In the name of Allah
The All compassionate, the All-Merciful
24th Rabial-Thani 1447 (17th October 2025)
Islamic Universal Association
20 Penzance Place, Holland Park
London, W11 4 PG
Imam Ali (a.s.)’s advice in the Nahjal-Balagha – Part 105
An important form of zikr (remembrance of Allah) is Hamd (praise), that is to extol and exalt the infinite greatness of Allah (s.w.t.) and I quote below a relevant extract from Imam Ali (a.s.)’s Sermon 114 from the Nahjul `balagha:
“Praise be to Him Who makes praise followed by bounty and bounty with gratitude. We praise Him for His bounties as well as for His trials. We seek His help against hearts which are slow to obey what they have been commanded but quick towards what they have been asked to refrain from. We seek His forgiveness from that which His knowledge covers and His document preserves – knowledge that does not leave out anything and a document that does not omit anything. We believe in Him like the belief of one who has seen the unknown and has attained the promised reward and who believes in the Unity of Allah, and whose conviction removes doubt.
We stand witness that there is no god but Allah, the One Who has no partner and that Muhammad is His slave and His Prophet, may Allah bless him and his descendants. These two testimonies heighten the utterance and raise the act. The scale where they would be placed would not be light while the scale from which they are removed would not become heavy.”
Every exaltation and praise (hamd) can only be for Allah (s.w.t.) for His bounties and favors that He has bestowed on man, which is a manifestation of His infinite mercy. The Holy Quran states:
“All Praise belongs to God who created the heavens and the earth and caused the darkness and light….” (Ayah 1 of Surah An’am).
“Say: ‘All praise is due to God….” (Ayah 111 of Bani Isra’il)
“…Praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds.” (Ayah 10 of Yunus)
It is obligatory for us to praise Allah (s.w.t.) during every cycle of our prayer by reciting the second Ayah of the first Chapter of the Holy Qur’an, Al-Fatiha: “All Praise is due only to God, Lord of the worlds.” (Ayah 2 of Al-Fatiha)
Like hand, another important duty is shukur (gratitude) for Allah (s.w.t.)’s countless bounties. However, it is not enough just to know and express verbally the bounties that Allah (s.w.t.) has bestowed on us. In order to be considered a servant who is truly grateful, it is also vital that we perform our worship and do good deeds as required by our Lord. Relevant Ayahs are:
“If you would count the bounties of God, you would not be able to commute them; verily God is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (Ayah 18, Surah An-Nahl)
“And He gives you everything that you ask Him, and if you try to commute God’s bounties, you will never be able to do so, indeed man is very unjust, ungrateful.” (Ayah 34 of Surah Ibrahim).
Another important act which the Imam highlights in his Sermon is to send blessings on the Holy Prophet (s.a.) and his Ahlul Bait (Salawat). To be continued
Second Sermon
Birth anniversary of Imam Hasan Al-Askari (a.s.) -Part 3
Further to my discussion on Imam Hasan Al-Askari (a.s.)’s advice to his followers, I would like to add that the key principles from the Imam’s teachings also include performing good deeds for the sake of Allah (s.w.t), maintaining proper boundaries, practicing moderation and cultivating qualities like humility and kindness. The Imam said:
“Fear God, be pious in your religion, and increase prostration to strengthen your faith.
Always speak the truth and return deposits to their rightful owners, regardless of their character
Be kind to people and strive for good relations with your brethren.
Be a good neighbour by attending funerals, visiting the sick, and fulfilling their rights.
Speak kindly to people, whether they are believers or non-believers, to foster happiness, compassion, and to attract them to faith.
Avoid the desire for leadership and the spreading of information about others, as these lead to destruction.
Forgive the mistakes of others and be generous to your relatives.
Be patient in response to the actions of ignorant people and trust in Allah’s timing for all matters.
Conduct yourselves in a way that brings credit, not disgrace, to the Ahlul Bait, for their reputation is intertwined with yours.
Be moderate in all actions, avoid extravagance and practice temperance.
Greet everyone you meet and be willing to sit wherever you find room, not just in a seat of high status.
Advise your brothers and friends in private, as open admonishment can be harmful and discrediting.
Whatever good is said about the Ahlul Bait is true, and they are not the owners of any attributed evil.
Whoever sows good shall reap happiness, and whoever sows evil shall reap regret, as everyone reaps what they sow.
Prepare for the journey of the hereafter by gathering provisions before your time comes.
Four important acts you should pursue are: Do zikr, recite the Holy Quran, remember death and send blessings on the Holy Prophet and his Ahlul Bait (Salawat)
By reciting Salawat you can attain ten times the reward of other good deeds.”
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