The Shi‘ah seek blessings through these symbols only to show...

The Shi‘ah seek blessings through these symbols only to show respect to their leaders and forerunners of the religion of God and to express their sincere love for them. When the Shi‘ah kiss part of the shrine or its doors or walls during their visitation to the holy shrine of the Prophet (S) and his ( ‘a ), it is only because they love the Holy Prophet (S) and his progeny, and this is an issue of human emotion, which manifests itself in the person in love.

A sweet-tongued man of letter says: "أمر على الديار ديار سلمى أقبل ذا الجدار و ذا الجدار و ما حب الديار شغفن قلبي ولكن حب من سكن الديار. By Layla’s residence I pass; I kiss this wall and that wall. It is not the love of residence that gladdens my heart; rather, the love of its dweller. [^1]: Surah Yusuf 12:93. [^2]: Surah Yusuf 12:96. [^3]: Sahih al-Bukhari (Egypt), vol. 2, “Kitab al-Hajj,” “Bab Taqbil al-Hajar,” pp. 151-152. [^4]: Sahih al-Bukhari (Egypt), vol.

3, “Kitab ma Yajuz min ash-Shurut fi’l-Islam,” “Bab ash-Shurut fi’l-Jihad wa’l-Masalahah,” p. 195. [^5]: Al-Isabah (Egypt), vol. 1, “Khutbah al-Kitab,” p. 7. [^6]: Muhammad Tahir al-Makki, Tabarruk as-Sahabah, trans. Ansari, chap. 1, p. 29. [^7]: Sahih Muslim, vol. 7, “Kitab al-Fada’il,” “Bab Qurb an-Nabi (S) min an-Nas wa Tabarrukihim bihi,” p. 79. For more information, refer to the following references: Sahih al-Bukhari, “Kitab al-Ashribah”; Malik, Al-Muwatta’, vol.

1, the section on invoking blessings to the Prophet (S), p. 138; Asad al-Ghabah, vol. 5, p. 90; Musnab Ahmad ibn Hanbal, vol. 4, p. 32; Al-Isti‘ab, vol. 3, at the margin of “al-Isabah,” p. 631; Fath al-Bari, vol. 1, pp. 281-282. Previous…