Beliefs

When discussing the theme of taqlid and marjiyyah with Ahl al-Sunnah, we will be perplexed in finding any relation between them and the Messenger (S) whatsover, as we are all aware of the fact that Ahl al-Sunnah imitate the leaders of the four school: Abu Hanifah, Malik, al-Shafi'i and Ibn Hanbal, who all have neither known the Prophet (S), nor been his Companions.

While the Shi'ah have been imitating 'Ali ibn Abi Talib (A), who never seperated from the Prophet, and after him the two masters of the youth of Paradise, the Imams al-Hasan and al-Husayn, then al-'Imam 'Ali ibn al-Husayn, then his son al-Baqir, and after him al-'Imam al-Sadiq (peace be upon them), Ahl al-Sunnah wa al-Jama'ah have never existed at that time, nor have we been told by history about their whereabouts, nor who was their Imam whom they imitated and refered to for getting the Legal rules of halal and haram, since the Prophet's demise till the emergence of the four schools.

Then emerged the leaders of four schools one after the other, at different times according to the desires of the 'Abbasid rulers, as mentioned earlier.

After that a new group, encompassing the four schools appeared under a fascinating title, i.e." Ahl al-Sunnah wa al-Jama'ah, " comprising whoever declared hostility against 'Ali and the Pure Kindered ('Itrah), and became supporters of the Three Caliphs and all Ummayyad and 'Abbasid rulers.Then people followed these schools, voluntarily and compulsory, as rulers did all their best to support them (schools) through means of temptation and threatening, and people follow the religion of their kings.

After the demise of the four Imams, Ahl al-Sunnah have closed the door of ijtihad before their 'ulama', not following them to imitate other than those dead Imams.

Rather, this procedure may have been taken by the rulers and emirs, as they have allowed the 'ulama' to critize and probe into the religious affairs, fearing that freedom of thought might create for them disturbances and sedition the beings a threat for their interests and existence.

Thus Ahl al-Sunnah have been restricted to imitate a dead man they have never seen nor recognized, so as to be assured of his justice, piety and knowledge, but they only thought well of their ancestors, of whom every group ascribe imaginary merits to the Imam they follow, creating thus fanciful virtues for them, as every part are rejoiced at what they possess.

If those educated among Ahl al-Sunnah reflect upon the virtues mentioned by their ancestors, about some of whom the sayings have differed, to the extent that wars erupted and exchange of charging with disbleif found way among them, they will verily reconsider their attitude towards those Imams, and be among the guided ones.

Further how could a sane Muslim imitate a man knowing nothing about recent events, and being unable to give answers or solutions about his questions and problems? I am sure that Malik and Abu Hanifah and others will, on the Doomsday, disvow and deny Ahl al-Sunnah wa al-Jama'ah, saying: O our Lord, do not hold us responsible for the acts done by those whom we never recognized, and they never recognized us, and for our inviting them to imitate us.

It is not known what reply will be given by Ahl al-Sunnah when questioned by the Lord of all words about the Thaqalayn? Then the Prophet will give witness against them, and they won't be able to repel his witness, even by pleading of being obedient to their masters and magnates.

When they are asked (by God): Have you found in My Book or Sunnah of My Prophet any covenant or pact or proof indicating the obligation of following the four schools??

The reply is quite known with the latest effort, since nothing of the sort can be found in the Book of Allah and Sunnah of His Messenger, but therein is found an express commandment to hold on to the pure Progeny and not to stay away from them.

They (Ahl al-Sunnah) may say: Our Lord !We have now seen and heard, so send us back; we do right, now we are sure, "(32:12) The reply will certainly be: No, that is a word you are uttering.

The Messenger (S) will say: O my Lord, my people have abandoned this Qur'an. I have recommended them to follow my 'Itrah, and made known to them that which You ordered me, being loving kindness for my kinsfork, but they violated my covenant, cut off my lineage, slaughtered my son, and proscribed my sactities. O my Lord, do not include them im my intercession (safa'ah) .

Once again it is exposed clearly for us that there has been no relation or affection (mawaddah) between Ahl al-Sunnah and the Messenger (S), since whoever seperates himself from the 'Itrah, has in fact deserted the Qur'an, and that who deserts the Qur'an will not find against Allah any protecting friend or helper.

All these has been illustrated in the Qur'an as follows:

"On the day when the wrong-dear gnaweth his hands, he will say: Ah, would that I had chosen a way together with the Messenger of Allah ! Alas for me! Ah, would that I had never taken such as one for friend! He verily led me astray from the Reminder after it had recached me. Satan was ever man's deserter in the hour of need". (25:27-29)

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