Index: Why the names of Ahle Bait (as) are not mentioned in Holy Quran?
1. Allah’s Sunnah
2. Distortion in the Quran
3. Examination
4. General vs Specifics
5. Example of the past nations
6. People of the Reminder
The opponents of Shias raise doubts about Imamat on the ground that had it been so important then the Ahle Bait (a.s.) or the Imams (a.s.) would certainly have been named in the Holy Quran so that the Muslims could take guidance.
Reply
Examination of the Muslims
Allah the All-Knowing has examined the nations in various ways as highlighted by the Holy Quran.
Some are examined through fear and hunger (Surah Baqarah (2): Verse 155); angels were examined regarding the prostration to Adam (a.s.) (Surah Hijr (15):Verses 28-30); Jews were examined when they were prohibited to fish on the Sabbath (Saturday) (Surah Baqarah (2): Verse 65) and finally every individual and nation is examined at different levels and in different ways.
It is reported that among the examinations of the Muslim nation is regarding the successor of Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.). Allah the All-Aware has examined Ameerul Momineen Ali Ibn Abi Talib (a.s.) with unprecedented tribulations and He has examined the Muslim nation through Ali Ibn Abi Talib (a.s.). In this way Allah has raised Ali Ibn Abi Talib (a.s.) as a litmus test so as to identify His Friends and the Friends of His Prophet (s.a.w.a.).
- Kanz Jaame al-Fawaaed
- Kashf al-Ghummah
- Taaweel al-Aayaat al-Zaaherah
- Behaar al-Anwaar vol. 24 p. 181 and vol. 36 p. 160
To that end, Allah the High has made a general reference to the Ahle Bait (a.s.) and the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) has provided the details. Hence, Allah the Almighty has examined the Muslims – whether they obey Allah and obey the Prophet’s (s.a.w.a.) instruction about the Ahle Bait (a.s.) or offer lame excuses like they have been doing all these centuries.
The Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.) was aware that Muslims would disobey him (s.a.w.a.) regarding the Ahle Bait (a.s.) and warned them: It is not far that a man will usurp the throne (claiming caliphate) citing my tradition which I had not said, he will say, ‘between you and me is the Book, whatever is the lawful in it we will follow them and whatever is unlawful in it we will identify it’. (Then he (s.a.w.a.) said) ‘Beware that whatever the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) has made unlawful, Allah also had made unlawful’
- Sunan Tirmidhi vol. 2 p. 110
- Al-Mustadrak alaa al-Saheehain vol. 1 p. 8
Another reliable report states – the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) will call out at the Pond (Hauz): ‘…they are my followers, and it would be said to him (s.a.w.a.): You do not know what they did after you and I (i.e. the Holy Prophet) will say to them: Woe to him who changes (his religion) after me.’
- Saheeh Muslim tradition 2,291 under Book 43 – Book of Virtues, report 31 and Book 30 – report 5,682
Strangely, Muslim records this tradition among the ‘Virtues of Companions’! If altering religion counts as virtue, only Allah knows what is indecency and sin!! Take lesson, O people of eyes!