Imam al-Qasim ar-Rassi (as) and the Imamate

Reposted

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Asalamulakyum brother,

I was reading the Al-Kassim Ibn Ibrahim Theory of the Imamate and a particular section stood out to me. I'll quote you the passage:

"It is impossible to assert that al-Kasim belonged to either the Djarudite or the Batrite wing of the Zaydiyya. Madelung asserts that in his theory of the imamate al-Kasim clearly rejects the point of view of the Batriyya. Ali was from the beginning the only legitimate successor of the Prophet s.a.w. as the Djarudites taught. But nowhere in his writing does al-Kasim explicitly say that the Prophet s.a.w. appointed Ali (as) to be his successor. Answering the question of whether Ali (as) was appointed by the Prophet s.a.w. to be imam by a testament (wasiyya) which said you are the imam after me, al-Kasim says diffidently It was a sufficient and defined allusion. "

"Also Sulayman ibn Djarir, an early Zaydite theologian about whom little is known, regarded the appointment of Abu Bakr as fault (khata), but not as a sin(fisk), since the imamate of the mafdul is valid if he is wise and has good qualities. Like al-Kasim, Sulayman ibn Djarir holds that the Prophet s.a.w. alluded to the imamate of Ali (as), but did not designate him explicitly to be an imam (wa'ashara 'ilayha ala ghayr sabil al-nass).

Just wondering what your position is regarding these statements by Al-Kassim r.a. Walakam as Salaam

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wa alaykum as salaam!

This is one of the many examples where non-Zaydi academicians assert things that are not true about Zaydis. As a person who spends time translating Imam ar-Rassi (as), I can say with firm conviction that Imam al-Qasim ar-Rassi (as) believed that Ali was specifically designated. Just look at some of his statements in:

Al-Imam al-Muftarađ at-Ťa’a:

"The imam that was obligatory to obey after Allah’s Messenger, pbuh, was ‘Ali bin Abi Ťaaalib—may Allah shower His mercy and pleasure upon him."

"Near the end of his life, he took ‘Ali by the hand at the pond of Ghadiir on the Farewell Pilgrimage. Then, he said: ((O people, do I not have more authority over you than you have over yourselves?)) They replied: “Indeed, O Messenger of Allah!” He said: ((Then, whomever I have authority over, ‘Ali has authority over. O Allah, be an ally to those who are allies to him and be an enemy to those who are enemies to him!)) He made [‘Ali] the signpost of the allies of Allah as well as that of His enemies. Whoever took ‘Ali as their ally, He [i.e Allah] became their ally. Whoever took ‘Ali as their enemy, He became their enemy. "

Imama ‘Ali bin Abi Talib:

"It is an obligation upon the people to give ‘Ali priority for the Imamate and prefer him. Giving precedence to other than him is giving the less virtuous precedence over the more virtuous (qaddama al-mafđuul ‘ala al-faađil). This is contrary to what is correct, as demonstrated by Allah concerning him! "

Al-Waŝiyya

"Know that Allah, the Blessed and Exalted, has appointed an appointee for the slaves. He sent Messengers as appointees. He appointed Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him and his progeny, as an appointee. From that, it is clearly established that it is a proof for the one who hears and thinks about it. Included is the specific appointing of ‘Ali bin Abi Ťalib, upon him be peace."

Masā`il al-Qāsim

He was asked about the meaning of the statement of the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him and his progeny, to ‘Ali: ((Your position to me is like the position of Aaron to Moses except that there will be no prophet after me))

He replied: It means: “You are to take my place just as what transpired

With Moses when from his people he [temporarily] retired.

Similarly, you are my successor after I leave from my community

And my migration place.” He said this before leaving for Tabūk only.

This should be sufficient to prove the belief of Imam ar-Rassi (as).

And Allah knows best!

IRS