ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books A Glance at the Beloved Knowledge ============ Learning and imparting the knowledge of Imams (a.s.) From the preceding pages, we have learnt the superiority of enlivening the affairs of the Ahlul Bayt (a.s.). Now it follows that we learn one of the best ways of acquiring this virtue, which the Imams (a.s.) themselves have determined for us.

Indeed this is one of the most important necessities and a sign of Imam's (a.t.f.s.) recognition in his occultation Imam Ridha’ (a.s.) declares: رَحِمَ اللهُ عَبْداً أَحْيا أَمْرَنا 'May Allah have mercy upon the slave who enlivens our affairs?' Hirvi who is the narrator of this tradition asked Imam (a.s.), 'How can we enliven your affair?' Imam (a.s.) replied: يتعلّم علومنا ويعلّمها الناس ، فإنّ الناس لو علموا محاسن كلامنا لاتّبعونا 'Learn our knowledge and teach it to the people.

For certainly, had the people known the goodness of our statements, they would have surely obeyed us.'[^1] Thus the emphasis is on learning and disseminating the knowledge of Ahlul Bayt (a.s.) and our approach to this crucial task can be accomplished by referring and stating their traditions. Imam Sadiq (a.s.) advised his Shias: تلاقُوا و تحادثوا العلم. فإن الحديث تُجلى القلوب الرانية. و بالحديث إحياءُ امرنا. فَرحم الله من احيا امرنا.

'Visit each other and discuss the concepts of knowledge with each other. With the medium of traditions, hearts become pure and our affair is enlivened. May Allah have mercy on the one who enlivens our affair?'[^2] Knowledge that emanates from the Ahlul Bayt (a.s.) is the only real and correct source of knowledge. This knowledge makes man pure and helps him attain true prosperity and good fortune.

At the same time, this knowledge has in it, tremendous magnetism that attracts the hearts of the pure ones towards the Ahlul Bayt (a.s.). If the tradition of the Ahlul Bayt (a.s.) is conveyed to the people correctly, people will see the wisdom, beauty and freshness that is extremely striking when compared to the speech of others. They will find the tradition of Imams (a.s.) penetrating their hearts like the speech of no other mortal.

They will realise that traditions of Imams (a.s.) appeal to human nature (fitrat) and are in conformity with it. When they absorb these points, they will be drawn towards the personalities who have narrated these traditions.