BE WELL- BE HAPPY

Nov 5, '12 12:46 PM for everyone

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Duas for Marhoom Parents

Imām Muhammad ibn ‘Alī al-Baqir (A.S.) said: "A man could be obedient to his parents during their lifetime, then they die and he does not repay their debts or ask Allāh to forgive them, so Allāh records him down as being insolent. Or, he could have been insolent to them during their lifetime and not obedient, but after their death he repays their debts and seeks forgiveness from Allāh for them, Allāh records him down as obedient.’[Reference: al-Kafi, v. 2, p. 163, no. 21 ]

Allah (S.W.T.) emphasizes the worth and importance of parents at various places in the Holy Qur’an. It is enough for the wise person to realize this when he observes that the obedience of parents is mentioned side by side with the worship of Allah. It is also authentically mentioned that if your parents are not pleased with you all your worship and good deeds are gone waste, they don’t have any value. And it is not limited for the living parents only but even if they are dead you must remember them by praying for them, attributing some good deeds to them, and rectifying their faults (if any) in a proper way. Perhaps at the time of departure from the world the parents were not pleased at heart with their children, but if the children give due attention to their parents’ well-being in the Hereafter by some good deeds, they become pleased to them.

The world that is five feet under the earth is certainly a dreadful place for the sinners. Although we should consider that all are pious and righteous but one never knows in what condition their deceased is. Perhaps they are enjoying the fruits of their good deeds and perhaps they are in trouble because of some lapses during their lifetime. 

So if we perform any good deed on their behalf or offer a Namaaz for them they are surely benefited by it, and it is said that our 2 rak’at Namaaz for the Marhoom is better for them then the riches of the whole world. If they are not in any trouble there then the bounties are increased for them and if they are in any tribulation then their pain is lessened or wiped off. Moreover, the performer of good deed is also to be rewarded.

Here below are stated some A’amaal for the benefit of deceased parents, although they are said to benefit them but the performer of these A’amaal are also nicely rewarded.Especially on every Friday-night and on Friday children of the Marhoom should pray for their parents and give charity on their behalf.

1. Reciting Surah-e-Yaaseen is very beneficent for the Marhoom. He/she is tremendously rewarded for it

2. If one recites Surah-e-Mulk or 7 times Surah-e-Qadr by the side of Marhoom’s grave, God-forbid if any punishment is being implemented therein, it is instantly ceased.

3. Whenever you wish you can pray 2 rak’at Namaaz for Marhoom, it gives a great joy to the deceased.

4. Pray 2 rak’at Namaaz between Maghrib and Ishaa with Niyyat of Maghfirat-e-Waalidayn. In the first rak’at after Al-Hamd recite 10 times Rabbigh Firlee Waliwaalidayya Walil Mu’mineena Yawma Yaqoomul Hisaab. And in the second rak’at after Al-Hamd recite 10 times Rabbigh Firlee Waliwaalidayya WalimanDakhala Baytiya Mu’minan Walil Mu’mineena Wal Mu’minaat. 

Then complete the Namaaz as usual. Then go into Sajdah and recite 10 times—Rabbir Hamhuma Kamaa Rabbayaani Swagheera.

(sent by sis Mariam R. Jiwa)

Tags: duas and amal

HAZRAT ALI (A.S.) ON SELF-RESTRAINT

One of the great wisdom hidden behind the recommended Islamic Veil (hijab) is related to same matter. Since Islam requires an ideal social environment where self-refinement and abstinence from sins could be made possible. Otherwise, controlling imperious-self shall become impossible, because, the corrupt environment naturally pushes human beings towards corruption, even thinking about sin invites a man to commit that sin ultimately.

The Commander of the Faithful Imam Ali (a) said:


"When eye sees an erotic scene the heart becomes blind from seeing its ultimate consequences."

-Gharar al-Hukm, p-315.


And said:

"Simply thinking about sinful carnal deeds encourages you to commit them eventually."
-Gharar al-Hukm, p-518.

Tags: hadees

REPENTANCE AS ALLAH (S.T.) LIKES

Someone came to Ali, peace be upon him, claiming strongly his intention to repent. The Imam realized that he was not serious and asked him, "Do you know what repentance is? It is an act worthy of exalted being; it is a holy state of mind which makes you feel that God has bestowed His grace on you and that you are surrounded by angels. You lose your egoism and feel you are purified." 

In repentance there is no need to go to a clergyman or to another human being. Repent to your God as it is said in the Quran,

Say, " Oh my people who have been prodigal against yourselves, do not despair of God's Mercy," surely God forgives sins altogether." (Quran 39:53)

The following sentence has been quoted in a Sacred Tradition,

The groan (of repentance) of sinners is dearer to Me than the glorified glorifications (of Me) so you should sigh and groan in these precious nights. Be your own judge and censor, confess all your sins and be sure that God will forgive you and purify your soul. Then you taste the sweetness of worship and sin and the pleasure obtained from them will seem to you so trifling that you will never feel inclined to commit them any more nor to lie or slander or accuse others. 

Ali, peace be upon him, has considered six conditions necessary for repentance: Two form its basis, two are the requisites for its acceptance and two for its completion. These six points will be explained in my next discourse.

The greatest joy of chaste people has always been to admit to God their shortcomings, their faults, their needs and their poverty, saying that they show nothing but negligence, while God grants nothing but favor and grace. The following prayer is quoted from Imam Husain, peace be upon him,

My Master, when I glance at my sins I am overcome by fear but when I glance at Your Grace I am filled with hope. 

Let me say a few words about the tragedy of Karbala. On the 9th of Muharram, the day before the martyrdom of Imam Husain, peace be upon him, the army of Umar Ibn Sa'd launched their assault on the orders of Ubidullah Ibn Ziad intending to give battle at night. Imam Husain, peace be upon him, asked through his brother, Abu'l Fadl al-Abbas for a respite of one night. To remove suspicion that he intended to delay the fight, he said,

Dear brother, God Himself knows that I love to offer my ritual prayers to Him and tonight which is the last night of my life, I am more eager to do so and to offer my repentance and beg His Forgiveness. 

It was a wonderful night of joy for them, full of hopes of martyrdom. They made themselves neat and tidy and even cut their hair. They set aside one of the tents especially for this. One person would be inside and two men were standing outside when one of them began joking. The other one told him that it was no occasion for mirth and joy. He answered that as a rule he did not joke but he felt that night to be a night for mirth.

When others (the enemy) approached the tents, they heard sounds like the buzzing of bees and asked what it was. They were told that the Imam, his household and companions were busy praying and invoking God's Name. The Imam spent that night in devotion and worship. He saw to the affairs of his family and it was then that he delivered his last, eloquent sermon to his followers.

Let me mention a penitent of Karbala that night, a real penitent whose repentance was accepted: Hurr ibn Yazid Riyahi. He was a brave warrior of Kufa. When Ibn Ziad wanted to send a thousand men for the first time against Imam Husain, peace be upon him, Hurr was the man chosen. In doing so he oppressed and mistreated the Prophet's household. It is said that Hurr was seen to be trembling like a leaf. The same narrator was surprised and, approaching him, asked him the reason and whether he was afraid. Hurr told him,

No. I have no fear of fighting but I see myself at a cross roads between heaven and hell and I am wondering which route to take. 

At last he chose the right route. Slowly, slowly he turned his horse away in such a way that no one knew what he intended to do. When he reached a certain point, he spurred his horse on until he reached the Imam's tent with his shield turned backward as a sign of coming in peace.

On seeing the Imam, he cried out, "Is my repentance acceptable?" The the Imam said, "Yes." His chivalry was such that he did not put one word of blame upon him for his past conduct. Hurr begged the Imam to let him go and fight.

The Imam said, "You are our guest. Get down off your horse and stay with us a while." But he felt shy, whispering to himself with shame for his past, for having sinned against the family of the Prophet. That is why he again requested that Imam Husain let him go and fight the attacking foes lest one of the children look at him and cause him to die of shame.

Tags: islamic talks

A GOOD DEED - HUMILITY

Humility embraces every precious and noble rank and high position. If humility had a language which people understood, it would speak about the realities which are hidden in the outcomes of affairs. Humility is whatever is undertaken for Allah and in Allah, and anything other then that is trickery. Whoever is humble to Allah, Allah will honour over many of His bondsmen. The people of humility have recognizable signs. When one of them was asked about humility, he said, 'It means you are humble to the truth and follow it, even if you hear it from a child.' Many types of pride keep one from using, accepting and following knowledge. There are certain verses about this, denouncing the haughty. The people of humility have signs recognized by the angels in heaven and the gnostics on earth. Allah said,

وَبَيْنَهُمَا حِجَابٌ وَعَلَى الأَعْرَافِ رِجَالٌ يَعْرِفُونَ كُلاًّ بِسِيمَاهُمْ

On the most elevated places there shall be men who know all by their marks. (7:46)

and elsewhere,

مَن يَرْتَدَّ مِنكُمْ عَن دِينِهِ فَسَوْفَ يَأْتِي اللّهُ بِقَوْمٍ يُحِبُّهُمْ وَيُحِبُّونَهُ أَذِلَّةٍ عَلَى الْمُؤْمِنِينَ أَعِزَّةٍ عَلَى الْكَافِرِينَ...

Whoever from among you turns back from his faith, then Allah will bring a people whom He loves and they shall love Him, humble towards the believers, mighty against the unbelievers. (5:54)

إِنَّ أَكْرَمَكُمْ عِندَ اللَّهِ أَتْقَاكُمْ

Surely the most honourable of you with Allah is the one among you with the greatest precaution. (49:13)

And

فَلَا تُزَكُّوا أَنفُسَكُم...ْ

Do not attribute purity to your souls. (53:32)

The root of humility comes from the majesty, awe, and immensity of Allah. Allah is not pleased with any act of worship, nor does He accept it unless it comes with humility. No one knows what is the true meaning of humility except those of His bondsmen who are close and connected with His unity. Allah said,

وَعِبَادُ الرَّحْمَنِ الَّذِينَ يَمْشُونَ عَلَى الْأَرْضِ هَوْنًا وَإِذَا خَاطَبَهُمُ الْجَاهِلُونَ قَالُوا سَلَامًا

The servants of the Merciful are they who walk on earth in humbleness, and when the ignorant address them, they say; Peace. (25:63)

He commanded the mightiest of His creation and the master of its people, Muhammad, to be humble, saying,

وَاخْفِضْ جَنَاحَكَ لِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ

Make yourself gentle to the believers. (15:88)

From humility grow submission, humility, fear and modesty; it is only from within humility that these qualities appear. True and perfect nobility is only given to those who are humble in the essence of Allah.

Tags: islamic talks

Wasting of Good deeds

Nov 5, '12 1:21 PM for everyone

Wasting of Good deeds (Ehbat) and Expiation of sins (Takfeer).

"And (as for) those who disbelieve, for them is destruction, and He has made their deeds ineffective. That is because they hated what Allah revealed, so He rendered their deeds null". (Surah- al- Mohammad : 8-9).

"And (so for) those who believe and do good, and believe in what has been revealed to Mohammad (S.A.W.S.), and it is the very truth from their Lord, He will remove their evil from them and improve their condition". (Surah-al - Mohammad : 2).

Ehbat (wasting of good deeds) : If a person was a muslim in the former part of his life and did good deeds, but turned away from the Right path (Siratal Mustaqeem) during death and died a non -believer, none of his previous (good) deeds will benefit him and they will go wasted. If anyone argues that in the Qur'an it". (surah az-Zilzal : 7).The answer to it is that the person who died disbelieving himself wasted his (good) deeds.

It is impossible for Allah to accept a non believer's (good) deeds and make him enter paradise. But the Just Lord gives them the reward for it in this very world, like ease during death, healthiness, wealth etc. as discussed earlier. But it is possible that there may be leniency in their punishment, as in the case of Hatim Tai or Nawshirwane Adil who were generous, they shall be made to enter hell, but the fire will not harm them. As said in the Qur' an: "Nor (for) those who die while they are unbelievers". (surah-an-Nisa : 18)

In another place it is stated : "And (as to) those who reject our communications and the meeting of the Hereafter, their deeds are null. Shall they be rewarded except for what they have done". (surah- al-A'araf :147).
Many verses (ayah) of the Qur'an prove that disbelief (kufr) and polytheism (shirk) wastes away all good deeds. Then there are also such sins that obliterate good deeds and stop them from being accepted. The Holy prophet (S.A.W.S.) has said regarding a disobedient child: "O the one shunned away by his parents do whatever you like, for none of your (good) deeds will be accepted". If a person has upon him the curses and woes of his mother, he will be thrown into hell even if his good deeds are equal to the size of a mountain. Also is the case with slander and jealousy. Ma'soom (A.S.) says, "Jealousy consumes faith (Eeman) just as fire consumes wood". (ma'ad). 
Shaikh Kulaini quotes Abu Baseer who narrates from Imam Ja'far- as Sadiq (A.S.) that he said, "Disbelief (kufr) has three roots (foundations) : greed, pride, and jealousy". And as these roots start gaining strength, faith starts moving away and good deeds go waste. Thus man becomes a fuel for the fire of hell. Shaitaan's good deeds lay wasted because of his pride. But he was given a long span of life in compensation for his (good) deeds. The whole narration is stated in the Qur'an.

Takfeer (Expiation of sins): 

It means that the sins which a person commits are compensated for acceptance of faith (Eeman) destroys all the sins committed in the past. If a person was a non-believer in the former part of life, but later accepted Islam, then the sins which he committed during that period will be forgiven and will not be taken into, the sin he committed during that period will be forgiven if he truly repents and seeks pardon. It is stated in the Qur'an: "Allah changes the evil deeds to good ones". (surah-al-Furqan : 70)
It is written in the fifteenth volume of Biharul-Anwaar', that once a man came to the presence of the Holy prophet Mohammad (S.A.W.S.) . and said, "O master my sin is very big (in his pre-Islamic days he had buried his daughter alive as was the custom then), you recommend to me a deed whose performance would act as compensation for it, and Allah may forgive me". The prophet (S.A.W.S.) asked him, "Then is your maternal aunt (mother's sister) alive" !  He replied "Yes, she is"
The prophet (S.A.W.S.) told him to go and serve her (for she had a very near relation with his mother, thus serving her would mean serving his mother). Then He (S.A.W.S.) said, "Had his mother been alive, it would have been the best compensation (for his sins). (ma'ad)

CRAZY BUT NOT STUPID.......

One truck driver was doing his usual load delivery at a mental hospital, by parking his vehicle beside an open drain. 

He discovered a flat tyre when he was about to return from the mental hospital. He jacked up the truck and removed the flat tyre to fix the spare tyre. 

When he was about to fix the spare tyre, he accidentally dropped all the 4 bolts in the open drain. 
As he cannot fish the bolts in the open drain, he started to panic as to what should be done? 

Just then, one patient happened to walk past him and asked the driver as to why he was looking troubled. The driver thought to himself, since there is nothing much he can do or this mental joker can. Just to keep the bugging away, the truck driver informed the whole episode to the mental patient and gave a helpless look. The patient just laughed at the truck driver and said you just cannot even fix such a simple problem? No wonder you are destined to remain a truck driver for life. The truck driver was astonished to hear such a compliment from a mental guy. 

Here is what you can do said the mental guy take one bolt from each of the remaining 3 tyres /wheels and fix it on to this tyre . Then drive down to the nearest workshop and replace the missing ones. Isn’t it simple my friend!!!!!!! 

The truck driver was so impressed with this quick fix answer and asked the patient. how come you are so smart and intelligent and you are here at the mental hospital? 
The patient replied...hello friend! I stay here because I am crazy but not stupid 

No wonder, there are some people, who behave like the Truck Driver, thinking that others are just stupid. So, guys, though we are all are learned and wise, but, just watch out, there could be some CRAZY guys in our professional / personal lives, who could give us lot of quick fixes and brush our wisdom. 
Moral: 

Just do not conclude that you know everything and do not judge people by mere looks/attire stature or academic background.

Whose Account will be taken

Whose Account will be taken

On the day of Qayamat people who will be accounted for their deeds will be classified into four groups. The first group of people will be the ones who will be made to enter paradise without accounting. They will be the ones who loved Ahlulbait (A.S.) in their life-time and had not committed any sins, or died after repenting and seeking forgiveness from Allah.
The second group will be averse to the first one, they will be the enemies of Ahlulbait (A.S.). They will be thrown head- long into the fire of hell without taking their accounts. The following verse speaks about such people: "These are they who disbelieve in the communications of their Lord and His meeting, so their deeds become null, and therefore we will not set up a balance for them on the day of resurrection". (Surah-al-Kahf : 105).
Shaikh Kulaini relates from Imam Ali Zainul Abadeen
(A. S.) that He said, that the polytheists (mushreqeen) and unbeliever's (kafereen) deeds will not be weighed weighing of deeds (meezane A'amal), accounting (Hisab), and scroll of deeds are meant for the muslims only, while according to the Qur' an the polytheists and unbelievers will remain in eternal chastisement.
The third group will consist of people who will be made to wait for accounting. They will be the ones whose evil deeds would be surpassing their good deeds. When their sins will be compensated for (by waiting long), they will find freedom. The Holy prophet (S.A.W.S.) said to Abdullah ibne Abbas, "Some people will have to wait for a hundred years for accounting, and only then will they be made to enter paradise". But for which particular sin will he be made to wait is not specified. Hence a believer (mo'min) should keep himself away from all sins, so that he may not have to wait that long. (ma'ad)
Shaikh Sadooq relates from Imam Ja'far -as- Sadiq (A.S.) that He said, that on the day of Qayamat two types of people from the followers of Ahlulbait (A.S.) will have to wait for long. One will be the indigent and poor person, while other a rich and wealthy person. The poor man will cry out, "O my Lord why do I have to wait so long. I swear by your Glory and Majesty that in the world you had given me no kingdom or empire so that I may oppress anyone or
commit injustice therein or usurp other's rights. And you had given me only that which You thought was enough for me, and I remained patient and never grumbled. Then Allah will reply, "O believer surely you speak the truth", thus he will be made to enter paradise.
The rich man will have to wait so long that he will sweat profusely, so much so that forty camels could quench their thirst with it. Only then will he be made to enter paradise. In paradise when they will meet each other, the poor man will ask him the reason for having made to wait so long. The rich man will reply, "I was made to wait for a long time giving account of my enormous wealth, so to how I earned it (whether lawfully or unlawfully), as how I spent it. Then the merciful Lord blessed me, forgave my sins and accepted my repentance". Then he will ask the poor man as to who he was¡ He will reply that he is the same indigent fellow who was with him in the plains of Qayamat. The rich man will say, "Verily the blessings and bounties of paradise have transformed you to such an extent that even I could not recognize you". (matalib)
The fourth group will consist of people whose bad deeds will be more than their good ones. And only if Allah's mercy, blessings and forgiveness will give way, they will be made to enter paradise. If not they will be punished at that very place, the punishment appropriate for them. They will be chastised in that way till they become clean of all sins. Then people in whose hearts even an atoms weight of faith (Iman) exists, will not have to stay long in hell, they will be brought back to paradise. While only the polytheists and unbelievers will remain there.

MANAZILE AKHERAH

SHAIKH ABBAS BIN MOHAMMADREZA AI-QUMMI

The Door of Knowledge

Bismillah Arrahman Arraheem

Holy Prophet Muhammad  al Mustafā (S.A.W.W)  said:

“O Ali, I am the city of knowledge and you are its door. The city can only be entered through its door. Those who claim that they love me but hate you are lying because you are from me and I am from you: your flesh is my flesh, your blood is my blood,your soul is from my soul, what you hide is what I hide, and what you show is what I show You are the Imām of my nation and my successor.Those who obey you succeed, and those who disobey you fail. Those who follow you will benefit, and those who are against you will lose. Those who are committed to you are winners, and those who abandon you are losers.You and the Imāms after you are like the ark of Nuh. The riders of the ark survived, and those who stayed behind drowned. You are like the stars. Whenever one star disappears, another one appears until the Day of Judgement.”

[References: Ghayatol Maram page 543; Sadouq in Amaali p 222; Kamal Al-Deen v1 p241; Bihar v23 p125 h53; Tabari in Besharatol Mostafa p39; Faraet Al-Semtayn v2 p243; Jameol Al-Akhbar p16; Bihar v40 P 203 h9; Khatib in Tarikh Al-Baghdad v11 p204; Asqalani in Lisan Al-Mizan v5 p19]

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A humble request

Please do pray for restoration of Jannat al-Baqi & early re-appearance of Imam-E-Zamana (atfs) 

Iltemase Dua

I.M.A.M. | Elections: Rights & Roles of Muslim Americans

In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful, To The respected Muslim Communities in United States of America, As-Salamu Alaykum, The right of American citizenship is accompanied by a number of responsibilities towards our nation, a country with many diverse ethnical and religious communities. Exercising one's voting rights is the most effective and important manifestations of citizenship. Voting is a venerable and respected act, which is capable of placing diverse communities on the path of social development and unity. In the past decade, Islamophobia has been on the rise and is being used to attract votes from ultraconservative groups. Some media outlets, as well as a number of political leaders, have been portraying Islam in a repulsive manner, in a way such that the true face of Islam is being replaced by stereotypes and false characteristics. Accordingly, it is our duty as Muslim-Americans to bring the true face of Islam to our fellow Americans, revealing to the world the true essence of our enlightened and uplifting religion. It is also our duty, as loyal and patriotic citizens, to be involved in our communities, and make our voices heard in this nation. An effective way to do so is through participation in both local politics and by voting in the general elections. Based on the recommendations of the Twelfth Annual Conference of the Council of Shia Muslim Scholars in North America, all citizens are called upon to register and exercise their right to vote. Muslim Americans are also called upon to effectively participate in the electoral process. The voting process, including participation in debates, campaigns, as well as casting ballots, will allow Muslims to raise their issues and concerns, and bring the message of Islam to the greater public. Nevertheless, voting without a full understanding of the issues and standpoints of politicians on local, national, and international policies can be harmful. As such, community members are strongly encouraged to research candidates and political topics in order to make an informed decision. The results of local government elections will have the most direct impact on your immediate community, so please pay particular attention to local candidates. Furthermore, it is important to organize our communities' affairs through consul, cooperation, and unity as God Almighty says, "and their affairs are by counsel among themselves" [Holy Quran 42:38]. Based on the facts above, IMAM urges all of you, our dear brothers and sisters, to participate in the elections and to encourage everyone around you to take part in this democratic process. Each and every vote counts, as previous elections have proven. In addition to the Presidential election, there will be significant effects from Congressional, Senate, and local elections, all of which will play an important role for the future of our community. Through true citizenship and real unity, the Muslim-American communities can surely make a huge difference in the present and the future of the United States of America, and indeed the world. If you are still not registered to vote, you can register online please click here to register. May God bless you. IMAM MAHDI ASSOCIATION of MARJAEYA, INC. (IMAM)