The Belief of the Shi`ah Regarding Their A’immah
The Shi`ah and Raj`ah
May 17, 2016Chapter One – Introduction to the Belief of the Shi`ah – The Shi`ah and their Fabrication Against Allah
May 17, 2016BACK⇒ Return to Table of contents
The Belief of the Shia Regarding Their Imams
One of the false beliefs of the Shia is their shirk and exaggeration regarding the Imams and the Ahlul Bayt of the Nabi salla Llahu `alayhi wa sallam, may Allah be pleased with all of them. They have raised their Imams to the level of divinity. Here is the opinion of the Shia with regard to Imam `Ali ibn Abi Talib radiya Llahu `anhu, they report that he allegedly said:
By Allah, I was with Ibrahim `alayh al-Salam in the fire and it is me who made the fire to be cool and (a place of) peace. I was with Nuh `alayh al-Salam in the Ark and saved him from drowning, I was with Musa `alayh al-Salam and taught him the Torah, I made `Isa `alayh al-Salam speak in the cradle and taught him the Injil, I was with Yusuf `alayh al-Salam in the well and saved him from the plot of his brothers and I also was with Sulaiman `alayh al-Salam on the carpet and subjugated the wind for him.[1]
They also narrate from `Ali radiya Llahu `anhu that he allegedly said:
I am the one who ascended and established my authority, I do give life and death, I am the first, the Last, the Most High and the Most Near.[2]
- The Shia claim that Allah gave their Imams special powers and entrusted them to create a creation like the creation of Allah and feed them.[3]
- They also say that Allah follows what the Imams say and does what the Imams command. The Imams ask Allah to create and to feed then Allah creates and feeds in response to their request and honouring them.[4]
- According to the Shia, logic does not prevent the coming down of revelation to them (Imams)[5], Allah is Most Kind and Most Merciful to his slaves, it is farfetched (as they believe) for Him to command the obedience of a person upon people and then He prevents him from receiving information of the heavens day and night.[6]
- The Imams have knowledge of the past and future and nothing is hidden upon them.[7]
- The Imam knows what is in the heaven and earth, knows what is in Jannat and Jahannam, what happened and what will happen.[8]
- Allah did not teach any nabi except that He has commanded the nabi to convey that knowledge to Amir al-Mu’minin, and he is their equal in knowledge.[9]
- If any person were to conceal anything from the Imams then they would still inform each of them of what they concealed.[10]
- All the Imams receive revelation and inspiration.[11]
- Allah subhanahu wa ta `ala created a more powerful creation than Jibril and Mika’il, and they remain with the Imams assisting them.[12]
- The Imams do not do anything except with the obligation and the command of Allah without transgressing.[13]
- Nothing is hidden from the Imam, not the speech of a person or a bird or an animal, not even a single living thing.[14]
- The Imam sees with the Sight of Allah, he hears with Allah’s Hearing, he talks with Allah’s wisdom. The Imam does not make any mistake, he is not ignorant, he teaches knowledge and commands.[15]
- Angels come into their houses and walk on their carpets and bring them information.[16]
- The Jinn come to the Imams asking the matters of their din, and the Imams attend to them.[17]
- Only that which emanated from them with the people is the truth and anything that did not emanate from them is definitely false.[18]
- Their statements cannot be conceived by a close angel nor a nabi or a believer.[19]
- They possess secrets like the Secrets of Allah and the Knowledge of Allah. Allah has commanded them to convey this but they did not find an appropriate place for it or anybody who could comprehend this.[20]
Abu `Abd Allah Hussain ibn Ahmed ibn Hajjaj al-Sha`ir, a Shia scholar, has attributed the qualities of divinity to Imam `Ali radiya Llahu `anhu. He also claims that anybody visiting the grave of `Ali radiya Llahu `anhu should be in the state of Ihram before entering, he should make talbiyah (i.e. to say, Labbayka Allahumma Labbayka) and he should make seven rounds like when performing tawaf. We do not want to digress from the point, we will allow this scholar to inform us of that which is in his heart in terms of shirk and exaggeration in raising `Ali radiya Llahu `anhu to the level of divinity, he says in a poem:
O owner of the white dome in Najaf (a town in Iraq)
whoever visits your grave and asks you for cure surely he will be cured.
Visit the father of Hassan, the one who guides, for definitely,
by visiting him you will attain abundant reward, attention and proximity.
Visit the one who hears the secret conversation by him,
whoever visits him with anxiety, he will be sufficed.
When you reach his grave then don your Ihram before entering,
enter while reciting talbiyah, and circumambulate around him.
If you circumambulate seven times around his tomb,
Then go and stand by the door facing him and say;
may the peace of Allah be upon the people of peace, knowledge and honour.
I have indeed come to you my master from my place, holding firm the rope of truth,
hoping in you my master that you will intercede for me
and hoping that you will allow me drink the nectar of cure for grief,
because indeed you are a firm tie, whosoever sticks
his hand in it will never be wretched nor fear.
If your beautiful names are recited on a sick person,
instantly he will be cured from his long illness.
Surely there is no deficiency in you
and your effulgence does not get corrupted.
You are the Great Sign that appeared
to the experts with all its types.
Here are the angels of Allah coming down to you always
with abundant kindness and gifts.
Such as a bucket, bowl and a cloth which was brought
By Jibril, no one disagrees with regard to this.
The Nabi salla Llahu `alayhi wa sallam was content with you in every problem
despite him being aware of it.
He states further:
and if you wish to command the earth to swallow them you could do so.
Death is under your control, you own the souls,
without fear and oppression you have judged,
contrary to the one whose soul died in the cave[21]
until the canal of tears appeared.[22]
The Shia claim that `Ali radiya Llahu `anhu is like Qur’an, he does not make any mistake, and falsehood cannot come to him from before or behind him. He will exist forever as long as the Qur’an exists, his eternity will last till the final day. The Qur’an is dependent on `Ali. The Qur’an and `Ali are exactly the same. Every virtue and greatness found in the Qur’an is exactly found in `Ali connected together.[23]
The Imam has an extremely lofty rank, he has divine authority, everything of this world is under his power and control.[24] They state: “It is imperative in our school of Shia that our Imams have such a position that cannot be obtained by a close angel nor a nabi. According to our narrations and reports it says that the great Nabi salla Llahu `alayhi wa sallam and the Imams were lights before the creation of universe, then Allah made them to be around his `Arsh[25] and gave them such a rank and proximity known by Allah alone. Jibril says in the narration of Mi`raj, ‘if I have to go beyond this point I would be reduced to ash.’ It has been reported from the Imams that we have a certain state with Allah which is not known by neither an angel nor a nabi.”[26]
In reality, the superstition of the Shia is that they consider their Imams to be more knowledgeable than the Nabi salla Llahu `alayhi wa sallam and that, they are equal in virtue. It is narrated from `Abd Allah ibn al-Samman said:
Abu Jafar (al-Baqir) said, “O `Abd-Allah! What do the Shia say with regard to `Ali, Musa and `Isa?” I said to him, “may I be sacrificed for you! What can I say about them?” He said, “`Ali, by Allah, is more knowledgeable than both of them.” Then I said, “people say that `Ali has knowledge like the knowledge of Nabi salla Llahu `alayhi wa sallam is that true?” he replied, “yes indeed,” then he said, “so debate with them by informing them the following; Allah told Musa `alayh al-Salam in the following verse:
وَکَتَبْنَا لَه فِی الْاَلْوَاحِ مِنْ كُلِّ شَیْءٍ مَّوْعِظَةً وَّ تَفْصِیْلًا لِّكُلِّ شَیْءٍ
And we wrote for him on the tablets the lesson to be drawn from all things.[27]
This shows that Allah did not explain and teach him every single thing, but Allah informs the Nabi salla Llahu `alayhi wa sallam:
وَ یَوْمَ نَبْعَثُ فِیْ كُلِّ اُمَّةٍ شَهِیْدًا عَلَیْهِمْ مِّنْ اَنْفُسِهِمْ وَ جِئْنَا بِكَ شَهِیْدًا عَلٰی هٰؤُلَآءِ
And we bring you (O Muhammad salla Llahu `alayhi wa sallam) against these (people) as a witness? And we have sent down to you the Book as clarification for all things.[28], [29]
It is reported from `Abd Allah ibn Bukayr:
I was with him (al-Sadiq) and Sulaiman `alayh al-Salam was mentioned — the knowledge and the wisdom that he was given — then Abu `Abd Allah (al-Sadiq) said to me, “whatever Sulaiman ibn Dawood was given is just one letter from the great name of Allah, while your friend regarding whom Allah states:
قُلْ کَفٰی بِاللّٰهِ شَهِیْدًا ۢ بَیْنِیْ وَبَیْنَكُمْۙ وَمَنْ عِنْدَهعِلْمُ الْکِتٰبِ
Sufficient is Allah as witness between me and you, and (the witness of) whoever has knowledge of the scripture.[30]
By Allah, `Ali had the knowledge of the scripture.” Then I said, “by Allah, you indeed have spoken the truth. May I be sacrificed for you!”[31]
It is has been also narrated from Abu Basir from Abu `Abd Allah (al-Sadiq) that he said:
Sulaiman had the great name of Allah, that which if he asks Allah with then Allah gives and responds, if Sulaiman was in our time he would be indeed of us.[32]
The Shia did not restrict themselves in quoting these comedic fabrications, rather they overstepped the boundaries by claiming that the imaginary Mahdi is superior to the Seal of the Prophets and Rusul, whom Allah has favoured from the rest of the creation. They say that the era of the Nabi salla Llahu `alayhi wa sallam (may Allah forbid) was filled with examples of oppression and injustice. They also claim that the Nabi salla Llahu `alayhi wa sallam was unsuccessful in his mission of reformation of mankind. This statement is in no way a mere allegation which the Ahlus Sunnah wa l-Jama`ah spuriously flung at the Shia rather it is the statement of one of their renowned scholars, better known to them as “the jurist of Ahlul Bayt and grand Ayatollah, Agha, Ruh Allah (lit. the spirit of Allah) Khomeini al-Musawi — the leader of the state of Iran); this was said on the celebration of the birth of so the called al-Mahdi on the 15th of Sha`ban 1400 A.H.
Whichever nabi came did so for the enforcement of justice. Their object was also to enforce justice across the whole world, however they were not successful, including the seal of all the prophets, who came for the reformation of mankind and for the enforcement of justice. He came for the training of mankind but he was unsuccessful in even his own era… so the only person who will be successful in the reformation as well as enforcing justice in the four corners of the world and the one who will set right all the deviation is none other than Imam al-Mahdi, the awaited one.
This issue of occultation of Imam al-Mahdi, may we be sacrificed for him, is an important issue, it teaches us many things; amongst them that no person in the entire world besides him (al-Mahdi) can establish justice in its true sense, and Allah has kept him as a treasure for the mankind.[33]
Khomeini continues in his senseless discussion that the so called Mahdi will soon achieve success in establishing justice, since the Nabi failed in achieving justice. The reason why he has been granted a long life is due to the absence of a person like him who can achieve what the prophets and the entire mankind failed to achieve, he says:
When Imam al-Mahdi comes, his duty will be spreading justice in the four corners of the world, whatever the prophets and the friends of Allah failed to achieve due to obstacles being in their way, will be achieved by Imam al-Mahdi. The reason why Allah granted him a long life span is because indeed there is nobody who has the ability of doing this great task, to such an extent that all the prophets, the friends of Allah and even the fore fathers of Imam al-Mahdi were all unsuccessful in achieving that which they came for. If Imam al-Mahdi were to die, then no person will be able to establish justice in the world and implement it.[34]
Khomeini describes the celebration of the birthday of Imam al-Mahdi as one of the greatest celebrations in Shi`ism — who have concealed their true identity (of Zoroastrianism) with the guise of Islam — simply because Imam al-Mahdi (according to them) is the only one who can establish justice on earth. He says:
Indeed Imam al-Mahdi has been granted an extended lifespan for this task, this is why the celebration of his birthday, may our souls be sacrificed for it, is a major celebration for the Muslims and a major celebration for the entire mankind, simply because Imam al-Mahdi will establish justice on earth. This is why we always say that the celebration of his birthday is the greatest celebration for the entire mankind. When he appears, and he will appear soon, he will remove mankind from their depravation and guide them to the straight path, he will spread justice on earth after it was filled with injustice.[35]
Khomeini explains the justice achieved by the coming of the great saviour, Mahdi, he says:
What is meant by this justice is not like how we conceptualise it, rather the meaning is much greater and significant than that, the entire world is covered with darkness, the hearts of people are deviated including the hearts of the perfect ones. The morals, actions, beliefs and the thoughts of people are digressed and deviated. That is why the duty of Imam al-Mahdi is to rectify all these deviations and digressions as well as rectify the path ways, this is why the celebration of his birthday is for the entire mankind, simply because he will guide every single person and he will eliminate all the corruption.[36]
Khomeini describes the birthday celebration of Mahdi as greater than the birthday of the Nabi salla Llahu `alayhi wa sallam, who saved many people from deviation and waywardness, and instead guided to the straight and a clear path. The Nabi salla Llahu `alayhi wa sallam raised humanity to its rightful threshold through the grace of Allah. He raised man from the worship of creation to the worship of the Rabb of the entire creation. All of these bounties, which Allah bestowed upon mankind through the nubuwwah of Muhammad salla Llahu `alayhi wa sallam, are not equal even to a nail cutting according to Khomeini when compared to the fictitious hidden Imam, who will never appear and is lost whereby no trace of him can be found. Khomeini says:
Indeed this celebration which is a great one for the Muslims, greater than the birthday celebration of the Nabi salla Llahu `alayhi wa sallam from one perspective, which is why nowadays we have to consider and believe in the coming of Imam al-Mahdi. I cannot use the term “so called Mahdi” since he is greater, loftier and more virtuous than that. It is not possible for me to call him the first, because there is none after him nor a second person similar to him. This is why I cannot use any expressions except saying, “the promised awaited Mahdi.” This is the only person that Allah has kept as a treasure for the entire mankind. It is our responsibility to prepare ourselves to witness him and in so doing we will be elevated.[37]
Due to this, all the equipment of our country, we hope that this will extend into the other countries, should prepare thoroughly for the appearance of Imam al-Mahdi.[38]
So what are the Muslims saying after this? What is their opinion as far as Khomeini and his group is concern with regard to the prattle and idle talk that he has uttered?
[1] Al-Anwar al-No`maniyyah vol. 1 pg. 31
[2] Al-Ikhtisas of Sheikh al-Mufid pg. 157
[3] Al-Ihtijaj of al-Tabarsi vol. 2 pg. 284
[4] Ibid vol. 2 pg. 285
[5] Awa’il al-Maqalat by al-Mufid pg. 39
[6] Al-Kafi vol. 2 pg. 11
[7] Ibid vol. 2 pg. 10
[8] Ibid vol. 2 pg. 11
[9] Ibid vol. 2 pg.
[10] Ibid vol. 2 pg. 16
[11] Ibid vol. 2 pg. 37
[12] Ibid vol. 2 pg. 46
[13] Ibid vol. 2 pg. 57
[14] Ibid vol. 2 pg. 128
[15] Ibid vol. 2 pg. 313
[16] Ibid vol. 2 pg. 314
[17] Ibid vol. 2 pg. 314
[18] Ibid vol. 2 pg. 330
[19] Ibid vol. 2 pg. 334
[20] Ibid vol. 2 pg. 335
[21] Meaning Abu Bakr radiya Llahu `anhu, may the curse of Allah be upon the one who harbours malice for him.
[22] Dar al-Salam fi ma Yata`allaqu bi al-Ru’ya wa al-Manam, a book written by Mirza Hussain al-Nuri al-Tabarsi vol. 1 pg. 321.
[23] Imamat `Ali Bayna al-`Aql wa al-Qur’an by Muhammad Jawad al-Mughniyah pg. 110-111
[24] Meaning if He says, “be,” then it comes into existence.
[25] Refer to the chapter, Shi`b Allah al-Mukhtar from our book Haqiqat al-Shia wa al-Tashayyu` (by Dr. Mal Allah).
[26] Al-Hukumat al-Islamiyyah by Khomeini pg. 52. Khomeini did not inform us of this conditions especially his followers who claim that He has a connection with the so called twelfth Imam perhaps this condition afflicted him that caused him to have this deep sleep that he is in, I do not think that He will wake up. Praise be to Allah who has granted us the bounty of intellect which is void by many people.
[27] Surah al-A`raf: 145.
[28] Yanabi` al-Ma`ajiz of Bahrani pg. 7
[29] Surah al-Nahl: 89
[30] Surah al-Ra`d: 43
[31] Yanabi` al-Ma`ajiz of Bahrani pg. 15
[32] Ibid pg. 31
[33] Newspaper of Kuwait al-Ra’y al-`Am published on 30 June 1980 and magazine of Kuwait Assembly 8 July 1980
[34] Ibid
[35] Ibid
[36] Ibid
[37] Ibid
[38] Ibid
BACK⇒ Return to Table of contents
The Belief of the Shia Regarding Their Imams
One of the false beliefs of the Shia is their shirk and exaggeration regarding the Imams and the Ahlul Bayt of the Nabi salla Llahu `alayhi wa sallam, may Allah be pleased with all of them. They have raised their Imams to the level of divinity. Here is the opinion of the Shia with regard to Imam `Ali ibn Abi Talib radiya Llahu `anhu, they report that he allegedly said:
By Allah, I was with Ibrahim `alayh al-Salam in the fire and it is me who made the fire to be cool and (a place of) peace. I was with Nuh `alayh al-Salam in the Ark and saved him from drowning, I was with Musa `alayh al-Salam and taught him the Torah, I made `Isa `alayh al-Salam speak in the cradle and taught him the Injil, I was with Yusuf `alayh al-Salam in the well and saved him from the plot of his brothers and I also was with Sulaiman `alayh al-Salam on the carpet and subjugated the wind for him.[1]
They also narrate from `Ali radiya Llahu `anhu that he allegedly said:
I am the one who ascended and established my authority, I do give life and death, I am the first, the Last, the Most High and the Most Near.[2]
- The Shia claim that Allah gave their Imams special powers and entrusted them to create a creation like the creation of Allah and feed them.[3]
- They also say that Allah follows what the Imams say and does what the Imams command. The Imams ask Allah to create and to feed then Allah creates and feeds in response to their request and honouring them.[4]
- According to the Shia, logic does not prevent the coming down of revelation to them (Imams)[5], Allah is Most Kind and Most Merciful to his slaves, it is farfetched (as they believe) for Him to command the obedience of a person upon people and then He prevents him from receiving information of the heavens day and night.[6]
- The Imams have knowledge of the past and future and nothing is hidden upon them.[7]
- The Imam knows what is in the heaven and earth, knows what is in Jannat and Jahannam, what happened and what will happen.[8]
- Allah did not teach any nabi except that He has commanded the nabi to convey that knowledge to Amir al-Mu’minin, and he is their equal in knowledge.[9]
- If any person were to conceal anything from the Imams then they would still inform each of them of what they concealed.[10]
- All the Imams receive revelation and inspiration.[11]
- Allah subhanahu wa ta `ala created a more powerful creation than Jibril and Mika’il, and they remain with the Imams assisting them.[12]
- The Imams do not do anything except with the obligation and the command of Allah without transgressing.[13]
- Nothing is hidden from the Imam, not the speech of a person or a bird or an animal, not even a single living thing.[14]
- The Imam sees with the Sight of Allah, he hears with Allah’s Hearing, he talks with Allah’s wisdom. The Imam does not make any mistake, he is not ignorant, he teaches knowledge and commands.[15]
- Angels come into their houses and walk on their carpets and bring them information.[16]
- The Jinn come to the Imams asking the matters of their din, and the Imams attend to them.[17]
- Only that which emanated from them with the people is the truth and anything that did not emanate from them is definitely false.[18]
- Their statements cannot be conceived by a close angel nor a nabi or a believer.[19]
- They possess secrets like the Secrets of Allah and the Knowledge of Allah. Allah has commanded them to convey this but they did not find an appropriate place for it or anybody who could comprehend this.[20]
Abu `Abd Allah Hussain ibn Ahmed ibn Hajjaj al-Sha`ir, a Shia scholar, has attributed the qualities of divinity to Imam `Ali radiya Llahu `anhu. He also claims that anybody visiting the grave of `Ali radiya Llahu `anhu should be in the state of Ihram before entering, he should make talbiyah (i.e. to say, Labbayka Allahumma Labbayka) and he should make seven rounds like when performing tawaf. We do not want to digress from the point, we will allow this scholar to inform us of that which is in his heart in terms of shirk and exaggeration in raising `Ali radiya Llahu `anhu to the level of divinity, he says in a poem:
O owner of the white dome in Najaf (a town in Iraq)
whoever visits your grave and asks you for cure surely he will be cured.
Visit the father of Hassan, the one who guides, for definitely,
by visiting him you will attain abundant reward, attention and proximity.
Visit the one who hears the secret conversation by him,
whoever visits him with anxiety, he will be sufficed.
When you reach his grave then don your Ihram before entering,
enter while reciting talbiyah, and circumambulate around him.
If you circumambulate seven times around his tomb,
Then go and stand by the door facing him and say;
may the peace of Allah be upon the people of peace, knowledge and honour.
I have indeed come to you my master from my place, holding firm the rope of truth,
hoping in you my master that you will intercede for me
and hoping that you will allow me drink the nectar of cure for grief,
because indeed you are a firm tie, whosoever sticks
his hand in it will never be wretched nor fear.
If your beautiful names are recited on a sick person,
instantly he will be cured from his long illness.
Surely there is no deficiency in you
and your effulgence does not get corrupted.
You are the Great Sign that appeared
to the experts with all its types.
Here are the angels of Allah coming down to you always
with abundant kindness and gifts.
Such as a bucket, bowl and a cloth which was brought
By Jibril, no one disagrees with regard to this.
The Nabi salla Llahu `alayhi wa sallam was content with you in every problem
despite him being aware of it.
He states further:
and if you wish to command the earth to swallow them you could do so.
Death is under your control, you own the souls,
without fear and oppression you have judged,
contrary to the one whose soul died in the cave[21]
until the canal of tears appeared.[22]
The Shia claim that `Ali radiya Llahu `anhu is like Qur’an, he does not make any mistake, and falsehood cannot come to him from before or behind him. He will exist forever as long as the Qur’an exists, his eternity will last till the final day. The Qur’an is dependent on `Ali. The Qur’an and `Ali are exactly the same. Every virtue and greatness found in the Qur’an is exactly found in `Ali connected together.[23]
The Imam has an extremely lofty rank, he has divine authority, everything of this world is under his power and control.[24] They state: “It is imperative in our school of Shia that our Imams have such a position that cannot be obtained by a close angel nor a nabi. According to our narrations and reports it says that the great Nabi salla Llahu `alayhi wa sallam and the Imams were lights before the creation of universe, then Allah made them to be around his `Arsh[25] and gave them such a rank and proximity known by Allah alone. Jibril says in the narration of Mi`raj, ‘if I have to go beyond this point I would be reduced to ash.’ It has been reported from the Imams that we have a certain state with Allah which is not known by neither an angel nor a nabi.”[26]
In reality, the superstition of the Shia is that they consider their Imams to be more knowledgeable than the Nabi salla Llahu `alayhi wa sallam and that, they are equal in virtue. It is narrated from `Abd Allah ibn al-Samman said:
Abu Jafar (al-Baqir) said, “O `Abd-Allah! What do the Shia say with regard to `Ali, Musa and `Isa?” I said to him, “may I be sacrificed for you! What can I say about them?” He said, “`Ali, by Allah, is more knowledgeable than both of them.” Then I said, “people say that `Ali has knowledge like the knowledge of Nabi salla Llahu `alayhi wa sallam is that true?” he replied, “yes indeed,” then he said, “so debate with them by informing them the following; Allah told Musa `alayh al-Salam in the following verse:
وَکَتَبْنَا لَه فِی الْاَلْوَاحِ مِنْ كُلِّ شَیْءٍ مَّوْعِظَةً وَّ تَفْصِیْلًا لِّكُلِّ شَیْءٍ
And we wrote for him on the tablets the lesson to be drawn from all things.[27]
This shows that Allah did not explain and teach him every single thing, but Allah informs the Nabi salla Llahu `alayhi wa sallam:
وَ یَوْمَ نَبْعَثُ فِیْ كُلِّ اُمَّةٍ شَهِیْدًا عَلَیْهِمْ مِّنْ اَنْفُسِهِمْ وَ جِئْنَا بِكَ شَهِیْدًا عَلٰی هٰؤُلَآءِ
And we bring you (O Muhammad salla Llahu `alayhi wa sallam) against these (people) as a witness? And we have sent down to you the Book as clarification for all things.[28], [29]
It is reported from `Abd Allah ibn Bukayr:
I was with him (al-Sadiq) and Sulaiman `alayh al-Salam was mentioned — the knowledge and the wisdom that he was given — then Abu `Abd Allah (al-Sadiq) said to me, “whatever Sulaiman ibn Dawood was given is just one letter from the great name of Allah, while your friend regarding whom Allah states:
قُلْ کَفٰی بِاللّٰهِ شَهِیْدًا ۢ بَیْنِیْ وَبَیْنَكُمْۙ وَمَنْ عِنْدَهعِلْمُ الْکِتٰبِ
Sufficient is Allah as witness between me and you, and (the witness of) whoever has knowledge of the scripture.[30]
By Allah, `Ali had the knowledge of the scripture.” Then I said, “by Allah, you indeed have spoken the truth. May I be sacrificed for you!”[31]
It is has been also narrated from Abu Basir from Abu `Abd Allah (al-Sadiq) that he said:
Sulaiman had the great name of Allah, that which if he asks Allah with then Allah gives and responds, if Sulaiman was in our time he would be indeed of us.[32]
The Shia did not restrict themselves in quoting these comedic fabrications, rather they overstepped the boundaries by claiming that the imaginary Mahdi is superior to the Seal of the Prophets and Rusul, whom Allah has favoured from the rest of the creation. They say that the era of the Nabi salla Llahu `alayhi wa sallam (may Allah forbid) was filled with examples of oppression and injustice. They also claim that the Nabi salla Llahu `alayhi wa sallam was unsuccessful in his mission of reformation of mankind. This statement is in no way a mere allegation which the Ahlus Sunnah wa l-Jama`ah spuriously flung at the Shia rather it is the statement of one of their renowned scholars, better known to them as “the jurist of Ahlul Bayt and grand Ayatollah, Agha, Ruh Allah (lit. the spirit of Allah) Khomeini al-Musawi — the leader of the state of Iran); this was said on the celebration of the birth of so the called al-Mahdi on the 15th of Sha`ban 1400 A.H.
Whichever nabi came did so for the enforcement of justice. Their object was also to enforce justice across the whole world, however they were not successful, including the seal of all the prophets, who came for the reformation of mankind and for the enforcement of justice. He came for the training of mankind but he was unsuccessful in even his own era… so the only person who will be successful in the reformation as well as enforcing justice in the four corners of the world and the one who will set right all the deviation is none other than Imam al-Mahdi, the awaited one.
This issue of occultation of Imam al-Mahdi, may we be sacrificed for him, is an important issue, it teaches us many things; amongst them that no person in the entire world besides him (al-Mahdi) can establish justice in its true sense, and Allah has kept him as a treasure for the mankind.[33]
Khomeini continues in his senseless discussion that the so called Mahdi will soon achieve success in establishing justice, since the Nabi failed in achieving justice. The reason why he has been granted a long life is due to the absence of a person like him who can achieve what the prophets and the entire mankind failed to achieve, he says:
When Imam al-Mahdi comes, his duty will be spreading justice in the four corners of the world, whatever the prophets and the friends of Allah failed to achieve due to obstacles being in their way, will be achieved by Imam al-Mahdi. The reason why Allah granted him a long life span is because indeed there is nobody who has the ability of doing this great task, to such an extent that all the prophets, the friends of Allah and even the fore fathers of Imam al-Mahdi were all unsuccessful in achieving that which they came for. If Imam al-Mahdi were to die, then no person will be able to establish justice in the world and implement it.[34]
Khomeini describes the celebration of the birthday of Imam al-Mahdi as one of the greatest celebrations in Shi`ism — who have concealed their true identity (of Zoroastrianism) with the guise of Islam — simply because Imam al-Mahdi (according to them) is the only one who can establish justice on earth. He says:
Indeed Imam al-Mahdi has been granted an extended lifespan for this task, this is why the celebration of his birthday, may our souls be sacrificed for it, is a major celebration for the Muslims and a major celebration for the entire mankind, simply because Imam al-Mahdi will establish justice on earth. This is why we always say that the celebration of his birthday is the greatest celebration for the entire mankind. When he appears, and he will appear soon, he will remove mankind from their depravation and guide them to the straight path, he will spread justice on earth after it was filled with injustice.[35]
Khomeini explains the justice achieved by the coming of the great saviour, Mahdi, he says:
What is meant by this justice is not like how we conceptualise it, rather the meaning is much greater and significant than that, the entire world is covered with darkness, the hearts of people are deviated including the hearts of the perfect ones. The morals, actions, beliefs and the thoughts of people are digressed and deviated. That is why the duty of Imam al-Mahdi is to rectify all these deviations and digressions as well as rectify the path ways, this is why the celebration of his birthday is for the entire mankind, simply because he will guide every single person and he will eliminate all the corruption.[36]
Khomeini describes the birthday celebration of Mahdi as greater than the birthday of the Nabi salla Llahu `alayhi wa sallam, who saved many people from deviation and waywardness, and instead guided to the straight and a clear path. The Nabi salla Llahu `alayhi wa sallam raised humanity to its rightful threshold through the grace of Allah. He raised man from the worship of creation to the worship of the Rabb of the entire creation. All of these bounties, which Allah bestowed upon mankind through the nubuwwah of Muhammad salla Llahu `alayhi wa sallam, are not equal even to a nail cutting according to Khomeini when compared to the fictitious hidden Imam, who will never appear and is lost whereby no trace of him can be found. Khomeini says:
Indeed this celebration which is a great one for the Muslims, greater than the birthday celebration of the Nabi salla Llahu `alayhi wa sallam from one perspective, which is why nowadays we have to consider and believe in the coming of Imam al-Mahdi. I cannot use the term “so called Mahdi” since he is greater, loftier and more virtuous than that. It is not possible for me to call him the first, because there is none after him nor a second person similar to him. This is why I cannot use any expressions except saying, “the promised awaited Mahdi.” This is the only person that Allah has kept as a treasure for the entire mankind. It is our responsibility to prepare ourselves to witness him and in so doing we will be elevated.[37]
Due to this, all the equipment of our country, we hope that this will extend into the other countries, should prepare thoroughly for the appearance of Imam al-Mahdi.[38]
So what are the Muslims saying after this? What is their opinion as far as Khomeini and his group is concern with regard to the prattle and idle talk that he has uttered?
[1] Al-Anwar al-No`maniyyah vol. 1 pg. 31
[2] Al-Ikhtisas of Sheikh al-Mufid pg. 157
[3] Al-Ihtijaj of al-Tabarsi vol. 2 pg. 284
[4] Ibid vol. 2 pg. 285
[5] Awa’il al-Maqalat by al-Mufid pg. 39
[6] Al-Kafi vol. 2 pg. 11
[7] Ibid vol. 2 pg. 10
[8] Ibid vol. 2 pg. 11
[9] Ibid vol. 2 pg.
[10] Ibid vol. 2 pg. 16
[11] Ibid vol. 2 pg. 37
[12] Ibid vol. 2 pg. 46
[13] Ibid vol. 2 pg. 57
[14] Ibid vol. 2 pg. 128
[15] Ibid vol. 2 pg. 313
[16] Ibid vol. 2 pg. 314
[17] Ibid vol. 2 pg. 314
[18] Ibid vol. 2 pg. 330
[19] Ibid vol. 2 pg. 334
[20] Ibid vol. 2 pg. 335
[21] Meaning Abu Bakr radiya Llahu `anhu, may the curse of Allah be upon the one who harbours malice for him.
[22] Dar al-Salam fi ma Yata`allaqu bi al-Ru’ya wa al-Manam, a book written by Mirza Hussain al-Nuri al-Tabarsi vol. 1 pg. 321.
[23] Imamat `Ali Bayna al-`Aql wa al-Qur’an by Muhammad Jawad al-Mughniyah pg. 110-111
[24] Meaning if He says, “be,” then it comes into existence.
[25] Refer to the chapter, Shi`b Allah al-Mukhtar from our book Haqiqat al-Shia wa al-Tashayyu` (by Dr. Mal Allah).
[26] Al-Hukumat al-Islamiyyah by Khomeini pg. 52. Khomeini did not inform us of this conditions especially his followers who claim that He has a connection with the so called twelfth Imam perhaps this condition afflicted him that caused him to have this deep sleep that he is in, I do not think that He will wake up. Praise be to Allah who has granted us the bounty of intellect which is void by many people.
[27] Surah al-A`raf: 145.
[28] Yanabi` al-Ma`ajiz of Bahrani pg. 7
[29] Surah al-Nahl: 89
[30] Surah al-Ra`d: 43
[31] Yanabi` al-Ma`ajiz of Bahrani pg. 15
[32] Ibid pg. 31
[33] Newspaper of Kuwait al-Ra’y al-`Am published on 30 June 1980 and magazine of Kuwait Assembly 8 July 1980
[34] Ibid
[35] Ibid
[36] Ibid
[37] Ibid
[38] Ibid