The West mistakenly ascribes the Magna Carta as the ‘first’ charter of rights. It was in 1215 CE that English Landlords forced King John to put his signature on it — 600 years after Islam had established rights.
Today the politicians of the World claim to adopt the Charter of Human Rights adopted by the U.N.O. in 1948 but it is a well known fact that when the rights are not to their advantage, the very charter becomes a Charter of Human Injustice.
Imam Ali ibn Hussain‘ Treatise on Rights is a master document on Islamic human rights, which not only covers human rights, but also includes the rights of God, our body parts, and our deeds. To any intelligent reader who ponders deeply about the contents of this valuable document on rights, it immediately becomes clear that Islam has already established the first document on rights nearly fourteen centuries ago.
The Meaning of Imam
Muhammad Hussain Tabataba’i , commonly known as Allameh Tabataba’i, one of the most prominent thinkers of philosophy and contemporary Shia Islam said:
Imam or leader is the title given to a person who takes the lead in a community in a particular social movement or political ideology or scientific or religious form of thought. Naturally, because of his relation to the people he leads, he must conform his actions to their capabilities in both important and secondary matters.
The Prophet muhammad(PBUH & HP) displayed great interest in the problem of succession and never failed to appoint a successor when necessary. Whenever he left Medina he would appoint a governor in his own place.
The Shi’ites claim that for this very reason it is not conceivable that the Prophet should have died without appointing someone as his successor, without having selected a guide and leader to direct the affairs of Muslims and to turn the wheels of Islamic society.
Shi’ism has studied and investigated the primordial nature of man and the continuous tradition of wisdom that has survived among men. It has penetrated into the principal purpose of Islam which is to revivify man’s primordial nature, and has investigated such things as the methods used by the Prophet muhammad (PBUH & HP) in guiding the community ; the troubles which entangled Islam and the Muslims and which led to division and separation ; and the short life of the Muslim governments of the early centuries, which were characterized by negligence and lack of strict religious principles. As a result of these studies Shi’ism has reached the conclusion that there are sufficient traditional texts left by the Prophet to indicate the procedure for determining the Imam and successor of the Prophet.
It is the prophets who receive from God, through revelation, the knowledge of men’s duties and obligations as human beings and who make these known to men, so that by fulfilling them men may attain felicity.
It is evident that in the same way that this reasoning proves the necessity for knowledge to guide men to the attainment of happi- ness and perfection, it also proves the necessity for the existence of individuals who preserve intact the total body of that knowledge and who instruct the people when necessary.
Just as the Divine Compassion necessitates the existence of persons who come to know the duties of mankind through revelation, so also it makes it necessary that these human duties and actions of celestial origin remain forever preserved in the world and as the need arises be presented and explained to mankind. In other words, there must always be individuals who preserve God’s religion and expound it when necessary.
The person who bears the duty of guarding and preserving the Divine message after it is revealed and is chosen by God for this function is called the Imam, in the same way that the person who bears the prophetic spirit and has the function of receiving Divine injunctions and laws from God is called the Prophet.It is possible for the imamate [ In this context of course imamate refers to the specific Shi’ite conception of Imam and not to the general Sunni usage of the term which in most instances is the same as caliph.] and prophecy either to be joined in one person or to be separate.
God must preserve His true religion intact and in such a state that it can be propagated among mankind at all times. And this is not possible without inerrancy, without Divine protection against error.The Imam is the guide and leader of men in their external actions so does he possess the function of inward and esoteric leadership and guidance. He is the guide of the caravan of humanity which is moving inwardly and esoterically toward God.
In each religious community the prophets and Imams are the foremost in the perfection and realization of the spiritual and religious life they preach, for they must and do practice their own teachings and participate in the spiritual life they profess.
Since they are first among men and the leaders and guides of the community, they are the most virtuous and perfect of men.
in Islam, after the death of the Holy Prophet, there has continuously existed and will continue to exist within the Islamic community (ummah), an Imam (a leader chosen by God).
Numerous prophetic hadiths have been transmitted in Shi’ism concerning the description of the Imams, their number, the fact that they are all of the Quraysh and of the Household [ Ahl Al-Bayt ] of the Prophet, and the fact that the promised Mahdi is among them and the last of them. Also, there are definitive words of the Prophet concerning the imamate of Ali [cousin of the prophet Muhammad (PBUH)] and his being the first Imam and also definitive utterances of the Prophet and Ali concerning the imamate of the Second Imam.
In the same way the Imams before have left definitive statements concerning the imamate of those who were to come after them.
According to these utterances contained in Twelve-Imam Shi’ite sources the Imams are twelve in number and their holy names are as follows:
(1) ’Ali ibn Abi Talib;
(2) Hassan ibn ’Ali;
(3) Hussain ibn ’Ali;
(4) ’Ali ibn Hussain;
(5) Muhammad ibn ’Ali;
(6) Ja’far ibn
Muhammad;
(7) Musa ibn Ja’far;
(8) ’Ali ibn Musa;
(9) Muhammad ibn ’Ali;
(10)’Ali ibn Muhammad;
(11) Hasan ibn ’Ali;
(12) the Mahdi.
Are they [ the imams] mentioned in the Bible?
Yes. Please refer to these articles:
Who is imam Ali ibn hussain ?
Imam Ali ibn Hussain was the son of the third Imam and his wife, the queen among women, the daughter of Yazdigird the king of Iran. He was the only son of Imam Hussain [ he is an important figure in Islam, as he is a member of the household of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH & HP) as well as being the third Shia Imam. he is highly regarded by Muslims and many non-Muslims because he refused to pledge allegiance to Yazid the Umayyad caliph, because he considered the rule of the Umayyads unjust.] to survive, for his other three brothers Ali Akbar, aged twenty-five, five year old Ja’far and Ali Asghar who was a suckling baby were martyred during the event of Karbala.
The fourth Imam, upon returning to Medina, retired from public life completely, closed the door of his house to strangers and spent his time in worship.
He was in contact only with the elite among the Shi’ite . The elite disseminated among the Shi’ah and the religious sciences they learned from the Imam. In this way Shi’ism spread considerably and showed its effects during the imamate of the fifth Imam.
For more Shi’ism recognition, refer to the following free book:
Return to the Treatise of Rights
William Chittick — a philosopher, writer, translator and interpreter of classical Islamic philosophical and mystical texts — said:
A glance at the `Treatise on Rights’ will quickly show that the word `rights’ might better have been translated as duties, obligations, or responsibilities, since the treatise is not directly concerned with the rights of the individual, but rather with the rights of others which the individual must observe. Nevertheless, I think it is important to preserve the term `rights’, if only to show that in considering human rights primarily in terms of responsibilities, Islam diverges profoundly from most modern Western views, though it has deep kinships with other religious traditions of East and West.
Islam views the individual in his total context, which means that it considers first his relationship with God, then his relationship with God’s creatures. What is important for the individual in his relationship with God is that he attain to salvation, or in other words, that he follow God’s guidance, which is based upon mercy and directed toward his own best interest.
In short, Islam devalues the individual’s perspective, since human beings on their own can see no further than their immediate interests during life. But this devaluation of individualism is not a devaluation of the individual; on the contrary, it raises him to the ultimate pinnacle of importance, since everything is directed toward his happiness in the next world.
Islam merely recognizes the ignorance of human beings and their inability to perceive their own ultimate good without divine guidance. Then it sets about to undermine and destroy individual ignorance, a process which involves deflating the ego and eliminating all self-centred desires. As a result, the human self or soul (nafs) has few `rights’, but many duties and responsibilities. Or rather, the soul has only one true right — the right to salvation.
These rights provide necessary methods for human’s conduct, which –if fully observed- will result in human’s individual and social well-being, development and progress. Some of these rights are as follows: the rights of God, rights of our body parts, deeds, relatives, neighbors, leaders, subjects, adversaries, creditors and so on. For example, I mention two of the rights here:
The right of your mother
The right of your mother is that you know that she carried you where no one carries anyone, she gave to you the fruit of her heart that which no one gives to anyone, and she protected you with her hearing, sight, hand, leg, hair, and skin as well as all her organs. She was highly delighted, happy, eager, and enduring the harm, pains, heaviness, and grief until the hand of power saved her from you and took you out to this earth. She did not care if she went hungry as long as you ate, if she was naked as long as you were clothed, if she was thirsty as long as you drank, is she was in the sun as long as you were in the shade, if she was miserable as long as you were happy, and if she was deprived of sleeping as long as you were resting. Her abdomen was your container, her lap your seat, her breast your container of drink, and her soul was your fort. She protected you from heat and cold. You should thank her for all that. You will not be able to show her gratitude unless through God’s help and giving success.
Baqir Sharif al-Qurashi — a Shiite researcher, historian — said:
What great mother’s rights are! How numerous her favors toward her child are! It is she who makes her child’s life. Had it for her pity and affection, he would not have lived. She takes care of him with her own soul when he is formed, bears the burdens of pregnancy, and the dangers of giving birth. After giving birth to him, she melts herself for him, spares no effort to safeguard him, passes the night awake for him, continues serving him sincerely, and looks after him with love and affection until he grows up and makes his way in life. When he separates or goes away from her, she feels that life separates from her.
The Right of one whose Advice you seek
The right of him whom you ask for advice is that you do not make accusations against him for an opinion that does not conform to your own opinion. It is natural that the opinions are divergent and people have various views about their affairs. Therefore, you should have the freedom of choice in the question of acting upon his advice if you doubt it. However, it is unacceptable for you to accuse him of ill advice as long as you regard him as one of those whose opinions are worthy of being followed. Do not leave thanking him for the good opinions with which he supplies you. If his opinion fits you, you should thank God for so and appreciate it for your brother by means of thankfulness and remuneration. All power belongs to God.
Short Maxims of Imam Sajjad (PBUH)
Avoid telling lies, whether they were significant or venial, or in serious or humorous situations, for a man who tells a trivial lie will surely dare to tell a big one.
The whole goodness is to protect yourself (against all that which is unacceptable).
Three conducts save the believers: to stop saying bad wording or backbiting people, engage oneself in matters that will benefit in the Last Judgment as well as this world, and weep heavily for one’s guilt.
See the link below to see more words as well as the full text of the treatise on rights:
Al-Sahifat Al-Sajjadiyya, Another work by Imam Sajjad (PBUH)
Al-Sahifat Al-Sajjadiyya is the oldest prayer manual in Islamic sources and one of the most seminal works of Islamic spirituality of the early period. It was composed by the Prophet’s great grandson, `Ali ibn Hussain, and has been cherished in Shi’ite sources from earliest times.
This prayer book deals not only with Islamic spirituality, but also provides teachings on different levels, from the theological to the social.
Imam Sajjad (PBUH) also refers frequently to the domain of Islamic practices emphasizing the necessity of following Quran and the Hadith’s guidelines and the necessity of establishing justice in society.
The Fifteen Whispered Prayers also known as The Fifteen “Munajat”, is a collection of fifteen prayers attributed to Imam Sajjad (PBUH) which some researchers regard it as a supplementary part of the latter collection. These Prayers enable a person to recite the prayer which is in most accordance with his present mood and feeling. The prayers start with ‘repentance’, as repentance is the first step towards a genuine communion with God.
For example, I mention one of his prayers here:
His Supplication when he Looked at the New Crescent Moon
O obedient creature,
speedy and untiring,
frequenter of the mansions of determination,1
moving about in the sphere of governance!I have faith in Him who lights up darknesses through thee,
illuminates jet-black shadows by thee,
appointed thee one of the signs of His kingdom
and one of the marks of His authority,
and humbled thee through increase and decrease,
rising and setting, illumination and eclipse.
In all of this thou art obedient to Him,
prompt toward His will.Glory be to Him!
How wonderful is what He has arranged in thy situation!
How subtle what He has made for thy task!
He has made thee the key to a new month
for a new situation.So I ask God, my Lord and thy Lord,
my Creator and thy Creator,
my Determiner and thy Determiner,
my Form-giver and thy Form-giver,
that He bless Muhammad and his Household
and appoint thee a crescent of blessings not effaced by days
and of purity not defiled by sins;a crescent of security from blights and of safety from evil deeds;
a crescent of auspiciousness containing no misfortune,
of prosperity accompanied by no adversity, of ease not mixed with difficulty,
of good unstained by evil;
a crescent of security and faith,
favour and good-doing, safety and submission!O God,
bless Muhammad and his Household,
place us among the most satisfied of those over whom the crescent has risen,
the purest of those who have looked upon it,
the most fortunate of those who have worshipped Thee under it;
give us the success during [the new month] to repent,
preserve us within it from misdeeds,
guard us therein from pursuing disobedience to Thee,allot to us within it thanksgiving for Thy favour,
clothe us during it in the shields of well-being,
and complete for us Thy kindness
by perfecting therein obedience to Thee!
Surely Thou art All-kind, Praiseworthy.
And bless Muhammad and his Household, the good, the pure.
See the link below to see all his prayers:
Martyrdom
Imam Sajjad (PBUH) martyred in 713 A.D in the age 57. After cruel behaviors of Umayyad caliphate to Imam Sajjad (PBUH), finally he was poisoned by Umayyad ruler Walid through the instigation of the Umayyad caliph Hisham Ibn Abd Al-Malik in Medina. He was buried next to his uncle, Imam Hassan (PBUH), in the cemetery of Baqi in Medina. After his Martyrdom many people found out that their livelihood had come from him. He would go out with a sack of food on his back, knocking at the doors of more than 100 families, and gave freely to whoever answered while covering his face in order not to be recognized.
It is narrated, Imam Sajjad had a camle that never had been hit by Imam. After Imam’s martyrdom, the camel ran to his grave, laid down on the grave and began to cry. Imam Sajjad’s son, Muhammad Baqir (PBUH) who was next Imam, found the camel and asked it for calm. The camel returned home, but tomorrow he ran to the grave again and Imam Baqir (PBUH) brought it back home. For the third time, Imam Baqir (PBUH) said to the others: “Leave it alone. It knows that it will die soon”. Less than 3 days, the camel died beside the grave.
The shrine containing Imam Sajjad’s tomb was destroyed in 1925 during the conquest of Medina by Al-Saud tribes (Wahhabi). This was part of a general destruction of memorials in cemeteries for beliefs. In the eyes of Wahhabis, historical sites and shrines encourage “shirk” (the sin of idolatry or polytheism) and should be destroyed but it’s against Islam’s view. It’s provable that keeping these memorials and pilgrimage isn’t Shirk.
Wahhabi government of Saudi Arabia, don’t let the pilgrims to get close to the graves. They even don’t let Shia people make a Shrine there.
