(باب)* (أن الائمة (عليهم السلام) إذا شاؤوا أن يعلموا علموا)
“If the Imam wants to know anything, he will know it”
According to the Shia, Imam Jafar said: “Whenever the Imam wishes to be informed of something, Allah informs him of it.” (Source: http://al-islam.org/leadership/ )
He further stated: “I swear by God that knowledge of the first things and the last things has been bestowed on us.” On hearing this utterance of the Imam, one of his companions asked him whether he had knowledge of Al-Ghaib (the Unseen). He answered:
“Woe upon you that you find it necessary to ask such a question. We are fully informed of each drop of sperm in the loins of men and the wombs of women. Woe upon you; open your eyes, and let your hearts perceive the truth! We are God’s proof, dwelling among His creation, but only the believer whose faith is as firm as the mountains of Tihamah has the ability to perceive this truth. I swear by God that if I wished I could inform you how many pebbles exist in the world, even though their number is constantly growing, by night and by day. I swear by God that after me you will rise up in enmity against each other until one group among you destroys the other.” (Source: http://al-islam.org/leadership/ )
Imam Baqir is reported to have said: “We have been given complete knowledge of the heavens and the earth.” (Source: http://al-islam.org/leadership/ )
Once again, the Shia find no validation for their belief in the Quran, but rather the Quran rejects the idea that the Imams can know Al-Ghaib. According to the Quran, none save a few chosen Messengers can see Al-Ghaib, and even this is limited access as Allah pleases. Nobody save Allah and Allah alone knows “anything and everything” as the Shia claim their Imams do. Indeed, there were matters of Al-Ghaib that were not shared with Prophet Muhammad (صلّى الله عليه وآله وسلّم), and this is mentioned in the Quran. For example, the knowledge of the Hour of the Day of Judgment was not given to the Prophet (صلّى الله عليه وآله وسلّم).
The Prophet (صلّى الله عليه وآله وسلّم) repeatedly declared that he had limited knowledge and that only Allah knew all of Al-Ghaib. To cogitate that the Imams know all of Al-Ghaib is a blasphemy beyond bounds. Here are some verses in the Quran that refute the Shia belief:
“And with Him [Allah] are the keys of the Unseen (Ghaib); none knows them but He. ” (Quran, 6:59)
“Say (O Muhammed), ‘I am not different from other messengers. I have no idea what will happen to me or to you. I only follow whatis revealed to me. I am no more than a profound warner.’” (Quran, 46:9)
“Say (O Messenger): ‘I do not control any benefit or harm for my own soul except as Allah pleases; had I known the Unseen (Ghaib) I would have had much of good and no evil would have touched me; I am nothing but a warner and the giver of good news to a people who believe.’” (Quran, 7:188)
“Say (O Muhammed), ‘I do not say to you that I possess the treasures of Allah. Nor do I know the future. Nor do I say to you that I am an angel. I simply follow what is revealed to me.” (Quran, 6:50)
“Nor will Allah disclose to [any of] you the secrets of the Unseen (Ghaib), But He chooses of His Messengers (for the purpose) whom He pleases.” (Quran, 3:180)
The Prophet (صلّى الله عليه وآله وسلّم) only knew a limited amount of Al-Ghaib and only what Allah revealed to Him of it. It certainly was not an absolute knowledge of Al-Ghaib, which is something that only Allah and Allah alone knows because He is Al-Aalim (All-Knowing, Omniscient). In fact, Allah told His Messenger (صلّى الله عليه وآله وسلّم) that:
“These are announcements relating to the Unseen (Ghaib) which We reveal to you, you did not know them– neither you nor your people…” (Quran, 11:49)
Surely, the Imams would be included in “neither you nor your people.”
Allah declares:
“And they say: ‘Why is not a sign sent to him from his Lord?’ Say [O Muhammad]: ‘The Unseen (Ghaib) is only for Allah; therefore wait– surely I too, with you am of those who wait.” (Quran, 10:20)
“Say: ‘No one in the heavens and the earth knows the Unseen (Ghaib) but Allah; and they do not know when they shall be raised.’” (Quran, 27:65)
“None knows Allah’s Al-Ghaib (Unseen realm) except those whom He chooses from among His messengers.” (Quran, 72:26)
Article Written By: Ibn al-Hashimi, www.ahlelbayt.com
