Ebionite
Well-Known Member
Is there any objective way of determining rank?
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The Prophet (s) and Imams (a) stated Mohammad (s) is the final Nabi.
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I would offer my view, not an official Baha'i view.
Satan is dead in my understanding of the Baha'i Writings, as I can now know there is no independent force of evil.
There is God = Good or there is lack of God = Evil.
There is no Satan but our own selves that turn away from God, evil is a subjective reality.
We have entered an age where we can do away with superstitions of evil having control.over us, we can understand it is a product of nature and nurture and medical imbalances.
Regards Tony
An Ahlulbayt are of one rank, no difference, since God blesses them together and they ascend together.
Different Ahlulbayts differ in rank, the later ones are higher then former.
Both of these truths are found in the Quran.
Salam
Here is a du'a from Imam Ali (a) ibn Hussain (a) Zainal Abideen against Satan: Sahifa Sajjadia-Dua 17-When he Mentioned Satan and Sought Refuge from him
And here is what Imam Jaffar (a) says in Misbahal Shariah:
Satan can get control over Allah's servants only by whispering to them when they have abandoned their remembrance of Allah, become disdainful, feel complacent when faced with His prohibition, and forget that Allah sees their secret.
Whispering is what comes from outside the heart by tacit permission of the intellect, and is sustained by man's own nature; once it becomes established in the heart, there is error, misguidance, and disbelief. Allah called on His bondsmen with His subtle call and told them about the enmity of Iblis:
Shaytan is an enemy to you, so take him as an enemy. (35:6)
Be with him like a man who, standing near the shepherd's dog, has recourse to the dog's master in order to keep the dog away from him. It is the same when Satan comes to whisper to you, to lead you off the true path and make you forget to remember Allah. Then seek refuge from him with your Lord and his Lord. He will defend the truth against falsehood, and help wronged ones, since He says,
Surely he has no authority over those who believe and who rely on their Lord. (16:99)
Man will only be able to do this if he knows how he comes, and can recognize his methods of whispering, by constant watchfulness, sincerity in the arena of service, awe of the All-Aware, and increased remembrance of Him.
However, anyone who neglects to spend his time in awareness must undoubtedly be the prey of Satan. He should draw a lesson from what Satan does with such a person's self: he leads it to misguidance, deception and haughtiness by duping the person into admiring his own actions, his worship, and his insight.
Satan's insolent behaviour towards him causes a curse to descend on his knowledge, his gnosis and faculty of reasoning for all eternity; yet he has no power over those who are not negligent. Therefore hold to the firmest rope of Allah, which means seeking refuge with Allah, and having a sound need of Allah at every breath. Do not be deceived when Satan makes your acts of obedience appear beautiful in your eye: if he opens ninety-nine doors of goodness for you, it is only so that he may overcome you by opening the hundredth. So meet him with opposition, block his path and reject his charm.
Here is what Imam Ali (a) said about Satan:
Ebionite
Well-Known Member
This says nothing about prophets who are not of the house of Muhammad, right?
Every prophet is part of an Ahlulbayt. God always replaces one Ahlulbayt with a better one.
Ebionite
Well-Known Member
How do you know whether one was replaced or not?
The Quran is proof for the final Ahlulbayt (a).
Ebionite
Well-Known Member
In other words, you can't say. There isn't even any reason to think that prophets and signs are the same thing.
It's not for me to prove. God proves his guides, and he did so through Quran.
Ebionite
Well-Known Member
That's only a statement of faith. The Quran advocates the use of reason, not religious dogma.
I've had other threads where I discussed how Quran is a proof. There isn't enough room in one post to prove the many miracles of Quran and it's exalted beyond human nature.
Ebionite
Well-Known Member
Your error (like that of most religions) is your attempt to own the interpretation of the canonoical text (in this case the Quran). The Quran advocates reason, but your response to the question of the prophets has been to conflate prophethood with signs, which are not the same thing.
The point here is that there could be prophets who are unknown to Islam, meaning that the Quran is not an exclusive source.
37 - حدثنا علي بن أحمد بن محمد بن عمران الدقاق رحمه الله وعلي بن عبد الله الوراق، قالا: حدثنا محمد بن هارون الصوفي، قال: حدثنا أبو تراب عبيد الله ابن موسى الروياني، عن عبد العظيم بن عبد الله الحسني، قال: دخلت على سيدي علي بن محمد بن علي بن موسى بن جعفر بن محمد بن علي بن الحسين بن علي بن أبي طالب عليهم السلام فلما بصر بي قال لي: مرحبا بك يا أبا القاسم أنت ولينا حقا، قال: فقلت له: يا ابن رسول الله إني أريد أن أعرض عليك ديني، فإن كان مرضيا أثبت عليه حتى ألقى الله عز وجل: فقال: هات يا أبا القاسم، فقلت: إني أقول: إن الله تبارك وتعالى واحد، ليس كمثله شئ، خارج عن الحدين حد الإبطال و حد التشبيه، وإنه ليس بجسم ولا صورة ولا عرض ولا جوهر، بل هو مجسم الأجسام، ومصور الصور، وخالق الأعراض والجواهر، ورب كل شئ ومالكه وجاعله ومحدثه، وإن محمدا عبده ورسوله خاتم النبيين فلا نبي بعده إلى يوم القيامة وأقول: إن الإمام والخليفة وولي الأمر من بعده أمير المؤمنين علي بن أبي طالب ثم الحسن، ثم الحسين، ثم علي بن الحسين، ثم محمد بن علي، ثم جعفر بن محمد ثم موسى بن جعفر، ثم علي بن موسى، ثم محمد بن علي ثم أنت يا مولاي، فقال عليه السلام: ومن بعدي الحسن ابني، فكيف للناس بالخلف من بعده، قال: فقلت: وكيف ذاك يا مولاي؟ قال: لأنه لا يرى شخصه ولا يحل ذكره باسمه حتى يخرج فيملأ الأرض قسطا وعدلا كما ملئت جورا وظلما، قال: فقلت: أقررت، وأقول إن وليهم ولي الله، وعدوهم عدو الله، وطاعتهم طاعة الله، ومعصيتهم معصية الله، و أقول: إن المعراج حق، والمسألة في القبر حق، وإن الجنة حق، وإن النار حق، والصراط حق، والميزان حق، وإن الساعة آتية لا ريب فيها، وإن الله يبعث من في القبور، وأقول: إن الفرائض الواجبة بعد الولاية الصلاة، والزكاة، والصوم، والحج، والجهاد، والأمر بالمعروف والنهي عن المنكر، فقال علي بن محمد عليهما السلام: يا أبا القاسم هذا والله دين الله الذي ارتضاه لعباده، فاثبت عليه، ثبتك الله بالقول الثابت في الحياة الدنيا وفي الآخرة. باب معنى الواحد والتوحيد والموحد
37. `Ali ibn Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn `Imran al-Daqqaq (may Allah have mercy on him) and `Ali ibn `Abd Allah al-Warraq both said: Muhammad ibn Harun al-Sufi said: Abu Turab `Ubayd Allah ibn Musa al-Rawyani said on the authority of `Abd al-`Azim al-Hasani that I entered into the presence of My Master `Ali ibn Muhammad ibn `Ali ibn Musa ibn Ja`far ibn Muhammad ibn `Ali ibn al-Husayn ibn `Ali ibn Abu Talib (peace be on them), when he saw me, he said: “Welcome, O Abu al-Qasim! You are our true lover.” So I said to him: “O son of the Messenger of Allah! I intend to present to you my religion. If it is acceptable then I will remain firm on it until I meet Allah, the Mighty and High.” Thus, he said: “Tell me, O Abu al-Qasim.” Hence, I explained: Verily, I proclaim: Allah, the Blessed and Exalted, is One God. There is nothing whatsoever like unto Him. He is beyond the two limitations; the limitation of annulment and the limitation of anthropomorphism. Verily, He has neither body nor an image, neither an accidental quality nor a substance. In fact, He is the Creator of bodies, images, accidental qualities, and substances. He is the Lord of Everything, their Master, their Creator, and is the One who gave them beginning. Verily, Muhammad (SA) is His Servant and His Messenger, and the Seal of the Nabis hence, so there is no Nabi after him till the Day of Judgment. I profess: Verily, the Imam, the Caliph and the Legal Guardian [wali al-amr] after him (SA) is the Commander of the Faithful `Ali in Abu Talib (AS) then al-Hasan, then al-Husayn, then `Ali ibn alHusayn, then Muhammad ibn `Ali, then Ja`far ibn Muhammad, then Musa ibn Ja`far, then `Ali ibn Musa, then Muhammad ibn `Ali, then you, O my Master. So he (AS) said: “And after me is al-Hasan my son and what shall happen to people for the one after him?” He said: I asked him (AS): “And what is that O Master?” He replied: “Because he cannot be seen and it is not permissible to mention him with his name until he reappears. Then he will fill the Earth with peace and justice like it will be filed with injustice and oppression.” Then I asked him: I acknowledge and declare: Verily, to befriend them is to befriend Allah, to bear enmity towards them is to bear enmity with Allah, to obey them is to obey Allah, and to disobey them is to disobey Allah. And I affirm: Verily, the Ascension (of Muhammad (AS) to the Heavens) [Mi’raj] is true, the questioning in the grave is true; Heaven is true, and Hell is true. The Bridge (Sirat) is true,and the Balance is true. And there can be no doubt about the coming of the Inevitable Hour and that Allah shall raise the dead from their graves. And II assert that the obligations after the guardianship [Wilayah] are the prayers [Salat], alms [Zakat], fasting [Sawm], Hajj, Jihad, as well as enjoining good and forbidding evil. Thus, `Ali ibn Muhammad (AS) said: “O Abu al-Qasim! By Allah, this is the religion of Allah, which he wishes for His Servants. Remain firm in this (religion). May Allah keep you firm on the established word in this life and in the Hereafter.”
Al-Tawḥīd, Divine Unity and Negation of Anthropomorphism, Hadith #36
thaqalayn.net
The "so" is an implication, meaning it is implied by the "seal of Nabiyeen" there is no Nabi until day of judgment. Now Bahais say day of judgment is there Prophet but that doesn't matter, because it's saying it's an implication of the term "Seal of the Nabiyeen". This also suggests day of judgment is the end of time.
37. `Ali ibn Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn `Imran al-Daqqaq (may Allah have mercy on him) and `Ali ibn `Abd Allah al-Warraq both said: Muhammad ibn Harun al-Sufi said: Abu Turab `Ubayd Allah ibn Musa al-Rawyani said on the authority of `Abd al-`Azim al-Hasani that I entered into the presence of My Master `Ali ibn Muhammad ibn `Ali ibn Musa ibn Ja`far ibn Muhammad ibn `Ali ibn al-Husayn ibn `Ali ibn Abu Talib (peace be on them), when he saw me, he said: “Welcome, O Abu al-Qasim! You are our true lover.” So I said to him: “O son of the Messenger of Allah! I intend to present to you my religion. If it is acceptable then I will remain firm on it until I meet Allah, the Mighty and High.” Thus, he said: “Tell me, O Abu al-Qasim.” Hence, I explained: Verily, I proclaim: Allah, the Blessed and Exalted, is One God. There is nothing whatsoever like unto Him. He is beyond the two limitations; the limitation of annulment and the limitation of anthropomorphism. Verily, He has neither body nor an image, neither an accidental quality nor a substance. In fact, He is the Creator of bodies, images, accidental qualities, and substances. He is the Lord of Everything, their Master, their Creator, and is the One who gave them beginning. Verily, Muhammad (SA) is His Servant and His Messenger, and the Seal of the Nabis hence, so there is no Nabi after him till the Day of Judgment. I profess: Verily, the Imam, the Caliph and the Legal Guardian [wali al-amr] after him (SA) is the Commander of the Faithful `Ali in Abu Talib (AS) then al-Hasan, then al-Husayn, then `Ali ibn alHusayn, then Muhammad ibn `Ali, then Ja`far ibn Muhammad, then Musa ibn Ja`far, then `Ali ibn Musa, then Muhammad ibn `Ali, then you, O my Master. So he (AS) said: “And after me is al-Hasan my son and what shall happen to people for the one after him?” He said: I asked him (AS): “And what is that O Master?” He replied: “Because he cannot be seen and it is not permissible to mention him with his name until he reappears. Then he will fill the Earth with peace and justice like it will be filed with injustice and oppression.” Then I asked him: I acknowledge and declare: Verily, to befriend them is to befriend Allah, to bear enmity towards them is to bear enmity with Allah, to obey them is to obey Allah, and to disobey them is to disobey Allah. And I affirm: Verily, the Ascension (of Muhammad (AS) to the Heavens) [Mi’raj] is true, the questioning in the grave is true; Heaven is true, and Hell is true. The Bridge (Sirat) is true,and the Balance is true. And there can be no doubt about the coming of the Inevitable Hour and that Allah shall raise the dead from their graves. And II assert that the obligations after the guardianship [Wilayah] are the prayers [Salat], alms [Zakat], fasting [Sawm], Hajj, Jihad, as well as enjoining good and forbidding evil. Thus, `Ali ibn Muhammad (AS) said: “O Abu al-Qasim! By Allah, this is the religion of Allah, which he wishes for His Servants. Remain firm in this (religion). May Allah keep you firm on the established word in this life and in the Hereafter.”
Al-Tawḥīd, Divine Unity and Negation of Anthropomorphism, Hadith #36
Hadith #36 - Divine Unity and Negation of Anthropomorphism | Thaqalayn
Divine Unity and Negation of Anthropomorphism
The "so" is an implication, meaning it is implied by the "seal of Nabiyeen" there is no Nabi until day of judgment. Now Bahais say day of judgment is there Prophet but that doesn't matter, because it's saying it's an implication of the term "Seal of the Nabiyeen". This also suggests day of judgment is the end of time.
1ـ أَبُو مُحَمَّدٍ الْقَاسِمُ بْنُ الْعَلاءِ رَحِمَهُ الله رَفَعَهُ عَنْ عَبْدِ الْعَزِيزِ بْنِ مُسْلِمٍ قَالَ كُنَّا مَعَ الرِّضَا (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) بِمَرْوَ فَاجْتَمَعْنَا فِي الْجَامِعِ يَوْمَ الْجُمُعَةِ فِي بَدْءِ مَقْدَمِنَا فَأَدَارُوا أَمْرَ الامَامَةِ وَذَكَرُوا كَثْرَةَ اخْتِلافِ النَّاسِ فِيهَا فَدَخَلْتُ عَلَى سَيِّدِي (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) فَأَعْلَمْتُهُ خَوْضَ النَّاسِ فِيهِ فَتَبَسَّمَ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) ثُمَّ قَالَ يَا عَبْدَ الْعَزِيزِ جَهِلَ الْقَوْمُ وَخُدِعُوا عَنْ آرَائِهِمْ إِنَّ الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ لَمْ يَقْبِضْ نَبِيَّهُ (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) حَتَّى أَكْمَلَ لَهُ الدِّينَ وَأَنْزَلَ عَلَيْهِ الْقُرْآنَ فِيهِ تِبْيَانُ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ بَيَّنَ فِيهِ الْحَلالَ وَالْحَرَامَ وَالْحُدُودَ وَالاحْكَامَ وَجَمِيعَ مَا يَحْتَاجُ إِلَيْهِ النَّاسُ كَمَلاً فَقَالَ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ ما فَرَّطْنا فِي الْكِتابِ مِنْ شَيْءٍ وَأَنْزَلَ فِي حَجَّةِ الْوَدَاعِ وَهِيَ آخِرُ عُمُرِهِ (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) الْيَوْمَ أَكْمَلْتُ لَكُمْ دِينَكُمْ وَأَتْمَمْتُ عَلَيْكُمْ نِعْمَتِي وَرَضِيتُ لَكُمُ الاسْلامَ دِيناً وَأَمْرُ الامَامَةِ مِنْ تَمَامِ الدِّينِ وَلَمْ يَمْضِ (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) حَتَّى بَيَّنَ لامَّتِهِ مَعَالِمَ دِينِهِمْ وَأَوْضَحَ لَهُمْ سَبِيلَهُمْ وَتَرَكَهُمْ عَلَى قَصْدِ سَبِيلِ الْحَقِّ وَأَقَامَ لَهُمْ عَلِيّاً (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) عَلَماً وَإِمَاماً وَمَا تَرَكَ لَهُمْ شَيْئاً يَحْتَاجُ إِلَيْهِ الامَّةُ إِلا بَيَّنَهُ فَمَنْ زَعَمَ أَنَّ الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ لَمْ يُكْمِلْ دِينَهُ فَقَدْ رَدَّ كِتَابَ الله وَمَنْ رَدَّ كِتَابَ الله فَهُوَ كَافِرٌ بِهِ هَلْ يَعْرِفُونَ قَدْرَ الامَامَةِ وَمَحَلَّهَا مِنَ الامَّةِ فَيَجُوزَ فِيهَا اخْتِيَارُهُمْ إِنَّ الامَامَةَ أَجَلُّ قَدْراً وَأَعْظَمُ شَأْناً وَأَعْلَى مَكَاناً وَأَمْنَعُ جَانِباً وَأَبْعَدُ غَوْراً مِنْ أَنْ يَبْلُغَهَا النَّاسُ بِعُقُولِهِمْ أَوْ يَنَالُوهَا بِآرَائِهِمْ أَوْ يُقِيمُوا إِمَاماً بِاخْتِيَارِهِمْ إِنَّ الامَامَةَ خَصَّ الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ بِهَا إِبْرَاهِيمَ الْخَلِيلَ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) بَعْدَ النُّبُوَّةِ وَالْخُلَّةِ مَرْتَبَةً ثَالِثَةً وَفَضِيلَةً شَرَّفَهُ بِهَا وَأَشَادَ بِهَا ذِكْرَهُ فَقَالَ إِنِّي جاعِلُكَ لِلنَّاسِ إِماماً فَقَالَ الْخَلِيلُ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) سُرُوراً بِهَا وَمِنْ ذُرِّيَّتِي قَالَ الله تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى لا يَنالُ عَهْدِي الظَّالِمِينَ فَأَبْطَلَتْ هَذِهِ الايَةُ إِمَامَةَ كُلِّ ظَالِمٍ إِلَى يَوْمِ الْقِيَامَةِ وَصَارَتْ فِي الصَّفْوَةِ ثُمَّ أَكْرَمَهُ الله تَعَالَى بِأَنْ جَعَلَهَا فِي ذُرِّيَّتِهِ أَهْلِ الصَّفْوَةِ وَالطَّهَارَةِ فَقَالَ وَوَهَبْنا لَهُ إِسْحاقَ وَيَعْقُوبَ نافِلَةً وَكُلاً جَعَلْنا صالِحِينَ. وَجَعَلْناهُمْ أَئِمَّةً يَهْدُونَ بِأَمْرِنا وَأَوْحَيْنا إِلَيْهِمْ فِعْلَ الْخَيْراتِ وَإِقامَ الصَّلاةِ وَإِيتاءَ الزَّكاةِ وَكانُوا لَنا عابِدِينَ فَلَمْ تَزَلْ فِي ذُرِّيَّتِهِ يَرِثُهَا بَعْضٌ عَنْ بَعْضٍ قَرْناً فَقَرْناً حَتَّى وَرَّثَهَا الله تَعَالَى النَّبِيَّ (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) فَقَالَ جَلَّ وَتَعَالَى إِنَّ أَوْلَى النَّاسِ بِإِبْراهِيمَ لَلَّذِينَ اتَّبَعُوهُ وَهذَا النَّبِيُّ وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَالله وَلِيُّ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ فَكَانَتْ لَهُ خَاصَّةً فَقَلَّدَهَا (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) عَلِيّاً (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) بِأَمْرِ الله تَعَالَى عَلَى رَسْمِ مَا فَرَضَ الله فَصَارَتْ فِي ذُرِّيَّتِهِ الاصْفِيَاءِ الَّذِينَ آتَاهُمُ الله الْعِلْمَ وَالايمَانَ بِقَوْلِهِ تَعَالَى وَقالَ الَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْعِلْمَ وَالايمانَ لَقَدْ لَبِثْتُمْ فِي كِتابِ الله إِلى يَوْمِ الْبَعْثِ فَهِيَ فِي وُلْدِ علي (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) خَاصَّةً إِلَى يَوْمِ الْقِيَامَةِ إِذْ لا نَبِيَّ بَعْدَ مُحَمَّدٍ (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) فَمِنْ أَيْنَ يَخْتَارُ هَؤُلاءِ الْجُهَّالُ إِنَّ الامَامَةَ هِيَ مَنْزِلَةُ الانْبِيَاءِ وَإِرْثُ الاوْصِيَاءِ إِنَّ الامَامَةَ خِلافَةُ الله وَخِلافَةُ الرَّسُولِ (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) وَمَقَامُ أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) وَمِيرَاثُ الْحَسَنِ وَالْحُسَيْنِ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) إِنَّ الامَامَةَ زِمَامُ الدِّينِ وَنِظَامُ الْمُسْلِمِينَ وَصَلاحُ الدُّنْيَا وَعِزُّ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ إِنَّ الامَامَةَ أُسُّ الاسْلامِ النَّامِي وَفَرْعُهُ السَّامِي بِالامَامِ تَمَامُ الصَّلاةِ وَالزَّكَاةِ وَالصِّيَامِ وَالْحَجِّ وَالْجِهَادِ وَتَوْفِيرُ الْفَيْءِ وَالصَّدَقَاتِ وَإِمْضَاءُ الْحُدُودِ وَالاحْكَامِ وَمَنْعُ الثُّغُورِ وَالاطْرَافِ الامَامُ يُحِلُّ حَلالَ الله وَيُحَرِّمُ حَرَامَ الله وَيُقِيمُ حُدُودَ الله وَيَذُبُّ عَنْ دِينِ الله وَيَدْعُو إِلَى سَبِيلِ رَبِّهِ بِالْحِكْمَةِ وَالْمَوْعِظَةِ الْحَسَنَةِ وَالْحُجَّةِ الْبَالِغَةِ الامَامُ كَالشَّمْسِ الطَّالِعَةِ الْمُجَلِّلَةِ بِنُورِهَا لِلْعَالَمِ وَهِيَ فِي الافُقِ بِحَيْثُ لا تَنَالُهَا الايْدِي وَالابْصَارُ الامَامُ الْبَدْرُ الْمُنِيرُ وَالسِّرَاجُ الزَّاهِرُ وَالنُّورُ السَّاطِعُ وَالنَّجْمُ الْهَادِي فِي غَيَاهِبِ الدُّجَى وَأَجْوَازِ الْبُلْدَانِ وَالْقِفَارِ وَلُجَجِ الْبِحَارِ الامَامُ الْمَاءُ الْعَذْبُ عَلَى الظَّمَإِ وَالدَّالُّ عَلَى الْهُدَى وَالْمُنْجِي مِنَ الرَّدَى الامَامُ النَّارُ عَلَى الْيَفَاعِ الْحَارُّ لِمَنِ اصْطَلَى بِهِ وَالدَّلِيلُ فِي الْمَهَالِكِ مَنْ فَارَقَهُ فَهَالِكٌ الامَامُ السَّحَابُ الْمَاطِرُ وَالْغَيْثُ الْهَاطِلُ وَالشَّمْسُ الْمُضِيئَةُ وَالسَّمَاءُ الظَّلِيلَةُ وَالارْضُ الْبَسِيطَةُ وَالْعَيْنُ الْغَزِيرَةُ وَالْغَدِيرُ وَالرَّوْضَةُ الامَامُ الانِيسُ الرَّفِيقُ وَالْوَالِدُ الشَّفِيقُ وَالاخُ الشَّقِيقُ وَالامُّ الْبَرَّةُ بِالْوَلَدِ الصَّغِيرِ وَمَفْزَعُ الْعِبَادِ فِي الدَّاهِيَةِ النَآدِ الامَامُ أَمِينُ الله فِي خَلْقِهِ وَحُجَّتُهُ عَلَى عِبَادِهِ وَخَلِيفَتُهُ فِي بِلادِهِ وَالدَّاعِي إِلَى الله وَالذَّابُّ عَنْ حُرَمِ الله الامَامُ الْمُطَهَّرُ مِنَ الذُّنُوبِ وَالْمُبَرَّأُ عَنِ الْعُيُوبِ الْمَخْصُوصُ بِالْعِلْمِ الْمَوْسُومُ بِالْحِلْمِ نِظَامُ الدِّينِ وَعِزُّ الْمُسْلِمِينَ وَغَيْظُ الْمُنَافِقِينَ وَبَوَارُ الْكَافِرِينَ. الامَامُ وَاحِدُ دَهْرِهِ لا يُدَانِيهِ أَحَدٌ وَلا يُعَادِلُهُ عَالِمٌ وَلا يُوجَدُ مِنْهُ بَدَلٌ وَلا لَهُ مِثْلٌ وَلا نَظِيرٌ مَخْصُوصٌ بِالْفَضْلِ كُلِّهِ مِنْ غَيْرِ طَلَبٍ مِنْهُ لَهُ وَلا اكْتِسَابٍ بَلِ اخْتِصَاصٌ مِنَ الْمُفْضِلِ الْوَهَّابِ فَمَنْ ذَا الَّذِي يَبْلُغُ مَعْرِفَةَ الامَامِ أَوْ يُمْكِنُهُ اخْتِيَارُهُ هَيْهَاتَ هَيْهَاتَ ضَلَّتِ الْعُقُولُ وَتَاهَتِ الْحُلُومُ وَحَارَتِ الالْبَابُ وَخَسَأَتِ الْعُيُونُ وَتَصَاغَرَتِ الْعُظَمَاءُ وَتَحَيَّرَتِ الْحُكَمَاءُ وَتَقَاصَرَتِ الْحُلَمَاءُ وَحَصِرَتِ الْخُطَبَاءُ وَجَهِلَتِ الالِبَّاءُ وَكَلَّتِ الشُّعَرَاءُ وَعَجَزَتِ الادَبَاءُ وَعَيِيَتِ الْبُلَغَاءُ عَنْ وَصْفِ شَأْنٍ مِنْ شَأْنِهِ أَوْ فَضِيلَةٍ مِنْ فَضَائِلِهِ وَأَقَرَّتْ بِالْعَجْزِ وَالتَّقْصِيرِ وَكَيْفَ يُوصَفُ بِكُلِّهِ أَوْ يُنْعَتُ بِكُنْهِهِ أَوْ يُفْهَمُ شَيْءٌ مِنْ أَمْرِهِ أَوْ يُوجَدُ مَنْ يَقُومُ مَقَامَهُ وَيُغْنِي غِنَاهُ لا كَيْفَ وَأَنَّى وَهُوَ بِحَيْثُ النَّجْمِ مِنْ يَدِ الْمُتَنَاوِلِينَ وَوَصْفِ الْوَاصِفِينَ فَأَيْنَ الاخْتِيَارُ مِنْ هَذَا وَأَيْنَ الْعُقُولُ عَنْ هَذَا وَأَيْنَ يُوجَدُ مِثْلُ هَذَا أَ تَظُنُّونَ أَنَّ ذَلِكَ يُوجَدُ فِي غَيْرِ آلِ الرَّسُولِ مُحَمَّدٍ (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) كَذَبَتْهُمْ وَالله أَنْفُسُهُمْ وَمَنَّتْهُمُ الابَاطِيلَ فَارْتَقَوْا مُرْتَقاً صَعْباً دَحْضاً تَزِلُّ عَنْهُ إِلَى الْحَضِيضِ أَقْدَامُهُمْ رَامُوا إِقَامَةَ الامَامِ بِعُقُولٍ حَائِرَةٍ بَائِرَةٍ نَاقِصَةٍ وَآرَاءٍ مُضِلَّةٍ فَلَمْ يَزْدَادُوا مِنْهُ إِلا بُعْداً قَاتَلَهُمُ الله أَنَّى يُؤْفَكُونَ وَلَقَدْ رَامُوا صَعْباً وَقَالُوا إِفْكاً وَضَلُّوا ضَلالاً بَعِيداً وَوَقَعُوا فِي الْحَيْرَةِ إِذْ تَرَكُوا الامَامَ عَنْ بَصِيرَةٍ وَزَيَّنَ لَهُمُ الشَّيْطَانُ أَعْمَالَهُمْ فَصَدَّهُمْ عَنِ السَّبِيلِ وَكَانُوا مُسْتَبْصِرِينَ رَغِبُوا عَنِ اخْتِيَارِ الله وَاخْتِيَارِ رَسُولِ الله (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) وَأَهْلِ بَيْتِهِ إِلَى اخْتِيَارِهِمْ وَالْقُرْآنُ يُنَادِيهِمْ وَرَبُّكَ يَخْلُقُ ما يَشاءُ وَيَخْتارُ ما كانَ لَهُمُ الْخِيَرَةُ سُبْحانَ الله وَتَعالى عَمَّا يُشْرِكُونَ وَقَالَ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ وَما كانَ لِمُؤْمِنٍ وَلا مُؤْمِنَةٍ إِذا قَضَى الله وَرَسُولُهُ أَمْراً أَنْ يَكُونَ لَهُمُ الْخِيَرَةُ مِنْ أَمْرِهِمْ الايَةَ وَقَالَ ما لَكُمْ كَيْفَ تَحْكُمُونَ أَمْ لَكُمْ كِتابٌ فِيهِ تَدْرُسُونَ إِنَّ لَكُمْ فِيهِ لَما تَخَيَّرُونَ أَمْ لَكُمْ أَيْمانٌ عَلَيْنا بالِغَةٌ إِلى يَوْمِ الْقِيامَةِ إِنَّ لَكُمْ لَما تَحْكُمُونَ سَلْهُمْ أَيُّهُمْ بِذلِكَ زَعِيمٌ أَمْ لَهُمْ شُرَكاءُ فَلْيَأْتُوا بِشُرَكائِهِمْ إِنْ كانُوا صادِقِينَ وَقَالَ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ أَ فَلا يَتَدَبَّرُونَ الْقُرْآنَ أَمْ عَلى قُلُوبٍ أَقْفالُها أَمْ طُبِعَ الله عَلى قُلُوبِهِمْ فَهُمْ لا يَفْقَهُونَ أَمْ قالُوا سَمِعْنا وَهُمْ لا يَسْمَعُونَ إِنَّ شَرَّ الدَّوَابِّ عِنْدَ الله الصُّمُّ الْبُكْمُ الَّذِينَ لا يَعْقِلُونَ وَلَوْ عَلِمَ الله فِيهِمْ خَيْراً لاسْمَعَهُمْ وَلَوْ أَسْمَعَهُمْ لَتَوَلَّوْا وَهُمْ مُعْرِضُونَ أَمْ قالُوا سَمِعْنا وَعَصَيْنا بَلْ هُوَ فَضْلُ الله يُؤْتِيهِ مَنْ يَشاءُ وَالله ذُو الْفَضْلِ الْعَظِيمِ فَكَيْفَ لَهُمْ بِاخْتِيَارِ الامَامِ وَالامَامُ عَالِمٌ لا يَجْهَلُ وَرَاعٍ لا يَنْكُلُ مَعْدِنُ الْقُدْسِ وَالطَّهَارَةِ وَالنُّسُكِ وَالزَّهَادَةِ وَالْعِلْمِ وَالْعِبَادَةِ مَخْصُوصٌ بِدَعْوَةِ الرَّسُولِ (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) وَنَسْلِ الْمُطَهَّرَةِ الْبَتُولِ لا مَغْمَزَ فِيهِ فِي نَسَبٍ وَلا يُدَانِيهِ ذُو حَسَبٍ فِي الْبَيْتِ مِنْ قُرَيْشٍ وَالذِّرْوَةِ مِنْ هَاشِمٍ وَالْعِتْرَةِ مِنَ الرَّسُولِ (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) وَالرِّضَا مِنَ الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ شَرَفُ الاشْرَافِ وَالْفَرْعُ مِنْ عَبْدِ مَنَافٍ نَامِي الْعِلْمِ كَامِلُ الْحِلْمِ مُضْطَلِعٌ بِالامَامَةِ عَالِمٌ بِالسِّيَاسَةِ مَفْرُوضُ الطَّاعَةِ قَائِمٌ بِأَمْرِ الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ نَاصِحٌ لِعِبَادِ الله حَافِظٌ لِدِينِ الله إِنَّ الانْبِيَاءَ وَالائِمَّةَ (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) يُوَفِّقُهُمُ الله وَيُؤْتِيهِمْ مِنْ مَخْزُونِ عِلْمِهِ وَحِكَمِهِ مَا لا يُؤْتِيهِ غَيْرَهُمْ فَيَكُونُ عِلْمُهُمْ فَوْقَ عِلْمِ أَهْلِ الزَّمَانِ فِي قَوْلِهِ تَعَالَى أَ فَمَنْ يَهْدِي إِلَى الْحَقِّ أَحَقُّ أَنْ يُتَّبَعَ أَمَّنْ لا يَهِدِّي إِلا أَنْ يُهْدى فَما لَكُمْ كَيْفَ تَحْكُمُونَ وَقَوْلِهِ تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى وَمَنْ يُؤْتَ الْحِكْمَةَ فَقَدْ أُوتِيَ خَيْراً كَثِيراً وَقَوْلِهِ فِي طَالُوتَ إِنَّ الله اصْطَفاهُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَزادَهُ بَسْطَةً فِي الْعِلْمِ وَالْجِسْمِ وَالله يُؤْتِي مُلْكَهُ مَنْ يَشاءُ وَالله واسِعٌ عَلِيمٌ وَقَالَ لِنَبِيِّهِ (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) أَنْزَلَ عَلَيْكَ الْكِتابَ وَالْحِكْمَةَ وَعَلَّمَكَ ما لَمْ تَكُنْ تَعْلَمُ وَكانَ فَضْلُ الله عَلَيْكَ عَظِيماً وَقَالَ فِي الائِمَّةِ مِنْ أَهْلِ بَيْتِ نَبِيِّهِ وَعِتْرَتِهِ وَذُرِّيَّتِهِ (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) أَمْ يَحْسُدُونَ النَّاسَ عَلى ما آتاهُمُ الله مِنْ فَضْلِهِ فَقَدْ آتَيْنا آلَ إِبْراهِيمَ الْكِتابَ وَالْحِكْمَةَ وَآتَيْناهُمْ مُلْكاً عَظِيماً فَمِنْهُمْ مَنْ آمَنَ بِهِ وَمِنْهُمْ مَنْ صَدَّ عَنْهُ وَكَفى بِجَهَنَّمَ سَعِيراً وَإِنَّ الْعَبْدَ إِذَا اخْتَارَهُ الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ لامُورِ عِبَادِهِ شَرَحَ صَدْرَهُ لِذَلِكَ وَأَوْدَعَ قَلْبَهُ يَنَابِيعَ الْحِكْمَةِ وَأَلْهَمَهُ الْعِلْمَ إِلْهَاماً فَلَمْ يَعْيَ بَعْدَهُ بِجَوَابٍ وَلا يُحَيَّرُ فِيهِ عَنِ الصَّوَابِ. فَهُوَ مَعْصُومٌ مُؤَيَّدٌ مُوَفَّقٌ مُسَدَّدٌ قَدْ أَمِنَ مِنَ الْخَطَايَا وَالزَّلَلِ وَالْعِثَارِ يَخُصُّهُ الله بِذَلِكَ لِيَكُونَ حُجَّتَهُ عَلَى عِبَادِهِ وَشَاهِدَهُ عَلَى خَلْقِهِ وَذلِكَ فَضْلُ الله يُؤْتِيهِ مَنْ يَشاءُ وَالله ذُو الْفَضْلِ الْعَظِيمِ فَهَلْ يَقْدِرُونَ عَلَى مِثْلِ هَذَا فَيَخْتَارُونَهُ أَوْ يَكُونُ مُخْتَارُهُمْ بِهَذِهِ الصِّفَةِ فَيُقَدِّمُونَهُ تَعَدَّوْا وَبَيْتِ الله الْحَقَّ وَنَبَذُوا كِتَابَ الله وَرَاءَ ظُهُورِهِمْ كَأَنَّهُمْ لا يَعْلَمُونَ وَفِي كِتَابِ الله الْهُدَى وَالشِّفَاءُ فَنَبَذُوهُ وَاتَّبَعُوا أَهْوَاءَهُمْ فَذَمَّهُمُ الله وَمَقَّتَهُمْ وَأَتْعَسَهُمْ فَقَالَ جَلَّ وَتَعَالَى وَمَنْ أَضَلُّ مِمَّنِ اتَّبَعَ هَواهُ بِغَيْرِ هُدىً مِنَ الله إِنَّ الله لا يَهْدِي الْقَوْمَ الظَّالِمِينَ وَقَالَ فَتَعْساً لَهُمْ وَأَضَلَّ أَعْمالَهُمْ وَقَالَ كَبُرَ مَقْتاً عِنْدَ الله وَعِنْدَ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا كَذلِكَ يَطْبَعُ الله عَلى كُلِّ قَلْبِ مُتَكَبِّرٍ جَبَّارٍ وَصَلَّى الله عَلَى النَّبِيِّ مُحَمَّدٍ وَآلِهِ وَسَلَّمَ تَسْلِيماً كَثِيراً.
1. Abu Muhammad al-Qasim ibn al-’Ala’, may Allah grant him blessings, in a marfu‘ manner (rafa’aاu), has narrated the following from ‘Abd al-’Aziz ibn Muslim: “We had been with al-Rida (a.s.) at Merv. During an assembly in the central mosque on Friday, we attended the gathering. It was when we had just arrived (in Merv). People spoke and discussed about the issue of Imamate (Leadership with Divine Authority). All the differing opinions among people in this matter came up. <br> I then went to see my master, (Imam Rida (a.s.)) and informed him of the people’s disagreements over the issue (leadership). The Imam (a.s.) smiled and then said the following: “O ’Abd al-’Aziz (Ibn Muslim), people are ignorant and their opinions have mislead and deceived them. Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, did not cause His Holy Prophet to leave this world before completing for him the religion. Allah sent him the Holy Quran in which all things are clearly explained. Allah has explained in the Holy Quran what is lawful and what is unlawful.
He has explained totally the limits and the rules for all issues that people may face in the affairs of life. Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, has said, 'We have left nothing without a mention of it in the Book...' (Quran 6:38) <br> During the last visit of the Holy Prophet to Mecca for pilgrimage towards the end of his life the following verse of the Holy Quran was sent to him: 'On this day I have perfected your religion, completed My favors to you, and have chosen Islam as your religion...' (Quran 5:3) The issue of Imamate (leadership) is part of the completion of religion. The Holy Prophet (s.a.) did not leave this world before explaining to his followers the principles of their religion and show them the path clearly, and he left them on a point of a path that faced the direction of the truth. <br> He raised Ali (a.s.) among them as a flag and Imam (a leader). He did not leave anything that his followers needed without full explanation. Those who think that Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, has not completed His religion, they rejected the book of Allah and those who reject the book of Allah they have become unbelievers in it. Do they know the value and the status of the Imamate of the ’Umma (the nation) to find out if their selecting an Imam is justifiable and permissible? Imamate in fact, is the most sublime in values, greatest in position, highest in status and the most exclusive issue in all aspects. It is the most profound issue and much more meaningful than the extent of the intellect of the people to reach. It is beyond the grasp of their opinions to appoint an Imam or select him. <br> Imamate is that particular distinction which Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, has distinguished Ibrahim, the very close friend (al-Khalil), after Prophethood. This close friendship is the third stage (in the progression of spiritual degrees). It is a virtue with which, He honored him and established his fame. He then said, 'Behold! I have made you an Imam for the people.' Ibrahim, the close friend, then out of delight pleaded 'Please let it (Imamate) be in my offspring also.' Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, said, 'My covenant does not go to the unjust ones.' (Quran 2:124) Thus, this verse has declared the leadership (Imamate) of all the unjust ones as unlawful till the Day of Judgment and it has established it for those clean and free of evil and injustice. Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, bestowed him more honors in establishing Imamate in purified and clean persons of his offspring. Allah has said 'We granted him Isaac and Jacob as a gift and helped both of them to become righteous people (Quran 21:72). We appointed them as leaders to guide the people through Our command and sent them revelation to strive for good deeds, worship their Lord, and pay religious tax. Both of them were Our worshipping servants.” (21:73) <br> So the Imamate remained in his offspring inheriting it from each other, generation after generation, until Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, made Prophet Muhammad (s.w) to inherit it. And He, Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, said, 'The nearest people to Abraham, among mankind, are those who followed him, and this Prophet (Muhammad) and the true believers. God is the Guardian of the true believers.' (Quran 3:68) So the Imamate belonged to him particularly, and he (s.w), then, entrusted Imam Ali (a.s.) with it by the command of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, as He had made it obligatory. It then came to be in his (Ali’s) purified and clean of sins offspring, to whom Allah has given knowledge and faith, as in the words of He Who is Most High. “Those who have received knowledge and have faith will say, 'By the decree of God, you have remained for the exact period which was mentioned in the Book of God about the Day of Resurrection. This is the Day of Resurrection, but you did not know.' (Quran 30:56) Imamate will remain in the sons of Imam Ali (a.s.) exclusively, till the Day of Judgment and there will no prophet after Muhammad (s.w). <br> Where from then, have these ignorant people received the right to select Imams? Imamate is, certainly, the position of the prophets, and the inheritance of the successors. Imamate indeed, is the representation (Khilafa) of Allah and the deputy of the Messenger (s.w), and the office of Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.) and the inheritance of Imam al-Hasan and al-Husayn (a.s.). Verily, Imamate is the reins of the religion, the system of the Muslims, the rectification of the world, and the honor of the believers. Indeed, Imamate is the foundation of vibrant Islam, and its noble branch. Through the Imam, the prayer, alms, fasting, pilgrimage, jihad, providing for the needy, charity, upholding boundaries and laws, and safeguarding frontiers and borders are ensured. <br> The Imam declares as lawful what Allah has done so and prohibits what Allah has prohibited. He enforces the criminal laws of Allah, defends the religion of Allah and he provides guidance with wisdom, good advice and with the topmost strong evidence. The Imam is like the risen sun that beautifies the world with its light and is in the horizon above the harm of hands and eyes. The Imam is as the bright moon, the shining lamp, the brilliant light, and the guiding star in the depth of darkness, in the middle of the towns, in the wilderness and the high seas. The Imam is as crystal-clear water to thirst, an indicator of true guidance and the protector against destruction. The Imam is as fire of a lighthouse that provides warmth and guidance for those who seek heat protection against fatalities. Whoever would depart him would perish. The Imam (in terms of blessings) is as the rain-bearing cloud, the drenching rainfall, the shining sun, the shadow providing sky, the open fields, the gushing forth spring, as a pond and a garden. The Imam is as a comforting friend, a very kind father, a real brother, a tender-hearted mother of a small child, a refuge for people in disastrous conditions. The Imam is Allah’s trustee over His creatures, His authority over His servants, His representative in His lands, the preacher of His cause and the defender of His sanctuary. The Imam is clean of sins, free of faults, possesses special knowledge and is distinguished in forbearance. The Imam maintains law and order in religion. He is the might of the Muslims that enrages the hypocrites, and exterminates the unbelievers. The Imam is the peerless person of his time, no-one can reach even near his rank in virtue and no scholar is comparable to him. No one can become A number of our people has narrated from alternative for him, nor is there anyone similar to him or just like him. His is exclusive in all virtues of which none is acquired or is sought after, in fact, his virtues are all from bestowed up on him by the source of all virtue, the Generous One (Allah). <br> Who is he that can know all about the Imam, or can select him? To affirm the ability of selection is very far from the truth. (In the task of recognizing the Imam) Intellects have become confused, understanding has lost the meaning, awareness is frustrated, eyes have become dull and tired, the great ones have become humble, the sagacious ones have become bewildered and people of forbearance have lost patience. (In the task of recognizing the Imam)
The orators have become speechless, the intelligent ones have become ignorant and the poets have become exhausted. The men-of-letter have become helpless, people of eloquence have turned wordless to speak of any of the aspects of his status or a virtue of his virtues and instead have confessed their helplessness in the matter. How can one speak of him in full, or describe him in the real sense or understand anything of his affairs or find an alternative for him sufficient for what he sufficed. There is no such thing and nowhere such is found. He is like a star away from the reach of those who try to reach, or those who try to describe. <br> Where does the idea of selecting him would then stand in such case? How can then reasons and intellects reach him and where can one find a person like the Imam? “Would they think that such a person can be found outside the family of the Holy Prophet (s.w)? Their souls, I swear by Allah, have told them a lie. Falsehood has induced in them evil hopes. Be on your guard against an uphill and crushing battle in which they would slip back to their first foothold. They intend to raise the Imam by their confused, fruitless and faulty intellects and their misleading opinions. It would do to nothing good for them. Instead it will take them away from the truth , as Allah has said 'May Allah be their adversary. Where are they headed?' (Quran 9:30) They have aimed at a difficult task and have spoken something meaningless. They have strayed far away from the truth and have faced huge confusions. They have knowingly ignored the Imam (a.s.). It is just as Allah has said: 'Satan has made their deeds to seem attractive to them and has blocked them from reaching the path (of guidance) when they know it fully.' (Quran 29:38) They have turned from the choice that Allah and His Messenger and his family made for them, due to their own choice. The Holy Quran calls up on them, 'Your Lord creates and chooses (to grant mercy) to whomever He wants. (In matters of guidance) they (unbelievers) do not have the choice to choose whatever they want. God is too exalted to be considered equal to anything else.' (Quran 28:68) It also says, “The believing men and women must not feel free to do something in their affairs other than that which has been already decided for them by God and His Messenger. One who disobeys God and His Messenger is in plain error. (Quran 33:36) It further says, “What is the matter with you? How could you judge this to be so? (Quran 68:36). Do you have a book from which you study (Quran 68:37) that tells you to do whatever you want? (Quran 68:38). Do you have a covenant with Us which allows you to do whatever you want until the Day of Judgment? (Quran 68:39). (Muhammad), ask which of them can guarantee that on the Day of Judgment (68:40) they will receive the same thing that the Muslims will? Do they have any witness to such an agreement? Let them bring out such witness, if they are truthful.' (Quran 68:41). Allah says 'Is it that they do not think about the Quran or are their hearts sealed?' (Quran 47:24) Or as it says, '…their hearts were sealed and they were left with no understanding.' (Quran 9:87) or like, 'Do not be like those who said that they have heard (the Messenger’s commands) but do not pay any attention to them (Quran 8:21). The most wicked beasts in the sight of God are the deaf and the dumb who have no understanding (Quran 8:22). Had they possessed any virtue, God would certainly have made them hear. Even if God were to make them hear, they would still turn away from (the words of God).' (Quran 8:23) or 'You said that you had listened but you disobeyed.' (Quran 2:93) It is the grace from Allah and He gives to whoever He wills. Allah is possesses great generosity. (Quran 57:21) How would they have the right to choose the Imam (a.s.)? <br> The Imam (a.s.) is a scholar that is not ignorant of any thing, a shepherd who does not step back from his duty. He is the source of holiness, of purity, noble tradition (the force) of restraint from sins, knowledge and worship. He (enjoys) the blessings of the exclusive prayers of the Messenger of Allah and of being of the progeny of the Holy Lady, al-Batul (Fatima (a.s.)). There is no question about his genealogical purity. He is of the house of Quraysh and the foremost in the clan of Hashim and of the family of the Messenger of Allah. He enjoys the prestigious oppurtunity that Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, is happy with him. He is of the offspring of ‘Abd al-Manaf. He possesses (a body of) increasing knowledge. He is perfect in forbearance, the only one to qualify for the position of Imamate. He has full knowledge of the politics, whose obedience is obligatory by the command of Allah. Obedience to him is obligatory by the command of Allah. He is appointed for Imamate by the command of Allah the Most Holy, the Most High to give good advice to the servants of Allah and to protect the religion of Allah. Allah grants success and support to the prophets and the Imams (a.s.) through His treasured knowledge and command in a way that is granted to no one else. Thus, their knowledge is above the knowledge of the people of their times as mentioned in the following words of Allah: 'Is the one who guides to the Truth a proper guide or one who himself cannot find guidance unless he is guided (by others)? What is wrong with you that you judge (so unjustly)?' (Quran 10:35) and in His words, 'Whoever is given wisdom, certainly, has received much good...' (Quran 2:269). Or as about Talut in the following words, 'God has chosen him as your ruler and has given him physical power and knowledge. God grants His authority to anyone whom He wants. God is Provident and All-knowing.' (Quran 2:247) or as He has said about His Prophet (s.w), 'God has revealed the Book to you, has given you wisdom, and has taught you what you did not know. Certainly God’s favor to you has been great.' (Quran 4:113) <br> He also said about the Imams from the family of the Holy Prophet (s.w) 'Are they jealous of the favors that God has done to some people? We have given to the family of Abraham the Book, Wisdom, and a great Kingdom (Quran 4:54). Certain people have believed, others have disbelieved and tried to prevent people from believing. For these people, only the intense fire of hell is a sufficient punishment.' (Quran 4:55) When Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, chooses a person for the affairs of His servants, He opens his heart for the task, places in it the fountains of wisdom and inspires him with knowledge. He then never becomes tired of answering questions and never becomes confused to miss the right answer. He is infallible, Divinely supported, successful and guarded. He is immune from sins and shortcomings and faults. Allah has granted him this exclusively so that he would serve as the Divine authority over His servants, as a witness over them and this is grace of Allah that He grant to whoever He wills and Allah’s grace is the greatest. Can one among the people have such things so they would choose him as the Imam or can their selected person have such distinctions to be preferred over the others? They, swearing to the house of Allah, have transgressed against the truth and have thrown the book of Allah behind their backs as if they do not know. <br> In the book of Allah there is guidance and cure but they have ignored it and have followed their own desires. For this reason Allah has criticized, expressed anger and condemned them in His words as follows: 'Who strays more than one who follows his desires without guidance from God? God does not guide the unjust people.' (Quran 28:50). 'The fate of the unbelievers will be to stumble and their deeds will have no virtuous results.' (Quran 47:8) 'This act greatly angers God and the believers. Thus does God seal the hearts of every arrogant oppressor.'" (Quran 40:35) May Allah grant blessings up on Prophet Muhammad and his family and may He grant them peace, a great deal of peace.
Al-Kāfi - Volume 1, The Unique Ahadith that sums up the Virtue and Qualifications of the Imam (a.s.), Hadith #1
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Al-Kāfi - Volume 1, The Unique Ahadith that sums up the Virtue and Qualifications of the Imam (a.s.), Hadith #1
Hadith #1 - The Unique Ahadith that sums up the Virtue and Qualifications of the Imam (a.s.) | Thaqalayn
The Unique Ahadith that sums up the Virtue and Qualifications of the Imam (a.s.)