In the name of Allah
The All compassionate, the All-Merciful
21st Safar 1447 (15th August 2025)
Islamic Universal Association
20 Penzance Place, Holland Park
London, W11 4 PG
Imam Ali (a.s)’s advice in the Nahjal-Balagha – Part 92
Further to my discussion on Zikr (remembrance of Allah), today I will analyze some of the Ayahs from the Holy Quran which I had quoted earlier:
Ayahs 152 of Surah Al-Baqarah: “Therefore remember Me, I will remember you, and be thankful to Me and do not be ungrateful.”
Allah (s.w.t.) remembers those who remember Him and increases His bounties on those who are grateful to Him and punishes the disbelievers. Zikr refers to remembering Allah (s.w.t.) by glorifying Him or through acts of obedience, and Allah (s.w.t) remembers His servants through forgiveness. This verse is one of the foundations for the spiritual practice of remembering Allah (s.w.t.), which is the central practice of Islam, alluding to the reciprocity of remembering Allah (s.w.t.) and being remembered by Him.
Ayah 200 of Surah Al-Baqarah: “And when you have performed your rites, remember God as you remember your father, rather with a far more intense remembrance….”
Rites refer to the rituals of Hajj whereby the essential purpose is remembrance of Allah (s.w.t.). Accordingly, we should remember Allah (s.w.t.) as we remember our fathers and call upon Him like a child who calls upon his father, in a state of helplessness, utter dependence and trust.
Ayah 41 of Surah Aale Imran: “He said, “My Lord, appoint for me a sign.” He said, “Your sign is that you shall not speak to the people for three days, save through signs. And remember your Lord much, and glorify Him in the evening and at day-break. “
This Ayah refers to Yahya (John)’s birth and Zachariah’s sign from Allah (s.w.t.), which consists in his not being able to speak but to communicate through gestures or signs and to do zikr specially during daybreak and evening. Glorifying Allah (s.w.t.) through gestures and signs are acceptable in certain circumstances.
Ayah 191 of Surah Aale Imran: “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.”
We should remember Allah (s.w.t.) at all times and in every position. This Ayah also refers to the remembrance of Allah (s.w.t.) in the heart, by the tongue and in various positions of prayer e.g., for people who must perform the canonical prayer standing, sitting or lying down due to physical disability or illness. In other words it refers to all modes of remembrance, including the recitation of the Quran.
Ayah 41 Surah Al-Ahzab: “O you who believe! Remember God most frequently.”
It is said that remembering God frequently arises from the sincerity of the heart. According to the Holy Prophet (s.a.): “Let thy tongue be always moist with the remembrance of Allah.” To be continued
Second Sermon
Arba’een of Imam Hussain (a.s.)
I hereby express my deepest condolence to Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.) and to the followers of the Ahlul Bait on the occasion of the anniversary of Arba’een, the fortieth day of Imam Hussain (a.s.)’s martyrdom and that of his dear relatives and companions.
The day of Arba’een marks an important turning point in the movement of Karbala; it is as important as the day of Ashura for many reasons. It was on that day the surviving members of the Ahlul Bait reached Karbala and visited the grave of Imam Hussain (a.s.) and the loyal members of his family and friends who gave their lives for the cause of Islam. Moreover, the occasion of Arba’een reminds the faithful of the core message behind Imam Hussain (a.s)’s martyrdom, that is, to establish justice and fight injustice, no matter what; a message that strongly influenced subsequent Shiite uprisings against the tyranny of the Umayyad and the Abbasid rule. As we complete the forty days of the remembrance of our dear Imam, we must re-assert our pledge of obedience and loyalty to him.
According to Imam Hasan Al-Askari (a.s.) a true Shiite conducts the following acts: 1. Performs daily 51 rakat prayers (17 wajib rakats and 34 mustahab rakats). 2. Recites Ziyarat Arba’een of Imam Hussain (a.s) on the day of Arba’een. 3. Wears a ring on his right index finger 4. Prostrates on earth (mohar) in the name of Allah (s.w.t.).5. Recites loudly Bismillah Ar-Rahman Nir-Rahim during prayers.
Imam, Sadeq (a.s.) has stated in a special prayer that on the day of Arba’een Imam Hussain (a.s.) and his faithful companions sacrificed their lives to initiate declarations of freedom for the people who were in search of independence and justice. I hereby invite you to pay attention to the following declaration by the Imam in Ziyarat Arba’een: “O Lord, I declare that Hussain is your friend and your friend’s son. He has been elected by You and Your friends. He was honored to die a martyr and had the privilege to defend Your religion. You have given him and his household a special elevated position and You have assigned him as successor to your messengers and as Your executor and an exemplar to Your servants on earth.
He invited people to pursue Islam in order to attain an honorable life. He gave them his advice and generously sacrificed his and his companions’ lives to save
Your servants from ignorance and perplexity of straying off…
Thereafter Imam Sadeq (a.s) described the greatness of his great grandfather, Imam Hussain (a.s.), who was chosen by Allah (s.w.t.) to lead the people. Muslims should be inspired by his non-violent resistance to the tyranny of Yazid. Although the Umayyads had spread corruption and breached Islamic laws, Imam Hussain (a.s.)’s faith was never shaken and he enjoined what is right and forbade what is prohibited. His sacrifice is the example of the path of righteousness. He kept Islam alive or else in this world there would be no one left to take its name.
Thus, as we commemorate Arba’een we hope and pray that Imam Hussain (a.s.)’s remembrance brings about a transformation in us by which we can continue to follow his path and carry on his message of upholding justice with true faith and a strong sense of sacrifice!
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