ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Kitab Al-irshad 1 Legal Decisions of the Commander of the Faithful As for the reports which have demonstrated his outstanding quality in the legal decisions (he has given) with regard to religion and the laws (he has propounded) for which all the believers were in need, they are too numerous to be counted and too illustrious to be dealt with (properly), as are those which have been confirmed with regard to his precedence in traditional knowledge ('ilm), his supremacy over the community in gnosis (ma'rifa) and understanding.

(There are many reports that) the scholars of the (frequently) used to resort to him in matters which were difficult for them and they would seek his help in them and submit to his judgement concerning them. I will endeavour to put forward a brief summary which will give some indication of the others, if God, the Exalted, wills. A.

(Judgements of the Commander of the Faithful during the Lifetime of the Prophet) With the regard to this, there are those of his judgements while the Apostle of God, may God bless him and his family, was alive which have been reported by the transmitters of tradition from the non-Shi'a ('amma) and from the Shi'a (khassa). In these (the Prophet) guided him and attested to the correctness of the decisions which he gave. He called attention to his goodness and praised him for it.

Thus he separated him from the rest of men as a result of his outstanding merit in that. In this way he showed his entitlement to authority after him and the necessity for him to take precedence over others with regard to the position of the Imamate. Similarly, revelation has taken that (matter) within its compass in terms of the evidence for its meaning and what can be understood from the interpretation of its contents.

Thus God, the Mighty and High, says:" Is not he who guides you to truth more entitled to be followed than one who does not go aright unless he is guided? For what is wrong with you, ,how do you judge? "(X 35). Then there is His statement, may He be praised:" Are those who know and those who do not know equal? Only those who possess hearts (ulu al-albab) remember "(XXXIX 9).

There is the statement by Him, the Mighty and High, in the story of Adam when the angel said:" Are you creating in it one who will spread corruption there and shed blood while we (constantly) repeat Your praise and hallow You? He replied: I know what you do not know.