“An Analysis of the Book Tashyeed al-Mata’an and Its Scholarly Significance in Responding to Historical Criticisms”
Author: Hamed Sarem
Abstract
The book “Tashyeed al-Mata’an,” authored by Muhammad Qali, the father of Mir Hamid Hussain, is a prominent work in defense of Shia beliefs against historical and theological criticisms. This work is especially recognized for its use of the method of “Alzam or Obligation ,” which means presenting irrefutable arguments. Alzam is used in this book as a tool to challenge the reasoning of opponents, to the point where critics are unable to refute them and are forced into silence in the face of these arguments. Syed Ijaz Hussain, the son of Mir Hamid Hussain, has introduced this work as unparalleled and unique in the history of Islamic theology, emphasizing its scholarly significance.
The infallibility of the Imam is one of the key themes of this book. In Islamic thought, the infallibility of the Imam is considered an essential condition for correct guidance and for conveying divine commandments to the followers. In light of the criticisms presented, the necessity of an infallible Imam for religious guidance and proper worship within the community becomes evident. According to logical and religious reasons, the Imam must be free from error and mistake in order to correctly convey religious rulings and lead the people towards God. Therefore, the infallibility of the Imam is not only a spiritual quality but a rational necessity for achieving divine objectives within the Muslim community.
Alzam (Obligation principle) in Debate; The Legacy of Mohammad Quli in Tashyeed al-Mata’an
One of the notable works in response to theological and historical criticisms in the field of Islam is the book Tashyeed al-Mata’an, authored by Mr. Mohammad Quli, the father of Mir Hamid Hussein. In this regard, his son, Syed Ijaz Hussein, wrote a book titled “Syed Ijaz Hussein” and discussed the content of Tashyeed al-Mata’an. Syed Ijaz Hussein refers to this book as unparalleled, stating that no work of its kind has ever existed. According to him, “This book is unique compared to all similar works, and time has never seen its like.”
One of the remarkable features of the book Tashyeed al-Mata’an is its use of the method of “Alzam” (Obligation principle). This term refers to providing arguments that the opposing party cannot easily refute. In other words, in this book, the authors present arguments that scientifically challenge the opponent, leaving them unable to respond effectively.
Mir Hamid Hussein and his father Mohammad Quli emphasized the principle of Obligation (Alzam) in their works. Alzam means that in their books, they present well-documented, solid arguments that even critics cannot easily reject. Consequently, these books, especially Tashyeed al-Mata’an, are considered a collection of firm and irrefutable reasoning.
Syed Ijaz Hussein, in describing this work, states that Tashyeed al-Mata’an includes content that no other book can answer comprehensively in such a manner. This book is not only the “final word” but also regarded as the last word on the topics discussed.He continues by adding that some of these descriptions may seem exaggerated at first glance, but once the reader thoroughly examines the book, they will realize the greatness and significance of this work. In other words, the true value of the book can only be understood once the reader is fully familiar with its content.
Therefore, Syed Ijaz Hussein’s view of Tashyeed al-Mata’an is undoubtedly not an exaggeration. This book is an unparalleled work in the history of Islamic theology, which uses strong necessitations and solid arguments to defend Shia beliefs against criticisms and remains an authoritative scientific reference in this field.
Analyzing the Essential Conditions of Imamate and the Concept of Mata’an (The incompetence of the caliphs) in Islamic Thought
To properly understand the concept of mata’an, we must first explore the foundational principles of Imamate in Islamic thought. It is essential to clarify that mata’an goes far beyond mere verbal abuse or superficial attacks. In reality, it refers to serious and profound criticisms directed at religious and spiritual figures, often manifesting as challenges to their personal and moral attributes.
In this context, in order to explain mata’an, we must first examine the concept of Imamate and the three essential conditions required for a person to rightfully occupy this position. From both rational and religious perspectives, these conditions are as follows:
Infallibility (Ismah): One of the fundamental prerequisites of the Imamate is infallibility. The Imam must be immune from sin and error. This quality enables the Imam to always avoid misjudgments and remain on the path of truth. Infallibility ensures that the Imam is perceived as a flawless guide in all aspects of leadership.
Moral and Intellectual Superiority: The Imam must possess intellectual and moral superiority over others. This includes advanced religious and jurisprudential knowledge, as well as exemplary ethical conduct. The Imam must not only be a scholar but also a role model in character and behavior.
Divine Appointment: The third essential condition is divine designation. The Imam must be appointed by God, not chosen by people through human decision-making. This divine designation legitimizes the Imam’s authority and sets the Imamate apart from other social or political roles.
Considering these three conditions, it becomes clear that mata’an is not limited to superficial or trivial critiques. Rather, it entails substantial criticism of the religious, intellectual, ethical, and divine attributes of religious figures. Therefore, understanding and analyzing this concept—alongside the conditions of Imamate—enables a more accurate comprehension of the theological critiques raised in this domain.
The Necessity of the Imam’s Infallibility and Its Importance from the Viewpoint of Reason and Religion
The infallibility of the Imam is one of the important and fundamental issues in Islamic thought, emphasized both from a rational and religious perspective. To understand the necessity of the Imam’s infallibility, we must first consider the main purpose of appointing an Imam and then examine why the Imam must be free from error and mistake.
The Purpose of Appointing the Imam
The main purpose of appointing an Imam is to guide the community toward God and direct them in proper worship of the Divine. In any society where there is no Imam, people cannot accurately find the ways of worship and righteousness. The Imam’s infallibility is essential because he must, without error or mistake, explain the divine rulings and guide people toward God’s satisfaction.
Rational Necessity of Infallibility
From a rational perspective, the Imam’s infallibility is necessary. If the Imam were not infallible, he could make errors in explaining religious rulings and guiding the community, and as a result, the primary purpose of having an Imam would not be realized. Reason dictates that someone appointed to guide the people toward God must be infallible and free from any mistakes so that people can follow the correct path.
Religious and Qur’anic Evidence
In addition to the rational necessity, there are Qur’anic verses and well-established Hadiths that support the infallibility of the Imam. The Qur’an explicitly mentions the infallibility of certain individuals and describes this quality as essential for those entrusted with guiding the people. The well-established Hadiths, which are narrated by both Shia and Sunni sources, also emphasize the necessity of the Imam’s infallibility.
The Purpose of the Imam’s Existence According to Opponents
Even the opponents acknowledge the necessity of the Imam’s existence. When the Prophet (PBUH) passed away, some companions neglected tasks such as burial and offering prayers for the Prophet, as they prioritized matters like the burial and leadership of the community.
Their rationale was the greater importance of leadership in the community. This illustrates that, even for the opponents, the Imam’s existence was seen as a critical and inevitable necessity in the Muslim community.
Given the rational and religious reasons, the infallibility of the Imam is of paramount importance. Without infallibility, the primary purpose of appointing an Imam—to guide the people toward God—would not be fulfilled. Therefore, the Imam’s infallibility is an essential condition for maintaining the integrity and correctness of religious guidance within the community.
The Necessity of Imamate for Preserving Religion and Worship
As it is evident from the perspective of opponents, Imamate is a necessary and undeniable matter. One of the important narrations reported by the opponents states that if someone dies without having pledged allegiance to a caliph, their death is like the death of the “Jahiliyyah” (Death accompanied by disbelief and hypocrisy is as if she/he was not a Muslim at all. This narration, which is cited by both Sunnis and Shias, explicitly emphasizes the importance of having an Imam and the necessity of recognizing the Imam of the time. According to this narration: Whoever dies without knowing the Imam of their time, their death is the death of Jahiliyyah.
This statement clearly shows that the absence of an Imam and the failure to recognize the Imam means the inability of individuals in the community to practice their faith and worship Allah correctly. In other words, even if a person prays, fasts, performs Hajj, and believes in the oneness of Allah, but does not pledge allegiance to the Imam of their time, their acts of worship will be meaningless. This view indicates that Imamate and recognizing the Imam are essential for the correct fulfillment of the worship of Allah.
The Necessity of the Imam for Guidance and Worship
Following the previous explanations, it becomes clear that the necessity of an Imam lies in preserving true religion and proper worship of God within society. Without the presence of an Imam, people would not be fully capable of performing their acts of worship correctly. Therefore, the appointment of an Imam is not limited to political guidance or enforcement of divine laws; rather, it serves a far greater and more fundamental purpose. The Imam must exist as a divine proof so that people can worship God properly and attain His pleasure.
In this way, Imamate is considered a fundamental condition for correct religion and genuine worship in society. Without an infallible Imam and divine proof, people cannot truly understand or implement the real essence of religion.
The Necessity of the Imam’s Infallibility for Proper Guidance and Worship
Worship in Islam refers to actions that are defined and prescribed by God. Such acts must be performed according to divine instructions and cannot be altered based on individual desires. To achieve proper and God-pleasing worship, it is essential that an infallible figure exists to accurately explain God’s commands.
Worship as a Divine and Fixed Matter
Worship is something that must be determined by God. People cannot define the methods of worship on their own. Everything we perform as worship must align with God’s specific instructions. Worship is a divine institution, and the only path to correct worship is through an infallible individual chosen by God who can show the correct way to perform it.
The Necessity of an Infallible Imam
To ensure true and proper worship, the existence of an infallible Imam is required. This Imam, following the Prophet of Islam, is responsible for conveying God’s commands to the people. The Imam must guide without error so that the people understand what pleases God and how to worship Him correctly.
The Importance of the Imam’s Infallibility in Fulfilling Divine Goals
If the Imam is not infallible, there would be a risk of error in conveying or implementing divine commands. Should the Imam make mistakes, forget something, or intentionally lie, it would result in deviation from correct worship and proper religious practice. Therefore, the Imam’s infallibility is essential to ensure that divine objectives are fully achieved and that people are correctly guided.
The Imam’s Role in Upholding Divine Laws and Defending Islam
Some argue that the Imam’s duties are limited to enforcing laws, defending Muslims, or establishing military forces. However, this perspective is flawed. Even the enforcement of laws must be carried out according to divine instructions. The infallible Imam must have full knowledge of all the Prophet’s teachings and must make no mistakes in executing them. Otherwise, the entire purpose of appointing an Imam would be undermined.
Conclusion: The Infallibility of the Imam as a Necessary Condition for Divine Guidance
Ultimately, in order to fulfill divine objectives and properly guide people toward true worship, the existence of an infallible Imam is essential. The infallibility (‘ismah) of the Imam is a necessary condition, without which divine commands cannot be accurately conveyed, and the purpose of appointing an Imam will not be fully realized. Therefore, the Imam’s infallibility is indispensable for the continuation of divine guidance in society.
The book Tashyeed al-Mata’an, authored by Muhammad Quli and his son Mir Hamed Hossein, stands as a significant work defending Shi’a beliefs and responding to theological and historical criticisms. This book employs the method of “Alzam” (presenting arguments that opponents cannot refute) and scientifically challenges the criticisms raised against Shi’a doctrines. Syed Ijaz Hussain, the son of Mir Hamed Hossein, describes the book as an unparalleled resource in the field of theology, unmatched in its comprehensive responses to objections.
The infallibility of the Imam, as a necessary condition in Islamic thought, is a central theme of this work. Based on both rational and religious arguments, the Imam’s infallibility is essential for the correct transmission of divine commands and for guiding society toward God. This characteristic, which protects the Imam from errors and mistakes, ensures that religious rulings are conveyed accurately, enabling people to worship correctly and achieve divine goals. Thus, the presence of an infallible Imam in society is deemed essential for religious guidance and the preservation of proper worship from an Islamic perspective.
In conclusion, an analysis of this work highlights the importance of the Imam’s infallibility and his accurate explanation of divine commands, as vital elements for preserving religious guidance and ensuring correct worship in society. This characteristic is crucial for fulfilling divine objectives within the community.
