| HADEES | for everyone |
“There are six signs of a person of conviction: he has truly attained conviction in Allah and believed in Him, he is convinced that death is true and he is wary of it, he is convinced that Resurrection is true and he fears shame, he is convinced that Heaven is true and he longs for it, he is convinced that Hell is true and his endeavor is apparent in his wanting to be saved from it, he is convinced that the Account is true and so he takes account of himself” – Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.)
| ANSWERS BY IMAM ALI (A.S.) | for everyone |
The following sayings, maxims, and words of wisdom are related to the pious grandson of the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) Abu Muhammed Al-Hassan bin Ali (peace be upon them).
The following are his answers about questions that were put by his father Amirul Muminin Imam Ali (A.S.) –or others- regarding various subjects.
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent the Merciful
- What is asceticism?
- Asceticism is the desire for God-fearing and the abstinence from the worldly pleasures.
- What is clemency?
- Clemency is the suppression of one’s anger and self-possession.
- What is appositeness?
- Appositeness is to shove evil by means of goodness.
- What is honor?
- Honor is to regard the clan and assume a part of their misdeeds.
- What is relief?
- Relief is to protect the refugee, to be firm in misfortunes, and to be courageous in crises.
- What is glory?
- Glory is to give in loss and forgive the sin.
- What is chivalry?
- Chivalry is to keep the religion, promote the personality, be lenient, sustain in doing favors, fulfill the rights, and behave amicably with people.
- What is generosity?
- Generosity is to begin with providing the gift before it is asked from you
and serve food in times of famine.
- What is vice?
- Vice is to take care in worthless things and refrain from giving the few.
-What is meanness?
- Meanness is the fewness of giving and the speech of obscene language.
- What is indulgence?
- Indulgence is to give in sorrow and in joy.
- What is avarice?
- Avarice is to consider what you have in hand as an honor and what you have spent as waste.
- What is fraternity?
- Fraternity is to keep fraternity in misfortune and luxury.
- What is cowardice?
- Cowardice is to dare the friend and fear the enemy.
- What is opulence?
- Opulence is to satisfy with the fated regardless of its quantity.
- What is poverty?
- Poverty is to be greedy to everything.
- What is liberality?
- Liberality is to do the best.
- What is generosity?
- Generosity is to preserve in good and bad situations.
- What is intrepidity?
- Intrepidity is to challenge the opponents.
- What is might?
- Might is the intensity of power and the contest against the strong men.
- What is humility?
- Humility is to feel fearful in situations of frankness.
- What is clumsiness?
- Clumsiness is to confront the ruler and that who is more powerful than you.
- What is sublimity?
- Sublimity is to do the good and avoid the evil.
- What is determination?
- Determination is to be long-suffering, behave leniently with the rulers, and be cautious against all people.
- What is honor?- Honor is to accede to the friends and regard the neighbors.
- What is deprivation?- Deprivation is to shun the opportunity when you are able to seize it.
- Asceticism is the desire for God-fearing and the abstinence from the worldly pleasures.
- What is clemency?
- Clemency is the suppression of one’s anger and self-possession.
- What is appositeness?
- Appositeness is to shove evil by means of goodness.
- What is honor?
- Honor is to regard the clan and assume a part of their misdeeds.
- What is relief?
- Relief is to protect the refugee, to be firm in misfortunes, and to be courageous in crises.
- What is glory?
- Glory is to give in loss and forgive the sin.
- What is chivalry?
- Chivalry is to keep the religion, promote the personality, be lenient, sustain in doing favors, fulfill the rights, and behave amicably with people.
- What is generosity?
- Generosity is to begin with providing the gift before it is asked from you
and serve food in times of famine.
- What is vice?
- Vice is to take care in worthless things and refrain from giving the few.
-What is meanness?
- Meanness is the fewness of giving and the speech of obscene language.
- What is indulgence?
- Indulgence is to give in sorrow and in joy.
- What is avarice?
- Avarice is to consider what you have in hand as an honor and what you have spent as waste.
- What is fraternity?
- Fraternity is to keep fraternity in misfortune and luxury.
- What is cowardice?
- Cowardice is to dare the friend and fear the enemy.
- What is opulence?
- Opulence is to satisfy with the fated regardless of its quantity.
- What is poverty?
- Poverty is to be greedy to everything.
- What is liberality?
- Liberality is to do the best.
- What is generosity?
- Generosity is to preserve in good and bad situations.
- What is intrepidity?
- Intrepidity is to challenge the opponents.
- What is might?
- Might is the intensity of power and the contest against the strong men.
- What is humility?
- Humility is to feel fearful in situations of frankness.
- What is clumsiness?
- Clumsiness is to confront the ruler and that who is more powerful than you.
- What is sublimity?
- Sublimity is to do the good and avoid the evil.
- What is determination?
- Determination is to be long-suffering, behave leniently with the rulers, and be cautious against all people.
- What is honor?- Honor is to accede to the friends and regard the neighbors.
- What is deprivation?- Deprivation is to shun the opportunity when you are able to seize it.
- What is foolishness?
- Foolishness is to pursue the mean and associate the seducers.
- What is faltering?
- Faltering is to play with your beard and to hem excessively before you speak.
- What is courage?
- Courage is to challenge the opponents and to be steadfast during fighting.
- What is overacting?
- Overacting is to intrude in unconcerned matters.
- What is stupidity?
- Stupidity is to behave foolishly with the wealth and to disregard the honor.
- What is lowliness?
- Lowliness is to will to have everything for oneself and to dissociate with the companion.
- Foolishness is to pursue the mean and associate the seducers.
- What is faltering?
- Faltering is to play with your beard and to hem excessively before you speak.
- What is courage?
- Courage is to challenge the opponents and to be steadfast during fighting.
- What is overacting?
- Overacting is to intrude in unconcerned matters.
- What is stupidity?
- Stupidity is to behave foolishly with the wealth and to disregard the honor.
- What is lowliness?
- Lowliness is to will to have everything for oneself and to dissociate with the companion.
| WHY ARAB'EEN ? | for everyone |
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Imam Hasan Al-Askari (a.s.) includes the performance of Ziyarat-e-Arba’een as one of the five marks for a believer, in addition to reciting 51 raka of sala, audible recitation of Bismillah, wearing a ring on one’s right hand, and doing sajda on dust. (This hadith has been narrated by Sheikh Tusi in the book Tahthib).
Why is so much importance given to the performance of the Ziyarat of Arba’een and the observance of Arba’een (40 days of mourning)?
Ziyarat, as we all know is a visitation, which in essence, is the act of speaking with and visiting our role models. Of course the physical manifestation of the ziyarat is actually being present in Kerbala to perform the Ziyarat of Arba’een, but, in reality, that is not possible for every believer. So does making ziyarat while not in Kerbala give one the same benefits? Ahadith tell us that performing the Ziyarat of Imam Hussain (a.s.) far from Kerbala would hold the same significance as being in the land of Kerbala, as long as the person performing the Ziyarat has truly understood the status of the Imam and seeks to emulate him.
Imam Muhamed al-Baqir (a.s.) states that the heavens wept over Imam Hussain (a.s.) for forty mornings, rising red and setting red. As we complete 40 days of remembrance of our Imam, we re-assert our pledge of obedience and loyalty to him,
“I bear witness that you are the Imam (who is) the upright, the pious, well-pleased (with Allah), the pure, the guide and the rightly-guided.
I bear witness that you fulfilled the pledge of Allah and you struggled in His way…I am a friend of whoever befriends him ...”
By performing the Ziyarat of Arba’een, we pledge that we will continue to follow the path of justice and righteousness and will reject injustice and speak up against the oppressors of the time,
I am an enemy of whoever is his enemy
In essence, we make a promise to continue to mold our lives according to the teaching of Imam Hussain (a.s.).
But why is it that we mourn and remember Imam Hussain (a.s.) for a period of forty days and then move on?
Our Prophet has said, “The earth mourns the death of a believer for forty mornings.” Therefore it appears that the deceased should be remembered and mourned over for a period of forty days. Performing an act for a continuous period of forty days is also known to help one to not just form a habit, but also to carry on the practice for the rest of his life.
If we look at studies dealing with bringing a lifestyle change, we notice the time period emphasized to bring about a change is usually 6 weeks which is about the same time period as 40 days (to be exact it is 42 days).
In the book 40 Days to Personal Revolution: A Breakthrough Program to Radically Change Your Body and Awaken the Sacred Within Your Soul, the author Baron Baptiste explains the significance of forty days:
Why forty days? Because the number 40 holds tremendous spiritual significance in the realm of transformation. Jesus wandered in the desert for forty days in order to experience purification and come to a greater understanding of himself and his mission. Moses and his people traveled through the desert for forty years before arriving at their home in the holy land. Noah preserved the sacredness of life by sailing his ark for forty days and forty nights. According to the Kabbalah, the ancient Jewish mystical text, it takes forty days to ingrain any new way of being into our system….
Reciting particular duas for a period of 40 days is highly recommended in our practices as well.
The unit 40 (forty) is said to be very effective. If a particular Duaa is recited 40 times, or 40 people gather to recite it, or it is recited for 40 days then its effectiveness is highly increased. (Duas.org)
It is reported from Imam Ja'fer Sadiq (a.s.) that whoever recites Dua-e-Ahad for forty days, after morning prayers will be amongst the helpers of the 12th Imam (a). Visitation of the shrine of Imam Hussain (a.s.) as well as Masjid-e-Sahla for 40 consecutive Thursdays is also very highly recommended and is one of the acts that promises a visit from the 12th Imam (ajtf).
Thus, as we perform the Ziyarat of Arba’een and commemorate the Arba’een, 40 days of mourning of Imam Hussain (a.s.), we hope and pray that this forty days of remembrance of Imam Hussain (a.s.), brings about a transformation in us by which we can continue to follow the path of Imam Hussain (a.s.) and carry on his message of upholding justice with true faith and a strong sense of sacrifice!
Refs:
A’maal of Muharram and Safar (Tayyiba Publishers) Kerbala and Beyond by Yasin T. Al-Jabouri The Miracle of Ziyarat-e-Ashoora Commentary on Ziyarat Ashura, translated by Saleem Bhimji from the work of Ali Asghar Azizi Tehrani Kitab al-Irshad, translated by IKA Howard, authored by Sheikh Al-Mufeed |
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O my Allah, the honour of being Your servant is sufficient.
I am proud of the fact that You are my Lord.
You are just as I want, so make me just as You like me to be. الهي كفى بي عزّا أن أكون لك عبدا ، وكفى بي فخرا أن تكون لي ربّا
I am proud of the fact that You are my Lord.
You are just as I want, so make me just as You like me to be. الهي كفى بي عزّا أن أكون لك عبدا ، وكفى بي فخرا أن تكون لي ربّا
... أنت كما أُحبُّ ، فاجعلني كما تحبُّ
"I expect to pass through this world but once.
"I expect to pass through this world but once.
Any good therefore that I can do, or any kindness that I can show...
let me do it now...for I shall not pass this way again." (Stephen Grellet)
The nicest place 2 be is in someone's THOUGHTS!
The safest place 2 be is in someone's PRAYERS!
And the best place 2 be is in.......... GOD'S HANDS!
“if we spend our time with regrets over yesterday,
and worries over what might happen tomorrow,
we have no today in which to live”
(Sent by sis Mariam R. Jiwa)
| AMAL FOR THE DAY OF CHEHLUM 20TH SAFAR( 40TH DAY AFTER ASHURA) | for everyone |
According to Imam Hasan bin Ali Al Askari (as) The signs of a true believer are five:-
1) Pray 51 Rak—a’t Namaaz during the 24 hours of the day (17 Rak—a’ts in obligatory, and 34 Rak—a’ts in Naafilah Salaats).
2) Be in Karbala for Ziyaarat of Imam Husayn(as) and other martyrs, on Arbaeen if not possible, recite Ziyaarat of the Holy Imam
3) To wear a ring in the right hand.
4) To put the forehead on the earth (preferably on the earth of Karbala) in prostration.
5) To pronounce “Bismillahir-Rah’maanir-Rah’eem” in clear and loud voice while praying the salaats.
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Imam Ja'far bin Muhammad Al Sadiq (as) had advised to recite the following “Ziarat” on the day of Arbae’en:
The purpose of Imams mission is very well summarised in this ziarat as "...made every effort and put his heart, mind, soul and life at the disposal of Thy mission to liberate the people from the yoke of ignorance"
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Peace be on the favorite of Allah, Peace be on the beloved friend of Allah, His distinguished hero! Peace be on the choicest confidant of Allah, sincerely attached precisely like his father! Peace be on Hussain, who gave his life in the way of Allah, a martyr, underwent untold hardships Peace be on the hostage surrounded by the-tightening circle of sorrow and grief, killed by a horde of savages.
O my Allah I give witness that beyond a shadow of doubt he is Thy favorite and choicest confidant, who enjoys Thy confidence and favor, precisely like his father!
Thou looked upto him and elected him in Thy cause, picked and chose him for the good fortune, selected for him the best purified parents, appointed him guardian, leader, and defender of rights, a true representative (inheritor and progenitor) of guardians, leaders and defenders of rights, gave him much and more from the inheritance of the Prophets, put him forward as a decisive argument, along with the other successors (of the Holy Prophet-the twelve lmams) to the mankind. He met with deadly dangers, acted justly and fairly, made use of everything belonging to him to pay full attention to give sincere advice, took pains, made every effort and put his heart, mind, soul and life at the disposal of Thy missionto liberate the people from the yoke of ignorance and evil of bewilderment, but an evildoer, deceived with empty hopes of mean and worthless worldly gains, had pressed heavily on him, and sold out his share (eternal bliss) for the meanest and lowest bargain, betrayed his "day of judgment" for a vulgar return, took pride in insolence, fell into the fathom- well of silly stupid follies, provoked Thee and Thy Prophet to anger, did as the harsh discordant, the hypocrite, the heavily burdened bearers of sin, condemned to Hellfire, advised to him, however, he (the Holy lmam), steadily, rightly and justly coped With them, till, in Thy obedience, gave his life after which his family was set adrift.
O my Allah, therefore, condemn them to hell as a denunciation and conviction; and crack-down on them with a painful Punishment. Peace be on you O the son of the Messenger of Allah! Peace be on you O the son of the first of the successors (of the Holy Prophet)! I bear witness that Allah put faith in you like He had full confidence in your father, and that you always looked for and collected good and virtue, lived a highly praiseworthy life and departed from this world a martyr, forsaken and abused; I bear witness that Allah will promptly fulfill the promise, He made to you, and destroy those who left you helpless and punish those who killed you; I bear witness that you kept your promise made with Allah, and strived in His way till what was certain came upon you, so curse of Allah be an those who killed you, curse of Allah be on those who oppressed you, curse of Allah be on the people who came to know and approved.
O my Allah be my witness that I make friends with those who love him and oppose those who deny him. I, my father and mother, are at your disposal 0 the son of the Messenger of Allah. I know and bear witness that you were "light" in the sublime loins and in the pure wombs, never touched you the dirt of ignorance, nor ever obscurity concealed you in its folds; I bear witness that you are the pillar of "Deen", support of the Muslims, refuge of the faithful; I bear witness that you are a truthful, well-aware, content, intelligent, rightly guided guide (Imam); I bear witness that the Imams among your descendants are the symbols of "conscious piety" and signs of "true guidance", the "safe handle"-Islam, and the decisive arguments over mankind; I declare positively that I have full faith in you and I know for certain that you shall return. I am, fully committed to the laws of my religion, certain of my deeds, my mind and heart ready for your return, and my affairs carried out in the light of your instructions, till Allah gives you permission, together with you, along with you, not at the same time with your enemies. Blessings of Allah be on you, on your souls, on your bodies when you are visible, when you are invisible, on your perceivable aspects, on your innermost genius be it so, O Lord of the worlds
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Transliteration
ASSALAAMO A’LAA WALIYYILLAAHE WA HABEEBEHI..
ASSALAAMO A’LAA KHALEELILLAAHE WA NAJEEBEHI
ASSALAAMO A’LAA SAFIYYILLAAHE WABNA SAFIYYEHI
ASSALAAMO A’LAL HUSYANIL MAZLOOMISH SHAHEEDE
ASAAALAAMO A’LAA ASEERIL KOROBAATE WA QATEELIL A’BARAATE
ALLAAHUMMAA INNEE ASH-HADO ANNAHU WALIYYOKA WABNO
WALIYYEKA WA SAFIYYOKA WABNO SAFIYYEKAL…
FAAA-EZO BE-KARAAMATEKA AKRAMTAHU BISH SHAHAADATE WA
HABAWTAHU BIS SA-A’DATE WAJ-TABAYTAHU BE-TEEBIL
WELAADATE WA JA-A’LTAHU SAYYEDAN MENAS SAADATE WA
QAAA-EDAN MENAL QAADATE WA ZAAA-EDAN MINAZ ZAADATE WA
AA’-TAYTAHU MAWAAREESUL AMBEYAAA-E WA JA-A’LTAHU
HUJJATAN A’LAA KHALQEKA MENAL AWSEYAAA-E FA-AA’-ZARA FID
DO-AAA-E WA MANAHAN NUSHA WA BAZALA MOHJATAHU FEEKA LE-
YASTANQEZA E’BAADEKA MENAL JAHAALATI WA HAYRATIZ
ZALAALATE WA QAD TAWAAZARA A’LAYHE MAN GHARRAT-HUD
DUNYAA WA BAA-A’ HAZZAHU BIL-ARZALIL ADNAA WA SHARAA
AAKHERATAHU BIS-SAMANIL AWKASE WA TA-GHAT-RASA WA…
TARADDAA FEE HAWAAHO WA ASKHATAKA WA ASKHATA NABIYYAKA
WA ATAA-A’ MIN E’BAADEKA AHLASH SHEQAAQE WAN NEFAAQE WA
HAMALATAL AWZAARIL MUSTAWJEBEENAN NAARA FA-JAAHADA
HUM FEEKA SAABERAN MOHTASEBAN HATTAA SOFEKA FEE TAA-
A’TEKA DAMOHU WASTOBEEHA HAREEMOHU ALLAAHUMMA FAL-
A’NHUM LA’-NAN WABEELAN WA A’ZZIBHUM A’ZAABAN ALEEMAN…
ASSALAAMO A’LAYKA YABNA RASOOLILLAAHE
ASSALAAMO A’LAYKA YABNA SAYYEDIL AWSEYAAA-E ASH-HADO
ANNAKA AMEENULLAAHE WABNO AMEENEHI I’SHTA SA-E’EDAN WA
MAZAYTA HAMEEDAN WA MUTTA FAQEEDAN MAZLOOMAN SHAHEEDAN ….
WA ASH-HADO ANNALLAAHA MUNJEZUN MAA WA-A’DAKA WA
MOHLEKUN MAN KHAZALAKA WA MO-A’ZZEBUN MAN QATALAKA WA
ASH-HADO ANNAKA WAFAYTA BE-A’HDILLAAHE WA JAAHADTA FEE
SABEELEHI HATTAA AATAYRKAL YAQEENO FA-LA-A’NALLAAHO MAN
QATALAKA WA LA-A’NALLAAHO MAN ZALAMAKA WA LA-
A’NALLAAHO UMMATAN SAME-A’T BE-ZAALEKA FARAZEYAT BEHI ..
ALLAHUMA INNEE USH-HEDOKA ANNEE WALIYYUN LEMAN WALAAHO
WA A’DUWWUN LEMAN A’ADAAHO BE-ABEE ANTA WA UMMEE YABNA
RASOOLILLAAHE ASH-HADO ANNAAKA KUNTA NOORAN FIL ..
ASLAABISH SHAAMEKHATE WAL ARHAAMIL MOTAHHARATE LAM
TONAJJISKAL JAAHELIYYATO BE-ANJAASEHAA WA LAM TULBISKAL
MUDLAHIMMAATO MIN SEYAABEHAA WA ASH-HADO ANNAKA MIN DA-
A’AA-EMID DEENE WA ARKAANIL MUSLEMEENA WA MA’-QELIL MO-
MINEENA WA ASH-HADO ANNAKAL EMAAMUL BARRUT TAQQIYYUR
RAZIYYUZ ZAKIYYUL HAADIL MAHDIYYO WA ASH-HADO ANNAL A-
IMMATA MIN WULDEKA KALEMATUT TAQWAA WA AA’-LAAMUL
HODAA WAL U’RWATUL WUSQAA WAL HUJJATO A’LAA AHLID
DUNYAA WA ASH-HADO ANNEE BEKUM MO-MENUN WA BE-
EYAABEKUM MOOQENUN BE-SHARAA-YE-E’DEENEE WA
KHAWAATEEME A’MALEE WA QALBEE LE-QALBEKUM SILMUN WA
AMREE LE-AMREKUM MUTTABE-U’N WA NUSRATEE LAKUM MO-
A’DDATUN HATTAA YAAZANALLAAHO LUKUM FA-MA-A’KUM LAA MA-A’ A’DDUWWEKUM SALAWAATULLAAHE A’LAYKUM
WA A’LAA ARWAAHEKUM WA AJSAADEKUM WA SHAAHEDEKUM WA
GHAAA-EBEKUM WA ZAAHEREKUM WA BAATENEKUM AAMEENA
RABBAL A’ALAAMEENA …
(sent by sis Mariam R. Jiwa)
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| IMAM HUSAIN (A.S.)' S LAST RITUAL PRAYER | for everyone |
Imam Husain, peace be upon him, performed the ritual paryer in this manner, no'. far from the enemy's line. The shameless enemy did not even at this moment leave them at peace and continued their assaults with their bows and arrows and by their biting tongues, sneering at these devouted soldiers. Two of the men who shielded the Imam in his ritual prayer fell by the enemy's arrows. One of them was Sa'id bin Abdullah Hanafi who was at the point of death when the Imam finished his ritual prayer. When the Imam went to him, Sa'id said, "Oh Abu Abdullah. Have I done my duty?" implying that he would have wished to do more."
This was Imam Husain's ritual prayer in Karbala. In the battlefield of Karbala, he was bowing forward when he received an arrow in his chest, which he draw out from his back. In his prostration, when the right side of his face was on the earth, for he could not lay his forehead on the ground as he had fallen off his horse. At this moment, he said, "In the Name of God and with the help of God and with the religion of the Prophet of God and there is neither might nor power but in God the Most High, the Great. Oh God bless Muhammad and his chaste family."
In conclusion I pray God grant us a happy end, give us the favor of worship and devotion to Him, make us true performers of ritual prayer, make our intentions pure, protect us against jinn and human beings, and grant salvation to our deceased ones.
This was Imam Husain's ritual prayer in Karbala. In the battlefield of Karbala, he was bowing forward when he received an arrow in his chest, which he draw out from his back. In his prostration, when the right side of his face was on the earth, for he could not lay his forehead on the ground as he had fallen off his horse. At this moment, he said, "In the Name of God and with the help of God and with the religion of the Prophet of God and there is neither might nor power but in God the Most High, the Great. Oh God bless Muhammad and his chaste family."
In conclusion I pray God grant us a happy end, give us the favor of worship and devotion to Him, make us true performers of ritual prayer, make our intentions pure, protect us against jinn and human beings, and grant salvation to our deceased ones.
| SIGNS OF WEAK IMAN - LETS IMPROVE IT FOR OUR OWN GOOD | for everyone |
Our Iman is not always as sound and strong as we want it to be as it often fluctuates according to life circumstances.There are several causes for weakening Iman such as deficiencies in our prayers or the insinuating whispers from the Shaytan.
Regardless of the cause, it is crucial for all of us to keep a check on our Iman and if we feel it is faltering in any way then we should take measures to restore it.
It is our responsibility to know which things decrease our Iman and how to avoid them and those that increase our Iman and how to embrace them.
What are signs of a weak imaan?
Signs of weak imaan:
• Committing sins and not feeling any guilt.
• Having a hard heart and no desire to read the Quran.
• Feeling too lazy to do good deeds, e.g. being late for salat
• Neglecting the Sunnah.
• Having mood swings, for instance being upset about petty things and bothered and irritated most of the time.
• Not feeling anything when hearing verses from the Quran, for example when Allah warns us of punishments and His promise of glad tidings.
• Finding difficulty in remembering Allah and making dhikr.
• Not feeling bad when things are done against the Shariah.
• Desiring status and wealth.
• Being mean and miserly, i.e. not wanting to part with wealth.
• Ordering others to do good deeds when not practising them ourselves.
• Feeling pleased when things are not progressing for others.
• Being concerned with whether something is haram or halal only; and not avoiding makroo (not recommended) things.
• Making fun of people who do simple good deeds, like cleaning the mosque.
• Not feeling concerned about the situation of Muslims.
• Not feeling the responsibility to do something to promote Islam.
• Being unable to deal with calamities, for instance crying and yelling in funerals.
• Liking to argue just for the sake of arguing without any proof.
• Becoming engrossed and very involved with dunya, worldly things, i.e. feeling bad only when losing something in terms of material wealth.
• Becoming engrossed and obsessive about ourselves.
Regardless of the cause, it is crucial for all of us to keep a check on our Iman and if we feel it is faltering in any way then we should take measures to restore it.
It is our responsibility to know which things decrease our Iman and how to avoid them and those that increase our Iman and how to embrace them.
What are signs of a weak imaan?
Signs of weak imaan:
• Committing sins and not feeling any guilt.
• Having a hard heart and no desire to read the Quran.
• Feeling too lazy to do good deeds, e.g. being late for salat
• Neglecting the Sunnah.
• Having mood swings, for instance being upset about petty things and bothered and irritated most of the time.
• Not feeling anything when hearing verses from the Quran, for example when Allah warns us of punishments and His promise of glad tidings.
• Finding difficulty in remembering Allah and making dhikr.
• Not feeling bad when things are done against the Shariah.
• Desiring status and wealth.
• Being mean and miserly, i.e. not wanting to part with wealth.
• Ordering others to do good deeds when not practising them ourselves.
• Feeling pleased when things are not progressing for others.
• Being concerned with whether something is haram or halal only; and not avoiding makroo (not recommended) things.
• Making fun of people who do simple good deeds, like cleaning the mosque.
• Not feeling concerned about the situation of Muslims.
• Not feeling the responsibility to do something to promote Islam.
• Being unable to deal with calamities, for instance crying and yelling in funerals.
• Liking to argue just for the sake of arguing without any proof.
• Becoming engrossed and very involved with dunya, worldly things, i.e. feeling bad only when losing something in terms of material wealth.
• Becoming engrossed and obsessive about ourselves.
| Saudi Wahhabis accused of removing relics from the time of Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) | for everyone |
THEY WILL NEVER IMPROVE
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(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - Saudi Arabia has been accused of an unprecedented onslaught on historic structures in the heart of Mecca and Medina -- the cradle of Islam, revered by the world's 1.5 billion Muslims.During a meeting at the School of Oriental and African Studies in London, world heritage experts called on Saudi authorities to halt the destruction of sites linked with Islamic histor.The experts also voiced concerns over the future of Mecca and Medina due to the rising destruction of historic structures.
They say it's feared that a number of historic sites will be lost permanently if the current course of destruction is allowed to continue.
“I call it cultural vandalism, of course we lost foreigner historical sites over the past sixty years, which will never be replaced again,” said Irfan al-Alawi, from Islamic Heritage Research Foundation.
Saudi authorities, however, argue that they are trying to prevent idolatry.
Necessary expansion and development, or wanton destruction of Islamic history and heritage -- that's the debate forming around the current work of authorities in Hijaz, Saudi Arabia. The land is home to Islam's holiest sites, where millions of Muslims travel every year for the annual hajj pilgrimage.
A number of sites have already been destroyed, including homes and mosques dating back to the period of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). And there's now a fear that new projects will mean the permanent loss of earlier Islamic heritage sites.
The experts in the London meeting criticized the Saudi authorities for wiping out “Islam's historical heritage.”
They also voiced concern about increasing commercial development in Mecca which “is destroying the city's cultural identity.”
But Saudi authorities claim that they must remove relics from the time of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH), in order to prevent people from worshipping them. There's also increasing demand for larger facilities as the number of Muslims from around the world hoping to perform hajj continues to grow, the officials say.
Some religious leaders say destroying the most precious sites in Islam for fear of idolatry is like killing a child for fear that he may grow up to be less than pious. In effect, they say, behind the obsessive fear of idolatry lies a complete lack of understanding along with a fanaticism so extreme, it prevents such individuals from even being able to appreciate their own past.
| Successful in Making Sales Appointments | for everyone |
Improving Your Sales Results
Making sales appointments is an essential part of the sales process in all direct selling situations. You need a sales appointment to give us a platform where you can apply your excellent consultative sales skills to the advantage of both parties. But making those awful sales appointment calls! Who wants that much rejection? They do not even give you a chance!
Secret Number 1 – Use Active Motivators
You do not like making sales appointments? No-one does, and you never will! Do not even TRY to like making sales appointments. Appointment selling will never give you the pleasure that a good sales meeting can generate. You will never get that satisfying buzz of sales skills well used. Even a successful sales appointment call, where the prospect is happy to see you, will be a brief and an unsatisfying telephone call. This means that a successful sales appointment call is not in itself a motivator. You must look for other ways to motivate yourself to make these calls.
Plan each batch of appointment calls carefully. Make a list of prospects, and make sure it is long enough to allow for the multitude of no answer or voice mails. Set yourself very clear goals for each session, and vary the goals from one session to the next. Variety in goal focus is more motivating than always having the same target. For example you might set a target of 60 dials in one session, 20 contacts in the next and 3 appointments in the third. Work efficiently and effectively until you achieve your target, and then give yourself a nice reward! Again vary the reward, a different reward for each day or each week. The idea is to really work at giving you active motivators to foster success.
Secret Number 2 – Sell the Appointment, not the Product
Most direct sales people work on a consultative sales type approach, where you are doing a thorough fact find and offering which of your products or services will add value to your client’s needs. There are lots of questions, and a good deal of selling the value of your products. In direct selling, this is good. In selling an appointment, this is NOT good.
Remember that when the phone rings at your prospect’s desk, you will drop in unannounced. It would be totally inappropriate, therefore, to begin the conversation with a load of questions. This will trigger a justifiable negative reaction. Equally, if you try to sell the benefits of your products on the telephone call, why should the prospect bother seeing you? Remember your skills lie in the direct sales meeting, and you really need that sales appointment to perform. What this means is, do not attempt to sell your products. Sell the appointment. The value statements you will make are the benefits to the prospect of YOU sitting in front of him.
To prepare for your batch of calls, prepare a list of benefits of the APPOINTMENT. Why is it good for the prospect to spend 30 minutes of his time with you? What will he gain? Why will he be better off? Practice each one of these aloud, using strong positive benefit language. Then choose the right ones to use on your calls today.
Secret Number 3 – This is a Short Focussed Call
The successful sales appointment call is short. By that we do not mean rushed. On the contrary, the beginning of the call, as you introduce yourself, should be confident and gently paced. Your typical call structure should be something like -
1. Who you are, your name
2. Who your Company is, your Company name together with a one line promotion statement. Here we are impressing the prospect, giving them a positive reason why they should bother taking the call from that Company.
3. Your reason for calling today. You have wonderful products, or you are in the neighborhood, are NOT good reasons why a busy person should see you. You want to present a one line teaser that will be of benefit to this Customer. It could be as simple as, we have just launched a new range of products, or, we have revised our pricing schedule to offer more cost effective solutions. The reason you are calling today, HAS to be a definite reason.
4. Engaging question. You have done all the talking up to now, so it is time for the prospect to be involved. You want one question open question that will illicit some information, but will not allow the prospect to shut down the call. This must be a very specific question for your line of business, and you really only want to get the prospect to say a one line response.
5. Sell the benefits of the Meeting. Here we ask for 30 minutes of their time, and give 2 to 3 benefits of this meeting.
6. Go straight to gain agreement. Move immediately to a close, offering a range of times and days
Practice your sales appointment calls until you get the timing right. Remember it is short, driving towards the close very quickly. When you get it right, record it so that you can capture the language and feel of the successful appointment call.
Secret Number 1 – Use Active Motivators
You do not like making sales appointments? No-one does, and you never will! Do not even TRY to like making sales appointments. Appointment selling will never give you the pleasure that a good sales meeting can generate. You will never get that satisfying buzz of sales skills well used. Even a successful sales appointment call, where the prospect is happy to see you, will be a brief and an unsatisfying telephone call. This means that a successful sales appointment call is not in itself a motivator. You must look for other ways to motivate yourself to make these calls.
Plan each batch of appointment calls carefully. Make a list of prospects, and make sure it is long enough to allow for the multitude of no answer or voice mails. Set yourself very clear goals for each session, and vary the goals from one session to the next. Variety in goal focus is more motivating than always having the same target. For example you might set a target of 60 dials in one session, 20 contacts in the next and 3 appointments in the third. Work efficiently and effectively until you achieve your target, and then give yourself a nice reward! Again vary the reward, a different reward for each day or each week. The idea is to really work at giving you active motivators to foster success.
Secret Number 2 – Sell the Appointment, not the Product
Most direct sales people work on a consultative sales type approach, where you are doing a thorough fact find and offering which of your products or services will add value to your client’s needs. There are lots of questions, and a good deal of selling the value of your products. In direct selling, this is good. In selling an appointment, this is NOT good.
Remember that when the phone rings at your prospect’s desk, you will drop in unannounced. It would be totally inappropriate, therefore, to begin the conversation with a load of questions. This will trigger a justifiable negative reaction. Equally, if you try to sell the benefits of your products on the telephone call, why should the prospect bother seeing you? Remember your skills lie in the direct sales meeting, and you really need that sales appointment to perform. What this means is, do not attempt to sell your products. Sell the appointment. The value statements you will make are the benefits to the prospect of YOU sitting in front of him.
To prepare for your batch of calls, prepare a list of benefits of the APPOINTMENT. Why is it good for the prospect to spend 30 minutes of his time with you? What will he gain? Why will he be better off? Practice each one of these aloud, using strong positive benefit language. Then choose the right ones to use on your calls today.
Secret Number 3 – This is a Short Focussed Call
The successful sales appointment call is short. By that we do not mean rushed. On the contrary, the beginning of the call, as you introduce yourself, should be confident and gently paced. Your typical call structure should be something like -
1. Who you are, your name
2. Who your Company is, your Company name together with a one line promotion statement. Here we are impressing the prospect, giving them a positive reason why they should bother taking the call from that Company.
3. Your reason for calling today. You have wonderful products, or you are in the neighborhood, are NOT good reasons why a busy person should see you. You want to present a one line teaser that will be of benefit to this Customer. It could be as simple as, we have just launched a new range of products, or, we have revised our pricing schedule to offer more cost effective solutions. The reason you are calling today, HAS to be a definite reason.
4. Engaging question. You have done all the talking up to now, so it is time for the prospect to be involved. You want one question open question that will illicit some information, but will not allow the prospect to shut down the call. This must be a very specific question for your line of business, and you really only want to get the prospect to say a one line response.
5. Sell the benefits of the Meeting. Here we ask for 30 minutes of their time, and give 2 to 3 benefits of this meeting.
6. Go straight to gain agreement. Move immediately to a close, offering a range of times and days
Practice your sales appointment calls until you get the timing right. Remember it is short, driving towards the close very quickly. When you get it right, record it so that you can capture the language and feel of the successful appointment call.
| Business Presentation | for everyone |
Useful Tips
Presently, business presentations are tougher since most of the clients want something contemporary and more creative. Meeting the clients’ expectations would be a laborious task and an arduous responsibility.
But you have nothing to worry if you yourself know the product or concept that you are selling to your client. Business presentation is majorly knowing your material. As long as you are knowledgeable and piles of information lingers in your head about your product, you are for sure that you are on the right track.
Moreover, the presentation itself does matter a lot. Are your slide shows eye-catching? Are the things projected in your screen interesting enough? Are the information concrete and relevant? These are just among the questions that you need to ask your self. Additionally, your presentation would not be as outstanding and as appealing as you hope it to be without the correct equipment. The right projector does matter a lot and especially the right screen. Various screens could be utilized in every presentation but one should make the right choice. Whether it is hung flat or placed on the ceiling, various equipment such as rear projection shows the content in high definition. These screens have the capacity to feature vibrant colors that would give more life to your videos and pictures. This is also one of the major advances of technology with models featuring durability and portability which are great for daily business meetings.
Furthermore, using of simple slides and avoiding too much words in your slide-shows are helpful tips. It would be way more helpful and interesting if you place pictures or graphs on your screens. This would aid you in a better explanation of your concept or product.
In addition to that, it is best that you practice your delivery. Make sure that you will sound confident. Think of some ways to get rid of that nervousness and be spontaneous in your delivery. These would contribute a lot in igniting the interest in your clients. Additionally, choosing the right words are very important. It is essential that you are in the same page as your clients. It is not necessary to throw big words. The simpler and the more definite your choice of words are, the better.
Besides that, it is vital that you also point out the relevant facts about your product or your concept. It is imperative that you dig deeper and make your clients understand how that material of yours can create a change and make a contribution to the society and its people.
Be professional with your clients all the time. If they disagree or ask questions about something, be courteous enough to answer them. Entertain their ideas, too, which is a big help in your business. Address your clients properly, and never give them a reason to feel disrespected.
Punctuality is very important. Being on time for your business presentation shows how professional you are. Giving allowance of an hour before the big event gives room for contingency and helps you in preparing yourself better. Tardiness is a no-no and very improper. It is a major offense to keep your clients waiting, so make sure to always be there on time.
Presently, business presentations are tougher since most of the clients want something contemporary and more creative. Meeting the clients’ expectations would be a laborious task and an arduous responsibility.
But you have nothing to worry if you yourself know the product or concept that you are selling to your client. Business presentation is majorly knowing your material. As long as you are knowledgeable and piles of information lingers in your head about your product, you are for sure that you are on the right track.
Moreover, the presentation itself does matter a lot. Are your slide shows eye-catching? Are the things projected in your screen interesting enough? Are the information concrete and relevant? These are just among the questions that you need to ask your self. Additionally, your presentation would not be as outstanding and as appealing as you hope it to be without the correct equipment. The right projector does matter a lot and especially the right screen. Various screens could be utilized in every presentation but one should make the right choice. Whether it is hung flat or placed on the ceiling, various equipment such as rear projection shows the content in high definition. These screens have the capacity to feature vibrant colors that would give more life to your videos and pictures. This is also one of the major advances of technology with models featuring durability and portability which are great for daily business meetings.
Furthermore, using of simple slides and avoiding too much words in your slide-shows are helpful tips. It would be way more helpful and interesting if you place pictures or graphs on your screens. This would aid you in a better explanation of your concept or product.
In addition to that, it is best that you practice your delivery. Make sure that you will sound confident. Think of some ways to get rid of that nervousness and be spontaneous in your delivery. These would contribute a lot in igniting the interest in your clients. Additionally, choosing the right words are very important. It is essential that you are in the same page as your clients. It is not necessary to throw big words. The simpler and the more definite your choice of words are, the better.
Besides that, it is vital that you also point out the relevant facts about your product or your concept. It is imperative that you dig deeper and make your clients understand how that material of yours can create a change and make a contribution to the society and its people.
Be professional with your clients all the time. If they disagree or ask questions about something, be courteous enough to answer them. Entertain their ideas, too, which is a big help in your business. Address your clients properly, and never give them a reason to feel disrespected.
Punctuality is very important. Being on time for your business presentation shows how professional you are. Giving allowance of an hour before the big event gives room for contingency and helps you in preparing yourself better. Tardiness is a no-no and very improper. It is a major offense to keep your clients waiting, so make sure to always be there on time.
| On the Tradition of the Forty Ahadith- Ayatullah Imam Khomeni (R.A)-2 | for everyone |
How to Cure Moral Maladies
My friend! arise, awake from the slumber, be aware of your negligence and make an effort till there is time to repent. Consider this opportunity as valuable, until you are alive, your faculties and your powers are still under control, and you are young. Think about a cure before it is too late, and before moral maladies overpower your existence, and evils take deep roots in your existence and take you in the grips of their tentacles. Drive them away, find out a way of extinguishing the fire of your sensuality and passion. The best remedy prescribed by mystics and moralists is to concentrate upon each one of the evil habits that you detect in yourself, and offer an effective resistance against them. Fight bravely against your carnal self. Act unceasingly all the time against those vicious yearnings. Pray Almighty to assist you in this battle. Undoubtedly after sometime hideous habits would leave you, and Satan and his legions would vacate the fortress, and the battalions of heavenly armies would be installed in their stead.
One of the moral maladies, which may destroy one, cause torment of the grave, and plague man in this world, is the maltreatment of the people of his household, his neighbours, his colleagues and others around him. It is the product of passion and sensuality. If the mujahid is determined on correcting himself, he can counter those impulses of indignation, resentment and vituperation with gentleness and kindness, remembering the Hereafter and the chastisements therein. He should curse the Devil in his heart and take refuge in God. I give you word that if you behave persistently like this, after some time you will realize that your nature is totally transformed and good habits have taken the place of the bad ones. But if you behave according to the propensities of your nature, it is possible that they consume you in this world itself. I seek refuge in God from the anger, which when present in an individual destroys him in both the worlds. At the same time it kills his spirit also, because possibly one may use some indecent words against Divine principles in a fit of anger, as so many times we hear people uttering words of heresy and being guilty of apostasy thus.
Philosophers say that the chances of being saved in a ship without a captain from the stormy waves of ocean are brighter than those of a man being saved in an outburst of wild passion. God forbid, that we should ever belong to that category of people who become aggressive during academic discussions, as some of our students suffer from this intemperance. You have to resist against this bad tendency. Act against it, especially on the occasions of formal functions, which are attended by a great number of scholars and common men. During the discussions, if you see that the other party is justified in its argument, you are expected to admit your fault and confirm what opponents say. God willing, these meannesses will be eliminated in a short time. God forbid, that the words of some scholars, who claimed to be divinely inspired and said that it was revealed that the quarrel among the inhabitants of hell, mentioned by God, is that of the scholars and transmitters of ahadith, should ever be true. Even if you do not believe in the authenticity of this tradition, even then you should carefully try to get rid of this habit. See the following account:
It is narrated from many companions of the Prophet (S) that once as the Prophet (S) came to them they were engaged in wrangling over a religious issue. The Prophet (S) of Islam was greatly displeased and was indignant to this extent that they had never seen him before in such an anger. The Prophet (S) told them it was because of this habit of wrangling that their precursors were destroyed, and he added that a true believer would never wrangle. The Prophet (S) asked them to stop wrangling and told them that he would not act as an intercessor to any wrangler. Wrangling occupies the second place after idolatry among the things forbidden by God Almighty. The Prophet (S) is reported to have also said that unless a believer refrains from wrangling and altercation he cannot know the truth, in spite of his position being correct.
There are various traditions in this regard. How abominable it will be if we deprive ourselves of the intercession of the Prophet (S) for the sake of merely a trivial thing which has no value, no merit whatsoever. Intellectual discussions, which would otherwise be the highest order of service and worship if undertaken with sincere motives, end in such a catastrophe and wipe out all his good deeds and acts of worship. In all circumstances, man should focus his attention on each of his vices individually, and eradicate them from the domain of his soul by restraining his carnal self. Once the tresspasser is driven out, the rightful owner of the house can readily come to take possession.
| On the Tradition of the Forty Ahadith- Ayatullah Imam Khomeni (R.A)-1 | for everyone |
Effort and Struggle (Spiritual)
Dear friend: try to be a man of strong will-power and resolution, so that you may not go from this world as a person without resolution, and hence rise on the day of resurrection as a brainless-being, not in the form of human being. For the other-world is the place where what is hidden is unveiled and secrets are exposed.
One's audacity to commit sin, converts him little by little into a man devoid of will-power, and takes away the noble essence of humanity from him. Our respected teacher used to say that more than anything else, giving the ears to the sounds of music and songs, steal from men their will-power and the power of resolution.
Hence, my brother, desist from transgression, resolve to return to God, and acquire a mien similar to that of true human being. Join the community of the men of religion and in seclusion pray to God, so that He may assist you in your mission, and pray that the Prophet (S) and the members of his Household (AS), intercede for you. May God bestow His graces and favours upon you. May He escort you in the coming dangers, since the path of life is full of great risks and hazards.
On the way of life there are very deep crevices and it is possible that one may stumble and fall in them in such a manner that none of his efforts could save him from the coming catastrophe. It is also probable that in some cases the intercedings of an intercessor cannot save him either.
| Imam’s manner and behavior | for everyone |
His moral virtues and piety was such that besides his followers and companions his enemies were attracted to him. He treated people as respectfully and kindly as possible and never separated himself from the people.
One of his companions say: “I never remember him, talk badly to anyone and interrupt someone while speaking. If he afforded to help, he would never reject any poor and never stretched his legs in front of people.
I never remember him talk badly to his servants. He always smiled instead of laughing loudly. While having a meal, he invited all the servants to have the meal with him. He slept little at nights and was used to staying up and saying prayer during almost all nights. He always performed three fasts in the month. He helped the poor secretly in the dark nights.”6
One of his other companions says: “His carpet was of sackcloth in winter and a mat in summer. He wore rough and coarse clothes at home, but he wore nice clothes in public parties. (He wore nice and common clothes.)”7
One night while Imam was talking to his guest, there was a problem with the light. The guest wanted to correct it, but Imam did not let him to do so. He fixed it himself and said: ‘We are the ones who do not put our guests to work.’”8
A man told Imam: “By Allah I swear that no one on earth equals your ancestors in superiority and nobleness.’ Imam said:” Taqwa gave them nobleness and obedience to Allah gave them superiority.”9
A man from Balkh says:” I was with Imam Reza (A.S.) during the travel to Khorasan. One day while having a meal Imam invited all the servants including the Blacks to have the meal with them. I told Imam:” It is better they (the servants) sit somewhere else. Imam said:” Be quiet! The creator of everyone is the same. The father and mother of all are the same and reward is according to deeds.”10
The servant of Imam -Yaser – says:” Imam Reza (A.S.) had told us that if I was above your head (and ordered you to do something) and you were having a meal, do not stand up till you finish it. Therefore it frequently happened that Imam called us for a work, and he was responded that he (the servant) is busy having a meal; then Imam would say:” Let him finish his food.”11
One day a stranger came to visit Imam Reza (A.S.). He said hello and continued:” I love you and your fathers and ancestors. I have come back form Hajj and have run out of money. If it is possible give me some money so that I could go back to my house. I promise to spend the same amount there as Sadaghah, for, I am not poor in my city. Imam stood up and went to another room. Then he came behind the curtain and said:” Get this 200 Dinar and spend it for your travel, there is no need to pay the same back as Sadaghah. The man got the Dinars and went. Imam was asked for the reason of his secret help, he answered:” I did such, in order not to see the shame of need in his face.”12
Our infallible and great Imams guided their followers both by sayings and behavior. In other words by their behavior, they taught their Shiites the true way of behaving.
One of Imam’s companions said:” One day I was with Imam on the way to his home. At home his servants were busy repairing the house. Imam saw a stranger among them and asked of him. They answered:” He helps us and we pay him.” Imam asked:” Have you defined the amount of payment?” They answered:” No, but he accepts whatever we pay him.” Imam was disturbed and told me:” I have told them many times that before you bring anyone, define the amount of payment and contract. The one, who works without any contraction, thinks that you have paid him little, even if you give him three times more. But if you contract and give him according to the contraction, he will be pleased with receiving his right. Now if you pay more even just a little, he will understand you have paid more and will be thankful to you.”13
Imam’s servant says:” One day his servants were eating fruits. They ate some and through out the rest. Imam Reza (A.S.) told them:” Subhanallah! If you do not need it, give it to someone who needs.”
| MORE ON IMAM REZA (A.S.) | for everyone |
A little from Imam’s wise words
Imam said:” The friend of everyone is his wisdom the enemy of everyone is his ignorance and silliness.”
Imam said:” Science and knowledge are like treasures, and the key to them is question, so ask and Allah may bless you, because by this question four groups benefit:
1.The asker
2.The teacher
3.The listener
4.The answerer”
Imam said:” Liking people and friendship is half of wisdom.”
Imam said:” There is a piece of advice in everything your eyes see.
Imam said:” Cleanliness and neatness is of virtues of the prophets.”
Imam’s martyrdom
Ma’moon had told one of his servants not to cut his nails, and ordered him to put some poisons in his nails and prepare a pomegranate and pollute it with the poison. The servant obeyed his master and prepared the pomegranate. Ma’moon offered the poisonous pomegranate to Imam. Imam rejected, Ma’moon insisted and threatened Imam that he would kill him if he didn’t eat. Imam ate some pomegranate under obligation. After a few hours the poison polluted Imam’s body and he became ill. The morning of the next day (29th of Safar of year 203 H.G.) Imam Reza (A.S.) was martyred.
Imam’s burial
By divine will and power, Imam’s son, Imam Jawad (A.S.) washed his father’s body and said prayer for him. Imam’s body was buried in Mashhad with the accompaniment of many of his Shiites and followers.
Imam said:” The friend of everyone is his wisdom the enemy of everyone is his ignorance and silliness.”
Imam said:” Science and knowledge are like treasures, and the key to them is question, so ask and Allah may bless you, because by this question four groups benefit:
1.The asker
2.The teacher
3.The listener
4.The answerer”
Imam said:” Liking people and friendship is half of wisdom.”
Imam said:” There is a piece of advice in everything your eyes see.
Imam said:” Cleanliness and neatness is of virtues of the prophets.”
Imam’s martyrdom
Ma’moon had told one of his servants not to cut his nails, and ordered him to put some poisons in his nails and prepare a pomegranate and pollute it with the poison. The servant obeyed his master and prepared the pomegranate. Ma’moon offered the poisonous pomegranate to Imam. Imam rejected, Ma’moon insisted and threatened Imam that he would kill him if he didn’t eat. Imam ate some pomegranate under obligation. After a few hours the poison polluted Imam’s body and he became ill. The morning of the next day (29th of Safar of year 203 H.G.) Imam Reza (A.S.) was martyred.
Imam’s burial
By divine will and power, Imam’s son, Imam Jawad (A.S.) washed his father’s body and said prayer for him. Imam’s body was buried in Mashhad with the accompaniment of many of his Shiites and followers.
| HADEES | for everyone |
Witnessing Hearts
Abu Abdillah Ja'far b. Muhammad, peace be upon him, said that:
He said: "Look into your heart. If it disowns your friend (or harbours doubt about him) then either of you must have done something (improper)."
Reconciliation among people
Abu Abdillah Ja'far b. Muhammad, peace be upon him, said:
"The charity best loved by Allah is to bring about reconciliation among people when they are divided by friction and to bring them closer to each other when they have moved apart."
Provision from unexpected quarters
He said: Abul Hasan Ahmad b. Muhammad b. Ja'far reported to me from his father, from Muhammad b. al-Hasan al-Saffar, from Ahmad b. Muhammad b. Isa, from Muhammad b. Khalid al-Barqi that Hammad b. Isa said:
I requested Abul Hasan Musa b. Ja'far, peace be upon him, saying: "May I be your ransom, pray to Allah that He may bless me with a son, and may not deprive me from Haj as long as I live." He says: "He prayed for me and Allah gave me this son. And whenever the days of Haj arrived while I had no means for the expenses, Allah provided from unexpected quarters."
12. On being mindful - not conceited
He said: Abul Qasim Ja'far b. Muhammad reported to me from his father, from Sa'd b. Abdillah, from Ahmad b. Muhammad b. Isa, from al-Husain b. Saeed, from Muhammad b. Abu Umair from al-Harith b. Behram, from Amru b. Jamee' that:
Abu Abdillah, Ja'far b. Muhammad, peace be upon him told me: "Whoever comes to us seeking Fiqh, Qur'an and its exegesis, let him in. And whoever comes to reveal such secret (fault of the others) which Allah (in His Mercy) has concealed, discard him!" Someone said: "May I be your ransom, may I mention my present situation?" He said: "(Yes), if you so wish." He said: "By Allah, I am persistent upon sin since long time, and I intend to transform myself, but I cannot." He said: "If what you say is true, then Allah loves you, and He does not prevent your transformation except that you may fear him (more by being mindful, and not conceited)."
| A FEW HADITHS | for everyone |
"Surely, the Angel appointed to the servant (of Allah) records (everything) in his books of deeds. So, register a good deed at its beginning and at its end, (so that) Allah may forgive you that which transpires in between."
I told him: "We see a man deeply engrossed in the acts of devotion, humble and trying his best.
Zainul Abideen Ali b. al-Husain, peace be upon him, said:
"He who feeds a hungry Mo'min, Allah will feed him from the fruits of Paradise; and he who quenches the thirst of a Mo'min, Allah will slacken his thirst from the pure, sealed nectar (on the day of reward). And he who clothes a Mo'min, Allah will clothe him with green brocade (of heaven), and he will remain under the protection of Allah, Most High, as long as a thread of that cloth remains upon him (i.e. the Mo'min whom he clothed)."lease Allah), yet he is opposed to you. Does that benefit him anything?"
He said: "O Muhammad, the similitude of us Ahlul Bait is like that of a household among Banu Israel, of whom whoever strived devotedly for forty nights, his prayer was answered." Among them there was one who strenuously worshipped for forty nights and his prayer went unanswered. So he came to Isa, son of Maryam, peace be upon him, complaining about the situation he was in, and beseeching him to pray for him. So Isa made ablutions, and prayed. Allah revealed unto him: "O Isa, surely, this servant of mine came through a gate other than the one through which I am reached. He prayed while his heart had doubts about you. So, (even) if he called upon me till his neck were severed and his fingers fell apart, I would not answer him."
Then Isa approached him and said: "You call upon your Lord while your heart doubts His Prophet?"
He said: "O Spirit of Allah, and His word, by Allah, it was like what you said. Now, please pray unto Him to remove that from me." Then Isa prayed (for him) and Allah accepted it from him, and he was again reverted to his household.
Similar is the case of us Ahlul Bait. Allah does not accept the acts of devotion from a servant who doubts about us.
Abu Ja'far Muhammad b. Ali al-Baqir (peace be upon him) said:
"O Abu Hamza, do not place Ali (A.S.) below the level to which Allah has raised him, and do not elevate him above the level where Allah has kept him. It is enough (excellence) for Ali that he is the one who fought the apostates and he is the one who will pair off the inmates of Paradise."
Amirul Mo'mineen Ali b. Abi Talib (A.S.) said:
The Prophet, peace be upon him and his progeny, held my hand and said: "Whoever dutifully performed the five (daily) prayers, and then died with your love in his heart, he will have redeemed his pledge. And whoever died with hatred for you, died a death of ignorance (i.e. the era before Islam), though he will account for his deeds as ordained by Islam. And he who lives after you, with your love in his heart, Allah will end his life with security and faith, till he arrives near me at the Pool."
The most beloved steps by a Mo'min
Prophet (peace be upon him and his progeny) said:
"The most beloved steps in Allah's estimation are two: one taken by a Mo'min to fill the rank in the way of Allah, another taken by a Mo'min to mend the relations with a blood relative who had cut off. And the most worthy swallows in His estimation are two: the swallow of anger by a Mo'min while reacting to provocation with gentleness, and swallow of sadness and anxiety, giving a patient response to the trying times. And the most beloved droplets in His estimation are two: a drop of blood spilled in the way of Allah, and a drop of tears shed in the darkness of night, fearing Allah."
| Karbala and Beyond | for everyone |
The captives were taken to Kufa where Zaynab, Imam Husayn's sister is defiant in the face of ibn Ziyad, one of battlefield commanders. They are forced to travel to Damascus where Yazid gloats over the head of Imam Husayn and insults Ali and Zaynab, the only family who survived the massacre at Karbala. They are later released and allowed to return to Medina after Yazid begins to fear the backlash as news of the massacre spreads.
Karbala was a watershed for Yazid. The bloodbath at Karbala, the imprisonment of the women and children of the Household of the Prophet, their parading in chains from town to town, and the speeches made by Zaynab, Imam Husayn's sister, all contributed to the end of Yazid's rule and the overthrow of the dynasty Muawiyah founded.
Whilst it would seem that the birth of Shi'a can be linked to the assertion that only 'Ali could succeed Mohammad as Caliph, the tragedy of Karbala revitalised the official Shi'a movement. The tragedy played an enormous role in the galvanising of Shi'a identity. The fate of Imam Husayn was destined to become the most important agent in the propagation and comparatively rapid spread of Shi'a Islam.
In giving his life, Husayn ensured the survival of his faith.
| EXCELLENT MUST READ !!!!- THE FALCON WHO WOULD'NT FLY | for everyone |
*Once there was a king who received a gift of two magnificent falcons from
Arabia . They were peregrine falcons, the most beautiful birds he had ever
seen. He gave the precious birds to his head falconer to be trained.**
Months passed and one day the head falconer informed the king that though
one of the falcons was flying majestically, soaring high in the sky, the
other bird had not moved from its branch since the day it had arrived.
The king summoned healers and sorcerers from all the land to tend to the
falcon, but no one could make the bird fly. He presented the task to the
member of his court, but the next day, the king saw through the palace
window that the bird had still not moved from its perch. Having tried
everything else, the king thought to himself, "May be I need someone more
familiar with the countryside to understand the nature of this problem." So
he cried out to his court, "Go and get a farmer."
In the morning, the king was thrilled to see the falcon soaring high above
the palace gardens. He said to his court, "Bring me the doer of this
miracle."
The court quickly located the farmer, who came and stood before the king.
The king asked him, "How did you make the falcon fly?"
With his head bowed, the farmer said to the king, " It was very easy, your
highness. I simply cut the branch where the bird was sitting."
We are all made to fly -- to realize our incredible potential as human
beings. But instead of doing that, we sit on our branches, clinging to the
things that are familiar to us. The possibilities are endless, but for most
of us, they remain undiscovered. We conform to the familiar, the
comfortable, the mundane. So for the most part, our lives are mediocre
instead of exciting, thrilling and fulfilling.
Arabia . They were peregrine falcons, the most beautiful birds he had ever
seen. He gave the precious birds to his head falconer to be trained.**
Months passed and one day the head falconer informed the king that though
one of the falcons was flying majestically, soaring high in the sky, the
other bird had not moved from its branch since the day it had arrived.
The king summoned healers and sorcerers from all the land to tend to the
falcon, but no one could make the bird fly. He presented the task to the
member of his court, but the next day, the king saw through the palace
window that the bird had still not moved from its perch. Having tried
everything else, the king thought to himself, "May be I need someone more
familiar with the countryside to understand the nature of this problem." So
he cried out to his court, "Go and get a farmer."
In the morning, the king was thrilled to see the falcon soaring high above
the palace gardens. He said to his court, "Bring me the doer of this
miracle."
The court quickly located the farmer, who came and stood before the king.
The king asked him, "How did you make the falcon fly?"
With his head bowed, the farmer said to the king, " It was very easy, your
highness. I simply cut the branch where the bird was sitting."
We are all made to fly -- to realize our incredible potential as human
beings. But instead of doing that, we sit on our branches, clinging to the
things that are familiar to us. The possibilities are endless, but for most
of us, they remain undiscovered. We conform to the familiar, the
comfortable, the mundane. So for the most part, our lives are mediocre
instead of exciting, thrilling and fulfilling.
(sent by bro Najmuddin)
So let us learn to destroy the branch of fear we cling to and free ourselves
to the glory of flight.
So let us learn to destroy the branch of fear we cling to and free ourselves
to the glory of flight.
| PLEASE SUPPORT THIS PROJECT | for everyone |
Please support this project ..............THE WALK FROM NAJAF TO KERBALA
Salaams Brothers and Sisters,
My daughter Azra will be taking part in a 90 kilometer walk in the next few days, from the city of Najaf to Kerbala in Iraq in order to raise money for the orphans of Iraq . I request that we all donate whatever amount we can for this worthy cause, and pray for her safe return inshAllah.
Please follow the links attached to make your donation now, and forward this information on to as many people as possible. The more money that is raised, the greater the benefits for the orphans.
Thank you,
Aun Ali Khalfan
Tahrike Tarsile Qur'an, Inc.
80-08 51st Avenue
Elmhurst , New York 11373-4141
tel: 718.565.6293 fax: 718.446.4370
Tahrike Tarsile Qur'an, Inc.
80-08 51st Avenue
Elmhurst , New York 11373-4141
tel: 718.565.6293 fax: 718.446.4370
| IMAM MAHDI ASSOCIATION OF MARJAEYA | for everyone |
|
I.M.A.M. | Imam Mahdi Association of Marjaeya | 13357 Michigan Ave | Dearborn | MI | 48126
|
| CALL OF ISLAM RADIO LIVE - IRAN (ENGLISH) | for everyone |
CALL OF ISLAM RADIO LIVE - IRAN (ENGLISH)
posted by ABBAS ALAM @ 08:49
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