Why did Imam Ali fought a war against the Khawarij

When Imam Ali took over the leadership of the Muslim Ummah, he lead his armies to fight a series of battles (Jamal, Siffin and Nahrawan). The battle of Nahrawan is perhaps one of the most interesting of all because he was fighting the crazy religious fanatics.

In other posts, I've written about the history and the background of their sub-sects.

We know what happened after the battle of Siffin. The Khawarij (Kharajite) started their campaign of hatred against Uthman al-Affan, Muawiyah Abu Sufyan and Imam Ali.


Yesterday, we saw Imam Ali sending his emissary (ibn Abbas) to talk some sense into these morons. The Khawarij not only refused to listen to the other side but they have also started killing and murdering innocent souls who were not political and had nothing to do with their failed arbitration at Siffin.

One of their (Khawarij) most treacherous act was the killing of the companion of the Holy Prophet Abd Allah b. Khabbab and his family.[1]

You may find additional information about this killing on wikipedia

Ali ibn Abi Talib had already started towards Muawiyah when he received the news that they had butchered the governor of Nahrawan namely Abdullah ibn Khabbab ibn al-Aratt and his slave maid with the child in her womb, and have killed three women of Banu Tayyi and Umm Sinan as-Saydawiyyah. Ali ibn Abi Talib sent al-Harith ibn Murrah al-Abdi for investigation but he too was killed by them. When their rebellion reached this stage it was necessary to deal with them. [2]

I still remember reading about this killing. The details were horrific. The Khawarij cut open a pregnant woman belly. She bled to death and the infant died too.

Imam Ali was outraged with the killing. You can find many references of Imam Ali addressing the Kharajites in a very harsh tone (as below)

"If you insist on claiming that I have erred and gone astray, why do you [also insist] upon claiming that the ummah, in general, has gone astray, and hold them responsible for my error and declare them unbelievers on account of my sins? Your swords are at the ready, and you bring them down upon innocent heads!”[3]

Reference
[1] Dakake, Maria Massi (2007). The Charismatic Community: Shi'ite Identity in Early Islam. USA: State Univ of New York Pr. p. 66. ISBN 978-0-7914-7033-6.
[2] The Battle of Nahrawan.
[3] footnote in the same book points to (Maqtal, p. 16; Ibn A'tham v. 5, pp. 47, 135; Ansab, v. 2, p. 462; †abari II: 233–34; and an abbreviated version in Yaqubi, v. 2, p. 155.)

Butris going against Shias -- part 3

By accepting the first two caliphs, Zayd broke away from his brother al-Baqir. Many people found Zayd's position interesting.

Al-Baqir confirmed that they were merely caliphs. He did not acknowledged them as Imams or successors of the Holy Prophet. According to Shias, al-Baqir uttered that statement under the principle of dissimulation (taqiyya).

The book mentioned that a lot of people who were disappointed with al-Baqir's quiescent policy went to the side of Zayd. These people, the Butris, accepted the first two caliphs and rejected Taqqiya and the Shia Imam, al-Baqir.

The Butris have been condemned by al-Baqir. According to Imam Muhammad al-Baqir,

Even if the Butrites formed one battle-line from east to west, God would not grant glory to the world through them.

Eventually Zayd ibn Ali and some of his followers were killed by the Ummayad.

Butris going against Shias -- part 2

In my last post, we looked closely at the disagreement between Muhammad al-Baqir and his half-brother Zayd. Without any doubt whatsoever, they both despised the Ummayad who killed their grandfather in Karbala. Today, we are going to take a closer look at Butris/Batris/Battriya who took up the cause of Zayd.

The Butris rejected the leadership of the fifth Imam of Shia, Muhammad al-Baqir and went over to the side of Zayd. There were some Shias in Kufa who broke the allegiance from Zayd and went to the side of al-Baqir. The book mention that Zayd was not able to convincingly explain if Ali ibn Abi Talib was an Imam before he resorted to the sword (see the Jamal war, the Siffin war and the battle of Nahrawan).

Zayd's agreed with the Mutazilites about the first and the second caliph (Abu Bakr and Umar al-Khattab). Mutazilites believe Ali was a better candidate for the caliphate than Abu Bakr and Umar. However, they (Mutazilites) also held a politically correct opinion; they accepted both the first and the second caliph as legal representative of the people.

Zayd was very well acquainted with the leader of Mutazilah, Wasil ibn Ata. On the question of the many conflicts among the  Muslims (disagreements over the issue of caliphates, civil wars), Zayd sometimes agrees with Wasil ibn Ata and sometimes not. Briefly here are the positions adopted by a number of Muslim sects

1. The Sunnis (until today) believe that all companions were correct. In the Jamal war, they believe that both sides were correct.
2. The Mutazilah under Wasil ibn Ata believes that one side was in error but they are unsure which side that was (meaning they didn't take the side of Ali or Ayesha in the Jamal war).
3. Zayd believe that it was impossible for Ali ibn Abi Talib to be incorrect in the conflict because Ali was virtuous.
4. The Shias believe Ali was correct/right and the other side was clearly in error because they were fighting a divinely selected authority from God and a lawful caliph (Muslim representative).

Butris going against the Shia - part 1

Muhammad al-Baqir (the fifth Imam of Shia) lived in a time when you cannot condemn the first and second caliphs (Abu Bakr and Umar al-Khattab) openly.

His half brother, Zayd ibn Ali made peace with the first and the second caliphs. Zayd stopped talking about the first two caliphs being usurpers of Ahl Muhammad because he was trying to attract major personalities of his time to the cause of Ahl Muhammad.


Muhammad al-Baqir considered Zayd, just an ordinary person from his family. He was neither a Prophet nor his trustee. Al-Baqir further added that Zayd is sometimes right and sometimes may commit an error. [1]

Muhammad al-Baqir's father was Ali Zayn al-Abidin, who was the only surviving son of the Grandson of the Holy Prophet of Islam (Hussain who was martyred in Karbala). Muhammad al-Baqir's mother was Fatima, the great grand-daughter of Hassan, the grandson of the Holy Prophet. [2] Zayd shared the same father with al-Baqir but his mother was a slave woman from sub-continent India/Pakistan.[3] Now, in those days, people were very much into family connection and the tribes you were from. In a number of stories you will find that Zayd was discriminated/insulted due to his mother's status of being a slave woman and him having a rather different complexion. I remember that in one of the story, Zayd retorted back to the Ummayad agent/governor and was effectively thrown out from the mosque.

In some stories you will find that Zayd and his brother al-Baqir used to quarreled on the question of Imamah. Zayd believe that an Imam must rise with a sword to fight those who were perceived as oppressors.

Al-Baqir disagreed with Zayd and gave their father as an example. Their father, Ali Zayn al-Abideen, was a very private citizen. Ali Zayn al-Abideen, acknowledged by the Shias and Zaydis as their fourth Imam, was known as the greatest worshiper of his time for his prayers and remembrance of Allah swt. But he never rise against the Ummayad to contest his Imamah, even though the Ummayad had massacre almost every single person in his family.

Reference

Jafri, S.H Mohammad. "The Origin and Early Development of Shi'a Islam,”, Oxford University Press, 2002, p. 176, ISBN 978-0-19-579387-1

footnote from the book
[1] footnote pointing to Mas'udi, Muruj , II, p. 277.
[2] Ibn Hisham, II, p.264; III, p.349; Isti'ab , III, p. 1097; 'Iqd , IV, p. 312
[3] Ibn Hisham, IV, p. 163

This is funny

You know how people like to brag about their connections to the Prophet of Islam?

Well the Abbasid main slogan was that only the Bani Hashim has the right to leadership (political). They overthrew the Ummayad. One of their caliphs was Haroon al-Rashid, who has been popularized in the west with magical stories about his kingdom. The Abbasid descent from the line of Prophet's uncle, Abbas. There is nothing to brag here because Prophet had another uncle who has been eternally condemned in the Quran.

Anyway, I read a funny story about Haroon al-Rashid who tried to highlight (bragging) his connection to the Prophet via his dead uncle. Listen to the story below and see how Musa al-Kadhim (who was the 4th descendant of the Prophet) put him right to his place. The joke it a bit subtle.

Once Harun al Rashid was visiting Madina. He went to the mosque of the Prophet near his [Prophet] grave and said, My Salams to you O’cousin of our fathers. [This is a very disrespectful way to address the prophet because Muhammad, the messenger of God, is far greater than anyone from Banu Abbas].

Imam Musa [the seventh Imam of the Shia] was there. He saluted the grave of the Prophet with the words, My Salams to you O’our grand father. [see how Musa al-Kadhim retorted back highlighting his *superior* connection to Prophet and with a proper salam no less].

At this Al-Rashid was disconcerted and went away angry.

Reference

http://www.al-islam.org/kaaba14/10.htm

The Nastiest Things said about the Holy Prophet

This is part 2 of yesterday's post. In my last post, I went through bizarre interpretation of some of the incidents in Muhammad's life.

Moving on, the last section of the article contains Non-Muslim views about the Prophet. I was surprised to find out a number of hateful things said by the Medieval people of Europe. In a book written by S Hossein Nasr, he mentioned that Muhammad didn't get a fair treatment in early European literature (for a period of over a thousand year) until the 19th or 20th century

The negative portrayal of Muhammad's in the European literature are as following

• Muhammad was a charlatan driven by ambition and eagerness for power.
• He established a new false religion.
• Muhammad was worshiped like Jesus.
• He died in the year 666 AD [see the number of the beast? The correct date of his death is 632 AD and not 666 AD].
• The spelling of his name was corrupted to Mohound (devil incarnate).
• The European invented a new religion called Mohamedinism . 
• Dante's wrote the Divine Comedy and placed Muhammad, together with Ali, in hell.

and so on.

Erroneous information about the Holy Prophet

One of the most well written articles on Wikipedia about Islam is the biographical information about the Prophet of Islam. It contains almost everything you wish to know about the Prophet. While the article is comprehensive but it is not very insightful. My other complaint is the manner of how some facts are presented, such as

• Muhammad being the founder of Islam?? 
• Muhammad accompanied his uncle on trading journeys to Syria gaining experience in commercial trade, the only career open to Muhammad as an orphan?? [Career?]
• he met a Christian monk or hermit named Bahira who is said to have foreseen Muhammed's career as a prophet of God?? [Career?]
• Upon receiving his first revelations, he was deeply distressed and resolved to commit suicide. [What??]
• Muhammad desperately hoping for an accommodation with his tribe, either from fear or in the hope of succeeding more readily in this way, pronounced a verse acknowledging the existence of three Meccan goddesses considered to be the daughters of Allah, and appealing for their intercession. Muhammad later retracted the verses at the behest of Gabriel, claiming that the verses were whispered by the devil himself [WHAT??]
• ,Economically uprooted and with no available profession, the Muslim migrants turned to raiding Meccan caravans, initiating armed conflict with Mecca. Muhammad delivered Qur'anic verses permitting the Muslims to fight the Meccans [Seems to imply that the Prophet encourage the Muslims to steal and rob?!]

To be continued…

We all know the mission of al-Qaim

He will establish an Islamic state and apply Islamic laws that was revealed to the Prophet[1]

But you can also find some narration that states al-Qaim will also rule by the law of David and Jesus. What does this mean exactly?

Reference
[1] Nasr, Sayyed Hossein. "Expectation of the Millennium : Shiìsm in History,”, State University of New York Press, 1989, p. 19, ISBN 978-0-88-706843-0

Love of the near kin

Al-Quran chapter 42:23

23. That is (the Bounty) whereof God gives Glad Tidings to His Servants who believe and do righteous deeds. Say: "No reward do I ask of you for this except the love of those near of kin."And if any one earns any good, We shall give him an increase of good in respect thereof: for God is Oft-Forgiving, Most Ready to appreciate (service).

ذَٰلِكَ ٱلَّذِى يُبَشِّرُ ٱللَّهُ عِبَادَهُ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّٰلِحَٰتِ ۗ قُل لَّآ أَسْـَٔلُكُمْ عَلَيْهِ أَجْرًا إِلَّا ٱلْمَوَدَّةَ فِى ٱلْقُرْبَىٰ ۗ وَمَن يَقْتَرِفْ حَسَنَةًۭ نَّزِدْ لَهُۥ فِيهَا حُسْنًا ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَفُورٌۭ شَكُورٌ ﴿٣٢﴾

Farazdaq's Poetry

One of the earliest poetry honoring Prophet (pbuh) family was by the great poet Farazdaq

Why do we mourn Imam Hussayn?

Answers are provided by Sayyid Sistani

Question :
What is the philosophy of Azadari (mourning and lamentation) for Imam Husain?

Answer :
There is no doubt that the tragedy of Kerbala, when ascribed to the killers, is a criminal and terrible act. However when ascribed to Husain (A) himself, it represents a conscious confrontation and a courageous resistance for a sacred cause. The whole nation had failed to stand up to Yazid. They had succumbed to his will, and deviation and regression towards the pre-Islamic ways were increasing.

Passiveness by Husain (A) in this situation would have meant the end of Islam as we know it. Thus Husain (A) took upon himself the responsibility of the whole nation. The greatest tragedy was that one who stood up for the noblest of causes, the defense of Islam, was cut down in so cruel a manner.

It is for this reason that the sacrifice of Husain (A) is commemorated annually throughout the Muslim world. Our sorrow never abates as we relive the tragedy.

The commemoration of Ashura on the 10th of Muharram every year serves to remind us of the sacrifices of the family of the Prophet (S). It also makes us aware of the people, then and now, who tried to destroy Islam and the family of the Prophet (pbuh) and all that they stood for - as well as those who watched, listened and did nothing.

The hadith about Fatima’s jealousy is not well understood

Many Muslims in the world degrade the daughter of the Holy Prophet (may the peace and blessings be upon him and his family) Fatima, knowingly or unknowingly by misquoting the following hadith

‘Ali bin Husain said that Miswar bin Makhramah told him that ‘Ali bin Abu Talib proposed to the daughter of Abu Jahl, when he was married to Fatimah the daughter of the Prophet.

When Fatimah heard of that she went to the Prophet and said: "Your people are saying that you do not feel angry for your daughters. This ‘Ali is going to marry the daughter of Abu Jahl."

Miswar said: "The Prophet stood up, and I heard him when he bore witness (i.e., said the Shahadah), then he said: ‘I married my daughter (Zainab) to Abu-As bin Rabi’, and he spoke to me and was speaking the truth. Fatimah bint Muhammad is a part of me, and I hate to see her faced with troubles. By Allah, the daughter of the Messenger of Allah and the daughter of the enemy of Allah will never be joined together in marriage to one man.’"

He said: So, ‘Ali abandoned the marriage proposed.
From the book - Sunan Ibn Majah

The hadith (above) contains a condensed summary of the event that supposedly took place in the time of the Holy Prophet (saw).

Recently, Basim (a ShiaChat Moderator), translated a lengthy hadith that shed some lights into the event that made Fatima (may peace be upon her) upset.

Please click here to see the original topic and references in Arabic, Urdu and English.

I am reproducing in its entirety a post by Basim from ShiaChat

From the book: Ilal Sharai by Shaykh Sadooq, Vol.1, Chapter on why Sayyida Fatimah (a) was buried at night, Hadith 2, page 185-189:

In the hadith a man comes to Imam Ja'far asking why Sayyida Fatima (as) was buried at night, and Imam Ja'far (as) himself opts to tell him the entire story. This shows how absurd it is to say that this a part of history we'd not like to talk about, since it gets no where near harming the status of any of the Infallibles (as).

Imam Ja'far tells the man that once a liar came to Sayyida Fatimah (a) and gossiped and lied to her about Imam Ali (a) marrying Abu Jahl's daughter. Sayyida Fatimah (a) would not believe him and repeatedly asked him if he was saying the truth, and he kept saying he did. So then she took Imam Hasan عليه السلام, Imam Hussain (a) and her daughter Kulthoom (a) with her and went to the Prophet (pbuh) where he was praying.

She was worried and troubled. So the Prophet (pbuh) took Fatima (a) with him to where Ali (a) was and asked Ali (a) to call Talha, Abu Bakr and Umar and reminded them all that whoever hurts his daughter, hurts him and whoever hurts him, hurts Allah.

The Prophet (pbuh) then asked him why Ali (a) had did what he did, and Imam Ali (a) replied that the news which has reached Fatima (a) is wrong and he can not even contemplate of such a thing.

The Prophet (pbuh) said Ali (a) has spoken the truth (which shows he already knew, and it wasn't really Imam Ali (a) standing in some kind of a court, being questioned, as some people like to portray it as!!), and Fatima (a) smiled so broadly that her teeth were shown! Umar and Abu Bakr secretly said to each other after this event that they were puzzled at why they were called there.

Imam Ja'far then goes on to tell the man about the after-events of the Prophet's (pbuh) death; of Fatima (a) refusing to talk to them. He tells the man that at one point she reminded both Abu Bakr and Umar of this incident where the Prophet (pbuh) explicitly said whoever hurts her, hurts him and whoever hurts him, hurts Allah so that people can bear witness that they were present when this was said to them.

Nowhere in the hadith is it said that Fatima (a) believed in what the man said. She was saddened and worried by what she had been informed of - yes. But it wasn't because she believed the Imam had proposed to Abu Jahl's daughter. It was because her husband, the future Caliph and Imam of the Muslims had really ugly rumors flying around about him! Isn't it completely normal for a woman to get worried, when her husband gets trash-talked?

Also, Abu Bakr and Umar were completely right to be puzzled about being called in the middle of the night for something that was between Ali and Fatima. But it wasn't something that was between Ali and Fatima! The Prophet (pbuh) wanted to make use of the opportunity (of a sad and worried Fatima (a) ) to send a message to them both of the consequences of hurting her. It's funny how people use this story in a way completely opposite to what it is meant for.

Rajab 13: Birthday of Imam Ali (as)

Tomorrow is the birth date of Imam Ali (may peace be upon him). The following are some of his wonderful sayings

• We, Ahlul Bayt (chosen descendants of the Holy Prophet), hold such central and balancing position in religion that those who are deficient in understanding and acting upon its principles, will have to come to us for reformation, and those who are overdoing it have got to learn moderation from us.
• Anyone who loves us Ahlul Bayt must be ready to face a life of austerity.
• If you understand Allah's Majesty, then you will not attach any importance to the creatures.
• You are ordained to recognize the Imams (the right successors of the Holy Prophet) and to obey them.
• Poverty is the worst form of death.
• One should not obey anyone against the commands of Allah.
• There is enough light for one who wants to see.
• People often hate those things which they do not know or cannot understand.
• If you want to remove evil from the minds of others then first give up evil intentions yourself.
• If two opposite theories are propagated one will be wrong.
• Death is never very far.
• O son of Adam, if you have collected anything in excess of your actual need, you will act only as its trustee for someone else to use it.
• One who comes into power often oppresses.

Link

Traditions about Fatima az-Zahra,

The Prophet (may peace and blessings be upon him and his pure family)) said, "The most beloved of my family to me is Fatima."Al-Jami^ al-Sagheer, v. 1, #203, p. 37; Al-Sawaiq Al-Muhariqa, p. 191; Yanabi^ Al-Mawadda, v. 2, ch. 59, p. 479; Kenz Al-Omal, v. 13, p. 93.

The Prophet (s) said, "The four greatest women in the Universe are Mary, Asiya, Khadija, and Fatima."Al-Jami^ Al-Sagheer, v. 1, #4112, p. 469; Al-Isaba fi Tamayyuz Al-Sahaba, v. 4, p. 378; Al-Bidaya wa Al-Nihaya, v. 2, p. 60; Dakha'ir Al-Uqubi, p. 44.

The Prophet (s) said, "The head of the women of Paradise is Fatima." Kenz Al-Omal, v. 13, p. 94; Sahih Al-Bukhari, Kitab Al-Fadha'il, Chapter on the Virtues of Fatima; Al-Bidaya wa Al-Nihaya, v. 2, p. 61.

The Prophet (s) said, "The verse of purification was revealed concerning five people: myself, Ali, Hassan, Hussein, and Fatima." Is^af Al-Raghibeen, p. 116; Sahih Muslim, Kitab Fadha'il Al-Sahaba.

Sahih Bukhari Volume 5, Book 57, Number 61: Narrated Al-Miswar bin Makhrama: Allah's Apostle said, "Fatima is a part of me, and he who makes her angry, makes me angry."

The Prophet (s) said, "Fatima is part of me, and whoever pleases her, pleases me." Al-Sawaiq Al-Muhariqa, p. 180 & 132; Mustadrak Al-Hakim; Maarifat Ma Yajib Li Aal Al-Bait Al-Nabawi Min Al-Haqq Alaa Men Adahum, p. 73; Yanabi^ Al-Mawadda, v. 2, ch. 59, p. 468.

The Prophet (s) said, "The first one to enter Paradise will be Fatima." Yanabi^ Al-Mawadda, v. 2, p. 322, ch. 56.

The Prophet (s) said, “Fatima is the head of the women of my nation.” Seir Alam Al-Nubala’, v. 2, p. 127; Sahih Muslim, Kitab Fadha’il Al-Sahaba, Chapter on the Virtues of Fatima; Majma^ Al-Zawa’id, v. 2, p. 201; Is^af Al-Raghibeen, p. 187.