لطفا منتظر باشید ...
Chapter 1
The Emergence of Shi'ism
PreliminaryRemarks
With respect to the first question - "What is the
origin of Shiism?" -one may safely regard Shi'ism as a consequence
that is natural to Islam, representing a thesis whose realization is imperative
for the Call (or Mission of Islam [9]) if the latter's sound progress is to be
assured.
It is possible for us logically to infer this thesis from
the Call of Islam, led by the Prophet, because its formation was natural and
due to particular circumstances. The Prophet had put into practice a
revolutionary leadership, and drove for a comprehensive change of society, its
conventions, structures and ideas. But the road to such a change was not to be
a short one. It was long, extending the length of that deep spiritual chasm
separating pre-Islam from Islam. The calling pursued by the Prophet had
to begin with the man of pre-Islam in order to create a new being out of
him; it was from the pre-Islamic world that the man of Islam would issue,
carrying the new light to the rest of the world. This Mission had to extirpate
every last root and vestige in him of pre-Islam. [10]
Within a short period of time, this remarkable leader was
able to make quite amazing progress in the drive for change. But this drive had
also to continue its lengthy path even after his death. The Prophet had known for
some time that his term was nearing an end. He openly announced it at the
"Farewell Pilgrimage." [11] Death hardly took him by surprise. That
means that he had ample opportunity to ponder the fate of the Mission beyond
his lifetime, even if we disregard the element of a liaison with the hidden
world, or for that matter the direct Grace of God evinced by the Message
revealed to him. [12]
In the light of this, we may note that the Prophet had
before him three possible paths to choose from with respect to the future.
First, the path of denial; second, the affirmative path (for example,
consultation); third, appointment. [13] These will constitute the three
discussions to be taken up below.
[9] These two terms, "Call" and
"Mission" of Islam, are used interchangeably in this translation -
Translator.
[10] The Qur'an affirms that "He is the one who sends
down to His servants the clear signs, that He may bring ye out of the veils of
darkness and unto the Light" (57:9
"alHad").
[11] This was done at the formal address of the Farewell
Pilgrimage, where he declared: "I am about to be summoned forth, and am
about to reply." And in another account: "It is as if I am being
summoned forth and am answering. Verily, I leave thee two weighty things..."
(Sahih Muslim, IV4:1874). Abd Allah b. Masud, is reported as saying, We were with the
Prophet [May God Bless him and his household] one night, when he sighed. So, I
asked him, What ails you, O Messenger of God?' He said: My death has been
announced to me"' (Mukhtasar
Ta'r'ikh Ibn Asakir XVIII:32).
[12] That is, if we suppose the Prophet to have been so keen
to have his blessed calling go the full length set for it - as indeed it
was his nature to be - and to have striven to take it to the rest of the
world, it could only be that he took it upon himself to reckon the future.
[13] That is, of a successor - Translator.
