The Light of Truth — Page 495
ASSESSING THE AUTHENTICITY OF THE ECLIPSE HADITH 495 Hence, how can prophecies that are still potential in nature blot out that matter which has become firmly established through decisive proofs? Indeed, according to the research scholars, the one who relies on hearsay is not like the one who sees for himself. Have you truly forgotten this pronouncement of Khātamun-Nabiyyīn or have you merely become insane? As for those who approve of giving precedence to daîf traditions over firmly proven and witnessed prophecies, I am astounded as to how they justify this after the veil covering the face of truth has been lifted, and how they can be convinced by uncertainties after the truth has come and the light of certainty has appeared. This being the case, I pored over their traditions and carefully exam- ined their reports, but I did not find anything in their hands besides an abundance of ahād. There are numerous contradictions and many kinds of defects among the traditions relating to the Mahdi. Hence, the principle that I mentioned and the standard that I have adopted is best and most blessed for those who wish to set the matter straight and be free from fabrication and what is forbidden. Moreover, it is most beneficial and excellent in the eyes of research scholars and a decisive word for those who dispute with one another. Therefore, it is incumbent upon you to substantiate any matter until it becomes clear like the bayyināt and the smell of the mutashābi- hāt no longer lingers in it. When you have seen that it has become clear and no darkness of obscurity remains in it, and it has manifested like the appearance of sunlight, then designate it as correct and superior to the mutashābihāt, which have not manifested like the bayyināt. If an agreement is reached between the two [well and good], but if not, then [opt for] divorce, disavowal, and separation. It is incumbent upon you to believe in the bayyināt and muhkamāt in a discerning manner, to adhere to them, to follow their example, and to restore the true knowl- edge of the proven mutashābihāt to the Lord of Majesty with com- plete faith in those prophecies. This is the way of righteousness and the practice of the God-fearing, and this is the principle that protects from error and saves from the calamity of strife.