6. Why have Muslims turned away from following the path of the Imams of Ahl Al-Bayt (‘a)? Why did Sunnis not understand of the Book and the Sunnah other than the praise of Ahl Al-Bayt, and the necessity of loving and respecting them?

Answer:

The Nation's Politicians are the Ones Who Turned Away from Ahl Al-Bayt.

It is only the politicians and the wielders of power who turned away from the beliefs of Ahl Al-Bayt, due to their turning away from the succession (to the Prophet), affecting such a succession by elections, although they knew for sure that it was assigned for the Commander of the Faithful ‘Ali ibn Abu Talib (‘a). They observed that the Arabs would not tolerate such a succession if restricted to one dynasty; therefore, they started interpreting its texts, assuming power through elections so that every suburb of theirs may enjoy it eventually.

They sacrificed their means and might to keep it that way and support that principle, eradicating all contrary views and trends. Necessity forced them to turn away from the school of thought of Ahl Al-Bayt. They started interpreting the texts of the Book or the Sunnah to mean the necessity of following such a concept.

Leave their texts and arguments alone, and look at them while overlooking the former; do you then find them, in their knowledge, deeds, or worship, less than Imam al-Ash’ari, or the other four Imams, or any others at all? If the answer is No, then why should others be followed then? Leadership should be given to the most qualified.

Who will accuse the followers of Ahl Al-Bayt of having gone astray? How can one be deemed to have gone astray because of his adherence to the progeny of the Holy Prophet (S)?