In the name of Allah

The All Compassionate, the All Merciful

26^th Safar1444 (23^rd  September 2022)

Islamic Universal Association

20 Penzance Place, Holland Park

London, W11 4 PG

www.arafeh.co.uk

 

 

Jihad An-Nafs – Part 98

Purification of the heart-Part 40

Further to last week’s discussion. I would like to add that there are many Ayahs in the Holy Quran that begin with the word uzkur or uzkuroo (remember) which beckons us to remember stories of past generations so that we can take lessons from them for our benefit and be in tune with the teachings of the Holy Quran and the message of the Holy Prophet (s.a.) and the Imams.

Ayah 47 of Surah Al-Baqarah: “O Children of Israel! Remember My bounty when I gave you preference over other nations of the world.”

Ayah 74 of Surah Al-A’raaf: “And remember when He made you successors of the people to Ad and settled you on earth; you built mansions on its plains, hewing the mountains into dwellings; so remember the bounties of God and do not seek evil in the world, making mischief.”

Ayah 26 of Surah Al-Anfaal: “Remember when you were few and were weak in the land, fearing that people might kidnap you, but He sheltered you, strengthened you with His aid and provided you with good things (sustenance) so that you may give thanks.”  

Ayahs 41, 51 and 56 of Surah Maryam: “And mention in the Book (Qur’an) Abraham. Verily! He was a man of truth, a prophet of ours.

And mention in the Book (Qur’an) Moses. Verily! He was specially chosen as a messenger and a prophet.

And mention in the Book (the Qur’an) Idris.Verily! He was a truthful one, a prophet.”

Ayah 17 of Surah Saad: “Bear with patience with what they say, and remember Our servant David was blessed with the strength of his hand; verily he oft-turned to us.”

These Ayahs are some examples of many Ayahs regarding this point the meaning of them is to think about past nation and their story the in past to get lesson from their lives for our self and benefit from their situation which give us good lesson. These ayahs cane be divide in two groups one about the people who obey Allah (S.W.T) and His messengers and second one about those who deny His messengers and disobey them they have two different result and consequences regarding their lives those who believe in Allah and His messengers and obey them have significant reward from Allah that provided for them in the day of resurrection and in the opposite one they will be faced Allah’s punishment because of their denial and disobedience.

To be continued

 

 

Second Sermon

Anniversary of the demise of the Holy Prophet (s.a)

The 28th of Safar marks the death anniversary of the Holy Prophet (s.a) and the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Hassan (a.s). Moreover, the last day of Safar is the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Reza (a.s). Due to these sad events, I hereby convey my condolences to Imam Mahdi (a.t.f), and to the lovers of the Ahlul Bait. Today I will discuss the last days of the Holy Prophet (s.a)’s life. There is no doubt that everything what the Holy Prophet (s.a) had said was full of wisdom, whether it was admonition, encouragement or advice, but he gave his nation special advice during his last days. He was extremely concerned about the future of Muslims for he knew that Imam Ali (a.s)’s nomination as his successor would not be acknowledged after his death. There were several incidents that occurred during the final days of his life, which have been reported in Manaqib V: 1 P: 234 as follows:

1. The Holy Prophet (s.a) became ill on Saturday or Sunday during the month of Safar, 11 Hijri, which finally led to his death. With the support of Imam Ali (a.s) and accompanied by several of his companions, he visited Baqi cemetery where he beseeched Allah (s.w.t) to forgive the martyrs of Islam. Then he said: “O inhabitants of the graves! May the salutations of Allah be upon you! You are free from the calamities of this world. The trials that we are encountering are far more threatening and sinister than the darkest night and they are rapidly succeeding one after another, each one is worse than the one it succeeded. You are secure and safe from the ominous insurgence and unrelenting difficulties to be faced by the Muslim community.

    Gabriel normally reveals to me the Holy Quran once every year, but this year he has revealed it to me twice. I cannot envisage any particular reason for this, other than the fact that my death is drawing near.”

2. Thereafter, on Wednesday with a cloth tied round his head, he visited the mosque duly supported by Ali (a.s.) on his right and his companion, Fazl ibne Abbas, on his left. He addressed the people who were gathering around him and he asked them: “It is time for me to leave you. If I have not fulfilled any of my promises, I would like to know, so that I can fulfil it now.” Someone from the gathering pointed out that he had promised to help him which remains unfilled. The Holy Prophet (s.a.) ordered Fazl to help the person forthwith and he subsequently returned home.
3. On Friday after his sermon, he asked the people if they wished to settle any claim or injury he might have inflicted on them, for Allah (s.w.t.) hates an oppressor: “He whom I have lashed, I offer myself to him so that he may avenge me and he whom I have humiliated, I offer my honour.” At that time, someone from the congregation, named Sawadeh Ibn Qais, expressed his grievance against him. He said that when he had come out to greet the Holy Prophet (s.a.) after he had returned from Taif, the Prophet (s.a.) was on a camel and he accidentally struck him with a stick which was intended to alert the camel. The Holy Prophet (s.a.) ordered Bilal to immediately fetch a stick from his daughter, Fatima (a.s.)’s house and to hand it to Sawadeh. When the stick was handed to Sawadeh, he asked the Holy Prophet (s.a.)’s permission to kiss him instead so that he would be saved from the fire of hell. The Holy Prophet (s.a.) prayed for his salvation.
4. Finally he declared to the people: “O, Muslims! Every apostle leaves behind him something valuable; similarly I am leaving behind two most valuable things, namely the Book of Allah and my progeny.” He then returned to Umme Salama’s house and prayed: “O’ Lord! Keep my nation safe from the fire of hell and lighten their reckoning on Resurrection Day.”