 |
|
 |
Thul-Qi`da 1329
1) Our answer is that the argument of such opponents is wrong. It is baseless because of the fallacy of its minor and major arguments.
As for its minor argument, that is, the claim that "Those who narrated the verses concerning your argument are Shí`a" is obviously false as testified by reliable Sunni authorities who recorded their statements in the meaning which we have stated. Their musnads testify to the fact that they are even more in number than Shí`as, as we explained in our book Tanzílul Ayát alBáhira, in our chapter titled "Virtues of the Purified `itra." You may also refer to Ghayatul Marám which is widely circulated throughout the Muslim world.
As for the major one, that is, the claim that Shí`as are not regarded by Sunnis as reliable (in narrating <ádíth), its fallacy is even more obvious than that of the minor one. Sunni Musndads bear testimony to this fact, and the authorities they relied upon are full of Shí`a names. Take, for example, their six #a<í< books and others which use them as their authorities, the latter being charged by those who attribute to them deviation from the Right Path, stamp them with the stamps of "Ráfi_is" and "deviators." To them have they attributed extremism, fanaticism, and deviation from the Path.
Among Bukhári's mentors are Shí`a men who have been charged with being "Ráfi_i" and stamped with hatred; nevertheless, this has never made Bukhári nor others doubt their fairmindedness. The latter relied upon them even in the #a<í< books feeling very comfortable with doing so. So; will the opponents who say that "Shí`as are not relied upon by Sunnis" find a listening ear? Of course not!
2) Such opponents, however, are ignorant. Had they known the truth, they would have come to know the fact that Shí`as have followed in the footsteps of and have emulated the Purified `itra. Their manners are the `itra's; therefore, everyone they relied upon is unmatchable in truthfulness and trustworthiness. Unmatchable are their reliable heroes in piety and caution. There are no peers for them among their dependable dignitaries in their forsaking the pleasures of this world, in their piety, worship, good manners, selfdiscipline, selfdenial, and selfcriticism. Nobody can equal them in ascertaining facts and looking for them with extreme care and moderation.
Had the opponent assessed their value, just as it is in reality, he would have put his confidence in them, entrusting his affairs to them. But his ignorance of them has made him wander at random about them like one riding a blind animal in a dark night. He would charge the trustees of Islam such as Mu<ammad ibn Ya`qúb alKulayni, and a truthful among Muslims like Mu<ammad ibn `Ali ibn Babawayh alQummi, and a mentor of the nation such as Mu<ammad ibn al\asan ibn `Ali al^úsi. He would belittle their sacred books which are the custodians of the knowledge of the family of Mu<ammad, peace and blessings be upon him and them, doubting their mentors who are the pioneers of knowledge and the ones who equal the Holy Qur'án and who have dedicated their lives to promote the teachings of Alláh, the Sublime, the Almighty, His book and His Messenger, peace be upon him and his progeny, and the Imáms of Muslims and their commoners.
3) Both righteous and vicious individuals have equally come to know how these virtuous men judge the case of telling lies. Thousands of their books curse lying, labelling falsification of <ádíth as sins punishable by Hell-fire. They are distinguished by their judgment of intentional falsification of <ádíth. They have considered it to break the fast, requiring both compensation and penitence from the person who commits it during the month of Rama_an, and they also require the same for whatever causes the breaking of the fast. Their Fiqh and <ádíth are very clear in this regard; therefore, how can anybody charge their narrators while they are the good, the virtuous, the ones who spend the night praying and the day fasting? Since when have the virtuous among the followers and supporters of Mu<ammad's family been charged, while the Kharijis, Murji'is and Qadris have not? What other than obvious enmity and ugly ignorance? We seek refuge with Alláh against forsaking us, and from Him do we seek help against the bad consequences of injustice and oppression. There is no might nor power except in Alláh, the Sublime, the Almighty, and peace be with you.
Sincerely,
Sh