A comparison between the faith of Ahl As-Sunnah and others towards Ahl Al-Bait:
It is clear from the previous chapters that the belief of Ahl As-Sunnah WalJama’ah towards the family of the Prophet is moderate between excess and failure and between fanaticism and indifference. They love all of them and befriend them, they are not rough with anyone of them nor are they extreme (in honoring) any one of them, just as they love all of the Sahabah and they befriend them. They combine between the love of the Sahabah and the ties of kinship and this is unlike the attitude of the inovators who follow but their self desires and exceed the limit (in honouring) some of the members of the household while being rough with so many others including the Sahabah.
And among the examples of their excess in the twelve Imams from Ahl Al-Bait (they
are: Ali, Al-Hassan, Al-Hussein, and nine of Al-Hussein’s children), is that which some of the chapters of the book Al-Usul min Al-Ka’fi of Al-Khulaini entail:
Examples:
The Chapter: That the Imams (alaihimus salaam) are the Califs of Allâh on His earth, and the doors through which He can be reached. (Vol. 1, page: 193).
The Chapter: That the Imams (alaihimus salaam) are the signposts which Allâh mentioned in His book (Vol. 1, page: 206): and in this chapter are three of their Hadiths, which explain the meaning of Allâh’s statement: And landmarks (signposts during the day) and by the stars (during the night), they (mankind) guide themselves, that the star here is the Messenger of Allâh, and the signposts are the Imams.
Surah An-Nahl Ayah: 16.
The Chapter: That the Imams are the light of Allah. (Vol. 1, page: 194). And it contains Hadiths from them among which is the Hadith whose chain of narration ends to Abu Abdullah (i.e. Ja’afar As-Sadiq) in his explanation of Allâh’s statement: (Allâh is the Light of the heavens and the earth ¹ he said -as they claim it to be- (The parable of His Light is as (if they were) a niche i.e. Fatima (alaihas salaam), (And within it a lamp i.e. Al-Hassan, The lamp is in a glass i.e. Al-Hussein, the glass as if it were a brilliant star i.e. Fatima is a brilliant star among the women of the world, lit from a blessed tree i.e. Ibrahim an olive neither of the east nor of the west i.e. neither Jews nor Christians, (Whose oil would almost glow forth (of itself) i.e. knowledge almost explodes in her though no fire touched it. Light upon Light! i.e. Imam after Imam from her (Allâh guides to His Light whom he wills) i.e. Allâh guides to the Imams whom He wills…”
Surah An-Nur Ayah: 35.
The Chapter: That the Ayât, which Allâh mentioned in His book are the Imams (Vol. 1 page: 207).
And in this chapter is the explanation of the statement of Allâh : But neither Ayât (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) nor warners benefit those who believe not that the Ayât are the Imams.
And in it is the explanation of the statement of Allâh: ((They) belied all Our Signs (Ayât) 2 that the Ayât are the all the Awsiyah (they are the Imams).
This means that the punishment that was inflicted on the people of Fir’owun was because they denied those Imams stated on the will.
The Chapter: That the people of the Reminder to whom Allâh has ordained his
¹ Surah Yunus Ayah: 101.
2 Surah Al-Qamar Ayah: 42.
creation to ask (questions) are the Imams (alaihimus salaam) (Vol. 1, page: 210).
The Chapter: That the Qur’an guides towards the Imam (Vol. 1, page: 216). In this chapter is the explanation of the statement of Allâh: Verily this Qur’an guides to that which is most just and right ¹. This means that this Qur’an guides towards the Imam!!!
And in it also is the explanation of the statement of Allah: To those also with whom you have made a pledge) 2 that surely he meant the Imams (alaihimus salaam) it is with them that Allâh made your pledge.
The Chapter: That the blessing (Ni’mah) which Allâh mentioned in His Book, is the Imams (alaihimus salaam) (Vol. 1, page: 217). And in it is the explanation of the statement of Allah: Have you not seen those who have changed the Blessings of Allâh into
¹ Surah Al-Isra’ Ayah: 9. 2 Surah An-Nisa’ Ayah: 33.
disbelief (by denying Muhammad and his message of Islam) ¹. They claimed that Ali said: “We are the blessings that Allâh has bestowed upon His slaves and it is with us that one achieves success on the Day of Judgment”!!!
And in it is their explanation of the statement of Allâh in surah Ar-Rahman: Then which of the Blessings of your Lord will you both (jinn and men) deny? That means: which one will you deny? The Prophet or the Wasi (the one stated in the will-his successor)?
The Chapter: Of the presentation of deeds to the Prophet, and the Imams (alaihimus salaam). (Vol. 1, page 219)
The Chapter: That the Imams (alaihimus salaam) possess all the Books revealed from Allâh, and that they know them well, in their different languages.
Surah Ibrahim Ayah: 28.
The Chapter: That no one has compiled the entire Qur’an except the Imams (alaihimus salaam). And they know all of its knowledge. (Vol. 1, page: 255).
The Chapter: That the Imams know all the knowledge revealed to the Angels and the Prophets and Messengers (alaihimus salaam).
The Chapter: That the Imams know when they would die, and they won’t die except by their own wish. (Vol. 1, page: 258).
The Chapter: That the Imams (alaihimus salaam) have knowledge of what has happened in the past and of what is happening, and that nothing is hidden from them (sallawatullahe wa salaamuhu alaihim). (Vol. 1, page 260).
The Chapter: That Allâh did not teach His Prophet knowledge except after ordaining him to teach Amir Al-Mu’minin (i.e. Ali bin Abi Talib according to their claims), and that he was his partner in knowledge. (Vol.1, page: 264).
The Chapter: That there is no truth in the hands of the people except those coming from the Imams, and that any other thing besides them is false. (Vol. 1, page: 399).
And all of these chapters contain Hadiths of their Hadiths; and they are quoted from Al Kâfi, printed and distributed by As-Saduq’s Library in Tehran in the year (1381 Hegira).
And this book is considered to be one of their most important books, if not the most important. And in its introduction are great praises on the book and its author, who died in the year (329 Hegira).
And all what I have quoted from him are examples of the excess of their predecessors towards the Imams. As for the excess of those who came later, it is clear from the statement of one of their contempory senior leaders, Al-Khomeini, in his book “Al-Hukumatul Islamiyah” (The Islamic government) (page: 52) distributed by The great Islamic library of Tehran, that: “The fact that the leadership and government are for the Imam () does not
mean he has been stripped off his position in the Sight of Allâh, and that does not make him like other leaders; for surely our Imams have a praiseworthy position, high rank, and worldly powers that control all the atoms of the world. It is a necessity for us to believe that our Imams possess a position reached neither by a close Angels (to Allâh), nor by a sent Prophet; and according to the statements and Hadiths in our possession, the great Messenger () and the Imams () were surely lights before (the creation of) this world; and Allâh put them around His Throne and gave them position and nearness that is not known except by Allâh himself. And Gibril has said as related in the narrations of Al-Mi’raj: If I were to go closer by a distance of one inch, I would have burnt. And it has been related from them (the imams) () that they said: ‘surely we have situations with Allâh that is not fit neither for a close Angel (to Allâh), nor a sent Prophet”!
One cannot afford when he sees or hears such words except for him to say: Our Lord! Let not our hearts deviate (from the
truth) after you have guided us, and grant us mercy from You. Truly, You are the Bestower ¹.
And anyone who has the lowest insight will be ascertain that what has been quoted from them, and what is similar to it are lies and fabrications on the Imams, and they (the Imams) are innocent from extremists and their extravagance in them.
Surah Al-Imran Ayah: 8.
Aal-e-Qutub Aal-e-Syed Abdullah Shah Ghazi 