In the name of Allah

The All-Compassionate, the All-Merciful

13th Shabaan 1445 (23rd February 2024)

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 15

Imam Ali (a.s.) in Sermon 64 encourages us to take advantage of the life of this world by doing righteous deed before death; I quote below an extract from the sermon:

“O servants of Allah! Fear Allah and anticipate your death with good actions. Purchase everlasting joy by transitory bounties (pleasures of this world). Get ready for the journey for you are being driven and prepare yourselves for death, which is hovering over you. Be like one who has woken up when called, and who knows that this world is not his abode and it has to be replaced.

Certainly, Allah, the Glorious, has not created you in vain nor neglected you and there is nothing between you and paradise or the fire except death which everyone must face. This life that is being shortened every minute and being dismantled every hour must be regarded as very short.

The hidden thing namely death is being ushered by two phenomena, the day and the night, which is certainly speeding in its approach. The traveller is arriving either with success or in misery. Death deserves the best of provisions. So acquire such provisions from this world while you are here with which you may protect yourself tomorrow (on the Day of Judgement).

 

Valuable points

• One of the recurring themes of the Holy Qur’an is the life of this world and the life after death The life of this world (dunya) means “nearer” or “something less important or ordinary.” It has been described as something of a transient nature, a place of transit, test and trials, and actions. It is also a place for learning, spiritual development and growth. What one achieves here is manifested during the next phase of existence (the hereafter) which is a constant, higher and a permanent phase of existence.
• The duration and time that a person spends in this world has also been described as short and brief. Each person who is alive today will be overtaken by death tomorrow.
• The Holy Qur’an also describes life on earth as a life of illusion and deception, where truth often gets obscured by falsehood.
• The basic principle in the concept of the hereafter is that our beliefs and actions have consequences and that is why the Imam Ali (a.s.) is urging us to acquire piety by performing good deeds and refraining from what Allah (s.w.t.) has forbidden.
• We should take advantage of this life and acquire provision for our eternal life and trade our wealth for our future abode.

 

 

Second Sermon

Birth anniversary of Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.) 

We are approaching the birth anniversary of Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.) and I wish to congratulate the Shiites who are awaiting his re-emergence with great fervour

and anticipation and I beseech Allah (s.w.t) to hasten his reappearance.

 

The night of the 15th of Shabaan is as important as the Night of Qadr as Allah (s.w.t.) directs His special grace on the world on that night and His doors of mercy are open wide. It is the special night for seeking His forgiveness and turning to Him in repentance. That is why it is called Laylatul Bara’ah meaning the Night of Salvation.

 

Another significance of the night is the birth of the last successor of the Holy Prophet (s.a.), the saviour of mankind, Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.), who was born before dawn on Friday, 255 Hijri in Samara. He was five years old when his father, Imam Hassan Askari (a.s.), was martyred and after he led the funeral prayers, he disappeared and went into occultation by divine command.

 

The significance of the Universality of his divine revolution has been mentioned in the Holy Qur’an and in many traditions. Ayah 105 of Surah Al-Anbiya provides: “And indeed We did write in the Psalms (Zabur) after the Reminder (Torah) that My righteous servants shall inherit the earth.” The true promise that the righteous servants will inherit the earth has been reported in David (Dawood)’s Book, Psalms/Zabur, and other divine scriptures. The word ‘righteousness’ can only be held to mean the purity of the soul and the body and who else could be more righteous than those whom Allah (s.w.t.) has purified; the progeny and seed of the Holy Prophet (s.a) who shall inherit the earth and dwell therein until eternity.

 

Moreover, Ayah 5 of Surah Al-Qasas provides:“And We intend to bestow Our favour upon those who were considered weak in the land, and to make them the Imams and the inheritors.” Further more Imam Baqer (a.s.) has narrated from the Holy Prophet (s.a.): “Even if a day remains until Qiyamah, Allah will prolong that day until He will send a man from my progeny who will fill the earth with justice and equity as it was filled with injustice and oppression.” (Majma Al-Bayan, Volume 7, page 67)