['Aalim Network QR] Bab (The Door/Gate)

[Mustafa Rawji <mrawji@sciborg.uwaterloo.ca>]

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|       In the Name of Allah, the Compassionate, the All-Merciful       |\
|  Greeting of Allah be upon Muhammad and the pure members of his House |\
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Salamun alaykum,

	The reply to the following question was kindly provided by Shaykh
Rasheed.

Wasalaam,

Mustafa Rawji
Moderator, 'Aalim Network

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QUESTION:

I would please like to know more about the word "Bab" found in the Qur'an,
i.e.  it's meaning and significance. Also, is the Door of the Ka'ba called
the Bab?  Is there a mystical significance in this? 

Thank you.


ANSWER:

Wa Alaikum As-Salaam,

I found the word Bab and its plural Abwaab mentioned in the Quran 27 times.
In most instances, it refers to the proper way of entering into a place
with permission (2:58); a place of destiny (40:76) and a passage of
blessings (39:73).

Symbolically, a bab is the proper way to reach you desired destination. For
example, in the famous tradition of the Holy Prophet (S) he said: "I am the
city of knowledge and Ali is its gate (Bab)." Meaning that if you would
like to acquire the Prophet's knowledge, the proper way is through Imam Ali
(AS). It also implies that to attempt to acquire by another means would be
improper. In the past, people have been referred to as the "Bab" meaning
that people could find guidance through them (although it was seldom the
case though). 

The door of the Ka'bah is known as the Bab just as every other door is in
Arabic.

If you have some specific examples, perhaps I can give more detailed
explanation. 

Was-Salaam.

Ali Rasheed