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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Islamic Concept of Intermediation (tawassul) CHAPTER FOUR: The Doctrine of Tawassul (In the Light of Sacred Traditions) Purging disbelief in Muhammad's followers Allah has conferred infinite blessings on the followers of the Holy Prophet*(Peac Be Up Him and His Household)* . One of these blessings is their impossibility to return to disbelief after embracing Islam.

It happened in the past that the followers of a particular prophet returned to their earlier state of ignorance and disbelief after his death. But this shall not happen to the followers of the Holy Prophet*(Peac Be Up Him and His Household)* . The Prophet of Allah*(Peac Be Up Him and His Household)* in the last days of his earthly sojourn had himself declared that he had no fears that his followers will relapse into disbelief after his death. As Muslims, we should reflect on his words.

The Prophet*(Peac Be Up Him and His Household)* who was sent to this world to quash disbelief and all forms of impermissible innovation, who is our primary source of guidance and who is our ultimate means of salvation, is saying that he has no doubts lurking in his mind about their steady and irreversible belief, while we are hurling allegations of disbelief at one another to cater to our false sense of superiority or to pamper our egotism based on prejudice and sheer stubbornness.

What could be more unfortunate than this mutual incrimination? It is narrated in a tradition: ‘Uqbah bin ‘Āmir has narrated: The Prophet (Peac Be Up Him and His Household) one day went to (Uhud) and offered prayer for the natives (martyrs) of Uhud as it is (generally) offered for the dead. Then he returned to the pulpit and said: I am your forerunner and I am a witness on you. By Allah!

I am right now seeing the basin of my fountain (kawthar), and I have been handed over the keys of the treasures of the earth (or the keys of the earth). I swear on Allah, I have no fears that after me you will return to disbelief but I am apprehensive that you will try to outdo each other in acquiring worldly goods. [1] This is a statement made by the Prophet*(Peac Be Up Him and His Household)* himself. He has sworn on Allah about his followers that they will not revert to disbelief.

The Prophet’s words call for deep reflection and serious soul-searching. We brush aside the Prophet’s statement when we accuse one another of disbelief.