Part 37: The Ahlul Bayt are included in the sanctity of Allah

In the discussion that the Ahlul Bayt (a.s.) are included in the sanctity of Allah

Almighty Allah says:

ذَلِكَ وَمَنْ يُعَظِّمْ حُرُمَاتِ اللَّهِ فَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لَهُ عِنْدَ رَبِّهِ.

And whoever respects the sanctified ordinances of Allah, it is better for him with his Lord. (Surah Haj 22:30)

Respect is a matter in blessing whose observance is necessary and its insult and disrespect is disallowed. Some commentators say that it refers to the rituals of Hajj and some have said that it refers to the Ka’ba, Mecca, the months of Haram (respect) and the Sanctified Mosque (masjidul Haraam).

Ibne Babawayh narrates with authentic chains from Imam Sadiq (a.s.) that there are three sanctities of Allah, and nothing equals them in this regard. (i) the Book of Allah which is Allah’s wisdom and light (ii) The holy Ka’ba which is the prayer direction (Qibla) for the people and a person’s Prayer is not accepted if he prays in some other direction and (iii) The Aale Muhammad (a.s.).

Among the Ahle Sunnat there is a tradition from Abu Saeed that the Holy Prophet (S) said: There are some venerated things of Allah, Allah will protect the religion and worldly matters of those who maintain their respect. And one who does not maintain their respect the Almighty would not protect any of his matters and those respects are-(i) Respect of Islam, (ii) My respect and (iii) respect of my Ahlul Bayt (a.s.).

There is a tradition from Jabir Ibne Abdullah Ansari that he says: I heard the Holy Prophet (S) that on the day of Judgement three things would complain (i) Holy Quran (ii) the Mosque and (iii) My Ahlul Bayt (a.s.). The Quran would say: O Allah, changes have been made in me and I have been torn apart. The Mosque would complain: I was left empty and was disrespected. And my Ahlul Bayt (a.s.) would say: O Allah, we were killed by the unjust people and they removed us from our homes leaving us homeless. At that time I would sit with folded legs to contend with the people and the Almighty Allah would say: In this matter I have more right to contend with these people.

Dailami from the Ahle Sunnat traditionists in Firdausul Akhbar has narrated a tradition that Allah has five most celebrated respects (i) Respect for the Holy Prophet (S) (ii) Respect for the Ahlul Bayt of the Prophet (a.s.) (iii) Respect for the book of Allah (iv) Respect for Ka’ba and (v) Respect of the believer.

Ibne Mahyar from authentic chains has related from Imam Moosa Kazim (a.s.) and he quotes his respected father that: ‘And whoever respects the sanctified ordinances of Allah’ refers to three venerated objects and their respect is obligatory on everyone and whoever leaves even one of them, has associated someone or something with Allah. First is the respect of the Ka’ba which is made respectful by Allah, second rendering ineffective the book of Allah and acting against it and thirdly to severe our love and obedience which was made incumbent by Allah.1

  • 1. The writer says: From this verse and from authentic traditions from Shias and Ahle Sunnat it is apparent that to respect the Prophet (s.a.) and the Guiding Imams (a.s.) in their lifetime or after their passing away is obligatory. In the same way it is obligatory to accord respect to all those things that are associated with them like their Mausoleums and their tomb enclosures (Zarih), their relics, sayings, descendants and the Sayyids who follows their way and the narrators of their traditions and the scholars of their sciences, because their respect is due to the respect of those noble personages.