Wednesday 15 August 2012

OUR FOURTH IMAMS(A.S.)- EXCELLENT ADVICE TO HIS COMPANIONS

Imam Sajjad's(a.s) Advice to His Companions

 O people fear Allah(s.w.t) and know that you will inevitably return to Him, when every one will see his good and bad deeds right before his very eyes, he will wish for the longest period of time to separate himself from his bad deeds Allah(s.w.t) warns you about Himself.
Woe is you, son of Adam. You are negligent but not neglected. Your death is the hastiest to you. It is approaching you with sure steps. It is targeting at death seizes your soul, and you will be alone in your grave. There, your soul will be given back to you and the two angels, namely Munkar and Nakeer, will break in to your grave to examine and interrogate you so difficulty.
First of all, they will ask you about the lord that you were worshipping, the prophet whom was sent to you, the religion that you were following, the book that you were reciting (and taking as guide), and the imam to whom you were adhering loyally. Moreover, they will ask you how you have finished your age, and the source of your wealth and the fields in which you have spent your wealth. Be cautions, look upon yourself, and prepare answers for the test, examination, and interrogations.


If you are faithful, knowledgeable of your religion, loyal to the truthful, and following Allah's disciples, Allah will prompt you to provide acceptable confirmation and will make you speak accurately, so that you will say the correct answer and you will be foretold of gaining 
Paradise and Allah's consent and the angels will receive you with comfort and happiness.


If you are not, your tongue will stammer, your proof will be rejected, you will be unable to answer, Hell will be advanced to you, and the angels will receive you with the anguish of the dwelling of boiling water and heat of Hell.


Furthermore, you-son of Adam-should realize that what is to come on the Day of Resurrection will be greater, more terrible, and more heartbreaking. On that day, all people will be gathered and others will be witnessing it. Allah, therein, will gather the ancient people and the later generations. On that day, the trumpet will be sounded and the graves will be turned over.

That is the day of approaching when, because of hardship and frustration, their hearts will almost reach up to their throats. On that day, stumbles will not be raised, ransoms will not be accepted, apologies will not be excused, and repentance will be there except the rewarding for the good deeds and punishment for the evildoings. Any believer who has done a good deed that is as slight as an atom's weight will find its reward, and any believer who has done an evildoing that is as slight as an atom's weight will find its punishment.
Beware, O people, of sins and acts of disobedience (to Allah) against which Allah has warned and exhorted in the truthful Book and the articulate rhetoric. Do not feel secure from the retribution and destruction of Allah when the Shaitan urges you enjoying the transitory passions and pleasures of this world.

Allah says: When a satanic thought starts to bother the pious ones, they understand and see the light. (Holy Qur'an, 7:201)
Take God-fearing as the slogan of your hearts and always remember that Allah promised you of the good rewarding and warned you against the painful anguish when you will be returned to Him. He whoever fears something will certainly beware of it, and whoever bewares of something will desert it. 


Do not be with the inadvertent ones who incline to the temporary pleasures of this world and who devised evil plans. Allah the Exalted says: Can they who have devised evil plans expect to be safe from the command of Allah to the earth to swallow them up, or from a torment which might strike them from an unexpected direction? Are they confident that Allah will not seize them while they are on a journey? They will not be able to escape from Allah. Are they confident Allah will not slowly destroy them? (Holy Qur'an 16:45-47)


I warn you lest you will encounter the same retribution that Allah imposed upon the unjust ones and mentioned in the Book. Do not feel safe from suffering a part of the anguish with which Allah threatened the unjust people in His Book. Allah has surely provided other people as means of admonition to you. The very happy is that who learns lessons from others. Allah, in the Book, has also attracted your attentions to the punishments that He imposed upon the unjust people who preceded you.

He says: How many unjust towns did We destroy and replace them with other nations. When they found Our torment approaching them they started to run away from the town.We told them, "Do not run away. Come back to your luxuries and your houses so that you can be questioned." (When agony befell them,) They said, "Woe to us! We have been unjust. (Holy Qur'an 21:11-4)
You, people, may claim that these Verses refer to the polytheists only. Allah says: We shall maintain proper justice on the Day of Judgment. No soul will be wronged the least. For a deed even as small as a mustard seed, one will duly be recompensed. We are efficient in maintaining the account. (Holy Qur'an 21:47)
You should know, O servants of Allah, that the proper scales and the records will not be maintained or opened for the polytheists, for they will be taken to Hell in hoards. The proper scales and the records will be maintained and opened for the Muslims.
Fear Allah, O servants, and know that Allah the Exalted has not like for any of His disciples to enjoy this world. Besides, He has not attracted their attentions to its pleasures, transitory amusements, or surface enjoyments. 
As a matter of fact, Allah has created this world as a field of testing people so that He will see which of them is most virtuous in the deeds.
By Allah I swear, examples were cited for you and a variety of evidences is shown to the heedful ones. O believers, include yourselves with the heedful ones. All power belongs to Allah. Abstain from the transitory pleasures of this world from which Allah has ordered you to abstain. He, the Most Truthful, says: The example of the worldly life is like the water sent down from the sky which becomes mixed with the earth's produce that people and cattle consume. When the land becomes fertile and pleasant, people think that they have control over it. At Our command during the night or day, the land becomes as barren as if it had no richness the day before. Thus, do We explain the evidence (of the truth) for the people who reflect. (Holy Qur'an 10:24)

Do not be inclined to this world; for Allah has said to Muhammad (S.A.W.): Do not be inclined towards the unjust ones lest you will be afflicted by Hell. Besides Allah, no one can be your protector nor will anyone be able to help you. (Holy Qur'an 11:113)
Do not imitate those who are inclined to this world as if it is their permanent residential place and settlement. This world is certainly a short-lived lodging, a transitory house, and an abode of working. Supply yourselves with the good deeds before the scattering of this world's days and before Allah gives the permission to ruin it. As He created and originated it, Allah can ruin it, for He is its custodian and can give it in inheritance to anyone he wishes. 
Allah provides you and us with aid to supply with God-fearing and asceticism, make you and us with the abstinent from the transitory pleasures of this world and the desirous for the reward of the life to come. We are only for Him, and through Him can we do. 
Peace and Allah's mercy and blessings be upon you.

Wording of Admonition
Allah guards you and us against the trickeries of the oppressors, the tyranny of the envious, and the violence of the despots.
O believers, do not be misled by the tyrannical rulers and their fellows who are desiring only for the pleasures of this world, tending to it, deceived by its attractions, approaching it as well as its destruction and smashes which will certainly terminate and be ruined in the morrow.
Beware of matters against which Allah has warned you. Abstain from matters from which Allah has ordered you to abstain. Do not copy the inclination of those who regarded this world as a permanent abode.
All that which is in this world is evidence on its lowliness. Its ornamentation, changeability of manners, variableness of conditions, lessons, playing with people- all these are proofs on its lowliness.
It surely exalts the mean and demeans the noble. It will drive some people into Hell. This is an efficient lesson, trial, and warning for the heedful. 
The everyday conditions, including the gloomy seditious affairs, the heresies, the consecutive authorities of injustice, the misfortunes, the fear from the rulers, and the incitement of the Shaitan-all these shake the pure intentions of the hearts and stop against the existent right guidance and the recognition of the rightful, except the hearts of those whom Allah the Majestic protects. Surely, no one can realize the changeability and the variableness of the worldly conditions, as well as the result of its harmful sedition, except those whom Allah has protected. They are those who took the very right path and followed the straight way. They then sought the aid of abstinence through thorough pondering (over things) and learning lessons from others. So, they abstained form receiving the transitory pleasures of this world, deserted its lusts, desired for the bounty of the life to come, worked hard for obtaining them, watched for death, and refused to live the life with the oppressors. Thus, they looked at this world with eagle eye and keen sight and understood the seditious events, heretic deviation, and rulers' injustice.
By my life I swear, you have been shown sufficient proofs, through the misfortunes that befell the ancient people, on the necessity of avoiding the misleading ones as well as people of heresies, tyranny, and commitment of sins on this earth.
Seek Allah's help and return to the obedience to Him and those whose obedience should be preferred to those whom are currently followed and obeyed.
Be thoroughly careful before you suffer regret and sorrow when you will be taken to Allah to stand before him (for maintaining judgment).

By Allah I take the oath, any people who direct to the disobedience to Allah will surely suffer His agony, and any people who prefer the worldly pleasures to the life to come will surely suffer grievous end and ill fate.

The acknowledgment of Allah and the pursuance of the acts of obedience to Him are connected to each other He whoever acknowledges Allah will fear Him, and whoever fears Allah will be urged acting obediently to Him.
Scholars and their disciples worked hard for the sake of Allah and desired for Him after they had acknowledged Him. In this regard, Allah says: Only Allah's knowledgeable servants fear Him. (Holy Qur'an 35:28)

Do not receive anything from the pleasures of this world through committing an act of disobedience to Allah. Spend your times with performing acts of obedience to Allah, seize the opportunities of this world, and work for matters due to which you will be saved from the agony of Allah. This way will decrease your sins, make your apologies more excusable, and increase your opportunities of salvation.

Precede the fulfillment of Allah's instructions and the acts of obedience to Him and to them whose obedience is incumbent upon you to your other affairs.

Do not precede the acts of obedience to the tyrannical rulers and the pleasures of this world to the fulfillment of Allah's instructions and the acts of obedience to Him and to them whose obedience is incumbent upon you.
You should know that you, as well as we, are the servants of Allah, Who prevails us and will be he Only Judge tomorrow when He will subjugate you to interrogation. Prepare the answers for that interrogation before it falls and before you are standing ahead of the Lord of the worlds. On that day, no one will speak before obtaining His permission.

You should also know that Allah will not believe the liars, belie the truthful, reject the excusable apology, or excuse the unjustifiable apology. Allah's is the whole argument against the creatures through His messengers and their successors.
Fear Allah and keep on reforming yourselves, performing acts of obedience to Him and to His representatives. It happens that one feels sorry for his past negligence and omission of Allah's dues and rights. Seek Allah's forgiveness and repent to Him, for He accept the repentance, pardons the evildoings, and knows well whatever you do.

Beware of associating with the disobedient (to Allah), supporting the oppressors, and neighboring the sinful.
Beware of the seditious affairs of such the disciples of Allah, opt for a religion other than Allah's, and prefer their own opinions to the opinions of Allah's disciples (namely the Imams) will be suffering flaming fire (in Hell) that will consume their bodies [from which the souls are absent] and whose hard-heartedness overcame; [therefore, they are dead as they do not feel the heat of Hell].

Learn lessons, people of sights, and thank Allah for His guiding you. You should know that you cannot move away from the control of Allah's ability to anything else. Allah will watch your actions and you will be gathered before Him. Benefit by the lessons and imitate the ethics of the virtuous ones.


Source: Tuhaf al-Uqoul

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CONGREGATION PRAYERS - FEW GUIDELINES


Guidelines for Imam and the Follower

1489. * If there is only one male follower, it is Mustahab that he stands at the right hand side of Imam, and if there is only one female follower, she will stand in the same direction, but slightly behind so that when she goes to Sajdah, her head is in line with Imam's knees. If there is one male, and one or more females in the congregation, the male will position himself to the right of Imam, and the females will all stand behind Imam. When there are many men and one or many women in the congregation, men will stand behind Imam, and women will stand behind the male followers.

1490. If Imam and the followers are both women, the obligatory precaution is that all of them should stand in a line, and the Imam should not stand in front of others.

1491. It is Mustahab that the Imam positions himself in the middle of the line, and the learned and pious persons occupy the first row.

1492. It is Mustahab that the rows of the congregation are properly arranged, and that there be no gap between the persons standing in one row; all standing shoulder to shoulder.

1493. It is Mustahab that after the Qadqa matis salah' has been pronounced, the followers should rise.

1494. It is Mustahab that the Imam of the congregation should take into account the condition of those followers who may be infirm or weaker, and should not prolong qunut, Ruku and Sajdah, except when he knows that the people following him are so inclined.

1495. It is Mustahab that while reciting Surah al-Hamd and the other Surah, and the Zikr loudly, the Imam of the congregation makes his voice audible. But care must be taken to see that the voice is not abnormally loud.

1496. If Imam realises in Ruku, that a person who has just arrived wants to join him, it is Mustahab that he prolongs the Ruku twice over. He should then stand up, even if he may realise that another person has also arrived to join.

Things which are Makrooh in Congregational Prayers

1497. If there is vacant space in the rows of the congregation, it is Makrooh for a person to stand alone.

1498. It is Makrooh for the follower to recite the Zikr in the prayers in such a way that Imam hears them.

1499. It is Makrooh for a traveller, who offers Zuhr, Asr and Isha prayers in shortened form (two Rak'ats), to follow a person who is not a traveller. And it is Makrooh for a person who is not a traveller to follow a traveller in those prayers.

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FEW RULES CONCERNING NAMAZ

Tashahhud

1109. * In the second unit of all obligatory prayers, and in the third unit of Maghrib prayers and in the fourth unit of Zuhr, Asr and Isha prayers, one should sit after the second prostration with a tranquil body, and recite tashahhud thus: "Ash hadu an la ilaha illal lahu wahdahu la sharika lah, wa ash hadu anna Muhammadan 'Abduhu wa Rasuluh, Alla humma salli 'ala Muhammadin wa Ali Muhammad". And it will be sufficient if one recited the tashahhud this way: Ash hadu an la ilaha illal lahu was ash hadu anna Muhammadan Sallal lahu Alayhi Wa Aalihi Abduhu Wa rasuluh.

It is also necessary to recite tashahhud while offering Witr (in Namaz-e-Shab) prayers.

1110. The words of tashahhud should be recited in correct Arabic, and in usual succession.

1111. * If a person forgets tashahhud, and rises and remembers before Ruku, he should sit down to recite it, and then stand up again. He will then continue with his prayers. After the prayers, it is a recommended precaution that he should perform two Sajda-e-Sahv for the additional standing. But if he remembers this in Ruku or thereafter, he should complete the prayers and after the salam of prayers, should, as a recommended precaution, perform the qadha of tashahhud. He should perform two sajdatus sahv for the forgotten tashahhud.

1112. It is Mustahab to sit on the left thigh during tashahhud, and to place the upper part of the right foot on the sole of the left foot and to say: 'Al-hamdu lillah' or 'Bismillahi wa billahi wal-hamdu lillahi wa khayrul asma'i lillah' before reciting tashahhud.

It is also Mustahab to place one's hands on one's thighs, with joined fingers, and to look at one's laps, and to say this after tashahhud and salawat: Wa taqabbal shafa'atahu warfa' darajatahu.

1113. It is Mustahab for women to keep their thighs close to each other when reciting tashahhud.

Salam in the Prayers

1114. While a person sits after reciting tashahhud in the last Rak'at, and his body is tranquil, it is Mustahab to say: Assalamu 'alayka ayyuhan Nabiyyu wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh. Then he should say: Assalamu Alaykum and as a recommended precaution add to it Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh. Alternatively, he can say: Assalamu Alayna Wa Ala Ibadi llahis Salihin. But if he recites this Salam, then as per obligatory precaution, he must follow it up with saying: Assalamu Alaykum.

1115. If a person forgets the salam of prayers, and remembers when the form of namaz has not be disrupted, nor has he performed any act, which if done intentionally or forgetfully, invalidates the prayers (e.g. turning away from Qibla), he should recite the salam and his prayers will be valid.

1116. * If a person forgets the salam of prayers, and remembers after the form of prayers has been disrupted, or after he has performed an act which if done intentionally or forgetfully, invalidates the prayers (e.g. turning away from Qibla), his prayers are in order.

Tartib (Sequence)

1117. If a person intentionally changes the sequence of the prayers, for example, if he recites the other surah before reciting Surah al-Hamd, or performs the two Sajdah before Ruku, his prayers are void.

1118. * If a person forgets a rukn (elemental part) of the prayers, and performs the next rukn, like, before performing Ruku if he performs the two Sajdah, his prayers would become void, as a measure of precaution.

1119. If a person forgets a rukn, and performs an act after it which is not a rukn, like, if he recites tashahhud without performing the two Sajdah, he should perform the rukn and should recite again the part which he performed erroneously, earlier than the rukn.

1120. If a person forgets a thing which is not a rukn, and performs a rukn which comes after it, like, if he forgets Surah al-Hamd and begins performing Ruku, his prayers is in order.

1121. If a person forgets an act which is not a rukn, and performs the next act which too, is not a rukn, like, if he forgets Surah al-Hamd and recites the other Surah, he should perform what he has forgotten, and then recite again the thing which he mistakenly recited earlier.

1122. If a person performs the first Sajdah thinking that it is the second one, or performs the second one under the impression that it is the first Sajdah, his prayer is in order; his first Sajdah will be treated as the first one, and his second Sajdah will be treated as the second one.

Muwalat (Maintenance of Succession)

1123. A person should maintain continuity during prayers, that is he should perform various acts of prayers, like, Ruku, two Sajdah and tashahhud, in continuous succession, and he should recite the Zikr etc. also in usual succession. If he allows an undue interval between different acts, till it becomes difficult to visualise that he is praying, his prayers will be void.

1124. If a person in namaz forgetfully allows a gap between letters, or words, and if the gap is not big enough so that the form of the prayers is disrupted, he should repeat those letters or words in the usual manner, provided that he has not proceeded to the ensuing rukn. And he will repeat those lines which were read in continuation. But if he has already got into the ensuing rukn, then his prayers are in order.

1125. * Prolonging Ruku and Sajdah, or reciting long Surahs, does not break Muwalat.

Qunut

1126. It is Mustahab that qunut be recited in all obligatory and Mustahab prayers before the Ruku of the second Rak'at, and it is also Mustahab that qunut be recited in the Witr (Namaz-e-Shab) prayers before Ruku, (although that prayer is of one Rak'at only).

In Friday Prayers there is one qunut in every Rak'at. In Namaz-e-Ayaat, there are five qunut, and in Eid Prayers there are five qunut in the first Rak'at, and four in the second Rak'at. In the prayers of Shafa' ,which is a part of Namaz-e-Shab, qunut is to be performed with the niyyat of Raja'.

1127. It is also Mustahab that while reciting qunut, a person keeps his hands in front of his face, turning the palms facing the sky, and keeping both, the hands and the fingers, close together. It is Mustahab to look at the palms in qunut.

1128. Any Zikr in qunut is sufficient, even if he says, 'Subhanallah' only once. It is, however, better to make the following supplication: La ilaha illallahul Halimul Karim, La ilaha illallahul 'Aliyyul 'Azim, Subhanallahi Rabbis samawatis sab', wa Rabbil 'arazinas sab', wama fi hinna wama bayna hunna, wa Rabbil 'arshil 'azim, wal hamdu lillahi Rabbil'alamin.

1129. It is Mustahab that qunut is recited loudly. However, if a person is offering prayers in congregation, and if the Imam can hear his voice, it will not be Mustahab for him to recite qunut loudly.

1130. If a person does not recite qunut intentionally, there is no qadha for it. And if he forgets it, and remembers before reaching Ruku, it is Mustahab that he should stand up and recite it. And if he remembers while performing Ruku, it is Mustahab that he should perform its qadha after Ruku. And if he remembers it while performing Sajdah, it is Mustahab that he should perform its qadha after Salam.

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The Mustahab and Makrooh Things in Sajdah



1100. Certain things are Mustahab in Sajdah:

  • It is Mustahab to say Takbir before going to Sajdah. A person who prays standing, will do so after having stood up from Ruku, and a person who prays sitting will do so after having sat properly.
  • While going into Sajdah, a man should first place his hands on the ground, and woman should first place her knees on the ground.
  • The person offering prayers should place his nose on a mohr, or on any other thing on which Sajdah is allowed.
  • While performing Sajdah, fingers should be kept close to each other, parallel to the ears, with their tips towards Qibla.
  • While in Sajdah one should pray to Allah, and express his wishes, and should recite this supplication: Ya Khayral Mas'ulin wa Ya Khayral Mu'tin, Urzuqni warzuq 'Ayali Min Fazlika Fa Innaka Zulfazlil 'Azim - O You Who are the best from whom people seek their needs, and O You, Who are the best bestower of gifts! Give me and the members of my family sustenance with Your grace. Undoubtedly You possess the greatest grace).
  • After performing Sajdah, one should sit on his left thigh, placing the instep of the right foot on the sole of the left foot.
  • After every Sajdah, when a person has sat down and his body is composed, one should say takbir.
  • When his body is steady after the first Sajdah, he should say:"Astaghfirullaha Rabbi wa Atubu Ilayhi".
  • He should say Allahu Akbar for going into second Sajdah, when his body is steady.
  • It is Mustahab to prolong the Sajdah, and when sitting after the Sajdah, to place one's hands on the thighs.
  • He should recite Salawat while in prostrations.
  • At the time of rising, he should raise his hands from the ground, after raising his knees.
  • Men should not make their elbows and stomach touch the ground; they should keep their arms separated from their sides. And women should place their elbows and stomachs on the ground, and should join their limbs with one another.
  • Other Mustahab acts of Sajdah have been mentioned in detailed books.

1101. * It is Makrooh to recite the holy Qur'an in Sajdah. It is also Makrooh to blow off the dust from the place of Sajdah, and if, by so doing, one utters anything intentionally, the prayers will be, as a precaution, void. Besides these, there are other Makrooh acts, which are given in detailed books.

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THE GATHERING ON THE ARSH AND DUA FOR THE REAPPEARANCE


Immam Ja’far as-Sadiq (a.s.) narrates:

 On Thursday night, Allah sends an Angel of the earth towards the skies.  When morning approaches, the Angel sits on the Arsh on Baitul Mamoor. Pulpits of light are erected for Prophet  Muhammad (s.a.w.s.) , Hazrat Ali (a.s.), Janabe Zahra (s.a.), Immam Hasan (a.s.) and Immam Hussain (a.s.).

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:

“Allah has promised to those of you who believe and do good that He will most certainly make them rulers in the earth as He made rulers those before them, and that He will most certainly establish for them their religion which He has chosen for them, and that He will most certainly, after their fear, give them sercurity in exchange; they shall serve Me, not associating aught with Me; and whosoever is ungrateful after this, these it is who are the transgressors”.(Surah Nur: 55)

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)

 Come let us also supplicate to Allah every Friday at noon for the reappearance of Imam-e-Asr (a.t.f.s.) and participate in the gathering of the Prophets(a.s.) and Angels.

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. 

 The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) declared: “(if one wishes) to have perfect faith and desires that his Islam is best, then he should love Hujjat -Sahebuz Zamana Al Muntazar (Imam-e-Zamana) (a.t.f.s.).  Whoever loves them (Imam (a.s.) and accepts their mastership, then I take gurantee from Allah, the Hight forParadise.”  (Beharul Anwar vol 36 pg. 296)

 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.)

 BEFORE PERFORMING ANY ACTION WE MUST THINK WHETHER OUR IMAM (A.T.F.S.) WILL BE PLEASED WITH IT OR NOT?)

“O ALLAH, BY THE RIGHT OF HAZRAT ZAHRA (S.A.) FILL OUR HEARTS WITH THE LOVE OF IMAM (A.T.F.S) AND GIVE US THE TAUFEEQ TO REMEMBER HIM (A.T.F.S.) AND MAKE OTHERS REMEMBER HIM (A.T.F.S.)  AMEEN !!!

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DUAS FOR SHIAS TO REMAIN SAFE FROM TROUBLES

Some useful supplications (dua's)for the benefit of the believers. (1) Shaikh Mufeed in his book " Muqni'ah" relates from Ali bin Mahziyar who quotes Imam Mohammed At-Taqi (A.S.) as saying that, in the blessed month of Ramazan, the recitation of this dua' every day and night is highly recommended:

يا ذا الذي قبل كل شيء يا ذا الذي ليس كمثله شيء و يا ذا الذي ليس في السموات العلى ولا في الارضين السفلى ولا فوقهن ولا تحتهن ولابينهن اله يعبد غيره لك الحمد الا يقوى على احصائه الا انت فصل على محمد صلاة لا يقوى على احصائها الا انت

(2) Shaikh Kulaini and other scholars narrate that Imam Ja'far -as-Sadiq (A.S.) had recommended the following dua' to Zurara bin A'yan. He (A.S.) said that this dua' is useful to be recited by His Shi'ahs during the days of concealment (ghaibat) to be saved from troubles and anxieties:

اللهم عرفني نفسك فانك ان لم تعرفني نفسك لم اعرف نبيك اللهم عرفني رسولك رسولك فانك ان لم تعرفني رسولك لم اعرف حجتك اللهم عرفني حجتك فانك ان لم تعرفني حجتك فانك ان لم تعرفني حجتك ضللت عن ديني

(3) It is narrated by many great scholars that to remain safe from troubles during the days of concealment, the Shia'ah should recite supplications of Imam Mahdi (A.S.) and offer sadaqs on His behalf. One of the dua's is as follows: First praise Allah and send blessings upon Mohammad and His Progeny, then recite:

اللهم كن لوليك الحجة بن الحسن صلواتك عليه وعلى آبائه في هذه الساعة وفي كل ساعة ولياً وحافظاً وقائداً وناصراً ودليلاً وعيناً حتى تسكنه ارضك طوعاً وتمتعه فيها طويلا

(Lastly, may Allah illuminate the grave of the author of this useful and creative work, Shaikh Abbas Qummi, and offer him refuge under His Throne in Qayamat and forgive his sins, and also exalt his position in Paradise among the Shi'ahs and faithful slaves of Ahlulbait - translator). 

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LOVE FOR THE WORLD



HUBB AD-DUNIYA 

(LOVE  FOR WORLDLINESS)

Surely who do not rest their hope on their meeting with Us and are pleased with this worldly life and are content with it, and those who heed not Our signs.Their abode (ultimate residence)  is the fire (of Hell) because of what they earned”
                                                                                         
(Yunus:7-8)

“And what is the life of this world but goods (means) of deception”
                                                                                        (Alhadeed:20)

The above verses from the Holy Qur’an point to us that hell-fire is the ultimate punishment for those whose sole aim of life is seeking worldly gains and pleasure and remaining contented with them.They neither think about life after death nor do they commit good deeds. They behave as though they do not have to ultimately stand before Allah (SWT) to account for what they do in this world.

We need to realize that many things in this worldly life are nets, set up to trap and deceive man hence we are warned to remain alert and cautious. We should not easily be attracted to everything we see in this life. We need to understand and judge what is good and what is bad for us.

The Holy Prophet (saw) has said,

“Love of wordly things is the root cause of every sin and the key to every evil and making useless of every goodness”

For the purpose of earning tremendous profits or gaining a high position in the society, one may be tempted to go through illegal ways or even harming or doing injustice to others. In order to earn a big profit, one may not take into account the great harm and loss to poor masses. He may offer bribes or drinks to high officers thus committing big sins because of his intense love for worldly goods.

The Holy Prophet (saw) has also said,

“The worldly things are like salty water. Every time one drinks (from it) it adds to his thirst”

The above means that the more one becomes attached to worldly things, the more he is dissatisfied and the more he wants to have.

Imam Ali bin Abi Talib (as) has said,

“The world is like a snake whose body is immensely soft but in its mouth is killing poison.As such a sensible person is he who keeps away from it while an ignorant child inclines towards it”

In this saying, the attraction of worldly things is compared with the softness and tenderness of the snake’s skin and its multi-colours. On seeing it, one is naturally attracted but on coming close, he gets bitten with the hidden poison in its mouth.

Therefore, sensible and far-sighted is he who refrains from worldly attractions the same way as he runs away from a poisonous snake.

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PATIENCE

Patience

Islam takes pride in having always encouraged mankind to attain noble characteristics. One of these virtues is patience. God has ordered us to seek patience for our own benefit. God sent down Prophets to encourage this noble quality in man.

God has promised the patient person reward in the after-life by stating in the Holy Koran:

"Say: O my servants who believe! Be careful of (your duty to) your Lord; for those who do good in this world is good, and God's earth is spacious; only the patient will be paid back (in the hereafter) their reward in full without measure." (39:10)

Also, God has promised victory for the patient and demise for the impatient: "I (God) swear by time, Most surely man is in loss, Except those who believe and do good, and enjoin on each other truth, and enjoin on each other patience."(103) Faith, according to Islam, has two halves, one being gratitude (being thankful) and the other being patience. This paper will deal with the following: true patience and its meaning, the three pillars of patience and man's essential need for patience.

Islam sees patience as a noble human characteristic. He who posses it will reach joy and inner peace. Islam also views patience as a strength and the key to fixing all matters of one's self, and as the path to happiness and righteousness. The patient person is he who trains him/herself to fight back against all evil thoughts and actions. Man is the one who steers his/her soul into either eternal Paradise or eternal Hell-Fire. This harness which man uses for steering his soul is patience. Islam encourages people to seek dependence, help, and salvation from God. God alone is the Creator, the Sustainer and therefore is alone the Savour.

The first pillar is patience with the duties and obligations towards people and God. Some examples of this are praying the five daily prayers, charity, pilgrimage to Mecca, respecting one's parents, marriage, and respect towards one's spouse. The second pillar is patience in abstaining from all that God has made forbidden. Some examples here are: stealing, cheating, lying, backbiting, etc. The third pillar is patience with what may befall man from natural disasters, illness, and death. God says in the Koran:

"O my dear son! Establish worship and enjoin kindness and forbid iniquity, and persevere whatever may befall thee." (31:17)

Islam also teaches man to be patient when he has health, money, happiness, and all the good in his life. In order to refrain from pride and arrogance and from becoming ungrateful to the Bestower of these blessings and bounties, one needs patience. Fulfilling one's duties towards God and not to become arrogant also require patience. Trying not to use blessings in evil ways, and abstaining from what God has labelled as forbidden also require patience.

Patience is also needed with illness and death. In illness one must be patient in seeking a cure and must be thankful that they are not in a worse position. In Death one must remember that death is simply a doorway to eternity, and that the true winners are the ones that earned a places in Paradise through their deeds.

"And We most certainly try you with somewhat of fear and hunger and loss of property and lives and fruit; and give good news to the patient, who, when a misfortune befalls them, say: Surely we are God's and to Him we shall surely return. Those are they on whom are blessings and mercy from their Lord, and those are the followers of the right course." (2:155-157)

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Disbelievers


Disbelievers 
 

A Shaykh by the name of Abu Ja'ar has said:  Our belief concerning them (thalimun) is that they are accursed [145] and dissociation from them is necessary.  Allah the Mighty and Glorious says; "For evil-doers there will be no helpers" [2,270;3,192;5,72].  And Allah says, Exalted is He: "Who doeth greater wrong than he who inventeth a lie concerning Allah?  Such will be brought before their Lord and witnesses will say:  These are they who lied concerning their Lord.  Behold!  The curse of Allah is upon the wrong-doers, who debar (men) from the way of Allah, and would have it crooked, and who are disbelievers in the Hereafter"  [11,18-19]. Ibn Abbas in explaining this verse says:  Verily, in this context, by "the way of Allah" (sabil Allah) is meant Ali bin Abi Talib and the Imams, on whom be peace. 


 And in the book of Allah (are mentioned) two kinds of leaders: he who guides rightly and he who leads astray.  And Allah the Exalted says: 
 "And We made them chiefs (or leaders) who guide by Our command" [21,73;cp.32,24]. And Allah says:  "And We made them patterns that invite unto the Fire, and on the Day of Resurrection they will not be helped.  And We made a curse to follow them in this world and on the Day of Resurrection they will be among the hateful" [28,41-42]. 
 

 Now when the following verse was revealed:  "And guard yourselves against a chastisement which cannot fall exclusively on those of you who are wrong-doers" [8,25], the Prophet (s.a.w.) said: He who will wrong Ali as regards my successor after my death, it is as though he has denied my apostleship and the apostleship of (all) the prophet before me, on whom be peace.  And he who befriends the wrong-doers is himself a wrong-doer." 
 

Allah the Mighty and Glorious says:  "O ye who believe!  Choose not your fathers, nor your brethren for friends if they prefer disbelief to faith.  Who so of you taketh them for friends, such are wrong-doers"[9,23].  And He the Mighty and Glorious has said:  "O ye who believe!  Be not friendly with a folk with whom Allah is wroth, (a folk) who have despaired of the Hereafter as [146] the disbelievers despair of those who are in the graves" [60,13].  And He the Mighty and Glorious says:  "Thou wilt not find folk who believe in Allah and the Last Day loving those who oppose Allah and His Messenger, even though they be their fathers or their sons or their brethren or their clan.  As for such, He hath written faith upon their hearts. . ." [58,22].  And He says, Exalted is He: "He among you who taketh them for friends is (one) of them.  Lo! Allah guideth not wrong-doing folk" [5,51].  And the Mighty and Glorious says:  "And incline not toward those who do wrong lest the fire touch you" [11,113]. 
 

 (The literal meaning of ) thulm is the placing of a thing at a place which is not its own.  So he who claims Imamat, not being an Imam, is an accursed wrong-doer (thalim).  And he who ascribes Imamat to those who are not entitled to it, he too is an accursed wrongdoer. 


 And the Prophet (s.a.w.) said:  He, who denies Ali, his Imamat after me, verily denies my apostleship(nubuwwa).  And he who denies me apostleship, has denied Allah His divinity. 
 And the Prophet, on whom be the blessings and mercy of Allah, said:  O Ali, you will be the wronged one (muthlum) after me; and he who wrongs you has verily wronged me; and he who acts justly towards you has verily acted justly towards me; and he who denies your (claim) has verily denied mine; and he who treats you as an enemy has verily treated me as an enemy; and he who obeys you has verily obeyed me; and he who disobeys you has verily disobeyed me. 
 

Our belief concerning him, who denies the Imamat to the Prince of Believers Ali bin Abi Taleb (a.s.), and the Imams after him, is that he is the like of him who denies the apostleship of all the prophets, on whom be peace.  And our belief concerning him, who believes in (the Imamat of) the Prince of Believers and denies a single one of the Imams after him, is that he is in the same position as one who accepts all the prophets but denies the apostleship of our Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).  And [147] Imam Ja'far as-Sadiq (a.s.) said:  He who denies the least among us is like him who denies (the claims of) the first among us. 
 And Imam Ja'far as-Sadiq (a.s.) said:  He who doubts in the infidelity (kufr) of our enemies who have wronged us is himself an infidel (kafir). 
 

 The Prince of Believers (a.s.) said: "Ever since I was born I have always been wronged."  When Aqil used to suffer from ophthalmia (ramad), he used to say:  Do not sprinkle eye-powder into my eyes, until you sprinkle it into Ali's, and they would do so although I had no ophthalmia. 
 And our belief concerning him who fought Ali is that he was an unbeliever (kafir), on account of the saying of the Prophet, on whom be the blessings and peace of Allah:  
"He, who fought me; and he, who waged war on Ali, waged war on me; and he, who waged war on me, did so against Allah."  And (also) on account of his (Prophet's) saying to Ali and Fatima and Hassan and Husayn, peace on all of them:  "I am the enemy of those who wage war against you, and at peace with those who are at peace with you." 
 And as for Fatima, the blessings of Allah and His peace be on her, our belief is that she is the leader of the women of the world, both the earlier and the later ones.  And verily Allah the Mighty and Glorious is wroth with him who evokes her anger, and is well-pleased with him who pleases her, for He has weaned her and those who revere her from the Fire.  And she left the world displeased with those who had wronged her and usurped her rights, and denied her the inheritance left by her father.  The Prophet (s.a.w.) said:  "Verily, Fatima is part of myself; he who angers her has angered me, and he who gladdens her [148] has gladdened me."  And the Prophet (s.a.w.) said:  "Verily Fatima is part of myself, and she is my spirit (ruh) which is between my two flanks.  What displeases her displeases me, and what gladdens her gladdens me." 
 

Our belief is that absolution is necessary in respect of the four idols (awthan) - Yaghuth, Ya'uq, Nusr, and Hubal, and the four (female) idols (andad)-al-lat, Uzza, Manat, and Shi'ra; also in respect of those who worship them, and all their partisans and followers.  Verily these are the worst of Allah's creatures, and the declaration (of belief in) Allah and His Messenger (s.a.w.) and of the Infallible Imams (a.s.) does not become complete without seeking absolution as regards their enemies. 
 

Our belief regarding those who killed the Prophets (s.a.w.) and the Infallible Imams (a.s.) is that they are unbelievers (kuffar) and polytheists (mushrikun), who will forever remain in the lowest stage of the Fire.

This Information was extracted from: 
 1.  Ash-Shaykh As-Sadiq.  A Shi’ite Creed.  Published by the World Organization for Islamic Services.  Tehran, Iran, 1982.



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SECRET OF TASBEEH BIBI FATEMAH ZEHRA (S.A.)



EXCELLENT PRESENTATION - SLIDE SHOW 
MUST SEE 

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LAWFUL EARNINGS



    Holy Prophet Muhammad  al Mustafā (S.A.W.W) states that Allāh (S.W.T.) has said:

“I will not care on the Day of Qiyāma from which door he enters Hell, the person who does not care from which door he earns money in this world.”

 [Reference: Greater Sins, vol 1, chapter 27

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WE SIMPLY DECEIVE EACH OTHER..............

Has it been said without any reason that at the war of Ditch (Khandaq) one stroke of Imam Ali's sword was more meritorious than all the acts of worship performed by the jinn and mankind? 

Apparently his stroke was no more than a blow to kill a person. But it had a far greater significance. At that time Islam was facing the combined forces of infidelity and if Muslims had been defeated in that encounter, the very existence of Islam would have been endangered. There is still another aspect of the question, and that is the dedication and devotion involved in Imam Ali's act. Once while Imam Ali was on the chest of an enemy, he spat on the Imam's face. Imam Ali at once got off so that his act might not be affected by the motive of personal vengeance.

The spirit of such a stroke is certainly superior to all acts of worship. It is this spirit which gives the acts of a true believer their proper meaning and significance. Outwardly the acts performed by the polytheists and the monotheists, the idolaters and these who do not worship the idols, look alike. Apparently there is no difference in them. Abu Sufyan also used to offer prayers. Mu'awiyah was himself the Imam of Congregational prayers. They performed their religious acts like others. It is the spirit of prayer that accords sublimity to it. If the spirit is there, prayer is a devotional act. Otherwise it is nothing more than a mere show and a fraud. This principle applies to us also. We simply deceive each other.

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THE CONCEPT OF MAJOR JIHAD

He who wishes to get out of the dungeon of egoism, must strive to emigrate from his present state. According to a Prophetic tradition once certain companions of the Holy Prophet came back from a Jihad (holy war). The Holy Prophet said to them:

'You have returned after carrying out a minor jihad, but still owe a major one". A major jihad is carried out against one's lower self. All other jihads are subservient to this one. Any other jihad performed by us will be worth the name only if we succeed in the major jihad. Otherwise all other jihads will be nothing more than a satanic act. 

If a person takes part in the holy war with a view to obtain a slave girl or to provide for his livelihood, these very things would be his reward. But if a person performs jihad for the sake of Allah, then it would be Allah's responsibility to reward him. In fact the reward depends on the quality of the job performed. 

Obviously there is a vast difference between the quality of our performance and that of the holy men and friends of Allah, for our aims and objects are quite different from theirs.

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DUA / HAMD - KARAM MANGTA HOON, ATA MAANGTA HON. BY SABRI

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Hum Ghariboon Ka Daman Bhi Bhardo - Syed Ameer Hassan Aamir

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PLEASE PERFORM YOUR SAJDAH-14 Ayaat in the Quran which require a sajdah


There are 14 Ayaat in the Quran which require a sajdah. Please pay special attention when listening or reciting these sections. The Ayaat of sajdah are highlighted as follows:

Compulsory (wajib) sajdah:


Sura 32 - As Sajdah 'The Adoration' - Ayat 15
Sura 41 - Ha Mim 'Ha Mim' - Ayat 38
Sura 53 - An Najm 'The Star' - Ayat 62
Sura 96 - Al Alaq 'The Clot' - Ayat 19

Recommended (mustahab) sajdah:


Sura 7 - Al A'raf 'The Elevated Places' - Ayat 206
Sura 13 - Ar  Ra'ad 'The Thunder' - Ayat 15
Sura 16 - An Nahl 'The Bee' - Ayat 50
Sura 17 - Bani Israil 'The Children of Israil' - Ayat 109
Sura 19 - Marium 'Mary' - Ayat 58
Sura 22 - Al Haj 'The Pilgrimage' - Ayat 18
Sura 25 - Al Furqan 'The Criterion' - Ayat 60
Sura 27 - An Naml 'The Ant' - Ayat 26
Sura 38 - Saad 'Saad' - Ayat 24
Sura 84 - Al Inshiqaq 'The Bursting Asunder' - Ayat 21

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One who plays music in the house for forty days will be beset by a Satan named Fogander



Imam Ja’far As-Sadiq (a.s) said, "One who plays music in the house for forty days will be beset by a Satan named Fogander. Allah will cause that Satan to occupy each and every part of that person’s body. When this would happen then shame would depart from him and he would not care what he is saying nor what is being said about him. Then the Satan would blow unto him and after that his modesty would be completely destroyed. Then he would not feel ashamed even if the chastity of his women is being defiled."

 

The Holy Prophet (S) said," the playing of violin causes hypocrisy to grow in the heart in the same way as water becomes the cause of the growth of greenery."

 

Imam Ali (a.s) said," Angels do not enter the house which has wine, drum, tambourine or a flute. Even the innovations of the people of that house are not accepted and the fortunate blessings from them are taken away."

 

Imam Ali Reza (a.s) said," That person in whose house is kept for forty days a drum, flute or any other musical instrument, chess or similar things that person invokes the wrath of Allah and if that person dies during those forty days his death shall be of a transgressor and a libertine. His abode shall be Hell and what a terrible abode it is."

 

The Holy Prophet (S) said," A person who sings will be put in the group of those people on whom Allah will not look with grace on the Day of Judgement."

 

Dance halls are modern nurseries of the Divorce Courts, training shops of prostitution, and the graduating school of infamy and vice."

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Some Traditions on Music



After Ayats of the Qur’an, I mention here some of the traditions of the Holy Prophet of Islam (S) and Imams (a.s.) about musical sound, musical instruments, and musical parties.

 

1. The Holy Prophet (S) said: "When my Ummat (followers) will acquire fifteen habits they will be visited by disasters:

 

1) When the booty will be treated as personal property;

 

2) and trust will become like a booty of war;

 

3) and charity will be (disliked) like a loss;

 

4&5) and man will obey his wife and disobey his mother;

 

6&7) and will be generous to his friend and tyrant to his father;

 

8) and voices will be high in the mosques;

 

9) and a man will be respected as a safeguard against his evil;

 

10) and the leader of the people will be the worst of them;

 

11) and men will wear silk;

 

12) and people will keep singing and dancing girls;

 

13) and will keep musical instruments;

 

14) and will drink intoxicants;

 

15) and fornication will increase;

 

At that time expect red storms or depression of land-mass or changing your faces like the image of animals and the victory of your enemy upon you and then you will not be helped (by Allah)."

 

2. The Holy Prophet of Islam describing the signs of the Day of Judgment said: "Verily amongst the signs of the Hour is that people will neglect prayers (will not pray in the preferred time)! And will follow their desires, and will incline towards their own preferences..................... In those days, there will be people who will learn the Qur’an for other than Allah (i.e. for earning worldly benefits) and will treat the Qur’an as musical instrument (as is happening today in Islamic countries where Qur’an is recited on the radios just to entertain the listeners) and there will be people who will study religion for other than Allah (for earning prestige or wealth as is happening today when the main purpose of study of religion is to be come a good orator, so that higher and higher fees may be demanded from the audience) and number of illegitimate children will increase and people will sing the Qur’an.......... and will adore musical instruments and will dislike enjoining the good and forbidding the evil.............These are the people who will be called unclean and dirty in the kingdom of heaven."

 

3. Imam Ja’far  As-Sadiq (a.s.) said: "Music is the nest of hypocrisy."

 

4. Also he said: "Music is the worst of the sounds."

 

5. Imam Ja’far  As-Sadiq (a.s.) said: The place where music is performed, Allah does not look at its participants (with mercy).

 

6. Also the Imam (a.s.) said: "Listening to music and vain (sounds) grows hypocrisy as the water grows the plants.

 

7. Hassan (a companion of Imam Ja’far  As-Sadiq a.s.) said: There was a man in my neighbourhood who had singing girls and he always remained immersed in music and dance. When I went to W.C., I used to stay a bit longer (to listen to those sounds). When I went to Imam Ja’far  As-Sadiq (a.s.), he told me: O Hasan, Verily the ear, and the eye and the heart, all of them will be asked. The ear and what it listened to, the eye and what it looked at and the heart and what it intended."

 

Hasan says: When I heard that Ayat of the Qur’an, it was as though I had never heard it before. Then I repented (from my sin of listening to music) and made a convent with Allah not to do it again.

 

The Imam (a.s.) said: "Stand up have bath and pray to Allah as much as you wish. How bad would have been your position if you had died with this habit. Repent before Allah and ask His forgiveness for every evil because Allah does not dislike but evil, leaves evil for evil people because for everything are its people.

In a list of major sins which he sent to Caliph Mamun Rashid, Imam Ali Ar-Ridha (a.s.) mentioned the participation in the musical gatherings.

 

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