In the name of Allah

The All-Compassionate, the All-Merciful

17th Jamadial-Awwal  1445 (1st December 2023)

Islamic Universal Association

20 Penzance Place, Holland Park

London, W11 4 PG

www.arafeh.co.uk

 

 

Imam Ali (a.s.)’s advice in the Nahjal-Balagha – Part 3

No one can describe death like Imam Ali (a.s.). He talked about it as though he had tasted it and highlighted the reality of death in several of his sermons in the Nahjul-Balagha; his Sermon 20 on death is quoted below:

 

“Indeed, if you could see what has been seen by those who have died, you would be puzzled and troubled. Then you would have listened and obeyed; but what they have seen is concealed from you. Shortly, it would be unveiled and you will have sight of what they witnessed. You will see provided you wish to see, you will listen provided you aspire to listen and you will be guided if you accept guidance. I speak to you with truth. You have been called upon clearly to take lessons and warned about the consequences. After the heavenly messengers (angels), only man can convey the message from Allah. (So what I am conveying is from Allah).”

 

Valuable points

• We are powerless about death, and we will face the reality of it when we encounter it.
• If we can see the severity of death we will be very distressed and follow the right path. It is, however, concealed from us during our lifetime and we are not in a position to see what awaits us after our death.
• It is necessary that the concept of death should be completely comprehended and our conviction about it should be strengthened.
• Awareness of death teaches us that our stay on earth is only temporary and the world is no place for the realization of our dreams.
• Hatred towards death and love of the world are the distinguishing features of the
• During our tenure on earth we should gather provisions useful for our journey to the other world, for the journey is tiresome and full of dangerous valleys and difficult paths. It is thus of utmost importance that we should consider death as an opportunity to meet our Lord and take lessons from it, seek forgiveness for our sins and curb our naps. We are on trial in this world. As a matter of fact, tests and trials are considered to be the philosophy of life and death so that it can be known who is the most righteous.
• At the time of leaving this world, as attested by the Holy Quran, we will be in one of two states; we will either be amongst the Companions of the Right, or the Companions of the Left. If we are amongst the Companions of the Right, we will be in a good, final state, but if we are amongst the Companions of the Left, we will suffer a great loss. To be continued

 

 

Second Sermon

Life of Fatima (a.s) – Part 1

Although the life of Fatima (a.s.) was short, it contained valuable lessons for the Islamic nation and in particular for Muslim women. Today I will discuss her impeccable life in the following order:

• Her birth and the period until the death of her mother, Khadija (a.s.).
• The period after the death of her mother until her migration to Medina (Hijrat).
• Her life in Medina until the death of her father, the Holy Prophet (s.a.).
• The final juncture of her life

 

Fatima (a.s.) was born on the 20th of Jamadial-Thani, five years after the initiation of the Islamic mission by her father, in Mecca. The house of the Holy Prophet (s.a) and Khadija was illuminated by her birth and there are several traditions relating to this auspicious event. It has been reported in Bahjatul-Qalb Al-Mustafa P: 142 that Imam Ali Ibne Al-Hussain (a.s) has said that she was born during a very important era of Islam and during exceptional circumstances.

 

Moreover, it has been reported by many scholars that Allah (s.w.t) had revealed to the Holy Prophet (s.a) that he would be blessed in abundance through the birth of his daughter, Fatima (a.s) and he was asked to prepare special food and prayer for her. According to a tradition, Gabriel revealed to the Holy Prophet (s.a) that Surah Kauthar was specially granted to him for this divine occasion, which reads: “Verily, We have granted you (O Muhammad) Al-Kauthar (the abundance). So pray to your Lord and offer sacrifice. Verily your enemy shall be the one who is cut off (in his progeny).”

 

The reason for the revelation of this Surah is that one day one of the polytheists’ leaders, Aas ibne Wa’el, denounced the Holy Prophet (s.a.) and referred to him as an ‘abtar’ (an animal whose tail is cut-off) in the presence of his followers, implying that he did not have a son or an heir. The Holy Prophet (s.a.)’s two sons, Qasim and Taher (Abdullah) through his wife, Khadija, had died and he was very upset by this remark. To console the Holy Prophet (s.a.), this Surah was revealed with the glad tidings that the highest degree of Allah (s.w.t.)’s grace would be bestowed upon him. His enemies, on the other hand, happily imagined that with the demise of the Holy Prophet (s.a.) his mission would cease to exist, as he had no son or an heir. Hence, the revelation of this Surah was in answer to them that Islam and the Holy Quran would continue forever.   To be continued