The Outset of Dissension in Islam — Page 17
17 of whether this was with or without reason. A segment of people who were unfamiliar with the reality of religion began to look upon them as if they were usurpers. They anxiously waited for an opportunity to push them aside so that they could assume control of the government and its wealth. The second reason for this disorder was that Islam had established such means of freedom of conscience and action, and equality between people, as were not even available to great philosophical thinkers before this. As is the rule, there are some, who innately possess an element of disease, and thus, suffer, instead of benefitting from even the best of nourishments. Similarly, instead of benefitting from this principle of freedom of conscience and action, some people suffered by it and were unable to remain within its boundaries. This disease began in the time of the Holy Prophet sa when a wretched so-called Muslim confronted him and uttered the words, “O Messenger of Allah! Keep in mind the fear of Allah, for you have not acted with justice in the distribution of riches. ” To this, the Holy Prophet sa replied: ُ اِنَّه ُ یَخْرُج ُ مِن ْ ضِئْضِئِی ْ ھٰذَا قَوْم ٌ یَتْلُوْن َ کِتَاب َ اللّٰه ِ رَطْبا ً لَا یُجَاوِز ِ حَنَاجِرَھُم ْ یَمْرُقُوْن َ مِن َ الدِّیْن ِ کَمَا یَمْرُق ُ السَّھْم ُ مِن َ الرَّمِیَّة “A nation will arise from this person’s progeny that will recite the Quran often but it will not descend their throats. They will stray from faith just as an arrow misses its target. ” 14 14. S a hih ul-Bukh a r i , Kit a bul-Magh a z i , B a bu Ba ‘ thi ‘Aliyyibni Ab i Ta libin Wa Kh a lidibnil-Wal i di Ilal Yamani Qabla H ajjatil- Wad a ‘i, H ad i th No. 4351