Alhassanain(p) Network for Heritage and Islamic Thought

Islamic Teachings in Brief

Author(s): Allamah Sayyid Muhammad Husayn Tabatabai

Publisher(s): Ansariyan Publications – Qum

www.alhassanain.org/english

Table of Contents

Preface 7

Foreword 8

Notes 10

Religion 11

1. Beliefs 11

2. Ethics 12

3. Commandments 12

Is It Necessary For Man To Follow A Religion? 12

Conclusion 14

The Advantages of Religion 14

Human Civilization 15

The Need for Regulations in the Society 16

Man is Not Free Against Regulations 16

Weak Point in the Implementation of Regulations 17

The Original Source of the Weakness of Laws 17

The Advantage of Religion Over Other Laws 18

Seeking a Remedy by Others 19

A Summary of the History of Religions 21

The Religion of Islam 22

The Importance that Islam Attributes to Man's Comfort 23

Comparison of Islam with Other Religions 23

Comparison of Islam with Other Social Systems 24

Note 25

Beliefs 26

Discussion Concerning Origin of Creation is Natural 26

Affirmation of the Creator 26

Theism and People 27

The Effect of this Inquisitiveness in Man's Life 28

Theism From the Viewpoint of the Holy Qur'an 28

Qur'an's Teachings about The Creator Of The World 30

The Existence of The Creator 30

Qur'an and Tawhid 30

The Almighty Allah Possesses All Attributes of Perfection 31

Why Doesn't Man Accept This Truth At Times? 32

The Power and Knowledge of Allah 33

Justice 34

Blessing 35

Other Attributes of Perfection 35

Nubuwwah (Prophethood) 37

The logic in Nubuwwah 37

The Difference between Man and Other Creatures 38

Attributes of a Prophet 39

Prophets among People 39

Ulul'azm Anbiya' (Arch-Prophets) and All Other Prophets 40

(1) Prophet Nuh (as) 40

(2) Prophet Ibrahim (as) 41

(3) Prophet Musa (as) 42

(4) Prophet 'Isa (as) 43

Note 43

Prophet Muhammad Ibn 'Abdillah (S) 44

The Incident of Monk Buhayra 45

The Story of Monk Nestorius 46

Good Tidings Given By The Jews Of Madinah 47

Qur'an's Reference to Prophetic Tidings 47

From Al-Bi'that Al-Nabawiyyah to The Hijrah 47

A Trip to Ta'if 49

The Hijrah of the Holy Prophet (S) To Madinah 50

The Battle of Badr 51

The Battle of Uhud 51

The Battle of Khandaq 52

Battle with The Jews, The Battle Of Khaybar 53

Inviting The Rulers And Kings To Islam 53

The Battle of Hunayn 54

The Battle of Tabuk 54

Other Battles 54

Ghadir Khumm and the Issue of Succession 55

The Settlement of The Holy Prophet (S) In Madinah And The Advancement Of Islam 55

A Glance at The Intellectual and Spiritual Personality of The Holy Prophet (S) 57

The Spiritual Personality of The Holy Prophet (S) was Extraordinary 58

The Character of The Holy Prophet (S) 58

The Holy Prophet's (S) Last Will To the Muslims 62

The Holy Qur'an 63

The Holy Qur'an is a Miracle 65

Accusing the Holy Prophet (S) 67

The Holy Qur'an Challenges the Mushrikin 67

Prophet Muhammad's (S) Ahl Al-Bayt (as) 70

The Expressly Stated Virtues of 'Ali (as) and All The Ahl Al-Bayt (as) 70

Imamah 73

The Logic for Imamah 73

The Imam is Indispensable 74

The Holy Prophet's (S) Statement about Wilayah 74

Appointment of a Successor by The Holy Prophet (S) 75

The 'Ismah of Imam 76

The Moral Virtues of Imam 76

The Knowledge of Imam 76

The Fourteen Ma'sumin 76

The Guiding Imams (as) 76

The Names of The Infallible Imams (as) 76

The General Life-Style of the Ahl Al-Bayt (as) 78

The Root Cause of the Differences of The Imams (as) with Contemporary Governments 79

An Exceptional Point in the Policy of the Ahl al-Bayt (as) 81

Al-'Imam 'Ali (as) 81

Al-Siddiqah Al-Kubra Fatimah (as) 84

Al-'Imam Al-Hasan (as) And Al-'Imam Al-Husayn (as) 85

Al-'Imam 'Ali Al-Sajjad (as) 89

Al-'Imam Muhammad Al-Baqir (as) 89

Al-'Imam Ja'far Al-Sadiq (as) 90

Al-'Imam Musa Al-Kazim (as) 90

Al-Imam 'Ali Al-Ridha’ (as) 91

Al-'Imam Muhammad Al-Taqi (as), Al-'Imam 'Ali Al-Naqi (as), and Al-'Imam Al-Hasan Al-'Askari (as) 92

Imam Al-'Asr, Muhammad Al-Mahdi Al-Maw'ud (as) 93

The Moral Conclusion Derived From the Policy of the Leaders of Religion 94

Ma'ad (Resurrection) 95

Ma'ad, Religions and Faiths 96

Ma'ad as in The Qur'an 96

From Death to The Yawm Al-Qiyamah 97

The Meaning of Death from The Viewpoint of Islam 97

The World of Barzakh 97

Ethics 99

Difference of Opinion in the Identification and Specification of Duties 99

Dutifulness 101

(1) The Duty of Man towards Allah (Cognizance of Allah) 101

The Worship of Allah 102

(2) The Duty of Man towards Himself 102

Physical Health 103

Mental Health 104

Receiving Education and Knowledge 105

The Value and Importance of a Student from the Viewpoint of Islam 107

The Importance of a Teacher and an Instructor 107

Paying Respect to the Learned Men 107

The Duties of Teachers and Students 108

Two Important Masterpieces in The Teachings Of Islam 108

Abstaining from Free Thinking and Expression of Truth 109

Conclusion 110

Ijtihad and Taqlid 110

(3) The Duty of Man towards Others 111

The Duty of Man towards His Parents 111

The Rights of Parents 112

The Rights of Children on Parents 112

Respect for the Elders 113

Man's Duty towards His Relatives 113

Man's Duty towards His Neighbours 114

Man's Duty towards the Inferior and The Poor 114

Man's Duty towards the Society 115

Justice 116

Individual Justice 116

Social Justice 116

Tyranny and Oppression 116

Sociability 116

Teasing People and Mischievousness 118

Association with the Good People 118

Companionship with the Bad People 118

Truthfulness 119

The Disadvantages of Falsehood 119

Backbiting and Libel 120

Damaging the Prestige of People 121

Self-Respect and Honesty 121

Benevolence and Helping the Needy 121

Cooperation 122

Arranging Charities and Reliefs 122

Self-Sacrifice 123

Generosity and Donation of Money 124

The Generalities of Jihad 125

The Instances of War In Islam 126

Escaping From Jihad and Defence 126

Defending the Islamic Domain 127

Fighting With the Internal Enemies of The Society 127

Defending the Truth 128

Homicide 128

Infringing Upon The Property of Orphans 128

Disappointment for The Blessings of Allah 128

Anger and Wrath 129

Bribery 129

Theft 129

Selling Underweight 130

The General Penalty of Sins in Islam 130

The Essentiality of Employment and The Importance of Trade And Industry 130

Denouncement of Idleness 131

Agriculture and Its Advantages 131

Self-Confidence 132

The Disadvantages of Relying On Others 132

Notes 133

Commandments 134

Reciting Salat 134

Wajib Salaat 135

Prerequisites of Salat 135

(1) Taharah 135

Najis Substances 135

Mutahhirat (Purifiers) 136

Wudhu’ and Its Precepts 137

The Ghusl 138

The Tayammum 139

Procedures for Tayammum 139

The Precepts Pertaining to Tayammum 139

(2) Time 139

(3) Dress 140

(4) Place 141

(5) Qiblah 141

Mandatory Acts While Reciting The Salat 141

The Rukns of The Salat 142

Tashahhud and Salam 143

Salat Al-Ayat 143

The Procedure for Reciting The Salat Al-Ayat 143

The Salat of A Traveller 144

Conditions Concerning Salat Al-Jama'ah 144

The Precepts Concerning Salat Al-Jama'ah 145

The Sawm (Fasting) 145

Ramadhan, The Month of Allah 146

The Sawm Leads To Taqwa 146

Muftirat Which Render the Sawm Batil 147

The Bay' (Selling) 147

The Irrevocability Of Bay' 147

The Bay’ on Cash, On Credit, And On Advance Payment 148

Confession 148

Eatables and Drinkables 149

First Type: Animals 149

Second Type: Inanimate Objects 150

(1) Solids 150

(2) Liquids 150

Important Note 150

The Ghasb (Usurpation) 151

Some of The Precepts Concerning Ghasb 152

The Shuf'ah (Preemption) 152

Re-Cultivation of Barren Lands 153

Luqtah (Picked Up Article) 154

Glossary of non-English Terms 155

Preface

In the Name of Allah,

The All-compassionate, The All-merciful

Praise belongs to Allah, the Lord of all being;

the All-compassionate, the All-merciful;

the Master of the Day of Judgement;

Thee only we serve, and to Thee alone we pray

for succour;

Guide us in the straight path;

the path of those whom Thou hast blessed,

not of those against whom Thou art wrathful,

nor of those who are astray.

* * * * *

O' Allah!send your blessings to the head of

your messengers and the last of

your prophets,

Muhammad and his pure and cleansed progeny.

Also send your blessings to all your

prophets and envoys.

Call unto the way of your Lord with wisdom and good exhortation, and reason with them in the best way. Lo!your Lord best knows those who go astray from His path, and He knows best those who are rightly guided

(Qur'an, 16:125)

Ansariyan Publications

P.O. Box 37185/187 QUM

Islamic Republic Of Iran

Foreword

This book, written in a relatively simple language, presents a summary of the teachings of Islam to provide some information for those who are not able to examine Islamic matters deeply in a specialized manner.

One of the most valuable styles for the promotion of culture, sciences and religion is through simple writings. This method has evolved for general dissemination of human knowledge to unveil uncertainties and remove difficulties from some specialized branches of science and technology so as to make them easily understandable for the public.

No matter how technical a branch of science or subject is, it could be stated and written in such a way that everyone can utilize it and gain a relative knowledge in proportion to his educational status and in accordance with the depth and the extent of his thinking.

This style we see in the Qur'an in its best form. In the Qur'an, the most complicated human affairs, highly metaphysical and humanistic matters, Ma'ad (Resurrection), the ultimate point of man's life and his conditions after death, etc have been described in the simplest language possible.

Considerable space is needed to cite a few examples of such illuminating highlights of the Qur'an; therefore, we are quoting only one or two examples. Qur'an, although firm and rational in its reasoning for Ma'ad and the life in the worldHereafter , states simply, briefly, and in a way that is comprehensible to all.

"...Says he: 'Who will give life to the bones when they are rotten?' Say: 'He will give life to themWho brought them into existence at first, and He is Cognizant of all creation' (36:78-79)."

This is a very strong reasoning and a logical and rational remark. The Power that brought forth creations from nonexistence into the world of existence has the power to gather the components once more and give them life after their disintegration.

It is said that Abu Nasr al-Farabi1 , the Muslim philosopher, wished that had Aristotle been alive, he would have accepted this logical reasoning of Qur'an for physical resurrection. As you can see, although rational, it has a very simple language that can be easily comprehended if one thinks a little about it. In like manner, many remarks and reasonings have been presented about the science of the origin, but the Qur'an states the subject in a simple and balanced manner.

"Does He not know who He created? And He is the Knower of the subtleties, the Aware (67:14)."

With this brief expression, the subject becomes completely clear. For experts, too, this verse has a strong argument in itself.

The prophets and Imams [Twelve infallible successors of Prophet Muhammad (S)] have also set forth advanced, sophisticated, and more complicated matters in a simple form but profoundly in accordance with Allah's Book. It is also stated in the Qur'an:

"AndWe did not send any messenger but with the language of his people so that he might explain to them clearly (14:4)."

This verse lucidly indicates that the prophets used the criteria of simple language carefully to clarify and express the truth.

This is due to the fact that the prophets were cognizant of the precise method of presentation, the mode of speech, and the insights of the people of their time. They were also well aware of their people's talents and feelings.

The prophets were familiar with the artistic and literary feelings of their people and presented their subjects and materials in customary forms acceptable to the public. Although the principles of the teachings of the prophets were similar and identical, the method of their presentation and expression has had considerable differences in various societies.

This principle existed in the prophets' commissions:

"We are commissioned to speak in accordance with people's thoughts. Islamic matters, therefore, should be presented in such a way that is understandable by everyone. One must adopt a simple and balanced language filled with artistic and literary aesthetics to acquire a striking success in its abundant and immediate influence."2

Based on this principle and in accordance with the Qur'an and the ahadith (Traditions), our religious leaders wrote simple and condensed books in a simple language. These books were firm and logical and had a correct, lucid, and condensed form and technique. They had very well found out that it is always the quality of presenting the subjects and the manner of expression, language, and writing that can propagate a subject in the society, a fact that is very much ignored nowadays.

There are two factors that play an essential and vital role in this cause and in the real fulfillment of this method. Firstly, full knowledge and information on the subject matter.Secondly, familiarity with the principles of writing and the literary and artistic criteria for simple writing. If the author lacks in either of these two principles, they will not be able to present useful books to the people. Even if they make such an attempt, they will not succeed.

Thus to prepare small treatises on important, enlightening and valuable subjects related to human beings is a great, specialized and difficult task. He, who writes scientific matters for the public, performs a greater and more specialized task than one who writes for experts.

Therefore, it should not be assumed that simplicity in writing means that anyone with little knowledge and artistic talent in writing will be able to present some treatises; rather this task is more burdensome and difficult than scientific and technical writings. As mentioned earlier, to embark on such a task entails two kinds of proficiencies.

In relation to the dissemination of religious culture particularly that of Islam such books are of vital significance. As there is no such opportunity available to the people of our society to spend many years to gain knowledge about Islam, such treatises must be written to adequately orient and familiarize them with Islam. The grandeur, depth, and vastness of Islamic matters should not hinder people's understanding. A couplet states:

"If the sea's water cannot entirely be drawn, at least so much to quench the thirst must be taken".

Consequently, researchers, with expertise and skill in various Islamic matters, should also have expertise and experience in literary and artistic techniques and the forms and types of presentation, so that their material could be understood by the present generation which would then be familiarized with the Islamic culture.

This book is presented to serve the purpose of such a significant task. The late 'Allamah Tabataba'i, with his vast and deep knowledge on Islamic matters, both comprehensively and in relation with one another, coupled with his experience in presenting relatively simple and general books, aimed at pursuing such a mission. This book and a few others in this connection can prove advantageous to everyone and can fulfill the responsibility of theological centres and Islamic theologians.

Al-Hawzatul-'Ilmiyyah, Qum

Notes

1. Abu Nasr al-Farabi was a great Muslim philosopher, who was born in 259 AH at Farab, (one of areas of Turks) and died at Damascus in 339 A.H.

2. "Al-Haya'", 3rd edition, vol. 1, p 146.