The foremost (primary) and the endmost (final) purpose for a seeker of knowledge and a seeker of truth is attaining Allah’s pleasure. That is why all the work of a seeker of truth is considered divine. In the world the people who seek the worldly things their purposes is temporary and limited. The purpose of those who (do not) seek the world is everlasting and permanent. Yet, how will we determine whether the purpose of our life is Allah’s pleasure and favour or if we are working for material and worldly gains.
The first way to recognize this is that if our purpose is the pleasure of Allah, then, in all of our various tasks, we will always pay attention to and endeavour (attempt) to purify the self of base characteristics. If a person calls himself a seeker of knowledge and a seeker of truth, but does not make any effort toward purifying (clearing) the self, then that person’s purpose is undoubtedly worldly. He will be a reason for the defamation (destroying some bodies reputation) of Islam and religion.
One should always be attentive toward the Purpose and the Means
The Holy Koran has drawn our attention toward a very important topic. This topic is seeking refuge (isti’aza). It is stated,
“So when you recite the Koran, seek refuge with Allah from the accursed Shaitan” (An-Nahl:98).
Reading the Koran is a religious act; yet, those who work for divine purposes need to seek refuge in Allah at all times. Hence, when you set foot in the mosque recite “I seek refuge in Allah from the accursed Shaitan.” Satan does not have the need to misguide those who are his agents; rather, he makes stronger attacks upon those who do good works for Allah.
A Tale
A person saw in a dream that in Satan’s hands were several ropes. Among them one was very thick. He asked Satan, “What are these ropes for?” Satan replied that by means of these ropes I lead Allah’s good servants astray from the Right Path. I brought this thick rope to tie around your teacher’s neck, but he broke the rope and saved himself. The person asked, “Which rope is for me?” Satan answered, “A rope is not needed for you. You are already my servant. A hint is enough for you.” When he mentioned this (dream) to his teacher, the teacher said, “That was Satan. He had hung a thick rope around my neck. Yesterday there was no flour for cooking in my house. I had someone’s deposit with me and Satan tempted me to give this deposit to the shopkeeper for a few days and buy flour. I went to the market, but suddenly the fear of Allah entered my heart; consequently, I broke of Satan’s rope.
How Satan misleads Seekers
of Knowledge and Seekers of Truth
Satan’s most dangerous and unsuspecting way of misguiding is that Satan changes the sources into goal, means makes to be his means for attaining the pleasure of Allah into a goal, creating a barrier for reaching the real goal.
For example, someone’s purpose is to reach a certain city, but the river is a barrier before him. There is no other way to reach this city; thus, the only solution is to build a boat and reach his goal by means of building that boat. Nevertheless, after he builds the boat, someone comes and offers a great amount (of money) and wants to buy the boat. Becoming greedy for the money, that person sells the boat. Hence, his purpose is building and selling boats. If man forgets his true purpose then his behaviour is (like) building and selling boats. Similarly, for a seeker of knowledge and a seeker of truth, acquiring knowledge, raising an Islamic revolution, making people aware of divine politics by entering the field of politics, or building schools all these things are means in order to reach one purpose, which is Allah’s pleasure and the favour of Muhammad and the Progeny of Muhammad (peace be upon them). Yet, Satan misguides such that he who had made knowledge a means to attain Allah’s pleasure spends his whole life attaining knowledge. He does not think that after all this knowledge how much I have increased in me the love and recognition of Allah. On the contrary, like the boat-builder, he is only worried about increasing his knowledge. Therefore, knowledge did not remain a means, but became a purpose. If any means for reaching Allah becomes a purpose then that becomes the thing that distances one the most from Allah. Thus, it is in traditions about such knowledge, “Knowledge is the greatest veil.” Such knowledge is the greatest veil or barrier between Allah and His servant.
Seekers of knowledge and seekers of truth should always remain attentive toward this is he going toward his purpose through his means or is the means acting as a god and barrier for him. Remember that school, mosque, striving (jihad) for an Islamic revolution, endeavouring (trying) for a divine government, teaching the principles of divine politics by entering politics all these are means. If due to them we abandon an obligatory deed, commit a forbidden act, or perform discouraged acts; for example, missing the time for Dawn Prayer, tolerating unveiling or immodesty (shameless), or supporting such oppressors who deny retaliation (qasas), a fundamental principle of Islam. If one denies a system of the Koran, then surely this means has become a goal for him. If the means become a goal, then it is considered an idol. Every such thing is considered a god which stops man from reaching Allah’s pleasure. Nevertheless, it is Satan’s powerful deception (trick) that the things numerous people made their means to reach Allah became gods for them.
An example is that a mosque or school was built for Allah’s pleasure, but, by means of this school or mosque, Satan distanced some people form Allah. Now if someone is giving charity to your school and after few months he starts giving charity to another school and you are not pleased by his action then it is proved than that the school is an idol for you and not for the pleasure of God. In both school people are being given Islamic education. Thus it has being proved that the school was not build for the pleasure of God rather for I'ness.
3. (Where are 1 & 2) For seekers of knowledge and seekers of truth, praying to Allah secretly is the most important means for reaching their purpose. If a seeker of knowledge or a seeker of truth is called spiritual (divine) in some places, but if that seeker of knowledge does not develop spirituality (divinity) within him, then in a way this amounts to deceiving the public. It is essential for a seeker of knowledge to read the numerous supplications and prayers of the Infallible Imams at least once. In addition, he should select from among them some supplications which match his temperament (outlook) and disposition (nature), making them a part of his life.
Many matters and difficulties in the world are solved by these supplications. In truth, a seeker of knowledge and a seeker of truth jumps into the ocean of difficulties for, those who correct themselves and correct the Muslim nation face numerous difficulties. To solve these difficulties, the Apostle of Allah has stated, “Supplication (du’a) is the weapon of the believer.”
There are some base characteristics that are not even eliminated by striving (jihad); however, these characteristics can be eliminated through supplicat- ion (du’a) and unseen help.
4. When preaching Islam, a seeker of knowledge and a seeker of truth should always consider himself blameworthy (responsible). Many times Satan makes the people who preach despair (hopelessness) that these people will not believe the truth, or that these people do not have the virtue to accept guidance. If such thoughts occur in the mind of a seeker of knowledge, he should immediately banish (expel) them from his mind. Instead of blaming others in the propagation of Islam, man should always consider himself blameworthy. Such that there is deficiency in my preaching; there is defect in my explanation; I do not possess inner piety (devotion); I use empty words; thus, they do not have an effect. Saying such is the real tradition (Sunnah) of the Prophet. In his Forty Traditions, Imam Khomeini states from his teacher Ayatollah Shah Abadi about the commentary of the following verse,
"Ta Ha.
We have not revealed the Koran to you that you may be unsuccessful” (Ta Ha: 1-2).
The Holy Prophet preached in Mecca for ten years but results were not achieved according to his wishes. Yet, instead of putting the blame on the people, the Prophet thought that there is deficiency in my preaching. Hence, he spent the entire night in worship that “O Allah! Remove the defects from my preaching”, so much so that the Prophet’s feet became swollen (expanded). Thus, this verse was revealed that We have not revealed the Koran that you put yourself in hardship. There is no defect in your preaching; rather, the defect is in those people’s hearts. Although Infallible, the Prophet considers himself blameworthy in the matter of preaching, then surely we should also always consider ourselves blameworthy, not the public.
It is extremely necessary for a seeker of knowledge to take account of his self and to meditate upon his self. As Allah, the Most High, declares in the verse,
“What! Do you enjoin men to be good and neglect your own souls” (Al-Baqarah: 44).
A seeker of knowledge or a seeker of truth should come and say exactly whatever he says to the public from the pulpit (platform) or stage to himself when alone. He should take account of his self that are there any differences and contradictions (oppositions) between his words and action, character and speech. For, if there is contradiction between man’s words and actions, then he will be numbered (included) among the hypocrites. If a seeker of truth does not take account or meditate (think), then his mission or purpose does not remain divine; rather, he keep becoming entrapped (tempted) in Satan’s very powerful deception (dishonesty). Satan assures him that all of his works are in the way of Allah. The method of taking account of oneself should be very severe, because the self and Satan are the most skilled in deceiving. Each and every body part should be taken account of tongue, eyes, and other parts. Imam Musa Kazim (as) declares, “He is not from us who does not take account of his self each day (that how many sins and how many good deeds he has done).
Besides sin and reward, one should take account of the blessing Allah has given. Although a servant cannot count Allah’s blessings, their account depends upon how they are used. The gratitude (thankfulness) of Allah’s blessing is to use it according to Allah’s pleasure and the ingratitude of Allah’s blessing is to waste this blessing in the way of Satan. For example, if one uses the eyes to study the Koran then that is thankfulness for this blessing. Yet, if one does not pass one’s life according to Allah’s command then that is ingratitude of that blessing. For instance, youth is a blessing. In his old age man cannot do the work which he can do during youth. If he is not spending his youth acquiring knowledge, achieving recognition and love of Allah, and worshipping, then this amounts to wasting Allah’s blessing. Likewise, time for repentance is the greatest blessing after guidance.
It is in traditions that a dying person begs the Angel of Death to give me a chance of one day so that I can repent. When the Angel of Death refuses, the dying person asks a delay for half a day. Again when the Angel of Death refuses, the dying person requests a delay of an hour. Nevertheless, the Angel of Death again refuses. Thus, the Apostle of Allah says that at that time, even if the dying person was the master of the entire universe, he would be willing to give away the entire universe in order to receive a delay of one hour. Therefore, after guidance, there is nothing greater in the universe than this time of repentance. Even by giving away the entire universe man cannot increase his life by one second. Hence, although one is a seeker of knowledge, passing the seconds of one’s life in useless things and nonsense which do not benefit in this world or in the Hereafter or by sleeping excessively (extremely) is wasting this life. This is ingratitude (ungratefulness) for Allah’s blessing and its punishment is also severe. It is in traditions that with his own hands the Apostle of Allah laid a youth in his grave. After the grave was closed, he stated that at this time the grave is squeezing (pressing) this youth and I am the sound of the cracking of the bones of this youth; The companions said that we did not see this youth commit any sins. The Prophet replied that he used to engage in useless conversation, i.e. such discussions and conversations which do not benefit in this world or the Hereafter. Having people enter into worthless talks and useless discussions is one of Satan’s weapons, the result of which is hate and enmity. It ends up in ill-will and enmity. By means of such discussions Satan spreads hate and enmity between believers. Therefore, seekers of knowledge and seekers of truth should always remain aware of this Satanic trick. Thus, before uttering (speaking) each word, before performing each act even pointing by the eye or hand one should make certain that this action of mine is for attaining Allah’s pleasure.
Imam Khomeini's Speech to Seekers of Knowledge
In 1980 a deputation comprising of forty members of the ISO visited Imam Khomeini in Qum. On this occasion Imam Khomeini addressed the students saying,
It was not expected that you people would bear the difficulty to come here and, furthermore, the doctors have practiced caution in this matter and have not given me permission to speak much. However, today respected students and other various individuals from Pakistan and teachers from Iran have come. Furthermore, this gathering is the gathering of teachers and students.
These are two such groups that if they attain rectification (correction) then an entire country can be reformed. However, if the matter becomes opposite then the country will be on the way to ruin. The status of a teacher and student is that these two together change the way of thinking of the nation. Their affair is such an affair which needs special attention. The pensions of teacher and student should be fixed so that, Allah willing, these people are mankind’s judges the way Islam desires, act that way, and pass through stages to reach that which is the destination of man.
All those hardships which the Prophets bore (beared), all the troubles that the Friends of Allah (awliya) endured (tolerated) from the beginning of creation until now, and even after that will keep enduring, were the preface (introduction) of this matter that this being, which is called man, should in reality become human. The purpose of all the books that were revealed to the Divine Prophets was also this that if this being remains headstrong (stubborn), then it will become the world’s most dangerous being. If he comes under the effect of Divine teaching and training he will be called the best of existence and creation. The purpose of all the Islamic and Tawhidi (Oneness of Allah) organisations has been this. All of Islam’s affairs and commands are a preface for (sazi?) man. If this creature is given an empty freedom then he will make the entire world embrace (holds) ruin. The Divine Prophets were sent to various countries to stop the people who create destruction, desolate (uninhabited) lands, and these slogans and affairs from coming into existence. They came so that they could guide man and everyone would unite to walk upon a single path and achieve rectification (improvement). If this creature who walks on two feet receives training, then all of mankind’s desires in the world and the Hereafter will create inquiry (?). If this creature who walks upon two feet becomes obstinate (stubborn) or acts
against his nature, then he will cause chaos (confusion) in the whole world. That is why all the Prophets are teachers and all of mankind are students.
There is a school of the Prophets in which they want to guide this dangerous creature with two feet toward the Right Path. The security of their reward and affairs is also their responsibility, because of this they are teachers. They are not besieged (surrounded) in the confines (boundaries) of learned wise men, places of knowledge, school, colleges, and other institutions. Similarly, students are also not limited to those persons who go to places of learning; rather, the world is a university (place of training) in which Prophets and Saints (awliya – holy men) are teachers. All the rest of the human beings are students and they should be students. The whole universe and the whole world should comprise (include) of two parts—one is the teacher and the second is the student.
The duty of a teacher from Allah is guiding the nation and the duty of a student is acquiring knowledge. Thus such a society can achieve change (tashkil) in which all the people are attentive toward Allah and everyone becomes His (servant). When everyone will become His (servant), then salvation (rescue) and (iqtisad?) will also be from Allah. The guards of the army and soldiers and the guards at the border will also be for Allah, and students and teachers will also be considered for Allah. Either it is Allah or Satan (taghut); there is nothing besides these two.
Either it is the path of Allah or the path of Satan (taghut). The path of Allah is that path where man, in all his striving (determining) of intelligence, average strivings, ideal strivings, strivings of place, practical strivings achieves guidance. If people remain on this Right Path then they are for Allah, that path is the path of Allah. Whoever will be on this path will be for Allah, even so that every part of man, all of his actions, all of his movements, all of his thoughts, and all of his connections (links) will be for Allah. Or, these are all deviations which go towards Satan (taghut).
“Allah is the guardian of those who believe. He brings them out of darkness into the light” (Al-Baqarah: 257).
Darkness is that entire world which is not attentive toward Allah, while the Light of the Truth, Most High is the Absolute Light, towards whom the entire universe should be attentive.
“And (as to) those who disbelieve, their guardians are Shaitans” (Al-Baqarah: 257).
These are the two paths. Either it is the path of faith and Islam (submission) where attention is given toward Divine teachings and man’s relation is with Allah. Allah surely guides the believers and makes all their strivings for Him on condition that they come upon this path.
Or then there is the path of unbelief which is contrary (opposite to) to the path of Oneness of Allah. On both sides, right and left, are Satans (taghut), which end up in Hell.
The fountainhead of all the mischief and all the wars which occur in this world is in the hands of these superpowers and satanic powers. Among wars there are two types of wars. One is Satanic (taghuti) and the other is Tawheedi (Oneness of Allah). Tawheedi battles are the battles of Prophets, Saints (awliya) and believers; their purpose is to eliminate rebellion and that the people guilty of rebellion be punished. These battles are divine battles and the battles that are fought for status and rank, power or government or for those who are mercenaries (one who serves for sake of money) and embezzlers (steal by fraud) are Iblisi and Satanic battles. The world is not empty of two states. Whatever action man does, its relation goes from the heart to the soul or then the movements of the body parts and organs. He is not voiding (invalid) of these two states. Both its direction is toward the Right Path and toward Allah or toward Satan, who is against Allah and the Right Path. (“Keep us on the Right Path” (Al-Hamd:6)).
(“The path of those upon whom Thou hast bestowed favours” (Al-Hamd: 7)).
By sending Prophets Allah has favoured us with the blessings of His teachings so that we may be guided toward that path which is Allah’s Right Path, the whole world be upon the path of fortune and salvation and people pass the life of this world with correct training and peace and turn all the existing attentions in this world toward attention of Oneness of Allah. All movements (actions), whether of the heart or of thoughts or body parts, if they are against this appointed path of Allah then they will be Satanic.
Thus, there is no third path besides these two paths. Either the path of the tyrant (oppressors) or the path of Allah; you people O teachers and students adopt this path which the Prophets and Saints (awliya) established before you. We should travel upon this path and move forward. Those people who move away from this Divine path and invite toward other paths (i.e. Satanic) are Satans, against their nature and against that path toward which their nature is attentive (thoughtful). Attaining such guidance is destruction and I have hope that my brothers and sisters who are seekers of knowledge, wherever in the world they may be, should consider themselves seekers of knowledge and the teachers should guide them toward this path which is the path of the Prophets. They should all continue their journey on the Right Path of the guidance of the Prophets.
And Peace be upon you and the Mercy of Allah and His blessings.
First Proof (dalil)
Those who deny the existence of Allah say that there is no creator of this universe and this universe has come into existence by itself. If it is said to them that this watch we are wearing on our hands came into existence by itself then they will reply to us that we are not foolish that we would accept this statement of yours that this watch has come into existence by itself. So if a small thing like a watch, which has an extremely reduced (condensed) system, cannot be made by itself, then how can this entire universe, with its splendid (grand)and astonishing system, come into existence without any counsellor [adviser (mudabir)] or creator?
There is no limit to that man’s foolishness who does not believe anyone to be the creator of the entire universe and who says that the universe has come into existence by itself. However great this universe is, its Creator is also that great.
Second Proof
When the deniers of Allah see that they will be called foolish for the condition of not believing any power to be the creator of the universe, they say that the creator of the universe is matter. If we ask them if matter really is the creator, then are intellect and reason necessary for a creator? Does matter possess intellect and reason? They will answer no. Since man is the possessor of intellect. Thus, how can matter, which lacks intellect, be the creator of the possessor of intellect?
If matter is believed to be the god of the universe, then it is as if matter has been accepted as the master of the (cause of) benefit and harm of the universe. This belief is of the past idol-worshippers who made idols from matter and believed them to be their gods. The only difference between past idol-worshippers and present idol-worshippers is that the old idol-worshippers believed the gods they built by themselves to be the controller of benefit and harm, while new idol-worshippers want to hide their idol-worship behind new ideologies (theories) and new titles and make themselves famous with words like communist, socialist, comrade (?), nationalist, etc.
One worshipper of Allah saw that some idol-worshippers were standing worriedly. The worshipper of Allah asked them, “Why are you so depressed?” They replied that a dog has urinated upon our idol. That is why we are standing sorrowfully. The worshipper of Allah answered, “If the idol cannot save itself from harm, how can it be the controller of your benefit and harm?” An intelligent human being will never accept matter, which lacks intelligent and reason, to be his creator. On the contrary, he believes the Master of this Universe to be that Great Being Who possesses Infinite Knowledge and Wisdom.
Third Proof
When those who deny Allah saw that by believing in matter they would be included in the group of foolish idol-worshippers, they began to say that a Big Bang (explosion) occurred, as a result of which the universe came into existence by itself. Now, if we place a picture before them and say that this picture is the result of a bang, they will never accept this statement. We have the knowledge that a camera is necessary in order to take a picture. If it is impossible for a picture to be taken without a camera, if we say that the picture came into existence by a big bang how can anyone accept There are also two types of pictures one is black and white and the other is colour.
In order to take a picture, one has to take the distance and lighting into regard. It is necessary to pay attention to different things just for one picture which is taken from a camera. Then a person who is endowed (gifted) with sense cannot say that this camera came into existence without any maker. Thus, a magnificent camera like the human eye, which can take pictures of many colours at one time without needing any film, what intelligent human will accept this statement that this camera which takes hundreds of millions of pictures of the universe came into existence by itself.
The famous scientist Newton writes about the structures of light and the eye that the structures of light and the eye is so astonishing (amazing); however, the relation between these two structures is even more astonishing. If there was even the slightest difference between the structures of light and the eye then man could not see anything well or correctly. The relation between these two systems is so beautiful and wonderful that it compels (forces) us to accept this fact that whoever is the creator of light is also the creator of the magnificent master of the eye. Newton also writes this statement about the structure of the ear and sound waves. If there was the slightest difference between these two systems and if there was not order and balance (nazm-o-zabt) among them, man would not be able to hear. The balance and order between these two systems prove the fact that that creator of the ear and sound is the same. Similarly, each part of the human body and the order that is present in all of the creatures of the universe prove the fact that this universe did not come into existence by a bang. On the contrary, its Creator is Wise, Knowing, and Great. In all the creatures of the universe such order is present that each creature announces by means of this order that my Creator is infinitely (limitless) Magnificent. As an example, hundreds of millions of human beings abide (tolerate) in the world, but the appearances of any two people are never 100% alike. Everyone has just one tongue; nevertheless, each person’s voice is different. Even the fingerprints of each person are different. Allah has granted man each and everything which is necessary for him. For example, if the thumb did not exist we could not even open a button. For a long time doctors used to say that the part of the human body called the appendix is useless, but today new research has revealed that the appendix is a blessing from amongst Allah the Most High’s blessings which prevents diseases like cancer.
Besides man, the revolution of the earth around the sun is such a magnificent system which immerses (submerges) man into wonder. In this solar system, besides the earth, Mercury, Uranus, etc. are revolving around the sun in their orbits. If there is an increase or decrease in the speed of these planets, or if these planets leave their orbit, then the entire universe can be made non-existent in the twinkling of an eye. The order that is present in numerous solar systems is established evidence for the clear proof that the universe was not made from a bang. Rather, a Magnificent Master made it with Infinite Wisdom. The Great Force Who created them, that Possessor of Excellence, from His Perfect Power has also established their balance and order.
Remember that where there is a bang, balance and order do not remain, whereas order is present in every particle of the universe from the ant to the elephant, balance and order are seen in every creature. Even if one denies the view that existence was the result of a bang, even if he accepts the bang, every bang needs someone who made the bang; so even then we cannot deny a creator without existence.
Fourth Proof
Today scientific facts have established that if something is stationary, it will always remain stationary. If it is active, it will remain in motion until an external force acts upon it. It has been proven by today’s new scientific research that this earth upon which we are passing our lives is revolving around the sun, i.e. it is active. According to this scientific and intellectual fact, the movement of the earth and the movement of other planets are proof of the fact that there is such a Magnificent Being Who has granted motion to the earth and all the planets.
The Apostle of Allah (peace be upon him and his progeny) asked an old woman, “What evidence do you have to prove Allah’s existence?” That old woman stopped her hand from spinning the spinning wheel. The spinning wheel stopped. Then that woman stated that when a spinning wheel cannot spin without someone to spin it, then the rising of the sun and the setting of the moon, the movement of the planets in this universe are proof of the fact that some Magnificent Force exists Who brought this universe to life. We believe this Magnificent Force to be our God (Allah).
Fifth Proof
Whatever things have come into existence in the universe, have come into existence as a result of one cause or another. For everything there is some reason or cause. For example, a son would not come into existence if there was not a father. Now the son is the effect and the father the cause or reason. Hence, we will have to accept a cause or reason for everything. It is impossible for a cause or reason to be continuous. It will have to finally stop at one existence which will be the cause for all creation, but there will no cause for its creation.
Those who deny Allah believe the final cause for all things to be matter. Now if we ask them what is matter made of and who is its creator, they will fall silent. Those who believe in matter consider un-intelligent matter to be the Final Cause, but those who worship God Allah consider Allah , the Most Wise, the Most Knowing, to be the Final Cause for the creation of the universe. The thing that is dependent upon another for its existence is called Possible Existence, but that being Who is not dependent upon anyone, but the entire universe is dependent upon Him, is called the Obligatory Existence. The worshippers of Allah have accepted Allah as the cause of the entire universe, Who is not dependent upon anyone, but those who believe in matter believe matter to be the final cause. In matter changes occurs in it and it moves toward destruction and decline. Everything in the universe is moving toward decline. The movement of material things toward decline and destruction is proof of the fact that matter did not always exist. Rather, some non-material force has brought it into existence, the existence that will be the cause for the creation of the entire universe. Then one will have to accept that existence to be the Oldest (Qadim), i.e. that existence has always been, and will always be. Matter cannot be the oldest because it is in the quality of matter to decline (refuse), decay (decompose), and change. Therefore, it will have to be accepted that the Oldest (Qadim) or the Creator of the entire universe is that being which is a non-material existence. Decay and decline are necessary in matter. All material things slowly, slowly become old and keep moving toward destruction. Just look at man’s existence that man slowly, slowly becomes old and then death comes to him and his material body reaches the stage of destruction. As long as the soul is present in the human body the signs of life will remain. Even when the soul leaves, the body, which is matter, remains. Since the soul is non-material, it does not decay or decline (descend). The soul is the Perfect Life. Today’s scientific experiments have also established the existence of the soul. Recently in a hospital patients were laid to sleep on such beds that told the weight of the patient. When these patients died, the weight of all the patients decreased by twelve grams, even though among these patients were old and young patients. The decrease of those few grams is proof of the fact that some non-material thing has left the body, which has caused the loss of weight.
Matter can never be everlasting and eternal because, firstly, material things are moving toward destruction. Secondly, they depend upon a non-material force for their life. So we will have to accept that the Creator and Master of the entire universe is He Who is a non-material existence and He Himself is the Perfect Existence.
Sixth Proof
The main criticism of those who deny Allah is that Allah cannot be seen by the eyes, nor can Allah be recognized by the five senses.
The first answer to this question is that we cannot hear from the ability of seeing that we possess within us; likewise with the other parts. One thing can perform one function. For example, one can hear from the ear but cannot touch from it because its sense is limited to hearing.
There are thousands of such things in the world which the eye cannot see, such as very small germs (bacteria). Many types of gases cannot be seen by the eye nor can the human eye see inside the human being how much love or hate he has for someone. Therefore, the sight of the human eye is also limited according to various qualities such that it cannot sense thousands of material things. That thing comes into sight which is material and dependent upon a body. We have also established that matter is a thing which will be destroyed.
Therefore, whoever will be the Creator of the universe i.e. the cause for everything but there is no cause for Him will be non-material existence and He Himself is the Perfect Existence.
This being can be identified through means of the intellect
Seventh Proof
The greatest evidence for the deniers of Allah is the Holy Koran. The Noble Koran is that sole book of the universe which has challenged all of the deniers of Allah, “If you do not believe in Allah do not consider the Koran the message of Allah, then bring a chapter like one of its chapters.” This challenge has existed for many centuries and exists even today, but no denier of Islam could answer it, even though the enemies of religion have used every weapon to eliminate Muslims and religion. Even now hundreds of millions of dollars are being spend in the opposition of the religion of Islam, but this is the Power of Allah however much scientific findings are increasing, the truths of religion and the Koran are day by day being revealed. If this Koran was from some human being, then it would not remain unanswerable even today; the deniers of Allah and the deniers of the Koran would certainly desire to end the challenge of the Holy Koran.
Eighth Proof
Devotion to Allah is present in every human being’s nature, although sometimes the non-natural effects of society and the environment lead man astray (misguides) from this sound nature. For example, love of children is present in man’s nature, but before Islam the ignorant Arabs buried their children alive. This extremely cruel act against nature was only the consequence of a wrong environment and society. Likewise, the people who have become distanced from the worship of Allah have become like that because of a dirty environment, society, and ignorance.
In the heart of every human being of the universe there exists a desire that I achieve Ultimate (extreme) Perfection (excellence). Because of this desire and longing, man works and tries extremely hard. That love of Ultimate Perfection is present in the heart of every human being. However, every human being (wa du) according to his knowledge and environment. Someone thinks wealth to be the Ultimate Perfection, while someone else thinks becoming a doctor or engineer to be the Ultimate Perfection and he says that man is afraid of me. You may have seen that sometimes man considers disgrace and humiliation to be the Ultimate Perfection and sometimes he thinks defective things to be the greatest beauty. Yet, what is Ultimate Perfection? That Perfection in which there is neither destruction nor defect. That thing in which there is destruction cannot be the Ultimate Perfection or the Absolute (unlimited) Perfection. If man considers wealth, government, fame, or great covenants (agreements) to be perfection, then all these things are temporary. They can part from him in this world; they can be unfaithful to him. After death all these things are certainly unfaithful to man. Therefore, these things cannot be the Ultimate Perfection or the Absolute Good. The second proof is that if these things are the Ultimate Perfection, then after the attainment of any one thing he should not desire to receive a second. Rather, man should be content. Nevertheless, this does not happen because in man’s nature is devotion (loyalty) to Allah. In reality, only Allah’s Being is the Ultimate Perfection and also the Greatest Good.
Even if this man becomes the king of the entire universe he will not be content (satisfy). He will look toward the sky and toward the planets that is there any government there that I can bring under my control? This is also the state of the attainment of wealth and the attainment of other material things. The purpose of love of Ultimate Perfection or Ultimate Good, which Allah the Great and Most Exalted (glorify) has granted each human being, is that man attain recognition of Allah the Great and achieve nearness toward Ultimate Perfection and be attached to love of Allah the Great in order to attain splendid tranquillity in this world and comfort in the Hereafter. This matter is proven by experiments and observations that whoever loved True Ultimate Perfection and Ultimate Good, i.e. the Being of Allah the Pure, the tranquillity and contentment he will have will not be possessed by any king or rich person in the world. Material places and material things are temporary and, without a doubt, every human will one day depart from this temporary home and will bid (propose) farewell to all material things and will certainly go to the dark room of the grave. If he made the things of this world beloved, then while dying he will be separated from all of his beloved things and will go toward the ultimate destruction. However, if he made Allah the Great and Most Exalted his beloved, then death will take him even closer to his beloved. In the grave or in Resurrection, nothing can separate him from his most beloved. Allah the Pure declares that O servant, remember Me in the world and I will remember you in the darkness of the grave.
First Miracle
The Holy Koran is a divine book of many proves. Many things Koran has described more than 1400 years ago such truths which were not even in the minds of the intellectuals of that time. After thousands of years of research, in today’s scientific age those thing have been revealed, such as the earth’s circling around the sun, which is a purely scientific matter. For quite a while scientists were unaware of the movement of the sun, but now they have discovered (found out) that the sun is also in motion. Nevertheless, the Holy Koran had described this 1400 years ago before these new findings,
“And the sun runs on to a term appointed for it; that is the ordinance of the Mighty, the Knowing” (Ya Sin:38).
Second Miracle
The first person to go in space in 1960 was the Russian scientist Yuri Gagiryan. When he reached into space, the people on earth established a connection with him and they asked, “How are you feeling in space?” He replied, “I feel as if I am in a dream or that someone has performed magic upon me.” This was the first person in history to step foot in space. That is why these historical statements of his were recorded and were published in the world’s various newspapers and articles. Nonetheless (However), the Koran described this event 1400 years ago,
“And even if We open to them a gateway of heaven, so that they ascend into it all the while, They would certainly say: Only our eyes have been covered over, rather we are an enchanted people” (Al-Hijr:14-15).
Now we challenge those who deny Allah to find a difference between this verse and the words narrated from the Russian scientist. Hence, it will have to be accepted that this book, the Holy Koran, is that book sent by Allah the Great and Most Exalted (high), and its knowledge encompasses (includes) all the events until the Day of Judgement.
Third Miracle
Professor Keith Moore of Toronto University’s (Canada) Embryology Department wrote an article about astonishing findings about embryology (biological study which deals with the embryo and it development) and the Koran that before the invention of the microscope, i.e. before 1940, medical science has discovered various findings about the nourishment (food) of the baby in the mother’s body. However, when I studied the Koran I was plunged (forced) into great astonishment that 1400 years ago the Koran has pointed toward the different stages of nourishment of the embryo (baby) in the mother’s body, although scientists were unaware of this fact before 1940.
“Then We made the seed a clot, then We made the clot a lump of flesh, then We made (in) the lump of flesh bones, then We clothed the bones with flesh, then We caused it to grow into another creation, so blessed be Allah, the best of the creators” (Al-Mominun:14).
This verse describes different stages about the creation of man. First the blood gathered upon the sperm, clot, then lump of flesh, after that bones are made, and after that flesh comes upon the bones.
Professor Keith Moore writes that the word muzgha which the Koran has used to describe the third stage meaning of muzgha is leech like substance. The Professor writes that in the mother’s body, after a few weeks, the baby appears exactly like a leech This Koranic news is extremely astonishing; furthermore, the Koran has described this 1400 years ago. The Koran informs us,
“He creates you in the wombs of your mothers—a creation after a creation—in triple darkness” (Az-Zumar:6).
He creates three darkness from the creation of the sperm (male matured germ cell), clot, and lump of flesh. Keith Moore has written that the names of these three veils are the following:
1. Abdominal wall
2. Uterine wall
3. Amino chronic membrane
The Koran makes us aware of these facts in that time where there was so much ignorance that man buried his children alive. Describing such truths in such an age is proof of the fact that the Koran is the book of Allah. After such Koranic miracles, if someone still stays away from Islam, this act of his is against the intellect.
Fourth Miracle
The Holy Koran makes us aware of the sinful nation of Hazrat Lot, that Allah will send His punishment upon these people who perform unnatural acts of sodomy (sexual act with the same sex). In this chapter (surah) news is given about sending them punishment. Today in Europe’s and America’s societies these sins have transformed into fashion, as it was with Hazrat Lot's nation. The miracle of the verse of the Koran has been established as a deadly and evil disease like AIDS has appeared in the form of punishment. Even today no cure has been found for it. On American TV a 30-year-old woman was shown who was inflicted with this punishment of AIDS. That woman looked like a 90-year-old woman; the frightful sight of her death makes one’s hairs stand. Before this disease, criminals used to confess (admit) their crime, but now they hide it. Fourteen hundred years ago, the Holy Koran fixed this crime as the reason for fatal and disgraceful punishment for human beings. Similarly, the Holy Koran has forbidden alcohol. Today in Europe the harms of alcohol are written and distributed (scattered), that alcohol causes severe harm to the liver, heart, and brain. There are various organizations (society) of doctors which make the people aware of the (harms?) of alcohol. The Koran was the first to inform about (these) harms. It is likewise with the other sins that the Koran has forbidden; humanity’s success in this world and salvation in the Hereafter has been kept in view.
Two Criticisms and their Answers
Criticism #1
Those who deny Allah say that religion is the product of fear. Because of fear of earthquakes, diseases and wars, man believes in Allah’s existence, or else there is no truth to such an existence.
Answer: The progress which today’s medical science has made is also the result of fear. Because of fear of disease and death there has been progress. Now, denying the knowledge of medical science because of this fact opposes the intellect. If (people) adopt religion because of fear, then all fearful persons would be religious. Yet, history bears witness that religious people are so brave that one religious person can stand against several enemies of religion in a fight without (any) fear. The grand example of Karbala bears witness to this fact, where only 72 soldiers (mujahid) stood against thousands and fought against them with steadfastness.
Criticism #2: Religion came into existence for the benefit of businessmen; religion is opium (a drug). If the difference between the rich and poor is eliminated, then religion will also be eliminated.
Answer: It has been 75 years in Russia that, according to them, the difference between rich and poor does not remain. However, as soon as they attained religious freedom, thousands of people began to come to the mosques, and now after several years the oppressed Muslims of Azerbaijan were hearing the sound of Azan (Call to Prayer). The tears began to flow from their eyes and the Russian Muslims of Azerbaijan crossed the river in order to move toward the Iranian border to get the Holy Koran; many drowned in the waves of the river. All of these facts prove that religion is not the result of a class system; rather, religion is in the nature of man, like hunger and thirst are in the nature of man. Nevertheless, to eliminate hunger and thirst, man’s death can occur as a result of eating harmful food, or he can become ill. However, in this the blame lies in choice. Similarly, such a religion can be opium (a drug) or the cause of illness. In this the blame lies in choice. Remember that the
religion of the Ahlul Bayt (People of the House of the Prophet) eliminates the oppression of unbelief and polytheism (paganism) and through means of enthusiasm (eagerness) for martyrdom eliminates Yazidism, Satanism, and Pharaohism. The Revolution in Iran has proved that true Islam is not opium (a drug), but is the means for raising revolution in the hearts and restoring rights to the oppressed.
Prophet-hood
What is the need for Holy Prophets?
Allah has placed love in the nature of man. Therefore, he endeavours to reach Absolute Perfection. Yet, just the intellect is not enough for man to reach toward perfection. Allah is the One with Absolute Knowledge; He knows everything, that how man can attain Absolute Perfection. If Allah does not show man the way, this fact is opposes the Justices of Allah and Allah is Absolute Justice. The characteristic of knowledge and the characteristic of wisdom establish the Prophets. There are two ways to achieve Absolute Perfection.
1- By Compulsion
2- By Free Will
The way that angels achieve perfection is by compulsion, because they do not have a Nafs Amaara (which misguides person) within them. The seed that becomes a tree also attains perfection through the way of compulsion. The tree cannot deviate (stray) from the capacity that is in the seed. The human being who achieves Absolute Perfection uses the way of free will. It will be the way of free will when he will possess 100% knowledge and certainty. It is not in the power of every human being to achieve 100% knowledge in order to attain access to Absolute Perfection. Therefore, for this one needs such a human being who possesses 100% knowledge and certainty, and such individuals can only be the Holy Prophets.
Reason (burhan)
Man makes decisions based upon the intellect, experiment, and senses. However, for the decision if such-and-such a thing is good or bad for me in such a situation the decision of the intellect is sometimes correct and sometimes wrong. Thousands of such questions arise in the life of a human being, in which the decisions of the intellect sometimes prove correct and sometimes wrong. Examples are the rights of husband and wife, the rights of parent, whether or not the world becomes a barrier in the way of Allah, and other such thousands of matters. The intellect makes a decision by looking at the exterior of things, while it is unaware of the inner reality. If the intellect makes a decision based upon knowledge, its decision will be correct; however, man’s knowledge is limited and deficient. Thus, the decision of the intellect will only be correct when its knowledge will not be deficient, and it is informed and aware of all the outer and inner conditions and states of matters. For example, the cause for the destruction of Russian society was that they only paid attention to the external and material needs of man, trampling man’s inner feelings and desires. The desire for hard work remains in man only when possessions are given in his favour. The knowledge which is pure from every defect is called revelation. Revelation is Perfect Knowledge and, in this light, intellect can be saved from destruction and ruin.
The great countries of the world create laws according to their intellect, in order to satisfy their own needs. However, when the ups and downs of conditions manifest (mark) the defects of these laws, then these laws are changed. Hence, changing laws is proof of the fact that the human intellect, without knowledge of revelation, cannot make any correct decision. The life of man is not limited to just this world; rather, the circle of his life spreads to the Hereafter, which is the real life. The temporary life of this world has been granted in order to prepare for the permanent life of the Hereafter. In this world man can attain a little guidance from the intellect based upon experiments, but about the Hereafter he cannot attain guidance because he does not have any idea about the Hereafter. Man’s knowledge is deficient about the Hereafter. How can man have knowledge whether his deeds will be the cause of happiness in the Hereafter or the cause of misfortune? Or, for example, if there is more reward in praying two rakats (units) of Dawn Prayer or in praying more than two cycles. If man’s knowledge is deficient about this world, then for the world in which man has not yet stepped foot in what guidance will intellect give him about that world? (This will not happen) until defective (faulty) human gains the guardianship of the perfect man, who possesses complete knowledge about the Hereafter. Therefore, it is established that only he has the authority to make the law who bears perfect knowledge and is completely informed of future events, who is aware of both the successes and failures of the world and the Hereafter. Under such conditions, he would make correct decisions, though even the human intellect would lead astray. That is why the commands of Allah are enforced in an Islamic government.
Hazrat Ali (as) declares in the Nahj-ul-Balagha, “Often the human intellect is buried in the veils of lusts (desires). It is the duty of Prophets to remove the veils of lusts so that intellect can achieve its true nature.” This is why following (Taqlid) is permissible only of that jurist who is not overcome by selfish lusts.
Proof (dalil)
The purpose why the Holy Prophets (peace be upon him and his progeny) came into this world was not just to declare the law, but education of the people was also included among their responsibilities. For instance, we are told to construct a building without looking at its drawing or model. In such a condition the building cannot be constructed. Then, this matter is against the intellect that Allah says become good and pious, but Allah does not send models of good and pious individuals for human beings. This situation would be against His Wisdom, because the purpose of man is to go from creation and access Absolute Perfection. That is why the first man who was born on this earth was a Prophet and the Caliph (representative) of Allah. If that Prophet did not possess Perfect Knowledge (revelation) he would depend upon another to attain perfection.
Question: Why did not everyone obtain guidance?
Answer: If people do not attain benefit from the guidance of the Prophets of Allah, then there is defect in the people’s understanding and ability. It definitely does not imply that Allah’s policy and Justice is defective. It would be a defect if Allah did not create the Holy Prophets.
Question: Why did most of the Prophets come to Arabia?
Answer: Allah the Most Generous declares,
“And there is not a people but a warner has gone among them” (Fatir: 24).
Furthermore, Allah states,
“And certainly We raised in every nation an apostle saying: Serve Allah and shun the Shaitan (taghut)” (An-Nahl: 36).
The Infallibility of the Holy Prophets
At this stage the question arises whether or not a Prophet is infallible or fallible.
There are two types of infallibility:
1: being infallible from sin
2: being infallible from every mistake and error.
The Argument of Intellect
If a Prophet will be on the verge of (committing) sins, then the fact is possible that he will make a mistake in understanding revelation; thus, he will incorrectly convey the revelation. If the possibility of mistakes and errors is believed (to exist) in Prophet-hood, then it can be that he can forget some important parts of the revelation, or at some places increase or decrease things. The purpose of sending the Prophets is that they convey the commands of Allah by means of revelation to the public. If a Prophet lies then his being (present) is equal to his not being (present), because when he conveys revelation to the people incorrectly, then the people will act in a wrong manner. In such a situation, the purpose of Prophet-hood is finished. If every Prophet is not granted immunity from mistakes, then here infallibility does not refer to saving oneself from sin; rather, it is a more superior station than this. As examples, a child did not commit any sin and died, or a person did not have the opportunity to commit a sin. Such a person or child will not be considered infallible. On the contrary, infallibility is a spiritual power which does allow man to go toward sin. Saying that the Prophets did not have the power to commit sin does not refer to infallibility either. The Prophets did have the power to commit sins, but not the possibility. For instance, we can eat poison, but while there is the intellect we will not eat poison. The knowledge of revelation which the Prophets of Allah possessed took them to the stage of certainty; therefore, they saw the hidden effects and punishment of every sin and, along with that, were aware of the outward filthiness of sin. In the same way, we can jump into fire, but we do not jump because we know that fire burns.
Is every Prophet pure from sin?
A Prophet is the representative of Allah and this representation can be accomplished (achieved) in two ways. One is by tongue and the other by character. If the character of a Prophet becomes stained (blemished) with sin, though he is the representative of Allah for the people, the people will think Allah’s contentment and pleasure to be mixed with his committing of sin. Thus, they will themselves become involved in sin. Consequently, the purpose of Prophet-hood will be terminated. Hence, it is necessary for a Prophet to be infallible.
Question: If a Prophet says that my character and revelation are separate, then the people will not do sins. So then will the condition of infallibility for a Prophet be eliminated?
Answer: If the character of a Prophet will be against revelation, then there will be contradiction between his speech and action. If contradiction exists in the speech and action of an ordinary man, he does not remain trustworthy. So, the people will be immersed into doubt and suspicion whether or not this is a real Prophet. Although revelation is Perfect Knowledge, which does not have doubt or suspicion at all, if there is doubt in the one who conveys revelation, then there will also be doubt in the revelation itself.
Reason 1
Even if a Prophet says that my character and revelation are separate, people will enquire (ask) that when the representative of Allah is sinning, what is our capacity? Thus, the people will commit sins and will become bold in following Satan.
Reason 2
The duty of a Prophet is not just to convey revelation; they are responsible for many other important duties. It is in the Holy Koran,
“He it is Who raised among the inhabitants of Mecca an Apostle from among themselves, who recites to them His communications and purifies them” (Al-Jummah: 2).
Now if the self (nafs) of the Prophet himself is not pure, then how will he purify other people who are drowned in sins?
The Proof from Koran: Prophets are Infallible
“Certainly you have in the Apostle of Allah an excellent exemplar” (Al-Ahzab: 21).
In this verse Allah has established the life of the Apostle of Allah as an example for the Muslims and has instructed us to act upon this. Now if there was the possibility of sin or error in the Prophet’s life, then Allah would not give the command to follow him, since Allah has Himself ordered us in the Koran to stay away from sin, and there is no contradiction in Allah’s commands.
The Proof from Koran
The word mukhlis (pure) appears several times in the Koran.
The Koran states,
“He said: Then by Thy Might I will surely make them live an evil life, all, Except Thy servants from among them, the purified ones” (Suad: 82-83).
Satan has confessed his defeat before the Prophets and the pure (sincere) servants that he will not be able to lead astray Allah’s good and pure servants. One commits a sin when Satan leads him astray. The Koran further declares,
“Surely We purified them by a pure quality, the keeping in mind of the (final) abode” (Suad:46).
“And remember Our servants Ibrahim and Ishaq and Yaqoub, men of power and insight” (Suad:45).
“And mention Ibrahim in the Book; surely he was a truthful man, a prophet” (Marium:41).
The word mutahhir (pure) also appears many times in the Koran. The Koran states,
“And when the angels said: O Marium! Surely Allah has chosen you and purified you and chosen you above the women of the world” (Alay Imran:42).
“And We did not send any apostle but that he should be obeyed by Allah’s permission; and had they, when they were unjust to themselves, come to you and asked forgiveness of Allah and the Apostle had (also) asked forgiveness for them, they would have found Allah Oft-returning (to mercy), Merciful” (An-Nisa:64).
Answers to criticisms upon the
Infallibility of Prophets
A Prophet is infallible concerning those actions which are forbidden in his law (Shariah). For this reason Allah declares, “The punishment for the Jews was that pure things were also forbidden to them.”
In the Arabic language many actions are called sins; for example, discouraged things or those things that are considered bad in society. For instance, if matters about menstruation and childbirth are described in Pakistani society, it will be considered immoral. However, according to Islamic law (Shariah), it is not immoral. Prophets are infallible concerning those sins that are forbidden near Allah, not in the view of society.
Criticism 1
When the Holy Prophets and Imams (peace be upon them) did not commit sins, why did they ask forgiveness in the Koran and supplications?
The sins for which Prophets and Imams have asked forgiveness are not forbidden in Islamic law (Shariah). On the contrary (opposite), this was a sign of their exalted (high) recognition of Allah that they also considered abandoning what is best (tark-e-awla) to be a sin. Say someone’s foot is wounded and his guest is some honourable person; the host says forgive me that I am being disrespectful by sitting with my feet spread before you, though this action is not in his control. Similarly, there are many acts which the Prophets and Imams were compelled to do, such as sleeping, eating, and drinking. These individuals thought these to be depriving them from worship. The Gnostics (arifin) say that, “If there is not presence of heart in prayer, then its example is like going to the court of a king and when the king addresses you, you stand with your back toward the king.” This will be disrespect; yet, in prayer man stands in the presence of the King of Kings. If attention is removed from Allah in prayer, this is disrespect. Therefore, we should lament over such prayers of ours. Nevertheless, from a jurisprudential perspective, lack of presence of the heart is not a sin. If this is the condition of Gnostics, the Prophets and Imams are superior to them. They also considered many things and matters that were not sins to be sins for them because of their recognition of Allah.
Criticism 2
It is in many verses that Satan bothered the Prophets. What does this mean?
Answer: The Koran has stated that Satan cannot entice those who are pure; however, the Koran has not said that he cannot give them hardship. Satan is in human beings as well as jinn. Satans like Pharaoh and Nimrod inflicted hardships upon the Prophets. Satan creates temptations, but he cannot lead the Prophets astray.
Criticism 3
There are many criticisms about the infallibility of Hazrat Adam; however, they are only due to lack of knowledge. In the Koran wherever non compliance (non-agreement) and forgetfulness have been attributed to Hazrat Adam they have been at that time and place where nothing was forbidden for Hazrat Adam, i.e. in jurisprudential terminology he was not blameworthy (mukalif?). The Koran states,
“We said: Go forth from this (state) all; so surely there will come to you a guidance from Me, then whoever follows My guidance, no fear shall come upon them, nor shall they grieve” (Al-Baqarah:38).
Criticism 4
Question: Why did Hazrat Adam say,
“They said: Our Lord! We have been unjust to ourselves” (Al-Araf:23).
Answer: Injustice is also called going from Perfect Mercy to Perfect Hardship. For example, someone says I did not get up for the Midnight Prayer; I was unjust to myself and lost such a superior act of worship. Nevertheless, according to Islamic law, this is not injustice upon the self.
Criticism 5
Allah declares,
“Surely We have given to you a clear victory,
That Allah may forgive your community their past faults and those to follow and complete His favour to you and keep you on a right way” (Al-Fateh:1-2).
This criticism is aimed at the Apostle of Allah. The question arises that what connection is there between the forgiveness of sins and the Conquest of Mecca. The matter would make sense if the Prophet repented, prayed, or fasted. Even when the Apostle of Allah performed the most difficult striving (jihad) and bore the most difficult hardships that his teeth were even martyred, it was not said that your sins have been forgiven. In the Arabic language the word sin is used for those acts that are forbidden in Islamic law, but also for those that are [not] permissible in the view of the people and society. Before the Conquest of Mecca, the Apostle of Allah was the greatest sinner in the view of the polytheists because he used to condemn their false gods. After the Conquest of Mecca, the polytheists accepted Islam; now in their view the Apostle of Allah did not remain a sinner. Allah forgave their past sins; there is mention of forgiving future sins which have not yet occurred. What does this refer to? It means that now no one in Mecca will consider you a sinner for condemning the idols.
Divine Leadership (Imamate)
The Necessity of Divine Leadership
The reasons that were described for the necessity of Prophets also apply for the necessity of Imamate (Divine Leadership).
Question: The deniers (of Imamate) criticize that now we have the Koran and Sunnah (traditions), so what is the need of an Imam?
Answer: Allah has given the guarantee for the protections of the Holy Koran,
“Surely We have revealed the Reminder and We will most surely be its guardian” (Al-Hijr:9).
However, nowhere in the whole Koran has Allah given the guarantee for the protection of the Traditions of the Prophet. If there was no difference in the Traditions of the Prophet, seventy-two sects would not have been created. After the Apostle of Allah passed away, a difference was immediately created in ablution (wudhu)—whether the hands should be washed from top to bottom or from bottom to top. Matters will be changed many, many more times where there will be people’s interests. All the Shi’ah and Sunni scholars admit that false traditions began to be narrated after the Apostle of Allah. Allah has not mentioned in the Koran the ways to perform prayer and fast, so now there is a need for such a perfect being who, though not a Prophet, is perfect and in knowledge and infallibility is just like a Prophet and is from Allah. Or else, this Koran is not sufficient for us. Because of difference in the Traditions (Sunnah), man cannot achieve 100% certainty. Notwithstanding (Even though), it is established by proves and the Koran that the purpose of creation of man is gaining access to perfection. However, this is only possible at that moment when man possesses 100% knowledge. Hence, it is proven that if the belief of Imamate is removed, the entire purpose of Prophet-hood is eliminated. “I am going to make an Imam for the people.” When Hazrat Ibrahim (as) was made servant, Prophet, messenger, and friend his progeny was not mentioned; however, for the station of Imamate the children were remembered.
2: The Apostle of Allah has stated, “I am leaving amongst you two weighty things one is the book of Allah and the other is my progeny. If you remain attached to them you will never go astray until you reach me at the Fountain of Kauthar.”
The Conditions for Divine Leadership
1. Be Infallible from Allah
2. Possess Divine Knowledge
Proof: The Apostle of Allah passed thirteen years in Mecca after declaring Prophet-hood, where very few people accepted faith. During that time whatever questions arose were solved from the Koran. The Koran is guidance until the Day of Judgement . Till the Day of Judgement thousands of questions will arise, so has the Prophet answered these questions from the Koran or not? Let us say that he has stated them and someone has even memorized them 100%, and he does not increase or decrease (anything) the slightest bit and there is not possibility of his (making a) mistake in his speech, and he is immune from error and doubt. Hence, he will be trustworthy. As such, it is established that the Koran is for the human beings until the Day of Judgement. Thus, it is necessary for there to be a representative of Allah in every age. The Koran states,
“O Apostle! Deliver what has been revealed to you from your Lord; and if you do it not, then you have not delivered His message, and Allah will protect you from the people; surely Allah will not guide the unbelieving people” (Al-Maidah:67).
Criticism
If the existence of Imamate is necessary, then why are the people of this age deprived of the apparent benefits of their Imam?
Answer: Allah sent the Prophets to different places based upon His Wisdom, but the people killed them. So it is not necessary for Allah to send other Prophets. Like, Allah has given us two eyes. If we take out one of our eyes, it is not necessary for Allah to again give us an eye. After the Prophet, Allah gave his nation eleven Great Imams but they killed them. The people did not help the Imams in their striving (jihad) against the oppressors, nor did they fight against the oppressors. Rather, because of fear of oppressive rulers, they remained silent and did not raise revolution in response to Imam’s call for help. If the Twelfth Imam was apparent, then he would also be martyred. Allah has kept this blessing hidden. Until the capacity to stand up against oppressors is not borne (bear) in the people, the reappearance of the Imam is against wisdom. Thus, the matter of the occultation of the Imam depends upon the people, not Allah. When the people will raise revolution the Imam will reappear.
Proof 1
This matter is against the wisdom of Allah that Allah would not make anyone after His Prophet his successor. The desire of Divine Intellect is that if there needs to be amendment to a part of an order then in exchange for that a similar law or a law better than that will have to be made. The Koran itself declares,
(translation needed: ma nansakh min ayatihi aw nansaha bighayr minha)
Proof 2
“O you who believe! Obey Allah and obey the Apostle and those in authority from among you” (An-Nisa:59).
Here, along with obedience to the Prophet, obedience to those in authority is mentioned. Hence, it is obligatory upon whoever obeys the Prophet to obey those in authority. We believe the Imams to be those in authority (ulul amr). Furthermore, this implies absolute obedience without any conditions. If the one in authority will be sinful, then he will oppose Allah. When he will oppose Allah it will be forbidden for the people to obey him because Allah does not command that any sinner be obeyed.
Question: Why did not Allah state the names of those in authority in the Koran?
Answer: Imam Ja’far Sadiq (peace be upon him) states that Allah has given the command for prayer in the Koran, but it does not say about the Dawn Prayer whether it is two cycles or four cycles. It says pay the poor-rate, but does not describe upon what (nisab?). The Apostle of Allah informed us about everything. Likewise, the Koran has given the command to obey those in authority, but does not state their names. Nevertheless, the Apostle of Allah has informed us of the names of the twelve endowed with authority,
“There will be twelve Caliphs (successors) of my nation and the last among them will be the Mahdi .”
Day of Judgement (Qiyamat)
Allah has placed love in the nature of every human being. Man loves Absolute Comfort, such Absolute Comfort which does not have any sorrow. Now it has to be seen whether such joy and comfort can be found in this world, or is there any such person who has found such comfort.
Whatever pleasure and joys there are in this world also have hardships along with them. Thus, with happiness there is sorrow, with health there is illness. Therefore, man’s desire cannot be fulfilled in this world. Man’s stay in this world is like if someone wants to go somewhere but on the way his car stops and he cannot reach (his destination).
One wants to achieve comfort in the world, but sometimes becomes an oppressor, or sometimes usurps (takes away) someone’s right just to achieve comfort and pleasure. He turns his face away from worship of Allah. All of these endeavours (activities) for comfort and pleasure are spent in the way of Satan. No matter how great and wealthy one is, he cannot find absolute comfort and pleasure in this world, although Absolute Comfort is in the nature of man. Therefore, this is proof of the fact that this Absolute Comfort is for some other life and world, not for this world which will (one day) end. This love for Absolute Comfort is found in every knowledgeable and ignorant person. In this world death is inevitable (expected) for everyone? Here there is no absolute comfort and pleasure, but nevertheless love for Absolute Comfort is in our nature. This love and passion is not worthless. Like, the eyes are for seeing and reflection and ears are for listening to good and useful talks.
Hence, it is proven that besides this world there is another world where man can achieve absolute comfort and pleasure in which there is no grief, worry, or sorrow. There is only happiness and the name of this world is Resurrection or the Hereafter.
The Reason for Justice
We have mentioned in the discussion of the Oneness of Allah that Allah is Just and Wise, though we see in the world that people commit oppression and tyranny and commit murder and plunder (steal), indulge in pleasure and die from these luxuries. If the oppressor does not receive punishment for his oppression, then a contradiction appears in the Justice of Allah. Therefore, it is established that there is another place besides this world where one will receive punishment for oppression and his account will be taken. Good people will receive accolade (honour) and reward for their good deeds. This is called the Day of Resurrection or Judgement, where good individuals will attain Absolute Comfort. (You should) research proofs from the Koran and traditions yourself.
1: “Everyone on it must pass away. And there will endure for ever the person of your Lord, the Lord of glory and honour” (Ar-Rahman:26-27).
2: “Because Allah shall raise up those who are in the graves.” (Al-Hajj:7).
3: “Every soul must taste of death” (Alay Imran:185, Al-Anbiya:35, Al-Ankabut:57).
source : Seeker of Solace /Professor J.A.
