In the name of Allah

The All Compassionate, the All-Merciful

2^nd Safar1448 (17^th July 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 143

The excerpt from Imam Ali (a.s.)’s Sermon 133, which I had quoted earlier, highlights that the Holy Quran is the ultimate spiritual remedy that brings light and clarity to the soul. The sermon imparts several core spiritual lessons:

 

• The Holy Quran acts as a “life for a dead heart,” restoring faith and consciousness to a spirit weighed down by materialism.
• It brings sight, hearing and relief to the afflicted, acting as an anchor for those wandering in moral darkness.
• Divine wisdom is the key to inner peace and guidance.
• The Imam reflects on the inherent human desire to cling to life, while fearing death like a thirsty traveler or a blind individual seeking sight. However, such individuals can find complete peace, and unwavering guidance through divine wisdom and the Holy Quran.

 

The extract is provided below for your ready reference:

 

“You should know that a man gets satiated and wearied with everything except life, because he does not find for himself any pleasure in death. It is in the position of life for a dead heart, sight for the blind eye, hearing for the deaf ear, quenching for the thirsty and it contains complete sufficiency and safety.

The Book of Allah is that through which you see, you speak and you hear. Its one part speaks for the other part, and one part testifies to the other. It does not create differences about Allah nor does it mislead its followers from (the path of) Allah. You are joined together in hatred of each other and in the growing of herbage on your filth (i.e. for covering inner dirt by good appearance outside). You are sincere with one another in your love of desires and bear enmity against each other in earning wealth. The evil spirit (Satan) has perplexed you and deceit has misled you. I seek the help of Allah for myself and you.”       To be continued

 

 

Second Sermon

 

The month of Safar

Today is the first Friday of the month of Safar. According to some traditions this month is ominous; it is full of calamities and misfortune. One should give alms and engage in devotional acts and special prayers as these have proved beneficial to many over centuries. However, during this month many Islamic significant events have occurred; some of which are specified below:

 

• On the 1st of Safar, 37 Hijri, the war of Siffin between Imam Ali (a.s.) and Muáwiya had taken place.

 

• According to some traditions on the 1st of Safar, 61 Hijri, the surviving members of Imam Hussain (a.s.)’s family and friends entered the city of Sham after the tragedy of Karbala and the Bani Umayyad celebrated their so-called victory. However, it was an exceptionally agonizing day for the household of the Holy Prophet (s.a.).

 

• It has been narrated in the book, Mesbah Al Motahajed, that according to some traditions Zaid the son of Imam Zainul Abedin (a.s.) who had come to Kufa to avenge the martyrdom of his grandfather, Imam Hussain (a.s.) and his companions, was martyred on the 1st of Safar, 121 Hijri.

 

• On the 3rd of Safar, 64 Hijri, Muslim ibne Uqbah, the Head of Yazid’s army, attacked the house of Kabah and set fire to it.

 

• According to some traditions, on the 7th of Safar, 50 Hijri, Imam Hassan (a.s.) succumbed to poisoning. This was given to him by his wife under the instructions of Muáwiya.
• The 20th of Safar coincides with the day of Arbaeen of Imam Hussain (a.s.) and his loyal companions.

 

• According to some traditions, on the 20th of Safar, 61 Hijri, the surviving members of the Ahlul Bait (a.s) returned from Syria to Iraq (Karbala), after the tragedy of Karbala, to visit the graves of Imam Hussain (a.s.) and his companions. They met Jabir Ibne Abdullah Ansari who had come there for the Ziyarat of Imam Hussein (a.s.)’s grave; he was the first pilgrim to visit the holy shrine.

 

• On the 28th of Safar, 203 Hijri, the Holy Prophet (s.a.) died at the age of 63 in Medina where he was buried.

 

• According to some traditions, on the last day of Safar, 203 Hijri, our eighth Imam, Ali Ibne Musa Al-Reza (a.s.), was martyred by Mamoon, the Abbasid ruler. He was buried in Tos, which is currently known as Mashad.