ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Peshawar Nights Seventh Session, Wednesday Night, 29th Rajab 1345 A.H. Sayyid Abdu'l-Hayy (Imam of the Sunni Congregational Mosque): Some nights ago you made some statements for which Hafiz Sahib demanded proofs, but you cunningly evaded a reply or created confusion among us, and the whole matter was very disturbing. Well-Wisher: Please let me know which of your questions was left unanswered, since I do not recall the incident to which you refer.

Sayyid: Did you not say some nights ago that ‘Ali had unity of 'self' with the Holy Prophet and so was superior in rank to all the prophets? Well-Wisher: It is true. That was my statement, and it is my belief. Sayyid: Then why did you not reply to our query? Well-Wisher: You are greatly mistaken. It is strange that you have been listening closely throughout our discussions, yet now you accuse me of adopting cunning methods or confusing your minds.

If you consider deeply, you will understand that I said nothing irrelevant, but the learned Mullas had put certain questions, which I was obliged to answer. Now if you have any question to put, you may do so, and with Allah's help, I will answer it. Sayyid: We wish to know how it is possible that two individuals may be united so that their unity is such that they become one and the same.

Difference between assumed unity and real unity Well-Wisher: Obviously, it is not possible for two persons to form a real unity. When I said that the Commander of the Faithful had a unity of 'self' or 'soul' with the Holy Prophet, you should not take it as actual unity, because no one has ever claimed that, and if anyone believed it they would be absolutely wrong.

The unity I referred to is only assumed, not actual, and intends to indicate that both of them have the same excellence of soul and merits, not the same body. Hafiz: Then according to this proposition they should both be prophets, and from what you say, the revelation should have come to them both. Well-Wisher: That is a manifest misconception. No Shi’as holds such a belief. I would not have expected you to indulge in such talk and waste our time.

I have just told you they are associated in all matters of virtue and excellence, excepting those attributes for the exclusion of which there are specific ordinances or grounds.