Negating the belief of the Shias

Question:-

What is the meaning of the following narration of Bukhari Sharif:

– حَدَّثَنَا قُتَيْبَةُ بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ، عَنْ عَبْدِ العَزِيزِ بْنِ رُفَيْعٍ، قَال: دَخَلْتُ أَنَا وَشَدَّادُ بْنُ مَعْقِلٍ، عَلَى ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمَا، فَقَال لَهُ شَدَّادُ بْنُ مَعْقِلٍ: أَتَرَكَ النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ مِنْ شَيْءٍ؟ قَال: “مَا تَرَكَ إلا مَا بَيْنَ الدَّفَّتَيْنِ” قَال: وَدَخَلْنَا عَلَى مُحَمَّدِ ابْنِ الحَنَفِيَّةِ، فَسَأَلْنَاهُ، فَقَال: “مَا تَرَكَ إلا مَا بَيْنَ الدَّفَّتَيْنِ”.

Answer:-

This chapter of Bukhari Sharif negates that Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam made a Wasiyyat that Ali Radiallahu Anhu would be his Khalifa (after his demise).

Imaam Bukhari Rahimahullah uses this narration against the Shias in proving that their Madhab is corrupt and Baatil (as they claim that Ali Radiallahu Anhu was worthy of Khilaafat after Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam). He quotes Muhammad Bin Hanifiyya who is the son of Ali Radiallahu Anhu. Generally, the son would know everything with regards to his father. Imaam Bukhari Rahimahullah is saying that, if there was any matter related to the Imaamat of Ali Radiallahu Anhu, then (the son) wouldn’t have concealed it (from the masses), due to his lofty position and being a great pillar of Deen. Similarly, Imaam Bukhari Rahimahullah uses Ibn Abbas Radiallahu Anhu as a proof and support, as he was one that held very firmly onto Ali Radiallahu Anhu and knew his condition. He, too, wouldn’t have concealed anything with regards to Ali Radiallahu Anhu.

When these two personalities were questioned as to whether Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam left behind anything (in regards to the issue of Imaamat after him), they replied, “He didn’t leave except what is between the two covers (referring to the Quraan Sharif.)” In simple terms, refer to the Quraan Sharif in regards to this matter. Hence, the corrupt belief of the Shias is negated.

– حَدَّثَنَا قُتَيْبَةُ بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ، عَنْ عَبْدِ العَزِيزِ بْنِ رُفَيْعٍ، قَال: دَخَلْتُ أَنَا وَشَدَّادُ بْنُ مَعْقِلٍ، عَلَى ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمَا، فَقَال لَهُ شَدَّادُ بْنُ مَعْقِلٍ: أَتَرَكَ النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ مِنْ شَيْءٍ؟ قَال: “مَا تَرَكَ إلا مَا بَيْنَ الدَّفَّتَيْنِ” قَال: وَدَخَلْنَا عَلَى مُحَمَّدِ ابْنِ الحَنَفِيَّةِ، فَسَأَلْنَاهُ، فَقَال: “مَا تَرَكَ إلا مَا بَيْنَ الدَّفَّتَيْنِ”.

[فتح: 9/ 64]

وقال الكرماني: وقد يجاب بأن بعض الناس كان يزعم أن رسول الله – صلى الله عليه وسلم -أوصى إلى علي – رضي الله عنه – فالسؤال أي: هنا إنما هو عن شيء يتعلق بالإمامة فأجاب: بأنه ما ترك إلا ما بين الدفتين من الآيات التي يتمسك بها في الإمامة وهذا أحسن (1) انتهى.منحة التخاري ص298 ج8

ALLAH TA’ALA KNOWS BEST!

ANSWERED BY:

Mufti Mohammed Desai

Date: 13 Jumadal Ukhra 1443 / 16 January 2021