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II Evasion. Muharram 28, 1330 1) I have never seen, in the past or in the present,
anyone more gentle in his tone, more strong in his argument, than your own self. Now truth
has manifested itself due to the proofs which you have brought forth, thus uncovering the
mask of doubt, revealing the pleasant countenance of conviction. No longer do we claim
that the meaning of "wali" and "mawla" in hadith alGhadir is
"foremost," or that it implies the "supporter," or the like, nor
anything akin to what that man who asked for a sure torment had suggested; your view
regarding the "mawla" stands on firm grounds, and is taken for granted. 2) I wish you agree to our interpretation of the
said hadith which is endorsed by a group of learned `ulema, including imam Ibn Hajar in
his Al-Sawa`iq al-Muhriqa, and alHalabi in his Sirat. They argue that even if we agree
that he (`Ali) is the most worthy of imamate, the [Prophet's] intention here is
futuristic; otherwise, he would have become the Imam in spite of the presence of the
Prophet (pbuh) [which is an impossible situation, since the Prophet, as long as he was
alive, was the sole Imamtr.], who did not mind the forthcoming of an Imam after him. It
is as though the Prophet (pbuh) had said: "`Ali shall be the Imam as soon as he
receives the oath of allegiance;" so, such a situation will not collide with the
precedence of the three Imams; it thus safeguards the honour of the good ancestors, may
Allah Almighty be pleased with them all. Sincerely, S
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