In the name of Allah

The All compassionate, the All-Merciful

10^th Rabial-Thani 447 (3^rd October 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 101

Today I will continue with my discussion on piety and obedience to Allah (s.w.t.) and in this context I will refer to a passage from a detailed Letter 31 of Imam Ali (a.s.) from the Nahjal-Balagha which he had written to his son, Hasan (a.s.), when he encamped at Al-Hadirin on his way back from Siffiin. He advised his son to strengthen his connection with Allah (s.w.t.) through continuous remembrance, firm belief and wisdom, and to be on the path of righteousness by performing good deeds, shunning evil and relying on Allah (s.w.t.)’s protection. The letter, amongst others, emphasises the importance of taqwa (God-consciousness), seeking knowledge and being patient and steadfast in the face of adversity.  He also advised him as follows:

“O’ my child remember death very much and the place where you have to go suddenly and reach after death, so that when it comes you are already on your guard against it and have prepared yourself for it and it does not come to you all of a sudden and surprise you. Beware, lest you become deceived by the leanings of the people towards worldly attraction and their rushing upon it. Allah has warned you about it and the world has informed you of its mortal character and unveiled to you, its evils. Surely, those (who go) after it are like barking dogs or devouring carnivore who hate each other. The stronger among them eat away the weaker and the big among them tramples over the small. Some are like tied cattle and some like untied cattle who have lost their wits and are running in unknown directions. They are flocks of calamities wandering in rugged valleys. There is neither herdsman to detain them nor any tenderer to take them to grazing. The world has put them on the track of blindness and taken away their eyes from the beacons of guidance. They are therefore perplexed in its bewildering and sunk in its pleasures. They took it as a god so it played with them. They too played with it and forgot what is beyond it.”

The above statement serves as a religious admonition not to be swayed by the fleeting attractions and pursuits of the material world, as it is temporary and ultimately leads to harm. It highlights that this life is a test and emphasizes the importance of aligning oneself with divine warnings and eternal realities rather than being consumed by worldly desires and allurements and the negative influences of Satan as they would lead to spiritual harm both in this world and in the hereafter.

Second Sermon

Death anniversary of Fatima Masoomah (a.s.)

The 10th of Rabiul-Thaani was the death anniversary of Fatimah Masoomah (a.s.), the honorable daughter of Imam Musa Kazim (a.s.) and the sister of Imam Reza (a.s.). Whilst expressing my condolence to Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.) and the followers of the Ahlul Bait, I invoke Allah (s.w.t.) to protect us from the clutches of Satan.

There are three different ways one can understand the personality of a person; firstly by studying his or her life, secondly by understanding his or her thoughts, sayings, deeds and manners, and finally by examining the analysis of scholars. Today I will try to analyze why Fatima Masoomah (a.s.) had attained such a high position in her short life.  Fatima Masoomah (a.s.) was born in Medina in 173 Hijri. She was greatly revered by the holy Imams and among the children of Imam Musa Kazim (a.s.) she had a special position after Imam Reza (a.s.). She was trained and brought up in the best environment where she gained immense knowledge under the guidance of her father, pious mother and brother. She lived during the era of the three Imams of the Ahlul Bait, namely, her father Imam Musa Kazim (a.s.), her brother Imam Reza (a.s) and her nephew Imam Jawad (a.s.) which helped to shape her honorable character. Due to her piety, modesty, faith, virtuousness and training she was given the title of ‘Masoomah’ meaning ‘infallible’ by her brother, Imam Reza (a.s.), and because of her worship and abstemiousness she acquired the status of intercession. In 200 Hijri Imam Reza (a.s) was forced by Mamoon, the Abbasid ruler, to go to Marv (Khorasan, Iran) from Medina. Subsequently, in 201 Hijri, Fatima Masoomah (a.s.) left Medina to meet Imam Reza (a.s) in Marv with 23 family members and friends. On the way they were welcomed and greeted by people of different cities and villages until they reached Saveh, where they were attacked by the enemies of the Shiites; some fled, but many were wounded, taken prisoner, or killed. Although Fatima Masoomah (a.s) survived she became ill and was unable to continue on the journey and asked to be taken to Qom instead, which is 62 kilometers from Saveh. When she arrived there, its inhabitants gave her a grand reception and she stayed at Musa Ibn Khazraj’s house. Despite her infirmity, she spent most of her time in worshipping Allah (s.w.t.) and she finally succumbed to her illness within 16 days of her arrival. Fatima Masoomah (a.s.)’s shrine which is located in the city of Qom has become a focal center of the Shiites and the followers of the Ahlul Bait. Its theological center and her holy shrine are the prominent features of Qom. People from all over world come to visit her mausoleum and pay their respects. According to Imam Sadeq (a.s.): “A lady from my progeny will be buried in Qom and due to her intercession, whosoever visits her grave will be granted the reward of paradise.”