لطفا منتظر باشید ...
The Qurn in the Perspective
of Ahl al-Sunnah and
the Shiah
The holy Qurn is Allahs word revealed on His Messenger Muhammad (may Allahs benediction and peace be upon him and his Progeny), the book that falsehood cannot come at it from before it or from behind it. It is the superior reference for Muslims in all their rulings, rituals (ibdt) and doctrines (aqid). Whoever doubts or affronts it will verily be out of the pale of Islam, as the Muslims as a whole are in agreement on sanctifying and revering it, with adhering strictly, in their worship, to all the teachings stated in it.
But Muslims differ concerning its exegesis and interpretation, in a way that the Shiah refer in this respect to the Prophet (S) and expositions of the Imams of Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them), Ahl al-Sunnah wa al-Jamah refer too to the Prophets traditions, but they depend on the Sahbah (Companions) without any distinction or anyone of the four imms, the leaders of the known four Islamic schools of thought, in reporting and exposing and interpreting the traditions.
Naturally, this led to the emergence of dispute and disagreement in opinions concerning so many Islamic par-
ticularly fiqhi issues. And when difference is explicitly found among the four Islamic schools of thought of Ahl al-Sunnah, so it it not strange in any way to see the disagreement be more explicit between them and the school of Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them).
As I mentioned in the outset of the book, I would never refer but to a few examples for the sake of brevity, and anyone seeking more details must plunge into the depths of the ocean to extract as many as he can of the potential realities and hidden jewels.
Ahl al-Sunnah concur with the Shiah in believing that the Messenger of Allah (S) has verily exposed to the Muslims all the precepts of the Qurn, and interpreted its verses completely. But after the Prophets demise the two sects differed regarding to whom they should refer, in order to have full knowledge of that exposition and interpretation. Thus Ahl al-Sunnah have determined to refer to the Sahbah with no distinction and after them to the four imms and the ulam of the Islamic Ummah. Whereas the Shiah held that. The Imams from among the Prophets Household (Ahl al-Bayt) being competent alone for this status, beside just an elite of the selected Companions, since Ahl al-Bayt (A) are the followers of the Remembrance, whom Allah the Exalted commanded us to refer to when He the Almighty and the Glorious said: "Ask the followers of the Remembrance if ye know not! (16-43). They are too those whom Allah the
Exalted has chosen and made them to inherit the knowledge of the books, when He Subhnahu said (in the holy Qurn): "Then We gave the Scripture as inheritance unto those whom We elected of Our bondmen...." (35:32). Based on this, the Messenger of Allah (Allahs peace and benediction be upon him and his Progeny) has counted them the equal of the Qurn, and the second thaql (precious asset) of which he (S) ordered the Muslims to get hold, when he said: "I am leaving behind among you two precious things. The Book of Allah and my kindred (Itrah), as long as you hold on to them you shall never go astray."2
In another narration reported by Muslim, he (S) said:... The Book of Allah and my Household (Ahl al-Bayt), I urge you to remember Allah regarding my Ahl al-Bayt (He repeated the last statement three times.)3
It is commonly known that Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them) were the most knowledgeable, piousl, godliest and best of people, in whose regard al-Farazdaq has said:
When enumerating men of piety they be their leaders,
Or said who are the best of people, is replied they be.
I cite here one example just to show the nature of association between Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them) and the holy Qurn, in which Allah the Exalted said:
"Nay, I swear by the places of the stars and lo! That verily is a tremendous oath, if, ye but knew. That (this) is
indeed a noble Qurn. In a Book kept hidden. Which none toucheth save the purified." (56: 75 79).
These verses undoubtedly indicate that Ahl al-Bayt (A) headed by the Messenger of Allah (S) are the only people entitled and able to realize the obscure meanings of the Qurn. When pondering upon the oath sworn by the Exalted and Glorious Lord, we will face this fact: When Allah the Exalted swears by the declining day, the pen, the fig and the olive, then the greatness of taking oath by the places of the stars shall be manifested due to the secrets and influence on the universe it implies, with Allahs permission. Confirming the oath in the negative and affirmative forms is explicitly observed, as after the oath the Almighty affirms by saying: "That (this) is a noble Qurn. In a Book kept hidden." And what is hidden here means that which is internal and concealed, then Allah the Mighty and Glorious says: "Which none toucheth save the purified," and none (l) here is a particle of negation, and "touches it" means, realizes and comprehends it, not meaning contacting by hand, as theree is difference between contacting by hand (lams) and touching (mass). Allah, the Exalted, said: Lo! Those who ward off (evil), when a glamour from the devil troubleth them, they do but remember (Allahs Guidance) and behold them seers!" (7:201)
Allah the Glorious also said: "Those who swallow usury cannot rise up save as he ariseth whom the Satan
hath confounded with his touch." (2:275). "Touch in these verses is relevant to aql (reason) and apprehension not to cantacting by hand (lams). And how is it possible that Allah swears that the Quran should never be touched by the hand but only of that who is purified, while several episodes in history books indicate that several tyrants have toyed with and torn it. Further we witnessed how the Israelis have trodden the Qurn under their feet we seek protection with Allah -, beside setting it to fire at the time of occupying Beirut during their ill-famed invasion, the event about which ugly and appalling pictures and films were transmitted by TV devices. So the meaning we conceive from Allahs saying is that the meanings of the Qurn can never be realized but only by an elite from among Allahs bondmen, whom He has chosen and cleansed with a thorough cleansing. The word "the purified" in this verse (56:79), is passive participle, i.e. those who were purified; and Allah the Mighty and the Glorious said: "Allahs wish is but to remove uncleanness far from you. O folk of the household, and cleanse you with a thorough cleansing." (33:33)
The Almightys saying: "Which none toucheth save the purified "indicates that: The Qurans reality can never be realized but only by the Messenger of Allah (s) and his Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them), so the Messenger (S) said in their regard:
"The stars are safety for inhabitants of the earth against drowning, and my Ahl al-Bayt are safety for my ummah against disagreement, whenever being opposed by any Arab tribe, disagreement will prevail amongst them, after which they will turn to be party of Iblis (Satan)."4
This idea which is held by the Shiah is derived from the holy Qurn and the Messengers traditions, which are reported even in Ahl al-Sunnahs Sihah as we noticed.
The Prophetic Sunnah in the
Perspective of
Ahl al-Sunnah and Shiah
The Prophetic Sunnah is whatever said or done or approved by the Messenger of Allah (Gods peace and benediction be upon him and his Progeny), that is considered the second source after the Qurn for their rulings, rituals (ibdt) and doctrines (aqid).
But Ahl al-Sunnah wa al-Jamah add to it another source, which being the sunnah (conduct) of the four Rightly Guided Caliphs (al-Khulaf al-Rshidun) who are Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthmn and Ali, according to a hadith narrated by them as follows:
"Adhere to my sunnah and the sunnah of the rightly guided successors after me. Hold on to it and cling to it stubbornly."5
The clearest evidence for this lies in their following of Umar ibn al-Khattbs conduct (sunnah) in performing Salt al-Tarwih (amusement prayer) of which the Messenger of Allah (s) has forbidden.6 Some of them even dare to add to the Prophetic Sunnah the sunnah of the Companions as a whole (whoever of them), according to a hadith narrated by them:
"Verily, my Companions are like the stars (nujum) whichever of them you follow, you shall be guided rightly," beside the hadith: "My Companions are safety for my ummah.:"7
But Hadith al-Nujum is verily incompatible with reason (aql), logic (mantiq) and scientific reality since the Arabs were never guided in their desert travelling, by merely following any one of the stars. But in fact they were guided by following certain specific stars, having known names. Besides, this hadith is not supported by the consequent events and practices that were exercised by the Companions after the demise of the Messenger of Allah (S), as some of them have apostatized,8 beside differing in numerous issues that entailed disparagement between each other,9 cursing each other,10 and killing each other.11 Moreover some of the Companions were chastised for imbibing wine, perpetrating adultery and robbery, beside other crimes; so how can any sane man accept such a tradition commanding to follow such people? And can that one following Muwiyah, who renegaded against his time Imam Amir al-Muminin, through warring against al-Imm Ali (A) , be guided? How can he be guided while knowing that the Messenger (S) has called him the imam of the tyrant band (al-fiah al-bghiyah)?12 How can be among those rightly-guided, that who follows the example of Amr ibn al-As, al-Mughirah ibn Shubah and Bisr ibn Artaah who murdered the innocent, for the sake of sup-
porting the rule of the Umayyads? You also, the intelligent reader, when reading the hadith my companions are like the stars, you will come to realize that it is fabricated, since it is addressed to the Companions, so is it reasonable that the Messenger(S) says.
"O my Companions follow the guide of my Companions"?
Whereas the hadith "O my Companions, adhere to the Imams from among my household, since they guide you after me" is nearer to truth, due to having many evidences supporting it in the Prophetic Sunnah.
Besides, the Immiyyah Shiah hold that those meant by the hadith "Adhere to my Sunnah and the Sunnah of the rightly-guided successors after me" being the Twelve Imams from Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them), to whom the Messenger of Allah (s) has commanded his ummah to adhere and follow, in the same way they adhere to and follow the Book of Allah.13
And since I have committed myself not to argue but with the evidences used by the Shiah from the Sihh of Ahl al=-Sunnah wa al-Jamah, so I sufficed with these examples, whereas the Shiah books are replete with many other evidences that are more explicit and indicative.14
But the Shiah never claim that Ahl al-Bayt Imams (A) are entitled to legislate, or that their Sunnah is of their ijtihd, but they hold that all the rulings and precepts they follow are derived from the Book of Allah and the Sunnah
of his Messenger ... the Sunnah which the Messenger of Allah has taught to Ali, who in turn has taught to his sons, as it is a knowledge they inherit one from the other, having for this a large number of evidences reported by the ulam of Ahl al-Sunnah in their Sahihs, Musnads and Tarikhs. The question that insistently raised all the time is: Why have al-Sunnah wa al-Jamah never acted according to the content of those traditions, which they consider Sahih (veracious)...???
After all this, the Shiah and Sunnah disagree concerning the interpretation of the traditions that are authentically reported from the Messenger of Allah (S), as previously explained in the statement about the dispute between them in respect of the exegesis (tafsir) of the Qurn. They disagree in regard of who are meant by the rightly-guided successors (al-Khulaf al-Rshidun), that are referred to in the Prophets hadith which is approved by both the sectts. Ahl al-Sunnah interpret it to mean the Four Caliphs who assumed the rostrum of caliphate after the Messenger of Allah, while the Shiah interpret it to mean the twelve successors, who are the Imams of Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them).
So we see this disagreement so common concerning whatever is related to the persons that were exculpated by the Qurn and the Messenger, or whom he (S) commanded to follow, like the following hadith uttered by him (S):
"The ulam of my ummah are superior to the prophets of Banu Israel," or "The ulam are the inheritors of the prophets."15
Ahl al-Sunnah wa al-Jamah take this tradition to include all the Ummah ulam as a whole, while the Shiah specify it to the Twelve Imams, the reason making them to prefer them (A) over the prophets, with the exception of Ulu al-Azm (of resolution) among the dmessengers. In fact reason (aql) inclines more to this specification, for:
First:the Quran has made the fknowledge of the Book be inherited by those whom Allah has chosen from among His bondmen, the fact indicating the specification. Besides, the Messenger of Allah (S) has specified his Ahl al-Bayt with particular traits, never making any partners to share them in these traits, when he called them Ark of Salvation, and Imams of Guidance, and Beacons of Darkness, and the Second Thiql (precious asset) that safeguards against deviation and astrayal.
The fact manifested from this is that the claim of Ahl al-Sunnah contradicts this specification that is confirmed by the Qurn and the Prophetic Sunnah. Besides, reason is never content with it due to its implying the obscurity and ignorance for the real ulam, far from Allah has removed cleanness and cleansed, and not distinguishing them from the (courtly) ulam imposed upon the Ummah by the Umayyad and Abbsid rulers. How far is it between those ulam and Ahl al-Bayt Imams, for whom
history books never reported their learning under any teacher, except that the son was getting knowledge from his father. Despite this fact, Ahl al-Sunnah ulam have reported in their books, wonderful narrations, especially concerning al-Imm al-Bqir, al-Imm al-Sdiq, and al-Imm al-Rid who managed, through his knowledge, in dumbfounding forty judges al-Mamum gathered for (debating with) him, while he was only a boy.16
The point affirming the distinguishment of Ahl al-Bayt from others, lies in the obvious disagreement among the four schools of thought of Ahl al-Sunnah, regarding numerous fiqhi issues, while no difference is there among the Twelve Imams of Ahl al-Bayt concerning even one issue.
Second: If we approve the claim of Ahl al-Sunnah in generalizing these verses and traditions on all the Ummah ulam, this will necessarily lead to the multiplication of the opinions and schools of thought throughout long generations, to the extent that thousands of schools (madhhib), would find way into the scene. Discerning the triviality of this view, and its goal of disintegrating the unity of creed and faith, Ahl al-Sunnah hastened to close the door of ijtihd since time immemorial.
Whereas the opinion held by the Shiah calls to the unity and to gather round known Imams, upon whom Allah and the Messenger have imparted all sorts of knowledge that are necessary for all Muslims throughout all ages
and times. After all this, no claimant can fabricate any lie against Allah and the Messenger, or innovate a new school compelling people to follow and believe in it. The two sects differ regarding this issue in the same way they differ concerning al-Mahdi, in whom they both believe. But for the Shiah he (A) is known of definite father and grandfather while in the perspective of Ahl al-Sunnah he is still unknown, and will be born at the end of the Time. For this reason many of them have alleged to be al-Mahdi each, and al-Shaykh Ismail the author of al-Tariqah al-Mudaniyyah, has said to me personally that he was the Awaited al-Mahdi, in front of a friend of mine, who was one of his followers, but he was enlightened and guided to truth afterwards.
But in the perspective of the Shiah, none of their newborn dares to claim this. And even if anyone of them names his son Mahdi, he does so only for seeking auspiciousness and blessing, in the same way as done by anyone of us when calling his son Muhammad or Ali. Besides, the reappearance of al-Mahdi is considered by them in itself as a miracle, since he was born twelve centuries ago, and disappeared.
Then, after all these facts, disagreement may appear amongst Ahl al-Sunnah wa al-Jamah, in respect of the meaning of the authentic veracious (sahih) hadith in the view of both the sects, even when the hadith being irrelevant to individuals, like the following one:
"The disagreement of my ummah is a blessing," which is interpreted by Ahl al-Sunnah that any difference in the fiqhi rulings regarding one issue is a blessing for the Muslim individual, in a way that he can select any rule proper for him and keep pace with the solution he likes. In this way it will be a blessing (rahmah) for him since when finding al-Imm Mlik, for instance, being strict regarding one issue, it is permissible for the Muslim person to imitate (take the opinion of) Abu Hanifah, who being lenient in it.
But in the perspective of the Shiah, they interpret the hadith in another way, reporting that when al-Imm al-Sdiq (A) was asked about the hadith "The disagreement of my ummah is a blessing, he said: The Messenger of Allah said the truth! The inquirer then said: If their disagreement is a blessing, so their agreement should be an indignation! Al-Sdiq replied: It is not the way you think or they think (i.e. in this interpretation), but what the Messenger of Allah (S) meant is that: Their frequenting to each other, that is one of them travels to the other, going out and betaking himself to him to gain knowledge from him, inferring for this, as an evidence, Allahs saying: Of every troop of them, a party only should go forth, that they (who are left behind) may gain sound knowledge in religion, and that they may warn their folk when they return to them, so that they may beware." (9:122) Then he added to it saying: When they differ concerning religion,
they will turn to be the party of Iblis (Satan). This, as can be clearly seen by all, being a reasonable and convincing interpretation, inviting toward unity in creed and belief not disagreement in it.17
Thereafter, the hadith as conceived by Ahl al-Sunnah is unreasonable, since it calls to disagreement, disunity and multiplicity of opinions and schools, the fact contradicting the holy Qurn that calls us towards unity, agreement and to gather round one thing, when Allah, Subhnahu, says: "And lo! This your religion is one religion and I am your Lord, so keep your duty unto Me." (23:52)
He also says: "And hold fast, all of you together, to the cable of Allah, and do not separate." (3:103).
In another verse He says: "...and dispute not one with another lest ye falter and your strength depart from you..." (8:46)
And is there a dispute or separation worse than dividing one ummah into several schools, parties and sects, contradicting and deriding each other, or rather even charging each other with disbelief and infidelity to the extent that each deeming the blood (killing) of the other as lawful, the event that actually took place throughout consecutive ages, as recorded in history books. So we were warned by Allah the Glorified against the untoward consequences our ummah will verily face when being separated and in dispute, when the Almighty said: "And be ye not as those who separated and disputed after the clear
proofs had come unto them." (3:105) He also said: "Lo! As for those who sunder their religion and become schismatics, no concern at all hast thou with them." (6:159).
In another place He said: "...and be not of those who ascribe partners (unto Him). Of those who split up their religion and became schismatics, each sect exulting in its tenets." (30:31-32)
It is worth mentioning that the meaning of schismatics (shiya) has nothing to do with the Shiah, as wrongly conceived by some naive and simple-minded people, when one of them came to advise me saying: "O brother, for Gods sake! Forget about the Shiah, as Allah detests them and has warned His Messenger against being one of them! I said: How is that? He said: (the verse): "Lo! As for those who sunder their religion and became schismatics, no concern at all hast thou with them." I tried hard to persuade him that the word schismatics (shiya) means clans or parties, and has nothing to do with Shiah. But he unfortunately insisted on his opinion and was never convinced, since his master, the mosque (prayers) leader has taught him in this way, warning him against the Shiah, so he was not ready to accept other than that.
Returning to the topic, I want to say that I was at a loss before being guided when reading the hadith "The disagreement of my ummah is a blessing" and comparing it with the hadith: "My ummah will separate into seventy-
two sects, all being in hell-fire, except only one."18 I used to wonder. How can the disagreement of the ummah be a blessing, while at the same time causing (people) to enter the fire??
But after reading the interpretation of al-Imm Jafar al Sadiq for this hadith, my perplexity has vanished and the enigma was solved, with knowing afterwards that the Imams of Ahl al-Bayt are the Imams of guidance and beacons for darkness, being truly the interpreters of the Qurn and Sunnah, be meritorious for what the Messenger of Allah (S) said in their regard:
"The parable of my Ahl al-Bayt among you is that of the boat of Noah; whoever gets aboard it is saved and whoever stays away from it is drowned. So dont outstrip them, for then you shall perish, and dont fall short of them, for then you shall perish. Dont teach them for they are more knowledgeable than you."19
Also al-Imm Ali (A) said the truth when he uttered the following statement:
"Look at the people of the Prophets family. Adhere to their direction and follow their footsteps, because they would never let you out of guidance, and never throw you into destruction. If they sit down you sit down, and if they rise up you rise up. Do not go ahead of them, as you would thereby go astray, and do not lag behind of them as you would thereby be ruined."20
In another sermon, he (A) describes the position and worth of Ahl al-Bayt (A) by saying:
"They are life for knowledge and death for ignorance. Their forbearance tells you of their knowledge, and their outward of their inward, and their silence of the wisdom of their speaking. They do not go against right nor do they differ (among themselves) about it. They are the pillars of Islam and the asylums of (its) protection. With them right has returned to its position and wrong has left its place, and its tongue is severed from its root. They have understood the religion attentively and carefully, not by mere heresy or from relaters, because the relaters of knowledge are many but its understanders are few."21
Al-Imm Ali has verily said the truth, as he is the gate of the city of knowledge. And there is a great difference between that who comprehends religion with consciousness and observance, and that who comprehends it through hearing and narrations.
Those who hear and narrate are so many, as a large number of Companions enjoyed the company of the Messenger of Allah (S), hearing and reporting from him numerous traditions unconsciously and unknowingly. This led to changes in the meaning of the hadith, in a way that it might give the opposite of what the Messenger (S) meant of it, or leading sometimes to disbelief due to the difficulty in realizing the real meaning of the hadith by the Companion.22
Whereas those who comprehend and observe knowledge being very few. Man may exhaust his entire life in seeking knowledge, but might not gain but only scanty of it, or may specialize in one of the fields of knowledge or one of its arts, without being able to have full command of its branches as a whole. But the fact commonly known is that Ahl al-Bayt Imams (A) were thoroughly acquainted with, and grasping miscellaneous sciences, as proved by al-Imm Ali, according to the reports confirmed by the historians. This fact is further proved by al-Imm Muhammad al-Bqir, and Jafar al-Sdiq too, under whom thousands of shaykhs have learnt different sciences and fields of knowledge, including philosophy, medicine, chemistry and natural sciences, and others.
