The SWORD OF NAHJULBALAGHA
Recent Research on the Basic Tenets of Shia School of Thought
BY
ZEESHAN HAIDER MOOSAVI (M.A.Philosophy)
INDEX
FOREWORD
INTRODUCTION
CHAPTER 1: DECEPTIVE APPEARANCE
CHAPTER 2: THE LESS INTELLIGENT AND THE TRUE BELIEVERS
CHAPTER 3: THE WAHABI SHIA AND THE EXTREMIST SHIA
CHAPTER 4: IMAM ALI (A.S)-ON IJTIHAD
CHAPTER 5: DOMINANCE MIMICRY
REFERENCES
FOREWORD
I have gone through the book ‘The Sword of Nahjulbalagha’ by my learned friend Zeeshan Haider Moosavi, and wondered why a man of science has written this book and I asked him about it. What he told me was a revelation. He said:
“Being a man of science, specializing in biotechnology does not mean that I do not have any other interest. I have done my M.A.Philosophy and am a practicing Shia Ithna Asheri. My background in science has helped me become a better Shia, because the more I know about science, my Irfan (gnosis) of Ameerul-Momineen Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (a.s) increases as I am also an avid reader of Nahjulbalagha since my childhood. My scientific temper forces me to go deeper and further whenever a topic is raised concerning with either science or religion and I try to find scientific truths in religion, and religious truths in science. Currently, the raging topic of discussion among the Shias of the world in general and Hyderabad in particular is that of Ijithad and Taqlid. And I find that any discussion on this subject always raises the tempers of the interlocutors and an academic discussion becomes a personal fight leading to breakup of relations among friends and relatives and in some cases even to divorces. On the whole the argument of the pro-Taqlid (Usuli) group is in support of unity of the greater Muslim Ummah under a single banner at any cost. And that of their opponents is preservation of traditional religious tenets and practices of the Shias regardless of any consequences. This controversy has set me thinking to analyze the issue as a scientific problem in the light of science and Nahjulbalagha.”
I think he has stated his purpose very succinctly and has succeeded in bringing the issue in a proper perspective. I do hope that the readers of both opposing groups will take this book as a dispassionate and non partisan work and benefit from the insight the author has been able to provide on such a critical subject.
However the author had missed certain historical developments and I found it necessary to present the same to the readers through this foreword. It is a fact that for too long and for historical reasons, a majority of the lay Shias have been habituated by the force of the circumstances to be circumspect and mindful of the feelings of the majority Muslims i.e. Sunnis, initially due to the doctrine of Taqiyyah (Dissimulation), which might have been necessary to safeguard their lives, honor and property from persecution by the tyrant regimes and later, due to the fear of social and political ostracism.
But in the process their original beliefs have been transformed to make them more palatable to the world. The first such attempts to make subtle changes in the Shia beliefs and practices more acceptable to the majority Sunni populations of Iraq and Iran began as far back as the times soon after the death of Shaykh Saduq in 381AH / 992 C.E. by none other than his pupil Shaykh Mufid (d.413 A.H. / 1023 CE.).
I now quote: (emphasis is mine)
from a book, published by World Organization for Islamic Services Tehran – Iran, The Emendation of A Shī‘ite Creed, A translation of Tashīhu 'l-I‘tiqãd of Abū ‘Abdillãh, Muhammad ibn Muhammad ibn Nu‘mãn, Known as ash-Shaykh al-Mufīd. By: ‘Irfãn ‘Abdu 'l-Hamīd, Volume II
“The intellectual relationship between the Mu‘tazilite school of thought and Shī‘ism, which constitutes, as the late Prof. Macdonald noticed, "the great mystery of Muslim history", was referred to by many classical as well as modern scholars. The different opinions expressed by them on this complicated subject can be reduced to two theories. Those who maintain that Shī‘ism has elaborated its theology on a basis borrowed from the intellectual system of the Mu‘tazilites, to which the Shī‘ah divines affiliated themselves during the fourth century of the Hijra. This theory seems to be very old in origin, since as early as the fourth century some, such as ash-Shaykh al-Mufīd, wrote a refutation of it. Among the Sunnite theologians ash-Shahrastãnī, lbn Taymiyyah and ad-Dawãnī supported it. Recently both Goldziher and Adam Mez have also championed it.
Contrary to this is the theory advanced by the Shī‘ite theologians themselves who resented the whole aspersion of borrowing, and were engaged in intellectual controversies in an effort to repudiate it, directing their fiercest attacks against this so-called "false allegation". They were not content with this negative refutation but also alleged that the whole Mu‘tazilite system was itself a product of the teachings of the infallible Imãms, which were transfused into Mu‘tazilite philosophy through the tuition which the early Mu‘tazilite doctor, and the founder of the whole school, Wãsil ibn ‘Atã’ received from Muhammad Ibn al-Hanafiyyah.*
It is easy in this respect to explain and comprehend the concern of the Shī‘ah divines on the grounds that to them the whole structure of their authoritative system was based on and indeed derived from the direct intuition (Ilham) which the infallible Imams received from God without any extraneous support. Nevertheless, a critical investigation based on comparative research will soon disclose that the transformation of the Shī‘ite theology from a literal, traditional stand to a rational and allegorical interpretation of the revealed law, was primarily inspired by critical and rational Mu‘tazilite tendencies.
I am convinced that a critical comparison of the Imãmiyyah Creed as stated for the first time by Ibn Bãbawayh al-Qummī better known as Shaykh Saduq in his ‘Aqãidu 'l-Imãmiyyah, with Tashīh I‘tiqãdãti 'l-Imãmiyyah which was compiled by his pupil Abū ‘Abdillãh ash-Shaykh al-Mufīd, which is the core of my thesis, will demonstrate that the reconstruction, refinement and re-examination which is visible in al-Mufīd's work, marked a new orientation towards a critical methodology first inaugurated by the Mu‘tazilite. Hence it is essential that my work should be studied along with Prof. A.A.A. Fyzee's A Shī‘ite Creed”.
* This relationship, though referred to frequently (see Ibnu 'l-Murtadã, al-Munyah, p.5), is not admissible since Muhammad Ibn al-Hanafiyyah died in 79 or 80 AH, the very year in which Wãsil was born. Some sources substitute Abū Hãshim ‘Abdullãh, the son of Muhammad Ibn al-Hanafiyyah for his father (ash-Shahristãnī, al-Milal, vol.1, and p.57). Even, if this were so, the personal relationship should not be stressed too far; as it would be rash to assume their teachings are necessarily similar.
Unquote.
But I believe that doing the same thing now i.e. being circumspect and mindful of the feelings of the majority Muslims i.e. Sunnis to the extent of changing the fundamentals of Shia Ithna Asheri creed would not be proper. The fact that in this knowledge era with almost universal access to the enormous resources of the internet and global connectivity, hiding or sugar coating the truth to either appease or to attract a few sections of the larger Muslim community to one’s leadership, a “la Pan Islamism” of Jamaluddin Afghani would lead to weaken the Shia stance rather than create empathy leading to unity among and with those who have all along opposed the true Shia.
During the present times the Shia scholars, most of whom have qualified from the different Houzat al ‘Ilmiyahs, Madrassas and Seminaries of Iraq, Iran, Lebanon, India and Pakistan, are busy delivering the message of Taqrib (Unity of Muslim) like, reducing the zikr of faza’el and masa’eb of the Ahlul Baiyt, reducing the zikr of Ma’arifat and Tawalla, reducing the status and merits of the Ahlul Baiyt, especially the status and merits of Ameerul Momineen Ali ibn Abi Talib (‘Alaiyhiss Salaam) and the other Aimma of Ahul Baiyt (’Alaihimus Salaam) in the Majalis and increasing the discussions of Fara’edh and Wajibat like Sawm and Salat, Faza’el of Ulama and Mujtahideen both past and present, condemning the tradition of Tabarra among the Shia, and honing their Proselytisation skills, through the spoken or written word, delivered through the platform of Hussainiyat i.e. the Mimbars of the Majalis (mourning congregations of Moharram), utilizing every occasion and gathering of especially the Shia youth for ‘Azaa-e-Hussain in processions and Majalis in various Imam Bargahs, Mosques and Islamic centers spread in all major cities with sizeable Shia populations of locals or expat immigrants in almost all continents.
This propaganda machine works through the scholarly books, periodicals, and magazines and uses modern marketing techniques such as digital overhead projectors, large format digitally printed multicolor flex hoardings, bill boards, posters and well printed hand bills or even badges stickers, calendars, buntings and other merchandise like T Shirts, Head Bands, Caps etc. containing the color photographs of one or the other Marja’a-e-Taqleed, in their best garb of flowing white or salt pepper beards, spotless white Bosky Jubba / Kurta and jet black or raw Sienna Muslin flowing Aba / Qaba, Heavy, large and tightly wrapped black, white or green headgear / Turban or ‘Ammamah (without the Taht al Hanak), milky white socks (which color is prohibited for the socks) covering the regularly pedicured soft and supple feet buckled in within the confines of a black buck leather, black shoes or sandals (which color is prohibited for the shoes) turning these men of religion into some kind of fashion icons.
And this propaganda juggernaut also works through the beautifully printed hard bound books published professionally made and uploaded videos of these Majalis and other speeches of such Maraji’a, Ayatollahs, Zakireen, Ulama and Mujtahideen who have a gift of the gab, oratory and public speaking on the internet on various web sites like U-tube.
These marketing campaigns are also run through Search Engine Optimization on various Search Engines like Google, Yahoo, and Internet Explorer etc. and through spam mails on popular email sites like Gmail, yahoo, hotmail, AOL etc. Doubts are created about infallibility, Ilm-e-Ghaib, Miracles and Nooraniyat of the Ma’asoomeen (’Alaihimus Salaam), questions are raised about the authenticity of some of the most important Shiite books of Ahadith like Al Kafi, Biharul Anwar, Mashariqul Anwar etc. and about the rijal of various Ziaraat (Salutations) of Aimma and Ad’aeyyiaat-e-Mathoorah (The prayers and supplications attributed to the Ma’asoomeen). This is done rather deliberately because these Ziaraat (Salutations) of Aimma and Ad’aeyyiaat-e-Mathoorah (The prayers and supplications attributed to the Ma’asoomeen) contain the key elements of true Shia Imamia faith. Such a negative propaganda is spread through various forums like the Shiachat.com, Answering Ansar.com and other chat rooms including the popular social networking sites like face book, Orkut etc. or even SMSes.
These propagandists of the so called Taqrib (Muslim Unity) are otherwise known among the Shiites as the Imams, Na’eb-e-Imams, Maraji’as, Ayatollahs, Mujtahideen, Hujjatul Islams, Ulema, Moulvis, Zakireen, Khateebs, Moulanas etc. who are trying to denigrate, malign and disparage every man, every Shia, every book or every Hadith (tradition) that goes against their agenda of Taqrib and they use some very deft techniques with finesse to do the same by hiding, obfuscating, transforming, editing and corrupting the classical Shiite books and traditions to suit the current agenda of Taqrib while they are republished.
It is said there are whole departments attached to various Houzat al ‘Ilmiyahs, Universities, Colleges, Madrassas and Seminaries to carry out this mission. And the libraries and publication houses in Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Pakistan and India are staffed by well paid, highly qualified translators, researchers and editors who are engaged whole time to search, locate and procure the old manuscripts of the original Shiite classics and republish them after suitable editing in the name of research. The examples of such Tahrif (Corruption / Tampering) in the original Shiite books are many but I would like to give only a few references as under which can be verified by the readers themselves.
1) The book “Sayr Dar Nahjul Balagha”, by Ayatollah Murtada Mutahhari, wherein a full chapter, chapter 5, which contained the Faza’el of Ahlul Baiyt has been removed by the editors of the latest edition, calling it too radical. (See al-Islam.org).
2) The famous Shiite supplication, “Dua-e-Nudba” has been edited to exclude some critical / radical references of true Shia beliefs.
3) The famous book “Mashariqul Anwaril Yaqeen Fi Asraril Ameerul Momineen” by famous Mystic author, Shaiykh Rajab al Bursi, was edited during its republication in Iran to exclude the more radical Shiite beliefs about the Imam, as were present in the original Manuscript found in Bombay. This is mentioned in the latest edition by the publishers themselves.
A common technique in many cases when complete removal is not possible due to the contextual problems, is to leave the text of the book or the tradition therein as it was, but create a doubt about its authenticity or about the faith or sectarian loyalties of the author of the classic by insinuations that he belonged to the Jarudia, Zidiyah, Ghullat and Waqifiya etc. sects in the footnotes and commentaries thus bringing all that was said in the given classic or by the author concerned, into disrepute.
Once the lay Shia gets caught into this grand web, he is indoctrinated into their beliefs against Matam, Majlis, Tawalla and Tabarra etc. I am sure within a span of a few generations the true Shia Islam of the Aimma of Ahlul Baiyt of 1400 years that has survived until now despite all persecutions and tyrannies perpetrated against them by the majority Sunni Rulers will be gone and a new Shiite creed of Mu’atazila Usulis, which is not very new really (only about 700 years old) will take its place as the true Shia Ithna Asheriah or the Imamiah. Unless the true Shia Ithna Asheriah or the Imamiah fight them back in the same scholarly manner, using the same methodology and pedagogy, using the same technological resources, this ominous possibility which is already knocking at our doors will become a reality, it almost has. We should consider ourselves very fortunate that we are living in this knowledge era and in a free democracy of India and we should utilize this opportunity to the hilt.
Another strategy being adopted that began in the Shi'i-friendly Buwayhid period (334 AH /945 CE.) onwards, is that of independent Tafsir / Commentary of the Quran without limiting the interpretation to the Ahadith of the Aimma-e-Ma’asoomeen (‘Alaihimuss Salaam), this strategy began like a trickle in that period which became a torrent in the present times to the extent where the Zawahir al Quran (the literal meaning of Quran) are being considered as the Hujjah for deriving Ahkam directly from the Quran, in preference to the Ahkam as propounded by the Aimma-e-Ma’asoomeen (‘Alaihimuss Salaam). While the Pre-Buwayhid Tafasir, like, those of Furat b. Furat al-Kufi (ft. early fourth/tenth century), 'Ali b. Ibrahim al-Qummi (fl. 307 AH /919 CE), Muhammad b. Mas'ud al-'Ayyashi (ft. early fourth/tenth century), and Muhammad b. Ja'far al-Nu'mani Ibn Abi Zaynab (d. 360 AH /971CE), that date from the period between the Minor and Major Occultations of the twelfth Imam (aj.t.f.s),which is also the period immediately prior to the establishment of a Shi'i-friendly Buwayhid dispensation in 334 AH / 945 CE, record the reported exegetical opinions of the Imams, generally Imam Ja'far al-Sadiq (d. 148/765) and Muhammad al-Baqir (d. ca. 114/732).
These earlier Tafsir of Furat b. Furat al-Kufi, 'Ali b. Ibrahim al-Qummi, Muhammad b. Mas'ud al-'Ayyashi, and Muhammad b. Ja'far al-Nu'mani Ibn Abi Zaynab are characterized by "an extreme anti-Sunni tendency and a hostile attitude to the Companions of the Prophet". This attitude was moderated in commentaries of the Quran during and after the Buwayhid period which may well be because of the improved standing of the Imamiyya that required the Shia scholars of the time to abandon their isolationist and confrontationist attitudes towards their overwhelmingly Sunni surroundings and to conceal their opposition to them on religious grounds, while strategically emphasizing their common heritage" (p. 86). This trend is evident in the Tafasir of al-Tusi (d. 460/1067) and al-Tabrisi (d. 548/1153) whose exegesis is more "independent"; also, "later Imami exegesis aims at investigating the veracity or falsehood of traditions--a characteristic that ... was absent from the pre-Buwayhid exegesis" (p. 76).
A thorough reading of the original sources has unearthed a particularly interesting illustrative report that appears in an early lithograph edition of al-Qummi explaining the verse 66:2 of the Quran in which Abu Bakr and 'Umar are presented as conspiring to assassinate the Prophet as per the interpretation of this verse by the Aimma-e-Ma’asoomeen (‘Alaihimussalaam). The proof of “censorship of anti-Sunni material" (p. 39), is the manner in which the wording of this Hadith was adjusted by the modern editor of al-Qummi's tafsir to remove any reference to the idea of an assassination plot.
Such an independent attitude of the early Shia Ulema towards the Tafsir of Quran has developed into a trend where not only the meanings and interpretations of the Aimma-e-Ma’asoomeen were gradually discarded but those are replaced completely with the meanings and expressions adopted by the Sunni Mufassireen (Exegetes) as well as abandoning the Batin (Hidden intent) of the Ayat (Verse) in preference for the Zawahir (Apparent or Literal meanings) of the Quran. A scholar like Grand Ayatollah Abu al-Qaism al-Musawi al-Khui who has written the Tafsir al Bayan, has also written a whole treatise in the form of his Book, “The Prolegomena to the Qur'an”. Translated by Abdulaziz A. Sachedina, Published by: Oxford University Press in 1998, expounding his ideas on the canonical authority of the literal meanings of the Quran and deriving, deducing Ahkam of Sharia based thereon, without the slightest reference to the true meanings of the Quran as expounded by the Aimma-e-Ma’asoomeen (a.s.). al Kho’I has put forward a number of apparently powerful arguments in support of his thesis and I do not wish to go into details of either his arguments or any counters thereto in this brief foreword. However it may not be out of place to give the following, that to me seems Germaine to the subject of this book.
An interesting counter to the arguments, questions and answers put forward by Grand Ayatollah Abul Qasim al Khu’i with regard to the Hujjiat of the Zawahir al Quran (the canonical authority of the literal meanings of the Quran) will be presented by me now:
The following verses of the Quran have been cited below by me in support of my argument against considering the literal meanings as canonical authority by the present day scholars like Al Kho’I and others. It is interesting to note that these verses and their translations are the common translations done by non Shiite translators. However some of the words within the parenthesis are mine. And all I have done is combine these translations in a narrative. This exercise has yielded a stunning result which is perhaps the Quranic answer to the votaries of Taqleed, Ijtihad and the canonical authority of the literal meanings of Quran against the meanings / interpretations of the Aimma-e-Ma’asoomeen (‘Alaiyhimussalaam).
"....الْقُرْآنُ هُدًى لِّلنَّاسِ وَبَيِّنَاتٍ مِّنَ الْهُدَى وَالْفُرْقَانِ..." (2:185)
“…alquranu hudan lilnnasi wabayyinatin mina alhuda waalfurqani…”
2:185: “…the Qur'an, is a guide to mankind, also [but with the] clear Signs [Aimma of Ahlul Baiyt to guide] from [their] guidance and [who are ] the criterion (Between right and wrong)…”
نَزَّلَ عَلَيْكَ الْكِتَابَ بِالْحَقِّ مُصَدِّقاً لِّمَا بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ وَأَنزَلَ التَّوْرَاةَ وَالإِنجِيلَ (3:3)
“Nazzala AAalayka alkitaba bialhaqqi musaddiqan lima bayna yadayhi waanzala alttawrata waalinjeela”
3:3: “It is He Who sent down to thee (step by step), in truth, the Book, confirming what went before it; and He sent down the Law (of Moses) and the Gospel (of Jesus)
مِن قَبْلُ هُدًى لِّلنَّاسِ وَأَنزَلَ الْفُرْقَانَ إِنَّ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ بِآيَاتِ اللّهِ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ شَدِيدٌ وَاللّهُ عَزِيزٌ ذُو انتِقَامٍ (3:4)
Min qablu hudan lilnnasi waanzala alfurqana inna allatheena kafaroo biAyahi Allahi lahum AAathabun shadeedun waAllahu AAazeezun thoo intiqamin
3:4: Before this, as a guide to mankind, and He sent down the criterion (of judgment between right and wrong). “Then those who reject Faith in the Signs of Allah will suffer the severest penalty, and Allah is Exalted in Might, Lord of Retribution.
ذَلِكَ الْكِتَابُ لاَ رَيْبَ فِيهِ هُدًى لِّلْمُتَّقِينَ (2:2) “Thalika alkitabu la rayba feehi hudan lilmuttaqeena”
2:2: “This is the Book; in it is guidance sure, without doubt, to those who fear Allah”.
وَنُنَزِّلُ مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ مَا هُوَ شِفَاء وَرَحْمَةٌ لِّلْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَلاَ يَزِيدُ الظَّالِمِينَ إَلاَّ خَسَارًا (17:82)
“Wanunazzilu mina alqurani ma huwa shifaon warahmatun lilmumineena wala yazeedu alththalimeena illa khasaran”
17:82: “And We reveal of the Qur'an that which is a healing and a mercy for believers though it increase the evil-doers in naught save ruin.
فَإِن كُنتَ فِي شَكٍّ مِّمَّا أَنزَلْنَا إِلَيْكَ فَاسْأَلِ الَّذِينَ يَقْرَؤُونَ الْكِتَابَ مِن قَبْلِكَ لَقَدْ جَاءكَ الْحَقُّ مِن رَّبِّكَ فَلاَ تَكُونَنَّ مِنَ الْمُمْتَرِينَ (10:94)
“Fain kunta fee shakkin mimma anzalnna ilayka faisali allatheena yaqraoona alkitaba min qablika laqad jaaka alhaqqu min rabbika fala takoonanna mina almumtareena”
10:94: “If thou wert in doubt as to what We have revealed unto thee, then ask those who have been reading the Book from before thee: the Truth hath indeed come to thee from thy Lord: so be in no wise of those in doubt”.
وَلاَ تَكُونَنَّ مِنَ الَّذِينَ كَذَّبُواْ بِآيَاتِ اللّهِ فَتَكُونَ مِنَ الْخَاسِرِينَ (10:95)
“Wala takoonanna mina allatheena kaththaboo biAyahi Allahi fatakoona mina alkhasireena”
10:95: “Nor be of those who reject the signs of Allah, or thou shalt be of those who perish”.
إِنَّ الَّذِينَ حَقَّتْ عَلَيْهِمْ كَلِمَتُ رَبِّكَ لاَ يُؤْمِنُونَ (10:96)
“Inna allatheena haqqat AAalayhim kalimatu rabbika la yuminoona”
10:96: “Those against whom the word of thy Lord hath been verified would not believe”.
لاَ جَرَمَ أَنَّهُمْ فِي الآخِرَةِ هُمُ الأَخْسَرُونَ (11:22)
“La jarama annahum fee alakhirati humu alakhsaroona”
11:22: “Without a doubt, these are the very ones who will lose most in the Hereafter!
ضَرَبَ اللّهُ مَثَلاً عَبْدًا مَّمْلُوكًا لاَّ يَقْدِرُ عَلَى شَيْءٍ وَمَن رَّزَقْنَاهُ مِنَّا رِزْقًا حَسَنًا فَهُوَ يُنفِقُ مِنْهُ سِرًّا وَجَهْرًا هَلْ يَسْتَوُونَ الْحَمْدُ لِلّهِ بَلْ أَكْثَرُهُمْ لاَ يَعْلَمُونَ (16:75)
“Daraba Allahu mathalan AAabdan mamlookan la yaqdiru AAala shayin waman razaqnahu minna rizqan hasanan fahuwa yunfiqu minhu sirran wajahran hal yastawoona alhamdu lillahi bal aktharuhum la yaAAlamoona”
16:75: “Allah sets forth the Parable (of two men: one) a slave under the dominion of another; He has no power of any sort; and (the other) a man on whom We have bestowed goodly favours from Ourselves, and he spends thereof (freely), privately and publicly: are the two equal? (By no means;) praise be to Allah. But most of them understand not.
قُلْ هَلْ نُنَبِّئُكُمْ بِالْأَخْسَرِينَ أَعْمَالًا (18:103) “Qul hal nunabbiokum bialakhsareena aAAmalan”
18:103: “Say: "Shall we tell you of those who lose most in respect of their deeds?-
الَّذِينَ ضَلَّ سَعْيُهُمْ فِي الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا وَهُمْ يَحْسَبُونَ أَنَّهُمْ يُحْسِنُونَ صُنْعًا (18:104)
“Allatheena dalla saAAyuhum fee alhAyahi alddunya wahum yahsaboona annahum yuhsinoona sunAAan”
18:104: "Those whose efforts have been wasted in this life, while they thought that they were acquiring good by their works?"
أُولَئِكَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا بِآيَاتِ رَبِّهِمْ وَلِقَائِهِ فَحَبِطَتْ أَعْمَالُهُمْ فَلَا نُقِيمُ لَهُمْ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ وَزْنًا (18:105)
“Olaika allatheena kafaroo biAyahi rabbihim waliqaihi fahabitat aAAmaluhum fala nuqeemu lahum yawma alqiyamati waznan”
18:105: “They are those who deny the Signs of their Lord and the fact of their having to meet Him (in the Hereafter): vain will be their works, nor shall We, on the Day of Judgment, give them any weight.
ذَلِكَ جَزَاؤُهُمْ جَهَنَّمُ بِمَا كَفَرُوا وَاتَّخَذُوا آيَاتِي وَرُسُلِي هُزُوًا (18:106)
“Thalika jazaohum jahannamu bima kafaroo waittakhathoo Ayahee warusulee huzuwan”
18:106: “That is their reward, Hell, because they rejected Faith, and took My Signs and My Messengers by way of jest”
وَلَئِنْ أَطَعْتُم بَشَرًا مِثْلَكُمْ إِنَّكُمْ إِذًا لَّخَاسِرُونَ (23:34)
“Walain ataAAtum basharan mithlakum innakum ithan lakhasiroona”
23:34: "If ye obey a man like yourselves, behold, it is certain ye will be lost”.
Let us now consider the above verses of the Quran in an amalgamated form. And for this purposeI have merely combined the literal translation of the above 12 verses in a combined narrative:
The Miracle of Quran
I would now like to bring out the Special characteristics of people who worship self made Guides as per Quran;
وَمِنَ النَّاسِ مَن يَتَّخِذُ مِن دُونِ اللّهِ أَندَاداً يُحِبُّونَهُمْ كَحُبِّ اللّهِ وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ أَشَدُّ حُبًّا لِّلّهِ وَلَوْ يَرَى الَّذِينَ ظَلَمُواْ إِذْ يَرَوْنَ الْعَذَابَ أَنَّ الْقُوَّةَ لِلّهِ جَمِيعاً وَأَنَّ اللّهَ شَدِيدُ الْعَذَابِ (2:165)
“Wamina alnnasi man yattakhithu min dooni Allahi andadan yuhibboonahum kahubbi Allahi waallatheena amanoo ashaddu hubban lillahi walaw yara allatheena thalamoo ith yarawna alAAathaba anna alquwwata lillahi jameeAAan waanna Allaha shadeedu alAAathabi”
2:165: “Yet there are men who take (for obedience) others besides (those sent by ) Allah, as equal (to those appointed by Allah): They love them as they should love Allah. But those of Faith are strongest in their love for Allah. And If only the wrong doers could see, (the time) when they would see the penalty: Verily to Allah belongs all power, and Allah is the severest in His punishment”.
. فَرِيقًا هَدَى وَفَرِيقًا حَقَّ عَلَيْهِمُ الضَّلاَلَةُ إِنَّهُمُ اتَّخَذُوا الشَّيَاطِينَ أَوْلِيَاء مِن دُونِ اللّه وَيَحْسَبُونَ أَنَّهُم مُّهْتَدُونَ (7:30)
“Fareeqan hada wafareeqan haqqa AAalayhimu alddalalatu innahumu ittakhathoo alshshAyaheena awliyaa min dooni Allahi wayahsaboona annahum muhtadoona”
7:30: “A Party, He (Allah) has guided (to His straight path): And a Party have (by their own choice) rightly deserve the loss of their way (to the straight path, for) Verily they (themselves) took the evil fiends as their Masters and Guardians from amongst (those who were) other than Allah (appointed) and yet they reckon themselves to be rightly Guided”.
Ala inna lillahi man fee alssamawati waman fee alardi wama yattabiAAu allatheena yadAAoona min dooni Allahi shurakaa in yattabiAAoona illa alththanna wain hum illa yakhrusoona
10:66: “Behold! Verily to Allah belong all, that is in the heavens and all that is on the earth. What do they follow who call other than [those appointed by] Allah, as partners [in the affairs of religion]. They follow nothing but fancy conjecture, and they do nothing but guesswork and analogy [qiyas].
In these above verses, Allah (swt) describes a special characteristic of people who worship such self made guides, a worship that is considered as sinful wrongdoing (Zulm, antonym for ‘Adl) through their unconditional obedience, submission, support and following the rulings, edicts, orders, laws, traditions and Sunnah of such of those who are other than those sent by Allah (swt).
Our limitation and boundaries are well defined and set by Rasool Allah
(s.w.w) saying “Verily, I am leaving behind two precious things (Thaqalayn)
among you: the Book of God and my kindred ('Itrah), my household (Ahlul Bayt),
for indeed, the two will never separate until they come back to me by the Pond (of
al-Kawthar on Judgment Day)."
Rasool Allah (p.b.u.h) said (Ussool-e-kafi): Aquiring knowledge (Ilm-e-Deen) is
compulsory on all Muslim ---- and said knowledge (Ilm-e-Deen) consit of firm verses
(Ayat-e-Mohkamath) and Obligatory duties (farayaz-e-adilah) and confirmed
tradition (sunnath-e-qayama). And also said "other knowledge (science) are
additional" --
- Amir al-mu'minin Ali (a.s) has said that two categories of persons are the most detestable by Allah and are the worst among people.Firstly, those who are misguided even in basic tenets and are busy in the spreading of evil. Secondly, those who abandon the Qur'an and sunnah and pronounce injunctions through their imagination. They create a circle of their devotees and popularise the religious code of law concocted by themselves. The misguidance and wrongfulness of such persons does not remain confined to their own selves but the seed of misguidance sown by them bears fruit and growing into the form of a big tree provides asylum to the misguided and this misguidance goes on multiplying. And since these very people are the real originators the weight of other's sins is also on their shoulders as the Qur'an says:
"And certainly they shall bear their own burdens, and (other) burdens with their own burdens." (29:13)
Imam Jaffer Sadiq (AS) said in the rejection of people who give fatwa according to their opinion (rai)and guesswork(qiyas) “Without doubt when people do not know about truth (fool themselves) and felt proud about their ignorance(Jahalat) over the knowledge of Allah and they said whatever our intellect gets through reasoning is knowledge and nothing else. Thus Allah turned them, as they ought to be returned. If Allah has agreed with their Ijtehad and their opinions (rai) then He would not have sent Rasool (SW) to them."
Imam Zamana (ATF) orders that “In case you have any query refer to the narratorof our Hadiths, because they are Hujjat on you and we are by Allah Hujjat on them.” Narrator of our Hadiths - mean raviyane hadith – means who says Hadith.
- Some Hadith about Reasoning and Consensus said by Imam a.s say:
Imam Jaffer al-Sadiq (AS) has said, "There is nothing that has not been mentioned in the Book or in `Sunnat' (the ways of the Holy Prophet (SAW)."
Imam Moosa Kazim (AS) was asked, "Is everything included in the Book of Allah and `Sunnat'?" The Imam (AS) replied, "Yes, everything is included in the Book andthe Sunnat."
- Did any Infallible Imam asked us to go for Consensus and Reasoning when we are in trouble?
Instead Imam (a.s) restricted strictly to his companion by saying the below.
Muhammad bin hakeem states, I asked Imam Musa Kazim (AS) may I lay my life for you, we received knowledge from you and became face(center of attention) of others for receiving knowledge. We attend the gatherings and the people ask us and with the kindness of Allah (SWT), that he has graced us with you, we reply them. But sometimes the questions are asked and we have not received the answers from your holy fathers or you and we after thoroughly considering all the angles (considering all the factors),reply them.The Imam replied,
"O' ibnehakeem, alas ! alas ! there is Halakat (destruction) in that, whosoever did that is doomed to destruction. And then further, Alas ! curse be upon on Abu hanifa, he used to say that Imam Ali (AS) said this and I say that i.e. what I said is better than what Imam Ali (AS) has said.
Muhammad bin Hishaam told Hishaam bin alhikam that he wanted permission to exercise his own judgement in the matters of deen. Tradition no; 11, the traditionalist states, "I said to Imam Jaafar Sadiq (AS) that sometimes some matters are presented to us for which we do not find the answers in Quran or traditions and we ourselves reply after pondering overthe problems.
Imam (AS) replied Beware ! do not do so, if your thought or assumption is correct there is a reward but if you are wrong then you lied on Allah (SWT).
.
- Further it is to be noted that the result of deduce of divine law is Zan (presumption or speculation). Not Ilm (definite). Hazrat Imam Jaffer al-Sadiq (AS) is reported to have said, "People who believe in speculations search for knowledge on the basis of speculations and surmises. These speculations and surmises only take them further away from the truth. The Religion of Allah has no connection with surmises."
Imam Jaffer al-Sadiq (AS) and Mohammed Baqir (AS) have said, "All innovations are misguidances and the way of all misguidances lead to hell-fire."
Imam Baqir (AS) also says, "One who announces his verdicts before people on the basis of his own opinion, innovates in the religion of Allah what he does not know. And one who innovates the religion of Allah, contradicts (and defies) Allah in what Allah has declared permissible and pronounced forbidden."
Al Kafi - H 639, Ch. 41, h3
“One who judges without disharmony and differences, his judgement is of the judgement of Allah, the Most Holy and the Most High. Whoever judges in a disharmonious manner, with differences, and considers it as the rightful way of judging he has judged with thejudgement of the devil”.
Orders regarding unclean matters (najasaat)
With regard to the excretions of those animals whose meat is lawful to consume.
1. Al Khomeini – These should be avoided.
2. Al Khoie – This is not a precautionary obligation.
3. Shariatmadari – The excretions of lawful birds is clean.
With regard to the blood of haemorrhoids.
1. Al Khomeini – It is forgiven.
2. Al Shahroudi – It is not forgiven.
With regard to the volume of ‘KUR’ water.
1. Al Khomeini – 3.5 X 3.5 X 3.5 hands = 42.87 cubic hands.
2. Al Khoie – 3 X 3 X 3 hands = 27 cubic hands.
3. Shariatmadari – 3 X 3 X 4 = 36 cubic hands.
With regard to date juice in a pot which boils over due to heat.
1. Al Khomeini – It is unclean and unlawful.
2. Al Khoie – It is clean and lawful.
With regard to the sweat of a person who discharges semen due to an unlawful act.
1. Al Khomeini – It is unclean.
2. Al Khoie – It is clean.
With regard to uncleanness due to urine.
1. Al Khomeini – Dunking twice in water of volume of ‘Kur’ of greater will purify. There is no need to squeeze the beard.
2. Al Khoie – It is necessary to squeeze the beard.
With regard to touching the Names of Allah (s.w.t.) or the Holy Infallibles (a.s.) in the state of Janabat.
1. Al Khomeini – It is unlawful.
2. Al Khoie – It is not unlawful.
Orders related to utensils;
With regard to the protection utensils of gold and silver.
(1) Al Khomeini – Protection of these is unlawful.
(2) Al Khoie – Protection of these is not unlawful.
With regard to the manufacture of utensils of gold and silver.
(1) Al Khomeini – It is unlawful.
(2) Al Khoie – It is not unlawful.
Orders regarding namaaz (prayers);
With regard to men and women praying together.
1. Al Khomeini – As a precaution they should not pray together whether the woman is in front or besides, or whether they are Mahram or not.
2. Al Khoie – It is allowable provided there is a distance of one hand between them.
With regard to Friday Prayers.
1. Al Khomeini – It is highly recommended to pray the Zohr prayers after the Friday Prayers.
2. Al Khoie – It is not necessary to pray the Zohr prayers after the Friday prayers.
Orders with regard to the shedding of blood in the mourning of imam Husayn (a.s.);
It is the fatwa of most of the Mujtahids of Iran today that this is not allowed. It is the fatwa of Allamah Muhammd Husayn Qazwini who was the teacher of Mujtahids like Agha e Burujardi and Mohsin Hakim that: ‘All types of Matam are allowable’. In fact he has allowed the historical events to be portrayed in the form of dramas provided the role plays of women are done by men in women’s attires.
A.Hussain
BY A.Hussain
The Shia world of today, apart from perfect followers of Imam Ali (a.s), consists of two groups of people; one, who follow the rich leaders for their stomach and longevity of their business, and in the process adopt the ideology of their money minded leaders; and two, who are carried away by the pomp and glory of clergy and follow them blindly. Is it correct to follow the rich? Is it correct to do hero worship of the clergy, is the subject of the present book. As an introduction I would like to quote the text of a very well written book, ‘Journey through Nahjulbalagha” by Murtaza Muttahari, he writes,
“Perhaps it may have happened to you, and if not, you may still visualize it: someone lives on your street or in your neighborhood for years; you see him at least once every day and habitually nod to him and pass by. Years pass in this manner, until, one day, accidentally; you get an opportunity to sit down with him and to become familiar with his ideas, views and feelings, his likes and dislikes. You are amazed at what you have come to know about him. You never imagined or guessed that he might be as you found him, and never thought that he was what you later discovered him to be.
After that, whenever you see him, his face, somehow, appears to be different. Not only this, your entire attitude towards him is altered. His personality assumes a new meaning, a new depth and respect in your heart, as if he were some person other than the one you thought you knew for years. You feel as if you have discovered a new world.
My experience was similar in regard to the Nahjulbalagha. From my childhood years I was familiar with the name of this book, and I could distinguish it from other books on the shelves in my father's library. Years later, during my studies, first at the theological school of Mashad, and later at Qum, when I was finishing the last stages of the preliminary education in theology called "sutuh", during all those days the name of the Nahjulbalagha was heard more often than that of any other book after the Quran. Some of its sermons on piety I had heard so many times that I almost remembered them by heart. Nevertheless, I must admit, like all of my colleagues at the theology school (Hawzah 'ilmiyyah), I was quite ignorant of the world of the Nahjulbalagha. We had met as strangers and passed by each other in the manner of strangers. This continued until the summer of 1325 (1946) when in order to escape the heat of Qum, I went to Isfahan. A trifling accident brought me into contact with a person who took my hand and led me somewhat into the world of the Nahjulbalagha.
When this happened, I realized that I knew little about this book until that time. Later I wished that I would also find someone who would introduce me into the world of the Quran. Since then, the countenance of the Nahjulbalagha was transformed in my eyes. I became fond of it, and gradually my fondness grew into love. It was now a different book from the one I had known until that moment. I felt as if I had discovered an entirely new world. Shaykh Muhammad 'Abduh, the former mufti of Egypt, who edited and published the Nahjulbalagha with a brief commentary, and for the first time introduced this book to the Egyptians, says that he had no knowledge of this book until he undertook its study far from home in a distant land.
He was struck with wonder and felt as if he had discovered a precious treasure trove. Thereupon, he immediately decided to publish it and introduce it to the Arab public. The unfamiliarity of a Sunni scholar with the Nahjulbalagha is not surprising; what is amazing is that Nahjulbalagha should be a stranger and alien in its own homeland and among the Shi'ah of 'Ali ('a) and that too in the Shi'ite theological schools in the same way as 'Ali himself has remained isolated and a stranger. Evidently, if the content and ideas of a book or the feelings and emotions of a person do not harmonize with the mentality of a people, that book or person practically remains isolated as a stranger in an alien world, even though the name of such a person or book may be mentioned with great respect and admiration.
We, the theology students, must confess our estrangement from the Nahjulbalagha. We have built a mental world of our own which is alien to the world of the Nahjulbalagha. As I write this preface, I cannot abstain from recalling with sorrow the memory of that great man who introduced me for the first time into the world of the Nahjulbalagha, and whose acquaintance I treasure as one of the most precious experiences of my life, which I would not exchange for anything. No day or night passes without my remembering him or mentioning him with feelings of gratitude. I dare say that he was a divine scholar ('alim-e rabbani) in the true sense of the word, though I dare not claim that I was "a learner of the path of deliverance" (muta'allim 'ala sabil al-najat). I remember that in my meetings with him, I was always reminded of the following verse of Sa'di:
The devout, the ascetic, and the Sufi,
All are toddlers on the path;
If there is any mature man,
It is none other than the 'alim-e rabbani.
He was a faqih (scholar of jurisprudence), a philosopher, a man of letters and a physician, all at once. He was well versed in fiqh (jurisprudence), philosophy, the Arabic and Persian literature and the traditional medicine, and was considered a specialist of the first order in some of these fields. He was a masterly teacher of Bu 'Ali's al-Qanun, the treatise of Ibn Sina in medicine, which does not find a teacher these days, and many scholars of the theology school attended his lessons. However, it was not possible for him to confine himself to one field and his spirit revolted against any kind of restrictions. Of his lectures the most that interested him were those on the Nahjulbalagha, which threw him into ecstasies. It seemed as if the Nahjulbalagha had opened its wings and he, having mounted on its wings, was taken on a journey through strange worlds which were beyond our reach.
It was evident that he lived by the Nahjulbalagha; he lived with it and breathed with it. His spirit was united with that book; his pulse throbbed and his heart beat in harmony with the Nahjulbalagha. Its sentences were always on his lips and their meanings had been engraved upon his heart. When he quoted its passages, tears would flow from his eyes and soak his white beard. During lessons, his encounter with and involvement in the Nahjulbalagha would make him totally oblivious of his surroundings. It was a very educative as well as an attractive spectacle. Listening to the language of the heart from someone who’s great heart is full of love and wisdom has altogether a different affect and attraction. He was a living example of the saints of the bygone days. The words of 'Ali (a.s) fully applies to him:
Had it not been that the Providence had decreed the years of their life the passionate earning for Divine reward and fear of chastisement would not have permitted their souls to remain in their bodies even for a moment. Their realization of the greatness of the creator has made everything besides Him insignificant in their eyes.
This refined man of letters, the speculative philosopher, the great faqih, the adept man of medicine and the excellent master of theology was the late Hajj Mirza 'Ali Aqa al-Shirazi al-'Isfahani, sanctified by God, a man of truth and wisdom, who had attained deliverance from the finite self and selfishness and had merged with the Infinite Truth.
In spite of his high scholarly status and eminent social standing, his sense of commitment to society and his burning love for al-Imam al-Hussain ('a) had impelled him to deliver sermons from the minbar.
His sermons, since they came from the heart, had a deep effect on the hearts. Whenever he visited Qum, the scholars of the first rank would persuade him to deliver sermons from the minbar. His sermons were charged with a passionate purity and sincerity that made them profoundly effective. They were not just words to be heard, but a spiritual state to be experienced.
However, he abstained from leading prayers. One year, during the holy month of Ramadan, after much persuasion, he accepted to lead prayers at the Madraseh-ye Sadr for that month. In spite of the fact that he did not come regularly and refused to stick to any regular schedule, unprecedented crowds of people would come to attend the prayers led by him. I heard that strength declined in the jama'at in the neighborhood mosques and he, too, did not continue.
As far as I know, the people of Isfahan generally knew him in person and liked him. He was also loved at the theology school of Qum. The 'ulama' of Qum would go forth eagerly to see him at the news of his arrival in the city. Like all other restrictions, he also refused to be bound by the conditions set for having murids and followers. May Allah shower His infinite mercy upon him and raise him with His awliya' on the Day of Resurrection.
With all his merits, it is not my claim that he was familiar with all the worlds that the Nahjulbalagha embraces and had set his foot in all the domains encompassed by it. He had explored only a portion of its realms and that part of the Nahjulbalagha had been incarnated in his person. The universe of the Nahjulbalagha includes numerous worlds: the world of zuhd (abstinence, piety) and taqwa (God-fearing), the world of 'ibadah (worship, devotion) and 'irfan (mystic knowledge), the world of hikmah (wisdom) and philosophy, the world of moral preaching and guidance, the world of eschatology (malahim) and mysteries (mughayyabat), the world of politics and social responsibilities, the world of heroism and bravery ...; too many worlds to be conquered by any individual.
The highlighted sentences in the above introduction of Muttahari’s book are enough evidence for the negligence of Nahjulbalagha among the Shia clergy. The confession of Murtaza Muttahari that the Shia clergy at the theology school of Qum remained alien to the teaching of Imam Ali (a.s) is quiet shocking. The Shia clergy avoid Nahjulbalagha and do no take it seriously because it bluntly goes against them. How Nahjulbalagha goes against the false Ayatollahs and the clergy is the subject of this book. I request my readers to retain in their minds the highlighted sentences of the above introduction during the process of reading this book. The aim of this book is awake Shia from the deep slumber which has occupied them because of their negligence towards Nahjulbalagha and following blindly the self proclaimed pseudo clergy, the unlikes of Hajji Mirza 'Ali Aqa al-Shirazi (May Allah bless his noble soul).
CHAPTER-1
DECEPTIVE APPERANCE
In today’s scenario we find Shia youth following wealthy leaders, and for the sake of employment or financial benefit imbibing their ideology. Is it correct to do so? No, for Imam Ali (a.s) says:
“I am the leader (Yasoob) of those who have religion (deen) and wealth is the leader of Wicked.”
Nahjulbalagha: saying-311
The above saying of Imam Ali (a.s) means that those who follow the rich leaders and appreciate whatever they say just because they are rich, are wicked in the real sense of the word.
Larry Sanger, co-founder of Wikipedia,describes the principle of Wikipedia:
Larry Sanger,the co-founder of Wikipedia,describes the principle of Wikipedia as follows,
"Complete disregard of expert opinion among a group of amateurs working on a subject,and in particular.....their tendency to openly express contempt for experts.There was this attitude that experts should disqualified (from participating) by the very fact that they have published on the subject- that because they have published,they were therefore biased."
Accepting article on the basis of authority can be misleading.There will be no room for correction.Hence ,in Wikipedia,articles are taken from well informed person on the subject which are open to corrections leading to a balanced product.This principle has made Wikipedia the single most consulted reference source through out the world.Why not the Ayatullahs become humble enough to apply this principle.Fallacy of authority stops the growth of people and knowledge.The case of those who have complete knowledge of everything is different.
Fallacy: An invalid argument is defined as Fallacy. There is a complete encyclopedia of Fallacy on the internet. Ad crumenam is a fallacy in which an argument is regarded as true just because a rich man has said it, for example,
He’s rich, so his saying, “all the Ayatollahs will go to paradise”, must be correct.
Imam Ali (a.s) says: “He who approaches a rich man and bends before him on account of his riches then one third of his religion is gone.
Nahjulbalagha: saying-224
The above saying means that if you adopt the ideology of a rich man just because he has wealth and power, then 1/3 of your religion is gone. Every human being is made of three things; the soul, the body and the self (the seat of desires).If soul is gone, you are dead. If the self is gone you will be in ‘coma’. And a self without a body is a non-entity. Similarly, faith also has three aspects (conviction, expression and action).Lacking any of the three aspects of faith makes your faith useless. Following wealthy leaders makes your faith useless.Thus, Ad crumenam is the characteristic of the wicked and the faithless.
Imam Ali (a.s) says:
“Certainly there was in the Prophet of Allah all that would inform you of the evils of this world and its defects, namely that he remained hungry along with his chief companions, and despite his great nearness(to Allah) the pleasures of the world remained remote from him. Now, one should see with one's intelligence whether Allah honored Muhammad (the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him and his descendants) as a result of this or disgraced him. If he says that Allah disgraced him (a.s), he certainly lies and perpetrates a great untruth. If he says Allah honored him (a.s), he should know that Allah dishonored the others when He extended the (benefits of the) world for them, but held it away from him who was the nearest to Him of all men.
Therefore, one should follow His Prophet, tread in his footsteps and enter through his entrance. Otherwise he will not be safe from ruin.”
Nahjulbalagha: Sermon -158
According to the above words of Imam Ali (a.s) those who are given lots of wealth, are actually disgraced by Allah (Please refer to the philosophy of paradox). It means that wealth should not be made the criteria for assessing the correctness of Mr. XYZ’s ideology. Moreover, the Holy Prophet of Islam (a.s) said that on the day of Resurrection Allah will say,
“Bring you (angels) my loved ones. “Then the angels will say, “Who are thy loved ones?” and Allah will answer them, saying, “The poor and the destitute.”
Kashf-al-Mahjoob, page-29
Furthermore, the Prophet of Islam selected poverty for himself and used to pray,
“O Allah, make me live poor and die poor and rise from the
dead amongst the poor on Resurrection Day!”
Kashf-al-Mahjoob
The rich and the mighty are seldom inclined towards truth .Words of wisdom and mysticism rarely find path into their money minded hearts. It is mentioned in Quran that whenever God had send a Prophet only the rich and mighty of that town opposed him. The hearts of the rich, most of the times are dead to the realities of faith. Hence, the Holy Quran says:
“And We send no Prophet into any town, but We seized its people with suffering form extreme poverty and loss of health, so that they might humble themselves (so that the words of truth may enter their hearts).”
Surah:Al-Araf:Verse-94
Imam Ali (a.s) says:
“O' people, do not wonder at the small number of those who follow the Guided Path, because people throng only round the table (of this world) whose edibles are few but whose hunger is insatiable.”
Nahjulbalagha: Sermon -199
According to the above words of Imam Ali (a.s), if you are following Mr.XYZ just to gain some petty worldly benefit than you are not on “The Straight Path” which is the only guided path. Then your praying daily 17 times ‘guide us to the straight path’ will not benefit you till you get guided aright by changing your thought process.
The Holy Prophet of Islam said: “Corruption of the Soul (self-nafs) is caused by considerable interest in the world (money, world politics, power struggle etc).”
Ghurar al Hikam: 303,Zam al Lizzat: Hadith-6932
Do the above sayings of Imam Ali mean that we should not go to the rich or take their support? No, absolutely not, because Imam Ali (a.s) says,
“It is good for the rich to show humility before poor to seek reward from Allah, but better than that is the haughtiness of the poor towards the rich with trust in Allah.”
Nahjulbalagha: Saying-399
At another point Imam Ali (a.s) says,
“Allah has fixed the livelihood of the poor in the wealth of the rich. Consequently, whenever a poor remains hungry it is because some rich person had denied him his share. Allah will question them about it.”
Nahjulbalagha: Saying-323
The above saying means that we can mix with the rich and opulent to gain our share of sustenance. You can obey the commands of your rich boss which are related to his business. But, if your are following the religion or ideology of the rich and opulent owing to their riches and power then it means that you have bowed before the rich. That is the meaning of Imam Ali’s (a.s) saying “If you bend before the rich on account of his riches then 1/3 of your religion is gone.” The word ‘Muslim’ means one who submits or bows; bowing to God by accepting the ideology and principles of Islam. Hence, when you take the religion or ideology of rich man in order to please him then it means that you have bowed before him; a classic case is of King Akbar’s courtiers accepting the religion ‘Deen-E-Ilaahi’ which was proposed by Akbar himself. Thus, those who follow the rich people in religion just to gain their favors are worse then dogs because a dog is programmed to do so, whereas we humans are given freewill which makes the difference.
I find it relevant to quote the complete sermon of Imam Ali (a.s) which he (a.s) delivered when his brother Aqill asked him to increase his share of money from the baitul-maal. The sermon runs as follows,
“By Allah, I would rather pass a night in wakefulness on the thorns of as-sa`dan (a plant having sharp prickles) or be driven in chains as a prisoner than meet Allah and His Messenger on the Day of Judgment as an oppressor over any person or a usurper of anything out of worldly wealth. And how can I oppress any one for (the sake of a life) that is fast moving towards destruction and is to remain under the earth for a long time.
By Allah, I certainly saw (my brother) `Aqil fallen in destitution and he asked me a sa` (about three kilograms in weight) out of your (share of) wheat, and I also saw his children with disheveled hair and a dusty countenance due to starvation, as though their faces had been blackened by indigo. He came to me several times and repeated his request to me again and again. I heard him, and he thought I would sell my faith to him and follow his tread leaving my own way. Then I (just) heated a piece of iron and took it near his body so that he might take a lesson from it, then he cried as a person in protracted illness cries with pain and he was about to get burnt with its branding. Then I said to him, "Moaning women may moan over you, O' `Aqil. Do you cry on account of this (heated) iron which has been made by a man for fun while you are driving me towards the fire which Allah, the Powerful, has prepared for (a manifestation of) His wrath? Should you cry from pain, but I should not cry from the flames?"
A stranger incident than this is that a man came to us in the night; with a closed flask full of honey paste, but I disliked it as though it was the saliva of a serpent or its vomit. I asked him whether it was a reward, or zakat (poor-tax) or charity, for these are forbidden to us members of the Prophet's family. He said it was neither this nor that but a present. Then I said, "Childless women may weep over you. Have you come to deviate me from the religion of Allah, or are you mad, or have you been overpowered by some jinn, or are you speaking without senses? "
By Allah, even if I am given all the domains of the seven (stars) with all that exists under the skies in order that I may disobey Allah to the extent of snatching one grain of barley from an ant I would not do it. For me your world is lighter than the leaf in the mouth of a locust that is chewing it. What has `Ali to do with bounties that will pass away and pleasures that will not last? We do seek protection of Allah from the slip of wisdom and the evils of mistakes, and from Him we seek succour.”
Nahjulbalagha: Saying-221
Hearing this Aqil got disheartened (Aquil was going through financial crisis) and went to Mawiya, Ali’s (a.s) opponent, and asked for money.Mawiya got very happy and took it as an opportunity to insult Ali (a.s), so he gave Aqil whatever he asked for and in return asked him to insult Ali (a.s).To the contrary, Aqil praised Ali (a.s) and come with the money. If Aqil would have listened to Mawiya and disparaged Ali (a.s) it would have meant that he bowed before Mawiya.
Sometimes people follow a leader not because of the wealth he possess, but because of his charisma and charming personality. People fall in personality worship owing to the highly attractive style and wonderful speeches of their leader. Is charisma or good power of oration should be a criterion for leadership? No absolutely not, because, regarding the hypocrite leaders Imam Ali (a.s) says,
“O’ group of Shiites and those who claim to be our devotees, beware of the people of opinion (those who give fatwa on the basis of opinion) for, they are the enemies of the Sunnah. Hadith have run away form their memories and they have abandoned adhering to the Sunnah. They have taken the servants of Allah as their followers (Muqallid) and their wealth to be their own riches. After witnessing this, lot of people has become obedient to them (for money) like dogs. They (the false leaders) have snatched away the rights from the rightful people and have become like true Imams and they are from ignorant ones and unbelievers and the accursed. When they are asked about some thing they do not know about, they do not admit their ignorance but make use of opinion and go astray and lead other astray.”
Tafsie-e-Imam Hassan Askari:Vol,1: Page,56
The Holy Quran says,
“And when you look at them, their bodies please you; and when they speak, you listen to their words. They are as blocks of wood propped up (dead).”
Quran:64:4
“And so We have appointed for every Prophet enemies and Shayatin (devils) among mankind and jinn, inspiring one another with adorned speech as a delusion.”
Quran:6:112
Form the above two verses of Quran it is clear that charming personality (their body pleases you) and the ability to give attractive speeches is common even to hypocrite leaders. A true Islamic leader never goes against Quran and Hadith, and never uses faulty logic to deceive people.
Regarding the hypocrite leaders Imam Ali (a.s) says,: “Their hearts are diseased while their faces are clean.” Nahjulbalagha: Sermon-192
It comes out that wealth; charming personality and an ability to deliver attractive speeches are also the characteristic of hypocrite leaders (shaitan), and moreover, it is mentioned in Islamic history that Satan (Shaitan) came, during the life time of the holy prophet, in form of an old-wise-man (with a white beard) and gave a suggestion to the people of Mecca regarding the way of terminating the Holy Prophet of Islam. Thus, a hypocrite leader resembles or mimics a true leader expect that he gives verdicts (Fatwas) which are against Quran and Hadith.Shaitan was thought to be a pious angel until his true nature got exposed by his faulty logic; that fire is superior and sand is inferior. He decided by himself; without reference to Allah that fire is superior and sand is inferior. Thus, those who give verdicts without reference to the Quran or Hadith are ‘devil in disguise’.
“All that glitters is not Gold-appearances are deceptive.”
Forgiveness of a Prostitute Woman:
In his book ‘Rawadat al-kafi’ Kulayni has narrated from Imam Sadiq (a.s) that a religious man defeated Satan’s temptations after much worship. So Satan called his companions and supporters and told them: “Which of you can get this pious man out of his religious and worshipping attitude?” Every one of them mentioned his trick, but none was accepted. One of them said: “I can deceive him by prayer.” So Satan liked his idea and appointed him as the agent for misguiding the mentioned religious man!
Satan’s agent went to the religious man’s worshipping place and began worshipping very eagerly. He was so much engaged in his worship that the religious man could not ask him the reason for the rare taufeeq (temptation) of continuous worship. When he (Satan’s agent) finally finished his worship, the religious man asked him the secret of his worshipping God so earnestly, he answered: “I have committed a sin and now I am regretful. My regretfulness has set me in eager worshipping, without getting tired!” The pious man wanted to experience the same state of worshipping after regret from a sin! And he did not think of the consequences if he would die while committing sin and could not regret and repent! So he asked Satan’s agent to help him. The agent recommended that he do adultery with the famous prostitute women. The pious man rushed to her. The woman was astonished at seeing the pious man, with his divine countenance, in that ignominious quarter of the city and thought that he has been deceived. So she told him: “One can never reach the nearness position by wrongdoing. The one who has encouraged you to do so had intended to deceive and misguide you. Committing sins brings humans down, not promoting him. Now turn back to your worshipping place, and if you did not find your encourager know for certain that he has been Satan!”
Awakened, the religious man returned, but did not see the evil agent there anymore. He was very thankful to the woman who had saved him form wrongdoing. On the other hand, the prostitute woman passed away on that very night. The Almighty addressed the prophet of that age: “Accompany other people in burying her body; I forgave all her sins because of her guiding one of my sevants!”
The moral of the above hadith by the Imam Sadiq (a.s) is that Satan, sometimes, comes in the disguise of a clergy or pious man to misguide people. And sometimes God guides by very mean people like a prostitute, thief etc.Such is the mercy of God, and this is in consonance with the ‘Principle of Uncertainty’ and the ‘Philosophy of Paradox’.
Reference:
1.NahjulBalagha,1981 edition,Ansariyan Publication,P.o. Box 55,Qum, Iran.
CHAPTER-2
INTELLIGENCE, SIGNS OF GOD, AND BELIEVERS
Definition of intelligence: Intelligence or wisdom is a gift of God to mankind which aims at saving man from peril (dangers of this world and hereafter).
Nahjulbalagha: Saying-400
According to Islamic philosophy, intelligence is one of the criterion's of faith (Nahjulbalagha: Saying-30).Imam Ali (a.s) says to his son Hassan (a.s), in saying-38 of Nahjulbalagha, that the richest riches is intelligence. It is mentioned in the authentic traditions of the Prophet of Islam that the first thing which was created by the almighty God was ‘Intelligence’. A man with faith is a man with intelligence .As your intelligence increases your faith increases or vice-versa. Hence, it is said,
"A believer never falls in the same ditch twice."
Can intelligence be increased? Yes. Can faith be increased? Yes. How?
Intelligence can be increased by gaining knowledge. The number of neuron connections in your brain is the criteria for intelligence. Each bit of gained information makes a unique neuron connection. Hence, by increasing your knowledge you are actually increasing the number of neuron connections in your brain. Thus as knowledge increases intelligence increases, and as intelligence increases faith should increase. The Holy Prophet of Islam said,
"To gain knowledge is obligatory on every Muslim man and woman."
According to Quran a Muslim must ponder over the creation of heaven and earth, and try to gain knowledge of whatever exists between the heaven and the earth. It is obligatory on every Muslim to gain knowledge of the creation of God.Quran says,
“Verily! In the creation of the heavens and the earth, and in the alternation of night and day, there are indeed signs for men of understanding.”
Surah: Al-Imran: Verse-190
"Verily, in the heavens and the earth are signs for the believers."
Quran:45:Verse-3
Imam Ali (a.s) says,
“Knowledge is of two kinds. One is that in which people do not have a choice but to look at it and these are the signs of Allah. The other knowledge is one that people can avoid looking into, and that is the nature of Allah.”
Kitab-Sulaym ibn Qays al-Hilali: Hadees-87
AYAATOLLAH-SIGNS OF GOD: According to the Holy Quran and Hadith there are two kinds of Ayatollahs (signs of God), the general and the particular. The Ayatollah general is God’s creation which is referred by the following verses,
“Verily! In the creation of the heavens and the earth, and in the alternation of night and day, there are indeed signs (ayaat) for men of understanding.”
Quran: 3:190
"Verily, in the heavens and the earth are signs for the believers.And in your creation, and what he scattered (through the earth) of moving(living) creatures are signs for the people who have Faith with certainity."
Quran:45: Verse-3 and 4
Plants, animals, the living and the non-living things are all the signs of God (Ayatollah general). Every human being is an Ayatollah. No human can know about all the signs of God. Then there is Ayatollah particular, regarding whom the holy Quran says,
“Verily! Those who believe not in the Ayaat (signs) of Allah, Allah will not guide them and theris will be a painful tornment.”
Quran: 16:104.
Every human will be questioned about the Ayatollah particular. The Ayatollah particulars are those who have the complete knowledge of all the Ayatollah generals. And they are the ‘Rasiqoona-fe-Ilm (those immersed in knowledge).It is reported from Dawud ar-Raqqi that he asked Imam Hussain (a.s) regarding the verse: But neither signs nor warnings avail a people who do not believe (Quran:10:101).Imam (a.s) replied: "The signs (ayaat) are the Imams and the warnings are the Prophets (a.s)."
Usoole-Kafi:Kitaab-ul-Hujjah:book 2:chapter-18:Hadith-533
And regarding the verse: They belied our signs (ayaat), so we seized them with a Seizure of the All-Mighty, All-Capable (Quran:54:42): Imam Baquir (a.s) said that the word "Ayaat" refers to the successors of all the Prophets.
Usoole-Kafi:Kitaab-ul-Hujjah:book 2:chapter-18:Hadith-534
Not believing the Ayatollah particulars puts you in divine punishment sounds sensible.
If everything is Ayatollah, what is the sense in appropriating the title for oneself? If cats, dogs and all other created things are Ayatollahs, then what is the sense in adopting a hierarchy and rewarding the top scholar the title of “Ayatollah”, at least all the clergy, if not all humans, should be given the title of Ayatollah. The meaning a commoner acquire from all this is that, as a clergy goes on acquiring knowledge and wisdom he is going closer to Ayatollah Particular and ultimately becoming one of them. The acquiring of the title of Ayatollah by clergy is an obvious case of ‘trying to take the position of (14 infallibles) the Ayatollah particulars’.In our up-comming discussions we shall call the Ayatollahs,who claims to be Ayatollah particular, as false Ayatollahs.
Please refer to the Book "Questions on Titles" by Bashir Alidina at hubeali.com in english.
An ‘ayah’ (sign) is something which guides you towards God or reminds you of God. Hence, the knowledge of things and phenomenon of heaven (stars, galaxies, planets, black holes on the whole astrophysics etc) and earth (botany, zoology, chemistry, geology etc) should increase your faith in God because he is the creator of every thing. To know the creator, one has to know his creation, Imam Ali says,
"Praise to God who lies in all hidden things, and towards whom all visible things guide."
Nahjulbalagha: sermon 49, page 130
Well, the above words only mean that with every discovery there should be an increase in ones faith. The scientist and men of knowledge should actually be the greatest men of faith. But the trend in the west is quite contrary, we find that the great men of science and knowledge are the greatest atheist. What has gone wrong? Well, the answer is again, ‘faith’. Knowledge increases the faith of only those who had professed faith before hand. Only knowledge cannot make you a believer, but once you become a believer(man of faith) every piece of information becomes a guide towards God. Imam Ali says,
"Eyes do no see Him (Allah) face to face, but hearts perceive Him through the realities of Faith."
Nahjulbalagha: Sermon-177
Once you develp the spark of faith in Allah, you begin to see Him (Allah) in his creation.This is the way in which all the braches of science;Botany,Zoolgy,Phycics,Chemistry,Astrophysics e.t.c increase your faith in Allah.
"Praise to be Allah who is manifest before his creation because of creation.
Nahjulbalagha: Sermon-106, page, 195
"Prasie be to Allah whose creaton is the proof of his existance."
Nahjulbalagha:Sermon-150
If you are in love then every thing of your beloved will bring her in front of you. And to be in love, knowledge is the basic requirement. It is impossible to be in love with an unknown person. Thus, faith is love, and to love God one has to know him. Imam Ali says,
"The first and foremost thing in religion is to know God."
Nahjulbalagha: sermon-1, page, 46
Imam Ali (as) says,
" There are many people who fast, but their fasting is nothing but just hunger and thirst, and there are many who offer prayer, but their prayer is no better than wakefulness and hardship. The sleep as well as eating and drinking of the intelligent (God-knowing) person is far better."
Nahjulbalagha: saying-144
An intelligent (God-knowing) person never regards anything as great except his creator (God).He is never impressed by demigods (Men of authority). Worshipping (following blindly) the demigod makes you foolish and in the process decreases your faith. Hence, if a man with faith in the almighty bows (follows blindly) before the demigods, his faith (in God) diminishes. If you are carried away by the Ayatollahs just because of the financial and social benefit accruing from them then your faith in God will vanish, Imam Ali says,
"If you bow before the rich on account of his riches, then one third (1/3) of your religion is gone."
Nahjulbalagha: saying-223.
If you love the False Ayatollahs or some other religious men just because you are being sustained by them (paid by) then you are not at all a religious man. Your faith is gone. Faith is conviction by heart, declaration by tongue and action by limbs. If your heart is with someone, your tongue will also be with him (verbal support); but you can go against your heart and tongue. If you don’t love a person, still you can cheat him/her by giving gifts etc.Hence, if you are worshipping the demigods by heart and tongue, then your bowing or prostrating God (praying) will be contrary to your conviction, and hence, will cheating (cheating people).Quran says, __________________
"The Jews and the Christians took their rabbis and their monks to be their lords besides Allah (by obeying them in things which they made lawful or unlawful according to their own desires and imagination) and, Messiah, son of Mary (to be lord), while they (Jews and Christians) were commanded to worship none but one God-there is none besides him. Praise and glory be to Him from having the partners they associate (polytheism)."
Surah: 9: verses-31.
The above verse clearly says that if you listen and follow the do’s and don’ts as established by Flase Ayatollahs and other men of knowledge, without reference to the holy books, then you become a polytheist; even though you may be bowing five times daily towards God. The outcome is, if any person accepts the ‘Fatwa’ of the False Ayatollah or the ‘Verdict’ of a clergy which is without reference to the Holy book or the Holy traditions (hadith), he automatically becomes a polytheist, even though he may be following the religious commandments sincerly
When the above verse was revealed (surah: 9, verse: 31) ‘Adi bin Hatim said,
"O Allah’s Messenger! They do not worship them (i.e. rabbis and monks)."Allah’s Messenger said: "They certainly do. [They (rabbis and monks) made lawful things as unlawful and unlawful things as lawful, and they (i.e. Jews and Christians) followed them; and by doing so, they really worshipped them."
Narrated by Ahmad, At-Tirmidhi, and Ibn Jarir).
Imam Ali (a.s) ridiculed the difference of opinion among the Fuqaha (Ayatollas of today) and insulted them for their contradictory verdicts (Fatwas) in sermon 18 of Nahjulbalagha, wherein the Imam (a.s) says,
Is it that Allah ordered them to differ and they obeyed Him? Or He prohibited them from it but they disobeyed Him? Or (is it that) Allah sent an incomplete Faith and sought their help to complete it? Or they are His partners in the affairs, so that it is their share of duty to pronounce and He has to agree? Or is it that Allah the Glorified sent a perfect faith but the Prophet fell short of conveying it and handing it over (to the people)? The fact is that Allah the Glorified says:
. . . We have not neglected anything in the Book (Qur'an) . . . (Qur'an, 6:38)
And says that one part of the Qur'an verifies another part and that there is no divergence in it as He says:
. . . And if it had been from any other than Allah, they would surely have found in it much discrepancy. (Qur'an, 4 :82)
Certainly the outside of the Qur'an is wonderful and its inside is deep (in meaning). Its wonders will never disappear, its amazements will never pass away and its intricacies cannot be cleared except through itself.”A very clear case of contradictory ‘fatwas’ is the case of ‘matam (self mutilation)’.Many of the erstwhile clergy regarded it as ‘allowed’, but some of the recent modern ‘ False Ayatollahs’ have declared it as ‘haram’.I have content myself by giving only one example, but there are numerous issues on which the clergy has given exactly contradictory verdicts; those interested in knowing them can refer to the book “Kashf-ul-Haqaaiq.”
At this point I would say, "O False Ayatollahs, please get out of your slumber, come on earth, be afraid of the almighty, your whims and fancies cannot become the ordainments of God. This worldly life is going to finish fast and you have to answer the almighty of your spreading polytheism among the innocent believers. For Imam Ali says: Nothing will harm you if you safeguard the principles of your religion, and nothing will benefit you if you loose the principles of your religion.
"Whoever turned away from right (truth) got ruined."
Nahjulbalagha: Saying-184
"If a man behaves properly in matters between himself and Allah, then Allah keeps proper the matters between him and other people, and if a man keeps proper his affairs of the next life then Allah keeps proper for him the affairs of this world. Whoever is a preacher for him is protected by Allah."
Nahjulbalagha: Saying-89
He (as) further says: "If people give up something relating to religion for setting right their worldly affairs Allah would afflict upon them something more harmful than that (if you are changing your religion to unite with Sunni brothers so that you can fight the west, then Allah will inflict you with something more dangerous than the threat from the west)."
Nahjulbalagha: saying-105
Hence, I kindly request our clergy to stop fooling our ‘Sunni brothers and stop this dangerous drama of changing the principles of the Shiite Islam which was saved by the great sacrifice of Imam Hussein (as) and his children." Imam Ali says,
"Whoever turned away from right got ruined."
Nahjulbalagha: saying -184
There is only one thing which can make an intelligent man behave like a fool, and that is greed, for Imam Ali (a.s) says,
“Most of the deficiency of intelligence occurs due to the flash of greed.”
Nahjulbalagha: Saying-215
Imam Hussain (a.s) says:
“When you find someone who is not tempted to wealth, even then do not fall for him, unless you look at his beliefs and intellect. A lot of people become devoid of intellect and never go back to it. Whatever they have spoiled with their ignorance far exceeds that which they guide with their intellect. Even if you were to find him (pseudo clergy) to have intellect, even then does not start following him until you see, does he uses his intellect to suppress his desire (of gaining power)? Or does he make his intellect obedient to his desires? Does he stay away from his love for illegal governance? Those who love illegal power (invalid governance) are those who are in loss in this world and in the hereafter, for, they avoid the world for the sake of the world. They think that the pleasure of the illegal power is better than the natural and permissible pleasures of this world. And he carries on with his greed (for power) for the government until-And when it is said to him, guard against (punishment of) Allah; pride carries him off to sin, therefore hell is sufficient for him, and certainly it is an evil resting place.” (2:206)
Tafsie-e-Hassan Askari (a.s): Vol-1: Page 57
My readers might be in shock by now after reading the above word of Imam Hussain which portrays the characteristic of the present power greedy clergy.
The False Ayatollas have become greedy concerning the unity of Shia and Sunnis, though unity is good, but not at the cost of principles of Shia Islam. The clergy have become so bold that they are bent upon converting the whole Shia school into a Sunni school. They are begging and bowing before the Sunni brothers just for the sake of unity, and on the contrary our Sunnis brothers have very strong grip on the basic tenets of their religion; at least they are sincere.The Holy Quran says,
"Then this is God, your true Lord; and what is apart from truth but error; whereto then are ye turned away?"
Surah: 10: Verse-32
Truth (haq) is straight; if it bends it no more remains the truth. A straight rod is very different from a bent rod .You cannot use a bent rod in a place where a straight rod is required, and when you are going into space then things become more serious, even a micrometer difference in dimensions can cause a disaster. I am talking about only those clergy who have gone crazy for the unity and are not happy being a Shia; here I should say our Sunnis brothers are responsible for this because they have slandered (God will question them about this on the day of judgment) Shia so much that some of the Shia, specially those of weak faith are not happy being a Shia.The concept of Shia-Sunni unity has been converted into an ‘Idol’ by the Flase Ayatollahs because of their wrong and erroneous notion that if you remove what the Sunnis are annoyed with, from the Shite basic principles, then they will unite with you. Sunni brothers already know about the concept of ‘taqqiyyah (hiding ones religion).Imam Baquir (a.s) says that any thing that diverts you from truth is a "taaguth-Idol."The majority of Flase Ayatollahs has become worshippers of the Idol of unity. The ‘Saamaris’ of the Idol of the Shia-Sunni unity are gone; now their students are carrying the banner. But when Imam Mehdi (a.s) will come, he will wage a war against these students of ‘Saamari’ and behead 70,000 pseudo-scholars (AHQAAQ-UL-HAQ, VOL-IMAMAT).To know how the False Ayatollahs have changed the Shia school of thought please refer to the book ‘Kashf-ul-haqaaiq’ and for the English version of the same book please refer to the following link,
On one hand, the False Ayatollahs are doing their level best to convert Shite Islam into Sunni Islam and on the other hand they say that whosoever does not believe in following them blindly is a disbeliever in Islam. Sometimes they bow before the Sunni brother for the sake of unity (Quran says: Have you seen the one who has made his desires as "God’) and at other instance they call as disbelievers those who do not submit to them blindly.The False Ayatollha ,Khemenai, the supreme leader of Iran, in his book ‘lessons from Nahjulbalagha’ writes,
"Whosoever does not follow blindly the command of the ‘religious authority (False Ayatollah)’ is a disbeliever in Islam (What a joke!)."
The conclusion is, the False Ayatollahs want the Sunni brothers to support them in gaining the leadership of the Islamic world, and when they will dominate the Sunni brothers they will automatically demand allegiance from them .At present, the Sunni brothers have become ‘The God of False Ayatollahs’, and this worship will give them ( the False Ayatollahs) nothing, and at the end of the day, the result will be as a poets has said,
"Na khuda hi mila Na wisaasle sanam; na idhar ke rahay na udhar ke rahay."
Imam Ali (a.s) says,
"Those who run after the world (sacrifice religion for the world) and fight for it are ‘Dogs’."
Nahjulbalagha
He (a.s) further says,
"Running after the world (its leadership and riches) is not "The straight path-siraate-mustaqheem."
Nahjulbalagha: Sermon-199
The Flase Ayatollahs have made the concept Shia-Sunni unity a ‘ bone’ for which they are fighting with their own Shia brothers, and do not mind in killing those Shia who deny their authority .When they are not able to tolerate the Shia themselves, then how come will they tolerate the Sunni brothers. Regarding Hypocrites Imam Ali (a.s) says,
"First they (the hypocrites) offer easy paths but afterwards they make them narrow."
Nahjulbalagha: Sermon-192, Page, 336.
The False Ayatollahs are changing the Shite Islam and are attacking the great erstwhile scholars of Shia (Mr. Khamenai [the so called Ayatollah] criticized the great compiler of Nahjulbalagha in his book ‘The lessons from Nahjulbalagha). Regarding such Ayatollas Imam Ali (a.s) says,
"They change many colors and adopt various ways. They support you with all sorts of support and lay in waiting for you at every watch-base. Their hearts are diseased while their faces are clean. Their words speak of cure but their acts are like incurable disease."
Nahjulbalagha: Sermon-192
A new system cannot be established unless the old one is removed .If a new building is to be constructed in place of the old one then you have to first remove the old one. The Ayatollahs aims at removing the traces of the giants of the Shia sect so that their complete authority is established, hence the motive behind attacking Sharif Razi (compiler of Nahjulbalagha) Meer Anees and others is to establish their own rotten coin of authority. .
"Satan has gained hold on them, so he makes them forget the remembrance of God; they are Satan’s Party (the hypocrites); beware! Verily, the parties of Satan are the losers."
Quran: Surah 58; verse 19
THE TRUE MEN OF FAITH-BELIEVERS
The minimum requirement for becoming a ‘believer’ is to develop a dot of consciousness in ones heart. Faith starts with enlightment; your heart gets lightened. Imam Ali (a.s) says,
"Faith creates ‘Lumza-a white spot’ in the heart and as the faith increases the ‘Lumza’ increases."
Nahjulbalagha: Saying-261
In the above saying the "Lumza’ refers to the dot of consciousness which is a minimum requirement for being called as a believer.
Imam Ali (a.s) says that faith is conviction by heart; declaration by tongue and action through limbs. Imam Ali (a.s) regards action as the last requirement for a ‘believer’. If we take just action as the criterion of faith, then all hypocrites, who were/are very active following the commands of Islam, will be believers. Hence it comes out that every man of action (Muslim man) does not get deliverance or goes to paradise, but to the contrary every man of faith (who has the speck of consciousness ‘Lumza) will go to paradise, for Imam Ali (a.s) says,
"You shall get paradise only on the basis of two things; strength of faith and intention of action."
In the above saying Imam Ali (a.s) says that ‘sincerity of action’ is one of the criteria for going to paradise; he (a.s) did not say just ‘action’. Sincerity of action and action are two different things. Sincerity of action is a state of ‘mind’ which a 2nd or 3rd person can never know and action is the visible part which everybody can see. Action can be used to deceive people because it is an outward expression, and we human are the only beings who are capable of going against once internal state of mind. There are people who cheated the ‘Lie detector {polygraph test}’; to cheat a lie detector one has to cheat ones own self, mashallah; and man is the only being who is capable of cheating ones own self. Our self is a product of the society and parents, and hence, most of the time, it is very difficult to know the reality of ones own self; to know thy self is to know God. This is the reason; a man came to the holy Prophet of Islam and said,
"O’ Prophet of Allah, how should I convince myself that I am a believer? The Prophet of Islam said: If you feel happiness on doing good to others and feel sad on doing evil then you are a believer."
On other occasion the Prophet of Islam said "Loving Ali is faith and hating him is hypocrisy."There is no contradiction in the above two above definitions, of ‘faith’, given by the Prophet of Islam. The first definition is a generalization and the second is the ‘actual’ definition. Hence, it comes out that a lover of Imam Ali (a.s) will always feel happy on doing good and feels sad on doing evil. If a man claims to be a lover of Ali (a.s) and is constant in doing evil to other (and feels happy about it), then he is cheating his own self along with others. As humans are masters of deception, one can deceive ones self to be a lover of Imam Ali (a.s), but a little bit of self analysis will make things clear; that too if one is sincere to know.
Thus, according to Islamic philosophy deliverance or eternal life is achieved only through love of Imam Ali (a.s).
“Stick to the earth and, keep patient on trials, do not move your hands and swords after the liking of your tongue, and do not make haste in matters in which Allah has not asked for haste, because any one of you who dies in his bed while he had knowledge of the rights of Allah and the rights of his Prophet and members of Prophet’s house, would die as martyr. His reward is due to Allah. He is eligible to the recompose of what good acts he has intended to do. Since his intention takes the place of drawing his sword.”
Nahjulbalagha sermon-188 page-360
Characteristics of true believers:
Regarding the characteristics of true believers Imam Ali (a.s) says,
"A believer has cheerful face, sorrowful heart, very broad chest (full of generosity), and very humble heart. He hates high position, dislikes renown. His grief is long, his courage is far –reaching, his silence is much and his time is occupied. He is grateful, enduring buried in his thoughts, niggardly in begging, of bright demeanor and of soft temperament. He is stronger than stone but humbler than a slave."
Nahjulbalagha: Saying-328
CHAPTER -3
THE WAHABIS AND THE EXTREMISTS
The Shia Islam is the only true version of Islam because it’s principles were under the divine shadow of the pure progeny of the Holy Prophet of Islam. Every man of logic and every lover of philosophy and wisdom will find solace and his thirst will be quenched on studying Shia Islam. One will find jewels of philosophy and logic embedded in it, because the Guardian, Wali and Hero of Shia Islam is Imam Ali regarding whom the Holy prophet of Islam said,
“I am the city of knowledge and Ali is it’s gate. I am the house of wisdom and Ali (as) is it’s door.”
Every perfect thing (except God and his chosen ones) is prone to contamination and deterioration. More the matter, more the instability. At this point, I want to give an example from the scientific world (as science belongs to God and Islam also belongs to God, we find both of their principles running parallel to each other.), there are 92 natural elements found in the universe. The elements are given numerical identification number (atomic number) basing on the number of protons or electrons they contain (there are always an equal number of protons and electrons in the atom of an element).The atomic number of Hydrogen is one because every single atom of hydrogen gas contains one proton and one electron. Similarly, the atomic number of iron is 28 because each atom of iron contains 28 protons and 28 electrons. It is a fact that all the elements beyond atomic number 85 are radioactive, means they disintegrate into baser element with constant emission of radiation. The radioactive elements are unstable because they contain a lot of matter in a given space and hence, are under constant pressure giving rise to the phenomena of ‘radioactivity’. Every perfection is under threat (except God and his chosen ones) of destruction because of an inherent evil. When a thing reaches to its perfection it gives rise to an evil in itself which becomes the cause of its own destruction, that is nature. Imam Ali (as) says,
“For every thing to which people say “how good!” there is an evil hidden in this world.”
Nahjulbalagha: saying-281
All the perfect things have in them an evil. And Shia Islam, being the truth, is no exception to that rule. Imam Ali (as) says,
“O’ People! Anarchy evolves from following desires and inducing innovation in (Divine) Commands. These are against the Book of Allah (swt). It starts when men emulate men [when men do man’s Taqleed] ;( following a scholar who gives verdicts with reference to Quran and hadith is doing the Taqlid of Imams) even though it is against the Religion of Allah (swt). If ‘Untruth’ had been presented in its pure form (without ambiguity), those who dislike it would stay away from it. And if ‘Truth’ had been offered in its original form, without blending it with ‘Untruth’, those who bear hatred towards it would have been silenced. However, what happens in practice is, something is taken from here and something from there and their mixture is put forward! At this stage, Satan overpowers his friends and only those mange to escape from it who has previously been blessed with virtues by Allah (swt).”
Al-Mahasen, Vol-1 Page, 208. The book written by Abu Jafar Ahmad Ibn Muhammad Khalid Al-Barqi, born 274 Hijri
It is mentioned in Quran that whenever God sends a Prophet he sends a devil along with him to put people in trial.
“And so We have appointed for every Prophet enemies and Shayatin (devils) among mankind and jinn, inspiring one another with adorned speech as a delusion. If your Lord had so willed, they would not have done it; so leave them alone with their fabrication.”
Surah: Al-Anam:Verse-112
Imam Ali (as) reports from the Holy Prophet of Islam that He (as) said,
“The Jews have seventy one sects, from which seventy will go to Hell, and one will go to Heaven and it is that sect that followed the successor of Musa (as). The Christians have seventy two sects. Seventy one will go to Hell and one will go to Heaven and it is that sect who followed Isa’s successor, and my Ummah will have seventy three sects, seventy two will go to Hell and one will go to Heaven and that sect is the one that follows my successor.’ He (as) said: ‘Then he hit on my shoulder and said: ‘Thirteen sects from seventy three will all give connection to my love and devotion from them. One will be in Heaven and twelve in Hell.’
Kitab Sulaym ibn Qays al-Hilaali; hadith number, 65; page, 428According to the above hadith 13 sects in Islam will claim love and devotion for the Holy Prophet and his family, but only one shall get deliverance or go to heaven. The basic foundation of Shia Islam is love for the Prophet (as) and his holy progeny. The irony is that we find two groups of Shia, one is a Wahabi Shia and the other is the extremist Shia.The Wahabi Shia are those who claim to be lover of Imam Ali (as) and Imam Hussain (as), but still oppose rites and rituals which are related to their remembrance in the name of broadmindedness and empiricism. These Wahabi Shia oppose Matam, oppose the distribution of food in their name, oppose wailing and crying on Imam Hussain’s (a.s) sufferings ;they are trying to remove all the signs which are related to the remembrance of the Prophet’s(a.s) family and still, shamelessly ,claim to be their lovers. The second group belongs to the extremist Shia who arrogates themselves to be the chosen one and claim that they will go to heaven or that they are the delivered ones. Even though they read the following sayings of Imam Ali (as) frequently,
“Faith lies between fear and hope. Fear of going to Hell and hope of going to Heaven.”
“During the night they (the true believers) are erect on their feet reading the portions of Quran and reciting it haltingly, creating through it grief for themselves and seeking by it cure of their ailments. If they come across a verse creating eagerness (for Paradise) they bend towards it eagerly and their spirits turn towards it eagerly, and feel as if it is (Paradise) in front of them. And when they come across a verse which contains fear (of Hell) they bend the ears of their hearts towards it and feel as though the sound of Hell and its cries are reaching their ears.”
Nahjulbalagha: sermon191
“Do not feel safe from the punishment of Allah even about the best man in the whole community because Allah (God) says: But feel not secure any one save the people who are losers (Quran: 7:99). Again, do not lose hope even for the worst man of the community because Allah says: Verily despair not of Allah's mercy but the disbelieving people.” (Quran.12.87). Nahjulbalagha: saying:372
Some of the characteristic features of the extremist Shia are as follows,
1. They claim that they are the only true lover of Imam Ali (as) and his (as) progeny.
2.They claim that those who hate them (because of their filthy nature and behavior) are in fact, the enemies of Imam Ali (as) and his Holy progeny(If ones behavior is akin to the behavior of Imam Ali (as) then one can claim, to some extent, that his enemy is the enemy of Imam Ali {as}).
3. They claim that paradise belongs to them and they are the delivered ones (denying the principle of uncertainty on which the whole universe is based).
4. They do not follow Nahjulbalagha vehemently.
5. They claim that those who do not mix with them are all base born or illegitimate.
6. They claim that they are the chosen one’s.
There is a hadith in Usoole-Kaafi from Imam Hussain (a.s) saying that before the reappearance of Imam Mahdi (a.s) there will be division among Shias and that they will fight among themselves. Upon hearing this, the disciple asked: “What good is there in this? Imam Hussain (a.s) replied: “There is indeed good in this”.
The above hadith of Imam Hussain (a.s) can be explained by the saying of Imam Ali (a.s): “When two groups are fighting among themselves, one should be on wrong.” The discord among Shia will clearly show that there is one evil group operating among them. When it is clear that an evil group is operating among the Shias, and then identifying the evil doers will be very easy. And the people who are responsible for this division are the scholars (Ulalma), for Imam Ali (a.s) says,“O’ Jabir the mainstay of religion and world are four persons-the scholar who acts on his knowledge, the ignorant who does not feel ashamed of learning, the wealthy who is not niggardly in his favors and the destitute (poor man) who does not sell his next life with this worldly benefits. Consequently, when the scholar would waste his knowledge (not fulfilling his obligations) the ignorant would feel shame in learning; and when the rich would be niggardly with his favors the destitute would sell his next life with the worldly benefits.”
Nahjulbalagha: Saying-367
The outcome is, the scholars and the wealthy are responsible for the development as well as the downfall of the religion as well as the worldly life. If the scholars fulfill their responsibilities, society develops, and if they fail in fulfilling their obligations, society deteriorates.
ALL THE PRAISES ARE DUE TO ALLAH, THE SUSTAINER OF THE UNIVERSES.
CHAPTER-4
IMAM ALI (A.S)-ON IJTIHAD
Definition of Ijtihad: The endeavor of a scholar to bring to light the Islamic rulings hidden in Quran and Hadith.
As because all the haram and halal are mentioned in Quran and Hadith,any place for new halal or new haram is not be found in Isalm.The main work of the Islamic scholar is ,just,to bring to light the haram and halal mentioned in Quran and Hadith for those who do not know.
According to Islam there are only two sources of Islamic rulings, the Holy Quran and the Holy Prophet’s progeny (ahlul bait) or his sunnah (The ahlul bait are the embodiment of the Holy Prophet’s sunnah (traditions).While leaving this world the Holy Prophet of Islam said :
“ I am leaving among you two weighty things; the book of Allah (The Holy Quran) and my progeny (ahlul bait),if you stick to both of them you shall never go astray.”
Kanz-ul-Ummal, Vol.1, page 44
Imam Ali(a.s) regarded Quran and Hadith as the only sources of deriving Islamic rulings unlike our clergy, who regard Quaran,Hadith,Aql (Intellect) and Ijma (consensus) as the sources of deriving Islamic rulings.Ayatollah Murtaza Muttahari in his book, ‘The Principles of Ijtihad in Islam’ writers,
“The Sunnis said that the valid proofs (for deriving a ‘Fatwa’) were four in number: the Book, the Sunna, ijma and Ijtihaad (analogy-‘Qayas’); the Shia said the valid proofs were four: the Book, the Sunna, ijma and aql (reason).They merely substituted aql for qayas.”
The Principles of Ijtihaad in Islam, Page, 14
But the Holy Quran says,
“And then if you quarrel about anything refer it to Allah and the Prophet, if you believe in Allah and in the last day.”Quran: 4:59
Regarding the above verse Imam Ali (a.s) says: “Referring to Allah means to act according to what is clear in His Book and referring to the Prophet means to follow his unanimously agreed Sunna in regard to which there is no difference.”
Nahjulbalagha: Letter-53, page-461
Moreover Ali (a.s), who was door to the city of knowledge of the Holy Prophet of Islam, never gave a verdict (fatwa) just on the basis of his (a.s) intellect. He (a.s) derived Islamic rulings in the following ways,
Deriving Islamic rulings from Quran:
It is mentioned in Imam Malik’s book “Muwatta” in the chapter Kitab-ul-Hudud that a woman was bought to the third Caliph ‘Usman b. Affan’ who delivered a child after six months of marriage. He ordered her to be stoned. But, ‘Ali b. Abu Talib (a.s) said: Stoning does not apply in her case. Allah says in His Book,
“And We have enjoined on man to be dutiful and kind to his parents. His mother bears him with hardship. And she brings him forth with hardship, and the bearing of him (period of gestation), and weaning (feeding milk) of him is thirty months.” Surah: Al-Ahqaf: Verse 15
And at another place, in his book, Allah says,
“The mothers shall give suck (feed with milk) to their children for two whole years.” Surah: Al-Baqrah: Verse 233
As only six months of pregnancy have expired (subtract 2 years from thirty months, six months remains) the stoning does not becomes effective (if the woman would have delivered in less than six months after marriage, she would have deserved stoning).Upon hearing this Usman b. Affan sent people after the women to stop stoning her, but found that she had already been stoned (she was dead).
Muwatta: Chapter 29-Hadith-1529, Kaukaab-e-Durri
In the above story, Imam Ali (a.s) shows the way of deriving Islamic rulings from Quran. Imam Ali (a.s) always gave ‘fatwa’ either form Quran or Hadith. He (a.s) never gave a ‘fatwa’ just on the basis of imagination, even thought he got the title of “The greatest among truthful-Siddque-al-Akbar” from the Holy Prophet of Islam.
Deriving Islamic rulings from Hadith:
When after the death of the Prophet news reached Amir al-mu'minin Ali (a.s) about the happening in Saqifah of Bani Sa`idah, he enquired what the ansar said. People said that they were asking for one chief from among them and one from the others, Ali (a.s) said:
Why did you not argue against them (ansar) that the Prophet had left his will that whoever is good among ansar should be treated well and whoever is bad he should be forgiven.
People said: "What is there against them in it?"
Amir al-mu'minin said:
"If the Government was for them(Ansar) there should have been no will in their favour."
Then he said:
"What did the Quraysh plead?"
People said: "They argued that they belong to the lineal tree of the Prophet.
Then Amir al-mu'minin said:
"They argued with the tree but spoiled the fruits."
Nahjulbalagha: Sermon 65
The above sermon is a wonderful example of deriving Islamic rulings (fatwa) form Hadith.
If there is no mention of an issue in Quran or Hadith, what should be done?
It is related that during the days of (Caliph) Umer bin Khattab the question of the plenty of ornaments of the Ka’ba was mentioned to him and some people suggested: If you prepare with it an army of Muslims that would be a matter of great reward” and what would Ka’ba do with ornaments? Umer thought of doing so but asked Amir al-muminin (a.s) when he (Ali {a.s}) said: When the Quran was descended on the Prophet (a.s) there were four kinds of properties. One, the property of the Muslim individual which he distributed among the successors according to fixed share. Second, the tax which he distributed to those for whom it was meant. Third, the One Fifth levy for which Allah had fixed the ways of disposal. Fourth, amounts of charity whose disposal was also fixed by Allah. The ornaments of Ka’ba did exist in those days but Allah left them as they were, but did not leave them by omission, nor were they unknown to Him. Therefore you retain them where Allah and His Prophet placed them. Thereupon Umer said: If you had no been here we would have been humiliated; and he left the ornaments as they were.
Nahjulbalagha: Saying 265
According to the above mentioned incident one should not give any ‘fatwa’ on an issue which is not indicated either in Quran or Hadith. For Imam Ali (a.s) says,
“Allah has placed oh you some obligations which you should not ignore, has laid down for you limits which you should not violate and has kept quiet about certain things but he has no left them out by mistake, so you should no find them.” Nahjulbalagha: Saying 105
If a ‘fatwa’ is given without reference to Quran or Hadith what happens?
According to the above mentioned hadith it becomes very clear that even Imam Ali (a.s) did not give any ‘fatwa’ without reference to Quran or Hadith. Thus, it has become clear that an Alim should give ‘fatwa’ with reference to Quran or Hadith. If he is unable to find any reference of an issue either in Quran or Hadith he should keep quiet or refer to others. If all the experts in jurisprudence do not find any indication of the particular issue in Quran or Hadith they should keep quiet because their ‘Aql’ cannot be greater than Imam Ali’s (a.s) ‘Aql’. Despite of all this discussion, what happens if an ‘Alim’ gives a ‘fatwa’ without reference to Quran or hadith. Quran says,
“Therefore fear not men but fear me and sell not My Verses for a miserable price. And whosoever does not judge by what Allah has revealed, such are the Kafirun-disbelievers.” Surah: Ma’idah: Verse 44
According to the above mentioned verse those scholars who give ‘fatwa’ just on the basis of their intelligence and without reference to Quran or Hadith are Kafirs-disbelievers and should not be followed in ‘Taqlid’(please refer to the book "Questions on Taqlid "by Bashir Alidina at hubeali.com in english). For Imam Ali (a.s) says,
“He (the pseudo clergy) runs blindly towards the goal of loos (acquiring power) and extends his hand to that over which he has no control (authority), becomes tyrannical, permits that which has been prohibited by Allah and prohibits that which has been made permissible by Allah, and does not cares what he does in his religion so long as his government (power) is secure which he has cought (by chance). These are the type on whom Allah’s wrath and curse will fall and he will have a humiliating punishment.”
Tafsee-e-Hassan Askari (a.s): Vol.1:page 57
“Often the ignorance of an ‘Alim (scholar)’ kills him and the knowledge he has does no avail him.”
Nahjulbalagha: Saying 106
In his book “Commentary on Kumayl Supplication”, Allamah Hussain Ansariyan reports the following Hadith in the context of Imam Ali’s prayer “O’ Lord! Forgive me my sins which bring down calamities.”
Imam Jaffer Sadiq (a.s) said that there are nine sins which bring down calamities,
1. Rebellion (going against Allah’s religion) 2.Violating people’s right 3.Mocking Allah’s servants 4.Breaking Promises 5.Evident wrong doing 6.Scattering lies 7.Giving judgement against Allah’s rule. 8. Not paying Zakat 9.Shortening measuere.
Mani Al Akhbaar, page-269
Trying to change the principles of religion just to please your opponent is rebellion against Allah. Appropriating Khums is violating people’s right. Calling a believer ‘kafir’ is mocking Allah’s servant. Appropriating the titles of Ayatollah, Hujjatul al Islam and Nayeb al Imam is scattering lies. Calling matam ‘Haram’ is judgement against Allah’s rule. Thus those who give judgement against Quran and Hadith shall be, sooner or later, trapped in calamities.
ALL THE PRAISES ARE DUE TO ALLHA, THE LORD OF THE WORLDS.
CHAPTER-5
DOMINANCE MIMICRY
DOMINANCE MIMICRY
"They (the hypocrites) have made Satan the master of their affairs, and he has taken them as partners. He has laid eggs and hatched them in their bosoms. He creeps and crawls in their laps. He sees through their eyes, and speaks with their tongues. In this way he has led them to sinfulness and adorned for them foul things like the action of one whom Satan has made partner in his domain and speaks untruth through their tongue."
Imam Ali (a.s): Nahjulbalagha: Sermon-7
Mimicry is a widespread phenomenon in the biological world, where an organism copies the appearance of another organism in order to escape, trap or get benefit. You might have seen a grasshopper resembling a leaf, and one can amazingly find even the leaf vein on its wings.
FIG.1.A grasshopper resembling a leaf (mimicry).You can see even the leaf veins.
This technique saves the grasshopper from being eaten by birds and other predators.
This phenomenon is very common in plants as well.
Fig.1.1. Snake flower, a Cobra mistakes it to be a snake and attacks it so that the pollen get landed on the hood of the Cobra.
Plants in which pollination is done by snake produce flowers which resemble the hood of a snake. The philosophy is, the snake will mistake the flower to be a snake and attack it, obviously the pollen will land on the hood of the snake and when it attacks the other flower of the same plant, the pollens are transferred to the other flower, pollination occurs and plant is saved from extinction. The phenomenon is so widespread in plants and animals that it is impossible to cover it in an article.
FIG.2. A second example of mimicry where a grasshopper is resembling a dry leaf.
In the world of human beings the phenomenon of mimicry has acquired many forms and it is impossible to find a society without an example of it. Status mimicry, dominance mimicry, musical mimicry, actors mimicry (there are people who resemble some famous actors-their destiny is changed), car mimicry (buy a local car and give it the shape of a Mercedes-), diamond mimicry, the list is endless. In the present article we shall be discussing only the first two, status mimicry and dominance mimicry.
Fig.3. You can mimic a local car for a standard car just by changing it's appearance
Status Mimicry (Human zoo by Desmond Morris-chapter-2): If you desire to join the group of the rich you have to start from their dress code and car code. If you are in a three piece suit and get in a borrowed Mercedes, 90% of the people will think that you are some big shot. Many cheats maintain a high status (by maintaining status code-dress, car and house), even though they may be paupers with zero bank account, in order to cheat the rich or fool the poor people. Hence in England, the law of the Westminster of 1363 was concerned chiefly with regulating the fashion of dress in different social classes. In Renaissance Germany, a woman who dressed above her status was liable to have a heavy wooden collar locked around her neck. In India, strict rules were introduced relating the way you folded your turban to your particular caste. In England of Henry 8Th no women whose husband could not afford to maintain a light horse for the king’s service was allowed to wear a velvet bonnet or golden chain. In America, in early New England, a woman was forbidden to wear a silk scarf unless her husband was worth a million dollars. (Human zoo: Desmond Morris).The examples are endless.
Dominance Mimicry (Human zoo by Desmond Morris, Chapter-2): Acquiring the traits of the dominant people in order to gain dominance is called dominance mimicry. Almost 90% of the erstwhile kings ruled the masses by declaring themselves as the avatars of Vishnu and other gods. King Birendra, who was killed along with his family, in 2001, by his son, was famous among the people of Nepal as the Avatar of Vishnu. Even many of the Muslim kings ruled under the title of Amirul Momineen (chief of believers), Zille Ilahee, Khaalifutul Rasool(vicegerent of the prophet) etc. In the present day scenario the best example is of the clergy of Iran who rule the Shia world by acquiring the lofty titles of “Ayatollah (sign of God)” and “Hujjatul-Islam (authority of Islam).
Fig.4.King Birendra was shot along with his whole family in 2001, he ruled by declaring himself as the Avatar of Vishnu. His assassination along with his family might be the price he has to pay for his falsehood.
Why only the above titles (Ayatollah and Hujjat-ul-Islam) why not some other titles? because the above two titles were peculiar to the Imams of the Prophets family(the 12 imams of the Prophets family).There are some hundred verses in the Holy Quran which says that those who don’t believe and respect the signs of God(Ayaatollah) shall go to hell and are disbelievers. I shall quote all the four verses of surah-Nahl(CHAPTER-16) of the Holy Quran from verse 104, which are as follows,
Verse 104: Verily! Those who believe not in the Ayat of Allah (Ayaatullah), Allah will not guide them and theirs will be a painful torment.
Verse 105: It is only those who believe not in the Ayat of Allah (Ayaatullah), who fabricates falsehood, and it is they who are liars.
Verse 106: Whoever disbelieved in Allah after his belief, except him who is forced thereto and whose heart is at rest with faith; but those who open their breasts to disbelief, on them is wrath from Allah, and theirs will be a great torment.
Verse 107: That is because they loved and preferred the life of this world over that of the hereafter. And Allah guide not people who disbelieve.
Fig 4.1.Mimicry in ambush, a stone fish mimics a stone so that it could get it's prey easily. Camouflaged animals blend with their environment, helping them ambush their prey. The poor victim of the stone fish may mistake it for a pile of algae-encrusted rubble-until it suddenly attacks them.
The conclusion of the above four verses is as follows,
1. Those who don't believe in the Ayat (signs) of Allah (14 infallible of Shias) shall not get guidance from God and shall end up going to hell.
2. Those who disbelieve in Ayat-allah (14 infallible) fabricate falsehood (False Ayatollah) etc.And those who fabricate lie (of being Ayatollah) actually don't believe in the 14 infallible and are not Shia.
3. Disbelief in 14-infallible is disbelief in Allah, and if you are forced to disbelieve in Allah (to means to believe in the false Ayatollah) then it is "OK", but your heart should not comply with the disbelief. One more hidden meaning of the above verse is that the False Ayatollah will become a danger for life of those who don't believe in their falsehood and in that scenario you can falsely say (taquiyyah) that you believe in them.
4. Those who fabricate falsehood are worldly people and prefer this worldly life (desire the leadership of the world).
Fig.4.2. Picture of a false cleaner fish. The aggressive false cleaner fish mimics a harmless wrasse cleaner fish. When it's victim offer themselves to be cleaned, the imposter instead bites off chunks of their flesh (to the surprise of their victim).
Fig.5.Picture of false Ayatollah, Khamenai; Dominance Mimicry in action. The third martyr-Qazi Noorullah-Shoostari, in his book (Haquaiq-ul-ahqaaq; Vol, Imamat-4, Page 211,212) quotes a Hadith form Ibne-Arabi (Futoohaat ul-Makkiyah,page 166) as follows: “A Khalifa form the lineage of the Holy Prophet’s daughter, Fatima (SA),will appear whose name will be same as that of the Holy Prophet (AS) and whose ancestor will be Hussain bin Ali Bin Abutalib.People will pay allegiance to him in Harem of the Holy Kaba (between Rukn and Maqam).He will be just like the Holy Prophet(AS) in his appearance and behavior. The people of Kufa shall welcome him vehemently. And he shall be alive for five or nine years. He shall forbid Jaziya and call people towards Allah with his sword. He shall destroy all the religions except the true one. His (AS) enemies will the emulators (Muqallid) of the clergy (Ulama) and followers of Ijtihaad, because they shall find his(AS) verdicts going against their opinion (raai).”
When questioned about such verses of the Holy Quran, the Imams of the prophet family used to reply,
“We (infallible 14) are the signs of Allah (Ayaatollah).”
Usoole-kafi, part-2, kitaab-ul-hujjah-boook.4, chapter-18, hadith-53
The Commander of the Faithul (a.s.) said: "O' Tariq, The Imam (form the Holy Prophet's family) is the Kalama-t-Allāh [Word of God]and Waj'ha-t-Allah [Face of God] and Hijaba-t-Allah [Veil of God] and Nūru-Allah [Light of God] and Āya-t-Allah [Sign of God]." – Bihar Ul Anwaar Vol. 25 H 4
The Imams of the prophet’s family also declared that they are the only Hujjat-ul-Islam.
Now the enigma of the titles of “Ayatollah” and “Hujjat-ul-Islam” of the clergy is clear. It is an obvious case of “Dominance mimicry.” Is it correct to do so? Obviously, no, because no imam of the Shia gave these titles even to the greatest of their scholars. Imam Hussein did not gave this title even to the greatest of “Faquih”, Muslim-Ibne-Aqeel, when he send him to Kufa as his representative. When the Imams did not give these titles to anyone, is it fair to arrogate one self with such titles in order to gain dominance?
Those who claim to be Ayatollah, Hujjat-ul-Isalm etc, are uttering a lie. The Holy Prophet of Islam said,
“Do you want me to inform you of the biggest major sins? They are Polytheism, unkindness towards parents and beware of untrue speech.”
Mustadrak al Wasil: 17/416; chapter-6; hadith-21714
“The worst speech is lying.”
Bihar al Anwar-69/259;chapter-114;hadith-25
“Lying is worst obscenity.”
Towhed-Saduq
“Honesty is, in-fact loyalty and lying betrayal.”
Behar al Anwar 69/261; chapter-114;hadith 37
Regarding lying Imam Sadiq (a.s) said,
“The exalted Allah has set some locks for the sins, the key to these locks is wine, and even worst than wine is lying.”
Bihar al Anwar 69/261; chapter;114;hadith-37
Allamah Husayn Ansariyan in his wonderful book ‘Commentry on Kumayl Supplication” writes,
“Islamic sciences teach us that the liar is a transgressor, hypocrite and is dishonored. The angels curse the liar. The liar has fetid mouth. The liar is a disbeliever. The liar is subject to Allah’s wrath and curse. The liar is a sinner who is deprived of Allah’s guidance and does not deserve a companionship. The liar is human in appearance, but an unclean animal, indeed.”
Commentary on Kumayl supplication; Page-109
A relegious lie is the biggest lie,for,the Holy Quran says,
"Say thou,Verily those who forge a lie against Allah succeed not."
Surah:Yunus:Verse-69
The hypocrites (liars) are those people who project themselves as believers, but are, actually, not one of them; just like a false cleaner fish which project itself as a cleaner fish in order to satisfy her hunger. One of the characteristic features which imam Ali mention about the hypocrites (sermon-7) is their fabrication of untruth (false ideology) and it's subsequent spread. The sermon-192(in some versions it is sermon 194) of Nahjulbalagha, which is again on hypocrites, runs as follows,
"I advise you, O' creatures of Allah, to fear Allah and I warn you of the hypocrites, because they are themselves misguided and misguide others, and they have slipped and make others slip too. They change into many colours, and adopt various ways. They support you with all sorts of supports, and lay in waiting for you at every lookout. Their hearts are diseased while their faces are clean. They walk stealthily and tread like the approach of sickness (over the body). Their words speak of cure, but their acts are like incurable diseases. They are jealous of ease, intensify distress, and destroy hopes. Their victims are found lying down on every path, while they have means to approach every heart and they have (false) tears for every grief.
They eulogize each other and expect reward from each other. When they ask something they insist on it, if they reprove (any one) they disgrace (him), and if they pass verdict they commit excess. They have adopted for every truth a wrong way, for every erect thing a bender, for every living being a killer, for every (closed) door a key and for every night a lamp. They covet, but with despair, in order to maintain with it their markets, and to popularise their handsome merchandise. When they speak they create doubts. When they describe they exaggerate. First they offer easy paths but (afterwards) they make them narrow. In short, they are the party of Satan and the stings of fire.
Satan had gained hold on them, so he maketh them forget the remembrance of Allah; they are Satan's Party; Beware! Verily, the parties of Satan are the losers. (Quran, 58:19)."
The above characteristics of hypocrites, as described by Imam Ali (as), are exactly found in the modern pseudo-intellectual group of Shia, who portray themselves as embodiment of piety and oppose all the campaigning activities of the lovers of the Prophet's family including, Matam, distribution of food in the name of Hussain (as), mourning in the name of Hussein and expression of love for the Prophet's family. Regarding such pseudo-pious elements the holy Quran says,
"And when you look at them, their bodies please you; and when they speak you listen to their words .They are blocks of wood propped up (their soul is dead).They think that every cry is against them. They are enemies, so beware of them. May Allah curse them! How are they denying the right path?" surah-63 (al-munafiqun), verses-4.
Regarding the stingy nature of these hypocrite or false Shias, the holy Quran says,
“The hypocrite men and women, are one form another; they enjoin Al-Munkar, and forbid people from Al-Maruf (all good things) and they close their hands (they dont spend).They have forgotten Allah, so Allah has forgotten them. Verily, the hypocrites are the Fasiqun (rebellious)."
The most prominent features of these hypocrites are as follows,
1. They try to stop the lovers of Imam Hussain (as) from feeding the poor or spending money in his name.
2. They mock at mourning for Imam Hussain (as) and shedding blood in his remembrance
3. They try to stop the virtues of Imam Ali (as) being mentioned.
ALL THE PRAISES ARE DUE TO ALLAH
Conclusion:
According to Nahjulbalagha (Imam Ali {a.s}), if any opinion, thought or ‘Fatwa (religious verdict) is not indicated either in Quran or The Holy Traditions, it should not be finalized or consolidated as truth.
The Titles ‘Ayatollah’, Hujjat-ul-Islam and ‘Wali-e-Faquih’ are innovations because the Holy Quran or the Holy Prophet of Islam did not assign those titles to any of their followers. Salman-e-Farsi who was given the title of ‘Minna-Ahlulbait’ was also not assigned the title of ‘Ayatollah’ or Hujjat-ul-Islam.The concept of Walayat-e-Faquih is an innovation because following an Islamic Scholar (Alim) in ‘Taqlid’ is conditional, for Imam Hasan al Askari (a.s) says,
“If the laymen of our ummah also find that their scholars (faqihs) are biased, are openly indulging in misdeeds, are competing with each other in securing and supporting their own incompetent and mean adherents; and they still follow such scholars (Alim), they will be no better than the illiterate Jews, who followed their corrupt rabbis. But the case of those scholars, who do not go astray, do not sell themselves, are particular about protecting their religion, suppress their wild passions and obey the commandments of Allah is different. They should be followed (in Taqlid) by the common people. Of course, the number of such scholars is small. All scholars cannot be such.”
Philosophy of Islam by Behechti and Bahonar; page-509
Imam Jaffer (a.s) said:
“Whichever of the religious scholar can protect his self, who preserves his religious (now-a-days the Ayatollas are bent upon converting Shia Islam into Sunni Islam), who fights his desire, and is obedient to the commands of his Imam, should be followed by the people in Taqlid.”
The above hadith clearly means that when you find a scholar going against the teaching of the Imams of Ahlulbait or is not preserving his religion, he should not be followed in Taqlid. In conclusion, the moment you find a clergy going against the teaching of Quran or Hadith you should reject him. The following verse of the Holy Quran and it’s commentary by Imam Sadiq (a.s) shall make the matter more clear.
“Verily God forgives not (anything) be associated (shirk) with him, but He forgives what is besides that whomsoever he pleases; and whoever associates with God (Shirk), had indeed devised a great sin.”
Surah: 4: Verse-48
The above verse abhors shirk or polytheism. When it was asked of the Sixth Holy Imam Jafer-e-Sadiq as to the minimum extent of ‘Shirk’. The Holy Imam said:
“Starting a new custom and loving those who perform it and hating those who do not observe it.” Commentary of Quran by S.V.Mir Ahmed Ali,page 378
The concept of Waliyat-e-Faquih (and also the concept of Ayatollah etc.) is a new custom which was introduced by the so called Ayatollahs. Is it not Shirk to love those who accept the concept of Waliyat-e-Faquih and hate those who abhor the new introduction?
A very amazing fact, which would have become obvious to the readers of this book by now, about the Holy Quran and Nahjulbalagha is that their word appears to be speaking of the present scenario. The same can be said about the words of the other Imams of the Prophets family. The following verse of the Holy Quran is another example,
“Have you not seen those who consider themselves pure? Nay, it is God who purifies whomsoever He pleases, and they shall not be wronged (even ) the husk of a date-stone. Behold how they forge a lie against God! And that (itself) is sufficient as a manifest sin.
Surah: 4: Verse-49 and 50
Is it not that the above verses are speaking against a show of piety?
The Almighty says in the Holy Quran as follows,
“You can only warn him who follows the remainder (the Quran) and fears the Most Gracious (Allah) unseen (gaib).Bear you such one the glad tidings of forgiveness, and a generous reward.” Surah: 36: Verse-11
Allah guides only those who fear him unseen, in lonliness.If you are doing a show of piety and spending the whole life as a pious man in front of the world, what significance does it have before God? Allah guides only those who fear him unseen and not those who do a show of piety in front of the world.
Imam Hussain (a.s) says:
“When you see a man whose conduct is good, and is soft spoken in his speech, gentle in his steps, do not fall (get impressed) for his deception, for, most of it is for the sake of the world, and they are on it’s prohibitions and they display weakness and tender heartedness as a trap for the world, and keep deceiving people with their outward appearance. And if he (the pseudo clergy) captures some prohibited wealth then he defends it with lies, and if you are present then he stays away from the prohibited wealth regardless of how much it is. And then diverts his self to ugly desires and takes form it the prohibited things.”
Tafsie-e-Hassan Askari (a.s): Vol,1: Page,57
Murtaza Muttahari in his book ‘The Principles of Ijtihaad’ writes,
“We occasionally hear these days from some people who are looking for a marja-e-taqlid; they are looking to find someone to whom they can give unqualified allegiance. We want to say that the taqlid which Islam has commanded is not “unqualified allegiance”; it is the opening, and keeping open, of one’s eyes, of awareness. If taqlid takes on an aspect of devotion, thousands of evil effects will come about.”
Principles of Ijtihaad in Islam by Ayatollah Muttahari, page 25
Taqlid means blind following.If you keep open eyes, it will be not taqlid at all,it is simply called following.
Having returned from the Farewell Pilgrimage, The Holy Prophet of Isalm, peace be upon him and his progeny, camped at Ghadir-e-Khumm and ordered the area underneath a few trees to be swept clean then said in his sermon:
“It seems as if I am to be called upon and shall answer the call, and I am leaving with you the Two Weighty Things, one of which is greater than the other: the Book of Allah Almighty, and my household (ahlulbait);as long as you uphold them, you shall never go astray. So see how you succeed me in faring with them, for they shall never separate from each other until they reach me at the pool.”
Kanz-ul-Ummal, Vol 1, page 44
Conslusion from Quran and Hadith :
Quran:9:34: " O' you who believe! verily many
of the divines (ahbar) and religious guides (rahban) eat away the
properties of men falsely, and obstruct others from the way of God; and
those who hoard up gold and silver and spend it not in God's way;announce you to them a painful chastisement."
Imam Ali (as) " Many religious scholars ( rubba aalimo) are killed by their ignorance, and the knowledge they possess fails to help them."
Nahjulbalagha:Saying_107
If you combine the above verses of the Quran and the above saying of Imam Ali (as),it become very obvious that it is not allowed to do taqleed (blind following) of any clergy.
Imam Ali (as) " Many religious scholars ( rubba aalimo) are killed by their ignorance, and the knowledge they possess fails to help them."
Nahjulbalagha:Saying_107
If you combine the above verses of the Quran and the above saying of Imam Ali (as),it become very obvious that it is not allowed to do taqleed (blind following) of any clergy.
ALL THE PRAISES ARE DUE TO ALLAH, THE LORD OF THE WOLD
REFERENCES:
- Nahjulbalagha, 1981 edition, Ansariyan Publication, P.O.Box 55, Qum, Iran.
- The Principles of Ijtihaad in Islam,Murtada Mutahhari,Baab-Ilm Islamic Institure,Wilayah Network,August 2005.
- Journey through Nahjulbalagha by Murtada Mutahhari.
- Muwatta by Imam Malik
- The Human Zoo by Desmond Morris.
- Kashf al Mahjoob by Ali B. Uthman Al-Jullabi Al-Hujwiri.
- Al-Murajaat by Sayyed Abdul-Husayn Sharafud-Din al-Musawi.
- Lanaat our Tabarra(Urdu) by Habib Ali Veerji.
Comments
Post a Comment