Then Allah said...

Then Allah said, “I swear by My Honor and Glory that I have not created anything better and more beloved to Me than you. I will grant blessings (rewards) to you only and will hold only you responsible for the consequences (of your deeds).’” The questioner here is talking about those that can be referred to as Shia by virtue of their beliefs and their deeds.

Apparently their deeds are not bad, but their beliefs are not based upon their intellect nor are their religious instructions by the use of their intellect. The Imam (a.s.) is neither classifying them as Shia or as believers. When Imam Ja’far Al Sadiq (a.s.) was asked about the definition of intellect, he replied “Intellect is that by which the Beneficent can be recognized”. This book cannot be an explanation for this tradition, therefore I will only write that which is relevant to the topic.

What I mean is that worship is only that which is done by the use of intellect, otherwise it can only be classified as physical exercise. This has been explained in a Prophetic tradition: - AL KAFI - H 9, Ch.

1, h9 Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from al-Nawfali from al-Sakuni rom abu ‘Abd Allah, recipient of divine supreme Covenant, who has said: “The Holy Prophet has said, ‘If you hear good things about a man, you should examine how good his Intelligence is; he will be rewarded according to his Intelligence.’” AL KAFI - H 23, Ch.

1, h23 A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad in a mursal manner from abu ‘Abd Allah, recipient of divine supreme covenant, who has said the following: “Intelligence is the support for man. From Intelligence comes insightfulness, understanding, memory and knowledge; and with Intelligence he gains perfection. Intelligence is his guide, his instructor and the key to his affairs.

When his Intelligence is supported with light, he becomes a scholar, a keeper (of knowledge), an intelligent recaller and a man of understanding. Through Intelligence he learns the answer to how, why, where or when. He learns who helps and who harms him. When he learns these (facts) he learns the channels, the connections and the differentiating factors. He then establishes pure belief in the oneness of Allah and acknowledges the need to obey Him.

When he does so he finds the proper remedy for what he has lost and the right approach to whatever may confront him. He knows well his present involvement, why he is here, where he has come from and to what end he is headed.