THE REALITY OF SPIRITUAL ALLEGIANCE pdf download

THE REALITY OF SPIRITUAL ALLEGIANCE By Imam Ahmad Rida Khan

THE REALITY OF SPIRITUAL ALLEGIANCE

The earliest manifestations of religious extremism came in the form of two groups in polar opposition to each other over whom they believed should lead and guide the Muslims.

On one hand, the Kharijites believed that any righteous believer could lead the ummah and interpret the Qur’an and Prophetic traditions [sunnah].

As a result, their interpretations became increasingly extreme: culminating in them declaring our masters ‘Uthman, Ali, Mu’awiyah, and many other companions to have left the folds of Islam and fallen into disbelief.

 At the other extreme, the Shi’ites denied the right to interpret the Qur’àn and Sunnah and to lead the Ummah to any but an infallible leader [imam] of the Prophetic household [ahl al- bayt).

The first of these leaders to their minds was our master Ali &. By the manipulation and fabrication of various texts, they forged a narrative of him being appointed to this role by the Prophet and him transmitting this role to his sons. They came to believe this process was to continue until the