The Shi`ah belief regarding the Sahabah and their attitude towards them

The Roots of Sunni Shia Differences in Fiqh
January 7, 2015
Mut`ah
January 7, 2015

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The Shi‘ah belief regarding the Sahabah and their attitude towards them

You have just read the belief of the Shia regarding Allah Ta’ala, the previous Prophets as well as with Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam. Now have a look at their belief regarding the noble companions of Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam. They shamelessly, not holding back in the least, call these illustrious personalities kafir, munafiq and murtad. Whatever abusive curses come to their minds they readily use to abuse the beloved Sahabah of Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam. This sect has not only abandoned the Qu’ran but they have an open enmity with Allah Ta’ala and His Rasul salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam. Allah Ta’ala has stated that He has sent Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam as a rasul to the entire mankind with a complete din and that people will embrace Islam in droves. Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam was successful in the propagation and teaching of din like no other nabi before him was. Even the western historians acknowledge that Muhammad salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam was the most successful of all religious and worldly leaders. However, the Shia insist that this is all a lie, Allah Forbid, and that Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam was unsuccessful in his mission. They claim that all but five of the Sahabah became murtad after the demise of Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam. Is this not an outright assault on the blessed teachings and company of Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam? It is as if they are saying that this had no effect on them at all. Is this not an assault on Islam similar to that of the disbelievers? The world has borne witness to the truth of their iman, noble deeds and unwavering obedience. History testifies to this but this is still insufficient for the guidance of the stubborn, obstinate and radical Shia.

The names of the five Sahabah who they believe did not abandon Islam are Sayyidina ‘Ali radiya Llahu ‘anhu, Sayyidina Salman al Farsi radiya Llahu ‘anhu, Sayyidina ‘Ammar ibn Yasir radiya Llahu ‘anhu, Sayyidina Miqdad ibn al Aswad radiya Llahu ‘anhu and Sayyidina Abu Dhar al Ghaffari radiya Llahu ‘anhu. This is the complete list of believers. It is possible that it could be less but not more because according to some narrations of the Shia only Sayyidina Miqdad radiya Llahu ‘anhu was a true believer and the rest had some fault or the other. There is a limit to the number of lies a person can speak. You will probably remember that on the occasion of Bay’ah al Ridwan in 6 A.H, only five years prior to the demise of Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, there were fifteen hundred Sahabah regarding whom Allah Ta’ala declared that He was pleased with them. It has even been proven by narrations from the Imams of the Shia themselves that not a single one of them will enter Jahannam. Later on the occasion of the Hajj al Wida there were forty thousand Sahabah, seventy thousand during the expedition to Tabuk and at the time of the demise of Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, one hundred and twenty-four thousand Sahabah were present. However, the Shia say that Allah was wrong, hadith is wrong, even history is wrong, they will never accept that there were any other believers besides these five individuals. The reason for this rejection is that if they accept the Sahabah as Mu’minin then the entire religion of the Shia will fall apart and their religion condones such pleasures and delights which they find impossible to abandon. My friends! What a great injustice indeed. Had this been the beliefs of any other sect then you would waste no time in declaring them as renegades and disbelievers.

At the end of it all, we would like to know why they have such hatred for the Sahabah of Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam because after all Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam loved them; Sayyidina ‘Ali radiya Llahu ‘anhu as well as his entire progeny loved them too. The Shia reply that they have an intense love for the Ahlul Bayt, and the Sahabah were the enemies of the Ahlul Bayt, even though they cannot prove that they were truly their enemies. I wish to ask the Shia whether they love the Ahlul Bayt because of their love for Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam or is love for the Ahlul Bayt compulsory in itself? If they say it is compulsory in itself then they are astray and if they love them out of their love for Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam then why do they not have the same enmity for those people who were known disbelievers and who went to great lengths to inflict harm on Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam? Such enemies of Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam are never cursed. Truthfully speaking they never curse Abu Jahal, Abu Lahab, etc. Outwardly you profess love for the Ahlul Bayt but in reality you deny the din of Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam. The Qu’ran, hadith and Shari’ah of Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam reached us through the Sahabah and if these very individuals are declared as kafir then whatever has reached us through them will be void of any reliability. What form of friendship is this?

 

The position of the Sahabah according to Allah Ta‘ala

Allah Ta’ala says that the Sahabah are true believers, having firm iman in Allah Ta’ala. They are better than the entire Ummah, past and present. They reformed people, call towards good and prevented evil. Amongst them are the Muhajirin, who made great sacrifices in Allah’s path and were deprived of their wealth and possessions. Amongst them are the Ansar who assisted Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam and the Muhajirin. The Sahabah fought in Allah’s path, spent their wealth and sacrificed their lives for Allah’s din. Allah announced that he is pleased with them and that they are all pleased with him. Attaining the pleasure of Allah is a magnificent bounty indeed. It is not easy to achieve and everyone cannot attain it. Allah Ta’ala Himself testified to their sincerity declaring them to be true believers. Allah Ta’ala gave them the glad tidings of His mercy and in clear unambiguous words stated that they will be forgiven. Allah Ta’ala promised to forgive their sins and to grant them lofty gardens beneath which rivers flow, wherein they shall abide forever.

The names of those Sahabah, who are included amongst the forerunners, have a unique rank amongst them and are guides and leaders for the entire Ummah. Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam has praised the unique qualities of specific Sahabah and the blessed company of Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam had moulded them in his image. None of the Sahabah ever intentionally spoke a lie after embracing Islam. If any of them erred then too he rectified his error immediately. None of them intentionally committed a major sin. Not a single one of the Sahabah ever perpetrated any act that was in direct disobedience to Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam. In spite of this, the Shia still insist that it is all lies. The condition of this sect is that they are ready to disrespectfully cast aside the word of Allah for their own opinions and show absolutely no regard for the beloved Rasul of Allah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam. They do not have an inkling of love within them.

What else will you deny? In reality you are very audacious that you have the courage to even belie Allah Ta’ala. You mock the words of Allah and show disrespect towards it. You have learnt these habits from the Jews. The evil effects of Ibn Saba’ and his agents have rubbed off on to you. You can deny the truth a thousand times but it will always remain the truth and can never be changed. The habits of the Jews have been proven in the Qu’ran and your word and actions resembles that of the Jews in every detail.

A tree is judged by the fruit it bears and the success of a teacher is judged by the actions and character of his students. It is a fact of history that no spiritual guide or nabi has ever moulded his disciples perfectly in his image like how Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam had done to his Sahabah. The disbelievers also acknowledge this but the Shia refuse to accept it. The effect of the taqwa, truthfulness, piety and purity of the Sahabah was such that the light of Islam spread quickly throughout various countries which is no easy task.

The most superior of all the Sahabah is Sayyidina Abu Bakr radiya Llahu ‘anhu, who accompanied Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam in the cave of Thowr. Allah Ta’ala has mentioned his virtues in the Noble Qu’ran and Allah Ta’ala has not mentioned the virtues of any other Sahabi specifically in the Noble Qu’ran.

All the Mufassirin are in consensus that the concluding verses of Surah al Layl were revealed regarding Sayyidina Abu Bakr radiya Llahu ‘anhu. The verse is as follows:

وَ سَیُجَنَّبُہَا الْاَتْقَی الَّذِیْ یُؤْتِیْ مَالَہٗ یَتَزَکّٰی وَ مَا لِاَحَدٍ عِنْدَہٗ مِنْ نِّعْمَۃٍ تُجْزٰۤی اِلَّا ابْتِغَآءَ وَجْہِ رَبِّہٖ الْاَعْلٰی وَ لَسَوْفَ یَرْضٰی

Far removed from it (Jahannam) shall be the one with the most taqwa, who spent his wealth to purify. He does not have to repay a favour to anyone except for the pleasure of his Exalted Rabb. Soon he shall be (well) pleased.[1]

In another verse Allah Ta’ala has said:

اِنَّ اَكْرَمَكُمْ عِنْدَ اللهِ اَتْقٰكُمْ

The most elevated amongst you according to Allah is the one who has the most taqwa.[2]

If both these verse are read together then one will discover that Sayyidina Abu Bakr radiya Llahu ‘anhu, whom Allah Ta’ala addressed as the one having taqwa, is the most superior in rank according to Allah, after all of the Prophets.

Allah Ta’ala caused tranquillity to descend upon them when he was with Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam in the cave of Thowr and he became grieved. This was a great bounty and favour which Allah Ta’ala had bestowed upon him. Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam awarded Sayyidina Abu Bakr radiya Llahu ‘anhu the title of Siddiq and according to Allah Ta’ala the rank of a Siddiq is next after the Prophets.

فَاُولٰٓئِکَ مَعَ الَّذِیْنَ اَنْعَمَ اللهُ عَلَیْہِمْ مِّنَ النَّبِیّٖنَ وَالصِّدِّیْقِیْنَ وَالشُّہَدَآءِ وَالصّٰلِحِیْنَ ۚ وَحَسُنَ اُولٰٓئِکَ رَفِیْقًا

These are those who will be with those whom Allah has favoured from amongst Prophets, Siddiqin, martyrs and righteous ones. These are indeed the best of companions.[3]

Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam appointed Sayyidina Abu Bakr as Imam in his place during his final illness.

We will now quote a few verses of the Noble Qu’ran regarding the lofty rank of the Noble Sahabah. Thereafter we will report a few ahadith of Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam as well as the opinions of Sayyidina ‘Ali radiya Llahu ‘anhu, Hassan radiya Llahu ‘anhu, Zayn Al ‘Abidin rahimahu Llah, Imam al Baqir rahimahu Llah, and Imam Jafar al Sadiq rahimahu Llah regarding the noble status of the Sahabah; specifically regarding the three khulafa al Rashidin. Theses narrations will prove the sincerity, exalted position as well as permissibility of their caliphate.

The Shia will be disturbed by these narrations and will be unwilling to accept it, mainly because it defies the dictates of their base desires. If they accept these narrations then they will have to forsake their religion and this is highly unlikely because they love their religion very much, even if it is hanging on a thread.

If only they would accept the reality that every group testifies that his religion and beliefs are correct, whether they worship only one Allah or even if they worship many deities. Those who worship their Rabb. Whom they cannot see and even those who worship idols, trees, snakes, cows, the sun, the moon or even Shaitan. Those who believe that Allah is a man as well as those who believe that Allah has a son. Those who believe that Allah Ta’ala is All-Knowing and those who believe that Allah is ignorant and that His knowledge is inconsistent. Those who believe that Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam was successful in fulfilling his duties as well as those who believe that he was unsuccessful. Those who believe deceit to be an act of worship and those who believe it to be the mother of all evils. Those who think ill of the Sahabah and those who believe that they were true believers. Every religion contradicts another religion. A belief of one religion contradicts the belief of another religion and both cannot be correct. The path of truth is only one and all others are paths of deviation. Now, one might wonder as to which is the “Straight Path” and how does one deduce which is the path of truth. For this we have to turn to the Noble Qu’ran:

اِنَّ الَّذِیْنَ اٰمَنُوْا وَ الَّذِیْنَ هَاجَرُوْا وَجٰہَدُوْا فِیْ سَبِیْلِ اللهِ ۙ اُولٰٓئِکَ یَرْجُوْنَ رَحْمَتَ اللهِ

Verily those who have iman, who migrate and who strive in the way of Allah, they have hope of Allah’s mercy.[4]

فَالَّذِیْنَ هَاجَرُوْا وَاُخْرِجُوْا مِنْ دِیَارِهِمْ وَاُوْذُوْا فِیْ سَبِیْلِیْ وَقٰتَلُوْا وَقُتِلُوْا لَاُکَفِّرَنَّ عَنْہُمْ سَیِّاٰتِہِمْ وَلَاُدْخِلَنَّہُمْ جَنّٰتٍ تَجْرِیْ مِنْ تَحْتِہَا الْاَنْہٰرُ ۚ ثَوَابًا مِّنْ عِنْدِ اللهِ ؕ وَاللهُ عِنْدَہٗ حُسْنُ الثَّوَابِ

For those who migrate (leaving behind their homes, families, and wealth), who are driven out of their homes (by oppression), who suffer pain in My cause (for my Din), who fight (in Jihad) and are killed, I shall most certainly remove from them (forgive) their evil actions and I will certainly enter them into Jannat beneath which rivers flow. (All of this is) A reward from Allah. With Allah are the best (worthy and deserving ) rewards.[5]

كُنْتُمْ خَیْرَ اُمَّۃٍ اُخْرِجَتْ لِلنَّاسِ تَاْمُرُوْنَ بِالْمَعْرُوْفِ وَتَنْہَوْنَ عَنِ الْمُنْکَرِ وَتُؤْمِنُوْنَ بِاللهِ ؕ وَلَوْ اٰمَنَ اَهْلْ الْکِتٰبِ لَکَانَ خَیْرًا لَّہُمْ ؕ مِنْہُمُ الْمُؤْمِنُوْنَ وَاَكْثَرُهُمُ الْفٰسِقُوْنَ

You (the followers of Muhammad salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam)are the best of all nations who have been raised for (the befit and salvation of) mankind. You command what is right, forbid evil (kufr, shirk, wickedness, etc) and believe in Allah (Sayyidina ‘Umar radiya Llahu ‘anhu said: “Act on this verse to be included in the Ummah of Muhammad salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam”). If the Ahl al Kitab were to have iman, it shall be better for them. Some of them are Mu’minin (they reform themselves and others) while most of them are disobedient (kuffar).[6]

وَالَّذِیْنَ اٰمَنُوْا وَهَاجَرُوْا وَجٰہَدُوْا فِی ْسَبِیْلِ اللهِ وَالَّذِیْنَ اٰوَوْا وَّنَصَرُوْۤا اُولٰٓئِکَ هُمُ الْمُؤْمِنُوْنَ حَقًّا ؕ لَہُمْ مَّغْفِرَۃٌ وَّرِزْقٌ کَرِیْمٌ

Those who have believed and emigrated and fought in the cause of Allah (Muhajirin) as well as those who gave shelter and aided (Ansar) – it is they who are the true believers. For them is forgiveness and noble provision.[7]

وَالسّٰبِقُوْنَ الْاَوَّلُوْنَ مِنَ الْمُہٰجِرِیْنَ وَالْاَنْصَارِ وَالَّذِیْنَ اتَّبَعُوْهُمْ بِاِحْسَانٍ ۙ رَّضِیَ اللهُ عَنْہُمْ وَرَضُوْا عَنْہُ وَ اَعَدَّ لَہُمْ جَنّٰتٍ تَجْرِیْ تَحْتَہَا الْاَنْہٰرُ خٰلِدِیْنَ فِیْہَاۤ اَبَدًا ؕ ذٰلِکَ الْفَوْزُ الْعَظِیْمُ

Allah is pleased with the first to lead the way from the Muhajirin, the Ansar and those who followed them with sincerity and they are pleased with Him. He has prepared for them such Jannat beneath which rivers flow, in which they shall live forever. This is the ultimate success. (This verse clearly illustrates the great status of the Sahabah y and it will therefore be wrong to revile them.)[8]

اِلَّا تَنْصُرُوْہُ فَقَدْ نَصَرَہُ اللهُ اِذْ اَخْرَجَہُ الَّذِیْنَ کَفَرُوْا ثَانِیَ اثْنَیْنِ اِذْ هُمَا فِی الْغَارِ اِذْ یَقُوْلُ لِصَاحِبِہٖ لَا تَحْزَنْ اِنَّ اللهَ مَعَنَا ۚ فَاَنْزَلَ اللهُ سَکِیْنَتَہٗ عَلَیْہِ وَاَیَّدَہٗ بِجُنُوْدٍ لَّمْ تَرَوْهَا وَجَعَلَ کَلِمَۃَ الَّذِیْنَ کَفَرُوا السُّفْلٰی ؕ وَکَلِمَۃُ اللهِ هِیَ الْعُلْیَا ؕ وَاللهُ عَزِیْزٌ حَکِیْمٌ

If you do not assist him (Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), then indeed Allah had assisted him when the kuffar drove him out (of Makkah). He was the second of the two (the other being his bosom friend Sayyidina Abu Bakr radiya Llahu ‘anhu) when they were (hiding from the kuffar) in the cave (outside Makkah) and he (Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) told his companion (Sayyidina Abu Bakr radiya Llahu ‘anhu) (when the kuffar were on the verge of capturing them) “Do not grieve (do not fear for my safety). Verily Allah is with us (and He will protect us from the kuffar).” So Allah caused his tranquillity (serenity, mercy and peace) to descend on him, and assisted him (on various occasions) with an army (of angels and other creation) that you had not seen . And (Allah) placed the word of the kuffar (the call to Shirk) at the very bottom while the word of Allah (the kalimah) is right at the top. Allah is Mighty, the Wise.[9]

This final verse speaks highly about the status of Sayyidina Abu Bakr radiya Llahu ‘anhu.

 

Ahadith and the opinions of the A‘immah regarding the Sahabah

Those ahadith of Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam which have been reported in the books of the Shia are as follows:

1) Al Kashani has mentioned in his Tafsir that Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam has said:

None of those who participated in the Bay’ah al Ridwan will enter Jahannam.

2) It has been reported from Imam ‘Ali al Rida rahimahu Llah that Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam has said:

اصحابى كالنجوم بايهم اقتديتم اهتديتم

My Sahabah are like stars, whomsoever amongst them you will follow, you will be rightly guided.

3) Imam ‘Ali al Rida rahimahu Llah has testified to the authenticity of this hadith:

الله الله فى اصحابى لا تتخذوهم غرضا

Fear Allah! Fear Allah with regards to my Sahabah. Do not make them a target (for your accusations).

4) It is reported in Nahj al Balaghah that Sayyidina ‘Ali salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam has mentioned regarding the status of Sayyidina Abu Bakr radiya Llahu ‘anhu or Sayyidina ‘Umar radiya Llahu ‘anhu. Their names have been removed from the original book and been replaced by the word “فُلَان” (a certain person). However, the majority of the Shia are in consensus that it refers to Sayyidina Abu Bakr radiya Llahu ‘anhu and a few are to the opinion that it refers Sayyidina ‘Umar radiya Llahu ‘anhu. Nevertheless, it refers to either one of them and it is mentions praise of them, and that too by Sayyidina ‘Ali radiya Llahu ‘anhu.

لله بلاد فلان لقد قوم الاود و داوى الامد و اقام السنة و خلف الفتنة ذهب نقى الثوب قليل العيب اصاب خيرها و سبق شرها ادى الى الله طاعته و القاه بحقه و رحل و تركهم في طرق متشعبة لا يهتدي فيه الضال ة لا يستيقن المهتدي

Allah reward a certain person (Sayyidina Abu Bakr radiya Llahu ‘anhu), who straightened that which was crooked and cured spiritual ailments. He upheld the Sunnah of Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam and eliminated fitnah (turmoil). He left this world pure and with a few faults. He drew the best out of the caliphate and left before the turmoil began. He fulfilled his duties to Allah to the letter and fulfilled it with justice. He left this world and left the people on a distinct path on which those who are astray will never be able to guided and those who are on the truth will not be able to believe.

In this sermon Sayyidina ‘Ali radiya Llahu ‘anhu mentioned ten virtues of Sayyidina Abu Bakr radiya Llahu ‘anhu:

i) He guided people off the path of deviation onto the straight path.

ii) He cured spiritual ailments through his sermons and advices.

iii) He upheld the Sunnah of Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam.

iv) Established such a system that turmoil did not spread during his caliphate.

v) He was free from any form of condemnation.

vi) He drew the good from caliphate and remained safe from its vices.

vii) He obeyed Allah Ta’ala as He ought to be obeyed.

viii) He possessed taqwa as one should possess taqwa.

ix) After he left this world people were left bewildered.

x) After he left this world people became divided.

5) Sayyidina ‘Ali radiya Llahu ‘anhu has said regarding Sayyidina Abu Bakr radiya Llahu ‘anhu and Sayyidina ‘Umar radiya Llahu ‘anhu, in the letter that he wrote to Sayyidina Muawiyah radiya Llahu ‘anhu. (Refer to Nahj al Balaghah)

They were the best in Islam, and the best khalifah of Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam was Abu Bakr radiya Llahu ‘anhu and the best khalifah of his khalifah was ‘Umar radiya Llahu ‘anhu. I take an oath on my life that they have an exalted status in Islam and their deaths were a great loss for Islam. May Allah Ta’ala have mercy on them both and reward them greatly for the good they accomplished.

6) Imam Hassan radiya Llahu ‘anhu has narrated that Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam has said:

Abu Bakr radiya Llahu ‘anhu is my hearing, ‘Umar radiya Llahu ‘anhu is my seeing and ‘Uthman radiya Llahu ‘anhu is like my heart.

Ibn Babuwayh al Qummi has reported this narration from Imam Musa al Rida in his book- Ma’ani al Akhbar.

7) Imam al Baqir rahimahu Llah has been reported to have said:

I do not deny the virtues of Abu Bakr radiya Llahu ‘anhu and ‘Umar radiya Llahu ‘anhu but Abu Bakr radiya Llahu ‘anhu was superior to ‘Umar radiya Llahu ‘anhu.

8) A person once asked Imam al Baqir rahimahu Llah whether it was permissible for the handle of the sword to be decorated and Imam Baqir rahimahu Llah replied:

Yes, it is permissible because the sword of Abu Bakr al Siddiq radiya Llahu ‘anhu had a handle made out of silver. The narrator says that he asked Imam al Baqir rahimahu Llah if he also refers to Abu Bakr radiya Llahu ‘anhu as Al Siddiq. As soon as the Imam heard this he rose from his place angrily and said: “Yes I do, he is Al Siddiq, he is Al Siddiq, he is Al Siddiq. Whoever does not refer to him as Al Siddiq, may Allah Ta’ala not testify to his (success in this) world and the hereafter.” (Kashf al Ghummah fi Marifah al Aimmah)

9) Imam Jafar al Sadiq rahimahu Llah has said regarding Sayyidina Abu Bakr and Sayyidina ‘Umar radiya Llahu ‘anhu:

They were both Imams, just and fair. Both of them were on the truth and passed away on the truth. May Allah’s mercy descend upon them on the Day of Qiyamah.

10) We will only mention a supplication which Zayn al ‘Abidin rahimahu Llah made to Allah Ta’ala, when in total seclusion. There is no possibility of claiming that he said this under Taqiyyah. It has been reported in Al Sahifah al Kamilah, which according to the Shia is no less than the Qu’ran in authenticity and which they refer to as the “Ornament of the family of Muhammad salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam”. I quote from Ayat-e Bayyinat[10] vol. 1 pg. 74-75. The original Arabic text was also reported in the sub-notes of Ayat Bayyinat, the translation of which is:

O Allah! Let Your mercy descend upon the Sahabah of Muhammad salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, especially upon those who fulfilled the responsibilities of his companionship and endured all forms of difficulties and hardships in assisting him. Those who united together and assisted him in every possible manner. Those who hastened in accepting his risalat and surpassed all others in accepting his invitation. When Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam presented his proofs for his nubuwwah, they embraced him without a second thought and in the propagation of his mission sacrificed their children, spouses, and families. They were forced to kill their own fathers and sons in trying to establish the foundations of din. When they grabbed the hand of Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, their tribes forsook them and when they came into the company of Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, their families severed ties with them. O Allah! Do not disregard those sacrifices that the Sahabah of Muhammad salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam made for your sake and the legacy that they have left behind them. Appease them with your pleasure as they brought the creation closer to You and fulfilled the rights of propagating Islam along with Your Nabi salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam. O My Rabb! We express our gratitude for leaving their homes and families for Your sake, abandoning the life of ease and comfort for struggle and adversity.

O Allah! Reward those who followed them with a most gracious reward, who would supplicate: “O our Rabb! Forgive us and our brothers who preceded us with iman.” Those who followed in their footsteps and adhered to their practice, who treaded the path of guidance laid by them and possessed no doubt in assisting them nor any doubt in following in their footsteps. Those followers who were the helpers of the Sahabah, who possessed the same guidance as the Sahabah as well as those who then followed them. Those who agree with the Sahabah and those who do not bare no resentment for the Sahabah for what they had imparted to them.

O Allah! Let your mercy descend upon those who pledged their allegiance to these Sahabah, and upon their spouses and progeny, from this day of ours until the Day of Qiyamah.

What more can be said? Imam Zayn al ‘Abidin rahimahu Llah has mentioned such meritorious virtues of the Sahabah. Is there still any room for doubt? Will this be refused under the pretext of Taqiyyah as well? Is there a need to observe Taqiyyah when conversing with Allah Ta’ala? Does one speak lies to Allah as well? Will the Shia refuse to follow Imam Zayn al ‘Abidin also? How unfortunate, their own Imam praises the Sahabah and supplicates in their favour, yet they absolve themselves from the Sahabah and regard those who follow in their footsteps as kafir; while those who regard them as enemy, they regard as Muslim.

Distressing indeed! They do not listen to logic nor use their own common sense. They have deviated and wandered so far astray from where they cannot see Islam nor the Noble Qu’ran. The Sahabah of every nabi were pious and adhered to all the teachings of their nabi. No Ummah ever spoke ill of the companions of their nabi in the past nor cursed them except for the Shia.

Whatever curse they invoke upon the Sahabah will turn against them.

 

The Shi‘ah belief regarding their A‘immah

Now let us study the beliefs that they have regarding their Imams. To what level have they degraded them? As far as character is concerned, they have tarnished their reputations in the worst manner possible, whereas they were sterling examples of noble character. They accuse their first Imam (Sayyidina ‘Ali radiya Llahu ‘anhu) of practising Taqiyyah and of being a hypocrite. Allah Forbid! You will see shortly what an immoral person Zurarah was, yet they accept him as a reliable narrator. He says that he was sitting with Imam al Baqir rahimahu Llah when a certain person came to enquire regarding a certain ruling, to which he replied. Shortly thereafter another person came and asked the same question but he gave an entirely different reply. After they had both left he said to Imam al Baqir rahimahu Llah: “They were both your followers yet you gave them both contradicting replies.” Imam al Baqir rahimahu Llah answered: “This is better in my favour. In this is our safety, otherwise we will not remain alive.” He narrates that when he enquired from Imam Jafar al Sadiq rahimahu Llah about this matter then he too gave the same reply as Imam al Baqir rahimahu Llah.

It is not only reported that they gave two or three contradicting replies to one question but they report that up to seventy different replies may be given. They report that Imam Jafar al Sadiq rahimahu Llah has said: “Seventy different answers come to mind when I am asked a question and I relay whichever one I wish to relay.”

They have portrayed Imam Jafar al Sadiq rahimahu Llah in a most demeaning manner as if he was a deceitful and dishonest person, whereas he was a great friend of Allah. We say that Zurarah fabricated this narration. Farid al din al ‘Attar rahimahu Llah, who was an extremely pious and devout saint of Allah, has mentioned in Tadhkirah al Auliya, the virtues of Imam Jafar al Sadiq rahimahu Llah in such a manner that it becomes known that words cannot accurately describe the virtuous nature of Imam Jafar al Sadiq rahimahu Llah.

He was a champion of the din of Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, a proof of the nubuwwah of Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, true in his actions, a scholar of research, the heart of the auliya of Allah, a piece from the heart of the leader of all Prophets, a lover and recogniser of Allah, the leader of all masha’ikh. All people trusted him and he was the spiritual guide of all, of the worshippers and the ascetics. [11]

Member of the Kufah insurgents! You have slandered everybody and have not left anyone unscathed such that you have even slandered your very own Imams. Who can be more deceitful than you? Yet you continue to be accepted as a reliable narrator. What can be said about the unfortunate followers of an unfortunate one.

If you will ask any person with an inkling of integrity then he will immediately testify that this is a complete lie. It is a fabrication of the munafiqin and troublemakers, whom the Imams barred from coming close to them. They spoiled the reputations of these Imams and ascribed many of their own fabricated narrations to these Imams. The Imams openly absolved themselves from these individuals and invoke Allah’s curse upon them, calling them liars and wretched. This has also been reported in the books considered reliable by the Shia but it is still unclear why they continue to accept these filthy allegations. The noble Imams were most certainly innocent of all that they have been accused of.

After examining the beliefs of the Shia regarding Allah Ta’ala, Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, the Sahabah y and even their illustrious Imams you would have noticed that they do not have a high regard for anyone. What is the reason for this? This is not simple to answer and needs to be reflected upon. It seems as if someone wrote these beliefs, from the shadows, with the intention of destroying Islam. He deceived the Muslims and people continue to be deceived. They hurry to accept whatever false and deviant beliefs are placed before them without pondering over it first. What else could drive a person to speak ill of Allah Ta’ala, the Prophets, Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam and his companions when he claims to be a Muslim? Leave everything aside, they even speak ill of their own Imams, whom they believe to be sinless. Can there ever be such revolting beliefs in any religion? Islam is the true din of Allah and cannot and does not consist of such deviant and immoral beliefs. If these immoral beliefs have to be presented before any disbeliever then it will only increase his abhorrence towards Islam.

My friends! Either it is me who is deceiving you or Ibn Saba’ and his students have ensnared you in their web, only you can decide that. If I am deceiving you then may Allah’s curse as well as that of the angels and entire mankind, be upon me.

Ponder over these matters! Allah Ta’ala has given you eyes and ears, use them. If someone says something logical to you then listen to it. Why do you become deaf and blind.

There are still two beliefs of the Shia, the study of which is most interesting. The acts of Mut’ah and Taqiyyah, which are considered as the two most sacred forms of ‘ibadah (worship).

 

NEXT Mut’ah


[1] Surah al Layl: 17-21

[2] Surah al Hujurat: 13

[3] Surah al Nisa: 69

[4] Surah al Baqarah 218

[5] Surah Al ‘Imran: 195

[6] Surah Al ‘Imran: 110

[7] Surah al Anfal: 74

[8] Surah al Taubah: 100

[9] Surah al Taubah: 40

[10] This is a unique book in refutation of the Shia. It was written by Allamah Muhsin al Mulk Sayyid Muhammad Mahdi ‘Ali Khan, who was previously a Shia and then reverted to Sunni. This book can be obtained from Dar al Ishat Karachi.

[11] Tadhkirah al Auliya