In the name of Allah

The All-Compassionate, the All-Merciful

  13^th Jamadial-Awwal 1446 (15^th November 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 54

Continuation about justice

Imam Ali (a.s.)’s Letter 45 to Uthman ibne Hunayf Al-Ansari also highlights the challenges man faces on account of vain desire and adornments of this worldly life. I quote below the final part of his letter:

“O vicious world! Do not try to snare me, you cannot entrap me, I am beyond your temptations and pitfalls as I have taken good care not to slip into such pitfalls. Where are those people whom you had tempted with pleasures and enjoyments? Where are those groups whom you had allured with pomp and glory? They are confined to their graves and hidden in burial places.

O vicious world! Had you been a person or a body capable of feeling, I would have awarded you the penalties fixed by Allah because you have tempted millions of individuals from the true path of humanity, you have brought about destruction, decline and fall of nations alluring them with power and pleasure and you have lowered rulers to such depths and drove them to places of distress that no one can come out from there. Indeed whoever stepped on your slippery slope slipped, whoever rode your waves, drowned and whoever was not entrapped by your temptations or allumements found the straight path to safety and salvation. Whoever kept away from you, did not worry about the consequences of his actions, though his affairs may have been stratège. To him this world and its pleasures, woes and afflictions would soon pass away.

Get away from me, for, by Allah, I do not bow before you so that you may humiliate me, nor do I let loose the reins for you so that you may drive me away. I swear by Allah that except for His Will over which I have no control, I shall mould my life as He wishes and be content and joyful with one piece of bread and only salt to season it. I shall let my eyes empty themselves of tears like the stream whose water has flown away and my mind shall be dead to the desires of pleasures, fame, power and glory.

Ibn Hunayf! You have seen sheep and goats, after eating and drinking their fill they retire to their den. Do you want Ali to be like them – to eat, drink and enjoy? May I get blind if after having passed so many years of my life I now turn into an animal in human form!

Happy is the person who discharged his obligations towards Allah and endured adversities patiently and when sleep overpowered him he used his hand as a pillow and lay on mere earth along with those whose fear of the Day of Judgement had often kept them awake, who did not find much time to sleep, whose lips glorified Allah, and whose sins had been absolved on account of the penance they imposed upon themselves. They are noble people and they certainly will secure salvation. O Ibn Hunayf! Fear Allah and be content with the bread that you get with lawful means, so that you may be exempt and free from the fire of Hell.”   To be continued

Second Sermon

Martyrdom anniversary of Fatima Az-Zahra (a.s.) Part -2

According to a reliable tradition, Fatima (a.s.) was martyred on the 13th of

Jamadial-Awwal and I offer my condolences to Imam Mahdi (a.t.f). and the followers of the Ahlul Bait.

There is a lot of confusion about the date of Fatima (a.s.)’s birth and martyrdom and before I talk about her infallible personality, I would like to draw your attention to the following two traditions which have been reported in Bahjatul-Qalb Al-Mustafa P: 142:

• Habib Al-Sajastani narrated from Imam Baqer (A.S.): “Fatima, the daughter of Muhammad, was born in the fifth year of the Holy Prophet’s mission (Besat) and she was martyred when she was 18 years and 75 days.”
• Abu Basir narrated from Imam Sadeq (a.s.): “Fatima was born on the 20th day of Jamadial-Thani, in Mecca, when the Holy Prophet was 45 years old. She lived in Mecca for 8 years and in Medina for 10 years and she was martyred 75 days after the death of her father.”

The following facts can be established from the foregoing traditions:

1. Fatima (a.s.) was born on the 20th of Jamadial-Thani in Mecca.
2. She was born in the 5th year of Besat (divine prophecy).
3. The Holy Prophet (s.a.) was 45 years old when she was born.
4. She resided in Mecca for 8 years.
5. She was a resident of Medina for 10 year and 75 days.
6. She was martyred at the age of 18 year and 75 days.
7. She was martyred 75 days after her father’s death.

The Holy Prophet (s.a.) considered her part and parcel of his life. It has been reported that he advised Salman Farsi as follows: “Whoever loves Fatima will be with me in heaven and whoever is her enemy will be in hell. O’ Salman! Friendship with Fatima is advantageous in hundred places; it eases one during death, in the grave, on resurrection day, when crossing the Bridge of Sirat and during the reckoning.

Fatima is a piece of my heart, whoever pleases her, pleases me and whoever pleases me, pleases Allah. Whoever offends her, offends me and whoever offends me, offends Allah. Whoever displeases her, displeases me, and whoever displeases me, displeases Allah. Woe to those who oppress her and her husband and woe to those who oppress her followers.”

In another hadith the Holy Prophet (s.a.) had said: “O’ Fatima, whoever incurs your wrath, incurs the wrath of Allah.”   To be continued