In the name of Allah

The All compassionate, the All-Merciful

  20^th Ramadan 1446 (21^st March 2025)

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 71

In my sermon, last week, on perseverance and steadfastness I had quoted an extract from Imam Ali (a.s.)’s Sermon 176 from the Nahjul Balagha, which today I will discuss its content and point out its significance. The relevant extract from Sermon 176 is quoted below for your ready reference:

 

“Beware! What had been ordained has occurred and that which had been destined has come into play. I am speaking to you with the promise and pleas of Allah.

Allah the Sublime has said:

Ayah 30 of Surah Fussilat: “Verily, those who say: “Our Lord is God,” and they remain on the right path, the angels descend upon them (saying): “Fear not, nor grieve! But receive the glad tidings of a Garden which you have been promised!”

You have said, “Our Lord is Allah”. Then keep steadfast to His Book, to the way of His command and to the virtuous course of His worship. Thereafter do not go out of it, do not introduce innovations in it, or turn away from it because those who go away from this course shall be cut off from the mercy of Allah on the Day of Judgement.”

 

Valuable points

• Imam Ali (a.s.) in his sermon has stressed the significance of perseverance in faith and in this context he quoted Ayah 30 from Surah Fusselat.
• The said Ayah clearly indicates that the angels descend with glad tidings not only for prophets but for also those who believe and persevere in the cause of Truth. According to some traditions this Ayah refers to the angels who descend upon the believers during the agony of death.
• Although the angels come to receive the believers at the time of death, they also welcome them in their graves and accompany them on the Day of Resurrection. However, their company is not particularly restricted to the hereafter and it also remains available in this world.
• Allah (s.w.t.) manages the affairs of His creation and sends His angels for whomever He wills. The angels generally descend upon the believers, especially when they are being persecuted by the enemies of Truth and/or they are struggling in the cause of Truth so that they are consoled and inspired by the angels to do well. “Fear not” refers to what is to come (qadr), while “nor grieve” refers to what has passed (qazaha).
• Believers are the seekers of Truth and goodness; Allah (s.w.t.) is their Lord and they perform the duties enjoined by Him faithfully and obediently. They embrace their faith sincerely and stand by it steadfastly, neither adopting a creed contrary to it nor mixing it up with a false creed, and they stringently fulfil the demands of the doctrine of Tauhid in their practical lives.
• To achieve this honorable position, one should perform good deeds and invite others to the service of Allah (s.w.t.) even in the face of severe antagonism. To be continued

 

Second Sermon

Laylatul Qadr and the martyrdom of Imam Ali (a.s.)

The most valuable time in Ramadan is the days and nights of Qadr or the Night of Power which is the anniversary of the revelation of the Holy Quran, the crowning glory of Ramadan and a very important occasion in Islam. However, according to some hadith Laylatul Qadr falls on one of the last ten nights of Ramadan, with the odd nights being more likely, and that is why the last ten nights and days of Ramadan are highly auspicious. The Shiites, however, observe the Night of Power on the 21 and 23rd nights, in keeping with the traditions received through their Imams.

 

The 21st of Ramadan is the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Ali (a.s.). Due to this sad occasion, I offer my condolences to Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.) and to the followers of the Ahlul Bait (a.s.).

 

Imam Ali (a.s.) was born in the House of Allah (s.w.t), the Ka’bah, and he finally died from the wound inflicted on him on the 19th of Ramadan, 40 Hijri, by Abdur Rahman ibn Moljem, in the House of Allah (s.w.t) whilst he was leading the morning prayers in Masjid of Kufa. His glorious life began with fervent devotion to Allah (s.w.t.) and His Messenger and it ended on the 21st of Ramadan in the service of Islam.

 

Imam Ali (a.s.)’s assassination was prophesied by the Holy Prophet (s.a.). It has been narrated that one day when the Holy Prophet (s.a.) was delivering a sermon on the importance of Ramadan, Ali (a.s.) asked him what did he consider as the best deed during this holy month, to which the he replied: “The best deed during the month of Ramadan is to keep away from evil deeds as forbidden by Allah”. He then burst into tears. Ali (a.s.) was distressed to see him in that state and enquired about the reason for his grief. The Holy Prophet (s.a.) said: “I am crying because I can see a catastrophic event that will take place in this holy month. Whilst you will be in prostration during your prayers, the most heinous of all criminals and the one who is as vicious as the person who killed the camel of Thamud will strike your head with a poisonous sword and your beard will be stained with blood.” The Imam then enquired: “Will I be on the right path?” The Holy Prophet (s.a.) said he certainly would and declared:

“O Ali, whoever kills you, kills me, whoever abuses you, abuses me and whoever bears enmity against you, is my enemy because indeed you are from me. Your soul is from my soul and your nature is my nature. Verily, Allah, the Greatest, has created me and you and He has selected me as His Prophet and has chosen you as the Imam and Caliph after me. Hence whoever denies your Imamate, has indeed denied my prophetic mission. O’ Ali, you are my successor, father of my grandchildren, my daughter’s husband and the Caliph of my people, both during my lifetime and after my death. Your command is my command and your prohibition is my prohibition. I swear by Him who made me His Prophet that indeed you are the Proof of Allah for His creatures, the trustee of His secrets and the guardian of His slaves.” (Book of Amaali Sadooq, Page 95)