PRAYERS (NAMAAZ)

Prayers are called “Salaat” in Arabic and “Namaaz” in Urdu. Namaaz is the best among all acts of worship. Prayer is the spiritual Ascension of Momin. If namaaz is accepted by Allah (S.W.T.) then other acts of worship are also accepted. Offering five times prayers purifies our souls in the same way as bathing five times a day cleanses our body of all dirt and filth. It is the very first item of Furoo-e-Deen or Branches of Islam. It is obligatory on every Muslim men and women to pray five times every day. It must be performed regularly and punctually. Each namaaz should be performed as soon as the time for that particular namaaz arrives. One should not be lazy and lethargic about it and should not wait till the time of that particular namaaz comes to an end. One should not pray namaaz in haste and hurry. One should remember that he is standing in the court of The Greatest of all. His Might, Majesty, Grandeur and Glory should be in our thoughts. It should be performed humbly and with solemnity and understand the meaning of each and every word. One should concentrate and try to forget about every thing else. Remember the absorption of The Commander of the Faithful when an arrow was pulled out of his foot while praying but he remained unaware of it.

There is a saying in Persian, “Rooz-e-Mahshar Ke Jangudaz Buad, Awwaleen Pursish-e-Namaaz Buad.” Meaning, “The Day of Judgment will be a day of fear when the servants of Allah will be questioned first about namaaz.”

Allama Iqbal, the dreamer of Pakistan, has said, “Ye Aik Sajdah Jise Tu Giran Samjhta Hai, Hazaar Sajdaun Se Deta Hai Admi Ko Najaat”. Meaning, “This one prostration to Allah which looks burdensome to you, will spare you from bending for one thousand times in front of the servants of Allah.

Prayers in Noble Qur’an:

Surah Al-Baqara, Ayat 238, “Pay due attention to your prayers, especially the middle prayers, and stand up while praying, in obedience to Allah (S.W.T.)”

Sura Al-Nisa Ayat 101 & 103, “When you are on a journey, it is no sin to shorten your prayers, if you are afraid of the mischief of the unbelievers…..”

“When you complete your prayer, remember Allah all the time while standing, sitting, or reclining. When you are safe, say your prayers properly. It is a constant duty of the believers”

Surah Al-Anaam, Ayat 92,162  “….Those who believe in the Day of Judgment accept this and are steadfast in their prayers.”

“My prayer, sacrifice, life and death are all for Allah, the Lord of the Universe”

Surah Al-Ra’d Ayat 28, “…and the faithful ones whose hearts are comforted by the remembrance of Allah. Remembrance of Allah certainly brings comfort to all hearts.”

Sura Al-Mu’minun Ayat 10, “….and who are steadfast in their prayer, these are the heirs of Paradise wherein they will live for ever.”

Surah Ta’Ha’ Ayat 14, “I am Allah, the only ‘Ilah (one deserving to be worshiped). Worship Me and be steadfast in prayer to have My name (always) in your mind.”

Surah Al-Ankabut Ayat 45, “(Muhammad) recite to them what has been revealed to you in the Book and be steadfast in prayer; prayer (speaking of Allah) keeps one away from indecency and sins. Allah’s paying attention to the worshiper is (indeed) the greatest (reward for worshiping Allah). Allah knows what you do.”

Surah Al-Ma’arij Ayat 34, “…who do not miss their daily prayers at the prescribed times, such people will receive due honor in Paradise.”

Hadees-e-Qudsi: “And when he (the worshiper) knows that it is time of Prayer and he does not pray, he is indeed careless about Me”

The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.S.): said, “The first thing that Allah made obligatory on my Ummah was the five prayers and the first thing they will be questioned will be the five time prayers.”

“One who adhere to the five (daily) prayers diligently, they shall be a means of illumination and salvation for him on the Day of Judgment.”

“The prayer of a person is (in reality) a light in his heart, so whoever desires, can illuminate his heart.”

“The prayer is one of the (primary) dictates of religion, in it lie the pleasure of the Lord, the Mighty and the Glorious, and it is the conducts of the prophets.”

“The prayer is the standard of Islam. Whosoever loves prayers, and observes their limits, timings and methods, is a true believer.”

The Commander of the Faithful, Imam Ali (A.S.) said, “If the worshiper knew to what extent His (Allah’s) Mercy surrounded him during prayers, he would never raise his head from prostration.”

“No one but the Messenger (S.A.W.S.) took me the lead in prayers.”

“….Fear Allah so far as prayer is concerned because prayers are pillars of your faith….”

Imam Muhammad Baqir (A.S.): said, “Islam have been founded and established on five things: Prayers, Zakaat, Hajj, Sawm (Fasting), and Wilaya.”

“The prayer is the pillar of religion and its parable is that of a tent – when the prop remains upright, the pegs and ropes remain straight and upright, but when the prop bends or breaks neither the pegs nor ropes remain straight.”

“We command our children to offer prayers when they are five years old, so you too order your children to offer prayers (but only) when they are seven years of age.”

Imam Jaffer Al-Sadiq (A.S.): said, “The first thing for which a person shall be subjected to reckoning is prayers. If they are accepted, all his other deeds (shall) also be accepted. But if prayer is rejected, all his other deeds shall (also) be rejected.”

“Surely, the Angel of Death repels Shaitaan from the proximity of one who had adhered to and guarded his prayers, and makes him speak out the testimony “There is no God except Allah and Muhaamad is the Messenger of Allah” during that terrifying and frightening state of (death)”

We are the followers of the Master of Prostrators and the Chief of Worshippers, Imam Ali Zain-ul-Abedin (A.S.) and the Commander of the Faithful Imam Ali (A.S.). It is reported that Imam Ali used to pray a good portion of the night, because the neighbors could hear “Allah-o-Akber” one thousand times. Similarly, he was martyred while praying morning prayers. On the same line, on the Day of Ashura, Imam Husayn (A.S.) was martyred while he was prostrating!

It is recommended that namaaz should be performed in congregation as the reward is twenty five times more than reciting alone. Consequently, great importance have been stressed regarding Friday Prayers.

ATTRIBUTES OF ALLAH (S.W.T.)

It is our duty to know Allah. Love follows knowledge. Although, understanding or conceiving Allah is not easy. In our physical world, we comprehend every thing by our five senses. In fact, science’s area of operations is restricted to these five senses which are; seeing, hearing, smelling, touching, and tasting. But religion’s domain spreads far beyond the scientific world of physical senses. A child’s comprehension of the world around him develops in progressive steps; first when he sees an object, he retains the impressions in his mind and remembers the name for it, next time when he sees the same thing, his mind compares new impression with the original impression and recognizes the object. For example if he sees a puppy and he is told that it is called puppy. When he sees any puppy, his mind retrieves the image and name for it. Similarly, we have cognizance of objects, living things etc. with the help of our original information stored in our memory.

Because Allah does not have a body so we cannot comprehend Allah. Once, a man inquired from the Commander of the Faithful, Imam Ali (A.S.) as to whether he had seen Allah to which the Imam (A.S.) replied that he does not worship Allah without seeing Him but with the eyes of his heart.

There is a tradition of the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.S.), “Allah cannot be recognized by any one except Ali and myself, I cannot be recognized by anyone except Allah and Ali, and Ali cannot be recognized by anyone except Allah and me.”

By the Blessings of Chaharda Masoomeen and the Grace of Allah, we will try slowly and step by step to have some basic conception of Allah (S.W.T.).

Allah’s characteristics or attributes may be broadly divided into two groups; positive and negative. The important attributes are given below:

Positive Attributes are called “Sifaat-e-Subutiyyah” which is also “Asmaa-ul-Husna” or one of the 99 “Beautiful Names” of Allah which are explained below:

All-Perceiving (Al-Mudrik):

Allah is All-Seeing and All-Hearing; He can see and hear every thing without any need of eyes and ears.

Living (Al-Hayy):

Allah is always Alive and remains Alive for ever. His creatures are born and remain alive for designated time and then die.

Eternal (Al-Qadeem):

Allah has neither a beginning nor an end. Every life on the earth is destined to perish.

Will Power (Al-Mureed):

Allah has His own Will and Discretion in all affairs. He does every thing without interference. He is the Master of His will.

Omnipotent (Al-Qadir):

He has absolute Power over every thing and every affair. He has complete control on every thing in the universe.

Master of Speech (Al-Mutakallim):

Allah can create speech in any thing, as He did in curtain of light for Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.S.) and in a tree in case of Prophet Musa (A.S.).

Omniscient (Al-Alim):

Allah knows every thing. He knows what is in our hearts. Nothing is hidden from Him.

Truthful (As-Sadiq):

Allah is always true in His words and His promises. 

Negative Attributes are called “Sifaat-e-Salbiyyah”

These are the attributes which can not be found in Allah because they are incompatible with His Divinity.

Partner (Sharik):

Allah has no partner. He is the one only and unique.

Place (Makaan):

Because Allah has no body hence He does not need a place as His creatures need. He is every where by virtue of His Knowledge and Power which is apparent in the universe.

Visible (Mar’i):

Allah is not visible. He had not been seen in the past, is not seen now, and will never be seen in future. Because human eyes can only perceive a material body and Allah does not have a body.

Compound (Murakkab):

Allah is neither made of any parts nor composed of any material. He cannot be divided.

Needs (Ehtiyaaj):

Allah is free from wants. He is not deficient in any thing, so He does not need anything.

Incarnation (Hulool):

Allah does not enter into anything or any person nor does anything enter Him.

Change (Haadis):

Allah is not subject to any change. Like human being is first a baby, then man and lastly becomes old. Or human being is healthy then he may become sick.

Acquired Attributes (Sifaat-e-Za’id):

The Attributes of Allah are not separate from His person. Like when we say Allah is

All-knowing, we do not mean His Knowledge is separate from Him. We do not possess knowledge when we are young. We go to school or college to acquire it.

All the above Sifaat-e-Salbiyyah, which cannot be found in Allah, but are found in His creations. We have partners, we need a house to live, we are perceived by five senses, we are made up of flesh and bones, we need food and clothes, we need attention, and we are constantly changing. Our characteristics are separate from ourselves.

SURAH AL-RAHMAN

Surah-e-al Rahman was revealed in Makka and has 78 verses. It narrates about every kind of Blessings. It starts with Allah’s name “Al-Rahman” and ends also with Allah’s name “Zul Jalaal-e-Wal Ikraam”. Allah has narrated and reminded his servants about His Blessings by repetition of verse, “Fabe Ayye Alaae Rabbekuma Tukazzebaan” 31 times.

Man’s gratitude towards Allah is not commensurate with Allah’s tremendous Mercy. This is the central theme in this Surah and also in the whole Noble Qur’an.

Recitation of this Surah will have immense effects on the physical, mental and spiritual well-being on the listeners also.

This Surah is regarded as “The Beauty of the Noble Qur’an”

This is the only Surah of The Noble Qur’an in which besides men the jinn have been directly addressed. It clearly points out that the Message of the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.S.) and the Noble Qur’an is meant both for men and jinn.

The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.S.) said, “For every thing there is a bride and the Surah al-Rahman is the bride of the Noble Qur’an.”

Imam Jaffer al-Sadiq (A.S.) said, “Reciting this Surah on Friday after morning prayers carries great rewards. Recitation of this Surah removes hypocrisy from one’s heart. On the Day of Judgment, this Surah will come in the shape of a handsome human being and will have a very nice scent. Allah will tell him to point out those people who used to recite this Surah and he will name them. Then he will be allowed to beg pardon for those who he names and Allah will pardon them. If a person dies after reciting this Surah then he is considered a martyr. Writing this Surah and keeping it makes all difficulties and problems vanish and also cures eyes ailments. Writing it on the walls of a house keeps away all types of household pests. If recited at night then Allah sends an angel to guard the reciter until he wakes up and if recited in the day time then an angel guards him until sunset.”

The benefits of each and every verse or Surah of Qur’an can only be achieved if one reads, ponders over the meanings, understands and make every effort to practice in his or her life.

In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful

1. The Beneficent (Allah)
2. Has taught the Qur’an to (Muhammad)
3. He created the human being.
4. Taught him intelligible speech.
5. The sun and the moon rotate in a prescribed orbit.
6. The plants and trees prostrate before Him.
7. He raised the Heavens and setup every thing in balance,
8. So that you would maintain justice in balancing matters.
9. Therefore, maintain just measure and do not transgress against the Balance.
10. He spread out the earth for the people.
11. There exist all kinds of fruits, palm-trees with sheathed blossoms,
12. Grains with (its) husks and aromatic herbs.
13. Which then the Bounties of your Lord will you deny?
14. He created man from dry clay like earthen vessels,
15. And He created the jinn of a flame of smokeless fire.
16. Which then the Bounties of your Lord will you deny?
17. Lord of the two risings and Lord of the two settings.
18. Which then the Bounties of your Lord will you deny?
19. He has made the two seas to flow freely – they meet:
20. But has created  a barrier between them so that they will not merge totally.
21. Which then the Bounties of your Lord will you deny?
22. There come forth from them pearls and coral.
23. Which then the Bounties of your Lord will you deny?
24. And His are the ships reared aloft in the sea like mountains.
25. Which then the Bounties of your Lord will you deny?
26. Everyone on earth is destined to die.
27. Only the face (Supreme Essence) of your Glorious and Gracious Lord will remain forever.
28. Which then the Bounties of your Lord will you deny?
29. Every one in the Heavens and the earth depends on Him. His task in preserving His creation is continuous.
30. Which then the Bounties of your Lord will you deny?
31. Mankind and Jinn, We shall certainly settle your accounts.
32. Which then the Bounties of your Lord will you deny?
33. O assembly of jinn and men! If you can penetrate the diameters of the Heavens and the earth, then do so, but you cannot do so without power and authority.
34. Which then the Bounties of your Lord will you deny?
35. The flames of fire and smoke will be sent on you two, then you will not be able to defend yourselves.
36. Which then the Bounties of your Lord will you deny?
37. (On the Day of Judgment) when the heavens are rent asunder they will have a flowery color as if painted as such.
38. Which then the Bounties of your Lord will you deny?
39. On that day (certain) jinn and human beings will not be questioned about their sins.
40. Which then the Bounties of your Lord will you deny?
41. The guilty ones will be recognized by their faces, and will be seized by their forelocks and the feet.
42. Which then the Bounties of your Lord will you deny?
43. This is the Hell which the guilty call it a lie.
44. They will run around in blazing fire and hot boiling water.
45. Which then the Bounties of your Lord will you deny?
46. Those who fear of the status of their Lord have two gardens.
47. Which then the Bounties of your Lord will you deny?
48. They (the two gardens) are full of various trees.
49. Which then the Bounties of your Lord will you deny?
50. In both of them are two fountains flowing.
51. Which then the Bounties of your Lord will you deny?
52. In both of them are pairs of every fruit.
53. Which then the Bounties of your Lord will you deny?
54. Reclining on beds, the inner coverings of which are of silk brocade; and the fruits of the two gardens are within reach.
55. Which then the Bounties of your Lord will you deny?
56. In them are those who restrain themselves; man nor jinn have not touched them before.
57. Which then the Bounties of your Lord will you deny?
58. They are as beautiful as rubies and pearls.
59. Which then the Bounties of your Lord will you deny?
60. Is the reward of goodness but goodness?
61. Which then the Bounties of your Lord will you deny?
62. And besides these two are two (other) gardens.
63. Which then the Bounties of your Lord will you deny?
64. Both are dark green in color.
65. Which then the Bounties of your Lord will you deny?
66. In both of them are two springs gushing forth.
67. Which then the Bounties of your Lord will you deny?
68. In both are fruits and palms and pomegranates.
69. Which then the Bounties of your Lord will you deny?
70. There are well-disciplined, beautiful maidens.
71. Which then the Bounties of your Lord will you deny?
72. They (maidens) have big, black and white beautiful eyes and dwell in tents.
73. Which then the Bounties of your Lord will you deny?
74. No jinn or man had touched them before them.
75. Which then the Bounties of your Lord will you deny?
76. They (maidens) recline on plain green and beautifully printed cushions.
77. Which then the Bounties of your Lord will you deny?
78. Blessed be the name of your Lord, the Lord of Glory and Honor!

PARENT'S STATUS - 2

From infancy to maturity, it is unparalleled tender love and care of the parents which brings the child from the stage of weakness and helplessness to perfect strength and independence. A child is a part of his parents especially the mother who undergoes prolong pains and sufferings first to carry him or her for nine months, after his birth her discomfort continues by sleepless nights. During pregnancy, her blood is diverted to the baby. If there is any one, after the Creator, who is directly responsible for the existence and progress of a child, it is the parents. It is for this reason that Qur’an has mentioned the obedience of parents side by side with the worship of Allah.

Parental Status according to the Noble Qur’an:

1. Surah Isra verse 23, “Your Lord has ordained that you must not worship any thing other than Him, and that you must be kind to your parents. If either or both of your parents should become advanced in age, do not express to them words which show your slightest disappointment. Never dispute with them but always speak to them with kindness.”
2. Surah Isra verse 24, “Be humble and merciful towards them and say “Lord, have mercy upon them as they cherished me in my childhood.”
3. Surah Baqarah verse 83, “We made a covenant with the children of Isra’il that they should not worship any one except Me, that they should serve their parents.”
4. Surah Nisa verse 36, “Worship Allah and consider no one equal to Him. Be kind to your parents..." 
5. Surah Inaam verse 151, (Muhammad), say, “Let me tell you about what your Lord has commanded: D o not consider anything equal to Allah; be kind to your parents…..”
6. Surah Luqmaan verse 14, “(Concerning his parents), We advised the man, whose mother bears him with great pain (weakness after weakness) and breast-feeds him for two years, to give thanks to Me first and then to them; to Me all things proceed.”
7. Surah Luqmaan verse 15, “If they try to force you to consider things equal to Me, of whom you have no knowledge, do not obey them. Maintain lawful relations with them in this world and follow the path of those who turn in repentance to Me. To Me you will all return and I shall tell you all that you have done.”
8. Surah Ahqaf verse 15, “We have advised the human being to be kind to his parents; his mother bore him with hardship and delivered him while suffering a great deal of pain. The period in which his mother bore and weaned lasted for thirty months. When he grew up to manhood and became forty years old, he then said, “Lord, inspire me to give You thanks for the bounties You have granted to me and my parents, and to act righteously to please You. Lord, make my offspring virtuous. Lord, I turn to You in repentance; I am a Muslim.”
9. Surah Ibrahim verse 41, “Lord, On the Day of Judgment, forgive me and my parents and all the believers.”
10. Surah Nuh verse 28, “Lord, forgive me, my parents, the believers who have entered my home and all believing men and women.”
11. Surah Ankabut verse 8, “We have advised the human being, “Be kind to your parents. Do not obey them if they force you to consider equal to Me things which you do not know are such.”
12.  Surah Baqarah verse 215, “They ask you what to spend for the cause of Allah. (Muhammad) tell them that what ever you spend, give it to your parents, the relatives, the orphans…..What ever good you do, Allah is certainly aware of it”

Hadees-Qudsi (Words of Allah not included in the Noble Qur’an)  

I swear by My Glory and Power that if a (child is) disobedient to his parents comes to Me with all the good deeds of all the prophets; I will not accept them from him.

Holy Prophet (S.A.W.S.) said, “The Greatest Sins are ‘Shirk’ and disobedience of parents.”

2. “One who displeases his parents (it is as if) he displeased Allah”

3. “One who hurts his parents, hurts me and one who hurts me hurts Allah. And the one who hurts Allah is accursed.”

4. A young man was on his death-bed, when the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.S.) came and sat beside him and asked him to recite “Shahadatain” but the youth could not speak. The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.S.) asked if his mother was present. A woman who was sitting next to him said that she was his mother. He inquired from her if she was displeased with her son. She replied that she was not speaking with her son for the last six months. The Holy Prophet asked her to pardon him and as soon as she pardoned him he could speak the “Shahadatain”. The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.S.) asked him, “What do you see at this moment?” The youth replied that he was seeing a dark and smelly man was holding him and was not letting him go. The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.S.) said, “Recite the dua: Ya Man Yaqbalul Yasira Wa Ya’fo Anil Kathira Iqbal Minnil Yasira Wa Afo Anil Kathira”. Then asked, “Now what do you see?” He replied, “A fair complexion handsome man is moving towards me” The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.S.) said, “Keep on repeating this dua”. After repeating this dua, he said, “O Prophet of Allah, both of them have disappeared”. After this the face of the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.S.) was illuminated with joy. He said, “O Allah forgive the sins of this young man” Then the youth passed away.

5. “By Allah, in whose hands is my life, to serve parents for a day and night is equal to a year of Jihad.”

6. A man came to the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.S.) and said, “I have committed every type of sins. Is there any repentance for me?” The Holy Prophet said, “Go and do goodness to your father so that your sins may be expiated.” After the man had left, he said,” If his mother had been alive, it would have been more meritorious to do good to her.”

7. “There are three types of sins which are punished in this world; the first is “Aq-alWaladain”, second is injustice upon men, and third is thanklessness of favors”

8. “Aq-al-Waladain causes poverty and misfortunes.”

Aq-alWaladain: Means the son or daughter causes disrespect to their parents by speech or action. Or they disobey them in the matters which are reasonable and lawful.

Some time, the parents are pleased with their children during their life-time but become

“Aq” or disown them after their death and vice-versa.

Parent’s rights after their death:

First is to carryout their Wajib acts which they did not perform during their life time like prayers, fasts, Hajj if it became obligatory, and repayment of their debts.

Second is to act upon their Will and Testament.

Third is to perform good deeds for their salvation i.e. give Sadaqa, to perform charitable acts for their “Sawab-e-Jariya”, recite prayers for them.

Respect for the parents: As a mark of respect: one must not address them by name, one must not walk in front of them, while eating meals one must not start before them, while speaking one’s voice must not rise above their voice, one must not do any thing which may bring bad reputation to them, must provide necessities before making them to beg for it.

BENEFITS OF RECITING SURAH AL-YASEEN

Allah addresses mankind through The Holy Qur’an and we address Allah by our supplications. Though the entire Holy Qur’an is a miracle and the words of Allah, the special merits found in this blessed Surah particularly, can be understood by referring to the narrations, describing the extraordinary excellence and benefits available to the faithful through regular recitation of this Surah.

Islam’s foundation is based on “understanding” and the measure of nearness to Allah is the understanding of Truth. The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.S.) is the foremost in knowledge and worship of Allah. Heart of the Universe is the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.S.) as confirmed by The Hadees-e-Qudsi: “Had it not been for you, I would not have created Heavens.” This Surah, which specially pertains to the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.S.), becomes the heart of the Holy Qur’an just as he himself is the heart of the world. This Surah starts with an address to the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.S.) as the Chief of All Messengers and the Holy Qur’an says on oath that he is among the True Messengers sent by Allah. In a subsequent verse, the Holy Qur’an tells us that all the worlds of existence are wrapped-up and placed in him; that the center and heart of the universe is Muhammad (S.A.W.S.).

A minute study of the whole Qur’an leads us to conclude that its Basic Subjects are related to:

            1. Origin of Life

            2. The Hereafter

            3. Calling people towards religion (Tauheed)

In reality, the heart of this Noble Qur’an is the verses of knowledge about Allah, The Creator and The Recaller.

Surah YaSeen may be divided into four parts:

1. Muhammad (S.A.W.S.), Holy Qur’an, objective of the message, and the lovers of this Message.
2. About the three Messengers of Allah and their invitation towards Tauheed.
3. About The Signs of Allah
4. Relates to the Day of Judgment, accountability, Paradise and Hell.

Who ever recite Surah al-Yaseen solely for seeking the Pleasure of Allah, all his sins will be forgiven and he will be given reward equal to the reward of reciting the whole Holy Qur’an twelve times. If this Surah is recited near a person who is on his deathbed, then for each letter recited, twelve angels are sent for his forgiveness and they will remain even when the soul is being taken by the Angel of Death. The angels also take part in his funeral rites. If this Surah is recited near a person who is on the verge of passing away (Sakarat-ul-Mawt) then an angel brings a drink from Paradise, and as he drinks, he feels greatly eased.

Recitation of this Surah will bring all Good (Hasana) in this life and life here-after and also safety from all evils in this life and in here-after. What ever are the Hajaat (needs) will be answered by Allah when requested after reciting this Surah. The reward of reciting this Surah is compared to performing Hajj twenty times.

Drinking the water in which this Surah is dissolved cures thousand types of illnesses.

The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.S.) said that every thing has its heart and the heart of Holy Qur’an is Surah YaSeen.He also said that if this Surah is recited in a graveyard then all punishment is lifted for that day from all the graves and the reciter gets the reward equal to the sum of all good deeds performed by all those who are buried in that graveyard.

Imam Jaffer al-Sadiq (A.S.) said that drinking this Surah after writing it in a mixture of Saffron and rose water for seven days ( it should be written fresh for each day) makes a person have such a good memory that he will never forget what ever he hears only once. If he is a debater then he will win the debate. He will command great respect and attain high status. If a breast-feeding woman drinks it, it will increase the milk.

Imam Jaffer al-Sadiq (A.S.) said that whoever recites this Surah in the morning will be protected from all calamities and problems during the day and whoever recites this Surah at night will be protected from Shaitaan by seventy thousand angels. Recitation of this Surah saves the reciter from the squeezing of the grave and its torments. Passing the difficult stages in the hereafter will also be made easy for him.

Whoever keeps this Sura in his possession will be protected from the jealousy of people.

It also acts as a cure from disease.

AMRE BIL MARUF AND NAHI ANIL MUNKAR

     It is the seventh and eighth number in the “Branches of Islam” or “Furoo-e-Deen”.

Any action that is commanded by Allah, the performance of which carries rewards and its neglect is assured punishment is obligatory or Wajib. Amre Bil Maruf and Nahi Anil Munkar is a form of Jihaad.

Islam stipulates to promote good and prevent evil in the Muslim society. The promotion of good is “Amre Bil Maruf” and forbidding or preventing evil is “Nahi Anil Munkar”. Family is the basic social unit; hence this process should start from our homes. If we throw a stone in a pond of water, waves start at the point of contact with water and grow larger and larger. It is smallest at the contact point and is largest at the extreme side of the pond. Hence any type of effort should start from the home. It is a religious, moral and ethical responsibility of every Muslim to perform Amre Bil Maruf and Nahi Anil Munkar. To start with, one should know what is “Maruf” or virtues and also what is “Munkar” or sin. After we know this, we should practice ourselves before preaching to others.

Qur’anic References:

1. Let there be a group among you who will invite others to do good deeds, command them to obey the Law, and prohibit them from committing sins. These people will have eternal happiness. (Aale Imran: verse 104)
2. You are the best nation that ever existed among humanity, as long as you command people to do good, prohibit them from evil, and believe in Allah.                                                                                   (Aale Imran: verse 110)
3. They believe in Allah and the Day of Judgment. They command people to follow good, prohibit others from committing evil and compete with each other in doing good deeds. These are the righteous ones. (Aale Imran: verse 114)
4. Be they male or female hypocrites, they are the same. They make others commit sins, prevent them from doing good deeds and restrain their hands (from spending for the cause of Allah). ( Tawbah: verse 67)
5. The believers, both male and female, are each other’s protectors. They try to make others do good, prevent them from committing sins, perform their prayers, pay the religious tax, and obey Allah and His messenger. Allah will have mercy on them. Allah is Majestic and All-wise. ( Tawbah: verse 71)
6. (The believers) who repent for their sins, worship Allah, praise Him, travel through the land, bow down and prostrate themselves in obedience to Allah, make others do good and prevent them from sins and abide by the laws of Allah, will receive a great reward. Let this be good news for the believer.(Tawbah: verse112)
7. He will certainly help those who, if given power in land, will worship Allah through prayer, pay the religious tax, enjoined others to do good, and prevent them from committing evil. The consequence of all things is in the hands of Allah. (Hajj: verse 41)
8. Believers, do not follow the footsteps of Shaitaan; whoever does so will be made by Shaitaan to commit indecency and sin. (Noor: verse 21)
9. (Muhammad), recite to them what has been revealed to you in the Book and be steadfast in prayer; prayer (speaking of Allah) keeps one away from indecency  and sins. Allah’s paying attention to the worshiper is (indeed) the greatest (reward for worshiping Allah). Allah knows what you do. (Ankabut: verse 45)
10. They did not prevent each other from committing sins nor would they, themselves, stay away from them. Evil was what they had done. (Ma’idah: verse 79)

Holy Prophet (S.A.W.S) said: “A person who sees an evil act being committed should take action to prevent it, if he is capable of doing so, and if he cannot do that, he should speak out against it, but if he is not capable of even doing that, he should at least detest in his heart. It is the lowest stage of faith.” He further said: “My followers will be in good condition as long as they bid each other towards the good, forbid each other from the evil, and cooperate with each other in good deeds. If they do not do this then the heavenly blessings will be lifted from them and some evil ones among them will be imposed over them as a ruler. In that state, they will have no helper, neither on the earth nor in the heaven.

Commander of the Faithful, Imam Ali (A.S.) said: “He who abandons forbidding what is wrong theoretically and practically (and is indifferent while seeing vices being committed) is a moving corpse among the living.” He further said: “Indeed the Almighty has cursed those who came before you for neglecting Amre Bil Maruf and Nahi Anil Munkar. Thus there is a curse upon the ignorant sinners and the intelligent people who neglect Amre Bil Maruf and Nahi Anil Munkar.”

Imam Ali, Zain-ul-Abedeen (A.S.), who witnessed the tragedy and humiliation of Ahlul Bayt (A.S.) still he did not stop preaching Amre Bil Maruf and Nahi Anil Munkar. He said: “He who leaves enjoining good and forbidding the evil is like him who leaves Allah’s Book behind, unless he shows precautionary decimation. Allah, the Glorified, sent the Prophets and the Trustees (of authority) to speak, not to keep silent.

Imam Mohammad Baqir (A.S.) said: “The Almighty Allah revealed to Prophet Shoaib “I will destroy hundred thousand people from your nation, forty thousand of whom are sinners and sixty thousand are righteous.” On inquiry from Prophet Shoaib, Allah replied,“Because they used to socialize with the sinners and in spite of My dislike, they never disliked the sinners. They never restrained them from sins.”

Master of the Martyrs, Imam Husayn (A.S.), prepared a will and handed over to his brother, Muhammad Hanafiyya. In this will the Imam (A.S.) wrote: “My Mission is to reform the Muslim community which I propose to do by Amre Bil Maruf and Nahi Anil Munkar, inviting them to the good and advising them against evil. It is not my intention to set myself as an insolent or an arrogant tyrant or a mischief-maker.”

Imam Jaffer Sadiq (A.S.) said: “If a momin sees another momin committing sin and is capable of stopping him but did not do so is a dishonest person.”

“When a man commits sin under cover then he is hurting only himself but if he does so openly and is not restrained by others then he is hurting the society.”

MASTER OF THE PROSTRATORS, IMAM ZAIN-UL-ABEDEEN(A.S.)

Imam Ali, Zain-ul-Abedeen, was the son of Master of the Martyrs, Imam Husayn (A.S.). His mother was Shaher Bano, daughter of the last Persian king, Yazdjurd. He was born in Madina on 5^th Shabaan 38 A.H. He was entrusted with the Divine Imamate on the day of Ashura 61A.H. He led the imprisoned Ahlul Bayt women and children from Karbala to Kufa and then to Damascus. This was the most painful and humiliated journey.

When Yazid tried to talk in an insulting manner, he bravely spoke the truth whereupon Yazid threatened to kill him but Hazrat Zainab (S.A.) intervened. During this journey, he delivered sermons introducing himself and Ahlul Bayt and explained the objectives of their sacrifices to save Islam. When the news of Tragedy of Karbala spread far and wide and signs of revolt were apparent, Yazid released the Ahlul Bayt. Hazrat Zaynab (S.A.) asked for a house so as to arrange the mourning of the martyrs of Karbala. This was the first Majlis for the martyrs. Imam Zain-ul-Abedeen and the AhlulBayt returned to Madina en route to Karbala.

The Imam (A.S.) led a quite life after return to Madina. Yazid’s army ruthlessly suppressed the revolt in Madina. His army turned the Holy Mosque of the Prophet into stable for horses, killed hundreds of innocent Muslims, and destroyed the chaste of numerous women. These beasts destroyed Madina for three days. The Imam lived 35 years after Karbala tragedy. Because of the unfavorable circumstances, the Imam started writing supplications, which demonstrates the immense knowledge of the family of “The Gateway of Knowledge”

His supplications were collected in the famous book, “Saheefa-e-Sajjadia”. The book is next to his grandfather, Imam Ali (A.S.)’ “Nahjul Balagha”.

Imam Zain-ul-Abedeen (A.S.) also compiled a treatise known as “Risalat-ul-Huqooq” which contains the rights of human beings. If one compares this book with the United Nation’s “Charter of Human Rights” it appears to have been copied from this Risala.

The Imam would carry bags of bread on his back at night, without showing his identity, would go round in Madina and distribute among needy. Only his close companions knew it.

Hisham Ibne Abdul Malik, the heir apparent of the caliph, was visiting Makka and was sitting in a chair waiting to kiss the Black Stone in Ka’aba, he saw that an old man came towards the Black Stone and the crowd automatically separated to give way to him. The old man gracefully came and kissed the Black Stone and left. He knew who the old man was. It was Imam Zain-ul-Abedeen (A.S.) but to overcome his embarrassment, he inquired from his companions. The famous poet of Arabia, Farazdaq, compiled a poetry extempore praising the Imam. Some of the stanza of his poem reads as, “He is who that whole Makka knows him. Every stone in Ka’aba knows him. He is the grandson of Fatima and Ali and The Holy Prophet.”

Hisham became furious and imprisoned him. When Imam Zain-ul-Abedeen(A.S.) came to know, he send some money to Farazdaq who said that he composed that poetry for the sake of Allah and Hereafter and did not want any worldly compensation.

It is said that after Karbala, the Imam wept and cried for a long time and when someone asked as to how long he was going to cry because martyrdom was the grace and inheritance of Ahlul Bayt. The Imam replied that humiliation was not the inheritance of Ahlul Bayt.

The Imam through his quiet teachings by supplications has left many pupils. Abu Hamza al Thamali was one of them. The Imam had taught him a supplication known as “Duae Abu Hamza Thamali”. Abu Makhnuf was another companion who was told by Imam Mohammad Baqir (A.S.) to write the story of Karbala in narrative form which became a part of the majlis all over the world.

Walid ibne Abdul Malik, the monarch at Damascus realized that Imam’s teaching was spreading all over Arabia, hence he poisoned the Imam and he was martyred on 25^th of Muharrum 95 A.H.

Once a person asked Imam Zain-ul-Abedeen (A.S.), “What is the criterion for the acceptance of the prayers? The Imam replied, “Acknowledging our Wilayah and dissociating from our enemies.”

The reason why the Imam was given the title of “Zain-ul-Abedeen” was that one night the Imam was praying and Shaitaan manifested himself as a huge serpent and tried to distract him. When the Imam did not take notice of him, he bite the big toe causing pain to run through him, but despite this act of his, the Imam continued to remain oblivious of him, and carried on with his prayers. When, after completing his prayers, the Imam realized that it was Shaitaan, he cursed him saying, “O’ Accursed! Go away” and once again engaged himself in worship. It was at this moment that he heard an angel call three times: “You are the embellishment of the worshippers.”

Imam Zain-ul-Abedeen (A.S.) said, “The attributes of a believer are: piety in private, donating charity at the time of need, patience when misfortune comes, tolerance at the time of anger, and truthfulness when there is fear.”

During the days of childhood, the Imam fell sick. Imam Husayn (A.S.) inquired about his health and he asked further if he had any wish. The Imam replied, “My only wish is that may Allah count me among those who do not have any wish against His“Divine Decree and Divine Estimation” or “Qaza-o-Qadr”

The Imam used to tremble while praying and his face would turn yellow while performing ablution due to fear of Allah.

Once, Imam was praying and Imam Mohammad Baqir was a young boy. He fell in a well and his mother was upset and calling the Imam to rescue the boy. The Imam peacefully completed his prayer and after finishing it, he went near the well and put his hand in the well and pulled out Imam Baqir without wetting his clothes.

After his return from Karbala, his uncle Mohammad-e- Hanafiyya, asked the Imam to give him the sacred assets of Imamate as he was the elder in the family. The Imam advised him to accompany him to Holy Ka’aba and let the Black Stone decide about the Imamate. By the order of Allah, there was a voice from the Black Stone saying, “Imamate is the right of Zain-ul-Abedeen”

At the time of the destruction of Madina, Marwaan, who was an enemy of Ahlul Bayt, came to the Imam for shelter of his family. The Imam gladly provided the requested shelter.

Similarly, Haseen Ibne Numair, one of the murderers in Karbala, requested to buy food grains from the Imam. The Imam said that he did not want to sell it but can give him free.

One of his Shias from Balakh used to come for Hajj and visit the Imam. Once his wife told him, “You always take gifts for your Imam but has your Imam ever given you anything?” Next year when he visited the Imam the Imam asked him to join him for food. After finishing the food, the Imam wanted to pour water on his hands to wash. When the pot was full with dirty water, the Imam asked him, “What is it?” He said water. The Imam said, “Look carefully” When he looked carefully he saw red gems instead of water. The Imam told him to give it to his wife.

Umer Ibne Abdul Aziz was the only exception in the corrupt Umayyad Dynasty. When he was the Governor of Hejaz, one of the walls of Prophet’s mausoleum fell down. After repair, he invited Imam Zain-ul-Abedeen (A.S.) to perform the opening ceremony of the mosque . He was the one who returned the Garden of Fidak to Bani Hashim and also stopped the derogatory remarks upon the Commander of the Faithful.