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