Interpolation in Order to Support Their Stance of Denial

Discussion Four

Interpolation in Order to Support Their Stance of Denial

This is adopted by none besides them and is an isolated view exclusive to them. For they, in order to obfuscate the verses containing the names and attributes of Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala in the Qur’an, have made a grave claim (which we have dealt with in detail in the previous chapters). We are going to very briefly suffice on what is linked directly with the subject of the names of Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala and his attributes. This claim is the claim of Tahrif (interpolation) in some of the verse. For example, Ibn Babuwayh reports the following from ‘Ali ibn Musa al Rida regarding the verse:

هَلْ يَنظُرُوْنَ إِلَّا أَنْ يَأْتِيَهُمُ اللّٰهُ فِيْ ظُلَلٍ مِّنَ الْغَمَامِ وَالْمَلَائِكَةُ وَقُضِيَ الْأَمْرُ وَإِلَى اللّٰهِ تُرْجَعُ الْأُمُوْرُ

They are not waiting but for Allah and the angels to come to them in the shadows of clouds and for matters to be decided. And to him do all affairs return[1]

إنها هل ينظرون إلا أن يأتيهم الله بالملائكة في ظلل من الغمام و هكذا نزلت

The verse actually is: ‘They are not anticipating but that Allah sends to them angels in shadows of clouds.’ And this is how it was revealed.[2]

The intent of the Shia is quite clear from this interpolation; they intend to negate from Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala his ‘coming’ just like the Mu’tazilah. In al Ihtijaj of al Tabarsi Amir al Mu’minin ‘Ali radiya Llahu ‘anhu is reported to have addressed one of the heretics with the following in order to convince him about Islam:

وأما قوله :كُلُّ شَيْءٍ هَالِكٌ إِلَّا وَجْهَهُ فإنما نزلت كل شيء هالك إلا دينه،لأن من المحال أن يهلك منه كل شيء و يبقي الوجه، هو أجل و أعظم من ذالك

And as for the verse, “Everything will perish but His countenance.” It was revealed as: everything besides his din will perish; for it is impossible that everything of His besides his countenance will perish. He is far more exalted and great than that.[3]

It is evident that the fabricator of this narration is ignorant, unacquainted with any aspect of the Arabic language, and an inveterate heretic out to accuse the Book of Allah, to deny the attributes of Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala, and then attribute that to Amir al Mu’minin ‘Ali radiya Llahu ‘anhu. The extent of his stratagem lies in the fact that he claims that ‘Ali radiya Llahu ‘anhu responded in this manner in order to satisfy one of the heretics.

This approach suggests that this particular sect, which has forged these narrations, does not honour any sanctity in trying to defend its principals and knows no bounds in this regard.

All the sects that had denied the attributes of Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala, among whom were the Mu’tazilah, never endeavoured to adulterate even a word of the book of Allah; they resorted to metaphorical interpretations. This sect, however, has exceeded all limits and violated all the key principles of Islam, thus taking them out of the fold of Islam. This clearly shows that some of the sects that deny the attributes of Allah are out there to conspire against this Ummah by attacking the very basis of its din, i.e. the book of Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala. Their ploy has, nonetheless, been exposed and they are now humiliated. Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala is well aware of what they do.

NEXT⇒ Chapter 4 – Their Belief Regarding Iman and its Fundamentals

[1] Surah al Baqarah: 210.

[2] Al Tawhid p. 163; Bihar al Anwar 3/319; al Burhan 1/208.

[3] Al Ihtijaj p. 253.

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