HOW THE MEDIA BECAME A WEAPON OF CORRUPTION.
PART 1

A brief study by: Brother Ali Ja’afary.

بِسمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمَن الرَّحيم
“In the Name of ALLAH the Merciful, the Compassionate”

INTRODUCTION:

I would have preferred to call this article something like: “Our duty to the Trust” or “We must seek knowledge and the Truth” however, that would not have caught anyone’s attention and our point here is to catch people’s attention. By learning new knowledge, reviewing knowledge already obtained and by sharing our knowledge, we may Insha’ALLAH achieve our most important goal: closeness and nearness to ALLAH (swt), in truth in this article as in all the articles I write this is my goal. The effects of trying to fulfill these duties, my heart trembles, my eyes fill with tears and my body shakes in anticipation of fulfilling the TRUST, while at the same time in fear of failing to fulfill the TRUST.

Since the birth of Islam, the media was its most important tool, ALLAH (swt) sent the greatest and everlasting Miracle in the form of a book that would be protected by ALLAH (swt) himself: “WE revealed the Qur’an and verily WE are its Protector” (The Holy Qur’an 15 Al-Hijr-9) “Falsehood cannot reach it from any direction” (The Holy Qur’an 41Hām Min-42) in order that all mankind can benefit from it until the Day of Doom. Along with the Holy Qur’an, ALLAH (swt) sent to us the master and seal of all the prophets (a-s) Prophet Muhammad (saww), he was the most perfect being and all of his words and actions were part of the great revelation from ALLAH (swt): “Your companion does not err, nor does he go astray; nor does he speak out of desire. It is naught but revelation that is revealed”. (The Noble Qur’an 53-2 to 4).

So we all do agree on this, therefore the Glorious Qur’an and all that the Holy Prophet (saww) did, said, reacted on and did not do, did not say, and did not react on; is the law. It is the source of Shari’a and in its most beautiful, perfect, pure and meaningful Message of Mercy to all human beings and has been continued to be taught and protected through the 12 divinely chosen Imams (a-s); contains a form of MEDIA. Please don’t get me wrong, I did say contains, not is, for these great teachings are so much more than only media. Now in order to give to all my beloved readers a proper explanation, let’s look at the definition of MEDIA.



CHAPTER1:
WHAT IS MEDIA?

DEFINITION OF MEDIA:

What is media, perhaps when one hears this word we think of something real high tech like: satellite, computers, television, etc… Or maybe newspapers and magazines, however, these are media tools and not media itself. So what is media, its definition is simple it is: A Medium: a means of communicating information and/or transmitting an effect. (Expert Bilingual Dictionary).

Therefore for any message to get communicated and transmitted, a media must be used. Islam being the greatest Message ever to be sent to mankind, logically also had to have a media, however, before we look at the media that was used for Islam; we must fully understand what exactly Islam is. And in order to understand what Islam is, we must understand what the purpose of man is and in order to understand what the purpose of man is, we must go back to the history of the creation of man.

HISTORY OF THE CREATION OF MAN (in brief)

All Scholars agree that the first thing created was the Aql (intellect, mental power). It is through this mental power that all creation will be judged on the Day of judgement. Man is among the creation that was blessed with an unlimited mental power, giving mankind the possibilities of evolving and progressing in a much larger scale than animals, insects and fishes and without limited capacities. All scientists agree that man uses only a very small part of his mental capacities.

In fact, man has himself chosen the opportunity to be the very best of all created things or the very worst, why is man the possessor of desires? And why is his transient life in this world a great test for him? Because the human being accepted the challenge (Trust) that all other creation refused in fear of being unjust towards the Trust, this Trust is what gives man a chance to perfect himself, to purify his heart, positioning him above all other creation and to be the closest to ALLAH (swt), however, failure of keeping to the trust will lead man astray and towards the most harsh of punishments. In order to achieve such a high rank, man must keep to the Trust he so eagerly asked for before being sent to earth in his human form, and be steadfast in the test of this life, by increasing his knowledge, his piety and his patience. However, mankind in general (except for an exceptional small number) turn away from this great Trust and fall victim to arrogance, egotism, ignorance, lust and base desires, therefore the human being in general failed the test and turned away from his promise to ALLAH (swt). (Please note: ALLAH (swt) is the most Just (ADL) and ALLAH (swt) did not force or command any creation to take the Trust, HE only offered it to all creation and the human being asked for it and accepted it).

What is this trust that man needs to accomplish in order to be of such a high rank, even better than the Angels, and why is that if he turns away from it he will be worst than the animals? “…They are as cattle, nay, they are in worse errors; these are the heedless ones”. (Glorious Qur’an 7 Al-A’rāf-179) Let me first go to the Qur’anic verses in order to have a real clear and precise picture.

ALLAH (swt) says:

“Surely WE offered the trust to the heavens and the earth and the mountains, but they refused to be unfaithful to it and feared from it, and man has turned unfaithful to it; surely he is unjust, ignorant. So Allah will chastise the hypocritical men and the hypocritical women and the polytheistic men and the polytheistic women. And Allah will turn (mercifully) to the believing men and women, and Allah is Forgiving, Merciful”. (The Holy Qur’an 33 Al-Ahzab-72-73)


We understand without any doubt that the Trust is Knowing Allah (swt)-(MA’RIFAT). ISLAM in all of its pureness and perfection directs all human beings towards succeeding in the accomplishment of this Trust. And in order to teach Islam to mankind, ALLAH (swt) sent the Messengers (a-s) and Infallible guides (the 12 holy Imams (a-s)) some with books and scriptures, some without. In order to understand what media has to do with Islam we must now look briefly at the history of Islam.

THE HISTORY OF ISLAM (in brief)

Now that we understand that when man took up the Trust and was sent to earth, as a test for his sincerity towards the commitment he asked for, ALLAH (swt) in HIS Great Mercy and Justice, naturally sent guides in the form of Prophets and Messengers (a-s) to lead, guide and teach man in order to accomplish the Trust. For all the Knowledge and Wisdom given to the Prophets (a-s) was to be taught to mankind, in order that they can dedicate their existence to Knowing Allah (swt)-(MA’RIFAT), which is the only pure way to serve ALLAH (swt). Amir Al-Mu’mineen Imam Ali Ibn Abi Talib (a-s) said: “Whoever recognizes himself has recognized his LORD” For Knowing ALLAH (swt) appropriately is to serve HIM correctly: “And I have not created the jinn and the men except that they should serve ME”. (Glorious Qur’an 51Ad-Dāriyāt-56).

Anyhow it is very obvious that Prophet Adam (a-s) was the first Prophet of Islam. (Most Scholars agree that mankind had accepted the trust before his appearance on earth, therefore man’s goal was to be in Islam from the time he was sent to earth, in other words since Prophet Adam (a-s) was the first man and Prophet sent to earth, it is obvious that his teachings were the teachings of Islam, especially since man accepted the trust while still being only in his AQL form, and not yet his human body form. A more in depth study on this particular issue will soon be available, Insha’ALLAH in an article called ‘TO TURN TO ALLAH (swt) IS FREEDOM FROM THE CHAINS OF IGNORANCE’). Prophet Adam (a-s) taught mankind of his time by teaching them names and meanings of the creations and moral conduct at the level of humanity of that time, (this was his media), when he died many went astray, therefore the following Prophet (a-s) took the lead and so on. In other words all 124000 Prophets (a-s) were Prophets of Islam. They all (every single one of them without exception) were infallibles, for we can understand that for such a great mission of keeping mankind on the Straight Path and to teach them to be true and responsible for their special Trust, they all had to be the Purest and most Infallible among all of creation. Therefore all 124000 Prophets (a-s) were sources for the great Trust. (Please Note: the main purpose of Islam is to perfect and purify man in order to be closer and nearer to ALLAH (swt), which is the purpose of the Trust, therefore only the most perfect and purist guides in all ways are worthy of such a great responsibility and position of leading mankind in accomplishing the Trust).

The master, the seal and the last of the Prophets (a-s) was Prophet Muhammad (saww). Therefore he (saww) was the last of the Divine Messengers, and his Message would be the last Message, warning and source of guidance for all mankind until the Day of Doom. Therefore the Holy Prophet Muhammad (saww) had the greatest responsibility to be sure to teach, guard and spread the truthful Divine Message of Islam. So ALLAH (swt) would send down as a revelation the greatest miracle of all times; the Holy Qur’an. The Holy Qur’an is not only the greatest Miracle; it was also sent down to safeguard and to confirm the status and lifestyle (words, teachings, actions, conduct, etc…) of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (saww) and is the greatest resource of guidance and knowledge for all mankind. For ALLAH (swt) says in the Holy Qur’an: “And WE have sent down to thee the book making clear everything, and as guidance and a mercy and as good tidings to those who surrender” (The Glorious Qur’an16 An-Nahl-89) “With HIM are the keys of the Unseen; none knows them but HE. HE knows what is in the land and sea, not a leaf falls, but HE knows it. Not a grain in the earth’s shadows, not a thing, fresh or withered, but it is in a book Manifest” (The Glorious Qur’an 6 Al-An’am-59) “And WE have brought to them a book that WE have well distinguished, resting on knowledge, a guidance and a mercy unto a people that believe” (The Glorious Qur’an 7 Al-A’raf-52) “It is naught but a reminder unto all beings” (The Glorious Qur’an 81 At-Takwir-27)

As for the command of obeying the Holy Prophet (saww) and following his (saww) lifestyle (words, teachings, actions, conduct, etc…) as guidance and as law, ALLAH (swt) says in the Glorious Qur’an: “O you who believe! obey Allah and obey the Apostle and those in authority from among you; then if you quarrel about anything, refer it to Allah and the Apostle, if you believe in Allah and the last day; this is better and very good in the end”. (The Noble Qur’an 4 An-Nisa -59), “Whoever disobeys ALLAH and HIS Messenger will go to hell, wherein he will live forever” (The Holy Qur’an 72 Al-Jinn-22), “One who disobeys ALLAH and HIS Messenger is in clear error” (The Holy Qur’an 33 Al-Ahzab-36), “So believe in ALLAH and HIS Messenger” (The Holy Qur’an 7 Al-A’raf-58). Whoever obeys the Apostle, he indeed obeys Allah, and whoever turns back, so WE have not sent you as a keeper over them. (The Glorious Qur’an 4 An-Nisā-80) “…, and whatever the Apostle gives you, accept it, and from whatever he forbids you, keep back, and be careful of (your duty to) Allah; surely Allah is severe in retribution (evil)” (The Glorious Qur’an 59 Al-Hasr-7) “Your companion does not err, nor does he go astray; nor does he speak out of desire. It is naught but revelation that is revealed”. (The Noble Qur’an 53-2 to 4)

There are many more verses like these; however, these are enough to make us understand that the Holy Qur’an along with the words, actions, manners, conduct and teachings of Prophet Muhammad (saww) in the form of the Sunnah (recordings of Authentic Hadith only) are the Only Divine sources for all of mankind to follow and to be established as Shari’a.

ALLAH (swt) also saw to it that these sources be protected as we read above ALLAH (swt) protects the Holy Qur’an from any attempt to change it or to falsify, forge or destroy it. ALLAH (swt) also made sure to protect the teachings and words of the Holy Prophet (saww) through the divinely chosen Imams (a-s), who ALLAH (swt) chose as protectors of the words of the Holy Prophet (saww). Therefore these infallible guides continue to defend, protect and spread the true teachings of the Holy Qur’an and the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet (saww), until the advent of Imam Mahdi (a-j) who will complete the Islamic Mission. The Holy Prophet Muhammad (saww) said about his Ahlul-Bayt (a-s): “I am leaving for you a thing which if you will keep hold of, you will never go astray after me and those two things which are greater and higher than one another. One of them is the Book of ALLAH which is a rope drawn from earth up to the sky and another one is my progeny who are my Ahlul-Bayt (a-s). These two will never separate from one another until they arrive to me on the Hauz of Kauthar. So just think how you will act for me on their matter”. (Zaid bin Arqam – Sahih Tirmidhi).

“The likeness of my Ahlul-Bayt amongst my Ummah (followers) is similar to Noah’s Ark. Those who embarked on it were rescued and those who rejected it perished….” (Bihar-Ul-Anwar, vol. 27 p. 113).

It says about the Ahlul- Bayt in the Holy Qur’an: “ALLAH intendeth but to keep off from you (every kind of) uncleanness, O’ye the people of the house (Ahlul-Bayt) and purify you (with) a thorough purification”. (The Holy Qur’an 33-Al-Ahzab-33).

“Say: I do not ask of you any reward for it but love for my nearest relatives”. (Qur’an 42-23)

Now we understand that the Media of Islam is the Holy Qur’an (protected by ALLAH (swt) and the true Sunnah (based on the authentic lifestyle of The Prophet (saww) as reported in truthful Hadith) which has been taught and protected by the divinely chosen Imams (a-s) of the Ahlul-Bayt (a-s). (Note: Please read ‘IMAMATE A DIVINE COMMAND’ pt1 to 4 for more information about Imamate)

The question is: How could have the Islamic Media become corrupt, if we know that ALLAH (swt) protects the holy Qur’an from any attempt to falsify its purity and we also understand that after the death of our most beloved Prophet Muhammad (saww) in order to keep to our Trust, we must follow the protectors and guides of Islam, the Holy Imams (a-s)?

“And do not make mischief on earth after its reformation”. (The Glorious Qur’an 7 Al-A’rāf-56)

Imagine then turning the Islamic nation away from the Noble Qur’an (since it is not falsifiable, hide it! And Keep it away from the masses for a certain time, then interpret it to fit the needs and the desires of the regimes and rulers) and forbidding and prohibiting the narrations of the authentic Ahadith of the Holy Prophet (saww) and to abuse, torture and murder the rightful guides the Holy Imams (a-s) of the Ahlul-Bayt (a-s). Then re-instating narrations (Hadith) but only those that suit the rulers mixed with modifications, falsification and forgery, all in the name of the evil dynasties. They could not touch the protected Holy Qur’an, however, they could try to destroy all that was around it and that’s exactly what they attempted to do. ALLAH Azz wa Jall warned us all of such impostors:

“And when it is said to them: ‘Do not make mischief in the land’, they say: ‘We are the peace makers’. Now surely they themselves are the mischief makers, but the do not perceive”. (The Glorious Qur’an 2 Al-Baqarah; 11-12)

“These are they who buy error for the right direction, so their bargain shall bring no gain, nor are they the followers of the right direction”. (The Glorious Qur’an 2 Al-Baqarah-16)

“And among men is he whose speech about the life may dazzle you, and he calls on ALLAH to witness as to what is in his heart, yet he is the most violent of adversities. And when he turns back, he runs along in the land that he may cause mischief in it and destroy the crops and the stock, and ALLAH does not love mischief making. And when it is said to him, guard against ALLAH; pride carries him off to sin; therefore hell is sufficient for him; and certainly it is an evil resting place”. (The Glorious Qur’an 2 Al-Baqarah; 204-206).

“As for those in whose hearts is swerving, they follow the ambiguous part, desiring dissension and desiring its interpretation and none knows its interpretation, save ALLAH and those firmly rooted in knowledge; they say, ‘We believe in it; all is from our lord’ yet none remembers but men possessed of intellect”. (The Holy Qur’an 3 Al-Imran-7)

* Those firmly rooted in knowledge: are the 14 Infallibles of the Ahlul-Bayt (a-s).

CHAPTER2:
HOW THE MEDIA BECAME A WEAPON OF CORRUPTION:

In order to make any devious plan work one must get rid of all truthful obstacles that may come and expose their evil intentions. Those men who started the campaign of lies and deceit, waited for the perfect time to attack and spread their plan, first among the most ignorant, those who had weak faith, and of course those who in their cold hearts had a deep resentment towards the Holy Prophet (saww), his Ahlul-Bayt (a-s) and the whole Islamic movement. Yet the Islamic Ummah was warned many times about these diseased hearted individuals, (even in the time of the Prophet (saww) many hypocrites spread lies about him. So much so one day he stood up in the Masjid and declared: “Whoever attributes lies about me deliberately will find his place in Hell” (Sahih Bukhari)), also their behavior during the lifetime of our most beloved Prophet Muhammad (saww), showed many signs of insincerity and weak belief. Despite all this, unfortunately the majority of the Ummah fell into their trap of deceit. Let us look briefly at some of the methods used in the corruption of the Islamic media:


Alienating the Ahlul-Bayt (a-s) and taking away their rights.

1st Attack:
Going against the Command of ALLAH (swt):

They stole and embezzled the position of Khilafah from Imam Ali (a-s) the only divinely chosen successor to the Holy Prophet (saww). As we mentioned above ALLAH (swt) had chosen the successor to the Holy Prophet Muhammad (saww), and our most beloved Prophet (saww) announced it to the world on many occasions. There are mountains of articles and books written with great detail by many of the best Scholars in all fields of science, about the subject of the successor of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (saww) being Imam Ali (a-s). Therefore I will only briefly speak about this issue in order to make a clear picture for the subject of this article: When one decides to study and investigate the early days of Islam, there cannot be any doubt that the love and obedience to Ali Ibn Abi Talib (a-s) and the Ahlul-Bayt (a-s) of the Prophet Muhammad (saww) were as much a part of Islamic teachings as: Prayer, fast, Zakat, forbidding evil and promoting good, etc… In fact it had such importance among the pillars of Islam that the announcement of Imam Ali Ibn Abi Talib (a-s) as the divinely chosen successor to our most beloved Prophet Muhammad (saww) was well indicated in the Glorious Qur’an, which is the source of guidance for all Muslims to follow.

ALLAH (swt) Says: “Only Allah is your Wali and His Apostle and those who believe, those who keep up prayers and pay the poor-rate while they bow (in the Rukoo). And whoever takes Allah and His apostle and those who believe for a guardian, and then surely the party of Allah is they that shall be triumphant”. (The Glorious Qur’an 5 Al-Mā’idah-55-56)

There are hundreds of authentic Ahadith confirming this, and proving absolutely that Imam Ali (a-s) was the only divinely chosen leader for Islam after the passing away of Prophet Muhammad (saww), here are a few of them before we move to the next point:
The Holy Prophet Muhammad (saww) said:

“ALLAH gave me wilāyah (authority) and I am more worthy than the believers and the followers themselves. Therefore, to whosoever I am his wali (master) and guardian, Ali is his master and guardian too. O ALLAH! Be the friend of his friends and the enemy of his enemies. Help anyone who helps him and punish anyone who rebels against him. Now everyone who is present must tell those who are absent”. (Al-Amini: Al-Ghadir)

“O Ali, whoever hates you, ALLAH (swt) shall cause him to die the death of infidels, and on the day of Judgement, will ask him to account for his deeds (also)”. (Al-Amaali Shaykh al-Mufid #10 eight Assembly).

“I am the master of the first and the last, and you, O Ali, are the master of the creation after me. I am just like you and you are just like me.” (Bihar V.12 p.360 H.17, Ghayatol Maram p.450h.14 and 610 h17, Khawarazmi in Manaqeb p.31, Maqtal V.1 p.39, Misbah Al-Anwar p.61, Ibn Shazan Hadith #1).

“No one has a higher status than Ali Ibn Abi Talib (a-s) except me .He is the Imam of my nation; he is my heir; and he is my successor. Those who follow him are guided to the right path; those who follow anyone other then Ali (a-s) are lost and have strayed off the right path. Indeed I am the chosen Prophet. I do not say this about Ali (a-s) from my own inclination. What I say is nothing but revelation brought by Jibraeel from ALLAH (swt), who owns everything in the skies and in the earth, and whatever is between the skies and the earth, and whatever is under the earth. (Bihar Al-Anwar v.12 p.361 h31, Ghayatol Maram p.45 h.54, Rowzat Al-Jannat v.6 p.185,).

“You are the Wali of every believer after me”. (Al-Mustadrak, vol. 3, p. 134, Al-Muraja’at, by: Sayyed Abdul-Hussayn Sharafud-Din al-Musawi, letter 36)

“You have the same status with me that Prophet Harun had with Prophet Musa with exception of Prophethood, for after me there will be no other Prophet”. (Kitab-e-Sulaym ibn Qays Al-Hilali, Hadith no.44)

“This is the Imam of the righteous, the slayer of the debauchees; victorious is whoever supports him, forsaken by ALLAH is whoever abandons him”. (Kanz al-Ummal, vol.6, p. 153, Al-Muraja’at, by: Sayyed Abdul-Hussayn Sharafud-Din al-Musawi, letter 48)

“The 3 exclusive merits of Ali are; he is the chief of the Muslims, the Imam of the righteous and the leader of those whose foreheads radiate with the mark of faith”. (Mustadrak, vol.3, p.138, Al-Muraja’at, by: Sayyed Abdul-Hussayn Sharafud-Din al-Musawi, letter 48)

“Verily, Ali is my brother, my minister, my successor in the family, and he is the best of all who survive me, he will repay my debts and fulfil my pledges”. (Al-Amaali, by Shaykh Al-Mufid (r-a), Eng translation. Seventh assembly, Hadith #6)

“I am the City of knowledge and Ali is the Gate. So whoso wants entrance to the city should enter by the gate”. (Mustadrak al-Sahihayn, Sahih al-Tirmidhi)

“Ali’s status to me is similar unto that of mine to my LORD”. (Al-Sawa’iq al-Muhiriqa, p.106, Al-Muraja’at, by: Sayyed Abdul-Hussayn Sharafud-Din al-Musawi, letter 48)

“O Ali, you are from me and I am from you. Your flesh is joined to my flesh and your blood is joined to my blood. You will be the means between ALLAH and the entire creation. So whoever denies your Wilayat then he has broken the relationship that exists between him and ALLAH, and will go to the Hell fire”. (Kitab-e-Sulaym ibn Qays Al-Hilali, Hadith no.44)

By pulling people away from this most important duty, these wrongdoers took a strong hold over leadership; they bought themselves supporters through bribes, gifts, threats and brute force. To the haters of Islam they promised that never would Imam Ali (a-s) take his rightful place as long as they ruled, to the lovers of life they gave land, homes, money, gold and wives, to the power seekers promise of position, to the weak hearted they used threats, to others they used brutality, etc… This was their first step of gaining control, and pushing the masses towards ignorance. Now that they began to blur the vision and corrupt the message they were well on their way to the next ATTACK.

2nd Attack:
Going against; the wishes of the Holy Prophet (saww).

Sayyeda Fatimah Az-Zahra (s-a) said: “There have been after you news and incidents were you witness them, you would have disapproved them; We have missed you, the way a parched land misses the rainfall, your people are in total disarray, see how they have reneged. Jibraeel used to endear us with the verses of the Qur’an but after you have hid from us, all good is also concealed; you were the moon, from whose light people benefited, and upon you was revealed the book-from the LORD Almighty. Men have attacked us and humiliated us, after the Prophet, and all wealth has been usurped; the perpetrator of injustices to us will know his fate on the day of Judgement, where he will finally land. We have come across things which no one before us, neither from Arabs nor from the Ajam have suffered; so, we shall continue weeping over you as long as we live and as long as we have eyes which well up with flowing tears”. (Al-Amaali Shaykh al-Mufid (r-a): 5th Assembly, Hadith # 9)

In order to move the attention of the Islamic Ummah away from the remembrance of the holy Prophet Muhammad (saww), they took away from the Ahlul-Bayt (a-s) all of their rights. After they deprived Imam Ali (a-s) of his leadership, in order to be sure to alienate the status of the Ahlul-Bayt (a-s) completely, they decided to swindle the inheritance of the Mistress of all women; Fatimah Az-Zahra (s-a). We can surely call this a deceitful means of plundering. Then again this kind of thing was very familiar to the ways of these newly self elected Khalifs for if we look back in history to some years earlier to this event; we remember how Quraysh forced and exiled the Holy Prophet Muhammad (saww) and the descendants of Bani-Hashim, Bani-Abdul Muttalib out of Mecca. The tyrannical Quraysh put economic sanctions on them, prohibited anyone to associate with them, also any matrimonial alliances with the Muslims was forbidden, and the opponents of the Prophet Muhammad (saww) must be supported in all circumstances. Funny how soon these people forgot those harsh and hard days of ignorance and how they decided to return to such ugly methods of control. Please my dearest readers don’t forget we are talking here about Muslims, and Muslim who in the year 10 A.H. pledged their allegiance to Imam Ali (a-s) after the farewell Hajj of Prophet Muhammad (saww) at Ghadir Khum.

How can anyone look at these historical facts and claim that such awful and appalling behaviour toward the descendants of our most loved Prophet Muhammad (saww) has anything to do with Islam. When these men decided to violate the rights of Sayyeda Fatimah Az-Zahra (s-a), they did not only alienate the Holy Family of the Prophet (saww) from the people, they in fact alienated Islam to the world. Just imagine the great advancement Islam would have taken with such a rich land such as Fadak being properly administered by Fatima Az-Zahra and Imam Ali (a-s), instead of being a sore and painful memory for all Muslims. Strange how according to Abu Bakr all can inherit from the Prophet (saww) (ex: he did not take away any of the inheritance of the wives of the Holy Prophet (saww)) except his most loved daughter Sayyeda Fatimah Az-Zahra (s-a). In future articles we will investigate the story of Fadak more closely, however, in order to stick to our current subject (HOW THE MEDIA BECAME A WEAPON OF CORRUPTION) we will end this discussion here and move to the next attack, before we do, let us look at what the Holy Prophet Muhammad (saww) said about the status of his daughter Fatimah Az-Zahra (s-a) to understand her (s-a) high position of purity, respect and infallibility.

The Holy Prophet Muhammad (saww) said:

“Fatimah is a part of me; whoever pleases her pleases me and whoever displeases her, displeases me. She is dearer to me than all beings”. (Al-Amaali, Shaykh Al-Mufid (r-a): 13th Assembly, hadith # 2).

“O Salman! Whoever loves Fatimah, my daughter, will be in Heaven with me; and whoever dislikes her, then that one will be in (Hell) Fire”. (Fara’id-us-Samtayn, vol2, p.67)

“As for my daughter Fatimah, she is the mistress of all women; from the beginning of history until the end. She is part of me; she is the light of my eye and the fruit of my heart. Fatimah is my spirit which I hold in me; she is a human houri. Whenever she keeps up prayers in her Mehrab before her LORD, her light illuminates the angels in the Heaven just as a star shines to mankind on Earth. So ALLAH, Exalted is HIS name, says to the angels: ‘My angels, look at my servant, Fatimah, who is the mistress of all my female servants, keeping up prayers before ME. Her limbs shake from fear of ME and she worships ME wholeheartedly. Bear witness that I have safeguarded her Shiites (followers) from Hellfire…’” (Bihar Al-Anwar vol.10)

“Surely, ALLAH (swt) is displeased when Fatimah (s-a) is displeased, and HE is pleased when she displays her pleasure”. (Al-Amaali 11th Assembly, Hadith # 4).

3rd Attack:

Going against; Islam’s code of human rights, ethics and morality.

In order to have all the Islamic Ummah to conform to the new ruling party and new laws of innovation, the new Khalif decided to have Imam Ali (a-s) pay allegiance to him by force. This action, in his mind would confirm his self fabricated superiority over all Muslims, and would dampen any uprisings against his heresy.

In order to force Imam Ali (a-s) to pledge allegiance to Abu Bakr, Umar and a group of people rushed to Lady Fatimah’s (s-a) house, Umar told the people to collect wood, he then set the wood around the house were Imam Ali (a-s), Lady Fatimah (s-a) and their two sons Hasan and Hussayn (a-s) were gathered inside. Umar then yelled out: “By ALLAH, O Ali come out and pay allegiance to the Khalif of the Prophet of ALLAH, otherwise we will burn down your house”. Lady Fatimah (s-a) said: “O Umar are you not afraid of ALLAH (swt) and are you entering our house?” Umar asked for fire to be brought and set the door on fire, and then he shoved it open and forced his way in. Umar who acted like a ferocious mad dog hit Lady Fatimah (s-a) with a shield on her side, she screamed: “O Prophet of ALLAH, Abu Bakr and Umar behaved very badly after you, while your eyes have not even closed in the grave!” Imam Ali (a-s) rushed and threw Umar on the ground, he was then above him and was ready to kill him, when he remembered his promise to the Holy Prophet (saww), he then said “O son of Sahak, had the Holy Qur’an not been revealed and the Holy Prophet (saww) not taken a promise from me before, you could have never entered my house!”

Qunfuz the Cursed arrived there with a large gang of people, when Imam Ali (a-s) saw them arriving he went to pick up his sword, but by large numbers they overpowered him, arrested him and tied a rope around his neck and dragged him on the ground. (a practice that was forbidden during the lifetime of the Prophet Muhammad (saww), even against the worst enemies of Islam during time of war, ref to the battle of Badr, Uhud, etc…) Umar ordered Qunfus (may ALLAH (swt) curse him) to bring a whip and strike Lady Fatimah Az-Zahra (s-a) with it. The whip struck her on the hand and left a black mark on it. Umar kicked at the door and broke it down. Lady Fatimah (s-a) turned her womb away from the door to protect it and shield it from the door. Umar crushed Lady Fatimah Az-Zahra (s-a) between the door and the adjoining wall. She (s-a) was in so much difficulty that it appeared she would die there. A nail on the door pierced her chest. Her chest and arms were stained with her blood, blood that was flowing from her wounds. She (s-a) fell on her face down on the ground. At this point, the fire was still burning. Lady Fatimah Az-Zahra (s-a) in a heart-rending cry said: “O father! O Prophet of ALLAH (saww)! Look at what the people have done to your daughter! O Fizzah! Come and help me! By ALLAH! They killed the child in my womb”.’ (Oppression on the Ahlul-Bayt (a-s) p. 55-56 / Ibid. p. 178-179 and 407 / Bihar-ul-Anwar, vol. 53, p. 13 / Tafsir’e Ayyaashi, vol. 2, p. 67; Al Ikhtesaas, p.176 / Dalaael-ul-Imaamah, vol.2 / Bihar-ul-Anwar, vol.30, p.294 / Muattamire’ Ulamaae’ Baghdad, p.63 / Kaukabe’ Durri p.194-195 / Al Hidaayat-ul-Kubra,p. 178-179).

With this we understand that Islam no longer meant anything to these people who mistreated the Holy progeny of Prophet Muhammad (saww), they had completely forgotten the TRUST they so eagerly asked for and they were now acting worst than the most savage wild animals. Strange how man only wears his beliefs when they suit only his desires, Imam Hussayn (a-s) said: “People are certainly the slaves of this word. The religion is only a slaver on their tongues. They turn it whenever their livelihood demands. If they are tested by misfortunes, the religious will be very few”. (Tuhaf Al-Uquul, maxim #1 of maxims of Imam Hussayn (a-s)) As for the corrupting of the media, this was only the very start of something that would become a huge campaign right up to our present day.

4th Attack:
Going against; Qur’anic laws.

“And know whatever you gain, surely a fifth thereof is for ALLAH and His Messenger and for the kindred and orphans and the needy and the wayfarers…” (Surah al-Anfal8:41).

As for this most important Command from ALLAH (swt), when the corrupting of the Islamic media began this, along with many other Divine Commands from ALLAH (swt) were ignored and in fact were falsely interpreted in the name of the Khalifs form of Ijtihad, in other words personal opinion and desire above all commands. We witness this in many Ahadith that some claim to be acceptable, that go directly against Qur’anic Commands. The Command of paying Khums (the one fifth tax) is in present day ignored by the majority of Muslims because of the innovations made by the first 3 Khalifs. Yet this Qur’anic law was never abrogated by any other Qur’anic law, and it wasn’t abrogated by the Holy Prophet (saww) either. Therefore it is all our duty to pay khums for both the benefits in this life and in the Hereafter. We surely all can see that the first steps in order to corrupt the Islamic media was to alienate from the general population of Muslims, the only Pure and Infallible guides after the Holy prophet (saww); the Ahlul –Bayt (a-s).

This concludes this first part of this article, I apologize to all the readers if I was brief on many of the issues, however, the main goal of this series of 3 articles is to give a general investigation into the corruption of the media, and how because of this, today’s media is portraying Islam in a false and fictionist way, may ALLAH (swt) guide, protect and guide us all.


HOW THE MEDIA BECAME A WEAPON OF CORRUPTION. PART 1: Introduction + Definition of media + Alienating the Ahlul-Bayt (a-s) and taking away their rights.

HOW THE MEDIA BECAME A WEAPON OF CORRUPTION. PART 2: The 3 first Khalifs + the despotic Umayyad and Abbasid Dynasties + Corruption in the Ahadith and History records.

HOW THE MEDIA BECAME A WEAPON OF CORRUPTION. PART 3: The shocking corruption in today’s media + our duty as Muslims to re-educate the masses and show the true meanings and beliefs of Islam + Islam the only salvation for all mankind.

The very insignificant; Brother Ali Ja’afary.