Issue No: 146
21st December 2012
7th Safar 1434 A.H.
Salamun alaykum,
Do not oppose the Imam :
".......... I am the sincerest of God's creatures in giving advice to them. I have not become one who bears malice to any Muslims nor one who wishes evil or misfortune to him. Indeed what you dislike about unity (jama'a) is better for you than what you like about division. I see what is better for you better than you see for yourselves. Therefore do not oppose my commands and do not reject my judgement. ....."
This were some of the words addressed by Imam Hasan Al Mujtaba whilst mobilising the masses to support him in confronting the terror and injustice in the nation spread by Muawiya bin Abi Sufyan.
What happened?
The people began to look at one another asking, "What do you think he intends by what he has just said? We think that he intends to make peace with Muawiya and hand over the authority to him. By God the man has become an unbeliever....."
Doubting the Imam and filled with these aspersions they rushed towards his tent plundering to the extent that they even took his prayer mat from under him.
Imam Hassan Deserted: - The loneliest commander:
The desertion of the people increased with threats upon life of Imam and some willing to hand him over to Muawiya. This led to the Imam undertaking the peace treaty.
Who were the people being addressed and why?
These were the people who, after the martyrdom of Imam Ali, had pledged their allegiance to Imam Hasan Al Mujtaba as their leader. Some of them being his and his fathers' devoted shias. Others were from the Kharijites who desired to fight Muawiya with every possible means, some were men who loved discords, and anxious for booty, some were doubters, some were followers of tribal leaders without reference to religion....
Strangely they all were muslims practicing the rituals of salat, sawm,haj etc...The strategy of Muawiya had effected the people. What a mixed band of men they were...!!!
It can be seen that a reason for the Imam to make this address was to test his followers and make their situation clear with regard to obedience to him. In turn their commitment to the Thaqalayn.
Our world today:
We are passing through a period where Saahibal Asr Waz Zamaan -the master of our Age, the Imam of our time- is in ghayba. We too as muslims fulfill the practices and rituals of Islam. We devotedly count ourselves as among the shias of the Imam.
Whilst living amongst community of people of belief including muslims and of no belief we interact with people of all ideologies and thoughts. The nafs- self of individuals are greedy to be satisfied for their desires. Today the strategies to lure one away from taqwa, are very much in strong play like the strategies of Muawiya luring the masses to his side.
If not confronted this would result to the sincerity of devotion and obedience to the Imam to be overtaken such that one may end up no longer being from the devoted shias, but for name sake only.
Is fulfilling the practices and rituals of Islam as the ultimate to attain peak of taqwa?
Are we on guard that we do not slip into the mixed band of men as was during the time of Imam Hasan Al Mujtaba a.s.?
Wa ma Tawfiqi illa billah
Fazle Abbas Datoo
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Resident Alim
Wessex Shia Ithna Asheri Jamaat