Alhassanain(p) Network for Heritage and Islamic Thought

Interpretation

In this part of the Lady of Islam’s discourse, there are also meaningful references made to one series of important matters related to the Holy Prophet, among them:

1) In her opening explanations, she refers to the extraordinary intrinsic make-up of the Prophet, something that has been referred to in other Islamic narrations, and is here an important discussion, and this being: was the structure of the Prophet’s existence completely different from that of others? If so, then his infallibility is necessary according to this pure intrinsic make-up, and then naturally cannot be counted as honorary.

And if his intrinsic make-up is not different, then these explanations in the Lady of Islam’s speech follow which aim?

The truth is that the honors and gifts of the Prophets and Imams are one part inherent and one part acquired. With regard to this combination, many questions are answered.

According to another explanation the wise God who charges the Prophets with these immense duties also gives them inherent preparedness; and extraordinary intrinsic make-up, enormous intelligence, iron will, firm resolution, abundant knowledge and correct discernment. If this was not so, a weak individual could never perform such an enormous mission, and this aim will be laid waste.

And this matter is in no way unjust. Just as the muscles of the upper arm are extremely different from the delicate muscles of the eyelids, because the responsibility of one, the moving of one eyelid is small, while the responsibility of the other is the lifting of heavy loads and hard work. If other than this were true it would be opposing equity.

However, even with this, it is not such that the intrinsic make-up of the Prophet deprives him of all will and choice. He also has the capability for sin, even though he never sins.

Don’t be surprised, many ordinary people have this same condition in relation to some transgressions. For example: everyone has the ability to appear naked in public, or has the ability to sleep naked in the snow on a cold winter night, but even so no one does this except crazy persons. The Prophets and Imams have this same condition in relation to all sins.

It is also important to note that the impeccable ones (Prophets, Imams) because of their pure substance have heavier responsibilities, and even the first, trivial relinquishment of theirs’ is not acceptable.

And this interpretation is given by Hazrat Fatimah (s.a.).

عِلْماً مِنَ اللَّهِ تَعالی بِمائِلِ الْاُمُورِ، وَ اِحاطَةً بِحَوادِثِ الدُّهُورِ

A reference to this very point, that because God knew of the Prophets’ future heavy mission, He created his intrinsic make-up this eminent.

2) He was ready for carrying out divine commands, and for the execution of His orders regarding creation. This meaningful explanation could be a reference to his being the last prophet, and also a reference to the matter of the completion of the gifts of creation by way of “Divine Religious Laws” and commandments.

3) The honorable Daughter of the Prophet in this high point of her speech makes a reference to the pitiful situation of the nations before the prophets’ mission.

She speaks of how they were caught in the darkness of superstitions, the magi bowing before their fire temples, and the Arabs before the temples of idols, while all of the other nations were in a way caught up in perversion and deviation.

And how interesting that she says; “And they in their recognition of God, were His renounces.”

Which is a meaningful reference to the matter of if ‘intrinsic Tawhid’ which is in the nature of all human beings.

4) In another part of this speech a reference is made to the blessings of the Holy Prophet’s existence, and the signs of this rising, how he cleared away the dark, dull clouds of apprehension from the horizon of contemplation, cleansed the rust of paganism and superstition from the mirror of hearts, tore away the veils which had fallen before eyes preventing them from seeing God, and calling them to the religion which is the ‘Right path’, and the median between excesses and dissipation.

For a thorough understanding of this discourse we must make a careful comparison of the peoples’ situation in pagan times, with that after the rise of Islam. This is so that this reality will become clearer, and the Lady of Islam (a.s) has done so in her sermon.

5) The dignified death of the prophet is another one of the noteworthy matters that have been dealt with in the high points of the Lady of Islam’s historical sermon.

He, being a high-flying bird, had his spirit caught and imprisoned for many years in the mortal world. After the performance of his mission and responsibility, he broke the cage and flew towards God and he was placed among the exalted angels.

Part 3: The Importance of God’s Book, and the Mysteries and Philosophy of Religious Commandments

Sermon

ثم التفت الى اهل المجلس و قالت :

اَنْتُمْ عِبادَ اللَّهِ نُصُبُ اَمْرِهِ وَ نَهْیِهِ، وَ حَمَلَةُ دینِهِ وَ وَحْیِهِ، وَ اُمَناءُ اللَّهِ عَلى اَنْفُسِكُمْ، وَ بُلَغاوهُ اِلَى الْاُمَمِ، زَعیمُ حَقٍّ لَهُ فیكُمْ، وَ عَهْدٍ قَدَّمَهُ اِلَیْكُمْ، وَ بَقِیَّةٍ اِسْتَخْلَفَها عَلَیْكُمْ: كِتابُ اللَّهِ النَّاطِقُ وَ الْقُرْانُ الصَّادِقُ، و النُّورُ السَّاطِعُ وَ الضِّیاءُ اللاَّمِعُ، بَیِّنَةً بَصائِرُهُ، مُنْكَشِفَةً سَرائِرُهُ، مُنْجَلِیَةً ظَواهِرُهُ، مُغْتَبِطَةً بِهِ اَشْیاعُهُ، قائِداً اِلَى الرِّضْوانِ اِتِّباعُهُ، مُودٍّ اِلَى النَّجاةِ اسْتِماعُهُ

بِهِ تُنالُ حُجَجُ اللَّهِ الْمُنَوَّرَةُ، وَ عَزائِمُهُ الْمُفَسَّرَةُ، وَ مَحارِمُهُ الْمُحَذَّرَةُ، وَ بَیِّناتُهُ الْجالِیَةُ، وَ بَراهینُهُ الْكافِیَةُ، وَ فَضائِلُهُ الْمَنْدُوبَةُ، وَ رُخَصُهُ الْمَوْهُوبَةُ، وَ شَرائِعُهُ الْمَكْتُوبَةُ

فَجَعَلَ اللَّهُ الْایمانَ تَطْهیراً لَكُمْ مِنَ الشِّرْكِ، وَ الصَّلاةَ تَنْزیهاً لَكُمْ عَنِ الْكِبْرِ، وَ الزَّكاةَ تَزْكِیَةً لِلنَّفْسِ وَ نِماءً فِی الرِّزْقِ، وَ الصِّیامَ تَثْبیتاً لِلْاِخْلاصِ، وَ الْحَجَّ تَشْییداً لِلدّینِ، وَ الْعَدْلَ تَنْسیقاً لِلْقُلُوبِ، وَ طاعَتَنا نِظاماً لِلْمِلَّةِ، وَ اِما مَتَنا اَماناً لِلْفُرْقَةِ، وَ الْجِهادَ عِزّاً لِلْاِسْلامِ، وَ الصَّبْرَ مَعُونَةً عَلَی اسْتیجابِ الْاَجْرِ

وَ الْاَمْرَ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ مَصْلِحَةً لِلْعامَّةِ، وَ بِرَّ الْوالِدَیْنِ وِقایَةً مِنَ السَّخَطِ، وَ صِلَةَ الْاَرْحامِ مَنْساءً فِی الْعُمْرِ وَ مَنْماةً لِلْعَدَدِ، وَ الْقِصاصَ حِقْناً لِلدِّماءِ، وَ الْوَفاءَ بِالنَّذْرِ تَعْریضاً لِلْمَغْفِرَةِ، وَ تَوْفِیَةَ الْمَكائیلِ وَ الْمَوازینِ تَغْییراً لِلْبَخْسِ

وَ النَّهْىَ عَنْ شُرْبِ الْخَمْرِ تَنْزیهاً عَنِ الرِّجْسِ، وَ اجْتِنابَ الْقَذْفِ حِجاباً عَنِ اللَّعْنَةِ، وَ تَرْكَ السِّرْقَةِ ایجاباً لِلْعِصْمَةِ، وَ حَرَّمَ اللَّهُ الشِّرْكَ اِخْلاصاً لَهُ بِالرُّبوُبِیَّةِ

فَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ حَقَّ تُقاتِهِ، وَ لا تَمُوتُنَّ اِلاَّ وَ اَنْتُمْ مُسْلِمُونَ، وَ اَطیعُوا اللَّهَ فیما اَمَرَكُمْ بِهِ وَ نَهاكُمْ عَنْهُ، فَاِنَّهُ اِنَّما یَخْشَی اللَّهَ مِنْ عِبادِهِ الْعُلَماءُ

English Rendering

Then she turned to the members of the audience and enumerated the heavy responsibilities of the ‘Mohajereen’ and ‘Ansar’ saying:

Oh you servants of God! You are the trustees of God’s command and prohibition, and the bearers of His religion and revelation, and God’s representatives of yourselves and you are His missionaries to other nations.

The guardian of Divine truth among you, and the protector of God’s covenant that is within all of your reach, and that which the Holy Prophet (S) left for his nation as a memorial, is ‘Ketaballah’, God’s Enlightened Scripture and the truthful Qur’an, His manifest illumination and bright light.

A book of which its guidance are plain, its interior manifest, its appearances radiant and its disciples are honorable.

A book which summons its followers to heaven, and those who seek from it assistance, to the shores of salvation.

By means of it we may arrive at God’s clear guidances, and perceive the interpretation of His obligations (required from us), and read in it a description of His prohibitions, and study clear adequate reasons, and find written there moral instructions and that which is allowable and lawful.

Then she added:

God made ‘Faith’ your means for purification from polytheism;

And ‘Prayer’ your instrument for purity from haughtiness and vanity;

‘Zakat’ (Obligatory alms), the cause for purification of the soul and daily growth;

‘Fasting’ the agent for the stabilization of devotion.

‘Pilgrimage’ the means for strengthening the Islamic religion

‘Justice’, the substance for the harmony of hearts.

Our ‘obedience’ results in order in the Islamic nation.

And ‘Imamat’, securing us against division and dispersion.

‘Jihad’ brings about the glory of Islam.

‘Patience’ and ‘tolerance’, the means for the procuration of God’s reward.

‘Directing others to do what is lawful’ (Amr be ma’roof), the channel for the improvement of various groups of people.

‘Beneficence to one’s parents’, for prevention of the wrath of God.

‘Strengthening the ties of Kinship’, the means for an increase in the population and power.

‘Avengence for blood’, the instrument for safeguarding souls.

‘Fidelity in one’s solemn vows to God’, bringing about forgiveness.

‘Prevention of stingy sales’, a means for campaigning against shortages.

‘Prohibition of the consuming of alcoholic beverages’, causing a purification from abomination.

‘Abstinence from unjust accusations and charges’, a veil before the wrath of the Lord.

‘Foresaking Theft’, for safeguarding purity of the soul, and

‘Prohibition of Polytheism’, for sincerity in devotion, and God’s divinity.

Now that this is so, follow divine virtue and such that is worthy of his position, abstain from opposing His command, and strive to leave this world a Muslim.

Obey God in that which He commanded and prohibited, and take up the way of knowledge and enlightenment. This is because:

From among God’s servants only the informed and learned fear him, and feel a sense of responsibility.

Interpretation

In this part of the Lady of Islam’s sermon there has also been references made to some important points, among them:

1) The Muslims’ heavy responsibility in the communication of the prophetic message, and the spread of Islam throughout the world, and also the guarding of Islamic laws, teachings and values. Important responsibilities of which, if these are forgotten by them, they must await divine punishment and penalties, and isolation from His eternal mercy.

2) She gave an exact report of the greatness of the enlightened Qur’an as an enlightened scripture, manifest light and bright illumination that rises to campaign against the murkiness of ignorance, fanaticism and superstition.

That very book which has a beautiful, radiant appearance, its interior distinct and prolific, its reasoning convincible and redeeming.

That very guide which has guaranteed its followers salvation, and has taken on the responsibility of inviting them to eternal heaven.

That very guardian angel which has clarified the proofs of Tawhid with its eloquent speech, and gave firmness to the foundations of faith with its clear logical reasons, and has explained the practical programs that are necessary to man in the course of human development. Making clear the distinction between ‘Lawful’ and ‘unlawful’ ‘good’ and ‘bad’, and ‘right’ and ‘wrong’.

3) In her speech, in regard to the Philosophy of religious commandments, after a short passage she gave an explanation from ‘Faith’, to ‘Fidelity to one’s solemn vows’, and from ‘Tawhid’ to ‘prevention of stingy sales’, each being described by a rational statement.

What an interesting interpretation;

“God appointed ‘Faith’ for your purification from the contamination of polytheism.”

This interpretation distinctly shows that the reality of ‘Tawhid’ and “intuitive knowledge of God” exists in man’s intrinsic self. Islam has come, to wash away the impurities that occur as a result of polytheism, just as a white piece of clothing is washed after being soiled, so that its original Color will manifest itself.

God legislated ‘Prayer’ for the infusion of the spirit of humility in men, and for the pulling down of the unruly from the mount of vanity, by way of bowing and prostrating.

‘Zakat’ causes man to find deliverance from the captivity of attachment to worldly possessions and attractions. Also causing a rise in the wealth of the community, by way of strengthening the economic condition of the deprived.

‘Fasting’ made man gain rule over the soul’s desires, giving to him a spirit of devotion, causing blossoms of ‘righteousness’ - Taqwa - to appear on the branches of his being.

The magnificent Islamic congress ‘Hajj’ has strengthened the foundations of Islam, and has increased the strength and ability of the Muslims in various backgrounds, intellectual, cultural political and military.

Social Justice washes spite from hearts, and gives order to disorderliness. God gives the Muslims a healthy social order by way of the acceptance of the pure Imams’ leadership causing them to move in the direction of Tawhid, far from all sorts of discord and dispersion.

She also put her finger on the points of concern and described the true meaning of ‘Jihad’ ‘Patience and perseverance’, and the ‘Calling of people to goodness’ and the matters related to punishment, being bound to one’s commitments, campaigning against stingy sales, purity from immodesties, and forsaking wine and liquor drinking.

5) The Lady of Islam (a.s) once again returns to the matter of the Muslims’ responsibility regarding the Quran and Islam inviting them to ‘Taqwa’ (righteousness), in particular leaning on the matter of the end and consequence of his duty. She also insists on the principle that you be careful you leave the world a Muslim.

Illuminate your heart and soul by the light of knowledge and erudition, because only the informed feels responsible, fears God, and takes steps in the way of “Taqwa”.

Part 4: A Statement of Her Position with Regard to the Governing System

Sermon

ثم قالت :

اَیُّهَا النَّاسُ! اِعْلَمُوا اَنّی فاطِمَةُ وَ اَبی‏مُحَمَّدٌ، اَقُولُ عَوْداً وَ بَدْءاً، وَ لا اَقُولُ ما اَقُولُ غَلَطاً، وَ لا اَفْعَلُ ما اَفْعَلُ شَطَطاً، لَقَدْ جاءَكُمْ رَسُولٌ مِنْ اَنْفُسِكُمْ عَزیزٌ عَلَیْهِ ما عَنِتُّمْ حَریصٌ عَلَیْكُمْ بِالْمُومِنینَ رَووفٌ رَحیمٌ

فَاِنْ تَعْزُوهُ وَتَعْرِفُوهُ تَجِدُوهُ اَبی دُونَ نِسائِكُمْ،وَ اَخَا ابْنِ عَمّی دُونَ رِجالِكُمْ،

وَ لَنِعْمَ الْمَعْزِىُّ اِلَیْهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَیْهِ وَ الِهِ، فَبَلَّغَ الرِّسالَةَ صادِعاً بِالنَّذارَةِ، مائِلاً عَنْ مَدْرَجَةِ الْمُشْرِكینَ، ضارِباً ثَبَجَهُمْ، اخِذاً بِاَكْظامِهِمْ، داعِیاً اِلى سَبیلِ رَبِّهِ بِالْحِكْمَةِ و الْمَوْعِظَةِ الْحَسَنَةِ، یَجُفُّ الْاَصْنامَ وَ یَنْكُثُ الْهامَّ، حَتَّى انْهَزَمَ الْجَمْعُ وَ وَ لَّوُا الدُّبُرَ

وَ كُنْتُمْ عَلى شَفا حُفْرَةٍ مِنَ النَّارِ، مُذْقَةَ الشَّارِبِ، وَ نُهْزَةَ الطَّامِعِ، وَ قُبْسَةَ الْعِجْلانِ، وَ مَوْطِی‏ءَ الْاَقْدامِ، تَشْرَبُونَ الطَّرْقَ، وَ تَقْتاتُونَ الْقِدَّ، اَذِلَّةً خاسِئینَ، تَخافُونَ اَنْ یَتَخَطَّفَكُمُ النَّاسُ مِنْ حَوْلِكُمْ، فَاَنْقَذَكُمُ اللَّهُ تَبارَكَ وَ تَعالی بِمُحَمَّدٍ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَیْهِ وَ الِهِ بَعْدَ اللَّتَیَّا وَ الَّتی، وَ بَعْدَ اَنْ مُنِیَ بِبُهَمِ الرِّجالِ، وَ ذُوبانِ الْعَرَبِ، وَ مَرَدَةِ اَهْلِ الْكِتابِ

كُلَّما اَوْقَدُوا ناراً لِلْحَرْبِ اَطْفَأَهَا اللَّهُ، اَوْ نَجَمَ قَرْنُ الشَّیْطانِ، اَوْ فَغَرَتْ فاغِرَةٌ مِنَ الْمُشْرِكینَ، قَذَفَ اَخاهُ فی لَهَواتِها، فَلا یَنْكَفِی‏ءُ حَتَّى یَطَأَ جِناحَها بِأَخْمَصِهِ، وَ یَخْمِدَ لَهَبَها بِسَیْفِهِ، مَكْدُوداً فی ذاتِ اللَّهِ، مُجْتَهِداً فی اَمْرِ اللَّهِ، قَریباً مِنْ رَسُولِ‏اللَّهِ، سَیِّداً فی اَوْلِیاءِ اللَّهِ، مُشَمِّراً ناصِحاً مُجِدّاً كادِحاً، لا تَأْخُذُهُ فِی اللَّهِ لَوْمَةَ لائِمٍ

وَ اَنْتُمَ فی رَفاهِیَّةٍ مِنَ الْعَیْشِ، و ادِعُونَ فاكِهُونَ آمِنُونَ، تَتَرَبَّصُونَ بِنَا الدَّوائِرَ، وَ تَتَوَكَّفُونَ الْاَخْبارَ، وَ تَنْكُصُونَ عِنْدَ النِّزالِ، وَ تَفِرُّونَ مِنَ الْقِتالِ

English Rendering

Then she said: O’ people!

Know that I am Fatimah! And my father is Mohammad (May peace be upon him and his progeny)

What I say is the same in its beginning and its end - and contrariness and contradiction are never allowed to enter it - and that which I say, I don’t say incorrectly, and I don’t run after the incorrect course in my actions.

A prophet arose from among you, and came to you, who suffered because of your sufferings, and who had concern and faith in your guidance, and was kind and merciful to the believers.

Whenever you search for his lineage, you will see that he was my father, not your women’s father! And he was my paternal cousins’ brother, not the brother of your men! How honorable is this lineage, may God bless him and his progeny!

Yes, he came and successfully completed his mission, and counseled the people understandably. He turned his face on the manners of the pagans jumping on their necks and squeezing their throats so that they would refrain from idolatry and move along the path of “Tawhid”.

He continually called the people to the way of God with useful proofs, and logical reasons and counsel.

He broke up the idols, and hammered at the brains of the haughty until their company became scattered. Darkness were eliminated, the dawn appeared and God became manifest. The representative of religion began to speak and satanic rumors were silenced.

The officer of earthly discord fell, the knots of idolatry and diversity were loosened, and you began speaking by the words of devotion while you were nothing more than a small, indigent group.

Yes, in those days you were on the edge of the cliff hanging over the fires of hell. Because of your modest number, you were as a sip is for a thirsty person or a bite for a hungry person, or a spark for someone running in search of fire, and you were being squashed under hand and foot.

At that time your drinking water was putrid and foul and your food the leaves of trees! You were contemptible and despicable, constantly afraid that the mighty enemy might abduct and swallow you!

But the Blessed God by the grace of Mohammad (S) saved you after all that contempt, abjectness, and weakness. He fought with the brave and confronted the Arab wolves and mutinous Jews and Christians. But every time they lit the fires of war, God would extinguish it.

And every time the horns of Satan would appear and the revolts of the idolaters began, my father would send his brother Ali (a.s) to shut them up, and by him would suppress them. And he would never return from these dangerous duties until he had trampled the enemies’ heads, and rubbed their noses in the ground!

Interpretation

Again in this section noteworthy realities are concealed:

1. Who Am I?

She, before anything, introduces herself to the crowd, and takes all excuses and apologies from them, so that no-one could say:

I was uninformed and I didn’t recognize the Prophets’ daughter, or I would have rushed to her defense.

She particularly leans on her relationship with the Prophet, and repeats her relation to Ali. Then she emphasizes the point: “That which I say is truth itself” and I don’t say anything without reckoning. See and hear what I say correctly, and realize your enormous responsibility in relation to this incident.

2. Unusual Compassion

Then the Messenger of God’s great concern for them is reminded; of how he suffered because of their sufferings, and how he was partner to their sorrows. She especially leans on five of the Prophets’ attributes, which are emphasized in one Quranic verse:

“There hath come unto you a messenger, (one) of yourselves, unto whom aught that ye are overburdened is grievous, full of Concern for you, for the believers full of pity, merciful.” (9:128)

Qualities that all of the Prophet’s companions saw and recognized in him.

3. The Prophet’s Tiresome Efforts

Then the cumbersome difficulties of the Prophet are reminded, how he rose alone for the communication of that great message, while the smallest deviation never found its way in him, rubbing the noses of rebels on the ground and breaking the heads of the haughty, his armor being used for the desires and seekers of right, logic and reason, preaching and profound sayings, until the infidels’ power was broken up, and temples fell down. The enemies of God dispersed, darkness were eliminated, and dawn appeared. The Bats flew away, and a group was able to clearly begin the melody of لا اله الا الله , and hum the tune of Tawheed in the land of the infidels.

4. You Were Like This!

Fatimah reminds them that in those days they were a small group of believers caught in a severe, frightening storm. “On one side the temptations of the pagan, idol worshiping era, would at times come to you pulling you to the edge of the fires of hell. And on the other side the powerful, merciless enemies had surrounded you from all sides, in such a way that in a wink it was possible for them to trample you under their hands and feet. You were also under such pressure that nothing was available to you except putrid water and unfit, unrefined food, and you were constantly afraid for your future.

However God wished to break the teeth of those bloodthirsty wolves, and beat the heads of those vipers against stone, and in doing so make this small group dominant over them.

Not long after that the fires of mutiny were extinguished, and the storms calmed, demons took flight, and with the rise of the world-illuminating light of Islam, the thieves and bandits who took advantage of the darkness of those penumbral nights of paganism, hid in caves.”

Yes, Fatimah reminded them of those critical moments, of which each day seemed like a century on the shoulders of believers. She did this so that they would not forget God’s great blessings, and not be ungrateful for divine gifts, so that they would strive in the way of maintaining this divine way and great message, and not submit themselves to being overawed by mutinies.

5. The Service of Ali (a.s)

The Prophets’ daughter, at this time reminds people of the great service of Ali. She tells of how during dangerous situations, the Prophet would send him for the confrontation. And with extraordinary altruism and complete self-sacrifice and devotion, he would rise to confront the enemy. He would go to the source of these revolts and extinguish them, returning victoriously. He would sever the heads of the mutinous with his sword, and rub the noses of demons in the dirt, everywhere being the friend, supporter, and defender of the Holy Prophet (S).

Yes, such a person could be the advancer of the course of this great revolution, and prevent deviation from it.

Part 5: The Storm that Arose After the Holy Prophet’s Death

Sermon

فَلَمَّا اِختارَ اللَّهُ لِنَبِیِّهِ دارَ اَنْبِیائِهِ وَ مَأْوى اَصْفِیائِهِ، ظَهَرَ فیكُمْ حَسْكَةُ النِّفاقِ، وَ سَمَلَ جِلْبابُ الدّینِ، وَ نَطَقَ كاظِمُ الْغاوینَ، وَ نَبَغَ خامِلُ الْاَقَلّینَ، وَ هَدَرَ فَنیقُ الْمُبْطِلینَ، فَخَطَرَ فی عَرَصاتِكُمْ، وَ اَطْلَعَ الشَّیْطانُ رَأْسَهُ مِنْ مَغْرَزِهِ، هاتِفاً بِكُمْ، فَأَلْفاكُمْ لِدَعْوَتِهِ مُسْتَجیبینَ، وَ لِلْغِرَّةِ فیهِ مُلاحِظینَ، ثُمَّ اسْتَنْهَضَكُمْ فَوَجَدَكُمْ خِفافاً، وَ اَحْمَشَكُمْ فَاَلْفاكُمْ غِضاباً، فَوَسَمْتُمْ غَیْرَ اِبِلِكُمْ، وَ وَرَدْتُمْ غَیْرَ مَشْرَبِكُمْ

هذا، وَ الْعَهْدُ قَریبٌ، وَالْكَلْمُ رَحیبٌ، وَ الْجُرْحُ لَمَّا یَنْدَمِلُ، وَ الرَّسُولُ لَمَّا یُقْبَرُ، اِبْتِداراً زَعَمْتُمْ خَوْفَ الْفِتْنَةِ، اَلا فِی الْفِتْنَةِ سَقَطُوا، وَ اِنَّ جَهَنَّمَ لَمُحیطَةٌ بِالْكافِرینَ

فَهَیْهاتَ مِنْكُمْ، وَ كَیْفَ بِكُمْ، وَ اَنَّى تُوفَكُونَ، وَ كِتابُ اللَّهِ بَیْنَ اَظْهُرِكُمْ، اُمُورُهُ ظاهِرَةٌ، وَ اَحْكامُهُ زاهِرَةٌ، وَ اَعْلامُهُ باهِرَةٌ، و زَواجِرُهُ لائِحَةٌ، وَ اَوامِرُهُ واضِحَةٌ، وَ قَدْ خَلَّفْتُمُوهُ وَراءَ ظُهُورِكُمْ، أَرَغْبَةً عَنْهُ تُریدُونَ؟ اَمْ بِغَیْرِهِ تَحْكُمُونَ؟ بِئْسَ لِلظَّالمینَ بَدَلاً، وَ مَنْ یَبْتَغِ غَیْرَ الْاِسْلامِ دیناً فَلَنْ یُقْبَلَ مِنْهُ، وَ هُوَ فِی الْاخِرَةِ مِنَ الْخاسِرینِ

English Rendering

But at the time when God chose the house of the Prophets for his Prophet, and as his home the place of His elect,1 suddenly the internal hatreds and the traces of discord among you appeared. The veil of religion was withdrawn the misled began complaining, and forgotten obscurities were honored by them. False cries arose and began to move in the midst of your society.

Satan stuck his head out from its hiding place, calling you towards him and he found you ready to accept his call and waiting for his deceit!

Then he called you to insurrection, finding you passively waiting to set out! He kindled the flames of anger and vengeance in your hearts, and the vestiges of wrath appeared in you.

And this very matter caused you to place a mark on other than your own camel, and enter other than your own watering trough - and you went after something that was not your own and in which you had no right, and as a result you proceeded in usurping the government.

This was while at that time the prophet (S) had only recently died, the wounds of our suffering were vast and the affliction of our hearts had not yet been buried.

Your excuse was, “we are afraid that trouble will arise!” or “we are afraid a revolt will be started” and:

“Surely it is into temptation that they (thus) have fallen. Lo! Hell is all around the disbelievers.” (9:49)

How removed are these deeds from you!? Really, what are you doing? And where are you going?

With the fact that God’s book, the Quran, is among you, everything in it radiant, its indications resplendent, its prohibitions unquestionable, its commands distinct, but you have discarded it.

Could it be that you have turned your face away from it in displeasure? Or do you command by other than it?

It is a shame that the oppressors have chosen an inferior replacement for the Quran.

“And whoso seeketh as religion other than the Surrender to Allah (al-Islam), it will not be accepted from him, and he will be a loser in the Hereafter.” (3:85)

Interpretation

1. Suspicious Moves and Deviating Routes

In this part of her speech, the Lady of Islam (a.s) refers to the survivors of the pagan sects and the hypocrites. In the Prophet’s lifetime their space had been narrowed and they had pulled their heads into their shells, and were crouching in their dens.

However, suddenly with the death of the Prophet of Islam, these terrestrial insects lifted their heads up out of their dens, and the bats that lacked the fortitude to show themselves in the face of the Prophet’s luminous love, became the players in the arena! Suspicious movements began and deviating routes became visible, and then the political players entered the conflict!

2. A group said “Labbaik” to Satan’s call

2. A group said “Labbaik”2 to Satan’s call

The deep grief of the Prophet’s daughter begins here, in that how a great number said yes to the invitation of Satan, and began moving to the sinister call of owls, becoming the instruments of the inwardly blind hypocrites and Satan’s sect. While they began their reactionary acts, the shroud of the prophet was still damp, the sound of the call to prayer of his Muezzin, and his exclamation of “Takbir” was still ringing in their hearts.

Other than the simple-minded and the sick-at-heart another group placed the seal of silence on their lips with the excuse: We are afraid that if we say something, dispute and discord will result; thus becoming the onlookers of this scene, or becoming concordant with it so that discord would be prevented, while this in itself was the greatest discord and deviation.

3. Take Refuge in the Quran

Fatimah (s.a.), this divine herald, then cries to them "Where are you, and where are you going you lost ones?” One would say she was reminding them of her father, the Prophet’s speech:

« اِذَا التَبَسَت عَلَیکُمُ الفِتنُ کَقِطَعِ اللیلِ المُظلِمِ فَعَلَیکُم بِالقُرآنِ فَمَن جَعَلَهُ اَمامَهُ قادَهُ اِلَی الجَنّةِ وَ مَن تَرَکَهُ خَلفَهُ ساقَهُ اِلَی النّار ! »

“When seditions like the veils of gloomy nights proceed towards you take refuge in the Qur’an’s shadow. That person who places the Qur’an before him - and follows it - will be led to his heaven - and that person who has thrown it behind him will be driven to his hell.”3

She shouts out to them to, “not let the Qur’an go” and warns them that if they abandon the great memorial of the Prophet (the Qur’an), and appeal to other that it, giving preference to your invalid opinions over Islamic teachings, and knowing yourselves as authorities over it on excuses of thinking of what is best or preventing sedition, not being adjudged of its command, you will be encompassed by a great loss.

The fire of sedition will never be extinguished in your community, and you will become located in the very thing you fear. The spirit of Islam will pack off from your midst, and nothing will remain except a brainless shell and an exterior empty of contents.

Notes

1. Meaning: when the Prophet (S) died and was called to his heavenly abode. (Translator’s note)

2. Meaning: “Yes, we accept” (translator’s note)

3. English rendering by the translator

Part 6: The Story of the Usurpation of Fadak

Sermon

ثُمَّ لَمْ تَلْبَثُوا اِلى رَیْثَ اَنْ تَسْكُنَ نَفْرَتَها، وَ یَسْلَسَ قِیادَها،ثُمَّ اَخَذْتُمْ تُورُونَ وَ قْدَتَها، وَ تُهَیِّجُونَ جَمْرَتَها، وَ تَسْتَجیبُونَ لِهِتافِ الشَّیْطانِ الْغَوِىِّ، وَ اِطْفاءِ اَنْوارِالدّینِ الْجَلِیِّ، وَ اِهْمالِ سُنَنِ النَّبِیِّ الصَّفِیِّ، تُسِرُّونَ حَسْواً فِی ارْتِغاءٍ، وَ تَمْشُونَ لِاَهْلِهِ وَ وَلَدِهِ فِی الْخَمَرِ وَ الضَّرَّاءِ، وَ نَصْبِرُ مِنْكُمْ عَلى مِثْلِ حَزِّ الْمَدى، وَ وَخْزِالسنان‏فى‏الحشا

وَ اَنْتُمُ الانَ تَزَْعُمُونَ اَنْ لا اِرْثَ لَنا أَفَحُكْمَ الْجاهِلِیَّةِ تَبْغُونَ، وَ مَنْ اَحْسَنُ مِنَ اللَّهِ حُكْماً لِقَومٍ یُوقِنُونَ، أَفَلا تَعْلَمُونَ؟ بَلى، قَدْ تَجَلَّى لَكُمْ كَالشَّمْسِ الضَّاحِیَةِ أَنّی اِبْنَتُهُ

اَیُّهَا الْمُسْلِمُونَ! أَاُغْلَبُ عَلى اِرْثی؟ یَابْنَ اَبی‏قُحافَةَ! اَفی كِتابِ اللَّهِ تَرِثُ اَباكَ وَ لا اَرِثُ اَبی؟ لَقَدْ جِئْتَ شَیْئاً فَرِیّاً، اَفَعَلى عَمْدٍ تَرَكْتُمْ كِتابَ اللَّهِ وَ نَبَذْتُمُوهُ وَراءَ ظُهُورِكُمْ، إذْ یَقُولُ

« وَ وَرِثَ سُلَیْمانُ داوُدَ »

وَ قالَ فیما اقْتَصَّ مِنْ خَبَرِ زَكَرِیَّا اِذْ قالَ :

« فَهَبْ لی مِنْ لَدُنْكَ وَلِیّاً یَرِثُنی وَ یَرِثُ مِنْ الِ‏یَعْقُوبَ » ،

وَ قالَ: «وَ اوُلُوا الْاَرْحامِ بَعْضُهُمْ اَوْلی بِبَعْضٍ فی كِتابِ اللَّهِ » ،

وَ قالَ «یُوصیكُمُ اللَّهُ فی اَوْلادِكُمْ لِلذَّكَرِ مِثْلُ حَظِّ الْاُنْثَیَیْنِ » ،

وَ قالَ «اِنْ تَرَكَ خَیْراً الْوَصِیَّةَ لِلْوالِدَیْنِ وَالْاَقْرَبَیْنِ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ حَقّاً عَلَى الْمُتَّقینَ »

وَ زَعَمْتُمْ اَنْ لا حَظْوَةَ لی، وَ لا اَرِثُ مِنْ اَبی، وَ لا رَحِمَ بَیْنَنا، اَفَخَصَّكُمُ اللَّهُ بِایَةٍ اَخْرَجَ اَبی مِنْها؟ اَمْ هَلْ تَقُولُونَ: اِنَّ اَهْلَ مِلَّتَیْنِ لا یَتَوارَثانِ؟ اَوَ لَسْتُ اَنَا وَ اَبی مِنْ اَهْلِ مِلَّةٍ واحِدَةٍ؟ اَمْ اَنْتُمْ اَعْلَمُ بِخُصُوصِ الْقُرْانِ وَ عُمُومِهِ مِنْ اَبی

وَابْنِ عَمّی؟ فَدُونَكَها مَخْطُومَةً مَرْحُولَةً تَلْقاكَ یَوْمَ حَشْرِكَ

فَنِعْمَ الْحَكَمُ اللَّهُ، وَ الزَّعیمُ مُحَمَّدٌ، وَ الْمَوْعِدُ الْقِیامَةُ، وَ عِنْدَ السَّاعَةِ یَخْسِرُ الْمُبْطِلُونَ، وَ لا یَنْفَعُكُمْ اِذْ تَنْدِمُونَ، وَ لِكُلِّ نَبَأٍ مُسْتَقَرٌّ، وَ لَسَوْفَ تَعْلَمُونَ مَنْ یَأْتیهِ عَذابٌ یُخْزیهِ، وَ یَحِلُّ عَلَیْهِ عَذابٌ مُقیمٌ

English Rendering

Yes, you took possession of the she-camel of the Caliphate, you didn’t even wait long enough for it to be tamed and surrender to you.

You abruptly enkindled the fires of sedition and fanned its flames. You heard favorably the tempter Satan’s proclamation, and you proceeded to extinguish the luminous light of the religion of God, while destroying the Sunnah of the pure, divine Prophet (S). With the excuse of skimming milk you secretly drank it to the last drop. In appearance you seemed to be doing what was best for others, but internally you were strengthening your own interests.

You crouched for the oustering of his household and children, and we saw no other resort except fortitude, just like someone who has a dagger at his neck and a spear aimed at his heart!

It’s strange that you imagined God did not fix an inheritance for us - and we don’t receive inheritance from the prophet.

“Do you observe the rules of the previous pagan state?”1 Which person’s commandment is better for those who are possessed of certitude?! Do you know of these matters?

Yes, you know. It is as clear as the light of day for you that I am his daughter. O’ you Muslims! Must my inheritance be taken by force? O’ son of Abi Gohafeh answer me! Is it stated in the Quran that you inherit from your father and I don’t inherit from my Father? What an unjust statement?!

Have you purposefully abandoned the Quran, and thrown it away, even while it says:

“Solomon inherited from his father David.” (27:16)

And in the story of John, Zachariah’s son,

“Oh God give me a child so that it may inherit from me and the descendants of Jacob.” (19:5-6)

And also states:

“Relatives have preference over strangers in inheritance from each other.” (8:75)

And also says:

“God has advised you regarding your children, that the share of the sons is twice that of the daughters.” (4:11)

And also commanded:

“If someone leaves behind wealth he should bequeath it in a decent manner among father and mother and relatives, this is better for the virtuous.” (2:180)

You thought that I have no share and inheritance from my father, and there is no relationship or kinship between us?

Did God reveal a special Quranic verse to you and keep it from my father?

Or do you say that the followers of two different religions don’t inherit from one another, and my father and I are not the followers of one religion?!

Or are you more informed than my father or cousin of the generalities and particulars of the Quran?!

Now that it is such, take it - my inheritance - which just like a prepared, haltered steed is ready for use, and mounts it. But you should know that in Qiamat he will see you and we will request its return. On that day how interesting that God is the judge and the plaintiff is Muhammad (S) and the fixed time for the judgment is resurrection day, and on that day the wrong will incur loss, but then regret will have no benefit for your situation.

Know that:

“So shall you know who it is on whom will come a chastisement which will disgrace him, and on whom will lasting chastisement come down.” (11:39) 2

Which person will have a contemptible torment come to him, and eternal punishment encircles him!?