In the name of Allah
The All compassionate, the All-Merciful
15th Shabaan 1446 (14th February 2025)
Islamic Universal Association
20 Penzance Place, Holland Park
London, W11 4 PG
Imam Ali (a.s.)’s advice in the Nahjal-Balagha – Part 66
Further to last week’s discussion, today I would like to reiterate that the Holy Quran gives glad tidings to the believers, warns the disbelievers and guides the followers and the pious to the straight path. The most glorious aspect of the miraculousness of the Holy Quran is that it is a book of guidance for all, Arabs and non-Arabs, knowledgeable and non-knowledgeable, literate and illiterate. It takes them out of darkness, rescues them from destruction, shows them the clearest ways, protects them against error and guides them towards prosperity and salvation. Suffice to say that divine guidance is specifically bestowed on the righteous and pious who establish prayer, pay zakat and adhere to the commands of their Lord. Relevant Ayahs are:
Ayah 2 of Surah Al-Baqarah:
“This is the Book; there is no doubt therein, guidance for the pious.”
Ayah 138 of Surah Aale Imran:
“This (the Quran) is a clear Statement for mankind, a guidance and admonition for the pious.”
Ayahs 15 and 16 of Surah Al-Ma’ida:
“…. Indeed Light and a manifesting Book has come to you from God.
Whereby God guides those who follows His Pleasure into the ways of peace, and takes them out of darkness into the Light by His Will, guiding them to the straight path.”
Ayah 1 of Surah Ibrahim:
“Alif, Lam Ra. This is a Book which We have revealed unto you so that you may bring people forth from utter darkness into light by God’s permission and bring them to the way of the Mighty, the Praised One.”
Ayah 89 of Surah An-Nahl:
“…. and We have revealed unto you the Book explaining everything, a guidance, mercy, and glad tidings to those who submit themselves (to God).”
Ayah 9 of Surah Bani Isra’il:
“Verily, this Quran guides to that which is the most upright and announces glad tidings to the believers who do good deeds that they shall have a great reward.”
Ayahs 1 and 2 of Surah Naml: “Ta Sin. These are the verses of the Quran, the Book that makes truth manifest
Guidance and glad tidings to the believers.”
Ayah 2 and 3 of Surah Luqman:
“These are Verses of the Book of Wisdom,
Guidance and a mercy for the righteous.” To be continued
Second Sermon
Birth anniversary of Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.)
According to the Islamic calendar today is the birth anniversary of Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.) and I wish to congratulate the followers of the Ahlul-Bait who are awaiting his re-emergence with eagerness and great anticipation and I beseech Allah (s.w.t) to hasten his reappearance.
As I mentioned last week the night and day of the 15th of Shabaan is as important as the Night of Qadr as Allah (s.w.t) endows His special grace on that night on His servants and His doors of mercy are open wide for them. 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 in 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 Quran 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.”
Furthermore 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)
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