Abū Ḥanīfa’s silence and Imam Sadiq (pbuh)’s questions

Once Imam Sadiq (pbuh) asked Abū Ḥanīfa,

“Tell me which cities God meant, when he stated,’…Travel therein, secure, by night and by day’?” [Surah SABA, Verse 18]

Abū Ḥanīfa answered, “I think it is between Mecca and Medina”

[There] the Imam stated their companions:

 

As you know, the way between Mecca and Medina isn’t safe!

Many a time, the property that is taken away and the people who are killed!

So God; the excellence didn’t mean these villages or cities

[Then] Abū Ḥanīfa became silent.

[Again] the Imam asked,” O, Abū Ḥanīfa! Tell me what place God meant, when he stated, ‘…whoever enters it attains security’” [Surah AL-E-IMRAN, Verse 97]

Abū Ḥanīfa said,” It refers to Kaʿbah”

The Imam continued, “Do you know why ibn Zubayr wasn’t rescued, while Ḥajjāj ibn Yūsuf set a catapult in Kaʿbah and killed him?”

Abū Ḥanīfa became silent and left there.

Then a person asked the Imam, “I’d sacrifice my life for you! What are the answers for these two questions?”

His majesty (pbuh) stated:

 

By” Travel therein, secure, by night and by day” it means: You are expected to follow our Qa’em1, in order to be in perfect safety.

And by “…whoever enters it attains security”, it means: Whoever swears allegiance to our Qa’em and follows him, s/ he will be certainly safe.

 

1- Qa’em means: The one who arises for justice [in the Emergence time].

 

refrences :

1-“ʿIlal al-sharāyiʿ”, Vol. 1, P. 91 [Saba/ 18]

2- Biḥār al-Anwār, Vol. 2, P. 294