The Deserted Well and the Lofty Castle

There is a very well-known tradition in our books that most, if not all, faithfuls are familiar with. It is referred to as the tradition of al-thaqalayn or two weighty things. In it we are clearly and indubitably commanded to, simultaneously, follow the Ahlul Bayt (as) and the Holy Qur’an. The key point in this famous tradition and its many variations is that these two weighty things must be followed concurrently. In other words, we ought not to follow only one until we need the help of the other one. Each of these two weighty things complements the other, and to understand either one of them, we need to study both of them. In simpler words, to understand the teachings of the Ahlul Bayt (as) we need to study to the Qur’an, and to understand the teachings of the Qur’an, we need to study the traditions of the Ahlul Bayt (as). If we study one without the other, we fail to understand both of them.

This important theme and lesson has been argued and emphasized regularly in the teachings of the Ahlul Bayt (as). Nevertheless, unfortunately, nowadays, many people view the traditions of the Ahlul Bayt (as) as secondary and inferior to the teachings of the Qur’an. It has become a habit of many people to try to guess what certain verses of the Qur’an are supposed to imply, instead of referring to see how our Imams (as) have explicated them. There are even certain Islamic speakers and scholars, who, in their speeches and lectures, rarely mention the viewpoint of the Ahlul Bayt (as). 

The purpose of this post is to stimulate some thoughts on this issue. I will present an authentic tradition, in which our Imam (as) interprets a section of a verse. Without having any knowledge of this tradition, it would be difficult for us to see how this section of this verse could imply what the Imam (as) is referring to. 

Arabic Text:

مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنِ الْعَمْرَكِيِّ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ جَعْفَرٍ عَنْ أَبِي الْحَسَنِ ع‏

فِي قَوْلِهِ تَعَالَى وَ بِئْرٍ مُعَطَّلَةٍ وَ قَصْرٍ مَشِيدٍ (الحج:45) قَال‏:

الْبِئْرُ الْمُعَطَّلَةُ الْإِمَامُ الصَّامِتُ وَ الْقَصْرُ الْمَشِيدُ الْإِمَامُ النَّاطِقُ.

English Translation:

Narrated by Mohammad Ibn Yahya from Al-Amraki from Ali Ibn Ja’far from Abul Hassan (peace be upon him), regarding the words of Allah the Most Exalted,

 

“Deserted well and lofty castle” (Al-Hajj:45)

He (peace be upon him) said: 

“The deserted well is the silent Imam and the lofty castle is the Imam who speaks.”

Source:

Al-Kafi, Volume 1, Page 427, Tradition #75

In my opinion, it is fair to state that not many people would interpret these words as our Imam (As) has.

I recommend that when and if we can, we look into how the Ahlul Bayt (as) have interpreted specific verses or sections and phrases within verses. It may be the case that their interpretations may surprise us, and challenge our common views and analyses. 

Lastly, it is important to note that via this tradition our Imam (as) is indicating to us that through proper interpretation of the Qur'an, we can see that the issue of Imamate is found within our Holy Book.