Why do the sayings and letters of Mansoor resemble those of the Prophet and the Ahl al-Bayt?! And why are they narrated with chains of transmission and the mention of the names of their narrators?! This is not good at all!
We seek refuge in Allah from every arrogant fault-finder who finds the merits of the righteous abhorrent and blames them for their virtues! ﴿أَمْ يَحْسُدُونَ النَّاسَ عَلَى مَا آتَاهُمُ اللَّهُ مِنْ فَضْلِهِ ۖ فَقَدْ آتَيْنَا آلَ إِبْرَاهِيمَ الْكِتَابَ وَالْحِكْمَةَ وَآتَيْنَاهُمْ مُلْكًا عَظِيمًا﴾[1]; “Or do they envy people for what Allah has given them of His grace?! Because We have given the family of Ibrahim the Book and wisdom, and We have given them a great dominion!” We draw your attention to the following points:
Firstly, the sayings and letters of Mansoor are narrated in the form they have been issued from his tongue and pen. Naturally, we cannot change them to please you, since doing so is distortion and fabrication. Has your arrogance reached such a point that you expect Mansoor to speak and write according to your taste?! A sick taste that does not approve of sayings and letters that resemble those of the Prophet and the Ahl al-Bayt?! By no means! ﴿وَلَوِ اتَّبَعَ الْحَقُّ أَهْوَاءَهُمْ لَفَسَدَتِ السَّمَاوَاتُ وَالْأَرْضُ وَمَنْ فِيهِنَّ ۚ بَلْ أَتَيْنَاهُمْ بِذِكْرِهِمْ فَهُمْ عَنْ ذِكْرِهِمْ مُعْرِضُونَ﴾[2]; “And if the truth had followed their desires, the heavens, the Earth, and whoever is in them would have been corrupted. Rather, We have brought them their Remembrance, but they turn away from their Remembrance.”
Secondly, the resemblance between the sayings and letters of Mansoor and those of the Prophet and the Ahl al-Bayt arises from the resemblance of his conduct and spirit to theirs. It reveals that his personality has been formed based on complete adherence to them, and clearly indicates that he is one of them and follows in their footsteps in his words and actions. Moreover, not only do his sayings and letters resemble theirs, but his practical movement is also a continuation of their practical movement to establish the true Islam in the world and fight against oppression and innovations. Therefore, one must ask: What in this great scholar does not resemble what existed in the Prophets and the righteous so that the resemblance of his sayings and letters to theirs would be strange?!
Thirdly, it is clear that resembling the Prophet and the Ahl al-Bayt in action is not considered a flaw. Rather, the flaw lies in the failure to resemble their actions; because Allah Almighty has urged the righteous to follow the example of the Prophet, saying: ﴿لَقَدْ كَانَ لَكُمْ فِي رَسُولِ اللَّهِ أُسْوَةٌ حَسَنَةٌ لِمَنْ كَانَ يَرْجُو اللَّهَ وَالْيَوْمَ الْآخِرَ وَذَكَرَ اللَّهَ كَثِيرًا﴾[3]; “Indeed, you have in the Messenger of Allah an excellent model for whoever has hope in Allah and the Last Day and remembers Allah much.” Therefore, there is no reason to criticize Mansoor for resembling the Prophet and the Ahl al-Bayt in his actions. Rather, he should be praised.
Fourthly, the sayings and letters of the leaders and prominent figures of Muslims, who have views and followers, have always been narrated with chains of transmission and the mention of the names of their narrators, considering their value and importance. This has been a good practice adopted by Muslims since the first century; just as the sayings and letters of the Prophet, the Ahl al-Bayt, the Sahabah, the Tabi‘un, the followers of the Tabi‘un, and great scholars have been narrated in this manner and passed down as a precious legacy from generation to generation throughout Islamic history. Even today, if someone wants to tell people about an important individual’s saying or action, he mentions the source. For example, he says, “I heard so-and-so say that president so-and-so or scholar so-and-so said such and such or did such and such.” In doing so, he tries as much as possible to ensure that what he says is in accordance with reality, without adding or reducing anything, so that no evil consequence results from it. This approach is the way of Muslims, following in the footsteps of their predecessors, and its benefits are not hidden from any intellectual. Therefore, it is strange to be surprised by it!
Undoubtedly, if Allah Almighty intends good for a servant, He shows him things as they truly are, and if He intends evil for him, He seals his heart so that he sees their goodness as badness and their badness as goodness. ﴿وَمَنْ يُضْلِلِ اللَّهُ فَمَا لَهُ مِنْ هَادٍ﴾[4]; “And whomever Allah leads astray, there is no guide for him.”