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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

                       

SURAH AL-HASHR OF THE GLORIOUS QUR'AN

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

             Sources used:

            The Fourteen Luminaries of Islam                               by Ahmad Bijandi           

           Principles of Shiite Creed                                              by Ayatullah Ibrahim Amini

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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