[Audio][02] Distortions of Ashura - by Martyr Ayatullah Murtada Mutahhari - English
Now we shall take up the different forms of tahrif.
There are various kinds of tahrif, the most important of which are tahrif in words and tahrif of meaning. Tahrif of wording occurs when the...
Now we shall take up the different forms of tahrif.
There are various kinds of tahrif, the most important of which are tahrif in words and tahrif of meaning. Tahrif of wording occurs when the literal form of a statement is changed. For instance, when words and phrases are deleted or added to a statement or the sequence of sentences is altered in such a manner as to change its meaning. In this case tahrif occurs in the outward form and wording of a statement
Tahrif of meaning occurs when one does not change the words, which remain in their original form, but the statement is interpreted in a manner that is contrary to the intent of its speaker. It is interpreted in such a manner as to express one\\\\\\\'s own intent, not that of its author.
The Noble Qur\\\\\\\'an employs the term tahrif specifically in relation to the Jews. A study of history shows that they have been the champions of tahrif throughout the course of history. I don\\\\\\\'t know what kind of race this is that has such an amazing penchant for misrepresenting facts! Accordingly they always take up professions in which they can distort and misrepresent events. From what I have heard, the world\\\\\\\'s well-known news agencies, which are perpetually quoted by the radios and newspapers, are exclusively in the hands of the Jews. Why? Because they can report the events as they wish. How amazing is the Qur\\\\\\\'an\\\\\\\'s statement about them! This characteristic of the Jews, the tendency for tahrif, is considered a racial trait by the Qur\\\\\\\'an. In one of the verses of the Sura al-baqarah, the Qur\\\\\\\'an declares:
Are you then eager that they (i.e. the Jews) should believe in you, while a party of them had heard Allah\\\\\\\'s word, and then consciously misinterpreted it, after they had understood it, and did that knowingly? (2:75) [1]
This means, \\\\\\\'O Muslims, have you pinned your hopes on their telling you the truth? They are the same people who would go along with Moses, and hear God\\\\\\\'s pronouncements. But by the time they returned to their people\\\\\\\'s midst to recount what they had heard, they would twist it out of shape.\\\\\\\' The tahrif that they would carry out was not for the reason that they did not understand and so altered what they reported. No! They are an intelligent people and they understand matters the issues very well. But despite the fact that they understand what they have heard they would recount them in a distorted manner for the people. This is what tahrif is, that is, distorting and twisting things out of their original shape-and they carried out tahrif even in Divine scriptures!
In this context, in most of the cases the Qur\\\\\\\'an uses the very term tahrif or expresses the matter in some other manner. However, the exegetes have pointed out that the Qur\\\\\\\'anic reference to tahrif in this context includes tahrif in wording as well as in meaning. That is, some of the instances of corruption that have occurred [in the scriptures at the hands of the Jews] relating to the wording and some of them relate to the meanings and interpretation. As this involves a digression from my main topic, I do not wish to discuss this matter any further.
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Now we shall take up the different forms of tahrif.
There are various kinds of tahrif, the most important of which are tahrif in words and tahrif of meaning. Tahrif of wording occurs when the literal form of a statement is changed. For instance, when words and phrases are deleted or added to a statement or the sequence of sentences is altered in such a manner as to change its meaning. In this case tahrif occurs in the outward form and wording of a statement
Tahrif of meaning occurs when one does not change the words, which remain in their original form, but the statement is interpreted in a manner that is contrary to the intent of its speaker. It is interpreted in such a manner as to express one\\\\\\\'s own intent, not that of its author.
The Noble Qur\\\\\\\'an employs the term tahrif specifically in relation to the Jews. A study of history shows that they have been the champions of tahrif throughout the course of history. I don\\\\\\\'t know what kind of race this is that has such an amazing penchant for misrepresenting facts! Accordingly they always take up professions in which they can distort and misrepresent events. From what I have heard, the world\\\\\\\'s well-known news agencies, which are perpetually quoted by the radios and newspapers, are exclusively in the hands of the Jews. Why? Because they can report the events as they wish. How amazing is the Qur\\\\\\\'an\\\\\\\'s statement about them! This characteristic of the Jews, the tendency for tahrif, is considered a racial trait by the Qur\\\\\\\'an. In one of the verses of the Sura al-baqarah, the Qur\\\\\\\'an declares:
Are you then eager that they (i.e. the Jews) should believe in you, while a party of them had heard Allah\\\\\\\'s word, and then consciously misinterpreted it, after they had understood it, and did that knowingly? (2:75) [1]
This means, \\\\\\\'O Muslims, have you pinned your hopes on their telling you the truth? They are the same people who would go along with Moses, and hear God\\\\\\\'s pronouncements. But by the time they returned to their people\\\\\\\'s midst to recount what they had heard, they would twist it out of shape.\\\\\\\' The tahrif that they would carry out was not for the reason that they did not understand and so altered what they reported. No! They are an intelligent people and they understand matters the issues very well. But despite the fact that they understand what they have heard they would recount them in a distorted manner for the people. This is what tahrif is, that is, distorting and twisting things out of their original shape-and they carried out tahrif even in Divine scriptures!
In this context, in most of the cases the Qur\\\\\\\'an uses the very term tahrif or expresses the matter in some other manner. However, the exegetes have pointed out that the Qur\\\\\\\'anic reference to tahrif in this context includes tahrif in wording as well as in meaning. That is, some of the instances of corruption that have occurred [in the scriptures at the hands of the Jews] relating to the wording and some of them relate to the meanings and interpretation. As this involves a digression from my main topic, I do not wish to discuss this matter any further.
Update On Islamic Iran Nuclear Energy Program - 15 SEP 2010 - English
IAEA not a UNSC subsidiary: Iran
Soltanieh went on to say that the IAEA is neither a subsidiary of the UN or UNSC, nor is Amano the subordinate of UN Secretary General [Ban Ki-moon], adding that...
IAEA not a UNSC subsidiary: Iran
Soltanieh went on to say that the IAEA is neither a subsidiary of the UN or UNSC, nor is Amano the subordinate of UN Secretary General [Ban Ki-moon], adding that Iran will not allow the UN bodies to influence the agency.
"It should be noted that requests [by the agency] based on the Additional Protocol beyond the provisions of the NPT (Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty) Comprehensive Safeguards and under the pretext of the illegal UNSC resolutions... are not legitimate and therefore not acceptable."
Referring to Amano's latest report on Tehran's nuclear program, Soltanieh said at a time when "the boring statements" and claims made by certain members of the Board of Governors over the past seven years have damaged the atmosphere of the IAEA, we are once again facing a political dispute "as a result of the director general's recent report."
The Iranian envoy went on to say that "all of Iran's nuclear activities are carried out under the agency's Comprehensive Safeguards" and a "clear message by the current and former director generals confirms that after conducting the most extensive inspections in the agency's history" no evidence of diversion in Tehran's activities has been found.
He added that although "the agency continues to verify the non-diversion of declared nuclear material in Iran," it seems that the report has adopted unusual wording with regard to the safeguards obligations due to "outside pressures."
The Iranian envoy went on to say that the report contains "extensive details" about the "ordinary technical activities" in the framework of Iran's peaceful nuclear program which contradicts the principle of protecting "sensitive information of member states."
"I wonder why the director general deprives member states of the technical information on the enrichment [activities] in other countries especially those who possess nuclear weapons or other members of Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, including Japan."
"This is an enigma," the Iranian envoy said, adding that such technical details about Iran's nuclear activities prove that the IAEA has had "full access to all nuclear material and facilities" in Iran, therefore claiming that "Iran has not provided necessary cooperation is both incorrect and misleading."
With regard to the so-called "alleged studies," the agency should be reminded that according to the "Modalities of Resolution of the Outstanding Issues (INFCIRC/711)," this is not an outstanding issue. Furthermore, the facts that the material of the "alleged studies" lack authenticity, no nuclear material was used and no components were made as declared by the former director general, are also missing in this report. In the same context the notion of the "possible military dimensions" is absolutely out of context of the Modality (INFCIRC/711) already negotiated and agreed upon by the agency as well as its mandate.
Soltanieh added that Iran would lodge a complaint to receive compensation for the huge loses it has suffered as a result of these baseless claims.
Pointing to violating the principle of protecting sensitive information by the agency's employees, that leaked information on Iran's nuclear program to a Western news agency Soltanieh said Amano "assured me that investigations are being carried out by internal investigator, and we will be informed as soon as possible."
However, Soltanieh added, Amano informed us that they had not been able to identify the source of leaked information and there was no evidence that the Secretariat's officials were responsible.
"These statements are not acceptable at all, because information published by the mentioned news agency were exactly the same [information] that had been confidentially handed to the agency's inspectors."
The Iranian envoy added that the agency had openly stated that their news source was one of the agency's employees.
"New investigations must immediately begin, and the agency should file a complaint against the mentioned news agency for the misbehavior that damaged the mutual trust between the Secretariat and the member states and the agency's credibility."
The director general referred to the sensitive issue of refusing to designate 38 of the IAEA inspectors in his opening speech, but did not mention the next developments such as Iran's agreement with the designation of more inspectors, Soltanieh said.
"Another important issue is that Iran has accepted more than 150 inspectors as the designated inspectors and usually around 10 are inspecting Iran, so the Secretariat can simply use other inspectors."
Soltanieh concluded that more than one year has passed since Iran requested fuel for Tehran's nuclear reactor, but no result has yet been achieved despite the fact that almost one million patients in Iran are in need of the agency's humanitarian assistance.
Article Source: http://www.presstv.ir/detail/142639.html
Recorded September 15, 2010 at 1900bst
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IAEA not a UNSC subsidiary: Iran
Soltanieh went on to say that the IAEA is neither a subsidiary of the UN or UNSC, nor is Amano the subordinate of UN Secretary General [Ban Ki-moon], adding that Iran will not allow the UN bodies to influence the agency.
"It should be noted that requests [by the agency] based on the Additional Protocol beyond the provisions of the NPT (Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty) Comprehensive Safeguards and under the pretext of the illegal UNSC resolutions... are not legitimate and therefore not acceptable."
Referring to Amano's latest report on Tehran's nuclear program, Soltanieh said at a time when "the boring statements" and claims made by certain members of the Board of Governors over the past seven years have damaged the atmosphere of the IAEA, we are once again facing a political dispute "as a result of the director general's recent report."
The Iranian envoy went on to say that "all of Iran's nuclear activities are carried out under the agency's Comprehensive Safeguards" and a "clear message by the current and former director generals confirms that after conducting the most extensive inspections in the agency's history" no evidence of diversion in Tehran's activities has been found.
He added that although "the agency continues to verify the non-diversion of declared nuclear material in Iran," it seems that the report has adopted unusual wording with regard to the safeguards obligations due to "outside pressures."
The Iranian envoy went on to say that the report contains "extensive details" about the "ordinary technical activities" in the framework of Iran's peaceful nuclear program which contradicts the principle of protecting "sensitive information of member states."
"I wonder why the director general deprives member states of the technical information on the enrichment [activities] in other countries especially those who possess nuclear weapons or other members of Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, including Japan."
"This is an enigma," the Iranian envoy said, adding that such technical details about Iran's nuclear activities prove that the IAEA has had "full access to all nuclear material and facilities" in Iran, therefore claiming that "Iran has not provided necessary cooperation is both incorrect and misleading."
With regard to the so-called "alleged studies," the agency should be reminded that according to the "Modalities of Resolution of the Outstanding Issues (INFCIRC/711)," this is not an outstanding issue. Furthermore, the facts that the material of the "alleged studies" lack authenticity, no nuclear material was used and no components were made as declared by the former director general, are also missing in this report. In the same context the notion of the "possible military dimensions" is absolutely out of context of the Modality (INFCIRC/711) already negotiated and agreed upon by the agency as well as its mandate.
Soltanieh added that Iran would lodge a complaint to receive compensation for the huge loses it has suffered as a result of these baseless claims.
Pointing to violating the principle of protecting sensitive information by the agency's employees, that leaked information on Iran's nuclear program to a Western news agency Soltanieh said Amano "assured me that investigations are being carried out by internal investigator, and we will be informed as soon as possible."
However, Soltanieh added, Amano informed us that they had not been able to identify the source of leaked information and there was no evidence that the Secretariat's officials were responsible.
"These statements are not acceptable at all, because information published by the mentioned news agency were exactly the same [information] that had been confidentially handed to the agency's inspectors."
The Iranian envoy added that the agency had openly stated that their news source was one of the agency's employees.
"New investigations must immediately begin, and the agency should file a complaint against the mentioned news agency for the misbehavior that damaged the mutual trust between the Secretariat and the member states and the agency's credibility."
The director general referred to the sensitive issue of refusing to designate 38 of the IAEA inspectors in his opening speech, but did not mention the next developments such as Iran's agreement with the designation of more inspectors, Soltanieh said.
"Another important issue is that Iran has accepted more than 150 inspectors as the designated inspectors and usually around 10 are inspecting Iran, so the Secretariat can simply use other inspectors."
Soltanieh concluded that more than one year has passed since Iran requested fuel for Tehran's nuclear reactor, but no result has yet been achieved despite the fact that almost one million patients in Iran are in need of the agency's humanitarian assistance.
Article Source: http://www.presstv.ir/detail/142639.html
Recorded September 15, 2010 at 1900bst
Oh Our Lord, Place Us In The Proximity Of The Guided Ones - Arabic sub English
Islamic Supplication / Lamentation / Eulogy
Oh Our Lord! Place us in the proximity of the Guided Ones, from Bani Hashim
إلهي بالميامين هداتي من بني هاشم
English...
Islamic Supplication / Lamentation / Eulogy
Oh Our Lord! Place us in the proximity of the Guided Ones, from Bani Hashim
إلهي بالميامين هداتي من بني هاشم
English Translation (as per Video):
In His Name, the Most High
Oh Our Lord, Place Us In The Proximity
the Divinely Guided Ones From Bani Hashim
(Family of the Prophet Muhammad(S))
- A Poetic Translation
(Islamic Supplication / Lamentation)
Oh Our Lord! Place us in the proximity of
the Divinely Guided Ones from Bani Hashim
(Bani Hashim is the family of Prophet Muhammad(S))
For the sake of the Seal of the Prophets(S),
the Father of Revelation, Abal Qassim(S)
(These are amongst the titles of the Prophet Muhammad(S))
From those who fasted, and who prayed, and
who were always sincere to the Seal [Of the Prophets](S)
Those who endured three continuous days of fasting
[for the sake of Allah]
(Reference: Quran, Surah al-Insaan (#76), Verses 7-10)
Save us from the blazing fire,
Oh Most Merciful, Oh Most Compassionate
Save us from the blazing fire,
and protect us from all evil.
For who's sake you returned the Sun, and who is the Gate
[to the City of Knowledge (Prophet Muhammad(S)]
(Ref: Imam Ali(A) is the Gate to the City of Knowledge)
For the sake of her who is a part of the Prophet(S),
the Leader of the Women, [Lady] Fatimah(A)
(Ref: Prophet(S) said Fatimah(A) is a part of me)
And for the sake of those who were poisoned and murdered
by the oppressors, may Your mercy be removed from
all the oppressors!
And for the sake of as-Sajjad(A), and al-Baqir(A),
and as-Sadiq(A) and al-Kadhim(A)
(Ref: Grandsons of the Prophet(S) and Imams of the Muslims)
And for the sake on the one [poisoned and] buried in Tus,
Ali(A) [ar-Ridha], and his son - the Learned One(A)
(Ref: Grandsons of the Prophet(S) and Imams of Muslims)
For the sake of the two guards [al-Askariyain(A)],
who [guard and are with] the Awaited One who will Rise(AJ)
(Ref: Imam al-Mahdi(AJ), the Awaited Imam)
Lamentation based on a supplication, Arabic with English subtitles:
Approximate Arabic wording is below:
إلهي بالميامين هداتي من بني هاشم
بخاتم النبيين أخي الوحي أبي القاسم ،
بمن صام بمن صلى بمن صدق بالخاتم
بمن آثر بالقرص ثلاثاً وطوى صائم
بمن ردت له الشمس ببال والملأ عالم
بحق البضعة الزهراء وهي ست النسا فاطم
بالمسموم والمقتول ظلماً فلعن الظالم
بالسجاد والباقر والصادق والكاظم
بالمدفون في طوساًَ علياً وابنه العالم
بحق العسكريين مع المنتظر القائم
أجرنا من لظى النيران يا رحمن يا راحم
أجرنا من لظى النيران بل من شرها الحاطم
برحمتك يا أرحم الراحيمن
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Description:
Islamic Supplication / Lamentation / Eulogy
Oh Our Lord! Place us in the proximity of the Guided Ones, from Bani Hashim
إلهي بالميامين هداتي من بني هاشم
English Translation (as per Video):
In His Name, the Most High
Oh Our Lord, Place Us In The Proximity
the Divinely Guided Ones From Bani Hashim
(Family of the Prophet Muhammad(S))
- A Poetic Translation
(Islamic Supplication / Lamentation)
Oh Our Lord! Place us in the proximity of
the Divinely Guided Ones from Bani Hashim
(Bani Hashim is the family of Prophet Muhammad(S))
For the sake of the Seal of the Prophets(S),
the Father of Revelation, Abal Qassim(S)
(These are amongst the titles of the Prophet Muhammad(S))
From those who fasted, and who prayed, and
who were always sincere to the Seal [Of the Prophets](S)
Those who endured three continuous days of fasting
[for the sake of Allah]
(Reference: Quran, Surah al-Insaan (#76), Verses 7-10)
Save us from the blazing fire,
Oh Most Merciful, Oh Most Compassionate
Save us from the blazing fire,
and protect us from all evil.
For who's sake you returned the Sun, and who is the Gate
[to the City of Knowledge (Prophet Muhammad(S)]
(Ref: Imam Ali(A) is the Gate to the City of Knowledge)
For the sake of her who is a part of the Prophet(S),
the Leader of the Women, [Lady] Fatimah(A)
(Ref: Prophet(S) said Fatimah(A) is a part of me)
And for the sake of those who were poisoned and murdered
by the oppressors, may Your mercy be removed from
all the oppressors!
And for the sake of as-Sajjad(A), and al-Baqir(A),
and as-Sadiq(A) and al-Kadhim(A)
(Ref: Grandsons of the Prophet(S) and Imams of the Muslims)
And for the sake on the one [poisoned and] buried in Tus,
Ali(A) [ar-Ridha], and his son - the Learned One(A)
(Ref: Grandsons of the Prophet(S) and Imams of Muslims)
For the sake of the two guards [al-Askariyain(A)],
who [guard and are with] the Awaited One who will Rise(AJ)
(Ref: Imam al-Mahdi(AJ), the Awaited Imam)
Lamentation based on a supplication, Arabic with English subtitles:
Approximate Arabic wording is below:
إلهي بالميامين هداتي من بني هاشم
بخاتم النبيين أخي الوحي أبي القاسم ،
بمن صام بمن صلى بمن صدق بالخاتم
بمن آثر بالقرص ثلاثاً وطوى صائم
بمن ردت له الشمس ببال والملأ عالم
بحق البضعة الزهراء وهي ست النسا فاطم
بالمسموم والمقتول ظلماً فلعن الظالم
بالسجاد والباقر والصادق والكاظم
بالمدفون في طوساًَ علياً وابنه العالم
بحق العسكريين مع المنتظر القائم
أجرنا من لظى النيران يا رحمن يا راحم
أجرنا من لظى النيران بل من شرها الحاطم
برحمتك يا أرحم الراحيمن
[ENGLISH e-Book] Al-Ghadir and its Relevance to ISLAMIC UNITY by Shaheed Ayatullah Mutahhari
Message of Thaqalayn
\"Al-Ghadir\" and its Relevance to Islamic Unity
________________________________________
Ayatullah Murtaza Mutahhari
Translated by Mojgan Jalali
Vol. 3,...
Message of Thaqalayn
\"Al-Ghadir\" and its Relevance to Islamic Unity
________________________________________
Ayatullah Murtaza Mutahhari
Translated by Mojgan Jalali
Vol. 3, No. 1 and 2 (1417 AH/1996 CE)
The distinguished book entitled \"al-Ghadir\" has raised a huge wave in the world of Islam. Islamic thinkers shed light on the book in different perspectives; in literature, history, theology, tradition, tafsir, and sociology. From the social perspective we can deal with the Islamic unity. In this review the Islamic unity has been dealt with from a social point of view.
Contemporary Muslim thinkers and reformists are of the view that unity and solidarity of Muslims are the most imperative Islamic exigencies at the present juncture when the enemies have made extensive inroads upon the Islamic community and have tried to resort to different ways and means to spread the old differences and create new ones. We are aware that Islamic unity and fraternity is the focus of attention of the Holy Legislator of Islam and is actually the major objective pursued by this Divine religion as firmed by the Qur\'an, the \"Sunnah\", and the history of Islam.
For this reason, some people have been faced with this question: Wouldn\'t the compilation and publication of a book such as \"al-Ghadir\" which deals with the oldest issue of differences among the Muslims- create a barrier in the way of the sublime and lofty objective of the Islamic unity?
To answer this question, it is necessary first to elucidate the essence of this issue, that is, the Islamic unity, and then proceed to examine the role of the magnum opus entitled \"al-Ghadir\"and its eminent compiler \'Allamah Amini in bringing about Islamic unity.
Islamic Unity
What is meant by the Islamic unity? Does it mean that one Islamic school of thought should be unanimously followed and others be set aside? Or does it mean that the commonalties of all Islamic schools of thought should be taken up and their differences be put away to make up a new denomination which is not completely the same as the previous ones? Or does it mean that Islamic unity is in no way related to the unity of the different schools of Fiqh (jurisprudence) but signifies the unity of the Muslims and the unity of the followers of different schools of Fiqh, with their different religious ideas and views, vis-a-vis the aliens?
To give an illogical and impractical meaning to the issue of the Islamic unity, the opponents of the issue have called it to be the formation of a single Madhhab, so as to defeat it in the very first step. Without doubt, by the term Islamic unity, the intellectual Islamic \'Ulama\' (scholars) do not mean that all denominations should give in to one denomination or that the commonalties should be taken up and the different views and ideas be set aside, as these are neither rational and logical nor favorable and practical. By the Islamic unity these scholars mean that all Muslims should unite in one line against their common enemies.
These scholars slate that Muslims have many things in common, which can serve as the foundations of a firm unity. All Muslims worship the One Almighty and believe in the Prophethood of the Holy Prophet (s). The Qur\'an is the Book of all Muslims and Ka\'abah is their \"qiblah\" (direction of prayer). They go to\"hajj\" pilgrimage with each other and perform the \"hajj\" rites and rituals like one another. They say the daily prayers and fast like each other. They establish families and engage in transactions like one another. They have similar ways of bringing up their children and burying their dead. Apart from minor affairs, they share similarities in all the aforementioned cases. Muslims also share one kind of world view, one common culture, and one grand, glorious, and long-standing civilization.
Unity in the world view, in culture, in the civilization, in insight and disposition, in religious beliefs, in acts of worship and prayers, in social rites and customs can well turn the Muslim into a unified nation to serve as a massive and dominant power before which the big global powers would have to bow down. This is especially true in view of the stress laid by Islam on this principle. According to the explicit wording of the Qur\'an, the Muslims are brothers, and special rights and duties link them together. So, why shouldn\'t the Muslims use all these extensive facilities accorded to them as the blessing of Islam?
This group of \'Ulama\' are of the view that there is no need for the Muslims to make any compromise on the primary or secondary principles of their religion for the sake of Islamic unity. Also it is not necessary for the Muslims to avoid engaging in discussions and reasons and writing books on primary and secondary principles about which they have differences. The only consideration for Islamic unity in this case is that the Muslims- in order to avoid the emergence or accentuation of vengeance - preserve their possession, avoid insulting and accusing each other and uttering fabrications, abandon ridiculing the logic of one another, and finally abstain from hurting one another and going beyond the borders of logic and reasoning. In fact, they should, at least, observe the limits which Islam has set forth for inviting non-Muslims to embrace it:
\"Call to the way of your Lord with wisdom and good exhortation, and have disputations with them in the best manner... \"(16: 125)
Some people are of the view that those schools of fiqh, such as, Shafi\'i and Hanafi which have no differences in principle should establish brotherhood and stand in one line. They believe that denominations which have differences in the principles can in no way be brothers. This group view the religious principles as an interconnected set as termed by scholars of Usul, as an interrelated and interdependent set; any damage to one principle harms all principles.
As a result, those who believe in this principle are of the view that when, for instance, the principle of \"imamah\" is damaged and victimized, unity and fraternity will bear no meaning and for this reason the Shi\'ah and the Sunnis cannot shake hands as two Muslim brothers and be in the same rank, no matter who their enemy is.
The first group answers this group by saying: \"There is no reason for us to consider the principles as an interrelated set and follow the principle of \"all or none\". Imam \'Ali (\'a) chose a very logical and reasonable approach. He left no stone unturned to retrieve his right. He used everything within his power to restore the principle of \"imamah\", but he never adhered to the motto of \"all or none\". \'Ali (\'a) did not rise up for his right, and that was not compulsory. On the contrary, it was a calculated and chosen approach. He did not fear death. Why didn\'t he rise up? There could have been nothing above martyrdom. Being killed for the cause of the Almighty was his ultimate desire. He was more intimate with martyrdom than a child is with his mother\'s breast. But in his sound calculations, Imam \'All (\'a) had reached the conclusion that under the existing conditions it was to the interest of Islam to foster collaboration and cooperation among the Muslims and give up revolt. He repeatedly stressed this point.
In one of his letters (No.62 \"Nahj al Balaghah\") to Malik al-Ashtar, he wrote the following:
\"First I pulled back my hand until I realized that a group of people converted from Islam and invited the people toward annihilating the religion of Muhammad(s). So I feared that if I did not rush to help Islam and the Muslims, I would see gaps or destruction which calamity would be far worse than the several-day-long demise of caliphate.\"
In the six-man council, after appointment of \'Uthman by \'Abdul-Rahman ibn \'Awf, \'Ali (\'a) set forth his objection as well as his readiness for collaboration as follows:\"
You well know that I am more deserving than others for caliphate. But now by Allah, so long as the affairs of the Muslims are in order and my rivals suffice with setting me aside and only I am alone subjected to oppression, I will not oppose (the move) and will give in (to it).\" (From Sermon 72, \"Nahj al- Balaghah\").
These indicate that in this issue \'Ali (\'a) condemned the principle of \"all or none\". There is no need to further elaborate the approach taken by \'Ali (\'a) toward this issue. There are ample historical proofs and reasons in this regard.
\'Allamah Amini
Now it is time to see to which group the eminent \'Allamah, Ayatullah Amini - the distinguished compiler of the \"al-Ghadir\" - belonged and how he thought. Did he approve of the unity of the Muslims only within the light of Shi\'ism? Or did he consider Islamic fraternity to be broader? Did he believe that Islam which is embraced by uttering the \"shahadatayn\" (the Muslim creed) would willy-nilly create some rights for the Muslims and that the brotherhood and fraternity set forth in the Qur\'an exists among all Muslims?
\'Allamah Amini personally considered this point - i.e. the need to elucidate his viewpoint on this subject and elaborate whether\"al-Ghadir\" has a positive or a negative role in (the establishment of) Islamic unity. In order not to be subject to abuse by his opponent - be they among the pros and cons - he has repeatedly explained and elucidated his views.
\'Allamah Amini supported Islamic unity and viewed an open mind and clear insight. On different occasions, he set forth this matter in various volumes of the \"al-Ghadir\'. Reference will be made to some of them below:
In the preface to volume I, he briefly mentions the role of \"al-Ghadir\" in the world of Islam. He states: \"And we consider all this as service to religion, sublimation of the word of the truth, and restoration of the Islamic \'ummah\' (community).\"
In volume 3 (page 77), after quoting the fabrications of Ibn Taymiyah, Alusi, and Qasimi to the effect that Shi \'ism is hostile to some of the Ahl al-Bayt (the Household of the Prophet) such as Zayd bin \'Ali bin al-Huseyn, he notes the following under the title of \"Criticism and Correction\":
\"These fabrications and accusations sow the seeds of corruption, stir hostilities among the \'ummah\',create discord among the Islamic community, divide the \'ummah\', and clash with the public interests of the Muslims.
Again in volume 3 (page 268), he quotes the accusation leveled on the Shi\'ahs by Sayyid Muhammad Rashid Rida to the effect that \"Shi\'ahs are pleased with any defeat incurred by Muslims, so much as they celebrated the victory of the Russians over the Muslims.\" Then he says:
\"These falsehoods are fabricated by persons like Sayyid Muhammad Rashid Rida. The Shi\'ahs of Iran and Iraq against whom this accusation is leveled, as well as the orientalists, tourists, envoys of Islamic countries, and those who traveled and still travel to Iran and Iraq, have no information about this trend. Shi\'ahs, without exception, respect the lives, blood, reputation, and property of the Muslims be they Shi\'ahs or Sunnis. Whenever a calamity has befallen the Islamic community anywhere, in any region, and for any sects, the Shi\'ahs have shared their sorrow. The Shi\'ahs have never been confined to the Shi\'ah world, the (concept of) Islamic brotherhood which has been set forth in the Qur\'an and the \'sunnah\'(the Prophet\'s sayings and actions), and in this respect, no discrimination has been made between the Shi\'ahs and the Sunnis.\"
Also at the close of volume 3, he criticizes several books penned by the ancients such as \"Iqd al-Farid\" by Ibn Abd al-Rabbih, \"al-Intisar\" by Abu al-Husayn Khayyat al-Mu\'tazili,\"al Farq bayn al-Firaq\" by Abu Mansur al-Baghdadi, \"al-Fasl\" by Ibn Hazm al-Andulusi, \"al-Milal wa al-Nihal\" by Muhammad ibn Abdul-Karim al-Shahristani \"Minhaj al-Sunnah\" by Ibn Taymiah and \"al-Bidayah wa al-Nihayah\"by Ibn Kathir and several by the later writers such as \"Tarikh al-Umam al-Islamiyyah\" by Shaykh Muhammad Khizri, \"Fajr al Islam\" by Ahmad Amin, \"al-Jawlat fi Rubu al-Sharq al-Adna\" by Muhammad Thabit al-Mesri, \"al-Sira Bayn al-Islam wa al-Wathaniyah\" by Qasimi, and \"al- Washi\'ah\" by Musa Jarallah. Then he states the following:
\"By quoting and criticizing these books, we aim at warning and awakening the Islamic \'ummah\' (to the fact) that these books create the greatest danger for the Islamic community, they destabilize the Islamic unity and scatter the Muslim lines. In fact nothing can disrupt the ranks of the Muslims, destroy their unity, and tear their Islamic fraternity more severely than these books.\"
\'Allamah Amini, in the preface to volume 5, under title of\"Nazariyah Karimah\" on the occasion of a plaque of honor forwarded from Egypt for \"al-Ghadir\", clearly sets forth his view on this issue and leaves no room for any doubt. He remarks:
\"People are free to express views and ideas on religion. These (views and ideas) will never tear apart the bond of Islamic brotherhood to which the holy Qur\'an has referred by stating that \'surely the believers are brethren\'; even though academic discussion and theological and religious debates reach a peak. This has been the style of the predecessors, and of the \'sahaba\' and the\'tabi\'un\', at the head of them.
\"Notwithstanding all the differences that we have in the primary and secondary principles, we, the compilers and writers in nooks and corners of the world of Islam, share a common point and that is belief in the Almighty and His Prophet. A single spirit and one (form of) sentiment exists in all our bodies, and that is the spirit of Islam and the term\'ikhlas,\"
\"We, the Muslim compilers, all live under the banner of truth and carry out our duties under the guidance of the Qur\'an and the Prophetic Mission of the Holy Prophet (s). The message of all of us is \'Surely the (true) religion with Allah is Islam ... (3:18)\' and the slogan of all of us is \'There is no god but Allah and Muhammad is His Messenger.\' Indeed, we are (the members of) the party of Allah and the supporters of his religion.
In the preface to volume 8, under the title of \"al-Ghadir Yowahhad al-Sufuf fil-Mila al-Islami\", \'Allamah Amini directly makes researches into the role of \"Al- Ghadir\" in (the establishment of) Islamic unity. In this discussion, this great scholar categorically rejects the accusations leveled by those who said: \'Al-Ghadir\' causes greater discord among the Muslims. He proves that, on the contrary, \"Al-Ghadir\"removes many misunderstandings and brings the Muslims closer to one another. Then he brings evidence by mentioning the confessions of the non-Shi\'i Islamic scholars. At the close, he quotes the letter of Shaykh Muhammad Saeed Dahduh written in this connection.
To avoid prolongation of this article, we will not quote and translate the entire statements of \'Allamah Amini in explaining the positive role of \"al-Ghadir\" in (establishing) Islamic unity, since what has already been mentioned sufficiently proves this fact.
The positive role of \"al-Ghadir\" is established by the facts that it firstly clarifies the proven logic of the Shi\'ahs and proves that the inclination of Muslims to Shi\'ism - notwithstanding the poisonous publicity of some people - is not due to political, ethnic, or other trends and considerations. It also verifies that a powerful logic based on the Qur\'an and the \"sunnah\" has given rise to this tendency.
Secondly, it reflects that some accusations leveled on Shi\'ism - which have made other Muslims distanced from the Shi\'ah- are totally baseless and false. Examples of these accusations are the notion that the Shi\'ites prefer the non-Muslims to the non- Shi\'i Muslims, rejoice at the defeat of non-Shi\'ite Muslims at the hands of non-Muslims, and other accusations such as the idea that instead of going to hajj pilgrimage, the Shi\'ahs go on pilgrimage to shrines of the Imams, or have particular rites in prayers and in temporary marriage.
Thirdly, it introduces to the world of Islam the eminent Commander of the faithful \'Ali (\'a) who is the most oppressed and the least praised grand Islamic personality and who could be the leader of all Muslims, as well as his pure offspring.
Other Comments on \"al-Ghadir\"
Many unbiased non-Shia Muslims interpret the \"al-Ghadir\" in the same way that has already been mentioned.
Muhammad Abdul-Ghani Hasan al-Mesri, in his foreword on\"al-Ghadir\", which has been published in the preface to volume I, second edition, states:
\"I call on the Almighty to make your limpid brook (in Arabic, \'Ghadir\' means brook) the cause of peace and cordiality between the Shia and Sunni brothers to cooperate with one another in building the Islamic \"ummah.\"
\'Adil Ghadban, the managing editor of the Egyptian magazine entitled \"al-Kitab\", said the following in the preface to volume 3:
\"This book clarifies the Shi\'ite logic. The Sunnis can correctly learn about the Shi\'i through this book. Correct recognition of the Shi\'ahs brings the views of the Shi\'ahs and the Sunnis closer, and they can make a unified rank\".
In his foreword to the \"al-Ghadir\" which was published in thepreface to volume 4, Dr. Muhammad Ghallab, professor of philosophy at the Faculty of Religious Studies al-Azhar University said:
\"I got hold of your book at a very opportune time, because right now I am busy collecting and compiling a book on the lives of the Muslims from various perspectives. Therefore, I am highly avidfor obtaining sound information about \'Imamiyah\' Shi\'ism. Your book will help me. And I will not make mistakes about the Shi\'ahs as others have\".
In this foreword published in the preface to volume 4 of the\"al-Ghadir\", Dr. \'Abdul-Rahman Kiali Halabi says the following after referring to the decline of the Muslims in the present age and the factors which can lead to the Muslims\' salvation, one of which is the sound recognition of the successor of the Holy Prophet (s):
\"The book entitled \"al-Ghadir\" and its rich content deserves to be known by every Muslim to learn how historians have been negligent and see where the truth lies. Through this means, we should compensate for the past, and by striving to foster the unity of the Muslims, we should try to gain the due rewards\".
These were the views of \'Allamah Amini about the important social issues of our age and such were his sound reflections in the world of Islam.
Peace be upon him.
Text Source: http://www.al-islam.org/mot/default.asp?url=ghadir-relevance.htm
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Message of Thaqalayn
\"Al-Ghadir\" and its Relevance to Islamic Unity
________________________________________
Ayatullah Murtaza Mutahhari
Translated by Mojgan Jalali
Vol. 3, No. 1 and 2 (1417 AH/1996 CE)
The distinguished book entitled \"al-Ghadir\" has raised a huge wave in the world of Islam. Islamic thinkers shed light on the book in different perspectives; in literature, history, theology, tradition, tafsir, and sociology. From the social perspective we can deal with the Islamic unity. In this review the Islamic unity has been dealt with from a social point of view.
Contemporary Muslim thinkers and reformists are of the view that unity and solidarity of Muslims are the most imperative Islamic exigencies at the present juncture when the enemies have made extensive inroads upon the Islamic community and have tried to resort to different ways and means to spread the old differences and create new ones. We are aware that Islamic unity and fraternity is the focus of attention of the Holy Legislator of Islam and is actually the major objective pursued by this Divine religion as firmed by the Qur\'an, the \"Sunnah\", and the history of Islam.
For this reason, some people have been faced with this question: Wouldn\'t the compilation and publication of a book such as \"al-Ghadir\" which deals with the oldest issue of differences among the Muslims- create a barrier in the way of the sublime and lofty objective of the Islamic unity?
To answer this question, it is necessary first to elucidate the essence of this issue, that is, the Islamic unity, and then proceed to examine the role of the magnum opus entitled \"al-Ghadir\"and its eminent compiler \'Allamah Amini in bringing about Islamic unity.
Islamic Unity
What is meant by the Islamic unity? Does it mean that one Islamic school of thought should be unanimously followed and others be set aside? Or does it mean that the commonalties of all Islamic schools of thought should be taken up and their differences be put away to make up a new denomination which is not completely the same as the previous ones? Or does it mean that Islamic unity is in no way related to the unity of the different schools of Fiqh (jurisprudence) but signifies the unity of the Muslims and the unity of the followers of different schools of Fiqh, with their different religious ideas and views, vis-a-vis the aliens?
To give an illogical and impractical meaning to the issue of the Islamic unity, the opponents of the issue have called it to be the formation of a single Madhhab, so as to defeat it in the very first step. Without doubt, by the term Islamic unity, the intellectual Islamic \'Ulama\' (scholars) do not mean that all denominations should give in to one denomination or that the commonalties should be taken up and the different views and ideas be set aside, as these are neither rational and logical nor favorable and practical. By the Islamic unity these scholars mean that all Muslims should unite in one line against their common enemies.
These scholars slate that Muslims have many things in common, which can serve as the foundations of a firm unity. All Muslims worship the One Almighty and believe in the Prophethood of the Holy Prophet (s). The Qur\'an is the Book of all Muslims and Ka\'abah is their \"qiblah\" (direction of prayer). They go to\"hajj\" pilgrimage with each other and perform the \"hajj\" rites and rituals like one another. They say the daily prayers and fast like each other. They establish families and engage in transactions like one another. They have similar ways of bringing up their children and burying their dead. Apart from minor affairs, they share similarities in all the aforementioned cases. Muslims also share one kind of world view, one common culture, and one grand, glorious, and long-standing civilization.
Unity in the world view, in culture, in the civilization, in insight and disposition, in religious beliefs, in acts of worship and prayers, in social rites and customs can well turn the Muslim into a unified nation to serve as a massive and dominant power before which the big global powers would have to bow down. This is especially true in view of the stress laid by Islam on this principle. According to the explicit wording of the Qur\'an, the Muslims are brothers, and special rights and duties link them together. So, why shouldn\'t the Muslims use all these extensive facilities accorded to them as the blessing of Islam?
This group of \'Ulama\' are of the view that there is no need for the Muslims to make any compromise on the primary or secondary principles of their religion for the sake of Islamic unity. Also it is not necessary for the Muslims to avoid engaging in discussions and reasons and writing books on primary and secondary principles about which they have differences. The only consideration for Islamic unity in this case is that the Muslims- in order to avoid the emergence or accentuation of vengeance - preserve their possession, avoid insulting and accusing each other and uttering fabrications, abandon ridiculing the logic of one another, and finally abstain from hurting one another and going beyond the borders of logic and reasoning. In fact, they should, at least, observe the limits which Islam has set forth for inviting non-Muslims to embrace it:
\"Call to the way of your Lord with wisdom and good exhortation, and have disputations with them in the best manner... \"(16: 125)
Some people are of the view that those schools of fiqh, such as, Shafi\'i and Hanafi which have no differences in principle should establish brotherhood and stand in one line. They believe that denominations which have differences in the principles can in no way be brothers. This group view the religious principles as an interconnected set as termed by scholars of Usul, as an interrelated and interdependent set; any damage to one principle harms all principles.
As a result, those who believe in this principle are of the view that when, for instance, the principle of \"imamah\" is damaged and victimized, unity and fraternity will bear no meaning and for this reason the Shi\'ah and the Sunnis cannot shake hands as two Muslim brothers and be in the same rank, no matter who their enemy is.
The first group answers this group by saying: \"There is no reason for us to consider the principles as an interrelated set and follow the principle of \"all or none\". Imam \'Ali (\'a) chose a very logical and reasonable approach. He left no stone unturned to retrieve his right. He used everything within his power to restore the principle of \"imamah\", but he never adhered to the motto of \"all or none\". \'Ali (\'a) did not rise up for his right, and that was not compulsory. On the contrary, it was a calculated and chosen approach. He did not fear death. Why didn\'t he rise up? There could have been nothing above martyrdom. Being killed for the cause of the Almighty was his ultimate desire. He was more intimate with martyrdom than a child is with his mother\'s breast. But in his sound calculations, Imam \'All (\'a) had reached the conclusion that under the existing conditions it was to the interest of Islam to foster collaboration and cooperation among the Muslims and give up revolt. He repeatedly stressed this point.
In one of his letters (No.62 \"Nahj al Balaghah\") to Malik al-Ashtar, he wrote the following:
\"First I pulled back my hand until I realized that a group of people converted from Islam and invited the people toward annihilating the religion of Muhammad(s). So I feared that if I did not rush to help Islam and the Muslims, I would see gaps or destruction which calamity would be far worse than the several-day-long demise of caliphate.\"
In the six-man council, after appointment of \'Uthman by \'Abdul-Rahman ibn \'Awf, \'Ali (\'a) set forth his objection as well as his readiness for collaboration as follows:\"
You well know that I am more deserving than others for caliphate. But now by Allah, so long as the affairs of the Muslims are in order and my rivals suffice with setting me aside and only I am alone subjected to oppression, I will not oppose (the move) and will give in (to it).\" (From Sermon 72, \"Nahj al- Balaghah\").
These indicate that in this issue \'Ali (\'a) condemned the principle of \"all or none\". There is no need to further elaborate the approach taken by \'Ali (\'a) toward this issue. There are ample historical proofs and reasons in this regard.
\'Allamah Amini
Now it is time to see to which group the eminent \'Allamah, Ayatullah Amini - the distinguished compiler of the \"al-Ghadir\" - belonged and how he thought. Did he approve of the unity of the Muslims only within the light of Shi\'ism? Or did he consider Islamic fraternity to be broader? Did he believe that Islam which is embraced by uttering the \"shahadatayn\" (the Muslim creed) would willy-nilly create some rights for the Muslims and that the brotherhood and fraternity set forth in the Qur\'an exists among all Muslims?
\'Allamah Amini personally considered this point - i.e. the need to elucidate his viewpoint on this subject and elaborate whether\"al-Ghadir\" has a positive or a negative role in (the establishment of) Islamic unity. In order not to be subject to abuse by his opponent - be they among the pros and cons - he has repeatedly explained and elucidated his views.
\'Allamah Amini supported Islamic unity and viewed an open mind and clear insight. On different occasions, he set forth this matter in various volumes of the \"al-Ghadir\'. Reference will be made to some of them below:
In the preface to volume I, he briefly mentions the role of \"al-Ghadir\" in the world of Islam. He states: \"And we consider all this as service to religion, sublimation of the word of the truth, and restoration of the Islamic \'ummah\' (community).\"
In volume 3 (page 77), after quoting the fabrications of Ibn Taymiyah, Alusi, and Qasimi to the effect that Shi \'ism is hostile to some of the Ahl al-Bayt (the Household of the Prophet) such as Zayd bin \'Ali bin al-Huseyn, he notes the following under the title of \"Criticism and Correction\":
\"These fabrications and accusations sow the seeds of corruption, stir hostilities among the \'ummah\',create discord among the Islamic community, divide the \'ummah\', and clash with the public interests of the Muslims.
Again in volume 3 (page 268), he quotes the accusation leveled on the Shi\'ahs by Sayyid Muhammad Rashid Rida to the effect that \"Shi\'ahs are pleased with any defeat incurred by Muslims, so much as they celebrated the victory of the Russians over the Muslims.\" Then he says:
\"These falsehoods are fabricated by persons like Sayyid Muhammad Rashid Rida. The Shi\'ahs of Iran and Iraq against whom this accusation is leveled, as well as the orientalists, tourists, envoys of Islamic countries, and those who traveled and still travel to Iran and Iraq, have no information about this trend. Shi\'ahs, without exception, respect the lives, blood, reputation, and property of the Muslims be they Shi\'ahs or Sunnis. Whenever a calamity has befallen the Islamic community anywhere, in any region, and for any sects, the Shi\'ahs have shared their sorrow. The Shi\'ahs have never been confined to the Shi\'ah world, the (concept of) Islamic brotherhood which has been set forth in the Qur\'an and the \'sunnah\'(the Prophet\'s sayings and actions), and in this respect, no discrimination has been made between the Shi\'ahs and the Sunnis.\"
Also at the close of volume 3, he criticizes several books penned by the ancients such as \"Iqd al-Farid\" by Ibn Abd al-Rabbih, \"al-Intisar\" by Abu al-Husayn Khayyat al-Mu\'tazili,\"al Farq bayn al-Firaq\" by Abu Mansur al-Baghdadi, \"al-Fasl\" by Ibn Hazm al-Andulusi, \"al-Milal wa al-Nihal\" by Muhammad ibn Abdul-Karim al-Shahristani \"Minhaj al-Sunnah\" by Ibn Taymiah and \"al-Bidayah wa al-Nihayah\"by Ibn Kathir and several by the later writers such as \"Tarikh al-Umam al-Islamiyyah\" by Shaykh Muhammad Khizri, \"Fajr al Islam\" by Ahmad Amin, \"al-Jawlat fi Rubu al-Sharq al-Adna\" by Muhammad Thabit al-Mesri, \"al-Sira Bayn al-Islam wa al-Wathaniyah\" by Qasimi, and \"al- Washi\'ah\" by Musa Jarallah. Then he states the following:
\"By quoting and criticizing these books, we aim at warning and awakening the Islamic \'ummah\' (to the fact) that these books create the greatest danger for the Islamic community, they destabilize the Islamic unity and scatter the Muslim lines. In fact nothing can disrupt the ranks of the Muslims, destroy their unity, and tear their Islamic fraternity more severely than these books.\"
\'Allamah Amini, in the preface to volume 5, under title of\"Nazariyah Karimah\" on the occasion of a plaque of honor forwarded from Egypt for \"al-Ghadir\", clearly sets forth his view on this issue and leaves no room for any doubt. He remarks:
\"People are free to express views and ideas on religion. These (views and ideas) will never tear apart the bond of Islamic brotherhood to which the holy Qur\'an has referred by stating that \'surely the believers are brethren\'; even though academic discussion and theological and religious debates reach a peak. This has been the style of the predecessors, and of the \'sahaba\' and the\'tabi\'un\', at the head of them.
\"Notwithstanding all the differences that we have in the primary and secondary principles, we, the compilers and writers in nooks and corners of the world of Islam, share a common point and that is belief in the Almighty and His Prophet. A single spirit and one (form of) sentiment exists in all our bodies, and that is the spirit of Islam and the term\'ikhlas,\"
\"We, the Muslim compilers, all live under the banner of truth and carry out our duties under the guidance of the Qur\'an and the Prophetic Mission of the Holy Prophet (s). The message of all of us is \'Surely the (true) religion with Allah is Islam ... (3:18)\' and the slogan of all of us is \'There is no god but Allah and Muhammad is His Messenger.\' Indeed, we are (the members of) the party of Allah and the supporters of his religion.
In the preface to volume 8, under the title of \"al-Ghadir Yowahhad al-Sufuf fil-Mila al-Islami\", \'Allamah Amini directly makes researches into the role of \"Al- Ghadir\" in (the establishment of) Islamic unity. In this discussion, this great scholar categorically rejects the accusations leveled by those who said: \'Al-Ghadir\' causes greater discord among the Muslims. He proves that, on the contrary, \"Al-Ghadir\"removes many misunderstandings and brings the Muslims closer to one another. Then he brings evidence by mentioning the confessions of the non-Shi\'i Islamic scholars. At the close, he quotes the letter of Shaykh Muhammad Saeed Dahduh written in this connection.
To avoid prolongation of this article, we will not quote and translate the entire statements of \'Allamah Amini in explaining the positive role of \"al-Ghadir\" in (establishing) Islamic unity, since what has already been mentioned sufficiently proves this fact.
The positive role of \"al-Ghadir\" is established by the facts that it firstly clarifies the proven logic of the Shi\'ahs and proves that the inclination of Muslims to Shi\'ism - notwithstanding the poisonous publicity of some people - is not due to political, ethnic, or other trends and considerations. It also verifies that a powerful logic based on the Qur\'an and the \"sunnah\" has given rise to this tendency.
Secondly, it reflects that some accusations leveled on Shi\'ism - which have made other Muslims distanced from the Shi\'ah- are totally baseless and false. Examples of these accusations are the notion that the Shi\'ites prefer the non-Muslims to the non- Shi\'i Muslims, rejoice at the defeat of non-Shi\'ite Muslims at the hands of non-Muslims, and other accusations such as the idea that instead of going to hajj pilgrimage, the Shi\'ahs go on pilgrimage to shrines of the Imams, or have particular rites in prayers and in temporary marriage.
Thirdly, it introduces to the world of Islam the eminent Commander of the faithful \'Ali (\'a) who is the most oppressed and the least praised grand Islamic personality and who could be the leader of all Muslims, as well as his pure offspring.
Other Comments on \"al-Ghadir\"
Many unbiased non-Shia Muslims interpret the \"al-Ghadir\" in the same way that has already been mentioned.
Muhammad Abdul-Ghani Hasan al-Mesri, in his foreword on\"al-Ghadir\", which has been published in the preface to volume I, second edition, states:
\"I call on the Almighty to make your limpid brook (in Arabic, \'Ghadir\' means brook) the cause of peace and cordiality between the Shia and Sunni brothers to cooperate with one another in building the Islamic \"ummah.\"
\'Adil Ghadban, the managing editor of the Egyptian magazine entitled \"al-Kitab\", said the following in the preface to volume 3:
\"This book clarifies the Shi\'ite logic. The Sunnis can correctly learn about the Shi\'i through this book. Correct recognition of the Shi\'ahs brings the views of the Shi\'ahs and the Sunnis closer, and they can make a unified rank\".
In his foreword to the \"al-Ghadir\" which was published in thepreface to volume 4, Dr. Muhammad Ghallab, professor of philosophy at the Faculty of Religious Studies al-Azhar University said:
\"I got hold of your book at a very opportune time, because right now I am busy collecting and compiling a book on the lives of the Muslims from various perspectives. Therefore, I am highly avidfor obtaining sound information about \'Imamiyah\' Shi\'ism. Your book will help me. And I will not make mistakes about the Shi\'ahs as others have\".
In this foreword published in the preface to volume 4 of the\"al-Ghadir\", Dr. \'Abdul-Rahman Kiali Halabi says the following after referring to the decline of the Muslims in the present age and the factors which can lead to the Muslims\' salvation, one of which is the sound recognition of the successor of the Holy Prophet (s):
\"The book entitled \"al-Ghadir\" and its rich content deserves to be known by every Muslim to learn how historians have been negligent and see where the truth lies. Through this means, we should compensate for the past, and by striving to foster the unity of the Muslims, we should try to gain the due rewards\".
These were the views of \'Allamah Amini about the important social issues of our age and such were his sound reflections in the world of Islam.
Peace be upon him.
Text Source: http://www.al-islam.org/mot/default.asp?url=ghadir-relevance.htm