In the name of Allah

The All Compassionate, the All Merciful

15 Dhul-Hajja 1443(15 July 2022)

Islamic Universal Association

20 Penzance Place, Holland Park

London, W11 4 PG

www.arafeh.co.uk

 

Jihad An-Nafs – Part 90

Purification of the heart-Part 32

One of the best ways to purify the heart is to resist temptations and protect oneself against satanic ploys, attain certitude in faith and religious belief and be strong during calamities and difficulties.

 

Certainty in faith is a decisive mental state in line with reality which gives peace to a man of conviction. This distinctive kind of conviction goes beyond the usual belief and knowledge. There are relevant traditions in Safinal Al-Bihar V: 2 P: 723; some of which are produced below:

 

• Washsha has narrated from Imam Reza (a.s): “Eman is a degree above Islam and piety is a degree above eman. Certitude is piety and nothing can be attained without certainty and conviction.”
• In another hadith, Imam Reza (a.s) has explained that certainty means to trust Allah (s.w.t) and to submit to Him and be satisfied with His decision.
• He has also advised: “Conviction of faith means to please Allah at all times and to avoid His wrath and not to pander to people or treat the poor with contempt as Allah gives sustenance to man and one should be pleased under all circumstances.”
• The Imam has also said: “With His justice and fairness, Allah has put tranquility and eases in certainty and satisfaction, and has put sorrow and grief in doubt and displeasure.”
• Imam Sadeq (a.s) has advised: “Indeed, a small act, based on certainty that is performed consistently is better before Allah than abundant actions based on uncertainty.”
• Imam Ali (as) has said: “No one can taste faith until they reach the desired level of certainty whereby they believe that whatever happens to them is determined by Allah.”
• He has also said: “With trust in Allah we reach certainty, for trust in Allah stems from the strength of certainty.”
• Imam Ali ibne Hussain (as) invoked Allah (s.w.t) in his prayer: “O’ God! I beseech you to give me conviction; in this way, you will make hardships of the world seem easy for me.”

 

Second Sermon

Eid’e Ghadir

On account of the anniversary of the auspicious event at Ghadir khum, on the 18th of Dhil-Hajja, I congratulate Imam Mahdi (a.t.j.) and my Shiite brethren as well as the lovers of the Ahlul Bait.

 

Eid’e Ghadir is a day which is celebrated with great fervour when the Shiites renew their allegiance to their Creator and the Holy Prophet (s.a.) and his Ahlul Bait. Indeed the significance of this event is inconceivable. Every aspect of this incident achieved eternal fame and glory for it was at this very inspiring place, the Message of God was completed and perfected. It has been reported by Furhat ibne Ahnaf as follows:“I asked Imam Jafar Sadeq if Muslims have any other significant Eid other than the Day of Jummah, Eid’e Fitr, Eid’e Adha and the Day of Arafah.” The Imam replied: “Yes, the Day when the Holy Prophet, the Messenger of Allah, appointed Amirul Momineen as the leader of the Ummah after him. That was the day when the religion of Islam was perfected and Ayah 3 of Surah Al-Ma’idah was revealed: “….This day, those who disbelieved have despaired of your (reverting from your) religion, so do not fear them, but fear Me. This day, I have perfected your religion for you, completed My favour upon you and chosen Islam as your religion….” (Safinatul Bihar, V: 2 P: 286)

 

The event at Ghadir Khum has been reported by Zurara, a student and a great companion of Imam Sadeq (a.s.), who had heard it from the Imam himself, which is unanimously acknowledged to be reliable. According to the narration, when the Holy Prophet (s.a.) was returning to Medina from Mecca after performing his farewell pilgrimage, Gabriel revealed to him the following message from Allah (s.w.t): “O Apostle! Deliver what has been revealed to you from your Lord” (First part of Ayah 67, Surah Ma’idah) The Holy Prophet (s.a.) replied to Gabriel that he was apprehensive about carrying out this task as people were new to Islam. On the second day, Gabriel descended again with the second part of Ayah 67 of Surah Ma’idah: “and if you do not, then (it will be as though) you have not delivered His message at all.” The Holy Prophet (s.a.) replied that he was fearful that the people would not listen to him. On the third day, when the Holy Prophet (s.a.) arrived at Ghadir Khum, Gabriel appeared finally with the concluding words of Ayah 67 of the said Surah: “and God will protect you from the (mischievous) people; verily God does not guide the infidels.”

 

Immediately the Holy Prophet (s.a.) halted the caravan and his entire entourage and did not proceed until he had made his all-significant announcement. A pulpit was made from saddles of camels for the deliverance of this long sermon which contained the Holy Prophet (s.a.)’s parting advice to the people and the nomination of Ali (a.s) as his successor. He declared that Ali (a.s) has been appointed as the guardian and leader after him by Allah (s.w.t) and he raised Imam Ali (a.s)’s hand to such a height that his underarm was revealed.  He then stated, “For whomever I am the master (mowla), Ali is his master (mowla). For whomever I am the leader, Ali is his leader, O Allah be a friend to those who befriend Ali and be an enemy to those who are his enemy.” The first person to congratulate Imam Ali (a.s.) was Omar ibn Khatab. Then Gabriel descended, revealing Ayah 3 from Surah Ma’idah: “….This day I have perfected your religion for you, completed my favour upon you and have chosen Islam as your religion….” (Same reference)