There are many verses in the holy Quran regarding the grand status of Ahl al-Bayt (PBUT) which the great Prophet (PBUH&HP) repeatedly expressed their interpretations during his lifetime and people were aware of the real meaning of the verses [regarding Ahl al-Bayt (PBUT)]. However, as the great Prophet (PBUH&HP) passed away, the government banned talking about these interpretations in the public in order to protect its own legitimacy. Nevertheless, Ahl al-Bayt (PBUT) took the opportunity to remind people about their great status by the means of quranic reasoning in available rare appropriate situations.
For instance, at the time of Imam Hussain (PBUH), the consultants of Moawiyah, who underestimated Imam’s ability in speech and eloquence proposed to Moawiyah: “Today, people are showing fondness to Hussain (PBUH). It would be a good opportunity to ask him to give a lecture since he shows signs of stutter. [Which could have negative influence on Imam’s status amongst people]” Moawiyah said: “We had the same assumption about [Imam] Hassan but he disgraced us and stabilized his own position among people.” However, the consultants kept insisting and eventually made him to order Imam to give a speech. He told Imam one day: “O` Aba Abd Allah! It would be perfect if you took the tribune and gave us a sermon.”
Imam ascended the pulpit, began with the praise of Allah (SWT), and sent his greetings to the holy Prophet (PBUH&HP). Then he heard someone asking: “Who is speaking?”(1) Imam Hussain (PBUH) responded:
“We are the victorious party of Allah (SWT)(2) and the household of the holy Prophet (PBUH&HP) whom are close to him. We are the infallible relatives of the Prophet and one of the two weighty important things that he has appointed us as the second weight besides the holy book of Allah (SWT) [Quran](3). The book which pertains an elaboration of all things(4) and “falsehood cannot approach it, at present or in future.”(5) We are the ones whom are assigned to interpret the Quran and we are not helpless to understand the ta’vil(6) of the Quran. Indeed, we truly follow the orders of the Quran. Thus follow us, since following us has been determined as obligatory for you and following us has been tied to following Allah (SWT) who says in the Quran: “Obey Allah and obey the Apostle and those vested with authority among you. And if you dispute concerning anything, refer it to Allah and the Apostle.”(7) He also remarks: “Had they referred it (a report of safety or alarm comes to them) to the Apostle or to those vested with authority among them, those of them who investigate would have ascertained it. And was it not for Allah’s grace upon you and His mercy, you would have surely followed Satan, [all] except a few.”(8)
I am warning you not to listen to Satan’s messages since he is your evident enemy. (9) If you do so [following Satan] you are going to be as Satan’s companions whom Satan [decorated and justified their wrong deeds, which were in the opposite path of Allah’s (SWT) and the Prophet’s (PBHU&HP) and] told them: “ ‘No one shall overcome you today from among all mankind, and I will stand by you.’ But when the two hosts (involved in the battle) sighted each other, he took to his heels, saying, ‘Indeed I am quit of you.’ ”(10) Therefore, [by listening to Satan] you will make yourselves as subjects of swords and spears and the target of arrows (you will be engaged in a battle). So [if this happens], faith shall not benefit any soul that had not believed beforehand and had not benefited in its faith(11) (have not done any good deeds).
As the speech reaches this point, yelled Moawiyah: “O’ Aba Abd Allah! Enough, you have already conveyed your message!”
In this short lecture, Imam first of all, reminded people of his status by addressing many verses of the holy Quran. There were still some companions among people who had heard these verses directly from the holy prophet (PBHU&HP). Moreover, Imam warned people of the ominous consequences of following Moawiyah. In fact, he responded to the enemies’ delusive accusations and made Moawiyah and his group to surrender in this incident.
(The selection above is taken from “Ihtejaj” by “Shaikh Tabarsi” with minor changes)
The Roshd Website congratulates all Muslims, especially you dear friend, upon 3rd of Sha’ban, the birthday anniversary of the ore of wisdom and the arch of rescue of the nation, the third Imam of the Shiites, Imam Hassain ibn Ali (PBUH),
Footnotes:
1- Since Ahl al-Bayt (PBUH) were not allowed to speak in public, this situation was weird for people and they asked this question.
2- An indication to the holy Quran, 5:56. “Whoever takes for his guardians Allah, His Apostle and the faithful [should know that] the confederates of Allah are indeed the victorious.”
3- An indication to the famous and frequently narrated [Mutawatir] called Thaqalayn in which the holy prophet (PBUH&HP) introduced Quran and Ahl al-Bayt (PBUH) as two weighty precious things he left behind. He also emphasized that everyone must follow these two and they are inseparable until the Day of Judgment.
4- An indication to the holy Quran, 12:111. “… This [Quran] is not a fabricated discourse; rather, it is a confirmation of what was
[revealed]
before it and an elaboration of all things, and a guidance and mercy for a people who have faith.”
5- The holy Quran, 41:42
6- “Ta’vil” of the holy Quran means perceiving the special meaning and application of verses of Quran that only is understandable for those who possess intellect (the holy prophet and Imams (PBUH))
7- The holy Quran, 4:59
8- The holy Quran, 4:83
9- Various verses contain this description of Satan for instance: “… and do not follow in Satan’s steps. Indeed, he is your manifest enemy.” (2:168)
10- The holy Quran, 8:48
11- “… The day when some of your Lord’s signs do come, faith shall not benefit any soul that had not believed beforehand and had not earned some goodness in its faith… “ (6:158)