notifications_active Weekly Meshkat-e Noor Session: Thursdays at 20:30 at Haj Reza Mosque
Can we regard the Penitents as an example of “those who lagged behind them” in the passage المتقدم لهم مارق و المتاخر عنهم زاهق و اللازم لهم لاحق?
Please give examples of “those who go ahead,” “those who lag behind,” and “those who keep close.”
َّهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحيمِ
To put oneself ahead of the Ahl al-Bayt is to regard oneself as superior to them, reject their authority, and substitute one’s own thought and conduct for theirs. To lag behind them is to fail to follow, accompany, or support them. In this light, before their repentance the Penitents were closer to the group described as “those who lagged behind them.”
To seek precedence over the Ahl al-Bayt, peace be upon them, is in a sense to try to overpower and rule them. It also means regarding one’s own words, views, thoughts, conduct and traditions as superior to theirs, and refusing their authority.
To lag behind them implies failing to follow, accompany or support them. It also means falling short of their teachings, conduct and traditions, and, in a sense, failing to remain faithful and steadfast in one’s covenant with the Ahl al-Bayt, peace be upon them.
Those who remain close to the Ahl al-Bayt are the ones who truly hold fast to the firmest handhold.
In light of this, yes—the Tawwabun, before their repentance, were closer to the second group: those who lagged behind them.