Remembrance Of The Beloved

Remembrance Of The Beloved42%

Remembrance Of The Beloved Author:
Translator: Jalil Dorrani
Publisher: Naba Publication (www.nabacultural.org)
Category: Imam al-Mahdi
ISBN: 978-964-832363-4

Remembrance Of The Beloved
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Remembrance Of The Beloved

Remembrance Of The Beloved

Author:
Publisher: Naba Publication (www.nabacultural.org)
ISBN: 978-964-832363-4
English

Alhassanain (p) Network for Islamic Heritage and Thought

Remembrance Of The Beloved

Questions and Answers About Imam Mahdi (p.b.u.h)

By: Seyed Husain Husaini

Translated by Jalil Dorrani

Edited and Reviewed by Hamid Farnagh

Naba Cultural Organization

www.alhassanain.org/english

Rememberance of The Beloved

Questions and Answers About Imam Mahdi (p.b.u.h)

Author: Seyed Husain Husaini

Translator: Jalil Dorrani

Edited and Reviewed by Hamid Farnagh

First Edition: 2008/Second Edition: 2013

Publisher: Naba Cultural Organization, Tehran. Iran

E-mail: Info@NabaCultural.org

ISBN: 978-964-832363-4

In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful

Table of Contents

Prologue: 9

Section: 1 12

Question 1: 13

Reply: 13

Verse 285 of Chapter Baqarah: 13

Verse 136 of Chapter Nisa: 13

Question 2: 14

Reply: 14

Question 3: 15

Reply: 15

Question 4: 15

Reply: 15

Question 5: 16

Reply: 16

Question 6: 17

Reply: 17

Question 7: 18

Reply: 18

Question 8: 19

Reply: 19

Question 9: 19

Reply: 19

Question 10: 20

Reply: 20

Question 11: 20

Reply: 20

Question 12: 21

Reply: 21

Question 13: 23

Reply: 23

Question 14: 23

Reply: 23

Question 15: 24

Reply: 24

Question 16: 25

Reply: 26

Question 17: 27

Reply: 27

Question 18: 27

Reply: 27

Question 19: 28

Reply: 28

Question 20: 29

Reply: 29

Question 21: 31

Reply: 31

Question 22: 32

Reply: 32

Question 23: 32

Reply: 32

Question 24: 33

Reply: 33

Question 25: 33

Reply: 33

Question 26: 34

Reply: 34

Question 27: 35

Reply: 35

Question 28: 37

Reply: 37

Question 29: 37

Reply: 37

Question 30: 38

Reply: 38

Section:2 41

Question 1: 42

Reply: 42

Question 2: 42

Reply: 42

Question 3: 44

Reply: 44

Question 4: 44

Reply: 44

Question 5: 45

Reply: 45

Question 6: 46

Reply: 46

Question 7: 46

Reply: 46

Question 8: 47

Reply: 47

Question 9: 47

Reply: 48

Question 10: 48

Reply: 48

Question 11: 49

Reply: 49

Question 12 51

Reply: 51

Question 13: 52

Reply: 52

Question 14: 53

Reply: 53

Question 15: 54

Reply: 54

From apparent aspect: 54

Question 16: 55

Reply: 55

Question 17: 56

Reply: 56

Question 18: 57

Reply: 57

Question 19: 58

Reply: 58

Question 20: 59

Reply: 59

Two points would pave the way for replying this query: 59

Or 59

Question 21: 60

Reply: 60

Question 22: 60

Reply: 60

Question 23: 61

Reply: 61

Question 24: 61

Reply: 61

Question 25: 62

Reply: 62

Question 26: 63

Reply: 63

Question 27: 64

Reply: 64

Question 28: 65

Reply: 66

Reply: 67

Question 30: 68

Reply: 68

Section: 3 70

Question 1: 71

Reply: 71

Question 2: 73

Reply: 74

Question 3: 74

Reply: 74

Question 4: 75

Reply: 75

Question 5: 75

Reply: 75

Question 6: 76

Reply: 76

Question 7: 78

Reply: 78

Name 78

Name: 78

Name, title, agnomen: 79

Hazrat's visage and appearance: 79

Question 8: 79

Reply: 79

Question 9: 81

Reply: 81

Question 10: 82

Reply: 82

Question 11: 83

Reply: 83

Question 12: 83

Reply: 83

Question 13: 84

Reply: 84

Question 14: 86

Reply: 86

Question 15: 87

Reply: 87

Question 16: 89

Reply: 89

For instance: 89

Or about Allah's Grace: 89

About the fact that Imam's existence is the source of peoples' protection: 89

About Imam's aid and assistance to his Shias: 89

About repentance and forgiveness: 89

About fulfilling the peoples' needs: 89

About the deputies: 89

About the third deputy: 89

About the fourth deputy: 90

Question 17: 90

Reply: 90

Question 18: 91

Reply: 91

Question 19: 92

Reply: 92

Question 20: 93

Reply: 93

Natural phenomena are of two types: 93

Man is making all efforts to delay senility and old age that leads to death: 93

The exact and historical meaning of old age is not known and varies from person to person: 93

Similarly: 94

Scientists have enumerated the factors that prolong life-span: 94

Nutrition: 94

Physiological capabilities: 94

Honey: 95

Physical activities: 95

Weight loss: 95

Sport: 95

Walking: 95

Question 21: 96

Reply: 96

Question 22: 96

Reply: 96

Question 23: 97

Reply: 97

Question 24: 98

Reply: 98

Question 25: 98

Reply: 98

Question 26: 99

Reply: 99

Question 27: 99

Reply: 99

Question 28: 100

Reply: 101

Question 29: 101

Reply: 101

Question 30: 103

Reply: 103

Notes 105

Prologue:

During the period of the holy prophet's (s.a.w.a.) appointment and proclamation, he entrusted the people with two precious souvenirs out of divine inspiration.

“I leave with you two weighty things: the Book of Allah and my offspring.” [1]

This he said at the time when he himself bore the responsibility of explaining and interpreting the commandments and doctrines and he acquainted the Muslims with different levels from various angles of religion. However, he entrusted the task of interpretation and explanation of diverse religious matters to his successors after him and named them the other weighty thing (ثقل) on par with the Qur'an.

The pure and honourable Imams (a.s.) too took charge of this divine mission in line with the holy Qur'an and the prophet's (s.a.w.a.) Sunnah and prevented distortions in belief, wrong interpretations of holy Qur'an and Islamic doctrines. For this reason, along side the holy Qur'an, we must search the Islamic matters and the prophet's (s.a.w.a.) Sunnah in the sayings of the holy Imams (a.s.). These sayings are commonly known as“Hadith or traditions” .

At a short glance, we can classify the sayings of the holy prophet (s.a.w.a.) and Imams as follows:

1- In the form of preliminary Hadith and sayings: They (p.b.u.t.) would explain to one or more people matters concerned with belief or ethics or Tafsir (interpretation) or Fiqh (jurisprudence) or history etc. These traditions was at times in the form of Hadith-e-Qodsi that was narrated from the Almighty Allah (except Qur'an) or in the form of simple Hadith.

Example for the first category: Hazrat Reza (a.s.) said: Musa-ibn-Jafar narrates from Jafar-ibn-Muhammad from Muhammad-ibn-Ali from Ali-ibn-Husain from Husain-ibn-Ali from Ali-ibn-Abi Talib from the holy prophet (s.a.w.a.) from Gabriel from Meka'eel from Israfeil from Luh from Qalam that Allah says:

“The Vilayat (authority) of Ali-ibn-Abi Talib (a.s.) is My castle. Anyone who enters My castle is safe from My chastisement.” [2]

As an example for the second category, the holy prophet (s.a.w.a.) said:

“O Ali you are the best of all men; anyone who doubts about you is an unbeliever.” [3]

2- In the form of speeches and sermons: Amongst the numerous specimens are the invaluable sermons of Amir-ul-Mu'minin (a.s.) just as he says in one sermon[4] :

“The Imams are from Quraish; from sub-tribe of Hashim; and except for them nobody is qualified for the post of Imamate.”

Other Imams too have presented their sermons on various topics where some of them can be seen in the form of collective traditions.

3- In the form of debates and discussions with one or more people (in matters of belief, Tafsir etc)

An example of such debates is the case of Imam Sadiq's (a.s.) debate with the atheists. One example: The opponents said: How does Allah become pleased and angry for the happiness and anger of Fatemah (a.s.)? Imam (a.s.) replied: You narrate tradition that says Allah becomes pleased because of His faithful slave's happiness and turns angry because of his anger. Isn't the holy prophet's (s.a.w.a.) daughter a woman of faith? They replied: 'You have spoken the truth![5]

4- In the form of invocation: Its worthy to mention that most of the lofty and sublime sayings of the noble Imams have been presented in the form of invocation and supplication.

Imam Sajjad (a.s.) would place his face on the earth at mid-night and would say:

“O Allah! Thou are Magnificent who does not turn back hopeless the one who calls Thee and Thou are aware of the one who seeks proximity towards Thee and only Thou fulfill their needs.” [6]

Also, he (a.s.) says:

أسألك الروح و الراحة عند الموت والعفو عني حين ألقاك

5- In the form of Ziarat: Our divine leaders have described numerous matters pertaining to belief like monotheism, recognition of Imam etc in the form of Ziarat:

In Ziarate-Amin'allah which has come down about Amir-ul-Mu'minin (a.s.) and is recited for all the Imams, it begins as such:

السلام عليك يا أمين الله في أرضه و حجته علي عباده. السلام عليك يا أمير المومنين

We recite:

“O Allah make my soul firm with respect to Your decree and make me pleased with Your decision and judgement.”

6- In the form of inscription, letters and treatise: Many a times, the holy prophet (s.a.w.a.) and the noble Imams (a.s.) would note down points on belief, ethics, jurisprudence etc in the form of letters and dispatch them to near and far places. For instance, Imam Amir-ul-Mu'minin (a.s.) wrote for his representative about charity:

“Set out on the path of piety of the Unique Allah (Who has no partner). Do not create fear in any Muslim and do not collect charity from him by force and do not ask more than the required right of Allah in wealth….” [7]

7- In the form of question and answers: Question and answers is one of the best and most natural way for understanding and explanation and the holy Qur'an gives prime importance to this matter. On the one hand, Allah addresses the people and says:

“So ask the followers of the Reminder if you do not know” . (Qur'an, 16:43)

On the other hand, in fifteen instances, He reminds the holy prophet (s.a.w.a.) that: “يسألونك ” They ask you and you reply them in such and such manner.

In the noble traditions too, on numerous occasions, the Imams (a.s.) were questioned on matters like belief, ethics and jurisprudence and they replied the people accordingly.

Now, we shall set forth as a good luck, two such specimens of question and answers by Imams (a.s.):

a) Ma'mun asked Imam Reza (a.s.): O Abul-Hasan explain to me how your great grandfather Ali-ibn-Abi Talib is the distributor of paradise and hell? Imam (a.s.) replied: 'O leader of believers. Didn't your father narrate from his fathers from Abdullah-ibn-Abbas who said: I heard the prophet (s.a.w.a.) saying: Love of Ali (a.s.) is belief (faith) and enmity to him is infidelity?”

Ma'mun said: Yes.

Imam (a.s.) said: So he is the distributor of paradise and hell.”[8]

Ma'mun said: O Abul-Hasan, may Allah not make me live after you. I bear witness that you are the heir to the prophet's knowledge.

Aba Sult Herawi says: When Imam Reza (a.s.) returned to his residence I said: O the son of Allah's messenger, how nicely you replied the caliph (Ma'mun)! He said: 'O Ab Sult, I replied him from the same angle and motive he set forth his query. Certainly, I heard my father narrate from his fathers that Amir-ul-Mu'minin (a.s.) said: 'The prophet (s.a.w.a.) informed me: 'O Ali, you are the one distributing heaven and hell on the day of resurrection. You would say to the Fire: He is from me and that one for you.”[9]

b) Abdul-Azeem Hasani said: I asked Hazrat Javad (a.s.): My master, I hope you are that Qaem from the prophet's Ahl'ul-bayt who would fill the earth with equity and justice just as it would be filled with injustice and tyranny. Hazrat (a.s.) replied:“All of us rise (are Qaem) to Allah's commands and guide (the people) towards His religion. But the Qaem through whom Allah will cleanse the earth off infidelity and disbelief and fill it with equity and justice is someone whose birth is hidden and he is concealed from the people and they are forbidden from uttering his name. His name and agnomen is the same as the prophet's (s.a.w.a.) name and agnomen. He is someone for whom the earth will unfold its treasures and every hardship would be managed by him and his companions numbering 313 men equal to the number of people of Badr would gather around him from near and far and these are Allah's words Who says: “And wherever you are, Allah will gather you; verily Allah is Powerful over all things.”

When this number of people would collect with utmost sincerity, Allah will manifest the Qaem's affair. At that moment, his soldiers would number ten thousand and he will rise by Allah's command. He will fight Allah's enemies until the Almighty Allah becomes pleased.”[10]

It's worthy to mention that imparting and explaining matters in the form of question and answer has the following advantages:

It's beneficial to the questioner because the reply is mooted at his level of knowledge and understanding.

Due to face-to-face discussion between addresser and addressee and brief reply, the matter remains in the mind of questioner.

Any extra saying that is not concerned with the questioner is avoided unless he personally requests for such additional information.

This manner enables the seeker of knowledge to learn better the style of questioning and he acquires his reply much quicker.

Usually, in question and answer form, the“matter under consideration is mooted as per time or era” . In some scholarly matters, its roots and contents may be old but the style and form of question varies from time to time. For instance, question and answer acquaints a student about a matter that is appropriate of that time.

Very often, tens of questions of one questioner is solved and replied from various angles in one sitting.

In session of questions and answers, the questioner finds courage of setting forth his question and problem and take steps for finding their solution.

By question and answer, an affectionate relationship is established, particularly if conducted in oral and face-to-face manner. By friendly relation between the teacher and student, both can come to an intellectual agreement in a much better manner. The learner pursues the teacher and reaches perfection.

Respected readers, these and other unrevealed points have forced scholars throughout history to possess detailed writings in reply to questions of the people of their respective time. For instance, the late Shaikh Agha Bozorg Tehrani in Vol 5 of his book“Az-Zariah” has recorded 424 books under the title 'Reply' and 250 books named as“Replies” .[11]

One specimen of such book of the past is the writing of Shaikh Mufid named“Al-Masael al-Okbariyah” which in Vol 6 of his collection of literary works, on page 25 till 135, he has arranged 51 questions and answers on various topics like belief, tafsir, hadith and fiqh. Amongst the recent works, we can name the book“Al-Muraje'at” written by Sayyed Abdul-Husain Sharafuddin Musavi wherein is found questions and answers, discussions and debates in the form of 112 letters on Shia and Sunni sect, Imamate and caliphate exchanged between him and Shaikh Sulaim Bushri, the head of Al-Azhar university of Egypt of that time.

By following the path of Qur'an and Imams as well as past scholars, this writer was instigated to set forth matters in the form of question and answers for the addressees. Thus, I hope the scholars give their guidelines and I hope Imam-e-Zaman (a.t.f.s.) assists me and even though I don't find myself worthy of such work, nevertheless, I only intend to serve and express my gratitude towards my holy master and I hope for forgiveness and generosity.

Sayyed Husain Husaini

Section: 1

Chapter 3: The Imamate and the Will

    1 - أخبرنا أبو العباس أحمد بن محمد بن سعيد بن عقدة الكوفي، قال: حدثنا أبو محمد عبد الله بن أحمد بن مستورد الأشجعي من كتابه في صفر سنة ست وستين ومائتين، قال: حدثنا أبو جعفر محمد بن عبيد الله الحلبي، قال: حدثنا عبد الله بن بكير، عن عمرو بن الاشعث قال: سمعت أبا عبد الله جعفر بن محمد يقول - ونحن عنده في البيت نحواً من عشرين رجلاً - فأقبل علينا وقال :

    لعلَّكُم ترَونَ أن هذا الأمرَ في الإمامة إلى الرجل منّا يضعُه حيثُ يشاءُ؛ واللهِ إنّه لَعَهدٌ مِن الله نزَلَ على رَسولِ الله إلى رِجالٍ مُسَمَّينَ رجلٌ فَرجُلٌ حتىّ تنتهى إلى صاحبِها .

(1) Abul Abbas Ahmad bin Muhammad bin Sa'eed bin Oqda al-Kufi narrated from Abu Muhammad Abdullah bin Ahmad bin Mastoor al-Ashja’iy from Abu Ja'far Muhammad bin Obaydillah al-Halabi from Abdullah bin Bukayr that Amr bin al-Ash’ath had said: We were about twenty persons in the house of Abu Abdullah Ja'far bin Muhammad as-Sadiq (as) when he came to us and said:

“You may think that we determine the matter of the imamate as we like! By Allah, it is a covenant from Allah revealed to His messenger (as) and then to certain men one after the other until it reaches its keeper.”1

    2 - وأخبرني أبو العباس أحمد بن محمد بن سعيد، قال: حدثني أحمد بن يوسف بن يعقوب الجعفي من كتابه، قال: حدثنا إسماعيل بن مهران، قال: حدثنا الحسن بن علي بن أبي حمزة، عن أبيه ووهيب بن حفص جميعاً، عن أبي بصير، عن أبي عبد الله في قول الله :

    إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَأْمُرُكُمْ أَنْ تُؤَدُّوا الْأَمَانَاتِ إِلَىٰ أَهْلِهَا وَإِذَا حَكَمْتُمْ بَيْنَ النَّاسِ أَنْ تَحْكُمُوا بِالْعَدْلِ   إِنَّ اللَّهَ نِعِمَّا يَعِظُكُمْ ب ِهِ   إِنَّ اللَّهَ كَانَ سَمِيعًا بَصِيرًا

    قال :

    هيَ الوَصيَّةُ يدفعُها الرَّجُل منّا إلى الرّجلِ .

(2) Abul Abbas Ahmad bin Muhammad bin Sa'eed narrated from Ahmad bin Yousuf bin Ya’qoob al-Ju’fi from Isma’eel bin Mihran from al-Hasan bin Ali bin Abu Hamza from his father and Wuhayb bin Hafs from Abu Baseer that Abu Abdullah (as) had said when talking about this Qur’anic verse: “Surely Allah commands you to make over trusts to their owners and that when you judge between people you judge with justice; surely Allah admonishes you with what is excellent.”2

“It is the will that each one of us delivers to the other.”3

    3 - وأخبرنا علي بن أحمد البندنيجي، عن عبيد الله بن موسى العلوي قال: حدثنا علي بن الحسن عن اسماعيل بن مهران، عن المفضل بن صالح، عن معاذ بن كثير، عن أبي عبد الله جعفر بن محمد أنه قال :

    الوصِيّةُ نزَلتْ من السماء على رسولِ الله كتاباً مختوماً، ولم ينْزِل على رسولِ الله كتابٌ مختومٌ إلاّ الوصيّة، فقال جبرئيل: يا مُحمَّدُ هذه وصيَّتُك في أمّتِك إلى أهل بَيتِك. فقال رسول الله: أيّ أهلِ بيتي يا جبرئيل؟ فقال: نجيبُ اللهِ منهُم وذُرّيَّتُه ليورثَكَ عِلم النّبوّة قبل إبراهيم .

(3) Ali bin Ahmad al-Bandaneeji narrated from Abu Obaydillah bin Musa al-Alawi from Ali bin al-Hasan from Isma’eel bin Mihran from al-Mufadhdhal bin Salih from Ma’ath bin Katheer that Abu Abdullah Ja'far bin Muhammad (as) had said:

“The will had been revealed from the Heaven to the Prophet (S). It was a sealed book. No other sealed book had been revealed to the Prophet (S) except the will. Gabriel said: O Muhammad, this is your will to your family among your umma.

The Prophet (S) said: “O Gabriel, which of my family?”

Gabriel said: “The one, whom Allah has chosen, and his progeny. He is to inherit you with the knowledge of prophethood before Abraham.”

    وكان عليها خواتيمُ، ففتح عليٌّ الخاتمَ الأوّل ومضى لِما أُمرَ فيه، ثمَّ فتحَ الحسنُ الخاتمَ الثاني ومضى لما أُمر به، ثم فتح الحُسين الخاتمَ الثّالث فوجد فيه أنْ قاتِلْ وأقتُل وتُقتَلُ واخرجْ بقَومٍ للشّهادة؛ لا شهادةَ لهم إلاّ معكَ، ففعَلَ، وثمَّ دفَعَها إلى عليّ بن الحسين ومضى، ففتح عليُّ بن الحسين الخاتمَ الرابعَ فوجد فيه أن أطرِقْ واصمُت لمّا حُجبَ العلمُ، ثمّ دفعها إلى محمّد بن علي ففتح الخاتمَ الخامس فوجد فيه أن فسِّرْ كتابَ اللهِ تعالى وصدِّق أباكَ وورِّث ابنَك العِلمَ واصطَنع الأمَّةَ وقُل الحقَّ في الخوف والأمنِ ولا تخشَ إلاّ اللهَ، ففعل، ثمّ دفعها إلى الذي يليه .

    فقال معاذ بن كثير: فقلت له: وأنت هو؟ فقال :

    ما بكَ في هذا إلا أن تذهبَ، يا معاذُ، فترويه عنيّ. نعم، أنا هوَ …

    حتىّ عدّد على إثني عشرَ اسماً ثم سكت، فقلت: ثم مَن؟ فقال: حسبُك .

The will had seals. Ali (as) opened the first seal and went whereto (to the better world) he had been ordered. Then al-Hasan (as) opened the second seal and went whereto he had been ordered. Then al-Husayn (as) opened the third seal and found in it: “Fight, kill and you are to be killed. Set out with some people towards martyrdom. They will not be martyred except with you.” He gave the will to Ali bin al-Husayn (as) and went. Ali bin al-Husayn (as) opened the fourth seal and found in it: “Ponder long and be silent for knowledge is veiled.” Then he gave it to Muhammad bin Ali (as), who opened the fifth seal and found in it: “Interpret the Book of Allah, confirm your father’s knowledge, bequeath knowledge to your son, humor the umma and announce the truth in fright and safety and do not fear except Allah!” He did and gave the will to the next one.”

Ma’ath said: “Is it you?”

Imam as-Sadiq (as) said: “O Ma’ath, you are not but to go and narrate this from me. Yes, it is me.” He mentioned twelve names and then became silent.

I (Ma’ath) said: “Then who?”

He said: “It is just so!”4

    4 - أخبرنا علي بن أحمد البندنيجى، عن عبيد الله بن موسى، قال: حدثنا محمد بن أحمد القلانسي قال: حدثنا محمد بن الوليد عن يونس بن يعقوب عن أبي عبد الله قال :

    دفع رسول الله إلى علي صحيفة مختومة باثني عشر خاتماً، وقال: فُضَّ الأوّلَ واعمل به وادفعْها إلى الحسن يفُضّ الثاني ويعمل به ويدفعْها إلى الحسين يفضّ الثالث ويعمل بما فيه، ثم إلى واحدٍ واحدٍ من ولد الحسين

(4) Ali bin Ahmad al-Bandaneeji narrated from Obaydillah bin Musa from Muhammad bin Ahmad al-Qalanisi from Muhammad bin al-Waleed from Younus bin Ya’qoob that Abu Abdullah as-Sadiq (as) had said:

“The Prophet (S) had given Ali (as) a book sealed with twelve seals and said to him: “Open the first seal and do according to it and then give it to al-Hasan (as) to open the second and to do according to it. Then al-Hasan (as) is to give it to al-Husayn (as) to open the third and to do according to it and then from one to another of the progeny of al-Husayn (as).”5

    5 - وأخبرنا علي بن أحمد، عن عبيد الله بن موسى، عن علي بن إبراهيم بن هاشم، عن أبيه، عن حماد بن عيسى، عن حريز، عن زرارة، عن أبي جعفر محمد بن علي قال: سألته عن قول الله: إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَأْمُرُكُمْ أَنْ تُؤَدُّوا الْأَمَانَاتِ إِلَىٰ أَهْلِهَا وَإِذَا حَكَمْتُمْ بَيْنَ النَّاسِ أَنْ تَحْكُمُوا بِالْعَدْلِ   إِنَّ اللَّهَ نِعِمَّا يَعِظُكُمْ بِهِ  إِنَّ اللَّهَ كَانَ سَمِيعًا بَصِيرًا قال :

    أمرَ اللهُ الإمامَ منّا أن يُؤدّيَ الإمامةَ إلى الإمام بعده، ليس له أن يزويَها عنه. ألا تسمعُ إلى قوله هم الحُكّام. أولا ترى أنه خاطب بها الحكامَ؟

(5) Ali bin Ahmad narrated from Obaydillah bin Musa from Ali bin Ibraheem bin Hashim from his father from Hammad bin Eessa from Hurayz from Zurara that he had asked Imam Abu Ja'far Muhammad bin Ali al-Baqir (as) about the saying of Allah, “Surely Allah commands you to make over trusts to their owners and that when you judge between people you judge with justice; surely Allah admonishes you with what is excellent,”6 and Abu Ja'far al-Baqir said:

“The order of Allah in this verse concerns the imamate. Each imam of us has to deliver the imamate to the next imam coming after him. He does not have to hide it from him. Do you not hear Allah saying: (and that when you judge between people you judge with justice; surely Allah admonishes you with what is excellent)? It is the rulers. Do you not see that Allah has addressed the rulers with this verse?”7

    6 - وأخبرنا أحمد بن محمد بن سعيد بن عقدة الكوفي قال: حدثني أحمد بن يوسف بن يعقوب، قال: حدثنا إسماعيل بن مهران، قال: حدثنا الحسن بن علي بن أبي حمزة، عن أبيه، عن يعقوب بن شعيب قال: سمعت أبا عبد الله يقول :

    لا واللهِ! لا يدَع الله هذا الأمرَ إلاّ وله مَن يقوم به إلى يوم تقوم الساعةُ .

(6) Ahmad bin Muhammad bin Sa'eed bin Oqda narrated from Ahmad bin Yousuf bin Ya’qoob from Isma'eel bin Mihran from al-Husayn bin Ali bin Abu Hamza from his father that Ya’qoob bin Shu’ayb had said:

“I heard Abu Abdullah as-Sadiq (as) saying: No, by Allah! Allah does not leave this matter8 aside unless He specifies ones, who will undertake it until the Day of Resurrection.”9

    7 - وأخبرنا علي بن أحمد، عن عبيد الله بن موسى العلوي، عن علي بن إبراهيم، عن أحمد بن محمد بن خالد البرقي، عن إسماعيل بن مهران، قال: حدثني المفضل بن صالح أبو جميلة عن أبي عبد الله عبد الرحمن، عن أبي عبد الله قال :

    إنَّ الله جلَّ اسمُه أنزلَ من السماء إلى كلِّ إمامٍ عهدَه وما يَعمل به، وعليه خاتمٌ فيَفُضُّه ويعمل بما فيه .

(7) Ali bin Ahmad narrated from Obaydillah bin Musa al-Alawi from Ali bin Ibraheem from Ahmad bin Muhammad bin Khalid al-Barqi from Isma'eel bin Mihran from al-Mufadhdhal bin Salih Abu Jameela from Abu Abdullah Abdurrahman that Imam Abu Abdullah as-Sadiq (as) had said:

“Allah the Almighty has revealed from the Heaved to every imam his covenant and what he will do. Each imam is to open the seal and to do according to what there is in his covenant.”10

O people of Shia, this shows clearly that whomsoever Allah wishes good to, will make him among those who believe in the infallible imams (as), whom Allah has granted with dignity, made His choice and preferred to all of His people by making them His deputies on the earth. He has made obeying them as obeying Him when saying:

    يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا أَطِيعُوا اللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُوا الرَّسُولَ وَأُولِي الْأَمْرِ مِنْكُمْ   فَإِنْ تَنَازَعْتُمْ فِي شَيْءٍ فَرُدُّوهُ إِلَى اللَّهِ وَالرَّسُولِ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ تُؤْمِنُونَ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ  ذَٰلِكَ خَيْرٌ وَأَحْ سَنُ تَأْوِيلًا

“O you who believe! obey Allah and obey the Messenger and those in authority from among you.”11

And:

    مَنْ يُطِعِ الرَّسُولَ فَقَدْ أَطَاعَ اللَّهَ   وَمَنْ تَوَلَّىٰ فَمَا أَرْسَلْنَاكَ عَلَيْهِمْ حَفِيظًا {80 }

“Whoever obeys the Messenger, he indeed obeys Allah.”12

The Prophet (S) has ordered the people to follow the infallible imams of his progeny, whom Allah has imposed obeying them upon all the people. The Prophet (S) has showed that clearly by saying:

    إنيّ مُخلّفٌ فيكم الثّقَلينِ كتابَ اللهِ وعِترتي أهلَ بيتي: حَبلٌ ممدودٌ بَينَكم وبَين اللهِ. ما إنْ تمَسّكتُم به لَن تضِلّوا .

“I have left among you the two weighty things; the Book of Allah and my family. They are an extended “rope” between you and Allah. If you keep to them, you will never go astray at all.”

Allah has said:

    لَا تَجْعَلُوا دُعَاءَ الرَّسُولِ بَيْنَكُمْ كَدُعَاءِ بَعْضِكُمْ بَعْضًا   قَدْ يَعْلَمُ اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ يَتَسَلَّلُونَ مِنْكُمْ لِوَاذًا  فَلْيَحْذَرِ الَّذِينَ يُخَالِفُونَ عَنْ أَمْرِهِ أَن ْ تُصِيبَهُمْ فِتْنَةٌ أَوْ يُصِيبَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ

“…Therefore let those beware who go against his order lest a trial afflict them or there befall them a painful chastisement.”13

When the Prophet (S) had been opposed, his sayings had been denied, his ordered had been disobeyed and when his progeny had been deprived of their inheritance and rights and had been wronged then the torment of Allah afflicted the oppressors, their followers and whoever was pleased with their deeds. Allah hastened for them the sedition in their religion. They went astray far away from the right path. They separated and became in different sects with confused opinions besides that Allah has prepared for them the bitterest of torment on the Day of Resurrection. Allah said:

    فَأَعْقَبَهُمْ نِفَاقًا فِي قُلُوبِهِمْ إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ يَلْقَوْنَهُ بِمَا أَخْلَفُوا اللَّهَ مَا وَعَدُوهُ وَبِمَا كَانُوا يَكْذِبُونَ

“So He made hypocrisy to follow as a consequence into their hearts till the day when they shall meet Him because they failed to perform towards Allah what they had promised with Him and because they told lies.”14

Allah has made hypocrisy as punishment for ones, who have broken their promise and He has called them as hypocrites. He said:

    إِنَّ الْمُنَافِقِينَ فِي الدَّرْكِ الْأَسْفَلِ مِنَ النَّارِ وَلَنْ تَجِدَ لَهُمْ نَصِيرًا

“Surely the hypocrites are in the lowest stage of the fire and you shall not find a helper for them.”15

If this was the case of one, who broke his promise, that his punishment would lead him to the lowest bottom of Hell so what about those, who declared openly their disobedience to the orders of Allah and His messenger (as) and their oppression towards those, whom Allah had ordered people to obey, to keep to and to be with when He said:

    يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَكُونُوا مَعَ الصَّادِقِينَ

“O you who believe! Be careful of (your duty to) Allah and be with the true ones.”16

It is they who were loyal to their covenant they made with Allah in jihad and in sacrifice for the sake of Him and supporting the Prophet (S) and assisting his mission where Allah said:

    مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ رِجَالٌ صَدَقُوا مَا عَاهَدُوا اللَّهَ عَلَيْهِ   فَمِنْهُمْ مَنْ قَضَىٰ نَحْبَهُ وَمِنْهُمْ مَنْ يَنْتَظِرُ  وَمَا بَدَّلُوا تَبْدِيل ًا

“Of the believers are men who are true to the covenant which they made with Allah: so of them is he who accomplished his vow, and of them is he who yet waits, and they have not changed in the least.”17

What a great difference is between those, who are sincere to Allah, who sacrifice themselves for the sake of Allah and who strive to support the Prophet (S) and his mission and between those, who disobey Allah and His messenger, who wrong the family of the Prophet (S) and whose deeds will lead them to the lowest bottom of Hell!

This is the end of every one deviating from any of the infallible imams, whom Allah has chosen to be the guides for His people. This is the end of every one denying the imamate of any of them, following else than them and claiming that the right is of else than them because the order of the will and the imamate has been determined by Allah the Almighty and not by anyone of His people; therefore he, who disobeys the order of Allah, will definitely be in the abyss of Hell where the oppressors and the hypocrites will be.

Notes

1. Kamal ad-Deen, p.222, Biharul Anwar, vol.23 p.75.

2. Qur'an, 4:58.

3. Biharul Anwar, vol.23 p.278, Tafseer al-Burhan, vol.1 p.380, al-Yateema wed Durra ath-Thameena p.175.

4. Biharul Anwar, vol. 36 p.209, Awalim al-Uloom, vol. 15/3 p.56.

5. Biharul Anwar, vol.36 p.210, Awalim al-Uloom, vol.15/3 p.58.

6. Qur'an, 4:58.

7. Biharul Anwar, vol.23 p.278, Tafseer al-Burhan, vol.1 p.380, al-Yateema and ad-Durra al-Thameena p.176.

8. The imamate.

9. Biharul Anwar, vol.23 p.54.

10. Biharul Anwar, vol.36 p.210, Awalim al-Uloom, vol.15/3 p.58.

11. Qur'an, 4:59.

12. Qur'an, 4:80.

13. Qur'an, 24:63.

14. Qur'an,9:77.

15. Qur'an, 4:145.

16. Qur'an, 9:119.

17. Qur'an, 33:23.

Chapter 3: The Imamate and the Will

    1 - أخبرنا أبو العباس أحمد بن محمد بن سعيد بن عقدة الكوفي، قال: حدثنا أبو محمد عبد الله بن أحمد بن مستورد الأشجعي من كتابه في صفر سنة ست وستين ومائتين، قال: حدثنا أبو جعفر محمد بن عبيد الله الحلبي، قال: حدثنا عبد الله بن بكير، عن عمرو بن الاشعث قال: سمعت أبا عبد الله جعفر بن محمد يقول - ونحن عنده في البيت نحواً من عشرين رجلاً - فأقبل علينا وقال :

    لعلَّكُم ترَونَ أن هذا الأمرَ في الإمامة إلى الرجل منّا يضعُه حيثُ يشاءُ؛ واللهِ إنّه لَعَهدٌ مِن الله نزَلَ على رَسولِ الله إلى رِجالٍ مُسَمَّينَ رجلٌ فَرجُلٌ حتىّ تنتهى إلى صاحبِها .

(1) Abul Abbas Ahmad bin Muhammad bin Sa'eed bin Oqda al-Kufi narrated from Abu Muhammad Abdullah bin Ahmad bin Mastoor al-Ashja’iy from Abu Ja'far Muhammad bin Obaydillah al-Halabi from Abdullah bin Bukayr that Amr bin al-Ash’ath had said: We were about twenty persons in the house of Abu Abdullah Ja'far bin Muhammad as-Sadiq (as) when he came to us and said:

“You may think that we determine the matter of the imamate as we like! By Allah, it is a covenant from Allah revealed to His messenger (as) and then to certain men one after the other until it reaches its keeper.”1

    2 - وأخبرني أبو العباس أحمد بن محمد بن سعيد، قال: حدثني أحمد بن يوسف بن يعقوب الجعفي من كتابه، قال: حدثنا إسماعيل بن مهران، قال: حدثنا الحسن بن علي بن أبي حمزة، عن أبيه ووهيب بن حفص جميعاً، عن أبي بصير، عن أبي عبد الله في قول الله :

    إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَأْمُرُكُمْ أَنْ تُؤَدُّوا الْأَمَانَاتِ إِلَىٰ أَهْلِهَا وَإِذَا حَكَمْتُمْ بَيْنَ النَّاسِ أَنْ تَحْكُمُوا بِالْعَدْلِ   إِنَّ اللَّهَ نِعِمَّا يَعِظُكُمْ ب ِهِ   إِنَّ اللَّهَ كَانَ سَمِيعًا بَصِيرًا

    قال :

    هيَ الوَصيَّةُ يدفعُها الرَّجُل منّا إلى الرّجلِ .

(2) Abul Abbas Ahmad bin Muhammad bin Sa'eed narrated from Ahmad bin Yousuf bin Ya’qoob al-Ju’fi from Isma’eel bin Mihran from al-Hasan bin Ali bin Abu Hamza from his father and Wuhayb bin Hafs from Abu Baseer that Abu Abdullah (as) had said when talking about this Qur’anic verse: “Surely Allah commands you to make over trusts to their owners and that when you judge between people you judge with justice; surely Allah admonishes you with what is excellent.”2

“It is the will that each one of us delivers to the other.”3

    3 - وأخبرنا علي بن أحمد البندنيجي، عن عبيد الله بن موسى العلوي قال: حدثنا علي بن الحسن عن اسماعيل بن مهران، عن المفضل بن صالح، عن معاذ بن كثير، عن أبي عبد الله جعفر بن محمد أنه قال :

    الوصِيّةُ نزَلتْ من السماء على رسولِ الله كتاباً مختوماً، ولم ينْزِل على رسولِ الله كتابٌ مختومٌ إلاّ الوصيّة، فقال جبرئيل: يا مُحمَّدُ هذه وصيَّتُك في أمّتِك إلى أهل بَيتِك. فقال رسول الله: أيّ أهلِ بيتي يا جبرئيل؟ فقال: نجيبُ اللهِ منهُم وذُرّيَّتُه ليورثَكَ عِلم النّبوّة قبل إبراهيم .

(3) Ali bin Ahmad al-Bandaneeji narrated from Abu Obaydillah bin Musa al-Alawi from Ali bin al-Hasan from Isma’eel bin Mihran from al-Mufadhdhal bin Salih from Ma’ath bin Katheer that Abu Abdullah Ja'far bin Muhammad (as) had said:

“The will had been revealed from the Heaven to the Prophet (S). It was a sealed book. No other sealed book had been revealed to the Prophet (S) except the will. Gabriel said: O Muhammad, this is your will to your family among your umma.

The Prophet (S) said: “O Gabriel, which of my family?”

Gabriel said: “The one, whom Allah has chosen, and his progeny. He is to inherit you with the knowledge of prophethood before Abraham.”

    وكان عليها خواتيمُ، ففتح عليٌّ الخاتمَ الأوّل ومضى لِما أُمرَ فيه، ثمَّ فتحَ الحسنُ الخاتمَ الثاني ومضى لما أُمر به، ثم فتح الحُسين الخاتمَ الثّالث فوجد فيه أنْ قاتِلْ وأقتُل وتُقتَلُ واخرجْ بقَومٍ للشّهادة؛ لا شهادةَ لهم إلاّ معكَ، ففعَلَ، وثمَّ دفَعَها إلى عليّ بن الحسين ومضى، ففتح عليُّ بن الحسين الخاتمَ الرابعَ فوجد فيه أن أطرِقْ واصمُت لمّا حُجبَ العلمُ، ثمّ دفعها إلى محمّد بن علي ففتح الخاتمَ الخامس فوجد فيه أن فسِّرْ كتابَ اللهِ تعالى وصدِّق أباكَ وورِّث ابنَك العِلمَ واصطَنع الأمَّةَ وقُل الحقَّ في الخوف والأمنِ ولا تخشَ إلاّ اللهَ، ففعل، ثمّ دفعها إلى الذي يليه .

    فقال معاذ بن كثير: فقلت له: وأنت هو؟ فقال :

    ما بكَ في هذا إلا أن تذهبَ، يا معاذُ، فترويه عنيّ. نعم، أنا هوَ …

    حتىّ عدّد على إثني عشرَ اسماً ثم سكت، فقلت: ثم مَن؟ فقال: حسبُك .

The will had seals. Ali (as) opened the first seal and went whereto (to the better world) he had been ordered. Then al-Hasan (as) opened the second seal and went whereto he had been ordered. Then al-Husayn (as) opened the third seal and found in it: “Fight, kill and you are to be killed. Set out with some people towards martyrdom. They will not be martyred except with you.” He gave the will to Ali bin al-Husayn (as) and went. Ali bin al-Husayn (as) opened the fourth seal and found in it: “Ponder long and be silent for knowledge is veiled.” Then he gave it to Muhammad bin Ali (as), who opened the fifth seal and found in it: “Interpret the Book of Allah, confirm your father’s knowledge, bequeath knowledge to your son, humor the umma and announce the truth in fright and safety and do not fear except Allah!” He did and gave the will to the next one.”

Ma’ath said: “Is it you?”

Imam as-Sadiq (as) said: “O Ma’ath, you are not but to go and narrate this from me. Yes, it is me.” He mentioned twelve names and then became silent.

I (Ma’ath) said: “Then who?”

He said: “It is just so!”4

    4 - أخبرنا علي بن أحمد البندنيجى، عن عبيد الله بن موسى، قال: حدثنا محمد بن أحمد القلانسي قال: حدثنا محمد بن الوليد عن يونس بن يعقوب عن أبي عبد الله قال :

    دفع رسول الله إلى علي صحيفة مختومة باثني عشر خاتماً، وقال: فُضَّ الأوّلَ واعمل به وادفعْها إلى الحسن يفُضّ الثاني ويعمل به ويدفعْها إلى الحسين يفضّ الثالث ويعمل بما فيه، ثم إلى واحدٍ واحدٍ من ولد الحسين

(4) Ali bin Ahmad al-Bandaneeji narrated from Obaydillah bin Musa from Muhammad bin Ahmad al-Qalanisi from Muhammad bin al-Waleed from Younus bin Ya’qoob that Abu Abdullah as-Sadiq (as) had said:

“The Prophet (S) had given Ali (as) a book sealed with twelve seals and said to him: “Open the first seal and do according to it and then give it to al-Hasan (as) to open the second and to do according to it. Then al-Hasan (as) is to give it to al-Husayn (as) to open the third and to do according to it and then from one to another of the progeny of al-Husayn (as).”5

    5 - وأخبرنا علي بن أحمد، عن عبيد الله بن موسى، عن علي بن إبراهيم بن هاشم، عن أبيه، عن حماد بن عيسى، عن حريز، عن زرارة، عن أبي جعفر محمد بن علي قال: سألته عن قول الله: إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَأْمُرُكُمْ أَنْ تُؤَدُّوا الْأَمَانَاتِ إِلَىٰ أَهْلِهَا وَإِذَا حَكَمْتُمْ بَيْنَ النَّاسِ أَنْ تَحْكُمُوا بِالْعَدْلِ   إِنَّ اللَّهَ نِعِمَّا يَعِظُكُمْ بِهِ  إِنَّ اللَّهَ كَانَ سَمِيعًا بَصِيرًا قال :

    أمرَ اللهُ الإمامَ منّا أن يُؤدّيَ الإمامةَ إلى الإمام بعده، ليس له أن يزويَها عنه. ألا تسمعُ إلى قوله هم الحُكّام. أولا ترى أنه خاطب بها الحكامَ؟

(5) Ali bin Ahmad narrated from Obaydillah bin Musa from Ali bin Ibraheem bin Hashim from his father from Hammad bin Eessa from Hurayz from Zurara that he had asked Imam Abu Ja'far Muhammad bin Ali al-Baqir (as) about the saying of Allah, “Surely Allah commands you to make over trusts to their owners and that when you judge between people you judge with justice; surely Allah admonishes you with what is excellent,”6 and Abu Ja'far al-Baqir said:

“The order of Allah in this verse concerns the imamate. Each imam of us has to deliver the imamate to the next imam coming after him. He does not have to hide it from him. Do you not hear Allah saying: (and that when you judge between people you judge with justice; surely Allah admonishes you with what is excellent)? It is the rulers. Do you not see that Allah has addressed the rulers with this verse?”7

    6 - وأخبرنا أحمد بن محمد بن سعيد بن عقدة الكوفي قال: حدثني أحمد بن يوسف بن يعقوب، قال: حدثنا إسماعيل بن مهران، قال: حدثنا الحسن بن علي بن أبي حمزة، عن أبيه، عن يعقوب بن شعيب قال: سمعت أبا عبد الله يقول :

    لا واللهِ! لا يدَع الله هذا الأمرَ إلاّ وله مَن يقوم به إلى يوم تقوم الساعةُ .

(6) Ahmad bin Muhammad bin Sa'eed bin Oqda narrated from Ahmad bin Yousuf bin Ya’qoob from Isma'eel bin Mihran from al-Husayn bin Ali bin Abu Hamza from his father that Ya’qoob bin Shu’ayb had said:

“I heard Abu Abdullah as-Sadiq (as) saying: No, by Allah! Allah does not leave this matter8 aside unless He specifies ones, who will undertake it until the Day of Resurrection.”9

    7 - وأخبرنا علي بن أحمد، عن عبيد الله بن موسى العلوي، عن علي بن إبراهيم، عن أحمد بن محمد بن خالد البرقي، عن إسماعيل بن مهران، قال: حدثني المفضل بن صالح أبو جميلة عن أبي عبد الله عبد الرحمن، عن أبي عبد الله قال :

    إنَّ الله جلَّ اسمُه أنزلَ من السماء إلى كلِّ إمامٍ عهدَه وما يَعمل به، وعليه خاتمٌ فيَفُضُّه ويعمل بما فيه .

(7) Ali bin Ahmad narrated from Obaydillah bin Musa al-Alawi from Ali bin Ibraheem from Ahmad bin Muhammad bin Khalid al-Barqi from Isma'eel bin Mihran from al-Mufadhdhal bin Salih Abu Jameela from Abu Abdullah Abdurrahman that Imam Abu Abdullah as-Sadiq (as) had said:

“Allah the Almighty has revealed from the Heaved to every imam his covenant and what he will do. Each imam is to open the seal and to do according to what there is in his covenant.”10

O people of Shia, this shows clearly that whomsoever Allah wishes good to, will make him among those who believe in the infallible imams (as), whom Allah has granted with dignity, made His choice and preferred to all of His people by making them His deputies on the earth. He has made obeying them as obeying Him when saying:

    يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا أَطِيعُوا اللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُوا الرَّسُولَ وَأُولِي الْأَمْرِ مِنْكُمْ   فَإِنْ تَنَازَعْتُمْ فِي شَيْءٍ فَرُدُّوهُ إِلَى اللَّهِ وَالرَّسُولِ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ تُؤْمِنُونَ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ  ذَٰلِكَ خَيْرٌ وَأَحْ سَنُ تَأْوِيلًا

“O you who believe! obey Allah and obey the Messenger and those in authority from among you.”11

And:

    مَنْ يُطِعِ الرَّسُولَ فَقَدْ أَطَاعَ اللَّهَ   وَمَنْ تَوَلَّىٰ فَمَا أَرْسَلْنَاكَ عَلَيْهِمْ حَفِيظًا {80 }

“Whoever obeys the Messenger, he indeed obeys Allah.”12

The Prophet (S) has ordered the people to follow the infallible imams of his progeny, whom Allah has imposed obeying them upon all the people. The Prophet (S) has showed that clearly by saying:

    إنيّ مُخلّفٌ فيكم الثّقَلينِ كتابَ اللهِ وعِترتي أهلَ بيتي: حَبلٌ ممدودٌ بَينَكم وبَين اللهِ. ما إنْ تمَسّكتُم به لَن تضِلّوا .

“I have left among you the two weighty things; the Book of Allah and my family. They are an extended “rope” between you and Allah. If you keep to them, you will never go astray at all.”

Allah has said:

    لَا تَجْعَلُوا دُعَاءَ الرَّسُولِ بَيْنَكُمْ كَدُعَاءِ بَعْضِكُمْ بَعْضًا   قَدْ يَعْلَمُ اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ يَتَسَلَّلُونَ مِنْكُمْ لِوَاذًا  فَلْيَحْذَرِ الَّذِينَ يُخَالِفُونَ عَنْ أَمْرِهِ أَن ْ تُصِيبَهُمْ فِتْنَةٌ أَوْ يُصِيبَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ

“…Therefore let those beware who go against his order lest a trial afflict them or there befall them a painful chastisement.”13

When the Prophet (S) had been opposed, his sayings had been denied, his ordered had been disobeyed and when his progeny had been deprived of their inheritance and rights and had been wronged then the torment of Allah afflicted the oppressors, their followers and whoever was pleased with their deeds. Allah hastened for them the sedition in their religion. They went astray far away from the right path. They separated and became in different sects with confused opinions besides that Allah has prepared for them the bitterest of torment on the Day of Resurrection. Allah said:

    فَأَعْقَبَهُمْ نِفَاقًا فِي قُلُوبِهِمْ إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ يَلْقَوْنَهُ بِمَا أَخْلَفُوا اللَّهَ مَا وَعَدُوهُ وَبِمَا كَانُوا يَكْذِبُونَ

“So He made hypocrisy to follow as a consequence into their hearts till the day when they shall meet Him because they failed to perform towards Allah what they had promised with Him and because they told lies.”14

Allah has made hypocrisy as punishment for ones, who have broken their promise and He has called them as hypocrites. He said:

    إِنَّ الْمُنَافِقِينَ فِي الدَّرْكِ الْأَسْفَلِ مِنَ النَّارِ وَلَنْ تَجِدَ لَهُمْ نَصِيرًا

“Surely the hypocrites are in the lowest stage of the fire and you shall not find a helper for them.”15

If this was the case of one, who broke his promise, that his punishment would lead him to the lowest bottom of Hell so what about those, who declared openly their disobedience to the orders of Allah and His messenger (as) and their oppression towards those, whom Allah had ordered people to obey, to keep to and to be with when He said:

    يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَكُونُوا مَعَ الصَّادِقِينَ

“O you who believe! Be careful of (your duty to) Allah and be with the true ones.”16

It is they who were loyal to their covenant they made with Allah in jihad and in sacrifice for the sake of Him and supporting the Prophet (S) and assisting his mission where Allah said:

    مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ رِجَالٌ صَدَقُوا مَا عَاهَدُوا اللَّهَ عَلَيْهِ   فَمِنْهُمْ مَنْ قَضَىٰ نَحْبَهُ وَمِنْهُمْ مَنْ يَنْتَظِرُ  وَمَا بَدَّلُوا تَبْدِيل ًا

“Of the believers are men who are true to the covenant which they made with Allah: so of them is he who accomplished his vow, and of them is he who yet waits, and they have not changed in the least.”17

What a great difference is between those, who are sincere to Allah, who sacrifice themselves for the sake of Allah and who strive to support the Prophet (S) and his mission and between those, who disobey Allah and His messenger, who wrong the family of the Prophet (S) and whose deeds will lead them to the lowest bottom of Hell!

This is the end of every one deviating from any of the infallible imams, whom Allah has chosen to be the guides for His people. This is the end of every one denying the imamate of any of them, following else than them and claiming that the right is of else than them because the order of the will and the imamate has been determined by Allah the Almighty and not by anyone of His people; therefore he, who disobeys the order of Allah, will definitely be in the abyss of Hell where the oppressors and the hypocrites will be.

Notes

1. Kamal ad-Deen, p.222, Biharul Anwar, vol.23 p.75.

2. Qur'an, 4:58.

3. Biharul Anwar, vol.23 p.278, Tafseer al-Burhan, vol.1 p.380, al-Yateema wed Durra ath-Thameena p.175.

4. Biharul Anwar, vol. 36 p.209, Awalim al-Uloom, vol. 15/3 p.56.

5. Biharul Anwar, vol.36 p.210, Awalim al-Uloom, vol.15/3 p.58.

6. Qur'an, 4:58.

7. Biharul Anwar, vol.23 p.278, Tafseer al-Burhan, vol.1 p.380, al-Yateema and ad-Durra al-Thameena p.176.

8. The imamate.

9. Biharul Anwar, vol.23 p.54.

10. Biharul Anwar, vol.36 p.210, Awalim al-Uloom, vol.15/3 p.58.

11. Qur'an, 4:59.

12. Qur'an, 4:80.

13. Qur'an, 24:63.

14. Qur'an,9:77.

15. Qur'an, 4:145.

16. Qur'an, 9:119.

17. Qur'an, 33:23.


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