Selected Narrations about the Twelfth Imam chapter3

Selected Narrations about the Twelfth Imam

Chapter3

Sulaym Ibn Qais al-Hilaali reports, ‘I enquired from Ameerul Momineen (a. s. ) , ‘Surely I have heard from Salmaan, Miqdaad and

Abuzar things vis-à-vis the interpretation of Quran and the tradition of the Prophet (s. a. w. a. ) , other than what is available with the people. I also heard from you things that endorse what I have heard from these three.

I see many things concerning the exegesis of the Quran and the interpretation of the Prophetic traditions while you oppose them in these and consider all of these as false and incorrect. Do you think that the people are attributing lies unto Allah and His Messenger (s. a. w. a. ) deliberately and are indulging in the whimsical interpretation of the Holy Quran? ’’

Ali (a. s. ) replied, “Since you have asked, then understand the answer. Certainly, in the hands of the people, there is right as well as wrong, truth as well as lies, abrogating as well as abrogated, particular as well as general, clear as well as the ambiguous, and preserved as well as the imaginary. Indeed, lie was attributed unto the Messenger of Allah (s. a. w. a. ) during his lifetime so much so that he (s. a. w. a. ) had to deliver a sermon saying, ‘O people! Many lies have been attributed unto me. So, whoever ascribes anything falsely unto me intentionally, his seat will be in the hell fire. ’ Therefore, (obviously) the lies attributed to him (s. a. w. a. ) after his death will be much more than those ascribed to him (s. a. w. a. ) in his lifetime.

Any tradition that comes to you can originate only from four sources and there cannot be a fifth source for it:

A hypocrite, who professes faith apparently and feigns to

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believe in Islam, does not consider it as a sin or does not hesitate to attribute a lie to the Messenger of Allah (s. a. w. a. ) deliberately. Had the people known that he is a hypocrite, a liar, they would neither accept from him nor verify in him. But they said, ‘He is from the companions of the Messenger of Allah (s. a. w. a. ) , he has seen and heard him (s. a. w. a. ). Hence they took from him without being aware of his condition. While Allah has informed about the hypocrites and described them in no uncertain terms as follows,

وَإِذَا رَأَیْتَهُمْ تُعْجِبُکَ أَجْسَامُهُمْ وَإِن یَقُولُوا تَسْمَعْ لِقَوْلِهِمْ کَأَنَّهُمْ خُشُبٌ مُّسَنَّدَةٌ

And when you see them, their persons will please you, and If they speak, you will listen to their speech; (they are) as if they were big pieces of wood clad with garments. (Qur’an Surah Munaafeqoon 63: 4)

After him, they became close to the leaders of deviation and the callers towards the hell fire through vanity, lies and slander, who ordained actions for them, imposed them on the necks of the people and acquired the world through them. The masses merely follow the rulers and the world except the one whom Allah, the High has protected. This was the first of the four.

The second is the one who has heard a thing from the Messenger of Allah (s. a. w. a. ) , could not memorize the exact wordings and developed a wrong notion about it but did not lie deliberately. So, he believes in whatever is with him, acts upon

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it, narrates it and says, ‘I have heard it from the Messenger of Allah (s. a. w. a. ). ’ Had the Muslims known that this is just his notion, they would not accept it. Even if he himself had known that this is his own imagination, he would have rejected it.

The third is he who heard that the Messenger of Allah (s. a. w. a. ) has ordered something and later prohibited it or prohibited a thing and later ordered for it, but he is not aware of it. Hence, he has memorized only the abrogated part but is ignorant of the abrogating command. Had he known that this order has been abrogated, he would have rejected it and had the Muslims known, when they heard it from him, that it is abrogated, they too would have dispelled it.

The fourth is he who did not ascribe a lie to the Messenger of Allah (s. a. w. a. ) as he hates lies due to fear of Allah, the High, and respect for His Messenger (s. a. w. a. ). He did not forget, rather, he memorized the exact wordings. Whenever he reproduced it, he did it in toto without adding anything to it or reducing a part of it. He was aware of the abrogating as well as the abrogated, while keeping away the abrogated one. He also knew that the tradition of the prophet is like the Quran, bearing the abrogating as well as the abrogated, the particular and the general and the clear and the ambiguous. Indeed, the sayings of the Messenger of Allah

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(s. a. w. a. ) , like the Holy Quran, were of two kinds, general and particular. Allah, Blessed and High be He, says,

وَمَا آتَاکُمُ الرَّسُولُ فَخُذُوهُ وَمَا نَهَاکُمْ عَنْهُ فَانتَهُوا

And whatever the Apostle gives you, accept it, and from whatever he forbids you, keep back. (Qur’an Surah Hashr (59): Verse 7. )

Thus whoever did not know and did not follow what Allah and His Messenger (s. a. w. a. ) implied with it became confused. All the companions of the Messenger of Allah (s. a. w. a. ) were not asking questions about everything. Whoever asked him, understood and whoever understood preserved it.

There was a group amongst them who never asked him (s. a. w. a. ) a question. They preferred that a bedouin or a desert-folk comes and asks the Messenger of Allah (s. a. w. a. ) a question and they listen to the answer. But I used to go to him (s. a. w. a. ) everyday atleast once and every night atleast once, when he (s. a. w. a. ) used to give me an absolutely private hearing. He (s. a. w. a. ) answered what I asked and I went with him (s. a. w. a. ) wherever he (s. a. w. a. ) went. The companions of the Messenger of Allah (s. a. w. a. ) were aware that he (s. a. w. a. ) did not treat anybody from the people in this manner as he (s. a. w. a. ) dealt with me.

Often, the Messenger of Allah (s. a. w. a. ) used to come to my house. I too, used to go to some of his (s. a. w. a. ) houses, when he (s. a. w. a. ) used to ask his wives to leave that we could talk in private, and none remained there but me. On the other hand, when a visitor

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came and demanded privacy, he (s. a. w. a. ) did not ask me, Fatemah or our two sons to leave. Whenever I asked him (s. a. w. a. ) a question, he (s. a. w. a. ) answered and when I was silent or my questions were exhausted, he (s. a. w. a. ) commenced talking with me.

So, no single verse of the Holy Quran descended upon the Messenger of Allah (s. a. w. a. ) but that he (s. a. w. a. ) read it for me and dictated it to me. I wrote it in my own hand-writing. He (s. a. w. a. ) taught me its exegesis, its interpretation, its abrogating and abrogated verses, its clear and ambiguous verses, its particular and general verses, its apparent and concealed. He (s. a. w. a. ) invoked Allah to grant me its understanding and its memorization.

Consequently, I did not forget a single verse from the Book of Allah or any knowledge which he (s. a. w. a. ) dictated to me. Whatever Allah taught him (s. a. w. a. ) from the permissible or prohibited, command or prohibition, obedience or disobedience, past or present or any other book that was revealed before us, he (s. a. w. a. ) taught it to me and I memorized it. I did not forget a single alphabet from it.

Whenever the Messenger of Allah (s. a. w. a. ) informed me of these things, he (s. a. w. a. ) placed his hand on my chest and prayed that He fills my heart with knowledge, understanding, wisdom and light. He used to supplicate, “O Allah! Teach him, make him memorise and do not cause him to forget anything of what I have informed him and taught him. ”

One day, I said to him

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(s. a. w. a. ) , “O Messenger of Allah (s. a. w. a. )! May my father and my mother be held ransom for you, from the time you have invoked Allah what you invoked, I did not forget anything nor whatever you have taught me, has escaped from me. Whatever you taught me, I wrote it down. Did you fear forgetfulness on my part? ” He (s. a. w. a. ) replied, “O brother! I did not fear forgetfulness on your part. I only loved to pray for you for, Allah, the High, had informed me that He will answer my prayers concerning you and your partners, whose obedience He has associated with my obedience, when He ordered concerning them,

یَا أَیُّهَا الَّذِینَ آمَنُواْ أَطِیعُواْ اللّهَ وَأَطِیعُواْ الرَّسُولَ وَأُوْلِی الأَمْرِ مِنکُمْ

O you who believe! Obey Allah and obey the Apostle and those in authority from among you. (Qur’an Surah Nisaa 4: 59)

I asked, ‘Who are they, O Messenger of Allah (s. a. w. a. )? ’ He (s. a. w. a. ) answered, ‘They are the successors after me. One who forsakes them will not harm them. They are with the Quran and the Quran is with them, neither will they part from it nor will it separate from them till they meet me at the Hauz (of Kausar).

Through them, my nation shall gain victory, and through them, it will rain. Through them, calamities will be repelled and supplications will be accepted. ’ I requested, ‘Name them for me, O Messenger of Allah (s. a. w. a. )! ’ He (s. a. w. a. ) obliged, ‘O Ali! You are the first of them, then this son of mine

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– and he (s. a. w. a. ) placed his hand on the head of Hasan. Then, this son of mine - and he (s. a. w. a. ) placed his hand on the head of Husain, followed by his son, your namesake, Ali, the adornment of the worshippers. O brother! He will be born in your lifetime, so convey my salutations unto him. He will be followed by his son, Muhammad al-Baaqer, the splitter of my knowledge and the treasurer of the revelation of Allah, the High.

Then his son, Ja’far al-Sadeq, then his son, Moosa al-Kazem, then his son, Ali al-Reza, then his son, Muhammad al-Taqi, then his son, Ali al- Naqi, then his son, Hasan al-Zaki and finally his son the Hujjah, the Qaem, the seal of my successors and my caliphs and the avenger from my enemies. He will fill the earth with justice and equity as it will be replete with injustice and oppression. ” Then Ameerul Momineen (a. s. ) says, “O Sulaym! By Allah, I recognize him when he is taking allegiance between the Rukn and the Maqaam. I also know the names of his helpers and the names of their tribes…”

296. Misbaah al-Mutahajjid [1]: In a supplication (it has come)

یا رباّه یا سیّداه یا غایة رغبتاه أسألک بک و بمحمّد و علی و فاطمة و الحسن و الحسین و علی بن الحسین و محمد بن علی و علی بن محمد والحسن بن علی والقائم المهدی الائمّة الهادیة علیهم السلام أن تصلّی على محمّد و آل محمّد، وأسألک یا الله أن لا تشوّه خلقی بالنّار و

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أن تفعل بی ما أنت أهله

‘O Lord! O Chief! O Pinacle of desire! I ask You for Your sake and for the sake of Muhammad, Ali, Fatemah, Hasan, Husain, Ali Ibn Husain, Muhammad Ibn Ali, Ja’far Ibn Muhammad, Moosa Ibn Ja’far, Ali Ibn Moosa, Muhammad Ibn Ali, Ali Ibn Muhammad, Hasan Ibn Ali and the Qaem, the Mahdi, the guiding Imams (peace be on them all) that You bless Muhammad and the progeny of Muhammad. I ask You, O Allah, that You do not roast me in the hell fire and deal with me as You are worthy of. ’

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[1]: Misbaah al-Mutahajjid, pg. 49.

297. Misbaah al-Mutahajjid [1]: Amongst the supplications that are to be recited after the morning prayers, the following has been highly recommended.

رضیت بالله ربّا و بالإسلام دیناً و بمحمد صلّى الله علیه و آله و سلّم نبیّا و بالقرآن کتاباً و بعلی إمامًا و بالحسن و الحسین و علی بن الحسین و محمّد بن علی و جعفر بن محمّد و موسى بن جعفر و علی بن موسى و محمّد بن علی و علی بن محمّد و الحسن بن علی والخلف الصالح ائمَّة وقادة...

‘I am satisfied with Allah as (my) Lord, with Islam as (my) religion, with Muhammad (s. a. w. a. ) as Prophet, with Quran as Book, with Ali as Imam and with Hasan, Husain, Ali Ibn Husain, Muhammad Ibn Ali, Ja’far Ibn Muhammad, Moosa Ibn Ja’far, Ali Ibn Moosa, Muhammad Ibn Ali, Ali Ibn Muhammad, Hasan Ibn Ali and the righteous successor as Imams and leaders…’

298. Misbaah al-Mutahajjid [2]: Aasim Ibn Humaid reports that Abu Abdillah

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Imam Sadeq (a. s. ) used to recite the following supplication after the prayers of need (صلاة الحاجة) on Friday:

اللّهم و أتقرّب إلیک بولیّک و خیرتک من خلقک و وصیّ نبیّک مولای و مولى المؤمنین والمؤمنات قسیم النار و قائد الابرار

O Allah! I seek proximity to You through Your friend, the chosen one from Your creation, the successor of Your Prophet, my master and the master of the believing men and women, the separator from the hell fire and the leader of the righteous – till he (a. s. ) said

اللّهم و أتقرّب إلیک بالولیّ البارّ التقیّ الطیّب الزکیّ الإمام ابن الإمام، السیّد ابن السیّد الحسن بن علی و أتقرّب إلیک بالقتیل المسلوب قتیل کربلاء الحسین بن علی، و أتقرّب إلیک بسیّد العابدین و قرّة عین الصالحین علی بن الحسین، و أتقرّب إلیک بباقر العلم، صاحب الحکمة و البیان و وارث مَن کان قبله محمد بن علی، و أتقرّب إلیک بالصادق الخیر الفاضل جعفر بن محمد، و أتقرّب إلیک بالکریم الشهید الهادی المولی موسى بن جعفر، و أتقرّب إلیک بالشهید الغریب الحبیب المدفون بطوس علی بن موسى، وأتقرّب إلیک بالزکیّ التقی محمد بن علی، و أتقرّب إلیک بالطهر الطاهر النقی علی بن محمد، و أتقرّب إلیک بولیّک الحسن بن علی، و أتقرّب إلیک بالبقیة الباقی المقیم بین أولیائه الذی رضیته لنفسک الطیّب الطاهر الفاضل الخیّر نور الارض و عمادها و رجاء هذه الاُمّة و سیّدها الآمر بالمعروف والناهی عن المنکر الناصح الامین المؤدّی عن النبیّین و خاتم الاوصیاء النجباء الطاهرین صلوات الله علیهم أجمعین...

O Allah! I seek proximity to you through the master, the

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virtuous, the pure, the good, the immaculate, the Imam and the son of an Imam, the Sayyid and the son of a Sayyid, Hasan Ibn Ali. And I seek nearness to You through the Martyr, the crucified and the martyr of Karbala, Husain Ibn Ali. And I seek nearness to You through the chief of the worshippers and the beloved of the righteous, Ali Ibn Husain.

And I seek nearness to You through the splitter of knowledge, the owner of wisdom and explanation, and the inheritor of what was before him, Muhammad Ibn Ali. And I seek nearness to You through al-Sadeq, the virtuous and the scholar, Ja’far Ibn Muhammad. And I seek nearness to You through the noble, the martyr, the guide and the master, Moosa Ibn Ja’far. And I seek nearness to You through the martyr, the stranger, the beloved who is buried in Toos [1] , Ali Ibn Moosa.

And I seek nearness to You through the pure and the immaculate, Muhammad Ibn Ali. And I seek nearness to You through the clean, the pure and the immaculate, Ali Ibn Muhammad. And I seek nearness to You through Your friend, Hasan Ibn Ali.

And I seek nearness to You through the remainder, the surviving one, the resider amongst his friends with whom You are satisfied, the pleasant, the pure, the scholar, the chosen one, the light of the earth and its pillar, the hope of this nation and its chief, the enjoiner of good, the prohibitor of evil, the

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advisor, the trustworthy, the conveyer from the Prophets and the seal of the successors, the chosen ones and the purified ones, blessings of Allah be on them all…’

299. Mohij al-Da’waat [1]: A supplication which Abu Hamzah al-Sumaali heard from Imam Zain al-Abedin (a. s. ) contained the following:

... و أتوسّل إلیک و أستشفع إلیک بنبیّک نبی الرحمة محمد صلى الله علیه وآله و سلم تسلیمًا و بأمیر المؤمنین علی بن أبی طالب و فاطمة الزهراء و الحسن والحسین و عبدیک و أمینک

‘…and I seek to reach unto You and Your intercession through the medium of Your Prophet, the Prophet of mercy, Muhammad (s. a. w. a. ) and through Ameerul Momineen Ali Ibn Abi Taalib (a. s. ) , Fatemah al-Zahra (a. s. ) , Hasan (a. s. ) and Husain (a. s. ) , Your servant and Your trustee (and in it are the names of the Imams, all of them, till he (a. s. ) said)

و بحقّ خلف الائمة الماضین و الامام الزکی الهادی المهدیّ.

And for the sake of the caliph of the past Imams, the Imam, the pure, the guide and the guided. ’

300. Misbaah al-Mutahajjid [2]: Abaan Ibn Taghlib reports that Abu Abdillah Imam Sadeq (a. s. ) used to recite the following supplication after the prayers of need (صلاة الحاجة)

و بالاسم الذی جعلته عند محمد صلواتک (ورحمتک) علیه وآله و عند علی و الحسن والحسین و علی و محمد و جعفر و موسى و علی و محمد و علی و الحسن و الحجّة علیهم السلام أن تصلّی على محمد وآل محمد و أن تقضی لی حاجتی...

‘And for the sake of the name which You have placed with Muhammad (s. a. w. a. )

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and with Ali, Hasan, Husain, Ali, Muhammad, Ja’far, Moosa, Ali, Muhammad, Ali, Hasan and Hujjah (peace be on them all) that You bless Muhammad and the progeny of Muhammad and that You fulfil for me my need…’

301. Jamaal al-Usboo’ [1]: Shaikh Toosi (a. r. ) narrates through his chain of narrators that Imam Sadeq (a. s. ) used to recite the following supplication

بمحمد یا الله بعلی یا الله بفاطمة یا الله بالحسن یا الله بالحسین یا الله بعلی یا الله بمحمد یا الله بجعفر یا الله بموسى یا الله بعلی یا الله بمحمد یا الله بعلی یا الله بالحسن یا الله بحجّتک و خلیفتک فی بلدک یا الله صلِّ على محمّد و آله محمّد...

‘For the sake of Muhammad, O Allah! For the sake of Ali, O Allah! For the sake of Fatemah, O Allah! For the sake of Hasan, O Allah! For the sake of Husain, O Allah! For the sake of Ali, O Allah! For the sake of Muhammad, O Allah! For the sake of Ja’far, O Allah! For the sake of Moosa, O Allah! For the sake of Ali, O Allah! For the sake of Muhammad, O Allah! For the sake of Ali, O Allah! For the sake of Hasan, O Allah! For the sake of Your Proof and Your Caliph in Your city, O Allah! Bless Muhammad and the progeny of Muhammad…’

302. Al-Iqbaal [2]: Abu Muhammad Haroon Ibn Moosa al-Tal’akbari narrates through his chain of narrators that when the month of Ramazaan approached, Abu Abdillah Imam Sadeq (a. s. ) used to recite the following

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supplication:

اللّهم هذا شهر رمضان المبارک الذی أنزلت فیه القرآن و جعلته هدى للناس

O Allah! This is the blessed month of Ramazaan in which You have sent the Quran and made it (Quran) as a guidance for the people – till he (a. s. ) said after a lengthy invocation

فأسألک بحقّ محمد و علی و فاطمة و الحسن و الحسین و علی بن الحسین و محمد بن علی و جعفر بن محمد و موسى بن جعفر و علی بن موسى و محمد بن علی و علیّ بن محمّد و الحسن بن علیّ و الحجّة القائم بالحقّ صلواتک یا ربّ علیهم أجمعین...

Then I ask You for the sake of Muhammad, Ali, Fatemah, Hasan, Husain, Ali Ibn Husain, Muhammad Ibn Ali, Ja’far Ibn Muhammad, Moosa Ibn Ja’far, Ali Ibn Moosa, Muhammad Ibn Ali, Ali Ibn Muhammad, Hasan Ibn Ali and the Hujjah, the upriser with truth. O Lord! Your blessings be on them all…’

303. Al-Iqbaal [1]: In the supplications of the thirteenth day of Imam Zain al-Abedin (a. s. ) , it has been reported:

اللّهم إنّ الظلمة جحدوا آیاتک

O Allah! Surely the oppressors denied Your signs – till he (a. s. ) said

اللّهم إنّی أدینک یا ربّ بطاعتک و لا ننکر ولایة محمد صلّى الله علیه و علی أهل بیته و ولایة أمیر المؤمنین علی بن أبی طالب علیه السلام و ولایة الحسن و الحسین علیهما السلام سبطی نبیّک و ولدی رسولک علیهما السلام و ولایة الطاهرین المعصومین من ذریة الحسین علی بن الحسین و محمد بن علی و جعفر بن محمد و موسى بن جعفر و علی بن موسى و

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محمد بن علی و علی بن محمد و الحسن بن علی سلام الله و برکاته علیهم أجمعین و ولایة القائم السابق منهم بالخیرات المفترض الطاعة صاحب الزمان.

O Allah! Surely I believe in Your obedience, O Lord, and we do not deny the mastership of Muhammad (s. a. w. a. ) , the mastership of Ali Ibn Abi Taalib (a. s. ) , the mastership of Hasan and Husain (a. s. ) , the two grandsons of Your Prophet (s. a. w. a. ) and the sons of Your Messenger, the mastership of the pure and infallible (Imams) from the progeny of Husain (a. s. ) , (namely) Ali Ibn Husain, Muhammad Ibn Ali, Ja’far Ibn Muhammad, Moosa Ibn Ja’far, Ali Ibn Muhammad, Muhammad Ibn Ali, Ali Ibn Muhammd, Hasan Ibn Ali (salutations of Allah and His blessings be on them all) and the mastership of the Qaem, the foremost amongst them in goodness, the one whose obedience is obligatory and the master of the time.

304. Misbaah al-Mutahajjid [1]: Ibraheem Ibn Umar al-San’aani reports that in frightening circumstances Abu Abdillah Imam Sadeq (a. s. ) used to recite a supplication after prayers. It is the same supplication that was recited by Hazrat Zahra (s. a. ) and it is as follows:

أسألک أن تصلّی على محمد و آله و أن تقضی لی حوائجی و تُسمع محمدًا و علیّا و فاطمة و الحسن و الحسین و علیّا و محمّدا و جعفرًا و موسى و علیًا و محمدًا و علیّا و الحسن والحجّة صلواتک علیهم و رحمتک و برکاتک و رحمتک صوتی، فیشفعوا لی إلیک و تشفّعهم فیّ و لا تردّنی خائبًا...

I ask You that You bless

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Muhammad and his progeny, fulfil my needs, make Muhammad, Ali, Fatemah, Hasan, Husain, Ali, Muhammad, Ja’far, Moosa, Ali, Muhammad, Ali, Hasan and the Hujjah (Your salutations, Your blessings and Your mercy be on them all) hear my voice that they may intercede on my behalf before You and You accept their intercession for me and do not return me disappointed…

305. Kitaab al-Fazl Ibn Shaazaan [1]: Abu Khalid al-Kabuli chronicles, ‘I went to my master Ali Ibn Husain Ibn Ali Ibn Abi Taalib (a. s. ) and saw a book in his hand which he was looking at and crying profusely. ’ I enquired, ‘May my father and my mother be held ransom for you, O son of Allah’s Messenger! What is this book? ’

He (a. s. ) informed, “This is the copy of the tablet which Allah, the High, gifted to the Messenger of Allah (s. a. w. a. ). In it is the name of Allah, the High, His Messenger, Ameerul Momineen (a. s. ) , my uncle Hasan Ibn Ali and my father (peace be on them all) , my name, the name of my son Muhammad al-Baaqer, his son Ja’far al-Sadeq, his son Moosa al-Kazem, his son Ali al-Reza, his son Muhammad al-Taqi, his son Ali al- Naqi, his son Hasan al-Zaki and his son the proof of Allah, the upriser with the command of Allah, the avenger from the enemies of Allah and the one who will go into a long occultation. Thereafter, he will reappear and fill the earth with justice and equity as it would be filled with injustice and

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[1]: Misbaah al-Mutahajjid, pg. 145.

[2]: Misbaah al-Mutahajjid, pg. 228.

[1]: In Khorasan province in Iran, popularly known as Mashhad. – Translator.

[1]: Mohij al-Da’waat.

[2]: Misbaah al-Mutahajjid, pg. 236.

[1]: Jamaal al-Usboo’, pg. 165, Section 5.

[2]: Al-Iqbaal, pg. 47.

[1]: Al-Iqbaal, pg. 145.

[1]: Misbaah al-Mutahajjid, pg. 211.

[1]: Kefaayah al-Mahdi, pg. 55, Tr. No. 4; Isbaat al-Hudaat, vol. 1, pg. 651, Chap. 9, Section 60, Tr. No. 810.

oppression. ”’

306. Al-Seraat al-Mustaqeem [1]: On the day of Shura, Ibn Abbas argued, ‘How much of our rights will you prevent? By the Lord of the Ka’bah, surely Ali is the Imam and the Caliph. Eleven Imams from his descendants will rule, judging with truth. The first of them is Hasan (nominated) by the will of his father in his favour, followed by Husain by the will of his brother in his favour. Then his son Ali by the will of his father in his favour, then his son Muhammad by the will of his father in his favour, then his son Ja’far by the will of his father in his favour, then his son Moosa by the will of his father in his favour, then his son Ali by the will of his father in his favour, then his son Muhammad by the will of his father in his favour, then his son Ali by the will of his father in his favour, then his son Hasan by the will of his father in his favour. When he (Hasan) expires, the awaited, the occult (will rule). ’

Aleem asked Ibn Abbas, ‘Where did you get this information? ’ He replied, ‘Verily, the Messenger of Allah (s. a. w. a. ) taught Ali (a. s. ) one thousand doors (of knowledge). From each door, another thousand doors opened. Surely, this (what I am saying) is from there. ’

307. Kitaab al-Fazl Ibn Shaazaan [2]: Muhammad Ibn Muslim reports on the authority of Abu Ja’far (Muhammad al-Baaqer a. s. ) that the Messenger of Allah (s. a. w. a. ) said

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to Ali Ibn Abi Taalib (a. s. ) , “O Ali! I have more right over the believers than they themselves. Then you, O Ali, have more right upon the believers than they themselves. Then Hasan has more right on the believers than they themselves. Then Husain has more right on the believers than they themselves. Then Ali Ibn Husain has more right on the believers than they themselves. Then Muhammad Ibn Ali has more right on the believers than they themselves. Then Ja’far Ibn Muhammad has more right on the believers than they themselves. Then Moosa Ibn Ja’far has more right on the believers than they themselves. Then Ali Ibn Moosa has more right on the believers than they themselves. Then Muhammad Ibn Ali has more right on the believers than they themselves. Then Ali Ibn Muhammad has more right on the believers than they themselves. Then Hasan Ibn Ali has more right on the believers than they themselves. Finally, (the affair will reach unto) al-Hujjah Ibn al-Hasan, at whom caliphate and successorship will terminate and who will go into prolonged occulation. Thereafter, he will reappear and fill the earth with justice and equality as it would be fraught with injustice and tyranny. ”

308. Kitaab al-Fazl Ibn Shaazaan [1]: Saeed Ibn Jubair reports that Ammaar Ibn Yaasir was asked, ‘What makes you love Ali Ibn Abi Taalib (a. s. )? ’ He retorted, ‘Allah and His Messenger have made me love him. Indeed Allah, the High, has revealed a number of verses concerning him and the Messenger

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of Allah (s. a. w. a. ) has related numerous traditions in his favour. ’ He was asked, ‘Can you convey to us a few traditions that the Messenger of Allah (s. a. w. a. ) has stated in his favour? ’ Ammar replied, ‘Why won’t I? Indeed, I hate those who conceal the truth and spread falsehood. ’

He continued, ‘I was with the Messenger of Allah (s. a. w. a. ) when I saw Ali (a. s. ) kill a number of the elite of Quraish in some of the battles. I asked the Messenger of Allah (s. a. w. a. ) , ‘O Messenger of Allah (s. a. w. a. )! Certainly Ali fights in the way of Allah as one should fight. ’ He (s. a. w. a. ) responded, “And why shouldn’t he? He is from me and I am from him. He is my heir, the repayer of my debts, the fulfiller of my promises and my successor after me. Had he not been there, a pure believer could not be recognized during my lifetime and after my death. His war is my war and my war is Allah’s war. His peace is my peace and my peace is Allah’s peace. Allah will cause to emerge from his loin the rightly guided Imams. O Ammar! Know that Allah, Blessed and High be He, gave me a covenant that He will grant me twelve caliphs. From them is Ali and he is the first of them and their chief. ”

I asked, ‘O Messenger of Allah (s. a. w. a. )! Who are the others? ’ He (s. a. w. a. ) replied, “The second from them is Hasan Ibn Ali Ibn Abi Taalib (a. s. ) , the

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third from them is Husain Ibn Ali Ibn Abi Taalib (a. s. ) , the fourth from them is Ali Ibn Husain, the adornment of the worshippers, the fifth from them is Muhammad Ibn Ali, followed by his son Ja’far, then his son Moosa, then his son Ali, then his son Muhammad, then his son Ali, then his son Hasan and then his son who will be hidden from the people, a prolonged occultation. This is the saying of Allah, Blessed and High be He,

قل ارأیتم أن اصبح ماؤکم غورا فمن یاتیکم بماء معین

Say: Have you considered if your water should go down, who is it then that will bring you flowing water? (Qur’an Surah Mulk 67; 30. )

Thereafter, he will emerge and fill the earth with equality and justice as it would be fraught with injustice and oppression. O Ammar! Soon after me, there will be a discord. In this situation you follow Ali and his party because he is with the truth and the truth is with him. Soon you will fight against the ناکسین (the people of Jamal) and the قاسطین (the people of Siffeen) along with him. A rebellious group will murder you. Your last provision of this world will be a glass of milk that you shall drink. ”

Saeed Ibn Jubair says, ‘It happened exactly as the Messenger of Allah (s. a. w. a. ) had prophesied. ’

309. Misbaah al-Mutahajjid [1]: Imam Sadeq (a. s. ) used to recite the following supplication after the prayers of need (صلاة الحاجة)

واسئلک بالحقّ الّذی جعلته عند محمّد وآل محمّد و

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عند الائمّة علیّ و الحسن و الحسین و علی و محمّد و جعفر و موسى و علی و محمّد و علی والحسن والحجّة أن تصلّی على محمّد و أهل بیته و أن تقضی حاجتی و تیسّر عسیرها و أن تکفینی مهمّاتها

And I ask You for the sake of the right, which You have reposed with Muhammad and the progeny of Muhammad and with the Imams Ali, Hasan, Husain, Ali, Muhammad, Ja’far, Moosa, Ali, Muhammad, Ali, Hasan and the Hujjah that You bless Muhammad and his Ahle Bait (a. s. ) , fulfil my needs, ease its difficulty and protect me from its sorrows.

The author Ayatullah Lutfullah Saafi Golpaygani (may Allah prolong his life) says: Documents concerning the Imamat of our leaders, the twelve Imams (a. s. ) , abound to the extent that it is not possible to bring all of them in this book. If we bring all the reliable traditions only, quoted in our books, it would require many volumes. Hence, we have confined ourselves to only a few of these traditions. Those who are interested in acquiring further knowledge on the subject may refer to the books written on the subject.

For the benefit of our readers, we cite the names of a few books written by acclaimed scholars, like Abu Abdillah Ahmad Ibn Muhammad Ibn Abdullah al-Ayyaash (exp. 401 A. H. ) , the author of Muqtazab al-Asar Fi Al-Nusoos Alaa al-Aimmah al-Isna Ashar; Shaikh Kamaluddin Maisam Ibn Ali Ibn Maisam al-Bahraani, author of Isteqsaa al-Nazar Fi Imaamate al-Aimmah al-Isna Ashar; Sharho Nahj al-Balaagah (major, medium

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and minor) ; Sharho al-Meah Kalemah; Risaalah Fi al-Imaamah; and a number of other books.

Moreoever, quite a few poems had been read in their eulogy, in their lifetime, which is a further proof for their truthfulness like the poems of al- Abdi in the era of Imam Sadeq (a. s. ). Those who are interested may refer to Al-Ghadeer by Allamah Amini (a. r. ) , vol. 2, Ghadeeriyah al-Abdi, pg. 290; and other similar books.

310. Misbaah al-Mutahajjid: There is another supplication, which Imam Sadeq (a. s. ) used to recite on Friday after the prayers of need (صلاة الحاجة). It is as follows:

واسئلک بالحق الذی جعلته عند محمد و آل محمد و عند الائمة علی والحسن و الحسین و علی و محمد و جعفر و موسى و علی و محمد و علی والحسن والحجّة علیهم السلام ان تصلّی على محمّد و أهلبیته و ان تقضی حاجتی

I ask You for the sake of the right which You have reposed in Muhammad and the progeny of Muhammad and with the Imams, Ali, Hasan, Husain, Ali, Muhammad, Ja’far, Moosa, Ali, Muhammad, Ali, Hasan and the Hujjah (peace be on them all) that You send blessings on Muhammad and his Ahle Bait (a. s. ) and fulfil my need…

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[1]: Al-Seraat al-Mustaqeem, vol. 2, pg. 151, Chap. 10, Section 4; Isbaat al-Hudaat, vol. 1, pg. 722, Section 27, Tr. No. 213.

[2]: Kefaayah al-Mahdi, pg. 69, Tr. No. 10; Isbaat al-Hudaat, vol. 1, pg. 651, Chap. 9, Section 60, Tr. No. 811.

[1]: Kefaayah al-Mohtadi, pg. 8, Tr. No. 15; Kashf al-Haqq (famous as al-Arbaeen of Khatoonabaadi) , pg. 110, Tr. No. 17.

[1]: Misbaah al-Mutahajjid, pg. 231.

Appendix To Chapter Two: Who Are The Twelve Caliphs?

point

Evidently, the greatest duty of every Muslim is the recognition and knowledge of the established facts of the Holy Quran and the Sunnah, and to learn them with maximum reflection and thorough study. Also, one must seek from these two, guidance towards the goals of the strong religion and the straight path

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of Allah. For, these only are the guides that mankind needs to achieve bliss and success in his intellectual, religious, ethical, social and political life.

Moreover, from the most important responsibilities of a researcher of traditions that establish the caliphate of the twelve caliphs is to indulge in deep deliberation over these that he may recognize the twelve caliphs, whose caliphate and Imamat has been documented in these traditions that surpass consecutivity. He must ask himself the following questions:

Who are they?

Who are these caliphs?

What did the Messenger of Allah (s. a. w. a. ) intend through these quotes?

With whom are these traditions compatible?

Why are the caliphs restricted to this number? And so on and so forth.

It is not proper for the one who studies these traditions to be content with their reading and interpretation, and then moving on to the next tradition. It is also not correct for him to simply glance through them as this would lead to negligence in his learning. Yes, it is obligatory on him to stop at them and not to simply speed through them that he recognizes their purpose in detail and with certainty. For, being careless and negligent towards them is tantamount to carelessness and negligence towards the sayings of the Messenger of Allah (s. a. w. a. ) , in whose reverence Allah, Blessed and High be He, declares:

وَمَا یَنطِقُ عَنِ الْهَوَى. إِنْ هُوَ إِلَّا وَحْیٌ یُوحَى

Nor does he speak out of desire. It is naught but revelation that is revealed. (Qur’an Surah Najm 53: 4-5. )

Here, in this treatise, in the

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company of our thoughtful, researching, learning and cultured readers, we shall place these traditions before us and investigate in it. We will also keep as standard the views that have been expressed earlier concerning them.

It should also be known that the aforementioned traditions are not in need of external or whimsical explanations because some of these explain the others and make the researcher needless of interpretation from other than these traditions.

A group of these traditions establishes that the first of them is Ameerul Momineen Ali Ibn Abi Taalib (a. s. ) and the last of them is the Mahdi (a. s. ).

Another group proves that the first of them is Ali (a. s. ) , the second Hasan (a. s. ) , the third Husain (a. s. ) and the remaining nine are from the progeny of Husain (a. s. ).

Yet another batch establishes that the ninth from the progeny of Husain (a. s. ) , is the twelfth Imam, the Mahdi (a. s. ).

A number of these traditions guide towards the names of the twelve Imams, and introduction of their personalities.

There are numerous another traditions that explain, in brief or in detail, tidings about the twelve Imams (a. s. ).

Obviously, the wise and logical approach in comprehending the purpose of these traditions is to derive their meanings and implications. The weakness of the chain of narrators in a few of them shall not affect their validity due to the strength and reliability of others. For, the strong and reliable chains do away with the infirmness of the weak ones. Often, we shall demonstrate this reality in the course of our

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explanations, Inshallah.

Thereafter, we shall ponder on the group of traditions that establishes that the number of Imams is twelve. With which Islamic sect is this number compatible? Or, is compatibility found at all in any of the sects? Or, shall we say, God forbid, that these traditions did not actually occur in reality?

We say: Know that the discussion concerning this group of traditions is divided into two levels:

First: The meanings and implications of these traditions.

Second: Determination of those on whom these traditions apply. In other words, the recognition of the twelve caliphs along with their personalities.

The First Level: The Meanings And Implications Of These Traditions

First: The number of the caliphs, who shall succeed the Messenger of Allah (s. a. w. a. ) is confined to twelve. None can increase or decrease any one of them. This is the gist of each one of these traditions.

Second: The endurance of the earth and its protection from disorder is dependant on the survival of the Imams (a. s. ).

Third: Non-termination of Islam before their (Imams a. s. ) termination i. e. the continuity of Islam depends on them. As long as even one of them lives, Islam will continue to endure and prosper, which proves their prolonged stay on the earth, even if it means the longevity of the twelfth and the last one of them.

Fourth: Islam will continue to remain mighty and the devils will be unable to erase it and destroy its effects as long as the twelve Imams (a. s. ) exist. Thus, it will always be mighty and lofty and none can destroy it like the previous Divine laws

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and religions were ruined. For example, the Shariah of Prophet Moosa (a. s. ) and Prophet Eesa (a. s. ) , in addition to being abrogated by the Shariah of Islam, were distorted in principles and laws through occurrences, wars, Machiavellian politics, manipulations, etc. Hence, whatever is presently available with the Jews and the Christians is not the actual and original Shariah of Prophet Moosa (a. s. ) and Prophet Eesa (a. s. ) , particularly the principles of religion and matters related to beliefs.

As for Islam, then indeed it has remained mighty, lofty and protected from the distortions of the fanatics and the refutation of the deniers. It will continue to be so till the reappearance of the Mahdi (a. t. f. s. ) and the Day of Resurrection. For surely, Allah, the High, has placed it in His fortified protection and appointed twelve Imams (a. s. ) as guides for it and those who will establish His command in all times till the Day of Judgment.

The above point does not, by any means, contradict the domination of the disbelievers over the Muslims in the past or in the present at some times and in some places, because of their inability to destroy Islam. The proof of this lies in the fact that Islam is still surviving even after the passage of fourteen long centuries, notwithstanding its enemies who with all their force, number and preparedness, were unanimous in the destruction of Islam and weakening the Muslims with all their material strength, military power and economic muscle. But their conspiracies fail to extinguish the Light

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of Allah, the High. Nay, often they dominated the Muslims apparently and ruled over their countries and their wealth but miserably failed to prevent the seeds of this tree from flowering. Nay, on a number of occasions, the prophecies of the Messenger of Allah (s. a. w. a. ) to his nation in the above traditions were manifested, as also the promise of Allah to His Prophet (s. a. w. a. ) and to the Muslims through His sayings like,

یُرِیدُونَ لِیُطْفِؤُوا نُورَ اللَّهِ بِأَفْوَاهِهِمْ وَاللَّهُ مُتِمُّ نُورِهِ وَلَوْ کَرِهَ الْکَافِرُونَ

They desire to put out the light of Allah with their mouths but Allah will perfect His light, though the unbelievers may be averse. (Qur’an Surah Saff 61: 8. )

And He says,

مَثَلاً کَلِمَةً طَیِّبَةً کَشَجَرةٍ طَیِّبَةٍ أَصْلُهَا ثَابِتٌ وَفَرْعُهَا فِی السَّمَاء. تُؤْتِی أُکُلَهَا کُلَّ حِینٍ بِإِذْنِ رَبِّهَ

like a good tree, whose root is firm and whose branches are in heaven, Yielding its fruit in every season by the permission of its Lord? (Qur’an Surah Ibraaheem 14: 24-25. )

Fifth: These traditions do not imply that the might of Islam will be absolute and will not be achieved except through the rule of these Imams (a. s. ). Rather, they mean that Islam will continue to survive till they survive, even if it does not enjoy the esteemed levels which it deserves. Of course, absolute might will not actualize except in their reign and during their apparent rule. This too will not materialize through the governance of only one of them. When we talk of the might of Islam, we mean the implementation

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of its laws throughout the universe, a condition that will be achieved only gradually and during the governance of the last of them.

Briefly, we are of the opinion that the might of Islam with some of its levels shall survive, which will prevent the destruction of religion and keep it preserved and protected, only through the twelve Imams (a. s. ). And only when its conditions are fulfilled through the government of the twelfth Imam (a. t. f. s. ) that absolute might will prevail. Allah, the High, says

, هُوَ الَّذِی أَرْسَلَ رَسُولَهُ بِالْهُدَى وَدِینِ الْحَقِّ لِیُظْهِرَهُ عَلَى الدِّینِ کُلِّهِ وَلَوْ کَرِهَ الْمُشْرِکُونَ

He it is Who sent His Apostle with guidance and the religion of truth, that He might cause it to prevail over all religions, though the polytheists may be averse. (Qur’an Surah Taubah 9: 33. )

Sixth: Verily, the Imamat of these Imams (a. s. ) will be in succession and continuity uninterrupted. This reality can be easily deciphered from the clear concepts of these traditions.

Here, there are a few important points that refer to the meanings of the words, ‘Caliph’, ‘Imam’, and ‘Master’, which we shall state for completing the discussion.

First

Raagheb Isfahaani, the renowned littérateur writes, ‘Caliphate means representation of another, either due to the absence of the represented one or due to his death or due to his inability or due to the eminence of the representative. On account of the last mentioned meaning, Allah has made His friends as His representatives in the earth. ’ [1]

I say: Therefore, a Caliph is the representative of the other,

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regardless of the represented person being absent, dead, unable or due to the esteemed and lofty position of the representative in the eyes of the represented person. Or the execution of some tasks, the implementation of the authority of the represented one and the manifestation of his position through the representative are appropriate as per the wisdom, aims, purposes, etc. of the represented one. It is irrelevant whether the representative and the represented one are Allah, the High, His Prophet (s. a. w. a. ) or a group of His servants or some of them.

Hence, amongst all the literary applications, we cannot take the first three i. e. the absence, death and inability of the represented person as these cannot be applied for the Prophethood of a Prophet or the Imamat of an Imam. Therefore, the term ‘Caliph of Allah’ is truly applicable in its real sense on Adam (a. s. ) , Dawood (a. s. ) and all other Prophets like Nuh (a. s. ) , Ibraheem (a. s. ) , Moosa (a. s. ) , Isaa (a. s. ) , their chief Muhammad (s. a. w. a. ) and the twelve Imams about whose caliphate the Messenger of Allah (s. a. w. a. ) has given tidings to his nations.

Moreover, the term ‘Caliph’, as used in the Holy Quran and the traditions, is not related to any added noun, displaying clearly that it implies only for the Caliph of Allah, the High. So, a Prophet or an Imam is a representative and heir of Allah, the High, and Prophethood and Imamat are from the affairs of Allah, the High. None has got the right to stake a claim

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to this status but with His permission.

Allah has used the word ‘Caliph’ in the Holy Quran, thus:

إِنِّی جَاعِلٌ فِی الأَرْضِ خَلِیفَةً

I am going to place in the earth a khalif. (Qur’an Surah Baqarah 2: 30. )

And He, Mighty and Glorified be He declared,

یَا دَاوُودُ إِنَّا جَعَلْنَاکَ خَلِیفَةً فِی الْأَرْضِ

O Dawood! Surely We have made you a ruler in the land. (Qur’an Surah Suad 38: 26. )

It has come in the traditions that he was the Caliph of Allah, the High. Then the caliphs are the representatives of Allah upon His servants and His deputies for His creatures.

As for the rulers, they are the chiefs regardless of them being Caliphs on earth. Consequently, every Caliph is a ruler and chief, but every ruler and chief is not a Caliph.

The words ‘government’, ‘reign’ and ‘authority’ fall much short in comparison with the concept of a ‘caliph’. Caliphate as used by Allah or for that matter by the Prophet, covers all the aspects like majesty, beauty, holiness, governance on the foundations of goodness, justice and human values, handling the weak ones with kindness, etc. , which no other term covers. For, the authority of a caliph is connected to the authority of Allah, the Wise, the Just, the Beneficent, the Merciful, the Overpowering, the Subduer, the Generous, the Holy, the Kind, the Forgiving and the Refuge.

A caliph cannot be deprived of his status nor does he divert from the course that Allah has charted for him. He is not ordered but the establishment

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of justice, repelling falsehood, purification of the souls and acting upon the Holy Quran and the Sunnah. So, whoever digresses from this path and aim will not be a caliph, as opposed to an emir, a governor or a ruler.

Indeed, it’s clear for you now that caliphate is a divine position and Allah’s representation, which cannot be completed nor realized save through divine appointment and none partners Him in this regard.

Besides the rational argument that the appointment of Allah’s caliph in the earth necessitates that he should be appointed by Allah only, the verses of the Holy Quran:

إنّى جاعِلٌ

(Qur’an Surah Baqarah 2: 30. )

And

إنّا جَعَلناکَ

(Qur’an Surah Suad 38: 26. )

are also evidence enough of the aforementioned fact. For, these two verses clearly suggest that the appointment of a caliph is from the affairs of Allah, the High, and His special acts, in which none partners Him. Hence, nobody else has got any role whatsoever in the appointment of a caliph in the earth.

Here, it will not be inappropriate to indicate that caliphate is a general Grace (لطف) of Allah, the High, which is not confined to a particular era. Thus, like all other general endowments, which demand His absolute lordship, all encompassing mercy and perfect wisdom, His grace too - Volume 1 , Page 258 - Muntakhab al - Athar fi l-Imam al - thani Ashar: Selected Narrations about the Twelfth Imam

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[1]: Al-Mufradaat fi Ghareeb al-Quran, p. 156.

includes His servants at all times and in all places and is not restricted to a particular time or region. Verily, the sole prerogative of the caliph’s appointment lies with Allah, the Endower, the Generous Who is

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not niggardly in His goodness nor does His treasures exhaust and He is the Wise, the Knowing. When the emanation of this Grace is proved to be obligatory in one era, its emergence is automatically established at all times.

And there are proofs that the terms caliph and caliphate when used in the Holy Quran and the traditions imply only Allah’s representation, the great divine vicegerency and nothing else. There are a number of traditions in this regard from both Shias and Sunnis like those concerning Al- Mahdi (a. t. f. s. ) that he is the caliph of Allah. [1]

And like the advice of the Messenger of Allah (s. a. w. a. ) to Huzaifah, “If there is for Allah a caliph in the earth, obey him even if he whips your back or takes away your wealth. ” [2]

Kumail reports that Ameerul Momineen Ali Ibn Abi Taalib (a. s. ) said, “They are the caliphs of Allah in His cities (in His earth). ” [3]

While addressing those responsible for public trusts and wealth, Ameerul Momineen (a. s. ) advises them to exercise utmost caution in establishing truth and following the principle of justice in all matters, big or small, significant or otherwise. Then he (a. s. ) orders them to say to the people, “O servants of Allah! The friend of Allah and His caliph has sent me to you. ” [4]

The great genius, the master in jurisprudence, tradition, literature and a number of other sciences, Shaikh Bahauddin al-Aameli (a. r. ) , while deriving from the above traditions, has written poems titled ‘Waseelah al-Fauz wa al-Amaan fi madh Saaheb al-Asr wa al-Zamaan’. A

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couplet from it goes as follows:

خلیفة ربِّ العالمین و ظلّه

على ساکنی الغیراء من کلّ دیار

“The caliph of the Lord of the worlds and His shade

On the inhabitants of the earth in every house. ”

Objection: Why was the term ‘Caliph’ used for all the rulers after the Messenger of Allah (s. a. w. a. ) till the recent rulers of the Ottoman Empire, although they were neither appointed by Allah nor by the Messenger of Allah (s. a. w. a. )? Moreover, their governance were not the carriers of the pure Islamic message nor were they having any legal sanctions from Allah. They were also labeled as oppressive tyrants, whose reign had nothing to do with Islam and who had no qualms in taking the servants of Allah as their slaves and usurping their wealth.

Answer: The term ‘Caliph of the Messenger of Allah (s. a. w. a. ) ’ was used in early Islam for the rulers immediately after him (s. a. w. a. ) by those who were close to them. Later, the domain of its usage expanded and the above term was used for the oppressive kings as well, fearing their tyranny and barbaric oppressions. After sometime, this term was curtailed to a singular word i. e. ‘The Caliph’.

There is no doubt that this term and its application does not lead to the change of words of the Holy Quran and the traditions, from what appears from them at the time of usage nor do they change the words to their new meanings. Also, the usage of this term was historically erroneous because the Messenger of Allah (s. a. w. a. )

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never appointed Abu Bakr as his caliph. As for Umar, Abu Bakr appointed him [1] , so logically he should be called as the caliph of Abu Bakr (and not the Messenger of Allah (s. a. w. a. ) ).

As for the status for the Messenger of Allah (s. a. w. a. ) and his rule over the affairs, then it was not due to the selection of the people or his domination over the affair or his oppression. Nay! It was only due to the choice of Allah, the High. Hence, using the terms, ‘emir’, ‘ruler’ and ‘king’ for those called as caliphs would be more appropriate than being called as a ‘caliph’, leave alone the terms ‘Allah’s caliph’ or ‘the caliph of the Messenger of Allah (s. a. w. a. ) ’.

A right-thinking and sane person, not necessarily a follower of the Ahle Bait (a. s. ) can never permit, condone or overlook the usage of the term ‘the caliph of the Messenger of Allah (s. a. w. a. ) ’ for the likes of Usman, Moawiyah, Yazeed, Waleed, the tyrants of Bani Abbas and the progeny of Usman, etc. , who ruled over Syria, Iraq, Spain, etc.

Briefly, the epithet ‘Allah’s caliph’ is a lofty and elevated term. The same applies for the term ‘caliph’. It cannot be used, and it is not correct to use it except for Allah’s representative on the earth, whom He has chosen to establish justice, be the highest role model for mankind, implement His laws, inhabit His cities, spread goodness, preserve the laws of Shariah and the signs of truth.

Its usage is incorrect for any other

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person either due to disregard or carelessness. For the clarification of the falsity of this claim, when he was addressed as, ‘O caliph of Allah! ’ Abu Bakr said, ‘No, I am the caliph of Muhammad (s. a. w. a. ) ’ or ‘I am the caliph of Messenger of Allah (s. a. w. a. ). ’ [1]

Of course, his conferring the above titles on his own self has no substance of truth in it because as you just read, caliphate is representation of another, and this representation cannot be complete without the appointment by the represented one. Unanimity prevails concerning the fact that the Messenger of Allah (s. a. w. a. ) did not appoint Abu Bakr as his caliph, nor did he (s. a. w. a. ) make any will to him. None of Abu Bakr’s actions like sitting in the place of the Prophet (s. a. w. a. ) , going on the pulpit, praying in his (s. a. w. a. ) prayer niche (mehraab) , were on his behalf and under his (s. a. w. a. ) representation.

There is an opinion that governance and the appointment of a ruler is the duty of the Ummah (Islamic nation) , hence it is obligatory upon it to appoint him. Also, there was consensus in the Ummah – which actually never existed – for the appointment of Abu Bakr, without force or fear. So, using the term ‘Caliph of the nation’ instead of ‘the caliph of the Messenger of Allah (s. a. w. a. ) ’ will be more appropriate and correct. For, in their view, Abu Bakr was the representative of the nation, whose collective responsibility was to implement the laws and protect the system. Needless to

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mention, the above idea has been formulated without devoting the slightest of deliberations on the definition of ‘caliphate’ i. e. it’s representation of the other.

Second

Whatever we have discussed for the word ‘caliph’, is also applicable for the word ‘Imam’ and ‘master’ (ولی) , particularly the latter when it is used for other than Allah, the High. So, an Imam implies the owner of an elevated position appointed by Allah, the High, whether he is a Prophet or the successor of a Prophet. This implication by no means contradicts the literal meaning of the word Imam because literally, the word ‘Imam’ is used for anybody who is followed in knowledge, ethics or in any field of art and technology. For example, it is said Khalil Ibn Ahmad is an Imam in literature, Kulaini (r. a. ) is an Imam in traditions, Shaykh Tusi (r. a. ) is is an Imam in exegesis, traditions, jurisprudence and principles of jurisprudence, and Abu Ali Seena is an Imam in philosophy and medicine. All these applications do not contradict the usage of the word ‘Imam’ by Allah, the Holy Quran and the traditions, for the one whom Allah has appointed as an Imam, made them standard for His servants, the minaret in His cities, the one who is to be followed by all and sundry. Thus, the word ‘Imam’ is normally used for the one who is followed as a leader due to excessive usage in the Holy Quran and the traditions and refers to this specially appointed person. Hence, whenever

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the word ‘Imam’ is used independently, and the context does not indicate otherwise, it automatically implies the representative of Allah.

Due to this very special application of the word ‘Imam’ for Allah’s proof and His appointee, a number of holy personalities refused to attach this title (Imam) before their names despite being apparently worthy of it in at least one context or more.

It is worth mentioning that the term ‘Imam’, notwithstanding its numerous imports, is applicable only for the Messenger of Allah (s. a. w. a. ) and his (s. a. w. a. ) successors designated by Allah, the High. But it appears that the excessive use of the word for the holy and infallible Imams of the Ahle Bait (a. s. ) in the traditions has led to its application in the second meaning i. e. for the leaders in other fields.

If someone refers to the Holy Quran and the traditions, he will find plenty of testimonies endorsing the above theory. For example, the Holy Quran says,

وَإِذِ ابْتَلَى إِبْرَاهِیمَ رَبُّهُ بِکَلِمَاتٍ فَأَتَمَّهُنَّ قَالَ إِنِّی جَاعِلُکَ لِلنَّاسِ إِمَامًا قَالَ وَمِن ذُرِّیَّتِی قَالَ لاَ یَنَالُ عَهْدِی الظَّالِمِینَ

And when his Lord tried Ibrahim with certain words, he fulfilled them. He said: Surely I will make you an Imam men. Ibrahim said: And of my offspring? My covenant does not include the unjust, said He. (Qur’an Surah Baqarah 2: 124. )

The above verse clearly indicates that Imamat is a covenant of Allah, which does not reach to the oppressors. Moreover, it is an appointment from the side of Allah. It is absolutely clear that the appointment

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of Imam for the people is invalid and incorrect except from the side of Allah, the High.

Some more verses of the Holy Quran that prove our point are cited hereunder.

وَجَعَلْنَاهُمْ أَئِمَّةً یَهْدُونَ بِأَمْرِنَا وَأَوْحَیْنَا إِلَیْهِمْ فِعْلَ الْخَیْرَاتِ

And We made them Imams who guided (people) by Our command, and We revealed to them the doing of good. (Qur’an Surah Anbiya 21: 73. )

وَنُرِیدُ أَن نَّمُنَّ عَلَى الَّذِینَ اسْتُضْعِفُوا فِی الْأَرْضِ وَنَجْعَلَهُمْ أَئِمَّةً

And We desired to bestow a favor upon those who were deemed weak in the land, and to make them the Imams (Qur’an Surah Qasas 28: 5. )

وَجَعَلْنَا مِنْهُمْ أَئِمَّةً یَهْدُونَ بِأَمْرِنَا لَمَّا صَبَرُوا

And We made of them Imams to guide by Our command when they were patient. (Surah Qur’an Sajdah 32: 24. )

There are a plenty of traditions that also support this argument. While talking about his successors and the necessity of their recognition, the Messenger of Allah (s. a. w. a. ) declared,

من مات ولم یعرف إمام زمانه فلیمت إن شاء یهودیًا و إن شاء نصرانیاً

One who dies without recognizing the Imam of his time then he can die as he wishes, either as a Jew or a Christian. [1]

Ameerul Momineen (a. s. ) says,

بنا یستعطى الهدى و یستجلى العمى إنّ الأئمة من قریش غرسوا فی هذا البطن من هاشم لا تصلح على سواهم و لا تصلح الولاة من غیرهم

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--------------------

[1]: Sunan Ibn Maajah, vol. 2, pg. 519 The chapter of the Emergence of al-Mahdi (a. t. f. s. ) ; Musnad Ahmad, vol. 5, pg. 277.

[2]: Sunan Abi Dawood, Kitaab al-Fetan, vol. 2, pg. 200. Musnad Ahmad, vol. 5, pg. 430.

[3]: Nahj al-Balagah, Saying No. 147; Tazkerah al-Huffaaz, vol. 1, pg. 11 & 12; Dastoor-o-Ma’lem al-Hekam, pg. 84; Al-Amaali al-Khamisiyyah, vol. 1, pg. 66.

[4]: Nahj al-Balagah, Letter No. 25.

[1]: Even this appointment is debatable and not established because it is said that when Usman became busy in writing the will of Abu Bakr, the latter fainted. Usman thought that Abu Bakr had died and wrote the name of Umar on his own. When Abu Bakr regained his senses, Usman informed him of what he had done and Abu Bakr duly endorsed it.

The thing which confounds the researcher is that Abu Bakr died during this very illness and Umar was appointed as his successor on the basis of the writing of Usman. But on this occasion, notwithstanding the serious illness of Abu Bakr, Umar never protested that this man is not in his senses! Nor did he prevent Abu Bakr from dictating his will like he had prevented the Messenger of Allah (s. a. w. a. ) from making known his will! Surely, we are from Allah and unto Him shall we return.

[1]: Musnad of Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, vol. 1, pg. 10.

[1]: Al-Masaael al-Khamsoon by Fakhruddin al-Raazi, Masalah No. 47. This article was published in the year 1328 A. H. in Egypt along with other articles. Its publisher had named it, ‘Majmooah al-Rasaael’. This tradition can be found on pg. 348.

‘Through us, guidance is granted and darkness is dispelled. Surely the Imams from the Quraish are planted from the Hashemite wombs. None is worthy of it (Imamat) but them and none is eligible for being the

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masters except them. ’ [1] In another place he (a. s. ) says,

و إنما الائمة قوام الله على خلقه و عرفاؤه على عباده و لا یدخل الجنّة إلاّ من عرفهم و عرفوه و لا یدخل النار إلاّ من أنکرهم و أنکروه

Certainly the Imáms are the vicegerents of Alláh over His creatures and they make the creatures know Alláh. No one will enter Paradise except he who knows them and they know him, and no one will enter Hell except he who denies them and they deny him. [2] .

Therefore, there are numerous reliable and consecutive traditions in the books of both Shias and Sunnis, specially the former, that suggest the holy implication of the word Imam and its divine essence. And that whenever it is used independently, it is done in this very meaning, unless the context indicates otherwise. This was regarding the word ‘Imam’.

As for the word ‘Master’ (wali) then sometimes it is used as an additive before Allah, the High, or with other than Him, while on other occasions, it is used without any additive. Now, this additive (muzaaf elaihe) has two applications:

Sometimes, the additive is the place of manifestation of the mastership of the master and its execution. Like in the examples, ‘Allah is the Master of the people’ or ‘Allah is the Master of those who believe’ or ‘The father is the master of his small son’ or ‘The ruler is the master of the abstaining or absent ones’, the people and those who believe are the place of manifestation of Allah’s

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mastership, the mastership of a father is expressed through his son and the mastership of a ruler is manifested through his subjects. In all the aforementioned examples, a master (wali) is used as a subject (فاعل).

For instance, Allah, the High, says,

إنّما ولیکم الله و رسوله و الذین آمنوا

Only Allah is your Vali and His Apostle and those who believe (Qur’an Surah Maaedah 5: 55. )

The Messenger of Allah (s. a. w. a. ) declared, ‘Ali (a. s. ) is the master of every believer after me. ’ Or ‘They are my Caliphs, O Jaabir, and the masters of the affair after me. ’

At other times, the word ‘wali’ is used to denote as an object (مفعول) of the noun to which it is added. Like, when we say, ‘Ali (a. s. ) is the wali of Allah’, we mean that Ali is appointed as a master from the side of Allah.

In all the examples cited above, the thing that comes to the mind that the term ‘wali’, when used before the words ‘people’, ‘those who believe’, ‘Allah’ etc. , it carries the meaning of the words ‘Caliph’ or ‘Imam’ bearing some sort of holiness and spirituality. Its power emanates from the absolute and perfect mastership of Allah, and this is the meaning in which it is used when applied for the Messenger of Allah (s. a. w. a. ) and the infallible Imams (a. s. ) independently, without any additive. When used for Allah, the High, the word ‘wali’ implies His absolute perfection, which is not derived from the mastership of others, with the exclusion of all

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other meanings like helper (ناصر) and lover (محب).

Three

The terms, ‘Caliph’, ‘Imam’ and ‘Wali’, from the various meanings and connotations expressed above, when used in the Book of Allah and the Sunnah, bear only one external implication (i. e. all the three words are used for one person). Nay, each one of them is perennially applicable to the meaning of the other two except for the fact that each one of them has a special meaning that comes to the mind instantly before the others.

Therefore, the word ‘Caliph’ strikes the meaning of the one who is appointed on the command of Allah, the High, as His representative to judge between the people with truth, to establish justice and equity, regulate the affairs, spread safety and security, etc. Similarly, the word ‘Wali’ denotes the one who enjoys absolute control in the affairs of creation as well as legislation from the side of Allah, the High, on the basis of His power and legislation. The word ‘Imam’ implies the one who has been appointed to be followed and obeyed. People receive guidance by accepting his instructions because he is the standard for those who tread the path (سالک) , a guide towards divine satisfaction, a protection for those who seek security and a strong rope to which the people fasten. Each one of these terms suggests a special endowment and a particular divine grace, covering His noble servants and confidantes of His secrets, who have His special favours, do not precede Him in saying and

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are cognizant of His affair.

All the three positions can be conferred on one person along with either messengership or prophethood or both. For example, in the case of Prophet Ibraheem (a. s. ) , Prophethood as well as Imamat were conferred, while Prophet Adam (a. s. ) and Prophet Dawood (a. s. ) , received Prophethood and Caliphate both. There are instances of Prophets about whose Imamat Allah has informed in the Holy Quran. All these elevated divine positions were collectively found in the holy persona of the Messenger of Allah (s. a. w. a. ).

Separated from Prophethood, an Imam, Caliph and Wali follows the Prophet like the twelve Imams (a. s. ) because Prophethood and Messengership came to an end with their great ancestors, the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad Ibn Abdullah (s. a. w. a. ) but Caliphate, Imamat and Wilayat remained in his (s. a. w. a. ) nation so that Allah’s proofs and arguments are not invalidated. These are the caliphs who carried the burden of the divine caliphate after the Messenger of Allah (s. a. w. a. ). This, by no means, contradicts their being the caliphs of the Messenger of Allah (s. a. w. a. ) as has come in a few traditions like his (s. a. w. a. ) saying, ‘They are my caliphs, O Jaabir’, ‘O Allah! Have mercy on my caliphs’, ‘O Ali! You are my successor’; ‘You are the caliph after me’ etc. Whatever we have mentioned here vis-à-vis these terms are in their absolute and independent applications, and not when used along with other additives other than Allah. For, when they are used with an additive other than Allah, undoubtedly it implies the representation

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of the other.

The caliphate of the Messenger of Allah (s. a. w. a. ) , as mentioned in the above traditions, denotes the representation in the conveyance of laws and what Allah has revealed to him (s. a. w. a. ) for the people. The caliph is his successor in regulating the affairs of this nation, and it is not permissible for the nation to oppose him at any cost. Thus, caliphate, representation, deputation, etc. are only for those who have been specially and exclusively appointed for these positions and nobody else has got any right whatsoever to stake a claim without the requisite permission and order of the represented one.

I wish I had known from where this nation has become the caliph and representative of the Messenger of Allah (s. a. w. a. ) and what is its proof? How can the mastership of an entire ummah be established when the mastership of any single individual from it cannot be proved? This is nothing but audacity and impudence before Allah, the Almighty and His Messenger (s. a. w. a. ).

--------------------

[1]: Nahj al-Balagah, Sermon 142.

[2]: Nahj al-Balagah, Sermon 150.

The Second Level

Determination of those Compatible with the Description of these Traditions and Recognition of the Twelve Holy Personalities

Know that these traditions do not fit anybody except the Shiite belief. For, some of these suggest that Islam will not come to an end till there are twelve caliphs amongst the Muslims. Some others indicate that the subsistence of Islam’s might depends on the existence of the twelve caliphs. Yet others point out that the religion (of Islam) will survive till the Day of Judgment and that the Imams (a. s. )

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will continue to exist till the last era. Still some others specify that all the twelve Imams are from Quraish, some of them have even stated that all of them will be from the Bani Hashim and some others have stated that their likes will not be seen.

The apparent of all these traditions has confined the number of the caliphs to twelve and that they shall follow each other in rapid succession. It is known that these characteristics are not found save in the twelve Imams (a. s. ) , who are famous and well known among both the major sects of Islam. No Islamic sect except the Shias can stake a claim to this fact and it will not be inappropriate if we consider these traditions as a miracle of the Messenger of Allah (s. a. w. a. ) and his (s. a. w. a. ) information about the unseen.

There is no doubt that these traditions cannot be interpreted but on this meaning, and a safe and straight mind, devoid of flaws and selfish motives, will not explain it in any other manner. If we add a few more traditions that have come down concerning the twelve Imams (a. s. ) , in addition to whatever we have related in this book, we will be sure that they are not applicable for anybody but the twelve Imams (a. s. ) from the Ahle Bait (a. s. ).

Moreover, such traditions are supported by the famous and certain tradition of the Messenger of Allah (s. a. w. a. ) called Hadis-e-Saqalain. Apart from this, there are other equally known traditions like:

(1)

النجوم أمان لاهل

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السماء و أهل بیتی أمان لامّتی

‘The stars are a cause of security for the inhabitants of the sky while my Ahle Bait (a. s. ) are the reason for the safety of my nation. ’ The author of Zakhaaer al-Uqbaa writes, ‘Abu Amr al-Ghaffaari narrates on the authority of the Messenger of Allah (s. a. w. a. ) ,

النجوم أمان لاهل السماء فإذا ذهبت النجوم ذهبت السماء, و أهل بیتی أمان لأهل الأرض فإذا ذهب أهل بیتی ذهب أهل الارض

‘The stars are a security for the inhabitants of the sky. So when the stars will be destroyed, the sky will follow suit. Similarly, my Ahle Bait (a. s. ) are the reason for the safety of the people of the earth. When my Ahle Bait (a. s. ) are finished, the people of the earth will follow suit. ’ He continues, ‘Ahmad (Ibn Hanbal) has recorded this tradition in his Manaaqeb as well.

(2)

النجوم أمان لأهل الارض من الغرق، و أهل بیتی أمان لامّتی من الاختلاف

‘The stars are the cause of security of the people of the earth from drowning, while my Ahle Bait (a. s. ) are the reason for the safety of my nation from disputes. ’ [1] The author of Al-Sawaaeq Al-Muhreqah has stated that Haakem Neshaapuri has considered this tradition to be correct as per the stipulations of the two Sheikhs (viz. Bukhaari and Muslim).

(3)

مثل أهل بیتی کسفینة نوح...

‘The likeness of my Ahle Bait (a. s. ) is like that of the ark of Hazrat Nuh (a. s. ) …’ which has been narrated through various chains of narrators.

(4) Bukhari reports that the Messenger

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of Allah (s. a. w. a. ) said,

لا یزال هذا الأمر فی قریش ما بقی من الناس اثنان

‘This affair (Islam) will continue in the Quraish even if there remain two individuals amongst all the people. ’ [1]

(5) The tradition used by Abu Bakr as an argument against the Ansaar in Saqeefah narrating from the Messenger of Allah (s. a. w. a. ) , who said, ‘The Imams are from Quraish. ’ [2]

(6) Besides, the warning of the Messenger of Allah (s. a. w. a. ) , ‘Whoever dies without recognizing the Imam of his time, dies the death of ignorance. ’ [3] Al-Hameedi has also brought it in his Al-Jam’o bain al-Sahihain.

(7) Haakem Neshaapuri reports on the authority of Abdullah Ibn Umar that the Messenger of Allah (s. a. w. a. ) cautioned, ‘One who dies without any Imam ruling over him, his death is that of ignorance. ’ [4]

(8) Suyuti quotes from Ibn Murdowayh, who reports on the authority of Ali Ibn Abi Taalib (a. s. ) that the Messenger of Allah (s. a. w. a. ) while explaining the Quranic verse,

‘On that day, We shall call every people with their Imam’ (Qur’an Surah Bani Israael 17: 71. )

informed, ‘Each nation will be called with the Imam of their time, the Book of their Lord and the Sunnah of their Prophet (a. s. ). ’ [5] Qurtubbi and Aaloosi have cited this tradition in their exegesis from Suyuti, while Sa’labi has narrated it through his chain from the Messenger of Allah (s. a. w. a. ).

From all the above traditions, it becomes clear that the existence of the twelve Imams (a. s. ) will continue till the end of the world and that all of them will be from

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Quraish. Significantly, no group from the Muslims can boast of following this number of Imams from the Quraish, which will continue till the Day of Judgment, save the Imaamiyyah Shias.

Allamah Muhammad Moin Ibn Muhammad Ameen al-Sindi, the author of Deraasaat al-Labeeb, has written an exclusive book vis-à-vis these traditions, naming it ‘Mawaaheb-o-Sayyed al-Bashar Fi Hadees al-Aimmah al-Isnaa al-Ashar’ in which he has proved the Imamat of the twelve Imams (a. s. ) through Hadis-e-Saqalain. He has brought undefeatable arguments, proving that the Imams (a. s. ) were infallible in their knowledge and that it is obligatory upon everybody to follow them in the acquisition of knowledge. Readers can refer to Abaqaat al-Anwaar by Sayyed Mir Haamid Husain al-Lucknowi al-Hindi (a. r. ) , vol. 2 and vol. 12, pg. 295, 296 & 304-307.

The renowned Haafiz Sulaiman al-Qunduzi al-Hanafi writes, “Some researchers are of the view that the traditions suggesting the number of Imams to be twelve after the Messenger of Allah (s. a. w. a. ) are well known to be narrated from various chains. With the explanation of the time and the description of the occurrence and the place, it became known that the Messenger of Allah (s. a. w. a. ) implied from these traditions, the twelve Imams from his Ahle Bait (a. s. ) and his progeny.

For, it is not possible to interpret these traditions for the caliphs among his companions who succeeded him immediately, due to the paucity of their number.

It is also not probable to construe them for the kings of Bani Umayyah because their number exceeded twelve and because of their

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vulgar tyranny with the sole exception of Umar Ibn Abd al-Aziz. Also, they did not belong to the Bani Hashim while the Messenger of Allah (s. a. w. a. ) had categorically emphasized in the tradition of Abd al-Malik Ibn Jaabir, ‘All of them will be from the Bani Hashim’. The lowering of the voice by the Messenger of Allah (s. a. w. a. ) in this tradition gives more weight to it because they (the majority of the people) did not approve of the caliphate of Bani Hashim.

Also, it is not relevant for the Abbasi kings because their number exceeded the above stipulation and their non-observance of the Quranic injunction,

‘Say: I don’t ask you of any reward except the love of my closest relatives’ (Surah Shoora (42): Verse 23. )

and other traditions like the Tradition of the Cloak (حدیث کساء).

Therefore, it becomes essential and obligatory to carry this tradition in the meaning of the twelve Imams (a. s. ) from the progeny of the Messenger of Allah (s. a. w. a. ) because they were the most learned, the most majestic, the most pious and the most elevated in genealogy of all the people of their time. They were the most superior in birth and the noblest before Allah. Their knowledge was connected to that of their ancestor, the Messenger of Allah (s. a. w. a. ) , through inheritance and endowment. This is the manner in which the people of knowledge, investigation, illumination and grace recognize them.

This interpretation, that these traditions are applicable only for the infallible Imams (a. s. ) of the Ahle Bait (a. s. ) , is supported by

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Hadis-e-Saqalain and numerous traditions repeated in this book and elsewhere.

As for the saying of the Messenger of Allah (s. a. w. a. ): ‘The nation will form a consensus on all of them’ as has come in the narration of Jaabir Ibn Samarah, he (s. a. w. a. ) meant that the nation, whole of it, will acknowledge their Imamat at the time of the reappearance of their Qaem (a. t. f. s. ). ” [1]

Therefore, the dominant political school stood up to deny the mastership of the Ahle Bait (a. s. ) and forsake the decisive texts and evidences concerning their Imamat. They did so

either by refusing to bring forth these traditions,

or by creating doubts in their chains and rejecting their narrators on account of their crime of the love of the Ahle Bait (a. s. ) and narration of their virtues,

or by interpreting them in other than their apparent meanings out of perplexity and fear in front of these consecutive and reliable traditions.

Hence, they indulged in wild and pathless interpretations, absurd implications and false opinions. Not a single of these could withstand the test of certainty. As a result, each one of these interpretations led to the refutation, contradiction and rejection of the others. Being completely confounded and out of sheer helplessness, they were forced to interpret these traditions only for the Imams of the Ahle Bait (a. s. ) , supported by other reliable and authentic evidences in this regard.

Of the discussions in Fath al-Baari, Ibn Battaal narrates from Mahlab, ‘I have not met anyone who has achieved certitude concerning this tradition. ’ It is also said that Ibn

--------------------

[1]: Al-Mustadrak by Haakem Neshaapuri, vol. 3, pg. 149.

[1]: Saheeh al-Bukhari, vol. 4, pg. 218, Kitaab-o-Manaaqeb-e-Quraish in the Book of Ahkaam.

[2]: Fath al-Baari, vol. 13, pg. 114.

[3]: Sharh al-Maqaasid, vol. 2, pg. 275; Al-Jawaaher al-Muziah, vol. 2, pg. 509. There are numerous traditions that convey this concept or are quite similar to it.

[4]: Behaar al-Anwaar, vol. 23, pg. 76, Tr. No. 3.

[5]: Al-Durr al-Manthoor, vol. 4, pg. 184.

[1]: Yanaabee’ al-Mawaddah, pg. 446.

Jawzi had remarked in Kashf al-Mushkil, ‘Arguments have prolonged with regards to the meaning of this tradition. I searched a lot for its answers and asked about it but to no avail. ’

They have landed themselves in real difficulty on this subject due to their stubbornness to accept the apparent and irrefutable application of these traditions on the twelve infallible Imams (a. s. ) , perhaps, out of greed or due to fear from the tyrannical governments and oppressive rulers, who did not tolerate any expression of truth from these scholars. They sold their ethics and concepts to acquire this world and its base provisions.

Thus, the governments used them as pawns to achieve their political ambitions founded on autocracy, oppression and enslaving Allah’s servants. These so-called scholars ended up defending the tyranny, oppression and despotic approach of these rulers. They interpreted the evil actions of their masters as being beneficial and an opportunity for the Muslims.

The numerous transgressions and sins like playing musical instruments, dancing, etc. perpetrated by these kings in their courts, their extravagance and misuse of public wealth in whatever Allah had prohibited, their depriving the poor, the needy and the weak of their rights, and all other barbaric acts were justified and defended on some religious pretext or another by these scholars.

For example, they declared absolute immunity for the rulers, the non-permissibility of questioning their actions and the necessity of their obedience, notwithstanding the fact that these included the ilk of Yazid, Waleed, the despots of Bani Umayyah and

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the tyrants of Bani Abbas. These oppressors appropriated the wealth of Allah and took His servants as slaves like some Muslim rulers of today, who are mere puppets in the hands of arrogant Western superpowers. We have come from God and to Him shall we return.

Now we shall cite some of these contradictory views concerning the interpretation of the traditions vis-à-vis the twelve Imams (a. s. ) for you, the believer in Allah, His Book and the sunnah of His Prophet (s. a. w. a. ).

First: Some commentators of Saheeh al-Tirmidhi and the author of Fath al-Baari (the commentary on Saheeh al-Bukhari) have interpreted the world ‘twelve’ to refer to the caliphs of Bani Umayyah, who followed the companions of the Holy Prophet (s. a. w. a. ). They suggest that this tradition cannot be cited as a merit but is used only to indicate the steadfastness of the Islamic kingdom. They include Yazid Ibn Muawiyyah and his son, Muawiyyah Ibn Yazid but not Usmaan, Muawiyyah and Abdullah Ibn Zubair because they were among the companions.

They also do not draft Marwan Ibn Hakam in the list because he took the allegiance of the people after the people had paid fealty to Ibn Zubair and hence consider him a usurper. Moreover, as per Fath al-Baari, there is a dispute about his companionship. The list continues from Abd al-Malik Ibn Marwan, followed by Walid till Marwan Ibn Muhammad.

I say: I wish I had known what made these writers interpret the traditions of the Messenger of Allah (s. a. w. a. ) in this mischievous and

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malicious manner! Is this how we reward the Messenger of Allah (s. a. w. a. ) for his message? Is this not an insult to his (s. a. w. a. ) sayings?

If this was his (s. a. w. a. ) purpose and intent, what is the benefit and use of such traditions and what do they achieve?

From where do they know that the Messenger of Allah (s. a. w. a. ) intended through these traditions the despotic rulers of Bani Umayyah with the sole exception of Muawiyyah Ibn Marwan?

From where do they know that the companions are excluded from these traditions? Then why did he (s. a. w. a. ) not say, ‘after my companions’, instead of ‘after me’ as has been reported by a number of narrators?

Any interpretation that includes Muawiyyah and his successors from the Bani Umayyah is clearly false and unacceptable because they were not chosen as caliphs through consensus. Rather, they were despots and the worst of the despots at that.

When things reach to such a despicable state of interpretation, the original quote is completely removed from its apparent meaning, fearing the establishment of the truth of the Shiite faith. None of these tyrants enjoyed any particularity over the other. In which case, a great number of probabilities unfold. Possibly, it is an indication to the caliphs after Abd al-Malik and when he (s. a. w. a. ) said, ‘after me’, he (s. a. w. a. ) meant after Abd al-Malik.

Or it is an indication to the caliphs after Hesham. Or it could also mean six caliphs each from the Bani Umayyah and the Bani Abbas or the caliphs after Bani Umayyah. It

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could also imply the caliphs after Saffaah or Mansoor or other despots of Bani Abbas. It could also mean those from the Bani Umayyah who ruled over Spain or the Fatemids who governed Egypt, and so on and so forth. Meanwhile, none of these probabilities can be said to have an edge or preference over the others.

Moreoever, why these traditions should not be interpreted as a means of merit and praise when the terms used in some narration clearly imply glorification?

Is it correct to equate these oppressive tyrants and sinners with the chiefs of the Bani Israel and the companions of Hazrat Eesa (a. s. ) , as has come in a number of traditions?

This is in addition to the evidence of the number of caliphs being restricted to twelve.

Second: Another interpretation is that after the demise of al-Mahdi (a. t. f. s. ) , twelve rulers will govern, six from the progeny of Hasan (a. s. ) , five from that of Husain (a. s. ) and one from someone else.

I say: Such an exegesis is clearly against the evident texts of the traditions, which mention in no uncertain terms, ‘twelve caliphs after me’, ‘this religion will always be mighty and lofty’ etc. , which proves the connection of the caliphs’ era with that of the Messenger of Allah (s. a. w. a. ) , their continuity till the final epoch and the confinement of the caliphs to them as has been elucidated in the narration of Ibn Masood.

This is in addition to the fact that these traditions are applicable for the twelve Imams (a. s. ) , who are famous

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and renowned among all the Muslim sects, thereby establishing the truth and validity of the prophecy of the Messenger of Allah (s. a. w. a. ) in clear terms. Then what is the point in struggling to force these traditions to imply others, who do not fit in its description by any means?

If you argue: Although these characteristics are not found in anybody but the twelve Imams (a. s. ) , it is quite likely that they may be present in the future in some other individuals.

I say: Amazing, indeed! How can we talk of something being present in the future when the Messenger of Allah (s. a. w. a. ) has prophesied them to exist in his (s. a. w. a. ) immediate successors, whose time is joined with his (s. a. w. a. ) time? Is not such an interpretation a clear violation? In this case, we have to assume the impermissibility of the era of these caliphs being joined with that of the Messenger of Allah (s. a. w. a. ) and the non-consideration of such traditions. But when there exists, a clear interpretation on which these traditions fit, it is not allowed to refute this claim with an argument of future probability.

Do you not see that Allah described the qualities of our Prophet (s. a. w. a. ) in the Old and the New testaments but when he (s. a. w. a. ) appeared with an appearance befitting the description, the Jews and the Christians denied his (s. a. w. a. ) prophethood, arguing that such a prophet will emerge in the future. Allah has condemned them in the Holy Quran and did not accept their argument that the prophesied advent

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will occur in the future.

As for their reliance on the tradition, ‘twelve caliphs will succeed al-Mahdi, of which six will be from the progeny of Hasan (a. s. ) …’ to lend credibility to this argument, we say that apart from its contradiction to a number of traditions that have been narrated by both Shias and Sunnis, it also goes against the peculiar characteristics of these traditions. That is, the restriction of the number of caliphs to twelve, the continuity of their existence and the joining of their era with that of the Messenger of Allah (s. a. w. a. ). The apparent difference between the two narrations is that while the original tradition says, ‘after me, there will be…’ this narration says, ‘after Mahdi, there will be…’

Moreover, this tradition is considered to be weak and unreliable as has been explicitly mentioned by Ibn Hajar, when he says in his al-Sawaaeqah that this tradition is truly absurd and cannot be relied upon. He has quoted this on the authority of his namesake Ibn Hajar, the author of Fath al- Baari.

This is apart from the fact that in all likelihood such a probability is derived from the Israaeliyyaat (i. e. the fabrications of the Jews in the Islamic texts). They have resorted to such tactics to deviate these traditions from their clear interpretations.

Ibn Munaadi writes, ‘We take notice of these traditions because we find them in the Book of Daniel. ’ If you want to know the background of this book and what has been said about it, refer to the

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beginning of al-Malaahem by Ibn Munaadi that you may know how a nation is afflicted with superstitions, absurdities and junk when they refuse to take true knowledge from its owners viz. the Imams (a. s. ) of the Ahle Bait (a. s. ). They are the ones about whom Allah has ordered the Muslim nation to fasten unto them along with the Holy Quran.

Third: Another view in this regard is that of Qazi Ayaaz. According to him, the import of the Messenger of Allah (s. a. w. a. ) through this tradition was that the twelve Imams (a. s. ) will exist only during the caliphs’ might, the strength of Islam and the steadfastness of its affairs. This occurred when consensus was found among the people on this issue till the decline of the Bani Umayyah when mischief arose amongst them in the reign of Waleed Ibn Yazid. Ibn Hajar, in his Fath al-Baari, has opted for this interpretation citing the tradition ‘All of them (caliphs) will be the unanimous choice of the people’ as evidence for the same. Thereafter, he proceeds to mention the names of the caliphs, who enjoyed the consensus of the people: Abu Bakr, Umar, Usman, Ali, Muawiyyah, Yazid, Abd al-Malik and his four sons, Waleed, Sulaiman, Yazid and Heshaam.

He says, ‘Umar Ibn Abd al-Aziz interrupted the chain between Sulaiman and Yazid. These are the seven after the four rightly-guided caliphs and when Umar Ibn Abd al-Aziz is not counted amongst them. The twelfth of them is Walid Ibn Yazid Ibn Abd al-Malik.

I say: This is

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the worst possible and most insulting interpretation of the Prophetic tradition, even if Ibn Hajar says that it is the most preferable of all interpretations. We will not argue about the antecedents of the Bani Umayyah and the non-correctness of attributing them to be from the Quraysh, as these traditions announce explicitly that the twelve Imams (a. s. ) will be from the Quraysh.

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caliphate? For, he is the one who

Fought with Ameerul Momineen Ali Ibn Abi Taalib (a. s. ) , about whom the Messenger of Allah (s. a. w. a. ) said, ‘War against you is war against me’

Organized speeches abusing Ameerul Momineen (a. s. ) from the pulpits and,

Poisoned to death Imam Hasan al-Mujtaba (a. s. ) , the chief of the youth of Paradise.

How on earth can these traditions apply for a beast like Yazid Ibn Muawiyyah, who fought against and martyred Imam Husain (a. s. ) , and who was a transgressor who committed sins publicly and announced his disbelief freely becoming a part of the renowned poems of Ibn al-Zab’ari, which he (Yazid) recited in joy when the severed head of Imam Husain (a. s. ) was brought to him.

He was the one who ordered Muslim Ibn Aqabah to kill and plunder the people of Medina on three occasions. During these attacks, he killed a number of companions and the city of Medina was totally ransacked. It was during these attacks that more than 1000 Muslim virgins were raped and whenever

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a Muslim from Medina offered his daughter in marriage, he did not guarantee her virginity saying, ‘Perhaps, she has lost her virginity during the Tragedy of Hurrah. ’ It is said that four thousand illegitimate children were born after this incident.

Muslim, in his Saheeh, reports that the Messenger of Allah (s. a. w. a. ) warned, ‘Whoever frightens the people of Medina, Allah will frighten him and upon him is the curse of Allah, the angels and all mankind. ’ [1]

Waaqedi narrates on the authority of Abdullah Ibn Hanzalah, ‘By Allah! We did not visit Yazid but that we feared a stone falling on our heads from the sky (as a divine punishment) because he was a man who married his mothers, daughters and sisters, drank wine, did not pray [2] and he is the one who had ordered the attack on the Holy Ka’bah.

Suyuti and others report on the authority of Nawfil Ibn Abi al-Furaat, “I was with Umar Ibn Abd al-Aziz, when a person while mentioning Yazid, said, ‘the chief of the faithfuls, Yazid Ibn Muawiyyah’. On hearing this, Umar Ibn Abd al-Aziz (became angry) and asked, ‘You call Yazid as Ameerul Momineen? ’ and ordered that he be whipped 20 lashes. ” [3]

It is mentioned in Al-Sawaaeq that it was said to S’ad Ibn Hassaan, ‘The Bani Umayyah claim that the caliphate is among them. ’ He retorted, ‘The sons of the blue-eyed (referring to Hind – the wife of Abu Sufyaan) are lying. They are mere kings, nay, the worst of kings. ’

How on earth can these traditions be

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applied for the caliphate of Abd al-Malik, the treacherous, the one who prohibited the Islamic injunction of enjoining good (امر بالمعروف).

Suyuti records, ‘Among the evil deeds of Abd al-Malik was the appointment of Hajjaaj as a governor for the Muslims and the sahaabaa (r. a. ) , who was degrading and insulting them through killings, assault, abuse and imprisonments. Indeed, he killed innumerable sahaabaa and great taabe’een, apart from the ordinary folks. He put a seal around the neck of Anas and other companions with the intent of degrading them. May Allah not have mercy on him and may Allah not forgive him. ’ [1]

How on earth can these traditions be applied for a person like Waleed Ibn Yazid Ibn Abd al-Malik, the sinner, the alcoholic and the one who did not care for the prohibitions of Allah. He is the one who went for Hajj to drink wine atop the Holy Ka’bah, for which he received outright condemnation from the people. [2] He is the one who opened the Holy Quran and on seeing the verse, واستفتحوا و خاب کلّ جبّار عنید And they asked for judgment and every insolent opposer was disappointed [3] , he flung it on the ground and shot it with an arrow, reciting,

Are you threatening me with the (words of) insolent oppressor?

Here, I am that insolent and oppressor

When you (Quran) are brought on the Day of Gathering by your Lord

Say, O Lord, Waleed has ripped me apart. [4]

He continued to live in vulgar opulence and luxury till he was killed.

Is this the

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might and respect of Islam? Is this the representation of the Messenger of Allah (s. a. w. a. )?

It is reported that when he left for Hajj, he carried along with himself dogs in trunks, got a dome fabricated as per the size of the Ka’bah to place it on its top and carried a few trunks of wine. By this he intended to place the dome on the Ka’bah and sit in it to drink wine. But his advisors dissuaded him from doing so fearing the wrath of the people. Waleed finally relented. [1]

Masoodi reports on the authority of Mubarrad, ‘Waleed has recited some poems in which he has overtly proclaimed disbelief, and while mentioning the Prophet (s. a. w. a. ) , he said:

The Hashemites played with the caliphate

(Actually) neither any revelation came, nor did any Book descend

And say to Allah to stop me, my food

And say to Allah to stop me, my drink. [2]

Ishaaq Ibn Muhammad al-Azraq recounts, ‘I went to Mansoor Ibn Jahoor al-Azdi after the murder of Waleed. He had two maids from the slave- girls of Waleed… One of them said, ‘We were among his favorite and most respected slave-girls. He went to bed with her (indicating to the other slave girl) , when the call for the prayer (azaan) was made. He ordered her to lead the prayers of the people while she was drunk, unclean and veiled. ’ [3]

Suyuti brings a narration from Musnad-e-Ahmad: There will come a man for this nation, called Waleed, who will be more oppressive to his people than Fir’aun was for his

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nation. [1] Therefore, it will be more apt to name such persons as Fir’aun than Caliphs, as they resemble the disbelievers and the apostates more than the companions of Hazrat Eesa (a. s. ) or the chiefs of the Bani Israel.

If we so desire, we can exhaust the discussion on the likes of the Bani Umayyah but we intend to cut it short due to fear of prolongation. We say: How can Qazi Ayaaz be satisfied with appointing these tyrants as the caliphs of the Messenger of Allah (s. a. w. a. ) , about whom he (s. a. w. a. ) has given tidings, and has informed that they will act with guidance and that if they were not there, the world will be destroyed with its inhabitants, and that till they exist, the Islamic nation will continue to survive and that they are like the chiefs (نقباء) of the Bani Israel.

Even more stunning is their omission of Imam Hasan (a. s. ) from the narration, despite the fact that he (a. s. ) was clearly named as a caliph in the traditions narrated from his grandfather, the Messenger of Allah (s. a. w. a. ) , and the inclusion of Yazid, Moawiyah and Bani al-Aas, whom he (s. a. w. a. ) has cursed in these traditions.

And why did they not include Umar Ibn Abd al-Aziz among these caliphs?

And as for his stubbornness in clinging on to the saying of Sahih Abi Dawood, ‘The Ummah will be unanimous about them’, [2] then it is weak for the following reasons:

It is clear that an action is attributed to its subject only when it is

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performed with freewill, without any force or compulsion. So, even if we accept that the Messenger of Allah (s. a. w. a. ) has said, ‘they will be unanimous’, it only implies the unanimity of the nation with their own freewill.

Don’t you think that it is incorrect for anybody to declare that the Islamic Ummah, including the people of Mecca, Medina, great jurists, renowned traditionalists, companions of the Prophet (s. a. w. a. ) and the Taabein, at any given time, was unanimous on the appointment of Yazid as the caliph of the Muslims? But he claims that they were unanimous in this appointment and chose him for caliphate. He also goes on to claim the consensus of the Muslims on the caliphate of Waleed Ibn Yazid.

If we rely on this theory, it will necessitate the exclusion of Ameerul Momineen Ali Ibn Abi Taalib (a. s. ) and Imam Hasan (a. s. ) from the list of the caliphs because of the opposition of the Syrians for these two, and their unstinted support for their enemies.

This portion seems to have been interpolated as it is not found in a number of reliable and consecutive traditions available on the subject. Therefore, there exists a strong probability that this part ‘the Islamic Ummah will be unanimous on all of them’ appears to have been added by the narrator, possibly as an explanation for the tradition. Even if we assume that this part did occur in the original tradition and when there is a controversy between the added part and the missing part then,

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as a rule, the added part is not relied upon. The same applies here because the majority of the traditions do not comprise of the additional part and only Abu Dawood has narrated it.

Hence, it is incorrect and improper to disregard the many traditions, reliable and consecutive, narrated by a group of companions like Abdullah Ibn Masood and Jaabir Ibn Samarah and a number of Taabein just for the sake of one narration.

So, is it wrong to impute such a probability to this statement?

Even if we assume that this statement is correct and found in the original, it is limited by the other sentences found in the numerous other traditions like, ‘all of them will act with guidance and the true religion’, ‘if they do not exist, the earth will be destroyed with all its inhabitants’, ‘they are like the companions of Eesa (a. s. ) and the chiefs of the Bani Israel’, and ‘the caliphate is confined only to them’. Thus, assuming that this statement does exist in the original, its only correct interpretation and construction is that the Ummah will be unanimous on the Imamat of the twelve Imams (a. s. ) and acknowledge their Caliphate after the reappearance of Hazrat Mahdi (a. t. f. s. ).

Fourth: Another interpretation of the tradition is that of Ibn Hajar in Fath al-Baari as narrated by Suyuti in Tarikh al-Khulafaa and is as follows: These traditions imply the existence of twelve caliphs during the entire lifespan of Islam till the Day of Judgment, who will act with truth, even

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if they will not rule in immediate succession of each other. They support this idea with a narration reported in his Musnad from Abi Al-Jild who said, ‘This nation will not be destroyed till there are twelve caliphs in it. All of them will act with guidance and the true religion. From them will - Volume 1 , Page 291 - Muntakhab al - Athar fi l-Imam al - thani Ashar: Selected Narrations about the Twelfth Imam

--------------------

[1]: Murooj al-Zahab, vol. 3, pg. 69.

[2]: Taarikh al-Khulafaa, pg. 209

[3]: Al-Sawaaeq al-Mohreqah, pg. 219, printed at Cairo; Taarikh al-Khulafaa, pg. 209, printed at Egypt

[1]: Taarikh al-Khulafaa, pg. 220

[2]: Taarikh al-Khulafaa, pg. 250; Taarikh al-Tabari, vol. 7, pg. 209

[3]: Surah Ibraheem (14): Verse 15

[4]: Murooj al-Zahab, vol. 3, pg. 216

[1]: Al-Kaamil fi al-Taarikh, vol. 3, pg. 394

[2]: Murooj al-Zahab, vol. 3, pg. 216.

[3]: Al-Eqd al-Fareed, vol. 2, pg. 290.

[1]: Taarikh al-Khulafa, pg. 251

[2]: Tarikh al-Khulafaa, pg. 10.

be two persons from the Ahle Bait (a. s. ) of Muhammad (s. a. w. a. ) …’

Explaining the statement of Ibn Hajar, Suyuti remarks, ‘Hence, from the twelve caliphs, four are the rightly guided caliphs [1] , followed by Hasan, Moawiyah, Ibn Zubair and Umar Ibn Abd al-Aziz, which makes it eight. Probably, Mohtadi, the Abbasi caliph, can be added to this list because he was amongst the Abbasi kings like Umar Ibn Abd al-Aziz was amongst the Bani Umayyah tyrants. This was on account of the apparently insignificant oppression of Umar Ibn Abd al-Aziz and Mohtadi. From the remaining two, one is al-Mahdi since he is from the progeny of Muhammad (s. a. w. a. ). ’ – End of Suyuti’s statement.

I say: This view or probability is also incorrect because plenty of traditions have confined a number of caliphs to twelve. In fact, some of these have also explicitly mentioned the names of these caliphs, like the narration of Ibn Masood, which rules out all possibilities of interpretations and conjectures. Moreover, these have stated in no uncertain terms that they will follow each other successively and their eras will be immediately after one another.

As for the narration of Abi al-Jild, which is cited as a support for

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this probability, it is rejected outright because of the notoriety of Abi al-Jild for presenting his own views and whimsical interpretations as traditions of the Prophet (s. a. w. a. ). Therefore, his statement, ‘from them are two men from the Ahle Bait (a. s. ) of Muhammad (s. a. w. a. ) ’ is certainly an addition from his own side or from his source. Otherwise, he should have reported, ‘my Ahle Bait (a. s. ) ’ and not ‘the Ahle Bait (a. s. ) of Muhammad (s. a. w. a. ). ’

All this is assisted by the report available in the book of Khesaal, through his chain of narrators that Abi Najraan reports that Abi al-Jild has narrated to him and even taken an oath, ‘This nation will not be destroyed till there are twelve caliphs in it. All of them will act with guidance and true religion. ’ Nowhere, in this report, has he mentioned the additional part.

This is in addition to his view that three of them are from the Ahle Bait (a. s. ) of Muhammad (s. a. w. a. ) viz. Ali, Hasan and Mahdi (a. s. ) while Abi al-Jild says, ‘Two of them will be from Ahle Bait (a. s. ) of Muhammad (s. a. w. a. ). ’

It is also worth mentioning that after some research concerning the views of the scholars of rejaal, I found that Abi al-Jild, whose name was Jailaan Ibn Farwah al-Asadi and is also called as Ibn Abi Farwah had the habit of either saying things from his side or sourced his knowledge from the Testaments. The author of Shamaael al-Rasool, pg. 484, writes, ‘Abi al-Jild used to refer to the Old Testament

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time and again. ’ The writer of Al-Jarho wa al-Ta’deel, vol. 2, pg. 547, tradition no. 2275, pens, ‘Abi al-Jild al-Asadi al-Basri had command over the Old Testament and its like. ’

In any case, one cannot afford to neglect or be heedless towards all the reliable and authentic traditions that talk about the continuity of the eras of these caliphs and the limitation of their number to twelve, notwithstanding the other consecutive traditions in this regard. For, if we consider this tradition to be reliable, it will necessarily require the conformity of the two kinds of traditions. While one talks about the consecutivity of their eras and their number being twelve, the aforementioned limits it’s severely as is clear from these two kinds of traditions.

Yes, many consecutive traditions prove the caliphate of these twelve (a. s. ). But to interpret it in the manner as Suyuti has done is not valid as demonstrated in the above discussions. Moreover, if we rely on the narration of Abi al-Jild, it will seriously limit the applications of the traditions that emphasize on continuity of eras.

Interestingly, Suyuti too has become a victim of amnesia and forgetfulness. For, as per his own statement, three of these caliphs must necessarily be from the Ahle Bait (a. s. ) of Muhammad (s. a. w. a. ) because Ali (a. s. ) and Hasan (a. s. ) are undoubtedly from the Ahle Bait (a. s. ) in the light of the Verse of Purification [1] and the clear traditions from the Messenger of Allah (s. a. w. a. ). Moreover, he has included the likes of Ibn Zubair and

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Moawiyah amongst those who act with guidance.

These are absolutely disgusting and weak arguments, which show their confusion and obscene helplessness in the exegesis of these traditions, while turning their backs on their only and real interpretation i. e. the twelve famous Imams (a. s. ) from the Ahle Bait (a. s. ).

Fifth: It talks about the presence of this number (of caliphs) in one time, all of them, and each one of them claims governance and caliphate. They say: The Messenger of Allah (s. a. w. a. ) has informed us that the strangest of things will occur after him (s. a. w. a. ). Of which, is the disunity among the people after him (s. a. w. a. ) in one time concerning the twelve chiefs. This is irresistibly comical and some of them have also rejected it, saying, ‘This view is that of the one who is totally unaware of the methods of traditions, apart from his ignorance of the traditions present in Bukhari, Muslim, etc. That is, they have clearly mentioned mastership as the attributes of these caliphs and that Islam will remain mighty and lofty…

I say: Surely, the traditions have proved that their duration will be the duration of Islam and its survival. Thus, these traditions support the correctness of the occultation of the twelfth amongst them, his longevity and his prolonged life as will be seen in the numerous reliable traditions to follow.

Sixth: The interpretation of Ibn Taimiyyah, which states that these Imams (a. s. ) are dispersed and scattered in the Islamic Ummah. Resurrection will not occur till they are found.

I say: It

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seems that they do not deem it necessary to benefit from the actual implication of the traditions and to rely on their wordings and their famous concepts as has been relied upon by those in the know and the wise people. Specially when the words, with their apparent meanings, clearly conform to the approach of the Ahle Bait (a. s. ) and their Shias. Consequently, they have said whatever wild and absurd thought that has come in their minds in the interpretation of these traditions. Otherwise, from where has Ibn Taimiyyah brought such a baseless exegesis, which clearly opposes the wordings of the traditions?

Seventh: Another interpretation is the one propounded by our contemporaries, who tread the modern approach with the support of the colonialists and imperialistic powers. Thus, they have drummed up the same beat but with another drum.

They consider these traditions to be applicable for the rulers of the Muslims and whom they have listed as follows: Abu Bakr, Umar, Usman, Ali (a. s. ) , Moawiyah, Abd al-Malik followed by other kings of Bani Umayyah till Marwan. They say: Thereafter, Imamat was transferred to the Bani Abbas, from them is Mansoor, his son Mahdi, Haroon al-Rashid till the end of the dynasty. They have also counted Emaad al-Din al-Zanki, Noor al-Din and Salaah al-Din saying, ‘It does not befit us that we be miserly regarding their rights. ’

I say: Under this explanation, those called as caliphs in these traditions are the kings and rulers of the Muslims, most of whom acquired this position through

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force, coercion and domination. Their number far exceeds the limit of twelve. When it is permitted to apply these traditions for all the rulers and kings, regardless, then why should we restrict ourselves to only twelve and be niggardly about the rights of the remaining? What is the purpose of such traditions, which are invaluable words, uttered by as holy a person as the Messenger of Allah (s. a. w. a. )?

It is necessary for the one who has suggested this view that he should not be niggardly and miserly of all the kings, including those of Spain (the erstwhile Muslim dominion of Andalus) , Ottoman and even the present dictators and tyrants, whose breaches of Islamic trusts are known to one and all.

By Allah! I do not know what to say about such writers and authors who count themselves from the modern and civilized generation. They say about the sunnah of the Holy Prophet (s. a. w. a. ) as dictated to them by their carnal desires, the desires of those who spend lavishly on them from the public treasury of the Muslims and the desires of their western imperialistic masters. These western colonialists intend to interpret all that has come down in the Holy Quran and the Sunnah, which demand belief in the unseen, as per their materialistic, imperialistic and colonialist views.

There is no power and strength, except that of Allah, the High, the Great.

Know that in reply to these absurd interpretations concerning these prophetic traditions, we have relied only on the peculiarities derived from them and

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their clear explicit meanings. We did not resort to the other reliable and numerous traditions concerning the Imamat of the twelve Imams (a. s. ) , which discuss their names and their characteristics. Otherwise, the arguments would be much more elaborate.

If you desire further explanation on the subject, refer to the books written in this regard and all your doubts and misgivings will be repelled.

And Allah is the Guide to the truth and propriety.

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[1]: Implying Abu Bakr, Umar, Usmaan and Ali (a. s. ).

[1]: Surah Ahzaab (33): Verse 33.

Conclusion

It is necessary for the researcher on the traditions of the twelve Imams (a. s. ) to know what Tabaraani has written in his al-Mo’jam al-Kabeer. He writes, ‘…Shafi al-Asbahi narrates that I heard Abdullah Ibn Umar say that the Messenger of Allah (s. a. w. a. ) said, ‘There will be twelve caliphs after me. (The first amongst them is) the caliph Abu Bakr al-Siddique. He will not live after me but less. (He will be followed by) the chief of my tribe, who will live in a praiseworthy manner and die as a martyr.

He (s. a. w. a. ) was asked, ‘Who is he, O Messenger of Allah (s. a. w. a. )? ’ He (s. a. w. a. ) replied, ‘Umar Ibn al-Khattaab. ’ Then he (s. a. w. a. ) turned to Usman and prophesied, ‘Soon the people will ask you to remove the shirt with which Allah, Mighty and Blessed be He, has clothed you. I swear by the One in Whose hand is my life, if you remove it, you will never enter paradise till a camel passes through the eye of the needle. ’ [1]

He has brought the same narration with minor changes in another place. [2]

I

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say: Know that we will certainly not accept the one who argues with this additional false attribution to the Messenger of Allah (s. a. w. a. ) in the guise of explaining these traditions and thereby, attempting to legally establish the caliphate of the first three with documentary evidence. He (Tabarani) conveniently forgot that the Ahle Sunnah are unanimous that the Messenger of Allah (s. a. w. a. ) has not appointed the three as his caliphs and there is no document to prove that. Undoubtedly, this is the fabrication of the Ottoman kings and their attempts to hide the evils and distortions of Usman in Islam, which were even repudiated by the likes of Talha, Ayesha and Ammaar (r. a. ) in the most severe manner possible, thereby opening the door of mischief and civil war amongst the Muslims and leading to a great unrest among the Muslims and their demanding from Usman to apply his deeds and laws as per the Islamic Shariah. But Usman refused to relent due to his fiscal and governmental policies, finally resulting in his murder.

For further explanations concerning the additional and concocted part of this tradition, we shall bring forth the discussion from two aspects:

The chain of narrators of this tradition and Text of the tradition

(a) Chain of narrators: Among the narrators of this tradition, is a person called as Abdullah Ibn Saaleh (exp. 222 A. H. ). Regarding him, Zahabi writes in his Tazkerah, ‘His traditions were drawn on the scale of authenticity and were rejected due to lack of evidence. Whatever he has

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narrated has been repudiated. ’

Ibn Ahmad says, ‘I asked my father about him. ’ He said, ‘Initially he was firm and solid but later became corrupt and hence, he is of no consequence. ’

Saaleh Ibn Muhammad says, ‘In the view of Ibn Moeen, he was reliable but according to me, he used to lie in traditions. ’

Ibn al-Madeeni says, ‘I have rejected his traditions and do not narrate anything from him. ’

Ahmad Ibn Saaleh says, ‘He is accused and is of no consequence. ’

Nisaai says, ‘He is not reliable. His tradition ‘Surely, Allah chose my companions upon the entire universe’ is a fabricated one and there are many who have discredited him. ’

Ibn Habaan says, ‘He is a denier of traditions and narrates with assurance that which has not been narrated by the reliable ones. He had a neighbor whose writing was similar to that of Abdullah. He wrote things and placed it between the writings of Abdullah, who thought that it was his own writing and narrated from it. ’

Another narrator of this tradition is Lais Ibn Sa’d (exp. 175 A. H. ) described as knowledgeable, a commentator of Quran and other praiseworthy characteristics as has been recorded in his biography.

Like Ibn Abi Lailaa and Ibn Shabramah, Lais was amongst the jurists of the government. He was an agent of Mansoor al-Abbasi, the oppressive and murderous tyrant, whose oppression, rebellion, persecution of the Shias and usurpation of the caliphate was proclaimed publicly by the likes of Abu Hanifah, who refused to accept his gifts, saying, ‘This is from the

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public treasury of the Muslims and none has any right in it except those who fight in the way of Allah, the needy and those who work for religion, while I am none of these. ’ Mansoor ordered his (Abu Hanifah) arrest and whipped him till he died because of it or due to poisoning. Abu Hanifah had willed that he should be buried in a land that has not been usurped by the Caliph, or any of his men and workers.

But the Abbasi tyrants who followed Mansoor and were the contemporaries of Lais, relied heavily on him. He was a very important figure for them in Egypt and they were in need of people like him. For, the Egyptians were the followers of Imam Ali (a. s. ) and his children, and therefore considered them to be worthier of caliphate and leadership than the Abbasids, whose misdeeds, bloodshed and misappropriation of public wealth, despite their non-eligibility for caliphate and leadership of the Muslims, were witnessed by one and all.

Lais strove to weaken the love of the Egyptians for the progeny of the Messenger of Allah (s. a. w. a. ).

The Egyptians used to disparage and detest Usman because of his misdeeds and the unrest against Usman had arisen from Egypt. Now, Lais began to mention the virtues and merits of Usman to the Egyptians. Naturally, a scholar like him in a place like Egypt was a great political hope of the government for the negation of the love of the Ahle Bait (a. s. ).

Hence, we see that

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as per the demands of political contingencies, no matter was decided in Egypt but with his counsel. Thus, key affairs like the appointment of governors and judges were decided only after consultations with him.

Thus, Lais did not belong to the category of people like Abdullah Ibn Saaleh who fabricated traditions or someone else used to interpolate traditions in his writings. We do not like to accuse Lais of fabricating traditions or deliberately narrating false ones but he was not from those who stopped at the traditions, which they disregarded.

Nay, he believed that the Divine Text did not carry merely an apparent meaning which could suffice. They were not only words; rather they also had a spiritual aspect embracing proofs, imports and reasons. Perhaps, he considered that the threat of the Prophet (s. a. w. a. ) for the one who attributed a lie to him (s. a. w. a. ) , like in the famous tradition, ‘Whoever attributes a lie to me deliberately, his seat will be surrounded with hell fire’, its esoteric is more limited than its apparent. For, these lies do not include the narration of a fabricated tradition attributed to him (s. a. w. a. ) , if done due to political and governmental demands and general welfare.

It seems quite likely that this addition in the tradition is the fabrication of Abdullah Ibn Saaleh and the other narrators of this tradition. But what leads to a negative perception of Lais for a researcher is the pompous and luxurious way in which he led his life. It is said that he

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built a palatial mansion which had twenty doors. He developed a garden in it, full of trees and flowers, whose fragrance spread far and wide. His wardrobe constituted of a year’s clothes and for each day he had a special dress. He never wore one dress for two consecutive days.

Abu al-Abbas al-Sarraaj writes, ‘We were traveling with Lais from Alexandria and he had three ships, one ship was carrying his kitchen, another his family and third one his guest. ’ There is no doubt that at that given time in Egypt, there were many poor people, destitute and workers who were patiently bearing severe hunger and were even deprived of basic facilities like housing to protect them from heat and cold. While you just read about the condition of Lais.

Even more shocking than his lifestyle, is the mode of his issuing fatwas when the kings and those in power asked him to so. Indeed, they have mentioned that there occurred a conversation between Haroon and his wife, Zubaidah. Haroon said, ‘You are divorced if I did not enter paradise’.

All the jurists congregated to find a solution for this problem, but none had the cunningness and shrewdness to make permissible (حلال) for the two what in their view had become prohibited (حرام). Lais was seated at the end of the gathering. On being asked for the solution of this problem, he replied, ‘When the caliph dissolves the assembly, I will speak to him. ’ Accordingly, when the crowd had dispersed, Lais asked Haroon

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to bring a copy of the Quran. Lais said, ‘Open the Surah Rahmaan from the Quran and start reciting it. ’ Haroon duly obliged till he reached to the verse

ولمن خاف مقام ربّه جنّتان

And for him who fears to stand before his Lord are two gardens (Qur’an Surah Rahmaan 55: 46)

Lais ordered him, ‘Stop and say, ‘By Allah! Surely, I fear the position of my Lord’. ’ Haroon did as ordered, to which Lais remarked, ‘So there are two paradises and not just one (means your marriage with Zubaidah is still valid and not void because you can still enter the second paradise). ’ Zubaidah, who was hearing this conversation along with her slave-girls from behind the curtain, raised a huge roar of applause, hand clapping and celebration. Haroon appreciated, ‘By Allah! You are excellent’ and conferred him with rewards and thousands of gold coins. Zubaidah too ordered the same. Haroon also gifted him with the land of Jeezah which is the most fertile land of Egypt.

We can’t make out anything from this jurisprudence except that it was a trade with the laws of Allah and converting His prohibition to permission just for the sake of acquiring the satisfaction of Haroon, the Emperor of his time, and Zubaidah, the Empress of her era, and not the chief of the faithfuls.

We do not understand whether or not Zubaidah could fathom the far reaching mischievous consequences of this edict? Or whether even Haroon could follow its implications? Or perhaps he understood but intended to

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exonerate himself from the blame of the people or just to have Zubaidah for himself. By Allah! It is truely amazing that how two people, one of them calls himself as the caliph of the Muslims and the second considers himself as a jurist of the religion as well as the government, can play and toy with the laws of Allah.

It should be clear for you that in the jurisprudence of the Ahle Bait (a. s. ) it is firmly established that divorce cannot take place unless all its conditions are fulfilled, regardless of the fact whether these are done in the present or are achieved in the future. Divorce takes place with clear words and after all obligations are discharged and none remains unexecuted.

But even on the basis of the jurisprudence of governmental sects, there was no need to resort to such cunning mischief when the divorce pronounced was not the third one in which the husband is not allowed to remarry his wife till she marries somebody else. He can return to her - Volume 1 , Page 304 - Muntakhab al - Athar fi l-Imam al - thani Ashar: Selected Narrations about the Twelfth Imam

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[1]: Al-Mo’jam al-Kabeer, vol. 1, pg. 7, Tr. No. 12.

[2]: Al-Mo’jam al-Kabeer, vol. 1, pg. 47, Tr. No. 142.

during the period of iddah if she is not a menopause and did not have intercourse. But if she is a menopause, and had intercourse, the Nikah has to be pronounced again.

Lais subscribed to the sect that believed in the occurrence of the conditional divorce and said, ‘If the condition is not fulfilled, the judgment of its occurrence cannot be given unless the conditions are realized or simply the knowledge of their occurrence. In case of doubt,

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they can offer to keep company of each other and conjugal enjoyment is permissible.

Apparently, Lais did not have any solution for this religious problem except devilish deceit whose mischief could be understood by anybody who has little insight in the laws of the Shariah. Thus, firstly, fear from Allah is not stronger than believing in Him because belief is the foundation of fear. For, fear can be fruitful and beneficial only if a person meets Allah with belief. Hence, the acquisition of this reward is dependant on the person remaining steadfast on his fear from Allah and that he should not let go of this fear throughout his life.

Secondly, perhaps the tyrannical misdeeds of Haroon, his oppression, his giving preference to himself, his relatives, his poets, his slave-girls, his singers and his singing girls over the poor and the downtrodden, his persecution of the Shias and throwing them behind bars, his murder of Imam Kazim (a. s. ) , the greatest personality of his time, etc. were all legal and valid in the eyes of Lais.

Meanwhile, Haroon was the first caliph from the Bani Abbas to play chess [1] and he was the first to give high regard and respect to the singers. [2]

Sawli writes: Haroon left behind properties worth one billion dinars while his cattle and other stocks exceeded one billion and fifteen thousand dinars. [3] In one gathering, he gifted Ishaaq al-Mosuli with two hundred thousand dinars. [4]

This is apart from the fact as to what the people witnessed of his tyranny and oppression and

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absolute lack of fear from Allah. So, what was the point in making him take this oath that he feared Allah except to obtain the satisfaction of Haroon and his wife? May Allah not forgive the one who plays with His laws in this manner! Allah, the Almighty, declares in the Holy Quran,

إِنَّ الَّذِینَ یُلْحِدُونَ فِی آیَاتِنَا لَا یَخْفَوْنَ عَلَیْنَا أَفَمَن یُلْقَى فِی النَّارِ خَیْرٌ أَم مَّن یَأْتِی آمِنًا یَوْمَ الْقِیَامَةِ اعْمَلُوا مَا شِئْتُمْ إِنَّهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ بَصِیرٌ

Surely they who deviate from the right way concerning Our communications are not hidden from Us. What! is he then who is cast into the fire better, or he who comes safe on the day of resurrection? Do what you like, surely He sees what you do. (Qur’an Surah Fusselat 40: 40)

It should be known that this was not the first violation in Islam since such apostasy and attempts at legitimizing the prohibitions were not confined to Lais. Rather, it was the approach of all the official jurists who strove to lend propriety to the actions of the rulers.

Salafi in his book Tuyuriyyaat, an account of the history of the caliphs, narrates on the authority of Ibn al-Mubarak, ‘When Rashid became the caliph, he intended to acquire a slave-girl of Mahdi. He made his intentions known to her. She responded, ‘It is not proper for you because your father slept with me. ’ But he was passionately infatuated with her. Hence, he sent across his problem to Abu Yusuf, asking for the solution.

Abu

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Yusuf replied, ‘O Ameerul Momineen! It is not necessary to rely on the statement of a slave-girl and even if it is true, don’t testify her statement. ’ Ibn al-Mubarak notes, ‘I don’t know who is more shocking; this man, who soaks his hands in the blood of the Muslims and their wealth, refuses to restrain himself from the concubine of his own father; or this Islamic ummah which inclines itself towards such chief of the faithful; or this jurist who declares, ‘rape the wife of your father, let loose your desire and let me take the blame for it. ’ [1]

I say: He did not restrain himself from the concubine of his father, who was prohibited for him, despite being surrounded by hundreds of mates who were even more beautiful and better than her but he did not have patience to keep away from what Allah had prohibited. He referred to the jurists of his government only to procure a pretext and justification before the people in this regard.

Abdullah Ibn Yusuf and Ishaaq Ibn Raahwayh also issued similar edicts and Haroon rewarded the latter with a hundred thousand dirhams.

This was about Lais who is one of the narrators of this tradition.

The third narrator of this tradition is Khaled Ibn Yazid al-Jamhi al-Misri. Regarding him, the author of ‘al-Jarho wa al-Ta’deel’ writes, ‘I asked my father about him’, he replied, ‘He is unknown (مجهول) ’. ’

The fourth narrator is Saeed Ibn Abi Hilaal, about whom Ahmad writes, ‘He could not follow what he has mixed

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in the traditions. ’

The fifth narrator is Rabeeah Ibn Saif and he is the one who made known the word of Ibn Ayyaash, the third century scholar that he made additions in his traditions. Thus, Rabeeah is also derided because he committed a number of mistakes and had many detractors. Nisaai too has deemed him to be weak.

The sixth narrator of this tradition is Abdullah Ibn Amr. I don’t think there is any need for introduction about him and his father because both belonged to the rebellious group and quite a few verses of the Holy Quran about hypocrisy were revealed concerning them. But it appears that this addition is not the fabrication of Ibn Amr, rather it is attributed to him. Allah knows the best.

This is the state of the chain of narrators of this tradition. In other words, as you must have observed, they are extremely weak and unreliable. It is clear that political factors made them interpolate lies and fabrications in the tradition.

(b) Text of the Tradition: I don’t think anybody who bears little insight in history and the life of Usman, with whom none of the companions of the Messenger of Allah (s. a. w. a. ) were satisfied except the Bani Marwan, Bani Umayyah and their henchmen, will accept that Allah, the Wise, the Cognizant of the conditions of His servants, has enrobed him.

And that if he discards this robe, he will not enter paradise. For, Usman was the weak and miserable sycophant, who gave preference to the likes of

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Hakam and Marwan over the esteemed companions of the Prophet (s. a. w. a. ). He was the one with whom Marwan played till he became his rabble, dragging him wherever he pleased. Can anyone ever imagine that Allah, the High, places the cloak of caliphate on such a person and then threatens him that if he removes it, he will not enter paradise?

Sayed Qutb writes: It was a misfortune that Usman reached to the caliphate while he was weak and indecisive in Islamic resolve. He lacked the steadfastness to withstand the cunningness of Marwan and the conspiracies of Umayyah after him. He granted from the public treasury two hundred thousand dirhams to his son-in-law Haaris Ibn al-Hakam on his wedding day. Such instances abound in Usman’s life. Like, one day he gave Zubair six hundred thousand dirhams, Talhah two hundred thousand dirhams and presented Marwan Ibn al-Hakam with one-fifth of all land taxes of Africa.

Sayed Qutb quotes Masoodi, ‘The day Usman was murdered, he left behind with his treasure one hundred and fifty thousand dinars (gold coins) , one million dirhams (silver coins) , his estates in the valleys of Quraa, Hunain, etc. valued up to one hundred thousand dinars and plenty of camels and war-horses. [1]

We do not intend to extend the discussion concerning the criticism of Usman and his misdeeds. We have only mentioned what we have done to inform a just person that to attribute such statements to the Messenger of Allah (s. a. w. a. ) that Allah has placed the cloak of the people’s leadership

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- Volume 1 , Page 309 - Muntakhab al - Athar fi l-Imam al - thani Ashar: Selected Narrations about the Twelfth Imam

on Usman, is an insult to the elevated status of Prophethood. Allah, the Wise, the Pure is free from such blunders and is Higher than what the unjust attribute to Him, a great lie.

Finally, the easier way out and the best proof that this part is an addition, fabricated in the tradition is its absence in the literature of reliable books. Thus, we see No’maani, who is Tabaraani’s contemporary, narrates the same tradition as follows: Muhammad Ibn Usman reports to us on the authority of Ahmad Ibn Abi Khaisamah from Yahya Ibn Moeen, from Abdullah Ibn Saleh, from Lais, from Sa’d, from Khaled Ibn Yazid, from Saeed Ibn Ali al-Hilal, from Rabiah Ibn Saif who narrates: We were with Shafee al-Asbahee when he said, ‘I heard Abdullah Ibn Amr say, ‘There will be twelve caliphs after me. ’ [1]

- Volume 1 , Page 309 - Muntakhab al - Athar fi l-Imam al - thani Ashar: Selected Narrations about the Twelfth Imam

--------------------

[1]: Tarikh al-Khulafa, pg. 295

[2]: Tarikh al-Khulafa, pg. 295

[3]: Tarikh al-Khulafa, pg. 292

[4]: Tarikh al-Khulafa, pg. 286

[1]: Tarikh al-Khulafa, pg. 291

[1]: Murooj al-Zahab, vol. 2, pg. 332.

[1]: Al-Ghaibah al-No’maani, pg. 104, Chap. 4, Tr. No. 34; Ghaibah of Shaykh, pg. 89; Al-Insaaf, Tr. No. 190; Behaar al-Anwaar, vol. 36, pg. 237, Chap. 41, Tr. No. 30; Al-Manaaqeb of Ibn Shahr Al-Aashob, vol. 1, pg. 291.

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36.

Tazkerah al-Huffaaz

Abu Abdillah Shams al-Deen al-Zahabi (exp. 748 A. H. )

37. Tafseer Abu al-Futuh

Shaykh Abu al-Futuh al-Raazi, a sixth century scholar.

38. Tafseer al-Kashshaaf

Abu al-Qasim Jaarullah Mahmud al-Zamakhshari al-Kharazmi (exp. 528 A. H. )

39. Tafseer al-Saafi

Mulla Mohsin Faiz al-Kashani (exp. 1091 A. H. )

40. Tafseer al-Tabari (known as Jaame’ al-Bayaan)

Abu Jafar Muhammad Ibn Jurair al-Tabari (exp. 310 A. H. )

41. Tafseer al-Furaat

Furaat Ibn Ibraheem al-Kufi, a third century scholar

42. Tafseer al-Qurtubbi

43. Tafseer Kanz al-Daqaaeq

Shaykh Muhammad Ibn Muhammad Raza al-Qummi al-Mashhadi, a twelfth century scholar

44. Tafseer Noor al-Saqalain

Allamah Abd Ali Ibn Jum’ah al-Urusi al-Huwaizi (exp. 1112 A. H. )

45. Tafseer al-Neshapuri (famous as Gharaaeb al-Quran)

Hasan Ibn Muhammad al-Neshapuri, a ninth century scholar

46. Taqreeb al-Maaref

Abu al-Salaah al-Halabi (exp. 447 A. H. )

47. Tanzeeh al-Shariah

48. Tahzeeb al-Tahzeeb

Shahaabuddin Abu al-Fazl Ahmad Ibn Ali Ibn Hajar al-Asqalaani (exp. 852 A. H. )

49. Al-Tauheed

Abu Jafar Muhammad Ibn Ali Ibn al-Husain Shaykh al-Saduq (exp. 381 A. H. )

50. Al-Tawrah (Old Testament)

51. Tayseer al-Wusul Ila Jaame’ al-Usul

Abd al-Rahmaan Ibn Ali, famous as Ibn al-Badee’ al-Shaibaani al-Zubaidi al-Shaafei (exp. 944 A. H. )

52. Al-Jaame’ al-Sagheer

Jalaal al-Deen Abd al-Rahman Ibn Abu Bakr al-Suyuti (exp. 911 A. H. )

53. Al-Jarh Wa al-Ta’deel

Abu Muhammad Abd al-Rahman Ibn Abi Haatim al-Raazi (exp. 327 A. H. )

54. Al-Jawaaher al-Muzeeah

55. Jamaal al-Usboo’

Sayyed Ibn Taawoos (exp. 664 A. H. )

56. Al-Jam’ Bayn al-Sahihain

Al-Hameedi (exp. 488 A. H. )

57. Hilyah al-Abraar

Sayyed Hashim al-Bahraani (exp. 1107 or 1109 A. H. )

58. Al-Khesaal

Abu Jafar Muhammad Ibn Ali Ibn al-Husain Shaykh al-Saduq (exp. 381 A. H. )

59. Al-Durr al-Manthoor

Jalaal al-Deen Abd al-Rahman Ibn Abu Bakr al-Suyuti (exp. 911 A. H. )

60. Dastooro Maalem al-Hukm

Qazi Abu Abdillah Muhammad Ibn Salamah al-Qazaaee, a Shafei jurist (exp. 454 A. H. )

61. Dalaael al-Imaamah

Abu Jafar al-Tabari, a fourth century

scholar

62. Raamooz al-Ahaadith

Al-Kamooshkhaanei

63. Al-Raddo Ala al-Zaidiyyah

Abu Abdillah Jafar Ibn Muhammad al-Dureesti

64. Rawz al-Jenaan Wa Ruh al-Janaan

Shaykh Abu al-Futuh al-Raazi, a sixth century scholar.

65. Rawzah al-Muttaqeen

Mulla Muhammad Taqi al-Majlisi (the father of Allamah Majlisi)

66. Rawzah al-Waaezeen

Al-Fattaal al-Neshapuri, martyred in 508 A. H.

67. Riyaaz al-Saalekeen

Sayyed Ali Khan al-Madani (exp. 1120 A. H. )

68. Sunan Ibn Majaah

Muhammad Ibn Yazeed Ibn Majaah al-Qazvini (exp. 273 A. H. )

69. Sunan Abi Dawood

Abu Dawood Sulayman al-Ash’ar al-Sajistani (exp. 257 A. H. )

70. Sunan al-Tirmidhi

Abu Eesa Muhammad Ibn Sawrah (exp. 278 A. H. )

71. Al-Sunan al-Waaredah Fi al-Fetan (Sunan al-Daani)

Umar Ibn Saeed al-Maqri al-Daani

72. Sharho Saheeh al-Muslim

Abu Zakariyah Yahya Ibn Sharaf al-Nauvee (exp. 676 A. H. )

73. Sharho Ghaayah al-Ahkaam

74. Sharh al-Maqaasid

Sa’d al-Deen al-Taftaazaani (exp. 793 A. H. )

75. Shamaael al-Rasool

Haafez Abu al-Fida Ismaael Ibn Kaseer al-Demeshqi (exp. 774 A. H. )

76. Shawaahed al-Tanzeel

Al-Haakim al-Haskaani al-Hanafi al-Neshapuri, a fifth century scholar

77. Shawaahed al-Nabuwwah

Abd al-Rahmaan al-Jaami

78. Saheeh al-Bukhaari

Abu Abdillah Muhammad Ibn Ismaael Ibn Mughairah (exp. 256 A. H. )

79. Saheeh Muslim

Abu al-Hasan Muslim Ibn Hajjaaj al-Qashteeri al-Neshapuri (exp. 261 A. H. )

80. Al-Seraat al-Mustaqeem

Shaykh Zain al-Deen Ali Ibn Yunus Al-Aameli al-Bayaazi (exp. 877 A. H. )

81. Sefaat al-Shiah

Abu Jafar Muhammad Ibn Ali Ibn al-Husain Shaykh al-Saduq (exp. 381 A. H. )

82. Al-Sawaaeq al-Muhreqah

Shahaabuddin Ahmad Ibn Hajar al-Haithami al-Shafei, a resident of Mecca (exp. 974 A. H. )

83. Al-Taraaef

Sayyed Ibn Taawoos (exp. 664 A. H. )

84. Al-Iqd al-Fareed

Ibn Abd Rabbeh al-Aandalusi (exp. 328 A. H. )

85. Al-Umdah

Abu al-Hasan Yahya Ibn al-Hasan Ibn al-Hasan al-Bitreeq al-Hilli (exp. 600 A. H. )

86. Al-Awaalem

Shaykh Abdullah al-Bahraani al-Isfahani, a student of Allamah Majlisi

87. Oyoon Akhbaar al-Reza (a. s. )

Abu Jafar Muhammad Ibn Ali Ibn al-Husain Shaykh al-Saduq (exp. 381 A. H. )

88. Ghaayah al-Maraam

Sayyed Hashim al-Bahraani (exp. 1107

or 1109 A. H. )

89. Al-Ghadeer

Al-Allamah al-Ameeni (exp. 1390 A. H. )

90. Al-Ghaibah

Shaykh al-Tusi (exp. 460 A. H. )

91. Al-Ghaibah

al-Fazl Ibn Shazaan (exp. 260 A. H. )

92. Ghaibah al-No’maani

Abu Abdillah Muhammad Ibn Ibraheem al-No’maani (a contemporary of Shaykh Kulaini)

93. Al-Faaeq

Abu al-Qasim Jaarullah Mahmud al-Zamakhshari al-Kharazmi (exp. 528 A. H. )

94. Fath al-Baari Fi Sharh al-Bukhaari

Ibn Hajar al-Asqalaani (exp. 852 A. H. )

95. Al-Fetan

Noaim Ibn Hammaad, the teacher of the authors of the Sehaah (except Nesaai) and a number of other students. (exp. 228 or 229 A. H. )

96. Faraaed al-Simtain

Shaykh al-Islam Sadr al-Deen Ibraheem Ibn Sa’d al-Deen Muhmmad al-Hammuee (exp. 732 A. H. )

97. Firdaus al-Akhbaar

Haafez Shirwayh Ibn Shahardaar al-Dailami (exp. 509 A. H. )

98. Fasl al-Khetaab

Khwajah Muhammad Paarsaa

99. Al-Fazaael

Abu al-Fazl Shaazaan Ibn Jibraeel al-Qummi (he compiled this book in the year 558 A. H. )

100. Al-Fauz Wa al-Amaan Fi Madh-e-Saaheb al-Zamaan (a. t. f. s. )

A collection of poems of Shaykh Bahaaee (exp. 1031 A. H. )

101. Al-Fehrist

Ibn Nadeem

102. Qasas al-Anbiyaa

Qutb al-Deen al-Raawandi (exp. 573 A. H. )

103. Al-Qaul al-Mukhtasar

104. Al-Kaafi

Abu Salaah al-Halabi

105. Al-Kaafi

Abu Jafar Muhammad Ibn Yaqub al-Kulaini (exp. 329 A. H. )

106. Al-Kaamil Fi al-Taareekh

Izz al-Deen Abu al-Hasan Ali Ibn Abi al-Karam al-Shaybaani, famous as Ibn al-Atheer (exp. 630 A. H. )

107. Kitaab Sulaym Ibn Qais

Abu Sadeq Sulaym Ibn Qais al-Hilaali al-Aameri al-Kufi al-Taabei (exp. 70 or 90 A. H. )

108. Kashf al-Astaar

Muhaddis al-Noori (exp. 1320 A. H. )

109. Kashf al-Haqq (al-Arbaeen)

Ameer Muhammad Sadeq Ibn Sayyed Muhammad Reza al-Khatoonabadi al-Isfahaani (exp. 1272 A. H. )

110. Kashf al-Ghummah

Abu al-Fath Ali Ibn Eesa al-Erbeli (finished writing this book in 687 A. H. )

111. Kashf al-Yaqeen Fi Fazaael Ameeril Momineen (a. s. )

Allamah Hilli (exp. 726 A. H. )

112. Kefaayah al-Asar

Abu al-Qasim Ali Ibn Muhammad al-Khazzaaz al-Raazi al-Qummi, from the students of Shaykh Saduq

(a. r. )

113. Kefaayah al-Muhtadi (al-Arbaeen)

Mir Muhammad Ibn Muhammad Mir Lauhi al-Husaini al-Musawi al-Isfahaani, a contemporary of Allamah Majlisi (a. r. )

114. Kamaal al-Deen

Abu Jafar Muhammad Ibn Ali Ibn al-Husain Shaykh al-Saduq (exp. 381 A. H. )

115. Kanz al-Ummaal

Alaa al-Deen Ali Ibn Hesaam al-Deen, famous as al-Muttaqi al-Hindi (exp. 975 A. H. )

116. Al-Lawaame’ al-Ilaahiyyah

Miqdad Ibn Abdullah al-Suyuri al-Hilli (exp. 826A. H. )

117. Lawaame’ Saaheb Qaraani

Mulla Muhammad Taqi al-Majlisi (the father of Allamah Majlisi)

118. Lawaame’ al-Uqool (Fi Sharh Raamooz al-Ahaadis

Shaykh Zia al-Deen Ahmad Ibn Mustafa Al-Kamooshkhaanei (exp. 1311 A. H. )

119. Meah Manqebah

Ibn Shaazaan, a fifth century scholar

120. Mutashaabeh al-Quran Wa Mukhtalefohu

Rasheed al-Deen Muhammad Ibn Ali Ibn Shahr Aashob al-Sarvi al-Mazandarani (exp. 583 A. H. )

121. Al-Majaalis al-Saniyyah

Sayyed Ameen al-Aameli

122. Majma’ al-Bahrain

Shaykh Fakhr al-Deen al-Turaihi (exp. 1085 A. H. )

123. Majma’ al-Bayaan

Ameen al-Islam Abu Ali Fazl Ibn Hasan Ibn Fazl al-Tabarsi (exp. 548 A. H. )

124. Majma’ al-Zawaaed

Al-Haithami (exp. 807 A. H. )

125. Al-Mahalli

Ibn Hazm

126. Al-Mahaasin

Abu Jafar Ahmad Ibn Muhammad Ibn Khaled al-Barqi (exp. 274 or 280 A. H. )

127. Al-Muhtazar

Husain Ibn Sulayman al-Hilli, a student of al-Shaheed al-Awwal

128. Mukhtasar Saheeh Muslim

Haafiz Zaki al-Deen al-Munzeri al-Demeshqi (exp. 656 A. H. )

129. Miraat al-Uqool

Allamah Muhammad Baqer Majlisi (exp. 1111 A. H. )

130. Muruj al-Zahab

Masoodi (exp. 346 A. H. )

131. Al-Masaael al-Jaaroodiyyah

Shaykh Mufeed (exp. 413)

132. Al-Masaael al-Khamsoon

Fakhruddin al-Raazi

133. Al-Mustadrak Alaa Al-Sahihain

Abu Abdillah Muhammad Ibn Abdullah, famous as Haakem Neshapuri (exp. 405 A. H. )

134. Musnad Abi Awaanah

135. Musnad Abi Ya’laa al-Mosuli

Haafez Ahmad Ibn Ali al-Tamimi (exp. 307 A. H. )

136. Musnad Ahmad

Abu Abdillah Ahmad Ibn Muhammad Ibn Hanbal al-Shaibaani al-Mirvazi (exp. 241 A. H. )

137. Al-Musnad

Haafez Abu Bakr Abdullah Ibn Zubair al-Hameedi (exp. 219 A. H. )

138. Musnad Tayaalesi

139. Mashaareqo Anwaar al-Yaqeen

Haafez Rajab al-Barsi

140. Misbaah al-Mutahajjid

Shaykh al-Tusi (exp.

460 A. H. )

141. Misbaah al-Kaf’ami

Shaykh Taqi Al-Deen Ibraheem al-Kaf’ami (exp. 905 A. H. )

142. Al-Mataaleb al-Aaliyah Be Zawaaed al-Masaaneed al-Samaaniyyah

Ibn Hajar al-Asqalaani (exp. 852 A. H. )

143. Ma’ani al-Akhbaar

Abu Jafar Muhammad Ibn Ali Ibn al-Husain Shaykh al-Saduq (exp. 381 A. H. )

144. Al-Mo’tabar

Al-Muhaqqeq al-Hilli (exp. 676 A. H. )

145. Al-Mo’jam al-Awsat

Haafez al-Tabaraani (exp. 360 A. H. )

146. Al-Mo’jam al-Kabeer

Haafez al-Tabaraani (exp. 360 A. H. )

147. Maqaaleed al-Kunooz (Fi Sharh Musnad)

Ahmad Muhammad Shakir

148. Muqtazab al-Asar

Ahmad Ibn Ubaidullah Ibn Ayyaash al-Jawhari (exp. 401 A. H. )

149. Maqtal al-Husain

Haafez al-Muwaffaq Ibn Ahmad al-Makki al-Hanafi, famous as Akhtab Khwarazm (exp. 568 A. H. )

150. Al-Malaahem

Ibn al-Munaadi

151. Al-Malaahem Wa al-Fetan

Razi al-Deen Abu al-Qasim Ali Ibn Moosa Ibn Jafar Ibn Muhammad Ibn Taawoos al-Hasani al-Husaini (exp. 664 A. H. )

152. Munaar al-Hudaa

Al-Muhaddith al-Shaykh Ali al-Bahraani (he finished writing this book in 1295 A. H. )

153. Al-Manaaqeb

Rasheed al-Deen Muhammad Ibn Ali Ibn Shahr Aashob al-Sarvi al-Mazandarani (exp. 583 A. H. )

154. Mukhtasar Basaaer al-Darajaat

155. Muntakhab Kanz al-Ummaal

Alaa al-Deen Ali Ibn Hesaam al-Deen, famous as al-Muttaqi al-Hindi (exp. 975 A. H. )

156. Man laa Yahzorohu al-Faqih

Abu Jafar Muhammad Ibn Ali Ibn al-Husain Shaykh al-Saduq (exp. 381 A. H. )

157. Mohij al-Da’waat

Sayyed Ibn Taawoos (exp. 664 A. H. )

158. Mawaddah al-Qurba

Sayyed Ali Ibn Shahab al-Husaini, a resident of India (exp. 786 A. H. )

159. Al-Naafe’ Yawm al-Hashr Fi Sharh al-Baab al-Haadi Ashar

Al-Faazel al-Miqdad

160. Al-Najm al-Saaqib

Muhaddis al-Noori (exp. 1320 A. H. )

161. Al-Nukat al-E’teqaadiyyah

Shaykh Mufeed (exp. 413 A. H. )

162. Al-Nehaayah Fi Ghareeb al-Hadis Wa al-Asar

Ibn al-Aseer (exp. 606 A. H. )

163. Nehaayah al-Bedaayah Wa al-Nehaayah

Haafez Abu al-Fida Ibn Kathir al-Demeshqi (exp. 774)

164. Nahj al-Balagha

Shareef Sayyed Razi (exp. 404 A. H. )

165. Al-Nawaader

Mulla Mohsin Faiz al-Kashani (exp. 1091 A. H. )

166. Al-Hidaayah

Al-Husain Ibn Hamadaan

167. Al-Waafi

Mulla Mohsin Faiz al-Kashani (exp. 1091 A. H. )

168.

Yanaabi al-Mawaddah

Shaykh Sulaiman Ibn Shaykh Ibraheem, famous as Khwajah Kelaan al-Husaini al-Balkhi al-Qunduzi al-Hanafi (exp. 1294 A. H. )

169. Al-Yaqeen Fi Imrah al-Momineen (a. s. )

Razi al-Deen Ibn Taawoos (exp. 664 A. H. )