Examples of Batini commentaries attributed to Imam al Baqir

Let us read these narrations together and thereafter ponder over whether it is possible to believe that these words were ever uttered by the illustrious personality of Imam al Baqir rahimahu Llah. Let us ask if it is possible to imagine Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala revealing such words and can any sane mind of rational sound disposition ever accept such a thing.

Ibn Babuwayh al Qummi reported in Ma’ani al Akhbar:

Jafar ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Umarah narrated to us from his father, who said:

I was in the presence of Jafar ibn Muhammad al Baqir when a man entered and asked about the verse, Kaf Ha Ya ‘Ayn Sad.

The Imam replied, “Kaf means sufficient for our Shia, Ha is a guide for them, Ya is a wali for them, ‘Ayn means that he is knowledgeable of those who obey us, and Sad means he is truthful in his promise to them until they reach their stipulated abodes promised to them in the inner meaning of the Qur’an.”[1]

In another lengthier narration a person asked the Imam about the interpretation of the same verse and he replied:

These letters are from the knowledge of the Unseen. Allah informed his servant Zakariyya about its meaning and he related it to Muhammad salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam. The story is that Zakariyya asked his Rabb to teach him the names of the Five, and Jibril was sent to teach it to him. So, whenever Zakariyya remembered Muhammad, ‘Ali, Fatimah, Hassan, and Hussain he was relieved from his grief and his anguish lessened. When he would take the name of Hussain then he would be left choked by his tears and struck with awe. So, he asked one day, “O my Lord, why is that when I take the names of the Four then I am relieved from my grief, but when I take the name of Hussain then my eyes begin to tear and I sigh uncontrollably?” Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala then informed him of what transpired with Hussain and then said, “Kaf Ha Ya ‘Ayn Sad: Kaf is the name of Karbala’, Ha is the murder [Halak] of the Ahlul Bayt, Ya is Yazid who is the oppressor of Hussain, ‘Ayn is the thirst [‘athash] of Hussain, and Sad is his patience [Sabr].”[2]

I ask: What methodology have these claimants adopted in commentating in this verse? We may ask at this juncture what their reply would be if someone came along and interpreted it [incorrectly] as follows:

Kaf is Ka’b al Ahbar, Ha is Hind bint ‘Utbah, Ya is Yazid ibn Abi Sufyan, ‘Ayn is ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Uthman, and Sad means they have been truthful [sadaqu] and for them is Jannat.

[Inevitably every charlatan will be able to assign whatever meaning he fancies, as and when he desires. Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala save us from such blasphemy.]

They report concerning the following verse:

ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمُ اتَّبَعُوا مَا أَسْخَطَ اللَّهَ وَكَرِهُوا رِضْوَانَهُ فَأَحْبَطَ أَعْمَالَهُمْ

That is because they followed what angered Allah and disliked [what earns] His pleasure, so He rendered worthless their deeds.[3]

Imam al Baqir [allegedly] said:

They disliked ‘Ali, and Allah gave the order for his wilayah during the Battle of Badr, Battle of Hunayn, in the valley of Nakhlah, and on the Day of Tarwiyah. On the day of ‘Arafah, Allah revealed fifteen verses regarding him [‘Ali] during the Hajj in which the Prophet salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam announced it; in the Masjid Haram, in Juhfah, and in Khumm.[4]

Look at the manner in which they have constrained the pleasure of Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala to the wilayah of ‘Ali radiya Llahu ‘anhu and then accused the Sahabah radiya Llahu ‘anhum of being averse to the pleasure of Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala. Added to that, look at the manner in which they lie by claiming that fifteen verses were revealed regarding ‘Ali radiya Llahu ‘anhu after that. We have all the right to then ask: Where are these fifteen verses?

The inventor of this narration further belies Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala, we seek Allah’s protection from it and from those who belie Him, for verily Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala has declared that the Sahabah are those who seek the pleasure of Allah. Recite with me the following verse:

مُّحَمَّدٌ رَّسُولُ اللَّهِ وَالَّذِينَ مَعَهُ أَشِدَّاءُ عَلَى الْكُفَّارِ رُحَمَاءُ بَيْنَهُمْ تَرَاهُمْ رُكَّعًا سُجَّدًا يَبْتَغُونَ فَضْلًا مِّنَ اللَّهِ وَرِضْوَانًا سِيمَاهُمْ فِي وُجُوهِهِم مِّنْ أَثَرِ السُّجُودِ ذَٰلِكَ مَثَلُهُمْ فِي التَّوْرَاةِ وَمَثَلُهُمْ فِي الْإِنجِيلِ كَزَرْعٍ أَخْرَجَ شَطْأَهُ فَآزَرَهُ فَاسْتَغْلَظَ فَاسْتَوَىٰ عَلَىٰ سُوقِهِ يُعْجِبُ الزُّرَّاعَ لِيَغِيظَ بِهِمُ الْكُفَّارَ وَعَدَ اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ مِنْهُم مَّغْفِرَةً وَأَجْرًا عَظِيمًا

Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah; and those with him are forceful against the disbelievers, merciful among themselves. You see them bowing and prostrating [in prayer], seeking bounty from Allah and [His] pleasure. Their mark is on their faces from the trace of prostration. That is their description in the Torah. And their description in the Gospel is as a plant which produces its offshoots and strengthens them so they grow firm and stand upon their stalks, delighting the sowers, so that Allah may enrage by them the disbelievers. Allah has promised those who believe and do righteous deeds among them forgiveness and a great reward.[5]

Thus, the Sahabah sought the pleasure of Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala and He in turn responded to their request and declared:

وَالسَّابِقُونَ الْأَوَّلُونَ مِنَ الْمُهَاجِرِينَ وَالْأَنصَارِ وَالَّذِينَ اتَّبَعُوهُم بِإِحْسَانٍ رَّضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمْ وَرَضُوا عَنْهُ وَأَعَدَّ لَهُمْ جَنَّاتٍ تَجْرِي تَحْتَهَا الْأَنْهَارُ خَالِدِينَ فِيهَا أَبَدًا ذَٰلِكَ الْفَوْزُ الْعَظِيمُ

And the first forerunners [in the faith] among the Muhajirin and the Ansar and those who followed them with good conduct – Allah is pleased with them and they are pleased with Him, and He has prepared for them gardens beneath which rivers flow, wherein they will abide forever. That is the great attainment.[6]

How is it then possible for this falsehood to be attributed to Imam al Baqir rahimahu Llah—disparaging the Sahabah and claiming that they disliked ‘Ali—when Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala has declared His pleasure for the forerunners of the Muhajirin and the Ansar, at the forefront of them Abu Bakr and ‘Umar radiya Llahu ‘anhuma.

Al Hurr al ‘Amili has reported in al Wasa’il from Imam al Baqir rahimahu Llah and Imam al Sadiq rahimahu Llah regarding the verse:

ثُمَّ أَوْرَثْنَا الْكِتَابَ الَّذِينَ اصْطَفَيْنَا

Then we caused to inherit the Book those We have chosen.[7]

It is for us specifically; we are the ones meant here.[8]

The rest of the verse sufficient to refute this false narration, as Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala says:

ثُمَّ أَوْرَثْنَا الْكِتَابَ الَّذِينَ اصْطَفَيْنَا مِنْ عِبَادِنَا فَمِنْهُمْ ظَالِمٌ لِّنَفْسِهِ وَمِنْهُم مُّقْتَصِدٌ وَمِنْهُمْ سَابِقٌ بِالْخَيْرَاتِ بِإِذْنِ اللَّهِ ذَٰلِكَ هُوَ الْفَضْلُ الْكَبِيرُ

Then we caused to inherit the Book those We have chosen of Our servants; and among them is he who wrongs himself, and among them is he who is moderate, and among them is he who is foremost in good deeds by permission of Allah. That [inheritance] is what is the great bounty.[9]

We ask: Who is the one who wrongs himself from the Ahlul Bayt? We are certain that these extremists are unable to provide a logical answer to this question.

Qadi al Nu’mani has reported with his chain from Jabir from al Baqir rahimahu Llah:

We were sitting with him when a man recited the following verse:

كُلُّ نَفْسٍ بِمَا كَسَبَتْ رَهِينَةٌ إِلَّا أَصْحَابَ الْيَمِينِ

Every soul, for what it has earned, will be retained, Except the companions of the right.[10]

He then asked, “Who are the companions of the right?”

Imam al Baqir replied, “The Shia of ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib.”[11]

If mere association with Sayyidina ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib radiya Llahu ‘anhu qualifies as being from the companions of the right, guaranteeing him a place in Jannat, then would not association with the Prophet salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam be a greater qualification for such a grand reward, as is the condition of the Sahabah of the Prophet salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam? They are then, to an even greater degree, the companions of the right. How then do they still pluck up the nerve to accuse all the Sahabah of becoming apostate? Or is it that, according to them, association with ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib radiya Llahu ‘anhu is more meritorious than association with the Prophet salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam? The ones who attribute these false interpretations to the Ahlul Bayt of the Prophet salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam are the same ones who attribute to the Ahlul Bayt narrations cursing the Sahabah and the Ummahat al Mu’minin (Mothers of the Believers: Pure consorts of the Prophet salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam).

It is said that Imam al Baqir rahimahu Llah said concerning the verse:

إِنَّمَا أَنتَ مُنذِرٌ وَلِكُلِّ قَوْمٍ هَادٍ

You are only a warner, and for every people is a guide.[12]

The Messenger of Allah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said, “I am the warner and ‘Ali is the guide.” And by Allah, he has not left us, and will remain among us until the Day of Reckoning.[13]

The fabricator in this instance at least did not snatch the title of being the Warner from the Prophet salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam as he snatched the title of the Prophet salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam being the Guide. This is the manner in which they distort the words of Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala and twist its meaning while attributing such lies to the Ahlul Bayt radiya Llahu ‘anhum. The entire verse is as follows:

وَيَقُولُ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا لَوْلَا أُنزِلَ عَلَيْهِ آيَةٌ مِّن رَّبِّهِ إِنَّمَا أَنتَ مُنذِرٌ وَلِكُلِّ قَوْمٍ هَادٍ

And those who disbelieved say, “Why has a sign not been sent down to him from his Lord?” You are only a warner, and for every people is a guide.[14]

The one being addressed in the verse is the Prophet salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, how then is it logical to believe that the one being inferred to is someone else besides him? By doing so, and claiming that the person is ‘Ali, this is tantamount to making him a partner in the Nubuwwah of the Prophet salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam. Allah is indeed pure, how astray are the followers of desires.

Undoubtedly, we believe without a shadow of a doubt that Sayyidina ‘Ali radiya Llahu ‘anhu is an Imam of guidance but we do not exaggerate regarding him and elevate him to the same status and rank as the Prophet salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam.

Usayd ibn Tha’labah narrates from Umm Hani’:

I met Abu Jafar Muhammad ibn ‘Ali al Baqir rahimahu Llah and asked him about this verse:

فَلَا أُقْسِمُ بِالْخُنَّسِ الْجَوَارِ الْكُنَّسِ

So, I swear by the retreating stars, those that run [their courses] and disappear.[15]

He said, “Retreating stars refers to the Imam, who conceals himself in his time from the people when he distances himself from those who knew him amongst the people in the year 260 A.H. He will then appear like a glittering star on a dark night. Whoever witnesses that, his eyes will be cooled.[16]

Imam al Baqir rahimahu Llah passed away in the year 114 A.H according to the most common opinion, yet they claim he is aware of what is going to transpire in the year 260 A.H. Any person having even the slightest knowledge of Arabic will know with certainty that Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala in this verse has taken an oath by the stars, how then is it a reference to man. If a person were to come along and claim, albeit falsely, that it is actually a reference to Nabi ‘Isa ‘alayh al Salam and the retirement referred to here is actually his ascension and thereafter his return to the world, what will the response be? Allah is indeed pure from the manner in which these deviants play with the Words of Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala.

It is reported from Jabir ibn Yazid al Ju’fi under the commentary of the following verse:

إِنَّ عِدَّةَ الشُّهُورِ عِندَ اللَّهِ اثْنَا عَشَرَ شَهْرًا فِي كِتَابِ اللَّهِ

Indeed, the number of months with Allah is twelve [lunar] months in the register of Allah.[17]

Imam al Baqir said, “Its months are twelve, they are Amir al Mu’minin and the number of Imams after him.”[18]

In another narration it is reported about the verse:

وَالتِّينِ وَالزَّيْتُونِ وَطُورِ سِينِينَ وَهَٰذَا الْبَلَدِ الْأَمِينِ

By the fig and the olive, and [by] Mount Sinai, and [by] this secure city [Makkah].[19]

Imam al Baqir said, “The fig is Hassan, the olive is Hussain, Mount Sinai is Amir al Mu’minin, and the secure city is the Messenger of Allah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, We have certainly created man in the best of stature; Allah said this when he took the pledge [from creation] for the wilayah of Muhammad and his successors.”[20]

So now Hassan is a fig, Hussain is an olive, and all the Imams the months of the year! Can there be greater misguidance than this? Will a true lover of the Ahlul Bayt believe such nonsense? Does Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala—the Great and Sublime—speak in such language that is unintelligible and in such riddles that cannot be solved? The very same being Who said:

قُرْآنًا عَرَبِيًّا غَيْرَ ذِي عِوَجٍ لَّعَلَّهُمْ يَتَّقُونَ

[It is] an Arabic Qur’an, without any deviance that they might become righteous.[21]

I leave the answer to you, O reader.

One of these fabricators say:

It is found in the Divinely revealed Book, reported from al Baqir,

How wretched is that for which they sold themselves that they would disbelieve in what Allah has revealed[22] regarding ‘Ali.

And when it is said to them, “What has your Lord sent down regarding ‘Ali?” They say, “Legends of the former peoples.”[23]

And those who disbelieve in the wilayah of ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib their allies are Taghut.[24]

Jibril descended with this verse like this.

Indeed, those who conceal what We sent down of clear proofs and guidance regarding ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib.[25]

He said, “Jibril descended with this verse in this manner.”[26]

See the level of exaggeration and extremism they have reached in following their desires; to the extent that they brazenly attribute the claim that the Qur’an has been interpolated and distorted—the verses containing the name of ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib radiya Llahu ‘anhu deliberately removed—to the Imams of the Ahlul Bayt. Despite Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala having taken full responsibility for its preservation.

It is reported in Manaqib Al Abi Talib:

‘Abdullah ibn ‘Ata’ al Makki asked Imam al Baqir about the following verse referring to the wilayah of Amir al Mu’minin:

رُّبَمَا يَوَدُّ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا لَوْ كَانُوا مُسْلِمِينَ

Perhaps those who disbelieve will wish that they had been Muslims.[27]

Imam al Baqir said, “This verse was revealed to the Nabi salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam in the following manner: And the oppressors of the right of Muhammad’s family say[28] when they see the punishment[29], and ‘Ali is the punishment, “Is there for return [to the former world] anyway?”[30] they will ask to be returned so that they can befriend ‘Ali. Allah says, “And you will see them being exposed to the Fire,”[31] that is their souls are exposed to the Fire, “humbled from humiliation, looking,”[32] at ‘Ali, “from [behind] a covert glance. And those who had believed will say,”[33] from the progeny of Muhammad, “Indeed, the [true] losers are the ones who lost themselves and their families on the Day of Resurrection,” except that the oppressors of the Family of Muhammad from their right will be in a painful torment.[34]

This is a blatant claim that the Qur’an has been distorted, belying the promise of Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala:

إِنَّا نَحْنُ نَزَّلْنَا الذِّكْرَ وَإِنَّا لَهُ لَحَافِظُونَ

Indeed, it is We who sent down the Qur’an and indeed, We will be its guardian.[35]

Furthermore, how atrocious is the manner in which they state that ‘Ali is the punishment, do they truly think this insult to be praise? When Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala wished to praise His Rasul salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam He said:

وَمَا أَرْسَلْنَاكَ إِلَّا رَحْمَةً لِّلْعَالَمِينَ

And We have not sent you, [O Muhammad], except as a mercy to the worlds.[36]

Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala praised our Nabi salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam by attributing the quality of mercy to him. It is quite obvious though that describing a person as a punishment is an insult and not praise, but there is no hope for those who abandon reason and whose hearts are filled with poison.

In the following narration it will become quite evident how these fabricators have insulted these noble personalities:

Imam al Baqir was asked, “Some of those people who claim to be your supporters think that the Mosquito is ‘Ali and what is smaller than it, which is a fly, is Muhammad the Messenger of Allah?”

Imam al Baqir replied, “These people heard something which they did not place in context. The Messenger of Allah was sitting one day, and with him was ‘Ali, when they heard a person saying, ‘What Allah desires and what Muhammad desires.’ He then heard another person saying, ‘What Allah desires and What ‘Ali desires.’ So, the Messenger of Allah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said, ‘Do not equate Muhammad nor ‘Ali with Allah, rather say, “What Allah desires then what Muhammad desires of what Allah desires then what ‘Ali desires,” for verily the Desire of Allah is Most High which cannot be equalled, surpassed, or come close to. Muhammad—the Messenger of Allah—is not in the din of Allah and His power but like a fly that flies in this vast country, and ‘Ali is not in the din of Allah and His power but like a mosquito in all these lands. This is despite the Grace of Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala upon Muhammad and ‘Ali is such a grace that has not been bestowed on the entire creation from the beginning of time until its end.’ This is what the Messenger of Allah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam has said regarding the mention of the fly and the mosquito at this juncture so it will not enter into

إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يَسْتَحْيِي أَن يَضْرِبَ مَثَلًا مَّا بَعُوضَةً فَمَا فَوْقَهَا

Indeed, Allah is not timid to present an example – that of a mosquito or what is smaller than it.[37]

If someone were to come to you and say that Muhammad salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam is like a fly and ‘Ali radiya Llahu ‘anhu is like a mosquito, will you believe such a statement could refer to the Prophet salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam and ‘Ali radiya Llahu ‘anhu? Will any person who loves the Prophet salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam say such a thing? In fact, will any Muslim utter such a thing? How then can it be believed that the illustrious Imam al Baqir rahimahu Llah could utter such blasphemy?

Read what has been attributed to Imam al Baqir rahimahu Llah and his son, Imam al Sadiq rahimahu Llah concerning the commentary of the verse:

وَلَا تَدْعُ مَعَ اللَّهِ إِلَٰهًا آخَرَ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ كُلُّ شَيْءٍ هَالِكٌ إِلَّا وَجْهَهُ لَهُ الْحُكْمُ وَإِلَيْهِ تُرْجَعُونَ

And do not invoke with Allah another deity. There is no deity except Him. Everything will be destroyed except His Face. His is the judgement, and to Him you will be returned.[38]

Hamzah has reported from al Baqir rahimahu Llah and al Kunasi from al Sadiq rahimahu Llah, “We are the Face of Allah, wherefrom he is approached.”[39]

When we recite this verse, we learn that eternal existence belongs to Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala alone, and everything besides Him—aside that which Allah chooses to remain—will be destroyed and will cease to exist. If we were to say that the word Wajh (lit. face) refers to the Imams of the Ahlul Bayt then it necessitates that the Imams are also eternal beings who do not perish. This would make them partners in Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala quality of being eternal, which is a quality possessed by Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala only. This is nothing less than ascribing partners to Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala, we seek Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala protection from such a belief.

We find another verse with similar meaning:

وَيَبْقَىٰ وَجْهُ رَبِّكَ ذُو الْجَلَالِ وَالْإِكْرَامِ

And there will remain the Face of your Lord, Owner of Majesty and Honour.[40]

If the Imams are implied by the word Wajh then it would necessitate another of Allah’s subhanahu wa ta ‘ala unique qualities having to be attributed to the Imams as well, and they would be said to be the Owners of Majesty and Honour, and more precisely Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala Himself, Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala forbid. If the Shia were to claim that the word Wajh in this verse does not refer to the Imams, then we would be forced to ask what principle was employed to exclude them from being implied here but allows for it to be implied in the previous verse? It is only these Batini interpretations which accommodate such inconstancies, interpretations which state that the words animal, wolf, mosquito, etc., mentioned in the Qur’an refer to Sayyidina ‘Ali radiya Llahu ‘anhu. The catastrophe is far from over, these very interpretations assert that the words cow and spider refer to our Blessed Mother and Beloved of the Prophet salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, Sayyidah ‘A’ishah radiya Llahu ‘anha, Fir’awn and Haman to Sayyidina Abu Bakr radiya Llahu ‘anhu and Sayyidina ‘Umar radiya Llahu ‘anhu, while the words Witr, fig, and olive refer to Sayyidina ‘Ali, Sayyidina Hassan, and Sayyidina Hussain radiya Llahu ‘anhum respectively. [We ask Allah’s subhanahu wa ta ‘ala protection from such heinous beliefs.]

The Reasons why these Batini Interpretations Were Adopted

These Batini interpretations were adopted due to:

The Shia belief of Imamah and that it is compulsory to believe in the existence of divinely appointed successors, and all those who reject this are Disbelievers. In fact, their deeds are not accepted until and only they believe in the infallibility of the Imams and their divinely decreed station; neither their acceptance of Tawhid, nor salah, fasting, or good morals. This belief was countered with the question: If Imamah has such a lofty position in the din of Allah, surpassing all other deviations and acts of worship, then why has it not been mentioned in the Qur’an? Their reaction was resorting to Batini interpretations, and even to the extent of believing that the Qur’an has been interpolated.

The praise Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala showered upon the Sahabah of the Messenger of Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala in the noble Qur’an which refutes the ridiculous notion that the Caliphate was usurped from Sayyidina ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib radiya Llahu ‘anhu. The immense praise from Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala destroys the very foundations of their belief and they found no respite but to seek shelter beneath the canopy of these false interpretations.

Ignorance, prejudice, impetuousness, and extremism, which led some deviants to fabricate these Batini narrations. Some of them sincerely believed that they were assisting the religion with these fabrications, to the extent that they are on record saying, “We do not fabricate against the Prophet salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam but fabricate for the sake of the Prophet salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam.” They are the personification of the saying, Abandon logic and then believe, or the saying, Believe then say only that which enforces your beliefs. In so doing they deny all the clear unambiguous texts and instead seek to fabricate in the names of the Ahlul Bayt and Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala, since they cannot find any authentic unambiguous content to substantiate their beliefs.

When the Prophets of Allah are mentioned, who they regard to be lesser in status than their Imams, the Sahabah of the Prophet salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, who they do not even consider believers, are mentioned, either by name like Sayyidina Zaid radiya Llahu ‘anhu or by reference such as Sayyidina Abu Bakr radiya Llahu ‘anhu, and in fact even bees, ants, and mosquitos find mention in the Qur’an then why is there no mention of the Imams? Thus, they found no option but to resort to these fabrications.

These people see no wrong in lying on account of their beliefs or deceiving the general masses concerning it; in fact, such lies are not only permissible but praiseworthy in their creed.

Due to worldly benefits that flowed in on account of their lies, whether it be monetary or prominence in society.

Enmity for the Din of Allah. The enemies of Islam were unable to stem the growth of Islam with the sword, so they exerted all their efforts towards distorting the core beliefs of the faith by circulating these interpretations which distance a man from the faith. In fact, it leads to the eminence of the Qur’an being belittled in the eyes of those who fall for these distortions; as what value remains for such a Book the true meaning of which cannot be understood? In fact, it is inaccessible to everyone but the Imam? What value can it have when those who act upon its apparent injunctions are considered to be misguided? There is no greater insult to the Book of Allah than this.

These interpretations distance people from the fundamentals of Din and the worship of Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala, because when worship is interpreted to be loving the Imams and disbelief, sin, and lewdity interpreted to be loving the Sahabah, there remains nothing a so-called lover of the Ahlul Bayt need abstain from. This is no different than the assumed love the Christians claim for Nabi ‘Isa ‘alayh al Salam, and it is a matter of certainty that the love the Christians have for Nabi ‘Isa ‘alayh al Salam will not avail them before Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala in the least, rather they have been cursed in the Book of Allah on account of this exaggerated love. What then is to become of those who exaggerate in their love for those lesser in status than the Prophets?

NEXT⇒ Narrations of Imam al Baqir

[1] Ma’ani al Akhbar, pg. 28.

[2] Ibn Babuwayh al Qummi: Kamal al Din wa Tam al Ni’mah, pg. 461.

[3] Surah al Muhammad: 28.

[4] Al Fattal al Nisaburi: Rawdat al Wa’izin, pg. 106.

[5] Surah al Fath: 29.

[6] Surah al Tawbah: 100.

[7] Surah al Fatir: 32.

[8] Wasa’il al Shia,, # 33590.

[9] Surah al Fatir: 32.

[10] Surah al Muddathir: 38,39.

[11] Qadi al Nu’mani al Maghribi: Sharh al Akhbar, 3/576.

[12] Surah al Ra’d: 7.

[13] Muhammad ibn Ibrahim al Nu’mani: Kitab al Ghaybah, pg. 111.

[14] Surah al Ra’d: 7.

[15] Surah al Takwir: 16.

[16] Kitab al Ghaybah, pg. 151.

[17] Surah al Tawbah: 36.

[18] Ibn Shahar Ashub: Manaqib Al Abi Talib, 1/244.

[19] Surah al Tin: 1-3.

[20] Manaqib Al Abi Talib, 1/259.

[21] Surah al Zumar: 28.

[22] Surah al Baqarah: 90. The words regarding ‘Ali are falsely added to this verse in this narration.

[23] Surah al Nahl: 24. The words regarding ‘Ali are falsely added to this verse in this narration.

[24] Surah al Baqarah: 257. The words wilayah of ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib are falsely added to this verse in this narration.

[25] Surah al Baqarah: 159. The words regarding ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib are falsely added to this verse in this narration.

[26] Manaqib Al Abi Talib, 2/302.

[27] Surah al Hijr: 2.

[28] Surah al Shura: 44.. The words of the right of Muhammad’s family are falsely added to this verse in this narration, in addition to the wording being changed.

[29] Surah al Shura: 44.

[30] Surah al Shura: 44.

[31] Surah al Shura: 45.

[32] Surah al Shura: 45.

[33] Surah al Shura: 45.

[34] Manaqib Al Abi Talib, 3/17. The entire verse has been distorted.

[35] Surah al Hijr: 9.

[36] Surah al Ambiya’: 107.

[37] Surah al Baqarah: 26.

[38] Surah al Qasas: 88.

[39] Manaqib Al Abi Talib, 3/343.

[40] Surah al Rahman: 27.

BACK⇒ Return to Table of contents

Examples of Batini commentaries attributed to Imam al Baqir

Let us read these narrations together and thereafter ponder over whether it is possible to believe that these words were ever uttered by the illustrious personality of Imam al Baqir rahimahu Llah. Let us ask if it is possible to imagine Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala revealing such words and can any sane mind of rational sound disposition ever accept such a thing.

Ibn Babuwayh al Qummi reported in Ma’ani al Akhbar: