they came in to Yusuf, he took his parents to lodge with him and said: Enter safe into Egypt, if Allah please)12;98-99.
Finally, the Prophets and the Imams (PBUT) are means through which the Divine abundance is received looking at their status and capabilities.
Anwar:This last one I could not really comprehend. What do you mean?
Hasan:I mean when the Most Gracious and Generous and Munificent Allah want to give generously to His creatures, there must be human beings capable of bearing this responsibility without being subject to pride or exceeding the limits; these people are the Infallibles.
I will give you some examples to clarify this point. Jesus Christ (PBUH) had the ability to bring the dead to life and create a bird from clay, all in accordance with God’s will. Moses (PBUH) had miracles using his cane. The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) also had the ability to deal conclusively with the universe, yet they never misused their power for their own interest or advantage; such status and capabilities qualify these people to receive
the Divine abundance. Thus, they are better and of higher status than us, the fact that qualify them to be those mediators between the sinners and their Glorious Allah.
Anwar:Very good, Sir!
Hasan:I would to add that Jesus Christ (PBUH) is a person of distinction to Most Exalted Allah as it is mentioned in this Holy Verse from the Noble Quran:
(When the angels said: O Marium, surely Allah gives you good news with a Word from Him of one whose name is the Messiah, Isa son of Marium, worthy of regard in this world and the hereafter and of those who are made near – to Allah)3;45.
This means that he is a link and a mediator in order to fulfill people’s needs. There is a lot more to learn about supplication and forgiveness if you like.
Anwar:What you presented has been quite sufficient and satisfactory. Thank you so much!
Hasan:Thanks God! See you soon, Inshallah.
Symposium 67
What is Shi’ism?
Anwar:Salam ‘Alaykom!
Hasan:Alaykom As-Salam Wa Rahmatollah Wa Barakatoh!
Anwar:The Shi’ite and the Sunnis are two common words I hear a lot. This makes us wonder why the followers of one same religion split into two sects.
Hasan:Before we discuss this question, we need to know what this word, Shi’ism, means linguistically and idiomatically.
Shi’ite linguistically means the followers and the supporters or a group of people getting together.
Shi’ite idiomatically means the followers of Amir Al-Mu’menin (PBUH) who give preference to him over others; so, the followers and the supporters and the defenders and the loyal partisan of Imam Ali Bin Abu Talib (PBUH).
We have evidence from the Hadith in this regard. It is reported, in ‘Tafsir Al-Safi’, from Al-Amali that Jabir Bin Abdullah said:“We were with the Prophet (PBUH) when Ali Bin Abu Talib arrived. So, the Prophet (PBUH) said: ‘my brother has come’, then he turned to Ka’ba, struck it and said: ‘By He who has my life, this man and his followers (Shi’a) are the victorious in the Day of Judgment.’
He added: ‘He is the first to believe with me among you and the most loyal towards the vows to Allah, the most committed to the commands of Allah, the most objective and just towards people, the most straightforward and of most advantages to Allah.’ Then, he mentioned this Holy Verse:
(As for those who believe and do good, surely they are the best of men)98;7.
The Companions of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) used to call Ali ‘the best of men’ whenever he arrived”.
Now, the reason why Muslims are divided into two sects is due to political reasons as well as worldly greediness.
Anwar:How is that?
Hasan:Let us not speak about it as it brings up negative issues!
Anwar:I think it is all right if we just go through it quickly.
Hasan:We have already proved the preference and precedence of Imam Ali (PBUH) as the next in line to succeed Prophet Mohammad (PBUH); this was during his life, but after the Prophet (PBUH) passed away, some people retraced their steps and we all know the story of Saqifat Bani Sa’edah. Since then, Muslims are practically split into two sects. A sect kept following Imam Ali (PBUH) and another sect showed rejection although they were hiding this at the time of the Prophet (PBUH).
Anwar:What do you mean Muslims are ‘practically’ split into two sects?
Hasan:I mean they were hiding their rejection the Imamate of Ali (PBUH) at the time of the Prophet (PBUH) but they practically showed it after his death.
Anwar:Some say that ideology of Shi’ism was a heresy originated by a Jew named Abdulla Bin Saba?
Hasan:It is mere fabrication and false accusation. Here are these proofs refuting this lie:
· Al-Hakim Al-Haskani Al-hanafi Al-Neisabouri – a prominent figure of fifth century AH – reported that Yazid Bin Sharahil Al-Ansari – the writer of Imam Ali (PBUH) said:“I heard Imam Ali (PBUH) say: The Messenger of Allah told me once: Haven’t you heard the words of Almighty Allah:
(As for those who believe and do good, surely they are the best of men)98;7?
They are you and your Shi’a (followers) as my appointed time and your appointed time is the Pool (Al-Hawz). When nations gather for the Judgment, you are called upon honorably.”
Furthermore, Al-Qandouzi Al-Hanafi reported in several ways from Al-Deilami as well as Al-Tabarini from Abu
Rafi’ that the Prophet (PBUH) said:“O Ali! The first four entering the Paradise are me, you, Al-Hasan and Al-Husain, then come our offspring, our spouses and followers of our good features and faith”.
· The ideology of Shi’ism was proved by the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) himself as we have just mentioned above and also earlier in our discussion; this was long before the appearance of this fabricated Abdulla Bin Saba.
· Abdulla Bin Saba is a made-up myth invented by the enemies of Shi’a.
· How is it possible to believe that a Jew who later converted to Islam had such huge intellectual influence on such great Companions like Salman Al-Faresi, Abu Zar, Ammar, Al-Miqdad and many others?
· Even if this person existed, Amir Al-Mu’menin (PBUH) incinerated him for his excessiveness as it is reported from some Shi’a scholars.
Anwar:What can you tell us about the theories related to the origin of Shi’im?
Hasan:There are no such things as theories! With a little thinking, they appear to be unacceptable.
Anwar:Will you please mention them in brief?
Hasan:These are some of the theories.
First theory:Shi’ism was originated after the death of the Prophet (PBUH); this is rejected because we have already given evidence that Shi’ism existed during the life of the Prophet (PBUH).
Second theory:Shi’ism was originated during the reign of Othman Bin Affan; this is also rejected.
Third theory:The origin of Shi’ism goes back to the tragic incidents of Al-Taf and the martyrdom of Imam Al-Husain (PBUH).
Fourth theory:Shi’ism has Persian origins.
Fifth theory:Shi’ism was originated during the life of Imam Al-Sadiq; there are still more of these so-called theories and they are wholly rejected.
Anwar:Excellent job! You seem you would want to say something.