In the name of Allah

The All Compassionate, the All-Merciful

12 Rajab 1447 (2 January 2026)

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 116

I quote below the final passage of Imam Ali (a.s)’s Sermon 132 which is a spiritual advice about the temporary nature of earthly life and the importance of collecting good deeds for an eternal reward in paradise.

 

“Did you not witness those who engaged in long-reaching desires, built strong buildings, amassed much wealth but their houses turned into graves and their collections turned into ruin. Their property devolved on the successors and their spouses who came after them. They cannot (now) add to their good acts nor invoke (Allah’s) mercy in respect of evil acts. Therefore, whoever makes his heart habituated to fear Allah and achieves a forward position, his actions are successful. Prepare yourself for it and do all that you can for Paradise. Certainly this world has not been made a place of permanent stay for you. But it has been created as a pathway in order that you may take from it the provisions of your (good) actions for the permanent house (in Paradise). Be ready for the departure from here and keep close your riding animals for setting off.”

The Imam here warns against amassing worldly possessions and urges one to pursue piety and good deeds for the afterlife by fearing Allah (s.w.t), striving for paradise and viewing this life as a means for gathering provisions for the afterlife.

Key points:

• The text describes people who build strong buildings and amass wealth, only to have their property and collections be taken over by heirs after their death.
• Once a person dies, he can no longer perform good deeds or ask for Allah (s.w.t)’s mercy for his past wrongdoings.
• This worldly life is not permanent but a pathway to gather good deeds for the eternal home in p The Imam therefore calls for one to prepare for the departure and to priorities actions that will lead to pparadise.
• The need for readiness for the afterlife has been emphasized: “Be ready for the departure from here and keep close your riding animals for setting off”. 

Imam Ali (a.s) warns against two spiritual pitfalls in his Sermon 42; an excerpt from it reads: “O people! What I fear most about you are two things – acting according to desires and extending of hopes. As regards acting according to desires, this prevents from truth; and as regards extending of hopes, it makes one forget the next world.”

1. Following base instincts and carnal desires without the guidance of reason or divine laws“prevents from truth” because self-interest and passion can cloud judgment and lead one away from justice and righteousness.
2. Excessively focusing on worldly life, pursuing long-term material ambitions and attachments as if one will live forever “makes one forget the next world”, leading people to neglect their spiritual obligations and moral responsibilities.

To be continued

Second Sermon

Virtues of month of Rajab – Part 2

Rajab has special merits and virtues, and as provided in Bihar Al-Anwar there are many recommended prayers and deeds that should be done during this month:

 

Fasting is one the most recommended acts; Imam Sadeq (a.s) has narrated from the Holy Prophet (s.a):

“Indeed the month of Rajab is the month of Allah; it is such a great month that none of the other months is equal to it in virtue and greatness. War during this month is prohibited and whosoever fast for one day during this month will receive Allah’s blessings and one of the gates of hell will be closed for him.”. It is highly recommended to seek Allah (s.w.t)’s forgiveness during this month Imam Sadeq (a.s) has once again narrated from the Holy Prophet (s.a):

“The month of Rajab is the month of seeking forgiveness for my nation. O’ Muslims ask forgiveness and turn repentant to Allah as much as you can because mercy drops from the heavens like a gentle rain during this month. Allah is most forgiving and most beneficent.

 

The following Islamic events occurred during the blessed month of Rajab:

1. According to some traditions, the 1st of Rajab marks the birth anniversary of Imam Mohammad Baqer (a.s), who was born in Medina on Friday, 57 Hijri.
2. Imam Ali Al-Naqi (a.s) was born on the 2nd or 5th of Rajab, 212 Hijri in Medina and was martyred by poisoning on the 3rd of Rajab, 254 Hijri, at the age of 42, in Samara.
3. Imam Jawad (a.s) was born on the 10th of Rajab, 195 Hijri in Medina.
4. Imam Ali (a.s) was born on the 13th of Rajab within the precincts of the Holy House of Allah (s.w.t) in Mecca, 10 years before the Holy Prophet (s.a)’s mission and 30 years after Abraha marched towards Mecca intending to destroy the Kaaba during the year of the elephant (Aamul Feel).
5. 15th of Rajab coincides with the change in the direction of the Qibla from Masjid Al-Aqsa to Masjid Al-Haram in Mecca in 2 Hijri.
6. 15th of Rajab is the death anniversary of Hazrat Zainab (a.s) in 62 Hijri.
7. 25th of Rajab is the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Musa ibne Jafar (a.s), who was poisoned in Baghdad by Sandi ibne Shahik, under the order of Haroon Al-Rashid, the Abbasid ruler, in 183 Hijri.
8. 26th of Rajab marks the death anniversary of Abu Talib, the father of Imam Ali (a.s), in the 10th year of Besat.
9. On the 27th of Rajab the Holy Prophet (s.a) first embarked on his mission as the last divine messenger of Allah (s.w.t) in the cave of Hira near Mecca.
10. On the 28th of Rajab, 60 Hijri, Imam Hussain (a.s) and his entourage set out on their journey from Medina towards Karbala via Mecca.