لطفا منتظر باشید ...
Chapter 9
Appendix - The Moral and Intellectual Preparation for 'Ali's Guardianship and Succession
Introduction
Dr. Abd alJabbar Shararah
Initiated by the Prophet, the intellectual and moral
preparation for 'Ali b. Abi Talib's Guardianship and Succession proceeded along
two parallel but complementary lines: the preparation of Ali and of the Ummah, both at the same time. While the
Prophet, as Leader, was committed to a special intellectual and doctrinal
education for Ali that conformed to a rigorous daily schedule, he also took
charge of the Muslim Ummah's mental adjustment. He undertook to
educate it intellectually and doctrinally in order firmly to establish Ali's
Guardianship. He wanted to ensure that Ali was qualified to lead the journey,
the whole experience, of Islam immediately after he departs. According to
numerous sources, as we shall see, direct Revelation was another interposing
factor pointing in this direction.
Invariably, the Qur'an comes down sometimes lauding Ali's
virtues and other times pointing to his special qualities. It identifies him as
being unique, to the point of making the delivery of God's Message conditional
upon the announcement of his Guardianship or its proclamation to the Ummah. We shall be seeking to establish this
in our appendix to Imam al-Sadr's already deep and original inquiry.
We shall arrange our own study into three discussions. The
first discussion will present 'Ali's intellectual and moral preparation for the
task of leading after the Prophet. The second will deal with the intellectual
and moral preparation of the Muslim Ummah for the sake of this task. The
third will demonstrate the pertinence of Ali's unique and special knowledge of
the Qur'an to this task.
In this summary essay, we shall try to shed light on these
facts by relying on the accepted rules and principles of scholarly investigation,
without exaggeration or artifice. The study will be based on had'ith and exegetical works written by
scholars, traditionists, renowned researchers and prominent Sunnis. We pray
that God may extend His assistance.
