In the name of Allah
The All-Compassionate, the All-Merciful
14th Dhil-Hijja 1445 (21st June 2024)
Islamic Universal Association
20 Penzance Place, Holland Park
London, W11 4 PG
Imam Ali (a.s.)’s advice in the Nahjal-Balagha – Part 33
I quote below the last three concluding paragraphs of Imam Ali (a.s.)’s Sermon 114, which I will analyses during my next session:
“Certainly nothing is viler than evil except its punishment and nothing is better than good except its reward. In this world everything that is heard is better than what is seen, while everything that is seen in the next world is better than what is heard. So you should satisfy yourself by hearing rather than seeing and from the news of the unknown. You should know that what is little in this world but much in the next is better than what is much in this world but little in the next. In how many cases little is profitable while there is more that causes loss.
Certainly that which you have been commanded to do is more than what you have been refrained from, and what has been made lawful for you is more than what has been prohibited. Then give up what is less for that which is much, and what is limited for that which is vast. Allah has guaranteed your livelihood and has commanded you to act. Therefore, the pursuit of that which has been guaranteed to you should not get preference over the performance that has been enjoined upon you.
But by Allah, most certainly the position is that doubt has overtaken and certainty has been shattered and it seems as if what has been guaranteed to you is obligatory on you and what was made obligatory on you has been taken away from you. So, hasten towards good actions and dread the suddenness of death, because the return of time cannot be hoped for whereas the return of livelihood can be hoped for. Livelihood that is reduced today may be increased tomorrow, but whatever time is lost yesterday its return cannot be expected today. There can be hope for that which is to come, while that which is passed there is only disappointment. So “Fear Allah as He ought to be feared and do not die until you are a (true) Muslim.” (Quran, 3:102).” To be continued
Second Sermon
Eid Al-Adha
The day of Eid Al-Adha is known as ‘Eid Al-Kabar’ (Major Feast), or ‘the Feast of Sacrifice’ the word Eid means a recurring festival and Eid Al-Adha is a completely different Eid, coinciding with the rituals of Hajj. It falls on the 10th of Dhul-Hajjah, and it is observed in remembrance of Prophet Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son, Ismael, as an act of submission to God, but at the last minute Allah (s.w.t.) intervened and replaced Ismael with a lamb. Almost every single ritual of Hajj, such as the stoning of Satan, the Saie of Safa and Marwa, and the sacrificial lamb originates from Abraham as well as from Hajar and their son, Ismael, who settled in a desolate place, near the Kaaba and faced severe trials and tribulations. It is a time when we celebrate Allah (s.w.t.)’s mercy. A successful completion of Hajj obliterates all sins and we should therefore beseech Allah (s.w.t) to accept the Hajj and ibadat of the pilgrims and to grant us the opportunity and means to perform Hajj in the future.
Hajj is one of the most important events in a Muslim’s life according to the Holy Quran and Islamic traditions. There are many Ayahs in the Holy Quran relating to it; I quote below Ayahs 27-30 of Surah Al-Hajj:
“And proclaim the Hajj (pilgrimage) to the people. They will then come to you from every remote place, on foot and on lean camels.
That they may witness advantages for them, and mention the name of God during the appointed days (10th, 11th, 12th and 13th day of Dhil-Hijja) over what He has provided them of livestock quadruped, and eat them and feed the poor.
Then let them complete the prescribed duties, and fulfil their vows, and let them circumambulate the Ancient House.
Let the pilgrimage be so, and whoever honors the inviolability of God, it is best for him with his Lord. The livestock are made lawful to you, save that which has been recited unto you. Then shun the abomination of the idols, and shun vain talks.”
In accordance with the aforesaid Ayahs, Hajj it is a great event in Islam and it has many benefit for Muslims in this world and in the hereafter. The pilgrims are required to remember Allah (s.w.t.) especially on certain days (11th, 12th and 13th after the day of Eid), which are called the Days of Tashriq, because Allah (s.w.t) blesses them specifically on those days. They are provided with the meat of lamb (Qurbani) to eat and enjoy and to feed the poor as mentioned in the Ayah. Specific rituals have to be observed by them on the day of Eid, such as, the stoning of Satan, shaving of heads or clipping of nails before coming out of Ihram. Thereafter circumambulation of the Kaaba and other prescribed deeds has to be performed.
It has been narrated that there are four great festivals (Eid) that Muslims celebrate; they are Eid Al-Fitr, Eid Al-Adha, the Day of Arafah, and Eid Al-Ghadeer. Friday is a blessed day for Muslims as well. All these days are very important in Islam when many supplications and deeds are highly recommended. (Safina Al-Bihar V: 2, P: 286)
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