Scholars, People and Ashura
It has been mentioned in the letter from Imam Mehdi (as):
“In the issues that occur, refer to the narrators of our narrators. As they are my proof to you and I am the proof of Allah on them”
Authentic Shia References:
- Ikmalul Deen / Sheikh Sadooq 1 pg 484
- Book of Ghaibat / Sheikh Toosi 2 pg 177
- Alihtejaj / Sheikh Tabrasi pg470
- Alwasael 27:140 Chapters on the characteristics of the judge chapter 11 page 9
And in the narration of Al Faqeeh:
“O Allah bless my successors. They said who are your successors? He said the ones that come after me, and narrate my Sayings and Sunnah”
Authentic Shia References:
- Maani Al Akhbar 1:374 Hadith 1
- Alwasael 27:140 Chapters on the characteris of the judge chapter 11 page 9
It has been narrated in the Fiqh of Imam Ridha (as) that:
“The position of the jurist in this time is as the position of the Prophets of Bani Israel”
Authentic Shia References:
- Kanzol Al Fawaed Al Karajaki pg 195
- Mustadrak Al WAsael – Chapter 17 pg 316, chapters of the characteristics of the judge, chapter 11 page 17
It has been narrated in the Tohaf Al Ooqool authored by the Eminent Sheikh Mohammad bin Al Hasan bin Ali bin Showba:
“The paths of matters and laws is in the hands of the Scholars of Allah, the secure people on His halal and haram (permitted things and not permissible things)”
Authentic Shia References:
- Tohaf Al Ooqool pg 238
- Mustadrak Al WAsael – Chapter 17 pg 215, chapters of the characteristics of the judge, chapter 11 page 16
It has been narrated in Ghawali Allaale book:
“The people are on four types…until he states ‘a man that has knowledge and he knows that he has knowledge, he is a guiding jurist so follow him”
Authentic Shia References:
- Ghawali Allaale Chapter 4, pg 74-79
The narrations that often mentioned support of the above point, even some of them (narrations) contain the following examples:
“Verily the scholars are the inheritors of the Prophet”
“They are like them”
“They are the trustees of Islam”
“Trustees of the Messenger”
“They are the caretakers for their followers and orphans”
Authentic Shia References:
- Alwasael 27:pg 77 Chapters on the characteristics of the judge chapter 8
- Mustanadol Shia Fi Ahkam Al Shari’ah by Shiekh Al Naraqi – volume of the judge and witnesses 1st chapter ‘judge’ 1st topic ;selecting the judge and what is related to it, from conditions, manners and rules/laws’
We conclude this summary with a narration from Imam Hassan Al Askari (as):
“Whoever from the Jurists was a protector of his soul, a caretaker of religion against his desires and follows the orders of his master, then the ordinary people should follow him. That cannot happen except for some of the Shia Jurists, not all of them. So whoever did any of the sins or the disliked deeds as the misguided Jurists of the other sectors do, do not accept from them anything that they say is from us and do not respect them”
Authentic Shia References:
- Tafsir Al Hasan Al Askari pg 143
- Wasael Al Shia chapter 27, pg 131. Chapters of the characteristics of the Judge chapter 10, pg 20
After this, we say that it is obligatory upon us to be very careful. So that we don’t fall into the traps of Satan and his followers and fight the friends of Allah (swt), becoming friends of his enemies whilst we think that this is the correct religion. Or, we hurt the hearts of another Mo’min because of our ignorance, or weaken the right by supporting the wrong.
So be careful…the love of dunya is the root of every sin, as Imam Amir Al Mo’mineen (As) has stated:
“Oh people, be aware from the love of dunya (worldly life) because it is the root of every sin, the door of every trouble, the book of every fitnah (mischief) and the caller of every disaster”
Authentic Shia References:
- Tohaf Al Qooqool pg 5
We have to be careful about our souls so that we keep it away from whatever Allah (swt) has forbidden. And we should do Jihad (struggle) with our souls so that we can only be with rightness, because the people who came out to fight against Imam Hussain (as) were from different groups and clans. It is important for us to look carefully into their lives so that we don’t fall into the traps of Iblis and his party, and become the prey for the haters of the Ahlayl Bayt (as).
The ones who fought against Imam Hussain (as) were from different groups, which are:
Category 1:
The ones who wanted only wealth like Khowlah bin Yazid Al Ashbahee or Sinan bin Anas anNakhagee. One of the two said this poem in front of his master Ubaydollah bin Zyad, while carrying the Holy head of Imam Hussain (as) as he receives money from his master.
“Fill may bags with silver or gold, I have killed the pure master I have killed the one whose mother and father were the best people”
Category 2:
Those amongst them who wanted power and authority like Omar bin Saad bn Abi Waqqas, as it is obvious in his statement:
‘Should I leave the ownership of Ray (a city next to Tehran) and Ray is my wish. Or become a sinner with the killing of Hussain. And in killing him there is the absolute fire that does not have any cover, while in Ray I will have peace of mind’
Authentic Shia References:
- Al Khasa-iss Al Hussainia by Shiekh Ja’afar AShtari pg 71
- Ibn Athir’s History Book – Vol 4, pg 22
Hussain (as) told him:
“oh Omar, are you going to fight against me?!, do you fear that you will return to Allah (swt), I am the son of whom you know~ Don’t you be with me and leave these people because it is closer to the Almighty Allah swt?!
Ibn Saa’d apologised, in a way that did not please the Almighty creator. Firstly he said “I fear that my house will be destroyed”. Hussain (as) said “I will build it for you” secondly he said “I fear that my land will be taken”. Hussain (as) said “I will give you (instead of it) better than it from my wealth in Hijaz”. And he claimed thirdly that “I fear that ibn ZIyad will kill my sons”
Authentic Shia References:
- Maktalul AL awalim pg 78
So when Imam Hussain (as) gave up trying with him, he left while telling him, ‘Whats wrong with you, Allah (swt) will cut your head, while you are on your bed very soon, and may he not forgive you on judgement day. As I swear by Allah (swt) that I wish that you don’t eat from the wealth of Iraq except a little’. Then Ibn Saad said sarcastically, ‘barley is enough for us (cheap food)’.
Authentic Shia References:
- Tahthid Al Asmaa WA Al Lghat by Nawawi, Biography of Umar bin Saa’d
The love of worldly desires has blinded him. But eating a little amount of barley afterwards was not a barrier for him from death and the forever life in the fire of hell, the worst ending.
Category 3:
Those that got involved because of their envy and low self esteem, like the father of Omar (the leader of the army that killed Imam Hussain) Sa’ad bin abi Waqas. He has shown clearly his hate towards Ali (as) and the envy he had towards him and his sons. Until he passed away he did not give allegiance to Ali (As) nor did he fight against him in any war. Whereas he has narrated some characteristics for Ali (as) that himself, and the people who were similar to him, did not have these characteristics. You can refer to the Sunni reference books for yourself and find out how envy can make a person blind and death. Sa’ad showed his hate towards the Ahlayl Bayt so he could get closer to the ruler and damage faith. This was done by writing to Yazid ibn Muawiya, informing him about the arrival of Muslim bin Aqeel (as) to Kufa and how the people are following him. Also about how Nuaman bin Bashir (Yazids governor of Kufa at that time) stopped fighting aginst Muslim (as)
Authentic Shia References:
- Tareeq Al Tabari vol 6 pg 199
Sa’ad has done this while he knew how bad Yazid was. Then why did he write the letters?
Category 4:
The next category is like the people that Al Masoudi has mentioned in his history book, about the events of the battle of Siffin. He says ‘A man from Kufa entered to Damascus while the army just arrived from the battle of Siffin. Another man from Damascus grabbed him and said “This is my female camel, it has been taken from me in Siffin”, so they referred the case to Muawiya. The man from Damascus brought 50 men witnessing that this was his female camel. Muwaiwya ordered that the men from Kura have to give the camel back to the men from Damascus. The man from Kufa said “May Allah (swt) ease your troubles, however this is a male camel and not a female camel”. Muawiya said “This is an order that has been done!” After they left, Muawiya sent someone to bring the man from Kura in secret. Muawiya asked him about the price of his camel and paid him double of its price, and honoured him then hold him “Tell Ali that I will fight against him with 100,000 soldiers, and none of them can tell the difference between a male and female camel” The narrator added, they obeyed Muawiya to that extent that he prayed Jumah (Friday congregation prayers) on a Wednesday on the way to Siffin.
Authentic Reference:
- Muwooge AL Dhahab Vol 2, pg 72
Category 5:
The ones that have the personality which is the same as one of the companions of the Prophet (Saw) (Abu Hurairah Al Doosi) when he said “Prayer behind Ali is better, food with Muawiya is more delicious, and sitting on the hill is safer!!”. This is mentioned in the chapter about Abu Hurairah in the book Al Kina wa Al alqaab, by Al Qumi and other references.
Category 6:
Those who have lost the way because of their ignorance. They saw the people of this dunya and followed then. Because of this they were held responsible by the Al Mighty Allah (swt). This category and the likes died out because of many lectures and debates that made the rightness obvious for everyone who has two eyes.
Category 7:
The ones who followed other people because of lack of intelligence. These people saw the majority and went with them, thinking that the majority is in the right.
Category 8:
The one who followed his family and tribe, and for no other reason. So we should not follow the steps of the associations and organisations that we are involved in, and walk behind its directors blindly. Because the Moo’min is supposed to be alert at all times on the path that he takes.
Category 9:
As Ibn Tawoos (May Allah bless him) has said “When the right time arrived, the companions of Muslim (as) started leaving him, whilst telling each other ‘why should we get involved in making Fitna (mischief), we should stay in our houses, and leave these people until Allah repairs the problem between them’. So no one stayed with him except for only 10 people, then when Muslim (As) walked into the mosque to pray the Maghrib prayers, the last 10 left him too”
Authentic Shia Reference:
- Maq’tal AL Hussain (as) p 22
So observe, you will be surprised because the person who invites for rightness has become a mischief maker. THIs is what the people of badness do when someone asks one of them to show the rightness, they title him as a mischief-maker. SO observe carefully you will see to what extent the souls are alike.
Category 10:
Next are those like Abdullah Bin Omar when he said “I will stay in the Mosque of the Prophet (Saww) worshipping and will not get involved between the kinds” Exactly as many of the people leave the ones who work for the rightness against the wrong, and try to take the people far away from the Scholars. However, they do not know that the Scholars would not buy this world and its beauty, even with a cut piece of a fingernail.
They think that the Scholars are like them, and want leadership and control. Because every container gives what is inside it (i.e. the person thinks that everyone has the same desires as him). Which they accused Imam Ali (As) of being a lover of status. While they are the sons of Dunya and its lovers. They also think that the religious authorities (Maraje’) are like political parties that went to control the world and its resources. SO every religious authority attack the other one or tries to show the other one with an ugly face, exactly as politics plays these dirty games.
They do not know that our Scholars have been brought up in the school of Ahlayl Bayt (As). SO if they wanted power one day, they want it to establish the rightness and destroy the wrong. For helping the week and applying the laws of Allah (Swt) in the earth. Not for status or positions and for things that will perish. Their face is like the face of their master and leader, Ali (As) from before when he said to it “O Dunya, go and find someone else to follow you” or when he explained when the Scholars should involve themselves, when he stated “Behold by him who split the grain and created living beings. If people had not come to me and supporters had not exhausted the argument, and if there had been no pledge of Allah with the Scholars, to the effect that they should not be silent and the gluttony of the oppressor and the hunger of the oppressed. I would have cast its rope on its own shoulders (Caliphate)”.
Authentic Shia References:
- Refer to the sermon 4 Nahjul Balagha (Sermon of Ashshiqshiqiyya)
Category 11:
Those who escaped the great duty of enjoining in the goodness and forbidding the evil. One of the things they have forgotten, or have claimed to have forgotten the narration of the prophet of Allah (saw) “The people will stay in goodness as long as they enjoin in good and forbid the evil, and help each other to achieve goodness. If they did not do that the blessing would have been stripped from them, and some of them would have been given authority over others. And they would not have any assistant or any helper in the earth nor in the sky.”
Authentic Shia Reference:
- Wasaail Al Shia Vol 11, pg 398
Category 12::
The ones who depended on someone else, and did not feel that the duty is upon everyone. So he listened to what the women, old people and children were saying as “The woman used to come to her son, brother or husband while her face was yellow from fear, which makes him sacred. And tells him the people will take your place”
Authentic Shia Reference:
Tareekh Abi Al Fidha Vol 1, pg 300
These people think that the matter is absolute personal. Like what some of the ignorant people do, as they using their plots and their nice talks to alter the faith, disagreements, interfaith debates and the matters that are concerned with the community as a personal matter.
They also stop the supporters of rightness by not allowing them to talk because the matter is personal, or tell them that the others can do it instead of you. They are involved in this category because they both stand back from helping the rightness and did not forbid the wrong. This is considered as a huge disaster.
Until they reached such a level of not helping that the oppressors killed their leaders and still they did not help them. Even not by saying a single word. Al Masoodi in his history book says: “Then Bukair AL Ahmary cut the head of Muslim bin Aqeel so his head fell on the ground. Then after his head, they threw his body. Then they ordered the killing of Hani Bin Orwah. He was then to the market and his head was cut, while he was patient. Hani was calling “o Progeny of Murad” because he was their tribal leader. At that time he had 4,000 knights and 8,000 warriors following him. If their allies are also counted from Kindah and others, he would have had 30,000 warriors. But their leader did not have any helper from them, because of their failure and lack of cooperation.
Authentic Shia Reference:
- Muruj Al Thahab vol 3, pg 59
The leader of the faithful has stated “O people if you had not evaded support of the truth and had not felt weakness from crushing wrong, then he, who is not your match, would not have aimed at you and overpowered you. But you wronged about the deserts (of disobedience) like Bani Israel (Children of Israel). I swear by my life that after me your tribulations will increase several times, because you will have abandoned the truth behind your backs”
Authentic Shia Reference:
- Nahjul Balagha Sermon 165
However they all have sold their luck and the hereafter for the lowest price. They traded it with the Dunya of others “and the worst person is the one who sells his religious for the Dunya of someone else”
Authentic Shia Reference:
- Beharul Anwar Vol 72, pg. 281
So as an addition to that we say:
The human being has to know that rightness and follow it, and know the wrongness and leave it. Because, knowing the rightness by itself is not enough, but its fellowship. Knowing the wrongness is also not enough. But knowing it and leaving it, and not becoming like the Jews, who knew the rightness and did not follow it. So they became the most obvious example of being under Allah’s anger. Also to do not be like Christians who did not know the rightness, therefore they went astray.
This has a strong relationship with knowing the rightness and its facts, from its correct resources that Allah has advised us to follow. And what Ahluly Bayt (as) have asked us to follow. Truly they did not ask us in the time of the absence of the Imam (As), except to follow our scholars only and no one else. SO it is upon us to search for them and know them, to know our religious and path in this life which is filled with darkness. Especially in our time where there are attractions and life is beautiful, interesting and shiny. SO we should understand our time and know it perfectly. Because Amir Al Moomineen (as) and the master of Adams (AS) progeny after the Prophet of Allah (saw), who knows the dunya and its dangers, states “the person who knows about his time will not be attacked with misguidance”
Authentic Shia References:
- Tuhuf Al Oqul pg 261
- Osool Al Kafi Vol 1, pg 26 narration 29
- Beharul Anwar Vol 68, pg 307, narration 84
We live in the western world in a country of organisations. We all know what a big effect the organisations and associations have on society, as a second stager after the media. So, if they were controlled by persons who have experienced in this field and have kwnoedge about plans and how to apply them. To affect people, they (directors) show themselves as pious and good, but if one of them was examined and tested, his true low personality and sour character will become evident. Even if his appearance and deeds are/were against this conclusion. This is because his lies and gossiping will become obvious as “the rope of lying is short”. Moreover, possibly they will have media as one of their products which will make the master much more dangerous – please do not understand from our take that we are against organisations and associations. But it is for making sure and staying on the straight path. May Allah (swt) make all the faithful workers in these bodies successful for all goodness and honour.
We all know that the respected people in this country can establish organisations. The wealthy people, especially the ones that like the fame and recognition, also can do the same thing. Anyone who knows about the law of these countries too as well as every political party, even the ones that claim to be religious (with my full respect to all the political parties) is able to establish it. So we have to be alert and know about the path of everyone of these associations before it becomes all of our life, especially the religious ones, and make it as gods that are worshipped other than Allah and his religious, while we think that we follow Allah and his religion. Therefore, it is important that we know its path carefully and that it follows the rightness and not the wrongness. That is possible with the guidance of the eminent scholars in the holy houses (religious universities). That it is on the correct path of the infallible Ahlaul Bayt (as). The path that is never close to any wrongness. Be alert that it has not used this correct path as a way to cover its wrongness and take the people away from the Scholars. They do this because they fear for their dunya, but they do not know that the Scholars do not care about the matter of dunya and its people. However, when they find the danger has surrounded the faithful, they do not care about the matter of so and so person, but their first aim will be to rescue the orphans of Aale Mohammed (saw) and the Shia of Ali (as) from the hands of these selfish people and the hypocrites. We should be alert and careful in this strange Western World. Being for away from the Muslim world should not be a reason for not knowing the right people to follow. So the wrongness appears with the look of rightness, or that the wrongness covers itself with beautiful attractiveness from rightness and makes the simple innocent people happy with it. So make the ignorance go from us forever, because the faithful is a smart body.