This aspect of identity is of prime importance because it...
This aspect of identity is of prime importance because it imbues the personality with the capability of adjusting and coexisting with all humans in order to resist sieges and isolation imposed by political, social, economic and mentally demanding circumstances. b) Specifications of Identity The previously mentioned aspects are obvious from a review of the specifications of identity as presented by the (‘a) to their followers: 1.
Name The (‘a) gave the name Shi`ah (partisans), mu'min (faithful believer), and muwali (loyalist) to the individuals of the virtuous community. The following traditions bespeak these names and titles: Abu-Basir has reported that Imam al-Baqir (‘a) said to those accompanying him: لِيُهْنِئْكُمُ الإسْمُ. Fitting for you is the name! “Which name is that? May Allah accept me as ransom for you!” Abu-Basir asked. The Imam (‘a) answered: الشِّيعَةُ. Shi`ah.
“The people are using this name to dishonor us,” one of the companions complained. The Imam (‘a) replied: "وَإِنَّ مِنْ شِيعَتِهِ لَإِبْرَاهِيمَ" "فَاسْتَغَاثَهُ الَّذِي مِنْ شِيعَتِهِ عَلَى الَّذِي مِنْ عَدُوِّه"ِ فَلْيُهْنِئْكُمُ الإسْمُ. (Almighty Allah says in the Holy Qur'an,) “Most surely, Abraham was one of his (Noah’s) followers (Shi`ah).” (37:83) “He who was of his party (Shi`ah) cried out to him for help against him who was of his enemies.” (28:15) So, fitting for you is the name.
[^1] In this tradition, the Imam (‘a) connects the name of Shi`ah with its historical root, that is Prophet Abraham (‘a) who was one of the Shi`ah of Prophet Noah (‘a). He also infers the name from the Holy Qur'an. Confirming this fact, Abu-Basir reported that he heard Imam al-Sadiq (‘a) saying: نَحْنُ أَهْلُ بَيْتِ الرَّحْمَةِ، وَبَيْتِ النِّعْمَةِ، وَبَيْتِ الْبَرَكَةِ. وَنَحْنُ فِي الأَرْضِ بُنْيَانٌ. وَشِيعَتُنَا عُرَى الإسْلاَمِ، وَمَا كَانَتْ دَعْوَةُ إبْرَاهِيمَ إلاَّ لَنَا وَشِيعَتِنَا.
وَلَقَدِ إسْتَثْنَى اللهُ إلَى يَوْمِ الْقِيَامَةِ إلَى إبْلِيسَ فَقَالَ: "إِنَّ عِبَادِي لَيْسَ لَكَ عَلَيْهِمْ سُلْطَانٌ We are the Household of mercy, the House of grace, and the House of blessing. In the earth, we are the structure and our Shi`ah are the handles of Islam. The prayer of (Prophet) Abraham (‘a) was for none save us and our Shi`ah.
Up to the Day of Resurrection, Almighty Allah has excluded us from the sway of Iblis, saying, “Surely, as regards My servants, you have no authority over them.
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