Islamic Intellectual Theology Lesson 31

1. Islamic Intellectual TheologyLesson 31 The Appointed Leadership “IMAAMAT” The Conspiracy of the “Democracy” Part One Edited: March 7, 2009 - BHD

2. Introduction These lessons are collected from the book of Shaheed M. Baqir As-Sadr, Sh. Ja’far Sobhani and other scholars. Purpose is to prove that the Religious leadership after the Prophet (s) must be appointed intellectually, religiously and historically since the time of Adam (as). We are not against proper democracy. But the democracy claimed by some Muslims in Islamic history of political leadership “KHILAAFAT” of the dynasties is mere false claim.

3. SHOORA - “Council or Counsel” Is from MASHWARA = giving advice, recommendations, guidance, or opinion Therefore SHOORA is consulting one another and taking the best opinion which might not be the opinion of the majority as it may be in a proper “democracy”. The claim of many ignorant individuals, Muslims and non-Muslims alike, who are not aware of history, is that there was “democracy” in the Islamic KHILAAFAT, and the majority voted for the KHILAAFAT of the political leader. This claim is not true especially when talking about the first political systems immediately after the death of the Prophet (s) which will be discussed later.

4. Divine Appointment “An Intellectual Necessity” • Example of an Intellectual company owner: • If he wants to travel. • If he wants to open another branch. • If he is dying and leaves a business or a company behind.

5. The Intellect of Prophet Muhammad (s) The Prophet Muhammad (s) was praised by many non Muslims. Many claimed that the results of the efforts of Prophet Mohammad (s) and the great legacy of Islam he left behind with a great number of growing followers indicate that he was the most smart and genius human on the Earth.

6. Invitation to Use Intellect • This great intelligent human was the one who never did any thing in his life which contradicts with the path and practices of the intellectuals. • Every thing the Prophet Muhammad (s) said or did made sense. If not to the people of his time then the intellectuals of the coming generation. Whatever contradicts the intellect then there must be further explanation to such and if not than such is a fabrication.

7. How could he go against the Intellect A great intelligent human; Not a simple person Worked very hard for a system for the last 23 years of his life, facing immense challenges, striving, and suffering the losses of his beloved and precious ones. Purpose: Accomplish his mission to provide a great ideological, theological, judicial, political, and moral system. Not just for the people of his time, but for the people of the Earth and until the day of judgment. A great legacy, a great religion with huge sacrifices. He was an elder in his sixties when he informed the people that he may leave them soon.

8. Was the Mission Accomplished? Establishing the Foundation: Yes Executing and implanting it in Society: No Therefore the work was not done entirely or completely. Hence the intellectual necessity requires from an intelligent person like Prophet Muhammad (s) to appoint some one qualified to take the leadership after him and complete his mission. Can his intellect miss over the concept of appointing some one qualified to take the leadership after him?

9. Was the Muslim community safe? • No, there were certain threats facing the Muslim community in Arabia, and such threats requires the Prophet (s) to appoint some one qualified. • The Prophet (s) made arrangements in his life, in important and serious matter he will leave himself behind or Imam Ali (as). • Eg. Leaving Imam Ali (as) in Mecca the night of migration, and in Medina in the time of TABOOK) and when the situation was safe he will leave some one blind like IBN UMM MAKTOOM in Medina. • There were serious threats on the Muslim communities from the remaining idol worshippers, from the reverts, from the Roman empire, and from the hypocrites amongst the Muslims. • If the Prophet Mohammad (s) does not appoint some one then it will be an insult to his intellect as well as that of Allah [swt]. The Prophet (s) was a complete and perfect human.

10. If not the Prophet (s) then Allah (swt) Islam is the religion which does not contradict with the intellect, especially when it comes to the theology of the followers of Ahlul Bayt (as) as well as others. In light of what was mentioned previously about Islam and the threats encountering the Muslim community, if the Prophet Muhammad (s), hypothetically, missed this great responsibility of appointing a qualified leader after him, how could Allah (swt), the All Perfect, miss that point?

11. Intellectual Conclusion • The justice of Allah (swt) and His obligation out of His benevolence necessitates that He appoints some one to lead after the Prophet Muhammad (s). • The intelligent mind of the Prophet (s) obligates on him self to appoint some one qualified after him who could take his place in every thing except the Prophet hood. • Did this happen? Yes, and after presenting this simple logical approach by S. M B As-Sadr, we will now present the evidences that Allah (swt) and the Prophet (s) made such arrangements. • But before that we ask our Sunni brothers or the followers if the school of companion, that what is your evidence of SHOORA. Did it really take place? • We will explore In our next lesson; The Conspiracy of the “Democracy” Part 2 inshAllah