Purified and Purifying

Islam religion purifies the Muslim spiritually and physically unless he goes beyond the limits. A Muslim, through Islam can purify his son, father, mother and grandparents on condition they do not demonstrate infidelity. He can purify the underage prisoner if the latter has no father or grandfather. This is confirmed in jurisprudence sciences and in the theologians' sayings as mentioned by the author of Al - Urwa   Al - Withqa.

On the other hand various narrations consider him trustworthy and dealing with him is lawful. One should not suspect the Muslim's commercial activity (buying and selling) unless such a person demonstrates non - Islamic performance.

A Muslim can buy all items at a Muslim's shop and considers such items purified. He should not even ask about the original source of meats, cheese… etc.

Narrations are mentioned by Al - Shaikh Al - hurr Al - Aamili (Allah bless him) in his valuable book: Wasil Al - Shia, and by Al - Shaikh Al Nouri (Allah bless him) in his important book: Mustadrik Al - Wasil.

Both theologians mention their narrations which are found in the Shia authentic sources.

Al - Sadouq and Al - Kilaini (Allah bless both) refer to Al - Hababi saying, "I asked Abi Abdillah ( Imam Hussain - a.s.)  about the slippers sold in the market if they could be bought and used. He (a.s.) said: Buy them and use them in prayer unless you know they are of a dead animal."

Is - haq mentions Imam Musa ibn Jaàfar (peace on both) saying:

"There is nothing wrong if you pray wearing a Yemani fur or any thing manufactured in Muslim land."

Is - haq asked him (a.s.), "If non - Muslims live there, can we use it? The Imam answered, "It is all right, if Islam is prevalent."

Ahmad ibn Abi Nasir and others say: Imams Al - Ridha, Al - Sadiq and Musa Al - Kalhim (peace on all of them) say: "You are not supposed to ask."

Ismael ibn Esa says, "I asked Aba Al - Hasan (Imam Ali - a.s.):

'One of us may buy the leather fur from the mountain market. Should he ask if the animal was religiously slain while the seller could be ignorant or not a committed Muslim'?

He (a.s.) answered: 'You should ask if the associators sell it. If you see the Muslims use the leather fur in prayer do not ask.'

There are two points in this narration.

1 - The Muslims and the assocaitors work together in the mountain market.

2 - The Leather sold by uncommitted Muslim is considered pure (clean of dirts) and can be used in prayer.

If one considers the uncommitted Muslim or a non - Shiite does not know (religious procedure of slaying an animal) there is no doubt that the skins are clean.

Being a Muslim, one is linked with knowledge of procedures in slaying an animal.

Hamadda ibn Esa says: "I heard Abi Abadillah (a.s.) say: 'My father (Imam Ali - a.s.) used to send money to buy some cheese. He used to mention the name of Allah and start eating it without asking about the place of its selling."

Perhaps one may think that such a person knew where to buy the item from a committed Muslim. Yet Imam Al - Sadiq's words are considered in general not to ask about any item in the Muslim, market not only about cheese.

Al - Hasan ibn Fadhil  Al - Tibrisi mentions Imam Al - Sadiq's saying: Whatever leather you get from Yeman use it and do not inquire about it.

Al - Yeman's markets were free markets where merchants from different countries could be found working with majority of Muslims.

Imam Al - Sadiq's narration: "… if you do not know who has produced that cheese which is sold in Muslims' market, eat it."

One may say this is confined to a certain era and certain time. Yet there is no indication to such specification. Moreover, Islam is the religion of easiness rather than of restrains.

The following narration - by Abi Nasir - is valid any time any where. He says: "I asked the Imam (a.s.): 'A man comes and buys some cheese or leather fur, while he does not know if the animal was slain according to Islamic rituals. Can he use it? He (a.s.) said:

You are not supposed to ask."

Imam Al - Baqir (a.s.) says, "The Kharijites (a Muslim group whom Imam Ali (a.s.) confronted) imposed restrictions on their selves through ignorance. Religion is of a wide range."

If one might say, such narrations are linked with a certain place or certain time, then all religious instructions would become invalid. No one can say such a thing.

Accordingly we can say:

1 - It is not allowed to suspect the Muslim's deeds. Suspicion is considered as if doing him a harm.

2 - It is not allowed to backbite him or accuse him.

3 - It is not allowed to confiscate his property.

4 , 5 - His rights should be observed at his presence or in his absence, whether he is alive or dead.

6 - It is unlawful to degrade him politically, economically and socially.

7 - The Muslims should respect each other and help non - Muslims to enjoy such respect.

8 , 9 - People are of equal rights regarding laws. No Arab is prefered over a non - Arab or a white over a black or a ruler over the ruled. Each should act according to his responsibility.

10 - It is quite unlawful to suspect a Muslim or violate his rights. Suspicious and violation of rights are the source of sedition, the feature of this era.

Satan applies this method (suspicions) to destroy good relations amid the Muslims, eventually to destroy the Muslim community. This usually happens for the least differences in opinion or affiliations.

Perhaps for this reason the infallible Imam said, "… religion is of wide range."

In the Name of Allah The Compassionate the Merciful