Verses of Ghadir
al-Mustafa Center for Islamic Studies Translated by: Badr ShahinA SEARCH REGARDING THE PROPHET’S SERMONS ON THE FAREWELL PILGRIMAGE, AND AN EXEGESIS
OF QURANIC
VERSES OF GHADIRAUTHORED BY:
AL-MOSTAFA CENTRE
OF ISLAMIC RESEARCHES
UNDER THE SUPERVISION
OF THE SUPREME ISLAMIC AUTHORITY
SAYYID ALI AL-SISTANI
INTRODUCTIONTHREE QUESTIONS REGARDING MISSION OF THE PROPHETSIN THE NAME OF ALLAH, THE BENEFICENT, THE MERCIFULPRAISED BE ALLAH, AND HONORABLE AND PERFECT PEACE BE UPON MOHAMMED AND HIS INFALLIBLE IMMACULATE PROGENY.
There are three questions regarding missions
of the prophets. These questions were not regarded adequately by scholars.
First question:
Conveying the Lord’s missive is the original mission
of the prophets. It is the pivot on which the prophets’ duties and deeds are grounded. This is purposed for substantiating the Lord’s claim on His servants.A prophet, then, is a conveyor
of an epistle. He fears the Lord and evades His ire and torment if he squanders or violates the instructions. For this reason, the prophets were wont to call people to witness perfection
of their conveyance.
In addition, the prophets are not asked to coerce or compel people on admitting and accepting their missions. By the same token, they are not admitted to submit people to their missions.
As a second rule, it is to say that coercion and compulsion is rejected in matters respecting the divine religion. It is obligatory to preserve people’s freedom
of believing or refutation. They are, likewise, free to commit themselves to the religion or deviate.
This is the very meaning
of opening school
of life in this world, and testing people in guidance or aberrance by giving them the ability
of doing good and evil. The result shall be shown in another stage and another world. Drawing people to the religion by force contradicts principals
of this test, and principals
of freedom
of option.
Second question
: The prophets’ goals are dedicated to the grand issues
of people and societies. An apostle can be resembled to a divine engineer specialized in construction
of cultures, societies and history. From these points, the prophets’ missions should be looked upon. A scholar must ask himself how people’s culture and history should have been in case this prophet had not been messaged by the Lord, and what happened due to that prophet’s conveying the mission. This wonderment may be addressed in another form; how should paganism be nowadays if Abraham was not chosen by the Lord for conveying the divine mission, or if he did not found and plant bases and principals
of monotheism in human societies? And how should the situation
of the Arab lands specially, and the whole world generally, be if the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) was not chosen for carrying the divine mission and moving this latter prolongation in monotheism and civilization?The Prophet’s mission was forming a nation and leading it to occupying an advanced position, if not the pioneer, amongst the other nations. That formation was the best in content and structure.
Likewise, the Prophet’s mission was establishing a ship, to find its way in the ocean
of people and currency
of history. He was keen on handing the captainship to his household, whom were chosen and purified by the Lord Who gave them His Book in heritage exclusively.
If people reject their captainship, it will be unimportant for captainship to be held by any, till God manages His affair in this nation, and sends Mahdi, the Expected.
Third question
: It is indisputable that the Prophet’s personality is present and effective in the process
of conveyance, but it is very limited and minute. None can deny that the Prophet is intelligent, genius, author and selective.Disregarding mechanism, the reciprocator is seeking the Lord’s guidance through means
of satisfaction, faith and worshipping.
The area in which the Prophet is allowed to practice his personal inference forms a narrow point in proportion to the large area
of his practices.
Hence, the Prophet’s like is an engineer whose boss hands him the mission
of giving effects
of a large project. This engineer is satisfied that he should contact his boss frequently for evading any mistake. Meanwhile, he works, thinks and carries on working. But, he goes on contacting the center so that he receives stages
of planning and consults for avoiding problems. At any rate, this example is a highly microscopic view
of the Prophet’s mission.
Regarding the Center
of the Prophet, Allah; the Praised, is unparalleled in entity and deeds. Depending upon the previous, any study respecting the Prophet’s life account should regard these three matters. First, the Prophet’s mission is carrying what is revealed to him. Second, his task is founding a nation to find its way in history. Lastly, he is to follow the Lord’s instructions in every deed.
This fact is evidently touched by a scrutinizing look at the Prophet’s life account. It is obviously seen that Allah; the Exalted, managed the Prophet’s affairs from start to finish. The Prophet was used to obeying his Lord’s instructions submissively, dependently and compliantly. Therefore, results
of his deeds achieved an extraordinary attainment that exceeded intellectualities and senses
of sociologists, founders
of nations and establishers
of civilizations.
The Prophet could create an international civilized ideological extension in a relative period and the least material and humane casualties. Despite truculence
of the Prophet’s foes who led hard wars against him, casualties
of both sides did not attain the number
of two thousand. This was because that Prophet’s management was instructed by his Lord; the Glorified.
Incessantly, the Quran was revealed to the Prophet since the first day
of his Mission till few days before his decease. Gabriel; the angel, was visitating him frequently with Quranic
Verses, revelation, instructions, directions, answers and the like.
So many are examples on matters
of the divine presence and care in big, as well as small, affairs. All refer to the fact that the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) would not have behaved personally except during applying the general lines and carrying on the detailed orders drawn by the divine revelation and conveyed by Gabriel, the angel. In many occasions, the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) ceased practicing any procedure since he was in wait for the divine revelation.
The Prophet is reported to have said, “I have been given the Book and its like.” Like
of the Book stands for the instructions Gabriel carried
[1]. This means that his traditions were revealed to him, like the Quran.
[2]Besides, these instructions included the Prophet’s personal affairs; such as marriage, divorcement, dressing, eating, sleeping, rousing, ablution and even brushing the teeth. The Prophet’s endowment, detriment, cherishing, malice, residence, touring, satisfaction and rage; all were determined by revealed instructions.
As it is recorded in
Al-Kafi; 4/29, that Imam As-Sadiq (peace be upon him) relates the story
of that atheist who disputed, belied, harmed and threatened the Prophet face to face. The Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) became so angry that vein
of ire was clearly seen between his eyes. He nodded his head down when Gabriel came to him and revealed, “Your Lord asked me to carry His compliments to you and inform that the man in front
of you is generous whose characteristic is feeding people.”
Simultaneously, the Prophet’s ire vanished. He spoke to the man, “I would have banished you and made you an example unless Gabriel carried my Lord’s information
of your being a generous man whose characteristic is feeding people.”
“Your Lord favors generosity?” said the man. “Yes, He does,” answered the Prophet. “I do admit there is no god but Allah, and you are being the messenger
of Allah. I swear by Him Who sends you with the truth, I have never rejected a beggar’s request,” declared the man.
In
Al-Kafi; 1/289, it is recorded that a man asked Imam Al-Baqir whether the Prophet’s nominating Ali was a personal act or according to a divine mandate. “Woe is you!” Imam Al-Baqir said angrily, “The Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) was too reverent to say what God did not order. Like precepts
of prayer, defraying the poor rate, fasting and pilgrimage, Ali’s nomination for the leadership was a precept
of Allah.”
This theme can be taken as a thesis, or a number
of theses,
of a Ph.D. degree.
THE PROPHET’S SUCCESSION IS A SIMPLE THEME
The Prophet’s succession is a simple, not complicated, matter. The Prophet’s household and their adherents claim the Prophet’s nominating Ali as the Muslims’ coming leader. Hence, it is unacceptable for the Quraishis, or any others, to choose another, since the Prophet’s choice was according to the Lord’s instruction.
The Quraishis denied the Prophet’s nominating or willing any for his succession, and that his (authority) should be distributed among the twenty three clans
of Quraish; his tribe. Therefore, they selected Abu Bakr; one
of the Teim Bin Murra, for leadership. This man nominated Omar; one
of the Edi, for holding his position. By the advisory council, Omar nominated another Quraishi man who belonged to the Umaya Bin Abd Shams. It was Othman.
They did neither elect any
of the Ansars,
* nor the Hashemites who were more meritorious than the other clans in this affair. The Quraishis conceived the Hashemites’ excessiveness to join leadership to prophecy.
Thus, the matter is very simple. It deals with the question whether the Prophet did nominate a successor or not. Nevertheless, it is a complicated matter for the Quraishis who despise opening it since it affixes a big question mark on their leadership system. However, they warned people against discussing this matter, claiming its being arduous, complicated and illegal.
THE SIX SERMONS OF THE FAREWELL PILGRIMAGE
Verses of Ghadir ** are a part
of the Quranic texts that considered Ali and the Prophet’s household (peace be upon them). Particular books discussing the Quranic and prophetic texts regarding the Prophet’s household were compiled by late and current Sunni and Shiite authors and exegesists. In this regard, we mention Al-Hafiz Abu Na’eem Alisfahani’sMa Nazala Fi Ali Minel Qurani (Quranic
Verses respecting Ali), An-Nisa’i’sKhassaisu Amiril-Muminin Ali(Specifications
of Ali Amirul Muminin). These two books are well known and printed. The two volumed At-Tabari’sAl-Wilaya is also mentioned, but it has not been printed yet.
Throughout our discussing the three Quranic texts
of Ghadir, we notice their firm relation to the Prophet’s sermons during the Farewell Pilgrimage.
*** These texts are God’s sayings: (O Apostle! Deliver what had been revealed to you from your Lord; and if you do it not, then you have not delivered His message, and Allah will protect you from the people; surely Allah will not guide the unbelieving people,) (This day have I perfected for you your religion and completed My favor on you and chosen for you Islam as a religion) and (One demanding, demanded the chastisement which must fall.)
Hence, it became necessary to discuss these six sermons as well, since they contained the Prophet’s instructing his nation to follow the two weighty things; the Quran and his household, after him, and the good tidings he carried to his nation in sermon
of Arafat, that Allah; the Exalted, solved the question
of leadership and elected those twelve divine imams (peace be upon them).
Moreover, it seems essential to discuss the relation between the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) and the Quraishi chiefs pertaining to the coming leadership
of his household.
For this work, we opt for the title ‘Ayatul
Ghadir’ -
Verses of Ghadir-, although it comprises all
of the forecited topics. We consider that title as the most appropriate. However, more than a mere terminological exegesis
of the
Verses involved is discussed hereinafter.
We hope these would be useful discussions by which God may reward us in the Hereafter and embraces us to the intercession
of Mohammed and his immaculate progeny (peace be upon them).
Al-Mostafa Center for Islamic Researches
Ali Al-Kurani Al-Amili13 / Rajab / 1419 A.H.
CHAPTER ONE
PRELIMINARY DISCUSSION FOR THE EXEGESIS OF VERSE OF ISMA
SUMMARY OF THE THREE VERSES OF GHADIR
Allah; the Exalted, instructed the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) to guide his people to the rites
of the Pilgrimage after he had guided them to the ritual prayer, fasting and defraying the poor rate. That was just before starting the Farewell Pilgrimage.
The Lord also instructed him to lead them to the coming leader, and nominate him publicly. This was the Lord’s norm with the entire prophets whom were taken to the Lord only after they had perfected the religion and delivered the divine Book to the nominated heirs to whom they must have pointed before people.
The Prophet carried the Lord’s instruction when he summoned people to participating in that final pilgrimage, so that he would teach them the rites, and nominate Ali (peace be upon him) as the coming leader and imam before them.
Nevertheless, the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) anticipated that the Quraishis would object such a nomination for they had already born envy and malice against the Hashemites. He also expected that they would criticize his divine prophesy and accuse him
of establishing a monarchy for his household similar to these
of Khosrow and Caesar. If that happened, it would originate an apostasy among Muslims.
At any rate, the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) performed the Farewell Pilgrimage, and addressed five sermons in Mecca, Arafat and Mina. In these sermons, he guided people to the rites and regulations
of the religion, and foretold
of the coming twelve imams from his progeny, and emphasized that people would not be saved against deviation unless they would hold fast to the two weighty things; the Quran and the progeny.
He also warned against the devious leaders and his companions who would avert, and the Lord should deprive them
of joining the Prophet on the Divine Pool on the Resurrection Day.
Because
of the Quraishis’ irritable situation, the Prophet did not emphasize on the coming leadership
of his progeny
officially. He also evaded ordering them
of swearing allegiance to Ali (peace be upon him), during ceremonies
of the Farewell Pilgrimage.
During the journey back to Al-Madina, Gabriel the angel carried to the Prophet God’s saying: (O Apostle! Deliver what has been revealed to you from your Lord, and if you do it not, then you have not delivered His message, and Allah will protect you from the people.)
Immediately, the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) stopped the caravans in
Ghadir Khum, and delivered the Lord’s message. He raised Ali to the pulpit, elevated him from the arm and declared his coming leadership. He also gave orders
of establishing a tent in which Ali would sit and people would
offer congratulations on this leading position. The Muslims
offered congratulations and swore allegiance to him.
On that occasion, God revealed: (This day have I perfected for you your religion, and completed My grace upon you and chosen Islam for you as a religion.) That was on the eighteenth
of Dhu’l-Hijja.
Before and after the Prophet’s arrival in Al-Madina, the Quraishis and hypocrites started their activities against him. All these plots were foiled by the Lord Who protected His Apostle against any movement
of mutiny or apostasy during his lifetime. Various means were used for this purpose. One
of these was the heavenly chastisement inflicted upon those who objected and protested against the Prophet. Jabir Bin An-Nadr Bin Al-Harith Al-Abdari, whose father was chief
of the Abdud-Dar and commander
of the polytheists’ army against the Muslims during the battle
of Badr, was one
of those objectors.
Abu Ubeid Al-Harawi’s
Gharibul Qur’an:After the Prophet’s conveying the Lord’s mandate in
Ghadir Khum had been prevailing among people, Al-Harith Bin An-Numan Al-Fihri (or Jabir Bin An-Nadr Bin Al-Harith Bin Kilda Al-Abdari, according to Abu Ubeid’s report) came to the Prophet and said: “O Mohammed! You have conveyed us the Lord’s mandates
of declaring there is no god but Allah and Mohammed is being the Apostle
of Allah, and performing the prayers, the fasting, the pilgrimage, and defraying the poor rate. All these, we have admitted, were not enough for you till you raised your cousin from the arm and preceded to us and said: ‘He whosever master was I, Ali shall be his master.’ Is this matter originated from your person or is it God’s mandate?”
“By Allah there is no god but Whom I take the oath, this is surely God’s mandate,” asserted the Prophet.
Jabir turned his face towards his pack animal while saying: “O Allah! If Mohammed’s words have been true, then rain us with a heavenly stone, or inflict a painful chastisement upon us.” Before Jabir could reach his pack animal, the Lord rained him with a stone that fell on the head and went out from the anus. He was killed. Consequently, God reveald: (One demanding, demanded the chastisement which must befall.)
Despite the fact that a good number
of Sunni reference books
of Tafsir and hadith
* adopt the same exegeses
of the three
Verses revealed for the event
of Ghadir Khum, there are others adopted another opinions. Most
of such opinions are contradictory and varied.
The following discussions are introducted as a preliminary entrance to the exegesis
of the three
Verses of Ghadir.
FIRST DISCUSSION
THE PROPHET’S SUCCESSION IS A SUBJECT PROVIDED DURING HIS LIFETIME
There are tangible evidences prove that the Prophet provided question
of his succession since the first stages
of the divine mission up to the last
of his honorable life. In addition. logic asserts so. It is also perceptible that the subject
of succeeding the Prophet was very acceptable and normal. This is contrasted to the Sunni reference books that claim the Prophet’s shunning nominating any for his succession and the Muslims’ evading providing such a topic for discussion or inquiry before him. Besides, there are various prophetic texts regarding the Prophet’s referring to imamate
of his progeny.
First evidence
is the uninterrupted texts regarding the Prophet’s soliciting his advocacy before tribes in the beginning
of his divine mission, and asking them to protect him in conveying his Lord’s epistle. Some
of these tribes admitted so provided that they would have the leadership after him. The Prophet’s answer was that he had been no more than an apostle who had not had that matter in hands. It was God’s concern to nominate anyone He desires.The most evident matter in this regard are stories
of the Amir Bin Sa’saa and the Kinda. Both occurred in the first stages
of the Prophet’s solicitation. Story
of Amir Bin At-Tufeil occurred in the last days
of the Prophet’s lifetime.
STORY OF THE AMIR BIN SA’SAA
Ibn Husham’s
As-Sira, 2/289:The Prophet (peace be upon him) came to the Amir Bin Sa’saa and
offered his mission before them. A man called Baihara Bin Firas adressed at him, “By God I swear, I will overcome the Arabs if I assent to this Quraishi young man. Providing we will swear allegiance to you in this matter and God will give you victory over your opponents, will you hold us your position thereafter?”
“This is God’s affair,” answered the Prophet, “He holds it to whoever He desires.”
“We will make our necks the target
of whatever is thrown at you, and when God gives you triumph it goes to others? Nay, we are not in need for your affair,” rejected they.
They used to provide what occurs to them during seasons
of pilgrimage before a man who was too old to accompany them. When they were back, they told him that a man from Quraish and the Abdul-Muttelib had come to them and sought their support in his claim
of prophecy, but they rejected. The old man stroke his head with both hands and shouted, “O the Amir! Can you catch him and change your situation? I swear by Him Who prevails my soul, no single son
of Ishmael can lie in this affair. It is the real truth. Where were your minds when you rejected?!”
The same story is related in At-Tabari’s
Tarikh; 2/84 and Ibn Kutheir’s
As-Sira; 2/158. In
Al-Ghadir; 7/134, the story is related to Ibn Husham’s
As-Sira; 2/32,Ar-Rawdul Enif; 1/264, Imaduddin Al-Amiri’s
Bahjetul Mehafil; 1/128,As-Siretul Halabiya; 2/3, Zeini Dehlan’s
As-Sira; 1/302 (In the Margin
of As-Siretul Halabiya) and Heikel’s
Hayatu Mohammed.STORY OF
THE KINDAIbn Kutheir’s
As-Sira; 2/159:Abdullah Bin Al-Ajlah:
My father related the story
of the Kinda to his chiefs. He said:
As the Prophet sought the Kinda’s support in his advocacy, they stipulated that he should hold them his position
of authority after his death. “Authority is God’s. He hands it over to whoever He desires,” answered the Prophet (peace be upon him). Therefore, they rejected his solicitation.
STORY OF AMIR BIN AT-TUFEIL, HEAD OF THE GHATAFAN
Ibn Kutheir’s
As-Sira; 4/114:Ibn Abbas: Arbed Bin Qeis… and Amir Bin At-Tufeil… came to Al-Madina and sat before the Prophet (peace be upon him). “O Mohammed! What will you give me if I embrace Islam?” asked Amir. “You will be given what the Muslims are given, and forbidden from what the Muslims are forbidden,” answered the Prophet (peace be upon him).
“Will you hold me your position after you if I embrace Islam?” asked Amir. “This position is not yours or your people’s. I may give you leadership
of battles,” said the Prophet (peace be upon him).
“Now, I am the commander
of armies
of Najd. You may give me the leadership
of the Bedouins exclusively,” Amir said, but the Prophet rejected. “I will fill in your area with horses and fighters,” Amir threatened while he went out.
“God will protect against you,” commented the Prophet (peace be upon him).
On page 112, Ibn Kutheir records:
When Amir Bin At-Tufeil came to the Prophet, he asked for one
of three matters; either governing the Bedouins, being the Prophet’s successor or invading the Prophet with a two thousand horse army.
Thereafter, Amir was diseased with plague at a house
of a woman. He said, “Will I have a gland like that
of a camel and die at a house
of a women
of (Salul)? Nay.” He asked for his horse to ride. He was dead on the back
of that animal.
The second evidence
is that Ansar declared fealty to the Prophet on three terms:
First, protecting the Prophet against matters they protect themselves against.
Second
, protecting his people and progeny as same as they protect their peoples and progenies.
Third, avoiding contending with the meritorious
of leadership since Muslims are not to elect for their leadership.
This stands for complying with the man elected by the Lord; the Exalted, for leading after the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family). The third term shows obviously that the principal
of the divine election
of the imams following the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) was admissibly settled since the first stages
of the Prophet’s mission.
Ansar did keep the first term. Unfortunately, they breached the other two terms very badly.
The most reliable reference books
of hadith mentioned these three terms.
Al-Bukhari’s
Sahih; 8/122:Ebada Bin As-Samit: We swore allegiance to the Apostle
of Allah (peace be upon him) on listening and obeying him in good and bad conditions, and avoiding contending with the meritorious
of leadership, and practicing and uttering the right wherever we are, and scorning any blame for the sake
of Allah.
The same is related in Muslim’s
Sahih; 6/16, and An-Nisa’i’s
As-Sunan; 7/137, in various narrations. He compiles them under the title ‘Swearing on avoiding contending with the meritorious
of leadership’.
It is also recorded in Ibn Madga’s
As-Sunan; 2/957and
Ahmed’s; 5/316. On page 415, Ahmed added:
Sufian: Some people added the following statement to the narration: “Unless you see notorious violation.”
Al-Beihaqi records it in his
As-Sunan 8/145. Hadithists relate other narratives with the addition Sufian suggested.
Al-Bukhari, in
8/88, records:
…The Prophet (peace be upon him) solicited us to swear allegiance. We did. We submitted to his stipulations
of listening and compliance with him in auspicious and misfortunate situations, preferring him to ourselves, avoiding contending with the meritorious
of leadership unless we see a notorious evidential atheism.
The same is recorded in Al-Beihaqi’s
As-Sunan; 8/145. In Ahmed’s
Al-Musnad; 5/321, the following narrative is recorded:
Ebada Bin As-Samit: The Prophet (peace be upon him) stated: “You should listen and obey in auspicious and misfortunate situations, prefer me to yourself and avoid contending with the meritorious
of leadership even if you conceive it is your right.”
These two additions are suspicious since swearing
of allegiance occurred before the Prophet’s immigration when there was no single exception from obedience. The question
of preference
of the Qurasishis was provided only after declaration
of fealty to Abu Bakr, and Sa’d Bin Ebada’s objection, and the following incidents.
This proves that the two additions were established because
of the new climate
of the relation between Ansar and the Quraishi leadership after the Prophet’s decease. Moreover, no single narrative refers to the Prophet’s stipulating the term
of avoiding contending the meritorious
of leadership, on the other Arab tribes.
Majma’uzzawa’id; 6/49:
Ebada Bin As-Samit: As’ad Bin Zurara shouted, “O people! Do you realize what you are giving Mohammed (peace be upon him)? You are swearing you will battle the Arabs and the foreigners and the jinn and mankind.”
“We are rivals
of his foes, and friends
of his adherents,” declared Ansar. Then they asked the Prophet to show his stipulations. He spoke, “You are asked to admit there is no god but Allah and I am the messenger
of Allah, and perform prayers, and defray the poor rate, and listen and obey, and avoid contending the meritorious
of leadership, and protect me as same as you protect your souls and people.”
Hussein Bin Ali: In Aqaba, Ansar came to swear fealty to the Apostle
of Allah (peace be upon him).
Ali was ordered
of receiving their swearing. “What should they swear for, God’s messenger?” asked Ali. “You should stipulate obedience
of the Lord, protecting the Prophet (peace be upon him) and his household and progeny as same as they protect their souls and progenies,” instructed the Prophet.
It is noticeable that the Quraishi books
of hadith affirm the point
of avoiding contending with the meritorious
of leadership, so that they would use it as a pro
of on depriving Ansar
of having any share in the Quraishi leadership. On the other hand, they avoid recording the term
of protecting the Prophet and his household and progeny as same as they protect their souls, households and progenies, since this contradicts the good
of the Quraishi leaders who attacked the house
of Fatima and Ali (peace be upon them), and set fire on it for blazing it with its abiders if they insist on denying declaring fealty to the imposed leadership.
In chapter
of ‘The Prophet’s mission
of conveyance’, narrations
of other reference books will be cited.
Third evidence
is the famous narrative
of ‘Dar’. The reference books
of Tafsir and Sira,
* refer to this narrative during passing through God’s saying: (And warn your nearest relations.) This holy Verse indicates that the Lord; the Exalted, gave His orders
of soliciting the Hashemites exclusively in the first stages
of the Prophet’s solicitation. So, what procedures did the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) take in this stage?
(There is an important topic to be minded in this regard. Recorders
of Sira attempt to obscure the stage
of soliciting the Hashemites exclusively, and invent the stage
of pre-Arqam’s house and post-Arqam’s house, instead, by recording doubtful and authentic, and irrational and reasonable reports.)
How long did that private solicitation last? Was it a number
of months, or years, till a divine mandate
of expanding the solicitation was revealed?
What is the purport
of the divine mandate
of dedicating Mohammed’s prophecy to the Hashemites before it was extended to include the Quraishis, the Arabs and the entire mankind?
What is the purport
of the Quraishi’s decision
of blockading the Hashemites who, after enforcement
of this decision, encompassed the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) and tolerated that six-year blockade totally? They, despite their various classes
of faithfulness, showed no signal
of weakness.
What is the purport
of the fact that except for the Hashemites, none could endure the entire misfortunes the Muslims had suffered?
In the battle
of Uhud, the entire Muslims absconded. But the Hashemites struggled alone.
In the battle
of Khandaq, no single Muslim had the courage to face that champion who challenged them, except that Hashemite hero.
In the battle
of Hunein, they were ten thousand Muslims when they absconded, while the Hashemites stood alone.
These facts and events can suggest a satisfactory explanation for the prophetic texts related in the Shiite reference books
of hadith: “I have been sent to my household in private, and people in general.”
The holy Verse points out that warning the Hashemites was a matter outlined by the Lord; the Exalted. It refers also to the fact that the Prophet’s nominating his successor from among them was a step within that divine plan.
As-Suyouti’s
Ad-Durrul Manthour; 5/97:… Ali (God be pleased to him): When the Verse, (And warn your nearest relations,) was revealed, the Prophet summoned me. “O Ali!” said he, “As Allah ordered me
of warning my nearest relations, I was depressed since I realized they would show me disgraceful matters whenever I provide this affair before them. Hence, I tried to shun the matter till Gabriel; the angel, came and threatened my Lord’s chastisement if I kept on shunning. Now, I ask you to prepare some food on which you should cook a leg
of a sheep, and make us a canteen
of milk. Then, you should invite sons
of Abdul-Muttelib entirely so that I will speak to them and convey this missive.”
I carried out the Prophet’s orders completely and invited sons
of Abdul-Muttelib who were about forty men. Abu Talib, Hamza, Al-Abbas and Abu Lahab were among that group. As they all were present, the Prophet asked me to serve them the food I had prepared. With his teeth, the Prophet incised that piece
of meat and threw its parts on the edges
of that trencher, and said, “Have it, by the Name
of Allah.”
They all ate to excess. By God I swear, each one ate what I had provided to the entire.
Then, the Prophet asked me to serve them with that milk. They all drank from that canteen. I swear by God, each one drank a full canteen milk.
As soon as the Prophet tried to speak, Abu Lahab interrupted and said, “See how your man cast witchcraft on you.” Therefore, they left before the Prophet spoke to them.
The next day, the Prophet said to me, “You saw, Ali, how that man preceded me in speaking. Today, you should prepare food as same as yesterday, and invite them again.”
I did the same and invited them. They ate and drank.
The Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) spoke, “O sons
of Abdul-Muttelib! By God, I do not know an Arab man who can bring to his people a matter better than what I am bearing to you. I am conveying to you the welfare
of this world and the Hereafter. God has ordered me
of soliciting you to this affair. Who will support me in this affair?”
I was the youngest among them when I shouted, “I will.”
People began to laugh at me as they left the place.
As-Suyouti relates the same to another series
of narrators. He records:
… Al-Bera Bin Azib: When the Verse, (And warn your nearest relations) was revealed, the Prophet invited sons
of Abdul-Muttelib, who were about forty men…etc.
Hence, As-Suyouti interrupts the report at this point, so that he would not mention the rest
of the Prophet’s words. This style is commonly followed by the pro-Quraishis reporters during referring to narrative
of ‘Dar’, since the narrative shows that the Lord and the Prophet did elected the successor from among the nearest clan, since that day.
Al-Amini’s
Al-Ghadir; 1/207:The following is a literal quotation
of At-Tabari’s narration which distinguishes the right from the wrong.
In his
Tarikh; 2/217 (first edition), At-Tabari mentions:
“…Who will support me in this affair, and he will be my brother, successor and inheritor amongst you?” said the Prophet. The entire group kept silent when I, the youngest among them, said, “I will, Prophet
of God! I will be your backer in this affair.” Hence, the Prophet took me from the neck and stated, “This is my brother, successor and inheritor. You should listen and comply with him.”
The group went out laughing and saying to Abu Talib, “Well, he orders you
of listening and complying with your son.”
Al-Amini’s
Al-Ghadir; 2/279:In this very form, Abu Jafar Aliskafi; the Mutazilite Baghdadi theologist, died in 240, records the report in his
Naqdhul Othmaniya. He affirms authenticity
of the narrative.
It is also recorded in Burhanuddin’s
Anbau Nujeba Al-Abna; 46-8, and Ibnul-Athir’s
Al-Kamilu Fit-Tarikh; 2/24, and Abul-Fida Imaduddin Ad-Dimeshqi’s
Tarikh; 1/116, and Shihabuddin Al-Khafaji’s
Sharhu Shifa; 3/37 (This compiler interrupts the last sentences
of the narrative, and says: It is recorded in Al-Beihaqi’s
Delailun Nubuwwa and other reference books in authentic documentation), and Aladdin Al-Baghdadi’s
Tafsirul Khazin; 390, and As-Suyouti’s
Jam’uJawami; 6/392. On page 397, he also relates the narration to the six famous hadithists; Ibn Isaaq, Ibn Jarir, Ibn Abi Hatem, Ibn Merdawayih, Abu Na’eem and Al-Beihaqi. Ibn Abil Hadid’s
Sharhu Nahjil Belagha; 3/254, records the same report.
Compiler
of Al-Ghadir, then, protests against those who distort this narrative for the sake
of seeking the Quraishis’ satisfaction. At-Tabari, who records the narrative in his
Tafsir, relates it in his
Tarikh, but he confuses the last words
of the Prophet regarding Ali (peace be upon him). At-Tabari records:
… he then said. “This is my brother…” and so on.
Ibn Kutheir imitates At-Tabari. He mentions the narrative in the same previous form, in his
Al-Bidaya Wen-Nihaya; 3/40, and
Tafsir; 3/351.
From the margin
ofBiharul Anwar; 32/272, the following is quoted:
In addition to his bond
of fraternity with the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family), which was concluded according to a divine mandate in the beginning
of approach
of Islam when God revealed, (And warn your nearest relations.)
[3] This bond
of fraternity was concluded according to a divine mandate, and was fallen in a form
of a covenant. The Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) would not betake a brother, vizier, associate and successor other than Ali. Likewise, Ali would not show any blemish in supporting, backing and advising for the Prophet and the religion. It is as same as Aaron’s support to Moses (peace be upon him), in the way mentioned in the Holy Quran. When the Prophet held bonds
of fraternity between each couple
of his companions, he took in his consideration the relationship linking each two. He fraternized Omar and Abu Bakr, Othman and Abdurrahman Bin Awf, Az-Zubeir and Abdullah Bin Masud, Ubeida Bin Al-Harith and Bilal, Musab Bin Omeir and Sa’d Bin Abi Waqas, Abu Ubeida Bin Al-Jarrah and Salim; the bond
of Abu Hutheifa, Hamza Bin Abdul-Muttelib and Zeid Bin Haritha Al-Kalbi.
[4] At these moments, he says to Ali, “I swear by Him Who sends me with the truth, I delayed you so that you will be dedicated to me. For me, your standing is as same as Aaron’s to Moses. Yet, no prophet comes after me. You are my brother and inheritor. You shall be with me in my palace in the Paradise. If any disputes you, say: I am the servant
of Allah, and the brother
of His Apostle. Except fabricators and liars, none should claim
of so after you.”
[5]Likewise, when the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) provided his advocacy before the tribes, none admitted him except the Amir Bin Sa’saa. Their spokesman; Beihara, stated, “By God I swear, I will overcome the Arabs if I assent to this Quraishi young man. Providing we will swear allegiance to you in this matter and God will give you victory over your opponents, will you hold us your position thereafter?”
“This is God’s affair. He holds it to whomever He desires,” answered the Prophet.
“We will make our necks the target
of whatever is thrown at you, and when God gives you triumph it goes to others? Nay, we are not in need for your affair,” they answered.
[6] As a result, supposing the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) had not concluded bond
of fraternity and inheritance with Ali (peace be upon him) according to a divine mandate, he would not have wasted this opportunity and refuted them in such despairing words, while he was in need for support
of such tribes.
An-Numan Al-Maghribi’s
De’amul Islam; 1/15:We have already recorded the following narrative
of Ali (peace be upon him):
When God revealed, (And warn your nearest relations), the Prophet invited sons
of Abdul-Muttelib to a leg
of a sheep and a cup
of milk. They were more than forty men. Among them, there were at least ten men who used to have a whole slaughtered animal and drink a large pot
of drinks. They ate and drank to excess.
After that, the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) addressed at them, “O sons
of Abdul-Muttelib! Comply with me and you shall be kings and rulers
of the lands. The Lord selected a successor, vizier, inheritor, brother and supporter for each prophet He sent. Which one
of you should be my successor, vizier, inheritor, brother and supporter?”
They all kept peace. He passed by them individually, but they all rejected. I was the youngest among them when he provided the affair before me. “It is I, God’s messenger!” I said. “Yes, it is you, Ali!” answered the Prophet.
When they left, Abu Lahab addressed at them, “He served you with a single leg
of a sheep and a cup
of milk, and you had to excess. This is an enough pro
of on his sorcery.”
They also laughed at Abu Talib when they addressed at him, “See how he preferred your son to you.”
Inevitably, the news
of the Prophet’s invitation was publicized among the Quraishis and the Arab. They told each other that the new prophet gathered his relations and warned them as he solicited them to the new religion. He also asked for a supporter and successor, but none accepted so except his young cousin; therefore, he betook him as a supporter and successor.
The previous three evidences undiscussibly assert that the Prophet’s succession was a matter widely common for people since the earlier stages
of his divine mission up to the last moments
of his life. Furthermore, all people recognized that Mohammed’s prophecy was a practical contrivance
of formation
of a state governed by him (peace be upon him and his family), and was in need for a successor. Hence, the entire tribes, from a material viewpoint, conceived his advocacy as a desirable plan that they should take a part in by gaining his promise
of handing his leadership over after him. These were Yemeni, Adnani and Najdi tribes.
This leads to the supposition that within the foremost Muslims there were hypocrites attracted by that contrivance and prophetic movement which seemed to be achieving victory in the future. Each
of them might look forward to obtaining a leading position in that state.
This is the only way by which we can find a suitable interpretation to God’s saying, (And We have not made the wardens
of the Fire other than angels, and We have not made their number but as a trial for those who disbelieve, that those who have been given the Book may be certain and those who believe may increase in faith, and those who have been the Book and the believers may not doubt, and that those in whose hearts is a disease and the unbelievers may say: What does Allah mean by this parable? Thus does Allah makes err whom He pleases, and He guides whom He pleases, and none knows the hosts
of your Lord but He Himself; and this is naught but a reminder to the mortals), which was revealed in Mecca.
From the above, it is irrational for the sane to believe chiefs
of Quraish who claim the Muslims’ avoiding providing the question
of the Prophet’s succession during his lifetime, even in a form
of a lawful question and their obligation towards such an issue.
Correspondingly, it is unacceptable to conclude that Muslims, who asked the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) frequently about their future and narrated several reports in this regard, did not ask him about their next leader and leadership.
SECOND DISCUSSION
THE PROPHET FORETELLS OF THE TWELVE SUCCEEDING IMAMS
We believe that the Prophet’s succession was a settled matter for the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family), since the Lord has given him the orders
of conveying the following leadership
of his progeny to people. This is the Lord’s tradition
with the entire prophets whose progenies inherited the divine Book, judgment and prophecy. Mohammed, our prophet, is indisputably the best and the seal
of the prophets. After him, there should be no prophecy. Hence, imamate and inheritance
of the divine Book should follow him. in like manner, his household and progeny are the best
of the prophets’ progenies. The Lord; the Exalted, has purified and preferred them, and gave them the judgment and the divine Book exclusively. This is clear in God’s sayings, (
Offspring one
of the other…) and (Then We gave the Book for an inheritance to those whom We chose from among Our servants.)
As he realized the Quraishis’ envying the Hashemites and planning for taking them away from leadership after him, the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) used styles
of wisdom and graduality in his frequent announcements
of the progeny’s following leadership. A style
of a prophetic ire was addressed at the Quraishis as they used rude practices and sayings against the Hashemites.
The Farewell Pilgrimage was a golden opportunity for the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) to carry the divine mandate
of his household’s coming leadership, to the nation, in a massive scope.
After conveying the precepts and rulings, and expansion
of the Islamic state, and narrowness
of dangers, and declaration
of the Prophet’s imminent departure, nothing remained but the declaration
of the next leadership.
In addition to authentic texts, logic proves that the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) paid the greatest attention to question
of the succeeding leadership during the Farewell Pilgrimage. The Quraishis recognized the Prophet’s intendment; therefore, they spared no efforts for intercepting such a declaration. It is also proved that they augmented their activities in that period for cutting
off the declaration
of nominating Ali and his progeny for the following leadership. Although there is a good deal
of evidences on each point previously mentioned, this discussion is too narrow to cover them all.
We are to stop sufficiently at the Prophet’s sermons in the Farewell Pilgrimage. Abreast
of sermon
of Ghadir, reference books prove that the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) sermonized in five occasions in that period. Reference books should have reported these prophetic sermons so completely, since there were thousands
of Muslims who listened to them, but, unfortunately, only parts
of these sermons are excerpted, especially in the reference books authorized by the Quraishi caliphate.
As-Siretul Halabiya; 3/333
:In the Pilgrimage, the Prophet (peace be upon him) addressed five sermons. The first was in Mecca on the seventh
of Dhu’l-Hijja. The second was on day
of Arafa. The third was on day
of slaughtering in Mina. The fourth was on day
of settlement in Mina and the five was on day
of the first return in Mina, too.
Strange and incredible contrast and discrepancy which refer to the Quraishis’ interference in relating contents
of these sermons, were evidently noticed through reviewing these sermons in more than one hundred reference books
of hadith. All that because these sermons assert the Prophet’s ordering the Muslims
of complying with his progeny after him, and warning them against engaging in discrepancies out
of envy, after they had received knowledge. Finally, the Prophet submitted them to an impeccable thorough evidence.
Despite firmness
of that Quraishi darkening, we could receive some
of these texts from the reference books authorized by the ruling authorities themselves. However, these texts are adequate enough for recognizing the Prophet’s instructions and affirmation on committing to leadership
of his immaculate progeny after him.
HADITH OF THE TWELVE IMAMS
Unanimously, the entire sects
of Islam agree that the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) provided the question
of the next twelve imams during the Farewell Pilgrimage.
Later on, contents
of these sacred sermons will be cited. They comprise hadith
of the two weighty things; the Quran and the Prophet’s progeny, and hadith
of the Prophet’s Paradisiacal Pool and the companions whom shall be sent to the hell-fire as they were prevented from having from that Pool.
Al-Bukhari’s; 8/127:
Jabir Bin Samara: I heard the Prophet (peace be upon him) say, “There will be twelve princes…” Then, he said a word that I could not perceive. So, I asked my father about it. “All shall be from Quraish,” asserted my father.
Muslim’s; 6/3
:Jabir Bin Samara: I heard the Prophet (peace be upon him) say, “Islam shall be fortified till twelve successors…” Then, he said a word I could not perceive. I asked my father about it. “All shall be from Quraish,” asserted my father.
Muslim records a similar narrative in which he states, “Then, he said something I could not conceive,” instead
of “Then, he said a word I could not perceive.”
According to a third narrative recorded by Muslim, the following form is mentioned:
“This religion shall be kept in efficacy and power to twelve successors…” Then, he said a word I could not hear due to noise
of people. I asked my father about it. “All shall be from Quraish,” assertedmy father.
Imitated by majority
of reference books
of hadith, Al-Bukhari does not refer to a signal point showing that the occurrence fell during sermon
of the Farewell Pilgrimage on Arafat. A number
of books, however, refer to this point.
In Ahmed’s
Al-Musned; 5/93, 36 and 99, it is written: (Jabir Bin Samara: On Arafat, the Prophet sermonized…) On page
87: (The Prophet said during the Farewell Pilgrimage…) and on page
99, (Al-Muqaddemi: During his sermon in Mina, I heard the Prophet …)
Later on, it will be proved that this remarkable matter had been repeatedly affirmed on Arafat, Mina and Al-Kheif Mosque before it was declared in a formal obligatory decisive form in
Ghadir Khum.
What is the story
of those twelve imams? What for did the Prophet provide their matter before the greatest mass
of Muslims who listened to their prophet while he was bidding farewell?
Al-Bukhari answers: Those are not imams to follow the Prophet in leadership obligatorily. They are only virtuous princes who shall be in this nation at a certain period
of time. The Prophet did only convey his Lord’s foretelling to his nation. Indeed, they are from Quraish, not the Hashemites solitarily. They will be from the twenty tribes
of Quraish. None
of Ansar, the Arab tribes or the non-Arab people shall be among them. This is the whole matter.
What for did the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) convey this matter to his people during the Farewell Pilgrimage on Arafat? What is the practical affair ensued from so?
Al-Bukhari answers: It is a matter
of a prediction only. The Prophet wanted to foretell his people so that they would be cheerful. It is only a journalistic news empty
of any practical element.
Concisely, saving that sole narrative which cannot be perceived, Al-Bukhari does not refer to this subject. On the other hand, he records numerous clear-cut narratives respecting the menstruation
of Aisha; Ummul-Muminin
*, during the Farewell Pilgrimage. He gives in details how the Prophet revered her and sent a nurse for helping her perform rites
of consecration and Visitation.
Muslim is a little bit fairer that Al-Bukhari. He opts for a narrative leading to the fact that those twelve successors shall be ruling after the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family). This narrative should recuperate Muslims since it settles the problem
of the Prophet’s following leadership. Those are imams nominated by the Exalted Lord, via the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family). They deduce their legality from this divine nomination. Hence, the matter shall not be in need for a secret meeting or discrepancies leading to a bloody combat on power since the first stage
of Islam up to now, and millions
of victims, and dissensions leading to accumulation
of weakness
of the Islamic nation, till it was completely collapsed on the hands
of the Ottomans.
Muslim, however, adds: No, this problem was not solved. The Prophet had just referred to those successors generally. He did not identify their names and personalities. Any
of the ten thousands at whom this serious matter was addressed, did not ask for an explanation for that general reference. None
of them asked the Prophet: Who are they, God’s messenger?!
Had the Prophet referred to their names, or only the name
of the first one, the entire clans
of Quraish would have accepted and submitted, since they were pious clans who complied with the Lord and His Apostle.
Muslim repeats the same words
of Al-Bukhari: No! They are only godly people by whom Islam shall be fortified. They are from Quraish… Quraish only!
Thus and so, Al-Bukhari and Muslim can never lead to an acceptable effect in the question
of those twelve imams. They lock the entire doors and repeat the same words
of the Quraishis: Your Prophet did only refer to the smell
of those twelve ones, during the Farewell Pilgrimage. You should only smell and keep peace!
At any rate, there are other reference books
of hadith that pay an attention, less than that paid by Muslim and Al-Bukhari, to policy and politicians during reporting the Prophet’s news. These books refer to working matters in the question involved. They relate the word ‘after me’ in a form referring to the fact that those imams should be ruling directly after the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family).
In his
Al-Musned; 5/92, Ahmed relates the same narration to Jabir As-Siwai in the following form: (I heard the Prophet (peace be upon him) say: “After me, there shall be…”)
On the same page, he refers to another form
of the same narrative: (Jabir Bin Samara: The Prophet said, “After me, there shall be twelve successors. All shall be from Quraish.” When the Prophet was back home, the Quraishis came and asked about the age following those successors. “Then, commotion shall be befalling,” asserted the Prophet .)
The phrase, ‘After me’, which refers to the direct stage after the Prophet, is mentioned in both narratives. The second, likewise, reveals the Quraishis’ care for the question regarding those twelve godly imams. It also avers that the story happened in Al-Madina, not during the Farewell Pilgrimage. This point should be useful for the next points.
The Phrase was repeated in various narratives mentioned in other reference books.
Jabir Bin Samara: The Prophet said, “After me, there shall be twelve princes…” As I could not perceive the next sentence, I asked some people… Ahmed’s
Al-Musned; 5/94.
Jabir As-Siwai: The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “After me there shall be twelve princes…” As I could not hear the next sentence, I asked the man next to me. “All shall be from Quraish,” clarified he. Ahmed’s
Al-Musned; 5/99 and 108.
… Following me, there shall be twelve princes.” As I could not understand the next sentence, I asked the one next to me. “All shall be from Quraish,” said he. At-Tirmithi’s
As-Sunan; 3/340.
Jabir Bin Samara: I heard the Prophet say, “After me, there shall be twelve successors… Al-Bukhari’s
Tarikh; 1/446 No. 1426.
Abul-Qasim Al-Baghawi: Abdullah Bin Omar: I heard the Prophet say, “Behind me, there shall be twelve successors.” Ibn Hajar’s
As-Sawaiqul Muhriqa; page 20.All the previous prove that the Prophet did provide the question
of the next leadership during the Farewell Pilgrimage, and conveyed the Lord’s mandate
of those twelve ones’ being the legal leaders
of this nation.
This question will cite a number
of questions and wonderments before the Quraishis and their reporters:
First question:
Why is it noticeable that narratives
of that remarkable question are almostly restricted to a single narrator -Jabir Bin Samara As-Siwai- who was a ten year old boy, maybe, during the Farewell Pilgrimage? Is it reasonable that any other individual could not hear these narratives except this boy? What for did the other companions attending there, avoid narrating this occurrence?Jabir’s way
of narration might have been attaining satisfaction
of the Quraish caliphate as it was proved as the most suitable. Therefore, its forms were recorded and admitted under the supervision
of the ruling authorities. Most surely, other individuals did convey this occurrence, but in a style inappropriate to be publicized!
Second question:
Muslims were wont to ask the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) about the most diminutive features
of each matter. They even interrupted his speeches for addressing indicative questions. The narratives involved inform
of the Prophet’s discussing a matter
of a high importance. He (peace be upon him and his family) was foretelling
of a doctrinal, practical, momentous and futuristic matter. These narratives claim the Prophet’s obscuring this most remarkable point
of the issue. Finally, they claim that none
of the Muslims asked or wondered about those godly imams, and people’s obligation towards them!!How is it rational to believe that the Quraishis, who knocked the door
of the Prophet’s house, in Al-Madina, for asking about those twelve imams, as the narrator himself reported, did not ask him about these imam’s identities and ages?
Does the word ‘Quraish’ stand for Abu Bakr and Omar exclusively, in Al-Madina?
Likewise, how is it rational that any Muslim, who attended the Farewell Pilgrimage, avoided asking the Prophet about those imams, their ages and people’s obligation towards them?
Third question:
How come could the narrator not perceive the very important word that defined the identity
of those twelve ones; so that he asked the man next to him.The same word could not be perceived by the narrator who reported the Prophet’s addressing the same sermon in Al-Madina.
Why do the reference books
of hadith, authorised by the Quraishi caliphate, restrict Samara and Omar Bin Al-Khattab as the only persons who carried the missed word
of the Prophet?
Moreover, there are various questions insisting on revealing the hiddens
of this narration, and urging scholars on scrutinizing in books
of hadith and history.
Hereinafter, we aim at focusing lights on the missed word, by providing a number
of notes and questions.
First: Is (All shall be from my household), the origin of the statement (All shall be from Quraish)?
What is the reason beyond the absence
of the most remarkable statement?
Who was that man the narrator asked about that word?
In Ahmed’s
Al-Musned; 5/100 and 107, it is recorded that the narrator himself could not perceive the statement; therefore, he asked about it:
As I could not perceive the next statement, I asked my father. “He said: all shall be from Quraish,” asserted my father.
… He then said a word I could not perceive. My father was nearer to the Prophet. I asked him about that word. He answered, “He said: All shall be from Quraish.” Al-Hakim’s
Al-Mustedrak; 3/617.
In Ahmed’s
Al-Musned; 5/90 and 98, it is recorded that the Prophet himself intended to hide that word:
… He then said a word too silent to be heard. “What did he say?” I asked my father. “He said: All shall be from Quraish,” answered my father.
… He then said a word with a silent voice. I asked my uncle, who was sitting before me, about it. “O son! He said: All shall be from Quraish,” answered my uncle. Al
-Hakim’s
Al-Mustedrak; 3/618.
Jabir Bin Samara: The Prophet said, “For this nation, there shall be twelve custodians whom shall never be influenced by those who will frustrate them.” Then said a word with a silent voice that I could not perceive. “What was that word the Prophet had spoken quietly?” I asked my father. “It was: All shall be from Quraish,” asserted my father. At-Tabarani’s
Al-Mujamul Kabir; 2/213-4, hadith 1794.
According to other narrations, it was people, not the narrator or the Prophet, who caused the word to disappear.
This means that people -who were consecrating for their Lord on Arafat, living the last moments
of their Prophet and waiting for any word he would speak
of- were noisy as if they were in an auction, and some
of them disturbed and shouted while the Prophet was articulating the most sensitive word, so that the faithful believers would not perceive! People were crying, shouting, speaking loudly, making noise, standing and sitting while the Prophet was addressing his sermon:
… People began to shout ‘Allahu Akbar’ and make noise. Meanwhile, the Prophet pronounced a word I could not catch. “What did he say, father?” I asked. “He said: All shall be from Quraish,” answered my father. Abu Dawud’s
As-Sunan; 2/309, and Ahmed’s
Al-Musned; 5/98.
…Then, he pronounced a word I could not hear because
of people’s noise. “What did he say, father?” I asked. “He said: All shall be from Quraish,” answered my father. Ahmed’s
Al-Musned; 5/98.
… People began to shout… Ahmed’s
Al-Musned; 5/93.
… People then began to make noise and speak aloud. I could not understand the word after ‘All…” Ahmed’s
Al-Musned; 5/99.
… “This religion shall be kept in efficacy and power to twelve successors who shall be given victory over their opponents…” Then people began to stand and sit… Ahmed’s
Al-Musned; 5/99.
Regarding those whom Jabir asked about the missed word, most
of narrations affirm that he asked his father; Samara. Hence, the testimony
of including the entire clans
of Quraish with the Hashemites, in the question
of the next twelve imams, depends upon authenticity
of Samara. None could not prove that Samara’s being Muslim, even. This fact is proved by narrations authenticated by Muslim and Al-Bukhari, and others.
However, there are other forms
of the narration proves other things:
… As I asked the entire people, they answered, “He said: All shall be from Quraish.” Ahmed’s
Al-Musned; 5/92 and 90.… I asked people, or the man next to me, “What…” Ahmed’s
Al-Musned; 5/108.
… As I could not perceive that word, I asked the one next to me… Ahmed’s
Al-Musned; 5/99 and 108.
At-Tabarani, however, asserts that Jabir claimed people’s alleging that the Prophet said, “All shall be from Quraish.”:
… I could not understand what he said next; therefore, I asked people. They claimed his saying, “All shall be from Quraish.” At-Tabarani’s
Al-Mujamul Kabir; 2/249, hadith 2044.
Is it credible that the most remarkable word identifying the twelve imams
of whom the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) foretold, could be vanished in that quiet silent circumstance on Arafat, and none would ask the Prophet about?
A scholar may approach the fact when he looks at the other narrations related by Jabir Bin Samara himself, regarding that the Prophet was riding on his pack animal while he was declaring these words. This asserts that the Prophet tried to make the entire attendants hear and listen.
… Then, the Prophet’s voice vanished. I asked my father who was nearer to the Prophet’s pack animal… Ahmed’s
Al-Musned; 5/87.
They also relate that the Prophet ordered a man
of sonorous voice to repeat his words as aloud as possible, so that people would hear.
… Rabia Bin Khalaf Al-Jamhi was a man
of sonorous voice, the Prophet ordered
of repeating his words aloud on day
of Arafa. He was standing before the Prophet’s she-camel. “O people! Do you realize this month?” said the Prophet and ordered Rabia
of declaring aloud. He did. “Yes, it is the sacred month,” people answered affirmatively. “God has surely deemed your blood and assets amongst you as sacred as this month, till the day on which you shall meet,” said the Prophet and ordered Rabia to declare aloud…
Ibn Abbas: … When he halted on Arafa, the Prophet (peace be upon him) ordered Rabia Bin Umaya Bin Khalaf, the man with a sonorous voice, to stand just before his she-camel and repeat his words aloud…
At-Tabarani relates this report to authentic narrators.
Majmauzzawaid; 3/270.
Although they relate the same narration to the same reporter in various forms, the missed word, in the entire forms, is invariably the same. This matter contends the claim that the statement was ‘All shall be from my progeny’ or ‘All shall be from my household’, not ‘All shall be from Quraish.’
They also relate that the narrator asserted the Prophet’s sermonizing so in Al-Madina, not Arafat. However, the missed word was the same. It is the identity
of those twelve imams.
Jabir Bin Samara: My father and I came to the Prophet (peace be upon him) who was saying, “This affair shall be kept in excellence till there shall be twelve princes…” Then, he said a word I could not perceive. “What did he say?” I asked my father. “He said: All shall be from Quraish,” asserted my father. Ahmed’s
Al-Musned; 5/97 and 107.
The same narration is moved to the small mosque
of Al-Madina. Nevertheless, the missed word is invariably the same. Jabir Bin Samara could not understand it till he asked Omar Bin Al-Khattab, the Quraishi caliph. Omar answered!
The Prophet (peace be upon him) was on the pulpit when he addressed, “There shall be twelve custodians from the Quraishis. They shall not be influenced by their opponents.” Omar Bin Al-Khattab (God be pleased to him) and my father were among people. They all asserted the saying as same as I could perceive. At-Tabarani’s
Al-Mujamul Kabir; 2/256, hadith 2073.
The Prophet… (The same previous narration.)
Al-Bezar relates this narration to Jabir Bin Samara alone. He adds: When the Prophet was back home, I followed him to ask about the stage following those twelve ones. “Commotion shall be coming next,” said the Prophet.
This narration is related by authentic narrators.
Majma’uzzawaid; 5/191.
The text became: ‘Twelve custodians opposed by people.’ A group among whom was Omar Bin Al-Khattab and the narrator’s father became the attesters
of the text. Hence, place, time and persons
of the occurrence were changed. Yet; the missed word is invariably the same.
A stranger matter is that while they relate the narration to Abu Juheifa, the missed word is still invariably the same! Yet, the narrator, here, asks his uncle, not father.
Awn Bin Abi Juheifa: His father: I was accompanying my uncle to the Prophet (peace be upon him), when he spoke, “Affairs
of this nation shall be kept in rectitude till twelve successors go on…” He then pronounced a word I could not perceive. “What did he say, uncle? I asked. “He said: All shall be from Quraish,” asserted my uncle. Al-Hakim’s
Al-Mustedrak; 3/618.
Awn Bin… (The same previous narration)
At-Tabarani relates it in his
Al-Mujamul Kabir and
Al-Mujamul Awsatto authentic narrators. Al-Bezar also relates it.
Majmauzzawaid; 5/190.
Eventually, we find ourselves facing an unprecedented phenomena in the entire traditions
of the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family). It certainly refers to a highly exceptional matter. This matter is hidden beyond the statement, ‘All shall be from Quraish.’
It is also supposable that the original narrator is Omar himself. It was he who affirmed and corrected to Jabir Bin Samara; the boy.
Al-Khezaz Al-Qummi in his
Kifayetul Athar; page 90, relates the same report to Omar only, without referring to Samara or his son or Abu Juheifa or his uncle.
… Omar Bin Al-Khattab:
I heard the Prophet (peace be upon him) say, “After me, Imams shall be twelve…” He then pronounced a word so silently that I could hardly perceive. I heard him say, “All shall be from Quraish.”… Al-Khezaz Al-Qummi in his
Kifayetul Athar; page 90.
Depending on this narrative, which is the most authentic for us, it is provable that generalizing the identity
of those twelve imams to include the entire clans
of Quraish, not the Hashemites dedicately, was invented by Omar. In addition, it coincides his saying
of “The Quraishis reject that the Hashemites join leadership besides prophecy,” which he frequently addressed at the Hashemites during and after the Prophet’s lifetime.
Second: The divine promise of unknown leadership is an impracticable matter.
The promise
of the coming
of twelve imams is a divine word
of the Wise, the Aware. It is a traditional promise
of imams after a prophet. It was given to the previous nations, as well. It is seen as a mercy to this nation by which people can settle their entire problems they will certainly face after their prophet. How is it, then, practicable for the Lord to promise His Apostle
of unknown leaders?
It is understandable that the Exalted Lord did promise the previous nations
of the advent
of an Apostle named ‘Ahmed’ after five centuries. This was conveyed by Jesus (peace be upon him). This reveals the impracticability to admit that the Lord promised the seal
of nations
of godly custodians, without naming their leading one at least, or naming their clan. It is unacceptable for Him to promise
of men coming amongst twenty three clans that are disagreeing with each other on the meanest mundane affairs.
Giving credence to such a lie leads to imputing unwisdom to the Glorified Lord and His Apostle (peace be upon him and his family). This is a matter cannot be said by any Muslim, or any fair orientalist!
It happened sometimes that the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) addressed a general idea or foretelling at people, expecting their inquiry, so that his answer would be more effective. But, in our question, Muslims’ inquiries, as well as the Prophet’s answer, are nonexistent. They are existent in reference books
of Shias only.
Third: From Quraish, but from the Prophet’s progeny.
Supposing the problematic points
of the narration involved are disregarded, and the Prophet’s nominating those twelve godly Quraishi custodians is acceptable, a question will be arisen: Which tribe
of Quraish is intended?
Clans
of Quraish are more than twenty. According to authentic narratives recorded in the most reliable reference books
of hadith, God; the Exalted, has preferred the Quraishis to the Arabs, and preferred the Hashemites to Quraish. Is it then rational that God chooses those twelve imams succeeding the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) from a clan other than the Hashimites?
The following narrative is recorded in Muslim’s
Sahih; 7/58:
Wathila Bin Al-Asqa: I heard the Prophet (peace be upon him) say, “God has chosen the Kenana amongst sons
of Ishmael, and chosen the Quraish amongst the Kenana, and chosen the Hashimites amongst the Quraish, and chosen me among the Hashemites.
As he relates the same narration on
page 245 part 5,At-Tirmithi decides it as a one-way qualified narration. On page 243, he decides it as an authentic qualified narrative. Following this, At-Tirmithi records a number
of narratives
of the same supposition:
Al-Abbas Bin Abdil-Muttelib: I told the Prophet that the Quraishis discussed their lineages, and when they mentioned him, they likened him to a date palm tree planting in a junkyard. The Prophet (peace be upon him) commented: “When God created things, He made me with the best party. Then, He made me in the best tribe. Then, He made me in the best house. Hence, I am the best party, tribe and house.
(This is a qualified narrative.)
Following this, At-Tirmithi writes an alike narrative with another series
of narrators. He decides as a one-way authentic narrative.
Ibn Abbas: House
of Imran, mentioned in God’s saying, (Surely Allah chose Adam and Noah and the descendants
of Abraham and the descendants
of Imran above the nations), are the believers among sons
of Abraham, Imran, Yasin and Mohammed (peace be upon him). Al-Bukhari’s
Sahih; 4/138.
Quranic and prophetic texts respecting selecting, preferring, favoring and preceding the Hashemites to the Islamic nation, are too many to be covered in this discussion. This preference is by the reason that the Prophet’s progeny are being part
of them, and they are the diamond
of the Hashemites and their best. Generally, they are the diamond
of sons
of Adam.
Taking Al-Bukhari’s testimony, a scholar can conclude, by processing a simple equation, that those twelve men are being the progeny
of Mohammed (peace be upon him and his family). In the earlier narrative, it is proved that the twelve imams are chosen amongst the Quraishis. In the latter, it is proved that Mohammed’s progeny are chosen, like Abraham’s. Hence, the twelve expected imams should be Mohammed’s progeny whom are selected by the Lord. At a least criterion, those twelve men should be among Mohammed’s progeny. This is also advocated by Al-Bukhari’s narrative that tells
of Ali’s being the first complainant on the Resurrection Day. This means that Ali shall be bearing an important issue preferred to the entire issues
of this nation.
The issue, however, can be understood from Ali’s following saying recorded in
Nahjul Belagha; 1/82:
“By God I swear, the Quraishis bear malice against us for one and only reason. It is the Lord’s preferring us to them. Then, we permitted them to gain entry into our group. Hence, they are applicable to the poet’s saying:
It is we who endowed you this elevation, and you were not
Elevated, and we encompassed you with swords and spears.”
Al-Bukhari’s
Sahih; 5/6.
Qeis Bin Ebada: Ali Bin Abi Talib (God be pleased to him) said, “I will be the first one who kneels before the Beneficent God for litigation on the Resurrection Day.”
Fourth: Prophetic texts explain the narrative of the twelve men.
It is unanimously agreeable that the Prophet’s texts explicate each other, like the Quranic. This is a perceptual principal relied upon by the entire nations. Naturally, any nation should scrutinize the other practical and articulate texts
of their prophet for recognizing the twelve men
of whom the prophet had foretold.
A deep look at our Prophet’s words about his progeny; Ali, Fatima, Al-Hassan and Al-Hussein (peace be upon them), removes any doubt in proving the fact that those persons, whom were frequently praised and acclaimed by the Prophet who does never speak out
of desire, are the very intended in the text involved. As a matter
of fact, Muslims agree that those persons were frequently praised by the Prophet in various occasions. The Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) declared that those persons were purified thoroughly by the Lord. This fact is recorded in an evident Quranic text. He also committed the Muslims to cherishing them and blessing them during their daily prayers. He deemed unlawful for them to receive alms and, instead, he legislated their enjoying a share
of the one-fifth rate imposed upon Muslims. Finally, the Prophet’s will was adhering to them besides the Quran. He named them the minor weighty thing after the Quran; the major one. These matters are proved by authentic reports mentioned in the most reliable reference books
of hadith.
The Prophet’s words
of praising and applauding his progeny, and warning against wronging and opposing them, are too many to be covered in this discussion. At any rate, these words are good examples for the mindful and the seekers
of truths.
Fifth: Twelve imams and twelve months.
Narrations appertained to the Prophet’s sermons during the Farewell Pilgrimage, assert that the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) referred to roundness
of time to its first creation when he mentioned the twelve imams. Thereafter, he recited God’s saying, (Surely the number
of months with Allah is twelve months in Allah’s ordinance since the day when He created the heavens and the earth,
of these four being sacred.)
Al-Bukhari’s; 5/126 and 204, and 6/235
:Abu Bakra: the Prophet (peace be upon him) stated:
Time has rotated to the first creation
of the heavens and earth. A year is twelve months among which there are four sacred ones. These are Dhu’l-Qada, Dhu’l-Hijja, Muharram and Rajab. The first three are successive.
Abu Dawud relates the same on 1/435. Ahmed relates it in his
Al-Musned; 5/37.
In
Majma’uzzawaid; 3/265, the same narration is related in a style more accordant to the Prophet’s eloquence than Al-Bukhari’s.
…Time has rotated as same as the first day on which the Lord created the heavens and the earth. (Surely the number
of months with Allah is twelve months in Allah’s ordinance since the day when He created the heavens and the earth,
of these four being sacred. That is the right reckoning; therefore, be not unjust to yourselves.) Do not apostatize after me that you will be killing each other…
Sunni exegesists cited the custom
of postponing the sacred months as the meaning suggested by the Prophet in this narration. Hence, he suggests a new beginning
of time which leads to canceling that custom.
As a matter
of fact, this exegesis is unconvincing since custom
of postponing the sacred month leaves no effect on time and the universe, that its cancellation leads to creating a new beginning to time. Secondly, there is no single indication to any relation between rotation
of time and the custom
of postponing the sacred months. Each is an independent topic. Hence, exegesists are mistaken when they establish such a relation.
As the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) was in a situation
of bidding his people farewell and providing the next stage
of guidance, aberrance, rulings, beliefs and paths to the Paradise and the hell-fire, it is most likely that he intended to say that a new stage
of the divine guidance and aberrance would be beginning since that day. He also intended to say that the material movement
of time is based upon the twelve months, while the mental movement is based upon acceding to the twelve imams. Material and mental existence
of those imams coincides the system
of the twelve months which is effective in the movement
of this universe.
This view is supported by sacredness and consecration
of number twelve in the Quran. The Lord identifies twelve chieftains for the Israelites, and twelve apostles for Jesus. Similarly, the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) asked Ansar to elect twelve chieftains in the earlier stage
of their declaration
of fealty. He also foretold his people
of the coming
of twelve imams. Moreover, holy texts assert that aberrance
of this nation is originated by twelve misleading men from the Prophet’s companions. Consequently, in the face
of each imam there should be a misleading man, and in the face
of each prophet there should be a nefarious enemy whose function is inveigling people.
God; the Exalted, says: (And the day when the unjust one shall bite his hands, saying: O! Would that I had taken a way with the Apostle. Woe is me! Would that I had not taken such a one for a friend! Certainly he led me astray from the reminder after it had come to me; and the Satan fails to aid man. And the Apostle cried out: O my Lord! My people have treated this Quran as a forsaken thing. And thus have We made for every prophet an enemy from among the sinners, and sufficient is your Lord as a Guide and a Helper.)
Muslim’s
Sahih; 8/122-3:
The Prophet stated: “There are twelve hypocrites among my companions. Eight
of them shall never see the Paradise until a camel passes through the eye
of a needle. Eight
of them shall be killed by an epidemic. And four shall…” I could not memorize the rest.
The Prophet stated: “There are twelve hypocrites among my people. They shall never see or smell the Paradise till a camel passes through the eye
of a needle. Eight
of them shall be perished by an epidemic. A flaming lamp shall be emerging between their shoulders and flowing out
of their chests.”
Abut-Tufeil: A sort
of inconsistency was arisen between Hutheifa and one
of people
of Aqaba cabal. “I adjure you by God to answer me about the number
of people
of Aqaba cabal,” the man asked Hutheifa. “You should answer him,” people urged. Hutheifa spoke, “Well, we were told they had been fourteen men. They should be fifteen if you were one
of them. By God I avow, twelve
of them are foes
of the Lord and His Apostle in this world and on that day when witnesses shall be arising.”
The same in recorded in Ahmed’s
Al-Musned; 4/320 and many other hadithists.
Thus and so, it is not unacceptable to regard that the Prophet’s intention was telling people that the Exalted Lord has established mankind on laws
of guidance and aberrance since the first day
of creating the heavens and the earth. These laws are executed by elements
of providing evidences and respiting people to choose either guidance or aberrance. Like positive and negative, elements
of guidance and aberrance should be befalling together. The Lord then has inspired human souls to distinguish the right from the wrong. As He descended Adam to this earth, the Lord descended the Satan with him. With each prophet, there was a single or a number
of misleading people. In this nation, the number
of the leading imams is equal to that
of the misleading hypocrites; which is twelve. Hence, a new rotation
of guidance and aberrance has begun in the same way when it began with Adam and the Satan. This is the meaning
of the new beginning
of time that leads to termination
of an age and beginning
of another.
This idea is supported by the exegesis
of the Quranic Verse, (Surely the number
of months with Allah is twelve months in Allah’s ordinance since the day when He created the heavens and the earth), adopted by the Prophet’s progeny.
Sixth: Jabir As-Siwai; reporter of the narration.
As the Sunni most reliable reference books
of hadith relate the narration
of the twelve imams to Abdullah Bin Masud, Abu Juheifa and Jabir Bin Samara As-Siwai, they depend upon mainly.
Jabir Bin Samara Bin Jenada. It is said that he is son
of Amr Bin Jundub Bin Hujeir Bin Riab Bin Habib Bin Sawaa Bin Amir Bin Sa’saa As-Siwai. Others say he is one
of Amir Bin Sa’saa’s clan. Ibn Hajar’s
Tahthibut Tahthib; 2/35.
Jabir and his father are confederates
of the Zuhra.
At-Thehbi’s; 3/187.
This matter backs the doubt
of Jabir’s being Quraishi. If he had been one
of the Amir Bin Sa’saa, he would not have confederated the Zuhra.
I myself read At-Thehbi’s saying that Jabir was dead during the reign
of Abdul-Melik. Ibn Sa’d alleges that Samara; the father, embraced Islam on day
of conquest
of Mecca. None else did mention his death. Ibn Hajar’s
Tahthibut Tahthib; 4/206.
This takes us to the fact that Samara was one
of the ‘released’. It also points out that At-Thehbi doubts whether Samara embraced Islam or not. Therefore, he says, “Ibn Sa’d alleges that…”
Al-Bukhari, in his
At-Tarikhul Kabir; 4/177, claims Samara’s being one
of the Prophet’s companions.
Jabir is the child
of a ‘released’. He was an infant during conquest
of Mecca. His death was in 76 A.H. He relates that after the day
of conquest
of Mecca, the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) passed his hand over faces
of the small boys who were performing prayer in Al-Madina. He was one
of those small boys. This is recorded in
Siyeru Alamin Nubela; 3/187.
Jabir might have lived in the custody
of Sa’d Bin Abi Waqas; his maternal uncle, in Al-Madina. It was related that he had participated in conquest
of Madain before he moved in Kufa where he built a house for himself.
All the above proves that Jabir was a teenage during the Farewell Pilgrimage. Hence, the only reliable narrator
of this narration is a teenage son
of a ‘released’, that was a confederate
of Quraish.
How strange were the chiefs
of this nation and masters
of the Prophet’s companions! They had not possessed intellectuality
of that teenage ‘released’ boy who cared for the future
of his nation and the coming godly imams! Or how firm were the Quraishi ruling authorities who had completed full control on the prophetic texts. They disallowed the Sunnis to record and publicize the narrations appertained to the coming twelve imams
of whom the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) had foretold, except that
of this teenage!
Seventh: Marks of authenticity given to the three narratives.
There are three forms and three narrators
of the narrative regarding the twelve imams, in the Sunni reference books
of hadith. They agree upon authenticating Jabir Bin Samara’s narration. Some
of them decide the authenticity
of Abu Juheifa’s narration while majority decide it as a qualified with a rather doubtful narrator. Regarding Ibn Masud’s, they give opposite marks to his narration since, as they claim, Mujalid Bin Sa’eed, whom is ruled as trustful by An-Nisai and some
of specialist scholars only while others rule his doubtfulness, is within the series
of narrators.
As a matter
of fact, Samara; Jabir’s father, and Omar Bin Al-Khattab should be added to the three previous narrators. Majority
of narratives affirm that those two men informed Jabir
of the missed word. Moreover, Omar Bin Al-Khattab should be regarded as a main narrator according to the forecited narration recorded in
Kifayetul Athar.
The following is a number
of the hadithists’ opinions in Ibn Masud’s narration.
Majma’uzzawaid; 5/190
:The Twelve Successors:
Masruq: Ibn Masud taught us the Quran when a man asked whether they had asked the Prophet (peace be upon him) about the number
of the successors who would be ruling this state. “I have never been asked such a question since I was in Iraq,” asserted Ibn Masud, and went on, “It is yes. We have asked the Prophet (peace be upon him) this question, and he answered that they would be twelve, like the number
of the Israelites’ chieftains.
(This narration is recorded by Ahmed, Abu Yali and Al-Bezar. One
of its narrators is Mujalid Bin Sa’eed. Except An-Nisai, majority
of hadithists rule his doubtfulness. The other narrators are authentic.)
The same is recorded in Al-Hakim’s
Al-Mustedrak; 4/501, who adds: I am too short to regard narrations
of Mujalid and his likes.
Ibn Hajar, in his
As-Sawaiqul Muhriqa/20, rules eligibility
of the narration. He records: Ibn Masud relates, in a qualified documentation,…
As-Suyouti, in his
Tarikhul Khulefa/13, decides eligibility
of the narration, too. He records: Ahmed and Al-Bezar records the qualified narration
of Ibn Masud…
Al-Bussiri, as the compiler
ofKenzul Ummal; 6/89 records, rules eligibility
of the narrations. He says: Museddid, Ibn Rahawayih, Ibn Abi Sheiba, Abu Yali and Ahmed relate this qualified narration…
The narration is also recorded in the following Sunni reference books
of hadith:
Ahmed’s
Al-Musned; 1/398 and 406.
Kenzul Ummal; 6/89 (quoted from Ibn Sa’d’s
At-Tabaqat and Ibn Asakir’s).
Kenzul Ummal; 12/32 (quoted from Ahmed’s, At-Tabarani’s, Ibn Hemmad’s and others).
If the excuse
of distrusting Ibn Masud’s narration is the existence
of Mujalid within the series
of relators, the narration is related, in a number
of Shiite reference books
of hadith, to a series
of narrations other than Mujalid.
As-Saduq’s
Alikhtisas/233 and Al-Khezaz’s
Kifayetul Athar/73 and An-Numani’s
Al-Gheiba/106, record the narration intended.
Nevertheless, this matter does make no change for the judgment issued by the Sunnis; our brothers. The narration is given the degree
of (qualified with a rather doubtful narrator) whatever is proved!
Further, this degree seems to be obscure for the Sunnis, since the original problem
of Ibn Masud’s narration is evading adding ‘All shall be from Quraish.’ Erasure
of this statement makes readers understand that those coming godly imams would obligatorily be rulers succeeding the Prophet. This fact draws a big red circle on procedures
of Saqifa from which the Hashemites were absent and busy in preparing the funeral
of the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family)!!
Eighth: Contradiction of contexts of the three narrations.
Sunni reference books
of hadith record Jabir Bin Samara’s narration in two different forms, one
of which is accordant to Abu Juheifa’s. Ibn Masud had his own form
of narration. On that account, there are three forms
of the narration.
The first form
foreordains that those promised men shall be coming after the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family), and all shall be from Quraish. This context is in majority
of Jabir’s narrations. Sunni scholars, as forecited, decide authenticity
of this form. Al-Albani, likewise, decides authenticity
of this form and affixes it under No. 1075
of his series
of the authentic prophetic reports.
The second form
foretells that those twelve men shall be ruling after the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family), and all shall be from Quraish. It also tells that Islam shall be kept in power and protection as long as those men will be ruling. After that, it will be weak and humble and, finally, collapse.This form is mentioned by a number
of Jabir’s narrations and all
of Abu Juheifa’s. Most
of Sunni scholars decide its authenticity. Al-Albani affixes the form narrated by Jabir Bin Samara under number 376
of his series
of authentic hadiths. Abu Juheifa’s narration is decided as qualified. Ibn Masud’s is cited as a witness on authenticity
of the previous. Finally, Al-Albani refutes Abu Dawud’s additional wording in which he, as well as other scholars, affirms that the entire people
of this nation shall be loyal to those coming imams, and regards it as deniable.
The third form
establishes that those imams shall be coming after the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) in a way similar to the situation
of apostles
of Moses and Jesus (peace be upon them). This form evades mentioning ‘All shall be from Quraish.’ This is the form depended by most
of Ibn Masud’s narrations.Divergence and contrast are the most remarkable notes to be recorded on the various forms
of the narrations involved. This is not an easy or acceptable matter, especially in such a sort
of narrations. In addition, this contrast is hardly answerable since it exists in the different forms
of reports
of the same narrator.
Distortion in such reports, even said by an ordinary chief
of a group, is decisively adjudged; therefore, we should never accept such reports that assert the Prophet’s foretelling
of the coming
of unknown men, especially if we take in consideration stage and place
of addressing that prediction.
The main accusation is distortion
of the identity
of those twelve imams. The accused is none other than those who may gain advantage from hiding names and descriptions
of the promised ones. It is the ruling authorities who came to power just after the Prophet, and banished his progeny from area
of competition by holding a secret meeting while the Prophet’s household were engaged in the funeral
of the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family).
A neutral student may approach the fact by conceiving that divergence and contrast in forms
of these narrations are focused on a definite point, which is descriptions, identity, divine standing, lineage, age and period
of those promised imams.
This matter incites doubtfulness
of the entire forms
of the narrations depended by the Sunni reference books
of hadith. On the other hand, it involves authentication
of the concordant unanimous forms
of the narration accredited by the Shiite reference books
of hadith. All these forms assert the same matter; those twelve imams shall be his progeny, and more definitely, they are Ali, Al-Hassan, Al-Hussein and nine men from Al-Hussein’s
offspring (peace be upon them all).
Ninth: The twelve imams are not nominated according to means of election and declaration of fealty.
This is an indisputable affair. Since the Exalted Lord has chosen them for leadership, people’s obligation should be only complying with them. God says, (And it behooves not a believing man and a believing woman that they should have any choice in their matter when Allah and His Apostle have decided a matter.) Those imams acquire their legality from the Lord and the Possessor
of this nation, as well as the entire creatures. He is the Wise and the Aware
of His servants’ advantage. Positively, the Lord’s choice is more prosperous and obligatory than the servants’.
Like selecting prophets which does not necessitate election or declaration
of fealty, the twelve imams are selected by the Lord. Accordingly, obeying them is a mandatory duty. Similarly, even if people ignore, injure or kill a prophet, this should never harm his being divinely chosen and obligatorily conformed.
People’s general compliance with a prophet, is not more than a matter
of acknowledgment
of his obligatory obedience that is divinely mandated, and declaration
of corresponding to the Lord’s instructions.
On that account, people’s swearing allegiance to the prophets and their successors is a process
of submission and obligation to those persons’ right
of adherence. People affirm that right only. They do never constitute it.
This is the main reason beyond the Prophet’s ordering Muslims
of declaring fealty to him in the most remarkable curves in his nation’s history, so that he would affirm their obligatory obedience and compliance with him in good and bad, war and peace and favorable and detrimental circumstances.
For the same reason, the Prophet, after conveying the divine mandate
of Ali’s coming leadership in
Ghadir Khum, gave orders
of establishing a tent under which Ali would receive the entire Muslims who should
offer him congratulations on this divine leadership, before they declare fealty to him.
The divine choice has fallen. It does not require a public consultance or fealty. It only requires admission and congratulations. However, such declaration
of fealty would be obligatory upon people if the Prophet or Ali asked people to provide.
For this cause, the notion that the Prophet’s demand was only
offering congratulations, not swearing fealty, to Ali, is unpr
ofitable, since issuing the divine mandate
of nominating Ali for the next leadership, evacuated the public declaration
of fealty from its effective power, and, in the same time, restricted its value to admitting and committing to that divine affair whenever the Prophet or his successor asked for it.
The general rule in this regard is that people may have the option to choose their leaders and rulers -according to boundaries
of the Islamic legislation- only in case there is no previous divine mandate appertained to this point. In case the Lord has elected a leader, then the whole matter is settled, and none has the authority
of changing or altering. In other words, choice
of the public is meaningless unless they intend to philosophize before their Glorified Lord or opposes His instructions.
Tenth: The narrative’s dedication to Quraish has been thrown away by Omar.
An important notice should be recorded in this regard. Omar Bin Al-Khattab; the caliph, was the bearer
of the slogan that the Prophet’s succession should be in Quraish exclusively. In Saqifa, Omar disputed Ansar that Quraish; the Prophet’s tribe, were the most meritorious in holding his position and authority. He aimed at intercepting Ansar, in whose land and hospitality the Muslim Quraishis were living, from claiming their most meritoriousness
of holding the Prophet’s position and power since they were his supporters.
By such a tribal disputation, Omar took the round
of Saqifa, due to the Ansar’s discord despite the heavy protestation
of Sa’d Bin Ebada; their chief.
This very principal by which Omar gained leadership
of Muslims, was abandoned and thrown away by Omar himself. In his final hours, Omar asserted that he would have delivered leadership to Salim; the Persian slave
of Abu Hutheifa, had this man been alive!
Tarikhul Madina; 3/140:
Abdullah Bin Bureida: People advised Omar; the moribund stabbed, to nominate his successor. “Had one
of those two men been alive, I would have certainly delivered him this position with quite tranquillity and satisfaction. They are Abu Ubeida Bin Al-Jarrah and Salim; the slave
of Abu Hutheifa!
Majma’uzzawaid; 4/220:
Abu Rafi: Omar was inclined to Ibn Abbas when he said to his son and Sa’eed Bin Zeid: “You must recognize that I had issued no verdict about the ‘Kelala’-inheritance
of a person who has neither fathers nor sons-, and I have named none as my successor, and that the Arab captives are manumitted from the estates
of God -the public treasury-.”
“Like Abu Bakr, People shall certainly trust your option if you name any as the new caliph,” suggested Sa’eed. “As I noticed the excess care
of my companions, I am to ascribe this affair to those six individuals who had attained the Prophet’s satisfaction. I should be secure if I named one
of those two deceased; Salim; Abu Hutheifa’s servant, and Abu Ubeida Bin Al-Jarrah.”
Thus, Omar opened the door to Abu Hanifa and others for canceling the term that a leader
of the Islamic state should be Quraishi. Saljukians and Mamluks used such verdicts to come to power. For the very reason, the Ottomans adopted Abu Hanifa’s sect, and publicized his school
of jurisprudence. Depending on so, they named themselves ‘caliphs’ -successors
of the Prophet-.
WAHABISM AND TERM OF QURAISHI LEADERSHIP
We, the Imamite Shias, specify being one the Prophet’s progeny as a term
of holding leadership
of the Islamic state. This is proved by prophetic texts concerning the names, as well as the number,
of those leaders. For us, leadership is proved by a divine text only. Hence, the twelve imams are proved by Quranic and prophetic texts as leaders
of the Muslims.
Since the seal
of the imams; Al-Mahdi the Expected, is materially absent, leadership
of Muslims in this stage should be determined by his commitment. The imam’s representative should enjoy a number
of terms
of scholarship, justice and others. This representative is not stipulatorily an
offspring
of Quraish. In this point only, we agree practically, not hypothetically, with those who invalidate the term
of Quraishi leadership.
For the Zaidite Shias; our brothers, they do not dedicate imamate to those twelve imams. They extend it to include any scholar belongs, in lineage, to Ali and Fatima (peace be upon them). Hence, they specify being a Quraishi and Alawid, as a term
of holding position
of leadership
of the Islamic state.
Among the Sunni Muslims, there are some present scholars who agree with us on cancellation
of the term
of Quraishi leadership, according to verdicts
of Omar and Abu Hanifa. Other non-Arab Sunnis are more fanatic to Quraish than Omar himself. They are the masters
of Wahabism, such as Al-Albani who decides the authenticity
of the narrative reporting specifying the Quraishi leadership as a term. He affixes the narrative under the number 1552, and comments on page 70, part 4:
If Muslims are honest in working for reviving the Islamic state, they should show repentance to their Lord and keep hold on their religion and follow rulings
of the Sharia. Among these rulings is the term that leaders
of the Islamic state should be
offsprings
of Quraish. This term is familiar in books
of hadith and jurisprudence.
On page 7 part 3, Al-Albani decides the authenticity
of a narration showing obligation
of Quraishi leadership, and affixes it under number 1006. He then comments:
These authentic narrations refute, clearly, claims
of the old deviate parties, as well as the present authors and Islamic political ones, who invalidate the term
of the leader’s being Quraishi and Arab.
Moreover, a scholar bearing contention
of Islamic radicalism, authors a thesis named ‘The Islamic State’ in which he begins with specifying terms
of a caliph. He ignores totally the term
of the leader’s being Quraishi and Arab. So, he disregards the entire prophetic texts and verdicts that emphasized this term. When I reminded him
of this flaw, he just smiled and neglected providing any discussion. I wonder if he is one
of those previously cited, or he is lacking any subjective knowledge in this respect.
At any rate, each writer is required to seek the right in his writings, without being influenced by any political trend or party. A writer also should disregard accordance with the public.
Under number 1851, Al-Albani decides the authenticity
of another relation which is: (Caliphate should be to the Quraishis’, and judiciary should be to Ansar’s and solicitation should be to the Abyssinian.)
This verdict exposes that leaders
of the Islamic governments should be the
offsprings
of the various clans
of Quraish, and the ministers from the Ansar’s
offsprings, and the ministers
of religious affairs and mass media should be from Africa and, especially, Ethiopia! Obligation mentioned in the previous narration, due to which Al-Albani issue the verdict
of the rulers’ being Quraishi, treats leadership, ministration and solicitation equally.
Al-Albani misses the fact that jurisprudence
of a narration is more remarkable and favorable to its context. The Prophet is too elevated to issue such illogical laws. This narrative and its likes, if authenticated, reveals a definite previous stage
of Islam. It is not a perpetual law at all.
Eleventh: Exegesists’ blundering in explaining the twelve imams.
Being honest to that prophetic text, it is necessary to say that these twelve imams should come directly after the Prophet’s decease. This is necessitated by the Prophet’s phrase ‘after me.’ It does in no means refer to that they would rule after him (peace be upon him and his family). The text foretells
of their coming only, apart from being rulers or ruled. Furthermore, the forecited forms
of Jabir and Ibn Masud’s narratives refer to the matter that those imams would be disappointed and opposed by people that they would be taken away from power. This matter, as the texts divulge, would not injure them.
In At-Tabarani’s
Al-Mujamul Kabir, the following forms are cited:
“For this nation, there shall be twelve custodians whom shall never be influenced by those who will frustrate them.”
“From Quraish, there shall be twelve custodians whom shall never be injured
of enmity
of their opposers.”
This involves that there is no matter intercepts applying these forms to the twelve imams
of the Prophet’s progeny, even if they could not come to power. However, Ali and Al-Hassan could come to power. Sooner or later, Mahdi; the Expected, shall be eventually ruling. This fact is predicted by the Prophet; Al-Mahdi’s forefather.
Furthermore, narrations predict the events that would be falling after the ages
of those imams, indicate that they would be lasting for long ages. Some mention that confusion, bafflement and hypocrisy, which would be leading to collapse
of this nation, would be falling after their ages. Others refer that their age should be lasting along with the age
of this earth, and that with their termination, the earth would be foundering with its creatures.
This matter is supported by hypotheses
of the extension
of those imams’ age to the termination
of this earth. This meaning is mentioned in a number
of Shiite narratives.
Ab Salah Al-Halabi’s
Taqribul Maarif/173:
… Anas Bin Malik: The Prophet (peace be upon him) stated: This religion shall be prevailing as long as there will be twelve men from Quraish. If they pass away, the earth will be perishing with its inhabitants.
The same is recorded in
Alamul Wara/364.
This is accordant to the narratives recorded in our reference books
of hadith, regarding the extraordinary importance
of the existence
of the Lord’s conscript representative on this earth in every age.
Al-Kafi; 1/179 and 534
:Abu Hamza: I asked Abu Abdillah (peace be upon him) if the earth might proceed without the existence
of an imam. “If the earth may stand without an imam, it shall be perishing,” answered Abu Abdillah.
Correspondingly, the Prophet’s goal beyond providing the question
of the next twelve imams in the most remarkable congruity
of Muslims attending the Farewell Pilgrimage, was attracting people’s attentions towards those imams, had they only been lucky and followed them!!
Furthermore, it is most likely to refer to the twelve imams
of the Prophet’s progeny as the only men intended by the Prophet’s prediction. Any other reference is unacceptable for the many refuting questions.
Al-Kinji’s
Yenabiul Mawadda/446:
A number
of scholars state that the Prophet’s prediction
of the coming
of twelve successors is proved by the numerous ways
of relation. By identifying the ages and investigating the place, it is provable that the Prophet’s prediction was referring to the twelve imams
of his household and progeny. It is impracticable to refer to the realistic rulers who came to power as the intended in the Prophet’s prediction, since their number is less than twelve. In addition, it is impossible to refer to the Umayid rulers because they were more than twelve and they were excessive unjust and tyrants saving Omar Bin Abdul-Aziz. Besides, they were not Hashemites. According to Abdul-Melik’s narration, that is related to Jabir, the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) foretold that those imams would be from the Hashemites. The Prophet’s lowering his voice gives greater weight to this narrative since the Umayids were too short to resemble the Hashemites in leadership. At length, it is impracticable to identify the Abbasid kings as the rulers intended. Their number exceeds the one identified. Secondly, they did not revere God’s saying, (Say: I do not ask
of you any reward for it but love for my near relatives), and the Prophet’s hadith
of Kisa -the cloak-.
Correspondingly, it is constitutive to refer to the twelve imams
of the Prophet’s household and progeny as the intended in that prophetic prediction since they were the most knowledgeable, religious, godliest and most pious. Moreover, they were
of the best lineage and the best family tree. They are the most favorable to the Lord…
Hadith
of the two weighty things and the innumerable prophetic texts regarding the Prophet’s progeny’s merits support the meaning we have preceded.
In
Nahjul-Belagha, Ali (God honor his face) says:
Where are those who claimed being exclusively rooted in knowledge. It is we who are firmly rooted in knowledge exclusively. They claim such a fabrication due to their envying us, since Allah has raised us and humiliated them, and endowed us and withheld them, and admitted us and dismissed them… By us the guidance is sought, and by us blindness is discharged. After me, there shall come to you an age during which nothing shall be more hidden than the right, and nothing shall be more evident than the wrong, and nothing greater than forging lies against Allah and His Apostle (peace be upon him and his family). For people
of that age, there shall be nothing more slumping than the Divine Book when written in the most appropriate form, and there shall be nothing more pr
ofitable than it when distorted. In the lands, there shall be nothing more forbidden than the good, and nothing more acceptable than the evil. You should know that you will not realize the guidance unless you realize its neglecters, and you will not keep the covenant
of the Divine Book unless you realize its violators, and you will not adhere to it unless you realize its scorners. Therefore, look for that at its real people. They are the life
of knowledge, and the death
of ignorance. It is they whose wisdom tells
of their knowledge, and whose silence tells
of their eloquence, and whose appearance tells
of their hidden. They never transgress the religion nor do they engage in discrepancies about it. Among them, the religion is an incessant honest witness, and silent and speaking.
Unfortunately, majority
of the Sunni exegesists reject this explanation and warn their followers against being convinced by the Shias’ claiming that the intended men in the Prophet’s prediction are the twelve imams
of the Prophet’s progeny. They confess before their partisans that the prediction is wholly authentic, but you should never accept the Shias’ explanation since we, God willing, will find an authentic one!!
Up to now, Sunnis could not provide any persuasive explanation to the Prophet’s prediction. They attempted to apply the twelve imams predicted to the caliphs who ruled after the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family). They referred to the four Rashidite caliphs, Abdullah Bin Az-Zubeir, series
of kings
of the Sufians, the Marwans, the Abbasids… etc. They may refer to the Umayid rulers who ruled Andalusia , Seljukians, Memluks, Ottomans…etc.
When they feel that the number exceeded the intended one, they turn their faces towards hypotheses and pick up the best
of the Umayid and Abbasid caliphs for giving them the characteristics
of the godly imams. They decide some names and reject others in such a personal way purposed only for fitting the number predicted. As others could not attain the number involved, they claim
of coming rulers.
Most surely, such applications would never stop or rely upon a ground. It is an impossible to take since it is trivial to have the competency
of choosing twelve leaders among tens, and claim their being godly leaders selected by the Exalted Lord and predicted by the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family).
For the following reasons, Sunni scholars should have not born such an unattainable task:
First
, since those promised godly imams are selected by the Lord, they should be having the same path and goal. They should be leading to the same path supported by the guidance
of the Lord and His Apostle. The leaders chosen by the Sunni scholars were so discordant that they fought each other. It is completely impossible for prophets or divinely selected leaders to fight each other. It is impossible for them to assail, rule
of aberrance or atheism, slay, abbacinate or amputate the limbs
of each other.A reading to history
of struggle
of power between the Umayids and the Abbasids, reveals this nullity
of the Sunni presuppositions.
Second
, Sunni scholars attach a quality to the rulers
of which they themselves did not claim. Hence, they become partisans
of that authority. None
of those authorities did claim being a divinely chosen leader.Had any
of them been a godly imam selected by the Lord as a representative or ruler, they themselves would have referred to this elevated standing. It is impossible to be a godly choice without realizing this standing. None
of those caliphs claimed being elected by the Lord exclusively. Imams
of the Prophet’s progeny affirmed their being selected and identified by the Lord.
Third
, we have already referred to the point that the Prophet did not mention that those imams should be ruling or coming to power after him. Therefore, it is unnecessary for the Sunni scholars to commit themselves to opting for the twelve promised imams from among the rulers only. Being bound by an unnecessary question leads to engagement in an unanswerable matter.
Fourth
, most
of those recorded in the list
of the divinely selected imams,
of whom it was predicted, are actually accursed by the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family). How is it then admissible for the Lord to be represented by individuals accursed by His Prophet?! Similarly, how is it acceptable for the Exalted Lord to curse individuals and dismiss them from His mercy for their wickedness, and then select them or their sons as godly imams that guide His servants and rule His lands?!In the Sunni reference books
of hadith, it is proved that the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) had cursed Al-Hakam and his son; Marwan, and banished them out
of Al-Madina till the reign
of Othman who canceled the decision. It is also recorded that the Prophet had cursed Abu Sufian and his two sons when he saw them drive a camel.
[7]As a matter
of fact, this is a long matter full
of witnesses and evidences. Yet, partisans
of the Umayids cannot stand it; therefore, we’d better leave it.
For the previous reasons, the Sunni scholars had more than thirty contrary sayings regarding the identification
of the twelve godly imams whom were predicted by the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family).
It seems that the foremost saying in this regard is that
of Abu Hatem Bin Hebban which is recorded in
Awnul Mabud Fi Sharhi Suneni Abi Dawud; 11/361:
Regarding the twelve promised imams, a group, among whom is Abu Hatem Bin Hebban, suppose that those twelve men are sealed by Omar Bin Abdil-Aziz. They are the four Rashidite caliphs, Muawiya, Yazid, Muawiya Bin Yazid, Marwan Bin Al-Hakam, Abdul-Melik, Al-Walid Bin Abdil-Melik, Suleiman Bin Abdil-Melik and Omar Bin Abdil-Aziz whose death was in 100 A.H.
This ‘Umayid’ exegesis is repealed by the scholars who adored the Abbasids. They added some
of the Abbasid caliphs to the promised imams and deleted some, if not all,
of the Umayids.
It is noticeable that this saying erase the name
of Mahdi from the list while he is promised through prophetic texts authenticated by them. Besides, Mahdi is included in his forefather’s saying, “After me, there shall come twelve imams.”
They also erased the name
of imam Al-Hassan who ruled for six months and admitted by the entire Muslims except the Syrian. The succeeding scholars added his name to the twelve imams.
Since the Prophet affirmed that Al-Hassan and Al-Hussein are leaders -imams- whether they proceed or stand still, those scholars should have added their names to the list.
On the other hand, Ibn Hebban’s supposition affixes the name
of Yazid Bin Muawiya in the list, and reckons him with the godly imams
of whom the Prophet foretold!! This grade is not expected by Yazid himself, or his sane adorers who, incessantly, spare no effort for proving his being Muslim and not apostate which is proved by his personal statements. They also exert all efforts to convince people that Yazid was not deviant, since he had committed those awful crimes in Karbala, and plundered Al-Madina and gave orders
of demolishing Kaba; the Sacred House
of God.
They also entered the name
of Muawiya Bin Yazid (Muawiya II). This man was given the leadership after his father. He addressed only unique sermon in which he acquited himself from the evildoing
of his father and grandfather, and affirmed that leadership is a legal right
of Ali (peace be upon him), and that Muawiya had wronged him and usurped his right. Finally, he declared his abdication. The Umayids assassinated him.
Had this man realized his being one
of the twelve awaited imams, he would not have abdicated the power and exposed himself to be assassinated by his the tyrant royal family.
Likewise, this supposition is contrary to Safina’s narration regarding identifying the Prophet’s succession to thirty years followed by despot kingship. Hadithists and exegesists authenticate and regard this narration.
Any attempt to pursuing the master scholars’ words respecting this holy prophetic text takes very much time. However, similarity
of their words makes it easier. All
of their words, in fact, have been going round the pivot
of the Umayid exegesis.
The following are models
of their words and their answers:
As-Suyouti’s
Tarikhul Khulefa/10:
Eyadh; the judge says: Probably, the twelve men mentioned in the prophetic texts and their narrations are those during whose reigns authority is well preserved, and Islam is well protected and congruity is well kept. These matters had been falling till the disorder and sedition in the reign
of Al-Walid Bin Yazid up to the Abbasid revolution and coming to power. The Abbasids massacred the Umayids.
Ibn Hajar: Words
of Eyadh are the best and the most preferable essay in this regard. They are supported by the Prophet’s saying, “All shall be unanimously admitted by people.” This narration is related to some authentic series
of narrators.
(The author) Accordingly, the twelve successors are identified. They are the four Rashidite caliphs, Al-Hassan, Muawiya, Ibnuz-Zubeir and Omar Bin Abdul-Aziz. These are eight. Probably, Al-Muhtedi; the just Abbasid caliph, is included since he was as same as Omar Bin Abdil-Aziz; the Umayid. The two Expected remain. One
of them is Mahdi; the
offspring
of Mohammed (peace be upon him).
As-Suyouti and Ibn Hajar regard the statement, “All shall be unanimously admitted by people,” which is an additional unproved remark. Al-Albani; the Wahabist, and many others decide the doubtfulness
of that statement.
Besides, they violate Safina’s narration which is completely authentic for them. In this narration, the Prophet allocates the period
of thirty years as his succession. Accordingly, eleven rulers in a period
of thirty years will be the required, and the process
of selecting among the Umayid and the Abbasid rulers will be void.
Furthermore, As-Suyouti’s referring to the words
of Ibn Eyad and Ibn Hajar was not accurate, in fact. Ibn Hajar’s words, in which he dedicates the first twelve Umayid rulers, were neglected. “The twelfth is Al-Walid Bin Yazid Bin Abdul-Melik,” Ibn Hajar decides. Meanwhile, As-Suyouti stops at eight Umayid rulers only. Two Abbasid rulers are added.
The errors committed by As-Suyouti in the field
of his dishonest excerpt
of Ibn Hajar’s words are evidently shown in the following sections quoted from
Fatihul-Bari:
Ibn Bettal: Ibnul-Muhellab: No single scholar could give a definite opinion in this regard. Some claim succession
of the twelve promised successors. Others claim their being in the same time, each proclaims leadership. The most accepted matter in this regard is that the Prophet wants to refer to the coming vicissitude that people shall be following twelve men, each claims leadership, in the same time. This fact is proved by that the Prophet (peace be upon him) does not mention any
of these twelve leaders’ acts.
(Ibn Hajar) The previous words show that the writer ignores the various ways
of relating the narration, and stops on that precised form mentioned in Al-Bukhari’s. We have formerly referred to the different forms
of relating this narration, recorded by Muslim and others, in which the characteristic
of Islam’s being fortified and mighty is earmarked.
In other forms, it is said that people, unanimously, shall be obeying those successors.
Abu Dawud records: Jabir Bin Samara: This religion shall be perpetually kept till the end
of the ruling
of twelve leaders whom shall be followed by people unanimously.
(Ibn Hajar) At-Tabarani records this form, too. He relates it to Al-Aswad Bin Sa’eed, to Jabir Bin Samara, with the following addition: (They shall not be injured by the malicious ones.)
Eyadh summarizes this perplexity.
Two questions are arisen from the number defined in the Prophet’s saying:
First, the saying is contradicted by the extrinsic meaning
of Safina’s narration admitted and authenticated by the grand hadithists, such as Ibn Habban and others. The narration says: “For thirty years after me, there shall be my succession. It shall be followed by monarchy.” These thirty years were ruled by the four Rashidite caliphs and Al-Hassan Bin Ali.
Second, more than twelve rulers did come to power after the Prophet.
As an answer to the first question, it may be said that the succession intended in Safina’s narration is dedicated to the Prophet’s succession. While in Jabir Bin Samara’s, this is not proposed.
About the second, the Prophet’s form does not block the fact that more than twelve men would be ruling, since the number mentioned leads to peculiarity
of persons. Lest, the intended are the deserved just rulers. Four
of them have passed away. The others shall be indisputably coming before the Judgment Day.
Other forms say that those twelve shall be coming, and each will be followed by a group
of people. This did befall in Andalusia in the fifth century when six men, each claimed leadership, rose in the same time. at the same time, the ruler
of Egypt, the Abbasid ruler in Baghdad, the other Alawid and Kharijite leaders were claiming leadership. This explanation is also supported by Muslim’s narration: “There shall be numerous leaders.”
At any rate, it is probable that the twelve intended are ruling in the golden period
of Islam. This meaning is supported by some forms
of the hadith, such as: “All shall be unanimously followed by people.” Till Al-Walid Bin Yazid’s reign when people were engaged in seditious matters, the Prophet’s successors were followed by people unanimously. This disorder lasted till the Abbasids could come to power and massacre the Umayids. Correspondingly, the number befell. After all, there are other probabilities.
(Ibn Hajar) Al-Muhellab opts for the second probability, which is the befalling
of the twelve rulers in the same time. Previously, we have referred to the answer
of this question. Their being coming in the same time is sufficiently enough to prove their animosity; therefore, their unanimity is not materialized.
The following narrative contradicts Abu Dawud’s inaccuracy:
Ahmed and Al-Bezar: Ibn Masud: We asked the Prophet about the number
of his successors. “They shall be twelve, like the Israelite leaders,” answered the Prophet (peace be upon him).
This is a qualified hadith, with a rather doubtful narrator.
In his
Keshful Mushkil, Ibnul-Jawzi says: I spared no efforts for scrutinizing this various formed prophetic saying, but, unfortunately, I could not attain a convincing answer. Undoubtedly, the confusion was caused by the narrators. Later on, I noticed Al-Khattabi refer to an opinion that I have recently decided. Besides, Abul-Hassan Bin Al-Munadi and others had their own opinions.
This refers to the incidents falling after the reign
of the Prophet and his companions, since both are interrelated. This is a signal to the number
of the Umayid caliphs. This is the meaning
of his saying, “This religion shall be kept fortified till the end
of the ruling
of twelve successors.” Then, he moves to a more rigorous characteristic.
The Umayids begin with Yazid Bin Muawiya and end with Marwan Al-Himar (the donkey). They are thirteen. Othman, Muawiya and Ibnuz-Zubair are omitted since they were within the Prophet’s companions. Marwan Bin Al-Hakam is also omitted since it is doubtful whether he was a companion or not, or since he overcame after people had been unanimously following Abdullah Ibnuz-Zubair. On that account, the number is concordant.
As the Umayids lost their control on power, seditious matters and massacres fell till the Abbasids could rule. Thus, manners came into a new stage.
This opinion is supported by the narration recorded by Abu Dawud and related to Ibn Masud: The hand-mills
of Islam shall be coming around for thirty five -or six or seven- years. If people perish, they will pursue their formers. If their religion is constituted, this will last for no more than seven years.
*This opinion is repudiated by the fact that stability
of the Umayid region lasted for more than ninety years, since it began in the year 41 A.H, when Muawiya came to power unanimously, till the first
of the year 132, when Marwan Bin Mohammed was assassinated.
In the volume in which he compiles reports regarding Mahdi, Abul-Hussein Bin Al-Munadi supposes that the twelve intended shall be coming after the ruling
of Mahdi. He adds, “In the book
of Daniel, I could find the following: ‘As Mahdi is deceased, five men from the
offspring
of the elder grandson will be ruling after him. They will be succeeded by five men from the
offspring
of the younger grandson. Their last shall be nominating a man from the
offspring
of the elder grandson as his successor. His son shall be coming to power after him.’ They shall be twelve kings, each shall be Mahdi.”
Abu Salih relates the following narration to Ibn Abbas:
Mahdi is named Mohammed Bin Abdillah. He shall be a giant reddish man. By him God shall relieve every misfortune
of this nation. His justice shall be dismissing every wrong. After him, twelve men shall rule; six from Al-Hassan’s
offspring, and five from Al-Hussein’s. The last shall be from another lineage. When he is deceased, matters will be corrupted.
Kabul-Ahbar: There shall be twelve Mahdis. Afterwards, the Spirit
of Allah shall descend to kill the Impostor.”
Another probability is that the intended are twelve just rulers who will come along the period
of Islam, no matter their reigns will be successive or not. This opinion is supported by Abul-Jald’s narration, related by Abu Bahr and recorded in Musedded’s
Al-Musnedul Kabir: “This nation shall not be perished before the ruling
of twelve successors, who will be acting by the divine guidance and the right belief, befalls. Two
of them shall be from Mohammed’s household, one
of whom will be living for forty years while the other will be lasting for thirty.”
Correspondingly, the disorder intended to be controlling after so, is the matters preceding the Judgment Day, such as the issue
of the Impostor, Gog and Magog till the end
of this world.
These were words
of Ibnul-Jawzi, precisely.
(Ibn Hajar) The first and last opinions have been previously discussed by Eyadh. This seems that Ibnul-Jawzi has not reviewed them.
Generally, a number
of opinions can be referred to from the previous discussions. The third is the most acceptable since it is supported by the authentic forms
of the narrative mentioning that ‘All shall be unanimously followed by people.’
Unanimity intended means that people succumb to their leadership. People, as a matter
of fact, obeyed the leadership
of Abu Bakr, Omar, Othman and Ali respectively, till the incident
of the two arbiters in Siffin. As a result, Muawiya was nominated as the caliph. After the armistice
of Al-Hassan, people followed Muawiya. They followed Yazid; the son, afterwards. Al-Hussein could not attain leadership since he was killed before that. After Yazid, disorder emerged and lasted till the assassination
of Ibnuz-Zubair and the ruling
of Abdul-Melik Bin Marwan. His four sons; Al-Walid, Suleiman, Yazid and Husham, were followed unanimously. Omar Bin Abdul-Aziz could come to power after Suleiman and before Yazid. Those are seven rulers after the four Rashidite ones. The twelfth is Al-Walid Bin Yazid Bin Abdil-Melik who was unanimously followed after the death
of Husham; his uncle. He ruled for about four years. Then, people mutinied and killed him. Since then, seditious matters came forth. People did not follow a single caliph after so. Yazid Bin Al-Walid, who rebelled against Al-Walid Bin Yazid; his cousin, could not control leadership for a considerable time. Marwan Bin Mohammed Bin Marwan revolted against Yazid. Ibrahim, who came to power after Yazid, was defeated by Marwan. The Abbasids revolted and could kill Marwan.
In addition to the great number
of the groups who mutinied against Abul-Abbas As-Seffah; the first Abbasid caliph, he could not control power for long. Al-Mansur; his brother, grasped power for a long time despite that he lost the furthest west
of his kingdom which was controlled by the
offspring
of Marwan in Andalusia. They kept on controlling these territories till they were formally nominated as caliphs. This was followed by a disorder all over the kingdom. The caliph became no more than a name in some territories. This is quite contracted to the reign
of Abdul-Melik Bin Marwan when he controlled the entire countries
of the lands conquered by the Muslims. A look to their history proves these facts.
In due course, the disorder intended stands for the massacres spreadingly committed due to these seditious incidents. Unfortunately, it has been increasing.
Al-Hussein Bin Al-Munadi’s opinion is, indeed, not that clear since it is contradicted At-Tabarani’s following narrative related to Qeis Bin Jabir As-Sudefi, who relates it to his fathers: “After me, there shall be successors followed by rulers. Those rulers shall be followed by kings whom shall be followed by tyrants. Thereafter, a man from my household shall approach. He shall fill the lands with justice, as they were filled in with inequity. Then, son
of Qahtan will be given the orders. By Him Who messaged me with the right I swear, he shall not be less than him.”
This narrative refutes Ibnul-Munadi’s narrative quoted from Daniel’s book.
Likewise, Abu Salih and Kab’s opinions are extremely inapplicable.
The most appropriate matter in this regard is considering the actual meaning
of ‘after’ mentioned in the Prophet’s saying: “After me, there shall be twelve successors.” Thusly, the entire rulers who succeeded the Prophet (peace be upon him) were fourteen persons, beginning with As-Siddiq and ending with Omar Bin Abdul-Aziz. Two
of those fourteen were
of void leadership and short reign. They were Muawiya Bin Yazid and Marwan Bin Al-Hakam. The others were twelve, as the Prophet had predicted. Omar Bin Abdil-Aziz died in 101 A.H. After him, affairs
of the Islamic nation were confused. Hence, the first century, which was the best, came to its end.
The Prophet’s saying, “They will be unanimously followed by people,” does not controvert this opinion, since it fits the majority. Except for Al-Hassan Bin Ali and Abdullah Bin Az-Zubair, this characteristics were existed in the entire successors. Leadership
of these two was valid. Meritoriousness
of those who dissented them was still invalid till Al-Hassan delivered the leadership and Abdullah Bin Az-Zubair was assassinated. God, however, is the most knowledgeable.
Almostly, affairs
of the state were normal during reigns
of these twelve leaders despite the fact that some irregular incidents had occurred. These irregular incidents, however, are rare if measured to the normal.
Ibn Hebban discusses the meaning
of the narrative: “The hand-mills
of Islam shall be coming around…” He states:
The narrative refers to the Umayids’ receiving the leadership. The first point at which the Umayids grasped the leadership
of Muslims was during Muawiya’s mutiny against Ali in Siffine and the arrangements
of arbitration. Since then, the Umayids came to power for seventy years. In the year 106, the first waves
of the Abbasids appeared in Khurasan… Ibn Hebban discusses this point so detailedly that he committed many errors. First, he claims the occurrence
of the arbitration in the last days
of 36 A.H. This is unlike what historians agree upon. In fact, the arbitration occurred few months after the battle
of Siffine. That was in 37 A.H…
From the above, we can obviously see Ibn Hajar opt for an opinion different from that As-Suyouti ascribed to him. Therewith, we should understand that As-Suyouti has not read the whole words
of Ibn Hajar, or rule As-Suyouti’s forging lies. We have also noticed the perplexity and great number
of the contrary probabilities they have shown during discussing the Prophet’s words about the twelve coming successors. Most
of them have betaken the addition, “they shall be unanimously followed by people,” as an axis for their discussions. This addition, however, is not authentic. A good deal
of scholars deny it. Eyadh decides nothing. He uses the idioms ‘it is said’ and ‘it is probable’ in referring to the different probabilities
of interpreting the prophetic saying. Ibn Hajar opts for the third probability. He says, “The third probability discussed by the judge is the most acceptable…”
In abstract, scholars lead the reader to nowhere while they do their best to explain the prophetic prediction which is, for them, authentic that carries a good tidings
of the advent
of twelve godly imams, guides and custodians in this nation. Scholars insist on suiting the saying to the Umayid rulers. They also mix it to an additive inauthentic and doubtful statement. Besides, the addition is meaningless and far away from the Prophet’s rhetoric.
For more examples on their misguidance in finding an acceptable exegesis for the Prophet’s prediction, readers can notice
Awnul Mabud; 11/362-4:Some scholars state that four
of the twelve successors passed away. Before the Judgment day, the number shall be perfected. Others claim those twelve leaders’ occurring in the same time that each shall be followed by a group. At-Turbeshti states that the only way to interpret this prophetic saying and its likes is considering the just leaders only, since those are the only persons who deserve to be named caliphs. It is not necessary for them to be successive, lest, the metaphorical meaning should be the intended. The previous words are quoted from
Al-Mirqat.
In his
Qurratul Einein Fi Tafdhili Sheikhein, Waliyullah; the grand scholar states:
A perplexity occurred during explaining the Prophet’s saying, “This religion shall be kept triumphed till God conveys twelve successors from Quraish.” The problem is that the saying is concordant to the Ithnasharites who decide twelve imams as their leaders.
Indisputably, the Prophet’s words are similar to the Quranic texts that interpret each other. Ibn Masud, authentically, relates the following prophetic saying; “The hand-mills
of Islam shall be coming around for thirty five -or six or seven- years. If people perish, they will pursue their formers. If their religion is constituted, this will last for not more than seven years.”
Many mistakes have been committed during explaining this prophetic saying. The following is our inferral conclusion:
This period begins from the second year
of Hijra -the Prophet’s immigration to Yathrib-; year
of jihad. Accordingly, the Prophet’s prediction came true. In the thirty fifth years
of jihad, Othman’s assassination befell and Muslims were engaged in discrepancies. God; the Exalted, adjusted the Muslims’ affairs afterwards, and the jihad continued till the coming
of the Abbasid state, and the eradication
of the Umayids…
Once, the Prophet (peace be upon him) foretells
of the succession
of the prophecy. He dedicates thirty years. The next years are named despotic monarchy. Once more, he foretells
of his succession and names it the twelve successors…
For attaining the final result in this question, it is advisable to consider Muawiya, Abdul-Melik, his four sons, Omar Bin Abdul-Aziz and Al-Walid Bin Yazid Bin Abdul-Melik after the four Rashidite caliph.
It is said that Malik; the master scholar, considers Abdullah Bin Az-Zubair as more meritorious in leadership. We have our own opinion in this concern. Omar Bin Al-Khattab and Othman Bin Affan (God please them) mentioned that Abdullah Bin Az-Zubair’s revolution and violation against the Holy Precinct should be one
of the catastrophes in the Islamic nation. Ahmed records this saying and refers it to Qeis Bin Abi Hazim:
As Abdullah Bin Az-Zubair asked Omar Bin Al-Khattab’s permitting him to participate in the battle, the latter said, “Sit in your house! You have participated in the Prophet’s battles.” As Abdullah insisted on his demand, Omar said to him, “You should keep yourself in your house! By God I swear, I am about to see your companions and you revolt in the boarders
of Al-Madina, and you will injure Mohammed’s companions.”
This narration is recorded by Al-Hakim.
We can conceive that the battle
of Jamal is not intended in Omar’s saying, since he signified ‘in the boarders
of Al-Madina.’
This very meaning was clarified in Ali’s words addressed in the story
of the answer
of Al-Hassan (God please him). Hence, he could not manage the affairs
of the state.
For the unsettlement
of his reign and his ill manners, Yazid Bin Muawiya can not be reckoned with those twelve successors.
Despite the fact that the writer
ofQurratul Einein confesses that the Umayid reign was despotic monarchy and their state was not the Prophet’s succession, he considers them during interpreting the Prophet’s saying. He applies the prophetic prediction
of the coming
of twelve godly imams, who shall be divine custodians on the Prophet’s nation. Secondly, he erases the names
of Al-Hassan Bin Ali and Mahdi from the list. He also erases the name
of Abdullah Bin Az-Zubair while Malik; the master scholar, and others register him.
At any rate, the man criticizes those who committed mistakes in interpreting the hadith: “Many mistakes have been committed during explaining this prophetic saying.” As he promises people to eradicate the problem and solve the question, he makes it worse!
The following are Ibn Kutheir’s words, recorded in his
Al-Bidaya Wen Nihaya, 3/248:
The twelve expected successors, who shall be from Quraish, are not those claimed by the Rafidites. Except for Ali Bin Abi Talib and Al-Hassan; his son, none
of those could attain the Muslims’ leadership. The last
of them is, as they claim, Mahdi the Expected, who is hiding in a vault in Samarra. He has neither existence, trace nor pace.
In fact, the twelve predicted successors are the four imams; Abu Bakr, Omar, Othman and Ali (God please them), and Omar Bin Abdul-Aziz, on whom the two parties
of the scholars agree.
Probably, Ibn Kutheir intends the two opinions about the consecutive ruling
of those successors. However, each party has many opinions he has referred to some. Thereafter, he refers to the probabilities. He focuses lights on Al-Beihaqi’s discussions in this regard:
Al-Beihaqi, supported by a group
of scholars, opts for the opinion that the twelve successors are those successively came to power after the Prophet (peace be upon him). Their seal is Al-Walid Bin Yazid Bin Abdul-Melik; the villainous, the bad manners
of whom we have already discussed.
This is problematic. For discussing so, we should say that the ruling
of the first four caliphs; Abu Bakr, Omar, Othman and Ali are undiscussible for Safina’s narrative: “My succession shall be lasting for thirty years.” After them comes Al-Hassan Bin Ali. Ali nominated him as his heir apparent. People
of Iraq declared their fealty to him and accompanied him in the fighting against people
of Syria till he signed the peace treaty with Muawiya. These incidents are proved by the narrative
of Abu Bakra in Al-Bukhari’s
Sahih. Muawiya comes next. Yazid Bin Muawiya, Muawiya Bin Yazid, Marwan Bin Al-Hakam, Abdul-Melik Bin Marwan, Al-Walid Bin Abdul-Melik come next successively. These are fifteen persons. Finally comes Al-Walid Bin Yazid Bin Abdil-Melik. Supposing Abdullah Bin Az-Zubeir’s period
of ruling before Abdul-Melik is considered, they will be sixteen persons. Anyhow, before Omar Bin Abdul-Aziz, they are twelve. Accordingly, Yazid Bin Muawiya is considered, and Omar is taken out. The entire Muslims, including the Rafidites, agree on the fact that Omar Bin Abdul-Aziz’s reign was the best in justice. They praised him eminently and reckoned him with the Rashidite caliphs.
Providing the leaders unanimously followed by people are considered, Ali Bin Abi Talib and his son should be taken out. The Syrian entirely did not declare their fealty to those two men. Similarly, Muawiya, Yazid Bin Muawiya, Muawiya Bin Yazid, Marwan and Abdullah Bin Az-Zubair should not be considered for the same reason.
On that account, Abu Bakr, Omar, Othman, Muawiya, Yazid Bin Muawiya, Abdul-Melik, Al-Walid Bin Suleiman, Omar Bin Abdul-Aziz, Yazid and Husham should be considered. These are ten. They are followed by Al-Walid Bin Yazid Bin Abdil-Melik; the villainous. This is unacceptable since it leads to taking Ali and Al-Hassan; his son, out
of those twelve predicted successors. This is contrary to the Sunnis’ texts, as well as the Shias’. Furthermore, it is contrary to Safina’s narrative: “For thirty years after me, there shall be my succession. It shall be followed by monarchy.” Safina, besides, mentions in detail these thirty years. He allots the reigns
of the four Rashidite caliphs. The six month period
of Al-Hassan’s reign is considered, too. After that, Monarchy became Muawiya’s. That occurred when Al-Hassan Bin Ali delivered the leadership to him. This narrative materializes the fact that Muawiya should not be described as a caliph, and that caliphate was sealed after the thirty year period. This does not deny the existence
of Rashidite caliphs thereafter. Jabir Bin Samara’s narrative evidences this fact.
…Hutheifa Bin Al-Yeman stated, “After Othman, there shall be twelve kings from sons
of Umaya.” “They are caliphs, aren’t they?” they asked. “No, they are kings,” answered Hutheifa.
… Abul-Jald states, “This nation shall not be perished before the ruling
of twelve successors, who will be acting by the divine guidance and the right belief, befalls. Two
of them shall be from the household
of Mohammed, one
of whom will be living for forty years while the other for thirty.”
Al-Beihaqi then refutes Abul-Jald’s words in unacceptable way and words. This is strange from Al-Beihaqi. A good deal
of scholars agree with Abul-Jald. His saying seems to be the most preferable among our opinions. The man was wont to read the old books. This meaning is recorded in the Torah that is with the Jews: “God; the Exalted, did foretell Abraham
of the birth
of Samuel. He did foretell that He would grow and increase his progeny, and would choose twelve great persons from his
offspring.”
Ibn Kutheir refers to what is inscribed in the real Torah - the Old and New Testament 1/25-:
18- Abraham said to the Lord: Make Samuel live before Thee.
19- The Lord said: Sara; your lady, will give birth
of a son you will call Isaaq. I will constitute my eternal covenant with him and his
offspring.
20- Regarding Samuel, I respond your supplication. I will bless and fruit him. I will grow him so largely. Twelve chiefs he shall bear. I will make him a great nation.
21- But My covenant I constitute with Isaaq whom will be given birth by Sara, this time, the next year.
Instead
of ‘chief’, Kabul-Ahbar translated the word into ‘custodian’. Others translated it into ‘imams’.
Hence, the text exists in the Torah, the Sunni’s books and the Shias’ book. It supports the good tidings
of our Prophet (peace be upon him and his family). At any rate, it does not settle the problem
of the Sunni exegesists. On the contrary, it makes it more complicated.
Ibnul-Arabi; the Malikite, died in 543 A.H., is seen as the smartest and fairest among the Sunni exegesists. In his
Aridhatul Ahwadi Fi Sharhi Sahihit Tirmithi, the scholar admits that any application
of the prophetic prediction takes to a dead-end way. Hence, he confesses that there must have been an addition to the saying since the present text is meaningless.
Jabir Bin Samara: The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “After me, there shall come twelve princes; all shall be from Quraish.” This is an authentic hadith.
As we consider the rulers after the Prophet, we find the following: Abu Bakr, Omar, Othman, Ali, Al-Hassan, Muawiya, Yazid, Muawiya Bin Yazid, Marwan, Abdul-Melik, Marwan Bin Mohammed Bin Marwan, As-Seffah, Al-Mansour, Al-Mahdi, Al-Hadi, Ar-Rashid, Al-Amin, Al-Mamoun, Al-Mutasim, Al-Wathiq, Al-Mutawakil, Al-Muntasir, Al-Mustain, Al-Mutaz, Al-Muhtadi, Al-Mutadid, Al-Muktafi, Al-Muqtadir, Al-Qahir, Ar-Radi, Al-Mutteqi, Al-Mustekfi, Al-Muti, At-Taii, Al-Qadir, Al-Qaim and Al-Muqtedi whom I caught in the year 484. He nominated Al-Mustedhir; the son, as his heir apparent. He dies in Muharram, 486. Al-Mustedhir nominated his son; Abu Mansur Al-Fadhl as his heir apparent. That was in 495.
Supposing twelve
of them are allotted, the number will stop at Suleiman Bin Abdil-Melik. Regarding the meaning is considered, we have only five persons; the four Rashidite caliphs and Omar Bin Abdil-Aziz. Hence, I cannot perceive a definite meaning for the prophetic saying. Probably, it is a part
of a prophetic text.
From the above, we can conclude that the Sunni scholars spared no efforts for the sake
of applying the twelve men whom are promised in the Torah by Abraham, and predicted by our Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) on the Umayid rulers. As a matter
of fact, they faced three principal unsolved problems:
First, the number
of those (successors) is more than twelve. However, they confess that those men are not the Prophet’s successors. Hence, they had to face the waves
of opting and selecting depending on no objective criterion.
Second, they feel that that divine apparel does never fit their acquaintances. And that their attempts to defend those rulers’ acrs, who are not real successors
of the Prophet, and covering up their deeds are nonsense since some
of them committed fatal hideous mistakes and ill deeds. Thus, it is impracticable to consider such persons as godly leaders and great custodians on this nation that God; the Exalted, has foretold
of their coming by the seal
of His prophets.
Third, by this claim, scholars place those rulers in a divine position they themselves did not claim. Hence, they became as same as that who claims somebody’s prophecy while that somebody denies it.
Lastly, the Sunni exegesists warn their fellows not to regard the Shiite exegeses. They promise them to find, sooner or later, an exegesis more suitable than the Shias’. Previously, we have seen how the Sunni scholars could not forward a single step for finding a convincing exegesis for the Prophet’s prediction
of the twelve imams.
It is rightful for Sunnis to ask the scholars for a persuasive interpretation for the Prophet’s authentic prediction
of the coming twelve godly imams who will be divinely directed and unique in knowledge, character and behavior, and will be custodians
of the same guidance and trend.
In like manner, we are quite rightful to depend on our own interpretation, which is defining the immaculate imams
of the Prophet’s household as the persons intended in the Prophet’s prediction. Those imams begin with Ali and ends with the Expected Mahdi (peace be upon them). The Prophet said, “With us the Lord begins and with us He seals.” Most truthful are the words
of God and His Apostle.
EXEGESISTS’ INVOLVEMENT IN SAFINA’S NARRATIVE
Safina is the bondservant
of Ummu Salama. Scholars decide his uthenticity in communicating the Prophet’s sayings. Like Al-Bukhari, a many hadithists depend on his narratives especially those related to the topic involved.
At-Tirmithi’s, 3/341:
Sa’eed: Safina: The Prophet (peace be upon him) stated: “In my nation, the succession shall be lasting for thirty years, and shall be followed by despotic monarchy.”
Safina commentates: If you account the reign
of Abu Bakr, Omar, Othman and Ali, they shall be thirty years.
Sa’eed: The Umayids claim their succeeding the Prophet.
Safina: Liars are sons
of that Zarqa -blue lady-. They are kings, the most evil kings.
Under the same title, At-Tirmithi records:
Omar and Ali said: The Prophet (peace be upon him) did not will anything about his succession (next leadership.)
This narrative is qualified but with a rather doubtful narrator. It is related by other than Sa’eed Bin Jamhan, but we recognize it from this way only.
Ahmed, in his
Al-Musned, 5/220-1, records this narrative although he cut
off the last two sentences regarding the Umayids’ reigns. Al-Hakim, in his
Al-Mustedrak, 3/71, decides its authentic documentation.
As he relates it in his
Al-Bidaya Wen Nihaya, 3/198, Ibn Kutheir records the following narrative after it:
Abdurrahman Bin Abi Bakra: I heard the Prophet (peace be upon him) say, “For thirty years, there shall be the succession
of the prophesy. After it, God shall give his monarchy to whomever He desires.”
Muawiya commented, “We succumb to the monarchy.”
Supposing Safina’s narrative is authentic, the Prophet’s prediction should be regarded as a foretelling
of this nation’s deviation and illegality after thirty years. As long as rulers in the period
of thirty years were not more than five persons, we understand that the twelve imams should be others or, at least, they would not come to power. In other words, Safina’s narrative decides evidently the inaccuracy
of considering the rulers as the twelve expected custodians. Unfortunately, majority
of exegesists are sick
of cherishing the Umayid rulers; therefore, they commit every contrasting act for the sake
of changing the Umayid despotic monarchy into godly custody. Likewise, they attempted to make the Umayid tyrant and criminal rulers be divine imams, predicted by the Apostle
of the Lord
of the worlds.
As a support for our opinion, we say that Sunnis admit Safina’s narrative
of defining the Prophet’s succession to thirty years. Safina himself explains the narrative. He denies the Umayids’ being the Prophet’s successors. He describes them as kings; the most evil kings. He also accuses them
of bastardy. He accuses them
of being the illegitimate sons
of a Roman prostitute. (sons
of that Zarqa -blue lady-.)
Despite, exegesists decide the Umayids as godly leaders chosen by the Exalted Lord for leading this nation.
Some scholars, such as Al-Albani, aims at denying Safina’s explanation
of the narrative. They rule its being an inauthentic redundancy. In the same manner, the entire savage deeds
of the Umayid rulers, with which the entire pages
of history are filled in, are not authentic for such scholars.
In his
Umdetul Qari, 16/74, Al-Eini records:
Providing some may claim that Safina’s contradicting Jabir Bin Samara’s (The Prophet said, “This religion shall be kept in efficacy and power to twelve successors from Quraish…”), recorded by Muslim, we say that this refers to the succession
of the prophesy. It does not mean that there are no others.
Others say that this prediction
of the coming
of twelve just Quraishi rulers does not guarantee consecution. In thirty years after the Prophet, this just leadership fell. Many ages later, just caliphs; such as Omar Bin Abdil-Aziz and Al-Muhtedi, could take leadership. Mahdi; the Expected, is within those promised successors.
For nothing more than defending the Umayids, scholars do their best in playing on words. They divide the legal succession into two types. The first is the prophecy succession which lasted for thirty years. The second is a non-prophecy succession, although legal, which came next. This non-prophetic succession was promised by the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) when he predicted the coming
of twelve successors or imams!
The pro-Umayid exegesists find their lost in this fabrication; therefore, they adhere to it since it enables them to play on words
of the hadith, and make it applicable to their rulers!
Ibn Kutheir’s
Al-Bidaya Wen Nihaya, 3/198:
As an answer for the question about the way
of admitting Safina’s narrative and that
of Jabir Bin Samara in the same time, we say:
Some people claim that this religion is kept in efficacy and power till twelve successors hold the leading position. After that, confusion befell in the Umayids’ reigns. Others contradict the previous saying and allege that the hadith was a prediction
of the coming
of twelve just Quraishi rulers, no matter they are successive or not. In a period
of thirty years only, the consecutive succession
of the Prophet befell. After that, just caliphs; such as Omar Bin Abdil-Aziz the Umayid, could come to power. A number
of master scholars decides the legality and justice
of this man to the degree that they reckon him with the Rashidite caliphs. Ahmed Bin Hanbal says, “Except for Omar Bin Abdil-Aziz, the opinion
of none
of the Prophet’s companions’ followers is admitted.”
Al-Mahdi; the Abbasid, is one
of those predicted successors.
Mahdi; the Expected, is also one
of those twelve, since he shall be from the Prophet’s household. He is named Mohammed Bin Abdillah. He is not that one expected in a vault in Samarra. This one is originally not existed. Only the ill-minded Rafidites are awaiting him.
Hence, Ibn Kutheir lacks any logical answer for the problem
of Safina’s narrative. He ascribes the opinions to ‘some’ or ‘others’. Had he only recorded Safina’s narrative completely as it is found in their reference books
of hadith!
His applauding Omar Bin Abdil-Aziz and Al-Mahdi; the Abbasid, cannot be taken as an evidence on their being within the expected godly successors, lest, each praised man can be regarded. Reckoning a person with the predicted and promised men necessitates an evident credentials proving his being one
of those divine persons chosen by the Lord and given exclusively a standing unattainable by ordinary people.
Regarding the repetition
of the Shias’ awaiting for Mahdi; the Expected, in a vault in Samarra is a forged matter. Like him, we; the Shias, expect Mahdi to come forth in Mecca. The vault
of Samarra is no more than the house
of his grandfather, father and him. It is a blessed place in which we pray to God and seek blessedness. Ibn Kutheir, however, is blabbermouth!
The following text is quoted from the footnote
ofAwnul Mabud, 11/361:
Sheik Ibnul-Qeyim: As an answer for the question about the way
of admitting Safina’s narrative (After me, the succession shall be lasting for thirty years,) and the prediction
of the coming
of twelve leaders, we say: The two are not contrasted since the thirty year succession is the prophesy succession. This is supported by Abu Bakra’s narrative.
Neither Ibnul-Qeyim nor could anyone else define the succession other than that
of the prophesy. Then, what a sort
of succession was that? How should such a ruling carry a godly Islamic characteristic after the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) had described it as a despotic monarchy?! This matter is admitted by the writer
ofQurratul Einein and others.
Their admitting the fact that the Umayid reign was no more than a despotic monarchy, and that it was not Islamic in any means, is an admission
of its being a non-Islamic despotic dominion. How is it applicable for any sane to perceive that the Exalted Lord and His Apostle (peace be upon him and his family) carry the good tidings
of the coming
of non-Islamic rulers who will injure the nation by their despot?
Had Ibn Hebban, Ibn Hajar, Ibnul-Qeyim and their likes stopped on their fanaticism for the Umayid, the matter would have been easier. Unfortunately, they insisted on using the prophetic sayings for their support, and aimed for applying the prophetic good tidings on their despotic kings.
Al-Albani decides the authenticity
of a good deal
of prophetic sayings respecting the deviation
of rulers coming to power after the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family). Under the number 2982, he rules the authenticity
of the hadith, “Some
of my companions shall never see me again after my departure.”
Under the number 2864, Al-Albani decides the authenticity
of the hadith “After me, your affairs shall be in the hands
of men who will extinguish my traditions and inject heresies.”
The hadith, “I am holding you from the neck so that you will not fall in the hell-fire you are pushing yourselves in like butterflies and locust. I am about to fling your necks,” is given the number 2865.
The hadith, “A man from sons
of Umaya shall be taking initiative in changing my traditions,” is authenticated by Al-Albani who lists it under number 1749
of the title ‘The Prophet’s prediction.’ Al-Albani commentates, “This hadith stands for the change that occurred to the Islamic system from elections into succession. God, however, is the most knowledgeable.”
Under the number 744, Al-Albani decides the authenticity
of the hadith, “As soon as sons
of Al-Aas attain thirty, they will betake the Lord’s religion as a instrument and the Lord’s servants as slaves and the Lord’s fortunes as treasures.”
As he decides the authenticity
of Safina’s narrative, Al-Albani gives it the number 459 under the title, ‘the prophesy succession’.
Nevertheless, Al-Albani defends the Umayids. He says:
This does not oppose the coming
of other caliphs since they are not seen as the Prophet’s successors. Evidently, those are the only intended in the hadith involved. This matter is supported by the following wording
of Sheikul-Islam:
It is licit to call those who came -to power- after the Rashidite caliphs as caliphs although they were kings…
Pursuing Ibn Teimiya; his master, Al-Albani rules that the twelve divinely custodian imams
of whom the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) had foretold, are Muawiya, Yazid and sons
of Al-Hakam Bin Abil-Aas at whom tens
of frank, decisive and authentic sayings
of censure were addressed!
See how fanaticism in cherishing the Umayids incites this man to put himself in a position deserving the Exated Lord’s censure, and His Apostle’s curse.
Such a person will not find an answer if an orientalist addresses at him that Muslims confess that their Lord and His Apostle are
of fluctuating tempers! They curse, censure and condemn persons, and then, please them and declare before Muslims that those previously accursed persons and their
offspring will be the choice among people, and will be the divinely sinless custodians
of this nation!!
The wicked orientalists, Selman Rushdi and his likes found themselves a hole for reviling at Islam through such false narratives respecting fanaticism to Quraish and the Umayids and Kabul-Ahbar.
Twelfth: Models of our narratives respecting the twelve imams.
In his
Al-Khissal, As-Saduq records the following on pages 466-7:
Ibn Masud’s forecited narrative is related in different ways
of narration, all related to Mujalid Bin Sa’eed. At any rate, there is a number
of ways in which Mujalid Bin Sa’eed is not a party.
…Qeis Bin Abd: We were encompassing Abdullah Bin Masud when a Bedouin came and asked about him. “I am Abdullah,” answered he. “Did your prophet tell you about the number
of his successors?” asked the Bedouin. “Yes, he did. They are twelve, like the number
of the Israelite disciples,” answered Abdullah.
… We were accompanying Abdullah Bin Masud in the mosque when a Bedouin came and asked about him. “I am Abdullah. What is your need?” answered he. “O Abdullah! Did your prophet tell you about the number
of his successors?” asked the Bedouin. “Well, you have asked me about a matter I have never been asked before since I arrived in Iraq. Yes, he did. They are twelve, like the number
of the Israelite disciples,” answered Abdullah.
Abu Aruba: (Abdullah answered,) “Yes. Like the number
of the Israelite leaders.”
Jarir: Al-Ashath Bin Masud: The Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) stated, “After me, the successors are twelve, like the number
of the Israelite leaders.”
In the same documentation, the narratives are recorded in
Kemaluddin We Temamun Nima, 271.
Among the comparative objective writings, I can recognize the precious book
ofKifayetul Athar Elel Eimmetil Ithnei Ashar, compiled by the expert hadithist Ali Bin Mohammed Bin Ali Al-Khezzaz Al-Qummi Ar-Razi. He is one
of the grand scholars in the fourth century. This work is considered as the most remarkable respecting the Prophet’s traditions.
In the introductory
of the book, the compiler defines his course. On page 7, he records:
The main reason that urged me on compiling narrators
of the Prophet’s companions and his truthful progeny respecting the texts dealing with the immaculate imams, is that I found some ordinary people
of the Shias perplexed in this regard. They doubted due to the firmness
of the anthropomorphists and the Mutazilites who aimed at confusing their credits. The matter attained its climax when those people denied the divine texts regarding the imamate. Some exceeded when denied the entire traditions
of the prophet’s companions in this regard… Therefore, I committed myself to scrutinizing in this field and clarifying whatever evidences I can obtain. I intended to repeal the antagonizts’ heresies. Finally, I seek the Lord’s
offers and the satisfaction
of the Prophet and the imams succeeding him.
First, I am to mention the narratives dealing with this topic, that are related to the familiar companions
of the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family), such as Abdullah Bin Abbas, Abdullah Bin Masud, Abu Sa’eed Al-Khidri, Abu Therr Al-Ghefari, Selman Al-Farisi, Jabir Bin Samara, Jabir Bin Abdillah, Anas Bin Malik, Abu Hureira, Omar Bin Al-Khattab, Zaid Bin Thabit, Zaid Bin Arqam, Abu Umama, Wathila Bin Al-Asqa, Abu Ayoub Al-Ansari, Ammar Bin Yasir, Hutheifa Bin Asyed, Imran Bin Al-Hussain, Sa’d Bin Malik, Hutheifa Bin Al-Yeman, Abu Qetada Al-Ansari, Ali Bin Abi Talib and his two sons; Al-Hassan and Al-Hussein (peace be upon him).
Among women, I compiled the texts related by Ummu Salama, Aisha and Fatima the daughter
of the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family).
Thereafter, I am to record the imams’ reports concordant to the Prophet’s companions’. I am to mention each imam’s nominating his successor. This work is purposed for making people realize the real situation and take it as their religion, evading being like those described in God’s saying, (And those did not show opposition but after knowledge had come to them, out
of envy among them.)
Such narratives remove doubt and hesitancy, and repeal every excuse. In fact, the matter is more genuine than what they thought.
The compiler (God bless his soul) collates the narrative
of each companion he has already mentioned under a definite title. He also records the narrative and its documentation and series
of narrators up to the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family). This work saved a great deal
of narratives that have been, totally or partially, lost in the reference books
of the Sunnis; our brothers.
The following are models from the book:
On page 23, Title: Narratives
of Abdullah Bin Masud, the writer records:
… Abdullah Bin Masud: I heard the Prophet (peace be upon him) say: The imams after me shall be twelve. Nine
of them shall be from Ak-Hussein’s
offspring. Their ninth is their Mahdi.
On page 37, Title: Narratives
of Anas Bin Malik, the writer records:
… Anas Bin Malik: After leading the collective prayer, the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) orated, “O my companions! He shall be grouped with us that whoever loves my household. He is adhering to the firmest handle that whoever adheres to my coming successors.” Abu Therr stood erect and asked, “O God’s messenger! How many will be the imams after you?” “Their number is the like
of the Israelite leaders’,” answered the Prophet. “All shall be from your household?” asked Abu Therr. “All shall be from my household. Nine shall be from Al-Hussein’s
offspring. Mahdi is one
of them,” answered the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family).
On page 133, Title: Narratives
of Abu Ayoub Al-Ansari, Khalid Bin Zaid, the writer records:
… Abu Ayoub Al-Ansari: I heard the Apostle
of God (peace be upon him and his family) say, “I am the master
of the prophets. Ali is the master
of the prophets’ successors. My grandsons are the best
of the grandsons. The sinless imams are from us. They are from Al-Hussein’s
offspring. Mahdi
of this nation is from us.”
A Bedouin stood up and asked about their number. “Their number is the like
of the grandsons -
of Abraham- and the Disciples
of Jesus and the Israelite leaders,” answered the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family).
On page 120, Title: Narratives
of Ammar Bin Yasir, the writer records:
… Ammar: I was with the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) during a battle when Ali (peace be upon him) killed bearers
of the pennons; Amr Bin Abdillah Al-Jumjumi and Sheiba Bin Nafi. I came to the Prophet and expressed that Ali had fought for the sake
of God in the very proper way. “This is because he is being a part
of me and I am a part
of him,” answered the Prophet, and added, “He is the heir
of my knowledge and the settler
of my debts and the keeper on my promises. He is the leader after me. Without him, the pure believers are never recognized. Confronting him is as same as confronting me. And confronting me is as same as confronting Allah. Consenting to him is as same as consenting to me. And consenting to me is as same as consenting to Allah. He is really the father
of my two grandsons. The imams are from his
offspring. From him, God; the Exalted, shall bring the prudent imams. Mahdi
of this nation is being one
of them.”
“My father and mother be sacrificed to you, God’s messenger! Who is that Mahdi?” I wondered.
“O Ammar!” answered the Prophet, “Allah; the Blessed the Elevated, has given me the covenant that He shall create nine persons from Al-Hussein’s
offspring. Their ninth shall be invisible for them. This is God’s saying, (Say: Have you considered if your water should go down, who is it then that will bring you flowing water?) His invisibility shall take a long time that some people will apostatize while others shall be firm. In the last
of time he shall come forth to fill in this world with justice and equity. He shall fight for the sake
of the interpretation as same as when I fought for the sake
of the revelation. He shall bear my name. He shall be the most similar to me.
O Ammar! After me, there shall come a heresy. When that occurs, you should follow Ali and his party. He is being with the right, and the right is being with him.
O Ammar! After me, you shall be fighting with Ali two categories
of people; the breachers and the deviants. Then, the despotic party will kill you.”
“O God’s messenger!” I asked, “Will that be for the satisfaction
of God and yours?”
“Yes, it will be for the satisfaction
of God and mine. The last meal you will have in this world shall be a drink
of milk,” predicted the Prophet.
On the day
of battle
of Siffine, Ammar Bin Yasir came to Ali Amirul-Muminin, and asked his permitting him to fight. “Slow down, God may be merciful to you!” answered Ali. An hour later, Ammar came and repeated the same demand. Ali answered him the same answer. In the third time, Amirul Muminin wept and said, “It is the day the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) had described to me.”
Hence, Ali (peace be upon him) rode
off his pack animal, hanged Ammar and saw him
off. He then said, “O Abul-Yaqdan! God reward you excellently for your defending God and His Apostle. You have been the best brother and the best acquaintance.” Ali and Ammar wept for a while. “O Amirul Muminin!” worded Ammar, “By God I swear, I followed you due to my being certain. I heard the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) address at me on the day
of Kheibar, ‘O Ammar! After me, there shall be a heresy. You should follow Ali and his party. He is being with the right and the right is being with him. You will be fighting the breachers and the deviants.’ O Amirul-Mumminin! May God reward you excellently for your defending Islam. You have truly consummated, conveyed and advised.”
Ammar then went to the battlefield. He asked for some water. A man from Ansar gave him a drink
of milk since they had no water. As he drank it, Ammar shouted, “This is the prediction
of the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) to me. He told that my last drink in this world would be a drink
of milk.”
He attacked the enemies and could kill eighteen persons. Two Syrian men faced him and could stab him. He was killed.
That night, Amirul-Muminin (peace be upon him) passed by the casualties
of the battle. He found Ammar’s body among them. He took his head and placed it on his thigh and wept. He then cited a couple
of verses in which he expressed his grief for the departure
of his dear people.
On page 180, Title: Narratives
of Ummu Salama, the writer records:
… Seddad Bin Aws: On the battle
of Jamal, I decided not to join any
of the two parties. To the midday, I did not participate in the fighting. That afternoon, the Lord inspired my heart to fight with Ali. Therefore, I fought in his lines till the end
of the battle. When I was back in Al-Madina, I visited Ummu Salama. “From where have you come?” asked she. “From Basra,” I answered. “Which party did you join?” she asked. “O Ummul-Muminin!” I expressed, “I retired the fighting for half a day. Then, the Lord inspired me to fight with Ali.”
“You have done the very right thing,” she praised, and added, “I heard the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) state, ‘He is fighting me that whoever fights Ali. And he is fighting the Lord that whoever fights me.’”
“You see that Ali is the right, do you not?” I asked. “Yes, by God,” she affirmed, “Ali is being with the right and the right is being with him. By God I swear, Mohammed’s nation did violate their prophet when they preceded those whom are detained by the Lord and His Apostle, and detained those whom are preceded by the Lord and His Apostle. They kept their harem in their houses and took out the Prophet’s lady to the deserts. By God, I heard the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) say, ‘My nation shall be in a concordance and in discrepancy. You should join them when they are concordant. And you should choose for the middle situation when they are engaged in discrepancy. You are to focus your eyes on my household. If they fight, you should fight with them. If they opt for peace, you should follow them. The right is being with them whenever they are.’”
“Who are his household?” I asked.
“They are those we are mandated to adhere to. They are the imams after him. Their number is as same as the Israelite leaders’. They are Ali and his two sons, and nine persons from the Al-Hussein’s
offspring. They are the immaculate and the sinless imams,” answered Ummu Salama.
“What a pity! People are perishing, then!” I expressed.
“Every sect rejoicing what they had with them,” she commented.
THIRD DISCUSSION
THE ISLAMIC PRINCIPALS IN SERMONS OF THE FAREWELL PILGRIMAGE
Previously, we have proved that the Prophet’s sermon
of Arafat, in the Farewell Pilgrimage, included his prediction
of the coming
of the twelve imams. It also included his recommendations in this regard.
Now, we are to discuss contents
of the other five sermons; sermon
of Mecca on day
of Tarwiya, sermon
of the second day, sermon
of Al-Kheif Mosque on day
of Nafr and sermon
of Ghadir.
Although the references
of narrations communicated, confusedly, a few reports about contents
of these sermons, it is possible to infer that the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family), through these sermons, provided the entire affairs needed by his nation after him. These prophetic sermons included statements dealing with the following five bases:
1.Base of the humanitarian equity:- Principal
of the humanitarian unity among mankind, and the eradication
of the racial discrimination.
- Principal
of acting good toward women and the impermissibility
of wronging them.
2. Base of unity of the Islamic nation:
- Principal
of eradicating the traces, practices and regulations
of the pre-Islamic era that are violating the Islamic laws.
- Principal
of the Muslims’ fraternity and equity.
- Principal
of noticing the private ownership, and illegality
of violating the Muslims’ properties.
- Principal
of regarding the Muslims’ souls, and illegality
of shedding the Muslim’s blood.
- Principal
of regarding the Muslims’ honor and dignity, and illegality
of abusing each other.
- Principal
of maintaining properties and souls
of those who speak out the creed
of Islam; ‘There is no god but Allah.’
- Principal
of sealing prophesy with the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family), and sealing the nations with his nation.
- Principal
of the Prophet’s being the witness on his people in the Hereafter, and their joining him on the Divine Pool.
- Principal
of necessity
of accuracy in acting, and admonishing against committing the insignificant actions that lead to deviation.
- Principal
of warning against forging lies against the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family), and insisting on investigating whatever is ascribed to him.
3. Base of the unity of the Islamic law -Sharia- and the Muslims’ culture.
- Principal
of fulfilling the trusts.
- Regulations
of the heritage.
- Regulations
of the blood money and the retaliation.
- Laws
of the rites
of the pilgrimage. “From me you should learn the rites.”
4. Bases of the political affairs and the leadership after the Prophet:
- Principal
of the prediction
of the coming
of the twelve imams
of the Prophet’s progeny.
- Principal
of the importunate adherence to the Quran and the Prophet’s progeny; the two weighty things.
- Principal
of nominating Ali as the next leader
of this nation, and the first
of the twelve imams.
- Principal
of keeping on performing the obligatory rites and compliance with the leaders.
- Principal
of immortalizing the treaty
of Quraish and Kenana on blockading the Hashemites.
- Principal
of warning the Quraishis against playing the tyrant after the departure
of the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family).
- Principal
of warning the Prophet’s companions against breaking faith and struggling on power.
5. Base of punition of the dissenters against the prophetic course:
- Principal
of cursing those who ascribe themselves to other than their fathers or masters.
Detailed discussion
of these bases and principals is inapplicable. Therefore, we are to mention models
of these blessed sermons before we refer to topics and examples related.
It is quite clear that the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) referred to each
of these bases and principals in many occasions before the Farewell Pilgrimage. As a matter
of fact, these bases and principals, together with the six sermons, form a coalescing topic that is inseparable. The Prophet’s wording is a revelation completes and explains each other. In every topic, that wording formulates a perfect doctrinal and legislative unity that is contributing in constructing the divine comprehensive edifice
of Islam.
FIRST BASE: THE HUMANITARIAN EQUITY
This base is too evident to need any further discussion. Previously, we have referred to a number
of related texts
of the Prophet’s sermons.
MODELS OF THE PROPHET’S SERMONS IN THE FAREWELL PILGRIMAGE
Ibn Shuba Al-Harrani -died in 350- records on page 30
of his
Tuheful Uqoul:
The Prophet’s Sermon In The Farewell Pilgrimage:
Praised be Allah. We praise Him and seek His support and forgiveness. We repent to Him and seek His protection against evils
of our souls, and sins
of our acts.
He Whomsoever Allah guides, there is no misleading for him, and he whomsoever Allah causes to err, there is no guide for him. I do admit there is no god but Allah, lonelily without any associate, and admit that Mohammed is being His servant and apostle.
O servants
of Allah! I do advise you to keep god-fearing. I urge you on acting in the field
of His obedience. I seek the Lord’s opening the good before me.
O people! Listen to what I am elucidating to you. I cannot guarantee whether I shall meet you the next year in this situation.
O people! Till you shall meet your Lord, your blood and honor are prohibited to be abused among you, and sanctified as same as the degree
of sanctification
of this day in this country. Have I conveyed? O Allah! Be the witness.
He whoever has a trust in hand, should defray it to the depositor.
Usury
of Jahilism
* is revoked. The first usury I am to revoke is Al-Abbas Bin Abdul-Muttelib’s.
Retaliation
of Jahilism is revoked. The first retaliation I am to revoke is Amir Bin Rabia Bin Al-Harith Bin Abdil-Muttelib’s.
Except for custody
of the Kaba and watering the pilgrimages, all the practices
of the Jahilism are revoked.
Retaliation is the ruling
of murders. What is killed by a stick or a stone is decided as a quasi-murder. Its blood money is one hundred camels. Any increase on that quantity is a Jahilite deed.
O people! The Satan despaired
of being obeyed in this land. But he pleased to be obeyed in other acts. They are your insignificant sins.
O people! Postponing (
of the sacred months) is only an addition in unbelief, wherewith those who disbelieve are led astray, violating it one year and keeping it sacred another, that they may agree in the number
of months that Allah has made sacred.
Time has rotated as same as the first day on which the Lord created the heavens and the earth. Surely number
of months with Allah is twelve months in Allah’s ordinance since the day when He created the heavens and the earth,
of these four being sacred. Three are consecutive and the fourth is independent. They are Dhu’l-Qada, Dhu’l-Hijja, Muharram and Rajab that comes between Jumada and Shaban. Have I conveyed? O Allah! Be the witness.
O people! Your women enjoy rights imposed upon you. You also enjoy rights imposed upon them. Your rights imposed upon them are that they should not let any take your places in your beds, and not permit those whom you dislike to be in your houses unless your permissions are obtained, and not to commit any ill deed. If they do, the Lord allows you to prevent them and abandon them in the beds and discipline them by unharmed beating. If they desist and obey, you then are obliged to bind yourselves to save their alimony and clothing in an acceptable way. You have taken them by the trust
of God, and you have consummated their privates by the God’s Book. Hence, beware
of your deeds respecting your women, and advise each other for their good.
O people! The believers are brothers. It is illicit for any believer to take from his brother’s property unless the satisfactory permission is obtained. Have I conveyed? O Allah! Be the witness.
Do not break your faith and return to unbelief by killing each other. I am leaving among you what protect you against deviation if only you accede to. It is the Book
of Allah and my people; my household. Have I conveyed? O Allah! Be the witness.
O people! Your Lord is one, and your father is one. You all are from Adam, and Adam was created
of mud. Surely the most honorable
of you with Allah is the most caterful
of his duty. Except by means
of god-fearing, no Arab is preferable to any non-Arab. Have I conveyed?
“Yes. You did,” said they.
The witness should carry these to the absent.
O people! God has partitioned the portions
of each heir. It is illicit for heirs to will more than the one-third. Babies are the bed’s, and the prostitutes’ share is the stone.
Curse
of the Lord, the angels and the entire people be on that whoever ascribes himself to other than his father or master. God be not accept his excuse or compensation. Peace and God’s mercy be upon you.
Al-Kafi: 1/403
:… a man from Quraish: With Sufian Athawri I went to Jafar Bin Mohammed. We found him on his pack animal. Sufian addressed at him, “O Abu Abdillah! Would you please relate to us the Prophet’s sermon in Al-Kheif Mosque?” The imam apologized since he had already ridden, and promised he would answer Sufian’s question as soon as he would be back. “I adjure you by your kinship to the Apostle
of God (peace be upon him and his family) to relate it to me,” insisted Sufian. The imam rode
off. Sufian asked for a pen and a paper to record the imam’s wording. The imam spoke, “In the Name
of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful. This is the sermon
of the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) addressed in Al-Kheif Mosque:
God may bloom the servants who will listen and understand my words, and convey them to the absent.
O people! The witness should carry this to the absent. A bearer
of a knowledge may happen to be illiterate, and a bearer
of a knowledge may happen to carry it to the more knowledgeable.
Hearts
of Muslims should never act unfaithfully in three matters; sincere performance
of God’s duties, providing the advice to the Muslims’ imams and committing to their congruity. Their congruity is binding.
The believers are brothers
of equal blood. They are one hand against their enemies. The least among them can bear their situation.”
After he had recorded these statements, Sufian provided them before the imam. Hence, Abu Abdillah rode the pack animal and went.
Halfway, I told Sufian that Abu Abdillah had bound him with an everlasting duty. “What is that?” asked Sufian. “It is the three things in which a Muslim should never act unfaithfully,” I said, “Sincere performance
of God’s duties is a clear matter. Regarding providing the advice to the Muslims’ imams, who are those imams? Are they Muawiya Bin Abi Sufian, Yazid Bin Muawiya, Marwan Bin Al-Hakam and the other rulers, the collective prayers led by whom are invalid? About committing to their congruity, who are those congruous people? Are they the deferrers who believe that persons who did not perform a single obligatory prayer, and did not fast a single day, and did not perform the obligatory bathing, and demolished the Kaba and marry their mothers, are bearing the same degree
of faith born by Gabriel and Michael; the angels? Or are they the fatalists who believe that the Satan’s desire can be materialized while God’s cannot? Or are they the Harurites who deny Ali Bin Abi Talib and decide his atheism? Or are they the Jahmites who claim that faith is knowing God only?”
As he became perplexed, Sufian asked me an explanation
of the Prophet’s saying reported by Abu Abdillah; the imam. “Ali Bin Abi Talib, by God, is the only imam before whom we are mandated to provide the advice. And the congruity stands for his household,” I answered.
Sufian tore the paper and asked me to keep it secret.
Ali Bin Ibrahim’s
Tafsir: 1/171:
The Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) performed the Farewell Pilgrimage which was the tenth since he immigrated to Al-Madina. In Mina, he orated:
“Praised and thanked be Allah.
O people! Listen and understand my coming wording. I cannot guarantee whether I shall meet you the next year.
Do you realize which day is the most sanctified?”
“It is this day,” answered people.
“Do you realize which month is the most sanctified?”
“It is this month,” answered they.
“Do you realize which land is the most sanctified?”
“It is this land,” answered they.
“Your souls, estate and honors are as sanctified among you as this day in this month in this land till you shall meet your Lord Who will examine your deeds. O people! Have I conveyed?”
“Yes, you have,” shouted they.
“O Allah! Be the witness,” commented the Prophet. After a while, he added, “Every regulation, heresy, revenge and debt that were founded in Jahilism, are under my feet. None is preferable to another but by criteria
of god-fearing. Have I conveyed?”
“Yes, you have,” declared they.
“O Allah! Be the witness,” said the Prophet, and added, “Every usury that was concluded in the Jahilism is revoked. The first usury I am to revoke is Al-Abbas Bin Abdil-Muttelib’s. Every revenge that was in the Jahilism is revoked. The first revenge I am to revoke is Rabia’s. Have I conveyed?”
“Yes, you have,” shouted they.
“O God! Be the witness,” said the Prophet, and added, “The Satan despaired
of being obeyed on this land. But he pleased to be obeyed through your insignificant deeds. If the Satan is obeyed, he is then served.
O people! A Muslim is the brother
of Muslims. It is illicit for a Muslim to shed the blood
of the other Muslim, or to have from his estate unless satisfaction is obtained. I am given the orders
of fighting people till they say: There is no god but Allah. As they speak this statement out, they will protect their souls and estate except in the rightful ways. The Lord shall be their judge. O people! Have I conveyed?”
“Yes, you have,” shouted they.
“O Allah! Be the witness,” said the Prophet and added, “O people! Keep my wording and you will harvest its benefits later on. Perceive my sayings and you will be prosperous. Break not your faith after me, and be not unbelievers by beheading each other for the sake
of mundane affairs. If you do so, and you shall do it, you will find me in a phalanx between Gabriel and Michael; the angels, striking your faces with the sword…” For a while, the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) kept peace while he was turning to his right. Then, he continued, “…or Ali Bin Abi Talib, God willing. I am leaving among you the two things that will enduringly protect you against deviation. They are the Book
of Allah and my people; my household. The Knower
of subtleties, the Aware has informed me that these two things shall never separate until they will join me on the Divine Pool. He shall be saved that whoever accedes to them. And he shall be perishing that whoever dissents them. Have I conveyed?”
“Yes, you have,” shouted they.
“O Allah! Be the witness,” said the Prophet and added, “Men among you shall be occluded from joining me on the Divine Pool. I will say they are being my companions. I will be answered, ‘You lack knowledge
of what they committed after you.’ I will comment, ‘Far away! Far away!’”
On the last day
of Tashriq, God revealed Sura
of Nasr. The Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) understood that his death was about to fall. He declared people to gather in Al-Kheif Mosque for the prayer. When people came there, he orated:
“Praised and thanked be Allah.
God may bloom the servant who will listen and understand my words, and convey them to the absent.
A bearer
of knowledge may happen to be illiterate, and a bearer
of knowledge may happen to carry it to the more knowledgeable.
Muslim’s hearts should never act unfaithfully in three matters; sincere performance
of God’s duties, providing the advice to the Muslims’ imams and committing to their congruity. Their congruity is binding.
The believers are brothers
of equal blood. The least among them can bear their situation. They are one hand against their enemies. O people! I am leaving among you the two weighty things.” “What are the two weighty things, God’s messenger?” wondered people. The Prophet explained: “They are the Book
of Allah and my people; my household. The Knower
of subtleties, the Aware has informed me that these two things shall never separate until they will join me on the Divine Pool. Their joining shall be like the joining
of the forefingers
of my two hands, not the joining
of the forefinger and the next one, since there is a little space may be left.”
Some
of the Prophet’s companions spoke to each other that Mohammed intended to dedicate the leadership to his household. Four
of them traveled to Mecca and entered the Kaba where they concluded an agreement on preventing the Prophet’s household from holding any position
of leadership as soon as Mohammed would be dead or assassinated. Hence, God revealed to his Prophet: (Or have they settled an affair? Then, surely We are the settlers. Or do they think that We do not hear what they conceal and their secret discourses? Aye! And our messengers with them write down.)
Al-Bukhari’s: 5/126
:Abu Bakra: The Prophet (peace be upon him) stated:
“Time has rotated as same as the first day on which the Lord created the heavens and the earth. A year contains twelve months, four
of them are sanctified. Three are successive; Dhu’l-Qada, Dhu’l-Hijja and Muharram. And the fourth is Rajab which falls between Jumada and Shaban. Which month is this?”
“God and His Apostle are the most knowledgeable,” we answered.
The Prophet paused for a considerable while that we thought he would call another name to that month.
“Is it not Dhu’l-Hijja?” asked the Prophet.
“Yes, it is,’ we replied.
“Which land is this?’ asked he.
“God and His Apostle are the most knowledgeable,” we answered.
The Prophet paused for a considerable while that we thought he would call another name to it.
“Is it not Al-Balda?” asked the Prophet.
“Yes, it is,” we replied.
“Which day is today?” asked the Prophet.
“God and His Apostle are the most knowledgeable,” we answered.
The Prophet kept peace for a considerable while that we thought he would call another name to it.
“Is it not the Nahr Day?” asked the Prophet.
“Yes, it is,” we answered.
The Prophet spoke, “Your souls and estate (Mohammed: He might said, “and your honor…”) are sanctified among you as same as the sanctification
of this day in this month on this land. You shall meet your Lord, and He shall examine your deeds. After me, return not to deviation by beheading each other. The witness should inform the absent. It may happen that an indirect receiver is being more committed than the direct.”
It is noticeable that the narrator uses ‘deviation’ instead
of ‘unbelief’ which was mentioned in the other ways
of narration.
Al-Bukhari’s: 1/24
:… The Prophet (peace be upon him) sat on the back
of his camel while a man was catching to its bridle. “Which day is today?” asked the Prophet. We kept peace for a considerable while that we thought he would call another name to that day.
“Is it not the Nahr Day?” asked the Prophet.
“Yes, it is,” we replied.
“Which month are we in?” asked the Prophet.
We kept peace for a considerable while that we thought he would call another name to that month.
“Is it not Dhu’l-Hijja?” asked the Prophet.
“Yes, it is,” we replied.
The Prophet added, “Your souls, estate and honor are sanctified among you as same as the sanctification
of this day in this month on this land. The witness should inform the absent. A witness may convey to a more committed.”
Muslim’s: 4/41
:… The Prophet (peace be upon him) descended the valley and orated:
“Your souls and estate are sanctified among you as same as the sanctification
of this day in this month on this land. Every affair
of the Jahilism is being under my feet. Revenge
of the Jahilism is revoked. The first revenge I am to revoke is Rabia Bin Al-Harith’s; ours. He was suckling in the quarter
of Bani Sa’d, and the Hutheil killed him.
Usury
of Jahilism is revoked. The first usury I am to revoke is Al-Abbas Bin Abdil-Muttelib’s; ours.
Watch your Lord during treating your women. You have taken them by the trust
of God. And you have consummated their privates by the word
of God. Your rights imposed upon them are that they should not permit any you dislike to sit on your furniture. If they do so, you are permitted to beat them not heavily. Their rights imposed upon you are to save their alimony and clothing in an acceptable way. I am leaving among you what will protect you against deviation as long as you commit yourselves to. It is the Book
of Allah. You shall be asked about me. What will you answer?”
“We do confess you have conveyed, accomplished and advised,” shouted people.
As he raised his forefinger to the heavens and shook it towards people, the Prophet said thrice, “O Allah! Be the witness.”
Ibn Madga relates the same previous narrative with an addition.
Al-Hakim’s
Al-Mustedrak; 1/77:
The Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) orated:
“O People! I will precede you to the Divine Pool. It is a pool
of a distance as same as it between Kufa and the Black Stone -
of the Kaba-. His vessels are as much as stars. As some people from my nation will approach, a man will come out and occlude them from being close to me. Another group shall be occluded, too. None shall escape but a few groups like the scattered animals in a cattle.”
“Am I one
of them, God’s prophet?” asked Abu Bakr.
“No, you are not,” answered the Prophet, “They are people
of the coming generations who will move backward.”
(Al-Hakim) According to the criteria
of the two Sheiks -Muslim and Al-Bukhari-, this is an authentic narrative. Yet, they did not record it. Al-Hejjaj Bin Mohammed relates it to Al-Leith.
Ibn Madga’s
As-Sunan; 2/1016:
… Abdullah Bin Masud: While he was on the back
of his she-camel in Arafat, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “Do you realize which day, month and land are these?”
“These are sanctified day, month and land,” answered they.
“Your estate and souls are sanctified among you as same as the sanctification
of this month, land and day,” said the Prophet, and went on, “I will precede you to the Divine Pool, and I will take pride in you before the other nations. Blacken not my face. I will save some people, and some will be taken away from me. I will say, ‘O Lord! Those are my companions.’ I will be answered, ‘You lack knowledge
of what they did after you.’”
In
Majma’uzzawaid, this is an authentic report.
Ibn Madga’s
As-Sunan; 2/1300:Title: After Me, Return Not To Atheism By Beheading Each Other:
Jarir Bin Abdillah: During the Farewell Pilgrimage, the Prophet (peace be upon him) asked people to keep silent. He said, “After me, return not to atheism by beheading each other.”
Ibn Omar: The Prophet (peace be upon him) stated, “Woe is you! After me, return not to atheism by beheading each other.”
As-Sennaj Al-Ahmesi: The Prophet (peace be upon him) stated, “I will precede you to the Divine Pool. I will take pride in you among the other nations. After me, do not fight each other.”
In
Majma’uzzawaid, this is an authentic report with trustful narrators.
At-Tirmithi’s
As-Sunan; 2/62:… Abu Umama: During the Farewell Pilgrimage, I heard the Prophet (peace be upon him) say, “Beware
of your duty to Allah, and perform the five prayers, and fast on that month, and defray the poor rate, and comply with your leaders and you shall be taken to the Paradise
of your Lord.”
Abu Umama confesses that he heard this prophetic saying when he was thirty years old.
Abu Isa: This narrative is qualified with a rather doubtful narrator. It is, however, decided as authentic.
Ahmed’s
Al-Musnad; 5/412:… A man from the Prophet’s companions: The Prophet (peace be upon him) was on the back
of his red she-camel when he asked, “Do you realize which day is today?”
“It is the Nahr Day,” answered we.
“You are true,” replied the Prophet, “It is the Grand Pilgrimage Day. Which month is it?”
“It is Dhu’l-Hijja,” expressed we.
“You are true,” commented the Prophet, “It is the palatial month
of God. Do you know which land is this?”
“It is the Holy Precinct,” answered we.
“You are true,” stated the Prophet, and added, “Your souls and estate are sanctified among you as same as the sanctification
of this day in this month on this land. (Or: as same as the sanctification
of this day, month and land.”)
I will precede you to the Divine Pool. I will look at you as I will take pride in you among the other nations. Blacken not my face. You have seen and listened to me. You shall be asked about me. He whoever deliberately forges lies against me, should seek himself a place in the hell-fire. I will save some people, and others will be taken away from me. I will say, ‘O Lord! They are my companions.’ I will be answered, ‘You lack knowledge
of what they did after you.’”
Majma’uzzawaid; 3/265
:Title: Sermons
Of The Pilgrimage:
Abu Harra Ar-Reqqashi: His uncle: In the middle
of the Tashriq days, I was catching the riddle
of the Prophet’s she-camel. The Prophet spoke, “O people! Do you realize which day, month and land are these?”
“They are sanctified day, month and land,” answered peole.
“Your souls, estate and honor are as sanctified among you as this day in this month on this land, till the day on which you shall meet your Lord. Listen to me and you will live. Wrong not each other. Wrong not each other. Wrong not each other. It is illicit for any to have from a Muslim’s property unless satisfaction is obtained.
Every blood and estate
of Jahilism should be under my feet till the Resurrection Day. The first revenge I am to revoke is Rabia Bin Al-Harith Bin Abdil-Muttelib’s. He was a baby at the Leith when the Hutheil killed him. Every usury that was in Jahilism is revoked. The Exalted Lord mandates that the first usury to be revoked is Al-Abbas Bin Abdil-Muttelib’s. You possess your capital, neither wronging nor wronged.
Time has rotated as same as the first day on which the Lord created the heavens and the earth. Surely the number
of months with Allah is twelve months in Allah’s ordinance since the day when He created the heavens and the earth,
of these four being sacred. That is the right reckoning; therefore, wrong not each other during them.
After me, return not to atheism by beheading each other.
The Satan despaired
of being obeyed by the performers
of prayers; but he is working on creating antagonism among you.
Fear God during treating your women. They are restrained at you. They have rights imposed upon you and you have rights imposed upon them. The rights imposed upon them are that they should not permit any to take your places in your beds, and they are not allowed to permit any you dislike to enter your houses. If you expect desertion
of a women, you should admonish, and desert in the bed, and beat ineffectively. Their rights are that you should save their alimony and clothing. You have taken them by the trust
of God, and you have consummated their privates by the word
of God.
He whoever had a trust, should deliver it to the depositor.”
The Prophet then opened his hand and said, “Have I conveyed? Have I conveyed? The witness should inform the absent. An indirect receiver may happen to be more receptive than a direct hearer.”
(Abu Dawud dedicates this narration to the statements
of beating women.)
(Ahmed and Abu Harra Ar-Reqqashi relates the narration. Abu Dawud rules its authenticity, while Ibn Muin decides its doubtfulness. One
of the narrators is Ali Bin Zaid about whom there are some points noted by experts.)
Abu Nadra: A man heard the Prophet’s sermon addressed in the middle
of the Tashriq days:
The Prophet (peace be upon him) stated, “O people! Your Lord is one. Your father is one. An Arab should not be preferred to a non-Arab, and a black should not preferred to a white except by criteria
of god-fearing. Have I conveyed?”
“Yes, the messenger
of God has conveyed,” people shouted.
“Which day is today?” asked the Prophet.
“It is a sanctified day,” people answered.
“Which land is this?” asked the Prophet.
“It is a sanctified land,” people shouted.
“God; the Exalted, has made your souls and estate (The Prophet might have added ‘and honor’ to his statement.) as sanctified as this day in this month on this land. Have I conveyed?” said the Prophet.
“Yes, the messenger
of God has conveyed,” people admitted.
“The witness should inform the absent,” ordered the Prophet (peace be upon him).
(To a series
of authentic narrators, Ahmed relates the previous report on page 72
of part 5.)
Ibn Omar: When this sura was revealed to the Prophet (peace be upon him) in Mina in the middle
of the Tashriq days, he recognized the imminence
of his death. He rode his pack animal; Al-Qaswa, and stood among people in Al-Aqaba. A great number
of Muslims encompassed him. He orated:
“Praised and thanked be Allah.
O people! Every revenge that was in Jahilism is annulled. The first revenge I am to annul is Rabia Bin Al-Harith’s. The Hutheil killed him when he was a baby at the Leith.
Likewise, every usury that was concluded in the Jahilism is revoked. The first usury I am to revoke is Al-Abbas Bin Abdil-Muttelib’s.
O people! Time has rotated as same as it was when the Lord created the heavens and the earth. Number
of months with Allah is twelve, four
of which are sanctified. They are Rajab which falls between Jumada and Shaban, and Dhu’l-Qada and Dhu’l-Hijja and Muharram. That is the right reckoning; therefore, wrong not each other during them.
Postponing
of the sacred months is only an addition in unbelief, wherewith those who disbelieve are led astray, violating it one year and keeping it sacred another, that they may agree the number
of months that Allah has made sacred. They were violating Safar a year and keeping Muharram sacred the other. That is the postponing
of the sacred months.
O people! He whoever had a trust, should deliver it to the depositor.
O people! The Satan despaired
of being obeyed on this land in the last
of time, but he pleased to be obeyed in your insignificant deeds. Take care
of your religion against your insignificant deeds.
O people! Women are in your hands. You have taken them by the trust
of God, and consummated their privates by the word
of God. You have right imposed upon them and they have rights imposed upon you. Within your rights is that they should not let any take your places in your beds, and they should not disobey you in acceptable matters. If they do so, then you have no authority on them. They should enjoy their alimony and clothing in an acceptable way. If you beat them, you should not injure.
It is illicit for any to have from his brother’s property unless satisfaction is obtained.
O people! Among you, I am leaving what will protect you against deviation if you adhere to. It is the Book
of Allah. You should follow it.
O people! Which day is today?”
“It is a sacred day,” answered they.
“Which land is this?” asked the Prophet.
“It is a sacred land,” answered they.
“Which month is this?” asked the Prophet.
“It is a sacred month,” answered they.
“Allah; the Blessed the Elevated, has made your souls, estate and honor as sacred as this day in this month on this land. The witness should inform the absent. There shall be no prophet after me, and there shall be no nation after you.”
The Prophet then raised his hands to the heavens and said, “O Allah! Be the witness.”
(In the Sahih books -the most acceptable books
of hadith-, a part
of this report is recorded. Al-Bezzar relates it, too. Musa Bin Ubeida; the doubtful, is within the series
of the narrators.)
Majmauzzawaid; 3/272
:… Al-Adda Bin Khalid Bin Amr Bin Amir: In the Farewell Pilgrimage, I was sitting under the pulpit from which the Prophet (peace be upon him) sermonized. He said:
“Praised and thanked be Allah. God says, (O you men! We have created you
of a male and a female, and made you tribes and families that you may know each other; surely the most honorable
of you with Allah is the one among you most careful
of his duty.) An Arab should not be preferred to a non-Arab, and a non-Arab should not be preferred to an Arab, and a black should not be preferred to a white, and a white should not be preferred to a black except on criteria
of god-fearing.
O the Quraishis! Do not shoulder the mundane affairs, while people shoulder the Hereafter. I will not avail you in the least before God.”
(In his
Al-Mujamul Kabir, At-Tabarani relates this narration to doubtful narrators. Previously, we have referred to an authentic documentation
of this report.)
Abu Qabila: In the Farewell Pilgrimage, the Prophet sermonized:
“There shall be no prophet after me, and there shall be no nation after you. Revere your Lord, and perform the five prayers, and fast the month, and comply with the leaders and you shall be entering the Paradise
of your Lord.”
(In his
Al-Mujamul Kabir, At-Tabarani relates…)
Ad-Darimi’s
As-Sunan; 2/47:…The Prophet (peace be upon him) stated: “Your blood and estate are as sanctified as this day in this month on this land. Every matter that was regulated in Jahilism is under my feet. Revenge
of Jahilism is revoked. The first revenge I am to revoke is the Rabia Bin Al-Harith’s. The Hutheil killed him when he was a baby at the Sa’d.
Usury
of Jahilism is revoked. The first usury I am to revoke is Al-Abbas Bin Abdil-Muttelib’s.
Watch the Lord during treating your women. You have taken them by the trust
of God, and consummated their privates by His word. Your rights imposed upon them are that they should not let any take your places in your beds. If they do, you are to beat them ineffectively. Their rights imposed upon you are that you should save their alimony and clothing in an acceptable way.
You shall be asked about me, what shall you answer?”
“We acknowledge you have conveyed, accomplished and advised,” shouted people.
The Prophet raised his forefinger to the heavens and shook it at people while he said thrice, “O Allah! Be the witness.” …
Ad-Darimi’s
As-Sunan; 2/67:Abdurrahman Bin Abi Bakra: His father: … “Which day is today?” asked the Prophet (peace be upon him).
We kept silent for a considerable while that we thought he would call another name for that day.
“Is it not the Nahr Day?” asserted the Prophet.
“Yes, it is,” answered we.
“Which month is this?” asked the Prophet…etc.
SECOND BASE: UNITY OF THE ISLAMIC NATION
For a preliminary sight on the texts relating the Prophet’s last sermons, a reader believes that the first five principals
of this base: unity
of the Islamic nation, are the only and the most important topic. Muslims repeated paragraphs
of the Prophet’s sermons dealing with this topic so over again. This is by the reason that the society in which the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) lived, was
of an extreme racial discrimination. It was prevailed by laws
of predominance and power. The dominant, whether a ruler, a tribe, a knight or a vagrant, is always the right since he could overcome even if he used means
of invasion, assassination, robbery, usurpation or trickery.
The Islamic legislation repealed all these and declared equity
of people before the law. The entire sorts
of abusing the private rights were prohibited. A concentration on respecting souls, estate and dignity
of people was legislated. This is why they memorized these words in a way distinguished from the other prophetic topics and words. They were highly admired by these ethics and principals. For the believing Muslims, these principals formed the radical solution
of the issue
of invasion and murder suffered in the pre-Islamic era.
These instructions, formed in a highly eloquent divine and prophetic style, had a great influence on regulations
of respecting personal character, estate and opinion after the Prophet’s decease. Without these instructions, the Muslims’ society would have been engaged in a situation extremely worse than what had actually occurred. In the same manner, the Jahilite regulations, regarding association with humanity, would have floated to the surface anew.
It is noticeable that the Prophet’s immaculate household were preceding people in the field
of regarding humans and their legal freedom. Ali (peace be upon him) was the only ruler after the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family), who did not use the emergency or the martial laws or any exceptional law, even with his rivals and those who abstained from declaring fealty to his leadership. Moreover, although Ali was engaged in three wars that covered the entire period
of his ruling, he did not resort to violence or any exceptional policy.
On the other hand, Abu Bakr and Omar reverted to means
of power and surmounting against Ansar in Saqifa
of Bani Saida. They were about to kill Sa’d Bin Abada. Later on, they attacked the group who refrained from swearing allegiance to their leadership. Those people were gathering in the Prophet’s house for providing their consolation to the Prophet’s family. Furthermore, the Prophet’s funeral had not been put in the grave yet, when the band threatened them setting the house on fire if they insist on confining themselves there, and evade swearing fealty to the new leadership. When the group were late in going out and leaving the house, that band encompassed the house with firewood and set the door on fire…
The sixth principal
of this base, which is the principal
of maintaining properties and souls
of those who speak out the creed
of Islam; ‘There is no god but Allah’, was related in this form: “I am given the orders
of fighting people to say ‘There is no god but Allah.’ If they speak it out, they will protect their souls and estate against me except in lawful states. God then will be the Judge.” Ali Bin Ibrahim Al-Qummi relates this form.
As a matter
of fact, this principal is
of three dimensions:
First all, he whoever speaks out the creeds
of Islam, apart from his religion or national belongness, is reckoned with Muslims whose souls, estate and honor is kept in sacredness. In case regulations
of being the despotic party, an evil in the land, a murderer, an apostate, a fornicator or the like are applicable to that person, his soul will be lawfully violated.
Second, Jews and Christians are exempted from this rule. They enjoy private regulations in case
of peace or war.
Third, the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) informed his people that he had restricted himself to the divine orders
of jihad -struggling for the Lord’s sake-. His mission from this jihad was completing the revelation
of the Quran and materializing the declaration
of the two creeds
of Islam. In other words, his mission was forming the general appearance
of this nation. He was not given the orders
of fighting the deviate or those who mislead the Muslims, since this sort
of fighting is reckoned with jihad for interpreting the Quran. This sort
of jihad came after the Prophet’s decease.
The seventh principal is sealing prophesy with the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family), and sealing the nations with his nation. The following wording
of the Prophet has been previously forecited during providing the narration
of Majmauzzawaid. It is his saying, “There shall be no prophet after me, and there shall be no nation after you. Beware
of your duty to Allah, and perform the five prayers, and fast on that month, and defray the poor rate, and comply with your leaders and you shall be taken to the Paradise
of your Lord.”
It is the principal
of the prevalence
of Mohammed’s doctrine over doctrines
of the previous prophets. It also refutes the misclaims
of prophesy a part
of which emerged during his reign while others came forth thereafter.
Furthermore, this principal grants the Islamic nation the honor
of sealing the prophets’ nations. It confines it with the responsibility
of guiding the other nations. The Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) outlined the general strings
of worshipping the Lord, performing the prayers, fasting and complying with the leaders. It is not unlikely that the reporter related only the paragraphs he could memorize, and that he missed the Prophet’s reference to others, such as the poor rate and the ritual pilgrimage.
The most distinguishable point in this principal is that the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) refers to complying with the rulers. When God mandates compliance with a person without citing conditions, this shall mean that this person is sinless that he does not wrong any, and does not say but the truth. Since this prophetic instruction is empty
of any conditions and qualifications, it is most surely that he refers to the twelve imams whom are divinely nominated, and prophetically predicted.
The eighth principal; principal
of the Prophet’s being the witness on his people in the Hereafter and their joining him on the Divine Pool, is mentioned in various narrations. Some mention the form
of, “I will precede you to the Divine Pool, and I will take pride in you before the other nations. Blacken not my face.” In other narrations, the following form is recorded: “I will take pride in you among the other nations. After me, do not fight each other.”
This is a unique prophetic style persisting that people shall join their Prophet before their Lord, and each shall be in need
of a drink from the Kawthar Pool. That drink will save him against any further thirst and make his body fit to enter the Paradise.
This instruction is similar to a father’s saying to his sons, “O sons! Fulfill my will. I am leaving you. You shall join me when I will be having a great fortune. You will be living in a poverty. I will surely realize the persons among you who will keep my will, and, similarly, I will realize the dissidents.”
The ninth principal; principal
of necessity
of accuracy in acting, and admonishing against committing the insignificant actions that lead to deviation, attracts attentions to a remarkable rule in individual and social behaviors. It is the rule that deviation begins with an insignificant deed or a group
of simple deeds seen as meaningless and unimportant. These deeds shall lead to others, till they lead to the abyss
of the mundane or the supernal devastation.
This matter is practicable in individual and collective situations.
A Muslim may permit himself to gaze at a foreign lady he liked, and gives himself the license to exchange conversation with her, and to participate her in some acts, and, finally, this will lead him to perpetrate the obscenity.
A man may permit himself to befriend a bad man. He neglects the sounds
of his religious consciousness and the advise
of his associates. This will lead him to sink in the ocean
of wronging people and deviation and corruption.
A nation may overlook assails
of their enemies in states
of political, economic or cultural power. This concern will lead the enemies to predominate and prevail this nation.
A society may overlook an aspect
of corruption that first occurs in a certain point or among a certain group.
A society may overlook a law dictatorially issued by the ruler or his men. This will lead to a comprehensive injustice that drives the society towards putrescence.
The insignificant sins are those tiny situations and behaviors forming the invisible seeds
of the giant trees
of evil on individual and social levels. Consequently, reference books Muslims insist on referring to this affair.
Al-Kafi; 2/288
:Imam Jafar As-Sadiq (peace be upon him):
The Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) resided in waste land. He asked his companions to fetch firewood. They apologized that the land had been barren. “Try to find as much as possible,” ordered the Prophet. They fetched a good quantity and provided the sum before him. As he saw the view, the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) commented, “This is the way how sins gather. Beware
of the insignificant sins. Everything has an observer. The observer
of these sins records whatever they acted and their deeds, and everything is registered in a clear recording.”
Al-Baiheqi’s
As-Sunan; 10/188:Abdullah Bin Masud: The Prophet (peace be upon him) stated, “Beware
of the insignificant sins. They accumulate against a man till they cause him to perish. Their like is a people who resided in a barren land. Each could fetch a small single wood till they gathered a considerable quantity sufficient for making fire and cooking their food.”
The previous prophetic sayings deal with the quantitative accumulation
of the insignificant ill deeds and sins. They show how these deeds change into a great danger against the lives
of individuals and societies.
The following prophetic sayings deal with the qualitative accumulation
of the insignificant sins in the core and personality
of the individuals and societies:
Al-Kafi; 2/287
:Imam Jafar As-Sadiq stated: “Beware
of the insignificant sins. They are unforgivable.” “What are the insignificant sins?” I asked. Imam explained, “A man commits a sin and wishes if he had not committed others.”
Ibn Madga’s
As-Sunan; 2/1417:Aisha: The Prophet (peace be upon him) addressed at me, “O Aisha! Beware
of the insignificant sins. They have an interrogator from the Lord’s side.”
It is also recorded in Ad-Darimi’s; 2/303, and Ahmed’s; 6/70 and 151.
One
of the remarkable bases, inferred form this prophetic instruction, is that the Satan, when despairs
of controlling a nation through misguiding them in the grand issues, takes the road
of ruining and deviating through the insignificant deeds. This is the Prophet’s saying, “The Satan despaired
of being obeyed on this land. But he will be obeyed in some sins you deem insignificant. He will be pleased by them.” This saying is recorded in Ibn Madga’s
As-Sunan; 2/1015.
The Satan despaired
of demolishing the fortified castle and the handsome structure
of Islam erected by the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family); therefore, he went towards prevailing on the individuals to drag a single brick
of that building incessantly. This process resulted in dragging the entire constituents
of that great structure.
Another outstanding matter, deduced from Ali Bin Ibrahim’s narration, is that obeying the Satan in the insignificant sins is reckoned as an adoration to him. This means that those who commence aberration in a society are serving the Satan, not the Lord. As a result, they carry the advocacy to changing from serving the Lord into serving the Satan. This is the Prophet’s saying, “But he is pleased to be obeyed through your insignificant deeds. If the Satan is obeyed, he is then served.”
The Prophet’s declaring that the Satan is pleased to be obeyed through the insignificant sins is an information telling the Satan’s satisfaction for the success progressed in his project
of deviating people and destructing their castles. This accords the exegesis
of God’s saying, (And certainly the Satan found true his conjecture concerning them, so they follow him, except a party
of the believers.)
The Prophet’s household regarded people’s struggle on power after the Prophet’s decease as the most menacing insignificant sin.
Biharul Anwar; 28/217
:Imam Al-Baqir (peace be upon him), through explaining God’s saying, (Corruption has appeared in the land and the sea on account
of what the hands
of men have wrought,) said, “By God, that commenced when Ansar suggested to elect a leader from them, and the Quraishis elect another from them.”
The tenth principal; principal
of warning against forging lies against the Prophet, and insisting on investigating whatever is imputed to him, is referred to through the two forecited narrations
of Ahmed. In the Sunni and Shiite reference books
of hadith, this question is mentioned importunately, that means the existence
of a serious trouble during the Prophet’s lifetime. The Prophet insists that this problem shall find a larger scope after his final departure. The number
of fabricators shall increase after him.
A deep look in this problem leads to an abhorrent feeling towards such fabricators since their satanic action defames and deforms Islam, and precludes the next generations from receiving its genuineness. A more serious matter is the fact that the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) was not given the orders
of unmasking and punishing such fabricators for their past or coming forgery. As an acceptable treatment
of this problem, the procedure
of warning them against forging lies, and warning people against receiving such falsification, was taken.
It is evident that such a procedure affects only in a quantitative reduction
of the problem. Hence, the Prophet’s recognition
of the problem existence, and prediction
of its continuity and increase are evidences on the fact that he constitutes a sufficient treatment for the problem, by means
of divine instructions.
This treatment was the obligation
of presenting every text ascribed to him, before the two weighty things he left in his nation and ordered
of adhering to; the Book
of Allah and his household. Any text that contradicts the Book
of Allah must be decided as worthless, since the Prophet does never belie the Quran. Correspondingly, every text that contradicts whatever is asserted by his progeny, who are being incessantly with Quran, is worthless, too. The Prophet’s household are being perpetually with the Quran, since they are the heirs
of the Prophet and the explicators
of his knowledge.
THE THIRD BASE
Through various paragraphs
of the Prophet’s sermons
of the Farewell Pilgrimage, principals
of this base are mentioned. Previously, we have referred to fulfillment
of trusts and laws
of heritage, blood money and pilgrimage. At any rate, there are other laws in the prophetic sermons involved.
In spite
of the countering factors, the main element in the materialization
of the cultural unity
of the Islamic nation, disregarding racial and national difference, was the unity
of their creed and legislation. It is an undeniable fact that Islam could achieve a unity
of conceptions and behavior among people in a form unattainable for the entire states and civilizations.
THE FOURTH BASE: PRINCIPALS
OF THE POLITICAL AFFAIRS, AND THE NEXT LEADERSHIP- Principal
of the prediction
of the coming
of twelve imams
of the Prophet’s progeny.
- Principal
of the importunate adherence to the Quran and the Prophet’s progeny; the two weighty things.
- Principal
of nominating Ali as the next leader
of this nation, and the first
of the twelve imams.
- Principal
of keeping on performing the obligatory rites and compliance with the leaders.
- Principal
of immortalizing the treaty
of Quraish and Kenana on blockading the Hashemites.
- Principal
of warning the Quraishis against playing the tyrant after the Prophet’s departure.
- Principal
of warning the Prophet’s companions against breaking faith and struggling on power.
Formerly, we have referred to this discussion through rendition
of the prophetic texts regarding the twelve imams. It is provable that this point has been remarked by the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) during the Farewell Pilgrimage sermons.
It is inadmissible for the sane to accept that the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) had concealed the identity
of those divinely nominated imams, or that the Prophet provided this matter for predicting
of their coming. These claims are originated by the Quraishis and their hired narrators.
Shiite reference books
of hadith attest that the second principal
of the Prophet’s persisting on the adherence to the two weighty things; the Quran and his progeny, relate that he referred to this matter through sermon
of Ghadir, the Al-Kheif Mosque sermon and, presumably, the others. This fact is forecited through Ali Bin Ibrahim’s narration.
Comprehensively, the Sunni reference books
of hadith record the Prophet’s assertion on adherence to the two weighty things; the Quran and the Prophet’s progeny, during sermon
of Ghadir only. They decide the authenticity
of the reports relate this affair. At-Tabari compiled a two-volumed book in this regard. He refers to the various series
of narrators and ways
of documentation
of the sermon involved.
Regarding the other sermons
of the Farewell Pilgrimage, At-Tirmithi, in his
As-Sunan; 5/328, records:
Jabir Bin Abdillah: I saw the Prophet (peace be upon him) on the pack
of his she-camel; Al-Qaswa, on day
of Arafa, orate:
“O people! I am leaving among you what will constantly protect you against deviation if only you adhere to; the Book
of Allah and my people; my household.
(The same is related by Abu Tharr, Abu Sa’eed, Zaid Bin Arqam and Hutheifa Bin Useid. The narration is decided as strange and qualified, but with a rather doubtful narrator. Sa’eed Bin Suleiman and many other scholars, however, relate Zaid Bin Al-Hassan’s narrations.)
It is also noticeable that a number
of Sunni reference books record the Prophet’s will
of the Quran only, disregarding his household.
Muslim’s; 4/41:
… I am leaving among you what will protect you against deviation as long as you commit yourselves to. It is the Book
of Allah.
The same is recorded in Abu Dawud’s; 1/427, and Al-Beihaqi’s; 5/8. Ibn Madga records a similar thing on page 1025
of part 2. The following form is recorded in
Majma’uzzawaid; 3/265:
…“O people! I am leaving among you what will perpetually protect you against deviation if you only adhere to. It is the Book
of Allah. Apply its instructions.”
Through a scrutinizing look at the narratives involved, it is easily understood that mentioning the Prophet’s household is deleted in such reports due to the narrators’ oblivion or the firm supervision the Quraishis imposed upon the prophetic texts. This is evidenced by the fact that the same reference books relate the same text completely in other positions. As a rule, the imperfect should be compared to the perfect.
Muslim, Al-Beihaqi, Ibn Madga and Al-Heithami record various narratives regarding the Prophet’s repetitive importunate recommendation
of adhering to the Quran and his progeny together.
Muslim’s
Sahih; 7/122:
Zaid Bin Arqam: In a place called ‘Khum’ and situated between Mecca and Al-Madina, the Prophet (peace be upon him) addressed at us:
“Praised and thanked be Allah…
O people! I am not more than a human. The apostle
of my Lord is about to come to me, and I will respond. I am leaving among you two weighty things. First is the Book
of Allah that contains the guidance and the illumination. Hold fast on the Book
of Allah and adhere to it. Second is my household. I bind you with the Lord in the question
of my household. I bind you with the Lord in the question
of my household. I bind you with the Lord in the question
of my household.”
Hussain asked Zaid: “O Zaid! Who are his household? Are his women included?”
“Yes, his women are reckoned with his household,” answered Zaid, “But his household are exclusively those whom are prohibited from receiving alms.”
“Who are they?” wondered Hussain.
“They are sons
of Ali, Aqeel, Jafar and Abbas,” identified Zaid.
“All those are prohibited from receiving alms?” asked Hussain.
“Yes, they all,” replied Zaid.
Al-Beihaqi relates the same narration in his
As-Sunan; 7/30 and 10/114.
Majma’uzzawaid; 1/170
:Zaid Bin Thabit: The Prophet (peace be upon him) stated:
“I am leaving among you two successors; the Book
of Allah and my household. They shall never leave each other till they join me on the Divine Pool.”
(In his
Al-Mujamul Kabir, At-Tabarani records this narrative the narrators
of which are trustful.)
He also records it on page 162
of part 9, and commentates that Ahmed records it in an acceptable documentation.
Abu Dawud does not refer to a clear narrative respecting the two weighty things. Yet, he writes an independent title given the name
of ‘Al-Mahdi’, in his
As-Sunan; 2/309, in which he records hadith
of the twelve imams and the Prophet’s prediction
of the coming
of Imam Al-Mahdi and his being from the
offspring
of Ali and Fatima (peace be upon them). He also relates the Prophet’s saying, “Even if there will be only a single day from the age
of this earth, God shall send a man from my household, who shall fill in it with justice, as it is filled in with wrong.”
We provide the following point as an evidence on our claiming the Prophet’s ordering people, during the Farewell Pilgrimage sermons,
of adhering to his household besides the Quran.
The prophetic statements are the most eloquent and articulate since they enjoy unique specifications. One
of these specifications is that there are definite structures dedicated to definite occasions. This point is common between the Quran and the prophetic texts. The prophetic structure, “…protect you against deviation if only you adhere to…” is dedicated to his instructing his nation to adhere to the Quran and his household. The Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) had never used this structure in any occasion except the recently concerned.
In the same manner, the structure, ‘I am leaving among you the two weighty things,’ had never been used in a situation other than the concerned.
When the Prophet gave his orders
of fetching a pen and a paper so that he would record a document ‘protecting them perpetually against deviation,’ during his final disease, the Quraishis perceived that he had intended to commit the Muslims to complying with the imams
of his progeny in a written form. So, they rejected this order very frankly and insolently.
In six positions
of his
Sahih, Al-Bukhari refers to this incident. The other reference books
of hadith report Omar’s taking pride in playing the greatest role in the process
of depriving the Prophet
of recording his will.
At any rate, we aim only for attracting attentions to the fact that isolating the Prophet’s household from the Book
of Allah, during reporting some narratives respecting sermons
of the Farewell Pilgrimage, violates the prophetic style and his unequaled expression during referring to his instruction
of adhering to the two; the Book
of Allah and his household, together. At-Tirmithi, moreover, relates the two together.
In abstract, none can deny the authentic truth that the Prophet predicted the coming
of the twelve imams, and instructed people to adhere to the two weighty things and considered his immaculate household; Ali, Fatima, Al-Hassan and Al-Hussein, as equal to the Quran in the field
of the obligation
of complying with them. All these matters were asserted through the prophetic sermons
of the Farewell Pilgrimage. These fact may be denied only by those who intend to be fanatic to the Quraishis in the face
of the Exalted Lord and His Apostle (peace be upon him and his family).
The third principal
of this base, which is the declaration
of Ali’s being the next religious and political leader, is evident through hadith
of Ghadir. We lack enough scope to refer to the numerous documentations and texts concerning this topic. A great deal
of reference books
of theology and hadith, beginning with At-Tabari’s
Al-Wilaya and ending with Allama Al-Amini’s
Al-Ghadir, discuss this topic thoroughly.
The fourth principal
of this base; principal
of keeping on performing the obligatory rites and compliance with the leaders, has been discussed during mentioning paragraphs
of the second base. Al-Fakhr Ar-Razi, as well as many others, admits that God shall never instruct us to comply with other than sinless people without specifying conditions, otherwise, this shall be an instruction
of a disobedience. This admission comes through discussing God’s saying, (O ye who believe! Obey Allah and obey the Apostle and those in authority from among you.) Hence, men in authority intended in the Holy Verse, must be sinless. Similarly, the intended in the Prophet’s sermon
of the Farewell Pilgrimage, as well as other occasions, must be sinless.
The fifth principal is immortalizing the treaty
of Quraish and Kenana on blockading the Hashemites. This is recorded in Al-Bukhari’s; 5/92:
Abu Huraira: The Prophet (peace be upon him) stated, “God willing, we shall reside in Al-Kheif, the place where they concluded the treaty
of atheism and swore it.”
On pages 246 and 194
of parts 4 and 8, Al-Bukhari records narratives concerning the same matter. On page 158
of part 2, he records a narrative with a more evident point:
Abu Huraira: On the Nahr day, the Prophet (peace be upon him) was in Mina when he stated, “Tomorrow, we shall reside in Al-Kheif
of Bani Kenana, where they concluded the treaty
of atheism and swore it.” He meant Al-Muhassab. The Quraishis and Kenana concluded a treaty against the Hashemites, sons
of Abdul-Muttelib and sons
of Al-Muttelib. They agreed upon abstaining from giving in marriage or marrying any individual belonging to these houses, and abstaining from selling them anything unless they give up the Prophet (peace be upon him).
The same is recorded in Muslim’s
Sahih; 4/86, Ahmed’s; 2/322, 237, 263, 353 and 540. It is also recorded in Al-Beihaqi’s
As-Sunan; 5/160, in another form, in which he commentates, “This report is recorded in Al-Bukhari’s and Muslim’s who relate it to Al-Awzai.”
Muslim does relate it to Al-Awzai, while Al-Bukhari relates it to Abu Huraira. It seems that Al-Beihaqi errs in this point, or the report is not found in the copy
of Al-Bukhari’s
Sahih we depend upon.
In any event, the following addition exists in Muslim’s report related to Al-Awzai:
…“They should not give marriage or marry any individual
of these houses, and no deal should be concluded between the two parties till they give up the Prophet (peace be upon him).”
Furthermore, in the two forms
of the report, there is a difference in the place
of the Prophet’s residence. Al-Bukhari mentions that the Prophet (peace be upon him) declared so while he was in Mina, after performing the rites
of Arafat. At-Tabarani mentions that it occurred in Mecca, before the commencement
of the pilgrimage rites. This is more acceptable, since it accounts for the Prophet’s concern in the subject and his caring for concentrating it in the Muslim’s mentalities. Moreover, the Prophet had resided in that place and passed the night before performing rites
of Arafat there when he was in his way to that mountain.
This matter has been previously mentioned during discussing Ad-Darimi’s narration. All the Tashriq days, the Prophet (peace be upon him) resided in that place.
Majma’uzzawaid; 3/250
:Ibn Abbas: A day before Tarwiya day, the Prophet (peace be upon him) stated, “God willing, we shall reside in Al-Kheif, the place where the atheists concluded their treaty and swore it.”
(In his
Al-Mujamul Kabirand
Al-Mujamul Awsat, At-Tabarani relates this narrative to trustful narrators.)
The most remarkable point in this discussion is the Prophet’s purpose beyond reminding the Quraishis and Muslims generally,
of a great incident took place in that place fourteen years ago. The Quraishis aimed at burying that incident, and make people forget it. Allah; the Exalted, and His Apostle intend to eternalize it in the Muslims’ mentalities and history. The entire incident brings humiliation to the Quraishis, and elevates proudly, the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) and the Hashemites. It is a sketch showing the ceaseless efforts
of the pharaonic Quraishi masters who could achieve unanimity
of the clans, and convince tribes
of Kenana, who were lodging near the Holy Precinct, to put the Hashemite under a complete blockade. This blockade lasted for long years. They practiced a comprehensive economic and social blockade against the Hashemites for coercing them on giving Mohammed up, so that they would be able to kill him, or making him retreat from his divine mission.
Those pharaonic masters felt in sublime cheer for their achieving the great success
of congregating clans
of Quraish and Kenana for that satanic purpose. Their conference was held in Al-Muhassab in Al-Kheif
of Bani Kenana where they swore, by Lat and Uzza, keeping on achieving their purpose. The document they wrote was signed by eighty chiefs and celebrities. The next day, they went on applying its paragraphs. Hence, that blockade lasted for four years, and ended few days before the Prophet’s immigration.
The Hashemites, including the unbelieving, combined with the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) and tolerated years
of blockade, poverty, hurt and insult. That occurred in col
of Abu Talib. Till God relieved their suffering by a miracle, none
of the Muslims participated with them.
The Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) aimed at opening the new Muslims’ minds on the history
of their religion and prices
of the divine revelation, in order that they may appreciate the value. Besides, he wanted them to pay attention to the core
of Islam and the core
of atheism, so that they may recognize each. Another purpose is that the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) aimed at sending a practical message to the rest
of the pharaonic masters
of Quraish, who were still alive, to inform them that they shouldered the
offense
of that atheism and shame. Nevertheless, they committed greater sins afterwards. They did not change their situation till the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) gathered them under swords
of the Hashemites and Ansar on day
of conquest
of Mecca. Only then, they evaded being killed by declaring their embracing Islam. Thereafter, they planned for prevailing the heritage
of the Islamic state that had been constructed by Allah and His Apostle, against their desires.
Death and sword
of Ali Bin Abi Talib were the Lord’s means
of killing a few number
of the masters
of that satanic treaty
of Al-Kheif conference. A considerable number
of them; such as Suheil Bin Amr, Abu Sufian, Ikrima Bin Abi Jahl, Safwan Bin Umaya Bin Khalaf, Hakeem Bin Hizam, Suheib Bin Sinan, Abul-Awar As-Selemi and others were still alive. They accompanied the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) in the Farewell Pilgrimage. They were listening to his statements and could remember their near past. They were admired by his pardoning them and stopping at submitting them to his full evidences.
Their extrinsic and hidden behavior, induction, the Prophet’s household’s testimony, course
of history; all these things proved their delight for the Prophet’s declaring his imminent final departure. They were preparing for a new method
of blockading the Hashemites in the next stage.
Hence, the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) purposed for reminding them
of their old plan, and how the Lord foiled it, and He would foil the coming ones.
The seventh principal
of this base, which is warning the Quraishis against playing the tyrant after departure
of the Prophet, is recorded in our reference books
of hadith. The forecited narration recorded in Al-Heithami’s
Majma’uzzawaid and related to Fahd Bin Albahiri who listened to the sermon
of Arafa Day and related the Prophet’s saying, “O the Quraishis! Do not shoulder the mundane affairs, while people shoulder the Hereafter. I will not avail you in the least before God,” asserts this principal.
Thanks God, Fahd was a Bedouin. Had he been from Quraish or Kenana, he would have substituted the Hashemites for the Quraishis!
The Quraishi narrators were wont to remove every statement that might injure or censure the Quraishis. Therefore, the Sunnis’ reference books
of hadith, are full
of such ‘authentic’ reports regarding the Prophet’s blaming and censuring the Hashemites and sons
of Abdul-Muttelib. In like manner, we could see tens
of narratives dealing with the Prophet’s praising the Quraishis and ordering
of selecting the leadership from them. No single prophetic saying concerning blaming or criticizing the Quraishis was saved from distortion into a prophetic blame addressed at the Hashemites, or repealing it by inventing another saying, or changing it into a prophetic praise for the Quraishis.
Son
of Albahiri’s narrative respecting the Prophet’s forewarning the Quraishis during sermon
of the Farewell Pilgrimage, comes in its proper time and place. The Quraishis occupied a distinctive location among the Arabs. They were the leading
of people the Arab Peninsula during and after the Prophet’s lifetime. Consequently, any danger that might face the Prophet’s household would certainly be originated by the Quraishis. As well, any movement
of averting Islam, and any wrongdoing Muslims may suffer would certainly be originated by the Quraishis. Other people would always be following them.
The Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) is not more than a bearer
of the Lord’s message, and a materializer
of His claim on people. His mission is warning and admonishing so that he who would perish might perish by clear pro
of, and he who would live might live by clear pro
of.
The eighth principal
of this base; warning the Prophet’s companions against breaking faith and struggling on the power, is recorded in the reference books
of hadiths
of the two sects directly and indirectly.
The indirect way
of relating this principal is the Prophet’s saying, “After me, return not to deviation by beheading each other.”
In his
As-Sunan; 2/1300, Ibn Madga dedicates an independent chapter to the prophetic sayings regarding this topic. He titles it, ‘After Me, Return Not To Deviation By Beheading Each Other.’ He records the Prophet’s sayings, “Woe is you! After me, return not to atheism by beheading each other,” and “Kill not each other after me,” and the like.
This foreordains that this process would be falling after him. As a matter, the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) frankly foretold them
of their struggle after him. He used the maximum degree
of his eloquence, as well as sympathy, and applied the entire styles
of forewarning and admonition for materializing the Lord’s evidence on them; so that they will not provide their unfamiliarity
of the topic when they shall be submitted before the Lord.
Those forewarned and admonished people were none other than his companions. They were not the Jews, or the other Arab tribes, or chiefs
of Quraish exclusively.
The Islamic state prevailed and affected its centering all over the Arab Peninsula. Hence, the Prophet’s anticipation
of struggle for power was not addressed at the tribes that were, coercively or voluntarily, submitted to Islam, such as the Hawazin and the Ghatafan, since these tribes had nothing to do with the leadership
of the Islamic state. Supposing they did, they would not obtain any unless the Prophet’s companions permitted.
Regarding the Jews, they were defeated, and a part
of them was banished out
of the Arab Peninsula. They had no considerable military power at that period. Despite the firmness and effectiveness
of their trickeries, they would not thrive unless they passed by the Prophet’s companions.
Chiefs
of Quraish lacked the dare to demand with a position
of leadership in the Islamic states although they had the predominance upon majority
of Quraishi tribes, as well as two thousand warriors. That was because
of their being the Prophet’s ‘released’ individuals whose souls had already been in the hand
of the Prophet. This meant that the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) had had the right to kill or enslave them. Hence, he opted for the second when he released them afterward. They would have no hope to hold a position
of leadership unless that small number
of the Quraishi Muhajirs permitted so.
This proves that the Prophet’s forewarning against struggling for the power after him, is restricted to his companions, Muhajirs, and Ansar exclusively.
Here comes the role
of the direct forewarning which lacks the personal names only. It came in the form
of a portrait from the unseen world. It provided the end result
of those deviating and deviate companions.
This portrait was the Lord’s, Who committed Gabriel the angel, to carry it to the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family). It showed the coming day on which the Lord shall choose Mohammed (peace be upon him and his family) for chiefship
of the grand assemblage. Gabriel shall hand him the pennon
of Hamd. The Prophet shall deliver that pennon to Ali Bin Abi Talib, since this man is the bearer
of the Prophet’s pennon in this world and the Hereafter. The entire assemblage will be under the leadership
of Mohammed in whom Adam will take pride. He will be called ‘Abu -father
of- Mohammed.’
The Lord shall give Mohammed exclusively the right
of intercession and the Divine Pool
of Kawthar. Then, delegations
of the entire nations will approach him for seeking intercession. He will intercede and grant the card
of drinking from that Divine Pool. That water will change their physiological structure so that they will be fit to abide in the Paradise forever.
When it will be his companions’ role, a surprise will occur. The Lord’s order
of disallowing the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) to intercede for those individuals and grant them the card
of drinking from that Pool will come. Then, the angels
of anguish will be ordered
of taking them to the hell-fire.
This is the morrow
of those companions, communicated by the ever most true-tongued individual on this earth.
It is indeed a terrible scene. Gabriel; the Chaste, carried it to the Prophet, so that he would inform his people,during the Farewell Pilgrimage,
of its destined occurrence.
It is the gravest catastrophe to the companions
of the greatest prophet. The reason beyond this is certainly their causing the Prophet’s nation falling in the greatest catastrophe in the morrow.
Excepting the like
of scattered animals
of a cattle, none
of those companions will escape. This picture is recorded in the most authentic narratives
of the most adoring to those companions. It is an extraordinary expression. Those scattered animals are those escaping the cattle.
This means that the entire group
of the Prophet’s companions shall be in the hell-fire, and only few shall escape.
Moreover, the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) explained that the companions, who should be in the hell-fire, are
of two groups. This indicates that there are two lines taken by two parties
of the companions.
This is proved through the forecited report recorded by Al-Hakim, who decides it as authentic on the criterion depended by the two Sheiks -Muslim and Al-Bukhari-. In this report, he records, “Another group shall be occluded, too. None shall escape but a few groups like the scattered animals in a cattle.”
It is a distressing question, indeed. It is hardly acceptable and credible, especially for the Muslims who are brought up on cherishing the entire companions
of the Prophet; the best century, the unique generation, the statement
of “My companions’ like are the stars, you will be guided if you follow any,” and the splendid representations and examples
of those companions. It will be a great shock for such a Muslim if he is faced by that horrible satanic picture
of those companions.
Had it been any person other than the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) who uttered these words, they would have reckoned him with the enemies
of Islam, who aim at ruining this religion by means
of maligning the Prophet’s companions.
It is most surely the Prophet himself who uttered these words. His words, as an undeniable reality, are not produced due to his personal caprice and not spoken out
of desire. Nevertheless, the Quraishis claim the Prophet’s speaking in states
of satisfaction and rage. And his words in states
of rage are not decided as evidences.
As a matter
of fact, the Prophet’s words involved, are a revelation
of the Lord
of the worlds!!
This truth is grievous. However, it is not necessary for truths to be always delightful. Similarly, the right is not always designed as we like or inherit.
How can we behave before the fact that the prophetic texts regarding the companions whom shall be deposed, rejected and precluded from having from that Divine Pool, occupy numerous situations in the most authentic Sunni reference books
of hadith?! Furthermore, they occupy more numerous situations in the other reference books
of hadith. All these say that none
of those companions shall escape except a few like the scattered animals
of a cattle.
According to the Arabic-Arabic dictionary compiled by Al-Jawhari, the Prophet’s wording refers to the animals
of a cattle that lost their supervisor.
At any rate, the most remarkable point in this discussion is recognizing the reason beyond the Prophet’s submitting that topic during the Farewell Pilgrimage.
Primarily, the reason is that the Exalted Lord had given him the orders
of submitting this topic in that very time. The Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) does never speak out
of desire, and lacks awareness
of his companions’ next deeds and their coming judgment on the Resurrection Day unless he is informed by the Lord.
The following questions can be provided here. What did those companions commit after the Prophet’s decease? Did they return to atheism? Or did they apostatize, as the prophetic text describes? Did they misrepresent this religion? Did they kill each other for power?
A simple answer for all these questions can be said here. You should admit what your Prophet said, and keep peace, and evade being Rafidite -rejecter and protester-.
Another question is cited. What for did the Lord opt for this style in forewarning? What for did He not extinguish those individuals, who will deviate thereafter, or give His Prophet the order
of killing them, or scandal them before the entire Muslims so that they would be avoided?
The answer is that this is being the Lord’s policy in materializing the claim thoroughly on His slaves, and leaving them to their free deeds, so that he who would perish might perish be clear pro
of, and he who would live might live by clear pro
of. God, at length, is not to be asked for an explanation for His deeds, while people shall be asked for theirs. The Exalted Lord is the Owner
of His servants, and He enjoys the full freedom to interrogate them. The Elevated Lord does not make errors; therefore, He is not submitted to inquiry. He; the Praised, is the most Knowledgeable. The non-most knowledgeable is not applied to inquire or impeach the most knowledgeable.
Another question is cited here. What were the consequences
of that prophetic forewarning? Did Muslims, as well as the companions, hurry up towards the Prophet asking for showing the straight path? Did they ask him to nominate a man they would follow thereafter, so that those dangerous companions would not lead them astray?
The answer is that the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) did nominate the two weighty things for people to follow. He named the Book
of Allah and his household. He also foretold
of the coming
of twelve godly imams.
Before and after the Farewell Pilgrimage, the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) defined his household several times. He named them; Ali, Fatima, Al-Hassan and Al-Hussein (peace be upon them).
Reports
of the most authentic reference books
of hadith declare that the Prophet did identify them materially when he covered them with a Yemeni cloak, and declared, “Those are my people; my household.”
Sufficed not by these procedures and declaration, the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) caused the Muslims to halt under the harsh heat
of sun in Al-Juhafa in
Ghadir Khum, and took Ali from the arm to announce his being the next religious and political leader. He then installed a tent for him, so that the entire Muslims would greet him confessing his being the prince
of the believers, and congratulate him on his being nominated, by the Lord, as the next leader. They all congratulated and acclaim him. The Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) then ordered his women to congratulate Ali for gaining that position. They approached the tent and
offered congratulations. They admitted their loyalty to Ali’s chiefship
of the nation.
In his final disease, the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) aimed at attesting that evidence on his nation in a written form. He asked the retinue to fetch him a pen and a paper so that he would record a document protects them against deviation perpetually. Unfortunately, they rejected unrelentingly. They said to him, “Well! Thanks, Apostle. We decided to deviate after you. This decision is taken while we are enjoying full awareness, intention and option. We do not want you to record a document that we should comply with Ali, Hassan, Hussein and nine individuals from Hussein’s
offspring; their progeny. Hence, shamelessly, they said, “Fetch not any pen or paper!!”
How can the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) provide a more consistent evidence?
THE FIFTH BASE: PUNITION OF THE DISSIDENTS OF THE PROPHET’S INSTRUCTION OF ADHERING TO HIS HOUSEHOLD
This punition shall befall in the Hereafter. It fits the Prophet’s responsibility
of conveying and witnessing his nation’s acts. The expression
of this punition is firm and unbending. It came in the form
of a divine decision
of cursing and condemning the dissidents
of the Prophet regarding his instruction
of revering his household. It indicated that the repentance
of such individuals shall never be admitted, and they shall be deserving the eternal torment in the hell-fire.
Its being the last paragraph in the Prophet’s sermon might give it another dimension referring to its firmness and decisiveness.
In the report recorded in
Tuhaful Uqoul; the Shiite reference book, this paragraph is cited. A good deal
of Sunni reference books
of hadith refer to this topic. They assert that it was mentioned during the Prophet’s sermon in the Farewell Pilgrimage.
Ibn Madga’s
As-Sunan; 2/905:Amr Bin Kharija: The Prophet (peace be upon him) was on the back
of his pack animal, while it was breathing heavily due to the hot weather, when he sermonized:
“… Curse
of the Lord, the angels and the entire people be on those who ascribe themselves to other than their fathers or masters. God be not accept their excuse or compensation.”
At-Tirmithi’s
As-Sunan; 3/293:Abu Umama Al-Bahili: I hear the Prophet (peace be upon him) say, in his sermon addressed during the Farewell Pilgrimage, “Ceaseless curse
of the Lord be on those who ascribe themselves to other than their fathers or masters.”
Ahmed’s
Al-Musned; 4/239:Amr Bin Kharija: The Prophet (peace be upon him) was in Mina, riding his pack animal which was breathing heavily due to the hot weather, when he sermonized:
“Curse
of the Lord, the angels and the entire people be on who ascribe themselves to other than their fathers or masters, as a desire to neglect them.”
Ahmed’s
Al-Musned; 4/187:“… Curse
of the Lord, the angels and the entire people be on those who ascribe themselves to other than their fathers or masters. God be not accept his excuse or compensation.”
Ahmed relates the same meaning in different reports and records them in the same previous page book and the preceding ones. He also records it on pages 238 and 186. For Ad-Darimi, he records it in his
As-Sunan; 2/244 and 344. In
Majma’uzzawaid; 5/14, the narration is related to Abu Masud. Al-Bukhari records the reports in his
Sahih; 2/221 and 4/67.
The reader may wonder the relationship between such a prophetic statement and the Prophet’s instruction
of adhering to his household. The forecited paragraphs emphasize that the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) cursed those who ascribe themselves to other than their fathers, and the slaves who deny their loyalty to those who manumit them and ascribe it to another master.
As an answer
of this wonderment, we have to cite that as a jurisprudential ruling, it is that if a son disavows his father and claims another man’s filiation, then he regrets and returns to his real father, his repentance is admissible. In like manner, if a slave leaves his master and claims
of his slavery to another man, but he repents and returns to his master after a while, his repentance is jurisprudentially acceptable.
These jurisprudential rulings contradict the Prophet’s asserting that the divine curse, in its harshest form, is ceaselessly poured on those who ascribe themselves to other than their fathers or masters.
Such a divine punition is admitted in cases
of serious excess, such as apostasy and the like. It is unfit to issue such a judgment against an ignorant son or slave who disavow their father or master.
Moreover, some reports refer that the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) ruled the atheism and apostasy
of such individuals. This reports are recorded in Al-Beihaqi’s
As-Sunan; 8/26,
Majma’uzzawaid; 1/97,
Kenzul Ummal; 5/872 and many others. As an example we cite that the following report is recorded in
Kenzul Ummal; 10/324, 326, 327 and 16/255 respectively:
“He whoever disavows his masters is ripping the bind
of Islam out
of his neck.”
“He should find himself a place in the hell-fire that whoever disavows his masters.”
“He is an atheist that whoever disavows his masters.”
“He is decided as a disbeliever
of what the Lord has revealed to his Apostle, that whoever disavows his masters.”
The recent authentic prophetic sayings support the fact that such decisive rulings do in no means relate those who disavow their fathers or masters, unless fathers and masters intended in such sayings are not the proper ones.
This meaning is also supported by the forecited reports and many others, in which the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) does not refer to fathers and sons at all, but he stops at mentioning masters and their servants. Naturally, a son’s disavowal
of his father is more serious than a slave’s disavowal
of his master. Nevertheless, such reports informed
of a more serious punition.
In addition, this meaning is supported by the fact that this ruling, in a good number
of reports communicating the Prophet’s sermons during the Farewell Pilgrimage, is mentioned directly after referring to the dedicate competency given exclusively to the Prophet’s household and progeny. This is the one-fifth rate. The Prophet’s progeny are prohibited from receiving the alms and the poor rate.
Ahmed’s
Al-Musned; 4/186:
The Prophet (peace be upon him) was on his pack animal when he sermonized: “Alms is not allowed for my household and me. Any sum
of alms even if it was as much as this.” Meanwhile, the Prophet (peace be upon him) took a single hair from the back
of his pack animal, and went on: “God curse that whoever ascribes himself to other than his father or master.”
The same is recorded on page 293
of part 5
ofKenzul Ummal. On page 235
of part 10
of the same book, the following form is recorded:
“… He should find him a place in the hell-fire that whoever ascribes himself to other than his master.”
In the Shiite reference books
of hadith; the Prophet’s progeny’s reports, this prophetic wording is frequently and authentically recorded during mentioning the Prophet’s sermons
of the Farewell Pilgrimage. Besides, it is a part
of the
Ghadir sermon
Biharul Anwar; 37/123
:Al-Mufid’s
Al-Amali: … Zaid Bin Arqam: I hear the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) say in
Ghadir Khum: “Alms is not licit for my household and me. God curse those who ascribe themselves to other than their fathers or masters. The baby is the bed owner’s. The prostitute’s share is the stones. An heir is not to will.
You have heard and seen me. He must find him a place in the hell-fire that whoever forges lies against me.
I will be preceding you to the Divine Pool. I will take pride in you before the other nations on the Resurrection Day. Blacken not my face. I will save men from the hell-fire, and others shall be taken from my hands and sent to the hell-fire.
Allah is my Master, and I am the master
of each male and female believer.
He whosever master was I, Ali shall be his master.”
An alike report is recorded on page 186
of the same book, and quoted from
Bisharetul Islam.
In his
Al-Umda/344, Ibnul Bitriq, the Shiite, comments:
Reports recorded in the most authentic books
of hadith, that regarded the Prophet’s saying, “God curse those who ascribe themselves to other than their fathers or masters,” do intend the great urge on adhering to Amirul Muminin Ali after the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family). The clear evidence on this fact is the most authenticated saying
of the Prophet: “He whosever master was I, Ali shall be his master.”
As he asserts so, the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) adds, “O Allah! Accede to whomever accedes to him, and antagonize whomever antagonizes him, and support whomever supports him, and disappoint whomever disappoints him.”
These assure the most acceptable matter that Ali is being the master
of those whose master was the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family). Likewise, Ali is being the master
of the believers entirely, this is proved by Omar Bin Al-Khattab’s saying to Ali after that prophetic declaration, “Congratulations, Ali! You have become the master
of every male and female believer.” Other narratives report Omar’s saying to Ali in the same occasion, “You have become my master, and the master
of every male and female believer.”
This position is the Lord’s exclusively. He; the Exalted, gave it to his Apostle; Mohammed (peace be upon him and his family) and ordered him
of dedicating it to Ali Amirul Muminin after him. This meaning is supported by God’s saying, (Only Allah is your Master and His Apostle and those who believe, those who keep up prayers and pay the poor rate while they bow.)
*On that account, the Prophet’s saying, “…those whoever ascribe themselves to other than their fathers,” stands for those who disavow loyalty to Amirul Muminin Ali Bin Abi Talib (peace be upon him). We can refer this to the Prophet’s saying, “O Ali! You and I are fathers
of this nation.” Curse
of the Lord be on the disobeyer
of his father.
Reference books
of hadith
of both sects relate that the forecited saying was a part
of the script hanged to the Prophet’s sword given to Ali in heritage. In his
Sahih; 4/67, Al-Bukhari records this narrative. Similarly, Muslim, in his
Sahih; 4/115 and 216, records this narrative in various ways
of narration. Like many others, At-Tirmithi also records it in his
As-Sunan; 3/297. As a matter
of fact, they insist on these narratives since they contained, as they claim, Ali’s confession that the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) had not inherited his household any knowledge except a copy
of the Holy Quran and that paper hanged to his sword. The narratives, however, assure the Prophet’s cursing those who disavow their masters.
In the Shiite reference books
of hadith, we could find a fourth occasion inciting the Prophet’s uttering this wording
of curse. The Quraishi ‘released’ individuals moved to Al-Madina and partook the hypocrites in their efforts against the Prophet’s household. Once, they uttered, “Regarding his existence among the Hashemites, Mohammed’s like is a date-palm tree planted in a junkyard.” When he was informed
of this saying, the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) ordered Ali to ascend the pulpit and answer them.
Biharul Anwar; 38/204:
… Al-Isbigh Bin Nebata: Ali Bin Abi Talib (peace be upon him):
Once, the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) summoned me and ordered
of ascending his pulpit and declaring the following statements: Curse
of Allah, and curse
of His favored angels and messaged prophets, and my curse be on that whoever disavows his father or master, and that whoever wrongs his hireling.
As I did the mission, none commented except Omar Bin Al-Khattab. “O Abul-Hassan! You have conveyed. But they were unclassifiable words,” said he.
I was back to the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) to inform
of this commentation. The Prophet asked me to convey the following words:
O people! We should never communicate words to you unless we have their interpretation. It I who is your father. It is I who is your master. It is I who is your hireling.
A fifth occasion
of this wording we found through a narrative recorded in Furat Bin Ibrahim Al-Kufi’s
Tafsir/392:
… Fatima Bint Al-Hussein: Al-Hussein Bin Ali: When the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) was in Al-Madina, some Muhajirs
offered him a part
of their estate to help in managing any unexpected matters he might counter.
For a while, the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) nodded his head down and, finally, refused their
offer saying, “I am not ordered
of taking any
of your properties.”
Soon after that, Gabriel; the angel, descended carrying God’s saying, (Say: I do not ask for you any reward for it but love my near relatives.)
As the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) conveyed this Verse to them, Muhajirs went out grumbling at this mandate, and saying to each other that the Prophet had intended only to submit them to sons
of Abdul-Muttelib forever.
The Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) summoned Ali Bin Abi Talib and ordered
of ascending his pulpit and addressing at people the following statements:
O people! He should seek himself a place in the hell-fire, that whoever wrongs a hireling in his wage. He should seek himself a place in the hell-fire, that whoever disavows his master. He should seek himself a place in the hell-fire, that whoever denies his parents.
A man stood up and asked for an interpretation for these words.
Ali was back to the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) for conveying that man’s commentation. “Woe is the Quraishis from the interpretation
of these words,” the Prophet repeated thrice. “O Ali!” ordered the Prophet, “Go and tell them that I am the hireling whose commitment is mandated in the heavens. You and I are masters
of the believers. You and I are fathers
of the believers.”
FOURTH DISCUSSION
THE PROPHETS’ NEED FOR PEOPLE’S
PROTECTION DURING CONVEYING THEIR MISSIONSDuring their explaining the Verse
of Isma; (O Apostle! Deliver what had been revealed to you from your Lord; and if you do it not, then you have not delivered His message, and Allah will protect you from the people; surely Allah will not guide the unbelieving people,) the advocates
of the Quraishi caliphate committed two principal mistakes:
First, they misrepresented the actual conception
of the prophets’ missions, including Mohammed (peace be upon him and his family).
Second, they attempted to conceal the Quraishis’ actuality after conquest
of Mecca. They intended to draw the Verse away from these incidents. They also tried to persuade the Muslims that the Quraishis; that polytheist clan and center
of the devils, changed into those pious people who received god-fearing in a period
of a single night and day, and that they went on leading people to Islam and the right path.
QURANIC SENSE OF CONVEYANCE
The Holy Quran carries a simple meaning
of conveyance. It means the messengers’ explicating the divine mission, and leaving the option for people, and the Lord, not the prophets, shall be the judge and the remunerator.
A number
of principals can be concluded from this deep base.
First, a prophet is in great exigency for guaranteeing the right
of free expression
of opinions, so that he will be able to transmit and convey his Lord’s mission to the servants. This was the prophets’ preliminary demand from their nations.
Second, the prophets’ mission is nothing more than conveyance. Before Abraham (peace be upon him), jihad was not imposed upon the prophets. God; the Exalted, imposed it upon Abraham and the coming prophets.
* This jihad was purposed for removing the obstacles that impeded the process
of conveyance, or facing the atheists’ assaults against the believers who opted for the divine religion and organized their lives according to it.
Third, none should be coerced on embracing the religion. It is quite free to choose any course. Hence, law
of guidance and deviation ought to be effective, and capability
of doing good and evil ought to be available.
Fourth, the purpose beyond practicing the conveyance
of the divine missions is providing the Lord with clear, complete and perfect claims on people, in order that they will not have acceptable excuses when they shall be resurrected for judgment. Hence, providing claims in the divine religions is an original and perpetual pivot in the tasks
of prophets, whether on level
of the atheists or the believers.
When a prophet conveys creeds and rulings to people, and explicates clearly their beliefs and duties; he will prompt his Lord’s claim. This will perfect the mission and release him from any responsibility.
Their positive or negative response to that prophet, and their deeds and behavior are their own concern. A prophet is not responsible in this regard at all. This is God’s interest.
God says: (Say: Then Allah’s is the conclusive argument; so if He pleased, He would certainly guide you all.)
We are to refer to some evidences on the forecited discussion, quoted from the Holy Words
of God.
Noah; the prophet, says to his people: (I deliver to you the messages
of my Lord, and I
offer you good advise and I know from Allah what you do not.)
Shueib; the prophet, says to his people: (So he turned away from them and said: O my people! I delivered to you the messages
of my Lord and I gave you good advice; how shall I then be sorry for an unbelieving people?)
Hud; the prophet, says to his people: (But if you turn back, then indeed I have delivered to you the message with which I have been sent to you, and my Lord will bring another people in your place, and you cannot do Him any harm; surely my Lord is the Preserver
of all things.)
God, as He refers to the common point in the prophets’ missions, says: (Is then aught incumbent upon the apostles except a plain delivery
of the message?)
(They said: Our Lord knows that we are most surely messengers to you. And nothing devolves on us but a clear deliverance
of the message.)
In fact, concepts and rulings
of the divine conveyance are too many to be discussed in this discussion. As they are cited from Quranic and prophetic texts, concepts and rulings
of conveyance form a perfect hypothesis. God; the Exalted, describes His religion and Book as a conveyance. He says, (This is a conveyance for people and that they may be warned thereby, and that they may conceive that He is One God and that those possessed
of understanding may mind.)
The Quran is also described as a conveyance for the coming generations who will receive Islam. God say: (Say: what is the weightiest in testimony? Say: Allah is witness between you and me; and this Quran has been revealed to me that with it I may warn you and whomsoever it reaches.)
The Lord praised His prophets for their trust and courage in conveying His messages in spite
of people’s resistance and mockery. He says: (Those who deliver the messages
of Allah and fear Him, and do not fear any one but Allah; and Allah is sufficient to take account.)
God; the Praised, reckons the process
of receiving and conveying the divine revelation as one
of the most serious and critical deeds that require distinctive personalities and precise divine guardianship. He says: (The Knower
of the unseen! So He does not reveal His secrets to any except to him whom He chooses as an apostle; for surely He makes a guard to march before him and after him so that He may know that they have truly delivered the messages
of their Lord, and He encompasses what is with them, and He records the number
of all things.)
MISSION OF OUR PROPHET IN CONVEYANCE
The most interesting concern in this regard in the conveyance acted by our Prophet; Mohammed (peace be upon him and his family). God describes his mission and responsibility by saying: (And obey Allah and obey the Apostle and be cautious; but if you turn back, then know that only a clear deliverance
of the message is incumbent on Our apostle.)
(Say: Obey Allah and obey the Apostle; but if you turn back, then on him rests that which is imposed on him and on you rests that which is imposed on you; and if you obey him, you are on the right way; and nothing rests on the Apostle but clear deliverance
of the message.)
(so, if they submit then indeed they follow the right way; and if they turn back, then upon you is only the delivery
of the message, and Allah sees the servants.)
(But if they turn aside, We have not sent you as a watcher over them. On you is only to deliver the message.)
Hence, the Lord sent our Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) on bases
of the divine message formulation and conveyance with which the entire prophets were sent. It is the rule
of substantiating the Lord’s claim and instituting it upon people and avoiding coercing them to admit it. This is the very meaning
of God’s saying: (On you is only to deliver the message.)
The Prophet said: “I have given the orders
of fighting people till they utter ‘There is no god but Allah.’ As soon as they utter, they will guard their souls and estate against me.”
The coercion carried by the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) is compelling Christians and Jews to live peacefully with the Muslims, not embrace Islam, and compelling the paganists and polytheists to enter the general frame
of Islam. Whatever else is people’s concern, in the limits
of this frame. When an individual obeys, another disobeys, another takes the right path and another deviates, this is God’s concern, since He is the Judge.
On that account, it is naturally that the conveyance
of the divine message will be in need for protection, otherwise the Quraishis would assassinate him, defame his advocacy or preclude people from listening to him as soon as possible, because they realized the real size
of danger caused by this advocacy on their authority and gods.
Despite the fact that the secret, as well as the seen, divine attention to the prophets is
of various forms and sorts, the Lord’s norm in His apostles is leaving their protection for the natural factors, in addition to that divine attention.
As a matter
of fact, there is no single pro
of on the claim
of the Lord’s guaranteeing His prophet’s safety from injuries or assassination, as well as the other sorts
of harm he countered in his lifetime.
Previously, we have referred to reports respecting the continuity
of guarding the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) to the end
of his honorable life. It is to add that he asked the Arab clans to guarantee his protection for conveying his Lord’s message.
Ibn Husham’s
As-Sira; 2/23:
Rabia Bin Ebbad: I was a young boy when I accompanied my father in Mina where the Prophet (peace be upon him) was used to attending in the quarters
of the Arab clans, and addressing at them: “I am the messenger
of Allah to you. I instruct you to worship Allah alone, and avoid considering any associate with Him, and give up the adoration to what you are worshipping except Him, and believe in me, and give me credence and protect me so that I will be able
of carrying my Lord’s message.”
The same is recorded in At-Tabari’s
Tarikh; 2/83 and Ibn Kutheir’s
As-Sira; 2/155.
Al-Yaqubi’s
Tarikh; 2/36
The Prophet was wont to provide his advocacy before the Arab tribes every year during seasons
of pilgrimage. He used to speak to chiefs
of these tribes, asking for nothing other than protection and guard. He was saying, “I do not coerce any on admitting my advocacy. But I only want you to protect me against assassination, so that I can deliver my Lord’s messages.”
None admitted him. They used to excuse that his people are more knowing in this regard.
Moreover, reports assert that the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family), during the declaration
of fealty
of Al-Ansar, asked them to protect his household and him as same as they protect their families and souls.
Ibn Husham’s
As-Sira; 2/38:
After he recited some Quranic
Verses and invoked Islam, the Prophet said to Al-Ansar: “I conclude with you a covenant that you should protect me as same as you protect your sons and women.”
Al-Bera Bin Muarwir took the Prophet’s hand and shouted, “Yes, by Him Who sent you with the right. We will protect you as same as we protect our people. Confirm your covenant with us, God’s messenger! We are, by God, men
of wars and heroism. We have been inheriting so from our great fathers.”
*This matter arranges the topic involved. The Prophet (peace be upon him and his family), according with norms occurred to the previous prophets, asked for protection so that he would be able to carry the divine message.
Al-Ansar contributed this protection. The Lord gave victory to His Prophet who defeated his enemies; the polytheists and the Jews. He prevailed the Arab Peninsula, Yemen, Bahrain and the Gulf. His state extended to the edges
of Syria, and the Islamic military forces went on threatening the Romans in Syria and Palestine.
In the tenth year
of his immigration, the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) was about to depart to the Exalted Associate. That was during the Farewell Pilgrimage. In these final moments, he received sura
of Maida, in which he was ordered
of conveying the message. In addition, he was relieved that he would be protected against people.
What changes occurred? What incited on the revelation
of orders
of conveying in the last stage
of conveyance? What made the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) in need for protection against people after he had been ruling that great state?
For scholars, it is inapplicable to suppose that the Prophet was in need for a physical protection, since the Exalted Lord had already willed that such a material protection would endure naturally. Furthermore, it was available so acceptably. Hence, the protection intended in this regard, should be mental.
Secondly, a student is bound by the conclusion that conveyance intended in the Verse should contemplate such a remarkable matter that it was very much difficult for people to accept. It is also binding to name the hypocrites that declared their being Muslims, as the only indication
of ‘people’ intended in the Verse. This is by the reason that the entire serious matters had been already communicated to the atheists, and the mission had no other serious matter to convey. Besides, after the revelation
of that Verse, the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) did not declare any expected remarkable matter.
Consequently, except for protection against doubting the prophesy, the revealed protection in this Verse was meaningless. At any rate, definite people would doubt Mohammed’s prophesy after they would have listened to him when he would nominate his household as the coming political and religious leaders
of this nation.
This is the only meaning coincides the general text
of the Verse.
As an interpretation, we are to explain the Verse as follows:
O Apostle!You are only a conveyor and messenger. You are not responsible for the coming events or the result. This is your Lord’s concern.
Deliver what had been revealed to you from your Lord; by Gabriel in the matter concerning Ali; the matter you have frequently intended to refer to, but the hypocrites prevented you.
And if you do it not, then you have not delivered His message, or substantiated your Lord’s claim. Leadership
of your progeny is not a personal matter, as the hypocrites think. It is a basic part
of this sealing united epistle. When a part fails, the mass will fail. Similarly, when a part
of the claim fails, the entire claim will fail.
And Allah will protect you from the people; the Quraishis who may doubt your prophesy due to your conveying this matter that is very difficult for them to admit. This process will be completed peacefully. No interruption and no apostasy will occur. Hence, you shall be seen as a perfect conveyor
of your Lord’s message, and you will complete your Lord’s claim on you nation as well. However, Ali shall be in need for fighting these people for the sake
of interpreting the Quran, in the same course you fought for the sake
of its revelation.
Surely Allah will not guide the unbelieving people, who will wrong your progeny after you, and subsequently, will wrong your nation. They will change God’s favor into atheism, and drive this nation into combats and collapse.
FIFTH DISCUSSION
THE QURAISHIS ARE THE REASON BEYOND THE PROPHET’S NEED FOR AN ADDITIONAL PROTECTION
From the Holy Verse and various narratives, we can conclude that the Prophet’s conveyance
of his Lord’s message regarding the leadership
of his progeny might have caused a grave quake in the nation, and a serious threat against his prophecy.
What are the reason and circumstances that might have caused such a sweeping catastrophe?
Neither the Arab tribes, the Jews nor could the Christians have any opinion nor intrude themselves in the matter
of the Prophet’s nominating his progeny for the coming leadership. The only source
of danger that might have precluded this affair was the Quraishis.
It seemed that the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) despaired
of executing this affair. This matter is evidenced by the fact that the Prophet anticipated people’s dissenting Islam as soon as he would declare this affair frankly and formally. The reason beyond this are the character and the tribal structure
of Quraish.
QURAISH IS ROOT OF VILLAINS
The Quraishi chiefs are the evil side
of Samuel’s
offspring. Yet, the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) and Abu Talib; his uncle, doubted those chiefs’ belonging to Samuel; the prophet. They joined the intricate characters
of the Jews; their cousins, to tyranny
of the violent chiefs
of the Bedouin tribes.
Excepting the Hashemites and few others, the Quraishis are the source
of tyranny and Satanism.
The Exalted Lord decides those chiefs as a perfect assembly
of Pharaohs. God says: (Surely We have sent to you an Apostle, a witness against you, as We sent an apostle to Pharaoh. But Pharaoh disobeyed the apostle, so We laid on him a violent hold.)
As he was watching the victims
of the battle
of Badr, the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) stated, “God may reward you; the evil band, badly. You belied me while I was true-tongued, and imputed treachery to me while I was trustworthy.”
As his eyes fell on the dead body
of Abu Jahl Bin Husham, the Prophet said, “This one is more tyrant than Pharaoh. As Pharaoh despaired
of his life, he recognized the oneness
of Allah. But when this one despaired
of his life, he called forth Lat and Uzza; the idols.”
*On page 207
of part 3
of his book, Ibn Husham records the following saying
of Abu Jahl:
Sons
of Abd Menaf and we competed on honor. We served food when they served it. We combated when they combated. We bestowed when they bestowed. When we both had the same scale and became like two race horses, they claimed the coming
of a prophet receives revelation from the heavens among them. How can we ever have such a privilege? Nay, by God. We will never believe him, nor will we give credence to him.
**Al-Qummi’s
Tafsir; 1/276:
The Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) addressed at the Quraishis: “The Lord has sent me to destroy kings
of this whole world and drag their realms to you. Respond to what I am calling forth, and you shall be kings
of the Arabs, and the non-Arabs shall submit to you and you shall be kings in the Paradise.”
Out
of his envy to the Prophet, Abu Jahl spoke: “O Allah! If Mohammed’s words are being the right
of Thee, then rain skyey stones upon us or inflict painful agony upon us.” He then added: “The Hashemites and we were like two race horses. We combated when they combated, and speared when they speared, and cooked when they cooked. When they and we were
of the same scale, they claimed prophesy among them. Nay, we will never admit such a thing among the Hashemites, or sons
of Makhzum.”
In his
Al-Mustatraf; 1/58, Al-Abshihi records:
“What ill minded people are yours, when they selected a woman for their leadership!” Muawiya addressed at a Yemeni. “But I know people more ill minded,” replied the Yemeni, “they are your people. When the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) called them to embrace Islam they answered, ‘O Allah! If this is being the truth
of Thee, then rain us with skyey stones, or inflict painful agony upon us.’ They should have said, ‘O Allah! If this is being the truth
of Thee, then guide us to it.’”
In his
As-Siratul Mustaqim; 3/49, Al-Beyadi records:
Muawiya spoke, “Allah favored the Quraishis in three things. They are his sayings, (And warn your near clans,) and (Surely it is a remembrance for you and your people,) and (For the protection
of the Quraish)”
A man from the Ansar answered, “Slow down, Muawiya! God said, (And your people belied it,) and you are one
of his people. And said, (Your people precluded against it,) and you are one
of those people. And said, (My people deserted this Quran,) and you are one
of his people. These are three for your three. We are to add if you add.” Thus, Muawiya was ashamed.
When God inflicted years
of agony upon Pharaoh and his people, they asked Moses; the prophet, to implore the Lord for alleviating the anguish they had suffered. Analogously, the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) cursed the Quraishis and supplicated God to inflict years
of agony upon them. The Lord responded. They were impoverished and suffered famine till they had to have ‘Alhaz’, which is a meal
of camel hair and blood. Nevertheless, they neither submitted to their Lord nor did they implore Him.
Al-Hakim’s
Al-Mustedrak; 2/394:
Ibn Abbas: Abu Sufian came to the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family): “O Mohammed! I adjure you by the Lord and the kinship. We have had Alhaz.” Hence, God revealed, (And already We overtook them with chastisement, but they were not submissive to the Lord, nor do they humble themselves.)
Recruits
of the Umayid caliphate are not admired by this report, nor do they exert any effort for interpreting this Verse. They claim the opposite. They assert that the Quraishis were actually submissive to their Lord, and humbled themselves to Him. Furthermore, they claim the Prophet’s blessing them.
The following narrative, recorded in Ibn Kutheir’s
As-Sira; 6/101, is cited as an example:
When the Prophet execrated the Quraishis, they suffered such a harsh year that removed everything. They had to have bones, dogs and Alhaz. Abu Sufian came to the Prophet and adjured him for supplicating God to relieve their crisis. The Prophet did, and the crisis was relieved.
The problem is that Ibn Kutheir was fond
of Abu Sufian’s smell. As a historian, Ibn Kutheir did realize that Abu Sufian’s attendance at the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) occurred only after the latter had felt pity for the Quraishis, and sent them food stuff and some money. The Prophet expected them to submit to the Lord and believe in Him and His Apostle. The Quraishis exploited that prophetic mercy and compassion when they selected Abu Sufian to be before him and provide a plan
of reconciliation that was as same as plans
of reconciliation frequently suggested by the Israelites nowadays. This plan was rejected. As a second attempt, Abu Sufian sought Ali and Fatima to intercede for his good, but they rejected, too. Yet, Abu Sufian suggested that the intended treaty
of reconciliation would be recorded in the names
of Al-Hassan and Al-Hussein so that they would take pride in this among the Arabs. The replication
of Ali and Fatima was that they would never protect any against the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family).
CLANS OF QURAISH.
Quraish was more than twenty clans. They are sons
of Hashim Bin Abd Menaf, sons
of Umaya Bin Abd Shams, sons
of Abduddar Bin Qusay, sons
of Makhzoum Bin Yaqada Bin Murra, sons
of Zuhra Bin Kelab, sons
of Asad Bin Abdul-Uzza, sons
of Al-Harith Bin Fihr Bin Malik, sons
of Amir Bin Luay, sons
of Sahm Bin Amr, sons
of Jamh Bin Amr, sons
of Anmar Bin Bugheid, sons
of Teim Bin Murra Bin Ka’b, sons
of Edi Bin Ka’b and others.
As a matter
of fact, affairs and influence were in the hands
of the most remarkable clans and chiefs. They are few clans. To great extent, the rest were mere followers.
As he describes the meeting
of Darun-Nidwa -house
of congress- which was held for discussing the matter
of Mohammed Bin Abdillah Bin Abdil-Muttelib Bin Hashim’s prophesy, Ibn Husham, in his
As-Sira; 2/331, records:
The meeting was attended by the celebrities
of Quraish. Utba Bin Rabia, Sheiba Bin Rabia and Abu Sufian Bin Harb represented sons
of Abd Shams. Tueima Bin Edi, Jubeir Bin Mutim and Al-Harith Bin Amir Bin Nawfal represented sons
of Nawfal Bin Abd Menaf. An-Nadr Bin Al-Harith Bin Kilda represented sons
of Abdud-Dar Bin Qusay. Abul-Bukhtari Bin Husham, Zumma Bin Al-Aswed Bin Al-Muttelib and Hakim Bin Huzam represented sons
of Asad Bin Abdul-Uzza. Abu Jahl Bin Husham represented sons
of Makhzum. Nabih Bin Al-Hejjaj and Munebbih, his brother, represented sons
of Sahm. Umaya Bin Khalaf represented sons
of Jamh.
Many other individuals were attendant there. Some spoke, “You have clearly seen concerns
of this man. I cannot guarantee that he will not lead his followers against us. You should decide something in this regard.”
As they consulted the matter, some suggested that they should detain him and wait… etc.
As he refers to those who endures the disbursements
of the polytheists’ army in the battle
of Badr, Ibn Husham, on page 488
of part 2
of his
As-Sira, records:
The Quraishi benefactors were Al-Abbas Bin Abdil-Muttelib Bin Hashim from the Hashemites. And Utba Bin Rabia Bin Abd Shams from sons
of Abd Shams Bin Abd Menaf. And Al-Harith Bin Amir Bin Nawfal and Tueima Bin Edi Bin Nawfal from sons
of Nawfal Bin Abd Menaf. And Abul-Bukhteri Bin Husham Bin Asad and Hakim Bin Huzam Bin Khuweilid Bin Asad from sons
of Asad Bin Abdul-Uzza. And An-Nadr Bin Al-Harith Bin Kilda Bin Alqama Bin Abd Menaf from sons
of Abdul-Dar.
The following is the order
of Quraishi clans, depended by Omar; the caliph, in records
of his state during contribution
of the imports. It is to mention that this order evidences the complicated structure
of these clans, and the precedence
of the Hashemites.
Al-Beihaqi’s
As-Sunan; 6/364:
When he registered the records
of his government, Omar (God be pleased to him) decided to begin with the Hashemites. He commented, “I saw the Prophet (peace be upon him) precede them and sons
of Al-Muttelib.” Hence, their names were recorded in the top
of the list. He contributed them equally.
As he noticed the lineage
of sons
of Abd Shams and Nawfal, Omar added, “Sons
of Abd Shams are the Prophet’s full brothers. Sons
of Nawfal are half brothers. Hence, the previous should be preceded.”
Then, he looked upon sons
of Abdul-Uzza and Abdud-Dar. “Sons
of Asad Bin Abdul-Uzza are the prophet’s maternal relatives. They were within ‘the odorizers.” Thus, Omar preceded them to sons
of Abdud-Dar. Sons
of Zuhra followed sons
of Abdud-Dar, as Omar saw.
Sons
of Teim and Makhzum came next. “Sons
of Teim were a party in the treaty
of ‘Fudoul’. Besides, they were within ‘the odorizers among whom was the Prophet (peace be upon him). Finally, they enjoyed favors.” Accordingly, sons
of Teim were preceded to sons
of Makhzum.
Sons
of Sahm, Jamh and Edi Bin Ka’b came therewith. Some suggested that he should begin with sons
of Edi. “No, I should settle myself in its place. Sons
of Sahm and we were
of the same affair when Islam came forth. You should choose between sons
of Jamh and Sahm in precedence.” Finally, sons
of Jamh were preceded.
Sons
of Sahm and Edi were recorded under the same name. When they were separated, Omar shouted, “Allah is the greatest! Praised be Allah Who bestowed me my share from His Apostle.”
Then came sons
of Amir Bin Luay. Abu Ubeida Bin Abdillah Bin Al-Jarrah Al-Fihri objected and blamed Omar for preceding all those to him. “Well, Abu Ubeida,” Omar answered, “you either succumb, like what I had done, or you should discuss this matter with your people. I will accept their decision if they precede you to themselves. For me, I am to precede you to sons
of Edi; my people.”
In the reign
of Muawiya, sons
of Al-Harith Bin Fihr were preceded and located between sons
of Abd Menaf and Asad Bin Abdul-Uzza.
In the reign
of Al-Mahdi; the Abbasid caliph, a quarrel occurred between sons
of Sahm and Edi. Therefore, they separated. For their standing, Al-Mahdi preceded sons
of Edi.
It is generally admissible that the Hashemites were distinctive among the other Quraishi clans, due to their unique mentality, behavior, activities and values. It is also evident that the other tribes and kings respected them exclusively. This was the reason beyond the other Quraishi clans’ envying them. Since days
of Hashim and Abdul-Muttelib, the Hashemites were antagonized. It was Hashim who constituted Summer journey to Syria, Palestine and Egypt for the Quraishis. He toured in deserts and countries, and negotiated chiefs and kings
of tribes and countries by which their caravans had to pass. He concluded treaties
of nonaggression for conserving safety
of the Quraishis’ caravans who expressed their delight for this achievement and took initiative in benefiting it. Nevertheless, they envied Hashim and hoped had that been their own achievement so that they would have obtained that pride.
Hashim was deceased in Ghaza in obscure circumstances that a historian may doubt.
Hashim’s house, however, was not extinguished. Abdul-Muttelib; the son, proved his active existence and could dominate his people, continuing his father’s qualities. He constituted the Winter journey to Yemen. He concluded treaties
of nonaggression with chiefs and kings
of tribes and countries by which the Quraishis’ caravans passed. Like his father, Abdul-Muttelib took pride in this act.
From the mental side, clans
of Quraish noticed that the Hashemites generally, and Abdul-Muttelib particularly, were used to taking pride in their being Samuel’s sons and followers
of Abraham’s creed, as if they were the only
offspring
of Samuel and Abraham and, in more concentrating vision, as if they suspected the others’ lineage. Abu Talib and the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) applied this idea in the most tangible view.
The chasm between the Hashemites and the other Quraishi clans increased largely when Abdul-Muttelib claimed receiving divine inspiration via the true coming dreams. Once, he informed his people
of the Lord’s ordering him
of digging well
of Zamzam which was derelict long time ago. When he dug, water sprang anew by the permission
of God; the Exalted, and he could find two golden statues on the form
of gazelle there. Abdul-Muttelib adorned the gate
of Kaba with these two golden statues. This added a new feature to Abdul-Muttelib who exclusively took the task
of serving the pilgrims with food. He was named ‘waterer
of pilgrims and the Holy Precinct’ due to scarcity
of water.
When the Abyssinian army were in their way towards Kaba, Abdul-Muttelib told people that they would never touch it since God; the Elevated, would defeat them. This prophesy came true when God rained the army
of Abyssinia with tiny birds that cast them with backed stones; hence, He caused them to be like a ruined nest.
As if he was a prophet, or an introducer for a prophet, Abdul-Muttelib legislated a number
of laws and regulations. He issued that the ritual Circumambulation
of the pilgrimage should be seven times. As some
of the Arab were used to going around Kaba naked, because they presumed the pr
ofanity
of their clothes, Abdul-Muttelib prohibited this practice. He warned people against burying the she-babies alive. He issued the obligation
of fulfilling the vows and reverencing the holy months. He prohibited consuming intoxicating drinks. He prohibited fornication, and constituted a definite punition for the perpetrators
of such a sin. He banished the notorious prostitutes out
of Mecca. He prohibited marriage
of the blood relations. He issued the provision
of amputating the larceners’ hands. Finally, he constituted unmerciful regulations against the murderers. He identified one hundred camels as the blood money
of bloodshed. All the previous regulations and laws are legislated in Islam.
Abdul-Muttelib occupied the greatest status among Quraish, as well as the other Arab tribes. This standing caused the Quraishi chiefs to envy him excessively. They dragged him to be the other party in a contest for showing the most honorable by the governance
of priests. Through a new property, God caused Abdul-Muttelib to overcome twice. This increased his standing and good reputation among people.
The most matter that arouse the Quraishi chiefs against Abdul-Muttelib was his providing one
of his sons as a corban for the Lord
of Kaba, like Abraham (peace be upon him); his forefather…
The Quraishi chiefs could not enjoy a moment
of relief. As soon as Abdul-Muttelib was deceased, Abu Talib; the son, mastered his people, Quraish and the entire tribes
of the Arab. He took the place
of his father and forefather. He kept his father’s maxims. During the reign
of Abu Talib, the grandest dole on the Quraishi chiefs took place. It is when Mohammed; Abu Talib’s nephew, claimed prophesy and demanded with believing and complying with him. The dole expanded when a number
of the Hashemites and sons
of Al-Muttelib gave credence to this prophesy, and Abu Talib declared his responsibility
of protecting Mohammed (peace be upon him and his family) during his mission
of conveying his Lord’s message freely. He also threatened the Quraishis a comprehensive war if they touch a single hair
of Mohammed.
Sparing no efforts for supporting his nephew, Abu Talib stood in the face
of the cabals managed by the Quraishi chiefs. He also composed poems through which he divulged the ill intentions
of the Quraishi chiefs, and suspected their being belonging to Samuel; the prophet. His poems
of glorifying Mohammed (peace be upon him and his family); his nephew, and slurring the Quraishi chiefs, were carried to the other Arab tribes. Abu Talib named Abul-Hakam; chief
of the Makhzum, ‘the tiny ignorant
of the Makhzum’, while the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) named him ‘Abu Jahl -man
of ignorance-’.
In spite
of their various attempts to incite and threaten Abu Talib and his nephew, the Quraishis failed to achieve any progress in the process
of defeating that divine prophesy.
They decided to persecute any Muslim they catch; therefore, most
of the Muslims fled to Abyssinia. This was another failure for the Quraishi chiefs.
Accompanied by sons
of Kenana, the Quraishi chiefs determined to blockade and besiege the entire Hashemites comprehensively. They arrested them in a col for three or four years. Through a miracle, the Lord undid their blockade.
When the Hashemites lost Abu Talib, the Quraishis issued a decision
of assassinating Mohammed (peace be upon him and his family) since he lost the protector and backer. God defected their consensus, and moved His Apostle to Yathrib; the city that most
of its people embraced and admitted Islam.
Besides the Jews, means
of beseeching and menace were taken by the Quraishi chiefs for pressing people
of Al-Madina. They failed since that city, which lied on the main way
of their economic exchange with Syria and the neighboring territories, was prevailed by the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family).
In conclusion, they decided to declare war against son
of the Hashemites. They battled him in Badr, Uhud and Al-Khandaq. As usual, they failed.
They also failed when they used the Jews, the Romans and the Persian against him.
Unexpectedly, Mohammed (peace be upon him and his family) surprised them when he conquered their capital; Mecca, with great numbers
of unbeatable soldiers. That was in the eighth year
of his immigration to Yathrib. So, the Quraishis had to surrender and succumb to the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family).
People
of Mecca formed two lines to watch the parade
of the Prophet and his army. The pennon
of conquest was raised by Abdullah Bin Ruwaha, the young man from Al-Khazraj; the Yemeni tribe. He was shouting:
O sons
of atheists! Clear the way to him
Today, we shall strike you for the revelation
So abruptly that your heads will be removed
And friends will be engaged against their revered
My Lord! I do believe his maxim.
“O son
of Ruwaha! Is it before the Prophet and in God's Precinct you are poetizing?” Omar said unto him. “Leave him alone, Omar!” said the Prophet, “These
verses are more piercing than spear-heads.”
*Omar intended to alleviate the Quraishi chiefs and relieve the chock
of their defeat. He also intended to avoid challenging them in their capital. It is to keep in mind that Omar was son
of that worthless clan
of Edi. He was brought up on revering and respecting the Quraishi chiefs. For the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family), those pharaonic chiefs understood nothing other than the prose
of swords and spears, and that Abdullah Bin Ruwaha’s act had been quite correct and highly appreciated by the Exalted Lord since it was more piercing upon foes
of the Lord than spear-hands.
CONQUEST OF MECCA BEWILDERS THE JURISPRUDENTS
The Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) had secured the Quraishis before he gathered their chiefs in the Holy Mosque, under swords
of God’s soldiers. He reminded them
of many things; their arrogance, tyranny, belying the miracles and portents
of God, dissenting God and His Apostle, persecuting the Hashemites and the Muslims and their conflicts and cabals against Islam and its embracers.
At-Tabari’s
Tarikh; 2/337:
The Prophet (peace be upon him) stood on the gate
of Kaba and orated:
“There is no god but Allah, lonelily with no associate. He fulfilled His promise, triumphed His servant and defeated the parties alone. Any claimed revenge or estate should be under my feet excepting custody
of House
of God and watering
of the pilgrims.
O the Quraishis! God has saved you from practices
of Jahilism and taking pride in the forefathers. People are from Adam, and Adam was created from mud. (O people! We have created you from male and female, and We have made you peoples and tribes so that you will associate each other. The most honorable
of you to Allah is being the most careful
of his duty.)
O the Quraishis and people
of Mecca! What do you expect me to do with you?”
“Good! You are but a generous brother, and son
of a generous brother,” answered they.
“Go free! You are released,” responded the Prophet (peace be upon him). After they had been within the spoils
of war the Prophet possessed, they were manumitted and released. Hence, people
of Mecca are called ‘the released’.
This matter perplexed the pro-Quraishi jurisprudents. A release is materialized only after capture and enslavement. This proposes that those people were manumitted by the Prophet who had enslaved them. Accordingly, they should be followers and loyal to his family for good. Their islamization saved them from being sentenced to death penalty only. It did not cancel legitimacy
of being enslaved. This rulings are applied to the Quraishis exclusively. In rulings
of jihad and Islamic conquest, these rulings are nonexistent. The following is a depiction
of the Prophet’s practices:
Ten thousand Muslims under the Prophet’s leadership surrounded Mecca. The Quraishis were too frightened to counter that army. As an Islamic rule, people
of Mecca, if they were Jews or Christians, should choose one
of three; embracing Islam, fighting or defraying the tribute and keeping their religion.
As they were polytheists, they had only two choices; either to islamize or to fight. They opted for the former under the menace
of swords. They should have been treated as Muslims. But the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) submitted them to rulings
of the prisoners
of war, and released them.
As a matter
of fact, this sort
of release is unfamiliar for the jurisprudents. A prisoner
of war should be either killed, released or compensated. The ruling
of release without manumission or compensation is dedicated to the Quraishis during conquest
of Mecca.
Another jurisprudential unsolved problem comes to the surface. It is the Prophet’s statement
of security benefit to every individual keeps himself beyond his doors, or throws his weapon, or confines in Abu Sufian’s house. This decision
of security was given to the polytheist foes without specifying their converting to Islam as a term.
A third question is provided in this regard. It is the rulings respecting lands
of Mecca. There is a number
of probabilities. These lands are prohibited to be possessed because they are within the holy House
of God. These lands are conquered, and the entire Muslims have rights in them forever. These lands were possessed to the Quraishis since they islamized. People then purchased some from the owners.
As much as a personal viewpoint is concerned, lands
of Mecca should be out
of possession, since they are under the custody
of the Prophet and the imams (peace be upon them). The security benefit was no more than an order
of saving polytheist foes from killing.
Their release supposes that the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) did capture and enslave them according to laws
of Islam. He did not manumit them. He released them, as if a master says to his slaves; ‘Go and do whatever you like.’ However, they, as well as their progeny, are still decided as slaves
of that master and his heirs. In other words, he did not make them choose either islamization or fighting. They were compelled to choose for the latter. Hence, they were overcome and captured.
The Prophet regarded their islamization when he ordained them to take part in the battle
of Hunein. Besides, he committed their women to declaring fealty to him. On other occasions, they were regarded as polytheists when their sons and slaves, who could find their way out to the Prophet after conquest
of Mecca, were not given back to them.
It is too sufficient to add to this topic. Hence, we are to refer to a number
of texts
of our imams in this respect.
Nahjul-Belagha; 3/30
Imam Ali’s answer for Muawiya’s words
:… How come do you intrude yourself in the matter
of categorizing the leading and the late, and the follower and the guide? How should the ‘released’ and sons
of the ‘released’ have a concern in the question
of discerning the foremost Muhajirs and classifying and identifying them?…
Al-Kafi; 3/512
:Lands
of those who islamize willingly should be kept in their hands. Whatever is seized by sword should be belonged to the imam who conducts what he sees. This is the Prophet’s procedures in respect to lands
of Kheibar… When people
of Taif islamized, they were imposed to pay the tithe and its half. Mecca was conquered by the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family); therefore, people
of Mecca are his prisoners. He manumitted them and said, “Go free! You are released.”
Sunni jurisprudents rule that the Quraishis embraced Islam; therefore, they are under its rulings.
When they are asked about the name ‘released’ and application
of rulings
of fighting to people and lands
of Mecca, the Sunni jurisprudents claim that these right
of applying these rulings was given exclusively to the Prophet.
Ashafii’s
Kitabul-Umm; 7/382:
Al-Awzai: The Prophet (peace be upon him) conquered Mecca by force. He permitted Muhajirs to occupy their own lodges and lands there. He did not decide them as spoils.
Abu Yousuf: The Prophet (peace be upon him) pardoned people
of Mecca when he declared that security is given to each individual keeps himself in his house or joins the mosque or Abu Sufian’s house. He asked his army not to kill but definite names, or when defending. He gathered them in the mosque and said, “What do you expect me to do with you?” “Good. You are the generous brother, and son
of that generous brother,” replied they. “Go free! You are released,” said the Prophet.
He did not regard any part
of their possessions as spoils. I have already explicated that the Prophet in this very regard is not like others. The Prophet’s norms should be carefully understood, since they bear various meanings.
This indicates that the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) disregarded rulings
of Islam when he neither reckoned lands
of Mecca with spoils
of war, nor did he take its people as servants and slaves. He pardoned them and admitted their converting to Islam. It is a ruling dedicated to the Prophet. It is illicit for any conqueror to take such procedures to polytheist foes.
Thus, they claim the Prophet’s respecting the Quraishis when he distinguished and applied them to particular rulings.
At any rate, an immovable obstacle stands there. It is the name
of ‘released’ the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) stamped on necks
of the Quraishis and their partisans. This name befits the slaves only.
Some
of the Nassibites
* understand that problem
of Quraish with the Prophet’s progeny would enduringly remain unsettled as long as the name
of ‘released’ is kept as a prophetic mark on their foreheads. This name means that the Quraishis have become legitimate slaves
of the Prophet and his household and progeny, and that he had only released, but not manumitted them from slavery. Even if they were manumitted, their loyalty should be kept for the Prophet and his household.
They spare no efforts for eradicating the name
of ‘released’, in order that they might release the Quraishis from their slavery to the Prophet and his household.
Sheik Nasiruddin Al-Albani exposes his reluctant fanaticism to the Quraishis when he decides doubtfulness
of the narrative involved on page 307
of part 3
of his
Selselatul Ahadithil Dhaeefa. He lists it under number 1163. He adds:
This doubtful narrative is recorded in Ibn Isaaq’s
As-Sira; 4/31-2. At-Tabari, in his
Tarikh; 3/120, relates it.
As he records it in his
Al-Bidaya Wen Nihya; 4/300-1, Ibn Kutheir does not comment on the report.
Its documentation is doubtful and suspended since Ibn Isaaq did not name the man from whom he received. In addition, he was not one
of the Prophet’s companions…
It is evident that this (hadithist) shows shortcoming in reviewing the other principal reference books
of hadith in which this report is registered. Similarly, he could not perceive that hadithists and jurisprudents dealt with this report as an undeniable fact.
We wonder if it was such an extreme historical blemish, or it was such a fanaticism to the Quraishis that made this hadithist attempt to deny this fact. It might be an attempt to save them from that everlasting name
of slavery to the Prophet and his household.
Question
of the released Quraishis is so certain and famous to the entire Islamic sects. The name ‘released’ is called exclusively on the Quraishis. It is frequently used in the reference books
of hadith. This name had definite rulings discussed by the master Muslim jurisprudents.
Al-Bukhari’s; 5/105-6
:… Ten thousand warriors, besides the released, were with the Prophet (peace be upon him) during the battle
of Hunein. They all absconded…
Muslim’s; 3/106
:… The released were with him. They absconded and he remained alone…
The same is recorded in Muslim’s; 5/196 also, and Ahmed’s; 3/190 and 279. The truth is that the Hashemites were the only persons who stood firm and fought with the Prophet in the battle
of Hunein.
Ahmed’s; 4/363:
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Muhajirs and Ansar are wardens
of each other. The Quraishi released and the manumitted
of Thaqif are wardens
of each other till the Resurrection Day.
Al-Hakim, in his
Al-Mustedrak; 4/80, and Al-Heithami, in his
Majmauzzawaid; 10/15, decide the authenticity
of the previous report.
The same report is authenticated in the following reference books:
Ibn Qudama’s
Al-Mughni; 7/321.
As-Serkhesi’s
Al-Mabsutt; 10/39.
Ahmed’s
Al-Musnad; 3/279.
Al-Beihaqi’s
As-Sunan; 6/306, 8/266 and 9/118.
Kenzul-Ummal; 12/86 and 5/735:
Omar stated, “This affair should never be held by the released and sons
of the released…
THE QURAISHIS AFTER CONQUEST OF MECCA
The rest
of the Quraishi tyrants and ‘released’ were coerced on converting to Islam. Feelings
of malice and arrogance were confined in hiddens
of most, if not all,
of them. On the other side, they adopted the claim that Mohammed’s state was theirs, since Mohammed was that generous man and son
of that generous man, and his state is Quraish’s. Similarly, they adhered to the statements that Mohammed’s nobility and pride were theirs, since he was son
of Quraish, and his state was more prevailing and superior than state
of Quraish.
At any rate, the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) pardoned them and permitted celebrities
of Quraish to enter his state; therefore, it is illogical for them to fight or stand against or leave that state in the hands
of the strangers; people
of the Aws and the Khazraj. Likewise, the question
of Mohammed’s succession is discussible since it was seen as a municipal issue.
It is quite understandable that the Quraishis directed their efforts towards the coming stage; after Mohammed’s departure. The most significant aim they had to treat was precluding him from nominating the Hashemites for the next leadership. They expressed this trend in few words; forbidding the Hashemites from joining leadership to prophesy. They decided that leadership should be the share
of the Quraishi clans other than the Hashemites who had already enjoyed prophesy restrictively.
Furthermore, there are many texts and confessions leading to the fact that the Quraishis spared no single effort, whether on the external or internal fronts, for achieving the previous plan. Yet, most
of them despaired
of the Prophet’s granting them any amount in the leadership. This because he had been working industriously for preparing his household for the next leadership
of his state.
On that account, they plotted for assassinating the Prophet. They did commit such endeavors as soon as they had an opportunity. That commenced during the battle
of Hunein.
The Quraishi pharaohs have never practiced faithfulness, as if they would feel sick if they evaded exploiting any scope
of betraying that who pardoned them benevolently.
After they had declared their being Muslims, and volunteered for joining the Prophet in his war against the Hawazin and the Ghatafan in Hunein, they absconded at the initial throw
of spears in the battlefield. They were two thousand and the Prophet’s army were ten thousand. Nevertheless, they were the main reason beyond the beating
of the Prophet’s army in that battle. They caused the rest to abscond, just like what had happened in the battle
of Uhud.
Predictably, the Hashemites were the only warriors who stood fast with the Prophet. They fought so courageously that they could repulse the attack. Only then, a few number
of the absconding Muslims returned to the battlefield. God gave them victory.
At the same time as the Muslims were absconding, the Quraishis plotted a number
of processes aimed at assassinating the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family). This matter drags to the matter that they had already planned for many things with the Hawazin.
Ibn Kutheir; the affectionately fond
of the Quraishis and the Umayid, records the following saying
of his dearest; An-Nudeir Bin Al-Harith, chief
of sons
of Abdud-Dar.
As-Sira; 3/69
1:…An-Nudeir Bin Al-Harith Bin Kilda was a famous foe
of the Prophet (peace be upon him). During the battle
of Hunein, he joined his people who were still keeping their beliefs. An-Nudeir spoke: “We intended to attack Mohammed as soon as the Hawazin would beat him. But, we could not do it. When we resided in Jarana, the Prophet (peace be upon him) called at me while I was still keeping my beliefs. “O An-Nudeir! May I guide you to a practice more beneficial for you than that you had intended during the battle
of Hunein, and the Lord stopped you?”
offered the Prophet. I came to him so hurriedly. “Now, it is the proper time to understand the infirmity
of your previous intention,” added he. I confessed: “Yes, indeed. I do realize that had there been a god other than Allah, he would have influenced. I do declare there is no god but Allah, lonelily without associate.”…
It is noticeable that the previous words
of this Quraishi chief involved his declaration and claim
of believing in God; the Exalted. A man’s declaration is a sufficient evidence. It is also noticeable that he declared the first creed
of Islam only, and neglected the other, which is the declaration
of Mohammed’s divine prophesy and apostleship. A claim is not provable unless others testify it.
The point here is this chief’s recognition that their declaration
of converting to Islam during conquest
of Mecca had been false. Two thousand warriors were under the commandment
of this chief during the battle
of Hunein, while he was planning for assassinating the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family). This indicates that the whole warriors were parties in this plot. In addition, these words revealed that they had actually implemented processes
of assassinating the Prophet, but their activities were failed by the Lord; the Exalted, and communicated to the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family).
Other narratives attest that the Quraishi chiefs, during the flight
of the Muslims in the battle
of Hunein, could no longer keep the secret; therefore, they shouted
of their rooted atheism and divulged their intentions.
Ibn Husham’s
As-Sira; 4/46:… When Muslims fled, some the Quraishis could no longer hide malice that disturbed their hearts. Abu Sufian Bin Harb shouted, while pieces
of pagans were kept in his bag: “Let them be thrown in the sea.”
Jibilla Bin Al-Hanbal and Safwan Bin Umaya; the polytheists, shouted: “Sorcery has failed!”
Sheiba Bin Othman Bin Abi Talha, whose brother was killed in the battle
of Uhud, cried: “Today, I will retaliate Mohammed. Today, I will kill Mohammed.” He, later on, narrated, “I searched for the Prophet as I intended to kill him. But something strange locked my heart; therefore, I realized that I would never have the ability
of carrying out my intention.”
Moreover, Sheiba; the Muslim leader and son
of Quraish (the striving faithful and Muslim tribe), conceded that he went around the Prophet several time as he intended to kill him. That was after the flight during the battle
of Hunein.
A deep look in the identities, ways
of thinking and interests
of the Quraishi chiefs clearly exposes their hypocrisy, and that they had decided to belie the entire portents and miracles introduced by Mohammed (peace be upon him and his family), and gainsay the whole humanitarian values and norms he called for and installed. They also decided not to join his religion in any case except when they would be threatened by swords or when his state would be in their hands.
No single means did they save during their fighting the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family). Regardless, they had to show shortcoming and, finally, were defeated. As a second stage, they kept on plotting cabals and attempting to assassinate him. But they had to show shortcoming, too. Then, they specified terms
of holding leading positions in his state. They were defeated.
At length, they claimed their right to control his state, since they were his people.
Structure
of this sort
of people who predominated the Islamic state and precluded the Prophet’s household from holding their proper positions
of leadership, necessitates a discerning study.
Menaqibu Ali Abi Talib; 2/239
:In his
Tanzihul Anbiya(page 167), Asharif Al-Murteda comments:
As soon as the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) nominated Ali Bin Abi Talib for the next leadership, a group
of Quraishi people came and stated: “O God’s messenger! People have no long span in Islam. They displease that your cousin; Ali Bin Abi Talib, will hold the leadership while you held the prophesy. You’d better have another decision.”
The Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) replied: “That was not my decision that I may alter. It was the Lord’s. It is He Who ordered me
of and imposed it upon me.”
They suggested: “Well then. You may conjoin a man
of Quraish to him, so that people will be satisfied, and your affairs will be affirmative.”
Soon afterwards, God revealed: (Surely, if you associate, your work would certainly come to naught and you would certainly be
of the losers.)
Imam As-Sadiq (peace be upon him): The Quraishis were under the leadership
of a man from the Edi when they appeared before the Prophet and said: “O God’s messenger! We have abandoned our paganism and followed you. Conjoin us in the leadership you have given to Ali exclusively.”
Gabriel; the Angel, descended to the Prophet and revealed: (Surely, if you associate, your work would certainly come to naught and you would certainly be
of the losers.)
THE QURAISHIS EMBRACE THE LEADERSHIP OF SUHEIL BIN AMR
Despite the unfaithful situations shown by the Quraishis after conquest
of Mecca, the Prophet put forth efforts for acquiring their loyalty by dignifying and welcoming them. He donated them the greatest share
of the spoils. He also promised to donate more in the future provided that they would show fidelity and good manners.
Not for their appreciation, the Lord advised His Apostle
of using illumination
of tranquillity and benevolence in facing the intricacy and narrow-mindedness
of those tyrant people. That was particularly taken for the sake
of the coming generations and the march that will be arising in this world.
Meanwhile, chiefship
of Abu Sufian retracted, and he could keep nothing other than his false fame
of combating Mohammed (peace be upon him and his family). Abu Sufian’s chiefship was fit in wars and trade only. It was unsuitable in situations
of peace and political activities. After he had been defeated in conquest
of Mecca, Abu Sufian resided in Al-Madina and asked the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) to appoint him as a tax collector
of some tribes.
Suheil Bin Amr was selected as the very thinker and politician who might materialize the Quraishi people’s outlining after their military downfall.
Not too long, Suheil Bin Amr became the only pivot around whom the Quraishis circumambulated, and the only heir
of those chiefs whom were killed or perished by Mohammed or his Lord.
Although he was one
of sons
of Amir Bin Luay who were a grade lower than sons
of Kab Bin Luay, as Ibn Husham asserts in his
As-Sira; 2/489, Suheil Bin Amir Bin Abd Shams Bin Abd Wudd was a full-blooded Quraishi. He had long stories with Mohammed. He was one
of the chiefs who negotiated Abu Talib in respect
of Mohammed’s prophesy. He was a member in An-Nidwa conference when they issued the decision
of imposing a comprehensive blockade upon the Hashemites. He was also a member
of the cabal
of assassinating the Prophet during his journey to At-Taif. He also participated in making the decision
of banishing Mohammed out
of Mecca and menacing killing him if he had to return. He also rejected protecting the Prophet so that he would be in Mecca for conveying his Lord’s messages.
At-Tabari’s
Tarikh; 2/82:
The Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) asked Al-Akhnes Bin Shureiq to convey his request
of protection, so that he would convey his Lord’s messages, to Suheil Bin Amr. “Sons
of Amir Bin Luay should never protect those whom are wanted by sons
of Kab.” This was Suheil’s answer.
Furthermore, Suheil was one
of those chiefs who showed no drawback in planning processes for killing Mohammed after Abu Talib’s decease, till his Lord saved him through immigration.
He was also one
of those who detained and tortured the earlier Muslims. Abu Jandal was one
of those Muslims who suffered torment on the hands
of his father; Suheil.
He was also within commanders
of the battle
of Badr, and the wealthy who saved the alimony
of the polytheists’ army. He exerted efforts for harming the Prophet’s heart through practicing ill activities; therefore, God cursed him and ordered His Prophet
of cursing and mentioning him by name in disfavor and commination during the prayers.
Besides battles
of Uhud and Al-Khandaq, Suheil spent his wealth on enlisting people against the Prophet during wars.
At-Thehbi’s
Siyeru Alamin Nubela; 1/194:Suheil Bin Amr was the best eloquent orator among the Quraishis, and one
of their celebrities. He could escape when he was captured in the battle
of Badr.
In Mecca, he harangued and urged people on partaking in the wars against the Prophet. He said, “O sons
of Ghalib! Are you going to let Mohammed and the apostate who followed him seize your caravans?! This wealth I am providing is for those who lack wealth. This power I am providing is for those who lack power.”
However, Suheil was benevolent, generous and well-spoken.
Addressing words similar to those addressed by Abu Bakr As-Siddiq in Al-Madina,
* Suheil orated in Mecca after the Prophet’s decease. His words contributed in appeasing people and enhancing Islam.
The Quraishis elected Suheil Bin Amr for representing them in the peace treaty
of Hudeibiya. He protested against writing down ‘the Apostle
of God’ as the Prophet’s signature. He signed on it on behalf
of the entire Quraishis.
At last, he was one
of the leaders
of polytheism intended by God’s saying, (Fight leaders
of polytheism.)
As-Sanani’s
Tafsir; 1/242:
Qetada: Leaders
of polytheism intended in God’s saying, (Fight leaders
of polytheism,) are Abu Sufian Bin Harb, Umaya Bin Khalaf, Utba Bin Rabia, Abu Jahl and Suheil Bin Amr.
After conquest
of Mecca and the Prophet’s predominance, Suheil Bin Amr preferred to keep his lodging in Mecca, and declined the idea
of moving to Al-Madina, like most
of the released. Due to his arrogance and long history
of struggle against the Prophet, he dared not ask for a position in the Prophet’s state.
While he rejected the Prophet’s philanthropic present during years
of desiccation and starvation suffered by the Quraishis by virtue
of the Prophet’s cursing, Suheil Bin Amr accepted the one hundred camels presented to him as spoils
of the battle
of Hunein.
This long history was seen as bright as daylight sun for the Quraishi people, while it is seen as black as gloomy night for God and His Apostle.
The (Muslim) Quraishis voted for Suheil Bin Amr’s leadership after conquest
of Mecca, for the previous lineage, history and situations.
How miserable the historians are! And woe is adorers
of the Quraishis in this regard.
Whereas the Prophet did nominate Ettab Bin Useid Al-Umawi and a man from Ansar as rulers
of Mecca, the Quraishis preferred and complied with Suheil.
This fact is evidenced by the story that as soon as the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) was deceased, the Quraishis dissented and relinquished Islam. Although, he was a Quraishi individual, Ettab had to hide since he anticipated assassination. A few days later, they received the tranquil news
of swearing allegiance to Abu Bakr; son
of the Teim, as the new leader. They calmed as they understood that none
of the Hashemites would hold position
of leadership. That repose incited Suheil Bin Amr on repeating the same words
of Abu Bakr, in Mecca.
The intendment
of these words was that he whoever worshipped Mohammed, must understand that his worshipped had died. We; the other party, do not worship Mohammed who was no more than a messenger that carried the message and passed away. Mohammed was son
of Quraish, and his authority should be held by the Quraishis who selected the new leader; Abu Bakr. They all should listen and obey.
Suheil assuaged the Quraishis’ revolt by carrying the news that leadership would be in their hands, away from the Hashemites and Ansar who worshipped Mohammed. Thus, they should not have apostatized Islam.
Accordingly, the Quraishis listened, and that was the conclusion
of the apostasy project.
Suheil secured Ettab and ordered him
of ruling Mecca in the name
of the new Quraishi, non-Hashemite, leader; Abu Bakr Bin Abi Qehafa, son
of the Teim Bin Murra.
*SUHEIL WORKS FOR INDEPENDENCE
After conquest
of Mecca, the Quraishis directed their entire activities towards the orderly political and secret action aimed at keeping the Prophet’s household away from the leadership and dedicating it to the other Quraishi individuals. They understood that any open activities against the Prophet, in that stage, were unavailing.
They had to counter the problem
of the Prophet’s progressive arrangements for bringing Ali, followed by Al-Hassan and Al-Hussein, to power. Neither Ali nor were any
of the Hashemites welcomed by the Quraishi people. Thereupon, they, headed by Suheil Bin Amr, planned for practicing a number
of bold procedures with the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family). They sent him various missives in which they demanded with repatriating their sons and slaves who left Mecca and the farms
of At-Taif, and joined him for receiving knowledge
of the religion.
Suheil addressed at the Prophet: “Today, we are your allies. We came to terms after we had been engaged in combats. It was I who concluded the peace treaty with you in Hudeibiya. Our sons and slaves fled their hometowns and places
of work and joined you. They lied when they claimed intending to receive knowledge
of the religion. Besides, we are responsible for teaching them their religion if they are honest. Accordingly, you should repatriate them.”
This simple appeal
of the new chief
of Quraish does mean that the Quraishis, even if they had to give up arms and surrender under shades
of swords, do not recognize the ruler
of Mecca assigned by the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family). Moreover, they required the Prophet’s recognition
of their being an independent political entity, in the face
of the Prophet, his state and religion.
On page 298
of part 5
of At-Tirmithi’s
As-Sunan, the following report is written down:
… Ali Bin Abi Talib: After the conclusion
of the peace treaty
of Hudeibiya, some polytheist chiefs and individuals, including Suheil Bin Amr, came and addressed at the Prophet (peace be upon him): “O God’s messenger! Some
of our sons, brethren and slaves joined you. Their claim
of receiving knowledge in the religion was false. They only intended to get rid
of their obligations and duties. Repatriate them and we will teach them their religion if they are honest.”
The Prophet (peace be upon him) answered: “O the Quraishis! Keep up such demands and God shall send a man whose heart is filled up with believing in God, to behead you by his sword for the sake
of this religion.”
They, as well as Abu Bakr and Omar, asked the Prophet to identify that man.
“He is that repairer
of the sandal,” the Prophet referred to Ali between whose hands was the sandal
of the Prophet (peace be upon him).
Abu Dawud’s
As-Sunan; 1/611:… Ali Bin Abi Talib: Some slaves joined the Prophet. (That was before the conclusion
of the peace treaty
of Hudeibiya.) The masters sent missives in which they demanded with repatriating them, since their claim
of receiving knowledge in the religion was false.
A number
of people encompassing the Prophet attested that demand, and advised the Prophet to respond.
The Prophet became irate, and spoke: “O the Quraishis! I see you will never give up such demands before the Lord shall send a man who will behead you for this.”
Hence, the Prophet rejected their demand and manumitted those slaves.
The reader must be aware that mentioning the peace treaty
of Hudeibiya in the previous report, was only a style
of contorting facts, usually followed by the Quraishi reporters and narrators. The incident befell after conquest
of Mecca. Had it occurred before that, Suheil Bin Amr would have demanded the Prophet with fulfilling the term
of repatriating the individuals who would join the Prophet. The Prophet’s obligation
of repatriating whomever joins him and flees the line
of the polytheist, was one
of the terms specified during the conclusion
of the peace treaty
of Hudeibiya. By the way, the polytheists were not bound with the same term.
The Prophet would not have shown such an intense ire if this demand, which would have been so normal since it was specified as a term
of the treaty, had been provided before conquest
of Mecca. The Prophet’s ire is always cast in situations
of wrongdoing. It is pursuing the Lord’s ire.
The released Quraishis would not have suggested to the Prophet that they should teach those sons and slaves the religion, if their demand had been issued before conquest
of Mecca and convertion to Islam. The suggestion
of teaching Islam cannot be said by other than Muslims or claimers
of being Muslims.
Finally, some narratives attest that the incident occurred after conquest
of Mecca.
Al-Hakim’s
Al-Mustedrak; 2/138:… Ali Bin Abi Talib (God be pleased to him): After the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) had conquered Mecca, some Quraishis came and said: “O Mohammed! We are your allies and people. Our slaves joined you not for receiving knowledge
of Islam, as they claim, but for giving up their duties and obligations. Repatriate them.”
Abu Bakr and Omar attested the demand when their advice was sought.
The Prophet stated: “O the Quraishis! God shall send a man from among you, whose heart is filled up with faithfulness, to behead you for the sake
of the religion.”
Abu Bakr and Omar expected themselves to be the intended. “No,” asserted the Prophet, “It is the repairer
of the sandals in the mosque.” The Prophet had already given his sandals to Ali to repair.
(According to the criterion
of Muslim, this report is authentic.)
On page 298
of part 4, Al-Hakim records a similar report and decides its authenticity:
After conquest
of Mecca, some the Quraishis came to the Prophet… He said: “O the Quraishis! Avoid keeping up prayers and defraying the poor rate and I will send a man who will behead you for the sake
of this religion. This man shall be I, or the repairer
of the sandals.” Meanwhile, Ali was repairing the Prophet’s sandals.
The same is recorded on page 174
of part 13
ofKenzul Ummal.
Many remarkable and consequential points can be inferred from this incident:
First, the Quraishis attended in Al-Madina to see the Prophet. They came to Mohammed’s capital for demanding with his recognizing their political independence. Such an awkward impudence occurred just after conquest
of Mecca, and their humiliation and concession to Islam under the menace
of swords, and their being released by the Prophet, and their shameful deeds in the late battle
of Hunein.
As Al-Hakim and Abu Dawud authenticate, the Quraishis addressed at the Prophet: “O Mohammed!!” At-Tirmithi, however, distorts it into ‘O God’s messenger!’
Ahmed’s
Al-Musnad; 3/82:
Abu Said Al-Khidri: … The Prophet’s sandal was cut when he handed it to Ali Bin Abi Talib to repair. We stood with the Prophet who spoke, “One
of you shall fight for the sake
of the interpretation
of the Quran, as same as I have fought for its revelation.”
Each, including Abu Bakr and Omar, expected himself to be the one intended. “No,” asserted the Prophet, “He shall be the repairer
of the sandal.”
We hurried to Ali for carrying this good tidings. As if he had already known it, Ali paid no attention.
On page 133
of part 9
ofMajmauzzawaid, the author decides authenticity and truthfulness
of the report and its narrators.
The narration maintains that the incident occurred in Al-Madina.
Second, the Quraishis understood that conquest
of Mecca and their having to accept Islam as a religion had not been considered as a submission to the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) and melting in the Islamic state. They saw it as an alliance with the Prophet against the tribes not included to his state yet. The Romans and the Persian were the main foes
of the Prophet’s state and the Quraishis as well. They regarded it as an alliance against the common foe although they had to be a party by swords.
Furthermore, the Quraishis considered that they had practically applied that alliance when they fought in the Prophet’s line against his foes during the battle
of Hunein. On that account, it is now his turn to recognize their independent entity.
Their commencing demand was repatriating their fleeing sons and slaves. This meant that the Prophet should deliver those individuals to the authorities
of the Quraishi state; their homeland.
Third, excepting the Hashemites, the Quraishis, who had immigrated with the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family), attested that demand. It is proved that Abu Bakr Bin Qehafa and Omar Bin Al-Khattab supported the demand completely.
Narrations vary in exposing the scope
of Abu Bakr and Omar’s supporting the Quraishi demand. Some, such as Al-Hakim’s authentic previous one, elucidate that Abu Bakr answered: “They have said the truth, God’s messenger! Repatriate them.” Omar repeated the same words
of Abu Bakr.
Other narrations, such as that recorded in At-Tirmithi’s and Al-Hakim’s
Al-Mustedrak; 3/122 and
Majmauzzawaid; 9/134 and 5/186, evade referring to the two men’s attesting and admitting the Quraishi demand, and stop at mentioning their expectation to be the party whom shall be selected by the Lord and His Apostle for disciplining the Quraishis.
Smartly, the word ‘men’ was substituted for the names
of Abu Bakr and Omar. Such narratives are recorded in Al-Hakim’s
Al-Mustedrak; 2/125 and; 10/473.
Mentioning the two men was totally eradicated in some narrations such as that recorded in Abu Dawud’s
As-Sunan and the various narrations
of; 11/613.
Fourth, a wonderment should be provided here. It is respecting the sort
of relationship between Suheil Bin Amr and the two men; Abu Bakr and Omar, and the reason beyond their attesting the Quraishi demand.
Another wonderment should be provided. It is the reason beyond the Prophet’s seeking advice
of Abu Bakr and Omar after he had comprehended the Quraishis’ real intendment. Moreover, he became irate, and rejected their demand, and menaced another war, and foretold
of its imminent falling.
In any case, texts aver, in the least level, that chiefship
of Quraish was represented by those four stars
of the incident. They are Mohammed Bin Abdillah; the Prophet, Suheil Bin Amr Al-Amiri; the polytheists’ past chief and the Quraishis’ present chief, Abu Bakr and Omar; sons
of the most worthless clans
of Quraish. However, characters
of these two men were remarkable for their accompanying the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family).These two men attested Suheil’s demand.
From the above it is comprehensible that there is a sort
of relationship and an earlier arrangement between the delegation
of Quraish and the two men. Some narratives divulge more: Suheil and his delegation resided at Omar’s house when they were in Al-Madina. Abu Bakr accompanied them to the Prophet as an intercessor.
Fifth, four elements can be assumed from the Prophet’s reaction in the incident involved:
1. The prophetic ire owing to the awkward impudence and the way
of thinking enjoyed and adopted by the Quraishis. Narratives did not refer to this point detailedly.
2. The Prophet’s despairing
of the Quraishis’s modifying their courses
of tyranny, and spreading on instructions
of Islam. Moreover, the Prophet despaired
of their evading arrogance and despotism. He perceived that the sword would be the only device that may cause them to abide the right.
A number
of narratives, such as those recorded in Al-Hakim’s
Al-Mustedrak; 2/125, Abu Dawud’s; 1/611, Al-Beihaqi’s
As-Sunan; 9/229 and
Kenzul Ummal; 10/473, referred evidently to this point. (The Prophet said: “O the Quraishis! I see you will never cease unless the Lord shall send a man who will behead you for the sake
of Islam.”) This prophetic wording asserts that the Quraishis will never submit to Islam by means other than swords.
3. The Prophet’s naming Ali Bin Abi Talib (peace be upon him); sword
of the Lord and His Apostle, in threatening the Quraishis. They do scare this man to death, since they suffered the harshest days
of their lifetime on his hands. Ali, alone, was the terminator
of half
of the polytheist heroes whom were the victims
of the Prophet’s battles. The other Muslims, groupably, killed the second half or less!
It is noticed that the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) mentions Ali indirectly when he refers to the man whom shall be sent for beheading the Quraishis for the sake
of the religion. Once, as it is recorded in
Majmauzzawaid; 9/133, he expresses: “A man belongs to me or I…”
When Abu Bakr and Omar asked him to name that man, the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) stated, “It is I or the repairer
of the sandal.” This is written down on page 326
of part 7
ofKenzul Ummal.
This prophetic general wording is aimed for obstructing the wheel
of the Quraishi disproportionate hopes as they would understand that this question may occur as early as possible. Moreover, the Quraishis should anticipate an order
of invading Mecca and terminating the tyrants there, that would be issued to Ali as close as morning.
The Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) proposes to evince Ali’s standing. He also wanted to make the Quraishis know that that man they are threatened, should be believer and one
of the Hashemites; the people they were still envying and detesting.
Had the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) foretold that Ali would fight the Quraishis for the sake
of the interpretation
of the holy Quran twenty five years later, they would have been sure that they should have a twenty year period to apply their plans.
In
Majmauzzawaid, a narrative decided as authentic is recorded. The reporter declare that since the Prophet’s reign, Ali (peace be upon him) had been threatening the Quraishis and everybody who would think
of apostasy. He swore he would fight them to the last moments.
The Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) was the director
of this threat aimed at precluding the Quraishis from practicing any process
of dissenting Islam.
Majmauzzawaid; 9/134:
Ibn Abbas: during the Prophet’s lifetime, Ali was used to saying, “God; the Powerful the Glorified, says, (Mohammed is no more than an apostle; the apostles have already passed away before him; if then he dies or is killed, will you turn back upon your heels?) Nay, by Allah! We will never turn back upon our heels after we have been guided by Allah; the Exalted. By God I swear, if Mohammed will die or be killed I will definitely fight for the sake he has been fighting for, till the last
of my life. Nay, by God! It is I who is his brother, successor, cousin and heir. Who then is more meritorious than me?”
Following the previous narrative, the same compiler writes down another in which he exposes that immediately after conquest
of Mecca, the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) menaced the Quraishis with Ali (peace be upon him).
Abdurrahman Bin Awf: Immediately after conquest
of Mecca, the Prophet went towards At-Taif… He orated: “O people! I will be your leading. I urge you on being benevolent with my household. You shall meet me on the Divine Pool. By the Prevailing
of my soul I utter the oath, if you evade performing prayers and defraying the poor rates, I will send upon you a man belongs to me. He will be beheading your warriors and capturing your posterity.”
People thought that Abu Bakr or Omar had been the intended. The Prophet took Ali from the hand and said, “He shall be this.”
This prophetic threat carries evident evidences on the actual intendments
of those fresh Muslims. It is completed by Ali’s threatening fighting if they would show apostasy after the Prophet’s decease.
4. The Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) rules atheism
of claimants
of that demand. As a matter
of fact, their atheism is sufficiently proved as soon as they provided that demand. Besides, the Prophet’s sayings, “I see you will not stop, O the Quraishis…” and the threat with a man who will behead them for the sake
of the religion, and his ire; all are evidences
of those people’s atheism. In the first saying, the Prophet meant that they would not stop their atheism and antagonism against the Lord and His Apostle. In the latter, the Prophet’s words meant that they should not be following the religion, and that they would not cease their activities against Islam unless they would be treated by swords.
Scholars and jurisprudents ask for a more manifest pro
of. The Prophet provided so when he rejected their demand with repatriating their slaves, and declared that he had manumitted them.
In case these ‘released’ were Muslims whose properties must be respected and inviolate, it should be illegal for the Prophet, the ever best pious, to violate such properties. He (peace be upon him and his family) was used to saying: “It is illicit for any to have from others’ properties unless their satisfaction is obtained.” He was also saying: “Your properties and souls are as sanctified as… etc.
Jurisprudents were confused as they tried to solve this problem. Some reckoned it with the potencies exclusively given to the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family). This is incorrect. It is irrational to regard violating the consecrated properties
of Muslims, as a prophetic potency.
CONSEQUENCE OF THE INCIDENT
Apparently, that incident hindered the Quraishi people’s attempts to harvest the Prophet’s recognition
of their political independence, in the form
of an alliance or an autonomy under the pennon
of the Islamic state.
Any view at the history written with the ink
of the Quraishi caliphate and Islam designed with the scissors
of the pro-Quraish narrators, will conclude that the Quraishis, soon after the incident involved, repented, and embraced Islam so piously, and gave alms, and manumitted their slaves, and pilgrimaged, and fasted and performed the prayers so consummately.
In contrast, the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) said: “I see you will never stop, O the Quraishis!”
From nature
of the Quraishi people in general and their chiefs in specific, it is understood that they must have kept up their activities on the entire possible fronts.
They could conclude many results. They understood that the Prophet had still been attentive
of their movements. They also figured out that it had been a great mistake to think
of a political independence in the Prophet’s state. Thirdly, they recognized that Mohammed; the leading Hashemite knight, had been unmatched, especially when he was supported by his cousin; terminator
of the Arabs, and people
of the Aws and the Khazraj who dared, for the first time in their lives, to fight the Quraishis and kill a number
of their heroes.
The issue
of a political independence was retracted as a substitute came forth. The Quraishis were confident that Mohammed’s state covered the entire territories, and Muslims were readying for contesting the Romans and Persia. Mohammed did promise his followers
of defeating these two great powers. Muslims looked forward to achieving so. On that account, any demand
of autonomy was seen as meaningless.
It became so necessary to be oriented to the new general situation through industrious political activities and processes
of systematic violence. By such activities could the Quraish people only fall heir to Mohammed’s state. Mohammed, at any rate, is son
of Quraish. Hence, his people are more meritorious than others in receiving his heritage. Neither Ansar; the Yemenis, nor can any other tribe protest or provide an opinion.
Supposing that will be achieved, there will come one problem only, that necessitates any possible treatment, no matter how it will be. That is the problem
of the Hashemites whom are called ‘the progeny’ and ‘the near
of kin’, and about whom frequent Quranic texts have been revealed and many prophetic texts have been worded. Mohammed has endowed them exclusively the fifth
of the public budget.
Indeed, that was the conclusion attained by the Quraishis whom were released from killing and slavery on the hands
of the Prophet. That was their reward for the Prophet during his lifetime. All these were practiced through the great aid provided by a good deal
of the Prophet’s companions.
OMAR THE CALIPH ATTESTS TERGIVERSATION OF THE QURAISHI PEOPLE
At-Tabari’s
Tarikh; 3/426:
Al-Hassan Al-Basri: Omar was informed that the Quraishi celebrities had complained his decision
of detaining them in Al-Madina unless a permission is gotten and a deadline is instituted. He ascended the pulpit and orated:
“I describe Islam as a camel. In its emergence, Islam was the like
of a one year old camel. It became two year old, four year old, six year old and, in the final, it became senile. Nothing but decrease comes after senility. Islam is going towards senility. The Quraishis are aiming at having God’s wealth entirely for themselves. This shall never be as long as son
of Al-Khattab is alive. I am to keep standing on the entrance
of the city for intercepting the Quraishis from falling in the fire.”
*A similar report is recorded on page 401
of part 2
of the same book.
This situation includes a number
of points we are to refer to few
of them.
1. These were words
of a Quraishi chief whose tribal loyalty was beyond any dispute. It was he who carried the pennon
of Quraish and called for their meritoriousness in succeeding the Prophet, in the face
of Ansar and the Hashemites. He also was engaged in many forbidding struggles, till he could extricate the leadership from the Prophet’s household and Ansar. He then served the Quraishi chiefs with that pure leadership, and they named him ‘core
of Quraish.’
2. These words were a testimony averring that the Quraishi Muhajirs were deviate, that they should be detained in Al-Madina in order not to mislead the Muslims.
After assuming the actuality
of the Quraishi Muhajirs, it became more evident to understand hiddens
of the Quraishi ‘released’ whom should never cease -their trickeries against Islam- unless Ali’s sword would play on their heads, as the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) predicted.
3. These words comprise a picture
of Omar’s imagination respecting the short period
of Islam, and its imminent termination. Omar likened Islam to any political circle that passed on the Arab Peninsula and other territories, and would be vanquished soon.
Through various texts, it was corroborated that Omar; the caliph, believed that Islam would not last for more ages. He also believed that other nations would soon invade the Muslims’ territories, especially Mecca the people
of which would desert and cause it to be ruined.
Kabul-Ahbar might be the originator
of such false prophesies.
CHAPTER TWO
VERSE OF ISMA
ORDER OF THE VERSE
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
And the Jews say: The hand of Allah is tied up! Their hands shall be shackled and they shall be cursed for what they say. Nay, both His hands are spread out, He expends as He pleases; and what has been revealed to you from your Lord will certainly make many of them increase in inordinacy and unbelief; and We have put enmity and hatred among them till the day of resurrection; whenever they kindle a fire for war Allah puts it out, and they strive to make mischief in the land, and Allah does not love the mischief makers.And if the followers of the Book believed and guarded against evil, We would certainly have covered their evil deeds and We would certainly have made them enter gardens of bliss.And if they had kept up the Torah and the Bible and that which was revealed to them from their Lord, they would certainly have eaten from above them and from beneath their feet; there is a party of them keeping to the moderate course, and as for most of them, evil is that which they do.O Apostle! Deliver what has been revealed to you from your Lord; and if you do it not, then you have not delivered His message, and Allah will protect you from the people; surely Allah will not guide the unbelieving people.Say: O followers of the Book! You follow no good till you keep up the Torah and the Bible and that which is revealed to you from your Lord; and surely that which has been revealed to you from your Lord shall make many of them increase in inordinacy and unbelief; grieve not therefore for the unbelieving people.Surely those who believe and those who are Jews and the Sebeans and the Christians whoever believes in Allah and the last day and does good- they shall have no fear not shall they grieve. Certainly We made a covenant with the children of Israel and We sent to them apostles; whenever there came to them an apostle with what that their souls did not desire, some of them did they call liars and some they slew.LOCATION OF THE VERSE
Two matters should be taken in consideration if the Quranic setting is regarded.
First, the Verse falls in sura
of Maida; the seal
of the revealed suras.
Second, the Verse falls among
Verses respecting manners
of the Jews and the Christians.
Correspondingly, the Verse carries the following meaning to the Prophet: Convey, and fear not the Jews and the Christians. We are to protect you against them. They shall be too short to injure you.
Neither the Sunnis nor do the Shias admit this exegesis. For the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family), it added nothing new concerning the Jews and the Christians during the two months he lived after the revelation
of the Verse involved. Besides, danger caused by those two parties had been removed before its revelation, and they were submitted to the Prophet’s regulations.
From this cause, it is scrupulous to probe whether the current situation
of the Verse is original, or one
of the Prophet’s companions pursued a personal illation in opting for it.
We; the Shias, deny clearly any supposition claiming the occurrence
of any form
of distortion in the Holy Quran. Yet, reports assert that some companions pursued their personal inference in choosing for situations
of some
Verses in some suras. Accordingly, situation
of the Verse intended had been subjectively, if not unintentionally, chosen.
THE SUNNI SCHOLARS’ OPINIONS
The following six opinions are the most remarkable among the various theses related to the Verse, and assumed by the Sunni exegesists and scholars. Hitherto, there is a seventh opinion accords the Shias’.
First opinion:
The Verse was revealed in the preliminary stage
of the Prophet’s divine mission. When the Exalted Lord ordered him
of conveying the message, the Prophet hesitated. He abstained or showed drawback. Hence, the Lord loomed and relieved. Only then, the Prophet conveyed.This proposes that the Verse were revealed twenty-three years before the revelation
of sura
of Maida.
As if he deterred it, Ashafii used ‘it is said’ before he had referred to the previous opinion.
Ashafii’s
Kitabul Umm; 4/168:
…It is said that when Gabriel first carried the divine instructions
of informing people
of the angelic revelation, and soliciting them to the new religion, the Prophet became harassed as he anticipated people’s belying and maligning him. Hence, God revealed: O Apostle! Deliver what has been revealed…
Many points can be adopted in repudiating this claim. First, the claim is contrary to situation
of the Verse. We have already provided that sura
of Maida was the seal
of suras. Ashafii, himself, suspects that claim. He narrates it indirectly. He neither adopted nor did he refer it to the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family). In conclusion, it is inadmissible to concede such an accusal
of abstinence or hesitation during carrying the Lord’s messages, for avoiding being belied, injured or killed, till a divine menace and tranquillity were revealed.
This picture does not fit an ordinary faithful believer. How is it then for the sinless Prophet (peace be upon him and his family), who was the most faithful and courageous?! A good deal
of Quranic texts attested that he (peace be upon him and his family) was bettering in conveying the Lord’s instructions, and was exceedingly interesting in guiding people to the right path.
ASHAFII’S INDIRECT REPORTS
As-Suyouti’s
Ad-Durrul Manthour; 2/298:
Al-Hassan Al-Basri: The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: I showed detestation for my Lord’s giving me the orders
of conveying His message to people, since I realized that people would belie me. The Lord threatened if I decline, He would subdue. That is His saying: O Apostle! Deliver…”
*Ibn Jureij: The Prophet (peace be upon him) feared people
of Quraish till the revelation
of the Verse: O Apostle!…and Allah will protect you from the people.
Only then, he was relieved. He said frequently, “Let them disappoint.”
Mujahid: When God revealed: Deliver what has been revealed to you from your Lord…, the Prophet supplicated: “O my Lord! I am alone. How should I behave when people unite against me?” Then, God revealed:And if you do it not, then youhave not delivered His message…
**An-Nisapuri’s
Al-Waseet; 2/208:
Al-Anbari: During his dwelling in Mecca, the Prophet was used to declaring only a part
of the Quranic texts revealed to him, due to anticipating the polytheists’ injuring his companions and him…
The previous reports lack documentation. They are mere sayings
of Al-Hassan Al-Basri, Mujahid and their likes. Next, we are to prove that Al-Hassan Al-Basri aims at achieving something private through publicizing such wording, and that he cited his saying from the Prophet’s sermon
of Ghadir, but he was too coward to report the truth.
THE INDIRECT REPORTS ARE ESTIMABLE OPINIONS
Exegesists realize that the Verse was revealed during the Prophet’s last days, and realize that allocating an incident occurred in the prefatory stage
of his advocacyto the exegesis
of the Verse was no more than wordings
of the false scholars
of the Umayid reign or reports
of doubtful documentation. Notwithstanding, they flagrantly take the Verse twenty-three years back. It is quite odd to see considerate names, such as Az-Zamakhshari and Al-Fakhr Ar-Razi, lay among such exegesists.
All that is taken for nothing other than evading allocating the exegesis
of the Quranic text to the
Ghadir declaration
of fealty. In truth, they had two choices only; either allocating the former incident to the exegesis, or adopting the false reports respecting cancellation
of the watch on the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family). This fable is violated by sequence
of the historical events, as well as context
of the Verse intended.
Az-Zamakhshari’s
Al-Keshaf; 1/659:
The meaning
of God’s saying, (And Allah will protect you from the people), is that the Lord provides a promise
of protecting the Prophet.. against being killed only! It is also narrated that the Prophet said:
I showed detestation for the Lord’s ordering me
of conveying His message to people. He then threatened a punition if I abstain. He also guaranteed protecting me. Only then I regained vigor.
The same is recorded in
Al-Waseet; 2/208.
Ar-Razi’s
Tafsir; 6:12/48-50:
Exegesis of God’s saying: O Apostle! Deliver what has been…
Al-Hassan: The Prophet said: I showed detestation for my Lord’s giving me the orders
of conveying His message to people, since I realized that people, including the Jews and the Christians, would belie me, and the Quraishis would threaten me. When the Lord revealed: (O Apostle! Deliver…,) my entire apprehensions were removed.
Regarding God’s saying: (And Allah will protect you from the people,) it be may be asked how it is possible to regard this statement when it is well known that the Prophet’s face was scratched during the battle
of Uhud.
There are two answers for this wonderment. First, the Verse intends protection against being killed. Second, the Verse was revealed after the battle
of Uhud.
Ar-Razi is not accurate in relating Al-Hassan’s wording. He adds the statement: ‘including the Jews and the Christians,’ since he intends to specify the protection against aggressions
of the Jews and the Christians, so that he would be able to take away the Quraishis’.
At any rate, we should not blame him for cherishing the Quraishis generally, and his forefather; Abu Bakr Bin Abi Qehafa specifically. We only demand with the objective honesty. No single indication to the Jews and the Christians is shown in the whole reference books that record Al-Hassan’s previous wording. Later on, the reader will learn that Al-Hassan excerpted his wording from the Prophet’s sermon
of Ghadir.
Excelling Ar-Razi and the others, Ibn Kutheir outdoes exceedingly when he records the following in his
Al-Bidaya Wen-Nihaya; 3/53:
… Ali: “When God revealed: (And warn your nearest relations,) the Prophet (peace be upon him) asked me to cook a … The Prophet spoke: “Which one
of you is to settle my debts and he will be my successor among my people?” As he anticipated loss, Al-Abbas kept silence. I had to keep silence as I revered Al-Abbas’s being elder. In the second time I spoke after I had seen Al-Abbas keep silent. The Prophet attested…”
The Prophet (peace be upon him) anticipated being killed as soon as he would convey the Lord’s message to the Arab polytheists. Therefore, he aimed at nominating his successor that would guard his people after his decease. He could trust a man who would be committing himself to this responsibility.
Anyhow, the Lord secured His Apostle when He revealed: (O Apostle! Deliver…
Approximately, the same is recorded in
As-Sira; 1/460.
Ibn Kutheir does slip and serve his fanaticism very much. He cuts
off the prophetic text regarding God’s saying: (And warn your nearest relations,) and erases the Prophet’s carrying out God’s mandate
of nominating a successor. Instead, the man records a contorted text and explains that the Prophet’s asking the Hashemites for a successor who would be the guardian
of his people and the settler
of his debts, came due to his anticipating being killed by the Quraishis. Ali (peace be upon him) volunteered. When the Verse was revealed, such a succession became invalid.
Ibn Kutheir, purposefully, disregards the fact that the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) was mandated to solicit his near relatives exclusively to his advocacy. Neither the Quraishis nor were the others included in this solicitation. Thereupon, the Prophet’s anticipation
of being killed or injured is but a fabrication.
Furthermore, as much as I could conceive, none precedes or supports Ibn Kutheir in establishing a relation between the Verse
of Isma and that
of warning the near relatives. Anyway, he does not refer to the source from which he embraced that opinion.
As a matter
of fact, for Ibn Kutheir, nothing is more important that misrepresenting and fading the Prophet’s words at his near relatives, and his nominating Ali as his brother, vizier and successor. Meanwhile, he spares no efforts for taking Verse
of Isma away from sura
of Maida and day
of Ghadir.
The following is the Prophet’s wording cut
off by Ibn Kutheir:
Al-Amini’s
Al-Ghadir; 1/207:
The following is a quotation
of At-Tabari’s words, mentioned for discriminating the accurate and the deviation:
At-Tabari’s
Tarikh; 1/207:
… (The Prophet said:) “I have brought forth the good
of this world as well as the Hereafter. The Exalted Lord has given me the order
of soliciting you all to this matter. Which one
of you is to support me, and shall be my brother, heir and successor?”
(Ali went on narrating:) I was the youngest among the attendants who utterly spurned. I spoke: “I will, God’s messenger. I will be your supporter in this affair.” The Prophet took me from the neck and declared: “This is my brother, heir and successor. Listen and comply with him.” The attendants went out laughing and addressing at my father: “Well, he has ordered you
of listening and complying with your son!”
(Al-Amini:) As he decides it as authentic, Abu Jafar Al-Iskafi; the Theologist Mutazilite, records the same words in his
Naqdul Othmaniya.
It is also recorded in the following reference books:
Burhanuddin’s
Anbau Nujeba Il-Abna; 46-8.
Ibnul Athir’s
Al-Kamil; 2/24.
Ad-Dimeshqi’s
Tarikh; 1/116.
Al-Khafaji’s
Sharhu Shifa; 3/37. (In this book, the last statement
of the narrative is cut
off. The compiler commentates: “In Al-Beihaqi’s
Delailun Nubuwa, as well as many other books, this narrative is authentically documented.)
Al-Baghdadi’s
Tafsir; 390.
As-Suyouti’s
Jamuj Jawami; 6/392. (He refers it to At-Tabari.)
As-Suyouti’s
Jamuj Jawami; 6/397. (He refers it to the six most notable hadithists; Ibn Isaaq, Ibn Jarir, Ibn Abi Hatem, Ibn Merdawayih, Abu Naeem and Al-Beihaqi.)
Ibn Abil-Hadid’s
Sharhu Nahjil Belagha; 3/254.
The compiler
of Al-Ghadir criticizes those who misrepresented the narrative, seeking the Quraishis’ favor. At-Tabari, for instance, intends to make the Prophet’s words respecting Ali obscure. He records: “The Prophet then said: ‘This is my brother… and so on.” Ibn Kutheir, in his
Al-Bidaya Wen Nihaya; 3/40, and
Tafsir: 3/351, follows At-Tabari.
Second opinion:The Verse was revealed some time before the immigration to Al-Madina. Since then, the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) dispensed with the surveillance
of Abu Talib or Al-Abbas; the uncles.
In the Sunni reference books
of hadith, this opinion is the most widespread. It is
of two sorts
of narratives. The earlier shows, whether openly or suggestively, time and place
of the Verse revelation, which was Mecca. The latter relates it to the Prophet’s canceling the surveillance, without referring, directly, to the watch practiced by Abu Talib or Al-Abbas.
Regardless, we ought to opt for the earlier, since its origin is At-Tirmithi’s relation to Aisha. Like many others, At-Tirmithi could perceive that Aisha had meant Mecca.
As a model
of the first sort
of narration, the following is cited:
As-Suyouti’s
Ad-Durrul Manthour; 2/298-9:
… The Prophet (peace be upon him) narrated: During the pilgrimage season, I was in Mina when Gabriel revealed to me God’s saying: (O Apostle! Deliver…)
Presently, I stood erect at Al-Aqaba and shouted: “O people! He shall be granted the Paradise that whoever supports me in conveying my Lord’s message. O People! Declare that there is no god but Allah and that I am His messenger to you, and you will be saved and granted the Paradise.”
The entire people, including women and children, began to throw me with dust and stones, and spew in my face, shouting: you are liar and apostate.
In the midst
of these moments, an inspiration came forth before me and said: “It is now the proper time for you, if you are the Lord’s messenger, to curse your people, like Noah when he cursed his people.”
I supplicated: “O Allah! Guide me people, they do not know, and support me by making them respond to your obedience.”
Al-Abbas; my uncle, came and saved me from them.
Jabir Bin Abdillah: Abu Talib used to appoint a guard for accompanying the Prophet (peace be upon him) whenever he went out. When God revealed: (And Allah will protect you from the people,) the Prophet said to his uncle: “God has protected me. I do not need a guard.”
Ibn Abbas: The Prophet was guarded. Abu Talib used to send men from the Hashemites for guarding him. “O uncle! I do no longer need those whom you are appointing for guarding me,” the Prophet said.
*Majmauzzawaid; 7/17:
Abu Sa’eed Al-Khidri: Al-Abbas; the Prophet’s uncle, was one
of those who guarded the Prophet (peace be upon him). When God revealed: (And Allah will protect you from the people,) the guardians stopped.
**Ibn Abbas: The Prophet (peace be upon him) was guarded. Abu Talib; his uncle, used to appoint men from the Hashemites for guarding him. When God revealed: (And Allah will protect you from the people,) the Prophet said to his uncle: “The Lord has protected me against jinn and people.
*The second sort is originated by the following report recorded in At-Tirmithi’s
A-Sunan; 4/317:
Aisha: A surveillance was practiced on the Prophet (peace be upon him) till the revelation
of God’s saying: (And Allah will protect you from the people.) “O people! You may leave. The Lord has protected me,” the Prophet said as he took his head out
of his tent.
This is decided as a one-way hadith.
Others relate the same to Abdillah Bin Shaqiq, without referring to Aisha.
Al-Hakim, in his
Al-Mustedrak; 2/313, relates the same report to Aisha, and comments: “This report is authentically documented; yet, they -Muslim and Al-Bukhari- avoid recording it.”
Seemingly, Aisha’s report proposes that the Verse was revealed in Mecca. This is advocated by Al-Beihaqi’s narration, recorded in his
As-Sunan; 9/8. He also records the forecited saying
of Ashafii, in which he claims the Prophet’s being protected against being killed only…
In his
Tafsir; 2/4/160, Al-Muraghi records As-Suyouti’s earlier narration, related to Ibn Abbas, and At-Tabarani’s. He then comments: “At-Tirmithi relates that the Prophet (peace be upon him) was guarded in Mecca before the revelation
of the Verse.”
Notwithstanding, Aisha’s report does not imply that the occurrence was in Mecca. It seems that the phrase ‘in Mecca’ was unintentionally erased from the origin copy
of At-Tirmithi’s.
In his
Ad-Durrul Manthour; 2/291, As-Suyouti records:
Abd Bin Humeid, At-Tirmithi, Ibn Jarir, Ibnul-Munthir, Ibn Abi Hatem, Abu Sheikh, Abu Nueim, Al-Beihaqi, Ibn Merdawayih; all record Aisha’s reporting that…
Bearing the same indication
of Aisha’s report, As-Suyouti records a number
of narratives some
of which hint at the fact that the occurrence was in Al-Madina. Accordingly, we lay such narratives in an independent topic.
In
Ad-Durrul Manthour; 2/298-9, As-Suyouti records:
… Abu Sa’eed Al-Khidri: Al-Abbas; the Prophet’s uncle, was one
of those who guarded the Prophet (peace be upon him). When God revealed: (And Allah will protect you from the people,) the guardians stopped.
… Abu Therr: We were encompassing the Prophet (peace be upon him) whenever he went to sleep, since he anticipated misfortune. When the Verse was revealed, we stopped.
A good deal
of exegesists and historians adopt this opinion. As if they admit it, Az-Zamakhshari, in
Al-Keshaf; 1/659, and Ar-Razi, in
Tafsir; 6/12/50, record the opinion while they, as it has been already cited, attest that the Verse was revealed in Mecca. On that account, they adjudge that reports
of Aisha, Al-Hassan Al-Basri and the others talk about an occurrence happened in the early stage
of the Prophet’s solicitation.
Besides many others, the following scholars adopt the opinion involved:
As-Suheili, in
Ar Rawdul Enif;2/290.
Al-Qastalani, in
Irshadus Sari; 5/86.
Ibnul Arabi, in
Sharhut Tirmithi; 6/11/174.
Al-Eini, in
Umdetul Qari; 7/14/95.
Ibn Jezi, in
At-Tesihil; 1/244.
An-Nuweiri, in
Nihayetul Ireb; 8/16/196, and 19/18/342.
An-Nisapuri, in
Al-Waseet; 2/209.
Ad-Demiri, in
Hayatul Hayawan; 1/79… etc.
The compiler
of As-Siratul Halabiya, attempts to impose the relation between the Verse and the Prophet’s surveillance, for framing a virtue for Abu Bakr Bin Abi Qehafa. On page 327
of part 3, he records:
Before the revelation
of God’s saying: (And Allah will protect you from the people,) the Prophet was watched by a number
of people. The night just before the battle
of Badr, he was watched by Sa’d Bin Me’adh. On the day
of the battle, he was guarded by Abu Bakr alone. This man kept on unsheathing his sword while the Prophet was sleeping under the canopy.
This proves the self-contradiction
of the compiler who, by these words, provides an evident contrary to his intendment. If cancellation
of the surveillance occurred before the immigration, then surveillance
of Abu Bakr and others during the battle
of Badr would be ineffective. In addition, it is questionable to believe that the Muslims used canopies during that battle.
Finally, Al-Hakim records an authentically documented narration implying that third
of the Muslims guarded the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) during the battle
of Badr. This is rational, since they resided the uncovered low area
of the battlefield.
Al-Hakim’s
Al-Mustedrak; 2/326:
As he was asked about sura
of Anfal, Ebada Bin As-Samit spoke:
The sura regarded us. We; the Muslims, were three groups. The first was fighting the foes. The second was gathering the spoils and capturing the prisoners. The third was guarding the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) near the tent…
The following points show invalidity
of the opinion
of creating a relationship between Verse
of Isma and the surveillance practiced on the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family):
First, the forecited discussion
of the first opinion.
Second, the same narratives
of the third opinion that claimed that cancellation
of the surveillance had occurred in Al-Madina, not Mecca.
Third, the major reports that support the opinion involved are Aisha’s and report
of Al-Abbas’s watching the Prophet. The others are not documented.
In fact, the purpose beyond most
of such reports was disregarding Abu Talib’s role in upholding the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family), and aiming at proving that the Prophet dispensed with Abu Talib’s surveillance in Mecca.
The earliest report aims for giving Al-Abbas Abu Talib’s role
of guarding the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) in Mecca, and being the one by whom the Lord protected His Apostle against people.
Truly, Al-Abbas, before the immigration, played an ordinary role. Like the other Hashemites, he sympathized with the Prophet and suffered the blockade in that col. In addition, it is unproved that he embraced Islam or immigrated to Al-Madina, like Ali and Hamza. The most common thing is that Al-Abbas was captured during the battle
of Badr, and he embraced Islam only when he, as well as the other prisoners, was released. Al-Heithami and others decide inauthenticity
of the report involved. Frivolity and fickleness
of the report support so. Later on, we are to cite Al-Albania’s proving the inaccuracy
of Aisha’s being the reporter
of that narrative.
Third, the evidences on the continuity
of watching the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) and invalidity
of reports narrating the opposite, including the one involved, are clear.
The third opinion
is that the Verse was revealed in Al-Madina without an identified date. As-Suyouti records a number
of narratives showing no specific time for its revelation, though he connects them to the matter
of canceling surveillance practiced on the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family). Thereabouts, from some
of such narratives, it can be understood that the Verse was revealed in Al-Madina.
Ad-Durrul Manthour; 298-9:
… Isma Bin Malik Al-Khatmi: We were used to watching the Prophet (peace be upon him) at nights till the revelation
of God’s saying: (And Allah will protect you from the people.)
… Sa’eed Bin Jubeir: When God revealed: (And Allah will protect you from the people,) the Prophet said: “Do not watch me any longer. My Lord has protected me.”
… Abdullah Bin Shaqiq: Some
of the Prophet’s companions were guarding him whenever he went out. When God revealed: (And Allah will protect you from the people,) the Prophet said: “O people! Go to your normal duties. Allah has protected me against people.”
… Mohammed Bin Ka’b Al-Quradi: The Prophet’s companions were guarding him till the revelation
of God’s saying: (And Allah will protect you from the people.) The surveillance was canceled as the Lord informed His Apostle
of protecting against people.
… Ar-Rabi Bin Anas: The Prophet was guarded by his companions till the revelation
of God’s saying: (O Apostle! Deliver…)
In
Tarikhul Madinetil Munawara; 1/301, Ibn Sheba relates the same report to Abdullah Bin Shaqiq and Mohammed Bin Kab Al-Quradi. At-Tabari, in
Tafsir; 6/199, relates it to Abdullah Bin Shaqiq. For Ibn Sa’d, he also records the report in
At-Tabaqat; 1/1/113. Similarly, Al-Beihaqi records it in
Delailun Nubuwa; 2/180.
Through the entire reports respecting the Prophet’s history, it is proved that he (peace be upon him and his family) was seeking the Arab tribes’ protection, so that he would convey his Lord’s message. Ansar swore allegiance to him on the conditions
of protecting his household and him as same as they protect they families and themselves. This invalidates the claim
of the Verse’s revelation in Mecca. Had the Verse been revealed in Mecca, the Prophet would not have been in need for such protection and covenant.
Reference books
of hadith, Tafsir and history are filled in with the numberless narratives concerning the surveillance practiced on the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) in Mecca and Al-Madina, especially in conditions
of wars. It is proved that such a surveillance lasted till the final hours
of the Prophet’s lifetime. Chapters were written as regards the surveillance practiced on the Prophet, stories occurred during such situations
of surveillance and names
of the guards. All these evidence invalidity
of the opinion concerned.
The strangest matter is that the same persons who record such reports and stories, assert that the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) had canceled the surveillance in Mecca or after the immigration when the Verse
of Isma was revealed, as if they vowed they should take the Verse away from the incident
of Ghadir!!
From the previous, we have to reject any report respecting the total cancellation
of the surveillance before the incident
of Ghadir. We have cited Al-Hakim’s report relating that the Prophet was guarded by a third
of the Muslims during the battle
of Bard.
Ahmed’s
Al-Musnad; 2/222:
A number
of the Prophet’s companions guarded him, while he was
offering prayers after the midnight just before the battle
of Tabuk.
The same is recorded in
Kenzul Ummal; 12/430, and related to Abdullah Bin Amr Bin Al-As. The compiler
ofMajmauzzawaid rules authenticity
of the same report when he writes it down on page 367
of part 10.
By the way, battle
of Tabuk occurred in the last year
of the Prophet’s life.
Uyounul Athar; 2/402:
During the battle
of Badr, Sa’d Bin Me’adh guarded the Prophet who slept in his canopy. Mohammed Bin Muslima was his guard during the battle
of Uhud. During that
of Khandaq, Az-Zubeir Bin Al-Awam was his guard. In Kheibar, the Prophet was guarded by Abu Ayoub Ansari. It is said that the Prophet supplicated: “O Allah! Protect Abu Ayoub for his protecting me.” Bilal, Sa’d Bin Abi Waqas and Dekwan Bin Abd Qeis were the Prophet’s guards in Wadil-Qira. Ebad Bin Bishr was the commander
of the Prophet’s guards. When God revealed: (And Allah will protect you from the people,) the surveillance was canceled.
As he had to find an answer for the reports pertaining to guarding the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) during the battle
of Tabuk, the compiler interprets ‘guarding’ into ‘waiting’.
Uyounul Athar; 1/119:
Regarding Amr Bin Shueib’s report concerning guarding the Prophet, who was
offering prayers, the night before the battle
of Tabuk, it seems that they were waiting for him. Surveillance was vacated since the revelation
of God’s saying: (And Allah will protect you from the people.)
That was before the battle
of Tabuk. God, however, is the most knowledgeable.
This interpretation is contrary to the text
of the reports regarding that surveillance.
Anyhow, such reports refute the claim that the Verse was revealed in Mecca.
It is now concluded that the claim
of cancellation
of the surveillance practiced on the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) lacks evidence through history
of the Prophet’s lifetime. On the contrary, there in an evidence on continuation
of such a surveillance. It is proved that the Hashemites guarded the Prophet in Mecca and, altogether with the rest
of his companions, in Al-Madina, till the last days
of his lifetime.
As much as a personal viewpoint is concerned, it seems that the trial
of dedicating the Verse to the claim
of cancellation
of the surveillance denotes the accuracy
of the Prophet’s progeny’s explanation that the Verse stands for protection against apostasy. From this cause, the dissidents aimed importunately at citing the material protection and cancellation
of the surveillance as the interpretation
of the Verse. That led them to be engaged in contrast. Nevertheless, they had to disregard stories relating the Prophet’s being guarded, and had to overlook the column
of the guards which is still facing them in the Prophet’s Mosque.
Al-Albani, after he adopts and admits that the Verse was revealed in Mecca, refutes Al-Hakim’s authenticating Aisha’s report he himself has already authenticated. He then mentions the report
of assassinating the Prophet as an evidence on authenticity
of the previous report.
The fourth opinion
is that the Verse was revealed in Al-Madina in the second year
of the Prophet’s immigration after the battle
of Uhud.As-Suyouti’s
Ad-Durrul Manthour; 2/291:
Atiya Bin Sa’d: Ebada Bin As-Samit came to the Prophet and declared his acquitting the covenant
of loyalty between the Jews and him, and declared his loyalty to God and His Apostle. Abdullah Bin Ubey, who was present, spoke: “Considering me, I fear unexpected misfortunes. I cannot break mine.” The Prophet (peace be upon him) addressed at him: “See Abu Hebbab! You have appreciated the covenant broken by Ebada. Hence; you can keep it for yourself alone.” Abdullah accepted so. On that account God revealed: “O you who believe! Do not take the Jews and the Christians for friend… and Allah will protect you from the people.”
For proving the falsehood
of this report, we are sufficed by mentioning that the previous narratives respecting the watch practiced on the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family), and that these were Atiya Bin Sa’d’s words, not the Prophet, and the fact that the
Verses remarked in the report were 51 to 67
of sura
of Maida which none ever could claim their revelation for the story
of Abdullah Bin Ubey’s loyalty to the Jews. At length, this Abdullah was deceased before the revelation
of sura
of Maida.
The fifth opinion
is that the Verse was revealed owing to an attempt
of assassination, the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) had to encounter. Contradiction is the distinctive feature
of reports
of that assassination. Some tell that it was during the battle
of Thaturriqa, when a person approached the Prophet and asked for his sword so that he would see carefully. When the Prophet handed his sword so negligently… Others, anyhow, mention that the sword was hanged, or the Prophet was inadvertent, or was dipping his legs in a well… etc.As-Suyouti’s
Ad-Durrul Manthour; 2/298-9:
Jabir Bin Abdillah: After the battle
of Thaturriqa, the Prophet was reposing on a well, in which he was dipping his legs. Gawreth Bin Al-Harth informed
of his determination
of killing Mohammed. “How will you kill him?” asked his companions. “I will ask him to hand me his sword, and I will kill him then,” said Ghawreth.
“O Mohammed! Give me your sword,” the man asked, and the Prophet did. As soon as the man held the sword, his hands began to shiver. “God prevents you from implementing your intention,” said the Prophet. Hence, God revealed: (O Apostle! Deliver what…)
Mohammed Bin Kab Al-Quradi: the Prophet was reposing under a tree when a Bedouin unsheathed his sword and shouted: “Who will protect you against me?” “Allah will,” answered the Prophet. Suddenly, the man’s hands shivered, and he could no longer have the sword. (Others added) He rammed his head to a tree, and his cerebrum was scattered. Hence, God revealed: (And Allah will protect you from the people.)
Abu Huraira: The Prophet was reposing under the largest tree we used to select on journeys. He was hanging his sword to that tree. A man came and drew the sword, shouting: “O Mohammed! Who will protect you against me.” “Allah will protect me against you,” said the Prophet (peace be upon him), “Put that sword away.” Hence, God revealed: (And Allah will protect you from the people.)
Others mention that a person was arrested while he was trying to assassinate the Prophet. This report is recorded in
Ad-Durrul Manthour; 2/299.
The following points are evidences on invalidity
of that opinion and invalidity
of the revelation
of the Verse for the occasion:
first, As Ibn Husham records in
As-Sira; 3/225, the battle
of Thaturriqa occurred in the year 4 A.H. Many years after this date, sura
of Maida was revealed. Some reports, besides, refer to no definite date. Others are logically unacceptable.
Second, the main reference books that record the story
of Ghawrath and the battle
of Thaturriqa do not refer to the revelation
of the Verse involved then. Most
of these reports refer to amendment
of the ritual prayer
of anticipating dangers -Salat Al-Khawf- and the application
of more watchful surveillance on the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) during prayers.
These points are sufficiently acceptable for refuting the claim
of the revelation
of the Verse on such occasions.
Ibn Husham allocated God’s saying: (O you who believe! Remember Allah’s favor on you when a people had determined to stretch forth their hands towards you, but He withheld their hands from you…), as the Verse revealed on that occasion.
* This is also inaccurate, since the Verse allocated is also in sura
of Maida.
Al-Bukhari, as well as many others, allocated the amendment
of the ritual Salat Al-Khawf, and the application
of more watchful surveillance on the Prophet, due to that incident.
Al-Bukhari’s
Sahih; 5/53:
Jabir Bin Abdillah: … The Prophet reposed under a tree to which he hanged his sword. We slumbered. We were awaken by the Prophet’s loud voice. When we approached, we could see a Bedouin sit before him. The Prophet then related: “While I was sleeping, this man unsheathed my sword. I woke up and saw him raise it towards me, and said: ‘Who will protect you against me?’ ‘God will,’ I answered. This is the result, you can see.” The Prophet, however, abstained from punishing him.
(Another form
of the report:) Jabir Bin Abdillah: In Thaturriqa, the Prophet reposed under a large tree we left. A polytheist came and unsheathed the Prophet’s sword which was hanged to the tree, and said: “Well, now you should fear me.” “No, I should not,” answered the Prophet. “Who will protect you against me?” said the man. “God will.” …
That man was Ghawrath Bin Al-Harth.
The same is recorded in Al-Hakim’s
Al-Mustedrak; 3/29, in which he refers to the amendment
of the ritual Salat Al-Khawf, and the application
of more watchful surveillance on the Prophet. He also decides authenticity
of the report according to the criteria
of Muslim and Al-Bukhari who did not record it. For Ahmed, he refers to Ghawrath’s story on pages 364 and 390
of part 3, when he refers to the amendment
of the ritual Salat Al-Khawf and disregards the revelation
of the Verse. The reader may refer to part 4 page 59
of the same reference book.
Except referring to the revelation
of the Verse, varied details
of the story are written down in Al-Heithami’s
Majmauzzawaid; 9/8.
The most acceptable form
of Ghawrath’s story is recorded in Al-Kuleini’s
Al-Kafi; 8/127:
Abu Abdillah (peace be upon him): While the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) was reposing under a tree lying on the edge
of a valley, a torrent came between his companions and him. A polytheist determined to kill him. He attacked the Prophet with his sword, shouting: “Who will protect you against me, Mohammed?” “Your and my Lord will,” answered the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family). Immediately, Gabriel knocked that man down his pack animal. The Prophet took the sword and sat on his chest, saying: “Now, who will protect you against me, Ghawrath?” “Your benevolence and charity will,” said the man. Forthwith, the Prophet left him. The man stood up shouting: “By God I swear, you are better and more benevolent than me.”
Hence, the most remarkable reference books
of hadith are empty
of any mentioning for the revelation
of the Verse during the battle
of Thaturriqa or on the occasion
of Ghawrath’s attempt
of assassination. Secondly, it is noticeable that the Prophet ordered
of more watchful surveillance, even during
offering prayers, after that incident.
Adopters
of this opinion may have understood that meaning
of canceling the surveillance have become that the Prophet suspected the divine protection; therefore, he ordered
of more watchful surveillance!!
The following exchange
of opinions between Ibn Hajar and Al-Qurtubi is only a part
of their confusedness in inventing a relationship between the revelation
of Verse
of Isma and Ghawrath’s story. Al-Qurtubi pronounces that the Prophet’s being alone during events
of the story involved is an evidence on his being not put under surveillance. This leads to the notion that Verse
of Isma has been already revealed. Ibn Hajar answers: “No. The Verse was revealed on that day specifically. Hence, the guards’ job was canceled. Before so, the Prophet’s conviction was increasing or decreasing. He took guards whenever his confidence became decreasing, and he canceled so when it became increasing. During events
of Ghawrath’s story, the Prophet’s confidence was considerable; therefore, he was not guarded.”
Fetihul Bari; 8/2752:
Al-Qurtubi says: “Such reports assert that the Prophet, on that time, was not guarded. Until the revelation
of God’s saying: (And Allah will protect you from the people), the Prophet had been guarded.”
As an answer to this claim, I am to cite that according to Abu Huraira’s report, it is believed that the Verse was revealed immediately after Ghawrath’s attempting to assassinate the Prophet. Hence, it is most probably to say that the Prophet had the option
of appointing guards or shunning so. For his great conviction, the Prophet was left without guards during that incident. Soon after that incident and the revelation
of the Verse, he canceled surveillance.
Ibn Hajar misses the fact that sura
of Maida was revealed in the year 10 A.H., and the battle
of Thaturriqa occurred in the year 4 A.H., and that Abu Huraira put his feet, for the first time, in Al-Madina in the year 7 A.H.
He also misses that Salat Al-Khawf and the watchful surveillance were legislated in Thaturriqa. Nevertheless, the man sets an explanation for Al-Bukhari’s report respecting Salat Al-Khawf.
All that was aimed at taking Verse
of Isma away from the incidents on
Ghadir Khum. Ibn Hajar’s mind, however, is filled in with the instructions
of inventing a relationship between Verse
of Isma and the Prophet’s being guarded.
Reports
of the Prophet’s being guarded during the battle
of Tabuk, which occurred six years after that
of Thaturriqa, have been forecited. Through authentic reports, it is proved that the Prophet was guarded even during conquest
of Mecca which occurred four years after the forecited incident. Al-Bukhari records that Muslims were guarding the Prophet during conquest
of Mecca.
Al-Bukhari’s
Sahih; 5/91:
Husham: …People
of Quraish were informed
of the Prophet’s progressing towards Mecca. Abu Sufian Bin Harb, Hakim Bin Huzam and Badil Bin Warqa went out for… The Prophet’s guards could capture them…
Ibn Husham, in
As-Sira; 4/21, mentions that the column
of guards that is still standing in the Holy Prophet’s Mosque, could gain this name in the year 9 A.H.
supposing adopters
of this opinion can deny the matter
of the Prophet’s being guarded, how can they deny that column, then?!
The sixth opinion
is that time
of the revelation
of the Verse is not identified, and the matter
of the Prophet’s being guarded has nothing to do with the Verse, and that the Verse is a general wording refers to the Prophet’s being mandated on conveying the Lord’s message, lest, he should not be regarded as a conveyor.
Ad-Durrul-Manthour; 2/299:
Qetada: In this Verse, the Lord acquaints His Apostle that he shall protect him against people. The Lord, also, orders him
of conveying the message…
To great extent, this opinion is similar to the first. The previous topics may be enough for refutal. Besides, reports
of this opinion are not documented and not applying the meaning
of the Verse generally, and the clause
of its issue.
The last opinion is that
concordant to the Prophet’s progeny’s.Ad-Durrul-Manthour
; 2/298:Abu Sa’eed Al-Khidri: the Verse, (O Apostle! Deliver…,) was revealed to the Prophet (peace be upon him) on the day
of Ghadir, regarding Ali Bin Abi Talib’s concern.
Ibn Masud: Before the Prophet (peace be upon him), we used to recite the Verse in this form: (O Apostle! Deliver what has been revealed to you from your Lord -regarding the matter that Ali is being the leader
of the believers- and if you do it not, then you have not delivered His message.)
Al-Miyaru Wel Muwazana
; 213:Jabir Bin Abdillah and Abdullah Bin Al-Abbas: The Prophet took apprehensions from the Lord’s giving him the orders
of nominating Ali as the next leader, and declaring people’s being obligatorily loyal to him. He anticipated people’s accusing him
of favoring his cousin exclusively. Hence, God revealed: (O Apostle! Deliver…)
On that day in
Ghadir Khum, the Prophet delivered that message to people.
As a footnote
of the previous report, the following is cited:
As-Suyouti’s
Ad-Durrul Manthour:
Abu Sa’eed Al-Khidri: After the Prophet (peace be upon him) had nominated Ali as the next leader and asked people to declare their loyalty to him, Gabriel descended with God’s saying: (This day have I completed your religion for you and perfected My favor on you…)
The same report is recorded by Al-Hassakani, in
Shawahidut Tanzil; 1/157 hadith: 211 and on. Ibn Asakir records it in
Tarikhu Dimeshq; 2/85, Chapter: Ali Bin Abi Talib’s Lifetime; hadith: 585-6.
Al-Khatib, Al-Hassakani, Ibn Asakir, Ibn Kutheir, Al-Khawarzmi and Ibnul-Meghazili relate the following wording
of Abu Huraira:
He shall be granted the reward
of a sixty month fasting, that whoever fasts on the eighteenth
of Dhu’l-Hijja. That is the day
of Ghadir when the Prophet (peace be upon him) took Ali Bin Abi Talib from the hand and said: “I am the master
of the believers, aren’t I?” “Yes, you are. God’s messenger!” affirmed people. “He whosever master was I, Ali shall be his master,” the Prophet declared. “Congratulations, son
of Abu Talib!” Omar Bin Al-Khattab addressed at Ali, “You have become my master, and the master
of every Muslim.”
Then, God revealed: (This day have I completed your religion for you and perfected My favor on you…)
For seekers
of more information, the ceaseless consecutive written works apropos this topic should be referred. The following names are cited as examples:
Ibn Uqda’s
Ar-Risala.
At-Tabari’s
Hadithul Ghadir.
Ad-Darqutni’s
Hadithul Ghadir.
At-Thehbi’s.
Ubeidullah Al-Hasakani’s.
Masud As-Sejistani’s.
Al-Amini’s
Kitabul Ghadir.
Abaqatul Anwar;Chapter:
Hadithul Ghadir …etc.
Tafsirul Mizan
; 6/54:The following is quoted from At-Thalabi’s
Tafsir.
Jafar Bin Mohammed: God’s saying: (O Apostle! Deliver what has been revealed to you from your Lord;), refers to Ali. Immediately after this revelation, the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) took Ali from the hand and declared: “He whosever master was I, Ali shall be his master.”
Ibn Abbas: The Verse was revealed in Ali Bin Abi Talib’s concern. The Lord gave the Prophet the orders
of conveying Ali’s obligatory loyalty to people. The Prophet took Ali from the hand and declared: “He whosever master was I, Ali shall be his master. O Allah! Accede to whomever accedes to him, and antagonize whomever antagonizes him.”
Al-Ghadir
; 1/214:The holy Verse was revealed on the eighteenth
of Dhu’l-Hijja, 10 A.H., the year
of the Farewell Pilgrimage. When the Prophet resided in
Ghadir Khum, Gabriel descended: “O Mohammed! Allah greets you and say; ‘O Apostle! Deliver what has been revealed to you -regarding Ali’s affair- from your Lord; and if you do it not, then you have not delivered His message, and Allah will protect you from the people.’”
The foregoing people, who were more than one hundred thousand individuals, were about to reach Al-Juhafa. The Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) gave his orders
of returning those foregoing ones, and confining the late in that place. He decided to nominate Ali as the leader
of people and inform them the divine mandate
of delivering His message
of selecting Ali as the leader
of the nation and protecting him against people.
For the Imamites, this affair is too authentic to be discussed. Yet, we should provide reports
of the Sunnis as evidences.
Al-Amini, thereafter, refers to thirty Sunni reference books that relate reports respecting the revelation
of the Verse for Ali’s leadership. We are to refer to some in brief:
1. At-Tabari, Abu Jafar Mohammed Bin Jarir (…-310.) In his
Al-Wilaya, he records the following report:
Zaid Bin Arqam: When he was back from the Farewell Pilgrimage, the Prophet (peace be upon him) resided in
Ghadir Khum. It was the first hours
of that extremely hot day when he gave his orders
of sweeping the elevated land, and gathered people. As soon as we were before him, the Prophet sermonized so eloquently. He said: “The Lord has revealed to me, (O Apostle! Deliver…
2. Al-Handali, Ibn Abi Hatem Abu Mohammed Ar-Razi (…-327.)
3. Al-Mehamili, Abu Abdillah (…-330.) In his
Al-Amali, he relates the report to Ibn Abbas.
4. Al-Farisi, Abu Bakr Ashirazi (…-407.) He relates the report to Ibn Abbas.
5. Ibn Merdawayih (323-416). To Abu Sa’eed Al-Khidri, he relates the report that the Verse was revealed on that day in
Ghadir Khum, for showing the leadership
of Ali Bin Abi Talib. He also records the following saying
of Ibn Masud:
Before the Prophet (peace be upon him), we used to recite the Verse in this form: (O Apostle! Deliver what has been revealed to you from your Lord -regarding the matter that Ali is the leader
of the believers- and if you do it not, then you have not delivered His message.)
6. Athalabi, Abu Isaaq An-Nisapuri (…-427.) He relates the report in his
Al-Keshfu Wel-Bayan.
7. Alisbahani, Abu Naeem (…-430.) In his
Ma Nazala Minel Qur’ani Fi Haqqi Ali, he relates…
8. Al-Wahidi, Abul-Hassan An-Nisapuri, (…-468.) In his
Asbabun Nuzoul, he relates…
9. As-Sejistani, Abu Sa’eed, (…-477.) In his
Al-Wilaya…
10. Al-Hasakani, Al-Hakim Abul-Qasim. In
ShawahidutTanzil Li Qawaidit Tafdhili Wet Tawil…
11. Ibn Asakir, Abul-Qasim Ashafii (…-471.) He relates the report to Abu Sa’eed Al-Khidri…
12. An-Natnazi, Abul-Fatih. In His
Al-Khasaisul Alawiya…
13. Ar-Razi, Fakhruddin Ashafii (…-606.) In his
At-Tafsirul Kabir; 3/636:
The Verse was revealed for Ali. The Prophet took him from the hand and declared: “He whosever master was I, Ali shall be his master.”
14. An-Naseebi, Abu Salim Ashafii (…-652.) He relates it on page 16
ofMetalibus Sa’oul…
15. Ar-Rasani, Izzuddin Al-Mosuli Al-Hanbali (589-…)
16. Al-Hamawini, Abu Isaaq (…-722.) In
Feraidus Semtain, he relates to Abu Huraira…
17. Al-Hamadani, Ali (…-786.) In
Mawaddetul Qurba, he records:
Al-Bera Bin Azib: I accompanied the Prophet in the journey back from the Farewell Pilgrimage. As we reached
Ghadir Khum, he gathered people. He sat to a tree and took Ali from the hand, and shouted: “I am preferred to your souls, aren’t I?” “Yes, you are, God’s messenger!” asserted people. “He whosever master was I, Ali shall be his master. O Allah! Accede to whomever accedes to him, and oppose whomever opposes him,” declared the Prophet.
Omar (God be pleased to him) met Ali and addressed at him: “Congratulations, Ali Bin Abi Talib! You have become my master, and the master
of every male and female believer.” That was the result
of God’s saying: (O Apostle! Deliver…
18. Al-Eini, Badruddin (762-855.) In his
Umdetul Qari Fi Sharhi Sahihil Bukhari; 8/584…
WAHABISTS AND HADITH OF GHADIR
The opinion concordant to the Prophet’s progeny’s, in regard to the aim beyond the revelation
of the Verse, has been kept in the Sunni reference books
of hadith. This matter seems unfamiliar since it collapses the bases which the Quraishis spared no efforts for convincing the Muslims
of. These bases regarded the question
of the imamate and succession
of the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family).
From this cause, it is arresting that Nassibites are incensed for the presence
of reports
of Ghadir and their likes on various pages
of the Sunni reference books
of hadith. They wished nothing
of such reports and narratives had been written down in such reference books. For the above, they went on launching showers
of insults and accusations to the Shias and their scholars for their viewing and referring to these reports in such books. Instead, they should have studied such reports on the light
of the Quran and the unanimous prophetic texts.
Al-Albani’s
Salsalatul Ahadithis Sahiha; 5/644:
… The Prophet was guarded. When God revealed: (And Allah will protect you from the people,) he took his head out
of the tent and ordered the guards
of leaving him since he was protected by the Lord…
Al-Hakim’s deciding authenticity
of the previous report, related to Aisha, is inaccurate. Yet, At-Thehbi also decides so.
At any rate, the report is authentic, since it is testified by the following report
of Abu Huraira: The Prophet was reposing under the largest tree we used to select on journeys. He was hanging his sword to that tree. A man came and drew the sword, shouting: “O Mohammed! Who will protect you against me this night?” “Allah will,” said the Prophet (peace be upon him)… Hence, God revealed: (And Allah will protect you from the people.) …
It is worthy mentioning that the Shias claim
of the revelation
of the Verse on that day in
Ghadir Khum, for Ali (God be pleased to him). This is contrary to the forecited reports. Shias, in due course, refer to numerous narratives, most
of which are incompletely transmitted or problematic, supporting their claim. They cite Abu Sa’eed Al-Khidri’s report. As I have proved during discussing the report numbered 4922, this report is forged against the man. Without any study for the documentation, Abdul-Hussein; the Shiite, refers to a number
of such narratives in his
Al-Murajaat; 38. Since his only purpose was enlisting any word that may serve his sect, Abdul-Hussein had been wont to cite any narrative as an evidence without paying any attention to the documentation or the discriminatory study. However, Shias adopt the rule that the ends justifies the means. Beware
of this man and his narratives!
Moreover, he used to defraud, if not lie to, the readers. During referring to the report falsely ascribed to Abu Sa’eed Al-Khidri, for instance, the man alleges that a many compilers
of the most remarkable Sunni reference books
of hadith, such as Al-Wahidi, record the narrative involved.
Even the initiates know that Al-Wahidi is not one
of the compilers
of the four most remarkable Sunni reference books
of hadith. He is an exegesist that refers to authentic and doubtful reports indistinctly. Abu Sa’eed’s report is doubted since it is related by an extremely doubtful and neglected narrator.
After they had declared the adoption
of ‘circumspection’, Shias legislated forging lies against the Sunnis through their books and sermons. This matter is unveiled in Al-Khomeini’s
Keshful Asrar. It is quite evident that circumspection is the spouse
of fabrication. Accordingly, Sheikhul-Islam Ibn Teimiya; the most knowledgeable
of those Shias, said: “Shias are the greatest fabricators among the entire sects.” I myself obviously noticed the fabrication
of some
of their scholars, especially Abdul-Hussein. The witness has just been cited. Besides, he deludes the readers
of the prevarication that the report involved is undiscussible for the Sunni scholar since, as he claims, its numerous ways
of narration are proved.
Al-Khomeini is a greater liar. On page 149
of his forecited book, he claims the revelation
of Verse
of Isma on the day
of Ghadir in which the Prophet was ordered
of declaring the imamate
of Ali Bin Abi Talib. He ascribes so to the Sunni scholars. He also decides the unanimity
of Shias on that matter. God may reward that man exactly what he deserves. Later on, I am to discuss this matter more detailedly.
As an answer to Al-Albani’s wording, we are to allude to the following:
First, style
of insults and reviling at people, as well as issuing inaccurate judgments, should be eluded. It is unrightful for Al-Albani to classify the Islamic sects according to degrees
of forging lies and fabricating. Sunnis, as well as Shias, have various sorts
of people among them. Yet, Nassibites are excluded by peculiar rulings. We also should remind Al-Albani
of his defending Ali (peace be upon him) and refuting Ibn Teimiya’s wronging him and denying the report
of Ghadir: (He whosever master was I, Ali shall be his master. O Allah! Accede to whomever accedes to him and oppose whomever opposes him.) In the same place, Al-Albani, in
Al-Ahadithus Sahiha; 5/330/1750, decides authenticity
of the forecited prophetic text and recognizes the right. It is most seeming that Ibn Teimiya would never be expected to give Shias their due since he wronged their imam and leader. On page 344
of the same book, Al-Albani adds:
As I could perceive that Ibn Teimiya ruled the dubiety
of the first half
of the Prophet’s text, and decides the fabrication
of the other, I had to write down these pages and prove authenticity
of the text. As much as I could descry, such an exaggeration, issued by Ibn Teimiya, was raised due to his having been hasty in deciding inauthenticity
of some prophetic texts before he studied and scrutinized.
Shias are completely inaccurate in their claiming the Prophet’s nominating Ali as his successor through this text and the like. This was one
of the legion inventions the falsity
of which has been proved by historical factualities. Supposing the Prophet had said such a thing, it should have been falling, since his words are ‘revelation that is revealed,’ and, finally, the Lord shall never break the promise.
While he criticizes Ibn Teimiya’s being hasty, we could notice that Al-Albani himself was hasty when he confused the legislative instruction with the divine prediction. Far away is the previous from the latter. Provided Al-Albani’s words had been right, the text he had already decided its accurate authenticity would have been invalid. In other words, the Prophet’s saying: “He whosever master was I, Ali shall be his master,” that Al-Albani decides its authenticity, is also seen as ‘a revelation that is revealed.’ Hence, such a divine prediction, as Al-Albani decides through his forecited wording, should be befalling, and that Ali should be the master and leader
of the Muslims who should behave like his slaves. However, this matter did not fall. On the contrary, they attacked the house
of Ali and Fatima two, or three, days after the Prophet’s decease. They also threatened flaming the house if the lodgers would not come out and swear allegiance to the new leader. Finally, they coerced Ali on swearing his allegiance. All these events are as clear as the sun.
The Prophet’s saying: “Ali shall be my successor,” is as same as his saying: “He whosever master was I, Ali shall be his master.” If the previous is adjudged as a divine prediction, as Al-Albani claims, the second should be, too. How is it then that the meaning, historically, was modified into forcing the master on swearing allegiance to the follower?
Both texts refer to a legislative instruction and a guide showing the Muslims their duties so that any other circumstance would not befall.
Second, while Al-Albani decides inauthenticity
of the report dedicating Verse
of Isma to the event
of the congregational declaration
of fealty in
Ghadir, has he studies and scrutinized the reports, so that he would have the right to utter that most
of these narratives are incompletely transmitted or problematic? Did he viewe ways
of narrating the reports adopted by Athalebi, Abu Na’eem, Al-Wahidi, Abu Sa’eed As-Sejistani, Al-Hasakian at al? Did he scrutinize these ways
of narration so that he could prove that most
of them were either incompletely transmitted or problematic? Did he find that any
of the narrators had been neglected by him? Finally, he might have repeated the same error
of Ibn Teimiya whom he had criticized!
In any event, Al-Albani still has enough time to correct his errors. We hope he would write down his notes respecting the discussion
of the exegesis
of the Verse involved, and scrutinize, on his own criteria, ways
of narration and documentation we have cited, provided that he would not contradict his previous wording, and evade deciding doubtfulness
of a narrator for his referring to Ali’s merits, while he admits and relies on his other reports that relate merits
of Ali’s rivals!!
The following are ways
of documentation quoted from a single reference book, which is
Shawahidut Tanzil, compiled by Al-Hakim Al-Hasakani, Abdullah Bin Abdillah Bin Ahmed Al-Amiri Al-Qirashi; the student
of Al-Hakim An-Nisapuri.
On pages 250-7, he writes down:
244. Abu Abdillah Ad-Deinuri: Ahmed Bin Mohammed Bin Isaq Bin Ibrahim As-Sunni: Abdurrahaman Bin Ahamdan: Mohammed Bin Tohman Al-Absi: Ibrahim Bin Mohammed Bin Maymun: Ali Bin Abis: Al-Amash: Abul-Jihaf (Dawud Bin Abi Awf): Atiya: Abu Sa’eed Al-Khidri:
The Verse: (O Apostle! Deliver what has been revealed…) was revealed for the affair
of Ali Bin Abi Talib.
245. Al-Hakim Abu Abdillah Al-Hafiz: Ali Bin Abdirrahaman Bin Easa Ad-Dehqan (in Kufa): Al-Hussein Bin Al-Hakam Al-Hibri: Al-Kelbi: Abu Salih: Ibn Abbas:
The Verse: (O Apostle! Deliver what has been revealed…) was revealed for the affair
of Ali. Immediately after the revelation, the Prophet carried out. He took Ali from the hand and declared: “He whosever master was I, Ali shall be his master. O Allah! Accede to whomever accedes to him, and oppose whomever opposes him.”
246. A group
of people relate the narrative to Al-Hibri. In his
Tafsir, As-Subeii records it. Another group
of people relate it to Al-Kelbi. In my ten-volumed
Duawul Hudat Ila Edai Haqqil Muwalat, I provide the numerous ways
of the narration
of the text involved.
247. Abu Bakr As-Sukkeri: Abu Amr Al-Miqeri: Al-Hassan Bin Sufian: Ahmed Bin Azhar: Abdurrahman Bin Amr Bin Jibilla: Omar Bin Nueim Bin Omar Bin Qeis Al-Masir: His grandfather: Abdullah Bin Abi Awfa:
On that day in
Ghadir Khum, the Prophet recited the Verse, and raised his hands so upwardly that his armpits were seen. He addressed at us: “He whosever master was I, Ali shall be his master. O Allah! Accede to whomever accedes to him and oppose whomever opposes him. O Allah! Be the witness.”
248. Amr Bin Mohammed Bin Ahmed Al-Adl: Zahir Bin Ahmed: Abu Bakr Mohammed Bin Yahya As-Sawli: Al-Mughira Bin Mohammed: Ali Bin Mohammed Bin Suleiman An-Nawfali: His father: Ziyad Bin Al-Munthir:
I was attendant when Abu Jafar Mohammed Bin Ali was instructing. A man named Othman Al-Asha, who was relating Al-Hassan Al-Basri’s instructions, asked Abu Jafar: “O son
of God’s messenger! May God make me your ransom. As Al-Hassan recited God’s saying: (O Apostle! Deliver…,) he instructed that it was revealed for the affair
of someone. He did not identify that one.”
“He would have told if he had wanted. Nevertheless, he anticipated misfortunes,” spoke Abu Jafar, and narrated:
Gabriel descended to the Prophet (peace be upon him) and carried the Lord’s orders
of instructing people how to perform the prayers. The Prophet carried out. Then, he descended and conveyed the Lord’s orders
of instructing people how to fast. The Prophet did. Then, he descended and conveyed the Lord’s instructions
of leading people to their ritual pilgrimage. The Prophet did. Then, he descended carrying the Lord’s orders
of leading people to their leader so that the Lord would have the perfect claim against them. The Prophet said: “O my Lord! My people have still born customs
of Jahilism. They are filled in with rivalry and pride. Their leader has beheaded a single man, at least, from each house
of my people. I do anticipate their dissidence.” Immediately, God revealed: (O Apostle! Deliver what has been revealed to you from your Lord; and if you do it not, then you have not delivered His message -so completely-, and Allah will protect you from the people; surely Allah will not guide the unbelieving people.)
As the Prophet (peace be upon him) guaranteed the Lord’s protection, he took Ali Bin Abi Talib from the hand and said: “O people! He whosever master was I, Ali shall be his master. O Allah! Accede to whomever accedes to him, and oppose whomever opposes him, and give triumph to whomever supports him, and disappoint whomever disappoints him, and cherish whomever cherishes him, and detest whomever detests him.”
(Othman Al-Asha:) This narration was the ever best thing I could gain during that journey.
249. Ali Bin Musa Bin Isaaq: Mohammed Bin Masud Bin Mohammed: Sahl Bin Bahr: Al-Fadl Bin Shathan: Mohammed Bin Abi Omeir: Omar Bin Utheina: Al-Kelbi: Abu Salih: Ibn Abbas and Jabir Bin Abdillah:
The Prophet (peace be upon him) anticipated that people would criticize and revile at him when he would convey his Lord’s instructions
of nominating Ali as the next leader. He expected them to accuse him
of favoring his cousin for personal aims. Hence, God revealed: (O Apostle! Deliver…) Immediately, the Prophet declared the next leadership
of Ali on that day in
Ghadir Khum.
250. Mohammed Bin Al-Qasim Bin Ahmed: Abu Jafar Mohammed Bin Ali Al-Faqih: His father: Sa’d Bin Abdillah: Ahmed Bin Abdillah Al-Berqi: His father: Khalaf Bin Ammar Al-Asadi: Abul-Hassan Al-Abdi: Al-Amash: Ebaya Bin Rabi: Abudullah Bin Abbas:
…and that I am to assign a vizier for each prophet. You are the Apostle
of Allah, and Ali is your vizier.”
As people have just converted to Islam, the Prophet evaded informing them
of that mandate. Six days after the incident, God; the Exalted, revealed: (Then, it may be that you will give up a part
of what is revealed to you and your breast will become straitened by it…)
The Prophet could tolerate for more eighteen days when God revealed: (O Apostle! Deliver what has been revealed to you from your Lord; and if you do it not, then you have not delivered His message, and Allah will protect you from the people; surely Allah will not guide the unbelieving people.)
For that reason, the Prophet directed Bilal -the formal declarant- to inform people that none will be excused if he shuns being in
Ghadir Khum the next day. The Prophet orated: “O people! My Lord has ordered me
of conveying His message to you. I was wavering since I anticipated that you would accuse and belie. Therefore, the Lord blamed me. He threatened a punishment frequently.”
The Prophet then took Ali Bin Abi Talib from the hand, and raised it so upwardly that the armpits were seen, and declared: “O people! Allah is my Master. I am your master. He whosever master was I, Ali shall be his master. O Allah! Accede to whomever accedes to him, and oppose whomever opposes him, and give triumph to whomever supports him, and disappoint whomever disappoints him.” Concurrently, God revealed: (This day have I perfected your religion for you and completed My favor on you and…)
THE PROPHET’S PROGENY’S OPINION
Al-Ayashi’s
Tafsir; 1/331:
Ibn Abbas and Jabir Bin Abdillah: The Prophet (peace be upon him) anticipated that people would criticize and revile at him when he would convey his Lord’s instructions
of nominating Ali as the next leader. He expected them to accuse him
of favoring his cousin for personal aims. Hence, God revealed: (O Apostle! Deliver…
Al-Kafi
; 1/290:Abu Jafar (peace be upon him) spoke: The Lord ordered
of five precepts. People applied four and neglected one. People were unaware
of time
of performing prayers. Gabriel descended to the Prophet and conveyed the Lord’s orders
of instructing people their prayers. Then came the poor rate. Then came the fasting. On the tenth
of Moharram, the Prophet instructed people
of the neighboring villages to fast. Later on, Ramadan, the month between Shaban and Shawal, was identified for fasting. Then came rites
of the pilgrimage. “As you have taught them their prayers, poor rates and fasting, you are now to instruct them how to pilgrimage,” Gabriel conveyed to the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family).
Finally, the mandate
of fealty was revealed. Perfection
of the religion was materialized through the mandate
of loyalty to the leadership
of Ali Bin Abi Talib. The Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) narrated the occasion:
When the mandate
of loyalty to Ali was revealed to me, I thought that as my people had been fresh Muslims, they would accuse me
of favoring my cousin for personal purposes. Forthwith, God threatened a punishment if I neglect. He revealed: (O Apostle! Deliver what has been revealed to you from your Lord; and if you do it not, then you have not delivered His message, and Allah will protect you from the people; surely Allah will not guide the unbelieving people.)
Immediately, the Prophet took Ali (peace be upon him) from the hand and declared: “O people! Like the other prophets, I am to answer the invitation
of my Lord after He has given me this age. You, as well as I, shall be interrogated. What will your answer be?”
“We do admit you have conveyed, advised and consummated. May God satisfy you with the best reward
of the messengers,” acknowledged people.
“O God! Be the witness,” the Prophet repeated thrice, and added, “O Muslims! This shall be your leader after me. The attendants should carry this to the absent.”
Biharul Anwar
; 94/300:… A group
of Shias and adherents
of the Prophet’s progeny were attendant before Abu Abdillah Jafar Bin Mohammed (peace be upon him), when he spoke: “Do you know the day in which the Lord constructed Islam, and exhibited illumination
of the religion, and made it a festivity for our adherents, Shias and us?”
“God, His Apostle and son
of the Apostle are the most knowledgeable. Is it the Fitr Day, our master?” asked they.
“No, it is not,” answered Abu Abdillah.
“Is it then the Adha Day?” asked they.
“No,” answered the imam, and spoke:
“However, these are two holy and noble days. Day
of illumination
of the religion is holier and nobler. It is the eighteenth
of Dhu’l-Hijja. On the noontime
of that day when the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) arrived in
Ghadir Khum, in his journey back from the Farewell Pilgrimage, Gabriel descended, carrying the Lord’s instruction
of declaring Amirul Muminin’s mastership and next leadership. The Angel said: ‘In this very day, you are to declare Ali’s mastership on this nation, so that he shall be the next leader to whom people should refer. He will be representing you.’ ‘O Gabriel, my dear!’ said the Prophet, ‘I anticipate that my companions will dissent since they detest him for his killing their people, and will unveil their hiddens.’
The angel carried the Prophet’s words and, immediately, came back with God’s saying: O Apostle! Deliver…
The Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) was so apprehensive and distressed when he gave the orders
of sweeping the place under these trees. His feet were sore for the great heat
of the sun. He declared that Muslims should gather in that place. They, including Abu Bakr, Omar, Othman and the rest
of the Muhajirs and Ansar, approached together before him. He sermonized and referred to the coming leadership
of Ali, and imposed it upon the entire people. He also informed that it had been God’s mandate.”
An-Numan Al-Maghribi’s
Daeimul Islam; 1/14:
A man spoke to Abu Jafar Mohammed Bin Ali (peace be upon him) that Al-Hassan Al-Basri had informed
of the Prophet’s saying: “I became distressed and disturbed when the Lord ordered me
of conveying a message. I anticipate that people would belie me. The Lord, however, threatened a punishment if I do it not.”
Abu Jafar asked the man whether Al-Hassan Al-Basri had acquainted them
of the tenor
of that message. The man answered negatively. “By God I swear, he did realize that tenor, but he concealed it deliberately,” stated Abu Jafar (peace be upon him). “O son
of God’s messenger!” the man asked, “May God make me your ransom. What was that tenor?”
Abu Jafar stated: The believers were unaware
of the style they had been ordered
of performing through the Lord’s Book. Hence, the Lord directed His Apostle; Mohammed (peace be upon him and his family), to explain. The Prophet did not conceal a single word.
Similarly, the Lord ordered
of defraying the poor rate. People did not have any acquaintance
of that poor rate. The Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) explained so, when he allocated gold, silver, camels, cows, sheep and yields as the only things applicable to the poor rate. The Prophet left nothing unexplored.
People lacked knowledge
of style
of fasting imposed upon them. The Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) explicated everything evidently.
As the Lord imposed the ritual pilgrimage, He directed the Prophet to instruct them how to perform.
Allah; the Powerful the Elevated, ordered
of adhering to the fealty to the Prophet’s household. He revealed: (Only Allah is your master and His Apostle and those who believe, those who keep up prayers and pay the poor rate while they bow.) As God imposed the fealty to the leadership identified, people were unfamiliar
of sort
of that fealty. Like the prayer, the poor rate, the fasting and the pilgrimage, the Lord ordered His Apostle
of explicating the meaning
of fealty to the leadership. This charge disturbed the Prophet since he anticipated that people would dissent their beliefs and belie him. Hence, he sought the Lord’s relief. Immediately, God revealed: (O Apostle! Deliver what has been revealed to you from your Lord; and if you do it not, then you have not delivered His message, and Allah will protect you from the people; surely Allah will not guide the unbelieving people.)
After that, the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) showed no blemish in declaring the obligatory fealty to the leadership
of Ali Bin Abi Talib (peace be upon him). That was on that day in
Ghadir Khum. He also imposed the attendants to carry this obligation to the absent.
The precepts were revealed gradually. The seal
of that precepts was the obligatory fealty to the leadership
of Ali. For this reason, God revealed: (This day have I perfected for you your religion and completed My favor on you and chosen for you Islam as a religion.) This means that the Lord would not legislate any more precept, since He has completed them.
(Another narration) The Prophet stated: “I enjoin those whoever believed in Allah, and believed and gave credence to me; I enjoin them
of adhering to the leadership
of Ali Bin Abi Talib. Loyalty to Ali is being as same as loyalty to me. This is a command and a covenant I have received from my Lord Who directed me to carry it to you.
The first narration is also recorded in
Sharhul Akhbar; 1/101. A similar narration is registered on page 276
of part 2
of the same book.
The following is recorded in that book:
… “O Gabriel!” the Prophet addressed at the angel, “My people are fresh. They have just converted from Jahilism. I anticipate they would relapse.” The Lord soon revealed: (O Apostle! Deliver…
Hence, the Prophet had to gather people in
Ghadir Khum. He sermonized: “O people! I became disturbed for the Lord’s ordering me
of conveying a message to you. But He threatened a punishment if I would shun. Have you known that Allah; the Powerful the Elevated, is my Master, and that I am the master and the leader
of the Muslims to whom souls I am preceded?” “Yes, we have,” admitted people. The Prophet took Ali from the hand and raised him, saying: “He whosever master was I, Ali shall be his master. And whosever leader was I, Ali shall be his leader. O Allah! Accede to whomever accedes to him, and oppose whomever opposes him and give triumph to whomever supports him, and disappoint whomever disappoints him, and make the right follow him wherever he turns.”
These words imposed fealty to Ali (peace be upon him) upon each male and female Muslim.
A similar narration is recorded in Al-Ayashi’s
Tafsir; 1/333.
More narratives are to be cited during the coming discussion
of Verse
of Ikmaluddin -perfection
of the religion-. In the Shiite reference books
of hadith, these narrative are so much and authentic that they are ruled as continuous.
GENERAL REMARKS REGARDING THE OTHER OPINIONS
First Remark:Except for At-Tirmithi, who records the narration regarding the surveillance practiced on the Prophet, and decides it as a one-way strange report, none
of the most remarkable Sunni hadithists refer to the exegesis
of Verse
of Isma. Yet, Al-Bukhari allots two titles for the Verse. First is on page 88
of part 5, in which he records Aisha’s report about the conveyance and evading concealment, and the second is on page 9
of part 8, in which he records Az-Zuhri’s narration about the Prophet’s conveyance. In addition, Al-Bukhari records two other reports respecting the Verse, on page 50
of part 6 and page 210
of part 8. On page 110
of part 1, Muslim records a report respecting the Verse.
As a matter
of fact, such a negligence does not prove or indicate inauthenticity or dubiety
of the report. Numerous are the authentic reports that are not recorded in the most remarkable books
of hadith. And more are the inauthentic that are written down in such books. The most important matter is that compilers
of the most remarkable books
of hadith exert all efforts for refuting the Prophet’s progeny’s sect. They do realize that Verse
of Isma is an evident on accuracy
of the Prophet’s progeny’s sect. For detaining the Shias narrations, they would have repeatedly narrated and recorded any report that refuted so if only they had any.
For this reason, it is obvious that they neglected recording such reports for their claiming dubiety
of their documentation, their context, or contradiction
of their texts. They aimed at creating a number
of problematic matters for each. Hence, they had to evade refuting the Shias’ narratives and the Sunnis’ that are concordant. As a result, such narratives are not objected in the six most remarkable Sunni reference books
of hadith.
Second Remark
:Except the period
of Farewell Pilgrimage, the entire twenty-three years
of the Prophet’s solicitation were covered through the various Sunni narratives respecting the revelation
of the Verse. The excluded period, in fact, is the very time in which the Verse was revealed. This fact arises the question that eluding referring to the exact period in which the Verse was revealed, was the purpose beyond expansion
of these narratives.
Third Remark:
For the Shiite reference books
of hadith, the entire reports that referred to the revelation
of the Verse bring up, assuredly and convictionally, the same reason and date. On the other hand, the Sunni reference books bear contrary reasons in varied dates that their scholars could not get rid
of perplexity and suspect. The six most remarkable Sunni reference books
of hadith escape recording any
of these narratives some
of which support the Prophet’s progeny’s opinions, aside from seeking the blessing
of the Quraishi caliphs.
As a rule, when Muslims entirely, including the Prophet’s progeny, identify a definite reason and date for the revelation
of a Quranic text, while others refer to miscellaneous reasons and dates, we can surely understand that the reason unanimously admitted should be the preferred in adoption and issuing rulings.
EVALUATION OF THE OPPOSING OPINIONS
First Question: The Matter To Be Delivered.The Verse is meaningless unless the verb ‘revealed’ is seen to consider a past incident. Grammar
of the Verse, however, refers to this point. The tense
of the sentence indicates a previous incident. Besides, no other element may hint at a coming revelation. Secondly, the Verse was revealed in the final months
of the Prophet’s lifetime. Supposing the verb ‘revealed’ refers to a coming matter, this should mean that there should be a matter to be revealed in the next period. This meaning is wholly refused by the entire reports, as well as the Shiite and Sunni scholars.
When the tense shows a previous revelation that the Prophet should deliver, this proves that the Prophet has already received a heavy mandate to deliver, and that he has been conceiving
of the way
of its conveyance. Hence, the Verse was revealed to stop the Prophet’s anticipations, and give him the order
of delivering as soon as possible, disregarding whether people would admit or refute. He was also relieved that they should not apostatize and that he would be guarded against them. This is the exegesis adopted by the Prophet’s progeny and supported by a number
of the Sunni reports.
Second Question: Confirmation Of The Case And Its Conditions.
It is so vague for any to say: “You should convey the messages I shall give to you, and if you do it not, I shall not name you a conveyor.” This sentence does not need that case
of condition, since it is logically understandable that the characteristic
of being conveyor is null if the one to bear the message is not going to convey them. The stated sentence, then, shall be ruled as meaningless.
If there is a remarkable message to deliver, it will be quite true to say to the formal conveyor: “I will not regard you as a conveyor
of my previous messages that you have already carried, if you avoid carrying this most remarkable one.”
Tafsirul Mizan; 6/49:
Style
of the sentence is stated in a form
of threat. It insinuates the importance
of the judgment. It is formed in the pattern that if the message intended was neglected and not carried to people, the other parts
of the religion would be regarded as if he had not conveyed. God’s saying: (If you do it not, then you have not delivered his message,) is a conditional clause that elucidates the importance
of the condition in its occurrence or nonoccurrence, since the most important reward relies upon that occurrence or nonoccurrence. It is not an ordinary conditional clause which is usually used for specifying the result
of an unknown matter. For God, this is inapplicable, since He does realize results and everything. The Quran does not have probabilities whether the Prophet will convey or not.
Third Question: Sort Of The Prophet’s Fear.
The Prophet anticipated that the divine message would be in danger. He was too brave to fear an assassination or injury, since he was pious, courageous and sinless.
Since the earlier days
of the prophesy, the Apostle was foretold
of the arduousness
of the responsibility
of prophesy and conveyance, and the jeopardous detriment he would suffer. Hence, he (peace be upon him and his family) anticipated dangers, injuries and difficulties. Accordingly, it is trivial to believe that the Prophet showed any defect or laziness at any period
of his solicitation, that he was threatened and reposed.
Finally, the Prophet had apprehensions that people might apostatize and reject his progeny’s imamate and leadership, and consider the question
of nominating Ali for the next leadership as a personal decision.
Fourth Question: The Interpretation Of ‘People’.
Al-Fakhr Ar-Razi’s
Tafsir; 6/12/50:
As God ends the Verse with (surely Allah will not guide the unbelieving people,) it is understandable that ‘people’ mentioned in the Verse refers to the unbelieving ones exclusively.
This opinion is unacceptable. The word ‘people’ cannot be consecrated to a definite group since the Verse shows that the Lord will protect His Apostle against all people. Ar-Razi then made a mistake when he perceived that meaning
of the Verse was that the Lord would protect the Prophet against the unbelieving ones whom should not be guided to the right path. A good deal
of meanings can be inferred from the relation between ‘people’ and ‘the unbelieving ones.’ The meaning might be: (God will protect you against the whole people, and He will not guide those who intend to hurt you, since they are unbelievers.) It also might be: (Deliver the message, and Allah will protect you against people, and the rejectors, who are decided as unbelievers, shall not be guided by Allah.)
The latter is the most preferable, since it is supported by a prophetic text recorded on page 139
of part 8
of Al-Bukhari’s
Sahih:
Abu Hureira: The Prophet (peace be upon him) stated: “My people, entirely, shall be in the Paradise saving the rejectors.” “Who are the rejectors, God’s messenger?” asked people. “He shall be in the Paradise that whoever obeys me. And he shall be with the rejectors that whoever disobeys,” explained the Prophet.
The comprehensive and logical meaning
of ‘people’ fits the source
of injury and danger, which was not dedicated to the unbelievers only. The Prophet was also antagonized by the hypocrites who were among his people. We have already elucidated that the danger intended by the Verse was, to great extent, that
of the hypocrites. Ar-Razi, however, aims at removing the style
of censure addressed at the Quraishi hypocrites, and wants to take that divine mandate away from leadership
of Ali Amirul Muminin (peace be upon him).
Fifth Question: Meaning Of Protection Against People.
The promised protection intended in the Verse should be befitting the amount
of danger the Prophet expected. It should stand for the protection against people’s suspecting the prophesy and accusing him
of favoring his household, and nominating his progeny for the coming leadership. One
of the most famed saying the Quraishis used to utter, was that Mohammed (peace be upon him) intended to give prophesy and leadership to the Hashemites exclusively, so that the other clans
of Quraish would be taken away. It was not the Prophet’s concern to nominate for the prophesy or the coming leadership.
This is the meaning befitting the amount
of danger expected by the Prophet who, constantly, was thinking
of the anticipated actions that might occur when he would declare the next leadership
of Ali Amirul Muminin.
Unlike claim
of the other opinions, the protection intended in the Verse does not stand for protecting the Prophet against being assassinated, hurt or injured. It is a guarantee
of saving the prophesy against the Quraishis. This is evidenced by the fact that the Prophet’s surveillance was not changed after that event. Likewise, danger and harm were not changed. It was augmented!
In abstract, the protection mentioned in the Verse intends saving the Prophet’s advocacy in his nation who could rarely accept the matter, that they decided mutiny. Hence, the recognized amount
of concept
of that protection is surviving the prophesy and consummating the Lord’s claim against people. It is unlike that divine sinlessness the Prophet enjoyed in his deeds, words and the entire behavior.
The Exalted Lord fulfilled His promise. On that day in
Ghadir, the Prophet nominated Ali for the next leadership, and asked people to
offer him congratulations on the divine leadership. People did without arising any sort
of rejection.
Nevertheless, as soon as the Prophet was deceased, they took Ali and his progeny away from positions
of leadership. Moreover, they had his house on fire and obliged him to declare fealty to their acquaintance
QUESTIONS INVOLVING THE VERSE
There are two questions involving the Verse
of Islam, I am to discuss briefly.
First Question: Using The Verse As A Weapon Against Ali.
The entire Muslims testify that the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) conveyed what he had received from his Lord perfectly. They also testify that he suffered what no other prophet had. After all, Sunnis accused Shias
of claiming the Prophet’s concealing some matters. As an answer, they cited Verse
of Isma. We seek God’s protection against such a claim!
Al-Qurtubi’s
Tafsir; 6/243:
He is fabricating that whoever claims the Prophet’s concealing any
of the revelation. The Lord says: (O Apostle! Deliver what has been revealed to you from your Lord; and if you do it not, then you have not delivered His message, and Allah will protect you from the people.) Deformed be the Rafidites! They claim that the Prophet (peace be upon him) concealed some
of the revelation people needed.
Al-Qastalani’s
Irshadus Sari; 7/106:
… This is contrary to the Shias’ wording. They claimed the Prophet’s concealing some
of the revealed issued, applying circumspection.
It seems that this accusal is inferred from Aisha’s famous saying: “He is forging the greatest lies against the Lord, that whoever claims the Prophet’s concealing any
of the Lord’s book.” This saying is intended to refute and belie Ali (peace be upon him).
Ali affirmed that he had been the Prophet’s heir and that he had his wording and the heritage that were different from the Quran. Ali had such a comprehensive book that it included everything needed by people even amount
of the compensation for a violated retaliation
of a scratch. Ali also asserted that the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) had foretold him
of the coming misfortunes his progeny would have to counter, even the attack on his house and setting it on fire. Ali asserted that the Prophet instructed what to do during such situation.
For us; the Shias, we do believe so. In our, as well as the Sunni, reference books
of hadith, tens
of reports carry the unique standing and status
of Ali. Others relate the special prophetic care for him that prove the Lord’s mandate
of bringing him up in peculiar way fit enough for transferring his prophetic knowledge to him. Moreover, Ali was given exclusive characters, qualifications and inspiration. We also believe that Ali tells nothing but the truth, even when the matter concerns himself and his progeny
As-Suyouti’s
Ad-Durrul Manthour; 6/260:
… The Prophet addressed at Ali: “Allah gives me the orders
of favoring you, and avoiding keeping you away, and teaching you that you will perceive. And you shall perceive.” For these words, God revealed: (And a retaining ear will retain it.)
Abu Naeem’s
Hilyetul Awliya:
The Prophet addressed at Ali: “You are the retaining ear that perceives my knowledge.”
Hutheifa Bin Al-Yeman, who was one
of Ali’s followers, was the keeper
of the Prophet’s secret in the concern
of distinguishing the hypocrites. Whereas Ali was the keeper
of the entire secrets and knowledge
of the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family). The whole hadithists relate the Prophet’s foretelling Ali
of the coming fighting against the breachers, the unjust and the deviate, for the interpretation
of the Quran.
Some
of the Prophet’s instructions, given to Ali exclusively, were familiar during his lifetime. One
of these was that he would record his wrongedness and manifest his claim and avoid fighting for the position
of leadership. Had this fact been null, they would never have such a bravery when they attacked Ali’s house and arrested and obliged him to declare fealty to the new leadership!
Ali was a miracle and an unparalleled phenomenon
of might and courage. He planted horror and panic in people’s hearts. Most
of those who participated in that attack were so coward that they could not record any situation
of courage during battles. As soon as Ali unsheathes his Dhu’l-Feqar, none
of such cowardly people, or anyone else, had hearts can stop in his face. Hence, they were sure that he would not unsheathe his sword, and he would act according to the Prophet’s will even if Az-Zahra would be beaten and her baby would be aborted.
In due course, the pro-Quraishis and their masters refute Ali’s claim
of having the Prophet’s heritage and knowledge. They deny that the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) left anything for his family; no knowledge, no properties entailed in mortmain and no assets. On that account, Abu Bakr confiscated Fadak which the Prophet endowed to Fatima (peace be upon him) when God revealed: (And give the near
of kin his due.)
The ruling authorities exceeded the limits when they claimed atheism
of those who averred that the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) had instructed them peculiarly. Aisha’s forecited wording is the evidence those ruling authorities used for refuting Ali’s claims.
Al-Bukhari’s; 1/188:
Aisha: “He is fabricating that whoever claims the Prophet’s concealing any
of what was revealed. God says: O Apostle! Deliver what has been revealed to you…
Al-Bukhari repeats the same on pages 50 and 210
of parts 6 and 8. The same is recorded in Muslim’s; 1/10, and At-Tirmithi’s; 4/328… etc.
At any rate, this process practiced by the ruling authorities and Ali’s rivals, included two flaws regarding expansion
of meanings
of the matter to be conveyed and the parties to receive that conveyance. In addition, the process comprised a misrepresentation
of the saying
of Ali and his adherents; the Shias.
It is untrue that the Prophet was ordered
of conveying everything, he had been given, to people. The Prophet’s knowledge that is received via revelation, inspiration and divine views is too comprehensive to be carried to people. It is impracticable that the Lord dictate so, since people, even the faithful, are too incompetent to receive such knowledge.
Secondly, some instructions were addressed at specific individuals. Hence, the Prophet did not carry them to the public. This is evidenced by God’s saying: (And speak to them privately effectual words.)
Neither Ali nor did any
of his adherents claim the Prophet’s showing any shortcoming in carrying the Lord’s message. They claimed that he (peace be upon him and his family) took people’s mentalities and competence
of intellectual reception in consideration during carrying the divine message. Therefore, Ali was so receptive that the Prophet delivered him an additional and peculiar knowledge, as the Lord instructs. Unlike opinions
of Al-Qurtubi and Al-Qastalani, this concept is far away from any accusal
of showing shortcoming during conveying the Lord’s words. The matter was no more than a supplementary conveyance addressed at Ali, Az-Zahra, Al-Hassan and Al-Hussein (peace be upon them).
Furthermore, Ali and his adherents assert that the Prophet conveyed numerous matters respecting his progeny and many other subjects. Hence, they claim a prophetic conveyance more comprehensive that that claimed by the Quraishi caliphate and their adherents.
The pro-Quraishis used to wrong and forge lies against Ali. In the same time, they overlook Omar’s statement that the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) had not clarified a number
of Quranic texts, such as those regarding Kelala and usury.
* as a matter
of fact, this is an apparent accusation
of the Prophet’s showing blemish in explaining God’s revealed texts.
In abstract, the Prophet’s selecting Ali for specific revealed matters does not violate his carrying out the Lord’s instructions, since this question is enlisted under the same title
of conveying the Lord’s mandate. In like manner, it does not violate the question
of circumspection applied by the Prophet with definite men
of Quraishi and other tribes. The Prophet carried the instructions
of using wisdom, circumspection and nicety for achieving goals
of Islam.
Al-Kafi
; 2/117:Imam Jafar As-Sadiq: The Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) stated: “As my Lord orders me
of performing the precepts, He orders
of using nicety with people.”
Majma’uzzawaid
; 8/17:Abu Huraira: The Prophet (peace be upon him) stated: “Directly after believing in God comes nicety to people as the acme
of intellectuality.”
Bureida: I was attendant before the Prophet (peace be upon him) when a Quraishi man came, and was warmly welcomed. “O Bureida!” addressed the Prophet when the man left, “Do you know this man?” “Yes,” I answered, “I do know him. He is the best
of Quraish in lineage and wealth. This is my opinion, what about yours, God’s messenger?” said I. “This is one
of those whom shall be worthless on the Judgment Day,” stated the Prophet.
Al-Bukhari allots more than one title in regard with question
of using nicety with people. On page 102
of part 7
of his
Sahih, Al-Bukhari writes down:
Abud-Derda: We do smile in the faces
of some people, while our hearts curse them.
Aisha: “Let him in. He is the worst among his clan,” the Prophet said as he permitted a man to see him. He then received him easily with nice words. When the man left, I sought an explanation from the Prophet. He said: “O Aisha! The most evil people are those whom are received nicely for the sake
of avoiding their evil.”
An-Nisapuri’s
Al-Waseet; 2/208:
When he was in Mecca, the Prophet used to hide some
Verses, since he anticipated evil
of the polytheists against his companions and himself.
For us; the Shias, we do believe that the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) did explanatorily convey the entire revealed matters so perfectly. We also believe that the Lord instructed him to speak to people according to the degree
of their perceptions and intellectualities. Some could not sustain more than the general elucidation, while others could. Ali (peace be upon him) was a first class man with regard to intellectuality. The Lord instructed His Apostle to give him more explanation. Ali was granted unique memory, intellectuality and tongue. Finally, he was made the retaining ear that receives understandably the Prophet’s wording.
We are indeed not those who accuse the Prophet
of concealing a part
of the revealed matters. Before us are their most remarkable books
of hadith that are filled with reports uttering that Omar asserted the Prophet’s concealing explanation
of some
Verses, such as those
of Kelala and usury. Meanwhile, these
Verses formed an obligatory canon.
Second Question: The Verse Refutes The Claim Of The Prophet’s Bewitchment.
A group
of scholars from both sects cite Verse
of Isma as an evidence refuting the claim
of the Prophet’s bewitchment. A number
of narratives storied that a Jew bewitched the Prophet when he could take his comb and some hairs, and bury them in a well after he had spelled bewitchery on them. This bewitchery influenced the Prophet so heavily that he imagined doing some acts. The Prophet kept on this state till a man or an angel or Gabriel led him to the place
of that well. He destructed that well since he had been already cured from the bewitchment, and that he had not wanted to arise a problem.
This false accusal is related to Aisha according to Al-Bukhari’s report recorded in five positions
of his book. For instance, it is recorded on pages 91 and 68
of part 4. It is also recorded on pages 28-9 and 164
of part 7. Muslim and many others record the same.
The entire Shiite scholars refute this accusal. A few Sunni scholars had the courage to refute. They cite Verse
of Isma as one
of their evidences.
At-Tusi’s
Tafsirut Tibian; 1/384:
Reports that related tale
of the Prophet’s bewitchment are inconsiderate and baseless. The Prophet are too elevated to have such a characteristic
of imperfection that lead to the receivers’ rejecting his instructions. He is the Lord’s claim against creatures, and His choice among His servants. Due to the Lord’s wisdom, the Prophet was selected. He was saved from vulgarity and harshness, in addition to any ill behaviour. Except those who discount the Prophet’s real characters, How can anyone dare to ascribe such tainted matters to him? Moreover, the Lord says: (And Allah will protect you against people.) He also shows falsehood
of those who said: (You are following but a bewitched man.)
Ibn Idris Al-Ujeli’s
As-Serair; 3/534:
Unanimously, we prove that the Prophet was never bewitched. This is evidenced by God’s saying: (And Allah will protect you against people.) Some
of the opposite parties believe that he was bewitched. This is contrary to the Glorified Revelation.
Al-Mejlisi’s
Biharul Anwar; 60/38:
… Providing that had been right, the sorcerers would have injured the whole prophets and pious men. Similarly, they would have had the greatest standing for themselves. This is contrary to God’s saying: (And Allah will protect you from the people,) and (And a magician shall not be successful wheresoever he may come from.) At length, the atheists imputed bewitchment to the Prophet, while they did realize their being liars.
An-Nawawi; the Sunni scholar, was one
of those who refuted the accusal. In his
Al-Majmu; 19/243, he writes down:
…Reports regarding the Prophet’s bewitchment should be refuted since they support the atheists’ accusing him
of bewitchment. It is also contrary to the Quranic texts that belied them.
Al-Qadi: Such narratives are false. It is impracticable to admit them while the Lord says: (And Allah will protect you from the people,) and (And a magician shall not be successful wheresoever he may come from.) Giving credence to such narratives leads to libeling the prophesy. Had that been right, the entire prophets and pious people should have been influenced by bewitchery.
Ar-Razi’s
Tafsir; 16/32/187:
Majority
of Muslims adopt the Prophet’s being bewitched by Labid Bin Assam; the Jew. Mutazilites, totally, refute this saying. It is impracticable to regard authenticity
of such a claim since it contradicts God’s saying: (And Allah will protect you from the people.)…
The forecited scholars form only a minority
of the Sunni scholars majority
of whom do admit this fabrication. Root
of the problem is that they cannot refute words and reports
of Aisha and Al-Bukhari at any circumstance. Likewise, they never permit any to scrutinize or criticize such reports. This trend carried tens
of varied doctrinal problems to them. These doctrinal problems comprised monotheism, prophesy and intercession. Reports respecting the headmost revelation and Waraqa Bin Nawfal, reports
of ‘the handsome pagans’ that Suleiman Rushdi betook as a principal for his
The Satanic Verses and reports regarding the Prophet’s being bewitched by the Jews are cited as examples on their blind imitation. As we have already cited, they were perplexed since none had been brave enough to declare that such reports are falsely ascribed to Aisha, or women’s dreams!!
In abstract, the accusal is originally contrary to the prophesy. Atheists are the root
of that accusation. This fact is proved by a Quranic text. Citing Verse
of Isma as the refutation
of the forecited accusal is seen as baseless, since it can be claimed that the Verse was revealed in the final stage
of the Prophet’s lifetime while the occurrence, as they claim, came before that time.
As much as our exegesis is concerned, we see that the recognized amount
of concept
of the protection is guarding the Prophet against apostasy
of the Quraishis, together with the Muslims, during his lifetime, unless there is a matter evidencing its comprising another matter.
Sunni exegesists and scholars discuss the protection mentioned in the Verse in such a prolonged and thoroughgoing way that they do not miss any point that is pertinent or irrelevant. They suffer such a toilsome undertaking owing to their erroneous exegesis, and their misthinking that the Prophet’s protection stands for guarding him against assassination, poisoning, injury or harm.
In due course, they apprehend that the Verse is contrary to the narratives relating that the Prophet’s decease was due to having a morsel from the meat
of a poisoned ewe served by a Jewess. The narrative states that Gabriel descended to inform
of reality
of that meat. Hence, the Prophet ceased, but a drop
of that poison that lied in the single morsel he had had, was the reason beyond his decease the next year.
Ashifa; 1/317:
Q. How is it possible to admit God’s saying: (And Allah will protect you from the people,) and the narrative -
of the Prophet’s being deceased due to the poisoning
of that Jewess- that denies the Prophet’s protection?
A. The Verse was revealed in the year
of the battle
of Tabuk, while the poisoning occurred before so, in Kheibar.
They also refer to a number
of questions pertaining to the Verse. One
of these is that the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) longed for martyrdom, while the Verse guarantees safety from killing. How is it workable for him to long for something he realizes impossibility
of its occurrence?
Fetihul Bari Fi Sharhi Sahihil Bukhari; 8/2644:
Abu Hureira: I heard the Prophet say: “By the Prevailing
of my soul, I wish I were to be killed for the sake
of Allah.”
Commnetation: Some exegesists showed preservations against ascribing this text to the Prophet (peace be upon him), since it is impracticable for him to long for martyrdom while he does realize that he is protected against countering killing. Ibnut-Tin answers: The statement might have been said before the revelation
of God’s saying: (And Allah will protect you from the people.) This is in accurate. The Verse was revealed during the Prophet’s early residence in Al-Madina. While Abu Hureira, who attests that he heard the statement directly from the Prophet, arrived there in the first days
of the seventh year after the Prophet’s immigration.
On the other hand, it seems that longing for a virtuous matter does not necessarily require probability
of its occurrence. It can be averred that the Prophet aimed for urging the Muslims on jihad. This opinion, however, is the most acceptable.
Some claim that Abu Hureira added ‘I wish’ to the Prophetic text. This opinion seems unsatisfactory.
It is to add that if the previous prophetic text was authentic, the Prophet’s wish would be applicable. The Verse guarantees that people would not apostatize during the Prophet’s lifetime. It is irrelevant to guaranteeing that the Prophet would not be assassinated, injured or hurt. On the contrary, God’s saying: (And Mohammed is no more than an apostle; the apostles have already passed away before him. If he then dies or is killed, will you turn back upon your heels,) indicates that the Prophet would not to die so normally, since the Lord made the sort
of His Apostle’s decease inconspicuous. Besides, the Lord identifies natural death and assassination as the two sorts that the Prophet would counter. The only interpretation
of God’s confusing the sort
of His Apostle’s death is that He; the Elevated, knows that the Prophet would be killed or suffering a quasi-assassination.
CHAPTER THREE
STORY OF GHADIR
THE QURAISHIS IN THE FAREWELL PILGRIMAGE
Through the prophetic texts, words and behaviors
of the Farewell Pilgrimage, it is obviously comprehensible that the whole matter was aimed at giving emphasis to the present and coming role
of the Prophet’s household. Directly, the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) foretold
of the coming
of twelve imams, and instructed that those imams should be representing the minor weighty thing in this nation, while the Quran is the major. In other words, the Prophet explicated the obligatory compliance with those imams in the entire aspects
of life. For instance, those imams were forbidden from receiving alms, while they should enjoy another sort
of rates; which is the one fifth rate.
The Quraishis could no longer stand the Prophet’s sermons, words and activities that, as a whole, identified preference
of Ali, Fatima, Al-Hassan and Al-Hussein. They understood the situation as if it had been a process
of dedicating leadership to the Hashemites, and depriving the other clans
of receiving any leading position. Moreover, the perceived the process as if they would be kept as released slaves
of the Hashemites.
It is natural for Sunni reference books
of hadith to neglect the Quraishi chiefs’ forthright reaction towards these prophetic sermons. Most surely, the Prophet’s words disturbed the Quraishis whose chiefs; such as Suheil Bin Amr, Ikrima Bin Abi Jahl, Safwan Bin Umaya Bin Khalaf, Hakim Bin Hizam, Suheib Bin Sinan, Abul-Awar As-Salami and the others, were gloomy-faced while they were listening to the Prophet paving the way to the Hashemites’ leadership. Immediately, they acted energetically to contact the Quraishi Muhajirs, other than the Hashemites, for finding a suitable treatment for this impending prophetic trend.
On the other hand, the Shiite reference books
of hadith provide that the inceptive
of such rigorous activities was in conquest
of Mecca. During the Farewell Pilgrimage, activities expanded to attain climax in Mina at days
of Tashriq. The outcome
of their consultation and activities was the conclusion
of that treaty which is called, by the Shias, ‘the accursed document’ in which they agreed upon depriving the Hashemites
of joining leadership to prophesy.
Few members
of that treaty arrived slyly in Mecca, and hanged that second accursed document near the first one inside Kaba.
That was a new unanimous document against the Hashemites. Unlike the first which decided a blockade in the col and was signed in the names
of Lat and Uzza; the pagans, the new one proposed a political embargo aimed at depriving the Hashemites
of holding the leadership after the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family), and signed in the name
of Islam.
Our reference books
of hadith mention that the Lord informed His Apostle
of details
of that document, and the Prophet reproached the parties who could not stand still before him. Like the other prophets, the Apostle
of God stopped at constituting claims against them, and granted them full option to act. This is the principle
of the prophets’ conveyance. Prophets, however, are instructed not to exceed their duties
of constituting the Lord’s claims against people.
Supposing that the noise and discord intentionally arisen during the Prophet’s sermonizing and mentioning the lineage
of the coming twelve imams, as the Sunni reference books allege, was one
of the programmed activities against the Hashemites, then the Prophet would certainly reprimand and clarify that he had previous knowledge
of their aims.
RESULTS OF THE FAREWELL PILGRIMAGE
For the Quraishis, the Farewell Pilgrimage passed peacefully, since the Prophet did not take any practical step in the course
of nominating the new leader, although he spoke very much about the Hashemites, and his progeny,
offspring and Fatima, and their being the Lord’s choice and the coming imams, and the ruling
of prohibiting them from receiving any
of the alms and dedicating the one fifth rate to them. Furthermore, the Prophet did not demand with swearing fealty to Ali; the first imam
of his household.
The Prophet conceived that the Quraishis attained the further borders
of tolerance and they could not stand any more instructions. That was the further conveyance
of the Lord’s message regarding his progeny’s leadership. If he demanded with swearing fealty to Ali in that situation, they would distrust prophesy and accuse him
of establishing a monarchy, similar to that
of the Romans and the Persian, for the Hashemites. Providing this had occurred, the Quraishis had had the ability
of leading the Arabs to mutiny. They anticipated that Ali’s leadership will lead to the continuous leadership
of his successors forever.
Reference books
of hadith record such statements spoken by the Quraishi chiefs who, as if they had never smelt the odor
of Islam, perceived it as a question
of Mohammed’s kingship, that he might give to anyone he liked, or to his progeny exclusively.
FROM THE HEAVENS AND THE EARTH, THE REVELATION AND THE QURAISHIS PRESSURED THE PROPHET
During the Farewell Pilgrimage and its fatal circumstances, Gabriel was carrying the Lord’s mandates repeatedly. Along with the pilgrimage season, the Prophet received the Lord’s instructions constantly. It is likely that statements
of the sermons were received via Gabriel.
“O Mohammed! Allah; the Powerful the Elevated, greets you and informs that your departure will be imminent, and soon you will be approaching Him. He orders you
of explicating the ritual pilgrimage in the same way you have explicated rulings
of prayer, rates and fasting.” That was one
of the angel’s statements conveyed to the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) in Al-Madina.
Carrying out this mandate, the Prophet led the Muslims to the pilgrimage and its rites. Besides, he pursued focusing principals
of Islam and the unique standings
of his household in their mentalities. This is clear through the prophetic texts regarding the coming twelve imams, the two weighty things, the dedication
of the one fifth rate to them, the deprivation
of the alms… etc.
During the final days
of the pilgrimage, Gabriel descended with the following instructions: “Allah; the Exalted, orders you
of leading your nation to their leader. Call for the declaration
of covenant, and endow him the knowledge you have and the prophets’ heritage and publicize his leadership. None
of the prophets was deceased before he had perfected the religion. The land must not be left without a claim against creatures.”
The Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) concluded that he would not be able to declare so during these very moments for the Quraishis’ contemporary tense condition. He also took in consideration that his people had just forborne Jahilism, and would object and show disrelish if he was to nominate his cousin as the new leader. Hence, he decided to carry out that divine mandate as soon as he would be back in Al-Madina where he would prepare for it and seek Ansar’s aid.
THE PROPHET’S CARAVAN IS STOPPED BY THE REVELATION
As he intended to carry out the divine mandate
of declaring the next leadership
of his household, the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) left Mecca.
On the third day
of the journey, the Prophet reached Kuraul-Ghamim. It is a place between Mecca and Al-Madina that is eight miles before Asfan. It was five hours after the sunrise when Gabriel descended and conveyed: “O Mohammed! Allah, the Powerful the Elevated, greets you and says: (O Apostle! Deliver what has been revealed to you from your Lord; and if you do it not, then you have not delivered His message, and Allah will protect you from the people; surely Allah will not guide the unbelieving people.)”
The Prophet apprehended and succumbed to his Lord. He could not move any further single step. The Muslims whose leading ones were about to arrive Al-Juhafa which was an inhabited village about two miles away from Kuraul-Ghamim, were given the orders
of halting. The Prophet aimed for carrying out that rigid divine mandate in the very place where it had been revealed. “Release my she-camel,” the Prophet ordered, “By God I swear, I am not to leave this place before I will convey my Lord’s message.” He also ordered the Muslims to be there.
The Prophet rode
off. The angel was next to him. He was so content as he saw the Prophet tremble due to fearing the Lord. His eyes were teary while he spoke: “Is it threat and plight and peril? I will keep up Allah’s concern. If they accuse and belie me, this shall be less arduous than countering the distressing punition in this world and the Hereafter.”
Before he left, the angel had referred to a small area
of trees to the right. The Prophet left the angel and directed to that garden to abide.
Muslims narrated: We were on our way to the place identified, we could hear the Prophet call us for answering the Lord’s prolocutor. Owing to the extremely hot weather, we hastened. We saw the Prophet put a part
of his cloak on the head. A collective prayer was declared while time for the obligatory prayer had not arrived yet.
It was time for another prayer that should be mandatorily performed. It is the precept
of swearing fealty to the Prophet’s immaculate progeny. Whatever the reaction would be, this precept would have been obligatorily carried to Muslims. The Lord did emphasize and inform that it had not been the Prophet’s personal concern that he should take people’s mischievous response in consideration through conveying to people. The Lord should be the most considered in this regard. He would protect against such mischievous response. Hence, the Prophet should carry out the orders.
On that extremely hot day, the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) gave the orders
of sweeping the place under these trees so that it would be taken as a situation for addressing the sermon
of leadership, and performing the prayer. He also gave the orders
of establishing an elevated place to be taken as a pulpit, so that the Prophet’s eyes would fall on the entire Muslims, who encompassed him, during sermonizing.
Muslims carried out the orders. They placed saddles
of camels on these stones so that the quasi-pulpit would be more elevated and handsome.
Muslims approached the spring -
Ghadir-. They drank, served their animals and abluted. Before performing the obligatory prayer, they had surrounded the Prophet for listening to the sermon. The garden was too narrow to involve the large numbers
of Muslims; therefore, many had to sit under sunlight or the pack animals for shading.
The entire attendees understood that there had been a matter to be provided during the coming sermon. There must have been a revelation
of such a remarkable matter that the Prophet could not stand two more miles to be in Al-Juhafa.
Pursuant to narratives, the total number
of the individuals who performed the Farewell Pilgrimage with the Prophet was about one hundred and twenty thousand. After consummation
of the pilgrimage rites, many
of them left the Prophet. People
of Mecca remained in their city. Individuals whose cities and villages were near At-Taif, took that way. Others took the way to Jedda, and the like.
Nevertheless, thousands
of individuals took the same way the Prophet had taken since they lived in Al-Madina and the neighboring. Approximately, they were ten thousand.
Documenting the Quraishis’ attempts to cover up occurrence
of Ghadir, imam As-Sadiq said: “What strange misfortunes Ali Bin Abi Talib had countered! He had ten thousand witnesses and he could not save his right! People usually save their rights by two witnesses only.”
*Muslims waited not too long. They saw the Prophet ascend that pulpit
of stones and saddles, and commence his sermon with the Name
of Allah. He began to versify that honorable prophetic poesy in glorifying and praising the Lord and proving ultimate slavery to Him.
Subsequently, the Prophet made apology for driving them to halt in such a poor place, and granting them no respite to reach Al-Juhafa; the village where water and means
of comfort were available, and which was only two miles away from that place. Moreover, he apologized for preceding this congregation to time
of the Dhuhr prayer, and demanding with listening to him in such an intolerable weather.
He notified that Gabriel came in Kheif Mosque, carrying the Lord’s mandate
of nominating Ali, declaratorily, as the new leader
of Muslims.
He sermonized: “I was so disturbed for the Lord’s instructing me obligatorily to convey a message. I anticipated that people would belie me. I thought that since my people were such fresh Muslims that they had soon forborne Jahilism, they would object or show loathing when I would nominate my cousin as the next leader. The Lord, in this place, threatened a decisive punishment if I do it not.” Allah; the Blessed the Exalted, guaranteed guarding me against people. He is the Benevolent Protector. He revealed to me: (O Apostle! Deliver what has been revealed to you from your Lord; and if you do it not, then you have not delivered His message, and Allah will protect you from the people; surely Allah will not guide the unbelieving people.)
There is no god But He Whose timing is unexpected, and injustice is unavailing. I acknowledge my slavery to Him, and testify His godhead. I am to convey what He has revealed to me, lest an unavoidable catastrophe will strike me, and none will be meet enough to save me. O People! I am close on responding the invitation. How will you express?”
“We do admit you have conveyed and advised,” recognized people.
“Do you acknowledge there is no god but Allah, and Mohammed is being the Apostle
of Allah, and the Paradise is rectified, and the hell-fire is rectified, and the resurrection is rectified?” asked the Prophet.
“Yes, we do, God’s messenger!” confessed they.
As he pointed to his chest, the Prophet said, “ I do, too.”
He then added: “I will precede you. You will join me on the Divine Pool the width
of which is as same as the distance from San’a -Yemen- to Busra -Syria-. Its cups are as copious as stars. Its water is whiter than silver. Suppose how will you regard me in the two weighty things?”
“What are the two weighty things, God’s messenger?” asked a man.
The Prophet answered: “The major is Allah’s Book. One
of its edge is being in the Lord’s hand, while the other is in yours. Adhere to it and you shall neither incline nor deviate. The minor is my progeny; my household. I adjure you by Allah not to disregard my household. I adjure you by Allah not to disregard my household. I adjure you by Allah not to disregard my household. The two shall never separate till they join me on the Pool. I implored my Lord to keep this bond. Precede them not, lest you shall be perished. Elude them not, lest you shall be deviating. Teach them not, since they are more learned than you.
O people! Do you know that Allah; the Powerful the Elevated, is being my Master, and I am master
of the believers, and I am preceded to yourselves?”
“Yes, we do. God’s messenger!” declared people.
Here, The Prophet asked Ali to stand erect. Ali did. The Prophet caused him to stand to his right, and raised his hand so highly that the armpits
of both were seen. Then, he maintained:
“He whosever master was I, Ali shall be his master. O Allah! Accede to whomever accedes to him, and oppose whomever opposes him, and give triumph to whomever supports him, and disappoint whomever disappoints him, and turn the right whenever he turns.
O people! You should realize that it was Allah Who nominates him as your leader and imam. He imposes compliance with him upon Muhajirs, Ansar, their well followers, the Bedouins, the urban, the non-Arabs, the Arabs, the masters and the slaves, the young and the old.”
“O God’s messenger!” a man asked, “What is the like
of loyalty to him?”
“Loyalty to him is as same as loyalty to me,” clarified the Prophet, “Ali should be preceded to souls
of those whom I was preceded to their souls.”
Elaborately, the Prophet went on interpreting credits
of his infallible progeny and the twelve imams:
“Ali, Al-Hassan, Al-Hassan and nine individuals from his progeny are, respectively, being with the Quran, and the Quran is being with them. They shall never leave the Quran, and the Quran will never leave them till they shall join me on the Divine Pool.”
Recurrently, the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) called the entire Muslims to witness process
of his conveying the Lord’s messages. They witnessed. He also demanded the attendees to carry the matter to the absent. They promised affirmatively. He answered the questions
of everybody.
Contiguously after the consummation
of the sermon, Gabriel descended with God’s saying: (This day have I perfected for you your religion and completed My favor on you and chosen for you Islam as a religion.)
The Prophet praised God for perfection
of the religion and completion
of the grace and the Lord’s satisfaction for his conveyance and the next leadership
of Ali.
Only then, the Prophet descended from the pulpit. He gave the orders
of establishing a tent in which Ali would receive the entire Muslims whom would obligatorily come for
offering congratulations to him for position
of leadership. Even the Prophet’s women were ordered
of offering congratulations. They stood at the tent and
offered.
Omar Bin Al-Khattab was one
of the foremost people to
offering congratulations. “Congratulations, son
of Abu Talib!” said Omar, “You have become my master, and the master
of every male and female believer.”
Hassaan Bin Thabit; the poet, sought the Prophet’s permitting him to compose a number
of poetic
verses on the occasion. “Say them on the bless
of the Lord,” allowed the Prophet. Hassan poetized:
On that day in
Ghadir their Prophet called them
In Khum. How well was the Apostle’s call!
Said: Who is you master and guardian?
They answered and showed no negligence
Your Lord is our Master and you are guardian
He said: Stand up Ali! I am
To declare you the coming imam and guide
He whose master was I, this shall be his leader
Be his faithful sincere followers
O Lord! Accede to whomever accedes to Ali,
And be the opposer
of Ali's opposers.
*It is sufficient to refer to the following narrative that is recorded in Muslim’s
Sahih; 7/122:
… Yazeed Bin Heyyan: Hussain Bin Mayserah, Omar Bin Muslim and I were Zeid Bin Arqam’s companies. “You have been highly favored, Zeid,” said Hussain, “You have seen the Prophet, listened to his orations, partook in his battles, and prayed with him. Would you please recount what you have heard from him” “O brother’s son!” talked Zeid, “I am too old to retain all what I have been acquainted. Please, accept what I shall say, and do not shoulder me what you will reject.” After a pause, he kept on, “One day, in a spring called ‘Khum’, lying between Mecca and Al-Madina, the Prophet (peace be upon him) orated:
‘O People! I am approximately to respond my Lord’s apostle. I am leaving among you the two weighty things; the Book
of Allah, where there is guidance and illumination. Estimate and hold fast on it.’, in several sentences, the Prophet (peace be upon him) stimulated and urged on the Book. He then said, ‘And my household! I adjure you by God respecting my household, I adjure you by God respecting my household.’”
“Who are his household, Zeid?” asked Hussain, “Are his wives included?”
Zeid answered: “His wives are not included with his household. His household are those whom are forbidden from receiving the alms. His household are sons
of Ali, Aqeel, Ja’far and Al-Abbas.” “All these are forbidden from receiving the alms!” wondered Hussain. “Yes, they are,” answered Zeid.
*Al-Hakim’s
Al-Mustedrak; 3/148:
Zeid Bin Arqam: The Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) stated: “Among you I am leaving the two weighty things. They are Allah’s Book and my household. They shall not leave each other till they join me on the Divine Pool.
(Although this report is decided as authentic according to the criteria
of the two Sheiks; Muslim and Al-Bukhari, it is not recorded in their books.)
Whereas Muslim and Al-Hakim record the same report, the latter’s form
of narrating carries a prophetic prediction
of continuity
of the imam’s existence till the Resurrection Day.
Ibn Kutheir, in his
Al-Bidaya Wen Nihaya; 5/408, has a different opinion:
In his way back to Al-Madina after having clarified rituals
of the pilgrimage, the Prophet addressed a remarkable sermon under a tree in
Ghadir Khum on the eighteenth
of Dhu’l-Hijja. In this sermon, he adduced many things. He referred to Ali Bin Abi Talib’s merits; honesty, decency and close standing to him. By this, the Prophet removed what many people had born in hearts against Ali. Abu Jafar At-Tabari was so interested in this sermon that he compiled a two-volumed book in which he mentioned its way
of narration and different forms. Likewise, Abul-Qasim Bin Asakir; the grand scholar, recorded copious narratives appertained to the sermon.
For Ibn Kutheir, the matter is no more than a prophetic attempt to remove the malice some Muslims had against Ali Bin Abi Talib. Therefore, the Prophet ordered them
of halting in
Ghadir Khum for proving Ali’s guilelessness and seeking their satisfaction. The Prophet mentioned Ali’s merits for “removing what many people had born in hearts against Ali, in this sermon, he -the Prophet- adduced many things.” That is it.
The matter would not have been worse if Ibn Kutheir had been one
of sons
of Abdud-Dar that Ali killed their best knights who bore the pennon
of the polytheists’ army in the face
of the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family). Any Muslim author cannot write in such a style unless he is one
of those who bore malice against Ali Bin Abi Talib!
Now, the reason beyond theIslamic Radicalists’ esteeming Ibn Kutheir and exerting particular efforts for publishing his book, has been clearly unveiled.
WHAT FOR WAS IT AL-JUHAFA AND GHADIR KHUM?!
The question cited herewith is that what for the divine mandate was revealed in the way to Al-Madina, in the heart
of the desert and in the hottest time
of that day.
As an answer to the question, we should cite the following:
The Lord wants to address at his Prophet: “O Apostle! There is no difference between Mecca and Al-Madina. Wherever you declare the coming leadership
of your progeny, the Quraishis may object and mutiny. Their impression about your progeny is incessantly firm and resolute. Your task is only conveying the messages. You have been sent for conveying the messages only. This very place and time are very much suitable for conveying. You should convey without any delay. I will protect you against the Quraishis so that you will be able to fulfill the mission
of conveyance and explicating My message. I will withhold the Quraishis’ hearts and mentalities, and shut mouths
of the attendant devils, and treat the effects
of conveyance and preserve your prophesy among them. Then, I will respite them when they shall seize your puissance and persecute your progeny. When My will shall be materialized in your nation and progeny, I will send Al-Mahdi who shall fill in the earth with justice after it was filled in with unfairness. In any case, I am not asked about My deeds, while they shall be asked.
From this cause, another question is cited: How did the Lord protect His Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) against the Quraishis that none
of them attempted to confuse or object? Moreover, the most dangerous Quraishi chiefs were in Mecca; yet, a considerable deal
of them was within the Prophet’s caravan. The caravan also comprised a number
of Quraishi Muhajirs whose loyalty was to those chiefs. Is it true then that those individuals could keep peace and control their nerves while they were listening to the Prophet’s carrying the Lord’s mandate
of the obligatory fealty to Ali and the progeny? How did they comply with the Prophet’s instructions
of testifying his conveyance? How did they promise the Prophet
of carrying the matter to the absent? How did they respond to the Prophet’s instructions
of offering congratulations to Ali on the new position
of leadership?
The answer: It is the Exalted Lord Who willed the attainment
of the message, constitution
of the claim and preservation
of the Prophet’s personality and prophesy. By His supreme competence, the Lord caused the Quraishis to keep peace and speak no single letter in
Ghadir Khum. For the Quraishis, they received the question as if it was one
of the repeated declarations uttered during the Farewell Pilgrimage, and that the Prophet was still alive, and when he would be deceased, they would have another manner.
As soon as the Quraishis tried to be emancipated from their silence, and take the first step towards apostasy, the Lord inflicted a packed stone on An-Nadr Bin Al-Harith; their spokesman, that sent him to death. Fire was hurled on another.
These two sorts
of heavenly punishment were taken in deep consideration by the Quraishis who moved no more single pebble in the path
of the Prophet’s progeny’s leadership.
On the other side, the Prophet was engaged in prophetic, not Quraishi, contemplation. He was so relieved for conveying his Lord’s message so suitably. He could evade the Lord’s ire and punition. Tears
of contentment and piety crammed in his eyes because he could attain the Lord’s satisfaction for his conveying His mandate
of nominating Ali for leadership. The Verse respecting perfection
of the religion and completion
of the divine grace was revealed to him. That meant that his mission had been flawlessly consummated.
It was a festivity for the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) because he conveyed the most burdensome message so completely that the Lord’s satisfaction was gained. It was indeed the most burdensome message in his life.
This time, process
of conveyance was accomplished peacefully. The Quraishis did not show any objection. Jabir Bin Samara was not affected by temporary deafness when the Prophet said “my progeny” or “Ali” or “the Hashemites.”
No planned mutiny, like that which occurred in Al-Madina only four days before the Prophet’s decease when they rejected his demanding with a pen and a paper so that he would record a document protecting against deviation forever, occurred. Thanks God, no apostasy occurred. The Prophet was relieved for conveying his Lord’s message so aptly. This is the message about which Al-Hassan Al-Basri recounts that the Prophet was disturbed due to receiving the Lord’s orders
of conveying it; therefore, He threatened a punishment. The Prophet had to convey it since he feared the Lord’s punishment.
As the narrator describes, Al-Hassan Al-Basri eluded providing an answer when he was asked about contents
of that message. This elusion is habitual in the narration
of the Quraishis’ slaves; such as Al-Hassan Al-Basri, the Persian and the others. They used to swindle during reporting such affairs, and conceal what the Lord revealed with regard to the Prophet’s progeny( peace be upon them all).
The Prophet was thinking in matters more noteworthy than that
of swearing allegiance. He was engaged in the next divine mandate and selection. Others’ opinions and counsel are thoroughly disregarded when level
of the divine mandate and selection is adopted. Declaration
of fealty is also disregarded and nullified unless the prophet or his heir demand with it. In this case, it becomes obligatory upon everyone to respond. This is the very reasoning
of conveyance.
On that account, the Prophet did not seek anybody’s counsel in the question
of declaring fealty to Ali, because God’s selection does not require anybody’s counsel, declaration
of fealty or signature.
When the Lord ordered His Apostle
of seeking people’s counsel, that was aimed at gaining their docility and conformity. But a decision is reached, procedures should be taken and none’s opinion should be attended since the matter concerned the Lord’s guidance.
In like manner, when Allah; the Exalted, names the leader coming after His Prophet, and instructs the Prophet to convey and disdain any expected hazard, and teaches him that he should not be responsible for guidance or deviation
of any, how is it then practicable to regard anybody’s counsel, and how is it practicable to take people’s declaration
of fealty in consideration?!
As he ordered them
of offering congratulations to Ali for position
of leadership, the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) demanded with providing their admission for the divine select. This
offer
of congratulations, in fact, is more effective and binding than declaration
of fealty. After that, people are free to do anything they like since the Prophet’s mission was nothing more than conveyance. The judge shall be the Lord Who prevails everything and controls this world and the Hereafter. Praised and exalted be Him.
Shias’ narrations disclose that the Prophet directed them to swearing allegiance in addition to
offering congratulations. This ordains that he wanted them to declare their commitment to comply with Ali. At any rate, they did.
Pursuant to doctrine and jurisprudence, the matter is one whether they were demanded with swearing allegiance or
offering congratulations, since the most important concern was conveyance. It is more effective than
offering congratulations. Similarly, the latter is more effective than swearing allegiance. Conveyance is a matter
of choice.
Offering congratulations is a matter
of admission and compliment. Swearing allegiance is a matter
of committing pledge.
Owing to the absence
of a good number
of the Quraishi chiefs in Al-Juhafa, the Quraishis kept silence, temporarily. Factor
of surprise and conditions
of time and place played a considerable role in the process. Likely, they descried that the prophetic wording was not too adamant to block the entire courses in their faces. For the Quraishis, the Prophet’s conveyance and consummation
of the Lord’s claims against people were ambiguous.
They also perceived that they would be able to reckon the Prophet’s orders
of offering congratulations and swearing allegiance to Ali with the other ordinary religious festivities, and denude meaning
of Ali’s imamate and the Prophet’s progeny’s leadership. In other words, the Quraishis believed that they would have enough time to conduct.
THE PROPHETIC WORDING ACHIEVES THE AIMS AND UNVEILS THE QURAISHIS
Sunni reference books
of hadith report Abu Bakr’s remorse for issuing rulings
of attacking house
of Ali and Fatima (peace be upon them) two or three days only after the Prophet’s decease.
Majmauzzawaid; 5/202:
Abdurrahman Bin Awf: I visited Abu Bakr in his final disease… He spoke: “I am not contrite but for three acts I wish I had not done, and three others I wish I had done, and three others I wish I had asked the Prophet about.
The three I wish I had not done are:
I wish I had not attacked Fatima’s house even I would be engaged in a war…”
Abu Bakr; the Quraishi caliph, shows grief for attacking house
of Fatima. He wishes he had not done so even if people
of that house were preparing for combating him.
We see we should cite this story briefly:
When Abu Bakr held the leadership, he sent a messenger to Ali for carrying his orders
of swearing allegiance. Ali objected so firmly as he accused them
of betraying the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family). Meanwhile, Abu Bakr was informed that a number
of Ansar and Muhajirs were holding a meeting in Fatima’s house. Omar suggested that the house should be attacked and the group should be threatened a burning if they insisted on abstinence from showing fealty to the new leadership. Led by Omar Bin Al-Khattab, a crowd attacked house
of Fatima (peace be upon her). They surrounded the house and placed firewood around it. Some
of the group who were at Fatima’s house were supporting Ali’s situation, while other were there for
offering consolation on the Prophet’s decease. The whole group, however, were threatened burning if they refuse to come out. Practically, the firewood were kindled in the house yard. As he had to implement the Prophet’s will, Ali could not unsheathe his sword and face those crowd. Fatima Az-Zahra went out so that they would revere her and go back. On the contrary, she suffered insults and was beaten by the lash
of some
of them so heavily that her fetus was aborted… Muslims hearts’ should be broken for the other tearfully sentimental events.
in due course, Ali and Fatima (peace be upon them) decided to seek Ansar’s support and demanded them with fulfilling their pledge
of protecting the Prophet’s household and progeny as same as they protect their families and souls.
Fatima was ailing due to what she had suffered on that day; therefore, Ali brought her a pack animal. Al-Hassan, Al-Hussein, Zeinab and Ummu Kulthoum accompanied their parents. They passed by Ansar’s celebrities in a period
of two nights. As Fatima talked to them, their reply was: “O Daughter
of the Prophet! Had we heard your words before swearing allegiance to Abu Bakr, we would never have opted for anyone other than Ali.” Az-Zahra answered: “My father did not leave any excuse for anyone on that day in
Ghadir Khum.”
*Az-Zahra’s wording was a copy
of her father’s. She is a part
of him. She is too immaculate to use the wording and reason
of those ‘inclined heavily to the earth.’ She is godly in creation, thinking, feelings and manners. Correspondingly, her father stated: “The Lord is surely satisfied whenever Fatima is satisfied, and enraged whenever Fatima is enraged.”
Unlike others, she did not enjoy two characters; divine and personal, that any may prevail according to situations. Her existence is invariably harmonious. She is that unique servant
of the Majestic Lord, and that genuine follower
of that Apostle and darling father (peace be upon him and his family).
She does realize that God; the Exalted, deals with people by constituting claims against them, in principals and items
of Islam, in bases
of the creed and chapters
of the law, in matters mandated upon people during or after the Prophet’s lifetime.
Masterfully, her father did constitute the Lord’s claim against people in the whole affairs. The greatest claim was the right given exclusively to her husband and her two sons whom were nominated as guardians and leaders
of this nation after her father.
Using this conception, Az-Zahra (peace be upon her) spoke to Ansar. Explanatorily, she said: “You have provided a political reply. Conception
of the divine claim is more elevated than that
of political games. It also prevails, unveils and is preceded to such political games. My father (peace be upon him and his family) did convey the Lord’s messages. He directed that the Powerful Lord had settled the matter when He; the Exalted, named the leader
of His Apostle’s nation. You have never been given any opportunity to choose for yourselves, especially when God and the Prophet settled the question. Henceforward, you are put under the claim
of my father, and mine. Excellent appointment shall be the Resurrection Day, and excellent master shall be Mohammed (peace be upon him and his family). There, the wrong shall be the losers.”
According the conception
of the prophetic duties and conveyance, declaration
of Ghadir was so much immortal godly act. The countering acts were so powerful according to political conceptions. Such unproved political prevalence is inevitably meaningless, even if it will last for years or centuries, or till the advent
of the promised Mahdi (peace be upon him).
CHAPTER FOUR
VERSE OF IKMALUDDIN
THE FINAL QURANIC VERSE
It is unexaggerated to authorize that thoughtful study
of the events incited revelation
of the Quranic texts contributes in contriving objective movement since it unveils a good deal
of facts, and repeals many postulates people adopted as facts for ages. This is by reason that statistical aspect in events incited revelation
of the Quranic texts is more elucidative that the other aspects
of exegesis
of the Holy Quran. When there are five contrary narratives; each mentions a definite event, place and date for revelation
of a Quranic text, then it will be unacceptable to receive them all as their narrators are so trustful that prosperity is attained when any is followed! The fact in such a situation is that only one
of these five is correct, and the others should be thrown away. This distinct feature made the events incited revelation
of the Quranic texts a decisive theme in exegesis. Nevertheless, the task
of studying such a matter is as emphatic as its importance. Furthermore, it is more emphatic and arduous because
of the confusion and contrast in the narratives.
At any rate, exegesists
of the Quranic texts have to knock this door so actively and tolerably in order that they will serve nations and coming generations with the results
of their searches that should be modish and useful in course
of understanding the Quranic and prophetic texts, in specific, and the entire concepts
of the creed, jurisprudence and the other Islamic aspects in general.
The forecited introductory should be acceptably sufficient for the coming thesis in the events incited revelation
of the Quranic texts.
It is not unfamiliar that Muslims are engaged in inconsistency regarding defining the earliest Quranic texts, for they were not Muslims then, and they, except few, did not record the Prophet’s words. That was the reason beyond their discrepancies about such prophetic words and deeds.
In due course, it is not unaccustomed to propose four Quranic texts as the earliest. As-Suyouti, in his
Al-Itqan; 1/91, mentions four texts defined as being the earlier Quranic revelation. They are sura
of Alaq, sura
of Muddethir, sura
of Fatiha and ‘In the Name
of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful.’
The most unfamiliar matter is their discrepancy about the latest revealed text. When the latest Quranic text was revealed, Muslims were united nation that encompassed their Prophet who had predicted the imminence
of his final departure, and accompanied them during their ritual pilgrimage, and they bid his farewell. All that and they are engaged in discrepancy regarding defining the latest Quranic text.
That was because
of the fact that political purposes had nothing to do with the earliest Quranic text, while they had many things to do with the latest.
SURA OF MAIDA IS THE FINAL QURANIC CHAPTER
Reference books
of hadith, jurisprudence and exegesis prove that sura
of Maida was the latest Quranic chapter, and Verse
of Ikmaluddin, which was revealed after revealing the entire precepts, was the latest Quranic text. It is also emphasized that some
of the Prophet’s companions attempted to cite other suras and
Verses as the latest.
THE PROPHET’S PROGENY’S OPINION
Al-Ayashi’s
Tafsir; 1/288:
… Ali stated: Quranic texts were repealed by the newer ones. The Prophet used to adopt the latest. Sura
of Maida repealed the other chapters since it was the latest. The sura was revealed to the Prophet while he was riding that brown-red mule. The revelation was so ponderous that the pack animal had to stop, and its abdomen was about to touch the ground. The Prophet was fainted that he placed his hand on Sheiba Bin Wahab Al-Jamhi’s braid. After a while, he raised his head and recited sura
of Maida. He carried out, and we did, too.
Ali (peace be upon him) intends to assert that passing the hand over the feet during performing the ritual ablution is the obligatory form, and that washing them totally is invalid, since the earlier form was revealed in the latest sura, without any repeal, and practiced by the Prophet and Muslims.
*Al-Kafi; 1/289:
… Abu Jafar (peace be upon him): Allah; the Powerful the Elevated, imposed loyalty to Ali as He revealed: (Only Allah is your guardian and His Apostle and those who believe, those how keep prayers and pay the poor rate while they bow.)
People were not aware
of loyalty to the Guardians’ leadership. Hence, the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) was commanded
of explicating that loyalty in the same way he had explicated the obligatory rites
of prayer, poor rate, fasting and pilgrimage. As he anticipated that people would apostatize or belie him if he would nominate the Guardians, the Prophet sought the Lord’s more instructions. The Lord revealed: (O Apostle! Deliver what has been revealed to you from your Lord, and if you do it not, then you have not revealed His message. And God will protect you from the people.)
immediately, he carried out the Lord’s mandate when he called people to gather, and conveyed the divinely imposed leadership
of Ali, and instructed the attendants to carry the mandate to the absent. That was in
Ghadir Khum.
…Precepts were revealed consecutively. Precept
of loyalty to the Guardians was the sealing; therefore, closely after the Prophet’s declaration
of Ghadir, God revealed: (This day have I perfected for you your religion and completed My favor on you and chosen for you Islam as a religion.) By this Verse, the Lord meant that He should not reveal any more precept, since He had perfected them.
Al-Yaqubi’s
Tarikh; 2/43:
… It is also stated that Verse
of Ikmaluddin was the final. This is the most accurate and authentic saying.
SUNNI NARRATIVES CONCORDANT TO THE PROPHET’S PROGENY’S OPINION
Ad-Durrul Manthour; 2/252:
… Abu Meysara: The final revealed sura was Maida. Seventeen precepts were revealed in that sura.
Al-Muhella; 9/407:
Aisha: “Sura
of Maida was the last. You should deem lawful whatever you find sanctioned in it, and you should deem unlawful whatever you find prohibited.”
On that account, the Verse is in sura
of Maida. Whence it is invalid to reckon it with the repealed. It is decisive, then.
Al-Muhella; 7/389:
… Aisha: “Sura
of Maida is the last. You should deem unlawful whatever you find prohibited in this sura.”
*Majmauzzawaid; 1/256:
Sa’d mentioned legitimacy
of passing the hand over the sandals during the ritual ablution… Abdullah Bin Abbas addressed at Sa’d: “None can deny that the Prophet did pass his hands over them. But it is unproved that he kept this deed after revelation
of sura
of Maida. This sura decided everything. It was the final…” Hence, non could replied.
Al-Heithami comments that the same report is registered in At-Tabarani’s
Al-Mujamul Awset, and a part
of it is recorded in Ibn Madga’s. He also cites Ibn Hebban’S opinion in Ubeid Bin Ubeida At-Temmar; one
of the reporters. Ibn Hebban decided the man as trustful but reports strange narratives.
Al-Heithami aims at regarding dubiety
of the report since that trustful narrator, who reports strange narrators, is one
of the series. The strange reports carried by that narrator stand for the prophetic texts opposing the ruling authorities’ regulations and laws that decided the obligation
of washing the feet during the ritual ablution, and named other suras as the final.
Ad-Durrul Manthour; 2/252:
…The Prophet (peace be upon him) stated: Sura
of Maida isone
of the last revealed Quranic texts. You should regard what was revealed in it respecting questions
of the licit and the illicit.
This narration was unique in adding ‘one
of’ to the prophetic saying. This additional word seems doubtful since it is perceived that it is added for reconciling actuality and regulations adopted by the ruling authorities.
Tafsirul Bayan; 3/413:
Abdullah Bin Omar: Sura
of Maida was the final.
Al-Ghadir; 1/228:
Ibn Kutheir, Ahmed, Al-Hakim and An-Nisai record Aisha’s saying: “Sura
of Maida was the final.”
It is conclusive that the Prophet’s progeny attest that Sura
of Maida was the final. This fact is supported by numerous authentic narratives entered in the reference books depended by the Sunnis; our brothers. Moreover, it is not unacceptable to maintain that Verse
of Ikmaluddin stands idiosyncratically as an evidence on our claim. This Verse implies that the entire precepts have been consummated, and no more would be revealed. In addition, like the forecited report ascribed to imam Al-Baqir, there are many texts providing for this meaning. The coming narratives
of At-Tabari, Al-Beihaqi and As-Seddi support so.
Subject to the previous, any saying claiming revelation
of any precept after the Verse should be refuted. Similarly, every Quranic text claimed to be revealed after it should be bare
of precepts and rulings.
THE CONTRADICTORY OPINIONS
This clear-cut identified matter became so ambiguous that many narratives discussed it so contradictorily and oppositely. It became worse when such contradictory narratives were decided as authentic since they were opinions
of the grand Sahaba -the Prophet’s companions- that none can criticize.
Due to his embarrassment, As-Suyouti has to abbreviate the copious opinions respecting the final vevelation. Unlike the four opinions regarding the earliest revealed text, As-Suyouti, in
Al-Itqan; 1/101, can not even list those respecting the final. Hence, we are to list them so that the reader will notice the origination
of such opinions.
1. The final is Verse
of Riba -usury-; sura
of Baqara, Verse 278.
2. The final is Verse
of Kelala; sura
of Nisa; Verse 176.
3. The final is Verse 281
of sura
of Baqara.
4. The final is Verse 128
of sura
of Tawba.
5. The final is Verse 25
of sura
of Anbiya.
6. The final is Verse 110
of sura
of Kahf.
7. The final is Verse 93
of sura
of Nisa.
8. The final is sura
of Tawba.
9. The final is sura
of Nasr.
At any rate, the actual contradictory opinions regarding identifying the final revealed text, amount twice as much this number.
ORIGINATION OF THIS CONTRADICTORY OPINIONS
The following story may focus light on the origination
of such a contradiction and confusion:
As he could not cite the exegesis
of Verse
of usury, Omar excused that the Verse was the final, and the Prophet was deceased before he had explained.
Since then, this Verse found itself a place in the opinions regarding the final Quranic text, and vied with sura
of Maida.
In any event, usury is discussed in four Quranic
Verses some
of which were revealed in Mecca. Which one was intended to be the final?
As usual, the justifiers
of Omar contributed in absolving the problem. They introduced the Verse 278
of sura
of Baqara as the very one intended by the caliph. For this cause, they believed that the final Quranic Verse was arranged in sura
of Baqara which was revealed in the earliest stage
of the Prophet’s immigration. They also instructed that prohibition
of usury was an additional legislation, since it was revealed after Verse
of Ikmaluddin.
Seemingly, they conceive that such an irony is acceptable, since it restrictively aims at defending the caliph!
Ahmed’s
Al-Musnad; 1/36:
…Omar (God be pleased to him) said: “Verse
of usury was the final. The Prophet was deceased before he had explained it. Therefore, you should leave usury and suspect.”
The same is recorded in
Kenzul Ummal; 4/186.
As-Serakhsi’s
Al-Mabsut; 2/51 and 12/114:
Omar (God be pleased to him) said: “Verse
of usury was the final. The Prophet was deceased before he had elucidated it.”
As-Suyouti’s
Al-Itqan; 1/101:
Ibn Abbas: “Verse
of usury was the final.”
Al-Beihaqi relates that Omar said the same statement.
Ahmed and Ibn Madga record that Omar said that Verse
of usury wasone
of the final revealed texts.
Like that
of sura
of Maida, this (one
of) cannot settle the problem, since the other narratives identify Verse
of usury as the final.
Another story: One day -many days in fact-, Omar; the caliph, could not perceive the meaning
of Kelala. He was perplexed because he could not understand it till death!! Consequently, he had to stated that the Verse was the final, and the Prophet was deceased before he had explained it, or he explained it insufficiently.
Al-Bukhari’s
Sahih; 5/115:
Al-Bera Bin Azib: “Sura
of Tawba was the final. The final Verse in sura
of Nisa was the final revealed Verse.”
Al-Bukhari records similar narrative on page 185
of part 5.
As-Suyouti’s
Al-Itqan; 1/101:
Al-Bera Bin Azib: “The final Verse in sura
of Nisa was the final revealed Verse. The final revealed sura was that
of Tawba.”
Ahmed’s
Al-Musned; 4/298:
Al-Bera: “Sura
of Tawba was the final. The final Verse in sura
of Nisa was the final revealed Verse.”
Since then, Verse
of Kelala pushed its way in the opinions regarding the final Quranic text, and vied with sura
of Maida. The final Quranic text became either
Verses of usury and Kelala or sura
of Maida that comprises Verse
of Isma and Ikmaluddin.
During observing the Sunni reference books
of hadith concerning the question
of usury and Kelala, I was shocked by Omar’s problem with these two matters generally and the latter specifically. The caliph reckoned it with the most remarkable questions
of the Islamic nation. He used to provide it from the Prophet’s pulpit. He kept on providing it as a grand problem till his final hours when he willed Muslims to find it a solution. This inexplicable matter unveils Omar’s deep feeling
of embarrassment before Muslims, because he could not perceive the question.
Al-Bukhari’sSahih; 6/242:
Ibn Omar: From the Prophet’s pulpit, Omar orated:
“Prohibition
of intoxicants was revealed. Sources
of intoxicants are resrictedly five materials; grapes, dates, wheat, barley and honey. Intoxicants are only what stuns the mind. Three questions if only had the Prophet (peace be upon him) established a rule to which we would refer in understanding them. They are -the inherited shares
of - the forefather, the Kelala and molds
of usury.”
The same is recorded in Muslim’s
Sahih; 2/81 more detailedly. Like narratives are recorded in the same book; 5/61 and 8/245. Ibn Madga also records it in
As-Sunan; 2/910. As-Suyouti, in
Ad-Durrul Manthour; 2/2249, avers that Abdurrezaq, Al-Bukhari, Muslim, Ibn Jarir and Ibnul-Munthir relate the narrative to Omar.
This authentic narrative proves that Omar did not seek the Prophet’s explanation
of the Kelala. This meaning is obviously asserted by the following narrative recorded in Al-Hakim’s
Al-Mustedrak; 2/303:
… Omar stated: “I would prefer my seeking the Prophet’s naming his successor, and judging
of those who admit the poor rate but refrain from defraying it, and explaining the Kelala, to having the best kind
of camels.”
Unlike the previous, Muslim reports that Omar did seek the Prophet’s explaining the Kelala.
Muslim’s
Sahih; 5/61:
Madan Bin Abi Talha: One Friday, Omar Bin Al-Khattab addressed an oration, in which he praised the Prophet and Abu Bakr, and said:
I shall leave nothing more significant than Kelala. I have never consulted the Prophet (peace be upon him) in a matter more importunately than this. He was never been cruel to me for any matter like that
of Kelala. It reached the degree that he fixed his finger in my chest and said: “O Omar! Is Verse
of Summer -the final
of sura
of Nisa- not sufficing you?”
I should enucleate it so evidently that every one, whether a reciter
of the Quran or not, will take in, provided that I shall be alive.
This indicates that Omar did ask the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) an explanation so repeatedly that the Prophet was enraged for Omar’s lack
of cognition.
Furthermore, the coming authentic narratives point that the Prophet did foretell
of Omar’s lack
of cognition, or did supplicate the Lord for disabling Omar to understand it.
Ad-Durrul Manthour; 2/250:
Hutheifeh: During a journey, Verse
of Kelala was revealed to the Prophet. He stopped and recited it to me that I memorized. I recited it to Omar.
In his caliphate, Omar summoned me to explain Kelala. “I tutored you exactly as the same as the Prophet (peace be upon him) had tutored me. I am not to add anything to that explanation,” I said.
Kenzul Ummal; 11/80:
30688 ~ Sa’eed Bin Al-Museyyeb: Omar asked the Prophet (peace be upon him) how those who have neither parents nor
offspring would be inherited. The Prophet denoted to the Verse: (And if a man or a woman leaves property to be inherited..)
As if he could not grasp the meaning, Omar requested his daughter to ask the Prophet, as soon as she notices his being comfortable, about the question. “Was it your father who incited you asking this question? I see he shall not conceive it at all,” stated the Prophet.
Omar used to point to this prophetic statement and admit that he should not understand it at all.
As-Suyouti, in
Ad-Durrul Manthour; 2/249, avers that the Prophet wrote down the explanation
of Verse
of Kelala on a paper:
Tawus: Omar requested Hafsa to ask the Prophet (peace be upon him) about question
of Kelala. Having recorded it on a parchment, the Prophet said to her: “Who asked you so? Is it Omar? I see he shall not understand it. Is he not sufficed by Verse
of Summer?”
Ostensibly, these authentic reports are so contradictory. Al-Bukhari discerns that Kelala was one
of three questions the Prophet had neither explicated nor had Omar asked him about. Meanwhile, their authentic narratives contend that the Prophet did write the explanation
of the question on a parchment.
This is a charge
of the Prophet’s showing blemish in explicating the Quran the interpretation
of which is a divine mandate addressed at him. This charge has been proved as inaccurate by the claimants themselves. We have previously discussed the Sunnis’ accusing Shias
of claiming the Prophet’s concealing the explication
of some Quranic
Verses.
The second question is the Prophet’s succession. Al-Bukhari himself records that Omar rejected importunately the Prophet’s demand with a pen and a paper so that he would record a document protecting the Muslims against deviation forever. That was during the Prophet’s final disease.
The third question is Al-Bukhari’s claiming the Prophet’s showing blemish in explicating some parts
of usury. The Prophet did explicate this question and Omar might have recorded in on a parchment or the like.
INDICATION OF THE TWO STORIES
The previous stories indicate that reference books
of the Sunnis; our brothers, are too contradictory to be accepted totally. It is essential to admit only some
of them. It is utterly inadmissible to conceive that Omar did not seek the Prophet’s explication
of the Verse just because it was the final, or that he did seek so repeatedly that the Prophet fixed his finger in his chest, and pushed away, and was enraged… etc. It is also impracticable to perceive that
Verses of Kelala or usury were the final. In fact, Sunni reference books
of hadith are filled in with such contradictory matters.
In due course, the stories imply that Omar had prevalence on Sunnis to the degree that he could turn his unreasonable claims into undiscussible facts!
For Sunnis, the most important matter is adapting exegesis
of the holy Quran and events incited revelation to Omar’s statements, even though such statements are contradictory, or even this may lead to accusing the Prophet
of showing blemish in the mission
of conveyance, or this may invent an incompatible confusion in God’s religion or deeds.
Those who reject such matters should be, in Sunni’s logic, decided as Rafidites who are foes
of Islam, the Prophet and the companions!
Correspondingly, the stories, according to Omar’s opinion, denote that
Verses of usury and Kelala, and perhaps many other subjects, were revealed after Verse
of Ikmaluddin. This means that Allah; the Elevated, informed the Muslims
of perfection
of the religion while there were still many questions to be revealed later on. This is unacceptable.
The respectful should never accept to accuse the Lord and His Apostle for nothing more than acquitting an ordinary man.
OTHER OPINIONS
We are to mention the other opinions regarding the final revealed Quranic text in brief.
Al-Bukhari’sSahih; 5/182:
Sa’eed Bin Jubeir: … Ibn Abbas stated: “God’s saying: (And whoever kills a believer intentionally…,) was not repealed by any other Quranic text since it was the final.”
Al-Bukhari’s
Sahih; 6/15, and
Ad-Durrul Manthour; 2/196:
Sa’eed Bin Jubeir: People
of Kufa were engaged in discrepancy respecting the Verse discussed murderers
of the believers. I asked Ibn Abbas about it. “This Verse was not repealed by any other Quranic text since it was the final,” asserted Ibn Abbas.
An-Nawawi’s
Al-Majmu;18/345:
In Al-Bukhari’s
Sahih, it is recorded that the Verse: (And whoever kills a believer intentionally…,) was not repealed by any other Quranic text since it was the final. The same is recorded in Muslim’s
Sahih and An-Nisai’sAs-Sunan. It is also recorded in Abu Dawud’s
As-Sunan.
It is inappropriate for Muslims to accept such (authentic) narratives recorded by Al-Bukhari and others, and related to Ibn Abbas and others, and it is unsuitable to admit that prohibition
of killing believers was an additional legislation since it was revealed after Verse
of Ikmaluddin.
Al-Hakim’s
Al-Mustedrak; 2/338:
Ubey Bin Ka’b: God’s saying: (Certainly an Apostle has come to you…) was the last revealed Quranic text.
This (authentic) narrative indicates that the last two
Verses of sura
of Tawba were the final.
Ad-Durrul Manthour; 3/295:
…Ubey Bin Ka’b: God’s saying: (Certainly an Apostle has come to you…) was the last revealed Quranic text.
…Ubey Bin Ka’b: The nearest
Verses to God are His saying: (Certainly an Apostle has come to you…)
…Ubey Bin Ka’b: The Prophet recited the
Verses: (Certainly an Apostle has come to you…) These were the final.
…Ubey Bin Ka’b stated that he had received these two
Verses from the Prophet. Othman attested. Ubey suggested to place them at the end
of the last revealed sura. Sura
of Tawba was the last revealed sura.
*Similar narratives are recorded in Abu Dawud’s
As-Sunan; 1/182.
Muslim’s
Sahih; 8/243:
Ibn Abbas: Do you know what was the last revealed sura?
Ubeidullah: Yes, I know. It is sura
of Nasr.
Ibn Abbas: Yes, that is it.
At-Tirmithi’s
As-Sunan; 4/326:
Ibn Abbas: Sura
of Nasr was the final.
Al-Ghadir; 1/228:
Abdullah Bin Omar: Suras
of Maida and Fath (Nasr) were the final.
This narration is recorded in Ibn Kutheir’s
Tafsir; 2/2.
Ad-Durrul Manthour; 6/407:
Abu Hureira: God’s saying: (When there comes the help
of Allah and the victory…,) was the Lord’s knowledge and appointment given to the Apostle. It indicated that the Prophet would not spend a long age after conquest
of Mecca.
Ibn Abbas: Sura
of Nasr was the final.
At-Tabarani’s
Al-Mujamul Kabir; 12/19:
Ibn Abbas: The final revealed Verse was God’s saying: (And guard yourselves against a day in which you shall be returned to Allah…)
At length, let us refer to the last claim regarding identifying the final revealed Verse. Muawiya Bin Abi Sufian found himself suitable enough to provide his opinion in this regard. On the pulpit, he denied that Verse
of Ikmaluddin had been the final. He issued that the last verse
of sura
of Kahf was the final. He added that it was revealed as a discipline directed to the Prophet.
At-Tabarani’s
Al-Mujamul Kabir; 19/392:
Amr Bin Qeis: Muawiya was on the pulpit when he recited God’s saying: (This day have I perfected for you your religion…) He commented that the Verse was revealed on day
of Arafa, which was Friday. Afterwards, he recited the last Verse
of sura
of Kahf and commented that it was the final revealed Quranic text. He added that it was revealed as a discipline directed to the Prophet.
As he noticed the excessive contradiction intentionally stated for moving Verse
of Ikmaluddin away from sealing
of the Quran and the Farewell Pilgrimage and
Ghadir Khum, As-Suyouti decided the sayings
of Omar and Muawiya as problematic. Without avoiding the custom
of covering up contradiction
of their dearest ones, As-Suyouti passed by the matter so quickly in order that none would wonder.
As-Suyouti’s
Al-Itqan; 1/102:
Despite the fact that many narratives asserted the revelation
of Verses of usury, debt and Kelala after that
of Ikmaluddin, many scholars, such as As-Seddi, proved that no licit or illicit matters were revealed after Verse
of Ikmaluddin which was revealed on day
of Arafa during the Farewell Pilgrimage. Therefore, it is problematic to regard such claims.
Ibn Jarir says: It is preferable to state that Verse
of Ikmaluddin dedicated rites
of the pilgrimage and banishment
of the non Muslims to perfection
of the religion.
Ibn Jarir, whose words might be admitted by As-Suyouti, wants to say that the only solution for the Prophet’s companions’ contradictory opinions respecting the final revealed Verse should be restricting perfection
of the religion and completion
of the divine grace to the liberation
of Mecca, in order that Omar’s sayings about
Verses of Kelala and usury, and Muawiya’s sayings about the final disciplinary Verse would be saved.
Such sorts
of verdicts are repeatedly issued for the sake
of admitting the Prophet’s companions’ words even if this would lead to disregarding the denotations
of the Lord’s
Verses and the Prophet’s words. Conditionally, the Prophet’s household are excluded.
In due course, the Prophet’s companions are granted the degree
of sinlessness, and the veto against the words
of God and His Apostle. In other words, the Prophet’s companions’ words are the final judgment with the existence
of rulings
of God and His Apostle.
After all, the followers are imposed to admit such judgment, and close the eyes before the facts, and keep the ears
off limits so that screams
of evident and authentic divine and prophetic words shall not be heard.
The result
of such a course is that they concluded that Verse
of Ikmaluddin was not the final, nor was sura
of Maida the seal
of the Quran. The Verse does not mean perfection
of the religious rulings. It means perfection
of conquest
of Mecca. This means that (This day) mentioned in the Verse stands for two years ago.
Later on, the reader will receive that Omar asserted that (This day) refers to the day on which the Verse was revealed. Moreover, Al-Qurtubi recognizes that it refers to the very hour in which the Verse was revealed.
VERSE OF IKMALUDDIN
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
O you who believe! Do not violate the signs appointed by Allah nor the sacred month, nor interfere with the offerings, nor the sacrificial animals with garlands, nor those going to the sacred house seeking the grace and pleasure of their Lord; and that you are free from the obligations of the pilgrimage, then hunt, and let not hatred of a people because they hindered you from the Sacred Masjid incite you to exceed the limits, and help one another in goodness and piety, and do not help one another in sin and aggression; and be careful of your duty to Allah; surely Allah is severe in requiting evil.Forbidden to you is that which dies of itself, and blood, and flesh of swine, and that on which any other name than that of Allah has been invoked, and the strangled animal and that beaten to death, and that killed by a fall and that killed by being smitten with the horn, and that which wild beasts have eaten, except what you slaughter, and what is sacrificed on stones set up for idols and that you divide by the arrows; that is a transgression. This day have those who disbelieve despair of your religion, so fear them not, and fear Me. This day have I perfected for you your religion and completed My favor on you and chosen for you Islam as a religion; but whoever is compelled by hunger, not inclining willfully to sin, then surely Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.VERSE OF IKMALUDDIN AND THE FORBIDDEN MEAT
In the first place comes the unusual situation
of the Verse. Hadithists and exegesists record that it was revealed during the Farewell Pilgrimage as an independent Verse, while the reader notice its being a part
of a Verse concerning the forbidden meat. It seems the Verse was unsuitably interpolated in this place that if it is removed, meaning
of the whole Verse would be full and uninterrupted.
What is the purpose beyond such a text?
Was this situation the original place
of the Verse, or was it some
of the Prophet’s companions who intended to place it here?
In any form, we do renounce any statement claiming occurrence
of any distortion in the Lord’s Book. We only put this question hoping that some will provide an answer for the relationship between perfection
of the religion and the forbidden meat.
It is likely that the position
of the Verse was in the end
of sura
of Maida, but compilers
of the Quranic
Verses could not show deference to this matter; therefore, they fixed it in this position.
Furthermore, it is rather acceptable to settle the Verse after those concerning the forbidden meat, but it is definitely unsatisfactory to accept that the Wisest Lord might reveal this sealing Verse in the middle
of others concerning the forbidden meat. the Lord says that the religion has been perfected to people, how is it acceptable to follow this statement with numerous canons and rulings?
Ad-Durrul Manthour; 2/259:
As-Seddi: God’s saying: (This day have I perfected for you your religion…,) was revealed on day
of Arafa. No licit or illicit matter was revealed afterwards.
Ad-Durrul Manthour; 2/257:
Ibn Abbas: …The Prophet stopped at Mountain Arafat when God revealed: (This day have I perfected for you your religion…) No licit or illicit matter was revealed afterwards.
So copious are sayings and reports supporting the fact that no rulings or regulations were revealed after Verse
of Ikmaluddin. Besides, this meanings is understood from the Verse itself. Lexicologists go through this meaning when they discuss the purports
of perfection and completion.
MEANINGS OF PERFECTION AND COMPLETION THROUGH THE QURAN AND NAHJUL BALAGHA
There are three opinions pertaining to meanings and events incited the revelation
of the Verse.
First: The Prophet’s progeny’s opinion:
The Prophet’s progeny consign Thursday, the eighteenth
of Dhu’l-Hijja as the date
of the revelation. That was in Al-Juhafa while the Prophet was in his way back from the Farewell Pilgrimage. The Lord revealed the mandate
of causing the Muslims to halt in
Ghadir Khum, just before the cross road, and conveying the obligatory fealty to Ali’s leadership after him. The Prophet did.
The following are models
of the Prophet’s progeny’s reports:
Al-Kuleini’s
Al-Kafi; 1/289:
…Abu Jafar spoke: “The precepts were revealed consecutively. The mandate
of fealty to Ali’s leadership was revealed. Hence, God revealed: (This day have I perfected for you your religion…)”
…A man asked Imam Al-Baqir whether the Prophet’s nominating Ali was a personal act or according to a divine mandate. “Woe is you!” Imam Al-Baqir said angrily, “The Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) was too reverent to say what God did not order
of. Like precepts
of prayer, poor rate, fasting and pilgrimage, Ali’s nomination for leadership was a precept
of Allah.
Al-Kuleini’s
Al-Kafi; 1/198:
…Imam Ar-Rida stated: “People ignore the fact, and their notions are deceptive. The Lord had completed the religion before he took His Apostle (peace be upon him and his family) to Him. The Lord revealed the Quran that comprised the elucidation
of everything; the licit, the illicit, the doctrinal provisions, the rulings and whatever people need. This is God’s saying: (We have not neglected anything in the Book.) During the Farewell Pilgrimage, which was in the final days
of the Prophet’s lifetime, God revealed: (This day have I perfected for you your religion and completed My favor on you and chosen for you Islam as a religion.)
The affair
of imamate is a part
of completion
of the religion. The Prophet had proclaimed the signs
of the religion before he left people. He showed them the straight way and left them on the path
of right. Finally, he nominated Ali as their leader and imam. The Prophet had not left any needed matter without explication. He is refuting Allah’s book that whoever claims that the Lord had not perfected His religion. Accordingly, he is an atheist that whoever refutes Allah’s book.
How dare they opt for their own opinions while they do not recognize the substance
of imamate and its role in the nation?
Imamate is too noble, eminent, elevated, fortified and deep to be attained by people’s minds or notions. People are too short to select their imams.
Allah; the Powerful the Elevated, gave imamate exclusively to Abraham the confidant (peace be upon him), as a third competency and honorable virtue added to prophesy and confidence. The Lord praised this competency as He said: (He said: Surely I will make you an imam
of men. Abraham said: And
of my
offspring? My covenant does not include the unjust, said He.)
Abraham the confidant was delighted for this competency, and asked it for his
offspring. This Verse invalidates imamate
of every unjust till the Resurrection Day. It was given to the choice exclusively. Abraham was newly dignified by the Lord Who granted his choice and immaculate
offspring this imamate. He said: (And We gave him Isaaq and Jacob, a son’s son, and We made them all good. And We made them imams who guided people by Our command, and We revealed to them the doing
of good and the keeping up
of prayer and the giving
of the alms, and Us alone did they serve.)
This imamate has been kept in Abraham’s
offspring successively. The Lord gave it to the Prophet in heritage. He said: (Most surely the nearest
of people to Abraham are those who followed him and this Prophet and those who believe, and Allah is the guardian
of the believers.)
Imamate were peculiarly enjoyed by the Prophet who gave it to Ali (peace be upon him) according to the mandate
of Allah; the Exalted, in a form designated by Him. It moved to Ali’s choice
offspring whom were given knowledge and faith by Allah. This is God’s saying: (And those who are given knowledge and faith will say: Certainly you tarried according to the ordinance
of Allah till the day
of resurrection.)
This imamate will be kept in Ali’s progeny exclusively till the Resurrection Day, since there shall be no prophet after Mohammed (peace be upon him and his family).
Then, how is it possible for those ignorant to select?”
Second: Sunnis’ Opinion concordant to the Prophet’s progeny’s:
Sunnis relate tens
of narratives regarding the declaration
of fealty in
Ghadir. Some
of these are first class reports, according to their criteria. At-Tabari compiled the texts and ways
of narrating that declaration
of fealty in a two-volumed book. This book was titled ‘
Al-Wilayai’. Ibn Asakir and many others recorded like reports. These reports entirely refer to the Prophet’s raising Ali’s hand as elevated as possible, and conveying the Lord’s mandate
of declaring fealty to his next leadership and imamate. A number
of the fanatic Sunnis criticized At-Tabari, whom is highly honored, for that work, since they anticipated that Shias would constitute it as an evidence, and would refer to it during argument.
A great deal
of these narratives assert that Verse
of Ikmaluddin was revealed on that day in
Ghadir just after the Prophet’s conveying the Lord’s mandate
of declaring fealty to the coming leadership
of Ali (peace be upon him).
Unfortunately, most
of Sunni scholars who admit reports
of Ghadir, reject that Verse
of Ikmaluddin was revealed on that occasion. Instead, they admit sayings
of Omar and Muawiya who claimed its revelation on day
of Arafa.
A good number
of Shiite former and recent scholars compile the narratives respecting the
Ghadir declaration
of fealty. The following compilers and books are among the most famed recent ones:
An-Naqawi Al-Hindi in
Abaqatul Anwar.
Sheik Al-Amini in
Al-Ghadir.
Sayyid Al-Marashi in
Sharhu Ihqaqil Haq.
Sayyid Al-Milani in
Nafahatul Azhar.
A good deal
of narratives recorded in the Sunni reference books
of hadith; all attested that Verse
of Ikmaluddin was revealed on that day in
Ghadir after the Prophet’s nominating Ali as the coming leader and imam, are compiled in Al-Amini’s
Al-Ghadir.
The following is a brief quotation from
Al-Ghadir; 1/230:
God’s saying: (This day have I perfected…,) was one
of the
Verses revealed for Amirul Muminin (peace be upon him) on that day in
Ghadir.
The following are some
of Sunni scholars who attest this concern:
1. At-Tabari, Abu Jafar Mohammed Bin Jarir. …-310. In
Al-Wilaya, he relates the narration that the Verse was revealed for Amirul Muminin Ali (peace be upon him) on that day in
Ghadir, to Zeid Bin Arqam.
2. Alisfahani, Ibn Merdawayih. …-410. He relates the narration to Abu Sa’eed Al-Khidri, and relates another to Abu Hureira.
3. Alisbahani, Abu Nueim. …-430. In
Ma nazala Minel Qur’ani Fi Ali, he relates the following to Abu Sa’eed Al-Khidri:
The Prophet summoned people to declare fealty to Ali in
Ghadir Khum. He gave the orders
of sweeping thorns under a tree, and raised Ali from the arms as elevated as possible… Before people’s scattering, God revealed: (This day have I…
4. Al-Baghdadi, Abu Bakr Al-Khatib. …-463. In his
Tarikh; 8/290, he records:
Abu Hureira: When the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “He whosever master was I, Ali shall be his master,” Omar addressed at Ali: “Congratulations, son
of Abu Talib! You have become my master, and the master
of every Muslim.” Thence, God revealed: (This day have I…
5. As-Sejistani, Abu Sa’eed. …-477. In
Al-Wilaya, he relates the narrative to… Abu Sa’eed Al-Khidri.
6. Ashafii, Abul-Hassan Ibnul-Meghazili. …-483. In
Al-Menaqib, he relates it to… Abu Hureira.
7. Al-Hasakani, Abul-Qasim Al-Hakim. He relates the following to Abu Sa’eed Al-Khidri:
With the revelation
of Verse
of Ikmaluddin, the Prophet shouted: “Allah be the Greatest for perfection
of the religion, and completion
of the grace, and the Lord’s satisfaction with my conveyance and leadership
of Ali Bin Abi Talib after me.”
8. Ad-Dimeshqi, Abul-Qasim Bin Asakir Ashafi. …-571. He relates a narrative to Abu Sa’eed and Abu Hureira, as it is mentioned in
Ad-Durrul Manthour; 2/259.
9. Al-Khawarzmi. …-568. In
Al-Menaqib; 80, he records:
Abu Sa’eed Al-Khidri: The Prophet summoned people to declare fealty to Ali in
Ghadir Khum. He gave the orders
of sweeping thorns under a tree, and raised Ali from the arms as elevated as possible… Before people’s scattering, God revealed: (This day have I…
On page 94
of the same book, Al-Khawarzmi records:
…Abu Hureira: When the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “He whosever master was I, Ali shall be his master,” Omar addressed at Ali: “Congratulations, son
of Abu Talib! You have become my master, and the master
of every Muslim.” Thence, God revealed: (This day have I…
10. An-Natnazi, Abul-Fetih. In
Al-Khassaisul Alawiya, he relates a narrative to Abu Sa’eed Al-Khidri, and relates another to Abu Sa’eed and Jabir Al-Ansari.
11. As-Salihani, Abu Hamid Sa’duddin. In
Tawdihud Delail Ela Tarjihil Mesail, Shihabuddin Ahmed relates the following to As-Salihani:
Mujahid: With the revelation
of Verse
of Ikmaluddin, the Prophet shouted: “Allah be the Greatest for perfection
of the religion, and completion
of the grace, and the Lord’s satisfaction with my conveyance and leadership
of Ali.”
12. Al-Hamawini, Sheikul Islam Al-Hanafi. …-722. In
Feraidus Simtein; Section Twelve, he relates the narration…etc.
Third: Omar’s Opinion.
Omar; the caliph, stated that the Verse was revealed on day
of Arafa, which was Friday, during the Farewell Pilgrimage. This is the Sunnis’ most notable opinion.
Al-Bukhari’s
Sahih; 1/16:
Tariq Bin Shihab: A Jew said to Omar Bin Al-Khattaab: “Had the verse: (This day have I..,) been revealed to us, we would have celebrated on the day
of revelation for good.” Omar answered: “We do recognize the day and the hour
of revelation. The Prophet (peace be upon him) was halting at Arafa when this Verse was revealed.”
Al-Bukhari’s
Sahih; 5/127:
Tariq Bin Shihab: Jews said: “Had the verse: (This day have I..,) been revealed to us, we would have celebrated on the day
of revelation for good.” Omar answered: “I do recognize where it was revealed. The Prophet was halting in Arafa when this Verse was revealed.”
Similar reports are recorded on page 137
of part 8
of the same book.
Almost, the entire Sunni reference books
of hadith copy this narrative and its likes in different ways
of narration. Most
of the scholars adopt it disregarding rings
of suspect Sufian Athawri, An-Nisai and many others arouse around it. They distrusted that day
of Arafa during the Farewell Pilgrimage had fallen on Friday.
Similarly, the other Sunni narratives that support the Prophet’s progeny’s opinion are totally disregarded. That was for one reason only; Omar stated that the Verse was revealed nine days before day
of Ghadir. As a rule, Omar’s statement should be beyond any dispute, and preceded to every everything.
As he refers to the Quranic
Verses revealed during the Prophet’s journeys, As-Suyouti, in
Al-Itqan; 1/75, mentions Verse
of Ikmaluddin. He comments:
Authentic narratives report that Omar specified Friday which fell on day
of Arafa during the Farewell Pilgrimage as the hours in which the Verse was revealed. This report has many ways
of narrations. On the other side, Ibn Merdawayih records that Abu Sa’eed Al-Khidri narrated that the Verse was revealed on that day in
Ghadir Khum. Abu Hureira stated that it was the eighteenth
of Dhu’l-Hijja when the Verse was revealed to the Prophet who was on his way back from the Farewell Pilgrimage. Both are inaccurate.
In
Ad-Durrul Manthour; 2/259, As-Suyouti records:
Doubtfully, Ibn Merdawayih and Ibn Asakir, relate the following to Abu Sa’eed Al-Khidri:
When the Prophet (peace be upon him) nominated Ali as the coming leader on that day in
Ghadir Khum, Gabriel descended with God’s saying: (This day have I…
Doubtfully, Ibn Merdawayih and Al-Khatib and Ibn Asakir relate the following to Abu Hureira:
In
Ghadir Khum on the eighteenth
of Dhu’l-Hijja, the Prophet (peace be upon him) declared: “He whosever master was I, Ali shall be his master.” Hence, God revealed: (This day have I…
As-Suyouti adopts the general situation adopted by most
of Sunni scholars. This does not mean that the other scholars decide dubiety
of the narrative
of Ghadir. On the contrary, they decide authenticity
of such reports. Meanwhile, they insist that Verse
of Ikmaluddin was revealed before that day. This situation is taken up for their adherence to Omar’s statement recorded in their reference books
of hadith, even if this statement is opposed by the other authentic narratives, and opposed by calculation and date.
Ibn Kutheir is one
of those who adhere fanatically to Omar’s opinion. The following is a brief quotation from his
Tafsir; 2/14:
As-Seddi: The Verse was revealed on day
of Arafa. No licit or illicit matter was revealed afterwards.
Ibn Jarir and many others: The Prophet was deceased eighty one days after day
of Arafa.
As he refers to the forecited narrative
of Ahmed, At-Tirmithi and An-Nisai, Ibn Kutheir comments:
Sufian’s suspect should be seen as sort
of piety if he intends the way
of narration. In other words, if Sufian suspects whether his master informed him
of this point or not, this should be regarded as piety. If he suspects whether day
of Arafa, during the Farewell Pilgrimage, was Friday or not, this is undiscussible since no single historian or jurisprudent suspects it. Sufian, however, is too noble to suspect so. Many decisive narratives respecting this matter are recorded. This narrative was related to Omar in another form.
… “I do recognize the place and time
of the revelation
of this Verse. It was Friday and day
of Arafa. Both are festivities for us,” affirmed Omar.
*… Amr Bin Qeis: From the pulpit, I heard Muawiya Bin Abi Sufian recite God’s saying: As-Suyouti, in
Al-Itqan; 1/75, mentions Verse
of Ikmaluddin. He comments: (This day have I…) He then commented: “This Verse was revealed on Friday, on day
of Arafa.”
Ibn Jarir: It is said that that day is not identified for people.
… Ibn Abbas: Day
of the revelation
of God’s saying: (This day have I…,) is not identified by people.
Some mention that the Verse was revealed during the Prophet’s journey to Mecca for performing the Farewell Pilgrimage.
(Ibn Kutheir) Ibn Merdawayih records that Abu Harun Al-Abdi relates the following to Abu Sa’eed Al-Khidri:
God’s saying: (This day have I…,) was revealed to the Prophet (peace be upon him) on that day in
Ghadir Khum, when he said: “He whosever master was I, Ali shall be his master.”
Abu Hureira recounts that the Verse was revealed on the eighteenth
of Dhu’l-Hijja while the Prophet was back from the Farewell Pilgrimage.
These two are inaccurate. The most accurate and indisputable thing is that the Verse was revealed on day
of Arafa which fell on Friday. This is asserted by Omar Bin Al-Khattab; emir
of the believers, and Ali Bin Abi Talib, and Muawiya Bin Abi Sufian; the first king
of Islam, and Abdullah Bin Abbas; translator
of the Quran, and Samara Bin Jundub (God be pleased to him)…
It is patent that Ibn Kutheir tries to avoid referring to the suspect arisen in the area
of identifying Friday as day
of Arafa. This is by reason that this suspect may oppose Omar’s claim. As he could not stand Sufian Athawri’s clear-cut suspect, Ibn Kutheir attempts to degrade that suspect by using deceptive words.
Ibn Kutheir avoids referring to the reports recorded by At-Tabari since such reports emanate the suspect
of day
of Arafa’s being Friday.
At-Tabari’s
Tafsir; 4/111:
… Amir attested that God’s saying: (This day have I…,) was revealed on day
of Arafa which fell on Friday.
Others declared that the day at which the Verse was revealed was Monday. Others stated that sura
of Maida was revealed in Al-Madina.
… Ibn Abbas: Your Prophet was born on Monday. He left Mecca on Monday, and arrived in Al-Madina on Monday. Sura
of Maida and God’s saying: (This day have I…,) was revealed on Monday. The Remembrance -the Quran- was ceased on Monday.
(At-Tabari) The earliest opinion, which is Omar Bin Al-Khattab’s, is the most preferable for authenticity
of its documentation while the others’ documentations are fictitious.
THE OBJECTIVE PERSPECTIVE
It is tractable to search for the actual event incited the revelation
of Verse
of Ikmaluddin through the copious narratives
of the Farewell Pilgrimage. Previous divine declaration and enormous prophetic arrangements were prepared for this distinguished farewell. It was attended by about 70000-120000 individuals most
of whom narrated, somewhat detailedly, most
of the events, the prophetic deeds and words and the five sermons addressed there. They also recorded the day on which the Prophet left Al-Madina, and the placed he passed by or halt at, and the date
of arrival in Mecca and the date and ways
of performing the rituals
of pilgrimage. Moreover, they described his journey back to Al-Madina and whatever he met till he entered it. He lived there only two months when he responded his Lord’s summons.
Accordingly, elements
of timing and date are decisive arbiters in the question
of identifying the day in which Verse
of Ikmaluddin was revealed.
In addition to other objective factors which will be soon provided, element
of timing prefers the Prophet’s progeny’s opinion and the concordant Sunni narratives.
First:Unlike imagination
of At-Tabari and his likes, the contradiction in this subject is not cited between two narratives one
of which is
of more authentic documentation or many ways
of narration. The matter here is a contradiction between the Prophet’s saying and Omar’s.
The reports, they had ruled as doubtful, are documented prophetic sayings, while the other reports recorded by Al-Bukhari and his likes are only Omar’s saying. They are not related to the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family).
Omar’s saying is not adequate enough for refuting a hadith indicating the event incited revelation
of a Verse. It is essential for Sunni scholars to scrutinize the text and documentation
of such a hadith. If it is authentic, they should throw Omar’s saying away and adhere to that prophetic tradition. If it is not, they should see the other companions’ contradictory opinions and accord them, otherwise he should prefer some to others. Unfortunately, Sunnis did not practice so.
Second:Supposing we concede and regard the Prophet’s progeny’s opinion and Sunnis’ concordant ones are no more than opinions
of a party opposing the other, and that the contradiction is no more than a contrary opinions
of two
of the Prophet’s companions, or a companion and an imam from that Prophet’s progeny; supposing this, we should affirm that the Prophet instructed his nation to take the religion from his household, not companions.
This meaning is so undeniable since it is warranted by the famous prophetic saying
of the two weighty things, that is commonly recounted by the entire Muslims.
Ahmed’s
Al-Musnad; 3/14:
Abu Sa’eed: The Prophet (peace be upon him) stated: “I am leaving among you the two weighty things. One
of them is greater than the other. They are the Book
of Allah. It is a rope extended from the heavens to the earth. The other is my progeny; my household. They shall not be separated till they meet me on the Divine Pool.
*Unmistakably, this authentic prophetic saying implies that source
of this religion is restricted to the Prophet’s household after him, or, in less extent, indicates that the Prophet’s household’s opinion should be preferred when contradicted with others’.
Third: Omar’s narration is basically contradictory in such a way that it is obligatory to neglect. Some related Omar’s mentioning Thursday as day
of Arafa, while others related his assigning Friday.
An-Nisai’s
As-Sunan; 5/251:
…Tariq Bin Shihab: A Jew said to Omar: “Had the verse (This day have I..,) been revealed to us, we would have celebrated on the day
of its revelation for good.” Omar answered: “We do recognize the day and night
of its revelation. We were with the Prophet in Arafat on that night before Friday when this Verse was revealed.”
An-Nisai, on page 114
of part 8
of the same book, asserts that the Verse was revealed on Friday.
Fourth: Sufian Athawri doubted whether day
of Arafa was Friday or not. Sufian is one
of Sunni master scholars and hadithists. There is a good deal
of reports supporting Sufian’s suspect. Furthermore, it seems that he was sure that day
of Arafa was not Friday, but he used ‘suspect’ for wheedling Omar’s devotees who re sorted the entire narratives
of the Farewell Pilgrimage and, in further extent, the Islamic history so that day
of Arafa would be Friday.
Fifth: The Muslims’ festivity is being on day
of sacrifice, not that
of Arafa. I could not find a single narrative supports that day
of Arafa is an authorized festival. Hence, no single Muslim agrees with Omar on that odd saying. For the Muslim radicalists, this is a heresy.
An-Nisai reports that the Verse was revealed on the night just before day
of Arafa which fell on Thursday. In case this narrative is regarded, there will be no festivity opposed by that revealed from the heavens. Hence, the matter does not require a law
of merging the opposed divine festivals, as the caliph claimed.
There will be only one interpretation for the caliph’s words:
The day on which the Verse was revealed is worthy enough to be taken as festivity. Because it was revealed two days before the festivity, we could not celebrate it.
This is meaningless wording.
Sixth:Omar’s wording opposes wording authentically ascribed to him. That Jew, who asked Omar, understood that the Lord perfected Islam and sealed it on that day when the Verse was revealed. Omar admitted this understanding. Therewith, the Verse must have been revealed after the revelation
of the entire precepts. Considering the previous, the opinion adopted by the Prophet’s progeny, As-Seddi, Ibn Abbas et al, should be the most accurate. Meanwhile, Omar claimed the revelation
of Verses of Kelala, heritage and others after that
of Ikmaluddin. On that account, Omar should have told that Jew that the Verse did not mean consummation
of the Islamic ordinance since there was a number
of laws revealed thereafter. Hence, the day on which the other laws was revealed, must have been taken as the festival.
As a rule, in case reports oppose each other, they all should be invalidated and disregarded. From this cause, Omar’s wording respecting the seal
of the Quranic
Verses and those respecting the revelation
of Verse
of Ikmaluddin should be totally neglected and suspended.
Furthermore, the caliph admits, through the reports involved, that (This day) mentioned in the Verse stands for the identified day on which the Verse was revealed. He denies its being implying a general time, or a day fell two years ago, or a day to come several months later. This admission negates At-Tabari’s opinion, which was invented mainly for befitting Omar’s wording. It also negates the entire narratives aiming at generalizing (This day) mentioned in the Verse or dedicating it to conquest
of Mecca.
Al-Qurtubi’s
Tafsir; 1/143:
‘Day’ may be expressing a definite hour. This is clear through God’s saying: (Today have I perfected…)
Al-Qurtubi’s
Tafsir; 2/61:
A part
of a day may be expressed as the whole day…
Seventh:Omar’s answer is unconvincing for the Jews as well as Muslims. If Omar intended that that day had not been taken as a festival because it occurred on a day
of festivity, the Jew could have asked the reason beyond the Lord’s ruining that festivity when He revealed the Verse during a day
of previous festivity.
If he intended that festivity
of the religion perfection had been merged with that
of Arafa, then the following question would be cited: This means that you considered the day on which the Verse was revealed as a half festivity when you merged it with that
of Arafa; then can you lead us to a single trace
of that festivity which is annually celebrated by Shias?
If Omar intended that that noble day and glorious festival had been merged or fused by Friday and day
of Arafa on which it occurred, then was it a matter
of God’s intentional plan to melt that day, but Muslims could save the situation when they opted for the decision
of merging or halving?
Furthermore, who adopted that decision
of merging? Who had the right
of merging, or feeding a divine festivity to another? How come were Muslims unaware
of the event
of such a concurrence
of the divine festivities till a Jew provided the question in Omar’s reign? Omar, at any rate, agreed to the Jews’ question, and answered that the ruling appertained to such a concurrence should be either merging the latter to the previous or feeding one to the other.
Was such a ruling revealed from the heavens, or was it a personal postulate favored by Omar; the caliph?
As a matter
of fact, this question, cited by that Jew, is still unanswerable for Omar and his devotees.
The caliph provided nothing more than his admission and recognition or its being a serious question. He then issued inapplicable rulings he had not received from the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family).
He confessed that the day on which the Verse was revealed had been a noble and great day for Muslims, and it had been determinative and historian day on which the Lord had perfected revelation
of Islam, and completed His grace and chosen Islam for people as a religion they should follow and solicit. In addition, the caliph confessed that that great day had been suitable enough to be celebrated and commemorated as same as the three festivities
of Muslims; the Fitr day -festivity
of consummating the ritual fasting-, the Adha day -festivity
of consummating the ritual pilgrimage- and Friday. He also recognized that if any other nation had such a day, they would have certainly taken as a divine festival.
In view
of the caliph’s subjection to the Jew’s question, the day
of the religion perfection should be, in the light
of the Sunnis’ jurisprudence, an annual legal festivity, just like the Fitr day, the Adha day and Friday.
A deep look at the question divulges that Omar is engaged in two matters regarding the Verse
of Ali Bin Abi Talib. He contradicted himself when he identified the final revealed Verse. He also engaged himself in burdening Muslims’ demanding with festivity
of the Verse till the Resurrection Day.
Muslims, now, had the right
of demanding Omar’s devotees with that festivity which is not existed in their reference books
of history, hadith and jurisprudence, but at Shias’.
Islamic festivities are fixed that none is permissible to invent another. Shias’ evidence in taking the
Ghadir day as a festivity, is their adherence to the sayings
of their imams who recounted that the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) had assigned that day as a doctrinal festivity, and Gabriel had informed that the previous nations used to take the day on which the prophet’s successors are named, as a festivity.
What was then the caliph’s claim after he had supported the Jews’ wording and agreed upon the liability
of taking the day on which Verse
of Ikmaluddin was revealed as a legal festivity for the Islamic nation? The caliph excused that because
of its occurrence on two festivities; Friday and day
of Arafa, that day was not taken as an independent festival.
Granting the caliph had issued that decision personally, this would have been seen as heretic legislation. If he had received it from the Prophet, what for would he have not referred to? In the same way, no single Muslim referred to that festivity except Shias.
Eighth: An-Nisai and others record that the Prophet performed the Dhuhr and Asr prayers on that day
of Arafa. If Omar’s claim
of the concurrence
of that day and Friday had been accurate, the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) would have led the Friday, not the Dhuhr and Asr, prayer. In addition, no single narrative communicates that the Prophet performed the Friday prayer on that day.
It is conclusive that An-Nisai corresponds Sufian Athawri and disagrees with Omar in this regard.
An-Nisai’s
As-Sunan; 1/290:
Title: Joining the Dhuhr to the Asr on day
of Arafa.
Jabir Bin Abdillah: … In Arafa, the Prophet performed the Asr prayer as soon as he accomplished the Dhuhr.
Abu Dawud’s
As-Sunan; 1/429:
Ibn Omar: …The Prophet joined the Asr prayer to the Dhuhr. Afterwards, he sermonized and performed the rite
of halting on Arafa.
It may be answered that the Friday prayer is lapsed during traveling. Sunni jurisprudents have disagreeing opinions in this point. Granting it was true that day
of Arafa had fallen in Friday, and the Prophet had left the Friday prayer, thousands
of Muslims who were attending the Farewell Pilgrimage would have certainly referred to this ruling.
Ibn Hazm, in
Al-Muhella; 7/272, does his best to find a suitable answer:
The imam is to recite the prayer audibly when day
of Arafa occurs on Friday. This is the Friday prayer. It is permissible to perform the Friday prayer in Mina and Mecca, too…
Al-Hassan Bin Muslim: Day
of Tarwiya occurred on Friday during the Prophet’s pilgrimage. Therefore, he allowed people to perform the Dhuhr prayer in Mina.
(Ibn Hazm) This report is filled in to excess with lies… Day
of Tarwiya occurred on Thursday, and that
of Arafa occurred on Friday, as Al-Bukhari records…
It is arisen that the entire reports mention that the Prophet joined the Asr prayer to the Dhuhr on day
of Arafa. As an answer we should cite that the Prophet did so, since the Dhuhr prayer is as same as the Friday. Besides, no single narrative mentions that he (peace be upon him) did not recite audibly…
Ibn Hazm used the petitio principii. He refuted that narrative because it opposed Omar’s saying that day
of Arafa fell on Friday. What for did he not refute Omar’s saying for its opposing his other saying that day
of Arafa occurred on Thursday? What for did he not refute sayings
of An-Nisai, Athawri and the others mentioned by At-Tabari et al?
Granting the Prophet had recited that Dhuhr prayer audibly, Muslims would have referred to this ruling. As a rule, it is illicit to recite the Dhuhr prayer audibly while it is permissible to recite that
of Friday audibly.
In respect to the Prophet’s journey to Mecca which commenced on Thursday; the fourth
of Dhu’l-Hijja, the narration refuted by Ibn Hazm because
of its opposing Omar’s saying, is being more acceptable and due. Dhu’l-Hijja began on Monday; therefore, day
of Arafa must have occurred on Tuesday, and the Adha festivity on Wednesday. On that account, Friday must have been the twelfth
of Dhu’l-Hijja.
The narrator’s claiming the Prophet’s having been in Mina on Friday should be accurate. Nevertheless, he confused when he made it before the rite
of halting on Arafat.
Ninth: Narrations
of the Prophet’s having lived only eighty one nights after day
of Arafa oppose the others that made day
of Arafa occur on Friday.
More than ninety days fall between the ninth
of Dhu’l-Hijja and the twelfth
of Rabi I. Therefore, Sunnis should either agree upon our narratives that identified the twenty eighth
of Safar as the date on which the Prophet was deceased, or agree upon our narratives that identified the eighteenth
of Dhu’l-Hijja; day
of Ghadir, as the date on which Verse
of Ikmaluddin was revealed.
As-Suyouti’s
Ad-Durrul Manthour; 2/259:
… Ibn Jureij: The Prophet spent eighty one nights only after the revelation
of God’s saying: (This day have I…
An alike narrative is repeated on page 257
of part 2. It is quoted from Al-Beihaqi’s
Shiebul Iman.
Ibn Hajar’s
Talkhissul Hubeir; 7/3:
… Ibn Jureij: The Prophet spent eighty one nights only after the revelation
of God’s saying: (This day have I…
The same is recorded in At-Tabarani’s
Al-Mujamul Kabir; 12984, and At-Tabari’s
Tafsir; 4/106.
Al-Qurtibi’s
Tafsir; 20/223:
Ibn Omar: Sura
of Nasr was revealed in Mina during the Farewell Pilgrimage. Then, the Verse: (Today have I…) was revealed. After this Verse, the Prophet (peace be upon him) lived for eighty days. He lived fifty days after the revelation
of Verse
of Kelala, and thirty five after the revelation
of God’s saying: (There comes to you an Apostle…)
After eleven days from the revelation
of God’s saying: (And beware
of that day on which…,) the Prophet was deceased.
Ibn Omar’s narrative supports his father’s claiming the revelation
of Verse
of Kelala after that
of Ikmaluddin. It seems he disremembered Verse
of usury his father considered as the final. He also violated his father when he stated that Verse
of Ikmaluddin was revealed after sura
of Nasr which was revealed in Mina. This indicates that Verse
of Ikmaluddin must have been revealed after consummation
of the Farewell Pilgrimage and during the Prophet’s journey back to Al-Madina. While the father identified day
of Arafa as the date on which the Verse was revealed, his son was about to say that it was revealed in
Ghadir.
Ibn Omar mended one side and spoiled many others.
Al-Amini’s
Al-Ghadir; 1/230:
This matter is supported by logic and authentic narrations. Ar-Razi, in
Tafsir; 3/529, relates the following to the most remarkable hadithists: The Prophet (peace be upon him) spent eighty one or two days after the revelation
of God’s saying: (This day have I…)
This is emphasized by Abus-Saud in the margin
of Ar-Razi’s
Tafsir; 3/523. Historians identify the twelfth
of Rabi I as the date
of the Prophet’s decease. Accordingly, there is only one day added to the eighty two day period if day
of Ghadir and that
of decease are excluded.
Because
of the disorder
of the number
of days, this opinion, at any rate, is nearer to the actuality than that stating its revelation on day
of Arafa, and recorded in books
of Al-Bukhari, Muslim and others.
Furthermore, their narratives identifying Monday as the day on which the Verse was revealed, contradict Omar’s saying.
Al-Beihaqi’s
Delailun Nubuwa; 7/233:
Ibn Abbas: Your Prophet was born on Monday. He was prophesied on Monday, and left Mecca on Monday, and conquered Mecca on Monday. Sura
of Maida was revealed on Monday. He was deceased on Monday.
Al-Heithami, in
Majmauzzawaid; 1/196, comments that Ahmed and At-Tabarani record the same narrative that one
of its narrators is Ibn Luheia; the doubtful.
As a matter
of fact, the problem is not Ibn Luheia’s doubtfulness. It is the contradiction to Omar’s saying. This fact is stated frankly by As-Suyouti and Ibn Kutheir who added, on page 198
of part 1
of his book:
This is totally forlorn since the battle
of Badr and the revelation
of the Verse occurred on Friday.
Ibn Asakir, however, is more impartial as he disregards doubtfulness and forlornness
of the narrative and describes it as opposite to the common opinion, which is Omar’s saying.
It is imperative to allude that citing their narratives identifying Monday as the day on which the Verse was revealed, is reckoned with the rule
of constraining them to what they committed themselves to. In truth, we do not admit that the Prophet spent only eighty days after the revelation
of the Verse. We believe, according to our authenticated reports, that the Verse was revealed on the eighteenth
of Dhu’l-Hijja and the Prophet was deceased on the twenty eighth
of Safar. The period, hence, is about seventy days only.
We also believe that the Verse was revealed on Thursday or Friday, and the Prophet’s mission commenced on Monday, and Ali prayed with him on Tuesday, and his decease was on Monday, too. Hence, it is possible that most
of sura
of Maida was revealed on Monday, while the rest, including
Verses of Isma and Ikmaluddin, were revealed afterwards.
Tenth:Reports regarding the Prophet’s movement from Al-Madina are contradictory to those identifying Friday as the day on which day
of Arafa occurred. Thursday, the twenty seventh
of Dhu’l-Qada is the date identified for the Prophet’s journey to Mecca. This date is recorded in Shias’ common narratives. It accords date
of revelation, which is the eighteenth
of Dhu’l-Hijja. On that account, Monday was the first
of Dhu’l-Hijja, and Thursday was the day
of the Prophet’s arrival in Mecca. This date is mentioned in a narrative recorded in
Al-Kafi; 4/245. Tuesday then was day
of Arafa, and Thursday was day
of Ghadir.
The following are models
of the Prophet’s progeny’s narratives in this regard:
Wesailu Shia; 9/318:
… On the twenty seventh
of Dhu’l-Qada, the Prophet left Al-Madina. He arrived in Mecca on the fourth
of Dhu’l-Hijja.
Al-Kafi; 4/245:
Abu Abdillah (peace be upon him): …On the twenty seventh
of Dhu’l-Qada, the Prophet left Al-Madina… He arrived in Mecca on the fourth
of Dhu’l-Hijja…
Al-Mustershid; 119:
Abu Sa’eed: The Prophet summoned people to declare fealty to Ali in
Ghadir Khum. That was on Thursday. He gave the orders
of sweeping thorns under a tree, and raised Ali from the arms as elevated as possible… Before people’s scattering, God revealed: (This day have I…
The Prophet’s progeny’s opinion is asserted by reports recorded in the reference books
of hadith
of both Sunnis and Shias. These reports affirm that the Prophet used to travel on Thursdays, or was seldom traveling on other than Thursdays. Such reports are recorded in Al-Bukhari’s
Sahih; 4/6, and Abu Dawud’s
As-Sunan; 1/586. The report
of Seyidunnans recorded in
Uyounul-Athar; 2/341 approves that the Prophet’s journey started on Thursday.
In
Biharul Anwar; 16/272, it is recorded that Abu Abdillah (peace be upon him) said: “During Summer, the Prophet used to travel on Thursdays, while in Winter he used to opt for Fridays.”
The Prophet’s progeny’s opinion is also ratified by Jabir’s narrating that the Prophet’s journey commenced four days before the end
of Dhu’l-Qada. This narrative is recorded by Ibn Kutheir.
Moreover, Al-Bukhari, as well as most
of the most remarkable reference books
of hadith, refers to many narratives in which the day on which the Prophet’s journey to Mecca commenced is not identified. They only mention that it began five days before the end
of Dhu’l-Qada. Such narratives are recorded in Al-Bukhari’s; 2/146-8 and 187. A narrative stating that the Prophet’s arrival in Mecca was after the lapse
of four nights from Dhu’l-Hijja, is recorded on page 7
of part 4
of the same book. Such narratives are also recorded in the following books:
An-Nisai’s
As-Sunan; 1/154, 208 and 5/121.
Muslim’s
Sahih; 4/32.
Ibn Madga’s
As-Sunan; 2/993.
Al-Beihaqi’s
As-Sunan; 5/33.
The following points regarding the Prophet’s journey to Mecca prove accuracy
of the Prophet’s progeny’s opinion:
- Ordinary journeys from Al-Madina to Mecca take eight days in maximum.
- The Prophet took the shortest way, which was about four hundred kilometers.
- The Prophet and the companies were so speedy that some complained the fatigue they were suffering, and the Prophet instructed that they would be healed from such a foot ache if they tied them.
- No single narrative refers to any sort
of stopping during the Prophet’s journey.
- Narrations that recount the Prophet’s journey back to Al-Madina and his relative cessation in
Ghadir support that the journey took eight days only.
- Many narratives affirm that the Prophet arrived in Mecca on the fourth
of Dhu’l-Hijja.
In due course, the narrative identifies the twenty fifth
of Dhu’l-Qada as the day on which the Prophet began his journey to Mecca should be discredited since it made the journey take about ten days. This narrative, however, is recorded in
Umdetul Qari, Irshadus Sari. It is also recorded by Ibn Hazm and in the margin
ofAs-Siretul Halabiya; 3/257.
The previous points show the real value
of the narratives opposite to the Prophet’s progeny’s opinion. Adopters
of such ineffective narratives, that identified the twenty fourth
of Dhu’l-Qada as the date on which the Prophet began his journey to Mecca, tried to apply it to Saturday so that the first
of Dhu’l-Hijja would be Thursday, and day
of Arafa Friday for nothing rather than supporting Omar’s saying. They exceeded in this regard as they overlooked the other narratives that related Omar’s identifying Thursday.
The following reference books adopted the narrative that identified Saturday as the day on which the Prophet started his journey:
Ibn Sa’d’s
At-Tabaqat; 2/124.
Al-Waqidi’s
Al-Meghazi; 2/1089.
(Margin
of)
As-Siretul Halabiya; 3/3.
At-Tabari’s; 3/148.
At-Thehbi’s
Tarikh; 2/701… etc.
Taking these narratives in consideration leads to believe that Thursday was the first
of Dhu’l-Hijja, and Friday was day
of Arafa, and the Prophet’ journey took nine days provided that the narrator considered, mistrustfully, that Dhu’l-Qada as thirty days.
*Ibn Kutheir attempts to defend this opinion. He records, in
As-Sira; 4/217:
… Anas related that the Prophet led the Dhuhr prayer in his mosque in Al-Madina, and the Asr, in the shortened from, in Dhilhalifa.
This narrative denies the claim that the Prophet began his journey on Friday. Similarly, it invalidates Ibn Hazm’s assertion that the journey began on Thursday. Indisputably, first
of Dhu’l-Hijja occurred on Thursday. This fact is proved through incessant and unanimous narratives that affirmed the occurrence
of day
of Arafa, which is the ninth
of Dhu’l-Hijja, on Friday. Six nights
of Dhu’l-Qada would certainly remain if the Prophet’s journey was started on Thursday; the twenty fourth.
Ibn Abbas, Aisha and Jabir assigned commencement
of the Prophet’s journey to five nights before the end
of Dhu’l-Qada, and this should never be Friday, for Anas’s saying; hence, the Prophet’s journey was started on Saturday. The narrator miscalculated when he identified thirty days for Dhu’l-Qada which was only twenty nine that year. So, Wednesday was not accounted with Dhu’l-Qada. The night before Thursday became first
of Dhu’l-Hijja… This prognosis should be considered, since there is no other opinion.
It seems that Ibn Kutheir is not sure
of such prognosis, because he had to notice the uncertainty arisen by Omar himself, Sufian At-Thawir and An-Nisai. He also had to regard Ibn Hazm’s emphasis that the Prophet’s journey was started on Thursday.
It is also noticeable that Ibn Kutheir used the petitio principii as he attempts to prove that the Prophet’s journey to Mecca was started on Thursday. He was in the first lines
of his thesis when he referred to incessancy and unanimity
of the Prophet’s halting in Arafa on Friday. He should have explicated sort
of that incessancy and unanimity.
He cited Anas’s narration stating that the Prophet performed the Dhuhr and Asr, not Friday, prayers, as another evidence on his claim. As a matter
of fact, this narrative supports the Prophet’s progeny’s opinion that fix Thursday as the day on which the Prophet’s journey was started.
Previously, we have referred to the narration dealing with the Prophet’s performing the Dhuhr and Asr prayers in Dhilhalifa.
At length, Anas’s narrative, if accurate, does not oppose identifying Thursday as the day on which the Prophet journeyed to Mecca. It may hint at the fact that the Prophet attired the pilgrims garb after the Asr prayer in Dhilhalifa, and kept on his journey.
The abstract is that there are numerous cruxes standing in the face
of admitting the opinion that Verse
of Ikmaluddin was revealed on day
of Arafa. These cruxes are proceeded in the style, date and timing
of that opinion. Accordingly, accurate researchers are logically deprived
of adopting such a poor opinion.
There remains the Prophet’s progeny’s opinion. The existence
of disabled opposite is as same as its nothingness. Similarly, helpless texts cannot be backed by authentic documentation.
The entire Muslims agree that the day on which Verse
of Ikmaluddin was revealed is being a great divine festivity. It is festivity
of perfection
of the religion and completion
of the divine grace. For the Prophet’s progeny, this day is being the most remarkable Islamic festivity. This can be proved manifestly and easily. The weekly Islamic festivity is involved in the Friday prayer. The Fitr day is engaged in the rite
of fasting. The Adha day is engaged in the ritual pilgrimage. In a like manner, the
Ghadir festivity is engaged in the Lord’s completing His grace on the nation.
For Sunnis, this completion was achieved by the consummatory revelation
of the religious rulings without identifying any process for assigning the coming leadership.
For Shias, this was achieved be perfection
of the religious rulings, and completion
of the divine grace that settled the problem
of the leadership and dedicating the Prophet’s progeny to the imamate till the Resurrection Day.
As a bonus, the entire Muslims agree on considering that day as a legal festivity. What for then are the chiefs, scholars and intellects
of the Muslims accepting this nation’s losing such a great day? What for do they accept that no festival or ceremonies that must become legality and sacredness
of such a day, are made?
Sunni scholars should respond to our bidding
of studying the legal and doctrinal faces
of this ‘wronged’ festivity, and reviving it in the Muslims’ lives in a form accordant to the beliefs and jurisprudence
of each sect.
CHAPTER FIVE
VERSE OF MAARIJIn the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the MercifulOne demanding, demanded the chastisement which must befall.The unbelievers there is none to avert it.From Allah, the Lord of the ways of Ascent.EVENTS STIMULATED BY THE QURAISHIS
For citing the exegesis
of Verse
of Maarij, it is necessary to remark a deal
of serious events that cropped up during the last days
of the Prophet’s lifetime. Some were proved to be provoked by the Quraishis, while there are many indications directing fingers
of accusation to the Quraishis as their originators.
Firstevent:
The attempt to assassinate the Prophet during the battle
of Hunein. In the previous fifth discussion, we have discussed this event.
Second event:
The attempt to assassinate the Prophet in Aqaba when he was back from the battle
of Tabuk. This attempt, given effect by twenty hypocrites, was planned so properly. This group knew that the Prophet would take the mountainside alone that night, while the army would take the other. They planned to waylay al
oft that mountain and as soon as the Prophet would reach the narrowest point, they would throw rocks as much as possible, so that they would hit him. Then, they would run away and hide among the Muslims’ groups. They aimed at seizing the Prophet’s authority as they would show their deepest grief for him.The Lord respited them. When they were about to throw rocks, Gabriel came and lit that mountain. The Prophet could see and recognize them. He called them by names. Hutheifa Bin Al-Yeman and Ammar Bin Yasir; the Prophet’s companions, could see and recognize them. The Prophet made them the witnesses on that cabal.
The hypocrites had nothing to do other than descending the mountain as speedy as possible to hide among the Muslims’ group.
There is no reason for the Prophet’s masking their names other than their being Quraishis and celebrities, and declaring their names would certainly lead to punishing them. Punishing would mean danger
of their apostasy. This would mean that they would convince some
of the Arab tribes
of apostasy. They would evidence that Mohammed had given everything to the Hashemites and deprived the Quraishis and the Arabs. This would create an ill reputation
of Islam, since it would be said that the Prophet disputed his companions who believed him, and fought them. This would lead to the arising
of new battles the results
of which would not be better than the earlier.
Hence, the divine solution is keeping the matter locked as long as those men admitted Islam and Mohammed’s prophesy, and gainsaid the matter.
It is apparent that narrations that referred to the cabal
of Aqaba named famous Quraishi personalities that the Quraishi hadithists had to decide their doubtfulness. The majority, however, decide trustfulness
of Ibn Jumei and the other narrators who mentioned the names
of directors and the executors
of that cabal.
Narrations related to Hutheifa and Ammar whom were asked, by the Quraishi celebrities, whether they had seen them on that night or not, are recorded in the Sunni reference books
of hadith. Besides, such celebrities attempted to gain the acquittal
of hypocrisy from Hutheifa and Ammar.
The reference books
of hadith are also filled in with narratives asserted that people could discriminate the faithful from the hypocrites, after their death, when they were noticing whether Hutheifa
offered them the ritual funeral prayer or not. Finally, they narrated that Hutheifa did not
offer the ritual funeral prayer to any
of the Quraishi chiefs at all.
Third event:
Story
of sura
of Tahrim. This story imparts that one
of the Prophet’s wives violated his instructions
of concealing the news he had recounted to her exclusively. Moreover, she, backed by her well-wisher, worked for the Quraishis against her husband. The Lord informed His Prophet
of her divulging the secret, and the Prophet conveyed this divine information to her friend, who was also one his wives, and her. Thence, the Quran revealed her secret and the intendments
of those she backed, and threatened a punishment, and cited the wives
of Noah and Lot, who were atheists since they betrayed their husbands and were immortalized in the hell-fire, as example.The pro-Quraish hadithists made the matter a mere family affairs respecting the many wives exchangeable jealousy, and some ineffective flaws with the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family).
They intend to make us close our eyes before the evident
Verses of sura
of Tahrim that divulge a striking danger countered by the Prophet and the divine mission, and enlists a great army for defying that situation. God says: (If you both turn to Allah, then indeed your hearts are already inclined; and if you back each other against him, then surely Allah it is Who is his Guardian, and Gabriel and the believers that do good, and the angels after that are the aiders.)
Towards whom their hearts were inclined? For whom did they back each other against the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family)? What sort
of family affairs is that incited that great army
of God used only in cases
of ultimate emergency?
Ibn Abbas, whom is named ‘preacher
of the nation’ used to interpret ‘inclined’ into ‘deviated’. On that account, two
of the Ummul Muminin’s needed to renew their converting to Islam.
Fourth event:
For a whole month, the Prophet abandoned his wives and settled in house
of Maria the Coptic, which was on the outskirts.The pro-Quraish hadithists described the matter, in which the Prophet, the revelation and Muslims were engaged, as a personal affair. They cited the frequent demands
of the Prophet’s wives as the reason that made him abandon and confine himself in Maria’s house for a whole month. They asserted that the Islamic issues that occupied the political area to excess and that engaged the Quraishi chiefs in particular, had nothing to do with the incident.
Fifth event:
The Quraishis worked so hard for
offending against Ali Bin Abi Talib’s identity. The Prophet was very much irate. He defended Ali and honored his identity. This matter can be obviously heeded all over the Prophet’s hours
of war, peace, journey and residence. It is also noticeable that it increased in the last period
of the Prophet’s lifetime who was
often enraged because
of it, and sermonized
oftentimes for declaring the merits
of Ali (peace be upon him) and the deviation and atheism
of everybody who hurts him.The story
of Bureida Al-Aslemi is sufficiently adequate for evidencing the matter. This overwhelming story was recorded in the Sunni reference books
of hadith in many different ways
of narration and highly regarded documentations. It registers the Prophet’s reproaching those who malign Ali, and his declaring that Ali shall be people’s master after him, and deciding the hypocrisy
of everyone who criticizes, detests or disobeys Ali.
This event shows the Quraishi chiefs’ bearing malice and envy against Ali (peace be upon him).
Seventh event:
The Quraishi chiefs precluded people from registering the Prophet’s traditions and sayings during his lifetime. Majority
of people used to record the Quranic texts as soon as they were revealed. The Prophet gave the orders
of installing the Quranic texts, that are freshly revealed, between the pulpit and the wall. Secondly, papers and ink were available for recording these texts.Ali was wont to record the entire Quranic texts and the prophetic that the Prophet ordered
of recording. Others also wrote down the prophetic texts. Abdullah Bin Amr Bin Al-As; the young Quraishi, used to write down, too.
While some
of the Quraishi chiefs used to record the Jewish culture and attend their classes on Saturdays,
* they prevented people from recording the Prophet’s traditions, because they recognized the falling
of a great danger if the Prophet’s words praising his household, progeny and the Hashemites, and cursing a great number
of the Quraishi celebrities, would settle in the hands
of the coming generations.
The reference books
of hadith did not overlook the incident when Abdullah Bin Amr complained before the Prophet that (people
of Quraish) deprived him
of recording the prophetic texts and traditions.
Abu Dawud’sAs-Sunan; 2/176:
..Abdullah Bin Amr: People
of Quraish told me not to record every single word said by the Prophet (peace be upon him) since he was an ordinary human who may be erring when he is enraged. I ceased the recording and told the Prophet
of their words. He pointed at his mouth with the finger and ordered: “Record every thing. By the Prevailing
of my soul I take the oath, nothing but truth comes out
of my mouth.”
** Seventh event:
An attempt to assassinate the Prophet was planned in his way back from the Farewell Pilgrimage at Arsha. This cabal was divulged by the divine revelation. It was greatly similar to that occurred after the battle
of Tabuk.
Eighth event:
The Quraishis escalated their criticism directed to the Prophet’s procedures
of focusing the position
of his family and clan; the Hashemites, among people. Some objected candidly and shamelessly. They demanded with making the position
of leadership include the entire clans
of Quraish, or selecting other persons for sharing Ali’s position. The Prophet rejected all these demands, since the matter was not his. It was God’s concern. He was no more than a servant and an apostle whose mission is conveying the Lord’s messages.Previously, we have introduced the following quotation from
Asharif Al-Murteda’sTanzihul Anbiya;167:As soon as the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) nominated Ali Bin Abi Talib for the next leadership, a group
of Quraishi people came and stated: “O God’s messenger! People have no long span in Islam. They displease the matter that your cousin; Ali Bin Abi Talib, will hold leadership while you held prophesy. You’d better have another decision.”
The Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) replied: “That was not my decision that I may alter. It was the Lord’s. It is He Who ordered me
of and imposed it upon me.”
They suggested: “Well then. You may conjoin a man
of Quraish to him, so that people will be satisfied, and your affairs will be affirmative.”
Ninth event:
While the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) was diseased, he formed an army in which the entire Quraishi chiefs, excepting the Hashemites, were enlisted. The commandment
of that army was given to Usama Bin Zeid. The Prophet gave that young African Muslim the orders
of marching towards Muta in Jordan for battling the Romans. The Prophet’s purpose beyond this process was enhancing the power
of the Islamic state and revenging the martyrs
of battle
of Muta. He also aimed at taking the opposers
of Ali’s leadership away from Al-Madina just before his decease.Usama and his army camped out
of Al-Madina. The Quraishi chiefs showed reluctance to join that army so that they would fail the Prophet’s plan. They also worked on detaining as great numbers
of the army as possible. Finally, they criticized the Prophet’s orders
of selecting Usama; the young, for commandment. Hence, they were procrastinating the operation
of that army so that they would gain time.
As a reply on such behaviors, the Prophet ascended the pulpit and emphasized on expediting the march
of Usama’s army. He also declared that God; the Exalted, and he would curse those who would fall behind.
Tenth event:
The Quraishis augmented their efforts aimed for opposing the Prophet directly whenever he would bring Ali and his household to position
of leadership
officially.Omar Bin Al-Khattab; the new chief
of Quraish, discharged the mission
of opposing the Prophet openly. The Prophet summoned chiefs
of Quraish and Ansar, during his final disease, and declared that he would record a document saving his nation against deviation forever. They realized that this document would mean nominating Ali and his household (peace be upon them) for the next leadership
officially and documentarily. Therefore, Omar faced him candidly and said: “No, we do not lack your document and your security against deviation. We also do not want your traditions and people. We are sufficed by Allah’s Book. Exegesis
of this Book is our concern, not yours or your household’s.”
The attendees, from the Quraishis and the deceived Ansar, supported Omar and shouted before their Prophet: “We do support Omar’s saying.”
Those who came to see their Prophet in his last hours were engaged in discrepancy. They used impolite words on their Prophet’s head. Some supported the Prophet’s will and ordered
of implementing it, and the majority went on shouting: “We do support Omar’s saying. Fetch him nothing. Let him not record.”
It is most likely that Gabriel attended these moments
of dispute. He visited the Prophet recurrently these days. The Prophet might seek his advice. The Angel might informed the Prophet
of the successful consummation
of his mission and perfection
of God’s claim against people. He might also instructed that insistence on recording that suggested document might have achieved the Quraishis’ apostasy, and the most acceptable solution in such a situation should be despising and dismissing them.
Hence, the Prophet said: “Leave me! It is inappropriate to issue disputation before a prophet,” or: “Leave me! The pains I am suffering are easier than what you are dragging me to.”
This story is so familiar that Al-Bukhari records it in six positions
of his
Sahih. Ibn Abbas called this incident ‘calamity
of Thursday’.
Eleventh event:
Owing to the harsh fever, the Prophet was fainted for minutes and then regaining his consciousness. That was during his final disease. He could understand that some
of those encompassing him intended to pour a drug in his mouth while he had been fainted. When he regained, he told them not to give him any medicine while he would be fainted. On the contrary, as soon as the Prophet was fainted, they poured a medicine in his mouth. He vomited it, but they used force to pour.When he regained consciousness, the Prophet reprimanded them and ordered the all
of consuming that medicine. The Hashemites were excluded.
Hence, narratives assert that the entire attendees consumed some
of that (medicine).
In the reference books
of hadith, this incident is named ‘coercing the Prophet on having the medication’. It is important to study this incident carefully. It might have been an attempt for poisoning the Prophet.
These were the events introduced as an overture for discussing Verse
of Maarij. As a matter
of fact, each
of these events can be a thesis
of a Ph.D. degree, if studied deliberately. The Quraishis should be listed on the top if it is necessary to identify the actual stars
of these events and the brains planning. For more identification, it is advisable to focus more light on the relation between the Quraishis and the Jews.
This strange matter displays how the Lord protected His Apostle (peace be upon him and his family) against apostasy and atheism
of the Quraishis during his lifetime.
At any rate, the Prophet was not protected against their harm and plots. That is the unchangeable course taken by the entire prophets (peace be upon them).
THE QURAISHIS’ NEW PREPARATIONS AFTER THE GHADIR DAY
Caravan
of prophesy and imamate left
Ghadir Khum and went towards Al-Madina. The Prophet’s heart was calmed and tranquil. Meanwhile, the Quraishis could not see calmness. They boiled due to their spite.
This is the wording
of narratives and incidents. The Quraishis would never assuage unless they would see the painful agony. The truth-tongued the honest, who speaks only out
of the divine revelation, said: “O people
of Quraish! You shall not cease unless when you see the painful agony.”
We are to repeat that Verse
of Isma does not mean that God had paved the path
of His Apostle or made the Quraishis behave as serene as a trained horse. It is true that nothing at all can stop in the face
of God’s competence. But the Lord wills that things abide according to reasons and criteria, and applies traditions
of the previous nations to this nation, so He will test them in the matter
of obeying and disobeying the Prophet. This requires their faculty to disobey, not apostatize before him. They were so able to face the Prophet with these words: “We do reject your will, tradition and household. We are sufficed with Allah’s Book.” This is the climax. A red line was drawn after this. This is God’s will.
Through numerous events
of the Farewell Pilgrimage, the Lord’s protection was achieved. It was achieved in Mecca, Arafat and the three sermons in Mina, especially that
of Kheif Mosque.
The Quraishis saw no relief before the Prophet’s departure without demanding with swearing allegiance to Ali’s coming leadership.
For the Exalted Lord that was not enough. The divine orders
of stopping the Muslims were descended to the Prophet who had just reached the heart
of desert where there were no fodder for their pack animals, and no food for them except a small garden
of few trees and sparse water. In that burning midday, the preceding Muslims were about to put their feet on the land
of Al-Juhafa; that inhabited city, after a three-day walking. But the Prophet ordered them
of being back in
Ghadir Khum.
In the midst
of these intolerable circumstances, the Prophet ascended the pulpit in an hour other than that
of the obligatory prayer, and raised his cousin; Ali Bin Abi Talib, from the hand and addressed at Muslims: “This shall be your master after me. Then comes Al-Hassan and Al-Hussein and nine individuals from Al-Hussein’s
offspring.”
In this situation, the divine promise
of protection twinkled apparently. The Lord shut the Quraishis’ mouths so that they would not oppose or object. Their mouths were open for acceding only. They all shouted: “We do witness that you have conveyed your Lord’s messages. You have been the excellent Apostle. We have heard and do obey.” Afterwards, they hurried to Ali’s tent for
offering congratulations on the position
of leadership. They also showed compliments when God revealed: (This day have I perfected for you your religion and completed on you My favor and chosen for you Islam as a religion.) They lent their ears to Hassan Bin Thabit’s poem in which he described the Prophet’s call and conveying the Lord’s mandate
of nominating Ali for the next leadership.
Offering
of congratulations lasted to night when darkness did not preclude Muslims from
offering their congratulations to Ali; therefore, the Prophet had to pass the night in that
Ghadir of imamate. After the Fajr -dawn- prayer, the Prophet moved.
Other narratives affirm that the Prophet had to settle for two days there.
It was God’s concern and incomparable competence that knocked over the Quraishis’ ability
of spoiling ceremonies
of Ghadir, and knotted their tongues which are notorious objectors and impolite to the prophets, and made them opt for letting that day, on which the Prophet granted the Hashemites and Ali whatever he willed, pass peacefully.
This was the Lord’s style
of protecting the Prophet against the Quraishis’ apostasy. There must have been greater divine favors we could not receive.
There was another style. It was the divine punishment. Like the Jews in their prophets’ reigns, the Quraishis did receive this style thoroughly.
HEAVENLY STONES FOR THE QURAISHIS’ SPOKESMEN
In the Muslims’ reference books
of hadith, there are narratives mentioning various names
of those who objected against the Prophet’s nominating Ali for the coming leadership in
Ghadir Khum.
It is perceivable that some
of these names referred to a definite person, but it was clerical error. Others were names
of different persons, since that divine punishment was descended in different forms. This leads to repetition
of the incident.
Names
of those whom were inflicted by heavenly stones or punishment are Jabir Bin An-Nadr Bin Al-Harith Bin Kilda Al-Abdari, Al-Harith Bin An-Numan Al-Fihri, Al-Harth Bin An-Numan Al-Fihri, Amr Bin Utba Al-Makhzumi, An-Nadr Bin Al-Harith Al-Fihri, Al-Harith Bin Amr Al-Fihri, An-Numan Bin Al-Harith; the Jew, An-Numan Bin Al-Munthir Al-Fihri, Amr Bin Al-Harith Al-Fihri, a man from sons
of Teim, a Bedouin, a Bedouin from Najd who belongs to sons
of Jafar Bin Kelab Bin Rabia.
Saving the Bedouin and the Jew, all those are Quraishi men. Besides, there is no single individual from Ansar among them. It is unfamiliar for Ansar to protest against any privilege the Prophet gave to his progeny exclusively. Yet, they showed disloyalty to those household after the Prophet’s decease.
The incident, in abstract, is that one, or more,
of those persons protested against the Prophet’s nominating Ali for the coming leadership, and accused the Prophet
of passing his personal caprices in the form
of divine mandate. Although the Prophet asserted that the decision had been the Lord’s, the man was not convinced. He left the place very irate and asked the Lord to rain him with a heavenly stone if the matter was His mandate. The Lord did inflict him with a heavenly stone that killed him, or inflicted him with a heavenly flame that burned him.
From this incident, it is understandable that the Lord used a threatening style with the Quraishis for protecting His Apostle against their apostasy. Consequently, they could perceive that failure would be the decisive result
of any political combat with the Prophet, and that they should wait for his decease.
We are to refer to the most notable questions inferred from this incident.
FIRST QUESTION
THE SUNNI REFERENCE BOOKS OF HADITH RECORD THE INCIDENTIn addition to Shias, Sunnis record the incident. Abu Ubeid Al-Harawi was the first scholar who recorded the incident in
Gharibul Qur’an.
Menaqibu Aali Abi Talib; 2/240:
Abu Ubeid, Athalabi, An-Neqqash, Sufian Bin Uyeina, Ar-Razi, Al-Qizwini, An-Nisapuri, At-Tebirsi and At-Tusi; all those recorded the following incident:
After the Prophet’s conveying the Lord’s mandate in
Ghadir Khum had been prevailing among people, Al-Harith Bin An-Numan Al-Fihri -or Jabir Bin An-Nadr Bin Al-Harith Bin Kilda Al-Abdari, according to Abu Ubeid’s report- came to the Prophet and said: “O Mohammed! You have conveyed us the Lord’s mandates
of declaring there is no god but Allah and Mohammed is being the Apostle
of Allah, and performing the prayers, the fasting, the pilgrimage, and defraying the poor rate. All these, we have admitted, were not enough for you till you raised your cousin from the arm and preceded him to us and said: ‘He whosever master was I, Ali should by his master.’ Is this matter originated from your person or is it God’s mandate?”
“By Allah there is no god but Whom I take the oath, this is surely God’s mandate,” asserted the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family).
Jabir turned his face towards his pack animal while saying: “O Allah! If Mohammed’s words have been true, then rain us with a heavenly stone, or inflict a painful chastisement upon us.” Before Jabir could reach his pack animal, the Lord rained him with a stone that fell on the head and went out from the anus. He was killed. Consequently, God revealed: (One demanding…
Some
of Shiite scholars; such as the compilers
ofAbaqatul Anwar,
Al-Ghadir,
Ihqaqul Haq,
Nafahatul Azhar et al, compute Sunni scholars who recorded this incident. Although they were more than thirty, we are to refer to twelve only:
1. Al-Harawi, Abu Ubeid. (…-223) He mentions the incident in his book
of Tafsir:
Gharibul Qur’an.
2. Al-Baghdadi, Abu Bakr An-Neqash Al-Mosuli. (…-351) He mentions the incident in
Tafsir.
3. Athalabi, Abu Isaaq An-Nisapuri. (…-427) He mentions the incident in
Al-Keshfu Wel Bayan.
4. Al-Hasakani, Al-Hakim Abul-Qasim. He refers to the incident in
Eda’u Haqqil Muwalat.
5. Al-Qurtubi, Abu Bakr Yahya. (…-567) He mentions the incident in
Tafsir.
6. Abul Mozaffar, Shamsuddin; the grandson
of Ibnul-Jawzi. (…-645) He mentions the incident in
At-Tadkira.
7. Al-Hamawini, Sheikul Islam. (…-722) He mentions the incident in
Feraidus Simtein; Chapter 13. He relates it to Al-Wahidi, Athalabi and Sufian Bin Uyeina.
8. Al-Imadi, Abus Saud. (…-982) In
Tafsir; 8/292, he records:
It is said that Al-Harth Bin An-Numan Al-Fihri came, after he had received the Prophet’s saying: ‘he whosever master was I, Ali shall be his master’…
9. Ashirbini, Shamsuddin Al-Qahiri Ashafii. (…-977) In
As-Sirajul Munir;4/364, he records:
People provided different names for that who was hit by a heavenly stone. Ibn Abbas named him An-Nadr Bin Al-Harth, while others named him Al-Harth Bin An-Numan…
10. Al-Halabi, Burhanuddin Ali. (…-1044) In
As-Siretul Halabiya; 3/302, he records:
After the Prophet’s declaration had been common among people, Al-Harth Bin An-Numan Al-Fihri…
11. Al-Hafni, Shamsuddin Ashafii. (…-1181) In
Sharhul Jamiil Shaghir; 2/387, he refers to the incident through discussing the Prophet’s saying: “He whosever master was I, Ali shall be his master.”
12. Azzarqani, Abu Ali Al-Maliki. (…-1122) In
Sharhul Mawahibul Ludeniya…
SECOND QUESTION
WAS SURA OF MAARIJ REVEALED IN MECCA OR AL-MADINAThe general sense
of Verses of sura
of Maarij, till Verse 36, seems to be revealed in Al-Madina, since it comprises legislations similar to those
of Nur and Muminin. While the rest seem to be revealed in Mecca for their referring to questions
of the belief and the Hereafter. In due course, it is difficult to recognize the place
of the revelation. At any rate, Quranists cite a number
of restraints for distinguishing the
Verses revealed in Mecca from those revealed in Al-Madina. Yet, these restraints are not that accurate and objective.
On that ground, we should regard the second part
of the sura as revealed in Mecca, while the first in Al-Madina, but it was preceded thereafter.
This regard should not be more than a surmise. The text
of the sura is the decisive criterion on which the place
of the revelation is identified. The text is contradictory in Sunni, as well as Shiite, reference books
of hadith and Tafsir. Sunnis, however, reckon the sura with those revealed in Mecca.
It is not unlikely that Shias prefer this opinion, too. In his
Sharhul Akhbar; 1/241, An-Numan relates that Imam As-Sadiq (peace be upon him) said: “By God, the sura was revealed in Mecca to show manners
of those who dissented the mastership
of Ali (peace be upon him).”
The imam meant that although the sura was revealed in Mecca, it intends those who protested against the Prophet’s declaring leadership
of Ali in Al-Madina thereafter.
Al-Kuleini’sAl-Kafi; 5/450:
Parties
of the following dialogue were Abu Hanifa and Abu Jafar Mohammed Bin An-Numan:
Abu Hanifa: O Abu Jafar! What is your opinion about the temporary marriage? Do you see it be lawful?
Abu Jafar: Yes, I do.
Abu Hanifa: What then prevents you from applying it on your harem so that they will earn good fortune for you?
Abu Jafar: Not all pr
ofessions are acceptable although lawful. People, in addition, enjoy different standings they should keep. But what is your opinion about wine? Do you see it be lawful?
Abu Hanifa: Yes, I do.
Abu Jafar: What then prevents you from urging your women on jobbing as waitresses in pubs so that they will earn good fortune for you?
Abu Hanifa: Well, one for one, and yours is more effective. O Abu Jafar! The Verse in sura
of Maarij discloses unlawfulness
of the temporary marriage, and the Prophet’s saying repeals it.
Abu Jafar: Sura
of Maarij was revealed in Mecca, and Verse
of the temporary marriage in Al-Madina, and your recital has been ridiculous and random.
Abu Hanifa: Verse
of the heritage discloses the repeal
of that
of the temporary marriage, too.
Abu Jafar: It happens that spouses do not inherit each other lawfully.
Abu Hanifa: How come?
Abu Jafar: If a Muslim husband is dead while his wife is Jewess or Christian? Is it lawful for her to receive his heritage?
Abu Hanifa: It is unlawful for her to receive his heritage?
Abu Jafar: In this way it happens that spouses do not inherit each other lawfully.
Abu Hanifa referred to God’s saying: (And those who guard their private parts, except in the case
of their wives or those whom their right hands possess,)
* that is in sura
of Maarij. Abu Jafar, whom is called Muminuttaq, answered that this Verse had been revealed in Mecca while God’s saying: (Then as to those whom you pr
ofit by, give them their dowries as appointed,) was revealed in Al-Madina later on. It is then impracticable for the previous to repeal the recent.
The most accurate answer for Abu Hanifa’s question is that temporary wives are reckoned with the legitimate wives referred to in God’s saying: (Except in the case
of their wives.) A good deal
of Sunni scholars issued legality
of marrying a woman when it is intended to divorce her the next day. This is the very temporary marriage they are criticizing us for.
Furthermore, Abu Hanifa himself issued that it is licit to copulate with the she-hireling whom is employed for house services even there is no permanent or temporary bond
of marriage between them. He inferred this verdict from the ruling that marriage is included in terms
of the lease contract.
This verdict is more inclusive than the temporary marriage that is authorized by Shiite jurisprudence, since Shias specify the marriage contract as a provision
of legitimacy
of that marriage, while Abu Hanifa makes it boundless.
Back to the topic, the sura’s being revealed in Mecca does not act upon authenticity
of the narrative involving that the befalling chastisement mentioned in the Verse is dedicated to that befell on those who protest against the Prophet’s nominating Ali for the coming leadership. This incident is seen as an interpretation
of the Verse and a foretelling carried by Gabriel; the angel.
The previous narrative
ofSharhul Akhbar supports this meaning. Moreover, later on we are to refer to another narrative stating:
“…He was inflicted by the thunderbolt and burnt. Soon, Gabriel descended: “O Mohammed! Recite: (One demanding…
This means that Gabriel carried the application or the interpretation
of the Verse previously revealed.
The Shiite narratives divulge that the chastisement inflicted on that Al-Abdari or Al-Fihri was only a tiny part
of the befalling chastisement promised by the Lord. Most
of that chastisement shall be descended gradually, supporting or paving the way for the advent
of Imam Al-Mahdi.
*Ali Bin Ibrahim Al-Qummi’s Tafsir; 2/385:
Abu Jafar (peace be upon him) was asked about the meaning
of God’s saying: (One demanding…) The imam answered: “That shall be a fire coming forth from the west. An angel shall drive it from behind till it reaches the house
of sons
of Sa’d Bin Hemmam that is near their mosque. The fire shall never leave a single house for the Umayids saved from burning. It shall also burn all the houses that partook in persecuting Mohammed’s family. That shall be Al-Mahdi (peace be upon him).
An-Numani’s Al-Gheiba; 272:
… Jafar Bin Mohammed (peace be upon him): The interpretation
of God’s saying: (One demanding…,) indicates the coming divine chastisement that shall befall in Thawiya. It is a fire coming over Kenasa to Thaqif. It shall not leave a single house that persecuted Mohammed’s family without burning. That shall be in the vicinity
of the advent
of Al-Mahdi (peace be upon him).
The places mentioned in the two narratives are some quarters
of Kufa which shall be taken as the capital.
Imam As-Sadiq’s saying, “indicates the coming divine chastisement,” asserts that this befalling chastisement is an open menace some
of which was befallen on polytheists and hypocrites in the past, and some shall inflict the rest. This is the most suitable exegesis that coincides the open threat
of the Verse and the Lord’s norm
of triumphing His religion and adherents.
THIRD QUESTION
THE CHASTISEMENT IS MUNDANE OR HEREAFTERApart from exegeses
of the sura, it is observable that the topic and pivot
of the sura refers to the Hereafter chastisement totally. The
Verses do not show any sort
of condemn directed to that demander who might be an ordinary guiltless asker. It is also possible that that the demander might be a suppliant seeking that chastisement. Throughout providing the various opinions
of the exegesists regarding the Verse, Al-Qurtubi refers to the opinion that the suppliant
of that chastisement is being Noah; the prophet, or our Prophet (peace be upon him and his family).
A question may jump: What for then did Sunni and Shiite exegesists affirm that the Verse included the mundane chastisement, and that demander challenged and belied?
The answer is lexicological. The Arabic item (sa’ala bi) refers to asking about a matter challengingly and denyingly. The item indicates that the demander has already heard
of such a mundane and Hereafter chastisement from the Prophet who used to threat and forewarn; therefore, he demanded with it challengingly and denyingly. The Lord answered him through these
Verses. Despite that the Lord emphasized on the Hereafter chastisement and its features, since it is the basic and the most important and incessant, He did not negate the mundane one.
The sura proclaims: “O you who are deriding the chastisement forewarned by Our Apostle! Surely whatever he has menaced shall befall, whether in this world or in the Hereafter. Nothing shall guard the atheists against it. Hence, you are advised to believe in God so that you shall avoid that chastisement since the Lord protects the believers against His chastisement.”
God’s saying, (The unbelievers there is none to avert it,) negates the possibility
of averting that chastisement away from the unbelievers. In other words, this chastisement is inevitable for the unbelievers who deserve it. Besides, it is also unavoidable for those spoke ‘We believe’ externally only. Yes, repentance and seeking the Lord’s forgiveness avert that chastisement.
It is not unlikely that (the unbelievers) mentioned in the Verse stands for the linguistic meaning, and then those who disbelieve a part
of God’s marvels or graces are included even if they were Muslims.
The linguistic meaning
of an item is the origin, while the terminological should be accepted when it is evidenced. Hence, the linguistic should be preceded to the terminological whenever the meaning is doubted.
Sunni exegesists are engaged in incoherence through providing their opinions about the sura. They allocate (the chastisement which must befall) to the Hereafter chastisement, and excluded Muslims, meanwhile, they dedicate that chastisement to An-Nadr Bin Al-Harith Al-Abdari who was killed during the battle
of Badr. Thenceforth, it comprehended the earthly chastisement.
There is a manifest course adopted by Sunni exegesists. They always endeavor to refer to the Hereafter chastisement as the only purport
of Verses of chastisement all over the holy Quran especially those pointing at people
of Quraish. Sometimes, they hang that chastisement in the necks on the Jews and Christians so that they may take it away from Muslims, including the hypocrites.
This trend dragged them to state that the Lord did not respond to His Apostle’s supplication against his people. Moreover, they accused him
of being reprimanded by the Lord Who said: (You have no concern in the affair…)
On that account, the Quraishi authorities accentuated the claim
of the Lord’s fixing upon the Quraishis and disallowing censuring them, and reckoned them, falsely, with the prophetic texts, even if such a claim imputed inaccuracy and
offense to the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family). Hence, such claims are found in the reference books
of hadith and Tafsir.
In case they were having to confess that one
of the Quraishi Pharaohs had been inflicted to a mundane chastisement, they made it a peculiar state, like that
of An-Nadr Bin Al-Harith who was chastised during the battle
of Bard.
In his
Tafsir; 30/122, Al-Fakhr Ar-Razi opts for this claim when he asserts, during explaining the first Verse
of sura
of Maarij, that the chastisement which is not averted from the unbelievers shall be in the Hereafter. He adds:
An-Nadr was inflicted to this chastisement during the battle
of Badr. This is the most accurate opinion.
Ar-Razi, as it is seen, pursues Sunni scholars who claimed the termination
of that promised mundane chastisement. Yet, the sura does not indicate any sort
of terminating.
As a matter
of fact, the forecited course is less fanatic than that ensued by the
official hadithists who disallow ascribing that befalling chastisement to any
of the Quraishis including An-Nadr Bin Al-Harith and Abu Jahl. Moreover, it is they who originated accusing the Prophet
of being inaccurate and reprimanded by the Lord for supplicating Him against his people.
Al-Bukhari’s; 5/199:
Anas Bin Malik: When Abu Jahl expressed, “O Allah! If this is being the right sent from Thee, then rain us with a heavenly stone or inflict painful chastisement upon us,” God revealed: (But Allah was not going to chastise them while you were among them, nor is Allah going to chastise them while yet they ask for forgiveness.)
The very narrative is repeated in other places
of Al-Bukhari’s. In addition, Muslim, on page 129
of part 8, records it.
Readers can hardly ever believe the Sunnis’ exegeses
of God’s saying: (You have no concern in the affair.) It is delicate that the Verse denies the Prophet’s enjoying any sort
of godhead and association with the Lord, but they explained it as if it strips every prophetic matter enjoyed by him. According to their exegeses, the Verse withdraws Mohammed’s unprecedented morality, wisdom and interest on guiding his people to the right path.
They describe him as a narrow-minded person who bears malice to the Quraishis and aims for assaulting and wronging them. Hence, God revealed His defending those sacred twenty three tribes, and refuted His Prophet’s wronging and assaulting them!!
This topic can be discussed more detailedly if there is enough space.
While both exegesists and hadithists show loyalty to the Quraishis, perplexity is originated when we read the exegesists’ reckoning the killing
of a Pharaonic Quraishi chief with the chastisement which must befall, and the hadithists’ claiming the killing
of that chief and Abu Jahl’s being out
of that chastisement. One
of those hadithists, that is Al-Bukhari, considers the question
of killing An-Nadr and Abu Jahl as an ordinary death, since the Lord had excluded the Quraishis from His chastisement and reprimanded His Apostle for he had cursed them.
The following incident recorded in Ibn Sa’d’s
At-Tabaqat, can be cited as an evidence on the accuracy
of the exegesists’ opinion:
When Talha and Az-Zubeir arrived in Basra, they sealed the public treasury. They competed on leading the collective prayer so stubbornly that its time was about to lapse. Finally, they agreed that Abdullah Bin Az-Zubeir and Mohammed Bin Talha should lead the prayers consecutively. Mohammed Bin Talha dragged Abdullah Bin Az-Zubeir, and Abdullah Bin Az-Zubeir dragged Mohammed Bin Talha. They used the ballot. It was Mohammed Bin Talha who won it. In the prayer, he recited: (One demanding…
Mohammed Bin Talha; son
of Quraish and Teim, understood that the Verse had been a threat
of mundane chastisement; therefore, he cited it as a menace directed at Abdullah Bin Az-Zubeir. Likewise, the incident indicates that the Prophet’s companions who coincided in time
of the revelation
of the Verse, understood, indisputably, that the mundane chastisement had been included in that chastisement.
FOURTH QUESTION
THE SUNNIS’ JUDGMENT ON THE NARRATIVESThe Sunnis’ judgment on the narrative is not one. Some, such as Abu Ubeid and Athalabi and Al-Hamawini, accept and prefer it to the other opinions. Others record it indirectly. A third group prefer the other opinions. At any rate, none rejects it totally. In the least degree, the narrative is accepted and decided as authentically documented, while other opinions are favored.
Sunni scholars are obliged to regard this narrative. Furthermore, they can adopt it beyond any embarrassment, since the master scholars, such as Abu Ubeid and Sufian Bin Uyeina, who admitted the narrative are too trustful to adopt inauthentic traditions.
Al-Albani, whom is regarded as the leading hadithist in the current age, decides authenticity
of a narrative as soon as he perceives that two or three master scholars; such as Ibn Teimiya and At-Thehbi and Ibnul-Qeyim, had authenticated.
Sunni hadithists refer to various ways
of narrating that report, related to Hutheifa, Abu Hureira et al.
Detailed information about those who reported and authenticated that narrative are cited in the Sunni, and Shiite reference books such as
Abaqatul Anwar,
Al-Ghadir,
Nafahatul Azhar and others.
MODELS OF THE SUNNIS’ EXEGESES
Ashawkani’s Fetihul Qadir; 5/352:… That demander was An-Nadr Bin Al-Harith who said: “O Allah! If this is being the truth sent from Thee, then rain us with a heavenly stone or inflict painful chastisement upon us.” An-Nadr was killed during the battle
of Badr.
Others identified Abu Jahl or Al-Harith Bin An-Numan Al-Fihri. The earlier is the most suitable for the coming discussion.
On page 356
of the same book, Ashawkani mentions the narratives identified Mecca as the place where the Verse was revealed, and An-Nadr, none else, as the man upon whom the chastisement was inflicted. He disregards the narratives that identified Jabir or Al-Harith Al-Fihri. Similarly, he does not refer to narrators
of the other narratives and the reason due to which he prefers.
It would be acceptable to some extent if Ashawkani showed no single signal to the other narratives.
Shamsuddin Ashirbini Al-Qahiri, whose death was in 977, was fairer. In
Tafsir, he mentions the two reasons together.
Abaqatul Anwar; 7/398:
Shamsuddin Ashirbinin records: Various opinions were cited for identifying that demander who demanded a chastisement which must befall. Ibn Abbas mentions An-Nadr Bin Al-Harith. Others mention Al-Harith Bin An-Numan.
When he received the Prophet’s saying: “He whosever master was I, Ali shall be his master,” the man rode his pack animal and came to the Prophet. “O Mohammed!” said he, “You have conveyed us the Lord’s mandates
of declaring there is no…
Abu Ubeid ascertains that the previous incident was the very reason beyond revelation
of the Verse. This was the conclusion attained by him, exclusively as it seems.
Nafahatul Azhar; 7/291:
Abu Ubeid records: After the Prophet’s conveying the Lord’s mandate in
Ghadir Khum had been prevailing among people, Jabir Bin An-Nadr Bin Al-Harith Bin Kilda Al-Abdari came to the Prophet and said: “O Mohammed! You have conveyed us the Lord’s mandates
of declaring there is no god but Allah and Mohammed is being the Apostle
of Allah, and performing the prayers, the fasting, the pilgrimage, and defraying the poor rate. All these, we have admitted, were not enough for you till you raised your cousin from the arm and preceded him to us and said: ‘He whosever master was I, Ali should by his master.’ Is this matter originated from your person or is it God’s mandate?”
“By Allah there is no god but Whom I take the oath, this is surely God’s mandate,” asserted the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family).
Jabir turned his face towards his pack animal while saying: “O Allah! If Mohammed’s words have been true, then rain us with a heavenly stone, or inflict a painful chastisement upon us.” Before Jabir could reach his pack animal, the Lord rained him with a stone that fell on the head and went out from the anus. He was killed. Consequently, God revealed: (One demanding…
Al-Qurtubi’sTafsir; 18/278:
…That demander was An-Nadr Bin Al-Harith who said: “O Allah! If this has been the truth sent from Thee, then rain us with a heavenly stone or inflict a painful chastisement upon us.” This man, together with Aqaba Bin Abi Muit, was killed during the battle
of Badr. This is the sayings
of Ibn Abbas and Mujahid.
Others said that the demander was Al-Harith Bin An-Numan Al-Fihri. Abu Ubeida relates that when this man received the Prophet’s saying, “He whosever master was I, Ali shall be his master,” he came to the Prophet… etc.
Ar-Rabi identifies Abu Jahl as that demander.
Others assert that it was the saying
of a group
of the Quraishi atheists.
Others identify Noah; the prophet, as the demander when he cursed his people.
Others identify the Prophet (peace be upon him), when he cursed his people and supplicated the Lord to inflict chastisement upon them. They shall never avert it.
…God’s saying, (Then endure with a goodly patience,) means that the Prophet should be tolerant since this chastisement shall be imminent.
Although they prefer the opinion citing An-Nadr Bin Al-Harith and his being killed during the battle
of Badr as the exegesis
of the Verse, Sunni exegesists record the incident
of the heavenly chastisement inflicted on that who protested against the Prophet’s nominating Ali for the coming leadership in
Ghadir Khum, as another exegesis.
Sunnis’ listing this opinion in their reference books
of Tafsir, proves the most remarkable point which is the actual existence
of an
official prophetic declaration regarding Ali’s leadership, and the existence
of protesters against that declaration. In due course, it is unimportant whether Sunnis prefer the other opinions or not.
A Muslim wants nothing more than Sunni exegesists’ confession
of that declaration, no matter whether that chastisement was befallen or not, or sura
of Maarij was revealed due to that incident or not. Hence, Shias are advised to show gratitude to those exegesists for their confession.
On the other hand, the first opinion those exegesists preferred should be submitted to a questionnaire.
The most remarkable crux is that their exegesis is not related to the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family), while the Shias’ is. They relied upon sayings
of Ibn Abbas and Mujahid. Moreover, Ikrima, to whom they relate their exegesis, is decided as distrustful by both Sunni and Shiite scholars.
It is rather unanimous that the demand provided in the Verse is actual not metaphoric. An-Nadr Bin Al-Harith, as Sunnis cite, did demand with that befalling chastisement challengingly. He said: “O Allah! If this is the truth sent from Thee, then rain us with a heavenly stone, or inflict a painful chastisement upon us.” Hence, the man was chastised when he was killed in the battle
of Badr.
At any rate, this citation is refuted by the fact that the Verse concerned the descending
of that heavenly stone was revealed together with the
Verses discuss rulings
of spoils. They were revealed after the battle
of Badr and An-Nadr’s being chastised. On that account, it is irrational to point out that the Lord’s replication to An-Nadr’s demand was revealed in a Verse in Mecca, while the very demand was revealed in a Verse revealed afterwards in Al-Madina. Besides, it was revealed after the demise
of that An-Nadr.
The demander’s saying: “O Allah! If this is being the right sent from Thee, then rain us with a heavenly stone or inflict painful chastisement upon us,” is more applicable to Shias’ exegesis. For Sunnis, it means that God should rain the demander with a heavenly stone if the religion was being sent from Him. For Shias, it means that God should rain the demander with a heavenly stone if nominating Ali for the coming leadership was the Lord’s mandate. The latter, seemingly, is more relevant since such a saying is said only when the sayer despairs
of having the ability to coincide with a new political status that challenges his tribal situation rooted in his core.
Finally, there is no reasonable contradiction between the exegesis cited by Sunni and that cited by Shias, even if the earlier is acceptable. It is quite practicable that the chastisement which must befall was inflicted upon An-Nadr Bin Al-Harith during the battle
of Badr, and upon Jabir Bin An-Nadr; the son, and will be inflicted upon many
of those who deserve it.
It is important to refer to the remarkable rule
of generalization advisably applied during citing exegesis for the Quranic and other texts.
The Lord answers that who demanded with the chastisement that must befall challengingly. He; the Exalted, asserts the befalling
of that chastisement upon the demander and the entire atheists, as well as the believers according to definite extents. Hence, the chastisement is incessant.
It is not unacceptable that the defeats encountered by the disbelievers in battles
of Badr and Al-Khandaq was a part
of that befalling chastisement which also included the punishment
of exsiccation and starvation they had suffered. It also included the punishment
of submission and meekness imposed upon them after conquest
of Mecca. In like manner, the chastisement inflicted upon those who objected the Prophet’s declaring the next leadership and imamate
of Ali and his progeny was included.
Correspondingly, it is unnecessary for Sunni exegesists to restrain the scope
of that chastisement to the case
of An-Nadr, or a personal question, or a definite age, since the chastisement is being lasting as long as this earth is abiding.
Tens
of examples on Sunni exegesists’ groundless limitation and dedication
of the Lord’s inclusive wording, especially in
Verses regarding the divine mercy and chastisement, can be obviously cited.
FIFTH QUESTION
THE NASSIBITES’ JUDGMENT ON THE NARRATIVEBefore Ibn Teimiya, none
of Nassibites refuted and decided inauthenticity
of the narrative involved.
Mohammed Rashid Rida, in his
Tafsirul Menar, follows Ibn Teimiya who attacked the narrative coarsely and blundered blindly through it.
Misusing the name
of his master; Sheik Mohammed Abduh, Rashid Rida was engaged in confusing his ideas with his master’s. He was highly influenced by ideas
of Ibn Teimiya and Ibnul-Qeyim. Moreover, he pursued them when he recorded their ideas in his book.
There is an explicit difference between the first two parts
of that
Tafsirul Menar and the rest. This is by reason that the two first parts were written down in the lifetime
of Sheik Mohammed Abduh. Therefore, they are filled in with the influence
of the master who was highly broad-minded and acceding to the Prophet’s progeny general mastership. The other parts which were produced after the decease
of Sheik Mohammed Abduh, or reprinted, are filled in with very much ill ideas that antagonize the Prophet’s progeny (peace be upon them).
On page 464
of part 6
ofTafsirul Menar, the compiler records the narrative regarding Al-Harith Bin An-Numan Al-Firhri’s objecting against the Prophet’s nominating Ali for the next leadership. He relates the narrative to Athalabi and comments:
This narrative is untrue. Sura
of Maarij was revealed in Mecca. In sura
of Anfal, which was revealed just after the battle
of Badr and many years before the revelation
of sura
of Maida, the Lord reminded the unbelievers
of their previous challenge befalling the chastisement. It is understood, from the narrative, that Al-Harith Bin An-Numan dissented Islam. His name was not with the Prophet’s companions. Al-Abtuh; the place were events
of the story occurred, is in Mecca. The Prophet did not return to Mecca after that day in
Ghadir. He resided in
Ghadir during his journey back from the Farewell Pilgrimage. He went straightly to Al-Madina.
It seems that Rashid Rida could find his intent through Ibn Teimiya’s criticizing the context
of the narrative since the documentation was too authentic to be refuted. However, he did not ascribe that criticism to Ibn Teimiya.
The main point, upon which Ibn Teimiya and Rashid Rida depended in criticizing the narrative, is that Al-Abtuh; the place where events
of the narrative occurred, was in while time
of the events was after the Farewell Pilgrimage. The Prophet did not see Mecca ever again after the Farewell Pilgrimage.
Unintentionally or intentionally, the criticizers neglected that famous place in Al-Madina which is also called Al-Abtuh.
The other point they provided was that the Verse that rendered the unbelievers’ challenging statement was revealed in Al-Madina while sura
of Maarij was in Mecca.
They also ignored that the general sense
of the first thirty six
Verses and the narrative involved suppose and indicate that it was revealed in Al-Madina.
Even if it was revealed in Mecca, there is no flaw if we admit that it was revealed more than once for explication or application. The incident might have been as an application for the sura. As an example we cite that exegesists assert the repetitive revelation
of sura
of Kawthar for appeasing the Prophet’s heart.
In due course, it is quite acceptable that the Verse was applied on that family. An-Nadr Bin Al-Harith was killed by the Prophet during the battle
of Badr, and Jabir; his son, was killed by that heavenly stone in Al-Abtuh that lies in Al-Madina. It is also quite admissible that Gabriel; the angel, affirmed the application
of the Verse on that occurrence.
Furthermore, it is reasonless to refute the whole narrative even if it is proved that the Verse was not revealed in that occasion. Hence, the revelation
of the Verse alone should be refuted since the rest
of the narrative was proved as authentic.
As he discusses the points
of Rashid Rida, the compiler
ofTafsirul Mizan; 6/54, records:
Rashid Rida’s points are colored with his baseless obduracy. He relies upon some narratives, related to Ibn Abbas and Ibnuz-Zubeir, affirming that sura
of Maarij was revealed in Mecca. Like the narrative involved, such narratives are one-way.
Secondly, there is no evidence asserts that the entire
Verses of Maarij were revealed in Mecca. It is thoroughly possible that the entire
Verses were revealed in Mecca except for the first two.
Thirdly, while he, as well as many exegesists, attest that Verse
of Isma was revealed in the earliest stage
of the Prophet’s divine mission, it is positioned in the middle
of the last sura. In other words, they claim the Verse’s being revealed in Mecca, while it is positioned in sura
of Maida, which was revealed in Al-Madina.
Fourthly, it is true that sura
of Anfal preceded that
of Maida many years. But this does not violate that there are some following
Verses positioned in preceding suras. Sunnis claim that
Verses of usury and others were the final; meanwhile they are positioned in sura
of Baqara; the first sura revealed after the Prophet’s immigration to Al-Madina.
Fifthly, there is another baseless obduracy in Rashid Rida’s considering God’s saying: (And when they said: O Allah! If this has been the truth sent from Thee, then rain upon us a stone from the heavens or inflicted upon us a painful chastisement,) as the Lord’s reminding the unbelievers
of their previous challenge the befalling
of chastisement.
Setting
of the text indicates the opposite. Moreover, it is quite palpable for every one who has a certain acquaintance
of rhetoric that the previous words must have been said by an individual who did believe in Allah and accept that the right matters and mandates are proposed by Him. But he stopped and suspected a matter ascribed to the Lord. Hence, he supplicated the Lord to curse him if it would be the truth.
Sixthly, another baseless obduracy is checked in his claiming Al-Harith Bin An-Numan’s being apostate and non-Sahabi. It is impossible to count names
of all those who saw and believed in the Prophet, and those who apostatized.
Seventhly, the man claimed that Al-Abtuh was a place in Mecca that the Prophet left before the incident
of Ghadir Khum. As a matter
of fact, Abtuh is a name called at every mound. Besides, there is no evidence proving that the narrative referred to that Abtuh
of Mecca in specific. Besides, except Athalabi’s, other narratives do not refer to Al-Abtuh in their reports.
At length, it is a one-way report. Its authenticity is not proved by decisive affidavit. As a rule, the one-way narratives are not counted except in secondary rulings. We only aimed for showing inaccuracy
of the topics depended upon by Rashid Rida.
The Previous answers introduced by the compiler
ofAl-Mizan are indisputable evidences that refuted Rashid Rida’s discussion. Anyhow, the compiler should have reviewed the reference books and narrators
of the narrative, and the theses
of Al-Amini, in the first volume
ofAl-Ghadir, and An-Naqawi Al-Hindi, in
Abaqatul Anwar; 7-8, before he decided it as a one-way report.
The following is a precise proposition
of Al-Amini’s thesis introduced in his
Al-Ghadir; 1/239:Shias assured that God’s saying, (One demanding…,) was revealed just after the Prophet’s declaration in
Ghadir. Besides, a great number
of the most remarkable Sunni reference books
of Tafsir and hadith assert this fact…
Al-Amini then refers to thirty master hadithists who recorded the narratives involved. Two
of them preceded Athalabi. After that, he refutes detailedly the points mentioned by Ibn Teimiya in his
Minhajus Sunna; 4/13. The following is a brief proposition
of these points:
First point
: Ibn Teimiya discusses that Al-Abtuh, in which the incident occurred, was a place in Mecca, while his declaration
of nominating Ali for the coming leadership was in
Ghadir Khum during his journey back to Al-Madina.
The answeris that Al-Halabi, in
As-Sira, and Ibnul-Jawzi, in
At-Tethkira, and Mohammed Sadrulalem, in
Maarijul-Ali, affirm that the incident happened in mosque
of Al-Madina. Moreover, Al-Halabi refers to Al-Madina directly. Nevertheless, Ibn Teimiya neglects all these reports and goes on refuting the narrative from the base. Had he reviewed the reference books
of hadith, lexicon, geography and literature, he would have realized that Al-Abtuh is a name
of any mound.
Al-Bukhari, in
Sahih; 1/181, and Muslim, in; 1/382, relate to Abdullah Bin Omar that the Prophet settled in Al-Abtuh
of Thilhalifa, which is a place in Al-Madina.
Second point
: Scholars agree that sura
of Maarij was revealed in Mecca ten years before that incident in
Ghadir Khum.
The answeris that those scholars agree that the sura, generally, was revealed in Mecca. They do not affirm that the entire
Verses were revealed there; therefore, it is possible that some
Verses were revealed in Al-Madina. This is habitual in most
of the suras.
It is also understandable that the order
of Verses in a sura does not necessarily expose the same order in revelation, and that classifying the suras as Mekkiya -revealed in Mecca- and Madaniya -revealed in Al-Madina- does not mean that the entire
Verses were revealed there. There are many examples in the holy Quran witnessing this fact…
Third point
: Scholars agree unanimously that God’s saying, (They said: O Allah! If this has been the truth sent from Thee, then rain upon us a stone from the heavens or inflicted upon us a painful chastisement,) was revealed just after the battle
of Badr. That was many years before the incident
of Ghadir.
The answer is that it is inaccurate that Al-Harith’s words were revealed as a Quranic text on that day. Any deep look at the reports that narrated the incident exposes the inexactitude
of Ibn Teimiya’s point. It is also graspable that the Quranic texts are not interdicted to be spoken by any. Apart from time
of the revelation
of that Verse, that atheist did speak these words on the occasion
of Ghadir.
Ibn Teimiya, however, aims at adding to the points he cited against those authentic narratives.
Fourth point
: The Verse was revealed because
of the polytheists’ sayings in Mecca. They were not chastised owing to the presence
of the Prophet among them. This is aided by God’s saying, (But Allah was not going to chastise them while you were among them, nor is Allah going to chastise them while yet they ask for forgiveness.)
The answer is that there is no interrelation between ceasing the chastisement directed at the polytheists in Mecca, and ceasing it on that man. The Lord’s deeds vary according to the wisdom required by situations.
It is familiar that there were many individuals inflicted by heavenly chastisement while the Prophet was present…
If the Prophet’s presence was a barrier against the entire sorts
of the heavenly chastisement, such a menace and threat should be senseless, and, similarly, the Prophet’s curse would not hit such individuals whom were inflicted by the heavenly chastisement…
Fifth point
: Had such an incident been true, it would have been exposed in a Verse similar to those exposed the incident
of the Abyssinian attack against the Kaba. Besides, we noticed that the most remarkable exegesists and hadithists neglected such reports that they are related only to such a rejected documentation. Thus, inaccuracy and fabrication
of the narrative is proved.
The answer is that such an individual incident that does not create that demanding quake in the society, cannot be measured to the extraordinary incident
of the Abyssinian attack. In addition, the incident suffered various sorts
of screening and covering since it carried fatal facts about that incident in
Ghadir Khum. By the way, the very incident
of Ghadir Khum suffered such sorts
of concealment and negligence.
Another inaccuracy is derived by Ibn Teimiya as he claims the hadithists’ neglecting the narrative. We have already identified the most remarkable hadithists, scholars, exegesists and historians who affirmed the incident.
Thirdly, Ibn Taimiya does not expose that rejected documentation. The entire reports that narrated the incident are related to Hutheifa Bin Al-Yeman; the celebrated companion
of the Prophet, and Sufian Bin Uyeina; one
of the master scholars, hadithists and exegesists, and the trustful reporter.
Documentation
of the reports are detailedly scrutinized by a great number
of master hadithists, exegesists and scholars. They would not accept it unless they found it reliable and delicate. Hence, they refer to it during citing exegesis
of Quranic texts.
This is the truth. But Ibn Teimiya rejects the documentation and criticizes the text because it did not befit the notoriety
of his ill plot.
Sixth point
; From the text, it is attained that Al-Harith was a Muslim, since he admitted five
of the Islamic bases. It is necessarily knowable that any sort
of the heavenly chastisement was not inflicted upon any Muslim during the prophetic reign.
The answeris that in the same way
of proving islamization
of Al-Harith, it is proved that he objected against the Prophet and suspected the matter conveyed from the Lord. Hence, he was not chastised while he was Muslim. Likewise, there is a number
of Muslims chastised when they violated the sacredness
of the Lord’s Apostle, or when they were cursed by him (peace be upon him and his family). One
of those is that man who refused carrying the Prophet’s instructions
of having food with the right hand, excusing that he lost the ability
of using that hand. The Prophet cursed him; therefore, the man could not raise his hand forever. This narrative is mentioned in Muslim’s
Sahih.
Seventh point
: Al-Harith Bin An-Numan is not known among Sahaba. Ibn Abdil-Berr; in
Alistiab, Ibn Menda, Abu Nuweim Alisbahani and Abu Musa do not refer to him in their books that included names
of Sahaba. Hence, the man is unknown and, could be, nonexistent.
The answer is that books allocated for counting Sahaba could not cover the all. Each compiler added to the the previous. The most preferable book in this regard in Ibn Hajar Al-Asqalani’s
Al-Isabetu Fi Tamyizis Sahaba. However, this compiler introduces his book by the following statement: “Despite our exhausting efforts, we could not count the names
of tenth
of the companions since there were more than one hundred thousand individuals who heard or saw the Prophet.” As a result, this is the reality
of such books. It is then unjust and inappropriate to deny the existence
of a person just because his name was not mentioned in such books. Moreover, it is quite probable that compilers
of such books do not add the name
of that man to the list
of Sahaba because
of his apostasy.
We are to add the following points to Al-Amini’s answers:
First
: Such narratives that reported such an incident can never be baseless. It is irrational to believe that the
official narrators
of the Quraishi caliphate were the originators
of such an incident that proved the divine base and mandate
of Ali’s leadership that preceded Abu Bakr’s. The incident also proved that the objectors against that divine leadership were punished in the same way suffered by the Abissynian assailants and the atheists.In due course, it is critical to affirm that such narratives found themselves places in the Sunni reference books through the Shiite. The entire structure
of the Sunni reference books
of hadith, and the Quraishi caliphate would be collapsed totally if such a concept was proved or asserted. Narratives respecting principals
of the Quraishi caliphate, and those respecting such pro-Shiite matters are related to the same narrators. Therefore, Sunni scholars have to admit and authenticate such narratives even if they injure principals
of their structures.
Second
: Prevalently, matters unanimously admitted by Sunnis and Shias are more acceptable than the others. Naturally, hearts trust the prophetic texts that are registered by the entire Islamic sects, while they suspect those admitted by a sect and rejected by the other. Moreover, the narrative the text
of which is injurious to the narrator who tries his best for evading, is more acceptable than those according.In abstract, the narratives involved are classified under this category. They do injure followers
of the Quraishi caliphate, and perplex Nassibites; adorers
of Quraish.
The adherents to the Prophet’s progeny use such narrators as evidences on their being the right.
Third
: When the other conditions
of authenticity
of the narrative are exquisite, the variance on the first name
of the man, upon whom that heavenly stone was inflicted, becomes in
offensive. Besides, his people and relative “must have spared no efforts for hiding his name that imputed dishonor to them,” As Al-Amini expresses.Finally, scholars should prefer that the name was Jabir Bin An-Nadr Bin Al-Harith Bin Kilda Al-Abdari, not Al-Harith Bin An-Numan Al-Fihri, since Abu Ubeid, whom is highly esteemed by the entire Sunni scholars for his experience in this field and precedence
of his age, registers this name in his
Tafsir.
Jabir Bin An-Nadr is a famed Quraishi personality. His father was chief
of sons
of Abdud-Dar; the bearer
of the Quraishis’ pennon during the battle
of Badr against Muslims. Thusly, neither Ibn Teimiya nor can Nassibites refute this narrative.
The rest names, such as Al-Harith Al-Fihri, or their relatives to the least extent, are included in the books mentioned Sahaba.
SIXTH QUESTION
WAYS OF NARRATION AND DOCUMENTATION OF THE NARRATIVEFirst: Ways of narration and documentation depended by the Sunni reference books of hadithFirst way
:
Abu Ubeid’s narrative recorded in hisGharibul Qur’an.According to criteria
of Sunni hadithists, this narrative is decided as admissible documentation.
Second way: Athalabi’s relation to Sufian Bin Uyeina.
This way have a number
of documentations. Most
of those remarked by Al-Amini relate the narrative to Athalabi.
In his
Ihqaqul Haq; 6/358, Sayyid Al-Marashi mentions a number
of those who relate the narrative to Athalabi. He records:
Athalabi, in
Tafsir: Sufian Bin Uyeina was asked about the exegesis
of God’s saying: (One demanding…) He answered:
You are the first man who asks about this question. My father relates that Jafar Bin Mohammed recounts the following to his fathers (God be pleased to them):
When the Prophet (peace be upon him) was in
Ghadir Khum, he summoned people. As they gathered before him, he took Ali from the arm and raised him saying, ‘He whosever master was I, Ali shall be his master.’
After this had been prevailing among people, Al-Harith (or Al-Harth) Bin An-Numan Al-Fihri heard it. He came towards the Prophet. When he reached there, he stopped his pack animal and rode
off. He approached the Prophet and said: “O Mohammed! You have conveyed to us the Lord’s mandates
of declaring there is no god but Allah and Mohammed is being the Apostle
of Allah, and we admitted. Then you ordered us
of performing the five prayers, and we admitted. And ordered us
of defraying the poor rate, and we admitted. And ordered us
of fasting, and we admitted. And ordered us
of performing the pilgrimage, and we admitted. All these, we have admitted, were not enough for you till you raised your cousin from the arm and preceded him to us and said: ‘He whosever master was I, Ali should by his master.’ Is this matter originated from your person or is it God’s mandate?”
“By Allah there is no god but Whom I take the oath, this is surely God’s mandate,” asserted the Prophet (peace be upon him).
Al-Harith Bin An-Numan turned his face towards his pack animal saying: “O Allah! If Mohammed’s words have been true, then rain us with a heavenly stone, or inflict a painful chastisement upon us.”
Before he could reach the animal, the Lord rained him with a stone that fell on the head and went out from the anus. He was killed. Consequently, God revealed: (One demanding…
The same narrative is recorded by Al-Hamawini in
Feraidus Simtein.
Az-Zernadi records iu in his
Nudhumu Duraris Simtein; 93.
Ibnus-Sebbagh Al-Maliki records it in his
Al-Fussoulul Muhimma; 24.
Abdurrahman As-Saffuri records it in
Nuzhatul Mejalis; 2/209. He also quotes the same narrative from Al-Qurtubi’s
Tafsir.
In
Al-Arbauna Hadithen, Sayyid Jamaluddin Ataullah Ashirazi records the same narrative with the addition…
Abdullah Ashafii, in
Al-Menaqib; 205, relates the same narrative.
Al-Qanduzi, in
Yenabiul Mawadda; 247, relates the same narrative.
Al-Amrutseri, in
Arjahul Metalib; 568, relates it to Shihabuddin Ad-Dawletabadi…
Abdurrauf Al-Mennawi records the same narrative in
Feidul Qadir.
Mohammed Al-Qadiri records it in
As-Siratus Sawi.
Al-Halabi records it in
Insanul Uyun.
Ahmed Bin Al-Fadl Bin Mohammed Bakthir records it in
Wasiletul Amal.
Mohammed Bin Ismail Al-Amir records it in
Arrawdatul Nadiya.
Mohammed Bin Yousuf Al-Kenji records it in
Kifayetut Talib.
Al-Hasakani’s two ways of relation to Sufian Bin Uyeina:
Shawahidut Tanzil; 2/381:1030. … Sufian Bin Uyeina: Jafar Bin Mohammed: His father: Ali:
When the Prophet (peace be upon him), in
Ghadir Khum, nominated Ali for the coming leadership and said, ‘He whosever master was I, Ali shall be his master,’ An-Numan Bin Al-Harth Al-Fihri came to the Prophet and said: “You have conveyed to us the Lord’s mandates
of declaring there is no god but Allah and Mohammed is being the Apostle
of Allah, and you ordered us
of jihad and pilgrimaging and praying and defraying the poor rate and fasting, and we admitted. All these, we have admitted, were not enough for you till you nominated this boy and said: ‘He whosever master was I, Ali should by his master.’ Is this matter originated from your person or is it God’s mandate?”
“This is surely God’s mandate,” asserted the Prophet.
“I adjure you by the Lord there is no god but Whom, is it Allah’s mandate?” asked the man.
“By the Lord there is no god but Whom I do take the oath, this is Allah’s mandate,” affirmed the Prophet.
An-Numan turned his face and said: “O Allah! If this has been the truth sent from Thee, then rain us with a heavenly stone, or inflict a painful chastisement upon us.”
The Lord threw at him a stone that fell on the head, and he was killed. Consequently, God revealed: One demanding…
1031. Abu Bakr As-Subei… (The same previous narrative.)
Third way: Al-Hasakani’s relation to Jabir Al-Jufi.
Shawahidut Tanzil; 2/382:1032.Ibrahim… Jabir Al-Jufi… Al-Harith Bin Amr Al-Fihri came to the Prophet… As soon as he arrived that mound, a heavenly gravel
cracked his head. Immediately, God revealed: (One demanding demanded the chastisement that must befall -to those who objected against the leadership
of Ali-.)
Similar narratives are related to Hutheifa, Sa’d Bin Abi Waqas, Abu Hureira and Ibn Abbas.
Fourth way: Al-Hasakani’s relation to Hutheifa Bin Al-Yeman.
Shawahidut Tanzil; 2/383:1033.Abul-Hassan… Hutheifa Bin Al-Yeman: When the Prophet said, ‘He whosever master was I, Ali shall be his master,’ An-Numan Bin Al-Munthir Al-Fihri stood erect and said…
Fifth way: Al-Hasakani’s relation to Abu Hureira.
Shawahidut Tanzil; 2/385:1034.Othman… Abu Hureira: On that day in
Ghadir Khum, the Prophet (peace be upon him) took Ali Bin Abi Talib from the arm and said, ‘He whosever master was I, Ali shall be his master.’ A Bedouin stood erect and said… A flame from the heavens burnt that man. Hence, God revealed: (One demanding…
Al-Hasakani refers to two more ways
of narration, related to Sa’d Bin Abi Waqas and Ibn Abbas. He does not refer to their documentation. Probably, they are the same ways registered in Furat Al-Kufi’s
Tafsir.
Second: Ways of narration and documentation depended by the Shiite reference books of hadith and
related to Sufian Bin Uyeina.
Ways of narration and documentation depended by Furat Al-Kufi and related to Sufian Bin Uyeina.
Furat Al-Kufi’s Tafsir; 505:… I asked Sufian Bin Uyeina about the event for which God’s saying, (One demanding…,) was revealed. Sufian replied: O my brother’s son! You are the first one who asks this question. I have asked Jafar Bin Mohammed (peace be upon them) the same question. He answered: … Ibn Abbas recounted: On that day in
Ghadir Khum, the Prophet sermonized. He summoned Ali Bin Abi Talib (peace be upon him). He took him from the arm and raised as elevated as possible. He then declared, ‘Have I conveyed the message to you? Have I advised you?’ ‘Yes, you have indeed,’ affirmed people.
After that, he said, ‘He whosever master was I, Ali shall be his master. O Allah! Accede to whomever accedes to him, and oppose whomever opposes him, and give victory to whomever supports him, and disappoint whomever disappoints him.’
As this matter was prevalent among people, Al-Harith Bin An-Numan Al-Fihri rode on his pack animal and approached the Prophet who was in Mecca. The Prophet answered the greetings. Al-Harith spoke, ‘O Mohammed! You have solicited us to say that there is no god but Allah, and we did. Then you solicited us to say that you are being the Apostle
of Allah, and we did in spite
of what we had in our hiddens. Then you asked us to perform the prayers, and we did. They you asked us to fast, and we deprived ourselves
of water during daylight and drove our bodies to fatigue. Then you asked us to pilgrimage, and we did. Then you instructed that we should pay five dirhams from each two hundred ones annually, and we did. Now, you have introduced your cousin and nominated him as the coming leader and said: He whosever master was I, Ali shall be his master. O Allah! Accede to whomever accedes to him, and oppose whomever opposes him, and give victory to whomever supports him, and disappoint whomever disappoints him.
Is this yours or is it God’s mandate?’ ‘It is surely God’s mandate,’ answered the Prophet. The same question was repeated twice, and the same answer was. The man was very irate as he stood up and said, ‘O Allah! If Mohammed’s words have been the truth, then rain us with a heavenly stone that shall be a castigation for the precedents and a marvel for the coming generations. And if his words have been untrue, then inflict Thy castigation upon him.’
As soon as he went away, the Lord threw him with a heavenly stone that hit the head and went out
of the anus. The man died. Hence, God revealed: (One demanding…
Ways of narration and documentation depended by Mohammed Bin Al-Abbas and related to Sufian Bin Uyeina.
Tawilul Ayat; 2/722:Mohammed Bin Al-Abbas…
Ways of narration and documentation depended by Asharif Al-Murteda and related to Sufian Bin Uyeina.
Madinetul Maajiz; 1/407:Sayyid Al-Murteda’s
Uyunul Mujizat: Abu Abdillah…
Ways of narration and documentation depended by Muntajabuddin Ar-Razi and related to Sufian Bin Uyeina.
Al-Arbauna Hadithen; 82:Abul-Ala…
Ways of narration and documentation depended by At-Tebirsi and related to Sufian Bin Uyeina.
Tafsirul Mizan; 6/58:Majmaul Bayan: Abul Hamd…
Third: The other ways of narration and documentation depended by the Shiite reference books of hadith.
Ways of narration and documentation depended by Mohammed Bin Yaqub Al-Kuleini.
Al-Kafi; 1/422:Abu Abdillah recited: (One demanding, demanded the chastisement which must befall. The unbelievers -in Ali’s leadership- there is none to avert it.)
He added: “By God, Gabriel revealed it to Mohammed (peace be upon him and his family) in this form.”
Imam As-Sadiq means that Gabriel revealed the interpretation
of the Verse, too. This is similar to Ibn Masud’s saying, “In the reign
of the Prophet, we used to recited: (O Apostle! Deliver what has been revealed to you -concerning Ali- from your Lord…)
It is also recorded that Ibn Abbas used to recite: (And Allah sufficed the believers in fighting -by Ali-.)
These additions are only the revealed interpretation or exegeses
of the
Verses. It is quite knowable that adding any single letter to the Quranic texts is illicit.
Al-Kafi; 1/422:…When Amirul Muminin approached, the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) addressed at him: “There is a common point between Jesus and you. I anticipate that peoples
of my nation will adopt the same statements the Christians ascribed to Jesus, lest I am to describe you so elevatedly that bless shall be sought from the soil on which your feet walk.”
This saying enraged two Bedouins, Al-Mughira Bin Shuba and a number
of Quraishis. They said: “He chose none other than Jesus to liken to his cousin.”
In due course, God revealed: (And when a description
of the son
of Mariam is given, lo! Your people raise a clamor thereat. And they say: Are our gods better, or is he? They do not set it forth to you save by way
of disputation; nay, they are a contentious people. He was naught but a servant on whom We bestowed favor, and We made him an example for the children
of Israel. And if We please, We could make among you -sons
of Hashim- angels to be successors in the land.)
Al-Harith Bin Amr Al-Fihri was so incensed when he said: “O Allah! If the Hashemites’ holding this position successively like Caesars, has been the truth sent from Thee, then rain us with a heavenly stone or inflict a painful chastisement upon us…
“O Mohammed!” said Al-Harith, “You should give the Quraishis some
of what you are having. The Hashemites seized the entire favors
of the Arabs and the non-Arabs…
Ways of narration and documentation depended by Furat Bin Ibrahim Al-Kufi.
Furat Al-Kufi’s Tafsir; 503:1. Al-Hussein… Abu Hureira: On that day in
Ghadir Khum, the Prophet… A Bedouin stood erect and said… A flame from the heavens burnt that man. Hence, God revealed: (One demanding…
2. Jafar… Ibn Abbas: Amr Bin Al-Harith Al-Fihri came to the Prophet and addressed at him, “You have instructed us
of performing the prayers and defraying the poor rate, were these precepts originated by your Lord or you?” “The precepts are my Lord’s mandate, my mission is only conveyance,” said the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family). Then, Amr added, “You have instructed us to cherish Ali Bin Abi Talib. You maintained that his standing to you is as same as Aaron’s to Moses, and that his adherents -Shias- shall be riding branded white she-camels in the yard on the Resurrection Day, and that he shall approach Kawthar -the Divine Pool- to drink and serve his people. Is this a heavenly foretelling or is it your own contrivance?”
‘It is surely the Lord’s telling, that I conveyed. Allah created him and me as illumination below the Divine Throne,” affirmed the Prophet.
“Now, it is certain for me that you are a liar!” said Amr, “You are the
offspring
of Adam, are you not?”
“Yes, we are,” explained the Prophet, “Twelve thousand years before the creation
of Adam, the Lord created me as an illumination below the Divine Throne. When the Lord created Adam, He threw that illumination in his flank. It moved in men’s flanks till it divided into two parts in the flanks
of Abdullah Bin Abdil-Muttelib and Abu Talib. Hence, my Lord created us from that illumination. But there shall be no prophet after me.”
Twelve men followed Amr who stood up enraged and said, “O Allah! If Mohammed has been saying the truth, then cast fire fragments on Amr and his company.”
Immediately, Amr and his company were thrown with fire fragments, and God revealed: (One demanding…
4. Abu Ahmed… Sa’d Bin Abi Waqas: One Friday, the Prophet turned his shining face to us and said after he praised and thanked the Lord:
“On the Resurrection day, I shall be coming out and Ali shall be raising the banner
of Hamd before me. The flag shall be
of two parts; one sarcenet, and one brocaded.”
A Najdi Bedouin from sons
of Jafar Bin Kelab Bin Rabia stood up and addressed at the Prophet, “I have been sent for asking you a question. What do you say about Ali Bin Abi Talib. People have been engaged in discrepancies respecting him.”
The Prophet smiled and said, “O Bedouin! Why should people be engaged in discrepancy for Ali? Ali’s standing to me is as same as my head to my body, and the button to the shirt.”
The Bedouin was so irate when he said, “O Mohammed! I am stronger than Ali. How can he raise the banner
of Hamd?”
The Prophet answered, “Slow down, Bedouin! On the Resurrection Day, Ali shall be given many characteristics. He shall be given Joseph’s beauty, and John’s temperance, and Job’s sufferance, and Adam’s altitude, and Gabriel’s power. The entire creatures shall be under that banner
of Hamd he shall raise. The imams and the reciters
of Quran and the declaratory call to prayers, whom are not decayed in their graves, shall be encircling him.”
Owing to his rage, the Bedouin said, “O Allah! If Mohammed’s words were the truth, then inflict a stone upon me.”
God revealed: (One demanding…
Ways of narration and documentation depended by Mohammed Bin Al-Abbas.
Tawilul Ayat; 2/722:… Abu Basir: Abu Abdillah (peace be upon him) recited: One demanding, demanded the chastisement which must befall. The unbelievers -in Ali’s leadership- there is none to avert it.
Then he commented, “In Fatima’s Mus’haf, it is written in this very way.”
…Abu Basir: Abu Abdillah…
Then he commented, “Gabriel conveyed these very words to the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family).”
We have already alluded that the statement ‘in Ali’s leadership’ is only an exegesis or an interpretation. Such statements were added to the Quranic
Verses as explanations. For instance, It is recorded that Ibn Abbas used to recite and record: And Allah sufficed the believers in fighting -by Ali-.
Ways of narration and documentation recorded inJamiul Akhbar.
Biharul Anwar; 33/165:42. … Zurara: I heard Imam As-Sadiq recount: When the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) left Mecca after performing the Farewell Pilgrimage, -according to another narration: he was accompanied by twelve thousand Yemenis and five thousand from the inhabitants
of Al Madina- Gabriel descended and told: “O God’s messenger! Allah; the Exalted, greets you. O Prophet! Deliver what has been revealed to you from your Lord…
“O Gabriel!” answered the Prophet, “People have just converted into Islam. I am afraid they will confuse and disobey…
The Prophet said, “O Gabriel! I am afraid my companions will dissent me.”
On the third day, the Prophet was in a place called
Ghadir Khum when Gabriel descended carrying God’s saying: O Apostle! Deliver what has been revealed to you from your Lord, and if you do it not, then you have not delivered His message, and Allah will protect you from the people.
As soon as the Prophet received this saying, he gave the orders
of settling in that place, and declared that he would not leave it before he would convey the Lord’s message.
People carried the Prophet’s orders
of establishing a pulpit on which he ascended and took Ali (peace be upon him) with him. He sermonized so eloquently. He said: “O people! I am preceded to your souls, aren’t I?” “Yes…
Three days later, the Prophet was sitting when a man from sons
of Makhzum, named Omar Bin Utba, (or Harith Bin An-Numan Al-Fihri) came and said: “O Mohammed! I am to ask you three questions.” “You are to ask as you like,” answered the Prophet.
“Tell me about the creed that there is no god but Allah, and that Mohammed is being the messenger
of Allah; is it your or is it your Lord’s mandate?”
“It has been revealed to me from Allah, and the emissary has been Gabriel, and the declarant is I. I declare only after I receive my Lord’s instruction,” replied the Prophet.
“Tell me then about the prayer, the poor rate, the pilgrimage and the jihad; are they yours or your Lord’s mandate?” reasked the man, and the Prophet repeated the same reply.
“Tell me about this man,” said the man as he indicated to Ali Bin Abi Talib (peace be upon him), “and tell me about your saying, ‘He whosever master was I, Ali shall be his master.’ Is it yours or your Lord’s mandate?”
The Prophet repeated the same reply.
The man turned his head upwards and said: “O Allah! If Mohammed has been telling the truth, then throw fire fragments upon me.” (According to another narration, the man said: “O Allah! If this has been the truth sent from Thee, then rain us with a heavenly stone.”)
The man walked few steps when a gloomy cloud covered him. He was instantaneously burnt by its thunderbolt.
Soon after that, Gabriel descended with God’s saying: (One demanding…
“You have seen, have you not?” said the Prophet to his companions. “Yes, we have,” answered they. “And you have heard, have you not?” said he. “Yes, we have,” answered they.
He then commented: “Pleasure be the outcome
of those who accede to him, and woe is those who oppose. On the Resurrection Day, Ali and his adherents -Shias- shall be wedded to the Paradise on camels from gardens
of the Paradise. They shall be young, crowned and black-eyed. They shall feel no fear and shall not be grieved. They shall be supported by the great gratification
of Allah. That is surely the principal triumph. They shall reside the yard
of sacredness in the vicinity
of the Lord
of the worlds. Therein shall be what their souls yearn and their eyes delight, and they shall abide therein eternally. Angels shall say to them: peace be upon you for your endurance. Excellent is the reward
of the abode.”
Ways of narration and documentation recorded in Al-Bahrani’sMadinetul Maajiz.
Allama Al-Hilli’s
Al-Keshkul: Mohammed Bin Ahmed Bin Abdirrahman Al-Bawardi: …An-Nadr Bin Al-Harith greeted the Prophet and said: “O God’s messenger! You are the master
of Adam’s
offspring, and your brother is the master
of the Arabs, and Fatima; your daughter, is the mistress
of women
of this world, and Al-Hassan and Al-Hussein; your sons, are the masters
of the young in the Paradise, and your uncle is the master
of the martyrs, and your cousin is the two-winged who shall use his wings in the Paradise, and your uncle is the protector between your eyes, and Sheiba has the custody
of the Sacred House
of God; what then has been kept for the Quraishis and the Arabs? In the beginning
of Islam, you have informed that if we believe in your sayings, we shall enjoy the same rights you enjoy and we shall submit to the same obligations imposed upon you.”
For a considerable while, the Prophet nodded his head down. He then raised the head and said: “It was not I who did this to them. It was surely Allah who did. What is my sin then?”
An-Nadr Bin Al-Harith went away saying: “O Allah! If this has been the truth sent from Thee, then rain us with a heavenly stone or inflict a painful chastisement upon us.”
Immediately, God revealed: (And they say: If this has been the truth sent from Thee, then rain us with a heavenly stone or inflict a painful chastisement upon us.”
The Prophet summoned An-Nadr and recited this Verse before him… The man sought the Prophet’s permitting him to leave Al-Madina since he could no longer live there. The Prophet advised him and told that God would grant him well if he would become self-possessed and use clemency…
The Prophet permitted him. The man went out repeating his same statement. As soon as he left the city, a bird catching a stone came straightly above him and cast that stone. An-Nadr Bin Al-Harith and his pack animal were killed. Hence, God revealed: (One demanding…
Narration in Ibn Sahrashub’sAl-Menaqib:
Biharul Anwar; 31/320:Abu Basir: Imad As-Sadiq (peace be upon him): The Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) addressed at Ali: “I anticipate peoples
of my nation will adopt the same statements the Christians ascribed to Jesus, lest I am to describe you so elevatedly that bless shall be sought from the soil on which your feet walk.”
This saying enraged Al-Harith Bin Amr Al-Fihri who said: “He chose none other than Jesus to liken to his cousin. He is about to name him as the next prophet. By God, the gods we worshipped were better than him.”
In due course, God revealed: (And when a description
of the sons
of Mariam…children
of Israel.)
The Prophet advised Al-Harith to cease his enmity to Ali Bin Abi Talib.
He addressed at the Prophet: “You are God’s messenger, and Ali is your successor, and Fatima; your daughter is the mistress
of women
of this world, and Al-Hassan and Al-Hussein; your sons, are the masters
of the young in the Paradise, and Hamza; your uncle is the master
of the martyrs, and Jafar; your cousin is the two-winged who shall use his wings in the Paradise with the angels, and Al-Abbas; your uncle, is the waterer; what then has been kept for the Quraishis; your brothers?
“Woe is you, Harith!” said the Prophet, “It was not I who did so to sons
of Abdul-Muttelib. It was surely Allah who did.”
Al-Harith said: “O Allah! If this has been the truth sent from Thee, then rain us with a heavenly stone or inflict a painful chastisement upon us.”
Hence, God revealed: (Allah was not to chastise them while you are among them.)
The Prophet summoned Al-Harith and asked him either to show repentance or to leave. He left. In his way, a bird cast a pebble on his head. He was killed. In due course, God revealed: (One demanding, demanded the chastisement which must befall. The unbelievers -In Ali’s leadership- there is not to avert it.)
Narration of Ali Bin Ibrahim Al-Qummi.
Al-Qummi’sTafsir; 2/385:As he explained sura
of Maarij, Imam Abul-Hassan (peace be upon him) says:
A man asked about the Prophet’s Successors, and the estimation
of Qadr night. The Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) answered: “You are asking about a befalling chastisement. It will be followed by disbelief. None shall cease that chastisement when it falls.”
Further more, there are too many ways
of narration and documentation to be wholly mentioned. For students, refer to An-Numan Al-Maghribi’s
Sharhul Akhbar, Al-Kerajeki’s
Kenzul Haqaiq, Shathan Bin Gibril’s
Al-Fedail, Al-Qummi’s book
of Tafsir… etc.
THE RESULT: THE NARRATIVE IS AUTHENTIC, AND THE DIVINE CHASTISEMENT WAS REPEATED
Two results are attained through looking deep in the narrative pertaining to the immediate divine chastisement inflicted upon those who objected against the leadership
of Ali (peace be upon him).
First
, origin
of the narrative is quite authentic according to criteria
of hadithists. It is impossible for the narrow-minded and the suspicious who allow themselves to say that Shias forged such narratives and intrigued them in their reference books; it is impossible to accuse Shias
of intriguing such narratives in the numerous Sunni reference books
of hadith that recorded them. Besides, many Sunni master scholars report and adopt such narratives.A fanatical may object that those Sunni master scholars relate these narratives to the imams
of the Prophet’s progeny (peace be upon them).
We cite, first, that, for Sunnis, the Prophet’s progeny enjoy the very standing enjoyed by the master scholars. For instance, a good number
of Sunni master scholars, such as Abu Ubeid, Az-Zuhri, Malik, Ahmed et al, relate directly or indirectly to Imam Al-Baqir and Imam As-Sadiq (peace be upon them).
As a matter
of fact, Sunnis’ sensitivity against the Prophet’s progeny’s narratives are only shown when Shias are the reporters. While, the Prophet’s progeny’s narratives recorded by Sunni scholars are quite acceptable and recorded in their reference books
of hadith.
Secondly, ways
of narrating the reports involved are not restricted to the Prophet’s progeny. We have already introduced ways
of narration depended by Al-Hasakani who relates them to Hutheifa, Abu Huraira and many others.
The Second result
is that it is impracticable to imply that the entire incidents recorded in the previous narratives were leading to the same. It is quite understandable that there must have been a number
of similar incidents. There is a variety in names, sorts
of chastisement, place, time and events.As an explanation, it is cited that narratives
of Abu Ubeid and Athalabi announce that the incident befell in or in the vicinity
of Al-Madina, and the chastisement was a baked stone. Abu Huraira’s narratives cites that the objection occurred in the very
Ghadir Khum immediately after the Prophet’s sermon, and the chastisement was a blaze sent from the heavens. Other narratives affirm that the chastisement was a thunderbolt.
Names are also variant. Some
of these names only could be a clerical error.
SEVENTH QUESTION
CLAN OF THE BEFALLING CHASTISEMENTThere is only a number
of questions and matters appertained to the topic involved. One
of these questions is the number, names and identities
of the objectors after the
Ghadir incident, and the sort
of chastisement inflicted upon them. Another question is the influence
of the Prophet’s declaring his progeny’s leadership and imamate, on Muslims in general, and the Quraishis in particular. Many matters can be added to this question. It is the general ambiance that prevailed during the last two months
of the Prophet’s lifetime, including the
Verses and incidents revealed and befallen during that period. Among the most remarkable incidents were Ansar’s
offering to allocate one third
of their riches for covering disbursement
of the Prophet and his family. On that occasion, God revealed: (Say: I do not ask
of you any reward for it but love for my near relatives,) and the Quraishis’ sensitivity attained its acme due to so. Another incident was the Prophet’s deciding to enlist the entire Quraishi celebrities in the army commanded by Usama Bin Zaid; the young African Muslim. By this step, the Prophet aimed at attracting people’s attentions towards the external front, and empty Al-Madina from the objectors against his family’s leadership, so that none would stay there at his decease except Ali and Ansar.
A third question is the two activities
of assassinating the Prophet after the declaration in
Ghadir, and the story
of coercing the Prophet on having that (medicine) while he was fainted in his final disease.
A fourth question is the third accursed document. According to Shiite reference books
of hadith, the objectors against Ali’s leadership wrote down that document
of contracting against the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) in Al-Madina.
Merits
of Ghadir day -the eighteenth
of Dhu’l-Hijja- and narratives respecting the recommendation
of fasting and praising God and showing delight on that day, is a topic useful to be introduced detailedly.
As a matter
of fact, the whole questions are useful topics. Nevertheless, we’d better abridge and be content with the earliest which is Quraishi sons
of Abdud-Dar. Both sects
of Islam testify that God’s saying: (One demanding…,) was inflicted upon An-Nadr Bin Al-Harith; chief
of sons
of Abdud-Dar, and Jabir; the son.
We also hint at introducing a mature picture for the immense envy carried by the Quraishis against the Prophet and his immaculate progeny.
THE OLD ENVY AND THE ‘BLOOD LICK’
Societies and provinces
of the Arab Peninsula were ruled by tribes. They had no central government. Struggles, combats and tribal alliances were common. Tribes
of Quraish were not excluded.
Alliance
of ‘Fudoul’ was the most famed in history. It was established by Abdul-Muttelib; the Prophet’s grandfather. It was also called alliance
of ‘Muteyyibin -odorizers-’ because the parties swore their alliance by immersing their hands in a vessel
of odor made by daughter
of Abdul-Muttelib.
The most important terms
of that alliance was protecting the Holy Kaba, and prohibiting sorts
of injustice, and supporting the wronged till they recover their rights. The Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) was twenty years old when he partook in that alliance. Moreover, some narratives, such as that recorded in Ahmed’s
Al-Musned; 1/190, and decided as authentic by Al-Hakim, in
Al-Mustedrak; 2/220, assert that he passed it after the divine mission.
The Prophet said: “I was boy when I witnessed the alliance
of ‘Muteyyibin’ with my uncles. I prefer it to having the best kinds
of camels.”
As a matter
of fact, this alliance was an answer for another alliance called forth by sons
of Abdud-Dar. Some Quraishi tribes responded and partook in that alliance which was called the ‘blood lick’, since the parties swore their alliance by licking the blood
of a cow slaughtered on that occasion.
Different opinions were said about reason and time
of these alliances. Some identified the building
of Kaba and the tribes’ engagement in discrepancies for nominating the one whose individuals would win the honor
of establishing the Black Stone in its place. Others recounted that it was due to the complaining
of a seller whom was oppressed by a Quraishi person.
The most acceptable narration in this regard is that recorded by Al-Yaqubi who identified the envy carried by sons
of Abdud-Dar against Abdul-Muttelib as the reason beyond conclusion
of such alliances.
Al-Yaqubi’sTarikh; 1/248:
As the Quraishis noticed that Abdul-Muttelib had won the whole pride, they demanded with an alliance through which they would attain l
oftiness. Sons
of Abdud-Dar were the precedent to this demand. They went to sons
of Sahm and…
Sons
of Abdu Menaf, Asad, Zuhra, Teim and Al-Harith Bin Fihr odorized; therefore, they were named ‘Muteyibin -the odorizers-’.
When sons
of Sahm received so, they slaughtered a cow and declared that parties would be only those who dip their hands and lick from blood
of that cow…
Al-Yaqubi’sTarikh; 2/17:
The Prophet was about twenty years old when he attended the alliance
of ‘Fudoul’. After his divine mission, he said: “In house
of Abdullah Bin Jadan I attended an alliance. I would surely prefer it to the best sorts
of camels. I will answer if I am called forth to it.”
The Quraishis concluded many alliances
of protection and defense. Al-Muteyyibun -the odorizers- allied that they would never give up the Holy Kaba. Atika Bint Abdil-Muttelib made a bowl
of odor in which they dipped their hands. They were sons
of Abdu Menaf, Asad, Zuhra, Teim and Al-Harith Bin Fihr…
The Quraishi clans covenanted that a stranger or the like should never be wronged, and each should recover his right. They held the conference
of alliance in house
of Abdullah Bin Jadan At-Teimi. They were sons
of Hashim, Asad, Zuhra, Teim and Al-Harith Bin Fihr…
Ibn Husham’sAs-Sira; 1/85:
Sons
of Asad Bin Abdul-Uzza Bin Qusay, Zuhra Bin Kelab, Teim Bin Murra Bin Kab and Al-Harith Bin Fihr Bin Malik Bin An-Nadr were in the line
of sons
of Abdu Menaf. On the other line stood sons
of Makhzum Bin Yaqada Bin Murra, Sahm Bin Amr Bin Husseis Bin Kab, Jamh Bin Amr Bin Husseis Bin Kab and Edi Bin Kab. They backed sons
of Abdud-Dar.
As well as many others, these texts prove that owing to envying sons
of Abdul-Muttelib, sons
of Abdud-Dar concluded such alliance. As sons
of Abdul-Muttelib and their allies went on concluding the alliance
of Muteyyibin, sons
of Abdud-Dar and their allies concluded the alliance
of ‘blood lick’.
Sons
of Abdul-Muttelib and their allies agreed upon protecting the holy Kaba and supporting the wronged. On the other hand, sons
of Abdud-Dar agreed upon confronting the Muteyyibin.
SONS OF ABDUD-DAR, CARRIERS OF THE QURAISHIS’ PENNON
Historians assert that sons
of Abdud-Dar had in heritage Darun-Nidwa, which was the center
of the Quraishis’ congress where they used to discuss the most important issued and conclude decisions. They also had in heritage the Quraishis’ pennon. They were carriers
of that pennon during battles.
Al-Belathiri’s Fetihul Buldan; 60:
Darun-Nidwa was in the hands
of sons
of Abdud-Dar Bin Qusay till Ikrima Bin Amir Bin Hashim Bin Abd Menaf Bin Abdud-Dar Bin Qusay sold it to Muawiya Bin Abi Sufian who made it a governmental position.
Ali (peace be upon him) killed more than ten individuals from the knights
of sons
of Abdud-Dar who raised the Quraishis’ pennon in the face
of God’s messenger. It is also related that some
of those knights were killed by Hamza Bin Abdil-Muttelib.
Describing the fervor Abu Sufian and his wife aroused in sons
of Abdud-Dar just before the war
of Uhud, Ibn Husham, in 3/587, records:
Driving carriers
of the pennon to fighting, Abu Sufian addressed at them: “O sons
of Abdud-Dar! You have carried our pennon during the battle
of Badr, and we suffered what we had suffered. Regularly, people are attacked from the side
of their pennons. If this side is defeated, then those people will certainly be beaten. You either give our pennon its due, otherwise leave it to us and we will give its due.”
Sons
of Abdud-Dar became so irate that they threatened Abu Sufian and were about to attack him. “What! Should we give our pennon up?” said they, “Tomorrow, when we meet, you shall see our activities.”
As a matter
of fact, Abu Sufian wanted nothing more than this.
When the two parties were about to meet, Hind Bint Utba; Abu Sufian’s wife, led her crew who played the drums behind the warriors for driving them to fighting. Hind praised sons
of Abdud-Dar.
Ibn Husham’sAs-Sira; 3/655:
… Al-Hejjaj Bin Elat As-Salami composed a number
of poetic
verses in which he applauded Abul-Hassan Amirul Muminin Ali Bin Abi Talib, for his killing Talha Bin Abi Talha Bin Abdud-Uzza Bin Othman Bin Abdud-Dar; carrier
of the Quraishis’ pennon during the battle
of Uhud.
Nine individuals from sons
of Abdud-Dar had to carry the Quraishis’ pennon during that battle. Some mention a bigger number. They also aimed at assaulting the Prophet after he was left alone when Muslims retreated and ascended the mountain. The Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) and Ali (peace be upon him) stood in the face
of the Quraishis’ attacks that lasted till afternoon.
The Prophet fought from his position, while Ali attacked their first lines, and penetrated in the midst
of their army that he reached carrier
of the pennon to chop his head
off. Only then, the attack was stopped to begin anew.
Another one from sons
of Abdud-Dar took the pennon, and the army attacked the Prophet. Ali met them while he was on his feet and they were horsemen. This custom went on till Ali killed tens
of their horsemen and about nine individuals from sons
of Abdud-Dar; carriers
of the Quraishis’ pennon. When they had to withdraw, they shouted falsely: “Mohammed is killed.”
In fact, the Prophet was hit by few injuries, and Ali had more than seventy injuries some
of which were somewhat grave. It is related that these injuries were cured when the Prophet passed his saliva over them.
SONS OF ABDUD-DAR GIVE A LESSON IN DEFENSE
Historians record that those courageous sons
of Abdud-Dar taught the Quraishis a peculiar lesson in self-defense against the Hashemites. They pr
ofited by the elevation and the noble ethics
of the Hashemites.
Ibn Kutheir’s As-Sira; 3/39:
Ibn Husham: In the gravest moments
of the battle
of Uhud, the Prophet sat under Ansar’s pennon and commanded Ali
of marching with the pennon. Ali marched while he was challenging the other party. The carrier
of the Quraishis’ pennon; Talha Bin Abi Talha challenged. As the two stopped between the two armies, Ali stroke him so heavily that he fell to the ground. Suddenly, Ali left him and came back. “Why did you not kill him?” some asked Ali. “He showed me his anus! I pitied him for the relation between us. I also realized that God would kill him,” Ali answered.
On the battle
of Siffine, Bisr Bin Artaa used the same practice when Ali (God be pleased to him) was about to kill him. Hence, Ali left him.
The anus
of Amr Bin Al-As was also shown during the battle
of Siffine when Ali knocked him down and was about to kill him. Ali left him. A poet recorded this practice in a number
of poetic
verses.
AN-NADR BIN AL-HARITH; CHIEF OF SONS OF ABDUD-DAR
Ibn Husham’s; 1/195:An-Nadr Bin Al-Harith was one
of the Satanic enemies who used to harm the Prophet (peace be upon him). In Hira -in Iraq-, he received tales
of the Persian kings. Whenever the Prophet (peace be upon him) led a session in which he reminded people
of their Lord and warned against the divine punishment suffered by the foregoing nations, An-Nadr came to the same place and recounted tales
of the Persian kings. He was summoning people to himself claiming having harangues better than those said by the Prophet.
(Ibn Husham) It was he who pronounced that he would reveal what God revealed.
(Ibn Isaaq) Ibn Abbas identified eight
Verses revealed for the sayings
of An-Nadr. Every Verse that referred to atheists’ likening the Quran to the bygone myths, was a refutation
of An-Nadr’s false claims.
Ibn Husham, in
As-Sira; 1/239, refers to An-Nadr’s accusing the Prophet’s sayings
of being bygone myths.
As-Suyouti’s Ad-Durrul Manthour; 3/181:…God’s saying, (And when they said: O Allah! If this has been the truth sent from Thee, then rain upon us a stone from the heavens or inflicted upon us a painful chastisement,) copied the words
of An-Nadr Bin Al-Harith. Other
Verses, that accounted more than ten as Atta asserted, were revealed for showing An-Nadr’s words. One
of them was God’s saying, (One demanding…
The same thing is related to Abd Bin Humeid on page 297
of part 5
of the same reference book.
In
Tafsirul Jalalein; 540,As-Suyouti records:
An-Nadr Bin Al-Harith received the Persian tales from the books he merchandised in Hira. He was telling them to people
of Mecca for precluding them from listening to the Quran.
We have already asserted that the Shiite reference books
of hadith, as well as a good many Sunni books, identify Jabir Bin An-Nadr Bin Al-Harith or Al-Harith Al-Fihri as the one demanded the chastisement which must befall. Depending upon the narratives related to Ibn Jubeir and Ibn Abbas, most
of Sunni reference books identify An-Nadr Bin Al-Harith as the demander.
Al-Hakim, in
Al-Mustedrak; 2/502, relates a narrative identifying An-Nadr Bin Al-Harith as the one demanded the chastisement, to Sa’eed Bin Jubeir. As-Suyouti, in
Ad-Durrul Manthour; 6/263, relates it to Ibn Abbas.
Relying upon personal study, historians and hadithists mention Jabir; son
of An-Nadr Bin Al-Harith, only in the story
of his being killed by a heavenly stone for his atheism and scorning the Prophet’s household (peace be upon them). It is also probable that the man’s news were concealed by those who envied the Prophet’s household. It is understandable through the reference books that the father was highly worse than the son, since he was one
of the Pharaonic enemies whom confronted the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family). The son might have been exceeding the father in antagonizing the Prophet if he had lived.
AN-NADR; A MEMBER OF THE PHARAONIC CONFERENCE AGAINST THE PROPHET
Ibn Husham’s; 1/191:…As Islam extended among the Quraishi tribes in spite
of the policy
of detention and mistreatments, the Quraishi chiefs held a conference… An-Nadr Bin Al-Harith was a member in that conference.
They agreed upon summoning the Prophet for negotiations. When he attended, they said: “O Mohammed! We do not know a man drove dishonor to his people other than you. You have reviled at the forefathers, and slandered the gods, and criticized the beliefs, and disunited our harmony. You have not excluded any ill matter. If you mean to make a fortune through this solicitation, we will amass you from our fortunes and you will be the richest. If you mean to be the master, we will make you our chief. If you mean to gain kingship, we will select you as our king. If it was a matter
of spooks influence, we may spend our fortunes for seeking physicians till you will be cured.”
The Prophet answered: “Nothing
of what you have mentioned is my interest. I did not convey this matter for your riches, mastery or kingship. It is only that Allah has sent me for you and revealed to me a book, and ordered me
of being your foreteller and forewarner. I only conveyed my Lord’s messages and advised you. If you admit, then it is your good in this world and the Hereafter. If you do not, I should only wait for Allah’s deed. He shall be the judge…
Ibn Husham’s; 1/191:Ibn Abbas: …On that day, the Quraishi celebrities held a meeting. An-Nadr Bin Al-Harith was the representative
of sons
of Abdud-Dar.
*AN-NADR; THE MESSENGER TO THE JEWS
Ibn Husham’sAs-Sira; 1/195:… An-Nadr Bin Kilda said: “O people
of Quraish! You have been affected by a question you lack its answer. When Mohammed was young among you, he was the most true-tongued and the most honest. When you noticed the gray hair on his temple and introduced his affair, you accused him
of bewitchment. Nay, by God. He is not sorcerer. We have seen the sorcerers, and their puffing and knots. You then accused him
of soothsaying. Nay, by God. He is not soothsayer. We have seen the soothsayers and their augury and melodies. You then accused him
of being a poet. Nay, by God. He is not poet. We have seen poets and received the entire sorts
of poetry. You then accused him
of insanity. Nay, by god. He is not insane. We have seen the insane. He does not have any
of their confusion or delusion.
O people
of Quraish! Find yourself a solution. You have been affected by an ominous matter.”
They decided to send Aqaba Bin Abi Muit with An-Nadr Bin Al-Harith to the rabins
** …
THE REGISTRAR OF THE FIRST ACCURSED DOCUMENT
Ibn Husham’sAs-Sira; 1/234:The Quraishi chiefs agreed upon signing on a document in which they recorded their decisions
of precluding to marry or take in marriage any
of the Hashemites’ individuals, and depriving them
of merchandising. This document was written down in a form
of covenant and pledge. It was hanged inside the holy Kaba as ascertainment. Its recorded was Mansur Bin Ikrima…
(Ibn Husham) It is said that the recorder was An-Nadr Bin Al-Harith…
Ibn Wadih Al-Yaqubi’sTarikh; 2/31:As Abu Talib was informed
of the Quraishis’ unanimous intendment to kill the Prophet, he declared his defending him through poetic
verses. He said:
By God, they shall never reach you with their groups
Till I am to be buried under soil
You called me, and you claimed
* advising
You are being true, as you’ve been the honest
You have
offered a belief I do realize
It is being the best religion among people’s.
When people
of Quraish conceived that they would not have the ability
of assassinating the Prophet, and Abu Talib would never give him up, they recorded that unjust document in which they decided not to merchandise or marry or deal with any
of the Hashemites, till they give Mohammed in so that the Quraishis would kill him. Eighty seals were affixed on that document. Mansur Bin Ikrima’s hand was paralyzed. He was the writer
of that document.
People
of Quraish detained the Prophet, the Hashemites and sons
of Abdul-Muttelib in Col
of Abu Talib. That was six years after the Prophet’s Mission.
Three years passed, and the Prophet, Abu Talib and Khadija spent all their possessions. They had to suffer harsh poverty and destitution.
Gabriel descended to the Prophet and informed that termites had torn that document entirely except the pieces on which God’s name was affixed.
The Prophet conveyed this news to Abu Talib who, immediately, led the whole group to the Kaba. He was sitting there when people
of Quraish encircled him. “Well, Abu Talib,” said they, “Is it the proper time for you to recall the covenant and stop your obstinacy in defending your nephew?”
“O my people,” shouted Abu Talib, “Should you fetch your document so that we may find a solution or an element that reunite our relations.” They responded and brought it. “It is your very covenanted document, is it not?” asked Abu Talib. “Yes, it is,” affirmed they. “Have you proceeded any changes in it?” asked Abu Talib. “No, we did not,” asserted they.
“Well,” said Abu Talib, “Mohammed has conveyed to me that his Lord had sent a termite that tore the entire document except the place where God’s name was affixed. What should you promise if this is being true?” “We will stop it,” declared they. “I will give him up so that you may kill him if he has been lying,” suggested Abu Talib. “This is quite fair,” agreed them.
When the document was opened, it was found that termite had torn it totally except the place on which God’s name was affixed. “This is nothing but witchery,” shouted the Quraishis, “We have never been more serious in belying him than this current hour.”
On that day, a great number
of people islamized, and the Hashemites and sons
of Abdul-Muttelib went out
of that place
of detention forever.
AN-NADR; SERVED FOOD IN BADR
Previously in the Fifth Discussion, we have provided that An-Nadr was one
of those who served food to the army
of Quraish during the battle
of Badr. The Prophet reckoned him with the most effective men
of Mecca; the Quraishis’ capital.
*DEMISE OF THE FIRST PHARAONIC DEMANDER
Ibn Husham’sAs-Sira; 2/206-7:The polytheist prisoners were with the Prophet’s caravan in their way to Al-Madina. Ali Bin Abi Talib carried the Prophet’s orders
of killing An-Nadr Bin Al-Harith. That was near As-Safra.
**Mujamul Buldan; 1/94:Thu Utheil is a place near Al-Madina where An-Nadr Bin Al-Harith was killed by the Prophet just after the battle
of Badr.
Quteila; daughter
of An-Nadr, composed a poem in which she eulogized her father and applauded the Prophet.
As he listened to her poetry, the Prophet (peace be upon him) pitied her. He said: “Had I already heard her poetry, I would have pardoned her father for her.”
It is most abiding that the Prophet hated killing more than anyone else. He killed only in cases
of inescapable necessity. It is enough to say that the entire victims
of his battles and the doctrinal provisions were less than seven hundred individuals. Hence, the Prophet’s movement was the greatest in results and the less in casualties.
An-Nadr, as well as his corollary Aqaba Bin Muit Al-Umawi who possessed a pub and an adultery house in Mecca, was nothing but a germ
of evil and corruption; therefore, he was killed by the Prophet.
Providing that the narration
of An-Nadr’s daughter is authentic, it means only that the Lord would permit the Prophet to pardon that man for his daughter since she composed a poetry full with principals and imploring.
AN-NUDEIR; AN-NADR’S BROTHER AND SUCCESSOR
Reference books
of history assert that others from sons
of Abdud-Dar received the Quraishis’ pennon after An-Nadr had been killed. These books have no signal that An-Nudeir was warrior and horseman like his brother. Although he was not that courageous, it seems that An-Nudeir succeeded his brother in carrying the Quraishis’ pennon and being chief
of sons
of Abdud-Dar. The pro-Quraish narrators, as well as the other historians, describe him as a politician who inclined to peace. They also reckon him with the Quraishi chiefs listed under the class
of ‘the inclined hears’. The Prophet endowed the individuals
of that class one hundred camels each from the spoils
of the battle
of Hunein.
At-Tabari, in
Tarikh; 2/358, narrate that the Prophet gave An-Nudeir Bin Al-Harith one hundred camels, when he distributed the spoils
of the battle
of Hunein. The other Quraishi chiefs, such as Abu Sufian and Muawiya, were given the same.
*In the fifth discussion, we have referred to An-Nudeir and mentioned that he had a hand with the Quraishi chiefs who plotted for assassinating the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) during the battle
of Hunein. Some scholars confused An-Nudeir with his brother.
Ar-Razi’sAl-Jarhu Wet Tadid; 8/472:An-Nadr Bin Al-Harith Bin Kilda is one
of those who islamized after conquest
of Mecca. He is also called An-Nudeir. This is more accurate. An-Nadr Bin Al-Harith was his atheist brother who was killed…
FOR THE PRO-QURAISH NARRATORS;
AN-NADR WAS MUSLIM, IMMIGRATOR AND MARTYRAs usual, the Pro-Quraish narrators made that Annudeir -or Alharith- that Islamic personality who immigrated and was martyred during the battle
of Yarmuk. It seems that the entire Quraishi people whom were killed by the plague
of Amwas; such as Suheil Bin Amr and sons
of Abdud-Dar, were reckoned with the martyrs
of the battle
of Yarmuk.
As-Samani’sAl-Ansab; 3/110:…An-Nudeir Bin Al-Harith was one
of the immigrators. He was one
of the most remarkable self-possessed men
of Quraish. He was martyred in the battle
of Yarmuk. His brother is An-Nadr Bin Al-Harith whom was killed by Ali Bin Abi Talib just after the battle
of Badr. He was the demander intended in God’s saying: (One demanding…
Besides many other books, the same is recorded in
Ikmalul Kemal; 1/327.
DID AN-NUDEIR FOLLOW HIS BROTHER AND NEPHEW IN OBJECTING AGAINST THE PROPHET?
The Shiite reference books
of hadith narrate a strange dispute with the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) in Al-Madina. The other party was An-Nadr Bin Al-Harith Al-Fihri. It seems that clerical errors occurred for the words. Providing that the party was An-Nudeir, the incident must have occurred in Al-Madina after the Farewell Pilgrimage.
Al-Bahrani’s Madinetul Maajiz; 2/267:… An-Nadr Bin Al-Harith greeted the Prophet and said: “O God’s messenger! You are the master
of Adam’s
offspring, and your brother is the master
of the Arabs, and Fatima; your daughter, is the mistress
of women
of this world, and Al-Hassan and Al-Hussein; your sons, are the masters
of the young in the Paradise, and your uncle is the master
of the martyrs, and your cousin is the two-winged who shall use his wings in the Paradise, and your uncle is the protector between your eyes, and Sheiba has the custody -
of the Sacred House
of God-; what then has been kept for the Quraishis and the Arabs? In the beginning
of Islam, you have informed that if we believe in your sayings, we shall enjoy the same rights you enjoy, and we shall submit to the same obligations imposed upon you.”
For a considerable while, the Prophet nodded his head down. He then raised the head and said: “It was not I who did this to them. It was surely Allah who did. What is my sin then?”
An-Nadr went away saying: “O Allah! If this has been the truth sent from Thee, then rain us with a heavenly stone or inflict a painful chastisement upon us.”
Immediately, God revealed: (And they say: If this has been the truth sent from Thee, then rain us with a heavenly stone or inflict a painful chastisement upon us.)
The Prophet summoned An-Nadr and recited this Verse before him… The man sought the Prophet’s permitting him to leave Al-Madina since he could no longer live there. The Prophet advised him and told that God would grant him well if he would become self-possessed and use clemency…
The Prophet permitted him. The man went out repeating his same statement. As soon as he left the city, a bird catching a stone came straightly above him and cast that stone. An-Nadr and his pack animal were killed. Hence, God revealed: (One demanding…
On page 488
of part 2
ofAs-Sira, Ibn Husham avers that An-Nudeir is called Al-Harith, too. Al-Yaqubi, in
Tarikh; 2/63, names him Al-Harith Bin Al-Harith Bin Kilda. This is a suspicious matter. The noble tribes revered the fathers’ names; therefore they neither changed it nor did they add anything to it. Hence, it is strange to notice that a man had two names one
of which was his father’s.
This may lead to the probability that they had a third brother named Al-Harith. This might have been the very person whom were cast by a heavenly thunderbolt or stone because he objected against the Prophet’s declaring the leadership
of Ali and his sons.
In due course, the befalling chastisement was inflicted upon three individuals
of this family; the father in the battle
of Badr, and Jabir, as Abu Ubeid asserts, and Al-Harith. Hence, they should be called the family
of the befalling chastisement.
It is also likely that An-Nudeir -or Al-Harith- who objected, was not killed by that befalling chastisement, since some historians mention Syria as the place
of his death.
At any rate, the most ascertained matter is that there was a man who objected against the Prophet. Athalabi, together with some Shias, asserts that a heavenly stone was inflicted upon Al-Harith Bin An-Numan Al-Fihri.
In the narrations recorded in Al-Hasakani’s,
Al-Kafi and
Al-Menaqib, the name
of Al-Harith Bin Amr Al-Fihri is cited.
This is the name
of another man. In
As-Sira; 2/499, Ibn Kutheir refers to a man named Amir Bin Al-Harith Al-Fihri. Others name him Amr. The entire scholars could not provide any further information.
This proves that Al-Harith upon whom the heavenly stone was inflicted is different from that son
of Abdud-Dar. It is also proved that another heavenly stone was inflicted upon Jabir Bin An-Nadr Al-Abdari, whom is mentioned in Abu Ubeid’s narration.
THE TWO -OR MORE- MOST LICENTIOUS OF QURAISH
Reference books
of hadith verify that the most evil Quraishi tribes, that harmed the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family), were
the Umayids and sons
of Al-Mughira. It is the clan
of Abu Jahl Bin Makhzum. They are described as the two most licentious. We should add sons
of Abdud-Dar to them. In fact, when the Hashemites and few others are excluded, it becomes arduous to distinguish the other Quraishis.
As-Suyouti’s Ad-Durrul Manthour; 4/85:As he recited God’s saying, (Have you not seen those who have changed Allah’s favor for ungratefulness,) Omar Bin Al-Khattaab stated: “They are the two most licentious houses
of Quraish; sons
of Umaya and sons
of Al-Mughira. Concerning the latter, you have completed with them on the battle
of Badr. As to sons
of Umaya, they are respited for a term.”
This seems to be a prophetic statement repeated by Omar. This obliges him to answer the following question: What for did he assign Muawiya; the Umayid, as the governor
of Syria, and allow him to behave completely freely? What for did he arrange the coming caliphate in a way enabled Othman’s relative; the Umayid, to have the veto? Owing to so, the Islamic state was completely served to the most licentious house
of Quraish!!
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTODUCTION ..........................................................................................................PRELIMINARY DISCUSSION FOR THE EXEGESIS OF THE VERSE OF ‘ISMA’.SUMMARY OF THE THREE VERSES OF GHADIR ...........................................FIRST DISCUSSION: THE PROPHET’S SUCCESSION IS A SUBJECT PROVIDED DURING HIS LIFETIME ....................................................................SECOND DISCUSSION: THE PROPHET FORETELLS OF THE TWELVE SUCCEEDING IMAMS ..............................................................................................First: Is (All shall be from my household), the origin of the statement (All shall be from Quraish)?.........................................................................................................Second: The divine promise of unknown leadership is an impracticable matter.............................................................................................................................Third: From Quraish, but from the Prophet’s progeny...........................................Fourth: Prophetic texts explain the narrative of the twelve men. ...........................Fifth: Twelve imams and twelve months. ..................................................................Sixth: Jabir As-Siwai; reporter of the narration. .....................................................Seventh: Marks of authenticity given to the three narratives. ................................Eighth: Contradiction of contexts of the three narrations. ......................................Ninth: The twelve imams are not nominated according to means of election and declaration of fealty. ....................................................................................................Tenth: The narrative’s dedication to Quraish has been thrown away by Omar. ..Eleventh: Exegesists’ blundering in explaining the twelve imams. .........................Twelfth: Models of our narratives respecting the twelve imams. ............................THIRD DISCUSSION: THE ISLAMIC PRINCIPALS IN THE SERMONS OF THE FAREWELL PILGRIMAGE ...........................................................................FIRST BASE: THE HUMANITARIAN EQUITY....................................................MODELS OF THE PROPHET’S SERMONS IN THE FAREWELL PILGRIMAGE .............................................................................................................SECOND BASE: UNITY OF THE ISLAMIC NATION .........................................THE THIRD BASE: BASE OF THE UNITY OF THE ISLAMIC LAW -SHARIA- AND THE MUSLIMS’ CULTURE ..........................................................THE FOURTH BASE: PRINCIPALSOF THE POLITICAL AFFAIRS, AND THE NEXT LEADERSHIP ........................................................................................THE FIFTH BASE: PUNITION OF THE DISSIDENTS OF THE PROPHET’S INSTRUCTION OF ADHERING TO HIS HOUSEHOLD ....................................FOURTH DISCUSSION: THE PROPHETS’ NEED FOR PEOPLE’S PROTECTION DURING CONVEYING THEIR MISSIONS ...............................QURANIC SENSE OF CONVEYANCE ...................................................................MISSION OF OUR PROPHET IN CONVEYANCE ..............................................FIFTH DISCUSSION: THE QURAISHIS ARE THE REASON BEYOND THE PROPHET’S NEED FOR AN ADDITIONAL PROTECTION .............................QURAISH IS THE ROOT OF VILLAINS ...............................................................CLANS OF QURAISH ................................................................................................CONCEPT OF MECCA CONQUEST BEWILDERS THE JURISPRUDENTS .THE QURAISHIS AFTER THE CONQUEST OF MECCA .................................THE QURAISHIS EMBRACE THE LEADERSHIP OF SUHEIL BIN AMR ....SUHEIL WORKS FOR INDEPENDENCE ..............................................................CONSEQUENCE OF THE INCIDENT ..........................................................OMAR ATTESTS THE QURAISHIS’ TERGIVERSATION ...............................CHAPTER TWO: VERSE OF ISMA
ORDER OF THE VERSE ...........................................................................................LOCATION OF THE VERSE ...................................................................................THE SUNNI SCHOLARS’ OPINIONS ....................................................................First opinion .................................................................................................................ASHAFII’S INDIRECT REPORTS ..........................................................................THE INDIRECT REPORTS ARE ESTIMABLE OPINIONS ...............................Second opinion .............................................................................................................The third opinion .........................................................................................................The fourth opinion .......................................................................................................The fifth opinion ...........................................................................................................The sixth opinion ..........................................................................................................Concordant to the Prophet’s progeny’s .....................................................................WAHABISTS AND HADITH OF GHADIR ...................................................THE PROPHET’S PROGENY’S OPINION ............................................................GENERAL REMARKS REGARDING THE OTHER OPINIONSFirst Remark ................................................................................................................Second Remark ............................................................................................................Third Remark ...............................................................................................................EVALUATION OF THE OPPOSING OPINIONS
First Question: The Matter To Be Delivered .............................................................Second Question: Confirmation Of The Case And Its Conditions ..................Third Question: Sort Of The Prophet’s Fear ............................................................Fourth Question: The Interpretation Of ‘People’ ....................................................Fifth Question: Meaning Of Protection Against People ...........................................QUESTIONS INVOLVING THE VERSE ................................................................First Question: Using The Verse As A Weapon Against Ali ....................................Second Question: The Verse Refutes The Claim Of The Prophet’s Bewitchment.CHAPTER THREE: STORY OF GHADIR
THE QURAISHIS IN THE FAREWELL PILGRIMAGE .....................................RESULTS OF THE FAREWELL PILGRIMAGE ..................................................FROM THE HEAVENS AND THE EARTH, THE REVELATION AND THE QURAISHIS PRESSURES THE PROPHET ...........................................................THE PROPHET’S CARAVAN IS STOPPED BY THE REVELATION ..............WHAT FOR WAS IT AL-JUHAFA AND GHADIR KHUM?! ..............................THE PROPHETIC WORDING ACHIEVES THE AIMS AND UNVEILS THE QURAISHIS .................................................................................................................CHAPTER FOUR: VERSE OF IKMALUDDIN
THE FINAL QURANIC VERSE ...............................................................................SURA OF MAIDA IS THE FINAL QURANIC CHAPTER ...................................THE PROPHET’S PROGENY’S OPINION ............................................................SUNNI NARRATIVES CONCORDANT TO THE PROPHET’S PROGENY’S OPINION ......................................................................................................................THE CONTRADICTORY OPINIONS .....................................................................ORIGINATION OF THIS CONTRADICTORY OPINIONS ................................INDICATION OF THE TWO STORIES .................................................................OTHER OPINIONS ....................................................................................................VERSE OF IKMALUDDIN ........................................................................................VERSE OF IKMALUDDIN AND THE FORBIDDEN MEAT ..............................MEANINGS OF PERFECTION AND COMPLETION THROUGH THE QURAN AND NAHJUL BALAGHA .........................................................................First: The Prophet’s progeny’s opinion .....................................................................Second: Sunnis’ Opinion concordant to the Prophet’s progeny’s ..........................Third: Omar’s Opinion ...............................................................................................THE OBJECTIVE PERSPECTIVE ..........................................................................CHAPTER FIVE: VERSE OF MAARIJ ..................................................................EVENTS STIMULATED BY THE QURAISHIS ....................................................THE QURAISHIS’ NEW PREPARATIONS AFTER THE GHADIR DAY ........HEAVENLY STONES FOR THE QURAISHIS’ SPOKESMEN ..........................FIRST QUESTION: THE SUNNI REFERENCE BOOKS OF HADITH RECORD THE INCIDENT ........................................................................................SECOND QUESTION: WAS SURA OF MAARIJ REVEALED IN MECCA OR AL-MADINA .........................................................................................................THIRD QUESTION: THE CHASTISEMENT IS MUNDANE OR HEREAFTER ...............................................................................................................FOURTH QUESTION: THE SUNNIS’ JUDGMENT ON THE NARRATIVES..............................................................................................................MODELS OF THE SUNNIS’ EXEGESES ...............................................................FIFTH QUESTION: THE NASSIBITES’ JUDGMENT ON THE NARRATIVE................................................................................................................SIXTH QUESTION: WAYS OF NARRATION AND DOCUMENTATION OF THE NARRATIVE.......................................................................................................First: Ways of narration and documentation depended by the Sunni reference books of hadith.First way:
Abu Ubeid’s narrative recorded in hisGharibul Qur’an............................................................................................................................Second way: Athalabi’s relation to Sufian Bin Uyeina.............................................Al-Hasakani’s two ways of relation to Sufian Bin Uyeina........................................Third way: Al-Hasakani’s relation to Jabir Al-Jufi..................................................Fourth way: Al-Hasakani’s relation to Hutheifa Bin Al-Yeman..............................Fifth way: Al-Hasakani’s relation to Abu Hureira....................................................Second: Ways of narration and documentation depended by the Shiite reference books of hadith and related to Sufian Bin Uyeina.Ways of narration and documentation depended by Furat Al-Kufi and related to Sufian Bin Uyeina.....................................................................................................Ways of narration and documentation depended by Mohammed Bin Al-Abbas and related to Sufian Bin Uyeina.................................................................................Ways of narration and documentation depended by Asharif Al-Murteda and related to Sufian Bin Uyeina........................................................................................Ways of narration and documentation depended by Muntajabuddin Ar-Razi and related to Sufian Bin Uyeina.................................................................................Ways of narration and documentation depended by At-Tebirsi and related to Sufian Bin Uyeina.........................................................................................................Third: The other ways of narration and documentation depended by the Shiite reference books of hadith.Ways of narration and documentation depended by Mohammed Bin Yaqub Al-Kuleini............................................................................................................................Ways of narration and documentation depended by Furat Bin Ibrahim Al-Kufi.............................................................................Ways of narration and documentation depended by Mohammed Bin Al-Abbas...Ways of narration and documentation recorded inJamiul Akhbar........................Ways of narration and documentation recorded in Al-Bahrani’sMadinetul Maajiz.............................................................................................................................Narration in Ibn Sahrashub’sAl-Menaqib.................................................................Narration of Ali Bin Ibrahim Al-Qummi...................................................................THE RESULT: THE NARRATIVE IS AUTHENTIC, AND THE DIVINE CHASTISEMENT WAS REPEATED.......................................................................SEVENTH QUESTION: CLAN OF THE BEFALLING CHASTISEMENT........THE OLD ENVY AND THE ‘BLOOD LICK’..........................................................SONS OF ABDUD-DAR, CARRIERS OF THE QURAISHIS’ PENNON...SONS OF ABDUD-DAR GIVE A LESSON IN DEFENSE.....................................AN-NADR; A MEMBER OF THE PHARAONIC CONFERENCE AGAINST THE PROPHET............................................................................................................AN-NADR; THE MESSENGER TO THE JEWS.....................................................THE REGISTRAR OF THE FIRST ACCURSED DOCUMENT..........................AN-NADR; SERVED FOOD IN BADR.....................................................................DEMISE OF THE FIRST PHARAONIC DEMANDER..........................................AN-NUDEIR; AN-NADR’S BROTHER AND SUCCESSOR.................................FOR THE PRO-QURAISHI NARRATORS; AN-NADR WAS MUSLIM, IMMIGRATOR AND MARTYR................................................................................DID AN-NUDEIR FOLLOWED HIS BROTHER AND NEPHEW IN OBJECTING AGAINST THE PROPHET?..............................................................THE TWO -OR MORE- MOST LICENTIOUS OF QURAISH.............................[1]Refer to
Al-Idhah; page 215.
[2]Refer to
Ad-Darimi;1/145.
*People
of Yathrib who supported and received the Prophet and his followers who immigrated from Mecca.
**Ghadir -or
Ghadir Khum- is a place between Mecca and Al-Madina where the Prophet declared the coming leadership and imamate
of Ali and his sons.
***The Farewell Pilgrimage is the final ritual collective pilgrimage led by the Prophet.
*Tafsir is exegesis
of the holy Quran, and hadith is the Prophet’s traditions.
*Sira is the Prophet’s hisroty and lifetime.
[3]Refer to At-Tabari’s
Tarikh; 2/321, Ibnul-Athir’s
Al-Kamilu Fit Tarikh; 2/24, Abul-Fida’s
Tarikh; 1/116, Ibn Abil Hadid’s
Sharhu Nahjil Belagha; 3/254, Ahmed’s
Al-Musnad; 1/159,
Jam’u Jawami; 6/408 and
Kenzul-Ummal; 6/401.
[4]Refer to
Ibn Husham’s;1/504,
Al-Muhabbar; 70-1 and
Al-Belathiri’s; 1/270.
[5]Refer to
Ar-Riyadun Nedira; 2/168 and
Kenzul-Ummal; 5/45-6.
[6]Refer to
Ibn Husham’s; 1/424,
Ar-Rawdul Enif; 1/264,
Bahjetul Mehafil; 1/128,
Zeini Dehlan’s; 1/302 and
As-Siretul Halabiya; 2/3.
*Ummul Muminin -mother
of the faithful believers- is a name called on the Prophet’s wives. It is originated from God’s saying: (The Prophet has a greater claim on the faithful than they have on themselves, and his are as their mothers. 33:6)
[7]Refer to
Majmauzzawaid; 1/113. *This narrative is ruled as authentic by none other than Al-Albani.
*Jahilism is the pre-Islamic era.
*This is a word-for-word translation
of the Verse. The following is the meaning
of the Verse:
Only Allah and His Apostle and the believer who gave alms while he was in the ritual genuflection
of a prayer, are your masters.
*The entire prophets who came after Abraham are his sons and progeny.
*The same report is recorded in At-Tabari’s
Tarikh; 2/92,
Usdul Ghaba; 1/174,
Uyounul Athar; 1/217, Ibn Kutheir’s
As-Sira; 2/198 and Ahmed’s
Al-Musned; 3461. As he records it in his
Majmauzzawaid; 6/44, Al-Heithami comments that Ahmed and At-Tabarani recorded it. Ahmed relates it to narrators admitted in the most authentic reference books
of hadith except Ibn Isaaq.
The report is also registered in
Kenzul Ummal; 1/328 and 8/29.
*This report is recorded in
Hilyetul Abrar; 1/127 and At-Tusi’s
Al-Amali; 1/316, from which the compiler
ofBiharul Anwar quotes the report and registers it on page 272
of part 19, under number 11. It is also recorded in
Majmauzzawaid; 6/91.
**The same is recorded in
Uyounul Athar; 1/146 and Ibn Kutheir’s
As-Sira; 1/506.
*This narration is recorded on page 228
of part 10
of Al-Beihaqi’s
As-Sunan, and 217
of part 4
of At-Tirmithi’s, and 235
of part 1
of At-Thehbi’s
Siyeru Alamin Nubela.
*Nassibites are antagonists
of the Prohet’s progeny and their adherents.
*The underlined words
of At-Thehbi should be affixed in mind for more understanding for the coming topics.
*Refer to Ibn Husham’s
As-Sira; 4/1079, who added: Then, people were calmed and regained settlement. Only then, Ettab Bin Useid appeared.
*The same report is recorded on page 75
of part 13
ofKenzul Ummal and page 779
of part 2
of Ibn Shebba’s
Tarikhul Madina, on which the last sentence
of the report is written down in the following form: “I am to keep standing on the entrance
of the city for intercepting the Quraishis from leading Mohammed’s nation to atheism.”
*The same is recorded in Al-Wahidi’sAsbabun Nuzoul; 1/438.
**The same is recorded on page 139
of part 1
of Al-Wahidi’s
Asbabun Nuzoul, and page 198
of part 6
of At-Tabari’s
Tafsir.
*This narration is also recorded on page 205
of part 11
of At-Tabarani’s
Al-Mujamul Kabir.
**This report is recorded in At-Tabarani’s
Al-Mujamus Saghir and
Al-Mujamul Awsat. Within its narrators is Atya Al-Awfi; the doubtful.
*This report is recorded by At-Tabarani. Within its narrators is An-Nadr Bin Abdirrahman; the doubtful.
*Ibn Husham’s
As-Sira; 3/227.
*This matter will be soon provided during discussing Verse
of Ikmaluddin.
*Refer to
Wesailus-Shia; 18/174.
*This series in the story
of the Prophet’s sermon
of Ghadir is quoted from various reference books. The following are among these books:
As-Saduq’s
Kemaluddin We Itmamun Nima; 276.
At-Tebirsi’s
Alihtijaj; 1/70.
An-Nisapuri’s
Rawdetul Waidheen; 98.
Al-Mustershid; 117…etc.
The Sunni reference books
of hadith relate similar narratives. Refer to Al-Amini’s
Al-Ghadir for more information.
*The same report is recorded in Ahmed’s
Al-Musned; 2/366, et al.
*Refer to
Al-Khissal; 1/173.
*The same is recorded in
Nouru Thaqalein; 1.582, and 5/447.
*This very report is recorded in the following reference books
of hadith:
Ahmed’s
Al-Musned; 6/188.
Al-Beihaqi’s
As-Sunan; 7/172. (Two reports; one is narrated by Ibn Nufeir and the other by Abdullah Bin Amr.)
Tabaqatul Hanabila; 1/427.
Al-Hakim’s
Al-Mustedrak; 2/311. (He comments: Although the two sheiks -Muslim and Al-Bukhari- did not register, this report is decided as authentic according to their criteria. The same commentary is recorded after the report
of Abdullah Bin Amr in this regard.)
Later on, the reader will understand that the two Sheiks -Muslim and Al-Bukahri- did not record the reports for paying deference to Omar who cited other suras as the final Quranic chapters.
*These narratives are discussed thoroughly in ourTadwinul Qur’an.
*Ibn Kutheir records this narrative in
Mukhtasaru Tarikhi Dimeshq; 2/4/309.
*This report is also recorded in the same reference book; 3/17-26 and 59, and 4/366 and 371. It is also recorded in Ad-Darimi’s
As-Sunan; 2/431, and Muslim’s
Sahih; 7/122, and Al-Hakim’s
Al-Mustedrak; 3/109 and 148 and Al-Beihaqi’s
As-Sunan; 2/148 and many other reference books
of hadith.
*The Hijri year is lunar and each month begins at the approximate new moon; therefore, months may be either thirty or twenty nine days.
*Refer toTadwinul Qur’an.
**The same is recorded in Ahmed’s
Al-Musned; 2/192 and 215, and Al-Hakim’s
Al-Mustedrak; 1/105 and 3/528.
*Meaning
of the Verse is that the true believers should use pudicity with women except their wives and handmaids.
*In our
Mujamu Ahadithil Imamil Mahdi; 5/458, we have referred to a number
of sayings ascribed to Imam Al-Baqir and Imam As-Sadiq, providing an exegesis for the befalling chastisement which shall be befalling in periods just before the advent
of Al-Mahdi (peace be upon him).
*The same is recorded in At-Tabari’s
Tarikh; 2/98.
**The same is recorded in
Uyounul Athar; 1/142.
*In other narratives, ‘I realize’ is written down instead
of ‘you claimed’. The previous is more suitable to the general sense
of the poem, and to Abu Talib’s faithfulness. In the Third Volume
of our
Al-Aqaidul Islamiya, we introduce the Quraishis’ forgery ascribed falsely to Abu Talib (God be merciful to him).
*Refer to Ibn Husham’s
As-Sira; 2/488, and At-Tabari’s
Tarikh; 2/142.
**Refer to Ibn Husham’s
As-Sira; 2/286 and 527, and At-Tabari’s
Tarikh; 2/157 and 286.
*Refer to Ibn Husham’s
As-Sira; 4/ 929, and Ibn Kutheir’s; 3/682, and Al-Yaqubi’s
Tarikh et al.