The Sacred Oath: Understanding Swearing by the Names of the Ahlul Bayt (as)

786 

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ, 

Bismillah Hir Rahman Nir Rahim, 

With the name of Allah, the Most Merciful, Most Compassionate. 

Exploring Qur'anic Verses and Shia Hadiths on the Legitimacy of Swearing by Holy Figures

Notable Tafsir from Surah Al-Waqia (Verse 76)

Hube Ali

Swearing by Figures Other Than Allah in Islamic Teachings

‘I heard Abu Abdullah (asws) say regarding the Words of Allah (zwj) Mighty and Majestic:
"So do not swear by the locations of the stars!" (56:75)
"And it is a mighty oath, if you only knew" (56:76).

He said:
"Meaning by it the rightful sons (asws) of the Imams (asws), that the man swears by them (asws). That is mighty with measws."
(Reference: Al-Kafi, Volume 7 - The Book of Oaths, Vows, and Expiations, Chapter 14, Hadith 4 and 5)

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Qur'anic Guidance on Oaths

The Qur'an provides examples of Allah swearing by various aspects of creation to emphasize their significance:

• "I swear by the fig and the olive." (Qur'an 95:1)
• "I swear by the night when it covers." (Qur'an 92:1)

However, these instances are unique to Allah’s speech. For humans, the Qur'an and Islamic teachings emphasize that oaths should be made exclusively by Allah, reflecting His unparalleled status as the sole deity worthy of ultimate reverence.

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Hadith Literature on Oaths

The hadith literature provides clear guidance on swearing by entities other than Allah. Imam Ja'far al-Sadiq (عليه السلام) is reported to have said:

"Do not swear except by Allah."

The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) also warned:

"Whoever swears by other than Allah has committed an act of shirk."

These narrations underscore the central tenet of Tawhid (monotheism) in Islam, where all forms of reverence and devotion are directed solely to Allah.

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Scholarly Interpretations

Islamic scholars, including those within the Shia tradition, generally agree on the following points:

1. Allah Swearing by His Creations:
   In the Qur'an, Allah swears by various aspects of His creation to draw attention to their importance and as evidence of His power. This is an exclusive act reserved for Allah.

2. Humans Swearing by Allah Alone:
   Humans are instructed to swear solely by Allah. This practice is rooted in Tawhid, ensuring that all forms of ultimate reverence remain directed toward the Creator.

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Cultural Practices and Misconceptions

In some cultural contexts, swearing by revered figures, such as Hazrat Abbas or members of the Ahlul Bayt (عليهم السلام), is a common practice. However, Islamic teachings strongly advocate reserving oaths exclusively for Allah. While the reverence for the Ahlul Bayt is an integral aspect of Shia Islam, this reverence should not extend to practices that conflict with foundational Islamic principles.

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Conclusion

The Qur'an, alongside hadith and scholarly interpretations, provides clear guidance: oaths should be made solely in the name of Allah. This aligns with the principles of Tawhid and reflects the unique status of Allah as the Creator and Sustainer of the universe.

Cultural practices that involve swearing by other figures should be re-evaluated in light of Islamic teachings to ensure they align with the Qur'an and the Sunnah.

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References for Further Study

1. Al-Kafi, Volume 7: The Book of Oaths, Vows, and Expiations
2. Swearing by Other than Allah – Shi'ites VS Ahl Al-Bayt
3. Question 24: Is swearing by other than Allah regarded as a kind of polytheism?