ASCENSION (M'RAJ) OF THE NOBLE MESSENGER (S.A.W.A.S.) - 2

 

Man is a spiritual creature. Man is recognized if the soul is in the body. When a man is dead, he is no more recognized by his name but is called “Maiyyat.” When a soul leaves a body, it must have a body, it cannot live independantly. It has left the world (A'lam) of soil. After death it will be in the world of “Barzaq.” Soul is an Abstract Reality, which is beyond “Time” and “Space.” Before Albert Einstein, it was believed that only three dimensions exist, but Einstein added a fourth dimension of “Time.” Mullah Sadra proclaimed that there was fifth dimension that of Soul.

Surah al-Isra’ states, “Glory be to Him Who took His servant by night from Masjid-al-Haram to Masjid al-Aqsa the precincts of which We have blessed that We show him (some) of Our signs. Verily, He is All-Hearing, All-Seeing.

The Ayah itself reveals that it was a M’raj, both physical and spiritual. 1. The Ayah starts with ‘Subhan ‘meaning He is free from time and space but still He took His ‘Abd’ made up of time and space.2. Isra’ is travelling in night. Be’abdehi-Ba has 14 meanings. Abd is used for body and soul.3. Lail signify a part of night and for Ruh there is no concept of night and day. 4. Similarly soul is free from place.

Body is needed for the procreation of a Soul but not needed for the existence of Soul.

If we study the nature of dreams, what we see in the dream is a manifestation of our soul of Barzaq which is an Abstract Reality, hence it is free of time and space. We travel long distances in a second. If we are among our friends or relatives and fall sleep, then our seeing or hearing or speaking faculties cease to operate, but in the dream, we see, hear, and speak. Imam Ali (a.s.) said, “within you is enfolded the entire universe.”

Surah Ta Ha Ayah 25-32, “O Lord, expand me my breast, make easy for my task, loose a knot from my tongue, and appoint me an assistant from my family, Harun, my brother, and associate him in my affairs.” Said He, “You are granted your requests, O Musa”

There are many traditions specifying the number of M’raj from 2 to120. The first M’raj took place in Makkah when Hazrat Abu Talib was alive. One night He did not see his nephew in his bead. He summoned the youths of Bani Hashim and gave them daggers and posted them on all the doors chiefs of Quraish, instructing them if he did not find Muhammad (s.a.w.a.s), then kill them all! This was the bravery of Hazrat Abu Talib. He requested his uncle Abbas to search him. Abbas kept on calling when the Prophet dethroned from Buraq.

The purpose of M’raj was to make the appointment of his (s.a.w.a.s.) prophet hood and the appointment of his vizier Imam Ali (a.s.). Surah Inshirah, “Have We not expanded your breast. And We removed from you your burden…”

The Prophet Musa prayed for the expansion of his breast and appointment of Harun from his family. But Allah not only appointed him as a prophet but also appointed Imam Ali as his vizier.

To organize “Dawat-e-ZulAshira,” the Noble Messenger did not ask the elders of the house but asked Imam Ali (a.s.) who was a young man of 11 or 12 years. The Prophet proclaimed, after the meals was served, “that whoever will help me today will be my vizier, Khalifa after me.” This was the initial Declaration of Wilayat of Imam Ali (a.s.) and finally Declaration at Ghadir-e-Khumm confirmed the Prophet’s proclamation at Dawat-e-ZulAsheerah.

                Sources: The Glorious Qur’an-An Enlightening Commentary into the light of the Holy                                          Qur’an

                                Sermons by Ayatullah Sayyid Aqeel-ul Gharavi

ASCENSION (M'RAJ) OF THE NOBLE MESSENGER (S.A.W.A.S.) - I

 

Ascension of the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) was the most important event of his life. Allah (s.w.t.) wanted to show His signs to the Last Prophet and sent Gabriel along with a special horse called “Buraq.” The word Buraq relates to Barq or electricity signifying speed. He (s.a.w.a.s.) was at the house of Umme Hani, the sister of Imam Ali (a.s.). Ascension is mentioned in Surahs viz. Surah al-Isra, “Glorified be He who carried His servant at night from Masjid al-Haram to Masjid al-Aqsa, the precincts of which We have blessed so that We may show him of Our Signs. Verily He is the All-Hearing, the All-Seeing.” Suarh al-Najm gives details of Ascension.

He (s.a.w.a.s.) started from Makkah, disembarked at Masjid al-Aqsa, and went inside and visited Bayt-al-Lahm, the birthplace of Prophet Isa and places of importance of other prophets. From here he continued his journey to the Heavens where he was witness to the celestial bodies and the entire Universe. He spoke with the spirits of the previous prophets and the Angels; he saw from close both Paradise and the Hell; the secrets of the origin of the Universe, and the Unlimited Power of Allah, the Highest. He continued his journey till he reached to the region known as “Sidratul Muntaha,” a place that was covered in grandeur and magnificence.

The point to remember is that Allah, the Most Powerful, took His slave from Makkah to Masjid al-Aqsa and then took him to the skies and beyond. If anyone denies this event, he is denying the Power of the Creator.

A lot of material has been written on this subject: some say it was only a spiritual journey, others say it was a dream. If we study the Ayah deeply, the answer to such allegations is denied in it.

The Ayah commences with the word “Subhana” denoting His freedom from any deficiency. The following word, “Asra” which means “Made to travel” so that others do not imagine that the means of this journey was through the causes of the natural world and with normal ordinary means of transportation. Another important part of the Ayah showing the Ascension was bodily and spiritually is confirmed by the word “Abduhu” meaning His servant which used to mean both to body and spirit. Had it not been so, He would have said, “Beruhhehi” meaning his soul only.

Imam Sadiq (a.s.) narrates the Ascension,” When the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) was telling the infidels of Makkah saying, “I saw the angel of revelation (when he received the first revelation) in his original and pure state. Gabriel, Michael and Israfil brought Buraq. They were controlling it. First, we stopped at al-Tayyaba (Madinah), then at Bayt-al Lahm near Bayt a-l-Muqaddas, where Isa was born. At these places I performed two units of salat. We reached Bayt-al-Muqaddas, where I met Ibrahim, Musa, Isa, and other prophets where we were preparing to perform salat. When the lines were being formed, Gabriel holding my shoulders pushed me forward to lead the prayer. Then we continued the journey. I heard a sound that frightened me. On inquiry, I was told that was the sound of a rock which had been thrown into the Hell seventy years ago that just landed.” The angel opened the door for us, and we entered the Heaven. We met the angel in charge of igniting the fire of Hell. Then we met Adam. Then we saw a man holding a tablet of light. Sadness and gloom were on his face. I was told he was the Angel of Death who said that he visits every house five times a day.

At the second heaven, I met Isa and Yahya, at the third heaven I met Yousuf, at the fourth heaven I met Idrees, at the fifth heaven I met Harun. On return from Ascension, He followed the same rout. At Bait-al-Muqaddas, he met the Caravan of Quraish, who were searching for their lost camel. He asked for water from them and drank it. In Makkah, he forecast the return of the caravan before sunrise the next day. This was verified by the Quraish.

                Source: M’raj, the Night Ascension by Mullah Faydh al-Kashani

ALI AMIR-AL-MOMINEEN (A.S.)'S SUPPLICATIONS BEFORE PREPAING FOR SALAAT

 

The Infallible Imam Sadiq (a.s.) narrated the following: The Commander of the Faithful Imam Ali (a.s.) was sitting with his son Muhammad ibnal Hanafiyyah when the Imam asked his son to fetch some water to perform ablution.

 He (a.s.) washed his hands and said, “Praised be the Lord who made water pure and a purifier and not contaminated.” Then he (a.s.), “O Lord! Keep me purified bless me with chastity, protect my dignity (by concealing sins of flesh), and forbid me the fire (of Hell).

He (a.s.) rinsed his mouth and said, “O Lord, let my tongue ever repeat Your Glorious names and count me among those with whom You are pleased.”

He (a.s.) then inhaled water for ritual purification of his nose and said, “Forbid not the fragrance of Heaven for me and hold me among those who are anointed with the fragrance of Paradise.”

When he washed his face, he said, “O lord, make my face effulgent on the Day of Darkness and on the day when faces shine! Do not darken my face.”

He (a.s.) poured water on the right arm and said, “Give into my right hand the Book (of deeds)”

He (a.s.) washed his left arm and said, “O Lord, let not the Book (of deeds) be given to my left hand and let not my arms be tied behind my neck (like a convict). I seek Your protection from Hellfire.”

He (a.s.) touched the top of his head with fingers of his right hand and said, “Shower upon me Your grace, mercy and benevolence.”

He (a.s.) then touched his feet with the fingers and said, “O Lord, strengthen my feet on the when feet falter and make people stumble. Let my struggle and efforts be only to seek Your pleasure. Let every action of mine earn me Your Grace.”

He (a.s.) looked at Muhammad and said, “Whoever imitates me and repeats what I said, shall find an angel for every drop of water that falls during his ablution, glorifying and praising the Lord saying, “Great is Allah other than whom there is no God.” The reward for all this will be written to the credit of the devoted worshipper.”

                Amali by Shaykh al-Saduq p. 23; Bisharat al-Mustafa p. 18

 

                Source: One Thousand Virtues and Merits of Amir al-Momineen Ali ibn Abu Talib by Ali Reza Sabiri Yazdi

BIRTH OF THE COMMANDER OF THE FAITFUL IMAM ALI (A.S.)

 

Commander of the Faithful, Imam Ali (a.s.) was born in the year 600 A.D. in Makkah. His father was the Protector of the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.), Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.) and his mother was Sayyida Fatima Bint Asad (s.a.).  She was a monotheist like all the ancestors of all the Prophets of Allah.

She went to the Sacred Ka’ba and while she was circumambulating, she felt the pains of delivery. She prayed to Allah: “O Allah! I believe in You, and in the Messengers and the Scripts You have sent. I believe in what my grandfather Ibrahim, who built the Ancient House (Ka’ba), believed in. So, for the sake of the Builder of this House, and for the sake of the child in my womb, who talks to me and who is my helper and friend, I implore You to make my labor easy. The child I am carrying is a sign of Your Greatness and Power.” (Al-Arbili, Kashf Al-Ghummah, volume 1 chapter on Imam Ali)

Hazrat Fatima bint Asad (s.a.) leaned against the wall of Ka’ba to rest. Miraculously, the wall cracked opened. She entered and the wall closed behind her. Hazrat Abbas ibn Abdul Muttalib, the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.)’s uncle witnessed this miracle. He and his companions rushed to the gate of the Sacred House, which was locked, and tried in vain to open it. Understanding that the Divinity was at work there, he and his companions ceased to interfere. The news of this miracle spread throughout Makkah like wildfire.

Imam Ali (a.s.) was born within the Ka’ba with his eyes closed and his body in humble prostration before the Almighty Allah. She stayed in Ka’ba for three days and as the fourth day approached, she stepped out carrying her baby in her arms. She found the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) waiting to receive the new-born child in his anxious arms. Hence, the first face that little Imam Ali (a.s.) saw in this world was the smiling face of his cousin the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.). The Muslims use the phrase “Karramallahu Wajha” for Imam Ali (a.s.) meaning the one who never prostrated to idols!

No one has ever been born or will ever be born inside the Sacred House of Allah. This unique distinction was reserved for Imam Ali (a.s.). Hazrat Fatima bint Asad (s.a.) had said about this special privilege Allah had granted to her and said: “Allah preferred me to all women before me. Assiyah (wife of the Pharaoh) performed the acts of worship in seclusion where Allah did not like to be worshiped except in case of necessity. Mary (s.a.), the daughter of Imran, shook the trunk of the Pam- tree and ripe dates fell upon her. I entered the House of Allah and ate fruits of Paradise, when I was about to leave the place, I heard the Divine call: O Fatima! Name your son Ali because he is high and his Lord Most High. I gave him a name derived from My Own Name. I cultured him the way I willed. I made known to him the intricacies of My Own Omniscience. He is the one to crush the idols in My House. He is the one to call the people to prayer from the roof of My House. He worships Me. Blessed are those who love him, and woe to those who are his enemies.”

His birth in Ka’ba had been reported both by Shi’a and Sunni scholars. To name a few as under:

Masoodi in Murroj-udh-Dhahab, Muhammad ibn Talha al-Shafei in Matalib-us-Saool, Hakim in Mustadrak, Al-Umair in Sharh Ainia, Halabi in Sira, Sibt ibn al-Jauzi in Tadhkira Khawasil Ummah, Ibne Sabbagh Maliki in Fusoolul Mohimma, Muhammad bin Yousuf Shafei in Kifayat al-Talib, Shablangi in Nurul Absar, Ibne Zahra in Ghiythul Ikhtisar.

Among the modern historians, Abbas Mahmood al-Akkad of Cairo (1970), Egypt, writes in his book Al-Abqarriyet al-Imam Ali that Ali ibne Abi Talib was born inside the Ka’ba.

Another contemporary historian, Mahmood Saeed al-Tantawi, of the Supreme Council of Islamic Affair, Arab Republic of Egypt writes: “May God have mercy upon Ali ibne Abi Talib. He was born in Ka’ba. He witnessed the rise of Islam; he witnessed the Dawah of Muhammad, and he was a witness of the Wahi (Revelation of Quran al-Majid). He immediately accepted Islam even though he was still a child, and he fought all his life so that the word of Allah would be supreme.”

Miraculous birth of Imam Ali has many important points to ponder:

Sayyida Fatima bint Asad did not enter the Holy Ka’ba through the door, but Allah opened an unusual opening. When Prophet Isa was born, Lady Mariam was told to leave the place of worship and go outside. What was the sustenance of Sayyida Fatima bint Asad for three days? When she entered the Ka’ba, Hazrat Abbas, Hazrat Abu Talib tried to open the door, but it will not open, why? On the fourth day, the wall of Ka’ba again opened to give passage to her and the Priceless baby. From the time of construction of Ka’ba, no one had ever been born inside the Sacred Ka’ba nor will ever be born till the Day of Judgment. Imam Ali (a.s.) did not open his eyes for three days while he was inside the Kaaba and opened only when the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) took him in his arms and saw his sacred face when opened his eyes. He (s.a.w.a.s.) placed his noble tongue in Imam Ali (a.s.)’s mouth. 

Sources:

Imamreza Network, The birth of Ali Ibn Abi Talib by Sayyid Ali Asghar Razwy, WIKIPEDIA

 (9/22)                                                                                    TAHAWWUR ALI MIRZA

                                                                                                                                    

PEARLS OF WISDOM FROM THE SERMONS OF AMIR-AL-MOMINEEN ALI (A.S.) - FIVE

 

Sermon 17: Among all the people the most detested by Allah are two persons. One is he who is devoted to his self. So, he is deviated from the true path and loves speaking about (foul) innovations and inviting towards wrong path. He is therefore a nuisance for those who are inspired with love of him, is himself mislead from the guidance of those preceding him, misleads those who follow him in his life or after his death, carries the weight of other’s sins and is entangled in his own misdeeds. The other man is he who has picked up ignorance. He moves among the ignorant, is senseless in the thick of mischief and is blind to the advantages of peace. Those resembling like men have named him scholar, but he is not so. He goes out early morning to collect things whose deficiency is better than plenty, till when he has quenched his thirst from polluted water and acquired meaningless things, he sits among the people as a judge for solving whatever is confusing to others. If an ambiguous problem is presented before him, he manages shabby arguments about it of his own accord and passes judgement on its basis. In this way he is entangled in the confusion of doubts as in the spider’s web, not knowing whether he was right or wrong. If he is right, he fears lest he erred, while if he is wrong, he hopes he is right. He is ignorant, wandering astray in ignorance and riding on carriages aimlessly moving in darkness. He did not find reality of knowledge. He scatters the traditions as the wind scatters dry leaves.

By Allah, he is not capable of solving the problems that come to him nor is fit for the position assigned to him. Whatever he does not know he does not regard it worth knowing. He does not realize that what is beyond his reach is within the reach of others. If anything is not clear to him, he keeps quiet over it because he knows his own ignorance. Lost lives are crying against his unjust verdicts, and properties (that have been wrongly disposed of) are grumbling against him.

I complain to Allah about persons who live ignorant and die misguided. For them nothing is more worthless than the Qur’an if it is recited as it should be recited, nor anything more valuable than the Qur’an if its verses are removed from their places, nor anything more vicious than virtue nor more virtuous than vice.

Sermon 18: When a problem is put before anyone of them, he passes judgement on it from his imagination. When the same problem is placed before another of them, he passes an opposite verdict. Then these judges go to the chief who had appointed them, and he confirms all the verdicts, although their Allah is one (and the same), their prophet is one (and the same), their Book (Qur’an) is one (and the same)! Is it that Allah ordered them to differ, and they obeyed Him? Or (is it that) Allah sent an incomplete Faith and sought their help to complete it. Or they are His partners in the affairs, so that it is their share of duty to pronounce, and He has to agree? Or is it that Allah, the Glorified, sent a perfect faith but the Prophet fell short of conveying it and handing it over (to the people)? The fact is that Allah the Glorified says, “We have not neglected anything in the Book (Qur’an) (6:38) and in it is a clarification of everything. And He says that one part of the Qur’an verifies another and that there is no divergence in it as He says, “If it had been from any other than Allah, they would surely have found in it much discrepancy. “(4:82)

Certainly, the outside of the Qur’an is wonderful and in its inside is deep (in meaning), its wonders will never disappear, its amazements will never pass away, and its intricacies cannot be cleared except through itself.

Source: Nahjul Balagha Part One-The Sermons by Sharif Razi (r.a.)

PEARLS OF WISDOM FROM THE SERMONS OF AMIR-AL-MOMINEEN ALI (A.S.)

 

Sermon2: Imam Ali (a.s.) spoke about Ahlul Bayt (a.s.) as: They are the trustees of His secrets, shelter of His affairs, source of knowledge about Him, Centre of His Wisdom, valleys of His books and mountains of His religion. With them Allah straightened the bend of religion’s back and removed the trembling of its limbs. None in the Islamic community can be taken at par with the Progeny (a.s.) of the Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.). One who was under their obligation cannot be matched with them. They are the foundation of the religion and Pillar of Belief. The forward runner must turn back to them while the follower must overtake them. They possess the chief characteristics of vicegerency. In their favor exists the will (of the Prophet)

He also spoke about the hypocrites saying, “They sowed vices, watered them with deception and harvested destruction.”

Sermon 16: “Beware those sins are like unruly horses on whom the riders have been placed and their reins are let loose so that they would jump with them in Hell. Beware that piety is like trained horses on whom the riders have been placed with the reins in their hands, so that they would take riders to Heaven. There is right and wrong and there are followers for each. If wrong dominates, it has (always) been so in the past, and if the truth goes down that too has often occurred. It seldom happens that a thing that lags comes forward. He who has heaven and Hell in his view has no other aim. He who attempts and acts quickly, succeeds, while the seeker who s slow may also entertain hope, and he who falls short of action faces destruction in Hell. On right and left there are misleading paths. Only the middle way is the (right) path which is the Everlasting Book and the traditions of the Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.). From it the “Sunnah” has spread out and towards it is the eventual return.

He who claims (otherwise) is ruined and he who concocts false hood is disappointed. He who opposes right with his face gets destruction. It is enough ignorance for a man not to know himself. He who is strong rooted in piety, does not get destruction, and the plantation of a people based on piety never remains without water. Hide yourself in your houses and reform yourselves. Repentance is at your back. One should only praise Allah and condemn only his own self.

 

Source: Nahjul Balagha Part one -the Sermons  by Sharif Razi (r.a.)

 

PEARLS OF WISDOM FROM THE SERMONS OF AMIR-AL-MOMINEEN ALI (A.S.) - THREE

 

The Prophethood of Muhammad: In this way ages passed by, and times rolled on fathers passed away while sons took their places till Allah deputized Muhammad (s.a.w.a.s.) as His Prophet in fulfilment of His Promise and in completion of His Prophethood. His pledge has been taken from His Prophets, his traits of character were well reputed, and his birth was honorable. The people of the earth were divided in different parties, their aims were separate, and ways were diverse. They either likened Allah with His creation or twisted His names or turned to else than Him. Through Muhammad Allah guided out of wrong and with his efforts took them out of ignorance. Then Allah chose for Muhammad (s.a.w.a.s.) to meet Him, selected him for His own nearness, regarded him too dignified to remain in this world and decided to remove him from this place of trial. So, He drew him towards Himself with honor. Allah may shower His blessings on him and his progeny.

The Holy Qur’an and Sunnah: But the Prophet left among you the same which other prophets left among their peoples, because prophets do not leave them untended (in dark) without a clear path and a standing ensign , namely the Book of your Creator, clarifying its permissions and prohibitions, its obligation and discretion, its repealing injunctions and the repealed ones, its permissible matters and compulsory ones ,its particulars and the general ones, its lessons and illustration, its long and short ones, its clear and obscure ones, detailing its abbreviations, and clarifying its obscurities. In it there are some verses whose knowledge is obligatory and others whose ignorance by the people is permissible. It also contains obligatory by the Book, but its repeal is signified by the Prophet’s action (Sunnah) or that which appears compulsory by Prophet’s action, but the Book allows not following it. Or there are those which are obligatory in each time but not so after that time. Its prohibitions also differ. Some are major regarding which there exists the threat of fire (Hell), and others are minor for which there are prospects of forgiveness. There are also those of which a small portion is also acceptable (to Allah), but they are capable of being expanded.

About Hajj: Allah has made obligatory upon you the pilgrimage (Hajj) to His Sacred House which is the turning point for the people who go to it as beasts or pigeons go towards spring water. Allah the Glorified made it the sign of their supplications before His Greatness and their acknowledgement of His Dignity. He selected from among His creation those who on listening to His call responded to it and testified His word. They stood in the position of His Prophets and resembled His angels who surround the Divine Throne securing all the benefits of performing His worship and hastening towards His promised forgiveness. Allah the Glorified made it (His sacred House) an emblem for Islam and object of respect for those who turn to it. He made obligatory its pilgrimage and laid down its claim for which He held you responsible to discharge it. Thus Allah, the Glorified, said, “…and (purely) for Allah, is incumbent upon humankind, the Pilgrimage to the House, for those who can afford to journey thither. And whoever denied then verily, Allah is self-sufficiently independent of the worlds.” (3:96)

 

Source: Nahjul Balagha Part one, The Sermons by Sharif Razi (r.a.)