In the name of Allah
The All compassionate, the All-Merciful
23 Rajab 1446 (24 January 2025)
Islamic Universal Association
20 Penzance Place, Holland Park
London, W11 4 PG
Imam Ali (a.s)’s advice in the Nahjal-Balagha – Part 64
As advised last week the Holy Quran strengthens the heart and mind and cures illness and diseases, such as blasphemy, hypocrisy and misguidance. Pious believers strictly follow the Holy Quran and the tenets of Islam. Moreover, remembering Allah (s.w.t) (dhikr) brings about pleasure, tranquility and peace of mind and eliminates worries and distress. Dhikr is one of the virtuous acts of worship which is the basis of gratitude to Allah (s.w.t). It is vital for our salvation that we remember Him at all times, both in private and when amongst people for Allah (s.w.t) remembers those who remember Him. Relevant Ayahs are:
- Ayahs 8-10 of Surah Al-Baqarah:
- “Of people are some who say: “We believe in God and the last Day,” while in fact they are not believers at all.
They intend to deceive God and those who believe, while they deceive only
their own selves, but they do not perceive it.
In their heart is a disease, and God increases their disease; for them is a
painful chastisement because of the lies they were telling.”
- Ayahs 152 and 200 of Surah Al-Baqarah:
- “Therefore if you remember Me, I will remember you; be thankful to me and do not be ungrateful.
And when you have performed your rites, remember God as you remember
your fathers, rather with a more intense remembrance, …”
- Ayah 191 of Surah Aale Imran:
- “Those who remember God standing, sitting and reclining on their sides, and contemplate about the wonders of the heavens and the earth saying:” Lord! You have not created all this in vain! Glory be to You! Save us from the torment of the fire.”
- Ayah 28 of Surah Ar-Ra’d:
- “The hearts of those who believe are set at rest through remembering God; certainly through remembering God (only) is hearts set at ease.”
- Ayahs 17 and 18 of Surah Ar-Rum:
- “So Glorify God when you approach the evening or the morning.
And His alone is the Praise in the heavens and the earth, and at dusk and
when you approach noon.”
- Ayahs 35, 41 and 42 of Surah Al-Ahzab:
- “Indeed God has prepared forgiveness and great recompense for men and women …. who remember God much.
O You who believe! Remember God most frequently.
And glorify Him in the morning and evening.” To be continued
Second sermon
Martyrdom anniversary of Imam Musa Al-Kazim (a.s)
I offer my condolences to Imam Al-Mahdi (a.j.t.f) and to the lovers of Ahlul Bait on the martyrdom anniversary of our 7th Imam, Musa ibne Jafar (a.s).
The Imam was born in Medina on the 7th of Safar, 128 Hijri and was martyred in Baghdad, Iraq, on the 25th of Rajab 183 Hijri. For 20 years he was under the authority of his father, who died 10 years before the end of the cruel Abbasid rule of Mansur. The period of his Imamate lasted for 35 years which included the 10 remaining years of the caliphate of Mansur, 10 years of the rule of Mahdi, 1 year and some months of Hadi and about 12 years of the reign of Harun Al-Rashid. The Abbasid caliphs treated the followers of the Imam mercilessly and arrested them when they were alerted of their disloyalty. The Imam was fully aware of the dangerous situation, but it did not appear to have seriously interrupted his life for he continued to disseminate Quranic teachings as his father, Imam Jafar As-Sadiq (a.s), used to do through the Islamic schools opened in Medina during the life of Imam Baqar (a.s).
From time to time the Imam was brought from Medina to Baghdad and kept there either under house arrest or in prison under the most difficult of conditions. But he submitted to the Will of God in all circumstances and managed to perform his duties as the Imam of the Ahlul Bait during these trying times. It is because of these uncertain times that the Imam said: “How base is the world for people, unless God gives them joy; and how great is this life, if God is not angry with them.”
It was widely known that Imam Musa Kazim (a.s) had been given powers of healing. Once he was passing by a house where he heard children wailing and when he learnt that their mother had died and they had no one to look after them, he went inside the house, prayed to Allah (s.w.t) for her life. Moments later the woman stood up in good health. People who saw this cried out, “Behold it is Jesus son of Mary.”
It has also been reported that one day when Harun Al Rashid visited the grave of the Holy Prophet (s.a) in Medina, he greeted him as follows: “My Salaams to you O’ cousin of our fathers.” Imam Musa Kazim (a.s), who was there at the time, immediately said: “My Salaams to you Our grandfather.” This enraged Al-Rashid, who walked away.
Imam Musa Kazim (a.s) was a paragon of moral excellence. He excelled in tolerance and forgiveness, so much so that he was known as Al-Kazim, the suppressor of anger. He never spoke harshly to anyone and even in the most unpleasant situations, he was seen smiling and bearing his pain gracefully. This was in accordance with the advice of Imam Ali (a.s) that the faithful confines his grief in his heart with a smile on his face.
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