Fatima (S.A.): The Gracious

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Publisher: Ansariyan Publications – Qum
Category: Fatima al-Zahra

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Fatima (S.A.): The Gracious

Fatima (S.A.): The Gracious

Author:
Publisher: Ansariyan Publications – Qum
English

Fatima The Gracious

Biography of Lady Fatima (a), the daughter of the Prophet (s), her titles, family life, the birth of her children, verses of the Qur'an revealed in her favour, the event of the cloak, love of the Prophet (s) towards her, her dispute with Abu Bakr after his (s) demise, her knowledge and piety, and her death and its circumstances.

Author(s): Abu Muhammad Ordoni

Publisher(s): Ansariyan Publications – Qum

Table of Contents

Preface 4

Introduction. 6

Notes 14

Chapter 1: The Law of Inheritance 15

Notes 16

Chapter 2: The Prophet's Marriage 17

Chapter 3: On the Way to a Blessed Life 18

Note 19

Chapter 4: Transcendental Events 20

Notes 24

Chapter 5: Fatima az-Zahra's Birth. 25

Note 27

Chapter 6: Naming Fatima az-Zahra (sa) 28

Chapter 7: Fatima az-Zahra (sa) 29

Notes 33

Chapter 8: Al-Siddiqah. 34

Chapter 9: Al-Mubarakah. 36

Note 42

Chapter 10: At-Taherah. 43

Note 47

Chapter 11: The Event of Cloak. 48

Chapter 12: Az-Zakiyyah. 51

Chapter 13: Ar-Radhiah. 52

Chapter 14: Al-Mardhiyah. 53

Chapter 15: Al-Muhaddathah. 54

Notes 56

Chapter 16: Az-Zahra. 57

Chapter 17: Al-Batoul 58

Chapter 18: Al-Adhra. 61

Notes 73

Fatima’s (sa) Dowry. 74

Preparations for The Wedding. 75

The Year of Fatima's Marriage 79

Fatima's House 82

Fatima 's (as) Marital Life 84

Historical Distortions Regarding ‘Ali's (as) Right 85

Imam Hasan (as) is Born. 87

The Birth of Imam Husayn (as) 88

The Birth of Lady Zainab (as) 89

Note 90

Lady Umm Kulthum. 91

Fatima az-Zahra (sa) in the Verse of Relationship  92

Fatima az-Zahra (sa) in the Verse of Mubahala  94

Fatima az-Zahra (sa) in Surah Al-Insan (76) 96

Spending in The Path of Allah. 98

Fatima’s (sa) Glorification of Allah (SwT) 103

The Prophet's (as) Love for Fatima az-Zahra (sa) 105

Fatima’s (sa) Knowledge 109

Islamic Dress, a Social Necessity. 112

Allah's Messenger (as) Reveals Fatima’s (sa) Future 114

The Prophet Muhammed’s (as) Death  117

After The Prophet's (as) Death. 120

Following ‘Ali (as) to The Mosque 123

Abu Bakr Versus Fatima az-Zahra (sa) 126

Note 138

The House of Grief 139

Lady Fatima Zahra (sa) on The Last Day  152

Traditions Regarding Intercession. 161

Brief Bibliography. 166

Preface

In the name of Allah, The Beneficent, The Merciful.

All praise is for Allah, who created mankind, and made for them an example to follow throughout their fierce battle with evil.

Prophet Muhammad (S) was the last apostle sent by Allah to communicate to mankind Allah’s Divine code (i.e. Islam). Because this code was a comprehensive one, it also dealt with the needs of women throughout history, and assigned a perfect example for them to prove beyond doubt that what Islam preaches is practical, and if properly followed, leads to everlasting felicity. This example set by Islam to women was manifested in the person of Lady Fatima az-Zahra (sa), daughter of Allah's Messenger.

Yet, the English Library lacks a comprehensive book in regard to her life; so I was asked to take upon myself the duty of translating the work of a profound Shiite speaker - Muhammad Kazim Qazwini- entitled “Fatima az-Zahra Min Al-Mahde Ila al-Lahd”, into English.

As I was translating, I found the book to be in the form of speeches regarding the successive events of Fatima's life; therefore I decided to depend mainly on the said book for recording Fatima's biography until the time of the Prophet's death. Because of the extremely sensitive period which followed the prophet’s death, and the everlasting effects which the events thereafter left upon the Islamic ideology and the structure of various Muslim sects, and issues, I deemed it necessary to study various historical books, especially those which dealt with Lady Fatima Zahra's life, to come up with the most accurate information regarding the prime of the period after the Prophet's death.

Moreover, various sermons, which were delivered during those events, were intentionally included in the book-special “Fatima's speeches”, to allow researchers to study the presented historical events independently.

The main books on which I depended in bringing about the book at hand were:

1. Fatima Zahra Min al-Mahde Ila al Lahd, written in Arabic, by Muhammad Kazim Qazwini: pp.680

2. Fatima Zahra (sa) Banou-ya Namoune-ye Islam, written in Persian, by Ibrahim Amini: pp. 246

3. Fatima Zahra (sa) Umm Abiha, written in Arabic, by Fadhl Husayni Milani: pp. 203

4. Fadak Fi al-Tarikh, written in Arabic, by Ayatullah Sayyid Muhammad Baqir Sadr: pp. 152

5. The Message, written in English, written in Persian, by Allama Ja'far Subhani: pp. 781

6. The Early History of Islam, written in English, by Sayyid Safdar Husayn: pp.358

7. Al-Mizan, English translation, written by Allama Syed Muhammad Husayn Tabatabai: v. 1

8. Nahjul Balagha, composed by Sheikh Razi on Imam ‘Ali ibn Abu Talib (as).

In conclusion, it is most accurate to state that this book will be very useful not only to inquisitive readers, but also to researchers and history students.

I am grateful to Br. Muhammad Taqi Ansariyan for giving me the opportunity to serve the cause of this Great Lady of all times.

I beseech Allah to bless us all with his abundant mercy, which overwhelms every living thing, and to guide all truth seekers to Allah’s right path. May His peace, blessings, and grace be upon Muhammad, and his righteous progeny.

Abu - Muhammad Ordoni (Jordanian)

Qum, Zulhijja 20, 1407 A.H. August 16, 1987

Introduction

In The Name of Allah, The Beneficent, The Merciful.

Lady Fatima az-Zahra is a female created by Allah to be a sign of His magnanimity, and incomprehensible might. For example, the Almighty Lord created Muhammad (S) as a sign of His might among prophets, and created from Prophet Muhammad (S) a daughter, Fatima az-Zahra (sa), to be a sign of Allah’s ability to create a female possessing all moral excellence, and talents. In fact, Allah Almighty bestowed Fatima with a vast share of loftiness, and a high calibre of grandeur, which no other woman can possibly proclaim to have attained. She is one of the prominent people close to Allah, whose greatness was acknowledged by Heaven before the creation of mankind; and in whose regard verses from the Holy Qur’an, that are, and will be, read day and night until the Day of Resurrection arrives.

Lady Fatima az-Zahra’s greatness of her personality will become more apparent, and the philosophy and characteristics of her actions shall be acknowledged as the mankind advances in the understanding, and realization of facts and secrets. She is whom Allah praises, and is "satisfied with her satisfaction, and is angered when she is angered." And, the Messenger of Allah (S) commends her nobility, and meritorious personality, while Imam ‘Ali (as) looked to her with respect and admiration, and the holy Imams of Ahlul Bayt sanctify, and venerate her.

I believe this book will be greatly beneficial, and useful. It is rich with informative material, has a captivating style of description, and is a comfort to the soul. The reader may appreciate all this as he reads on.

In addition, Fatima az-Zahra's life speaks of many events from which many morals and admonitions can be learned, and through which one can acquaint oneself with the true believers' lifestyle, and the perspective(s) the believer holds. Also, a period of Islamic history that was connected to Fatima's life can be reflected upon; this is despite her short life span and the fact that she was out of public view, humbled to the confines of her house where only her nearest kin knew of her prevalent activities.

In spite of the fact that she was abused, and neglected in the history, Fatima's genius is considered an example of a Muslim woman's adherence to noble traits. Fatima (sa) is a perfect example of how a daughter, wife, and mother should act while keeping their decency and pure character; she also showed us the Muslim women's role in the social field within the limits of religion, and virtue.

Her life conforms to Islam and proves that Islam does not deprive women of acquiring scientific, cultural, and literary knowledge; granting that they safeguard themselves modestly from recklessness, indulgence, and such actions, which would bring sorrow upon them and destroy their identities.

I believe that it is impossible that any another system can exist in the world, which guards women and protects their honour, and identities more than Islam. It is clear that the women's associations and foundations which are scattered through various Islamic countries are not only fruitless, but also have drastically brought misery to the lives of women. I have read in a newspaper that a woman's association somewhere is calling on its government to legislate a law that forbids polygamy!!

This association which apparently considers polygamy oppressive to women, and an encroachment on their lives, seeks to stop men from marrying more than one woman, which is clearly ignorant, and ignores the fact that such a law would open the gates to corruption, and misery, depriving many women of marital happiness, and motherly love.

Suppose that a woman had to choose between marrying an already married man, or, staying at home alone until her hair begins to turn gray. Had this woman been obliged to choose the second option, then it would be inevitable that she would fall victim to one of the following predicaments:

First: She would either have to spend her life, including the prime of her youth, under suppression, tension, and deprivation of the joys of life.

Second: She would indulge in corruption, such as participating in late night parties, and drinking, to become a cheap product for the fulfillment of men's lust. Consequently, she would wake up to find herself with a ruined personality, a defamed name, a tarnished reputation, and deprived of honour and chastity. She would be the subject of men's lusts, and desires as long as she stays young, and attractive; but when she loses her charm and beauty, she will be rejected by everyone, and forsaken by all men.

Therefore, what is better for a woman? Having to choose between living a single life, deprived of marriage, and falling victim to one of the above mentioned predicaments; or to marry an already married man and enjoy the happiness of a marital life under the reign of Islamic justice, while keeping her honour, and chastity, thus living with an untarnished name and reputation, and establishing a family with children and participating in building a virtuous society!!

There is no third to the above-mentioned choices. The population of women in the world exceeds that of men, so if every man were to limit himself to one wife, then millions of women would remain unmarried; keeping in mind the fact that some men cannot, for many reasons, limit themselves to one wife. As such, some women cannot live in harmony with their husbands, due to their different experiences, and motives in life. Also, women are subject to sterility, sickness, trouble, and a lot more, which would need special effort to speak of and would divert us from our main topic.

Returning to our subject, Fatima Zahra (sa), I say: be informed that despite the greatness, honor and moral excellence which Fatima enjoyed, still she has been the target of harsh statements made by some evil Muslim, and non-Muslim writers.

This becomes apparent when one refers to hadith books and studies, which besides the many excellent characteristics mentioned in her regard, a group of forged stories have been fabricated, and added to these books by agents of past oppressive regimes.

Those agents who spread poisonous flowers of speech and false hadith, which were revealed to them by their evil masters, have actually sold their souls to some creatures, and achieved nothing save the wrath of Allah.

They used their pens of enmity, and daggers of hypocrisy in obedience to those who bought from them their faith and dead conscience, all the while heedless of the Prophet's calibre, and contradicting the narrations recorded in their own books and publications, which praise Fatima Zahra (sa).

It seems as if they are pleased to encroach upon Fatima's honor in response to the call of their evil consciousnesses; while it is clear that they realize she is the Prophet's daughter and the most beloved, and a dear person to him. It is as if they fear to announce their wish to disgrace the great Messenger of Allah directly; so they choose the crooked method of slandering his daughter in order to fulfill their evil motives.

Despite, I could not decipher the real motives behind these furious and harsh attacks against Fatima Zahra! Or, what the reasons are for this bizarre and deep enmity against this great lady?!

Is she not the Messenger of Allah's daughter, and "his spirit who he holds in his heart"?!

Was she the Prophet's successor, to say that their (political) motives forced them to try to tarnish her reputation as they did with her great husband (‘Ali ibn Abu Talib)?

What is the reason for this ignominy to put her down? Is it because she is the Prophet's daughter? If so, then why don't we find such a phenomenon regarding the Prophet's other daughters?! Or, could it be that she is Imam ‘Ali's (as) wife? But, he married four wives after her, and we do not find such agitation and prejudice against them!!

I can imagine no sin to Fatima Zahra (sa), save being the most beloved person to the Prophet of Allah (S), who preferred her over his other daughters, and wives, and that she defended and protected her husband's rights when she appeared in the mosque to demand her usurped rights (Fadak), and property granted to her by Allah, and the Last Prophet.

But do these reasons justify the unfounded attacks, and attempts carried out by so called Muslims to tarnish her status?

Moreover, the Jewish and Christian Orientalists played an important role in this deal; they attempted to tarnish the sacred Islamic beliefs and holdings by spreading vain and baseless sayings among the Muslims. Some so-called Muslims translated their iniquitous writings, and published and distributed them throughout the Islamic world without consulting the authentic sources, or, revising them, as if their intentions were the same as those of the orientalists.

It is best to bring a summarized example in this regard, which Sheikh Amini mentioned in his book, Al-Ghadir, volume 3, page 10:

A Christian Oriental named Amil Darmangam wrote a book entitled “The Life of Muhammad”, in which he slandered Islam, the Holy Qur’an, and the Holy Prophet (S), and fabricated misleading and deceitful stories about them. This book was then translated by a Palestinian by the name of Muhammad Adil Zu'aitir, who did not comment on the fables, and myths included in it. Zu'aitir claimed that he did so in observance to the rules of translation! I wish I knew! Does commenting on such false information contradict the so-called rules of translating?

Among the fables mentioned in this book are:

"Fatima was gloomy, Ruqayya was prettier than her, and Zainab was wittier. She (Fatima) did not even consider her Father's feelings when he informed her, from behind the curtain, that ‘Ali Ibn Abu Talib had mentioned her name. Fatima considered ‘Ali to be homely, despite his great courage, so his desire to marry her was more than her wish to do so.

‘Ali's' face was not handsome, for he had two slack eyes, and a low point of nose; in addition he had a large belly and baldhead. But with all of this, ‘Ali was courageous, pious, honest, faithful, devout and virtuous together with limpness and irresolution!!

‘Ali used to irrigate palm trees which belonged to a Jew, in return for a handful of dates; when he returned home he would give them to his wife and gloomily say: "eat and feed your children!"

He would become so furious after every argument that he would leave the house to sleep in the mosque, where his father-in-law followed him, and patting his shoulder advised him to temporarily reconcile with Fatima!! It even happened that once the Prophet saw Fatima crying with traces of ‘Ali's physical abuse on her face?!!

Despite Muhammad's praise of ‘Ali for his early conversion to Islam, to satisfy his daughter, the Prophet did not give much attention to him; contrary to this, the two Umayyad sons-in-law of the Prophet, the Generous Uthman and Abu Al-Asi, were more considerate of the Prophet than ‘Ali, used to complain about the Prophet's carelessness to bring happiness to his daughter's life and about the Prophet's reckoning ‘Ali an executer of non-honorable jobs. Although he authorized him to cut off necks, he avoided entrusting leadership positions to him ...Yet, worse than this was when a quarrel occurred between ‘Ali and Fatima regarding their enmity to the Prophet's wives, Fatima would sorrowfully blame her Father for not siding with his daughters..."

The writer of the above mentioned book added many other such fables which are nothing but crimes against history which, the writer marred the pages of his book with.

Sheikh Amini (may Allah be pleased with him) wrote in answer to this Christian's fabrications:

"I do not blame the author (may Allah amputate his ears) despite the fact that he fabricated many false stories; because he is from a people who resent Islam, and good deeds are not expected from him; for both his obvious and hidden shortcomings are revealed in his book. Rather all the blame lies on the translator who committed a massive crime against Islam and the Arabs-while considering himself one of them- but indeed: "Birds of a feather flock together."

It is clear that all, which was written in the book from these different fables and fabricated lies are nothing but heedless words that contradict the true historical facts, and oppose what the Islamic Ummah collectively agree upon in accordance to what they heard from the Holy Prophet (S).

Do the rumors spread by this book against Fatima correspond with her Father's (S) saying:

"Fatima is a human huri, whenever I long for paradise I kiss her."1

or:

"My daughter Fatima is a human huri."2

or:

"Fatima is the true splendor."3

Or, with Anas Ibn Malik's Mother saying:

"Fatima was like a moon on its full night, or, the sun covered with no clouds. She was white with a touch of rose color on her face, her hair was black and she had the beautiful features of the Messenger of Allah (S)"4

Her given name "Zahra" reveals the truth of the matter. Besides, do the writers' arbitrary false judgements against Fatima's intelligence and noble manners conform to her Mother's (The Mother of the Faithful, Khadija, may Allah be pleased with her) saying:

"Fatima used to speak when she was in her Mother's womb; when she was born, she fell on the ground in a prostrating position with her finger raised."5

Or, Aisha's saying:

"I have not seen a person more similar to the Prophet's appearance, conduct, guidance and speech whether sitting or standing than Fatima. When she enters, the Messenger of Allah stands up, kisses and welcomes her, then takes her hand and asks her to sit in his place."6

Also in Bihaqi's quotation in Sunah vol. 7, p. 101, Aisha said:

"I have not seen anyone more similar to the Messenger of Allah's habit of speech and dialogue than Fatima... "

As for the writer's awkward description of Imam ‘Ali (as) that Fatima considered him homely, and gloomy, the least that can be said is that it does not consist with what has been mentioned regarding his handsome features: He had a splendid face, as if it was the full moon, his neck appeared like a silver jug,7 and he was cheerful,8 whenever he smiled, his teeth appeared to be organized pearls.9

Neither does that rude description is consistent with Abu Al-Aswad Duali's poetic saying that whenever he came face to face with ‘Ali (as), he felt as if he was facing the full moon.

Does your clear conscience agree with the Oriental's slandering of ‘Ali (as) as being "limp and irresolute"? While it is he that is the well - known adventurer, and invincible knight who participated in many battles and wars.

Is not ‘Ali the one who relieved the Messenger of Allah (S) from many inflictions, and calamities which had clouded the Last Prophet’s life since he spoke openly of the righteous religion until he lay down on his death bed, and sacrificed himself for the great Prophet as he entered his last moments?

Is ‘Ali not the only soldier of Islam in whose name the following verses have been revealed?

"Do ye make the giving of drink to pilgrims, or the maintenance of The Sacred Mosque, equal to (the pious service of) those who believe in Allah and the Last Day, and strive in the cause of Allah?" (9:19)

and:

"There is the type of man who gives his life to earn the pleasure of Allah." (2: 207)

Hence, when did ‘Ali stop competing with men, and defending the Prophet so that he deserved to be described as limp and irresolute?!

But indeed false claims never end.

Can it be conceived that the Prince of The Faithful (as) acted in such an atrocious manner with his noble wife, while the Prophet says to him "Your conduct and looks are similar to mine, and you are from the same tree from which I came."10

While the Prophet declared that ‘Ali was the best man of his nation, for he was the most patient, and best mannered one of them all, and says:

"‘Ali is the best of my nation, most knowledgeable and most patient from among them"11

Would ‘Ali behave in such a manner when he heard the Prophet (S) say to Fatima az-Zahra?

"I gave you in marriage to the first one to adhere to Islam from my nation, he is also the most knowledgeable and most patient among them?"12

and:

"I gave you in marriage to the first Muslim and best mannered man."13

Would the Prophet (S) say all of this about ‘Ali, while he behaved cruelly with Fatima?

Surely the crooks fabricate many a falsehood; for ‘Ali was exactly the honest and truthful one, whom the Messenger of Allah (S) said:

Can you accept the slanderous accusation made by the writer (the evil he has written) that ‘Ali physically abused Fatima, the Prophet's daughter?! While you know that ‘Ali is that obedient believer of the Messenger who heard the Prophet say about Fatima:

"Surely Allah is angered when you are angered, and is pleased at your pleasure."14

He also said to Fatima while holding her hand:

"He who knows this, knows her, and he who does not know her; she is part of me, she is my heart and my spirit which is in my side, thus he who harms her harms me."15

He also said:

"Fatima is part of me, that which annoys her annoys me, and harms me is that which harms her."16

and:

"Fatima is part of me, he who angers her, angers me."17

Did the Prophet limit his praise of ‘Ali to his precedence in adhering to Islam? Did he endeavour to keep this a secret by only informing his daughter in order to satisfy her?!

Had this been true!! Then why did the Last Prophet (S) take ‘Ali's hand and raise it publicly and announce:

"He was the first to believe in me, and he will be the first to shake my hand on the Day of Rising!?"

He also informed his companions that:

"The first among you to appear at my domain (reservoir), is he who was the first among you to follow Islam, i.e, ‘Ali Ibn Abu Talib."

Could this so-called secret remain hidden from the companions and those that followed them in adhering to the truth; while they insisted on extolling him as the following group did: Salman the Persian, Anas Ibn Malik, Zaid Ibn Arqam, Abdullah Ibn Hijl, Hashim Ibn Utba, Malik Al-Ashtar, Abdullah Ibn Hashim, Abu Amrah Adi Ibn Hatem, Abu Rafe, Buraidah, Jundub Ibn Zuhair, and Um Al-Khair Ibnat Al-Harash.18

And, is claiming that the Prophet (S) paid little attention to ‘Ali consistent with the Qur’anic declaration that he (‘Ali (as)) is the same as the Prophet's self?! Or, that it (Qur’an) made the reward for the divine message the love of ‘Ali (as)? Or, with that which was narrated in the story of the roasted bird-which is mentioned in the Sahihs, and Musnads when the Prophet said:

"O Allah, bring the most beloved creature to You [to Allah] so that he [‘Ali (as)] may eat with me."

Or, when he said to Aisha:

"Surely ‘Ali is the most beloved of all men, and the most precious to me. Therefore, recognize his rights, and pay tribute to him."19

And:

"The most beloved of all men to me is ‘Ali."20

And:

"‘Ali is the best of those whom I leave behind me (after death)."21

And:

"The best of your men is ‘Ali Ibn Abu Talib, and the best of your women is Fatima Bint Muhammad.”22

And:

"‘Ali is the best of mankind, and he who denies (this) is an infidel."23

And:

"He who does not say that ‘Ali is the best of mankind is surely an infidel."24

And in Banner's narration where it has been unanimously agreed that he (S) said:

"Tomorrow I will hand over the banner to a man whom Allah and His Messenger love, and who loves Allah and His Messenger."

And:

"‘Ali to me is like my head to my body."25

And:

"‘Ali to me is like I am to my Lord."26

And:

"‘Ali is the most beloved to me, and the most beloved to Allah."27

The Last Messenger (as) also said to ‘Ali (as):

"I am from you, and you are from me; or, you are from me and I am from you."28

And:

'‘Ali is from me and I am from him; he is the guardian (wali) of every believer after me."29

And:

-In the narration regarding sending ‘Ali (as) to read Surah At-tawbah (Surah No. 9) to the pilgrims on which it has been unanimously agreed, he said:

"No one takes it (to the pilgrims) except a man being from me and I from him."30

And:

"Your flesh is my flesh, your blood is my blood, and righteousness is on your side."31

And:

"There is not a prophet who has not had a peer, and ‘Ali is my peer."32

Also, in a narration that Al-Hakim deemed authentic, Tabarani related to Umm Salama the following:

"Whenever the Prophet of Allah was angered, no one dared to speak to him save ‘Ali."33

Also Aisha said:

"(I declare) by Allah that I have not seen anyone more beloved to Allah 's Messenger than ‘Ali, or, a woman on earth more beloved to him than his wife (‘Ali's wife, Fatima)."34

Buraida and Ubae also said:

"The most beloved to the Messenger of Allah from among women is Fatima, and from among men is ‘Ali.”35

And Juma Ibn Umair said:

"I entered ‘Ali's house with my Aunt, when I inquired as to who was the most beloved of all people to Allah's Messenger?! She said: Fatima. Then she was asked: And from among men? She said: her husband, ever since I met him he has been fasting and praying."36

Furthermore, how could it be true that Allah's Messenger preferred others over ‘Ali, and paid more attention to them, while ‘Ali was the first man chosen by Allah to follow his Messenger from among the dwellers of Earth, as the Last Prophet (S) told Fatima in the following narration:

"Surely Allah has examined the dwellers of Earth, and has chosen your Father to be a prophet, He then examined (them), and chose your husband, then He revealed to me that I give (you to him in) marriage, and appointed him as my successor."37

The Last Prophet (S) also said to Fatima:

"Surely Allah chose two men from the dwellers of Earth, one being your Father and the other your husband."38

There are many other authentic traditions that Sheikh Amini (may Allah bless him) mentioned, refuting the false claims made by the misguided writer. Nevertheless, the harsh assaults against the family of Allah's Messenger are endless; as the situation requires, we will mention more of these narrations, if Allah wills. It is worthy to make a brief introduction before we embark on the core of the subject. Because this book tackles the life story of a person higher than that which mankind is accustomed to, it is incumbent upon us to speak of matters, which can be considered "transcendental", for the character discussed here is an excellent genius, and the truth of this will become clear to you as you read on.

Notes

1. Tareekh Baghdad by Khateeb Baghdadi: v.5, p.86.

2. Al-Sawa'iq al-Muhriqa and Is'af Ar-Raghebeen: p.173.

3. Nuzhat al-Jaliss: v.2, P222.

4. Mustadrak al-Hakim: v.3, p.161.

5. Sirat Al-Muwla, Dhakha'er al-Uqbi.

6. Tirmadhi and Ibn Abdurabbeh in Eqd al-Farid: v.2, p.3.

7. Esti'ab: v.2, p.469

8. Tahdheeb al-Asma Wal-Lughat.

9. Hilyat al-Awliya: v.1, p. 84.

10. Tareekh Baghdad: v.11, p.171.

11. Tabari, Khateeb, Dulabi as was mentioned in Kanz al-Umal: v.6, p.153.

12. Musnad Ahmad: v.5, p. 26, Ryadh An-Nadherah: v.2, p.194.

13. Ryadh An-Nadherah: v.2, p.194.

14. Mustadrak al-Hakim: v.3, p.154., Tadhkirat al-Bast: p.175., Maqtal al-Khawarazmi: v.1, p.54., Kefayat At-Talib: p.219., Kanz al-Umal: v.7, p.111., Sawiq: p.105.

15. Al-Fusul al-Muhammad: p.150., Nuzhat Al-Majalis: v.2, p.228., Nur al-Absar: p.45.

16. Sahih al-Bukhari, Muslim, Tirmadhi, Musnad Ahmad: v.4, p. 328., Khasaes An-Nisaee: p.35.

17. Sahih al-Bukhari, Khasaes An-Nisaee: p.35.

18. Most historical sources mention them

19. Ryadh An-Nadherah: v.2, p.161., Dhakha'er al-Uqbi: p.62.

20. In another narration of: "of my kin."

21. Mawaqif al-Aiji: v.3, p.276, Majma' al-Zawa'ed: v.9, p.113.

22. Tareekh Baghdad: v.4, p.392.

23. Tareekh Baghdad, Kunuz al-Haqaeq, Hamish al-Jame' al-Saghir p.16, Kanz Al-Umal: p.159.

24. Tareekh Baghdad: v.3, p. 192, Kanz al-Umal: v.6, p.159.

25. Tareekh Baghdad: v.7, p.12, Sawaeq: p.75, Jame' al-Saghir by Suyuti, Nur al-Absar: p.80.

26. As-Sirat-ul-Halabiyah: v.3, p. 391 Ryadh An-Nadherah: v.2, p.163.

27. Tareekh Baghdad: v.1, p.160.

28. Musnad Ahmad: v.5, p.204, Khasaes An-Nisaee: pp.36, 51.

29. Musnad Ahmad: v.5, p.356.

30. Khasaes An-Nisaee: p.8.

31. Al-Mahasen Wal-Masawi: v.1, p.31.

32. Ar-Ryadh An-Nadherah: v.2, p.164.

33. Sawaeq: p.73, Tareekh al-Khulafa by Suyuti: p.116.

34. Mustadrak al-Hakim: v.3, p.154, Khasaes An-Nisaee: p.29.

35. Khasaes An-Nisaee: p.29, Mustadrak al-Hakim: v.3, p.115.

36. Jame' At-Tirmadhi: v.2, p.227, other collective books.

37. Tabarani, Kanz al-Ummal: v.6, p.153, Majma' al-Zawaed: v.9, p.165.

38. Mawaqif al-Aiji: p.8.

Chapter 1: The Law of Inheritance

A fact which has been proven since old ages is that children's inheritance of their parents’ characteristics, and that these characteristics are found in children's genes before they are transferred into their mothers' wombs. They live with these characteristics as growing (ante-natal) children, and after birth, with the growth of the child, these characteristics become more apparent.

In fact, even nursing has an amazing effect on nursed children's characteristics, as Imam ‘Ali said:

"Don't have an idiot woman nurse your children, for surely nursing is a means for passing on contagious diseases."

Additionally, many detailed scripts have been published regarding this law. In light of this, it is appropriate to briefly discuss the biographies of the parents of Fatima az-Zahra (sa), so we may derive a conclusion about the magnificence that surrounded her life from the genetic perspective. Because this is not the (direct) subject of our book, we will summarize the subject as follows:

The chief of prophets, and the messengers, Muhammad Ibn Abdullah (the Last Prophet - A.S) is the purest being, the most honorable creature, and the foremost of the entire world. It was for Muhammad's (as) sake that Allah created all beings, and there is not an honor, virtue, nor, a noble deed in the existing universe that is not attributed to the great Prophet.

This is the least that can be said about the Messenger (as), there is no exaggeration or hyperbole, rather they are like saying: The sun shines, and honey is sweet. For this is the Messenger of Allah (S) from whom Fatima Zahra (sa) descended.

As for the Lady Khadija (as), she was a beautiful, tall, light skinned woman, considered noble among her people; she was wise in decision-making, enjoyed a great deal of intelligence and sharp discernment. She bestowed her brilliant insight of the economical principles, especially in the scope of export, and import, in the business market. This was Khadija the human, the woman, and the wife; on the other hand, she granted thousands of dinars to her husband to use as he saw fit. Thus, Khadija's financial support had a great role in strengthening Islam during its prime days, when it was still in the formation stage, and critically needed material aid. Thus, Allah consecrated Lady Khadija's property to help Islam, and fulfill its goals.

Allah's Messenger said in this regard:

"No property has ever been so useful to me as Khadija's."

While in Mecca, the Prophet used this property to free the slaves, help the needy, support the poor and rescue his financially inflicted companions. He also paved the way for those who wished to immigrate; all this through Khadija's wealth from which he spent freely during her life; and when she died, he and their children inherited it.1

Therefore, the meaning of the Prophet's saying:

"Religion succeeded and became manifest only through ‘Ali's sword, and Khadija's property," becomes clear.

Furthermore, her conduct throughout her married life with the Messenger, is worthy of praise, and glorification; for this reason whenever he remembered his wife, or, her name was mentioned to him, he would bless her and a feeling of sadness overcame him, and probable tears would run down his face in her remembrance.

Once the Prophet mentioned Khadija near Aisha, Aisha responded:

"She was not but a such and such of an old lady and Allah replaced her with a better one for you."

The Prophet replied:

"Indeed Allah did not grant me better than her; she accepted me when people rejected me, she believed in me when people doubted me, she shared her wealth with me when people deprived me, and Allah granted me children only through her."2

Notes

1. Amali al-Sheikh as Sadduq.

2. Al-Esti'ab.

Chapter 2: The Prophet's Marriage

The Messenger of Allah (S) married Lady Khadija at the age of twenty-five, while Khadija herself was forty years old. Yet some historians allege that she was twenty-five, and still others claim that she was twenty-eight years old.

It is also said that she had two previous marriages before marrying the Prophet (S) some historians dispute this and indicate that she was a virgin when the Last Prophet (S) married her. This last claim is not common.

The Prophet's marriage to Khadija was not a usual one. It was a unique marriage because it was not initiated as a result of a love relationship, nor, was there a material, or, political motive behind it, which was commonplace among the elite classes. In fact, there was no correlation between the Prophet's economical position and that of the Lady Khadija's. On one hand, the Messenger was sponsored by his poor uncle, Abu Talib, and on the other hand, Khadija was the wealthiest lady in Mecca. Thus, there was an evident gap between them in this peculiarity.

Khadija heard that the Prophet had a bright and sacred future ahead of him; perhaps she heard this from her servant Maisarah, who informed her of what had happened to the Messenger during a commercial trip to Syria in which he had worked for her. Or perhaps he conveyed to her what the monk in Busra said about the future of the Prophet-upon learning this, Lady Khadija suggested that prophet Muhammad (S) marry her, and urged him to ask for her hand from her Father, Khuwaylid (according to some historians it was her uncle).

The Prophet, who preferred to marry a poor woman from his own economical class, apologized to Khadija and refused her request. But, she being a wise, reasonable, and honorable woman informed him that she was ready to grant him herself, and that property was not a difficult thing to put at his disposal. So, she once again urged him to send his uncles to ask for her hand from her Father, Khuwaylid.

The Prophet's uncles and aunts were astonished at this news; a very wealthy lady who sponsors hundreds of people, and tens of men work for her in her property and trade for her throughout the summer and winter seasons, between Yemen, Mecca and Syria; a great Lady whom the noblemen had asked to marry, but she had refused them all, giving herself to a poor Quraishan young man, sponsored by his poor uncle, Abu Talib!! Could she have been honest in doing so?! Could this news be true? Safiya bint Abdul Muttalib (the Prophet's aunt) rushed to Khadija's house to validate the news. She was warmly welcomed by Khadija who informed her of her earnest desire to do so.

Preface

In the Name of Allah, the most Gracious, the most Merciful

From the very beginning, this book has been subject to many issues recently raised about the tragedy of al-Zahra’ (sa) and what she had to go through following the demise of the Messenger of Allah (S) and about other issues relevant to her (sa) in a way which demanded me to clarify and edit.

Before dealing with what is most important, I like to remind the dear reader of issues and points most of which are relevant to agitations in the cycle of scholarly research and with which he has to be familiar. I have already dealt with some of them in an article which was published months ago titled “Not above making a mistake.”

I would like here to provide the kind reader with some of them in this Preface also due to their importance. He may not be able to refer to them in the said article. Following are points repeated or edited, and it is from Allah that all success comes.

Important Points to Notice

1. The points referred to above, which I discuss in this book, have been mentioned in many books, articles, lectures, press, radio or television interviews. I took special care not to name the person who made them in order not to hurt his feelings, for I did not want to tickle his conscience in the least. I have always desired to maintain my friendship with and love for everyone, wishing all people goodness. Had I not felt duty-bound to explain some of these issues, I would not have undertaken this review at all.

If someone considers what is contained in this book as being relevant to him and to nobody else, following the principle of “The skeptic almost said, ‘Take me!,’” then he may do just that. But I advise him not to do so because I mean by it anyone who says likewise, whoever he may be.

2. In your scholarly life, you may come across some of those folks who bear titles or labels and who parasite on education and knowledge, waging a scandalizing campaign against anyone who differs from them in views or who discuss such views with them, even according to the principle which one person in particular applied in order to support Yazid son of Mu’awiyah, when he considered cursing the latter as committing a wrongdoing. Said he, “But such sects fell into curses and condemnations, not satisfied with cursing and condemning the accursed Shimr but went beyond him to Mu’awiyah, Yazid and Banu Umayyah.”1

If I, too, face such sort of people, it does not frighten me in the least, nor does it prohibit me from writing books similar to this one that discuss various subjects put forth in a scholarly, subjective and calm manner, so long as there is a need to discuss them, or if I feel that the Islamic Shari’a obligates me to adopt a stand towards them. It has become quite obvious that there is no room to make a truce with regard to the creed, to the issues relevant to the creed, and to whatever relates to Ahl al-Bayt (as). I shall never pay attention to the intimidating attempts of some of such folks, for these are like mirage which the thirsty person mistakes for water.

Let Allah make righteousness prevail through His Words and cause the effort of the treacherous to go to waste.

3. Some people may say that discussing the ideas and criticizing them is regarded as scandalizing those who uphold them. The latter should be safeguarded and their mistakes should be covered up rather than publicized.

Let me say the following:

FIRST: If discussing and criticizing the ideas is “scandalizing”, all doors of knowledge and scholarship have to be shut; constructive criticism should be prohibited. Criticizing the ideas, even of the greatest scholars, has been throughout history the mark that distinguishes thinkers and scholars, especially those who follow the school of Ahl al-Bayt (as).

SECOND: Prohibitive scandalizing is one that deals with personal matters. Not so is the constructive and subjective criticism, nor o sot the correcting of mistakes in the doctrinal issues and issues relevant to conviction and ideology, especially if such mistakes reflect on people’s creeds, religious issues and concepts of conviction. These remain to be the most urgent of all. Safeguarding people’s religion is the most important and obligatory, more so than protecting those who jeopardize it or transgress its limits.

Everyone has to know his limits. He should not try to undermine issues and fixed beliefs of the faith, creed and conviction.

THIRD: Taking the initiative to criticize an ideology is neither victimizing nor scandalizing. Rather, insistence on bringing about issues which jeopardize the established creed, sect, history or other things, in a way which lacks scholarly precision and transgresses natural limits. Doing so does, indeed, lead to scandalizing one who espouses them.

4. Some people may be of the view that tackling some fixed creeds represents a form of innovative thinking, Islamic or historical education, and the like.

But the fact is that what is regarded as falling in such a category, generally speaking, represents a call to discuss issues which others in past generations had already discussed. Even many of them mention some such issues nowadays when holding discussions with Imamite Shi’as. Such a discussion traverses the folds of their words, spoken and sectarian renunciations, in their books, as any informed researcher knows. Imamite Shi’as have always answered the same clearly and precisely, in a responsible and an aware way, praise to Allah.

5. There is a statement which we have heard and read more than once saying that we should not have any apprehension against putting issues forth to people to discuss. It claims that the Qur’an has conveyed to us the thoughts of those who cast doubts about the Prophet (S) saying, “How can we know what they said about him being a madman, a wizard, or a liar, had the Qur’an not revealed their antagonistic stances?”

Let me say the following:

FIRST: Their claim that he (S) was a wizard, a liar, or a madman does not represent “ideologies” of those who cast doubts; rather, it is merely cursing, condemning and insulting the Messenger of Allah (S) within the scope of their media assaults against him. Those who personally said so, more than anyone else, knew very well that they were lying.

SECOND: Raising questions and throwing doubts and insults, accusing the Prophet (S), or anyone else…, is not considered an expression of an ideology, much less the “modernization” of an ideology.

THIRD: While narrating the statements of these folks, the Qur’an mentioned them as responding to the first party, falsifying them. The Qur’an was not satisfied with just bringing them about. Nor did it leave them up in the air so that they would rest in the hearts of people who had no means of knowledge to enable them to subject them to their judgment with precision, awareness and depth.

6. Some people say that the scholar’s responsibility is to demonstrate his knowledge when innovations appear within and without the Islamic reality, and if he does not do so, the curse of Allah will then be on him, as the Prophet (S) has said. Allah has said,

“Surely those who conceal the clear proofs and the guidance that We revealed, after We made it clear in the Book for men, these it is whom Allah shall curse, and those who curse shall curse them (too)” (Qur’an, 2:159).

Acting on this same statement, I have all my scholarly life obligated myself to face any challenge agitated from within or without the Islamic reality if and when it represents something new in our ideological heritage, or in our faith, or in the true sect the truth of which has been verified by the symbols of Islam, the pioneers of original Shi’ism, the flagpoles of scholarship, with clear proofs and shining evidences.

7. Someone may turn his own claim into his only definite evidence, so think about it!

8. Someone may try to undermine the proofs established by the scholars regarding a creed or some other issue. Regardless of his failure or success in such regard, when he does not provide an alternative evidence, he will thus give up the same creed whose proof he claims he has undermined, for he cannot uphold a creed for which he has no proof except if he imitates an authority in doctrinal matters, something which is not acceptable to anyone.

9. Someone may say that nobody has the right to advise him about not putting forth his own views and queries about matters relevant to the creed to ordinary people, belief in it, and the history about which he disagrees with the consensus of the sect’s scholars, symbols and genius theologians. He should not do so even if such an advice aims at safeguarding him from falling into the greatest sin. Such a sin is committed when anything which he suggests represents a serious deviation (from the creed).

Such a deviation obligates scholars, who are prohibited from hiding the knowledge and the proofs, to face him with the definite evidence, the terse proof, the similar style, or any legitimate style which explains to him and corrects him. Add to this the fact that it results in dire consequences with regard to the outcomes of these violations and their aftermaths and whatever method he imposes on others so they may deal with him and a way to face his queries, views and suggestions.

10. He also says, “Some people are concerned about putting ideological and doctrinal questions leading to undermining legacy ideas which may or may not be accurate.” Then he turns to people to say,

“Do not sell your minds to anyone, and do not remain stagnant as described by the verse saying, ‘We found our fathers on a course, and surely we are guided by their footsteps’ (Qur’an, 43:22),

since each generation has to open up to reality,” as he reasons. Then he provides an evidence for the necessity of putting his ideas and queries about the hadith saying, “When innovations appear, a scholar has to demonstrate his knowledge; otherwise, may the curse of All be on him,” citing the verse saying,

“Surely those who conceal the clear proofs and the guidance that We revealed, after We made it clear in the Book for men, these it is whom Allah shall curse, and those who curse shall curse them (too)” (Qur’an, 2:159).

I say, I do not know the justification for such a serious statement which implies an accusation that some of the ideologies and creeds of our true sect may not be correct! We never thought that the followers of this sect inherit ideologies and creeds without evidence and proof but only through blind imitation which is neither accepted nor is it rational! And we never thought that the followers of this sect are the ones referred to in verse 43:22 cited above!

What is worse is the “classification” of our (“inherited”) beliefs among the “innovations,” so one needs to “demonstrate” his knowledge according to the tradition cited above!

11. Someone may resort to projecting any “scholarly” treatment of the statements which he makes as related to personal motivations. Then analyses and speculations start, and accusations are coined, hence people will be busy with them, forgetting what is beyond that. We do not want to obligate anyone to think well of anyone else, although we believe that if he thinks well, especially on the scholarly level, it is what Islamic brotherhood calls for.

But we remind those who are busy with “scholarship” of an obligation mandated by Allah, Glory to Him, on all, that they have to distance themselves from making speculations, charges and backbiting, since all these imply transgressing the dignity of people without any legitimate justification. Such a transgression is rejected and is considered as a violation of the injunctions of the Shari’a , religion and conscience.

We would like to remind everyone of two things:

One is that this sort of understanding of issues does not decrease the value of scholarship or ideology presented for such a treatment which may be intended to hide its effect through such means. The scholarly spirit and strength of proof are the criteria and the scales for responding or accepting, if necessary, either of these things in any problem which falls in the essence of our concern and among our priorities.

The other is that we may not find any justification for such ill thoughts because the criteria mandated by the Shari’a are the ones which should judge any situation or conduct, especially if the relationship between both parties of the debate is warm and sound across a long period of time, had it not been for such an opposition to the ideas which a certain individual wishes to publicize and advance to prominence, defending them with might and means.

It was then that the other party felt the obligation of scholarly responsibility, or that of the Shari’a, in order to clarify what it finds to be true and accurate, and there is no embarrassment about that. Had such a responsibility not been thus undertaken, there would have been doubt about its righteousness and straight-forwardness.

12. Someone says that whatever statements he makes are merely due to his own ijtihad, that everyone has the right to practice ijtihad and to disagree with others’ views.

I say that there is no objection to anyone practicing ijtihad and disagreeing or agreeing with others in their views as long as the issue is confined and restricted to him and represents his own personal creed and is not the creed of anyone else. But when this individual wishes to disseminate among the public his own ijtihad, which is in contrast with the foundations on which the sect stands, and which agrees with irrefutable proofs and driven to by clear, authentic and consecutive traditions, so he calls on people to accept his own statements which disagree with such foundations..., then the stand towards him must be different from anyone else.

Challenging him and protecting people from following in his footsteps is a must in order to protect people from his views which disagree with the facts of the creed and with the fixed facts which the symbols of the sect and its most prominent personalities have confirmed. Everything should be brought out into the light and the difference between him and such personalities should likewise be made clear.

The obligation to challenge his dissertations becomes more pressing when we find him presenting them to the public under the label of an “ideology” that is in sync with what our scholars have agreed on as representing revitalization and modernization. He does so while not admitting at all that they differ from many established facts in the aspects of the creed and conviction, something which agrees with neither the ideological integrity nor the ethics of a man who is a transmitter and a critic.

13. It may be observed how someone exaggerates in his reliance on his own reason and in giving it the main role and the final decision even in matters where reason has no ability to explore. He may even make of his reason a criterion or a yardstick, claiming that he realizes the causes of the injunctions, so he probes the texts. When he comprehends their gist and finds himself in harmony with their contents, he accepts them and agrees with them; otherwise, he does not hesitate to reject them and to judge them as having been fabricated or “secretly” introduced.

We would like to explain the above within the framework of two suppositions from which error becomes evident:

One of them is this: The outward meaning of a text may obviously and clearly contradict reason in a matter which is one of the affairs of the intellect, one falling within the realm of reason and under its supervision. In this case, the text has to be interpreted according to what agrees with reason and with the principles of expression. If this is not possible, it has to be rejected. Such a supposition is the accurate one and the one accepted by the scholars.

The other is this: One’s rationale may fall short of realizing the wisdom or the cause of what the text discusses. For example, when the text says that the menstruating woman has to make up the fast but not the prayers, or when it tells us that near the end of time, Allah will bring back to life men from among the righteous, and men from among the wretches, so the righteous will receive eminence and nearness to Allah while the wretches will be punished because of some of what they had committed, thus the hearts of the believers will be healed.

If the mind is incapable of comprehending the interpretation of such an injunction, or such an event related by the text, it will unhesitatingly reject it or demand an interpretation for it saying, for example, that the meaning implies the return of the state and of authority (to the rightful people). There is no basis for such a rejection nor for demanding an interpretation because it does not presuppose that the mind of any single individual is capable of realizing all causes and injunctions for everything which has been or which is being mandated by Allah, Glory to Him.

Likewise, if one’s brain is incapable now of realizing some matters and mysteries, it may be able to do so in the future, or nobody will. Then future generations, hundreds of years later, will come to realize them, as is the case with many mysteries of life and of the cosmos which the Qur’an mentions, some of which we have already learned from the Qur’an.

Even if we did not realize them, with such knowledge remaining in the cycle of what Allah has kept for His own knowledge, or He may have taught it to His prophets and righteous servants, what is wrong with that?!

It seems to us that going to extremes in sanctifying the mind, since it is the “one and only” source of knowledge, making it the criterion for accepting or rejecting texts even in the last probability, that is, that it is learned from the Mu’tazilites, and it is their ailment as well as elixir, the cause of their tide’s ebb, and of their fire in the past generations which was put out. Here is history repeating itself.

We now witness a return to their same claim which proves the fallacy of what has been proven by evidences, and so have other claims which time has left far behind. We now witness such claims sticking their heads out of history’s cracks and hidden corners to be redisplayed once under the guise of modernization and once in the name of a new “ideology.” Allah is the One Who initiates and Who repeats, and He is the One Who does whatever He pleases.

14. Someone may claim that the reason why he criticizes the ideas of this person or those of that is his desire to prepare the environment against such a person [only] because he occupies a distinguished place, so fanaticism moved in this direction or that in order to cause his downfall. We say:

FIRST: It is quite evident that many people have declared their rejection of such claims, and they discuss them. They do not live the idea or the hallucination of “positions and labels” even if it is the label or the ideology of a specific religious authority, and this does not at all fall into the cycle of their concerns.

SECOND: We may find those who make these self-indicting statements to be the ones who initiate inflammatory ideas and live the worry of promoting their ideas through all means, once raising the level of suspension and excitement, and once lowering it, and facts have proven it.

THIRD: Besides all of this, the criterion and the balance of the ideology being discussed is the element of conviction therein and its share of the balance of right and wrong as well as the extent of its nearness or distance from the facts of the religion and of the sect.

Nobody claims knowledge of the unknown in as far as what the consciences of the people, the facts and the motives; so, let their motive be this or that, for this does not affect judging an idea as being right or wrong, nor does it underestimate or overestimate its significance.

15. We keep hearing that someone puts forth his ideas in various fields, ideas which do not agree with what the scholars have decided, nor are they in sync with a great deal of what they all agree about, based on the irrefutable proofs which rely on reason, or on authentic reports.

An attempt was undertaken to research these matters with the same people who initiated them in the first place and who were requested in more than one letter and through more than one messenger to enter into a scholarly debate, a written and a clear one, one wherein everything is clarified and right becomes distinguished from wrong through irrefutable evidences. All this is in the hope that it will lead, if undertaken, to sparing the field the negativity of their continuous advertising through what is not recommended, before establishing facts, reaching conviction and blocking gaps.

Unfortunately, his answer came back refusing such a debate unless it would take place within four walls and behind closed doors; such is his concept of a debate!

He refused to write me even one word by way of clarification, seeking an excuse of having no time to write, although he has been writing down about these same issues, circulating them everywhere, sometimes to particular people, and sometimes to people in general. He has been discussing them in articles, speeches and lectures through various news media outlets.

When he realized my insistence, he did not hesitate to refer to his dictionary in order to provide me with precious things of color, taste and smell of stinging language, stark speech plus a barrage of accusations. It was as though my request for a scholarly debate was equivalent to disbelieving in Allah, the Great, or even uglier, if there is anything uglier than that at all!

Perhaps the least harsh which I have heard and the most tolerable is that I am motivated by instincts, suffering from backwardness and complexes, falling under the influence of this or of that [individual], in addition to being described as having the “Iranian way of thinking” and of being a fanatic, an accusation which I like because I am fanatical about following the truth and defending it. It is, to me, something which is commended and praised by Allah and His Messenger (S), by His righteous servants and choicest ones, His blessings with all of them.

Till a few months ago, prior to writing these words, I was considered (by this individual) to be among the best of those who love and who keep him company. Nothing disturbed such love and friendship till we discovered lately what we thought we were obligated by the Shari’a to ask for a calm and terse academic discourse in order to solve this “complex”.

16. This book before the kind reader provides a large number of texts derived from scores, nay hundreds, of references, although it was produced within months not exceeding the number of fingers on one hand, a very short period, indeed, which does not permit a great deal of researching and investigating2 , especially in the presence of many diversions which obstruct undertaking the slightest effort during countable days.

I find myself in need to remind the kind reader that the references mentioned in this book’s footnotes were so many that I feared lest I should fall into error in documenting the numbers of their volumes and pages, as I did in many places in the publication of several editions of the same book; so, let him notice the same.

Paying a special attention to references, as has been my habit, is based on placing the reader before the most minute particularities of an incident so that he may be the one to judge, to ponder on, to conclude and to decide through upholding the means of knowledge, directly supervising the issues put forth for discussion and by his being acquainted with their environments, circum-stances and conditions, so that his attitude towards issues will then be precise and deep and springing out of awareness and inclusion, originality and firmness.

This method may not be appreciated by some people, those who write hundreds, or even thousands, of pages and who delve deeply into foundations based on exciting words and big claims without supporting them with clear texts or opening horizons of direct and inclusive knowledge except very little of what the commoners circulate or, in particular, whatever supports one’s own ideas! He keeps a great deal from you when he thinks that his interest lies in so doing. If you want to know some of it, you will find yourself without any of its means. Nor will he let you gain anything substantial, i.e. something of which you can take hold.

He wants you to read his own “education,” his experience as an individual, and to fly in his horizons, to sense his pains, hopes, aspirations and even whims and fantasies; there is nothing beyond that but mirage, and only mirage.

17. Again, I am very, very sorry to say that this book has not been destined to treat a particular subject with a beginning and an end as well as elements incorporating details relevant to some people casting doubts, for one reason or another, about the events that took place to al-Zahra’ (sa) or about their aftermath.

Repeated Points

I would like here to select some points which we mentioned in a previous article I published:

1. Bringing forth to discussion similar traditions (ahadith) or issues difficult to understand by ordinary people, then insisting on such an exposition, without providing a reasonable and acceptable explanation for it, is not acceptable, nor are its consequences commendable. This is not expected especially from people who are looked on to solve problems and to clarify what is ambiguous, especially when such traditions, or complex problems, are not presented before specialized thinkers but to simple-minded people. Among the latter are young and old folks, men and women, the learned and the ignorant. And all this is done through the general news media and in the open!

2. Exposing bringing about sensitive issues and putting forth questions to those who do not have the means to know what enables them to safely and correctly solve what is complex: Someone is doing so without providing sufficient answers, through all the means he has at his disposal. We try to avoid innocent people falling into a great and serious error. And all this is done without any concern about restricting the discussion to criticizing the idea without insulting, scandalizing or belittling anyone but safeguarding one’s dignity and honour in a scholarly, civilized and dignified way.

It is not fair to bring about such issues in the open then expect others to remain silent and not criticize them except behind closed doors. An expectation such as this is understood only as an order of silence, a forced order; rather, it is extortion. It confines the right of speech to only “his excellency” or “his holiness” and to nobody else.

3. No courtesies are to be paid when it comes to the issues of the religion and the creed. Nobody should expect to receive them, be he near in kin or a loved one, no matter what status he occupies or what role he plays, for the truth, and the religion, are above all considerations.

4. The issues of the religion and of the creed are not the monopoly of one particular party rather than another. They concern all people regardless of their status or [educational] level. Everyone has the right to show sensitivity towards a statement which undermines such issues, and this must be granted utmost attention, so that one may determine where he stands. Yet all of this should be done within the confines of moderation and in a scholarly, subjective, terse and responsible manner.

This is underscored when we get to know the following:

The issues relevant to the creed should not be followed by (blind) imitation; rather, each individual should seek a convincing and an acceptable evidence for them first and foremost. The issues relevant to the creed are not on par with those relevant to the fiqh wherein an ignorant person refers to a scholar in order to obtain his verdict based on general proofs which mandate imitation [taqlid].

People should not be prohibited from discussing such issues, nor is it appropriate to require them to blindly follow them, to imitate fathers and forefathers, this scholar or that. Also, this is not appropriate. In fact, their tardiness should not be taken advantage of, nor should their purity. These issues should not be presented to them in a way which is incomplete and out of balance, for this agrees with neither scholarly integrity nor with the Shari’a which ought to be observed.

People’s sensitivity to issues relevant to the religion and creed and their energetic and enthusiastic interest are all healthy signs and sound indications which ought to be encouraged and safeguarded. They should not be assaulted, nor should they be faced with serious accusations with the objective to suppress them and to put an end to them. They should be emphasized, safeguarded, properly directed in a straight and sound way, so that such a creed will become more firmly established and deeper in its effect on their conduct and stance, especially when they are faced with challenges.

5. Islamic branches of knowledge are numerous. They have vast and spacious inclusion, in addition to precision, in many detailed topics. There is no harm in a scholar taking his time to answer many questions about various branches of knowledge with which he is faced. He cannot answer all of them except if he were on the level of prophets or Imams. It is said, “May Allah have mercy on a man who knows his limits.”

If a responsible person has not finished his research and investigation of certain issues, nor has he studied them minutely and sufficiently in a way that enables him thereafter to present them to the people with precision and inclusion, he is not supposed to issue final verdicts in their regard, nor should he answer questions about them.

If he has to do it, he must confine himself to the limits of presentation and dissociation from responsibility, providing an excuse that he has not sufficiently studied and examined them. There is no harm if he is satisfied with whatever great scholars of the sect have agreed on, without paying attention to what this particular scholar or that has singled himself out, for exceptions cannot be followed while leaving aside what is famous and what is backed.

But when one comes out to tell whatever he reveals within himself or answers every question by casting doubts which provide for him an escape route3 , misleading people into thinking that he is knowledgeable of all the details of issues, and that he raises questions about them out of knowledge, responsibility and deep thinking, although he may not have seen the text in the first place, let alone having studied or researched it…, this is not appropriate. Such a method is not acceptable. It is neither logical nor rational.

6. Nobody has the right to require people to restrict themselves to inquire about issues relevant only to the Prophet (S) and to the Imams (as) authenticated by criteria applied to narrators of hadith... This means that people should remain silent about traditions dealing with most issues and questions, be they theological, historical, or others. Should one who requires people to do so confine his statements to the particulars of issues about which authentic proofs have been narrated by the Infallible Ones (as), he will find himself forced to remain silent, to sit at home, because he finds only a few that he will exhaust during a few days or less than that.

We, however, say, and so does he, that proving an issue is not dependent on the Abundance of authentic traditions narrated by the Infallible Ones (as), for there may be other proofs which sometimes strengthen the degree of depending on them, such as the tradition being weak and it is well known that it was acted on and relied on, despite the presence before their eyes of authentic support, then they did not pay it any attention.

Also, if the text represents a decision from a reprobate admitting something which indicts him or contradicts his line, it is not correct to say that this person is reprobate, so his statement cannot be accepted. Thereupon, various proofs have to be examined in fiqh issues and in usul, creed, history, etc., by the specialized people who benefit from them in order to strengthen a text whose support is weak, or vice versa, according to sources and to the existence of proofs.

7. There is nothing easier for anyone to stand and cast doubts or deny what is already proven. There is nothing easier than running away from being committed to issues or from bearing responsibility. This is neither a practical proof nor does it indicate the universality of anything at all. A scholar who delves deeply into issues, the critic, the researcher…, is the one who exerts a serious effort to verify the origins, confirms and verifies the facts, asserting what is proven and discarding what is fabricated.

8. Attributing any statement to a particular sect of people, or to any sect at all, is right only when the statement is made by him/them and publicly declared by their prominent figures and scholars across the centuries and is what their views have agreed on and their hearts accepted. This is known by referring to their assemblies, books, creed’s texts…, and to their biographies.

But if someone, or a people belonging to a sect, becomes the exception to the rule with regard to some views, it is not right to attribute the exception to the entire sect, or to its faqihs or scholars; so, what would you say when the latter are the ones who reneged in their speeches from the recognized pioneer who verified the sect’s issues?!

So is the case if someone understands an issue incorrectly, unnaturally or out of the ordinary: It is not right to attribute it to others as a generalization. It is then that the operation of scandalizing him with glittering words, exaggerating and magnifying him, starts. The end result is holding the sect’s scholars in contempt and thinking lightly of their way of thinking without any justification. Then he provides the alternative which he prepared in advance with sweet words no matter how weak and meek his alternative may be.

9. Putting forth for ordinary people issues which require explanations in ambiguous ways, though it may to a certain extent facilitate for the person who does it the means to avoid the consequences of his dissertation, does not exempt one from the responsibility of ordinary people considering the idea as the whole truth and the view, which results from research and study and anything other than it..., as being wrong.

Yes, none of this exempts him from responsibility so long as everyone knows that people understand the issues in a simple way. They do not pay attention to words such as “perhaps,” “maybe,” “we may imagine,” “we could understand,” “we may be inspired,” “we have to study,” etc.

We appreciate the efforts of sincere workers and pray for them to achieve success. We thank all sincere brethren who exerted a great deal of effort to make this book a success, especially my Brother, the great ‘allama, Shaikh Ridwan Shararah. May Allah appreciate the effort of everyone, and may He protect them and enable all of us to be sound of view and sincere in action. He is our Master, and He is the One Who grants guidance to the straight course.

Notes

1. _, Al-Safir newspaper of June 27, 1996, in an article by a professor.

2. The original Arabic text of this book falls into two volumes. The total number of their pages exceeds one thounsand. I have preferred to put them together for the kind reader. – Tr.

3. For example, he once asked about something which exists in a text, saying, “This is not ascertained,” or, “The authenticity of the narration is not known,” or, “There are traditions which prove that this is not true.”

Preface

In the Name of Allah, the most Gracious, the most Merciful

From the very beginning, this book has been subject to many issues recently raised about the tragedy of al-Zahra’ (sa) and what she had to go through following the demise of the Messenger of Allah (S) and about other issues relevant to her (sa) in a way which demanded me to clarify and edit.

Before dealing with what is most important, I like to remind the dear reader of issues and points most of which are relevant to agitations in the cycle of scholarly research and with which he has to be familiar. I have already dealt with some of them in an article which was published months ago titled “Not above making a mistake.”

I would like here to provide the kind reader with some of them in this Preface also due to their importance. He may not be able to refer to them in the said article. Following are points repeated or edited, and it is from Allah that all success comes.

Important Points to Notice

1. The points referred to above, which I discuss in this book, have been mentioned in many books, articles, lectures, press, radio or television interviews. I took special care not to name the person who made them in order not to hurt his feelings, for I did not want to tickle his conscience in the least. I have always desired to maintain my friendship with and love for everyone, wishing all people goodness. Had I not felt duty-bound to explain some of these issues, I would not have undertaken this review at all.

If someone considers what is contained in this book as being relevant to him and to nobody else, following the principle of “The skeptic almost said, ‘Take me!,’” then he may do just that. But I advise him not to do so because I mean by it anyone who says likewise, whoever he may be.

2. In your scholarly life, you may come across some of those folks who bear titles or labels and who parasite on education and knowledge, waging a scandalizing campaign against anyone who differs from them in views or who discuss such views with them, even according to the principle which one person in particular applied in order to support Yazid son of Mu’awiyah, when he considered cursing the latter as committing a wrongdoing. Said he, “But such sects fell into curses and condemnations, not satisfied with cursing and condemning the accursed Shimr but went beyond him to Mu’awiyah, Yazid and Banu Umayyah.”1

If I, too, face such sort of people, it does not frighten me in the least, nor does it prohibit me from writing books similar to this one that discuss various subjects put forth in a scholarly, subjective and calm manner, so long as there is a need to discuss them, or if I feel that the Islamic Shari’a obligates me to adopt a stand towards them. It has become quite obvious that there is no room to make a truce with regard to the creed, to the issues relevant to the creed, and to whatever relates to Ahl al-Bayt (as). I shall never pay attention to the intimidating attempts of some of such folks, for these are like mirage which the thirsty person mistakes for water.

Let Allah make righteousness prevail through His Words and cause the effort of the treacherous to go to waste.

3. Some people may say that discussing the ideas and criticizing them is regarded as scandalizing those who uphold them. The latter should be safeguarded and their mistakes should be covered up rather than publicized.

Let me say the following:

FIRST: If discussing and criticizing the ideas is “scandalizing”, all doors of knowledge and scholarship have to be shut; constructive criticism should be prohibited. Criticizing the ideas, even of the greatest scholars, has been throughout history the mark that distinguishes thinkers and scholars, especially those who follow the school of Ahl al-Bayt (as).

SECOND: Prohibitive scandalizing is one that deals with personal matters. Not so is the constructive and subjective criticism, nor o sot the correcting of mistakes in the doctrinal issues and issues relevant to conviction and ideology, especially if such mistakes reflect on people’s creeds, religious issues and concepts of conviction. These remain to be the most urgent of all. Safeguarding people’s religion is the most important and obligatory, more so than protecting those who jeopardize it or transgress its limits.

Everyone has to know his limits. He should not try to undermine issues and fixed beliefs of the faith, creed and conviction.

THIRD: Taking the initiative to criticize an ideology is neither victimizing nor scandalizing. Rather, insistence on bringing about issues which jeopardize the established creed, sect, history or other things, in a way which lacks scholarly precision and transgresses natural limits. Doing so does, indeed, lead to scandalizing one who espouses them.

4. Some people may be of the view that tackling some fixed creeds represents a form of innovative thinking, Islamic or historical education, and the like.

But the fact is that what is regarded as falling in such a category, generally speaking, represents a call to discuss issues which others in past generations had already discussed. Even many of them mention some such issues nowadays when holding discussions with Imamite Shi’as. Such a discussion traverses the folds of their words, spoken and sectarian renunciations, in their books, as any informed researcher knows. Imamite Shi’as have always answered the same clearly and precisely, in a responsible and an aware way, praise to Allah.

5. There is a statement which we have heard and read more than once saying that we should not have any apprehension against putting issues forth to people to discuss. It claims that the Qur’an has conveyed to us the thoughts of those who cast doubts about the Prophet (S) saying, “How can we know what they said about him being a madman, a wizard, or a liar, had the Qur’an not revealed their antagonistic stances?”

Let me say the following:

FIRST: Their claim that he (S) was a wizard, a liar, or a madman does not represent “ideologies” of those who cast doubts; rather, it is merely cursing, condemning and insulting the Messenger of Allah (S) within the scope of their media assaults against him. Those who personally said so, more than anyone else, knew very well that they were lying.

SECOND: Raising questions and throwing doubts and insults, accusing the Prophet (S), or anyone else…, is not considered an expression of an ideology, much less the “modernization” of an ideology.

THIRD: While narrating the statements of these folks, the Qur’an mentioned them as responding to the first party, falsifying them. The Qur’an was not satisfied with just bringing them about. Nor did it leave them up in the air so that they would rest in the hearts of people who had no means of knowledge to enable them to subject them to their judgment with precision, awareness and depth.

6. Some people say that the scholar’s responsibility is to demonstrate his knowledge when innovations appear within and without the Islamic reality, and if he does not do so, the curse of Allah will then be on him, as the Prophet (S) has said. Allah has said,

“Surely those who conceal the clear proofs and the guidance that We revealed, after We made it clear in the Book for men, these it is whom Allah shall curse, and those who curse shall curse them (too)” (Qur’an, 2:159).

Acting on this same statement, I have all my scholarly life obligated myself to face any challenge agitated from within or without the Islamic reality if and when it represents something new in our ideological heritage, or in our faith, or in the true sect the truth of which has been verified by the symbols of Islam, the pioneers of original Shi’ism, the flagpoles of scholarship, with clear proofs and shining evidences.

7. Someone may turn his own claim into his only definite evidence, so think about it!

8. Someone may try to undermine the proofs established by the scholars regarding a creed or some other issue. Regardless of his failure or success in such regard, when he does not provide an alternative evidence, he will thus give up the same creed whose proof he claims he has undermined, for he cannot uphold a creed for which he has no proof except if he imitates an authority in doctrinal matters, something which is not acceptable to anyone.

9. Someone may say that nobody has the right to advise him about not putting forth his own views and queries about matters relevant to the creed to ordinary people, belief in it, and the history about which he disagrees with the consensus of the sect’s scholars, symbols and genius theologians. He should not do so even if such an advice aims at safeguarding him from falling into the greatest sin. Such a sin is committed when anything which he suggests represents a serious deviation (from the creed).

Such a deviation obligates scholars, who are prohibited from hiding the knowledge and the proofs, to face him with the definite evidence, the terse proof, the similar style, or any legitimate style which explains to him and corrects him. Add to this the fact that it results in dire consequences with regard to the outcomes of these violations and their aftermaths and whatever method he imposes on others so they may deal with him and a way to face his queries, views and suggestions.

10. He also says, “Some people are concerned about putting ideological and doctrinal questions leading to undermining legacy ideas which may or may not be accurate.” Then he turns to people to say,

“Do not sell your minds to anyone, and do not remain stagnant as described by the verse saying, ‘We found our fathers on a course, and surely we are guided by their footsteps’ (Qur’an, 43:22),

since each generation has to open up to reality,” as he reasons. Then he provides an evidence for the necessity of putting his ideas and queries about the hadith saying, “When innovations appear, a scholar has to demonstrate his knowledge; otherwise, may the curse of All be on him,” citing the verse saying,

“Surely those who conceal the clear proofs and the guidance that We revealed, after We made it clear in the Book for men, these it is whom Allah shall curse, and those who curse shall curse them (too)” (Qur’an, 2:159).

I say, I do not know the justification for such a serious statement which implies an accusation that some of the ideologies and creeds of our true sect may not be correct! We never thought that the followers of this sect inherit ideologies and creeds without evidence and proof but only through blind imitation which is neither accepted nor is it rational! And we never thought that the followers of this sect are the ones referred to in verse 43:22 cited above!

What is worse is the “classification” of our (“inherited”) beliefs among the “innovations,” so one needs to “demonstrate” his knowledge according to the tradition cited above!

11. Someone may resort to projecting any “scholarly” treatment of the statements which he makes as related to personal motivations. Then analyses and speculations start, and accusations are coined, hence people will be busy with them, forgetting what is beyond that. We do not want to obligate anyone to think well of anyone else, although we believe that if he thinks well, especially on the scholarly level, it is what Islamic brotherhood calls for.

But we remind those who are busy with “scholarship” of an obligation mandated by Allah, Glory to Him, on all, that they have to distance themselves from making speculations, charges and backbiting, since all these imply transgressing the dignity of people without any legitimate justification. Such a transgression is rejected and is considered as a violation of the injunctions of the Shari’a , religion and conscience.

We would like to remind everyone of two things:

One is that this sort of understanding of issues does not decrease the value of scholarship or ideology presented for such a treatment which may be intended to hide its effect through such means. The scholarly spirit and strength of proof are the criteria and the scales for responding or accepting, if necessary, either of these things in any problem which falls in the essence of our concern and among our priorities.

The other is that we may not find any justification for such ill thoughts because the criteria mandated by the Shari’a are the ones which should judge any situation or conduct, especially if the relationship between both parties of the debate is warm and sound across a long period of time, had it not been for such an opposition to the ideas which a certain individual wishes to publicize and advance to prominence, defending them with might and means.

It was then that the other party felt the obligation of scholarly responsibility, or that of the Shari’a, in order to clarify what it finds to be true and accurate, and there is no embarrassment about that. Had such a responsibility not been thus undertaken, there would have been doubt about its righteousness and straight-forwardness.

12. Someone says that whatever statements he makes are merely due to his own ijtihad, that everyone has the right to practice ijtihad and to disagree with others’ views.

I say that there is no objection to anyone practicing ijtihad and disagreeing or agreeing with others in their views as long as the issue is confined and restricted to him and represents his own personal creed and is not the creed of anyone else. But when this individual wishes to disseminate among the public his own ijtihad, which is in contrast with the foundations on which the sect stands, and which agrees with irrefutable proofs and driven to by clear, authentic and consecutive traditions, so he calls on people to accept his own statements which disagree with such foundations..., then the stand towards him must be different from anyone else.

Challenging him and protecting people from following in his footsteps is a must in order to protect people from his views which disagree with the facts of the creed and with the fixed facts which the symbols of the sect and its most prominent personalities have confirmed. Everything should be brought out into the light and the difference between him and such personalities should likewise be made clear.

The obligation to challenge his dissertations becomes more pressing when we find him presenting them to the public under the label of an “ideology” that is in sync with what our scholars have agreed on as representing revitalization and modernization. He does so while not admitting at all that they differ from many established facts in the aspects of the creed and conviction, something which agrees with neither the ideological integrity nor the ethics of a man who is a transmitter and a critic.

13. It may be observed how someone exaggerates in his reliance on his own reason and in giving it the main role and the final decision even in matters where reason has no ability to explore. He may even make of his reason a criterion or a yardstick, claiming that he realizes the causes of the injunctions, so he probes the texts. When he comprehends their gist and finds himself in harmony with their contents, he accepts them and agrees with them; otherwise, he does not hesitate to reject them and to judge them as having been fabricated or “secretly” introduced.

We would like to explain the above within the framework of two suppositions from which error becomes evident:

One of them is this: The outward meaning of a text may obviously and clearly contradict reason in a matter which is one of the affairs of the intellect, one falling within the realm of reason and under its supervision. In this case, the text has to be interpreted according to what agrees with reason and with the principles of expression. If this is not possible, it has to be rejected. Such a supposition is the accurate one and the one accepted by the scholars.

The other is this: One’s rationale may fall short of realizing the wisdom or the cause of what the text discusses. For example, when the text says that the menstruating woman has to make up the fast but not the prayers, or when it tells us that near the end of time, Allah will bring back to life men from among the righteous, and men from among the wretches, so the righteous will receive eminence and nearness to Allah while the wretches will be punished because of some of what they had committed, thus the hearts of the believers will be healed.

If the mind is incapable of comprehending the interpretation of such an injunction, or such an event related by the text, it will unhesitatingly reject it or demand an interpretation for it saying, for example, that the meaning implies the return of the state and of authority (to the rightful people). There is no basis for such a rejection nor for demanding an interpretation because it does not presuppose that the mind of any single individual is capable of realizing all causes and injunctions for everything which has been or which is being mandated by Allah, Glory to Him.

Likewise, if one’s brain is incapable now of realizing some matters and mysteries, it may be able to do so in the future, or nobody will. Then future generations, hundreds of years later, will come to realize them, as is the case with many mysteries of life and of the cosmos which the Qur’an mentions, some of which we have already learned from the Qur’an.

Even if we did not realize them, with such knowledge remaining in the cycle of what Allah has kept for His own knowledge, or He may have taught it to His prophets and righteous servants, what is wrong with that?!

It seems to us that going to extremes in sanctifying the mind, since it is the “one and only” source of knowledge, making it the criterion for accepting or rejecting texts even in the last probability, that is, that it is learned from the Mu’tazilites, and it is their ailment as well as elixir, the cause of their tide’s ebb, and of their fire in the past generations which was put out. Here is history repeating itself.

We now witness a return to their same claim which proves the fallacy of what has been proven by evidences, and so have other claims which time has left far behind. We now witness such claims sticking their heads out of history’s cracks and hidden corners to be redisplayed once under the guise of modernization and once in the name of a new “ideology.” Allah is the One Who initiates and Who repeats, and He is the One Who does whatever He pleases.

14. Someone may claim that the reason why he criticizes the ideas of this person or those of that is his desire to prepare the environment against such a person [only] because he occupies a distinguished place, so fanaticism moved in this direction or that in order to cause his downfall. We say:

FIRST: It is quite evident that many people have declared their rejection of such claims, and they discuss them. They do not live the idea or the hallucination of “positions and labels” even if it is the label or the ideology of a specific religious authority, and this does not at all fall into the cycle of their concerns.

SECOND: We may find those who make these self-indicting statements to be the ones who initiate inflammatory ideas and live the worry of promoting their ideas through all means, once raising the level of suspension and excitement, and once lowering it, and facts have proven it.

THIRD: Besides all of this, the criterion and the balance of the ideology being discussed is the element of conviction therein and its share of the balance of right and wrong as well as the extent of its nearness or distance from the facts of the religion and of the sect.

Nobody claims knowledge of the unknown in as far as what the consciences of the people, the facts and the motives; so, let their motive be this or that, for this does not affect judging an idea as being right or wrong, nor does it underestimate or overestimate its significance.

15. We keep hearing that someone puts forth his ideas in various fields, ideas which do not agree with what the scholars have decided, nor are they in sync with a great deal of what they all agree about, based on the irrefutable proofs which rely on reason, or on authentic reports.

An attempt was undertaken to research these matters with the same people who initiated them in the first place and who were requested in more than one letter and through more than one messenger to enter into a scholarly debate, a written and a clear one, one wherein everything is clarified and right becomes distinguished from wrong through irrefutable evidences. All this is in the hope that it will lead, if undertaken, to sparing the field the negativity of their continuous advertising through what is not recommended, before establishing facts, reaching conviction and blocking gaps.

Unfortunately, his answer came back refusing such a debate unless it would take place within four walls and behind closed doors; such is his concept of a debate!

He refused to write me even one word by way of clarification, seeking an excuse of having no time to write, although he has been writing down about these same issues, circulating them everywhere, sometimes to particular people, and sometimes to people in general. He has been discussing them in articles, speeches and lectures through various news media outlets.

When he realized my insistence, he did not hesitate to refer to his dictionary in order to provide me with precious things of color, taste and smell of stinging language, stark speech plus a barrage of accusations. It was as though my request for a scholarly debate was equivalent to disbelieving in Allah, the Great, or even uglier, if there is anything uglier than that at all!

Perhaps the least harsh which I have heard and the most tolerable is that I am motivated by instincts, suffering from backwardness and complexes, falling under the influence of this or of that [individual], in addition to being described as having the “Iranian way of thinking” and of being a fanatic, an accusation which I like because I am fanatical about following the truth and defending it. It is, to me, something which is commended and praised by Allah and His Messenger (S), by His righteous servants and choicest ones, His blessings with all of them.

Till a few months ago, prior to writing these words, I was considered (by this individual) to be among the best of those who love and who keep him company. Nothing disturbed such love and friendship till we discovered lately what we thought we were obligated by the Shari’a to ask for a calm and terse academic discourse in order to solve this “complex”.

16. This book before the kind reader provides a large number of texts derived from scores, nay hundreds, of references, although it was produced within months not exceeding the number of fingers on one hand, a very short period, indeed, which does not permit a great deal of researching and investigating2 , especially in the presence of many diversions which obstruct undertaking the slightest effort during countable days.

I find myself in need to remind the kind reader that the references mentioned in this book’s footnotes were so many that I feared lest I should fall into error in documenting the numbers of their volumes and pages, as I did in many places in the publication of several editions of the same book; so, let him notice the same.

Paying a special attention to references, as has been my habit, is based on placing the reader before the most minute particularities of an incident so that he may be the one to judge, to ponder on, to conclude and to decide through upholding the means of knowledge, directly supervising the issues put forth for discussion and by his being acquainted with their environments, circum-stances and conditions, so that his attitude towards issues will then be precise and deep and springing out of awareness and inclusion, originality and firmness.

This method may not be appreciated by some people, those who write hundreds, or even thousands, of pages and who delve deeply into foundations based on exciting words and big claims without supporting them with clear texts or opening horizons of direct and inclusive knowledge except very little of what the commoners circulate or, in particular, whatever supports one’s own ideas! He keeps a great deal from you when he thinks that his interest lies in so doing. If you want to know some of it, you will find yourself without any of its means. Nor will he let you gain anything substantial, i.e. something of which you can take hold.

He wants you to read his own “education,” his experience as an individual, and to fly in his horizons, to sense his pains, hopes, aspirations and even whims and fantasies; there is nothing beyond that but mirage, and only mirage.

17. Again, I am very, very sorry to say that this book has not been destined to treat a particular subject with a beginning and an end as well as elements incorporating details relevant to some people casting doubts, for one reason or another, about the events that took place to al-Zahra’ (sa) or about their aftermath.

Repeated Points

I would like here to select some points which we mentioned in a previous article I published:

1. Bringing forth to discussion similar traditions (ahadith) or issues difficult to understand by ordinary people, then insisting on such an exposition, without providing a reasonable and acceptable explanation for it, is not acceptable, nor are its consequences commendable. This is not expected especially from people who are looked on to solve problems and to clarify what is ambiguous, especially when such traditions, or complex problems, are not presented before specialized thinkers but to simple-minded people. Among the latter are young and old folks, men and women, the learned and the ignorant. And all this is done through the general news media and in the open!

2. Exposing bringing about sensitive issues and putting forth questions to those who do not have the means to know what enables them to safely and correctly solve what is complex: Someone is doing so without providing sufficient answers, through all the means he has at his disposal. We try to avoid innocent people falling into a great and serious error. And all this is done without any concern about restricting the discussion to criticizing the idea without insulting, scandalizing or belittling anyone but safeguarding one’s dignity and honour in a scholarly, civilized and dignified way.

It is not fair to bring about such issues in the open then expect others to remain silent and not criticize them except behind closed doors. An expectation such as this is understood only as an order of silence, a forced order; rather, it is extortion. It confines the right of speech to only “his excellency” or “his holiness” and to nobody else.

3. No courtesies are to be paid when it comes to the issues of the religion and the creed. Nobody should expect to receive them, be he near in kin or a loved one, no matter what status he occupies or what role he plays, for the truth, and the religion, are above all considerations.

4. The issues of the religion and of the creed are not the monopoly of one particular party rather than another. They concern all people regardless of their status or [educational] level. Everyone has the right to show sensitivity towards a statement which undermines such issues, and this must be granted utmost attention, so that one may determine where he stands. Yet all of this should be done within the confines of moderation and in a scholarly, subjective, terse and responsible manner.

This is underscored when we get to know the following:

The issues relevant to the creed should not be followed by (blind) imitation; rather, each individual should seek a convincing and an acceptable evidence for them first and foremost. The issues relevant to the creed are not on par with those relevant to the fiqh wherein an ignorant person refers to a scholar in order to obtain his verdict based on general proofs which mandate imitation [taqlid].

People should not be prohibited from discussing such issues, nor is it appropriate to require them to blindly follow them, to imitate fathers and forefathers, this scholar or that. Also, this is not appropriate. In fact, their tardiness should not be taken advantage of, nor should their purity. These issues should not be presented to them in a way which is incomplete and out of balance, for this agrees with neither scholarly integrity nor with the Shari’a which ought to be observed.

People’s sensitivity to issues relevant to the religion and creed and their energetic and enthusiastic interest are all healthy signs and sound indications which ought to be encouraged and safeguarded. They should not be assaulted, nor should they be faced with serious accusations with the objective to suppress them and to put an end to them. They should be emphasized, safeguarded, properly directed in a straight and sound way, so that such a creed will become more firmly established and deeper in its effect on their conduct and stance, especially when they are faced with challenges.

5. Islamic branches of knowledge are numerous. They have vast and spacious inclusion, in addition to precision, in many detailed topics. There is no harm in a scholar taking his time to answer many questions about various branches of knowledge with which he is faced. He cannot answer all of them except if he were on the level of prophets or Imams. It is said, “May Allah have mercy on a man who knows his limits.”

If a responsible person has not finished his research and investigation of certain issues, nor has he studied them minutely and sufficiently in a way that enables him thereafter to present them to the people with precision and inclusion, he is not supposed to issue final verdicts in their regard, nor should he answer questions about them.

If he has to do it, he must confine himself to the limits of presentation and dissociation from responsibility, providing an excuse that he has not sufficiently studied and examined them. There is no harm if he is satisfied with whatever great scholars of the sect have agreed on, without paying attention to what this particular scholar or that has singled himself out, for exceptions cannot be followed while leaving aside what is famous and what is backed.

But when one comes out to tell whatever he reveals within himself or answers every question by casting doubts which provide for him an escape route3 , misleading people into thinking that he is knowledgeable of all the details of issues, and that he raises questions about them out of knowledge, responsibility and deep thinking, although he may not have seen the text in the first place, let alone having studied or researched it…, this is not appropriate. Such a method is not acceptable. It is neither logical nor rational.

6. Nobody has the right to require people to restrict themselves to inquire about issues relevant only to the Prophet (S) and to the Imams (as) authenticated by criteria applied to narrators of hadith... This means that people should remain silent about traditions dealing with most issues and questions, be they theological, historical, or others. Should one who requires people to do so confine his statements to the particulars of issues about which authentic proofs have been narrated by the Infallible Ones (as), he will find himself forced to remain silent, to sit at home, because he finds only a few that he will exhaust during a few days or less than that.

We, however, say, and so does he, that proving an issue is not dependent on the Abundance of authentic traditions narrated by the Infallible Ones (as), for there may be other proofs which sometimes strengthen the degree of depending on them, such as the tradition being weak and it is well known that it was acted on and relied on, despite the presence before their eyes of authentic support, then they did not pay it any attention.

Also, if the text represents a decision from a reprobate admitting something which indicts him or contradicts his line, it is not correct to say that this person is reprobate, so his statement cannot be accepted. Thereupon, various proofs have to be examined in fiqh issues and in usul, creed, history, etc., by the specialized people who benefit from them in order to strengthen a text whose support is weak, or vice versa, according to sources and to the existence of proofs.

7. There is nothing easier for anyone to stand and cast doubts or deny what is already proven. There is nothing easier than running away from being committed to issues or from bearing responsibility. This is neither a practical proof nor does it indicate the universality of anything at all. A scholar who delves deeply into issues, the critic, the researcher…, is the one who exerts a serious effort to verify the origins, confirms and verifies the facts, asserting what is proven and discarding what is fabricated.

8. Attributing any statement to a particular sect of people, or to any sect at all, is right only when the statement is made by him/them and publicly declared by their prominent figures and scholars across the centuries and is what their views have agreed on and their hearts accepted. This is known by referring to their assemblies, books, creed’s texts…, and to their biographies.

But if someone, or a people belonging to a sect, becomes the exception to the rule with regard to some views, it is not right to attribute the exception to the entire sect, or to its faqihs or scholars; so, what would you say when the latter are the ones who reneged in their speeches from the recognized pioneer who verified the sect’s issues?!

So is the case if someone understands an issue incorrectly, unnaturally or out of the ordinary: It is not right to attribute it to others as a generalization. It is then that the operation of scandalizing him with glittering words, exaggerating and magnifying him, starts. The end result is holding the sect’s scholars in contempt and thinking lightly of their way of thinking without any justification. Then he provides the alternative which he prepared in advance with sweet words no matter how weak and meek his alternative may be.

9. Putting forth for ordinary people issues which require explanations in ambiguous ways, though it may to a certain extent facilitate for the person who does it the means to avoid the consequences of his dissertation, does not exempt one from the responsibility of ordinary people considering the idea as the whole truth and the view, which results from research and study and anything other than it..., as being wrong.

Yes, none of this exempts him from responsibility so long as everyone knows that people understand the issues in a simple way. They do not pay attention to words such as “perhaps,” “maybe,” “we may imagine,” “we could understand,” “we may be inspired,” “we have to study,” etc.

We appreciate the efforts of sincere workers and pray for them to achieve success. We thank all sincere brethren who exerted a great deal of effort to make this book a success, especially my Brother, the great ‘allama, Shaikh Ridwan Shararah. May Allah appreciate the effort of everyone, and may He protect them and enable all of us to be sound of view and sincere in action. He is our Master, and He is the One Who grants guidance to the straight course.

Notes

1. _, Al-Safir newspaper of June 27, 1996, in an article by a professor.

2. The original Arabic text of this book falls into two volumes. The total number of their pages exceeds one thounsand. I have preferred to put them together for the kind reader. – Tr.

3. For example, he once asked about something which exists in a text, saying, “This is not ascertained,” or, “The authenticity of the narration is not known,” or, “There are traditions which prove that this is not true.”


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