Wednesday, February 2, 2022

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Creator, clarifying its permissions and prohibitions, its obligation and discretion, its repealing injunctions and the repealed ones, its permissible matters and compulsory ones ,its particulars and the general ones, its lessons and illustration, its long and short ones, its clear and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.)

No comments:

Post a Comment