| Do not give into waswasah | for everyone |
Do not give into waswasah (Satanic insinuations, devilish whisperings), wicked thoughts and unnecessary doubts. Thoughts and doubts such as: excessive worship is meant for only those who have nothing else to do, prolonged worshiping of God is a waste of time as well as energy, a learned has a more important thing to do than worshiping, 'ibadah is means to Taqwa (piety and God-fearing) and now that some of us have achieved it we do not need to go back, we are not Ma'sumeen (the infallible) therfore we do not need to imitate them, we are better than others who do not pray at all, prolonged and devoted worship is alien to Islam which is introduced by outsiders, etc.
Before beginning our obligatory prayers we need to spend sometime in either listening to the Quranic recitations or saying nawafil (supererogatory prayers) so that our minds settle down and we are able to concentrate better in the salaat.
The time we alot for worshipping should be given in its entirety for the purpose. During this time we should not entertain other activities such as answering to telephone calls, responding to pagers, playing with our children, or attending to domestic chores. Both physically and mentally we give ourselves to worshipping the Almighty Creator and Sustainer.
| ON MOURNING | for everyone |
Imam 'Ali (A.S.) said:
Surely, Allah has chosen for us followers (Shiites), who assist us and are happy at our happiness and are sad in our sadness.
Ghuraral‑Hikam vol. 1, pg. 135.
Imam 'Ali Ibn al‑Husain (A.S.) used to say:
Every Mu'min, whose eyes shed tears upon the killing of Husain Ibn 'Ali (A.S.) and his companions, such that the tears roll down his cheeks, Allah shall accommodate him in the elevated rooms of Paradise.
Yanaabe'al‑Mawaddah, pg. 419.
For those unable to go for the ziarat of Imam Husain (A.S.) on the day of A'ashura, Imam Baqir (A.S.) mentions the manner of performing A'zadari as follows:
He should mourn over Husain (A.S.), weep for him and instruct the members of the house to weep for him. He should establish the mourning ceremony in the house by exhibiting lamentations and grief over him; the people should meet one another in their homes and offer condolences and consolation to each other over the calamities which befell him.
Kaamil al‑Ziyaraat pg. 175
Imam Baqir (A.S.) said:
Amirul Mu'mineen (A.S.), along with two of his companions, happened to pass by Kerbala and as he did so, tears filled his eyes. He said (to them), "This is the resting place of their animals; and this is where their luggage shall be laid down; and it is here that their blood shall be shed. Blessed are you O' Earth, that the blood of the beloved shall be spilled upon you."
Bihar al Anwar, vol: 98 pg. 258.
Imam Sadiq (A.S.) said:
`As for A'li Ibn al‑Husain (A.S.), he cried over Husain (A.S.) for twenty years (after the tragedy of Kerbala); never would any food be placed before him except that he would begin to weep.
Bihar al Anwar, vol 46, pg. 108
Imam Sadiq (A.S.) said to Fudhail:
Do you sit together, talk and discuss amongst yourselves? Fudhail replied: Yes. The Imam then said: I approve of these sittings. So keep our `issue' (Imamate) alive. May Allah exhibit mercy on those who revive our issue and mission!
Wasail al‑Shiah , vol. 10, pg. 391.
Imam Sadiq (A.S.) said:
O' Zurarah! The sky had cried for forty days over (the martyrdom of) Husain (A.S.)
Mustadrakal‑Wasail, vol 1 pg. 391
| LESSON TO OUR SHIA BY IMAM ALI ZAINUL ABEDEEN (A.S.) | for everyone |
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| Imam Zainul Abideen (as)- THE TRUE HELPER OF THE POOR | for everyone |
Imam Zainul Abideen (as) looked after about 100 families like this without them even knowing who it was that was helping them.
Imam Zainul Abideen (as) had a poor cousin. Imam Zainul Abideen (as) used to go to visit him every night and give him some money while he could not see Imam's face. That man used to say, "Imam Zainul Abideen (as) does not consider his poor family members; may Allah (SWT) punish him." Imam Zainul Abideen (as) heard these words many times and never said anything; he continued to be anonymous with his patience. After Imam's martyrdom, his cousin did not receive any charity and then realized that the generous man who used to help him was Imam Zainul Abideen (as). Thus, he went to Imam's cemetery and cried there.
Muhammad Is'haq narrates: Many of the poor citizens of Madinah had experienced the generosity and kindness of Imam Zainul Abideen (as). Yet, they never found out it was the Imam Zainul Abideen (as) as he would visit them during the nights, until Imam Zainul Abideen (as) passed away, and that anonymous man never came to them any more. It was then that they found out that that anonymous helper was Imam Zainul Abideen (as).
Abu Hamzah al-Thomali also narrates: During the night, Imam Zainul Abideen (as) would carry food on his shoulders for the poor and needy people. He would say, "Giving charity in secret will subside the anger of Allah (SWT)."
Ibn Sa'ad who died around 200 A.H. has narrated: There were many poor people who would come to the Imam Zainul Abideen (as) for help, and before they even asked for anything, the Imam Zainul Abideen (as) would give them what they wanted. Imam Zainul Abideen (as) would then say, "Giving charity is received by Allah (SWT) before it is received by the poor."
It was from the examples mentioned above that when the Imam Zainul Abideen (as) was martyred, and some were helping in washing his body (giving him Ghusl), they noticed the wounds on his shoulder and back. They asked about it, and found out that the wounds were the result of carrying the food for the poor.
Moral: When you do something good you should not tell everyone because Allah (SWT) can see and HE is the one who will give you reward (Thawab) for what you have done. In fact Allah (SWT) says that HE will give you more Thawab if you do good and do not tell anyone.
Imam Zainul Abideen (as) had a poor cousin. Imam Zainul Abideen (as) used to go to visit him every night and give him some money while he could not see Imam's face. That man used to say, "Imam Zainul Abideen (as) does not consider his poor family members; may Allah (SWT) punish him." Imam Zainul Abideen (as) heard these words many times and never said anything; he continued to be anonymous with his patience. After Imam's martyrdom, his cousin did not receive any charity and then realized that the generous man who used to help him was Imam Zainul Abideen (as). Thus, he went to Imam's cemetery and cried there.
Muhammad Is'haq narrates: Many of the poor citizens of Madinah had experienced the generosity and kindness of Imam Zainul Abideen (as). Yet, they never found out it was the Imam Zainul Abideen (as) as he would visit them during the nights, until Imam Zainul Abideen (as) passed away, and that anonymous man never came to them any more. It was then that they found out that that anonymous helper was Imam Zainul Abideen (as).
Abu Hamzah al-Thomali also narrates: During the night, Imam Zainul Abideen (as) would carry food on his shoulders for the poor and needy people. He would say, "Giving charity in secret will subside the anger of Allah (SWT)."
Ibn Sa'ad who died around 200 A.H. has narrated: There were many poor people who would come to the Imam Zainul Abideen (as) for help, and before they even asked for anything, the Imam Zainul Abideen (as) would give them what they wanted. Imam Zainul Abideen (as) would then say, "Giving charity is received by Allah (SWT) before it is received by the poor."
It was from the examples mentioned above that when the Imam Zainul Abideen (as) was martyred, and some were helping in washing his body (giving him Ghusl), they noticed the wounds on his shoulder and back. They asked about it, and found out that the wounds were the result of carrying the food for the poor.
Moral: When you do something good you should not tell everyone because Allah (SWT) can see and HE is the one who will give you reward (Thawab) for what you have done. In fact Allah (SWT) says that HE will give you more Thawab if you do good and do not tell anyone.
| SAYINGS OF OUR 4TH IMAM (A.S.) | for everyone |
1. (Oh people) contemplate, meditate & practice for the (place, thing) that you have been created for, Allah did not at all create you in vain & useless.
2. There are three (qualities) which is present in a faithful, he is supported & backed by Allah, & Allah provides him the shade of His celestial throne & secures him from the great horror of the dooms day: the one who gives those rights to the others which he wishes & looks forwards to from the others.
And the man who does not extend his hand & does not take a step ahead till he knows (for sure) that his step is in the (direction of) obedience of Allah or in his sin.
And the person who does not find fault with his brother till he abandons that fault himself.
3. The assemblies of the pious men are the invitation to righteousness & piety.
4. Take care, not to acquire the company of foolish & witless since he wants to benefit you but harms you. (due to his stupidity).
5. Take care, not to acquire the companionship of the parsimonious & miser because he will deprive you of his wealth which you will extremely need it.
6. Take Care, not to acquire the company of the liar for he is like a mirage (deceiving). He shows you the near one as distant & the distant thing as nearby.
7. If someone abuses you (standing) on the right side & then apologizes coming over to your left side, do accept his apologies.
8. The seeing of a faithful at the face of his brother, for the sake of (his) love & affection, is a service.
9. If people knew what (brilliant result) lies in seeking knowledge they would have definitely sought it even by shedding the blood of their hearts & plunging into the depth of oceans.
10. Guard against lies, both small of it & big, in all conditions, both in seriousness & joke.
11. And the sins which are the cause of rejection of prayers are:
a. Bad intention
b. wickedness of interior
c. hypocrisy with the (religious) brother
d. disbelieving in the prayers being granted
e. Delaying the obligatory services till their time is passed
f. abandoning the achievement of proximity of Allah through favor (to people) & alm giving
g. using obscene language & abusing during conversation.
12. Be careful, about committing sin along with joy (avoid it) since the felicity of committing sin is itself a bigger sin (than the actual sin).
13. Do not step aside from abandoning the evil although you may have been recognized with it.
14. The person whose should is worthy & respectable in his eyes, the world is humble & despised in his view.
15. The best key to the matters is truth & the best termination & finalization of the matters is faithfulness, loyalty & fidelity.
16. He (P.B.U.H) was asked, " Who is most in danger?" so he said, "The one who does not regard the world dangerous for himself."
17. To lessen the demands regarding needs from others is the cash needlessness & wealth.
18. Indeed, the inner knowledge & gnosis & the zenith of religion of a Muslim is abandoning such talk which is meaningless & futile & the scarcity of his patience & fortitude & his politeness & good conduct.
19. The meeting of the righteous invites you to goodness.
20. Beware of the companionship of the sinful, and helping of the unjust.
2. There are three (qualities) which is present in a faithful, he is supported & backed by Allah, & Allah provides him the shade of His celestial throne & secures him from the great horror of the dooms day: the one who gives those rights to the others which he wishes & looks forwards to from the others.
And the man who does not extend his hand & does not take a step ahead till he knows (for sure) that his step is in the (direction of) obedience of Allah or in his sin.
And the person who does not find fault with his brother till he abandons that fault himself.
3. The assemblies of the pious men are the invitation to righteousness & piety.
4. Take care, not to acquire the company of foolish & witless since he wants to benefit you but harms you. (due to his stupidity).
5. Take care, not to acquire the companionship of the parsimonious & miser because he will deprive you of his wealth which you will extremely need it.
6. Take Care, not to acquire the company of the liar for he is like a mirage (deceiving). He shows you the near one as distant & the distant thing as nearby.
7. If someone abuses you (standing) on the right side & then apologizes coming over to your left side, do accept his apologies.
8. The seeing of a faithful at the face of his brother, for the sake of (his) love & affection, is a service.
9. If people knew what (brilliant result) lies in seeking knowledge they would have definitely sought it even by shedding the blood of their hearts & plunging into the depth of oceans.
10. Guard against lies, both small of it & big, in all conditions, both in seriousness & joke.
11. And the sins which are the cause of rejection of prayers are:
a. Bad intention
b. wickedness of interior
c. hypocrisy with the (religious) brother
d. disbelieving in the prayers being granted
e. Delaying the obligatory services till their time is passed
f. abandoning the achievement of proximity of Allah through favor (to people) & alm giving
g. using obscene language & abusing during conversation.
12. Be careful, about committing sin along with joy (avoid it) since the felicity of committing sin is itself a bigger sin (than the actual sin).
13. Do not step aside from abandoning the evil although you may have been recognized with it.
14. The person whose should is worthy & respectable in his eyes, the world is humble & despised in his view.
15. The best key to the matters is truth & the best termination & finalization of the matters is faithfulness, loyalty & fidelity.
16. He (P.B.U.H) was asked, " Who is most in danger?" so he said, "The one who does not regard the world dangerous for himself."
17. To lessen the demands regarding needs from others is the cash needlessness & wealth.
18. Indeed, the inner knowledge & gnosis & the zenith of religion of a Muslim is abandoning such talk which is meaningless & futile & the scarcity of his patience & fortitude & his politeness & good conduct.
19. The meeting of the righteous invites you to goodness.
20. Beware of the companionship of the sinful, and helping of the unjust.
| BRIEF ON IMAM ZAINUL ABEDEEN (A.S.) OUR BELOVED 4TH IMAM | for everyone |
Imam Sajjad ( Ali ibn Husayn entitled Zayn al-abidin and Sajjad ) was the son of the third Imam , and his wife , the queen among women , the daughter of Yazdigird the king of Iran . He was the only son of Imam Husayn to survive, for his other three brothers Ali Akbar , aged twenty-five , five year old Ja'far and Ali Asghar ( or Abdullah ) who was a suckling baby , were martyred during the event of Karbala .
The Imam had also accompanied his father on the journey that terminated fatally in Karbala, but because of severe illness and the inability to carry arms or participate in fighting he was prevented from taking part in the holy war and being martyred . So he was sent with the womenfolk to Damascus . After spending a period in imprisonment he was sent with honor to Medina because Yazid wanted to conciliate public opinion . But for a second time , by the order of the Umayyad caliph , Abd al-Malik , he was chained and sent from Medina to Damascus and then again returned to Medina.
The Lonely Imam
The fourth Imam , upon returning to Medina , retired from public life completely, closed the door of his house to strangers and spent his time in worship . He was in contact only with the elite among the Shi'ites such as Abu Hamzah Thumali , Abu Khalid Kabuli and the like . The elite disseminated among the Shi'ah the religious sciences they learned from the Imam . In this way Shi'ism spread considerably and showed its effects during the imamate of the fifth Imam .
The Lonely Imam
The fourth Imam , upon returning to Medina , retired from public life completely, closed the door of his house to strangers and spent his time in worship . He was in contact only with the elite among the Shi'ites such as Abu Hamzah Thumali , Abu Khalid Kabuli and the like . The elite disseminated among the Shi'ah the religious sciences they learned from the Imam . In this way Shi'ism spread considerably and showed its effects during the imamate of the fifth Imam .
Among the works of the fourth Imam is a book called Sahifah sajjadiyah. It consists of fifty-seven prayers concerning the most sublime Divine sciences and is known as 'The Psalm of the Household of the Prophet'. The fourth Imam died ( according to some Shi'ite traditions poisoned by Walid ibn Abd al-Malik through the instigation of the Umayyad caliph Hisham ) in 95/712 after thirty-five years of imamate.
| MUNAJAAT OF OUR BELOVED 4TH IMAM (A.S.) | for everyone |
MUNAJAAT
My Lord!
*Thy bounty which Thou hast given me - - strip it not away!
*Thy generosity which Thou hast given me - - strip it not away!
*Thy cover over me through Thy clemency - - tear it not away!
*My ugly acts which Thou hast come to know - - forgive them!
My Lord!
*I seek intercession from Thee with Thee, and
*I seek sanctuary in Thee from Thee!
*I have come to Thee craving Thy beneficence, desiring Thy kindness, …
*So act toward me with the forgiveness and mercy of which Thou art worthy!
*Act not toward me with the chastisement and vengeance of which I am worthy!
* By Thy mercy, O Most Merciful of the merciful!
O Lord!
Which person has come before Thee seeking hospitality, and You have not received him hospitably? And who is the one who has dismounted at Thy door hoping for magnanimity, and to whom You have not shown it?
O Allah who is the asylum of every fleer, the hope of seekers!
O Best Object of hope! O Most Generous Aim for supplication!
O Allah who does not reject His asker or disappoint the expectant!
O Allah whose door is open to His supplicators and whose veil is lifted for those who hope in Him!
I ask Thee by Thy generosity to show kindness toward me through Thy gifts,
* with that which will give serenity to my soul, and
* through certainty with that which will make easy for me the afflictions of this world, and
*life from my insight the veils of blindness!
By Thy mercy, O Most Merciful of the merciful!
| IMAM MAHDI ASSOCIATION OF MARJAEYA | for everyone |
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I.M.A.M. | Imam Mahdi Association of Marjaeya | 13357 Michigan Ave | Dearborn | MI | 48126
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| Sayings of Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) about Imam Ali (as) | for everyone |
The Holy Prophet (saw) said: "Whoever wishes to see Adam in his knowledge, Noah in his piety, Abraham in his forbearance, Moses in his strength, and Jesus in his worship and devotion should look at Ali ibn Abi Talib."
Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) said the following about Ali ibn Abi Talib
He is the first one to believe in Islam; He is the most knowledgeable; He is the most correct one in his DEEN; He is the most certain; He is the most patient; He is the most forgiving and generous; He is the bravest in heart; He is the IMAM and the successor after me.
| HADEES | for everyone |
Al-Sheikh Al-Sadooq through his chain of narrators, narrated from Imam Ali (a.s) that the Messenger of God (s.a.w) said:
The biggest strugglers of people who strive are those who avoid sin.
The best of the intelligent people are those who remember death more often.
[Biharul-Anwaar, vol. 77, p.113]
The Prophet Mohammed peace upon him said: " What actions are the most excellent? To gladden the heart of a human being, to feed the hungry, to help the afflicted, to lighten the sorrow of the sorrowful, and to remove the wrongs of the injured. "
The Prophet peace upon him said: "Keep yourselves far from envy, because it eats up and takes away good actions as fire consumes and burns the wood."
Al-Sheikh Al-Sadooq through his chain of narrators, narrated from Imam Ali (a.s) that the Messenger of God (s.a.w) said:
The best of the courageous people are those who fight their desires.
The people with the least peace of mind are the jealous.
[Biharul-Anwaar, vol. 77, p.113]
The Prophet of Islam (PBUH) said:
‘The love of Ali ibn Abi-Talib is a tree whose root is in Paradise and its branches are in this world. Whoever from my community clings into any of its branches, it will reach them to Paradise. The hatred of Ali ibn Abi-Talib is a tree that its root is in hell and its branches are in this world. Whoever clings into any of its branches will enter into hell."
Beharul-Anwaar, vol.40 p.46
| The Qur'an - Chapter 16 - An-Nahl (The Bee) | for everyone |
The Qur'an - Chapter 16 - An-Nahl (The Bee)
Verses 1 - 21
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful.
[16.1] Allah's commandment has come, therefore do not desire to hasten it; glory be to Him, and highly exalted be He above what they associate (with Him).
[16.2] He sends down the angels with the inspiration by His commandment on whom He pleases of His servants, saying: Give the warning that there is no god but Me, therefore be careful (of your duty) to Me.
[16.3] He created the heavens and the earth with the truth, highly exalted be He above what they associate (with Him).
[16.4] He created man from a small seed and lo! he is an open contender.
[16.5] And He created the cattle for you; you have in them warm clothing and (many) advantages, and of them do you eat.
[16.6] And there is beauty in them for you when you drive them back (to home), and when you send them forth (to pasture).
[16.7] And they carry your heavy loads to regions which you could not reach but with distress of the souls; most surely your Lord is Compassionate, Merciful.
[16.8] And (He made) horses and mules and asses that you might ride upon them and as an ornament; and He creates what you do not know.
[16.9] And upon Allah it rests to show the right way, and there are some deviating (ways); and if He please He would certainly guide you all aright.
[16.10] He it is Who sends down water from the cloud for you; it gives drink, and by it (grow) the trees upon which you pasture.
[16.11] He causes to grow for you thereby herbage, and the olives, and the palm trees, and the grapes, and of all the fruits; most surely there is a sign in this for a people who reflect.
[16.12] And He has made subservient for you the night and the day and the sun and the moon, and the stars are made subservient by His commandment; most surely there are signs in this for a people who ponder;
[16.13] And what He has created in the earth of varied hues most surely there is a sign in this for a people who are mindful.
[16.14] And He it is Who has made the sea subservient that you may eat fresh flesh from it and bring forth from it ornaments which you wear, and you see the ships cleaving through it, and that you might seek of His bounty and that you may give thanks.
[16.15] And He has cast great mountains in the earth lest it might be convulsed with you, and rivers and roads that you may go aright,
[16.16] And landmarks; and by the stars they find the right way.
[16.17] Is He then Who creates like him who does not create? Do you not then mind?
[16.18] And if you would count Allah's favours, you will not be able to number them; most surely Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.
[16.19] And Allah knows what you conceal and what you do openly.
[16.20] And those whom they call on besides Allah have not created anything while they are themselves created;
[16.21] Dead (are they), not living, and they know not when they shall be raised
| THE NAMES OF ALLAH (S.T.) | for everyone |
| The Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h.) said | for everyone |
“Allah is the Creator and the Maker. Whatever depends on others that itself is caused and created. It is Allah alone who is only a cause (and not an effect). He undertakes creation without any means or instruments...He is the source of all powers. And hence no being can have any effect upon Him...He is the Creator who does not disappear and who is never hidden from the people of knowledge and insight.”
He also said that we can recognize God, through signs in His creations.
"And He has made subservient for you the night and the day and the sun and the moon, and the stars are made subservient by His commandment; most surely there are signs in this for a people who ponder" - The Quran [16.12]
| Imam Ali (as) said: | for everyone |
Praise is due to Allah whose worth cannot be described by speakers, whose bounties cannot be counted by calculators and whose claim (to obedience) cannot be satisfied by those who attempt to do so, whom the height of intellectual courage cannot appreciate, and the diving’s of understanding cannot reach; He for whose description no limit has been laid down, no eulogy exists, no time is ordained and no duration is fixed. He brought forth creation through His Omnipotence, dispersed winds through His Compassion, and made firm the shaking earth with rocks.
The foremost in religion is the acknowledgement of Him, the perfection of acknowledging Him is to testify Him, the perfection of testifying Him is to believe in His Oneness, the perfection of believing in His Oneness is to regard Him Pure, and the perfection of His purity is to deny Him attributes, because every attribute is a proof that it is different from that to which it is attributed and everything to which something is attributed is different from the attribute. Thus whoever attaches attributes to Allah recognizes His like, and who recognizes His like regards Him two; and who regards Him two recognizes parts for Him; and who recognizes parts for Him mistook Him; and who mistook Him pointed at Him; and who pointed at Him admitted limitations for Him; and who admitted limitations for Him numbered Him.
Whoever said in what is He, held that He is contained; and whoever said on what is He held He is not on something else. He is a being but not through phenomenon of coming into being. He exists but not from non-existence. He is with everything but not in physical nearness. He is different from everything but not in physical separation. He acts but without connotation of movements and instruments. He sees even when there is none to be looked at from among His creation. He is only one, such that there is none with whom He may keep company or whom He may miss in his absence.
| HADI TV LIVE | for everyone |
HADI TV
| MISSION TO SAVE ISLAM | for everyone |
Imam Hussain (as) fought with Yazid ibn Muawiya in 61 AH to save Islam. Yazid needed Imam Husain's Bayat (oath of allegiance) to legitimized his rule as Imam Hussain (as) was the rightful successor. Imam Hussain (as) refused to give his allegiance as he knew that Yazid was not only corrupt and oppresive but also an enemy of Islam, who wanted to destroy Islam and take revenge of his uncles and family members who had fought with Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and died in the early battles.
When Imam Hussain (as) was told that he had to give Bayat to Yazid otherwise he would be killed, Imam Hussain (as) replied that: a man like him could not give Bayat to a man like Yazid ibn Muawiya.
By saying this Imam Hussain (as) was trying to tell everyone that what Yazid believed in was totally opposite to what Imam Hussain (as) believed in. Yazid was the follower of Shaitan while Imam Hussain (as) was the follower of Allah (SWT).
Imam Hussain (as) knew that himself, his friends and family were to die in Karbala. He also knew that this was the only way that he could show to the other Muslims that Yazid was an enemy of Islam and was in fact destroying it.
Imam Hussain (as) wanted people, when they heard about the events of Karbala to know that it was not for power but for Islam and this is how to get into the army of Imam Hussain (as) you needed to be a believer and not a soldier. Imam Hussain's (as) army had all kinds of people:
Imam Hussain (as) had rich, noble men. He had freed slaves. He had old and young men. He had men who had done wrong and repented (e.g. Hazrat Hurr - the commander of Yazid ibn Muawiya army). He had pious men.
Whenever other Muslims heard about the events of Karbala, they would ask themselves, why it was that men from different backgrounds, different circumstances, different ways of life, all came together to fight and die with Imam Hussain (as).
Every Muslim regardless of his colour, his race, his background, his financial situation, his age, could identify himself with one martyr in the army of Imam Hussain (as) and through him understand why Imam Hussain (as) did what he did.
When Imam Hussain (as) was told that he had to give Bayat to Yazid otherwise he would be killed, Imam Hussain (as) replied that: a man like him could not give Bayat to a man like Yazid ibn Muawiya.
By saying this Imam Hussain (as) was trying to tell everyone that what Yazid believed in was totally opposite to what Imam Hussain (as) believed in. Yazid was the follower of Shaitan while Imam Hussain (as) was the follower of Allah (SWT).
Imam Hussain (as) knew that himself, his friends and family were to die in Karbala. He also knew that this was the only way that he could show to the other Muslims that Yazid was an enemy of Islam and was in fact destroying it.
Imam Hussain (as) wanted people, when they heard about the events of Karbala to know that it was not for power but for Islam and this is how to get into the army of Imam Hussain (as) you needed to be a believer and not a soldier. Imam Hussain's (as) army had all kinds of people:
Imam Hussain (as) had rich, noble men. He had freed slaves. He had old and young men. He had men who had done wrong and repented (e.g. Hazrat Hurr - the commander of Yazid ibn Muawiya army). He had pious men.
Whenever other Muslims heard about the events of Karbala, they would ask themselves, why it was that men from different backgrounds, different circumstances, different ways of life, all came together to fight and die with Imam Hussain (as).
Every Muslim regardless of his colour, his race, his background, his financial situation, his age, could identify himself with one martyr in the army of Imam Hussain (as) and through him understand why Imam Hussain (as) did what he did.
| Imam Hussain (as) and Martyrdom in the way of Truth (Islam) | for everyone |
| Imam Hussain (as) was a man of faith and action. During nights, he worshipped Allah (SWT) in privacy, while during the day he worked hard and guided the people. He was constantly mindful of the poor and the needy, and he used to visit them and cheer them up. He used to tell his followers: "Be always in touch with the needy, for Allah (SWT) does not love the arrogant". Imam Hussain (as) always helped the poor as much as he could. At night he would carry sacks of food to the houses of the poor by following the footsteps of his father Imam Ali (as) and leave them near the doors. He worked hard to eradicate poverty, establish justice and acquaint the people with Allah (SWT). During the time of Imam Hussain (as) a tyrant called Yazid ibn Muawiya became the ruler. Yazid called himself the successor of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw), but this was a lie. He used to spend the income of the Islamic realm on drinking, gambling and wild parties. Public wealth was wasted for supporting his regime and the rights of the poor were trampled upon. In this way he totally scorned the instructions of Islam. When Yazid ibn Muawiya became ruler of the Muslims he immediately demanded Imam Hussain (as) to recognize him as the ruler and accept his leadership (give Bayat); but Imam Hussain (as) was the true successor of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) and could not accept and endorse the leadership of an oppressor. Imam Hussain (as) began to enlighten and awaken the people about Yazid ibn Muawiya and exhorted them to dissociate from him. He would tell them: "Do you not see that the truth is being trampled upon and the falsehood and oppression are prevailing? In such conditions, a Muslim must be ready for martyrdom in defense of the right. Martyrdom and self-sacrifice for the sake of truth is victory and success, while life with the oppressors is no more than shame and disgrace." At that time the people of Kufa (Iraq) were loving followers of Imam Hussain (as) who had been suffering at the hands of Yazid and his father, Muawiya. They invited Imam Hussain (as) to Kufa to lead them against Yazid and his wicked rule. Imam Hussain (as) had indeed decided to rise up and fight, and so he accepted the invitation and set off for Kufa. When Imam Hussain (as) and his followers were near Kufa, they were met by Yazid's troops under the leadership of Hazrat Hurr. The troops wanted to arrest Imam Hussain (as) and his followers and take them to Yazid. Imam Hussain (as) told them: "Never will I accept disgrace and surrender to Yazid ibn Muawiya. Death for me is superior to disgrace and I am ready to defend Islam and the Muslims until I get martyred." At a place called Karbala Imam Hussain (as), his family and helpers were surrounded by Yazid's troops. Imam Hussain (as) and his followers stood firm as they fought against thousands of troops of Yazid. Finally, on 10th Muharram, 61 AH (the day we call 'Ashura'), they were martyred. Imam Hussain (as) and his followers were martyred, but they did not submit to injustice and oppression. They defended Islam and the Muslims. With their blood they saved Islam and the Holy Qur'an from the danger of annihilation at the hands of Yazid ibn Muawiya. Imam Hussain (as) fought against oppression and defended the religion of Islam, and by doing so he taught the world the greatest lesson on freedom and righteousness. For this reason we call Imam Hussain (as) "Sayyid al-Shuhada" which means lord of the martyrs. Now the turn has come for us to safeguard and defend Islam. We must shoulder this magnificent responsibility. gsfn |
| Imam Hussain (as) his kindness, charity and love for the poor | for everyone |
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| NAHJUL BALAGAH -SERMON 187 | for everyone |
I advise you, O' people, to fear Allah and to praise Him profusely for His favours to you and His reward for you and His obligations on you. See how He chose you for favours and dealt with you with mercy. You sinned openly; He kept you covered. You behaved in a way to incur His punishment, but He gave you more time.
I also advise you to remember death and to lessen your heedlessness towards it. Why should you be heedless of Him Who is not heedless of you? Why expect from him (i.e., the angel of death) who will not give you time? The dead whom you have been watching suffice as preachers. They were carried to their graves, not riding themselves, and were placed in them but not of their own accord. It seems as if they never lived in this world and as if the next world had always been their abode. They have made lonely the place where they were living, and are now living where they used to feel lonely. They remained busy about what they had to leave, and did not care for where they were to go. Now they cannot remove themselves from evil, nor add to their virtues They were attached to the world and it deceived them. They trusted it and it overturned them.
May Allah have pity on you. You should therefore hasten towards (the preparation of) houses which you have been commanded to populate, and towards which you have been called and invited. Seek the completion of Allah's favours on you by exercising endurance in His obedience and abstention from His disobedience, because tomorrow is close to today. How fast are the hours of the day, how fast are the days in the month, how fast are the months in the years and how fast the years in a life.
| IMAM ALI (A.S.) WAS NEVER FOR POWER BY FRAUD OR DUPLICITY | for everyone |
Amir al-mu'minin Imam Ali (a.s.) could never think of strengthening his power by fraud or duplicity of behaviour on any occasion. Thus when people advised him to retain the officers of the days of `Uthman in their position and to befriend Talhah and az-Zubayr by assigning them governorship of Kufah and Basrah, and make use of Mu`awiyah's ability in administration by giving him the government of Syria, Amir al-mu'minin rejected the advice and preferred the commandments of religious law over worldly expediency, and openly declared about Mu`awiyah as follows:
If I allow Mu`awiyah to retain what he already has I would be one "who taketh those who lead (people) astray, as helpers" (Qur'an, 18:51). Those who look at apparent successes do not care to find out by what means the success has been achieved. They support anyone whom they see succeeding by means of cunning ways and deceitful means and begin to regard him an administrator, intelligent, a politician, intellectually brilliant and so on, while he who does not deploy cunning and fraudulent methods owing to his adherence to Islamic commandments and divine instructions and prefers failure to success secured through wrong methods is regarded as ignorant of politics and weak in foresight. They do not feel it necessary to think what difficulties and impediments exist in the way of a person who adheres to principles and laws which prevent him from proceeding forward even after approaching near success
posted by ABBAS ALAM @ 08:41
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