GHULU IN THE QURAN AND THE NARRATIONS

[Taqavi]

 

What is the perspective of the Quran and the narrations of the Ahl al-Bayt (AS) regarding Ghulu?

 

The issue of Ghulu (exaggeration) is a complex and sensitive topic within Islamic beliefs. The Quran and the Ahl al-Bayt (AS) traditions have addressed this matter extensively. Through numerous verses, the Quran warns Muslims against the excesses of Ghulu and encourages moderation. Similarly, the narrations of Ahl al-Bayt (AS) emphasize the importance of avoiding this extremist ideology and striving to protect Muslims from falling into such erroneous beliefs.

In this discussion, we will examine the perspectives of the Quran and the narrations regarding Ghulu. By utilizing reliable Islamic sources, we aim to achieve a deeper understanding of this concept.

Ghulu in the Quran:

The term "Ghulu" appears in two Quranic verses, where it explicitly prohibits excessive claims or beliefs in religion. Allah says: "O People of the Book! Do not exaggerate in your religion, nor utter anything about Allah except the truth. Indeed, the Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary, was only the messenger of Allah and His word."[1]

In another verse, Allah states: "Say, 'O People of the Book! Do not exaggerate in your religion beyond the truth, nor follow the desires of a people who went astray before you and led many astray and strayed from the right path.'"[2] These two verses specifically address the Christians who elevated Jesus to a divine status, equating him with God. The Qur'an warns them against this exaggeration, in continuation of verse 171 of Surah An-Nisa, it mentions that saying, "God is three (a reference to the Christian Trinity) is wrong and should be avoided." [3]

However, the Quran also condemns other forms of Ghulu, such as exaggeration concerning religious figures[4] or setting equals to God, [5] and strongly condemns such acts. [6]

Ghulu in the narrations of the Ahl al-Bayt:

The Ahl al-Bayt have also strongly condemned Ghulu in numerous narrations. [7] For example, Imam Ali (AS) states in Nahj al-Balagha: "Two groups have been destroyed because of me: one group of extremists who elevated me to divine status, and another group of extremist enemies who harbored hatred towards me." [8]

Imam Ja'far al-Sadiq (AS) said: "The least thing that can take a person out of faith is to sit with someone who exaggerates and listen to his words and believe them. My father narrated from his father, and he from his grandfather, that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: 'Two groups from my community will have no share in Islam: the extremists and the Qadariyya.'"[9]

Imam Reza (AS) is also reported to have said: "May Allah curse the extremists." He then said, "Do not befriend them or associate with them, and seek refuge in Allah from them. Allah is displeased with them." [10]

Conclusion: Based on the Quran and the narrations of the Ahl al-Bayt, it is clear that Ghulu is a serious issue in Islam. It is defined as extremism or exaggeration in religious beliefs and is strongly condemned. By understanding the Quranic verses and the teachings of Ahl al-Bayt, Muslims can avoid the pitfalls of Ghulu and strive for a balanced and moderate faith.

 

 

 

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[1] . An-Nisā’: 171. «یا أَهْلَ الْکِتابِ لا تَغْلُوا فِی دِینِکُمْ وَ لا تَقُولُوا عَلَی اللهِ إِلَّا الْحَقَّ إِنَّمَا الْمَسِیحُ عِیسَی ابْنُ مَرْیَمَ رَسُولُ اللهِ وَ کَلِمَتُهُ»

[2] . Al-Mā'idah: 77. «قُلْ یا أَهْلَ الْکِتابِ لا تَغْلُوا فِی دِینِکُمْ غَیْرَ الْحَقِّ وَ لا تَتَّبِعُوا أَهْواءَ قَوْمٍ قَدْ ضَلُّوا مِنْ قَبْلُ وَ أَضَلُّوا کَثِیراً وَ ضَلُّوا عَنْ سَواءِ السَّبِیلِ»

[3] . For further reading, refer to: Ghulū: Haqīqat va Aqsām-e Ān (Ghalu: Facts and Types): Sayyid Kamāl Haidari; Tarjumah-ye Pajāhuškadeh-ye Hajj va Ziyārat. / Ghulū az Didgāh-e Tashayu'(Ghulu from the perspective of Shia): Ali Ansāri Bouyrahmadī, p: 20.

[4] . Al-Tawbah: 31 «اتَّخَذُوا أَحْبَارَهُمْ وَ رُهْبَانَهُمْ أَرْبَابًا مِنْ دُونِ اللَّهِ وَ الْمَسِيحَ ابْنَ مَرْيَمَ وَمَا أُمِرُوا إِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُوا إِلَٰهًا وَاحِدًا ۖ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ۚ سُبْحَانَهُ عَمَّا يُشْرِكُونَ»

Al- Tawbah: 30 «وَ قَالَتِ الْيَهُودُ عُزَيْرٌ ابْنُ اللَّهِ وَقَالَتِ النَّصَارَى الْمَسِيحُ ابْنُ اللَّهِ ۖ ذَٰلِكَ قَوْلُهُمْ بِأَفْوَاهِهِمْ ۖ يُضَاهِئُونَ قَوْلَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا مِنْ قَبْلُ ۚ قَاتَلَهُمُ اللَّهُ ۚ أَنَّىٰ يُؤْفَكُونَ»

Āl ‘Imrān: 79 «مَا كَانَ لِبَشَرٍ أَنْ يُؤْتِيَهُ اللَّهُ الْكِتَابَ وَ الْحُكْمَ وَالنُّبُوَّةَ ثُمَّ يَقُولَ لِلنَّاسِ كُونُوا عِبَادًا لِي مِنْ دُونِ اللَّهِ وَلَٰكِنْ كُونُوا رَبَّانِيِّينَ بِمَا كُنْتُمْ تُعَلِّمُونَ الْكِتَابَ وَ بِمَا كُنْتُمْ تَدْرُسُونَ»

[5] . Ar-Ra‘d: 16 «أَمْ جَعَلُوا لِلَّهِ شُرَكَاءَ خَلَقُوا كَخَلْقِهِ فَتَشَابَهَ الْخَلْقُ عَلَيْهِمْ ۚ قُلِ اللَّهُ خَالِقُ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ وَهُوَ الْوَاحِدُ الْقَهَّارُ»

[6] . Refer to: Ghulū va Tafvīż dar Gostareh āyāt va Ravāyāt ahl-e Bayt(Exaggeration and delegation in the interpretation of the verses and narrations of the Ahlul Bayt (AS)): Sayyid Alī Reza Mūsavī.

[7] . Refer to: Uyun Akhbar Al-Ridha (AS): Sheikh Al-Saduq, Vol: 2, P: 200 (Chapter: What was narrated from Al-Ridha (AS) in the face of the evidence of the Imams (AS) and the response to the extremists and the Mufawwidah, may Allah curse them) / Bihar al-Anwar: Allamah al-Majlisi Vol: 25, P: 261 (Chapter on the denial of exaggeration of the Prophet and the Imams)

[8] . Nahjul Balagha: Al-Sharif Al-Murtada, p: 184, Sermon 127.

[9] . Al-Khisal: Sheikh Al-Saduq, Vol: 1, P: 72.

[10] . Uyun Akhbar Al-Rida (AS): Sheikh Al-Saduq, Vol: 2, P: 202.