THE DOYENNE OF THE WOMEN OF THE WORLD, SAYYIDAH FATIMAH ZAHRA (S.A.)

 

The beloved daughter of the Last Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.), Sayyida Fatima Zahra (s.a.) is the role model for men and women alike. Ummul Momineen A’isha said, “I have not seen anyone more Truthful than Fatimah but only her father.” Her worship was unrivalled. Hasan al-Basri said that she worshiped so much that her feet became swollen. Her son al-Hasan said, “I saw my mother Fatimah (s.a.) standing up in mihrab (prayer niche) every Friday night. She bowed and prostrated herself until dawn, and I heard her praying for the believers naming them. I asked mother you did not pray for yourself. She replied, son first your neighbor then your house!” She used to sit with Imam Ali (a.s.) before her father as the Glorious Qur’an was being revealed. Imam Sadiq (a.s.) said, “The Messenger of Allah gave her a dried branch of a tree used for writing and said: ‘Learn what is in it? In it was whoever believes in Allah and the Day of Judgment must not hurt his neighbor, be generous to his guest, shall say (something) good or be silent.’” She used to teach women, who would assemble for acquiring knowledge about Islam. She was the first writer in Islam showing concern for the Knowledge writing down whatever she heard from Imam Ali and Imam Hasan (a.s.) collecting the hadiths during his (s.a.w.a.s.) lifetime, without him (s.a.w.a.s.) prohibiting it! She lived as a best wife, in love, faithfulness, obedience, and care. Imam Ali (a.s.) said, “I did not make her angry throughout my life with her and she did not make me angry and did not disobey my orders throughout her life with me.” They were the supportive couple as the duties were assigned by the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.). The agreement was that she would grind, knead, and bake and Ali would sweep the floor and bring water and wood (for the fire). Despite being the Doyenne of the women of the world, the daughter of the most honorable Prophet and Messenger, wife of the Commander of the Faithful and Master of Regents, and mother of al-Hasan and al-Husayn, the masters of the Youths of Paradise, she lived a normal life, grinding, kneading, baking, cooking, and taking care of the children and doing all the things that were her responsibility as the female head of the household. Imam Sadiq (a.s.) narrated that once the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) saw her wearing a poor-quality cloak doing the work said, “O my daughter! Accept eagerly, life’s bitterness, while waiting for the sweetness of the hereafter. Once Ali sought a servant for her from the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.). He said, “Would you like me to teach you something? If you learn it, it would be better than a servant: If you go to sleep, say Allahu Akbar 34 times, Alhamdu Lillah 33 times and Subhan Allah 33 times.” Both said, “We are satisfied with Allah.” Her short life was filled with the holy struggle on all fronts, and that she lived for Allah and His way and to implement truth. She used to accompany her father in some of the battles; in Uhad she nursed her father by comforting him and put burned mat’s ashes on his wound to stop bleeding. Her concern was to prove the right of Ali to the caliphate as an Imam by Allah. She was an orator matching argument with arguments in her sermons. Her sermon in the Mosque, which has no equivalent in Arabic history, talking about the secrets in Islamic Jurisprudence in all its major categories providing for every one of them its explanation and a clarification of the wisdom behind it.  

It is narrated by Imam Musa al-Kazim (a.s.), “Fatima is surely Siddeeqah (truthful) and Shaheedah (witness). This matches with Ayah 69 of Surah al-Nisa, “Whoever obeys Allah and the Apostle-they are with those whom Allah has blessed, including the prophets and the truthful, the martyrs and the righteous, and excellent companions are they!” And Ayah 89 of Surah al-Nahl, “The day We raise in every nation a witness against them from among themselves, We shall bring you as a witness against these…”

Source: Fatimah al-Masumah (s.a.): A role Model for Men and Women by Ayatullah Sayyid Muhammad Husayn Fadlallah  

THE GOLDEN SAYINGS OF IMAM ALI (A.S.) - "THE GATEWAY OF KNOWLEDGE" - PART TWO

 

There is a tradition of the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.), who said, “I am the City of Knowledge and Ali (a.s.) is the Gateway”. Whenever Imam Ali (a.s.) spoke, it was the words of wisdom and they are the beacon of light for our lives. First part of this article was published on June 2, 2013. His sayings are given below:

The most complete gift of Allah is a life based on knowledge. Knowledge gives life to the soul. Honesty is Divine knowledge. The wise aims at perfection. The foolish aims at wealth. He is wise whose actions reflect his words. Humility is the product of knowledge. Pride mars greatness. Intellect is better than desire, for the intellect makes you a king over your destiny, and desire makes you a slave of your destiny. An intelligent person longs to be like the righteous people so that he can be one of them, and he loves them so that he can be united with them in his love.

O son of Adam, when you see that your Lord, the Glorified, bestows His favors upon you while you disobey Him, you should fear Him (take warning that His Wrath may not turn those blessings into misfortunes). Often your utterances and expressions of your face leak out the secrets of your hidden thoughts. When you get ill, do not get nervous about it, and try as much as possible to be hopeful. The best form of devotion to the service of Allah is not to make a show of it. When you must depart from this world and must meet death (eventually), then why wish delay (why feel nervous about death). Take warning! He has not exposed so many of your sinful activities that it appears as if He has forgiven you (it maybe He has given you time to repent)

A virtuous person is better than virtue and a vicious person is worse than vice. Be generous but not extravagant, be frugal (economical) but not miserly.  The best kind of wealth is to give up inordinate desires. One who says unpleasant things about others, will himself quickly become a target of their scandal.

Imam Ali (a.s.) advised his son saying, “The greatest wealth is wisdom; the greatest poverty is stupidity; the worst aloofness is that of vanity and self-glorification; and the best nobility of descent exhibits itself in politeness and in refinement of manner. Do not make friendship with a fool because when he tries to do you good he will do you harm; do not make a miser your friend because he will run away from you at the time of your dire need; do not be friendly with a vicious and wicked person because he will sell you and your friendship at the cheapest price and do not make a friend of a liar because like a mirage he will make you visualize very near the things which lie at a great distance and make you seat the great distance the things which are near to you.”  

Recommended prayers cannot attain the pleasure of Allah for you when obligatory prayers are left unattended.

A wise man first thinks the speaks and a fool first speaks and then thinks.

One of the companions of Imam Ali (a.s.) fell ill. The Imam called on him and said, “Be thankful to Allah. He has made this illness a thing to atone your sins because a disease has nothing to bring reward to anyone, it merely expiates one’s sins and so far as reward is concerned, one must earn it with good words and good deeds. The Almighty Lord grants Paradise to His creatures on account of their piety and noble thoughts.”

 

                Source: Nahjul Balagha and Mohammadi Trust (Zahra Publications)

BIBI HEYBAT (FATIMA AL-SUGHRA, DAUGHTER OF IMAM MUSA AL-KAZIM A.S.)

 

According to Allama Majlisi (r.a.), Hazrat Fatima al-Sughra was buried in Bibi Heybat Mosque. The historical mosque is known by many names; Bibi Heybat Mosque, Pir Bibi Heybat, Mosque of Fatima al-Zahra. According to Sibt ibn Jawzi, the Infallible Imam Musa al-Kazim (a.s.) had named four of daughters as Fatima. Of these, Fatima al-kubra is popularly known as Masooma Khumm. The shrine of Fatima al-Wusta and Fatima al-Ukhra are less known despite being in Iran. Some say, when Imam Ali al-Reza (a.s.) was martyred, his relatives fled to different regions. Fatima al-Sughra, also called Bibi Heybat, was separated from her sister Fatima al-Kubra, and moved to Baku in Azerbaijan during the Abbasid oppressive rule. Soon she earned great respect among the locals as a blessed woman from the House of Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.a.s.). She was buried outside Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan. Religious people from Muslim countries started settling near the site. It was built during the Safavid Dynasty and was destroyed in 1936 by Bolsheviks. After 60 years the mosque was rebuilt.

Famous French writer, Alexandre Dumas, who visited the site in 1840 A.D. in his book “The World”: The Mosque- a place of worship for infertile women, they come here on foot, worship, and within a year gain the ability to give birth.”

The mosque earned the name of Bibi Heybat, for it was not considered proper to call a woman by her first name during medieval period. Hence the locals gave it the name of Bibi Heybat as Fatima al-Sughra had a servant named Heybat. In Azeri language Bibi means aunt.

Haji Sheikh Sharif was among many Muslims who is buried near the mosque. He arrived in Baku to spread Sufism. The mention of this mosque is also found in the local and European travelers.

In 1911, the patron of Baku, Alasgar Agha Dadashove with architect Haji Najaf, constructed the new building of the mosque. In 1994, after Azerbaijan gained independence, the then President Heydar Aliyev, ordered the construction of a new building for the Bibi-Heybat Mosque at the same place where it was destroyed.

The mosque has three domes and two minarets. The domes are decorated with the green and turquoise mirrors, which are bordered with glided inscriptions from the Glorious Qur’an. The men’s praying room is located on the south side of the complex, while women – on the north side. Between them is the mausoleum.

 

Sources: WIKISHIA, WIKIPEDIA

DEATH: A BEAUTIFUL GIFT OR A PAINFUL CHASTISEMENT

 

A universal truth that whoever is born must die. Hatred towards death and love of this world is the outcome of ignorant person’s mind who thinks that the happiness of this world is his prosperity and good fortune. It is important that a man should hold death dear and consider it an opportunity of meeting with his Almighty and not hate it and consider it as evil but should take lessons from it. He should ask forgiveness from Almighty for his sins and tame the rebellious self (Nafs). When the call from Almighty comes he should welcome it and rejoice that soon he will be taken to the presence of Ahlul Bayt (a.s.) and meet his deceased companions and other believer brothers. When death is delayed due to aging, he should thank Almighty for the delay as he still has time to seek repentance from Almighty. He should provide provisions for the long journey. In fact, he should always remember death. In Karbala, Imam Husayn (a.s.) asked his nephew Hazrat Qasim ibn Hasan (a.s.) concerning death, he replied, “Death to me sweeter than honey.” During the imprisonment, Imam Ali al-Naqi (a.s.) had a grave dug up near his prayer mat. Some visitors were surprised by this. The Imam (a.s.) explained, “In order to remember my end I keep the grave before my eyes!”

According to the Glorious Qu’an, the dying person will be either the Companions of Right and in good final condition or if he is among the Companions of the Left and had suffered a great loss. The Glorious Qur’an says in Surah al-An’am Ayah 32, “The life of this world is nothing but play and diversion, and the abode of the Hereafter is surely better for those who are God wary. Do you not apply reason?” According to the Islamic ideology, death is a positive entity. The moment of death is a moment of rebirth of a man and a moment of hastening out from this confined region of this world into a world which is wide expansive free from worries, sorrows and material and natural limitations. Like the birth of a baby in a new wide world. The Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) said, “You have not been created to perish, but to remain forever.”

A question arises as to why Almighty created man? The answer is that Almighty created man so that ultimately men reach the level of cognition of Almighty and understand His Beautiful Attributes and manifest them with themselves.  Life and death, and basically the changes in the material world and transfer from one stage of life to another or transfer from one world to another, all these play a part in the journey of man towards perfection. Such changes or the ups and downs must be present, in the light of which, people can be tested, and the pure are separated from the impure. Surah al-Mulk Ayah 2, “He, Who created death and life that He may test you (to see) which of you is best in conduct. And He is the Almighty, the All-forgiving.”  Thus, death is created by the Almighty and cannot be negative entity. Tests and trials are the philosophy of life and death. Tests and trials include all moments of life and death even during his transfer to the next world. These tests and trials stage by stage prepares a man for attaining his ultimate objective.

Some of the Ayahs of the Glorious Qur’an are: Surah al-Kahf Ayah 110, “So whoever expects to encounter his Lord- let him act righteously, and not associate anyone with the worship of his Lord.”

Surah al-Baqarah Ayah 156, “Indeed we belong to Allah, and to Him do we return.”

Surah al-Sajdah Ayah 11, “Say, ‘You will be taken away by the angel of death, who has been charged with you. Then you will be brought back to your Lord.”   

On the Day of A’shurah, Imam Husayn (a.s.) said to his companions, “Remain firm, O sons of noble people, because death is just a bridge which will cross you and transfer you from discomforts and troubles, into extensive gardens of Paradise. So, which one of you does not desire his freedom from prison and entering a castle; of course, death of your enemies is like their being transferred from a palace and a castle into prison and torture.”

Death for a believer is like dirty clothes, which he removes and frees himself from dirt and unpleasant odor. Death has been compared with sleep, in which the soul goes out of the body. The only fundamental difference between sleep and death is that coming out of the soul from the body, at the time of sleep, is only for a short period of time and the connection between body and the soul is not completely severed.

Source: al-islam.org/Death: A beautiful Gift for a Believer

IMAM ALI (A.S.), ABOUT DEATH

 

The Commander of the Faithful, the “Nafse Rasool”, The Gateway of Knowledge, The Conqueror of Khyber, Imam Ali (a.s.) advised the people about death. Man is lost in the magnetic attractions of this transient world, but death is that whose incidence is definite for whoever is born must die. The important thing is the timing of death which is unknown.

The Commander of the Faithful Imam Ali (a.s.) had stated in the famous collection called “Nahjul Balaghah” Sermon 109:

“Whatever they (human beings) were ignoring has befallen them. Pangs of death and grief for losing (this world) have surrounded them. Consequently, their limbs become languid (lacking vigor) and their complexion changes. Then death increases its struggle over them. In someone, it stands in between him and power of speaking although he lies among his people, looking with eyes, hearing with his ears, with full wits and intelligence. He then thinks over how he wasted his life and in what (activities) he passed his time. He recalls the wealth he collected when he had blinded himself in seeking it and acquired it from fair or foul sources. Now the consequences of collecting it have overtaken him. He gets ready to leave it. It would remain for those who are left behind. They would enjoy it and benefit by it. It would be an easy acquisition for others but a burden on his back, and the man cannot rid of it. He would thereupon bite his hands with teeth out of shame for what was disclosed to him about his affairs at the time of his death. He would dislike what he coveted during the days of his life and would wish that the one who envied him on account of it and felt jealous over him for it should have amassed it instead of himself.

Death would continue affecting his body till his ears would behave like his tongue and lose functioning. (Incidentally, after the birth, an infant’s faculty of hearing starts working before his eyes and tongue). So, he would lie among his people, neither speaking with his tongue nor hearing with his ears. He would be rotating his glance over their faces, watching the movements of their tongues, but not hearing their speaking.

The death will spread its sway over him, and his sight would be taken by death as the ears had been taken and the spirit would depart from his body. He would then become a carcass among his own people. They would feel loneliness from him and get away from near him. He would not join a mourner or respond to a caller. Then they would carry him to a small place in the ground and deliver him in it to (face) his deeds. They abandoned visiting him.”

 

                Source: Nahjul Balagha Part 1, The Sermons Compile by Ayatullah Sharif Razi (r.a.)

PROSTRATION - SAJDAH

 

The root word of Sajdah is Sajad. The word Sajdah and its derivatives has been used in the Glorious Quran 92 times. Sajdah is the “Me’raj” (Ascension) of a believer. Sajdah is the act of submitting ourselves in complete humility, and it is performed only to Allah. There is a complete Surah al-Sajdah in the Glorious Quran. There are more than 14 Ayahs pertaining to Sajdah, some of them are: Surah al-Ra’d Ayah 15, “To Allah prostrates whoever there is in the heavens and the earth, willingly or unwillingly, and their shadows at sunrise and sunset.” Surahal-Isra’ Ayahs 107 to 109, “Say, ‘Whether you believe in it, or do not believe in it, indeed those who were given knowledge before it when it is recited to them, fall down in prostration on their faces, and say, “Immaculate is our Lord! Indeed, Our Lord’s promise is bound to be fulfilled.” Weeping, they fall down on their faces, and it increases them in humility.”  Surah al-Hajj Ayah 18 says, “Have you not regarded that to Allah prostrates whoever is in the heavens and whoever is on the earth, and the sun, the moon, and the stars, the mountains, the trees, and the animals and many of mankind.”

Surah al-Hijr Ayah 28 to 31, “When your Lord said to the angels, Indeed I am going to create a human out of a dry (drawn) from an aging mud. So, when I have proportioned him and breathed into him of My spirit, then fall in prostration (Sajdah of respect) before him. There at the angels prostrated, all of them together, but not Iblees (Shaitan): he refused to be among those who prostrated he was the first creature to show pride and superiority.

Similarly, in the court of Pharaoh, his magicians performed their act of converting ropes into snakes, Allah ordered Prophet Musa to throw what was in his hand. As soon as he threw the rod on ground, it miraculously converted into a huge snake which swallowed the magician’s snakes. Surah TA-HA Ayah 70, “Then the sorcerers fell down in prostration, saying: We believed in the Lord of Harun (Aron) and Musa (Moses)!”

Prayers is the condition when a Muslim is nearest to his Creator. Nearness here does not mean physical nearness because the Creator does not have a physical existence. He is Light (Noor).

 Imam Ali (a.s.) was born in Holy Ka’ba, the House of Allah towards which millions of Muslims are performing daily prayers facing that House. Imam Ali (a.s.) was martyred in Masjid al-Kufa while performing his morning prayers. During his lifetime, he is reported to recite recommended salaat in the night that neighbors would hear “Takbir” one thousand times every night. Even during the battles, he would perform salaat. The Chief of Martyrs, the Infallible Imam Husayn (a.s.) after sacrificing his entire family in Karbala was slaughtered while he was in prostration after being deprived of food and water for three days.

The Thinker of Pakistan, the poet of the East, Allama Iqbal (r.a.) said in a couplet.

     Islam ke daman mein bus iske siwa kiya hai        Ek Zarb-e-Yadullahi, Ek Sajdah-e-Shabbiri

(There are only two things in the survival of Islam: the Zulfiqar of Imam Ali (a.s.) and Sajdah of Imam Husayn (a.s.)

    Ye Ek Sajdah jese tu Giran Samajta Hai                Hazar Sajdaun se deta hai Adami ko Najaat

(O Muslim! You want to escape 5 times prayers which saves you from humiliations in different walks of life)

In sajdah seven parts of our body must touch the earth: the forehead, the palms, knees, toes. The forehead should be placed on pure earth and the “Khak-e-Shifa” made from thesoil of the Sayyid-us-Shuhada, Imam Husayn (a.s.)’s grave is the purest of all.

The Infallible Imam Ali ibnal Husayn (a.s.) is also called “Sayyid as-Sajideen”” Master of Prostrators”. The Imam used to perform an enormous number of Sajdah that periodically the signs of prostration had to be cut and removed from his forehead! When people praised him for excessive prostration, he in turn praised his grandfather the Commander of the Faithful, Imam Ali (a.s.) who was far more pious than him!

Sajdah is the peak of humility and submission to our Creator and the Sustainer Allah (s.w.t.)

Sources: Tafsir -e- Namoonah by Ayatullah Naser Makarem Shirazi, The Qur’an (English) by Ali Quli Qara’i

                  The Reliance of the Secrets of Prayers by Allama Muhsin Qara’ti

COMMANDER OF IMAM HUSAYN (A.S.)'S ARMY, HAZRAT ABBAS IBN ALI (A.S.)

 

Hazrat Abbas ibn Ali (a.s.) was the son of Lady Ummul Banin (s.a.) whom Imam Ali (a.s.), the model of human perfection, married after the sad demise of the Chief of the Women of the World, Sayyida Fatima Zahra (s.a.). Hazrat Abbas was the fruit of Imam Ali (a.s.)’s prayers as he was aware of the impending martyrdom of Imam Husayn (a.s.) and he wished a strong man (like himself) for his protection. His mother infused love and respect for Imam Husayn (a.s.) into his personality that he never called Imam Husayn (a.s.) brother his entire life instead called him his “Master” It is reported that during the infancy of Imam Hasan (a.s.) and Imam Husayn (a.s.), their cradle was swung by the angels and when Hazrat Abbas was born, his cradle was swung by his brothers (a.s.). Hazrat Abbas (a.s.) inherited bravery from his parents.

It is said that inheritance, education, and environment play an important role in the development of a personality. Hazrat Abbas grew up in a house filled with light and love for humanity and eternal values. He grew up in a Household on whom the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) had asked Allah to bestow His Blessings. It was the habit of Imam Ali (a.s.) to cultivate and irrigate palm groves and endow them to the needy. Imam Hasan (a.s.), Imam Husayn (a.s.) and Hazrat Abbas (a.s.) acquired these traits from their father. He soon adorned himself with the highest human characteristics of love and knowledge. He was wise, knowledgeable as well as tall, handsome, and brave. He acquired the epithet of “Qamar-e-Bani Hashim” or the “Moon of Bani Hashim”. He was also polite and patient and this was a reminder of his father’s words that “No heritage is worthier than politeness. He had the highest respect for his brothers; Imam Hasan (a.s.) and Imam Husayn (a.s.) as heirs of his father and the righteous successors of the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.). Soon his knowledge and wisdom reached a level in which scholars of his era become humble before him. Even in his youth he showed signs of bravery and courage alongside his father Imam Ali (a.s.). During the battle of Siffin, when Muawiyah bin Abu Sufyan blocked access to water to Imam Ali (a.s.)’s forces, he entered the battlefield with a veil on his face to hide his identity. Muawiya wanted one of his strong men Abu Shasa to face him, instead he sent his two sons who were killed by Hazrat Abbas (a.s) then Abu Shasa came out, but he too was killed. Then Imam Ali (a.s.) called him back and removed the veil to show the brave young man was none other than Hazrat Abbas (a.s.). He was 11 years old!

During the era of Imam Hasan (a.s.), he stood behind the Imam patiently despite his bravery. He was a faithful and trustworthy advisor. The height of the greatness of his personality reached its peak in Karbala and the heroic martyrdom. Guarding the Imam, protecting the tents of the women folks of the Prophet’s Household, caring for the children, and making a sacrifice to bring water to thirsty camp of Imam Husayn (a.s.) were among the most beautiful and epical manifestation of his life in Karbala. Yazidi forces cut the water supply from 7^th Muharram. On the Day of Ashura, he volunteered to bring water. With his courage, he drove away the hordes of enemies and reached the River Euphrates. Although he himself was thirsty, he never drank a drop of water. He filled the leather water bag and was galloping back, when the coward enemy hiding behind a tree attacked and cut his right hand, he swiftly shifted the water bag to his left hand but alas that hand was also severed. He managed to place it near his chest, but an arrow pierced in the bag and water flown away. An arrow pierced into his eye and he was hit on his head. He came down on the ground, without support of his hands!  

During the lifetime of the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.), Imam Ali (a.s.) was the Standard bearer of the Islamic flag. Hazrat Abbas was the Standard bearer of the Mission of Karbala. His titles are “Bab al-Hawa’ij” “Gate to requests to Allah”, “Abd as-Saleh”, the “Pious one”, “King of Loyalty” and “Water Provider”

Please also refer to my articles; Sermon of Commander Abbas ibn Ali (11/24/2013) and Life and Status of Hazrat Abbas, the Moon of Bani Hashim (4/12/2020) on ZULFIQAR5.BLOGSPOT.COM

 

Sources: Tajdar-e-Wafa by Hujjat-ul-Islam Sayyid Razi Jaffer Naqvi

                  Al-Abbas by Allama Badr Shahin, WIKISHIA.net, Hazrat Abbas bin Ali/Ziaraat.org