THE NOBLE MESSENGER (S.A.W.A.S.)'S SERMON AT GHADEER-E-KHUMM-PART TWO

“O people! This is Ali, my Brother, Wasi, the one who comprehends my knowledge, and my successor over my nation, over everyone who believes in me. He is the one entrusted with the explaining the Book of Allah, and the one who invites people to His path. He is the one who does whatever pleases Him, fighting His enemies, befriending His friends who obey Him, prohibiting disobedience to Him. He is the successor of the Messenger of Allah and Amirul Mo’mineen, the man assigned by Allah to guide others, killer of the renegades and of those who believe in equals to Allah, those who violate the Commandments of Allah. Allah says, “My word shall not be changed, nor I am in the least unjust to the servants.” (50:29), and by Your Command, O Lord, do I (submit and) say, O Allah! Befriend whoever befriends him (Ali) and be the enemy of whoever antagonizes him; support whoever supports him and abandon whoever abandons him; curse whoever disavows him, and let Your Wrath descend on whoever usurps his right.

O Lord! You revealed a verse in honor of Ali, Your Wali, in its explanation and to effect Your own appointment of him this very day did You say,” This day I have perfected your religion for you, completed My favor on you and chosen for you Islam as a religion.” (5:3) “And whoever desires a religion other than Islam, it shall not be accepted from him, and in the hereafter, he shall be one of the losers.” (3:85) O people! Allah has perfected your religion through his (Ali’s) Imamate; so, whoever rejects him as his Imam or those my offspring from his loins who assume the status (as Imams) till the Day of Judgment when they shall be displayed before Allah, these are the ones whose (good) deeds shall be nil and void in the life of this world and in the life hereafter, and in the fire they shall be lodged forever. O people! Here is Ali, the one who has supported me more than anyone else among you, the one who most deserves my gratitude, the one who is closest of all of you to me and the one who is very dearest to me. Both Allah and I are pleased with him, and no verse of the Holy Qur’an expressing Allah’s Pleasure except that he is implied therein. O People! He is the one who supports the religion of Allah, who argues on behalf of the Messenger of Allah. He is the pious, the pure, the guide, the one rightly guided. Your Prophet is the best of all prophets, and your Wasi is the best of all Wasis, and his offspring are the best of Wasis. O people! Each prophet’s progeny id from his own loins whereas mine is from the loins of Amirul Mo’mineen Ali. Indeed, none hates Ali except a wretch, and none accepts Ali’s Wilayat except a pious person. None believes in him except a sincere mu’min, and in honor of Ali was the chapter of Asr (103) O people! The Noor from Allah flows through me then through Ali Ibn Abi Talib then in Progeny that descend from him till Qa’im al Mahdi, who shall effect the justice of Allah, and who will take back any right belonging to us because Allah made us Hujjat over those who take us lightly, the stubborn ones, those who act contrarily to our word, who are treacherous, who are sinners, who are oppressors, who are usurpers, from the entire world. O people! I am Sirat al-Mustaqeem (the Right Path) of Allah whom He commanded you to follow, and it is after me Ali then my offspring from his loins, the Imams of Guidance.

O people! I am the Warner (Nazir) and Ali is the one who brings glad tidings (Bashir). O people! I am the one who warns (Munzir) while Ali is the guide (Hadi). He is the one who shall seek redress for all friends of Allah. He is the one who supports the religion of Allah. He ever derives (his knowledge) from a very deep ocean. He shall identify each man by his distinction or ignorance. He is heir of all (branches of) knowledge. He conveys on behalf of his Lord, who points out His miracles. He is wise, the one upon whom (Divine) authority is vested. He is the one whom Allah appointed for you after me as the custodian of His creation. The merits of Ali ibn Abi Talib are more numerous than I can count in one speech; so, whoever informs you of them and defines them for you, you should believe him.

                Source: Duas.org

THE NOBLE MESSENGER (S.A.W.A.S.)'S SERMON AT GHADEER-E-KHUMM

The Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) spoke in front of the 132,000 Hajis for 3 hours in which he surveyed Islam and enumerated Imam Ali (a.s.)’s contributions from Dawat-ul-Zulasheerah, when he (a.s.) was 11 or 13 years old, to date.

Some of his (s.a.w.a.s.) narrations are given below:

“O Messenger! Convey what has been revealed to you (about Ali), and if you do not do so, you will not have conveyed His Message at all. And Allah shall protect you from (evil) people. Surely Allah will not guide the unbelieving people (5:67). Three times did Gabriel command me on behalf of my Lord to make thus a stand to inform every one black and white that: Ali ibn Abi Talib is my Brother, Wasi, and Successor over my nation and the Imam after me, the one whose status to me is like Aaron to Moses except there will be no prophet after me, and he is your master next only to Allah and to His Messenger and Allah has already revealed to me in one of the fixed verses of His Book saying, “Your Master is Allah and His Messenger and those who believe, those who keep up prayers and pay zakat even as they bow down” (5:55) and, Ali ibn Abi Talib the one keeps up prayers, who pays zakat even as he bows down, seeking to please Allah, on each and every occasion. I asked Gabriel to plead to Allah to excuse me from having to convey such a message to you due to my knowledge that the pious are few while the hypocrites are many. O people! Allah has installed him (Ali) as your Master and Imam, obligating Muhajirun and Ansar and those who follow them in goodness to obey him and so should everyone who believes in His Unity. His decree shall be carried out. His (Ali’s) word is binding; his command is obligating; cursed is whoever opposes him, blessed with mercy is whoever follows him and believes in him, for Allah has already forgiven him and forgiven whoever listens to him and obey him.

O people! This is the last stand I make in such a situation, so listen and obey, and submit to the Command of Allah, then next to Him is His Messenger and Prophet who is now addressing you, then after me Ali is your Master and Imam according to the Command of Allah, then the Imams from among my Progeny, his offspring, till the Day you meet Allah and His Messenger. O people! Prefer him (Ali) over all others! There is no knowledge except that Allah has divulged it to me , and all the knowledge I have learned I have divulged to Imam al-Muttaqeen (leader of the righteous), and he is al-Imam al-Mubin (the evident imam) whom Allah mentions in Surah Ya-Sin….and everything We have computed is in (the knowledge of) an evident Imam.” (36:12) O people! Do not abandon him, nor should you flee away from him, nor should you be too arrogant to accept his authority, for he is the one who guides to righteousness and who acts according to it. He defeats falsehood and prohibits others from acting according to it, accepting no blame from anyone while seeking to please Allah. He is first to believe in Allah and in His Messenger; none preceded him as such. And he is one who offered his life as a sacrifice for the Messenger of Allah and who was in the company of the Messenger of Allah while no other man was. He is the first people to offer prayers and the first to worship Allah with me. I ordered him, on behalf of Allah, to sleep in my bed, and he did, offering his life as a sacrifice for my sake. O people! Prefer him (over all others), for Allah has preferred him, and accept him, for Allah has appointed him (as your leader). O people! He is an Imam appointed by Allah, and Allah shall never accept the repentance of anyone who denies his authority, nor shall He forgive him, and that He shall torment him with a most painful torment for all time to come, so, beware lest you should oppose him. O people Prefer Ali (over all others) for he is the very best of all people after me. Cursed and again cursed, condemned and again condemned, is anyone who does not accept this statement of mine. Gabriel has informed of this: “Anyone who antagonizes Ali and refuses to accept his Wilayat shall incur My curse upon him My Wrath. O people! He (Ali) is Janb-Allah. The Almighty Allah forewarning his (Ali’s) adversaries says, “Lest a soul should say: O woe unto me for what I fell short of my duty to Allah, for most surely I was of those who laughed to scorn.” (39:56) O people! Ali and the good ones from among my offspring from his loins are the Lesser Weight, while the Qur’an is Greater One: each one of them informs you and agrees with the other. They shall never part till they meet me at the Pool (of Kawthar). They are the Trustees of Allah over His creation, the rulers on earth. There is no Amirul Momineen (Commander of the Faithful) save this Brother of mine; no authority over a believer is permissible after me except to him.

                                                                             Continued  

Source: Duas.org (With 43 reliable Sunnis and Shiah references)

THE GREAT EID-E-GHADEER

After performing the last Hajj, the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) was returning on way to Madinah when the Ayah 67 of Surah al-Ma’idah was revealed saying, “O Messenger, proclaim what is revealed to you from your Lord. If you did not do so, it will be as though you have not conveyed His Message. Allah protects you from men. He does not guide the unbelieving people.” The tone of the Wahey was very stern. The Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) directed to congregate the Muslims saying, “Hayya Ala Khairul Amal” meaning “Hasten to the best act” and asked to call back the forward ones and wait for the people coming behind them. The place was Ghadeer Khumm, it was a thorny area which was cleaned and a pulpit (minbur) of the seats of camels was hurriedly erected.

Guidance is a constant need of humanity which requires a guide. Did he (s.a.w.a.s.) think and provided a possible guide to the Muslims after his demise? There are three possibilities; he did not provide a guide, he left it to the Muslims to appoint one, and he did provide.

Allah graced the Muslims with Islam and the Glorious Qur’an; it is unthinkable that He (s.w.t.) did not provide a guide through His Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.). It should be noted that there were hypocrites in Madinah! In fact he (s.a.w.a.s.) asked for paper and pen on the deathbed to write about future guidance.

The other alternative was Shura for which he (s.a.w.a.s.) never prepared the people. In fact, it was neglected by the first caliph and he nominated the second caliph. Even the second caliph admitted that it was a ‘slip’. The second caliph appointed a 6-member committee with a strange directive to kill those who disagreed with the majority which is not supported by either the Glorious Qur'an or the Sunnah of the great Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.)

The last alternative was the appointment by Allah (s.w.t.) as directed by His Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.). When Ayah 214 of Surah Shu’ara was revealed saying, “Warn your close relatives.”, a “Dawat” or feast was arranged in the house of Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.). It is known as “Dawat-al-Zul'asheerah”. After the feast, the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s) inquired as to who will assist him in his mission, Imam Ali, who was 11 or 13 years of age, stood up and offered his services three times but no one else responded. The Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) said, “whoever will assist me will be my brother, my successor and my caliph among you.”

Going back to Ghadeer Khumm, when all Hajis totaling more than 120,000 assembled in the burning heat of the desert , the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s) gave a detailed and long sermon (3 hours long) about Islam ,his efforts and the virtues of Imam Ali (a.s.). In that sermon, he narrated 110 virtues of Imam Ali (a.s.) which is also the number of the name “Ali” according to the science of Ab’jad (An Occult science of numbers; Ain 70+Laam 30+ Ye 10). Then, he (s.a.w.a.s.) asked the mammoth crowd, “Do I not have more right over the believers than they have over themselves?” Everyone cried, “Yes, O Messenger of God.” At that moment he (s.a.w.a.s) raised Imam Ali (a.s.) and said, “Whoever’s I am Mawla, Ali is also his Mawla.” Ayah 3 of Surah al-Ma’idah was revealed saying, “…. Today, the unbelievers have lost hope about your religion. Do not be afraid of them but have fear of me. On this day I have perfected your religion, completed My favors to you, and have chosen Islam as your religion.”

The Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) ordered every Muslim to pay allegiance to Imam Ali (a.s.) and the Muslims responded.

This event of Ghadeer is reported in numerous Shi'ah and Sunni books. Some of them interpreted the word “Mawla” as friend. Allah was threatening His beloved Prophet that if he did not proclaim this message, it will be construed as he did not convey His entire message, and that Allah will protect him from people. Was that only to say that Imam Ali was their friend? In the hot desert, people were sweating, and he (s.a.w.a.s.) delivered a long comprehensive sermon just to say that Imam Ali (a.s.) was the friend of the Muslims. Was Imam Ali not friendly to everyone, rich and poor?

Similarly, Ayah 67 of Surah al-Ma’idah says,” proclaim what is revealed to you.” Normally, the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) would narrate the Wahey immediately when received. It appears that this Wahey was received earlier but he (s.a.w.a.s.) was reluctant fearing the backlash from the hypocrites and the non-believers. That is the reason Allah guaranteed His Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) protection from men.

The auspicious occasion of Eid-e-Ghadeer was the confirmation of his Wilayat on “Dawat-al-Zulasheerah” as mentioned above. Wilayat of Imam Ali (a.s.) was also affirmed in Hadees-e-Qudsi” (The words of Allah (s.w.t.) addressed to His Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) which is not the Glorious Qur’an). It says:

“The Wilayat (loving and following) of Ali ibn Abi Talib is My fortress, and one who enters My fortress is safe from My Wrath.” (Al-Sadouq, Oyoon Akhbar al-Rida volume 1 page 146)

Sources: The Glorious Qur’an, Tafsir-e-Namoona by Ayatollah Nasir Makarem Shirazi, Shi’ism, Imamate and Wilayat by Sayyid Muhammad Rizvi, al-islam.org/ghadeer/incident.htm

THE INFALLIBLE IMAM ALI AL-NAQI AL-HADI (A.S.)

The Infallible Imam Ali al-Naqi al-Hadi (a.s.) had narrated traditions from the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) and his forefathers. A selection of such narrations is reproduced as under:

From the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.): The Commander of the Faithful Imam Ali (a.s.) said, “Once I heard the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.s.) say, “When people will be resurrected on the Day of Resurrection, a caller will call me: O messenger of Allah, Allah has permitted you to reward your lovers and the lovers of your Household (Progeny) who have followed them for your sake, and have been opposed to their enemies for your sake.”

“Love Allah for the Blessings He gives you, and love me for the love of Allah, and love my Household for my love.”

“My daughter was named Fatima because Allah the Almighty has weaned her and whoever loves her from Fire.”

“O Ali, Allah has created me and you from His light. He created Adam and put that light in him. This light reached to Abdul Muttalib and then it was divided and so I was in Abdullah and you were in Abu Talib. Prophet hood does not befit anyone other than me and guardianship does not befit any one other than you. Whoever denies your guardianship denies my prophet hood and whoever denies my prophet hood, Allah will throw him down on his nose into Fire.”

“He who likes to meet Allah (on the Day of Resurrection) safe, purified, and without fearing the great terror, let him follow you O Ali, and follow your two sons al-Hasan and al-Husayn, and (your grandsons) Ali bin al-Husayn, Muhammad bin Ali, Ja’far bin Muhammad, Musa bin Ja’far, Ali bin Musa, Muhammad bin Ali, Ali bin Muhammad, al-Hasan bin Ali, and al-Mahdi the last of them. Allah will forgive their (Ali’s followers) bad deeds and exalt their positions.”

From the Commander of the Faithful Imam Ali (a.s.): He (a.s.) said, “He, who busies himself with thinking of the afterlife, will be rich with no money, feel at ease with no family, and feel mighty with no fellows. Knowledge is a worthy inheritance, morals are graceful garments, pondering is a clear mirror, and taking lessons is a sincere warner. It suffices for you to have good manners by giving up what you hate of others. Whoever feels conceited (excessive pride) will perish. He, who is certain of recompense (from Allah), will give generously. A Jew asked him (a.s.), “Tell me about that which is not of Allah, that which Allah does not have, and that which Allah does not know?” The Imam (a.s.) replied, “What Allah does not know is that He does not know (accept) that He has a child. This refutes your (the Jews’) saying that Uzair is the son of Allah. As for that which is not of Allah, it is injustice because there is no injustice with Allah against His people. And as for your saying about that which Allah does not have, it is that Allah has no partner.” The Jew became a Muslim and said to Imam Ali (a.s.), “I bear witness that you are the truth, from the people of truth, and have said the truth.”

From Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (a.s.): He (a.s.) said, “Keep to piety because it is the essence of religion which you keep to and believe in Allah through it. It is that which Allah wants from our followers. He who does not practice taqiyya to keep us safe from the villains of people, is not from us. There are three-time times at which du’a’ is not blocked from Allah the Almighty; the du’a’ after the obligatory prayers, the du’a’ during the falling of rain, and the du’a’ when one of the signs of Allah appears in His earth. A man came to him (a.s.) and said, “I am bored with this life. Would you please ask Allah for death to me?” He (a.s.) replied, “The price of life is to obey and not to disobey. That you live long to obey is better for you than to die and neither disobey nor obey.” The Imam was asked to describe death. He (a.s.) said, “For the faithful death is sweeter than breeze that a faithful smells and refreshes with it and all fatigue and pain ends, and for the unbelievers it is like the stinging of snakes and scorpions or even bitterer.”

Source: The Life of Imam al-Hadi (a.s.) by Allama Baqir Shareef al-Qurashi - Qum

WHAT REWARD DID THE BANI UMAYYADS AND BANI ABBAS GIVE TO THE NOBLE MESSENGER (S.A.W.A.S.)

Surah al-Shura Ayah 24 clearly says, “…..Say (O Muhammad! Say unto people): “No Reward do I ask you of this (Divine Call) except to be kind (love) to my close relatives….” Surah al-Najm (53) Ayah 3 and 4, “He (Muhammad) does not speak out of his own desires. It is a revelation which has been revealed to him”

The Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s) showed love to his Household (a.s.) during his entire life:

About Imam Ali (a.s.), he said, “Ali is from me and I am from Ali. O Ali! You are the first Muslim, the first Momin. You are to me as Haroon was to Musa. Ali’s status among people is like Surah Tauheed in the Qur’an. Hypocrite will not love Ali and a Momin will not be his enemy. Whoever curses Ali, verily he curses me. No one dares pass on the Sira’t without a letter from Ali. (Please see my article “The Traditions of the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) about Imam Ali”, for reference)

About Sayyida Fatima Zahra (s.a.), he said, “Fatima is part of me, whoever makes her angry makes me angry. She is the heart and soul between my two sides. Fatima is joy of my heart and her sons are the fruits of my soul.” (Please see my article “Sayings of the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) about Sayyida Fatima Zahra (s.a)” for reference”

About Imam Hasan and Imam Husayn (a.s.), he said, “Husayn is from me and I am from Husayn. Hasan and Husayn are the Masters of the youths of Paradise. Whoever loves them loves me and whoever has animosity towards them is my enemy. (Please see my article “The Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.)’s Love for the Infallible Imam Husayn” for reference)

On the eve of Mubahelah, in Surah Ale Imran Ayah 61, Allah placed Fatima for “Women”, Imam Hasan and Imam Husayn for “Sons” and Imam Ali (a.s.) for the “Nafs” of the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.).  Similarly, Surah al-Ahzab Ayah 33 testifies the “Absolute Purity” of “The Household “as mentioned above. Surah Rahman Ayah 60, “Is there any reward for good other than good.”

In the light of the above, it was expected that the Muslims would have behaved gratefully and respectfully towards the “Household” of the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.). The history records differently. Both the dynasties became arch enemy of the Household of the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.).

Starting with the second infallible Imam Hasan (a.s.), Muawiya bin Abu Sufyan used Ummah’s resources to bribe his enemies and the influential officers of Imam (a.s.)’s army and other civilians to weaken the Imam’s army. Ultimately, he used Imam Hasan (a.s.)’s wife to poison him.

The Third Infallible Imam Husayn (a.s.): Yazid (l.a.) bin Muawiya, mercilessly slaughtered Imam Husayn (a.s.), the beloved grandson of the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.), his family members, companions, after depriving them of water for three days. Even his six-month-old infant was killed by a three-pronged arrow used to slaughter camels! It was the height of barbarism and butchery. Imam Husayn (a.s.), his family members and companions’ dead bodies remained on the sands of Karbala. The Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) and his Household (a.s.) who introduced and protected Islam, were not provided shroud or given proper burial!

The fourth infallible Imam Ali ibnal Husayn (a.s.) was poisoned by the Umayyad king Waleed bin Abdul Malik.

The fifth infallible Imam Muhammad Baqir (a.s.) was summoned to Damascus from Madinah but did not meet him for three days. Upon release from prison, the Umayyad king Hisham bin Abdul Malik, strictly prohibited anyone to cooperate with him (no food, no camel), the Imam returned to Madinah without food or transportation. Subsequently, he poisoned the Imam (a.s.).

The sixth infallible Imam Sadiq (a.s.) was in the time of Abbasid king Mansur Abbasi, who mercilessly killed the descendants of Imam Hasan and Imam Husayn. They were imprisoned, their blood was used in making walls, some of them were even buried alive in the walls! Mansur Abbasi poisoned the Imam (a.s.).

The seventh infallible Imam was Musa al-Kazim (a.s.), saw the time of Abbasi king Mahdi and Haroon. They both placed him in the prison for no reason. The Imam spent a major time of his life in prison. Haroon also killed hundreds of Sadaats (descendants of Imam Ali and Sayyida Fatima). As usual, he was also poisoned by Haroon, his body which was still in chains, instead of providing Muslim Burial, was kept on the bridge of Baghdad with derogatory remarks on body!

The eight infallible Imam Ali al-Reza (a.s.) was summoned from Madinah to Tus (Iran). He was also poisoned by Mamun.

The ninth infallible Imam Muhammad Taqi Jawad (a.s.) was summoned to Baghdad and imprisoned without reason where he was poisoned by the Abbasside king Mu’tasim and he died at the age of 25 years.

The tenth infallible Imam Ali Naqi al-Hadi (a.s.) was summoned from Madinah to Samarra where he was put on house-arrest. Moutawakel was the Abbasside king who tried twice to desecrate the grave of Imam Husayn by directing river, but the water would not go near it. The Imam was poisoned by his son Mu’taz.

The eleventh infallible Imam Hasan al-Askari (a.s.) was also put on house arrest by Mu’tamad, the Abbasside king, who poisoned the Imam. The king was afraid of the birth of the Twelfth Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.) as he was expected to fill the world with peace, justice and tranquility as it would be filled with injustice and tyranny. King’s secret service women would inspect every woman in Imam’s house for possible pregnancy. But like Prophet Musa was born despite killings by Pharaoh’s of the newborn of Bani Israel, Imam Mahdi was born and was 5 years old when Imam Hasan al-Askari was martyred. He is in Occultation as decreed by Allah.

ENORMOUS BENEFITS OF RECITING SURAHS OF CHAPTER (PARAH) 30 OF GLORIOUS QUR'AN-PART THREE

Surah Quraish (106): The Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) said, “He who recites it is rewarded ten good deeds as many as the number of those who perform the ritual circumambulation of Ka’ba, and spiritual retreat in the Sacred Mosque.”

Surah Ma’un (107): Imam Baqir (a.s.) said, “He who recites it in his obligatory and optional prayers, Allah accepts his prayers and fasting, and does not count the (evil) acts he committed in this world.

Surah Kawthar (108): The Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) said, “ He who recites it, Allah will quench his thirst from the streams of Heaven and will reward him as many as the number of every sacrifice which the servants of Allah make on the day of Feast of Sacrifice (Eid al Azha) together with the sacrifices which are of the People of the Book and pagans.”

Surah Kafirun (109): The Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) said, “The person who recite it, it is as if he had recited one fourth of Qur’an. Anyone who wishes to have the best companions and plenty of provisions when he is travelling on a journey, he should recite five Surahs; Kafirun, Nasr, Ikhlas, Falaq and Nas and begin with ’Bismillah -ir-Rahman-ir-Rahim.”

Surah Nasr (110): The Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) said, “He who recites it, it is as if he had been with the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) at the Conquest of Makkah.” Imam Sadiq said, “He who recites it in his obligatory or optional prayers, Allah makes him successful in defeating his enemies, totally, and on the Day of Judgment, he will come with a letter which talks. Verily, Allah has brought him out of his grave with that letter as an immunity from the heat of Hell.”

Surah Lahab (111): The Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) said, “He who recites it, I hope Allah will not keep him and Abu Lahab in one house. (It means he will be in Paradise while Abu Lahab will be in the Hell.”

Surah Ikhlas (112): More than 25 virtues of reciting this Surah had been collected in a book “Atyab-ul-Bayan” narrated by the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) and the A’immah (a.s.). He (s.a.w.a.s.) said,” Reciting this Surah is equal to reciting one-third of Qur’an.” It is said that the Glorious Qur’an contains ordinances, creeds, and history. This Surah states the creeds part in an intensive form.

Surah Falaq (113): The Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) said, “Some verses have been revealed to me, the likes of which have not been revealed before; Suarh Falaq and Surah Nas. Read them when you get up and whenever you go to bed.

” Imam Baqir (a.s.) said, “He who recites Surahs Falaq, Nas, and Ikhlas in his Vatr prayers, will be told, ‘O Servant of Allah, be happy that Allah accepted your ‘Vatr prayer’

Surah Nas (114): There are numerous virtues of reciting this Surah; for example, once the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) became gravely ill. Gabriel and Michael came to him. Gabriel sat beside the head and Michael sat next to his feet. Gabriel recited Surah Falaq and by it placed the Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) in the refuge of Allah; and Michael recited Surah Nas.

Source: The Glorious Qur’an (Urdu translation) by Ayatollah Nasir Makarem Shirazi

MUSLIM BIN AQEEL (A.S.), IMAM HUSAYN (A.S.)'S EMISSARY TO KUFA

Hazrat Muslim bin Aqeel (a.s.) was the first cousin of the Infallible Imam Husayn (a.s.). Imam Husayn had received thousands of letters from the people of Kufa requesting him to visit to guide them. To verify the authenticity, he (a.s.) sent Hazrat Muslim bin Aqeel (a.s.) as a confidant. Hazrat Muslim (a.s.) reached Kufa and stayed with the great warrior Mukhtar, son of Abu Ubayda ath-Thaqafi. He was warmly welcomed by the Kufans and within few days more than eighty thousand people took the oath of allegiance on the hands of Hazrat Muslim for Imam Husayn (a.s.) and accepted him as their Imam. He (a.s.) wrote to Imam Husayn (a.s.) about the warm welcome and the oath of allegiance and advised him to come to Kufa.

Nomaan bin Basheer was the governor of Kufa. He was informed about the popularity of Hazrat Muslim, but he did not see any danger to the government. Umayyad’s of the town panicked and wrote to Yazid (l.a.). Yazid immediately dismissed the governor and appointed Obaidullah ibn Ziyad in his place with the clear instructions to kill Hazrat Muslim and anyone who sheltered him or sympathized with Imam Ali (a.s.). Ibn Ziyad impersonated as Imam Husayn and entered the mosque and removed the veil. People were aghast to see the tyrant Ibn Ziyad (l.a.). He immediately ordered that anyone assisting or associating with Hazrat Muslim will be killed. People were greatly scared. He offered rewards to those who would bring Hazrat Muslim, dead or alive.

Shareek was a sincere follower of AhlulBayt (a.s.). He came to Kufa and stayed with Hani Ibn Urwa. Hazrat Muslim, on hearing Ibn Ziyad’s orders, left Mukhtar’s house and shifted to Hani’s house. Ibn Ziyad wanted to visit Shareek, who became sick. Shareek told Hazrat Muslim that when Ibn Ziyad visits, he should kill the cruel hypocrite. Hazrat Muslim refused to kill Ibn Ziyad saying that the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) and his Progeny had never been aggressors and that they never took anyone by surprise or stab them from the back. Ibn Ziyad was clueless about Hazrat Muslim’s whereabouts. He planned a crafty scheme and gave three thousand silver coins to his slave and advised him to pretend to be Imam Husayn(a.s.)’s friend and wanted to give it to Hazrat Muslim. He met Muslim Bin Awsaja, who was a sincere friend and follower of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) and tracked down Hazrat Muslim. Ibn Ziyad jailed Hani ibn Urwa. Kufans support melted away and Hazrat Muslim was left alone and aimlessly wandered in the streets as the gates of the city were sealed. He saw an old woman Tou’ah, asked for water and on knowing that he was related to Imam Ali (a.s.), she gave him asylum. Her son was in Ibn Ziyad’s army and soon three hundred men surrounded Tou’ah’s house. Hazrat Muslim saw Imam Ali (a.s.) in the dream, who informed him of his impending martyrdom in the morning. Hazrat Muslim came out of the house, continued to fight them bravely in a narrow lane where only two people could face him. When Hazrat Muslim killed a major portion, the commander sent for reinforcements and told the chief that they were fighting the Lion of Bani Hashim! Ultimately, they trapped and arrested him. Hazrat Muslim requested for some water which was first denied but later when water was brought, he could not drink as blood from his wounds was polluting it. Before his martyrdom, Hazrat Muslim requested if they could inform Imam Husayn not to travel to Kufa and requested Umar ibn Saad if he could pay seven hundred dirhams out of his funds in Madinah. His requests were denied. He wept for Imam Husayn (a.s.) that he will be coming in a very hostile environment. He was ultimately martyred on 9^th Zul Hijjah  and his head-less body was thrown from the turret. Later, instead of a Muslim burial shrouding the body, his body was dragged in the streets, a new evil tradition in Muslim society!

Source: Nafasul Mahmum by Shaykh Abbas Qummi (r.a.)

              The Hidden Truth About Karbala by A.K. Ahmed – Ansarian Publications

ENORMOUS BENEFITS OF RECITING SURAHS OF CHAPTER (PARAH) 30OF THE GLORIOUS QUR'AN PART TWO

Surah Shams (91): The Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) said, “He who recites it is like the one who has given charity in the way of Allah to all things that the sun and the moon shine upon.”

Surah Layl (92): The Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) said, “He who recites it, Allah rewards him so much so that he is satisfied, and He protects him from toil, and makes (the path of his life) smooth for him.”

Surah Zuha (93): The Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) said, “He who recites it will be among those with whom Allah is pleased; and it is possible that Muhammad may intercede for him, and he will be rewarded ten good deeds for each orphan or needy.”

Surah Alam Nash rah (94): The Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s) said, “He who recites it, will be rewarded as the one who found Muhammad unhappy and brought the grief out from his heart.”

Surah Tin (95):The Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) said, “One who recites it, Allah will endow safety and certainty in this world, and after his death he will be rewarded fasting for a day multiplied by the number of all those who had recited it.

Surah Alaq (96): The Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) said, “He who recites it, on the Day of Judgment, he will be considered as a martyr who had fought the holy war in the way of Allah in the company of the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.).”

Surah Qadr (97): The Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) said, “He who recites it, will be rewarded like the one who has fasted the whole month of Ramazan and also has kept the vigil during the Grand Night.” Imam Baqir (a.s.) said, “He who recites it loudly and openly like a person who fights in the holy war and the one who recites it hiddenly like a person who swims in his own blood for the sake of Allah.”

Surah Bayyinah (98): The Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) said, “Whoever recites it at night, Allah will send angels to protect him in his faith and seek forgiveness and mercy for him, and if he recites it during the day, he will be rewarded as much as the day sheds light upon them and what the night darkens.”  

Surah Zilzal (99): The Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) said, “Whoever recites it, it is the same as if he had recited Surah Baqarah, his reward is as much as he has recited one-fourth of Qur’an.” Imam Sadiq (a.s.) said, “Anyone who recites it in optional prayers will never be involved in an earthquake, nor he should be hurt by lightening or any calamity.”

Surah Adiyat (100): The Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) said, “Whoever recites it will be rewarded ten good deeds as many as the number of Hajis at Muz’dala’pha.”Imam Sadiq (a.s.) said, “He who continues to recite it, Allah will raise him up with Imam Ali (a.s.) on the Day of Judgment and will be in his company and his companions.”

Surah Qa’riah: (101): Imam Baqir (a.s.) said, “He who recites al-Qa’riah, Allah secures him from the calamity of believing in Dajjal (the deceiver) and also from the hideousness of Hell on the Day of Judgment, Insha Allah.”

Surah Takathur (102): The Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) said, “He who recites it, Allah will not account the bounties he was given in the world and He will award him such a reward as if he had recited one thousand Ayahs of Qur’an.” Imam Sadiq (A.S.) said, “Recitation of this Surah in obligatory and optional prayers has a reward similar to Martyrdom.”

Surah Asr (103): Imam Sadiq (a.s.) said, “He who recites it in his optional prayers, Allah will raise him with a shining, bright face, cheerful features, and delighted eyes (looking upon the blessings of Allah) until he enters the Paradise.

Surah Humazah (104): The Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) said, “He who recites it will be rewarded ‘ten good deeds’ as many as the number of those who mocked Muhammad (s.a.w.a.s.) and his companions.” Imam Sadiq (a.s.) said, “He who recites it in his obligatory prayers, poverty will stay away from him, sustenance will approach him, and a hideous death will be repelled from him.”

Surah Fil (105): Imam Sadiq (a.s.) said, “He who recites it in his obligatory prayers, any level land, mountains, or any clod of dirt will bear witness for him on the Day of Judgment that he has been one of prayerful (believers), a herald will call saying, ‘You are right about My servant, I accept your witness for him or against him. Let him enter Paradise without Reckoning him. Verily, he is the one of whom he and his actions I like.”  

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

ENORMOUS BENEFITS OF RECITING SURAHS OF CHAPTER (PARAH) 30 OF THE GLORIOUS QUR'AN

Undoubtedly, there are numerous material and spiritual benefits of reciting, contemplating and practicing the Surahs of the Glorious Qur’an. We are starting with the Surahs of the last Chapter (Parah) 30:

Surah Nabaa (78): The Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) said, “He who studies it and learns it by heart, on the Day of Judgment, his reckoning will be concluded within the time of saying a single prayer.” Imam Sadiq (a.s.) said, “He who continues studying it will meet the Holy Shrine at Makkah (Kabaa) before the year ends.”

Surah Nazi ‘at (79): The Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) said, “For he who studies it, the length of his stay and reckoning on the Day of Judgment will last as long as the saying of a daily prayer, thereafter, he will come into Paradise.” Imam Sadiq (a.s.) said, “He who studies it will not pass away but satisfied, will not be brought into the Resurrection but satisfied, and will not come into Paradise but satisfied.”

Surah ‘Abasaa (80): The Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) said, “One who studies it will arrive at the Gathering Place smiling and rejoicing. “

Surah Takwir (81): The Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) said, “He who studies it, will be saved by Allah from being exposed to shame when the book of deeds is laid open. He who wishes to look at me on the Day of Judgment, should study it.”

Surah In’fitar (82):  Imam Sadiq (a.s.) said, “He who recites this Surah and Surah Inshiqaq and considers them present before his eyes in his obligatory and optional prayers, nothing will separate him from Allah. He will be in the continuous presence of Allah and Allah will be looking over him until all the accounts he has with others are settled.

Surah Mutaffifin (83): The Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) said, “The person who studies it, Allah will make him drink of the pure, sealed drink on that Day.” Imam Sadiq said, “One who recites it in his obligatory prayers, Allah will save him from Fire on the Day of Judgment.”

Surah Inshiqaq (84): The Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) said, “He who studies it, Allah will make him safe from being given his Record from behind his back on the Reckoning Day.” Imam Sadiq (a.s.) said, “He who recites it and Surah Infitar and considers them present before his eyes in his obligatory and optional prayers, nothing will separate him from Allah.”

Surah Buruj (85): The Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) said, “Allah will give reward for the good deeds ten times the number of people gathered in ‘Friday Prayer’ and all people gathered on the day of Arafa (the 9^th day of Dhul Hijja), to the person who studies it. Its recitation saves man from fears.

Surah Tariq: (86): The Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) said, “He who studies it, Allah will reward this action ten times the number of stars in the sky.” Imam Sadiq (a.s.) said, “Anyone who recites it in his obligatory prayers, will have a high rank with Allah in the Hereafter, and will be the prophet’s close friend and companion in Heaven.”

Surah A’la (87): The Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) said, “Allah will reward him, who recites this Surah, the number of words, tenfold, which were revealed to Abraham, Moses and Muhammad.” One of the companions of Imam Ali (a.s.) said that he prayed behind Imam Ali twenty consecutive nights and he (a.s.) recited only this Surah. He (a.s.) recommended to recite it ten times a day. He (a.s.) also said that it was loved by the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.).

Surah Ghashiya (88): The Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) said, “He who recites it will be reckoned with an easy Reckoning by Allah.” Imam Sadiq (a.s.) said, “He who continues reciting it in his obligatory or voluntary prayers, Allah will put him in His Grace both in this world and the Next and will keep him safe from Fire in the Hereafter.”

Surah Fajr (89): The Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) said, “Allah forgives the mistakes of whoever recites it on the Ten Nights (i.e. the first ten nights of Dhul Hijja or the first ten nights of Muharram), and it will become a light on the Dooms Day for anyone reciting at other times.” Imam Sadiq (a.s.) said, “Recite Surah Fajr, which is Husayn ibn Ali’s Surah, in your prayers, whether obligatory or optional. He who recites it will be with him (Husayn ibn Ali) at the same place in Heaven.” Imam Husayn (a.s.) is a clear example of the “Serene Soul” as stated in Ayah 27 of this Surah.

Surah Balad (90): The Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) said, “He who studies it, Allah will make him safe from His Wrath on the Day of Judgment. “Imam Sadiq (a.s.) said, “He who recites it in his obligatory prayers will be known as a good-doer in this world, and in the next world he will be considered among those who have rank and privilege with Allah, and he will be of friends, companions of the prophets, martyrs and the pious men.” 

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

SAYINGS OF THE INFALLIBLE IMAM MUHAMMAD TAQI AL-JAWAD (A.S.)

Selected sayings of the Imam are reproduced from Hasan bin Ali bin Shu ‘bah al-Harrani’s Yuhaf al-Uqul are as under:

Become steadfast, embrace poverty, reject lust, oppose your passions, and know that you cannot be out of Allah’s sight.

Delay in repentance is deception; excessive pro crastination is perplexity, arrogance against Allah is perdition; and

insistence on committing sins is challenge to Allah’s retribution. “No one can consider himself secure from the retribution of Allah except those who are lost.

Repentance (Tawba) depends on four things; Sincere regrets, verbal Is’tighfar, deeds and determination never to repeat the sin.

Don’t pretend to be Allah’s servant in public and be His enemy in private.

Sincerity is the best of all worships.

Whoever has three things, will never regret; Refraining from haste, consultation, and depending upon Allah when making decisions.

The one who leaves compromise with the people, faces discomfort.

Man’s death due to sins is more than the death by fate, and his living by his benevolence is more than living due to natural lifetime.

Love and friendship are attained by three characteristics; Fairness, accompaniment and sympathy when facing hardships, pure heart and benevolence to others.

To show a matter before preparing for it properly is spoiling it.

Relying on Allah is the price of every valuable thing and the ladder to every treasured thing.

Four things are required to do anything; health, independence, knowledge and Divine assistance.

Three things are performed by the believers; following the Obligatory deeds (Wajibaat), abstaining from sins, and not neglecting the religion.

Delaying repentance is self-deceit, long procrastination is confusion, claiming excuses before Allah is perishment and the insisting on sins is feeling safe from punishment of Allah.

On advising a man, he said, “Make patience your pillow, embrace poverty, refuse desires, contradict fancy, and know that you are always under the eye of Allah.

Do not anticipate matters before their time that you may regret. Do not live just with wishes that your hearts may be hard. Be merciful to the weak and ask for mercy from Allah by being merciful yourself.

Know that piety is honor, knowledge is treasure, and silence is a light.
Please refer to my article titled "The Infallible Imam Muhammad Taqi al-Jawad (a.s.) on this Blog.

Source:  The Life of Imam Muhammad al-Jawad/ al-islam.org., Islamic occasions.com