This text presents the translation of Itiqadat Al-Imamiyah, a foundational work outlining the core beliefs of Shi'a Islam. Each chapter is accompanied by commentary from Ayatullah Shaykh Muhammad Husayn Al-Najafi, offering clarification and expanded insights. It explains the oneness of God, divine attributes, prophecy, and the necessity of the Imamate.
The work addresses resurrection, accountability, the soul’s journey after death, and divine justice. Philosophical and theological arguments are presented alongside practical guidance on worship, human actions, and moral duty. It also covers the Qur’an, angels, prophetic purity, and the rights of the Prophet’s family, while exploring the development of Shi'a thought and its current practices.
Essence Of Shi’a Faith
A Translation Of Itiqadat Al-Imamiyah (The Beliefs Of The Imamiyyah)
By Shaykh Abu Ja’far Muhammad Ibn Ali Ibn Husayn Ibn Musa Babawayh Al-Qummi, Known as Shaykh As-Saduq
Explanations of the Text by Ayatullah Shaykh Muhammad Husayn Al-Najafi
A Shi’ite creed: A translation of Itiqadat al-Imamiyah (The beliefs of the Imamiyyah) of Abu Jafar, Muhammad ibn Ali ibn al-Husayn, Ibn Babawayh Al-Qummi, known as ash-Shaykh As-Saduq (306/919-381/991)
English Translation by Dr. Safi Hasan
Maktaba Sibtain
296/9 B, Satellite Town, Sargodha
All Rights Reserved with the Publishers
Published in 2012 by Maktaba Sibtain 296/9-B, Satellite Town, Sargodha
Printed by:
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- Essence Of Shi’a Faith
- About The Author Shaykh As-Saduq
- Ayatullah Muhammad Husayn Najafi
- Acknowledgment
- Chapter 1: Shi’as’ Point Of View On The Oneness Of God
- Notes And Commentary On Chapter 1
- The Right Beginning
- Is Belief In God Self-Evident Or Just A Concept?
- Acceptance Of God In Its Simplest View Is Self-Evident
- Removal Of A Doubt
- Philosophical Approach To God
- First Philosophical Argument
- Second Philosophical Argument
- Theological Approach To God
- Qur’anic Approach Supporting The Theological Methodology
- A Useful Tale
- Further Reinforcement Of This Methodology Through Imams
- A Strange Tale
- An Interesting Dialogue With An Atheist
- Methodology Of Towering And Cognizant Personalities
- Revocation Of Some Doubts Created By The Atheists
- First Objection
- The Second Objection
- Third Objection
- Fourth Objection
- Summary Of The Current Discussion
- Summary Of The Previous Discussions
- Argument Of Self Assurance
- A Question About God And Its Reply
- Character Building Uses The Belief In God
- It Is Not Possible To Know The Essence Of God
- Discussion Of The Factual Attributes As Being The Essence Of God
- Eminent Attributes Of God Are Infinite
- Why Only Eight Attributes?
- Attributes Of Confirmation (Sifat As-Sabootia)
- First Attribute: God Is Mighty And Not Weak
- Second Attribute: God Is Wise And Not Ignorant
- Third Attribute: God Is In Command And Is Not Constrained
- Fourth Attribute: God Is Alive
- Fifth Attribute: God is Mudrik
- Sixth Attribute: God Is Truthful And Does Not Lie
- Seventh Attribute: God Is Eternal Not Probable
- Eighth Attribute: God is Murid (decides with will) and is Not under Compulsion
- Ninth Attribute: God is Mutakallim
- Tenth Attribute: God is Sami’ and Baseer
- Eleventh Attribute: God is Hakeem (Wise)
- Twelfth Attribute: God is Adil (Just)
- Discussion Of Some Sifat As-Salbia (Prohibitive Attributes)
- First Attribute: God Is Not A Compound
- Second Attribute: God Does Not Possess A Body
- Third Attribute: God is neither Johar nor Arz
- Fourth Attribute: God Is Not Subject To Events
- Fifth Attribute: Hulul
- Sixth Attribute: God Is Not United With Anything
- Seventh Attribute: God Is Not Indigent
- Eighth Attribute: God Has No Specific Space Or Abode
- Ninth Attribute: God Has No Attribute Additional To His Essence
- Tenth Attribute: There Is No Physical State Of Grief Or Enjoyment For God
- Eleventh Attribute: God Is Invisible
- Twelfth Attribute: God Does Not Perform Any Illegitimate Or Evil Act
- Thirteenth Attribute: God Is Unlike Anything, Nor Can An Example Of Him Be Given
- Clearing Of A Doubt
- Discussion On The Oneness Of God
- The Oneness Of The Person Of God
- Statement On The Oneness Of God And His Attributes
- Discussion On The Unity Of Actions Or Deeds (Tawhid Al-Faali)
- Statement On The Observing Tawhid (Oneness Of God) In Worship
- Brief Discussion Of The Various Stages Of Tawhid
- Meaning Of The Allegorical Verses
- Chapter 2: Attributes God’s Essence And Actions
- Notes And Commentary On Chapter 2
- Chapter 3: Religious Obligations
- Notes And Commentary On Chapter 3
- Chapter 4: Our View Of People’s Actions
- Notes And Commentary On Chapter 4
- Chapter 5: Compulsion And Empowerment
- Notes And Commentary On Chapter 5
- Chapter 6: God’s Will And Desire
- Notes And Commentary On Chapter 6
- Chapter 7: Qadha And Qadr
- Notes And Commentary On Chapter 7
- Chapter 8: Nature And Guidance
- Notes And Commentary On Chapter 8
- Chapter 9: Human Capacity For Actions
- Notes And Commentary On Chapter 9
- Chapter 10: The Ideology Of Bida (Amend)
- Notes And Commentary On Chapter 10
- The Significance Of Bida And The Role Of Semantics In Its Misinterpretation
- Reasons For The Misconception About Bida
- Bida Does Not Happen With God Due To Ignorance
- The Derived Meanings Of Bida
- Bida Happens In God’s Guarded Knowledge
- Clarification Of Doubt
- Further Explanation Of This Effect And Mention Of The Tablet Of Existence And Extinction
- Definite And Indefinite Destiny
- Answer To A Query
- Narrations From The Sunni Texts In Support Of Bida
- Chapter 11: Heated And Aggressive Debates About God
- Notes And Commentary On Chapter 11
- Chapter 12: Pen And The Tablet
- Notes And Commentary On Chapter 12
- Chapter 13: The Chair
- Notes And Commentary On Chapter 13
- Chapter 14: Arsh (The Throne)
- Notes And Commentary On Chapter 14
- Chapter 15: Spirit And Nafs
- Notes And Commentary On Chapter 15
- It Is Difficult To Find The Essence Of Nafs And Ruh
- Applicability Of The Meanings Of Ruh
- Four Important Statements On The Spirit
- Rebuttal Of The First Statement
- Rebuttal Of The Second Statement
- Reasoning For The Uniqueness Of Soul
- Removal Of A Perplexity
- Fourth Statement: Soul Possessed A Delicate Light Like Body
- Discussion On The Eternal Or The Probable Basis Of The Spirits
- Statement On The Creation Of The Spirit Before The Creation Of The Body
- A Brief Discussion On The Realm Of Dhurr And The Original Covenant With God
- Denial Of The Happening Of Dhurr And Primacy Of The Soul By Some Quarters And Their Rebuttal
- Rejecting Imam’s Statements On The Pretext Of Complexity Is Contemptuous
- True Meaning Of Transmigration
- The Real Reasons For Repudiating Transmigration
- Last Word About The Classification Of The Spirits
- Some States Of A Spirit
- Addition
- Chapter 16: The Reality Of Death
- Notes And Commentary On Chapter 16
- Discussion On The Philosophy Of Life And Death
- Benefits Of Frequent Remembrance Of Death
- The Standard Of Truthfulness Is To Desire Death
- Reasons For The Ordinary People To Fear Death
- How Capacity And Agreement Can Be Developed For Death
- The Way To Supplicate For A Longer Life
- Clarification Of A Common Misconception
- A New Kind Of Benefit
- Similarity Between Sleep And Death
- Difference Between The Death Of A Kafir And A Mu’min
- Warning To Awaken
- Presence Of Prophet And Imams At The Time Of Death
- Natural And Unnatural Death
- Chapter 17: Our Belief On The Issues Related To The Grave
- Notes And Commentary On Chapter 17
- The Period Of Atonement And Its Associated Difficulties
- What Happens In Barzakh?
- Why There Had To Be Questioning By The Nakirain Despite God’s Knowledge?
- Criticism Of The Attitude Of Westernised Muslims
- Rebuttal Of Some Objections Raised By The Western Minds In Connection With Our Belief Of Fishar Al-Qabr
- Qur’anic Evidence Of Barzakh
- What Sins Are Responsible For Fishar Al-Qabr
- The State Of Souls In The Realm Of Barzakh
- Answering Doubts On The Hypothesis Of Virtual Body
- Final Word
- Chapter 18: The Return (Raj’ah)
- Notes And Commentary On Chapter 18
- Determination Of Raj’ah’s Meaning And Its Role In The Region
- The Proof Of Raj’ah
- The Proof Of Raj’ah In The Light Of Qur’an
- Raj’ah According To The Ahadith Of Ma’sumin
- Admission Of Simple Belief On Raj’ah Is Sufficient
- Clarification Of Some Doubts
- Rebuttal Of The Reasoning Given To Justify Jesus’ Death
- Rebuttal Of The Theory Of Transmigration Of Souls
- Chapter 19: Return (Ba'th) After Death
- Notes And Commentary On Chapter 19
- The Legal Interpretation Of Qiyamah And The Proof Of Its Physicality
- Proof For The Necessity Of Qiyamah
- Moral Benefits Of The Concept Of Resurrection
- Answer To A Query
- Proof Of Spiritual And Physical Resurrection
- A Usually Weak Doubt About Resurrection
- Few More Doubts And Their Reply
- Logical Possibility Of The Annihilation Of Greater Cosmos
- The Scene Of Qiyamah, Resurrection And The Judgement
- General Belief On The Details Of The Day Of Resurrection Is Sufficient
- Chapter 20: Our Belief Regarding The Spring Of Kawthar
- Notes And Commentary On Chapter 20
- Chapter 21: Our View About Intercession
- Notes And Commentary On Chapter 21
- Religious Concept Of Intercession And Its Attestation
- Further Elaboration Of Maqam Al-Mahmood
- Who Else Will Intercede
- Who Will Benefit From Intercession
- An Important Clarification
- Repentance Is Also A Tool For Salvation
- A Cursory Description On The Conditions For Accepting Repentance
- Clarification Of Some Doubts On Intercession
- Some Other Objections
- End Of Discussion
- Chapter 22: Our Belief Regarding Promise And Warning
- Notes And Commentary On Chapter 22
- Chapter 23: Monitoring Of People’s Actions
- Notes And Commentary On Chapter 23
- The Presence Of Angels And Description Of The Type Of Their Supplications
- Appointment Schedule For Karaman Katibeen And Their Duties
- Honourable Scribes Present Their Work To The Prophet And Aimma
- Description Of Some Secrets And Sign Of The Character Sheet
- The Scrutiny Becomes Harsher After Forty Years
- Chapter 24: Justice Of God (‘Adalah)
- Notes And Commentary On Chapter 24
- Chapter 25: Our View On ‘Araf
- Notes And Commentary On Chapter 25
- Chapter 26: Sirat
- Notes And Commentary On Chapter 26
- Chapter 27: Aqbat al-Mehsher
- Notes And Commentary On Chapter 27
- Chapter 28: Accountability And The Balance (Mizan)
- Notes And Commentary On Chapter 28
- How Many Subjects Are Worth Discussing In This Chapter?
- What Was The Meaning Of The Word Accounting
- Who Would Be The Auditor Of This Account?
- Who Will Be Scrutinised?
- What Actions Would Be Judged?
- Clarification Of A Doubt
- Sensitivity About People’s Rights (Huquq Al-’Ibad)
- Instigation To Fulfil People’s Rights
- A Report On God’s Arguments On The Day Of Judgment
- The Handing Over Of The Character Sheet
- The Reality Of Scales (Mizan)
- Two Doubts And Their Rebuttal
- Some Arguments In Support Of Materialising Human Deeds
- Answer To A Proposition Regarding Evidence Provided By The Human Limbs
- Ahbat (Sequester), Takfeer (Restore) And Mowazena (Comparison)
- Chapter 29: Description Of Paradise And Hell
- Notes And Commentary On Chapter 29
- Belief In Paradise And Hell Being An Integral Part Of The Religion
- Proof That Paradise And Hell Are Real
- Proof Of The Creation Of The Paradise And Hell And Their Existence
- Rebuttal Of Some Doubts
- Description Of Some Delightful Experiences Of The Paradise
- Features Of Paradise Through Ahadith
- Weakness Of Authors View Spiritual Pleasures Only In The Paradise
- Explanation Of Imam As Sadiq’s Words
- A Short Description Of The Calamity Of Hell
- A Brief Description Of The Punishment Of Hell In The Words Of Imam Ali (‘A)
- Permanent Stay In The Paradise And Hell
- Reasons For A Permanence Of Stay In Paradise Or Hell
- An Important Message
- Clarifications Of Some Doubts
- Chapter 30: Mannerism Of The Transmission Of Revelation
- Notes And Commentary On Chapter 30
- Chapter 31: Revelation Of Qur’an During The Night Of Qadr
- Notes And Commentary On Chapter 31
- Chapter 32: Belief About The Qur’an
- Notes And Commentary On Chapter 32
- Chapter 33: The Measure Of Qur’an
- Notes And Commentary On Chapter 33
- Suggestions Of Alterations In The Qur’an Is Meant To Divide The Ummah
- True Meanings Of Transposition
- Authentication Of The Present Qur’an By The Imams Of Ahl Al-Bayt
- Clarification Of A Doubt
- Our Reply To The Blame Game
- Acceptance Of Tahrif By Academics Does Not Mean That It Is Recognised By The Religion
- Inappropriate Use Of The Two Qur’anic Verses To Disprove The Theory Of Transposition
- Clarification Of A Doubt
- Explanation Of The Term Sabas Ahraf
- Ali Is The Leader Of The Faithful
- Marriage Of Ali Took Place Under The Commandment Of God
- Commandment To Greet People With Pleasant Attitude
- Alternative Explanation Is Necessary For Metaphoric Verses
- Chapter 34: Belief About Prophets, Their Legatees And Angels
- Notes And Commentary On Chapter 34
- Chapter 35: Numerical Strength Of Prophets And Their Legatees
- Notes And Commentary On Chapter 35
- Facts About The Prophethood
- Conditions And Attributes For Prophethood
- Human Aspects Of Prophets
- Two Aspects Of Prophets
- Both Sides Of The Picture
- Reasons And Needs For The Emergence Of Prophets
- Standard For The Identification Of A Prophet
- Definition Of Miracle
- Difference Between A Prophet And Messenger
- Numerical Strength Of Prophets
- Meaning Of The Phrase ‘Ul Al-Adhm
- Superiority Of Prophet Muhammad Over All The Prophets
- Some Special Qualities Of Islamic Shariah
- Logical Evaluation Of Termination Of Prophethood
- Removal Of Some Doubts
- Prominence Of Guided Imams Over The Prophets Other Than The Last Prophet
- Proof Of Imamah And Caliphate Of The Imams Of Ahl Al-Bayt
- Narrations
- Unanimity Of The Concept Of Al-Mahdi
- Mahdi Is From The Ahl Al-Bayt Of The Prophet
- Imam Mahdi’s Personal Features
- Birth Of Imam Al-Mahdi (‘A)
- Presence Of The Sign Of God Was Essential In Every Interval Of Time
- Reply Of Some Doubts About The Presence Of Imam Mahdi
- Chapter 36: Purity Of The Essence Of Prophets, Imams And Angels
- Notes And Commentary On Chapter 36
- Chapter 37: Exaggeration And Entrust
- Notes And Commentary On Chapter 37
- People’s Attitude Towards Saintly People
- Condemnation Of Ghalis By The Imams
- Types Of Exaggerations
- The Beliefs Of Mofaweza
- Rebuttals Of Mofawezza Thoughts Is Essential
- Imam’s Attitude To Mofawweza
- Mofawweza Are Another Branch Of Ghalia Sect
- Tafweez In The Light Of Qur’an
- Entrust In Religious Affairs
- Rebuttal Of A Weak Argument Provided For Permanent And Temporary Delegation
- True Shi’a Concept Of Tafweez
- Methodology Of Seeking Help From God
- Miracle Is An Act Of God
- Clearance Of Some Doubts
- Chapter 38: Our View About The Tyrants And Despots
- Notes And Commentary On Chapter 38
- Feud Between Right And Wrong
- Brief Account Of Hazrat Ali’s Caliphate
- Imams Of Ahl Al-Bayt And The First Three Caliphs
- Logical Proof Of Dejection And Repulsion
- It Is Inappropriate In Shi’a Faith To Abuse Anyone
- In Shi’a Faith, The Love Of Virtuous Companions Of The Prophet Is Part Of The Faith
- There Were All Types Of People Among The Prophet’s Companions
- Hadith That All My Companions Are Stars Is Fake
- Ending Of Those Who Denied Imams Of Ahl Al-Bayt
- Treatment Of The Ahl Al-Bayt By The Ummah
- Reasons For Ali To Not Fight The Usurpers
- Battle Against Ali Is A Battle Against The Prophet
- Assassins Of The Imam And Prophets Are Infidels
- Fatimah Is The Leader Of Women At All Times
- A Brief Discussion On Fadak
- Chapter 39: Parentage Of The Prophet
- Notes And Commentary On Chapter 39
- Chapter 40: Taqiyya Or Judicious Concealment Of Views
- Notes And Commentary On Chapter 40
- Chapter 41: Our View About The Children Of Ali (‘A)
- Notes And Commentary On Chapter 41
- The Children Of Ali Are The Children Of The Prophet
- Love Of Aali Ar-Rasul Is Mandatory
- Clarification Of A Doubt
- Reprobation Cannot Dissolve Family Title
- A Question And Its Answer
- True Sayyids Must Repent Before Their Death
- Sadaqa Is Prohibited For Sayyids
- Blessings And Punishments Are Doubled Up For The Sayyids
- Chapter 42: About Mujmil And Mufassir Ahadith
- Notes And Commentary On Chapter 42
- Chapter 43: Prohibitions And Permissions
- Notes And Commentary On Chapter 43
- Chapter 44: Ahadith Relating To The Medical Profession
- Notes And Commentary On Chapter 44
- Chapter 45: Regarding Our Faith On Two Differing Ahadith
- Notes And Commentary On Chapter 45
- Chapter 46: Statement On The Qur’an Being Free Of Contradictions
- Notes And Commentary On Chapter 46
- Absence Of Contradiction In The Qur’an Is A Proof That It Is A Heavenly Book
- Description Of Some Of The Abstract Verses Of The Qur’an
- The End Of Prophethood
- End Of The Prophethood In Qur’anic Perspective
- End Of The Prophethood Through Ahadith Of Khatm An-Nabiyeen
- End Of The Prophethood According To The Ahl Al-Bayt
