Criterion for recognising a believer and a hypocrite. When the hypocrites were present among the Companions and only Allah knew them, how c...
Criterion for recognising a believer and a hypocrite.
When the hypocrites were present among the Companions and only Allah knew them, how can we judge, who is a believer and who is a hypocrite? Allah has provided a criterion for us when the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.s.)
informed that none loves Ali (a.s.) except the believer and none hates him except the
hypocrite. This fact has been mentioned in the traditions related by Ali (a.s.)14, Ummul
Momineen Umme Salma,15 Abdullah Ibne Abbas,16
Abu Zar Ghiffari,17 Anas ibne Malik,18 Imran bin Haseen.19 The above tradition was well-known during the time of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.).
Abu Zar says:
"We did not recognise the hypocrites except by their denial of Allah and His Messenger, their aversion towards the ritual prayers; and their hatred towards Ali Ibne Abi Talib (a.s.)."20
And Abu Saeed Khudri21 says:
"We know the hypocrites - we were from the Ansar - by their hatred towards Ali Ibne Abi Talib (a.s.)."
Abdullah Ibne Abbas says:
"During the time of the Prophet (s.a.), we recognised a hypocrite by his malice towards Ali Ibne Abi Talib (a.s.)."22
Jabir Ibne Abdullah Ansari23 says:
"We did not recognise the hypocrites except by their hatred towards Ali Ibne Abi Talib (a.s.)."
All these traditions clearly mention the position of Ali (a.s.) vis-a-vis the hypocrites. It is for this very reason that the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.s.) said regarding Ali (a.s.):
"O Allah Love the one who loves him (Ali) and be inimical to the one who has enimity towards him."24
The righteous Companions of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) exercised caution while learning the tenets of faith. They refrained from obtaining any guidance from the enemies of Ali (a.s.), as they could have been the hypocrites whom Allah alone knew.
Therefore, we must also follow the righteous Companions. We must also learn the tenets of faith from those who loved Ali (a.s.). This way we can rest assured that the one whom we follow is a true believer; and thus we may avoid the deviation of hypocrites.
16 Abdullah the son of Abbas Ibne Abdul Muttalib the uncle of the Prophet (s.a.) was born three years before Hijrat and died in 68 A.H. 1660 traditions have been narrated from him. For his biography refer Usud al Ghaba.
17 Abu Zar Jundab also known as Buraid bin Junadah, Abdullah and Askun etc: He was among the early converts. He died at Rabadah in 33 A.H. The compilers of Sihah have narrated 281 traditions from Abu Zar. For his biography refer to Taqrib at Tehzib 2:420, Jawame As-Sirah :277 and Part II of Abdullah Ibne Saba.
18 Anas ibne Malik An Nazaral Ansari al-Khazraji was in the employ of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) for ten years. When Ali (a.s.) had asked him to testify the announcement of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.); 'For whomsoever I am the Master, this Ali is his master'; he refused. He was cursed by Ali (a.s.) and thus was afflicted with white spots on his face and body. Refer to Sharh Nahjul Balagha 4:388. He died in Basra in 90 A.H. The Hadith Scholars have related 2286 traditions from him. For biographical details refer to Usud al-Ghaba, Taqreeb, Jawamee as-Siraat and Kanzul Ummal.
19 Abu Najid Imran bin Haseen Al Khazaee Al Kaabi: He embraced Islam in the year of the conquest of Khaibar. He was a companion of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) and he was a jurist of Kufa. He died in 52 A.H. 180 traditions have been recorded through him. Refer to Kanzul Ummal 7:140. Biographical details are available in Al-Taqreeb 2:72 and Jawameas Siraat.
20 Mustadrakul Sahihain 3:129, Kanzul Ummal 15:91.
21 Abu Saeed Saad bin Malik bin Sinan Al Khazraji Al Khudri: He was present in the Battle of Khandaq (ditch). He died at Madinah in 63,64 or 65 A.H. at the age of 74 years. 1170 prophetic traditions have been related by him. For his biography refer to Usud al-Ghaba 2:289, Al-Taqreeb 1:289, Jawameas Siraat :276. Traditions reported by him have been recorded in Sahih Tirmizi 13:168 and Hilayat Abu Nuayam 6:284.
22 Tarikhe Baghdad 3:153.
23 Jabir bin Abdullah bin Umar al Ansari as Salmi: He was a companion and a son of a companion. He was present with his father at the time of the allegience to the Prophet (s.a.). He was also at the side of Ali (a.s.) in the Battle of Siffeen. Died at Madinah around 70 A.H. 1540 traditions have been recorded through him. His life sketch can be found in Usud al-Ghaba 1:256-257, Al-Taqreeb 1:122, Jawameas Siraat :276.
For his traditions, refer to Al Istiab 2:466, Al Riyazun Nazarah 2:284, Tarikh Zahabi 2:198, Majmauz Zawaed 9:133.
24 Sahih Tirmizi 13:165 Chapter on the Merits of Ali (a.s.), Sunan Ibne Majah Chapter of the Merits of Ali (a.s.), tradition no.116, Khasais-e-Nasai 4 and 30, Musnad Ahmed 1:84, 88, 118, 119,. 152, 330; 4:281, 368, 370,372; 5:307, 347, 350, 358, 361, 366, 419, 568. Mustadrakul Sahihayn 2:129, 3; 3:9, Al Riyazun Nazarah 2:222-225; Tarikhe Baghdad 7:377; 8:290; 12:343 and numerous other references are also available
