a) In a lengthy discussion on some characteristics of the...

a) In a lengthy discussion on some characteristics of the Prophet and of his companions, Bukhari reports the following: Whenever the Prophet made the ritual ablution, [1] Sahih al-Bukhari, part 2, the book of al-Hajj; sub-section: Taqbil al-Hajar, p. 151-2, printed in Egypt.

the Muslims (who were there) almost killed each other (over obtaining some of the water).[1] b) Ibn Hajar reports: Children were brought to the Prophet, to be blessed, and he prayed for them.[2] c) Muhammad Tahir Makki reports: Umm Thabit is quoted to have said ' The Messenger of God, peace be upon him and his descendents came to me. He drank water out of a suspending water-pouch while he was standing. (When he had finished) I cut off the outlet of the pouch (to keep it as something blessed).

Makki then adds: this narration has been cited by Tirmidhi, who called it sound and hasan. The commentator of this tradition says, in Riyad al-Salihin, Umm Thabit cut the outlet of the pouch off to save it as a reminder of where the Prophet's lips had touched while he was drinking water, and as something to seek blessings thereof.

Those who accompanied the Prophet also used to drink water out of what the Prophet had drunk.[3] d) Those who had (volunteered) to serve in Medina used to carry pots of water to the Prophet before the morning prayers. The holy Prophet dipped his hand in the pots one by one; he still dipped his hand in water even if they came to him in a cold morning.[4] [1] Sahih al-Bukhari, vol. 3, chapter: ma yajuzu min al-shuruti fi'l-ilsam; sub-section: al-shurutu fi'l-jihadi wa'l-musalahah, p. 195.

[2] Al-Isabah, vol. 1, the prelude, p. 7, printed in Egypt. [3] Muhammad Tahir al-Makki's Tabarruk al-Sahabah, chapter 1, p. 29, translated by Ansari. [4] Sahih Muslim, section 7, Kitab al-Fada'il, chapter: Qurbu al-Nabi min al-Nas wa Tabarrukuhum, p. 79. For further information see: These are clear permits to seeking blessings from what the Prophets have been in contact with.

Thus, those who accuse the Shiites of polytheism and dualism (because the Shiites believe in this issue) have misconceived or misinterpreted monotheism and polytheism, because polytheism means worshipping someone else beside God, or ascribing Godly affairs to someone else, and taking him to be principally independent and needless of God in existence and influencing (on others) .