SHIKWA OF ALLAMA IQBAL (R.A.) TO ALLAH (S.W.T.)

Allama Iqbal (r.a.) was the poet philosopher and called the “Thinker of Pakistan”. He was Doctor (Ph.D.) from Germany and a Barrister from England. Being a poet, he was deeply concerned about the pathetic condition of the Muslims of British India. With a view to awaken the Muslim Ummah, he compiled a poem of 61 stanza having 6 verses each. He counted the chivalrous deeds of Muslims reminding them of their past glory when they were the leaders and teachers of mankind. They implemented the rule of Allah on earth and brought revolutionary reforms in the areas under their tutelage and ensured that justice prevailed.  It was a sort of complain to Allah (s.w.t.). Although, no translation of any literary master piece can convey completely the essence of the original work, but a selected stanza of his original work in Urdu is translated in English as under:  

                                                            We erased falsehood from the surface of the earth

                                                   We freed humanity from the bonds of slavery

                                                            We prostrated the Holy Ka’ba with our foreheads

                                                            We put Your Qur’an into our hearts

                                                            Still You complain that we are lacking loyalty

                                                            If we are lacking loyalty, You are also not generous

                                                            You tell us who extricated the Gate of Khyber?

                                                            Who captured the city of Kaiser?

                                                            Who broke the idols of kings?

                                                            Who destroyed the armies of infidels?

                                                            Who closed the fireplace of Iran?

                                                            Who revived the worship of Divinity?

                                                            If the time of prayer comes during the battle

                                                            The Muslims prostrated towards Ka’ba

                                                            Master and slave stood shoulder to shoulder

                                                            There was no distinction between rich and poor

                                                            There was no discrimination between haves and have nots

                                                            Muslim brother hood was seen when they were in Your Court

                                                            If we leave You as if we leave the Noble Messenger

                                                            As if we became idol trader leaving the profession of idol                                                                  breaker

                                                            As if we have left the love of Allah

                                                            Leave the ways of Salman Mohammedi and Uwais-e-Qarani

                                                            We still have the fire of Takbir in our hearts

                                                            And love the life style of Bilal of Habash

                                                            We do not complain that their (non-Muslims) treasures are full

                                                            Who do not possess even basic social norms

                                                            Are outrageous that infidels are rewarded with Houries and                                                                    palaces

                                                            And the poor Muslims are only pacified with the promises of                                                                  Houries

                                                            We have been deprived of the past graces

                                                            What is the matter, we do not have the former favors?

Allama Doctor Muhammad Iqbal had authored five books in Urdu viz. Urdu Poetry, Payam-e-Mashriq,

Zabur-e-Ajam, Bal-e-Jibril, Zarb-e-Kalimand five books in Persian viz. Asrar-e-Khudi, Ramuz-e-Bekhudi, Armaghan-e-Hijaz Javid Nama, and Pas Chi Bayad Kard Ay Aqwam-e-Sharq. He also wrote two books in English viz. The Development of Metaphysics in Persia and The Reconstruction of Religious Thoughts in Islam

Source: Bang-e-Dara (Call of the Marching Band)

PROPHET ISA (A.S.) IN THE GLORIOUS QUR'AN

Jesus Christ has been referred in the Glorious Qur’an as Prophet Isa (a.s.)

When Prophet Isa (a.s.) was born without a father, Hazrat Maryam (s.a.) pointed towards the new born, then he (a.s.) said, “I am the servant of Allah. He has given me the Book and has appointed me a Prophet. He has blessed me no matter where I dwell, commanded me to worship Him and pay the religious tax (Zakat) for as long as I live. He has commanded me to be good to my mother and did not make me an arrogant, rebellious person. I was born with peace and I shall die and be brought to life with peace. Worship Allah who is my Lord as well as yours.” (Maryam: 30-36)

“We gave the Book to Moses (Musa) and made the Messengers follow in his path. To Jesus (Isa), the son of Mary (Maryam), We gave the miracles and supported him by the Holy Spirit.” (Baqarah :87)

“The unbelievers plotted, and Allah planned, but Allah is much better planner; He told Jesus (Isa), “I will save you from your enemies, raise you to Myself, keep you clean from the association with the unbelievers, and give superiority to your followers over the unbelievers until the Day of Judgment. To Allah the case of Jesus (Isa) is as that of Adam whom He created from the earth and then said, “Exist” and Adam came into existence.” (Imran :55,59)   

“….and their statement that they murdered Jesus (Isa), son of Mary, the Messenger of Allah, when, in fact, they could not have murdered him or crucified him. They, in fact, murdered someone else by mistake. Even those who disputed did not have a shred of evidence. All that they knew about it was mere conjecture. They certainly could not have murdered Jesus (Isa). Allah raised him up to Himself. Allah is Majestic and All-Wise.” (Nisa: 157)

“People of the Book, do not exceed the limits of devotion in your religion or say anything about Allah which is not the Truth. Jesus (Isa), son of Mary, is only a Messenger of Allah, His Word, and a spirit from Him whom He conveyed to Mary. So, have faith in Allah and His Messengers. Do not say that there are three (gods). It is better for you to stop believing in the Trinity. Allah is only One Lord. He is free of all defects; how can He have a son? To Allah belongs all that is in the heavens and the earth. Allah alone is a sufficient guardian for all. “(Nisa :171)

“Jesus (Isa), the son of Mary, was no more than a Messenger before whom there lived many other Messengers. His mother was a truthful woman, and both ate earthly food.” (Ma’idah: 75)

“We gave some of Our Messengers preference over others. To some of them Allah spoke, and He raised the rank of some others. We gave authoritative proofs of Jesus (Isa), son of Mary, and supported him by the Holy Spirit. (Baqarah: 253)

“When Allah asked Jesus, son of Mary, “Did you tell men to consider you and your mother as their gods beside Allah? He replied, Glory be to You! How could I say what I have no right to say? Had I ever said it, You would have certainly known about it. You know what is in my soul, but I do not know what is in Yours. It is You who has absolute knowledge of the unknown.” (Ma’idah: 116)

“We made Jesus, son of Mary, follow in the foot-steps (of the earlier Prophets) and confirm what existed in the Torah (Taurayt) in his time. We gave him the Gospel (Injeel) containing guidance and light, as a confirmation of the Torah and instruction and advice for the pious ones.” (Ma’idah:46)

“Some of the Jews have said that Ezra is the son of Allah and Christians have said the same of Jesus. This is only what they say, and it is like what the unbelievers who lived before them had said.” (Taubah:30)

“When Jesus came with clear proof (in support of his truthfulness), he said, “I have come to you with wisdom to clarify for you some of the matters in which you dispute. Have fear of Allah and obey me. Allah is your Lord and my Lord, so worship Him. This is the right path.” (Zukhruf: 63)

ISLAM STANDS FOR PEACE

The meaning of the word “Islam” is submission to God. The name Islam and the Arabic word for peace, salaam, both come from the same root word ‘salima’ which indicates peace. It may be said that Islam and peace are twins. The Muslims greet each other by saying Salamun Alaikum-peace be on you. Out of Ninety-Nine Names of Allah is ‘Salam’. Many Muslims end their prayers by addressing Him as, “Allahumma Anta Salam Wa Minka Salam Wa Ilayka Ya’udu salam (O Allah! You are peace; from You originates peace and to You it returns)

That is the reason the final abode Allah provided for believers, and to which He invites them, is called “Darus salam” (the

abode of peace). The Glorious Qur’an says:

“They shall have their abode of peace with their Lord” (6:127)

“Allah invites everyone to the House of Peace and guides whomever He wants to the right path.” (10:25)

“And when they shall reach that destination, they shall be greeted by the angels in these words: Peace be on you, because you were patient; how excellent is then the issue of the abode.” (13:24)

The Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) is the manifestation God’s Mercy for humans on the planet earth.  The Glorious Qur’an brought the Divine Guidance for humanity not restricted to Muslims. In the Glorious Qur’an, at 18 places Allah addresses the man kind as “Ya Auyyuhannas” i.e. “O Mankind” (Baqarah Ayahs 21,168 Nisa Ayahs170, 174 A’raf Ayah158 Yunus Ayahs 104,108,157 Hajj Ayahs 5,49,73 Luq’man Ayah 33 Fa’tir Ayahs 3,5,15 Hujura’at Ayah 13, Infitar Ayah 6 Inshiqaq Ayah 6). Every Surah of the Glorious Qur’an (except Surah Taubah) starts with “Bismillah Rahman Rahim” It may be translated in English as, “In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful”. Allah is Merciful to His entire creations in the universe and He called His Messenger as “Mercy for the Universe as stated in Surah al-Anbiya Ayah 107, “(Muhammad), We have sent you for no other reason but to be a mercy for mankind.”

Law giver and law abider are two different institutions. Every country formulates laws for the benefit of its people. If the citizens of a country do not follow the laws, can we blame the law giver? The logical answer is no.

During his entire life, the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) never initiated any war; it was always in self-defense. Even in those defensive battles, he instructed Muslims not to hurt, old, women and children who cannot defend themselves. Never burn the ready harvest of the enemy nor their trees or livestock. Similarly, his (s.a.w.a.s.) true vizier or wasi; the Commander of the Faithful Imam Ali (a.s.) always tried his best to avoid bloodshed e.g. In the Battle of the Trench     when their famous hero Amr ibn Abduwudd came to fight with him, Imam Ali (a.s.) offered him 3 conditions viz accept Islam, go back (save your life), and come down from the horse. The Imam (a.s.) always directed his army men “do not start the war”, let the enemy begin the warfare.

Before announcing his Prophet hood, the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) was unanimously acclaimed as “Trustworthy” and “Truthful”. Such a personality can never approve of violence against humanity.

When the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) migrated from Makkah to Madinah, he delivered a short sermon on the eve of entering Madinah. He said, “Spread Peace, share meals with others, maintain good relations with your relatives, and pray for a part of the night.”

Sources used: The Glorious Qur’an, islam.ru/en/content/story/feed-greet-pray-prophetic- peace formula (Sahih Bukhari), Four California Lectures by Allama Sayyid Saeed Akhter Rizvi

               

THE ACCURSED UBAID ALLAH BIN ZIYAD L.A.)

Ubaid Allah and his father Ziyad both were illegitimate by birth having been born out of sin. Muawiya accepted Ziyad as his brother. Ubaid Allah’s mother was Marjana hence he was called “Ibne Marjana”. Both Ubaid Allah and Ziyad were brutal and merciless murderers. Hence Muawiya and Yazid utilized their brutal skills to consolidate their rule.

Ubaid Allah was the governor of Basra and later given the charge of Kufa as well. The Kufans had already paid allegiance to Imam Husayn (a.s.) at the Hazrat Muslim bin Aqil’s hands. The crafty Ubaid Allah entered Kufa in disguise and the Kufans were deceived but as soon as he reached the Governor House, he showed his true colors of brutality and bribe. He threatened the Kufans with dire consequences if they did not pay allegiance to Yazid. He started search for Hazrat Muslim bin Aqil and sent a spy as a Shia to deliver money to him. Although Hazrat Muslim bin Aqil fought bravely with hundreds of troops but attained martyrdom. He showed the brutality and asked the troops to throw his body from the top of a building.

He promised the governorship of Rye to Umar ibn Sa’ad but later conditioned it to first fighting with Imam Huasyn (a.s.). Later, he sent Shimr ZilJaushan (l.a.) as a stand by, if Umar ibn Sa’ad refuses to fight then Shimr was to be given the charge of the army. On Ubaid Allah’s orders, the camps were removed from near the river and the supply of water was stopped from Muharram 7. Ibne Marjana is completely responsible for the massacre of the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.)’s family at Karbala and ordered to imprison the sacred family and sent to Kufa on camels without seats.

When the daughters of the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) were brought to Ubaid Allah, he said, “Allah be praised for He disgraced and executed your family and displayed that what you said was nothing but a lie.”

Sayyida Zaynab (s.a.) said, “Allah be praised for He blessed our family with His Prophet, who was of our family and Purified us. No one would be disgraced but those who are transgressors and would not lie but a wicked person, which is others rather than us. Ubaid Allah said, “Did you see how Allah dealt with your family?”Sayyidah Zaynab (s.a.) replied, “I saw nothing but beauty! Allah ordained them to be killed and they obeyed and hurried after their tombs, and soon Allah will gather you and them (on the Day of Judgment), and they will complain of you to Allah. Now look forward to seeing who wins the claim. May your mother mourn your death, O son of Marjana.”

After the death of Yazid, Ubaid Allah fled to Syria. Amir Mukhtar Saqafi rose against the Umayyads and their faithful Ubaid Allah was sent to fight Amir Mukhtar’s heroic bands who wanted to avenge Imam Husayn (a.s.) brutal massacre. Amir Mukhtar sent a strong contingent of 12,000 soldiers to Mosul under the command of Ibrahim bin Malik Ashtar. He saw some of the assassins of Imam Husayn (a.s.) like; Shees bin Rabiee, Shimr Ziljaushan, Umar ibn Sa’ad. He allowed them to go to Kufa and once in a house, they were planning to attack Amir Mukhtar’s forces, they along with others were arrested and killed and some of them were made captive. Again, Ibrahim bin Malik Ashtar went in search of accursed Ubaid Allah. Both the armies faced each other but soon Umayyads made a bid to escape. But Ibrahim encouraged his soldiers saying, “O partisans of truth and helpers of religion, kill these children of Shaitan.” Then attacking accursed Ubaid Allah, he said, “He is the same who restricted water to Imam Husayn and misbehaved with family of prophet hood and Imamate, made them captive and dragged in the streets of Kufa and Syria.” His words had the desired effect and his forces devastated the Umayyads. Ibrahim killed Ubaid Allah himself and sent his head to Amir Mukhtar.

It is also reported that a drop of blood from the sacred severed head of Imam Husayn (a.s.) was fallen on the accursed Ubaid Allah’s thigh and penetrated through his body. The wound was never healed and continued to smell very bad and to cover-up for the unpleasant smell of the wound, he always wore musk. This was worldly curse for him!

               Sources used: WIKIPEDIA, The Fate of the Killers of Imam Hussain -Ahle Sunnat (ahle-                                           jannat.WordPress) 

                                       Al-Murtaza.com, Revolvy.com, WikiShia.net