ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Completion of Argument Meaning of Bada (First published in Al-Jawwad, May-June 1955) The editor of Rizwan has written the next objection after ‘Forged Quran’ as: Bada (Change in Divine Will) The principle of Bada in Shia ideology is also very strange. They say that Bada happens to God.

It means that at times, God forbid, He performs an action due to His ignorance and then regrets it, and an interesting thing is that this belief is considered so important that no worship act is equal to it. Hence a whole chapter is devoted to Bada in Usul al-Kafi , the famous religious book of Shias.

A tradition is mentioned on page 84 of Usul al-Kafi that Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (as) said, “If people come to know about the reward in the belief of Bada they would not neglect it.” Another tradition says: Zurarah says that Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (as) said, “Allah does not give prophethood to anyone unless He makes him confess to five things: Bada, Mashiyyat (Will of God), Prostration, Worship and Obedience.” It is quite strange that this issue is mentioned in the reliable book of Shias.

Then it is surprising that those people believe in such a God Who regrets over His own actions, and has to change His opinion. It is as if He is Fazlul Haq, the Governor of Bengal, who at first deposed against Pakistan and then regretted it. Please ignore the literary aspects of these statements because meanings expressed therein are so funny themselves that there is no time to pay any attention to the words. After reading this objection I was not able to control my laughter at many places.

Before clarifying the real objection, I feel it necessary to pen down my remarks for the entertainment of the readers. Firstly the Rizwan editor says, “It means that at times, (God forbid), He performs an action due to His ignorance and lack of knowledge and then regrets it,” I am surprised that the self-made explanation of Bada is same as the discussion of ‘Mus’haf-e-Fatima’ and ‘Jame’.

The account regarding the two books is that after the passing away of the Messenger of Allah (S) Allah sent an angel to comfort Lady Sayyida Fatima in her grief who used to discuss the heavenly secrets and divine knowledge while Amirul Momineen (as) used to note down those words. The same writing is called ‘Mus’haf-e-Fatima’.