In the name of Allah

The All Compassionate, the All-Merciful

14^th Jamadial-Thani 1447 (5^th December 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 112

Having discussed the first two parts of Imam Ali (a.s.)’s Sermon 114, I quote below passages from the said Sermon which focuses on the contrast between the transient nature of this world and the eternal reality of the afterlife. It encourages the faithful to priorities spiritual matters over worldly possessions and to have faith in the unseen reward promised by Allah (s.w.t):

 

“Certainly nothing is viler than evil except its punishment and nothing is better than good except its reward. In this world everything that is heard is better than what is seen, while everything of the next world that is seen is better than what is heard. So you should satisfy yourself by hearing rather than seeing and by the news of the unknown. You should know that what is little in this world is much in the next world which is better than what is much in this world but little in the next. In how many cases little is profitable while much causes loss.

Certainly that which you have been commanded to do is wider than what you have been refrained from, and what has been made lawful for you is more than what has been prohibited. Then give up what is less for what is much, and what is limited for what is vast.”

 

Key points

• The consequence of an action is more significant than the action itself. The punishment of evil is worse than evil, and the reward of good is better than good. This highlights the concepts of divine recompense and justice.
• In this life, what is heard is often more compelling than what is seen. However, the spiritual reward of the next world is far greater in reality than any description could convey. Therefore, faith in the unseen is more valuable than reliance on worldly observations.
• Little good in this world can lead to an immense reward in the next, while a great deal of worldly gain may result in a minimal reward. This emphasizes the need to focus on eternal priorities rather than short-term gains.
• The scope of what Allah (s.w.t.) has commanded is wider than what has been forbidden. This is a reminder to focus on fulfilling the numerous commands rather than fixating on the prohibitions. It encourages a positive outlook and an expansive sense of spiritual potential.
• “To give up what is less for what is much, and what is limited for what is vast” summarizes the core message. It is a directive to renounce the temporary and limited pleasures of this world in favor of the vast and everlasting reward of the afterlife. To be continued

 

Second Sermon

 

Death anniversary of Fatima Umm Al-Banin (a.s.)

 

According to the some narration the 13th of Jamadial-Thani is the death anniversary of Fatima Umm-Al-Banin (mother of sons) and due to this sad occasion I offer my condolences to the followers of the Ahlul Bait. According to this narration she died in 64 Hijri at the age of 59 and was buried in Jannat Al-Baqi cemetery in Medina.  

 

Fatima binte Ḥazam, better known as Umm Al-Banin, was an accomplished and cultured lady. She belonged to the Banu Kilab tribe and she married Ali (a.s.) after the death of his first wife Fatima Zahra (a.s.). She came to the house of Ali (a.s.) knowing fully well that before her, the leader of women in paradise, Fatima Zahra (a.s.), lived in that house. She served Imam Ali (a.s.) in the same manner as Umme Salma had served the Holy Prophet (s.a.) after the demise of Khadija and she dearly loved his children more than her own.

 

The historian, Abu Al-Faraj Al-Isfahani has given some information about her marriage to Ali (a.s.) in Maqatil al-Talibiyyin, a historical-biographical compilation about the descendants of Imam Ali (a.s.). He writes:

 

“Aqil, a brother of Imam Ali (a.s.) who was knowledgeable in Arab genealogy, introduced Fatima binte Huzam to Imam Ali (a.s.), because her tribe was renowned for their courage, in the hope that she would bear Ali (a.s.) brave sons. Through their marriage they had four sons; Abbas, Abd Allah, Jafar and Uthman. It was because of her sons’ courage that she became known as Umm Al-Banin. All her four sons fought alongside their half-brother, Imam Hussain (a.s.), in the Battle of Karbala on the 10th of Muharram, 61 Hijri and were martyred. When Umm Al-Banin received the news of their martyrdom, she said that she would have given her sons and everything on earth to see Hussain (a.s.) alive again. This expression from her is a sign of her devotion to the Ahlul Bait. Zainab binte Ali (a.s.) on her return from Karbala, is also said to have personally visited her to offer her condolence. Umm Al-Banin regularly visited the Al-Baqi cemetery in Medina to mourn with her grandson, Ubaid-Allah, who was Abbas’ son. Her poems would bring those present to tears, including the Umayyad, Marwan ibn Hakam,”