JINNS -AS MENTIONED IN THE HOLY QU'RAN- BRIEF EXPLANATION

Jinns

And on the day when He shall gather them all together (and say):  "O’ assembly of jinn!  Ye increased your strength (by seducing a great number) from men;"  And will say their friends among the men:  "O’ Our Lord!  Some of us profited by others and We have reached our term which Thou didst appoint for us;"  He shall say:  "The (Hell) fire is your abode, be ye the dwellers therein, save what pleaseth God;  "Verily thy Lord is All-Wise, All-Knowing."  6:129

The actual meaning of the word ‘Jinn’ is the ethereal, invisible beings, i.e., the spirit of evil like the angels who are the spirit of goodness.  The existence of such beings is an accepted fact but the word ‘Jinn’ need not mean one and the same everywhere, as it is also used figuratively for the leaders of evil or the notorious persons among the infidels, as the word ‘Shayateen’ meaning devils, is used for the fellow-disbeliever’s.  According to Ibne Abbas, ‘Jinn’ in this verse means the infidels.
 

The word ‘Jinn’ is derived from the root word ‘Janna’, i.e., meaning he covered or concealed or he protected.  Since the leaders of the infidels, out of their pride kept themselves covered from the commoners and they also remained protected by their worldly positions, the word could be used for them in a figurative reference or address to the wicked beings. 
This clearly asserts the existence of unseen beings and agencies of responsible character like man, who have inter-relation in some way or the other with mankind and do influence the weak-minded ones among the human beings to divert them from the right path.

"O assembly of jinn and men!  Did not come unto you apostles from among you, relating to you My signs and warning you of the meeting of this day (of requital) of yours?"  They shall say, "We bear witness against Ourselves;"  And this world’s life deceived them, and they shall bear witness against their (own) selves that they were disbelievers."  6:131

The address in this verse both to the ‘Jinn’ as well as men, indicated that apostles among the ‘Jinn’ also must have come, though their names have not been mentioned in the Holy Qur’an.  And the verse ‘We have sent a guide to every people’ indicates that the people of the ‘Jinn’ must also have had guides for their guidance. Regarding ‘from among you’, relating to ‘Jinn’s’, the commentators differ as to whether ‘Jinn’s’ had prophets of their own or that the prophets who came for men were also for the ‘Jinn’s’.  When the existence of the ‘Jinn’s’ as a separate people, is a community, they also must have had prophets of their own and their prophets might have been subordinate to the human prophets, as it is proved from Qur’an that man is superior to all other creatures.  It is an accepted fact that the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.) was for both men and the ‘Jinn’s’ alike.  This is the reason ‘Jinn’s’ are frequently mentioned and addressed in the Holy Qur’an and in no other scripture.

"And gathered together unto Solomon his hosts of jinn and men and birds, then they were arrayed in ranks."  27:17

The hosts at the disposal of Prophet Solomon (a.s.) consisted of all varieties of God’s creation.  For example, birds, animals, beasts, men, and the spiritual beings like jinn.  It is said that the hosts occupied a very extensive space on earth.

"Said (Solomon):  "O’ ye chiefs!  Which of you can bring unto me her throne, ere they come unto me submitting?"  27:38 
"Said an audacious one among the jinn;  "I will bring it unto thee ere thou risest up from they place; for verily I am strong (enough to do it) and I am (also thy) trusted one."  27:39

 The task which Prophet Solomon (a.s.) wanted to achieve was something which ordinarily seemed to be impossible, i.e., the bringing of the Queen single-handed arresting her and presenting her with her throne itself.  The offer to do it was from a jinn who said he would do it before Prophet Solomon (a.s.) rises from his seat i.e., Prophet Solomon (a.s.) disperses his court and gets up but even with that, Prophet Solomon (a.s.) was not satisfied.  The Ahmadi Commentator just to establish his own peculiar interpretation of the word of Jinn that was an Amalekite who was of a large stature.  It will be ridiculous to imagine that however huge a man may be, it could never be possible for him to go to the distant land of Sheba within the few moments and to single-handed arrest the Queen and bring her with her throne unless the jinn be a spirit and the one with some extraordinary spiritual strength and power to do it. 
 This proves that Prophet Solomon (a.s.) was not inclined to use the spiritual powers in all his affairs than use of any temporal one.

"And for Solomon (We made subservient) the wind which traveled in the morning a month’s journey and a month’s journey in the evening;  And We caused for him to flow a fountain of molten brass and of the jinn there were those who worked before him by the command of his Lord; and whatever among them turned away from Our Command, We will make him taste the chastisement of the flaming fire."  34:12 
  
"They made for him whatever he willeth of fortresses and statues, and basins (large as) reservoirs, and (huge) cooking cauldrons immovable from their places;  "Act ye gratefully, O’ family of David!  And very few of My servants are grateful!"  34:13

"And when We decreed death for him (Solomon), nothing did show them his death, but a worm of the earth which gnawed away his staff; an when it fell down, then came to know the jinn that they would have tarried not in the humiliating torment (of their toil)."  34:14

 Prophet Solomon (a.s.) had the jinn’s serving under his hands.  The jinn’s must naturally be some uncontrollable rebellious beings for the words ‘by the command’ indicates that some special control of God, needed to make them work duly and the punishment which is mentioned to be ready for the rebellious or disobedient among the jinn’s indicates that the jinn’s were by nature liable to revolt or disobey the authority of the men under Prophet Solomon’s (a.s.) rule.
 

 It may be remembered that the first one who disobeyed God to prostrate before Prophet Adam (a.s.), while all the angels immediately did it, was a jinn, i.e., being neither an angel nor any human being.  He was against the very first man, who was then yet in its creation.  And it is also said that the jinn was made of fire and not of clay.  Against such clear statements, the Ahmadi commentator interprets the meaning of the word ‘Jinn’ as the strangers quoting wherein chapter 2:12-18, it mentions the strangers among the workers of Prophet Solomon (a.s.).  The interpretation is against the clear evidence of the Holy Qur’an that jinn’s are the beings made of fire other than human beings.  The Ahmadi commentator is opposed to any belief in any kind of supernatural powers having been at the disposal of any of the apostles of God just to please to materialists of the West.  Hence, the Ahmadi commentator interprets every miracle of the apostles of God in his own peculiar way.  This is a denial of the special powers granted by God to His apostles.
 

 Of the structure erected by men and the jinn’s, is the Big Mosque at Jerusalem.  It is said that God revealed to Prophet David (a.s.), "I had convened with thy father (ancestor) Abraham (a.s.) that I would bless his seed and multiply it and make it a great nation for he (Abraham) had offered the sacrifice of his son at Our Command and I too have fulfilled my promise to him but his seed has turned ungrateful to My Grace and Bounties.  I shall send a chastisement on them."  They were visited by plague and by Prophet David’s (a.s.) prayer were relieved of it.  The Lord said, "O’ David!  Tell My servants to offer their gratitude and the prayer I heard, let there be a Mosque so that thy progeny and the others of the future generations might offer their prayers in it."  The construction of the Mosque was started and the righteous ones among the Israelites and Prophet David himself labored for it carrying heavy stones and mud on their heads.  When the walls of the Mosque rose to a man’s height, Prophet David was commanded by God that his share in the building of the Mosque was complete, the work was then left to be completed by his son Prophet Solomon (a.s.).
 

 The Eighth Holy Imam Ali ibne Musa Ar-Redha (a.s.) said that once Prophet Solomon (a.s.) told his courtier’s that, "Though God has blessed me with the greatest kingdom which none ever had and has favored me with unique gifts of control over men, jinn, animals, and birds, even the knowledge of the language of the birds.  I am not even for a moment happy over all these.  I want to get on the top of my palace and have a full view of God’s Kingdom around me, let none enter the place." Prophet Solomon (a.s.) with is staff in his hands got upon the step and while he was viewing the kingdom around him, a  young man beautifully dressed appeared from a corner of the palace.  Prophet Solomon (a.s.) asked him, "Who art thou?  I had ordered that none should be allowed to enter the palace.  Who permitted thee to enter this palace?" 
 The visitor replied, "The Owner of this!" 
 Prophet Solomon (a.s.) said, "I am the owner!" 
 The stranger said, "God is the Owner of the Universe!  And I am the Angel of Death and I have been set to take thy life out of thy body." 
 Prophet Solomon (a.s.) said, "Then get thou busy in thy duty to discharge which the Lord hath sent thee!" 
 

While Prophet Solomon (a.s.) stood leaning on his staff, his soul left his body and the body was caused by God to stay as it was for a year and the people from below the palace could see Prophet Solomon (a.s.) standing and thought him to be alive.  When some considerable time had passed, some thought Prophet Solomon (a.s.) to be God and said that they must worship him and some said that he was a magician controlling their perception to see him standing there.  God caused the white ants to eat away the staff, and it gave way and the body of Prophet Solomon (a.s.) fell on the ground.  It was then the people came to know that Prophet Solomon (a.s.) was dead and until then every one thought him to be alive and went on with the work entrusted to them by Prophet Solomon (a.s.).

"And assign they between him and the jinn a kinship, and indeed the jinn to know that they shall surely be brought up (to account on the Day of Judgment)."  37:158

Some of he infidels believed that the angels are the issues of God, through His alliance with the selected women of the Jinn’s.  And the fire-worshippers thought that God and Satan are two brothers, one works goodness and creates light and the other works evil and causes darkness.

And when turned We unto thee a party of jinn who (quietly) listened to the Qur’an when came they unto it, said they:  "Be ye silent!  (and listen)?"  Then when was finished ( the recital), returned they unto their people warning (them against the wrath of God)."  46:29

Said (the Jinn’s):  "O’ ye our people!  Verily, have we listened unto a Book sent down (from God) after Moses, verifying what is before it, guiding unto the truth and unto a path straight aright."  46:30

 The jinn’s are exceptionally some spiritual beings.  One of such beings is referred here.  After the death of Abu-Talib, the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.) had become totally helpless and was exposed to open attacks from the people.  When he went to Taif to the tribe of Saqeef, he first met three chiefs of the people there:  Abdul-Lail, Mas’ood, and Habib who only ridiculed him (s.a.w.) and treated him (s.a.w.) with derision and laughter.  They set the mischievous one and the lads of the place, began to make noises and make a fool of him (s.a.w.) in the streets of the towns.  They even pelted stones on him (s.a.w.).  He was wounded in his legs and at last he (s.a.w.) went and stood under the shade of a wall and then sat down under a date-palm.  There were Utba and Shaiba, the two sons of Rabiah and they turned him away from the place.  The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.) raised his hands and prayed to God about his (s.a.w.) helplessness.  Seeing him praying, the two men sent some grapes through their Christian slave named Adas who was from Nainawah.  When the slave heard the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.) reciting, ‘Bismillah hir Rahman nir Rahim’ (In the name of God, the Beneficent, the Merciful), before he ate the fruits, a clause which the slave had never heard before from anyone in the town, asked the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.) as to what place he belonged.  The reply was Mecca, and when the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.) asked the slave about his nativity, the slave said that he belonged to Nainawah.  The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.) said, ‘It was the native place of a righteous man of God, named Younus bin Mata (Jones, son of Matthew)!  The slave in surprise, asked the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.), ‘How dost thou know about Younus bin Mata?’  In reply the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.), "He was my brother, an apostle of God like myself."  Saying this he related some details about Younus bin Mata. 

The slave who was a good Christian, understood the actual position of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.) and bowing to him and kissing his hands and feet, embraced Islam.  When the slave returned to the two men Utba and Shaiba and on their inquiry about his conduct with the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.), he said that "Muhammad is the awaited apostle of God and I have embraced his faith Islam."  The two men warned the slave against his deserting his original faith saying that the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.) was an enchanter.  The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.) left the place and staying in the night in a garden for his midnight prayers, he returned to Mecca.  While he was reciting the Holy Qur’an, a group of the jinn’s passed the place and that one of the jinn’s conveyed to his tribe, is referred to in this verse (46:29). 
 

Ibne Abbas says once the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.) said that he was commanded by God to recite the Holy Qur’an to the jinn’s and to warn them.  He asked his companions as to who would like to accompany him to the recital.  None uttered a word save ibne Mas’ood.  The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.) asked thrice but every time there was silence and none replied.  Ibne Mas’ood says that he was taken to the cave called Sheb-e-Haihoon which is on the top of a mountain near Mecca.  Arriving at the place, the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.) drew a circle round ibne-Mas’ood and commanded him never under any circumstances to step out of the circle, until he (the Holy Prophet ‘s.a.w.’) returns to him and going forward stood there and started reciting the Holy Qur’an and it was night.  Ibne Mas’ood says that he saw huge birds and huge serpents that began to gather and started making peculiar noises and he got frightened and became anxious for the safety of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.).  In the sky, he saw a black patch of a cloud like smoke and at dawn everything parted away and the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.) returned to Ibne-Mas’ood.  The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.) asked Ibne-Mas’ood as to what he saw and Ibne-Mas’ood related his experience.  The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.) said it was a gathering of about 12,000 jinn’s to whom Chapter 113 of the Holy Qur’an was recited.

"And whosoever respondeth not unto the Summoner unto God, yet he can frustrate not God’s will in the earth, and there shall not be for him, other than Him, any guardians; these are in manifest error."  46:32

 Qummi says that the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.) once went to the market place, Akkaza, along with Zaid bin Haritha to preach the message of Islam.  On his (s.a.w.) way back to Mecca he stayed in the valley of Najbah for the night and when he recited the Holy Qur’an, there also assembled some jinn’s, one of the groups carried the message of Islam to his kind.  It is said that among the jinn’s there are believers and disbeliever, good and wicked.  It is a proof positive that the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.) was a Warner to the jinn’s as well as to mankind.

Say, "It hast been revealed unto me that a party of the jinn hath heard (the Qur’an) and said:  "Verily, we have heard a Recital (Qur’an) (which is) Wonderful. (72:1)

Guideth it unto the Right (Way), wherefore believe we in it; and never will be associate any one with our Lord!"  72:2

"And that He, exalted is the Majesty of our Lord! Hath taken not a wife nor a son."  72:3

"And that want to speak the foolish ones amongst us, against God, atrocious things."  72:4

"And that thought we that never utter the humans and jinn any falsehood against God."  72:5

"And that individuals from among the humans used to seek protection of the individuals from among the jinn’s so they increased them (only) in rebellion (against God)."  72:6

"And that they (too) thought, as ye think, never would God raise (from the dead) any one!"  72:7

"And that we sought the heaven but we found it filled with strong guards and flaming darts."  72:8

"And that sat we on some of the seats (there) to (steal) a hearing; but any who would (try now to) listen, findeth a flaming dart in wait for him."  72:9

"And that we understood not (by this) whether evil be meant for them that are on the earth, or whether willeth their Lord to guide them aright."  72:10

"And that some amongst us are good ones, and the others of us are other than that; we are sects following different ways."  72:11

"And that knew we that never can we defeat (the will of) God in the earth, and never can we defeat Him (in His will) by flight."  72:12

"And that, when heard we the guidance, believed we in it;  and whosoever believeth in his Lord, he thereafter feareth neither loss nor oppression."  72:13

"And that, of us some are Muslims and of us are the others who are the deviator’s (from the right path), and whoever submit these pursue the right guidance." 72:14

"And as for the deviator’s, they shall be for the hell, a fuel. . ."  72:15

 ‘Jinn’, i.e., the ethereal beings are quite different from the angels.  Angels are pure energies created for fixed duties allotted by God and ‘Jinn’s’ are similar beings created of the element of fire generally functioning as the agencies of evil while the angels are the actors of good.  But the jinn’s are capable of getting their evil corrected and amending their activities for good.  Though jinn’s are generally wicked or evil beings but there are good and the righteous ones also among them.  With the birth of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.), the ways or the means for the jinn’s to rise into the higher spheres were stopped and hence they were disabled from stealing any news from the heavens above and hence could no more inspire their victims with the information about the future to mislead mankind, by attracting their attention and faith in them against God and godliness.  The jinn’s were spread all over the atmosphere in quest of any particular event having occurred on earth to have created this effect detrimental to their activities.  A party of the jinn’s passed the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.) while he was in prayers reciting the Holy Qur’an.  They listened to it and wondered about the contents the recitation conveyed, i.e., about the Unity of God and the purity of faith and conduct which ideas were unknown to the people for centuries together and any thing like that was never heard by them ever before.  This party of the jinn’s returned to their people and this Sura (chapter 72 ‘Al-Jinn’) contains what they reported to their kind about what they heard and about their embracing Islam.
 

 However, Qur’an and Islamic traditions assert the existence of intelligent beings with eternal bodies other than angels capable of being charged with responsibilities.  And due to the fineness of the structure of their bodies, they are capable of doing things beyond the ordinary human power. Jinn’s glorify the Unity of God against the belief in, God having a wife and a son for Him for the Christian belief in a begotten son of God, necessitates also the partnership of a wife for the issue to be born of her.  People believed in the protection of the Jinn and used to seek it.  Whenever they happened to be in the wilderness or in any dreadful forest, they used to invoke the protection of their own imaginary jinn as the chief of the jinn’s of the place saying, "O’ Chief of this wilderness, I seek refuge in thee, against the mischief of any of thy wicked subjects."  By saying so, the people thought that they were safe.  Such false praises had infatuated the jinn’s and made them proud to foolishly think that they could be believed as the real guardians of mankind, having authority over their destiny.

This source of information was taken from: 
1.  Ali Ahmed, Mir.  The Holy Qur’an.  Published by Tahrike Tarsile Qur’an Inc.  New York, 1988.

DONT LOOK AT ANYONE OTHER THAN YOUR HUSBAND

Dear lady! before your marriage you may have had other offers of matrimony. These offers may be from rich, educated, handsome men, etc whom you may have wished to marry. Such expectations were natural before your marriage. But now that you have chosen your partner and signed a sacred covenant with him to be together for the rest of your life, then forget the past altogether. You must put aside your past wishes and forget those past offers. Do not think of any men except your husband and find peace with him. If you do otherwise you will place yourself in a strained condition.  Now that you have agreed to live with your husband, why should you be constantly noticing other man? Why should you compare him with others? What do you achieve by looking at other men except putting yourself in a permanently miserable state and cause mental anguish for yourself?  "Imam Ali (AS) stated: 'Whoever leaves his eyes at liberty, will always suffer through his nerves, and will be trapped in a permanent state of envy'."[46]  By looking at other men and comparing your husband with them, you will find a man who does not have your husband's faults. You might then think that man is perfect, because you are not aware of the deficiencies of such a man. You regard your marriage as a failure and this thought might lead to disastrous ends.  "Mrs..., an 18-year old woman who had run away from home was arrested by the police last night. In the police station the woman said that, after three years of marriage, she gradually felt that she did not love her husband. She said: 'I m used to compare my husband's face with other men and I regretted my marriage with him'."[47]  Dear madam! if you are interested in an everlasting marriage; if you do not want mental distress; and if you want to conduct a normal life, then stop being selfish and forget your vain hopes. Do not make compliments for other men. Do not think of any man other than your husband. Do not think to yourself:  "I wish I had married so and so;"  "I wish my husband looked like...;"  "I wish my husband's job was...;"  "I wish...," "I wish..." "I wish..."  Why should you imprison yourself with these thoughts? Why should you upset the foundations of your marriage? If any of those wishes had come true, how would you know that you would have been more satisfied? Are you sure that the wives of those so-called "faultless" men are satisfied with them?  Dear madam! if your husband suspects that you show interest in other men, he would be disheartened and would lose interest in you. You must not cut jokes with other men or keep company with them. Men are so sensitive that they cannot even tolerate their wives to show an interest in a picture of another man.  "The Holy Prophet (SA) stated: 'Any married woman who looks at other men, would be subject to the vehement wrath of Allah'."[48]  REFERENCES  [46] Bihar al-Anwar, vol 104, p 38.  (47] Ittela'at, 3rd Esfand, 1350 Solar Hijri.  [48] Bihar al-Anwar, vol 104, p 39.

HOURIES AND WOMEN OF PARADISE

Houries and Women of Paradise

For deriving physical pleasures in Paradise, Allah has created the 'Hourul Een' for the believers. They have been given this name because 'Hoor'means 'bright colour and 'Een means 'expanse and dark-eyed, for the darkness of their eyes will be quite dark, and their skin pure white. 

"And pure, beautiful ones, the like of hidden pearis". (Surah-al-Waqe'ah: 22, 23) 
"In them shall be those who restrained their eyes, before them neither man nor jinni shall have touched them". (Surah-ar-Rahman: 56) 
"As though they were rubies and corals". (Surah-ar Rahman: 58) 
"And with them shall be those who restrain their eyes, having beautiful eyes. As if they were eggs carefully protected". (Surah-as-Saffat: 48,49) 
It is related that a hourie' will be wearing seventy dresses, even then the whiteness of their calfs will be visible. Their bodies will be glowing like the gentle brightness of rubies. Abdullah ibne Mas'ood says, that he heard the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.S.) as saying, that a light will shine forth in paradise and people will wonder as to what it is. It will be said unto them that the light has emitted from the teeth of a hourie' who is laughing seated in front of her husband. 
"Surely we have made them to grow into a (new) growth, then We have made them virgins, loving, equals in age". (Surah- al-Waqe'ah: 35-37) 
All of these houries' will be aged sixteen years, while the age of the believers (in Paradise) will be thirty three years. The hair of the houries' will be curled, their bodies bright and clean of unwanted hair. 
"And they shall have Pure mates in them, and in them they shall abide (forever)" (Surah -al-Baqarah: 25) 
These houries' will be free from pride and arrogance and will not envy each other. 
It is related that on the right side of the hourie' it will be written:"praise be to Allah who has fulfilled what He promised", and on the left side : "praise be to Allah who has relieved us of grief. 
In a lengthy tradition the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.S.) says, that when Allah created the hourie', on her right hand was written "Mohammadun Rasoolullah", and on her left hand "Aliyyun Waliyullah". On her forehead was written "Al Hasan" and on her chin "Al Husain", and on both of her lips "In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, Merciful". Ibne Mas'ood asked, O' Prophet ! who will have this blessing"? The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.S.) replied, "The one who recites "In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, Merciful" with due respect". 
Those Women who die in faith, their beauty in paradise will be more than that of the houries' 
"In them are goodly things, beautiful ones". (Surah-ar- Rahman: 70) 
The women referred to here are the faithful ones who will enter paradise. In reference to the above verse, Allamah Majlisi quotes Imam Ja'far-as-sadiq (A.S.) as saying, that the "goodly things" referred to in the verse are those women who are believers, the Shi'ahs, and the Wise ones. They will enter paradise and will be given in wed-lock to the believing men .

It is related that those women who did not marry in this world, or those women whose husbands had not entered paradise, will be given the freedom to choose the believer whom she desires, and they shall be married to them. But if a women's husband is present in paradise, she will be permitted to marry him with her consent. If in the world she married more than once, the man who has the greatest status (in paradise) and has committed more good deeds will be chosen for her.

FEW GUIDE LINES- LOOKING AT NA-MEHRAM

According To Grand Ayatullah Seestani 

It is haraam for man to look at the body or hair of the Non-Mahram women, regardless of whether it is with the intention of pleasure or not, and whether there is a fear of falling into sinful act or not. It is also haraam to look at the faces and the arms, upto the wrists, of such women with the intention of pleasure, or if there is fear of falling into sinful act, and the recommended precaution is that one should not look at their faces or arms even without such an intention. 
Similarly, it is haraam for a woman to look at the body of Non-Mahram man, except places which are customarily not covered, like, his face, hands, head, neck and feet. She can look at these parts of a man without the intention of deriving any pleasure, or if there is no fear of being entrapped in any sinful act. 

To look at the body of a woman who would not care for Hijab, even if she were advised, is not haraam, provided that it does not lead to sinful act or sexual pleasure, and excitement, nor is it with that intention; and in this rule, there is no distinction between a Muslim and a non-Muslim woman; and also between those parts, like their faces, their hands which they normally do not cover, and other parts of their bodies. 

Woman should conceal her body and hair from a man who is non-Mahram, and as an obligatory precaution, she should conceal herself even from a Na-baligh boy who is able to discern between good and evil, and could probably be sexually excited. But she can leave her face and hands upto wrists uncovered in the presence of Na-Mahram, as long as it does not lead him to casting a sinful, evil glance or her to doing something forbidden; for in both these cases, she must cover them. 

It is haraam to look at the private parts of a baligh Muslim, even if it is seen behind the glass or reflected in the mirror, or clean water etc. As an obligatory precaution, it is also haraam to look at the genitals of a non-Muslim, and of a discerning Na-baligh child. However, wife and her husband can look at the entire body of each other. 

If a man and woman who are Mahram of each other, do not have the intention of sexual pleasure, they can see the entire body of each other excepting the private parts. 

A man should not look at the body of another man with the intention of sexual excitement, and also, it is haraam for a woman to look at the body of another woman with the intention of sexual excitement. 

A man who is acquainted with a Na-Mahram woman, should not, as a precaution, look at her photograph etc., provided that the woman is not a heedless, commonplace person

WOMEN- ALLAH'S TRUST- HOW WOULD YOU TREAT THEM ?

It is wrong that the husband treats his wife according to the principle of reciprocity, so that he does not treat her well until she does first. Whereas the principle {We desire no recompense from you, no thankfulness}, applies here. There is a difference between acting with complaisance for the sake of Allah-fulfilling high values-and doing it to acquire possessions of this world..

It is necessary -to achieve a happy life with the wife-that we have the divine and the transparent regard to women. For she too was created to attain her perfection. Therefore, we must regard her as a creature marching towards of Allah. Hence, we must not discourage her in her endeavour to attain perfection.

If the husband is not the kind of person who cares for the hereafter, then he must work for the benefit of his life in this world. And that is by not transferring the woman into a nervous being who expresses her feelings inside the marital establishment on one side, affecting the children’s upbringing on the other. It is known that the wife is a life partner, which makes her a good investment for he who wants to improve her capabilities so that, both the couple, their children and the society benefit.

The man’s refraining from taking the responsibility inside the house is one of the causes of the dismantling of a marriage. He starts the relationship by showing a great deal of love and affection, only to change afterwards to someone who does not regard the house a friendly atmosphere and does not take any responsibility even regarding the obligatory adequate support. Especially so if the wife is financially independent, then he will try to take away her possessions which will leave him with a mere nominal role inside the house.” .

It is wrong to sanctify-during an argument-the notion of partiality of each of the couple for his or her relatives, forgetting the principle of precedence by piety. For there is nothing as the (husband’s relatives) in opposition to the (wife’s relatives) in the exact Islamic concept, because all believers are like one body, and disputes in the family should not be transferred to the bigger family, the society.

The Prophet (P.U.H.H) said: “ Fear Allah in regard the two weak subjects” meaning (the woman and the orphan). It is known that suppressing someone who has no helper but Allah; is one of the causes of speeding-up of the divine Vengeance. That is why we think that he oppressor of his wife cannot advance in the way of perfection, for how could we seek nearness to Allah when He is displeased with us

The resorting of the husband to unlawful practices, starting with looking at forbidden pictures in addition to committing forbidden deeds, will destroy the marital establishment in many ways. Because he who derives pleasure from a variety of forbidden practices, will not be satisfied by what is allowed for him, especially when he compares the available and variable forbidden to the stable allowed. On the other hand, he will drop in his wife’s estimation-who resents marital infidelity by her nature. How shall he expect respect from her after that? Moreover, Allah-who casts love in obedient people’s hearts-takes away that love from disobedient people’s hearts. This is the secret of people’s dislike to the sinful even without knowledge of their sinning.

Some regard sexual intercourse as a pure bestial action. Consequently, they might not fulfill their obligation if they-wrongly-think that it hinders them from attaining certain spiritual ranks. Whereas the matter includes an emotional as well as an instinctive undertaking, which is one of the requirements of the fortification of the marital life, in addition to making the partner happy and satisfied, provided that excess and neglect are avoided.

Showing romantic feelings and gestures in dealing with the wife is required by the Sharia. Because it is related that the Prophet (P.U.H.H) had said: “The man’s saying to his wife, I love you, never goes away from her heart”. This attitude should not be restricted to the early years of the marriage; rather it is necessary to constantly refresh the marital life with it.

The man must not seek comfort outside the house on the wife’s expense, because Allah commanded us to guard ourselves first and our families second against the Fire {Guard yourselves and your families against a Fire}. Hence, the man’s leaving of his woman to live in loneliness and isolation, especially during he night, is a kind of unintended tormenting.

Resorting to beating and the use of improper words in marital life, form the peak of the spiritual decline, which takes the glamour away from the marital life and causes a crack which doe snot close even after harmony returns.

Hezbollah said on Friday it could kill tens of thousands of Israelis by hitting targets with ....

BEIRUT (Reuters) - Hezbollah said on Friday it could kill tens of thousands of Israelis by hitting targets with what it described as precision-guided missiles in a declaration that seemed aimed at deterring Israeli strikes on Lebanon or its regional backer Iran.

Hezbollah Secretary General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah said his group could turn the lives of hundreds of thousands of Israelis "to real hell" by hitting a small number of number of targets which he said was "not large" - a possible reference to nuclear facilities, though Nasrallah would not go into details.

"During any stage of an attack on our country, if we are forced to use or target this type of target, to protect our people and country, we will not hesitate," he said.

Nasrallah's remarks will likely be factored into Israeli calculations ahead of any military action against Iran, which is pursuing a nuclear program viewed as an existential threat in Israel.

Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak has said he believes his country would suffer up to 500 casualties in any conflict aimed at wiping out Iran's nuclear facilities - which both Israel and Western powers believe Tehran is using to develop nuclear weapons.

"We can talk about tens of thousands of dead," Nasrallah said in a speech to mark Jerusalem Day, commemorated on the last Friday of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan according to a tradition established by Iran's late Ayatollah Khomeini.

"I tell the Israelis that you have a number of targets, not a large number ... that can be hit with precision rockets ... which we have," Nasrallah said.

"Hitting these targets with a small number of rockets will turn ... the lives of hundreds of thousands of Zionists to real hell," he said.

Israel, thought to be the Middle East's only nuclear-armed power, has repeatedly threatened military action if diplomacy fails to resolve the Iranian nuclear issue. Iran denies seeking a bomb and says its nuclear work has only peaceful purposes.

Hezbollah is a Shi'ite Islamist guerrilla and political movement founded after the Israeli invasion of Lebanon in 1982 with Iran's help and has deep ideological links to the Islamic republic.

The group last fought Israel in 2006 during a 34-day war in which 1,200 people in Lebanon, mostly civilians, and 160 Israelis, mostly soldiers, were killed.

Since that war, the group has a number of time suggested it had expanded its arsenal in an apparent strategy of deterrence.

Nasrallah did not say whether the precision-guided rockets he described in his speech were a new addition to the group's arsenal. Marking Jerusalem Day in Tehran, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said there was no place for Israel in a future Middle East.

Nasrallah said Israel was still debating whether to attack Iran because "Iran was strong and brave". "We all know that the Islamic republic's response will be very great and thunderous if it is targeted by Israel".

(Reporting by Tom Perry and Laila Bassam; Editing by Andrew Heavens)

Expressed love for the close of kin-Mawaddat al-Qurba (al-Mawaddah Fil-Qurba)

In this Last Word of Allah (Noble Qur'an), Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) is being commanded to ask the believers to love his kith and kin (that is his Ahlul Bayt (Ahl al-Bayt)) and that would be the return of his apostleship. Hence, to Ahlul Bayt (Ahl al-Bayt) has been obligatory (wajib) command of Allah on every Muslim.

Say (O Muhammad, unto mankind): I do not ask of you any reward for it but love for my near relatives. Noble Qur'an (42:23)

Hazrat Abdullah Ibn Masood (RA) narrated: One day, we were accompanying the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) in one of his journeys when a Bedouin with an orotund voice shouted at us, "Muhammad!"

"What do you want?" answered the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).

"What is it if an individual loves a people but he does not imitate them in deeds?" asked the Bedouin.

"One will be attached to the one he loves," replied the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).

"Muhammad," shouted the Bedouin, "Call me to Islam."

The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said: "You should declare that there is no god but Allah (SWT) and that I am the Messenger of Allah (SWT), offer the prayer, defray the zakat, fast during the month of Ramadan, and perform the hajj to the Holy House."

"Muhammad," asked the Bedouin, "Do you ask for wage for so?" "No," replied the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), "I do not take any wage except that you must regard the relatives." "Whose relatives? Mine or yours?" asked the Bedouin. "It is my relatives," answered the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). The Bedouin said: "Give me your hand so that I will declare allegiance to you. No good is expected from him who loves you, but not your relatives."(Bihar ul-Anwar) 

Hadith Al-Safinah or Safinah Tradition

Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) has compared his Ahlul Bayt (Ahl al-Bayt) to Noah's ark. Whoever loves and follows them will attain salvation and whoever violates their sanctity will drown. While holding the door of Holy Kaaba, Abu Dharr told that he had heard Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) say, "My family among you is like Noah's ark. He who sails in it will be safe, but he who holds back from it will perish."

In another place Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said: "The parable of my Ahlul Bayt (Ahl al-Bayt) is that of the boat of Noah, whoever gets aboard it is saved and whoever stays away from it is drowned." 

Hadith al-Thaqalayn or Saqlain Tradition (Hadith of the two weighty things)

Prophet Muhammad - may Allah bestow peace and benedictions upon him and his pure Progeny - said: "Verily, I am leaving behind two precious things (thaqalayn) among you: the Book of Allah and my kindred (itrah), my household Ahlul Bayt (Ahl al-Bayt), for indeed, the two will never separate until they come back to me by the Pond (of al­Kawthar on the Day of Judgement)." [Hadith-e-Saqlain]

Since the Ahlul Bayt (Ahl al-Bayt) carry as much weight in the eyes of Allah as the Noble Qur'an, the former has the same qualities as the latter. Just as the Noble Qur'an is true from beginning to end without the shadow of untruth in it, and just as it is incumbent (duty) of every Muslim to obey its commands, so also must the Ahlul Bayt (Ahl al-Bayt) be perfectly true and sincere guides whose commands must be followed by all. Therefore there can be no escape of accepting their leadership and following their creed and faith. The Muslims are bound by the Hadith of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) to follow them and no one else.

Conclusion: Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and his Ahlul Bayt (Ahl al-Bayt) sacrificed all the worldly comforts and even their lives in order to convey the true religion of Islam to us. In return of their sacrifices, we are commanded by Allah to love them. The aim is that through their love, we follow their footsteps. We follow the true teachings of Islam taught by them, so that we live a good and decent life in this world and earn the pleasure of Allah in the life hereafter.

FAQ ON ZAKAT AL-FITRAH.............

(According to Fataawa of Ayatullah Sayyid Ali al-Husayni Seestani)

Q. What is Zakatul Fitrah?
A: It is religious tax/alms (zakat) paid on the day when Muslims break the fasting period at the end of the month of Ramadhan. This alms is known as Zakat al-Fitrah.

Q. What do the Qur'an and Hadith say about Fitrah?
A: Imams (a) say that the verses: Indeed whosoever purifies himself shall achieve success, and glorifies the Name of his Lord and prays (87:14 & 15) refer to giving of Fitrah and saying prayers on Eid al-Fitr. Imam Ja`far as- Sadiq (a) said: for your fast to be accepted, give zakât.

Q. When does Fitrah become wajib?
A. Payment of Fitrah becomes obligatory after sunset on the eve of Eid al- Fitr. The Fitrah should be kept aside and paid on Eid al-Fitr before Eid prayers or before midday for those who cannot say their Eid prayers. It is necessary to have obligatory intention (niyyah) of giving Fitrah for God's pleasure only.

Q. What happens if someone forgets or does not give Fitrah on time?
A. If one does not give out or set aside the Fitrah within the due time, he should give the Fitrah later, on the basis of precaution, without making the niyyah of adaa or qadhaa but only Qurbatan Ilallah.

Q. Can we give Fitrah in advance?
A. Giving Fitrah before the eve of Eid al-Fitr is not permissible. However, if you wish to send Fitrah earlier so that it reaches the needy on time, then you can send it as a temporary loan to the needy and then change your intention from loan to Fitrah on the eve of Eid al-Fitr.

Q. To whom is Fitrah obligatory?
A. Paying Fitrah is obligatory on every Muslim who is mature (baligh), sane, financially able, and conscious on the eve of Eid al-Fitr. Fitrah should also be paid on behalf of all dependents (e.g. wife, children) whom one supports financially.

Q. When is a host required to pay Fitrah for his guest?
A. If a person invites another person to his house on the eve of Eid al-Fitr and if the guest is present at the host's place at the time of the sunset then it is obligatory for the host to pay Fitrah for his guest.

Q. What happens if the guest arrives after the sunset on Eid night?
A. In this case the guest will pay his/her own Fitrah and it is not obligatory on the host to pay Fitrah for the guest.

Q. What happens if a guest comes uninvited and is present at the time of the sunset on the eve of Eid al-Fitr?
A. Ayatullah Sayyid As-Sistani says that the host should still pay the Fitrah as an obligatory precaution. However, Marhum Ayatullah Sayyid al-Khui was of the opinion that is recommended for the host to pay Fitrah of an uninvited guest.

Q. How much should we pay for Fitrah?
A. Fitrah for a person is given on a weight of three kilograms (one sa`a) on any food commodity like wheat, barley, rice, millet, raisins or dates. Ayatullah Seestani is of the opinion that the item that is not a staple food in your town should not be given in Fitrah. Say, for example, if millet is not a staple in Vancouver then Vacouver mumineen should not pay Fitrah on millet.

Q. Can we give cash value of any commodity mentioned above?
A. Yes, cash value in lieu of any foodstuff mentioned can be given as Fitrah. Thus, if a kilo of rice costs $2.00, the cash value of Fitrah on rice per person would be $6.00. We recommend, Fitrah on basmati rice to be Canadian Dollars 7.00 for residents of Canada and US Dollars 6.00 for US residents. (Please check prices for other items in your areas.)

Q. Whom should we give the Fitrah to?
A. It is given to the needy who are unable to meet their own or their dependants annual living expenses, nor do they have the means to do so through earning. Ayatullah As-Seestani says that the needy who is given the fitrah must be a Shi`ah Ithna `Ashari.

Q. Who should not be given the Fitrah?
A. A needy who: consumes alcohol, does not say his daily prayers (salat), commits sins openly, or he who is known to use the Fitrah in sinful way.

Q. Are there any additional rules that we need to be aware of?
A. Following are some important rules: (i) Fitrah should not be sent outside the town one resides in, if there are deserving mumineen in that town. (ii) Fitrah from a non-Sayyid cannot be given to a needy Sayyid; the reverse is permissible. (iii) A needy should be given at least one Fitrah (iv) Amongst the needy, relatives should be preferred over others when giving Fitrah, next in line are neighbors and then the learned.  

Short Dua for 28th Day of Mahe Ramzān al-Mubarak 1433 A.H.

  

Imām Muhammad  ibn ‘Alī al-Baqir (S.A.W.W) said:

“Surely, the excellence of the Fridays of the month of Ramzān over ordinary Fridays is like the excellence of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.w.) over other prophets. Similar is the excellence of the month of Ramzān over all months.”

[Reference:  Sawaabul A’amaal, page. 70]

Dua for Twenty-eighth Ramzan al-Mubarak

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيْمِ

Allaahumma Waffir H’az’z’ee Feehi Minan Nawaafil Wa Akrimnee Feehi Bi-Ih’z”Aaril Masaaa-Il Wa Qarrib Feehi Waseelatee Ilayka Min Baynil Wasaaaa-Eel Yaa Man Laa Yashghaluhi Ilh’aah’ul Mulh’h’een

O Allah increase my enjoyment and satisfaction, in this month, in the prayers I pray out of my own free will, kindly make haste in quick disposal of my affairs in my interest, let me be near to the “Means of Approach” (Muhammad and Aali Muhammad) who are the select best medium to gain Thy favours, O He who does not get confused on account of the ceaseless demands of the countless beseechers, but attend to each and every supplication.

Ay MAHE RAMZAN Ahista Chal...............

Ay MAHE RAMZAN Ahista Chal,Abhi Ibaadat Karni baaki Hai,Kuch 

Khwaab Hai Jin Ko Likhna Hai, Aur Taabeeron Ko Pana Baki Hai,Kuch Gunaah Hai Jinki Magferat Baki Hai,

Kuch Apne Hai Jinke Liye Dua Karna Baki Hai,Kuch Gair Hai Jinke Dil Me Pyaar Basana Baki Hai,

Bahot Se Farizat Hai Jo Adaa Karne Hai, Aur Tauba Karni Baki Hai, Aur Hame Rab Ko Bhi Manana Baki Hai.

Ay MAHE RAMZAN Ahista Chal,Abhi Bahot Qarz Chukana Baki Hai

!Iltemase Dua.