AhlulBayt News Agency (ABNA): The Quran introduces itself and the Holy Prophet (PBUH) as the pivot of order and unity in the Islamic society.
The questions is to whom Muslims should refer after the demise of the Prophet (PBUH).
The full realization of Islamic objectives is not possible without the existence of comprehensive social order because Islam is an inclusive religion that considers all aspects of people’s personal and social life and guides all of their affairs in line with Tawheed (monotheism) and worshipping God.
Since different views and traditions cannot come to such an order, the Quran says: “And hold fast to the Bond of Allah, together, and do not scatter.” (Verse 103 of Surah Al Imran)
In the two previous verses (101 and 102 of Al Imran), the Quran introduces taking recourse to the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and the divine verses as the guarantee of guidance.
In Surah An-Nisa, too, the Holy Book stresses following the Prophet (PBUH) in all of the society’s matters and says accepting his judgment is the condition for true faith: “I swear by your Lord that they will not be considered believers until they let you judge their disputes and then they will find nothing in their souls to prevent them from accepting your judgment, thus, submitting themselves to the will of God.” (Verse 65 of Surah An-Nisa)
But what is the example of the “Bond of Allah” and pivot of the society’s order after the Holy Prophet (PBUH)? The Quran introduces the concept of Ulul Amr and orders us to refer to them both when there are differences and conflicts and in understanding and analyzing complex issues:
“When a matter comes to them, be it of security or fear, they broadcast it, whereas if they returned it to the Messenger and to those in authority among them, those of them whose task is to research it would have known it. If it was not for the Bounty of Allah and His Mercy, all but a few of you would have followed satan.” (Verse 83 of Surah An-Nisa)
Wali Amr, according to the Quran, are those who have not received the revelation but must be followed by people just as the Holy Prophet (PBUH) was followed: “Believers, obey Allah and obey the Messenger and those in authority among you.” (Verse 59 of Surah An-Nisa) In the next verse, it is emphasized that Ulul Amr do not issue a ruling that is different from those issued by God and His Messenger (PBUH).
There is no precondition for obeying Ulul Amr and the fact that obeying them is in line with obeying God and His Prophet (PBUH) shows that they are infallible in words and deeds. Because we are not capable of distinguishing them, we should refer to God and the Holy Prophet (PBUH) to know them and there are many Hadiths in this regard.
One of them is the Hadith of Thaqlayn, according to which, the Holy messenger of God is reported to have said, “I am leaving behind among you two precious things (Thaqalayn), as long as you adhere to them you will never go astray after me. The Book of Allah and my Itrah, my Ahl-ul-Bayt. They will never separate till they come unto me near the Pond, so look how you are going to treat them after me.”
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