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Messenger of Allah (s) said: ‘The people of my household are as the stars, which ever one of them you seek guidance from, you will be guided.'
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Sunday, 13 February 2005
Page 6 of 7

Imam Sadiq Disavows Impostors

It has been related that a man named Mohammad bin Miqlas, also known as Abul-Khattab, used to feign himself as a Muslim while in reality he was not a Muslim. He would gather with the companions of Imam Sadiq and listen carefully until he learned some of their words. After some time passed, this man started to introduce himself as the representative of Imam Sadiq. One day he claimed that Imam Sadiq was God, and that he was Imam Sadiq's prophet. Upon learning about Abul-Khattab's mischievous claims, Imam Sadiq cursed him. On several occasions, Abul-Khattab was informed that the Imam had cursed, but it did not seem to matter to him that the Imam cursed him. He used to say, this is a "show", and in doing so the Imam wants to achieve (something more) important.

What should Imam Sadiq do with such a person? Things usually do not work by miracles, for people must be tested. Miracles are only performed in order set the proof for the truth.[15] In fact, the mere presence of Imam Sadiq sets the proof for the truth. The Almighty states, That he who would perish might perish by clear proof.[16] And if there are no clear proofs, miracles are performed.

Meanwhile, Mohammad bin Miqlas went to Mecca to perform the Hajj pilgrimage. A man came to Imam Sadiq and said, "O son of the Messenger of God! Mohammad bin Miqlas went to perform the Hajj, and before observing the ihram[17] at the miqat,[18] he recited the talbiya[19] in your name". Tears streamed down from the Imam's blessed eyes, and his facial expressions changed. He then raised his hands toward the sky and humbly addressed the Almighty, "My Lord! It is not I...I ask for your forgiveness...my Lord, I apologize to you!" Then he prostrated in humbleness to Allah.

One might ask: What harm do the actions of Mohammad bin Miqlas have on Imam Sadiq? Does not the Qur'an state, and no bearer of burden shall bear the burden of another[20] Imam Sadiq knows this verse better than you and I, and it was Mohammad bin Miqlas that claimed those lies about the Imam after all. The Imam himself did not claim those lies, so why did the Imam cry and worry? Furthermore, doesn't God know that the Imam did not say those words?

Mohammad bin Miqlas committed a sin when he declared talbiya in the name of Imam Sadiq. God knows that when Imam Sadiq declares talbiya which means "Oh Allah, I heed your call," a disturbance interrupts his looks, he begins to shake, and he does not rush in saying the talbiya. We, on the other hand, rush to declare the talbiya because we do not understand the real meaning of it, while the Imam understands it completely.

Some of the people around the Imam might have been surprised seeing the Imam ask for forgiveness in this manner. Imam Sadiq says to Zaid al-Narsi, the narrator of this hadith, "I ask Allah for forgiveness so that I settle in my grave,"[21] meaning that I can be confident and assured in my grave. Does this mean that the Imam will be questioned in his grave? Of course not, and the Imam himself knows that he will not be questioned. So what does his statement "so that I settle in my grave" mean?

Throughout history some people have claimed that Jesus is God. The Qur'an says that on the Day of Judgment, at the vast justice court of Allah, the Almighty will ask Jesus in the presence of all the creations, O Jesus son of Mary! Did you say to the people: take me and my mother as two gods besides Allah?[22] Allah knows that Jesus did not claim that he was God, but perhaps Allah wants to admonish the people who perpetrated those false claims about Jesus, as a result of their ill souls.

Some scholars say that probably the meaning of Imam Sadiq's anguish and his repentance to Allah, and the meaning of his words "so that I settle in my grave" is that: "I ask Allah for forgiveness so that I would not be questioned in my grave as if I was responsible for the actions of Mohammad bin Miqlas." The Imam did not want to be asked this question because merely being questioned in the grave is stressful and difficult.

There is no need to exaggerate and unjustly elevate the status of the Imams. Such statements, such as the one of Mohammad bin Miqlas, disturb and hurt the Imams, for they have said, "relegate us from divinity."[23] Exaggerations do not serve as the "right paths" to knowing our Imams. This type of action may bring upon us the curse of the Imams. Imam Mahdi might curse those who assign him a status above his actual status.

The characteristics of God are for Him alone, and the Names of Allah are strictly reserved for Him. Imam Ali is quoted as saying, "Two people will be destroyed because of me: a zealous one who exaggerates, and an enemy who disdains." This hadeeth means that the one who overestimates the status of Imam Ali by rendering him as a divine figure, and the one who carries contempt against him will be destroyed on the Day of Judgment.



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