QUESTION:
I have a few questions on so-called Islamic unity and regarding other topics
1. What is the authenticity of this narration from Imam al-Sadiq (Peace be upon Him):
“He who prays behind them is like he who prayed behind the Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon Him and his Family) in the first row.”
And in other narrations:
“The one who prays behind them in the first row is like he who draws his sword in the way of Allah.”
This narration is always repeated by the clerics who call for unity between the ‘Sunnis’ and Shia and I’m not convinced by it, and if this narration is authentic, why does Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq (Peace be upon Him) call us to pray behind the killers of Ahlul-Bayt (peace be upon Them)? I ask your eminence to explain.
Is unity obligatory according to this narration?
Just to let you know, I am opposed to your methodology.
2. Is this narration from Imam al-Sadiq (Peace be upon Him) authentic?
He who does not practice dissimulation has no religion.
3. Is this narration authentic? I have asked some clerics and they doubted the authenticity of the narration, claiming that the Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon Him and his Family) doesn’t order us to insult and slander the enemies, so how do we respond to them?
From Abi Abdillah (Peace be upon Him), that he said: The Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon Him and His Family) said: When you find the people of the doubt and innovation after me, show dissociation from them, and increase in insulting them, and oppose them, and bring evidence against them, so they may not become greedy in bringing corruption to Islam. You must warn people against them and do not learn their innovation. Allah will write for you good deeds for this, and will raise your levels in the next life.
4. Your eminence mentioned that Sayed Musa al-Sadr is in a position of religious resilience, I need an explanation, and are there similarities between sayed Musa al-Sadr and the martyr, Sayed Hassan al-Shirazi (May Allah have mercy upon him), in the political and social arena?
ANSWER:
In the Name of Allah, the All-Beneficent, the All-Merciful.
May Allah bless Muhammad and his Family and damn their enemies.
1. The Sheikh has said it is a significant narration. The Sheikh has also stated that what comes from the narrations about the stated merits of praying behind the opposers, were for the purpose of protecting the Shia believers in the situation of that time, when the Shia may have been harmed if they do not pray with them. If the Shias didn’t pray with them, they would be killed or punished. As for today where there is no risk, it is impermissible to pray behind them. It is also impermissible if it involves other ways, like the ruining of Shia creed, it is only permissible to pray with the opposers in a state of dissimulation. Doing so for the purpose of “Islamic unity” is but an innovation which has no root from the teachings of the household of the Prophet (Blessings of Allah upon Them).
If these people had any knowledge, they would at least notice the name of this chapter in Wasa’il al-Shi’a: (Chapter of the recommendation of holding congregational prayers behind the opposers with the purpose of dissimulation), so it is not permissible to emulate them, except for the purpose of dissimulation when it is recommended to pray behind them. As for today, when there is no risk, it is forbidden. What would these innovators do when they see the narrations that clearly forbid praying behind the opposers, and even behind the opposer who prefers the Commander of the Faithfuls (Peace be upon Him)!? Sheikh al-Tusi narrates from Isma’il al-Ju’fi who asked about the man who prefers the Commander of the Faithfuls (Peace be upon Him) over his enemies but does not disassociate himself from them, so Imam al-Baqir (Peace be upon Him) said:
He is confused, and an enemy, so do not pray behind him and do not respect him, except if in a state of dissimulation!
Tahdhib al-Ahkam, volume 3, page 38
2. The Sheikh has said it is a significant narration.
3. The Sheikh has stated that this is a significant narration and that there is no issue in insulting those who innovate and misguide in religion in order to warn the people from them. Allah Almighty has said:
So his example is like that of the dog
Qur’an 7:176
And
Like the donkey
Qur’an 62:5
And
Cruel, moreover and an illegitimate pretender
Qur’an 68:13
And
So astonish the one who disbelieved
Qur’an 2:258
Which means to give him proofs and make him dumbfounded, to confuse him so he cannot answer.
4. The Sheikh doesn’t see interest in explaining further, and Allah is the preserver.
The Office of Sheikh al-Habib
