Al Muzzammil

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.

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”.

I Love Imam Ali - Part 2

 

I advise you, and all my children, my relatives, and whosoever receives this message, to be conscious of Allah, to remove your differences, and to strengthen your ties. I heard your grandfather, peace be upon him, say: "Reconciliation of your differences is more worthy than all prayers and all fasting."
 

 

--- Imam Ali to his Children: Last Will, Nahj al Balagha
Very aptly from The Book of Psalms, "Blessed are the Peace Makers"

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