Saturday, June 8, 2013

IMAM ALI (A.S.), ASTAGHFAR AND SCIENCE

Modern scientific research has proved that cells of human body preserve and save information.
This discovery was confirmed by the Swedish Medical Researchers at the Karolinska Institute (Newspaper Metro published on November 13, 2007 Swedish edition) where the research was corroborated by American Medical Researcher, such as Dr. J. Andrew Armor and Dr. Candace B. Pert (from the book Molecules of Emotions). The following is the extract from the book written by Dr. Pert:
Memories are stored not only in the brain, but in a psychosomatic network extending into the body….all the way out along the pathways to internal organs and the very surface of our skins.”
Now let us examine Surah al-Fussilat 41:19, 20 of the Holy Qur’an:
There will be the day when the enemies of Allah will be made to surge toward the fire and spurred on until (on the brink of it ) their eyes, ears and skin will testify to their to their deeds.”
One wonders as to why our skins will witness against us? The answer is given in Ayah 21 of the same Surah as:
“They will ask their own skin, why did you testify against us? They will reply: “Allah, who has made every thing speak, made us also speak. It was He Who created you in the first place and to Him you have returned.”
As an example on memory saving in our cells, we can take muscle cells. The first person who knew and had faith in this was the Commander of the Faithful who gave the following directive so that a sinner may be forgiven by Allah for the sins committed earlier:
“…..to aim at the flesh grown as a result of unlawful earning, so that you may melt it by grief (of repentance) till the skin touches the bone and a new flesh grows between them”
Nahjul Balagha Saying No. 417
Astaghfirullah:  
It is reported that someone said “Astaghfirullah” in Imam Ali (a.s.)’s presence.
Imam Ali (a.s.) said to him: “Your mother may loose you, do you know what Astaghfar (asking for Allah’s forgiveness) is? Verily, it is a degree of Illiyyun (i.e. it is meant for the people of a high position) and it is a word standing on six supports:
First, to repent over the past sins;
Second, to make a firm determination never to revert to it;
Third, to return to the creatures their rights (usurped in the past) so that you meet Allah Al-Mighty in such a state of purity that no one has any claims against you;
Fourth, to fulfill every obligation which you ignored (in the past) so that you may now do justice with it;
Fifth, to aim at the flesh grown as a result of unlawful earning, so that you may melt it by grief (of repentance) till the skin touches the bone and a new flesh grows between them;
Sixth, to make the body taste the pain of obedience as you (previously) made it taste the sweetness of disobedience.
When you have done all these six things then you may say “Astaghfirulla”
In medical journals, numerous articles have been written on this topic. In one of such journal, Dr. Bob G. Bodenhamer and Dr. L. Michael Hall have written as follows:
“….every thing is dynamic and the only way to sustain is through higher levels of mind to set up beliefs that keep on thinking the same thought so that it habituates and become muscle memory. If we stop that process, the memory will change, altered or erased. The things we program in our nervous system have to be constantly refreshed.”
The “Fifth step” is a bio-medical state that can only occur if the first four steps are fulfilled completely.
After one has applied the first two steps, one reaches a stage that one will not repeat the same sins, and one has performed “Nahi Anil Munkar”. After one performs steps Three and Four which is performing good actions, good information is stored in our newly built muscles. This is performing “Amar-e-Bil Marouf”. It is important to complete third step which relates to sins committed against other people. Because, Allah may forgive sins committed against His Rights (Huqooq Allah), personal rights (Huqooq Unnafs), but He will not forgive sins committed against People’s Rights (Huqooq ul Ibaad) unless other people forgive him.
This process of muscles memory is applicable to the entire body as mentioned in the Noble Qur’an; Journey of Night Ayah 36 “And follow not that of which you have no knowledge; surely the hearing and the sight and the heart, all of these shall be questioned about that (on the Day on Judgment).” Also mentioned in Surah Light Ayah 24 “On the day, when their tongues and their hands and their feet shall bear witness against them as to what they did.”
It is heartening to see that humanity with the assistance of science is slowly uncovering the High and Majestic status of “The Gateway of Knowledge – Imam Ali (a.s.) who had stressed time and again to inquire from him about “any thing” and that he was more familiar with the Paths of Heaven.


Reference:

The Noble Quran
Nahjul Balagha
The Heart Science Centre

Molecules of Emotions

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