In the name of Allah
The All Compassionate, the All Merciful
23 Ramadan 1444 (14 April 2023)
Islamic Universal Association
20 Penzance Place, Holland Park
London, W11 4 PG
Jihad An-Nafs – Part 127
Purification of the heart-Part 69
In continuation of my earlier discussions on the companions of the right (Ashab Al-Yamin) and the companions of the left (Ashab Al-Shimal) from Surah Al-Waqiah, I quote below relevant Ayahs pertaining to them, which I will explain in detail during my forthcoming session.
Ayahs 71 and 72 of Surah Bani Isra’il: “Remember the Day when We shall summon every nation with their leaders (Imam); then those who are given their books in their right hand shall read their books, and they will not be dealt with even a whit unjustly.
But whosoever is blind in this life, shall be blind in the hereafter, and more erring from the way.”
Ayahs 19 to 37 of Surah Al-Haqqah: “Then as for him who is given his book in his right hand will say: “Lo! Read my book!
Verily, I felt that I shall meet my account.”
So he shall be in a life of bliss, pleased,
In the exalted garden,
Its fruits being low and near at hand.
“Eat and drink in health and pleasure for what goodness you sent before in the days that passed!”
But He who is given his book in his left hand, will say: “I wish that the book was never given to me;
And that I had never known what my account was;
O would that it had put an end to me.
My wealth availed me naught;
And all my power has gone from me!”.
(It will be said): “Seize him and fetter him!
Then into the blazing fire, burn him!
Then into a chain, seventy cubits long, tie him!
Verily, he used to disbelieve in God, the Most Great;
And did not urge the feeding of the poor;
So there will be no friend for him today;
No food for him saves the pus from the washing of wounds;
Eaten by none other than the sinners,”
To be continued
Second sermon
Virtues of the holy month of Ramadan – Part 5
The most valuable time in Ramadan is the days and nights of Qadr and also the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Ali (a.s.). Due to the sad occasion of Imam Ali (a.s)’s demise, I offer my condolences to Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.) and to the followers of the Ahlul Bait (a.s.).
Imam Ali (a.s.) was born in the House of Allah (s.w.t.), the Ka’bah, and he finally died from the wound inflicted on him on the 19th of Ramadan, 40 Hijri, by Abdur Rahman ibn Moljem, in the House of Allah (s.w.t) whilst he was leading the morning prayers in the Masjid of Kufa. His glorious life began with fervent devotion to Allah (s.w.t) and His Messenger and it ended on the 21st of Ramadan in the service of Islam.
Imam Ali (a.s.)’s assassination was prophesied by the Holy Prophet (s.a.). It has been narrated that one day when the Holy Prophet (s.a.) was delivering a sermon on the importance of Ramadan, Ali (a.s.) asked him what did he consider as the best deed during this holy month, to which the Prophet (s.a.) replied:
“The best deed during the month of Ramadan is to keep away from evil deeds as forbidden by Allah”. He then burst into tears. Ali (a,s.) was distressed to see him in that state and enquired about the reason for his grief. The Holy Prophet (s.a.) said:
“I am crying because I can see a catastrophic event that will take place in this holy month. Whilst you will be in prostration during your prayers, the most heinous of all criminals and the one who is as vicious as the person who killed the camels of Thamood will strike your head with a poisonous sword and your beard will be stained with blood.” The Imam then enquired: “Will I be on the right path?”
The Holy Prophet (s.a.) said he certainly would and declared:
“O Ali, whoever kills you, kills me, whoever abuses you, abuses me and whoever bears enmity against you, is my enemy because indeed you are from me. Your soul is from my soul and your nature is my nature. Verily, Allah the Greatest has created me and you and He has selected me as His Prophet and has chosen you as the Imam and Caliph after me. Hence whoever denies your Imamate, has indeed denied my prophetic mission. O’ Ali, you are my successor, father of my grandchildren, my daughter’s husband and the Caliph of my people, both during my lifetime and after my death. Your command is my command and your prohibition is my prohibition. I swear by Him who made me His Prophet that indeed you are the Proof of Allah for His creatures, the trustee of His secrets and the guardian of His slaves.” (The book of Amaali Sadooq, Page 95)
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