In the name of Allah
The All compassionate, the All-Merciful
29th Muharram 1447 (25th July2025)
Islamic Universal Association
20 Penzance Place, Holland Park
London, W11 4 PG
Imam Ali (a.s.)’s advice in the Nahjal-Balagha – Part 92
Zikr is a central practice in Islam and there are about 300 Ayahs in the Holy Quran that refer to it in different forms and connotations. It refers to remembering Allah (s.w.t.) through worship and devotion by glorifying Him, express our gratitud to Him and seeking His forgiveness. It strengthens our connection to Allah (s.w.t.), cultivates our inner peace and brings about numerous spiritual and worldly benefits. I quote below relevant Ayahs:
- Ayahs 152, 198 and 200 of Surah Al-Baqarah:
- “Therefore, remember Me, I will remember you, and be thankful to Me and do not be ungrateful.
There is no sin on you if you seek bounty of your Lord. And when you march
from Arafat, remember God near the Holy Monument of Al Mash’ar and remember Him as He has guided you, before this you were among those who strayed, and when you have performed your rites, remember God as you remember your fathers, rather with a far more intense remembrance….”
- Ayahs 41 and 191 of Surah Aale Imran:“And remember your Lord much, and glorify (Him) in the evening and at day-break.
Those who remember God standing, sitting and reclining on their sides, and think deeply about the creation 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 103 of Surah An-Nisa:“When you have finishedyour prayer, remember God standing, sitting and reclining…”
- Ayah 205 of Surah Al-A’raaf: “And remember your Lord by your tongue and
within yourself, with humility and awe not in a loud voice, in the mornings, and in the eve and be not of those who are neglectful.”
- Ayah 2 of Surah Al-Anfal: “Indeed those are believers whose hearts are thrilled when God is mentioned, and when His Signs are recited unto them, their faith is strengthened and on God alone they rely.”
- Ayah 41 of Surah Al-Ahzab: “O you who believe! Remember Allah most frequently.”
- Ayah 8 of Surah Al-Muzammil:“And remember the Name of your Lord and devote yourself to Him exclusively,”
- Ayah 25 of Surah Al-Insan: “And remember the Name of your Lord every morning and evening.”
- Ayah 10 of Surah Al-Jummah:“…And remember God much so that you may be successful. To be continued
Second Sermon
Imam Zainul Abedeen (a.s.)
I would like to convey my condolences to Imam Mahdi (a.t.j.) and the followers of the Ahlul Bait on the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Zainul Abedeen (a.s.) who was poisoned by the Umayyad ruler, Al-Walid, on the 25th of Muharram, 95 Hijri under the instigation of Hisham ibne Abd Al-Malik. He was buried in Jannatul Baqi in Medina beside the grave of his uncle, Imam Hassan (a.s.)
The Imam was born in Medina, on the 5th of Shabaan, 38 Hijri. His mother was Sharbanu, the Persian princess, the daughter of Emperor Yazdegird. She was brought as a prisoner of war during the caliphate of Omar in 31 Hijri and subsequently she married Hussain (a.s.). Imam Zainul Abedeen (a.s.) spent his early years learning from men of outstanding knowledge and that is why his knowledge and piety were matchless. He spent the first two years of his life under the guidance of his grandfather, Imam Ali (a.s.), and for 10 years he was tutored by his uncle, Imam Hassan (s.a.), to whom he was very close, but he was mainly raised under the tutelage of his father, Hussain (a.s.) He was famous for his intense worship of Allah (s.w.t), which earned him the titles of Al-Sajjad (intense worshipper), Al-Aabid (worship-minded) and Zainul-Abideen (one who surpasses all in worship). His famous manual Sahifa Al-Sajjadiyya analyses Islamic spirituality and provides religious teachings on all levels. Moreover, the prayers and supplications contained therein are very compelling and moving.
Like all our other Imams, Imam Zainul Abedeen (a.s.) had a life of immense hardship and suffering. He witnessed the martyrdom of his father, brothers, friends and family members in Karbala. His life was spared on account of his grave illness during this tragedy which proves that Allah (s.w.t.) wanted to save the Imamate from extinction. He, however, played a very important role as a witness and narrator of the harrowing saga of Karbala and inherited the mantle of Imamate at the age of 22 after his father, Imam Hussain (a.s.)’s martyrdom in 61 Hijri. No Imam began his Imamate in a more tragic setting; on the first day he was seriously ill and a captive of the army of Yazid in Karbala. He lived for another 35 years after his father’s martyrdom.
After his father’s martyrdom, the Imam along with the ladies and children of the Ahlul Bait were taken as captives and paraded in a humiliating fashion from Karbala to Kufa and from Kufa to Shaam (Damascus). Indeed, these afflictions surpassed those meted out at Karbala in their intensity as well as their hostility. It left the members of the Ahlul Bait scarred for the rest of their lives. They were subjected to such intense humiliation and abasement that no historians could ever adequately capture the sufferings. After the caravan was paraded through the most difficult of conditions, they were finally brought to Yazid’s palace in Shaam. It was here, in the very stronghold of Yazid that finally the light of truth pierced through the dark veils of ignorance. It was here that the Imam with great eloquence and courage gave a sermon in Jamie Masjid and exposed Yazid’s cover up of the butchery that took place on the Day of Ashura by valiantly informing the courtiers and those attending the mosque that they were the family of the Holy Prophet (s.a.) and the atrocities that had taken place in Karbala. This speech awoke the people from their deep slumber of heedlessness.
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