Contd from part I ……

8. Return of Idol-Worship in Islam

The famous historian from India, Sayed Amir Ali writes, ‘The reign and manner of the caliphs of Bani Umayyah not only overturned the principles of caliphate but also rocked the very foundation of Islam.(Mukhtasar Tareekh-e-Arab wa Tamuddun Islamiyyah, p. 63)

In another place he writes, ‘The corrupt and evil reign of Muawiyah in Damascus once again introduced the idol worship of the pre-Islamic era in Islam and the pure teachings of Islam were erased.’ (Ruh al-Islam, p. 296)

9. Differences still persist in matters of caliphate

Dr. Ahmed Amin Misri writes in Yaum al-Islam, ‘During the illness that ultimately led to the demise of Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.), he (s.a.w.a.) had expressed his desire to name his successor. It has been mentioned in Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim that in his last days, Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) had said, ‘Give me a pen and paper so that I may write for you something that shall save you from destruction…’ But the people who wanted to select a caliph from among themselves refused to obey his command and installed a leader from their side. Thus, even today you find so many differences and problems in matters of caliphate. Islam was radiant and strong at the time of Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) but after his demise it lost its glory and splendor. (Yaum al-Islam, p. 41)

Comment:

It is highly regrettable that Holy Prophet’s (s.a.w.a.) demand for pen and paper to write a will for the Muslims was rebutted by his so-called companions. This turned out to be catastrophic and marked the decline of Islam. Later, the corrupt rulers of Bani Umayyah and Bani Abbas– under the title of ‘Zill-e-Ilahi’ (Shadow of God) laid an intricate web of deception and treachery that trapped the best of their scholars. Thus, an edifice of deceit confronted the real and true Islam.

10. Denial of Heaven and Hell

Dr. Ali Sami Neshar writes, ‘When Usman b. Affan became the caliph, Abu Sufyan advised him, ‘After the tribes of Tameem (i.e. Abu Bakr’s tribe) and Adi (i.e. Umar’s tribe), you have finally received the caliphate. So now play with it like a ball and let its roots remain among the Bani Umayyah because caliphate is nothing but kingship and I doubt if there is anything like heaven and hell. (Al-Nizaa wa al-Takhaasum, vol. 12, p. 31)

Comment:

Abu Sufyan was speaking to Usman b. Affan, who was the caliph of the Muslim nation. He was the first caliph from the Bani Umayyah. Their conversation reflects their mindset, character and the level to which they had accepted Islam. The deep rooted enmity in their hearts – right from the days of Badr, Hunain, Khandaq and Khaibar – manifested itself and they were hell-bent on destroying Islam. The nature of Abu Sufyan’s advice reflects his venomous nature against Islam.

11. Greatest Calamity in the History of Mankind

The rejection of Ghadeer has had a calamitous impact not only on Islam but on the entire mankind. Abbas Mahmood Aqqad writes, ‘After the caliphate of the initial caliphs, the reign of Bani Umayyah has had a devastating and harmful effect not only on Islam but on the entire mankind. (Muawiyah fil Mizaan, vol. 3, p. 543)

The famous historian, Tabari narrates from Saeed b. Suwaid who says that Muawiyah once said to his people, ‘I did not fight with you because I was keen to establish the prayers or uphold fasting or Hajj or pay the zakaat. Rather, I fought with you because I wanted to rule over you.’ (Muawiyah fil Mizaan, vol. 3, p. 611 from Tabari)

12. Innovations and un-Islamic rulings were given the name of Ijtihad

The enemies of Islam were not content with denying the Ahle Bait (a.s.), especially Ameerul Momineen (a.s.), of their lawful right to Imamat. Rather, they did not want to give the Ahle Bait (a.s.) the slightest chance to establish their superiority and went to great lengths to realize  this aim. So, when the Muslim nation was confronted with new religious problems and complexities, they denied the Ahle Bait (a.s.) the right to deliver religious verdicts in the light of the Holy Quran and the Sunnah. Left with no option, people began to indulge in the whimsical interpretation of religion. Thus, the inept caliphs opened the door of whimsical interpretation (which they cleverly named as Ijetehaad) in the religion of Islam.

Professor Mohammad Khalid of Yarmuk University (Jordan) writes, ‘After the demise of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.), the Islamic leadership (Caliphate) manifested itself in a new dimension and colour. Due to this, the door of ‘Ijtehaad’ was opened. People started talking about the role of a caliph and his mode of governing the masses. Laymen gave their views on matters of caliphate and religion, giving rise to a plethora of views and opinions and leading to the formation of numerous religious and political groups. People started discussing about the role of a Caliph and the norms for his selection. This led to the selection of caliphs based on different criteria’ (Al-Hawl al-Fikriyya lil Saqaafat al-Islamiyya, vol. 3, p. 16)

13. Responsibility of all crimes, past and future, due to differences in the selection of a caliph

The usurping of the right of Ameerul Momineen (a.s.) led to painful and shameful consequences. The crimes and atrocities that were perpetrated in the past and are being inflicted till today are a result of the denial of the position of Imamat to Ameerul Momineen Ali Ibn Abi Taalib (a.s.). Many people were beheaded unjustly and entire generations were wiped out by the enemies of Ahle Bait (a.s.). Pious, virtuous  and God-fearing companions, who were well-versed in the Holy Quran and had memorized it completely, were killed, imprisoned or debarred. But the greatest oppression was the martyrdom of Ameerul Momineen (a.s.) and the Imams (a.s.) after him. The blame and burden of all these atrocities and transgressions will certainly fall on the neck of that person who first refused to accept the divine endorsement concerning the caliphate and Imamat of Ameerul Momineen (a.s.). In his lust for power and pelf, he appointed a caliph from his own side. Mohammed Rasheed Reza, writes in Tafseer al-Munaar, ‘The Bani Umayyah ruined the Islamic caliphate and weakened its principles. They laid the foundation of ‘personality-based’ caliphate. Thus, they will be responsible for their own acts as well as of those who followed them on this path till the Day of Qiyaamah. (Tafseer al-Munaar, vol. 5, p. 188)

Religion was beset with various problems and issues only because people chose to deny the ‘divine order’ and the command of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.). If the Muslims would have obeyed the order of Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.), they would have not been embroiled in differences and deviations. The scholars of the Ahle Sunnah have confessed to the adverse consequences of rejecting Ghadeer and lamented the ensuing deviations that cropped up in religion. Of course, the true followers of the Ahle Bait (a.s.) have been saved from all these deviations and it is the blessing of these immaculate personalities (a.s.) that the Shias have remained steadfast on the straight path of guidance.

O Allah! Keep us firm and steadfast on the wilaayah of Ameerul Momineen Ali Ibn Abi Taalib (a.s.) and his infallible progeny (a.s.) till our last breath. Aameen!