In the name of Allah
The All Compassionate, the All Merciful
25th Rabial -Thani 1445 (10th November 2023)
Islamic Universal Association
20 Penzance Place, Holland Park
London, W11 4 PG
www.arafeh.co.uk

Jihad An-Nafs – Part 157
Purification of the heart-Part 99

Imam Husain (a.s) once advised one of his followers that he should seek help in these three situations: 1.If he had borrowed money for his survival and is unable to repay his debt within the time limit set for repayment. 2. If he is in dire need and is not in a position to help him and has no other choice whatsoever, but to ask for help. 3. If he needs to pay for blood money for having accidentally killed someone and he does not have the means to do so. The Imam further explained to the man that one should refrain from asking for help for insignificant things or matters. The man explained that his situation was as dire as the Imam had specified, so the Imam gave him 100 Dinar.

The man then asked the Imam about Ayahs 10-11 of Surah Ad-Duha:
“As to the beggar, do not chide him. And as to the bounties of your Lord, announce them to others. The Imam explained that Allah (s.w.t) had ordered the Holy Prophet (s.a.) to proclaim the grace and blessings that He had bestowed upon him regarding His religion. The blessings may refer to the Holy Quran itself, the gift of prophethood, or any blessing Allah (s.w..t) has bestowed upon a person (R: Nahjal-Shahada P: 301).
Moreover, Ayah 10 is an exhortation for mercy and kindness towards beggars in general, this verse is seen by most commentators as a specific reference to beggars who should either be fed or turned away gently without rebuke. It is also interpreted as an exhortation to share knowledge of the religion with anyone who seeks it. In this sense the instruction corresponds to Allah (s.a.)’s favour to the Holy Prophet (s.a.):

“ Did He not find you an orphan and sheltered you? And He found you at a loss and guided you. And He found you in need and made you independent.” (Ayahs 6- 8 Surah Ad-Duha).
On one level, the Ayah serves as a reminder from Allah (s.w.t) that the Holy Prophet (s.a.) should remember his own state as an orphan. On another level, it is an admonition to the Quraish, because they were known to take the wealth of orphans and abuse their rights The Holy Prophet (s.a.) was an orphan, and Allah (s.a.) had graced him with His bounties and he was in need and Allah (s.w.t) had enriched him. Some understands that the Ayah refers to the Holy Prophet (s.a.)’s enrichment through Khadijah’s wealth, others say it refers to the true wealth, which is spiritual contentment as described in a famous hadith,
“Wealth comes not from abundance of goods; rather, wealth is the wealth of the soul”

Second Sermon
Significance of time and place in Islam
With reference to the demise of Fatima Masoomeh (a.s.) in the city of Qom, I quote below some Ayahs from the Holy Quran about place and time, which is of great importance in Islam. We should bear in mind that every single creature has been created by Allah (s.w.t.) for a specific purpose and moreover the earth, sky and stars have their advantages and uses as well.
• Ayahs 198, 199 and 203 of Surah Al-Baqarah:
• “There is no sin on you if you seek the bounty from your Lord. And when you march from Arafat, remember God near the Holy Monument, Al-Mash’ar, and remember Him as He has guided you, although you were surely before this, among those who strayed.
Then march on whence other people march on, and seek the pardon
of God; God is Forgiving, Merciful.
And remember God on the prescribed days, and whosoever hastens off
in two days it will be no sin on him and whosoever tarries (there), on
him there will be no sin, nor for him who is pious; so take shelter in
God and know that to Him you shall all be gathered.”
• Ayahs 96 of Surah Aale Imran:
• “Verily, the first House (of worship) made for mankind was the blessed one at Bakka (Makkah), guidance for the world.”
• Ayahs 1-4 of Surah Al-Fajr:
• “By the dawn,
And by the ten nights (the first ten days of the month of Dhul-Hijjah),
And by the even and the odd,
And by the night as it departs.”
• Ayahs 1-2 of Surah Al-Balad:
• “Nay! I swear by the city (Makkah)!
While you (Muhammad) are settled in this city!”
• Ayahs 1-7 of Surah Ash-Shams: “By the sun and its radiation,
By the moon when it follows it,
By the day when it unfolds its light,
By the night when it enshrouds it,
By the sky and of which it is built,
By the earth and what expands it,
By the soul as it is perfected.”
• Ayahs 1 and 2 of Surah Al-Asr:
• “(I swear) By the time (Al-Asr)!
Verily man is in loss!”