08-21-2007, 02:37 PM
:wasalam:
Good Questions
I normally do not like commenting on the Sunni position since others can do that better. But since I have to I am using a book called "The Creed of At-Tahawiyy Abu ja'far al-Warraq at-Tahawiyy A Brief Explanation of the Sunniy Creed" or Aqidatul Tahawi
He lists 100 statements of belief that constitute the Sunni creed according to the methadology of the Imams Abu Hanifah an-Nu'man Ibn Thabit al-Kufiyy, Abu Yusuf Ya'qub ibn Ibrahim al-Ansariyy and Abu Abdillah Muhamad Ibnul Hasan Ash-Shabaniyy.
Under number 89. He states:
<i>"Whoever believes well of the Companions of the Messenger of Allah his wives, who are pure from all squalor, and his descendants, who are clear of all defilement is free of hypocrisy."</i>
The editor explains <i>"It is an obligation to love the members of the family of the Prophet(saw). These are the descendants of his daughter Fatimah and her husband Ali, his uncle al-Abbas and the like. Both the wives and the descendants of the prophet(saW) were mentioned in the Quran to be clear of any defilement in their belief (al-Ahzab,33)"</i>
Under number 87.
<i>"We confirm that the Khilafah after the Messenger of Allah went firstly to Abu Bakr as-Siddiq distinguishing him above others and giving him precedence over the whole Nation. Afterwards it went to Umar ibnul-Khattab, then to Uthman then to ALi ibn Abi Talib. These are the rightful Caliphs and the rightly-guided religious leaders.</i>
Editors explanation:It is an obligation to consider our Master AbuBakr the best Companion, because the Companions themselves had consensus about his superiority. They all paid allegiance to him as their Khalifah after the death of the Messenger of Allah. Their consensus is like the verse of Quran in giving an evidence for a certain ruling. So whoever speaks ill of his Caliphate, is is as if he speaks ill of the Quran."
You can clearly see the difference between the Shi'a and Sunni positions on AhlulBayt.
Sunni- It is obligatory to only love AhlulBayt and believe well in them
Shi'a- It is obligatory to follow AhlulBayt in all aspects of Wilayah.
Sunni- AhlulBayt are the Prophets wives and the descendants of Ali and Fatima and the descendants of al-Abbas and the like.
Shi'a- AhlulBayt of the Prophet(Saw) are the Prophet, Fatima, Ali, Hasan, Hussain and the 9 imams proceeding from the progeny of Hussain. Wives are not included.
Sunni- Rightful Khilafah belonged to Abu Bakr, then Umar, then Uthman then Ali.
Shi'a- Rightful Khilafah bolonged to AhlulBayt only.