Question 667 - The Enlightening Answer Across the Ether, Vol 7

Ahmed al-Hasan Response:

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds, and may Allah send prayers upon Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, the Imams and the Mahdis, and grant them peace. The foundation of religion is vicegerency. It comprises three foundations: the One who appoints the vicegerent, the vicegerent, and the knowledge borne by the vicegerent. These foundations were explained from the beginning. The Exalted said: ‘When your Lord said to the angels, “Indeed, I am making a vicegerent upon the earth,” they said, “Will You place therein one who will cause corruption and shed blood, while we glorify You with praise and sanctify You?” He said, “Indeed, I know what you do not know.” He taught Adam all the names, then presented them to the angels and said, “Inform Me of the names of these, if you are truthful.” They said, “Glory be to You. We have no knowledge except what You have taught us. Indeed, You are the Knowing, the Wise.” He said, “O Adam, inform them of their names.” When he informed them of their names, He said, “Did I not tell you that I know the unseen of the heavens and the earth, and I know what you disclose and what you used to conceal?”’ [al-Baqarah 2:30–33]. Considering the attributes of the vicegerent, we can call these foundations by other names. Since he informs on behalf of the One who appointed the vicegerent, he is a prophet and brings news from One who informs. Since he is sent to others, he is a messenger from One who sends, and he bears a message, which is the knowledge mentioned in the verses above. Thus, the foundation is vicegerency, and its three foundations are: the One who appoints the vicegerent, the vicegerent, and knowledge; or the One who informs, the prophet, and the news; or the One who sends, the messenger, and the message. This is a summary. Allah willing, a book will be published containing further detail. Allah is the Guardian of success. He is my Guardian, and He takes charge of the righteous. Peace, mercy, and blessings of Allah be upon you.