Some Fundamentals
KNOWLEDGE OF THE CERTAINTY OF EXISTENCE:
This is evidenced by examples. The knowledge of Certainty of Existence
is in the nature. Therefore the unbelievers were not asked to believe in
Allah, but they were asked not to believe in a comity of deities.
It is narrated that the Prophet asked an Arab as to how he identified
Allah? He said, “I saw the droppings of the camel on the way and knew
that some camels had passed by. I saw the foot- marks of men and knew
that some men had used the path. We have such vast land, the sky the
sun, the moon and the stars. Don’t they indicate that there must be
someone who has made them?”
Imam Jafar e Sadiq (a.s) narrates that someone wanted him to give an
explanation about the existence of Allah. The Imam (a.s) asked him,
“Have you ever been on any voyage at sea?”
The man replied in the affirmative.
The Imam (a.s) rejoined, “Have you come across a storm while on
board a ship?”
The man replied in affirmative.
The Imam (a.s) said, “Did you get a feeling at that time that there must
be some power that could come to the rescue of the ship?”
The man replied in the affirmative.
The Imam (a.s) rejoined, “Yes! That Power is Allah!!”
But the atheists and agnostics who raise objections at every step and
find fault with the creations of Allah are like the blind men who have
been left in a palatial mansion to partake of the dainty food laid out for
them. Some blind persons trample the bread, some other person puts his
foot in the bowl of the soup. The blind persons
complain of the host being careless in spreading the food in a wrong
place. They are, no doubt, blind to the fact that they have been provided
with the best of food in the best of surroundings.
39
2. IDRAK KUNAH: ZAT E KHUDAWANDI
The second type of Knowledge of the Existence of the Creator Idrak
Kunha (that means, Realization of the Reality) of His Person. This is impossible
for the human intellect. When a human being is not capable of
understanding its own personality, how could he delve into understanding
the Personality of the Creator! But it is the human intellect that has
created innumerable sects of various beliefs. Some sects have concluded
that Allah is a handsome youth and others believe that He is old with a
flowing white beard! Some others say that He is everywhere and
everything is Him!! There are also those who believe that Allah has
transmigrated or penetrated into the bodies of those excellent in piety!!!
Therefore, we have to bear in mind Allah’s clear instruction in this
matter, “Whatever the Prophet (a.s) gives, take it.” The Prophet (a.s) has
said, “I am leaving behind two weighty things amidst you; one is the
Quran and the other my Ahl al Bayt. Follow them and you shall find Deliverance.”
We have to follow these and should not use our intellect in
this matter!
In short, the perfect in piety is one who says about the person of the
Creator that he has not understood Him. Because understanding Him
consists in knowing that no one has the faculty to understand Him.
Therefore one who says that he has not understood his Creator, he is the
one who has understood Him!
Imam Zain al Abedeen (a.s) was once asked about the Unity and the
Existence of Allah. He said, “Allah was aware that in times to come there
will be people who will think and discuss about Him. Therefore He revealed
the verses of Iqlas and Hadeed. One should not go beyond these
in interpreting the existence of Allah, lest they go astray.”
It is narrated that Imam Jafar e Sadiq (a.s) has said, “The Twelve Infallible
Imams (a.s) are the Chapters of Knowledge and Understanding of
the Creator. By following them one can achieve the path of guidance and
understanding. If they were not there, none would have understood Allah.
Through them Allah has completed the Hujjat (Proof).” There are
several traditions of the Prophet (a.s) and the Masoomeen in this regard.
But Satan has led astray many intellectuals who have used their thinking
instead of depending on the dictates of Allah, the Prophet (a.s) and the
other Infallible persons. With their fertile imagination they gave Allah
several forms. The Platonic Mystics (Ulema e ashraqi)and Scholastic
Philosophers (Mutakallameen) differ very much in their concept of
40
Allah. Some of the Mutakallameen believe that Allah has a body and is
like the radiant light.
The Sects Of Sufis:
Some Sunni sufis say the face of Allah is like a simple youth. Some
others say that He is like an old man with flowing silvery beard. Some
others say that Allah has a huge body and is sitting in the firmament.
Some Sufis, Mutakallameen and the Christians believe in the transmigration
or penetration of God. While the Christians restrict the phenomenon
of the penetration only to Jesus, the other two groups believe that Allah
will penetrate into anyone who has reached the height of piety. Because
of this belief Allah has termed the Christians unbelievers (Kuffar) in the
Quran and Has cursed them.
There is another sect of the Sufis that is worst than the believers of
transmigration. They believe in the Unity of Allah. They believe that Allah
is everything and everywhere. He can come in different forms and
shapes. Sometimes he is Zaid, at others he is Amr, sometimes He assumes
the shape of a cat or a dog or anything else. Some Hindus too
have a similar belief. The book of Brahmins, Jog, is on the same subject.
The Sufis value this book very much. They think that this book is better
than the theological works of the Shias. Even some Shias think that the
Sufis are right. In their ignorance they are accepting these beliefs and
rendering themselves unbelievers (Kafirs).Only those who remain steadfast
in following the Ahl al Bayt are on the Right Path.
Most of the Sufis are from the Sunni Ashari sect. But there is a lot of diversity
in their beliefs and ways. If in some book it is said that Abu Hanifa
advises praying in a particular way, then another says that Sufian Suri
advises another method.
Kulaini narrates through an authentic source that one day Sadeer was
on his way home from the mosque and Imam Jafar e Sadiq (a.s) was proceeding
towards the mosque. The Imam held Sadeer’s hand and turning
towards Kaaba said, “O Sadeer! People are required by Allah to come to
his House, the Kaaba, circumambulate it and express their allegiance to
the Imam (a.s) as Allah says in his Holy Book,’ I shall forgive one who
repents, adopts the Faith, does good deeds and is guided’”
Then the Imam (a.s) pointed towards his chest and said, “O Sadeer!
Getting guided means loving, obeying us. I shall show to you the pilferers
of the Faith. Look there! (At that moment Abu Hanifa and Sufian Suri
were sitting in the mosque. The Imam pointed his finger toward them.).
These are the bandits of the Faith and have not received Guidance from
41
Allah! If these persons stay at their homes and send the people to us,
then we shall guide them on the path of the Faith and instruct to them
the teachings of Allah and his Prophet (a.s).”
Another reliable source narrates that an inhabitant of Mecca said that
one day Sufian Suri asked him to accompany him to the presence of
Imam Mohammed bin Jafar (a.s). We reached him at a time when the
Imam was about to mount his steed. Sufian said, “Kindly repeat to us the
Sermon delivered by the Prophet (a.s) in the Mosque of Kheef.” The
Imam (a.s) said, “I am now proceeding on some work. I shall relate to
you the Sermon some other time.” Sufian said, “In the name of your relationship
with the Prophet (a.s), I implore you to relate the Sermon now.”
The Imam (a.s) dismounted from the horse and related the Sermon and
Sufian Suri started writing it down. Sufial Suri read back what he had
noted. Then the Imam (a.s) mounted the horse and went on his way.
Then the person asked Sufian to give him the manuscript that he wanted
to see the contents. After reading the contents, the person told to Sufian
Suri, “By Allah! The Imam (a.s) has made something obligatory on you
that the Prophet (a.s) has said,’ Anyone who has three qualities shall
never be subject to malice and guilty of breach of trust:.1.Righteous
deeds that are done in the way of Allah, 2.Being a well-wisher of the
Imam (a.s) and the Believers. 3. Living amicably with the Muslims.” He
asked Sufian Suri, “Who are the Imams (a.s) whose obedience is obligatory?”
Sufian replied, “Muawiah, Yazeed and Marwan bin al Hakm!” The
person also asked Sufian, “Which is the group of Muslims with whom
people are required to live amicably?” Sufian Suri replied, “The Sunnis
of Marjia Sect (Who say that a person who missed prayers and fasts, is
not aware of the method of the Bath of Purification, demolishers of Kaba,
have done incest with their own mothers, have a Faith equivalent to the
Faith of angels Gabriel and Mekail) or Sunnis of the Sect of Qadaria (who
say Allah cannot do everything that He wishes) or the Kharijites, the Dissenters
(who call Hazrat Ali (a.s) an unbeliever and curse him).” Sufian
added, “However what is the opinion of the Shias and their Imams (a.s)
about this tradition?” The person said, “The Shias believe that it is obligatory
to obey Hazrat Ali (a.s) and the Infallible Imams of the Ahl al
Bayt!” Hearing this Sufian Suri tore the paper on which he had noted the
Sermon of the Prophet and said, “Don’t mention to anyone what transpired
today!”
It is a truth that such hostility and denial of the Holy Imams (a.s) was
practiced not only by Abu Hanifa but also by many who were from the
42
earlier period. Mention of these will be made at appropriate places in
this book
In the book, Futuhat, it is said, Subhan min azhar al ashiya wa Huwa
aina (Pure is the Allah who has manifested things, and the things are
Him.”
At another place in “Khusoos al Hakm” it says, “Hazrat Noah (a.s)
made a mistake as the Prophet. His people were righteous and were
drowned in the sea of Piety”. The author writes at several places in the
book that people should neither adhere to any particular religion nor
deny any religion. They should not deny even the idols because they are
the manifestations of god. God is present in everything. Allah had not
given ascendancy to Hazrat Harun (a.s) over the cow worshippers because
He wanted to be worshipped in every manifestation. In the eyes of
Allah there is nothing in the world that isn’t a deity. The author says that
the Christians are termed unbelievers only because they believe in the
Unity of God with the proviso that Jesus too is God.
Some people came to Hazrat Ali (a.s) and said that they considered
him god because of his attributes. Hazrat Ali (a.s) was furious at this
blasphemous thought and ordered them to be drowned in a deep well.
Imagine, when calling such a revered personality god is blasphemy, then
how grave it is to term dogs, cats and stones as gods. One will wonder
when some people believe that god is in everything and everything is
god! Therefore some wrongly believe that a person who reaches a stage
that he sees Allah in everything, he is exempt from offering prayer. The
Verse in which Allah exhorts people to offer prayers, “Wa aabudu Rabbaka
hatta yatiakal eqeen, and worship thy Lord till death catches up
with you”, they interpret the following way to suit their belief, “and
worship thy Lord till you have faith in His Unity”. Maulana Hilli says in
his book, Kashf al Haq wa Nahj al Sidq, “Allah doesn’t penetrate into
anything, because if this premise is accepted, then Allah will be bound to
a place and His Attribute is that He is everywhere and not subject to any
restriction of time or place.
Discussion On The Concept Of Transmigration Or Penetration
One sect of Sunni Sufis believes that Allah penetrates into the Sufis of
high piety. Therefore people visit the mausoleums of saints. Sometimes
Sufis claim that Allah and all things are united and at others they say
that Allah has transmigrated or penetrated into things. The prayer of
these sects is singing, clapping, whistling and dancing. They do this, despite
the fact that Allah has forbidden such activities. Allah addresses the
43
unbelievers thus, “Wa ma kaana salatuhum indalbaithe illa makaan wa
tasdeeyatan- their (meaning the hypocrites) prayer and supplication is
nothing more than whistling and clapping near the Kaaba.” What more
impunity one can expect from the people that when Allah expresses His
displeasure at the actions of the hypocrites, they perpetrate them.
I have experienced once that some Sufis came to the mausoleum of
Imam Hussain (a.s). at dusk. Eryone of them offered prayers excepting
one who sat quietly. Similarly at the Isha prayer, everyone joined the
congregation barring the one who sat quietly at the earlier prayer. I
asked one of the Sufis as to why that person didn’t join the prayers. He
replied, “The person is not obliged to pray because he has reached Allah.
For those who have reached Allah, there is no curtain between them and
Him. Then why should they have the curtain of Prayer between them
and Him.Prayer is the Haajib (the janitor or the door keeper) between the
Creator and the Creation!”
O wise people! Evaluate their beliefs and way of worship! Imagine
their excuse of foregoing the Obligatory Prayers! The height of their perfidy
is that such persons are considered the Abdals (the saints)!
The Sufis write down their thoughts in verse and their followers read
them, sing them, do clapping in unison, jump and dance! They term
these acts as prayers. More about them later on!!
This is evidenced by examples. The knowledge of Certainty of Existence
is in the nature. Therefore the unbelievers were not asked to believe in
Allah, but they were asked not to believe in a comity of deities.
It is narrated that the Prophet asked an Arab as to how he identified
Allah? He said, “I saw the droppings of the camel on the way and knew
that some camels had passed by. I saw the foot- marks of men and knew
that some men had used the path. We have such vast land, the sky the
sun, the moon and the stars. Don’t they indicate that there must be
someone who has made them?”
Imam Jafar e Sadiq (a.s) narrates that someone wanted him to give an
explanation about the existence of Allah. The Imam (a.s) asked him,
“Have you ever been on any voyage at sea?”
The man replied in the affirmative.
The Imam (a.s) rejoined, “Have you come across a storm while on
board a ship?”
The man replied in affirmative.
The Imam (a.s) said, “Did you get a feeling at that time that there must
be some power that could come to the rescue of the ship?”
The man replied in the affirmative.
The Imam (a.s) rejoined, “Yes! That Power is Allah!!”
But the atheists and agnostics who raise objections at every step and
find fault with the creations of Allah are like the blind men who have
been left in a palatial mansion to partake of the dainty food laid out for
them. Some blind persons trample the bread, some other person puts his
foot in the bowl of the soup. The blind persons
complain of the host being careless in spreading the food in a wrong
place. They are, no doubt, blind to the fact that they have been provided
with the best of food in the best of surroundings.
39
2. IDRAK KUNAH: ZAT E KHUDAWANDI
The second type of Knowledge of the Existence of the Creator Idrak
Kunha (that means, Realization of the Reality) of His Person. This is impossible
for the human intellect. When a human being is not capable of
understanding its own personality, how could he delve into understanding
the Personality of the Creator! But it is the human intellect that has
created innumerable sects of various beliefs. Some sects have concluded
that Allah is a handsome youth and others believe that He is old with a
flowing white beard! Some others say that He is everywhere and
everything is Him!! There are also those who believe that Allah has
transmigrated or penetrated into the bodies of those excellent in piety!!!
Therefore, we have to bear in mind Allah’s clear instruction in this
matter, “Whatever the Prophet (a.s) gives, take it.” The Prophet (a.s) has
said, “I am leaving behind two weighty things amidst you; one is the
Quran and the other my Ahl al Bayt. Follow them and you shall find Deliverance.”
We have to follow these and should not use our intellect in
this matter!
In short, the perfect in piety is one who says about the person of the
Creator that he has not understood Him. Because understanding Him
consists in knowing that no one has the faculty to understand Him.
Therefore one who says that he has not understood his Creator, he is the
one who has understood Him!
Imam Zain al Abedeen (a.s) was once asked about the Unity and the
Existence of Allah. He said, “Allah was aware that in times to come there
will be people who will think and discuss about Him. Therefore He revealed
the verses of Iqlas and Hadeed. One should not go beyond these
in interpreting the existence of Allah, lest they go astray.”
It is narrated that Imam Jafar e Sadiq (a.s) has said, “The Twelve Infallible
Imams (a.s) are the Chapters of Knowledge and Understanding of
the Creator. By following them one can achieve the path of guidance and
understanding. If they were not there, none would have understood Allah.
Through them Allah has completed the Hujjat (Proof).” There are
several traditions of the Prophet (a.s) and the Masoomeen in this regard.
But Satan has led astray many intellectuals who have used their thinking
instead of depending on the dictates of Allah, the Prophet (a.s) and the
other Infallible persons. With their fertile imagination they gave Allah
several forms. The Platonic Mystics (Ulema e ashraqi)and Scholastic
Philosophers (Mutakallameen) differ very much in their concept of
40
Allah. Some of the Mutakallameen believe that Allah has a body and is
like the radiant light.
The Sects Of Sufis:
Some Sunni sufis say the face of Allah is like a simple youth. Some
others say that He is like an old man with flowing silvery beard. Some
others say that Allah has a huge body and is sitting in the firmament.
Some Sufis, Mutakallameen and the Christians believe in the transmigration
or penetration of God. While the Christians restrict the phenomenon
of the penetration only to Jesus, the other two groups believe that Allah
will penetrate into anyone who has reached the height of piety. Because
of this belief Allah has termed the Christians unbelievers (Kuffar) in the
Quran and Has cursed them.
There is another sect of the Sufis that is worst than the believers of
transmigration. They believe in the Unity of Allah. They believe that Allah
is everything and everywhere. He can come in different forms and
shapes. Sometimes he is Zaid, at others he is Amr, sometimes He assumes
the shape of a cat or a dog or anything else. Some Hindus too
have a similar belief. The book of Brahmins, Jog, is on the same subject.
The Sufis value this book very much. They think that this book is better
than the theological works of the Shias. Even some Shias think that the
Sufis are right. In their ignorance they are accepting these beliefs and
rendering themselves unbelievers (Kafirs).Only those who remain steadfast
in following the Ahl al Bayt are on the Right Path.
Most of the Sufis are from the Sunni Ashari sect. But there is a lot of diversity
in their beliefs and ways. If in some book it is said that Abu Hanifa
advises praying in a particular way, then another says that Sufian Suri
advises another method.
Kulaini narrates through an authentic source that one day Sadeer was
on his way home from the mosque and Imam Jafar e Sadiq (a.s) was proceeding
towards the mosque. The Imam held Sadeer’s hand and turning
towards Kaaba said, “O Sadeer! People are required by Allah to come to
his House, the Kaaba, circumambulate it and express their allegiance to
the Imam (a.s) as Allah says in his Holy Book,’ I shall forgive one who
repents, adopts the Faith, does good deeds and is guided’”
Then the Imam (a.s) pointed towards his chest and said, “O Sadeer!
Getting guided means loving, obeying us. I shall show to you the pilferers
of the Faith. Look there! (At that moment Abu Hanifa and Sufian Suri
were sitting in the mosque. The Imam pointed his finger toward them.).
These are the bandits of the Faith and have not received Guidance from
41
Allah! If these persons stay at their homes and send the people to us,
then we shall guide them on the path of the Faith and instruct to them
the teachings of Allah and his Prophet (a.s).”
Another reliable source narrates that an inhabitant of Mecca said that
one day Sufian Suri asked him to accompany him to the presence of
Imam Mohammed bin Jafar (a.s). We reached him at a time when the
Imam was about to mount his steed. Sufian said, “Kindly repeat to us the
Sermon delivered by the Prophet (a.s) in the Mosque of Kheef.” The
Imam (a.s) said, “I am now proceeding on some work. I shall relate to
you the Sermon some other time.” Sufian said, “In the name of your relationship
with the Prophet (a.s), I implore you to relate the Sermon now.”
The Imam (a.s) dismounted from the horse and related the Sermon and
Sufian Suri started writing it down. Sufial Suri read back what he had
noted. Then the Imam (a.s) mounted the horse and went on his way.
Then the person asked Sufian to give him the manuscript that he wanted
to see the contents. After reading the contents, the person told to Sufian
Suri, “By Allah! The Imam (a.s) has made something obligatory on you
that the Prophet (a.s) has said,’ Anyone who has three qualities shall
never be subject to malice and guilty of breach of trust:.1.Righteous
deeds that are done in the way of Allah, 2.Being a well-wisher of the
Imam (a.s) and the Believers. 3. Living amicably with the Muslims.” He
asked Sufian Suri, “Who are the Imams (a.s) whose obedience is obligatory?”
Sufian replied, “Muawiah, Yazeed and Marwan bin al Hakm!” The
person also asked Sufian, “Which is the group of Muslims with whom
people are required to live amicably?” Sufian Suri replied, “The Sunnis
of Marjia Sect (Who say that a person who missed prayers and fasts, is
not aware of the method of the Bath of Purification, demolishers of Kaba,
have done incest with their own mothers, have a Faith equivalent to the
Faith of angels Gabriel and Mekail) or Sunnis of the Sect of Qadaria (who
say Allah cannot do everything that He wishes) or the Kharijites, the Dissenters
(who call Hazrat Ali (a.s) an unbeliever and curse him).” Sufian
added, “However what is the opinion of the Shias and their Imams (a.s)
about this tradition?” The person said, “The Shias believe that it is obligatory
to obey Hazrat Ali (a.s) and the Infallible Imams of the Ahl al
Bayt!” Hearing this Sufian Suri tore the paper on which he had noted the
Sermon of the Prophet and said, “Don’t mention to anyone what transpired
today!”
It is a truth that such hostility and denial of the Holy Imams (a.s) was
practiced not only by Abu Hanifa but also by many who were from the
42
earlier period. Mention of these will be made at appropriate places in
this book
In the book, Futuhat, it is said, Subhan min azhar al ashiya wa Huwa
aina (Pure is the Allah who has manifested things, and the things are
Him.”
At another place in “Khusoos al Hakm” it says, “Hazrat Noah (a.s)
made a mistake as the Prophet. His people were righteous and were
drowned in the sea of Piety”. The author writes at several places in the
book that people should neither adhere to any particular religion nor
deny any religion. They should not deny even the idols because they are
the manifestations of god. God is present in everything. Allah had not
given ascendancy to Hazrat Harun (a.s) over the cow worshippers because
He wanted to be worshipped in every manifestation. In the eyes of
Allah there is nothing in the world that isn’t a deity. The author says that
the Christians are termed unbelievers only because they believe in the
Unity of God with the proviso that Jesus too is God.
Some people came to Hazrat Ali (a.s) and said that they considered
him god because of his attributes. Hazrat Ali (a.s) was furious at this
blasphemous thought and ordered them to be drowned in a deep well.
Imagine, when calling such a revered personality god is blasphemy, then
how grave it is to term dogs, cats and stones as gods. One will wonder
when some people believe that god is in everything and everything is
god! Therefore some wrongly believe that a person who reaches a stage
that he sees Allah in everything, he is exempt from offering prayer. The
Verse in which Allah exhorts people to offer prayers, “Wa aabudu Rabbaka
hatta yatiakal eqeen, and worship thy Lord till death catches up
with you”, they interpret the following way to suit their belief, “and
worship thy Lord till you have faith in His Unity”. Maulana Hilli says in
his book, Kashf al Haq wa Nahj al Sidq, “Allah doesn’t penetrate into
anything, because if this premise is accepted, then Allah will be bound to
a place and His Attribute is that He is everywhere and not subject to any
restriction of time or place.
Discussion On The Concept Of Transmigration Or Penetration
One sect of Sunni Sufis believes that Allah penetrates into the Sufis of
high piety. Therefore people visit the mausoleums of saints. Sometimes
Sufis claim that Allah and all things are united and at others they say
that Allah has transmigrated or penetrated into things. The prayer of
these sects is singing, clapping, whistling and dancing. They do this, despite
the fact that Allah has forbidden such activities. Allah addresses the
43
unbelievers thus, “Wa ma kaana salatuhum indalbaithe illa makaan wa
tasdeeyatan- their (meaning the hypocrites) prayer and supplication is
nothing more than whistling and clapping near the Kaaba.” What more
impunity one can expect from the people that when Allah expresses His
displeasure at the actions of the hypocrites, they perpetrate them.
I have experienced once that some Sufis came to the mausoleum of
Imam Hussain (a.s). at dusk. Eryone of them offered prayers excepting
one who sat quietly. Similarly at the Isha prayer, everyone joined the
congregation barring the one who sat quietly at the earlier prayer. I
asked one of the Sufis as to why that person didn’t join the prayers. He
replied, “The person is not obliged to pray because he has reached Allah.
For those who have reached Allah, there is no curtain between them and
Him. Then why should they have the curtain of Prayer between them
and Him.Prayer is the Haajib (the janitor or the door keeper) between the
Creator and the Creation!”
O wise people! Evaluate their beliefs and way of worship! Imagine
their excuse of foregoing the Obligatory Prayers! The height of their perfidy
is that such persons are considered the Abdals (the saints)!
The Sufis write down their thoughts in verse and their followers read
them, sing them, do clapping in unison, jump and dance! They term
these acts as prayers. More about them later on!!
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