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Friday 29th of March 2024
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Ahl al-Bayt and The Straight Path

Based on clear verses of the Holy Qur’¡n, one who does not go to extremes in moral and mental situations is the executor of Allah’s decrees in all aspects of his life, not influenced by socio-political upheavals, not tempted by Satan, among the devoted servants of Allah, engaged in good deeds, helpful to people, and is propagating knowledge and faith is considered as Imam:

He said: Surely I will make you an Imam of men. (2:124)

And we made them Imams who guided people by Our Command, and We revealed to them the doing of the good and the keeping up of the prayer and the giving of the alms, and us (alone) did they serve. (21:73)

Based on the exegesis of the Qur’¡nic verses, the path which exists between the Creator and the created and following that path which makes man reach the station of nearness to Allah, to achieve a great victory, and to be saved from eternal punishment is called ‘The straight Path’. Commenting on the Straight Path, Imam `Al¢ (a.s) says:

الصِّرَاطُ الْمُسْتَقِيمُ فِي الدُّنْيَا مَا قَصُرَ عَنِ الغُلُوِّ وَارْتَفَعَ عَنِ التَّقْصِيرِ وَاسْتَقَامَ، وَفِي الآخِرَةِ طَرِيقُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ إلَى الْجَنَّةِ.

The straight path in this world is a path without extremes, it is right and firm; and in the Hereafter, it is the believers’ path towards heaven.[1]

Imam `Al¢’s definition of the straight path overlaps the Ahl al-Bayt, for they were straight and moderate in all aspects of life and away from extremes. Their guidance will lead people to heaven on the Judgment Day.

One must note that there are certain words and expressions in the Holy Qur’¡n the meaning of which cannot be comprehended for people. Hence, we must learn about them from the Holy Prophet and Ahl al-Bayt who are the teachers of the Holy Qur’¡n and its commentators.

What is inferred from Sir¡§ is nothing but path but what this path is, how long it is, what its quality and quantity are, and how we can walk on that path cannot be understood from the words. For this reason, the Holy Prophet and Ahl al-Bayt are commissioned by Allah to express these facts. Without seeking help from their extensive knowledge on the Holy Qur’¡n, we will certainly go astray:

He it is who raised among the illiterates an Apostle from among themselves, who recites to them His communications and purifies them, and teaches them the Book and the wisdom. (62:2)

Allah who has revealed the Holy Qur’¡n to the Household of the Prophet has manifested its meaning and interpretations in the purified hearts of those people endowed with learning so that other people will know about those words including the word Sir¡§ through them.

Commenting on the holy verse, ‘Keep us on the right path (1:6)’, Imam al-¯¡diq (a.s) has said:

The verse says: Guide us to the straight path, that is to say, guide us with your company, a path which will lead us to your love and heaven; the path which will prevent us from our caprices which will end up in perdition.[2]

Can we really get to know Allah and His Love without the teachings of Ahl al-Bayt who are truly godly beings? Can we go to heaven without their guidance, teachings and intercession? Are we able to be safe from carnal desires without being in the fortress of their Imamate?

If we claim that we can be safe from losses and perdition by resorting to the Holy Qur’¡n alone and there is no need for the Imam of guidance, this will definitely be against the Holy Qur’¡n. Therefore, we should decisively say that the meaning of the straight path is the Holy Qur’¡n and its paragon, namely Ahl al-Bayt; and these two are interdependent with no separation between them. Without Ahl al-Bayt, there will be no straight path in the meaning of the Holy Qur’¡n nor any understanding of its subtleties. In this relation, Imam al-B¡qir (a.s) has said:

نَحْنُ الطَّرِيقُ وَصِرَاطُ اللهِ الْمُسْتَقِيمُ إلَى اللهِ تَعَالَى.

We (Ahl al-Bayt) are the Road and the Straight Path towards Allah.[3]

Ahl al-Bayt are truly the straight path of Allah, for their knowledge of Him is comprehensive. Hence, we should believe in the Lord Who has been introduced to us by Ahl al-Bayt in addition to the verses of the Holy Qur’¡n, both the decisive and the allegorical.

Although Allah’s decrees are comprehensible, it is with the spiritual power and guidance that man can win His pleasure and nearness. Without following Ahl al-Bayt, we will certainly go astray. Imam al-¯¡diq (a.s) was asked about the meaning of Sir¡§. He said:

Sir¡§ means a path taking to recognition of Allah—the Exalted and Glorious.[4]

Is there in this universe any way of getting to know Allah save Ahl al-Bayt (a.s)? If we cannot know Allah by Ahl al-Bayt, the godliest beings, then through whom can we know Him?

It is Ahl al-Bayt with whose Divine knowledge they have introduced the meanings of Allah, the Judgment Day, jurisprudence, morality and truth for people. Hence, people are required to refer to them in order to understand all truths. Elaborating the word Sir¡§, Imam al-¯¡diq (a.s) has said:

وَهُمَا صِرَاطَانِ: صِرَاطٌ فِي الدُّنْيَا وَصِرَاطٌ فِي الآخِرَةِ. فَأمَّا الصِّرَاطُ فِي الدُّنْيَا فَهُوَ الإمَامُ الْمُفْتَرَضُ الطَّاعَةِ؛ مَنْ عَرَفَهُ فِي الدُّنْيَا وَاقْتَدَى بِأمْرِهِ مَرَّ عَلَى الصِّرَاطِ الَّذِي هُوَ جِسْرُ جَهَنَّمَ فِي الآخِرَةِ. وَمَنْ لَمْ يَعْرِفْهُ فِي الدُّنْيَا زَلَّتْ قَدَمُهُ عَنِ الصِّرَاطِ فِي الآخِرَةِ فَتَرَدَّى فِي نَارِ جَهَنَّمَ.

There are actually two Sir¡§s: one in this world and another in the Hereafter. Sir¡§ in this world is the Imam and to follow him is incumbent on all. One who recognizes and follows him will pass the bridge over Hell leading to Paradise; while one who does not recognize him will slip from Sir¡§ falling into Fire.[5]

Therefore, based on Qur’¡nic verses and authentic narrations, the true path leading to real knowledge of what will result in salvation in this world and the Hereafter is Ahl al-Bayt.



[1] Tafs¢r al-¯¡f¢:54/1.

[2] `Uy£n Akhb¡r al-Ri¤¡: 305/1, ° 65.

[3] Ba¥¡'ir al-Daraj¡t: 62, ° 10.

[4] Ma`¡n¢ al-Akhb¡r: 32, ° 1.

[5] Ma`¡n¢ al-Akhb¡r: 32, ° 1.


source : AHL AL-BAYT THE CELESTIAL BEINGS ON THE EARTH Allameh Hussein Ansariyan
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