ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Kitab Al-irshad 1 The Circumstances of the Last Illness and Death of the Prophet3 Among the circumstances which were given new significance by the Apostle of God, may God bless him and his family, and the events which occurred through the decree and ordinance of God, which confirm his outstanding merit and characterise his exalted rank, are those which occurred after the Farewell Pilgrimage.

That was when the (Prophet), peace be on him, realised through the nearness of (the end of) his allotted span (the need to put into effect) what he had already told his community. He, peace be on him, began to make speech after speech among the Muslims, warning them against discord after him and opposition to him. He confirmed his injunction to them to cleave to his sunna and those (matters) on which there was agreement and conformity.

He urged them to follow his family, to obey them, to support, guard and hold fast to them in religion. He warned them against opposition and apostasy. Among the things which were mentioned by him, peace be on him, is one which the reporters (of tradition and history) report with agreement and unanimity, that he, peace be on him, said: "People, I am a way-mark for you. You will come to meat the (heavenly) waters. Then indeed I will ask you about the two important things (which I left behind).

Take care how you follow me with regard to them, for the Good and Knowing (God) has informed me that they will never scatter (from you) until they meet me. I asked my Lord for that and He granted it to me. Indeed I have left among you the Book of God and the offspring of my family (ahl al-bayt). Do not try to outdo them, for then you will be destroyed. Do not try to teach them, for they are more knowledgeable than you.

People, may I not find you, after I (have gone), returning to being unbelievers with some of you striking down others, for then you will meet me with a host like a sea of flowing soldiers. Indeed 'Ali b. Abi Talib, peace be on him, is my brother, my trustee (wasi). After me he will fight for the (true) interpretation of the Qur'an just like I fought for its revelation." He, may God bless him and his family, used to address meeting after meeting with words like these. Then he commissioned Usama b.

Zayd b. Haritha. He ordered and urged him to leave with many members of the community for where his father had been killed in the Byzantine (empire).