A story is told about a King in Africa who had a close friend that he
grew up with. The friend had a habit of looking at every situation that
ever occurred in his life (positive or negative) by remarking, “This is
good, Allah Almighty knows best”
One day the King and his
friend were out on a hunting expedition. The friend would load and
prepare the guns for the King. The friend had apparently done something
wrong in preparing one of the guns, for after taking the gun from his friend, the King fired it and his thumb was blown off.
Examining the situation the friend remarked as usual, “This is good! Allah Almighty knows best.”
To which the King replied, “No, this is NOT good!” and ordered his soldiers to put his friend into jail.
About a year later, the King was hunting in an area that he should have
known to stay clear of. Cannibals captured the King and took him to
their village. They tied his hands, stacked some wood, set up a stake
and bound him to the stake.
As they came near to set fire to
the wood, they noticed that the King was missing a thumb. Being
superstitious, they never ate anyone who was less than whole. So after
untying the King, they chased him out of the village.
When the
King reached his Palace, he was reminded of the event that had taken his
thumb and felt remorse for his treatment of his friend. He went
immediately to the jail to speak with his friend.
“You were
right” the King said, “It was good that my thumb was blown off.” And he
proceeded to tell the friend all that had just happened. “I am very
sorry for sending you to jail for so long. It was bad for me to do
this.”
“No,” his friend replied, “this is good…Allah Almighty knows best“
“What do you mean, ‘this is good’! How could it be good that I sent my friend to jail for a year?”
The King’s friend replied: “Remember that the Almighty knows best and
if I had NOT been in jail, I would have been with you on that hunting
trip.”
“He knows what is before them and what is behind them: And to Allah go back all questions (for decision)” Qur’an: Al Hajj 22:76
Do Not Judge Things or Events by its Immediate Outcome!
Although the decisions of Allah swt may seem harsh to us, they are full of wisdom.
Taken from : facebook page (happy muslim family)
Saturday, December 21, 2013
Tuesday, July 09, 2013
If Only I Were Dust (Astaghfirullah)
In a reliable narration, Imam Ja`far [a] relates 121 signs of the End Times.
1. You will see (a time) when truth has died, and left its people
2. And you will see that tyranny has encompassed the countries
3. And you will see the Qur’an has become old, and new thing (innovations) about it when it is not there, and it (Qur’an) being directed by the desires
4. And you will see the religion turned upside down like a water (bowl) being turned upside down
5. And you will see the people of falseness rise above the people of haqq (righteousness)
6. And you will see evil become apparent and no one prohibits it, and excuse its companions
7. And you will see fisq (immorality) become apparent and men being satisfied by men and women being (satisfied) with women
8. And you will see a believing person become silent and his words are not accepted
9. And you will see a faasiq (immoral person) lie and his lies and slander are not refuted
10. And you will see young (people) demean the older people
11. And you will see relations being severed
12. And you will see one who is praised for his fisq (immoral ways) and he laughs at it, and his saying are not refuted/rejected
13. And you will see a boy receive what a women receives
14. And you will see women marry women
15. And you will see compliments become many
16. And you will see a man spend his wealth in something other than in obedience to Allah, and he is not prohibit, and his hand is not taken back
17. And you will see the onlookers seek refuge with Allah because of what they see a believer struggles to do
18. And you will see neighbors harm neighbors and no one will prevent it
19. And you will see the unbeliever become happy because of what he see in the believers, and he will become happy because of the fasaad (corruption) in the land
20. And you will see wine being drunk in public and gatherings about it, one who is not afraid of Allah (عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ)
21. And you will see Amr bil ma`roof (Commanding the good) become ignoble
22. And you will see a faasiq do what Allah does not love, (and is) mighty and praised
23. And you will see people of the signs despised, and the those who like them despised
24. And you will see the path of good halted, and the path of evil adopted
25. And you will see the House of Allah being inactive and becoming abandoned
26. And you will see a man say what he does not do
27. And you will see men (use) oil (?) for men and women for women
28. And you will see men earn a livelihood from homosexuality and women earn a livelihood from prostitution.
29. And you will see women take to gatherings like men take (to gatherings)
30. And you will see feminine in the progeny of Al-`Abbaas becoming apparent, and dyeing becoming apparent and combing like the combing of women for their husbands and men are awarded money for their sexual organs, and compete with a man, and dissimilarities for men and people of money are cherished from the believers, and ribaa (usury) becoming apparent and it is not taunted, and zinaa (adultery) praised in women.
31. And you will see women do a favor to her husband upon the marriage of men (?)
32. And you will see many people and the best houses are those who help women commit fisq (immorality)
33. And you will see the believer depressed and scorned and humiliated
34. And you will see bid`ah (innovation) and zinaa (adultery) become apparent
35. And you will see people argue with false witnesses
36. And you will see haraam turn into halaal
37. And you will see halaal turn into haraam
38. And you will see the religion taken by ra’y (personal opinion) and the book and its laws become neglected
39. And you will see (people) not hide in the night from their action against Allah
40. And you will see a believer cannot deny except with his heart
41. And you will see great (amounts) of wealth being spend in what Allah (عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ) gets annoyed
42. And you will see rulers become closer to the people of kufr (disbelief) and separate from the people of khayr (good)
43. And you will see rulers being bribed for a judgment
44. And you will see governing being obliged to those who are more (wealthy, status)
45. And you will relatives having marriage (with each other) and becoming satisfied by it
46. And you will see men murder for an accusation, and upon dhann (conjecture) and differences with another man who gives himself and his wealth
47. And you will see a man pay to have sex with wome
48. And you will see a man eat from the earnins of his wife, (which she got) from immoral actions and him knowing it, and being okay with it.
49. And you will see women overcome her husband and work for what he desires and she spends for husband
50. And you will see men hire his women and slave girl and accept with worthless things from food and drinks
51. And you will see Imaan (faith) in Allah (عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ) (be based) on many falsehoods
52. And you will see gambling become apparent
53. And you will see wine vendors become apparent and no one prevents it
54. And you will see the women give themselves to the people of kufr
55. And you will see amusements become apparent, and (people) pass by it and no one prevents it, and no one will dare to stop it
56. And you will see the Shareef (the dignified/reputable) become humbled because he fears his ruler
57. And you will see the closest people to the rulers will be praised for cursing the Ahl al-Bayt (عليه السلام)
58. And you will see whoever loves us are (called) liars and their testimonies are not accepted
59. And you will see those who compete over false words
60. And you will see the Qur’an will become heavy on the people to listen to, and it will be light upon the people to listen to falsehood
61. And you will see a neighbor honor another neighbor because of fear of his tongue
62. And you will see punishments become neglected and people will act according to their desires
63. And you will see the masaajid (pl. masjid) being adorned / beautified
64. And you will see the truthful people from the people are the slanderers and liars
65. And you will see evil and tale bearing become apparent
66. And you will see adulteresses become rampant
67. And you will see gheebah (backbiting) become likeable and the people give it as good news to one another
68. And you will see seek for hajj and jihaad for other than Allah
69. And you will see rulers humiliate the believers for the unbelievers
70. And you will see destruction pass from ages
71. And you will see men earn a livelihood from cheating in measuring and scaling
72. And you will see bloodshed being undervalued
73. And you will see a man seeking leadership for the sake of the world and to make himself famous through maligning with his tongue, and the affairs are supported by him
74. And you will see Salat being belittled / undervalued
75. And you will see men who have great wealth, then he does not pay zakah for his country
76. And you will see the dead exhumed from his grave and being harmed and selling his kafan (clothes for the dead)
77. And you will see commotion becoming many
78. And you will see men becoming drunk and turning into a drunkard and no one from the people cares about him
79. And you will see bestiality (sex with animals)
80. And you will see animals devour one another
81. And you will see men come out from the prayer area and return, without anything from his clothes (on him)
82. And you will see the hearts of people become tough and their eyes become hard, and remembrance (of Allah) becomes heavy for them
83. And you will see (people) competing in unlawful things becoming apparent
84. And you will see someone praying and he prays so the people can see
85. And you will see a faqeeh (Islamic scholar) learn for other than the religion and seek the world and leadership
86. And you will see people with who overpower (others)
87. And you will see a person seeking halaal being defamed and humiliated, and the person seeking haraam praised and dignified
88. And you will see actions in haramayn (two mosques in Makkah and Madeenah) that Allah does not like and no one will prevent it and try to change anyone between them and between the ugly action.
89. And you will see musical instruments being apparent in the haramayn
90. And you will see a man who speaks something that is haqq (the truth) and commands the good and forbids the evil and (someone) will stand up and recommend him and say: ‘This is not your responsibility’
91. And you will see people see one another and emulate the people of evil
92. And you will see the path of good and its path being empty that no one wants to pursue
93. And you will see the death being ridiculed and no one being afraid of it
94. And you will see that every year newly invented things from the evil and many bid`ah (innovation) will come
95. And you will see the creations and gatherings not following (anyone) except the wealthy
96. And you will see the poor receive (help) so that (people) can laugh at him, and have mercy on him for other than for the sake of Allah
97. And you will see signs in the earth and no one will fear
98. And you will see people have sex like animals have sex, and no one will deny this because of fear from the people
99. And you will see a man spend a lot in other than obedience to Allah and denies little in obedience of Allah (?)
100. And you will see ungratefulness becoming apparent and belittling to the parents and they will be from the worst condition of people for the children and they will be happy defaming them (their parents)
101. And you will see the women become powerful in the land, and have power over all the affairs and does not come except what she desires
102. And you will see the son of man defame his father and curse his father, and become happy when he dies
103. And you will see a man when a day passes and he has not earned a great sin in it from tyranny, or cheating in measuring, or scale, or committing an unlawful act, or drinking wine, he becomes sad and depressed and counts that day as a day lost in his life
104. And you will see a ruler monopolize on the food
105. And you will see the assets of relatives distributed in falsehood and gambled with to drink wine
106. And you will see alcohol being used as a cure and a form to heal the sick
107. And you will see the people equal in abandoning commanding the good and forbidding the evil and abandoning the religion
108. And you will see the munaafiqeen and people of hypocrisy on the rise and the people of haqq do not move
109. And you will see money asked for doing the adhaan and salaah
110. And you will see the masaajid crowded with those who do no fear Allah, they gather for gheebah and they eat the flesh of the people of haqq and prescribed wine and intoxicants
111. And you will see the drunkards lead the the people in salaah and he has no understanding and he is not ashamed of being drunk, and when being drunk is honored and feared, and abandoning him is feared, and no punishment for being drunk.
112. And you will see whoever eats the wealth of orphans will be praised as being good
113. And you will see judge will judge against what Allah has commanded
114. And you will see the rulers trust the treacherous one for greed
115. And you will see inheritors become vilifies and rulers of the people of fisq and against the commandment of Allah who take form them and leave in them what they desire
116. And you will see the pulpits command those to act pious, but they do no act on what they command
117. And you will see the timing of salat belittled
118. And you will see charity given through intercession and not for the sake of Allah and of the people demands and pleasures
119. And you will see the people who take care of their stomachs and their sexual organs and do not pay attention to what they eat and who they have sex with
120. And you will see the world following them
121. And you will see the flag of haqq has become old
The Imam then said, "So you must beware and request for Allah (عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ) salvation, and know that Allah (عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ) is angry with the people and He delays in command for (a matter) what he wants them. Strive and remain watchful so that Allah (عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ) will see you do the opposite of what they do…"
(al-Kafi, vol. 8, pg. 36 – 42, hadith #7)
1. You will see (a time) when truth has died, and left its people
2. And you will see that tyranny has encompassed the countries
3. And you will see the Qur’an has become old, and new thing (innovations) about it when it is not there, and it (Qur’an) being directed by the desires
4. And you will see the religion turned upside down like a water (bowl) being turned upside down
5. And you will see the people of falseness rise above the people of haqq (righteousness)
6. And you will see evil become apparent and no one prohibits it, and excuse its companions
7. And you will see fisq (immorality) become apparent and men being satisfied by men and women being (satisfied) with women
8. And you will see a believing person become silent and his words are not accepted
9. And you will see a faasiq (immoral person) lie and his lies and slander are not refuted
10. And you will see young (people) demean the older people
11. And you will see relations being severed
12. And you will see one who is praised for his fisq (immoral ways) and he laughs at it, and his saying are not refuted/rejected
13. And you will see a boy receive what a women receives
14. And you will see women marry women
15. And you will see compliments become many
16. And you will see a man spend his wealth in something other than in obedience to Allah, and he is not prohibit, and his hand is not taken back
17. And you will see the onlookers seek refuge with Allah because of what they see a believer struggles to do
18. And you will see neighbors harm neighbors and no one will prevent it
19. And you will see the unbeliever become happy because of what he see in the believers, and he will become happy because of the fasaad (corruption) in the land
20. And you will see wine being drunk in public and gatherings about it, one who is not afraid of Allah (عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ)
21. And you will see Amr bil ma`roof (Commanding the good) become ignoble
22. And you will see a faasiq do what Allah does not love, (and is) mighty and praised
23. And you will see people of the signs despised, and the those who like them despised
24. And you will see the path of good halted, and the path of evil adopted
25. And you will see the House of Allah being inactive and becoming abandoned
26. And you will see a man say what he does not do
27. And you will see men (use) oil (?) for men and women for women
28. And you will see men earn a livelihood from homosexuality and women earn a livelihood from prostitution.
29. And you will see women take to gatherings like men take (to gatherings)
30. And you will see feminine in the progeny of Al-`Abbaas becoming apparent, and dyeing becoming apparent and combing like the combing of women for their husbands and men are awarded money for their sexual organs, and compete with a man, and dissimilarities for men and people of money are cherished from the believers, and ribaa (usury) becoming apparent and it is not taunted, and zinaa (adultery) praised in women.
31. And you will see women do a favor to her husband upon the marriage of men (?)
32. And you will see many people and the best houses are those who help women commit fisq (immorality)
33. And you will see the believer depressed and scorned and humiliated
34. And you will see bid`ah (innovation) and zinaa (adultery) become apparent
35. And you will see people argue with false witnesses
36. And you will see haraam turn into halaal
37. And you will see halaal turn into haraam
38. And you will see the religion taken by ra’y (personal opinion) and the book and its laws become neglected
39. And you will see (people) not hide in the night from their action against Allah
40. And you will see a believer cannot deny except with his heart
41. And you will see great (amounts) of wealth being spend in what Allah (عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ) gets annoyed
42. And you will see rulers become closer to the people of kufr (disbelief) and separate from the people of khayr (good)
43. And you will see rulers being bribed for a judgment
44. And you will see governing being obliged to those who are more (wealthy, status)
45. And you will relatives having marriage (with each other) and becoming satisfied by it
46. And you will see men murder for an accusation, and upon dhann (conjecture) and differences with another man who gives himself and his wealth
47. And you will see a man pay to have sex with wome
48. And you will see a man eat from the earnins of his wife, (which she got) from immoral actions and him knowing it, and being okay with it.
49. And you will see women overcome her husband and work for what he desires and she spends for husband
50. And you will see men hire his women and slave girl and accept with worthless things from food and drinks
51. And you will see Imaan (faith) in Allah (عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ) (be based) on many falsehoods
52. And you will see gambling become apparent
53. And you will see wine vendors become apparent and no one prevents it
54. And you will see the women give themselves to the people of kufr
55. And you will see amusements become apparent, and (people) pass by it and no one prevents it, and no one will dare to stop it
56. And you will see the Shareef (the dignified/reputable) become humbled because he fears his ruler
57. And you will see the closest people to the rulers will be praised for cursing the Ahl al-Bayt (عليه السلام)
58. And you will see whoever loves us are (called) liars and their testimonies are not accepted
59. And you will see those who compete over false words
60. And you will see the Qur’an will become heavy on the people to listen to, and it will be light upon the people to listen to falsehood
61. And you will see a neighbor honor another neighbor because of fear of his tongue
62. And you will see punishments become neglected and people will act according to their desires
63. And you will see the masaajid (pl. masjid) being adorned / beautified
64. And you will see the truthful people from the people are the slanderers and liars
65. And you will see evil and tale bearing become apparent
66. And you will see adulteresses become rampant
67. And you will see gheebah (backbiting) become likeable and the people give it as good news to one another
68. And you will see seek for hajj and jihaad for other than Allah
69. And you will see rulers humiliate the believers for the unbelievers
70. And you will see destruction pass from ages
71. And you will see men earn a livelihood from cheating in measuring and scaling
72. And you will see bloodshed being undervalued
73. And you will see a man seeking leadership for the sake of the world and to make himself famous through maligning with his tongue, and the affairs are supported by him
74. And you will see Salat being belittled / undervalued
75. And you will see men who have great wealth, then he does not pay zakah for his country
76. And you will see the dead exhumed from his grave and being harmed and selling his kafan (clothes for the dead)
77. And you will see commotion becoming many
78. And you will see men becoming drunk and turning into a drunkard and no one from the people cares about him
79. And you will see bestiality (sex with animals)
80. And you will see animals devour one another
81. And you will see men come out from the prayer area and return, without anything from his clothes (on him)
82. And you will see the hearts of people become tough and their eyes become hard, and remembrance (of Allah) becomes heavy for them
83. And you will see (people) competing in unlawful things becoming apparent
84. And you will see someone praying and he prays so the people can see
85. And you will see a faqeeh (Islamic scholar) learn for other than the religion and seek the world and leadership
86. And you will see people with who overpower (others)
87. And you will see a person seeking halaal being defamed and humiliated, and the person seeking haraam praised and dignified
88. And you will see actions in haramayn (two mosques in Makkah and Madeenah) that Allah does not like and no one will prevent it and try to change anyone between them and between the ugly action.
89. And you will see musical instruments being apparent in the haramayn
90. And you will see a man who speaks something that is haqq (the truth) and commands the good and forbids the evil and (someone) will stand up and recommend him and say: ‘This is not your responsibility’
91. And you will see people see one another and emulate the people of evil
92. And you will see the path of good and its path being empty that no one wants to pursue
93. And you will see the death being ridiculed and no one being afraid of it
94. And you will see that every year newly invented things from the evil and many bid`ah (innovation) will come
95. And you will see the creations and gatherings not following (anyone) except the wealthy
96. And you will see the poor receive (help) so that (people) can laugh at him, and have mercy on him for other than for the sake of Allah
97. And you will see signs in the earth and no one will fear
98. And you will see people have sex like animals have sex, and no one will deny this because of fear from the people
99. And you will see a man spend a lot in other than obedience to Allah and denies little in obedience of Allah (?)
100. And you will see ungratefulness becoming apparent and belittling to the parents and they will be from the worst condition of people for the children and they will be happy defaming them (their parents)
101. And you will see the women become powerful in the land, and have power over all the affairs and does not come except what she desires
102. And you will see the son of man defame his father and curse his father, and become happy when he dies
103. And you will see a man when a day passes and he has not earned a great sin in it from tyranny, or cheating in measuring, or scale, or committing an unlawful act, or drinking wine, he becomes sad and depressed and counts that day as a day lost in his life
104. And you will see a ruler monopolize on the food
105. And you will see the assets of relatives distributed in falsehood and gambled with to drink wine
106. And you will see alcohol being used as a cure and a form to heal the sick
107. And you will see the people equal in abandoning commanding the good and forbidding the evil and abandoning the religion
108. And you will see the munaafiqeen and people of hypocrisy on the rise and the people of haqq do not move
109. And you will see money asked for doing the adhaan and salaah
110. And you will see the masaajid crowded with those who do no fear Allah, they gather for gheebah and they eat the flesh of the people of haqq and prescribed wine and intoxicants
111. And you will see the drunkards lead the the people in salaah and he has no understanding and he is not ashamed of being drunk, and when being drunk is honored and feared, and abandoning him is feared, and no punishment for being drunk.
112. And you will see whoever eats the wealth of orphans will be praised as being good
113. And you will see judge will judge against what Allah has commanded
114. And you will see the rulers trust the treacherous one for greed
115. And you will see inheritors become vilifies and rulers of the people of fisq and against the commandment of Allah who take form them and leave in them what they desire
116. And you will see the pulpits command those to act pious, but they do no act on what they command
117. And you will see the timing of salat belittled
118. And you will see charity given through intercession and not for the sake of Allah and of the people demands and pleasures
119. And you will see the people who take care of their stomachs and their sexual organs and do not pay attention to what they eat and who they have sex with
120. And you will see the world following them
121. And you will see the flag of haqq has become old
The Imam then said, "So you must beware and request for Allah (عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ) salvation, and know that Allah (عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ) is angry with the people and He delays in command for (a matter) what he wants them. Strive and remain watchful so that Allah (عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ) will see you do the opposite of what they do…"
(al-Kafi, vol. 8, pg. 36 – 42, hadith #7)
The Prophet's (s) Farewell Sermon
"Praise belongs to Allah. We ask Him for help, and we believe in
Him, and to Him we trust. We seek refuge to Him from the evil of our
souls and the sins of our deeds. Verily there is no guide for the one
whom Allah leaves in stray, and there is non who leads astray the one
whom Allah has guided."
"O People! Know that Gabriel came down to me several times bringing me an order from the Lord, the Merciful, that I should stop at this place and inform you. Behold! It is as if the time approached when I shall be called away (by Allah) and I shall answer that call."
"O People! Don't you witness that there is no deity but Allah, Muhammad is His servant and His Apostle, Paradise is truth, Hell is truth, death is truth, resurrection is truth, and that the Hour shall certainly arrive, and Allah shall raise people from the graves?"
People replied: "Yes, we believe in them."
He continued: "O People! Do you hear my voice (clearly)?"
They said: "Yes"
The Prophet said: "Behold! I am leaving among you two precious and weighty things (thaqalayn) that if you adhere to both of them, you shall never go astray after me. Each of these two surpasses the other in its grandeur."
A person asked: "O Messenger of Allah, what are those two precious things?"
The Prophet replied: "One of them is the Book of Allah and the other one is my select progeny , my Ahlul Bayt. Beware of how you behave them when I am gone from amongst you, for Allah, the Merciful, has informed me that these two (i.e., Quran and Ahlul-Bayt) shall never separate from each other until they reach me in Heaven at the Pool (of al-Kawthar). I remind you, in the name of Allah, about my Ahlul-Bayt. I remind you, in the name of Allah, about my Ahlul-Bayt. Once more! I remind you, in the name of Allah, about my Ahlul-Bayt."
"Behold! I am your predecessor at the Pool (of Paradise) and I shall be a witness against you. Thus be careful how you treat these two precious things after me. Do not precede these two for you will perish, and do not stay away from them for you will perish."
"O People! Don't you know that I have more authority upon you than yourself?"
People cried and said: "Yes, O Messenger of Allah."
Then Prophet repeated: "O People! Do I not have more right over the believers than what they have over themselves?"
People said again "Yes, O Messenger of Allah."
Then Prophet said: "O People! Surely God is my Master, and I am the master of all believers."
Then he grasped the hand of Ali and raised it and said: "Whoever I am his Master, Ali is his Master [also]" (repeating three times). O God! Love those who love him. Be hostile to those who are hostile to him. Help those who help him. Forsake those who forsake him. And keep the truth with him wherever he turns (i.e., make him the axis of the truth)."
"Ali, the son of Abu Talib, is my brother, my executor (Wasi), and my successor (Caliph), and the leader (Imam) after me. His position to me is the same as the position of Haroon (Aaron) to Moses, except that there shall be no prophet after me. He is your master after Allah and His Messenger."
"O People! Verily Allah has appointed him to be your Imam and ruler. Obedience of him is obligatory for all Immigrants (Muhajirin) and Helpers (Ansar) and those who follow them in virtue, and on the dwellers of the cities and the nomads, the Arabs and the non-Arabs, the freeman and the slave, the young and the old, the great and the small, the white and the black."
"His commands should be obeyed, and his word is binding and his order is obligatory on everyone who believes in one God. Cursed is the man who disobeys him, and blessed is the one who follows him, and he who believes in him is a true believer. His WILAYAH (belief in his mastery and guardianship) has been made obligatory by Allah, the Powerful, the Exalted."
"O People! Study the Quran. Reflect on its clear verses and do not presume the meaning of the ambiguous verses. For, by Allah, nobody can properly explain them to you its warnings and its meanings except me and this man (i.e., Ali) whose hand I am lifting up in front of myself. "
"O People! This is the last time that I shall stand in this assembly. Therefore listen to me and obey and submit to the command of Lord. Verily Allah, He is your Lord and God. After Him, His prophet, Muhammad who is addressing you, is your master. Then after me, this= Ali is your master and your leader (Imam) according to Allah's command. Then after him leadership will continue through some selected individuals in my descendants till the day you meet Allah and His Prophet."
"Behold! Certainly you shall meet your Lord and He will ask you about your deeds. Beware! Do not become infidels after me by striking the necks of one another. Lo! It is incumbent upon those who are present to inform what I said to those who are absent for perhaps the informed one might comprehend it (understand it) better than some of the present audience. Behold! Haven't I conveyed the Message of Allah to you? Behold! Haven't I conveyed the Message of Allah to you?"
People replied: "Yes!"
The Prophet said: "O God! Bear witness."
References: A'alam al-Wara, pp 132-133, Tadhkirat al-Khawas al-Ummah, Sibt Ibn al-Jawzi al-Hanafi, pp 28-33, al-Sirah al-Halabiyyah, by Noor al-Din al-Halabi, vol 3, pg 273
"O People! Know that Gabriel came down to me several times bringing me an order from the Lord, the Merciful, that I should stop at this place and inform you. Behold! It is as if the time approached when I shall be called away (by Allah) and I shall answer that call."
"O People! Don't you witness that there is no deity but Allah, Muhammad is His servant and His Apostle, Paradise is truth, Hell is truth, death is truth, resurrection is truth, and that the Hour shall certainly arrive, and Allah shall raise people from the graves?"
People replied: "Yes, we believe in them."
He continued: "O People! Do you hear my voice (clearly)?"
They said: "Yes"
The Prophet said: "Behold! I am leaving among you two precious and weighty things (thaqalayn) that if you adhere to both of them, you shall never go astray after me. Each of these two surpasses the other in its grandeur."
A person asked: "O Messenger of Allah, what are those two precious things?"
The Prophet replied: "One of them is the Book of Allah and the other one is my select progeny , my Ahlul Bayt. Beware of how you behave them when I am gone from amongst you, for Allah, the Merciful, has informed me that these two (i.e., Quran and Ahlul-Bayt) shall never separate from each other until they reach me in Heaven at the Pool (of al-Kawthar). I remind you, in the name of Allah, about my Ahlul-Bayt. I remind you, in the name of Allah, about my Ahlul-Bayt. Once more! I remind you, in the name of Allah, about my Ahlul-Bayt."
"Behold! I am your predecessor at the Pool (of Paradise) and I shall be a witness against you. Thus be careful how you treat these two precious things after me. Do not precede these two for you will perish, and do not stay away from them for you will perish."
"O People! Don't you know that I have more authority upon you than yourself?"
People cried and said: "Yes, O Messenger of Allah."
Then Prophet repeated: "O People! Do I not have more right over the believers than what they have over themselves?"
People said again "Yes, O Messenger of Allah."
Then Prophet said: "O People! Surely God is my Master, and I am the master of all believers."
Then he grasped the hand of Ali and raised it and said: "Whoever I am his Master, Ali is his Master [also]" (repeating three times). O God! Love those who love him. Be hostile to those who are hostile to him. Help those who help him. Forsake those who forsake him. And keep the truth with him wherever he turns (i.e., make him the axis of the truth)."
"Ali, the son of Abu Talib, is my brother, my executor (Wasi), and my successor (Caliph), and the leader (Imam) after me. His position to me is the same as the position of Haroon (Aaron) to Moses, except that there shall be no prophet after me. He is your master after Allah and His Messenger."
"O People! Verily Allah has appointed him to be your Imam and ruler. Obedience of him is obligatory for all Immigrants (Muhajirin) and Helpers (Ansar) and those who follow them in virtue, and on the dwellers of the cities and the nomads, the Arabs and the non-Arabs, the freeman and the slave, the young and the old, the great and the small, the white and the black."
"His commands should be obeyed, and his word is binding and his order is obligatory on everyone who believes in one God. Cursed is the man who disobeys him, and blessed is the one who follows him, and he who believes in him is a true believer. His WILAYAH (belief in his mastery and guardianship) has been made obligatory by Allah, the Powerful, the Exalted."
"O People! Study the Quran. Reflect on its clear verses and do not presume the meaning of the ambiguous verses. For, by Allah, nobody can properly explain them to you its warnings and its meanings except me and this man (i.e., Ali) whose hand I am lifting up in front of myself. "
"O People! This is the last time that I shall stand in this assembly. Therefore listen to me and obey and submit to the command of Lord. Verily Allah, He is your Lord and God. After Him, His prophet, Muhammad who is addressing you, is your master. Then after me, this= Ali is your master and your leader (Imam) according to Allah's command. Then after him leadership will continue through some selected individuals in my descendants till the day you meet Allah and His Prophet."
"Behold! Certainly you shall meet your Lord and He will ask you about your deeds. Beware! Do not become infidels after me by striking the necks of one another. Lo! It is incumbent upon those who are present to inform what I said to those who are absent for perhaps the informed one might comprehend it (understand it) better than some of the present audience. Behold! Haven't I conveyed the Message of Allah to you? Behold! Haven't I conveyed the Message of Allah to you?"
People replied: "Yes!"
The Prophet said: "O God! Bear witness."
References: A'alam al-Wara, pp 132-133, Tadhkirat al-Khawas al-Ummah, Sibt Ibn al-Jawzi al-Hanafi, pp 28-33, al-Sirah al-Halabiyyah, by Noor al-Din al-Halabi, vol 3, pg 273
Friday, July 05, 2013
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
Friday, June 14, 2013
Hadith for today 2
Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) said :
The quest for knowledge is incumbent upon every Muslim, so seek knowledge from its sources and grasp it from its custodians. For learning something for the sake of Allah is a good deed, seeking it is worship, recollecting it is glorification of Allah, acting in accordance with it is jihad, teaching it to one who does not know is charity, and endowing it to others who are worthy of it is an act of nearness to Allah the Exalted. This is because it is the yardstick for knowing the lawful versus the unlawful, the lamp on the path to Paradise, an intimate friend in the darkness, a companion in a foreign land and in loneliness, a confidante in his solitude, a guide in both ease and hardship, a weapon against enemies and an adornment among friends. Through knowledge, Allah the Exalted raises whole communities and makes them leaders of goodness, whereby their traditions are adopted, their deeds imitated, and their opinions taken on board; the angels seek out their company and wish to befriend them, to touch them with their wings, and to bless them. Every creature seeks forgiveness on their behalf, from the fishes in the sea, to the reptiles on the land, to the beasts of prey and beasts of burden on the earth.
Knowledge enlivens heart from ignorance. It is vision's light in the darkness, and the body's strength against weakness. Through it, the servants of Allah can attain the stations of the virtuous, join the gatherings of the pious, and reach a high rank in both this world and the next. Recollecting it is equal in status to fasting, and teaching it is equal in status to standing lengthily in prayer. By virtue of it, the Lord is obeyed and worshiped, family ties are maintained, and the lawful is distinguished from the prohibited. Knowledge is first, and action follows. The fortunate are inspired by it while the wretched are deprived of it. So, glad tidings to the one whom Allah has not deprived of this fortune.
[Amali al-Tusi, p. 488, no. 1069]
Allahumma shalli ala Muhammad wa ali Muhammad, wa ajjil farajahum.
The quest for knowledge is incumbent upon every Muslim, so seek knowledge from its sources and grasp it from its custodians. For learning something for the sake of Allah is a good deed, seeking it is worship, recollecting it is glorification of Allah, acting in accordance with it is jihad, teaching it to one who does not know is charity, and endowing it to others who are worthy of it is an act of nearness to Allah the Exalted. This is because it is the yardstick for knowing the lawful versus the unlawful, the lamp on the path to Paradise, an intimate friend in the darkness, a companion in a foreign land and in loneliness, a confidante in his solitude, a guide in both ease and hardship, a weapon against enemies and an adornment among friends. Through knowledge, Allah the Exalted raises whole communities and makes them leaders of goodness, whereby their traditions are adopted, their deeds imitated, and their opinions taken on board; the angels seek out their company and wish to befriend them, to touch them with their wings, and to bless them. Every creature seeks forgiveness on their behalf, from the fishes in the sea, to the reptiles on the land, to the beasts of prey and beasts of burden on the earth.
Knowledge enlivens heart from ignorance. It is vision's light in the darkness, and the body's strength against weakness. Through it, the servants of Allah can attain the stations of the virtuous, join the gatherings of the pious, and reach a high rank in both this world and the next. Recollecting it is equal in status to fasting, and teaching it is equal in status to standing lengthily in prayer. By virtue of it, the Lord is obeyed and worshiped, family ties are maintained, and the lawful is distinguished from the prohibited. Knowledge is first, and action follows. The fortunate are inspired by it while the wretched are deprived of it. So, glad tidings to the one whom Allah has not deprived of this fortune.
[Amali al-Tusi, p. 488, no. 1069]
Allahumma shalli ala Muhammad wa ali Muhammad, wa ajjil farajahum.
Sunday, June 09, 2013
Hadith Unwan al-Basari
- A Must Read for those interested in irfan/ma'arefatullah
IN THE NAME OF ALLAH THE BENEFICENT THE MERCIFUL
A ninety-four year old man named ‘Unwan al-Basri narrates, saying: “I had been studying under Malik ibn Anas for a number of years. When Ja’far as-Sadiq (AS) came to Madinah, I went to visit him and was interested in learning from him just as I had been learning from Malik.
He said to me one day: “I am a man much sought after and am also occupied by various supplications throughout the day and the night so please do not disturb me in my state of supplication and go and learn from Malik and study under him just as you were doing before”.
I became sad on hearing this and left the Imam’s presence, and said to myself, “If the Imam had perceived any good in me he would not have prevented me from studying under him and learning from him”.
I then went to the mosque of the Holy Prophet (SAWW) and I gave my salutations to him, then I turned from the grave and prayed two units of prayer at the rawdhah (the area near the Prophet’s (SAWW) grave which is considered to be a piece of paradise) and said supplicating Allah (SWT): “O Allah (SWT)! O Allah (SWT)! I beseech You please make Ja’far’s (AS) heart incline towards me, and grant me from his knowledge that which will guide me on the right path”.
Then I returned home, sad and upset, and did not even attend Malik b. Anas’s study circles for my heart was filled only with love for Ja’far (AS). I did not leave my house except to attend congregational prayers, until I finally ran out of patience.
When I could bear it no longer, I put my shoes and my cloak on, and made my way to Ja’far’s (AS) house after the ‘Asr (afternoon) prayer. When I arrived at his house, I sought permission to enter, and a servant of his came out and asked me what I wanted. I replied: “I’ve come to extend my salutations to the noble one. He said that the Imam was busy praying.
So I waited on the doorstep, and it wasn’t long before the servant came out again and said: “Come in by the grace of Allah (SWT)”. So I entered and greeted the Imam, and he returned my greeting, saying: “Take a seat and may Allah (SWT) forgive you”.
So I sat down. Then he bowed his head, looking down for quite a long time before he asked me my title, to which I replied: “Abu Abdallah”.
He said: “May Allah (SWT) extend your progeny and enable you to succeed in doing what pleases Him”. Upon hearing this, I thought to myself that if I were to take away nothing of benefit from this visit except this prayer (that he had wished for me), it would be more than enough.
Then he bowed his head down again for a while, then raised it saying: “O Abu Abdallah, what do you want?”
I replied: “I asked Allah (SWT) to give me a place in your heart and to grant me benefit from your knowledge, so I hope that Allah (SWT) will grant me what I asked Him for with respect to you”.
The Imam said: “O Abu Abdallah, knowledge is not acquired through learning. Rather it is a light that illuminates in the heart of one who wants Allah (SWT) to guide him. So if you want knowledge, first seek out true servitude (to Allah (SWT)) within yourself. And seek knowledge according to its use (ie: what you can act upon) and ask Allah (SWT) to make you understand, and He’ll make you understand”.
I asked: “O noble one” and he immediately said: “Call me Abu Abdallah”, so I started again: “O Abu Abdallah, what constitutes true servitude to Allah (AS)?”
He replied: “Three things – 1) that in all that Allah (SWT) has placed at his disposal, the servant does not consider any of it his own possession, for verily servants do not have the right to ownership. They see all wealth as belonging to Allah (SWT) and so they dispose of it as Allah (SWT) commands them to. 2) that the servant does not make plans for himself (ie: does not see himself as the executor of his plans), and 3) that the servant occupies himself solely with observing what Allah (SWT) has commanded and refraining from that which He has forbidden.
So when the servant does not see any of the wealth at his disposal as his own, giving from it in the way of Allah (SWT) becomes easy for him. And when the servant entrusts all his plans to the Master Planner, the tribulations of this world become insignificant in his eyes. And when the servant occupies himself with observing Allah’s (SWT) commands and refraining from what He has forbidden, he no longer has time for showing off and useless debates with people.
So when Allah grants (SWT) these three characteristics to a servant, the world (ie: worldly matters), Satan and people (and their opinions) become insignificant in his eyes, and he does not seek after worldly gains to amass possessions, nor does he demand fame and status from people, and nor does he waste his time on futile things.
This is but the first stage that the pious God-conscious ones (muttaqoon) reach. Verily Allah (SWT) says in the Holy Qur’an: “As for that future abode, We assign it to those who have no desire to exalt themselves in the earth nor to make mischief, and the good end is for those who are God-conscious (muttaqoon)”.
I asked: “O Abu Abdallah, please give me some advice”.
The Imam replied: “I advise you on nine issues. Know that they are my advice especially to those who strive on the path to Allah (SWT), and I beseech Allah (SWT) to help you act upon this advice.
Three of them are to do with self-discipline, three to do with clemency towards others, and three to do with knowledge, so learn them well, and do not take them lightly”.
I emptied my heart of all else in order to receive this advice, and the Imam continued:
“As for the three pieces of advice on self-discipline – firstly do not eat that which you have no appetite for, for this brings about idiocy and stupidity. Secondly do not eat unless you are hungry. And thirdly when you do eat, eat only that which is lawful (Halal) and begin in the Name of Allah (SWT), and remind yourself of the tradition of the Prophet (SAWW): “There is no vessel that man fills worse than his own stomach”. So if you must fill it, then allow one third of it for food, another third for drink, and keep the last third for air.
The three pieces of advice to do with clemency are – firstly if someone were to say to you: “If you dare say a word, I’ll give you ten back”, then you should be such as to reply: “Even if you say ten words, you will not hear a single one back from me’. Secondly, when someone insults you, say: “If you are right in what you are saying, then may Allah (SWT) forgive me for it, and if you are wrong then may He forgive you for it”. And thirdly, when someone treats you harshly, return it with good counsel and pray for Him.
As for the advice to do with knowledge – firstly, ask the scholars that which you are ignorant of, but do not ask them obnoxiously or testingly. Secondly, do not act based on your own opinion about something, and exercise precaution in all things wherever possible. And thirdly, beware of giving religious decrees and legal opinions as you would beware of a lion, and do not put your neck at stake for people to walk all over.
Now please take your leave O Abu Abdallah, for I have advised you, and please do not preoccupy me further from my supplications, as I am a man who does not waste his breath. “And peace be on him who follows the guidance”.
IN THE NAME OF ALLAH THE BENEFICENT THE MERCIFUL
A ninety-four year old man named ‘Unwan al-Basri narrates, saying: “I had been studying under Malik ibn Anas for a number of years. When Ja’far as-Sadiq (AS) came to Madinah, I went to visit him and was interested in learning from him just as I had been learning from Malik.
He said to me one day: “I am a man much sought after and am also occupied by various supplications throughout the day and the night so please do not disturb me in my state of supplication and go and learn from Malik and study under him just as you were doing before”.
I became sad on hearing this and left the Imam’s presence, and said to myself, “If the Imam had perceived any good in me he would not have prevented me from studying under him and learning from him”.
I then went to the mosque of the Holy Prophet (SAWW) and I gave my salutations to him, then I turned from the grave and prayed two units of prayer at the rawdhah (the area near the Prophet’s (SAWW) grave which is considered to be a piece of paradise) and said supplicating Allah (SWT): “O Allah (SWT)! O Allah (SWT)! I beseech You please make Ja’far’s (AS) heart incline towards me, and grant me from his knowledge that which will guide me on the right path”.
Then I returned home, sad and upset, and did not even attend Malik b. Anas’s study circles for my heart was filled only with love for Ja’far (AS). I did not leave my house except to attend congregational prayers, until I finally ran out of patience.
When I could bear it no longer, I put my shoes and my cloak on, and made my way to Ja’far’s (AS) house after the ‘Asr (afternoon) prayer. When I arrived at his house, I sought permission to enter, and a servant of his came out and asked me what I wanted. I replied: “I’ve come to extend my salutations to the noble one. He said that the Imam was busy praying.
So I waited on the doorstep, and it wasn’t long before the servant came out again and said: “Come in by the grace of Allah (SWT)”. So I entered and greeted the Imam, and he returned my greeting, saying: “Take a seat and may Allah (SWT) forgive you”.
So I sat down. Then he bowed his head, looking down for quite a long time before he asked me my title, to which I replied: “Abu Abdallah”.
He said: “May Allah (SWT) extend your progeny and enable you to succeed in doing what pleases Him”. Upon hearing this, I thought to myself that if I were to take away nothing of benefit from this visit except this prayer (that he had wished for me), it would be more than enough.
Then he bowed his head down again for a while, then raised it saying: “O Abu Abdallah, what do you want?”
I replied: “I asked Allah (SWT) to give me a place in your heart and to grant me benefit from your knowledge, so I hope that Allah (SWT) will grant me what I asked Him for with respect to you”.
The Imam said: “O Abu Abdallah, knowledge is not acquired through learning. Rather it is a light that illuminates in the heart of one who wants Allah (SWT) to guide him. So if you want knowledge, first seek out true servitude (to Allah (SWT)) within yourself. And seek knowledge according to its use (ie: what you can act upon) and ask Allah (SWT) to make you understand, and He’ll make you understand”.
I asked: “O noble one” and he immediately said: “Call me Abu Abdallah”, so I started again: “O Abu Abdallah, what constitutes true servitude to Allah (AS)?”
He replied: “Three things – 1) that in all that Allah (SWT) has placed at his disposal, the servant does not consider any of it his own possession, for verily servants do not have the right to ownership. They see all wealth as belonging to Allah (SWT) and so they dispose of it as Allah (SWT) commands them to. 2) that the servant does not make plans for himself (ie: does not see himself as the executor of his plans), and 3) that the servant occupies himself solely with observing what Allah (SWT) has commanded and refraining from that which He has forbidden.
So when the servant does not see any of the wealth at his disposal as his own, giving from it in the way of Allah (SWT) becomes easy for him. And when the servant entrusts all his plans to the Master Planner, the tribulations of this world become insignificant in his eyes. And when the servant occupies himself with observing Allah’s (SWT) commands and refraining from what He has forbidden, he no longer has time for showing off and useless debates with people.
So when Allah grants (SWT) these three characteristics to a servant, the world (ie: worldly matters), Satan and people (and their opinions) become insignificant in his eyes, and he does not seek after worldly gains to amass possessions, nor does he demand fame and status from people, and nor does he waste his time on futile things.
This is but the first stage that the pious God-conscious ones (muttaqoon) reach. Verily Allah (SWT) says in the Holy Qur’an: “As for that future abode, We assign it to those who have no desire to exalt themselves in the earth nor to make mischief, and the good end is for those who are God-conscious (muttaqoon)”.
I asked: “O Abu Abdallah, please give me some advice”.
The Imam replied: “I advise you on nine issues. Know that they are my advice especially to those who strive on the path to Allah (SWT), and I beseech Allah (SWT) to help you act upon this advice.
Three of them are to do with self-discipline, three to do with clemency towards others, and three to do with knowledge, so learn them well, and do not take them lightly”.
I emptied my heart of all else in order to receive this advice, and the Imam continued:
“As for the three pieces of advice on self-discipline – firstly do not eat that which you have no appetite for, for this brings about idiocy and stupidity. Secondly do not eat unless you are hungry. And thirdly when you do eat, eat only that which is lawful (Halal) and begin in the Name of Allah (SWT), and remind yourself of the tradition of the Prophet (SAWW): “There is no vessel that man fills worse than his own stomach”. So if you must fill it, then allow one third of it for food, another third for drink, and keep the last third for air.
The three pieces of advice to do with clemency are – firstly if someone were to say to you: “If you dare say a word, I’ll give you ten back”, then you should be such as to reply: “Even if you say ten words, you will not hear a single one back from me’. Secondly, when someone insults you, say: “If you are right in what you are saying, then may Allah (SWT) forgive me for it, and if you are wrong then may He forgive you for it”. And thirdly, when someone treats you harshly, return it with good counsel and pray for Him.
As for the advice to do with knowledge – firstly, ask the scholars that which you are ignorant of, but do not ask them obnoxiously or testingly. Secondly, do not act based on your own opinion about something, and exercise precaution in all things wherever possible. And thirdly, beware of giving religious decrees and legal opinions as you would beware of a lion, and do not put your neck at stake for people to walk all over.
Now please take your leave O Abu Abdallah, for I have advised you, and please do not preoccupy me further from my supplications, as I am a man who does not waste his breath. “And peace be on him who follows the guidance”.
Wednesday, June 05, 2013
Supplication for Parents
O God,
bless Muhammad, Thy slave and Thy messenger,
and his Household, the pure,
and single them out for the best of Thy blessings, Thy mercy,
Thy benedictions, and Thy peace!
And single out my parents, O God,
for honour with Thee and blessings from Thee,
O Most Merciful of the merciful!
O God,
bless Muhammad and his Household,
teach me through inspiration
knowledge of everything incumbent upon me toward them,
and gather within me
knowledge of all that completely!
Then make me act in accordance
with what Thou hast inspired me
and give me the success to put into practice
the knowledge Thou hast shown to me,
lest I fail to act
according to something Thou hast taught me
or my limbs feel too heavy to perform
that with which Thou hast inspired me!
O God,
bless Muhammad and his Household,
as Thou hast ennobled us through him,
and bless Muhammad and his Household,
as Thou hast made incumbent upon us
rights toward the creatures because of him!
O God,
fill me with awe of my parents,
the awe one has toward a tyrannical sovereign,
and let me be devoted to them,
with the devotion of a compassionate mother!
Make my obedience and devotion to them
more gladdening to my eyes
than sleep to the drowsy
and more refreshing to my breast
than drink to the thirsty,
so that I may prefer their inclination
to my inclination,
set their satisfaction
before my satisfaction,
make much of their devotion to me
though it be little,
and make little of my devotion to them
though it be great.
O God,
lower before them my voice,
make agreeable to them my words,
make mild before them my temper,
make tender toward them my heart,
and turn me into their kind companion,
their loving friend!
O God,
thank them for my upbringing,
reward them for honouring me,
and guard them as they guarded me in my infancy!
O God,
and whatever harm has touched them from me,
detested thing has reached them from me,
or right of theirs which has been neglected by me,
allow it to alleviate their sins,
raise them in their degrees,
and add to their good deeds!
O He who changes evil deeds into manifold good deeds!
O God,
whatever word through which they have transgressed against me,
act through which they have been immoderate with me,
right of mine which they have left neglected,
or obligation toward me in which they have fallen short,
I grant it to them
and bestow it upon them,
and I beseech Thee
to remove from them its ill consequence,
for I do not accuse them concerning myself,
find them slow in their devotion toward me,
or dislike the way they have attended to my affairs, my Lord!
They have rights against me which are more incumbent,
precedence in beneficence toward me that is greater,
and kindness toward me that is mightier
than that I should settle accounts with justice
or repay them with equivalents.
Where then, my God, would be their long occupation
with bringing me up?
Where the hardship of their toil
in taking care of me?
Where the stinting of themselves
to provide me with plenty?
What an idea!
I can never discharge their right against me,
fulfil my obligations toward them,
or accomplish the duty of serving them.
So bless Muhammad and his Household
and help me, O Best of those whose help we seek!
Give me success, O Most Guiding of those whom we beseech!
Place me not among the people of disrespect to fathers and mothers
on the day when every soul will be repaid
for what it has earned,
they shall not be wronged.
O God,
bless Muhammad, his Household, and his progeny
and single out my parents for the best
which Thou hast singled out
for the fathers and mothers of Thy faithful servants,
O Most Merciful of the merciful!
O God,
let me not forget to remember them after my ritual prayers,
at every time throughout my night,
and in each of the hours of my day!
O God,
bless Muhammad and his Household,
forgive me through my supplication for my parents,
forgive them through their devotion toward me
with unfailing forgiveness,
be well pleased with them through my intercession for them
with resolute good pleasure,
and make them reach through Thy generosity
the abodes of safety!
O God,
if Thy forgiveness reaches them first,
make them my intercessors,
and if Thy forgiveness reaches me first,
make me their intercessors,
so that we may gather together through Thy gentleness
in the house of Thy generosity
and the place of Thy forgiveness and mercy!
Verily Thou art Possessor of abounding bounty
and ancient kindness,
and Thou art the Most Merciful of the merciful!
by Imam Ali Zaynal Abidin (AS)
taken from : Sahifa Al-Kamilah Supplication 24
bless Muhammad, Thy slave and Thy messenger,
and his Household, the pure,
and single them out for the best of Thy blessings, Thy mercy,
Thy benedictions, and Thy peace!
And single out my parents, O God,
for honour with Thee and blessings from Thee,
O Most Merciful of the merciful!
O God,
bless Muhammad and his Household,
teach me through inspiration
knowledge of everything incumbent upon me toward them,
and gather within me
knowledge of all that completely!
Then make me act in accordance
with what Thou hast inspired me
and give me the success to put into practice
the knowledge Thou hast shown to me,
lest I fail to act
according to something Thou hast taught me
or my limbs feel too heavy to perform
that with which Thou hast inspired me!
O God,
bless Muhammad and his Household,
as Thou hast ennobled us through him,
and bless Muhammad and his Household,
as Thou hast made incumbent upon us
rights toward the creatures because of him!
O God,
fill me with awe of my parents,
the awe one has toward a tyrannical sovereign,
and let me be devoted to them,
with the devotion of a compassionate mother!
Make my obedience and devotion to them
more gladdening to my eyes
than sleep to the drowsy
and more refreshing to my breast
than drink to the thirsty,
so that I may prefer their inclination
to my inclination,
set their satisfaction
before my satisfaction,
make much of their devotion to me
though it be little,
and make little of my devotion to them
though it be great.
O God,
lower before them my voice,
make agreeable to them my words,
make mild before them my temper,
make tender toward them my heart,
and turn me into their kind companion,
their loving friend!
O God,
thank them for my upbringing,
reward them for honouring me,
and guard them as they guarded me in my infancy!
O God,
and whatever harm has touched them from me,
detested thing has reached them from me,
or right of theirs which has been neglected by me,
allow it to alleviate their sins,
raise them in their degrees,
and add to their good deeds!
O He who changes evil deeds into manifold good deeds!
O God,
whatever word through which they have transgressed against me,
act through which they have been immoderate with me,
right of mine which they have left neglected,
or obligation toward me in which they have fallen short,
I grant it to them
and bestow it upon them,
and I beseech Thee
to remove from them its ill consequence,
for I do not accuse them concerning myself,
find them slow in their devotion toward me,
or dislike the way they have attended to my affairs, my Lord!
They have rights against me which are more incumbent,
precedence in beneficence toward me that is greater,
and kindness toward me that is mightier
than that I should settle accounts with justice
or repay them with equivalents.
Where then, my God, would be their long occupation
with bringing me up?
Where the hardship of their toil
in taking care of me?
Where the stinting of themselves
to provide me with plenty?
What an idea!
I can never discharge their right against me,
fulfil my obligations toward them,
or accomplish the duty of serving them.
So bless Muhammad and his Household
and help me, O Best of those whose help we seek!
Give me success, O Most Guiding of those whom we beseech!
Place me not among the people of disrespect to fathers and mothers
on the day when every soul will be repaid
for what it has earned,
they shall not be wronged.
O God,
bless Muhammad, his Household, and his progeny
and single out my parents for the best
which Thou hast singled out
for the fathers and mothers of Thy faithful servants,
O Most Merciful of the merciful!
O God,
let me not forget to remember them after my ritual prayers,
at every time throughout my night,
and in each of the hours of my day!
O God,
bless Muhammad and his Household,
forgive me through my supplication for my parents,
forgive them through their devotion toward me
with unfailing forgiveness,
be well pleased with them through my intercession for them
with resolute good pleasure,
and make them reach through Thy generosity
the abodes of safety!
O God,
if Thy forgiveness reaches them first,
make them my intercessors,
and if Thy forgiveness reaches me first,
make me their intercessors,
so that we may gather together through Thy gentleness
in the house of Thy generosity
and the place of Thy forgiveness and mercy!
Verily Thou art Possessor of abounding bounty
and ancient kindness,
and Thou art the Most Merciful of the merciful!
by Imam Ali Zaynal Abidin (AS)
taken from : Sahifa Al-Kamilah Supplication 24
Saturday, May 25, 2013
I and Shia
Assalamu alaykum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh,
Allahumma shalli ala Muhammad wa 'ala ali Muhammad,
Another morning, another day :)
I plan to write at most one article per day so even though I have few topics yesterday, I try to be patience and wait for today. Hmm... now I forgot them *laugh*.
Okay, I will write about my opinions regarding to shia. One thing you must take notice is, my writings I make will be based on my experiences and all opinions are very subjective. So, it will not representing anything or anyone but me. Even so, I am open to discussions and comments on these.
As I told you before that I am a revert. I like to learn more about Islam. At my earlier time I embrace Islam, one of my friend told me about Prophet (pbuhahf)'s hadith about sects in Islam :
then he also said, "It is us, ahlul sunnah wal jamaah" and I said okay. I believed him. Time passed by and many things happened in my life. My knowledges about Islam history and 4 khalifah mostly I got from books by Mohammad Husain Haikal and internet articles. I read it until "Umar" book and then I read other Islam books. And for a very long time, about 8 years after my first shahadah, I never continued my readings about Islam history.
Then that time came and I really thanked to Allah. I believe it was all His plan. I found a group that discussed about Shia and Sunni in one of social network sites and it took my interests. One Shia explained in a polite and nice way to group of Sunnis instead of mocking and harsh words he got. For me, polite and good manner is very important in any way, so it was impressed me some how. Moreover, his answers were mostly match to my logical thinking. Short of the stories, I followed that group and that made me want to know more about Shia. Also it reminded me of my lack knowledge about history of Islam after our beloved prophet, Muhammad (pbuhahf)'s death.
I decided to continue my readings, and I read Utsman era. I was shocked of the conspiracy regarding his way of death. It was too cruel and the way he was treated were very very not Islamic in my opinion. Many questions arose in my minds and still I continued to read. In the book of Ali, the author is not the same, the previous author is dead and another person continued his project. The story of Ali era were so limited and his death were also not clearly explained. I felt disgusted with Moslem ummah at those time. What happened with them, seeing all those incidents, and kept silence? What happened with their Islam faith, what happened in that time exactly? Have Islam been a great country, and shouldn't be afraid of oppressor anymore? Why instead there was a big and dirty political conspiracy in Islam leaderships? And so on those questions were piled up, more and more. The big bang finally came, those "Karbala" stories. It gave me all the answers I was looking for. Now it all make sense. There were Moslems that were not true Moslems inside the Islam community. I believe, they still exist, until this very day.
I still continue my studies about Islam now. May Allah always guide me on His path, the true path, the path of the prophets and the believers. Allahumma shalli ala Muhammad wa ali Muhammad. Ameen.
Allahumma shalli ala Muhammad wa 'ala ali Muhammad,
Another morning, another day :)
I plan to write at most one article per day so even though I have few topics yesterday, I try to be patience and wait for today. Hmm... now I forgot them *laugh*.
Okay, I will write about my opinions regarding to shia. One thing you must take notice is, my writings I make will be based on my experiences and all opinions are very subjective. So, it will not representing anything or anyone but me. Even so, I am open to discussions and comments on these.
As I told you before that I am a revert. I like to learn more about Islam. At my earlier time I embrace Islam, one of my friend told me about Prophet (pbuhahf)'s hadith about sects in Islam :
My ummah will be divided into seventy three sects. All of them will be in the Fire except one? [Saheeh Muslim, no.976]
then he also said, "It is us, ahlul sunnah wal jamaah" and I said okay. I believed him. Time passed by and many things happened in my life. My knowledges about Islam history and 4 khalifah mostly I got from books by Mohammad Husain Haikal and internet articles. I read it until "Umar" book and then I read other Islam books. And for a very long time, about 8 years after my first shahadah, I never continued my readings about Islam history.
Then that time came and I really thanked to Allah. I believe it was all His plan. I found a group that discussed about Shia and Sunni in one of social network sites and it took my interests. One Shia explained in a polite and nice way to group of Sunnis instead of mocking and harsh words he got. For me, polite and good manner is very important in any way, so it was impressed me some how. Moreover, his answers were mostly match to my logical thinking. Short of the stories, I followed that group and that made me want to know more about Shia. Also it reminded me of my lack knowledge about history of Islam after our beloved prophet, Muhammad (pbuhahf)'s death.
I decided to continue my readings, and I read Utsman era. I was shocked of the conspiracy regarding his way of death. It was too cruel and the way he was treated were very very not Islamic in my opinion. Many questions arose in my minds and still I continued to read. In the book of Ali, the author is not the same, the previous author is dead and another person continued his project. The story of Ali era were so limited and his death were also not clearly explained. I felt disgusted with Moslem ummah at those time. What happened with them, seeing all those incidents, and kept silence? What happened with their Islam faith, what happened in that time exactly? Have Islam been a great country, and shouldn't be afraid of oppressor anymore? Why instead there was a big and dirty political conspiracy in Islam leaderships? And so on those questions were piled up, more and more. The big bang finally came, those "Karbala" stories. It gave me all the answers I was looking for. Now it all make sense. There were Moslems that were not true Moslems inside the Islam community. I believe, they still exist, until this very day.
I still continue my studies about Islam now. May Allah always guide me on His path, the true path, the path of the prophets and the believers. Allahumma shalli ala Muhammad wa ali Muhammad. Ameen.
Friday, April 26, 2013
I Love Imam Ali - part 1
Salamun alaykum warahmatullah wabarakatuh,
Allahumma shalli ala Muhammad wa 'ala ali Muhammad,
Despite many endless arguments about the position of Ali bin Abi Thalib among the four khalifas, it is undeniable that he is one of the most acknowledge companions of our beloved prophet, Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family). This ILIA (I love Imam Ali) section is my compilation of everything regarding to him, that I found and I like. Enjoy!
This is a piece of the story of Commander of the Faithful Ali ibn Abi Thalib kwh.
One day, Anas bin Malik saw a Jew who came to the Caliph Abu Bakr and said, "I want to meet the caliph of the Prophet."
The friend took him to the Caliph Abu Bakr. Before Abu Bakr, the Jew said, "Are you Caliphs Prophet?"
Caliph Abu Bakr said, "Yes, do not you see me on the spot and his sanctuary?"
The Jew said, "If you do as you say, O Caliph Abu Bakr. I want to ask you about some of the issues."
Caliph said," Ask all you want!"
The Jew asked, "Tell me about something that is not owned by God, that something that is nothing in God and that God does not know?"
Caliph said, "It is the zindiq (atheist) people's problems , O Jew!"
Then, Muslims people who listen to them want to kill the Jew.
Ibn Abbas immediately shouted and said, "O Caliph Abu Bakr, do not be hasty to kill him!"
Caliph Abu Bakr said, "Did not you hear what he said?"
Ibn Abbas said, "If you have the answer, answer! If not, let him go to a place he like."
Finally they throw him out. Jew said, "May Allah curse the people who sit not in his place. They want to kill the soul which Allah has forbidden to kill without knowledge."
He was finally walking out as he boasted, "O people, Islam have vanished. They can not answer my question. Where is the Prophet and the Caliph of Allah?"
Ibn Abbas followed the Jews and said to him, "Go to the house of prophethood, Sayyidina Ali bin Abi Thalib, the gate of prophethood knowledge?"
Meanwhile, the Caliph Abu Bakr and the Muslims people are looking for the Jew. They met him on the road and brought him to Sayyidina Ali bin Abi Thalib. They asked his permission to enter, then the people gather in front of the house.
Caliph Abu Bakr said, "O Abu al-Hasan, this Jew asked me some problems from those zindiq (atheist) problems."
Sayyidina Ali said, "O Jew, what did you say before?"
"I want to tell you but you will do the same with their deeds."
Sayyidina Ali said, "What are they going to do?"
Jew said, "They want to kill me!"
Sayyidina Ali said, "Do not worry. Ask anything you want!"
Jew said, "This question, no one know the answer except by a prophet and prophet's replacement."
Sayyidina Ali said, "Ask as you please."
"Please answer about something that God does not have, and something that does not exist in God, as well as well as something that is unknown by God? ", asked the Jew.
Sayyidina Ali replied, "O brother Jewish, I have a condition though!."
"What condition?", he asked.
Sayyidina Ali said, "You say correctly and sincere with me, "There is no God but Allah and Muhammad is the messenger of God."
Jews said, "Yes, O my lord."
Sayyidina Ali said, "O my Jewish brother, as for your question about something that is not owned by God is wife and children."
Jews was flabbergasted. He said, "You are right, O my lord."
"As for your question about does not exist in God is tyranny."
"As for your question about something that unknown by God is an ally and friend. He is The Most Sustenance over everything ", said Sayyidina Ali.
He heard his answers, then he said, "Give me your hand, I testify there is no god but Allah and Muhammad is the messenger of God. You are indeed his caliph(successor) and his heirs."
Spontaneously people cheered.
Caliph Abu Bakr said, "O remover of grief, O Ali, you are indeed the relieving of anxiety and thirst".
Ali Syari'ati, one of Iranian poet, when he wrote Fatima as, he said, "Fatima is Fatima". No words can describe the glory of the Prophet's daughter in his eyes. The tongue is tied when trying to express the life of her husband, Imam Ali ibn Abi Thalib. Suffice here I quote the words of Imam Shafi'i and Ibn Sina about Ali. Imam Shafi'i said, "What can I say about someone who has three properties coupled with three other properties, which were never found join together in anyone. Generosity by indigence, courage along with intelligence policy, and theoretical knowledge with practical skills ". Meanwhile Ibn Sina says, "Imam Ali and Al-Quran is the two miracle of the Prophet. Life of Imam Ali in every phase of the history of Islam becomes a mirror - reflection of the life of the Prophet".
Translated from : http://ibonkbloggers.blogspot.com/2011/01/sayyidina-ali-menjawab-pertanyaan.html
Allahumma shalli ala Muhammad wa 'ala ali Muhammad,
Despite many endless arguments about the position of Ali bin Abi Thalib among the four khalifas, it is undeniable that he is one of the most acknowledge companions of our beloved prophet, Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family). This ILIA (I love Imam Ali) section is my compilation of everything regarding to him, that I found and I like. Enjoy!
This is a piece of the story of Commander of the Faithful Ali ibn Abi Thalib kwh.
One day, Anas bin Malik saw a Jew who came to the Caliph Abu Bakr and said, "I want to meet the caliph of the Prophet."
The friend took him to the Caliph Abu Bakr. Before Abu Bakr, the Jew said, "Are you Caliphs Prophet?"
Caliph Abu Bakr said, "Yes, do not you see me on the spot and his sanctuary?"
The Jew said, "If you do as you say, O Caliph Abu Bakr. I want to ask you about some of the issues."
Caliph said," Ask all you want!"
The Jew asked, "Tell me about something that is not owned by God, that something that is nothing in God and that God does not know?"
Caliph said, "It is the zindiq (atheist) people's problems , O Jew!"
Then, Muslims people who listen to them want to kill the Jew.
Ibn Abbas immediately shouted and said, "O Caliph Abu Bakr, do not be hasty to kill him!"
Caliph Abu Bakr said, "Did not you hear what he said?"
Ibn Abbas said, "If you have the answer, answer! If not, let him go to a place he like."
Finally they throw him out. Jew said, "May Allah curse the people who sit not in his place. They want to kill the soul which Allah has forbidden to kill without knowledge."
He was finally walking out as he boasted, "O people, Islam have vanished. They can not answer my question. Where is the Prophet and the Caliph of Allah?"
Ibn Abbas followed the Jews and said to him, "Go to the house of prophethood, Sayyidina Ali bin Abi Thalib, the gate of prophethood knowledge?"
Meanwhile, the Caliph Abu Bakr and the Muslims people are looking for the Jew. They met him on the road and brought him to Sayyidina Ali bin Abi Thalib. They asked his permission to enter, then the people gather in front of the house.
Caliph Abu Bakr said, "O Abu al-Hasan, this Jew asked me some problems from those zindiq (atheist) problems."
Sayyidina Ali said, "O Jew, what did you say before?"
"I want to tell you but you will do the same with their deeds."
Sayyidina Ali said, "What are they going to do?"
Jew said, "They want to kill me!"
Sayyidina Ali said, "Do not worry. Ask anything you want!"
Jew said, "This question, no one know the answer except by a prophet and prophet's replacement."
Sayyidina Ali said, "Ask as you please."
"Please answer about something that God does not have, and something that does not exist in God, as well as well as something that is unknown by God? ", asked the Jew.
Sayyidina Ali replied, "O brother Jewish, I have a condition though!."
"What condition?", he asked.
Sayyidina Ali said, "You say correctly and sincere with me, "There is no God but Allah and Muhammad is the messenger of God."
Jews said, "Yes, O my lord."
Sayyidina Ali said, "O my Jewish brother, as for your question about something that is not owned by God is wife and children."
Jews was flabbergasted. He said, "You are right, O my lord."
"As for your question about does not exist in God is tyranny."
"As for your question about something that unknown by God is an ally and friend. He is The Most Sustenance over everything ", said Sayyidina Ali.
He heard his answers, then he said, "Give me your hand, I testify there is no god but Allah and Muhammad is the messenger of God. You are indeed his caliph(successor) and his heirs."
Spontaneously people cheered.
Caliph Abu Bakr said, "O remover of grief, O Ali, you are indeed the relieving of anxiety and thirst".
Ali Syari'ati, one of Iranian poet, when he wrote Fatima as, he said, "Fatima is Fatima". No words can describe the glory of the Prophet's daughter in his eyes. The tongue is tied when trying to express the life of her husband, Imam Ali ibn Abi Thalib. Suffice here I quote the words of Imam Shafi'i and Ibn Sina about Ali. Imam Shafi'i said, "What can I say about someone who has three properties coupled with three other properties, which were never found join together in anyone. Generosity by indigence, courage along with intelligence policy, and theoretical knowledge with practical skills ". Meanwhile Ibn Sina says, "Imam Ali and Al-Quran is the two miracle of the Prophet. Life of Imam Ali in every phase of the history of Islam becomes a mirror - reflection of the life of the Prophet".
Translated from : http://ibonkbloggers.blogspot.com/2011/01/sayyidina-ali-menjawab-pertanyaan.html
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
A New Beginning : Preface
Assalamu alaikum warrahmatullahi wabarakatuh,
Allahumma shalli ala Muhammad wa 'ala ali Muhammad
Hello readers,
Just as I expected at the first time I made this blog (and other blogs of mine), I couldn't keep it active for a long time. Excuse me for that, I am a moody after all *grin*. My poor English, my poor writing skills, and my characters are all take part in this hibernation.
So, anyway, let bygone be bygone. This is my new beginning. I have few things I want to write so here I am, back again. *smile* Okay, what should I said in this new introduction? Hmm...
Many things happen to me in this spiritual journey of mine. By the way, have I told you in the beginning why I made this blog? Yes, I am sure most people can guess it correctly. I want to share my very happiness of being a Moslem. I am a revert, and even to this very day, I feel so blessed to be able to find my path in Islam. Alhamdulillah, Allahu Akbar! Allahumma shalli ala Muhammad wa 'ala ali Muhammad.
After that, I have a passion of learning more and more about Islam and in a while, doing self improvement to become a better and better Moslem. If you take notice of all my previous posts, you will find that most of them were not my original writing. Being new in this religion, I felt that I still didn't have enough knowledge and confidence to be able to make a good writing about Islam by myself. Moreover, in English!! *phew* I had a little bit perfectionist characters inside, so... please bear with me. *wink* For all the original writers, I am sorry for copying your writings to my blog, but at least I always try to mention the original sources/links to all my copied articles, inshaAllah, so I hope it would make up for my action.
Still, I can't promise that I won't do that again *grin*. I will always do it as long as the article impresses me in some way, and I feel I have a connection with it. After all, most articles I post here are representative of my feelings and expressions. All takes part in forming my fragments of life, with uncountable exclusive memories I have in it, and the most important is most of them explain my heart in a better way than I can.
So, what makes me decide to write now? Well, I am learning to write. I believe people are grown up by time. I don't say that I have my capability now, but let's say, I want to write something now, okay? *big smile* Okay, to make it short, thank you for visiting my blog, and enjoy. I wish you will find what you're looking for. Wassalam.
Regards,
Allahumma shalli ala Muhammad wa 'ala ali Muhammad
Hello readers,
Just as I expected at the first time I made this blog (and other blogs of mine), I couldn't keep it active for a long time. Excuse me for that, I am a moody after all *grin*. My poor English, my poor writing skills, and my characters are all take part in this hibernation.
So, anyway, let bygone be bygone. This is my new beginning. I have few things I want to write so here I am, back again. *smile* Okay, what should I said in this new introduction? Hmm...
Many things happen to me in this spiritual journey of mine. By the way, have I told you in the beginning why I made this blog? Yes, I am sure most people can guess it correctly. I want to share my very happiness of being a Moslem. I am a revert, and even to this very day, I feel so blessed to be able to find my path in Islam. Alhamdulillah, Allahu Akbar! Allahumma shalli ala Muhammad wa 'ala ali Muhammad.
After that, I have a passion of learning more and more about Islam and in a while, doing self improvement to become a better and better Moslem. If you take notice of all my previous posts, you will find that most of them were not my original writing. Being new in this religion, I felt that I still didn't have enough knowledge and confidence to be able to make a good writing about Islam by myself. Moreover, in English!! *phew* I had a little bit perfectionist characters inside, so... please bear with me. *wink* For all the original writers, I am sorry for copying your writings to my blog, but at least I always try to mention the original sources/links to all my copied articles, inshaAllah, so I hope it would make up for my action.
Still, I can't promise that I won't do that again *grin*. I will always do it as long as the article impresses me in some way, and I feel I have a connection with it. After all, most articles I post here are representative of my feelings and expressions. All takes part in forming my fragments of life, with uncountable exclusive memories I have in it, and the most important is most of them explain my heart in a better way than I can.
So, what makes me decide to write now? Well, I am learning to write. I believe people are grown up by time. I don't say that I have my capability now, but let's say, I want to write something now, okay? *big smile* Okay, to make it short, thank you for visiting my blog, and enjoy. I wish you will find what you're looking for. Wassalam.
Regards,
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