In the name of Allah

The All Compassionate, the All Merciful

3rd Shabaan 1444 (24th February 2023)

Islamic Universal Association

20 Penzance Place, Holland Park

London, W11 4 PG

www.arafeh.co.uk

 

 

Jihad An-Nafs – Part 120

Purification of the heart-Part 62

The Holy Quran is a source of blessings and benefits for those who recite it and incorporate its teachings in their daily lives. There is no doubt that every word contains a message that is a source of guidance for mankind and the route of ultimate success in this world and the hereafter.

 

Keeping this in mind, Surah Al-Waqiah, known as the Surah of wealth, is one of the most important and powerful Surahs of the Holy Quran. It is the 56th Surah and it contains 96 Ayahs and is referred to as “the event” or “the inevitable”. It is widely believed to be a Meccan Surah; it describes the Day of Judgment and the fate of believers and non-believers in a powerful discourse by painting a vivid picture of that Day, when people will be divided into three groups: the foremost in faith, the people of the right and the people of the left. It also discusses life after death and elaborates on belief in the resurrection, which is one of the main pillars of the faith. The ultimate message of the Surah is that Allah (s.w.t) has presented His religion to mankind, and they should have mercy on themselves by choosing to believe in Him and reap the benefits on the Day of Judgment.

 

Reciting Surah Al-Waqiah fills one with blessings and benefits in light of the hadiths reported in Majma Al-Bayan, which are quoted below:

• Ubayye ibne Kab reported that the Holy Prophet (s.a) had said:“Whoever recites Surah Al-Waqiah are not from the ignorant ones and they are from those who remember Allah consistently.”
• It has been narrated that Uthman, the third Caliph, visited Abdullah ibne Masud (a renowned companion of the Holy Prophet) when he was very ill. Uthman asked himwhat he wished for, to whichAbdullahreplied that his sins were weighing him down and he hopes for the mercy of hisWhen Abdullah refused to go the doctor, Uthman offered:“Shall I order that your regular income from the Baitul Maal be restored?” Abdullah replied“You did not let me have it before and I have no need for it now.” Uthman then advised him to leave it to his family and dependents, to which Abdullah replied: “I have taught them something which if they recite it every night, they will never be afflicted with poverty. I heard the Messenger of Allah say that Surah Al-Waqiah protects one from poverty if it is recited every night before sleeping.”
• Imam Jaffar Sadiq (a.) had advised that whoever recites SurahAl-Waqiah every Thursday night, Allah (s.w.t.) will love him and so will his people.
• Imam Baqer (a.) has said: “Whoever recites Surah Al-Waqiah at night before sleeping, his face will be shining on the Day of Resurrection.” To be continued

 

 

 

Second Sermon

Virtues of the month of Shabaan

Today is the first Friday of the holy month of Shabaan, the month of the Holy Prophet (s.a.) and I would like to offer my felicitations to Imam Zamana (a.s.) and to the Muslims on its arrival. My talk during this month will highlight its special merits as well as the Islamic events that transpired in Shabaan.

 

Shabaan is a month of hope and optimism and a chance for forgiveness and enlightenment. It is one of the most revered months and Muslims all over the world give great importance to it and have special affiliation with it. It has been reported in Bihar Al-Anwar V: 97 P: 68 that the Holy Prophet has said: “Shabaan is a month dedicated to me and Ramadan is the month of Allah which is the spring for the needy.” He also advised his Ummah to use this opportunity to gain benefit by fasting. Moreover many supplications and deeds have been recommended during this month.

 

Shabaan also invites us to a chain of birth anniversaries of our Imams and leaders. It is a string of opportunities to renew ourselves spiritually as commemorating the significant days is a means of seeking nearness to Allah (s.w.t).

 

1. Imam Hussain (a.s.) was born on the 3rd of Shabaan, 4 Hijri, in Medina..
2. Abbas Ibn Ali (a.s.) was born in Medina on the 4th of Shabaan, 26 Hijri. He was the commander-in-chief of Imam Hussain (a.s.)’s army in Karbala.
3. Ali Ibn Al-Hussain (a.s.) was born on the 5th of Shabaan, 38 Hijri, in Medina.
4. Hazrat Ali Akbar, son of Imam Husain (a.s.), was born on the 11th of Shabaan, 33 Hijri, in Medina.
5. Imam Mahdi (a.j.f.) was born on the 15th of Shabaan, 255 Hijri in Samara, Iraq. He will re-emerge after a period of long occultation and fill the world with hope and justice and put an end to worldwide disorder and ignorance.

 

Imam Hussain (a.s.)

On the 3rd of Shabaan, 4th Hijri, the house of Imam Ali and Hazrat Fatimah (a.s.) was blessed by the birth of Imam Hussain (a.s.). Soon after he was born the Holy Prophet (s.a.) held him in his arms and recited the adaan in his right ear, and the iqama in his left ear. Gabriel descended and revealed to the Holy Prophet (s.a.) that he should name him Hussain and he congratulated and consoled the Holy Prophet (s.a.) on the auspicious birth and expected martyrdom.

 

The Holy Prophet (s.a.) imbibed in the personality of his dear grandson his personal virtues and excellence so that he would be an exemplar of greatness and after his death he would be in a position to spread his aims and defends his principles. The love and affection he had for Hussain (a.s.) was so unique that all his companions were aware of it. It has been reported that one day the Holy Prophet (s.a.)’s prostration took longer than usual in his prayer. People asked him if he had received a revelation or order from Allah (s.w.t) during his prostration to which he explained that Hussain (a.s.) had climbed on his back and he waited for him to come down.

 

It has been narrated in Mesbaah Al-Mutahajjed that ImamHassan al-Askari (a.s) had written a letter to Qasim ibne Al-Alaa that Husain (a.s) was born on the 3rd of Shabaan on Thursday. It is highly recommended that one should fast on that day and recite a special supplication along the following lines: “O Allah I beseech You for the sake of the son who was born on this day. I raise my hands in Your presence, on whose birthday the news of his martyrdom was given. The earth, the sky and everything that lived in it wept when he was martyred and in return of his martyrdom Imamate was bestowed on his progeny. The dust of his burial place has healing powers (shefa). In his company lies success and good fortune and in his lineage is the Qaim for whom occultation has been decreed.”