In the name of Allah

The All Compassionate, the All-Merciful

27^th Dhil-Qadah 1447 (15^th May2026)

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 134

 

The afterlife is not random; we are responsible in this life for all our actions and deeds and we will be questioned about every single one of them on the Day of Judgement.

 

According to the Holy Quran, human beings are given free will and intellect, and they are tested as to how they use their freedom of choice to obey or disobey Allah (s.w.t.). That is why Allah has ordered specific angels, known as the Kiramul- Akatibin (noble scribes) or Hafaza (guardians), to accompany every human being from the age of puberty until death to record and witness all their actions, words and inner thoughts, whether good or evil. That they perform. This recording is considered an existential reality – a meticulous and real-time documentation of a person’s life that serves as a divine witness on the Day of Judgment. Relevant Ayahs are:

 

• Ayah 214 of Surah Al-Baqarah:
• “Or do you think that you will enter the Garden while there has not yet come upon you like that which came upon those who passed away before you? Distress and affliction came upon them; they were shaken so much that ultimately the Messenger and those who believed with him said: “When will the help of God come?” Verily God’s help is nigh.”
• Ayah 16 of Surah Baraah:
• “Do you think (O believers) that you will be left alone while God has not yet tested those among you who strove and did not take anyone as interveners besides God, His Messenger, and the believers? God is fully aware of all that you do.”
• Ayah 115 of Surah Al-Mu’minun:
• “Do you think that We created you in vain, and that you shall not be returned to Us?”
• Ayah 2 of Surah Al-Ankabut:
• “Do people think that they will be left alone because they say: “We believe,” without being tried?” To be continued

 

 

Second Sermon

Martyrdom of Imam Jawad (a.s.)

According to some famous narration the end of Dhil-Qadah marks the martyrdom anniversary of our ninth Imam, Jawad (a.s.), and I express my condolences to Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.) and to my brethren in faith.

It has been reported that Imam Jawad (a.s.) was born in Medina on the 15th or the 19th of Ramadan, 195 Hijri, whilst according to another report he was born on the 10th of Rajab, in the same year. He was martyred by poisoning, at the age of 25, towards the end of Dhil-Qadah, 220 Hijir, in Baghdad at the instigation of the ruler, Mutasim. He was buried beside the grave of his grandfather, Imam Musa Kazim (a.s.), within the precinct of Kazimain Mosque, in Iraq.

He was merely 9 years old when his father was martyred and due to his tender age transferring leadership to him led to many debates and arguments as some people, from among the followers of Ahlul Bait, doubted his eligibility to become an Imam at such a young age. It has been reported by Kulaini, in his book Kafi that the Mutawalli of the Holy Kaaba questioned him for several days and he finally accepted him as the Imam of the time after he was fully satisfied. The period of his Imamate lasted for 17 years which coincided with the oppressive reigns of the Abbasid rulers, Mamun and Mutasim. The Imam came from Medina to Baghdad in 220 Hijri on the 28th of Muharram as he was summoned by Mutasim, who constantly monitored him.

 

The story of Mamun’s first meeting with the Imam is very interesting. It has been reported in Bihar Al-Anwar that Mamun and his entourage was passing through the street, on the way to their hunting expedition, where Imam Jawad (a.s.) was standing and watching the other children play; he was about 9 years old at the time. On seeing the caliph, all the children ran inside with the exception of the Imam. Mamun stopped his carriage and asked him:

 “Young man, why did you not run away like the other children?” Imam Jawad (a.s) replied calmly: “For two reasons; I have not committed a crime, nor am I blocking your path. Why should I run away or be afraid?” Mamun was surprised at this mature response. He asked him who he was and having learnt that he was the son of Ali ibne Musa al-Reza (a.s), praised him and moved on.

 

Later, when he was heading back to the city, he found the children playing at the same spot. They ran away again, save the Imam. Mamun stopped his carriage, hid the fish in his palm, which his hawk had caught, and asked the Imam if he knew what was in his palm. Imam Jawad (a.s.) replied:

“Allah created clouds between the earth and the sky and tiny fishes in the river. The hawk sometimes brings these to their masters, who hide them in their fist and ask a member of the Ahlul Bait, what they are hiding.” Hearing this, Mamum said:

“Truly, you are the worthy son of Ali ibne Musa al-Reza.” He was so impressed that he took the young Imam with him to Baghdad, and kept him in a house next to the royal palace.