THE GOLDEN ADVICES GIVEN BY THE NOBLE PROPHET (S.A.W.A.S.) TO ABU ZAR GHIFARI (R.A.)

Hazrat Abu Zar Ghifari (r.a.) was one of the closest companions of both the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) and the Commander of the Faithful, Imam Ali (a.s.). He sought for advice from the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) and he (s.a.w.a.s.) gave him a long list of advices. The complete list of advices are given in the book “Makarem al-Akhlaq” chapter 12 section 5 compiled by Sheikh al Jaleel Radiyu al Deen Abu Nasr al Hasan bin al Fadl al Tabrasi. He was one of the greatest scholars of 6 Century A.H.

We are reproducing below selected advices given by the City of Knowledge the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.):

Worship Allah as if you see Him and if you are not seeing Him surely He sees you. Know that the first of worship of Allah is “Ma’rifah” gnosis, for He is surely the first before everything, so there is nothing before Him, the Single most without any second, the continuing but not to an end. He is the Creator of the heaven and the earth and whatever is in them and between them and He is the Subtle, the Aware, and He has power over all things; then belief in me and acknowledgement that Allah sent me to all humanity as a bearer of glad tidings, a warner, a caller(of people) to Allah by His permission as an illuminating torch of light, then the love of the People of My House, Those from whom Allah has kept away every impurity and purified them a perfect Purification.

Allah, the Great, the Majestic has made my Ahlul Bayt the likeness of the ship of Nooh, whoever rides it is safe, whoever desires other than that is drowned. He has made them the likeness of the “Gate of Jericho” among the Banu Isra’il, whoever enters the Gate is safe. There are two blessings taken for granted (misused) by the mankind, health and spare time. Take advantage of the five things before five things seize you; your youth before your old age, your health before your sickness, your wealth before poverty, your spare time before you become busy, your life before your death. Be in the world as if you are stranger or like one simply passing by as in a journey. When you wake up in the morning don’t talk to yourself about tonight and when night has come don’t worry of the morning for surely you don’t know your state will be tomorrow. Be greedier, in terms of your life span more than of your gold and silver (wealth). When you are asked of some knowledge you know not say “I do not know”. The pious are the masters. And the learned are the leaders. Keeping their company increases goodness. Surely Allah, when He wills good for a servant he put his sins before his two eyes. Don’t look at the smallness of a sin but look at the one you disobeyed. Surely a man’s sustenance is prohibited (from reaching him) because of a sin he committed. Do not speak of that which does not concern you, and guard your tongue like you guard your money. Allah, glorious is His praise, has made the pleasure of my in Salaat, and has made me to love the Salaat like food is made loveable to the hungry and water to the thirsty. And surely the hungry one, when he eats, he is satiated and the thirsty one, when he drinks he is quenched but I am not satiated from Salaat. Surely as long as you are in Salaat, you are knocking at the door of the Great King, and whoever knocks much at the door of the King it will be opened for him. There is no believer who stands in Salaat but falls on him goodness what is between him and the Throne. An angel calls out: “O Son of Adam, if you knew what there is for you in Salaat and who you are calling, you would not turn away.” Salaat is the pillar of the religion. Allah says: “I will not combine for my servant two fears nor two safeties. So when he feels safe from me in the world, I make him fear on the Day of Judgment. And when he fears me in the world, I give him safety on the Day of Judgment.” When Allah wants good for a servant He gives him understanding in religion and makes him to see his own faults. No servant abstains in the world but Allah causes wisdom to grow in his heart, and causes his tongue to utter it, and gives him insights of the faults of the world and its sickness and its cures and causes him to leave from it safely into the abode of peace. The harvest of the Hereafter is the good deeds. Fear Allah and don’t show mankind that you fear Allah so they honor you while your heart is evil. Let there be for you a pious intention, even when it comes to sleeping and eating. Lower your voice during a funeral, during the fighting, and during the recitation of the Glorious Qur’an. Two moderate cycles of prayers (rak’at) with pondering is better than standing all night in prayer with a neglectful heart. Truth is heavy and bitter and the false hood is light and sweet, the (fulfillment of the) desire of an hour will yield a long period of grief. Some supplication with good deeds is sufficient just as some salt is sufficient with food.

Source used: al-Islam.org/ The Advice the Prophet (s) gave to Abu Dharr

THE MAN WHO WAS PRESENTED TO THE WORLD AS NAFS-E-RASOOL

The commander of the Faithful, the Lion of Allah, the Conqueror of Khyber, one of the members of the Ayah of Purity, the spouse of the Chief of the women of the World, the father of the Chiefs of the Youths of Paradise, the Vice-gerent of the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) Imam Ali (a.s.) was taken by the Prophet of Islam (s.a.w.a.s.) in the spiritual contest of “Mubahilah” as his (Prophet’s) self or soul. This is the unique and distinct superiority of Imam Ali (a.s.) which no one in the world will ever share!

The Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) sent letters to the heads of different countries and also to Abu Harith, the Bishop of Najran, in the Arabian Peninsula. In the letter he also referred to Surah Ale Imran Ayah 64: “(Muhammad), say to the People of the Book, “We must come to a common term and allow ourselves to worship no one except Allah….” Sixty most distinguished and wise men were selected and arrived in Madinah under the leadership of Abu Harith. They were dressed with golden attires etc and tried to meet the Prophet who was displeased with them. Then Imam Ali (a.s.) advised them to dress soberly. The Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) met with them respectfully and allowed them to pray in their own way. They insisted that Prophet I’sa was the son of God because of his miracles and that he had no father. The Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) said that if the criteria for treating Prophet I’sa as the son born without a father, the Prophet Adam should be entitled for this position as he was created by Allah without father and mother!

At this juncture, the Ayah of Imprecation (Mubahilah) was revealed saying: “If anyone disputes with you after the knowledge has come to you, say, ‘Let each of us bring our children, our women, ourselves to one place and pray to Allah to curse upon the liars among us.” (Surah Ale Imran Ayah 62)

Zamakhshari wrote in his Kashaf: “The Prophet selected only four persons for Mubahilah; they were Ali ibn Abi Talib, Fatimah, Hasan and Husayn as amongst all Muslims no purer souls could be found!”

Before the appearance of the Prophet, the chiefs of the representatives of Najran were saying to each other: “In case you see that Muhammad has brought his warriors and officers then you should conclude that he has no faith in his prophet hood.” When the Prophet appeared before the Christians of Najran that he has brought little children of his beloved daughter, the Bishop Abu Harith said: “I see such faces that if they raise their hands in supplication and pray to Allah that the biggest mountain may be moved from its place, Allah will move it. We should in no circumstances engage in Mubahilah with these sacred and virtuous personalities because it is not improbable that we may be annihilated and it is possible that the Divine wrath may expand and engulf the entire Christian world and not even one Christian may remain alive on earth.”

Qazi Nur Allah Shustari, in his book “Ahqaq-ul-Haq” volume 3 page 46 wrote: “There is a consensus of opinions among the traditionalists that in this Ayah, the word “Sons” was represented by Imam Hasan (a.s.) and Imam Husayn (a.s.), the word “Women” was represented by the Lady of Paradise Sayyida Fatima Zahra (s.a.), and the word “Selves” was represented by the Commander of the Faithful Imam Ali (a.s.). In the foot note of the book, he had written the names and the book’s names of the senior Sunni Writers who had reported Mubahila in their books from page 46 to page 76. Some of the names are: Muslim bin Hajjaj Neshapuri  in his Sahih Muslim, Ahmad bin Hanbal in Masnad, Tibri, Hakim in Mustadrak, Hafiz Abu Naim Isphani in Dalail Nubuwwah, Wahidi Neshapuri in Asbab-un-Nuzul, Fakhruddin Razi in Tafsir Kabir, Ibne Atheer in Jami-ul-Usool, Ibne Jauzi in Tazkeratul Khawas, Qazi Baizavi in Tafsir, Alusi in Ruhul Ma’ani, Tantavi in Aljawahir, Zamakhshari in Kashshaf, Hajar Asqalani in Alasabah, Ibne Sabbagh in Fusul Muhimma, Allama Qartabi in Jame’ Alahkam al-Qur’an.

In the book Ghayatul Muram, the writer had quoted from “Sahih Muslim”: “One day Muawiya asked Sa’d bin Abi Waqas, “Why don’t you curse Abu Turab (Imam Ali)?” Sa’d replied: “Ever since I remembered the three virtues of Ali (a.s.) as mentioned in the books that when the Ayah of Mubahela was revealed, the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) took four people with him; Hasan, Husayn, Fatima, and Ali.”

Nafs means self or soul. There is a tradition of the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.): “I and Ali are part of one Noor”. His physical similarity may also be confirmed on the night of “Migration”, when Imam Ali (a.s.) slept in the bed of the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) while the Polytheists were watching the bed. If there would have been variance in physiques of the two, they would have quickly entered the house and killed the person in the bed. As reported by Hazrat Aisha, when the Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) would sleep wearing a sheet, a light used to emit from his face. Apparently, when Imam Ali (a.s.) was sleeping in the Prophet’s bed, the light must have been continued to emit and hence the Polytheists could not distinguish as to who was sleeping under the sheets.

Sources used: Tafsir-e-Namuna by Ayatollah Nasir Makarem Shirazi, 

                       The Message by Ayatollah Jafar Subhani

DIVINE JUSTICE

Justice is the second article of the Roots of Islam in Shi’a faith. The other articles are the Unity (Tauheed), the Prophet Hood (Nubuwwat), the Imamate (Imamat), and the Day of Resurrection (Qiyamat).

In order to fully understand justice, one needs to understand injustice. Causes of injustice are; ignorance, fear, wants, and meanness. Naturally these are not applicable to Allah (s.w.t.) Moreover, Allah says in Surah Ale-Imran Ayah 108: “Allah does not wish injustice for any of His creatures” Similarly, in Surah Al-Nahl Ayah 90: “Allah commands people to maintain justice, kindness and proper relations with their relatives.”

Shi’a believes that Justice is an integral part of the Divinity. The Divine Justice means Allah does no injustice and in both of His Creational and Lawmaking Systems, acts according to what are right and fair. The reason why the principle of justice became an article of faith among the Shi’a was that a section of the Muslims denied it in a way that was totally contrary to human freedom. They believed that Divine Destiny operated direct and not through the medium of “Cause and Effect”. They believed that man did not perform good or bad things; it was Allah who accomplished it through human beings.

Here an important question arises that if a system of “cause and effect” did not exist and man have no power of choice, then why man should be recompensed for evil or good deeds done by him? Why does Allah rewards some people and sends them to Paradise and why does He punish some other one and dispatches them to Hell, when He Himself performs good and bad deeds? If the human beings have no freedom and no choice of their own, it is unjust and contrary to the indisputable Principle of Divine Justice to punish them for the deeds over which they have no control.

Most of the Shi’a and a section of the Sunni Muslims, Mu’tazilah, reject the theory of human compulsion and direct operation of Divine destiny in the world. They consider this view to be contrary to the Principle of Justice, besides advancing arguments based on reason quote from the Glorious Qur’an and the Traditions in support of their belief.

The Principle of Justice is a Divine Principle and is related to one of Attributes of Allah, it is also a human principle because it concerns human freedom and power of choice. Generally, human beings like truth and love a truthful person and dislike lies and abhors a liar. A truthful person had exercised his option of telling the truth and is appreciated by all. And a liar is disliked by all because he made a wrong choice to tell lies.

These days, a question is frequently asked about the social inequalities existing in the world. For example why some people are healthy while others are sick, some are rich and others are poor. Is this inequality contrary to the Divine Justice? Does not Divine Justice demand that all individuals should be equal in regard to wealth, health, duration of life, number of children, social position etc. and there should be no disparity between them regarding these things.

The root of this question lies in not paying attention to the way the Divine destiny operates. The questioner thinks that Divine destiny works direct and not through the medium of causes, and that health, beauty, power, position and other bounties of Allah are distributed to the people at their doorsteps by a hidden hand direct from the Divine treasures.

No bounties, material or spiritual, are distributed direct. The Divine destiny has setup a system and appointed a number of norms and laws. Whosoever wants something, he should seek through that system and according to those laws. Moreover, attention is not paid to the position of man as a responsible being who struggles to improve the conditions of his life, combats the natural factors, and strives against social evils and human tyranny.

The responsibility for this inequality does not lie with the Divine destiny. Man, who is free is himself responsible for this inequality.

Sources used: Lessons from Qur’an by Muhsin Qaraati, Man and Universe by Ayatollah Murtaza Mutahhari

BATTLE OF UHAD

One year after the defeat at Badr, The Quraysh started their march towards Madina with 3,000 fighters under the command of Abu Sufyan. This time, they had women folks with them to encourage their men to fight and not flee. Uhad is a mountain 5 miles from Madinah. In the month of Shawwal, 3 A.H. the second decisive battle between the Muslims and the idolaters of Quraysh was fought. The Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) came out with 700 to 1,000 men and after inspecting the landscape he ordered to camp so that the mount of Uhad was at their back so as to form a natural line of defense. But there was a gap in the mountain where he placed 50 archers with very clear instructions not to leave their place irrespective of who was winning.

In this battle, the elements of Islamic defense were:

                Ideal leadership of the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) and his firmness,

                The members of the family of the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) and their heroism,

                Muslim army of 700 companions, hearts of many of them were filled with faith and                     sacrifice,

Hostilities started from Quraysh when Talha ibn Abu Talhah, their standard bearer came out and challenged for a duel. The Lion of Allah, Imam Ali (a.s.) responded and swiftly struck his head and he died. The Quraysh replaced their standard bearers one after another and The Lion of Allah sent them to Hell one after another. (Al-Atheer and also Al-Tabari)

The wife of Abu Sufyan, Hind along with other women of Quraysh was singing which lacked spirituality or freedom or moral virtues. Rather it was promoting material comforts e.g. the words were: “We are the daughters of Tariq. We walk on costly carpets. If you face the enemy, we will sleep with you, but if you show back to the enemy and flee, we shall disengage from you.”

After the death of Quraysh standard bearer, the Muslim undertook a general offensive led by Imam Ali (a.s.), Hazrat Hamzah (a.s.), Abu Dujanah and others. The Pagans were forced to flee and the Muslims started collecting the war spoils without any resistance.

Hind had brought her Abissinian slave, Wahshi, and promised him of huge reward of gold etc. if he killed Hazrat Hamzah. He waited behind a rock and at an opportune moment threw his javelin toward Hazrat Hamzah which killed him.

The Muslim victory turned into defeat as the majority of Muslim’s attention changed from fighting for Islam in the path of Allah to the love of war booty. They ignored the orders given by the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) and forty out of fifty archers left their post to join in collecting the war booty. Khalid bin Walid, one of the commanders of Quraysh saw a weak point in the Muslim defenses and quickly attacked the Muslim army who had kept their weapons on the ground and collecting war booty. The Fleeing army under Abu Sufyan also returned and the Muslims were crushed from both sides and started fleeing. Shaytaan cried out that: “Muhammad has been killed.” The number of Muslims martyred was 70 and the Quraysh suffered 45 casualties.

Sir John Glubb wrote in the book: “The Great Arab Conquests” of 1963: “The surprise was not confined to the rank and file of the Muslim army; it was total. Some of the leading companions of the Prophet were also carried away with others before the charge of the enemy. Among the fugitives were both Abu Bakr and Umar.” “When Masaab ibn Umayr, the standard bearer of Muslims fell on the ground, Ali lifted the banner from the ground. Hence, Ali was thus as much a symbol of the destruction of idolatry and polytheism as he was the symbol of the rise and rebirth of Islam.”

Hind also extracted the liver of Hamzah (a.s.) and tried to chew it and in the history, she is known as the “liver eater”

In Surah Al-Imran Ayah 153: “Behold, you were climbing up the high ground, without even casting a side glance at anyone, and the Apostle in your rear was calling you back, there God gave you one distress after another by way of requital, to teach you not to grieve for the booty that had escaped you, and for the ill that had befallen you…”

Imam Ali (a.s.) was the only one who remained with the Prophet. Abu Rafi said in Al-Tabari: “The Prophet saw a group of pagans coming to him, he told Ali to charge them and Ali cleared them away. It went on many times. Jibra’il told the Messenger of God: “What a redeemer Ali is!” The Prophet replied: “He is from me and I am from him”. Jibra’il said: “I am from both of you! They heard at that time, someone saying: “There is no youth (full of manhood) but Ali, and no sword comparable to Zulfiqar.”

Sources used: A Restatement of the History of Islam and Muslims by Sayyid Ali Asghar Razwy, WIKIPEDIA

Battle of Uhad Shia.org, Brother of the Prophet Muhammad by M Jawad Chirri, Islamic occasions

THE UNIQUE WITNESS OF THE NOBLE PROPHET (S.A.W.A.S.)

  Surah Ar-Ra’d Ayah 43: “And the unbelievers say, “You are not a Messenger,” say you (O’ Muhammad): Sufficient is Allah as a witness between me and you and him with who is the knowledge of the Book.”

Similarly, the same word “Sha’hid” or witness is used in Suah Hud Ayah 17: “He is the one (The Noble Prophet ) who possess authority from his Lord and from him (his people) a witness who is an Imam (leader) and a blessing recites it (Qur’an) and before it was the book of Moses.

By “the one who has the knowledge of the Book” means the one who is divinely endowed with the fullest of the inner as well as the outer meaning of the Word of Allah. People asked the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) as to who the individual was. The Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) replied, “My brother Ali ibn Abi Taleb.” (Tafseer-e-Husainy, Tafsir-e-Tha’labi, Tarik-ul-Khulafa of Jalauddin Suyooti)

The Commander of the Faithful, the Unique Witness of Prophet Hood, Imam Ali (a.s.) said: “Ask me about the Glorious Qur’an, for I know when each and every verse (Ayah) of it was revealed- for whom it was received in particular and to whom it applies in general.” No doubt, the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) was fully justified in declaring “I am the City of Knowledge and Ali is its Gate.” Whenever the caliphs of the time were confronted with any problem they used to refer it to the Commander of the Faithful, Imam Ali (a.s.)

The Glorious Qur’an itself is a Miracle of Allah which was revealed on the heart of the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.). Moreover, Allah (s.w.t.) is testifying about his prophet hood saying in Surah al-Ya’sin Ayah 1 to 3: “(I swear by) Ya’sin and the (Glorious) Qur’an, the Book of wisdom that you (O Muhammad) are a Messenger.”

In the First invitation by the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) to his people in “Da’wat-e-Zul-Ashirah” in response to the Divine order in Surah al-Shu’ara’ Ayah 214: “Warn your close relatives.”, he proclaimed his Prophet hood and sought help, it was the young Imam Ali (a.s.) who was barely 12 years, who stood up and testified that he was the Messenger of Allah and that he will assist the Messenger in preaching Islam.

Surah al-Baqarah Ayah 207: “And among men there is one who sells his soul seeking the pleasure of Allah and truly, Allah is affectionate to His (such) servants.”

Surah al-Namal Ayah 39-40: “Suleiman said: “Which of you will bring me her throne before they come to me in submission.” Jinn said: “I will bring it to you before you rise from your place.”One, who had some knowledge (of a part) of the Book, said: “I will bring it to you before even you blink your eyes!”

A person who had only part of the knowledge of the Book could that wonder, one can imagine the knowledge of the Gateway of the City of knowledge, Imam Ali (a.s.)

In Nahjul Balagha, Imam Ali (a.s.) described his intimacy with the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.): “I used to follow him (the Prophet) like a young camel following into the foot prints of its mother. Every year he used to go into seclusion to the hill of Hira’, where I saw him no one else saw him.” The Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s) said about revelation: “O Ali, You can see what I could see; you can hear what I hear except that there is no prophet after me.”

At many occasions, Imam Ali (a.s.) had said: “Ask me, ask me, before you loose me! Only a man of that paramount knowledge could speak like that. In the Battle of Siffin, when the hypocrites feeling the imminent defeat raised the Glorious Qur’an on the spears (in a way desecrating it) and some of the Muslims fighting for Imam Ali (a.s.) were trapped by the trick, Imam Ali (a.s.) said that do not be mislead by these hypocrites, he was the “talking Qur’an” or “Personified” Qur’an!

Sources used:

Translation of the Glorious Qur’an by Ayatollah Agha Pooya Yazdi & Mir Ahmed Ali (English), by Ayatollah Nasir Makarem Shirazi (Urdu), by Maulana Sayyid Farman Ali (Urdu), Nahj-ul-Balagha, Who is Imam Ali Ibn Abi Talib (a.s.) Household of gold.wordpress.com

HAJJAJ BIN YUSUF THAQAFI

Hajjaj was born in Ta’if in 40 A.H. and died in 95 A.H. Hajjaj was the worst person mankind has ever known in history. One of the kings of Umayyad dynasty; Abd al-Malik appointed him the governor of Iraq and gave him limitless powers to consolidate his unlawful rule which was usurped from Bani Hashim. These Umayyad kings except Umar ibn Abdul Aziz did not have any kindness towards the Muslim population. They brutally suppressed any opposition. They slaughtered thousands of Muslims specially the Shias of Imam Ali (a.s.) whoever peacefully opposed their rule.

The Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) predicted that his community would be oppressed by Hajjaj. Asma, daughter of Abu Bakr, had narrated: “I heard Allah’s Apostle say: “Allah will fill a corner of the corners of the Fire with the hypocrite of Thaqif (Hajjaj). For, he will throw stones at the Ka’ba. May Allah curse him?” (Al-Imamah wa al-Siysa. Vol.2 page 45)

Habib bin Thabit narrated that the Commander of the Faithful Imam Ali (a.s.) said to a man: “You will not die till you see the young man of Thaqif. On the Day of Judgment, it will be said to him: Sit down in a corner of the corners of the fire. He will rule for about twenty years. He will commit all sins to disobey Allah. If there will be only one sin, and there will be a door between him and the sin, he will break the door to commit the sin. He will kill the persons who obey him with the ones who disobey him.”

The Omayyad caliph, Umar bin Abdul Aziz said: “If every community brought its evil one, we brought Hajjaj, we would overcome it.” (Nihayat al-Irab, vol.21 page 334)

Za’dha’n said: “Hajjaj was empty of his religion.” (Tahdhib al-Tahdhib, vol.2 page 311)

Ta’wu’s said: “I wonder at him who calls Hajjaj a believer.” (Tahdhib al-Tahdhib vol.2 page 311)

Hajjaj was distinguished by all abominable qualities and evil inclinations. For, his soul was full of evil and malice towards people. He knew neither kindness nor good. When proceeding for Hajj, he appointed a person Ahmad and introduced to the people saying: “I have appointed Ahmad over you. I have ordered him to treat you contrary to the Allah’s Apostle. He (Allah’s Apostle) ordered (his deputy) to accept from their good ones and to forgive their evil ones. As for me, I have ordered him not to accept from your good ones and not to forgive your evil ones! (Muruj al-Dhahab vol.3 page 86)

Among the most prominent qualities of this tyrannical person was bloodshed. Al-Dimyari said: “Hajjaj was impatient towards bloodshed. He told the people that the best of his pleasures was bloodshed.” (Al-Dimyari, Hayat al-Haywan vol.1 page 86). He killed one hundred twenty thousand parsons. (Tahdhib al-Tahdhib vol.2 page 211)

He disdained the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) and preferred Abdul Malik ibn Marwan to the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.)

(Al-Maqrizi, al-Niza’, wa al-Taqasum page 27)

He punished and mocked the people who visited grave of the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) (Ibn Abil Hadid Sharah Nahjul Balagha vol.15 page 242)

The best way to approach Hajjaj was to slander the Commander of the Faithful, Imam Ali (a.s.). He mercilessly killed the Shias, imprisoned and tortured them in such prisons which had no roof.

Abdullah ibn Zubair sought refuge in the Sacred House of Allah-Ka’ba. Hajjaj sent a huge army to besiege Ka’ba for six months and seventeen nights and ordered to attack the Sacred House of Allah with catapult (Ibn Asakir, Tahdhib vol. 4 page 50). His predecessor; Yazid ibn Muawiya ibn Abu Sufyan, had also desecrated the House of Allah. He is also responsible for the martyrdom of the Companion of the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.), Jabir ibn Abdullah Ansari.

Allah destroyed this wicked criminal. Canker attacked his stomach. Allah empowered bitter cold over him. He was surrounded by fire but he did not feel the fire. He had attacks of pain frequently. He complained about his pain to Hasan al-Basri, who told him: “I had prevented you from torturing the righteous but you did not listen to me.” Hajjaj told him: “O Hasan, I do not ask you to ask Allah to relieve me, rather, I ask you to ask Him to make me die and not to prolong my torture.” This criminal person suffered from the agony of death till he perished.

Sources used:

WIKIPEDIA, Imamreza.net

THE MAN (A.S.) WHO SOLD HIS SELF (SOUL) TO ALLAH (S.W.T.)

We are referring to the two Ayah of the Glorious Qur’an which refers to the deal of “Buying and Selling” of souls. The buyer is the Omnipotent Allah (s.w.t.) and the sellers are the true mominin who fight for the cause of Allah (s.w.t.) to destroy His enemies and to sacrifice themselves.

Surah al-Tawbah Ayah 111: “”Allah has purchased the souls and property of the believers in exchange for Paradise. They fight for the cause of Allah to destroy His enemies and to sacrifice themselves. This is true promise which He has revealed in the Torah (Taurait), the Gospel (Injeel), and the Qur’an. No one is more true to His promise than Allah. Let this bargain be glad news for them. This is indeed the supreme triumph.”

Surah al-Baqarah Ayah 207: “And among men there is one who sells his self (soul) seeking the pleasure of Allah (s.w.t.) and verily, Allah (s.w.t.) is affectionate to His (faithful) servants.”

The Surah al-Tawbah Ayah 111 refers to all believers who possess those qualities, but the Commander of the Faithful, the hero of all the battles fought during the apparent life of the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.), Imam Ali (a.s.) is the prominent addressee of the Ayah. But the Ayah 207 of Surah al-Baqarah refers exclusively to the Commander of the Faithful, Imam Ali (a.s.), as all the Shia and Sunni commentators including Tha’labi, Ghazali, Ibn Abil Hadid Mu’tazili, Ibn Abbas and the author of Ahyaul Uloom, are unanimous in saying that Imam Ali (a.s.) was the one in whose praise this Ayah was revealed.

The back ground of the revelation of the Ayah is that when the Polytheists of Makkah out of frustration decided to martyr the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) in his bed at home. They prepared a plan to martyr the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) by joining hands with all the tribes of Polytheists so that no one tribe would be blamed and face the retaliation from Bani Hashim to which the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) belonged. It was night time when the gang of this chosen murderers had surrounded the house of the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) and Allah commanded him to leave Ali (a.s.) in his bed and immediately leave Makkah for Madinah. The Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) could not leave the house leaving his bed vacant as the enemies were watching from outside frequently. Since one must necessarily lie down in the bed covering him with the same mantle-cloth which the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) used, under the circumstances lying in the bed of the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) was nothing but courting death. The one who would agree to offer himself instead of the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) must essentially have:

                The safety of the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) preferred to his own safety.

                Implicit faith in the duty of man to earn the pleasure of Allah (s.w.t.) and His Noble                     Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) at any cost even at the cost of his own life.

                The courage of surrendering himself willingly with the utmost peace of mind and                         sleep under the swords.

                The confidence and faith in Allah (s.w.t.)’s protection.

                Resemble to the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.)

The mother of believers, Hazrat A’isha had said that when the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) would sleep, a light used to emit from his face beyond the mantle. Hence when Imam Ali (a.s.) slept in the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.)’s bed, the light must have been emitting from the mantle as the murderers continued to watch the bed the whole night presuming the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) was sleeping! Allah (s.w.t.) addressed the Angels Jibr’il and Mika’il and said: “I have formed brotherhood between you and enhanced the age of you. Which one of you will sacrifice his life for the other?” When they did not respond, Allah told them that Ali (a.s.) has sacrificed his life is was sleeping in his cousin (The Noble Prophets.a.w.a.s)’s bed asked them to go on the earth and protect Imam Ali (a.s.).

So in a nut shell, Imam Ali (a.s.) is the seller of his soul, and the buyer is Allah (s.w.t.), the merchandise is the soul of Imam Ali (a.s.), and the price is Allah’s pleasure and Paradise!

Sources used:

Translation of the Glorious Qur’an (Urdu)                        by Maulana Farman Ali

Translation of the Glorious Qur’an (English)                    by Ayatollah Agha Pooya & Mir Ahmed Ali

Translation of the Glorious Qur’an (Urdu)                        by Ayatollah Nasir Makrem Shirazi

THE BATTLE OF BADR

Battle of Badr is one of the greatest and most famous battles of Islam. It proved to be the turning point in Islam’s struggle against the oppressive forces specially the Quraish of Makkah.  Their hostilities increased after the emigration of the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) to Madinah. They started raids to the outskirts of Madinah destroying the properties of Muslims and carry away their cattle heads. They also confiscated the houses and businesses of Muslims of Makkah who emigrated to Madinah.

Reports were received by the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) that a trade caravan from Makkah led by Abu Sufyan in which every tribe had invested their wealth estimated about 50,000 dinars of merchandise, was heading towards Syria. Let us remember that Abu Sufyan was the grandfather of Yazid. The Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) sought advice from the companions. Some of the senior companions advised him not to proceed with the adventure but Miqdad said: “Unlike the Bani Isra’il’s behavior with Prophet Musa (a.s.), we fully support you and will fight with you.” The Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) was pleased with his comments, and left Madinah with 313 Muslims in the Ramazaan of 2 A.H. to confiscate the property of Quraish. Among the 313 Mujahedin there were only 2 horses and 70 camels.

Abu Sufiyan after hearing about the movements of the Muslim army changed the route to avoid their intervention and also informed Abu Jahal to come to their help. When he was out of danger, he informed Abu Jahal to return to Makkah, but Abu Jahal continued to march towards Madinah and encamped at the well of Badr, about 80 miles from Madinah. On the morning of 17 Ramazaan, the Quraish descended from the sandy mound. When the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) saw them, he raised his face towards the sky and said: “O Allah, the Quraish are up, with pride and arrogance, to fight against You and deny Your Prophet! Send the aid which You have promised me and destroy them today.”

The enemy had a force of 1,000 foot soldiers, 100 horses and 700 camels. From the enemy camp three fully armed famous warriors viz.  Utba, Shayba, and Walid came out and challenged the Muslims. When three Muslims were sent to face them, they refused to fight them and asked for their “equals”. The Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) sent Ubayda, Hazrat Hamza, and Imam Ali (a.s.). Imam Ali (a.s.) killed Walid, and Hazrat Hamza killed Utbah in a moment and went to help Ubayda to kill his adversary. As their generals were killed, a general attack started. The Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.), being the Supreme Commander, ordered to use archery to resist their advance. Imam Ali (a.s.) described the character of the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) as: “Every time when fighting became intense, we took refuge with Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.a.s.). None of us was nearer to the enemy than he.” The Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) returned to the seat of command and prayed to Allah as: “O Allah! If this group is annihilated today, none else will worship You on the face of the earth.” Then the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) picked up some dust and throwing towards the Quraish said: “May your faces be metamorphosed.” Thereafter he gave the order for general attack.

Surah al-Imran Ayah 123-124: “Allah had helped you at Badr, when you were a contemptible little force. Then fear Allah in order to show your gratitude. When you did say to the believers: Does it not suffice you that your Creator should help you with three thousands angels sent down.” The signs of the victory began to appear soon. The enemies were stricken with terror and began to flee. The Muslims, who were fighting with the help of their faith, and knew that both killing and being killed were blessings of Allah, were perfectly undaunted and nothing stopped their advance.

War casualties were: Muslims 14 martyrs while enemy lost 72 men out of which Imam Ali (a.s.) killed 36 infidels. The Muslims captured 70 infidels. Among the dead were, Abu Jahal and Umayyah bin Khalaf. The Muslims won the battle and laid the foundation of the Islamic state.

Sources used: Shias.org, Duas.org, Al-Islam.org, WIKIPEDIA, Islamicoccasions, Ziaraat.com

THE GUARDIAN WHO PAID ALMS IN SALAAT WHILE BOWING DOWN

Surah al-Ma’idah Ayah 55 says: “Verily, your guardian is (none else but) Allah, His Messenger and the true believers, who establish prayers and pay alms, while they bow down during the prayer, are your guardians.”

The famous Muslim narrator, Ibn Abbas narrates in Tafsir Majma-ul-Bayan quoting the companion Abu Zar Ghifari (r.a.) as: “One day I was praying with the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) in the Masjid-e-Nabavi when a needy entered the mosque and asked for charity but no one gave anything. The needy raised his hands and said: “O Allah, be witness that I asked for help in your Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.)’s mosque but nobody even replied to me. The Commander of the Faithful, Imam Ali (a.s.) was praying and was bowing (ruku) extended his right hand towards the needy. The needy came near and pulled away a ring from his right finger. The Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) witnessed this and after completing his prayers raised his head towards sky and said: “O Allah! My brother Musa requested You to appoint Harun, his brother, as vicegerent, to help and strengthen his prophetic mission. O Allah! I, Muhammad, Your Messenger also request You to appoint Ali from my family, as vicegerent, to strengthen my back in the pursuit of my prophetic mission.

The Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) had barely finished his request to Allah, when the Arch-Angel Jibra’il descended with the above-mention Ayah.

This Tradition had been narrated by more than 30 Sunni Traditionalists including Suyuti, Sibt ibn Jauzi, Razi, Tibri, Qazi Shukani, Shiblanji, Wahidi, Ibn Hajar Asqalani,Ibn Marduya, Nisa’I, Six Sahih Books of Hadis, and Kunz-ul-Amal.

Moreover, Jabir ibn Abdullah Ansari, Ammar ibn Yasir, Abdullah ibn Salam, Salma ibn Kuhail, Anas ibn Malik, Atba ibn HakimAbdullah ibn Ghalib, and Ibn Abbas had also reported it.

The Ayah starts with the word “Innama” accentuates the meaning of the Ayah as final and fixed. It describes the decision of Allah is final about the fact that the Guardian of the believers  should be Allah, His Messenger (Muhammad) and the believers who give away charity while praying. The construction of the sentence and the word ‘Vali’ being kept in singular for all the three persons means that the  ‘Vilayat’ or the guardianship of all the three is essentially one in nature as well as in effect and there is not the least difference between them. Hence, the obedience to the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) must be, as it should be to Allah and the obedience to the Commander of the Faithful, Imam Ali (a.s.).

The condition required for a person to hold the authority and the guardianship over the believers next only to Allah and His Messenger, is the highest state of spiritual attainment which makes the person able to, at one and the same time, be fully absorbed in witnessing the Glory of Allah and meanwhile, be alive to the needs of His creatures and respond to it.

As for the other meanings of the word ‘Vali’ as helper or friend, the meaning helper cannot be attributed to this Ayah as it is well known that Muslims are each other’s brothers and they should help each other as stated in the following Ayah: Surah al-Anfal Ayah 72: “…..If they ask you for help in a religious cause, you must help them…..”

Surah al-Ma’idah Ayah 2: “….Help one another in righteousness and piety….”

Surah al-Hujara’at Ayah 10: “Truly, the believers are each other’s brothers…”

As for the use of plural tense in the Ayah, it is not unusual as in many cases the plural tense was used but in reality only a singular person was accommodated in such Ayahs. In Ayah of Mubahela, Surah al-Imran Ayah 61: “If any one disputes after knowledge has come to you, say, “Let each one of us bring our sons, women, selves and you bring your sons, women and selves and invoke the curse of Allah on the liars.” In this Ayah the word “Nisa” or “Women” was used  which is a plural but only the “Chief of the Women of the World” the Infallible Sayyida Fatima Zahra (s.a.) was taken by the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.). Similaly, the word “Anfusana”is used in the Ayah, plural of Nafs, meaning our selves but only the Commander of the Faithful, Imam Ali (a.s.) was taken by the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) 

Imam Ali (a.s.) had earned lot of wealth but distributed immediately among the deserving. It is also reported that Imam Ali (a.s.) had paid for the release of 1,000 slaves in his life time. Moreover, he had received lot of war booty which also he distributed to the deserving. He might have paid alms on it.

Sources used:

Translation of the Glorious Qur’an (Urdu)             by Ayatollah Nasir Makaram Shirazi

Translation of the Glorious Qur’an (English)         by Ayatollah Agha Pooya Yazdi & Mir Ahmad Ali

Roshd.org

SURPRISING LEGAL DECISIONS BY, THE GATEWAY OF KNOWLEDGE, IMAM ALI (A.S.)

The Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) said: “I am the City of knowledge and Ali is its gateway. Ali is the best judge among you.”

There are numerous complicated cases which perplexed people, but when referred to Imam Ali (a.s.), he resolved them by his infinite surprising knowledge. Some of such cases are referred here:

                During the time of Imam Ali (a.s.)’s worldly caliph, two men came to him both claiming to be the master. Actually, one of them was a slave. Imam Ali (a.s.) asked them to come back the next day. In the meantime, Imam Ali (a.s.) ordered his servant Qambar to make two holes in a wall so as to accommodate the human heads inside it. Next day when they returned, Imam Ali (a.s.) asked them to put their heads inside the holes of the wall. When this was done, Imam Ali (a.s.) called out to Qambar: “Cut off the head of the slave.”No sooner the slave heard this order; he pulled out his head from the hole, while the real master did not move even slightly. Imam Ali (a.s.) then reprimanded the slave.

                During the time of the second caliph, two women were produced before the Qazi (judge) of Madinah. Both the women claimed the same child to be their own. He was puzzled and referred the case to the caliph but he also could decide the case. Imam Ali (a.s.) was requested to help resolve it. Imam Ali (a.s.) asked the women as to whether they had any objection if the child was cut into two pieces and one part was given to both of them. One of the women agreed to it but the other started crying. She said to Imam Ali (a.s.): “O Abul Hasan! I forego my claim. Give the child to this woman.” Thus the child was restored to its real mother who started crying.

                Once the husband (black man) of a black woman came to Imam Ali (a.s.) and complained that his wife gave birth to a red baby, possibly she might have committed adultery with a man of red complexion. Imam Ali (a.s.) asked the back man if he ever had sexual relation with his wife during her menstruation. When the man replied in affirmative, the Imam said that it was due to that act the baby was born red!

                When Imam Ali (a.s.) entered the mosque of Kufa, he saw a young man crying. On inquiry he said: “I have come to you to appeal against Qazi (Judge) Sharih. My father went on a journey with some persons. When they returned without my father, I inquired about him. They said that my father died on way back without leaving any money. I am sure he had money with him. Qazi Sharih, on obtaining oath that the dying person did not leave any money, released the accused persons.” The Imam called the accused and ordered them to be tied to the pillars of the mosque and told them to say loudly Allah-o-Akbar when asked. Qazi Sharih was also present. Imam Ali (a.s.) asked the first accused about the complete details their journey, detail of death, detail of burial etc. Then Imam Ali (a.s.) signaled the crowd to say Takbir and sent the man to prison. Then he called the second man and repeated the same questions. The man thought that his companion must have confessed the murder because of Takbir and confessed the murder. The remaining accused also accepted the murder charge and all were made to return the looted money and undergo penalty for the crime.

                A soldier returned from war and spent only six months with his wife and she became pregnant. The soldier refused to accept the child as his own and lodged a complaint with the second caliph who ordered the woman to be stoned to death. By chance Imam Ali (a.s.) was also present there and he pointed out to the caliph that the Glorious Qur’an had fixed the time of pregnancy and nursing of a child as thirty months and at another place the time of nursing as complete two years. These two years when deducted from the combined time of pregnancy and nursing remained only six months, i.e. the minimum. Hearing this caliph said: “Had not there be Ali, Omar would have gone to dust!”   

BENEFITS FOR RECITING THE BEAUTIFUL NAMES OF ALLAH (S.W.T.)

There are many Ayahs of the Glorious Qur’an depicting “The Beautiful Names of Allah (s.w.t.):

Surah al-A’raf Ayah 180: “Allah has the most blessed names. You should address Him in your worship by these names and keep away from those who distort them. They will be recompensed for their (evil) deeds.”

Surah al-Isra’ Ayah 110: “(Muhammad), tell them, “It is all the same whether you call Him or the Beneficent. All the good names belong to Him.” (Muhammad), do not be too loud or slow in your prayer. Choose a moderate way of praying.”

Surah TaHa Ayah 8: “Allah is the only Lord and to Him belongs all the exalted names”

Surah al-Hashr Ayah 24: “He is Allah, the Creator, the Designer, the Modeler, and to Him belong all beautiful names…”

There are 99 names of Allah. However, 1001 names of Allah are stated in the “Dua of Jaushan-al-Kabeer”

Selected names of Allah and their benefits are given below:

Allah                     The Greatest     Whoever repeats this name 1000 times, will be free from                                              Name            doubts and suspicion.                                     

Ar-Rahman         The Merciful       Whoever repeats this name 100 times after obligatory                                                                         prayer, will have good memory, a keen awareness, and will                                                              be free from heavy heart.

Ar-Rahim             The Beneficent  Whoever repeats this name 100 times after morning prayer                                                              will be safe from calamities; will find everyone friendly                                                                      towards him.

Al-Malik              The Absolute      Whoever repeats this name many times after every morning                                       Ruler             prayer will be rich.                                                                

Al-Quddus          The Pure One     Whoever repeats this name100 times every day, will be free                                                               from anxiety.

As-Salaam           The source of     Whoever repeats this name frequently will be safe from                                              Peace             calamities. If repeated 160 times to a sick person, will help                                                                 him to regain health.

Al-Aziz                 The Victorious  Whoever repeats this name 41 times after morning prayer,                                                               will be independent of needs from others and will gain honor                                                           after disgrace.

Al-Jabbar             The Compeller  Whoever repeats this name, will not be compelled to do                                                                     anything against his wishes,  and will not be exposed to                                                                      violence, severity or hardship.

Al-Ghaffar          The Forgiving    Whoever repeats this name, his sins will be forgiven.

Al-Wahhab         The Giver of       Whoever repeats this name frequently if suffering from                                               all                   poverty and starvation, Allah will relieve him of poverty.                                                                  Also repeat this name 40 times after mid-day prayer for                                                           the same result.

Ar-Razzaq            The Sustainer    Whoever recites this name, Allah will provide sustenance.

Al-Aleem               The Knower      Whoever repeats this name; his heart will become luminous,                                                            revealing Divine light.

Ar-Rafi                  The Exalter       Whoever recites this name 101 times day and night, Allah                                                                 will make him higher as far as honor, richness, and merits                                                                 are concerned.

Al-Muizz              The Bestower     He who repeats this name 140 times after Maghrib prayer on                                                           Monday or Friday nights,  Allah will make him dignified in                                                              the eyes of others. The person will not fear anyone  but Allah.

Al-Muzill             The Humiliator He who repeats this name 75 times, will be free from harm                                                                from those who are   jealous of him and wish to harm him,                                                                Allah will protect him.

As-Sami               The Hearer         He who repeats this name 500, 100 or 50 times without                                              of all                speaking to anyone on  Thursday after the midday prayer,                                                              Allah will bestow on him anything he desires.

Al-Khabir             The All Aware   If a man is a victim of selfish desires and bad habits he will                                                               be relieved of this if he repeats this name regularly.

Al-Hafeez             The Preserver   He who repeats this name frequently, will be protected                                                                       against calamities.               

Al-Jami                 The Gatherer   He who repeats this name, will find the thing he has lost

Al-Muntaqim       The Avenger     He who repeats this name many times for 3 Fridays, will be                                                               victorious against his enemy

Al-Qadir                 The all             He who repeats this name, all his desires will be fulfilled

                                Powerful

Sources: wonderful info.com, Duas.org

ONE HUNDRED VIRTUES OF ALI IBN ABI TALIB (A.S.) AND HIS SONS, THE IMAMS (A.S.)

A book by the above title was compiled by Abul Hasan Muhammad ibn Ahmad ibn Ali ibn Hasan al-Qummi, known as Ibn Shadhan. Virtue number 37 of the English translation written by Badr Shahin, is condensed below:

Abu – Bakr Muhammad ibn Ahmad ibn Ghitrif al-Jurjani narrated from Abu Khalifa al-Fadl ibn Salih al-Jamahi from Ali ibn Abdullah ibn Jafar from Muhammad ibn Ubaid from Abdullah from Na’fi’ from Abdullah son of Umar from Umar ibn Khattab, who said:

We once asked him about Ali ibn Abi Talib (a.s.), the Messenger of Allah became angry and said:

What for some people mentioning the one who enjoys the same standing that I enjoy with my Lord and enjoys the same rank that I enjoy with my Lord except the rank of Prophet hood?

Verily, those who love Ali will have in fact loved me; and those who love me will have in fact attained the Pleasure of Almighty Allah; and once Almighty Allah is pleased with someone, He shall award him Paradise.

Verily, as for those who love Ali, the angels will ask Almighty Allah’s forgiveness for them; and the gates of Paradise will be open wide before them so that they will be allowed to enter Paradise from any gate they choose without being exposed to settlement of account.

Verily, as for those who love Ali, Almighty Allah will give them their Record of Deeds in their right hands, and their questioning on the Judgment Day will be made as easy for the as the questioning of Paradise.

Verily, as for those who love Ali, they will not leave this world until they will be served a drink from the Divine Cistern of Kawthar and will be served from the Tree of Blessing (Tu’ba) and they will be shown their places in Paradise.

Verily, as for those who love Ali, Almighty Allah will make easy for them to pass the death agonies and will change their graves into gardens of Paradise.

Verily, for those who love Ali, Almighty Allah will grant them paradisiacal maidens (wives), and they will be granted to intercede for eighty of their family members.

Verily, as for those who recognize Ali’s actual standing and love him, Almighty Allah will send the Angel of Death to them (to grasp their souls) in the same way as He sends him to the Prophets; and he will discharge them from the horrible interrogations of Munkar and Nakir (in their graves); and he will light up and expand their graves.

Verily, as for those who love Ali, Almighty Allah will cast over them the shadow of His Throne with the truthful, the martyrs, and the righteous ones. Almighty Allah will also secure them from the Supreme Horror as well as the terror of the Deafening Noise Day.

Verily, as for those who love Ali, Almighty Allah will accept their good deeds and overlook their wrongdoings, and they will accompany Hamza, the master of martyrs, in Paradise.

Verily, as for those who love Ali, Almighty Allah will fix wisdom in their hearts, and make their tongues speak nothing but the right, and open before hem the doors to His Mercy.

Verily, for those who love Ali, they will pass the Discriminating Bridge (Si’raat) as swift as lightening and they will not feel any difficulty while they pass it.

Verily, as for those who die bearing malice towards the Household of Muhammad, they will die as unbelievers, and the following script written between their eyes on the Day of Judgment “Excluded from the Mercy of Almighty Allah”

IMAM ALI (A.S.)'S WILL TO HIS SONS; IMAM HASAN (A.S.) AND IMAM HUSAYN (A.S.)

The Commander of the Faithful, The Gateway of Knowledge, The Most Pious, The Superb Dispenser of Justice, The Lion of Allah, The Orator of the Pulpit of “Salooni” shared his valuable experiences of life  with his sons; Imam Hasan (a.s.) and Imam Husayn (a.s.) in the form of a “Will” which is reproduced as under:

My advice to you is to be conscious of Allah and steadfast in your religion. Do not desire the world, and do not be seduced by it. Do not resent anything you have missed in it. Proclaim the truth; work for the next world. Oppose the oppressor and support the oppressed.

I advise you, all my children, my relatives, and whosoever receives this message, to be conscious of Allah, to remove your differences, and to strengthen your ties. I heard your Grandfather (s.a.w.a.s.) said: “Reconciliation of your differences is more worthy than all the prayers and all the fasting.”

Fear Allah in all matters concerning orphans. Attend to their nutrition and do not forget their interests in the middle of yours.

Fear Allah in your relations with your neighbors. Your Grandfather, the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) often recommended them to you, so much so that we thought he would give a share in inheritance.

Remain attached to the Qur’an. No body should surpass you in being intent upon it, or more sincere in implementing it.

Fear Allah in relation to your prayers. It is the Pillar of your religion.

Fear Allah in relation to His House; do not abandon it as long as you live. If you should do that, you would abandon your dignity.

Persist in Jihad in the cause of Allah, with your money, your souls, and your tongue.

Maintain communication and exchange of opinion among yourselves. Beware of disunity and enmity. Do not desist from promoting good deeds and cautioning against bad ones. (Amre Bil Ma’ruf and Nahi anil Munkar)

Should you do that, the worst among you would be your leaders, and you will call upon Allah without response. (Your supplications will not be answered)

O Children of Abdul Muttalib! Do not shed the blood of Muslims under the banner:

 The Imam has been assassinated! Only the assassin should be condemned to death.

If I die of this stab of his, kill him with one similar stroke. Do not mutilate him! I have heard the Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) say: “Mutilate not even a furious dog.”

Reference: Nahjul Balagha 

TRIBUTES TO THE COMMANDER OF THE FAITHFUL BY DIGNATORIES

Truthful persons in the history had always paid rich tributes to the Vicegerent of the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.), the Commander of the Faithful, the Conqueror of Khyber, the matchless Orator of the Pulpit of Salooni, Imam Ali (a.s.). Reproduced below are some of such tributes:

George Jordac, a famous Christian historian, philosopher of modern Egypt says: “No one can praise Ali to the extent that he deserves. He was a true, staunch and devout follower of Islam. His words and deeds bore stamp of nobility, sagacity and courage of convictions. He never deceived, misled, or betrayed anybody. In various phases and periods of his life, he exhibited marvelous strength of body and mind which were due to his firm belief in religion and his abiding faith in truth and justice.”

Muhammad Mustafa Beck Najib, the famous Egyptian philosopher and professor at Al-Azhar University says: “He was the most learned person, the bravest man and the most eloquent speaker and orator. His piety, his love of Allah, his sincerity and fortitude in following religion were of such standard that no one could aspire to reach him. He was a man of such surpassing and pre-eminent characteristics and such transcending and peerless qualities that many learned men got perplexed about him and imagined him to be an embodiment of Allah! Many among Jews and Christians loved and such philosophers who had come to know of his teachings bowed before his incomparable vast knowledge. Roman kings would his pictures in their palaces and great warriors would engrave his name on their swords!

John J. Pool, the historian (the author of the life of Queen Victoria) wrote in his book “Studies in Muhammadanism” “This prince (Imam Ali) was a man of mild and forbearing character, wise in counsel and bold in war. Muhammad had given him the title of the “Lion of God”. Ali and his sons, Hasan and Husain were truly noblemen-men of righteousness, men of brave, humble and forgiving spirit.”

To Oelsner, the famous French Orientalist, said: “Ali was an embodiment of Chivalry; and personification of gallantry and generosity. Pure, gentle and learned without fear, and without reproach, he presented to the world the noblest examples of Chivalrous grandeur of character. His spirit was a pure reflection of that of Muhammad, it overshadowed the Islamic world and formed the animating genius of the succeeding ages.”

Osborne, in “Islam under the Arabs”, says: “Ali had been advised by his counselors to defer the dismissal of the corrupt governors previously appointed until he himself was sure against all enemies. The Pillar of Islam, the hero without fear and without reproach, refused to be guilty of any duplicity or compromise within justice. This uncompromisingly noble attitude costed him his state and his life; but such was Ali, he never valued anything above justice and truth.”

Gibbon (in The History of Decline and Fall of Roman Empire, vol. 5) says: “The zeal and virtues of Ali were never outstripped by any recent proselyte. He united the qualifications of a poet, a soldier and a saint. His wisdom still breathes in collections of moral and religious sayings; and every antagonist in the combats of words or of swords was subdued by his eloquence and valor. From the first hour of mission to the last rites of funeral, the Prophet (Muhammad) was never forsaken by this generous friend (Ali) whom he delighted to name his brother, his vicegerent and the faithful Aaron of the second Moses.”

Mas’udi, the famous historian of Islam says: “If the glorious name of being the first Muslim, a comrade of the Prophet in exile, his faithful companion in the struggle for the faith, his intimate associate in life, and his kinsman, if a true knowledge of the spirit of his teachings and of the Book, if self-abnegation and practice of justice, if honesty, purity and love of truth and if knowledge of law and science constitute a claim of pre-eminence, then all must regard Ali as the foremost Muslim. We shall search in vain to find either among his predecessors except the Holy Prophet, or among his successors, those virtues with which Allah had endowed him.”

Extracts from: www.alseraj.net

  

THE MIRACLES OF THE GLORIOUS QUR'AN

There is no doubt that the Glorious Qur’an is a miracle of the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.). But the more we ponder about its contents; avenues of more miracles are discovered. A host of miracles are given below:

YOM (Day): The word “Yom” is used in the Glorious Qur’an 365 times. The number of days the earth completes its revolutions around the sun is also 365 days!

AYYAM (Days): The plural of “Yom” is “Ayyam” meaning days. The word “Ayyam” is used 30 times in the Glorious Qur’an. In the solar calendar the number of days is either 30 or 31, and in the lunar calendar the months have either 29 or 30 days. So the number 30 is the intersection group of both the calendars.

THAT DAY: “That day” used in connection with the end of the world (Yom izin) is used 70 times in the Glorious Qur’an, and the phrase “Yom-ul-Qiyamah” is used 70 times.

THE MOON: The word moon or Qamar is used 27 times in the Glorious Qur’an. This number is equal to the number which is the moon’s ecliptic cycle around the world.

THE MONTHS: The word “a month” is used 12 times and the moon’s 12 revolutions around the earth make 12 months.

THE LAND SEA RATIO: The word sea (bahr) is used 32 times in the Glorious Qur’an. The word land (barr) is used 13 times. If we calculate the ratio of 32 to 45 the result is 71.111%, and the ratio of land is 13 to 45 which comes to 28.888. If we look up in any atlas or encyclopedia and see that land covers 29% of the earth whereas seas cover 71% of it.

SEVEN HEAVENS: In the Glorious Qur’an, it is stated that the heavens are created in 7 layers. The word “Heavens” is used 7 times in the Surahs of: the Cow Aayh 29, the Children of Isra’il Ayah 44, the Believers,  Ayah 86, Elucidated (41) Ayah 12, the Divorce Ayah 12, the Kingdom Ayah 3, Noah Ayah 15.

WORLD AND HEREAFTER: The word “Duniya” and “Akhirat” is used 115 times in the Glorious Qur’an.

ANGELS AND THE DEVIL: The Angels and the Devil and their derivatives is used 88 times in the Glorious Qur’an.

BENEFIT AND CORRUPTION: The word benefit (en-nef) and corruption (fesad) is used 50 times in the Glorious Qur’an.

SEXUAL CRIMES, TRANSGRESSION, AND WRATH: The sexual crimes (fehsha )and its derivatives are used 24 times, the word transgression (baghy) and its derivatives are used 24 times. Since these behaviours deserves wrath, the word wrath is also used 24 times in the Glorious Qur’an.

DIRTINESS AND NASTINESS: Dirtiness and Nastiness is used 10 times in the Glorious Qur’an.

SHAITAN AND SEEKING REFUGE: In the Glorious Qur’an, we are told that Shaitan is enemy of mankind. Muslims should seek refuge in Allah to protect themselves from Shaitan. The word Shaitan and seek refuge is used 11 times in Qur’an.

SAY AND THEY SAID: Say (Qul) and they said (Qalu) is used 332 times in the Glorious Qur’an.

MERCY AND GUIDANCE: The words “Mercy (rahmat) and “guide (Huda) is used 79 times in the Glorios Qur’an.

RIGHTEOUSNESS AND REWARDS: The word “birr” and all its derivatives are mentioned 20 times, and the reward “sawab” and its derivatives are also used 20 times in the Glorious Qur’an.

HOPE AND FEAR: Hope (raghben) and Fear (reheban) is used 8 times in the Glorious Qur’an.

Source used:

                                QUL.ORG

THE TREATISE OF RIGHTS BY THE DIVINELY APPOINTED INFALLIBLE IMAM ALI ZAIN AL-ABEDIN (A.S.) PART-1

It is an established fact that where there is a right, there is a liability. Hence, in Islam there are three rights; the rights of Allah (Huqooq-Allah), the rights of the “self” (Huqooq-an-Nafs) and the rights of the people (Huqooq-al-Ibaad). Hence, a human being has the liabilities to Allah, to his ‘self’, and to the people.

The Infallible Imam Zain-al-Abedin (a.s.) was the grandson of the Gateway of Knowledge, the Orator of the Pulpit of Sauni” the Infallible Imam Ali (a.s.), a rightful inheritor of his grandfather. This treatise of human rights was given by the Infallible Imam more than 1400 years ago but may be regarded as more comprehensive than the U.N. Charter!

The greatest Right of Allah: The greatest right of Allah against you is that you worship Him without associating anything with Him. When you do that, He will give the sufficiency in the affairs of this world and Hereafter.

The Right of your ‘Self’: You employ your limbs to obey Allah and seek His help in doing so.

The Right of the Tongue: Consider it too noble for obscenity and refrain from meddling in useless and sinful talk. Accustom it to virtue, express kindness to the people and speak well about them.

The Right of the Hearing: Keep it pure from listening to back-biting and other unlawful things.

The Right of Sight: Lower it before everything which is unlawful to see, and take heed when you look at anything.

The Right of the Hand: Do not stretch towards that which is unlawful to you.

The Right of the Legs: Do not walk with them towards that which is unlawful to you so that you do not slip on the Bridge of Siraat and may fall into the Hell Fire.

The Right of the Stomach: Do not eat any unlawful edible and do not eat more than your fill.

The Right of the Private Part: Protect it from fornication and guard against being looked upon.

The Right of your Prayer: You know that it is an arrival before Allah and that through it you are standing before Him. When you know that then you will stand in the station of lowly, beseeching, trembling, hopeful, fearful, and you will magnify Him who is before you through stillness and dignity. You will approach the prayer with your heart and you will perform it according to its bounds and its rights.

The Right of the Hajj: It is an arrival before Allah and a flight to Him from your sins; through it your repentance is accepted and you perform an obligation made incumbent upon you by Allah.

The Right of the Fasting: It is a veil which Allah has setup over your tongue, your hearing, your sight, your stomach, and your private part to protect you from the Fire (of Hell). If you abandon the fast you have will have torn Allah’s protective covering away from yourself.

The Right of Charity (Sadaqa): You know it is storing away with Allah and a deposit for which you will have no need for witnesses. If you deposit it in secret, you will be more confident of it than if you deposit in public. You should know that it repels afflictions and illnesses from you in this world and it will repel the Fire from you in the Hereafter.

The Right of the Offering (the animal sacrificed during Hajj): Through it you desire Allah and you do not desire His creation; through it you desire only the exposure of your soul to Allah’s Mercy and the deliverance of your spirit on the Day you encounter Him.

                Source used:

                SAHIFA-E-SAJJADIA