Human beings have the mind, intelligence, free will, rationale and mental capacity to make informed choices, decisions and judgements based on their intellect, logic and reason which differentiates the human being from all other animal creations. Once a human abandons the use of this intellect, there is nothing, physically or mentally, which would make the human being superior over other creatures.
Humanity has been presented with a multitude of religions, theories, schools of thoughts and philosophies to which each of us aligns ourselves to in one form or another. A good friend often used the phrase isms and schisms to portray just this concept. With modern technology and mass communications, man today encounters and is inundated with vast isms before him/her, from Islamism, Buddhism, Judaism to Feminism, Atheism, Darwinism, etc. Throughout their lives, humans question their very existence and attempt to manufacture sense towards understanding the domain of their realities. To which ism (ism basically being a form of religious belief) one attaches themselves to is dependant on various factors, including ancestral practices, environmental surroundings, experiences and upbringing, etc. Or, a human can create their own school of thought, or a variant of another (thus the birth of sects) and perhaps find believers.
We often hear of proverbs from all walks of life, e.g. from Jesus (as), Ghandi, Einstein, Buddha, Franklin, the Chinese and the ancient Greeks. I have not come across, as of yet, the immeasurable knowledge of Ahlul Bayt (as). The wisdoms, prudence, notions, intellect, logic and reasoning of these few people is astounding. No single entity in the history of humanity has been able to produce such an extent of guiding knowledge. These wisdoms do not apply to a sect of people, or to those living in a window of time, but apply to humanity in general from the first homo-sapiens till the last.
It is therefore for this very reason that the following section was produced. Over time it will continue to expand. It's a selection of collected proverbs (jewels) from Ahlul Bayt (as), with a personal explanation of their meaning. As stated, the explanations are personal, and by no means (due to limited knowledge) can I accurately say they represent the Islamic Shia faith as a whole. And may God forgive us for our ignorance.
If you come across any ism which makes more logical sense than Shiasm, please let me know. By the same token, please also inform me if you come across a group of people who have produced erudition to the magnitude of Ahlul Bayt (as). If you don't know of any, then i pray you benefit from their guiding light.
The following is a selection of online links which contain sayings of Ahlul Bayt (as).
Lantern of the Path.
The Lamp Niche for the Best Traditions.
A Bundle of Flowers.
Peak of Eloquence.
We'll begin with a saying of Imam Ali (as) as it applies to making a decision on whether or not to believe in any particular ism and applies to the general theme of this site.
Jewel
Imam Ali (as) - "There is enough light for one who wants to see."
Interpretation
The statement by Imam Ali (as) can be broken down to derive several cognitions. Firstly, the main focus here, being the term "light". Light in this instance is used to depict guidance, knowledge and truths; it also portrays the availability of an element which can lead the being out of "darkness"; or in this particular case, out of "blindness" (i.e. for one who wants to "see") brought forth by darkness. Blindness here of course, is the non-physical "mental/spiritual" form. Light has long been used by religious clerics as an analogy to express good vs. evil, i.e. light vs. darkness. It is used throughout the Holy Qur'an, such as a more famous verse [24:35] Allah is the light of the heavens and the earth; a likeness of His light is as a niche in which is a lamp, the lamp is in a glass, (and) the glass is as it were a brightly shining star, lit from a blessed olive-tree, neither eastern nor western, the oil whereof almost gives light though fire touch it not-- light upon light-- Allah guides to His light whom He pleases, and Allah sets forth parables for men, and Allah is Cognizant of all things. Thus we find the phrase "dark ages" for example, being used to describe a time period in Europe where Europeans were thought of as being in a state of ignorance, misguidance, socially deprived from civility, or in simple slang terms "lost".
Guidance (light) is relative. An alcoholic atheist may for example proclaim "I have seen the light" and cured his alcohol addiction. He however remains encompassed by the atheist belief system. To him, atheism may be the guiding light in itself, where as to a Muslim, he is still blind, but partly less blind due to his overcoming alcohol addiction, i.e. he has "seen" the damage of alcohol and acted upon it. In fact, you'd find believers of all faiths passing similar declarations, like those who follow the Christianity proclaiming "Jesus the Lord has shown us the light", etc.
So what is it that differentiates the various belief systems' individual perceptions of "light"? We will assume a basis of neutrality that all can associate and refer to. This is done in order to exemplify the case in point and mitigate egocentrism. That is, we will assume for argument's sake, that "light and guidance" doesn't have any ism affiliation, but it is there, it exists and it is the ultimate truth. Imam Ali (as) therefore is asserting, this light exists, and its illuminate is enough such that it can be seen.
The next cognition is that of "want", "wants to see". Want, or desire, is an intention through the freedom of choice, to possess that which one does not yet possess. The intention to possess can be viewed through two means; pro-active means to possess and in-active means to posses. A person with the intention to "see the light" would therefore actively pursue that want. As an example, we use the saying of our Prophet (sawa) "Seek knowledge even if it was to take you to China". A person, who is wanting of knowledge, would pro-actively pursue it even to China. Pro-active want is of two degrees higher than in-active want. At times the being may proclaim the "want" for something; however verbal declarations may be hollow or without weight. For example, a person may suggest "I'd love to travel to Mecca", and although their desire is a legitimate one, they do not follow up on their desire through action or pro-activism. The magnitude (first degree) of the want is directly proportional to activism. Thus the larger the desire, the more active in pursuit of that want. Actual action and pro-activism being the second degree. This concept holds true to the saying of our dear Prophet (sawa) "Supplication is like an arrow and action is like the bow". The arrow has a lot of potential, but is almost useless if it can't be delivered.
However, God's mercy is such that even those who are in-active in pursuit of their want, there will still be light for them, i.e. the truth will be displayed before them. The fundamental here is the pure, deep hearted and genuine intention of wanting to see the light.
What of those who do not have a desire to find the truth? The Holy Qur'an asserts
[6:104] Indeed there have come to you clear proofs from your Lord; whoever will therefore see, it is for his own soul and whoever will be blind, it shall be against himself and I am not a keeper over you.
further stating
[11:24] The likeness of the two parties is as the blind and the deaf and the seeing and the hearing: are they equal in condition? Will you not then mind?
[13:19] Is he then who knows that what has been revealed to you from your Lord is the truth like him who is blind? Only those possessed of understanding will mind,
[17:72] And whoever is blind in this, he shall (also) be blind in the hereafter; and more erring from the way.
[25:73] And they who, when reminded of the communications of their Lord, do not fall down thereat deaf and blind.
[40:58] And the blind and the seeing are not alike, nor those who believe and do good and the evil-doer; little is it that you are mindful.
All humans, whether they be the ultimate spiritual leader or the common man, will never reach a state where they have seen the "full light". Thus, once a person says they are satisfied with what they know, or believe it is enough, they have automatically closed their eyes to future revelations of truths and will cease moving in their journey towards absolute knowledge.
There are social and individual dispositions which contribute to blindness, none more so than hatred, as Imam Ali (as) bluntly articulates "Hatred blinds the heart". Hatred comes in various forms including the social forms of racism, nationalism, sectarianism, classism and countless other isms. These characteristics inhibit the mind to accurately perceive the beliefs of others, i.e. "see it through their eyes". Thus we have a breakdown of dialogue, understanding and communications between various affiliations which leads to rivalries, further hatred and annihilation of peace and harmonious existence.
Then there is the individual dispositions which cause blindness (without dwelling into their meanings), include arrogance, immaturity, imprudence, and perhaps most of all, egocentrism.
May our intentions be pure and sincere, our eyes seeing, our hearts soft, our minds open, our will to find truths be strong, and our ability to soak in these truths as easy as a sponge draws forth water.
