Ibn Taymiyyah & The Shia'

Poetic Justice: IbnTaymiyyah's Poem

Ejaz Taj

This poem and its simple yet enduring message is the intended purpose of the writing of this short article. From it we derive the very methodology by which we live our lives and view this blessed religion of ours."

We find that for every individual blessed and tested with the heavy responsibility of prophethood, there will be many from amongst his most vehement rejecters and likewise many will become his most ardent supporters. Many may once have been his fiercest opponents yet when the Light of Allah finally penetrated their constricted hearts, they experienced an equivocal freedom. This sense of freedom was what they dedicated their lives to propagating so that others too may taste the sweetness of faith based upon the truth which is far removed from speculation.

Looking back in history before the advent of Muhammad (peace be upon him) at the struggles of the Prophets of old, we see that many of the greatest amongst them were fortified with a group of diligent companions who would shadow their every step, memorise their every word, and live by every one of their teachings. It was Moses who was sent on a mission accompanied by his brother Haron. Both were then accompanied by a number of righteous companions from the Children of Israel who remained in a state of gratitude to the special status conferred upon them by the Most High. Jesus the son of Mary was given the company of his Hawariyyoon (disciples). Correspondingly, so too was our Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) blessed with a people, his companions who lived with him, learned from him, were expelled from their lands with him, migrated with him, fought alongside him, sacrificed with him and for him, and tasted every hardship and rejection that their most beloved faced. Such was his love for these men and women of intense loyalty and unshakeable faith that he declared,

"Do not curse the Companions, for by the One in Whose hand is my soul, if any one of you spent the equivalent of Mount Uhud in gold, he would not attain the level of any one of them, or even reach half way." [Reported by Bukhari and Muslim]

«لا تسبوا أصحابي. لا تسبوا أصحابي. فوالذي نفسي بيده! لو أن أحدكم أنفق مثل أحد ذهبا، ما أدرك مد أحدهم، ولا نصيفه» رواه البخاري ومسلم واللفظ لمسلم

Yet despite this, the devil, may he be cursed, was forever relentless. He would dispatch his soldiers from all directions in order to appropriate souls that would otherwise accompany the Creator's Messenger (peace be upon him) on the Day of Reckoning, defiling their beliefs and corrupting their actions until their blackened hearts would send them headfirst into the Fire of Hell, doomed to eternal chastisement. Preying upon the weaknesses of mankind, man's unceasing quest for fame, status and a heart that is constantly ablaze with the flame of pride, envy and jealousy, the devil sought the formation of an evil new creed, the origins of which sprung forth, at least in part, from the blackened actions of a man named 'Abdullah ibn Saba.

This sordid creed is none other than that of the path of Rejectionism (or 'Rafd' in Arabic), its adherents known as the Rafidah or the Twelver Imaamiyyah Shi'ah. It is in this creed that the mandatory love, respect and honour for those whom the Prophet (peace be upon him) revered is purposely insulted. They sought to curse, insult, slander, and cast doubts upon the honour and righteousness of these individuals by accusing them of thievery, swindling, bad manners, deceitfulness, immoral behaviour, corruption, injustice, and worst of all, charging the vast majority of them with disbelief. Moreover, they raise their own Imams to a level above even that of the Prophets, attributing to them infallibility in all matters.

The spread of this ideology would continue, constantly refuted and contained by the established Muslim scholarship of every generation which continues until this day. Yet it was in 661 AH that the Almighty gave life to an individual, a reviver of the religion whose scholarship, works and selfless service would ensure his legacy would remain alive for generations to come. He was a towering intellect with a wealth of knowledge in every Islamic science, dedicating his life to propagating and clarifying the true and pure Islamic creed while refuting various deviant ideologies. A man whose name would echo throughout history and send waves throughout Islamic scholarship for centuries to come, Ahmad ibn 'Abd Al Haleem ibn 'Abd Al Salaam ibn Taymiyyah Al Harani, better known as Shaikh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah.

Amongst the most prevalent deviant ideologies of his time was creed of Rejectionism. Sometime during the period between 704H and 709H, it was brought to Ibn Taymiyyah's attention that a Shi'ite scholar by the name of Muttahhir Al-Hilli[1] had authored a treatise in defence of the Rafidite concept of Imaamate. The book was written specifically for the Mongolian ruler of Persia at the time, Oljaitu (also named by his people as Khuda-banda, Man of God), and was also widely distributed to the many sub-rulers and laypeople who had little grounding in their religion. Oljaitu was born a Christian but later on accepted Islam along with his brother. After some time he developed an affinity for Shi'ism due partly to a marital incident that occurred in his life, but mainly due to the influence of Mutahhir Al-Hilli with whom he had developed a close relationship. Al-Hilli wrote for Oljaitu a work entitled Minhaaj Al-Karaamah fee Ma'rifatil Imaamah (The Blessed Pathways in the Recognition of Imaamate) extolling the virtues of the core Shi'ite belief of Imaamate (as opposed to the core tenets of Islam laid down in the Qur'an and Sunnah) in an attempt to sway his belief away from mainstream Sunni Islam to that of Rejectionism. He eventually succumbed and adopted Shi'ism around 709-710 AH as well as announcing it as the official state religion of the time, even necessitating the mention of the 12 imams from then onwards in the Friday sermon.

The book itself was distributed far and wide and when it was brought to the attention of Ibn Taymiyyah by the sincere amongst Ahl al-Sunnah, he was urged to refute the misconceptions and outright falsehoods found within it. Ibn Taymiyyah felt bound by the heavenly covenant taken by those blessed with knowledge and entrusted with the inheritance of the Prophets, mentions at this juncture:

"So, when they (those who brought Minhaaj Al-Karaamah to his attention) kept pushing me in seeking a refutation to this clear misguidance, mentioning that not doing so would be a disgrace to the believers and that the people of transgression (from whom originated these ideologies) would begin to think that we are unable to provide answers in the face of these slanders, I wrote what Allah made easy for me in answering them and by way of fulfilling the promise that He has taken from the people of knowledge amongst the believers that they stand up for justice and in bearing witness to Him. Allah has said, "O you who believe! Stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to Allah, even though it be against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin, be he rich or poor, Allah is a Better Protector to both (than you). So follow not the lusts (of your hearts), lest you may avoid justice, and if you distort your witness or refuse to give it, verily, Allah is Well-Acquainted with what you do."[An-Nisaa 4:135]

{يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا كُونُوا قَوَّامِينَ بِالْقِسْطِ شُهَدَاءَ لِلَّـهِ وَلَوْ عَلَىٰ أَنفُسِكُمْ أَوِ الْوَالِدَيْنِ وَالْأَقْرَبِينَ ۚ إِن يَكُنْ غَنِيًّا أَوْ فَقِيرًا فَاللَّـهُ أَوْلَىٰ بِهِمَا ۖ فَلَا تَتَّبِعُوا الْهَوَىٰ أَن تَعْدِلُوا ۚ وَإِن تَلْوُوا أَوْ تُعْرِضُوا فَإِنَّ اللَّـهَ كَانَ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ خَبِيرًا} النساء 135

Transliteration:Ya ayyuha allatheena amanoo koonoo qawwameena bialqisti shuhadaa lillahi walaw AAala anfusikum awi alwalidayni waalaqrabeena in yakun ghaniyyan aw faqeeran faAllahu awla bihima fala tattabiAAoo alhawa an taAAdiloo wain talwoo aw tuAAridoo fainna Allaha kana bima taAAmaloona khabeeran

Thus distorting ["Al-Layyu" from "wa laa talwoo" in the verse] is changing one's witness and to refuse to give it is in actuality to conceal it. For Allah the Most Exalted has indeed ordained truthfulness and its articulation whilst forbidding deceit and concealment of it in as much as what is needed to make it known and for it to be understood." [2]

'Indeed this book Minhaaj As-Sunnah An-Nabawiyyah of Ibn Taymiyyah was written with the intended purpose of serving as a thorough reply and refutation to what was said in (Al-Hilli's) Minhaaj Al-Karamah. You will find it a comprehensive refutation of deviant groups, specifically the Twelver Imaamiyyah Shi'ite who are identified by their extremism in their beliefs regarding their Imams, namely, their raising of them to a level above even that of the angels and Messengers. They are also known by their belief that the Qur'an has been distorted, and of course, their outright cursing of the honourable and upright companions of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him). These were the very companions who strove with their lives and their wealth to propagate the true religion and in raising the Word of Monotheism throughout the regions of the earth.'

The book itself is a marvel to behold. The sheer depth of Ibn Taymiyyah's knowledge of history, fiqh (jurisprudence), hadith, Qur'anic exegesis, language, philosophy, human psychology, logic and knowledge of the inner workings of the various other sects and religions is in and of itself awe-inspiring. Many of his other works will generally focus on a specific area yet in Minhaaj As-Sunnah you will see him draw upon every science and every angle to answer hundreds of issues in defence of the pure creed of Ahl al-Sunnah.

In keeping with the core rationale of Ibn Taymiyyah's work on Minhaaj As-Sunnah, he composes an elegant poem in refutation of Al-Hilli's poetry which encourages the disavowal of Islamic scholarship in favour of Shi'ite narrations, which for all intents and purposes are overrun either by unknown and untraceable narrators, or chains of narration that are extremely lacking.

Ibn Taymiyyah writes this piece as a beautiful reminder of the characteristics of the Straight Path made clear for one possessed of a pure heart and an unwavering sincerity to seek the truth. This poem and its simple yet enduring message is the intended purpose of the writing of this short article. From it we derive the very methodology by which we live our lives and view this blessed religion of ours.

The erudite polymath, Shaikh Al Islam, Taqi al-deen Abu al-Abbas Ahmad ibn Abd al-Haleem, from the family of Taymiyyah, wrote:

When you wish to content yourself with a creed (madhab [3])

Receiving by which, a closeness (to Allah) and deliverance from the Fire

Then profess (a creed) made from the Book of Allah and the Sunnah which

Reached us by way of the Messenger of Allah and was conveyed by the very best (of people)!

And leave off innovation and the religion of Rejectionism [4] which

Would only serve to lead you, the one who calls to it, to the Fire of Hell and a shameful disgrace

Rather travel behind the Companions of the Messenger (in their path) for indeed they are

The stars of guidance, the very light of which guides those traversing the Path

So depart [5] in droves from the Way of Rejectionism for it is an establishment

Upon disbelief, its foundations laid on a crumbling precipice [6]

Thus they are two separate courses (leading to) either guidance and bliss -

Or (leading to) a miserable existence sharing the same delusions as the disbelievers [7]

So which of these two groups has the greatest right to His (Allah's) Protection -

And guidance to the right path when the Creator passes His Judgement!

(Will it really be) the one who curses the companions of the Messenger and opposes the Book of Allah

And has not a care for affirming the reports (i.e. the ahadith) [8]

(Or will it be) the one who firmly takes the Revelation as his example and traverses the methodology of

The Companions while encompassed by love for the blessed, pure kinfolk of Muhammad [peace be upon him] (the Ahl al-Bayt)? [9]


_______________________

Footnotes:
[1] He is Jamalud-Deen Abu-Mansoor Al-Hassan bin Yusuf bin 'Ali bin Al-Mutahhir Al-Hilli, a Shi'ite scholar born in 648H and died two years before Ibn Taymiyyah in 726AH. He moved from his native Iraq to Persia and was quite influential in the court of Oljaitu Khudabanda.

[2] Ibn Taymiyyah. Minhaaj As-Sunnah. Vol 1, Chapter The necessity of the scholars to convey the knowledge and to clarify the misguidance of the Rawāfiḍ

[3] Its important to note how the meaning and connotations of a word can change depending on its context, even more so within the framework of Islamic sciences. A single word may have a separate literal meaning yet its definition changes when that word is used say within the sciences of hadith, fiqh, 'aqeedah etc. The word "Madhab" used here will be associated by most people to a Fiqh school of jurisprudence from amongst the four Sunni orthodox established schools of Imam Abu Hanifa, Malik, Ash-Shaafi'i or Ahmad bin Hambal, May Allah have mercy upon them all. However linguistically the word is derived from its root "dhahaba" meaning "to go". The specific form pattern in which the word "Madhab" appears is known in grammatical terminology as an "ism makaan", i.e. the place where the action of the root verb is carried out. For example the root verb "sajada" meaning "to prostrate", when placed into the "ism makaan" form pattern results in the word "masjid", i.e. the place where the sajdah is carried out by people. Thus the word "madhab" literally means a path or a methodology that is traversed. In the context of this poem, it refers to a set of beliefs, one's creed or 'aqeedah that they are to follow if they want to the success of what is mentioned in the following lines. This is proved by the second part of the first line, "Receiving by which a closeness to Allah and deliverance from the Fire". This obviously cannot be in reference to a fiqh madhab since differences within jurisprudence and derived rulings on issues not related to belief have been ongoing since the time of the companions, may Allah be pleased with them all. Differences amongst the scholars on fiqh issues are not causes for disbelief nor is it possible then for there to be only one single (fiqh) madhab that would deliver one from the Fire of Hell. Thus the verse clearly is in reference to a Creed that one professes, a madhab of Belief that is eloquently described in the verses that follow it.

[4] The Religion of Rejectionism, i.e. Twelver Imaamiyyah Shi'aism

[5] The verb "'Ajja" as used here refers to a swarming mass, something that is absolutely teeming with the subject of the verb. In this verse it is used in the imperative form (amr), an order even, for the masses who have a sincere care for their Hereafter, literally run away in droves from such a destructive, evil path. Imagine the scenes one sees when a natural disaster occurs, how large masses of people are all fleeing in one direction. This is the kind of imagery Ibn Taymiyyah seeks to portray in this line, since what the people are running away from is far more dangerous than any worldly, physical danger a mass of people may flee from.

[6] A beautiful yet threatening similitude is made here between the establishment of this sordid creed and that of "Masjid Diraar" which Allah mentions in Surah Tawbah [9: 107-110]. Masjid Diraar was a place of worship built in Madinah by the hypocrites at the time of the Prophet (saw) with a secret, hidden intention, serving as an outpost for the launch of attacks against Muslim. The Prophet (saw) received revelation informing him of the true nature of this "masjid" and the real intentions of those who built it. Within these ayaat Allah mentions "Then is one who laid the foundation of his building on righteousness [with fear] from Allah and [seeking] His approval better or one who laid the foundation of his building on the edge of a bank about to collapse ('alaa shafaa jurufin haar), so it collapsed with him into the fire of Hell?" [Al Tawba 9:109]

{أَفَمَنْ أَسَّسَ بُنْيَانَهُ عَلَىٰ تَقْوَىٰ مِنَ اللَّـهِ وَرِضْوَانٍ خَيْرٌ أَم مَّنْ أَسَّسَ بُنْيَانَهُ عَلَىٰ شَفَا جُرُفٍ هَارٍ فَانْهَارَ بِهِ فِي نَارِ جَهَنَّمَ ۗ وَاللَّـهُ لَا يَهْدِي الْقَوْمَ الظَّالِمِينَ} التوبة 109

Transliteration: Afaman assasa bunyanahu AAala taqwa mina Allahi waridwanin khayrun am man assasa bunyanahu AAala shafa jurufin harin fainhara bihi fee nari jahannama waAllahu la yahdee alqawma alththalimeena

So how fitting is it then that a methodology that claims Islam for itself, yet curses those very same noble men and women who sincerely strove for it and were responsible for its preservation and propagation, is now compared to Masjid Dirar? A place built by a group of men with the same kind of diseased hearts who claimed Islam openly yet secretly conspired against it and its tenets. Without doubt Ibn Taymiyyah was right, this creed too is built on a crumbling precipice by those claiming Islam, inevitably to crumble without trace into the pits of the Fire along with the hypocrites who built it!

[7] This is in reference to those that profess the creed of Rejectionism. They themselves claim Islam and the title of "Muslim" however the reality of their status is completely different. Thus they may see themselves as Muslims, separating themselves by name however they are one and the same and thus in effect "sharing the same delusions" and ultimately the end of those they claim to be different from.

[8] This is a lengthy topic within itself but this line in essence refers to complete lack of critique and science even, when it comes to hadeeth narrations and authentications. They reject established books of hadeeth, seeking to attack the narrators within them however their own books are full of untraceable fabrications, no concept of authentication, huge gaps often generations in size within their chains of narration, complete lack of chain of narration many times as well as the mention of numerous unknown narrators who cannot be traced nor have any records attesting to their character or lives even. This is all in stark contrast to the science of Hadeeth within Ahlus Sunnah in which everything is meticulously checked, verified and documented. The opposite of what is mentioned in this verse, "Ithbaatul Akhbaar"

[9] As Ibn Taymiyyah states in his Aqeedah Al-Waasitiyyah, "They (i.e., the Sunnis) love the people of the household of the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him); they regard them with love and loyalty, and they heed the command of the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) concerning them… but they reject the way of the Rafidah [the Shia] who hate the Sahaabah and slander them, and they reject the way of the Naasibis who insult Ahl al-Bayt in words and deed". Thus it is incumbent upon us to love and respect both and it is from the way of the people of Rejectionism to go to extremes by cursing one and venerating the other, creating an imaginary divide and rifts between the two when there isn't one


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