HAZRAT MUHAMMAD IBN ABI BAKR (R.A.)

Hazrat Muhammad ibn Abi Bakr was the son of the first caliph. His mother was Hazrat Asma bint Umais (s.a.). After the death of the first caliph, she married the Commander of the Faithful; Imam Ali (a.s.) and the Imam adopted Hazrat Muhammad ibn Abi Bakr and treated him like his own son. He was born in Madinah in 10 A.H. After being raised in the Purified shadow of the Imamate, he became one of the staunchest supporters of Imam Ali (a.s.). It requires a huge moral courage to see the truth and stand up against any one even his own sister, Hazrat A’isha, the Mother of Muslimeen, in the Battle of Camel (Jamal).

He had a son named Qasim, who had a daughter whose name was Umme Farwa. She was married to the Infallible Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (a.s.). Hence she became the mother of the Infallible Imam Jaffar al-Sadiq (a.s.)

During the Battle of Camel (Jamal), Imam Ali (a.s.) appointed him as the commander of the infantry. He was a brave man and hence fought bravely. When the Imam ordered the feet of the camel on which Hazrat A’isha was leading the war, the Imam told him to go near the camel and protect his sister when the seat falls. After the end of hostilities, Imam Ali (a.s.) respectfully sent her back to Madinah under the protection of Muhammad ibn Abi Bakr and forty respectable women disguised as men. At every occasion, Imam Ali (a.s.) demonstrated the highest degree of humanity, respect for Allah’s creation as a Divinely appointed leader should perform.

Hazrat Muhammad ibn Abi Bakr had written a letter to Muawiya about his behavior towards Imam Ali (a.s.). It is a long letter which exhibits the flair of Imam Ali (a.s.)’ eloquence. Some of the extracts are reproduced below:

                “I saw how you tried to reach his lofty status, though you are what you are, while he is                the one who stood out above the rest as the foremost in doing of anything good and in                  embracing Islam. His conviction was most sincere, his offspring the best among all                        people, his wife the best of all women, whose cousin (the Prophet) was the very best,                   whose uncle was the Master of Martyrs on the day of Uhad, whose father defended the               Messenger of Allah and his mission, while you are the accursed and the son of the                         accursed. You and your  father  have never ceased plotting to undermine the religion of               Allah, trying, both of you, to put out the light of Allah, rallying others behind you,                        spending wealth and seeking the support of other tribes. Woe unto you!  How dare you               set yourself as an equal to Ali while he is the heir of the Messenger of Allah, his wasi,                  the first among the people to follow him, the very closest to him. He shares secrets with               him,  while you are his enemy and the son of his enemy!”

Imam Ali (a.s.) appointed him as the governor of Egypt and sent instructions of governance. Extracts are given below:

                “Treat them (Egyptians) with respect. Be kind and considerate with them. Meet them                cheerfully. Be fair, just, and impartial in your dealings so that even influential persons               may not dare take undue advantage of your  leniency and the commoners and the poor               may not be disappointed in your justice and fair dealings. O’Creature of Allah!                             Remember that the Almighty Lord is going to take an account of each one of your sins,               major or minor  and whether committed openly or secretly. If He punishes you for                       your sins, it will not be an act of tyranny and if He forgives you it will be because of                     his Great Mercy and Forgiveness.”

Muawiya wanted to wrestle away Egypt from Imam Ali (a.s.); hence he sent Amro bin al-Aas with 6,000 people to face Muhammad ibn Abi Bakr. On receiving this information, Imam Ali (a.s.) sent Hazrat Malik al-Ashtar. When he reached Areesh, Muawiya conspired with a landlord to poison him in exchange for his taxes for 20 years will be free. Hence, Malik was martyred before reaching Egypt. Muhammad ibn Abi Bakr fought bravely but was martyred. On instructions from Muawiya, his body was sewed in the Caracas of a donkey and burnt. One can imagine what type of so called Muslims were they! Hazrat A’isha continued to curse Muawiya and Amro Aas for the rest of her life.    

Imam Ali (a.s.) wrote to Abdullah ibn Abbas, Muhammad ibn Abi Bakr’s uncle: “Muhammad died as a martyr. I beseech the reward of Allah for the sorrow I feel and the grief I suffer on account of the martyrdom of this young man who was like a son to me. He loved me. He was faithful to me. For Islam, he was a sharp sword and an impregnable fort.

Sources used:

Sharah Nahjul-Balagha                                                                                  By: Ibne Abul Hadid

Alhassnain.com

WIKIPEDIA

MOTHER OF THE FAITHFUL, HAZRAT UMME SALAMA (S.A.)

Her name was Hind and because she had a son named Salama hence she was called Umme Salama. She was the daughter of Abu Umayyah ibn al-Mughira al-Makhzumi and Atika bint Aamir. The Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) had married her after the demise of Hazrat Khadija (s.a.). She had distinguish and worthy qualities. She was among the first believers who accepted Islam and who had double migrations; one to Abyssinia and other to Madinah. The Qur’anic Ayah of Purity (33:33) in honor of the “Panjetan” was revealed at her house! She was famous for her kindness, affection and loyalty. The scholars had called her the great, the learned, and the visionary lady who had helped her husband solve the problems of Muslims. Her first husband was her cousin Abu Salamah with whom she had four children; Salama, Omro, Zainab, and Darrah. Her husband was martyred in the Battle of Uhad. Because she possessed qualities of beauty and perfect morals, hence many well-known personalities offered to marry her, but she married the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) for a little dowry. She was able to find an imminent place in his (s.a.w.a.s.)’s heart after the demise of the First Mother of the Faithful, Sayyidah Khadija (s.a.).

She was a pious and learned woman even during the period of Jahiliya (Ignorance) possessing eloquence and rhetoric. She was devoted to her husband and was ready to do anything to remove grief and sorrow from his heart. Therefore, she accompanied him to many battles.

Once, she told the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.): “O Messenger of Allah! Men struggle and participate in the battles, but women don’t, and they cannot be martyred. It is a great blessing that we are losing.”

The Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) explained to her the other substitute for women and said: “The woman’s struggle is in her relations to her husband.”

Ayah 32 of Surah al-Nisa was revealed: “And don’t covet that by which Allah have made some of you excel others; men shall have the benefit of what they earn and women shall have the benefit of what they earn; and ask Allah of His Grace; surely Allah knows all things.” Also Surah al-Ahzab Ayah 35 was revealed.

After conversion to Islam, she struggled to attain eminent morals with the passing of each day and added to her knowledge and faith in the company of her sacred husband. She made continuous efforts to obtain his satisfaction; hence she molded her likes and dislikes to that of her husband. She used to be ready to listen to the Divine Commandments from her husband and she would leave any work she was doing. Hence she had narrated 378 or 518 Traditions from the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.). Because of her sincerity, the AhlulBayt trusted her with the custody of “sacred documents”. One day the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) asked Imam Ali (a.s.) to write a document on the leather and secretly gave it to her with the instruction that after him someone will come to retrieve it from her after showing some signs. After 24 years of the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.)’s demise no one claimed it except Imam Ali (a.s.)

Imam Ali (a.s.) and Sayyidah Fatima Zahra (s.a.)’ wedding was arranged in her chambers. As a grandmother, she took care of their children with love and respect.

Post Prophetic period:

After the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.)’s demise, she was staying with Sayyidah Zahra (s.a.) and witnessed every event. She believed in the Imamate of Imam Ali (a.s.). She also went with Sayydah Zahra as a witness to claim the gift of Fidak given to her by the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.). At the Battle of Camel she sent her son Omro to Imam Ali to represent her and fight his opponents. Later, Imam Ali (a.s.) appointed him as the governor of Bahrain. Imam Ali (a.s.) called Omro back to help him to face Muawiya in the Battle of Siffin. Imam Ali (a.s.) gave the” sacred trusts of Imamate” to Hazrat Umme Salama before proceeding to Kufa. She wrote a strongly worded letter to Muawiya against cursing Imam Ali (a.s.) from the mosques saying as if he was cursing Allah and the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.)!

The Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) had informed her about the tragedy of Karbala and the martyrdom of his beloved grandson, Imam Hussayn (a.s.), in advance. He entrusted her with a glass containing the soil of Karbala and said: “Whenever you see that the soil in the glass changes to blood know that my grandson, Hussayn, has been martyred.”

On the 10^th of Muharram, 61 A.H., she had a dream and saw that the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) filled with sorrow wearing  dusty clothes and said: “I am coming from Karbala and my grandson Hussayn has been martyred” She woke up from the dream and saw the soil had turned to blood” She knew that Imam Hussayn has been martyred. She started mourning and crying.

Finally, this distinguished and great lady, at the age of 84, passed away in the year 62 A.H. and buried in Jannat-ul-Baqi.

Sources used:

HAZRAT UMME SALMA                                                                 By: Sayyid Irtiza Abbas Naqvi

Ezsoftech.com

HAZRAT FATIMAH MASOOMAH QUM (S.A.)

Hazrat Fatimah was the eldest of the four daughters of the Infallible Imam Musa al-Kazim (a.s.) and sister of the Infallible Imam Ali al-Reza (a.s.). She was 25 years younger to Infallible Imam Ali al-Reza (a.s.). She was born on the first of Zilqaad 173 A.H. in Madinah al-Munawwarah. Her most famous title was “Masoomah”, which was given to her by her brother Imam Ali al-Reza (a.s.), because she was a very pious lady.

Sayyidah Fatimah was only ten years old when her father, the Infallible Imam Musa al-Kazim (a.s.) was martyred in the prison of Baghdad. Now she had only brother Imam Ali al-Reza (a.s.) to look up to, this major grief made her very weak but she carried the strength to be alive only for the sake of her brother Imam Ali al-Reza (a.s.).Born in the family that was the fountainhead of knowledge, piety, and moral values, she was a pious lady. From the age of 10, she was educated and trained by the Infallible Imam Ali al-Reza (a.s.) till the age of 27 years. She had narrated many Traditions of her grandfather, the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.). Among the ladies of the Infallible Household (a.s.) there are two who enjoy a wide-ranging right of intercession. These two eminent ladies are pure and truthful ones: Sayyidah Fatimah Zahra (s.a.), the daughter of the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) and Sayyidah Fatimah Masoomah (s.a.), the daughter of the Infallible Imam Musa al-Kazim (a.s.)

After the martyrdom of the Infallible Imam Musa al-Kazim, Imam Ali al-Reza (a.s.) was charged with the responsibilities of Imamate. Mamoon Rashid did not allow Imam Reza to lead a peaceful life and he called the Imam to Iran. The Imam had to leave his whole family in Madinah and proceed to Iran.

For almost one year Sayyidah Fatima put up with the separation from her beloved brother, she could not stand any longer and decided to go to Iran to meet Imam Ali al-Reza (a.s.). She took five of her brothers, nephews and few servants. Together they went through many difficulties on the way. When they reached Sava, certain enemies of Ahlul Bayt (a.s.) attacked the caravan and martyred 23 persons including her brothers and nephews. After this tragedy, Sayyidah Fatima fell very ill and became very weak.

When the news of this tragedy reached Qum, one of the pious and devout Shia leaders, Moosa ibn Khazraj immediately sent his men to bring respectfully Sayyida Masoomah to Qum. As soon as her caravan reached the city, she observed that everyone was wearing black dresses and black flags were flying everywhere. When she asked Moosa ibn Khazraj the reason for this mourning, he started crying first then offered his condolence for the martyrdom of her beloved brother. She was so deeply hurt by this grief that after arriving in Qum she was alive only for 17 days. The women of Qum performed the ghsul and kafan. At that time two veil-covered horsemen came and one of them entered the grave and the other lowered the body in the grave. After the funeral prayers were conducted, the two mysterious horse men disappeared. It is reported that they were Imam Ali al-Reza (a.s.) and Imam Muhammad Taqi (a.s.).

There are certain features common to both Sayyidah Fatimah Masoomah and Sayyidah Zaynab Kubra (s.a.). Both of them are daughters of Infallible Imams (a.s.), sisters of Infallible Imams, and paternal aunts of Infallible Imams (a.s.). Another of their shared features is that they were both intensely attached to their respective brothers. Both of them were born in Madinah but were buried in alien lands.

Every year her holy shrine is visited by millions of Muslims from all over the world. The value of making pilgrimage to the shrine of Masooma Qum is observed by the words of the Infallible Imams as follows:

Imam Muhammad Baqir (a.s.): “Whoever performs the ziarat of Masoomah Qum will be rewarded by a place in Heaven”

Imam Jaffar al-Sadiq (a.s.) said: “If you want to earn a place in Heaven, and then perform the ziarat of Masoomah Qum”

Imam Ali al-Reza (a.s.) said: “Whoever attends the ziarat of my sister is like he has performed my ziarat and indeed, he/she will be rewarded a place in Paradise.”

Sources used:

The Benevolent Lady of the Prophet’s Houshold

Sayings of Hazraat Masoomen (Haidryonline) 

PROTECTION FROM THE ENEMY - SHAITAN

We all know that if we can identify our enemy then we try to protect ourselves. But Shaitan is a sworn enemy of human beings who is not visible to our eyes, he can see us we cannot see him, he has easy access to our hearts, we are helpless.

This is ancient enmity which goes back to the first creation of Hazrat Adam. When Allah ordered every angel to prostrate (show respect) the newly created Adam, every one complied except Shaitan, a Jinn, who showed pride and refused to obey based on his concept of superiority of fire over soil. He did not say that after prostrating Allah for thousands of years how he could prostrate Adam made of soil. He relied on his evil intelligence thinking that he was created from fire, which he thought, was superior to Adam who was created from soil. As a result of disobedience, Allah accursed him and threw him out. But he asked for the compensation for his long prayers in the form of control over the mankind to seduce and misguide them. Allah granted him that request. So we know that he is our enemy number one from day one. We cannot protect ourselves from him without Allah’s help. Hence, the concept of “Istighfar”-seeking Allah’s protection from Shaitan, arises.

Does the mere recitation of “Istighfar” sufficient? No. We need to make sure that it comes from the bottom of our hearts. So, “Istighfar” consists of two parts; we need to sincerely seek protection from the accursed Shaitan, and submit to Allah for His help.

The spirit of “Istighfar” has five aspects:

Taqwa or Piety

Tazakkur or Remembrance of Allah

Tawakkul or Trust in Allah

Ikhlas or Sincerity

Aajizi or Humility towards Allah

Surah al-A’raf Ayah 201 refers: “Verily those who guard (themselves against evil) when an evil thought from Shaitan afflicts them, they become mindful (of God and get awakened) then lo! They are forthright.” When the men of piety have fear from Shaitan, they busy themselves in prayers and they instantaneously get enlightened.

Therefore, the very first condition for keeping safe from Shaitan is to become pious. They also realize that Shaitan had fled because of their prayer and that they are in the protection of Allah. Piety covers a large area of our lives which also includes abstention from Haram or forbidden acts, Haram food, and Haram sustenance. One morsel of Haram food is sufficient to pollute the whole body, as the Shaitan’s blood flows in the body. Suarh al-Baqarah Ayah 168: “O Men! Eat the lawful and good things out of what is in the earth, and do not follow the foot-steps of Shaitan; surely he is your open enemy.”

As for the Trust in Allah, Surah al-Nahl Ayahs 98 and 99: “So when you recite the Glorious Qur’an, seek refuge with Allah from Accursed Shaitan, Surely he has no authority over those who believe and rely on their Lord.”  One who has Trust in Allah; Shaitan has no control over him. Shaitan has control over those who do not have Trust in Allah and all their confidence is on the material and worldly concepts of their life. When a person does not Trust Allah, all his pleadings for protection is of no use, Shaitan will have control over him. It is expressed in Surah al-Nahl Ayah 100: “Verily, his authority is only over those who befriend him and those who associate others with Him (Allah).”

Another aspect of “Istighfar” is sincerity. At the time of his expulsion, Shaitan admitted that he will not be able to misguide “the sincere” servants of Allah. Surah Sad Ayah 82 and 83: “He said ‘By Your Glory, I shall seduce all of them (children of Adam) except Your sincere servants among them” At the supreme level of such sincere servants are the Purified and the Infallible Imams of the AhlulBayt (a.s.), but any one may struggle to climb the stairs of sincerity!

Source used:

The Glorious Qur’an

“Istiaza”                                     Shaheed-e-Mehrab Ayatullah Sayyid Abdul Husayn Dasteghaib (r.a.)

MARTYR AYATULLAH MURTAZA MUTAHHARI (R.A.)

Martyr Murtaza Mutahhari was born on 31^st January 1919 at Fariman, in Iran. He was educated by his father, Muhammad Hussayn Mutahhari, and also at an exceptionally early age of twelve, he started the formal religious education in Mashhad.

But in Mashhad, he discovered his great love for philosophy, theology, and mysticism. This love shaped his entire personality.  He attended the Howzah at Qum from 1944 to 1952.He studied Fiqh and Usul under Ayatullah Hujjat Kuhkamary, Ayatullah Sayyid Muhammad Dama’ad, Ayatullah Sayyid Muhammad Reza Gulpaegani, and Haji Sayyid Sader-ad-Din Sadr. But more important than all these was Ayatullah Brujerdi, who succeeded Ayatullah Ha’iri as the director teaching establishment in Qum.

Ayatullah Ruhullah Khomayni was a young lecturer teaching Ethics at Qum. Ayatullah Khomayni was already established himself by the profoundness and comprehensiveness of his Islamic vision and his ability to convey it to others. His other teacher who had influenced Mutahhari’s personality was Ayatullah Muhammad Hussayn Tabataba’i who taught him materialist philosophy and “Shifa” of Abu Ali Sina’a. He viewed the attainment of knowledge and understanding as the prime goal and benefit of religion. Mutahhari adhered to the philosophy of Mullah Sadra, “the sublime philosophy” that seeks to combine the methods of spiritual insights with those of philosophical deductions.

 He returned to Tehran and was invited to lectures on Philosophy at the Tehran University for 22 years. His promotion was hampered by his closeness to Ayatullah Khomayni. He came to this University as an articulate and convinced exponent of Islamic sciences and wisdom, almost as an envoy of the religious institution to the secularly educated.

In addition to building his reputation as a popular and effective University lecturer, he participated in numerous Islamic associations that had come into being under the supervision of Mahdi Bazargan and Ayatullah Taleqani. Mutahhari’s wishes for a wider diffusion of religious knowledge in the society, led him in 1960 to assume the leadership of Tehran Ulema known as the Monthly Religious Society.  For about 8 years he gave lectures at Husseinia Ershad., which was designed to gain the support of the secularly educated youth.

As he felt the need of accurate and systematic understanding of Islam and the consequent problems in the society, Mutahhari single-handedly wrote many books such as Adle Ilahi (Divine Justice), Nizam-e-Huquq-e-Zan dar Islam (The system of Women’s Rights in Islam), Mas’alay Hijab (The Question of the Veil), Ashna’e ba Ulum-e-Islami (An Introduction to the Islamic Sciences), and Muqadama bar Jahanbani-e-Islami (An Introduction to the Worldview of Islam).

While in Qum, he had sought to instill political consciousness in his contemporaries, and was particularly close among them who were members of the Fidayan-e-Islam, the militant organization founded in 1945 by Nawaab Safavi. When the Islamic Revolution reached triumphant climax in 1978 when Ayatullah Khomayni left Najaf for Paris, Mutahhari was among those who travelled to Paris to meet/consult with him. Ayatullah Khomayni appointed Mutahhari as a member of the Council of Islamic Revolution in 1979.

He was martyred by an opponent’s bullets on May 1, 1979. When he was buried in Qum, Ayatullah Khomayni wept openly and described Mutahhari as “his dear son and as a part of my flesh”

He had written many books on different topics. His emphasis was more on teaching rather than writing. After his Martyrdom, his students collected some his lectures and printed them as books. He had authored more than 60 books. Out of love and respect, he had dedicated to his father one of his most popular books; Dastan-e-Rastan (The Epic of the Righteous). The book was later chosen as the book of the year by the Iranian National Commission for UNESCO in 1965.

In the words of the President of the Republic, Ayatullah Khamna’i, “The works of Mutahhari have come to constitute the intellectual infrastructure of the Islamic Republic.”

Sources used:

Islamic Insights

Imamreza.net

Islamic Laws

The Life of Mutaza Mutahhari

WIKIPEDIA

HAZRAT D'ATA GANJBKAHSH (R.A.)

Hazrat Sayyid Hafiz Haji Abul Hasan Ali bin Usman bin Ali Al-Jalabi Al-Hajwiri was also known as “Data’ Ganj Bakhsh”, was a great Persian Sufi scholar, writer and poet, who lived during the 5^th century A.H. He had significantly contributed to the spread of Islam in South Asia. Hazrat Ali Hajweri was born both a Hussayni and Hasani Sayyid! He was blessed with the direct lineage to the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) through his father who was a direct descendant of Hazrat Imam Hasan (a.s.) as explained below:

Hazrat Ali Hajweri, son of Hazrat Muhammad Usman, son of Hazrat Abul Hasan Ali, son of, Hazrat Abdul Rahman, son of Hazrat Shah Shuja, son of Hazrat Abul Hasan Ali, son of Hazrat Hasan Asghar, son of Hazrat Zaid, son of Hazrat Imam Hasan (a.s.), son of Hazrat Ali (a.s.). His mother was a descendant of the King of Martyrs, Imam Hussayn (a.s.). She was greatly devoted to religious worship and was committed to the betterment of welfare of the poor and suffering.

After the tragedy of Karbala, many of the descendants of Imam Ali (a.s.), dispersed to foreign lands, and the forefathers of Hazrat Ali Hajweri moved to the Ghaznavid Empire-modern day Afghanistan.

He was born in Ghazni during the reign of Mahmud Ghaznavi between 400 to 406 A.H.

After acquiring basic education, he travelled to different parts of the Middle East in search of a spiritual leader (Murshid) and was accepted by Shaikh Abul Fazl Muhammad. His other associates/teachers were:

Abul Abbas Ahmad, Abul Qasim bin Ali, Abu Ahmad  Muzaffar, and Abul Qasim Abdul Karim.

Arrival in Lahore:

One night, he saw his spiritual leader in dream saying to him: “O’ My son! We have appointed you as Qutb for Lahore.” After reaching Lahore, he constructed a monastery for himself and a mosque. While the mosque was still under construction, the Ulemas of the city raised huge storm of opposition to the effect that the mosque was not aligned exactly towards Qibla. Upon completion of the mosque, he invited all the Ulemas, Sufis, Saints, and the leading citizens and they offered prayers behind him.  He asked the people to close their eyes, meditate and then decide whether it is correct or not. Thereafter, he meditated and curtains were removed from the eyes of the people. All of them saw that the Sacred Ka’ba was before their eyes.

Khawaja Moin-ud-Din Chishti (r.a.) at his Mausoleum:

Hazrat Khawaja Moin-ud-Din Chishti (r.a.), the great saint of Ajmer, India came to Lahore to meditate for 40 days at the altar of Hazrat Ali Hajwiri (r.a.), and after achieving spiritual enlightenment, Khawaja Moin-ud-Din Chishti (r.a.) expressed his gratitude and out of love and devotion uttered the following couplet in Persian:

                                          Ganj Bakhsh-e faiz-e Alam, mazhar-e Nur-e Khuda

                                            Naqisaan ra Pir-e Kaamil, Kaamilan ra Rahnuma

      The giver of bounties, the benefactor of the world (and) the manifestation of the light of God

                            To the imperfect, a perfect spiritual guide, and to the perfect, a guide

This couplet had been written on the head plate of his grave.

Kashf-al-Mahjoob or Revelation of the Veiled:

This is one of the most famous books of Hazrat Data GanjBakhsh. It was written in Persian and has been translated in many languages including Urdu and English. The book is about Sufism starting with a chapter on “Ilm” or knowledge! There are other six books. Kashf al-Mahjoob was translated in English by Reynolds A. Nicholson Litt. D., lecturer in Persian in the University of Cambridge in the year 1911 A.D. There are 25 chapters of the book. Some of the chapters are about the Imams pertaining to the companions, to the House of Prophet, the followers (Ta’biun) etc. There are 11 chapters each for “one Veil”. The “Eleven Veils” are: “Gnosis (Marefat) of God, Unification (Tauheed), Faith, Purification from Foulness, Prayer (Salaat), Alms (Zakaat), Fasting (Saum), Pilgrimage (Hajj), Companionship, Definition of terms, and Audition (Sama’).

There are about 112 sayings of Hazrat Data GanjBakhsh on “Sufiwiki.com”. Some of them are: “Faith and gnosis are love, and obedience is a sign of love. Although hunger is an affliction of the body, it illuminates the heart, purifies the soul, and leads the spirit into the presence of God! Hunger sharpens the intelligence and improves the mind and health. Religion is the root and Sufism is the branch. Eternal life is gained by spiritual sacrifice and by the renunciation of self-interest in fulfilling God’s Commandments. The friends of God behold in every gift and benefit the Giver and the Benefactor. Men are looking to the Ka’aba, but the God is ever looking to the heart! Knowledge is a Divine attribute and action is a human attribute. Human nature is more prone to ignorance than to knowledge. Lust is our shackle, and sins are our chain. Our religion takes the middle course between free will and predestination.

Sources: WIKIPEDIA, SUFI-WIKI.COM, QALANDERIA.BLOGSPOT.COM

IMAMAT ACCORDING TO THE GLORIOUS QUR'AN

According to the Ahlul Bayt News Agency, Dr. Majdi Wahba  Al-Shafi’i, of Al-Azhar University, had established from the Ayahs of the Glorious Qur’an that the number of Imams is twelve and they are Infallible and the Shiite Islam is correct and authentic. This article was published in an Egyptian magazine “Roz al-Yusuf”. 

There is a philosophy in the number of the words; the word “Yom” (Day) has been used in the Glorious Qur’an 365 times meaning the number of days in a year are 365. Similarly, the word “Shhar” (Month) has been used in the Glorious Qur’an 12 times meaning there are 12 months in a year. On the same lines the word “Imam”, either singular or plural, has been used 12 times in the Glorious Qur’an meaning there are 12 Imams in Islam. According to a Tradition of the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.): “The number of Imams are 12, the first three are Commander of the Faithful, Imam Ali (a.s.), Imam Hasan al-Mujtaba (a.s.), and the King of Martyrs, Imam Hussayn (a.s.) and the balance 9 Imams are from his lineage.

The word “Imam” has been used in the Glorious Qur’an in the following Ayahs:

1.       Surah al-Baqarah Ayah 124; “…..I am appointing you as the Leader (Imam) of mankind…..”

2.       Surah al-Taubah Ayah 12: “Fight against the Leaders (Imams) of the unbelievers……”

3.       Surah al-Hud Ayah 17: “…..a witness who is an imam and a blessing recites it…….”

4.       Surah al-Isra’ Ayah 71: “On the day when we call every nation with their Leader (Imam)….”

5.       Surah al-Anbiya Ayah 73: “We appointed them as Leaders (Imams) to guide the people…..”

6.       Surah al-Qisas Ayah 5: “…suppressed ones in the land by appointing them Leaders (Imams)...”

7.       Surah al-Hijr Ayah 79: “Both people had clear (divine) authority (Imam) among them.”

8.       Surah al-Sajdah Ayah 24: “We appointed some of the Israelites as Leaders (Imams)….”

9.       Surah Ya’seen Ayah 12: “And everything have We confined into a Manifesting Imam.”

10.   Surah al-Qasas Ayah 41: “We made them the kinds of Leaders (Imams) who would invite…..”

11.   Surah al-Furqan Ayah 74: “Our Lord, make our spouses….and appoint an Imam of pious ones.”

12.   Surah al-Ahqaf Ayah 12: “Before this the book of Moses was a Guide (Imam) and a blessing...”

Doctor Majdi had also mentioned the “Hadees-e-Kissa” which is also narrated in different books of the “Saha-Sitta” (The Six True Books”) of our Muslim brothers. The word Kissa or covering has been used in the Glorious Qur’an 5 times which number coincides with the “Five Pure Personalities” (Panjetan Pak).

1.       Surah al-baqarah Ayah 233: “….on the father’s hall be their sustenance and their clothing….”

2.       Surah al-Baqarah Ayah 259: “….how We clothe them with flesh…..”

3.       Surah al-Ma’idah Ayah 89: “…typical of that which you feed to your own people, to clothe them…”

4.       Surah al-Muminoon Ayah 14: “The bones, then, were covered with flesh….”

5.       Surah al-Nisa Ayah 5: “Feed and clothe such people and speak to them in reasonable way”

Doctor Majdi says that from the above Ayahs the number of Imams is confirmed as Twelve and the number of Masoomeen is confirmed Fourteen in which the Lady of Paradise, Fatima Zahra (s.a.) and the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) are included.