Question Summary:
What are our beliefs concerning the twelve Shia Imams? Question Detail:
I have a twelver Shia friend, many times he has told me about the 12 imams and that they believe that imam mahdi is alive but in hiding for now. I would like to know the sunni view on the 12 imams and if imam mahdi is the 12 imam. How different are our beliefs ono the 12 imams and imam mahdi.
Answer :
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.
The twelve Imams and their brief biography is mentioned hereunder[1]:
1) Sayyidina Ali bin Abi Taalib Radhiallahu Anhu[2]: A well known Sahabi, the fourth Caliph in Islam, and the cousin as well as the son-in-law of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam. His status is well known and he is one of the Ashura Mubashara (ten Sahaba given the glad tidings of jannah under a tree by the Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam).
2) Sayyidina Hasan Radhiallahu Anhu[3]: The elder son of Ali Radhiallahu Anhu. He was honored as being the fifth Caliph in Islam. He gave up his Caliphate after a mere six months when people attempted to instill conflict between him and Muawiyah Radhiallahu Anhu after the death of his father Ali Radhiallahu Anhu. Hadhrat Hasan Radhiallahu Anhu further went on and pledged allegiance at the hands of Hadhrat Muawiyah Radhiallahu Anhu to avoid any conflict and dispute between the people. He was also known for his great resemblance to Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam. He was born in 3 A.H. and passed away in 50 A.H.
3) Sayyidina Husain Radhiallahu Anhu[4]: The younger son of Ali Radhiallahu Anhu. He was born in 4 A.H. and was martyred at the incident of Karbala in the year 61 A.H. on the blessed day of Ashura. Hadhrat Hasan and Husain Radhiallahu Anhuma are given the title “The two leaders of the youngsters in Jannah”.
4) Ali “Zain al-Abideen” bin Husain Radhiallahu Anhu[5]: The son of Husain Radhiallahu Anhu. He was a Tabi’ee and known as “Ali al-Asghar” (the younger Ali) in order to differentiate between him and his brother who was also named Ali. Much praise is mentioned about Zain al-Abideen Rahimahullah. Many scholars mention he was the best the Quraish had seen in their time. He possessed such knowledge of deen which can not be described in simple words. He was born in the year 38 A.H. and passed away in 94 A.H. in Madina.
5) Muhammad bin Ali al-Baaqir[6]: The son of Zain al-Abideen Rahimahullah. He is also a Tabi’ee. He is famous by the name “Abu-Ja’far”. He was born in 56 A.H. and passed away in 115 A.H. in the city of Hameemah. He was a great scholar who is mentioned in all of the books of Saha’ih Sittah. He was also capable of being a Caliph of Islam. When he was asked about Abu Bakr and Umar Radhiallahu Anhuma, he praised them greatly and admitted that they were much greater than himself. He had a habit of performing 150 Raka’at of Salah daily and was considered to be one of the great Tabi’ee Jurists of Madina. He was also the teacher of the great Imam Abu Hanifa Rahimahullah.
6) Ja’far bin Muhammad as-Saadiq[7]: The son of Muhammad Baaqir Rahimahullah. He is also a Tabi’ee and was born in 80 A.H. and passed away in 148 A.H. He was known to be the Shaykh of Madina in his time. When Imam Abu Hanifa Rahimahullah was inquired about the most intelligent person in the field of jurisprudence, he replied that I have not seen anyone more intelligent in jurisprudence than Muhammad bin Ja’far. Also, Abu Bakr Radhiallahu Anhu was his grandfather so when he was informed the Shias had a grudge against Abu Bakr Radhiallahu Anhu, he became very angry and started hating the Shias.
7) Musa bin Ja’far al-Kaazhim[8]: The son of Ja’far as-Saadiq Rahimahullah. He was born in 128 A.H and passed away in 183 A.H. The Shia sect known as the “Ismailiyyah” are named after his brother, Isma’il bin Ja’far. He was a great worshipper of Allah Ta’ala and known for his prolonged hours of worship. His generosity was also well known. If he was informed that someone was complaining about him regarding any form of hardship, he would send the person hundreds of Dinaars (gold coins) as a gift.
8) Ali bin Musa al-Ridha[9]: The son of Musa al-Kaazhim Rahimahullah. He was born in 149 A.H. and passed away in 203 A.H. He possessed such knowledge that he was passing rules and verdicts at a very young age. The leader in his time was Ma’moon al-Rasheed, the son of Haroon al-Rasheed. Although Ma’moon was a Mutazili by creed, he had great love and respect for Ali al-Ridha Rahimahullah. Ma’moon desired for Ali al-Ridha Rahimahullah to be his successor. However, as faith had it, Ali al-Ridha Rahimahullah passed away before Ma’moon and never had a chance to take the throne.
9) Muhammad bin Ali al-Taqi al-Jawaad[10]: The son of Ali al-Ridha Rahimahullah. He was born in 195 A.H. and passed away in 220 A.H. Although he did not reach the lofty status of his forefathers, he was very intelligent, eloquent, pious and regarded to be one of the chiefs of his time. He was nicknamed “al-Jawaad”.
10) Abu al-Hasan Ali bin Muhammad al-Taqi al-Haadi[11]: The son of Muhammad bin Ali al-Taqi Rahimahullah. He was born in 214 A.H. and passed away in 254 A.H. He was also very righteous and god-fearing. He was born in Madina but later on, the leader of his time, Ja’far al-Mutawakkil lead him to Baghdad and then sent him to Sa’marraa. He resided here for more than twenty years and this is where he met his end.
11) Abu-Muhammad Hasan bin Ali al-Askari al-Alawi[12]: The son of Ali al-Taqi Rahimahullah. He was born in 232 A.H. and passed away in 260 A.H. He is the father of the awaited twelfth Imam the Shias believe in. He was known for his piety, excessive worship of Allah, and his status within the people. It is said that when he passed away, his city was struck by a powerful sound and all the people, commanders and chiefs included, left their posts and workshops to attend his funeral.
12) Muhammad bin Hasan al-Askari al-Qaaim “al-Muntazhar” al-Mahdi[13]: This person is known as the “Muntazhar” or “The Awaited” by the Shia. They tend to believe he will be the Imam Mahdi discussed in the Ahadith. They also believe he is well and alive but went into hiding to protect himself from harm and also possesses the rest of the Qur’an (may Allah protect us all from saying such statements). After entering the basement of his father’s house at a young age, he never came out and he will emerge once again before qiyaamah and fill the world with justice. Some also believe that his father, Hasan al-Askari never had any children. The Shias response to this is the father was hiding the child and was born after the father’s death.
We believe and bring Iman upon the Imam Mahdi mentioned in the Ahadith. However, the Imam Mahdi mentioned in the Ahadith is much different in comparison to the Imam Mahdi “al-Muntzhar” the Shias believe in.[14] The twelfth Imam the Shias believe in is the only person we consider unreliable as he is unknown. He is also not the actual Imam Mahdi because it contradicts the statement of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam that Imam Mahdi will share the same name Muhammad and his father will also possess the same name as Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam’s father Abdullah. Hence, his name will be Muhammad bin Abdullah and not Muhammad bin Hasan al-Askari. Imam Mahdi is also known to be born prior to the day of qiyamah and not known to be immortal/alive for a very long time.
Some of the Shia beliefs concerning the twelve Imams are as follows:
It is stated in their book, “Usool Kafi”:
رتبہ امامت برتر از نبوت است
“The position of Imamat is greater than that of Nubuwah/Prophethood.” [15]
It is further mentioned in their book, “Haqq-ul-Yaqin” that Imam Mahdi will appear naked.[16]
It is also mentioned that Imam Mahdi will initially kill all the Sunni scholars after his appearance.[17]
The Shias also believe that the current Quran in our possession is incomplete. Present day Shias feel uncomfortable with such a belief; whereas it is mentioned in “Usool Kafi”, along with their book, “Hazaar Tumhaare Das Hamaare”[18] that the real Qur’an lays within a cave with Imam Mahdi.[19]
None can reach the status of an Imam, whether he is an angel or a Messenger.[20]
These beliefs are completely contrary to the Ahadith and sayings mentioned by Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam. It is a common and known factor that the best beings to walk this earth were none other than the blessed Prophets themselves Alayhimus Salaatu Wassalaam. The highest ranking Sahabi is not even better than a single Prophet. To believe that a person that came after the Final Prophet and regard him to be better than the Prophets is a corrupt belief. We do believe that the Imams mentioned above were great personalities in Islam and held a very lofty status. We respect them greatly as they are worthy of praise. They are not our enemies. However, we must keep our beliefs upright in regards to their status as many beliefs and statements may lead to Kufr.
And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best
AbdulMannan Nizami
Student Darul Iftaa
Chicago, IL, USA
Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.
www.daruliftaa.net
[14] يَكُونُ فِي أُمَّتِي الْمَهْدِيُّ إِنْ قُصِرَ فَسَبْعٌ، وَإِلَّا فَتِسْعٌ، فَتَنْعَمُ فِيهِ أُمَّتِي نِعْمَةً، لَمْ يَنْعَمُوا مِثْلَهَا قَطُّ، تُؤْتَى أُكُلَهَا وَلَا تَدَّخِرُ مِنْهُمْ شَيْئًا، وَالْمَالُ يَوْمَئِذٍ كُدُوسٌ، فَيَقُومُ الرَّجُلُ، فَيَقُولُ: يَا مَهْدِيُّ أَعْطِنِي، فَيَقُولُ خُذْ
"The Mahdi will be among my nation. If he lives for a short period, it will be seven, and if he lives for a long period, it will be nine, during which my nation will enjoy a time of ease such as it has never enjoyed. The land will bring forth its yield and will not hold back anything, and wealth at that time will be piled up. A man will stand up and say: 'O Mahdi, give me!' He will say: ‘Take.'"
[سنن ابن ماجه، باب خروج المهدي، ج٢، ص١٣٦٦، دار احياء الكتب العربية]
الْمَهْدِيُّ مِنِّي، أَجْلَى الْجَبْهَةِ، أَقْنَى الْأَنْفِ، يَمْلَأُ الْأَرْضَ قِسْطًا وَعَدْلًا، كَمَا مُلِئَتْ جَوْرًا وَظُلْمًا، يَمْلِكُ سَبْعَ سِنِينَ
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: The Mahdi will be from me (my family), and will have a broad forehead, a prominent nose, he will fill the earth will equity and justice as it was filled with oppression and tyranny, and he will rule for seven years.
[سنن أبي داود، كتاب المهدي، ج٤، ص١٠٧، المكتبة العصرية]
[15] [ تاريخي دستاويز، ص١١٧]
[16] [حق اليقين]
[ تاريخي دستاويز، ص٤٣١]
[18] [ہزار تمہاری دس ہماری، ص۵۵۳، عبد الکریم مشتاق]
[ تاريخي دستاويز، ص۲۱۵]
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