Category: General

14/12/13

•    The topic we are covering is practical advise for Muslims in a minority from the Ahlul Bayt (as) from teachings which are relevant to our situation, living with non-Muslims.

•    We should try and benefit from lecturers/ scholars; the minbar is one way of communication. We should also benefit in a less formal environment and try to make the most of these opportunities. Sometimes what we hear is repetition but we shouldn’t perceive that as a negative, it can be treated as a reminder and that can encourage us to practical application.

•    We should also partake emotionally in these majalis the best way possible. They are a source of Barakah (blessings) and we are strongly advised by scholars to try and mourn on the Masaib (gham) of Imam Hussain (as) and his family in whatever capacity.

•    There is a hadith of Imam Ali which is found also Nahjul Balagha and other sources which is advice to Malik Ahtar (a close companion) on the governance. He guides Malik to feel love in his heart for the people and not to act barbarically. He further says that people are of two types: either your brethren in faith and or peer in humanity/creation

•    This hadith clear shows that there is a level of respect one earns just by being a human being. There is a principle of Ahsan (kindness) and A’dl (Justice) for all humans. 6th Imam witnessed a man insulting a person of another religion and rebukes him as that religion is worthy to him

•    Holy Quran mentions about those that come from of different religions that if they are not an enemy than you should treat in kindness and justice and Allah loves those who are just

•    Justice is part of innate and core beliefs especially as Shias and this should be looked at material and spiritual level. The common idea is that if I am not causing injustice physically to others then that is enough, but there is a higher level of injustice as well and that this doing injustice to oneself

•    We perform injustice to ourselves when we follow our base desires without regards to the Shariah and there is always a battle going on between the Aql and the base desires. Committing sin doing is injustice to own self.

•    There is a difference between a brother in faith and a peer in humanity but we should have friendly relations to all

•    Holy Prophet (sa) in Medina lives with different tribes and different religions and was able to have a working relationship with all of them but still is able to preserve the Muslim identity

•    We also need to take care of people with whom we have close relationship. One of the main criteria of choosing close associates is that they are not performing injustice (both material and spiritual) and also not supporting it

•    Holy prophet (sa) said famously that whoever wakes up in the morning and is not concerned over the affairs of Muslims is NOT A MUSLIM. Hence we should have a special affinity to a Muslim and we should care for them irrespective of their geographical location

•    Sometimes the injustice we perform is in the choice of careers. If we are choosing a career that is not helping the cause of justice, at least we shouldn’t choose something that is going to increase injustice. Also, don’t compromise your religion for wealth and go against your principles. For e.g. avoid being involved in the system of interest and advertising of haram material or alcohol.

By: adminSun 12 Safar 1435AH / 15 December 2013Thu 10 Muharram 1440AH / 20 September 2018

These supplications of Imam Zayn al-Ábideen (A) help us understand the spiritual and inner dimension of Islam and our relationship with Allah (swt).

Three lines from Du’a Makarim Al-Akhlaq :

I should like to quote briefly three lines from Du’a Makarimul Akhlaaq,  Du’a No. 20 in SahifahAl-Kamilah. This is one of the most beautiful dua’s which we normally recite on the 23^rd night of the month of Ramadhan.  It is a du’a about the noble moral traits and those acts which are pleasing to Allah (swt). Imam supplicates,

(Allahumma salli ‘alaa Muhammadin wa aalihi ; wakfini maa yashghalunil ihtimamu bihi.)

‘’O Allah, bless Muhammad and his household ; Keep me Occupied with those things which in your estimation are important.

 ‘’Wast’amilni bima tas-aluni ghadan ‘anhu’’
‘And employ me in that about which You will ask me tomorrow.’

‘’Wastafrigh ayyami feema khalaqtani lahu’’
‘’and let me pass my days in that for which You have created me.’’

Let us expound on these three verses. 
‘wakfini maa yashghalunil ihtimamu bihi’

Keep me occupied with what is important to me, that is, something useful that I put some effort into cultivating. For example when you grow a plant you have to take great care in nourishing it by watering it and making sure that it is trimmed and receives enough sunlight. This is ‘ihtimam’, anything that blossoms after putting in efforts and attention.   

In other words the Imam is advising us to keep ourselves occupied in doing those things which earn the pleasure and ‘ridha’ satisfaction of Allah (swt).  Our constant and continued struggle in life must be for the sake of earning satisfaction of none other than Allah (swt). 

Anyone who has only one concern, one desire in life and that is, to do anything and everything sincerely for the sake of Allah (swt), Allah (swt) will fill his heart and make him so contented and independent that he will no longer need to seek any help, comfort or confidence from anyone except Allah (swt). This is achieved by those people who have resolved in their life that their only direction is to Allah (swt).

Then Imam says,

‘’wasta’milni bimaa tasaluni ghadan ‘anhu’
‘’Employ me in that about which You will ask me tomorrow’’.

What does it mean about that which we will be asked tomorrow? According to our ‘ulama’ we will be asked about two things only, about things that we have done and those things which we have failed to do. We will be asked about what we did in all these years of our life that Allah (swt) has given us. Did we serve God’s creation?  Did we help the poor and the needy? As Shias, what have we made of the Book of Allah and the ‘seerah’ and the ‘sunnah’ of the Prophet and the A’imma (A)?  Have they had any effect on our life?  How have we treated our parents, our wives, our children and our fellow human beings? 

These dua’s are a journey of exploration, a journey of self-analysis, a journey which involves transformation, a journey of our life, of where we came from and where we are heading to, what steps must we take in order to arrive at the destination required by Allah (swt), a journey which ultimately ends with success and salvation.  

‘’Wastafrigh ayyami feema khalaqtani lahu’’
‘’and let me pass my days in that for which You have created me.’’

That is, let every day of my life be a testimony that I have fulfilled the purpose of my existence in this universe which is to serve none other than Allah(swt) as Allah says, ‘wa maa khalaqtul jinna wal insa illah liya’budoon.’  ‘I have not created jinn and men except that they may worship me, they may serve Me.’(Surah Az-Zaariyaat – 51:56).

Let us see what Imam Redha (A) says about worship ‘ibaadah’. He says,

‘’Laysatil ‘ibaadatu kathrata-s-siyami was-salaati’’
‘’Worship is not about fasting or praying much’’

‘’wa innamal ‘ibaadatu kathratu-t-tafakkuri fi amrillah’’
‘’Rather worship is to reflect much on the affairs related to Allah(swt)’’

(Tuhaf al-‘uqool, p. 442).

What is important is to reflect upon the purpose of our existence which is to fulfil the commands of Allah(swt) according to the Holy Qur’an and the teachings of Ahlul Bayt (A). 

In Surah Al-Imran, Surah No. 3 Ayah No. 191. In this Ayah, Allah (swt) describes those people who have understood and fulfilled the purpose of their existence. 

‘’allazina yazkurunllaha qiyaman wa qu ‘oodan wa ‘alaa junubihim wa yatafakkaruna fi khalqi-s-samaawati wal ardhi’’
‘’Those who remember Allah standing and sitting and lying on their sides and reflect on the creation of the heavens and the earth.’’

These people think deeply about the creation of the heavens and earth and so understand the purpose of their creation on this earth. They do not pass their time in useless pursuits and vain pastimes. And they say,

‘Rabbana maa khalqta haaza baatilan subhanaka faqina ‘azabannaar’
‘’Our Lord!  You have not created all this in vain.  Glory be to You; save us then from the chastisement of the Fire.’’

These are the people who with tears in their eyes call on their Lord with ‘’tadharruan wa khufyah’’ humility and in private (7:55) saying, ‘’You have not created this universe for no reason.  

Allah (swt) is calling upon us to live a meaningful life filled with good deeds.   Otherwise, we are ‘mayyitoon’ we are spiritually dead.  We are just carrying on in life that has no meaning and no purpose.

Imam Ali (A) put all his thought and attention to none other than Allah (swt). He said,

‘’maa ra aytu shay-an illa ra aytu-Llaha qablahu, wa ma’hu wa ba’adahu’’
‘’I never saw a thing but saw Allah before it, with it and after it.’’

Let us pray to Allah (swt) to grant us ‘tawfiq’ to understand the purpose of our creation and carry out the commands of Allah (swt) and let us end with a prayer of our Prophet(saw)

‘’Ilahi laa takilni ila nafsi tarfata ‘aynin abadan’’
‘’My God!  Do not ever leave me by myself even for a moment’’

(Bihar al-Anwar, Vol. 86, p.9)

Muallim Murtaza Bandali

By: adminSun 5 Safar 1435AH / 8 December 2013Thu 10 Muharram 1440AH / 20 September 2018

What guarantee do we have that we are going to be alive today. Go and visit the graveyards and see how many of our relatives and acquaintances whom we used to know and love have passed away. What is going to remain with us are our deeds that we have sent forth for the Hereafter. In Surah Al-Nahl (16:96) Allah(swt) says, “What is with you passes away, i.e. must vanish and what is with Allah i.e. the good deeds that we send forth to Allah (swt) will remain. Indeed, we shall give reward those who are patient according to the best of what they did.”

And in Sermon No. 238 in Nahjul Balagha, Imam Ali(a.s.) cautions us that we should collect provision for the next world by performing good deeds before our death. He says, “Perform good acts while you are still alive, and while the books are open (for recording your actions); while the sinner is still being given hope before the light of action is extinguished; and before the time expires and our life ends, and the door of ‘tawba’ is closed.”

Death is just a transfer from one home to another. On the Day of Ashura, Imam Husain (a.s.) said to his companions, “Death is nothing but a bridge over which you pass from this world of difficulties and distress towards a vast heaven of eternal happiness. Who amongst you does not like to migrate from the worldly prison to the heavenly palace?  And as for your enemies, it is like migrating from the palace towards the prison.”

Remembrance of death:
If there is anything that kills unlawful desires of our soul, it is remembrance of death. By constantly remembering death we are actually plucking out the roots of our negligence and preparing ourselves for the appointment with Allah(swt).  When you frequently remember death , your preoccupation with this fleeting world will diminish and the fire of greed will be extinguished.  According to Mulla Muhsin Fayd Kashani, the Prophet’s saying,  ‘’An hour’s contemplation is better than a year’s worship,’’ is very much about the  remembrance of death.  When a person contemplates about death his exaggerated view of the world is dissolved and he strives harder for the Hereafter.

The believers are those who remember death most and are the most prepared for it.  When the Prophet(saw) said,
“Increase the ‘zikr’ the remembrance for the demolisher of desires” he was asked “What is the demolisher of desires?”  He said, ‘death’

One way of reviving the remembrance of death in our hearts is to visit graveyards and attend the sick.

Categories of people :
People fall under three categories as far as remembrance of death  is concerned.

Those who do not remember death:
The first group of people are those who are  possessed by the comforts and the glitter of this world whose deeds are not good.  These are the ones who take death lightly as if they are exempted from death. They are the ones about whom Allah (swt) says in Suratul Jumu’a (62:8) “Say, indeed the death that you flee from will certainly overtake you.”

When our time comes to leave this temporal world, we cannot defer it by a single hour nor advance it

The second group of people are those who repent and remember death abundantly to instil fear and awe in their hearts. These are people who are always afraid that death might seize them before they have made the necessary preparations. They do not actually detest death or meeting Allah (swt).  Rather they fear they  have lost the opportunity to meet Him due to their failures and shortcomings in this world.

The third group of people are those who are not afraid of death.   Rather, they remember death continuously, for what is their utmost desire and wish is their appointment to meet their beloved, for the lover always desires to meet his beloved.  This group  pray to Allah (swt) saying,  “O Allah, keep me alive as long as life is ‘khair’ good for me, and take me away when death is better for me (Sunan Abu Dawood No. 3108)

Yet higher than this third group are those who entrust their entire affair to Allah (swt).  They love best what Allah loves best.  Their love and devotion to Allah(swt) brings them to the level of satisfaction with the divine.  They are the example of ‘’mootu qabl ‘anta mootu’’.  ‘’Die before  you die.’’

In Hadith Al-Qudsi, Allah (swt) says,

“I wonder how a person can be happy when he is certain of death.”
“and I wonder how a person who is certain of the Day of Reckoning (The Day of Judgement) but still  accumulates wealth.”

Where are the huge treasures accumulated by Shaddad, Fira’wn and Qaroon ? They have all left them behind and are themselves rotting in hell.

“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 the Hereafter and its Bounties but he still rests.”
“I wonder at a person who cleans him/herself with water, but does not cleanse his heart.”
“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 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.”

Ihtidhaar:
The period of time just before death is known as ‘ihtidhaar’ and the person who is on his deathbed is referred to as ‘muhtadhir’. It is recommended to help the dying person recite ‘’La ilaha illallah’ for Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq (a.s.) has said, “Whoever recites ‘La ilaha illallah’ during his dying moment will go to Jannah.” It is also recommended to help the dying person recite and understand the ‘kalimah’ and the names of the 12 Imams. It is also mustahab to recite before the dying person Suratu Yaseen, Surah Saffaat, Ahzaab, Ayatul Kursi, the 54th ayah of Suratul A’raaf,  And the last three ‘aayaat of Suratul Baqarah which starts with ‘Lillahi maa fis-samawaati wal ardh and ends with ‘anta mawlana fansurna ‘alal qawmil kaafirin.’’ Also, it is highly recommended to recite audibly as many times as possible du’a e adeelah near the dying person during the time of ‘ihtidhar’ if the dying person is not able to recite it for it contains the fundamentals of imaan. Lastly, help the dying person to recite the following du’a of forgiveness and also familiarise yourself with these recitations during your lifetime.  This is a du’a for forgiveness.

“Allahummaghfir liyal kathira min ma aa’seek”
“O Allah, forgive me for the many sins commited against you.”

“Waqbal minnil yaseera min ‘taa ‘atik”
“and accept the few good deeds in your obedience.”

“Ya man yaqbalul yaseera wa ya’fu ‘anil katheer”
“O He who accepts the few good deeds and forgives the many sins.”

“Iqbal minnil yaseer, wa’fu ‘annil katheer”
“Accept from the few good deeds and forgive my many sins.”

“Innaka antal ghafoor”
“Surely, you are the forgiver.”

“Allahumar hamni fainnaka raheem.”
“O Allah ! Have mercy on me for You are forever Merciful.”

We seek forgiveness of Allah (swt). We pray to Allah (swt) that at the time of death we die with a’maale salihah. Wa aakhiru da’wana anilhamdu lillahi rabbil ‘aalameen.

Muallim Murtaza Bandali, London, UK

By: adminTue 23 Muharram 1435AH / 26 November 2013Thu 10 Muharram 1440AH / 20 September 2018