| Quran jisko tera hawaala nahi mila, | for everyone |
Quran jisko tera hawaala nahi mila,
Aanhken to mil gayi hai ujaala nahi mila.
Farsh e zameen pe bolne wale boht mile,
Nok e sina pe bolne wala nahi mila.
♥♥♥SALAAM YA HUSSAIN♥♥♥
Aanhken to mil gayi hai ujaala nahi mila.
Farsh e zameen pe bolne wale boht mile,
Nok e sina pe bolne wala nahi mila.
♥♥♥SALAAM YA HUSSAIN♥♥♥
| HADEES | for everyone |
Holy Prophet(saww): "Main agar apni ummat k liye sakti nhi samajta to inhe har namaz k saath miswaak ka hukm deta"
(Bihar/V76,p126)
(Furue Kafi/V3,p22)
I.Ali(s): "Jo apni aabru bachana chahata hai use chahiye ki ladai jhagde se parhez kare."
(Nahjul Balagha, Kalemate Hikmat:362)
I.Ali(a):"Kanjus kitna badnasib hai k duniya me fakiro'n jaisi zindagi guzarta hai aur Qayamat me ameero'n jaisa hisaab deta hai."
(Sayings of I.Ali)
I.Sadiq(as): "Jiske dil me zarra(atom) barabar bhi taqakkbur hoga use JANNAT me dakhil nahi kiya jayega".
(AL-KAFI,vol.2, pg.310)
I.Ali(a.s) to J.Kumail(a.r): "Jab tumhare rizq me takheer ho jaye to khuda se isteghfaar karo tumhara rizq wasi ho jayega".
(Bihar ul-Anwar/V77,pg.270)
I.Ali(s): 1)"Sadqe ke zariye rozi talab karo"
(Bihar/V77,p176)
2)"Zyada sadqa dene se tumhe rizq milega"
(Bihar/V78,pg.60)
Imam Jafar Sadiq (a.s): "Make your children to taste the soil of Imam Husain's grave."
(Kamiluz Ziaraat pg. 278)
Holy Prophet (saws): "Happiness is for the one who will attend the Qaim of my Ahlul Bayt and will follow him before his rise. This person will love his (Qaim's) lovers and hate his enemies, and will accept the leadership of the Imams from before his advent. These ones are my friends, and are the most sincere members of my Ummah whom I honour very much."
(Bihar-ul-Anwar, vol. 52, p. 129)
Imam Husain (a.s.): "The one who loves you will reprimand you, while the one who hates you will praise you."
(Behaarul Anwaar, vol. 78, pg. 128)
Imam Jafar Sadiq (a.s.): "Janabe Fatema binte Mohammad (s.a.) calls upon the one who visits Imam Husain’s (a.s.) shrine. She seeks forgiveness for his sins and his sins are forgiven."
(Kaamil al-Ziaaraat pg. 118)
Imam Muhammad Baqir (a.s.): "We found inscribed in the Book of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.), when Zakaat is evaded the earth suppresses numerous bounties like foodgrains, fruits and mines.
(Usul-e-Kaafi, vol. 2, pg. 374, tradition 2)
Imam Jafar Sadiq (a.s.): "One who visits Imam Husain’s (a.s.) shrine with recognition (of Imam Husain’s (a.s.) rights on the people), Allah will include him among the highest and loftiest station."
(Kaamil al-Ziaaraat, pg 147)
Ameerul Mo'mineen, Imam Ali b. Abi Talib (a.s.): "One who no longer shows his loathing and detest for evil by his heart, his hands or his tongue, he is like a corpse amongst the living ones."
(Tehzeeb vol. 6, pg. 181, tradition 374)
Imam Sadiq (a.s.): "The one who does the Ziyaarat of Imam Husain (a.s.) on the day of Aashoora, then paradise is obligatory upon him."
(Behaar al-Anwaar, vol. 101, p.104)
Imam Husain (a.s.): "People are slaves of the world and religion is only (like a morsel) on their tongues. They keep turning the morsel in their mouths. But when tested with difficulties, the religious are very few."
(Tuhaf al-Oqool, p. 245)
Holy Prophet (saww):"Jo apne momin bhai ki dunyavi hajaat puri karta hai Allah(swt) uski Akherat ki hajaat puri karega."
(Shahab-ul-Akhbar, p.194)
Imam Sadiq(as):"One who desires to be included among the companions of Imam e Zamana(atfs) must be a Muntazir (one who awaits),and he should be pious and of good behaviour. So even if he dies before the reappearance of Imam(as)he woujd get the same reward as if he had been with the Imam(as). Strive and await! If you want to be bestowed with Divine Mercy."
(Ghaibat of Nomani, P-106)
(Bihar/V76,p126)
(Furue Kafi/V3,p22)
I.Ali(s): "Jo apni aabru bachana chahata hai use chahiye ki ladai jhagde se parhez kare."
(Nahjul Balagha, Kalemate Hikmat:362)
I.Ali(a):"Kanjus kitna badnasib hai k duniya me fakiro'n jaisi zindagi guzarta hai aur Qayamat me ameero'n jaisa hisaab deta hai."
(Sayings of I.Ali)
I.Sadiq(as): "Jiske dil me zarra(atom) barabar bhi taqakkbur hoga use JANNAT me dakhil nahi kiya jayega".
(AL-KAFI,vol.2, pg.310)
I.Ali(a.s) to J.Kumail(a.r): "Jab tumhare rizq me takheer ho jaye to khuda se isteghfaar karo tumhara rizq wasi ho jayega".
(Bihar ul-Anwar/V77,pg.270)
I.Ali(s): 1)"Sadqe ke zariye rozi talab karo"
(Bihar/V77,p176)
2)"Zyada sadqa dene se tumhe rizq milega"
(Bihar/V78,pg.60)
Imam Jafar Sadiq (a.s): "Make your children to taste the soil of Imam Husain's grave."
(Kamiluz Ziaraat pg. 278)
Holy Prophet (saws): "Happiness is for the one who will attend the Qaim of my Ahlul Bayt and will follow him before his rise. This person will love his (Qaim's) lovers and hate his enemies, and will accept the leadership of the Imams from before his advent. These ones are my friends, and are the most sincere members of my Ummah whom I honour very much."
(Bihar-ul-Anwar, vol. 52, p. 129)
Imam Husain (a.s.): "The one who loves you will reprimand you, while the one who hates you will praise you."
(Behaarul Anwaar, vol. 78, pg. 128)
Imam Jafar Sadiq (a.s.): "Janabe Fatema binte Mohammad (s.a.) calls upon the one who visits Imam Husain’s (a.s.) shrine. She seeks forgiveness for his sins and his sins are forgiven."
(Kaamil al-Ziaaraat pg. 118)
Imam Muhammad Baqir (a.s.): "We found inscribed in the Book of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.), when Zakaat is evaded the earth suppresses numerous bounties like foodgrains, fruits and mines.
(Usul-e-Kaafi, vol. 2, pg. 374, tradition 2)
Imam Jafar Sadiq (a.s.): "One who visits Imam Husain’s (a.s.) shrine with recognition (of Imam Husain’s (a.s.) rights on the people), Allah will include him among the highest and loftiest station."
(Kaamil al-Ziaaraat, pg 147)
Ameerul Mo'mineen, Imam Ali b. Abi Talib (a.s.): "One who no longer shows his loathing and detest for evil by his heart, his hands or his tongue, he is like a corpse amongst the living ones."
(Tehzeeb vol. 6, pg. 181, tradition 374)
Imam Sadiq (a.s.): "The one who does the Ziyaarat of Imam Husain (a.s.) on the day of Aashoora, then paradise is obligatory upon him."
(Behaar al-Anwaar, vol. 101, p.104)
Imam Husain (a.s.): "People are slaves of the world and religion is only (like a morsel) on their tongues. They keep turning the morsel in their mouths. But when tested with difficulties, the religious are very few."
(Tuhaf al-Oqool, p. 245)
Holy Prophet (saww):"Jo apne momin bhai ki dunyavi hajaat puri karta hai Allah(swt) uski Akherat ki hajaat puri karega."
(Shahab-ul-Akhbar, p.194)
Imam Sadiq(as):"One who desires to be included among the companions of Imam e Zamana(atfs) must be a Muntazir (one who awaits),and he should be pious and of good behaviour. So even if he dies before the reappearance of Imam(as)he woujd get the same reward as if he had been with the Imam(as). Strive and await! If you want to be bestowed with Divine Mercy."
(Ghaibat of Nomani, P-106)
| Halal Fish and Non-Halal | for everyone |
| Hasan Ali |
| "Halal Fish with fins and easily removable scales): Albacore, Bass, Buffalo Fish, Carp, Cape Capensis, Char Cod, Flounder, Goldfish, Grouper, Haddock, Halibut, Herring, Mackerel, Mahi Mahi, Orange Roughy, Perch, Pike, Pollock, Salmon, Sardines, Snapper, Sole, Suckers, Tilapia, Trout, Tuna, Walleye, Whitefish, Whiting. Non-Halal Fish (this list is not comprehensive): Catfish, Eels, Grayfish, Marlin, Shark, Snake Mackerels, Squab, Sturgeons, Swordfish." |
| (Oh Allah) How could an argument be given about Your Existence...... | for everyone |
” (Oh Allah) How could an argument be given about Your Existence by a being whose total
and complete existence is in need of you? When did you ever disappear so that you might
need an evidence and logic to lead (the people) towards You? And when did You ever
become away and distant so that your signs and effects made the people get in touch with
ou? Blind be the eye which does not see You (whereas) You are observing him. What did
the one who missed You find? And what does the one who finds You lack? Certainly, the
one who got pleased and inclined toward other than You, came to nothingness (failed).”
| O Allāh, Reform Every Uneven Affair of the Muslims | for everyone |
أَللَّهُمَّ أَصْلِحْ كُلَّ فَاسِدٍ مِنْ أُمُورِ الْمُسْلِمِينَ
O Allāh, Reform Every Uneven Affair of the Muslims
The Meaning
اَصْلِحْ (Aslih):
This imperative verb is normally translated as ‘Reform!’ and ‘Rectify!’ It originates from the word al-salāh, which means ‘equilibrium’ and ‘balance.’ And ‘salāh’ is the opposite of the word ‘fasād’, which according to Rāghib al-Isfahānī means:
خُرُوجُ الشَّيءِ عَنِ الإِعْتِدَالِ.
“The deviation of an entity from its equilibrium.”
Consequently, the word aslih literally means ‘Restore [such and such a thing or affair] to [its] equilibrium!’
And the word فَاسِد “fāsid” means ‘something out of its equilibrium.’
أُمُوْرُ الْمُسْلِمِينَ
Umūru’l Muslimīn means “Affairs of Muslims.”
Thus we are asking Almighty Allāh to restore all those affairs of the Muslims, which have lost their equilibrium and become distorted. Such affairs may pertain to individual or social life, and may concern all the members of the Muslim ummah or a certain group in particular.
As explained earlier [in the previous discussions of the supplication], whenever one prays for something, he or she must also seek its respective solution. The same law applies here too. Seeking reform in any matter should be preceded by knowledge and effort to facilitate the reform. As we pray for equilibrium in the affairs of the Muslims, we should try to:
(1) Identify those Muslim affairs which are in the state of disequilibrium,
(2) Acquire knowledge about the correct and most efficient ways to rectify the state of affairs, and
(3) Prepare ourselves to effect equilibrium to these respective affairs.
Self-reform is the Beginning
Before embarking on any kind of reform, the aspirant of reform should have the competency to effect it. Mere ‘aspiration’ to see reform does not qualify one to effect the same. And the most fundamental condition of qualifying to reform others is ‘self-reform.’ In other words, one must ensure that he or she enjoys the state of equilibrium in order to be able to effect it elsewhere. Otherwise, it would mean that disequilibrium can effect equilibrium, the absurdity of which is quite clear. Metaphysicians express this reality as follows:
فَاقِدُ الشَّيءِ لاَ يُعْطِيه.
“One who does not possess a thing cannot confer the same.”
The chaos created by so-called reformers of the past is due to this very reason. They set out to confer equilibrium to the nation, but instead increased its state of disequilibrium. The reason behind this was that they themselves did not enjoy inner stability. They had sullied their souls with selfish desires and their reform movement was nothing but another manifestation of their selfish interests. They forgot that the transience of their life would not be the end of the story. Rather, their ‘so-called reform’ would be left as a destructive heritage for future generations to inherit. An apt manifestation of such a reform movement is ‘the Renaissance’, which instead of bringing life to the nations, created a foundation for the destruction of the future generations. The spiritual crisis in the Western world partly reflects this contention.
The Holy Qur’ān says:
) وَإِذَا قِيلَ لَهُمْ لاَ تُفْسِدُوا فِي الأَرْضِ قَالُوا إِنَّمَا نَحْنُ مُصْلِحُونَ. أَلاَ إِنَّهُمْ هُمُ الْمُفْسِدُونَ وَلٌكِنْ لاَ يَشْعُرُونَ (
“And when it said to them, do not create disequilibrium (mischief) in the earth, they say verily we are reformers. Mind, they themselves are mischief mongers, but they are not aware.”
This is a very dangerous state, for the hypocrites believe that they really are reformers [after engaging in repetitive ills and losing their power of identifying the elements of equilibrium and disequilibrium]. This reflects their compound ignorance. They imagine that they are reformers and have conviction about the matter whereas in reality, they are mischief mongers.
The following are verses from the Holy Qur’ān and traditions that underline the essential requisite of self-reform before one ever tries to embark upon reforming others:
1. Almighty Allāh says in chapter 10, verse 35:
) أَفَـمَنْ يَهْدِي إِلـى الْحَقِّ أَحَقُّ أَنْ يُتَّبَعَ أَمَّنْ لاَ يَهِدِّي إِلاَّ أَنْ يُهْدَى (
“…Is He then Who guides to the truth more worthy to be followed, or he who himself does not go aright unless he is guided?”
Readers should not limit ‘guidance’ just to conceptual knowledge that one acquires after having been taught what is right and wrong. Rather ‘guidance’ is a change of the previous state of deviation. When one follows the religion properly and rectifies his previous state, then only can he be known to be guided.
2. Imām ‘Alī (as) is reported to have said:
عَجِبْتُ لِمَنْ يَتَصَدَّى لإِصْلاَحِ النَّاسِ وَنَفْسُهُ أَشَدُّ شَيْءٍ فَسَاداً فَلاَ يُصْلِحُهَا وَيَتَعَاطَى إِصْلاَحَ غَيْرِهِ.
“I am surprised at one who takes charge of reforming the people while his soul is in greater need of reform, and he does not reform it but undertakes to reform others.”
3. Imām ‘Alī (as) is reported to have said:
إِنْ سَمَتْ هِمَّتُكَ لإِصْلاَحِ النَّاسِ فَابْدَأْ بِنَفْسِكَ، فَإِنَّ تَعَاطِيكَ صَلاَحَ غَيْرِكَ وَأَنْتَ فَاسِدٌ أَكْبَرُ الْعَيْبِ.
“If your aspiration rises to reform the people, then start with your self, because your mission to reform other than yourself while you are corrupt is the greatest of deficiencies.”
4. Imām ‘Alī (as) is reported to have said:
مَنْ لَمْ يُصْلِحْ نَفْسَهُ لَمْ يُصْلِحْ غَيْرَهُ.
“Whosoever does not reform himself would not reform others.”
The Reality of Self-Reform
Having understood the fundamental requisite of self-reform, let us now try to understand its reality. What is ‘islāh al-nafs’ (self-reform) in its real sense? As understood earlier, the word ‘islāh’ stands for ‘effecting equilibrium [in an entity].’ Therefore ‘Islāh al-nafs’ would mean ‘effecting equilibrium in the soul.’ And when does a soul enjoy its equilibrium?
To respond to this query we must understand the basic faculties of our souls. The soul of the human being possesses the following three main faculties:
1- The Reality of the Intellect (al-quwwat al-’aqliyyah)
2- The Faculty of Desire (al-quwwat al-shahwiyyah)
3- The Faculty of Anger (al-quwwat al-ghadabiyyah)
If the faculty of intellect does not deviate towards the directions of excess (ifrāt) or negligence (tafrīt) and the faculties of desire and anger are subservient to the faculty of the intellect, the soul would enjoy its equilibrium. And this, according to some ethicians is the state of ‘adālah (equilibrium). The esteemed mystic Mullā Hādi Sabzawārī in his excellent commentary of Du‘ā Jawshan al-Kabīr, called Sharh al-Asmā’ says:
إِنَّ لِلإِنْسَانِ ثَلاَث قِوى: قوّةٌ دَرَّاكَةٌ، وقُوّةٌ شَهْوِيَّةٌ، وقُوّةٌ غَضَبيّةٌ، فَانْحِرَافُ الْقُوّةِ الدَرَّاكَةِ مِنْهُ إِلـى جَانِبَي الإِفْرَاطِ وَالتَّفْرِيطِ يُسَمَّى (جُرْبُزَة) وَ (بَلاَهَةَ) وَاعْتِدَالُهَا (حِكْمَةٌ)، وَانْحِرَافُ الْقُوَّةِ الشَّهْوِيَّةِ إِلـى طَرَفَيِ الإِفْرَاطِ وَالتَّفْرِيطِ يُسَمّى (شَرَهًا) وَ (خُمُوْدًا) وَاعْتِدَالُهَا (عِفّةٌ)، وَانْحِرَافُ الْقُوّةِ الْغَضَبيَّةِ إِلـى حَدَّي الإِفْرَاطِ وَالتَّفْرِيطِ يُسَمّى (تَهَوُّرًا) وَ (جُبْناً) وَاعْتِدَالُهَا شُجَاعَةٌ. وَهٌذَا الإِعْتِدَالُ هُوَ الْمُسَمَّى (بالْعَدَالَةِ) وَهُوَ الصِّرَاطُ الْمُسْتَقِيْمُ الَّذِي هُوَ أَحَدُّ مِنَ السَّيْفِ وَ أَدَقُّ مِنَ الشَّعْرِ...
“Surely the human being has three faculties [of the soul]:
- The faculty of comprehension (sometimes known as faculty of intellection)
- The faculty of appetite
- The faculty of anger (also translated as the irascible faculty)
The deviation of the faculty of comprehension towards the two directions of excess and negligence are called jurbuzah(deception) and balāhah (silliness) respectively, and its state of equilibrium is known as al-hikmah (wisdom);
The deviation of the faculty of appetite towards the two directions of excess and negligence is called sharah (gluttony) andkhumūd (stillness) respectively, while its state of equilibrium is known as al-‘iffah (temperance/chastity);
The the deviation of the faculty of anger towards the directions of excess and negligence is known as tahawwur (recklessness) and jubnah (cowardice) respectively, whereas its state of equilibrium is called al-shujā‘a (courage/bravery).
And this state of al-i‘tidāl (equilibrium of the aforementioned three faculties) is called al-‘adālah (justice) and it is the straight path (sirāt al-mustaqīm) which is sharper than the sword and thinner than hair… ‘“
In order to have a better picture of what Mullā is trying to say, let us look at what Mullā Fayd Kashānī has to say in his al-Mahajjat al-Baydā’:
...أمّا قوّةُ العِلْمِ فَحُسْنُهَا وَ صَلاَحُهَا فِيْ أَنْ تَصِيْرَ بِحَيْثُ يَسْهُلُ لَهَا دَرْكُ الْفَرْقِ بَيْنَ الصِّدْقِ وَالْكِذْبِ فِي الأَقْوَالِ وَبَيْنَ الْحَقِّ وَالْبَاطِلِ فِي الإِعْتِقَادَاتِ وَبَيْنَ الْجَمِيْلِ وَالْقَبِيْحِ فِي الأَفْعَالِ فَإِذَا تَحَصَّلَتْ هٌذِهِ الْقُوَّة حَصَلَ مِنْهَا ثَمَرَةُ الْحِكْمَةِ وَالْحِكْمَةُ رَأْسُ الأَخْلاَقِ الْحَسَنَةِ وَهِيَ الَّتِي قَالَ اللٌّهُ تَعَالـى فِيْهَا ) وَمَنْ يُؤْتَ الْحِكْمَةُ فَقَدْ أُوْتِيَ خَيْرًا كَثِيْرًا ( وَإمّا قوّةُ الْغَضَبِ فَحُسْنُهَا فِيْ أَنْ يَقْتَصِرَ اِنْقِبَاضُهَا وَاِنْبِسَاطُهَا عَلى حَدِّ مَا تَقْتَضِيْهِ الْحِكْمَةُ، وَكَذٌلِكَ الشَّهْوَةُ حُسْنُهَا وَصَلاَحُهَا فِي أَنْ تَكُوْنَ تَحْتَ إِشَارَةِ الْحِكْمَةِ أَعْنِي إِشَارَةُ الْعَقْلِ وَ الدِّيْنِ، وَأَمّاَ قُوّةُ الْعَدْلِ فَهِيَ فِي ضَبْطِ قُوَّةِ الْغَضَبِ وَالشَّهْوَةِ تَحْتَ إِشَارَةِ الْعَقْلِ وَالشَّرْعِ …
“The rational faculty is sound and good when it is easily able to discriminate, that is, to distinguish honesty from lies in speech, truth from falsehood in questions of belief, and beauty from ugliness in actions. When this faculty is sound it bears fruit in the form of wisdom, which is the chief of the good traits of character, and regarding which God has said, And whosoever is granted wisdom has truly been granted abundant good. Regarding the faculty of anger, this is sound when its movements lie within the bounds required by wisdom. Likewise, the faculty of desire is sound and good when it is under the command of the religion and the intellect. As for the faculty to effect a just equilibrium, it is this which sets desire and anger under the command of the intellect and the religion…”
Ethicians also quote a tradition that refers to the aforementioned reality:
Imām ‘Alī (as) is reported to have said:
أَلْفَضَائِلُ أَرْبَعَةُ أَجْنَاسٍ: أَحَدُهَا الْحِكْمَةُ وَقِوَامُهَا فِي الْفِكْرَةِ، وَالثَّانِي الْعِفَّةُ وَقِوَامُهَا فِي الشَّهْوَةِ، وَالثَّالِثُ الْقُوَّةُ وَقِوَامُهَا فِي الْغَضَبِ، وَالرَّابعُ الْعَدْلُ وَقِوَامُهُ فِي اِعْتِدَالِ قِوَى النَّفْسِ.
“Virtues are four kinds: The first is wisdom (al-hikmah) which is sustained by intellection (al-fikrah), the second is the temperance (al-‘iffah) which is sustained by desires (al-shahwah), the third is power (al-quwwah) which is sustained by anger (al-ghadab), and the fourth is justice (‘adālah) which is sustained by the equilibrium of the faculties of the soul.”
The equilibrium of the soul can be achieved by following the Holy Qur’ān and the Sunnah, which cover Islamic Ideology, Islamic ethics, Islamic law, etc. We must remember however, that equilibrium has different levels. And in order to find one’s way to the higher levels one needs a qualified guide for proper direction, since there is always the danger of stumbling and falling. However, as mentioned earlier, it is possible for a very few to traverse the journey without the direct guidance of a specific master.
The Grand Āyatullāh Jawādī Āmulī says:
ابدال در اصطلاح سالكانى هستند كه تحت تدبير شخص معين نيستند. و از آنها بعنوان ((مفرِد) يا ((مفرَد)) ياد مي شود چه اين كه اينها راه را به تنهائي طي مي كنند. گرچه سخت است ولي رفتني است و گرچه پيشرفت انسان تحت نظر مدير و مدبر بيشتر است، لكن بتنهائي هم مي توان طي طريق نمود
“Abdāl technically stands for those wayfarers on the path of God who are not trained by a specific master. They are also called “mufrid” or “mufrad” This is because they traverse the path by themselves. Despite this being difficult it can be traversed, and although the human being progresses farther under the tutelage of a master and supervisor, one can still traverse the path by himself.”
He also narrates:
وقتي از عارفي پرسيدند: ((ابدال)) چند نفرند؟ فرمود: ((اَرْبَعُوْنَ نَفْسًا)) ابدال چهل تن هستند، و سوال كردند كه: چرا نگفتيد: ((اَرْبَعُوْنَ رَجُلاً))، چهل مردند، و گفتيد چهل نفس هستند؟ در جواب گفت: اولاً: همه اين بزرگان مرد نيستند، بلكه در بين آنان زنان هستند. و ثانياً: كسي كه به مقام ابدال نائل مي آيد انسان است و انسان بودن اختصاص به زن يا مرد ندارد.
“When a saint was asked how many are the ‘abdāl’? He responded by saying, ‘Arba‘ūna nafsan’ (40 souls). He was asked: Why did you say ‘forty souls’ instead of ‘forty men’? He responded: ‘Firstly: not all of these great personalities are men; rather, we also have women among them’; and secondly: whosoever attains the station of the abdāl is ‘a human being [in the true sense of the word]’, and being human is not restricted to men.”
Seeking the support and intercession of the Holy Prophet (s) and his infallible progeny who enjoy proximity to God and who always stand unparalleled, can enable one to soar very high. In fact some great saints have said things worthy of reflection:
1. The late saint Āyatullāh Sayyid Hāshim al-Mūsawī reports Āyatullāh al-’Uzmā Sayyid ‘Alī Qādī al-Tabātabā’ī, the spiritual mentor of ‘Allāmah al-Tabātabā’ī to have said:
قَالَ لِي أُسْتَاذِيْ الْمَرْحُوْم اَلقَاضِيْ قُدِّسَ سِرّهُ: أَنَّهُ مُحَالٌ أَنْ يَصِلَ إِنْسَانٌ إِلـى مَقَامِ التَّوْحِيْدِ بدُوْنِ طَرِيْقِ سَيِّدِ الشُّهَداءِ عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَمِ.
“My teacher, Marhūm Qādī (may his spirit be sanctified) said to me that it is impossible for a human being to attain the station of tawhīd [proximity to God] without the path of Sayyid al-Shuhadā.”
2. Āyatullāh Muhammad Husayn Tehrānī in his ‘spirit Immaterial’ narrates that Sayyid ‘Alī Qādī Tabātabā’ī said:
وصول به مقام توحيد و سير صحيح الي الله و عرفان ذات احديت عزّ اسمُه بدون ولايت امامان شيعه و خلفاي به حق از علي بن ابي طالب (ع) و فرزندانش از بتول عذراء محال است
“It is impossible to attain the station of Divine unity and traverse correctly towards God and attain the knowledge of the His Unique Essence (Invincible is His Name), without the guardianship of the Shī‘ah Imāms (upon whom be peace) and the true Caliphs starting from ‘Alī bin Abī Tālib and his progeny through the Batūl-e-‘Adhrā’ (Hadrat Fātima (as)).”
3. ‘Allāmah Tabātabā’ī, the author of al-Mīzān, is reported to have said:
آن حضرت (امام الحسين (ع)) را براي رفع حجاب و موانع طريق نسبت به سالكين راه خدا عنايتي عظيم است
“That Hadrat [i.e. Imām Husayn (as)] has great attention towards the wayfarers of the path of God in removing the veil and impediments on the path of God.”[
4. Āyatullāh Qādī Tabātabā’ī, the spiritual mentor of ‘Allāmah Tabātabā’ī is reported to have said:
اگر من به جائي رسيده باشم از دو چيز است:(1) قرآن كريم, (2) زيارت سيد الشهداء
“If I have attained any station, it is by two things: (1) The Noble Qur’ān, and (2) Ziyārah of Sayyid al-Shuhadā’ [Doyen of the Martyrs].”
5. Sayyid ‘Ādil al-’Alawī, quotes his late mentor, the pious Shi’ite Marja’, Āyatullāh al-’Uzmā Shahāb al-Dīn al-Najafī al-Mar’ashī as having advised him as follows:
إِذاَ اَرَدْتَ التَّوْفِيْقَ فِيْ حَيَاتِكَ الْعِلْمِيَّةِ فَعَلَيْكَ بثَلاَثَةِ أَعْمَالٍ: الأَوَّلُ: كُنْ دَوْماً عَلىَ طَهَارَةٍ وَوُضُوْءٍ فَإِنَّهُ يُنِيْرُ الْقَلْبِ وَيُزِيْلُ الْهَمّ. الثَّانِي: شَيِّعْ الْجَنَائِزَ اَيّ جَنَازَةٍ رَأَيْتَهَا وَلَوْ بأَقْدَامٍ. الثَّالِثُ: شَارِكْ فِيْ قَضِيَّةِ الْحُسَيْن عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَمِ بأَيِّ نَحْوٍ مِنَ الْمُشَارَكَةِ. ثُمّ قَالَ: كُنْتُ مِنْ مُدَرَّسِي الْحَوْزَةِ الْمَعْرُوْفِيْنَ، وَكُنْتُ آنَذاَكَ أُوَزِّعُ الشَّايَ عَلى النَّاسِ فِي الْمَجَالِسِ وَالْمِآتِمِ الْحُسَيْنِيَّة.
“If you would like divine succor (tawfīq) in your intellectual and practical life, you should practice the following three acts:
| MY CHOICES (THE CHOICES WE MAKE) | for everyone |
PLS SEE ATTACHED POWER POINT PRESENTATION
(sent by sis Mariam R. Jiwa)
| Short Dua for 14th Day of Ramzān al-Mubarak | for everyone |
Bismilla-heer-Rahmaneer-Raheem
As-salamu alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatoh,
14th Mahe Ramzān
Deepest condolences to to the Holy Prophet Mohammad (saww), his Ahl-e-Bait (as), Imam-e-Zamana (as) & all lovers of Ahl-e-Bait (as) on the Death Anniversary of Hazrat Mukhta'r bin Yousif Ath-Thaqafi.
(Pls check attachment for a write-up)
Amir al-Mu'minin Imām ‘Alī ibn Abī Tālib (A.S) said:
"Whoso prays 100 Rak-a’t Namaaz on eve of 15th of the Holy month of Ramadan; Allāh (s.w.t.) will send to him 10 Angels who will guard him against the evils of enemies and 30 Angels will descend at the time of his death, who will safeguard him from the terrors of Hell fire".
Pray 100
Rak-a’t Namaaz (50x2)
In every Rak-a’t,
Soorah Al Faatih’ah - 1Time &
Soorah Al
Ikhlaas
-10 times
[Reference : Mafatih al-Jinan]
Recommended Acts on eve of 15th Ramzan al-Mubarak
1. Have a bath
2. Recite Ziyarat of Imām Husayn ibn ‘Alī ibn Abī Ṭālib (A.S)
Dua for Fourteenth Day of Ramzan al-Mubarak
بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيْمِ
Allaahumma Laa Tuw-Aakhid’nee Feehil Bil-A’tharaat Wa Aqilnee Feehi Minal Khataayaa Wal Hafawaat Wa Laa Taj-A’lnee Feehi Gharaz”An Lil-Balaayaa Wal Aafaat Bi-I’zzatika Yaa I’zzal Muslimeen
O Allah, on this day, do not condemn me for slips, make me decrease mistakes and errors, do not make me a target for afflictions and troubles, by Your honor, O the honor of the Muslims.
---
Gentle reminder to Recite Dua'a E Mujeer
Video presentation : http://www.duas.org/mujir.htm
Recommended Salat for 15th night of Maahe Ramzan
Recite 4 Rak-a’t Namaaz (2x2)
In first 2 Rak-a’t,
Soorah Al Faatih’ah - 1Time & Soorah Al Ikhlaas - 100 times
In last 2 Rak-a’t
Soorah Al Faatih’ah - 1Time &
Soorah Al Ikhlaas - 50 times
---
A humble request
Imam Ali (a.s.) said: The prayer of a fasting person at the time of Iftar is never rejected.
Please do pray for early re-appearance of Imam-E-Zamana (atfs) at the time of Iftar.
Iltemase Dua
| May God shower (His) mercy upon a people, who had been lamps and illumination (for guiding others) | for everyone |
Hadith No. 21
Supplication of Imam Sadiq (A.S.)
Imam Sadiq (A.S.) prayed:
May God shower (His) mercy upon a people, who had been lamps and illumination (for guiding others); they used to invite people towards us by means of their deeds!
Tuhaf al-U'qool, pg. 301; Bihaar al-Anwaar, vol. 78, pg. 280.
Hadith No. 22
The Essence of Tabligh
Imam Sadiq (A.S.) has said:
Invite towards your Lord! Make people enter into Islam and do not pull them out of it.
Al-Usul al-Sittah A'shar, pg. 69.
Hadith No. 23
Pulpits of Light
The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) said:
Should I not inform you of a peoole, who are neither Prophets nor martyrs but, on the Day of Judgment, seated on pulpits of light they would be in possession of such a status before God, that (even) the Prophets and martyrs would be desirous of their rank?
He was asked: Who are these, O' Prophet of God?
He replied: They are those, who cause the people to become the beloved of God and cause Him to become the beloved of the people.
Mustadrak al-Wasaail, vol. 12, pg. 182.
Hadith No. 24
Reward Without Deeds!
The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) has declared:
One who guides towards (an act of) goodness is like one who has (actually) peformed it.
Al-Kafi, vol. 4, pg. 27; Bihaar al-Anwaar, vol. 71, pg. 16.
Hadith No. 25
Simple but Weighty
At the onset of the propagation of Islam, Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) gathered his near and close relatives, and inviting them to Islam, said:
O' Children of A'bdul Muttalib! God has sent me (as a Prophet) to entire mankind and has sent me to you in particular, as He has said: "And warn your nearest relations". And (so), I invite you to two sentences, simple upon the tongue (but) weighty in the Scales.
By means of them you shall come to prevail over the Arabs and non-Arabs, and by means of them nations shall submit before you, and by means of them you shall enter the Paradise, and by means of them you shall deliver yourself from the fire (of Hell); and that 'I am the Messenger of Allah'.
Al-Irshaad, vol. 1, pg. 49; A'alaam al-Waraa, vol. 1, pg, 322.
Hadith No. 26
Recollecting the Bounties of God
God, the Mighty and the Glorious, revealed to Prophet Dawood (A.S.): Love Me and make Me beloved in the eyes of My creation!
He inquired: O' My Lord! I love you, but how do I make you beloved in the eyes of your creation?
God revealed: Inform them and get them to recollect My bounties that are with them, for if you do so, they would (begin to) love Me.
Qisas al-Anbiyaa, pg. 205; Bihaar al-Anwaar, vol. 14, pg. 37.
Hadith No. 27
No Fear in Tabligh
The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) said to his companions:
Do not allow the fear of people to prevent any of you from speaking out the truth when you witness it, for speaking out neither hastens death nor decreases the livelihood.
Kanz al-U'mmaal, vol. 3, pg.75, tr. 5567; Musnad Ibn Hanbal, vol. 4, pg. 102, tr. 11474.
Hadith No. 28
Let the Deeds Speak
Imam Sadiq (A.S.) said:
Do not call people (towards guidance and goodness) by means of your tongues! (Rather), call them by means of your (good) deeds.
Bihaar al-Anwaar, vol. 5, pg. 198.
Hadith No. 29
Rein of Fire for Concealing Knowledge
The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) has said:
One who withholds and conceals beneficial knowledge, Allah, on the Day of Judgment, shall bridle him by means of a rein made of fire.
Bihaar al-Anwaar, vol. 2, pg. 78; Kanz al-U'mmaal, vol. 10, pg. 196, tr. 29031.
Hadith No. 30
A Listener and a Scholar
Imam Musa Al Kazim (A.S.) said to Hisham bin Al Hakam:
O Hisham! Life is worthless except for two (kinds of) people: A willing listener and a scholar who imparts (knowledge).
Tohaf al-Uqool pg. 397.
Hadith No. 31
Better than a Million Worshippers
Imam Musa Al-Kazim (A.S.) said:
A learned scholar who rescues one of our orphans - those who are deprived of us and of seeing us - by teaching him something useful is, to Iblis, graver than a thousand worshippers because a worshipper's concern is only his self whereas this (learned) person is concerned not only for himself, but also for others worshipping Allah - he wishes to save them from the clutches of Iblis and his soldiers. He is therefore better than a million male worshippers and a million female worshippers.
Bihaar al-Anwaar vol 3, pg 5 Hadith 10
Hadith No. 32
Accounting for Surplus Knowledge and Wealth
The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) said: Allah will enquire about the surplus of a person's knowledge just as He will ask about his surplus wealth.
Kanzul Ummal vol 10, pg 188 Hadith 28983
Hadith No. 33
Covenant from the Learned
The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) said:
Allah took the covenant from people to learn only after He had taken the covenant from the learned to teach.
Alaam ud-Din, pg 80
Hadith No. 34
Ask Those who Know
The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) said:
Neither the learned should remain quiet with his knowledge nor the ignorant about his ignorance. Allah says in the Holy Qur'an:
"Ask those who know if you know not" (An-Nahl 43)
Kanzul Ummal vol 10, pg 238 Hadith 29264
Hadith No. 35
Teachers are the Best
The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) said:
Teachers are the best! Every time truth is forgotten, they are the ones who revive it. Give them (gifts) and do not hire them as it may embarrass them. A teacher who successfully teaches a child the words "Bismillahir Rahmaanir Rahim" gets salvation from the fire of Hell just as the child and his parents do.
Al Firdaws, vol 4, pg 193 Hadith 6597
Hadith No. 36
Save Yourselves from Fire
Abu Basir asked Imam Jafar al-Sadiq (A.S.) on the verse: "Save yourselves and your family from the fire, the fuel of which is human beings and stones".
Abu Basir said, "I can try and save myself, but my family as well?"
Imam (A.S.) replied: "Direct them to what Allah has directed and prohibit them from what Allah has prohibited. If they obey you, you have saved them and if they choose to ignore you, you have fulfilled your duty".
Bihaar al-Anwaar, vol 100, pg 74 Hadith 12
Hadith No. 37
Four Types of People
Some Masumin (A.S.) have said:
People are of four types:
1. One who is learned and knows that he is learned.
This type is the learned - follow them.
2. One who is learned but is unaware that he is learned.
This type is in a slumber. Wake him up.
3. One who does not know and is aware that he knows not . This type is an ignorant - teach him.
4. One who does not know and thinks he knows. This type is lost - guide him.
'Awali Al-Lu'ali, vol 4, pg 79 Hadith 74
Hadith No. 38
Spreading Knowledge
The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) said:
A man who acquires knowledge and then does not disclose for fear of people is not from me.
Kanzul Ummal, vol 10, pg 217 Hadith 29152
Hadith No. 39
Teach and Discipline Yourself First
Imam Ali (A.S.) has said:
One who proclaims himself to lead others should start by teaching himself before he teaches others. He should teach through his character before using his tongue to teach. One who is able to teach and discipline oneself is more worthy of esteem then one who teaches and disciplines others.
Nahjul Balaqhah: Sayinq 73
Hadith No. 40
Advice of Imam Sadiq (A.S.) for his Shias
Imam Sadiq (A.S.) told Mufazzal:
O Mufazzal, tell our Shias to call towards us by refraining from what God has prohibited and avoiding committing sins and pursuing what pleases God. If they were to be like that, people would rush towards us (and our message).
Bihaar al-Anwaar, vol 2, pg 309 Hadith 73
Supplication of Imam Sadiq (A.S.)
Imam Sadiq (A.S.) prayed:
May God shower (His) mercy upon a people, who had been lamps and illumination (for guiding others); they used to invite people towards us by means of their deeds!
Tuhaf al-U'qool, pg. 301; Bihaar al-Anwaar, vol. 78, pg. 280.
Hadith No. 22
The Essence of Tabligh
Imam Sadiq (A.S.) has said:
Invite towards your Lord! Make people enter into Islam and do not pull them out of it.
Al-Usul al-Sittah A'shar, pg. 69.
Hadith No. 23
Pulpits of Light
The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) said:
Should I not inform you of a peoole, who are neither Prophets nor martyrs but, on the Day of Judgment, seated on pulpits of light they would be in possession of such a status before God, that (even) the Prophets and martyrs would be desirous of their rank?
He was asked: Who are these, O' Prophet of God?
He replied: They are those, who cause the people to become the beloved of God and cause Him to become the beloved of the people.
Mustadrak al-Wasaail, vol. 12, pg. 182.
Hadith No. 24
Reward Without Deeds!
The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) has declared:
One who guides towards (an act of) goodness is like one who has (actually) peformed it.
Al-Kafi, vol. 4, pg. 27; Bihaar al-Anwaar, vol. 71, pg. 16.
Hadith No. 25
Simple but Weighty
At the onset of the propagation of Islam, Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) gathered his near and close relatives, and inviting them to Islam, said:
O' Children of A'bdul Muttalib! God has sent me (as a Prophet) to entire mankind and has sent me to you in particular, as He has said: "And warn your nearest relations". And (so), I invite you to two sentences, simple upon the tongue (but) weighty in the Scales.
By means of them you shall come to prevail over the Arabs and non-Arabs, and by means of them nations shall submit before you, and by means of them you shall enter the Paradise, and by means of them you shall deliver yourself from the fire (of Hell); and that 'I am the Messenger of Allah'.
Al-Irshaad, vol. 1, pg. 49; A'alaam al-Waraa, vol. 1, pg, 322.
Hadith No. 26
Recollecting the Bounties of God
God, the Mighty and the Glorious, revealed to Prophet Dawood (A.S.): Love Me and make Me beloved in the eyes of My creation!
He inquired: O' My Lord! I love you, but how do I make you beloved in the eyes of your creation?
God revealed: Inform them and get them to recollect My bounties that are with them, for if you do so, they would (begin to) love Me.
Qisas al-Anbiyaa, pg. 205; Bihaar al-Anwaar, vol. 14, pg. 37.
Hadith No. 27
No Fear in Tabligh
The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) said to his companions:
Do not allow the fear of people to prevent any of you from speaking out the truth when you witness it, for speaking out neither hastens death nor decreases the livelihood.
Kanz al-U'mmaal, vol. 3, pg.75, tr. 5567; Musnad Ibn Hanbal, vol. 4, pg. 102, tr. 11474.
Hadith No. 28
Let the Deeds Speak
Imam Sadiq (A.S.) said:
Do not call people (towards guidance and goodness) by means of your tongues! (Rather), call them by means of your (good) deeds.
Bihaar al-Anwaar, vol. 5, pg. 198.
Hadith No. 29
Rein of Fire for Concealing Knowledge
The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) has said:
One who withholds and conceals beneficial knowledge, Allah, on the Day of Judgment, shall bridle him by means of a rein made of fire.
Bihaar al-Anwaar, vol. 2, pg. 78; Kanz al-U'mmaal, vol. 10, pg. 196, tr. 29031.
Hadith No. 30
A Listener and a Scholar
Imam Musa Al Kazim (A.S.) said to Hisham bin Al Hakam:
O Hisham! Life is worthless except for two (kinds of) people: A willing listener and a scholar who imparts (knowledge).
Tohaf al-Uqool pg. 397.
Hadith No. 31
Better than a Million Worshippers
Imam Musa Al-Kazim (A.S.) said:
A learned scholar who rescues one of our orphans - those who are deprived of us and of seeing us - by teaching him something useful is, to Iblis, graver than a thousand worshippers because a worshipper's concern is only his self whereas this (learned) person is concerned not only for himself, but also for others worshipping Allah - he wishes to save them from the clutches of Iblis and his soldiers. He is therefore better than a million male worshippers and a million female worshippers.
Bihaar al-Anwaar vol 3, pg 5 Hadith 10
Hadith No. 32
Accounting for Surplus Knowledge and Wealth
The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) said: Allah will enquire about the surplus of a person's knowledge just as He will ask about his surplus wealth.
Kanzul Ummal vol 10, pg 188 Hadith 28983
Hadith No. 33
Covenant from the Learned
The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) said:
Allah took the covenant from people to learn only after He had taken the covenant from the learned to teach.
Alaam ud-Din, pg 80
Hadith No. 34
Ask Those who Know
The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) said:
Neither the learned should remain quiet with his knowledge nor the ignorant about his ignorance. Allah says in the Holy Qur'an:
"Ask those who know if you know not" (An-Nahl 43)
Kanzul Ummal vol 10, pg 238 Hadith 29264
Hadith No. 35
Teachers are the Best
The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) said:
Teachers are the best! Every time truth is forgotten, they are the ones who revive it. Give them (gifts) and do not hire them as it may embarrass them. A teacher who successfully teaches a child the words "Bismillahir Rahmaanir Rahim" gets salvation from the fire of Hell just as the child and his parents do.
Al Firdaws, vol 4, pg 193 Hadith 6597
Hadith No. 36
Save Yourselves from Fire
Abu Basir asked Imam Jafar al-Sadiq (A.S.) on the verse: "Save yourselves and your family from the fire, the fuel of which is human beings and stones".
Abu Basir said, "I can try and save myself, but my family as well?"
Imam (A.S.) replied: "Direct them to what Allah has directed and prohibit them from what Allah has prohibited. If they obey you, you have saved them and if they choose to ignore you, you have fulfilled your duty".
Bihaar al-Anwaar, vol 100, pg 74 Hadith 12
Hadith No. 37
Four Types of People
Some Masumin (A.S.) have said:
People are of four types:
1. One who is learned and knows that he is learned.
This type is the learned - follow them.
2. One who is learned but is unaware that he is learned.
This type is in a slumber. Wake him up.
3. One who does not know and is aware that he knows not . This type is an ignorant - teach him.
4. One who does not know and thinks he knows. This type is lost - guide him.
'Awali Al-Lu'ali, vol 4, pg 79 Hadith 74
Hadith No. 38
Spreading Knowledge
The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) said:
A man who acquires knowledge and then does not disclose for fear of people is not from me.
Kanzul Ummal, vol 10, pg 217 Hadith 29152
Hadith No. 39
Teach and Discipline Yourself First
Imam Ali (A.S.) has said:
One who proclaims himself to lead others should start by teaching himself before he teaches others. He should teach through his character before using his tongue to teach. One who is able to teach and discipline oneself is more worthy of esteem then one who teaches and disciplines others.
Nahjul Balaqhah: Sayinq 73
Hadith No. 40
Advice of Imam Sadiq (A.S.) for his Shias
Imam Sadiq (A.S.) told Mufazzal:
O Mufazzal, tell our Shias to call towards us by refraining from what God has prohibited and avoiding committing sins and pursuing what pleases God. If they were to be like that, people would rush towards us (and our message).
Bihaar al-Anwaar, vol 2, pg 309 Hadith 73
| Preaching and Forgiveness of all Sins | for everyone |
Hadith No. 12
Preaching and Forgiveness of all Sins
Imam Sadiq (A.S.) has stated:
When a person preaches something and God, by means of it, instils faith and belief into the heart of another person, then (in such a case) He shall forgive all the sins of both them.
Al-Mahaasin, vol. 1, pg. 361; Bihaar al-Anwaar, vol. 2, pg. 73.
Hadith No.13
Imam Sajjad (A.S.) and the Manner of Tabligh
Once, some people from the tribe of Quraish approached Imam A'li Ibn al-Husain (A.S.) and asked him: How do we invite (others) towards the religion (of Islam)?
He replied: You must say: "Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem. I invite you towards Allah, the Mighty and the Glorious, and towards His religion, which comprises of two things: One of them is cognizance of Allah, the Mighty and the Glorious, while the other is performance of deeds in accordance with His pleasure".
Al-Kafi, vol.5, pg.36; Tahdheeb al-Ahkaam, vol.6, pg. 141.
Hadith No. 14
More Excellent than One Hundred Years of Worship!
God, the Mighty and the Glorious, revealed to Prophet Musa (A.S.):
If you were to return to me someone who has run away from My door or (guide aright) someone who has gone astray from My threshold, it would be more excellent for you than if you were to worship Me for a (hundred) year(s), spending its days in a state of fast and its nights in worship and prayers.
Munyah al-Mureed, pg. 116; Bihaar al-Anwaar, vol. 2, pg. 4.
Hadith No. 15
Abandoning Tabligh and God's Curse
The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) has said:
When innovation raise their head in my ummah, it is incumbent upon the scholars to make manifest their knowledge (to eradicate the innovations) and one who fails to do so, upon him shall be the curse of God!
Al-Kafi, vol. 1, pg. 54; Bihaar al-Anwaar, vol. 57, pg. 234.
Hadith No.16
Invitation through a Truthful Tongue
Imam A'li (A.S.), speaking in connection with the Prophets sent by Allah towards mankind for propagating His religion, said:
Allah deputed prophets and distinguished them with His revelation. He made them His Proof over His creation so that there remains no excuse for the people, and so (by means of the Prophets) He invited the people to the right path through a truthful tongue.
Nahjul Balaghah, sermon 144; Bihaar al-Anwaar, vol. 5, pg. 315.
Hadith No. 17
Reviving the Mission of the Ahlul Bayt (A.S.)
A'bd al-Salaam Ibn Saaleh al-Hirawi states: I heard Imam Reza (A.S.) say: May God have mercy on one who revives our mission!
I said to him (peace be upon him): How can one revive your mission?
He (peace be upon him) said: He should learn our teachings and impart them to the people, for if the people become aware of the beauty and charm of our words and teachings, they shall surely follow us.
Ma'ani al-Akhbaar, pg. 180; U'yun Akbaar al-Reza, vol, 1, pg. 307.
Hadith No. 18
Invite People to Islam
Abu Baradah reports from his father, who says:
The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) asked Mu'aadh and me to proceed to Yemen and instructed us: Invite the people (towards Islam), make them happy and do not bring about distaste and aversion, and make things easy for them and not harsh and difficult.
Sahih Muslim, vol. 3, pg. 1587, tr. 71; Kanz al-U'mmaal, vol. 3, pg. 29, 5306.
Hadith No. 19
Tabligh and Patience
Imam Sadiq (A.S.), enumerating the characteristics to be possessed by one who conveys the teachings of Islam to others and seeks to guide others towards the right path, said:
If they oppose and offend him, he should exhibit patience and if they side with him and accept him and his words, he should thank (God), entrusting all his affairs to Him.
Misbaah al-Sharia'h, pg. 362; Bihaar al-Anwaar, vol. 100, pg. 83.
Hadith No. 20
Sincerity - An Important Quality in Tabligh
Imam A'li (A.S.) has said:
If a speech emanates from the heart (with sincerity), it shall enter into the heart (and be effective), but if it emanates from the tongue, it shall not go beyond the ears.
Sharh Nahjul Balaghah, vol. 20, pg. 287.
| Those people from amongst my ummah, who memorise forty traditions .... | for everyone |
The Holy Prophet (peace be upon him and his progeny) has said:
Those people from amongst my ummah, who memorise forty traditions pertaining to those issues of religion, which they are in need of, Allah shall resurrect them on the Day of Judgment as jurisprudents and scholars. (Bihar al-Anwaar, vol. 2, p. 156; Al-Ikhtasaas, p.2)
Hadith No.1
Superior to Everything in the World
Imam A'li (A.S.) said:
When the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) intended to send me to Yemen, he said to me: O'A'li! Do not kill anyone till you (first) invite him to Islam. By God! If God, the Mighty and the Glorious, were to guide (even) one person at your hands, it would be better for you than all the things upon which the shines.
Al-Kafi, vol. 5 pg. 36; Bihar al-Anwaar, vol.21, pg. 361
Hadith No. 2
The Preference of the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.)
A'bd al-Rahman Ibn A'sadh said:
Whenever the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) dispatched an army for an expedition, he instrusted them: Establish intimacy with the people, do not exhibit hastiness with respect to them and do not attack them till you have invited them (to Islam) for, there exist no Bedouins or city-dwellers upon this earth except that it is dearer to me that you bring them to me as Muslims rather than Kill their males and bring their ladies (as captives) before me.
Al-Mataalib al-A'aliyah, vol. 2, pg. 166, tr. 1962; Kanz al-U'mmaal,/ vol. 4, pg. 437, tr. 11300.
Hadith No. 3
Guarantee of Assistance
Imam A'li (A.S.) has said:
Assist God using your heart, tongue and limbs for verily, God, The Glorified, has guaranteed assistance to one who assists Him.
Ghurar al-Hikam, tr. 2382.
Hadith No.4
Status and Esteem - the Recompense for Tabligh
The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.)said:
God shall grant status and esteem to a person who, upon hearing my teachings, pays heed to them, retains them in memory and conveys them to those who have not heard them.
Al-Kafi, vol.1, pg.403; Bihaar al-Anwaar, vol.2, pg. 148
Hadith No. 5
The Best One from the Ummah
The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) said:
The best one fram amongst my ummah is one who invites (the people) towards God, the Exalted, and makes them such that they are loved by Him.
Kanz al-U'mmaal, vol. 10, pg. 152, tr. 28779.
Hadith No. 6
The Vicegerents of the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.)
Amirul Mu'mineen Ali (A.S.) related:
The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) said: O'Lord! Be Merciful towards my vicegerents!
He was asked: O' Prophet of God! Who are your vicegerents?
He replied: They are those who shall, after me, convey (and narrate) my traditions and customs (to others.)
Al-Amaali (Shaykh Saduq), pg. 247; U'yun Akhbar al-Reza, vol. 2, pg. 37.
Hadith No. 7
Muballighs along with the Prophets
Imam Baqir (A.S.), in a letter to Sa'd al-Khair, wrote:
O' My brother! Surely God has placed with each of the Prophets (peace be upon them), people of knowledge, who bear up the hardships along with them (peace be upon them), call towards guidance those who are misguided, answer the call of those who invite towards God and invite (people) towards God.
Al-Kafi, vol. 8,pg. 56; Bihaar al-Anwaar, vol. 78,pg. 363.
Hadith No.8
Paradise for Conveying a Teaching
The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) said:
Paradise shall be (the abode) for one who conveys to my ummah a teaching, which serves to establish a (good) custom or break an innovation.
Munyah al-Mureed, pg. 37; Bihaar al-Anwaar, vol. 2, pg. 152.
Hadith No.9
Teaching Others
The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) said:
A person shall arrive on the Day of Judgment and shall be in possession of good deeds in the measure of vastly accumulated clouds or towering mountains. (Witnessing them) he shall ask: O' My Lord! How can these be for me when I have not performed them? God shall reply: This is your knowledge that you had taught and conveyed to the people, and which was acted upon after you had died.
Basaair al-Darajaat, vol. 5, pg. 16; Bihaar al-Anwaar, vol. 2 ,pg. 18.
Hadith No. 10
Rewards for both the Guide and the Guided
The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) said:
There is none who invites (others) towards guidance, except that for him shall be the rewards of all those who follow him - and this shall not in the slightest cause a reduction in their own rewards.
Hilyah al-Auliya, vol. 9, pg. 305; Sahih Muslim, vol. 4, pg. 2060,tr. 2674.
Those people from amongst my ummah, who memorise forty traditions pertaining to those issues of religion, which they are in need of, Allah shall resurrect them on the Day of Judgment as jurisprudents and scholars. (Bihar al-Anwaar, vol. 2, p. 156; Al-Ikhtasaas, p.2)
Hadith No.1
Superior to Everything in the World
Imam A'li (A.S.) said:
When the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) intended to send me to Yemen, he said to me: O'A'li! Do not kill anyone till you (first) invite him to Islam. By God! If God, the Mighty and the Glorious, were to guide (even) one person at your hands, it would be better for you than all the things upon which the shines.
Al-Kafi, vol. 5 pg. 36; Bihar al-Anwaar, vol.21, pg. 361
Hadith No. 2
The Preference of the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.)
A'bd al-Rahman Ibn A'sadh said:
Whenever the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) dispatched an army for an expedition, he instrusted them: Establish intimacy with the people, do not exhibit hastiness with respect to them and do not attack them till you have invited them (to Islam) for, there exist no Bedouins or city-dwellers upon this earth except that it is dearer to me that you bring them to me as Muslims rather than Kill their males and bring their ladies (as captives) before me.
Al-Mataalib al-A'aliyah, vol. 2, pg. 166, tr. 1962; Kanz al-U'mmaal,/ vol. 4, pg. 437, tr. 11300.
Hadith No. 3
Guarantee of Assistance
Imam A'li (A.S.) has said:
Assist God using your heart, tongue and limbs for verily, God, The Glorified, has guaranteed assistance to one who assists Him.
Ghurar al-Hikam, tr. 2382.
Hadith No.4
Status and Esteem - the Recompense for Tabligh
The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.)said:
God shall grant status and esteem to a person who, upon hearing my teachings, pays heed to them, retains them in memory and conveys them to those who have not heard them.
Al-Kafi, vol.1, pg.403; Bihaar al-Anwaar, vol.2, pg. 148
Hadith No. 5
The Best One from the Ummah
The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) said:
The best one fram amongst my ummah is one who invites (the people) towards God, the Exalted, and makes them such that they are loved by Him.
Kanz al-U'mmaal, vol. 10, pg. 152, tr. 28779.
Hadith No. 6
The Vicegerents of the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.)
Amirul Mu'mineen Ali (A.S.) related:
The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) said: O'Lord! Be Merciful towards my vicegerents!
He was asked: O' Prophet of God! Who are your vicegerents?
He replied: They are those who shall, after me, convey (and narrate) my traditions and customs (to others.)
Al-Amaali (Shaykh Saduq), pg. 247; U'yun Akhbar al-Reza, vol. 2, pg. 37.
Hadith No. 7
Muballighs along with the Prophets
Imam Baqir (A.S.), in a letter to Sa'd al-Khair, wrote:
O' My brother! Surely God has placed with each of the Prophets (peace be upon them), people of knowledge, who bear up the hardships along with them (peace be upon them), call towards guidance those who are misguided, answer the call of those who invite towards God and invite (people) towards God.
Al-Kafi, vol. 8,pg. 56; Bihaar al-Anwaar, vol. 78,pg. 363.
Hadith No.8
Paradise for Conveying a Teaching
The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) said:
Paradise shall be (the abode) for one who conveys to my ummah a teaching, which serves to establish a (good) custom or break an innovation.
Munyah al-Mureed, pg. 37; Bihaar al-Anwaar, vol. 2, pg. 152.
Hadith No.9
Teaching Others
The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) said:
A person shall arrive on the Day of Judgment and shall be in possession of good deeds in the measure of vastly accumulated clouds or towering mountains. (Witnessing them) he shall ask: O' My Lord! How can these be for me when I have not performed them? God shall reply: This is your knowledge that you had taught and conveyed to the people, and which was acted upon after you had died.
Basaair al-Darajaat, vol. 5, pg. 16; Bihaar al-Anwaar, vol. 2 ,pg. 18.
Hadith No. 10
Rewards for both the Guide and the Guided
The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) said:
There is none who invites (others) towards guidance, except that for him shall be the rewards of all those who follow him - and this shall not in the slightest cause a reduction in their own rewards.
Hilyah al-Auliya, vol. 9, pg. 305; Sahih Muslim, vol. 4, pg. 2060,tr. 2674.
| Happiness is for the one who will attend the Qaim of my Ahlul-Bayt and will follow him before his rise. | for everyone |
The Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H) said:
" Al-Mahdi is of my progeny from the sons of Fatimah (a.s)."
Sunan-i-Abu Dawud, vol. 4, p. 107
The Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H) said:
" Happiness is for the one who will attend the Gha'im of my Ahlul-Bayt and will follow him before his rise. This person will love his (Gha'im's) lovers and hate his enemies, and will accept the leadership of the Imams from before his advent. These ones are my friends, and are the most sincere members of my Ummah whom I honour very much."
Bihar-ul-Anwar, vol. 52, p. 129
" Happiness is for the one who will attend the Gha'im of my Ahlul-Bayt and will follow him before his rise. This person will love his (Gha'im's) lovers and hate his enemies, and will accept the leadership of the Imams from before his advent. These ones are my friends, and are the most sincere members of my Ummah whom I honour very much."
Bihar-ul-Anwar, vol. 52, p. 129
The Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H) said:
" Allah will raise a man from my progeny, from my Ahlul-Bayt, by whom the earth will be filled with justice thoroughly the same as it has been filled with injustice and oppression."
Al-Musannaf, vol. 11, p. 371
" Allah will raise a man from my progeny, from my Ahlul-Bayt, by whom the earth will be filled with justice thoroughly the same as it has been filled with injustice and oppression."
Al-Musannaf, vol. 11, p. 371
The Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H) said:
" The person who dies and has not known the Imam of his time (Imam Mahdi (a.s) is that of the present time) has died the same as one who died during the Age of Ignorance."
Musnad-i-Ahmad-ibn-Hanbal, vol. 2, p. 83 & vol. 3, p. 446 & vol. 4, p. 96 Sahih-i-Bukhari, vol. 5, p. 13 & Sahih-i-Muslim vol. 6, p. 21, No. 1849 In addition to 25 other references introduced by Sunni scholars
" The person who dies and has not known the Imam of his time (Imam Mahdi (a.s) is that of the present time) has died the same as one who died during the Age of Ignorance."
Musnad-i-Ahmad-ibn-Hanbal, vol. 2, p. 83 & vol. 3, p. 446 & vol. 4, p. 96 Sahih-i-Bukhari, vol. 5, p. 13 & Sahih-i-Muslim vol. 6, p. 21, No. 1849 In addition to 25 other references introduced by Sunni scholars
Imam Amir-ul-Mu'mineen Ali (a.s) said:
" When our Ghaim rises, the sky will send down its drops, the earth will grow its plants, enmity will come out from the servants' hearts (in order that they live in peace and brotherly love), and savages and beasts will continue to live together peacefully. ..."
Bihar-ul-Anwar, vol. 52, p. 316
" When our Ghaim rises, the sky will send down its drops, the earth will grow its plants, enmity will come out from the servants' hearts (in order that they live in peace and brotherly love), and savages and beasts will continue to live together peacefully. ..."
Bihar-ul-Anwar, vol. 52, p. 316
Abil-Jarud said: " I asked Imam Baqir (a.s) whether he knew
About my love and sincerity for him and he answered he did. Then, I said I had a question for him to answer me, for my eyes were blind and I scarcely walked, so I could not always go to visit him. He wanted me to express my question. I requested him to inform me of the creed by which he and his household adored Allah, Almighty and Glorious, so that I could worship Him, too, by it. He responded: ` You asked a great thing, though you stated a short expression.
About my love and sincerity for him and he answered he did. Then, I said I had a question for him to answer me, for my eyes were blind and I scarcely walked, so I could not always go to visit him. He wanted me to express my question. I requested him to inform me of the creed by which he and his household adored Allah, Almighty and Glorious, so that I could worship Him, too, by it. He responded: ` You asked a great thing, though you stated a short expression.
By Allah, I give you (your answer of) my religion and the religion of my fathers by which we worship Allah, Almighty and Glorious. It is: the confession of faith that there is no god but Allah, that Muhammad (p.b.u.h.) is the Messenger of Allah, with affirmation that what has come to him (the Qur'an) is from Allah, having affection (for us and) for the lovers and obedients to us (Ahlul-Bayt) and hatred to our enemies, surrender to our cause, awaiting our Gha'im (the twelveth Imam, for whom there is a domination that will come whenever Allah wills), and endeavouring (for establishing divine obligatories and lawful matters) and being pious, (with avoiding unlawful things)'."
Al-Kafi, vol. 1, p. 34
Al-Kafi, vol. 1, p. 34
Imam Baqir (a.s) said:
" When our Gha'im rises, sets his hand (authority) over the heads of the servants, then, he will give them intellectual development and completes their patience and insights. After that, Allah will extend their sights and their hearing so that there will be no barrier between them and the Gha'im when he decides to speak with them, then they hear, and they can watch him while he is in his place."
" When our Gha'im rises, sets his hand (authority) over the heads of the servants, then, he will give them intellectual development and completes their patience and insights. After that, Allah will extend their sights and their hearing so that there will be no barrier between them and the Gha'im when he decides to speak with them, then they hear, and they can watch him while he is in his place."
Imam Sadiq (a.s) said:
" At the time of Al-Gha'im (Al-Mahdi) (a.s) a believer who is in the East can see his (Muslim) brother who is in the West, and vice versa, the one who is in the West can see his (Muslim) brother who is the East."
Bihar-ul-Anwar, vol. 52, p. 391
Note: Dear reader! surely the existence of the means of communication such as satellites, televisions and the like can be helpful for us to understand this tradition although none of these technological devices existed when these precious words were uttered.
" At the time of Al-Gha'im (Al-Mahdi) (a.s) a believer who is in the East can see his (Muslim) brother who is in the West, and vice versa, the one who is in the West can see his (Muslim) brother who is the East."
Bihar-ul-Anwar, vol. 52, p. 391
Note: Dear reader! surely the existence of the means of communication such as satellites, televisions and the like can be helpful for us to understand this tradition although none of these technological devices existed when these precious words were uttered.
Imam Sadiq (a.s) said:
" He (Al-Mahdi) will stay (in a place close to the Kabah) between the Pillar and the Standing-place (of Abraham) and will call a call, when he says: ` O' group of my administrators and the prominent people of mine whom Allah has stored preparing for my triumph before my advent over the face of the earth! come to me obediently.' Then, his call will reach them while they are in their praying places and at home in their beds whether in the East of the Earth or in its West. So, they hear him with this single call which reaches the ears of every one, and, they totally respond (by coming to him) as well. Then, it takes for them but a moment that all of them gather there, between the Pillar and the Standing-place (of Abraham), attending him (a.s)."
Bihar-ul-Anwar, vol. 53, p. 7
" He (Al-Mahdi) will stay (in a place close to the Kabah) between the Pillar and the Standing-place (of Abraham) and will call a call, when he says: ` O' group of my administrators and the prominent people of mine whom Allah has stored preparing for my triumph before my advent over the face of the earth! come to me obediently.' Then, his call will reach them while they are in their praying places and at home in their beds whether in the East of the Earth or in its West. So, they hear him with this single call which reaches the ears of every one, and, they totally respond (by coming to him) as well. Then, it takes for them but a moment that all of them gather there, between the Pillar and the Standing-place (of Abraham), attending him (a.s)."
Bihar-ul-Anwar, vol. 53, p. 7
Imam Mahdi (a.s) said:
" I am Al-Mahdi and I am the still-living one who will establish justice throughout the world the same as it has been filled with oppression. Surely the earth will never remain without a witness, and people will not live in lack of a leader.
Kamal-ud-Din, p. 445
" I am Al-Mahdi and I am the still-living one who will establish justice throughout the world the same as it has been filled with oppression. Surely the earth will never remain without a witness, and people will not live in lack of a leader.
Kamal-ud-Din, p. 445
Imam Mahdi (a.s) said:
" But for the incidents that happen (for Muslims), refer to the narrators of our traditions, (i.e. scholars), because they are my witnesses upon you and I am the witness of Allah upon them."
Kamal-ud-Din, p. 484
" But for the incidents that happen (for Muslims), refer to the narrators of our traditions, (i.e. scholars), because they are my witnesses upon you and I am the witness of Allah upon them."
Kamal-ud-Din, p. 484
Imam Baqir (a.s) said:
O' Lord! we eagerly desire that thou assign us in the just, fair Islamic government, (the which is really the rightful government of Hazrat Mahdi, may Allah hasten his holy reappearance). Through his auspicious government, thou reactivate and dearly loved Islam and its followers while thou humiliate hypocrisy and the hypocrite. And, in that period, include us among those who invite people unto Thy obedience and lead them to Thy path of guidance; and, endow us the honour and grandeur of both this world and the next.
Bihar-ul-Anwar, vol. 91, p. 6
O' Lord! we eagerly desire that thou assign us in the just, fair Islamic government, (the which is really the rightful government of Hazrat Mahdi, may Allah hasten his holy reappearance). Through his auspicious government, thou reactivate and dearly loved Islam and its followers while thou humiliate hypocrisy and the hypocrite. And, in that period, include us among those who invite people unto Thy obedience and lead them to Thy path of guidance; and, endow us the honour and grandeur of both this world and the next.
Bihar-ul-Anwar, vol. 91, p. 6
| The likeness of this world is as the water of the sea.... | for everyone |
The seventh Imam, Musa-ibn-Ja`far (a.s) said:
" The likeness of this world is as the water of the sea. However much (water) a thirsty person drinks from it, his thirst increases so much so that the water kills him."Bihar-ul-Anwar, vol. 78, p. 311
Imam Hadi, the tenth Imam, (a.s) said:
" People are respected in this world for possessing wealth and in the Hereafter for possessing righteous deeds."
Bihar-ul-Anwar, vol. 78, p. 368
" People are respected in this world for possessing wealth and in the Hereafter for possessing righteous deeds."
Bihar-ul-Anwar, vol. 78, p. 368
Imam Hassan-ibn-Ali (a.s) said:
" I wonder about the person who contemplates about his nutrition but he does not consider (the food of) his intellect. Thus, he avoids of what hurts him in his stomach but he lets his mind to be filled with what destroys him."
Safinat-ul-Bihar, vol. 2, p. 84
(Greed and Futile Hopes )
Imam Sadiq (a.s) said:
" I wonder about the person who contemplates about his nutrition but he does not consider (the food of) his intellect. Thus, he avoids of what hurts him in his stomach but he lets his mind to be filled with what destroys him."
Safinat-ul-Bihar, vol. 2, p. 84
(Greed and Futile Hopes )
Imam Sadiq (a.s) said:
" If a son of Adam possessed two vast valleys wherein gold and silver flowed, he would still wish to search for the third one."Man la Yahduruhul Faqiu, vol. 4, p. 418
Imam Sadiq (a.s) said:
" He who devotes his heart to this world will be subjected to three conditions: endless grief, unquenchable desire, and futile hope."
Usul-i-Kafi, vol. 2, p. 320
" He who devotes his heart to this world will be subjected to three conditions: endless grief, unquenchable desire, and futile hope."
Usul-i-Kafi, vol. 2, p. 320
| Manifestations of the All-Merciful -O Allāh, Free Every Captive | for everyone |
أَللٌّهُمَّ فُكَّ كُلَّ أَسِيْرٍ
O Allāh, Free Every Captive
Meaning of Asīr
The word Asīr originates from al-asr, which means:
الشَّدُّ بِالْقَيْدِ...
“Fastening with a bond…”
Rāghib, the famous lexicographer, in his Qur’ānic dictionary al-Mufradāt says:
One who was tied by fetters was known to be asīr; thereafter, the word was intended for every entity that is seized and bound, even if it was not fettered by anything… for example:
أَنَا أَسِيْرُ نِعْمَتِكَ.
“I am bound to your favor.”
From the abovementioned definition, the comprehensiveness of the concept of the word ‘asīr’ becomes clear. The traditions of the Holy Prophet (s) and his immaculate progeny also reveal this truth. Following are some examples:
a. Imām Abu’l Hasan al-Thālith (‘Alī al-Naqī (as)) is reported to have said:
وَالْجَاهِلُ أَسِيْرُ لِسَانِهِ.
The ignorant one is a captive of his tongue.
b. In a supplication from Yūsha’ bin Nūn (as) we find the following expression:
إِلٌهِي: أَنْتَ مَلِكَ الْعَطَايَا، وَأَنَا أَسِيْرُ الْخَطَايَا.
“O God, You are the Sovereign of bestowals while I am a captive of my faults.”
c. In one Ziyārah of Arba‘īn (40th of Imām al-Husayn (as)) said to be taught by Imām al-Sādiq (as), we address Imām al-Husayn (as) as follows:
أَلسَّلاَمُ عَلى أَسِيرِ الْكُرُبَاتِِ.
“Peace be upon the captive of deep sorrows.”
d. In his well known epistle to Mālik al-Ashtar, Imām ‘Alī (as) says:
...فَإِنَّ هٌذَا الدِّينَ قَدْ كَانَ أَسِيراً فِي أَيْدِي الأَشْرَار؛ يُعْمَلُ فِيْهِ بِالْهَوَى، وَتُطْلَبُ بِهِ الدُّنْـيَا...
“…for surely this Religion was a captive in the hands of the evil folk, for under its pretext they would follow their base inclinations and seek worldly gains…”
e. In Nahju’l Balāgha, while explaining the characteristics of the angels, Imām ‘Alī (as) is reported to have said:
...فَهُمْ أُسَرَاءُ إِيْمَانٍ...
“…for they are captives of faith…”
The word ‘asīr’ likewise has a relative connotation: whereas a group of people may be captives of their vain inclinations but suffer no physical imprisonment, while another group may enjoy utter spiritual freedom, but be in the state of physical captivity.
The Apparent Extension of Asīr
Certainly, this verse is one of the most painful verses of the supplication. Many innocent human beings throughout the world today suffer imprisonment. While a group among them are victims of oppression and breach of man-made law, there is a class whose very innocence has brought them behind bars.
Being behind bars is only one part of the story. The oppression and torture that these innocent captives have to bear is terrible and inexpressible. Such kind of treatment stems from the kind of cruelty possessed by the wardens of the different prisons, who receive the power of discretion from their masters, who in turn possess authority through their respective governments. The following statement from Amnesty International speaks of this reality:
Torture does not happen in a vacuum. The social and political context, and the supply of tools and techniques for inflicting pain rely on a failure of political will. If the governments of the world had the political will to stop torture they could do so.
In order to appreciate the gravity of the matter, one can refer to the relevant texts available on prison torture in the Internet from human rights organizations such as Human Rights Watch and the like. Due to the brevity of this commentary, however, we would only mention a few examples of the situation prevailing on the prisons of the world:
Prisoners Suffering Torture
1. MEN, WOMEN & CHILDREN: “… but torture continues and is not confined to military dictatorships or authoritarian regimes; torture is inflicted in democratic states too. It is also clear that victims of torture are criminal suspects as well as political prisoners, the disadvantaged as well as the dissident, people targeted because of their identity as well as their beliefs. They are women as well as men, children as well as adults.”
2. WOMEN: “Amnesty International (AI) has documented countless cases of women being tortured in custody. In its coverage of armed conflicts, it has reported the systematic use of sexual violence as a weapon of war.”
3. CHILDREN: “The fact that children could suffer torture at all should come as a terrible shock. Their dependency and vulnerability should render them immune from the atrocities adults inflict on one another. Their very innocence should put them beyond reach.
Yet violence against children is endemic: children are tortured by the police or security forces…
Methods of Torture
The survey showed that beating is by far the most common method of torture and ill-treatment by state agents today, reported in over 150 countries. People are beaten with fists, sticks, gun-butts, makeshift whips, iron pipes, baseball bats, electric flex. Victims suffer bruises, internal bleeding, broken bones, lost teeth, ruptured organs and some die.
Rape and sexual abuse of prisoners is also widespread. Other common methods of torture and ill-treatment include electric shocks (reported in more than 40 countries), suspension of the body (more than 40 countries), beating on the soles of the feet (more than 30 countries), suffocation (more than 30 countries), mock execution or death threat (more than 50 countries) and prolonged solitary confinement (more than 50 countries).
Other methods include submersion in water, stubbing of cigarettes on the body, being tied to the back of a car and being dragged behind it, sleep deprivation and sensory deprivation…
The most common forms of judicial corporal punishment include amputation and flogging. Some forms such as amputation and branding are deliberately designed to permanently mutilate the human body. However, all of these punishments can cause a range of long-term or permanent injuries.
The attitude of Islamic law, however, whose source is the Creator of human being himself, is greatly different. Browsing through the history of Islamic leadership from the time of the Holy Prophet (s) until now, we come to understand the verity of this contention. Following are examples:
1. The first war that the Muslims valiantly fought was Badr. Overwhelming the disbelievers, the Muslims apprehended many nonbelievers and took them as captives. However, the Prophet (s) considered the ‘captives’ as human beings and believed that they too had certain rights. No one was allowed to maltreat them. Instead ways of letting them free were suggested to them. Accordingly many were set free with a ransom fee. History tells us that:
وَكَانَ يُفَادِي بِهِمْ عَلَى قَدْرِ أَمْوَالِهِمْ.
“And the Prophet (s) took a ransom fee from them according to their financial state.”
Some of the captives had no wealth, but knew the art of writing. The Prophet (s) would tell each of them to teach ten men from Medina as a ransom.
2. It is reported that after Ibn Muljim struck the fatal blow on Imām ‘Alī (as), the Imām addressing his two sons (as), said:
إِحْبِسُوْا هٌذَا الأَسِيْرَ وَأَطْعِمُوْهُ وَاسْقُوْهُ وَأَحْسِنُوْا إِسَارَهُ.
“Imprison this captive, and give him food and drink, and deal with him in a good way in his captivity.”
And in another tradition he says the following about Ibn Muljim:
إِنَّهُ أَسِيْرٌ؛ فَأَحْسِنُوْا نُزْلَهُ، وَأَكْرِمُوْا مَثْوَاهُ. فَإِنْ بَقِيْتُ، قَتَلْتُ أَوْ عَفَوْتُ. وَإِنْ مِتُّ، فَاقْتُلُوْهُ قَتْلَتِي، ) وَلاَ تَعْتَدُوْا إِنَّ اللٌّهَ لاَ يُحِبُّ الْمُعْتَدِيْنَ (
“Indeed he is a captive; therefore give him good food and a nice place; then if I were to remain alive I would either kill him or forgive him; and if I die, then kill him the way he struck me [with one blow] and do not transgress the limits, for verily Allāh does not love those who transgress the limits.” [2:190]
This practical encounter of Imām ‘Alī (as) in those sensitive moments exemplifies the outlook of the teachings of Islam. Grudge and revenge does not remain in the heart of ‘Alī (as), for every element of his body is the instrument of Allāh (swt).
3. If one were to study carefully the rights of prisoners according to Islam, he would realize how far apart man made law is from Divine law. Shaykh Najm al-Dīn Tabasī in his Mawārid al-Sijn [Occasions of Prison] enumerates some of the rights of prisoners as follows:
“…believing prisoners can attend Friday and ‘Īd Prayers under surveillance, and then return immediately to their cells, prisoners may meet with their near ones and are free to receive food and clothing from them too, prisoners should be imprisoned in a healthy environment and allowed to go out under surveillance during a particular time, one who is ill should not be imprisoned, the support that the prisoner gives to his family, must be drawn from the public treasury (baytu’l māl) of the Muslims, etc...”
The above however should not lead one to believe that prisoners should be left without interrogation or motivation to repent. The prisoner is dealt according to the crime that he or she has committed. Political prisoners are also dealt with in a different way. However, the prisoner is not treated like an animal or tortured or raped or even psychologically threatened or intimidated. These are against the dictates of the Islamic Sharī‘ah. Rather, they are dealt with as human beings and no one is allowed to transgress the limits laid by Almighty Allāh. Hence, should we hear or observe inhuman behavior from the prison wardens of a so-called Islamic state, we must not be led to think that that is what Islam believes. There is a vast difference between the criteria being ‘Islam’ and the criteria being ‘the deed of a non-practising Muslim ruler.
Look at the following traditions carefully:
Imām Ja’far al-Sādiq (as) is reported to have said:
إِنَّ عَلِيّاً (ع) كَانَ يُطْعِمُ مَنْ خُلِّدَ فِي السِّجْنِِ مِنْ بَيتِ مَالِ الْمُسْلِمِيْنَ.
“Surely, ‘Alī (as) would feed the captive who served life imprisonment from the treasury of the Muslims.”
Imām ‘Alī (as)is reported to have said:
إِطْعَامُ الأَسِيْرِ وَالإِحْسَانُ إِلَيْهِ حَقٌّ وَاجِبٌ، وَإِنْ قَتَلْتَهُ مِنَ الْغَدِ.
“Feeding the captive and doing good to him, is a compulsory right, even if you were to kill him [in accordance with the penal laws of Islam] the following day.”
Hawā al-Nafs: One of the Most Destructive Kinds of Captivity
1. The Holy Qur’ān [Sūrat al-Qasas 28:50] says:
) وَمَنْ أَضَلُّ مِمَّنِ اتَّبَعَ هَوَاهُ بِغَيْرِ هُدًى مِنَ اللٌّهِ (
“…and who is more stray than he who follows his low desires without any guidance from Allāh?”
2. Imām ‘Alī (as) is reported to have said:
كَمْ مِنْ عَقْلٍ أَسِيرٍ عِنْدَ هَوَىً أَمِيرٍ.
“How great a number are there intellects under the captivity of dominant inclinations!”
3. Imām ‘Alī (as) is reported to have said:
إِنَّ أَخْوَفَ مَا أَخَافُ عَلَيْكُمْ إِثْنَتَانِ: اتِّبَاعُ الْهَوَى وَطُوْلُ الأَمَلِ.
“Surely there are two things that I fear most from you: following your vain inclinations and having forlorn hopes.”
One of the most destructive extensions of captivity is the captivity of the soul by base inclinations. In the language of the Qur’ān, it is called “al-hawā”. It is a great hurdle on our way to God. Nearly every world problem today stems from this very element of destruction. Rather, the entire history of creation is replete with examples that show how destructive this kind of captivity has been: due to this very captivity, Satan did not prostrate before Adam although he was commanded to do so, Cain was led to kill Abel despite the latter being his own brother, Noah’s (as) son left his father although the latter was a prophet of Allāh (swt), and the list goes on. Study the causes of the different wars and conflicts of the past and present and you would realize that the root cause is this very kind of captivity. When a president suffers such captivity, he kills many innocent civilians; when a minister of finance is shackled by such captivity, he embezzles millions of dollars; when an irreligious and aimless human being suffers such captivity, he engages in different kinds of evils. In short, whosoever enjoys more power affects mischief accordingly.
Freedom from such captivity, however, is in our hands. Almighty Allāh has given us the keys to the door of the prison and advised us to leave, but the attraction of the amenities of the prison, it seems, has kept us from moving.
Hawā al-Nafs Lowers One to the Example of a Dog!
The Holy Qur’ān [chapter 7, verse no. 175-176] says:
) وَاتْلُ عَلَيْهِمْ نَبَأَ الَّذِي آتَيْنَاهُ آيَاتِنَا فَانْسَلَخَ مِنْهَا فَأَتْـبَعَهُ الشَّيْطَانُ فَكَانَ مِنَ الْغَاوِينَ. وَلَوْ شِئْنَا لَرَفَعْنَاهُ بِهَا وَلٌكِنَّهُ أَخْلَدَ إِلـى الأَرْضِ وَاتَّبَعَ هَوَاهُ فَمَثَلُهُ كَمَثَلِ الْكَلْبِ إِنْ تَحْمِلْ عَلَيْهِ يَلْهَثْ أَوْ تَتْرُكْهُ يَلْهَثْ (
“Relate to them the story of the man to whom We sent Our Signs, but he passed them by: so Satan followed him up, and he went astray. If it had been Our Will, We should have elevated him with Our Signs; but he inclined to the earth, and followed his own vain desires. His similitude is that of a dog: if you attack him, he lolls out his tongue, or if you leave him alone, he (still) lolls out his tongue.”
This verse, according to a tradition quoted by ‘Allāmah Tabātabā’ī in his al-Mizān and narrated by Tafsīr al-Burhān, talks about Bal‘am bin Bā’ūrā. He was a man who lived during the time of Prophet Musa (as) and enjoyed a high spiritual state, for according to a tradition reported from Imām al-Ridā (as) he knew the ism al-a‘zam (the Great Name of Allāh). Later, due to his base inclinations, he became a supporter of Fir‘awn and became spiritually ignoble. Imām al-Ridā (as) is reported to have said “Surely Bal‘am bin Bā’ūrā was given the Great Name of God and whenever he would pray with the same, his supplication would be accepted. Then he inclined towards Fir‘awn. Once when Fir‘awn was after Prophet Mūsā (as) and his followers, he met Bal‘am and said: ‘Pray to Allāh to throw Mūsā (as) and his followers into our trap.’ Subsequently, he climbed his donkey to set out for searching Mūsā (as) and his companions. The donkey, however, did not move. So he began hitting it. Thereafter Allāh (the Invincible and Exalted) enabled it to speak and [addressing Bal‘am] it said: Woe unto you! For what are you hitting me? Do you want me to accompany you so that you pray against Prophet Mūsā (as), the Prophet of Allāh and the believing nation? Bal‘am [paid no attention] and continued hitting the donkey until he killed the animal. Thereupon Bal‘am forgot the great Name of God.”
This verse is a lesson for all those learned folk who have attained a degree of piety. If one is not steadfast in his war against his base soul, there is a risk of him falling into a state of degradation and spiritual destruction. We seek refuge in the All-Merciful Lord from every kind of ignominy that separates us from His Neighborhood.
Verse no. 176 considers the example of Bal‘am as the example of a dog:
) فَمَثَلُهُ كَمَثَلِ الْكَلْبِ إِنْ تَحْمِلْ عَلَيْهِ يَلْهَثْ أَوْ تَتْرُكْهُ يَلْهَثْ ذٌلِكَ مَثَلُ الْقَوْمِ الَّذِينَ كَذَّبُوا بِآيَاتِنَا فَاقْصُصِ الْقَصَصَ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ (
“So his parable is as the parable of a dog; if you attack him, he lolls out his tongue; and if you leave him alone he lolls out his tongue; this is a parable of those who reject our signs; therefore relate the narrative so that they may reflect.”
(sent by sis Mariam R. Jiwa)
| Short Dua for 13th Day of Ramzān al-Mubarak (Pls Check Attachments) | for everyone |
Bismilla-heer-Rahmaneer-Raheem
As-salamu alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatoh,
Dua'a E Mujeer
(Recommended for 13th,14th & 15th eve of Ramadhan month)
This is a supplication of high eminence which is reported to have been brought by Jibreel for the Holy Prophet (SAWW) when he was engrossed in prayers in Maqam-e-Ibrahim.
Reward for the one reciting Dua'a E Mujeer during the nights of full moon (13th, 14th & 15th) of the Holy month of Ramadan, is that his sins are forgiven even if they are in such plenty as the drops of rain water, leaves of trees or sand of a desert. It is also very effective for the cure of the sick, fulfilment of debts, acquisition of wealth and relief from sorrows.
[Reference : Mafatih al-Jinan, under introduction of "Dua e Mujeer" ]
Dua for Thirteenth Day of Ramzan al-Mubarak
بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيْمِ
Allaahumma Tahhirnee Feehi Minad Danasi Wal Aqd’aar Wa S’abbirnee Feehi A’laa Kaa-Inaatil Aqdaar Wa S’abbirnee Feehi A’laa Kaa-Inaatil Aqdaar Wa Waffiqnee Feehi Littuqaa Wa S’uh’batil Abraar Bi-A’wnika Yaa Qurrata A’ynil Masaakeen
O Allah, on this day, purify me from uncleanliness and dirt, make me patient over events that are decreed, grant me the ability to be pious, and keep company with the good, by Your help, O the beloved of the destitute.
---
Recommended Salat for 14th night of Maahe Ramzan
Recite 8 Rak-a’t Namaaz (2x4)
In every Rak-a’t,
Soorah Al Faatih’ah - 1Time
Soorah Al Zilzaal -30 times
---
A humble request
Imam Ali (a.s.) said: The prayer of a fasting person at the time of Iftar is never rejected.
Please do pray for early re-appearance of Imam-E-Zamana (atfs) at the time of Iftar.
Iltemase Dua
Allah humma salli ala Muhammad wa aali Muhammad wa ajjel farajahom
For those who wish to get hadees on BlackBerry Messenger, please add PIN : 26B956D2
To get Hadees by SMS (India, Kuwait, Singapore, Malayasia) please send numbers to +91 922 33 12786
| Read Shia Islami Books at dis Link. | for everyone |
Read Shia Islami Books at dis Link.
 | Urdu Shia Books - Miscellaneous Books
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| Qur'anic Word a Day | for everyone |
http://www.80percentwords.com/qwad/qwad.aspx?wid=0059
| MARRIAGE AND DIVORCE | for everyone |
The Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H) said:
" The person who marries gains half of his Faith, then he must fear of Allah for the next remaining half."
Al-Kafi, vol. 5, p. 328
Al-Kafi, vol. 5, p. 328
The Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H) said:
" He who wishes to be cleaned and purified when he meets Allah, should marry and have a spouse."
Manla-Yahduruh-ul-Faghiu, vol. 3, p. 385
Manla-Yahduruh-ul-Faghiu, vol. 3, p. 385
The Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H) said:
" Marry and do not divorce because the Ark of heaven quakes from divorce."
Wasa'il-ush-Shi`ah, vol. 22, p. 9
Wasa'il-ush-Shi`ah, vol. 22, p. 9
Imam Sadiq (a.s) said:
" Allah, Almighty and Glorious, is pleased with the house wherein marriage takes place and is displeased with the house wherein divorce is found, and there is nothing with Allah more hateful than divorce."
Al-Kafi, vol. 6, p. 54
" Allah, Almighty and Glorious, is pleased with the house wherein marriage takes place and is displeased with the house wherein divorce is found, and there is nothing with Allah more hateful than divorce."
Al-Kafi, vol. 6, p. 54
The Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H) said:
" Certainly, Allah, Almighty and Glorious, dislikes or curses any man or woman whose intention of divorce or marriage is merely tasting the pleasure of it."
Al-Kafi, vol. 6, p. 54
" Certainly, Allah, Almighty and Glorious, dislikes or curses any man or woman whose intention of divorce or marriage is merely tasting the pleasure of it."
Al-Kafi, vol. 6, p. 54
| The Rights of Children | for everyone |
The Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H) told Amir-ul Mu'mineen Ali (a.s):
" O' Ali! Allah has cursed the parents who would cause their child be disobedient of them by cursing them."
Wasa'il-ush-Shi`ah, vol. 21, p. 290
Wasa'il-ush-Shi`ah, vol. 21, p. 290
Imam Amir-ul-Mu'mineen Ali (a.s) said:
" The right of a child upon his father is that he should give him a nice appellation, train him well and teach him the Qur'an (with its rules)."Nahjul-Balaqah, Statement 399
The Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H) said:
"Honour your children and train them well, you will be forgiven by Him."
Bihar-ul-Anwar, vol. 104, p. 95
Bihar-ul-Anwar, vol. 104, p. 95
| Kindness to Parents | for everyone |
The Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H) said:
" The pleasure of Allah lies in the pleasure of one's parents (in the case that it is right), and His wrath lies in their wrath."
Mustadrak-ul-Wasa'il-ush-Shi`ah, vol. 15, p. 176
Mustadrak-ul-Wasa'il-ush-Shi`ah, vol. 15, p. 176
Imam Sadiq (a.s) said:
" Do treat kindly your parents so that your children do the same to you; and be pious unto the wives of people so that your wives remain pious."
Al-Kafi, vol. 5, p. 554
Al-Kafi, vol. 5, p. 554
Imam Sadiq (a.s) said:
" Once a person came to the Prophet (p.b.u.h.) and asked him about good treatment to parents. Then, he (p.b.u.h.) said ` Treat kindly your mother, treat kindly your mother, and treat kindly your mother; be kind to your father, be kind to your father, and be kind to your father but begin (that kindness) with your mother before your father'."
Al-Kafi, vol. 2, p. 162
Al-Kafi, vol. 2, p. 162
The Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H) said:
" The pleasure of Allah lies in the pleasure of one's parents (in the case that it is right), and His wrath lies in their wrath."
Mustadrak-ul-Wasa'il-ush-Shi`ah, vol. 15, p. 176
Mustadrak-ul-Wasa'il-ush-Shi`ah, vol. 15, p. 176
Imam Sadiq (a.s) said:
" Do treat kindly your parents so that your children do the same to you; and be pious unto the wives of people so that your wives remain pious."
Al-Kafi, vol. 5, p. 554
Al-Kafi, vol. 5, p. 554
Imam Sadiq (a.s) said:
" Once a person came to the Prophet (p.b.u.h.) and asked him about good treatment to parents. Then, he (p.b.u.h.) said ` Treat kindly your mother, treat kindly your mother, and treat kindly your mother; be kind to your father, be kind to your father, and be kind to your father but begin (that kindness) with your mother before your father'."
Al-Kafi, vol. 2, p. 162
Al-Kafi, vol. 2, p. 162
| Being Attentive to the Hereafter | for everyone |
The Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H) said that: the disciples of Jesus (a.s) asked him with whom they should make friends, and he (a.s) replied: " With one whose presence reminds you of God, his speech increases your knowledge and his deed inspires you (to work righteousness for) the next world."
Bihar-ul-Anwar, vol. 1, p. 203
The Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H) said:
" Man is influenced by the faith of his friends. Therefore, be careful of whom you associate with."
Bihar-ul-Anwar, vol. 74, p. 192
Bihar-ul-Anwar, vol. 74, p. 192
Imam Sadiq (a.s) said:
" Be the friend of he who may grace you, not of one whom you are better than." ( viz. make friend with ones who are higher than you so that you progress.)
Bihar-ul-Anwar, vol. 76, p. 267
Bihar-ul-Anwar, vol. 76, p. 267
Imam Sadiq (a.s) said:
" My most beloved brother is he who (makes me aware of) my faults."
Bihar-ul-Anwar, vol. 74, p. 282
Bihar-ul-Anwar, vol. 74, p. 282
posted by ABBAS ALAM @ 04:04
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