SURAH AL-HASHR OF THE GLORIOUS QUR'AN

 

It is the 59^th Surah having 24 Ayahs. Hasher means “Gathering”. It starts and ends with the Glorification of Allah. It mainly deals with the hypocrite’s collaboration with Medinan Jews against the Muslims ending in their humiliation and defeat. According to the Prophetic tradition, whoever recites it with reflection as to its contents, Paradise, Hell, the Throne, seven heavens, the earth, as well as animals, birds, the sun, the moon, and the angels invoke God Almighty that He may bestow His mercy upon him and forgive him.

Ayah 6 and 7 specially deals with “Fay”- Fadak. Fay was the property belonging to Allah and His Prophet which was acquired without the Muslims fighting and using horses and camels. Ayah 6 and 7 states, “And what Allah gave to His Messenger from their property, for this you made no expedition with either cavalry or camelry. But Allah gives powers to His Messengers over whomsoever He wills. And Allah is All-able to do all things. What Allah gave as booty to His Messenger from the people of the townships, it is for Allah, His Messenger, the kindred, the orphans, the poor, and the stranded such that it may not become a fortune used by the rich among you. And whatsoever the Messenger gives you, take it; and whatsoever he forbids you, abstain (from it) and fear Allah. Indeed, Allah is severe in chastisement.

The word “Fay” connotes the property and booties seized without bloodshed and expedition and placed at the disposal of the leader of the Muslim community. It was in the seventh year of Hijra when the Jews surrendered after the Lion of Allah , Imam Ali (a.s.) extricated the mammoth gate of Khyber and killed Amr ibn Abdo-wad, facilitated the capture of the fort of Khyber. The huge war booty was distributed among the Muslim warriors. The Jews handed over the land including Fadak, to the Prophet of Allah. The orchard of Fadak was gifted by the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) to his beloved daughter Sayyida Fatima Zahra (s.a.). It was under her management for about three years. The revenue would be distributed to the poor and destitute. Returning from Khyber, Imam Ali (a.s.) distributed his share of the booty among the destitute of Madinah. This exemplary couple (Imam Ali and Sayyida Fatima) distributed whatever comes in the house. Because of their sacrifice for Allah’s creature, Sura-e-Daher or Sura Insan was revealed in their honor.

After the sad demise of the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.), the first caliph confiscated the Fadak. When Sayyida Fatima Zahra (s.a.) protested, the caliph asked for witness which she produced but was rejected by the caliph. It was against the law to ask for evidence and testimony for some property in someone else possession! She demanded her inheritance. The caliph narrated a fabricated tradition, “We prophets will not leave any inheritance”

Abdullah ibn Masud, one of the companions, narrates that in Masjid-e-Nabawi, a man stood up and said that he was a stranded traveler and was in needs of food. The Prophet asked “who will meet his demand and get recompense of Paradise in return?” Imam Ali (a.s.) stood up and took the man with him and came home and asked Sayyida Fatima Zahra (s.a.). She replied,” O cousin! There is some meager food at home and Hasan and Husain are fasting. The food is only for one person. “Imam Ali (a.s.) asked her to prepare the food. As there was one man’s food, they both thought to pretend as if they were eating and she delayed to get the lamp . When she returned, the man had already finished his food but still there was sufficient food left, hence they both and the children ate from the same food. Next day Imam Ali went in the presence of the Prophet of Allah, who informed him about last night’s story. On inquiry, the Prophet said that angel Gabriel informed him. Part of Ayah ninth relates to this, “and give them preference over themselves even though they were in need of that….”

It is strongly recommended to recite the last three Ayahs of this Surah. It contains seventeen Great Names of Allah detailed as under: Omniscient, Gracious, Merciful, Sovereign, Holy, Peace, Bestower of security, Protector, Mighty, Most Powerful, Magnificent, Creator, Inventor, Bestower of forms, Wise, Glorified by all creatures.

Source: The Glorious Qur’an (Tafsir-e-Namoona by Ayatullah Nasir Makarem Shirazi

MIRACULOUS FORE-TELLING OF THE INFALLIBLE IMAM HASAN AL-ASKARI (A.S.)

 

Abbasi king Mahdi was a tyrant like his predecessors and had kept the Imam in house arrest. One of Imam’s followers named Ahmad bin Muhammad complained to the Imam about his oppression, the Imam told him that do not worry, the king’s life is ending in five days and on the sixth day he was found dead. Similarly, a man complained to him about prison but did not mention his poverty, the Imam told him that he will be released the same day and that the Imam will send one hundred dinar to him. An other man inquired about the meaning of “Mishkaat” and further his wife was expecting and requested to name his newborn’s name. The Imam replied that “Mishkaat” is the heart of the Prophet of Allah and also May Allah reward him and  compensate him in other way. His wife gave birth to a still born baby. Ali bin Zaid bin Husain said that he went to see the Imam and the Imam told him that his horse will die the same night and the next morning the horse was found dead. Once, Jaffar bin Muhammad came in the presence of the Imam, and a thought came in his heart that t it would be better if he gets a boy. The Imam told him that he will have a daughter and he did get a daughter.

Jaffar bin Sharif Jirani reported that he went for Hajj and later visited the Imam. Jaffar told the Imam that the people of Jarjan  were anxious to see and meet him. The Imam told him that Jaffar will reach Jarjan in one hundred and ninety days and that the Imam will meet him there. The Imam reached there exactly the same day. The people were delighted to meet the Imam  and presented their problems and the Imam resolved them all. Nasr bin Jabir presented his son who was blind. The Imam  swept his hand over his eyes and Allah gave back his sight. (Kashaf al-Ghima page 128)

Once a man wrote a letter to the Imam with invisible ink. The Imam replied and printed his name and his father’s name. The man wan was surprised and converted to Islam (Dama-e-Sakiba page 172)

An Iraqi philosopher Ishaque Kundi started authoring a book titled “Contradictions in Qur’an”. When the Imam came to know about the book, he decided to guide him. Once, the follower of Kundi came to see the Imam. The Imam asked him if there was anyone  who could stop him from authoring the book. The Imam told him to go to Kundi and ask him if the owner of the book explains that he meant differently than what Kundi understand. When heard this he realized his mistake and asked his follower as to who told him that. First he tried not to tell the truth but on his insistence he told the truth. Kundi said, “Such objections can only stem from the Ahlul Bayt (a.s.) and he destroyed his book. (Biharul-Anwar page 172)

Once, during the time of Mu’tamd Abbasi, there was famine in Samarra for three years. People were asked to recite “Prayer of Istesqa” in huge gathering but there was no rain. Christian priest came and prayed for rain and it started raining. People were perplexed, the king requested the Imam to save Islam. The Imam, like his forefathers were always there to protect Tauheed irrespective of people’s behavior towards them, asked to call the priest for prayer again, when he came and repeated the prayer, the Imam asked someone to bring whatever priest had in his hand. When checked his hand, it was a bone. The Imam took the bone in his possession and asked him to pray. The clouds disappeared without rain. The Imam told the king and the audience that it was the bone of a prophet and whenever exposed below sky it causes rainfall. The Imam asked that bone be wrapped in cloth and buried. The Imam then prayed two unit of salat and prayed to Allah for rain and Allah accepted the prayer with heavy rain. The Imam was set free from the prison along with others who accompanied. (Sawaiq-e-Muhriqa page 124 and Kashfil Ghima page 129)

After one and half year the Imam was again arrested, and the jailor threw him in the animal’s yard. When the lions recognized  the Imam, they fell in front of his feet in obedience. The animals the status of Ahlul Bayt (a.s.) but not the people.

                Source: Fourteen Masoomeen (Urdu) by Hujjatul Islam Maulana Najmul Hasan Karrarvi