In the name of Allah

The All compassionate, the All-Merciful

 10^th Dhil-Hajja 1446 (6^th June 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 85

Today I will discuss the benefits of piety and in this context, I quote below Imam Ali (a.s.)’s advice in the Nahjul Balagha under Short Saying 130, when he returned from the Battle of Siffin and saw the graves outside Kufa: 

 

“O residents of houses which provide a sense of loneliness in deprived areas and gloomy graves. O people of the dust, O victims of strangeness, O people of loneliness, O people of desolateness! You have gone ahead and preceded us while we will follow and meet you. The houses you left behind have been inhabited by others; the wives you left have been married to others; the properties have been distributed among heirs. This is the news about those around us; what is the news about things around you?” Then the Imam turned to his companions and said: “Beware! If they were allowed to speak they would inform you that verily the best provision is fear of Allah.” (Ayah 197 of Surah Al-Baqarah)

 

Valuable points

• Death in Islam is accepted as wholly natural and it marks a transition between the material realm and the unseen world. In other words, death is not seen as the termination of life altogether, rather it is the continuation of life in another form, that is, the termination of worldly life and the beginning of the afterlife.
• Death is the end of a person’s earthly existence and marks a transition where worldly possessions, relationships and experiences are no longer relevant.
• A dead person cannot give an account of his experience in the grave and if he could speak he would advise that the best provision for the afterlife in taqwa.
• Allah (s.w.t.) has made this worldly life as a test and a preparation ground for the afterlife. Thus, everyone has only one chance to prepare themselves for the life to come, when Allah (s.w.t.) will resurrect and judge every individual and will entitle them to rewards or punishment, based on their good or bad deeds.
• Imam Ali (a.s.) emphasizes the importance of faith and acceptance of Allah (s.w.t.)’s will even in the face of death. He has advised that those who die in faith will face the afterlife with peace and comfort.
• The greatest stimulus to the proper use of human capabilities is fear. When man is in a state of fear, he becomes extremely realistic in all matters. Fear removes all veils from his mind and he is able to rise above all omissions, mistakes and misunderstandings and can then form the most correct opinion. This is exactly what happens to those who fear the Lord of the universe (taqwa).
• If a man fears Allah (s.w.t.), he does whatever Allah (s.w.t) has commanded him to do and refrains from doing whatever He has prohibited; he is inspired to distinguish truth from falsehood. To be continued

 

 

Second Sermon

Eid Al-Adha

The day of Eid Al-Adha is also known as ‘Eid Al-Qurban’ or ‘the Feast of Sacrifice’ The word ‘Eid’ means a recurring festival and Eid Al-Adha is a completely different Eid, coinciding with the rituals of Hajj. It falls on the 10th of Dhil-Hajja, and it is observed in remembrance of Prophet Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son, Ismael, as an act of submission to Allah (s.w.t.), but at the last-minute Allah (s.w.t.) intervened and replaced Ismael with a lamb. Almost every single ritual of Hajj is performed, such as the stoning of Satan, the days of Safa and Marwa, and the sacrificial lamb originated from Abraham as well as from Hajar and their son, Ismael, who settled in a desolate place, near the Kaaba and faced severe trials and tribulations. This stands as an example for Muslims around the world to lead a good life by way of obeying Allah (s.w.t.) and putting personal differences aside and trusting in His will. It is also a time when we celebrate Allah (s.w.t.)’s mercy.

Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam that constitute the most demanding but rewarding form of worship performed in the sacred city of Mecca. Muslims are obligated to perform Hajj once in a lifetime if they are physically and financially capable of performing it. The primary objective of Hajj is to strengthen one’s devotion to Allah (s.w.t.) and to learn the lessons of humility and equality, and that is why pilgrims wear Ihram and discard their usual attire, irrespective of ranks, status, race, caste or creed, and stand before Allah (s.w.t.) to worship Him and seek His blessings. Moreover, the act of qurbani consists of slaughtering an animal (sheep, lamb, goat, cow etc), as a sacrifice to mark this occasion in remembrance of Prophet Abraham’s sacrifice for Allah (s.w.t.). A successful completion of Hajj obliterates all sins and one’s slate is wiped clean, like that of a new born baby. There are many Ayahs in the Holy Quran relating to it; I quote below Ayahs 27-30 of Surah Al-Hajj:

“And proclaim the Hajj (pilgrimage) to the people. They will then come to you from every remote place on foot and on lean camels.

That they may witness advantages for them, and mention the name of God during the appointed days over what He has provided them of livestock quadruped, and eat them and feed the poor.

Then let them complete the prescribed duties, and fulfil their vows, and let them circumambulate the Ancient House. 

Let the pilgrimage be so, and whoever honours the inviolabilities of God, it is best for him with his Lord. The livestock is made lawful to you, save that which has been recited unto you. Then shun the abomination of the idols, and shun vain talks.”

.In accordance with the aforesaid Ayahs, Hajj has much benefit for Muslims in this world and in the hereafter.

• The pilgrims are required to remember Allah (s.w.t.) especially on certain days (10th 11th, 12th and 13th of Dhil-Hajja), which are called the Days of Tashriq, because Allah (s.w.t.) blesses them specifically on those days.
• The meat of livestock is lawful to eat and enjoy and to feed the poor.
• Circumambulation of the Kaaba and other prescribed deeds has to be performed.