Chapter One: Introduction
Whilst we have Alhamdolillah addressed the main objections raised against the Shia doctrine of Imamah by the Cyber Takfeeri’ite in our article:
Imamate; Divine giude in Islam
The article ”Imamah the Antithesis of Egalitarianism” written by Ibn al-Hashimi of the Ahlelbayt.com website forms part of a more subtle attempt to appeal to a rational Sunni mind, this subtle implication being that the Shia doctrine is ‘unfair’ contravening the framework of equality upon which the Deen is based. At the same time the author has sought to present what he deems the alternative approach to Imamate as a Sunni doctrine that allegedly espouses freedom for all, wherein all have a say in the process and can attain the rank as Imam over the Muslims. It almost sounds like an American speech on the aim for Muslims of democracy in Iraq. By presenting ‘both sides of the coin’ he is hoping to unhinge the Shi’a readership so they get sleepless nights thinking about how unfair the Imamate doctrine is, that will ultimately lead to them embracing Sunnism, and to alienate Sunnis from Shiaism. As part of his efforts, Ibn al-Hashimi has suppressed the actual Sunni stance that would evidence that Imamate is anything but egalitarian in nature, and completely glossed over the various mechanisms whereby a Sunni Muslim can attain the rank of Imamate. A fatal flaw that has exposed the author’s ignorance of polemical discussion is easily identifiable upon analysis of this article. Before one has the skills to take on the opposition, it is essential that one has a complete understanding of his own belief system, after all it is only then that you can offer the ‘correct’ alternative to those that you deem misguided. How pathetic it is then that it is the beliefs of his own Sunni house that leave him vulnerable and ultimately humiliated. In this article Ibn al Hashimi has portrayed Sunni Islam as a land flowing with milk and honey. This is a gross delusion and a lie, yes, we have no qualms in saying he has lied. The absurd Sunni arguments on Imamate, which in fact divide Shia from Sunni, are presented herein. Much of his material is indeed plagiarized from old Nasibi websites that we had already refuted …the usual half-baked Sunni notions. We are not lying, read on if you wish to see Sunni Islam stripped bare and naked and to see what it really says on Imamate, not what Ibn al-Hashimi’s propaganda wishes it to say.
Whilst we shall InshaAllah address the issues raised in this article, we would urge our readers to consult our article Imamate, Divine Guide in Islam first, so that one can better appreciate the Shia stance, which Ibn al-Hashimi has misrepresented.
Before we begin, it is important that we quickly highlight the key points related to the Shia doctrine of divine Imamah and why it is not permissible in Shia Islam for any immoral and unjust egomaniac to become the Imam. We believe:
- The Khalifa that succeeds the Prophet (s) can only be that person that after the death of Muhammad (s) protects the Deen, he must be aloof from wrong doings and creating Fitnah, and in its entirety this can only be attained by that person who is infallible.
- Imamate is reserved for the most pious in the Ummah, those who excel in all areas of the Deen and act without hypocrisy or lethargy upon it.
- He is infallible and perfect amongst the Muslims, he will not be like ordinary men. Allah (swt) alone decides on Imamate, and the rightful Imam is only that he whom the Creator (swt) appoints.
- Allah (swt) knows that which no one else does. He is best suited to rule who is best to guide the Ummah through good and bad times, hence it is through the texts of the Prophet (s), and this continues through the Imams, as even the bigoted Wahabi scholar al Muhaddith Shah Abdul Aziz (who ironically dedicated his life to refuting Shias ironically) had to concede:
“Thus, it is the greatness of the Prophet (s) which is the fountainhead of different kinds of Wilayah, which continuously flow through Ahl-ul-Bayt (as) and Imamate means that each one of them appointed the other as his successor.”
Tafseer Azizi, Surah al Haaqa, page 125-126 (Published by H. M Saeed Co. Karachi)
Tuhfa Athna Ashari, page 338 (Noor Muhammad Kutub Khana, Karachi)
Yes this is what we believe as Shias, why is the great scholar Abdul Aziz agreeing with us while Ibn al-Hashimi is not? It is because the former had more knowledge of even Sunni Islam. From these criteria Allah (swt) provided the best Guides for the Ummah from the Ahl’ul bayt as] of Muhammad (s).