FAITH HAS VARIOUS DEGREES- THE LOWEST IS VERBAL CONFESSION

God, the Exalted, has said:

Those who believe and obscure not their faith with wrongdoing, theirs is safety; and they are rightly guided. (6:82)

Iman literally means 'affirmation,' that is, believing, and in the terminology of the seers means a particular kind of affirmation, an affirmation of that which is known for certain and has been declared by the Messenger, may peace be upon him. 

The knowledge (ma'rifah) of the Prophet is inseparable from the knowledge of the Sustainer, the Powerful, the Knowing, the Living, the Perceiving, the Hearing, and the Seeing One, Who wills and speaks and has sent the Messengers and revealed the Qur'an to Muhammad Mustafa, may God bless him and his Household, and set forth the laws, the duties, and the sunan, the lawful and the unlawful, as affirmed by the consensus of the entire Ummah.

Hence faith consists of these matters, neither more nor less. For if lesser, it would not be faith at all, and if more, the increase will be a higher degree of faith, contiguous to faith. And the sign of belief is to know, to say, and to do that which should be known, said, and done and to refrain from that which has been forbidden. These pertain to righteous conduct and are subject to increase and decrease and are an essential part of the aforesaid affirmation. That is why in all the places the mention of faith is accompanied with that of righteous action, as in the following [Qur'anic] statement Those who believe and perform righteous deeds ... . (2:25)

And it should be known that faith has various degrees, the lowest of which is verbal confession. The verses:
O you who believe, believe in God and His Messenger and the Book that He has sent down on His Messenger. (4:136)

The Bedouins say: 'We believe: Say (unto them O Muhammad): 'Ye believe not; but say, "We submit;" for faith has not yet entered into your hearts. (Yet, if you obey Cod and His Messenger, He will not with-hold from you aught of your deeds. Cod is indeed Forgiving, Merciful.') (49:74)
Above that is faith by imitation, which is a convinced affirmation of that which must be affirmed, but it is subject to decline. When convinced affirmation is achieved it is necessarily accompanied by righteous action:

The (true) believers are those only who believe in God and His Messenger and afterward doubt not, but strive (with their wealth and their lives for the cause o f God. Such are the sincere.) (49:15)

Superior to this faith in the Unseen, in accordance with [the words of the Qura'an] who believe in the Unseen' (2:3), which represents inward faith in transcendence, as if one were affirming something on the other side of a curtain. Superior to it is the faith of those concerning whom He says:

They only are the (true) believers whose hearts tremor when God is mentioned, and when the revelations of God are recited to them they increase their faith, and in their Lord put their trust, who perform the prayer, and expend of what We have provided them, those in truth are the believers; (they have degrees with their Lord, and forgiveness and generous provision.) (8:2-3)

This is the rank of perfect faith. Next to it is convinced faith, to be explained later on, and that is the ultimate degree of faith.

The minimum degree of faith lesser than which is not appropriate in wayfaring, is faith by imitation and faith in the Unseen, for mere verbal faith is not actually faith. To this refers the following statement of the Qur'an:

And the most part of them believe not in God, but they associate other gods with Him. (12:106)

Wayfaring with a tranquility of the soul is possible when there is convinced belief in the existence of the absolutely perfect Being, the Creator. The acquisition of such a belief is extremely simple and can be obtained with a little effort.

ONE WHO IS SHAKY IN HIS BELIEF CANNOT BE A SEEKER OF PERFECTION

Oct 4, '12 12:37 PM for everyone

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God, the Glorious and the Exalted, has said:

God confirms by a stable belief those who have faith in the life of the world and in the Hereafter ... . (14:27)

Unless faith is not characterized by steadfastness, the tranquility of the soul, which is essential for the quest of perfection, is not obtained, because one who is shaky in his belief cannot be a seeker of perfection. 

The steadfastness of faith depends on achieving the certitude that there is perfection and the Perfect Being. Without this certitude the quest of perfection does not materialize, and until the resolve to seek perfection and the steadiness of this resolve is not achieved, wayfaring is not possible. One who makes the resolve without being steadfast in it is like one bewildered whom the devils have kidnapped in the earth' (6:71, The bewildered man has no resolve, and until he is resolute enough to advance in a direction, no movement, journey, or wayfaring will take place, and if there is any movement at all, it is accompanied with anxiety and hesitation and is fruitless and futile.

The cause of steadfastness is an insight into the truth believed in, the delight of having found it, and a perseverance in this state as a habitual condition of the inner self. That is why the performance of righteous works by those who have this steadfastness is perpetual as well as necessary.

THE MOST BELOVED STEPS IN ALLAH'S ESTIMATION.....

The Holy Prophet (peace be upon him and his progeny) said:
"The most beloved steps in Allah's estimation are two: one taken by a Mo'min to fill the rank in the way of Allah, another taken by a Mo'min to mend the relations with a blood relative who had cut off. And the most worthy swallows in His estimation are two: the swallow of anger by a Mo'min while reacting to provocation with gentleness, and swallow of sadness and anxiety, giving a patient response to the trying times. And the most beloved droplets in His estimation are two: a drop of blood spilled in the way of Allah, and a drop of tears shed in the darkness of night, fearing Allah."

YOUR DOUBTS BE REMOVED FIRST FOR YOUR PRAYERS BE ACCEPTED

"Surely, the Angel appointed to the servant (of Allah) records (everything) in his books of deeds. So, register a good deed at its beginning and at its end, (so that) Allah may forgive you that which transpires in between."

"We see a man deeply engrossed in the acts of devotion, humble and trying his best (to please Allah), yet he is opposed to you. Does that benefit him anything?"
He said: "O Muhammad, the similitude of us Ahlul Bait is like that of a household among Banu Israel, of whom whoever strived devotedly for forty nights, his prayer was answered." Among them there was one who strenuously worshipped for forty nights and his prayer went unanswered. So he came to Isa, son of Maryam, peace be upon him, complaining about the situation he was in, and beseeching him to pray for him. So Isa made ablutions, and prayed. Allah revealed unto him: "O Isa, surely, this servant of mine came through a gate other than the one through which I am reached. He prayed while his heart had doubts about you. So, (even) if he called upon me till his neck were severed and his fingers fell apart, I would not answer him."
Then Isa approached him and said: "You call upon your Lord while your heart doubts His Prophet?"
He said: "O Spirit of Allah, and His word, by Allah, it was like what you said. Now, please pray unto Him to remove that from me." Then Isa prayed (for him) and Allah accepted it from him, and he was again reverted to his household.
Similar is the case of us Ahlul Bait. Allah does not accept the acts of devotion from a servant who doubts about us.

Supplication Which Should be Read After Reciting the Noble Qur’an

Oct 4, '12 1:09 PM for everyone

أَللّهُمَّ إِنِّي قَدْ قَرَأْتُ ما قَضَيْتَ مِنْ كِتابِكَ الَّذِي أَنْزَلْتَهُ عَلى نَبِيِّكَ صَلَواتُكَ عَلَيْهِ وَ آلِهِ فَلَكَ الْحَمْدُ رَبَّنا. أَللّهُمَّ اجْعَلْهُ مَنْ يَحِِلُّ حَلالَهُ وَ يُحَرِّمُ حَرامَهُ وَ يُؤْمِنُ بِمُحْكَمِهِ وَ مُتَشابِهِهِ وَاجْعَلْهُ لِي أُنْساً فِي قَبْرِي وَ أُنْساً فِي حَشْرِي وَاجْعَلْهُ مِمَّنْ يَرْقى بِكُلِّ آيَةٍ قَرَأَها دَرَجَةً فِي أَعْلا عِلِّيِّينَ بِرَحْمَتِكَ يا أَرْحَمَ الرّاحِمِينَ.

O’ Allah!  Surely I have recited that which You have decreed for me to recite from Your Book which You sent upon Your Prophet, may Your prayers be upon him and his family so then (all) praise belongs to You, our Lord.  O’ Allah!  Place it (the Qur’an) amongst those people who keep permitted that which You have made permissible, and who forbid that which You have made forbidden and who believe in the clear and apparent verses and the ambiguous verses and make it (the Qur’an) an instrument of love in our grave and an instrument of love when we are raised up and

INFAMOUS SON CAIN (QUABIL) AND SATAN INVENTED MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS

Oct 4, '12 1:11 PM for everyone

No doubt music is one of the most ancient methods of merrymaking and enjoyment, of expressing feelings and emotions. It is called 'international language', because it encompasses the whole world and does not know any geographical or political boundary. Let us find out what is the reason for its worldwide prevalence.  We have it on the authority of Imam Jafer Sadique (a.s) that when Hadhrat Adam (a.s) died, his infamous son Cain (Quabil) and Satan were very happy. Both gathered at a place and invented some musical instruments to celebrate the death of Hadhrat Adam (a.s).  And in the words of Imam (a.s), all such musical things which people now use for merrymaking have originated from that. (Wasael-us-Shia; Babu Tahrim-e-lstimal-il-Malahi). So, religion and anthropology both agree that musk is a very ancient thing; and therefore, no wonder it has spread widely with the spread of the human race. But how dare a sensible 'child of Adam ' especially if he is a Muslim) "enjoy" music, which is an invention of Satan and Cain, the rebellious and disloyal son of Adam? Here one may ask: But what is the harm in music? Why it has been forbidden in Islam? The answer is that music does have harmful effects on nervous system and is the cause of many ailments including ulcer, diabetes and madness. It creates imbalance in human faculties, retards spiritual development, and lowers the ethical values.

THE AYATS OF THE HOLY QURAN ON MUSIC

The ayats of the Qur'an and some of the traditions of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.) and Imams (a.s.) on the subject of Music

Here are four Ayats of the Qur'an which forbid the Muslims from indulging into music.

"So abstain from the pollution of the idols and abstain from false vain words." 22:30.

The Arabic word "Zoor" has several meanings which include falsehood and the musical expressions. According to Imam Jafer Sadique (a.s.) "pollution of the idols" means Chess; and "Vain words" means music.
See how 'Music' has been joined in this Ayat with the pollution of idols"; only then you can appreciate the seriousness of the sin of the Music.

"And of the people there is he who buys a 'vain talk' so that he may lead others astray from the path of Allah without (real) knowledge and takes it (the revelation of Allah) for a mockery; for these shall be a disgracing chastisement (punishment)." 31:6.

'Lahw' means any thing which diverts the mind from serious thinking. "Vain talk" has been interpreted by the Imam as some talk sound or thing which diverts the attention of man from the ultimate aim of his creation; in other words makes him forget Allah and His commands. For example, fictions romantic stories, and such useless talks. "It includes 'Music', intoxicants and all such diversions." (Tafseer As-Safi)

Imam Muhammad Baquir (a.s.) said: Music is among the things for which Allah has promised the Fire (of Hell). Then he recited the above Ayat. (Kafi; Wasael us Shia; Tafseer As-Safi)
"Indeed successful are the believers those who in their prayer are humble and those who keep themselves aloof from Vain (words and deeds)." (23:1-3).

'Laghw' (Vain words and actions): The first Imam Ali (a.s.) said that "all that is void of the remembrance of Allah is 'Laghv'. According to other authentic traditions of Imams, 'Laghv' means all useless entertainment, wasteful of times among which music has been specifically mentioned. Also included in this term are vain games played just to while away the time.

"And the servants of the Merciful Allah are those ... who bear not witness to what is false, and when they pass by what is vain they pass with dignity". (25:72).

The words 'Zoor' and 'Laghv' have been explained earlier. According to the traditions of Imams (a.s.), the first part may also be translated in this way: "who do not witness what is vain"! and accordingly, it has been interpreted in the exegesis of the Qur'an as "do not listen to music."

The following two traditions explain the second part:

Imam Jafer Sadique (a.s.) asked some of his companions: "Where are you staying?"

They replied: "With so and so, who has singing and dancing girls.

Imam said: "You should have dignity."

They thought that Imam (a.s.) had advised them to treat that man generously. But they were not sure; so they returned to the Imam and requested him to explain his meaning to them.

Imam said: "have not you heard Allah saying when they pass by what is vain they pass with dignity'?

Imam meant that you should not stay with a man who has singing and dancing girls.
Second tradition: Muhammad bin Abi Ibad was known to indulge in music and liquor. He once asked Imam Ali Ar-Ridha (a.s.) about listening to music.

Imam said: Some people in Hijaz have their own view about it; but that view is absolutely wrong. Have you not heard the word of Allah 'when they pass by what is vain they pass in dignity'?"
I think this much should be enough for a follower of, Muhammad (s.a.w.) and Ahul ul Bait (a.s.).

The traditions of the Holy Prophet of Islam (s.a.w.) and Imams (a.s.) about musical sound, musical instruments, and musical parties.

SOME HADEES ON THE ILL-EFFECTS OF MUSIC

Oct 4, '12 1:16 PM for everyone

1. The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.) 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 ; 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 Jaffer Sadique (a.s.) said: "Music is the nest of hypocrisy." 4. Also he said: "Music is the worst of the sounds." 5. Imam Jafer Sadique (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 Jafer Sadique 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 want to Imam Jafer Sadique (a.s.), he told me: O Hasan, Verily the ear, and the eye and the heart, all of them will he 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 every thing 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.

VIEWS OF COMPANIONS OF THE HOLY PROPHET (S.AW.S.) ON MUSIC

Omar heard the sound of a flute of a sheperd and he hastily plugged his ears with his finger and turned his mouth to a different path saying : "The Prophet (s.a.w) heard the sound of a sheperd once when I was with him. He did not like it."

Abu Aamah reported on the authority of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w) that Holy Prophet (s.a.w) prohibited trade in singing slave maids and training them for singing and said that their sale proceeds were unlawful.

On the authority of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w) Ayesha narrates that the Prophet (s.a.w.) said that Almighty Allah has made unlawful the trade in singing slave maids, their training and listening to their songs.

Abdur Rahman bin Auf narrates that the Holy Prophet said that Almighty Allah has forbidden two nonsensical and wicked voices, one is melody and the other is the cry in distress.

Akramah reports the words of Ibne Abbas that the Prophet (s.a.w.) said that Almighty Allah has raised me to destroy flute and the drum.

Sahl Bin Saad narrates that Holy Prophet (s.a.w) said, "Submersion below the surface of the earth, raining of stones from the sky and multilation of figures shall come about in my ummat."

The companions asked, "O the Prophet of Allah when shall it happen.?"

The Prophet (s.a.w) there upon said:" When musical instruments shall be in abundance and there shall be a large number of the singing girls and shall be unlawful."
Abu Talib Tibri says that Imam Malik condemned music and forbid listening to it and said :"If you buy a slave maid and afterwards you find her to be singing girl, it shall be lawful for the buyer to restore her to the seller."

Imam Safii said that music was an abhorant sport. It was just like a filty thing and the one who listening to excessive music was a fool. His evidence shall be rejected.

Abu Tayyab says: Shafii declared music as abhorrent.

Tradition on abhorence of music has also come down from Ahmad Bin Hambal.

Abu Tayyeb Tibri says that Imam Abu Hanifa considered music as abhorrent and held singing as sin. The same is the view of all the scholars of Kufa like Ibrahim, Shahabi, Hammad, Soufian Thousi and other. There is no difference even among the scholars of Basarah in respect of its being abhorrent and forbidden.

This was the reaction of the companions towards the ordinary music of past times. How forceful would have been their condemnation of music, musical bands and dance of today

NEED TO GIVE CHARITY TO OUR NEAR KITH AND KIN BEFORE WE LOOK FURTHER

A woman lost her husband through death. She decided to give charity on his behalf. One Friday night she prepared some food and sent her son to give it to a poor man who lived near her house. While sending the food the dead man’s son felt very hungry but he controlled himself and after having given the charity, he returned home hungry and went to bed.

The next Friday the same sequence of events took place. On the third Friday, the orphan while sending the food to the poor, could not control himself and ate the food on the way. That night the widow of the dead man dreamt her husband who told her that: “That night was the first night whence he received the reward of the charity she had given, while the charities she had given before had not reached him”.

The widow got up and doubting that her son had committed a blunder went to investigate the matter. Her little orphan said that contrary to her suspicion he had sent the charity the two Friday’s to the poor man, and it was on the third Friday that he had eaten the food.

It was then that the widow understood that her son deserved the food more than the poor neighbour. Thus we need to give charity to our near kith and kin before we look further

“But he would not attempt the uphill road, and what will make you comprehend the uphill road? it is the setting free of a slave or giving of food on a day of hunger to an orphan having relations or to the poor man lying in dust.” 

AN ACT OF CHARITY SHIELDS US OF SEVENTY EVILS OF THIS WORLD

The Holy Prophet Muhammad (S) has said that: “An act of charity shields seventy dead people from ill fate”.

The Prophet (S) has also said that “The angel of death is told to remove the soul of a person, but if during that time charity is given then the order to remove the soul is cancelled”.

Imam Ja’far Sadiq (a.s.) says that: “An act of charity given openly prevents seventy types of mishaps, and a secretly given charity cools the anger of our Lord Allah (S.w.T.)”

It has been related in the same book that the Holy Prophet (S) said that: “Allah says that when the angel of death is asked to remove the soul of a person, and if he or she gives Sadaqah, Allah orders the angel of death to stop”.

Imam Ja’far Sadiq (a.s.) says that: “An act of charity shields us of seventy evils of this world including an ill fated death. The one who gives charity never dies ill fatedly”. ³⁴

According to Islamic beliefs, when we give charity, Allah due to his mercy changes our fate. Allah says in the Holy Qur’an that:

“Allah removes what He wishes and establishes what He wishes, for He has the Mother of Books”. (Sura ar-Ra‘ad, 13: 39) 

CHARITY AVERTS THE DANGER OF THE TIME

Imam Ja’far Al Sadiq (a.s.) was once travelling with some companions amongst whom were some businessmen who had some goods with them. After some time they became aware that there were gangs of thieves who were waiting ahead planning to loot them. The companions of the Imam wondered what steps to take.

The Imam advised that the best step was to make intention of giving some of the goods in the way of Allah as Sadaqah or charity. This is what the companions did and when they passed the thieves, nothing happened to them. Charity had averted the danger in which they were.

ATTRACT SUSTENANCE BY GIVE CHARITY

Islam stresses that giving charity increases sustenance. Here are a few traditions that stress on this fact. The Holy Prophet (S) says: “Attract sustenance by giving charity”. Abu Abdillah (a.s.) says: “Allah gives help to person equal in quantity to the charity a person gives”. Imam Ja’far Sadiq (a.s.) says that: “Everything has a key, and the key to sustenance is charity”.

CURE YOUR SICK BY GIVING SADAQAH OR CHARITY

Sheikh Kulaini in his book Al Kaafi relates the following tradition from Imam Ja’far Sadiq (a.s.): “Cure your sick by giving Sadaqah or charity, and remove troubles and mishaps by giving charity, and increase sustenance with charity. 

Charity banishes seventy shaitans from what is within one’s beard, and charity goes unto the hand of Allah before it goes unto the hand of the needy”.

Our Holy Prophet (S) says that: “We should give charity as it increases our property, and it makes the mercy of Allah befall on us”. 

 Once Abu Abdillah (a.s.) asked his son how much money he had. His son replied that he only had forty dinaars. Abu Abdillah (a.s.) asked his son to give it all away in the way of Allah. His son was hesitant and said that it was the only meager amount he possessed.

His father replied that: “Charity was the key to sustenance”.

Shortly after having given the amount in charity the Imam’s son got four thousand dirhams. The Imam (a.s.) said to his son: “O son, we gave Allah forty dirhams and he gave us four thousand.” 

THE HOLY QURAN A GUIDE AND MERCY TO A PEOPLE WHO BELIEVE

Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim. Alhamdulillahi Rabbil Aalamiin. 

Thumma As-Salaatu wassalaamu Alaa Ashrafil Khalqi Ajmaeen, Muhammadin Wa Aalihi at-Tayyibeen at-Taahireen, Wa As-haabihil Muntajabeen.
Allah (S.w.T.) says in the Holy Qur’an that:

“in their histories, there is certainly a lesson for men of understanding. it is not a narrative which could be forged, but a verification of what is before it, and a distinct explanation of all things, and a guide and a mercy to a people who believe”. (Sura Yusuf, 12:111)

PRAISE BE TO ALLAH BY HAZRAT ALI A.S.

 PRAISE BE TO ALLAH BY HAZRAT ALI A.S.

PRAISE BE TO ALLAH FROM WHOSE MERCY NO ONE LOSES HOPE,

FROM WHOSE BOUNTY NO ONE IS DEPRIVED,

FROM WHOSE FORGIVENESS NO ONE IS DISAPPOINTED,

AND FROM WHOSE WORSHIP NO ONE IS TOO HIGH,

HIS MERCY NEVER CEASES, AND HIS BOUNTY IS NEVER MISSED.

THIS WORLD IS A PLACE FOR WHICH DESTRUCTION IS ORDAINED,

AND FOR ITS INHABITANTS DEPARTURE FROM HERE IN DESTINED.

IT IS SWEET AND GREEN.

IT HASTENS TOWARDS ITS SPEAKER.

AND ATTACHES TO THE HEART OF VIEWER.

SO DEPART FROM HERE WITH THE BEST PROVISION AVAILABLE

WITH YOU,

AND DO NOT ASK HEREIN MORE THAN WHAT IS ENOUGH,

AND DO NOT DEMAND FROM IT MORE THAN SUBSTANCE.

ILTEMAAS-E-DUA,
SUGRA FATIMA