Introduction Where do we draw the line as far as the Taqiyya that the Imams had historically engaged in is concerned? The standard view of the Madhhab is that the Imams would not purposely mislead the overwhelming majority of their own Ashab through statements given in Taqiyya. My own argument in support of the standard … Continue reading Does the Imam Misguide His Companions? (A Response) →

Introduction[1] Why did disputes occur after the death of some of the Imams such that the main-body of Imami Shi’is splintered into groups - with each group backing a different candidate as Imam? How can we reconcile between this undeniable historical phenomenon with the presence of Nass reports (in which the Imam names his successor) … Continue reading How to Know Your Imam (Pt. I) →

Introduction What if someone proposes that Imam al-Sadiq purposely introduced false positions among his Ashab to such an extent that the overwhelming majority of them became misguided (adopted the false positions) - with the truth remaining only in the hands of an ‘elite few’? This is what John Andaluso proposes in order to claim that … Continue reading Safety in Numbers: The Principle of Shuhra and its Use (A Response) →

Introduction There are reports which indicate that all the companions were destroyed except three, these were then joined by four others, and they became seven who were saved. Were the saved companions only seven? Furthermore, if this destruction is taken to be limited to their fate in the next world then we do not doubt that many … Continue reading Did the Sahaba become Kafir? Pt. I →

Introduction I came across the following report whilst translating Rijal al-Kashshi: حدثني محمد بن قولويه، قال حدثنا سعد بن عبد الله، قال حدثنا أحمد بن هلال، عن محمد بن الفرج قال: كتبت إلى أبي الحسن عليه السلام أسأله عن أبي علي بن راشد و عن عيسى بن جعفر بن عاصم و ابن بند، فكتب إلي: … Continue reading The Imam Supplicates for Someone who was Killed for Cursing →