The Door of Forgiveness: Guidance to the Ahlul Bayt through Musa (as) - Maulana Syed Muhammad Rizvi

- The Prophet (s) introduced his Ahlul Bayt using examples from past nations, including comparing them to the Ark of Nūḥ and the Door of Forgiveness in the story of Prophet Mūsa and Bani Isrā’il.
- The hadith about the Door of Forgiveness states: *“The likeness of my Ahlul Bayt is the simile of the Door of Forgiveness of Bani Isrā’il: whoever enters it, his sins will be forgiven.”*
- The authenticity of this hadith is established by multiple sources, including Ibn Ḥajar al-Makki, who mentions its transmission through numerous routes that strengthen each other.
- In the Qur’ān, Allah commanded Bani Isrā’il to enter the gate of a town with humility, seek forgiveness, and promised them forgiveness and increased blessings if they complied.
- The Prophet (s) equated the Ahlul Bayt to this Door of Forgiveness, indicating that they are a means to Allah’s mercy and blessings.
- Two conditions are required: showing humility toward the Ahlul Bayt and seeking forgiveness through them.
- This simile implies the infallibility of the Ahlul Bayt, as only those pure from sins can be a means of purification for others.
- The Prophet (s) described Imam ‘Ali as the Door of Forgiveness, emphasizing that entering it signifies faith, while leaving it signifies disbelief.
- Love, guidance, and following Imam ‘Ali are keys to forgiveness, blessings, and salvation.
- Fāṭimah is not only a part of the Ahlul Bayt but is their central figure, as highlighted in the incident of kisā.
- Fāṭimah is also likened to the Door of Forgiveness and Allah’s bounties.
- The unjust among Bani Isrā’il altered Allah’s commands and faced divine punishment. A similar prediction applies to some Muslims who wronged the Ahlul Bayt.
- Despite the symbolic reverence, some Muslims disrespected even the physical door of Fāṭimah.