THE DISTRESSED ONES

Supplication and prayer (Du’a) are a part of human nature. Even atheists when in distress automatically exclaim “My God”. Similarly, in every religion the followers when in distress resort to supplication in their own way. Supplication or “Dau” in Arabic has been used 222 times in the Glorious Qur’an. Surah al-Baqarah Ayah 186, in this Ayah singular pronoun “Me” has been used 7 times when Allah says, “Wa Iza Sa’laka Ibadi Anni Fainni Qareeb Ujeebu Dawatddae Iza Daane Falyestajebu Li Walyumenu Bi Lallahum Yarshadun.” Translated as, “When My servants ask you concerning Me, then (say unto them:) verily, I am near: I answer the prayer of every supplicant when he calls on Me; so (they should) listen unto My call, and believe in Me, in order that they may be led a right.”

Normally, in our religious gatherings (Majalis) the speaker asks the people to recite Ayah 62 of Surah al-Namal, “Ammayn Yujeebul Muztarrah Iza Da’ahu Wa Yakshafus Su wa Yajalukum khulafa alarz Aelahu ma’allah Qaleelan Ma Tazakkarun” which means, “Or Who answeres the distressed one when he calls on Him and removes the distress and makes you (Imam Mahdi) the successors in the earth. Is there any god with Allah? Little it is that you heed.”

The infallible Imams of Islam guided the Muslims about how to supplicate, why the supplications are not responded by the Almighty. The sixth Infallible Imam Jafar as-Sadiq (a.s.) said, “Praise Allah and with benediction (Salawat) upon the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) and his Pure Progeny. Thereafter confess your sins and then supplicate.” (Bihar ul Anwar v.93 page 312)

The Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) said, “He who wishes that his supplications be answered must surely purify his food and his earnings (to be lawful)” He (s.a.w.a.s.) further said, “You should enjoin right and forbid wrong, or Allah will set up your wicked ones as absolute masters over your good ones. Then, whatsoever the good pray it will not be answered.” (Bihar ul Anwar v.93 page 372)

Once, someone complained to the Commander of the Faithful, Imam Ali (a.s.) that supplications were not being answered by Allah, he (a.s.) said: “Your hearts (minds) have acted treacherously (so your supplications are not answered):

1.      You have known Allah, but you have not paid His rights enjoined upon you.

2.      You have believed in His Messenger but opposed his Sunnah.

3.      Surely you have recited His revealed book, but you do not act accordingly.

4.      You say you fear the Hell Fire, while you always commit your own sins.

5.      You say you are eager and interested in Heaven (the Divine reward) but your actions send you away from it.

6.      Verily, you eat the blessings of Allah but do not show gratitude about it.

7.      Certainly, Allah has ordered you to be enemy of Satan. Verbally you claim that you are his enemy, but you make friends with him.

8.      You have put the faults of other people before your eyes and your own ones at your back.”

Show real distress sincerely in supplicating by raising the hands. There are many supplications recommended by our infallible Imams e.g. Dua-e- Kumayl, Dua-e-Jaushan Kabeer, Dua-e-Mujeer, Dua-e-Arafat by Imam Husayn (a.s.), Dua-e-Tawassul, Dua-e-Mashlool

Source: The Glorious Qur’an                                                     An Enlightening Commentary into the Light of the Qur’an

WHO ARE ON THE STRAIGHT PATH?

In Arabic language, there are two words “Ila” which means towards signifying direction, and other word is “Ala” which means on. For example, if we say a man A is going towards straight path, we say “Ila Sirat al-Musaqim”. On the other hand, when A is on the straight path, we say “Ala Sirat al Mustaqim”

The Prophets were guided by Allah towards the right path. Some of the Ayahs of the Glorious Qur’an are given below:

Surah al-Nahl Ayah 120 and 121, Allah says, “Ibrahim was, certainly, an obedient person and submissive to the Will of Allah. He was not a pagan. He was thankful to Allah for His bounties. Allah chose him and guided him to the straight path.”

Surah al-An’am Ayah 86 and 87, Allah says, “We also gave guidance to Zacharias, John, Jesus and Elias, who were all pious people, and Ishmael, Elisha, Jonah and Lot whom We exalted over people. From their fathers, descendants and brothers, We chose certain people and guided them to the straight path.”

The Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) and the Commander of the Faithful (a.s.) are on the right path:

Surah al-An’am Ayah 153, Allah says, “This is My path and it is straight.

Surah al-Yaseen Ayah 1 to 4, Allah says, “(I swear by Yaseen and the Qur’an, the Book of Wisdom that you (Muhammad) are one of the apostles on the right path.” All the 123,999 messengers of Allah are guided towards right path, but the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) is on the right path!

Surah al-Nahl Ayah 76, Allah says, “And Allah sets forth a parable of two men, one of whom is dumb having authority over nothing, and he is burden upon his master, where ever he sends him, he brings no good. Is he then equal to him who enjoins justice and he (himself) is on the straight path?” According to the translation of the Glorious Qur’an by Mir Ahmed Ali, the person who enjoins justice and is on the straight path, is the Commander of the Faithful Imam Ali (a.s.)

Surah al-A’raf Ayah 16, Allah says, “Then Satan said, “Since you have let me wander off, I will certainly lay wait for (deceiving) them in Your straight straight path.”

After the “Tarke Aula” of Prophet Adam and both of them solicited repentance from Allah (s.w.t.), the Archangel Jibreel descended and advised them to use the tawassul of “Panjetan” and seek forgiveness by mentioning the names of the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.), Imam Ali (a.s.), Sayyida Fatima Zahra (s.a.), Imam Hasan (a.s.) and Imam Husayn (a.s.). Hence Allah (s.w.t.) accepted his prayer. (Allama Jalal addin Suyuti in Tafsir Durre Mansur)

THE GREAT STATURE OF THE NOBLE PROPHET (S.A.W.A.S.)

The Glorious Qur’an is one of the miracles of the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) which contain numerous Ayahs praising him. A selection of Ayahs is reproduced below with short explanation:

Surah al-Ahzab Ayah 56, Allah says, “Verily, Allah and His angels send blessings on the Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.), O you who believe! Send you also blessings on him, and you salute him with submission.” It is a unique distinction of the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) that the Creator joins the creation in praising His Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.)!

In Surah al-Nahl Ayat 89, Allah says, “On the Day when We call a witness against every nation from their own people, We will call you, (Muhammad), as a witness to them all. We have sent you the Book which clarifies all matters. It is a Guide, a mercy, and glad news to the Muslims.” On the Day of Resurrection, every nation or community shall be called by a witness as a leader which is normally a messenger. The followers of 124,000 prophets will be called by their prophets and the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) shall be called as a witness over 124,000 prophets! Naturally they include the prophets Adam, Noah, Ibrahim, Musa and Ie’sa.

Surah al-An ‘am Ayat 162, Allah says, “(Muhammad), Say, “My prayer, sacrifice, life, and death are all for Allah, the Lord of the Universe.” The Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) asserted that his belief and actions, life and death, everything for Allah. It may be inferred that his love and hatred is also for Allah; there is no personal or emotional aspect involved. Surah al-Najm Ayah 3-4, Allah says, “He does not speak out of his personal desires. It (whatever he says) is a revelation which has been revealed to him.” Consequently, the love and respect shown by the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) towards Imam Ali (a.s.), Sayyida Fatima Zahra (s.a.), Imam Hasan (a.s.) and Imam Husayn (a.s.), is also directed by Allah and not due to normal human affection.

Surah alHashr Ayat 21, Allah says, “Had We sent down this Qur’an on a mountain, you would seen it humbled and rent asunder for fear of Allah.” Even some of the mountain would break by the forceful words of Qur’an, but there are some stone-hearted men who are not moved by it.

Surah al-Fath Ayat 8, Allah says, “Indeed, We have sent you as a witness (over the deeds), a bearer of glad news, and a Warner.” The Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) by his knowledge may bring glad tidings to believers and they shall enjoy Divine Mercy and elevated status in Paradise and he may warn disbelievers and polytheists against torments in Hell because of polytheism and disbelieve.

Surah al-Kahf Ayat 110, Allah says, “(Muhammad), Say, I am only a mortal like you, but I have received revelation that there is only one Lord.” The Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) did not say, “You are like me” Human race started after the creation of first man-Hazrat Adam, but according to a tradition, the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) said, “Allah first created my light (Noor)” (Ibne Abbas in Tabari, al-Khasais al-Kubra, in “Life of Muhammad by Saeed Akhter Rizvi)

Surah al-Anbiya Ayat 107, Allah says, “(Muhammad), We have sent you for no other reason but to be mercy to the Universe" We do not know the extent of Universe but wherever Allah’s Lordship reaches, Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.)’s mercy also reaches there, as stated in  Surah al-Fatiha Ayah 1, Allah says, “All Praise belong to Allah, the Lord of the Universe”

Surah al-Isra Ayah 1, Allah says, “Glory be to Him Who took His servant by night from Masjid al-Haraam to Masjid al-Aqsa the precincts of which We have blessed that We show him (some) of our signs. Verily, He is All-Hearing and All-Seeing.” The Mai’raj is a unique distinction afforded to the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.)

HAZRAT SAKINA, THE BELOVED DAUGHTER OF THE MASTER OF MARTYRS IMAM HUSAYN (A.S.)

Sayyida Sakina was born on 20 Rajab 56 A.H. in Madinah. She was the most beloved daughter of The King of Martyrs, Imam Husayn (a.s.) and she in turn loved her father and used to sleep on his chest. Imam Husayn (a.s.) used to say: “A house without Sayyida 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, Abbas ibn Ali (a.s.) and he also loved his niece more than his own children.

She was very religious, enjoyed reading the Glorious Qur’an, would pray salat (namaaz) regularly and was always dressed-up in Islamic attire including head-cover. She was 5 years old in Karbala.

In Karbala, after 7 Muharram, Yazid (l.a.)’s army did not allow the water inside Imam Husayn (a.s.)’s camp. Sayyida Sakina shared whatever water was left with other children. As the days passed, the desert heat made the children uncomfortable without water. On the Day of Ashura, when all the companions and the family members of Hashmi youths had attained martyrdom, Hazrat Abbas ibn Ali (a.s.), the Commander of the Imam (a.s.)’s band of warriors, sought permission for Jihad. Imam Husayn (a.s.) refused to grant permission saying that he was the Commander of Imam (a.s.)’s army. In the meantime, Sayyida Sakina, along with some 42 children, brought a dry water-bag (mashk) and Imam Husayn (a.s.) reluctantly permitted Hazrat Abbas (a.s.) only to get some water. Hazrat Abbas (a.s.) 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 from behind, but he still held tight the water-bag in his teeth, but the arrows of the enemy pierced the water-bag and the water flowed away. Hazrat Abbas (a.s.) attained martyrdom. After that time, she never asked for water anymore!

The famous Marsiah writer, Mir Anees had described the last meeting between Imam Husayn (a.s.) and Sayyida Sakina. The expert Mir Anees had painted a grim picture of this painful departure in many Marsiyas. A couplet is mentioned here; “Neend Aeygi Jab Apki Bu Paungi Baba * Main Raat Ko Maqtal Mein Chali Aungi Baba.” “I can sleep only when I am near you * At night I will come to you in the battlefield.” After the martyrdom of Imam Husayn (a.s.), the accursed Shimer slapped Sayyida Sakina, forcibly snatched her ear-rings tearing her ear lobes. The barbaric Yazid (l.a.)’s army looted the sacred household of the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) and set the camps on fire. The sacred ladies were deprived of their head covers, the children ran out of the burning camps. Sayyida Sakina’s clothes also caught fire, and when one of the reporters tried to extinguish the 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 the battle field were unrecognizable.

As night fell, the “Sham-e-Ghareeban” became sorrowful and painful. The Sani-e-Zahra, Sayyida Zaynab (s.a.) took charge of the caravan and along with her sister, Umme Kulsoom (s.a.), they started counting the children and could not find Sayyida Sakina. They went in the battle-field and searched her and at last found her sleeping on the trampled chest of Imam Husayn (a.s.). She woke her up and Sayyida Zaynab (s.a.) inquired as to how she recognized her father? Sayyida 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” The widow of Hazrat Hurr, the deflected commander of Yazid (l.a.) army, brought some water and food into AhlulBayt’s burnt down camp site, Sayyida Zaynab (s.a.) gave some water to Sayyida Sakina. She inquired why water was given to her first? Sayyida Zaynab (s.a.) replied that she was the youngest. She took the water towards the battle field for her martyred six months old baby brother, Hazrat Ali al-Asghar, who was the youngest in the family!

The children at Karbala were in no way connected to the “allegiance” to Yazid (l.a.). In any humane and civilized Muslim society, the survivors of this catastrophic carnage are pacified and offered kind words of consolations. In the tragedy of Karbala, the so-called Muslims did not stay even at the level of humanity! It was the height of barbarism and butchery, un-parallel in human history.

On the 11 Muharram, the daughters of the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) were made captive, along with other females, their hands were fastened behind their backs and made to sit on the camels without seats and routed through the battlefield, where the bodies of their loved ones were scattered all over the battle-field. 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 Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s)’s captive family! Sayyida Zaynab (s.a.) was made to go through the bazars without head-cover while her mother, Lady of Paradise, Sayyida Fatimah Zahra (s.a.)’s funeral was taken out at night and not seen by any one! On the way from Kufa to Damascus, at one point, Imam Husayn (a.s.)’s head will not move forward. On inquiry it was found that Sayyida Sakina had fallen from the camel and Sayyida Zaynab (s.a.) walked back and saw that she was sitting in the lap of a sacred lady in black attire concealing her identity. When Sayyida Zaynab (s.a.) tried to thank her, she disclosed her identity; she was the Lady of Paradise, Sayyida Fatima Zahra (s.a.) who was all along with the Holy Caravan from Madinah.

The oppressive armed men, to cause pain and misery, hurriedly completed the journey in two days, which normally takes sixteen days!

 In Demascs, 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 Husayn (a.s.)’s head by hitting his lips and teeth with a cane. At one time, he wanted to test Sayyida Sakina’s love for her father. He (l.a.) challenged Sayyida 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 Husayn (a.s.)’s head rose from the big plate and flew in to the waiting arms of Sayyida Sakina.

Sayyida Sakina used to sit at the gate of the prison and witness that birds were returning to their nests in the evening. She would ask her aunt Sayyida Zaynab (s.a.) as to where those birds were going, she would reply that they were going to their homes. Sayyida 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!

In the prison, one night, she woke up from her sleep and cried continuously. The family members tried their best to pacify and console her. She said: “O dear 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 Sayyida Sakina described 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 Husayn (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! Sayyida Sakina had gone into the eternal sleep. Imam Sajjad (a.s.) dug a grave in the prison and buried her little sister in her torn clothes as it was completely attached to her flesh after the burning of the camps on Ashura!

May Allah curse the oppressors of Ahlul Bayt (a.s.).

            Sources: Islamicoccasions.com, WIKIPEDIA, WIKIVISUALLY, Infogalactic.com

THE SUPERIORITY OF IMAM ALI (A.S.)

The Commander of the Faithful, Lion of Allah, Nafse Rasool, Conqueror of the Fort of Khyber, Champion of the poor, the Unique Provider of Justice, the spouse of the Chief of the Women of the World and the Lady of Paradise, father of the Chiefs of the Youth in Paradise, Imam Ali (a.s.) is the Unique Creation of Allah, born in the House of Allah (Ka’ba) and martyred in the Mosque of Kufa (Iraq). He is the manifestation of miraculous and Unique qualities!

It is narrated in authentic books of traditions that the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) said, “Looking at the face of (Imam) Ali (a.s.) is Ibadah. Speaking/listening about (Imam) Ali is Ibadah. Keeping the love of (Imam) Ali (a.s.) in your heart is Ibadah.” It is narrated by Hazrat A’isha that once the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) was ill and her father caliph Abu Bakr visited him and kept looking at Imam Ali (a.s.). She inquired the reason for constantly looking at the face of Imam Ali (a.s.), he quoted the tradition of the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.). For the future generations, the tradition offers the opportunity of speaking or listening about Imam Ali (a.s.) which is Ibadah. During the hostile environment, the tradition encourages Muslims to keep the fire of love for Imam Ali (a.s.) alive in their hearts! (Tibrani, Mustadrak of Hakim, Tareeq Ibn Asakir)

Allah says in Surah al-Dhariyat Ayat 56, “I have created Jinn and human beings only to worship (Ibadah) Me.”

It means by looking at Ali, speaking/listening about Ali and loving Ali at heart, we can identify or comprehend the Creator that when His creation is like this, how unimaginable Allah is.

One of the senior Sunnis traditionist Ibne Aseer stated in his book, al-Nehaya, that the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) did not say that looking at Imam Ali (a.s.) is Ibadah. When (Imam) Ali would come out of his house, people who would look at him would say “La Ilaha Illallah, how Karim is this young man, some one else would say La Ilaha Illallah, how brave this young man is, yet others would say La Ilaha Illallah, how knowledgeable this young man is, yet others would say, La Ilaha Illallah, how generous this young man is.”

Normally, in the Glorious Qur’an, when plural is used, ending in Arabic word “Na” like “Khalaq’na” means “We created”; Allah’s orders are carried out by others on His behalf. Like in Surah al-Tahrim Ayat 12, “The story of Mariyam, daughter of Imran, who protected her privacy and into whose womb We breathed Our spirit.” The Archangel Jibreel came to Lady Mariyam as stated in Surah Mariyam Ayah 17 to 19, “We sent Our Spirit to her, who stood before her in the shape of a well-informed human being. Mariyam said, “Would that the Beneficent would protect me from you. Leave me alone if you are a God-fearing person. He said, I am the Messenger of your Lord. I have come to give you a purified son.”

When Allah wants to show His Power, He uses singular verb as in Surah Sa’d Ayah 72, “When I give it (Adam) proper shape and blow My spirit (Nafaqtu Min Ruhi) into it, bow down in prostration (in his honor).”

After Prophet Ibrahim broke away the idols, he was to be burned alive in the mammoth fire. While still in the air, Jibreel came to him and asked if he needed any help to which Ibrahim replied he did not need any help from him, but his Creator knows about it and Jibreel went away. Surah al-Anbiya Ayat 69, “We said (Qulna) to the fire, “Be cool and peaceful (with Ibrahim)”. According to the rule, who was the “resource or agent” that performed the work for Allah?

An Egyptian writer Zayn al-Abidin Barzandi and the famous Sunni writer Abdul Haque Muhaddis Dehlavi in his book “Shavahid al-Nubuwwah” had stated, “It is narrated that the reason why the mammoth fire had turned into garden was the fact that the light of Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) and Imam Ali (a.s.) was in his loins”!

               Source: The Glorious Qur’an and Speech of Allama Talib Jauhari