needy who asked from me and whom I preferred not over myself, a right of a believer who possesses a right incumbent upon me which I did not fulfill, a fault of a believer which became evident to me and which I did not conceal.

This means of apology is one of the most excellent styles that calls attention to the high Divine morals enjoyed by the servants of Almighty Allah.

Moreover, the following passage, quoted from the thirty-ninth supplication, teaches us the necessity to pardon those who mistreat us, warns us against thinking of revenge, and elevates our souls to the position of holy individuals:

اَللَّهُمَّ وَأَیُّمَا عَبْدٍ نَالَ مِنِّی مَا حَظَرْتَ عَلَیْهِ وَانْتَهَکَ مِنِّی مَا حَجَرْتَ عَلَیْهِ فَمضَی بِظُلامَتِی مَیِّتاً أَوْ حَصَلَتْ لِی قِبَلَهُ حَیّاً فَاغْفِرْ لَهُ مَا أَلَمَّ بِهِ مِنِّی وَاعْفُ لَهُ عَمَّا أَدْبَرَ بِهِ عَنِّی وَلاَ تَقِفْهُ عَلَی مَا ارْتکَبَ فِیَّ وَلاَ تَکْشِفْهُ عَمَّا اکْتَسَبَ بِی وَاجْعَلْ مَا سَمَحْتُ بِهِ مِنَ الْعَفْوِ عَنْهُمْ وَتَبَرَّعْتُ بِهِ مِنَ الصَّدَقَةِ عَلَیْهِمْ أَزْکَی صَدَقَاتِ الْمُتَصَدِّقِینَ وَأَعَلَی صِلاَتِ الْمُتَقَرِّبِینَ وَعَوِّضْنِی مِنْ عَفْوِی عَنْهُمْ عَفْوَکَ وَمِنْ دُعَائِی لَهُمْ رَحْمَتَکَ حَتَّی یَسْعَدَ

کُلُّ وَاحِدٍ مِنَّا بِفَضْلِکَ.

O Allah: If any of Your servants should harm me in what You have forbidden, or violate me in what You have interdicted; and if he should pass into death with my complaint or I come to have a complaint against him while he is alive, (please)

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forgive him what he did to me and pardon him that through which he turned his back on me! Inquire not from him about what he committed toward me and expose him not through what he earned by me! And (please) make my open-handedness in pardoning such servants and my contribution in charity toward them the purest charity of the charitable and the highest gift of those seeking nearness to You! Recompense me for my pardoning them with Your pardon and for my supplicating for them with Your mercy so that each one of us may gain felicity through Your bounty.

The last paragraph of this passage is the most brilliant of all. It has an outstanding impact on those characterized by virtuousness, because it emphasises the necessity of bearing sound intentions toward all people and wishing happiness to everybody, including those who wrong or misbehave with us.

The supplications of al-Sahifah al-Sajjadiyyah are full of such Divine directives that contribute greatly to self-discipline, if only people take hold of them.

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shrines, and sacrifice everything for them willingly and faithfully.((1))

All these practices are carried out by the Imamiyyah Shi`ah in compliance with the recommendations of the Holy Imams (`a) who urged their followers to visit these tombs and awakened their desire for the great reward of Almighty Allah that is won when such visits are made. Such practices are amongst those acts of obedience that draw one near Almighty Allah after the obligatory acts of worship. Moreover, these tombs are the best places wherein prayers are answered and pure devotion to Almighty Allah is achieved.

The Holy Imams (`a) have also stated that visiting these shrines accomplishes the fulfillment of our covenants with them. In this regard, Imam al-Ridha (`a) is reported to have said:

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إنَّ لِکُلِّ إمَامٍ عَهْداً فِی عُنُقِ أوْلِیَائِهِ وَشِیعَتِهِ، وَإنَّ مِنْ تَمَامِ الوَفَاءِ بِالعَهْدِ وَحُسْنِ الأدَاءِ زِیَارَةَ قُبُورِهِمْ. فَمَنْ زَارَهُمْ رَغْبَةً فِی زِیَارَتِهِمْ وَتَصْدِیقاً بِمَا رَغَّبُوا فِیِه کَانَ أئِمَّتُهُمْ شُفَعَاءَهُمْ یَوْمَ القِیَامَةِ.

The disciples and followers of every Imam (`a) are connected to him with a binding covenant that they must fulfill. Among the items of an excellent fulfillment of these covenants is indeed the visiting of the Imams’ tombs. Hence, if one visits their tombs willingly and with the intention of accomplishing their desire, the Imams will intercede for him on the Day of Resurrection.((1))

Besides, visiting the Holy Shrines brings about a good number of religious and social advantages—a fact that has made our Imams take such great interest in the matter. Some of these advantages are as follows:

1) Visiting the Holy Shrines strengthens the bond of loyalty and love for the Holy Imams (`a) in their followers.

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2) It arouses the pictures of the Holy Imams’ (`a) exploits, morality and struggle for truth.

3) During the congregational seasons of visits, the scattered groups of Muslims gather in the same place to know each other and exchange views.

4) It fixes in hearts the spirits of submission to Almighty Allah, devotion to Him, and compliance with His commands.

prayer that Imam `Ali ibn al-Husayn (`a) is reported to have made during his visit to the tomb of his grandfather, Imam `Ali ibn Abi-Talib (`a).((1))

These forms of ziyarah present a clear-cut depiction of the

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situations and sacrifices of the Holy Imams (`a) for the sake of supporting the right and elevating the influence of religion over all other influences.

They also demonstrate the Holy Imams’ (`a) dedicating themselves to obeying Almighty Allah.

In lucid Arabic diction and easy-to-understand statements, these forms of ziyarah contain an excellent expression of monotheism, supplication, and invocation to Almighty Allah.

In addition to the Holy Qur'an, Nahj al-Balaghah, and the supplications reported from the Holy Imams (`a), these forms of ziyarah are reckoned among the most sublime religious literature, because they hold an extract of the Holy Imams’ knowledge in faith and self-discipline.

The visiting of these holy shrines, recommended by the Holy Imams (`a), holds teachings and true guidance that call for the attainment of the supreme goals of religion, such as spiritual progress of Muslims, development of the spirit of mutual sympathy among different classes of the Muslim community and encouraging amicable association, polite behavior, and social intercourse. This discipline includes practices before entering the Holy Shrines as well as others during the visit and after it.

himself from dirt in order to avoid many sicknesses and diseases, save people from stinks,((1)) and purify himself from vices.

The sublime goals of this practice as reported (from the Holy Infallibles) are that a pilgrim, after bathing himself, is advised to repeat the following supplication:

اَللَّهُمَّ اجْعَلْ لِی نُوراً وَطَهُوراً، وَحِرْزاً کَافِیاً مِنْ کُلِّ دَاءٍ وَسَقَمٍ، وَمِنْ کُلِّ آفَةٍ وَعَاهَةٍ، وَطَهِّرْ بِهِ قَلْبِی وَجَوَارِحِی، وَعِظَامِی وَلَحْمِی وَدَمِی، وَشَعْرِی وَبَشَرِی

وَمُخِّی وَعَظْمِی، وَمَا أقَلَّتِ الأرْضُ مِنِّی، وَاجْعَلْ لِی شَاهِداً یَوْمَ حَاجَتِی، وَفَقْرِی وَفَاقَتِی.

O Allah! (Please) grant me light and purity, and a protective shield against all maladies and sicknesses, and against all epidemics and defects. (Please do) purify my heart, my organs, my bones, my flesh, my blood, my hair, my skin, my brain, my marrow, and all my parts that stand on the earth. (Please do) provide me with a witness on the day

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when I will be poor, needy, and deprived.((1))

2) A pilgrim to the holy shrines is advised to put on his cleanest clothes. A pleasant appearance during general gatherings brings about mutual amicability, makes people approachable, enhances a sense of honor, and highlights the significance of these gatherings.

It is noteworthy that the Holy Imams (`a) have not imposed distinguished or attractive clothes; rather, they have recommended putting the best clothes one may have, because not all people can have distinguished or attractive clothes, lest the poor are embarrassed. Thus, this teaching pays due regard to the condition of the poor.

3) It is good to put on perfume if possible. The advantage of this teaching is similar to the above.

4) When possible, a pilgrim should give alms to the poor. It is well known that almsgiving during such seasons of pilgrimage help the needy and amplify the spirit of sympathy among the pilgrims.

5) A pilgrim of the holy shrines is recommended to proceed towards these shrines with tranquility and gravity, casting

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his eyes down. Of course, such acts demonstrate that the pilgrims respect the visited places, pay reverence to the visited persons, and direct and devote themselves to Almighty Allah. Besides, these acts help in avoiding trampling other pilgrims and annoying them.

6) A pilgrim is recommended to repeat the statement, ‘allahu-akbar (Allah is the Most High)’ as many times as possible. In certain forms of ziyarah, this statement should be repeated one hundred times. The advantage of this rite is to make the pilgrims feel the supremacy of Almighty Allah and to learn with certainty that there is nothing higher than Him, since pilgrimage to the holy shrines is no more than a sort of worshipping, glorifying, and exalting the Almighty Lord through activating these rites and supporting His religion.

7) After accomplishing the rites of the visit, a pilgrim is recommended to offer a two-unit (i.e. rak`ah) prayer, at least, voluntarily, in order to worship and thank Almighty Allah for the accomplishment of the visit. A pilgrim then asks the Lord to accept his offering of that prayer and to consider its reward as a gift from the pilgrim to the visited person (i.e. the Prophet or Imam).

The supplication recited after the visit to a holy shrine, reveals that the pilgrim’s prayers and acts are directed to Almighty Allah alone other than Who none is worth worshipping and that the pilgrimage is but a sort of seeking nearness to Him:

اَللّهُمَّ لَکَ صَلَّیْتُ، وَلَکَ رَکَعْتُ، وَلَکَ سَجَدْتُ، وَحْدَکَ لا شَریکَ لَکَ، لإَِنَّهُ لا تَکُونُ الصَّلاةُ وَالرُّکُوعُ وَالسُّجُودُ إلاّ لَکَ، لإَِنَّکَ أَنْتَ اللهُ لا إِلهَ إلاّ أَنْتَ. اَللّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلی مُحَمَّد وَآلِ مُحَمَّد، وَتَقَبَّلْ مِنّی زِیارَتی،

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وَأعْطِنی سُؤْلی بِمُحَمَّد وَآلِ مُحَمَّد وَآلِهِ الطّاهِرینَ.

O Allah! To You alone have I prayed, to You alone have I bowed down, and to You alone have I prostrated myself. You are the One and Only God Who has no partner. This is because all prayers, bowing down, and prostration must be offered to none save You, since You are Allah, there is no god save You. O Allah! Bless Muhammad and his Household; and accept my pilgrimage and respond to my requests in the name of Muhammad (s) and his Immaculate Household (`a).((1))

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This piece of literature is fully indicative of the actual purposes of the Holy Imams (`a) and their followers behind visiting the holy shrines. It also proves the fallacy of those who claim that the Shi`ah visit the holy shrines as a form of worship by seeking nearness to them and setting up partners to Almighty Allah.

Such false notions attempt to lessen the social-religious advantages of these gatherings but fail miserably. They have become thorns in the eyes of the enemies of the Ahl al-Bayt (`a), because it is improbable that they are ignorant of the purposes of the Ahl al-Bayt (`a) behind such collective visits.

Far be it from the Holy Imams (`a)—who have worshipped Almighty Allah faithfully and sincerely, devoted themselves to obeying Him, and sacrificed everything, including their lives, for His religion—to call people to set up partners with Him.

8) A pilgrim’s conduct and behaviour must be most proper while on a visit. For eg., he should speak as little as possible, except in affairs that benefit Islam, mention Almighty Allah constantly, show reverence, offer prayers very often, pray to the Lord to shower His blessings upon Muhammad and his Household. He should keep his gaze lowered, hurry in helping and lending a hand to those who are in need, and abstain from entering upon disputatious conversations, committing any forbidden act, swearing, and engaging in arguments that require taking oaths.

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Let us not forget to refer to the main purpose of visiting the holy shrines, which is to greet the Holy Prophet (s) and the Holy Imams (`a), because they are alive and are provided with sustenance from their Lord.((1)) They can hear the words addressed to them and respond to them. Although it is sufficient to address them with simple statements like, ‘Peace be upon you,” it is more proper to repeat the statements reported from them by the pilgrims of their holy shrines (i.e. the ziyarah), because they are full of impressive meanings and religious advantages, in addition to their eloquence and articulation. These forms of ziyarah are superb prayers through which one can get closer to Almighty Allah.

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supported with righteous acts and noble traits of character like truthfulness, honesty, piety, and godliness. Confirming this fact, Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (`a) says:

یَا خَیْثَمَةُ! أبْلِغْ مَوالِینَا أنَّهُ لاَ نُغْنِی عَنْهُمْ مِنَ اللهِ شَیْئاً إلاَّ بِعَمَلٍ، وَأنَّهُمْ لَنْ یَنَالوا وِلایَتَنَا إلاَّ بِالوَرَعِ، وَإنَّ أشَدَّ النَّاسِ حَسْرَةً یَوْمَ القِیَامَةِ مَنْ وَصَفَ عَدْلاً ثُمَّ خَالَفَهُ إلَی غَیْرِهِ.

O Khaythamah! Inform our adherents that we can be of no avail to them against Almighty Allah unless they themselves offer (righteous) actions. They shall not win our admission of their loyalty to us except by means of piety. Verily, the most regretful on the Day of Resurrection will be one who instructs righteousness but does not act in accordance with it.((1))

Because they believe that practical propagation is more effective than verbal, the Holy Imams (`a) desire and expect their followers to act as heralds of truth and guides of decency and orthodoxy. Hence, Imam al-Sadiq (`a) instructs his followers, saying:

کُونُوا دُعَاةً لِلنَّاسِ بِالخَیْرِ بِغَیْرِ ألْسِنَتِکُمْ لِیَرَوا مِنْکُمُ

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الإجْتِهَادَ وَالصِّدْقَ وَالوَرَعَ.

Act as heralds to goodness among people by means other than your tongues so that they can feel your perseverance, honesty, and piety.((1))

Let us now cite a number of instructive conversations of the Holy Imams (`a) with their followers to emphasize their concern about their refined moral behavior among the public: Imam al-Baqir’s (`a) conversation with Jabir al-Ju`fi

یَا جَابِرُ! أیَکْتَفِی مَنْ یَنْتَحِلُ التَّشَیُّعَ أنْ یَقُولَ بِحُبِّنَا أهْلَ البَیْتِ؟ فَوَاللهِ مَا شِیعَتُنَا إلاَّ مَنِ اتَّقَی اللهَ وَأطَاعَهُ. وَمَا کَانُوا یُعْرَفُونَ إلاَّ بِالتَّوَاضُعِ وَالتَّخَشُّعِ، وَالأمَانَةِ، وَکَثْرَةِ ذِکْرِ اللهِ، وَالصَّوْمِ، وَالصَّلاَةِ، وَالبِرِّ بِالوَالِدَیْنِ، وَالتَّعَاهُدِ لِلجِیرَانِ مِنَ الفُقَرَاءِ وَأهْلِ المَسْکَنَةِ وَالغَارِمِینَ وَالأیْتَامِ، وَصِدْقِ الحَدِیثِ، وَتِلاَوَةِ القُرْآنِ، وَکَفِّ الألْسُنِ عَنِ النَّاسِ إلاَّ مِنْ خَیْرٍ. وَکَانُوا اُمَنَاءَ

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عَشَائِرِهِمْ فِی الأشْیَاءِ.

فَاتَّقُوا اللهَ وَاعْمَلُوا لِمَا عِنْدَ اللهِ. لَیْسَ بَیْنَ اللهِ وَبَیْنَ أحَدٍ قَرَابَةٌ. أحَبُّ العِبَادِ إلَی اللهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ أتْقَاهُمْ وَأعْمَلُهُمْ بِطَاعَتِهِ.

یَا جَابِرُ! وَاللهِ مَا نَتَقَرَّبُ إلَی اللهِ تَبَارَکَ وَتَعَالَی إلاَّ بِالطَّاعَةِ، وَمَا مَعَنَا بَرَاءَةٌ مِنَ النَّارِ، وَلاَ عَلَی اللهِ لأحَدٍ مِنْ حُجَّةٍ. مَنْ کَانَ للهِ مُطیعاً فَهُوَ لَنَا وَلِیٌّ، وَمَنْ کَانَ للهِ عَاصِیاً فَهُوَ لَنَا عَدُوٌّ. وَمَا تُنَالُ وِلایَتُنَا

إلاَّ بِالعَمَلِ وَالوَرَعِ.

“O Jabir! How come that it is sufficient to declare love for us—the Ahl al-Bayt—in order to be a Shi`ite? I swear by Allah that our true Shi`ah (followers) are none but those who fear and obey Allah. Their distinctive features are exclusive modesty, devoutness, fulfillment of trusts, constant reference to Almighty Allah, (much) observance of fasting, (much) offering of prayers, kindness to their parents, caring for the poor, the needy, the indebted, and the orphans from among their neighbors, truthfulness, (repeated) recitation of the Holy Qur'an, and holding their tongues except for uttering good. Moreover, they are always the most trustworthy of the members of their clans for keeping things.

So, (I recommend you to) fear Almighty Allah and work for winning that which He holds. None has kinship with Almighty Allah (due to which he may be favored); rather, the most favorite to Him among His servants are the most pious and the most

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abiding in obedience to Him.

O Jabir! I swear by Almighty Allah that we seek nearness to Him through no means other than obedience to Him. We do not have patents of release from Hellfire. Nobody has a pretext against Almighty Allah. He who is obedient to Almighty Allah is our follower while he who is disobedient to Him is our enemy. Admission to our loyalty can only be attained by means of good work and piety.

Allah have mercy upon you.((1))

لَیْسَ مِنْ شِیعَتِنَا مَنْ لاَ تَتَحَدَّثُ المُخَدَّرَاتُ بِوَرَعِهِ فِی خُدُورِهِنَّ. وَلَیْسَ مِنْ أوْلِیائِنا مَن هُوَ فِی قَرْیَةٍ فِیهَا عَشَرَةُ آلافِ رَجُلٍ فِیهِمْ خَلَقَ اللهُ أوْرَعَ مِنْهُ.

He is not one of our Shi`ah (followers) about whose piety women secluding themselves to their private rooms do not talk. He is not one of our disciples who lives in a town in which ten thousand men live but there is somebody more pious than him living there.((2))

إنَّمَا شِیعَةُ جَعْفَرٍ مَنْ عَفَّ بَطْنَهُ وَفَرْجَهُ، وَاشْتَدَّ جِهَادُهُ وَعَمِلَ لِخَالِقِهِ وَرَجَا ثَوَابَهُ وَخَافَ عِقَابَهُ. فَإذَا رَأیْتَ أولئِکَ فَأولئِکَ شِیعَةُ جَعْفَرٍ.

The real Shi`ah of Ja`far (i.e. Imam al-Sadiq) are exclusively those who chastely avoid the (unlawful) pleasures of stomachs and private parts, those who strive excessively (to attain Almighty Allah’s pleasure), and those who dedicate all their efforts to their Creator, hoping for His reward and fearing His punishment. If you see one enjoying these features, then (be it known to you that) he is one of the

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Shi`ah of Ja`far.((1))

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not do it.

This states the utmost of what man may imagine in the field of abstinence from wrongdoing.

Imam `Ali (`a) would never wrong an ant by snatching even the skin of one grain of barely from it even if he would be given the seven continents. This is the situation with Imam `Ali (`a); how would it be with those who shed the blood of Muslims carelessly, usurp the properties of people and desecrate their honor and dignity? Who can compare those who commit such heinous crimes with Imam `Ali (`a)? What chance do they have? Indeed, the Imam (`a) has described the essence of Divine morality that religion wants human beings to abide by.

Wrongdoing is prohibited in the law of Almighty Allah; therefore, warning against it, condemning it, and emphasis on its forbiddance have occupied a leading position in the traditions and supplications of the Ahl al-Bayt (`a). Such has been their policy; and such has been their conduct even with those who transgressed against them and dared to challenge their position.

For example, the story of Imam al-Hasan (`a) with a Syrian is wellknown. This story shows the Imam’s forbearance with a man who attacked his dignity and railed at him; nevertheless, the Imam (`a) treated him with kindness and sympathy until the ignorant man realized his fault.((1))

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We have already cited passages of Imam Zayn al-`Abidin’s (`a) supplications in which he used a supremely appropriate diction to express how to pardon those who wrong us and ask Almighty Allah’s forgiveness for them. This is in fact the utmost hieght of perfection one can attain.

However, according to the laws of Islam, it is permissible to inflict injury on those who act aggressively against us, yet in exactly the same way they inflicted injury on us.

Likewise, to invoke Almighty Allah’s punishment against those who wrong us is also permissible. Even so,

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permissibility is something quite different from pardon, which is one of the qualities of nobility of character.

Moreover, exaggeration in invoking Almighty Allah’s punishment on wrongdoers may be considered an act of injustice, in the view of the Holy Imams (`a). Expressing this view, Imam al-Sadiq (`a) is reported to have said:

إنَّ العَبْدَ لَیَکُونُ مَظْلُوماً، فَمَا یَزَالُ یَدْعُو حَتَّی یَکُونَ ظَالِماً.

Verily, a servant (of Almighty Allah) may be oppressed; but he may become oppressor due to excessive invocation of evil upon those who oppressed him.((1))

To explain, an oppressed person may exceed the proper bounds of invoking Almighty Allah against the one who oppressed him, thus changing into an oppressor.

How sublime this is! Even an oppressed person’s invocation against the oppressor can be a sort of oppression when it exceeds the just limits! What will, then, be the condition of those who instigate oppression and iniquity, act aggressively against people, attack their reputations, plunder their property, denounce them before the unjust ruling authorities, deceive them so as to involve them in perils, defame them, hurt them, or spy on them? What a place can such transgressors find in the wisdom of the Holy Imams (`a)?

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Truly, such persons are the farthest from Almighty Allah, the most sinful and the most deserving of the most horrible punishment from Him.

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Indisputably, the gravest misfortune that has beset Islam and Muslims is their lack of firmness in dealing with oppressors, their connivance with them, their taking action in their matters not to mention siding with them and furthering their oppressive acts.

This deviation from the right path is the basic reason that is responsible for the misfortunes that have befallen the Muslim community and weakened the religion of Islam to the extent that it was in the beginning of its advent. Day after day, those claiming being Muslims lost Divine support and became worthless in the eyes of both their powerful

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and weakest opponents, such as the contemptible Jews, and the powerful Crusaders.

Making every effort, the Holy Imams (`a) tried to drive their followers away from cooperating with oppressive rulers and exerted pressure on their disciples to abandon supporting and helping the wrongdoers and tyrannical authorities. As confirmed by innumerable traditions, the Holy Imams (`a) concentrated on banning any sort of cooperation with transgressors. For instance, Imam Zayn al-`Abidin (`a) is reported to have written the following epistle to Muhammad ibn Muslim al-Zuhri, warning him against helping the unjust authorities in furthering their wrongdoing:

أوَلَیْسَ بِدُعَائِهِمْ إیَّاکَ حِینَ دَعَوکَ

جَعَلُوکَ قُطْباً أدَارُوا بِکَ رُحَی مَظَالِمِهِمْ، وَجِسْراً یَعْبُرُونَ عَلَیْکَ إلَی بَلاَیَاهُمْ، وَسُلَّماً إلَی ضَلاَلَتِهِمْ، دَاعِیاً إلَی غَیِّهِمْ، سَالِکاً سَبِیلَهُمْ؟ یُدْخِلُونَ بِکَ الشَّکَّ عَلَی العُلَمَاءِ، وَیَقْتَادُونَ بِکَ قُلُوبَ الجُهَّالِ إلَیْهِمْ. فَلَمْ یَبْلُغْ أخَصُّ وُزَرَائِهِمْ وَلاَ أقْوَی أعْوَانِهِمْ إلاَّ دُونَ مَا بَلَغْتَ مِنْ إصْلاَحِ فَسَادِهِمْ وَاخْتِلاَفِ الخَاصَّةِ وَالعَامَّةِ إلَیْهِمْ. فَمَا أقَلَّ مَا أعْطَوْکَ فِی قَدَرِ مَا أخَذوا مِنْکَ! وَمَا أیْسَرَ مَا عَمَروا لکَ! فَکَیْفَ مَا خَرَّبُوا عَلَیْکَ؟ فَانْظُرْ لِنَفْسِکَ، فَإنَّهُ لاَ یَنْظُرُ لَهَا غَیْرُکَ. وَحَاسِبْهَا حِسَابَ رَجُلٍ مَسْئولٍ.

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As the unjust ones invite you, they make you the axis of the hand-mill of their wrongdoings, the bridge on which they cross to the misfortunes they cause, and the stairs to their deviation. You become the propagandist of their temptation when you take their courses. They have employed you as the means through which they arouse doubts against the scholars and attract the ignorant. The best one in their government and the most powerful of them could not have achieved the success that you have attained for them by presenting their corrupt affairs as honest and attracting the attention of the celebrities as well as the ordinary people towards yourself. As for what they have given you, you will find it too little. Likewise, they have built for you very trivial things while they have ruined your great things. Look within yourself, for no one will look within you except you yourself, and judge yourself impartially, as if you are the criminal.((1))

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How expressive the last sentence is! When man is overcome by personal whims, he sees himself in the depths of his inner self as a hollow being that is unworthy of honor. In plain words, man finds himself responsible for his deeds, looks down upon any act that he commits, and believes that he is too ignoble to offer any excuse for what he has committed.

The Imam (`a) intended to draw al-Zuhri’s attention to this interior consequence, which secretly destroys human beings that are prone to evil, so that he would not be deceived by any illusions, and ignore his responsibility towards himself.

The following instructive conversation between Imam Musa al-Kazim (`a) and Safwan al-Jammal, one of the trustworthy disciples and reporters of the Imam’s traditions, depicts the forbiddance of cooperation with unjust authorities:

Writing the life of Safwan al-Jammal, al-Kashshi records the following narration:

Safwan said: One day, while I was paying a visit to Imam al-Kazim (`a), he said to me, “Safwan: all your manners are acceptable and right except one thing.”

“May Allah accept me as ransom for you!((1)) What is that?” I wondered and asked.

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The Imam (`a) answered, “It is that you hire camels for this man. (i.e. Harun, the ruler)”

Explaining my situation, I said, “I swear by Allah that I have never hired him a camel to be used for luxurious, reckless, funny, or hunting purposes. Rather, I have hired out camels for him so that he would use it as riding animals on his way to Makkah. Moreover, I do not take charge of the camels myself; rather, I employ some of my servants to do so.”

The Imam (`a) asked, “Do they (i.e. the ruling authorities) pay you for this hiring?”

“Yes, they do,” answered I.

The Imam (`a) further asked, “Do you wish that they would survive until they keep paying you?”

“Yes, I do,” answered I.

The Imam (`a) stated:

فَمَنْ أحَبَّ بَقَاءَهُمْ فَهُوَ مِنْهُمْ، وَمَنْ کَانَ مِنْهُمْ (فَهُوَ) کَانَ وَرَدَ النَّارَ.

“Then, he who wishes survival for them is definitely one of them; and he who belongs to them will definitely be in Hellfire.”

Immediately after that, I sold all my camels.((1))

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Merely wishing survival for tyrannical rulers lands one in hellfire. What then will be the future of those who dedicate themselves to helping the tyrannical rulers proceed in their wrongdoings, those who support them in their acts of transgression, those who engage themselves in their groups, those who imitate them in their oppressive acts, those who go along with their processions, and those who comply with their orders? survival for tyrannical rulers lands one in hellfire. What then will be the future of those who dedicate themselves to helping the tyrannical rulers proceed in their wrongdoings, those who support them in their acts of transgression, those who engage themselves in their groups, those who imitate them in their oppressive acts, those who go along with their processions, and those who comply with their orders?

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On the other hand, the Holy Imams (`a) are reported to have permitted holding offices in the governments of despotic rulers if this helps maintain justice, institute the laws of Almighty Allah, and contribute to treating the believers properly, enjoin the right, and forbid the wrong. In this respect, Imam Musa al-Kazim (`a) is reported to have said:

إنَّ للهِ فِی أبْوَابِ الظَّلَمَةِ مَنْ نَوَّرَ اللهُ بِهِ البُرْهَانَ وَمَکَّنَ لَهُ فِی البِلاَدِ، فَیَدْفَعُ بِهِمْ عَنْ أوْلِیَائِهِ وَیُصْلِحُ بِهِمْ أُمُورَ المُسْلِمِینَ… أولَئِکَ هُمُ المُؤمِنُونَ حَقّاً، أولئِکَ مَنَارُ اللهِ فِی أرْضِهِ، أولئِکَ نُورُ اللهِ فِی رَعِیَّتِهِ.

Verily, among the company of the oppressors, there are those through whom Almighty Allah has made bright His path and given power in countries to protect His intimate servants and resolve the difficulties of Muslims. These are indeed the true believers. These are the shining guides to Almighty Allah in His lands. These are the light of Almighty Allah among His subjects.((1))

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Concerning this matter, many traditions have been reported to demonstrate the course that must be adopted by governors and governmental officials, such as the famous epistle of Imam al-Sadiq (`a) to `Abdullah al-Najashi, the governor of al-Ahwaz(1)..

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In this respect, it is unfair to ignore the unforgettable situation of Imam `Ali Amir al-Mu'minin (`a) with his predecessors to the Caliphate. Although he was furious at them because he believed that they had usurped his right, his behaviour with them was full of tolerance. Moreover, he did not challenge them with the fact that the Holy Prophet (s) had appointed him as Caliph; and he did not declare this in any public meeting until the leadership of the Muslim nation eventually returned to him. Only then did he declare that Divine commandments had nominated him as the successor of the Holy Prophet (s), calling the existing companions to testify as witnesses for him that the Holy Prophet (s) had openly declared him as his successor on that famous day at Ghadir Khumm.((1))

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Imam `Ali (`a) never refrained from offering sound advice in matters that would benefit the interests of Muslims. Describing this period, he used to repeat the following statement:

فَخَشِیتُ إنْ لَمْ أنْصُرِ الإسْلاَمَ وَأهْلَهُ أنْ أرَی فِیهِ ثَلْماً أوْ هَدْماً تَکُونُ المُصِیبَةُ بِهِ عَلَیَّ أعْظَمَ مِنْ فَوْتِ وِلایَتِکُمْ…

I then feared that if I did not protect Islam and its people and there occurred in it a breach or destruction, it would mean a greater blow to me than the loss of power over you…((1))

Besides, he did not say any word that would probably tire out their rulership, weaken their authority, or underestimate their prestige. He therefore withdrew within himself and confined himself to his house inspite of which he had to encounter problems because of them.

He had to suffer all that for the sake of protecting the general interests of Islam lest a breach or fall might occur in the religion. This situation was so well-known that `Umar ibn al-Khattab, the second caliph, used to say the like of the following statements repeatedly:

May Allah never keep me to face a problem while Abu’l-Hasan is not there to solve it.((2))

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If it were not for `Ali, `Umar would have certainly perished.((1))

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It is also unfair to shun reference to the situation of Imam al-Hasan (`a) when he decided to enter upon a truce with Mu`awiyah,((1)) realizing that insistence on war would injure the major weighty thing (i.e. the Holy Qur'an) and bring down the state of justice and the name of Islam forever.It would, further, result in the eradication of Divine law and annihilate the remaining members of the Ahl al-Bayt (`a).So, Imam al-Hasan (`a) preferred saving the aspects and name of Islam over engagement in war even if the achievement of such would force him to make peace with Mu`awiyah, the most vehement enemy of Islam and the bitter opponent of the Imam and his Shi`ah. He knew that he and his followers would suffer oppression and humiliation at the hands of this man, but Islam’s interests were more important than all lives.

Despite the fact that members of the Holy Prophet’s (s) clan (namely, descendants of Hashim) and the Shi`ah had already sharpened their swords and were willing to fight, Imam al-Hasan (`a) believed that achieving the general interest of Islam must be above all considerations.

As for Imam al-Husayn the martyr (`a), he revolted against the Umayyad dynasty because he was forced to announce allegiance to Yazid, the immodest Ummayyad ruler.He believed that if these rulers continued in their course of transgression and tyranny without there being anyone to stop them and reveal their reality before the people, they would certainly eradicate the name of Islam and demolish its

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glory. He therefore aimed at showing everybody for all times to come, the oppressive and repressive policy of these rulers and unveil their vicious conspiracies against the law of Islam. What he intended took place. Had it not been for Imam al-Husayn’s uprising, the religion of Islam would have been no more than material for history, just like the other dead faiths.

The reason for the Shi`ah taking a great interest in commemorating the uprising of Imam al-Husayn (`a) in various ways is that they want to complete the mission of his uprising, that is to struggle against wrong and oppression and keep his sacrifice alive forever, as has been commissioned by the Holy Imams (`a).

Ensuring the continuity of the dignity of Islam by the Ahl al-Bayt (`a) even when power was grasped by their most vehement enemies, can be clearly seen in the conduct of Imam Zayn al-`Abidin (`a) during the oppressive reign of the Umayyad rulers.

These oppressive rulers massacred the household of the Imam (`a) violated its sanctity during their reigns; nevertheless, the Imam (`a), who was so grieved for what they had done to his father and family members at Karbala', used to pray to Almighty Allah secretly to grant the Muslim armies victory over their enemies. As has been previously cited, supplication was the one and only method to which Imam Zayn al-`Abidin (`a) resorted to spread the genuine teachings and knowledge of Islam. In this respect, the Imam (`a) taught his followers how to pray for victory for Muslim armies. This supplication is famously known as “du`a’ ahl al-thughur (Supplication for the People of the

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Frontiers)”((1)) in which the Imam (`a) says:

اَللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَی مُحَمَّدٍ وَآلِهِ؛ وَکَثِّرْ عِدَّتَهُمْ، وَاشْحَذْ أَسْلِحَتَهُمْ، وَاحْرُسْ حَوْزَتَهُمُ، وَامْنَعْ حَوْمَتَهُمْ، وَأَلِّفْ جَمْعَهُمْ، وَدبِّرْ أَمْرَهُمْ، وَوَاتِرْ بَیْنَ مِیَرِهِمْ، وَتَوَحَّدْ بِکِفَایَةِ مُؤَنِهِمْ، وَاعْضُدْهُمْ بِالنَّصْرِ، وَأَعِنْهُمْ بِالصَّبْرِ، وَالْطُفْ لَهُمْ فِی الْمَکْرِ.

O Allah: (please) bless Muhammad and his Household; and increase their number, hone their weapons, guard their territory, defend their midst, unite their throng, arrange their affair, send them supplies in a steady string, undertake Yourself to suffice them with provisions, support them with victory, help them with patience, and give them subtlety in guile!

After invoking Almighty Allah against the unbelievers, Imam Zayn al-`Abidin (`a) says:

اَللَّهُمَّ وَقَوِّ بِذَلِکَ مَحَالَّ أَهْلِ الإِسْلاَمِ وَحَصِّنْ بِهِ دِیَارَهُمْ وَثَمِّرْ بِهِ أَمْوَالَهُمْ وَفَرِّغْهُمْ عَنْ مُحَارَبَتِهِمْ لِعِبَادَتِکَ وَعَنْ مُنَابَذَتِهِمْ لِلْخَلْوَةِ بِکَ حَتَّی لاَ یُعْبَدَ فِی بِقَاعِ الأَرْضِ غَیْرُکَ وَلاَ تُعَفَّرَ لأَحَدٍ مِنْهُمْ جَبْهَةٌ دُونَکَ.

O Allah, strengthen the People of Islam, fortify their cities, increase their properties, give them ease from their fighting to worship You, and from their warfare to be alone with You, so that none will be worshiped in the regions of the earth but You and

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no forehead of theirs may be rubbed in the dust for less than You!((1))

In this eloquent supplication, which is considered one of his longest supplications, the Imam (`a) continues in instructing the Muslim armies to abide by the required nobility of character and prepare to face the enemy.

In addition to military instructions of jihad, this supplication shows the purpose and the benefit of these instructions. It also draws attention to the scope of caution that they must take against the enemy and teaches them how to treat and fight against them. It also exhibits the moral standards that they must maintain, such as devotion to Almighty Allah, abstinence from His prohibitions, and fighting sincerely for His sake.

Similar to this situation is the situation of the other Imams (`a) with the rulers of their ages.

Despite the fact that the Holy Imams (`a) had to encounter various sorts of pressure and brutal torture at the hands of these rulers, they directed all their efforts to teaching people the genuine and supreme features of the religion, realizing that the political leadership of the Muslim nation was out of question.

The Holy Imams (`a) neither advised nor desired all the revolutions that took place during their ages by the `Alawites or others; rather, all these were in evident violation of their commandments and instructions, because

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none, including the `Abbasid rulers themselves, was more desirous of safeguarding the entity of the Muslim state than the Holy Imams (`a). Proving this fact, let us cite the following instruction of Imam Musa al-Kazim (`a) to his followers (i.e. Shi`ah):

لاَ تَذِلُّوا رِقَابَکُمْ بِتَرْکِ طَاعَةِ سُلْطَانِکُمْ؛ فَإنْ کَانَ عَادِلاً فَاسْألُوا اللهَ إبْقَاءَهُ، وإنْ کَانَ جَائِراً فَاسْألُوا اللهَ إصْلاَحَهُ. فَإنَّ صَلاَحَکُمْ فِی صَلاَحِ سُلْطَانِکُمْ، وَإنَّ السُّلْطَانَ العَادِلَ بِمَنْزِلَةِ الوَالِدِ الرَّحِیمِ، فَأحِبُّوا لَهُ مَا تُحِبُّونَ لأنْفُسِکُمْ، وَاکْرَهُوا لَهُ مَا تَکْرَهُونَ لأنْفُسِکُمْ.

Do not bring forth humility to yourselves by abandoning obedience to the ruler; if he is just, then pray to Almighty Allah to keep him alive; but if he is unjust, then pray to Him to guide him to righteousness. Verily, validity of all your affairs lies in the righteousness of your ruler. Indeed, a just ruler occupies the same position of a merciful father; you must therefore love for him all that which you love for yourselves and hate for him all that which you hate for yourselves.((1))

To love for the ruler whatever is desired for oneself and to hate for him whatever is avoided is definitely the most

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eloquent statement that expresses the duty of the subjects towards their rulers—furnishing them with security.

By taking notice of this fact, one can imagine how immense the fallacy of some contemporary writers is who falsely accuse the Shi`ah of representing a secret, destructive association or an indignant revolutionary faction!

It is undeniable that among the features a follower of the Ahl al-Bayt (`a) must possess are aversion towards wrongdoing and oppression, keeping oneself away from the unjust and the dissolute, and looking at the supporters and assistants of such wrongdoers with an eye of revulsion, denunciation, repugnance, and contempt.

These features still persist in the inner selves of Shi`ite Muslims which they inherit from their ancestors and transfer to their descendants; yet, they have never had the habit of cheating and betrayal, nor have they ever, openly or secretly, betaken themselves to revolution and uprising against the religious authorities that rule in the name of Islam. Abiding by the teachings of the Holy Imams (`a), Shi`ite Muslims have never allowed themselves to assassinate or waylay any Muslim no matter what sect he may follow or what wing he may support. The Shi`ah believe that the property, life, and honor of a Muslim who professes Islam must be protected:

لاَ یَحِلُّ مَالُ امْرِئٍ مُسْلِمٍ إلاَّ بِطِیبِ نَفْسٍ مِنْهُ.

It is not lawful to take the property of a Muslim individual except after obtaining his consensual permission.((1))

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In addition, Muslims are brothers of each other in the concept of Shi`ite Muslims; each of them enjoys rights and is bound by obligations towards the others.In addition, Muslims are brothers of each other in the concept of Shi`ite Muslims; each of them enjoys rights and is bound by obligations towards the others.

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If one looks attentively at this characteristic, which is easy in the eyes of the Ahl al-Bayt (`a), one will discover that it is the most difficult matter required from Muslims of this age who are, unfortunately, far away from the genuine spirit of Islam.

Think carefully about this simple characteristic; if Muslims can supposedly consider their state fairly, recognize the reality of their religion, and abide by this characteristic of wishing for others what they wish for themselves, there shall be no place for wrongdoing, transgression, theft, dishonesty, backbiting, tale-bearing, false accusation, slander, insult, or haughtiness.

In plain words, if Muslims can think carefully and apply this characteristic of fraternity among themselves, there will be no place for injustice and oppression on this globe, human beings will be as “brethren, on raised couches, face to face”((1)) after they attain the highest levels of social

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happiness. Moreover, the ancient philosophers’ dream of establishing a utopia will come true. When that day comes, Muslims, treating each other with mutual love and affection, will be in no need for governments, courts, police, jails, penal law, or provisions and infliction of punishment. Had they committed themselves to the requirements of fraternity, they would not have been colonized, would not have cringed before despots, would not have been ruled tyrannically, and the earth would have been totally changed into Paradise and an abode of happiness.

Furthermore, if the law of mutual love had reigned in the hearts of humanity as religion had planned to put it into practice through the teachings of fraternity, the word ‘justice’ would have been removed from all languages. We would no longer call for justice and its laws as long as there would be the law of mutual love disseminating decency, peace, happiness, and felicity among everybody. Of course, man will not need to use justice, nor will law request for it, except when mutual love flees from those who are required to treat others fairly. As for those who exchange love with us, such as our sons and brothers, we treat them excellently and give up many of our desires for their sake on the grounds of mutual love and affection, not justice and interests. The fact is that man is prone to love himself and love what is compatible with him; it is, therefore, not easy for him to love something or someone that he is not attached to.

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It is also difficult for man to sacrifice his desires and lovable things for another person whom he does not love or care for except when an idea more powerful than personal desires overtakes him, such as the goodness of justice and philanthropy. Only then can man sacrifice desirable things for others. Even so, such a sacrifice is made for the sake of fulfilling other desires that are more powerful than the sacrificed desires, such as his idea about justice, which must be one of his favorite desires if not a part of his own entity.

The formation of such perfect ideas in man requires spiritual soaring over materialistic considerations. Only after man fails to form in himself the feelings of mutual fraternity and sympathy between members of his kind and himself might he realize the supreme ideal in justice and philanthropy.

The first step towards Islam is to possess feelings of fraternity for others. When a Muslim individual fails to do so, owing to the prevalence of desires and selfishness in personalities, then he must form in himself an idea about justice and philanthropy through compliance with the teachings of Islam. However, if he fails to do either, then he will not be worthy of being called a Muslim although he may claim belonging to Islam. “He will be dismissed from the circle of loyalty and obedience to Almighty Allah Who will not grant him any share of His custody,” as clearly expressed by Imam al-Sadiq (`a).

In most cases, man is overcome by his intense whims; therefore, the most difficult matter for man may be to accept the idea of justice, not to mention holding it as the perfect faith.

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Therefore, the obligations of religious fraternity have been one of the most difficult teachings of Islam, especially for those who lack honest feelings toward fraternity. In view of this fact, Imam Ja`far al-Sadiq (`a), on account of his pity for the asker, deemed wise not to mention the duties towards one’s brethren-in-faith more than the necessary, lest it would be impossible for the asker, namely al-Mu`alla ibn Khunays, to carry out all the duties towards his brethren-in-faith:

Al-Mu`alla (asking Imam al-Sadiq): What are the duties of a Muslim towards other Muslims?

The Imam (`a): A Muslim enjoys seven rights that are incumbent upon other Muslims to carry out. Each of these rights is absolutely incumbent. If a Muslim violates any of these rights, he will be dismissed from the circle of loyalty and obedience to Almighty Allah Who shall not grant him any share of His custody.

Al-Mu`alla: May Allah accept me as ransom for you! What are these rights?

The Imam (`a): Indeed, I feel pity for you, al-Mu`alla! I am afraid lest you will violate these rights and neglect to put them into practice after you learn of them.

Al-Mu`alla: There is no power save Allah!

Only then did Imam al-Sadiq (`a) mention these seven duties the easiest of which, as is expressed by the Imam (`a) himself, is to wish for your brethren-in-faith what you wish for yourself and hate for them what you hate for yourself.

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How astonishing! This is the easiest duty! How can we, Muslims of the present age, practise this duty on ourselves? Shame on those who claim being Muslims while they refrain from carrying out the slightest duty imposed on them towards their brothers.

What is more astonishing is that the current retardation of Muslims is attributed to Islam; while it is the fault of none except those who call themselves Muslims but do not carry out the slightest duty instructed by their religion.

In order to realize our reality as a negligent nation and in order that history will record this for us, I will mention, hereinafter, these seven rights as clarified by Imam al-Sadiq (`a):

(1) You should love for your brother-in-faith what you love for yourself and you should despise for him what you despise for yourself.

(2) You should avoid his displeasure, pursue what pleases him, and obey his command.

(3) You should help him with your self, your wealth, your tongue, your hands, and your feet.

(4) You should be his eyes, his guide, and his mirror.

(5) You should not fill your stomach whilst he is hungry, you should not quench your thirst whilst he is thirsty, and you should not clothe yourself whilst he is naked.

(6) If you should have a servant whilst he does not have one, you should send over your servant to wash his clothes and prepare his food and bedding.

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(7) You should fulfill your vows to him, answer his calls, respond when he invites you, visit him when he is ill, and accompany his bier; and if he should have a need, you should rush to fulfill it and not give him the trouble to ask you for it.

The Imam (`a) then concluded his words with the following result:

When you have done all these, your friendship unites you together.((1))

There are many traditions, reported from our Holy Imams (`a), bearing the same purport of the aforementioned one. A big number of such traditions have been compiled in

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various sections of the book of ‘Wasa'il al-Shi`ah’.

Some people may conceive that fraternity to which the Holy Imams (`a) have referred is dedicated to brotherliness between their followers (i.e. Shi`ah) exclusively. However, a glance at their traditions as a whole cancels out this misconception despite the fact that the Holy Imams (`a), on many other occasions, have intensely condemned those who dissent from their way and reject following their guidance.

In this respect, it is sufficient to read the following narration:

Mu`awiyah ibn Wahab narrated that he, once, asked Imam al-Sadiq (`a): How should we behave with those members of our community and associates who are not following our sect?

The Imam (`a): You must imitate your Imams (`a) whom you follow, and then do exactly as they do. Truly, they (i.e. the Imams) visit the sick (among those who are not Shi`ah), present themselves in their funeral ceremonies, give upright testimony for or against them, and give them back their things that they trust with them.((1))

The kind of fraternity that the Holy Imams (`a) want from

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their followers is actually more refined than the general sense of fraternity in Islam. In the previous chapter while defining the true sense of Shi`ism, we referred to some narrations in this respect. However, it is sufficient to cite the following dialogue between Aban ibn Taghlib and Imam al-Sadiq (`a), as reported by Aban himself:

While I, Aban, was performing the ritual Circumambulating (tawaff) in the company of Imam al-Sadiq (`a), one of our fellows, who had previously asked me to accompany him in a mission, appeared before me. As he signaled to me, Imam al-Sadiq (`a) saw us, “Aban: Are you the one intended by that man?” asked the Imam (`a).

“Yes, I am,” I answered.

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“Is he of the same faith as you?” wondered the Imam (`a).

“Yes, he is,” I answered.

“Then,” the Imam (`a) instructed, “go with him and break your circumambulation.”

“Should I do so even if the Circumambulation is obligatory?” I asked.

“Yes, you should,” he answered.

So, I went with that man. When I returned, I visited the Imam (`a) and asked him about the duties towards brethren-in-faith.

“Leave the matter.

Do not ask me about it,” said the Imam (`a).

Nevertheless, I repeated the same question insistently until the Imam (`a) answered me, saying, “Aban: (the duty towards one’s brother-in-faith is that) you give him half of your fortune.”

As he looked at me and noticed my surprise, the Imam (`a) said, “Aban, you should have known that Almighty Allah has mentioned (with praise) those who give others preference over themselves?”

“Yes, I knew that,” I answered.

The Imam (`a) said, “If you give your brother-in-faith half of what you have in possession, you have not yet given him preference over yourself. But if you give him from the other half, only then have

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you given him preference.”((1))

Actually, our shameful state of affairs does not encourage us to consider ourselves true believers. Very remote are we from the teachings of our Holy Imams (`a). The same surprise that struck Aban may strike everyone who reads this tradition, causing him to turn his face away, to pretend that this tradition is not addressed to him, and avoid “judging himself as if he is the criminal.”Actually, our shameful state of affairs does not encourage us to consider ourselves true believers. Very remote are we from the teachings of our Holy Imams (`a). The same surprise that struck Aban may strike everyone who reads this tradition, causing him to turn his face away, to pretend that this tradition is not addressed to him, and avoid “judging himself as if he is the criminal.”

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Our Doctrines Concerning:

•Resurrection and Final Assemblage

• Somatic Resurrection

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the Discriminating Bridge (sirat), the Balance (mizan), Paradise, Hell, Reward, and Punishment in an amount not exceeding the Qur'anic details:

It is not obligatory to acquaint oneself with the inspected knowledge of these subjects, which cannot be attained except by well-versed specialists, such as familiarity with the answers of the following questions:

Will bodies be restored to life in their very essences; or will structures resembling these bodies be created? Will souls be exposed to perdition, just like bodies; or will they continue to live until they reunite with the bodies on the Day of Resurrection? Is Resurrection restricted to human kind;

or is it applicable to all species? When Almighty Allah will command the restoration of bodies to life, will they be restored suddenly or gradually?

Although it is obligatory to believe in Paradise and Hell, it is not obligatory to know whether they are already existent or they will be created afterward; whether they are in the skies or on earth or whether one of them is on earth while the other is in the skies. Similarly, it is obligatory to believe in the Balance (prepared for weighing the good and evil deeds of people and then comparing them), but it is not obligatory to believe whether this balance will be an actual weighing apparatus with two scale pans or it is only metaphoric. It is also not obligatory to know whether the Discriminating Bridge is a material object or it only stands for moral integrity.

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To sum it up, it is not conditional, in professing Islam, to know whether these things are material bodies or not…((1))

Islam simply demands faith in the Resurrection and Final Assemblage. If anyone tries to exceed this to acquaint oneself with details surpassing what has been mentioned in the Holy Qur'an so as to be convinced and refute the spurious arguments of some skeptical researchers, who demand a rational explanation of the Resurrection, one will definitely involve oneself in unnecessary complications and fall into endless troubles and disputation.

Moreover, nothing in the religion of Islam instigates searching for such details with which the books of theologians and fake philosophers are replete. There is also no religious, social, or political need for such disputatious essays with which books are full in a meaningless way and which have exhausted the efforts of their writers, grasped their times, and strained their thinking uselessly.

To refute such spurious and skeptical arguments aroused about the details of Resurrection, it is sufficient to know that man naturally fails to comprehend unseen matters that are beyond his horizon and above his terrestrial level, keeping in mind that Almighty Allah, the All-powerful and All-Knowing, has informed us that somatic resurrection shall come to happen.

An undeniable fact; human sciences, experiments, and researches can never approach matters beyond man’s experience and examination except after man dies and

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leaves this terrestrial world of tangibility, experimentalism, and research. How is it then expected from man, who forms his opinions about things through the scope of his thinking and experience, to judge the authenticity or inaccuracy of such matters or to deal with their details and peculiarities? This is impossible unless man depends upon personal predictions and intuitions, or regards such things as improbable and strange. This is the nature of man; he finds strange anything that he has not known, experienced, or perceived before, just like one who, pushed by ignorance, finds the Resurrection and thus asks:

قَالَ مَنْ یُحْیِی الْعِظَامَ وَهِیَ رَمِیمٌ

Who shall quicken the bones when they have decayed? (36/78)

The only reason for such amazement is that man has never seen any decayed or rotten corpse brought back to life.

Yet, he forgets to think about how he was initially created after he had been nothing and how the components of his body were composed from the dust of the earth and the other matters carried by it and from the space and its contents until he became a perfect, intelligent, and speaking human being. Referring to this fact, the Holy Qur'an puts forth the following question:

أَوَلَمْ یَرَ الْإِنْسَانُ أَنَّا خَلَقْنَاهُ مِنْ نُطْفَةٍ فَإِذَا هُوَ خَصِیمٌ مُبِینٌ

وَضَرَبَ لَنَا مَثَلًا وَنَسِیَ خَلْقَهُ ۖ قَالَ مَنْ یُحْیِی الْعِظَامَ وَهِیَ رَمِیمٌ

Has not man regarded how We created him of a sperm-drop? Then lo! He becomes a manifest adversary. He strikes for us a similitude and forgets his own creation. (36/77-78)

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He who finds strange the restoration to life while he has forgotten his creation must be answered with the following holy verse:

قُلْ یُحْیِیهَا الَّذِی أَنْشَأَهَا أَوَّلَ مَرَّةٍ ۖ وَهُوَ بِکُلِّ خَلْقٍ عَلِیمٌ

Say: ‘He shall quicken them (the bones) Who originated them the first time.’ He knows all creation. (36/79)

In plain words, the answer to such people is: you profess belief in the Creator of all beings and His omnipotence and in His Messenger and what he has brought. You fail to understand the secrets beyond your creation.You know not how you were formed from discordant atoms. You do not comprehend how you developed from a senseless sperm-drop that lacked feelings, volition, and reason into a perfect human being with intelligence, feelings, and the capability of managing your affairs! Consequently, how can you now understand this strange restoration of your life after you become rotten? This is certainly an audacious attempt to discover the unknown. There is no alternative for you except to humbly admit this fact conveyed to you by the Manager of all beings, namely the All-knowing and All-powerful Lord Who created you from nothingness and rotten materials.

As a general rule, any attempt to discover unobserved matters that are beyond the capacity of the knowledge of man is a waste of time and a sort of deviation, just like opening one’s eyes wide in deep-black gloom.

Undoubtedly, man has reached advanced stages in scientific discoveries that led him to discover electricity and radar and use atomic energy—discoveries that would certainly be considered impossibilities and subjects to joke about if told

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to the people of the ancient ages. Yet man has not been able to discover the reality of electricity or the secret of atoms, or even the peculiarities or characteristics of a single atom. How then can man aspire to discover the secret of creation and composition of human beings and then realize the secrets of the Final Assemblage and the Somatic Resurrection?

After having faith in Islam, man is only required to avoid running after personal lusts and, instead, engage himself in matters that bring about prosperity in his life in this world as well as the next and matters that elevate his rank in the eyes of Almighty Allah. He is also required to think deeply about whatever helps him manage his worldly affairs properly and to mull carefully over what he will definitely encounter after his death, such as the agony of the grave and the judgment when he will stand before the Lord, the Master and Knower of all things:

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وَاتَّقُوا یَوْمًا لَا تَجْزِی نَفْسٌ عَنْ نَفْسٍ شَیْئًا وَلَا یُقْبَلُ مِنْهَا شَفَاعَةٌ وَلَا یُؤْخَذُ مِنْهَا عَدْلٌ وَلَا هُمْ یُنْصَرُونَ

Beware of a day when no soul for another shall give satisfaction, and no intercession shall be accepted from it, nor any compensation be taken from it, neither shall they be helped. (2/48)

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8. Al-Usul al-Sittat `Ashar by a number of scholars of hadith (app. AH 150); Qum: Dar al-Shabastari; Second Edition, AH 1405.

9. Iqbal al-A`mal by Abu’l-Qasim Radhi al-Din `Ali ibn Musa ibn Ja`far al-Hasani al-Husayni (AH 664), with an introduction and commentary by Husayn al-A`lami; revised by Jawad al-Qayyumi; Beirut: al-A`lami Foundation; First Edition; AH 1417/AD 1996.

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13. Al-Imam `Ali fi Ara' al-Khulafa' by Mahdi Faqih al-«mani (contemporary); translated from Farsi into Arabic by Yahya al-Kamali, Pasdar-Islam, First Edition, AH 1420.

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15. Al-«dhah by Ibn Shadhan al-Azdi al-Naysaburi (AH 260); revised by Jalal al-Din al-Husayni al-Armawi al-Muhaddith, (dateless).

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16. Ikhtiyar Ma`rifat al-Rijal by al-Tusi (AH 460); revised by Muhammad Baqir al-Husayni Mir Damad Mahdi al-Raja'i, Qum: Al al-Bayt Foundation, 2 volumes, AH 1404.

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First Edition, 14 volumes, AH 1408.

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