In the name of Allah
The All Compassionate, the All Merciful
23rd Rabial-Thani 1444 (18th November 2022)
Islamic Universal Association
20 Penzance Place, Holland Park
London, W11 4 PG
Jihad An-Nafs – Part 106
Purification of the heart-Part 48
As advised last week the Day of Resurrection has been addressed in the Holy Quran in various ways and I quote some of the relevant Ayahs:
Ayah 187 of Surah Al-A’raaf: “They ask you about the hour (of Resurrection), when its fixed time will be. Say: “The knowledge of it is with my Lord. None can reveal its time but He. Heavy shall be its burden in the heavens and the earth. It shall not come upon you but suddenly.” They ask you if you have knowledge about it. Say: “The knowledge is only with God but most people do not know.”
Ayah 26 of Surah Hud: “That you shall not worship anyone, but God. Verily, I fear for you the chastisement of a painful day.”
Ayah 19 of Surah Bani Isra’il: “Whoever desires the hereafter and strives for it …”
Ayah 36 of Surah Al-Ankabut: “And to Midian, We sent their brother Shu’aib. He said: “O my people! Worship God alone and fear the last day, and do not indulge in evil on earth, making mischief.”
Ayah 9 of Surah At-Taghabun: “The Day when He will gather you on the Day of Gathering that will be the Day of mutual loss….”
Ayah 34 of Surah An-Naziaat: “When the great calamity comes,”
Ayah 33 of Surah Abasa: “But when the deafening blast comes.
Ayah 1 of Surah Al-Ghasihiyah: “Have you come to know of the tidings of the overwhelming event?”
Ayah 1-3 of Surah Al-Qari’ah: “The striking calamity;What is the striking calamity? What makes you know what the striking calamity is?”
Ayah 2 of Surah Al-Buruj: “By the promised day,” To be continued.
Second Sermon
Death anniversary of Fatima Masoomah (a.s.) – Part 2
Fatima Massomah (a.s.) was born in Medina and she spent the first six years of her life acquiring special knowledge from her father, Imam Musa Kazim (a.s.), our seventh Imam. When she was ten years old, Haroon Al-Rashid imprisoned her father and this separation was very difficult for her. However, her brother, Imam Reza (a.s.), who was 25 years her senior, took care of her. Both Fatima (a.s.) and Imam Reza (a.s.) were the very close being the only two children born to Imam Musa Kazim (a.s.) and Najmah Khatun. Although she is not considered one of the 14 holy figures in the Shiite Islam, Imam Reza (a.s.) gave her the title of Masoomah, which means infallible or sinless.
After Imam Kazim (a.s.)’s death, Imam Reza (a.s.) held the office of the Imamate, and despite the relentless oppression and cruelty of Haroon Rashid he continued with the responsibility of carrying out his divine duties and spreading the word of God without any fear. Subsequently, in 200 Hijri, he was forced by Mamoon, the Abbasid ruler, to go to Iran (Khorasan). Fatima (a.s.) missed him dearly and a year later, in 201 Hijri, she left Medina to meet him in Marv with 23 family members and friends. On the way they were welcomed and greeted by people of different cities and villages until they reached Saveh, where they were attacked by the enemies of the Shiites; some fled, but many were wounded, taken prisoner or killed. Although Fatima (a.s.) survived she became ill and was unable to continue the journey to Marv and asked to be taken to Qom instead, which is about 60 kilometers from Saveh. She remembered that her father had told her that the city of Qom was the stronghold of the Shites. When she arrived there, its inhabitants gave her a grand reception and she stayed at Musa ibne Khazraj’s house. Despite her infirmity, she spent most of her time in worshipping Allah (s.w.t.) and finally succumbed to her illness within 16 days of her arrival.
Her great personality
The following traditions have been reported in Safina Al-Bihar Vol: 2, Page 376, which demonstrate the importance of visiting her mausoleum in Qom:
- Imam Sadeq (a.s.) has said:
- “Verily a sanctified place of Allah is located in Mecca, the Holy Prophet’s blessed place is located in Medina and Amirul Mumineen’s revered site is in Kufa. Qom is a mini Kufa; heaven has eight gates, three of which are located towards this city. A lady from my descendant, Fatima, the daughter of Musa ibne Jafar, will die in this city and her shrine will be located there. Her status and position will be such that she will have the power to intercede for our followers on the Day of Judgement.” .
- Imam Reza (a.s.) advised one of his followers, who came to see him after he had visited Qom:
- “Those who visit Fatima’s grave and acknowledge her status deserve to go to heaven.”
- Imam Jawad (a.s.) has said: “Whosoever visits the grave of my aunt, Fatima Masoomah, being fully aware of her status, deserves a special place in paradise.”
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