Introduction:

 What is the meaning of Imamate based on the Shiite terminology?

 The Imam according to common accounts

 In his book «Sahih (The Correct)» Ibn Habban reported the Prophet (pbuh) as saying, «Anyone who dies while lacking an Imam dies ignorant».(1)

 the Sunnites say that the Imamate represents the headship assigned to the people after the prophet (pbuh). On the other hand, the opinion of the Shiites can be explained by the following points:

 recognize a very important issue. The stage lasted 23 years. The great Prophet (pbuh&hh) lived for thirteen of these years in Makkah, and for ten of these years in Medina.

 Makkah will clearly realize that the prophet (pbuh&hh) did not have the opportunity to deliver his message save but the principles of the beliefs coupled with a few aspects of the doctrine. This issue is also clear in the verses of the holy Quran that were revealed in Makkah.

 reality in Makkah and Medina and assume that Allah’s messenger (pbuh&hh) employed during these 23 years of his mission the method of the mentor, who was engaged only in classes and teaching the people, still, this period of time remains insufficient for the Prophet (pbuh&hh) to unfold to the people the meaning of Islam».(1)

 of the faithful (pbuh)] would express saying, «And I would follow him like the cub that follows its mother».(1) Imam Ali (pbuh) would describe the Prophet (pbuh&hh) saying, «If I ask Allah’s messenger (pbuh&hh) he would answer me and if I cease my questions he would initiate me».(2)

 In order for this divine role to be completed regarding the information of the divine legislation and the prophetic Sunnah, the Prophet (pbuh&hh) defined that there was an entrance to the doctrine, that its knowledge had a door; and that he who wishes to grasp must enter through it. Hence, the Prophet (pbuh&hh) said, «I am the city of knowledge and Ali is its door».(1)

 explained earlier – for the people. This issue reveals to us the secret behind the words of the Prophet (pbuh&hh) for which he was famed, «Hassan and Hussein are two Imams, sitting or standing they are».(1)

 Imams of Ahlul Bayt (pbut) together with the holy Quran are the twins of the legislation that were left behind by Allah’s messenger (pbuh&hh) who commanded his nation to adhere to them when he said, «Behold, I am leaving amongst you the two weights, the book of Allah and my family, my household (to whom if you adhere you will never go astray after my departure), and they will never part until they advance towards me by the river basin».(1)

 legislation through their words in a book titled «al-Jame’ah». This book contains the prophetic Sunnah and was dictated by Allah’s messenger (pbuh&hh) to Imam Ali (pbuh) who recorded it with his own hand. An example can be found in the words of Abu Baseerah who said, «I visited Abu Abdullah (pbuh) and said to him: May I die for you; your followers (Shiites) are saying that Allah’s messenger (pbuh&hh) taught Ali (pbuh) a door [of knowledge] that opens into one thousand doors. He (pbuh) said: O Abu Muhammad, Allah’s messenger (pbuh&hh) taught Ali (pbuh) one thousand doors, each of which opens into one thousand doors. He [Abu Baseer] said: this is truly knowledge. He (pbuh) said: O Abu Muhammad, we also have Al Jame’ah, and what do they know about al-Jame’ah? He [Abu Baseer] said: May I die for you; what is al-Jame’ah? He (pbuh) said: a sheet of paper that is 70 cubits long, each cubit equals to the arm of Allah’s messenger (pbuh&hh), and by him it was dictated and with the right hand of Ali (pbuh) it was recorded. It explains all legal and illegal issues and everything that the people need, even the tiniest of matters».(1)

 quoted as saying, «The science of Ibn Shabrama(1) went astray once he experienced al-Jame’ah, dictated by Allah’s messenger (pbuh&hh) and handwritten by Ali (pbuh). Al-Jame’ah left others speechless. It includes the science of legislation (Halal and Haram). The embracers of paralogism sought science through paralogism hence, they were distanced further and further from what is right. The religion of Allah cannot be attained by paralogism».(2)

 Therefore, al-Jame’ah book was inherited by the Imams, each in turn. For example, Umm Kulthum, a daughter of Ali (pbuh) was quoted as saying, «When the commander of the faithful (pbuh) was stricken by Ibn Maljam, may Allah curse him, he summoned his two sons Hassan and Hussein (pbut) and commanded them; he gave Hassan his seal, [a sword] Zul Fiqar, [ the books] al-Jafr al-Abyad, al-Jafr al-Ahmar, al-Jame’ah, and Mushaf Fatimah».(1)

 (pbuh), Hisham Bin al-Hakam who said: «I aimed for Basra, and reached there on Friday. Hence, I went to the mosque where I saw Amro Bin Obaid wearing one mantle of black wool and another that covered him. A group of people lined asking scientific matters. When the lines made way I sat in front of him politely. I asked him: Oh man of science, I am a stranger. Will you allow me to ask you a matter? He said, yes. I asked: do you have an eye? He said: son, what kind of question is this that you ask me? I said: this is the matter that I ask. He said: ask, although this matter of yours is a matter of stupidity. I said: answer this question of mine. He said: yes I have an eye. I said: what can you see with it? He said: colors and people. Next I asked: do you have a nose? He said: yes. I said: what do you use it for? He said: I smell odors with it. Next I asked: do you have a mouth? He said: yes. I said: what do you use it for? He said: I taste with it food. Next I asked: do you have a heart [brain]? He said: yes. I said: what do you use it for? He said: I distinguish with it all that which is sensed by the aforementioned organs? I said: Are these organs independent of it or not? He said: not. I said to him: Why do these organs need the heart? We know that they have 

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b».(1)

 relate to important issues, the most important of which requires that he be:

 the divine wisdom necessitates the definition of the ruling successor who must succeed Allah’s messenger (pbuh&hh). However, should this issue take place by defining the general qualities of the ruler or by appointing him?

 presented another rank of the Imam, which is the rank of the perfect human being that must be distinguished with a special bond with Allah the Exalted. The household of the Prophet (pbuh) expressed this issue as saying, «With Allah, we have conditions that no favored angel can tolerate…»(1)

 Are the Imams infallible? What is the evidence?

 their path towards perfection, any sin on his part would damage his image as the paradigm and would encourage people to take the path towards wrongdoings since he was chosen by Allah the Exalted. This issue might even shake the peoples’ belief in the Prophet (pbuh&hh) considering that his sin would render his credibility questionable.

 the Shiite ideology, belongs to Allah the Exalted and not to the Prophet (pbuh&hh), although he was granted permission to choose freely.

 A. The Quranic verses indicating the inerrancy of the Imams (pbut)

 2.         Allah the Exalted said, «Allah’s wish is but to remove uncleanness far from you, O Folk of the Household, and cleanse you with a thorough cleansing».(1)

 is given to man in order to choose whether to practice or refrain from it, such as the two obligations of salat [prayer] and sawm [fasting] as well as other similar duties. Allah the Exalted wants the people to perform them, yet He left a margin for them to choose, where man has the willpower to perform them or not.

 perpetration of wickedness by Ahlul Bayt (pbut). In other words, they are inerrant and protected from wrongdoing. In the previous book, «They ask you about the prophets,» we said that inerrancy expresses a special knowledge that is granted as a gift by Allah the Exalted. It renders the inerrant person capable of seeing obedience in its perfect form of beauty and sin in its perfect form of ugliness. This gifted issue casts clarity on the image of objects, projecting their reality. Therefore, the inerrant man will not be encouraged to commit any wrongdoing or abandon obedience. We also said that such prevention happens by his free will, not by the creational coercion.

 All other Muslim sects and divisions do not give recognition to inerrancy pertaining to any of the relatives of the Prophet (pbuh&hh). The Shiites alone stress on the inerrancy of Lady Fatimah Az-Zahraa (pbuh) as well as the inerrancy of the twelve Imams (pbut).

 the Prophet (pbuh&hh) was in her residence when Fatimah brought him a vessel containing Khazeera(1). She entered to see him, and he said to her: ‘call your husband and two sons.’ And she [Umm Salamah] said: ‘hence Ali, Hussein and Hassan came.’ They all entered to see him, and sat eating from that Khazeera while he lay on a seat with a Khaibarian cover beneath it. (…)

 uncleanness away from them, O Ahlul Bayt, and purify them perfectly. She said: So I inserted my head …, and said: And I am with you O messenger of Allah. He said: your end will be good, your end will be good».(1)

 a thorough cleansing’(1)] was revealed to the prophet (pbuh&hh) inside Umm Salamah’s house, he summoned Fatima, Hassan and Hussein and he crowned them with a cover with Ali behind him, whom he also crowned with the cover. He said: «O Lord, these are my household. Remove uncleanness away from them and purify them perfectly. Umm Salamah said: and I am with them O messenger of Allah. He said: You are what you are, and your end will be good».(2)

 your household? He (pbuh&hh) said: your end is good but these are my household. O Lord, my household is mostly entitled». Al-Hakim commented on this speech saying: «This is a true speech mentioned also by al-Bukhari. However, they did not release it».(1)

 Hassan and Hussein, and after Hussein his son Ali, and after Ali his son Muhammad, and after Muhammad his son Ja’far, and after Ja’far his son Moussa, and after Moussa his son Ali, and after Ali his son Muhammad, and after Muhammad his son Ali, and After Ali his son Hassan, and after Hassan his son the authority, a child of Hassan. This is how I found their names inscribed on the leg of the throne. Hence, I asked Allah the Exalted about this issue and He said: O Muhammad, they are the Imams that will succeed you, purified and inerrant; and their enemies are cursed».(1)

 my household, and they will never part until they advance towards me by the river basin».

 «Behold, I am leaving amongst you the two weights, the book of Allah and my family, my household. If you adhere to them you will never go astray. Watch how you succeed me regarding them. And they will never part until they advance towards me by the river basin. It was revealed to me by the Subtle, the Aware».(1)The two weights speech is frequently reported by Muslims. Its recognition and the authenticity of its attribution are not questionable. It proves the inerrancy of Ahlul Bayt (pbut). Why? «It is impossible for the Prophet (pbuh&hh) to ask that one seek religion from an authority with such determination and decisiveness to later discover mistakes in the words of this authority».(2)

 These words, being a supplication of the Prophet (pbuh&hh), will definitely be answered; hence, righteousness will definitely associate Ali (pbuh) wherever he is. Consequently, he is inerrant.

 The extent of exaggeration or disappointment pertaining to the Imams?

 reaching the limit of the deification of certain individuals. Allah the Exalted said, «And the Jews say: Ezra is the son of Allah, and the Christians say: The Messiah is the son of Allah. That is their saying with their mouths. They imitate the saying of those who disbelieved of old. Allah (Himself) fighteth against them. How perverse are they!» (1)

 him as well as named him the son of god».(1)

 and say not «Three» - Cease! (It is) better for you! - Allah is only One Allah. Far is it removed from His Transcendent Majesty that He should have a son. His is all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth. And Allah is sufficient as Defender».(1)

 seventy men from Zut(1) came to greet him in their own language. He replied to them in their own language and said: I am not as you say. I am a servant of Allah, a creature. They denied his words and said: you are him. He said: if you do not stop and take back what you have said about me and repent to Allah the Exalted I will punish you to death.

 Imam Ridha (pbuh) while quoting Yunus Bin Thibyan as saying: «One night, as I was circling the Kaaba, suddenly a sound came from above my head yelling: O Yunus, I am Allah the only god; serve Me and establish worship for My remembrance. I looked up and saw Abul Hassan [Imam Ridha (pbuh)](1). Consequently, Abul Hassan (pbuh) became angry and said to the man: Get lost, May Allah curse you and curses whoever speaks to you. May Allah curse Yunus Bin Thibyan one thousand times followed by a thousand curses and may each curse drag you to the bottom of hell. I testify that he also called him evil».(2)

 He also claims that salat [prayer], zakat [poor-due or obligatory charity], hajj [pilgrimage], and sawm [fasting] all lead to knowing you and knowing anyone similar to Ibn Hasaka pertaining to what he claims of Babism and prophecy; thus, he [a man of this condition] is a perfect believer whose duty of salat, sawm and hajj is dropped. He also mentioned all the legislations of the religion and that the aim behind this entire issue is your proven divinity. The people liked his saying. Would you be generous to your followers and give them an answer that would save them from doom. He said that he (pbuh) wrote: Ibn Hasaka is a liar. May Allah curse him. Know that I do not recognize him as one of my followers. What is wrong with him? May Allah curse him. I swear in Allah that Allah sent Muhammad and the prophets before him with the true religion, salat, zakat, sawm, hajj, and wilayah [guardianship]. Besides, Muhammad (pbuh&hh) invited only to Allah the One and only, Who has no partner. And we are the commanders from his descendants, the servants of Allah. We do not make partner (in any form) to Him. If we obey Him He will mercy us. If we disobey Him He will punish us. We have no argument against Allah. Instead, the 

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 argument belongs to Allah the Exalted against us and against all his creatures. To Allah, I absolve myself from what they say. Therefore, abandon them, let Allah curse them…».(1)

 is only One Allah. Far is it removed from His Transcendent Majesty that He should have a son. His is all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth. And Allah is sufficient as Defender».(1)

 «… Lo! I fashion for you out of clay the likeness of a bird …»(1)

 about ourselves… O Lord, whosoever claims that we are gods, we absolve ourselves from him. And whosoever claims that the creation belongs to us and that we plan its sustenance we absolve ourselves from him like Jesus (pbuh) absolved himself from the Nasserites. O Lord, we did not invite them to whatsoever they are claiming. Therefore, condemn us not for their saying…»(1)

 Khalid Bin Nujeih was quoted as saying, «I visited Abu Abdullah [Imam Sadiq] (pbuh) while some people were present. I sat in a corner and thought: how ignorant they are regarding the person they are mentioning. And he [the Imam] called me saying: ‘we, I swear in Allah, are created servants; I have a lord that I worship; if I do not worship Him, in fires He will torment me.’ I said: I only say about you what you say about yourself. He said: ‘regard us as servants of Allah and say about us [our merits] whatever you wish except prophecy’».(1)

 At this point, it was reported that Imam Sadiq (pbuh) was quoted as saying, «The exaggerator is accustomed to abandoning salat, zakat, sawm, and hajj…»(1)

 The stand of the Imams (pbut) towards exaggeration

 to Ali (pbuh) and that he is Allah, the lord of the worlds. When Ar-Ridha (pbuh) heard his words he trembled with fear, started sweating and said: Allah is exalted above all that they associate (with Him)! He is exalted highly above the saying of the infidels! Was Ali not eating with the eaters, drinking with the drinkers, marrying with the wedded, speaking with the speakers, as well as a humble servant before the almighty Allah, to Whom he pleaded for mercy? If this is a god hence, anyone of you is a god because he shares with him these characteristics which point to each event with its description».(1)

 The Imam (pbuh) was also quoted as saying, «May Allah curse al-Mughirah bin Saeed, he would lie on behalf of my father thus was punished by branding. (…) May Allah curse anyone who says about us what we do not say about ourselves. May Allah curse anyone who removes us from the position of servitude to Allah Who created us, to Whom is our return and shelter, and Who controls us».(1)

 Warning about both exaggeration and negligence, Imam Ridha (pbuh) was quoted as saying, «Ibrahim Ibn Abu Mahmoud said: and I said to Ridha: O son of Allah’s messenger, we have news about the merits of the commander of the faithful (pbuh) and your merits O members of the household. It is a report from your dissentients. We never learned anything like it from you. Should we embrace it? He said: O Ibn Abu Mahmoud: My father told me quoting his father who quoted his grandfather quoting Allah’s messenger (pbuh) as saying: He who listens to a speaker worships him. If the speaker speaks on behalf of Allah the Exalted, he worships Allah. If the speaker speaks on behalf of Satan, he worships Satan. Imam Ridha (pbuh) added: O Ibn Abu Mahmoud: Our dissentients fabricated news regarding our merits and they divided them into three sections: one is exaggeration; the second is negligence regarding our rights; the third is declaring the defects of our enemies. Therefore, if people hear exaggeration regarding us, they will deem our Shiites as infidels and attribute the saying of our divinity to them. If they hear about negligence they will think it exists within us. If they hear about the defectiveness of our enemies by 

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 naming them they will accuse us of defectiveness by naming us. Allah the Exalted said: ‘Revile not those unto whom they pray beside Allah lest they wrongfully revile Allah through ignorance.’(1) O Ibn Abu Mahmoud: if people are driven right and left, adhere to our way; he who adheres to us, we will adhere to Him; and he who separates from us, we will separate from Him».(2)

 Never regard us as gods. Count as you wish of our merits; however, you will never reach the trueness of our nature or its conclusion. Allah the Exalted gave us that which is much greater and beyond the description of your describers or the intellect of your intellectuals. If you recognize us in this form then you are the believers».(1)

 The standardized rebuttal of a speech

 Numruqa(1) [the medium pillow]; and to you the exaggerator will return and the successor will follow».(2)

 Do the Imams possess universal guardianship, and if so, what is the evidence?

 is followed by Samir who is followed by Essam, it means that the second is nearer to the first and the third is nearer to the second without any partition between. Therefore, when we write, «Read the following,» it means that the line that we wish to be read is the nearest to the word «following» without a barrier. Based on this issue, the meaning of «waliy» is the nearest.

 Scholar At-Tabtabaei said, «Once the wilayah, a special closeness regarding moral issues, is imposed, it becomes necessary for the guardian to administer his issues as a mediator. The guardian becomes the successor of the dead person and must administer his inheritance. Therefore, the inheritor guardian has the right to administer the legacy that was under the control of the dead person. Moreover, the guardian of the underage inheritor can administer the financial matters of the underage person. Another example is the support guardian who administers the issues of the one supported to make him stronger in defense. In conclusion, Allah the Exalted is the guardian of His servants and administers their affairs in this world and the hereafter. There is no guardian but Him. He is the Guardian of the believers Who helps them manage their religious affairs through guidance, invitation, success, victory and other issues. The Prophet is the waliy [guardian] of the believers supported by a universal right to rule them in their favor and they must refer to legislation and justice. The ruler is the guardian of the people and must rule them based on the scales of his government.

 [governorship] that come in this same context, such as adherence, alliance, neighborhood, divorce, kinship, affection, covenant, etc… Allah the Exalted said, «…they would not turn their backs (to the foe)…»(1) In other words, they do not turn their backs towards the frontline during war and they administer their affairs. Allah the Exalted said also, «… if ye turn away..».(2) from accepting it [the guardianship]. This means you turned away from accepting it. In other words, you went nearer to the side that opposes it by turning away from it; you turned your faces closer to the side that opposes it by turning away from it. In conclusion, the meaning of wilayah regarding its derivatives is nearness or closeness, which obliges a certain right to administer and manage the affairs».(3)

 event, resulting in its being, be and it is. In other words, Allah the Exalted creates a being by simply telling it, «be and it is». Hence, the creation of something means causing it to happen.(1)

 The creational guardianship based on terminology

 interpretation among the other interpretations, which is the guardianship that renders the universe under the authority of the guardian.

 a bird. However, there have been differences in interpreting how these events occurred. There are two main opinions of interpretation:

 walked, talked or sat. Instead, he needed to invoke Allah the Exalted so that He intervenes in a direct form to achieve these issues.

 we will address will concern the authoritative guardianship granted to the prophets after which we will address the subject of the authoritative guardianship granted to the inerrant Imams (pbut).

 the position of breaching the law of reason. We clarified this issue in our book «They ask you about the Prophets». Hence, he who denies the authoritative guardianship must limit his denial to its superficial establishment without letting his denial reach the limit of saying it is impossible due to the clarity of its reasonable possibility as we mentioned earlier.

 (pbuh) saying, «The dearest of my companions is the most pious, most expert, and most secretive of our tradition. The worst of them to me and mostly resented is the one who hears a speech being attributed to us and narrated on our behalf, after which he rejects it, denies it and deems its embracer an infidel. He does not know, perhaps the speech came from us and we are its source. If it did, he would be expelled from our guardianship».(1)

 1-         Allah the Exalted said, «Lo! I come unto you with a sign from your Lord. Lo! I fashion for you out of clay the likeness of a bird, and I breathe into it and it is a bird, by Allah’s leave. I heal him who was born blind, and the leper, and I raise the dead, by Allah’s leave».(1)

 It is known that the present verb means continuation and renovation. There is a difference between saying I helped this poor man, and saying I help this poor man. The first saying indicates to a help that happened in the past. The second saying indicates to the continuation of such help. Therefore, Allah the Exalted saying «I fashion» with the remaining verbs indicate that this act is continuous and renewal. This is closer and more suitable to the guardianship, not to the notion that likens this issue to the tap.

 The verse means that the wind has been placed under the control of prophet Suleiman (pbuh), setting fair by his command whithersoever he intends.(1) The verb «setting» is a present continuous verb that indicates continuity. This means that Prophet Suleiman (pbuh) has a guardianship that places the wind at his disposal to be sent wherever he may wish.

 This verse discusses the question of Prophet Suleiman (pbuh) concerning the one capable of bringing the throne of Belkis all the way from Yemen to the Levant, the place of the court of Suleiman (pbuh). The answer of Asif Ibn Barkhiya «I will bring it thee»(1) indicates his capability of doing so before the gaze of Suleiman (pbuh) returns. Hence, this is another evident example of such creational authoritative guardianship.

 description instead of the name is to indicate to the secret or reason behind the description of the event. Hence, the secret behind the capability of Asif Ibn Barkhiya in bringing the throne of Belkis before the return of the gaze of Suleiman (pbuh) was that he possessed knowledge from the scripture.

 There are other reiterated reports on the same subject.

 The superficial meaning is the true praise, which must result from understanding regardless of the manner of such understanding.

 There are other verses that report the existence of certain feelings that belong to the heavens and the earth from which a sense of fear derives; or perhaps they have an awareness from which praising derives regardless of the type of such feelings and awareness that they possess.

 the earth to the other in a very short period of time which has become an ordinary process.

 1-         Book al-Kafi (the sufficient) reported Sudeir as saying: Abu Baseer, Yahya al-Bazzaz, Dawood bin Katheer and I were present at the court of Abu Abdullah (pbuh). Suddenly he came out furious. When he took his seat he said: «LO! Some people claim that we know the unseen.

 pertaining to the knowledge of the book? I said: May I die for you. How little this is. He (pbuh) said: O Sudeir, what is greater than this is the knowledge granted from Allah the Exalted about which I will tell you. O Sudeir, did you read from the book of Allah the Exalted the following words: ‘Say: Allah, and whosoever hath knowledge of the Scripture, is sufficient witness between me and you.’(1) I said: I read it, may I die for you. He (pbuh) said: Therefore, who is more intelligent, the one with the entire knowledge of the book or the one with partial knowledge of the book? I said: the one with the entire knowledge of the book. Hence, he pointed with his hand towards his chest and said: We have the entire knowledge of the book I swear in Allah. We have the entire knowledge of the book I swear in Allah».(2)

 only one of them in completion.

 Suleiman’s trustee Asif’s grabbing of the throne of Belkis and bringing it to Suleiman before his gaze returned to him? Isn’t our Prophet (pbuh) the best of Prophets (pbut) and his trustee (pbuh) the best of trustees? Why don’t they equalize him with the trustee of Suleiman? Let Allah be the judge between us and those who denied us our rights and rejected our merits».(1)

 Are the Imams (pbut) the means regarding emanation?

 1-         «Know that Allah the Exalted created me and created Ali from the light of His greatness two thousand years before He created the creation, when there was no celebration or glorification. Then, He created my light and from it He created the skies and the earth, and I swear in Allah, that I am more sublime than the skies and the earth. Next, He created the light of Ali Bin Abi Talib (pbuh), and from it He created the throne and the chair, and Ali Bin Abi Talib is more sublime than the throne and chair.

 before the throne. Consequently, the easts and wests bloomed with light. This was Fatimah Az-Zahraa (pbuh). This is why she was named Az-Zahraa [The Illuminant]; her light caused the skies to blossom».(1)

 beings. Hence, we are the spirit of Allah and His words. With us He finds reason to question His creation. Thereon, we continue to survive in a green shade, where there is no sun, no moon, no night, no day, and no eye to blink. We worshipped, glorified and praised Him before He created the creation».(1)

 luminous entities, which explains why they are the mediator regarding the divine emanation that accords with the first meaning.

 A number of Muslim philosophers agreed with the original idea of mediator regarding emanation. For instance, some of the Mash-shaoun (walkers)(1) explained that the first thing that emanated from Allah the Exalted was the primary solo mind. Next, the second mind emanated and in sequence ten minds emanated. The tenth is the active mind that led to the world of nature.(2)

 of Allah the Exalted, the highest in perfection among creatures. For example, an electrical lamp cannot withstand the direct conduction of a high electrical voltage. This same case applies to the materialistic world. It cannot withstand being the primary creature. Therefore, there should be a mediator that led to its creation. This is what we define as the mediator regarding emanation.

 Postulations prior to answering

 mediator angel of revelation. Allah the Exalted said, «Which the True Spirit hath brought down».(1)

 dependent mediators, whom Allah the Exalted renders as a means to pour out His generosity upon the world.

 of a human being the concept tells us that the angel of death is delegated as a subordinate to achieve this task without being totally independent as previously mentioned. This same issue applies to other cases such as in His words, «Lo! Allah graspeth the heavens and the earth that they deviate not, and if they were to deviate there is not one that could grasp them after Him. Lo! He is ever Clement, Forgiving».(1) This verse stresses on the fact that Allah the exalted is the One Who grasps the heavens and the earth. Should anyone other than He grasp them this would result in their deviation. However, this does not disagree with the fact that Allah the Exalted can assign the angels or other creatures as subordinate mediators to do such a mission, but not as independents. This same issue applies to His words, «Know they not that Allah enlargeth providence for whom He will, and straiteneth it (for whom He will)».(2) Yet still, this issue does not disagree with the fact that Allah the Exalted can assign an angel or another creature as a subordinate mediator 

(1)      The Holy Quran, Surat Fāţir (Originator), verse 41.

(2)      The Holy Quran, Surat Az-Zumar (The Troops), verse 52

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 regarding the emanation of providence in a dependent form that submits to the will and volition of Allah the Exalted.

 I-         The recitation of Az-Ziyarah al-Jami’ah (The Collective Tribute) by Imam Ali al-Hadi (pbuh), which reads, «With you Allah unfolded, and with you He seals. With you He sends down the saving rain and with you He holds back the heaven from falling on the earth. With you He lifts the distress and removes the harm. You possess what His messengers revealed and His angels brought down. To your grandfather He sent the True Spirit».(1)

 their fruit; with you the sky will bring down its rain and subsistence; with you Allah removes distress; with you Allah brings down the rain; with you the earth will melt while it holds your bodies and while its mountains deviate from their anchorages. The will of the lord regarding His providence descends to you and emanates from your houses».(1)

 with clemency and mercy, His face through which He is addressed, His door through which He is found, and His treasures in His heaven and His earth. With us the trees have blossomed, the fruits have ripened, and the rivers have flown. With us He brings down the rain from the sky, and grows the grass of the earth. With our worship [praying like we do] Allah is worshiped. If it were not for us Allah would never have been worshipped».(1)

 and the Imams (pbut) are mediators regarding emanations. In fact, they remain in the level of the assumptive dogmas. On the other hand, the previous verses and reports do not produce acceptable scientific evidence that denies the acceptance of mediation regarding emanation.

 Is the knowledge of 

 The verse reads, «…unto whom We had given mercy from Us, and had taught him knowledge from Our presence».(1) This verse informs us that his knowledge was a special knowledge gained from the presence of Allah the Exalted.

 We must understand that making the messenger (the angel) as another method of revelation guides us to the aim behind revelation, enriching the heart directly without any medium.

 to the first source. Others were the undistorted and correct divine books. There are other books that reported certain unseen aspects such as the book of Fatimah (pbuh) and al-Jafr book, which we will discuss in a dependent form later.

 It is evident that the two issues that were mentioned by the questioner (from the mouths of your men, from the inherited books) form a part of the popular human means. On the other hand, the issue pertaining to the knowledge of the Imam is much greater, pointing to the fact that their sciences are from His divine presence. To be more precise, it is the gifted spirit by the command of Allah the Exalted.

 This story indicates two issues:

 of Sa’ad al-Eskaf. He said, «A man came to the commander of the faithful (pbuh) asking him about the spirit, is it Gabriel? The commander of the faithful (pbuh) said to him: Gabriel is one of the angels whereas the spirit is different from Gabriel, and repeated this issue to the man. He [the man] said: you’ve spoken grave words. No one claims that the spirit is not Gabriel. The commander of the faithful (pbuh) said to him: you have strayed narrating the words of deviators. Allah says to his Prophet (pbuh&hh): ‘The commandment of Allah will come to pass, so seek not ye to hasten it. Glorified and Exalted is He above all that they associate (with Him). He sendeth down the angels with the Spirit of His command…’(1) the spirit differs from the angels peace be upon all of them».(2)

 the Spirit of Faith, the Spirit of Life, the Spirit of Strength, and the Spirit of Lust. Through the Holy Spirit, O Jabir, they knew what existed beneath the throne and whatsoever is beneath the sod».(1)

 Allah the Exalted provided the Prophet (pbuh&hh) with five spirits: the Spirit of Life with which he moved and walked, the Spirit of Strength with which he rose and struggled, the Spirit of Lust with which he ate, drank and married women, the Spirit of Faith with which he believed and practiced justice, the Holy Spirit with which he embraced the prophecy. Hence, when the Prophet (pbuh&hh) departs the Holy Spirit is transferred to reside within the Imam. The Holy Spirit does not sleep, it is never inattentive, it does not play or flaunt. The other four spirits sleep, can be inattentive, and they play and flaunt. The Holy Spirit was a method of clarity».(1)

 Abu Ayoub al-Khazzar was reported quoting Abu Baseer as saying: «I heard Abu Abdullah As-Sadiq (pbuh) saying: ‘They are asking thee concerning the Spirit. Say: The Spirit is by command of my Lord.’(1) He said: A creature much greater than Gabriel and Michael. It was never present with anyone in the past save Muhammad (pbuh&hh) and it remains with the Imams guiding them; and not everything that is asked is found».(2)

 accompanies the Imams with knowledge as it accompanied the Prophet (pbuh&hh) before them. The discussion remaining concerns the mechanism of such companionship.

 messenger (pbuh) and the progeny of Ali. Allah’s messenger and Ali (pbuh) both are the fathers».(1)

 Abdullah Bin Bakir was reported quoting Zararah as saying: «I asked Abu Abdullah As-Sadiq (pbuh) the difference between the messenger, the prophet, and the inspired. He said: the messenger is the one visited by the angel who brings to him the message from his lord, saying: He commands you to do such and such. The prophet does not witness the angel, the news is delivered into his heart and he would resemble the unconscious person who sees in his sleep. I said: how would he know that what he saw in his sleep was right? He said: Allah establishes it until he knows it is right but he does not see the angel. The inspired is the one that hears the voice and does not witness a presence».(1)

 method of knowledge of the Imams (pbut). Some reported Abdul Aziz Bin Muslim quoting Ali Bin Moussa Ar-Ridha (pbuh), while delivering a long speech, as saying, «When Allah the Exalted chooses a servant to take care of the affairs of His servants, He opens his bosom to do so, treasures inside his heart fountains of wisdom, and teaches him sciences via inspiration. After that, he finds no difficulty in answering, and no confusion in regarding what is right…»(1)

 As-Salsabil. He gave me revelation and gave him inspiration…»(1)

 if it is tapped or scratched we speak, and if it is held back we hold».(1)

learn he is guided».(1) Another quotation of Imam As-Sadiq (pbuh) reads, «If the Imam wishes to learn something Allah will instruct him».(2) A third quotation of Imam As-Sadiq (pbuh) reads, «If the Imam wishes to inform he informs them».(3) Some scholars rejected these reports protesting their weak reference(4). On the other hand, others embraced their content such as Sheikh Muhammad Hussein al-Mothaffar who said about them: «And this section may represent the medium level and the middle cushion».(5)

(1)      AL-KULAINI, Muhammad, al-Kafi (The Sufficient), vol. 1, p. 258.

(2)      Same previous source.

(3)      Same previous source.

(4)      AL-HAYDARI, Kamal, ‘Elm al-Imam (The Knowledge of the Imam), p. 397-398.

(5)

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 Do the Imams (pbut) possess unseen knowledge?

 Witnessing (visibility) contradicts with the unseen (invisible), which means presence according to the language. Ar-Raghib said, «Witnessing is the presence(1), whether it happens by viewing or by insight. As in the case of the unseen (invisible), the holy Quran used the word witnessing in the same linguistic meaning. Allah the Exalted said, «…Knower of the Invisible and the Visible …»(2)

 However, unlike these verses, there are other verses that explain how some servants of Allah the Exalted are informed by Him pertaining to the unseen. Some of these verses read:

 revealeth unto none His secret; Save unto every messenger whom He hath chosen…»(1)

 Answering the question plus contemplating over these verses explain two issues:

 will gather you…»(1) Allah the Exalted adds, «He is the Omnipotent over His slaves. He sendeth guardians over you until, when death cometh unto one of you, Our messengers receive him, and they neglect not».(2)

 and dependency on Allah the Exalted, it would be suitable to attribute this task of creating to Prophet Jesus (pbuh).

 Unseen...)(1) refers to Allah, and (chooseth of His messengers whom He will…)(2), also refers to Allah. Moreover, we can read: (revealeth unto none…)(3) refers to Allah, and (Save unto every messenger whom He hath chosen) (4), also refers to Allah.

 1-         Allah the Exalted said, «The Romans have been defeated. In the nearer land, and they, after their defeat will be victorious. Within ten years».(1)

 Quran in 622, Heraclius, in a few years (in 627), established his first conclusive victory for the Romans against the Persians in «Nineveh» at the banks of the Tigris river. The Persians after this defeat broke the siege of Constantinople. The King of Persia «Opervez» was killed in 628 by his own son».(1)

 3-         Allah the Exalted said,«And We inspired the mother of Moses, saying: Suckle him and, when thou fearest for him, then cast him into the river and fear not nor grieve. Lo! We shall bring him back unto thee and shall make him (one) of Our messengers».(1) This verse tells us that the mother of Moses had been informed of the unseen future although she was not one of the Prophets or Trustees.(2)

 I-         The Prophet (pbuh&hh) teaches the unseen to his household (pbut). The Noble Prophet (pbuh&hh) was quoted as saying, «There is no land that is fertile or sterile, and no group that misguides a hundred or guides a hundred unless it is brought to my knowledge; and I taught it to my household».(1)

 messenger whom He hath chosen»(1); for instance, Allah’s messenger is chosen by Allah and we are the inheritors of that messenger who was informed by Allah with His chosen unseen. Therefore, our knowledge pertains to what has been and what will be until the Day of Judgment».(2)

 took oath from us and from them. Their arrival is our arrival and their entrance is our entrance. No other embraces the religion of Islam but us and them. We are the superior saviors. We are the remaining legacy of the Prophets. We are the sons of the trustees. We are the ones categorized in the book of Allah the Exalted. We are worthier, amongst all people, of the book of Allah. We are worthier, amongst all people, of the messenger of Allah (pbuh&hh)…»(1)

 III-      Imam Ali (pbuh) discloses his knowledge of the unseen.

 else dared while its darkness gloomed further and its mad covetousness increased. Ask me before you lose me. I swear in the One Who controls my soul, anything you ask me about anything from now until the Day of Judgment, about any category that guides a hundred or misguides a hundred, I will tell about its croaker, leader, guider, the atmosphere of its ride and the station of its caravan, who will be murdered of its people and who will die naturally…»(1)

 unto you! Widen your chests, open your eyes, and let your hearts grasp…»(1)

 saw him just before prayer time. Hence, isn’t his coming forward to practice prayers deemed as a sort of boldness leading to death?

 will, went ahead with submissiveness to his divine assignment.

 himself to perform an act that the mind condemns».(1)

 What is the truth and significance behind the inherited books of the Imams (pbut)?

 II-        It is the wide well that was not built by stones.(1)

 1- The white Jafr

 3- The Ox’s leather

 From its size, it seems to be (simply sheep leather); scripted with complete secrecy in a way that only the Imams (pbut) can understand. It was categorized by some reports as being an object that can be observed by only a Prophet or the Trustee of a Prophet.(1)

 what about al Jame’ah? He said: it is a paper that is seventy cubits in length as wide as the leather of the thigh of a large camel. It contains all that which the people need. It does not miss any affair, even the penalties for harming others. Asked: what about Mushaf Fatimah (pbuh)? He was silent for a while and then said: You are searching for what you wish and for what you do not wish. Fatimah lived 75 days after the death of Allah’s messenger (pbuh&hh). She cherished great grief for her father. Gabriel (pbuh) would attend to provide her with great solace for her father.

 3-         The recorder is the commander of the faithful, Ali Ibn Abi Talib (pbuh).

 that author al-Jahiz named each volume of the volumes of his book «al- Hayawan [The Animal]» as «Mushaf». In the end of the first volume he wrote: «The first Mushaf is concluded and will be followed by the second Mushaf of al-Hayawan book». In his second volume he wrote: «The second Mushaf is concluded and will be followed by the third Mushaf of al-Hayawan book». Etc…(1)

 Therefore, it is better to avoid naming the book of Fatimah (pbuh) as Mushaf Fatimah (pbuh) because the Shiites are being accused of having their own Quran known as Mushaf Fatimah (pbuh).

 -           «… I have Mushaf Fatimah; it contains none of the Quran».(1)

 The reports’ contents indicated that Mushaf Fatimah (pbuh) contains the following issues:

 In another previous report, it reads, «…the knowledge of what is going to be».(1)

 history of mankind with all its past, present and future events. For instance, it contains the names of the prophets and trustees. We also know that the first man was a prophet. This means that it discussed the history of mankind from the beginning. It also contains the names of the kings to be until the Day of Judgment. This also means that it discussed the future of mankind until its end. The topic does not only concern the names of the prophets, trustees and kings, it also concerns all the events of mankind in its entirety.

 strike her progeny yet – despite its magnitude – the conclusion will be the achievement of her great grandson, the last of the twelve trustees, who will conclude the quest of the divine project, the dream of the prophets and trustees, the universal state of justice.

 greatness of her other values, is regarded as the highest save the prophets. No other person has been awarded with such a merit.

 script containing the names of the twelve Imams [trustees] with a number of their descriptions and ranks as well as their major roles.

 His messenger (pbuh). It contains the name of my father, my husband, my two sons, and the names of the trustees from my children. My father gave it to me as a good tiding. Jabir said: Your mother (pbuh) lent it to me and I read it and made a copy of it. Hence, my father [Imam Baqir (pbuh)] asked him: O Jabir, would you show it to me? He said: yes. My father walked with him to Jabir’s house where he brought out a sheet of paper. He said: O Jabir, look to your book [sheet of paper] so I can read to you [by heart]. Jabir looked to his copy while my father read, and no word was missing. Jabir said: I swear in Allah, this [the following] is what I saw written on the tablet:

 than from Me or fears justice other than Mine, I will condemn him to a sufferance that no other will endure from the worlds. Therefore, worship Me and depend on Me.

 I will make him happy regarding his followers, partisans and supporters; after him, I chose Moussa who experienced a blinding horrible sedition, yet the chord of My obligation is never severed and My reason is ever present; and My guardians will be watered with the most perfect cup. Whosoever denies any one of them denies My blessing. Whosoever changes one verse of My book invents a lie against Me. Woe unto the defecting fabricators after the end of the term of Moussa; [next] My beloved servant and My goodness is [now] in Ali, My guardian and supporter, upon whom I will place the gown of prophecy and test him with its knowledge. He will be killed by an arrogant fiend and will be buried in Medina, which was built by the good servant, neighboring the worst evil of My creatures. It is righteous for Me to please him with Muhammad, his son and heir, the inheritor of his knowledge. He is the core of My knowledge, the treasurer of My secret, and My authority over My creatures. Any servant who believes in him I will make the heaven his destiny and I will allow him to intercede for seventy people of his household who have been doomed to the hellfire.

165

 I will seal with happiness his son Ali, My guardian, supporter and witness of My creatures and the trustee of My revelation. From him I will bring the one that will invite to My path and treasure My knowledge, Hassan, and I will complete this issue with his son «Muhammad» as a mercy to the world. 

 speech it would suffice you. Hence, hide it except from its deservers».(1)

 to its last, and he authored it in order, hence, he placed the Meccan verses ahead of the Medinan verses, and the revoked ahead of the revocatory».(1)

 Another story mentioned that Ali (pbuh) told them: «I swear in Allah, you will never see it after this day of yours, it was my obligation to inform you when I collected it for you to read».(1)

 What is the reality of Al-Bidaa (changeable pre-designed destiny) with respect to the Imams (pbut)?

 «Whether ye divulge a thing or keep it hidden, lo! Allah is ever Knower of all things».(1)

 The reports of al-Bidaa and the Shiites’ accusation

 -           «If only people knew the reward resulting from discussing al-Bidaa issue they would never have ceased to discuss it».(1)

 the life that he lived, and that I live as you will live from such a time until such a time [second, minute, hour, day, month, and year].

 In Sahih al-Bukhari, «Adam (pbuh) and Moses (pbuh) argued. Moses (pbuh) said to him: O Adam, you are our disappointing father. You took us out of heaven. Adam (pbuh) said to him: O Moses, Allah chose you as His speaker and predestined your fate with His own hand. Therefore, why blame me for an issue that Allah predestined for me forty years before He created me?»(1)

 From this point of view, the Umayyads publicized this dogma in order to justify their regime and tyranny. Each time the people returned to Muawiyah and his workers regarding their economic depression, they would read these words of Allah the Exalted, «And there is not a thing but with Us are the stores thereof. And we send it not down save in appointed measure».(1)

 b-         «…Lo! Allah changeth not the condition of a folk until they (first) change that which is in their hearts…»(1)

 f-         «And had he not been one of those who glorify (Allah). He would have tarried in its belly till the day when they are raised».(1)

 Other reports of the Sunnites that corroborate this issue are:

 years. However, Allah the Exalted might lengthen his age by adding ten more years if that person donates charity. Hence, man can maintain his hope to change his future and destiny under the umbrella of the volition and might of Allah the Exalted.

 or even into embracing the way of evil as long as he believes that this is all predestined by Allah the Exalted to the point of no return. From this point of view, it was reported that: «The best magnification ever practiced to Allah the Exalted is al-Bidaa».(1)

 David (pbuh) instructs you to wed me to your daughter. You must marry her tonight, and take whatever you need regarding the dowry to him, and be with her. After seven days, come back and meet me here in this same position. Therefore, the man gave him his daughter in marriage and he slept with her and spent seven days. After that, he met David (pbuh) on day eight. David (pbuh) asked him: young man, how did you find what you have experienced? He said: I have never been more grateful and happier than this. David (pbuh) said: be seated. The man sat while David (pbuh) waited for his death. However a long time passed, thus, he (pbuh) said: go home and be with your wife. Come back after seven days, on day eight. When the man returned on day eight and sat with him nothing happened. Another week passed and the man came on day eight and sat with him. Suddenly the angle of death came and David (pbuh) asked: didn’t you tell me that you were instructed to take the life of this young man after seven days? He said: yes. He (pbuh) said: eight and eight and eight days have passed! He said: Oh David, Allah the Exalted reacted to your compassion towards him and hence he extended his life for another thirty years».(1)

(1)      Same previous source, p. 112.

183

 What did we learn from the previous subject?

 «They are planning a plot. But I am planning a plot».(1)

 Answer:

 The meaning and evidence concerning the return of the Imams (pbuh)

 of Allah, will attend accompanied by the grand saint - the commander of the faithful, Fatimah, Hassan, Hussein, and the Imams…»(1)

 nation a host…»(1) Imam Sadiq (pbuh) was quoted as saying, «Any believer who is killed will return in order to die naturally. Only the one who embraced pure faith will return or the one who embraced pure infidelity».(2) He (pbuh) was also quoted as saying, «The return is not general; it is special. No one will return but those who embraced pure faith or embraced pure polytheism».(3)

 hundred established speeches reported by more than forty people of the trusted crème and notable scholars».(1)

 First opinion: This is the return of the bodies

 behind due to their feebleness. Therefore, the plague would lessen in those departing and increase in those staying. Those staying would say: had we departed the plaque would have not stricken us. And those who departed would say: had we stayed we would have been afflicted with their same affliction. In the end, they agreed to depart altogether and they settled at the seashore. As they settled their belongings, Allah called upon them: die and they all died. The travelers brushed them off the road where they remained as long as Allah wanted.

 Third: the event of the return in the future

 made us live. Now we confess our sins. Is there any way to go out?»(1)

 hasten his advent). Sayyid Murtada considered that this interpretation of this group was due to their inability to defend the cause of the return. He said: «… Those among our companions who interpreted the return as a return of the regime coupled with the command and control apart from the return of people and the revival of the deaths are a group of Shiites who were incapable of supporting the return case and the clarification of its possibility, and that it contradicts with the assignment. They depended on this interpretation due to the reported news on the return».

 their evilness. Instead, their return might happen so that they may be tried for their crimes as well as witness Imam Mahdi (may Allah the Exalted hasten his advent) and his state, which they always protested and obstructed, and which would increase their psychological torture.

 3-         Is this return a kind of reincarnation or transmigration?

 Maqalat (The Primary Essays): «Saying that there is a return means that Allah the Exalted will bring people from the world of the dead to this world with their same previous forms. Hence, one team of them will be honored while another team will be dishonored. The righteous will be distinguished from the wicked, and the wronged will be distinguished from the tyrants. This will happen at the time of the rise of the Guided One of the household of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)».(2)

 If we contemplate on the general path of the human caravan throughout history and by observing the main stations that protruded along with the old stout-hearted messengers, we will notice the following issues:

 describes the story of Abraham saying, «When he said unto his father and his folk: What are these images unto which ye pay devotion? They said: We found our fathers worshippers of them. He said: Verily ye and your fathers were in plain error. They said: Bringest thou unto us the truth, or art thou some jester? He said: Nay, but your Lord is the Lord of the heavens and the earth, Who created them; and I am of those who testify unto that».(1)

 in order to become the community of the divine regime that practices the laws of Allah the Exalted on land. Therefore, this role was expected to belong to Allah’s Prophet Jesus (pbuh). However, the several obstacles that hindered his mission, especially by the Jews, necessitated that he be lifted by his lord unto Him to pass on this role to Imam Mahdi (may Allah the Exalted hasten his advent) who will achieve the universal and global divine and Muhammadian state that was foretold by the holy Quran. Allah the Exalted said, «He it is Who hath sent His messenger with the guidance and the Religion of Truth, that He may cause it to prevail over all religion, however much the idolaters may be averse».(1)

 Exalted hasten his advent) represents the peak of human progression. This is why the intellectuals exert utmost efforts to pave the road for such a state although they may be slain on the way of its achievement. Here resides the significance of one’s belief in the return that will bring back the people of insight and knowledge. They will witness the state that they always anticipated and for which they exerted great efforts to pave the road for its birth. And they will meet their Imam towards whom they persistently expressed eagerness while reciting the following supplication of ‘Ahd (allegiance):

 and presence, I command you again and again and command anyone of my progeny and children and the children of my children, and ask Allah the Exalted and His angels to be my witnesses to this will of mine: If you see him and are honored with such divine happiness and are given permission to speak before his prophetic presence, say the following words: That my father Ali is your humble servant, fully committed and will accept whatever pleases you. Please accept him in your presence. He asks your permission to honor him by saluting you and by asking the bestowal of peace upon you. He is humbly asking in your presence to provide him with all that he needs and he humbly persists with his plea due to your stature, Allah’s blessing and peace be upon you. You are worthy [capable] of making him achieve his hopes and desires.