| THE QUALITY OF ADORATION....... | for everyone |
THE QUALITY OF ADORATION TO THE PROPHET’S PROGENY, MONOTHEISM, FAITH , ISLAM, ATHEISM, AND EVIL
"A class is those who pretend themselves our followers while the reality is the opposite, a class is those who cherish us secretly and do not follow us in public, and a class is those who cherish us openly and secretly. They are the highest group. They drank from the fresh water and had knowledge of the interpretation of the Book (of Allah), the distinction between the right and the wrong, and the causes of everything. Therefore, they have become the highest group.
| THE IMPORTANCE OF SALAWAT AND ITS BENEFITS | for everyone |
THE IMPORTANCE OF 'SALAWAT'
"The Mercy of Allah and His Blessings be upon Ahl al-Bayt. Verily He is the Praiseworthy and Glorious" (The Holy Quran)
With the passing of every day of our lives, we must take the opportunity to get closer to Allah (s.w.t.). One of the ways we can do this by imploring the Almighty Allah to send His blessings upon the Holy Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.s.) and his Pure Progeny (a.s.). One is recommended to recite this Salawat throughout one's life as a way to achieve this goal. Why is so much importance placed on this act and what exactly is the reward of one who recites the Salawat?
COMMANDMENT IN THE HOLY QURAN
In the Holy Quran, in surah al-Ahzab, Verse 56, we read : "Surely Allah and His Angels bless the Prophet: O you belive ! Call for (Divine) blessings on him and salute him with a (becoming) salutation."
In this verse, it says that Allah and the Angels send blessings on the Holy Prophet and He commands those who believe to do the same- send blessings and follow (submit) to his ways. The Salawat is the only act in which Allah (s.w.t.) joins the Angels and the believers too are commanded to take part in it.
THE HOLY PROPHET(SA.W.S.)'S INSTRUCTIONS
Now let us see how the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) himself has instructed to send blessings for him.
The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) said, "Do not salute for me in short!”
The companions asked, “What is saluting in short?”
The Prophet (s.a.w.s.) replied: "Saying that Blessing of Allah be upon Muhammad."
They asked "what should we say?"
The Propeht (s.a.w.s.) answered, " Say: Blessing of Allah be upon Muahmmad and his household the same way as you blessed Abraham and the household. Verily you are worthy of all praise full of glory"
The Propeht (s.a.w.s.) answered, " Say: Blessing of Allah be upon Muahmmad and his household the same way as you blessed Abraham and the household. Verily you are worthy of all praise full of glory"
This saying of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s) was in connection with the following verse of the Holy Quran which was related about the House of Abraham (a.s.) :
They said: “Do you wonder at Allah's decree? The Mercy of Allah and His Blessings be upon you O people of the House! For He is indeed worthy of all praise full of glory!”
(The Holy Quran 11.73)
In fact, invoking Salawat on the Prophet's family was so important that it has been included in ANY Salawat on the Prophet (s.a.w.s). Invoking Salawat on the family of the Prophet is a sign of pledging allegiance to them, and affirming what Allah Himself has affirmed for them: They are perfectly cleansed and worthy of being salauted.
Immam Ja'far as-Sadiq(a.s.) our 6th Immam said: " One who sends 10 Salawat on the Prophet and his family, Allah and the Angels send 100 Salawats upon him, and one who sends 100 Salawats upon the Prophet and his family, then Allah and the Angels send 1000 Salawat upon him. Have you not heard the words of Allah, Glorious and Magnified be Him, " He it is who sends blessings upon you and so too to His Angels so that it may take you out of the darkness into light and verily He is merciful to the Believers."
MERITS OF SENDING SALWATS
- Allah and the Angels send blessings upon one who sends Salawat on the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) and the Ahlul-Bayt
- One who sends Salawat resembles the Angels, and thus as a result of this one is also entiltled to a part of the special mercy that the Angels receive due to the recitation of the Salawat.
- One, who sends Salawat on the Prophet (s.a.w.s.) and his family, reaches a point where he becomes the friend of Allah (Khalilullah) due to the great status that the Salawat itself has.
- Recitiation of Salawat will result in one being closer to the Prophet (s.a.w.s.) on the Day of Judgement.
- One who recites Salawat every day and night will be worthy of receiving the intercession of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w..s) on the Day of Judgement.
- When we say “O Allah, send blessings on Muhammad and the family of Muhammed" the the Prophet replies to us by saying, “And upon you be peace".
- One attains the pleasure of Allah and comes closer to the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) by recitation of this Salawat. The 6th Immam Immam, Ja'far as-Sadiq (A.S.) said: "You’re sending Salawat upon me results in the acceptance of your requests and desires and Allah becomes pleased with you." Also the Prophet had said that,"The most worthy of people on the Day of Judgement will be those sent the most Salawat upon me in the world."
SOME OF THE WORLDY BENEFITS ARE THE FOLLOWING:
- For every 100 Salawat receite, 100 legitimate desires and wishes will be fulfilled by Allah (s.w.t.).
- When one recites Salawat out loud, his heart gets freed of hypocrisy
- The duas (supplications) of the reciter become pure and sincere
- The reciter is liberated of poverty
- If one cannot find something or has forgotten where he has placed it, then by recitation of Salawat, it will be brought back or found inshaallah.
- Salawat degrades Satan and puts out the fire of Hell.
SOME OF THE BENEFITS IN THE HEREAFTER
- The worthiest and closest person to the Prophet (s.a.w.s.) on the Day of the Judgement will be the one who sent the most Salawat upon him in this world.
- Intercession by the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s) will become a certainty for the one of who recited Salawat upon Muhammad and his family (peace be upon them all).
- On the Day of Judgement, Salawat will appear as a light (noor) on the person's head, right side, left side and above him.
- One who recites the Salawat, Allah will give him the reward of 72 martyrs (shaheed)
- The heaviest thing on the Day of Judgement will be Salawat (recited by a person) and it will also light up his grave.
- One who sends 100 Salawat, Allah and the Angels send 1000 upon him, and the fire of Hell won't affect him.
PLEASE NOTE: of course, one must remember that this reciting, just as with other acts of worship, must be with complet sincerity and not for any reason other than seeking the pleasure of Allah (s.w.t.) and proper conduct in compliance of His command.
May Allah (s.t.) give us all the ability to perform the Salawat with the utmost devotion and attain the benefits of it, both in this world and in the hereafter. AMEEN.
| THE GATHERING ON THE ARSH AND DUA FOR THE REAPPEARANCE | for everyone |
Immam Ja’far as-Sadiq (a.s.) narrates:
Then the infallible personalities (a.s.) mount the pulpits.
Then Angels, the Prophets (a.s.) and believers gather near the pulpits.
The doors of the skies are thrown open.
At noon , the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) beseeches Allah:
After this the angels and the Prophets (a.s.) will likewise supplicate to Allah. Then the infallibles- Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.s.) Hazrat Ali (a.s.), Janabe Zahra (s.a.), Imam Hasan (a.s.) and Imam Hussain (a.s.) will go down in prostration and supplicate: “Allah manifest your Wrath for yor Honours has been viloated’ Your chosen servants have been killed, Your servants have been humilated.! The Allah will do as He pleases.
This is the ‘Known Day” (Yaumul Maloom)
(Ghaibat-e-Nomani, pg 272, trad. 56)
The path towards the love of Immam (a.t.f.s.) is strewn with thorns. It is an examination for those who claim to tread the path of his love. It is a path with many temptations and distractions. It is slippery and beguiling. It has dangerous twists and turns. However, Immam (a.t.f.s.) has not deserted his lovers. His help and guidance always helps them negotiate the perils of this path. A small ray of light is sufficient to ease the murkiness and gloom of this path. The strong bond of love can help the lovers overcome every hurdle on the path.
Immam Ja’far-as-Sadiq (a.s.) said to his famous companion, Dawood bin Sarhan:
“O Dawood give my salutations to my Shias and convey my message to them that When two persons meet and discuss our traditions then Allah’s mercy is on both of them. The third between them is an Angel who seeks forgivness for them. No two persons meet and discuss about us but Allah prides Himself on this fact among His Angels. (I order you) whenever you meet keep yourself busy in our rememberance. This rememberance enlivens our affairs. The best people after us are those who narrate our traditions and invited people towards them.”
(Beharul Anwar vol 1. pg.200)
Immam Ja’far-as-Sadiq (a.s.) said: One who recites Dua-e-Ahad for forty mornings, then inshallah, he will be included among the companions and helpers of Immam (a.t.f.s.) at the time of his (a.t.f.s.) re-apperance; he (a.t.f.s.) will rise from his grave.
Every Friday morning to organise an assembly for Dua-e-Nudba in the house and/or in the locality.
Nudba means intense wailing. In this Dua, the lovers of Immam Hussain (a.s.) in the condition of waiting ask:
“Where is the one who will take the revenge of the blood of the martyrs of Karbala
“I wish I had know where you are living”
“May my life be sacrificied for you, you are the desire of every believing man and woman who has remembered you and sympathised with you.
It is commanded in the last verse of Surah Ale-e-Imran “And be in contact”. Imam Jaf’ar as-sadiq (a.s.) says:
“Be in contact - with your Immam, the Awaited One. Day and night whenever you get the time be in contact with your Immam (a.t.f.s.)
“O ALLAH, BY THE RIGHT OF HAZRAT ZAHRA (S.A.
| Those A'mal which saves one from the Squeeze in the Grave. | for you |
There are many acts (A'amal) to save one from the squeeze in the grave, but for brevity's sake, I state here only seventeen of them.
(1) Amirul Mo'meneen Ali (A.S.) says, that a person who recites Surah-an-Nisa on every Friday will remain safe from the squeeze in the grave.
(2) It is narrated that if a person recites Surah-az- Zukhruf, Allah will save him from the reptiles of the earth, and the squeeze in the grave.
(3) A person who recites Surah-al-Qalam in Obligatory Prayers (Wajib Namaz) or Supererogatory Prayers (Nafela), will remain safe from this punishment.
(4) Imam Ja'far-as-Sadiq (A.S.) says, that if a person dies between the sunset of thursday and the sunset of friday, Allah will exempt him from this punishment.
(5) Imam Ali-ar-Reza (A.S.) says, that the Midnight Prayers (Namaze Shab) is recommended (sunnat) for you. So if a person gets up in the last part of the night and recites Namaze Shab, Allah will save him from the squeeze in the grave and grant him immunity from the fire of hell, and will increase his age and sustenance.
(6) The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.S.) says, that if a person recites Surah-at-Takasur before going to bed, Allah will grant him freedom from this punishment.
(7) If a person recites this supplication (dua') ten times daily will be saved from this punishment. (The du'a has already been quoted in Chapter - I under "Those A'mal which prove beneficial during death and eases it's tribulations").
(8) A person who is buried in Najafe Ashraf. Because the earth of that place has got the speciality, that a person buried there will be saved from the punishment in the grave, and will be exempted from the questioning by Munkir and Nakeer.
(9) To put Jareedatayn (two wet sticks or branches) along with the dead body in the grave. It is narrated that so long as the sticks remain wet, the dead person is saved from chastisement. It is related that once the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.S.) was passing by a grave on which Allah's wrath was descending. He called for a leafless branch. He cut it from between, wetted it with water, and kept one on the head of the grave and the other on the feet. It is also related that to sprinkle water on the grave is also beneficial, for so long as the mud of the grave remains wet, the dead person remains safe from the punishment in the grave.
(10) A person who recites ten units (Rak'at) of Namaz on the 1st of Rajab such that in every Rak'at after Surah-al Hamd recites three times Surah-at-Tawheed, will be saved from the squeeze in the grave. To recite twenty Raka'at Namaz on the night of 1st Rajab, such that in every Rak'at after Surah-al-Hamd recite once Surah-at-Tawheed is beneficial to save oneself from the punishment in the grave.
(11) To fast for four days in the month of Rajab or twelve days in the month of Sha'ban is also beneficial.
(12) To recite Surah-al-Mulk on the grave is an act which saves the dead man from the punishment in the grave. Allamah Qutubuddin Rawandi relates from Ibne Abbas, who says that once a person pitched a tent on a ground not knowing that there was a grave beneath. Thereafter he started reciting Surah-al-Mulk. Suddenly he heard a voice saying that the Surah gives salvation. He related this incident to the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.S.), who replied that, "Verily this Surah frees a person from the punishment in the grave". Shaikh Kulanini also narrates from Imam Mohammad-al-Baqir (A.S.) who said that the recitation of Surah-al-Mulk saves one from the punishment in the grave.
(13) It is related from the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.S) in "Da'waat" of Allamah Qutubuddin Rawandi that, when a person is being buried and someone recites this supplication (du'a) thrice, the corpse will remain safe from the punishment in the grave till the day of Qayamat:
اللهم اني اسالك بحق محمد وال محمد ان لا تعذب هذا الميت
(14) Shaikh Toosi in his `Misbahul Mutahajjid' relates the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.S.) as saying that, if a person recites the following two Rak'at Namaz on friday night, Allah will free him from the punishment in the grave, and save him from fear on the day of Qayamat. In each Rak'at after Surah- al-Hamd recite fifteen times Surah-az-Zilzal.(15) To recite thirty Rak'at Namaz in the middle part of the month of Rajab, such that in each Rak'at after Surah-al- Hamd recite ten times Surah-al-Tawheed is beneficial to ward off punishment in the grave. In the same manner to recite the above Namaz on the night of 16th and 17th Rajab and the 1st of Sha'ban is also beneficial. On the night of the 1st of Sha'ban to recite 100 Rak'at Namaz, such that in each Rak'at after Surah-al-Hamd recite once Surah-at Tawheed, after ending the Namaz recite fifty times Surah at-Tawheed. On the night of 24th Sha'ban recite one hundred Rak'at Namaz, such that in each Rak'at after Surah-al-Hamd recite ten times Surah-an-Nasr. Also to recite fifty Rak'at Namaz such that in each Rak'at after Surah-al-Hamd recite fifty times Surah-at-Tawheed, fifty times Surah-al-Falaq, and 50 times Surah-an-Naas saves one from the punishment in the grave. To recite the same Namaz on the night of `Ashoora' (10th of Moharram) is also beneficial.(16) To keep `Khake Shifa' (the mud of the grave of Imam Husain ( A.S.) in the shroud (kafan), or to rub it on the parts of prostration (Sajdah).
(17) It is narrated from Imam Ja'far-as-Sadiq (A.S.) in "Anware No'maniyyah" that if forty persons gather near the body and recite:
اللهم انا لا نعلم منه الا خيرا وانت اعلم به منا فاغفر له
Allah will safeguard the dead man from the punishment in the grave.It is related from Imam Ja'far-as-Sadiq (A.S.) that there was a virtuous man in Bani Israil, regarding whom it was revealed to Prophet Dawood (A.S.) that he was a hypocrite (riyakar) When he died, Hazrat Dawood refrained from attending his funeral But forty other people attended his funeral and said:
اللهم انا لا نعلم منه الا خيرا وانت اعلم به منا فاغفر له
Then another forty came and repeated the same, for they were not aware of the hidden reality. Allah then revealed to Dawood (A.S.) and asked| REASONS FOR THE SQUEEZE IN THE GRAVE | for everyone |
Laziness in purifying oneself after urinating, creating mischief amongst people, backbiting (ghibat), and severing relation with kith & kin are some of the reasons for this punishment.
Sa'ad bin Ma'az was one of the noble men of Ansars.He was held dear by the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.S) Himself and His companions, to the extent that whenever he came to meet the Prophet, He used to instruct His companions to welcome him with honour. The Prophet Himself stood up to welcome him. Sa'ad was wounded in a battle fought against the jews of Qurayza, and later succumbed to the injuries. When he died, seventy thousand Angels attended his funeral. The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.S) was present bare feet till the end, and gave shoulder to his bier, and said that the Angels had come to recite the funeral prayers (Namaze Mayyit), and Jibraeel and Mikaeel were also present alongside him. The Holy prophet loved him so much that He Himself buried him. Seeing these, the mother of Sa'ad remarked, "O my son, rejoice at the attainment of Paradise". The holy Prophet (S.A.W.S) says that, if a believer (Mo'min) does not help his believer brother even after having capacity to do so, Allah will send a large serpent named `Ajar in his grave, who will keep biting at his fingers". In another narration it is stated that the serpent will keep on biting his fingers even though his sin will have been forgiven.Do people who are drowned or are hanged have to face the Squeeze in the Grave?
Shaikh Kulaini narrates from Yunus who says that once Imam Ali-ar-Reza (A.S.) was asked whether a person who is hanged also faces squeezing. (In the olden days it was a custom that when a person was hanged, his body was not brought down from the gallows, but was kept hanging there. As in the case of Zaid bin Ali bin Husain (A.S.), he lay in that manner for three years). Imam Reza (A.S.) answered, "Yes, they too shall face it, because Allah (who has power over all things) orders the wind to squeeze him as the earth does". Imam Ja'far-as-Sadiq (A.S.) says that, "Verily the Lord of the earth and the wind is One and the same, He commands the wind to squeeze the dead man, and this squeezing is more painful than the squeezing by the earth". In the same manner those who are drowned or are killed and eaten up by the beasts have to face the squeezing. Not offering thanks to Allah for His blessings and denying them, is also one of the causes of the squeeze in the grave (Fisbare Qabr).
Sa'ad bin Ma'az was one of the noble men of Ansars.He was held dear by the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.S) Himself and His companions, to the extent that whenever he came to meet the Prophet, He used to instruct His companions to welcome him with honour. The Prophet Himself stood up to welcome him. Sa'ad was wounded in a battle fought against the jews of Qurayza, and later succumbed to the injuries. When he died, seventy thousand Angels attended his funeral. The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.S) was present bare feet till the end, and gave shoulder to his bier, and said that the Angels had come to recite the funeral prayers (Namaze Mayyit), and Jibraeel and Mikaeel were also present alongside him. The Holy prophet loved him so much that He Himself buried him. Seeing these, the mother of Sa'ad remarked, "O my son, rejoice at the attainment of Paradise". The holy Prophet (S.A.W.S) says that, if a believer (Mo'min) does not help his believer brother even after having capacity to do so, Allah will send a large serpent named `Ajar in his grave, who will keep biting at his fingers". In another narration it is stated that the serpent will keep on biting his fingers even though his sin will have been forgiven.Do people who are drowned or are hanged have to face the Squeeze in the Grave?
Shaikh Kulaini narrates from Yunus who says that once Imam Ali-ar-Reza (A.S.) was asked whether a person who is hanged also faces squeezing. (In the olden days it was a custom that when a person was hanged, his body was not brought down from the gallows, but was kept hanging there. As in the case of Zaid bin Ali bin Husain (A.S.), he lay in that manner for three years). Imam Reza (A.S.) answered, "Yes, they too shall face it, because Allah (who has power over all things) orders the wind to squeeze him as the earth does". Imam Ja'far-as-Sadiq (A.S.) says that, "Verily the Lord of the earth and the wind is One and the same, He commands the wind to squeeze the dead man, and this squeezing is more painful than the squeezing by the earth". In the same manner those who are drowned or are killed and eaten up by the beasts have to face the squeezing. Not offering thanks to Allah for His blessings and denying them, is also one of the causes of the squeeze in the grave (Fisbare Qabr).
| FISHARE QABAR (NARROWNESS OF AN SQUEEZING IN THE GRAVE | for everyone |
This event is so horrifying, that it makes a person shiver with fright in this very world. Amirul Mo'meneen Ali (A.S.) says: "O the servants of Allah! The state in the grave of a person whose sins are not forgiven is more horrifying than death itself. Fear it's (grave's) narrowness, it's squeezing, it's imprisonment, and it's loneliness. Verily the grave calls out daily: I am the house of loneliness, of terror and worms. Grave is like a garden of Paradise for a good doer, while it is like a dungeon of hell for the evil doer. Allah tells His enemies that He will send ninety nine serpents in their graves, who will tear their flesh and smash their bones, and this punishment will continue till the outbreak of Qayamat. if one of the serpents exhales toward this earth, all plants and trees will be destroyed. O servants of Allah! Your souls are tender, and your bodies delicate, you cannot confront any ordinary serpent of this world, how then will you face them". It is related that Imam Ja'far-as-Sadiq (A.S.) used to get up daily in the middle of the night and call out in a loud voice so that everyone in the house could hear, and would say:
One of his (A.S)'s Supplication (Du'a) is also stated:
اللهم اعني على هول المطلع ووسع على ضيق المضجع وارزقني
ما قبل الموت وارزقني خير ما بعد الموت
One of his (A.S)'s Supplication (Du'a) is also stated:
اللهم بارك لي في الموت اللهم أعني على سكرات الموت اللهم أعني على غم القبر اللهم أعني على ضيق القبر اللهم أعني على وحشة القبر اللهم زوجني من الحور العين.
| DEEDS - BENEFICIAL FOR WARDING OFF FEAR OF THE GRAVE | for everyone |
One of them is performing Ruku' with entire recitation. Imam Mohammad-al-Baqir (A.S.) says, that a person reciting entire recitation of Ruku' in Namaz will be saved from the fear of the grave. And one who recites.
In every Rak'at after Surah-al-Hamd recite three times Surah-al-Qadr and twelve times Surah-an-Naas. After Salaam recite seventy times:
Give glad tidings to your Shi'ahs that their death will be eased, and they will be saved from the terror of the grave and Qayamat".
لااله الاالله الملك الحق المبين
100 times daily, will be saved from anxiety in the grave, will become prosperous, and the doors of Paradise will be opened for him. It is also related that the person who recites Surah-al-Yaseen before going to bed, and the following Namaz (Namaze Lay latur Raghaib), he will be saved from the terror of the grave. The first night of the month of Rajab is known as Laylatur Raghaib.The Holy Prophet Mohammad (S.A.W.S.) used to fast on the first thursday of the month of Rajab, and between Maghrib and Isha Prayers recite twelve Rak'at Namaz (in Si sets of two units) as under:In every Rak'at after Surah-al-Hamd recite three times Surah-al-Qadr and twelve times Surah-an-Naas. After Salaam recite seventy times:
اللهم صل على محمد النبي الامي وعلى اله
Then go into prostration (Sajdah) and say seventy times:
سبوح قدوس رب الملائكة والروح
Then sit erect and say seventy times:
رب اغفر وارحم وتجاوز عما تعلم انك انت العلي الا عظم
Then again go into Sajdah and say seventy times:
سبوح قدوس رب الملائكة والروح
It has been related that a person who fasts for twelve days in the month of Sha'ban, Allah will send seventy thousand Angels daily to his grave. And if a person visits an ailing man, Allah appoints an Angel for him who accompanies him in his grave till Qayamat.Abu Sa'eed Khudri says, that he heard the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.S) telling Amirul Mo'mineen Ali (A.S.), "O Ali!Give glad tidings to your Shi'ahs that their death will be eased, and they will be saved from the terror of the grave and Qayamat".
(source book:Shaikh Abbas bin Mohammad Reza Al-Qummi)
| QABAR (THE GRAVE) | for everyone |
THE GRAVE (QABR)
Terror of the Grave
It is quoted in Man La Yahzaruhul Faqih, that when a dead body is brought for burial, it should not be buried immediately. For there is no doubt that the terror of the grave horrifies the dead person, and he seeks refuge from Allah's wrath. The dead body should be laid to rest for sometime far from the grave, so that it prepares itself, and gets accustomed to it. Again one should stop and then take it to the grave. Allamah Majlisi while commenting on the above, says that even though the spirit is separated from the body, it is still maintains relation with it, and remains somewhat attached to it. The darkness and loneliness, questioning by 'Munkir and Nakeer', Squeezing in the grave (Fishar), and the chastisement in hell are some of the frightful stages. Hence it is necessary for man to take lessons from a dead man's state, and reflect upon it, because one day he himself will have to pass through these stages. Yunus narrates that one day he asked Imam Moosa al-Kazim (A.S.) that, "Whenever I think about the door of a house, the house becomes narrow in my sight, why is it so"? Imam (A.S.) replied, "It is so because whenever you take a dead body for burial, you should lay it to rest for sometime near the grave, so that the dead person may ready itself to enter there in, and collect strength to answer the questions of 'Munkir' and Nakeer"'.Bara bin Azib, one of the companions (Ashab) of the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.S) says that one day I was in the presence of the Prophet, when we saw a group of people gathered. The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.S) asked them as to why they had gathered? They replied that they had gathered to dig a grave. As soon as the Prophet heard the name of the grave, he hurried towards it and sat on one side of the grave. I sat on the other side facing him so as to get a clear view of what he did. I saw that the Prophet (S.A.W.S) started weeping bitterly so much so that his face became wet, then he looked at us and said, "O my brothers! Prepare yourselves for this house".
Shaikh Bahai says that at times he saw many kings and rulers regretting their sins and wailing over their lives while dying. The Shaikh asked one such person who was about to die as to what was the reason for such regret. The dying king replied, "What do you have to say about the person who is proceeding for a journey without having gathered any provisions for it, and devoid of a helpful companion. He is stopped on the way in a horrifying grave, to be produced later before the Almighty Ruler, without having any goodness in store".
Allamah Qutubuddin Rawandi says, that after the death of Hazrat Maryam (A.S.), her son Prophet Isa (A.S.) called her, "0 mother! Please speak to me, and tell me whether you are desirous of returning back to this world". Hazrat Maryam (A.S.) answered, "Yes, I desire to return back, so that during the cold winter nights I could recite Namaz, and during the hot summer days I could fast. 0 my dear! Verily the way to the hereafter is very difficult."
It is narrated that when the last moments of Hazrat Fatema (A.S.) neared, She called Amirul Mo'meneen Ali (A.S.) and said, "When I die, you bathe me, shroud me, pray Namaz over my dead body, and bury me. When you do so, sit near my grave for sometime and recite the Holy Qur'an, and pray for my forgiveness. For verily after death the dead person relies totally on the prayers (dua's) and affection of the living ones".
When Hazrat Fatema binte Asad (the mother of Hazrat Ali) died, Amirul Mo'meneen (A.S.) came weeping to the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.S) and gave Him the new of her death. The Prophet was grieved and said, "My mother has died". History bears witness that she had brought up the Prophet affectionately like a mother. The Prophet (S .A.W. S) gave her his own gown for the shroud (Kafan), and Himself lay in the grave for sometime before burying her. After burying her, he stood near the grave and called out: "Your son, your son, not Aqeel, nor Ja'far". People were surprised and asked him the reason for uttering these words. The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.S) replied that, "One day we were discussing about Qayamat, and I said that on that day people will be coming out of their graves in a state of nakedness. My aunt (Fatema binte Asad) started crying, so I assured her that I would give her my own gown for shroud, so she would not have to face that humiliation. She was scared of the squeeze in the grave (Fishare Qabr), so I lay myself in her grave so as to save her from this too. After burying her, Munkir & Nakeer came to question her. They asked her about her Lord, she replied that Almighty Allah was her Lord. Then they asked her about Prophet hood (Nabuwwah), she bore testimony that I was Allah's Apostle. But when they questioned her about her Imam, she was a bit confused. Hence I called out to her that "Your son, your son, not Aqeel nor Ja'far (but Ali)". Fatema binte Asad was a distinguished lady, who had the honour of giving birth to a son like Ali (A.S.), and herself remaining in the Ka'bah for three days as Allah's guest. She was the second woman who accepted the Prophet hood of the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.S) the first being Hazrat Khadija (A.S.) even then she was fearful of the hereafter and wept. And we being sinful have forgotten our end, and do not take account of our deeds, but are averse to the terror of the hereafter.
Sayyed ibne Tawoos relates from the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.S) that he said that the first night is the most fearful and difficult for the dead person, hence give Sadqa for his safety. If you do not have to give anything as 'Sadqa' then recite two unit (Rak'at) Namaz: In the first Rak'at after Surah-al-Hamd recite twice Surah-at-Tawheed, and in the second Rak'at after Surah-al-Hamd recite ten times Surah-at-Takasur. After finishing the Namaz recite the following dua:
Allah will immediately send one thousand Angels to the grave of the dead person with attires of Paradise, and expand his grave till Qayamat. And for the one who recites this Namaz, Allah will offer him great rewards and exalt his position forty times.
The other Namaz to be recited on the first night of burial is as follows: Two Rak'at Namaz is to be recited, in the first Rak'at after Surah-al-Hamd recite once Ayatal Kursi, and in the second Rak'at after Surah-al-Hamd recite ten times surah-al-Qadr. After finishing Namaz say:
اللهم صل على محمد وال محمد وابعث ثوابها الى قبر فلان
(here take the name of the deceased person).My teacher Allamah Mirza Husain Noori (may Allah exalt his position) quotes in his book Darus Salaam from his teacher Haj Fath Ali Sultanabadi that he said: It was my routine that whenever I heard about the death of follower (Shi'ah) of Ahlulbait (A.S.), whether known or unknown to me, I recited (the above stated) Namaz, and this was not known to anyone else except my self. One day I met one of my friends who told me that the previous night he saw in a dream a Shi'ah who had died some days ago. My friend asked him as to how his state was. He replied that he was in deep trouble facing the consequences of his deeds, till one so and so (he took my name) person recited Namaz for him. He said that, "May Allah bless his father, he rescued me from severe chastisement". My friend asked me regarding the Namaz and I had to tell him.(source book: Shaikh Abbas bin Mohammad Reza Al-Qummi)
| Sakarat: - Relating to the removal of the Spirit and it's hardships | for everyone |
S A K A R A T
And the stupor of death will come in truth, that is what you were trying of escape". (Surah-al-Qaf : 19). This stage is full of difficulties & troubles. On one hand a man feels pain, his tongue turns motionless, his bodily components cease to function, while on the other hand weeping & wailing of relatives, grief of their separation, orphaning of children, and the sorrow of leaving behind hardly earned wealth and enormous property for others to feast upon. The wealth which was sometimes gathered by usurpation or through illicit means. The dying man remembers his sins and regrets, but alas, the time (to repent) has passed and accounts closed. Amirul Mo'meneen (A.S.) says, "He (the dying person) regrets over his wealth which he gathered bearing hardships, and now he is being separated from it, leaving it to be feasted upon by his inheritors. His hard earned wealth is left for the use of others." The dying person feels scared, for he is about to enter an unknown & unexplored world, and is all the more freighted when he witnesses those things which are totally new to him. The Holy Qur'an says, "Certainly you were heedless of it, but now we have removed from you your veil, so your sight today is sharp". (Surah-al-Qaf: 22) He feels the presence of Angels around him and wonders about what is in store for him. It has been narrated in traditions (Ahadees) that at the time of death, the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.S.) and the Holy Aimmah (A.S.) come near the head of the dying person, who is able to see them. It is narrated in third volume of 'Bihar-al-Anwar' that once Imam Ali-ar-Reza (A.S.) went to meet one of his companions (sahabi) who was about to die. He looked towards the Imam (A.S.) and said, "I see the radiant faces of your Grandfather (the Holy Prophet), Your Father (the Commander of the faithful), Your Mother (Hazrat Fatema), and the other Imams in Your Ancestry. I also see your luminous face along with them". It is a fact that every dying man has a glimpse of the Aimmah (A.S.), according to his love for and knowledge of them. For a believer (mo'min) their sight is a blessing from Allah, and for a hypocrite (munafiq) and disbeliever it is a sign of Allah's wrath. In the Salutation (Ziarat) of Amirul Mo'meneen Ali (A.S.) we utter these words:
السلام على نعمة الله على الأبرار ونقمة الله على الجبار
The dying man is confused, because on one hand satan (shaitaan) with his companions tries hard to spoil his faith (Eeman), and on the other hand the thought of the arrival of the Angel of death makes him all the more puzzled. He wonders as to in what state would he (the Angel of death) come and how would his spirit be removed. The Commander of the faithful Ali (A.S.) says, "And when the signs of death approaches, he knows not what will befall him."Shaikh Kulaini narrates from Imam Ja'far-as-Sadiq (A.S.) who said that once Hazrat Ali (;A.S.) was suffering from the ailment of the eye. The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.S.) came to inquire about his health. He saw that Ali (A.S.) was in intense pain and was restless because of it. The Prophet asked him, "Is this anxiety the outcome of the ailment"? Hazrat Ali (A.S.) replied that, "I had never witnessed such a pain before". The Holy Prophet (to console him) said "O Ali! when the Angel of death comes to take the spirit of the disbeliever,he brings along with him a club of fire, by which he removes his spirit and the flames of hell scream at the dying man". The Commander of the believers sat upright and said, "O Prophet! Please explain to me the tradition (hadees), for I do not fell the pain anymore. Will the spirit of anyone from among your ummat be removed in the same manner"? The Holy Prophet replied, 'Yes, three types of persons from among my ummat too will be subjected to this punishment (1) An oppressive (Zalim) ruler, (2) Those who unjustly usurp the rights of orphans, and (3) The bearer of false witness".
Man due to difficulty or ease during death also sees the effects of his good or bad deeds which he committed. There are also some who turn apostates during death due to some of their bad deeds. "Then evil was the end of those who did evil, because they rejected the communications of Allah and used to mock them". (Surah-ar-Room : 10) It has also been narrated that during death (sakarat) or afterwards, the following persons should not be near the dying man: a woman in menses (Haiz) or Istahaza (irregular period), and a polluted (Junoob) person, because the Blessed Angels go away and the dying man falls in trouble. Shaikh Sadooq in his book Ilalush Sharaye' quotes Imam Ja'far-as-Sadiq (A.S.) as saying, that woman in menses (Haiz) or a polluted person (Junoob) should not remain near the dying person, because the Angels feel disgusted because of it and go away.
In the book 'Darus Salaam', the great scholar Sayyed Murtaza Najafi quotes: Once an extreme epidemic broke in Iraq and Arabia. I was seated in the courtyard of the Shrine of the Commander of the faithful Ali (A.S.) with a distinguished Scholar (Aalim) Sayyed Mohammad Baqir Qazwini. He was distributing work for serving the effected people among us, when we saw a youth who was standing in the last rank and was struggling to come near the Sayyed, but could not do so because of immense crowd Suddenly he started wailing aloud, the Sayyed looked at him and told me to inquire the matter from him. I went to him and asked him the reason for weeping. He replied, "I desire that if I die in the epidemic, the Sayyed should recite the Prayer (Namaze Mayyit) over my dead body individually and not combined as he does (due to many deaths in the epidemic). I returned to the Sayyed and narrated the matter to him. He promised to fulfill his desire. Next day we saw an infant child who came crying to us. When we inquired of him he answered that he was the son of the youth who had come us yesterday with a desire. lie told us that he had become the victim of epidemic and was about to die, and he was desirous of meeting the Sayyed. Some of us accompanied Sayyed Mohammad Baqir to meet the dying man. On the way we met a pious man who was coming out of his house. When he saw us he saluted saluted us, and asked us, as to where we were going. We answered that we were going to visit a believer who was in his last moments. With permission he accompanied us in order to share the reward (sawab). When we came to the house, Sayyed Mohammad Baqir entered the room first, then one after the other we entered there in. The dying man was pleased and signalled us to sit. As soon as the pious man who had met us on the way entered, the dying man's colour changed. His face turned pale and in rage signalled him to go away. He became restless as if some trouble had befallen him. We were all the more surprised when we learnt that the dying man did not even know him, whom we could assume to be his enemy. The man excused himself and went out but returned back after sometime. This time when he entered, the dying person was pleased and welcomed him. After sometime we took permission to leave. On the way we asked the pious man the reason for the sudden change in the attitude of the dying man. He replied that he was in the state of pollution (Junoob), and was leaving his house with the intention of performing ceremonial bath (Ghusle janabat) in the public bath. He met us on the way, and not wanting to miss the opportunity of performing this noble task accompanied us. He said that when he first entered the house and saw the dying man's restlessness, he understood and left. To make himself sure he returned back after having performed the ceremonial bath (Ghusle Janabat). He concluded that the dying man had come to know about his impurity because the blessed Angels had left him and he felt immense pain. (Khazeenatul Jawaher)
| LOVE OF WORLD AND FRIENDSHIP WITH DEATH | for everyone |
Love of world:
Hatred towards death and love of the world is the outcome of an ignorant person's mind, who thinks that the happiness of this world is his prosperity and good fortune. The world sated with numerous troubles and anxieties is out to end in misery & does not enjoy eternity, perpetuity and sincerity. A poet has referred to this in the following words - "Do not give your heart to this world, for it's example is of an unfaithful bride who has never loved you, even for a night". The Holy Qur'an says that the love of this world is one of the characteristics of the disbelievers." (the disbelievers) are pleased with this world's life and are content with it". (Surah -Yunus : 71) In another place it is stated. "Are you contended with the life of this world instead of the Hereafter" (Surah-al-Bara'at : 38). For the jews it is said. " (Every one of them loves that he should be granted a life of a thousand years" (Surah-a1-Baqarah : 96) There are many traditions detesting the love of world. The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.S.) says, "Verily the love of this world is the root--cause of every evil".
Friendship with death:
It is of utmost importance that man should hold death dear and consider it an opportunity of meeting with his Almighty, and not hate it and consider it as evil, but should take lessons from it. He should ask forgiveness from Allah for his sins and tame the rebellious self (nafs). When the call of his Lord comes, he should welcome it with open arms accepting it to be a blessing from Allah. He should be contented with the decree (Qadr) of Allah. He should also rejoice that shortly he would be taken to the presence of Ahlulbait (A.S.) and meet his deceased companions and other believer brothers. He should also not be disheartened by the delay in death but should consider it as an opportunity afforded by Allah to him to repent. This delay would give him a chance to gather provisions useful for his journey to the other world, for the journey is tiresome and full of dangerous valleys & difficult paths.
Hatred towards death and love of the world is the outcome of an ignorant person's mind, who thinks that the happiness of this world is his prosperity and good fortune. The world sated with numerous troubles and anxieties is out to end in misery & does not enjoy eternity, perpetuity and sincerity. A poet has referred to this in the following words - "Do not give your heart to this world, for it's example is of an unfaithful bride who has never loved you, even for a night". The Holy Qur'an says that the love of this world is one of the characteristics of the disbelievers." (the disbelievers) are pleased with this world's life and are content with it". (Surah -Yunus : 71) In another place it is stated. "Are you contended with the life of this world instead of the Hereafter" (Surah-al-Bara'at : 38). For the jews it is said. " (Every one of them loves that he should be granted a life of a thousand years" (Surah-a1-Baqarah : 96) There are many traditions detesting the love of world. The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.S.) says, "Verily the love of this world is the root--cause of every evil".
Friendship with death:
It is of utmost importance that man should hold death dear and consider it an opportunity of meeting with his Almighty, and not hate it and consider it as evil, but should take lessons from it. He should ask forgiveness from Allah for his sins and tame the rebellious self (nafs). When the call of his Lord comes, he should welcome it with open arms accepting it to be a blessing from Allah. He should be contented with the decree (Qadr) of Allah. He should also rejoice that shortly he would be taken to the presence of Ahlulbait (A.S.) and meet his deceased companions and other believer brothers. He should also not be disheartened by the delay in death but should consider it as an opportunity afforded by Allah to him to repent. This delay would give him a chance to gather provisions useful for his journey to the other world, for the journey is tiresome and full of dangerous valleys & difficult paths.
| DEATH - DON'T FORGET-5 | for everyone |
It is related that Imam Ja'far -as-Sadiq (A.S.) had a slave. Wherever the Imam went, he accompanied Him. And when Imam (A.S.) went to the Mosque, he would look after His mule. One day the slave was sitting at the door of the Mosque catching hold of the mule, when there came some travellers from Khurasan. One of them said, "O slave ! will you plead to your master Imam Sadiq (A.S.) to accept me as His slave in your stead, and we shall surely pay you for this". The slave replied, "Yes I shall plead for you and talk to my Master". He then went to the presence of Imam Ja'far-as-Sadiq (A.S.) and said, "O Master! May my life be your ransom. You are well aware of my services to you. If ever Allah gives me an opportunity of acquiring wealth, will you stop me from it"? Imam (A.S.) said, "I myself will give you that much wealth, but will not let you ask from anyone else". The slave then narrated the talk he had with the traveller from Khurasan. Imam (A.S.) heard it and said, "If you do not like living with me, I give you liberty to go, and accept him in your stead". After hearing these words, the slave turned his back and started going. Imam Sadiq (A.S.) called him back and said, "In exchange of your services, I would like to counsel you, which will benefit you. When the day of Qayamat comes, the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.S.) will be connected to Allah by His light. And Ali (A.S.) will be joined together with the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.S.), and we (the Aimmah) will be attached to him (A.S.), and Our Shi'ahs in turn will be attached to Us. Wherever we go, Our Shi'ahs will be alongside Us". When the slave heard this, he said, "O Master! I will never leave you and go, and will not exalt this world over the hereafter". The slave then returned to the Khurasani man and he asked him, "O slave! What has happened, for you went to the Imam in a good mood, while you have returned with a sad face"? The slave narrated the whole incident and took him to the presence of Imam (A.S.). Imam Ja'far-as Sadiq (A.S.) accepted his friendship, and requested him to give one thousand Ashrafis to His slave.
| DEATH - DON'T FORGET-4 | for everyone |
This is narrative of a person who was being blessed by Allah. But when the time of trials and tribulations came, he became ungrateful and left the door of the True giver of blessings, and went to the door of others, the deed which was not worthy. This incident has been quoted by Shaikh Bahai in his book Kashkol. A worshiper was passing his days in a cave on one of the mountains of Lebanon, like the people of Kahf. He had estranged himself from everyone except Allah, and he considered solitude to be the best treasure of his honour. He fasted during the day, and at night he got a loaf of bread, half of which he ate at the evening during 'Iftaar', while the other half during 'Sehar'. And this moderation had made his heart contented, He passed his days in such a state. He was never ready to leave the mountains and go to the town. It so happened that one night he did not get the bread to eat, and so he became weak and exshauted. He recited the evening prayers with difficulty for his mind was eager for food. Because of hunger he could neither pray nor sleep. When it dawned, the worshipper left the mountain and went to a nearby town whose inhabitants were fire worshippers and searched for food. He knocked at the door of a fire-worshipper and he gave him tow breads. He thanked him and left for the mountain. At the house of the fire-worshipper there was a dog whose bones and veins were visible due to starvation. The dog seemed quite hungry. When the dog saw the worshipper going with the bread, it ran after him and caught hold of his shirt. The worshipper was scared, and in order to save himself from the dog's bite, threw a bread at it. The dog ate the bread and again ran after him. The worshipper was all the more scared and threw the second bread towards it. After eating the bread, the dog again ran after him. It started barking and tore his clothes. When the worshipper saw this, he turned towards the dog and said, " I have never seen a more ungrateful creature than you. Your master gave me two breads only, which you wretched soul snatched away from me. Why do you now run after me tearing my clothes". The dog relied, ".O pious man ! I am not ungrateful nor shameless, it is you who are so. Since my childhood I have been living with this fire-worshipper, and look after his cattle. Sometimes he gives me bread, while sometimes a handful of bones. Sometimes he forgets to feed me and I thing to eat. And many times this man himself does not have anything to eat I do not go to any other door, for I have grown up here and have got refuge. Whenever I am fed, I offer thanks, and when I have to remain hungry, I bear patiently (and do not grumble at my master). This is my habit. While when you did not get food for one night, the foundation of your patience broke. You left the door of the `True Sustainer', and came begging to the door of His enemy. You left your Lord for the sake of a morsel of food. O wise man ! Now you judge as to who is ungrateful and shameless, yourself or me"? When the worshipper heard these words. he deplored himself and repented.
| DEATH - DON'T FORGET-3 | for everyone |
The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.S.) says, "know that every man will return towards the deeds which he performed ( when alive), and will repent upon those that he left behind (unperformed)'
it is written in Amali' of Shaikh Mufeed and Tareekhe Baghdadi', that Imam Ali (A.S.) once saw Prophet Khizr (A.S.) in a dream and asked for His advise. Khizr turned His palm towards Him on which was written: you were a corpse, and Allah gave you life, and very soon you will turn into a corpse. Start building a home for the eternal world, and do not get engrossed in (preparing) the house of this world".
It is related that once there was an intelligent, wise and a kind king. He was dedicated to the well-being of his subjects and always inquired about their affairs. His vizier was also concerned about the people's welfare and assisted the king in this deed. Both of them were friendly towards one another and shared their views. The vizier remained busy in serving the scholars and virtuous men. He listened to their wise words and was ready to sacrifice his life for them. His heart was always inclined towards the abandonment of this world and it's vanishes. But for fear and of the king, he kept it in his heart and worshipped the idols to please the king, so that he would not harm him.He remained worried about the king's deviation and error, inspite of his kindness and mercy. He was always on look to get an opportunity to guide the king towards the right. One night when everyone slept, the king told his vizier, ".Come, we shall ride to the town and see in what state are my subjects living. "The vizier replied that it was a good idea. Both of them mounted and started going around the town. During their stroll they passed from near a garbage place and saw a light coming out of it. The king told the vizier, "We should follow this light and see as to what's happening inside". They came down from their mount and went to that place. When they, peeped inside the crevice, they saw an ugly and indigent man wearing dirty clothes sitting inside reclining on the garbage. He was beating a drum and in front of him was kept a glass of wine. An ugly woman wearing soiled clothes was standing opposite him. When the man asked for wine she served it, and when he played the drum she danced. When he drank wine, the woman praised him in a manner as people praise the kings. He too praised the woman and called her 'Sayyedatun Nisa' (Mistress of the women). They were glorifying each other's beauty and spending a life of peace and happiness. The king and his vizier stood there for some time and saw what they did . They were surprised at these two who were happy even though living a degraded and debase life. They returned back, and the king asked, Did you see them how happy they are, inspite of being in such a dirty condiction. Our happiness when compared to their's is nothing. And I think that they always remain like that . When the Vizier head these words from the mouth of the king , he found the time appropriate to advise and said King , In the eyes of those who recognize the True King , this world and it's luxuries are equal to this garbage place . The palaces and castle which we built bearing hardships, are equal to the ugly faces of these two whom we just saw. And the comforts and pleasures of this perishable world ( in their eyes) are like these two's rejoicing at no true happiness. The King asked the Vizier as to whether he knew such people . The Vizier replied, yes, I do know them. The king asked as to who there were and where they lived? The Vizier replied, They are those people who love the religion of Allah , and aware of the kingdom of the hereafter and it's bliss. They always remain eager for the felicity of the hereafter. The king then asked him as to what is the hereafter? He replied, It is a place of place and contentment, where there shall be no troubles and anxieties. It is such a wealth after which a person does not remain dependent of anyone. Then he briefed the king about the characteristics of the hereafter. The king heard his words and said, "Do you know the way and means to acquire this felicity"? The Vizier replied, "Yes, it is for those who strive to seek this road (to religion and the hereafter)".
The king was impressed and desired to seek the hereafter. He then told the Vizier why he never informed him about it previously nor related it's characteristics? The Vizier said that he was afraid of his kingship and dignity. The king replied, "Whatever characteristics (of the hereafter) you have related to me are not to be ignored. But one should strive to seek them, so that we may be characterised by it's characteristics and succeed", The Vizier said, "O king! If you permit me, I will relate these characteristics in detail to you, so that you may become fully acquainted with them, and your belief may become firm". The king was happy and said, "In fact I order you to do so day and night, so that I may not become engrossed in anything else and become negligent of it. One should not neglect this act, for it is a wonderful and excellent, and we should not avoid such a good duty". Thereafter the Vizier daily advised the king and guided him to the right path.
Here we quote a sermon of Imam Ali (A.S.) as a gift for the believers: "O people ! Beware of this deceitful world, for it has attracted the hearts towards evil by it's elegance and beauty. It has subdued your wishes by false promises. This world is like a woman has adorned herself only for marriage, and due to her beauty deceives men and attracts them towards her. She ultimately kills her husbands with her own hands. So the present people should take lessons from those people in the past who had fallen prey to it, and save themselves from it's conceit".
Imam Ja'far-as-Sadiq (A.S.) says, that once the world came to Prophet Isa (A.S.) in the form of a blue-eyed woman. He asked her as to how many husbands she had? She replied that she had infinite husbands. He then asked her, "Did you divorce all of them "? She replied, "No, rather I ruined them and killed them. Prophet Isa (A.S.) said, "Woe be to those men who shall marry you (who shall be tempted by your allurements), and do not take heed from her earlier husbands (the followers of the world who were ruined by it)". Imam Sadiq (A.S) then said, "Hence Allah has kept it (the world) friends and virtuous servants away from her, and left it for His enemies. Allah was happy to see His Prophet tie a stone on his stomach. Prophet Moosa ate grass, so much that the greenery was seen through his stomach, for his flesh had melted and his skin became thin". In praise of Allah's friends (Awliya) and His Prophets (Ambiya) He (A.S.) says, "Prophets compared this world to a garbage place where the corpses lay, eating of which is not lawful. Hence they never ate to their full, but only ate to extend that they could survive. In the sight of the Prophets it is such a corpse, that a person passing from near it, covers his mouth and nose to save him self from near it's bad odour. Hence they pursued that much that would make them reach their destination and never satiated themselves. The Prophets were astonished at the people who who strived to gather this world and filled the stomachs. The Prophets are pleased with their state, and are happy to be saved from the prosperity of this world. O my brothers ! By Allah ! This world has never been a well-wisher of anyone, in fact it is more dirty and polluted than a corpse. The person who does the job of colouring leather is not troubled by it's bad odour because he is used to it. But a man passing by will be offended by it. The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.S.) says, O men! When you see the people of this world running after it,do not follow them, because they quarrel with one another to seek it. They are barling dogs and are like the small ones.
( Imam Ali (A.S.) says that By Allah! In my eyes,this world is worse than the fleshless bone of a pig given in the hands of a leper. Bone is considered to be the most degraded part of a human body, and that too of a pig, which is in the hands of a leper, both being dirty and unclean than one another.
it is written in Amali' of Shaikh Mufeed and Tareekhe Baghdadi', that Imam Ali (A.S.) once saw Prophet Khizr (A.S.) in a dream and asked for His advise. Khizr turned His palm towards Him on which was written: you were a corpse, and Allah gave you life, and very soon you will turn into a corpse. Start building a home for the eternal world, and do not get engrossed in (preparing) the house of this world".
It is related that once there was an intelligent, wise and a kind king. He was dedicated to the well-being of his subjects and always inquired about their affairs. His vizier was also concerned about the people's welfare and assisted the king in this deed. Both of them were friendly towards one another and shared their views. The vizier remained busy in serving the scholars and virtuous men. He listened to their wise words and was ready to sacrifice his life for them. His heart was always inclined towards the abandonment of this world and it's vanishes. But for fear and of the king, he kept it in his heart and worshipped the idols to please the king, so that he would not harm him.He remained worried about the king's deviation and error, inspite of his kindness and mercy. He was always on look to get an opportunity to guide the king towards the right. One night when everyone slept, the king told his vizier, ".Come, we shall ride to the town and see in what state are my subjects living. "The vizier replied that it was a good idea. Both of them mounted and started going around the town. During their stroll they passed from near a garbage place and saw a light coming out of it. The king told the vizier, "We should follow this light and see as to what's happening inside". They came down from their mount and went to that place. When they, peeped inside the crevice, they saw an ugly and indigent man wearing dirty clothes sitting inside reclining on the garbage. He was beating a drum and in front of him was kept a glass of wine. An ugly woman wearing soiled clothes was standing opposite him. When the man asked for wine she served it, and when he played the drum she danced. When he drank wine, the woman praised him in a manner as people praise the kings. He too praised the woman and called her 'Sayyedatun Nisa' (Mistress of the women). They were glorifying each other's beauty and spending a life of peace and happiness. The king and his vizier stood there for some time and saw what they did . They were surprised at these two who were happy even though living a degraded and debase life. They returned back, and the king asked, Did you see them how happy they are, inspite of being in such a dirty condiction. Our happiness when compared to their's is nothing. And I think that they always remain like that . When the Vizier head these words from the mouth of the king , he found the time appropriate to advise and said King , In the eyes of those who recognize the True King , this world and it's luxuries are equal to this garbage place . The palaces and castle which we built bearing hardships, are equal to the ugly faces of these two whom we just saw. And the comforts and pleasures of this perishable world ( in their eyes) are like these two's rejoicing at no true happiness. The King asked the Vizier as to whether he knew such people . The Vizier replied, yes, I do know them. The king asked as to who there were and where they lived? The Vizier replied, They are those people who love the religion of Allah , and aware of the kingdom of the hereafter and it's bliss. They always remain eager for the felicity of the hereafter. The king then asked him as to what is the hereafter? He replied, It is a place of place and contentment, where there shall be no troubles and anxieties. It is such a wealth after which a person does not remain dependent of anyone. Then he briefed the king about the characteristics of the hereafter. The king heard his words and said, "Do you know the way and means to acquire this felicity"? The Vizier replied, "Yes, it is for those who strive to seek this road (to religion and the hereafter)".
The king was impressed and desired to seek the hereafter. He then told the Vizier why he never informed him about it previously nor related it's characteristics? The Vizier said that he was afraid of his kingship and dignity. The king replied, "Whatever characteristics (of the hereafter) you have related to me are not to be ignored. But one should strive to seek them, so that we may be characterised by it's characteristics and succeed", The Vizier said, "O king! If you permit me, I will relate these characteristics in detail to you, so that you may become fully acquainted with them, and your belief may become firm". The king was happy and said, "In fact I order you to do so day and night, so that I may not become engrossed in anything else and become negligent of it. One should not neglect this act, for it is a wonderful and excellent, and we should not avoid such a good duty". Thereafter the Vizier daily advised the king and guided him to the right path.
Here we quote a sermon of Imam Ali (A.S.) as a gift for the believers: "O people ! Beware of this deceitful world, for it has attracted the hearts towards evil by it's elegance and beauty. It has subdued your wishes by false promises. This world is like a woman has adorned herself only for marriage, and due to her beauty deceives men and attracts them towards her. She ultimately kills her husbands with her own hands. So the present people should take lessons from those people in the past who had fallen prey to it, and save themselves from it's conceit".
Imam Ja'far-as-Sadiq (A.S.) says, that once the world came to Prophet Isa (A.S.) in the form of a blue-eyed woman. He asked her as to how many husbands she had? She replied that she had infinite husbands. He then asked her, "Did you divorce all of them "? She replied, "No, rather I ruined them and killed them. Prophet Isa (A.S.) said, "Woe be to those men who shall marry you (who shall be tempted by your allurements), and do not take heed from her earlier husbands (the followers of the world who were ruined by it)". Imam Sadiq (A.S) then said, "Hence Allah has kept it (the world) friends and virtuous servants away from her, and left it for His enemies. Allah was happy to see His Prophet tie a stone on his stomach. Prophet Moosa ate grass, so much that the greenery was seen through his stomach, for his flesh had melted and his skin became thin". In praise of Allah's friends (Awliya) and His Prophets (Ambiya) He (A.S.) says, "Prophets compared this world to a garbage place where the corpses lay, eating of which is not lawful. Hence they never ate to their full, but only ate to extend that they could survive. In the sight of the Prophets it is such a corpse, that a person passing from near it, covers his mouth and nose to save him self from near it's bad odour. Hence they pursued that much that would make them reach their destination and never satiated themselves. The Prophets were astonished at the people who who strived to gather this world and filled the stomachs. The Prophets are pleased with their state, and are happy to be saved from the prosperity of this world. O my brothers ! By Allah ! This world has never been a well-wisher of anyone, in fact it is more dirty and polluted than a corpse. The person who does the job of colouring leather is not troubled by it's bad odour because he is used to it. But a man passing by will be offended by it. The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.S.) says, O men! When you see the people of this world running after it,do not follow them, because they quarrel with one another to seek it. They are barling dogs and are like the small ones.
( Imam Ali (A.S.) says that By Allah! In my eyes,this world is worse than the fleshless bone of a pig given in the hands of a leper. Bone is considered to be the most degraded part of a human body, and that too of a pig, which is in the hands of a leper, both being dirty and unclean than one another.
| DEATH - DON'T FORGET-2 | for everyone |
This is regarding those people who love this world, but thereafter are deceived by it. Bilohar says, that there a town in which people had the habit of getting hold of a traveller (who would be totally knew there and unaware of their conditions), and make him the king. The king would be under the impression that he would rule over them all over his life. After exactly one year they would strip him off his belongings, and clothes and banish him empty handed from the town. The king would then roam alone hungry and thirsty and surrounded by miseries, lamenting; upon his misfortunes.
One day a traveller entered the town, as usual the people caught hold of him and made him the king. The person due to his acuteness and talent concluded that he was totally unaware of their conditions and habits, and was a stranger. Hence he should not rely on them and attach himself to them. He called a wise man from that town and came to know of the people's intentions. He asked him about how would the people treat him. The man said that after one year they would banish him empty- handed and ruin him. Hence he counselled him, "Beware, and during this period (of your kingship) gather whatever provisions you can, and keep it at that place where they shall banish you. So that after they do as in tented, you do not have to regret, and can live a contented life". The king followed the person's advise. After one year the people banished him (as was their habit), and sent him to that place. But because he had gathered provisions there, he was saved from ruination.
Allah says in the Qur'an: "And whoever does good, they prepare (good) for their own souls". (Surah-ar-Room: 44)
Imam Ja'far-as-Sadiq (A.S.) says, that the good deeds of a person enters Paradise long before him, and prepares a house for him there. Imam Ali (A.S.) says, "O son of Adam! Master your rebellious self, and spend your wealth in a way which would benefit you even after your death, when you will have no wealth left".
One day a traveller entered the town, as usual the people caught hold of him and made him the king. The person due to his acuteness and talent concluded that he was totally unaware of their conditions and habits, and was a stranger. Hence he should not rely on them and attach himself to them. He called a wise man from that town and came to know of the people's intentions. He asked him about how would the people treat him. The man said that after one year they would banish him empty- handed and ruin him. Hence he counselled him, "Beware, and during this period (of your kingship) gather whatever provisions you can, and keep it at that place where they shall banish you. So that after they do as in tented, you do not have to regret, and can live a contented life". The king followed the person's advise. After one year the people banished him (as was their habit), and sent him to that place. But because he had gathered provisions there, he was saved from ruination.
Allah says in the Qur'an: "And whoever does good, they prepare (good) for their own souls". (Surah-ar-Room: 44)
Imam Ja'far-as-Sadiq (A.S.) says, that the good deeds of a person enters Paradise long before him, and prepares a house for him there. Imam Ali (A.S.) says, "O son of Adam! Master your rebellious self, and spend your wealth in a way which would benefit you even after your death, when you will have no wealth left".
| DEATH - DON'T FORGET-1 | for everyone |
Bilohar says, that once a man was passing through a forest, when a wild elephant attacked him . The man was scared and started running, while the elephant also chased him. When the man saw that the elephant had neared him, he became disheartened (and lost hope of surviving). Suddenly his eyes fell on a nearby well, wherein the branches of a nearby tree were hanging in it. He caught hold of it and hung in the well. When he looked at the branches, he saw that two huge rats (one white and other black) were cutting at the stems speedily. When he looked towards the feet, he saw four serpents coming out of their holes. While when he looked inside the well, he saw that a large python was ready to swallow him, with it's mouth wide open. Again when he looked on top, he saw a branch filled with honey. The sweetness and saviour of the honey made him negligent about the danger of the pythons who could devour him any moment. The well (referred herein) in the world which is full of miseries and misfortunes. The branches being the life of man and the two rats being the days and nights which reduce a man's age. The four serpents are the four elements by which a man is created, viz. wind, bill, phlegm, and blood. Man is unaware of these and does not know as to which of these four would become the cause of his death. The huge pythone is death which is always prepared to devout man, while the branch full of honey are the pleasures and luxuries of this world (which man sucks negligently). This is the best example of a man remaining engrossed in the fancies of this world and being careless of death and the hereafter.
It is related from Imam Ali (A.S.) that once He was passing through the market of Basra and the saw some people busy in buying and selling. He started weeping and turned towards them and said, "O slaves of the word ! And to the kings of this world You are spending your days in false swearing, interest- eating, and sleeping a sound sleep at night. And these pleasures have made you forget the hereafter. when will you gather provisions for the journey, and when will you start thinking about the hereafter"?
The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.S.) says: "Those people who have become forty years of age, are like crops whose time of harvesting has neared. Those who become fifty years of age hear a voice calling out : What good deeds have you sent forth before you, and what are you leaving behind you? Those who reach sixty years of age are ordered to become ready for accounting in Qayamat, and those who become seventy years of age hear a voice calling out: Count yourself among the death".
It is related in traditions that a cock calls out daily: O negligent ones ! Take the name of your Lord and remember Him.
It is related from Imam Ali (A.S.) that once He was passing through the market of Basra and the saw some people busy in buying and selling. He started weeping and turned towards them and said, "O slaves of the word ! And to the kings of this world You are spending your days in false swearing, interest- eating, and sleeping a sound sleep at night. And these pleasures have made you forget the hereafter. when will you gather provisions for the journey, and when will you start thinking about the hereafter"?
The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.S.) says: "Those people who have become forty years of age, are like crops whose time of harvesting has neared. Those who become fifty years of age hear a voice calling out : What good deeds have you sent forth before you, and what are you leaving behind you? Those who reach sixty years of age are ordered to become ready for accounting in Qayamat, and those who become seventy years of age hear a voice calling out: Count yourself among the death".
It is related in traditions that a cock calls out daily: O negligent ones ! Take the name of your Lord and remember Him.
| Islamic interpretations of Precious Gemstones... | for everyone |
1. Aqeeq (Cornelio or agate):
These are available in several colours: white, milky white, yellow, green, black, red, grey,
liver colour and many others. The best are the liver colour from Yemen, which are difficult
to obtain and expensive. It has great religious significance and for a Shia it is a must.
liver colour and many others. The best are the liver colour from Yemen, which are difficult
to obtain and expensive. It has great religious significance and for a Shia it is a must.
The benefit of Aqeeq is that it creates joy in the heart, is good for eyesight and it helps
illuminate sadness and anger. It is also revered in other religious and has been in use from
the time of Hazrat Adam (a.s.). It absorbs the rays of the sun and passes these onto the
body and is good for health. Black Aqeeq protects children from envious eyes.
illuminate sadness and anger. It is also revered in other religious and has been in use from
the time of Hazrat Adam (a.s.). It absorbs the rays of the sun and passes these onto the
body and is good for health. Black Aqeeq protects children from envious eyes.
Hazrat Imam Jaffer as-Sadiq (a.s.) has said that a namaz with Aqeeq is 40 times better
than one without it. It is also great thawaab to use tasbeeh of aqeeq as said by
Hazrat Imam Musa e Kazim (a.s.)
2. Firoza (Turquoise):
than one without it. It is also great thawaab to use tasbeeh of aqeeq as said by
Hazrat Imam Musa e Kazim (a.s.)
2. Firoza (Turquoise):
It is said that Firoza helps to create joy in the heart, helps improving eyesight, brain
and the heart. The Ancient Egyptians used it. The best quality of Firoza are found
in Nishapur (outside Mesh'had), Iran but they are also available in Australia,
Afghanistan, America, Egypt, Germany, Israel, Nepal and Tibet.
and the heart. The Ancient Egyptians used it. The best quality of Firoza are found
in Nishapur (outside Mesh'had), Iran but they are also available in Australia,
Afghanistan, America, Egypt, Germany, Israel, Nepal and Tibet.
The great philosopher, Aristotle, said firooza helps to create humbleness pity for others
and is good for diabetics. It protects from the stings of a scorpion, snakebites, lightening
and drowning. The community holds a Firoza wearer in esteem.
The Holy Prophet S.A.W.) said:that Allah (S.W.T.) accepts the prayer of one who wears Firoza.
The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.), Imam Ali (A.S and Hazrat Imam Musa e Kazim (a.s.) wore a Firoza ring.
If calamity were to befall on the wearer, the stone would break. When this happens, the ring should
be immediately be removed.
and is good for diabetics. It protects from the stings of a scorpion, snakebites, lightening
and drowning. The community holds a Firoza wearer in esteem.
The Holy Prophet S.A.W.) said:that Allah (S.W.T.) accepts the prayer of one who wears Firoza.
The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.), Imam Ali (A.S and Hazrat Imam Musa e Kazim (a.s.) wore a Firoza ring.
If calamity were to befall on the wearer, the stone would break. When this happens, the ring should
be immediately be removed.
3. Durr e Najaf:
It is obtained from Najaf al-Ashraf. Those obtained from the river are more illustrious than
those obtained from the land. Both Hazrat Imam Jaffer as-Sadiq (a.s.) and
Hazrat Imam Hassan al-Askari (a.s.) have said that wearing of Durr e Najaf has great thawab.
It is good for ailments of the eye and it creates happiness in the heart.
those obtained from the land. Both Hazrat Imam Jaffer as-Sadiq (a.s.) and
Hazrat Imam Hassan al-Askari (a.s.) have said that wearing of Durr e Najaf has great thawab.
It is good for ailments of the eye and it creates happiness in the heart.
4. Hadeede Seen:
They come in grey and black colours, but black is better. It helps ease the pains of childbirth.
Hazrat Imam Jaffer as-Sadiq (a.s.) asked one of his friend who feared the wrath of the Sultan
to wear Hadeed with 'Haft Jalali' engraved thereon and he was spared. It should not be worn
constantly, but whenever necessary. Hazrat Imam Ali (a.s.) wore Hadeed during wars. It is
recommended to wear during travels.
Hazrat Imam Jaffer as-Sadiq (a.s.) asked one of his friend who feared the wrath of the Sultan
to wear Hadeed with 'Haft Jalali' engraved thereon and he was spared. It should not be worn
constantly, but whenever necessary. Hazrat Imam Ali (a.s.) wore Hadeed during wars. It is
recommended to wear during travels.
5. Yaqut (Ruby) - Manek:
It has good effect on married life, friendship, loyalty and business. It protects against
hysteria, cholera, plague, rheumatism and heart ailment. Hazrat Imam Ali (a.s.) used to
wear one and it is the ring that he gave away to the beggar in the state of ruk'uu.
Hazrat Imam Redha (a.s.) has recommended it for all mo'amins. In Surah Ar Rahman:
Ka anna hunnal yaqutu wal marjan.
hysteria, cholera, plague, rheumatism and heart ailment. Hazrat Imam Ali (a.s.) used to
wear one and it is the ring that he gave away to the beggar in the state of ruk'uu.
Hazrat Imam Redha (a.s.) has recommended it for all mo'amins. In Surah Ar Rahman:
Ka anna hunnal yaqutu wal marjan.
6. Zamarrud (Emerald):
It is the best stone in all green stones. It is attributed to Hazrath Imam Hassan al-Mujtaba
(a.s.)- 'suz kafa'. Hakim Aflatoon has said the wearer of Zamarrud overcomes his enemies.
It protects against the ailments of the eyes and liver. It creates joy and peace of mind,
promotes goodwill and inclines towards charity. If a calamity is to befall the wearer,
it will break into small pieces. Both Hazrath Imam Ali (a.s.) and Hazrat Imam Musa
al-Kadhim (as.) have recommended it.
(a.s.)- 'suz kafa'. Hakim Aflatoon has said the wearer of Zamarrud overcomes his enemies.
It protects against the ailments of the eyes and liver. It creates joy and peace of mind,
promotes goodwill and inclines towards charity. If a calamity is to befall the wearer,
it will break into small pieces. Both Hazrath Imam Ali (a.s.) and Hazrat Imam Musa
al-Kadhim (as.) have recommended it.
7. Marjan (Coral):
The Holy Quran refers to this stone in the following two ayats: Ka anna hunnal yaqutu
wal marjan and Yakhruju min huma lualoo wal marjan. Marjan and pearls are among the
gems obtained from the sea. It is good protection from paralysis, disease of the heart,
liver, stomach, kidney and the effects of black magic.
wal marjan and Yakhruju min huma lualoo wal marjan. Marjan and pearls are among the
gems obtained from the sea. It is good protection from paralysis, disease of the heart,
liver, stomach, kidney and the effects of black magic.
Saying of Imam Ali (a.s.) "Best deed of a man is to forgive and forget."
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... أنت كما أُحبُّ ، فاجعلني كما تحبُّ
(sent by :Sis Mariam R.Jiwa)
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
(sent by :Sis Mariam R.Jiwa)
| THINGS FOR THE PEOPLE OF PARADISE (JANNAT) | for everyone |
"They shall be adorned therein with bracelets of gold and (with) pearls, and their garments therein shall be of silk". (Surah-al-Haj: 23)
It has been related that the Holy Prophet Mohammad (S.A.W.S.) said, "When a believer (mo'min) enters his palace in Paradise, a crown of magnificence will be placed on his head, and he will be given to wear seventy thousand different types of dresses adorned with various gems and pearis. If one of these dresses is made apparent to the people of this world, they will not be able to bear it's
Imam Ja'far-as-Sadiq (A.S.) says, that on every Friday Allah presents a dress of honour for a believer to an Angel (to keep it for him). The believer (in Paradise) wears one over his waist and puts another on the shoulder, and wherever he goes it's vicinity gets illuminated by it's light.
Regarding the interpretation of the "Goodly dwelling" it is related from the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.S.) that there is a palace in paradise made of pearla, which has seventy houses of red rubies (Yaqoot). And in every house are seventy rooms of groon emeralds (zamarood) . And in each room there are seventy thrones on which are spread seventy carpets, and on each carpet will be seated Hourul Een' And in each room there will be seventy eating carpets, on which there will be seventy types of delicious dishes, and in each room there will be one servant (male and female) Allah will give strength to a believer so much that he will be able to derive pleasure from all houries and digest each types of dishes, this is agreat blessing of the heurier.
"They shall have high places, above them higher places, built (for them), beneath which flow rivers". (Surah-az Zumar: 20)
Rooms of paradise and their beautification.
"Reclining therein on raised couches, excellent the recompense". (Surah-al-kahf: 31)
"Therein are thrones raised high, and drinking cups ready placed, and cushions set in a row, and carpets spread out". (Surah-al-Ghashiyah: 13-16)
"On thrones decorated". (Surah-al-Waqe'ah: 15)
The thrones mentioned herein will be three hundred hands high. Whenever a believer will desire to ascend it, it will bend down and they will sit on it leaning on cushions.
Reclining on beds, the inner covering of which are silk brocade" (Surah-ar-Rahman: 54) The reality of these blessings are best known to Allah. For verily the magnificence of Istabraq Reclining on beds, the inner covering of which are of silk brocade (Istabraq) Surah-ar Rahman: 54', Rafraf' 0Reclining on green cushions (Ra fraf) Surah-ar-Rahman: 76, 'Numariq' And cushions (Numariq) set in a row - Surah-al-Ghashiyah: 16' can be perceived only by looking at them and cannot be explained.Cups of Paradise.
"And there shall be made to go round about them vessels of silver and goblets which are of glass, (trasparent as) glass, made of silver, they have measured them according to a measure". (Surah-ad-Dahr: 15, 16)
*`Round about them shall go youths never altering in age, with goblets & ewers and a cup of pure drink". (Surah-al Waqe'ah: 17, 18)
(source book
"Therein are thrones raised high, and drinking cups ready placed, and cushions set in a row, and carpets spread out". (Surah-al-Ghashiyah: 13-16)
"On thrones decorated". (Surah-al-Waqe'ah: 15)
The thrones mentioned herein will be three hundred hands high. Whenever a believer will desire to ascend it, it will bend down and they will sit on it leaning on cushions.
Reclining on beds, the inner covering of which are silk brocade" (Surah-ar-Rahman: 54) The reality of these blessings are best known to Allah. For verily the magnificence of Istabraq Reclining on beds, the inner covering of which are of silk brocade (Istabraq) Surah-ar Rahman: 54', Rafraf' 0Reclining on green cushions (Ra fraf) Surah-ar-Rahman: 76, 'Numariq' And cushions (Numariq) set in a row - Surah-al-Ghashiyah: 16' can be perceived only by looking at them and cannot be explained.Cups of Paradise.
"And there shall be made to go round about them vessels of silver and goblets which are of glass, (trasparent as) glass, made of silver, they have measured them according to a measure". (Surah-ad-Dahr: 15, 16)
*`Round about them shall go youths never altering in age, with goblets & ewers and a cup of pure drink". (Surah-al Waqe'ah: 17, 18)
(source book
(source book Shaikh Abbas bin Mohammad Reza Al-Qummi)
| PARADISE (JANNAT') | for everyone |
PARADISE (JANNAT')
Verses (ayah) of the Qur'an are an open proof of the existence of Paradise and hell.
"It is prepared for those who guard against evil". (Surah al-Aale Imraan: 132)
"And the garden shall be brought near for those who guard (against evil)".(Surah-ash-Shu'ara: 90)
It is beyond the capacity of the people of this world to have a comprehension of the bliss of Paradise. Only a brief belief in it's existence is sufficient, and one should not go into details as to where it is or how it is. It can be compared to a child in a mother's womb who is not aware of the outside world.
"So no soul knows what is hidden from them of that which will refresh the eyes, reward for what they did". (Surah-as-Sajdah: 17)
Regarding the blessings of Paradise, it is writing in the Qur'an: "They have therein what they wish and with Us is more yet". (Surah-al-Qaf: 35)
"And they shall abide in that, which their souls long for". (Surah-al-Ambiya: 102)
In short Paradise is a place free of emptiness and sorrow. Handicap, ailment, and ageing does not exist there. No place for boredom and uneasiness. There is absolute peace and contentment. Hence it is also referred to as "Darus Salaam"(the abode of peace).
Kingdom of Paradise.
For the believers there will be a true kingdom on which they will have full control, and whatever they desire will take place, no one will disobey them.
"Verily the people of Paradise are true kings".
"And when you see there, you shall see blessings and a great kingdom". (Surah-ad-Dahr: 20)
It is also related that when the person having the lowest rank in Paradise looks at his kingdom, it's distance will be equal to a period of one thousand years, and even the Angels will not be permitted to enter it without his consent.Vastness of Paradise.
The extensiveness (of Paradise) of which is as the extensiveness of the heaven and the earth". (Surah-al Hadeed : 21) It is related that one day Jibra'eel decided to calculate the length of Paradise. He flew for a distance equal to thirty thousand years and became weary, then he requested Allah to give him strength. Then again he flew for thirty thousand times and each time equal to thirty thousand years and then lost vigour. He then asked Allah whether he flew more or more was left. One Hourie of Paradise came out of her tent and said, "O Spirit of Allah! Why do you trouble yourself, for you have flown so much that you have not even crossed my courtyard as yet". Jibra'eel asked her as to who she was. She replied that she was a Hourie and had been created for a believer (mo`min). (Tafseere Umdatul Bayaan)
(source book Abbas bin Mohammad Reza Al-Qummi
| FOOD AND DRINKS OF PARADISE | for everyone |
Food of Paradise.
Whatever the dwellers of Paradise will wish, will be made available for them to eat.
"And abundant fruit, neither intercepted nor forbidden". (Surah-al-Waqe'ah: 32, 33)
"And fruit such as they choose, and the flesh of fowl such as they desire". (Surah-al-Waqe'ah: 2O, 21)
Abu Sa'eed Khudri relates from the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.S.) that He said that in Paradise birds with seventy thousand feathers will be flying in the air. Whenever a believer will desire to eat something, a bird will fly down to his eating-carpet and will flap it's feathers, and from each of their feathers will fall a dish whiter than ice and more delicious than honey, and more fragrant than musk, and no other food will be like it. Then the bird will fly away.
"In both are fruits and palms and pomegranates". (Surah-ar-Rahman: 68)
"Amid thorneless lote-trees.( and banana trees (with fruits), one above another. And extended shade". (Surah-al Waqe'ah: 28-30)
"Gardens and vine-yards". (Surah-an-Naba': 32)
Drinks of Paradise.
"Therein are rivers of water that does not alter, and rivers of milk the taste whereof does not change, and rivers of drink delicious to those who drink, and rivers of honey clarified". (Surah-a1-Mohamrnad:1 5)
"They are made to quaff of a pure drink that is sealed (to others). The sealing of it is (with) musk, and for that let the aspirers aspire. And the admixture of it is a water of Tasneem. A fountain from which drink they who are drawn near (to Allah)". (Surah-al-Mutaffefeen: 25-28)
"And they shall be made to drink therein a cup the admixture of which shall be ginger, (of) a fountain therein which is named Salsabil". (Surah-ad-Dahr: 17, 18)
"Surely the righteous shall drink of a cup the admixture of which is camphor". (Surah-ad-Dahr: 5)
In Paradise there shall be flowing different types of streams, and the taste and savor of each shall be different from the other, and their names are kept according to their qualities. And in all these streams the fountain of Kausar is exclusive which flows from beneath the heaven. It's earth is softer than ghee, and it's pebbles of topaz (zabro jad), rubies (yaqoot), flows in Paradise, and on the day of Qayamat will be know as u'Hauz'.
Whatever the dwellers of Paradise will wish, will be made available for them to eat.
"And abundant fruit, neither intercepted nor forbidden". (Surah-al-Waqe'ah: 32, 33)
"And fruit such as they choose, and the flesh of fowl such as they desire". (Surah-al-Waqe'ah: 2O, 21)
Abu Sa'eed Khudri relates from the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.S.) that He said that in Paradise birds with seventy thousand feathers will be flying in the air. Whenever a believer will desire to eat something, a bird will fly down to his eating-carpet and will flap it's feathers, and from each of their feathers will fall a dish whiter than ice and more delicious than honey, and more fragrant than musk, and no other food will be like it. Then the bird will fly away.
"Amid thorneless lote-trees.( and banana trees (with fruits), one above another. And extended shade". (Surah-al Waqe'ah: 28-30)
"Gardens and vine-yards". (Surah-an-Naba': 32)
"Therein are rivers of water that does not alter, and rivers of milk the taste whereof does not change, and rivers of drink delicious to those who drink, and rivers of honey clarified". (Surah-a1-Mohamrnad:1 5)
"They are made to quaff of a pure drink that is sealed (to others). The sealing of it is (with) musk, and for that let the aspirers aspire. And the admixture of it is a water of Tasneem. A fountain from which drink they who are drawn near (to Allah)". (Surah-al-Mutaffefeen: 25-28)
"And they shall be made to drink therein a cup the admixture of which shall be ginger, (of) a fountain therein which is named Salsabil". (Surah-ad-Dahr: 17, 18)
"Surely the righteous shall drink of a cup the admixture of which is camphor". (Surah-ad-Dahr: 5)
In Paradise there shall be flowing different types of streams, and the taste and savor of each shall be different from the other, and their names are kept according to their qualities. And in all these streams the fountain of Kausar is exclusive which flows from beneath the heaven. It's earth is softer than ghee, and it's pebbles of topaz (zabro jad), rubies (yaqoot), flows in Paradise, and on the day of Qayamat will be know as u'Hauz'.
| PERFUMES OF PARADISE | for everyone |
Perfumes of paradise.
In Surah-ar-Rahman Allah refers to that person who fears standing in front of his Lord for accounting (for his deeds), and thus refrains from sinning.
"And for him who fears to stand before his lord are two gardens". Allamah Majlisi narrates from the Holy prophet (S.A.W.S.) that He said "If one of the hoories' of paradise descends on the first heaven on a dark night and looks down towards the earth, the entire universe will be filled with her fragrance".
It is related from Imam Ja'far-as-sadiq (A.S.) that the fragrance of the perfume paradise will reach up to the distance equal to a thousand years. The sand of paradise is of musk.
It is related in many traditions that the walls, doors, and the floor of paradise is covered with grass of it's fragrance will be such that an old man proceeding towards paradise will reach such a place which is far from paradise at a distance of a thousand years, yet he will turn young by just the fragrance.
In Surah-ar-Rahman Allah refers to that person who fears standing in front of his Lord for accounting (for his deeds), and thus refrains from sinning.
"And for him who fears to stand before his lord are two gardens". Allamah Majlisi narrates from the Holy prophet (S.A.W.S.) that He said "If one of the hoories' of paradise descends on the first heaven on a dark night and looks down towards the earth, the entire universe will be filled with her fragrance".
It is related from Imam Ja'far-as-sadiq (A.S.) that the fragrance of the perfume paradise will reach up to the distance equal to a thousand years. The sand of paradise is of musk.
It is related in many traditions that the walls, doors, and the floor of paradise is covered with grass of it's fragrance will be such that an old man proceeding towards paradise will reach such a place which is far from paradise at a distance of a thousand years, yet he will turn young by just the fragrance.
posted by ABBAS ALAM @ 08:02
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