IMAM MAHDI (as) MYTH OR REALITY? ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE MAHDI PROMISED BY THE PROPHET (saww) PART 5 IN THE NAME OF ALLAH,MOST BENEFICENT,MOST MERCIFUL Hadeeth Of The Twelve Leaders وَلَقَدْ أَخَذَ اللَّـهُ مِيثَاقَ بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ وَبَعَثْنَا مِنْهُمُ اثْنَيْ عَشَرَ نَقِيبًا Surely Allah (swt) foretime took a covenant from the Children of Israel and We appointed twelve leaders among them Holy Quraan Suratul Maaidah:12} In this article we shall be examining the concept of the twelve Imams (a.s) from the perspective of both the Ahlus-Sunnah,and the Shiia using their own academic sources. It is established that both Shia Ithna Ashari (twelvers) and Sunnis agree that there will be twelve leaders (a.s) after the Prophet (saww), however, they do not agree on who those twelve are. It is famously accepted that the Prophet (saww) delivered a sermon on Arafat during his Farewell Hajj Pilgrimage. During his speech he gave special emphasis on the following, Hadeeth Thaqalayn (Two Weighty Things), the Book of Allah (swt) (Holy Quraan) and his progeny Ahlulbayt (a.s) and during this occasion he also addressed them as the Two Khalifahs. He made a promise they would never separate until they reach him at the lake-font in paradise. This establishes that the two Khilafahs are placed side by side, and would continue unbroken until the day of Judgement. It should be noted on this blessed day, the Prophet (saww) also made mention of the Twelve leaders of this Ummah who would come to pass. This is very important since we know Imam Al-Mahdi (as) is the last of those twelve Caliphs. Firstly, we shall take a look at what the Ahlus-Sunnah interpret the Khalifa as and then go on to present narrations which mention this very term and how the two correlate with one another. Ibn Taymeeyyah: Ibn Hazm: The meaning of Al-Khalifa in literature is someone whom the person appoints as his successor, not someone who succeeds the person without being appointed by him. This is not allowed in literature without any dispute. We say: Such and such appointed such and such as his successor, so he will be his Caliph (successor) and he will be someone who succeeds him. If someone succeeds someone else without his own appointment, he is only called someone that that person has left behind. Source:( Minhaaj Al-Sunnah Al-Nabaweeyyah. Vol. 1, Page. No. 494). Al-Haythaami: Zaid ibn Thabit from the Prophet of Allah (saww) he said: I am leaving among you Khalifatayn (i.e. two Khalifahs). The book of Allah (swt) and my progeny Ahlulbayt (a.s) and they will not separate until they return to me at the pond (of Kawthar in paradise). Footnote: The Narrators are Jayyid (Good). Source:( Majma Al-Zawaaid. Vol. 9, Page. No. 256, Hadeeth No. 14957). Imam Al-Suyuuti: The Prophet of Allah (saww) has said: I am leaving among you Khalifatayn (i.e. two Khalifahs). The book of Allah (swt) and my Ahlulbayt (a.s) and they will not separate until they return to me at the Pond (of Kawthar in paradise). Footnote: Al-Albani comments both Hadeeth as being Saheeh (Authentic). Source:( Jaamia Al-Sageer. Vol. 1, Page. No. 482, Hadeeth No. 2457 - 2456). Ibn Abi Hasim: Narrated Zaid ibn Thaabit: Allahs Apostle (saww) said: I am leaving among you THE two Khalifahs after me: The Book of Allah (swt) and my Itrah (Ahlulbayt (a.s)). Both shall never separate until they meet me at the lake-fount. Source:( Zilaal Al-Jannah. Vol. 2, Page. No. 643, Hadeeth. No. 1049). Shuaib Al-Arnaut: Zayd ibn Thaabit said: The Messenger of Allah (saww) said: I am leaving among you two successors, the book of Allah (swt) and my Ahlulbayt (a.s), and they will not separate from each other until they enter upon me together on the fount-lake. Footnote: Shuaib Al-Arnaut says: This narration is Saheeh (Authentic) with its witnesses (i.e. other narrations that support it), with the exception of the last part: And they will not separate from each other until they enter upon me together on the fount-lake. Source:( Musnad Ahmad ibn Hanbal (Published in 1995). Vol. 35, Page. No. 512, Hadeeth. No. 21654). Shuaib Al-Arnaut authenticates the complete narration including the last sentence later in his works. Al Tirmidhi: Ali ibn Munzir Al-Kufi narrated from Muhammad ibn Fudayl narrated from, Al-Amash narrated from Atiyyah from Abu Said and Al-Amash narrated Habib ibn Abi Thabit narrated Zayd ibn Arqam, they both said; the Messenger of Allah (saw) said: I am leaving among you [two things] that if you adhere to it then you should never go astray after [my death], and one is greater than the other, the Book of Allah (swt), which is an extended rope from the sky to the land, and my family whom they are my household, and both of them will never separate till they come back to me at lake-font, therefore be careful about how you would succeed about them. Al-Tirmidhi: This is Hasan (Reliable) in this form. Footnote: The narration through Zayd ibn Arqam it is Saheeh (Authentic) and was also recorded by Muslim (H.2408), Al-Nasai in Al-Kubra (H.8148) & (H.8175) & (H.8464), also found in Al-Musnad (H.19265) & (H.19313) and Saheeh ibn Hibban (H.123). As for the hadeeth through Abu Saeed, it is Saheeh (Authentic) according to its other witnesses, (even though) its chain is weak and it is found in Al-Musnad (H.11104). Source:( Jamia Tirmidhi Sunan Al-Tirmidhi. (Published 2009) Vol. 6, Page. No. 337, Hadeeth No. 4122). Ibn Hajar: Ahmad and Al-Bazzaar have narrated from ibn Masoud through a Hasan (Reliable) chain, that he was asked: How many Khalifahs will rule this Ummah? Abd Allah ibn Masoud replied: Verily, we asked Allah’s Apostle (saww), and he said: Twelve, like the captains of Banu Israeel. Source:( Fat-hul-Bari Fi Sharh Saheeh Al-Bukhari. Vol. 17, Page. No. 68). Ahmad ibn Hanbal: Narrated to us Hassan ibn Musa from Himad ibn Zayd from Al-Mujalid from Al-Shabee from Masruuq who said: We were sitting with Abd Allah ibn Masoud and he was reciting the Quraan to us. Then a man said to him: O Abu Abd Al-Rahman! Did you (companions) ask Allahs Apostle (saww), the number of Khalifahs that will rule this Ummah? Abd Allah ibn Masoud replied: None before you has ever asked me concerning this since I arrived in Iraq. Verily, we asked Allahs Apostle (saww), and he said: Twelve, like the captains of Banu Israeel. Footnote: Narration is Saheeh (Authentic) according to Ahmad Shakir. Source: Musnad ibn Ahmad. Vol. 4, Hadeeth No. 3781, Page. No. 28 - 29). ARE THE QURAYSH NATURAL LEADERS? Can we safely say that all members of the Quraysh are leaders? Or was it that the Prophet (saww) was referring only to a specific group? We find that the Prophet (saww) certainly narrated, The tribe of Quraysh were leaders but this of course does not mean ALL the tribes. Similarly, when the Prophet (saww) mentioned his progeny to be the Khalifas, he did not mean that all his progeny are successors but rather, the successors are from amongst them. Here we find that the Prophet (saww) indicates that the Quraysh are not to be lead, rather they are the ones to lead. Al-Albaani: The Prophet (saww) said, Put the Quraysh in your front and do not lead them. Also, learn from Quraysh and never (attempt to) teach them. Footnote: Narration is Saheeh (Authentic). Source:( Saheeh Al-Jami Al-Sagheer. Vol. 2, Hadeeth Number 4383, Page. No. 809). But here we find that from amongst the same Quraysh are some youngsters who would cause destruction. Al-Bukhari: Narrated Said Al-Umawi: I was with Marwan and Abu Huraira and heard Abu Huraira saying, I heard the trustworthy, truly inspired one (i.e. the Prophet (saww)) saying, The DESTRUCTION of my followers will be brought about by the hands of some youngsters from Quraysh. Marwan asked, Youngsters? Abu Huraira said, If you wish, I would name them: They are the children of so-and-so and the children of so-and-so. Source:( Saheeh Al-Bukhari. Page. No. 887, Hadeeth. No. 3605). Al-Bukhari: Narrated Abu Huraira: I heard the truthful and trusted by Allah (swt) (i.e. The Prophet (saww)) saying, The DESTRUCTION of my followers will be through the hands of young men from Quraysh. Source:( Saheeh Al-Bukhari. Page. No.1748, Hadeeth. No. 7058). These youngsters from amongst the Quraysh are certainly not those mentioned in the Hadeeth wherein the Quraysh are referred to as guides and more knowledgeable than all others and in which it is said, Obeying them leads to guidance, while disobeying them leads to misguidance. Henceforth, the Prophet (saww) made the distinction very clear between those who were given the position of leadership due to their virtue, over those who did not possess these qualities. The Imams From The Quraysh Are Virtuous Abi Dawuud Al-Tialesi: The Imams are from Quraysh if they act upon three things: Narrated to us Abu Dawood from Sukayn ibn Abdul-Aziz from Sayyar ibn Salama from Abi Barza who said: The Prophet (saww) said: The Imams are from the Quraysh if they act upon three things. Footnote: The narration is Saheeh (Authentic). Source:( Musnad Abu Dawood Al-Tialesi. Vol. 2, Page. No. 240, Hadeeth. No. 968). Abi Yalaa: Narrated to us Abu Khaythama from Jareer from Al-Amash from Bakir Al-Jazari from Sahl ibn Abil Aswad from Anas ibn Malik who said: We were in the house that the Messenger of Allah (saww) came and stopped at the door and said: The Imams are from Quraysh. I have a right upon you, and they will have a right upon you likewise if they act upon three things: When they are asked for mercy, they show mercy; when they rule, they do justice; when they make a covenant, they fulfill it. If one of them does not act upon them, so curse of Allah (swt) and the Angels and all people be upon them. Footnote: The narration is Saheeh (Authentic). Source:( Musnad Abi Yalaa. Vol. 7, Page. No. 94, Hadeeth No. 4032 / 1277). Al-Hakim: Narrated by Jabir ibn Abdullah that the Messenger of Allah (saww) said: There will be a Caliph in my Ummah who will generously distribute wealth without keeping a record of it. And I swear by the One who controls my life! Certainly that the dominance (of Islam) will return (that is, Islam will recapture its lost glory and retrieve its status during his reign). Al-Hakim graded it Saheeh (Authentic) according to the conditions of Muslim. Al-Dhahabi kept quiet about it. Source:( Al-Mustadrak Alaa Al-Saheehayn. Vol. 4, Page. No. 501, Hadeeth No. 108 / 8400). Furthermore, Banu Hashim was a clan in the Quraysh tribe. The Prophet (saww) and the Holy Imams of the Ahlulbayt (a.s) were members of this clan; their great-grandfather was Hashim, from whom the clan is named. Members of this clan are referred to as Hashimites and Allah (swt) chose and elevated the status of the Hashimites from all other tribes of Quraysh. Muslim ibn Hajjaj: Wathila b. Al-Asqa reported: I heard Allahs Messenger (saww) as saying: Verily Allah (swt) granted eminence to Kinaanah from amongst the descendants of Ismail and He granted eminence to the Quraysh amongst Kinaanah and He granted eminence to the Quraysh amongst Banu Hashim and he granted me eminence from the tribe of Banu Hashim. Source:( Saheeh Muslim. Page. No. 1080, Hadeeth No. 2276 / 1). Al-Albaani: Narrated to us Khallad ibn Aslam from Muhammad ibn Musab from Al-Awzaee from Abi Ammar from Wathilah bin Al-Asqa: That the Messenger of Allah (saww) said: Indeed Allah (swt) has chosen Ismail from the children of Ibraheem, and He chose Banu Kinaanah from the children of Ismail, and He chose the Quraysh from Banu Kinaanah, and He chose Banu Hashim from Quraysh, and He chose me from Banu Hashim. Al-Albani: It is Saheeh (Authentic), without the part Allah (swt) has chosen Ismail from the children of Ibraheem. Al-Tirmidhi: This narration is a Hasan Saheeh (Authentic). Narrated to us Muhammad ibn Ismaeel from Sulayman ibn Abdul-Rahman Al-Dimashqi from Al-Walid ibn Muslim from Al-Awzaee from Shaddad Abu Ammar from Wathilah bin Al-Asqa: That the Messenger of Allah (saww) said: Indeed Allah (swt) has chosen Banu Kinaanah from the children of Ismail, and He chose the Quraysh from Banu Kinaanah, and He chose Hashim from Quraysh, and He chose me from Banu Hashim. Al-Albani: It is Saheeh (Authentic). Al-Tirmidhi: This narration is a Hasan Saheeh (Authentic) Ghareeb. Source:( Saheeh Al-Tirmidhi. Vol. 3, Hadeeth No. 3605 / 3606, Page. No. 483). Ahmad ibn Hanbal: Narrated Abul Mugheera from Al-Awzaee from Abu Ammar Shaddad from Wathilah bin Al-Asqa: That the Messenger of Allah (saww) said: Indeed Allah (swt) has chosen Banu Kinaanah from the children of Ismail, and He chose the Quraysh from Banu Kinaanah, and He chose Banu Hashim from Quraysh, and He chose me from Banu Hashim. Shuaib Al-Arnaut: Its chain is Saheeh (Authentic) by the criteria of Muslim. Source:( Musnad Ahmad ibn Hanbal. Vol. 28, Hadeeth No. 16986, Page. No. 193). Twelve Leaders Of The Ummah Will Be From The Quraysh Ahmad ibn Hanbal: Narrated to us ibn Numayr from Majalid from Amir from Jabir ibn Samura Al-Suwahi who said: I heard the Messenger of Allah (saww) in the Farewell Hajj: This religion will not stop being dear and invulnerable and it shall overcome all its enemies; the opposition and heretics cannot harm it, until there come twelve leaders from my Ummah, all of them. Then I could not hear what the Messenger of Allah (saww) said, my father was closer to the position of the Messenger of Allah (saww), so I asked: O father, what did the Messenger of Allah (saw) say? He said: He (saw) said: All of them will be from Quraysh. He said: So I testify about it what my father understood from it that, all of them will be from Quraysh. Footnote: The narration is Saheeh (Authentic). Source: (Musnad Ahmad ibn Hanbal. Vol. 34, Page. No. 429, Hadeeth. No. 20841). Ahmad ibn Hanbal: Narrated to us Abdullah from Khalaf ibn Hisham Al-Bazzar Al-Muqri from Hammad ibn Zayd from Mujalid from Al-Shabi from Jabir ibn Samura who said: The Messenger of Allah (saww) preached for us in the Arafaat and said: This religion will not stop being dear and invulnerable and it shall overcome all its enemies; the opposition and heretics cannot harm it, until there come twelve leaders from my Ummah, all of them will be from Quraysh. Or as he said. Footnote: The narration is Saheeh (Authentic). Narrated to us Yunus ibn Muhammad from Hammad ibn Zayd from Mujalid from Al-Shabi from Jabir ibn Samura who said: The Messenger of Allah (saww) preached for us in the Arafaat and said: This religion will not stop being dear and invulnerable and it shall overcome all its enemies; all of them… But I could not hear what he said after that, so I asked my father: What did he say after, all of them? He said: All of them will be from Quraysh. Footnote: The narration is Saheeh (Authentic). Source: (Musnad Ahmad ibn Hanbal. Vol. 34, Hadeeth No. 20904, Page. No. 461). Al-Bukhari: Narrated Jabir bin Samura: I heard the Prophet (saww) saying, There will be twelve Amirs (commanders). He then said a sentence which I did not hear. My father said, All of them will be from Quraysh. Source:( Saheeh Al-Bukhari. Page. No. 1784, Hadeeth. No. 7222 - 7223). If Only Two People Remained On Earth One Would Be The leader From Quraysh Al-Bukhari: Narrated ibn Umar: The Prophet (saww) said, Authority of ruling will remain with Quraysh, even if only two of them remained (on the earth). Source:( Saheeh Al-Bukhari. Page. No. 866, Hadeeth No. 3501). Al-Albaani: The Caliphate will remain among the Quraysh even if only two persons are left (on the earth). It has been narrated by Al-Bukhari, Muslim, ibn Hibban, Al-Tiyalisi, ibn Abi Shaybah and Ahmad through Asim ibn Muhammad from his father from Abdullah ibn Umar in Marfu [i.e. from the Prophet (saww)]. Source: Silsilat Al-Ahadeeth Al-Saheehah. Vol. 1, Hadeeth No. 375, Page. No. 718). Muslim ibn Hajjaj: It has been narrated on the authority of Abu Huraira that The Messenger of Allah (saww) said: People are subservient to the Quraysh: The Muslims among them being subservient to the Muslims among them, and the disbelievers among the people being subservient to the disbelievers among them. It has been narrated on the authority of Hammam ibn Munabbih who said: This is one of the traditions narrated by Abu Huraira(ra) from the Messenger of Allah (saww) who said: People are subservient to the Quraysh: The Muslims among them being subservient to the Muslims among them, and the disbelievers among them being subservient to the disbelievers among them. It has been narrated on the authority of Jabir ibn Abdullah that the Messenger of Allah (saww) said: People are the followers of Quraysh in good as well as evil (i. e. in the customs of Islamic as well as pre-Islamic times). It has been narrated on the authority of Abdullah that the Messenger of Allah (saww) said: The Caliphate will remain among the Quraysh even if only two persons are left (on the earth). It has been narrated on the authority of Jabir ibn Samura who said: I joined the company of the Prophet (saww) with my father and I heard him say: This Caliphate will not end until there have been twelve Caliphs among them. The narrator said: Then he (the Holy Prophet (saww)) said something that I could not follow. I said to my father: What did he say? He said: He has said: All of them will be from the Quraysh. It has been reported on the authority of Jabir ibn Samura(ra) who said: I heard the Messenger of Allah (saww) say: The affairs of the people will continue to be conducted (well) as long as they are governed by twelve men. Then the Prophet (saww) said words which were obscure to me. I asked my father: What did the Messenger of Allah (saww) say? He said: All of the (twelve men) will be from the Quraysh. Source:( Saheeh Muslim. Hadeeth No.1818/1 - 1821/6, Page. No. 882). Disloyalty Towards The Twelve Caliphs Ahmad ibn Hanbal: Narrated to us Abdullah from Ubaydallah Al-Qawariri from Sulaym ibn Akhdhar from ibn Awn from Al-Shabi from Jabir ibn Samura who said: The Messenger of Allah (saww) said: This religion will not stop being dear and invulnerable and it shall overcome all its enemies; until there come twelve Caliphs. He said: Then people started to stand up and sit down. Shuaib Al-Arnaut: Its chain is Saheeh (Authentic) by the criteria of Muslim. Source:( Musnad Ahmad ibn Hanbal. Vol. 34, Page. No. 477, Hadeeth.No. 20939). Noise And Disorder When The Prophet (saww) Wished To Mention The Caliphs According to the followers of the Ahlulbayt (a.s), the only legitimate rulers after the Prophet (saww) are the twelve Imams (a.s), who are the immediate descendants of the Prophet (saww) irrespective of whether they ruled directly or indirectly. All other rulers. No ambiguity can exist in regards to the messenger of Allah (saww) wanting to announce his twelve successors by name, this, to prevent the Ummah from falling into confusion and turmoil. Ahmad ibn Hanbal: Narrated to us Abdullah from Ubaydallah Al-Qawariri from Sulaym ibn Akhdhar from ibn Awn from Al-Shabi from Jabir ibn Samura who said: The Messenger of Allah (saww) said: This religion will not stop being dear and invulnerable and it shall overcome all its enemies; until there come twelve caliphs. He said: Then people started to stand up and sit down. Shuaib Al-Arnaut: Its chain is Saheeh (Authentic) by the criteria of Muslim. Source:( Musnad Ahmad ibn Hanbal. Vol. 34, Hadeeth. No. 20939. Page. No. 477). WILL THE UMMAH UNITE UPON THE LEADERS OF QURAYSH? This headline is a teaser and an appetizer leading us into PART 6 In Shaa Allah.So Bibarakat Muhammad(saww) wa aali Muhammad(saww) enjoy the ride on. The divine leaders are leaders regardless of whether or not the people of the earth accept them as such. Whether they rule as a Caliph or stay silent and guide the Ummah secretly, as the Imams of Ahlulbayt (a.s) did, does not change the fact that they are the appointed divine leaders. When the Commander of the Faithful (a.s) had the chance, he took the responsibility of the leadership, while other Imams did not since they did not have the same opportunity. In short, if some of the Imams of Ahlulbayt (a.s) did not rule, it does not mean that they were not the appointed Khalifahs by the Prophet (saww), or should we say by Allah (swt) through His Prophet (saww). Ibn Taymeeyyah: Allah Almighty says: And We made of them Imams to guide by Our command when they were patient, and they were certain of Our communications. Holy Quraan Suratul Sajdah :24} and He Almighty says to Ibraheem (a.s): Surely I will make you an Imam of men. Holy Quraan Suratul Baqarah :124} and that was not that He made him a man of sword who fights with it with all people, He rather made it obligatory over people to follow him, whether they obey or disobey him. Source:( Minhaajul-Sunnah An-Nabaweeyyah. Vol. 4, Page. No. 108 - 109). HAADHAA SIRAATAL MUSTAQEEM,WA SALAAMUL LAAHI ALAA MANIT-TABAAL HUDAA. Look out for part 6
Posted on: Mon, 26 Jan 2015 10:44:22 +0000
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