When a man feels lonely and desolate in this world due to
its difficulties, problems and sorrows he realises the continuous and eternal
need of his creator. In a state of desperation, difficulty and their like, man
pleads only with his creator through invocations and supplications.
We have been created for worship (Sura Zaariyat, Verse
51) and these invocations are indeed worship of Allah. Hazrat Imam Ali ibne Abi
Taib (as) said, “Invocation (dua) is the
essence of worship”[1]
Supplications and ziyaaraat (salutations) are special
modes of Islamic cognition. We can find profound lessons in monotheism, creed,
and ethics from them. They are not, as is generally understood, rituals or
formalities.
Supplication is our conversation with our Creator while
ziyaaraat are our conversation with Allah’s sincere creatures and His
infallible proofs.
It is our belief that the souls of the infallibles ascend
towards the highest heavens and that they are alive, getting their sustenance
(from their Lord). They look at us, hear our speech and reply to our
salutations. The belief of us Shias is against the Wahhaabis who think
that as the Holy Prophet (s.a.) is dead, our relationship with him is like that
with any other stone that can neither advance nor postpone. And also opposed to
the Ghulaat who attribute divinity to Ameerul Momineen (a.s.). Allah is
Higher than what the unjust believe, a big lie.
The book ‘RabeeulAnaam
Fi Adeea-e-Khairil Anaam’ has been authored by Abdul Husain Taalei and
translated by Dr. Shabeeb Rizvi in English under the title ‘A Tear for the
Beloved’.
The book starts with general view on supplications and
ziyaaraats and methods of invocation. It has thrown special light on awaiting
the re-appearance of Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.s), necessity and essence of it.
There are numerous benefits of praying of Imam-e-Asr
(a.t.f.s) both in this world and hereafter. Book mentions the reasons and
benefits of the same.
It mentions special timings of praying for reappearance
like on the day of Arafah, Eid-al-fitr, Day of Ashoora, 15th of
Shaban, on the day of Ghadeer to name a few.
There are some places emphasized for supplicating for
Imam-e-Asr (a.t.f.s) like Masjid-al-Haraam, in the plains of Arafat, sardaab,
The Holy Shrine of Imam Husain (a.s), Holy Shrine of Imam Reza (a.s), Imam Ali
Naqi (a.s) and Imam Hasan Askari (a.s) and the places dedicated to Imam-e-Asr
(a.t.f.s.)
Book also mentions about
daily duas and ziyaaraats and on special occasions that Masoomeen (a.s) have
taught us. Apart from that it has also mentioned the supplications for specific
timings and days like Rajab, Shaban, Shawwaal, Zilqad and Zilhajj. It has
dedicated special chapter on the dua-e-qunoot of many Imams (a.s)
An Entire section is
dedicated for Ziyaaraats of all infallibles (a.s) both daily and on special occasions.
The last chapter contains
miscellaneous duas like dua for renewal of covenant with Imam (a.s), seeking
help from him, dua-e-istekhaarah by Imam-e-Asr (a.s) etc.
The last words of the books
are :
“The
ink has dried but the tears continue to flow as the pain of separation from the
beloved continues to pinch the heart. Yet, the eternal medicine called hope,
provides us some relief, and assures, ‘Be patient, he will come.’ But the moot
question is ‘When?’ As the days and nights are passed in heartrending
invocations and supplications, eyes are gradually losing their sight, backs are
slowly developing a curve and bones are creaking, hairs are turning silver and
death seems a looming fact, the only shriek that disturbs the stillness of the
night, says,
“O Master! When will you see us and we see
you, while you are raising the flag of victory"
No comments:
Post a Comment