In the name of Allah

The All Compassionate, the All-Merciful

21^st Jamadial-Thani 1447 (19^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 114

 

I quote below an extract from Imam Ali (a.s.)’s Sermon 230 from the Nahjul Balagha, which serves as a religious and ethical reminder for believers to live a virtuous life and prepare for the hereafter:

 

“Certainly, fear of Allah is the key to guidance, provision for the next world, freedom from every slavery and deliverance from all ruin. With its help the seeker succeeds and he who makes for safety escapes and achieves his aims.

Perform good acts while such acts are being raised (in value), repentance can be of benefit, prayer can be heard, conditions are peaceful and the pens (of the two angels) are in motion (to record actions). Hasten towards virtuous actions before the change of age (to oldness), lingering illness or snatching death overtakes you. Certainly, death will end your enjoyments, mar your pleasures and remove your objectives. It is an unwanted visitor, an invincible adversary and an accounting killer. Its ropes have entrapped you, its evils have surrounded you, its arrowheads have aimed at you, its sway over you is great, its oppression on you is continuous and the chance of its missing you is remote.”

 

The above passage emphasizes the importance of piety, good deeds and readiness for death. It is indeed a declaration of belief and a call to action within the Islamic framework.

 

Key points:

 

1-Piety or taqwa (fear of Allah) has been described as the foundation for guidance, provisions for the afterlife, freedom from captivity, deliverance from hardship. Its seekers successfully achieve their objectives and are protected from vain desires.

2-The importance of timely action has also been highlighted. Individuals are 3-urged to perform good deeds while they are still able, that is, before old age, illness or death intervenes.

Repentance is beneficial, prayers are answered and angels are recording every action.

4-The reality of death is characterized as an inevitable end of worldly pleasures and an inescapable event. It is an unwanted visitor that entraps everyone ultimately. Its oppression is continuous and its arrows are aimed at people and the chance of missing is unlikely.        To be continued

 

 

 

Second Sermon

Personality of the Fatima (a.s.)

In continuation of our discussion of last week, I would like to add that Fatima (a.s.) did not attain her position merely because she was the daughter of the Holy Prophet (s.a.). What made her worthy of reverence, were the qualities of sacrifice, piety, wisdom and all the other values of humanity which she possessed. She was indeed like her father, in terms of her divine and humane character. She has many titles, and each one of them reflects a virtue which she enjoyed. According to Imam Sadiq (a.s.) she has nine titles, namely: Fatima (weaned from evil and impurities), Siddiqah (the honest), Al-Mubarakah (the blessed), At-Tahirah (pure and virtuous), Az-Zakiyah (the chaste), Ar-Radiyah (content with the Will of God), Mardiyah (lofty position and excellent rank), Al-Muhaddathah (spoken to by angels) and Az-Zahra (light and splendor).

 

1. Siddiqah (the honest): Fatima (a.s.) was scrupulously honest and sincere. She never lied and her deeds always conformed to her words and beliefs. She believed in the commands of Allah (s.w.t) and His Prophets, without having any doubt whatsoever.
2. Al-Mubarakah (the blessed): Allah (s.w.t) gifted her with abundant blessings, and made her the Mother of the Prophets’ descendants on whom He had bestowed everlasting benevolence.
3. At-Tahirah (pure and virtuous): She was a pure and perfect believer of Allah (s.w.t) and an absolute follower of His command and moreover she was devoid of any and every impurity. Her title Tahirah is related to the verse: (Ayah 33 of Surah Al-Ahzab) It is an indisputable fact that this verse, known as “the verse of purification” relates to Fatima (a.s) and the members of the Ahlul Bait.
4. Az-Zakiyah (the chaste): The word Zakiyah has been mentioned several times and in different forms in the Holy Quran. However, it refers here to Fatima (a.s.)’s purity and attestation of her honourable record.
5. Ar-Radiyah (content with the Will of God): Throughout her life she submitted to the Will of Allah (s.w.t.) and accepted with gratitude whatever He had ordained for her.
6. Al-Mardiyah (lofty position and excellent rank): She reached this excellent rank through her good deeds that pleased Allah (s.w.t) greatly. Just a few of Allah (s.w.t.)’s worshippers achieve this rank, which is attained by piety and sincerity.
7. Al-Muhaddathah (spoken to by angels): She was inspired and directed by divine power. Her utter true and accurate words were spoken by angels, and by those whose opinions and viewpoints always conformed to righteousness. Hence, this position is a generous miracle bestowed upon Allah (s.w.t)’s pious worshippers, and an exalted position granted to His chosen ones. According to Imam Sadiq (a.s.), “Fatima was called Muhaddathah because the angels descended from the Heavens, and called her as they called Maryam binte Imran and said: “O’ Fatima! Allah has chosen you as leader of women of all nations.”