4. Why do not Shi′as accept the sects followed by the Muslim majority, and follow others? What are their proofs for diverting the believer from following their own inclinations and for inviting believers to Ahl Al-Bayt?

Answer:

Hadith of the Two Weighty Things,

The Similitude of Ahl Al-Bayt to the ark of Noah, the Gate of Salvation

The Prophet (S) said,

"O people! I am leaving with you the Book of Allah and my household (‘itra). As long as you uphold them, you shall never go astray."1

"I have left with you that which, as long as you uphold, you shall never let you stray after me: Allah's Book, a Rope extending from heavens to earth, and my ‘itra, my Ahl Al-Bayt. These twain shall never separate from one another till they reach me by the Pool; therefore, see how you succeed me in faring with them."2

"Allah, the Exalted and the Sublime, is my Master, and I am the master of every believer. To whomsoever I have been the master, this ‘Ali is his master."3

These authentic traditions, which prove conclusively that it is compulsory to follow the Qur'an and the Ahl Al-Bayt are repeated many times through more than twenty companions who all are in consensus in this regard.4

According to these traditions the rank of Imams from the Purified ‘itra with Allah is similar to that of the Book, which falsehood cannot approach from front or from back. This must be sufficient testimony that takes people by the neck and obligates them to abide by their sect. A true Muslim does not accept any substitute for the Book of Allah; therefore, how can he deviate from the path of those who are its own peers?

The gist of his saying "I am leaving unto you that which, as long as you uphold to it, shall never let you stray: the Book of Allah and my ‘itra", is that anyone who does not uphold both of them spontaneously will eventually stray.5

What makes it compulsory to follow and refer to Ahl Al-Bayt is this hadith of the Messenger of Allah, (S),

"The similitude of my household among you is that of the ark of Noah; whoever embarks upon it is saved, and whoever lags behind it is drowned."6

He also said,

"The stars protect the inhabitants of earth against drowning, and my Ahl Al-Bayt protect my nation against dissension (in religious matters). If a tribe among the Arabs differs (regarding the commandments of Allah, the High, and the Mighty) from them, they will all then differ and become the party of Satan."7

What is meant by his word (S) "Ahl Al-Bayt" (i.e. Household") here is their entirety, collectively, as being their Imams, not merely their entirety inclusively, for this status is nothing but a testimony for the Proofs of Allah - particularly those who stand for His Commandments - as reason, and scholarship would rule. A learned group among the majority has admitted the same, such as Ibn Hajar in his Al-Sawa’iq al-Muhriqa.8

Tabrani in his Mujma’ al-Kabir and Rafi’i in his Musnad, quoting Ibn ‘Abbas state that the Messenger of Allah (S) said,

"Whoever wishes to live and die like me, and to inhabit Eden's Paradise which my Lord cultivated, should take ‘Ali as his master and follow Ahl Al-Bayt after me. They are my progeny; they are created of my own mold and blessed with my own comprehension and knowledge. Woe unto those who reject them and separate me from them! May Allah never permit them to enjoy my intercession."9

He (peace be upon him and his progeny said),

"In every generation of my nation there are members of my Household who equal only my own self and who safeguard this religion from the distortion of wrongdoers and the interpretation of the ignorant. Be informed that your Imams are your deputies to Allah; so, see who you send to Him as your deputies."10

• 1. . Kanzul’Ummal, vol. 1, p 44.
• 2. . Kanz al-’Ummal, vol. 1, p 44 & Musnad Ahmad, vol. 5, p. 182. Al-Tirmithi, No. 874
• 3. . Al-Mustadrak, vol. 3, p. 109.
• 4. . For more information read Al-Sawa’iq al-Muhriqa by Ibn Hajar, Chapter 9.
• 5. . How many Hadith are there in the books of Sunnis from Ahl Al-Bayt and how many from Abu Huraira? Then do they follow Ahl Al-Bayt or follow Abu Huraira?!
• 6. . Al-Mustadrak, Neisabouri, vol. 3, p. 151.
• 7. . Ibid, p. 149.
• 8. . Al-Sawa’iq al-Muhriqa, p. 91.
• 9. . Kanzul Ummal, vol. 12, p. 103 & Al-Mustadrak, vol. 3, p. 139.
• 10. . This is quoted by al-Mulla in his Sirat, as in Ibn Hajar's explanation of the verse "And follow in their footsteps, for they shall be questioned" (37:24) in his Al-Sawa’iq al-Muhriqa.