A PRESTIGIOUS MAN IN THE EYES OF THE COMMANDER OF THE FAITHFUL IMAM ALI (A.S.)

The Gateway of Knowledge, the “Nafse Rasool”, the Most Truthful and Pure, the Infallible Commander of the Faithful, Imam Ali (a.s.) had said in Nahjul Balagha, a book which is below the Divine Glorious Qur’an and above every book in the Universe. Imam Ali (a.s.), being the “Qur’an-e-Natiq” or “Speaking Qur’an”, his Golden Words are invaluable and its follower will achieve salvation in the Hereafter.

The Commander of the Faithful Imam Ali (a.s.) has referred to one of his companions, who possessed the following qualities, hence prestigious in the Imam (a.s.)’s eyes:

“The world was humble in his eyes.

The needs of the stomach did not sway over him.

He did not long for what he did not get.

If he got a thing, he would not ask for more.

Most of his time he was silent.

If he spoke he silenced other speakers.

He quenched the thirst of questioners.

He was weak and feeble.

But at the time of fighting (for truth), he was like the lion of forest or the serpent of the valley.

He would not put forth an argument unless it was decisive.

He would not reproach anyone in an excusable matter unless he had heard the excuse.

He would not speak of any ailment except after its disappearance.

He would say what he would do, and would not say what he would not do.

Even if he could be exceeded in speaking, he could not be excelled in silence.

He was more eager to listen than to speak.

If two things confronted him, he would see which was more akin to the longing of the heart and he would oppose it. “

The Commander of the Faithful (a.s.) advised his followers saying, “These qualities are incumbent upon you. So, you should acquire them and excel each other in them. Even if you cannot acquire them (completely), you should know that acquiring a part is better than giving up the whole."

               Source: Nahjul Balagha

INSPIRATIONS FROM SURAH AL-QALAM OF THE GLORIOUS QUR'AN

Surah al-Qalam is the 68^th Surah revealed in Makkah containing 52 Ayahs. The Glorious Qur’an is the last Message of Allah (s.w.t.) for the humanity at large.

About the benefits of reciting this Surah, the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) said, “Whoever recites this Surah will get the thawab of those who have moral nobility.”

Similarly, the Infallible Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (a’s.) said, “Whoever recites this Surah in obligatory or supererogatory prayers, shall be saved from poverty and shall be secured from the pressures of the grave.”

It may be mentioned here that to attain maximum benefits of recitation of this Surah, its contents are practiced in our daily life.

Qalam or pen is the basic equipment for acquiring knowledge. Moreover, the Qalam or pen was also mentioned in Surah al-Alaq, Ayah 2 to 4, “He created man from a clot of blood. Recite! Your Lord is the most Honorable One, who, by the pen, taught the human being.”

The salient features of this Surah are as follows:

It emphasizes the excellence and nobility of the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.).

It narrates the vices of the foes of the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.)

It describes the People of Paradise to warn the evil polytheists.

It describes some of the events of the Day of Judgment and the torments of the disbelievers.

The Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) is advised to exercise patience against the enemy.

Warnings against the polytheists.

It glorifies the Glorious Qur’an and warns about the conspiracies of the enemies of His Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.).

In Ayah 17 through Ayah 33, the story of the sons of a pious man is narrated relating to the harvesting of their garden. The garden was located near Sana’, the modern Yemen. The garden belonged to an old believing man, who made use of its revenues to meet his needs and gave away the rest in charity. After the demise of their father, the sons decided to deprive the needy and keep everything for themselves and their children.

When they went to sleep that night, they were afflicted by a Divine torment, such that a deadly lightening and a burning fire consumed the orchard. Next morning the sons, imagining that the fruits of their orchard were ripe and to be picked up. They whispered to each other lest the needy may hear them and ask them for some amount of fruits to quench their hunger. The needy seemingly expected some fruits every year owing to the charity of their father.

When they reached the orchard and saw the destruction, they thought they had lost their way and entered a wrong orchard. They realized that now they were the needy. Their attempt to deprive the needy led to their own deprivation from the material gains and the spiritual blessings that could have accrued from spending in the path of Allah (s.w.t.).

A general conclusion may be drawn from this story that there is an intimate relationship between committing sins and being deprived of the Divine Sustenance. The Infallible Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (a.s.) said, “Sometimes, when a man commits a sin, his sustenance is curtailed.” In the Ayah 34 and 35, the Glorious Qur’an compares the virtuous and disbelievers and reminds that they are not equal in rewards. This is an impressive way of education.

Similarly, in Ayah 44 and 45, the Omnipotent Allah (s.w.t.) is warning the disbelievers, saying, “Leave those who reject the Qur’an to Me and I shall lead them step by step to destruction, without their being aware of it. I shall give them respite; however, My plan is so strong that they will never be able to escape from it.” The Infallible Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (a.s.) said, “Sometimes when rebellious people commits sins, Allah increases their gifts and they forget their sins and also forget the repentance.” Ayah 51 refers to evil eyes, “When the unbelievers listen to you reciting the Qur’an they almost try to destroy you with their piercing eyes.” It has been witnessed by many that some people have a magnetic influence in their eyes and utilize it to enforce hypnotic sleep in some patients. The Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) had recited this du’a for Imam Hasan and Imam Husayn, when they were young, “I give you in the protection of the Beautiful Names of Allah safety from death, harmful animals, evil eyes, jealousy.” The Commander of the Faithful Imam Ali (a.s.) said, “Evil eye is truth and protection with supplication is also truth.”

               Source: The Glorious Qur’an (Urdu translation) by Ayatollah Nasir Makrem Shirazi (Tafsir-e-Namoona)

THE INFALLIBLE IMAM JA'FAR AS-SADIQ (A.S.) AND SCIENCE

The Infallible Successors and Progeny of the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.), who were the Imams of the Muslims, were given knowledge by Allah (s.w.t.). They were born with knowledge, they did not go to any school or had any teacher. The divine knowledge which was given to the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) was transferred by him to the Gateway of Knowledge, the Infallible Imam Ali (a.s.), who in turn transferred it to his elder son, the Infallible Imam Hasan (a.s.). Imam Hasan (a.s.) transferred it to his brother, the Infallible Imam Husayn (a.s.). From thenceforth, the knowledge continued to move from father to son till the last twelfth Imam Mahdi (a.s.) who is in occultation and will reappear when Allah (s.w.t.) wishes.

According to the time, environment and need, one of the Imams displayed the divine knowledge to the world. Imam Sadiq (a.s.) had the opportunity to disclose the knowledge to the world. An enemy of the Imam, Abu Shakir challenged the Imam about the existence of God. The Imam replied to him, “You do not believe in anything which cannot be perceived by five senses. Can you see the tiny living beings Allah has created in your body? They are like sand in the desert. You cannot see them with your eyes but you cannot live without them. Do see the air on which the life of plants, animals and human beings depend? Without which they will die. All scientists and scholars believe in a Creator, they may call Him by different names. When a wise man thinks about himself, he finds that his own body needs a controller so that all its organs and systems may function properly. He then realizes that this vast universe needs a controller so that it may run smoothly.    

Everything in the universe is in motion. Nothing is destroyed. Everything is subject to change. Mountains were in a liquid form and gradually it cooled down and Allah solidified it. Air is a creation of Allah, you cannot see it. He is everywhere you cannot see Him. The plants, animals and birds follow the laws made by the Creator that means they worship Him. The light which comes from the sun also worship Allah by obeying His laws. It comes into being by the combination of two opposite forces. If there was no Allah there would have been no universe.

At the age 11, the Imam refuted the theory that the sun, moon and the planets rotated around the earth. The earth, moon and the planets rotate around the sun. He also announced that earth rotated around its axis. When the astronauts landed on the surface of the moon, and directed their telescope towards the earth, they observed that it was rotating slowly on its axis.

At the age 12, he rejected the theory of four elements by Aristotle and proved that it was wrong. He said that earth is not element. It contains many elements. Each metal which is in the earth is an element. Also, there are many elements in the air which are essential for breathing.

About the origin of universe, the Imam said, “The universe was born out of a tiny particle, which had two opposite poles. In this way matter came into being.” About the human body, he said, “Whatever is in the earth is in the human body. It has four elements in large quantity and eight elements in small quantity and eight elements in minute quantity.” The Imam also discovered the oxygen in the air and his father Imam Muhammad Baqir (a.s.) also discovered hydrogen in water. The Imam’s great contribution to the theory of light was that he said, “Light reflected by different objects comes to us, but only a part of the rays enters our eyes. That is the reason why we do not see distant objects clearly.” About the transfer of disease by rays, the Imam said, “Patients suffering from certain diseases emits special types of rays. If these fall upon healthy person, they are apt to make him sick.” The Imam said about a unique theory of “Anti-Matter”, “Everything, except Allah, has its opposites.” In the Anti-Matter, the electrons are positively charged and protons are negatively charged. Scientists have now concluded that if one kilo gram of matter collides with one kilo gram of anti-matter, so much energy will be released that the entire world would be destroyed. About pollution of environment, the Imam said, “We should not pollute our environment otherwise it would become impossible to live on earth.”

Lastly, the Imam advised mothers that they should put their new born babies to sleep on their left side.” Doctors at the Research Institute of Cornell University observed that the babies who are put to sleep on the left side of their mother’s sleep more soundly and peacefully but those who are put on the right side, wake up every now and then and cry.

               Source: The Superman in Islam – A thesis published by the Research Committee of Strasbourg, France

SURAH AL-HUJURAAT OF THE GLORIOUS QUR'AN

In Arabic, Hujra means chamber and its plural is hujuraat which is used in the Ayah four of this Surah, hence the name of the Surah is given “Hujuraat”. This is a Madani Surah having 18 Ayahs. This is a very important Surah covering social aspects of humanity.

The Surah covers the following aspects of the Muslim society:

How to behave in the presence of the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.).

Great rewards for the Muslims who were well-behaved in his (s.a.w.a.s.)’s presence.

Foolishness of some of people who would shout from outside his (s.a.w.a.s.)’s house.

Not to address him (s.a.w.a.s.) like ordinary people would talk to each other, but be respectful.

Adverse consequences would follow if he (s.a.w.a.s.) had followed the wishes of the people.

If any evil-doer brings a news, verify before taking any action lest you may harm a people in ignorance and regret

later.

Strengthen the ties of unity by making peace between Muslim brothers. If need be, support the oppressed group. While reconciling between conflicting Muslims, one should be just and equitable.

Muslims are brothers of each other, wherever they may be.

Avoid deriding other Muslims, men or women, do not insult a Muslim nor give them bad nick names.

Do not be suspicious of other Muslims as some of the suspicions are sins.

Avoid back-biting, which is like eating the flesh of your dead brother.

People were divided into nations and tribes just for identification only but the most honorable are the pious ones.

There are stages of faith; first stage is the submission to Allah (Islam) by word of mouth, the next stage is the

Acceptance of faith from heart (Ie’man).

Sources used:     Moral values of Qur’an, A Commentary of Surah al-Hujurat by Ayatollah                                              Dasteghaib Shirazi

                           The Islamic Moral System: Commentary of Surah al-Hujurat by Ayatollah Jafar                                    Subhani

                              An Enlightening Commentary into the Light of the Holy Qur’an

THE IMPORTANCE AND USES OF TONGUE

Tongue is the most important part of human being. It may be used in a constructive way or destructive way. It needs to be controlled so that it may not attack someone. The tongue is used in a constructive way; it is used to recite Kalema of Shahadah, recite the Glorious Qur’an, praise Allah (s.w.t.), contact with others to inquire their welfare, recite prayers, say Amr-e-bil Maruf (ask people to do good deeds) and Nahi anil Munkar(stop people not to do bad deeds) etc. Its destructive uses may include talking kufr, hurt others in a wrong way, back-biting, utter obscene language etc.

The Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) said: Blessed is the man who speaks good and is triumphant; or keeps silent in the face of evil. Affliction caused by the tongue is worse than (that caused by) the strike of the blade of the sword. The destruction of man lies in three (things): his stomach, his lusts, and his tongue. Everything that a person says is against him, except for three types of speech: the remembrance of Allah; Amr bil Maruf and Nahi anil Munkar; and making amends between two believers. An active tongue of a person will lead him in the Hell Fire. Whoever seeks safety (from the fire), then let him protect that which comes out from his tongue. May Allah’s mercy be upon that servant whom people can benefit from his speech and who observes silence to stay safe and protected.

The Commander of the Faithful, Imam Ali (a.s.) said: Do contemplate before speaking so that you may guard yourself from (committing) errors. The tongue of a wise man lies behind his heart. The tongues pierce deeper than the spear. A man is hiding under his tongue. The best speech is one that is short and reasonable. The right of freedom of speech consists in speaking the truth. As a man’s wisdom increases, so his desire to speech decreases. That knowledge is superficial which is merely on the tongue; that knowledge is real which demonstrates itself in your practice. Do not speak in a state of ignorance. Refrain from unnecessary talks.

The Infallible Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (a.s.) said: Behave to be as ornaments for us and not to be against us as shame. Tell people of goodness, and protect your tongues and hold it from excessive talks and offensive speech.

Back-biting: The foremost great sin for which the Glorious Qur’an and the Traditions have promised chastisement is back-biting. Surah al-Nur Ayah 19 says, “Surely (as for) those who love that scandal should circulate respecting those who believe, they will have a grievous chastisement in this world and in hereafter.” Similarly, Sarah al-Hujurat Ayah 12 says, “…nor let some of you back-bite others. Does one of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? But you abhor it….” A tradition of the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) say, “On the night of Mira’j (Ascension), I saw some people in Hell who were eating dead meat. I asked Jibril (a.s.) who those people were. He replied, “They used to eat human flesh in their worldly life (that is, they used to back-bite about other people).”

The Infallible Imam Musa ibn Ja’far (a.s.) said, “If one speaks of a person in his absence about something which is present in a person but people are unaware of it, it would be “Ghiba”. Moreover, if what he says is not present in the person, it is allegation (Buh’tan)”

It is said that on the Day of Judgment, the other parts of body will curse the tongue that because of its utterances, the other parts of the body will suffer chastisement.

Sources used: The Glorious Qur’an, The characteristics of a Muslim, Tabrasi, Mashkat al-Anwar page 175, Ethical Discourses by Ayatollah Nasir Makarem Shirazi, A Battle of Flowers by Sayyid Faqih Imani, Bihar ul Anwar v. 71 page 277, 286. V. 78 page 178, Ghurar -ul-Hikam, Waqaayi-ul-Ayyam page 297