Master, in your commentary on Ziyārat al-Jāmiʿa al-Kabīra, in connection with the birth of Imam رضا علیهم السلام, you explained how revelation reached the noble Gabriel: God’s revelation passed through the lanes and streets of the Infallibles before reaching him.
We all believe that Gabriel conveyed God’s revelation—or the Qur’an itself—to the Messenger of God. From what I understood in your further explanation, Gabriel received these messages as though they were written in a notebook, then delivered them to the Messenger of God in the form of revelation. Wouldn’t this mean that the Messenger of God’s station is lower than that of the Imamate, for such a thing to happen?
The birth of Imam رضا علیهم السلام
We should understand that revelation passed through the lanes and streets of the Ahl al-Bayt علیهم السلام before reaching the noble Gabriel علیه السلام. It is as though it reached Gabriel through the Infallibles themselves. The noble Gabriel علیه السلام became a notebook for God’s revelation. Then that same notebook, in the particular form and shape of God’s revelation, was presented once more to the Messenger of God—and again to its original abode: the Ahl al-Bayt علیهم السلام, who are the locus where revelation descends.
So let us keep in mind the different forms of God’s revelation: one is of the unseen realm, another is earthly, and another takes the form of Arabic words.
The Qur’an, which is تبیان کل شیء, explains everything. From what lofty station does the explanation of each thing become manifest and visible? From that same station where revelation descends: the sacred beings of the Infallibles.
تبیان کل شیء...
What is meant by “everything”? It means the things God has created, which are finite—and those God has created and will yet create.
So let us look upon the Qur’an in this particular way: as an explanation of every thing.
It is also an explanation of what God has created, and of everything He will create. Thus, the Qur’an gradually reveals more and more of its grandeur.
As the ages turn and God brings successive creations into being, this locus of divine revelation attains ever greater majesty, reaching the very summit. In other words, it is growing and developing. The locus of God’s revelation is advancing and growing.
Each of the Infallibles علیهم السلام is a locus of God’s revelation. His Eminence, ʿAli ibn Musa al-Rida علیه السلام, is the eighth locus of God’s revelation—the beautiful master, God’s greatest blessing upon His creation...
What beautiful words the Imam has:
أحسنوا جوار النعم فإنها وحشیه
The advice of Imam al-Rida علیه السلام to his Shiʿa—and indeed to all creation!
The Imam’s counsel to the whole universe. Yet it seems he has a particular concern for the people of this age.
His Eminence rebukes the people of this age:
“Be good neighbours to blessings.”
Live beautifully alongside God’s blessings, and keep their company with grace.
Master Ali Saei