In some Sunni sources, it was been narrated that a water-carrier came to Imam Hussain (AS) and said, “Oh Aba Abdullah! I have brought you water so that you may quench your thirst.” Imam Hussain (AS) responded by showing his palm to the water carrier, while it looked similar to a bubbling, rapid spring, and replied, “I have water. Give water to the other people that need it!” What did the Imam mean by this action? If he was able to quench his thirst, why did he not do so? Refer to the following points for the answer: 1. The Prophets and Infallible Imams (AS) were not obligated to use their divine knowledge and power; for if they led their lives based on this, those who wished to disobey God’s orders would have an excuse, and would declare divine supernatural powers the reason for their obedience. Thus, they would declare themselves defective and unable to follow God’s commands. Imam Baqir (AS) said: “Isme Azaam[the grand name] has 73 letters. In the past, “Asif ibn Barkhiya” had one of these letters, and was able to use it to bring the “Bed of Bilqis” [the Queen of Sheba] in a moment, and there are 72 letters of it with us (Imams) [1].” Yes, Imam Hussain (AS) both possessed the grand name of God and was “mostajab alda’ve” (meaning his duas were all accepted) and could have brought up a spring from the depths of the earth and ultimately, quenched his thirst along with the thirst of his family and those who had accompanied him. But he didn’t do this because he had to fulfill his duty through obvious, natural means, rather than through the divine power that was given to him. If the Imams were to lead their lives and satisfy their needs using the divine knowledge and power they had obtained from Almighty Allah, their lives would not be ones that are to be followed by people that are trying to overcome their hardships and fulfill their needs. 2. These narrations, even if they are in Sunni sources, are not accepted and confirmed by us. 3. This narration has many signs of alteration First: There are many narrations from the enemies of Imam Hussain (AS) who had prevented the Imam from having access to the Euphrates River clearly stating that Imam Hussain (AS) had asked them for water and they had rejected him. Accepted narrations state that on the night of Ashura, Imam Hussain (AS) sent Ali Akbar (AS) along with other companions to bring water. Imam Hussain (AS) himself, after the martyrdom of Abbas (AS), managed to reach the Euphrates river so that he might quench his thirst. But he was not successful in being able to drink from the river and he was martyred while he was thirsty. [2] There are also many narrations that Imam Hussain (AS), on the day of Ashura, brought Ali Asghar in front of the enemies and said: “Oh people! If you do not have mercy on me, have mercy upon this child!” It was then that Harmaleh pierced the throat of the thirsty child and Ali Asghar (AS) was martyred. [3] Second: On the day of Ashura, Imam Hussain’s (AS) tents were under the intense siege of the enemy. How could this person (the water-carrier) reach the Imam in such a situation? We conclude that this narration and other narrations that suggest Imam Hussain (AS) and his followers were not in distress in regards to their water supply are not authentic. They not only disagree with the other narrations regarding the day of Ashura, but have been made up in an attempt to justify the crimes committed by the enemies of the Ahlul Bait of the Prophet (PBUH). Translated by: Mohamad Moghadam Edited by: Ali Mansouri -------------------- [1] Kulayni, Muhammad ibn Yaqoob,Osool Kafi,V. 1, pp. 230, Hadith 1. [2] Muhammad Shirifi and Others,Farhang Jame Sokhanan Imam Hussain, Translated [into farsi] by Ali Moeidi [3] ibid, pp. 534
Posted on: Fri, 08 Nov 2013 21:20:01 +0000
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