MAKHRUH CONDUCTS IN ISLAM -

Dec 13, '12 9:16 AM for everyone

MAKHRUH CONDUCTS IN ISLAM - Some of them, according to Shari’ah, are prohibited.  To seek revenge. To boast about oneself. To be very optimistic about oneself. To consider one's own good deeds as great. To belittle other's good deeds. To consider other's bad deeds as great. To belittle one's own bad deeds. Not to care about one's own bad conduct and ignore other's protests against it. To look down up on people. To cause inconvenience to others. Hurting others even though an act causing it may not be unlawful, such as building one's house such that it blocks light or air from reaching the neighbour's. Insulting others even if not in unlawful ways. Frightening people even if not to the unlawful degrees. Hostility even if less than the unlawful limits. The use of bad words even if not unlawful. Jealousy. Wanting. To be rancorous and vindictive. To be stingy. To be malevolent. To be greedy. To be hasty. To cause commotion. To be hardhearted. To be awkward and not to get on with others. To be bad mannered. To be arrogant. To show off even in non-worship matters. To suspect people. To be afraid of people. Going back on one's promise. To be excessive in sexual lust. To have no self-respect. To have a low self-esteem and enthusiasm. To have no sense of honour. To have eager and fervour unnecessarily. Publicising matters that would have been better to be kept private. Lying when joking. To accuse someone of something in a joke. To make fun of others. To joke a lot. Too much laughing. To rely on others. To burden others. Doing useless things. Talking about things that are not one's concern. Spying on things that are not one's business. Taking good deeds lightly. Neglecting desirable acts. Persisting on detestable matters. To be curious about indecent things. Involving one self in undesirable matters, even if they are not unlawful. Materialism To confine oneself with material issues, e.g. clothing and housing, etc. in a similar way to those who lead an extravagant life. To express grief in hardship. To complain about life. To grief about worldly things. To have long worldly hopes. To be unhappy about one's possession in life. To be unconcerned about issues of the hereafter. Love of being praised. Love of leadership or high position. Love of this world. Love of wealth. To be too busy in earning. To be too wealthy that would lead to arrogance. To be pessimist about Allah. Not to have trust in Allah. To ignore Allah's guidance, and warnings, etc. Not to care about the rules of Shari’ah. Discrimination, fanaticism, and racism. To get angry without justifiable reasons. To be disrespectful to the elders. To be unkind to children. To be unfair. To be ungrateful. To be unthankful. To be two-faced. To be insolent. To neglect the believers. To sleep a lot. To have no work or skills. Not to observe cleanliness. Scrupulosity and obsession, even in worldly matters. To be either extremist in one’s affairs or indifferent. Associating with sinners. Keeping company of contemptible individuals.

ZINA- FORNICATION /ADULTERY

Dec 13, '12 9:18 AM for everyone

We are discussing the rules of precaution from Zinaa. The four rules discussed previously were:

1. Do not even go near to what will lead you to Zinaa. Lower your gazes from forbidden things.
2. Do not be alone in the company of a Non-Mahram.
3. Muslim women must observe Hijaab.
4. When one attains puberty, one should get married.

Those who cannot marry early due to genuine reasons, have two options:

Temporary Abstinence:

“Let those who do not find means to marry abstain (from what is unlawful) until Allah, by His grace, give them means”. (24:33)

A man comes to the Holy Prophet (saw) and says: “I do not have the (financial) ability to marry; therefore, I have come to complain to you about my singleness”. The Holy Prophet (saw) adviced him on how to control his sexual urge by saying: “Leave the hair of your body (to grow) and fast continuously”. (Wasael)

Bodily hair is in reference to pubic, chest etc. Although there is no scientific evidence on this so far, according to this Hadeeth, there certainly appears to be some link between the growth of bodily hair and sexual urge. Imam Ali (as) has also said: “Whenever a person’s hair increases, his sexual desires have also decreased”. (Wasael)

As for fasting, it will strengthen the will power of the person and make it easier for him to restrain the sexual feelings.

Temporary Marriage:

According to the Fiqh of Shia’hs, marriage is of two kinds: Da-im and Munqate’ meaning: Permanent & Temporary. Both marriages have their rules and laws as discussed in the books on Jurisprudence by the Mujtahideen (Shia’h Islamic Jurists).

This type of marriage was practiced from the time of the Holy Prophet (saw) till the early days of the khilafah of ‘Umar ibnul-Khattab –the second caliph of the Muslims. Then ‘Umar banned it and made it Haraam. Needless to say, whether it is ‘Umar or anyone else, no one has any value infront of the Holy Quran and the Sunnah (tradition).

In conclusion, the message of Islam is very clear:

Marry on a permanent basis.

If not possible, adopt the path of temporary abstinence.

If not possible too, then opt for the temporary marriage system

(courtesy Mulla Mujaheedali Sheriff)

DAUGHTERS ARE BLESSINGS

Dec 13, '12 9:19 AM for everyone

Imam Sadeq (AS) has said:
“Surely Prophet Ibrahim (AS) called on God to give him a daughter to weep after his death.” 

The Holy Prophet (SAW) has said:
 “What good offspring are the girls! For they are kind, obedient, sympathetic and having blessing with them.” 

 “Whoever curses his child, God will afflict him with poverty.”

Imam Sadeq (AS) has also said:
 “Girls are as benefaction but boys are as riches. On the Day of Judgment, there will be reward for the benefaction but riches will be questioned of.” 

The holy Prophet (SAW) has said:
 “Whoever has three daughters or three sons, paradise is his due.” 

It was asked: O Messenger of Allah, how about two? The Holy Prophet (SAW) said:
“The same is true with two.” It was asked: O Messenger of Allah, how about one? The Holy Prophet said:
“The same is true with one.”
The Holy Prophet (SAW) has also said:
“Whoever has three daughters or sisters and is patient in taking care of them until they get married or die he and me are as these two fingers on paradise - at this time, the Holy Prophet referred to his index and middle fingers.”
It was asked: O Messenger of Allah, what happens if they are two? The Holy Prophet (SAW) said:
“The same is true with two.” It was asked, how about one?
The Holy Prophet said: “The same is true with one.”
A man to whom a baby girl was born and seeing he was angry, Imam Sadeq (AS) said: 

“What will you do if God says to you: Shall I choose. The Imam said: 

“Now God has chosen a girl for you. 

About the boy whom Khidr killed as mentioned in verse 81 of the Quranic Chapter, the Cave:
 

“So we desired that their Lord might give them in his place one better than him in purity and nearer to having compassion.” 

Imam Sadeq (AS) said instead of that son God gave them a daughter from whose generation, seventy prophets came.
4-Kinsfolk
The Holy Prophet (SAW) has said:
 

“I recommend ties of kinship to those who are present or absent and every one of my Ummah being in the loins of men and wombs of women till the Day of Judgment even if there is a gap as long as a year between them, for ties of kinship is part of religion.” 

The Holy Prophet (SAW) has also said: 

“One side of Sarat (bridge which the righteous only can cross on the road to paradise) on the Day of Judgment is trustworthiness and the other is ties of kinsfolk. One who has been trustworthy and has observed ties of kinsfolk, crosses the bridge and goes to paradise, however, one who breaches the trust and is heedless of relatives can not cross the bridge, for his other deeds will not avail him and Sarat will throw him.

Tags: hadees

Rights of Sadaat

Dec 13, '12 9:20 AM for everyone

Rights of Sadaat Allama Hilli in his book `Qawaidul Ahkam' counsels his son Fakhrul Muhaqqiqin in the following words : "You should practise Sileh Rahmi with the pure descendants of the Sadaat also. The Almighty Allah has emphasized upon this duty so much that he has made the love of relatives of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) as a compensation of the Prophetic mission." "...Say: I do not ask of you any reward for it but love for my near relatives...." (Shuara 42:23) The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) said: "I shall intercede for four types of people even if they carry the sins of all humanity." A person who has helped my descendants and progeny. A person who has spent his wealth upon my descendants when they were in need. A person who has loved my Progeny with his tongue and his heart. A person who has considered the wants of my descendants when they were surrounded by enemies and were homeless."

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AL-LIWAAT - SODOMY

Dec 13, '12 9:22 AM for everyone

One who commits sodomy shall not die without being punished in the same manner as the people of Prophet Lut (as) were punished. According to the Holy Quran, three kinds punishements were meted out to the people of Lut (as): Terrible scream and shriek Shower of stones that rained upon them The earth turned upside down After the third calamity, Quran says: “Marked (for punishment) with your Lord and it is not far off from the unjust”. (11:83) This verse indicates that similar punishments may also be inflicted upon those who commit sodomy. Abu Baseer once asked Imam Ja’ffar as-Sadiq (as) about the verse: “So when Our decree came to pass, We turned them upside down and rained down upon them stones, of what has been decreed, one after another”. (11:82) Imam (as) explained: “There is no one who leaves this world while considering sodomy permissible, but that Allah hits him with one of the stones that had fallen on the people of Lut (as)”.   (Tafseere Qummi) After death, a homosexual will be joined with the people of Sodom who were destroyed and counted among them. In the days of ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab, the second Caliph, a slave killed his master. When he confessed the crime , ‘Umar ordered him to be put to death. Imam Ali bin Abi Talib (as) questioned this slave: “Why did you kill your master?” The slave replied: “he had forcibly committed sodomy with me”. Imam (as) asked the heirs of the deceased, “Have you burried him?” To which they replied, “Yes, we have just come after burrying him”. Imam (as) advised ‘Umar to hold the slave in custody for three days and told the heirs of the deceased to come back after three days. Three days passed, then Imam Ali (as), ‘Umar and some of the heirs of the murdered man went to the grave. Upon reaching there, Imam (as) asked: “Is this the grave of your man?” They answered, “Yes”. Ali (as) ordered the grave to be dug out. Amazingly the dead body had disappeared from it. Imam Ali (as) said: “Allahu Akbar! I have heard the Holy Prophet (saw) saying that: Whoever from my nation commits the act of the nation of Lut (as) and dies before repenting for it shall not remain in the grave for more than three days. The earth will suck him inside and he shall reach the place of the dead of Lut (as) where destiny annihilated them. Then that person will also be counted among them”.   (Gunahaane Kabeera)

AYATS OF THE HOLY QURAN

Dec 13, '12 9:23 AM for everyone

1) Who is the creator?

(40:64) Allah, it is he Who has made for you the earth as a dwelling place and the sky as a canopy. and has given you shape and made your shapes good (looking) and has provided you with good things. That is Allah, your Lord: so Blessed be Allah, the Lord of the Alamin (mankind, jinn and all that exists).

 (39:6) He created you (all) from a single person (Adam) ; then made from him his wife {Hawwa , (Eve)}. and He has sent down for you of cattle eight pairs (of the sheep , two , male and female ; of the goats , two , male and female of the oxen , two , male and female and of the camels, two, male and female). He creates you in the wombs of your mothers: creation after creation in there veils of darkness. Such is Allah your Lord His is the Kingdom. La ilaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He). How then are you turned away?

 (7:54) Indeed your Lord is Allah, Who created the heavens and the earth in six days, and then He rose over (Istawa) the Throne (really in manner that suits His Majesty). He brings the night as a cover over the day, seeking it rapidly , and (He created) the sun, the moon, the stars subjected to His Command. Surely, His is the Creation and Commandment. Blessed is Allah, the Lord of the Alamin (mankind, jinn and all that exists)! (10:32) Such is Allah, your Lord in truth. So after the truth, what else can there be, save error. How then are you turned away?

 2) Who is Allah?

 (59:23-24)

23:He is Allah beside Whom La Ilaha Illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He), the King, the Holy, the one Free from all defects, the Giver of security, the Watcher over His creatures, the All- Mighty, the Compeller, the Supreme. Glory, be to Allah! (High is He) above all that they associate as partners with Him .

 24:He is Allah, the creator, the Inventor of all things, the Bestower of forms. To Him belong the Best Names. All that is in the heavens and the earth glorify Him. And He is the All-Mighty, the All-Wise .

 20:14)

“Verily! I am Allah! La ilaha illa Ana (none has the right to be worshipped but I), So worship Me, and perform As-Salat (Iqamat-as- Salat) for My Remembrance.

(2:255)

Allah! La ilaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He), Al-Hayyul-Qayyuum (the Ever Living the One Who sustains and protects all that exists). Neither slumber nor sleep overtakes Him. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. Who is he that can intercede with Him except with His Permission?

 He Knows what happens to them (His creatures) in this world, and what will happen to them in the Hereafter. And they will never compass any thing of His Knowledge except that which He wills. His Kursi extends over the heavens and the earth and He feels no fatigue in guarding and preserving them. And He is the Most High, the Most Great. (This Verse 2:225 is called Ayat-ul-Kursi) .

 (35:13)

He merges the night into the day (i.e. the decrease in the hours of the night is added to the hours of the day), and He merges the day into the night (i.e. the decrease in the hours of the day is added the hours of the night). And has subjected the sun and the moon: each runs its course for a term appointed. Such is Allah, your Lord; His is the Kingdom , And those, whom you invoke or call upon instead of Him, own not even a Qitmir (the thin membrane over the date-stone).

(3:18)

Allah bears winess that La ilaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He), and the angels, and those having knowledge (also give this witness); (He always) maintains His creation in justice La ilaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He), the All- Mighty, the All-Wise.

 (3:51)

Truly! Allah is my Lord and your Lord, so worship Him (Alone). This is the straight Path.

 3) Did you think that Allah created you only for play and without any purpose?

3:115)

“Did you think that We had created you in play (without any purpose), and that you would not be brought back to Us?”

 4) For what did Allah create mankind?

(51:56)

And I (Allah) created not the jinn and mankind except that they should worship Me (Alone).

 5) What did Allah command us to do?

 (4:58)

Verily! Allah commands that you should render back the trusts to those to whom they are due; and that when you judge between men, you judge with justice. Verily, how excellent is the teaching with He (Allah) gives you! Truly, Allah is Ever All-Hearer, All-Seer.

 (6:151)

Say (O Muhammad (PBUH)):“Come, I will recite what your Lord has prohibited you from: be Join not anything in worship with Him; be good and dutiful to your parents; Kill not your children because of poverty – We provide sustenance for you and for them; come not near to Al-Fawahish (shameful sins, illegal sexual intercourse) whether committed openly or secretly; and kill not anyone whom Allah has forbidden, except for a just cause (according to Islamic law). This He has commanded you that you may understand.

6) From where shall we seek guidance?

 (1:1 – 6)

1: In the Name of Allah, the Most. Gracious, the Most Merciful.

 2: All the praises and thanks be to Allah, the Lord of the Alamin (mankind, jinn and all that exists).

 3: The Most Gracious, the Most Merciful .

 4: The Only Owner (and the only Ruling judge) of the Day of Recompense (i.e the Day of Resurrection)

 5: You (Alone) we worship, and You (Alone) we ask for help (for each and everything).

 6: Guide us to the Straight Way.

 7) Who shall we invoke in time of disaster?

 29:65)

And when they embark on a ship, they invoke Allah, making their Faith pure for Him Only: but when He brings them safely to land, behold they give a share of their worship to others .

 10:12)

And when harm touches man, he invokes Us, lying on his side, or sitting or standing. But when We have removed his harm from him, he passes on as if he had never invoked Us for a harm that touched him! Thus it is made fair-seeming to the Musrifun that which they used to do.

 8) What happened to the previous nations when they disobeyed Allah?

 29:40)

So We punished each (of them) for his sins; of them were some on whom We sent Hasib (a violent wind with shower of stones) (as on the people of Lut (Lot) , and of them were some who were overtaken by As-saihah (torment – awful cry. (as Thamud or Shuabs people), and of them were some whem We caused the earth to swallow (as Qarun (Korah), and of them were some whom We drowned (as the people of Nuh (Noah), or Firaun (Pharaoh) and his people). It was not Allah Who wronged them, but they wronged themselves.

9) Does Allah guard and save the Quran from corruption?

(15:9)

Verily, We, it is We Who have sent down the Dhikr (i.e. the Quran) and surely, We will guard it (from corruption).

10) Who should we worship?

(20:14)

“Verily! I am Allah La ilaha illa Ana (none has the right to be worshipped but I), so worship Me, and perform As-Salat (Iqamat-assalat) for My Remembrance.

11) What is the religion of Allah?

(3:19)

Truly, the religion with Allah is Islam. Those who were given the Scripture (Jews and Christians) did not differ except, out of mutual jealousy, after knowledge had come to them. And whoever disbelieves in the Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, signs, revelations, etc.) of Allah, then surely, Allah is Swift in calling to account.

 12) What is the religion accepted by Allah?

(3:85)

And whoever seeks a religion other than Islam, it will never be accepted of him and in the Hereafter he will be one of the losers.

13) Where does the Quran come from?

(42:3)

Likewise Allah, the All-Mighty the All-Wise sends Revelation to you (O Muhammad (PBUH) ) as (He sent Revelation to) those before you.

(6:114)

(Say (O Muhammad (PBUH)) “Shall I seek a judge other than Allah while it is He Who has sent down unto you the book (the Quran), explained in detail.” Those unto whom We gave the Scripture (the Taurat (Torah) and the Injeel (Gospel) know that it is revealed from your Lord in truth. So be not you of those who doubt.

 14) Why did Allah send messengers?

(4:64)

We sent no Messenger, but to be obeyed by Allah’s Leave.

15) Do we have to believe in all the messengers?

 (2:285)

The Messenger (Muhammad (PBUH) _) believes in what has been sent down to him from his Lord, and (so do) the believers. Each one believes in Allah, His angels, His Books, and His Messengers. (They say), “We make no distinction between one another of His Messengers” – and they say, “We hear and we obey. (We seek) Your Forgiveness, our Lord, and to You is the return (of all).”

16) What happened to the previous scriptures?

(4:46)

Among those who are jews, there are some who displace words from (their) right places and say: “We hear your word (O Muhammad (PBUH)) and disobey,” and “Hear and let you (O Muhammad (PBUH) _) “hear nothing.” And Raina with a twist of there tongues and as a mockery of the religion (Islam) And if only they had said: “We hear and obey”, And “Do make us understand,” it would have been better for them, and more proper; but Allah has cursed them for their disbelief, so they believe not except a few.

(5:13)

So because of their breach of their covenant, We cursed them and made their hearts grow hard. They change the words from their (right) places and have abandoned a good part of the Message that was sent to them. And you will not cease to discover deceit in them, except a few of them. But forgive them and overlook (their misdeeds).

Verily, Allah loves Al-Muhsinun (good-doers).

17) Who is the last messenger?

(3:144)

Muhammad (PBUH) is no more than a Messenger, and indeed (many) Messengers have passed away before him. If he dies or is killed, will you then turn back on your heels (as disbelievers)? And he who turns back on his heels, not the least harm will he do to Allah; and Allah will give reward to those who are grateful.

18) To whom did Allah send the last messenger Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)?

(34:28)

And We have not sent you (O Muhammad (PBUH)) except as a giver of glad tidings and a warner to all mankind, but most of men know not.

 19) What did Allah prepare for those among the Jews and Christians who believe?

(57:28)

O you who believe (in Musa (moses) (i.e. Jews) and Isa (Jesus) (i.e. Christians)! Fear Allah, and believe in His Messenger (Muhammad (PBUH) _), He will give you a double portion of His Mercy, and He will give you a light by which you shall walk (straight). And He will forgive you. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

20) What is the likeness of lsa (Jesus) before Allah?

(3:59)

Verily, the likeness of Isa (Jesus) bofore Allah is the likeness of Adam. He created him from dust, then (He) said to him: “Be” – and he was.

21) What did Allah say about Mary?

(3:42 – 47)

42:And (remember) when the angels said: “(O Maryam (Mary)! Verily, Allah has chosen you, purified you (from polytheism and disbelief), and chosen you above the women of the Alamin (mankind and jinn) (of her lifetime).”

43:O Mary! “Submit yourself with obedience to your Lord (Allah), by worshipping none but Him Alone) and prostrate yourself, and Irkai (bow down) along with ArRakiun (those who bow down).”

44:This is apart of the news of the Ghaib (unseen, i.e. the news of the past national of which you have no knowledge) which We reveal to you (O Muhammad (PBUH) ) You were not with them, when they cast lots with their pens as to which of them should be charged with the care of Maryam (Mary); nor were you with them when they disputed.

45:(Remember) when the angels said: “O Maryam (Mary)! Verily, Allah gives you the glad tidings of a Word (“Be”- and he was! I.e. Isa (Jesus) the son of Maryam (Mary), from Him, his name will be the Messiah Isa (Jesus), the son of Maryam (Mary), held in honour in this world and in the Hereafter, and will be one of those who are near to Allah.”

46:“He will speak to the people in the cradle and in manhood and he one of the righteous.”

47:She said: “O my Lord! How shall I have a son when no man has touched me.” He said: “So (it will be) for Allah creates what He wills.

When He has decreed something, He says to it only: “Be!” – and it is.

22) Was Jesus crucified and died on the cross?

(4:157–158)

157:And because of their saying (in boast), “We killed Messiah Isa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary), the Messenger of Allah,” – But they killed him not, nor crucified him, but they resemblance of Isa (Jesus) was put over another man (and they Killed that man), and those who differ therein are full of doubts. They have no (certain) knowledge, they follow nothing but conjecture. For surely; they killed him not (i.e. Isa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary) (PBUT)).

158:But Allah raised him (Isa (Jesus) up (with his body and soul) unto Himself (and he (PBUH) is in the heavens). And Allah is Ever All- Powerful All-Wise.

23) Was Jesus the son of God ( Allah )?

(112:1 – 4):

1:Say (O Muhammad (PBUH)): “He is Allah, (the) One.

2:(Allah the self-Sufficient Master, Whom all creatures need, (He neither eats nor drinks).

3:He begets not, nor was He begotten.

4:And there is none co-equal or comparable unto Him.

24) How could you be secure?

(6:82)

It is those who believe (in the Oneness of Allah and worship none but Him Alone) and confuse not their belief with Zulm (wrong i.e. by worshipping others beside Allah), for them (only) there is security and they are the guided.

 25) What is the life of this world?

(57:20)

Know that the life of this world is only play and amusement, pomp and mutual boasting among you, and rivalry in respect of wealth and children. (It is) as the likeness of vegetation after rain, thereof the growth is pleasing to the tiller; afterwards it dries up and you see it turning yellow; then it becomes straw. But in the Hereafter (there is) a severe torment (for the disbelievers – evil-doers), and (there is) Forgiveness from Allah and (His) Good Pleasure (for the believers – good-doers). And the life of this world is only a deceiving enjoyment.

 26) Whatever of blessings and good things you have , is it from Allah

(16:53)

And whatever of blessings and good things you have, it is from Allah.

Then, when harm touches you, unto Him you cry aloud for help.

 27) How could you guarantee the blessings of Allah?

(14:7)

And (remember) when your Lord proclaimed: “If give thanks (by accepting Faith and worshipping none but Allah), I will give you more (of My Blessings); but if you are thankless (i.e. disbelievers), verily My punishment is indeed sever.”

 28) How could you save yourself from a painful torment?

(61:10 – 11)

10:O you who believe! Shall I guide you to a trade that will save you from a painful torment?

 11:That you believe in Allah and His Messenger (Muhammad (PBUH) _ ).

 29) Whosoever puts his trust in Allah , what will happen to him?

(65:3)

And He will provide him from (sources) he never could imagine. And whosoever puts his trust in Allah then He will suffice him. Verily, Allah will accomplish his purpose. Indeed Allah has set a measure for all things.

 30) What is the destination of the disbelievers?

 (57:15)

So this Day no ransom shall be taken from you (hypocrites), nor of those who disbelieved (in the Oneness of Allah – Islamic Monotheism).

Your abode is the Fire. That is your maula (friend – proper place), and worst indeed is that destination.

 31) What is the destination of the believers?

 (4:57)

But those who believe (in the Oneness of Allah – Islamic Monotheism) and do deeds of righteousness, We shall admit them to Gardens under which rivers flow (Paradise), abiding therein forever. Therein they shall have Azwajun Mutahharatun (purified mates or wives), and We shall admit them to shades wide and ever deepening (Paradise).

 32) How could you be happy?

(16:97)

Whoever works righteousness- whether male or female – While he (or she) is a true believer (of Islamic Monotheism) verily, to him We will give a good life (in this world with respect, contentment and lawful provision), and We shall pay them certainly a reward in proportion to the best of what they used to do (i.e. Paradise in the Hereafter).

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The Relation of Soul with Grave Is Very Close

Dec 13, '12 9:25 AM for everyone

The Relation of Soul with Grave Is Very Close

If you ask when souls live in allegorical bodies in Vaadiyus Salaam, why we have been asked to visit graves (for reciting Fatihaa and prayers)? And how do the souls understand that a visitor has arrived when they are not present in the graves? The reply is that it has been narrated form Imam Sadiq (a.s) that though the souls live in Waadiyus Salaam, their relations with graves remain intact and they know about the visitor and they recognize them. The Holy Imam has said that souls are like sun. The sun remains in the sky its rays cover the whole earth. Likewise, the souls covering or encirclement is Ilmi (concerned with knowledge and comprehension).

Reflection of Sunrays in a Mirror

Just as the appearance and reflection is relatively much more at a mirror the attention of souls and their covering is more at their graves. It is so because the soul had lived in those bodies for several years and gained much favors due to them. That is why they will focus their attention there. This also provides an answer to the one who asks as to why we should go to grave when the Imam is present at every place and thus, there is no difference in one place and the other.

Doubtlessly the graves of Holy Imams and religious leaders are the centers of the attention of Holy souls and the places where divine favors keep raining. Angels come and go there.

So, if anybody wants to get full benefit from those Holy personalities he should never give up visiting the Holy shrines and must try their best to go there.

Why No Reward Or Punishment Is Given To This Earthen Body?

Some people raise here a weak doubt and say: The soul after one’s death gets connected with a fine body called allegorical body which is just like this earthen body, as has been described earlier, and also sees (tastes) reward or torture with the same allegorical body. Now here arises a question: When man had worshipped God in this earthen body how reward is given to the other body? Or man had committed sins in the material body which has been disintegrated now after death then how is it that the punishment is meted out to the other body? There can be several answers to this question.

Every Soul Has Two Kinds of Bodies

As Alameh Majlisi (r.a) has written, allegorical body is not any outward thing which may be brought near the grave after one’s death and then, for example, it may be said to it: O soul! Now live in this body.

Rather, an allegorical body is a fine body which lives even now in this world living with man’s earthly body.

Every soul has two bodies: A fine (thin) body and a tough foul body. Man has prayed and sinned in both these bodies. This matter must be well understood. So we are giving the example of a dream. During a dream, these two bodies get separated. What a man sees in his dream is the behavior or deed of this allegorical body which walks, talks etc. Within twinkling of eye man reaches Karbala-e-Moalla, Holy Mashad, tours from east to west. This shows that the allegorical body remains with man always but after death; it separates from the material earthen body. This statement of Majlisi (r.a) is the much studied one. There also is many more witness.

Anyhow, It Is the Soul Which Gets Either Punishment or Reward

Another answers it that, after death, human soul turns into the same earthen form of body. It does not get connected with any outside body. Rather the soul takes up the form of material body. Now, you may call it an allegorical body or Barzakhi body or soul/spirit. But, as it is fine, elemental or material eyes cannot see it. Summarily speaking, it was only the soul/spirit which had committed sins in the world and hence it is only the soul/spirit is being punishment after death. Now, it may be chastised either by getting it connected with the allegorical (Misaale) body or it may be getting punishment absolutely by itself, constantly. Of course, on the Day of Judgment, all will rise and gather only in this very worldly and material body form.

By: Ayatullah Shaheed Seyyed Abdul Hussein Dastghaib

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Rights of the Brother in Faith

Dec 13, '12 9:26 AM for everyone

Rights of the Brother in Faith There are numerous traditions in connection with the rights of the believers and brothers-in-faith. A few of such traditions are quoted below : Mualla Bin-Khanees asked Imam Jafar as-Sadiq (a.s.): "What are the rights of the believing brother ?" Imam (a.s.) replied, "Seven rights of the believers are Wajib - If one fails to fulfill even one of these rights, he is externed from Allah's obedience. He shall not receive any reward from the Almighty." "What are those seven rights?", enquired Mualla. Imam (a.s.) said, " I fear that you may fail to act upon them." Mualla said, "La Quwwata Illa Billah" (It won't be so). Imam Jafar as-Sadiq (a.s.) said, "The foremost right is that you wish for the believing brothers whatever you wish for yourself." Imam (a.s.) then related the other six rights, "The second right is that you must refrain from angering him and try to seek his pleasure and obey him. The third right is that you help him with you life, your wealth, your tongue, and your hands. The fourth right is that you guide him and teach him that which is beneficial for him. The fifth, is that do not eat till satiation when your believing brother is hungry, and do not drink to satiation if he is thirsty, and do not dress nicely if he is deprived of good clothes. The sixth right is that if you have a servant you should send him to do his work. The seventh right is that if the believing brother says something on oath you should believe him, if he invites, you accept his invitation, if he is sick, visit him, if he dies, accompany his bier, if you come to know any of his needs fulfill it before he asks.

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WHY DO BAD THINGS HAPPEN

Dec 13, '12 9:29 AM for everyone

With the recent earthquake and tsunami in Japan which has devastated that country, taken an astonishing amount of victims, and left many, many lives in ruin, many people ask the questions: why does God make us suffer so much? Why are there pain, natural disasters, illness, disease and so many hardships in the world? The presence of difficulties has even led some to question the very existence of God. They say that if there was a God, then why does He allow suffering to take place? And if there is a God, then He must be a cruel one. To question the existence of hardships in the world in order to understand their causes is one thing, but to use that as a cover-up for one's ignorance of God and as an excuse to overlook our own faults is not excusable. Nevertheless, these questions are asked and Islam answers them very convincingly: Relative Judgment and Limited Understanding As a general rule, when making a judgment and selecting particularities of a situation, most of us take into consideration the relationship that those matters have with us. For example, if it rains somewhere, we are not worried about its effects over the entire environment. We are only concerned with our living area. If it has a positive effect in relation to us, we say it is a divine blessing, and if it has a negative effect in relation to us, we call it a calamity, even if the entire community receives its positive effects. At a glance and in a usual judgment, we count the sting of a snake as a problem and evil thing without being aware of the fact that its sting and poison is a means of defense for this animal. We are unaware of the fact that from this very poison, life-giving antidotes can be made which save thousands of lives. Therefore, if we do not want to be caught by mistakes, we should not look to our limited understanding and make judgments based on a matter's relationship with us, but we should take all its dimensions into consideration and make judgments based on all its sides. Placing a finger on a small part of the big picture and making a definite judgment is illogical and far from intellect. What Islam rejects is the creation of pure evil; however, if a thing is good from several aspects and bad from one aspect, and its good aspects outweigh its bad, then there is no objection. Humans Progress with the Help of Difficulties Difficult and unpleasant events strengthen our will and increase our power. Just as steel is strengthened in furnaces, we become stronger in the furnaces of unpleasant events. For instance, war is a bad thing, but at times a long and difficult war blossoms the potentials of a nation, turns division into unity, and makes up for all the nation's slacking. Many sociologists and historians say that all modernization that has taken place in a part of the world throughout history has been after a country was attacked by a great foreign power which awoke and immobilized its hidden powers. Certainly, every individual and every society does not react in the same way before life's unpleasant events. Some are overtaken by despair, weakness, and bad-sightedness. As a result, they achieve a negative outcome. But those with favorable characteristics jump into action in the face of these motivating events and quickly correct their weaknesses. However, because most people in such circumstances make quick judgments, they only see the difficulties and do not see the positive and constructive effects. The Holy Qur'an states: "It happens often that you dislike something (and deem it to be unpleasant), but God has placed in it a great deal of good." (4:19) Hardships Can Help Us Turn Back to God As a result of disobeying God, the human must face discomforts in life so that (s)he becomes aware of the evil results of his/her actions and turns back to God. It is here that we realize a portion of sufferings and unpleasant events are in reality blessings from God. The Qur'an says: "Corruption has appeared in the land and sea because of that which mankind has done, so that they may taste the results of some of their actions, and so they may turn back to God." (30:41) Unpleasant Events Serve as Warnings We have all seen people who are surrounded by bounties become captured by arrogance and selfishness, and in such a state they forget many of the important responsibilities as human beings. Also, we have seen ease and perfect comfort in life brings a form of negligence, and carelessness takes over. If this state continues, it leads to a person's destruction. Undoubtedly a portion of life's undesirable events are for getting rid of arrogance and neglect. Professional and well-experienced drivers complain about roads that are clear, smooth, and without bumps, twists and turns, and ups and downs. They describe such roads as dangerous, because constant driving on these roads makes one sleepy, and this is when the danger begins. That is why bumps and artificial warnings are built on highways in order to decrease the chances of danger. The path of man's life is also like this in principle. If life was without twists, turns, and bumps, and if at times bad and undesirable events did not take place, the definite results would be neglect, unawareness of God, and an end to human responsibilities. The Qur'an states: "We have placed them in difficult, painful, and worrying circumstances so that they turn back towards God." (6:42) Self-Made Sufferings We bring many hardships upon ourselves. When analyzing the reasons and factors behind unpleasant events, we frequently make the error of confusing the oppression and injustice that is carried out by oppressive people as God's injustice. We also assume the chaos and disorder of humanity as nature's. For example, at times we object: why do earthquakes inflict little damage to certain countries and place a large number of people under rubble in other places? What kind of justice is this? If afflictions are destined to be in people's lives, then why aren't they spread equally? Why must the sharp edge of harmful occurrences always point towards the weak? Such comments are negligent of the fact that none of these are linked to the phenomenon of creation or to God's justice. These are all the results of the injustice, exploitation, and abuse of humans by each other. If certain countries were not deprived and suffered from poverty and a lack of infrastructure because of the injustice and exploitation of other countries, why should natural disasters take so many sacrifices from them and very little from others? However, when their houses are built with nothing more than a handful of mud or rocks and wood, at times simply placed on top of each other without the use of any nails, adhesive or cement, where one strong gust of wind or tremor can bring them tumbling down, then one must not expect anything better than what we are seeing in Japan  right now. What relation does this have with God's work? One must make such criticism about the unbalanced and ill-organized state of society. One must rise and bring an end to these social injustices. One must fight against poverty and deprivation and give the weak their rights so that such incidents do not come about. The Qur'an states: "God does not do the slightest bit of injustice to mankind, but it is mankind who is unjust to themselves." (10:44) These were just some reasons why hardships and unpleasant events exist in this world. Certainly there are many more reasons for them. However, never are they without a reason and wisdom. (Sayyid Baqir Imrani)