Hundred Questions - Amendment and Change
Amendment and Change
Q35 Why are amendments and changes made in our holy Du`a, particularly in some of the basic words?
A35 Islam is the religion of nature. Therefore, it has, both in its exoteric and esoteric aspects, capacity and room to make amendments in view of the changing conditions and needs of the people, so that the people may not face any hardship in putting its teachings into practice. As God, may He be exalted, says: "God desires for you ease and He does not desire hardship for you" (2:185).
It is quite clear from this holy divine command that God, the most Merciful, does not like people to face any unnecessary difficulty and rigidity in religion. Therefore, He in His infinite mercy has granted the true Guide (i.e. Imam) the authority to make the appropriate amendments in religious matters where and when they are needed.
In this connection it is very useful to discuss since when is the true religion – Islam? It is from the time of the holy Prophet, in fact from pre-eternity. Is it true that the essential characteristic of Islam, from the time of Adam to the blessed time of the holy Prophet is that amendments have always been made according to the changes of the time? Yes, this is true. If this is true, how were these amendments made? They were made in the sense that religion consists of two kinds of commandments. In one kind there is room for amendments and renewal, but in the other there is no room for any amendments and renewal. Amendments and changes were made only in those commandments in which there was room for amendments and changes.
How may one know that the time has arrived to change and amend certain matters of religion? In the cycle of prophethood when one prophet comes after another prophet, and in the cycle of Imamat when an Imam is appointed after the previous Imam, it becomes known that now it is possible to gradually amend some of the matters of religion. There are numerous wisdoms in this principle of God.
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