Summary:
Sufi Muslims used some of the terms for their saints, i.e., Ghous, Qutb, Abdal, which, as per Ahadith, can only be used for Allah-azwj and His-azwj Divine representatives-asws, as we will learn in the Ahadith of Ahl Al-Bayt-asws.
Allah-azwj has Sent Prophets-as with Divine Knowledge and, as a proof of their Prophethood when demanded by people, Enabled them-as to exhibit miracles, a feat impossible for other human beings. However, neither the Prophets-as nor their-as successors-as encouraged their followers to acquire mystical powers. Instead, they taught people to live a humble and simple life in accordance with the Commands of Allah-azwj as explained and practised by them-asws. That is not to strive for fame and followers but to live a relatively unknown life while earning a living and worshiping Allah-azwj as per the traditions of Holy Prophet-saww and Ahl Al-Bayt-asws.
Imam Al-Sadiq-asws says in a lengthy Hadith:
And know that he cannot arrive to Allah-azwj except by the knowledge and its seeking, and that he would not benefit by his intellect if he does not attain that with his knowledge from Ahadith (an extract).[1]
From the First to the Last Prophet-saww, all knowledge was preserved and was transferred to the next Prophet-as and/or his-as successor. For example, when the last days of Prophet Adam-as approached, Allah-azwj Asked him-as to pass on his-as knowledge to his successor, e.g.
و عن عليّ بن إبراهيم عن أبيه عن الحسن بن محبوب عن محمّد بن الفضل عن أبي حمزة عن أبي جعفر عليه السلام و ذكر حديثا طويلا يقول فيه: فلمّا انقضت نبوّة آدم و استكمل أيّامه أوحى اللَّه عزّ و جلّ إليه أن: يا آدم، قد قضيت نبوّتك و استكملت أيّامك، فاجعل العلم الذي عندك و الايمان و الاسم الأكبر و ميراث العلم و آثار علم النبوّة في العقب من ذرّيّتك عند هبة اللَّه
And from Ali Bin Ibrahim, from his father, from Al-Hassan Bin Mahboub, from Muhammad Bin Al Fazl, from Abu Hamza,
From Abu Ja’far-asws, may the greeting be upon him-asws, and he-asws discussed a lengthy Hadeeth saying in it: ‘When the Prophet-hood of Adam-as expired and his-as days were complete, Allah-azwj Mighty and Majestic Revealed to him-as: “O Adam-as! Your-azwj Prophet-hood has terminated and your-as days are complete, so the knowledge which is in your-as possession, and the Eman, and the Greatest Name, and inheritance knowledge, and traces (Ahadith) of knowledge of the Prophet-hood, make it to be in the posterity of your-as offspring, in the possession of Hibtullah-as!
فإنّي لن أقطع العلم و الإيمان و آثار علم النبوّة من العقب من ذرّيّتك إلى يوم القيامة، و لن أدع الأرض إلّا و فيها عالم يعرف به دينى و تعرف به طاعتى و يكون نجاة لمن يولد فيما بينك و بين نوح
“I-azwj will never Cut off the knowledge, and the Eman, and traces of the knowledge of Prophet-hood from the posterity of your-as offspring up to the Day of Qiyamah, and will never Leave the earth except that therein would be a knowledgeable one My-azwj religion can be recognised with, and obedience to Me-azwj is recognised through him-as, and salvation would be for the one who is born in what is between you-as and Noah-as!”
و بشّر آدم بنوح عليه السلام
And Adam-as gave the glad tidings of Noah-as, may the greeting be upon him-as’.[2]
See Appendix I, the same Command (to transfer his-as knowledge to his-as successor) was for Prophet Nuh-as when the end of his term approached.
Allah-azwj Wishes to have His-azwj Knowledgeable representative on earth, so that His-azwj Religion is transmitted, without any alteration, to people, generation after generation, through a Prophet-as or his-as successor-as.
However, the Sufi doctrine has sought to promote mystical practices rather than to learn and disseminate the knowledge of Prophets-as. Examples of earlier Sufis include Al-Hassan Al-Basri and Sufyan Al-Sowry, who guided people toward mystical rituals rather than the conventional practices of Rasool Allah-saww, which encouraged learning from the Quran and Ahadith.
Rasool Allah-saww and his-saww successors, the twelve Imams-asws, after him-asws emphasised the importance of knowledge and discouraged mystical practices of the Sufis, e.g.,
يج، الخرائج و الجرائح رُوِيَ عَنْ رُمَيْلَةَ أَنَّ عَلِيّاً ع مَرَّ بِرَجُلٍ يَخْبِطُ هُوَ هُوَ فَقَالَ يَا شَابُّ لَوْ قَرَأْتَ الْقُرْآنَ لَكَانَ خَيْراً لَكَ فَقَالَ إِنِّي لَا أُحْسِنُهُ وَ لَوَدِدْتُ أَنْ أُحْسِنَ مِنْهُ شَيْئاً فَقَالَ ادْنُ مِنِّي فَدَنَا مِنْهُ فَتَكَلَّمَ فِي أُذُنِهِ بِشَيْءٍ خَفِيٍّ فَصَوَّرَ اللَّهُ الْقُرْآنَ كُلَّهُ فِي قَلْبِهِ فَحَفِظَ كُلَّهُ
(The book) ‘Al Kharaij Wa Al Jaraih’ – It is reported from Rumeylah,
‘(Amir Al-Momineen) Ali-asws passed by a man stomping the ground (saying) ‘هُوَ هُوَ’ (He–azwj! He–azwj!) (acting on a Sufi ritual). Imam-asws said: ‘O youth! If you were to read the Quran, it would be better for you’. He said, ‘I am not good at it, and I would love to be good at something from it’. He-asws said: ‘Come near me-asws’. He went near him-asws. He-asws spoke in his ears with something in a low voice, and Allah-azwj Transferred the Quran, all of it into his heart. He memorised all of it’.[3]
The Mystical effects, i.e., Fainting, are from Iblis-la:
الأمالي للصدوق ابْنُ إِدْرِيسَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنِ الْأَشْعَرِيِّ عَنِ ابْنِ عَبْدِ الْجَبَّارِ عَنْ أَبِي عِمْرَانَ الْأَرْمَنِيِّ عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ الْحَكَمِ عَنْ جَابِرٍ عَنْ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ الْبَاقِرِ ع قَالَ: قُلْتُ لَهُ إِنَّ قَوْماً إِذَا ذُكِّرُوا بِشَيْءٍ مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ أَوْ حُدِّثُوا بِهِ صَعِقَ أَحَدُهُمْ حَتَّى يُرَى أَنَّهُ لَوْ قُطِّعَتْ يَدَاهُ وَ رِجْلَاهُ لَمْ يَشْعُرْ بِذَلِكَ
(The book) ‘Al Amaali’ of Al Sadouq – Ibn Idrees, from his father, from Al Ashary, from Ibn Abdul Jabbar, from Abu Imran Al Armany, from Abdullah Bin Al Hakam, from Jabir,
‘From Abu Ja’far-asws, he (the narrator) said, ‘I said to him-asws, ‘There is a group, whenever something from the Quran is mentioned to them, or they are narrated to with it, one of them is shocked until he views even if his hands and his leg were to be cut off, he would not be aware of that’.
فَقَالَ سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ ذَاكَ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ مَا بِهَذَا أُمِرُوا إِنَّمَا هُوَ اللِّينُ وَ الرِّقَّةُ وَ الدَّمْعَةُ وَ الْوَجَلُ
The Imam-asws said: ‘Glory be to Allah-azwj, that is from the Satan-la! They have not been Commanded with this. But rather, it is the gentleness, and the kindness, and the tears and the fearfulness (they have been Commanded).[4]
Without Knowledge there is no Intellect (Aql):
Imam Al-Sadiq-asws says in a lengthy Hadith:
فَلَمْ يَجِدْ عَقْلَهُ يَدُلُّهُ عَلَى ذَلِكَ وَ عَلِمَ أَنَّهُ لَا يُوصَلُ إِلَيْهِ إِلَّا بِالْعِلْمِ وَ طَلَبِهِ وَ أَنَّهُ لَا يَنْتَفِعُ بِعَقْلِهِ إِنْ لَمْ يُصِبْ ذَلِكَ بِعِلْمِهِ فَوَجَبَ عَلَى الْعَاقِلِ طَلَبُ الْعِلْمِ وَ الْأَدَبِ الَّذِي لَا قِوَامَ لَهُ إِلَّا بِهِ
So, he would not find (except) for his intellect to indicate him upon that, and know that he cannot arrive to Him-azwj except by the knowledge and its seeking, and that he would not benefit by his intellect if he does not attain that with his knowledge. Thus, it is Obligatory upon the intellectual that he seeks the knowledge and the discipline, for which there is no foundation for him except by it.[5]
Seeking knowledge from its rightful ones-asws is mandatory:
عَلِيُّ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ غَيْرُهُ عَنْ سَهْلِ بْنِ زِيَادٍ وَ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عِيسَى جَمِيعاً عَنِ ابْنِ مَحْبُوبٍ عَنْ هِشَامِ بْنِ سَالِمٍ عَنْ أَبِي حَمْزَةَ عَنْ أَبِي إِسْحَاقَ السَّبِيعِيِّ عَمَّنْ حَدَّثَهُ قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ يَقُولُ أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ اعْلَمُوا أَنَّ كَمَالَ الدِّينِ طَلَبُ الْعِلْمِ وَ الْعَمَلُ بِهِ أَلَا وَ إِنَّ طَلَبَ الْعِلْمِ أَوْجَبُ عَلَيْكُمْ مِنْ طَلَبِ الْمَالِ إِنَّ الْمَالَ مَقْسُومٌ مَضْمُونٌ لَكُمْ قَدْ قَسَمَهُ عَادِلٌ بَيْنَكُمْ وَ ضَمِنَهُ وَ سَيَفِي لَكُمْ وَ الْعِلْمُ مَخْزُونٌ عِنْدَ أَهْلِهِ وَ قَدْ أُمِرْتُمْ بِطَلَبِهِ مِنْ أَهْلِهِ فَاطْلُبُوهُ
Ali Bin Muhammad, and someone else, from Sahl Bin Ziyad and Muhammad Bin Yahya, from Ahmad Bin Muhammad Bin Isa, altogether from Ibn Mahboub, from Hisham Bin Salim, from Abu Hamza, from Abu Is’haq Al Sabi’e, from the one who narrated it, said,
‘I heard Amir Al-Momineen-asws saying: ‘O you people! Know that the perfection of the Religion is the seeking of the knowledge and acting by it. Indeed! And the seeking of the knowledge is more Obligatory upon you than the seeking of the wealth. The wealth is (already) apportioned, guaranteed for you all (already distributed). A just One-azwj has Apportioned it between you all and He-azwj and my-asws sword Guarantee it for you all; however, the knowledge is treasure stored with its rightful one-asws, and you have been Commanded with seeking it from its rightful ones-asws, therefore seek it’.[6]
Who are Awliya Allah?
Sometimes, Sufi saints are referred to as ‘Awliya Allah’ by some people. This topic is discussed, in more detail elsewhere, but since it is directly relevant to our topic, we will briefly discuss it here.
Awliya Allah: The Friends of Allah-azwj | Hubeali
In the Holy Quran, Wali (ولى)[7], plural Awliya (أَوْلِياء), has been mentioned at multiple places, meaning guardian from or friend of Allah-azwj in a good sense or to its opposite meanings as adherents of Shatan (Iblis) who promotes or follows the evil enamating from devils (Iblis and his children).
As for Awliya Allah ‘أَوْلِيَاءُ اللَّهِ’, they are not among the celebrated saints from Muslims as per the beliefs of Suffi Muslims but these are the Walis Appointed by Allah-azwj, among the successor of the Holy Prophet-saww! Allah-azwj is Wali – The Guardian, the Prophet-saww is Wali and those with Divine Authority (the Imam-asws) are the Awliya (the plural of wali) . In matters of social responsibilities, the head of the family (i.e., father) is also referred to as wali. Therefore, submitting to the Awliya (as nominated by Allah-azwj and introduced to people by a Prophet-as or a Divine Imam-asws) is the key to success in both worlds.
Those who transgress and commit Kufr (disbelief), their awliya are devils, who have misguided them, and consequently they follow them (awliya) in disobedience to Allah-azwj. For example, Allah-azwj Says (2:257):
ٱللَّهُ وَلِىُّ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ يُخْرِجُهُم مِّنَ ٱلظُّلُمَـٰتِ إِلَى ٱلنُّورِ وَٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوٓا۟ أَوْلِيَآؤُهُمُ ٱلطَّـٰغُوتُ يُخْرِجُونَهُم مِّنَ ٱلنُّورِ إِلَى ٱلظُّلُمَـٰتِ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ أَصْحَـٰبُ ٱلنَّارِ هُمْ فِيهَا خَـٰلِدُونَ
Allah is the Guardian of those who believe. He Extracts them from the (multitude of) darkness into the Light; and (as for) those who are committing Kufr, their (awliya) guardians are the Al-Taghut (devils) who extract them from the Light into the (multitude of) darkness; these are the inmates of the Fire; they would be in it eternally [2:257]
In a lengthy Hadith, the holy Imam-asws says:
ثُمَّ قَالَ أَ لَا تَسْمَعُ لِقَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ اللَّهُ وَلِيُّ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا يُخْرِجُهُمْ مِنَ الظُّلُماتِ إِلَى النُّورِ يَعْنِي مِنْ ظُلُمَاتِ الذُّنُوبِ إِلَى نُورِ التَّوْبَةِ وَ الْمَغْفِرَةِ لِوَلَايَتِهِمْ كُلَّ إِمَامٍ عَادِلٍ مِنَ اللَّهِ
Then he-asws said: ‘Have you not listened to the Words of Allah-azwj Mighty and Majestic Allah is the Guardian of those who believe. He Extracts them from the darkness’s into the Light [2:257]? It Means, from the darkness of the sins to the light of the repentance and the Forgiveness, due to their Wilayah for every Just Imam-asws from Allah-azwj.
وَ قَالَ وَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا أَوْلِياؤُهُمُ الطَّاغُوتُ يُخْرِجُونَهُمْ مِنَ النُّورِ إِلَى الظُّلُماتِ إِنَّمَا عَنَى بِهَذَا أَنَّهُمْ كَانُوا عَلَى نُورِ الْإِسْلَامِ فَلَمَّا أَنْ تَوَلَّوْا كُلَّ إِمَامٍ جَائِرٍ لَيْسَ مِنَ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ خَرَجُوا بِوَلَايَتِهِمْ إِيَّاهُ مِنْ نُورِ الْإِسْلَامِ إِلَى ظُلُمَاتِ الْكُفْرِ فَأَوْجَبَ اللَّهُ لَهُمُ النَّارَ مَعَ الْكُفَّارِ فَ أُولئِكَ أَصْحابُ النَّارِ هُمْ فِيها خالِدُونَ
And He-azwj Said and (as for) those who are committing Kufr, their (awliya) guardians are the tyrants (devils) who extract them from the Light into the (multitude of) darkness [2:257]. But rather it means that they were upon the light of Al-Islam. So, when they took as guardians every tyrannical imam (leader) who wasn’t from Allah-azwj Mighty and Majestic, they exited from the light of Al-Islam due to their befriending them (awliya), to the darkness of disbelief. Thus, Allah-azwj Obligated the Fire for them along with the disbelievers these are the inmates of the Fire; they would be in it eternally [2:257]’.[8](an extract).
Similarly, in another Hadith:
ابن شهر آشوب: عن الباقر (عليه السلام)، في قوله تعالى: وَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا بولاية علي بن أبي طالب (عليه السلام) أَوْلِياؤُهُمُ الطَّاغُوتُ نزلت في أعدائه و من تبعهم، أخرجوا الناس من النور- و النور: ولاية علي- فصاروا إلى ظلمة ولاية أعدائه
Ibn Shehr Ashoub,
(It has been narrated) from Al-Baqir-asws, regarding the Words of the High [2:257] and (as for) those who are committing Kufr – in the Wilayah of Ali-asws Bin Abu Talib-asws, their guardians are the tyrants who extracts them from the Light into the (multitude of) darkness [2:257] – ‘it was Revealed regarding his-asws enemies and the ones who followed them. They extracted the people from the Light – and the Light is the Wilayah of Ali-asws – so took them into the darkness – wilayah of his-asws enemies’.[9]
Al-Ghous:
The word ‘Ghous’ means the reliever, the helper, which has come for Allah-azwj and His-azwj Awliya, e.g.,
سُبْحَانَكَ يَا لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ الْغَوْثَ الْغَوْثَ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِهِ وَ خَلِّصْنَا مِنَ النَّارِ يَا رَبِّ يَا ذَا الْجَلَالِ وَ الْإِكْرَامِ يَا أَرْحَمَ الرَّاحِمِينَ
‘Glory be to You-azwj! O there is no god except You-azwj! ‘الْغَوْثَ الْغَوْثَ’ The Help! The Help! Send Salawaat upon Muhammad-saww and his-saww Progeny-asws and Save us from the Hellfire, O Lord-azwj! O with the Majesty and the Benevolence! O most Merciful of the merciful ones!’’[10]
A Supplication to Al-Hujjat Al-Qaim-asws, as taught by Imam Ali Al-Reza-asws
رَكْعَتَيْنِ تَقْرَأُ فِي كُلِّ رَكْعَةٍ فَاتِحَةَ الْكِتَابِ إِلَى إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَ إِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ ثُمَّ تَقُولُ مِائَةَ مَرَّةٍ إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَ إِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ ثُمَّ تُتِمُّ قِرَاءَةَ الْفَاتِحَةِ وَ تَقْرَأُ بَعْدَهَا الْإِخْلَاصَ مَرَّةً وَاحِدَةً وَ تَدْعُو عَقِيبَهَا
Two Cycles – You should recite in each Cycle, Opening of the Book (Surah Al Fatiha) up to (It is) You we worship and You do we seek Assistance (from) [1:5]. Then you should be saying one hundred times, (It is) You we worship and You do we seek Assistance (from) [1:5]. Then complete the recitation of (Surah) Al-Fatiha, and after it you should recited (Surah Al Ikhlas – 112) one time, and supplicate after these two.
فَتَقُولُ اللَّهُمَّ عَظُمَ الْبَلَاءُ وَ بَرِحَ الْخَفَاءُ وَ انْكَشَفَ الْغِطَاءُ وَ ضَاقَتِ الْأَرْضُ بِمَا وَسِعَتِ السَّمَاءُ وَ إِلَيْكَ يَا رَبِّ الْمُشْتَكَى وَ عَلَيْكَ الْمُعَوَّلُ فِي الشِّدَّةِ وَ الرَّخَاءِ
You should be saying, ‘O Allah-azwj! The affliction is mighty, and the concealment is relaxed, and the covering is removed, and the earth is constrained, and the sky is preventing, and to You-azwj O Lord-azwj is the complaint, and upon You-azwj is the dependence during the difficulties and the ease.
اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ الَّذِينَ أَمَرْتَنَا بِطَاعَتِهِمْ وَ عَجِّلِ اللَّهُمَّ فَرَجَهُمْ بِقَائِمِهِمْ وَ أَظْهِرْ إِعْزَازَهُ
O Allah-azwj! Send Salawaat upon Muhammad-saww and Progeny-asws of Muhammad-saww, those we are Commanded with obedience to them-asws, and hasten, O Allah-azwj, their-asws relief by their-asws Qaim-asws, and manifestation of his-asws strength.
يَا مُحَمَّدُ يَا عَلِيُّ يَا عَلِيُّ يَا مُحَمَّدُ اكْفِيَانِي فَإِنَّكُمَا كَافِيَايَ يَا مُحَمَّدُ يَا عَلِيُّ يَا عَلِيُّ يَا مُحَمَّدُ انْصُرَانِي فَإِنَّكُمَا نَاصِرَايَ يَا مُحَمَّدُ يَا عَلِيُّ يَا عَلِيُّ يَا مُحَمَّدُ احْفَظَانِي فَإِنَّكُمَا حَافِظَايَ
‘O Muhammad-saww! O Ali-asws! O Ali-asws! O Muhammad-saww! Suffice me, for you-asws two are sufficient for me. O Muhammad-saww! O Ali-asws! O Ali-asws! O Muhammad-saww! Help me for you-asws two are my helpers. O Muhammad-saww! O Ali-asws! O Ali-asws! O Muhammad-saww! Protect me for you-asws two are my protectors.
يَا مَوْلَايَ يَا صَاحِبَ الزَّمَانِ ثَلَاثَ مَرَّاتٍ الْغَوْثَ الْغَوْثَ الْغَوْثَ أَدْرِكْنِي أَدْرِكْنِي أَدْرِكْنِي الْأَمَانَ الْأَمَانَ الْأَمَانَ
O my Master-asws! O Master-asws of the time!’ – three times. ‘الْغَوْثَ الْغَوْثَ الْغَوْثَ’ ‘The help! The help! The help! Save me! Save me! Save me! The security! The security! The security!’[11]
Also, in the Salat prescribed by Imam Al-Reza-asws, one recites, as part of a supplication towards the end:
وَ أَظْهِرْ إِعْزَازَهُ يَا مُحَمَّدُ يَا عَلِيُّ- يَا عَلِيُّ يَا مُحَمَّدُ اكْفِيَانِي فَإِنَّكُمَا كَافِيَانِي يَا مُحَمَّدُ يَا عَلِيُّ- يَا عَلِيُّ يَا مُحَمَّدُ انْصُرَانِي فَإِنَّكُمَا نَاصِرَانِي يَا مُحَمَّدُ يَا عَلِيُّ يَا عَلِيُّ يَا مُحَمَّدُ احْفَظَانِي فَإِنَّكُمَا حَافِظَانِي يَا مَوْلَايَ يَا صَاحِبَ الزَّمَانِ ثَلَاثَ مَرَّاتٍ الْغَوْثَ الْغَوْثَ أَدْرِكْنِي أَدْرِكْنِي الْأَمَانَ الْأَمَانَ[12]
And manifestation of his strength . O Muhammad-saww! O Ali-asws! O Ali-asws! O Muhammad-saww! Suffice me, for you-asws two are sufficient for me. O Muhammad-saww! O Ali-asws! O Ali-asws! O Muhammad-saww! Help me for you-asws two are my helpers. O Muhammad-saww! O Ali-asws! O Ali-asws! O Muhammad-saww! Protect me for you-asws two are my protectors.
O my Master-asws! O Master-asws of the time!’ – three times. ‘The relief! The relief! The relief! الْغَوْثَ الْغَوْثَ الْغَوْثَ Help me! Help me! Help me! The security! The security! The security!’ [13] (an extract)
Al-Abdal
The Abdal (Arabic: أبدال) simply means the replacement, and we find this word in the Ahadith, but Sufis refer Al-Abdal to their saints who possess mystical powers obtained through meditation (Chilla) and Sufi worship rituals.[14]
الإحتجاج رُوِيَ عَنِ الْخَالِدِ بْنِ الْهَيْثَمِ الْفَارِسِيِّ قَالَ: قُلْتُ لِأَبِي الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع إِنَّ النَّاسَ يَزْعُمُونَ أَنَّ فِي الْأَرْضِ أَبْدَالًا فَمَنْ هَؤُلَاءِ الْأَبْدَالُ قَالَ صَدَقُوا الْأَبْدَالُ الْأَوْصِيَاءُ جَعَلَهُمُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ فِي الْأَرْضِ بَدَلَ الْأَنْبِيَاءِ إِذْ رَفَعَ الْأَنْبِيَاءَ وَ خَتْمُهُمْ مُحَمَّدٌ ص
(The book) ‘Al Ihtijaj’ – It is reported from Al Khalid Bin Al Haysam Al Farsi who said,
‘I said to Abu Al-Hassan Al-Reza-asws, ‘The people are claiming that in the earth there are ‘الْأَبْدَالُ’ ‘Al-Abdal’ (replaced ones-asws), so who are these replaced ones?’ He-asws said: ‘They speak the truth. ‘الْأَبْدَالُ’ The replaced ones are the successors–asws. Allah–azwj Mighty and Majestic Made them-asws are replacements for the Prophets-as in the earth when the Prophets-as are raised (pass away), and Muhammad-saww is their-as last one’.[15]
الْمَرْوِيِّ مِنْ أُمِّ دَاوُدَ عَنِ الصَّادِقِ ع فِي النِّصْفِ مِنْ رَجَبٍ حَيْثُ قَالَ: اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ ارْحَمْ مُحَمَّداً وَ آلَ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ بَارِكْ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ كَمَا صَلَّيْتَ وَ رَحِمْتَ وَ بَارَكْتَ عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَ آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ
The report from Umm Dawood,
‘From Al-Sadiq-asws regarding the middle of Rajab where he-asws said: ‘O Allah-azwj! Send Salawat upon Muhammad-saww and Progeny-asws of Muhammad-saww, and Mercy Muhammad-saww and Progeny-asws of Muhammad-saww, and Bless upon Muhammad-saww and Progeny-asws of Muhammad-saww, just as You-azwj had Mercied and Blessed upon Ibrahim-as and progeny of Ibrahim-as, You-azwj are Praiseworthy, Glorified!
اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى الْأَوْصِيَاءِ وَ السُّعَدَاءِ وَ الشُّهَدَاءِ وَ أَئِمَّةِ الْهُدَى اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى الْأَبْدَالِ وَ الْأَوْتَادِ وَ السُّيَّاحِ وَ الْعُبَّادِ وَ الْمُخْلِصِينَ وَ الزُّهَّادِ وَ أَهْلِ الْجِدِّ وَ الِاجْتِهَادِ
O Allah-azwj! Send Salawat upon the successors-as, and the fortunate ones, and the martyrs, and the Imams-asws of guidance. O Allah-azwj! Send Salawat upon ‘الْأَبْدَالِ’ the Replaced ones-asws (an Imam-asws replacing an Imam-asws) and the pegs, and the travellers, and the worshippers, and the sincere ones, and the ascetics, and the people of struggle and the striving’’.[16]
اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى الْأَبْدَالِ وَ الْأَوْتَادِ وَ السُّيَّاحِ وَ الْعُبَّادِ وَ الْمُخْلِصِينَ وَ الزُّهَّادِ وَ أَهْلِ الْجِدِّ وَ الِاجْتِهَادِ وَ اخْصُصْ مُحَمَّداً وَ أَهْلَ بَيْتِهِ بِأَفْضَلِ صَلَوَاتِكَ وَ أَجْزَلِ كَرَامَاتِكَ وَ بَلِّغْ رُوحَهُ وَ جَسَدَهُ مِنِّي تَحِيَّةً وَ سَلَاماً وَ زِدْهُ فَضْلًا وَ شَرَفاً وَ إِكْرَاماً حَتَّى تُبَلِّغَهُ أَعْلَى دَرَجَاتِ أَهْلِ الشَّرَفِ مِنَ النَّبِيِّينَ وَ الْمُرْسَلِينَ وَ الْأَفَاضِلِ الْمُقَرَّبِينَ
O Allah-azwj! Send Salawaat upon ‘الْأَبْدَالِ’ ‘Abdal’ (the pious Imams-asws), the ‘Awtad’ (the spiritual pillars), the ‘Siyyah’ (the ascetics), the ‘Ubbad’ (the devout worshippers), the ‘Mukhlisin’ (the sincere ones), the ‘Zuhhad’ (the ascetics), and the people of diligence and striving, and specifically Send Salawaat on Muhammad-saww with Your-azwj most excellent Salawaat and Your-azwj most abundant bounties. Convey to his-saww soul and body my greetings and salutation, and Increase him-saww in virtue, and honour, and dignity until You-azwj Raise him‑saww to the highest ranks of the distinguished among the Prophets-as and Messengers-as, and the most favoured ones drawn close to You-azwj![17]
Those who replace Ahl Al-Bayt-asws with others (man-made imams):
In a lengthy Hadith, one supplicates to Allah-azwj:
اللَّهُمَّ مُدَّ لِآلِ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ أَشْيَاعِهِمْ فِي الْآجَالِ وَ خُصَّهُمْ بِصَالِحِ الْأَعْمَالِ وَ لَا تَجْعَلْنَا مِمَّنْ يُسْتَبْدَلُ بِهِمُ الْأَبْدَالُ يَا ذَا الْجُودِ وَ الْفَعَالِ
O Allah-azwj! Extend for Progeny-asws of Muhammad-saww and their-asws Shias in the life-terms, and Specialise them with the righteous deeds and do not Make us from the ones who ‘الْأَبْدَالُ’ replace them-asws with others (man-made imams), O Possessor of the Generosity and the excellent Actions! (an extract)[18]
Al-Qutb
The term qutb[a] (Arabic: قطب) means ‘axis’, ‘pivot’, or ‘pole’; word ‘Al-Qutb’ is also found in Ahadith. However, from the Sufi school of thought, it refers to a perfect human being, Al-Insān al-Kāmil or Mard e Kamil (‘The perfect human), who is infallible (Masoom) and has a divine connection with Allah-azwj. The Sufis believe that are five qutbs per era, and they are infallible and trusted spiritual leaders. Also, as per Sufi beliefs, they are only revealed to a select group of mystics because there is a ‘human need for direct knowledge of God’, which they provide to their followers.[19]
As per well-established twelve Imami beliefs, the one with the above qualities can only be a Prophet-as and/or his-as successor-as, those are Rasool Allah-saww and Ahl Al-Bayt-asws, see for example:
– شي، تفسير العياشي عَنْ مَسْعَدَةَ بْنِ صَدَقَةَ قَالَ قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنَّ اللَّهَ جَعَلَ وَلَايَتَنَا أَهْلَ الْبَيْتِ قُطْبَ الْقُرْآنِ وَ قُطْبَ جَمِيعِ الْكُتُبِ عَلَيْهَا يَسْتَدِيرُ مُحْكَمُ الْقُرْآنِ وَ بِهَا يُوهَبُ الْكُتُبُ وَ يَسْتَبِينُ الْإِيمَانُ وَ قَدْ أَمَرَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص أَنْ يُقْتَدَى بِالْقُرْآنِ وَ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ ذَلِكَ حَيْثُ قَالَ فِي آخِرِ خُطْبَةٍ خَطَبَهَا
Tafseer Al Ayyashi – from Mas’ada Bin Sadaqa who said,
‘Abu Abdullah-asws said: ‘Allah-azwj has Made ‘وَلَايَتَنَا أَهْلَ الْبَيْتِ قُطْبَ الْقُرْآنِ’ our-asws Wilayah as an (Qutb) axis of the Quran, and axis of entirety of the Books. The Decisive (Verses) of the Quran rotate upon it, and the Books (knowledge) is Bestowed due to it and the Eman becomes clear, and Rasool-Allah-saww had instructed to be led by the Quran and Progeny-asws of Muhammad-saww, and that was whereby he-saww said in the last sermon he-saww had addressed: –
إِنِّي تَارِكٌ فِيكُمُ الثَّقَلَيْنِ الثَّقَلَ الْأَكْبَرَ وَ الثَّقَلَ الْأَصْغَرَ فَأَمَّا الْأَكْبَرُ فَكِتَابُ رَبِّي وَ أَمَّا الْأَصْغَرُ فَعِتْرَتِي أَهْلُ بَيْتِي فَاحْفَظُونِي فِيهِمَا فَلَنْ تَضِلُّوا مَا تَمَسَّكْتُمْ بِهِمَا
‘I-saww am leaving behind among you all the two weighty things – the bigger weighty thing and the smaller weighty thing. As for the bigger, it is the Book of my-saww Lord-azwj, and as for the smaller, it is my-saww family, People-asws of my-saww Household, therefore preserve my-saww (Sunnah) regarding these two, so you will never stray for as long as you adhere to these’’.[20]
Qalander:
The term ‘قلندر’ (Qalander) refers to a noble figure who lived in Southeast Asia. They are also known as Qalander Faqir. Historical accounts show the existence of a few Qalandars in the Terai region of Nepal. The word ‘Qalandar’ (قلندر) is not found in Ahadith, however, Qalandar in Sufism is used as a title for some Sufis who are considered especially spiritual. Some people for whom the title is used are Lal Shahbaz Qalandar, Bu Ali Shah Qalandar, Syed Shah Abdul Latif Kazmi Al-Mashhadi Qalandar, Shams Ali Qalandar, Rabia Basri, and Qalandar Baba Auliya.[21]
Appendix I:
و عن محمّد بن أبي عبد اللَّه عن محمّد بن الحسين عن محمّد بن سنان عن إسماعيل بن جابر و عبد الكريم بن عمرو و عبد الحميد بن أبي الديلم عن أبي عبد اللَّه عليه السلام قال: عاش نوح ألفين و خمسمائة سنة ثمّ أتاه جبرائيل عليه السلام فقال: يا نوح، قد قضيت نبوّتك و استكملت أيّامك، فانظر الاسم الأكبر و ميراث العلم و آثار علم النبوّة التي معك فادفعها إلى ابنك سام
And from Muhammad Bin Abu Abdullah, from Muhammad Bin Al-Husayn, from Muhammad Bin Sinan, from Ismail Bin Jabir and Abdul Kareem Bin Amro, and Abdul Hameed Bin Abu Al Daylam, from;
Abu Abdulah-asws said: ‘Noah-as lived for two thousand and five hundred years. Then Jibraeel-as came to him-as and said: ‘O Noah-as! Your-as Prophet-hood has expired and your-as days are completed, so look at the Greatest Name, and inheritance of the knowledge, and traces of the knowledge of Prophet-hood which is with you-as, and hand it to your-as son Saam-as!
فإنّي لا أترك الأرض إلّا و فيها عالم تعرف به طاعتي، و يعرف به هواي، و يكون نجاة فيما بين مقبض النبيّ الآخر، و لم أترك الناس بغير حجّة لي وداع إليّ و هاد إلى سبيلي و عارف بأمري
I-azwj (Allah-azwj) do not Leave the earth except, and there is a knowledgeable one in it, so obedience to Me-azwj can be recognised through him-as, and My-azwj Decree can be recognised through him-as, and he would be (a source of) salvation in what is between the Recall of the next Prophet-as, and I-azwj do not Leave the people without a Divine Authority of Mine and caller to Me-azwj, and a guide to My-azwj way, and a recogniser of My-azwj Commands!
فإنّي قد قضيت أن أجعل لكلّ قوم هاديا أهدي به السعداء، و يكون حجّة لي على الأشقياء
I-azwj have Decreed that I-azwj shall Make a guide to be for every people (so that) the fortunate ones can be guided by his, and he would be an Argument for Me-azwj against the wretched ones!’[22]
Appendix II:
كِتَابُ الْإِمَامَةِ لِلطَّبَرِيِّ، أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ هَارُونَ بْنِ مُوسَى التَّلَّعُكْبَرِيُّ قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي أَبُو الْحُسَيْنِ بْنُ أَبِي الْبَغْلِ الْكَاتِبُ قَالَ: تَقَلَّدْتُ عَمَلًا مِنْ أَبِي مَنْصُورِ بْنِ الصَّالِحَانِ وَ جَرَى بَيْنِي وَ بَيْنَهُ مَا أَوْجَبَ اسْتِتَارِي فَطَلَبَنِي وَ أَخَافَنِي فَمَكَثْتُ مُسْتَتِراً خَائِفاً
‘Kitab Al Imamah’ of Al Tabari – Abu Ja’far Muhammad Bin Haroun Bin Musa Al Tal’akbury who said, ‘It is narrated to me by Abu Al Husayn Bin Al Bagl Al Katib who said,
‘I was collared with a matter from Abu Mansour Bin Al-Sallaheen, and there flowed between me and him what obligated my concealment. He searched for me, and it was frightening. So, I waited in concealment, fearful.
ثُمَّ قَصَدْتُ مَقَابِرَ قُرَيْشٍ لَيْلَةَ الْجُمُعَةِ وَ اعْتَمَدْتُ الْمَبِيتَ هُنَاكَ لِلدُّعَاءِ وَ الْمَسْأَلَةِ وَ كَانَتْ لَيْلَةَ رِيحٍ وَ مَطَرٍ فَسَأَلْتُ ابْنَ جَعْفَرٍ الْقَيِّمَ أَنْ يُغْلِقَ الْأَبْوَابَ وَ أَنْ يَجْتَهِدَ فِي خَلْوَةِ الْمَوْضِعِ لِأَخْلُوَ بِمَا أُرِيدُهُ مِنَ الدُّعَاءِ وَ الْمَسْأَلَةِ وَ آمَنَ مِنْ دُخُولِ إِنْسَانٍ مِمَّا لَمْ آمَنْهُ وَ خِفْتُ مِنْ لِقَائِي لَهُ
Then I went to the graveyard of Quraysh on the night of Friday and deliberated to spend the night over there for the supplication and the requesting (to Allah-azwj), and it was a night of wind and rain. I asked Ibn Ja’far the custodian to lock the doors and to try to be in a secluded place for being alone with what I had intended from the supplication and the requesting, and be safe from any person entering from what I did not feel safe of and feared from my meeting him.
فَفَعَلَ وَ قَفَّلَ الْأَبْوَابَ وَ انْتَصَفَ اللَّيْلُ وَ وَرَدَ مِنَ الرِّيحِ وَ الْمَطَرِ مَا قَطَعَ النَّاسَ عَنِ الْمَوْضِعِ وَ مَكَثْتُ أَدْعُو وَ أَزُورُ وَ أُصَلِّي فَبَيْنَمَا أَنَا كَذَلِكَ إِذْ سَمِعْتُ وَطْأَةً عِنْدَ مَوْلَانَا مُوسَى ع وَ إِذَا رَجُلٌ يَزُورُ
He did so and locked the doors, and the midnight came and there arrived from the wind and rain what cut the people away from the place, and I remained supplicating and performing Ziyaarat, and praying Salat. While I was like that when I heard footsteps by our Master Musa‑asws, and there was a man visiting (performing Ziyaarat).
فَسَلَّمَ عَلَى آدَمَ وَ أُولِي الْعَزْمِ ع ثُمَّ الْأَئِمَّةِ وَاحِداً وَاحِداً إِلَى أَنِ انْتَهَى إِلَى صَاحِبِ الزَّمَانِ ع فَلَمْ يَذْكُرْهُ فَعَجِبْتُ مِنْ ذَلِكَ وَ قُلْتُ لَعَلَّهُ نَسِيَ أَوْ لَمْ يَعْرِفْ أَوْ هَذَا مَذْهَبٌ لِهَذَا الرَّجُلِ
He greeted unto Adam-as, and the Determined ones (from the Prophets-as), then the Imams‑asws one by one, until he ended to Master of the Time-ajfj. He did not mention him-ajfj. I was surprised from that and said, ‘Perhaps he forgot or did not recognise, or this is a doctrine of this man’.
فَلَمَّا فَرَغَ مِنْ زِيَارَتِهِ صَلَّى رَكْعَتَيْنِ وَ أَقْبَلَ إِلَى عِنْدِ مَوْلَانَا أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع فَزَارَ مِثْلَ الزِّيَارَةِ وَ ذَلِكَ السَّلَامَ وَ صَلَّى رَكْعَتَيْنِ وَ أَنَا خَائِفٌ مِنْهُ إِذْ لَمْ أَعْرِفْهُ وَ رَأَيْتُهُ شَابّاً تَامّاً مِنَ الرِّجَالِ عَلَيْهِ ثِيَابٌ بَيَاضٌ وَ عِمَامَةٌ مُحَنَّكٌ بِهَا بِذُؤَابَةٍ وَرْدِيٍّ عَلَى كَتِفِهِ مُسْبَلٌ
When he was free from his Ziyaarat, he prayed two Cycles Salat and faced towards our Master Abu Ja’far-asws. He performed Ziyaarat, a similar Ziyaarat, and that greetings, and he prayed two Cycles Salat, and I was fearful from him when I did not recognise him and I saw him being a complete youth from the men. Upon him were white clothes and a turban, he had wrapped under the child with it its end turning upon his shoulder, hanging.
فَقَالَ لِي يَا بَا الْحُسَيْنِ بْنَ أَبِي الْبَغْلِ أَيْنَ أَنْتَ عَنْ دُعَاءِ الْفَرَجِ
He said to me, ‘O Abu Al-Husayn Bin Abu Al-Baagl! Where are you from the supplication of relief (Dua Al Faraj)?’
فَقُلْتُ وَ مَا هُوَ يَا سَيِّدِي
I said, ‘And what is it, O my chief?’
فَقَالَ تُصَلِّي رَكْعَتَيْنِ وَ تَقُولُ يَا مَنْ أَظْهَرَ الْجَمِيلَ وَ سَتَرَ الْقَبِيحَ يَا مَنْ لَمْ يُؤَاخِذْ بِالْجَرِيرَةِ وَ لَمْ يَهْتِكِ السِّتْرَ يَا عَظِيمَ الْمَنِّ يَا كَرِيمَ الصَّفْحِ يَا حَسَنَ التَّجَاوُزِ يَا وَاسِعَ الْمَغْفِرَةِ يَا بَاسِطَ الْيَدَيْنِ بِالرَّحْمَةِ يَا مُنْتَهَى كُلِّ نَجْوَى يَا غَايَةَ كُلِّ شَكْوَى يَا عَوْنَ كُلِّ مُسْتَعِينٍ يَا مُبْتَدِئاً بِالنِّعَمِ قَبْلَ اسْتِحْقَاقِهَا
He said, ‘You should pray two Cycles Salat and say, ‘‘Say: ‘O One Who Reveals the beautiful! O One Who Conceals the ugliness! O One Who does not Seize for the crimes! O One Who does not Violate the privacy! O Mighty of the Conferment! O Benevolent of the Pardon! O Excellent of the Overlooking! O Capacious of the Forgiveness! O Extended of the Hands with the Mercy! O Ultimate of every whisper! O Peak of every complaint! O Assistance of every seeker of assistance! O Initiator with the bounty before it is deserved!
يَا رَبَّاهْ عَشْرَ مَرَّاتٍ يَا سَيِّدَاهْ عَشْرَ مَرَّاتٍ يَا مَوْلَيَاهْ عَشْرَ مَرَّاتٍ يَا غَايَتَاهْ عَشْرَ مَرَّاتٍ يَا مُنْتَهَى رَغْبَتَاهْ عَشْرَ مَرَّاتٍ أَسْأَلُكَ بِحَقِّ هَذِهِ الْأَسْمَاءِ وَ بِحَقِّ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِهِ الطَّاهِرِينَ ع إِلَّا مَا كَشَفْتَ كَرْبِي وَ نَفَّسْتَ هَمِّي وَ فَرَّجْتَ عَنِّي وَ أَصْلَحْتَ حَالِي
O Lord-azwj! (ten times) O Chief (ten times) O Master (ten times) O Peak (ten times) O Ultimate of desires! (ten times). I ask You-azwj by these Names, and the by the right of Muhammad-saww and his-saww Progeny-asws the Pure! Please Remove my distress and Wipe out my worries, and Relieve from me and Rectify my situation!’
وَ تَدْعُو بَعْدَ ذَلِكَ بِمَا شِئْتَ وَ تَسْأَلُ حَاجَتَكَ ثُمَّ تَضَعُ خَدَّكَ الْأَيْمَنَ عَلَى الْأَرْضِ وَ تَقُولُ مِائَةَ مَرَّةٍ فِي سُجُودِكَ يَا مُحَمَّدُ يَا عَلِيُّ يَا عَلِيُّ يَا مُحَمَّدُ اكْفِيَانِي فَإِنَّكُمَا كَافِيَايَ وَ انْصُرَانِي فَإِنَّكُمَا نَاصِرَايَ
And you should supplicate after that with whatever you desire to and ask your need. Then place your right cheek upon the ground and say one hundred times in your Sajdah, ‘O Muhammad-saww, O Ali-asws, O Ali-asws, O Muhammad-saww! Suffice me, for you-asws two are sufficient for me, and help me, for you-asws are my helpers!’
وَ تَضَعُ خَدَّكَ الْأَيْسَرَ عَلَى الْأَرْضِ وَ تَقُولُ مِائَةَ مَرَّةٍ أَدْرِكْنِي وَ تُكَرِّرُهَا كَثِيراً وَ تَقُولُ الْغَوْثَ الْغَوْثَ حَتَّى يَنْقَطِعَ نَفَسُكَ وَ تَرْفَعُ رَأْسَكَ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ بِكَرَمِهِ يَقْضِي حَاجَتَكَ إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى
And place your left cheek upon the ground and say one hundred times, ‘Help me!’, and repeat it many times, and say, ‘الْغَوْثَ الْغَوْثَ ’ ‘The help! The help!’, until your breath is cut, and raise your head, for Allah-azwj will Fulfil your need by His-azwj Benevolence, if Allah-azwj the Exalted so Desires!’
فَلَمَّا شُغِلْتُ بِالصَّلَاةِ وَ الدُّعَاءِ خَرَجَ فَلَمَّا فَرَغْتُ خَرَجْتُ لِابْنِ جَعْفَرٍ لِأَسْأَلَهُ عَنِ الرَّجُلِ وَ كَيْفَ دَخَلَ فَرَأَيْتُ الْأَبْوَابَ عَلَى حَالِهَا مُغَلَّقَةً مُقَفَّلَةً فَعَجِبْتُ مِنْ ذَلِكَ وَ قُلْتُ لَعَلَّهُ بَابٌ هَاهُنَا وَ لَمْ أَعْلَمْ
When I was pre-occupied with the Salat and the supplication, he went out. When I was free, I went out to Ibn Ja’far to ask him about the man and how he could have entered I saw the doors being upon their state, closed, locked. I was surprised from that and said, ‘Perhaps there is a door over here and I don’t know’.
فَأَنْبَهْتُ ابْنَ جَعْفَرٍ الْقَيِّمَ فَخَرَجَ إِلَى عِنْدِي مِنْ بَيْتِ الزَّيْتِ فَسَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الرَّجُلِ وَ دُخُولِهِ فَقَالَ الْأَبْوَابُ مُقَفَّلَةٌ كَمَا تَرَى مَا فَتَحْتُهَا فَحَدَّثْتُهُ بِالْحَدِيثِ
I woke up Ibn Ja’far the custodian. He came out to me from the oil room. I asked him about the man and his entry. He said, ‘The doors are closed like what you see. I have not opened these!’
فَقَالَ هَذَا مَوْلَانَا صَاحِبُ الزَّمَانِ ص وَ قَدْ شَاهَدْتُهُ دَفَعَاتٍ فِي مِثْلِ هَذِهِ اللَّيْلَةِ عِنْدَ خُلُوِّهَا مِنَ النَّاسِ
I narrated to him with the narration. He said, ‘This is our Master, Master of the Time-ajfj, and I have witnessed him at times in a night similar to this at his-ajfj seclusion from the people’.
فَتَأَسَّفْتُ عَلَى مَا فَاتَنِي مِنْهُ وَ خَرَجْتُ عِنْدَ قُرْبِ الْفَجْرِ وَ قَصَدْتُ الْكَرْخَ إِلَى الْمَوْضِعِ الَّذِي كُنْتُ مُسْتَتِراً فِيهِ فَمَا أَضْحَى النَّهَارَ إِلَّا وَ أَصْحَابُ ابْنِ الصَّالِحَانِ يَلْتَمِسُونَ لِقَائِي وَ يَسْأَلُونَ عَنِّي أَصْدِقَائِي وَ مَعَهُمْ أَمَانٌ مِنَ الْوَزِيرِ وَ رُقْعَةٌ بِخَطِّهِ فِيهَا كُلُّ جَمِيلٍ
I regretted upon what had been missed by me from him-ajfj, and I went out close to the dawn and aimed to go to Al-Karkh to the very place which I had concealed in. The day had not brightened except and companions of Al-Saliheen were seeking to meet me, and they were asking my friends about me, and with them was (a deed of) amnesty from the minister and a note wherein was all beautiful (good).
فَحَضَرْتُ مَعَ ثِقَةٍ مِنْ أَصْدِقَائِي عِنْدَهُ فَقَامَ وَ الْتَزَمَنِي وَ عَامَلَنِي بِمَا لَمْ أَعْهَدْهُ مِنْهُ وَ قَالَ انْتَهَتْ بِكَ الْحَالُ إِلَى أَنْ تَشْكُوَنِي إِلَى صَاحِبِ الزَّمَانِ صَلَوَاتُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ
I presented with a trusted one of my friends in his (minister’s) presence. He stood up and hugged me and treated me in a manner I had not thought of from him, and he said, ‘The situation ended with you to the extent that you complained of me to Master of the Time-ajfj? May the Salawaat of Allah-azwj be upon him-ajfj’.
فَقُلْتُ قَدْ كَانَ مِنِّي دُعَاءٌ وَ مَسْأَلَةٌ
I said, ‘It has happened from me, a supplication and a request’.
فَقَالَ وَيْحَكَ رَأَيْتُ الْبَارِحَةَ مَوْلَايَ صَاحِبَ الزَّمَانِ فِي النَّوْمِ يَعْنِي لَيْلَةَ الْجُمُعَةِ وَ هُوَ يَأْمُرُنِي بِكُلِّ جَمِيلٍ وَ يَجْفُو عَلَيَّ فِي ذَلِكَ جَفْوَةً خِفْتُهَا
He said, ‘Woe be to you! Yesterday I saw my Master, Master of the Time-ajfj in the sleep, meaning on the night of Friday, and he-ajfj ordered me with every beautiful (thing to do), and he-ajfj was dry upon me in that with a dryness I feared’.
فَقُلْتُ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ أَشْهَدُ أَنَّهُمُ الْحَقُّ وَ مُنْتَهَى الْحَقِّ رَأَيْتُ الْبَارِحَةَ مَوْلَانَا فِي الْيَقَظَةِ وَ قَالَ لِي كَذَا وَ كَذَا وَ شَرَحْتُ مَا رَأَيْتُهُ فِي الْمَشْهَدِ
I said, ‘There is no god except Allah-azwj! I testify they-asws are the truth and the peak of truth! Last night I saw our Master in the wakefulness, and he-ajfj said such and such to me!’ – and I explained what I had seen in the Shrine.
فَعَجِبَ مِنْ ذَلِكَ وَ جَرَتْ مِنْهُ أُمُورٌ عِظَامٌ حِسَانٌ فِي هَذَا الْمَعْنَى وَ بَلَغْتُ مِنْهُ غَايَةَ مَا لَمْ أَظُنَّهُ بِبَرَكَةِ مَوْلَانَا صَاحِبِ الزَّمَانِ صَلَوَاتُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ
He was astonished from that and matters of might favours flowed from him in this meaning, and I reached from him the peak of what I had not thought of, due to the Blessing of our Master, Master of the Time-ajfj, may the Salawaat of Allah-azwj be upon him-ajfj’’.[23]
[1] Al Kafi V 1 – The Book Of Intellect and Ignorance CH 1 H 35
[2] Jawaahir Al Saniya Fi Ahadeeth Al Qudsiya – CH 1 – H 3
[3] Bihar Al Anwaar – V 40, The book of History – Amir Al Momineen-asws, Ch 116 H 1
[4] Bihar Al-Anwaar V 89 – The Book of Quran – Ch 26 H 7
[5] Al Kafi V 1 – The Book Of Intellect and Ignorance CH 1 H 35
[6] Al Kafi V 1 – The Book Of Intellect and Ignorance CH 1 H 4
[8] Al-Kafi V 1 – The Book of Divine Authority CH 86 H 3
[9] المناقب 3: 81.
[10] Bihar Al-Anwaar V 91 – The Book of Zikr (Chapters on supplication) – Ch 52 H 3 b
[11] المزار الكبير (لابن المشهدي)، ص: 590
[12] ( 1)- تقدم ما يدلّ على ذلك في الحديث 1 و 4 من الباب 44 من هذه الأبواب، و تقدم ما يدلّ على صلوات أخر مثل صلاة الوالدين و الولد في الحديث 7 من الباب 28 من أبواب الاحتضار، و صلاة تحية المسجد في الباب 42 من أبواب أحكام المساجد، و صلاة أربع ركعات بعد صلاة العيد في الباب 6 من أبواب صلاة العيد، و صلاة ركعتين في مسجد الرسول في الحديث 10 من الباب 7 من أبواب صلاة العيد.
[13] وسائل الشيعة، ج8، ص: 185
[14] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abdal
[15] Bihar Al Anwaar – V 27, The book of Imamate, P 5 Ch 15 H 11
[16] Bihar Al Anwaar – V 27, The book of Imamate, P 5 Ch 16 H 1
[17] بحار الأنوار (ط – بيروت)، ج94، ص: 45,
[18] بحار الأنوار (ط – بيروت)، ج99، ص: 313
[19] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qutb
[20] Bihar Al-Anwaar V 89 – The Book of Quran – Ch 1 H 29
[21] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qalandar_(caste)
[22] Jawaahir Al Saniya Fi Ahadeeth Al Qudsiya – CH 2 – H 6
[23] Bihar Al-Anwaar V 92 – The Book of Zikr (Chapters on supplication) – Ch 106 H 33