“And be thankful to Me and to thy parents”

“The Lord has commanded that ye worship none but Him and that ye show kindness unto your parents ….. (Qur’an, 17:23).

The spiritual and moral duties are laid down side by side here. We are to worship none but Allah, because none is worthy of being worshipped but Allah. Then we are told to be kind to the parents. The ‘verse’ goes on to say:

whether any or both of them attain old age with thee, wherefore, say not unto them ‘Oh’; neither reproach them; and lower unto them the wing of humility out of compassion, and say thou: “O” my Lord, Have mercy on them as they cherished me in my childhood”.

The metaphor brings to our mind the picture of a high flying bird which lowers her wing out of tenderness to her off spring. There is a double aptness:- When the parents were strong and the child helpless, parental affection was showered on the child: now that the parents are weak and helpless and the child has grown up o a strong man, can he do less than bestow similar tender care to the parents?

But more to the point are the words ‘humility’ and ‘compassion’. The child must approach the parents with gentleness, humility and love: for, does not parental love remind him of the great love with which cherishes His creatures? There is something here more than simple human gratitude. It goes up into the highest spiritual regions.

Note that we are asked to honor our father and mother upon so high and lofty grounds. In the first place, not merely respect, but cherishing kindness and humility to parents are recommended. In the second place, this command is bracketed with the command to worship the only True God; parental love should be a mirror to the divine love. Nothing that we can do will ever really compensate for that which we have received from them.

“And be thankful to Me and to thy parents” (Qur’an 31:14).

Obedience, kindness and thankfulness to the parents are amongst the most important commandments of Islam.

Allah is the Creator; he is the Helper; he provides us with the sustenance. But he has made the parents the means of that creation, help and sustenance. No wonder, in three places- in Qur’an, the commandment of obedience and thankfulness to the parents has been mentioned next to the commandment of worshipping Allah alone.

Obedience to the parents is not in conflict with obedience to God, because it is based upon the command of God. The help obtained from the parents is not against asking help from God alone, because God has made them his agents. Thanking the parents is not against thanking God, because God has ordered us to thank them; and, now, if we refuse to thank them, if will be a revolt against God.

That is why Imam Reza (A.S) told: “God has joined the orders of thanking him and thanking one’s parents in one verse. If a man thanks God, but does not thank his parents, his thanks to God also will not be accepted”.

The Holy Prophet was preparing to meet an enemy of Islam in a war. A young man came and asked permission to join in the militia. The Prophet (PBUH) allowed. Then during the conversation, the young man said: ‘I have old-aged parents who think that my presence gives them satisfaction and content and, they do not like this journey of mine’. The Holy Prophet (PBUH) at once told him to stay at home with his parents, saying: “The satisfaction which your parents derive from your presence one day and night is better for you than the fighting in the way of God for one whole year”.

Source: imamreza.net

A Christian, Fond of Imam Ali (A.S): Part 2

Q.: Professor! Please tell us about the first books, "Ali, the Voice of Human Justice".

G. J.: You may think that it is published by the help of Muslims! But it is wrong! While I was writing, the editor -in- chief of Alresale Magazine came and asked me to give it to him to make parts of it published in continuous issues.

I did not accept, but after watching his persistence on his demand, finally I gave him two parts of it.

Immediately, after its publication, the Bishop and hermits of Kermelyeh tribe (from Christian Marooni branch) said: "I myself will publish this book with my own financial resources", naturally I became very happy.

Q.: And then Muslims found you?

G. J.: No! Actually, first Christians learned about the book and came to me surprisingly and happily. They said: "you honor the Arabs!" They collected money to pay the cost of the book’s publication to me. I said: "I didn’t publish this book with my money and the chairman of Karmiye’s hermits did it.

They went to the chairman…..He said: "No, I did not do that. The money of its publication came from the priests and hermits who pray here. Go and give this money to poor people."

Much later he said to me: "I love Imam Ali and out of his blessings, our poor people also gained prosperity".

Q.: Professor! What did Muslims do?

G.J.: First, Ghasem Rajab –owner of a school in Baghdad- took the book and tried to distribute through the bookshops around the holy shrine of the Commander of the Faithful. Then, some shea brothers republished this book again and again.

Q.: Have you ever been to Najaf?

G.J.: No! I haven’t been there! But I went to Karbala two times for delivering speech. I did pilgrimage of Imam Ali’s son, Imam Hussein’s shrine.

Q.: Professor Jordac: Do you know Le Martin?

G.J.: I had found a book of Le Martin on your Prophet in a Paris bookstore which was very old and precious. Unfortunately, Muslims don’t search for these things. For example, no Muslim ever tried to translate the book “Ali and AlSourat Al-Ferinsiyyah” (Imam Ali and the French Revolution) into French. Is not the translation of such a book a service to Islam?

Should the Christians translate this book? Likewise, do not you think that the book “Imam Ali and Arabs nationality” which clearly states how Imam Ali started from nationality issue without resorting to nationalism got to humanism, deserve some research? I believe that Imam Ali’s status equals that of Jesus Christ.

I’m fascinated with his great humanistic personality. We were Christians and naturally we have no belief in Imam Ali’s Imamate. I was brought up in a Christian family, which has no belief in these things. But let me tell you a story of my life. My father was a mason. He sold his works to the other villages; he kept two stones (rocks) in the house and worked on them for two years. Then, after finishing his work, he hung them on the house’s entrance.

Q.: What was written on them?

G.J.: “No generous man is but Ali (A.S), and no sword is but Zolfaghar.”

It is not surprising that Michal Nai’ma in his foreword to Jordac’s book writes: “This is the image of the greatest Arab figure after the prophet”.

Source: Eco of Islam Magazine

A Christian, Fond of Imam Ali (A.S): Part 1

The house of George Jordac is located in Al-Hamra district. The Christian neighborhood in North West of Beirut. Beirut is a Showcase of different nations and religions. It’s interesting that a country of 1000 mc and 6 million people has registered 18 official religions. I was always thinking that what a Lebanese character is like? What characteristics from a Lebanese personality?

How can such a small country be so progressive in culture? What else but language does relate this country in which there is no sign of Arabs to other Arab countries?

George Jordac, the famous Lebanese author, is well- known to all advocates of Ali by his book, "Ali, The Voice of Human Justice".

The study of George Jordac on Ali’s life is not just a research about the life and characteristics of Imam Ali (A.S); it is the story of someone’s love to the soul of a great and superhuman character.

The author’s books have sold over 1,000,000 volumes in the shea world.

George Jordac’s house was situated in an old building in a-middle-class locality. Alhamra house was a flat of about 100 m, replete with newspapers, books and brochures.

Regarding his birth, George Jordac says: "I was born in 1896 in Morjaoon village", located in south of Lebanon. A village which its inhabitants have the literature propensity just like other villages around it. In Lebanon to be from a village is a sign of loyalty. I’m from Morjaoon. Morjaoon consists of 2 words "Morj" and "oyoon" (springs), the place in which the springs come in to the land! Our village was full of springs and I had a happy childhood. I ran away from school every day and went to one of these springs. The school principal and teachers were always looking after me - the naughty, and always-running- child - and every day complained about me to my family. In my family, only my brother, Foad Jordac, supported me."

Q.: The famous Foad Jordac?

G. J.: Yes, my older brother, Foad Jordac, was a poet and bibliophile, and very interested in reading. He attracted me to this way. Whenever my mother and father, teacher or school principal complained, he defended me and said to me "Out of school, you will learn more!"

The fact is that after perceiving my interest and hard working in reading literature, one day, he gave me a heavy book as a gift and said: "All literature of Arabs is summarized in this book…"

Q.: Nahjul-balagha?!

G. J.: Yes, I took Nahjul-balaghawith me and ran away from school and sat by a spring, while leaning on a rock, drowned in the sea of Nahjul-balagha.

Q.: So, this book made you know Imam Ali (A.S)?

G. J.: No! I was only fascinated by Imam Ali’s literary language and not his personality. Do not forget that we were Christians and lived in a Christian village; we were not so much interested in Imam Ali! Though, whenever we had some guests, my brother, Foad, recited some poems, praising the commander of Faithful (Imam Ali), and that helped me!

Q.: How could you become closer to the perfect personality of Imam Ali?

G. J.: When I entered university, I studied Arab literature and Arab’s philosophy and later I taught them.

Again in both of these fields, literature and philosophy, I found Ali (A.S) a great person.

I made up my mind to do a serious research on this character, from Eghad and Taha Husain to Shie’s scholars. I read whatever written about Imam Ali (A.S). Reading these books, I understood that all were discussed about his Walayah (Islamic jurisprudential guardianship), his rightness and otherwise, and his great personality has been lost in these arguments. They stick to the Caliphate issue to the cost of not perceiving Ali’s illuminate face.

They see Ali’s government ship but his humane character is neglected.

It did not satisfy. (It couldn’t quench my thirst knowing him.) So, I started studding his great and exceptional personality. I came back to the Morjaoon spring’s side and to my childhood’s Nahjol balaghe!

I wrote all my books about Imam Ali in this way….

Source: Eco of Islam Magazine

Imam Ali’s scientific and sententious words Part 3

74- He, who glorifies a rich man for his wealth, loses one third of his religion. (One, who worships God sincerely, ought not to bend before other than Him for the sake of wealth or any other thing because all people are free and equal). If a man reads the Holy Qur’an and is to be put into Hell after death, he is of those, who treat the verses of Qur’an with mockery. If a man's heart gets attached to this world, he will be afflicted with three things; continuous worry that will never let him be comfortable, an unending greed and an unachievable desire.

75- Contentment is as good as wealth and good humor is as good as blessing of God.

76- Imam Ali was asked about the meaning of Allah’s saying after praising a virtuous man or woman: (And we will most certainly make him live a happy life). He answered: ”It means those who are content.”‌

77- Participate with one, who has abundant livelihood because he is luckier for getting more riches and he is expected to increase your share therein.

78- About the meaning of the Qur’anic verse: (Surly Allah enjoins the doing of justice and benevolence‎) he said: ”Do not oppress the others (be kind to the people).”‌

79- He said to his son Imam Hassan (A.S): ”Do not be the first to declare a war, but if you are called for it, give a contentful answer; because the caller for a war is a rebellious and the rebellious is to be ruined.”‌

80- Imam Ali (A.S) was asked to define the wise man and he said: ”A wise man is he, who puts things in their proper positions.”‌ Then he was asked to describe the ignorant. He said: ”I have already done so.”‌ (The ignorant is one, who does not put things in their proper positions).

81- Imam Ali (A.S) said: ”By Allah, your world (in which you quarrel with one another like vultures and dogs), in my point of view, is meaner than a piece of a hog’s bone in a leper’s hand.”‌

83- ”One, who acts carelessly, loses his rights and one, who believes the storytellers, misses his friends.”‌

84- ”An extorted piece of stone in a house (to be within its structure) is a cause of its ruination.”‌

85- ”The day of the oppressed over the oppressor will be severer than the day of the oppressor over the oppressed.”‌ (Bearing oppression in this world is easier than bearing it in the next world.)

86- ”When responses are numerous the truth remains unknown.”‌

87- ”When the possibilities increase, desires decrease.”‌

88- ”Try to make one’s good idea about you remain as it is.”‌

89- ”The most preferable doings are those that you are obliged to do them (God’s obligations).”‌

90- ”I knew Allah through the breaking of determinations, change of intentions and when problems are resolved by themselves.”‌

91- ”The affliction of this world leads to the cheer of the afterworld and the cheer of this world leads to the affliction of the afterworld.”‌

92- ”Anger is a kind of madness because when a mad one returns to his senses, he does repent. If he does not repent, his madness is certified.”‌

93- ”Good health comes from lack of envy (an envious person melts away in the heat of envy).”‌

94- ”If the wise man’s word is reasonable, it will be as cure but if it is not, it will be as illness.”‌

95- ”A little job continued carefully is better than a big job done carelessly.”‌

96- ”Between you and the advice there is a curtain of pride and haughtiness.”‌

97- ”When the learned becomes lazy, the ignorant exceeds the limits.

98- ”Knowledge closes the way of those, who claim baseless excuses.”‌

99- Imam Ali (A.S) was asked about destiny and he replied: ”It is a dark path; do not tread upon it. It is a deep ocean; do not dive in it and it is the secret of Allah; do not trouble yourselves for knowing it.”‌

100- ”I had a close friend, whom I respected him very much because he did not pay any attention to this worldly life. He was not gluttonous and he did not wish what he couldn’t find. He did not ask for more than what he would get. He kept quiet most of his time. If he spoke, he would quiet the other speakers. He often quenched the questioners. He was modest but he was like the lion in the war. He would not adduce any argument unless the judge was present. He would not blame any one for an excusable matter until he heard his excuse. He would not complain of any trouble except after abatement of nuisance. He would say what he would do and he would not say what he would not do. Even if he was dominant in speaking, he could not be defeated in silence. He would like to keep quiet more than to speak. If he would face two things, he would reject the one that was nearer to fancy. You have to acquire these good qualities but if you cannot acquire them, you know that acquiring a part is better than to leave the whole.”‌

---

Source: A book named,Imam Ali (A.S) Sunshine of Civilized Islam

By Muhammad Hussein Tahmasebi

Imam Ali’s scientific and sententious words Part 2

51- Protect yourself against cold when it comes (at its beginning) and receive it without worry when it is about to go because its effect on bodies is like its effect on trees. In the beginning it ruins and in the end it refreshes.

52- I explain Islam in a way that no one else has explained it before. Islam is submission; submission is steadfastness in religion; steadfastness in religion is spreading one’s belief; spreading one’s belief is acknowledging doing the obligations of God and doing the obligations means action.

53- Missing an opportunity causes grief.

54- He, who follows a moderate course in life, will never become poor.

55- When Allah wants to degrade someone, He deprives him of knowledge.

56- People are enemies of that which they do not know.

57- He, who receives several opinions (in consulting the others), understands the incorrect situations.

58- Displease the evil doer by doing well to the good doer.

59- Obstinacy destroys counsel.

60- The result of carelessness is regret and the result of prudence is safety.

61- If there are two different invitations; one of them is to mislead.

62- I did not doubt about rightness since I had been shown it.

63- Whoever turned away from rightness got ruined.

64- If patience does not relieve a man, impatience will kill him.

65- O son of Adam, whatever you earn more than your necessary need, you will only guard it for the heirs.

66- Every container narrows with what is put in it except the container of knowledge; it expands continuously.

67- The tree, whose trunk is soft, has thick branches.

68- Envying a friend is because of untrue love.

69- It is no justice to judge through probabilities.

70- The worst provision for the Day of Judgment is oppressing people.

71- The best act of a generous person is to overlook what he knows (to cover the defect of people).

72- Long Silence leads to dignity. Justice increases connections and communications. Generosity raises esteem. Humility brings blessings. Tolerating hardships leads to supremacy. Good behavior defeats the enemy. Forbearance towards a fool increases supporters against him.

73- Kumayl ibn Ziyad was one of the closest companions of Imam Ali(s). He said: ”One day Imam Ali took me out of the city. After taking a deep breath, he said: ”O Kumayl, hearts are the containers of knowledge. The best of them is that which preserves its contents well. Take care of what I say to you. People are of three types;One is the divine scholar, who has set himself free from carnalities. The other is that, who seeks knowledge and he is also on the way of salvation. The third is the common people, who run after every caller and follow every sound. They do not seek the light of knowledge and do not provide any reliable support.

O Kumayl, know that knowledge is surely preferred to wealth. You are guarded by knowledge but you have to guard wealth. Wealth will decrease by expending but knowledge will increase by spending. One, who grows up in a rich family, can not endure hardships when the wealth disappears.

O Kumayl, acquiring knowledge is one of the bases of religion and religion turns round the circuit of knowledge. A learned man steps in the way of religion with knowledge, with which he wins fame during his lifetime and after his death. Knowledge commands but wealth is commanded.

O Kumayl, men of property will die even though they live for a long time but learned men remain as long as there is a life on the earth. Their bodies turn to dust but their images are placed in the hearts for ever.

Then he pointed to his chest and said: ”This is full of knowledge and I wish I could find some one to bear its burden. Even if I can find someone, I cannot confide in him because he may misuse it in the way of his worldly desires and he may use God's favor against His servants or he hereby dominates over people, or he may seek rightness and truthfulness but there may be no any insight in his heart. Consequently doubts will be instilled into his mind and he will follow the doubts. He will be affected by passions and will be greedy for wealth. Thus knowledge dies away by the death of its bearers.

Yes, but the earth will never be void of those, who guard God's evidences and laws; either they are well-known and famous or they are unknown and hideaways in order that the Sharia of Allah not to be cancelled or vanished.

How many persons are they or where are they? Although they are few in number but they are highly esteemed by Allah. Allah guards His evidences and reasons by them and they entrust these evidences to others like themselves to sow the seeds of knowledge in their hearts. Knowledge has taken them to the real understanding and hereupon they will be the guide of the compact faith in God.

They deem easy what the unbelievers think as difficult and they become familiar with what the ignorant consider as strange. They live with their bodies in this world but their souls live high with the Beneficent Creator. They represent Allah on the earth and they invite people to His religion.

How I am fond of seeing them. Now go wherever you want, Kumayl.

---

Source: A book named,Imam Ali (A.S) Sunshine of Civilized Islam

By Muhammad Hussein Tahmasebi

Imam Ali’s scientific and sententious words (Part 1)

This article quotes some of Imam Ali’s scientific and sententious words to shed more light upon his personality. Imam Ali said:

1-Every one, who is in charge of the Muslim’s affairs, neglects his charge, God will neglect him.

2-The worst men of all are the treacherous businessmen.

3-Destitution is the greater death. Having few children is relief. Practicing moderate economy is half of the living. One, who controls his economy, will not face poverty.

4-Avoid gluttony for it causes diseases and illnesses.

5-Weakness and listlessness are the calamity of the nations. Being patient with sufferings and struggling against hardships are courage.

6-Purify yourselves of dirty passions to reach high ranks before God.

7-Keep equality among the all and do not add fuel to the fire of discord because the hearts are always ready to differ from each other.

8-Receive people willingly, deal with them cheerfully and trustfully and be humble before them.

9-The ignorant is known by six characteristics: being angry without having virtue, talking idle talk, generosity out of its suitable place, unable to distinguish the friend from the enemy, disclosing the secrets and trusting in every body.

10- Pay the worker his due wages before his sweat is dried.

11- The greatest sin is aggression and violation.

12- The highest virtue of man is to avoid persecuting people and to be kind to them.

13- The one who believes in resurrection won’t be greedy for the worldly wealth.

14- Everything can be changed except habits.

15- The one, who becomes idle, will miss his personal and social rights.

16- Religion does not agree with caprice. Caprice is foe prevailing over reason.

17- He was asked: ”What is good?”‌ He said: ”Good is not muchness of money and children but muchness of knowledge.”‌

18- Injustice of judges is the most disgraced act.

19- The highest compassion is to share the brothers in sorrow and in joy.

20- Where are the tyrants and the sons of the tyrants? (He meant that they had perished without taking anything from this world with them).

21- Wealth is the fountain of the sins.

22- Whoever warns you of fault is like one who gives you good tidings.

23- The one, who becomes a leader of the people, has to educate himself before educating the others. His educating must be by his doings before his sayings. The one, who educates and instructs himself, is more estimable than those, who teach and instruct the others.

24- No wealth is more profitable than wisdom.

25- No loneliness is sadder than haughtiness.

26- No intellect is better than tact.

27- No greatness is like abstinence. No courage is like avoiding sins.

28- No compassion is like good humor.

29- No inheritance is like politeness.

30- No guide is like God’s favor to grant prosperity.

31- No trade is like beneficence.

32- No profit is like divine reward.

33- No virtuousness is like reluctance to do doubtful things.

34- No knowledge is like meditation.

35- No worship is like performing religious decrees.

36- No belief is like modesty and fortitude.

37- No greatness is like humility.

38- No honor is like knowledge and no aid is like consulting with wise friends.

39- The value of every man is due to his goodness.

40- Take knowledge from every where as possible as you can.

41- Every material thing passes away and every expected thing is to come at last.

42-Wealth is the basis of every sin.

43- Being loose-tongued is like being a beast.

44- Death is near and the company of the friends is short.

46- Avoiding sins is easier than repenting afterward.

46- He, who looks for riches, denies every thing else and he, who acts according to his mind only, will be ruined. He, who consults the others, participates with them in their minds.

47- For me the thinking of an experienced (old) man is more admirable than of a dexterous young man.

48- I knew Allah by the changing of decisions, the breaking of wills and the resolving of problems by themselves. (There is a metaphysical power above us that controls our affairs).

49- Be careful not to waste the blessings of Allah because everything you waste, does not come back again.

50- It is a surprise to me how a miser hurries to poverty, from which he runs away and he misses the wealth, which he looks for. He lives like the poor in this world and he will be punished like the rich in the afterworld. I wonder about the selfish and haughty man, who was a sperm yesterday and will be a rotten carcass tomorrow (why he is so proud). I wonder at one, who doubt about the existence of God while he sees His creation. It is also surprising when one sees that people die before him but he forgets that he himself will die. I wonder at one, who denies the afterworld whereas he has seen the first world and I wonder at one, who is busy heaping wealth in this transient world but is ignorant of the everlasting world.

---

Source: A book named,Imam Ali (A.S) Sunshine of Civilized Islam

By Muhammad Hussein Tahmasebi

Some Traditions on the Virtues of Imam Ali (A.S) part 2

The first Muslim

It is an undisputed fact that Imam Ali was the first man to embrace Islam after the Holy Prophet (PBUH). Below are some of the references

Ibn Abi Shaybah and Ibn Asakir recorded on the authority of Salim Ibn Abi Jaad that he said: I asked of Muhammad Ibn Hanifah, "was Abu Bakr the first of the people to adopt Islam?" He replied: "No".

And Ibn Asakir on a reliable ascription from Muhammad Ibn Sa'd Ibn Abi Waqqas, that he said to his father Sa'd: "was Abu Bakr al-Siddeeq the first of you in embracing the faith?" He said: "No, for there were more than five people in faith before him"

Ibn Kathir says: "it is clear that Muhammad's family believed before every other - his wife Khadija, his freedman Zaid and the Wife of Zaid Umm Ayman and Ali and Warakah."

Sunni reference:

Tarikh al-Khulafaa, by Jalaluddin al-Suyuti, p33 (History of the Caliphs translated by Major Barrett)

It is also narrated that

Anas Ibn Malik said: "The Messenger was commissioned on Monday and Ali believed in him on Tuesday."

Sunni reference: al-Mustadrak, by al-Hakim, v3, p112

al-Hakim also narrated that:

Salman al-Farsi said that the Messenger of God said: "The first one of you to drink from the Basin on the Day of Judgment is your first Muslim, Ali, the son of Abu Talib."

Sunni reference: al-Mustadrak, by al-Hakim, v3, p112

Ibn Hisham recorded that:

Ali Ibn Abi Talib was the first male to believe in the Messenger of God and that he prayed with him while he was only ten years old.

Sunni reference: Biography of the Prophet, by Ibn Hisham, v1, p245

The famous Sunni Historian, al-Tabari also wrote:

The first three to offer prayers were Muhammad (PBUH) , Khadija and Ali (AS).

Sunni reference: History al-Tabari, v2, p65

Also Khateeb al-Baghdadi, in his book quotes Imam Ali that:

Ali said: "I was the first one to accept Islam at the hands of the Holy Prophet."

Sunni reference: Tarikh, by al-Khateeb al-Baghdadi, v4, p333

Source: shia.org

Some Traditions on the Virtues of Imam Ali (A.S) part 1

It is narrated that:

The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: "He who wants to see Noah (A.S) in his determination, Adam (A.S) in his knowledge, Abraham (A.S) in his clemency, Moses (A.S) in his intelligence and Jesus (A.S) in his religious devotion should look at Ali Ibn Abi Talib (AS)."

Sunni references:

Sahih al-Bayhaqi

Musnad Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, as quoted in

Sharh Ibn Abil Hadid, v2, p449

Tafsir al-Kabir, by Fakhruddin al-Razi, under the commentary of the Verse of Imprecation (Mubahilah), v2 p288.

He wrote this tradition has been accepted as all genuine.

Ibn Batah has recorded it as a tradition related by Ibn Abbas as is stated in the book "Fat'h al-Mulk al-Ali bi Sihah Hadith-e-Bab-e-Madinat al-Ilm", p34, by Ahmad Ibn Muhammad Ibn Siddeeq al-Hasani al-Maghribi.

Among those who have admitted that Imam Ali (A.S) is the store house of the secrets of all the Prophets is the Chief of Gnostics, Muhyiddin al-Arabi, from whom al-Arif al-Sha'rani has copied it in his al-Yawaqeet wa al-Jawahir (p172, topic 32).

It is also narrated that:

The Prophet (PBUH) said: "There is amongst you a person who will fight for the interpretation of the Quran just as I fought for its revelation." The people around him raised their heads and cast inquisitive glances at the Prophet (PBUH) and at one another. Abu Bakr and Umar were there. Abu Bakr inquired if he was that person and the Prophet (PBUH) replied in the negative. Then Umar inquired if he was that person and the Prophet (PBUH), replied "No. He is the one who is repairing my shoes (i.e., Ali)."

Abu Said Khudri said: Then we went to Ali and conveyed the good news to him. He did not even raise his head and remained as busy as he was, as if he had already heard it from the Messenger of Allah (PBUH)."

Sunni references:

al-Mustadrak, by al-Hakim, v3, p122, who said this tradition is genuine based on the criteria of al-Bukhari and Muslim.

al-Dhahabi, also records it in his Talkhis al-Mustadrak and admitted that it is genuine according to the standard of the two Shaikhs.

Khasa'is, by al-Nisa'i, p40

Musnad Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, v3, pp 32-33

Kanz al-Ummal, by al-Muttaqi al-Hindi, v6, p155

Majma' al-Zawa'id, by al-Haythami, v9, p133

Ahmad Ibn Hanbal and al-Hakim recorded with authentic document from Abu Said al-Khudri, that the Apostle of God said to Ali: "Verily you will do battle for (implementation of) the Quran, as you has done for its revelation."

Sunni reference: Tarikh al-Khulafaa, by Jalaluddin al-Suyuti, p173

al-Hakim recorded that Anas Ibn Malik narrated that the Holy Prophet said to Ali:

" You shall inform my nation about the truth and what they dispute after me":

Sunni reference:

al-Mustadrak, by al-Hakim, v3, p112, who wrote this is an authentic Hadith according to the stipulation of the two Shaikhs (al-Bukhari and Muslim). [This would mean that the chain of narrators are considered to be authentic as stipulated by Bukhari and Muslim]

refrences: shia.org

SHI'ITE ENCYCLOPEDIA 1

- Quran and Ahlul-Bayt

- Why School of Ahlul-Bayt?

- Who are Ahlul-Bayt? (Parts I through VIII)

- The Word House (Ahlul-Bayt) in Quran

- Sunni Feedback on the Issues of Infallibility and Ahlul-Bayt

Quran and Ahlul-Bayt Based on a parallel (Mutawatir) tradition upon whose authenticity all Muslims agree, the Messenger of Allah (AS) informed his followers in several occasions that he would leave them two precious/weighty things and that if Muslims adhere to both of them, they will never go astray after him.

They are the Book of Allah (Quran) and the Members of the House of the Prophet (Ahlul- Bayt), peace be upon them all. It is narrated in Sahih Muslim as well as many other sources that: Someday (after his last pilgrimage) the Messenger of Allah (PBUH&HF) stood to give us a speech beside a pond which is known as Khum (Ghadir Khum) which is located between Mecca and Medina. Then he praised Allah and reminded Him, and then said: "O' people! Behold! It seems the time approached when I shall be called away (by Allah) and I shall answer that call. Behold! I am leaving for you two precious things. First of them is the book of Allah in which there is light and guidance... The other one is my Ahlul-Bayt. I remind you in the name of Allah about my Ahlul-Bayt. I remind you in the name of Allah about my Ahlul- Bayt. I remind you in the name of Allah about my Ahlul-Bayt. (three times)." Sunni Reference: - Sahih Muslim, Chapter of the virtues of the companions, section of the virtues of Ali, 1980 Edition Pub. in Saudi Arabia, Arabic version, v4, p1873, Tradition #36. - And many others such as Sahih al-Tirmidhi, Musnad Ahmad (see below). For the English version of Sahih Muslim, see Chapter CMXCVI, v4, p1286, Tradition #5920 Here is the Arabic text of the above tradition in Sahih Muslim:

As we can see in the above tradition in Sahih Muslim, not only Ahlul-Bayt has been put beside the Quran, but also it has been mentioned three times by the Prophet (PBUH&HF).

Despite the fact that the author of Sahih Muslim and many other Sunni traditionists have recorded the above tradition in their authentic books, it is regrettable that the majority of Sunnis are unaware of its existence at the best, or deny it at the worst. Their counter argument is that the most reliable tradition in this regard is the one recorded by al-Hakim in his al- Mustadrak, on the authority of Abu Huraira, attributing to the Messenger of Allah saying: "I leave amongst you two things that if you follow or act upon, you will not go astray after me: The Book of God and my Sunnah (traditions)." There is no doubt that ALL Muslims are required to follow the Sunnah of the Prophet (PBUH&HF). However, the question remains that which Sunnah is genuine and which one is invented later and was falsely attributed to the Prophet. On tracing the source of this report of Abu Huraira which states "Quran and Sunnah," we found out that it has NOT been recorded in any of the six authentic Sunni collections of the traditions (Sihah Sittah). Not only that, but also al-Bukhari, al-Nisa'i, and al-Dhahabi and many others rated this report (Quran and Sunnah) as weak because of its weak Isnad. It should be noted that although the book of al-Hakim is an important Sunni collection of traditions, yet it is ranked inferior to the six major Sunni books. This is while Sahih Muslim is in the second rank among the six Sunni collections of traditions. al-Tirmidhi reported that the "Quran and Ahlul-Bayt" version of the tradition is traced to 30+ companions. Ibn Hajar al-Haythami reported that he knows of 20+ companions witnessed that also. This is while the "Quran and Sunnah" version reported by al-Hakim has only one source! Thus we must conclude that the "Quran and Ahlul-Bayt" version is much more reliable. Moreover al-Hakim has also mentioned the "Quran and Ahlul-Bayt" version in his book (al- Mustadrak) through several chain of authorities and confirmed that the "Quran and Ahlul-Bayt" version of the tradition is authentic based on the criteria of al-Bukhari and Muslim.

Source: al-islam.org

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