The Fundamentals of Islam

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.) has said, ‘Islam is based on five principles. It is based on Prayer, Charity (al-Zakat) Fasting, Hajj and al-Wilayah (Divine Authority of A ’immah). The call to none of the other principles has been so emphatic as it has been to al-Wilayah.’”

“I requested Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) ‘Teach me, please, the principles of beliefs. The Imam said, ‘They are: to testify and affirm that there is no one who deserves to be worshipped except Allah, to testify and affirm that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah and to affirm that whatever he has taught is from Allah. (It is of the principles of beliefs) to affirm and accept that there is prayer five times every day. (It is of the principles of beliefs) to pay Zakat (charity), to fast in the month of Ramadan and to perform Hajj of the House (of Allah). (It is of the principles of beliefs) to love those who love us ( A ’immah from the family of the Messenger of Allah), to disown our enemies and to become part of the group of the truthful ones. (All such issues are of principles and obligatory matters).”’

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.) has said, ‘Islam is based on five principles. They are: Prayer, al-Zakat (charity) fasting, Hajj and al-Wilayah. The call to none of the other principles has been so emphatic as it has been to al- Wilayah. People accepted the other four but they left aside this [al-Wilayah].’”

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘The tripod of Islam consists of prayer, al-Zakat (charity) and al-Wilayah. No one of these can be considered correct without the other two.”

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.) has said, ‘Islam is based on five issues. It is based on prayer, alms (al-Zakat), Hajj, Fasting and al-Wilayah.’’
Zurara has said, ‘I then asked the Imam, “Which of these is more important than the others?’” The Imam said, ‘Al-Wilayah is more important. It is the key to the others. The person who possesses Divine Authority is the guide to the other principles.’
I then asked, ‘Which is the next important?’ The Imam said, ‘Thereafter is prayer. The Messenger of Allah (sw) has said, “Prayer is the pillar of your religion.’”
I then asked, ‘Which is the next important among them?’ The Imam said, ‘Al-Zakat is the one thereafter. Allah has mentioned it next to prayer but He has mentioned prayer first. The Messenger of Allah (sw) has said, “Al-Zakat removes sins.’”
I then asked, ‘Which one is important thereafter?’ The Imam said, ‘Hajj is important thereafter. Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has said, “It is a duty of the people to Allah to perform Hajj of the House if they are capable to do so. Whoever rejects it should know that Allah does not need anyone in the world.” (3:97) The Messenger of Allah (sw) has said, “Performing Hajj that is accepted is more virtuous than twenty Rak’at optional prayer. Whoever walks around the House seven times and performs the two Rak’at prayers thereafter properly Allah will grant him cover.” He (The Messenger of Allah) did say on the ninth of the month of Dil Hajj and on the tenth of the month of Dil Hajj in Muzdalifa (a place in Makka), what he wanted to say.’
I then asked, ‘Which one is important thereafter?’ The Imam said, ‘It is fasting.’
“I then asked, ‘Why is fasting the last of all in importance?’ The Imam said, ‘The Messenger of Allah (sw) has said, “Fasting is a shield against the fire.’”
The narrator has said that the Imam said, ‘The best of all things is that for which, if you miss, you do not find an alternative except going back to achieve it. Prayer, al-Wilayah and Hajj are not of matters replaceable with their own kind. On the other hand if fasting is missed on a journey one has the choice to fast on other days as remedy, or compensate for the sin with expiation and no fasting is necessary as a remedy. In the cases of the other four issues there is no alternative for them.’
The narrator has said that the Imam then said, ‘The topmost, the peak of the issue, the key and the door to it and the pleasure of the Beneficent (Lord) is to obey the Imam properly after knowing him clearly. Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, says, “Whoever obeys the Messenger he has obeyed Allah and whoever turns away from such obedience then you should know that We have not sent you to guard them.” (4:80) ‘Without recognizing the Divine Authority of the Imam, the deputy of Allah, no one has the right to receive any reward from Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy. This is true even though in his lifetime he may stand up in worship the whole night, fast during the day, give all his belongings in charity and perform Hajj every year. So also it is if he does not acknowledge the Divine Authority of his Imam with which all of one’s deeds can take place with the guidance of the Imam. Without al-Wilayah, one is not considered of the people of belief.’ Thereafter the Imam said, ‘Allah will admit, those of them who do good deeds into paradise through His extra mercy.’”

“Once I said to Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) ‘Teach me, please, the basic principles of Islam that are necessary for everyone to know to his limits of understanding, and if he fails to learn them to the necessary levels his religion is destroyed and Allah does not accept his deeds. What is the limit of learning about the deeds with which someone’s religion can take proper shape and Allah may accept his deeds? What are the limits and degrees of the permissible level of ignorance and lack of knowledge of certain aspects of these principles?’ “The Imam said, ‘The matters necessary to learn are to testify that no one deserves to be worshipped except Allah, that Muhammad (a.s.) is the Messenger of Allah, that whatever he has brought from Allah is the truth and to affirm that paying Zakat (charity) is a right. (Of such necessary matters is) to affirm al-Wilayah (Divine Authority of ‘ A’immah ) that Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has made obligatory upon the other people to obey and acknowledge the Divine Authority of certain members of the family of Prophet Muhammad (a.s.).’ I (the narrator) then asked the Imam, ‘Is al-Wilayah of an exclusive nature?’ The Imam said, ‘Yes, Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has said, “O believers, obey Allah, obey the Messenger and those among you who possess Divine Authority.” (4:59) The Merssenger of Allah has said, “Whoever dies without knowing who the Imam of his time is, he is considered as a person dying in the time of ignorance (as an unbeliever).” There was the Messenger of Allah and there was Ali (a.s.) but others said there was Mu’awiyah. Then there was al-Hassan (a.s.) and then there was al-Husayn (a.s.). Others said that there were Yazid ibn Mu’awiyah and Husayn ibn Ali. They were not equals and certainly they were not equals, meaning thereby Ali, al-Hassan and al-Husayn with Mu’awiyah and his son Yazid.’ He has said that the Imam remained calm for a while and then said, ‘Do you want me to tell you additional facts?’ Hakam ibn al-’A’War said, ‘Yes, may Allah keep my soul in service to your cause.’ The Imam said, ‘Then there was Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.) then there was Muhammad ibn Ali, abu Ja’far. The Shi’a before abu Ja’far did not know the rules of Hajj, the lawful matters and the unlawful matters until there was abu Ja’far (a.s.). He opened it (system of religion) for them and explained to them the rules of their Hajj, the lawful and unlawful matters. People began to realize that they needed him very much while before they would ask other people for what they needed. This is how the facts are. The earth does not remain without an Imam and one who dies without knowing, who his Imam is, he is as though he was of the people of the dark ages of ignorance. The time when you need al-Wilayah most urgently is the time when your soul reaches here (pointing to his throat) and the world is cut off from you and then you say, ‘I have certainly been on the good side of the affairs, (a supporter of al-Wilayah).”’’ Abu Ali al-Ash’ari has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Abd al-Jabbar from Safwan from ‘Isa ibn al-Sariyy abu al-Yasa’ from Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) a similar Hadith.

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.) has said, ‘Islam is based on five principles. They are al-Wilayah, (accepting the Divine Authority of ‘ A’immah ), the prayer, al- Zakat (charity), fasting in the month of Ramadan and al-Hajj.’”

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.) has said, ‘Islam is based on five principles: The prayer, al-Zakat (charity), fasting, al-Hajj and al-Wilayah. The call to no one of the other principles has been so emphatic as it was for al-Wilayah on the day of al-Ghadir (name of a place between Makka and Madina.)”’

“Once I asked Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) to teach me the principles of Islam in such a way that on holding to them my deeds can take pure and correct form and thereafter the ignorance of whatever I am ignorant of cannot harm me. The Imam said, ‘Of the principles of Islam are to testify and acknowledge that no one deserves to be worshipped except Allah, and that Muhammad (a.s.) is the Messenger of Allah. Of such principles is to affirm and acknowledge that whatever he has brought is from Allah, to pay al-Zakat (charity) is a right and that al-Wilayah which Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has commanded to accept and acknowledge is al-Wilayah (Divine Authority) of Ahl al-Bayt of Muhammad (a.s.). The Messenger of Allah has said, “Whoever dies while he does not know who his Imam is, he is considered as one who has died in the darkness of ignorance.” Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has said, “Obey Allah, obey the Messenger of Allah and the persons among you who possess Divine Authority.” (4:59). Imam Ali was there (possessed Divine Authority) and after him were Imam Hassan, Imam Husayn and Ali ibn al-Husayn and after them was Muhammad ibn Ali, recipients of divine supreme covenant, successively and thus it will continue. The land will not take an ideal shape without an Imam. Whoever dies while he does not know who his Imam is, he is considered as one who has died in the darkness of ignorance. What everyone of you will need very urgently when his soul will reach here (pointing to his chest) is to know him (the Imam) so that he can say it is certain that I have been holding to a genuinely good matter.”’

“Once I asked abu Ja’far (a.s.) ‘Do you know, O child of the Messenger of Allah that I love you ( Ahl al-Bayt). that 1 have disassociated myself from other people to associate with you only and that I support you ( Ahl al-Bayt )?’ The Imam said, ‘Yes, I know it.’ 1 then said, ‘I ask you to answer my question; my eyes are restricted, I walk very little and I am not able to visit you except every now and then.’ The Imam said, ‘What is your question?’ I then said, ‘What is the religion by which you obey Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, and the religion that your Ahl al-Bayt follow so that I will also obey Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, by the rules of your religion?’ The Imam said, ‘Although your introduction was brief, your question is a great question. By Allah, I will certainly teach you my religion and the religion of my ancestors by the rules of which we worship Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy. It is to testify that no one deserves to be worshipped except Allah, that Muhammad (a.s.) is the Messenger of Allah, and that whatever (message) he has brought is from Allah. That it is obligatory to love and support those who support and love us ( Ahl al-Bayt ) and disassociate from our enemies. That it is obligatory to obey our commands, cherish the hope for the coming of the one from us who will rise with Divine Authority and to strive hard ( Ijtihad) for progress in the matters of religion and live a life of piety, warn’ (stay away from sins).”’

“Once I heard abu Basir asking Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) ‘May Allah keep my soul in service for your cause, teach me the religion that Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has made obligatory for people to follow. Teach me the religion of which they must not remain ignorant and besides which no other religion is accepted. What is this religion?’ The Imam said, ‘Repeat your question.’ He repeated his question. The Imam said, ‘It (such religion) is to testify that no one else deserves to be worshipped except Allah, that Muhammad (a.s.) is the Messenger of Allah, and that it is obligatory to perform prayer, pay al-Zakat (charity), perform Hajj of the House if one has the ability and fast in the month of Ramadan.’ Then he remained silent for a little while and said twice, “ Al-Wilayah .” He then said, ‘This is what Allah has made obligatory upon His servants. The Lord on the Day of Judgment will not sk His servants why you have not done more than what I had made obligatory upon you. However, if someone does more good deeds Allah will grant him additional rewards. The Messenger of Allah has set up noble and beautiful traditions and it is very good for the people to practice them all.’”

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has made five things obligatory upon His creatures. He has given them permission in four but in one of them He has not given permission.’”

“Once a man came to abu Ja’far (a.s.). He had a book with him. Abu Ja’far said, ‘This is the book of a polemicist who wants to learn a religion that if followed ones deeds are accepted.’ The man said, ‘May the blessings of Allah be with you, this is exactly what I want.’ Abu Ja’far (a.s.) said, ‘Such religion is to testify that no one deserves to be worshipped except Allah, Who has no partners. That Muhammad (a.s.) is His servant and Messenger. And that you affirm and acknowledge that whatever he has brought is from Allah. That one has love (in his heart) for us, Ahl al-Bayt, and disassociates himself from our enemies, obeys our commands, maintains piety and humbleness in life and has hope in the rise from us of one with the Divine Authority. For us there is a government and he will establish it when Allah wills.’”

“Once I went to see Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) and he was in the house of his brother, ‘Abd Allah ibn Muhammad, and I said, ‘May Allah keep my soul in service for your cause, what has brought you to this house?’ ‘Seeking privacy,’ said the Imam. I said, ‘May Allah keep my soul in service for your cause, can I state before you my religion?’ The Imam said, ‘Yes, you may do so.’ I then said, ‘I follow a religion (that requires me) to obey Allah and testify that no one else deserves to be worshipped except Allah Who has no partners. That Muhammad (a.s.) is His servant and messenger, that the Hour (of reckoning) will certainly come, that Allah will bring all people from their graves, that it is obligatory to pray, pay Zakat (charity), fast in the month of Ramadan and perform Hajj of the House. I affirm and acknowledge the Divine Authority of Ali ibn abu Talib after the Messenger of Allah, the Divine Authority of al-Hassan, al- Husayn, the Divine Authority of Ali ibn al-Husayn, the Divine Authority of Muhammad ibn Ali and your Divine Authority after him (your father), recipients of divine supreme covenant. You are my Imam. With such beliefs I live and with them I will die and such is my religion before Allah.’ The Imam said, ‘Such, O ‘Amr, I swear by Allah, is the religion of Allah and the religion of my ancestors and such is the religion that 1 follow to obey Allah in private and in public. Maintain piety before Allah and hold your tongue except from good and do not say, “I have guided myself.” In fact, Allah has guided you. Give thanks to Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, for the favor that He has done to you. Do not be of those who on their moving forward are hit in the eyes or when moving backwards are hit from the back. Do not allow people ride on your shoulders for if you do so they cause injury to your shoulders.’”

“Do you want me to teach you the root of Islam, its branch and its peak? I said, ‘Yes, may Allah take my soul in service for your cause.’ The Imam said, ‘Its root is prayer, its branch is al-Zakat (charity) and its peak is Jihad (the hard work in defense and preaching of the belief).’ The Imam then said, ‘If you want 1 can teach you about the gates to all good.’ I said, ‘Yes, please, May Allah keep my soul in service for your cause, do so.’ “The Imam said, ‘Fasting is a shield against fire, charity removes sins and of the gates to good is to stand up (for worship) during the night to speak of Allah.’ He then read (the words of Allah) ‘They do not allow their sides to rest in bed (but they stand up at night to pray to Allah).”’ (32:16)