The Origin of Shiism

7:37:36

2023-06-25

1530

The Origin of Shi'ism is not separated from the origin of Islam since the Prophet himself sowed its seed by Proclaiming the wisaya (succussorship) and khilafat (caliphate of Ali bin Abi Talib in the first open call to Islam the he made in Mecca.

Islam began when the Prophet Muhmmad (peace be upon him and Progeny) became forty years old. Initially, the mission was kept a secret. Then three years after the advent of Islam, the Prophet was ordered to commence the open declaration of his message. This was the occasion when Almighty Allah revealed the the verse "And warm thy nearest relations". (The Qur'an 26:214)

When this verse was revealed, the Prophet organized a feast that is known in history as "Summoning the Family - Da'wat dhu 'l-Ashira". The Prophet invited about forty men from the Banu Hahim and asked 'Ali bin Abi Talib to make arrangements for the dinner. After having served his guests with food and drinks, but the Prophet wanted to speak to them about Islam, Abu Lahab forestalled him and said, "Your host has long since bewitched you," All the guests dispersed before the Prophet could present his message to them.

The prophet then invited them the next day. After the first, he spoke to them, saying:

O, Sons of Abdu l-Muttalib by Allah I do not know of any person among the Arabs who has come to his people with better than what I have brought to you. I have brought to you the good of this world and the next, and I have been commanded by the Lord to call you unto Him, Therefore, who amongst you will support me in this matter so that he may be my brother (akhhi), my successor (wisaya) and my caliph.

This was the first time that the Prophet openly and publicly called the relations to accept him as the Messanger and Prophet of Allah, He also uses the words "akhi wa wasiyi wa khalifati-- my brother, my successor, my caliph" for the person who will aid him in this mission. No one asnwered him; they all held back except the youngst of them --'Ali bin Abi Talib. He stood up and said, "I will be your helper, O Prophet of God".

The Prophet put his hand on the back of 'Ali's neck and said:

"Inna hadha akhhi wa wasiyyi wa khalifiti fikum, fasma'u lahu wa ati'u -- Verily this is my brother, my successor, and my caliph amongst you; therefore, listen to him and obey."

This was the first statement because the audience understood the appointment of 'Ali very clearly. Some of them, including Abu Lahab, even joked with Abu Talib that your nephew, Muhammed, has ordered you to listen to your son and obey him! At the least, this shows that the appointment of Ali bin Abu Talib was clear and explicit, not just implied.

After that, the Prophet at various places emphasized the issue of loving his Ahlul Bayt, seeking guidance from them, and drew the attention of the people to the special status that they had in the eyes of God and His Messenger.

Finally, just two months before his death, the Prophet clearly appointed 'Ali in Ghadir Khumm as the leader (religious as well as political) of the Muslims. He said, "Whomsoever's Master I am, this 'Ali is his Master." He also said, "I am, leaving two precious things behind, as long as you hold on the them both you will never go astray; the Book of Allah and my Progeny."