Ahl al-Sunnah and Affection for Ahl al-Bayt

It is quite definite for evry Muslim that Allah-the Glorious -has made loving Ahl al-Bayt incumbent upon all Muslims in return for bestowing over them the Muhammadan Message with all the blessings implied in it, when He said: "Say (O Muhammad unto mankind): I ask of you no fee therefor, save loving kindness among kinsfolk". (42:23)

This holy verse is revealed for enjoying upon Muslims the loving kindness for the Pure Progeny, who are 'Ali, Fatimah, al-Hasan and al-Husayn, as recorded in more than thirty sources of Ahl al-Sunnah .301 Al-'Imam al-Shafi said in this regrd:

O the Messenger 's Household, your love

Is a prescription revealed in the Qur'an

So if their love is revealed in the Qur'a, enjoying it upon all worships as admitted by al-'Imam al-Shafi !? And if their affection (mawaddah) is the reward for the Muhammadan Message, as expressed in the Book, and ritual for seeking God's nearness, what is the matter then with Ahl al-Sunnah, who never give any weight for Ahl al-Bayt, regarding them as lower in position than the Sahabah?302

We have to ask, or rather challenge, Ahl al-Sunnah to refer us even one Qur'anic verse, or one Prophetic hadith, enjoying upon Muslims the loving for Abu Bakr or 'Umar or 'Uthman, or any of the Sahabah?!

It is too far from them, nothing for the sort can be found in God's Book or His Messenger 's Sunnah, while many verses and traditions refer to the lofty position of Ahl al-Bayt, preferring them over all mankind.

From the holy Qur'an, we suffice with the verse of affection, which we are discussing, the verse of malediction (mubahalah), the verse of seeking benediction upon the Prophet and his Houehold, the verse of removing uncleaness and purity, the verse of guardianship, and the verse of electing and inheriting the Book.

From the Prophetic Sunnah, we suffice with the tradition of Two Heavy Things, the tradition of Ark, the tradition of position, the tradition of complete prayer, the tradition of stars, the tradition of city of knowledge, and the tradition of ''the Imams agfter me are twelve''.

Needless to say that one-third of the Qur'an is revealed on aappraising and mentioning the excellences of Ahl al-Bayt, as emphasized by some Companions like Ibn 'Abbas. We never claim that one-third of the Prophetic Sunnah is fucussed on dignifying and glorifying Ahl al-Bayt, with exposing their virtues for people, as pointed out by al'-Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal.

We siffice from the Qur'an and the Sunnah with the examples we have cited from the sihah of Ahl al-Sunnah, for indicating the preference of Ahl al-Bayt over all other people.

Having a glance at the beliefs, books of Ahl al-Sunnah and their historical conduct toward Ahl al-Bayt, we can clearly recognize that they have chosen opposition and hostility against Ahl al-Bayt (A) unsheathing their sworfd for fighting them, dedicating thrir wrtings for sarcasting and degrading them, and elevating the position of their enemies and opponents.

One evidence is sufficieng for providing the final hujjah (argument), which is the fact, that Ahl al-Sunnah were not known but in the 2nd Hijrah year as a reaction againt the Shi'ah, who have befriended and devoted themselves to Ahl al-Bayt, while Ahl al-Sunnah's fiqh and worships and all beliefs are not taken or derived from the Prophetic Sunnah reported from Ahl al- Bayt.303

Despite the fact, that Ahl al-Bayt are better aware of what is in it (house), who are the Prophet's Offspring and 'Itrah, being superior in knowledge and conduct, keeping pace with the Ummah's history throughout three centuries, undertaking the spiritual and religious Imamate through the Twelve Imams among whom no disagreement is found. But Ahl al-Sunnah follow devotedly the four schools, which were created only during the third Hijrah centut, among which there is great incongruity, dicarding Ahl al- Bayt and declaring hostility against them, and rather warring against their follower till the present time.

Wishing to have another evidence, we have to analyze Ahl al-Sunnah's stance in regard of 'Ashura' Day memory (tenth of Muharram), the omnious day, in which one of the pillars of Islam was demolished, through slaughtering the Master of Heaven's youth, with the Prophet's Pure Progeny and his rightous companions.

First: Their stance toward the killers of al-Husayn is that of consenting, rejoycing and backing nature. No wonder of this, as it is Ahl al-Sunnah who have slain al-'Imam al-Husayn, being sufficed with knowing that, the army commander assigned by Ibn Ziyad with the task of killing al-Husayn, was 'Umar ibn Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas. Therefore Ahl al-Sunnah declare their pleasure with all the sahabah, including who killed al-Husayn and their partners, confirming their ahadith. Some of them have even considered al-'Imam al-Husayn as a Kharijite (rebel), since he revolted against Amir al-Mu'minin Yazid ibn Mu'awiyah!!

Moreover, 'Abd Allah ibn 'Umar, the faqih of Ahl al-Sunnah, has sworn allegiance unto Yazid ibn Mul'awiyah, forbidding anyone from revolting against him, saying: "We are with that of who conquers".

Second: Throughout history, from 'Ashura' Day up to date, Ahl al-Sunnah celeberate this day as a festival ('Id), taking out the zakat of their properties, giving their children some money, indicating its being a day of blessings and graces.

They never satisfy with this, but even nowadays they embark on reviling the Shi'ah, and criticizing their weeping over al-Husayn. In some Islamic countries they even prevent the Shi'ah from holding mourning ceremonies ('aza'), assailing them with weapons, massacring them, with the plea of fighting the bida' (heresies).

In fact they are only fulfilling the plot of the Umayyad and 'Abbasid rulers, who did their utmost to exterminate the memory of 'Ashura' to the extent that they have dug out al-Husayn's grave, effecting its traces, and preventing people from paying homage to it.They presently strive from uprooting the revival of that occassion, lest that people-- unaware of truth of Ahl al-Bayt --should realize the facts, whereat the evil intentions of their masters and chiefs be revealed, and people come to distinguish between Truth and falsehood, and the believer from the debauchee.

Again we realize that the Shi'ah are the true followers of the Sunnah, due to their applying it, even in lementing and weeping over Abu 'Abd Allah al-Husayn, as there are established narrations that the Prophet (S) has wept over al-Husayn, when being apprised by Gabriel of his being slaughtering in Karbala, 'fifty years before the tragedy.

It is exposed also that Ahl al-Sunnah 's celeberating 'Ashura' is due to their following the Sunnah of Yazid and the Umayyads, who celeberated their triumph over al-Husayn, and quelling his revolution, which used to threaten their sovereignty, eradicating the turmoil as they allege.

We read in history book, that Yazid and the Umayyads used to organize a splendid festival, ttill the arrival of al-Husayn's head and captives (sabaya) of Ahl al-Bayt, whereat they rejoyced and gloated over the Messenger of Allah, (S)chantingwith poems and songs.

The bad-reputed 'ulama' among Ahl al-Sunnah have then sought ttheir nearness, through composing ahadith about the honour of that day, claiming its being the day of God's accepting Adam's repentance, and in which the Ark of Noah came to rest at (the Mount ) al-Judi, and fire was coolness and peace for Abraham, and Joseph left the Prison and Jacob recorvered his sight, and Moses overcame Pharoah, and in which a table spread with food was sent down from heaven upon Jesus.

Such are the narrations reiterated by the 'ulama' of Ahl al-Sunnah, and their heads from over the pulpits, which were fabricated by the impostors disguinshing under the cloak of 'ulama' seeking approachment to the rulers with all means, selling out their Hereafter against the world, becoming thus of the losers whose commerce did not appear.

They have vigorously falsified the facts, by narrating that the Prophet's migration to al-Madinah,coincided with the Day of Ashura, whereat he found of the jews of al-Madinah fasting.Then he asked them about the reason for that, they replied: In such a day Moses triumphed over Pharoah. He said: We have better claim to Moses than you.Then he issued his orders that Muslims should fast the two days of Tasu'a and 'Ashura', for contradicting the Jews.

This is being an express lie, since we never heard of a festival ('Id) celeberated by the comtemporary Jews, which they call 'Ashura'

May we ask our Lord (the Glorified), that how has He made that day a blessing for all His prophets and messengers, from Adam up to Jesus, except Muhammad, for whom this day was a misfortune, tragedy and bad omen, as his Progeny were slaughtered like sheep, and his daughters were taken as captives? The reply will come such: "He will not be questioned as to that which He doeth, but they will be questioned ". (21:23) Allah says too:

"And whose disputeth with thee concerning him, after the knowledge which hath come unto thee, say (to him): Come! We will summon our sons and your sons, and our women and your women, and ourselves and yourselves, then we will pray humby (to our lord) and (solemly) invoke the curse of Allah upon thsoe who lie". (3:61)

____________
301. Refer, in this respect, to the book Ma'a al-Sadiqin, by the author,

302. All of Ahl al-Sunnah believe in presence of Abu Bakr and 'Umar and 'Uthman over 'Ali ibn Abi Talib. As 'Ali being the Master of the 'Itrah and the best of Ahl al-Bayt after the Prophet (S), so Ahl al-Sunnah regard ahl al-Bayts position to be after that of the three companions, konwn among them as al-khulaf' al-Rashidun.

303. Suppose they be as they claim nowadays by saying: "We are more entittled to 'Ali and Ahl al-Bayt, than the Shi'ah", so they are asked as to why have their 'ulama' and creeds leaders forsaken Ahl al-Bayt's fiqh, neglecting it absouletely? Why have they follwed creeds (madhahib) innovated by them with no warrant revealed from Allah, Who said in His Book: "Lo! those of mankind who have the best claim to Abraham are those who followed him..." (3:68). That is, those who did not follow him have no claim to him, as is expressely manifest.

Adapted from the book: "The Shi'ah; The Real Followers of the Sunnah" by: "Dr. Muhamad al-Tijahi al-Samawi"