TAUHEED FROM THE TRADITIONS OF IMAM REZA (a.s.)

Tauheed is one of the most important belief and the purity of this belief is essential. During the life time of Imam Reza (a.s.), many questions were raised about the Unity of Allah which were answered by Imam Reza (a.s.). Today, we shall present a few of those questions and its replies by Imam Reza (a.s.).

One day a denier of God came to Imam Reza (a.s) and said :

“Tell me, how your God is? And where He is?”

Imam (a.s.) said, “What a baseless question is this? Where and how are the qualities of the creatures and not of the Creator. He is the Creator of space and conditions and He is the Maker. How can He have any relation to these things? He is not something that can be perceived by the five senses. Also, nothing can be compared to Him. You deny Him because you cannot perceive Him by fivesenses. And we believe that He is God, for the same reason. If he had been perceptible He would also have become a creature like us. His imperceptibility is the proof of our helplessness and imagination and His perfection.”

He said, “Then tell me, since when did He exist?” 

Imam (a.s.) said, “Tell me, when He did not exist?” He said, “I am asking you and you question me in return?” Imam (a.s.) said, “When you have no knowledge about His non-existence, the question itself is invalid. That since when He exists?”

He said, “What is the proof of His Being?”

Imam said, “Not one, there are thousands of proofs. Observe your body itself, when we are not having control over its height and width and none of its aspects, and we have no control over its benefit and harm, we realize that there is someone else who has created it. Apart from this, the movement of the heavens and the structure of the clouds. The speed of the winds, the proper movements of the Sun, the moon and the stars etc. Are these not proof enough of a wise maker?”

He said, “If He had existed He would have been visible, like all the things of the world are visible.”

Imam (a.s.) said, “Visible are those things, that are created by Him. If He also becomes visible what difference would remain between Him and His Creation? He is such a Being that neither can the eye behold nor the intellect understand.”

He said, “But He should be at some place?”

Imam (a.s.) said, “He is not encompassed at a particular place. Being in a limited space is the quality of a created thing, and not that of the Creator. He is the Creator of space and universe, and not that He Himself is enclosed in space. There is increase and decrease in limited things and His being is immune to increase and decrease. He is not made by synthesis of anything. He hears without ears and sees without eyes.”

He said, “How can it be that He can hear without having ears and see without having eyes? If He has created multi-colored things, He must also have hands.”

Imam (a.s.) said, “Do you think the Creator is like the creatures? Don't look for the qualities of the creatures in the Creator? If He is also perceived with senses like us, what would be the difference between us and Him? According to you our Creator should be like us.” (Uyoun Akhbaare Reza (a.s.) Vol 1, Chp 11, tradition 28)

We end our discussion with the above tradition. There are 51 such traditions in this 11^th chapter of the book Uyoun Akbaare Reza (a.s.). Let us intend to refer to all of them and keep purifying our belief on Tauheed.

Though, the generation has changed, questions have remained the same. There are many people who still carry these questions, our proficiency in answering to their queries through these traditions may help guide someone. 

Book Introduction: Ilalus Sharaaye

The laws of shariat have been framed by our creator, Allah. All of us worship Allah and obey His commands without any ifs and buts. There are many things whose rationale we do not understand and would like to know. Sometimes, some laws may even seem to be irrational or leading towards injustice. In other words, though we submit to the command of Allah, we want to know about the reason behind the various rules of the shariat.

The laws of the shariat are made keeping in mind the physical as well as spiritual well being of humans. The question of knowing our spiritual needs do not rise since most of our physical needs too are beyond our comprehension.

The proof of Allah, the pure Ahle Bait (a.s.) have helped us understand these rationale by unrevealing the reasons and rationale behind many such laws. These traditions help us to have more confidence in the laws of shariat. It also reiterates for us, the love and care of Allah for its creatures.

These traditions have been narrated from Aimmah (a.s.) through various companions are scattered in various books and are classified into relevant chapters. But, one author has successfully tried to gather all such traditions in one book and has named the book as Ilalus Sharaaye – Reasons for Laws of Shariat. This gigantic task was done our revered Scholar Abu Ja'far Muhammad ibn 'Ali ibn Babawaih al-Qummi famous as Shaikh Saduq (a.r.) who was born in 305 A.H. He was one the extraordinary scholars  during the early days of Ghaibat.

This book is in two volumes printed together in a single volume. The book has headings and traditions under those headings with no explanation or comments from the author. This approach helps in keeping the book pure from all kinds of non-masoom interpretations. This book is available in Arabic, Persian, Urdu and an extract in gujrati.

Volume 1 - There are 262 sub-topics concerning the reasons for various historical events and belief.

Volume 2 - There are 385 sub-topics concerning the reasons for various rules (ahkam) like namaz, roza, hajj, zakat, khums etc.

We present a small chart of some topics from both volumes. We pray to Allah to give us the Taufeeq to refer to this book.

Volume 1		Volume 2
That reason due to which idols were worshipped.		Causes and Reasons of Wuzu, Azan and Namaz.
What is the reason, for there are among peoples who are better than angles and there are among peoples who are worst then animals.		That reason due to which Allah has made Namaz Wajib.
That reason due to which for the son of Hazrat Noah (a.s.), Allah (The High) said that he is not from your progeny.		That reason due to which two Namaz can be recited together.
That reason due to which Najaf was given the name of Najaf.		That reason due to which in all Namaz of the day only the Namaz of Fajr is recited loudly and rest of the Namazs are not recited loudly.
That reason due to which among peoples the birth of `Sudani', `Tarak' and `Sakaliyah' and `Yajooj' (Gog) and `Maajooj' (Magog) took place.		That reason due to which Namaz-e-Maghrib is always recited 3 rakats and rest of the Namaz are shorten to two rakats in journey.
That reason due to which Allah (The High) took the test of Hazrat Yaqoob (a.s.) and test of Hazrat Yusuf (a.s.) due to his dreams and incidents related to it.		That reason due to which Namaz of Maghrib & its Nawaafil is not shorten in any condition whether at home or in Journey.
That reason due to which there was no Apostle from the generation of Hazrat Yusuf (a.s.).		That reason due to which the person reciting Namaz behind the Imam should not recite Qiraat.
That reason due to which Hazrat Yusuf (a.s.)  married with Zulekha.		That reason due to which at the time of Dua both the hands should be raise up towards the direction of sky. Although Allah is present everywhere.
That reason due to which Hazrat Ameerul Momeneen (a.s.) didn't dye his hair.		Reason for Tasbih of Janabe Fatimah Zahra (s.a.)
That reason due to which Hazrat Fatema Zehra (s.a.) was buried in the night time not in the day time.		That reason due to which Shab-e-Qadr  comes every year.
That reason due to which Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) had send somebody with sura `Baraat' or `Taubaah' but called him back and send Hazrat Ali (a.s.) in his place.		That reason due to which the grief of Aal-e-Muhammad becomes fresh on every Eid.
That reason due to which Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) closed all the doors of people which was opening in masjid except the door of  Ali ibn Abu Talib (a.s.).		That reason due to which Allah (s.w.t.) made Greater Sins haraam.
That reason due to which Imamat came in the generation of Imam Husain (a.s.) and not Imam Hasan (a.s.).		That reason due to which the House of Allah was made.
That reason due to which Imam Qaem (a.s.) will kill the discendents of the killers of Imam Husain (a.s.) for their ancestors crime.		That reason due to which Kaabah is called as Kaabah.
Reason for why Allah (The High) is not sending chastisement on sinners.		That reason due to which Tawaaf was Fixed at seven circumbulation.
Reason for summer and winter.		Reason for doing Ghusl before entering the Holy Kaabah.

Amr bil Maroof by the courageous lion

Indeed we know that Amr bil Maroof is the best form of worship. We find a tradition from Hazrat Ameerul Momineen (a.s.) that supports this claim as follows:

الْأَمْرُ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ‏ أَفْضَلُ‏ أَعْمَالِ‏ الْخَلْق‏

“Amr bil Maroof is the best deed of the creation” [1]

Calling someone towards namaz is indeed a great act. If there is none to call towards prayers, gradually people stop praying. This act of Amr bil Maroof and Nahi anil Munkar is extremely beneficial for the believers and severely damaging to the enemies. We get a tradtion from Hazrat Ameerul Momineen (a.s.) :

 فَمَنْ أَمَرَ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ‏ شَدَّ ظُهُورَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَ مَنْ نَهَى عَنِ الْمُنْكَرِ أَرْغَمَ أُنُوفَ الْمُنَافِقِين‏

 “One who does Amr bil Maroof (calls towards goodness), he strengthens the back of the believers and one who does Nahi Anil Munkar (stops from evil) crushes the nose of the hypocrites” [2]

This great worship has three levels, the first being through heart, second through tongue and the best of them is through limbs. This is found in the  tradition of Hazrat Ameerul Momeneen Ali ibne Abi Talib (a.s.) who said :

‏ مَنْ تَرَكَ‏ إِنْكَارَ الْمُنْكَرِ بِقَلْبِهِ‏ وَ يَدِهِ وَ لِسَانِهِ فَهُوَ مَيِّتُ الْأَحْيَاءِ

“One who leaves the prohibition of evil through his heart and through his tongue and through his hands then he is dead while alive” [3]

We wish to remind you about a worshipper of this great worship, who was performing this duty while his hands and legs were cut and he himself was crucified on a tree. He was calling people towards the best of Maroof i.e. Ameerul Momeneen Ali Ibne Abi Talib (a.s.). Indeed Janabe Meesam Tammar (a.r.) was that great companion of Hazrat Ameerul Momineen (a.s.) who accomplished Amr bil Maroof at its peak.

And, he was indeed no ordinary companion of Hazrat Ameerul Momineen (a.s.). He has been called as a sincere disciple - a Hawari of Hazrat Ameerul Momineen (a.s.). Hawariyoon were those sincere helpers of Hazrat Isa (a.s.) who had promised help and support to Hazrat Isa (a.s.) while others were rejecting him (a.s.). We find an ayat of Surah Aaale Imran

فَلَمَّا أَحَسَّ عيسى‏ مِنْهُمُ الْكُفْرَ قالَ مَنْ أَنْصاري إِلَى اللَّهِ قالَ الْحَوارِيُّونَ نَحْنُ أَنْصارُ اللَّهِ آمَنَّا بِاللَّهِ وَ اشْهَدْ بِأَنَّا مُسْلِمُونَ (52)

3.52: But when Isa perceived unbelief on their part, he said Who will be my helpers in Allah’s way? The disciples said: We are helpers (in the way) of Allah: We believe in Allah and bear witness that we are submitting ones.

Aimmah (a.s.) have specifically named some companions from amongst the many loyal companions as Hawari – which indicated their closeness, loyalty and sincerity. In one such tradition, Janabe Meesam Tammar (a.r.)’s name is seen which indicates not only his position and sincerity but also the acceptability by Aimmah (a.s.) [4].

Hazrat Ameerul Momineen (a.s.) enquired from this great Hawari :

عَنْ يُوسُفَ بْنِ عِمْرَانَ الْمِيثَمِيِّ قَالَ سَمِعْتُ مِيثَماً النَّهْرَوَانِيَّ يَقُولُ‏ دَعَانِي أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ صَلَوَاتُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ وَ قَالَ كَيْفَ‏ أَنْتَ‏ يَا مِيثَمُ‏ إِذَا دَعَاكَ‏ دَعِيُّ بَنِي أُمَيَّةَ  عُبَيْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ زِيَادٍ إِلَى الْبَرَاءَةِ مِنِّي فَقُلْتُ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ أَنَا وَ اللَّهِ لَا أَبْرَأُ مِنْكَ قَالَ إِذَنْ وَ اللَّهِ يَقْتُلَكَ وَ يَصْلِبَكَ قُلْتُ أَصْبِرُ فَذَاكَ فِي اللَّهِ قَلِيلٌ فَقَالَ يَا مِيثَمُ إِذاً تَكُونَ مَعِي فِي دَرَجَتِي‏...

“Hazrat Meesam (a.s.) said: Hazart Ameerul Momeneen (a.s.) called me and said, “What shall you do O Meesam when an illegitimate son from Bani Obaidullah ibne Ziyad orders you to do baraat from me?” He (a.r.) said ‘O Ameerul momeneen (a.s.) I, By Allah shall not do baraat with you.’ He (a.s.) said “Even when, by Allah he kills you and crucifies you?” I said ‘I will be patient, for this is very little, in the way of Allah’ Then he (a.s.) said “O Misam, then you shall be with me (in paradise)” [5]

His courage was due to his knowledge and awareness of the status, importance and rights of Hazrat Ameerul Momeneen (a.s.) over his shias. Our responsibility in this world is to love Ameerul Momeneen (a.s.). Holy Prophet (sawa) said :

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص عُنْوَانُ‏ صَحِيفَةِ الْمُؤْمِنِ‏ حُبُ‏ عَلِيِ‏ بْنِ‏ أَبِي‏ طَالِب‏

“The title of the book of a Momin (believer) is love of Hazrat Ali ibne Abi Talib (a.s.)” [6]

This love creates the requisite emotions of sacrifice and submission. Janabe Meesam (a.r.) was pracitising on it.

And the source of his knowledge was none other than Ameerul Momeneen (a.s.). He once met Janabe Ibne Abbas and said

يَا ابْنَ عَبَّاسٍ سَلْنِي مَا شِئْتَ‏ مِنْ‏ تَفْسِيرِ الْقُرْآنِ‏ فَإِنِّي قَرَأْتُ تَنْزِيلَهُ عَلَى أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع وَ عَلَّمَنِي تَأْوِيلَه‏

“O Ibne Abbas ask me whatever you want from the interpretation of Quran, for indeed I have read out its tanzeel to Ameerul Momeneen (a.s.) and he has taught me its Taweel.” [7]

The effect of this marefat and love was his fearlessness in facing Ibne Ziyad – May Allah curse him. We present his fearless conversation with Ibne Ziyad :

 فَقَالَ ابْنُ زِيَادٍ لَأَقْتُلَنَّكَ قِتْلَةً مَا قُتِلَ أَحَدٌ مِثْلَهَا فِي الْإِسْلَامِ قَالَ فَقُلْتُ وَ اللَّهِ لَقَدْ أَخْبَرَنِي مَوْلَايَ أَنْ يَقْتُلَنِي الْعُتُلُّ الزَّنِيمُ فَيَقْطَعَ يَدَيَّ وَ رِجْلَيَّ وَ لِسَانِي ثُمَّ يَصْلُبُنِي قَالَ فَقَالَ وَ مَا الْعُتُلُّ الزَّنِيمُ فَإِنِّي أَجِدُهُ فِي كِتَابِ اللَّهِ قَالَ قُلْتُ أَخْبَرَنِي مَوْلَايَ أَنَّهُ‏ ابْنُ‏ الْمَرْأَةِ الْفَاجِرَةِ قَالَ‏ فَقَالَ‏ وَ اللَّهِ‏ لَأُكَذِّبَنَّكَ‏ وَ لَأُكَذِّبَنَّ مَوْلَاكَ فَقَالَ لِصَاحِبِ حَرَسِهِ أَخْرِجْهُ فَاقْطَعْ يَدَيْهِ وَ رِجْلَيْهِ وَ دَعْ لِسَانَهُ حَتَّى يَعْلَمَ أَنَّهُ كَذَّابٌ مَوْلَى الْكَذَّابِ قَالَ فَأَخْرَجَهُ فَفَعَلَ ذَلِكَ بِهِ قَالَ صَالِحٌ فَأَتَيْتُ أَبِي مُتَشَحِّطاً بِدَمِهِ ثُمَّ اسْتَوَى جَالِساً فَنَادَى بِأَعْلَى صَوْتِهِ مَنْ أَرَادَ الْحَدِيثَ الْمَكْتُومَ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ أَبِي طَالِبٍ أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع فَلْيَسْتَمِعْ فَاجْتَمَعَ النَّاسُ فَأَقْبَلَ يُحَدِّثُهُمْ بِالْعَجَائِبِ

“…Ibne Ziyad said ‘I will kill you in a way nobody was killed before in Islam. He (a.r.) said ‘By Allah my master had informed me that  العتل الزنيم shall kill me, then he shall cut my hands and my legs and my tongue then he shall crucify me’.  Ibne Ziyad said ‘What is العتل الزنيم I have seen it in the book of Allah?’  Janabe Meesam (a.r.) said  ‘My master has informed me that it means ابن المرأة الفاجرة the son of immroal  woman.’ Upon hearing this Ibne Ziyad said ‘By Allah I shall falsify you and falsify your master’ and he ordered his jailor that cut his legs and his hands and leave his tongue such that people know that he is liar the slave of liar. Then, he took him out did what was ordered. Saleh bin Meesam says that then my father was brought bathed in his blood, he sat straight and called out loudly ‘one who desires to hear the secret traditions from Ameerul Momeneen Ali Ibne Abi Talib (a.s.) then he should listen.’ Then people gathered around him, then he started narrating the strange (extra ordinary) traditions’ [8]

When Ibne Ziyad was informed about it, he changed his orders and gave fresh orders to pull out his tongue – thereby testifying that the words of Ameerul Momeneen (a.s.) are always true.

We conclude, taking note of that fact that Amr bil Maroof and Nahi Anil Munkar requires courage which is the outcome of love and marefat of Ahle Bait (a.s.). We the shias of Imam Zamana (a.t.f.s.) should also be ready to face mental and physical pain and tortures.  Obstacles and barriers are to be crossed, it may cost us time, wealth and blood. We have to be ready to sacrifice our desires, our habits,  our family members, our emotions and everything  to propagate the name of Imam Zamana (a.t.f.s.). Are we ready ? I am sure – we are.

Footnote:

1) Mustadrakul Wasail vol 12 pg 185

2) Biharul Anwar Vol 65 page 348 of Noor 3.5

3) Biharul Anwar Vol 97 page 94 of Noor 3.5

4) Biharul Anwar Vol 22 page 342 of Noor 3.5

5) Biharul Anwar Vol 42 page 130 of Noor 3.5

6) Biharul Anwar Vol 39 page 284 of Noor 3.5

7) Biharul Anwar Vol 42 page 128 of Noor 3.5
8) Al Ikhtesaas of Shaikh Mufeed (a.r.) page 76 of Noor 3.5