The Role of Holy Imams in Revival of Religion

Nations Alterations

In previous discourses, by citing the Holy Quran we studied the reasons and means for the alteration, change and destruction for divine religious creed. Now as an introduction to our next discussion we will briefly repeat it:

"And (remember) when Allah laid a charge on those who had received the Scripture (he said): Ye are to expound it to mankind and not to hide it. But they flung it behind their backs and bought thereby a little gain." ("The Family of Imran": 187)

"And with those who say: "Lo! We are Christians, We made a covenant, but they forgot that whereof they were admonished." ("The Table Spread: 14)

"Some of the Jews change words from their context". ("Women": 46)

"O People of the Scripture! Why confound ye truth with falsehood and knowingly conceal the truth". ("The Family of Imran": 71)

In these verses there are references to several of their deeds. They concealed, placing falsehoods on the truth like clothing. They made the truth suspicious by mixing these two together. They knew they were doing this and it wasn't out of ignorance.

From these verses and the numerous other verses on this subject we learn that after the death of their prophets, past nations over the years forgot some of the truth, concealed some and sometimes mixed the truth with falsities creating doubtful subject matter. Sometimes they would create some remarks delivering them to the people as the words of God. They changed their divine books by these means, altering and plundering them.

The Last Nation

In numerous traditions recorded in creditable Shi'ite and Sunni books, the Holy Prophet (s.a.w) is seen to have remarked:

«This nation will do just as the previous nations and will follow them minutely»

Imam Sadiq (a.s) quotes from his fathers as narrating that the Holy Prophet said:

"That which occured in past nations will also occur in this nation. Just like one arrow is like another arrow, and a pair of horse-shoes are like each other, that nation is like other nations. 75

In another tradition, Imam Sadiq (a.s) also quotes from his fathers as saying the Holy Prophet (s.a.w) said:

"I swear by He who sent me as a Prophet and harbinger of good news that my nation will travel the same route past nations travelled to the point that if a snake of Bani Israel entered a hole, of this nation a snake will also enter that hole". 76

Creditable Sunnite books narrate from Abu Sa'id Khudri that the Holy Prophet (s.a.w) said:

"You, my nation! You follow the practices of the ancients and you will go inch by inch and cubit by cubit the ways the ancients travelled; if they went one inch you will also go one inch, and if they went one cubit you will also go one cubit, to the point where if one of them had entered a lizards hole one of you will also enter a lizards hole." 77 The followers questioned: Do you mean the Jews and the Christians when you mention the ancients? Will we be like the Jews and Christians? Will we do as they? The Holy Prophet (s.a.w) replied: Then who do I speak of?"

Based on another tradition of these books it is quoted from Abu Hurayrah that the Holy Prophet said:

"The resurrection day will not come unless my nation follows the way and method of past nations, and follows them minutely and to the letter!" They asked him:

"O Messenger of Allah, like the Persians and Romans? He replied: "Are there people other than these?" 78

Traditions are numerous but we didn't set out to give a complete account of all of them. Those who wish may refer to a more detailed book. 79 In Conclusion, we saw that according to Quranic verses past nations concealed heavenly truths and therefore in this nation there must also be concealment of the truth. We saw that in previous nations there was alteration, and truths were changed, so in this nation change and alteration must also exist. Among the followers of previous prophets truth and falsehoods had been mixed, so in this nation this must also be so.

The study of how the above events took place, how truth and falsehood were mixed, how realities were concealed, how beliefs were changed and altered, how far these changes and alterations went and their effect on pure Islam are all subjects that will be enlightened in the future If Almighty Allah wills.

Previously, we were repeately reminded that after its prophet, every religion was altered and this alteration went so far that it made it impossible to gain access to its truths and realities. From that time God would appoint another prophet to once again revive and bring to life that lost religion. This rule existed in relation to Abraham (a.s) and Noah (a.s), it also occured in relation to Moses (a.s) and Jesus (a.s). When the religion of Jesus (a.s) was lost and no matter how hard they tried they could not find it again, the last Prophet (s.a.w) was appointed, revived Islam, and delivered it to mankind in its entirety. Now eternal wisdom sees it appropriate that this religion remains until resurrection day because this was His last word and most complete leadership for mankind. 80

The Holy Prophet (s.a.w) was responsible for the propagation of Islam, proclaiming, protecting, circulating and promoting its laws and learnings and was charged with the explanation of Islamic terms and meanings, while he must also establish Islamic identity and the the Muslim society. As such, after his death God left certain persons among the nation to take over the Prophets' responsibilities. This is the serious duty that makes up the essential output of each of the Holy Imams (a.s) and they performed this duty up until the time of Hujjat ibn al-Hassan. Their strivings, their peace, uprising, suppressions, their being poisoned and their living were all for this very cause.

After their prophet this nation did as previous nations did. They altered Islamic truths and creed, they changed it and concealed it until during the time of Muavieh; «Nothing remained of Islam but its name and of the Quran but its writing» Imam Husseins uprising and his bloody Ashura became an unpenetrable dam before alteration. From this time onward fundamental alteration did not take place. The revival of Islam, and Islam of which only the terminology remained, was begun in the time of Imam Baqir (a.s). The continuous strivings and struggles of the Imams of this nation returned the correct meanings and concepts to the community. Once again Islamic individuals were trained, an Islamic community was founded and in short Islam in all of its dimensions returned amidst the people. 81 God willing we will study all of these subjects in our following discussion.

80. With regard to the Holy Prophets identity we read in the Holy Quran ("The Clans": 40) "Mohammad is not the father of any man among you, but he is the Messenger of Allah and the Seal of the Prophets...." Also regarding His book (The Bee: 89) "And We reveal the Scripture unto thee as an exposition of all things". Also (Cattle: 116) "Perfected is the Word of thy Lord in truth and Justice. There is naught that can change His words. He is the Hearer, and Knower". And ("Fusilat": 42) "It is an unassailable Scripture. Falsehood cannot come at it from before it or behind it".

81. Proof of this statement is the undertaking of future discussion-If God will.