IMAM ALI IBN AL-HUSSAYN (A.S.)

The King of Prostrators, Pride of worshipers, Imam Ali Ibn al-Hussayn (a.s) was the Fourth Divinely Appointed Imam. It is not possible to narrate all his merits in a small article like this. Hence his life history will be spread over many papers.

Miracles of Imam Zain-ul-Abidin (a.s.): The famous saint Ibrahim Adham described that once he was travelling along with a caravan, and was separated to attend to some work. He saw that a young boy was travelling all alone in the desert without any fear whatsoever. He went near the boy and said salaam to which he replied. The further conversation is reproduced below:

Ibrahim: “Young man where are you going?

Young man: “I am going to my Lord’s House.”

Ibrahim: “You are still young and nothing is obligatory on young people.”

Young man: “O’ Shaikh! Have you not seen any young people dying?

Ibrahim: “Yes, I have seen. By the way where is your provision for travelling and where is your carrier?”

Young man: “My provision is piety and my feet are my carrier and I intend to see my Master.”

Ibrahim: “I do not see any food or drink in your possession.”

Young man: “It does not look nice that someone has invited you and became a host and you carry food with you!”

Ibrahim: “Yes, it will not look nice.”

Young man: “Whoever has invited me will provide me with food.”

Ibrahim: “Alright, please make haste so as to be on time for the performance of Hajj.”

Young man: “To make an effort is my obligation. Transporting me to the destination is the responsibility of the Host and the owner of the House. Moreover, did not you listen the saying of the Creator; Surah al-Ankaboot, Ayah 69 “We shall certainly guide, those who strive for our cause (with patience), to Our path (keep them on it well protected). Allah is certainly with the righteous ones.

While they were still talking, there appeared a handsome man dressed in white attire, saluted the “Young Man” and embraced him. Ibrahim approached the man and requested him for God’s sake to disclose the identity of the “Young Man”. He said; “Don’t you know, he is Ali ibn-al-Hussayn ibne Ali ibne AbuTalib (a.s.)” Then, Ibrahim went to the Imam Ali ibn-al-Hussayn (a.s.) and requested to disclose the identity of the man in the white dress. The Imam (a.s.) said: “He is my brother Khizr (a.s.)” Ibrahim requested the Imam (a.s.) to tell him about the “Provisions” he had. The Imam (a.s.) said: “I treat the whole world to be Allah’s Kingdom; all the creatures to be His slaves and family; all sustenance and causes of sustenance in the Divine control; know that His Order is enforced in the world.”

              (Manaqib Shehre Ashob)

It is reported that an imminent Shi’a from Balkh, an ancient city in the Central Asia, used to visit the Imam every year when he would perform Hajj and bring some gifts from his native city. Once, his wife said that he carries gifts for the Imam every year but his Imam did not grant any gift to him. The man silenced her saying that he was from Ahlul Bayt and that they were the owners of everything and even whatever they had belonged to them.

Next year when he visited the Imam (a.s.), he was having food hence he invited his Shi’a to join him in the meals. After the meals, the Shi’a insisted to wash Imam (a.s.)’s hands. While he was pouring water on the Imam (a.s.)’s hand, when the pot was filled with one-third used water, the Imam (a.s.) asked what was in the pot. The man replied that it was water, the Imam (a.s.) said: “see carefully, it is Ruddy (Red Yaqoot)!” The man continued pouring water, when it was half filled, the Imam again asked him look in the used water and said: “see carefully, it is Emerald” The man continued pouring water on the Imam(a.s.)’s hand and the Imam (a.s.) asked third time what did he see to which he replied that it was water. The Imam (a.s.) said: “see carefully, it is white Pearl!” The man was surprised by the miracle. The Imam (a.s.) told him to give the three types of gems to his wife as a gift. The man knew that the Imam (a.s.), by virtue of his God-gifted knowledge heard about his wife’s comments. His wife felt ashamed that Imam (a.s.) came to know her comments and thanked Allah for the gifts of gem and pearls. Next year, when the man went for Hajj, she accompanied him but died near Madinah. The man informed the Imam (a.s.) about his wife’s death. The Imam (a.s.) recited 2 rakat prayers and recited certain Dua’as and informed the man that the Almighty Allah had revived his wife. When the man went back to his wife, he inquired what happened after her death. She said that after death when the Angel of Death was about to leave when she saw a man whose face was illuminating with bright light came. The Angel of Death was blessing the Imam. The Imam said: “O’ Angel of Death! I have requested Allah for the life of this woman and extension of 30 years, as she was coming to see us.”              (Bihar ul Anwar)

Imam Zain-ul-Abidin (a.s.) and the Shias:

Once, a group of people came to Imam Zain-al-Abidin (a.s.) saying that they were his Shi'as.

The Imam (a.s.) asked them: “What do you do when you get something?”

They said: “We say AlHamdu Lillah”

The Imam said: “What do you do when something is taken away from you?”

They said: “We lament a little then come to terms with it.”

The Imam said: “What you do when you do not receive any thing?”

They replied: “Nothing”

The Imam said: “Even the dogs of Madinah do that; when they are given something (food), they wag their tails in thankfulness. When something is taken away from them, they bark a little then walk away. When they do not get  anything, they roam around the street.”

“Our Shias are those who say; “AlHamdu Lillah (Praise be to Allah) when they receive something, when something is taken away, and when they receive nothing.”        (Ahsan ul Qasa)

Sayings of Sayyid-us-Sajideen, Imam Zain-ul-Abedin (a.s.):

The company of righteous invites you to goodness.

Beware of the company with the sinful and helping the unjust.

Do not make anyone your enemy even though you consider him as harmless and do not turn down a person’s friendship even if you think that he will not benefit you.

Abstain from telling lies both small and big and in all conditions joking or serious.

One who honors himself, dishonors the worldly things.

Sins that terminates the blessings are: oppression against people, abandoning piety, not commanding good deeds, ingratitude for blessings and favors and not offering thanks.

A Mujahid who is martyred for Allah’s cause does not deserve as much reward as a person who chooses not to commit a sin despite having the power to do so. Such a person may even become a chaste angel!

There are no drops which are dearer to Allah than two kinds of drops; Drops of blood shed in Allah’s cause (Jihad) and the tears drop in the darkness of night for which a servant does not want anything except the Pleasure of Allah.

The right of a child is that you know that he has come from you to this world, and his right and wrong are attributed to you. You are responsible for teaching and training him, guiding him to his Lord, Almighty and Glorious, and assisting him to obey Him. Therefore, be sure that if you do you favor your child, you will obtain it and if you are viciously against him, it will come back to you.

The right of your mother is that you know she carried you in her womb in a manner that nobody has carried the other. And fed you from the fruit of her heart in a way that nobody has fed the other. She protected with her ears, eyes, hands, feet, hair, skin, and all of her body parts while bearing pains, agonies, discomforts and burden till the time Allah’s hand detached you from her to the earth. Then she was contended that she remained hungry and fed you and dressed you up while remaining nude herself, and quenched your thirst while she was thirsty, she put you in the shade while she herself remained under the sun, and brought you up with extreme comforts while she herself remained in hardship. She makes you enjoy the sweet sleep while she is awake. Her womb was a soothing and comforting place for you. Her breasts were a means of quenching your thirst. And her existence was shield for protecting you. She endured the hot and cold of the world for your sake. Therefore, you must thank her in the same manner and you do not have the capability and power of doing it but with assistance of Allah and His Grace.

SERMON OF THE COMMANDER HAZRAT ABBAS IBN ALI (A.S.)

The Victor of the Khyber, the Commander of the Faithful, the Gateway of Knowledge, Imam Ali (a.s.) wanted to marry in a tribe famous for its bravery. He spoke to his brother Hazrat Aqeel and accordingly he married Hazrat Ummul Baneen (s.a.) and Hazrat Abbas was born. She raised Hazrat Abbas (a.s.)  in such a way that he always treated Imam Hussayn (a.s.) as his master.

Hazrat Abbas (a.s.) was the Commander of Imam Hussayn (a.s.)’s army in Karbala. He was the son of the bravest being; Imam Ali (a.s.). This small band of the most pious Muslims reached Makkah enroute to Karbala. As Yazid (l.a.)’s spies had arrived in Makkah in disguise as Hajjis, Imam Hussayn (a.s.) decided to convert Hajj into Umrah and was preparing to leave Makkah, when Hazrat Abbas (a.s.) delivered a sermon from the top of Khana-e-Ka’aba, he said:

“All praise is for Allah Who honored Baitullah (House of Allah) with the arrival of the Father (Imam Ali) of My Master Imam Hussayn (a.s.). This house was nothing more than a house of stone before the appearance of Ameer-ul-Momineen. After Ameer-ul-Momineen appeared in the Ka’aba, it then became the Qibla!

O’ wretched oppressors! You are not allowing the Imam (a.s.) of the pious to visit the Ka’aba.  The one who has more right to do so. If it was not for the Command of Allah and not for the Unseen mysteries of Allah and if Allah had not willed that His creation would be tested, then this Ka’aba would have uprooted itself and flown to My Master, but My Moula (a.s.) came here himself and honored the Ka’aba.

Verily, people kiss the Hajre Aswad (the Black Stone) and Hajre Aswad kisses the hands of My Moula (a.s.). The Will of Allah is the will of My Moula (a.s.). The will of My Moula is the Will of Allah. I swear by Allah, if it were not for this, then I would have attacked you the way eagle attacks the sparrows. I would have cut you into pieces. Are you trying to compete with those who played with death during their childhood? Imagine! How brave must they be to do such a thing in their youth? May Allah sacrifice me upon My Moula (a.s.) who is the Master of the entire universe?

O’ People! What has happened to your intellect? Do you not recognize what is the difference between the Family of the Prophet (s.a.w.s.) and the family of Yazid (l.a.)? On one side is the family of Yazid (l.a.) who drinks alcohol and on the other side is the Master and the Owner of the Pool of Kauthar. On one side are the people whose house is the incarnation of evil and impurity and on the other side are the people who are the incarnation of Purity and they are the owners of Revelation and Noble Qur’an.

You are repeating the same mistakes that the Quraish committed. They planned to kill RasoolAllah and you are planning to kill the Son of Rasool Allah. The Quraish were not successful in their evil schemes because they could not overcome Ameer-ul-Momineen. Now how can it be possible for you to kill Abu Abdullah al-Hussayn (a.s.) when the Son of that Ali (a.s.) is the protector of the Son of Rasool Allah (s.a.w.s.)?

If you have the courage then come and try to kill me. Then you will be able to fulfill your evil desires. I swear by Allah as long as I am alive you will never be successful. May Allah send His Wrath upon you, your forefathers, and your offspring! May Allah curse you, your forefathers, and your offspring!”

Reference:

Manaqib Sada alKaram                                                                  Syed Ainularafeen Hindi

HOLY PROPHET (S.A.W.S.) AND THE LADY OF PARADISE BIBI FATIMA ZAHRA (S.A.)

The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.)’s love for his daughter could be measured by considering many factors e.g. whenever Bibi Fatima (s.a.) comes to his presence, the Leader of the Prophets of Allah used to stand up; whenever he used to go out of Madinah, he would visit Bibi at the end of seeing off others and on his return would visit Bibi as the first person in the city. The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) called her “Umme Abiha” meaning Mother of her Father! The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) took her at the renowned “Event of Mubahela” when the priests from Najran argued with him about unity of Allah and at last Allah revealed the Ayah of Mubahela and she represented “The Women”. This Qur’anic Ayah testified the “Truthfulness of Panjetan”

Some of the sayings of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) about the Lady of Paradise are stated below:

1.    Fatima is part of me, so whoever makes her angry makes me angry
2.    Fatima is the leader of the women of Paradise.
3.    The verse of Purification was revealed for five people; myself, Ali, Hassan, Hussayn, and Fatima.
4.    The first people to enter the Paradise will be Ali and Fatima.
5.    The most beloved of my family to me is Fatima.
6.    I am not pleased unless Fatima is pleased.
7.    When I long for the fragrance of Paradise, I smell Fatima.
8.    O’ Ali, Jibra’eel has informed me that Allah has married you to Fatima.
9.    All the children of a mother are attributed to their fatherly relation, except the sons of Fatima.
10.  The Mehdi is from my family; from the sons of Fatima.
11.  Verily, Allah has kept away my daughter Fatima, and her children, and those who love them from the  Hell fire, and that is why she is named Fatima.
12.  Fatima, you will be the first among my Ahlul Bayt to follow me after my demise.
13.  Fatima is part of me, whoever upsets her upsets me, and whoever harms her harms me.
14.  Fatima is a maiden of Paradise created in human form. She does not suffer menses like other women.
15.  Fatima is part of me and she is my heart and the soul which is between my two sides.
16.  Fatima is the leader of the women of the universe.
17.  Fatima is a branch of me, what pleases her pleases me, and what saddens her saddens me.
18.  Fatima is a part of me, whoever causes her pain causes me the pain, and whoever makes her happy makes me happy.
19.  Fatima is part of me, whoever harms her has harmed me.
20.  Fatima is joy of my heart, and her sons are the fruits of my soul.
21.  Fatima is not like the women of the children of Adam.


Reference:Kenz Al-Omal, Al-Sahihain, Al-Sawaiq Al-Muhariqa, Al-Mawaddah, Sahih Al-Bukhari, Nur Al-Absar, Sahih Muslim, Mustadrak Al-Hakim, Sunan Al-Tirmizi, Manaqib Al-Quawarizimi

PRINCESS OF KARBALA - SAYYIDAH SAKINA BINTE HUSSAYN (A.S.)

Sayyidah Sakina was born on 20 Rajab 56 A.H. in Madinah. She was the most beloved daughter of The King of Martyrs Imam Hussayn (a.s.) and she in turn loved her father and would sleep on his chest. Imam Hussayn (a.s.) used to say: “A house without Sayyidah Sakina would not be worth living in!” She loved all her brothers and sisters specially her younger brother Ali al-Asghar who was about six months old in Karbala. Moreover, she had a special relationship with her uncle, al-Abbas ibn Ali (a.s.) and he also loved her niece more than his own children.

She was very religious, enjoyed reading the Noble Qur’an, would pray salaat (namaaz) regularly and was always dressed-up in Islamic attire including head-cover.

In Karbala, after 7 Muharram, Yazid (l.a.)’s army did not allow water into Imam Hussayn (a.s.)’s camp. Sayyidah Sakina would share whatever water was left with other children. As the days passed, the desert heat made the children unbearable without water. On the Day of Ashura, when all the companions and the family members of Hashmi youths had attained martyrdom, Hazrat al-Abbas ibn Ali (a.s.) sought permission for Jihad. Imam Hussayn (a.s.) refused to grant permission saying that he was the Commander of Imam (a.s.)’s army to which Hazrat al-Abbas replied that there was no army left at that time. In the meantime Sayyidah Sakina, along with some 42 children, brought a dry mashk or water-bag and Imam Hussayn (a.s.) permitted Hazrat al-Abbas to fetch some water. Hazrat al-Abbas courageously fought his way and landed his horse in the River Euphrates. Neither he nor his faithful horse drank a drop of water. He filled the water-bag with water and was galloping towards the camp when the treacherous enemy cut-off both of his hands but still he held tight the water-bag in his teeth but the arrows of the enemy pierced the water-bag and the water flowed away. After that time, she never asked for water anymore!

After the martyrdom of Imam Hussayn (a.s.), the cursed Shimr slapped Sayyidah Sakina, forcibly snatched her ear-rings tearing her ear lobes. The barbaric enemy looted the sacred household of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.), and set the camps on fire. The sacred ladies were deprived of their head covers, the children ran out of the burning camps. Sayyidah Sakina’s clothes also caught fire, and when one of the reporters tried to extinguish flames, she warned the man not to touch her as she was the member of the sacred Ahlul Bayt (a.s.). She was running in the battlefield crying: “Father! O Father, where are you?” As the butchers of Karbala, had already severed the pious heads of the martyrs, the bodies in battle field were unrecognizable.

As night fell, the “Sham-e-Ghareeban” became sorrowful and painful. The Sani-e-Zahra, Bibi Zaynab (s.a.) took the charge of the caravan and along with her sister, Umme Kulsoom (s.a.), they started counting the children and could not find Sayyidah Sakina. They went in the battle-field and searched her and at last found her sleeping on the chest of Imam Hussayn (a.s.). She woke her up and enquired as to how she recognized her father? Sayyidah Sakina replied: “I was running around in the battle-field and calling my father, when a voice came from this trampled body calling me towards him” During the “Sham-e-Ghareeban”, the widow of Yazid (l.a.)’s deflected commander, Hazrat Hurr, brought some water and food into Ahlul Bayt’s camp, Bibi Zaynab (s.a.) gave some water to Sayyidah Sakina. She took the water towards the battle field for her martyred baby brother, Hazrat Ali al-Asghar, being the youngest in the family!

The children at Karbala were in no way connected to the “allegiance” to Yazid (l.a.).

 In any human society, the survivors are pacified and offered kind words of consolations. In the tragedy of Karbala, the so called humans did not stay at the level of humanity what to call of Muslims! It was the height of barbarism and butchery un-parallel in human history.

On the 11 Muharram, the daughters of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) were made captive and made to sit on the camels without seats and routed through the battlefield, where the bodies of the martyrs were scattered all over the place. Imagine the sorrow and grief of the women who saw their loved-ones un-buried (against the dictates of Islamic customs). The caravan proceeded towards Kufa. In Kufa, the markets were decorated in celebration of the massacre at Karbala and the procession of Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s)’s captive family! Bibi Zaynab (s.a.) was going through the bazars without head-cover while her mother, Lady of Paradise, Bibi Fatimah Zahra (s.a.)’s funeral was not witnessed by any one! On way from Kufa to Damascus, Sayyidah Sakina fell from the camel. Imam Hussayn (a.s.) head will not move forward, on enquiry it was found that Sayyidah Sakina had fallen from camel and the family walked back to see that she was sitting in the lap of a sacred lady in black attire concealing her identity. When Bibi Zaynab (s.a.) tried to thank her, she disclosed her identity; she was the Lady of Paradise, Bibi Fatima Zahra (s.a.) who was all along with the Holy Caravan from Madinah.

The oppressive armed men, in order to cause pain and misery, hurriedly completed the journey in sixteen days, which normally takes thirty two days! The sacred members of Ahlul Bayt (a.s.) were imprisoned in a prison without roof when the scorching sun light fell on them while they were exposed to the chill at night!

While in the court of Yazid (l.a.), he was desecrating Imam Hussayn (a.s.)’s head by hitting his lips and teeth with a cane. At one time, he wanted to test Sayyidah Sakina’s love for her father. He (l.a.) challenged Sayyidah Sakina to call her father’s head to come to her lap. She responded and raised her little hands and called her father to come to her. Imam Hussayn (a.s.)’s head rose from the big plate and flew in to the waiting arms of Sayyidah Sakina.

Sayyidah Sakina used to sit at the gate of the prison and witness that birds were returning to their nests in the afternoon. She would ask her aunt Bibi Zaynab (s.a.) where those birds were going, she would reply that they were going to their homes. Sayyidah Sakina would ask her aunt as to when they were going back to Madinah? Unfortunately, it was not destined that she will ever return to Madinah!

One night, she wake up from her sleep and cried continuously. The Holy Ladies tried their best to pacify and console her. She said: “O dear my aunt, where is my father? A few minutes ago I was with my father and he kissed me and said that “my dear Sakina you will soon be with me” But where is my father now?” When Sakina told her dream, all the sacred ladies started to cry and when this noise reached Yazid (l.a.)’s quarters, he sent the severed head of Imam Hussayn (a.s.) to the prison. As soon as she received her father’s head, she held it tight to herself and cried even more and said to her father: “Who cutoff my father’s head? Who martyred my father? Why we are kept as captives?” With these words of sorrow, she suddenly became quiet. Everyone thought that she might have slept again, but alas! Sayyidah Sakina had gone into eternal sleep. Imam Sajjad (a.s.) dug a grave in the prison and buried her little sister in her torn clothes which were intermingled with her flesh after the burning of the camps on Ashura!

ALLAH (S.W.T.)'S JUSTICE

In Shi’ah Islam, Justice is the second ingredient of “Roots of Islam”. Any thing can be fully comprehended by its opposite. Hence, Opposite of Justice is “Zulm” or oppression.

Shi’ahs believe that Allah does nothing which is rationally wrong or evil.

Any one who commits wrong or injustice because of the following reasons:

1. He does not know that it is wrong.
2. He needs something which can not be obtained without wrongdoing.
3. He has been compelled by someone else to commit that wrong.

But Allah is Omniscient and All-Knowing; He is free from want and is not in need of anything; and He is Omnipotent and no body can compel Him to do anything. So, logically it is impossible for Allah to do any injustice or wrong.

His actions are based on wisdom and intelligent purposes, though we may not know it.

The other Muslims believe that “actions of Allah are not caused by any purpose….if He wants to put all creatures in Hell; He is the ruler and authority….”

We do not always know the reasons for Allah’s actions. In Surah al-Kahf (Cave), Ayahs 66 to 82, in which Allah describes how Prophet Musa accompanied Hazrat Khizr on the condition that he (Musa) will be patient. But after third interruption, Prophet Khizr explained the reasons for his actions; that the boat he damaged was because the king was acquiring all working boats and in that case the boat was owned by poor fishermen, and the boy he killed because his parents were pious persons and he may bring rebellious and disbelief to them and lastly he repaired the wall as the father of two boys had buried a treasure below it, hence he wanted to preserve it till they become adults and retrieve the treasure.

All laws of Jurisprudence (Shari’ah) are based on wisdom. Fear and desires are natural instincts and should be utilized for human upliftment. A Muslim is taught not to fear any body or anything except Allah and not to desire any thing in this world but to be anxious to receive the Grace of Allah.

Allah’s Promise and Threat: Allah has promised many rewards for good deeds and threatened to punish for evil actions on the Day of Judgment. There is difference of opinion among Muslims. Majority believe that “Allah is obliged to fulfill neither His promises nor His threats; that He may put pious believers (even the prophets) in Hell and put the Shaytan in Paradise!” It is based on their belief that nothing is good or evil by itself. The Shi’ahs believe that it is necessary for Allah to fulfill His promises of reward because not fulfilling a promise is against virtue and rationally evil; but it is not necessary for Him to fulfill His threats of punishments because forgiving the sinners has virtue in itself. So, if He punishes it will be His Justice; and if He forgives, it will be His Grace and Mercy.

Compulsion and Freedom: There is vital difference in Muslims about the compulsion and freedom of man in his actions.

1. The Mutazilahs say that man is completely free in his actions.
2. The Jabriyyahs say that man has no control over his actions. He is tool in Allah’s hands like a pen in our hand.
3. The Asha’irahs say that man has no power or will of his own actions; but he still “earns” or “acquires” the action. What they actually mean is a riddle.
4. The Shi’ahs say that man is neither completely independent of Allah nor compelled by Allah, but the actual position is between these two extremes.

Representing the Asha’irahs, Imam Ghazali explains; “No act of any individual is independent of the will of Allah for its existence; and there does not occur either in physical or extra-terrestrial world the wink of an eye, the hind of a thought, or the most sudden glance, except by the decree of Allah, of His power, desire or will. This includes evil and good, benefit or harm, success or failure, sin and righteousness, obedience and disobedience, polytheism or true belief.”

This belief was invented by Bani Umaiyyads to provide a respectable mask to their debauchery and tyranny as Allama Shibli Nu’mani has admitted in his book “Ilmulkalam”; “The rein of Bani Umayyads was full of cruelty and bloodshed….but the well wishers of the government silenced the people saying what ever happens, good or bad, takes place according to the will of Almighty…”

The Shi’ah’s belief: The Shi’ahs believe they know the difference between falling down from a roof top and coming down by ladders. The second act is done by our power, will and intention; while the falling down is not so. Therefore, what we do is our own actions and should not be attributed solely to Allah. Similarly, we may be advised to treat an ailment in a particular way, but we cannot be advised to recover from the illness. It means that getting the treatment is in our power, but getting well is not within our sphere of activities. Shaykh Saduk (r.a.) says: “Allah possesses fore-knowledge of human actions, but does not compel them to act in a particular manner.

The following example clearly portrays this “middle position”:

Suppose a man’s hand is totally paralyzed and he cannot move even a finger. A doctor has fitted an electrical devise on his hand which, on being switched on, enables the man to use his hand freely in a normal way. The device is activated by a remote control which the doctor keeps in his custody. When the doctor switches the device on, the man uses his hand in any way he intends, but when the device is off, he cannot do any thing. Now if the device is on and the patient does any work, can that work be attributed independently to him? No, because the power comes from that device which is fully controlled by the doctor.

Then can it be attributed to the doctor? No, because the man had done it by his own free will and choice.

This is exactly the position of our activities. We are not under compulsion because the will and choice is ours; nor are we completely independent, because the power to do whatever we intend to do comes from Allah.

And at what point does our ability to do things start? Imam Musa al-Kazim (a.s.) says: “A man acquires that ability when four conditions are fulfilled:

1. when there is nothing to hinder his plans;
2. his health and
3. the faculties (needed to do that work) are up to the required standard; and
4. Allah provides him the occasion of that work. When all these conditions are fulfilled, a man becomes capable of acting according to his own free will.

When asked for an example, the Imam said, Let us suppose that there is a man, without any hindrance, of good health and proper strength; yet he cannot commit adultery unless he finds a woman. When he gets a woman (and the fourth condition is fulfilled), then it is up to him to choose one of the two alternatives: either he controls his evil emotions and saves himself (as Prophet Yusuf) did, or he commits adultery. If he protects himself from the sin, it will not be by compulsion of Allah (as some people think). And if he commits the sin, it does not mean that he was above the power of Allah (as others think).     

Reference:

Justice of God                                                  Sayyid Saeed Akhtar Rizvi

ALLAMA IQBAL AND THE KING OF MARTYRS IMAM HUSSAYN (A.S.) - 1

Allama Iqbal (r.a.) had a special love for the Family of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.). He had paid rich tributes to the Commander of the Faithful Imam Ali (a.s.), Lady of the Paradise Bibi Fatima Zahra (s.a.) and the King of the Martyrs Imam Hussayn (a.s.). He had expressed his profound love, respect and admiration in almost all of his books in Urdu and Persian. As a reminder, he was not a Shi’a Muslim. Some of his couplets are reproduced below:

            Allah Allah Ba’e Bismillah Pidar            Ma’nea Zibhe Azeem Amad Pisar

Allama Iqbal is interpreting the Ayah of the Noble Qur’an and the Tradition of the Commander of the Faithful. There is a famous and widely quoted Tradition of Imam Ali (a.s.) which says: “What ever is in the Noble Qur’an is in Surah al-Hamd; what ever is in this Surah is in “Bismillah Hir Rahman Nir Raheem”; whatever is in Bismillah is in the first letter “Ba”; whatever is in “Ba” is in the “Dot” below it and verily I am that “Dot”.

Allah says in the Noble Qur’an, Suarh as-Saffaat, Ayahs 105-107: “We called to him, Ibrahim; you have fulfilled what you were commanded to do in your dream. Thus do We reward the righteous. It was certainly an open trial. We ransomed his son with a great sacrifice.” Allama Iqbal says that Prophet Ismail was saved by Allah by replacing him with a goat but the sacrifice was completed by Imam Hussayn (a.s.), son of Imam Ali (a.s.)   (Asrar-e-Khudi)

      Zindagi haq az Quwwat-e-Shabbiri ast       Batil akhir daagh-e-hasrat miri ast

Allama Iqbal says that Truth continues to live on by virtue of the strength imparted to it by the King of Martyrs-Imam Hussayn (a.s.) making it immortal. His sacrifice to proclaim “Right” in face of “Wrong” remains unparallel in the annals of human history. While the “wrong” apparently triumphs for a short while, but Imam Hussayn (a.s.) has shown by his matchless sacrifice that such triumph is transitory and short-lived and invariably ends in annihilation.   (Asrar-e-Khudi)

     Surq roo ishq-e-ghayoor az khoon e oo      Surkhiye i’n misra az mazmoon e oo

Allama Iqbal says that it was because of Imam Hussayn (a.s.)’s sacrifice that the love with highest sense of dignity has been lifted to the zenith of honor. It owes its color and glow to Imam Hussayn (a.s.)’s blood.   (Asrar-e-Khudi)

  Bahre Haq dar Khak-o-Khoon Ghaltida ast          Pas Bina’e La Ilah gardida ast

Imam Hussayn (a.s.) suffered enormous tribulations and his blood was spilled on the scorching sands of Karbala for the sake of Truth. Hence Imam Hussayn (a.s.) laid the foundation of Islam that there is no god but Allah. As the Islamic laws were being distorted Imam Hussayn (a.s.) came forward and his blood gave Islam (Truth) a new life.

Additionally, Khwaja Moin-ud-Din Chishti (r.a.) had rendered two historical couplets;

  Shah ast Hussayn Badshah ast Hussayn Din ast Husasayn Din Panah ast Hussayn

    Sar dad na dad dast dar daste Yazid (l.a)  Haqqa ke Binae La Illahast HussayIt means: “Hussayn is the king, Hussayn is the king of kings, Hussayn is Islam, Hussayn is the Protector of Islam. Hussayn gave his head but did not give his hand (in allegiance) in Yazid (l.a.)’s hand. The truth is Hussayn is the foundation of “La Ilaha Illallah”

     Wan digar mawla-e-Abrar-e-Jahan     Quwwat-e-Bazoo-e-Ahrar-e-jahan

Allama Iqbal says that Imam Hussayn (a.s.) is the Leader of the Pious of the world and a source of strength for the freedom fighters and seekers of justice seeking deliverance from tyranny in the world. Imam Hussayn (a.s.) is a symbol and icon to inspire and unite all noble people in their pursuit of truth and justice. Following Imam Hussayn (a.s.)’ supreme sacrifice, the path to differentiate between Right from Wrong, clearly lies before all of us.

      (Ramuz-e-Bekhudi) 

     Dar nawa-e-zindagi soz ast Hussayn      Ahle Haq hurriyat amoz az Hussayn

Allama Iqbal says that Imam Hussayn (a.s.) becomes passion to the tone of life by inspiring courage in our hearts to make Truth the core of our personalities in all circumstances. The Imam empowers the truthful people in their quest to achieve and sustain true freedom and liberty. By laying down his life and not conceding his principles in the face of the hypocrite tyrant’s demands has set a torch of light of unparallel significance and influence.

            (Ramuz-e-Bekhudi)

     Musa o firoun o Shabbir o Yazid (l.a.)     Ein du Quwwat az hayat amad padeed

The evil and virtue and truth and deceit came in to life with the advent of time. These opposing forces have ever since been in conflict with each other. This eternal tussle and conflict was set by the conflict between Musa and Pharaoh and the clash between Imam Hussayn (a.s.) and Yazid (l.a.) are forever personified by the struggle between those who subscribe to the principles and values of Prophet Musa and Imam Hussayn (a.s.) and those who follow the path of Pharaoh and Yazid (l.a.)

            (Ramuz-e-Bekhudi)

  Bahre a’n Shahzada-e- Khairul Milal      Dosh-e-Khatmul Mursaleen ne’mul Jamal

Allama Iqbal refers here to an event reported in numerous Traditions that once on an Eid Day, the young Imam Hasan and Imam Hussayn complained to their grandfather, the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) that the children of Madinah were going to the mosque on camels, but they did not have any camel. The Prophet of Allah presented himself as a camel and asked them to ride on his shoulders. They climbed on his shoulders. Then they complained that other children were holding reins of the camel. The Prophet of Allah asked them to catch his sacred hair in place of reins. On the way, one of the Companions said: “What a good carriage it is!” The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) said: “What good riders they are!”

           (Ramuz-e-Bekhudi)

    Darmiyan-e-Ummat a’n kewan Janab   Hamchu Harf-e-Qul Howallah dar Kitab

Allama Iqbal compares the status of Imam Hussayn (a.s.) with other followers of Islam. Imam Hussayn (a.s.) enjoys the same status as the Surah Tauheed enjoys in the Noble Qur’an. Just as “Qul ho wallaho Ahad” meaning “Say Allah is One” is definite, absolute and unambiguous commandment in the Noble Qur’an, Imam Hussayn (a.s.) had distinguished and became conspicuous among the followers of Islam by his rock-like conviction.