Seadet-i Ebediyye - Endless Bliss Third Fascicle

Imâm-i Hasan ‘radiy-Allâhu ’anh’ is higher than Imâm-i
Huseyn. (These two people are Hadrat Alî’s sons.) The savants of
Ahl as-sunnat have declared that in knowledge and ijtihâd
Hadrat ’Âisha (the Prophet’s blessed wife, our mother) is
superior to Hadrat Fâtima (the Prophet’s blessed daughter, and
Hadrat Alî’s blessed wife). Hadrat ’Abdulqâdir-i Geilânî wrote in
his book Gunya: “Hadrat ’Âisha is higher.” To this faqîr (Imâmi
Rabbânî means himself), in knowledge and ijtihâd Hadrat
’Âisha is higher, but in zuhd and in withdrawing from the world
Hadrat Fâtima is higher. It is for this reason that Hadrat Fâtima
was called Betûl (very pure). As for Hadrat ’Âisha, she used to
teach Islam to the Sahâba. The Sahâba would solve their
problems by asking her.
The combats among the Sahâba, e.g., the event of Camel and
the event of Siffîn, were done with good intentions and for pious
reasons, not for the desires of the nafs, or because of obstinacy or
hostility. For, they all were great. Their hearts had been purified in
the sohbat (company) of our Master, the Prophet, and with his
blessed looks, no evils such as avarice, grudge or hostility had been
left in them. Both their peace and the oppositions or combats
among them were for the truth. Each of them acted in accordance
with his own ijtihâd. They differed from one another when their
ijtihâds differed from one another, yet this difference did not cause
obstinacy or hostility in their hearts. There are two or ten thawâbs
for those with correct ijtihâd, and one thawâb for those who erred.
Then, we should not speak ill of those who erred as we do not
speak ill of those who were right. For, both parties received
thawâb. The savants of Ahl as-sunnat declare that the Amîr
(Hadrat ’Alî) was right in those combats. Those ijtihâds which
disagreed with his were wrong. But none of them can be spoken ill
of, let alone calling any one of them a ‘disbeliever’ or ‘sinner’.
Hadrat ’Alî declared in these combats, “Our brethren have parted
from us. They are not disbelievers or sinners. For, they have been
acting in accordance with their ijtihâd.” Our Prophet ‘sall-Allâhu
’alaihi wa sallam’ declared: “Avoid speaking ill of my Sahâba!”
Then, we have to look on all the Sahâba of the Prophet as great
people and speak about them with reverence and good will. We
should not think ill of any of those great people! We should know
that the combats among them are better than others’ peace. This
is the way to salvation. For, loving the Sahâba arises from loving
our Master, the Prophet. Enmity against them means enmity
– 20 –