Source of Mercy

In view of the aforementioned verses, we should admit that there is nothing more valuable than Allah’s mercy in this universe. The source of this mercy in this world and the Hereafter is Ahl al-Bayt as referred to by Imam al-H¡d¢ (a.s) in al-Ziy¡rah al-J¡mi`ah al-Kab¢rah. Therefore, if anyone wishes to be immune from Allah’s punishment, to be endowed with sublime morality, to have the chance of repenting, to have a full share and benefit from the Holy Qur’¡n, to have expansion of breast, to have an easy reckoning and not to be touched by despair, one must adhere to Ahl al-Bayt so as to obtain what was brought up on the aforementioned verses and to be blessed with Allah’s guidance, favor and grace.

The Holy Prophet’s recommendation about Ahl al-Bayt during twenty-three years of his mission was that it is impossible to understand the Holy Qur’¡n without them. Zayd ibn Arqam, a trustworthy Sunni narrator, is reported as saying:

قَامَ رَسُولُ اللهِ 3 يَوْماً فِينَا خَطِيباً بِمَاءٍ يُدْعَى خُمّاً، بَيْنَ مَكَّةَ وَالْمَدِينَةِ، فَحَمِدَ اللهَ وَأثْنَى عَلَيْهِ وَوَعَظَ وَذَكَّرَ ثُمَّ قَالَ: ”أمَّا بَعْدُ، ألأ أيُّهَا النَّاسُ، فَإنَّمَا أنَا بَشَرٌ يُوشَكُ أنْ يَأتِيَ رَسُولُ رَبِّي فَأُجِيبُ. وَأنَا تَارِكٌ فِيكُمُ الثَّقَلَيْنِ: أوَّلُهُمَا كِتَابُ اللهِ، فِيهِ الْهُدَى وَالنُّورُ، فَخُذُوا بِكِتَابِ اللهِ وَاسْتَمْسِكُوا بِهِ.“ فَحَثَّ عَلَى كِتَابِ اللهِ وَرَغَّبَ فِيهِ، ثُمَّ قَالَ: ”وَأهْلُ بَيْتِي. أُذَكِّرُكُمُ اللهَ فِي أهْلِ بَيْتِي أُذَكِّرُكُمُ اللهَ فِي أهْلِ بَيْتِي أُذَكِّرُكُمُ اللهَ فِي أهْلِ بَيْتِي.“

One day, Allah’s Messenger stopped at Ghad¢r Khumm, a place between Mecca and Medina, and delivered a sermon. After praising Allah, he said, “I am a human who will pass away soon. So I am leaving two worthy things behind. One is the Book of Allah being guidance and light. Hold fast of it.” He encouraged people in relation to the Holy Qur’¡n, saying, “…and then my Ahl al-Bayt, I remind you of Allah in relation to my Ahl al-Bayt. I remind you of Allah in relation to my Ahl al-Bayt.”[1]