Today, we study the status of the Prophet of Islam’s Infallible Household, based on the Hadith of Safina (Ark).

We continue the topic of Imamate. As a reminder, last week we spoke of the Prophet of Islam’s Household (Peace be upon them), and detailed the 33^rd ayah of Surah al-Ahzab, according to which the Prophet’s Household are infallible.

Another ayah of Holy Quran which manifests the elevated status of the Prophet’s Infallible Household is the 61^st ayah of Surah A’lay Imran, which is related to the event of Mubahela, in which the Prophet gathered his nearest ones, namely Imam Ali (AS), Hazrat Fatemeh (SA), and their infallible children, Imam Hassan (AS), and Imam Hussein (AS), in the face of Christians of Najran, invoking the divine curse upon those who are disbelievers. This ayah shows the righteousness of the Prophet of Islam, Mohammad (Blessings of God upon him and his progeny), and the Prophet’s Infallible Household.

One of the leading Sunni Ulema, Zamakhshari, notes that this ayah provides the strongest proof of the ethical virtues and righteousness of the Prophet’s Household.

Another hadith has been cited from Prophet Mohammad, on the status of Prophet’s Infallible Household, which is referred to as the Hadith of Safina (Ark). This hadith points out the distinguished and elevated status of Prophet’s Household. The Hadith of Safina has been stated in valid Shia and Sunni books. A number of Sunni scientists and hadith scholars have cited this hadith from the Prophet’s disciples and followers such as Ali ibn Abi-Taleb, Abdullah ibn Zabir, Ibn-e Abbas, Abuzar Ghafari, Abu Saied Khadri, and Ans ibn Malek.

Now let’s see what is this hadith and what topic does it speak about?

Prophet Mohammad notes:  My Infallible Household among you resembles the Ark of Salvation, on which whoever boarded was saved, and whoever refused to do so, was drowned.

In his remarks, the Prophet of Islam resembles his household to the Ark of Salvation, which whoever accompanies is saved and whoever doesn’t is drowned.

In order to better understand this ayah, it is appropriate to mention Noah’s storm.

The 11^th and 12^th ayahs of Surah Qamar describe Noah’s storm as follows: “So We opened the gates of the cloud with water pouring down, And We made water to flow forth in the land in springs, so that water gathered together according to a measure already ordained.”

Within Noah’s storm, seemingly the gates of the cloud were opened with water pouring down. The ground was inundated and the water currents on the ground joined each other and covered the surface. Upon the emergence of the storm, Noah instructed his followers to board the ship. Water covered everywhere and a never-ending ocean took shape. Noah’s Ark with its passengers went through the turbulent waters. Within this huge storm and flood, there was only one source of hope, which was Noah’s Ark; whose passengers God saved from drowning.

Noah asked his child to board the ship, so that he would not lose his life, along with disbelievers. However, the remarks of Noah left no impact on the callous heart of his son. Noah’s son shouted that he would soon seek shelter throughout the mountains to be saved from threats. Noah once again advised his child to get on board, given that his son would find no shelter; unless God would be forgiving and kind towards him. In the meantime, water waves emerged, pushing and drowning Noah’s son.

Getting away from the turbulent and stormy waves was not possible in the absence of a ship. The Ark of Salvation can also be prominent and faithful individuals, who upon reliance on God Almighty, stand up against the destructive waves of corruption so that others would be saved. Thus, throughout the hadiths which are cited from the Prophet of Islam in Shia and Sunni books, the Prophet’s Infallible Household have been resembled to Noah’s Ark in those difficult and harrowing conditions. These remarks of the Prophet of Islam include valuable lessons, some of which we are going to point out.

The Prophet, via this resemblance, indirectly reports of a future, in which the Islamic Ummah is hit by turbulences and difficulties. In order to be liberated from the yoke of threats, which endanger people’s faith and religion, and the foundations of community, and its ideological and ethical infrastructure, there is a source of hope which is the Prophet of Islam’s Infallible Household.

The other point is that the necessary condition for boarding Noah’s Ark was to maintain faith in God. Thus, Noah called on his children to leave disbelievers; to maintain faith in God; and to board the Ark of Salvation. So, liberation of the Ummah from difficulties is conditioned upon faith in God and on boarding the Ark of Salvation.

Given that mankind always faces threats and dangers amid his turbulent life, he is in permanent need of the Ark of Salvation. So, abidance by the Prophet’s Infallible Household is a must; in the absence of which nobody reaches the destination. Noah’s Ark saved those, who followed Noah’s tradition. But, those who did not board the Ark were all drowned. This is also the case in regard to Prophet’s Infallible Household. Those, who follow the Prophet’s Infallible Household, and practice their valuable teachings, are among the ones, who are saved.

If we contemplate on the Hadith of Safina (Ark), this hadith points out the infallibility and chastity of the Prophet’s Household. Shia and Sunni scholars have pointed out this fact. If the Prophet’s Household, who are named as the Ark of Salvation, would have been wrongdoers, they would not be able to save themselves or liberate others.

Muslims always need a reliable and assuring source for understanding Quranic and Islamic teachings. After the Prophet of Islam, his Infallible Household is a reliable and valid source of Islamic teachings in order to understand God’s instructions. They are considered as the true exegetes of Holy Quran, and heirs of divine teachings and treasures. So, resemblance of the Prophet Mohammad’s Infallible Household to the Ark of Salvation proves that they are the sources of reference on Islamic teachings. They are also superior to others in ethical virtues, with the exception of Prophet of Islam. Otherwise, other individuals would have been resembled to the Ark of Salvation. This fact is evident in many Islamic narrations and overall it can be concluded that God and Prophet of God want people to be enlightened by the Prophet’s Infallible Household, in relation to understanding Quranic and Islamic teachings; following the righteous path; and advancing in spirituality and ethical virtues. So people should set the Prophet’s Infallible Household as their role model and source of reference in order to clearly understand the truth of sacred religion of Islam, and to revolve round the righteous path.

The knowledge of Prophet’s Infallible Household originates from the infinite divine knowledge; which is immune from any fault. Given that the Prophet’s Infallible Household maintains a divine knowledge, they should be considered as role models in acquisition of the appropriate and righteous knowledge.

In fact, the Prophet’s Infallible Household is the solid pillar of righteousness and true sources of guidance.

The First Infallible Imam of the Prophet’s Infallible Household, Imam Ali (Peace be upon him), introduces Prophet’s Household as the criterion for the righteous path, noting:  Look at the Prophet’s Household, accompany them and follow their path. They always guide you to the righteous path.

In short, as the Ark of Salvation was the only means for the rescue of Noah’s followers amid the thunderstorm, the Islamic Ummah should only resort to Prophet’s Infallible Household amid the turbulences which emerged after the demise of Prophet Mohammad (Blessings of God upon him and his progeny). This is because the Prophet of Islam pointed out that his Infallible Household is the Ark of Salvation.  

MR/EA