Letter of Abi Abdillah (a. s) to a group of Shia — Hadith 1

o has preceded in the Knowledge of Allah (azwj), as being the miserable one in the origin of the creation underneath the shadow. So these are the ones who turn away from asking the People (asws) of the Remembrance (Ahl Al-Zikr) and the ones (asws) to whom Allah (azwj) has Granted the Knowledge of the Quran and Placed it in their (asws) possession, and Ordered for asking them (asws). These are the ones who act on their desires, and their opinions, and their analogies to the extent that Satan (la) enters them, (as a result) they (try) to revert the believing people, in the Knowledge of the Quran with Allah (azwj), as disbelievers, and try to make the misguided people, in the Knowledge of the Quran with Allah (azwj), as believer, but to the extent that they declare what Allah (azwj) has Made Permissible, in many matters as being prohibited, and pronounce what Allah (azwj) has Prohibited, in many matters as being permissible. So this is the origin of the fruit of their desires. And the Messenger (saww) of Allah (azwj) had taken an oath from them before his (saww) passing away. So they said, ‘After Allah (azwj) Captures His (azwj) Messenger (saww), we have the leeway of taking to the consensus of the opinions of the people. After Allah (azwj) Mighty and Majestic Captured His (azwj) Messenger (saww), and after his (saww) oath which he (saww) took from us (asws), and ordered us (asws) by, they opposed Allah (azwj) and His (azwj) Messenger (saww). So what is more audacious to Allah (azwj), nor any clear misguidance from the one who takes to that, and alleges that it gives him the leeway to do it? By Allah (azwj), surely Allah (azwj) has Obligated His (azwj) creatures that they should obey Him (azwj), and follow His (azwj) Commands during the lifetime of Muhammad (saww), and after his (saww) passing away. Can those enemies of Allah (azwj) who are alleging that anyone who became a Muslim with Muhammad (saww), can take to his own words, and his own opinions, and his own analogies? But if he says, ‘Yes, then, surely, he has lied to Allah (azwj) and has strayed a far straying, and if he says, ‘No, it is not for anyone that he should take to his opinions, and his desires, and his analogies’, so he has argued against himself, and he is from the ones who allege that Allah (azwj) has to be Obeyed, and His (azwj) Orders to be followed after the passing away of the Messenger (saww) of Allah (azwj). Allah (azwj) has said, and His (azwj) words are true: “[3: 144] And Muhammad is no mor