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Imams of the Shi'a: Difference between revisions
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In addition to Shi'a hadiths, there are certain hadiths narrated in Sunni sources referring to twelve caliphs or imams after the [[Prophet (s)]]. During the 1st/7th century, there are hadiths narrated from some of the [[Companions|Companions of the Prophet (s)]], giving the good news about twelve imams (a) after the Prophet (s) which were being circulated in various meetings. Among those hadiths, the hadith narrated by [[Jabir b. Samura]] which is mentioned in both ''[[Sahih al-Bukhari]]'' and ''[[Sahih Muslim]]'' is the most famous one. In this hadith, it is mentioned that emirs (imams or caliphs) after the Prophet (s) are 12 from [[Quraysh]].<ref>see: al-Bukhari, ''Sahih al-Bukhari''. vol. 8, p. 127; Muslim b. al-Hajjaj, ''Sahih Muslim''. vol. 3, p. 1452-1453; Abu Dawud. ''Sunan''. vol. 4, p. 106</ref> This hadith which is among the most famous hadiths in the Islamic world, was first mentioned in Sunni sources and then in Shi'a sources.<ref>cf. al-Nu'mani, ''al-Ghayba'', p. 62; al-Shaykh al-Saduq, ''al-Khisal'', p. 469 ff; al-Khazzaz al-Qumi, ''Kifayat al-athar'', p. 49 ff; Ahmad b. A'yyash al-Jawhari,. ''Muqtadab al-athar'', p. 4</ref> | In addition to Shi'a hadiths, there are certain hadiths narrated in Sunni sources referring to twelve caliphs or imams after the [[Prophet (s)]]. During the 1st/7th century, there are hadiths narrated from some of the [[Companions|Companions of the Prophet (s)]], giving the good news about twelve imams (a) after the Prophet (s) which were being circulated in various meetings. Among those hadiths, the hadith narrated by [[Jabir b. Samura]] which is mentioned in both ''[[Sahih al-Bukhari]]'' and ''[[Sahih Muslim]]'' is the most famous one. In this hadith, it is mentioned that emirs (imams or caliphs) after the Prophet (s) are 12 from [[Quraysh]].<ref>see: al-Bukhari, ''Sahih al-Bukhari''. vol. 8, p. 127; Muslim b. al-Hajjaj, ''Sahih Muslim''. vol. 3, p. 1452-1453; Abu Dawud. ''Sunan''. vol. 4, p. 106</ref> This hadith which is among the most famous hadiths in the Islamic world, was first mentioned in Sunni sources and then in Shi'a sources.<ref>cf. al-Nu'mani, ''al-Ghayba'', p. 62; al-Shaykh al-Saduq, ''al-Khisal'', p. 469 ff; al-Khazzaz al-Qumi, ''Kifayat al-athar'', p. 49 ff; Ahmad b. A'yyash al-Jawhari,. ''Muqtadab al-athar'', p. 4</ref> | ||
In a lower level, a hadith narrated from [[Ibn Mas'ud]] can be mentioned which implies that the number of caliphs after the Prophet (s) are | In a lower level, a hadith narrated from [[Ibn Mas'ud]] can be mentioned which implies that the number of caliphs after the Prophet (s) are twelve as the same number of the chiefs of [[Banu Israel]].<ref>see: Ahmad b. Hanbal. ''Musnad Ahmad''. vol. 1, p. 398-406; Al-Hakim al-Naysaburi, ''al-Mustadrak 'ala al-sahihayn''. vol. 4, p. 501; cf. al-Nu'mani, ''al-Ghayba'', p. 74-75; al-Khazzaz al-Qumi, ''Kifayat al-athar'', p. 33 ff; Ahmad b. A'yyash al-Jawhari,. ''Muqtadab al-athar'', p. 3</ref> Sunni scholars give a different interpretation of these twelve imams and introduce people other than the Imams (a) of Shi'a. | ||
==Introducing the Imams (a) of Shi'a== | ==Introducing the Imams (a) of Shi'a== | ||
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====After the Prophet (s)==== | ====After the Prophet (s)==== | ||
On the day the Prophet (s) passed away, 'Ali (a) was | On the day the Prophet (s) passed away, 'Ali (a) was thirty-three years old. He (a) was superior to anyone in all religious merits and was distinguished among the companions and on several occasions, such as the [[event of Ghadir]], when the Prophet (s) introduced him as the [[caliph]] after himself, but people him aside from [[caliphate]] with the excuse that he (a) was young and had spilled much blood in the battles of the Prophet (s) which had earned him numerous enemies. Thus he was completely removed from all public affairs. After some objections, he (a) was isolated for 25 years (which lasted to the end of caliphate of the third caliph). During these twenty-five years he compiled the [[Qur'an]] and trained some individuals. After [[the Third Caliph]] was killed, people gave allegiance to 'Ali (a) and chose him as the caliph.<ref>Tabataba'i, ''Shi'a dar Islam'', p. 201</ref> | ||
He (a) was engaged in three wars during his caliphate which lasted almost four years and nine months: | He (a) was engaged in three wars during his caliphate which lasted almost four years and nine months: | ||
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Imam al-Hasan al-Mujtaba (a) and his brother, [[Imam al-Husayn (a)]], were two sons of [[Imam 'Ali (a)]] and [[Lady Fatima (s)]]. The [[Prophet (s)]] frequently is quoted saying, "al-Hasan (a) and al-Husayn (a) are my children".<ref>Tabataba'i, ''Shi'a dar Islam'', p. 205</ref> | Imam al-Hasan al-Mujtaba (a) and his brother, [[Imam al-Husayn (a)]], were two sons of [[Imam 'Ali (a)]] and [[Lady Fatima (s)]]. The [[Prophet (s)]] frequently is quoted saying, "al-Hasan (a) and al-Husayn (a) are my children".<ref>Tabataba'i, ''Shi'a dar Islam'', p. 205</ref> | ||
Imam al-Hasan (a) was born in [[3]]/625 in [[Medina]]. When he was | Imam al-Hasan (a) was born in [[3]]/625 in [[Medina]]. When he was seven years old, he lost his grandfather, the Prophet (s), and soon afterwards he lost his mother, lady Fatima (s).<ref>Tabataba'i, ''Shi'a dar Islam'', p. 205</ref> | ||
After the [[martyrdom]] of his father, he became the [[Imam]] following the [[God]]'s command and the will of Imam 'Ali (a) and for six months, he managed Muslims' affairs as the [[caliph]] of Muslims. During his caliphate, [[Mu'awiya]] who was a great enemy of 'Ali (a) and his family and had fought for years (seeking caliphate firstly through claiming revenge for the Third Caliph's death and then overtly claiming caliphate itself), moved his army towards [[Iraq]] which was the capital of Imam al-Hasan's (a) caliphate and waged a war against him. | After the [[martyrdom]] of his father, he became the [[Imam]] following the [[God]]'s command and the will of Imam 'Ali (a) and for six months, he managed Muslims' affairs as the [[caliph]] of Muslims. During his caliphate, [[Mu'awiya]] who was a great enemy of 'Ali (a) and his family and had fought for years (seeking caliphate firstly through claiming revenge for the Third Caliph's death and then overtly claiming caliphate itself), moved his army towards [[Iraq]] which was the capital of Imam al-Hasan's (a) caliphate and waged a war against him. | ||
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Imam al-Husayn (a), known as "[[Sayyid al-Shuhada']]" (English: Master of the martyrs), the second son of [[Imam 'Ali (a)]] and lady [[Fatima (s)]], was born in [[4]]/626 and became [[Imam]] after [[martyrdom]] of his brother, Imam al-Hasan (a), following the order of [[God]] and the will of Imam al-Hasan (a).<ref>Tabataba'i, ''Shi'a dar Islam'', p. 207</ref> | Imam al-Husayn (a), known as "[[Sayyid al-Shuhada']]" (English: Master of the martyrs), the second son of [[Imam 'Ali (a)]] and lady [[Fatima (s)]], was born in [[4]]/626 and became [[Imam]] after [[martyrdom]] of his brother, Imam al-Hasan (a), following the order of [[God]] and the will of Imam al-Hasan (a).<ref>Tabataba'i, ''Shi'a dar Islam'', p. 207</ref> | ||
Imam al-Husayn (a) was Imam for | Imam al-Husayn (a) was Imam for ten years and except the last six months, his imamate coincided with the caliphate of Mu'awiya, during which he (a) lived under great hardships and severe conditions. During the last 6 months of Imam al-Husayn's (a) imamate, Mu'awiya tried to establish the caliphate of his profligate son, [[Yazid]]. In the middle of 60/680, Mu'awiya died and his son acceded to power.<ref>Tabataba'i, ''Shi'a dar Islam'', p. 207-208</ref> | ||
====Imam al-Husayn's (a) Journey from Medina to Karbala==== | ====Imam al-Husayn's (a) Journey from Medina to Karbala==== | ||
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====In Karbala==== | ====In Karbala==== | ||
{{main|Event of 'Ashura'}} | {{main|Event of 'Ashura'}} | ||
Imam al-Husayn (a) and his companions were besieged by the army of [[Yazid]] about | Imam al-Husayn (a) and his companions were besieged by the army of [[Yazid]] about seventy kilometers away from [[Kufa]] in the desert of [[Karbala]]. During these eight days, the siege became tighter and tighter, and the number of the enemy's army increased. Soon, Imam al-Husayn (a), his family and his few companions were surrounded by circles of thirty thousand armed soldiers.<ref>Tabataba'i, ''Shi'a dar Islam'', p. 211-212</ref> | ||
During those days, the Imam (a) strengthened the position of his companions and refined them. He (a) gathered them at night, made a short speech and said, "we have nothing ahead but [[martyrdom]] and they have nothing to do with anyone except me. Here, I waive my rights to your allegiance with me, so anyone can benefit the darkness of night and save his life from this horrible danger. "<ref>Tabataba'i, ''Shi'a dar Islam'', p. 212</ref> | During those days, the Imam (a) strengthened the position of his companions and refined them. He (a) gathered them at night, made a short speech and said, "we have nothing ahead but [[martyrdom]] and they have nothing to do with anyone except me. Here, I waive my rights to your allegiance with me, so anyone can benefit the darkness of night and save his life from this horrible danger. "<ref>Tabataba'i, ''Shi'a dar Islam'', p. 212</ref> | ||
At the end of [[9 Muharram|9th day of Muharram]], the enemy gave the Imam (a) the final deadline and he (a) asked them for one more night and kept the night vigil and worshiped. The [[10 Muharram|10th of Muharram]] 61/680, the Imam (a) and his few companions (less than 90 people, | At the end of [[9 Muharram|9th day of Muharram]], the enemy gave the Imam (a) the final deadline and he (a) asked them for one more night and kept the night vigil and worshiped. The [[10 Muharram|10th of Muharram]] 61/680, the Imam (a) and his few companions (less than 90 people, forty of whom were old companions of the Imam (a), thirty some others joined the Imam (a) from the enemy's army and the rest were [[Hashimi]] relatives of the Imam (a), including his children, nephews and cousins) stood against the countless number of enemy's army and the war began.<ref>Tabataba'i, ''Shi'a dar Islam'', p. 212-213</ref> | ||
On that day, they fought from dawn to sunset and the Imam (a) and all his soldiers were [[martyr]]ed. Among the martyrs were two very young sons of [[Imam al-Hasan (a)]], a baby and Imam al-Husayn's (a) infant.<ref>Tabataba'i, ''Shi'a dar Islam'', p. 213</ref> | On that day, they fought from dawn to sunset and the Imam (a) and all his soldiers were [[martyr]]ed. Among the martyrs were two very young sons of [[Imam al-Hasan (a)]], a baby and Imam al-Husayn's (a) infant.<ref>Tabataba'i, ''Shi'a dar Islam'', p. 213</ref> | ||
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After returning to Medina, the fourth Imam (a) stayed at home, closed the door to strangers and engaged in [[worship]]ing [[God]] and did not accept to meet anyone except certain Shi'a such as [[Abu Hamza al-Thumali]], [[Abu Khalid al-Kabuli]] and alike. However, these certain people circulated the teachings they learned from the Imam (a) among Shi'a and doing so, Shi'a was promoted so that it bloomed at the time of [[Imam al-Baqir (a)|the fifth Imam (a)]].<ref>Tabataba'i, ''Shi'a dar Islam'', p. 216</ref> | After returning to Medina, the fourth Imam (a) stayed at home, closed the door to strangers and engaged in [[worship]]ing [[God]] and did not accept to meet anyone except certain Shi'a such as [[Abu Hamza al-Thumali]], [[Abu Khalid al-Kabuli]] and alike. However, these certain people circulated the teachings they learned from the Imam (a) among Shi'a and doing so, Shi'a was promoted so that it bloomed at the time of [[Imam al-Baqir (a)|the fifth Imam (a)]].<ref>Tabataba'i, ''Shi'a dar Islam'', p. 216</ref> | ||
''[[Sahifat al-Sajjadiyya]]'' is a collection of | ''[[Sahifat al-Sajjadiyya]]'' is a collection of fifty-seven of his [[supplication]]s. After thirty-five years of his [[imamate]], Imam al-Sajjad (a) was poisoned and [[martyr]]ed in 95/713 by [[Walid b. 'Abd al-Malik]] following the inducement of [[Hisham]], the Umayyad [[caliph]].<ref>Tabataba'i, ''Shi'a dar Islam'', p. 216-217</ref> | ||
=== Imam al-Baqir (a) === | === Imam al-Baqir (a) === | ||
{{main|Imam al-Baqir (a)}} | {{main|Imam al-Baqir (a)}} | ||
Imam Muhammad b. 'Ali (a), known as "Baqir al-'Ulum". This is a title the [[Prophet (s)]] had given him. Imam al-Baqir (a) was born in 57/733 and was | Imam Muhammad b. 'Ali (a), known as "Baqir al-'Ulum". This is a title the [[Prophet (s)]] had given him. Imam al-Baqir (a) was born in 57/733 and was four years old in the [[Battle of Karbala]]. After his great father, he (a) became the [[imam]] following the command of [[God]] and as his forefathers had mentioned. He (a) was [[martyr]]ed in 114/733 or 117/735. According to some [[hadith]]s from Shi'a, the Imam (a) was poisoned by [[Ibarahim b. Walid b. 'Abd al-Malik]], the nephew of Hisham, the Umayyad [[caliph]].<ref>Tabataba'i, ''Shi'a dar Islam'', p. 217</ref> | ||
At the time of the fifth Imam (a), there were frequent fights and revolts due to oppressions of the [[Umayyads]] and these challenges kept the government busy and away from annoying the [[Ahl al-Bayt (a)]]. On the other hand, the occurrence of the Battle of Karbala and that the Ahl al-Bayt (a) were oppressed, made [[Muslim]]s attracted to them and brought the Imam (a) such good opportunities to distribute Islamic teachings of the Ahl al-Bayt (a) that none of the Imams (a) had in the past and this is proved by the many hadiths narrated from him.<ref>Tabataba'i, ''Shi'a dar Islam'', p. 217-218</ref> | At the time of the fifth Imam (a), there were frequent fights and revolts due to oppressions of the [[Umayyads]] and these challenges kept the government busy and away from annoying the [[Ahl al-Bayt (a)]]. On the other hand, the occurrence of the Battle of Karbala and that the Ahl al-Bayt (a) were oppressed, made [[Muslim]]s attracted to them and brought the Imam (a) such good opportunities to distribute Islamic teachings of the Ahl al-Bayt (a) that none of the Imams (a) had in the past and this is proved by the many hadiths narrated from him.<ref>Tabataba'i, ''Shi'a dar Islam'', p. 217-218</ref> | ||
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Imam Ja'far b. Muhammad (al-Sadiq), son of [[Imam al-Baqir (a)|the fifth Imam (a)]] was born in 83/702 and was poisoned and [[martyr]]ed by the inducement of Abbasid caliph [[Al-Mansur al-'Abbasi]] at the age of 65.<ref>Tabataba'i, ''Shi'a dar Islam'', p. 218</ref> Except for [[Imam al-Mahdi (aj)]] who is in [[Occultation of Imam al-Mahdi (aj)|occultation]], Imam al-Sadiq (a) was the oldest [[imam]]. | Imam Ja'far b. Muhammad (al-Sadiq), son of [[Imam al-Baqir (a)|the fifth Imam (a)]] was born in 83/702 and was poisoned and [[martyr]]ed by the inducement of Abbasid caliph [[Al-Mansur al-'Abbasi]] at the age of 65.<ref>Tabataba'i, ''Shi'a dar Islam'', p. 218</ref> Except for [[Imam al-Mahdi (aj)]] who is in [[Occultation of Imam al-Mahdi (aj)|occultation]], Imam al-Sadiq (a) was the oldest [[imam]]. | ||
During his imamate, due to revolutions in Islamic countries and especially the uprising of [[al-Musawwida]] (people in black clothing) made to overthrow the Umayyad caliphate, and bloody wars took place which led to the fall of the caliphate of Umayyads. Therefore, the good grounds that the fifth Imam (a) had prepared by distribution of Islamic teachings of the Ahl al-Bayt (a) during the | During his imamate, due to revolutions in Islamic countries and especially the uprising of [[al-Musawwida]] (people in black clothing) made to overthrow the Umayyad caliphate, and bloody wars took place which led to the fall of the caliphate of Umayyads. Therefore, the good grounds that the fifth Imam (a) had prepared by distribution of Islamic teachings of the Ahl al-Bayt (a) during the twenty years of his imamate, brought up more opportunities and better atmosphere to spread religious teachings.<ref>Tabataba'i, ''Shi'a dar Islam'', p. 218-219</ref> | ||
During his | During his thirty-four years of imamate, Imam al-Sadiq (a) distributed religious teachings and educated many scholars in different traditional and rational sciences such as [[Zurara b. A'yan|Zurara]], [[Muhammad b. Muslim]], [[Mu'min al-Taq]], [[Hisham b. Hakam]], [[Aban b. Taghlib]], [[Hisham b. Salim]], [[Hariz]], [[Hisham Kalbi Nasaba]], [[Jabir b. Hayyan]] and others and even some [[Sunni]] scholars were honored to benefit from his classes such as [[Sufyan al-Thawri]], [[Abu Hanifa]] (leader of Hanafi school), [[Qadi Sakuni]], [[Qadi Abu l-Bakhtari]] and others. It is famously reported that four thousand [[hadith]] narrators and scholars were educated in his (a) classes. The hadiths narrated from [[al-Sadiqayn]] (the fifth and the sixth Imams (a)) are more than all hadiths narrated from the [[Prophet (s)]] and the other ten Imams (a).<ref>Tabataba'i, ''Shi'a dar Islam'', p. 219</ref> | ||
[[Al-Mansur al-'Abbasi]] ordered his agents to arrest Imam al-Sadiq (a) in Medina. Imam (a) was arrested once before by the order of the Abbasid caliph [[Saffah]] and brought to [[Iraq]] and before that, he (a) was also arrested in the presence of Imam al-Baqir (a) by the order of the Umayyad caliph [[Hisham]] and brought to [[Damascus]]. Al-Mansur kept Imam al-Sadiq (a) under surveillance for a while and wanted to kill him but finally let the Imam (a) return to Medina and the Imam (a) lived the rest of his life in isolation, practicing [[Taqiyya]] (precautionary dissimulation). He was finally poisoned and [[martyr]]ed by the order of al-Mansur.<ref>Tabataba'i, ''Shi'a dar Islam'', p. 220</ref> | [[Al-Mansur al-'Abbasi]] ordered his agents to arrest Imam al-Sadiq (a) in Medina. Imam (a) was arrested once before by the order of the Abbasid caliph [[Saffah]] and brought to [[Iraq]] and before that, he (a) was also arrested in the presence of Imam al-Baqir (a) by the order of the Umayyad caliph [[Hisham]] and brought to [[Damascus]]. Al-Mansur kept Imam al-Sadiq (a) under surveillance for a while and wanted to kill him but finally let the Imam (a) return to Medina and the Imam (a) lived the rest of his life in isolation, practicing [[Taqiyya]] (precautionary dissimulation). He was finally poisoned and [[martyr]]ed by the order of al-Mansur.<ref>Tabataba'i, ''Shi'a dar Islam'', p. 220</ref> | ||
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Al-Hasan b. 'Ali (titled as al-'Askari), son of the [[tenth Imam (a)]] was born in 232/846 and (according to some [[Shi'a]] [[hadith]]s) was poisoned and martyred in 260/874 by the plot of [[al-Mu'tamid]], the [[Abbasid]] [[caliph]].<ref>Tabataba'i, ''Shi'a dar Islam'', p. 227-228</ref> | Al-Hasan b. 'Ali (titled as al-'Askari), son of the [[tenth Imam (a)]] was born in 232/846 and (according to some [[Shi'a]] [[hadith]]s) was poisoned and martyred in 260/874 by the plot of [[al-Mu'tamid]], the [[Abbasid]] [[caliph]].<ref>Tabataba'i, ''Shi'a dar Islam'', p. 227-228</ref> | ||
Imam al-'Askari (a) became the [[Imam]] after his father was martyred, by the command of [[God]] and following the reports of his forefathers. His imamate lasted | Imam al-'Askari (a) became the [[Imam]] after his father was martyred, by the command of [[God]] and following the reports of his forefathers. His imamate lasted seven years, during which he (a) had to practice severe [[Taqiyya]] (precautionary dissimulation) because of the caliphate's excessive harassments and closed the door of his house to the people, even to ordinary [[Shi'a]] and did not meet anyone except the elites of them. However he (a) was in prison most of his life. The first reason behind all these harassments was that the number of Shi'a had increased in that time and their power had reached a considerably high level. Also, this fact that Shi'a believed in imamate was known to everyone and Imams (a) were soon found; thus, caliphate kept them under surveillance more than before and tried to kill them in any way possible. Secondly, they knew that the elites of Shi'a believed that Imam al-Askari (a) would have a son who would be the [[Imam al-Mahdi (a)|Promised Mahdi (a)]] and the the [[Prophet (s)]] frequently had reported through Shi'a and Sunnis about his coming.<ref>Tabataba'i, ''Shi'a dar Islam'', p. 228</ref> | ||
Therefore, Imam al-'Askari (a) was kept under surveillance more than other Imams (a) and the caliph of his time had decided to finish the imamate of Shi'a in any way possible. As soon as they reported to him about the illness of the Imam (a), he sent a doctor to his house accompanied by some trustworthy men of his and assigned some judges to watch his house and anything that happened in it. After the Imam (a) was martyred, the caliph ordered to search his house and to check the Imam's (a) wife and slaves to find out if they were pregnant. For two years, caliph's agents were looking for the Imam's (a) son, until they were fully disappointed.<ref>Tabataba'i, ''Shi'a dar Islam'', p. 229</ref> | Therefore, Imam al-'Askari (a) was kept under surveillance more than other Imams (a) and the caliph of his time had decided to finish the imamate of Shi'a in any way possible. As soon as they reported to him about the illness of the Imam (a), he sent a doctor to his house accompanied by some trustworthy men of his and assigned some judges to watch his house and anything that happened in it. After the Imam (a) was martyred, the caliph ordered to search his house and to check the Imam's (a) wife and slaves to find out if they were pregnant. For two years, caliph's agents were looking for the Imam's (a) son, until they were fully disappointed.<ref>Tabataba'i, ''Shi'a dar Islam'', p. 229</ref> | ||
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[[Occultation of Imam al-Mahdi (a)|Imam al-Mahdi'a (a) occultation]] is divided in two periods: | [[Occultation of Imam al-Mahdi (a)|Imam al-Mahdi'a (a) occultation]] is divided in two periods: | ||
# The [[Minor Occultation]], which began in 260/874 and finished in 329/940 (lasted | # The [[Minor Occultation]], which began in 260/874 and finished in 329/940 (lasted seventy years in Hijri calendar). During this period, the Imam (a) communicated with people through his special deputies.<ref>Tabataba'i, ''Shi'a dar Islam'', p. 230</ref> | ||
# and the [[Major Occultation]] which began in 329/940 and continues until now. In a [[hadith]] which is accepted by both [[Shi'a]] and [[Sunni]], the Prophet (s) said that, "If there is nothing left from the life of this world but only one day, [[God]] will prolong that day until [[Imam al-Mahdi (a)|al-Mahdi (a)]] from among my children reappears and fills the world with [[justice]] just like it is filled with injustice and oppression. "<ref>Tabataba'i, ''Shi'a dar Islam'', p. 231</ref> | # and the [[Major Occultation]] which began in 329/940 and continues until now. In a [[hadith]] which is accepted by both [[Shi'a]] and [[Sunni]], the Prophet (s) said that, "If there is nothing left from the life of this world but only one day, [[God]] will prolong that day until [[Imam al-Mahdi (a)|al-Mahdi (a)]] from among my children reappears and fills the world with [[justice]] just like it is filled with injustice and oppression. "<ref>Tabataba'i, ''Shi'a dar Islam'', p. 231</ref> | ||
==The Place of the Imams of the | ==The Place of the Imams of the Shi'a in the Eyes of Sunnis== | ||
Sunnis do not regard the Twelve Imams of the | Sunnis do not regard the Twelve Imams of the Shi'a as the rightful successors of the Prophet (s) but nevertheless love them as his descendants. According to a hadith, quoted in their sources, the Prophet’s relatives whom are to be loved according to [[Quran 42:23]] are Ali (a), Fatima (a), and their children. Based on this verse and other evidence, [[Fakhr al-Din al-Razi]], the great Sunni [[theologian]] and [[exegete]] of the sixth/twelfth]] century, maintained that it is obligatory to love Ali (a), Fatima (a), and their children. | ||
Some Sunni scholars would visit the graves of the Imams of the Shi'a seeking their intercession, such as Abu Ali Khallal in the third/ninth century who said, “Whenever I had a problem, I would visit the grave of [[Musa b. Ja'far]] and ask him for intercession, and thus my problem would be solved.” It is reported that [[Abu Bakr Muhammad b. Khuzayma]], the Sunni [[jurist]], traditionist, and exegete of the third and fourth/tenth centuries, visited the grave of [[Imam al-Rida (a)]] many times and the degree of respect that he showed to the Imam (a) there would surprise people. | Some Sunni scholars would visit the graves of the Imams of the Shi'a seeking their intercession, such as Abu Ali Khallal in the third/ninth century who said, “Whenever I had a problem, I would visit the grave of [[Musa b. Ja'far]] and ask him for intercession, and thus my problem would be solved.” It is reported that [[Abu Bakr Muhammad b. Khuzayma]], the Sunni [[jurist]], traditionist, and exegete of the third and fourth/tenth centuries, visited the grave of [[Imam al-Rida (a)]] many times and the degree of respect that he showed to the Imam (a) there would surprise people. | ||