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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Spirituality of the Shi‘ism and Other Discourses Epilogue: A Message to the Conference held in Honor of Tustari The following text is a message written for the conference held in Lucknow, India, in honor of the martyr ‘Allāmah Qādī Nūr Allāh Tustarī (a.k.a. Shūshtarī), author of the famous book, “Ihqāq al-Haqq”.

*** In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful God, the Almighty—glorious is He—addresses His Noble Prophet (S) in the Holy Qur’an thus: ﴿ قُلْ مَا أَسْأَلُكُمْ عَلَيْهِ مِنْ أَجْرٍ إِلاَّ مَنْ شَاء أَن يَتَّخِذَ إِلَى رَبِّهِ سَبِيلاً ﴾ “(O Prophet!) Say (unto your nation), I do not ask of you a reward for this (invitation) but that some people find a way to their Lord.” [^1] In accordance to this miraculous statement, the reward for the Holy Prophet’s (S) twenty-three years of invitation is the pure religion of Islam that has opened a place for itself in the human society and has become established.

Elsewhere, in the Qur’an, He declares: ﴿ ... قُلْ لاَّ أَسْأَلُكُمْ عَلَيْهِ أَجْرًا إِلاَّ الْمَوَدَّةَ فِي الْقُرْبَى...

﴾ “(O Prophet!) Say (unto your nation), I do not ask of you a reward for this (invitation) save love for (my) Household (the )…” [^2] By combining these two Qur’anic verses it is clear that the religion that the Exalted Lord wants of us and determines as the reward for the invaluable invitation of the Holy Prophet (S) is the religion that is fused with affection for his —specific members of his family.

The Holy Prophet (S) has explained the meaning of this fusion of the ’s affection in the two widely-transmitted hadīths of safīnah (ark) and thaqalayn (two precious things): «مثل أهل بيتي کمثل سفينة نوح من رکبها نجا ومن تخلف عنها غرق.» “The analogy of my is that of Noah’s ark.

Whosoever embarks upon it is saved and whosoever turns away from it is drowned.” «إني تارك فيکم الثقلين، کتاب الله وعترتي أهل بيتي لن يفرقا حتی يردا عليَّ الحوض، ما ان تمسکتم بها لن تضلوا بعدي ابداً.» “After I leave, I will leave among you two precious things: the Book of Allah and my Household, the . They will never be separated until they come to me (on the Day of Judgment) at the Pool [hawd].

As long as you cling fast to these two things you shall not be led astray.” In a clear expression the Noble Prophet (S) teaches that Muslims must set his as their leaders and acquire their religion from them.

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