| The Shia The Two Problems of Succession and Authority in Religious Sciences
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| In accordance, with the Islamic teachings which
form its basis, Shiasim believed that the most important question facing
Islamic society was the elucidation and clarification of Islamic teachings
and the tenets of the religious sciences.
Only after such clarifications were made could the application of these teachings to the social order be considered. In other wordsShiasim believed that, before all else, members of society should be able to gain a true vision of the world and of men based on the real nature of things. Only then could they know and perform their duties as human beings - in which lay their real welfare - even if the performance of these religious duties were to be against their desires.After carrying out this first step a religious government should preserve and execute real Islamic order in society in such a way that man would worship none other than God, would possess personal and social freedom to the extent possible, and would benefit from true personal and social justice. These two ends could be accomplished only by a person who was inerrant and protected by God from having faults. Otherwise people could become rulers or religious authorities who would not be free from the possibility of distortion of thought or the committing of treachery in the duties placed upon their shoulders. Were this to happen, the just and freedom giving rule of Islam could gradually be converted to dictatorial rule and a completely autocratic government. Moreover, the pure religious teachings could become, as can be seen in the case of certain other religions, the victims of change and distortion in the hands of selfish scholars given to the satisfaction of their carnal desires. As confirmed by The Holy Prophet(pbuh&hf), that Ali followed perfectly and completely The Book of Allah and the Sunnah or Tradition of The Prophet(pbuh&hf) in both words and and most importantly in deeds. As Shiasim sees it What prevented the Shia from accepting the elective method of choosing the Caliphate by the people was: As it so happened Later events in the Islamic History confirmed this predicted feared, and proved the Shia right everytime! With the result that the Shia became ever more firm and steadfast in their belief and principle to only accept what is decreed by, 'Allah(swt) Commands through His Divine and Holy Messenger Mohammad(pbuh&hf), the Holy Koran, and through his Sacred and Holy Household the Ahlu Bayt(as)!'During the earliest years, however, because of the small number of it's followers, Shiasim appeared outwardly to have been absorbed into the majority, although privately it continued to insist on acquiring the Islamic Sciences from the Household of The Prophet(pbuh&hf) and to invite people into its cause. At the same time, in order to preserve the power of Islam and safeguard its progress. Shiasim did not display any open opposition to the rest of Islamic society. Members of the Shi'ite community even fought hand in hand with the Sunni majority in holy wars Jihad and participated in public affairs. Ali himself guided the Sunni majority in the interest of the whole of Islam whenever such action was necessary. |
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