In the name of Allah
The All compassionate, the All-Merciful
25th Dhil-Qadah 1446 (23rd May2025)
Islamic Universal Association
20 Penzance Place, Holland Park
London, W11 4 PG
Imam Ali (a.s.)’s advice in the Nahjal-Balagha – Part 83
With reference to sanctity of life, property and reputation in Islam, I quote below an extract from the last sermon of the Holy Prophet (s.a.), during his farewell pilgrimage (Hajjatul-Wida), which contains valuable advice that is highly important in Islam.
The Holy Prophet (s.a.) after praising and thanking Allah (s.w.t.) advised as follows:
“O’ People! Lend me an attentive ear, for I know not whether after this year I shall be amongst you again. Therefore, listen carefully to what I have to say and take these words to those who could not be present here today.
O’ People! Just as you regard this month, this day and this city as sacred, so also regard the life and property of every Muslim as a sacred trust. Return the goods entrusted to you to their rightful owners. Hurt no one so that no one may hurt you. Remember that you will indeed meet your Lord one day, and that he will reckon your deeds. Allah has forbidden you to take usury; therefore all interest obligations shall henceforth be waived. Your capital is yours to keep. You will neither inflict nor suffer any inequality. All mankind is from Adam and Eve; an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a white person has no superiority over a black man nor does a black man have any superiority over a white person. Superiority is based on piety and good actions.
Learn that every Muslim is a brother to other Muslims and that Muslims constitute one brotherhood. Nothing shall be legitimate to a Muslim which belongs to a fellow Muslim unless it was given freely and willingly. Do not therefore do injustice to yourselves. Remember one day you will meet Allah and you will have to answer for your deeds. So beware, do not stray from the path of righteousness after I have gone.
O’ People! No Prophet or apostle will come after me and there will be no new faith. Therefore reason well and understand what I have to convey to you. I leave behind me two weighty things, the Holy Quran and my household (Ahlul Bait) and if you follow them you will never go astray. All those who are listening to me should pass on my words to others and moreover to others after that, and may the last ones understand my words better than those who are listening to me directly.
O Allah! You are my witness that I have conveyed Your message to Your people. (R:Tarikh Yaqubi) To be continued
Second Sermon
Martyrdom of Imam Jawad (a.s.)
According to some famous narration, the end of Dhil-Qadah marks the martyrdom anniversary of our ninth Imam, Jawad (a.s.) and I express my condolences to Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.) and to my brethren in faith.
It has been reported that Imam Jawad (a.s.) was born in Medina on the 15th or 19th of Ramadan, 195 Hijri, whilst according to another report he was born on the 10th of Rajab, in the same year. He was martyred by poisoning, at the age of 25, towards the end of Dhil-Qadah, 220 Hijir, in Baghdad at the instigation of the ruler, Mutasim. He was buried beside the grave of his grandfather, Imam Musa Kazim (a.s.), within the precincts of Kazimain Mosque, in Iraq.
He was merely 9 years old when his father was martyred and due to his tender age transferring leadership to him led to many debates and arguments as some people, from among the followers of Ahlul Bait, doubted his eligibility to become an Imam at such a young age. It has been reported by Kulaini, in his book Kafi that the Mutawalli of the Holy Kaaba questioned him for several days and he finally accepted him as the Imam of the time after he was fully satisfied. The period of his Imamate lasted for 17 years which coincided with the oppressive reigns of the Abbasid rulers, Mamum and Mutasim. The Imam came from Medina to Baghdad on the 28th of Muharram, 220 Hijri as he was summoned by Mutasim.
The story of Mamun’s first meeting with the Imam is very interesting. It has been reported in Bihar Al-Anwar that Mamun and his entourage were passing through the street, on the way to a hunting expedition, where Imam Jawad (a.s.) was standing and watching other children play; he was about 9 years old at the time. On seeing the caliph, the children ran inside with the exception of the Imam. Mamun stopped his carriage and asked him: “Young man, why did you not run away like the other children?” Imam Jawad (a.s) rreplied calmly: “For two reasons; I have not committed a crime, nor am I blocking your path. Why should I run away or be afraid?” Mamun was surprised at this mature response. He asked him who he was and having learnt that he was the son of Imam Ali Reza (a.s.), praised him and moved on. Later, when Mamun was heading back to the city, he found the children playing at the same spot. They ran away again, save the Imam. Mamun stopped his carriage, hid the fish in his palm, which his hawk had caught, and asked the Imam if he knew what was in his palm. Imam Jawad (a.s.) replied: “Allah has created the cloud between the earth and the sky and tiny fishes in the river. The hawk sometimes brings these to their masters, who hide them in their fist and ask a member of the Ahlul Bait, what they are hiding.” Hearing this, Mamum said: “Truly, you are the worthy son of Imam Ali Reza.” He was so impressed that he took the young Imam with him to Baghdad, and kept him in a house next to the royal palace.
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