Light of the Heavens

Sallam Alykum, brother (or sister). Sorry tumblr isn’t allowing me to answer questions now, probably some glitch, so I will post it this way. I appreciate your question and InshAllah you will find the truthful answers. This will be a long answer to forgive me for that, I am sure you did not…

Answer to Anon

Sallam Alykum, brother (or sister). Sorry tumblr isn’t allowing me to answer questions now, probably some glitch, so I will post it this way. I appreciate your question and InshAllah you will find the truthful answers. This will be a long answer to forgive me for that, I am sure you did not want to read something as long as a book lol but there is no way around it - the answer must be given in such length! I will break up the answer into sections for easier reading. Much of it is copy and paste from my previous writings.

=================== SECTION 1 ===================

I was asked what my opinion was of Abu Bakr before, so I will copy and paste my response here – InshAllah it is sufficient.

If we were to leave opinions aside and let us look at truth for a bit. I will provide Sunni hadeeth sources so that you may accept these answers as truthful. I will try to keep it short, but if you want I can offer an extended answer with more answers. InshAllah this is sufficient. Abu Bakr was one of the very first converts to Islam and spent much time around the Holy Prophet (saw). Abu Bakr was even mentioned in the Holy Qur’an when he and the prophet (saw) were in the cave. No one can deny that he was a friend of the Holy Prophet (saw) - but the thing is not what he did during the lifetime of the Prophet (s) but rather what he did while the Prophet (saw) was on his death bed and what Abu Bakr did after the Prophet passed away.

1) Abu Bake angered the daughter of Muhammad (saw). And it is well known throughout Islam that the Prophet (saw) said whoever angers Fatima (as) is like angering the Prophet (saw) himself.

Narrated ‘Aisha: (mother of the believers) After the death of Allah (swt) ‘s Apostle Fatima the daughter of Allah (swt)’s Apostle asked Abu Bakr As-Siddiq to give her, her share of inheritance from what Allah (swt)’s Apostle had left of the Fai (i.e. booty gained without fighting) which Allah (swt) had given him. Abu Bakr said to her, “Allah (swt)’s Apostle said, ‘Our property will not be inherited, whatever we (i.e. prophets) leave is Sadaqa (to be used for charity).” Fatima, the daughter of Allah (swt)’s Apostle got angry and stopped speaking to Abu Bakr, and continued assuming that attitude till she died. Fatima remained alive for six months after the death of Allah (swt)’s Apostle.

She used to ask Abu Bakr for her share from the property of Allah (swt)’s Apostle which he left at Khaibar, and Fadak, and his property at Medina (devoted for charity). Abu Bakr refused to give her that property and said, “I will not leave anything Allah (swt)’s Apostle used to do, because I am afraid that if I left something from the Prophet’s tradition, then I would go astray.” (Later on) Umar gave the Prophet’s property (of Sadaqa) at Medina to ‘Ali and ‘Abbas, but he withheld the properties of Khaibar and Fadak in his custody and said, “These two properties are the Sadaqa which Allah (swt)’s Apostle used to use for his expenditures and urgent needs. Now their management is to be entrusted to the ruler.” (Az-Zuhrl said, “They have been managed in this way till today.”)

(Bukhari Volume 4, Book 53, # 325)

2) Imam Ali (a), the fourth caliph, did not even give allegiance to Abu Bakr right away. It is well known throughout Islam that Muhammad (saw) said Ali is from Muhammad and Muhammad is from Ali. So Abu Bakr must have done something wrong if Ali (a) did not give allegiance.

Imam Ali refused to give his allegiance to Abu Bakr for six months. He gave his allegiance to Abu Bakr only after the death of his wife Fatima Al-Zahra, Daughter of the Holy Prophet. (Al- Bukhari, part 5, page 177).

3) Abu Bakr was not the best of men after the Prophet (saw).

“O people! I was appointed over you, but I am not the best one among you.” (al-Suyuti, Tarikh al-Khulafa’, 69)

There are more reasons but these three are enough for now. Who is the most favored companion? The answer is truthful and obvious. It is his very own brother, cousin, and friend Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (as). During Ghadeer Khum the Prophet (saw) ordered all the people to pay allegiance to Ali and recognize him to be a successor.

“It seems the time approached when I shall be called away (by Allah (swt)) and I shall answer that call. I am leaving for you two precious things and if you adhere to them both, you will never go astray after me. They are the Book of Allah (swt) and my Progeny, that is my Ahlul Bayt. The two shall never separate from each other until they come to me by the Pool (of Paradise).”

Then the Messenger of Allah (swt) continued:

“Do I not have more right over the believers than what they have over themselves?”

People cried and answered:

“Yes, O’ Messenger of God.”

Then followed the key sentence denoting the clear designation of ‘Ali as the leader of the Muslim ummah.

The Prophet (saw) held up the hand of ‘Ali and said:

“For whoever I am his Leader (mawla), ‘Ali is his Leader (mawla).”

The Prophet (saw) continued:

“O’ God, love those who love him, and be hostile to those who are hostile to him.”

Here are the Sunni sources for Ghadeer Khum:

Sahih Muslim, part 7, Kitab fada’il alSahabah (Maktabat wa Matba`at Muhammad `Ali Subayh wa Awladuhu: Cairo) pp. 122-123
Sahih Sharh Aqidat al-Tahawi, p. 654 (published by Dar al-Imam al-Nawawi). Sahih Jami’ al-Saghir, Vol. 1, p. 482 (Maktaba al-Islami)
al-Musnad (Vol. 16, p. 28, Dar al-Hadith, Cairo). Majma’ al-Zawaid (Vol. 9, p. 162, Dar al-Kitab al-Alamiya). Sahih Jami’ al-Saghir, Vol. 1, p. 482 (Maktab al-Islami).
Musnad Ahmad (Vol. 16, p. 50, Dar al-Hadith Cairo)
al-Mustadrak (Vol. 3, p. 109, Dar al-Marfat). al-Bidayah wa al-Nihayah (Vol. 5, p. 228, Mu’sassat tarikh al-Arabi).
Itihaf al-Khaerati al-Mahr, Vol. 9, page 279, No. 8974, Maktaba al-Rushd, Riyadh. Matalib al-Aliya (Vol. 4, p. 65, No. 3972, Dar al-Ma’rfat) Al-Sakhawi’s al-Istijlab (Vol. 1, p. 357, Dar al-Bashaira al-Islamiyyah),
Sahih Tirmidhi, v2, p298, v5, p63
Sunan Ibn Maja, v1, pp 12,43
Khasa’is, by al-Nisa’i, pp 4,21
al-Mustadrak, by al-Hakim, v2, p129, v3, pp 109-110,116,371
Musnad Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, v1, pp 84,118,119,152,330, v4, pp 281,368,370,372,378, v5, pp 35,347,358,361,366,419 (from 40 chains of narrators)
Fada’il al-Sahaba, by Ahmad Hanbal, v2, pp 563,572
Majma’ al-Zawa’id, by al-Haythami, v9, p103 (from several transmitters)
Tafsir al-Kabir, by Fakhr al-Razi, v12, pp 49-50
Tafsir al-Durr al-Manthur, by al-Hafiz Jalaluddin al-Suyuti, v3, p19
Tarikh al-Khulafa, by al-Suyuti, pp 169,173
al-Bidayah wal-Nihayah, by Ibn Kathir, v3, p213, v5, p208

=================== SECTION 2 ===================

The Calamity of Thursday

“Whatever the Messenger hands over to you, take it, and whatever he forbids you therefrom, obey him (Qur’an, 59:7).”

The above verse should be reflected upon before and after the reading of this chapter, and you will see why shortly.

One event in which the Shia of Ahlul Bayt (as) will never forget is the Calamity of Thursday or as others call it Pen and Paper Incident. This event is well documented in many Sunni and Shia hadiths, such that every Muslim should be familiar with it. It is a disturbing event in which shows the true character of some of the Prophet’s (saw) companions – during the lifetime of the Prophet (saw). While this event is a tragedy to all Shia Muslims, many Sunni Muslims do not think of importance or relevant.

The incident took place during the end of the Prophet’s (saw) lifetime, within about three days of his death. Muhammad (saw) was on his bed with his home full of companions and men including Umar. The Holy Prophet requested a pen and paper to write something down so that that Ummah will not go astray after his death. Umar denied this request of the Prophet and even accusing the Prophet of being delusional and that the Qur’an is sufficient for the Ummah to not go astray. The men began to argue among themselves and causing much loud noise even though Muhammad (saw) was on his death bed right next to them – had they no shame? The Prophet then became angered and ordered everyone to leave his home, including Umar.

“When the time of the death of the Prophet approached while there were some men in the house, and among them was ‘Umar Ibn al-Khattab, the Prophet said: “Come near let me write for you a writing after which you will never go astray.” ‘Umar said: “The Prophet is seriously ill, and you have the Qur’an, so Allah (swt)’s Book is sufficient for us.” The people in the house differed and disputed. Some of them said, “Come near so that Allah (swt)’s Apostle may write for you a writing after which you will not go astray,” while the others said what ‘Umar said. When they made much noise and quarreled greatly in front of the Prophet, he said to them, “Go away and leave me.” Ibn ‘Abbas used to say, “It was a great disaster that their quarrel and noise prevented Allah (swt)’s Apostle from writing a statement for them.”

(Sahih al-Bukhari Arabic-English, Volume 9 hadith # 468, and Volume 7 hadith #573)

Also in Muslim:

Sa’id b. Jubair reported that Ibn ‘Abbas said: Thursday, (and then said): What is this Thursday? He then wept so much that his tears moistened the pebbles. I said: Ibn ‘Abbas, what is (significant) about Thursday? He (Ibn ‘Abbas) said: The illness of Allah (swt)’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) took a serious turn (on this day), and he said: Come to me, so that I should write for you a document that you may not go astray after me. They (the Companions around him) disputed, and it is not right to dispute in the presence of the Apostle. They said: How is he (Allah (swt)’s Apostle)? Has he lost his consciousness? Try to learn from him (this point). He (the Holy Prophet) said: Leave me. I am better in the state (than the one in which you are engaged). I make a will about three things: Turn out the polytheists from the territory of Arabia; show hospitality to the (foreign) delegations as I used to show them hospitality. He (the narrator) said: He (Ibn Abbas) kept silent on the third point, or he (the narrator) said: But I forgot that.

(Sahih Muslim Book 013, #4014)

Sa’id b. Jubair reported from Ibn Abbas that he said: Thursday, and what about Thursday? Then tears began to flow until I saw them on his cheeks as it they were the strings of pearls. He (the narrator) said that Allah (swt)’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) said: Bring me a shoulder blade and ink-pot (or tablet and inkpot), so that I write for you a document (by following which) you would never go astray. They said: Allah (swt)’s Messenger (may peace upon him) is in the state of unconsciousness.

(Sahih Muslim Book 013, # 4015)

Ibn Abbas reported: When Allah (swt)’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) was about to leave this world, there were persons (around him) in his house, ‘Umar b. al-Kbattab being one of them. Allah (swt)’s Apostle (may peace be upon him) said: Come, I may write for you a document; you would not go astray after that. Thereupon Umar said: Verily Allah (swt)’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) is deeply afflicted with pain. You have the Qur’an with you. The Book of Allah (swt) is sufficient for us. Those who were present in the house differed. Some of them said: Bring him (the writing material) so that Allah (swt)’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) may write a document for you and you would never go astray after him. And some among them said what ‘Umar had (already) said. When they indulged in nonsense and began to dispute in the presence of Allah (swt)’s Messenger (may peace be upon him), he said: Get up (and go away) ‘Ubaidullah said: Ibn Abbas used to say: There was a heavy loss, indeed a heavy loss, that, due to their dispute and noise. Allah (swt)’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) could not write (or dictate) the document for them.

(Sahih Muslim Book 013, # 4016)

What the Prophet (saw) wanted to write down must have been extremely important – important enough to which the Ummah will not go astray if but they knew what would be written. His last message to the Ummah would surely have been a very important one if he would have been granted his last wish of a pen and paper to write it down. Another thing to note down is that he was denied his request. Is it not a sin to question or deny something to the most holy of Prophet’s (saw)?

“Obey Allah (swt) and Obey his Prophet and worry, and be warned that the Prophet’s duty is only to deliver the message clearly”

(Surah al Maidah verse 92)

“Perform Salat (Prayer), give Zakat and Obey Allah (swt) and his Prophet”

(Surah Mujadilah verses 12-13)

“Obey Allah (swt) and his Prophet and if you dispute, then on him is what is imposed on him, and on you is what is imposed on you; and if you obey him you are guided aright; and there is no duty on the Prophet save the clear delivery”.

(Surah Nur verse 54)

Say, “Obey Allah (swt) and the Prophet, but if they turn back, then verily Allah (swt) does not love the disbelievers”

(Surah Aal-e-Imran verse 32)

“O ye who believe! Obey Allah (swt) and His Messenger, and turn not away from him when ye hear (him speak).” (Surah Anfal verse 20)

“And obey Allah (swt) and His Messenger and do not quarrel.” (Surah Anfal verse 46)

Also when Umar claimed that the Qur’an is sufficient for the Ummah, does Umar have more knowledge than Muhammad (saw) to have such a claim? Did he not know to whom the Qur’an was directly revealed to? Does the Prophet not know enough about the Ummah or the Qur’an for Umar to say such a disgusting thing? He claimed that the Prophet was delusional – how can a person say such a thing? Why would Allah (swt) allow his messenger to be delusional at any moment in his life? If he was delusional in this incident would he not have been delusional in his past? Would not the columns of Islam crumble if we claimed the Prophet could have been delusional for even a second of him being a Prophet?

“Thursday! And you know not what Thursday is?” After that Ibn ‘Abbas wept till the stones on the ground were soaked with his tears. On that I asked Ibn ‘Abbas, “What is (about) Thursday?” He said, “When the condition (i.e. health) of Allah (swt)’s Apostle deteriorated, he said, ‘Bring me a bone of scapula, so that I may write something for you after which you will never go astray.’ The people differed in their opinions although it was improper to differ in front of a prophet. They said, ‘What is wrong with him? Do you think he is talking no sense (delirious)? Ask him (to see if he is talking no sense). The Prophet replied, ‘Leave me, for I am in a better state than what you are asking me.’ Then the Prophet ordered them to do three things saying: ‘Turn out all the pagans from the Arabian Peninsula, show respect to all foreign delegates by giving them gifts as I used to do.’ The third order was something beneficial which either Ibn ‘Abbas did not mention or he mentioned but I forgot!”

(Sahih al-Bukhari Arabic-English, Volume 9 hadith # 468, and Volume 4 hadith #393)

Even some Sunni Scholar’s claim this event was a calamity and that Umar denied a request of the Prophet:

“the first dispute that took place during the Prophet’s sickness, according to what the Imam Abu Abdullah Muhammad b. Isma’il al-Bukhari relates on the authority of Abdullah b. Abbas, is as follows: When the last sickness of the Prophet became acute, he said, ‘Bring me an inkpot and writing material; I shall write something for you so that you will not be led astray after my departure’. Umar said, ‘the Prophet has been overcome by pain, God’s Book is sufficient for us’. A noisy argument arose among those gathered; whereupon the Prophet said ‘Go away there should be no quarrelling in my presence’. Ibn Abbas says, ‘What a tragedy which prevented us from having some writing of the Prophet!”.

(Al Mihal al Nahal, by Allamah Muhuummud b. Add’al Karim Shahrastani, page 18 - English translation by A.K.Kazi and J.G.Flynn (publishers Kegan Paul International, First Edition 1984))

Some Sunni Muslims will attempt to refute this by stating that the Prophet fell unconscious after requesting the pen and paper but it is clear in the Sahih hadiths above that he did not fall unconscious. Would such a thing not be important enough to write down in a hadith? Even if the prophet was to have become unconscious, how would the request of the pen and paper no longer apply? Is the Prophet not able to write down what he wanted to write down after gaining conscious? God forbid the Prophet forgetting what he wanted to write…

It is clear from the hadiths that:

Umar denied a request of the Prophet.
Umar claimed that the Prophet was delusional.
Umar and his companions caused much loud noise around the Prophet when he was on his deathbed.
Umar as well as the others were ordered to leave the Prophet’s house because they have angered him. (Anyone who angers Muhammad saw angers Allah (swt) swt)
And because of Umar, the Ummah has gone astray due to the Prophet not being granted the request to write down what he wanted to.

=================== SECTION 3 ===================

Fadak in History

Fadak was a fertile territory with palm trees near Khayber and about 140 km from the city of Medina. Fadak at first belonged to the Jews of Hijaz, who were enemies of Islam and caused problems for Prophet Muhammad (saw) and the spreading of his message. After the Muslim army defeated the Jews at the fort in Khayber, Muhammad (saw) sent a messenger to the village in Fadak and the chief, Yush’a bin Noon, of the Jews there agreed to a peace treaty and were thus allowed to live in peace and were also protected by the Muslims.

According to Islam, land conquered through military means becomes the property of all Muslims. But because Fadak was not conquered by military means, rather instead by a treaty agreement it thus becomes the property of the leader of the Muslims – The Holy Prophet (saw). Thus the land of Fadak belonged fully to Muhammad (saw) and he is able to do whatever he wants with it and is able to give its rights to whomever he chooses. The Shia believe that the prophet (saw) had given the land of Fadak to his beloved daughter, Fatima (as), as a gift.

“When the verse: Give the kinsmen his due, and the needy, and the wayfarer…(Surah Isra, 17:26) was revealed the Prophet called his daughter Fatimah and made over Fadak to her”

(Majma’ul Bayan, vol.III, p. 411; Sharh-i Ibn Abil Hadid, vol. XVI, p.248)

After the death of the Holy Prophet (saw), Abu Bakr took the rights of Fadak away from Fatima (as) due to political reasons. The caliph also gave weak hadiths that prophets do not leave behind inheritance – but it wasn’t inheritance it was a gift to his daughter Fatima (as). The land of Fadak was already given to her by her father thus she was already the owner of it. Abu Bakr asked her to bring witnesses that Muhammad (saw) had actually given her the land and thus Fatima (as) brought forth her husband, Ali (as), and Umme Ayman (whom the Prophet had testified that she would go to Paradise), and Rabah, a freed slave of the Prophet. Even with these witnesses the caliph still denied her claim. One would wonder how would he deny her when she had witnesses such as Imam Ali (as) whom every scholar would agree was always truthful and that he was the gate to the city of knowledge. And how would one even deny the claim of the daughter of Muhammad (saw) whom the prophet even said whoever angers her is angering the Prophet (saw).

Eventually the first caliph agreed to give her the property back but Umar tore up the certificate that Abu Bakr would have given to Fatima (as) to give her the lawful property.

Umar said: “As Ali is a beneficiary in this case, his evidence is not acceptable and Umme Ayman being a woman, her testimony too has no value” Then he tore up the certificate.

(Sharh-i Ibn Abil Hadid, vol. XVI, page 274.)

“The Caliph accepted the ownership of Fatimah. Suddenly Umar arrived and asked: “What is this certificate about? The Caliph replied: “I have confirmed Fatimah’s ownership (of Fadak) in this deed”. Umar said “You stand in need of income derived from Fadak. If tomorrow the idolaters of Arabia rise against the Muslims, from where will you meet the expenses of war?” Then he held the certificate in his hand and tore it up”.

(Seerah-i Halabi, vol. III, page 400.)

‘Was the daughter of the Prophet truthful in making the claim?’ He said: ‘Yes’. I said: ‘Did the Caliph know that she was a truthful woman?’ He said: ‘Yes’. I said: ‘Why did the Caliph not give her that to which she was admittedly entitled?’ At this moment the teacher smiled and said with great dignity: ‘if he had accepted her word on that day and had returned Fadak to her on account of her being a truthful woman and without asking for any witnesses she could very well avail of this position for the benefit of her husband on the following day and say: ‘My husband Ali is entitled to the caliphate’ and then the Caliph would have been obliged to surrender the caliphate to Ali on account of his having acknowledged her to be a truthful woman. However, in order to obviate any such claim or dispute he deprived her of her admitted right”.

(Sharh-i Nahjul Balaghah by Ibn Abil Hadid, page 284.)

Some might ask, why did Imam Ali (as) not return the property back to the household after he became the caliph. This is a response from Ali (as):

“I’m ashamed before God, to return it to it’s original owners, that which Abu Baker prohibited and Omar agreed with.”

(lbn Abi al-hadid vol. 16 pg. 252)

The Imams (as) had no desire for material gains though this is not to say that it never belonged to them – it was rightly theirs from the very beginning. Plus gaining this land would make the caliphs assume that the Ahlul Bayt (as) were attempting to gain power and resources to over throw them.

Here are some more Sunni hadiths on the issue. Enjoy.

Narrated ‘Aisha:

(mother of the believers) After the death of Allah (swt) ‘s Apostle Fatima the daughter of Allah (swt)’s Apostle asked Abu Bakr As-Siddiq to give her, her share of inheritance from what Allah (swt)’s Apostle had left of the Fai (i.e. booty gained without fighting) which Allah (swt) had given him. Abu Bakr said to her, “Allah (swt)’s Apostle said, ‘Our property will not be inherited, whatever we (i.e. prophets) leave is Sadaqa (to be used for charity).” Fatima, the daughter of Allah (swt)’s Apostle got angry and stopped speaking to Abu Bakr, and continued assuming that attitude till she died. Fatima remained alive for six months after the death of Allah (swt)’s Apostle.

She used to ask Abu Bakr for her share from the property of Allah (swt)’s Apostle which he left at Khaibar, and Fadak, and his property at Medina (devoted for charity). Abu Bakr refused to give her that property and said, “I will not leave anything Allah (swt)’s Apostle used to do, because I am afraid that if I left something from the Prophet’s tradition, then I would go astray.” (Later on) Umar gave the Prophet’s property (of Sadaqa) at Medina to ‘Ali and ‘Abbas, but he withheld the properties of Khaibar and Fadak in his custody and said, “These two properties are the Sadaqa which Allah (swt)’s Apostle used to use for his expenditures and urgent needs. Now their management is to be entrusted to the ruler.” (Az-Zuhrl said, “They have been managed in this way till today.”)

(Bukhari Volume 4, Book 53, # 325)

Narrated ‘Aisha:

Fatima sent somebody to Abu Bakr asking him to give her her inheritance from the Prophet from what Allah (swt) had given to His Apostle through Fai (i.e. booty gained without fighting). She asked for the Sadaqa (i.e. wealth assigned for charitable purposes) of the Prophet at Medina, and Fadak, and what remained of the Khumus (i.e., one-fifth) of the Khaibar booty. Abu Bakr said, “Allah (swt)’s Apostle said, ‘We (Prophets), our property is not inherited, and whatever we leave is Sadaqa, but Muhammad’s (saw) Family can eat from this property, i.e. Allah (swt)’s property, but they have no right to take more than the food they need.’ By Allah (swt)! I will not bring any change in dealing with the Sadaqa of the Prophet (and will keep them) as they used to be observed in his (i.e. the Prophet’s) life-time, and I will dispose with it as Allah (swt)’s Apostle used to do,” Then ‘Ali said, “I testify that None has the right to be worshipped but Allah (swt), and that Muhammad (saw) is His Apostle,” and added, “O Abu Bakr! We acknowledge your superiority.” Then he (i.e. ‘Ali) mentioned their own relationship to Allah (swt)’s Apostle and their right. Abu Bakr then spoke saying, “By Allah (swt) in Whose Hands my life is. I love to do good to the relatives of Allah (swt)’s Apostle rather than to my own relatives” Abu Bark added: Look at Muhammad (saw) through his family (i.e. if you are no good to his family you are not good to him).

(Bukhari Volume 5, Book 57, # 60)

It is narrated on the authority of Urwa b. Zubair who narrated from A’isha that she informed him that Fatima, daughter of the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him), sent someone to Abu Bakr to demand from him her share of the legacy left by the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) from what Allah (swt) had bestowed upon him at Medina and Fadak and what was left from one-filth of the income (annually received) from Khaibar. Abu Bakr said: The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said:” We (prophets) do not have any heirs; what we leave behind is (to be given in) charity.” The household of the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) will live on the income from these properties, but, by Allah (swt), I will not change the charity of the Messenger of Allah (swt) (may peace be upon him) from the condition in which it was in his own time. I will do the same with it as the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upun him) himself used to do. So Abu Bakr refused to hand over anything from it to Fatima who got angry with Abu Bakr for this reason. She forsook him and did not talk to him until the end of her life. She lived for six months after the death of the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him). When she died, her husband. ‘Ali b. Abu Talib, buried her at night. He did not inform Abu Bakr about her death and offered the funeral prayer over her himself. During the lifetime of Fatima, ‘All received (special) regard from the people. After she had died, he felt estrangement in the faces of the people towards him. So he sought to make peace with Abu Bakr and offer his allegiance to him. He had not yet owed allegiance to him as Caliph during these months. He sent a person to Abu Bakr requesting him to visit him unaccompanied by anyone (disapproving the presence of Umar). ‘Umar said to Abu Bakr: BY Allah (swt), you will not visit them alone. Abu Bakr said: What will they do to me? By Allah (swt), I will visit them. And he did pay them a visit alone. ‘All recited Tashahhud (as it is done in the beginning of a religious sermon) ; then said: We recognise your moral excellence and what Allah (swt) has bestowed upon you. We do not envy the favour (i. e. the Catiphate) which Allah (swt) nas conferred upon you; but you have done it (assumed the position of Caliph) alone (without consulting us), and we thought we had a right (to be consulted) on account of our kinship with the Messenger of Allah(may peace be upon him). He continued to talk to Abu Bakr (in this vein) until the latter’s eyes welled up with tears. Then Abd Bakr spoke and said: By Allah (swt), in Whose Hand is my life, the kinship of the Messenger of Allah (swt) (may peace be upon him) is dearer to me than the kinship of my own people. As regards the dispute that has arisen between you and me about these properties, I have not deviated from the right course and I have not given up doing about them what the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) used to do. So ‘Ali said to Abu Bakr: This aftetnoon is (fixed) for (swearing) allegiance (to you). So when Abu Bakr had finished his Zuhr prayer, he ascended the pulpit and recited Tashahhud, and described the status of ‘Ali, his delay in swearing allegiance and the excuse which lie had offered to him (for this delay). (After this) he asked for God’s forgiveness. Then ‘Ali b. Abu Talib recited the Tashahhud. extolled the merits of Abu Bakr and (said that) his action was nott prompted by any jealousy of Abu Bakr on his part or his refusal to accept the high position which Allah (swt) had conferred upon him, (adding: ) But we were of the opinion that we should have a share in the government, but the matter had been decided without taking us into confidence, and this displeased us. (Hence the delay in offering allegiance. The Muslims were pleased with this (explanation) and they said: You have done the right thing. The Muslims were (again) favourably inclined to ‘Ali since he adopted the proper course of action.

(Muslim Book 19, # 4352)

Not a single reputable source mentions anyone from Ahlul Bayt (as) including Imam Ali (a) of committing a sin or bad action. There is absolutely no proof as to disprove the status that Ahlul Bayt (as) given by Prophet Muhammad (saw) and upheld by Shia scholars. Whereas when we look at the first three caliphs - many upon many of sources from both Sunni and Shia describe their evil doings. I do not respect nor love the first three caliphs, because not even the prophet (saw) loved nor respected them nor anyone from Ahlul Bayt (as) love or respect them.

NOTE: Majroity of this was copy and pasted from a book I had written titled “Shia Islam Misunderstood” which can be read here.

To gain more knowledge brother (or sister) I recommend you read books by Shia Scholars and authors. Al-Islam.org is the best place to find hundreds of books to read online. I have also created a page on my tumblr linking to many amazing books which can be found here

Listening to lectures is also up there with gaining knowledge. An English-speaking lecturer by the name of Sayed Ammar has a website which links to all of his lectures (over 100) which can be found

here. I highly recommend you also youtube search for other lecturers as well including Hajj Hassanain Rajabali, Sheikh Jehad Ismail, Ali Al-Najjar, Sheikh Usama AL Attar, Sayed Mahdi al-Modarresi and Khalil Jaffer.

What is your opinion of most favored companion of the prophet pbuh, Abu bakr as sideeq RA?

Anonymous

Sallam Alykum,

if we were to leave opinions aside and let us look at truth for a bit. I will provide Sunni hadeeth sources so that you may accept these answers as truthful. I will try to keep it short, but if you want I can offer an extended answer with more answers. InshAllah this is sufficient Abu Bakr was one of the very first converts to Islam and spent much time around the Holy Prophet (saw). Abu Bakr was even mentioned in the Holy Qur’an when he and the prophet (saw) were in the cave. No one can deny that he was a friend of the Holy Prophet (saw) - but the thing is not what he did during the lifetime of the Prophet (s) but rather what he did while the Prophet (saw) was on his death bed and what Abu Bakr did after the Prophet passed away.

1) Abu Bake angered the daughter of Muhammad (saw). And it is well known throughout Islam that the Prophet (saw) said whoever angers Fatima (as) is like angering the Prophet (saw) himself.

Narrated ‘Aisha: (mother of the believers) After the death of Allah (swt) ‘s Apostle Fatima the daughter of Allah (swt)’s Apostle asked Abu Bakr As-Siddiq to give her, her share of inheritance from what Allah (swt)’s Apostle had left of the Fai (i.e. booty gained without fighting) which Allah (swt) had given him. Abu Bakr said to her, “Allah (swt)’s Apostle said, ‘Our property will not be inherited, whatever we (i.e. prophets) leave is Sadaqa (to be used for charity).” Fatima, the daughter of Allah (swt)’s Apostle got angry and stopped speaking to Abu Bakr, and continued assuming that attitude till she died. Fatima remained alive for six months after the death of Allah (swt)’s Apostle.

She used to ask Abu Bakr for her share from the property of Allah (swt)’s Apostle which he left at Khaibar, and Fadak, and his property at Medina (devoted for charity). Abu Bakr refused to give her that property and said, “I will not leave anything Allah (swt)’s Apostle used to do, because I am afraid that if I left something from the Prophet’s tradition, then I would go astray.” (Later on) Umar gave the Prophet’s property (of Sadaqa) at Medina to ‘Ali and ‘Abbas, but he withheld the properties of Khaibar and Fadak in his custody and said, “These two properties are the Sadaqa which Allah (swt)’s Apostle used to use for his expenditures and urgent needs. Now their management is to be entrusted to the ruler.” (Az-Zuhrl said, “They have been managed in this way till today.”)

(Bukhari Volume 4, Book 53, # 325)

2) Imam Ali (a), the fourth caliph, did not even give allegiance to Abu Bakr right away. It is well known throughout Islam that Muhammad (saw) said Ali is from Muhammad and Muhammad is from Ali. So Abu Bakr must have done something wrong if Ali (a) did not give allegiance.

Imam Ali refused to give his allegiance to Abu Bakr for six months. He gave his allegiance to Abu Bakr only after the death of his wife Fatima Al-Zahra, Daughter of the Holy Prophet. (Al- Bukhari, part 5, page 177).

3) Abu Bakr was not the best of men after the Prophet (saw).

“O people! I was appointed over you, but I am not the best one among you.” (al-Suyuti, Tarikh al-Khulafa’, 69)

There are more reasons but these three are enough for now. Who is the most favored companion? The answer is truthful and obvious. It is his very own brother, cousin, and friend Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (as). During Ghadeer Khum the Prophet (saw) ordered all the people to pay allegiance to Ali and recognize him to be a successor.

“It seems the time approached when I shall be called away (by Allah (swt)) and I shall answer that call. I am leaving for you two precious things and if you adhere to them both, you will never go astray after me. They are the Book of Allah (swt) and my Progeny, that is my Ahlul Bayt. The two shall never separate from each other until they come to me by the Pool (of Paradise).”

Then the Messenger of Allah (swt) continued:

“Do I not have more right over the believers than what they have over themselves?”

People cried and answered:

“Yes, O’ Messenger of God.”

Then followed the key sentence denoting the clear designation of ‘Ali as the leader of the Muslim ummah.

The Prophet (saw) held up the hand of ‘Ali and said:

“For whoever I am his Leader (mawla), ‘Ali is his Leader (mawla).”

The Prophet (saw) continued:

“O’ God, love those who love him, and be hostile to those who are hostile to him.”

Sahih Muslim, part 7, Kitab fada’il alSahabah (Maktabat wa Matba`at Muhammad `Ali Subayh wa Awladuhu: Cairo) pp. 122-123

/ Sahih Sharh Aqidat al-Tahawi, p. 654 (published by Dar al-Imam al-Nawawi). Sahih Jami’ al-Saghir, Vol. 1, p. 482 (Maktaba al-Islami)

/ al-Musnad (Vol. 16, p. 28, Dar al-Hadith, Cairo). Majma’ al-Zawaid (Vol. 9, p. 162, Dar al-Kitab al-Alamiya). Sahih Jami’ al-Saghir, Vol. 1, p. 482 (Maktab al-Islami).

/ Musnad Ahmad (Vol. 16, p. 50, Dar al-Hadith Cairo)

/ al-Mustadrak (Vol. 3, p. 109, Dar al-Marfat). al-Bidayah wa al-Nihayah (Vol. 5, p. 228, Mu’sassat tarikh al-Arabi).

/ Itihaf al-Khaerati al-Mahr, Vol. 9, page 279, No. 8974, Maktaba al-Rushd, Riyadh. Matalib al-Aliya (Vol. 4, p. 65, No. 3972, Dar al-Ma’rfat) Al-Sakhawi’s al-Istijlab (Vol. 1, p. 357, Dar al-Bashaira al-Islamiyyah),

/ Sahih Tirmidhi, v2, p298, v5, p63

/ Sunan Ibn Maja, v1, pp 12,43

/ Khasa’is, by al-Nisa’i, pp 4,21

/ al-Mustadrak, by al-Hakim, v2, p129, v3, pp 109-110,116,371

/ Musnad Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, v1, pp 84,118,119,152,330, v4, pp 281,368,370,372,378, v5, pp 35,347,358,361,366,419 (from 40 chains of narrators)

/ Fada’il al-Sahaba, by Ahmad Hanbal, v2, pp 563,572

/ Majma’ al-Zawa’id, by al-Haythami, v9, p103 (from several transmitters)

/ Tafsir al-Kabir, by Fakhr al-Razi, v12, pp 49-50

/ Tafsir al-Durr al-Manthur, by al-Hafiz Jalaluddin al-Suyuti, v3, p19

/ Tarikh al-Khulafa, by al-Suyuti, pp 169,173

/ al-Bidayah wal-Nihayah, by Ibn Kathir, v3, p213, v5, p208

salam alaikum, so does that mean your going to re-register :-)

Anonymous

I never un-registered lol, I have been there on and off lately.

Salam, you may inshaallah oranize your Site in categories... it will look then better. wassalam

Anonymous

WaSalaam! I just added a drop down menu with categories (does look better and easier to navigate, thanks) - enjoy!

faroofash answered your question: Still Awake!

What do you study?

Philosophy

Answer

Sallam Alykum, this is a response to yusufsbutt.tumblr.com who said (relating to my image post of civilizations destroyed by Allah (swt)):

“I know.

Think about it, Allah swt is All-Merciful. Allah swt would never collectively punish people like that. And what’s more is, we know religion evolves through time. Christianity and Judaism are not timeless, Allah swt sent these religions down to a specific people during a specific time.

People also forget, our monotheistic religion, Islam, descends from polytheism.

Judaism and Christianity are not fully monotheistic, in fact, monotheistic is a relatively recent invention. A lot of Christians believe in the Trinity which is not true Monotheism, additionally Judaism references many Canaanite deities so Judaism can actually be monolatry, and not monotheism.

Moses pbuh practiced monolatry and Abraham pbuh was polytheist and later monolatry. Abraham was from Akkad and worshipped the Akkadian/Sumerian Gods.

All Abrahamic religion comes from Sumerian religion, and this religion really influenced other civilizations of the near East.

What’s more, like I said, monotheism didn’t even exist back then, because God willed that.

I think that verse was meant to be taken more metaphorically about an individual’s life and relationships.”

I saw that you reblogged the post I put together and had some comments of your own that I would like to discuss with you. I would have sent you this as a question but it wouldn’t allow me to paste all of it and because you publicly posted your message I would like to do the same and maybe if we are both mistaken someone else can correct us InshAllah.

First, you said that “People also forget, our monotheistic religion, Islam, descends from polytheism.”

This is false. The religions of Allah (swt) which are Islam, Christianity, Judaism, and others we know of and others that we might not know of have always been monotheistic. Allah (swt) has never sent a Prophet to declare a polytheistic religion. Any and all polytheistic religions and ideas are from Satan. Polytheism is the only sin that Allah (swt) would not forgive you for if you die in that state.

“Surely Allah does not forgive that anything should be associated with him, and forgives what is besides that to whomsoever He pleases, and whoever associates anything with Allah, he devises indeed a great sin.” (Holy Qur’an 4:48)

“Surely whoever associates (others) with Allah, then Allah has forbidden to him the garden, and his abode is the fire; and there shall be no helpers for the unjust.” (Holy Qur’an 5:72)

According to these verses, Allah (swt) not only closes off heaven to polytheist but also does not forgive them unless they leave polytheism while they are still alive.

You also said “Judaism and Christianity are not fully monotheistic, in fact, monotheistic is a relatively recent invention.” This is also incorrect. Monotheism was existent even before the earth was created. Angels worshiped Allah (swt) and Allah (swt) only. When Allah (swt) created the first human form, Prophet Adam (as) did Adam (as) not worship Allah (swt) only? Monotheism has existed before any polytheistic religion. When Allah (swt) revealed Judaism and Christianity, they were completely monotheistic religions. But people corrupted the ideas and lied and fooled people and so this is why nowadays we have the “Trinity” and “Son of God”. The whole concept of Tawheed is that there is no God but Allah (swt) and this is a timeless thing. It existed before the universe was created and will exist after the universe will end. Why would Allah (swt) allow polytheism to be a correct religion but later forbid it?

“O followers of the Book! Why do you confound the truth with the falsehood and hide the truth while you know?“ (Holy Qur’an 3:71)

“Some of those who are Jews change words from their context and say: “We hear and disobey; hear thou as one who heareth not” and “Listen to us!” distorting with their tongues and slandering religion. If they had said: “We hear and we obey: hear thou, and look at us” it had been better for them, and more upright. But Allah hath cursed them for their disbelief, so they believe not, save a few.” (Holy Qur’an 4:46)

Have you not seen His name “Al-Wahid” meaning “The One”? Did Allah (swt) not always have this name even before the heavens and the earth were created? Why would Al-Wahid introduce or allow polytheism to exist before monotheism when He alone is there to worship?

May Allah (swt) have mercy on your soul for saying that Prophets (as) of Allah (swt) such as Moses (as) and Abraham (as) worshiped other gods or were monolatry or polytheist. All the Prophets (as) from the first to the last were monotheist and believed and worshiped in Allah (swt).

Then lastly you say “I think that verse was meant to be taken more metaphorically about an individual’s life and relationships. “ It is actually accepted by all Muslim scholars that people have been wiped out and punished for their disobedience. They all end up in hellfire. Here are some Qur’an verses, enjoy:

“And how many a town that We destroyed, so Our punishment came to it by night or while they slept at midday. Yet their cry, when Our punishment came to them, was nothing but that they said: Surely we were unjust.” (7:4-5)

As for the People of Noah (as):

“But they called him a liar, so We delivered him and those with him in the ark, and We drowned those who rejected Our communications; surely they were a blind people.” (7:64)

And the People of Hud (as):

“So We saved him and those with him by mercy from Us. And We eliminated those who denied Our signs, and they were not [at all] believers.” (7:72)

And the People of Salih (as):

“Then the earthquake overtook them, so they became motionless bodies in their abode.” (7:78)

And the People of Lut (as):

“And We rained down on them a rain (of stones). Then see what was the end of the Mujrimun (criminals, polytheists, sinners, etc.).” (7:84)

And the People of Shu’aib (as):

“So the earthquake seized them and they lay (dead), prostrate in their homes.” (7:91)

Lastly:

“O people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians)! Why do you dispute about Abraham, while the Torah and the Gospel were not revealed till after him? Have you then no sense? Abraham was neither a Jew nor a Christian, but he was a true Muslim (worshiper of none but Allah alone) and he joined none in worship with Allah.” (3:65-67)