Sunday, February 5, 2017

THE BOUNTIES OF ALLAH (S.W.T.)

Allah (s.w.t.) directs His creatures in Surah al-Imran Ayah 31, “(Muhammad), tell them, “If you love Allah, follow me. Allah will love you and forgive your sins. Allah is All-Forgiving and All-Merciful” Consequently, man is saved from the trappings of Shaytan influence and “Nafse Ammara” - evil desires.
Allah (s.w.t.) addressed to His Prophet Musa (a.s.), “That man is a liar who professes to be Allah's friend but when night arrives, he sleeps whereas every one who claim to love someone, would like to talk to his beloved. O Musa! When night comes, our friends speak to us as if they are near us and looking at us. This status is achieved when our believers remembers our countless bounties and realizes our Greatness.”

The Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) asked his companions as to which is their first bounty of Allah?
The companions named different things like delicious foods, costly dresses, children and beautiful women.
The Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) looked toward the Commander of Faithful, Imam Ali (a.s.) and said, “O Ali! You tell me that out of the countless bounties from Allah (s.w.t.), which is the first bounty?”
The Commander of Faithful, Imam Ali (a.s.) replied, “O Prophet of Allah (s.w.t.)! You know better than me, and whatever I know is also taught by you, but to comply with your order I submit that:
Out of the countless bounties of Allah (s.w.t.), the first bounty is the creation of mankind from nothing.
The Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) said, “O Ali! You have said the truth, what is the other bounty?”
The Commander of Faithful Imam Ali (a.s.) replied, “The second bounty is that He did not make us like plants and stones, but awarded us with soul and spirit.”
The Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) replied, “O Ali! You have told the truth, what is the third bounty?”The Commander of Faithful, Imam Ali (a.s.) replied, “Allah (s.w.t.) has created us on the best body form”
The Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) said, “That is true, describe the fourth bounty.”
The Commander of Faithful, Imam Ali (a.s.) replied, “He (s.w.t.) exalted us by giving the patent and latent senses.”
The Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) said, “That is true, what is the fifth bounty?”
The Commander of Faithful Imam Ali (a.s.) said, “Allah (s.w.t.) graced us by awarding intellect.”
The Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) said, “That is true, what is the sixth bounty of Allah?”
The Commander of Faithful Imam Ali (a.s.) said, “He (s.w.t.) gave us the wealth of Islam and did not create us misguided and oblivious.”
The Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) said, “That is true, now describe the seventh bounty?”
The Commander of Faithful Imam Ali (a.s.) replied, “He (s.w.t.) promised an everlasting life of Hereafter.”
The Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) said, “That is true, what is the eighth bounty?”
The Commander of Faithful Imam Ali (a.s.) replied, “He (s.w.t.) created us free and not a slave.”
The Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) said, “ That is true, what is the ninth bounty?”
The Commander of Faithful Imam Ali (a.s.) replied, “He (s.w.t.) created the earth and skies for our benefit.”
The Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) said, “That is true, what is the tenth bounty?”
The Commander of Faithful Imam Ali (a.s.) said, “He (s.w.t.) made us men and gave an edge over women.”
The Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) said, “ O Ali! Count more bounties of Allah (s.w.t.).”
The Commander of Faithful Imam Ali (a.s.) replied, “O exalted first creation of Allah (s.w.t.), Allah's bounties are countless and my age is insufficient to count them.”
The Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) said, “O Ali! Greetings and congratulations. You are the “Heir of my Knowledge”, whoever follow you shall be rightly guided and whoever befriends with you shall attain salvation. Whoever opposes you cultivates enmity toward you, shall be deprived of the Mercy of Allah (s.w.t.) on the Day of Resurrection.” He (s.a.w.a.s.) further said, “ the best way to achieve nearness and love for the Creator is to remember Him as much as possible.”

Source: Extracted from “Ayn-ul-Hayat” by Mullah Muhammad Baqir Majlisi (r.a.)


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