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Specialization and Salam’s Book One of the rumours circulated against the book is that one of the references upon which it relies is the book titled Al-Ikhtisas (specialization) and also the book written by Salam ibn Qays. Those who raise such issues do not necessarily find these books reliable despite the fact that most narratives relevant to the issue of al-Zahra’ (A.S.) are referred to the second. We would like to say the following:
1. The references which have recorded the events from which al-Zahra’ (A.S.) suffered are not confined to these books, nor do they end there either. The least review of this book and its sources, which are narrated by Sunnis and Sha`is, guarantees to prove the error of such a claim. Anyone who discerns the narratives which support each other and are consecutively reported have been narrated by followers of various sects. What is quoted from Salam’s book are only a few traditions which may not exceed the number of the fingers on one single hand. The differences among the narratives within the same news and among the sources upon which they rely is a true witness testifying to the transmission being from more than one book, i.e. Salam’s book about which some people are sensitive.
2. With regard to the book titled Al-Ikhtisas, we would like to say that the same individual has relied on this same book, attributing it to Shaikh al-Mufad[1]. I have discussed in this book the doubts raised about it, and it has become obvious that they all are unworthy of anyone’s attention.
3. The authenticity of Salam ibn Qays’s book
and the acceptance of its narratives do not hinge on the venue leading to
him, openly and directly. Suffices to accept its narratives the fact that
scholars have already accepted them and are pleased with them. They quote
them and clearly rely on them, paying no heed to what is said about the men
leading to his venue. This is a strong testimony to the fact that this book
is above being criticized. It is firmly and strongly established so long as
the proofs for its authenticity are to the extent that no noteworthy doubt
can ever scratch its accuracy. When someone discusses one of its narratives,
it is the same as one discusses one of the narratives in al-Kafi’s work, or
in the Tahthab, as stated by Imam al-Khoei, may Allah have mercy on
his soul, in Mu`jam Rijal
al-Hadath. Rather, the criterion,
according to the same individual whom and whose statements I discuss in this
book, is the authenticated transmission, not the news of authenticity; so,
he needs no authenticity of the venue. The authenticity of the context and
its acceptance suffice. The rational commendable things which he has
mentioned as justifying doubt in the text do not justify the end which he
tries to reach as we have clarified and to which Imam al-Khoei referred in
Mu`jam Rijal
al-Hadath. The outcome is this: I have stated that Salam’s book has been received by the nation with acceptance and appreciation just as it received other reliable Imamite books even when some scholars have discussed some of its narratives. Such is meant by Ayatullah al-Uzma Sayyid al-Khoei, may Allah have mercy on his soul, when he defended the contents of the book once then decided that the venue to him was weak. What he stated came out to accept the evidence of the news of authenticity rather than the authenticated one. By my life, one who decides that it is alright to accept Sunni narratives without any reservation or minute investigation of their references[2], once he trusts the accuracy of their contents and finds no reason for any lies therein, has no right to discuss Salam’s book which is one of the most important books that uphold the right sect without straying from its path. How could he conclude that what is narrated in Sunni books of fiqh matters can be authenticated in the pretext that there is no need for lies therein without being convinced of the authenticity of what Sunni books regard persons whose indictment about anything at all they do not like, while there is no justification for telling lies therein as well, but they are motivated not to publicly declare such matters though they are mentioned by them?! [1]Refer to Ta’ammul_t f_ _f_q al-Im_m al-K_zim (_) p. 40. [2]Refer to Kit_b al-Nik_h, Vol. 1, p. 58.
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