SAUM OR FASTING IN ISLAM

Since the dawn of history, man did not find any means to ascend over his desires and worldly wishes, attain spiritual upliftment, return to spirituality, and renounce contemptible habits. Fasting in various forms was practiced by ancient religions; from Hinduism to Judaism and Christianity.

On the second of Sha’baan 2 A.H., fast was made obligatory in Islam. Surah al-Baqarah Ayah 183-185: “O believers, fasting has been made mandatory for you as it was made mandatory for the people before you, so that you may have fear of Allah. Fasting is only for a certain number of days. One who is sick or on a journey has to fast the same number of days at another time. Those who can afford redemption should feed a poor person. Good deeds performed on one’s own initiative will be rewarded. However, fasting is better and will be rewarded if you know! The month of Ramazan is the month in which the (Glorious) Qur’an was revealed; a guide for the people, the most authoritative of all guidance and a criterion to discern right from wrong.”

Hence, Saum (Roza) or Fasting is the second “Fru’-e-Deen” or “Branches of Islam”

  

In Islam, the spiritual, social, economic, political, and psychological benefits of fasting are inter-related. Fasting purifies the soul, cleanses the intention and brings about abundance of virtues to the Muslims. A fasting Muslim learns to curb his baser desires, avoids transgressions, and extravagance. Fasting fosters a strong will, teaches patience and self –discipline, the ability to bear hardship, and tolerate hunger and thirst in obedience to Allah’s Commandments. Fasting regulates and systemizes the energies of instincts. Fasting prepares the body for lofty spiritual impulses. Fasting grants a respite to the human body so that they may be ready for normal activities in a more vigorous manner.

Allah (s.w.t.) said: “Fasting is for me and I am the one who rewards for it.”

The Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) and Fasting:

                There is a famous tradition of the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) that when he was in                           Mai’raj, he asked Allah (s.w.t.): “O My Lord! What is the outcome of fasting in                           Ramazaan?” Allah replied: “Fasting leads to wisdom, wisdom leads to                                           knowledge, knowledge leads to certainty, when a servant attains certainty then it                         does not matter tohim whether he lives in difficulty or ease.”

                The Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) also said: “Ramazaan is the month in which you have                     been invited to the banquetof Allah (s.w.t.). In this month you made of those people                     whom Allah respects and honors. Your sleep in it is worship and your breaths are                         glorification to Him. In the sight of Allah, this month is the best month, its days are                     the best days, its nights are the best nights, and its hours are the best hours. The gates                of heaven are open in this month, so ask your Lord not to close them. The gates of the                 (Hell) fire are closed, so ask your Lord not to open them. Shaitans are in chain, so ask                  your Lord not to dominate them over you. When you feel hungry and thirsty in this                      month, remember the hunger and thirst on the Day of Judgment.

There are many benefits for the various sicknesses and diseases. Fasting helps weight loss, diabetes by lowering blood sugar, speeds up metabolism, lowers cholesterol and systolic blood pressure, promotes long life, improves hunger, improves immune system and hypertension, skin health. There are psychological benefits of fasting also. A fasting Muslim experiences peace and tranquility. Personal hostility is decreased. The recitation of the Glorious Qur’an promotes tranquility of heart and mind and also improves memory.

                Sources used:

                The Glorious Qur’an

                The Sermon of Sha’bania by the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.)

                webmd.com

SERMON OF THE NOBLE PROPHET (S.A.W.A.S.) WELCOMING THE MONTH OF RAMAZAAN

Sayyid Ibne Taoos narrated in his book “Iqbal”, quoting Imam Ali al-Riza (a.s.), who heard from his father, who quoted from the Commander of the Faithful, Imam Ali (a.s.), who said: “One day, the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) delivered the following Sermon about the Holy month of Ramazaan:

 O’ People! The month of Allah with Blessing, Mercy and Pardon has come to you, a month which is the best month among all months before Allah; its days are the best days; its nights are the best nights and its hours are the best hours. It is the month in which you have been invited by Allah for a feast, and has been selected as the recipient of His special favor. Your breathing merits the reward of praise while your sleeping in this month earns the reward of worship. In this month your deeds are accepted and prayers are granted.

Therefore, with true intention and pure hearts, beseech Allah to bestow upon you His special favor to be able to observe fasting and recite the Glorious Qur’an. Because the most unfortunate and wretched one is the one who remains deprived from Allah’s pardon during this great month. With your thirst and hunger remind yourself about the thirst and hunger of the Day of Judgment; pay charity to poor and destitute, pay respect to elders; be kind towards youngsters, and observe the bonds of relationship with your kith and kin.

Watch your tongue, cover your eyes from seeing forbidden objects and prevent your ears from hearing forbidden affairs. Be kind to the orphans of the people so that the others are kind to your orphans. Repent for your sins and at the time of prayer, raise your hands upwards, because these hours are the best hours as Allah looks towards mankind with Mercy and Compassion. Their hymns (reciting praise) are granted, their cries are heard. Whatever they ask is bestowed upon them and their prayers are fulfilled.

O’ people your selves are mortgaged against your deeds and therefore, by means of repentance make yourself free. Your back has become too heavy due to sins; by prolongation of prostration make yourself light-burdened. Know that Allah has taken the oath of His Majesty and Splendor that He will not punish those who offer prayers and bow down in prostration and on the Day of Judgment will not scare them from Hell Fire.

O’ people! Whoever in this month will make arrangements for the fast-breaking (iftar) for a believer, will be bestowed upon the reward equal to freeing of a slave and all of his past sins shall be pardoned.” He was asked: “O Prophet of Allah! But all of us are not in a position to arrange for the fast-breaking of a fast observer.” The Prophet replied: ‘Protect yourself from Hell Fire and offer fast-breaking even if it happens to be a date with a glass of sherbet.”

“O’ people whoever makes his conduct better in this month, on the Day of Judgment will be bestowed upon the permit for crossing over the “Seraat”. Whoever opens the knots of difficulties of people’s affairs in this month, Allah on the Day of Judgment will make the accounting of his deeds easier.

Whoever makes people immune from his mischief, Allah on the Day of Judgment will make him immune from His Wrath. Whoever treats an orphan with respect, on the Day of Judgment Allah will treat him with honor. Whoever takes care to strengthen the family bonds with relatives, Allah will extend His Blessings upon him on the Day of Judgment, and whoever will cut-off his family ties, Allah too will deprive him from His Blessings on the Day of Judgment.

Whoever offers supererogatory prayers in this month, Allah will register for his immunity from the Fire. Whoever performs an obligatory deed in this month, will be bestowed the reward of seventy obligatory deeds performed in other months. Whoever offers a lot of salutations (Salawat) upon me in this month, on the Day of Judgment, Allah will make his balance of virtuous deeds heavier. Whoever recites one single Ayah of the Glorious Qur’an this month will be bestowed with the reward of finishing the entire Glorious Qur’an in other months.

O’ people! The gates of Paradise are opened in this month; beseech Allah that it should not be closed upon you. The doors of Hell are closed, and ask Allah that they are not opened upon you. The devils are chained in this month, ask Allah not to allow them to take over your control.

Imam Ali (a.s.) said: O’ Prophet of Allah, which one is the best deed in this month? The Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) replied: “O’ Abul Hasan! The most supreme deed in this month is the piety and renunciation of the Divine Forbidden Acts.”

Reference:

Etiquette of the Holy month of Ramazaan     by Haj Mirza Javad Agha Maliki Tabrizi (r.a.)

GUIDANCE BY A SINFUL WOMAN

It is reported in “Bihar-ul-Anwaar” from “Usool-e- Kaafi” in olden times, there lived a pious man who was always busy in prayer. The Shaitan tried his utmost to distract him from the right path but could not succeed. One day he summoned his companions and told them about his unsuccessful efforts to distract the worshiper and solicited new ideas for his distraction. One of his colleagues advised why not to lure him towards adultery, to which Shaitan said that the worshiper had lost any sexual desire. Another one suggested why not attract him toward delicious foods and alcohol. Shaitan replied that because of the lengthy worshiping the man had lost apetite for the same. One of his cunning companion said that why not deviate him by worshiping only.

This Shaitan (who suggested this idea) disguised himself as a human being and spread a prayer mat suspended in air and started praying right in front of the worshiper. The worshiper was surprised to see the magic and went near him and waited to speak to him. The Shaitan was lost in praying and did not look toward the worshiper which further impressed the worshiper. At last, the worshiper requested him for God’s sake to let him know the secret of his (Shaitan’s) high status. Shaitan said: “I have reached this status after committing a sin and later repented. Since then I am constantly seeking forgiveness for that sin. If you want to achieve this status, you also commit adultery, seek repentance and continue to seek forgiveness like me.” The worshiper said: “How can I commit adultery as I am not familiar with it nor do I have money?” Shaitan gave him two dirham and also the address of a prostitute.

The worshiper came to the prostitute. Here comes Allah’s Guidance and turned the prostitute’s heart toward virtue. The woman witnessed the signs of piety on his face and thought that such persons are not expected to visit sinful places. The woman asked him the reason of his visit. The worshiper advised her to take money and proceed to the sinful act. The woman refused to comply unless and until she knows the truth. At last, the worshiper narrated the whole episode. The woman replied: “Although it is unfavorable to me but still I will tell you that the person who directed you to me is no one but Shaitan.” The worshiper asserted that the man assured him of a high status after adultery. The woman said: “O Pious man! Come to your senses, after committing adultery how can you be sure of your chance to repent and assurance of forgiveness? Is a whole garment better or a garment which is torn apart and patched up?” When the worshiper did not respond positively, the woman said: “O.K., I am ready for you but if you go back and see the man if he is still praying in air then come back, I am waiting for you! If he is not found there then definitely he was Shaitan” When a thief is identified then he will abscond. When a faithful comprehends the Shaitan’s doubts, he is saved from the destruction.

When the worshiper returned to his place he did not find the man and hence he realized that it was the accursed Shaitan who wanted to rob him of his long piety. The worshiper prayed for the woman who guided him back to piety. It is reported that when the prostitute died, the Prophet of the time was ordered by Allah to attend her funeral prayer. When the Prophet submitted to Allah that she was a prostitute,  Allah informed the Prophet that she directed one of His deviated slave back to Him and that she was forgiven by Him and had attained salvation.

Source used:

           Iste’azah (Urdu translation page 58)     Martyred Ayatullah Sayyid Abdul Husayn Dasteghaib

ISTE'KHARAH

The Infallible Imams (a.s.) have given a standard for judging; if an act is in line with the nafs of a person, it is “Shaitani” while an act which is against a man’s nafs, it is “Rahmani”.

Muslims are faced with situations in their lives when they cannot determine if an action is favorable for him or not like travelling, getting their children married or buying a house. Muslims are encouraged to do “Iste’kharah”. Iste’kharah is seeking Allah’s goodness and virtue for the intending action. Allama Muhammad Baqir Majlisi (r.a.) had compiled a book named “Mafatih-al-Ghaib” in which he had collected various Traditions. He had divided “Iste’kharah into four kinds:
1.       In every action you are contemplating to perform, approach Allah and pray seeking virtue and goodness, and be content with the outcome.

2.       After praying to Allah for the goodness, concentrate on your heart and follow its directions.

3.       After praying to Allah for goodness, consult a believer (Momin) and follow his advice.

4.       Do Iste’kharah from Glorious Qur’an, on tasbih or writing on paper slips and pick up a number of chits.

The Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.), the Commander of the Faithful Imam Ali (a.s.) and other Infallible Imams (a.s.) have strongly recommended praying Allah seeking blessings, goodness and virtues for your actions. It is recommended to recite “Astakhir-Allah Berahmate Khairah Fi Afiyah” in the prostration of the morning prayers 100 times. The Infallible Imam Ali ibnal Husayn (a.s.) Zayn-al0Abedin (a.s.) used to recite 200 times.

The best alternative is to seek Allah’s directive from the Glorious Qur’an through a pious person (Momin) who possess the following qualities:

1.       He should be intelligent and for-sighted. (Not foolish)

2.       He should be a pious and practicing Muslim(Not a faithless and untrustworthy one)

3.       He should be your friend and well-wisher(Not your enemy or hostile person)

4.       He should keep your secrets (Not disclosing to others)

The Infallible Imam Raza (a.s.) used to consult even with his slaves.

Iste’kharah through chits (pieces of paper):  In the absence of a Momin or any one not fulfilling the four qualities as stated above, one can take six chits of same color. Write “Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim. Khairah min Allah al-Aziz al-Hakim le (Write the name of the person and his mother’s name here). Write “Af’al” meaning do it below the above sentence on three chits. Write “La Taf’al” meaning Do Not Do It below the above sentence on other three chits. Place these six chits below the prayer mat, recite two rakat “salaat of Iste’kharah”. In the second rakat recite 100 times “Astakhir Allah BeRahmate Khairah Fi Afiyah”. After completing the salaat, retrieve the six chits, mix them then pick each chit one by one. If first three chits show “Af’al” then it is better to proceed with the action you were contemplating. If the first three chit shows “La Taf’al”, then it is bad and do not perform that action. If the chit shows mixed message of Af’al and La Taf’al, then pick five chits and follow those direction showing three writings.

In case of shortage of time and the person himself has sufficient understanding of the Glorious Qur’an, and then he may proceed with the Iste’kharah from the Glorious Qur’an.

Shaikh Tusi had narrated in “Tahzeeb” that one Yas’a bin Abdullah Qummi complained to the Infallible Imam Jafar al-Sadiq (a.s.) that he was dual minded about any work he wanted to do. The Imam (a.s.) told him: “when you stand for salaat; whatever comes to your mind, go ahead and do it because that is the time when Shaitan is farthest. Or you can open the Glorious Qur’an and follow accordingly.”

The scholars are divided about requesting other people to seek Iste’kharah for you. Yet another set of scholars do not approve of seeking Iste’kharah by the Glorious Qur’an. They recommend that if there is no dual-mindedness then one should do any work by having trust in Allah.

Source used:

            Iste’aza                                                             Ayatollah Sayyid Abdul Husayn Dasteghaib

1.  

THE INFALLIBLE IMAM ALI ZAYN-AL-ABEDIN (A.S.)'S SUPPLICATION AGAINST SHAITAN

It may be clearly noted that the AhlulBayt’s Imams are all Infallible; they physically can make errors or sins but they did not commit any such shortcomings associated with all human beings. They have prescribed these supplications to guide the humanity as to how to pray for different occasions in life.

We seek refuge in You from the instigations of the accursed Shaitan, his trickery and his traps, from trust in his false hopes, his promises, his delusions, and his snares.

And lest he should make himself crave to lead us away from Your obedience, and to degrade us through our disobeying You, and lest what he has shown us as beautiful be beautiful  for us and what he has shown as detestable weigh down upon us.

O Allah! Drive him away from us through Your worship, throw him down through our perseverance in Your love, and place between him and us a covering that he cannot tear away and a solid barrier he cannot cut through.

O Allah! Bless Muhammad and his Household, distract Shaitan from us with some of Your enemies, preserve us from him through Your good guarding, spare us his treachery, turn his back towards us, and cut off from us his trace.

O Allah! Bless Muhammad and his Household, give us to enjoy guidance the like of his misguidance, increase us in piety against his seduction, and make us walk in reverential fear contrary to his path of ruin.

O Allah! Assign him no place of entrance in our hearts and do not allow him to make his home in that which is with us.

O Allah! Cause us to recognize the falsehood with which he tempts us, and once You have caused us to recognize it, protect us from it. Make us see what will allow us to outwit him, inspire us with all that we can make ready for him, awaken us from the heedless slumber of relying upon him, and help us well, through Your giving success against him.

O Allah! Saturate our hearts with the rejection of his works and be gentle to us by destroying his tricks.

O Allah! Bless Muhammad and his Household, turn his authority away from us, cut off his hope from us, and keep him from craving for us!

O Allah! Bless Muhammad and his Household, and place our fathers, our mothers, our children, our wives, our siblings, our relatives, and the faithful among our neighbors, male and female, in a sanctuary unyielding to him, a guarding fortress, and a defending cave. Clothe them in shields protective against him, and give them arms that will cut him down.

O Allah! Include in that everyone who witnesses to You as Lord, devotes himself sincerely to Your Unity, shows enmity towards him through the reality of servant hood, and seeks help from You against him through knowledge of divine sciences.

O Allah! Undo what he ties, unstitch what he sew up, dislocate what he devises, frustrate him when he makes up his mind, and destroy what he establishes.

O Allah! Rout his troops, nullify his trickery, make his cave collapse, and rub his nose in the ground.

O Allah! Place us in the ranks of his enemies and remove us from the number of his friends, that we obey him not when he entices us and answer him not when he calls to us. We command everyone who obeys our command to be his enemy and we admonish everyone who follows our prohibition not to follow him.

O Allah! Bless Muhammad, the Seal of the Prophets and lord of the emissaries, and the folk of his house, the good, and the pure. Give refuge to us, our families, our brothers, and all the faithful, male and female, from that which we seek refuge, and grant us sanctuary from that through fear of which we seek sanctuary in You.

Hear our supplication to You, bestow upon us that of which we have been heedless, and safeguard for us what we have forgotten. Through all this bring us into the ranks of the righteous and the degrees of the faithful. Ameen

Translated from Sahifa-e-Sajjadia

THE INFALLIBLE IMAM MAHDI (A.T.F.) AND ALLAMA IQBAL (R.A.)

Allama Iqbal was the thinker of Pakistan. He was a Barrister (highest degree in law) from England and a Ph.D. from Germany. Although, a Sunni Muslim, he had a deep love for the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) and his Pure Progeny. Consequently, he had written about the Awaited Savior of the world; The Infallible Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.).

Allama Iqbal had written many couplets about the Infallible Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.) in Urdu as well as in Persian. A selection of such couplets is given below with English translation:

Dunya Ko Hai Us Mahdi-e-BarHaq Ki Zuroorat * Ho Jis Ki Nigah Zalzala-e-Aalam-e-Afkar

It is time that the expected Mahdi may soon appear on the worldly stage * His piercing Glance in the realm of thought would cause a violent storm to rage!

Kabhi Aiy Haqiqat-e-Muntazir Nazar Aa Libas-e-Majaz May * Ke Hazarun Sajde Tarap Rahe Hain Meri Jabeen-e-Niaz May

O! Awaited Reality, reappear in human form * As thousands of my prostrations are waiting for respectful bowing

Tarasti Hain Nigah-e-Narasa Jis Ke Nazare Ko * Wo Raunaf Anjuman Ki Haiy Unhin Khilwat Guzinoon May

The impatient eyes are waiting to see the center of attraction may be anywhere among ourselves

Mere Aqa Ye Jahan Zair-o-Zabar Hone Ko Haiy * Jis Jahan Ka Hai Faqat Teri Siyadat Par Madar

Life on earth has become deplorable and experiencing upheavals and only your leadership can save it.

Nau-e-Insan Mazra-e-Tu Hasile * Karvan-e-Zindagi Ra Manzile

The harvest of the human race is your personality and mankind is anxiously waiting for your guidance.

Majzoob-e-Farangi Ne Ba Andaz-e-Farangi * Mahdi Ke Taqaiyyul Se Kia Zinda Watan Ko

The German poet Nitshe awakened the Germans by the thought of an awaited savior

Aiy Wo Ke Tu Mahdi Ke Taqiyyul Se Hai Bezaar * Naumeed Na Kar Aahuu-e-Mushkin Se Khatan Ko

O Muslim scholar, who is fed up with the fact of reappearance of Imam Mahdi * Do not separate the deer from their habitat.

In the Glorious Qur’an Ayah 71: “On the Day when We call every nation with their leader (Imam)….” According to this Ayah, there has to be an Imam at every time on earth and that the earth will not be without Hujjat. Moreover there is a Tradition of the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.): “Whoever dies without identifying the Imam of his time, will die as an ignorant.

The Infallible Imam Ali (a.s.) said in Nahaj-ul- Balagha: “The Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) informed me, Allah has favoured us, The Ahlul Bayt, with seven persons, that He has not conferred on anyone before us, nor will He bestow it on anyone after us, viz, In our family is the Messenger of Allah, the chief of all Prophets and the seal of Prophethood. The Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.)’s successor Ali bin Abi Talib (a.s.), is more elevated than all other successors. He is the beloved of Allah, more than all other successors. His (s.a.w.a.s.) two grandsons, Hasan and Husayn, are the most excellent of grandsons. Our martyrs enjoy a distinction higher than the other martyrs, i.e. Hamza bin Abdul Muttalib, chief of all martyrs. Among us is the one who is granted a pair of wings by Allah, so that he can soar along with the angels in Paradise. He is Jafar bin Abi Talib. The Promised Qaim (Mahdi) is also from us.” (Muntakhabul Asr page 173)

Sources used:

The Glorious Qur’an and Nahj-ul-Balagha

Baang-e-Dira, Armughan-e-Hijaz, Asrar-e-Khudi, Ramooz-e-Bekhudi

THE MESSAGE OF THE GLORIOUS QUR'AN

There are four components of the invitation of the humanity towards “The Truth” which are equally divided into faith and deeds. This exhibits the composition of mankind as body and soul. The components of faith are the acceptance of the true Unity of Allah, fight against polytheism and the acceptance of the Prophet Hood of the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.). The components of deeds are the seeking of forgiveness from the Creator and turning to Him in repentance.

Surah al-Hud Ayah 1 to 4:“This is the Book from One who is All-Wise and All-Aware. Its verses are well composed and distinctly arranged (from one another). (It teaches), “People, do not worship anyone besides Allah. I, (Muhammad), am His Messenger sent to warn you and to give you the glad news. Seek forgiveness from your Lord and turn to Him in repentance for your sins. He will provide you good sustenance for an appointed time and will reward everyone according to his merits. I am afraid that you will suffer torment on the great Day (of Judgment) if you turn away (from Allah). To Allah you will all return. Allah has power over all things.”

The Messenger is warning the human beings against disobedience of Allah’s commandments about piety and good deeds as practically demonstrated by the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) himself and also about Allah’s blessings for the righteous and pious people.  Except the Infallible Prophets and the Infallible Imams, every human being makes mistakes and commits sins, whether great or small, hence the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) is encouraging people to seek (sincere) forgiveness from Allah, the Creator, for their sins, and purify themselves from all types of pollution. At the end, the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) is inviting them towards Allah by sincerely repenting thus decorating themselves with the divine characteristics. When a man attains all the above components then Allah is promising to provide sustenance and other fruits as long as one lives. The fruits of one’s virtuous deeds in the life here-after are guaranteed. Allah is All-Aware and knows the intentions of His creatures and will reward them accordingly.

Polytheism (Shirk) is the greatest sin that Allah will not forgive. Every Prophet had been appointed with one aim that is establishing Monotheism and fighting against absolute polytheism especially polytheism in worship. Hence the first condition for a successful and accomplished life in this world is the true and correct belief in the Unity (Tauheed) of Allah (s.w.t.). Then to have the firm belief that the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) is the last Messenger of Allah whose mission is to warn the people against His disobedience, injustice, corruption, polytheism and infidelity, and to give the good news of salvation to the people who are obedient to the Message and the Messenger.

However, if one turns against these four components, disobeying these ideological and practical commandments, then the Noble prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) is expressing his fear of punishment of a Great Day, when all and every creatures of Allah have to stand in the Great Court of Justice for the Divine Judgment. No one should doubt that Allah would be unable to reassemble the degenerated bones after death, providing them with a new life, because He is Omnipotent and has the Power over all things.