The Role of Holy Imams in the Revival of Religion (3) Sayed Morteza Askari The Role of Holy Imams (A.S.) In The Revival of Religion XW Author: Allamah Seyed Murteza Askari Translated by: Michele Ahmadi Volume 1 In the name of Allah, the compassionate, the all merciful 8 IN THE NAME OF ALLAH THE ALL-BENEFICENT, THE ALL- MERCIFUL In our previous discussions, we witnessed the chaotic state vis-à-vis the biography of the holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.), his traditions (ahaadith) and the exegesis of the holy Quran (after his demise). We saw the manner in which the holy Prophets (s.a.w.a ) sunnah was distorted, as a result of this chaotic state, and how these came to be recognized as Islamic thought, Islamic reflection and original Islam in Muslim societies. Now, by the Power of the Almighty, we intend to examine the manner in which the twelve legatees of the holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) have remedied and settled this chaotic condition. This will be examined under the following five topics: 1. Analysis of that part of the holy Prophets (s.a.w.a.) life which is necessary for recognizing the factors influencing the spread and survival of Islam. 2. The stance of the four Caliphs towards the holy Prophets (s.a.w.a.) sunnah and the manner in which various sects came into existence in the Caliphate school of thought. 3. Attitude of the Muslim Caliphs, from Muawiya to Mamun. 4. The Prophet (s.a.w.a.) entrusts his sunnah to his true successors. Naba Cultural Organization 1 NabaCultural.Org The Role of Holy Imams in the Revival of Religion (3) Sayed Morteza Askari 5. An inquiry concerning the manner in which the holy Prophets (s.a.w.a.) successors struggled for the resurgence of the holy Prophets (s.a.w.a.) sunnah, their role in the revival of religion and recognition of Shiasm. In fact, we began these discussions with this very name. These topics will be dealt with in the next volume, Inshallah. Naba Cultural Organization 2 NabaCultural.Org The Role of Holy Imams in the Revival of Religion (3) Sayed Morteza Askari Á ļ°v·Y Á [Zf°·Y ºÆ¼¸ Ë Á ºÆÌ¯Ë Á ÄeZËM ºÆ̸ ¸fË ºÆÀ» Ó ¾ÌÌ»ÓY ʧ h ] É~·Y ÂÅ » :«¾Ì^» µÔ ʨ· ¶^« ¾» Y¿Z¯ ½S “He it is Who raised among the illiterates an Apostle from among themselves, who recites to them His communications and purifies them, and teaches them the Book and the Wisdom, although they were before certainly in clear error.” (Jumuah /2) :«½Â¯¼·Y ï · Á ĸ¯ ¾Ë|·Y ʸ ÃÆÌ· ªv·Y ¾Ë{ Á É|Æ·Z] Ä·Â ¶O É~·Y ÂÅ » “He it is Who sent His Apostle with the guidance and the true religion, that He may make it overcome all religions, though the polytheists may be averse.” (Saff /9) ¾» Ô§ ½Â¤f^Ë Y|n Z ¯ ºÅYe ºÆÀÌ] LZ¼u Z¨°·Y ʸ LY|O Ä » ¾Ë~·Y Á ×Y µÂ |¼v» » ¶Ìn¿ÑY ʧ ºÆ¸j» Á YÂf·Y ʧ ºÆ¸j» ®·} {Ân·Y iO ¾» ºÆÅÂmÁ ʧ ºÅZ¼Ì Z¿Y Á ×Y ×Y |Á Z¨°·Y ºÆ] ̷̤ Y·Y \n Ë Ä«Â Ê¸ ÉÂfZ§ ¸¤fZ§ ÃN§ ÄX kyO ¯ :«Z¼Ì YmY Á ¨¤» ºÆÀ» cZv·Z·Y Y¸¼ Á YÂÀ»M ¾Ë~·Y "Muhammad is the Apostle of Allah, and those with him are firm of heart against the unbelievers, compassionate among themselves. You will see them bowing, prostrating, seeking Allah’s grace and His pleasure. Their marks are on their foreheads due to the effect of prostration. Their like has been described in the Torah and in the Injeel as a seed-produce that puts forth its sprout, and then strengthens it, so it becomes stout and stands firmly on its stem, delighting the farmers, that He may enrage the unbelievers on account of them. Allah has promised those among them who believe and do good, forgiveness and a great reward.” (Fath /29) Naba Cultural Organization 3 NabaCultural.Org The Role of Holy Imams in the Revival of Religion (3) Sayed Morteza Askari PREFACE Before commencing the main topic of this section (i.e. a short review of the holy Prophets (s.a.w.a.) biography), we shall look into two vital matters in this introduction: 1) Human instincts and the roots of need for religion for humanity. 2) The Arab world during the prophetic mission and before the advent of Islam. On elucidation of the aforementioned points, the necessary background for acquiring the finer aspects of the holy Prophets (s.a.w.a.) life will be provided for, Inshallah. Naba Cultural Organization 4 NabaCultural.Org The Role of Holy Imams in the Revival of Religion (3) Sayed Morteza Askari HUMAN POWERS AND INSTINCTS Man is a combination of material-physical powers as well as sensual-spiritual powers. He possesses animal instincts, human instincts and metaphysical instincts. Every set of these powers possess some needs related to their state and these instincts too, possess some desires connected to those very instincts. The Lord of the Universe has created on this earth all that is required by mankind. The holy Quran says: .« ... Z ̼m ÓY Á cY¼·Y ʧ Z» º°· z Á » “And He has made subservient to you whatsoever is in the heavens and whatsoever is in the earth.” (Jaasiyah /13) Thus, it becomes obvious that man is in need of guidance, in order to recognize the manner in which he should utilize all that has been created for him in the best possible manner. For example, to show him as to how he should overcome his hunger and thirst by eating and drinking, useful and healthy things, and not harmful foods and drinks. And how he should satiate his sexual instincts through legitimate and healthy intercourse and not through illegitimate and fatal homosexuality. And how he should utilize the instinct of egoism in the correct manner and not to the extent of inflicting harm on others. In all these affairs, man should be directed as to how he should tread the moderate path and abstain from extremities so that the evolution and progress of his existence reaches the utmost level of human perfection. For this reason, Allah the Almighty guided man to the religion of Islam through the Prophets (a.s.). On sending the last of His Prophets (s.a.w.a.) He perfected Islam for man and said: .« ... º°ÀË{ º°· d¸¼¯O ¹ÂÌ·Y » “This day have I perfected for you your religion.” (Maeda /3) By the Power of the Almighty God, we shall discuss in the near future, the means and channels provided for His Prophets (a.s.) by Allah, to enable them to propagate Islam and allowing it to remain in the hands of the people until the end of this world. We shall also review how the holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) endeavored and strove on this path on the commands of God. Naba Cultural Organization 5 NabaCultural.Org The Role of Holy Imams in the Revival of Religion (3) Sayed Morteza Askari In order to prepare the ground for such types of research, it is also necessary to study the Arab society before Islam. By the Power of the Almighty, let us commence our discussion. THE STATE OF ARAB SOCIETY IN THE PRE - ISLAMIC ERA In order to explore the condition of Arab society in the pre-Islamic era, it is indispensable to examine the following three affairs: 1) Arab race and origin. 2) Religion, culture, economic and social conditions of the Arabs before Islam. 3) Situation of Mecca and Medina before the holy Prophets (s.a.w.a.) mission and migration. Naba Cultural Organization 6 NabaCultural.Org The Role of Holy Imams in the Revival of Religion (3) Sayed Morteza Askari 1. THE ARAB RACE AND ORIGIN It is said that the Arabs are from the descendants of Saam, son of Prophet Noah (A.S.). Originally, all Arabs are divided into two generations of Adnan and Qahtan. The description of these two races is as follows: 1) The Adnan race is from the progeny of Ismaael, the son of Ibrahim. Initially, they were living in Mecca but later on, they resided in the lands of Najd and thereafter all over the Arabian Peninsula. Those who lived in Mecca before the prophetic mission belonged to the tribe of Quraish. 2) The Qahtan race is from the offspring of Yahrab-ibn-Qahtan. Originally, they resided in Yemen. Thereafter, ten of their clans migrated to Syria, Iraq and Medina. At the time of their settlement in Medina, they consisted of two tribes- 1 Aws and Khazraj. 1 Refer to Mukhtasar Jumharah Ansab al-Arab of Ibne-Kalbi and Ansab of Ibne-Hazm. For acquaintance with the Arab places, refer to Qabel al-Arab of Omar Ridha Kahhale. Naba Cultural Organization 7 NabaCultural.Org The Role of Holy Imams in the Revival of Religion (3) Sayed Morteza Askari 2. THE RELIGIOUS, CULTURAL, ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL CONDITIONS OF THE ARABS IN THE PRE-ISLAMIC ERA 1) Religious Conditions in the Arabian Peninsula: In Arabia and its environs, Allah revealed three divine laws (shariah) the Almighty for the guidance of the people, all of which were distorted by its followers before the advent of the holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.). First- The Shariah of Ibrahim (a.s.), the Friend of Allah (Khaleel al-Rahman) In the holy Quran and the prophetic traditions, the followers of this Shariah are called as Hanif.