By Ibrahim Usman
In continuation with the daily Tafsir at the Hussainiyyah Baqiyyatullah, Zaria, Sheikh Zakzaky (H) expounded verse 189 of Surah al-Baqrah,
“They ask you, [O Muhammad], about the new moons. Say, "They are measurements of time for the people and for Hajj." And it is not righteousness to enter houses from the back, but righteousness is [in] one who fears Allah. And enter houses from their doors. And fear Allah that you may succeed”. Section of the verse,”… And it is not righteousness to enter houses from the back, but righteousness is [in] one who fears Allah. And enter houses from their doors”, is hereby focused for explanation by Sheikh Zakzaky (H):
In Majma’a from Imam Baqir (AS), it was reported that during Jahiliyyah period whenever the people were in Ihram, they would not enter their houses from the front door, but rather dug holes from the back as exit and entrance. They were later forbidden, for it was not an act of religion or righteousness. What then is righteousness? the Imam (AS) was asked. He replied: “righteousness is abstaining from what Allah has forbidden, enter houses from their doors”. This was also reported from Imam Ja’afar al-Sadiq (AS).
In Mahasin, Majma’a and Tafsir Ayashi, similar report was recorded that the meaning of “enter houses from their doors” is to embark on whatever action by its true face, through the right and legal channel. Kashani said, of this act of righteousness is, “taking Islamic rulings from Ali Ameerul Mu’mineen and his Infallible descendants, for they are the doors to the City of Knowledge of the Holy Prophet (SAWA)”.
Sheikh Zakzaky further explained that, one does not take knowledge or half of it from anyone and anywhere when the Holy Prophet has said: “Take your complete religion from Ali”. He lamented on how Ahadith were fabricated to confront this saying of the Holy Prophet (SAWA).
He also cited the Prophet’s Hadith, “I am the City of Knowledge and Ali is its Gate. No one enters the City but through the Gate”.
In Ihtijaj of Tabrasi, from Asbaq Bin Nubata who narrated that he was once with Ameerul Mu’mineen when Ibn Kawwa came to him and asked the meaning of “…And it is not righteousness to enter houses from the back, but righteousness is [in] one who fears Allah. And enter houses from their doors”. He replied: “We are the Houses, whom people were commanded to enter through its doors. We are the Doors of Allah and the Houses people were commanded to enter through (Him). Whoever pays allegiance to us and confessed our Wilayah (Imamate), has certainly entered the Houses through its Doors. And he, who deviated from us and prefers others above us, has entered the Houses from the back door. Had Allah wanted He would have made Himself manifest to the people and they go to him alone through His door, but He has made us His Doors and Path (leading to Him). We are the Doors through which He is reached. He, who deviated from us, denied our Wilayah and prefers others above us, has entered Houses from the back door and has deviated from the path…”
A lengthy Hadith from Ameerul Mu’mineen (AS) said: “Allah has people as guardians of every form of knowledge, and also made it obligatory for the people to follow those guardians of the knowledge for His saying, ‘…And enter houses from their doors’. These houses are the Houses of Knowledge that Allah has placed in the hands of Prophets; the Doors to these Houses (of knowledge) are their Awsiya’u (Heirs)”.
In Tafsir of Ayashi, Sa’ad narrated from Abi Ja’afar (AS), who asked the Imam (AS) on the meaning of the verse, “And it is not righteousness to enter houses from the back, but righteousness is [in] one who fears Allah. And enter houses from their doors”. The Imam (AS) replied: “The Prophet’s Progeny are the Doors of Allah and His Path, the Carriers of Paradise to the Day of Judgment”.
In Majma’a, three inferred meanings were attributed to the verse.
-Abu Jarud reported from Abu Ja’afar (AS) that, during Jahiliyyah period whenever the people were in Ihram, they would not enter their houses from the front door, but rather dug holes from the back as exit and entrance. They were later forbidden; they were told it was not an act of religion or righteousness, “enter houses from their doors”.
-Jabir reported from Abu Ja’afar (AS) that, righteousness is embarking on whatever action according to its known and permissible procedures and due process.
-From Abu Ja’afar (AS) who said: “The Prophet’s Progeny are the Doors of Allah and His Path, the Carriers of Paradise to the Day of Judgment”.
Sheikh Zakzaky pointed out that, the three inferred meanings are all but one without contradiction, pointing to one direction of meaning. The direction is the obvious fact that Ali is the Gate to the City of Knowledge of the Holy Prophet. He cited a similar Hadith, “I am the City of Wisdom, and Ali is the Gate”.
In Nahjul Balagha, Sermon 154, Ali Ameerul Mu’mineen (AS) challenged those who falsely claim guardianship of knowledge thus: “We (Ahlul Bayt) are the inner covers (closest to the Prophet); we are the Disciples (Sahaba) and the Treasures and Doors. Houses are not entered but through their doors. He, who enters (the house) through the back door is called a thief”.
In Kulayni from Abi Basir who reported from Abu Ja’afar (AS): “Awsiya’ are the Doors of Allah, through which Allah is reached. Without them, people would not have known Allah, the Almighty. They are the Proofs of Allah”.
In Basa’irul Darajat of Muhammad Bin Hassan al-Safa, Aswad Bin Sa’eed who said he was with Ali Ammerul Mu’mineen (AS). He wanted to ask him a question, but Ameerul Mu’mineen (AS) answered the question before he even asked. This is answer: “We are the Proofs of Allah and His Doors. We are the Tongue and Face of Allah. We are the Eyes of Allah among His creatures and His Chosen Ones…”
Sa’ad Bin Abdullah in Mukhtasarul Basa’irul Darajat report a Hadith: “He, who goes to Aaali Muhammad (Ahlul Bayt), has certainly gone to pure and serene spring water, running with endless knowledge. Had Allah wanted He would have made Himself manifest to the people and they go to him alone through His door, but He has made us His Doors and Path (leading to Him). This is the saying of Allah, the Almighty, ‘…And it is not righteousness to enter houses from the back, but righteousness is [in] one who fears Allah. And enter houses from their doors’”.