Symposium 49
Does the Imam Know About the Divine Secrets?
Anwar:Salam ‘Alaykom!
Hasan:Alaykom As-Salam Wa Rahmatollah Wa Barakatoh!
Anwar:You answered my first question. Will you please provide me with an answer to my second question?
Hasan:You were asking if the Imam knows about the Divine secrets. At first, we need to explain what Divine secret is. As a matter of fact, it is all things that are hidden or unseen to us and other creatures, and the Most Exalted Allah is the Knower of all the things unseen. However, if the Almighty Allah wills, He bestows His knowledge upon a slave. This following Holy
Verse from the Noble Quran informs us about the Virtuous Al-Khizr([14]) (PBUH) who was taught this Divine knowledge by the Almighty Allah:
(Then found they one of Our slaves, unto whom We had given mercy from Us, and had taught him knowledge from Our presence)18;65.
Thus, the Most Gracious Allah teaches His knowledge to whoever He wills to be carrying His message to people. Accordingly, the Imams (PBUT) knows as much as God sees fit to teach them.
Anwar:As far as we are talking about the knowledge of the Imams (PBUT), may I ask you to give us a Hadith in this regard?
Hasan:With all pleasure! Imam Al-Sadiq (PBUH) says:“The Almighty Allah is far wiser and more generous and more exalted and greater than He would send His chosen people and prevents them from the knowledge on their affairs”. In another occasion, Imam Al-Sadiq (PBUH) says:“Whoever doubts that the Almighty Allah
[14]Al-khizr or khidr, is a revered figure in Islam, whom the quran describes as a righteous servant of Allah, who possessed great wisdom or mystic knowledge. Shi'a stated, Al-khizr was called Al-khizr (green) because he set in an white land (sand) and it became green.
sends His chosen people without providing them with whatever they need, he is making a false accusation to God”.
Anwar:These two Hadith serve our subject well.
Hasan:Exactly! The Imams (PBUT) are our pure source for all kinds of knowledge.
Anwar:I have got another question. We have acquired knowledge and the Divine knowledge that is ‘casted by the Almighty Allah upon whoever heart He wills’ – so to speak. Is there any difference between these two types of knowledge?
Hasan:The answer is obvious. The first type can be earned by most of people, but the second one is bestowed by the Almighty Allah upon some chosen people only. I explained this earlier with this Holy Verse about the Virtuous Al-Khizr (PBUH) as an example:(Then found they one of Our slaves, unto whom We had given mercy from Us, and had taught him knowledge from Our presence)18;65. This does not take place unless the heart is purified and well refined so it shines with the heavenly light and becomes ready to
receive the Divine knowledge.
Anwar:One last question. Are the Imams (PBUT), such as Imam Ali (PBUH) and Imam Husain (PBUH), aware of our visits to their shrines and do they hear our words and know about intentions?
Hasan:Great question. My dear Brother, they are aware when we visit their shrines and they do hear what we say and know about intentions. I will explain this in a series of points:
· The Imams’ (PBUT) sources of knowledge are diverse; the Almighty Allah is the main source. Their knowledge also comes from the Prophet (PBUH) and internal illumination and enlightenment. Speaking to angels is also a source. I think we have already talked about this if you still remember!
Anwar:I do remember, but I was referring to their knowledge after they pass away.
Hasan:All right. Now, let’s move to the second point:
· The Imams (PBUT) are alive with their Lord as the Most Exalted Allah put it in the Noble Quran:
(Think not of those, who are slain in the way of Allah, as dead. Nay, they are living. With their Lord they have provision)3;169.
· The Imams (PBUT) are chosen by the Almighty Allah which consequently makes it indispensable for us to obey them whether they are alive or deceased, otherwise we are making a huge error which will distance us from the Most Gracious Allah.
The Hadith from Imam Al-Baqir (PBUH) confirms this fact:“Allah is far more exalted and more generous than He would impose obligation to obey a slave and prevents him from the knowledge of His heaven and earth; he would have never done that”. It is obligatory for us to obey and follow Imam Ali (PBUH) and his purified offspring (PBUT) as they are aware of what we do and they will witness over our actions in the Judgment Day.
· Our deeds are presented before them so that they witness over them. This Holy Verse proves this fact:
(And say unto them: Act! Allah will behold your actions, and so will His Messenger and the
believers…)9;105.
The word ‘believers’ here refers to the Imams (PBUT). This following Hadith from Imam Al-Sadiq (PBUH) is also a proof in this regard:“Why do you sadden the Messenger of Allah (PBUH)? Don’t you know that your actions will be presented before him? If he sees wrongdoings, he will be saddened. Thus, do not sadden him; please him”.
· What is wrong with the fact that the Almighty Allah reveals to His Prophet (PBUH) and to his family – Ahl Al-Bait (PBUT) – certain knowledge about people who visits them, their names as well as their inner intentions? There is nothing with that as long as it is the Almighty Allah’s Will. I am going to mention some Hadith that illustrate they are in connection with us and they are informed about us and our intentions.
First of all, Imam Ali (PBUH) demonstrates in this Hadith that the Most Exalted Allah passes them our regards:“The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said that I am informed when someone greets me from the earth and I hear whoever greets me at the grave”. In another narration from Ibn Mas’oud, he reports from the
Messenger of Allah (PBUH) that“there are angels travelling on earth sent by the Glorious Allah that pass me my people’s greeting”.
Second of all, this Hadith from Imam Ja’far Bin Mohammad Al-Sadiq (PBUH) shows clear evidence to what we have just said:“Husain Bin Ali (PBUH) looks from above in heavens upon his visitors and he is aware of their circumstances, their names, their fathers’ names and their ranks and positions to the Most Exalted Allah even more than any of you is about his own child, as he sees he who sheds tears for him and asks forgiveness for them, and so do his ancestors (PBUT)…”.
Thus, the Imam (PBUH) sees and hears and asks for forgiveness because he is a living martyr before his Lord. He also knows about the inner intention of his visitors and not their outer actions otherwise he would not be able decide if the visitors are honest or not.
Anwar:Thank you very much indeed. You are obviously tired out!
Hasan:I am at your service. See you soon.
Symposium 50
Why Don’t Ahl Al-Bait (PBUT) Teach
Their Knowledge to All of People?
Anwar:Salam ‘Alaykom!
Hasan:Alaykom As-Salam Wa Rahmatollah Wa Barakatoh!
Anwar:There are still two more questions remained from last time waiting for answers.
Hasan:Ask whatever comes to your mind.
Anwar:If Ahl Al-Bait (PBUT) had a vast knowledge, why didn’t they teach this knowledge to their companions or even mention it in front of them?