Alhassanain(p) Network for Heritage and Islamic Thought

A New Perspective: Women in Islam

"A New Perspective" is a dialogue between an Islamic scholar and a Muslim woman. The book discusses and expounds various issues regarding the rights and laws that pertain to women in Islam, and unwraps some of the distorted images and misconceptions that surround Muslim women.

Author(s): Fatma Saleh & Sayyid Moustafa Al- Qazwini

Publisher(s): The Islamic Educational Center of Orange County

WWW.ALHASSANAIN.ORG/ENGLISH

Table of Contents

Presentation 3

About the Authors4

Introduction By Sayyid Al- Qazwini5

Introduction by Fatma Saleh 8

Preliminary Notes11

Chapter 1: Seeking Clarity 12

Notes20

Chapter 2: Matrimonial Rights, Adolescence, Mahr22

Matrimonial Rights22

Adolescence43

Mahr45

Notes47

Chapter 3: Divorce, Divorce and Mahr, Proprietorship49

Divorce49

Divorce and Mahr59

Proprietorship 60

Notes61

Chapter 4: Hijab (Veiling)62

Notes69

Chapter 5: Child- Custody 70

Chapter 6: Testifying & Judging 72

Notes75

Chapter 7: Disciplinary Action 76

Notes78

Chapter 8: Polygamy 79

Chapter 9: Inheritance83

Note84

Epilogue85

References87

Glossary of Arabic Terms88

Presentation

“A New Perspective - Women in Islam” is a dialogue between a Muslim woman and a Muslim Scholar. The book discusses and expounds upon various issues regarding the rights and governing laws that pertain to women in Islam and unwraps some of the distorted images and misconceptions that surround Muslim women.

About the Authors

Sayyid Moustafa al- Qazwini was born in Karbala, Iraq. He graduated from the Islamic seminary in Qum, Iran and immigrated to the U.S. He is an author of several Islamic books and lectures across the nation. He is the founding Imam of the Islamic Educational Center of Orange County, California.

Fatma Saleh a native of Lebanon, raised in Southern California since 1971. She is an active member in the Muslim community of Los Angeles. She has published writings on Islam and speaks at universities and religious institutes on Muslim women.

In the name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the most Compassionate

“By the token of time,

Verily Man is in loss,

Except those as have faith,

and do righteous deeds,

and join in mutual teaching of truth,

and of patience, and constancy.”

Qur’an, Surah al- ‘Asr, 103

Like the soul longing for its Creator,

our work is dedicated to

the One and Only,

Allah.

I’d like to thank my husband, Hassan,

my children Ali, Lena, and Dena,

my parents,

and my teacher Sayyid Moustafa.

Without your patience it would not have been possible.

Thank You,

Fatma

Introduction By Sayyid Al- Qazwini

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

The delicate issue of women in Islam has been a subject plagued and manipulated by mendacious and misrepresented information. A body of written work has been produced by a variety of literary writers, journalists, theologians, and Muslim scholars regarding Muslim women.

Some writers have genuinely manifested the subject of Muslim women while others whom have no in- depth knowledge about the core of the religion, have used the subject of women in Islam as a forum full of skepticism, exaggeration, and faulty teachings.

It is often stated that Islam displays women to a relative position of a lower human being, and that the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh&hf) has been reputed as having been anti- women, but upon an in depth examination of the Qur’an, and the sayings of the Prophet, one finds this to be a disingenuous accusation. The Prophet was greatly aware of women’s needs and he fought to respond to them through legislation and practice.

Writers have commonly depicted and based Islam by the misconduct of Muslims, rather than the content and philosophy of its teachings. A U.S. author, critic once wrote, “Part of the glue that holds Muslim men together is the thorough suppression of women.” Contrarily, the indigent and the oppressed were the reasons for Islam’s coming, women in particular.

Illustrious examples of prejudice, opposition, and appeasement on the subject have been tainted in literary works regarding Muslim women, either written by men with a man’s perspective or sometimes by women emotionalizing some delicate issues, such as polygamy, while others having been influenced to conform or redress Qur’anic injunctions that would be considered “politically correct” for their society, such as claiming the Qur’an does not order women to cover.

Muslim scholars have not extensively addressed some of the complex issues of women in Islam, or given its deserved attention. Muslim scholars have been neglectful in researching and analyzing the subject deeply. Many Muslims and non- Muslims alike are not familiar with the formalities of binding social and personal rights and the choices available for Muslim women.

Often time people objectively dwell on the final outcome or verdict affecting Muslim women without being open to understand or review the logical relation that based the action, or the intricate connections of other related circumstances that were its reasoning for the judgment. Often times they are completely dismissed. One needs to genuinely question impartially as to the reasons for the practices regarding Muslim women.

Precluding a matter without subject to examination is undermining the essence of knowledge. One must erase all preconceived ideas about the subject of Muslim women and approach the matter like any other investigated work, open and unbiased. A story is told of a man encountering Prophet Muhammad. Upon conversing with the Prophet, he realized that the man was an argumentative person. The Prophet responded to him by saying, “Ask me as an inquirer not as a debater.”

This book was not intended as a debate but rather a discussion to enlighten the elusive subject of Muslim women.

Islam innovated social and individual rights for women, and respectively accredited her as a full partner in life. Islam enabled women to own and dispose of her property without the consent of her father or husband. She is enabled to contract and manage her own business affairs, to earn and manage her own money.

Islam entitled her inheritance as a mother, daughter, sister, and wife. She has the right to deny or accept marriage proposals. Her marriage gift (mahr) is solely for her. She is entitled to vote, which, is considered to be a religious duty, and give her opinion or opposition to issues. Her penalty in civil offense is the same as a man. If she is harmed, she is entitled to compensation justly.

A book on Muslim women was needed. It was an opportunity for me, as a perpetual learner of Islamic knowledge, who has been blessed by Allah, and fortunate to experience the seminary and university (traditional and modern) views of both Eastern and Western societies, to discuss in a dialogue forum the issues surrounding Muslim women.

Before being a Muslim scholar, I am a man, and as a learning man of Islamic knowledge it would be prejudice to confidently state that I completely understand the varying dimensions of what affects or shapes a woman’s nature and feelings. Mainly, the rules governing women in Islam directly affects her, and indirectly affects men; thus, sometimes, making us unaware of her personal perspective.

That is why I believe that as a seminary scholar, I am obligated to have a better understanding by personally engaging and discussing in the sensitive issues of women in Islam.

Like the story of the Prophet encountering an argumentative person, I found my co- author the opposite, one that was inquisitive. Sister Fatma Saleh had a thriving trait - the love of discovering and seeking knowledge about her religion. She has a passion to learn and an intuitive perception in discerning matters logically.

She is on a quest to understand and seek explanations or justifications on the perplexing issues surrounding Muslim women with her questions. By contributing her personal comments and inquirers from a woman’s perspective, and extensively discussing the issues, I was able to better accommodate and evaluate the sentiments of women in my responses.

Finally, I maintain impartiality in personal judgment throughout the dialogue. I relied and accommodated to the consensus, opinions, and rulings of leading and prominent Muslim scholars.

Adding that I favored neither conforming to flattering Islamic viewpoints, nor to pleasing Western opinion. My concern and priority had been, and always will be, to be truthful and accountable before Allah, on the day that all people shall stand before Him. The truth and answers inevitably lie with Him.

Sayyid Moustafa Al- Qazwini

Shawwal 1421/December 2000

Orange County, California.

Introduction by Fatma Saleh

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

The issue of women in Islam had always been a subject that offended and fascinated me. As a woman, born Muslim, I had been, in the past, not convinced and argumentative of my faith. I ascribed Islam as domineering, circumscribed, and prejudice towards women. I, like many other Muslim women (and non- Muslims) had based my religious convictions on the practices of culture rather than the core of faith, which had left me inimical about Islam.

I often echoed the tauntingly and haunting words of a Muslim woman I encountered briefly, “Thank God I found Islam before I found Muslims.” Not only had I found “Muslims” before I found Islam, but the constructed animosity of my faith was also formulated on the adverse writings, teachings, and dogmatic matters that shackled Muslim women.

Thus, I lived most of my life distant with preconceived and misconceived ideas about Islam and Muslim women, until I began to discursively question and ponder various subjects that I perceived as disturbing and complex. Hence, my research began on women and their rights in Islam.

Faithfully, I had maintained that God in His ultimate wisdom was just. So, - if God was a just God- then why was the share of inheritance not equal among the genders in Islam? Why was a Muslim woman’s testimony worth only half of a man? Did God really intend to limit the livelihood of Muslim women while allowing Muslim men more freedom? Was there really such a thing as rights for Muslim women? How does Islam regard the disposition of women? Would a just God ever be unfair to His creations?

Seeking the unalloyed truth, I interrogated the issues. Beneath the distorted images, misconstrued and omitted writings, the rights of women in Islam lay hidden. Undoubtedly, Muslim women had profound rights in Islam. But, like most eras of civilization, when men were fully empowered, they deemed to obstruct, deny, or strip women of rights, regardless of their religion, class, or ethnicity.

One of the most fundamental rights given to women in Islam was absolute freedom to educate themselves and Muslim women have either not taken advantage of this right, and in some cases, been denied the opportunity. Ignorance about Islam has been a major opponent for Muslim women.

Mostly, I focused my attention on Qur’anic verses, traditions of the Prophet, and some ambiguous Shari’a rulings (code of law based on the Qur’an) that related to women. Some of my findings on Muslim women were either unfounded or misrepresented, or needed an analytical explanation. I began to discover that simply reading the Qur’anic verses or shari’an laws at face value was an incomplete evaluation of their intended purpose, and that many of the injunctions were collocated by other related rulings.

For example, in the law of Hodud and Qesas (the law of talion and physical punishment) a woman is valued half of a man in terms of her death dues. The law apparently signifies a woman’s life is worth less than that of a man’s. But, one must recognize the law was based and dependent on the gender that was financially responsible for the livelihood of the family.

If a woman were murdered and she had been the responsible party in sustaining her family then her death due would be based according to a man’s caliber. Islamic writings that are misleading or taken out of context continue to characterize the image that shadows Muslim women.

In my research, I began unfolding many of the misconceptions I had accumulated. Islam was not only a reverence about God, but also an institutionalized system that governed a community, both men and women alike, to function concordantly as a unit.

Yet, there remained many issues that needed defining and many rulings that needed to be discussed. I, an average Muslim woman was unaware of all the Islamic rights that pertained to Muslim women.

Muslim women had substantial political, social, and economic rights. The subject of women in Islam needed to be discussed, explained, and written about. Throughout my independent studying, I tallied numerous inquiries and commentaries on the subject of women in Islam. I was fortunate to come across a scholar whose knowledge on Islam was not only profound, but also contemporary.

I had known Sayyid Moustafa Al- Qazwini three years prior to my proposed offer to write a book on women’s rights in Islam. I had attended his lectures, attentively listened to his interpretative views on Islam, and discussed Islamic matters with him. Sayyid Moustafa is a talented orator, but above all, he has a unique ability to discursively reason Islamic doctrines. He is a scholar with insight and sees beyond the technicalities of practicing Islamic rituals.

I wanted an opportunity to explore the subject of women in Islam from a woman’s perspective with the expertise of a Muslim scholar. When I approached Sayyid Moustafa on writing a book about Muslim women he welcomed the proposal. For over a year I had put forth my inquiries and Sayyid Moustafa responded with the answers.

Throughout our numerous interviews and correspondences we discussed and debated Qur’anic verses, traditions of the Prophet, and rights of women in marriage, divorce, testimony, and many other related issues - the matters were endless- regarding Muslim women. With his knowledge on Islam, and citing various sources, he was able to manifest by interpreting and clarifying the issues regarding women in Islam. The end result came about as a book entitled “A New Perspective - Women in Islam”.

The degree of the subjects covered in this book is limited, but they are based upon the consensus of Muslim scholars and other reliable sources. However, the covered subjects, and others that were not, still remain to be explored in depth. One of the ways to strengthen Muslim women is through education, inquiries, and dialogue.

My motivation to write this book was not to inform only Muslim women about their rights, but also non- Muslims. A doctor once asked me, “Is there such a thing as rights for Muslim women?” My answer to him was, “ Most definitely.

What has been fortunate for Muslim women has been that their rights were divinely given to them. Muslim women never had to struggle for their rights, their struggle has been in securing them.”

Fatma Saleh

The Month of Ramadan 1421/ November 2000

Los Angeles, CA- USA

Preliminary Notes

It is customary in Islam that each time the name of Allah, the prophet Muhammad, prophets, or imams (descendants and successors of prophet Muhammad) are enunciated, the following phrases are mentioned.

Allah- “Sabhanna wa- ta’alah.” Written abbreviations - SwT.

Prophet Muhammad- “Peace be upon him and his family.” Written abbreviations- pbuh&hf.

After the names of prophets and imams from the family of the Holy Prophet- “Peace be upon him/her.” Written abbreviations- pbuh.

With all due respect, admiration, acknowledgment, and praise we have omitted the mentioned phrases for the sake of continuity and have stated them in the beginning:

In the name of Allah, the most Merciful, the most Compassionate:

Subhanna wa- ta’alah.

Peace be upon him and his family.

Peace be upon the prophets.

Peace be upon the imams.

blessing!”[1] The women went to their houses. Asma’ bint Umays stayed. The Prophet (a.s) asked her: “Who are you?”

“I am the one who will guard your daughter. The girl is in need of a woman at the night of her marriage. I will carry out her needs and affairs.”

The Prophet (a.s) thanked her for that, and went on supplicating for his daughter, saying: “I ask my Lord to protect you from the accursed Satan from before you, from behind you, from your right-hand side, and from your left-hand side.”

The Prophet (a.s) rose, closed the door with his own hand, and went a way. He especially supplicated for them and associated none in his supplicating for them until he came into his room.[2] This new house was founded in the second year A.H.[3] Time passed after the marriage of the Imam. The life was calm. Home life was always delightful. It was covered with love, ease, cooperation, simplicity and humbleness. Imam Ali helped his wife in her house affairs and needs. Accordingly, their life was the noblest model of high marriage ties.

During that happy period, Truthful Fatima, peace be on her, became pregnant. The Prophet (a.s) gave good news to her of giving birth to a male baby. That was when Umm al-Fadhl[4] went to him and asked him to explain her dream. “I

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[1] Kanz al-‘Ummal, vol. 7, p. 114.

[2] Al-Haythemi, Majjma‘, vol. 6, p. 207.

[3] In the book Tarikh al-Khamees, vol. 1, p. 407, it has been mentioned: “Ali got engaged to Fatima in Ramadan, the second year A. H. and married her in Dhi al-Hijja.” In his book Murujj al-Dhahab, vol. 2, p. 187, al-Mas‘udi has mentioned: “Ali married Fatima, peace be on her, a year A. H.” It was said that he married her at a time less than that. The Imam, peace be on him, was then twenty-one years and five months old. Fatima, the truthful, peace be on her, was fifteen years and five months old. This narration has also been mentioned by Ibn Hajar in his book al-Mawahib al-Laduniya, vol. 1, p. 257. In his book Murujj al-Dhahab, vol. 1, p. 403, al-Mas‘udi has mentioned: “(Fatimaa) al-Zahra’, peace be on her, was eighteen years old; and Ali, peace be on him, was fifteen years old.” This narration has also been mentioned in the book Tabaqat al-Sahaba, vol. 8, p. 13. In the book Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 10, p. 4, it has been mentioned: “Fatimaa was ten years old and she died at the age of eighteen.”

[4] Umm al-Fadhl was the wife of al-Abbas bin Abd al-Muttalib. Her name was Lubaba. She was the daughter of al-Harith al-Hilali. She was the first woman after Khadija, may Allah be pleased with her, to believe in Islam. She was the sister of Maymuna, the wife of the Prophet (a.s.). She was one of those who narrated traditions on the authority of the Prophet (a.s.). It has been mentioned in the books al-Isaba, vol. 4, p. 483 and al-Isti‘ab, vol. 4, p. 398: “The Prophet (a.s.) visited her and napped in her house.” She narrated many traditions on his authority. Umm al-Fadhl born al-Abbas six men the like of whom no women had born. They are al-Fadhl, by whose name she and her husband were called, ‘Abd al-Ilah al-Faqeeh, ‘Ubaydillah al-Faqeeh, Ma‘bad, Qatham, and ‘Abd al-Rahman. She also gave birth to a female baby called Umm Habiba.

saw one of your limbs falling in my house”, said she. “You have seen something good,” the Prophet (a.s) explained, “Fatima will give birth to a boy baby, and you will suckle him with the Milk of Qathem.[1]

The then Muslims and especially the Prophet (a.s) impatiently were waiting for the hour of Fatima’s giving birth. They were longing for the newborn child, that life might go well with Imam Ali (a.s) and his wife, and that happiness might cover them.

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[1] It has been mentioned in the book Tarikh al-Khamees, vol. 1, p. 418: “When al-Hasan, peace be on him, was born, Umm al-Fadhl suckled him.” In the book al-Isaba, vol. 4, p. 484, it has been mentioned: “Most surely the dream of which Umm al-Fadhl told (the Prophet), was before the birth of al-Husayn, peace be on him. When he was born, she suckled him.”

Chapter II: The Newborn Child

The Light of Imamate towered over the world from the houses which Allah has permitted to be exalted and that His name may be remembered in them. A good, pure branch came out of the great tree of the prophethood and Imamate. Through this branch Allah made exalted the entity of Islam, built the edifice of faith and made peace between two great parties.

The grandson of the Prophet (a.s), the master of the youths of the Garden, came to the world of existence in the month of Ramadan when the Qur’an was revealed. It was in the second or the third year of hijra.[1] The appearance of

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[1] Al-Isaba, vol. 1, p. 328. Al-Isti‘ab, vol. 1, p. 368. Al-Sayuti, Tarikh al-Khulafa’, p. 73. Al-Bustani, Da’irat al-Ma‘rif, vol. 7, p. 38. In these books it has been mentioned that he was born in the middle of the month of Ramadan, in the third year A. H. In the book Shadharat al-Dhahab, vol. 1, p. 10, it has been mentioned that his birth was on the fifth day of the month of Sha‘ban. This is a clear mistake. Perhaps, the author has meant Imam al-Husayn, peace be on him, who was born on the fifth day of the month of Sha‘ban. Some authors thought that he, peace be on him, was born in the second year A. H. In the book Mir’at al-‘Uqool, p. 390, it has been mentioned: “There is no contradiction in the dates of the birth. For each of them is based on a term in the principle of history other than the term on which the another is based. We can detail it in three terms: The first is that the beginning of the birth was in the month of Rabee‘ al-Awwal; that is because the emigration (of the Prophet) was in it. The companions (of the Prophet) depended on it until the year sixty A. H. The narration that al-Hasan was born in the second year A. H., it is based on this meaning. The second is that the beginning of the birth was in the month of Ramadan before the Month of Rabee‘ al-Awal when the emigration took place; that is because it is the beginning of the Hijri year. As for the narration that al-Hasan, peace be on him, was born in the third year A. H., it is based on this meaning. The third, which is the beginning of the birth was in the month of al-Muharram, is that which ‘Umar devised.”

As for the narration of the author of the book Mir’at al-Uqool, it removes the contradiction between the two statements. As for the report of the professor Fareed Wajjdi in his book Daa’irat al-Ma‘arif, vol. 3, p. 443, that the birth of al-Hasan, peace be on him, was six year before the emigration, it opposes the unanimous agreement of the historians. That is because Imam Ali, the Commander of the faithful, did not marry Fatima, the truthful one, before the emigration, as we have already explained. As for how Fatima, the truthful, gave birth to Imam al-Hasan, peace be on him, it has been mentioned in the book Tarikh al-Khamees, vol. 1, p. 470. That is when the hour of her giving birth came, Allah’s Apostle (a.s.) sent to her Asma‘, daughter of ‘Umays, and Umm Ayman, and they recited to her the Verse of al-Kursi and the two verses called al-Mu‘awadhatayn (chapters 113 and 114). Asma’ narrated, saying: “Fatima, peace be on him, was pregnant with al-Hasan, peace be on him, but I saw no blood of her. So I said: ‘Allah’s Apostle (a.s.) I have seen no blood of Fatima during her menstruation and her childbed.’ He (a.s.) said: ‘Did you not

Allah’s Apostle (a.s) was seen through the appearance of the newborn child. The Prophet’s merits and good qualities were present in him.

When the news of that Truthful Fatima gave birth to the blessed newborn child, waves of delight and rejoicing covered the heart of the Prophet (a.s). He hurried to the house of his daughter, the dearest one to him from among his children. He congratulated her on her blessed newborn child, congratulated his cousin Imam Ali, and gave the newborn child some of his noble qualities, whose scent covered the whole world. When the, Prophet (a.s) reached Imam Ali’s house, he called out: “O Asma’, give me my (grand) son!”

Asma’ hurried and handed him the baby warped in a yellow piece of cloth, so he said to her: “Did I not tell you not to wrap the newborn child with a yellow piece of cloth!”

The Prophet (a.s) cut off the baby’s navel and pressed the baby to his bosom. Then he raised his hands towards the heaven and invoked Allah for him, saying: “O Allah, I commend him and his offspring into Your protection from the accursed Satan!”[1]

Rites at the Birth of a Child

The Prophet (a.s) performed for his newborn child the ceremonies and rites, which are as follows:

1. The azan and the iqama

The Prophet (a.s) recited the azan in the baby’s right ear and the iqama in his left ear.[2] It has been mentioned in a tradition: “Most surely performing such a rite protects the child from the accursed Satan.”[3] The Prophet, the best one of Adam’s children (a.s) whispered wonderful words in the ear of his newborn child, that he might receive the world of existence through the highest thing

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know that Fatima was pure and purified? Her blood during her menstruation and her childbed is not seen.’” The period of her pregnancy with al-Hasan was six months. The author of the book al-Fusool al-Muhimma has mentioned something contrary to this narration. Accordingly, no baby other than him was born in six months and remained alive except ‘Isa, son of Maryam, peace be on him, just as the late al-Amini, may Allah have mercy on him, has mentioned in his book A‘yan al-Shi‘a, vol. 4, p. 3.

[1] Al-Bustani, Da’irat al-Ma‘arif, vol. 7, p. 38.

[2] Ahmed, Musnad, vol. 6, p. 391. Al-Turmidhi, Saheeh, vol. 1, p. 286. Abu Dawud, Saheeh, vol. 33, p. 214. It was said that he did not do that by himself; rather he ordered Asma’, daughter of Umays and Umm Salama to perform that an hour after the birth. This has been mentioned by al-Shiblanji’s Noor al-Absar, p. 107.

[3] Al-Jawahir, a Chapter on Marriage.

in it. The first words to knock on his ear were those of his grandfather, the Prophet (a.s), the cause of beings and master of creatures. These words were: “Allah is great! There is no god but Allah!”

With these words full of faith Allah’s Apostle (a.s) received his grandson. He planted them in the depth of his soul and with them he supplied his feelings and sentiments, that they might be a hymn in his life in this world.

2. The Name

The Prophet (a.s) turned to Imam Ali, who was happy and delighted, and asked him: “Have you given a name to the blessed child?”

“I do not want to precede you, O Allah’s Apostle,” replied the Imam.

The Prophet (a.s) said: “I do not want to precede my Lord!”

Some minutes later, the Revelation called out the Prophet (a.s) and carried to him the name from Allah, the Exalted. Gabriel said to him: “Name him Hasan!”[1]

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[1] In the book Tarikh al-Khamees, vol. 1, p. 470, it has been mentioned: “The one entrusted with the revelation, Gabriel, came down to the Prophet (a.s.) and said to him: ‘I am reciting to you your Lord’s words. He says to you: Ali is in the same position with respect to you as Aaron (Harun) was to Moses (Musa) except that there is no prophet after you.’ Therefore, name this (grand) son of yours by the name of Harun’s son.’ So the Prophet (a.s.) said: ‘What was the name of Harun’s son, O Gabriel? ‘Shibr,’ replied Gabriel. ‘Most surely, my language is Arabic,’ retorted the Prophet. ‘Name it al-Hasan,’ explained Gabriel. Accordingly, the Prophet (a.s.) did that.’” A narration similar to this has been reported by al-‘Amili, may Allah have mercy on him, in his book A‘yan al-Shi‘a. In the books Usd al-Ghaba and Tarikh al-Khamees, vol. 1, p. 470, it has been mentioned that the name al-Hasan was not known in the pre-Islamic period. In the book Tarikh al-Khamees it has been mentioned that Allah’s Apostle (a.s.) gave it this name after the seventh day of its birth. This narration is incorrect, for giving the name took place immediately after the birth according to the unanimous agreement of all the historians. In the books al-Isti‘ab, vol. 1, p. 368 and al-Adab al-Mufrad, p. 120, it has been mentioned that when al-Hasan, peace be on him, was born, Allah’s Apostle (a.s.) and said: “Show me my (grand) son! What have you named it?” “Harb,” they answered. “Rather, it is al-Hasan,” he (a.s.) retorted. When al-Husayn was born, he said: “Show me my (grand) son! What have you named it?” “Harb,” they answered. “Rather, it is al-Husayn,” he (a.s.) retorted. When the third grandson was born, he asked “What have you named it?” “Harb,” they answered. “Rather, it is al-Muhsin,” he (a.s.) retorted. Then he (a.s.) said: “I have given them names of Harun’s sons, Shubbar and Shubayr.” It could be said that this narration was fabricated. Firstly, the enmity between the Hashimites and Harb’s family is very clear. Therefore, why did the members of the House (Aal al-Bayt) approve of naming their children by the names of Harb, to whom belonged the Umayyads? Secondly, that the Prophet (a.s.) turned away from the name Harb is a sufficient proof of making Aal al-Bayt turn away from

Indeed, it was one of the best names. It is sufficient for the name to be beautiful and good is that the Wise Creator has chosen it. Its beautiful utterance might be a proof of its beautiful meaning.

3. Aqiqa[1]

Seven days after the birth, the Prophet (a.s) headed for the house of Imam Ali (a.s) that he might honor his grandson. He ordered a ram[2] to be sacrificed for his grandson and ordered a leg of it to be given to the midwife. His community has followed his deed after him.

4. Shaving the Hair

The Prophet (a.s) shaved the hair of his blessed grandson with his own hand. Then he silver as much as the weight of the cut hair to the poor.[3] Then he perfumed al-Hasan’s hair with al-khuluq[4] . Indeed, we have not seen affection

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giving such a name to al-Hasan, al-Husayn and al-Muhsin. Thirdly, al-Muhsin was not born during the lifetime of the Prophet (a.s.). These reasons indicate that the narration mentioned by the author of al-Isti‘ab is incorrect. In his book al-Musnad, Ahmed bin Hanbel, has reported on the authority of Ali, peace be on him, who said: “When al-Hasan was born, I gave him the name of my uncle al-Hamza. When al-Husayn was born, I gave him the name of my brother Ja‘far. So Allah’s Apostle (a.s.) summoned me and said: ‘Most surely, Allah has commanded me to change the names of these two (grandsons of mine).” Then he gave them the names of al-Hasan and al-Husayn.’” This narration is also weak, for Allah’s Apostle (a.s.) gave these names to his two grandsons after their birth. No one has mentioned what Ahmed has mentioned.

[1] It is among the most recommended acts. Some jurists have thought that it is obligatory. When the Prophet (a.s.) slaughtered the ram, he said: “In the name of Allah, this is the aqiqa of al-Hasan. O Allah, its flesh (i.e., the flesh of the sacrifice of the aqiqa) for his flesh, its blood for his blood, its bone for his bone, its hair for his hair, its skin for his skin. O Allah, let it be a protection of the family of Muhammed (a.s.).”

[2] Tarikh al-Khamees, vol. 1, p. 470. Mushkil al-Aathaar, vol. 1, p. 456. Al-Hulya, vol. 1, p. 116. Al-Turmidhi, Saheeh, vol. 1, p. 286. A‘yan al-Shi‘a, vol. 4, p. 108. In al-Shiblanji’s Noor al-Absar, al-Tahawi’s Mushkil al-Aathaar, vol. 1, p. 456, and al-Hakim’s Mustadrak, vol. 1, p. 237, it has been mentioned that the Prophet (a.s.) offered two sacrifices on behalf of al-Hasan and two on behalf of al-Husayn. This narration is weak, for Shams al-Deen al-Dhahabi has criticized it in his book Talkhees al-Mustadrak. He has said: “Firstly, Sawar, the reporter of the narration, is weak in reporting traditions. Secondly, the leading jurists have mentioned that only one sacrifice should be offered.”

[3] Tarikh al-Khamees, vol. 1, p. 470. Noor al-Absar, p. 107. Al-Turmidhi, Saheeh, vol. 1, p. 286. In them it has been mentioned that the weigh of al-Hasan’s hair was a dirham and some.

[4] Al-khuluq is a perfume composed of saffron and other things. In the book al-Bihar, vol. 10, p. 68 it has been mentioned that the people in the pre-Islamic period used to put blood on the child’s hair, so the Prophet (a.s.) said: “(Putting ) blood (on the

and kindness similar to that (of the Prophet toward his grandson).

5. Circumcision

The Prophet (a.s) ordered his grandson to be circumcised on the seventh day of his birth.[1] Circumcising a male baby at that time was good and it made a male child purer.[2]

6. His kunya (surname)

The Prophet (a.s) gave him the kunya of Abu Muhammad.[3] Al-Hasan had no kunya other than this. With this deed all the rites of birth the Prophet (a.s) performed for his eldest son ended.

His Nicknames

Al-Hasan (a.s) was given the nicknames of al-Sibt (the grandson), al-Zakiy (the pure), al-Mujjtaba (the chosen), al-Sayyid (the master), and al-Taqiy (the pious).

His Features

As for his features, they were similar to that of his grandfather the Prophet (a.s). Anas bin Malik said: “No one was more similar to the Prophet than al-Hasan bin Ali.”[4] he traditionists have mentioned al-Hasan’s form, which was

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child’s hair) was among the acts of those who lived before Islam.” He prevented Asma’ from doing that.

[1] Noor al-Absar, p. 108.

[2] Jawahir al-Ahkam, Chapter on Marriage. In it, it has been mentioned that Allah’s Apostle (a.s.) has said: “Circumcise your male babies on the seventh day of birth. For it is the best, purest, and quickest (of all deeds) in making flesh grow, and for the earth becomes impure for forty days due to the urine of those uncircumcised.”

[3] Usd al-Ghaba, vol. 1, p. 9. A kunya is the name by which an Arab is usually referred to and which refers to him or her as the father or mother of someone, usually his or her eldest son. It is among the rites of birth. It has been narrated on the authority of Imam Muhammed al-Baqir, peace be on him, who has said: “We give kunyas to our children during their childhood for fear that nicknames may be given to them.”

[4] Fada’il al-Sahaba, p. 166. In his book al-Saheeh, vol. 2, p. 307, al-Turmidhi has mentioned on the authority of Ali, peace be on him, who has said: “Al-Hasan was like Allah’s Apostle (a.s.) from his head to his chest, while al-Husayn was like him from his chest to his feet.” In the book al-Isaba it has been mentioned on the authority of al-Bahi, who has said: “We held a discussion about who was from among his family like him. Then Abdullah bin al-Zubayr came in to us and said: ‘I will tell you about who was from among his family similar to him and the most lovable to him; he is al-Hasan bin Ali.’” This narration has been narrated by al-Haythemi in his book al-Majjma‘, vol. 9, p. 175. In the book al-Mihbar, p. 469, it has been mentioned that Fatima, peace be on her, was dancing her child al-Hasan and saying to it: “I swear by my father, you are similar to my father and not to Ali.”

similar to that of his grandfather (a.s). They have said: “He was white with black eyes. He had long, thick hair. His limbs were great. His shoulders were wide. His hair was curly and his beard was thick. His neck was as white as silver.”[1] These features are similar to those of the Prophet (a.s) according to the features the narrators have mentioned. Al-Hasan was similar to his grandfather in form; likewise, he was similar to him in his noble moral traits.[2]

The Prophet (a.s) saw that his grandson al-Hasan was a copy of him. He was similar to him in manner and high soul. He was a firebrand of his brilliance. He would guide his community after him to the way of the truth and direct people to the straight path. The Prophet (a.s) came to know that al-Hasan would achieve all his ideal aims in life. So he poured onto him a ray from his great soul. He took great care of him and honored him. He poured onto him love and kindness since his birth and childhood. In detail we will deal with all kinds of care and honor issued from the Prophet (a.s) toward al-Hasan during his childhood and youth.

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  [1] Tarikh al-Khamees, vol. 1, p. 171. In his book Da’irat al-Ma‘arif, vol. 7, p. 38, al-Bustani has mentioned some of these features.

[2] Al-Ya‘qubi, Tarikh, vol. 2, p. 201. In his book Ihya’ al-Uloom, al-Ghazali has mentioned: Allah’s Apostle (a.s.) said to al-Hasan: ‘You are similar to me in form and manner.’”

Chapter III: Cleverness and Genius

Without doubt, righteous education plays an important role in forming the child and in developing his or her mental faculties. Likewise, the parents’ conduct has a great effect on developing their children’s cleverness and general behavior. All these vital elements were available to al-Hasan (a.s) during his childhood. The Prophet (a.s) took great care of educating his grandson and gave him his noble qualities. Imam Ali, the Commander of the faithful (a.s) supplied him with his wise maxims and ideals. Fatima, the principal of all women, planted in her son virtue and perfection. Accordingly, al-Hasan’s childhood was high and a model of human perfection, a title of highness and education, a symbol of cleverness and genius.

Some psychologists believe that the child greatly imitates others in habits, mental and moral qualities, the general attitude he or she takes toward others, the general viewpoint through which he or she ponders on life or work. Sometimes imitation is conscious and deliberate; however, in most cases, it is unconscious. So when the child imitates educated people, he or she will follow their ethics and sentiments. In the first place this effect is an imitation, but it quickly becomes a habit; the habit is a second nature. The imitation is one of the two ways through which individual qualities are acquired and the personal manners are formed.[1]

According to this viewpoint, Imam al-Hasan (a.s) was the first person in his mental and moral qualities, for he grew up in the House of the Revelation and was brought up in the School of the monotheism. Moreover, he saw his grandfather, who was the most perfect person in the world, always build an edifice for justice, virtue, and perfection. He encompassed people with his noble moral traits, gathered them around the word of Oneness (of Allah). That impressed al-Hasan, the Prophet’s grandson, and he followed the deeds of his grandfather in advising and guiding the people. During their childhood, al-Hasan and al-Husayn (a.s) passed by an old man. The old man could not perform the ritual ablution well. So their high soul and their kindness did not let them leave the old man ignorant of performing the ritual ablution well. They made an informal dispute and they said to each other: “You do not perform the ritual ablution well!” Then they calmly turned to the old man and appointed him as an arbitrator between them. They said to him: “O Sheikh

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[1] Mandir, Psychology in Life.

(i.e., an old man), each of us will perform the ritual ablution before you, and you decide which of the two ablutions is better.” They performed the ablution before him, and he carefully considered it. Accordingly, the old man paid attention to his mistake without any disdain, and then he said to them: “My masters, you both perform the ritual ablution well. However, I am an ignorant old man. I do not perform the ablution well. I have learned it from you and repented at your hands!”[1]

This deed clearly shows us that the Prophet (a.s) guided the people through sound ways and noble moral traits. This way impressed al-Hasan (a.s) during his childhood, to the extent that it became among his qualities and natures.

Some psychologists believe that individual manner is inherited, that it has an important effect on forming man’s ethics, and that it is not less in importance than imitation. Heksil says: “All effects and qualities of the organic being belong to heredity or to environment. Hereditary formation determines the bounds of that which is possible. And the environment decides that this possibility will be achieved. Therefore, the hereditary formation is mere the ability to react with any environment through a special way.”

Jinjiz has confirmed this theory, saying: “Everyone has hidden hereditary forces, but the appearance of each of them depends on the circumstances surrounding these forces during their growth.”

The rule of heredity decides that Imam al-Hasan (a.s) was on top of those who got this phenomenon. He inherited the spiritual forces and the great, reformative wealth of his grandfather (a.s). Besides, the righteous environment his family and the good, righteous Muslims created had an influence on him.

Due to his heredity, Imam al-Hasan (a.s) got cleverness and high reflection that none had got. The narrators have reported traditions on his early genius, saying: “Al-Hasan memorized all things he read. He attended the meetings of his grandfather (a.s) and memorized the Revelation. Then he went to his mother and told her about it. She told Imam Ali (a.s) and he admired that and asked her:

“From where have you brought this (revelation)?”

“From your son, al-Hasan!’”

Imam Ali (a.s) hid himself in a corner of the house, that he might listen to his son. As usual al-Hasan came and told his mother about the verses of the

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[1] Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 10, p. 89.

revelation he had memorized. He was unable to speak, so his mother asked him: “O my little son, why are you unable to speak?”

“Mother, do not be astonished at what has befallen me,” replied al-Hasan, “for the Most High (Allah) looks after me.”[1]

This attitude is a proof of al-Hasan’s great cleverness through which he saw the distant and unknown things.

His Memorizing of Traditions

Though al-Hasan (a.s) was four years old, he memorized many traditions he heard from his grandfather (a.s). We will mention some traditions he narrated from his grandfather:

1. He (a.s) has said: “Allah’s Apostle (a.s) taught me some words to say during the (prayer of al-Witr): ‘O Allah, guide me through him whom You guided! Make me well through him You made well! Look after me through him after whom You looked! Bless that which You have given to me! Protect me from the evil of that which You have decreed! You decree, and none decrees against You. (The one) whom You support is not abased, Blessed and Most High You are, O Lord!”[2]

2.Umar bin Ma’mun narrated, saying: “I have heard al-Hasan, son of Ali (a.s) say: ‘Whoever offers the morning prayer and sits in his place of praying until the sun rises shall have a veil from the Fire.” Or he said: “A curtain from the Fire.”[3]

3. A companion of his asked him: “What do you remember of Allah’s Apostle (a.s)?” He (a.s) replied: “I took one of the dates given as alms. I put it into my mouth. He (the Prophet) took it out (of my mouth). So I asked him: ‘What is the matter with this date?’ ‘It is not lawful for us, Muhammad’s family, to take something given as alms.”[4]

4. He (a.s) was asked about what he heard from Allah’s Apostle (a.s) and he replied: “I heard him saying to some man: “Leave that which fills you with doubt for that which does not fill you with doubt. That is because evil is

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[1] Ibn Shahrashub, al-Manaqib, vol. 2, p. 148. Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 10, p. 93.

[2] Al-Turmidhi, Saheeh, vol. 1, p. 93. Ibn ‘Asakir, Tarikh, vol. 1, p. 20. Al-Hakim, Mustadrak, vol. 3, p. 172.

[3] Usd al-Ghaba, vol. 2, p. 11.

[4] Ibid. It is forbidden for Aal al-Bayt to take the obligatory alms such as Zakat and Zakat al-Fitra, and not the permissible alms.

suspicion, and good is tranquility.”[1]

5. He (a.s) related to his companions about the ethics and behavior of his grandfather, the Prophet (a.s). He said to them: “When someone asked Allah’s Apostle (a.s) to grant his need, he responded to him with nothing except through granting it or through some soft words.”

6. He (a.s) has said: “I heard Allah’s Apostle (a.s) saying, “Call out the master of the Arabs (Imam Ali).” So A’isha asked him: “Are you not the master of the Arabs?” “I am the master of Adam’s children,” he replied, “and Ali is the master of the Arabs.” Imam Ali was summoned. When he was before him, he sent for the Ansar. When they stood before him, he said to them: “O people of Ansar, shall I show you a thing, if you keep to it, you will never go astray?” “Yes, O Allah’s Apostle (a.s)” they replied. So he said: “This is Ali; therefore, love him for the sake of the love for me, and honor him for the sake of honoring me. It is Gabriel that has told me from Allah, the great and Almighty, about what I told you.”[2]

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[1] Al-Ya‘qubi, Tarikh, vol. 2, p. 20. In his book al-Musnad, vol. 1, p. 200, Ahmed has mentioned: “He (al-Hasan), peace be on him, said: ‘I heard Allah’s Apostle (a.s.) say: ‘Leave that which fills you with doubt for that which does not fill you with doubt. That is because truthfulness is tranquility; and lying is suspicion.’”

[2] Sheikh Muhammed Habeebullah al-Shanqeeti, Hayat Ali Bin Abi Talib, p. 83. In his book al-Tasawuf al-Islami, vol. 1, p. 274, Dr. Zaki Mubarak has explained the criticisms for the faith of the Sufis in the master of the prophets, Muhammed (a.s.). He has said: “It is an act of good to say that the Sufis, in respect of this excess, have depended on the tradition: ‘I am the master of the prophets.’ The scholars have doubted the tradition. In his book entitled Kashf al-Khafa’ wa al-Iltibas ‘amma ishtehra mina al-Ahadith ‘alaa Alsunat al-Naas, al-‘Ajjluni has mentioned that al-Hasan bin Ali narrated on the authority of the Prophet (a.s.) who said: ‘Call out the master of the Arabs.’ He meant Ali. So Aa’isha asked him: ‘Are you not the master of the Arabs.’ And he replied: ‘I am the master of Adam’s children, and Ali is the master of the Arabs.’ Then al-‘Ajjluni has related to us that al-Dhahabi inclines to say that this tradition is fabricated.’” I (the author) say that what Dr. Zaki Mubarak has stated in respect of the faith of the Sufis does not manifest itself clearly. I (the author) will explain the statement as follows: “The Sufis are distinguished from the rest of the Islamic sects by their cleaving to two sides. The first side is that there is a primary specification, which is the junction of the specifications; and which is called the first reason and the first issued, according to the terms of the ancient philosophers. In respect of that they have depended on the philosophical proofs of which are is that nothing issues from the One except the one. The second side is that they have applied the first reason and the first issued on the Ahmedi, sacred reality. Through this application they have turned away from the philosophers. Their proofs of that are some traditions such as I am the master of people. Were it not for me, the worlds were not created. I am a prophet; and Adam is between the water and the clay. There are other traditions indicating their purpose in the manner of a rational proof. The Sufis were Sufis due to their cleaving to the first viewpoint in which the

The jurists and the traditionists have narrated many traditions al-Hasan (a.s) heard from Allah’s Apostle (a.s) in respect of the precepts of the Islamic law. All these traditions are proofs of al-Hasan’s cleverness, genius, and knowledge. If someone carefully considers al-Hasan’s childhood, he will admire and sanctify it. That is because it was full of the signs of perfection, virtue, cleverness, and high education that none had, as we think.

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philosophers believed. So Dr. Zaki Mubarak had not to say that the Sufis had taken their faith from the traditions. It was incumbent on him to explain that they had depended on the traditions to apply the first reason and the first issued to the Ahmedi reality. It was appropriate for him to deal with the Sufis in respect of the first side and to explain why the (religious) scholars doubted the tradition (I am the master of people). He had to say that the tradition was weak due to the weakness of the narrator or due to the fact that the Sufis depended on it.

Chapter IV: Honor and Laudation

Allah’s Holy Book has lauded the excellence of the members of the Ahlul Bayt; and Allah’s Apostle (a.s) honored them. He joined them to the Holy Qur’an. He has made it incumbent on the community to show affection and love for them. It is necessary for us to quote some verses and traditions in respect of the Ahlul Bayt, peace be on them. That is because they strongly related to our research and show us the great importance and high position of Imam al-Hasan (a.s). We will mention that for readers as follows:

The Holy Qur’an

Allah’s Great Book that Falsehood shall not come to it from before it nor from behind it, has mentioned the excellence and position of the Ahlul Bayt with Allah. It is sufficient for us to mention some verses:

1. The Verse of Love (al-Mawadda)

Allah has made it obligatory on Muslims to show love toward Ahlul Bayt, peace be on them. He has said that in the Qur’an: “I do not ask of you any reward for it except love for (my) kin.”[1] Ibn Abbas has narrated, saying: “When this verse was revealed, a Muslim asked: ‘O Allah’s Apostle, who are your kin whom you have ordered us to obey?’ He (a.s) replied: ‘Ali, Fatima, and her two sons.’”[2] Abu Na‘eem has narrated on the authority of Jabir, who said: “An Arab of the desert came to the Prophet (a.s) and said: ‘O Muhammad, show me Islam.’ The Prophet said: ‘Bear witness that there is no god but Allah, the One with out partner, and that Muhammad is His servant and Apostle.’ The Arab of the desert asked: ‘Will you ask of me any reward for it?’ ‘No,’ replied the Prophet, ‘except love for the kin.’ ‘My kin or your kin?’ asked the man. ‘My kin,’ retorted the Prophet. ‘Stretch out (your hand) that I may pledge allegiance to you,’ said the Arab, ‘Allah’s curse by upon him who does not love you and your kin.’ ‘Amen!’ said the Prophet (a.s).”[3] Imam al-Hasan (a.s) has declared that he was among those meant by the verse. He (a.s) has mentioned that during one of his sermons: “I am amongAhlul Bayt whom Allah has made obligatory on Muslims the love to them. He,

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[1] Qur’an, 42, 23.

[2] Al-Fakhr al-Razi, Tafseer, vol. 7, p. 406. Al-Durr al-Manthur, vol. 7, p. 7. Al-Nisaburi, Tafseer. Ibn Jareer al-Tabari, Tafseer, vol. 5, p. 16. Al-Kashif. Al-Sawa‘iq al-Muhriqa, p. 102. Dhakha‘ir al-Uqba, p. 25. Noor al-Absar, p. 100.

[3] Hulyat al-Awliya, vol. 3, p. 201.

the Blessed and Most High, has said: I do not ask of you any reward for it except love for (my) kin; and whoever earns good, We will give him more of good. Therefore, earning good is showing love for us, Ahlul Bayt.”[1]

Imam al-Shafi‘i has referred to the meaning of this verse, saying:

O Family of Allah’s Messenger, love for you is a religious duty Allah has revealed in the Qur’an.

Al-Fakhr al-Razi has said: “If this (verse) has been established (that it was revealed in respect of Ali, Fatima, and her two sons), then they must be singled out with great magnification. Many verses are proofs on that. The first is these words of Him, the Exalted: except love for (my) kin. The sense of the proof of this is the first part of the verse. It is that which He has already mentioned that the affair of the family of Muhammad (a.s) returns to him. So all those whose affair strongly and perfectly returned to him were theAal (the family). Without doubt, the relationship between Fatima, Ali, al-Hasan, and al-Husayn and Allah’s Apostle (a.s) was the strongest of all relationships. This is well known through the traditions ensured by many narrations. Therefore, they must be al-Aal (the family). The second, without doubt, the Prophet (a.s) showed love for Fatima, peace be on her. He (a.s) said: ‘Fatima is a part from me. What hurts her hurts me.’ It has been established through the traditions ensured by many lines of transmission that Muhammad (a.s) showed love for Ali, al-Hasan, and al-Husayn, peace be on them. If that has been established, then it is obligatory on the community to do the same. That is due to these words of Him, the Exalted: “And follow him so that you may walk in the right way.[2] ” And due to these words of Him, the exalted: “Therefore, let those beware who go against his order.”[3] And due to these words of Him, the exalted: “Say: If you love me, then follow me, Allah will love you.”[4] And due to these words of Him, the exalted: “Certainly you have in Allah’s Apostle an excellent example.”[5] The third is that the supplication for al-Aal (the Prophet’s family) is a great position. For this reason the supplication is regarded as the end of al-tashahud in prayer; that is his words: “O Allah, bless Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, and have mercy on

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[1] Al-Hakim, Mustadrak, vol. 3, p. 172. Majjma‘ al-Zawa’id, vol. 9, p. 146. al-Sawa‘iq al-Muhriqa, p. 101. Majjma‘ al-Bayan fi Tafseer Surat al-Shura, vol. 9, p. 29.

[2] Qur’an, 7, 158.

[3] Ibid., 24, 63.

[4] Ibid., 3, 31.

[5] Ibid., 33, 21.

Muhammad and the family of Muhammad! None has such magnification except the Ahlul Bayt (a.s).”[1]

Most surely, showing love for Ahlul Bayt is among the most important Islamic and religious duties, for through it one can pay the reward of the message, make relationship with the Prophet (a.s) and thank him for the sufferings he met for saving Muslims from polytheism and worshipping the idols. Therefore, it is incumbent on the community to follow his family, and to show respect and love for them.

2. The Verse of Purification (Tattheer)

Among Allah’s clear verses indicating that Ahlul Baytwere protected from sins, purified from deviation and offenses is the verse of Tattheer, in which Allah, the Most High, has said: “Allah only desires to keep away the uncleanness from you, O people of the House and to purify a (thorough) purifying.”[2] The verse clearly indicates that Ahlul Bayt were protected from sins. The research on the verse has many sides:

The Verse is a Proof on the Protection from Sins

To conclude through the verse that Ahlul Bayt are protected from sins is that Allah, the Most High, has limited the intention of keeping away the uncleanness (sins) with the word innama (only), which is the strongest of all the determiners. Besides, there is al (the) in the predicate, and the repetition of the word tahara (purity). According to Arabic grammar, this is a proof of the determination and the specialization. It is well known that it is impossible for the intended things to oppose the intention of Allah, the Exalted, (due to the verse): His command, when He intends anything, is only to say to it: Be, so it is.[3] So through the verse we can conclude that Ahlul Bayt are protected from sins and acts of disobedience.

The People meant by the Verse

The reliable narrators have unanimously agreed that the verse was revealed in respect of Allah’s Apostle (a.s) Imam Ali, the Commander of the faithful (a.s) Fatima, al-Hasan, and al-Husayn, peace be on them. None associated with them in this excellence.[4] Al-Hakim has narrated on the authority of Umm

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[1] Al-Razi, Tafseer.

[2] Qur’an, 33, 33.

[3] Ibid., 36, 82.

[4] al-Fakhr, Tafseer, vol. 6, p. 783. Al-Nisaburi, Tafseer. Muslim, Saheeh, vol. 2, p. 331. Al-Khasa’is al-Kubra, vol. 2, p. 264. Al-Riyad al-Nadira, vol. 2, p. 188. Al-Nisa’i, Khasa’is. Ibn Jareer, Tafseer, vol. 22, p. 5. Imam Ahmed Ibn Hanbal, Musnad, vol. 4, p. 107. Al-Bayqahi, Sunan, vol. 2, p. 150. Mushkil al-Aathaar, vol. 1, p. 334.