Twenty-Fifth Verse

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The commentary of the word of Allah, the High:

سَلاَمٌ عَلَى إِلْ يَاسِينَ

“Peace be on Aal Yaasin”[1]

In Ghaayah al-Maraam: Abu Noaim al-Isfahaani through his chain of narrators from al-A’mash from Mujaahed from Ibn Abbas concerning His saying, “Peace be on Aal Yaasin” who says, ‘Aal Yaasin refers to the progeny (Aal) of Muhammad (s.a.w.a.).”[2]

I say: Traditions from the Ahle Bait (a.s.) and from Ibn Abbas (r.a.) that state that the aforementioned verse should be read as ‘Aal Yaasin’ (with ‘madd’ on the alphabet alif) and not ‘Ilyaasin’ (with ‘kasrah’ on alif) are numerous.[3] In fact, in some of the traditions that terminate at Abu Abd al-Rahmaan al-Sullami, it is recorded, “Surely Umar Ibn al-Khattaab used to recite ‘Peace be on Aal Yaasin’ with ‘madd’. Abd al-Rahmaan said, ‘Aal Yaasin’ means the progeny of Muhammad (s.a.w.a.).[4]  

From the argument of our master Imam al-Reza (a.s.) in the assembly of Mamoon, it is clear that the aforementioned recitation was customary amongst the Muslims. He (a.s.) has used the verses to prove the selection of the Ahle Bait (a.s.) over the Ummah.

“As for the previous verse, the saying of Allah – Blessed and High be He – “Surely Allah and His angels bless the Prophet; O you who believe! Call for (Divine) blessings on him and salute him with a (becoming) salutation”[5] Indeed, the opponents from them knew that when this verse was revealed, it was said, ‘O Messenger of Allah! As for salutation upon you, we know. But how to call for divine blessings upon you?’ He (s.a.w.a.) replied, ‘You say: ‘O Allah! Send blessings Muhammad and the progeny of Muhammad like you have blessed Ibraheem and the progeny of Ibraheem. Surely, You are Praiseworthy, Majestic.’ Then, o people, does any one of you oppose this? They all replied, ‘No.’ Mamoon chipped in, ‘There can be no opposition to this at all and the Ummah is unanimous over it. Do you have anything clearer than this in favour of the progeny (of Muhammad) in the Quran?’ Imam Abu al-Hasan (a.s.) replied, ‘Yes. Inform me about the saying of Allah – Mighty and Majestic be He – Yaasin?’ The scholars replied, ‘Yaasin refers to Muhammad (s.a.w.a.) and none doubts about it.’ Imam Abu al-Hasan (a.s.) said, ‘Surely, Allah granted Muhammad and the progeny of Muhammad (s.a.w.a.) from this an excellence, none can reach to the depth of its description except the one who thinks about it. For surely Allah did not send salutations except upon the Prophets (a.s.). So, He – Blessed and High be He – said, “Peace and salutation to Nuh among the nations”[6] “Peace be on Ibrahim”[7] “Peace be on Moosa and Haroon”[8] But He did not say ‘Peace be on the progeny of Nuh’ or ‘Peace be on the progeny of Moosa’ or ‘Peace be on the progeny of Ibrahim’. But He said, ‘Peace be on the progeny of Yaasin’ that is, the progeny of Muhammad (s.a.w.a.).”[9]

None of the scholars present in the assembly of Mamoon refuted our master Imam al-Reza (a.s.) that it should be read as Ilyaasin and not Aal Yaasin, which proves the fact that its recitation of Aal Yaasin was accepted and acknowledged.

Here, it is remarkable that Allamah Raazi – despite his sceptical approach in most of the matters, to the extent that he was given the epithet of ‘the leader of the sceptics’ – is firm about the usage of the ‘madd’ in the recitation and has argued through the aforementioned verse in the equality of the Ahle Bait (a.s.) with the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) in sending salutations upon them.[10] It manifests very explicitly that he used to recite it as ‘Aal’ in a way that there was no scope for any doubt whatsoever. Otherwise, he would have definitely doubted about it and been sceptical about it as was his practise in all the instances.

When this has become apparent for you, then know that Allah – Blessed and High be He – has partnered the progeny of Ibraheem and the progeny of Imraan along with the Prophets (a.s.) in selection. He – Majestic is His Remembrance – says,

إِنَّ اللهَ اصْطَفَى آدَمَ وَنُوحًا وَآلَ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَآلَ عِمْرَانَ عَلَى الْعَالَمِينَ

“Surely Allah chose Adam and Nuh and the descendants of Ibraheem and the descendants of Imran above the nations.”[11]

But in sending salutations on the progeny of anyone of them (a.s.) in sending salutations upon them except the progeny of Muhammad (s.a.w.a.). This proves that Allah has bestowed them with an excellence and honour that is unmatchable and sans parallel. None can reach to the depth of its description except the one who thinks about it as has been stated by our master Imam al-Reza (a.s.).

Thus, with such an elevation status, he (a.s.) cannot be compared with anybody from the Ummah. Hence, it is unwise and irrational that Imamate and Caliphate is taken away from them and given to somebody else.

All praise is for Allah Who has guided us to this and guidance would not have been possible for us had Allah not guided us.