CAPABILITY OF THE ONE WHO BROUGHT QUEEN SHEBA'S THRONE IN A TWINKLE OF EYE

Prophet Sulayman (Solomon) was given abnormal empire by Almighty Allah (s.w.t.) which included the kingdom of animals and birds apart from human beings and the Jinn. Once a bird Hoopoe (Hudhud) brought the news that while flying, it witnessed a group of people ruled by a woman; Queen Sheba (Bilquees) and that they worshipped the sun instead of the Almighty Allah (s.w.t.). Prophet Sulayman wrote a letter saying, “It is from Solomon, and verily it is: ‘In the name of Allah. The Beneficent, the Merciful.”  “Exalt not yourself against me and come to me in submission.” The Queen Sheba sent some valuable gifts to Prophet Sulayman, but he said that what Allah had given him was better than those gifts and warned her of an imminent attack. The Prophet Sulayman inquired of his courtiers as to who could bring the throne of the Queen Sheba before she arrives in submission. One of the audacious Jinn promised to bring it before he rose up from his place. However, one who had a part of the knowledge of the Book promised to bring it before his eyes twinkled. And he did bring it as stated in Ayah 40 of Surah al-Namal, “One with whom was some knowledge (of a part) of the (Divine) Book said, “I will bring it to you before your eye twinkles.” Then when he saw it settled before him, he said: ‘This is of the Grace of my Lord that He may try me whether I am grateful, or I am ungrateful; and whoever is grateful, verily, he is grateful for his own soul, and whoever is ungrateful, then my Lord is self-sufficient, Bounteous.”

According to the exegesis of the Glorious Qur’an and the Traditions of the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.), He was the vice-gerent and nephew (sister’s son) of Prophet Sulayman; Hazrat Asif bin Barkhia who had only the complete knowledge and command of only one Exalted Name of Allah (s.w.t.) “Ism-e-Azam” while the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) and his Progeny (a.s.) were granted 72 “Ism-e-Azam” by Allah (s.w.t.). The knowledge of an “Ism-e-Azam” means to own and acquire the characteristics of that name “Ism”; the same Great Name before which everything becomes humble and gives man extraordinary power and practice it from his heart and soul and attain the highest status of knowledge, excellent manners, belief and piety. When the word Progeny is used it initially refers to the Commander of the Faithful, Imam Ali (a.s.). About Imam Ali (a.s.) the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) had said, “I am the City of Knowledge and Ali is the Gateway.” According to “Usul al-Kafi and Tafsir Nurussaqalayn, Abu Sa’eed Khudri inquired from the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) as to who was the person who had the knowledge of the Book, he (s.a.w.a.s.) replied, “That is my brother Ali ibn Abi Talib (a.s.)”

Even the pace of development of science has been astronomical but still human beings have a long way to go to understand and believe as to how Asif bin Barqia converted the throne of Queen Sheba into the light rays, brought it to the Prophet Sulayman and reconverted it into material throne! People would not believe it if few hundred years ago we would tell anyone that a person in the Far East could speak and see the photo of another person in the West, none would have believed it.

Surah ar-Ra’d Ayah 43 which says, “And those who disbelieve say: ‘You are not a Messenger’. Say: Allah is sufficient as a witness between me and you and he with whom is the knowledge of the Book.” At numerous occasions Imam Ali (a.s.) had given open-ended invitations to people to ask anything. No one had ever invited people to ask anything!

Surah ali-Imran Ayah 7, “He it is Who sent down to you the Book, in it are the decisive verses, which are the basis of the Book, while others are the allegorical. But for those in whose hearts there is perversity, they follow the part of which is allegorical seeking (to cause) dissension by seeking it (their own) interpretation, while none knows it’s (hidden) interpretation except Allah and those firmly rooted in knowledge. They say: ’We believe in it, the whole (of it) is from our Lord;’ and none mind saves the possessors of intellect.”

Sources: The Glorious Qur’an (Urdu translation) of Tafsir-e-Namuna by Ayatollah Nasir Makarem                     Shirazi

               An Enlightening Commentary into the Light of Holy Qur’an

               Tafsir al-Mizan compiled by Ayatollah Sayyid Muhammad Husayn Tabatabai (r.a.)

THE ANGELS IN ISLAM

Belief in angels is as important as belief in Allah, His Prophets, divine scripts and the Day of Resurrection. Surah al-Baqarah Ayah 177, “Righteousness is not determined by facing East or West during prayer. Righteousness  consists of the belief in Allah, the Day of Judgment, the angels, the Books of Allah, His Prophets; to give money for the love of Allah to relatives, orphans, the destitute, those who are on a journey and in urgent need of money, and beggars; to set free slaves and to be steadfast in prayer, to pay the religious tax (zakat), to fulfill one’s promises, and to exercise patience in poverty, in distress, and in times of war. Such people who do these are truly righteous and pious.” 

Allah has assigned various duties to the innumerable angels created by Him:

Carriers of the Throne, Angels in the skies, Spiritual angels who descend on the earth on the Grand Night (Shab-e-Qadr), messenger angels, angels assigned on the elements-air, water, clouds, plants and animals, protecting angels for men, writers of deeds on men, angels of death, angels circumambulating the Throne, angels escorting men to the plane of Hasher, angels escorting pious to the Paradise and the sinners to the Hell. Angel’s worship to Allah is an intrinsic part of their existence. Their subservience to Allah stems from their perception of His greatness.  

Some of the names mentioned in the Glorious Qur’an and the Traditions are; Jib’raeel, Mi’kaeel, Is’rafeel, Iz’raeel, Ruhul Quds, Rizwan, Munkir Na’keer and Ma’lik

Allah sent the angels to His Prophets in the form of a perfect human being like Prophet Ibrahim, Prophet Yusuf, Prophet Lute. Similarly, He sent an angel to Hazrat Mariyam to give her the good news about the birth of Prophet Isa.

Hazrat Jib’raeel was the messenger of the revelation (Wahey) to the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) bringing the Glorious Qur’an in Makkah and Madinah and at various places where needed.

Allah created the animals who are led by their instincts deprived by intellect and created the angels who are free from disobedience and sins. Allah created the human beings and provided both the instincts and the intellect. He also provided men with Guidance by sending 124,000 Messengers and given the conscience who warns every man each time he intends to disobey Allah. He also sent divine Scriptures; Torah, Injeel and the Glorious Qur’an. This is the test for a man whether he follows the Guidance and achieves piety or listens to Shaytan and his instincts and commits sins and proceeds to the Hell Fire.

If a man follows his intellect and recognizes Allah’s Guidance and suppresses his wrongful desires, he may excel the angels and Allah praises such fortunate human being like the Commander of the Faithful, Imam Ali (a.s.) when he slept on the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.)’s bed on the Night of Migration from Makkah to Madinah, when the certain death was eminent. Allah revealed an Ayah 207 Surah al-Baqarah, “Wa Minana’se Mainyeshri Nafsahubtegha Marza’tilla Wallahu Raufun Bil’Ibaad.” “There are those among people who give their lives to seek Allah’s pleasure. Allah is affectionate to His servants.” According to Thalabi, Ahmad ibn Hambal, Ghazali and others, Allah revealed to Jib’raeel and Mi’kaeel that He has made them brothers of each other and their ages have been increased, which one of them will dedicate his life for the other, none of them agreed. Allah revealed to them, “Why can’t you be like Ali ibn Abi Talib who is sleeping in his brother Prophet Muhammad’s bed after dedicating his life? So, go to the earth and protect Ali from his enemies.”

               Sources: Sahifa-e-Kamilah Urdu translation by Allama Mufti Ja’far Husayn (r.a.)

                              180 questions by Ayatollah Nasir Makarem Shirazi

                              Faith and Reason by Ayatollah Mahdi Hadavi Tehrani

THE ASSASSINATION OF THE COMMANDER OF THE FAITHFUL, IMAM ALI (A.S.)

After the battle of Neh’ravan, Imam Ali (a.s.) was preparing to tackle the Syrian menace once and for all, when he was assassinated. Although Ibne Muljam (l.a.) was the apparent assassin, but the prevailing environment points in a different direction.

As the established principle says that the person who will be benefitted by the assassination, should be considered as a suspect. Muawiya ibn Abu Sufyan was the enemy of Imam Ali (a.s.). He had married Maysam, a Christian woman for political reasons and Yazid (l.a.) was born. He apparently converted to Islam on the eve of the Victory of Makkah. He was the son of Abu Sufyan, who had led many battles against Islam. His mother Hinda, had chewed the lever of Hazrat Hamza, the Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.)’s uncle in the battle of Uhad. After the assassination of the third caliph, he spear-headed the propaganda for his revenge, which was directed towards Imam Ali (a.s.) who had refused to accept the khilapha but when the streets of Madinah were inundated by the Muslims requesting him to accept the khilapha for the sake of Islam, then reluctantly he accepted it. He was responsible for the poisoning of Imam Ali (a.s.)’s governor, Malik al-Ashtar, when he was proceeding to Egypt. He was also responsible for the murders of Muhammad ibn Abi Bakr and Hujr ibn Adi, to name a few. Muawiya used every armament at his disposal including bribe, murder and deceit. His ruthlessness may be gauged by the fact that at the Battle of Siffin, his forces captured the river front and refused to allow the basic need of water to the forces of Imam Ali (a.s.) and wanted to let the enemy die of thirst. When Imam Ali (a.s.)’s forces recaptured the river, Imam Ali (a.s.)  allowed free access of water to the enemy forces; what a difference! Muawiya secretly offered the hand of his son Yazid (l.a.) and One thousand red dinar and fifty Egyptian garments to Ja’dah bint Ash’ath, wife of Imam Hasan (a.s.). She did poison the Imam which caused his martyrdom. When she asked for the reward, Muawiya said that when she was unfaithful to the grandson of Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) how she can be faithful to Yazid (l.a.) and drowned her in the river. He ordered that Imam Ali (a.s.) should be cursed from the pulpits of mosques throughout his empire.

The recorded history as planned by the Umayyad tried to accuse only Abdul Rahman bin Muljam (l.a.) for the assassination of the Commander of the Faithful, Imam Ali (a.s.) and to give it an air of authenticity, they concocted that two other Kharijites also vowed to assassinate Muawiya, but he was safe as he was wearing armor and Amar bin A’as was also a target, but he did not show up in the mosque and he was also saved. It is a drama of “coincidences” and circumstantial evidences. As Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Asghar Razwy said in “A Restatement of the History of Islam and Muslims”, “The plot to kill Ali, the skill displayed in its execution, and its success, show the touch of consummate subtlety and a high degree of professionalism which were characteristic of Muawiya alone, where as Ibn Muljam was nothing more than a bumpkin. Muawiya employed the same “skill” in removing from the scene, real or fancied threats to his own security and power, on numerous other occasions at later times, with the same results.”

According to WIKIPEDIA, al-Ashath bin Qays was the host to Ibn Muljam for a month before Imam Ali (a.s.)’s assassination (al-Yaqubi). Wilfred Madelung said that during the last days of Ali’s reign al-Ashath bin Qays had tendency towards Muawiya and received letter including offers of money from him to show reluctance about Ali’s campaign against Muawiya. Most sources narrate an ambiguous phrase from al-Ash’ath:” the dawn has risen for thee”. After assassination, Hujr bin Adi accused him of Ali’s murder.

Sources: Fourteen Masoomen by Allama Sayyid Najmul Hasan, A Restatement of Islam and Muslims by Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Asghar Razwy, WIKIPEDIA  

PARADISE IS GUARANTEED ONLY TO THE PIOUS ONES (MUTTA'QEEN)

Although, Paradise or Hell may be experienced in this temporal world or as manifestations in the purgatory or Bar’zakh, serving in both cases as reward or punishment for their deeds. Paradise or the Hell exists at present, some of whose parts were shown to the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) during his Ascension or Miraj. But the Paradise for the eternal life is guaranteed only to the Pious ones (Muttaqeen) by Allah (s.w.t.) in the hereafter.

In Islam, there are three grades of Muslims;

               Muslim

               Believer (Mu’min)

               Pious ones (Muttaqi)

When a person recites the Shahadah, he becomes a Muslim and is entitled to certain rights and privileges. At this stage, his Islam is seen by his word of mouth only. When the faith enters his heart and it is evidenced from his actions, he is considered as a Believer (Mu’min). Ayah 14 of Surah Hu’jaraat refers to it, “The Bedouin Arabs have said, “We are believers (Momin).” Tell them, “You did not believe, but you should say that you have submitted (Muslim). In fact, belief (Iman) has not yet entered your hearts.”

Allah (s.w.t.) warns the Muslims and Mu’min against certain actions thereby reminding them that they must struggle for perfection to become “Mutta’qi” or Pious and the Paradise have been guaranteed to them. No where in the Glorious Qur’an, Allah warns them but only informs them of all the bounties and gifts of Paradise as stated below:

Surah al-Imran Ayah 133, “Hasten to obtain forgiveness from your Lord and to qualify yourselves for Paradise. Paradise, vast as the heavens and the earth, is prepared for the Pious (Mutta’qeen).”

Surah al-Hijr Ayah, “The Pious (Mutta’qeen) will live in gardens with streams.”

Surah al-Nahl Ayah 31, “They will be admitted into the gardens of Eden wherein streams flow and they will have therein whatever they want. This is how Allah will reward the Pious ones (Mutta’qeen).”

Surah al-Furqan Ayah 15, “(Muhammad), ask them, “Is what you want better, or the eternal garden promised to the Pious ones (Muttaqeen) as their reward and dwelling?”

Surah al-Qasas Ayah 83, “There is the life hereafter which We have prepared for those who do not to impose their superiority over the others in the land nor commit evil (indulgence in women’s affairs) therein. The happy end certainly belongs to the Pious ones (Muttaqeen)”

Surah Saad Ayah 49, “Such is their noble story. The Pious ones (Muttaqeen) will certainly have the best place to which to return.”

Surah al-Zukhruf Ayah 35, “and ornament (of gold). All these are only the means of enjoyment in this world, but the Pious (Muttaqeen) will receive their reward from your Lord in the life hereafter.”

 Surah al-Dukhan Ayah 51, “The Pious ones (Muttaqeen) will be in a secure place.”

Surah al-Tur Ayah, “The Pious (Muttaqeen) will live in bountiful Paradise.”

Surah al-Qamar Ayah, “The Pious ones (Muttaqeen) will live in Paradise wherein streams flow.”

Surah al-Qalam Ayah 34, “The Pious ones (Muttaqeen)will receive a beautiful Paradise from their Lord.”

Surah al-Mursalat Ayah 41, “The Pious ones (Muttaqeen) will rest amid the shade, springs.”