In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful

Opposing Exaggeration

One form of the deviations that lead to the aberration of the followers of different religions is exaggeration of the leaders of that religion. In some instances the status of the leader of the religions is exalted to the divine. This also applies to Islam and Shiism, and exaggerating the status of the Imams and counting them as equal or same as God has taken place. However, what is important is the reaction of the religious leaders and their confrontation with the phenomenon of exaggeration.

The following is the story of the Shiite tenth Imam, Imam Hadi (PBUH) in confronting exaggeration:

One of the fabricators of exaggeration against Imam Hadi (PBUH) was a person known as "Ali bin Hassakah." Aiming for the aberration of the simple minded people who could not discern truth from illusion as well as aiming to pursue his personal interests he advocated some unauthentic untruths constituted as shiite teachings.

The innovatory false ideas that he promoted included:

A) Imam Hadi (PBUH) is the creator and manager of the being.

B) Ibn Hassakah is the prophet that has been appointed by Imam Hadi (PBUH) for the guidance of people.

C) All the religious mandates including Zakat, Hajj, fasting is shifted and no longer necessary for his followers.  

These issues are reflected in a letter written to Imam Hadi (PBUH) by one of his companions.

"My Master, "Ali bin Hassakah" claims that he is one of your friends, and that you are the first and permanent god of the universe, and that he is the mediator and prophet from you, and that you have appointed him as the promoter of these beliefs. He believes that Salat, Zakat, Hajj, and fasting and all the other mandatory rules are provisioned for the sake of knowing you and knowing Hassakah that claim prophethood and mediation. Therefore he counts himself as a perfect believer that no mandate for him such as Salat, Zakat, Hajj, and fasting are compulsory for him, and he says that the essence of all religions is what you have understood. Many people have become his followers. If you deem as prudent help us by writing a letter as a response so that the people get guided. 

In response to the deviatory ideas of Bin Hassakah, Imam Hadi (PBUH) with stressing the Islamic principles regarding Salat, Zakat, Hajj, and Wilayat showed his detestation toward Hassakah and ordered his followers to oppose and confront him and his followers explicitly in his letter.

Ibn Hassakah, God damn him, he is a liar; beware that I don't know him to be among my friends. What has happened to him? God take his mercy from him, I swear by Allah that He did not appoint Mohammad (PBUH&HP) and the prophets before him except for the pure religion and Salat, Zakat, Hajj, fasting and Wilayat; and Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) did not preach the people except to worshipping the absolute and unique God, and samely we the successors from his descent are slaves to God and do not account anything to Him.

If we obey him we will be mercied upon, and if we disobey, we will be subject to punishment. We don't have a proof (hujjat) against him; He however has signs (hujjat) upon us and all other creatures. I despise the person with such beliefs, and recourse from their false word to Allah. You, same as me, despise them, God take His mercy from them, and be rough toward them.  

Roshd Website congratulates all Muslims, especially you dear friend, on 15^th of Dhul Hijjah, coinciding the auspicious birth anniversary of leader of the pious, guardian of the servants, and the tenth Imam of the Shia, Imam Ali ibn Muhammad al-Hadi (PBUH).

Roshd Islamic Shia Webiste

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