In the name of Allah

The All Compassionate, the All-Merciful

29^th Rabiul-Awwal 1446 (11^th September 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 151

 

Today I will broach a new topic, “Wealth in Islam”, which is viewed as a divine trust (Amaanah) and a test from Allah (s.w.t) rather than a personal property. Muslims are permitted to acquire wealth, through permissible (halal) means and to spend or invest in accordance with Islamic law (Shariah).

 

Imam Baqir (a.s.) narrated from the Holy Prophet (s.a.) our core responsibilities and the ultimate weight of our actions, intentions and allegiances on the Day of Judgement. Here is a breakdown of the four critical areas of accountability:

• How we spent our time on earth, whether in obedience and righteous deeds or in negligence and wrongdoings.
• The exact methods and means we earned our money, ensuring it was strictly halal (permissible).
• How we chose to spend that money, and whether it was used for good causes or wasted on forbidden things.
• Our devotion, loyalty and spiritual attachment to the Ahlul Bait.

 

When the companions asked the Holy Prophet (s.a) for a clear sign or manifestation of who the members of the Ahlul Bait are and how to fulfil this fourth obligation, the Holy Prophet (a.s.) placed his hand on the head of Imam Ali (a.s.) and declared that true love for the Ahlul Bait begins with, and is anchored by the love and leadership (Wilayah) of Imam Ali (a.s.). (Amali Al-Mufid P:353)

 

In this context I quote below Imam Ali (a.s.)’s Sermon 142 from the Nahjul Balagha, which I will explain in due course:

“He who shows generosity to those who have no claim to it or who are not fit for it would not earn anything except the praise of the ignoble and appreciation of bad persons. As he continues giving, the ignorant will say how generous he is, even though in the affairs of Allah he is a miser. Therefore, to whosoever Allah gives wealth he should use it in extending good behavior to his kinsmen, in entertaining, in releasing prisoners and the afflicted, in giving to the poor and to debtors. He should endure the hardships arising out of the fulfilment of the rights of others in expectation of reward. Certainly, the achievement of these qualities is the height of greatness in this world and achievement of the distinctions in the next world, if Allah wills.”    To be continued

 

 

Second Sermon

The auspicious birth of the Holy Prophet (s.a.)– Part: 3   

Further to last week’s discussion, I would like to add that the Holy Prophet (s.a) was a great leader and a perfect example of how best to serve Allah (s.w.t). He changed the lives of the illiterate Arabs who were enemies of one another and could not live a day in peace. He was not only a great source of inspiration for Muslims but for the entire human race. No one can introduce him better than Imam Ali (a.s.) for he was very close to him from infancy. Moreover he was his ardent student, his devout follower and his successor. I quote below a relevant extract from his Sermon 192 from the Nahjul Balagha:

 

“From the time of his weaning, Allah had kept a mighty angel with him, day and night, to take him along the path of high character and good behavior, while I used to follow him like a young camel following in the footprints of its mother. Every day he would show me in the form of a banner some of his high traits and commanded me to follow it. Every year he used to go into seclusion in Mount Hira, where I would see him but no one ever saw him. In those days Islam did not exist in any house except that of the Prophet of Allah – peace and blessings of Allah be upon him and his descendants – and Khadijah, while I was the third after these two. I used to see and watch the effulgence of the divine revelations and messages, and breathed the scent of prophet hood.

When the revelation descended on the Prophet of Allah – peace and blessing of Allah be upon him and his descendants – I heard the moan of Satan. I asked: “O Prophet of Allah, what is this moan?” He replied, “This is Satan who has lost all hope of being worshipped. O Ali, you see all that I see and you hear all that I hear, except that you are not a prophet, but you are a vicegerent and you are surely on the path of virtue.”

 

 Salient features

• From the time of the Holy Prophet (s.a.)’s weaning (about 2 years), Allah (s.w.t) appointed his greatest angel to guide him towards the highest of morality and outstanding characteristics.
• The Holy Prophet (s.a.) would show Ali (a.s.) his moral strength and integrity every day, and commanded him to follow him. Hence, a reflection of the sublime qualities of the Holy Prophet (s.a.) was seen in Ali (a.s.).
• Every year when the Holy Prophet would go into seclusion in Mount Hira, no one would see him except Ali (a.s.), who would spend days with him there, where he could see the light of revelation and smell the fragrance of prophet hood.
• At that time Islam only existed in the Holy Prophet (s.a.) and Khadijah (a.s.)’s house, while Ali was the third Muslim after them.
• When the revelations had descended to the Holy Prophet (s.a.) Satan was distraught as he had lost all hope of being followed.
• The Holy Prophet (s.a.) advised Ali (a.s.) that although he can see what he sees and can hear what he hears, he is not a prophet of Allah, but his vicegerent and certainly on the path of virtue and morality.