ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Hisham ibn Hakam Debates of Hisham: Defending of Wilayah Younus ibn Yaqub[^1] says: "One day when we were in the presence of Imam al-Sadiq (a), a man from Syria entered and said, "I am a learned man and well-versed in the fields of speculative theology and Muslim jurisprudence and acquainted with religious obligations.

I have come to participate in a discussion with your followers and disciples." The Imam said: "Is your knowledge and reasoning based on the sayings of the Prophet of Islam (s) or on your own way of thinking?" The Syrian said: "Partly it is based on my own thoughts and partly on the sayings of the Prophet (s)." Imam said: "Then, do you count yourself as a partner in the prophethood?" He replied: "No, it is not this way." Imam asked.

"Is obedience to you necessary as is obedience to the Prophet (s)?" He said: "No." Younus ibn Yaqub noted that the Imam turned his face towards him and said: "This man, prior to participating in discussion with us, was in conflict with himself and he expressed himself quite contrary to his own claim." Again the Imam said to him: "O!

Younus, you can prove yourself well against him, enter into a discussion with him!" Younus says that he apologized and said: "O my lord, but you yourself commanded us not to participate in the discussions on theology. And you used to say: "Oh theologians! (i.e. those theologians who do not follow their arguments according to the teachings of Islam, the Prophet (s) and the Imams (a)).

Don't enter into a discussion, especially one about which you have no knowledge." Imam said: "Yes, we rebuked them but this rebuke was for those who discuss according to their own desires, and do not obey us i.e. the pillars of truth." Then the Imam said to me, "Go outside and whomsoever you see from among the theologians, bring them to me!" I went out and happened to see "Hamran ibn A'yan"[^2] who was well-versed in discussion and argumentation. I brought him to the Imam.

Then I brought Hisham ibn Salem[^3] and at last Ghais ibn Maser. According to my opinion, Ghais was the most learned man in the field of speculative theology and had learnt the art of oratory and debate from Imam Ali ibn al-Husayn (a). It was a few days before the Hajj season. The tent of the Imam was pitched near the Masjid-al-Haram (the sacred Ka'aba Mosque), at the foot of the mountain. The Imam, while leaning on the post of the tent, was looking around.