VIRTUES OF AMIR-UL-MOMINEEN BY IMAM ALAN-NASSA'IY

Imam an-Nassa’iy was a Sunni scholar. His books were considered among the great Six Correct books (Saha Sitta). He was born in the year 215 AH and was martyred in the year 303 A.H by the Kharijites for compiling the book praising Imam Ali (a.s.) while reciting excerpts from the book on pulpit in Cairo. They asked him to recite any hadith about Moa’wia. He recited the only hadith which says, “May God never satiate Muwiya’s hunger.” He was pulled down from pulpit and severely beaten up. His will was that he should be taken to Makkah and buried between Safa and Marwa mounts.

He had collected many hadiths on Imam Ali (a.s.)’s virtues. We have collected those hadiths given number of hadith repeated in the text.

Imam Ali (a.s.) said, “I was the first one who offered prayer with the Messenger of Allah.” (2,3,4,5)

Imam Ali (a.s.) said, “I am the servant of Allah and the brother of His Messenger. I am as-Siddiq al Akbar. No one claims it after me except a liar. I offered the prayer seven years before all the people did.” (8)

The Messenger of Allah said on the day of al-Juhfa, “O People, I am your guardian, then lifting Ali’s hand he said, ‘This is my successor and deputy, who carries out my tasks. Surely Allah supports whoever supports him and is enemy to whoever shows enmity to him.” (9)

One day, the Prophet had a fried bird. He said, “O Allah, bring me the most beloved one to You from all Your creation to eat with me from this bird. Abu Baker and Umar came but he did not permit both of them and then Ali came and he permitted him to eat the bird with him. (10)

Muawiya asked Sa’d bin Waqas, “What prevents you from abusing Abu Turab?” He replies “As long as I recollect three things the Messenger said to Ali, I shall never abuse him. “I heard the Messenger saying, “Are you not pleased to be to me as Harun was to Musa except that there shall be no prophethood after me. And I heard him saying on the day of battle of Khyber, I will give the banner to a man who loves Allah and His Messenger and whom Allah and His Messenger love.” Next day he said, “Call Ali to me.” Ali came while his eyes were sour, the Messenger applied his saliva in Ali’s eyes and gave him the banner. And thirdly when the verse of Purification was revealed that ‘Allah only desires to keep away the uncleanness from you, O people of the House, and to purify you a (thorough) purification.(33:33) the messenger of Allah called Ali, Fatima, Hasan and Hussain and declared, O Lord, these are the people of my House. (11) (12) (13) (14) (15) (17) (18) (19) (20) (21) (22) (23) and (24)

Ali’s heart has been tried with faith. Prophet said to the Quraysh, “By Allah, He will send a man who has been tested with faith and he will strike you for religion and he is mending my shoes right now (Imam Ali)” (31)

The Prophet sent Imam Ali to Yemen when he was very young and said, “Allah will guide your heart and make your tongue firm” Imam Ali said, “After that I did never doubt about judging between two persons.” (32) (33) (34) (35) (36)

The Prophet ordered the doors of companions except Ali’s door. Some people criticized it. Then the Prophet ascended the pulpit and said, “By Allah, I neither closed nor opened (by myself), but I have been ordered of something (by Allah) and I followed it.” (38) (39) (40) (41) (42)

Source: Virtues of Amirol Momineen Ali ibn Abi Talib by Imam al-Nassa’iy Translated by A.K.Ahmed and Abdullah al-Shahin 

THE INFALLIBLE IMAM ALI IBNAL HUSSAYN ZAINAL ABIDIN (A.S.)

 

Imam Ali, Zayn-al-Abidin, was the son of the King of the Martyrs, Imam Husayn (a.s.). His mother was Shahar Bano, daughter of the last Persian king, Yazdjurd. He was born in Madinah on 5^th Shaban 38 A.H. He was entrusted with the Divine Imamate on the Day of Ashura 61 A.H. He led the imprisoned women of Ahlul Bayt and children from Karbala to Kufa and then to Damascus. This was the most painful and humiliating journey of his life.

When Yazid tried to talk in an insulting manner, he bravely spoke the truth whereupon Yazid threatened to kill him but Sayyida Zaynab (s.a.) intervened. During this journey, he delivered sermons introducing himself and the AhlulBayt and explained the objectives of their sacrifices which were to save Islam. When the news of Tragedy of Karbala spread everywhere and signs of revolt were apparent, Yazid released the AhlulBayt. Sayyida Zaynab (s.a.) asked for a house to mourn the martyrs of Karbala. This was the first assembly of mourning (Majlis) for the martyrs. Imam Zayn-al-Abidin and the AhlulBayt returned to Madinah in route to Karbala.

The Imam (a.s..) led a quiet life after his return to Madinah. Yazid’s army ruthlessly suppressed the revolt in Madinah. His army turned the Sacred Mosque of the Prophet into a stable for horses, killed hundreds of innocent Muslims including many companions of the Noble Messenger, and destroyed the chastity of many females on the clear instructions of Yazid. These beasts destroyed Madinah for three days.

 The Imam lived 35 years after the tragedy of Karbala. Because of the unfavorable circumstances, the Imam started writing supplications, which demonstrates the immense knowledge of the progeny of Imam Ali (a.s.) “The Gateway of Knowledge” His supplications were collected in the famous book, “Saheefa-e-Sajjadia”. In eloquence, the book is next to his grandfather, Imam Ali (a.s.)’s “Nahjul Balagha”.

Imam Zayn-al-Abidin (a.s.) also compiled a treatise known as “Risalat-ul-Huqooq” or a Treatise of Rights, which contains the rights of human beings, including the rights of every part of the human body. If one compares this book with the United Nation’s “Charter of Human Rights,” it appears to have been copied from this Treatise. 

He loved and cared for the poor. The Imam would carry bags of bread on his back at night, without showing his identity, would go around the streets of Madinah and distribute among the needy. Even when he gave alms to the needy, he would cover his face not to embarrass the person receiving it.

Hisham bin Abdul Malik, the heir of the caliph, was visiting Makkah for Hajj and was sitting in a chair waiting to kiss the Black Stone in Ka’ba, he saw that a young man came towards the Black Stone and the crowd automatically separated to give way to him. The man gracefully came, kissed the Black Stone, and left. He knew who the man was. It was Imam Zayn-al-Abidin (a.s.) but to overcome his embarrassment, he enquired from his companions about the identity of the young man. The famous poet of Arabia, Farazdaq, compiled a poetry extempore praising the Imam. Some of the stanzas of his poem read as, “He is the one whom the whole Makkah knows.  Every stone in Ka’ba knows him. He is the grandson of Fatima and Ali and the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.).” Hisham became furious, stopped his stipend, and imprisoned him. When Imam Zayn-al-Abidin (a.s.) came to know about it, he sent some money to Farazdaq who said that he composed that poetry for the love of Allah and did not want any worldly compensation, but the imam insisted him to accept the gift.

It is said that after Karbala, the Imam wept and cried for a long time and when someone asked as to how long he was going to cry as “martyrdom was the grace and inheritance of Ahlul Bayt”. The Imam replied that humiliation was not the inheritance of Ahlul Bayt!

The Imam through his supplications had spread the true teachings of Islam. Abu Hamza al Thamali was one of his companions. The Imam had taught him a supplication known as “Dua-e- Abu Hamza Thamali.” Abu Makhnuf was another companion who was instructed by Imam Mohammad Baqir (a.s.) to write about the tragedy of Karbala in a narrative form which he did. It became a part of the authentic account of the tragedy of Karbala and became a source of majalis all over the world.

Walid bin Abdul Malik, the Umayyad monarch realized that Imam’s teachings were spreading all over the Arabia and influencing the Muslims, hence he poisoned the Imam and he was martyred on 25^th of Moharram 95 A.H.

Once a person asked Imam Zain-al-Abidin (A.S.), “What is the criterion for the acceptance of the prayers? The Imam replied, “Acknowledging our Wilayah and dissociating from our enemies.”

The reason the Imam was given the title of “Zayn-al-Abidin” was that one night, the Imam was praying and Shaitaan manifested himself as a huge serpent and tried to distract him. When the Imam did not take notice of him, he bites the toe of the Imam (a.s.) causing great pain, but the Imam remained oblivious of him, and carried on with his prayers. After completing his prayers, the Imam realized that it was Shaitaan, he cursed him saying, “O’ Accursed! Go away” and once again engaged himself in worship. It was at that moment that an angel called three times: “You are the embellishment of the worshippers.” Or “Zayn-al-Abidin”

Among the sayings of Imam Zayn-al-Abidin (a.s.) are, “The attributes of a believer are: piety in private, donating charity at the time when you are in  need, patience when misfortune comes, tolerance at the time of anger, and truthfulness when there is fear.”

Once, the young Imam fell sick. His father, Imam Husayn (a.s.) inquired about his health and asked further if he had any wish. The Imam replied, “My only wish is that may Allah count me among those who do not have any wish against His “Divine Decree and Divine Fate” or “Qaza-o-Qadr” He was pleased by the answer.

The Imam’s face would turn yellow while preparing for wudu and he would tremble performing prayers due to fear of Allah. Once, Imam was praying and young Imam Mohammad Baqir (a.s.) fell in a well in the house and his mother was upset and called the Imam to rescue the boy. The Imam peacefully completed his prayer and after finishing it, he went near the well and put his hand in the well and pulled out Imam Baqir completely unharmed and without his clothes being wet.

After his return from Karbala, his uncle Mohammad-e- Hanafiyya, asked the Imam to give him the sacred assets of Imamate as he was the elder in the family. The Imam first advised him that the imamate is a Divine responsibility and when he disagreed requested his uncle to accompany him to Holy Ka’ba and let the Black Stone decide about the Imamate. Both offered salaam to the Black Stone but his salaam was replied by the Black Stone and further said, “Imamate is the right of Zayn-al-Abiding”

At the time of the destruction of Madinah, Marwan, who was an arch enemy of Ahlul Bayt, came to the Imam for shelter of his family. The Imam gladly provided the requested shelter!

Similarly, Haseen Ibne Numair, one of the murderers in Karbala, requested to buy food grains from the Imam. The Imam recognized him and said that he did not want to sell it but can give him free!

One of his Shias from Balakh used to come for Hajj and visit the Imam in Madinah. Once his wife told him, “You always take gifts for your Imam but has your Imam ever given you anything?” Next year when he visited the Imam the Imam asked him to join him for food. After finishing the food, the Imam wanted to pour water on his hands to wash. When the pot was full of dirty water, the Imam asked him, “What is it?” He said “water.” The Imam said, “Look carefully” When he looked carefully he saw red gems instead of water. The Imam told him to give it to his wife.

Omer Ibne Abdul Aziz was the only exception in the corrupt Umayyad Dynasty. When he was the Governor of Hejaz, one of the walls of Prophet’s mausoleum fell. After the repair, he invited Imam Zayn-al-Abidin (a.s.) to perform the opening ceremony of the mosque. He was the one who returned the Garden of Fadak to Bani Hashim and ordered to stop the sinful tradition of cursing Imam Ali from the mosques as started by Moa’via bin Abu Sufiyan.

 

                       

SURAH AL-HASHR OF THE GLORIOUS QUR'AN

 

It is the 59^th Surah having 24 Ayahs. Hasher means “Gathering”. It starts and ends with the Glorification of Allah. It mainly deals with the hypocrite’s collaboration with Medinan Jews against the Muslims ending in their humiliation and defeat. According to the Prophetic tradition, whoever recites it with reflection as to its contents, Paradise, Hell, the Throne, seven heavens, the earth, as well as animals, birds, the sun, the moon, and the angels invoke God Almighty that He may bestow His mercy upon him and forgive him.

Ayah 6 and 7 specially deals with “Fay”- Fadak. Fay was the property belonging to Allah and His Prophet which was acquired without the Muslims fighting and using horses and camels. Ayah 6 and 7 states, “And what Allah gave to His Messenger from their property, for this you made no expedition with either cavalry or camelry. But Allah gives powers to His Messengers over whomsoever He wills. And Allah is All-able to do all things. What Allah gave as booty to His Messenger from the people of the townships, it is for Allah, His Messenger, the kindred, the orphans, the poor, and the stranded such that it may not become a fortune used by the rich among you. And whatsoever the Messenger gives you, take it; and whatsoever he forbids you, abstain (from it) and fear Allah. Indeed, Allah is severe in chastisement.

The word “Fay” connotes the property and booties seized without bloodshed and expedition and placed at the disposal of the leader of the Muslim community. It was in the seventh year of Hijra when the Jews surrendered after the Lion of Allah , Imam Ali (a.s.) extricated the mammoth gate of Khyber and killed Amr ibn Abdo-wad, facilitated the capture of the fort of Khyber. The huge war booty was distributed among the Muslim warriors. The Jews handed over the land including Fadak, to the Prophet of Allah. The orchard of Fadak was gifted by the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) to his beloved daughter Sayyida Fatima Zahra (s.a.). It was under her management for about three years. The revenue would be distributed to the poor and destitute. Returning from Khyber, Imam Ali (a.s.) distributed his share of the booty among the destitute of Madinah. This exemplary couple (Imam Ali and Sayyida Fatima) distributed whatever comes in the house. Because of their sacrifice for Allah’s creature, Sura-e-Daher or Sura Insan was revealed in their honor.

After the sad demise of the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.), the first caliph confiscated the Fadak. When Sayyida Fatima Zahra (s.a.) protested, the caliph asked for witness which she produced but was rejected by the caliph. It was against the law to ask for evidence and testimony for some property in someone else possession! She demanded her inheritance. The caliph narrated a fabricated tradition, “We prophets will not leave any inheritance”

Abdullah ibn Masud, one of the companions, narrates that in Masjid-e-Nabawi, a man stood up and said that he was a stranded traveler and was in needs of food. The Prophet asked “who will meet his demand and get recompense of Paradise in return?” Imam Ali (a.s.) stood up and took the man with him and came home and asked Sayyida Fatima Zahra (s.a.). She replied,” O cousin! There is some meager food at home and Hasan and Husain are fasting. The food is only for one person. “Imam Ali (a.s.) asked her to prepare the food. As there was one man’s food, they both thought to pretend as if they were eating and she delayed to get the lamp . When she returned, the man had already finished his food but still there was sufficient food left, hence they both and the children ate from the same food. Next day Imam Ali went in the presence of the Prophet of Allah, who informed him about last night’s story. On inquiry, the Prophet said that angel Gabriel informed him. Part of Ayah ninth relates to this, “and give them preference over themselves even though they were in need of that….”

It is strongly recommended to recite the last three Ayahs of this Surah. It contains seventeen Great Names of Allah detailed as under: Omniscient, Gracious, Merciful, Sovereign, Holy, Peace, Bestower of security, Protector, Mighty, Most Powerful, Magnificent, Creator, Inventor, Bestower of forms, Wise, Glorified by all creatures.

Source: The Glorious Qur’an (Tafsir-e-Namoona by Ayatullah Nasir Makarem Shirazi

MIRACULOUS FORE-TELLING OF THE INFALLIBLE IMAM HASAN AL-ASKARI (A.S.)

 

Abbasi king Mahdi was a tyrant like his predecessors and had kept the Imam in house arrest. One of Imam’s followers named Ahmad bin Muhammad complained to the Imam about his oppression, the Imam told him that do not worry, the king’s life is ending in five days and on the sixth day he was found dead. Similarly, a man complained to him about prison but did not mention his poverty, the Imam told him that he will be released the same day and that the Imam will send one hundred dinar to him. An other man inquired about the meaning of “Mishkaat” and further his wife was expecting and requested to name his newborn’s name. The Imam replied that “Mishkaat” is the heart of the Prophet of Allah and also May Allah reward him and  compensate him in other way. His wife gave birth to a still born baby. Ali bin Zaid bin Husain said that he went to see the Imam and the Imam told him that his horse will die the same night and the next morning the horse was found dead. Once, Jaffar bin Muhammad came in the presence of the Imam, and a thought came in his heart that t it would be better if he gets a boy. The Imam told him that he will have a daughter and he did get a daughter.

Jaffar bin Sharif Jirani reported that he went for Hajj and later visited the Imam. Jaffar told the Imam that the people of Jarjan  were anxious to see and meet him. The Imam told him that Jaffar will reach Jarjan in one hundred and ninety days and that the Imam will meet him there. The Imam reached there exactly the same day. The people were delighted to meet the Imam  and presented their problems and the Imam resolved them all. Nasr bin Jabir presented his son who was blind. The Imam  swept his hand over his eyes and Allah gave back his sight. (Kashaf al-Ghima page 128)

Once a man wrote a letter to the Imam with invisible ink. The Imam replied and printed his name and his father’s name. The man wan was surprised and converted to Islam (Dama-e-Sakiba page 172)

An Iraqi philosopher Ishaque Kundi started authoring a book titled “Contradictions in Qur’an”. When the Imam came to know about the book, he decided to guide him. Once, the follower of Kundi came to see the Imam. The Imam asked him if there was anyone  who could stop him from authoring the book. The Imam told him to go to Kundi and ask him if the owner of the book explains that he meant differently than what Kundi understand. When heard this he realized his mistake and asked his follower as to who told him that. First he tried not to tell the truth but on his insistence he told the truth. Kundi said, “Such objections can only stem from the Ahlul Bayt (a.s.) and he destroyed his book. (Biharul-Anwar page 172)

Once, during the time of Mu’tamd Abbasi, there was famine in Samarra for three years. People were asked to recite “Prayer of Istesqa” in huge gathering but there was no rain. Christian priest came and prayed for rain and it started raining. People were perplexed, the king requested the Imam to save Islam. The Imam, like his forefathers were always there to protect Tauheed irrespective of people’s behavior towards them, asked to call the priest for prayer again, when he came and repeated the prayer, the Imam asked someone to bring whatever priest had in his hand. When checked his hand, it was a bone. The Imam took the bone in his possession and asked him to pray. The clouds disappeared without rain. The Imam told the king and the audience that it was the bone of a prophet and whenever exposed below sky it causes rainfall. The Imam asked that bone be wrapped in cloth and buried. The Imam then prayed two unit of salat and prayed to Allah for rain and Allah accepted the prayer with heavy rain. The Imam was set free from the prison along with others who accompanied. (Sawaiq-e-Muhriqa page 124 and Kashfil Ghima page 129)

After one and half year the Imam was again arrested, and the jailor threw him in the animal’s yard. When the lions recognized  the Imam, they fell in front of his feet in obedience. The animals the status of Ahlul Bayt (a.s.) but not the people.

                Source: Fourteen Masoomeen (Urdu) by Hujjatul Islam Maulana Najmul Hasan Karrarvi

THE BRAVE WOMEN OF THE AHLUL BAYT (A.S.)

 

When the infidels of Makkah committed aggression on the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) and Sayyidah Khadija (s.a.) heard that her husband was injured and bleeding because of beating, she rushed to retrieve her husband and managed to bring him home. She stood up on a hill and denounced the Quraish for their brutal behavior saying, “O people! not long ago when you needed money you used to come to me for assistance and I helped you. Now you are paying me back in this way that you are hurting my husband.” The Quraish realized that although she is a woman and alone but still bold enough to speak the truth. The richest woman of the Arabia, she gave her entire wealth to the Prophet of Allah for the propagation of Islam. As a result of the economic boycott of the Ahlul Bayt (a.s.), along with her family she was forced to spent about three years in the “Shibe Abu Talib,” suffered with her family by eating leaves of the trees and died with no proper shroud.

Her daughter, Sayyidah Fatima Zahra (s.a.), the Chief of the Women of the World, the mother of the Princes of the Paradise, the wife of the Waliullah, Amir-ul-Momineen Imam Ali (a.s.), was the next bravest woman in the Ahlul Bayt who set an example for the women that even in hijab women can speak the truth and fight for the rights of her husband. After the sad demise of her sacred father, the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.s.), she went in complete hijab surrounded by the women of Banu Hashim tribe to the Masjid al-Nabawi and demanded her property rights of Fadak and when denied by discrediting the witness of Imam Ali, her maid Umme Ayman and the young Imam Hasan and Imam Husayn, saying they were under age. This was direct contradiction of Ayah Mubahela in which Allah certified the truthfulness of the “Panjetan” (Imam Ali, Imam Hasan, Imam Husayn and Sayyidah Fatima Zahra herself) Surah Ale Imran Ayah 62which says, “Should anyone argue with you when knowledge has come to you, then say, “Let us call our sons and your sons our women and your women, our souls and your souls , then let us pray earnestly and call down Allah’s curse upon the liars.”  Then she demanded the inheritance of her father. The caliph denied that too based on a fake tradition saying that the prophets do not leave any inheritance. She delivered a sermon saying, “….Allah chose Muhammad, my father as a prophet who brought Islam in which faith was set to cleanse polytheism, salat was prescribed to keep away pride, zakat prescribed to purify yourselves, Hajj to establish religion, obligation to obey us (AhlulBayt) to maintain order in the community, our authority (Imamah) to save people from differences. As for inheritance Allah says in Surah Nimal Ayah 16 “And Suleyman inherited Dawood” Prophet Zakariya prayed, “So grant me from Yourself an heir who shall inherit me and inherit from the family of Yaqoob.” Surah Maryam Ayah 5-6

Sayyida Zaynab (s.a.), the daughter of Sayyida Fatima Zahra (s.a.) and Imam Ali (a.s.) when Yazid’s forces after killing Imam Husayn (a.s.) and his family and friends at Karbala, made captive the daughters of the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) and taken around the cities without Hijab and ultimately brought before Yazid (l.a.) ibn Muawiya , she thundered like a lion and addressed Yazid as, “O Yazid! Do you think we have become humble and despicable owing to the martyrdom of our people and our own captivity and have been taken from one place to another, do you think Allah have taken away blessings from us. Do you think by killing the Godly persons you have become great and respectable. Allah says “the disbelievers must not think that our respite is for their good We only give time to them to let them increase their sins. For them there will be humiliating torment.” (Ale Imran Ayah 178). She further said, “O son of the freed slave! Is it just that you cover your women and the slave girls with veils and parade the daughters of the Messenger as prisoners! There is neither anything unusual about you nor any surprise in your actions. How can there be any hope of consideration from the child of a person whose mouth spat the liver of the righteous person and whose flesh grew on the blood of the martyrs. (Yazid’s mother Hinda, chewed the martyred Hamza’s lever in Uhad)

                Sources: The Glorious Qur’an, Fatimia in Ashura by Ayatollah Lutfullah Safi Gulpaygani

                                Sermon of Sayyida Zaynab in the Court of Yazid by Ibrahim Ayati

THE INFALLIBLE IMAM HASAN AL-ASKARI (A.S.)

 

Imam Hasan al-Askari (a.s.) was born on 10 Rabi As-Sani 232 AH in Samarra and martyred on 8 Rabi ul Awwal 260 AH. He was the eleventh Infallible Imam of Shia Islam.

Asker in Arabic means army. The reason for this name was that the Abbasid Caliph wanted to impress the Imam with his military strength, and he arranged an army parade. After the parade, the Imam asked the Caliph to look between his two fingers. The Caliph saw and was impressed by the army much superior in number to his own and he named the Imam as “Askari”

The Imam spent his life from childhood to adulthood in the house where his father, Imam Ali al-Naqi (a.s.) remained house arrest by the order of the Abbasid caliph! Even then the Imam continued his duties of preaching and explaining the Glorious Qur’an and the Sunnah of the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.). The Imam had written a complete Tafseer on Qur’an apart from other literary works. Imam’s life was not peaceful even during house arrest and taken to Baghdad, unnecessarily questioned, and imprisoned there.

While he was in Baghdad, there was a severe drought. There was no rainfall for a long time. People were facing famine. A Christian priest came to rescue the people. He prayed and it rained. The Caliph was concerned that people may become Christian because of this event. The caliph requested the Imam to help. The Imam told them when the priest shows that miracle, he will remove the doubts. Next time when the priest lifted his hands for prayers, the Imam told his companions to get the bone the priest had in his hand. The Imam told them that it was the bone of a Prophet, and it was the effect of the bone that when lifted in prayer, Allah’s mercy falls on earth. After this the Imam spread his prayer carpet and performed two rak’ats of prayers and prayed for rain. Before the Imam’s prayer finished, it started to rain heavily. As a reward for this, the Imam could return to Samarra but still placed under house arrest.

It was the tragedy of Muslim Ummah that instead of being respectful and thankful to the Ahlul Bayt (a.s.) and getting benefits from them, the caliphs in power, due to their own inferiority complexes and feeling of guilt as they had robbed the Ahlul Bayt(a.s.) of their right to lead the Muslims, subjected the Infallible Imams to imprisonment and kept them away from the people’s contact.

Allama Majlisi had given a detailed account of Imam Hasan Askari’s marriage. Imam Ali al-Naqi wrote a letter in ‘Roman,’ enclosed it with 220 Dinars in a red purse and gave it to his friend Bashir Ibne Suleyman and explained how to respectfully escort the granddaughter of the Emperor of Rum. Nargis Khatoon narrated the story to Bashir: “I am a princess. My mother was the vice-gerent of Jesus. My grandfather was anxious to marry me to his nephew. On the day of the proposed marriage, an abnormal event prevented the wedding. One night, I saw a dream in which Jesus and Prophet Muhammad greeted each other and the Prophet asked my hand for his grandson Hasan Askari. When I consented, the Prophet Muhammad solemnized the wedding. Afterwards, I had another vision in that Fatima, the daughter of Prophet Muhammad and Mariam, the mother of Jesus told me that I cannot marry Hasan Askari unless I become a Muslim. This I accepted and saw Hasan Askari in my dream.” Bashir asked as to how she became a prisoner, she replied: “Hasan Askari told me that my father was planning to send an army against the Muslims, and that I should disguise myself and the women servants and go with the army. I did this and before long the army guards captured us.” Imam Ali al-Naqi gave her in the custody of his sister, Hakima Khatoon (s.a.). Afterwards, Imam Hasan al-Askari was married to the granddaughter of Emperor of ‘Rum.’

Words of Wisdom: The Imam said: “Fear Allah, increase prostrations, be kind to your neighbors, associate with your kin and fulfill their rights, treat people kindly, mention Allah excessively and remember death, recite the Qur’an and send peace and blessings on Prophet because it has the reward of ten virtuous deeds, generosity has a limit when extended it is extravagance, economy also has a limit and if it is exceeded it is stinginess, and courage has a limit and if it is exceeded it is recklessness. Death comes unexpectedly. Whoever sows charitable deeds shall harvest happiness and whoever sows evil deeds shall harvest regrets. Worship is not abundant fasting and praying but includes deliberating on the Signs of the Magnificent God. What a bad man he is who has two faces and two tongues! He praises his brother when he is present and eats his flesh (back-biting) when he is absent. Vices put in a house and its key is telling lies. He, who praises an undeserving one, becomes as an accused person. Staying up makes sleep more pleasant, and hunger makes food more delicious. Reaching Allah, the All-Mighty, is a journey not achieved, except by performing night prayers (Tahajjud)

The Imam advised al-Mutawakkil, the Abbasid Caliph: “Do not expect goodwill from one, whom you have offended, or expect loyalty from one whom you have betrayed, or sincerity from one whom you have suspected, because the hearts of others towards you are like hearts are like your heart towards them. From the disasters that break one’s back is a neighbor who, if sees a good deed conceals it, and if sees a bad deed, spreads it.

BismillahirRahmanir Rahim (In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful) is closer to the Ism-e-Azam (Great Names of Allah) than the iris of the eye to its white. Polytheism in people is more inconspicuous than the creeping of ants on a black rock in a dark night.

Once, Muntasir Billah, the Abbasid caliph, visited the holy shrines of Imam Hasan al-Askari (a.s.) and Imam Ali al-Naqi (a.s.) in Samarra. His vizier suggested to him that he should visit the tombs of his fathers of Abbasid kings, and he agreed. When he reached there, he found the graves dark and miserable where dirt accumulated. The vizier asked the king to take care and pay money to rebuild these graves, but the Abbasid king asked if he saw the flourishing tombs of the pure Imams? “My fore- fathers associated with Satan and these masters associated with Allah, and all that which is for Allah remains, and all that which is for Satan perishes and disappears.”

 Addressing one of his companions, the Imam said: “Allah the All-Mighty did not deprive the earth of Hujjah since He created Adam, and He will not deprive it until the Day of Resurrection, of an authority (Hujjat) over His people. My son, named after the Messenger of Allah, will fill the earth with justice and fairness after it was filled with injustice and oppression. He will hide in an occultation, during which time no one shall be saved except the one whom Allah fixes on the belief in his imamate and supplicating Allah to hasten his deliverance and reappearance.

             Sources used:

            The Fourteen Luminaries of Islam                               by Ahmad Bijandi           

           Principles of Shiite Creed                                              by Ayatullah Ibrahim Amini

            Story of the Holy Ka’ba and its People                       by S.M.R. Shabbar

            Islam, Faith, Practices, and History                             by Sayyid Muhammad Rizvi

 

AMIR -UL-MOMINEEN, IMAM ALI (A.S.)' VALUABLE ADVICE TO THE PEOPLE

In response to a man’s request, the Commander of the Faithful Imam Ali (a.s.) said:

Do not be like him who, hopes for (Bliss in) the next life without action, and delays repentance by lengthening desires, who utters words like ascetics in this world but acts like those who are eager for it; if he is allowed something from it he does not feel satisfied, if he is denied he is not content ; he is not grateful for what he gets and covets for increase in whatever remains with him; he refrains others but not himself, he commands others for what he himself does not do; he loves the virtuous but does not behave like them, he hates the vicious but himself is one of them; he dislikes death but because of the excess of his sins but adheres to that for which he is afraid of death.

If he falls ill he is remorseful; if he is healthy he feels secure and indulges in amusements; when he recovers from illness he feels vain about himself; when he afflicted he loses hope; if distress befalls him he prays like a bewildered man; when he feels ease of life he falls into deceit he turns his face away; his heart overpowers him  by means of imaginary things while he cannot control his heart by his conviction; for others he is concerned about small sins, but for himself he expects more reward than his performance;  if he becomes wealthy he becomes self-conceited  and falls into vice; if he becomes poor he despairs and becomes weak; he falls short when doing a good thing but goes too far when he is begging; when passion overtakes him he is quick in committing sin but delays repentance; if hardship befalls him he goes beyond the cannons of the (Islamic) community; he describes instructive events but does not take instruction himself; he preaches at length but does not accept any preaching for himself; he is tall in speaking but short in action; he aspires for things that will perish and ignore things that will last for good; he regards profit as loss and loss as profit; he fears death but does nothing in its anticipation.

He regards sins of others as big but considers the same thing for himself as small; if he does something in obedience to Allah he considers it much  but if others do the same thing he considers it small; he therefore rebukes others but flatters himself; entertainment in the company of the wealthy is dearer to him than remembrance (of Allah ) with the poor;  he passes verdicts against others  for his own interest and does do so against himself for others interests; he guides others but misguides himself;; he is obeyed by others but he himself disobeys (Allah); he seeks fulfillment (of obligations towards himself); he fears the people (and acts) for other than his Lord (Allah) and does not fear his Lord in his dealings with the people.   

Source: Nahjul Balagha by Ayatullah Sharif Razi (r.a.) 

THE SEVENTH INFALLIBLE IMAM MUSA BIN JA'FAR AL-KAZIM (A.S.)

 

The sixth infallible Imam Ali al-Raza (a.s.) had married the Lady Hamidah (s.a.) and thus Imam Musa al-Kazim (a.s.) was born on Safar 7, 128 A.H. in al-Abwa, a place between Makkah and Madinah.

Prophet Musa was famous for his anger, hence Allah decided to show an Imam who will control his anger. Similarly, Allah stressed that character is more important than mere names as the vicegerent of Prophet Musa was Harun while the killer of Imam Musa al-Kazim was Abbasi caliph Harun.

As a child, the Imam holding the ears of a young goat, was forcing it to prostrate before Almighty Allah.

The Imam (a.s.) was five years old when he answered questions from Abu Hanifa, who was a student of his father. Abu Hanifa came to see Imam Sadiq (a.s.) who was busy, Abu Hanifa was waiting for Imam Sadiq (a.s.). The young Imam Musa al-Kazim offered to help him. Abu Hanifa asked, “When we commit a sin, is it Allah makes us sin? Is it us and Allah? Or is it us alone who commits a sin? Imam Musa said to him, “O Abu Hanifa! If it is Allah who makes us commit a sin, then it is not fair He puts us in Hell when He made us commit the sin. If it is us and Allah, once again, it is not fair that we are punished when He was part of the crime. On another occasion, Abu Hanifa asked the young Imam, “If a person comes to your town, where he should go to attend the call of nature?” The Imam replied, “He should take the support of rear walls, keep away from the views of neighbors, remain aloof from riverbanks, and avoid shades of fruit bearing trees; away from courtyards and streets; leaving the mosque, refraining from facing Ka’ba or keeping his back to it, he should take care of his garments and sit down wherever he likes.”

The Imam protected his friends and followers even when he was in prison. Ali ibne Yaqteen was a minister of Harun. Ali ibne Yaqteen was given a cloak as a gift by Harun and Ali ibne Yaqteen forwarded it to the Imam as a gift. The Imam sent it back to him saying that he might need it. This proved true when people complained to Harun that Ali ibne Yaqteen sends everything to Imam Musa Kazim (a.s.), Harun got his premises searched and the cloak was found there. On another occasion Ali ibne Yaqteen inquired from the Imam the method of wiping feet in wudu. The Imam wrote complete Ahle Sunnat method and followed it. People again complained to Harun that Ali ibne Yaqteen is a Shia and Harun spied on him to see how he was doing wudu, he was pleased and rewarded Ali ibne Yaqteen and punished the detractors severely. After two days he received a communication from the Imam that the time of Taqiyya was over and do wudu as commanded.

On advice from his advisor, Yahya Barmiki, Harun summoned Muhammad ibne Ismail, his nephew, from Madinah to plot Imam’s murder. He came and falsely alleged in the court of Harun. Harun awarded him two hundred thousand dirhams, but Allah punished him in this world, and he died the next day! Harun had Imam Musa al-Kazim arrested from the mosque not giving an opportunity to meet his family members. He was sent to Basra where the governor was Harun’s cousin. After a year, the governor recommended that the Imam may be released as the Imam was engrossed in prayer all the time. The Imam was shifted to Baghdad. Fazal bin Rabi was the jailor who was also impressed by the Imam. Harun appointed Sanadi ibne Shahik who ultimately poisoned the Imam.

Sources: The Life of Imam Musa bin Ja’far al-Kazim (a.s.) by Baqir Shareef al-Qurashi

                  Biography of Imam Musa al-Kazim (a.s.) by Sayed Ammar Nakshwani, Duas.org

THE DIVINE MEANINGS OF THE AYAHS OF SURAH FATIHA

 

The meanings assigned to the Six Ayahs of the Surah Fatiha of the Glorious Qur’an had been narrated by Amir al Momineen Imam Ali (a.s.) as communicated to him by the Messenger of Islam (s.a.w.a.s.) as mentioned in the famous Tafsir al-Mizan by Ayatullah Sayyid Muhammad Husayn Tabatabai’:

The Apostle of Allah saying, Allah the Mighty and Great has said, “I have divided the Opening of the Book (Surah Fatiha) between Myself and My servants; so that half is for Me and the (other) half is for My servant. And My servant shall get what he asks for. “When the servant says: In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful, Great is His Glory, says: “My servant has started with My name, and it is incumbent upon Me that I should complete his works and bless him in his affairs. And when he says: All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the worlds, Allah, Great is His Glory, says: My servant has praised Me, and he knows that the bounties that are with him are from Me, and that the misfortunes that have been averted from him were so averted by My grace; (O My angels!) I appoint you as My witness that I shall add for him the favors of the next world to those of this world and will avert from him the calamities of this world.” And when he says, the Beneficent, the Merciful, Allah, Great is His Glory, says: My servant bore witness for Me that I am the Beneficent,  the Merciful; I make you My witness that I will most surely augment his share in My mercy, and I will most certainly increase his portion in My bounties. And when he says, the Master of the Day of Judgement, Allah, the High says: “I make you My witness that as he has acknowledged that I am the Master of the Day of Judgement, I will most certainly make his reckoning easier (for him) on the Day of Reckoning, and I will most certainly accept his good deeds, and look over his sins.” And when he says: Thee do we worship, Allah, the Mighty and Great is he says: ‘My servant is telling truth, he worships Me only. Be My witness that I will most surely give him for his worship a reward that will be the (object of) envy to all who opposed him while he worshipped Me.” And when he says, and Thee we beseech for help, Allah, the High says: “From Me has My servant sought help, and in Me has he taken refuge. Be My witness that I will most certainly help him in his affairs, and will aid him in his difficulties, and will take his hand in his calamities. And when he says, guide us to the right path, Allah, the Mighty and Great is he, says: “This (part) is for My servant, and My servant shall have what he asks for; and I have answered (the prayer of) My servant, and have given him what he hopes for.  

 

                Source: Tafsir al-Mizan by Ayatullah Sayyid Muhammad Husayn Tabatabai

BACKGROUND OF THE BLOODSHED AT KARBALA

 

Hashim and Umayya were the two sons of Abde Munaf. Hashim was noble, generous and Umaiyya was clever, evil. These characteristics travelled in their generations. One of Hashim’s sons was Abdul Muttalib and two of his sons were Abdullah and Abu Talib. Hazrat Abdullah’s son was the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) and Hazrat Abu Talibs’ son was Amir al-Momineen Imam Ali (a.s.). Similarly, Umayya’s son was Harb, and his son was Abu Sufiyan. Abu Sufiyan opposed the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) and Islam. He was one of the leaders of Quraysh in Makkah. As an arch enemy of Islam, he fought in the battles of Uhad, Trench and Yarmouk. When the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) entered peacefully in Makkah realizing that he cannot defeat Muslims, he decided to enter the rank of Islam then destroy it from inside. His equally crafty son Muawiya also apparently accepted Islam.

The Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) had verbally communicated the Divine scheme to nominate Amir-al-Momineen Imam Ali (a.s.). Starting with the Feast of Dhul-Ashirah, when he announced his Prophet hood and sought assistance from his tribes’ men and promised that whoever helps him will be his brother, vicegerent, caliph after him but no one came forward except young Imam Ali (a.s.) who was 12 or 13 years old. In the battle of Khyber when no one could defeat the Jewish forces, he declared that tomorrow he will give the standard of Islam to one who will be victorious, Allah and His Prophet love him, and he loves Allah and His Prophet. Although Imam Ali (a.s.) was suffering from eye sickness but still he gave the standard to Imam Ali (a.s.) who came victorious and exhibited abnormal strength by lifting the mammoth gate of Khyber and helped Muslims to cross the drawbridge and enter the fort. While still in Makkah, when Abu Sufiyan and his companions planned to kill the Prophet, Allah informed him and asked to let Imam Ali (a.s.) sleep in his bed to deceive the enemy and secretly left for Madinah. An Ayah was revealed praising Imam Ali (a.s.)’s sacrifice, Surah Baqarah Ayah 207 “And among the people is he who sells his soul seeking the pleasure of Allah, and Allah is most kind to His servants” In Mubahelah, the Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) took Imam Ali (a.s.) as representing his own soul, Surah ale-Imran Ayah 61 “And whoever argue with you in this matter after what has come to you as knowledge then, say, come, let us call our sons and your sons, our women and your women, ourselves and your selves, then let us humbly to (our Lord) and invoke the curse of Allah upon the liars.” Wali means master. In Surah, al-Ma’idah Ayah 55, “Your guardian is only Allah, His Apostle, and the faithful who maintains the prayer and give zakat while bowing down.” On his way back to Madinah, the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) in compliance with the Divine Order stopped at Ghadeer-e-Khumm and after gathering all pilgrims in the scorching heat of the desert declared, “whoever’s Master (Mawla) I am, Ali is his Master (Mawla). It was the largest congregation of the lifetime of the Messenger. Unfortunately, within 50 days of his return, he breathed his last and the Ummah forgot his instructions and elected a caliph against the Will of Allah leaving behind the unburied body of their guide. As the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) had said earlier, “O Ali! You are like Ka’ba, people will come to you, you will not go to people.” During his lifetime, the Noble Messenger had said, “I am leaving behind two valuable things if you are attached to both you will not go astray; one is Allah’s Book, and the other is my Progeny." The events proved that Ummah picked up only the Glorious Qur’an and left the Progeny.

After the sad demise of the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) Abu Sufiyan came to Amir-al-Momineen Imam Ali (a.s.) and encouraged him to snatch the khilafat and further that he could fill the streets of Madinah by his forces to support Imam Ali (a.s.). Imam Ali (a.s.) rejected the offer saying since when he had become the well-wisher of Muslims?

 

EXTRACTS FROM THE WILL OF AMIR AL-MOMINEEN IMAM ALI (A.S.)

 

Amir al-Momineen and the eleven infallible Imams were role models for humanity. Their supplications were meant for the followers. Imam Ali (a.s.) was the soul of the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) i.e., Nafse Rasool and the “Gateway of Knowledge” He had recorded a long will to his son. Every sentence is a gem worth reading, its extract is given below:

My first advice to you is to fear Allah, be His obedient servant. Be attached to and carefully guard the principles (Islam) which connect you to Him. Adopt piety and kill your inordinate desires with its help. Subjugate your nature with the vision of death. Mediate over the lives of past people, what they had achieved during their lives and how it ended and what was their contributions to the human welfare.

Do not talk about things which you do not know. Advise people to do good and live virtuously. Let your words and deeds teach the world lessons of how to abstain from wickedness and vicious deeds. Try your best to keep away from those who indulge in vices and sins. Fight to defend the cause of Allah. Fearlessly help truth and justice. Develop the habit of patience against sufferings, calamities, and adversities. Trust in Allah and let your mind seek His protection in every calamity and sufferings because you will thus you will entrust yourself and your affairs to the Best Trustee and to the Mightiest Guardian. Do not seek help or protection from anybody but Allah. Ask as much as His Blessings and seek as much as much of His Guidance as you can. The knowledge which does not benefit anybody is useless.

In case of uncertainty or doubts seek guidance of the Lord and beseech Him for right direction. The Lord who is the Master of death is also Master of life. The One who sends calamities has also the power to protect you from them. Remember that this world is working under the laws ordained by Him, and it consists of assemblage and aggregation of actions and reactions, causes and effects, calamities and reverses, pains, pleasures, rewards, and punishments. Remember, had there been any other God, besides the One, he would have sent his messengers and prophets. But no such incident ever took place. He is One Allah whom we all should recognize and worship. Nobody is a partner to Him in His Domain, Might and Glory. He is Eternal, has always been and shall always be. He existed even before the Universe came into existence. There is no beginning or end to His existence. Allah has not ordered you to do anything but that which is good and propagates goodness and He has not prohibited you from anything but that which is bad.

Let yourself act as scale to judge its goodness or wickedness. Do unto others as you wish others to do unto you. Vanity and conceit are forms of folly. Lead a well-balanced life; neither be conceited nor suffer from inferiority complex. Exert yourself to earn an honest living. Whenever you receive the guidance of the Lord to achieve a thing you desire, then do not get proud of your achievement but be humble and submissive to Him and realize that your success was due to His Mercy. Remember, before is a long arduous journey of life wherein you will need refreshing, renovating and enlivening aids and helps. Do not overload yourself with so many obligations and duties that you cannot honorably fulfill them or be wicked and vicious. Otherwise, your journey will be painful and tiresome. If you find around you such poor, needy, and destitute people who are willing to carry your load for you as far as the Day of Judgement then consider this to be a boon, engage them and pass your burden on to them. Remember, that all you give out in charities and virtuous deeds are like loans which will be paid back to you. Therefore, it is wise to send your things there beforehand.

Realize that the Lord who owns and holds the treasures of Paradise and earth has given permission to ask and beg for them and He has promised to grant your prayers.

Source: A Letter from Father to son, the Last will of Ali ibn Abi Talib (a.s.) – al-Islam.org

THE VICTORY AT MUBAHILAH

 

In the early days of Islam, Najran was a big center of learning whose inhabitants were idol-worshipers. Subsequently, they accepted Christianity as their religion. Najran is in the modern Saudi Arabia, south of Jeddah. The Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) had sent letters to the heads of different countries inviting them to Islam. One such letter was also sent to the bishop of Najran.

It read as follows:

In the name of the God of Ibrahim, Ishaaq and Yaqoob. This letter is from Muhammad, the Prophet, and Messenger of  Allah to the Bishop of Najran.

Praise be to the God of Ibrahim, Ishaaq, and Yaqoob. I invite you to worship Allah instead of His servants. I invite you to come out of the rule of servants of Allah and into the rule of Allah Himself.

It is also stated that the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) included the following Ayah of the Glorious Qur’an:

“Say, (O’Muhammad) O People of the Book (Bible), come to an agreement between us and you; that we shall worship none but Allah and that we shall claim no partner to Him, and that none of us shall take others for Lords besides Allah” And if they turn away, then say, “Bear witness that we are Muslims (those who have surrendered to Allah).

This was the event of 10 A.H. Sixty learned priests headed by their chief monk priest, Abdul Masih, came to Madinah and went straight to meet the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) wearing golden ornaments and dressed in silken clothes. The Messenger did not like their attire and turned his face away from them. They inquired from a few influential Muslims for the reason, but they did not know the state of his (s.a.w.a.s.)’s mind. The Commander of the faithful, Maula Mushkil-Kusha, Imam Ali (a.s.) came to their rescue and advised them to dress in simple clothes. When they returned wearing simple clothes, the Messenger warmly welcomed them. It may be concluded that appearances and attires show the thinking of the person. They wanted to show pride and high status.

 Following conversation followed:

The Messenger: I invite you to the belief of Tauheed and the worship of one God and submission to His will. (Then he recited Ayah 64 of Surah Aale Imran.)

Abdul Masih: If Islam means faith in one God of the universe, we already believe in Him and follow His commands.

The Messenger: Islam has a few other signs and some of your actions show that you have not accepted true Islam. How do you claim worship of one God when you worship the cross and do not abstain from eating pork and believe that God has a son?

Abdul Masih: Certainly, he [I’sa (a.s.)] was the son of God because his mother Mary [Mariyam (s.a.)] had given birth to him without marrying anyone in the world. Therefore, obviously his father is the God of this universe. And, because he used to bring the dead back to life, cure the sick and create birds from clay and make them fly. It shows that he is God.

The Messenger: No, he was the servant and creature of God, and placed in the womb of his mother Mariyam (s.a.). All his power and strength were granted to him by God.

At this time, Archangel Jibra’eel brought the following Ayah 59 of Surah Ale Imran:

“Surely, the example of I’sa to Allah is like that of Adam; He created him from dust and then said to him, “Be” and he was” 

It means that if Isa (a.s.) could be called the son of God because he was born without father, then Adam (a.s.) deserves this title more because he was born without a father and a mother. The priests could not reply to this argument and continued to argue out of obstinacy.

Then the following Ayah 61 of Surah Ale Imran was revealed:

              “And whoever argue with you in this matter after what has come to you of knowledge then say, come, let us call our sons and your sons, and our women and your women, ourselves, and yourselves, then let us humbly pray (to our Lord) and invoke the curse of Allah upon the liars” 

The Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) produced this verse before the priests and challenged for “Mubahilah.” The priests consulted each other and accepted the challenge. It was agreed that the two parties' contest would take place the next day in the open desert outside Madinah. On 24^th Zilhajj, the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) came out for Mubahilah. He was holding Imam Husayn (a.s.) in his arms and held Imam Hasan (a.s.) by his hand; Lady of Paradise Sayyida Fatima Zahra (s.a.) was behind him, while the Lion of Allah, Imam Ali (a.s.) was behind her. The Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) said to them, “When I pray for curse of Allah, you should say Ameen.”

In compliance of the Ayah of Mubahilah, the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) brought Imam Hasan and Imam Husayn (a.s.) as his “SONS,” Sayyida Fatima Zahra (s.a.) in place of “WOMEN” while he could have brought three or more women, and Imam Ali (a.s.) as his “SELF “while the Ayah had the accommodation for three or more.

The priests, after seeing these shining faces emitting light, were spellbound. Their hearts trembled and they began to shake on seeing the light radiating from the faces of The Sacred Panjetan (a.s.).

Their leader asked: “who are these persons who have come with Muhammad?”

A man told their names and their relationship with the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.). He could no longer hold his patience and cried out:

“By God, I am seeing such faces that if they were to pray to God to move the mountain, God Almighty would move the mountain for them. O You People of Najran, if you contest with Muhammad in this prayer of invoking curses on the liars, then I warn you that all of you will be destroyed and not a single soul will remain on this earth. I feel that it would be better to surrender to them and obey them”

After the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) heard these words, he later remarked:

“By God, had the Christians of Najran contested with us, they would have been transformed into monkeys and swine. Fire would have rained over them”  

It is a historic event of a unique triumph of Islam. This event unquestionably established the truth about Islam and the spiritual purity of the Ahlul Bayt (a.s.). It proved beyond doubt as to who were the members of The House of the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) and their “unquestionable Truthfulness!”

There is a point to be remembered here that in Arabic language the plural tense is used for more than three persons. Allah had provided the place for three or more than three persons in the categories of “SONS,” “WOMEN,” and “SELVES.” But the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) had to decide as to who were the persons who were “TRUTHFUL” and never lied in their lifetime, because Mubahilah would bring up Allah’s wrath on the “LIARS.” It was a crucial test for Islam. Hence, he picked-up Imam Hasan (a.s.) and Imam Husayn (a.s.); only two persons for the place in “SONS.” While in the place of “WOMEN,” he picked-up only his daughter, The Lady of Paradise, Sayyida Fatima Zahra (s.a.). Similarly, in the place of “SELVES,” he picked up The Conqueror of Khyber, Imam Ali (a.s.). 

After the sad demise of the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.), when Sayyida Fatima Zahra (s.a.) claimed her gifted property of Fadak, which was given to her by her father, the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.), the Caliph did not accept her testimony, that of Imam Ali (a.s.) nor Imam Hasan (a.s.) and Imam Husayn (a.s.). These were the same Panjetan, whose Truthfulness was accepted by Allah on the eve of Mubahilah! 

                Sources: Duas.org, al-islam.org

THE IMPORTANCE OF 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 do not do so, you will not have communicated His Message, and Allah shall protect you from the people. Indeed, Allah 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 those gone forward and wait for the people coming behind them. The place was Ghadeer -e- Khumm, it was a thorny desert 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.) provided a guide to the Muslims after his demise? There are three possibilities; he did not provide a guide, he left it to the Muslims to elect 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 which was declined.

The other alternative was election by 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 neither supported by the Glorious Qur'an nor 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, “today, whoever offered to assist me will be my brother, my successor and my caliph among you after me.” 

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) 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 not I 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. 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)

As soon as the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) finished the sermon, the famous poet Hassan bin Thabit, with his permission recited a manqabat in praise of the newly crowned successor. When Harith bin Nauman heard about the succession, he questioned the Messenger if it was from Allah or his personal preference. Then he invited curse of Allah by saying, “if it was a Divine decree then let a stone fly from sky to punish him.” Allah punished him as stated in Surah al-Ma’arij Ayah 1-3, “A questioner questioned about the punishment to fall…” 

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

  

WHAT IS NAFS - PART TWO

 

Nafs is referred in Surah Al-Shams Ayah 7 – 9, “By the Soul and Him who fashioned it, and inspired it with (discernment between) its virtues and vices: one who purifies it is felicitous.

Nafs is an absolute reality. Unlike matter it does not have dimensions, cannot be seen or measured. Nafs need body to be created but does not need body for its existence. It is also a source of knowing Allah. Amir-al-Momineen Imam Ali (a.s.) said, “Whoever knows his self recognizes Allah.” If we think about it that Nafs is not our property, who created it and where it will be after we die.

Philosophers say that every cause has an effect. Fire causes warmth, Ice causes coolness. It is not possible that fire may cause warmth and coolness. There are different things in the world, how they were created by the philosophy of cause and effect. This erroneous approach mislead many honest polytheists and became disbeliever.

Human being needs eyes to see, because our Nfas is weak we need help (wasila). When Nafs is free from body it does not need eyes to see or ears to hear. Allah has created dreams for humans to enlighten this point. In dreams the shortcoming of matter is eliminated; we see although while our eyes are closed, we travel thousands of miles in a blink of eyes although our material bodies are in the bed. But whose Nafs is strong their bodily eyes and the eyes of their heart (Barzaqi) both work; it is said that the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) could see in front as well as people behind his back. It goes to prove that material curtain was not an obstruction for him and his progeny (a.s.). They can see and hear today also. Imam Ali (a.s.) being the “Nafse Rasool” said, “If the curtains are removed there will be no change in my conviction”

Now the question arises as to how we can strengthen our Nafs. To make our material bodies strong we need food which when digested become part of our body. Similarly, as Nafs is an abstract reality hence we need abstract food which is knowledge. We need to act or perform in the light of knowledge. Nafs is called Lahooti bird, and the bird flies with two wings, hence Nafs also need two wings: knowledge and action. The Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) and Amir al-Momineen Imam Ali (a.s.) said, “Knowledge calls action, if it comes it stays otherwise knowledge departs.” In Arabic, there are three alphabets in the word “Ilm;” “Ain, Laam, Meem” and the same three alphabets are in “Amal.” We should advise our children to always act in the light of knowledge. Knowledge becomes a part of Nafs, and the process of this conversion is called “Amal” or action.

Human being can eat any food to a point after which body does not take any more. There is no limit to acquire knowledge as Allah asked His Messenger in Surah Ta Ha Ayah114 “Rabbi Zidni Ilma.”” My Lord! Increase me in knowledge” Is it possible that Allah is asking His Messenger for increase in knowledge, and He will not grant it? It is also not possible that Allah is asking His Messenger and he will not ask for it. Whateverthe Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s) requested Allah granted it. Also, Knowledge becomes a part of Nafs and Amir al-Momineen Imam Ali (a.s.) was the “Nafse Rasool,” hence whatever Allah granted the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) he transferred it completely to Imam Ali (a.s.)

The smallest unit of the Knowledge is whatever we say in our intention for praying Namaz; there is no God but Allah, who ordered us to pray for His nearness. The Prayer or Namaz is that Amal or action.

The Majalis or congregations for honoring Ahlul Bayt (a.s.) is the best source of strengthening our Nafs.

 

Sources: The Glorious Qur’an, WIKIPEDIA, Speech of Ayatullah Aqeel Gharavi on “Marefat-e-Nafs” Duas.org, al-Kafi 3/70

SPECIAL MONTHLY PRAYERS

 

According to Ayatullah Sayyid Muhammad Baqir al-Hakim in his book, “The Role of Ahlal Bayt in Building the Virtuous Community,” He quotes Shaykh al-Tusi in his book, “Misbah al-Mutahajjid” Imam Taqi al-Jawad (a.s.) had said, “

At the beginning of each month and on the first day, a two-unit prayer may be offered. In the first unit, Surah al-Fatiha is recited once, and Surah al-Tawheed is recited thirty times. In the second, Surah al-Fatihah is recited once and Surah al-Qadr repeated thirty times. After completing it, alms should be given. One who does so will gain throughout that month. (Al-Hurr al-Amili, Wasa’il al-Shia 5:286)

It is also recommended to recite the following nine Ayahs:

Surah al-Hud Ayah 6                       Every animal’s sustenance is provided by Allah

Surah al-An’am Ayah 17                 If Allah wishes to bring harm no one can stop it

Surah Talaq Ayah 7                         Allah will bring about ease after hardship

Surah al-Kahaf Ayah 39                 There is no power except by Allah

Surah Ale-Imran Ayah 173             Allah is sufficient for us, and He is an excellent trustee

Surah al-Anbiya Ayah 87               There is no God except You, I have been among the wrongdoers

Surah al-Qasas Ayah 24                 My Lord! I am indeed in need of any good You send down to me

Surah al-Anbiya Ayah 89               My Lord! Do not leave me without an heir

Surah al-Ghafir Ayah 44                And I trust my affair to Allah, Indeed Allah sees best the servants

Also recommended to give Sadaqah and wear “Hirz al-Jawad,” (Ya Nooru Ya Burhanu Ya Mubinu Ya MuniruYa RabbikfiniShrura wa Afaatiduhure wa As’alukaNajaata Yuma Ynafaqu Fissure) on his shoulder.

 

Sources: The Role of Ahlul Bayt in Building the Virtuous Community book Eight by Ayatullah Sayyid Muhammad Baqir al-     Hakim, Speech of Maulana Kumail Mehdavi