Ayatollah Hadavi Tehrani stressed on the infallible Imams' being human beings and said that addressees should be enabled to symbolize and follow them as models. He also gave a short explanation concerning the contents of Mushaf of Fatima (the Book of Fatima) to reply to some spurious arguments and accusation labeled against Shia by Wahhabism.
Replying to a question put forth by Mehr reporter about Mushaf of Fatima, Ayatollah Hadavi Tehran, president of the Porch of Wisdom Cultural Institute said, "The Book of Fatima (s.a.) is something about which there are reports available in Shia traditions. The existence of such traditions is therefore undeniable. According to the narrations, the Book of Fatima (s.a.) consists of reports about future events or descriptions of particular issues."
He added that it is inferred from some traditions that Mushaf of Fatima was dictated by Hazrat Fatima (a.s.) and written by Ali bin Abi Talib (a.s.). The book is now kept with the Infallible Imams and it is considered to be a legacy of Imamate.
The Contents of The Book of Fatima (s.a.)
Ayatollah Hadavi Tehrani stressed that according to the traditions concerning the Mushaf, Fatima (s.a.) had reached the Muhdatha position where God, the Glorified, talked to her in a way. According to some reports, Gabriel appeared to Fatima for sometimes after the Holy Prophet's demise telling her something which formed the contents of her Book.
He stressed that The Book of Fatima (s.a.) is indicative of the spiritual position of Fatima (s.a.) and it was for the same reason that the pure Imams were telling that what has been mentioned in the Book was Fatima's knowledge about future and particular incidents which other people knew nothing about. The Book of Fatima (s.a.) is not a book to be accessible to Shiites; in fact, it is the legacy of Imamate that is kept with the Infallible Imams, peace be upon them.
Answers to Some False Charges Labeled against Shia by Wahhabism
Head of the Porch of Wisdom Cultural Institute rejected the false allegations which the Wahhabis ascribe to Shia concerning the Quran and the Book of Fatima (s.a.). "The charges which, sometimes, the enemies of Shia especially the Wahhabis ascribe to Shia are false. For example, they say that Shiites do not believe in the Quran and that they believe that the Quran has been tampered with and they believe in Mushaf of Fatima (s.a.) instead of the Quran, all of these allegations are baseless and have nothing to do with Shi'ism; the Shiite school of thought believes in the Quran and maintains that the Quran is undistorted and immune to any alteration. The Quran which is in our hand is the same book that was sent down upon the Prophet (pbuh)," he said.
"It is an indisputable belief of Shia that Prophet Muhammad bin Abdullah (pbuh) is the Last of Prophets and Ali is his successor and the first Imam after him. Although we hold that Imam Ali (a.s) possesses God-gifted knowledge, Shia never believes that he is a prophet. Also Shia believes that God's angels including Gabriel are inerrant and they do not commit any mistakes," Ayatollah Hadavi Tehrani added.
He also said that according to some narrations there are books other the Book of Fatima (s.a.) such as "al-Jafr" or "the Book of Ali (a.s.)" ascribed to Ali bin Abi Talib (a.s.) which, according to some discussible narrations, contain facts similar to those in the Book of Fatima (s.a.). The books are kept with the Infallible Imams (a.s.) and that the Shiites do not have access to them. At times, the Infallibles (a.s.), according to some narrations, allowed some of their companions to take a brief look at this book.
Emphasis on the Imams' being as regular human beings enables the addressee to follow them as role models.
Referring to the days of the commemoration of the martyrdom of Fatima (s.a.), Ayatollah Hadavi Tehrani stressed on making known the real personality and status of the Infallibles (a.s.) including Fatima, the daughter of the Holy Prophet (pbuh). "When it comes to speaking of the ranks and status of the infallibles including Hazrat Fatima (s.a.), we restrict ourselves to speaking of two aspects only; either we speak of their virtues which are exclusive to them and unattainable for us or we suffice only to the emotional aspect by way of narrating the stories of their martyrdom to people and provoking their feelings. There is nothing bad about this but a more important aspect that should be taken into consideration is that the infallibles are role models and we must speak of them in such a way that the addressee should understand that he can follow and symbolize them," he added.
Ayatollah Hadavi Tehrani stressed on the Imams' being human beings and said that telling people and reminding them that the infallible Imams and Fatima (a.s) are human beings will allow people to see and follow them as their role models. Hazrat Fatima is a human being who has attained such a lofty spiritual position; she is not a superhuman who may not be followed.
He also said that Hazrat Fatima (s.a.) is a role model for mankind. "There is no doubt that this great lady is a model for humanity to follow. Of course, in some aspects, she can be a role model for women only. For example, when it comes to Hijab (Islamic modest dress), the relations between a man and his wife at home, duties and obligations of a mother etc, Muslim women should follow her as a model. Generally speaking, Fatima is a model for the entire humanity, not women only. Same is the case with the Infallible Imams (a.s.) who are meta-gender role models. That is to say, they are not role models for men only. It has to be said to people that Hazrat Fatima (s.a.) who enjoys a lofty divine position can be followed. Therefore, all human beings, irrespective of whether they are men or women, young or old, can follow Hazrat Fatima as a role model.
Office of Ayatollah Mahdi Hadavi Tehrani
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