The Reality of Khilafah — Page 104
SIRRUL-KHILAFAH— 104 when they strayed from the right path, Allah caused their hearts to go astray. Their knowledge and understanding were of no use to them; they were indeed a disobedient people. Do not, therefore, be negligent in your duty to Allah, and let there be in you compassion and tolerance. Follow not that of which you have no knowledge, exceed not the limits, and trans- gress not. Commit not iniquity upon the earth, nor cause disor- der, and fear Allah if you are indeed righteous. You have heard of the practice of naming a person after another; do not, therefore, ignore this immutable practice of the Almighty and choose ambi- guities for which you have no proof. However, if you insist on them and do not turn away from them, then—if you are indeed of the truthful—show us another example where the practice Allah has conformed to your fancies? You will not be able to produce such an example. Do not, therefore, stand up against the Powerful Lord and do not reject His favour after it has been bestowed. Do not drive away His grace after it has come to you and do not be the first to reject it. If you are in any doubt concerning my claim and do not see the light of my moon and think that the Promised Mahdi and Imam, who was to come to extinguish the fire of tribulations, would only be from among the sons of F at imah ra and from none other, then know that this is an illusion that has no basis; it is like an arrow without a tip. There is, in fact, no consensus regarding this matter. This is well known to the people of knowledge and to the foremost scholars of Hadith. According to some accounts, the Mahdi, who will be supported with heavenly signs, will be among ‘the sons of al-‘Abb a s’, while others say that he shall be ‘from among us’, i. e. from among the Muslims. Another group claim that he shall be