In the name of Allah
The All Compassionate, the All-Merciful
28 Shawwal 1447 (17 April 2026)
Islamic Universal Association
20 Penzance Place, Holland Park
London, W11 4 PG
Imam Ali (a.s)’s advice in the Nahjal-Balagha – Part 130
Further to last week’s discussion I would like to add that the concept of guidance is fundamentally rooted in Allah (s.w.t), who is the ultimate source of truth and direction. This divine guidance is then manifested through the prophets and their successors. However, Imam Ali (a.s)’s teachings emphasize that while guidance originates from Allah (s.w.t), individuals must actively seek it through their intellect, piety and adherence to the Ahlul Bait
I had quoted Imam Ali (a.s)’s Sermon 88 several weeks ago wherein he criticizes deviant groups for abandoning the Holy Prophet (s.a)’s teachings, acting on personal passions and considering their opinions as absolute, like the Khawarij who emerged from within the ranks of Imam Ali (as)’s own supporters during the Battle of Siffin. This eventually led to the tragic conflict at Nahrawan and the Imam’s assassination by Abdal-Rahman ibn Muljam. I quote below the said sermon for your ready reference:
“I wonder, and there is no reason why I should not wonder, about the faults of these groups who have introduced alterations in their religious pleas, who do not follow the footsteps of their Prophet nor follow the actions of the vicegerent. They do not believe in the unknown and do not avoid evil. They act on doubts and tread in (the way of) their passions. For them good is whatever they consider good and evil is whatever they consider evil. Their reliance for resolving distress is on themselves. Their confidence in regard to dubious matters is based on their own opinions as if every one of them is the Leader (Imam). Whatever they decide they consider it to have been taken through reliable sources and strong factors.”
Another relevant evidence is Letter 45 from the Nahjul Balagha that Imam Ali (a.s) had written to his governor of Basra, Uthmaan ibe Hunaif Al-Ansari, whom he had appointed: An extract from the letter reads:
“Remember that every follower has a leader whom he follows and from the effulgence of whose knowledge he takes light. Realize that your Imam is satisfied with two shabby pieces of cloth (out of the comforts of the world) and two loaves for his meal. Certainly, you cannot do so but at least support me in piety, exertion, chastity and uprightness, because, by Allah, I have not treasured any gold from this world, nor amassed plentiful wealth, nor collected any clothes, other than the two shabby sheets .” To be continued
Second sermon
Birth anniversary of Fatima Masoumeh (a.s)
The 1st of Dhil Qadah marks the birth anniversary of Fatima Masoumeh (a.s), the daughter of Imam Musa Kazim (a.s) and the sister of Imam Ali Reza (a.s). On this auspicious occasion, I extend my felicitations and
Greetings to Imam Zamana (a.j.f), and to the followers of the Ahlul Bait.
There are different reports about Fatima Masoumeh (a.s)’s date of birth. According to a tradition, she was born on the 1st of Dhil-Qadah, 173 Hijri in Medina. However Mullah Mohsen Fayd has narrated that she was born in Medina at the beginning of Dhil-Qadah, 173 Hijri and she died in Qom on the 10th of Rabial-Thani, 201 Hijri. Imam Sadeq (a.s.) had predicted her birth 45 years before she was born, even before the birth of his son, Imam Musa Kazim (a.s).
According to relevant narrations, she had a great personality and was greatly revered by the holy Imams and among the children of Imam Musa Kazim (a.s) and she held a special position after Imam Reza (a.s). Due to her piety, modesty, faith, virtuousness and training under the guardianship of the Imamate she reached such an impeccable position that she was given the title of ‘Masoomeh’ meaning ‘infallible’
It has been narrated that Imam Sadeq (a.s) has said: “My son (Musa Kazim)’s daughter, Fatima, will die in Iran and she will be buried in Qom and her mausoleum will be a vital place of ziyarah. She will have the powers of intercession on Resurrection Day and on that Day she will intercede for my Shiites to enter heaven.
Allamah Majilisi has narrated from 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.”
There are also various reports on the date of her death; some historians have reported that she died on the 10th or 12th of Rabial-Thani and others have reported that she died on the 8th of Shabaan. Since there is no evidence to verify any of these dates, Islamic scholars observe her death for three days from the 10th of Rabial-Thani and it is called ‘the days of Fatima’. She died at the age of 28. However, all historians agree that she died in Qom, 201 Hijri. The year of her death is further corroborated by the writings on her shrine, dating back centuries, which has the same date written on it.
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