Imamat & Khilafat

IMAMAT AND KHILAFAT "Remember the Day [of Judgment] when We will summon every people with their Imam [Leader]." The Holy Qur'an 17:71 It was after the death of the Holy Prophet that the Muslims were divided into two main sects, the Sunnis and the Shias. The Shias are of the belief that after the death of the Holy Prophet, Ali is his immediate successor. Whereas the Sunnis are of the belief that Abu Bakr is the Holy Prophet’s successor. Some Muslims are of the belief that the Holy Prophet did not appoint his successor and that he left it to the Muslims to elect one. Some are of the belief that if the Holy Prophet did appoint Ali as his successor then that was unacceptable. Imamat and Khilafat are the main issues that have divided the Muslim Ummah into seventy three sects, each claiming to be on the right path and others on the wrong path. All Muslims believe in One God, one Prophet, one Qur’an and one religion, yet they are so much divided on this matter. Let us try to examine and analyse to see if this matter can be resolved in any way. Before we analyse the issue of Imamat/Khilafat Shia point of view, let us see how did Abu Bakr come into power. Immediately after the death of the Holy Prophet, only a handful of Muslims gathered together in a place called Saquifa, which was a place of ill-reputation, to elect the Holy Prophet’s successor. These people did not even care to participate in the Holy Prophet’s burial. Ali was the person who arranged the Holy Prophet’s funeral. There can be only one of the following situation and you decide what could it be. 1. The holy Prophet did not find any need to appoint his successor and he did not appoint anyone. If such was the case, then why did the handful of sahabas discarded the blessed body of the holy Prophet and rushed to Saqifa to sort out the issue of Khilafat? Was it because they considered themselves smarter, more intelligent and cleverer than Allah and His Messenger to introduce something that they did not think important or neccessary? At whose mercy was the Muslim ummah from the time the holy Prophet breathe his last to the time the first Caliph was 'elected'? Is it not important for us Muslims to know this since the sahabas discarded the blessed body of the holy Prophet and thought that the khilafat was more important? The holy Prophet said, "One who dies without knowing the Imam of his time dies the death of jahiliyyah (kufr)." 2. It was extremely important for the holy Prophet to appoint someone as his successor and khalifa but the holy Prophet ignored/neglected/forgot or did not care. Bearing Allah as your witness, do you seriously think that the holy Prophet could have done anything like this? 3. The holy Prophet left this matter in the hands of the Muslims. The example of this is like as follows. There is a highly qualified medical doctor with many many years of experience. He is about to retire or move else where. He has got two options; one to find a suitable doctor like him to take over and the other one is to get together all his patients and ask them to elect someone amongst them to take his place. What does your commonsense tell you? If the holy Prophet would have left this matter in the hands of Muslim Ummah, then surely he must have known and realised about people like Yazid and Hajjaj bin Yusuf coming into the power and the havoc they would create. If nothing else, Allah Himself would have known the consequences of such a mistake. Would He himself not take due care to secure safety of His religion and its 1

followers? The holy Prophet would have surely provided some kind of guidance regarding this matter. The first caliph and the so called successor of the holy Prophet, hazrat Abu Bakr was "elected". This episode raises a number of questions: Was the election so important that the body of the H. Prophet could be discarded until a Khalifa was elected? If it was a matter of electing a Khalifa for the Muslims, then why did not the entire Muslim population of the time get an opportunity to take part in the election? Where were people like Ali, Abu Dhar, Salman Farsi, Ibn Abbas and Ammar Yasir? Why did the so called election take place in secret? Why not for example in the Prophet’s mosque? However, the result of the election was that Abu Bakr came into power. When hazrat Abu Bakr was on his death bed, he nominated hazrat Umar as his successor. Or shall we say that he returned the favour done to him! There was no other election, instead there was a nomination! When hazrat Umar was on his death bed, he appointed a committee of six people from amongst whom hazrat Uthman was selected. This time there was niether election nor nomination! Is this not ironical that the so called successors of the holy Prophet and khalifatul Muslimeen were so sensible and thoughtful that each one of them rightly or wrongly made some kind of provision for their successors but the holy Prophet himself had no time to sort this out and appoint anyone as his own successors!!! One wonders what is the rule of the game? If we were to establish a Muslim khilafah today, which of these would be applicable and on what grounds? It seems as though Islam was hijacked from the time the Holy Prophet closed his eyes. 4.The holy Prophet did appoint and indicate who his successors are going to be. Shias believe that Imamat and Khilafat is not a matter of election, nomination or selection by the people. It is a post that is designated by Allah Himself for whomever He chooses. Let us see if the Holy Qur’an supports this concept. 2:30 “I am placing on the earth one that shall be MY deputy (KHALIFA) ” 2:124 “When his Lord put Ibrahim to the proof by enjoining on him certain commandments and Ibrahim fulfilled them, He said, “I have appointed you a leader (IMAM) of mankind.” “And what of my descendants?” asked Ibrahim. “My covenant,” said He, “does not apply to the evil doers.” 28:68 “And thy Lord creates what He wills and chooses; they have NO right to choose.” 33:36 “And it is not for a believing man or a believing woman to have any choice in their affair when Allah and His Messenger have decided a matter….” The above mentioned verses clearly indicate that the appointment of an Imam or a Khalifa is entirely in Allah’s hands. Besides that the main quality of the true Imam is “ ISMAT,” which means purity, cleanliness and perfection. 33:33 “Allah desires only to keep away uncleanliness from you People of the House (Ahlul – Bayt) and make you pure as pure can be.”

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All the Muslims are unanimous in accepting that this verse refers to the Holy Prophet himself, Ali, Fatimah, Hasan and Husain. Peace and blessings of Allah be upon them all. In the light of the above verse who can be more befitting to lead the Muslim Ummah as an Imam or a Khalifa after the death of the Holy Prophet, then Ali, the Prophet’s son - in - law? 4:59 “Obey Allah, His Prophet and those in authority.” Who are these who are referred as “those in authority”? Obedience of Allah and His Apostle is understandable. Does “those in authority” mean Presidents, Prime Ministers, Governors, Monarchs, etc.? If yes, then what about if they are unbelievers, unjust, tyrants, etc.? If it only means Muslim rulers, then what about Yezid or Saddam Hussein? Suppose the “one in authority’s” command contradicts the command of Allah or His Apostle, then who do you obey and on what grounds? Therefore, “those in authority” have to be pure, clean and perfect to deserve the same category of obedience as that of Allah and His Apostle. Who else can be more deserving than the Ahlul - Bayt? 3:7 “It is He Who has revealed the Book to you; some of it’s verses are precise in meaning - they are the foundation of the Book, and others are ambiguous. Those whose hearts are infected with disbelief, follow the ambiguous part, so as to create dissension by seeking to explain it to mislead (through their own interpretation), but none knows it’s interpretation except Allah and those who are firmly rooted in knowledge." How can one be sure that the one whom s/he is following as a guide, or as a leader, or as an Imam, is certainly rooted in knowledge or is there someone else? What if the person you follow happen to be with an infected heart and therefore getting the wrong interpretation of the Book? Is there any logic in Allah (s.w.t.) warning against such dangerous people and at the same time omitting precise interpreters of His Book? Allah tells us in the Holy Qur’an about Imams and Leaders who guide people on the right path : “And We made them Leaders (Imams), guiding ( the people) by Our command……” 21:73 “And of them We made Leaders (Imams) to guide (the people) by Our command as they were steadfast (in the calamities) and of Our sign were quite certain." 32:24 Likewise, Allah also warns us against Imams and Leaders who invite people towards hell fire: “And We made them Imams who invite them to the (hell) fire, and on the Day of Resurrection they shall not be helped. And We caused them to be followed in this world, by a curse; and on the Day of Resurrection they shall be of the loathed (ones).” 28:41 - 42. If one follows the path of Ali, Fatimah, Hasan or Hussein, peace be upon them all, then we all know that their source of knowledge was the Holy Prophet himself. Theirs was the place where the Archangel Jibraeel came with divine revelations, salutations and blessings of Allah. These are the very people upon whom we send blessings in all our ritual prayers, i.e. salaat or namaz. “This day I have perfected your religion for you and completed My favour to you. I have chosen Islam to be your faith.” 5:3. If Allah claims to have perfected the religion of Islam, then how is it possible for Him to have left out such an important issue of Khilafat or Imamat just like that? An issue which has divided Muslims into seventy three sects. “And surely this your religion is one religion, and I am your Lord, so keep your duty unto Me.”23:52. Islam is a religion which has left no stone unturned to do with our everyday life. To such an extent that it teaches us which foot to put first when going to the toilet. Is it possible that Islam could either ignore or neglect such a vital issue or leave it in the hands of Muslims to choose and pick whom 3

they like and therefore deprive the most deserving ones, or choose someone who could damage the Divine Mission? We see in our everyday life that in a well established kingdom, government or monarchy, the ruler either appoints his successor or gives a very clear indication as to who would he like to be his successor. The H. Prophet came in this world with a Divine Mission. He also left the Holy Book, the Qur’an amongst us which is the foundation of our salvation. Is it possible that such a prophet after whom no prophet was to come, no other revelation to come, to have left the world without any kind of indication as to who would succeed him? Who would be responsible for the welfare of the Muslims, true interpretation of the Holy Qur’an, defending faith, etc.? During the time of the H. Prophet when the Muslims had any problems, the H. Prophet was there to sort them out. After the death of the H. Prophet, the Muslims spread out in four corners of the world. They came across new, difficult and more sophisticated problems. Who could they refer to, how could these problems be sorted out and on what grounds? Presuming that the H. Prophet parted this world without appointing his successor. It means that there was no need to and he did not do so. If this was the case, then why were the sahabas so much bothered about electing the holy Prophet’s successor to the extent that they discarded the blessed body of the holy Prophet and rushed towards Saqifa? It seems the sahabas became smarter and cleverer than the holy Prophet himself and helped themselves! If this was the beginning, then only Allah knows best what was the end of all this. Or was it that the holy Prophet ignored, neglected or forgot such an important issue as a result of which the Muslims are divided into countless sects? [God forbid] By the way at whose mercy was the Muslim ummah from immediately the holy Prophet (pbuhf) passed away to the time his successor was elected? There is hadith of the holy Prophet, “anyone who dies without reckoning the Imam of his time dies the death of a jahiliyyah (kufr). As a Muslim is it not our right to know the answer to this question? As a faithful believer, ask yourself with hand on your heart, could the most noblest of all the Prophets ignore or forget such an important issue and leave the Muslim ummah without any kind of direction after his departure? If H. Ali (a.s.) was not fit to be the first and immediate successor of the holy Prophet (S), what qualified him to be the fourth one? And if he deserved to be the first one, then why was he deprived of the opportunity and was this not an injustice towards him? There is a doctor who is very well qualified and has a many many years experience in his profession. He is about to retire or move somewhere else. There are two options for him; either he finds a replacement like himself (a doctor) or he gathers together all his patients and elects someone from among them! Surely any person with a grain of commonsense will say that the first action is an appropriate one. How is it possible for the Holy Prophet (S) to part this world without making it apparent as to who his successor is? To accomplish this very Mission, the H. Prophet (S) suffered all kinds of hardship which is beyond our imagination. How could he trust the reins of this Mission in the hands of his Ummah who were to treat the khilafat as a political football, sometimes in the hands of Muawiya and sometimes in the hands of Yazid or sometimes in the hands of Hajjaj bin Yusuf and their like? It is a historical fact that the H. Prophet appointed Ali as his successor right at the beginning of his mission, i.e. at the time when he invited his relatives for meal and called them towards Islam. There is also another famous hadith of H. Prophet of Islam:“I am leaving amongst you two commandments, (or heavy things) so long as you hold fast both of them, you will never go astray. One is the Book of Allah and the other is my Ahlul-Bayt. They would never separate from each 4

other until they meet me at the Pool (of Kawther in Paradise). Be careful of your behaviour towards them after me.” It is understood they are the same Ahlul-Bayt referred in 33:33. The H. Prophet said: “I am the city of knowledge and Ali is it’s gate.” “Fatima is part of me. Whoever offends her, offends me, whoever offends me offends Allah, whoever offends Allah, his place is in hell fire.” “Hasan and Husein are the leaders of the youths of Paradise.” In view of the above, how many hadith do we come across that have been narrated by either Ali, Fatima, Hasan or Husayn, peace and blessings of Allah be upon them all, in books like Bukhari? Imam Ja’fer As Sadique a.s. was also a great grandson of the H. Prophet and has contributed a lot towards Islam. How much do Muslims know about him and his contributions? We come across so many hadith narrated by others, but none or almost none by these prominent and very closely related family members of the H. Prophet. Who could tell us best about a person other than someone very closely related to him or her? Is it that these members of the H. Prophet had nothing to contribute or is it that their contributions have been brushed under the carpet? Some Muslims believe that the wives of the H. Prophet are included in the Ahlul-Bayt referred in 33:33. Let us see what does the Holy Qur’an say about the wives of the H. Prophet elsewhere. 66:1 - 3“ O’ (our) Prophet! Why do you forbid (to yourself) what God has made lawful to you. You seek to please your wives; and God is Oft-Forgiving, the Most Merciful. When the Prophet confided to one of his wives a matter, but when she divulged it (to others) and God apprised him there of, He made known a part of it and avoided a part; so when informed her of it, she said,“who informed of this ?” He said, “Informed, me, the All Knowing, the All Aware.” 66:4 “If you two* turn to Allah in repentance - for your hearts were inclined (to the prohibition) you shall be pardoned; but if you back up each other against him, know that Allah is his protector, and Gabriel and the righteous among the faithful. The angels too, are his helpers.” 66:5 “It may well be that, if he divorces you, his Lord will give him in your place better wives than yourselves, submissive to Allah, and full of faith, devout, penitent, obedient and given to fasting, both formerly married and virgins.” 33:28 “O’ Our Prophet (Muhammed) ! say to your wives: “If you desire ( the enjoyment of ) the life of this world and it’s adornment, come then I will provide for you and allow you to depart a goodly departing.” The above mentioned verses speak for themselves about the behaviour of the Prophet’s wives. How can it be then possible that such persons can also be part of the Ahlul - Bayt? In contrast to the above mentioned verse, there was Khadija who sacrificed her entire wealth at the feet of the Holy Prophet. The H. Prophet loved her so much and was so happy with her that so long as she was alive, he did not marry anyone else.. 93:8 “And (He) found you in need, and (immediately) made you independent.” It was through Khadija’s wealth that Allah granted the H. Prophet prosperity and claims that He did that.

* This refers to Ayesha and Hafsa the two wives of the holy Prophet (pbuhf) After the death of the Holy Prophet, it was Ayesha together with her army who went on war against Ali. The battle is known as the ‘Battle of Camel’. If Ayesha were to be considered amongst the 5

Ahlul - Bayt, then one wonders who is the oppressor and who is the oppressed one? And how can people with contradictory behaviour enjoy such a high and unique status? Taking into account the behaviour of Ayesha and Hafsa, how many hadith have been quoted by them which enjoy great authenticity and importance? On the other hand there are Khadija and Fatima, two of the four, best amongst women. How many hadith do we come across that have been narrated by such most celebrated personalities of Islam? Is this not yet another example of prejudice, hatred, jealousy and enmity against such respected members of the Holy Prophet’s family? 93:6 “What! Found He not you an orphan, and sheltered you?” The Holy Prophet was born an orphan and lost his mother when he was only six years old. Abu Talib, the uncle of the Holy Prophet took the responsibility of bringing him up. Allah is testifying Abu Talib’s action as His own. Who can deny the support, backing, co-operation and protection that Abu Talib gave to his nephew, the Prophet of Islam? The sacrifices that Abu Talib gave for the Prophet’s divine mission? Abu Talib sacrificed his children for the cause of the Holy Prophet and Islam. Muslim’s verdict on Abu Talib’s Faith? He was a kafir! If this is what and how the Muslims think of Abu Talib, the FATHER of Ali and the UNCLE of the H. Prophet, then does it surprise you if Ali, the SON of Abu Talib, the COUSIN and the SON-IN-LAW of the H. Prophet was deprived of the rightful successorship of the H. Prophet [pbuhf]? Is it surprising to see Fatima, the daughter of the H. Prophet who died within months after her father's death being buried away from her father, whereas the two fathers-in-law who died long time after the H. Prophet are buried next to the H. Prophet? Is it surprising to see Ali being assassinated, Hassan being poisoned to death, Husein together with his family members and friends being brutally butchered not by the Jews, Christians, Hindus or strangers but by the so called Muslims. Not only that but the women folk were taken as captives. Eight Imams from the descendents of Imam Husein a.s. were poisoned to death. Surely any fair minded person will be able to judge that all these are too many co-incidents or accidents to happen without someone behind the scene. There must be some very strong foundation laid somewhere by someone whereby the effects are felt even in the present day. How unjust, unfair and inconsiderate a Muslim can be to turn a blind eye against such a great and a prominent personality of Islam without any legal grounds? Had Abu Talib been a kafir, wouldn’t he hand over his nephew to the pagans and idol worshipers who had also turned against himself because of his nephew? Had he been a kafir, why on earth did he protect, help and co-operate with his nephew’s prophetic mission? Had Abu Talib been a kafir, why did he let his son Ali defend and help the H. Prophet at a tender age of thirteen? Above all, is there any logic in Allah expecting any goodness or kindness from a kafir and that also for His most superior Prophet? Is there any sense in Allah putting the best among His Prophets under the obligation of a kafir? Is this not a clear evidence of prejudice against the beloved uncle of the H. Prophet? The only reason that one can think of is that because Abu Talib was the father of Ali. Ali, unlike others was born of Muslim parents, who belonged to a very noble family and never bowed down to the idols. One also needs to ask about the faith of Abu Talib’s father, Abdul Muttalib. The episode of Abraha is good enough to prove his faith in Allah.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT 6

To which sect did the Khulafa-e-Rashideen belong i.e. Maliki, Hanbali, Hanafi or Shafei? If these Califs were also Imams of their time, then what qualification did they have to become Imams? One hundred donkeys is not equal to one horse. If the mere office of Khilafat qualified them to be the Imams, then why other Muslim Califs are not qualified to be the Imams of Muslim Ummah? To which school of thought did the Muslims belong from the time of the death of the Holy Prophet up to the appearance of the first Sunni Imam? In the light of 17:71, one wonders with which Imam are those Muslims going to be resurrected? Have you ever thought what are you going to answer Allah and the H. Prophet when you will be asked about your Imam, Khalifa or guide after the H. Prophet? What are you going to answer Allah and the H. Prophet about denying the true Imam of the successorship and siding with those who actually usurped his Khilafat? If Ali was not fit to lead the Muslim Ummah immediately after the death of the holy Prophet[P], what made him fit to become the fourth calif? If he already possessed all the qualities of a successor then why was he denied of his right in the first instance? In view of how the Muslim Ummah was divided into two main sects after the death of the Holy Prophet, is it surprising to see how much ignorant are they about the facts and realities surrounding the Holy Prophet's(pbuhf) death? In order to cover up the issue of Imamat and Khilafat, the Muslims are celebrating only the birthday of their Prophet but no discussion about his death, funeral or burial!!! When the Muslims ignored the Ahlul-Bayt who deserved to lead the Muslim Ummah after the death of the Holy prophet (pbuhf), the result is, that today we have Qadianism (Ahmadiyyas), Wahhabism, Sipahe-Sahaba-ism, to name a few who are the sworn enemies of Islam and the Muslims. There are two very interesting places in the Holy Qur’an where the word “Shia” has been used: 28:15 “And he entered the city at a time when unvigilant were its people and found he there in two men fighting: the one of his party [SHIA]; and the other of his enemies….” 37:83 “And verily of his persuasion (party [SHIA]) was Ebrahim.” Did you know that? 1. Imam Ali a.s. is the only person to be born inside the Ka’ba. 2. He is the only person to be with the H. Prophet from the time he started his prophetic mission to the time the H. Prophet passed away. He is the only person who knew the H. Prophet best and they shared all their secrets. 3. He is the person who married the H. Prophet’s only daughter Fatima a.s. through whom the progeny of the H. Prophet[sayyids]spread throughout the world. 4. Ali a.s. is the person who was granted the heavenly sword called Zulfiqar. 5. Like Ali, his ancestors were of very noble character, monotheists and followers of Prophet Ibrahim a.s. The contributions and sacrifices of Hazrat Abu Talib towards the prophetic mission and Islam is a shining example. Likewise, the sacrifices and contributions of Ali’s descendents are well known. The sacrifice of Imam Husein a.s. in Kerbala is a dyanamic example. 6. Imam Ali’s wife is the leader of all the women of paradise, Ali’s father-in-law is the leader of all the prophets, Ali’s sons Hasan and Husein are the leaders of the youths of paradise, Ali’s son Husein a.s. is the leader of all the martyrs, Ali’s grandson Imam Zainul Abideen a.s. is the leader of all the sajideen [prostrators]. And Ali’s own status in the eyes of the H.Prophet is that of what was Haroon’s to Moosa [except that Ali is not a prophet]. Imam Ali a.s. is the father of eleven infallible and sinless Imams of the Shia Ithna Asheri sect. 7. Ali is the person who was always in the forefront in all the battles. There also came a time when all the so called companions of the prophet disappeared leaving the prophet all alone except Ali. 8. Imam Ali a.s. was assassinated on Friday the 19th of Holy Ramadhan, 40 A.H. while leading the fajr prayer in the state of sajda in the mosque of Kufa. The name of his assassin was Abdur rahman Ibne Muljim. Ali died as a result of his injuries on the 21st of Holy Ramadhan. What an honour for his unique martydom! The month of Ramadhan is best of all the months, Friday is the best of all the days, salat is the best form of worship, sajda is the best part of namaz, house of Allah is the best place! How cursed and evil is his assassin and those behind him to carry out such an act. 7

9. Ali was a statesman, a warrior, pious, generous, kind hearted, wise, brave, learned, devoted, and patient. In short, he excelled in all the attributes. One only needs to read his sermons, sayings, letters and supplications to understand the essence of all this. 10. There are so called Muslims who brand the followers of Ali and his pure progeny as kafirs! They incite hatred against the Shias and venerate the enemies of the Ahlul-Bayt. They go out killing innocent people in their places of worship in the state of their prayers. Is this the teachings of the Holy Qur’an or the H.Prophet? Does the H. Qur’an or the H. Prophet of Islam allow to commit such kind of atrocities against people of any faith, let alone fellow Muslim brothers? Ali is the person because of whom the Muslims are divided into two main sects; the Shias and the Sunnis. It is time to wake up and do some serious research on the information given to you and judge for yourself. Why not start your own research on True Islam and Shi’ism and find out the truth, facts and realities about it rather than depending on someone else to brainwash you with falsehood. Why not study an authentic book on Sunni and Shia debate [by a Shia] and find out for yourself how badly have the Muslims been misled, how badly have the Shias been misrepresented and misunderstood!!!

IMAMATE By Muhammad Tejani – Dubai. Imam or leader is the title given to the person who takes the lead in a community in a particular social movement or political ideology or scientific or from the religious thought. Naturally, because of his relation to the people he leads, he must confirm his actions to their capabilities in importance and secondary matters. The sacred religion of Islam takes into consideration and gives directives concerning all aspects of life of all men. It investigates human life from spiritual point of view and guides a man accordingly, and it intervenes on the plane of formal and material existence from point of view of the life of individual. In the same way it intervenes on the plane of social life and its regulation. Thus the Imamate and religious leadership in Islam may be studied from three different perspectives: of Islamic government; of Islamic sciences and injunctions; and of leadership and innovative guidance in the spiritual life. Shi’ism believes that since Islamic society is in dire need of guidance in each of these three aspects, the person who occupies the function of giving that guidance is the leader of the community. In these areas of religious concern must be appointed by Allah and the Prophet. Man through his God-given nature realizes without any doubt that no organized society such as a country, city or village or even a household consisting of few human beings can continue to subsist without a leader or a ruler who puts the wheel of the society in motion and whose will govern individual’s will and induces the members of the society to perform their official duty. Without such a leader the parts of this society become dispersed in a short time and disorder and confusion reigns, hence the leader of the society be it great or small, if he is interested in his own position and the continued existence of his society, will appoint a successor for himself if he is to be absent from his function temporarily or permanently. The head of a household or an institution, if he is to be absent even for a short period will select someone to represent him. In the same way Islam is a religion, which according to the text of the Holy Qur’an and Sunnah is established upon the basis of the primordial nature of things. It is a religion concerned with social life, as has been seen by every observer near and far. The special attention God and the Prophet have given to the social nature of this religion can never be denied and neglected. It is an incomparable feature of Islam. The Prophet was never oblivious to the problem of the formation of the social grouping wherever the influence of Islam penetrated, whenever city or village fell into Muslims hands he would, in shortest time possible, appoint a governor in whose hands he would leave the affairs of Muslims. The Prophet displayed great interest in the problem of succession and never failed to appoint a successor when necessary. Whenever he left Medina he would appoint a governor in his own place. Even when he migrated from Mecca to Medina and there was yet no idea as to what would occur, in order to have his personal affairs managed in Mecca for those few days and give back to people what had been entrusted to him, he appointed Ali (A.S) as his successor.

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In the same way, after his death Ali was his successor in matters concerning his debts, personal affairs. For this very reason it is not conceivable that the Prophet should have died without appointing someone as his successor, , without having selected a guide and leader to direct the affairs of the Muslims and to turn the wheels of Islamic society. The Prophet foretold seditions and tribulations, which would entangle Islamic society after his death, and the forms of corruption, which would penetrate the body of Islam. How is it possible that the Prophet should not neglect to speak of the details of events and trials of years or even thousands of years after him, and yet neglect the condition that had to be brought into being most urgently after his death? Or that he should be negligent or consider unimportant a duty that is on the one hand simple and evident and on the other significant to such degree? How would he concern himself with most natural and common acts such as eating, drinking and sleeping and give hundreds of commands concerning them, yet remain completely silent about this important issue and not appoint someone in his own place? “And when thou has finished (the duty of thy ministry) then thou establish it! And unto thy Lord, return with fervor.” (Q. 94: 7 & 8) “Fargheb” get inclined – This was the instruction to the Holy Prophet – When he had finished his work as God’s apostle , i.e. completed the duty of his ministry to fix up Ali in his place and then get ready to return . Even if we accepted the hypothesis that the appointment of the other ruler of Islamic Society is given by shariah to the people themselves, still it would be necessary for the Prophet to give explanation concerning this matter. He would have given the necessary instructions to the community so that they would be aware of the problem upon which the existence and growth of Islamic society and the life of religious symbols and observances depended and relied. Yet there is no trace of such a prophetic explanation or religious instruction. If there had been such a thing those who succeeded the prophet and held the reins of power in their hands would not have opposed it, Actually the first caliph transferred the caliphate to the second caliph by request; the second caliph chose the third caliph through a six-man council of which he was himself a member and whose order of procedure he had himself determined and ordered. Nay! The prophet was not shortsighted. He did declare Ali (a.s.) as his successor, following of the revelation of ayat 67, chapter 5 of the Holy Quran (O apostle! deliver what has been revealed to you from your Lord; and if do it not, then you have not delivered His message, and Allah will protect you from the people; surely Allah will not guide the believing people.). But alas! The Muslim’s would not even abide by his command. “Of “what do they ask one another? Of the great event (An Naba-ul-Adheem) About which they differ (Q.78 – 1, 2 & 3) Hafiz Abu na’eem, a Sunni scholar in the book, “HILYAT-UL-AWLIA”- (The Ornaments of the Saints) says that the Prophet said that by Naba-e-Adhim) is meant Ali-ibne-Abitalib (a.s.), and his succession to apostolic office as the first Imam of the divine chosen “guide” which fact was announced in Ghadeer-e-Khum about which the people differed. (Coincidentally, in the Dua-e-Iftitah, we address Imam Ali (a.s.) “Wan Naba-ul-Adheem”. Thy most important sign.) Sedillot, a non-Muslim historian, who was quoted by Justice Amir Ali in his famous work “The Spirit of Islam” says, “Had the principles of hereditary succession in favor of Ali been recognized at the outset, it would have prevented the rise of those disastrous pretensions which engulfed Islam in the blood of Muslims. The husband of Fatema united in his person the right of succession, the lawful heir of the Prophet as well as the right of election. It might have been thought that all would submit themselves before his glory: so pure and so grand.”

a.s. means alaihis salaam. Peace be upon him or her.

Who is an Imam? 9

Hazrat Imam Ali ibn Musa al-Reza (a.s.) while describing the characteristics of Imamat and an Imam to Abdul Aziz ibn Muslim said: "An Imam (a.s.) is like a fire on the mountain peak (so that people from the distance can approach him and obtain guidance). He is the cause of warmth for those shivering from intense cold. He is the best guide towards safety at places of destruction. The one who is separated from him shall be destroyed. An Imam (a.s.) is like a rain bearing cloud, a heavy rain, an illuminating sun, a sky that gives shade, an expansive earth, a flowing fountain and spring and a garden." (The saying is a part of a very long tradition.) Reference: Usule Kafi, Kitabal Hujjat, vol. 1, tradition 1 ********************************************************************************************************* http://www.al-islam.org/leadership/

Imamate and Leadership

www.al-islam.org http://www.answering-ansar.org/answers/imamate/en/index.php http://www.themahdi.org http://www.answering-ansar.org/challenges/100questions/en/chap5.php http://magma.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/0406/sights_n_sounds/media2.html http://www.answering-ansar.org/answers/saqifa/en/index.php http://www.answering-ansar.org http://www.research.com.pk/home/fmri/books/index.minhaj?e=1109736047 http://www.baabeilm.org/presentations/ashura.htm References: 1. Nahjul Balagha (Peak of Eloquence) - Sermons, Letters, and Sayings of the Commander of the Faithful, Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (a) http://www.al-islam.org/nahjul/index.htm 2. Imamate: Vicegerency of the Prophet [s] http://www.al-islam.org/imamate 3. Ghadir Khumm in the Qur'an, Hadith and History http://www.al-islam.org/ghadir 4. Polarization around the Character of 'Ali ibn Abi Talib by Murtada Mutahhari http://www.al-islam.org/polarization A book about Abu Hurayrah's problematic narrations is at http://www.maaref-foundation.com/english/lib/islam/index.htm A bunch of free Shia books available for view online or download... http://rafed.net/english/books/index.html http://video.google.de/videoplay?docid=-9031181739160070561&q=Islam

http://www.baabeilm.org/presentations/13rajab_urdu.html Succession to Muhammad

THE HISTORY OF ISLAM 10

by ahlehadith scholor MOLANA ISHAQUE (IN PUNJABI LANGUAGE)

WATCH NOW KIRDAR-E-MUAWIA http://video.google.co.uk/videoplay?docid=4141390252427558630 MOLA ALI(A.S) KI JANGAIN AUR MUSHKILAAT http://video.google.co.uk/videoplay?docid=615932608059372857 Imam Hassan (a.s) ki sulah http://video.google.co.uk/videoplay?docid=3918629774481442024 karbala ka waqia http://video.google.co.uk/videoplay?docid=2738772420395250676

If you understand Udru, check out this google video. It is captured in a very simple (probably rural) setting. The scholar is from a Salafi school of thought, but he spoke so openly for a mutual understanding and acceptance of Sunni-Shia. You do not hear such appreciation and understanding every day. Unfortunately, he does not represent the majority of public’s mindset, but it is still refreshing to hear him. http://www.yasinmedia.com/en/component/option,com_frontpage/Itemid,1/

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