(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?
Hasan:The answer to this question can be condensed in two points:
First, they did favor some with this and kept it away from others due to disparity in their comprehension, as some can take their knowledge upon themselves and some others cannot because it could causes confusion and uncertainty into their faith.
That is why it is reported from Amir Al-Mu’menin (PBUH) that he says:“By God if I would want to, I could tell every one of you about their intentions and all their affairs, but I am afraid they accuse me with infidelity and alter from the religion of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH); thus, I am only to utter it to people of distinction who can be trusted and whom are sent in truth and chosen among all. I speak nothing but the truth as I am entrusted with it: the way they die and the way they survive and everything else. There is nothing He has not spelled into my ear or uttered upon me”.
This Hadith clearly states what we were talking about.
Anwar:Yes, it is very clear.
Hasan:The second point is that it is to avoid the weak-minded from going astray, which is, of course, against the purpose of the Mohammedan Message. This is the reason why he said:“I am afraid they accuse me with infidelity and alter from the religion of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH)”.
In this case, the Imam becomes the reason people turn away from the religion. So, because they cannot bear their knowledge, it is concealed from people although they miss the benefit they can obtain from it.
Anwar:As long as there is a difference between the Divine knowledge bestowed upon Ahl Al-Bait (PBUT) and the normal human knowledge, can you thankfully clarify this point?
Hasan:Yes, thank you for raising this significant issue. However, before we discuss the difference between the two, I have got to talk about an equally important point.
The Divine knowledge is the most honorable knowledge of all due to the fact that it is concerned with the Almighty Allah, His qualities and deeds. Therefore, the person conversant with the Divine knowledge must be
superior to the one with the human knowledge.
Moreover, the Divine knowledge which is concerned with the spiritual aspect of mankind is definitely more important than the material or secular aspect; that is why it is higher than the human knowledge with respect to human needs, and consequently, religious experts are of higher status compared to materialistic experts.
There are also many Hadith that emphasizes the importance and superiority of experts in Divine knowledge, the fact that asserts the necessity for respecting and honoring these experts.
Anwar:Akhi Hasan, you have just brought up an essential issue argued about these days. Do we actually have to respect whoever dressed like clergymen, taking into consideration that there are people who have no idea about the religion and still put on clergy clothing?
Hasan:It is an apt inquiry, Akhi Anwar. We have to respect whoever behaves respectfully, but those people pretending or claiming to be something they are not do not deserve to be respected even though they are wearing clergy clothing.
However, we cannot simply accuse people before close examination so we first make sure in order not to disrespect clergymen or their outfits. This brings to my mind a wisdom said by a sage which is something to the effect that “if we see a man in turban steals, never say he is a turbaned thief but a thief wearing a turban”. I think enough is said.
Anwar:Yes, indeed you clearly made your point. All rewards you well.
Hasan:Now, we can go back in order to give an answer to the question you raised. The difference between the Divine knowledge bestowed upon Ahl Al-Bait (PBUT) and the normal human knowledge can be put as the following:
· Human acquired knowledge needs to be taught and learned and people have different understanding comprehension which will definitely causes disagreement in many issues.
· There are also many unknown issues which are off the limits of human knowledge and consequently normal people cannot make decisions about them.