Salaamun Alykum

PRETEXT FOR SHAME

2011-11-21T09:41:00.000-05:00

[Pretext for Shame] WITHOUT CHOICE WERE WE, THERE'D BE NO PRETEXT FOR SHAME

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LOST TRAVELER[S]

O lost traveler[s]

Worry will wash away

Blessed beloved be

the-Master Guide

and the-Green One

too soon shall seek

just remember one thing

never to ask the-Question

and the Guidance shall be the-Revelation; shh...

-M.A.A.A./Asad [28TH of October | 2011]

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[{WARNING}..the tongue transmits the teachings {pure-pathetic-&/or-pure-prophetic} of/in the brain-mind/heart/soul-spirit---///]

3 Comments

Dana Hawksister 2.19.10 / 8pm
Sugar merchants, I have news: Joseph
has arrived from Egpyt with the essence
Of sweetness:a fruit cobbler that can
save your soul! Spirit wine.And if
there is something else you want, that came too.Khidir through an open window
Aprodite singing ghazals. A sky with
gold streaks across. A stick that finds
water in a stone.Jesus sitting quietly
near the animals.Night so peaceful;
“This is enough” was always true.We just haven’t seen it:the hoopoe already
wears a tufted crown. Each ant is given
its elegant belt at birth. This love we feel pours through us like giveaway song. The source of now is here!Blessed be.
Basar Cetin 8.23.10 / 6pm
free will or Predestination ? what a mindless question.
First of all we are all geared with the powerful ordinance of freewill. We alone act on our belief systems.
Shame on the other hand, is a concept the Father allotted us with the notion of Total Depravity.
Remember the very first time Adam and Evil knew no shame. But one of them ate the fruit of the knowledge tree. And hence, since it was revelaed to them as knowledge, they comphrehende the difference of their sex, they got shameful and covered their body parts.
Free will is the devil and God altogether. The “gods” and “demons” are actually us, nothing more. And God knows that. The devil is our unfaithful and cowardly acts; but all good and glorius names are God’s. And it is the truth! Truth and the Lord is always in sync. Use your free will, be ashamed; but keep on doing good deeds. This is our challange in this prison planet we call earth. God bless you all!
Jessica 8.28.10 / 10pm
“This is our challange in this prison planet we call earth.”
…This is very true.

Silent Emotions

2011-07-27T17:26:00.002-04:00

You see,
Yes you,
You my fellow respected reader,
Emotions are not belongings, utterances, expressed expressions etc.
Emotions are alive/Alive,
They are never forever,
They come and go,
And leave us alone,
Just like extremities are the-Peak of love/Love,
Emotions are unseen, unknown unconscious,
Everlasting eternal entities,
Yet;
Like a flowing stream,
Like a time once gone,
Like a strange stranger,
Like an old friend in a new look,
Like a loved one in deep sleep [death],
They flow but never come back,
Always in a new renewed forms,
They make appearances,
Sometimes even unrecognizable,
So you see, yes you!
The one laughing out loud, smiling all the time,
Might be the most melancholic man within,
And the one who appears to be serious or sad to others,
Might be the most happy within due to closeness to Lord,
As emotions are not pictures on your wall,
Or a video with descriptions of how you feel,
Or your blog entries,
Which can be decorated like an art in your living room,
Or a speech that you can deliver,
Describing definitions, description, details,
Emotions are not expressions to be explained, expressed or elaborated..
Emotions are feelings,
Unseen, unconscious, unknown, yet,
You can feel,
Feel,
Just feel,
Connect with the that connection, communication, concentration, contemplation........
[to be continued]

Dark Arts [Evil Occult Arts & Sciences etc.]

2010-08-29T22:04:00.004-04:00

The Dark Arts with Nabil Awan, covering some subjects as the Jinn, Black Magic, Ghosts, Ghouls, Déjà Vu, . and other such similar subjects.

[a point to be noted here is that of the concept of Western Evil Occult sciences which people are not much familiar with. Indeed, there are many such cases and practiced even more than as in Eastern cultures. Like Voodoo, WICCA, the Church Of Satan, evil Yoga sciences, Skulls & Bones and other many more secret societies, Luciferian evil occults etc. including TV, Movies, Hollywood plus such similar mind manipulative medias, brain washing techniques, mind control systems and programs that utilize mesmerism, hypnotism and similar sinister sciences to control masses. Of course, people get drawn to them due to their ignorance and lack of understanding of such knowledge or simply because they consider it to be stories, consider them to be wrong interpretations , never studied Islam, never though about life after death, never got connected to Allah or ever communicated to the Lord, so Allah keeps veils upon veils on their intellects and hearts for they never pondered, concentrated or contemplated deeply in Qur'an and how it exposes & informs us of all evil entities etc.]

http://islamicinsights.com/religion/religion/islam-and-the-paranormal.html

๑ஐ۩۞۩ஐ๑ الأحاديث القدسية ๑ஐ۩۞۩ஐ๑

2010-06-01T23:02:00.002-04:00

๑ஐ۩۞۩ஐ๑ AL·HADITH AL·QUDSI ๑ஐ۩۞۩ஐ๑

๑ஐ۩۞۩ஐ๑ (A WORD OF ALLAH) ๑ஐ۩۞۩ஐ๑

๑ஐ۩۞۩ஐ๑ الأحاديث القدسية ๑ஐ۩۞۩ஐ๑

Translated By: S. M. Zaki Baqri

Shirazi, Hassan Qudsi, 1934 - 1980.

Author: Hassan Shirazi

Translated by: S.M.Zaki Baqri

Publisher: Ansariyan Publications – Qum

First Edition: 1417-1997-1376

Second Reprint: 1420-1999-1378

Third Reprint: 1424-2003-1382

Quantity: 2000

Number of Pages: 92

Size: 143x205 mm

ISBN: 964-438-080-0

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

TRANSLATOR NOTES

"A fact of this world life" is an expression, which is unknown to the majority of us. One who has knowledge of this life is in fact the smartest and the most successful of all people. On the one hand, worldly life is a fact that nobody can deny. On the other hand, it is extremely difficult to acquire a comprehensive knowledge of it.

Almighty Allah(S.W.T.) poses us a basic question:

"What! did you then think that had created you in vain and that you shall not be returned to us?" (Al-Qur'an 23:115)

In this Divine question two points are clear: One is that "life is a fact" and the other is that "it has a purpose". In many places the Holy Qur'an has made this point clear by giving us examples of past historic events. The wealth of Shaddad and Fir`aun (Pharaoh), and persons of such categories, perished. They left this world; with nothing but their own deeds and they are tasting the punishment for the evils they committed.

Some of the verses of the Holy Qur'an have make it clear that this worthless world is nothing but play. For example:

"And this life of the world is nothing but a sport and play: and as for the next abode, that most surely is the life - did they but know! "(Al-Qur'an 29:64) I think we should strive hard, by using whatever means and sources we have, to understand this worldly life.

HADITH AL-QUDSI

(Sacred Hadith) is one of; the sources which opens up our eyes, shakes us up, and awakens us so that we may think. For example:

"O Son of Adam! obey Me to the extent of your deeds towards Me. Disobey Me to the extent of your ability to tolerate the Fire of Hell. Collect wealth in this world according to the length of your stay here. Collect for the Hereafter (Aakhirah) according to the length of your stay there. Do not think that your death is far and that the Bounties (you receive from Allah) will always be available, or that your sins are hidden." (Al-Hadith Al-Qudsi, Hadith No.13)

The materialistic world has dragged humankind into a race of unlimited desire. This mad search for pleasure, excitement, new sensations and the accumulation of material wealth, results in a disgracerful life. This drive to experience more and more is the direct and root cause of all family and social problems and manifests itself in genocide, homicide, substance abuse, child abuse and violence towards women.

The so-called "civilized" countries of our time have failed to understand this, although they possess sophisticated weapons to defend their values as well as accurate computers. In my view, Islam is the only solution to all of these problems. Not only does it teach that we should be achievers in this worldly life, but it also teaches humankind to have God-consciousness (Taqwa).

THE THREE WAYS OF COMMUNICATION OF ALMIGHTY ALLAH:

As Mawlana Sayyid Akhtar Rizvi expresses in his book The Qur'an and Hadith:

"According to the Muslims, the Revelations from God can be of three kinds:

a) Al-Qur'an: Where the words and meanings both are revealed from God, and it is meant to be a miracle in itself. Such Revelation is the Qur'an. No other Revelation was meant to be a miracle, challenging the antagonists to bring its 'like' if they can, and prophesying that they can never do it.

b) Hadith Al-Qudsi: Where the words and meanings are both from God, but it is not intended to be a miracle. It is found in the Books of Traditions and generally begins with these words: "The Holy Prophet said that Allah said".

c) Hadith: Where only the meanings are from God, but the words are of Prophets. Inspirations, and also Traditions of the Prophet of Islam come into this category."

The Hadith Al-Qudsi is scattered in the Books of Tradition. Some of the scholars have made attempts to compile them. This presentation of Hadith Al-Qudsi has been taken from the book Kalimatullah by the great scholar Aqai Sayyid Hassan Shirazi. As a child I would listen to my father's speeches and his daily communications. From time to time he used to mention these Hadith Al-Qudsi. Consequently, I have been reading them over and over again. This completion of Scared Hadith has been translated into Urdu by the late Maulanay Sayid Ali Muhammed Ijlal Lakhnavi of India. I hope that readers will benefit from this translation, and pray for me and for the entire Muslim Ummah for their unity.

Was Salaam.

S.M. ZAKI BAQRI

الحديث الأول

قالَ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى: عَجِبْتُ لِمَنْ أَيْقَنَ بِالْموْتِ كَيْفَ يَفْرَحُ، وَعَجِبْتُ لِمَنْ أَيْقَنَ بِالحِسَابِ كَيفَ يَجْمَعُ الْمَالَ، وَعَجِبْتُ لِمَنْ أَيْقَنَ بِالْقَبْرِ كَيْفَ يَضْحَكُ، وَعَجِبْتُ لِمَنْ أَيْقَنَ بِزَوَالِ الدُّنْيَا كَيْفَ يَطْمَئِنُّ إِلَيْهَا، وَعَجِبْتُ لِمَنْ أَيْقَنَ بِبَقَاءِ الآخِرَةِ وَنَعِيمِهَا كَيْفَ يَستَرِيحُ، وَعَجِبْتُ لِمَنْ هُوَ عَالِمٌ بَاللِّسَانِ وَجَاهِلٌ بِالْقَلْبِ، وَعَجِْتُ لِمَنْ هُوَ مُطَهِّرٌ بِالمَاء وَغَيْرُ طَاهِرٍ بِالْقَلْبِ، وَعَجِبْتُ لِمَنِ اشْتَغَلَ بِعُيُوبِ النَّاسِ وَهُوَ غَافِلٌ عَنْ عُيُوبِ نَفْسِهِ، وَعَجِبْتُ لِمَنْ يَعْلَمُ أَنَّ اللَّه تَعَالَى مُطَّلِعٌ عَلَيْهِ كَيْفَ يَعْصِيهِ، وَعَجِبْتُ لِمَنْ يَعْلَمُ أَنَّهُ يَمُوتُ وَحْدَهُ وَيَدْخُلُ الْقَبْرَ وَحْدَهُ وَيُحَاسَبُ وَحْدَهُ كَيْفَ يَسْتأنِسُ بِالنَّاسِ، وَيَقُولُ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى لَا إلهَ إلَّا اللَّهُ حَقّاً حَقّاً مُحَمَّدٌ عَبْدِي وَرَسُولِي.

Chapter 1

Almighty Allah says:

I wonder how a person can be happy, who is certain of death.

I wonder at a person who is certain of reckconing (the Day of Judgement), but still accumulates wealth.

I wonder at a person who is certain of going into the grave, but still smiles without concern.

I wonder at a person who is certain of this world’s doom, but still has tranquility in loving this world.

I wonder at a person who is certain of the Hereafter and its Bounties but he still rests.

I wonder at a person who is knowledgeable in his speech, and ignorant in his heart.

I wonder at a person who cleans him/herself with water, but does not cleanse his heart.

I wonder at people who look for bad points in others, but is unaware of the same in themselves.

I wonder at a person who knows that Almighty Allah is aware of his actions, but still commits sins.

I wonder at a person who preaches to the people, but does not preach to his own soul.

I wonder at a person who knows that he/she will die alone, go into the grave alone, give accounts alone, but is still totally engrossed with people who will not be able to help him/her.

Allah says: There is no god but Me. Thus Mohammed (SAW) is My servant and My messenger.

الحديث الثاني

شَهِدَتْ نَفْسِي لِنَفْسِي أَنْ لَاإلهَ إِلَّا أنَا وَحْدِي لَا شَرِيْكَ لِي، وَمُحَمَّدٌ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَ آلِهِ عَبْدِي وَ رَسُولِي، مَنْ لَمْ يَرْضَ بِقَضَائِي وَ لَمْ يَصْبِرْ عَلَى بَلَائِي وَ لَمْ يَشْكُرْ عَلَى نَعْمَائِي وَ لَمْ يَقْنَعْ بِعَطَائِي فَلْيَطْلُبْ رَبّاً سِوَائِي وَلْيَخْرُجْ مِنْ تَحْتِ سَمَائِي، وَ مَنْ أَصْبَحَ حَزِيناً عَلى الدُّنْيَا فَكَأنَّما أَصْبَحَ سَاخِطاً عَلَيَّ، وَ مَنِ اشْتَكَى مُصِيبَةً نَزَلَتْ بِهِ إلَى غَيْرِي فَقَدْ شَكَانِي، وَ مَنْ دَخَلَ عَلى غَنِيٍّ فَتَوَاضَعَ لَهُ مِنْ أَجْلِ غِنَائِهِ ذَهَبَ ثُلثُ دِينِهِ، وَ مَنْ لَطَمَ وَجْهَهُ عَلى مَيِّتٍ فَكَأَنَّما أخَذَ رُمْحاً يُقَاتِلُنِي بِهِ، وَ مَنْ كَسَرَ عُوْداً عَلى قَبْرِ مَيِّتٍ فَكَأَنَّما هَدَم كَعْبَتي بِيَدِهِ، وَ مَنْ لَمْ يُبَالِ مِنْ أيْنَ يَأكُلُ لَمْ أُبَالِ بِهِ مِنْ أَيِّ بَابٍ أُدْخِلُهُ فِي جَهَنَّمَ، وَ مَنْ لَمْ يَكُنْ فِي الزِّيَادَةِ فِي دِينِهِ فَهُوَ فِي النُّقْصَانِ، وَ مَنْ كَانَ فِي النُّقْصَانِ فَالْمَوْتُ خَيْرٌ لَهُ، وَ مَنْ عَمِلَ بِما عَلِمَ زِدْتُهُ عِلْماً إلَى عِلْمِهِ.

Chapter 2

Almighty Allah says:

My Essence witnesses My Being that there is no god but Me alone, without any partner and Mohammad (SAW) is My servant and Messenger.

A person who is not happy with My orders, not patient with my afflictions, not thankful for My bounties, not content with My gifts, then he should look for another lord other than Me and he should get out of My universe.

A person who does not get what he wants in this world and becomes sad by it, is as if he is angry with Me.

A person who complains to another of calamities which has befallen upon him is as if he has complained about Me.

A person who goes to a rich person and humiliates himself because of his wealth, one-third of his faith is lost.

A person who hits himself in front of a dead body is as if he has taken a sword to fight with Me and he has ruined Ka’ba with his hands.

A person who does not care about what he eats (whether Halal or Haram), I will not care from which door I will make him enter Hell.

A person who is not trying to improve faith (by doing good deeds) is in loss. The one who is loss; death is better for him.

A person who practices according to his knowledge, I will increase his knowledge towards his acts.

الحديث الثالث

يَابْنَ آدَمَ!! مَنْ قَنَع اسْتَغْنَى، وَ مَنْ رَضِيَ بِالْقَلِيْلِ مِنَ الدُّنْيا فَقَدْ وَثَقَ بِاللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ.

يَابْنَ آدَمَ!! مَنْ تَرَكَ الْحَسَدَ اسْتَرَاحَ، وَ مَنِ اجْتَنَبَ الْحَرَامَ خَلّصَ دِيْنَهُ، وَ مَنْ تَرَكَ الغِيْبَةَ ظَهَرَتْ مَحَبَّتُهْ في الْقُلُوبِ، وَ مَنِ اْعَتَزَلَ عَنِ النّاسِ سَلِمَ مِنْهُمْ، وَ مَنْ قَلَّ كَلَامُهُ كَمُلَ عَقْلُهُ، وَ مَنْ رَضِيَ مِنَ اللَّهِ بِالْقَلِيلِ مِنَ الرِّزْقِ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ بِالْقَلِيْلِ مِنَ الْعَمَلِ.

يَابْنَ آدَمَ!! أَنْتَ بِمَا تَعْلَمُ لا تَعْمَلُ كَيْفَ تَطْلُبُ مَا لَا تَعْلَمُ.

يَابْنَ آدَمَ!! أَفْنَيتَ عُمْرَكَ في طَلَبِ الدُّنْيا فَمَتَى تَطْلُبُ الآخِرَة.

Chapter 3

Almighty Allah says:

O, Son of Adam! one who is content, is independent. One who is not jealous has tranquility. One who protects himself from unlawful (Haram ), his faith becomes pure. One who does not gossip, will be loved by people. One who separates himself from people is safe (from their mischief). One who reduces his talk, increases his wisdom. One who is pleased with whatever little he has, has full trust upon Allah. One who is pleased at a little bounty from Allah, Allah is pleased with his little obedience.

O, Son of Adam! you do not practice according to whatever knowledge you gain. Then how could you be a seeker of knowledge when you do not practise?

O, Son of Adam! if you spend your whole life acquiring wealth, when will you be able to acquire the hereafter (Akhirat) ?

الحديث الرابع

يَابْنَ آدَمَ!! مَنْ أَصْبَحَ حَرِيصاً عَلَى الدُّنْيا لَمْ يَزِدْ مِنَ اللَّهِ إِلا بُعْداً، وَ فِي الآخِرَةِ إلَّا جُهْداً، وَ أَلْزَمَ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى قَلْبَهُ هَمّاً لَا يَنْقَطِعُ أَبَداً وَ فَقْراً لَا يَنَالُ غِنَاهُ أبَداً، وَ أمَلاً لَا يَنَالُ مُنَاهُ أَبَداً .

يَابْنَ آدَمَ!! كُلَّ يَوْمٍ يَنْقُصُ مِنْ عُمْرِكَ وَ أَنْتَ لَا تَدْرِي، وَ يَأتِي كُلَّ يَوْمٍ رِزْقُكَ مِنْ عِنْدِي وَ أنْتَ لَا تَحْمَدُهُ، فَلَا بِالْقَلِيلِ تَقنَعُ وَ لَا بِالكَثِيرِ تَشْبَعُ .

يَابْنَ آدَمَ!! مَا مِنْ يَوْمٍ جَدِيدٍ إِلَّا وَيَأتِيكَ مِنْ عِنْدِي رِزْقٌ جَدِيدٌ، وَ مَا مِنْ لَيْلَةٍ إلّا وَ يَأتِيني مَلآئِكَتِي مِنْ عِنْدِكَ بِعَمَلٍ قَبِيحٍ، تَأكُلُ رِزْقي وَ تَعْصِيْنِي وَ أنْتَ تَدْعُونِي فَأسْتَجِيبُ لَك!. خَيْري إِلَيْكَ نَازِلٌ وَ شَرُّكَ إلَيَّ صَاعِدٌ، فَنِعْمَ الْمَوْلَى أَنَا وَ بِئْسَ الْعَبْدُ أَنْتَ، تَسْألُنِي فأعْطِيكَ وَ أسْتُرُ إِلَيْكَ سُوءًَ بَعْدَ سوءٍ وَ قَبِيحاً بَعْدَ قَبِيحٍ، أنَا أسْتَحْيِي مِنْكَ وَ أنْتَ لَا تَسْتَحْيِي مِنِّي وَ تَنْسَانِي وَ تَذْكُرُ غَيْرِي وَ تَخَافُ النّاسَ وَ تَأمَنُ غَضَبي .

Chapter 4

Almighty Allah says:

O, Son of Adam! a person who starts his day with greed for this world, finds no increase (in wealth) from Allah, and he is far from Allah. From this world nothing added to his wealth but struggle, and for the hereafter he has added exertion. Almighty Allah has added grief in his heart that will never end. Almighty Allah will add to his poverty which will never change into wealth, and increase his wishes and leave them unfulfilled.

O, Son of Adam! every day of your life is getting shorter, but still you do not understand? Each day I send down to you My bounties, but you are not thankful to Me for them. You are not content with little nor are you satisfied with much.

O, Son of Adam! not a single day misses but that your provision comes to you from Me; and not a single night passes, but that My angles give Me accounts of your bad deeds. You eat My provision, and you still disobey Me; but still when you call Me, I still answer you. From Me, good bounties descend upon you and from you. And from you, sinful deeds come up to Me. How good a master I am and how bad a servant you are! I give you what ever you ask Me, but still you go on sinning. I hide these sins, one after another, one evil deed after another. I am ashamed of you, but you are not ashamed of Me? You forget Me, but I remember you. You are afraid of people, and you are careless of Me. You fear enmity of people, but you do not fear My wrath?

الحديث الخامس

يَابْنَ آدَمَ!! لَا تَكُنْ مِمَّنْ يَطْلُبُ التَّوْبَةَ بِطُولِ الأمَلِ وَيَرْجُو الآخِرَةَ بِغَيْرِ عَمَلٍ، يَقُولُ قَوْلَ الزّاهِدِينَ وَ يَعْمَلُ عَمَلَ الْمُنَافِقِينَ، إنْ أُعْطِىَ لَا يَقْنَعُ وَ إِنْ مُنِعَ لَا يَصْبِرُ، يَأمُرُ بِالْخَيْرِ وَ لَا يَفْعَلُهُ، وَ يَنْهَى عَنِ الشَّرِّ وَ لاَ يُنْهَى عَنْهُ، وَ يُحِبُّ الصَّالِحِينَ وَ لَيْسَ مِنْهُمْ، وَ يُبْغِضُ الْمُنَافِقِينَ وَ هُوَ مِنْهُمْ .

يَابْنَ آدَمَ!! مَا مِنْ يَوْمٍ جَدِيدٍ إِلَّا وَ الأَرْضُ تُخَاطِبُكَ وَ تَقُولُ: يَابْنَ آدَمَ، تَمْشِي عَلى ظَهْرِي وَ مَصِيرُكَ في بَطْني وَتُذْنِب عَلَى ظَهْرِي وَ تُعَذَّبُ في بَطْنِي؛ يَابْنَ آدَمَ، أَنا بَيْتُ الوَحْدَةِ وَ أنَا بَيْتُ الْوَحْشَةِ وَ أَنَا بَيْتُ الظُلْمَةِ وَ أَنَا بَيْتُ العَقَارِبِ وَ الْحَيَّاتِ وَ أَنَا بَيْتُ الهَوانِ، فَاعْمُرِني وَ لَا تَخْرَبْنِي.

Chapter 5

Almighty Allah says:

O, son of Adam! don not be like the one; who seeks pardon because of his unlimited desires. Who hopes for heaven, but does not do good deeds; Who speaks like pious person, but acts like hypocrites; Who has been blessed by bounties, but is not content; And if who is given (bounties), is not patient; Who advises others to do good deeds, but he himself indulges in evil ones. Who advises others to stay away from evil deeds, but he himself does not stay away from them; Who hates hypocrites, but is one of them.

O, Son of Adam! the earth always says “You walk on me, but in the end you will be within my bowls. I am a dwelling where you will have to stay all alone. I am a dwelling which is full of ferocious things, such as serpents and scorpions. So, O, Son of Adam, do good deeds and thereafter enter me; only then would you be happy and without hardships.”

الحديث السادس

يَابْنَ آدَمَ!! مَا خَلَقْتُكُمْ لِأَسْتَكْثِرَ بِكُمْ مِن قِلَّةٍ، وَ لَا لِأَسْتَأنِسَ بِكُمْ مِنْ وَحْشَةٍ، وَ لَا لِأَسْتعِينَ بِكُمْ عَلَى أَمْرٍ عَجَزْتُ عَنْهُ، وَ لَا لِاَجْلِ مَنْفَعَةٍ وَ لَا لِدَفْعِ مَضَرَّةٍ، بَلْ خَلَقْتُكُمْ لِتَعْبُدُوني طَوِيلاً وَ تَشْكُرُوني كَثِيراً وَ تُسَبِّحُوني بُكْرَةً وَ أصِيلاً، وَ لَو أنَّ أَوَّلَكُم وَ آخِرَكُمْ وَ حَيَّكُمْ وَ مَيِّتَكُمْ وَ صَغِيرَكُمْ وَ كَبِيرَكُمْ وَحُرَّكُمْ وَ عَبْدَكُمْ وَ إِنْسَكُمْ وَ جِنَّكُمْ اجْتَمَعْتُمْ عَلَى طَاعَتِي لَمَا زَادَ ذلِكَ في مُلْكِي مِثْقَالَ ذَرَّةٍ، وَ لَوْ أَنَّ أَوَّلَكُمْ وَ آخِرَكُمْ وَ حَيَّكُمْ وَ مَيَِّتَكُمْ وَ صَغِيرَكُمْ وَ كَبِيرَكُمْ وَ حُرَّكُمْ وَ عَبْدَكُمْ وَ إنْسَكُمْ وَ جِنَّكُمَ اجْتَمَعتُمْ عَلَى مَعْصِيَتي مَا نَقَصَ ذلِكَ مِنْ مُلْكِي مِثْقَالَ ذَرَّةٍ، وَ مَنْ جَاهَدَ فَإنَّمَا يُجَاهِدُ لِنَفْسِهِ، إِنَّ اللَّهَ غَنِىُّ عَنِ العَالَمِينَ.

Chapter 6

Almighty Allah says:

O, Children of Adam! I did not create you so as to: increase Myself out of poverty through you, or to seek companionship through you after being lonely, or to seek your help on matter in which I was inefficient, or for the sake of a benefit or for warding off harms. But I created you so you can worship Me constantly and thank Me a lot, and praise Me day and night. Were the first you of and the last of you: those of who are living and those of you who are dead, your youngesters and your elders, your slaves your masters, the human among you and the jinn among you, to join hand in hand, in order to obey Me, you would not be adding an atom to My kingdom. Were the first you of and the last of you: those of who are living and those of you who are dead, your youngesters and your elders, your slaves your masters, the human among you and the jinn among you, to join hand in hand, in order to disobey Me, you would not reduce an atom in My Kingdom. "Thus everything is perishable but He" (28:88). If you fear of Hell fire like you fear poverty, I would have made you wealthy to such an extent that nobody whould have been able to count your wealth. If you desire of heaven as you desire this world, I would have showered My blessings upon you in this world and hereafter. Don’t make your heart dead out of love for this world. Indeed, this world is going to bring an end to you very soon. The one who struggles (in the path of Allah (Jihad)) is struggling for his own soul. Indeed, Allah is self sufficient above any need of the worlds (3:97).

الحديث السابع

يَا عَبِيدَ الدَّنَانِيرِ وَ الدَّرَاهِمِ!! إِنِّي مَا خَلَقْتُ لَكُمُ الدَّرَاهِمَ وَ الدَّنَانِيرَ إلَّا لِتَأكُلوا بِهَا رِزْقِي وَ تَلْبَسُوا بِهَا ثِيَابِي وَ تُنْفِقُوا بِهَا فِي سَبِيلي، فَأخَذْتُمْ كِتَابِي فَجَعَلْتُمُوهُ تَحْتَ أَقْدَامِكُمْ، وَ أَخَذْتُمُ الدُّنْيَا فَجَعَلْتُمُوهَا فَوْقَ رُؤُوسِكُمْ، وَ رَفَعْتُمْ بُيُوتَكُمْ وَ خَفَضْتُمْ بُيُوتِي، وَ آنَسْتُمْ بُيُوتَكُمْ وَ أَوْحَشْتُمْ بُيُوتِي، فَلَا أَنْتُمْ عَبِيدَ أَحرَارٌ أَبْرَارٌ.

يَا عَبِيْدَ الدُّنْيَا!! إِنَّما مَثَلُكُمْ كَالقُبُورِ الْمُجَصَّصَةِ يُرَى ظَاهِرُهَا مَلِيحاً وَ بَاطِنُهَا قَبِيحاً.

يَابْنَ آدَمَ!! كَما لَا يُغْنِي الْمِصْبَاحُ فَوْقَ الْبَيْتِ عَنِ الظّلْمَةِ الدّاخِلَةِ عَلَيْهِ، كَذلِكَ لَا يُغْنِي كَلَامُكُمُ الطَّيِّبُ مَعَ أَفْعَالِكُمُ الرَّدِيَّةِ.

يَابْنَ آدَمَ!! أَخْلِصْ عَمَلَكَ وَ لَا تَسْألْنِي فَإنّي أُعْطِيْكَ أَكْثَرَ مِمَّا يَطْلُبُ السَّائِلُونَ.

Chapter 7

Almighty Allah says:

O, Sons of Dinars and Dirhams (Dollars and Cents)! I did not create Dinars or Dirahms but for you to eat your food, wear your clothes, and give alms in My way. You have taken My Book and placed it under your feet, and you have taken this world and placed it over your head. You have raised your house, but you have lowered Mine. You are attached to and enjoy being in your houses, but when you come to My houses (the mosques) you restless and feel uneasy. Thus, you are neither independent, nor good servants. Indeed your parable is like solid and decorated graves which appear beautiful, but inside they are ugly.

O, Sons of Adam! just as a lighted lamp on top of a house, but darkness inside does not help, in the same way your good words with evil deeds do not help.

O, Sons of Adam! purify your deeds and do not ask, for I will give you more than what you ask for.

الحديث الثامن

يَابْنَ آدَمَ!! إنِّي لَم أَخْلُقْكُمْ عَبَثاً وَ لَا جَعَلْتُكُمْ سُدَىً وَ لَا أَنَا بِغَافِلٍ عَمَّا تَعْمَلُونَ، وَ إِنَّكُمْ لَنْ تَنَالُوا مَا عِنْدِي إِلَّا بِالصَّبْرِ عَلى مَا تَكْرَهُونَ فِي طَلَبِ رِضَائِي، وَالصَّبْرُ عَلى طَاعَتِي أيْسَرُ عَلَيْكُمْ مِنَ الصَّبْرِ عَلى حَرِّ النَّارِ، وَ عَذَابُ الدُّنْيَا أَيْسَرُ عَلَيْكُمْ مِنْ عَذَابِ الآخِرَةِ.

يَابْنَ آدَمَ!! كُلُّكُمْ ضَالٌّ إلَّا مَنْ هَدَيْتُهُ، وَ كُلكُمْ مَرِيضٌ إِلَّا مَنْ شَفَيْتُهُ، وَ كُلُّكُمْ فَقِيرٌ إلَّا مَنْ أغْنَيْتُهُ، وَ كُلُّكُمْ هَالِكٌ إلَّا مَنْ أنْجَيْتُهُ، وَ كُلُّكُمْ مُسِيءٌ إلَّا مَنْ عَصَمْتُهُ، فَتُوبُوا إلَيَّ أَرْحَمْكُمْ وَ لَا تَهْتِكُوا أَسْتَارَكُمْ عِنْدَ مَنْ لَا يَخْفَى عَلَيْهِ أَسْرَارُكُمْ.

Chapter 8

Almighty Allah says:

O, Son of Adam! I did not create you aimlessly, nor did I create you in vain. I am not heedless of your actions. Indeed you will not get what I posses but with being patient on those things which you don’t like (but you still do) in order to seek My pleasure. Patience in My obedience is easier for you than patience in fire of Hell. Punishment in this world is easier for you than punishment in the Hereafter.

O, Son of Adam! all of you are lost except the one whom I guide. All of you are sick except the one whom I cure. All of you are going to be destroyed except the one whom I save. All of you are sinful except the one whom I protect. Thus seek pardon from Me so that I can be merciful to you. Don not try hard to hang up curtains in order to hide from the one from whom your secrets are not hidden.

الحديث التاسع

يَابْنَ آدَمَ!! لَا تَلْعَنُوا الْمَخْلُوقِيْنَ فَتَرْجِعَ اللَّعْنَةُ عَلَيْكُمْ .

يَابْنَ آدَمَ!! اسْتَقَامَتْ سَموَاتِي فِي الْهَوَاءِ بِلَا عَمَدٍ بِاسْمٍ مِنْ أسْمَائِي، وَ لَا تَسْتَقِيمُ قُلُوبُكُمْ بِألْفِ مَوْعِظَةٍ مِنْ كِتَابِي.

يَا أيُّهَا النَّاسُ!! كَما لَا يَلِينُ الْحَجَرُ فِي الْمَاءِ كَذَلِكَ لَا تُفِيدُ الْمَوْعِظَةُ فِي الْقُلُوبِ الْقَاسِيَةَ .

يَابْنَ آدَمَ!! كَيْفَ لَا تَجْتَنِبُونَ الْحَرَامَ، وَ لَا اكْتِسَابَ الْآثامِ، وَ لَا تَخَافُونَ النِّيْرَانَ، وَ لَا تَتَّقُونَ غَضَبَ الرَّحْمن! فَلَوْلَا مَشَائِخُ رُكَّعٌ وَ أَطْفَالٌ رُضَّعٌ وَ بَهَائِمُ رُتَّعٌ وَ شَبَابٌ خُشَّعٌ لَجَعَلْتُ السَّمَاء فَوْقَكُمْ حَدِيداً وَ الْأَرْضَ صُفْراً وَ التُّرَابَ جِمَاراً، وَ لَا أَنْزَلْتُ عَلَيْكُمْ مِنَ السَّمَاءِ قَطْرَةً وَ لَا أنْبَتُّ لَكُمْ مِنَ الْاَرْضِ حَبَّةً وَ صَبَبْتُ عَلَيْكُمُ العَذَابَ صَبّاً.

Chapter 9

Almighty Allah says:

O, Son of Adam! do not curse My creatures, because the curse will bounce back to you. O, Son of Adam! My Heavens are suspended in space by one of My Names, without any pillars. Your hearts are not going to be straightened except by My admonitions from My Book.

O, you people, stone does not dissolve in water; in the same way admonitions won’t change your cruel heart.

O, Son of Adam, why are you not protecting yourself from evil deeds? Why are you not protecting yourself from sins? Aren’t you afraid of Hell? Why aren’t you protecting yourself from the wrath of Allah? If it were not for Ruku’ (the kneeling) of elders (in prayers), suckling babies, grazing animals, humble youths, indeed I would have made the sky of steel, the earth of copper and the mud of pebbles. I would not have send a single drop of water from the sky nor grown a single grain from the earth. I would have poured on you My worst wrath.

الحديث العاشر

يَابْنَ آدَمَ!! قَد جَاءَكُمُ الْحَقُّ مِنْ رَبِّكُمْ فَمَنْ شَاءَ فَلْيُؤْمِنْ، وَ مَنْ شَاءِ فَلْيَكْفُرْ، وَ إنَّكُمْ لَا تُحْسِنُونَ إلَّا بِمَنْ أَحْسَنَ إِلَيْكُمْ وَ لَا تَصِلُونَ إلَّا لِمَنْ وَصَلَكُمْ وَ لَا تُكَلِّمُونَ إلَّا لِمَنْ كَلَّمَكُمْ، وَ لَا تُطْعِمُونَ إلّا لِمَنْ أَكْرَمَكُمْ، فَلَيْسَ لِأَحَدٍ عَلَى أَحَدٍ فَضْلٌ، إنَّما الْمُؤْمِنُونَ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا بِاللَّهِ وَ رَسُولِهِ الّذِينَ يُحْسِنُونَ إلَى مَنْ أسَاء إلَيْهِمْ، وَيَصِلُونَ إلَى مَنْ قَطَعَهُمْ وَ يُعْطُونَ إلَى مَنْ حَرَمَهُمْ، وَ نُنْصِفُونَ مَنْ خَانَهُمْ، وَ يُكَلِّمُونَ إلَى مَنْ هَاجَرَ مِنْهُمْ وَ يُكَرِّمُونَ مَنْ أَهَانَهُمْ .

Chapter 10

Almighty Allah says:

O, Son of Adam! indeed the truth has been revealed to you from your Lord. Whoever wants to believe in Him, let him believe. And whoever wants to disbelieve, let him be a disbeliever. Indeed you are not good to a person, unless he is good to you. And you are not kind to your relatives, unless they are good to you. And you do not talk to a person, unless he talks to you. And you do not feed a person, unless he feeds you. And you are not just to a person, unless he is just to you. And you do not respect a person, unless he respects you. No one is superior over the another. Indeed, the believers are: those who believe in Allah and His Messengers, do good to those who are bad to them, are kind to those who break ties of relationship with them, give to those who do not give to them, just to those who are unjust to them, talk to those who isolate themselves from them, respectful to those who don’t respect them.

الحديث الحادي عشر

يَا أَيُّها النَّاسُ!! إِنَّما الدُّنْيَا دَارُ مَنْ لاَ دَارَ لَهُ وَ مَالُ مَنْ لاَ مَالَ لَهُ وَلَهَا يَجْمَعُ مَنْ لاَ عَقْلَ لَهُ وَبِهَا يَفْرَحُ مَنْ لاَ يَقِينَ لَهُ وَعَلَيْها يَحْرِصُ مَنْ لاَ تَوَكُّلَ لَهُ وَيَطْلُبُ شَهَوَاتِها مَنْ لاَ مَعْرِفَةَ لَهُ؛ فَمَنْ أَخَذَ نِعْمَةَ زَائِلَةَ وَ حَياة مُنْقَطِعَة وَ شَهْوَةً فاِنيَة ظَلَمَ نَفْسَهُ وَ عَصَى رَبَّهُ وَ نَسِىَ آخِرَتَهُ وَ غَرَّتْهُ حَيَاتَهُ.

Chapter 11

Almighty Allah says:

O, You People! this world is a house for one who has no house. This world is wealth for the one who has no wealth. One who is not have الحديث الأول

قالَ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى: عَجِبْتُ لِمَنْ أَيْقَنَ بِالْموْتِ كَيْفَ يَفْرَحُ، وَعَجِبْتُ لِمَنْ أَيْقَنَ بِالحِسَابِ كَيفَ يَجْمَعُ الْمَالَ، وَعَجِبْتُ لِمَنْ أَيْقَنَ بِالْقَبْرِ كَيْفَ يَضْحَكُ، وَعَجِبْتُ لِمَنْ أَيْقَنَ بِزَوَالِ الدُّنْيَا كَيْفَ يَطْمَئِنُّ إِلَيْهَا، وَعَجِبْتُ لِمَنْ أَيْقَنَ بِبَقَاءِ الآخِرَةِ وَنَعِيمِهَا كَيْفَ يَستَرِيحُ، وَعَجِبْتُ لِمَنْ هُوَ عَالِمٌ بَاللِّسَانِ وَجَاهِلٌ بِالْقَلْبِ، وَعَجِْتُ لِمَنْ هُوَ مُطَهِّرٌ بِالمَاء وَغَيْرُ طَاهِرٍ بِالْقَلْبِ، وَعَجِبْتُ لِمَنِ اشْتَغَلَ بِعُيُوبِ النَّاسِ وَهُوَ غَافِلٌ عَنْ عُيُوبِ نَفْسِهِ، وَعَجِبْتُ لِمَنْ يَعْلَمُ أَنَّ اللَّه تَعَالَى مُطَّلِعٌ عَلَيْهِ كَيْفَ يَعْصِيهِ، وَعَجِبْتُ لِمَنْ يَعْلَمُ أَنَّهُ يَمُوتُ وَحْدَهُ وَيَدْخُلُ الْقَبْرَ وَحْدَهُ وَيُحَاسَبُ وَحْدَهُ كَيْفَ يَسْتأنِسُ بِالنَّاسِ، وَيَقُولُ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى لَا إلهَ إلَّا اللَّهُ حَقّاً حَقّاً مُحَمَّدٌ عَبْدِي وَرَسُولِي.

Chapter 1

Almighty Allah says:

I wonder how a person can be happy, who is certain of death.

I wonder at a person who is certain of reckconing (the Day of Judgement), but still accumulates wealth.

I wonder at a person who is certain of going into the grave, but still smiles without concern.

I wonder at a person who is certain of this world’s doom, but still has tranquility in loving this world.

I wonder at a person who is certain of the Hereafter and its Bounties but he still rests.

I wonder at a person who is knowledgeable in his speech, and ignorant in his heart.

I wonder at a person who cleans him/herself with water, but does not cleanse his heart.

I wonder at people who look for bad points in others, but is unaware of the same in themselves.

I wonder at a person who knows that Almighty Allah is aware of his actions, but still commits sins.

I wonder at a person who preaches to the people, but does not preach to his own soul.

I wonder at a person who knows that he/she will die alone, go into the grave alone, give accounts alone, but is still totally engrossed with people who will not be able to help him/her.

Allah says: There is no god but Me. Thus Mohammed (SAW) is My servant and My messenger.

الحديث الثاني

شَهِدَتْ نَفْسِي لِنَفْسِي أَنْ لَاإلهَ إِلَّا أنَا وَحْدِي لَا شَرِيْكَ لِي، وَمُحَمَّدٌ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَ آلِهِ عَبْدِي وَ رَسُولِي، مَنْ لَمْ يَرْضَ بِقَضَائِي وَ لَمْ يَصْبِرْ عَلَى بَلَائِي وَ لَمْ يَشْكُرْ عَلَى نَعْمَائِي وَ لَمْ يَقْنَعْ بِعَطَائِي فَلْيَطْلُبْ رَبّاً سِوَائِي وَلْيَخْرُجْ مِنْ تَحْتِ سَمَائِي، وَ مَنْ أَصْبَحَ حَزِيناً عَلى الدُّنْيَا فَكَأنَّما أَصْبَحَ سَاخِطاً عَلَيَّ، وَ مَنِ اشْتَكَى مُصِيبَةً نَزَلَتْ بِهِ إلَى غَيْرِي فَقَدْ شَكَانِي، وَ مَنْ دَخَلَ عَلى غَنِيٍّ فَتَوَاضَعَ لَهُ مِنْ أَجْلِ غِنَائِهِ ذَهَبَ ثُلثُ دِينِهِ، وَ مَنْ لَطَمَ وَجْهَهُ عَلى مَيِّتٍ فَكَأَنَّما أخَذَ رُمْحاً يُقَاتِلُنِي بِهِ، وَ مَنْ كَسَرَ عُوْداً عَلى قَبْرِ مَيِّتٍ فَكَأَنَّما هَدَم كَعْبَتي بِيَدِهِ، وَ مَنْ لَمْ يُبَالِ مِنْ أيْنَ يَأكُلُ لَمْ أُبَالِ بِهِ مِنْ أَيِّ بَابٍ أُدْخِلُهُ فِي جَهَنَّمَ، وَ مَنْ لَمْ يَكُنْ فِي الزِّيَادَةِ فِي دِينِهِ فَهُوَ فِي النُّقْصَانِ، وَ مَنْ كَانَ فِي النُّقْصَانِ فَالْمَوْتُ خَيْرٌ لَهُ، وَ مَنْ عَمِلَ بِما عَلِمَ زِدْتُهُ عِلْماً إلَى عِلْمِهِ.

Chapter 2

Almighty Allah says:

My Essence witnesses My Being that there is no god but Me alone, without any partner and Mohammad (SAW) is My servant and Messenger.

A person who is not happy with My orders, not patient with my afflictions, not thankful for My bounties, not content with My gifts, then he should look for another lord other than Me and he should get out of My universe.

A person who does not get what he wants in this world and becomes sad by it, is as if he is angry with Me.

A person who complains to another of calamities which has befallen upon him is as if he has complained about Me.

A person who goes to a rich person and humiliates himself because of his wealth, one-third of his faith is lost.

A person who hits himself in front of a dead body is as if he has taken a sword to fight with Me and he has ruined Ka’ba with his hands.

A person who does not care about what he eats (whether Halal or Haram), I will not care from which door I will make him enter Hell.

A person who is not trying to improve faith (by doing good deeds) is in loss. The one who is loss; death is better for him.

A person who practices according to his knowledge, I will increase his knowledge towards his acts.

الحديث الثالث

يَابْنَ آدَمَ!! مَنْ قَنَع اسْتَغْنَى، وَ مَنْ رَضِيَ بِالْقَلِيْلِ مِنَ الدُّنْيا فَقَدْ وَثَقَ بِاللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ.

يَابْنَ آدَمَ!! مَنْ تَرَكَ الْحَسَدَ اسْتَرَاحَ، وَ مَنِ اجْتَنَبَ الْحَرَامَ خَلّصَ دِيْنَهُ، وَ مَنْ تَرَكَ الغِيْبَةَ ظَهَرَتْ مَحَبَّتُهْ في الْقُلُوبِ، وَ مَنِ اْعَتَزَلَ عَنِ النّاسِ سَلِمَ مِنْهُمْ، وَ مَنْ قَلَّ كَلَامُهُ كَمُلَ عَقْلُهُ، وَ مَنْ رَضِيَ مِنَ اللَّهِ بِالْقَلِيلِ مِنَ الرِّزْقِ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ بِالْقَلِيْلِ مِنَ الْعَمَلِ.

يَابْنَ آدَمَ!! أَنْتَ بِمَا تَعْلَمُ لا تَعْمَلُ كَيْفَ تَطْلُبُ مَا لَا تَعْلَمُ.

يَابْنَ آدَمَ!! أَفْنَيتَ عُمْرَكَ في طَلَبِ الدُّنْيا فَمَتَى تَطْلُبُ الآخِرَة.

Chapter 3

Almighty Allah says:

O, Son of Adam! one who is content, is independent. One who is not jealous has tranquility. One who protects himself from unlawful (Haram ), his faith becomes pure. One who does not gossip, will be loved by people. One who separates himself from people is safe (from their mischief). One who reduces his talk, increases his wisdom. One who is pleased with whatever little he has, has full trust upon Allah. One who is pleased at a little bounty from Allah, Allah is pleased with his little obedience.

O, Son of Adam! you do not practice according to whatever knowledge you gain. Then how could you be a seeker of knowledge when you do not practise?

O, Son of Adam! if you spend your whole life acquiring wealth, when will you be able to acquire the hereafter (Akhirat) ?

الحديث الرابع

يَابْنَ آدَمَ!! مَنْ أَصْبَحَ حَرِيصاً عَلَى الدُّنْيا لَمْ يَزِدْ مِنَ اللَّهِ إِلا بُعْداً، وَ فِي الآخِرَةِ إلَّا جُهْداً، وَ أَلْزَمَ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى قَلْبَهُ هَمّاً لَا يَنْقَطِعُ أَبَداً وَ فَقْراً لَا يَنَالُ غِنَاهُ أبَداً، وَ أمَلاً لَا يَنَالُ مُنَاهُ أَبَداً .

يَابْنَ آدَمَ!! كُلَّ يَوْمٍ يَنْقُصُ مِنْ عُمْرِكَ وَ أَنْتَ لَا تَدْرِي، وَ يَأتِي كُلَّ يَوْمٍ رِزْقُكَ مِنْ عِنْدِي وَ أنْتَ لَا تَحْمَدُهُ، فَلَا بِالْقَلِيلِ تَقنَعُ وَ لَا بِالكَثِيرِ تَشْبَعُ .

يَابْنَ آدَمَ!! مَا مِنْ يَوْمٍ جَدِيدٍ إِلَّا وَيَأتِيكَ مِنْ عِنْدِي رِزْقٌ جَدِيدٌ، وَ مَا مِنْ لَيْلَةٍ إلّا وَ يَأتِيني مَلآئِكَتِي مِنْ عِنْدِكَ بِعَمَلٍ قَبِيحٍ، تَأكُلُ رِزْقي وَ تَعْصِيْنِي وَ أنْتَ تَدْعُونِي فَأسْتَجِيبُ لَك!. خَيْري إِلَيْكَ نَازِلٌ وَ شَرُّكَ إلَيَّ صَاعِدٌ، فَنِعْمَ الْمَوْلَى أَنَا وَ بِئْسَ الْعَبْدُ أَنْتَ، تَسْألُنِي فأعْطِيكَ وَ أسْتُرُ إِلَيْكَ سُوءًَ بَعْدَ سوءٍ وَ قَبِيحاً بَعْدَ قَبِيحٍ، أنَا أسْتَحْيِي مِنْكَ وَ أنْتَ لَا تَسْتَحْيِي مِنِّي وَ تَنْسَانِي وَ تَذْكُرُ غَيْرِي وَ تَخَافُ النّاسَ وَ تَأمَنُ غَضَبي .

Chapter 4

Almighty Allah says:

O, Son of Adam! a person who starts his day with greed for this world, finds no increase (in wealth) from Allah, and he is far from Allah. From this world nothing added to his wealth but struggle, and for the hereafter he has added exertion. Almighty Allah has added grief in his heart that will never end. Almighty Allah will add to his poverty which will never change into wealth, and increase his wishes and leave them unfulfilled.

O, Son of Adam! every day of your life is getting shorter, but still you do not understand? Each day I send down to you My bounties, but you are not thankful to Me for them. You are not content with little nor are you satisfied with much.

O, Son of Adam! not a single day misses but that your provision comes to you from Me; and not a single night passes, but that My angles give Me accounts of your bad deeds. You eat My provision, and you still disobey Me; but still when you call Me, I still answer you. From Me, good bounties descend upon you and from you. And from you, sinful deeds come up to Me. How good a master I am and how bad a servant you are! I give you what ever you ask Me, but still you go on sinning. I hide these sins, one after another, one evil deed after another. I am ashamed of you, but you are not ashamed of Me? You forget Me, but I remember you. You are afraid of people, and you are careless of Me. You fear enmity of people, but you do not fear My wrath?

الحديث الخامس

يَابْنَ آدَمَ!! لَا تَكُنْ مِمَّنْ يَطْلُبُ التَّوْبَةَ بِطُولِ الأمَلِ وَيَرْجُو الآخِرَةَ بِغَيْرِ عَمَلٍ، يَقُولُ قَوْلَ الزّاهِدِينَ وَ يَعْمَلُ عَمَلَ الْمُنَافِقِينَ، إنْ أُعْطِىَ لَا يَقْنَعُ وَ إِنْ مُنِعَ لَا يَصْبِرُ، يَأمُرُ بِالْخَيْرِ وَ لَا يَفْعَلُهُ، وَ يَنْهَى عَنِ الشَّرِّ وَ لاَ يُنْهَى عَنْهُ، وَ يُحِبُّ الصَّالِحِينَ وَ لَيْسَ مِنْهُمْ، وَ يُبْغِضُ الْمُنَافِقِينَ وَ هُوَ مِنْهُمْ .

يَابْنَ آدَمَ!! مَا مِنْ يَوْمٍ جَدِيدٍ إِلَّا وَ الأَرْضُ تُخَاطِبُكَ وَ تَقُولُ: يَابْنَ آدَمَ، تَمْشِي عَلى ظَهْرِي وَ مَصِيرُكَ في بَطْني وَتُذْنِب عَلَى ظَهْرِي وَ تُعَذَّبُ في بَطْنِي؛ يَابْنَ آدَمَ، أَنا بَيْتُ الوَحْدَةِ وَ أنَا بَيْتُ الْوَحْشَةِ وَ أَنَا بَيْتُ الظُلْمَةِ وَ أَنَا بَيْتُ العَقَارِبِ وَ الْحَيَّاتِ وَ أَنَا بَيْتُ الهَوانِ، فَاعْمُرِني وَ لَا تَخْرَبْنِي.

Chapter 5

Almighty Allah says:

O, son of Adam! don not be like the one; who seeks pardon because of his unlimited desires. Who hopes for heaven, but does not do good deeds; Who speaks like pious person, but acts like hypocrites; Who has been blessed by bounties, but is not content; And if who is given (bounties), is not patient; Who advises others to do good deeds, but he himself indulges in evil ones. Who advises others to stay away from evil deeds, but he himself does not stay away from them; Who hates hypocrites, but is one of them.

O, Son of Adam! the earth always says “You walk on me, but in the end you will be within my bowls. I am a dwelling where you will have to stay all alone. I am a dwelling which is full of ferocious things, such as serpents and scorpions. So, O, Son of Adam, do good deeds and thereafter enter me; only then would you be happy and without hardships.”

الحديث السادس

يَابْنَ آدَمَ!! مَا خَلَقْتُكُمْ لِأَسْتَكْثِرَ بِكُمْ مِن قِلَّةٍ، وَ لَا لِأَسْتَأنِسَ بِكُمْ مِنْ وَحْشَةٍ، وَ لَا لِأَسْتعِينَ بِكُمْ عَلَى أَمْرٍ عَجَزْتُ عَنْهُ، وَ لَا لِاَجْلِ مَنْفَعَةٍ وَ لَا لِدَفْعِ مَضَرَّةٍ، بَلْ خَلَقْتُكُمْ لِتَعْبُدُوني طَوِيلاً وَ تَشْكُرُوني كَثِيراً وَ تُسَبِّحُوني بُكْرَةً وَ أصِيلاً، وَ لَو أنَّ أَوَّلَكُم وَ آخِرَكُمْ وَ حَيَّكُمْ وَ مَيِّتَكُمْ وَ صَغِيرَكُمْ وَ كَبِيرَكُمْ وَحُرَّكُمْ وَ عَبْدَكُمْ وَ إِنْسَكُمْ وَ جِنَّكُمْ اجْتَمَعْتُمْ عَلَى طَاعَتِي لَمَا زَادَ ذلِكَ في مُلْكِي مِثْقَالَ ذَرَّةٍ، وَ لَوْ أَنَّ أَوَّلَكُمْ وَ آخِرَكُمْ وَ حَيَّكُمْ وَ مَيَِّتَكُمْ وَ صَغِيرَكُمْ وَ كَبِيرَكُمْ وَ حُرَّكُمْ وَ عَبْدَكُمْ وَ إنْسَكُمْ وَ جِنَّكُمَ اجْتَمَعتُمْ عَلَى مَعْصِيَتي مَا نَقَصَ ذلِكَ مِنْ مُلْكِي مِثْقَالَ ذَرَّةٍ، وَ مَنْ جَاهَدَ فَإنَّمَا يُجَاهِدُ لِنَفْسِهِ، إِنَّ اللَّهَ غَنِىُّ عَنِ العَالَمِينَ.

Chapter 6

Almighty Allah says:

O, Children of Adam! I did not create you so as to: increase Myself out of poverty through you, or to seek companionship through you after being lonely, or to seek your help on matter in which I was inefficient, or for the sake of a benefit or for warding off harms. But I created you so you can worship Me constantly and thank Me a lot, and praise Me day and night. Were the first you of and the last of you: those of who are living and those of you who are dead, your youngesters and your elders, your slaves your masters, the human among you and the jinn among you, to join hand in hand, in order to obey Me, you would not be adding an atom to My kingdom. Were the first you of and the last of you: those of who are living and those of you who are dead, your youngesters and your elders, your slaves your masters, the human among you and the jinn among you, to join hand in hand, in order todisobey Me, you would not reduce an atom in My Kingdom. "Thus everything is perishable but He" (28:88). If you fear of Hell fire like you fear poverty, I would have made you wealthy to such an extent that nobody whould have been able to count your wealth. If you desire of heaven as you desire this world, I would have showered My blessings upon you in this world and hereafter. Don’t make your heart dead out of love for this world. Indeed, this world is going to bring an end to you very soon. The one who struggles (in the path of Allah (Jihad) is struggling for his own soul. Indeed, Allah is self sufficient above any need of the worlds (3:97).

الحديث السابع

يَا عَبِيدَ الدَّنَانِيرِ وَ الدَّرَاهِمِ!! إِنِّي مَا خَلَقْتُ لَكُمُ الدَّرَاهِمَ وَ الدَّنَانِيرَ إلَّا لِتَأكُلوا بِهَا رِزْقِي وَ تَلْبَسُوا بِهَا ثِيَابِي وَ تُنْفِقُوا بِهَا فِي سَبِيلي، فَأخَذْتُمْ كِتَابِي فَجَعَلْتُمُوهُ تَحْتَ أَقْدَامِكُمْ، وَ أَخَذْتُمُ الدُّنْيَا فَجَعَلْتُمُوهَا فَوْقَ رُؤُوسِكُمْ، وَ رَفَعْتُمْ بُيُوتَكُمْ وَ خَفَضْتُمْ بُيُوتِي، وَ آنَسْتُمْ بُيُوتَكُمْ وَ أَوْحَشْتُمْ بُيُوتِي، فَلَا أَنْتُمْ عَبِيدَ أَحرَارٌ أَبْرَارٌ.

يَا عَبِيْدَ الدُّنْيَا!! إِنَّما مَثَلُكُمْ كَالقُبُورِ الْمُجَصَّصَةِ يُرَى ظَاهِرُهَا مَلِيحاً وَ بَاطِنُهَا قَبِيحاً.

يَابْنَ آدَمَ!! كَما لَا يُغْنِي الْمِصْبَاحُ فَوْقَ الْبَيْتِ عَنِ الظّلْمَةِ الدّاخِلَةِ عَلَيْهِ، كَذلِكَ لَا يُغْنِي كَلَامُكُمُ الطَّيِّبُ مَعَ أَفْعَالِكُمُ الرَّدِيَّةِ.

يَابْنَ آدَمَ!! أَخْلِصْ عَمَلَكَ وَ لَا تَسْألْنِي فَإنّي أُعْطِيْكَ أَكْثَرَ مِمَّا يَطْلُبُ السَّائِلُونَ.

Chapter 7

Almighty Allah says:

O, Sons of Dinars and Dirhams (Dollars and Cents)! I did not create Dinars or Dirahms but for you to eat your food, wear your clothes, and give alms in My way. You have taken My Book and placed it under your feet, and you have taken this world and placed it over your head. You have raised your house, but you have lowered Mine. You are attached to and enjoy being in your houses, but when you come to My houses (the mosques) you restless and feel uneasy. Thus, you are neither independent, nor good servants. Indeed your parable is like solid and decorated graves which appear beautiful, but inside they are ugly.

O, Sons of Adam! just as a lighted lamp on top of a house, but darkness inside does not help, in the same way your good words with evil deeds do not help.

O, Sons of Adam! purify your deeds and do not ask, for I will give you more than what you ask for.

الحديث الثامن

يَابْنَ آدَمَ!! إنِّي لَم أَخْلُقْكُمْ عَبَثاً وَ لَا جَعَلْتُكُمْ سُدَىً وَ لَا أَنَا بِغَافِلٍ عَمَّا تَعْمَلُونَ، وَ إِنَّكُمْ لَنْ تَنَالُوا مَا عِنْدِي إِلَّا بِالصَّبْرِ عَلى مَا تَكْرَهُونَ فِي طَلَبِ رِضَائِي، وَالصَّبْرُ عَلى طَاعَتِي أيْسَرُ عَلَيْكُمْ مِنَ الصَّبْرِ عَلى حَرِّ النَّارِ، وَ عَذَابُ الدُّنْيَا أَيْسَرُ عَلَيْكُمْ مِنْ عَذَابِ الآخِرَةِ.

يَابْنَ آدَمَ!! كُلُّكُمْ ضَالٌّ إلَّا مَنْ هَدَيْتُهُ، وَ كُلكُمْ مَرِيضٌ إِلَّا مَنْ شَفَيْتُهُ، وَ كُلُّكُمْ فَقِيرٌ إلَّا مَنْ أغْنَيْتُهُ، وَ كُلُّكُمْ هَالِكٌ إلَّا مَنْ أنْجَيْتُهُ، وَ كُلُّكُمْ مُسِيءٌ إلَّا مَنْ عَصَمْتُهُ، فَتُوبُوا إلَيَّ أَرْحَمْكُمْ وَ لَا تَهْتِكُوا أَسْتَارَكُمْ عِنْدَ مَنْ لَا يَخْفَى عَلَيْهِ أَسْرَارُكُمْ.

Chapter 8

Almighty Allah says:

O, Son of Adam! I did not create you aimlessly, nor did I create you in vain. I am not heedless of your actions. Indeed you will not get what I posses but with being patient on those things which you don’t like (but you still do) in order to seek My pleasure. Patience in My obedience is easier for you than patience in fire of Hell. Punishment in this world is easier for you than punishment in the Hereafter.

O, Son of Adam! all of you are lost except the one whom I guide. All of you are sick except the one whom I cure. All of you are going to be destroyed except the one whom I save. All of you are sinful except the one whom I protect. Thus seek pardon from Me so that I can be merciful to you. Don not try hard to hang up curtains in order to hide from the one from whom your secrets are not hidden.

الحديث التاسع

يَابْنَ آدَمَ!! لَا تَلْعَنُوا الْمَخْلُوقِيْنَ فَتَرْجِعَ اللَّعْنَةُ عَلَيْكُمْ .

يَابْنَ آدَمَ!! اسْتَقَامَتْ سَموَاتِي فِي الْهَوَاءِ بِلَا عَمَدٍ بِاسْمٍ مِنْ أسْمَائِي، وَ لَا تَسْتَقِيمُ قُلُوبُكُمْ بِألْفِ مَوْعِظَةٍ مِنْ كِتَابِي.

يَا أيُّهَا النَّاسُ!! كَما لَا يَلِينُ الْحَجَرُ فِي الْمَاءِ كَذَلِكَ لَا تُفِيدُ الْمَوْعِظَةُ فِي الْقُلُوبِ الْقَاسِيَةَ .

يَابْنَ آدَمَ!! كَيْفَ لَا تَجْتَنِبُونَ الْحَرَامَ، وَ لَا اكْتِسَابَ الْآثامِ، وَ لَا تَخَافُونَ النِّيْرَانَ، وَ لَا تَتَّقُونَ غَضَبَ الرَّحْمن! فَلَوْلَا مَشَائِخُ رُكَّعٌ وَ أَطْفَالٌ رُضَّعٌ وَ بَهَائِمُ رُتَّعٌ وَ شَبَابٌ خُشَّعٌ لَجَعَلْتُ السَّمَاء فَوْقَكُمْ حَدِيداً وَ الْأَرْضَ صُفْراً وَ التُّرَابَ جِمَاراً، وَ لَا أَنْزَلْتُ عَلَيْكُمْ مِنَ السَّمَاءِ قَطْرَةً وَ لَا أنْبَتُّ لَكُمْ مِنَ الْاَرْضِ حَبَّةً وَ صَبَبْتُ عَلَيْكُمُ العَذَابَ صَبّاً.

Chapter 9

Almighty Allah says:

O, Son of Adam! do not curse My creatures, because the curse will bounce back to you. O, Son of Adam! My Heavens are suspended in space by one of My Names, without any pillars. Your hearts are not going to be straightened except by My admonitions from My Book.

O, you people, stone does not dissolve in water; in the same way admonitions won’t change your cruel heart.

O, Son of Adam, why are you not protecting yourself from evil deeds? Why are you not protecting yourself from sins? Aren’t you afraid of Hell? Why aren’t you protecting yourself from the wrath of Allah? If it were not for Ruku’ (the kneeling) of elders(in prayers), suckling babies, grazing animals, humble youths, indeed I would have made the sky of steel, the earth of copper and the mud of pebbles. I would not have send a single drop of water from the sky nor grown a single grain from the earth. I would have poured on you My worst wrath.

الحديث العاشر

يَابْنَ آدَمَ!! قَد جَاءَكُمُ الْحَقُّ مِنْ رَبِّكُمْ فَمَنْ شَاءَ فَلْيُؤْمِنْ، وَ مَنْ شَاءِ فَلْيَكْفُرْ، وَ إنَّكُمْ لَا تُحْسِنُونَ إلَّا بِمَنْ أَحْسَنَ إِلَيْكُمْ وَ لَا تَصِلُونَ إلَّا لِمَنْ وَصَلَكُمْ وَ لَا تُكَلِّمُونَ إلَّا لِمَنْ كَلَّمَكُمْ، وَ لَا تُطْعِمُونَ إلّا لِمَنْ أَكْرَمَكُمْ، فَلَيْسَ لِأَحَدٍ عَلَى أَحَدٍ فَضْلٌ، إنَّما الْمُؤْمِنُونَ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا بِاللَّهِ وَ رَسُولِهِ الّذِينَ يُحْسِنُونَ إلَى مَنْ أسَاء إلَيْهِمْ، وَيَصِلُونَ إلَى مَنْ قَطَعَهُمْ وَ يُعْطُونَ إلَى مَنْ حَرَمَهُمْ، وَ نُنْصِفُونَ مَنْ خَانَهُمْ، وَ يُكَلِّمُونَ إلَى مَنْ هَاجَرَ مِنْهُمْ وَ يُكَرِّمُونَ مَنْ أَهَانَهُمْ .

Chapter 10

Almighty Allah says:

O, Son of Adam! indeed the truth has been revealed to you from your Lord. Whoever wants to believe in Him, let him believe. And whoever wants to disbelieve, let him be a disbeliever. Indeed you are not good to a person, unless he is good to you. And you are not kind to your relatives, unless they are good to you. And you do not talk to a person, unless he talks to you. And you do not feed a person, unless he feeds you. And you are not just to a person, unless he is just to you. And you do not respect a person, unless he respects you. No one is superior over the another. Indeed, the believers are: those who believe in Allah and His Messengers, do good to those who are bad to them, are kind to those who break ties of relationship with them, give to those who do not give to them, just to those who are unjust to them, talk to those who isolate themselves from them, respectful to those who don’t respect them.

الحديث الحادي عشر

يَا أَيُّها النَّاسُ!! إِنَّما الدُّنْيَا دَارُ مَنْ لاَ دَارَ لَهُ وَ مَالُ مَنْ لاَ مَالَ لَهُ وَلَهَا يَجْمَعُ مَنْ لاَ عَقْلَ لَهُ وَبِهَا يَفْرَحُ مَنْ لاَ يَقِينَ لَهُ وَعَلَيْها يَحْرِصُ مَنْ لاَ تَوَكُّلَ لَهُ وَيَطْلُبُ شَهَوَاتِها مَنْ لاَ مَعْرِفَةَ لَهُ؛ فَمَنْ أَخَذَ نِعْمَةَ زَائِلَةَ وَ حَياة مُنْقَطِعَة وَ شَهْوَةً فاِنيَة ظَلَمَ نَفْسَهُ وَ عَصَى رَبَّهُ وَ نَسِىَ آخِرَتَهُ وَ غَرَّتْهُ حَيَاتَهُ.

Chapter 11

Almighty Allah says:

O, You People! this world is a house for one who has no house. This world is wealth for the one who has no wealth. One who is not have certainty of the Hereafter, collects wealth in this world. One who does not have trust in Allah, is greedy for this world. One who does not have knowledge of Allah, desires this world. So, one who takes of the exhaustible bounties in this short worldly life, and follows his perishable desires, indeed he has been unjust to his soul. That person is sinful to Allah and he has forgotten his hereafter. That person's life has deceived him!

الحديث الثاني عشر

يَابْنَ آدَمَ!! أُذْكُروا نِعْمَتِي الَّتِي أَنْعَمْتُ عَلَيْكُمْ؛ كَما لاَ تَهْتَدُونَ السَّبِيلَ إِلَّا بِالدَّلِيْلِ فَكَذلِكَ لاَ تَهْتَدُونَ طَرِيقَ الْجنَّةِ إلَّا بِالْعِلْمِ وَ كَمَا لا تَجْتَمِعُونَ الْمَالَ إِلّا بِالتَّعَبِ وَ كَذلِكَ لا تَدْخُلُونَ الْجَنَّةَ إِلاّ بِالصَّبْرِ عَلى الْعِبَادَةِ فَتَقَرَّبُوا بِالنَّوافِلِ وَاطْلُبُوا رِضَائِي بِرَضاءِ الْمَساكِيْنِ فَإنَّ رَحْمَتِي لا تُفَارِقُهُمْ طَرْفَةَ عَيْنٍ أَبَداً.

يَا مُوسَى!! اسْمَعْ مَا أقُولُ وَالْحَقُّ مَا أقُولُ إِنَّهُ مَنْ تَكَبَّرَ عَلى مِسْكِيْنٍ حَشَرْتُهُ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ عَلى صُورَةِ ذَرَّةِ تَحْتَ أقْدَامِ النَّاسِ وَمَنْ تَعَرَّضَ بِهْتْكِ سِتْرِ مُسْلِمٍ أهْتِكُ سِتْرَهُ سَبْعِيْنَ مَرَّة وَمَنْ تَوَاضَعَ لِعَالِمٍ أوْ وَالِدَيْهِ رَفَعْتُهُ في الدَّارَيْنِ وَمَنْ أهَانَ مُؤْمِناً مُسْلِماً لِفَقْرِهِ فَقَدْ بَارَزَنِي في الْمُحَارَبَةِ، وَمَنْ أَحَبَّ مُؤْمِناً مِنْ أجْلِي صَافَحَتْهُ الْمَلائِكَةُ في الدَّارَيْنِ في الدُّنْيا سِرّاً وَفي الآخِرَةِ جَهْراً.

Chapter 12

Almighty Allah says:

O, Sons of Adam! call to mind My favors which I bestow upon you. Without a guide you cannot find the way. In the same way you cannot find the way to Jannat (heaven), without knowledge. You cannot gather wealth without struggle. In the same way, you cannot enter heaven except with patience in My obedience. And you can get closer to Me by practicing supererogatory acts. And seek My pleasure by pleasing the poor. Indeed My pleasure never separates from you even for a blink of an eye. O, Musa! listen to Me! what I say and what I say is the truth. Indeed, one who has pride and does not associate himself with the poor, I will raise him on the day of judgement, the size of an atom under people’s feet. The one who disgraces a Muslim, I will disgrace him 70 times. The one who humbles himself before an A’lim (knowledgeable person) and his parents, I will raise his dignity in this world and in the hereafter. One who insults a Muslim and Mo’min (believers) because of his poverty, indeed, he is calling Me to fight with him. The one who loves a Mo’min (believer) because of Me, Angels will greet him in both the worlds. In this world, secretly. And in the Hereafter, openly.

Sheikh Bahmanpour - Tafseer of Surah Saad [29 Parts {Videos}]

2010-05-16T01:55:00.000-04:00

Sheikh Bahmanpour - Tafseer of Surah Saad - Part 1/29

[http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3949694823295400343#]

Sheikh Bahmanpour - Tafseer of Surah Saad - Part 2/29

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Sheikh Bahmanpour - Tafseer of Surah Saad - Part 3/29

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Sheikh Bahmanpour - Tafseer of Surah Saad - Part 4/29

Teachings of Islam

2010-02-08T05:12:00.000-05:00

Islam aims to bring about prosperity to all mankind. One of the leading authorities on Islam today, Imam Muhammad Shirazi , calls upon all Muslims to adhere to the teachings of Islam in all domains in order to regain their former glory and the salvation of mankind. These teachings include:

PEACE in every aspect.
NON-VIOLENCE in all conducts.
FREEDOM of expression, belief, etc.
PLURALISM of political parties.
CONSULTATIVE System of Leadership.
The RE-CREATION of the single Muslim nation - with no geographical borders between them, as stated by Allah: "This, your community is a single community and I am your Lord; so worship Me"
The Revival of Islamic fraternity throughout this nation: "The believers are brothers"
Freedom from all Man-made Laws , shackles and restrictions as stated in the Qur'an: "he (Prophet Muhammad) releases them from their heavy burdens and from the shackles that were upon them"

[Courtesy of http://www.imamshirazi.com/{P. also visit Books on Line @http://www.imamshirazi.com/books.html}]

Aayat al-Kursi 2:255- 7

2009-12-11T04:32:00.000-05:00

َاَاللَّهُ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ الْحَيُّ الْقَيُّومُ ۚ لَا تَأْخُذُهُ سِنَةٌ وَلَا نَوْمٌ ۚ لَّهُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الْأَرْضِ ۗ مَن ذَا الَّذِي يَشْفَعُ عِندَهُ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِهِ ۚ يَعْلَمُ مَا بَيْنَ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَمَا خَلْفَهُمْ ۖ وَلَا يُحِيطُونَ بِشَيْءٍ مِّنْ عِلْمِهِ إِلَّا بِمَا شَاءَ ۚ وَسِعَ كُرْسِيُّهُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ ۖ وَلَا يَئُودُهُ حِفْظُهُمَا ۚ وَهُوَ الْعَلِيُّ الْعَظِيمُ

2.255: Allah is He besides Whom there is no god, the Everliving, the Self-subsisting by Whom all subsist; slumber does not overtake Him nor sleep; whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth is His; who is he that can intercede with Him but by His permission? He knows what is before them and what is behind them, and they cannot comprehend anything out of His knowledge except what He pleases, His knowledge extends over the heavens and the earth, and the preservation of them both tires Him not, and He is the Most High, the Great.

لَا إِكْرَاهَ فِي الدِّينِ ۖ قَد تَّبَيَّنَ الرُّشْدُ مِنَ الْغَيِّ ۚ فَمَن يَكْفُرْ بِالطَّاغُوتِ وَيُؤْمِن بِاللَّهِ فَقَدِ اسْتَمْسَكَ بِالْعُرْوَةِ الْوُثْقَىٰ لَا انفِصَامَ لَهَا ۗ وَاللَّهُ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيم

2.256: There is no compulsion in religion; truly the right way has become clearly distinct from error; therefore, whoever disbelieves in the Shaitan and believes in Allah he indeed has laid hold on the firmest handle, which shall not break off, and Allah is Hearing, Knowing.

ٌ اللَّهُ وَلِيُّ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا يُخْرِجُهُم مِّنَ الظُّلُمَاتِ إِلَى النُّورِ ۖ وَالَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا أَوْلِيَاؤُهُمُ الطَّاغُوتُ يُخْرِجُونَهُم مِّنَ النُّورِ إِلَى الظُّلُمَاتِ ۗ أُولَٰئِكَ أَصْحَابُ النَّارِ ۖ هُمْ فِيهَا خَالِدُونَ

2.257: Allah is the guardian of those who believe. He brings them out of the darkness into the light; and (as to) those who disbelieve, their guardians are Shaitans who take them out of the light into the darkness; they are the inmates of the fire, in it they shall abide.

Transliteration

ALLAAHO LAA ELAAHA ILLAA HOWA, AL-HAYYUL QAYYOOMO, LAA TAAKHOZOHU SENATUWN WALAA NAWMUN,

LAHU MAA FIS SAMAAWAATE WA MAA FIL ARZE, MAN ZAL LAZE YASH-FA-O' I'NDAHU ILLAA BE-IZNEHI, YA'LAMO MAA BAYNA AYDEEHIM WA MAA KHALFAHUM, WA LAA YOHEETOONA BE SHAYIM MIN I'LMEHI ILLAA BEMAA SHAAA-A, WASE-A' KURSIYYOHUS SAMAAWAATE WAL ARZA, WA LAA YA-OODOHU HIFZOHOMAA, WA HOWAL A'LIYYUL A'ZEEMO.

LAA IKRAAHA FID DEENE, QAD TABAYYANAR RUSHDO MENAL GHAYYE, FAMAYN YAKFUR BIT-TAAGHOOTE WA YOO-MIM BILLAAHE FAQADIS TAMSAKA BIL-U'RWATIL WUSQAA, LANFESAAMA LAHAA, WALLAAHO SAMEE-U'N A'LEEMUN. ALLAAHO WALIYYUL LAZEENA AAMANOO, YUKHREJOHUM MENAZ ZOLOMAATE ELAN NOORE, WALLAZEENA KAFAROO AWLEYAAA-O-HOMUT TAAGHOOTO YUKHREJOONAHUM MENAN NOORE ELAZ ZOLOMAATE, OOLAA-EKA ASHAABUN NAARE, HUM FEEHAA KHAALEDOON.

Very Very Fishy Fishy

2009-11-25T16:33:00.001-05:00

[Ornaments of Gold (43), 87]

2009-11-02T18:22:00.000-05:00

And blessed is He Whose is the kingdom of the heavens and the earth and what is between them, and with Him is the knowledge of the hour, and to Him shall you be brought back.

[Ornaments of Gold (43), 87]

Self Control & more

2009-10-31T14:31:00.000-04:00

Therefore they shall laugh little and weep much as a recompense for what they earned.

[The Immunity (9), 82]

"If a person would like to advance in the spiritual areas of his life and to reach to the higher levels of spirituality, then he must look at his own self with a very critical eye..."

Oh , Adam's descendent ! you have within your reach whatever meets your needs , whereas you are seeking things that develop disobedience in you, you do not choose contentment , and nothing , however abundant, can satisfy you .

Narrated by Imam Reda peace and blessing be upon him.

Gharib al-Ghuraba, Moeen-uz-Zoafa-e-wal-Fuqara

The Significance of Self-control

It is a common idea amongst all religious and spiritual traditions that human beings should have some kind of self-control. Although we enjoy free will, we need to exercise our free will in a responsible way. In the same way that we expect others to respect our dignity and interests, we should respect dignity and interests of others. We should also safeguard our own dignity and long term interests. Thus, we cannot simply go after our whims and desires and do whatever we want. We need to have self-control and self-discipline which leads to self-purification. If we purify our hearts we will no longer need to resist our temptations and control ourselves against lower desires and lusts, since a purified person desires nothing except what is good and moral for himself and others. In what follows, we will study the necessity of self-control and self-purification.

Self-control

On the necessity of self-control, the Glorious Qur'an says:

وَ أَمَّا مَنْ خافَ مَقامَ رَبِّهِ وَ نَهَى النَّفْسَ عَنِ الْهَوى فَإِنَّ الْجَنَّةَ هِيَ الْمَأْوى

And as for him who fears to stand in the presence of his Lord and forbids his own soul from its whims and caprices then surely Paradise is the abode. (79:40 & 41)

يا داوُدُ إِنَّا جَعَلْناكَ خَليفَةً فِي الْأَرْضِ فَاحْكُمْ بَيْنَ النَّاسِ بِالْحَقِّ وَ لا تَتَّبِعِ الْهَوى فَيُضِلَّكَ عَنْ سَبيلِ اللَّهِ إِنَّ الَّذينَ يَضِلُّونَ عَنْ سَبيلِ اللَّهِ لَهُمْ عَذابٌ شَديدٌ بِما نَسُوا يَوْمَ الْحِسابِ

O David! …do not follow the whims of your own soul for they will lead you astray from God's path. (38:26)

يا أَيُّهَا الَّذينَ آمَنُوا كُونُوا قَوَّامينَ بِالْقِسْطِ شُهَداءَ لِلَّهِ وَ لَوْ عَلى أَنْفُسِكُمْ أَوِ الْوالِدَيْنِ وَ الْأَقْرَبينَ إِنْ يَكُنْ غَنِيًّا أَوْ فَقيراً فَاللَّهُ أَوْلى بِهِما فَلا تَتَّبِعُوا الْهَوى أَنْ تَعْدِلُوا وَ إِنْ تَلْوُوا أَوْ تُعْرِضُوا فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ كانَ بِما تَعْمَلُونَ خَبيراً

O you who have faith! Be maintainers of justice and witnesses for the sake of God, even if it should be against yourselves or [your] parents and near relatives, and whether it be [someone] rich or poor, for God has a greater right over them. So do not follow [your] desires, lest you should be unfair, and if you distort [the testimony] or disregard [it], God is indeed well aware of what you do. (4:135)

Here we find two pieces of advice. Firstly, to observe God's Will, to fear Him and to try to obey Him. And secondly, to forbid our soul from doing what is wrong and harmful to us. This becomes only possible when we have some kind of self-control. In Nahj al-Balaghah, there is a very beautiful and insightful description of an un-named brother. Imam Ali a.s. is quoted as saying:

كَانَ لِي فِيمَا مَضَى أَخٌ فِي اللَّهِ وَ كَانَ يُعْظِمُهُ فِي عَيْنِي صِغَرُ الدُّنْيَا فِي عَيْنِهِ … وَ كَانَ إِذَا بَدَهَهُ أَمْرَانِ يَنْظُرُ ]نَظَرَ[ أَيُّهُمَا أَقْرَبُ إِلَى الْهَوَى ]فَخَالَفَهُ[ فَيُخَالِفُهُ

In the past I had a brother-in-faith, and he was prestigious in my view because the world was insignificant in his eyes… If two things confronted him he would see which was more akin to his whims and he would do the other. (Wise Sayings, No. 289)

We see that one of the brother-in-faith's qualities was that when faced with two options, (for example whether to go to one place or another, one meeting or another or to engage in one business or another), that is, when he was at a 'crossroads' and wanted to choose which way to turn, he would look at his own soul/heart, trying to discover which course of action was dearer to his self, his own personal interest and then he would do the other one. For example, one might have the option to either watch TV or to help someone with his work. The soul which is not trained may encourage us to go and watch TV, saying that it is a waste of time to help the other person. But instead it is better to spend the time helping the other person.

Of course, we may not always be able to find out what is the right course of action by just following this instruction. But it is important to at least try to find out what our selfish desire wants us to do. God has given us the ability to distinguish between what our egoism or greediness wants from us and those things which are in our 'real' interests. When we work for our 'real' interest we also secure the interests of other people. God has created us in a way that when we really serve ourselves, then we serve all human beings. But if we try to be 'clever' and only serve ourselves, then we not only damage ourselves but also others. There are lots of ways to damage ourselves and others. But it is not possible to truly serve oneself and not serve others.

There is also another method which we can use when we want to make a decision and have two or three options to consider and do not know what to do. In such cases, it is useful to try to imagine that a person who is very pious, and whose actions you trust and accept, is in your place. Then try to decide what that person would do if he were in your place. Since you have information about the way that person normally makes his decisions and about his intentions and good will, by keeping that person in mind you may be able to understand what to do. For example, you could imagine a pious scholar or pious relative, not necessarily an infallible or saint. You could then think about what they might do and this would give you some kind of insight.

So, it is a basic fact that we must have self-control. If we believe that we should just do what we want by satisfying and gratifying ourselves, then there is no point in talking about spiritual direction. Of course, Islam tells us that self-control is just a beginning; it is for those people who are at the start of the journey. What we need to do is to transform our soul from one which has an interest in lower desires into a soul which instead has a yearning for good things. Then our soul itself becomes a helper and an assistant to us. But this is a matter of training and purifying the soul.

There is a beautiful story in the Mathnawi by Rumi which shows how the heart can be transformed in either a good way or a bad way. Rumi says that once there was a perfume market where every person who wanted to sell perfumes had a shop. As a result, whoever entered this bazaar would only sense the beautiful fragrance of perfumes. Everyone enjoyed it, especially the perfume sellers who of course are the best people to appreciate perfume due to their refined sense of smell, whereas we become confused after smelling too many different fragrances. But one day someone went to the bazaar with a horse and the horse dirtied the passageway of the bazaar. The people became very angry because they could not tolerate the bad smell but no-one had the strength to take the dirt outside. It was like torture for them. So someone suggested that they had better bring someone there whose job was to clean horses' stables. They went to ask a young man to help them. He said that of course he would be able to do this as this was his job and what he always did. But when he entered the bazaar, before even reaching the dirty place, as soon as he smelt the fragrance of perfume he became unconscious because he was used to bad smells and so could not tolerate good fragrances.

In a similar way, on one hand, we find people who enjoy praying, who enjoy having some private time with God. And, on the other hand, we find people who become angry when they see you praying and it causes them pain. And when they see you go to the mosque or the church, they feel troubled by this. There is a hadith which says that a believer in the mosque is like a fish in water but when a hypocrite is in the mosque he feels like he is in prison and always wants to escape. So these are the different states of the soul that we can reach through self-training and self-purification.

-------------------------------------------------------

By : Mohammad Ali Shomali

A few questions to Vali-e-Asr (A.T.F.S.)

2009-10-28T20:10:00.001-04:00

[[[“Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma - which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of other's opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.”

“Man can live about forty days without food, about three days without water, about eight minutes without air, but only for one second without hope.”

“Consult not your fears but your hopes and your dreams. Think not about your frustrations, but about your unfulfilled potential. Concern yourself not with what you tried and failed in, but with what it is still possible for you to do.”]]]

Admittedly the title seems to suggest that the person (who has posed the questions to Imam a.s.) actually had the distinction of meeting Imam-e-Zaman (a.s.). Hence we would like to clarify at the outset that we have not actually met Imam-e-Zaman (a.s.). However, it is said that letters and messages are "half a meeting". Because, through letters a person 'converses' with the addressee. Thus the style of writing a letter is very different from that of writing an essay or a book .

On the commands of Allah, Hazrat Vali-e-Asr is in occultation right from the commencement of his Imamat. Hence as opposed to his forefathers (a.s.), Imam's meetings with his Shias have been few and far between. By and large, the problems of the people have been presented before his esteemed self in the form of letters and "Areeza" ("Areeza" is a letter of requests written by the Shias to the Imam of their time). And Imam (a.s.) too has reciprocated in a similar manner. The letters of Imam-e-Zaman (a.s.) are terminologically called as "Tawqee". These Tawqees have been assimilated in several books. Hazrat Ayatullah Syed Hasan Shirazi (may Allah purify his soul) has compiled these letters in a book by the name of "Kalemat-ul-Imam al-Mahdi". This single book contains all the letters of Imam (a.s.) which are found in different books. Originally the book was written in Arabic. Dr. Syed Hasan Sabzawari has translated this book into Persian by the same name. The answers to the questions mentioned below, have been given by Imam (a.s.) himself. These replies have been compiled from various letters that were sent to him (a.s.) in the course of his Ghaibat. To that extent the letters of Imam (a.s.) constitute "half a meeting" with him, and the same is being presented in your service. We pray to Allah that this endeavour is accepted by our pure Imam (a.s.) We look forward to that day when we can present to you an interview conducted by personally meeting Imam (a.s.). Inshallah.

Q.1. What is the reason for the Shias being involved in so many calamities and afflictions?

Ans : One of the reasons is that the Shias are perpetrating those actions which the people of the past avoided. These Shias have forgotten the covenant of Allah and have violated it. [pg. 19]

"And had our guardianship and protection not been there, then calamities would have surrounded you from all sides and destroyed you." [pg. 19]

(This connotes that Imam (a.s.) nullifies most of the calamities with his existence. Else the plight of the Shias would have been most pitiable.)

Q.2. In these last days, what is the best mode of keeping one's self safe from evils and corruption?

Ans : Piety and abstinence. I pledge for the salvation of the one who does not desire any rank or position in any acts of evil and corruption, (pg. 190). The believer who possesses the fear of Allah and is prompt in returning the people their dues, will be secure from the evils of the time. And the one who acts miserly in disseminating the bounties of Allah to the people, will be from among the losers on the Day of Judgement. [pg. 198-200]

Q.3. What are our responsibilities in your occultation?

Ans : Perform those actions which bring you closer to our love and affection and refrain from all those actions that become the cause of our displeasure and dissatisfaction.

[Pg. 192]

Q.4. How is it possible to meet you?

Ans : If our Shias (may Allah grant them the taufeeq of obedience) had been united in fulfilling the pledge, then certainly there would have been no delay in our meeting and they would have been graced with this opportunity several times. However, their actions are most unbecoming of Shias, and have kept them away from us. [pg. 200]

Q.5. How can we disgrace and humiliate Shaitan?

Ans : Reciting namaz on the dot of time at its very outset (Awwal-e-Waqt) is a cause of disgrace for Shaitan.

[pg. 202]

Q.6. Can a person utilize for his personal use a thing which has been endowed (Waqf) for you?

Ans : If the thing has been handed over to us then the person has no right over it - whether he needs that thing or not.

[pg. 202]

Q.7. What do you have to say about those people who use your things for their own personal benefits?

Ans : To use someone's belongings without his permission is prohibited. Hence the one who considers our money as permissible and usurps, has actually filling his stomach with fire and will surely be thrown in Hell.

[pg. 206, 342, 344]

Q.8. Can we recite namaz before a drawing or fire?

Ans : If the person is not from the children of idol worshippers or fire worshippers then he can recite namaz.

[pg. 204]

Q.9. Which chapter (surah) is recommended for recitation in namaz?

Ans : One who does not recite the chapter of Qadr (surahe "Inna anzalna") in his namaz then his namaz is not accepted. And the one who does not recite the chapter of Tauheed (surahe Qulho wallah) in his namaz, then his namaz is not pure.

Q.10. But traditions also speak about the rewards of reciting other surahs. For instance, it has been reported from traditions that the one who recites surahe "Homazah" will get the reward equal to this world?

Ans : There can be no disputing that he will get the reward which is mentioned in the traditions (for reciting surahe "Homazah"). But if a person forsakes any surah and recites surahe Qadr and surahe Tauheed, then not only will he get the reward of reciting these two surahs but will also get the reward of the surah which he has left (in order to recite these two surahs). Of course he can recite any other surah that he wishes, but then he will have abandoned something that carries a lot of reward.

[pg. 214-216]

Q.11. Can we eat and drink or do business with a person who earns through illegal means?

Ans : If the person has some other source of livelihood also, then it is not prohibited to eat and drink or do business with him. But if he has no other source of livelihood save his illegal income, then it is prohibited to interact with such a person. [Pg. 226]

Q.12. How can a person focus his attention towards Allah before starting his namaz?

Ans : It is recommended (mustahab) to recite the following in order to concentrate during namaz

Then he should say "Bismillah hir Rahman nir Raheem" and start his prayers. [Pg. 230]

Q.13. What is the order regarding the performance of "Sajdah-e-Shukr" after completing a wajib namaz?

Ans : The "Sajdah-e-Shukr" is among the highly recommended acts and is very much emphasised. Just as an obligatory (wajib) act is superior to a recommended (mustahhab) act, in much the same way, the "Sajdah-e-Shukr" which is performed after a obligatory namaz is superior to the one which is performed after a recommended namaz.

[pg. 232-234]

Q.14. Will the believers give birth to children in Paradise?

Ans : In paradise, neither will the women become pregnant nor will they have their menstrual cycles. In fact only those things will be available that will be a source of comfort for the eyes and the heart. [pg. 240]

Q.15. Can we keep Khak-e-Shifa (soil of Karbala) in the grave?

Ans : Yes it can be kept in the grave. And by the command of Allah, the threads

of the shroud get mixed with the soil. [pg. 244]

Q.16. Can a rosary (Tasbeeh) be made of Khak-e-Shifa?

Ans : There is no adornment for a Tasbeeh more excellent than Khak-e-Shifa. Among the virtues of a tasbeeh made of Khak-e-Shifa is that often a person is lost in his thoughts and just turns the beads of the tasbeeh in his hands, yet he will get the complete reward of reciting that tasbeeh. [pg. 244]

Q.17. Can we prostrate on Khak-e-Shifa?

Ans : It is permitted to prostrate on Khak-e-Shifa. In fact, it is a source of distinction.

[pg. 244]

Q.18. Can we prostrate on the graves of Imams(a.s.)?

Ans : You should not prostrate on the graves. However, you can touch your face to the grave. And there is also no harm in performing namaz in front of the grave.

[pg. 246]

Q.19. What do you have to say about those people who exaggerate the position of Able Bait(a.s.) and ascribe them with Divinity (Godhood)?

Ans : I and all my ancestors, right from Adam (a.s.) till Mohammad Mustafa (s.a.w.s) are the servants of Allah. Actually, we are aggrieved by those Shias who are ignorant and whose faith is not even equal to the wing of a mosquito. We detach ourselves from all those people who associate us with Allah, [pg. 264-266]

Q.20. Is it proper to search for you?

Ans: The one who struggles and strives too much for searching me will (in fact) direct the enemies towards me. And the one who guides the enemies towards me has endangered my life. And the one who puts my life in danger is a polytheist.

[pg. 548]

Q.21. What do you have to say about people like Shalmagani, Sharaee, Nomairee and Abu Khatab who had falsely claimed the status of being your special deputies?

Ans : We announce our disapproval of them and we distance ourselves from such people and also from their followers. We also send our curse on them.

[Pg. 282]

Q.22. What will be the condition of the world and the Muslims before your reappearance?

Ans : Before our reappearance, the hearts of the people will become hard and the world will be full of injustice and inequality. [pg. 284]

Q.23. Have you appointed anyone as your special deputy in Ghaibat-e-Kubra?

Ans : Before the rising of Sufyani and before the hearing of the voice from the sky, anyone who claims that he can meet me (at will) is a liar and a malicious person. (There is no special representative in Ghaibat-e-Kubra) [Pg. 284]

Q.24. Will those Sayyeds (descendants of the Prophet s.a.w.s. who deny your Imamat get salvation?

Ans : Allah does not have any exclusive relation with anyone (i.e. no one is special in front of Allah). If someone denies our Imamat then he is not from us. His example is like the example of Hazrat Nuh (a.s.)'s son. [pg. 286]

Q.25. Is the time of your reappearance decided? And does anyone have information about it?

Ans : (The time of my) reappearance is in the hands of Allah. And anyone who claims otherwise is a liar. [pg. 288]

Q.26. As you do not have a special representative in the major occultation, then who should we resort to for redressal of our religious problems?

Ans : You must refer (your questions) to the narrators of our traditions. We have appointed them as our proof (Hujj at) upon you. [Pg. 288]

Q.27. What is the reason for your occultation?

Ans : Allah mentions in the Quran

"Do not ask those things about which if your are told, you will not like it". (Surah Maidah : 101)

[Pg. 290]

Q.28. When will your occultation end and will you reappear?

Ans : Do not inquire about those things that will not benefit you. And don't ask questions about matters that are not your responsibility.

[pg. 290]

Q.29. Is it necessary to pay khums? And is there some particular way in which it should be paid?

Ans : We accept your wealth only with this intention that you should be purified. Otherwise, whatever Allah has bestowed on us is far superior than what He has given you. [pg. 286]

Q.30. Can the people derive benefit from you while you are in occultation?

Ans : The people can derive benefit from me in my occultation just as they derive benefit from the sun when it is concealed behind the clouds. [Pg. 290]

Q.31. What are the characteristics and the status of Allah's guides?

Ans : Allah has protected them from all kinds of sins and purified them from all kinds of defects and has made them clean from all sorts of vices. He has appointed them as the treasurers of His knowledge and the custodians of His wisdom. He has made them the focal point of His secrets and has strengthened them with proofs. If all this had not been there then every person would have claimed (this position) and it would not have been possible to discern truth from falsehood. And knowledge would not be distinct from ignorance.

[Pg. 296]

Q.32. What is the reason for the sending of Prophets (a.s.) and Imams (a.s.)?

Ans : Allah has sent the Prophets (a.s.) and Imams (a.s.) so that they should command the people towards His obedience and refrain them from rebelliousness, and inform the people about Allah and about the tenets of His religion. [Pg. 294]

Q.33. How should we test and disgrace those people who falsely claim the status of Imamat?

Ans : Ask them about the Quran and the practical tenets (Ahkaam). Inquire from them about the laws governing namaz. You yourself will be able to gauge their authenticity.

[pg. 298]

Q.34. At any point of time can the earth ever remain devoid of the Proof of Allah (Hujjat)?

Ans : The earth can never remain devoid of the "Hujjat" of Allah - whether he is apparent and manifest or concealed and hidden. [Pg. 314]

Q.35. Who is the Imam after Imam Hasan Askari (a.s.)?

Ans : Imam Hasan Askari (a.s.) has appointed that person as his successor and vicegerent whom Allah has kept in occultation. (i.e. he only is your Imam) [Pg. 314]

Q.36. Till when can a person pray for "a son?

Ans : A person should pray for a son till the fourth month of pregnancy.

[pg. 386, 598]

Q.37. What is the status and position of the narrators of traditions?

Ans : Have you not read the saying of Allah in which He says,

"And We made between them and the towns which We had blessed, other towns which can be easily seen ..."

Surah Saba : 17

I swear by Allah, we are those towns, which Allah has blessed, and you are the towns that are apparent.

[pg. 444]

Q.38. To whom does Allah give guidance?

Ans : The one who desires guidance gets it from Allah. The one who endeavours for it, is bestowed with it.

[pg. 544]

Q.39. What are the responsibilities of the scholars (Ulema) towards the people?

Ans: They should meet the people with humility, and fulfill the needs of the people. They should be accessible. We will help them in this regard.

[pg. 564]

Q.40. Can we give preference to the needs of the relatives before the needs of others?

Ans : Imam Moosa ibn Jafar (a.s.) says "If the relatives are in want then Allah does not (even) accept your sadqah"

[pg. 252]

But what if we have already made the intention of helping someone else?

Distribute the money among both the parties so that you get the maximum reward. [pg.252]

Indeed, we await that day when we can directly converse with Imam-e-Asr (a.t.f.s.), illuminate our eyes and souls by his luminous light.

Tradition

2009-10-14T00:51:00.000-04:00

Imam Husain (a.s.), People are slaves of the world and religion is only (like a morsel) on their tongues. They keep turning the morsel in their mouths. But when tested with difficulties, the religious are very few.

Tuhaf al-Oqool, p. 245

Characteristics of those Who Eat Haram

2009-10-13T05:17:00.000-04:00

By: Shaheed Ayatullah Abdul Husain Dastghaib Shirazi

A characteristic feature of earnings by Harām means the money and wealth so acquired. It is narrated from Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (a.s.) that he said, “The madness of (acquiring or constructing) buildings. Mud and water occupies the head of one who earns by unlawful means.” (Bihār al-Anwār)
It means that a person with unlawful earnings is constantly worried about his wealth and strives to convert it into fixed property so that it is not lost. The buildings of mud and water neither benefit the owner in the Hereafter nor do they provide peace in this world. Such a person spends every bit of his wealth for pieces of land. Finally, Allah (S.w.T.) orders the land to swallow all his wealth.
Unlawful gains are harmful both from the worldly point of view as there is no barakat in such gain and also from the spiritual point of view as these form obstacles in the acceptance of acts of worship.
The Holy Prophet (S) says: “When a single morsel of Harām enters the stomach of a person and becomes a part of his body, the angels of the sky and the earth curse him.” (Safinat’ul-Bihār)
The Messenger of Allah (S) has also said: “Acts of worship accompanied by the acquiring of Harām are like buildings that rest on (crumbling) sand.” (Safinat’ul-Bihār)
They lack a firm foundation and hence are of no use. Such buildings can never remain intact and are soon destroyed.
Invocations are not accepted
The noble Messenger of Allah (S) has remarked, “Prayers of the one who eats a single morsel of Harām are not accepted for forty nights nor are his invocations accepted for forty days. Every piece of flesh that grows by consuming Harām is most deserving of being burnt in hell-fire and even a single morsel consumed causes some growth of flesh.” (Safinat’ul-Bihār)
The Holy Prophet (S) has also stated, “One who wishes to have his invocations accepted must keep aloof from Harām food and unlawful earnings.” (al-Kāfi)
A man asked the Holy Prophet (S): “I wish for the acceptance of my deeds.” The Prophet (S) told him, “Keep your food purified from Harām and do not let any unlawful thing enter your stomach.” (al-Kāfi)
The Almighty Allah (S.w.T.) revealed to Janabe Isa Ibn Maryam (a.s.): “Inform the oppressors of Bani Israel that they must not call Me and invoke Me as long as they are involved in unlawful earnings. And if they call Me and invoke Me in this condition, I will curse them.” (al-Kāfi)
Hardening of the heart
Whatever man eats is like a seed sown in the earth. If the seed is good it will bear sweet fruits. If the seed is bitter and poisonous, so is the fruit that grows from it. If the food is good and lawful it has beneficial effects on the heart. It is purified from every blemish and impurity. The organs of this person perform good deeds, but if one consumes food obtained through unlawful means it causes the heart to harden. The symptoms are soon obvious. A hard hearted person is unaffected by any kind of preaching and remains absolutely impenitent. Such a man is not moved even when he sees clear injustice. No good can be expected from him. Not a trace of goodness is visible in his dark heart. He refuses to accept what is right and is immune to every kind of moral advice. The tragedy of Karbala is the perfect example of this phenomenon. These are the characteristics clearly pointed out by Imam Husain (a.s.) in his address to the troops of Ibn Sād: “You bellies are filled with unlawful (wealth). Now you will not accept the truth. Why don’t you deal with justice? Why don’t you listen to me?” (Nafasul Mahmūm)
In other words, when a person’s heart becomes hard and darkness occupies it.
During the rule of the Abbasid King Mahdi, there was a Qazi named Sharīk bin Abdullah. He was an honest and upright Judge, till the time he was summoned by the king. The Abbaside King forced him to choose one from three things :
(1) Either he should accept the post of the Royal Qazi
(2) He should become the teacher of the King’s son
(3) or he should dine with the king, at least once.
The Qazi thought that easiest of the Three was to eat with the king once, so he agreed to dine with King Mahdi. The ruler ordered the royal chef to prepare the best of the dishes. When the Qazi had eaten the food, the cook remarked to his companions, “Now, Qazi Sharīk will never achieve salvation.”
The prediction came to be true. The Harām food affected the Qazi to the extent that he also accepted the other two conditions. He became the special Qazi of the King and the tutor of his children. It is said that Qazi Sharīk used to be very strict and unflinching with the treasurers while obtaining his share from the royal treasury.
One day the treasurer protested, “You have not sold me grain that you act so ruthless in recovering its price.” Qazi Sharīk replied, “Yes, I have sold something more valuable! I have sold my religion.”
One day a tray filled with delicious dishes was sent by Harūn al-Rashīd for Bahlūl. Bahlūl did not accept it. The servants of the king said, “It is not possible to reject the present of the Caliph.” Bahlūl, the wise, pointed towards the stray dogs and said, “Give it to the dogs.”
The servants became angry and said, “You have insulted the royal gifts.” Bahlūl became silent then said, “Be quiet, if the dogs learn that this food is sent by the king, they will not touch it.”

[The Rock (15), 94]

2009-10-07T23:29:00.000-04:00

Therefore declare openly what you are bidden and turn aside from the polytheists.

[The Rock (15), 94]

Shaheed Foundation '.' Speech by [Allama] Agha Ali Murtaza Zaidi

2009-10-05T21:13:00.003-04:00

History Lesson[s]

2009-10-04T04:08:00.002-04:00

Please, for the video, press the dot below, now, to observe

[...]

Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad :

"We heard that some of the Western leaders had decided to recognize but not congratulate the new government ... Well, no one in Iran is waiting for your messages," he said. "Iranians will neither value your scowling and bullying nor will they pay attention to your smiles and greetings."

Last week, Katie Couric had the tables turned on her. During an interview with Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Couric asked about Neda Soltan, the Iranian female who was shot and killed by Iranian security back in June.

After expressing his regret for the loss of life, Mr. Ahmadinejad pulled out a photo of another woman. He showed it to Ms... Read more. Couric and asked if she knew who the woman was. Couric said she didn't, and that's when Ahmadinejad pounced.

Ahmadinejad explained that the woman in the photo is Marwa Ali El-Sherbini. She was stabbed to death in a German court by a neo-Nazi. The Iranian president then asked why the death of Ms. El-Sherbini wasn't being publicized by the media in the same way as Neda's. Ahmadinejad "suggested that the western media — who turned Neda into a martyr — ignored Marwa's story."

Al Quran. Sura Yasin-Chapter 36, Verse 65

2009-10-02T01:39:00.000-04:00

THAT DAY SHALL WE SET A SEAL ON THEIR MOUTHS BUT THEIR HANDS WILL SPEAK TO US, AND THEIR FEET BEAR WITNESS TO ALL THAT THEY DID." Al Quran. Sura Yasin-Chapter 36, Verse 65

Ignorence, that is, Jahaliya [the pollution of low vibratory acts, actions & activities{within The Ummah; acted upon by most masses of abundant Abu Jehals; the so called muslims (Hypocrates)..}..]

2009-09-30T03:13:00.003-04:00

If they could find a refuge or cave or a place to enter into, they would certainly have turned thereto, running away in all haste.

[The Immunity (9), 57]

Imam Reza (a.s.) was asked, ‘One who dies without an Imam for himself dies the death of ignorance?’ Imam (a.s.) replied, ‘Yes, and the Waaqifi (deniers of Imam Reza’s (a.s.) Imamat) are disbelievers and the Naasibi (enemies of Ahle Bait (a.s.)) are Mushrik.’ Ikmaaluddin page 375

Many may not be aware of the serious threats which the close-minded mentality poses to the body of Islam. If we as Muslims do not confront the ignorant views of the delusional Wahhabis, then those who are weak in intellect and/or faith may be swayed away from the truth any way that the wind blows

Please commit the obligation; to gain knowledge; if but we knew: http://www.al-islam.org/wahhabism/

USrael: Iran and Pakistan support Taliban [Click this line to read the news]

2009-09-27T20:30:00.000-04:00

UNCLE SAM & LITTLE BIG BUDDY `BAMA..

Its not enough to say I am Shia, taught by, Imam Muhammad Baqir [AS]

2009-09-27T19:54:00.003-04:00

Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (AS) once said to one of his companions:

"O Jabir it is not enough that a person says; I am a Shiah and I love the Prophet (SAW) and the Prophet's family and the Imams. By Allah, a Shiah is the one who is perfectly pious and obedient to Allah's commands. Anyone else is not a Shiah no matter how much they say they love Hazrat Ali (AS) and no matter what they call themselves. O Jabir Our Shiahs are known by these signs: (a) They are truthful, trustworthy and loyal; (b) They always remember Allah; (c) They offer their prayers, observe fasts, and recite Qur'an; (d) They help their neighbors, take care of orphans, and say nothing but good of people; (e) They act nicely towards their parents; (f) They are worthy of peoples trust and confidence.

Abi Hatam al-Sejistani narrated that Imam Sadiq (a.s) said: "Those who follow us are in 3 groups. 1 group gets their respect & honor through associating themselves with us. Another group make a living through associating themselves with us. ...& the third group is really our followers. They work for us, and are secure if we are secure; and fear when we fear. They will not hide the truth, boast or talk in vain....."

[The Thunder (13), 35]

2009-09-27T19:50:00.000-04:00

A likeness of the garden which the righteous are promised; there now beneath it rivers, its food and shades are perpetual; this is the requital of those who guarded (against evil), and the requital of the unbelievers is the fire.
[The Thunder (13), 35]

[Yasin (36), 47]

2009-09-27T19:48:00.000-04:00

And when it is said to them: Spend out of what Allah has given you, those who disbelieve say to those who believe: Shall we feed him whom, if Allah please, He could feed? You are in naught but clear error.
[Yasin (36), 47]

My Salaam to the soul of the entire universe

2009-09-27T08:38:00.004-04:00

My Salaam to the soul of the entire universe; to the soul through whom all The Bounties from Allah are being blessed to all His creations & creatures, animate &/or inanimate, they are all conscious, may Allah hasten the reapperance of the soul of the universe; we wait for him & he waits for us. Ya Allah, make us the best so as to serve our Imam and act in accordance for his quick reapperance, make us the best so as to follow Al Qur'an instead of following the interpretations of Al Qur'an that most of the unwise worldly scholars interpret for their own personal, social, national, global &/or universal gains, save us from all those gone astray and they lead most of the humanity astray. Ya Allah help us through your appointed Hujjat. Ya Allah help Imam Al Asr on this [planet] earth in this hour and in every hour that is yet to come....

[The Believers (23), 21-22]

2009-09-27T07:07:00.005-04:00

And most surely there is a lesson for you in the cattle: We make you to drink of what is in their bellies, and you have in them many advantages and of them you eat,
And on them and on the ships you are borne.
[The Believers (23), 21-22]

[Jonah (10), 50]

2009-09-27T07:06:00.003-04:00

Say: Tell me if His punishment overtakes you by night or by day! what then is there of it that the guilty would hasten on?

[Jonah (10), 50]

Sayyidah Ruqayyah (sa) Haram: Asking Imam Husain (a.s.)

2009-09-26T15:08:00.001-04:00

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZLsiIJQVKU

A video of the shrine of Sayyidah Ruqayyah (pbuh), the daughter of Imam Husain (a.s.) who used to sleep on his chest. Dua e Tawassul: asking Aba Abdillah (a.s.)

[The Cow (2), 260]

2009-09-26T01:12:00.002-04:00

And when Ibrahim said: My Lord! show me how Thou givest life to the dead, He said: What! and do you not believe? He said: Yes, but that my heart may be at ease. He said: Then take four of the birds, then train them to follow you, then place on every mountain a part of them, then call them, they will come to you flying; and know that Allah is Mighty, Wise.

[The Cow (2), 260]

[The Cattle (6), 81]

2009-09-26T01:10:00.000-04:00

And how should I fear what you have set up (with Him), while you do not fear that you have set up with Allah that for which He has not sent down to you any authority; which then of the two parties is surer of security, if you know?

[The Cattle (6), 81]

[The Cave (18), 67-68]

2009-09-23T22:13:00.002-04:00

He said: Surely you cannot have patience with me

And how can you have patience in that of which you have not got a comprehensive knowledge?

[The Cave (18), 67-68]

There are many sheep outside and many wolves within

2009-09-18T09:34:00.005-04:00

Noah's Ark has been used as a symbol of both Ahlul Bayt & the Christian Church (in its ancient conception as being something more than an institution but as a divinely-ordained reality also called the "Body of Christ.") Those insid...e of it are protected and saved; those outside of it are left to more tender mercies. Of course, it is always tricky to determine who is really inside or outside; appearances are deceiving.

As Saint Augustine of Hippo wrote, concerning the Church, "There are many sheep outside and many wolves within."

But on account of their breaking their covenant We cursed them and made their hearts hard; they altered the words from their places and they neglected a portion of what they were reminded of; and you shall always discover treachery in them excepting a few of them; so pardon them and turn away; surely Allah loves those who do good (to others).
[The Dinner Table (5), 13]

The Jewish man’s questions from Imam Ali peace be upon him

The sun was now raised and the shade of the wall had shortened. Under the sunshade in front of the mosque, a group of men gathered, and they began to talk among themselves. The Jewish man went to a column, and sat down near it.

He leaned his head to the wooden column, when he suddenly heard a rumor. Suddenly, men got to their feet, as if by a common accord. He did the same, without knowing the reason. He turned his head, and he suddenly saw Ali Ibn Abi Taleb who was very simply attired. But somehow a deep dignity and an inner majesty enveloped all his persona. He had a sword on his side and his clothes were very simple. He had put on sandals, made with the fibers of date-trees…

The Jewish man, who could not endure this anymore, felt his knees tremble. He got pale, and was forced to lean on the column which was behind him.

Ali passed among the men, sat down on the ground and faced the public. That day, the intimate friends of Ali were as follows: As’bagh Ibn Nobatah , Komeyl Ibn Ziyad, Meyssam Tammar, Habib Ibn Mazaher. They sat close to their lord, by showing him great respect. A moment passed in silence. Then there were questions from the people all around. There were also men, coming from other cities, who wished to receive answers to their theological questions, or in regard with the daily problems of their everyday life.

Some others had come there, to seek justice, and they were really stupefied by the fair judgment of Ali…

The Jewish man was amazed. He looked for an instant to Hazrat Ali, and the next instant, he looked at these men. He had not yet had an opportunity to ask his own questions. And then, he did not have the necessary courage for this... Time passed by quickly, but he could not let that precious time to go by.

He moved himself a bit, and then gathered his inward force to give himself the courage to stand up. But then again, he did not know what kind of a demand to make to Ali… it seemed to him that he had forgotten everything! With great difficulty, he dampened his lips, and with a trembling voice he said: “if you permit me, I wish to ask you some questions…”

The tone of his voice, and his foreign accent, often made the men, turn their heads towards him. Ali with a paternal look gazed at him and declared: “Make thy demands…”

After this cordial tone, all the particles of the man’s being were enveloped by these two things: The voice of the lord of the believers and its warm vibration! They put an end to all his agitations and uncertainties

He coughed, and with a great serenity that was new to him, he began thus: “I have read in the Torah that after the election of each Prophet, God Almighty, by way of His Revelation, makes his Messenger choose a man among his intimates so as to be his successor, and to maintain justice after his death. The Prophet then makes him swear might be able to put them in execution.

I have also heard that God Almighty, during the life of this Prophet, and after his death, gives all kinds of sufferings and painful torments to his successor. Thus, I wanted to know: if they have to endure trials during the Prophet’s life time and after his death, and what shall be their own ends…?”

Ali Ibn Abi Taleb replied: “I swear by He who opened the sea for the children of Israel, and Who made the Torah come down to Moses, that I shall answer all your questions! But if there shall be answers to which you’ll have to respond, will you answer them?”

“Oh yes, that I will do!”

The lord of the believers got to his feet and sat on the pulpit. He began to talk:” God Almighty, during the Prophet’s life time, puts on trial the successor of this Prophet for seven times. Thus, he can survey their measure and limit of their obedience. He then, nominates them as the Prophet’s successor after their deaths. Thus, he too shall receive obedience; just as the Prophet was due to receive obedience from the others.

Then after the death of this Prophet, God once again, puts this successor on trial for seven times, to see how far his patience and submission will go; and when these torments and sufferings reach their end, God grants him the great honor of becoming a Martyr. Thus, he could join the Prophet, and reach the absolute Bliss.”

[The Children of Israel (17), 13-14]

2009-09-16T03:34:00.003-04:00

.

And We have made every man's actions to cling to his neck, and We will bring forth to him on the resurrection day a book which he will find wide open:

Read your book; your own self is sufficient as a reckoner against you this day.

[The Children of Israel (17), 13-14]

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Women in Islam Versus Women in the Judaeo-Christian Tradition: The Myth and The Reality

2009-09-16T03:26:00.000-04:00

By: Sherif Abdel Azim, Ph.D.

Queens University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada

THE VEIL ?

Finally, let us shed some light on what is considered in the West as the

greatest symbol of women's oppression and servitude, the veil or the

head cover. Is it true that there is no such thing as the veil in the

Judaeo-Christian tradition? Let us set the record straight. According to

Rabbi Dr. Menachem M. Brayer (Professor of Biblical Literature at

Yeshiva University) in his book, The Jewish woman in Rabbinic

literature, it was the custom of Jewish women to go out in public with a

head covering which, sometimes, even covered the whole face leaving one

eye free. He quotes some famous ancient Rabbis saying," It is not

like the daughters of Israel to walk out with heads uncovered" and

"Cursed be the man who lets the hair of his wife be seen....a woman who

exposes her hair for self-adornment brings poverty." Rabbinic law

forbids the recitation of blessings or prayers in the presence of a

bareheaded married woman since uncovering the woman's hair is considered

"nudity". Dr. Brayer also mentions that "During the Tannaitic period

the Jewish woman's failure to cover her head was considered an affront

to her modesty. When her head was uncovered she might be fined four

hundred zuzim for this offense." Dr. Brayer also explains that veil of

the Jewish woman was not always considered a sign of modesty. Sometimes,

the veil symbolized a state of distinction and luxury rather than

modesty. The veil personified the dignity and superiority of noble

women. It also represented a woman's inaccessibility as a sanctified

possession of her husband.

The veil signified a woman's self-respect and social status. Women of lower classes would often wear the veil to give the impression of a higher standing. The fact that the veil was the sign of nobility was the reason why prostitutes were not permitted to cover their hair in the old Jewish society. However, prostitutes often wore a special headscarf in order to look respectable. Jewish women in Europe continued to wear veils until the nineteenth century when their lives became more intermingled with the surrounding secular culture. The external pressures of the European life in the nineteenth century forced many of them to go out bare-headed. Some Jewish women found it more convenient to replace their traditional veil with a wig as another form of hair covering. Today, most pious Jewish women do not cover their hair except in the synagogue. Some of them, such as the Hasidic sects, still use the wig.

What about the Christian tradition? It is well known that Catholic Nuns have been covering their heads for hundreds of years, but that is not all. St. Paul in the New Testament made some very interesting statements about the veil:

"Now I want you to realize that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God. Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonours his head. And every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonours her head - it is just as though her head were shaved. If a woman does not cover her head, she should have her hair cut off; and if it is a disgrace for a woman to have her hair cut off or shaved off, she should cover her head. A man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God; but the woman is the glory of man. For man did not come from woman, but woman from man; neither was man created for woman, but woman for man. For this reason, and because of the angels, the woman ought to have a sign of authority on her head" (I Corinthians 11:3-10).

St. Paul's rationale for veiling women is that the veil represents a sign of the authority of the man, who is the image and glory of God, over the woman who was created from and for man. St. Tertullian in his famous treatise 'On The Veiling Of Virgins' wrote, "Young women, you wear your veils out on the streets, so you should wear them in the church, you wear them when you are among strangers, then wear them among your brothers..." Among the Canon laws of the Catholic church today there is a law that requires women to cover their heads in church. Some Christian denominations, such as the Amish and the Mennonites for example, keep their women veiled to the present day. The reason for the veil, as offered by their Church leaders, is that "The head covering is a symbol of woman's subjection to the man and to God", which is the same logic introduced by St. Paul in the New Testament.

From all the above evidence, it is obvious that Islam did not invent the head cover. However, Islam did endorse it. The Quran urges the believing men and women to lower their gaze and guard their modesty and then urges the believing women to extend their head covers to cover the neck and the bosom:

"Say to the believing men that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty......And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what ordinarily appear thereof; that they should draw their veils over their bosoms...." (Quran 24:30,31).

The Quran is quite clear that the veil is essential for modesty, but why is modesty important? The Quran is still clear:

"O Prophet, tell your wives and daughters and the believing women that they should cast their outer garments over their bodies (when abroad) so that they should be known and not molested" (Quran 33:59).

This is the whole point, modesty is prescribed to protect women from molestation or simply, modesty is protection. Thus, the only purpose of the veil in Islam is protection. The Islamic veil, unlike the veil of the Christian tradition, is not a sign of man's authority over woman nor is it a sign of woman's subjection to man. The Islamic veil, unlike the veil in the Jewish tradition, is not a sign of luxury and distinction of some noble married women. The Islamic veil is only a sign of modesty with the purpose of protecting women, all women. The Islamic philosophy is that it is always better to be safe than sorry. In fact, the Quran is so concerned with protecting women's bodies and women's reputation that a man who dares to falsely accuse a woman of unchastity will be severely punished:

"And those who launch a charge against chaste women, and produce not four witnesses (to support their allegations)- Flog them with eighty stripes; and reject their evidence ever after: for such men are wicked transgressors" (Quran 24:4)

Compare this strict Quranic attitude with the extremely lax punishment for rape in the Bible:

" If a man happens to meet a virgin who is not pledged to be married and rapes her and they are discovered, he shall pay the girl's father fifty shekels of silver. He must marry the girl, for he has violated her. He can never divorce her as long as he lives" (Deut. 22:28-30)

One must ask a simple question here, who is really punished? The man who only paid a fine for rape, or the girl who is forced to marry the man who raped her and live with him until he dies? Another question that also should be asked is this: which is more protective of women, the Quranic strict attitude or the Biblical lax attitude?

Some people, especially in the West, would tend to ridicule the whole argument of modesty for protection. Their argument is that the best protection is the spread of education, civilised behaviour, and self restraint. We would say: fine but not enough. If 'civilization' is enough protection, then why is it that women in North America dare not walk alone in a dark street - or even across an empty parking lot ? If Education is the solution, then why is it that a respected university like Queen's has a 'walk home service' mainly for female students on campus? If self restraint is the answer, then why are cases of sexual harassment in the workplace reported on the news media every day? A sample of those accused of sexual harassment, in the last few years, includes: Navy officers, Managers, University professors, Senators, Supreme Court Justices, and the President of the United States! I could not believe my eyes when I read the following statistics, written in a pamphlet issued by the Dean of Women's office at Queen's University:

* In Canada, a woman is sexually assaulted every 6 minutes,

* 1 in 3 women in Canada will be sexually assaulted at some time in their

lives,

* 1 in 4 women are at the risk of rape or attempted rape in her lifetime,

* 1 in 8 women will be sexually assaulted while attending college or

university, and

* A study found 60% of Canadian university-aged males said they would commit sexual assault if they were certain they wouldn't get caught.

Something is fundamentally wrong in the society we live in. A radical change in the society's life style and culture is absolutely necessary. A culture of modesty is badly needed, modesty in dress, in speech, and in manners of both men and women. Otherwise, the grim statistics will grow even worse day after day and, unfortunately, women alone will be paying the price. Actually, we all suffer but as K. Gibran has said, "...for the person who receives the blows is not like the one who counts them." Therefore, a society like France which expels young women from schools because of their modest dress is, in the end, simply harming itself.

It is one of the great ironies of our world today that the very same headscarf revered as a sign of 'holiness' when worn for the purpose of showing the authority of man by Catholic Nuns, is reviled as a sign of 'oppression' when worn for the purpose of protection by Muslim women.

Hijab - My View [By Sultana Yusufali]

2009-09-16T03:21:00.000-04:00

Hijab - My View

By Sultana Yusufali

I probably do not fit into the preconceived notion of a "rebel." I have no visible tattoos and minimal piercings. I do not possess a leather jacket. In fact, when most people look at me, their first thought usually is something along the lines of "oppressed female."

The brave individuals who have mustered the courage to ask me about the way I dress usually have questions like: "Do your parents make you wear that?" Or "Don't you find that really unfair?"

A while back, a couple of girls in Montreal were kicked out of school for dressing like I do. It seems strange that a little piece of cloth would make for such controversy. Perhaps the fear is that I am harbouring an Uzi underneath it. You never can tell with those Muslim fundamentalists.

Of course, the issue at hand is more than a mere piece of cloth. I am a Muslim woman who, like millions of other Muslim women across the globe, chooses to wear the hijab. There are many different ways to wear it, but in essence, what we do is cover our entire bodies except for our hands and faces. If you're the kind of person who has watched a lot of popular movies, you'd probably think of harem girls and belly-dancers, women who are kept in seclusion except for the private pleasure of their male masters. In the true Islamic faith, nothing could be further from the truth. And the concept of the hijab, contrary to popular opinion, is actually one of the most fundamental aspects of female empowerment. When I cover myself, I make it virtually impossible for people to judge me according to the way I look. I cannot be categorized because of my attractiveness or lack thereof. Compare this to life in today's society: We are constantly sizing one another up on the basis of our clothing, jewellery, hair and make-up. What kind of depth can there be in a world like this?

Yes, I have a body, a physical manifestation upon this Earth. But it is the vessel of an intelligent mind and a strong spirit. It is not for the beholder to leer at or to use in advertisements to sell everything from beer to cars. Because of the superficiality of the world in which we live, external appearances are so stressed that the value of the individual counts for almost nothing. It is a myth that women in today's society are liberated. What kind of freedom can there be when a woman cannot walk down the street without every aspect of her physical self being "checked out"? When I wear the hijab I feel safe from all of this. I can rest assured that no one is looking at me and making assumptions about my character from the length of my skirt. There is a barrier between me and those who would exploit me. I am first and foremost a human being, equal to any man, and not vulnerable because of my sexuality. One of the saddest truths of our time is the question of the beauty myth and female self-image. Reading popular teenage magazines, you can instantly find out what kind of body image is "in" or "out." And if you have the "wrong" body type, well, then, you're just going to have to change it, aren't you? After all, there is no way that you can be overweight and still be beautiful.

Look at any advertisement. Is a woman being used to sell the product? How old is she? How attractive is she? What is she wearing? More often than not, that woman will be no older than her early 20s, taller, slimmer and more attractive than average, dressed in skimpy clothing. Why do we allow ourselves to be manipulated like this? Whether the '90s woman wishes to believe it or not, she is being forced into a mould. She is being coerced into selling herself, into compromising herself. This is why we have 13-year-old girls sticking their fingers down their throats and overweight adolescents hanging themselves .

When people ask me if I feel oppressed, I can honestly say no. I made this decision out of my own free will. I like the fact that I am taking control of the way other people perceive me. I enjoy the fact that I don't give anyone anything to look at and that I have released myself from the bondage of the swinging pendulum of the fashion industry and other institutions that exploit females.

My body is my own business. Nobody can tell me how I should look or whether or not I am beautiful. I know that there is more to me than that. I am also able to say no comfortably when people ask me if I feel as though my sexuality is being repressed. I have taken control of my sexuality.

I am thankful I will never have to suffer the fate of trying to lose/gain weight or trying to find the exact lipstick shade that will go with my skin colour. I have made choices about what my priorities are and these are not among them.

So next time you see me, don't look at me sympathetically. I am not under duress or a male-worshipping female captive from those barbarous Arabic deserts. I've been liberated. I am a W O M A N.....Yes a MUSLIM WOMAN.

A True follower of Hadhrat Fatima Zahra (s.a.) & Hadhrat Zainab (s.a.).

Ya Allah

2009-09-15T03:37:00.005-04:00

اللهم صل على محمد وآل محمد اللهم اجعلني فيه محبا لاوليائك ومعاديا لأعدائك مستنا بسنة خاتم انبيائك يا عاصم قلوب النبيين

O Allah, on this day, make me among those who love Your friends, and hate Your enemies, following the way of Your last Prophet, O the Guardian of the hearts of the Prophets.

Imam Sadiq also states: "The determination of the decrees are on the nineteenth, its confirmation is on the twenty-first, and the signing is on the twenty-third." (Noor Al-Thaqalayn, vol. 5, p. 626) This statement has brought all the tradition...s together. Nevertheless, there is a kind of mystic ambiguity over the Night of Qadr for reasons we will discuss later. [Click me, now!]

Was Ibrahim’s [a] biological father an idol worshipper?

2009-09-15T03:14:00.002-04:00

A common view amongst sunnis is that Ibrahim’s father was indeed an idol worshipper. You can refer to their books of exegesis to see what they have said about this, e.g. Tabari, Ibn Kathir and Qurtubi for verse 14:41 amongst others. Those who hold this belief present the following verse as proof:

[9:114] And Ibrahim asking forgiveness for his Ab (father) was only owing to a promise which he had made to him; but when it became clear to him that he was an enemy of Allah, he declared himself to be clear of him; most surely Ibrahim was very tender-hearted forbearing.

On the other hand, Shias completely reject this, and believe that the line of Prophethood was pure and free from polytheism. So then how do we explain the above verse? Ayatollah Jawadi Amoli has answered this question is his tafsir:

هل كان والد النبي إبراهيم (عليه السلام) موحداً؟

إن عنوان «الأب» كما يطلق على الأب فإنه يطلق على غيره كالعمّ أيضاً، و هذا هو منشأ الترديد في قضية النبي إبراهيم من أن أبوه هل كان آزر عابد الوثن أم لا. فالذي يظهر من الآية

«و إذ قال إبراهيم لأبيه آزر أتتخذ أصناماً آلهة»(1)، و الآيات 42 من سورة مريم، و 52 من سورة الأنبياء، و 70 من سورة الشعراء، و 85 من سورة الصافات، و 26 من سورة الزخرف، و 114 من سورة التوبة و غيرها، أن أبا النبي إبراهيم لم يكن موحداً؛ أما أن هذا الأب هل هو نفس الوالد أم غيره، وهل أن والد النبي إبراهيم هل كان موحداً أم لا، فلا يمكن استظهار أي واحد من هذين المطلبين من الآيات المشتملة على عنوان «الأب»؛ و لكن يمكن استنباط كلا المطلبين من آية أخرى متضمنة لكلمة الوالد لا كلمة «الأب»؛ فيمكن معرفة أن آزر عابد الوثن لم يكن والد النبي إبراهيم، و أن الشخص الآخر الذي هو والد النبي إبراهيم و الذي لم يذكر اسمه في القرآن، كان موحداً، لا مشركاً؛ فقد قال الله:

أ- «و ما كان للنبي و الذين آمنوا أن يستغفروا للمشركين و لو كانوا أولي قربى»(2).

ب- «و ما كان استغفار إبراهيم لأبيه إلا عن موعدة وعدها إياه فلما تبيّن له أنه عدو لله تبرأ منه»(3)، أي لم يستغفر له بعد ذلك.

ج- قال النبي إبراهيم (عليه السلام) في دعاء له في عهد الكبر و في أواخر حياته: «ربنا اغفر لي و لوالديّ و للمؤمنين يوم يقوم الحساب»(4).

من هنا يمكن استنباط المطلبين المشار إليهما: أحدهما هو أن آزر عابد الوثن لم يكن والد النبي إبراهيم؛ لأنه تبرأ من آزر بعد أن تبين له شركه و عداؤه مع الله، و لم يستغفر له بعد ذاك، و المطلب الآخر أنه استغفر لوالديه في عهد الكبر، فيظهر أنهما كانا يستحقان الاستغفار؛ أي كانا كسائر المؤمنين من أهل الإيمان لا من أهل الشرك.

_______________________________

1- سورة الأنعام، الآية 74.

2- سورة التوبة، الآية 113.

3- سورة التوبة، الآية 114.

4- سورة إبراهيم، الآية 41.

تسنيم (التسنيم)، ج 1، ص 117.

http://arabic.esraco.net/main.asp

Translation:

Question: Was the father of Prophet Abraham [as] a monotheist?

The word ‘Ab’ can refer to the biological father as well as to the uncle or others*. In the case of Prophet Abraham the question is whether Azar the idol worshipper was his biological father or not? What is apparent from the verse [6:74] ‘And when Abraham said to his Ab (father) do you take idols for gods?’ and verses 19:42, 21:52, 26:70, 37:85, 43:26, 9:114 and others is that the ‘Ab’ of Abraham [as] was not a monotheist. However it is unclear from these verses whether the ‘Ab’ was his actual biological father or someone else, and whether the biological father of Abraham was a monotheist or not. We are unable to come to any one of these conclusions from these verses that use the word ‘Ab’, but we are able to use another verse that uses the word ‘walid’ (biological father) instead of ‘Ab’ {which is a more general term} to give us the answers. From this verse (that uses walid) we come to know that Azar the idol worshipper was not the biological father of Prophet Abraham [as] but someone else who was a monotheist but whose name hasn’t been mentioned in the Qur’an. Allah swt has said:

(i) [9:113] It is not (fit) for the Prophet and those who believe that they should ask forgiveness for the polytheists, even though they should be near relatives, after it has become clear to them that they are inmates of the flaming fire.

(ii) [9:114] And Ibrahim asking forgiveness for his Ab was only owing to a promise which he had made to him; but when it became clear to him that he was an enemy of Allah, he declared himself to be clear of him; most surely Ibrahim was very tender-hearted forbearing.

(iii) Prophet Abraham [as] supplicated to Allah in his old age saying [14:41] Our Lord! Forgive me and my parents and believers on the day when the account is cast.

From these verses we can conclude two things. Firstly, Azar the idol worshipper was not the biological father of Prophet Abraham [as] as he ‘declared himself to be clear of him’ once it became evident that he was a polytheist and enemy of Allah swt, and he never asked forgiveness for him after that. Secondly, he sought forgiveness for his parents (walidaya) when he was an old man**, showing that they were worthy of forgiveness, i.e. they were believers and not polytheists.

——————–

*As proof for this read verse 2:133 in which Nabi Isma’eel [a] who was Ya’qoob’s [a] paternal uncle is referred to as his Ab.

**We know that the prayer for forgiveness of his parents in 14:41 was said in Nabi Ibrahim’s [a] old age because he prays for his sons as well, and he had these sons when he was an old man. This is the whole passage:

[14:39] Praise be to Allah, Who has given me in old age Ismail and Ishaq; most surely my Lord is the Hearer of prayer:

[14:40] My Lord! make me keep up prayer and from my offspring, O our Lord, and accept my prayer

[14:41] Our Lord! Forgive me and my parents and believers on the day when the account is castز

-----

Ayatollah Jawadi Amoli

آية الله جوادي آملي دام ظله

Message of love limitlessness

2009-08-29T03:25:00.003-04:00

I will see You soon
You will see me sooner
:)

Freshness for Friday [yet {soon} to come]

2009-08-06T09:51:00.009-04:00

Please visit:

http://www.imamreza.net/eng/list.php?id=010314

http://www.tebyan.net/Events_History/Islamic_Events/2009/8/5/98726.html

http://www.duas.org/imamezamana.htm

http://www.duas.org/maximofmahdi.htm

http://www.duas.org/15shabanamal.htm

http://www.duas.org/WeeklyZiyarat/friday_z.htm

http://www.duas.org/SahifaMahdi/IndexK.htm

http://xainabbas.wordpress.com/2009/08/06/noha70/

http://www.ziaraat.com/events/neemashaban/frommafateeh.php

http://qamaandzanjir.blogfa.com/post-1063.aspx

http://abna.ir/data.asp?lang=6&id=163834

Also, in news @ PRESS TV, check out the article below:

Iraq offers USD 2,000 for Shia, Sunni marriages

Iraq has a program in place that offers USD 2,000 to every couple that unites the two major Muslim sects, encouraging marriages between Sunni and Shia.

The Iraqi government launched the program in an attempt to heal the sectarian divide that threatens the country's diverse culture.

The government program was initiated following the bombing of a major Shia shrine in 2006 that elevated the importance of security concerns in the country.

According to the Associated Press, more than 1,700 newlywed couples have accepted cash from the government program as a step toward bridging the two points of view.

Mass weddings for these couples are held in a club that once was used by Saddam Hussein's army, a symbolic measure demonstrating cultural progress in Iraq.

Though the Iraqi government does not keep the track of mixed marriages, they claim the program has cost them over USD 3 million.

Experts believe the rise in mixed marriages is a sign showing the return of peace to Iraqi society.

NAT/JG

[News originally found @ http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=102675&sectionid=3510212]

_________________________________

Do not pursue what you have no knowledge of. Hearing, sight and hearts will all be questioned. (Surat al- Isra’, 36)

Those who do not make the Qur’an their guide and do not fear Allah in their hearts will not understand why Muslims continually remember Allah . (Surat al-Isra’, 73-75)

Visions

2009-07-09T21:13:00.001-04:00

The color of life, the color of love, the color of blood, falling in love...

2009-05-16T15:11:00.009-04:00

یا ایتها النفس المطمئنه، ارجعی الی ربک راضیة مرضیة، فادخلی فی عبادی، فادخلی جنتی

http://www.geocities.com/ahlulbayt14/al-mahdi.html

http://smma59.wordpress.com/category/ahlulbaith/muayammad-al-mahda-born-868-arabic-uouo-ouu/page/4/

http://www.livingimam.net/

http://gaza.ir/

http://abna.ir/default.asp

http://www.anwarulhedaya.com/

The All-Compassionate

2006-08-27T16:52:00.001-04:00

Ar-Rahman

The All-Compassionate

The Most Gracious has imparted this Qur'an unto man. He has created man: He has imparted unto him articulate thought and speech. At His behest the sun and the moon run their appointed courses; before Him prostrate themselves the stars and the trees.And the skies has He raised high, and has devised for all things a measure, so that you too, O men, might never transgress the measure of what is right: weight, therefore, your deeds with equity, and cut not the measure short! and the earth has He spread out for all living beings, with fruit thereon, and palm trees with sheathed clusters of dates, and grain growing tall on its stalks, and sweet-smelling plants.Which, then, of your Sustainer's powerscan you disavow?

Ar-Rahman 55:1-13, tr. Asad

http://www.arthafez.com/Gallery/99_Names_of_Allah/Enlarge%20View/1.htm

A dream

2006-08-13T01:44:00.000-04:00

In the middle of those unconscious hours,
When the body is sleeping,
For a few moments,
"I" lived somewhere,
Inside a dream.

2006-07-16T00:23:00.001-04:00

A father gives his son a bag of nails and asks him to drive one of the nails into their chest made of walnut each time he loses his temper and patience. The son drives exactly 37 nails in the first day.
As weeks get on, the boy learns how to maintain his self-control and begins to use less number of nails. However, over time the boy realizes in the meantime that it is easier to maintain his self-control than driving a nail into the walnut chest. He gives an account of the situation to his father each day when he did not use any of the nails.
This time, the father asks his son to pull out one of the driven nails from the chest each day when he maintains his self-control.
Weeks passes and the son finally completes pulling all the nails out with the comprehension of both patience and self-control and calls his father. The father holds the son’s hand, takes him right beside the chest and says him the following:
Yes son, you have worked hard and learned not to make a hole on the chest through maintaining self-control.
But just look at the holes on the chest! They will never heal and become the same as before!
Your emotional reactions and impatience will each time make an incurable wound in the tender heart of the others. No matter how much you make apology, those wounds will always be there. An oral attack will hurt someone at least as much as a physical attack.
Our friends are happiness for us, they make us laugh, encourage us for success, give us a careful ear and are always ready to open their hearts to us.
SOCRATES

Some poetry in Urdu...

2006-07-07T17:58:00.000-04:00

An Urdu Ghazal By Ghalib

2006-04-12T01:05:00.000-04:00