Alhassanain(p) Network for Heritage and Islamic Thought

PART 18

Traditions that explain, Sun, Moon, Stars and the firmament to denote the Holy Imams (a.s.)

Ali Ibne Ibrahim has narrated from Imam Reza (a.s.), that Allah says in Surah Rahman:

الرَّحْمَانُ. عَلَّمَ الْقُرْآنَ.

The Beneficent God. Taught the Quran. 55:1-2

The Imam (a.s.) said that it means Allah has given to Amirul Momineen (a.s.) the knowledge of all the things, which the people usually require.

الشَّمْسُ وَالْقَمَرُ بِحُسْبَانٍ.

The sun and the moon follow a reckoning. 55:5

It denotes the accursed ones who oppose the sun and the moon, know that they suffer the wrath of Allah.

وَالنَّجْمُ وَالشَّجَرُ يَسْجُدَانِ.

And the stars and the trees do adore (Him). 55:6

It means that the stars and the trees worship Allah. Star denotes the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) and may be due to this context the trees are the Ahlul Bayt (a.s.).

وَالسَّمَاءَ رَفَعَهَا وَوَضَعَ الْمِيزَانَ.

And the heaven, He raised it high, and He made the balance. 55:7

The sky refers to the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.), whom Allah had taken up for ascension (Meraj). And the balance is Amirul Momineen, who is the scale of justice, which Allah has created for His creatures.

أَلَّا تَطْغَوْا فِي الْمِيزَانِ.

That you may not be inordinate in respect of the measure. 55:8

That is, do not be disobedient in the matter of the scale, it means, do not disobey the Imam.

وَأَقِيمُوا الْوَزْنَ بِالْقِسْطِ.

And keep up the balance with equity… 55:9

That is, remain steadfast with a just Imam.

وَلَا تُخْسِرُوا الْمِيزَانَ.

…and do not make the measure deficient. 55:9

And do not reduce the rights of Imam and do not do injustice upon him.

Also according to an authentic tradition from Imam Sadiq (a.s.) on the saying of Allah:

رَبُّ الْمَشْرِقَيْنِ وَرَبُّ الْمَغْرِبَيْنِ.

Lord of the two Easts and Lord of the two Wests. 55:17

The ‘two easts’ refer to the Prophet (s.a.w.s.) and Ali (a.s.) as the divine lights emanate from them. And the ‘two wests’ denotes Hasan and Husain (a.s.) as the lights gather in them. In the same way every Imam is ‘speaking one’ whose knowledge is concealed in the silent Imam, who is the succeeding Imam after him.

InTawilul Aayaat there is a tradition from the same Imam on the saying of Allah:

فَلَا أُقْسِمُ بِرَبِّ الْمَشَارِقِ وَالْمَغَارِبِ.

But nay! I swear by the Lord of the Easts and the Wests… 70:40

That the ‘easts’ means the Prophet and ‘wests’ means their vicegerents.

Ali Ibne Ibrahim narrates from the same Imam on these words of Allah:

وَالسَّمَاءِ وَالطَّارِقِ. وَمَا أَدْرَاكَ مَا الطَّارِقُ. النَّجْمُ الثَّاقِبُ.

I swear by the heaven and the comer by night. And what will make you know what the comer by night is? The star of piercing brightness…86:1-3

The Imam said that that here ‘heaven’ denotes Amirul Momineen (a.s.). and ‘comer by the night’ is the Holy Spirit (Ruhul Qudus) who is present with the Holy Imams and who conveys from Allah the sciences which occur during the day and night and protects them from mistakes and errors, and the ‘star of piercing brightness’ refers to the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.).[53]

Ali Ibne Ibrahim narrates a tradition from Imam Sadiq (a.s.) in the commentary on Surah Shams that: ‘Shams’ refers to the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.), through whom the Almighty Allah has explained religion to the people.

وَالْقَمَرِ إِذَا تَلَاهَا.

And the moon when it follows the sun, 91:2

The Imam said that ‘moon’ refers to Amirul Momineen (a.s.) as the light of the moon is from the sun, in the same way the Ali (a.s.) acquired knowledge from the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.).

وَالنَّهَارِ إِذَا جَلَّاهَا.

And the day when it shows it, 91:3

It refers to the Imams from the progeny of Fatima (s.a.) and when they are questioned about the religion of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.), so they illuminate it and explain to the one who is posing the questions.

وَاللَّيْلِ إِذَا يَغْشَاهَا.

And the night when it draws a veil over it, 91:4

The Imam said that it means those unjust Imams who have snatched the Caliphate from Aale Muhammad and sat in the gathering in which the Progeny of the Prophet were better than them and they covered the religion of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) with injustice and cruelty.

وَنَفْسٍ وَمَا سَوَّاهَا.

And the soul and Him Who made it perfect, 91:7

It means by Soul and He that created it and made it properly.

فَأَلْهَمَهَا فُجُورَهَا وَتَقْوَاهَا.

Then He inspired it to understand what is right and wrong for it; 91:8

It means they were made to differentiate between truth and falsehood.

قَدْ أَفْلَحَ مَنْ زَكَّاهَا.

He will indeed be successful who purifies it, 91:9

He achieved success whom Allah has purified.

وَقَدْ خَابَ مَنْ دَسَّاهَا.

And he will indeed fail who corrupts it. 91:10

And he despaired whose soul Allah has covered because of his sins and ignorance.

كَذَّبَتْ ثَمُودُ بِطَغْوَاهَا.

Thamud gave the lie (to the truth) in their inordinacy, 91:11

That is the Thamud tribe disbelieved due to their mischief.

The Imam said: Thamud denotes the group Shias who are against the true faith of the Imamiyah, like the Zaidiya etc. as mentioned at another place…

وَأَمَّا ثَمُودُ فَهَدَيْنَاهُمْ فَاسْتَحَبُّوا الْعَمَى عَلَى الْهُدَى فَأَخَذَتْهُمْ صَاعِقَةُ الْعَذَابِ الْهُونِ بِمَا كَانُوا يَكْسِبُونَ.

And as to Thamud, We showed them the right way, but they chose error (blindness) above guidance, so there overtook them the scourge of an abasing chastisement for what they earned. 41:17

Imam (a.s.) said that Thamud denotes the deviated group of the Shia and ‘the scourge of an abasing chastisement ’ stands for the sword of Imam Qaem (a.s.), when he will reappear.

فَقَالَ لَهُمْ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ نَاقَةَ اللَّهِ.

So Allah’s apostle said to them (Leave alone) Allah’s she-camel, 91:12

Imam (a.s.) said that She-camel denotes the Imam who teaches them the divine sciences.

وَسُقْيَاهَا.

…and (give) her (to) drink.

That is, he has the springs of knowledge and wisdom.

فَكَذَّبُوهُ فَعَقَرُوهَا فَدَمْدَمَ عَلَيْهِمْ رَبُّهُمْ بِذَنْبِهِمْ فَسَوَّاهَا.

But they called him a liar and slaughtered her, therefore their Lord crushed them for their sin and levelled them (with the ground). 91:14

Imam said that this denotes their punishment in the second coming (Raja’t).

وَلَا يَخَافُ عُقْبَاهَا.

And He fears not its consequence. 91:15

It means that the Imam will not be afraid with the happenings of the world in the second coming (Rajat).[54]

InManiul Akhbar , it is related through many reliable chains from Jabir Ibne Abdullah Ansari, Anas Ibne Malik and Abu Ayyub Ansari that: One day the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) prayed the morning prayers with us, after finishing he turned his blessed face towards us and said: O people! Follow the sun. When the sun sets take benefit from the moon and follow it. And when the moon sets follow the Venus star and Venus is not seen, follow the Faraqdan (the two stars). People asked about its explanation, and he said: I am the sun, my brother Ali is my Vicegerent and Vizier, and he would repay my debts and is the father of my sons and he is my successor, he is the moon. And Fatima is Zahra and Hasan and Husain are Faraqdan and said that Allah has made us and we are like the stars in the sky. Whenever a star sets, in his place another star rises. In the same way is my progeny who are with the Quran and the Quran is with them, they will not separate with each other till they meet me on the pond of Kauthar.

Ibne Mahyar has narrated from Ibne Abbas that the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) said: My example among you is that of the Sun and Ali’s is like that of Moon. When the sun sets people take benefits from the moon.

There is a tradition by Haris Aavar from Imam Husain (a.s.) in the explanation of:

وَالشَّمْسِ وَضُحَاهَا.

I swear by the sun and its brilliance, 91:1

He said that ‘sun’ means Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.s.) and ‘moon’ means Amirul Momineen (a.s.) who in perfection is only next to the Prophet. ‘And the day when it shows it,’ refers to the Qaem of Aale Muhammad who will fill the earth with justice. ‘And the night when it draws a veil over it,’ refers to Bani Umayyah.

There is a tradition from Ibne Abbas that the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) said: Allah has sent me with Prophethood, I told Bani Umayyah that I am the Prophet from Allah, for you. They all said: You are a liar (may Allah protect us), you are not the Prophet of Allah. After that I went to Bani Hashim and told them that I am the Messenger of Allah, sent for you. Hearing this Ali Ibne Abi Talib (a.s.) openly and inwardly accepted me and Abu Talib openly helped me and secretly brought faith on me. Then Allah sent Jibraeel. He fixed the standard in Bani Hashim. And the Shaitan fixed the flag in Bani Umayyah and that is why they always remain our enemy and their followers will be always be the enemy of our Shias till the day of Judgement.

‘And the day when it shows it,’ It means that the Imams from us Ahlul Bayt will remain the owner of the earth and fill the world with justice and equity. One who helps them would be like the one who has helped Moosa to fight against Firon. And the one who will help Bani Umayyah will be like the one who has helped Firon against Moosa.

Ali Ibne Ibrahim reports on the saying of the Almighty Allah:

وَالنَّجْمِ إِذَا هَوَى.

I swear by the star when it goes down. 53:1

That the ‘star’ is the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) and that Allah is taking the oath of that time when the Prophet was going for ascension (Meraj).

Kulaini has narrated that Ali Ibne Ibrahim swore by the grave of Muhammad (s.a.w.s.) when he had passed away from this world.

Ibne Babawayh has narrated from Imam Sadiq (a.s.) inAmali that when the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) fell ill, his Ahlul Bayt and his companions gathered near him and said the terminal disease has affected you, who is your successor among us? Hazrat didn’t reply. The other day they again gathered and again asked the same question. So the Prophet said: Tomorrow a star will come down at the house of one of my companions and he would be my Caliph and my successor. On the fourth day all the companions were waiting in at their houses for the star. Suddenly a star separated from the sky and due to that the whole world was illuminated, and came on the lap of Amirul Momineen (a.s.). Seeing this, the hypocrites started saying that this person has gone crazy in the love of his cousin brother (may Allah protect us) whatever he says, he says according to his whims and fancies. At this time the following verse was revealed:

وَالنَّجْمِ إِذَا هَوَى. مَا ضَلَّ صَاحِبُكُمْ وَمَا غَوَى. وَمَا يَنْطِقُ عَنْ الْهَوَى. إِنْ هُوَ إِلَّا وَحْيٌ يُوحَى.

I swear by the star when it goes down. Your companion does not err, nor does he go astray; Nor does he speak out of desire. It is naught but revelation that is revealed… 53:1-4

Ibne Mahyar has narrated that Ibne Kawaa asked about the explanation of the following verse from Amirul Momineen (a.s.):

فَلَا أُقْسِمُ بِالْخُنَّسِ. الْجَوَارِي الْكُنَّسِ. وَاللَّيْلِ إِذَا عَسْعَسَ. وَالصُّبْحِ إِذَا تَنَفَّسَ.

But nay! I swear by the stars (Khannas) that run their course (Javar) (and) hide themselves (Kunnas). And the night when it departs. And the morning when it brightens, 81:15-18

Ali (a.s.) said that ‘Khannas’ is that group who cover the knowledge of the Vicegerent of the Prophet and call the people for the love of others; ‘Javar’ is the angel who come down to the Prophet with knowledge; and ‘Kunnas’ are the Vicegerent of the Prophet who collect together his knowledge. ‘And the night when it departs’ means the darkness of the night. This was the example given by Allah for those persons who wrongfully claim themselves to be the Imam. ‘And the morning when it brightens’. It refers to the knowledge of the vicegerents, whose knowledge is more illuminated and clear than that of the sun.

Many traditions have been recorded in the explanation of ‘Kunnas’ that it denotes that Imam who after being concealed from his people would reappear again like a meteor that shines in the darkness of the night. The Almighty Allah says:

وَعَلَامَاتٍ وَبِالنَّجْمِ هُمْ يَهْتَدُونَ.

And landmarks; and by the stars they find the right way. 16:16

According to commentators Allah says that there are some signs for the people on the earth, like the mountain and other things, with the help of which they come to know the ways and are guided in the night with the help of stars. Or with the help of the Capricorn they come to know the prayer direction.

Kulaini, Ali Ibne Ibrahim, Ayyashi and Shaykh Tusi inMajalis and Ibne Shahr Aashob inManaqib and Shaykh Tabarsi and other traditionists have narrated from Imam Baqir, Imam Sadiq and Imam Reza (a.s.) that the ‘landmarks’ are the infallible Imams (a.s.). They are the signposts that guide in the way of religion and the ‘star’ is the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) and the apparent meaning of many traditions in this that the pronouns ‘they’ and ‘find the right way’ relate to the ‘landmarks’. It means that the Imams receive guidance from the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.).

Ayyashi has narrated from Imam Sadiq (a.s.) that there is an apparent and inward meaning. The apparent meaning is through the Capricorn people in the sea and desert are guided towards the Prayer direction (Qibla) because this stars does not move from its place and it does not hide. The internal meaning of the verse is that the Holy Imams (a s.) are guided by the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.).

According to some traditions ‘Najm’ refers to Imam Ali (a.s.).

It is narrated from Imam Reza (a.s.) that the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) said to Amirul Momineen (a.s.): Ali, you are the star (Najm) of Bani Hashim.

The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) said that Allah has made the stars as a safety for the creatures of the heaven and made my Progeny as a safety for the creatures of the earth.

PART 19

The Purified Imams (a.s.) are the Hablul Mateen (strong rope) and Urwatul Wuthqa (firmest handle)

And there are many Quranic verses on this topic.

First verse:

فَمَنْ يَكْفُرْ بِالطَّاغُوتِ وَيُؤْمِنْ بِاللَّهِ فَقَدْ اسْتَمْسَكَ بِالْعُرْوَةِ الْوُثْقَى لَا انفِصَامَ لَهَا وَاللَّهُ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ.

…whoever disbelieves in the Shaitan and believes in Allah he indeed has laid hold on the firmest handle, which shall not break off, and Allah is Hearing, Knowing. 2:256

We should know that the Shaitans are all (false) deities other than Allah. In many traditions Imam (a.s.) has compared the false deities to the unjust rulers and enemies of religion whether they be Jibt, Tagut or Uzza and also considered the two hypocrites, the first and the second (caliphs) one as the Sanam (idols) of Quraysh. (And it is narrated from Imam Sadiq (a.s.) that in the book of Allah our enemies are called ‘Fahsha’, ‘Munkir’, ‘Avsan’, ‘Jibt’ and ‘Taghut’.

Kulaini has narrated from Imam Sadiq (a.s.) that ‘Urwatul Wuthqa’ refers to the faithful man. And in another tradition he says that ‘Urwatul Wuthqa’ is to bring faith on only one God, Who has no partner.

There is a tradition inMahasin by the same Imam that ‘Urwatul Wuthqa’ means monotheism and Ibne Shahr Aashob has narrated from Imam Baqir (a.s.) that ‘Urwatul Wuthqa’ is the love of we Ahlul Bayt (a.s.) and inUyoon Akhbar Reza there is a tradition from the same Hazrat that the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) said that those who want to board the ship of salvation and get attached to ‘Urwatul Wuthqa’ and ‘Hablul matin’ hold of Allah, should after me befriend Ali and be inimical to his enemies and follow the Imams from his progeny.

Also from the same Hazrat it is narrated that the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) said that those who want to hold ‘Urwatul Wuthqa’, should love Ali and my Ahlul Bayt.

Also there is a tradition that the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) said: Those who follow the Imams from the progeny of Imam Husain (a.s.) then without any doubt they have followed Allah and those who disobey them are those who have disobeyed Allah. They are ‘Urwatul Wuthqa’ and they are Wasilah (medium) for the people to reach Allah.

According to another tradition Imam Reza (a.s.) wrote to Mamoon about Islam, Shariah and religion. It was also written that the earth is never without the Hujjat (proof) of Allah. And they are ‘Urwatul Wuthqa’ and Imams of guidance and proof of Allah on the people.

There is a tradition inTawheed that Amirul Momineen (a.s.) said that I am ‘Hablullah-al-Matin’ and I am ‘Urwatul Wuthqa’.

There is a tradition inKamaluddeen that Imam Reza (a.s.) said: We are the Hujjat (proof) of Allah on the people and we are the ‘words of piety’ and ‘Urwatul Wuthqa’.

InManiul Akhbar there is a tradition from the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) that those who want to get attached to the ‘Urwatul Wuthqa’ which shall never break, should attach themselves to my brother and my vicegerent, Ali Ibne Abi Talib’s Wilayat. Without any doubt he will not be destroyed that befriends him and has belief in his Imamate. And he will not get salvation that regards him as an enemy.

InTawilul Aayaat there is a tradition from Imam Reza (a.s.) that the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) said that those who want to catch hold of the ‘Urwatul Wuthqa’, should be attached to the Wilayat of Ali Ibne Abi Talib.

According to another tradition from Zaid Ibne Ali it is the true and intense love for Aale Muhammad (a.s).

Second verse:

وَاعْتَصِمُوا بِحَبْلِ اللَّهِ جَمِيعًا وَلَا تَفَرَّقُوا.

And hold fast by the covenant (rope) of Allah (Hablillah) all together and be not disunited… 3:103

Third verse:

ضُرِبَتْ عَلَيْهِمْ الذِّلَّةُ أَيْنَ مَا ثُقِفُوا إِلَّا بِحَبْلٍ مِنْ اللَّهِ.

Abasement is made to cleave to them wherever they are found, except under a covenant with Allah… 3:112

Many of the traditionists have said that it means those who remain steadfast on the promise of Allah are protected.

There is a tradition from Ayyashi that Imam Moosa Kazim (a.s.) said regarding the verse:

And hold fast by the covenant (rope) of Allah all together and be not disunited… 3:103

That Ali Ibne Abi Talib is ‘hablulallah matin’. It means the tight rope of Allah.

Another tradition from Imam Baqir (a.s.) says that the progeny of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) is the rope of Allah, for whom Allah has commanded in this verse.

Also there is a tradition from Imam Sadiq (a.s.) that he said: We are the rope of Allah.

Ali Ibne Ibrahim has narrated that ‘Hablullah’ means the Oneness (Tawheed) of Allah and the Mastership (Wilayat) of Ahlul Bayt (a.s.).

Also there is a saying of Imam Baqir (a.s.) on the verse:

and be not disunited… 3:103

The Imam said that Allah was knowing that this nation would be separated from its Prophet and they will have difference with him. That is why he stopped them from the difference as the nation which was before them was prohibited. Therefore they were commanded that they should remain united on the Wilayat of Muhammad and his Progeny and should not disunite.

Ayyashi has narrated from Imam Sadiq (a.s.) that the ‘Habl of Allah’ is the book of Allah and ‘Habl-e-Naas’ is Ali Ibne Abi Talib (a.s.).

InMajalis of Shaykh Tusi andManaqib of Ibne Shahr Aashob it is narrated from Imam Sadiq (a.s.) that: We are ‘Hablullah’ - the rope of Allah.

PART 20

Wisdom and ‘those endowed with understanding’ refers to the Holy Imams (a.s.)

Ali Ibne Ibrahim has narrated from Imam Sadiq (a.s.) on the explanation of:

وَمَنْ يُؤْتَ الْحِكْمَةَ فَقَدْ أُوتِيَ خَيْرًا كَثِيرًا.

…and whoever is granted wisdom, he indeed is given a great good… 2:269

It means that We have give wisdom to Luqman. The Imam said that wisdom means to recognize the Imam of the time.

InMahasin of Barqi,Kafi andTafsir of Ayyashi it is narrated from Imam Sadiq (a.s.) on the explanation of this verse:

…and whoever is granted wisdom, he indeed is given a great good… 2:269

That the Imam said that wisdom means worship of Allah and the recognition of the Imam.

Ayyashi has narrated from Imam Baqir (a.s.) that wisdom means the awareness about the roots of religion and those who are learned in jurisprudence and religious matters.

InBasairud Darajat, Tafsir of Ibne Mahyar andManaqib of Ibne Shahr Aashob there is a tradition from Imam Sadiq (a.s.) when asked about the explanation of:

إِنَّ فِي ذَلِكَ لَآيَاتٍ لِأُوْلِي النُّهَى.

…most surely there are signs in this for those endowed with understanding. 20:54

The Imam said that Allah had given all the news and information to the Prophet regarding the future events that were to occur after his death. The acquisition of Caliphate by Abu Bakr and after him Umar and then Uthman and all the Caliphate of Bani Umayyah. The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) conveyed all this to Ali (a.s.) and all those things happened exactly as was said. And all the information reached us through Ali (a.s.), about whatever was going to happen through the Caliphs of Bani Umayyah. So this is the meaning of the verse about which Allah has mentioned:

…most surely there are signs in this for those endowed with understanding. 20:54

It means that we are ‘those endowed with understanding.’ because knowledge of all of them reached us and we have obeyed Allah, had patience and submitted to whatever He has destined. So we are the creatures of Allah, we follow and remain firm on His commands and we are the trustees of His religion, and the protector of His religion and knowledge and we keep it concealed from our enemies, in the same way as Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) had concealed, till Allah made him to migrate from Mecca to Medina and gave him the permission to wage war against the polytheists to conclude the religion, till Allah gives us the permission. Then we will propagate with the sword of religion and call the people towards Him. This time we will fight the last time with sword in the same way as the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) fought with the sword after making them aware about Allah at the onset.

Part 21

‘Companions of a Known place’ and ‘Carriers of the Heavens’ denote the Holy Imams (a.s.)

Allah says in the praise of angels:

وَمَا مِنَّا إِلَّا لَهُ مَقَامٌ مَعْلُومٌ. وَإِنَّا لَنَحْنُ الصَّافُّونَ. وَإِنَّا لَنَحْنُ الْمُسَبِّحُونَ.

And there is none of us but has an assigned place. And most surely we are they who draw themselves out in ranks(‘Saaffoon’). And we are most surely they who declare the glory (of Allah). ‘Musabbehoon’ 37:164-166

The commentators have said that angels say: There is none among whose place of worship is not fixed. Indeed we are from those who glorify.

Ali Ibne Ibrahim, Ibne Shahr Aashob and Furat have narrated from Imam Sadiq (a.s.) about the verse:

And there is none of us but has an assigned place… 37:164

That it refers to the Imams and legatees from the Aale Muhammad (a.s.).

Also in theTafsir of Ali Ibne Ibrahim from other authentic traditions quote the same Imam that he said: We are the tree of Prophet, the mines of prophethood and the place where angels come and go and we are the promise of Allah, it means that we are the promise that Allah has taken from people and we are the Love of Allah, it means our love is the love of Allah. We were some ‘Noor’ (light) and were in the row surrounded by the throne of Allah. The creatures of the sky adored Allah because of us, till we were sent to the earth, so we mentioned the holiness of Allah, so the creatures of the earth learnt adoration from us. We are ‘Saaffoon’ and ‘Musabbehoon’, as Allah has said. Then those who fulfil our oath, without any doubt he has fulfilled the promise of Allah, and whoever breaks the promise with us, he has surely broken his promise with Allah.

Ibne Mahyar has narrated from Amirul Momineen (a.s.) that he said in some of his sermons: We are Aale Muhammad (s.a.). We were some ‘Noor’ (lights) around the throne. Allah gave us the order to glorify (Tasbeeh) Him. We glorified Him. And the angels glorified by imitating us. Then Allah sent us on the earth and commanded us for to glorify Him and we did it, so the creatures of the earth also recited glorifications like us. That is why we are ‘Saaffoon’ and we are ‘Musabbehoon’.

Also, there is a tradition from Ibne Abbas when he was asked the explanation of the above verse. He said that we were present in the company of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.), that Amirul Momineen (a.s.) arrived. When the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) saw the face of the Hazrat, he smiled and said: What to say about the one whom Allah created 40,000 years before Adam. Ibne Abbas says that I asked the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.): Was the son before the father? He replied: Yes, Allah created me and Ali before all the Prophets. After that He created all the things, and all the things were created from me and Ali. Then Allah gave us the place near His throne. Then He created the angels. We glorified Allah. When we recited the ‘Takbir’ (Allahu Akbar) the angels also did Takbir and all this was due to my and Ali’s training. And it is from the very beginning in the knowledge of Allah that the friend of mine and Ali will not go to Hell and our enemy will not enter the Paradise. Indeed Allah has made some angels in whose hands there is a silver vessel containing the nectar of Paradise. From the Shias of Ali, there is no Shia but that his father and mother are pure, pious, chosen ones and believing in Allah. When anyone of them intends to establish sexual relations with his wife, an angel from them who has the water of Paradise in his hands, makes him drink a drop of water due to which faith grows in him like vegetation. That is why they from the side of Allah, from the side of his Prophet, from the side of his Vicegerent, from the side of my daughter Fatima Zahra, from her sons Hasan and Husain, from their children who are the Imams will be on truth and right. I asked: O Messenger of Allah! Who are those Imams (a.s.)? He said: They are eleven persons from the progeny of Ali through Husain (a.s.). Then the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) said: I praise that Allah, who has made the love of Ali the condition to enter Paradise and also for salvation from Hell.

Ali Ibne Ibrahim has narrated that Abu Baseer asked Imam Sadiq (a.s.) that who are more in number, angels or human beings?

The Imam said: By Allah in whose hands is my life, the angels in the heaven are much more than the particles of the earth and in the skies there is no space equal to a feet where there is not an angel who glorifies and magnifies Allah. And there is no tree nor any pebbles on the earth, but that there is an angel on it which everyday informs Allah about its deeds and conditions, although Allah is more aware about the angels and there is no angel but that everyday he goes to the proximity of Allah with our Wilayat and the love of Ahlul Bayt (a.s.) and asks forgiveness for our friends and curses our enemies and all the angels ask Allah to send chastisement upon them as is the right.

After that in the explanation of the verse:

الَّذِينَ يَحْمِلُونَ الْعَرْشَ.

Those who bear the power (arsh)… 40:7

Imam said that he is the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) and after him his Vicegerent who are the bearers of knowledge of Allah and ‘Arsh’ means knowledge.

وَمَنْ حَوْلَهُ.

…and those around Him… 40:7

The Imam said that it is the angels on all the four sides of ‘Arsh’.

يُسَبِّحُونَ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّهِمْ وَيُؤْمِنُونَ بِهِ وَيَسْتَغْفِرُونَ لِلَّذِينَ آمَنُوا.

…celebrate the praise of their Lord and believe in Him and ask protection for those who believe… 40:7

The Imam said that they are the believers and Shias of Aale Muhammad.

رَبَّنَا وَسِعْتَ كُلَّ شَيْءٍ رَحْمَةً وَعِلْمًا.

Our Lord! Thou embracest all things in mercy and knowledge… 40:7

It means Your mercy reaches everyone and everything and Your knowledge surrounds everything.

فَاغْفِرْ لِلَّذِينَ تَابُوا.

…therefore grant protection to those who turn (to Thee) 40:7

It means forgive the community which has turned its face from the Wilayat and Love of Bani Umayyah and the Unjust Caliphs.

وَاتَّبَعُوا سَبِيلَكَ.

…and follow Thy way… 40:7

The Imam said that the path of Allah means the Wilayat and Imamate of Ali Ibne Abi Talib (a.s.).

وَقِهِمْ عَذَابَ الْجَحِيمِ. رَبَّنَا وَأَدْخِلْهُمْ جَنَّاتِ عَدْنٍ الَّتِي وَعَدْتَهُم وَمَنْ صَلَحَ مِنْ آبَائِهِمْ وَأَزْوَاجِهِمْ وَذُرِّيَّاتِهِمْ إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُ.

And save them from the punishment of the hell: Our Lord! and make them enter the gardens of perpetuity which Thou hast promised to them and those who do good of their fathers and their wives and their offspring, surely Thou are the Mighty, the Wise. 40:7-8

The Imam said that good people means those who have the love of Ali Ibne Abi Talib (a.s.).

وَقِهِمْ السَّيِّئَاتِ وَمَنْ تَقِ السَّيِّئَاتِ يَوْمَئِذٍ فَقَدْ رَحِمْتَهُ وَذَلِكَ هُوَ الْفَوْزُ الْعَظِيمُ.

And keep them from evil deeds, and whom Thou keepest from evil deeds this day, indeed Thou hast mercy on him, and that is the mighty achievement. 40:9

Imam says that success is for one who saves himself from the love of unjust caliphs. Then Allah says:

إِنَّ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا يُنَادَوْنَ لَمَقْتُ اللَّهِ أَكْبَرُ مِنْ مَقْتِكُمْ أَنْفُسَكُمْ إِذْ تُدْعَوْنَ إِلَى الْإِيمَانِ فَتَكْفُرُونَ.

Surely those who disbelieve shall be cried out to: Certainly Allah’s hatred (of you) when you were called upon to the faith and you rejected… 40:10

It means you were called towards the Wilayat of Ali Ibne Abi Talib (a.s.).

Also Ibne Mahyar narrated from Imam Baqir (a.s.) that ‘for those who believe’ refers to the Shias of Muhammad and his progeny and ‘those who turn to Thee’ are those people who have repented from the Love of Unjust Caliphs of Bani Umayyah. ‘Those who disbelieve’ means Bani Umayyah and ‘faith’ refers to the Wilayat of Ali (a.s.).

Kulaini has narrated from Imam Sadiq (a.s.) that there are some angels of Allah who clear the sins from the loins of the Shias as the wind sheds leaves from the tree in autumn. This verse points towards this:

…celebrate the praise of their Lord and believe in Him and ask protection for those who believe: 40:7

Imam (a.s.) said: By Allah! Allah has meant this only for you and no one else.

Ibne Mahyar inUyoon Akhbar has narrated that ‘those who believe’ are those who brought faith on the Wilayat of Amirul Momineen (a.s.). Hazrat said that angels are our and our Shias’ servants.

Ibne Mahyar has narrated from Imam Sadiq (a.s.) that ‘those who bear the power (Arsh)’ means these eight persons: 1. Muhammad 2. Ali 3. Hasan 4. Husain 5. Ibrahim 6. Ismail 7. Moosa and 8. Isa (may peace be upon them).

Ibne Babawayh has said inAqaid that the throne (Arsh) will be borne by eight people, four from the earlier nations and four from the later ones. The earlier four are Nuh, Ibrahim, Moosa and Isa (a.s.) and four later ones are Muhammad (s.a.w.s.), Ali, Hasan and Husain (may peace be upon them all). And it is conveyed to us from our Imam (a.s.) and reached us in this way only.

Ibne Mahyar has narrated from Amirul Momineen (a.s.) that he said that the fact of my superiority was revealed from the heavens to the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.).

…and ask protection for those who believe…

This verse was also revealed at a time when there was no believer except me and the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) in the world.

It is narrated from Imam Baqir (a.s.) that Ali (a.s.) said that the angels continued to invoke blessings (Salawat) on me and the Prophet for seven years and some months and in our praise the following verses were revealed:

الَّذِينَ يَحْمِلُونَ الْعَرْشَ وَمَنْ حَوْلَهُ يُسَبِّحُونَ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّهِمْ وَيُؤْمِنُونَ بِهِ وَيَسْتَغْفِرُونَ لِلَّذِينَ آمَنُوا رَبَّنَا وَسِعْتَ كُلَّ شَيْءٍ رَحْمَةً وَعِلْمًا فَاغْفِرْ لِلَّذِينَ تَابُوا وَاتَّبَعُوا سَبِيلَكَ وَقِهِمْ عَذَابَ الْجَحِيمِ. رَبَّنَا وَأَدْخِلْهُمْ جَنَّاتِ عَدْنٍ الَّتِي وَعَدْتَهُم وَمَنْ صَلَحَ مِنْ آبَائِهِمْ وَأَزْوَاجِهِمْ وَذُرِّيَّاتِهِمْ إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُ.

Those who bear the power and those around Him celebrate the praise of their Lord and believe in Him and ask protection for those who believe: Our Lord! Thou embracest all things in mercy and knowledge, therefore grant protection to those who turn (to Thee) and follow Thy way, and save them from the punishment of the hell: Our Lord! and make them enter the gardens of perpetuity which Thou hast promised to them and those who do good of their fathers and their wives and their offspring, surely Thou are the Mighty, the Wise. 40:7-8

According to another tradition from the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.): Without any doubt, Allah and the angels were sending Salawat on me and Ali for many years, because we used to pray and before us no one prayed.

It is related from many other chains from Imam Sadiq (a.s.) that he said: By Allah! The seeking of forgiveness of the angels is for you, Shias and not for all the creatures.

The Almighty Allah says regarding the greatness of the Quran:

كَلَّا إِنَّهَا تَذْكِرَةٌ. فَمَنْ شَاءَ ذَكَرَهُ. فِي صُحُفٍ مُكَرَّمَةٍ. مَرْفُوعَةٍ مُطَهَّرَةٍ. بِأَيْدِي سَفَرَةٍ. كِرَامٍ بَرَرَةٍ.

Nay! surely it is an admonishment. So let him who pleases mind it. In honored books, Exalted, purified, In the hands of scribes (Safarah) Noble, virtuous. 80:11-16

In the authentic traditions it is mentioned that ‘Sufra’ means the Holy Imams (a.s.).

إِنَّ الَّذِينَ عِنْدَ رَبِّكَ لَا يَسْتَكْبِرُونَ عَنْ عِبَادَتِهِ وَيُسَبِّحُونَهُ وَلَهُ يَسْجُدُونَ.

Surely those who are with your Lord are not too proud to serve Him, and they declare His glory and throw themselves down in humility before Him. 7:206

It is famous amongst the commentators that they are the angels. But it has come in traditions that it refers to the Prophet and Imams (a.s.). Also the Almighty Allah has said:

وَقَالُوا اتَّخَذَ اللَّهُ وَلَدًا سُبْحَانَهُ.

And they say: Allah has taken to himself a son. Glory be to Him… 2:116

He doesn’t have any son. But some people are honoured near Allah.

بَلْ لَهُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ كُلٌّ لَهُ قَانِتُونَ.

…rather, whatever is in the heavens and the earth is His; all are obedient to Him. 2:116

لَا يَسْبِقُونَهُ بِالْقَوْلِ وَهُمْ بِأَمْرِهِ يَعْمَلُونَ.

They do not precede Him in speech and (only) according to His commandment do they act. 21:27

يَعْلَمُ مَا بَيْنَ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَمَا خَلْفَهُمْ وَلَا يَشْفَعُونَ إِلَّا لِمَنْ ارْتَضَى وَهُمْ مِنْ خَشْيَتِهِ مُشْفِقُونَ.

He knows what is before them and what is behind them, and they do not intercede except for him whom He approves and for fear of Him they tremble. 21:28

Ibne Mahyar and others have narrated from Imam Baqir (a.s.) that when the Hazrat recited these verses he pointed towards his chest. It means that these verses were revealed in the praise of us, Ahlul Bayt (a.s.).[55]