IMAM ALI, THE BRAVEST MAN IN HISTORY

Bravery is defined as the ability to stand up for what is right in different situations. Physical bravery involves acting in spite of possible harm to one’s body. Moral bravery involves acting in a way that enhances what one believes to be good in spite of social disapproval and possible back lash.

As a youth, Imam Ali (AS) was strongly built, strong arms, wide chest, and a very strong brave and shining face. Children of his age and even older to him were frightened of him and whenever they tried to mock the Prophet (P), they always ran away when they saw Imam Ali (AS) standing by for protection.

After the death of Abu Talib (AS), the Quraish became more hostile and all the tribes joined together and decided to kill the Prophet (P). One night they surrounded the Prophet (P) ‘s house. Allah informed the Prophet (P) about the possible attempt on his life. The Prophet (P) informed Imam Ali about the plot and asked him to sleep on his bed.

Prophet (P)‘s bed that night was the most dangerous place to be when death was certain. Imam Ali (AS) only enquired that if he slept on his bed his life will be saved. The Prophet (P) replied in affirmative. Imam Ali (AS) gladly slept on his bed. Forty representatives of different tribes were guarding the house with naked swords. Next morning when the swordsmen entered the house and found Imam Ali (AS) sleeping in the bed who was not afraid. When they asked Imam Ali (AS) as to where was the Prophet (P)

He replied “Did you leave him in my custody?” Imam Ali (AS) did not tell any lie even at such a delicate situation.

Imam Ali (AS)’ life in Madina with the Prophet (P) for the next ten years was the most busy in defending Islam. Imam Ali (AS) was the standard bearer of the Flag of Islam in all such battles and his bravery became legendry. Opposite characteristics had  gathered in Imam Ali (AS)’s personality. He was the bravest man in history. Brave men are always hard headed, cruel, and eager to shed blood. On the contrary, Imam Ali (AS) was kind, responsive, sympathetic and warm-hearted. Imam Ali (AS)’ bravery and piety both became legendry. Battles of Ohud, Badr, Khandaq and Khyber were fought in the defense of Islam and victory was always attained by virtue of Imam Ali (AS).

In 5 AH, all the defeated tribes hatched a plan to attack Madina and started advancing with a force of 10,000. When the Prophet (P) became aware of it, with the advice of Salman Farsi, he ordered a trench 5 yards wide and 5 yards deep be dug around the city for safety. At one place the trench was less than 5 yards hence Amr bin Abde Wudd jumped across the trench and struck his spear on the ground. The Prophet(P) said angrily “ who can finish off this dog”. There was complete silence. Umer said that he was a very strong man and used to fight with a baby camel as a shield. Imam Ali(AS) offered to fight. The Prophet reminded him that he was Amr bin Abde Wudd to which Imam Ali (AS) replied that he was also Ali Ibne Abi Talib. The Prophet (P) then wrapped his turban and gave Zulfiqar and prayed for his safety. Imam Ali (AS) invited him towards Islam which he refused. Then he advised him to return and persuade his people to lift siege which was also denied. Then Imam Ali(AS) asked him to dismount from the horse to which he agreed.

The fight began and at one point Amr attacked his helmet and his head was injured. At the opportune moment Imam Ali (AS) attacked him and killed him. On return to the Prophet, he said “Each blow of Ali on the day of Battle of Khandaq is better than all the worship acts of Jinn and men till the Day of Judgement”

 Battle of Khyber was the climax of all these battles, when Imam Ali (AS)’s victory brought prosperity to the Muslims. Muslim army surrounded the fortress of Khyber for 20 days. One day the gate was opened and Merhab appeared leading a column of army. The Prophet (P) sent a detachment under Abu Baker but the Muslims were repulsed. Next day he sent another detachment under Umer but that too failed. The Prophet (P) said “Tomorrow I will give the banner to one who loves Allah and the Prophet (P) and whom Allah and the Prophet love. He will not flee nor return till Allah by him conquers the foe” Next day he inquired where Imam Ali (AS) was. Imam Ali (AS) was suffering from sore eyes. He applied his saliva on Imam Ali (AS)’s eyes and he was cured instantly. Imam Ali (AS) confronted Merhab. Merhab recited this Rajaz “I am Merhab, I dive into my weapons and attack in a daring way”. Imam Ali (AS) said “I am one whose mother has named him Haider. I step into battle field like a ferocious lion”. Imam Ali (AS)’s Zulfiqar cut through his stone helmet and the body and he was killed. His companions fled inside the fortress and closed it. Aided by Divine power, Imam Ali (AS) seized the outer ring of the gate and shook it so violently that the whole fortress trembled. The gate broke away and Imam Ali (AS) used it as a shield. Later, he held it as a bridge on the moat on which all Muslims crossed it. It is reported that the gate was so heavy that seventy persons could not lift it.

After the victory of Makka, many non believers entered the folds of Islam. Some of the Makkans became Muslim for fear of their lives. Others joined the ranks of Islam for greed that Islam was now victorious, so if they joined in, good life would be theirs for free. Very few of them truly understood Islam. Test of the faith of all came immediately at the Battle of Hunain. An army of 20,000 assembled for this encounter. A flood of arches from three directions came on a Muslim army of 15,000. Muslims started running away without resistance. Only ten people stood the ground out of which eight were Bani Hashim. Once again it fell to the lot of Imam Ali (AS). He left six of them to protect the Prophet (P) and took two of them to stop the onslaught of the army. He killed the commander of enemy army and killed thirty others. The enemy lost heart and started to retreat. This gave some heart to the fleeing Muslims who started to come back. 

IMAM ALI (AS), THE UNIQUE PERSONALITY IN ISLAM

The light of Panjetan was created by Allah thousands of years before Prophet Adam was created. There is a Hadees-e-Qudsi that Allah addressed Prophet Muhammad (P) saying that the universe was created but for him (P). Hadees-e-Qudsi are those Divine messages from Allah to Prophet Muhammad (P) which are not part of the Holy Qur’an. Panjetan’s light was placed on the fore head of Prophet Adam, when he was created. At that time, when angels questioned Adam’s creation, Allah tested their knowledge about the names, in which they failed but Prophet Adam recognized those names which were the names of Panjetan. Hence, this light traveled through the pure prophets to Abdul Mutallib(AS) when it was divided into two parts; one part passed through Abdullah (AS) to Prophet Muhammad (P) and the other part passed through Abu Talib (AS) to Imam Ali (AS).

There is a well known hadees in which Prophet Muhammad (P) said “I and Ali are from one and the same light (noor). Hence for forty years, Prophet Muhammad (P) lived with the idol worshippers of Makka and established his reputation as “The Most Truthful” and

“The Most Trustworthy”. The Prophet(P) told the idol worshippers that there is a huge army behind the mountain will they believe him. They replied in affirmative and said that he had never told a lie in their life time. Whereupon he advised them to believe in Allah’s unity and follow Islam. They rejected his advice.Then Allah commanded him to openly invite his kin’s.

The first meeting of Islam was hosted by Abu Talib (AS). This is called “Dawat-e-Zul

Ashira). The Prophet Muhammad (P) delivered a sermon and sought help and assistance in propagating Islam. He also promised that whoever assisted will be his vicegerent and successor after him. No one responded except Imam Ali (AS) who was a young man of eleven or twelve years.

Imam Ali (AS) kept his promise throughout his life at a great cost of enmity which is still prevalent. After his martyrdom, every member of his family paid dearly to protect Islam.

It is generally agreed by every judicious scholars that the addressee of “Ya Aiyyuhal Lazeena Amano” or “O’ The Faithful” in Holy Quran is Imam Ali (as). As per the book

Kaukab-e-Durree, compiled by a Sunni scholar, Syed Muhammad Saleh Kashfi AlHanafi such verses occurred 300 times. Imam Ali (AS) himself said that one fourth of Holy Qur’an was revealed in praise of Aal-e-Muhammad, one fourth against our enemies one fourth about the past prophets and one fourth about commandments. Further, the above scholar had compiled 161 ahadees by Prophet Muhammad (P) in which he had praised Imam Ali (AS).

Imam Ali (AS) excelled in superlative degrees in all the noble qualities of knowledge, bravery, philanthropy, eloquence, worshipping, kindness, magnanimity, judicial expertise etc. That was the reason that a group of people, Nusairites, treated him as god.

Imam Ali (AS) was the standard bearer in almost all the military missions during the life time of Prophet Muhammad (P). The importance of being the standard bearer may be imagined when at the Battle of Khyber, Prophet Muhammad (P) promised to give the standard to the most  brave person and that Allah and his Prophet will love him. The companions of the Prophet (P) did not sleep the whole night and prayed for it.

Imam Ali(AS) was born on Friday in the Holy Kaba in the year 30 year after the year of elephant .His mother Fatima Binte Asad (SA) was near the Kaba when the signs of his birth became evident when she prayed to Allah for help for the sake of the unborn. A crack appeared in the wall of Kaba and she entered inside. The crack is still there in spite of every effort to erase it. Imam Ali was born in side Kaba and became the unique person in history to have been born in the most sacred place on earth. He did not open his eyes for three days till Prophet Mohammad (P) took him in his arms then only he opened his eyes and first thing he saw was the sacred face of the Prophet (P).

As soon as he opened his eyes he started reciting Divine Script.

In Medina, a huge snake was wandering around. Imam Ali’ (AS) mother stepped out for a very short time when the snake entered the house and tried to crawl upon  Imam Ali’ (AS) cradle when he caught the snake and tore apart its mouth. When Fatima Binte Asad (SA) returned and saw the dead snake she exclaimed “My son is Haider”

The Prophet Muhammad (P) had given his tongue into Imam Ali’ (AS) mouth at the time of his birth hence his body drew strength from it and it corroborate Prophet’s (P) saying

“Your flesh is my flesh”. The Prophet (P) raised Imam Ali as there was famine in Medina.

Imam Ali (AS) grew under the Prophet’s (P) patronage and he followed the Prophet (P) every where. As he narrates it in Nahjul Balagha “I would follow the Prophet (P) like a baby camel would follow its mother and could smell the scent of Prophecy and hear the words of revelations …..”

HAZRAT ABU TALIB(AS)

                                         HAZRAT ABU TALIB (AS)

Hazrat Abu Talib (AS) was the son of Hazrat Abdul Muttalib (AS) and the father of Imam Ali (AS). At the death bed, Hazrat Abdul Mutallib told Hazrat Abu Talib (AS) that Muhammad will be a prophet so support him with your hand and tongue. Hazrat Abu Talib (AS) was the most respected and influential leader of Makka.

As part of the Bani Umayyad strategy, who ever were attached to Imam Ali (AS), every effort was made to demolish their character. Hence, Hazrat Abu Talib (AS) was on the top of the list. It was emphasized by scholars that, God forbid, he was not a Muslim as he did not say the kalmia of Islam. His eemaan was like that of the momin of Surat al-Yaseen.

Considering the environment in Makka, it was in the best interest of Islam and Prophet Muhammad (P) that he should not openly accept Islam.

Allah(S) says in Surat Az-Zuha verse 6 “ Did He not find you an orphan and gave you refuge”. When Allah(S) is declaring Hazrat Abu Talib (AS)’ acts as His own, can Allah(S) claim a kafir’s acts as His own?

The year of Prophet’s birth witnessed a strange event. Abraha attacked Makka and his forces captured the animals belonging to Hazrat Abu Talib (AS)'s father; Hazrat Abdul Muttalib. Hazrat Abdul Muttalib (AS) approached the king Abraha and asked for his animals. Abraha said that he thought that Hazrat Abdul Muttalib (AS) would request him not to attack Khana-e-Kaabaa. Hazrat Abdul Muttalib (AS) replied that he wanted his property back, as far Khana-e-Kaabaa; his owner will take care of it. So Allah sent those birds (ababeel) who crushed the entire army.

Makka was hit by famine twice; once when Prophet Muhammad (P) was about 2 years old and another time when Prophet (P) had openly invited people towards Islam. The first time, when the leaders of Quraish were calling on their idols to send rain. When no rain was coming, people approached Hazrat Abu Talib (AS) and he responded by taking the Prophet (P) and praying as “O Allah, please bless us with rain for the sake of this child”. No sooner his prayers finished, it started to rain heavily. The second time, the city was struck with famine when Hazrat Abu Talib (AS) was already dead. On requests from the populace, the Prophet (P) prayed for the rain which started right away and it continued for seven days. The people once again approached the Prophet (P) to request for stoppage of rain. The Prophet (P) prayed and rain stopped. The Prophet (P) said “Alas! If my uncle

(Abu Talib) would have been alive; his eyes would be cool by happiness”. Further, he enquired if any one could recite the poetry of Hazrat Abu Talib (AS).

Hazrat Abu Talib (AS) was a businessman and used to travel to Sham (Syria). On one of such travel he took Prophet Muhammad (P) who was about nine years old. At one of the stopping place, a Christian priest met them and after hearing the name of the Prophet (P) and closely watching his face, the priest warned Hazrat Abu Talib (AS) about the danger to Prophet’s life. Hazrat Abu Talib (AS) cancelled the trip and returned.

On the birth of Imam Ali (AS), Hazrat Abu Talib (AS) and Hazrat Fatima binte Asad (SA) proceeded to Mount of Qubais and invoked Allah’s will about the name of the new born. A green tablet was sent to him on which it was written “I have conferred a special honor for you both by giving you a pure, dignified son. He has been given the name “Ali” from Allah’s side. It is derived from Ali (The Exalted). The tablet was hung in Masjidul Haram

Hazrat Abu Talib (AS) arranged the first open meeting at his house for the Prophet (P) to invite his relatives towards Islam. This is known as “Davat-e-Zulasheera”. Abu Lahab tried to interrupt the Prophet (P) where upon Hazrat Abu Talib (AS) scolded him and told the Prophet (P) “Get up and say what ever you like. Spread your Lord’s Mission, for you are The Truthful, The Trusted one”. After the meeting the third day when every one, except Imam Ali (AS), laughed about it while Hazrat Abu Talib (AS) said that he accepted the call and promised to support him.

The Quraish approached Hazrat Abu Talib (AS) to ask him to restrain the Prophet (P) from attacking their idols but he refused to interfere. When the Quraish were convinced that Hazrat Abu Talib (AS) will not stop his nephew from speaking truth, they unanimously agreed to socially boycott the entire Hashemite clan. Hazrat Abu Talib (AS) took the whole tribe to a valley called “Shib-e-Abu Talib”. This boycott lasted for about three years. In order to protect the Prophet(P), Hazrat Abu Talib(AS) would place his sons on the Prophet’s bed so that in case of an attack at night, his own sons may be killed but the Prophet(P) would be safe.

As per hadees of a Sunni scholar, Amar Ibne Saeed, the Muslims were traveling in the valley of Zil Majaz, when Hazrat Abu Talib (AS) reported that he felt very thirsty but no water was available. He requested the Prophet (P) for water. The Prophet (P) was very upset. When water could not be found, the Prophet (P) hit the ground and a spring of cold sweat water erupted.

Just before his death, the Quraish once again asked him to restrain the Prophet (P) not to insult their idols. Hazrat Abu Talib (AS) replied “If you hear Muhammad’s words and obey his orders you will be happy. So obey him and get happiness here and in the hereafter”.

The Prophet’s nikah was solemnized by Hazrat Abu Talib (AS). When the First Couple, Hazrat Adam was getting married to Hazrat Hawwa, Hazrat Adam enquired of Allah(S) as to what should be the “Meher”, Allah(S) replied that recite Salawaat over Prophet (P).

How a kafir can recite nikah of the Prophet, when the Lady of Paradise Fatima Zahra (SA) and the “Youths of Paradise” Imam Hasan and Imam Hussain and other infallible imams were to be born out of this wedlock.

After Hazrat Abu Talib (AS)’s death, the Prophet (P) came near his dead body and said “Uncle, may Allah(S) have mercy on you. You educated me when I was small, looked after me when I became an orphan and supported me when I became a grown-up”

Hazrat Abu Talib (AS) was a poet also and he had written hundreds of poetry couplets which are collected under “Diwaan-e-Abu Talib”. In one of such poems, he says “O

Quraish, do you not know that we have found Muhammad (P) to be a prophet just as Musa was and his mention has been recorded in the Divine Books”

In the light of the above statements, an impartial and educated person will conform that

Hazrat Abu Talib(AS) was the most perfect Muslim. In the Holy Qur’an, there is a Surat called Surat al-Munafeqoon. A munafiq is a person who who simply recites the kalmia but there is no Islam in his heart.

A NON MUSLIM'S LOVE FOR IMAM ALI(AS)

D.F.Karaka, a Parsi by faith, was the editor of English magazine Current of Bombay, India. He had profound love and respect for Imam Ali (AS). In his autobiography, in one of the chapters titled “Then came Hazrat Ali”, he describes his love for the Imam and how he saw the Imam in his dreams and how he was helped when was in despair.

He was operated for kidney ailment in 1968 and wanted to visit Najaf. He approached the Iraqi counselor and requested for a visa not as a journalist but as an ordinary citizen. The counselor objected about his faith that he was not a Muslim and why he wanted to go to Najaf. Some how, he succeeded in getting the visa and visited Najaf twice.

He described his third visit in detail. He reached Baghdad and took a cab. When he asked the driver to go straight to Najaf, the driver advised him to visit Karbala first as that was the normal practice but he insisted to go to Najaf straight as he had special relation with the Imam. He recited 110 times “Ya Ali”. He said that he had recited “Ya Ali” millions of times in three months.He was carrying a letter for the governor of Najaf. He said that he made a mistake by going to the governor first. The governor had arranged for an escort.As soon as he reached the mausoleum, he was not allowed inside but was restricted to outer courtyard. In desperation, he could hear the Imam as saying “You sought the help of officials while I came in your dreams”. He said that he did not hear any voice but he felt that Imam was not happy with him. In desperation he returned to Baghdad. He stayed in the hotel for 3 days. As a result of some unique event, he was once again driving to Najaf. Because of the unusual rush, he had to abandon the cab and started walking on a road called “Siraat-e-Mustaqeem”. Its name was mentioned in the Bible and also stated that Prophet Iesa (AS) had walked on it. Millions of men, women and children were rushing towards the main gate and he was also trapped with them and at that time he had an attack of angina pain. He was sweating profusely and thought that he was going to die. At that moment he felt that a strong masculine hand picked him up and placed him right inside the mausoleum. He was being pushed by the mammoth crowed. He was greeted by the Caretaker syeds who were standing near the walls. He managed to kiss the golden net of Imam Ali’s zarih. He felt on the top of the world. The heart attack subsided and he felt normal and fresh.

On enquiry, he came to know that it was Shab-e-Mairaaj and that was the reason for the rush.  

THE DIVINE FAITH - QAZA O QADR

Divine Qaza means a Divine decree in respect of the occurrences and events and the Divine Qadar means estimations of the phenomena and the events. Divine Qaza requires that the world order should be based on the system of cause and effect. Allah has decreed that man should have intellect and will and within the limited sphere of his natural and social conditions, should be able, to a great extent; take his destiny in his own hands.

Man is born devoid of any qualities and faculties but is capable of acquiring them and become master of his destiny. All causes are manifestations of the divinely ordained fate and destiny.

Holy Qur’an surat ad-Dahr verse 3 “We showed man the way so that he may choose, of his own accord either the way we showed him and be grateful or go the other way that is the way of ingratitude and disbelief”. Knowledge enables him to make his future as he likes. Faith guides him to choose a way which is beneficial to him self and the society. It gives directions to his decisions and makes them embrace spiritualities in addition to material advancement.

But man’s freedom of choice is limited by these factors; heredity, natural and geographical environment, social atmosphere, history and time factor.

From the above discussions it may be concluded that man is neither completely independent nor completely dependent on his destiny in his actions. Once a man enquired about it from Imam Ali, he ordered the enquirer to lift his one leg and when lifted one leg, Imam Ali asked him to lift the other leg. The man replied that he cannot do it, whereupon Imam Ali said that is your limitation.

Some people have been misled by the Qur’anic verses in which Allah proclaims about His knowledge of events in the world. They falsely presume that man cannot do any thing without Allah’s approval. They disclaim responsibility of their sins claiming that Allah wanted them to do certain acts. The whole concept of rewards and punishment will collapse if Allah, God forbid, forces a person to commit a sin and later send him to Hellfire.

The Thinker of Pakistan, Allama Iqbal said in one of his poems:

            Taghdeer ke paband jamadat o nabatat Momin faqat Ahkaam e Ilahi ka hai paband

Stones and plants are the ones who are bound by destiny but faithful is led by the orders of Allah.

Moreover, Imam Ali has warned his followers not to wander on the path of ‘Qaza o Qadar’ as the chances of being misled are enormous. He said “Our affairs are attached to the destiny decreed by Allah, even our best plans may lead us to destruction” Giving instructions in a battlefield, Imam Ali had advised his son: “My son! Remember that real help comes from Allah” Man is like an electric bulb, which needs to remain connected with the powerhouse (Allah) for remaining on. But he is free to light up either a mosque or a nightclub. Surat al-Talaq verse 3, Allah says “If someone trusts Allah, He will suffice him. He will surely bring about what He decrees”

So the solution to this dilemma is to acquire knowledge, work hard in all pursuits of life, let faith be our guiding light, think of benefiting others and pray for your success in both lives – worldly and hereafter. 

NAMES OF LADY FATIMA ZAHRA

According to Imam Jaffer al-Sadiq (AS), Lady Fatima Zahra (SA) had nine names;

Fatima, Al-Siddiqa, Al-Mubarakah, At-Tahira, Az-Zakiya, Ar-Radhiatul Marzia, Al-Muhaddasah, 

and Az-Zahra

FATIMA: Imam Mohammad Baqir (AS) said “By Allah, Allah bestowed knowledge on her and 

safeguarded her from menstruation”. Imam Ali Reza (AS) said “The Holy Prophet (PBUH) said

 that Lady Fatima was given the name ‘Fatima’ because she and her followers are protected from

 Hell”

AL-SIDDIQAH: It means a woman with scrupulous honesty and sincerity. Other meanings of

 Siddiqa are:Truth teller, one who never lies, one whose deeds conform to her words, one who

 believes in the commands of Allah and His prophets, without doubting any of them.

The Holy Prophet (PBUH) said to Imam Ali (AS) “You have been given three things which have

 been given to no one else, not even me:

1. You have been given a father-in-law like me and my father-in-law was not like me
2. You have been given an honest(Siddiqa) wife like my daughter, and I have not been the like
1.   of her as a wife
3. And, you have been given Hassan and Hussain from your loin and I was not given two sons
1.  like them. But you are from me, and I am from you.”

AL-MUBARAKAH: Barakah means multiplication, felicity and abundance. After the tragedy of 

Karbala, Lady Fatima’s offspring were slaughtered by Bani Umayyad, Banu Abbas and Banu

 Fatima. Surat Al-Kauthar was revealed. Kauthar means abundance. It is estimated that more than

 35 million descendants of Lady Fatima are living around the world. Of course these Syeds are 

traced back to Imam Hasan and Imam Hussain who were considered sons of the Holy Prophet 

(PBUH) in the verses of Mubahela in Holy Qur’an

AT-TAHIRA: At-Tahira means virtuous or pure which is evident from Surat Al-Ahzab verse 33

 “Allah intends only to remove from you all abominations, O people of the (Prphet’s) household, and 

to purify you with (extensive) purification” It is reported that the Holy Prophet(PBUH) had

 gathered the ‘Panjetan’ under the Cloak when Arch-Angel Gabriel descended with this Ayat-e-

Tatheer. Bibi Umme Salma, one of the wives of the Prophet, tried to enter the Cloak but the

 Holy Prophet (PBUH) refused her entry but said that she was alright but not part of the Ahlul Bayt.

AZ-ZAKIYA: The word Zakiya is derived from tazkia, which means attestation of some one’s

 honorable record or to purify one’s self. Purification includes removal of evil characters developed

 from corrupt nutrition, excessive speech, greed, conceit and vanity.

AR-RADHIAH: The famous verse of Holy Qur’an regarding ‘Nafse Mutmainna’ says “To the 

righteous soul will be said: O (thou) soul, in complete rest and satisfaction! Come back to thy Lord. 

Well pleased (thyself) and well pleasing up to Him”

Through out her difficult life, Lady Fatima Zahra (SA) was delighted with what ever Allah ordained

 for her.Her short life was full of inflictions and disasters especially after the demise of her illustrious 

father.

AZ-ZAHRA: The Holy Prophet (PBUH) said “Surely my daughter Fatima is the Mistress of all

 women, from beginning to the end. She is part of me and light of my eyes, she is the flower of my

 heart, and is my soul, Fatima is a human houri, who, when ever she stands in prayers in the

 presence of her Lord, her light illuminates the skies for the angels, like stars shine to people on earth”

IMAM-E-ZAMANA CAME TO THE RESCUE

An event has been reported in Badayeul Akhbar written by Mulla Ismail Sabzwari, page 150 and Safeenatul Behar volume one page 536 and Jawaherul Bayan. It is narrated that the king of Bahrain was a Christian and his minister was a Khariji. The minister presented a few pomegranates to the king. The strange thing was that the names of caliphs were imprinted on those pomegranates. The minister tried to convince the king that his religion was correct and the order of khilafat was divine. Somehow, the king was convinced that his minister was right and the Imamia sect was on the wrong path. He invited all the important Shia leaders and showed those pomegranates and asked them to explain it within a day or threatened to kill them.

It caused a lot of anxiety in Shia community. They unanimously agreed-on ten most pious scholars and the scholars planned to go in the jungle and pray and solicit assistance from Imam E Zamana.

After two scholars returned unsuccessful from the jungle after hours of praying and crying, the third scholar whose name was Mohammad bin Ali went and prayed namaz and recited supplications but was unsuccessful in connecting to the Imam. On his way back, he met with a person who enquired about the problem. Mohammad bin Ali replied that he was looking for Imam E Zamana but could not find him. The stranger replied that he was the Imam. Mohammad bin Ali said that if he was the Imam then there was no need to describe the problem.

Imam E Zamana said that there was a wooden box in the minister’s house and there were a few moulds of clay. He said that when pomegranates were still very small, the minister would clamp those moulds on baby pomegranates. The caliphs names were embossed in side those clamps. As the pomegranates grew, the names were imprinted on it distinctly and much larger.

The Shia scholars requested the king to accompany them to the minister’s house and personally see the fraudulent craft of the minister.  Consequently the minister was punished. Hence Imam E Zamana came to the rescue of his followers. It is clear that even today, if we call our Imam sincerely and from the bottom of our hearts, he will respond to our requests.