It is mentioned in the Holy Qur'an that the Quraysh used to say ...

It is mentioned in the Holy Qur'an that the Quraysh used to say : "And they say: Why was not Qur'an revealed to a man of importance in the two towns ?" (Zukhruf/31) Kibr on the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.) and/or on his successors i.e. the Imams (a.s.) is actually Kibr in Allah (s.w.t.).

It is because the power and authority the Holy Prophet and Imams (a.s.) were given over mankind, was directly from Allah (s.w.t.) In Suratul Hashr, verse 7 of the Holy Qur'an, Allah (s.w.t.) says : "Whatever the Prophet gives you, accept it and whatever he forbids you, stay away from it." The Infallible Imams (a.s.) being the true successors of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.) after his death, enjoy the same power as well to continue his mission.

Kibr on Ulema is Kibr on the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.) During the occultation period of our twelfth Imam, Imam Muhammad bin Hassan al-Askari (a.s.), this power can exercised by the most learned Faqeeh and religious scholars of our time. There are various traditions from the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.) and the Aim'ah (a.s.) which describe the powerful position and leadership of religious scholars.

A few of these narrations are mentioned below : (a) The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.) has said : "The scholars of my nation are like the Prophets of Bani Israel." (b) Again, it has also been reported from the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.) that : "The scholars are the inheritors of the Prophets." c) Imam Hassan al-Askari (a.s.) has said : "And if there are amongst the scholars, one who : safeguards himself, protects his religion; goes against his (illegitimate) desire; is obedient to the command of his Lord; Then it is the duty of the people to follow him." The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.) has said : "Nay!

Do not refute an Aalim, and do not go against him and do not hate him but instead love him, for surely loving them is sincerity and hating them is hypocrisy. Whoever insults an Aalim is as if he has insulted me, and whoever insults an me is as if he has insulted Allah and whoever insults Allah then his path is towards hell.

Whoever honours an Aalim is as if he has honoured me and whoever honours me is as if he has honoured Allah and whoever honours Allah, then his path is towards paradise." (Adh-dhunoob al-kabeera) Many of us today do not honour Aalims and give them the respect which they deserve. It is sad to note that we consider ourselves equal to them. Furthermore, we do not value their guidance and thus consider it sufficient that we know our religious obligations.