Al-Mubahala Verse: Difference between revisions

In the comments for this verse in his ''[[al-Kashshaf (book)|al-Kashshaf]]'', [[al-Zamakhshari]] says that: "Bringing children and women to Mubahala showed more confidence than going alone; because the Prophet (s) brought his most beloved ones to the war which was supposed to inflict the curse upon each of the parties and God mentions them [sons and women] prior to the selves to show their importance over one's own self." Then al-Zamakhshari says, "This is a proof for the eminence of [[Ashab al-Kisa']] and there is no stronger reason than that."<ref>Zamakhsharī, ''Tafsīr al-kashshāf'', vol. 1, p. 369-370.</ref>

{{Main|al-Bara'a Verse}}

When the Bara'a verses addressing the polytheists of Mecca were [[revealed]], Prophet (s) initially appointed [[Abu Bakr]] to proclaim these verses to the polytheists of Mecca. However, [[Gabriel]] brought a message from God to the Prophet (s) that: these verses should be proclaimed either by you or someone who belongs to you.<ref>Ibn Ḥanbal, ''al-Mawsūʿa al-ḥadītha Musnad Ḥanbal'', vol. 2, p. 427.</ref> Therefore, the Prophet (s) appointed Imam 'Ali (a) who was introduced as the soul of the Prophet (s) in al-Mubahala Verse to proclaim these verses.<ref>Wāqidī, ''al-Maghāzī'', vol.3, p. 1077; Mufīd, ''al-Irshād'', p. 33.</ref>

[[Al-Ma'mun al-'Abbasi|Al-Ma'mun]] asked [[Imam al-Rida (a)]] about the greatest merit of Imam 'Ali (a) in the Qur'an. Imam (a) said: His merit in the event of Mubahala; the Prophet (s) called al-Hasan (a) and al-Husayn (a) who were his sons, he (s) called Fatima (a) who was the instance for women in this verse and called 'Ali (a) who is, according to divine decree, the soul of the Prophet (s). There is no creature superior to the Prophet (s); therefore, based on divine decree, there must be no creature superior to the soul of the Prophet (s). <ref>Mufīd, ''al-Fuṣūl al-mukhtāra'', p. 38.</ref>