Masaaeb of Janabe Fatima Zahra (s.a)

In His name the most high and by the remembrance of His last Deputy (atfs)

Masaaeb of Janabe Fatima Zahra (s.a)

Janabe Fatima Zahra (s.a) while expressing her at the calamities she suffered after the departure of Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) said:

 صبت علي مصائبٌ لو أنها ........ صُبت على الأيام صرن لياليا

Such afflictions befell me that if they ….Were to fall on bright days will turn them into dark nights

Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a) had left this transient world only a few days ago when the oppressive hypocrites brought to the fore their old animosity against the Ahlebait (as). On the instructions of the first and second caliph and his cronies rushed to the door of Janab Zahra (s.a) with ugliest intention on their minds i.e. to set her on fire.  This was the very door at which hitherto a few days back holy Prophet would arrive every day and bless the residents in the following manner. 

السلام علیک یا اہل بیت النبوت و معدن الرسالہ

The enemies of Islam gathered at her door and violently knocked at it asking Ameerul Momeneen (a.s) to come out and pledge allegiance to Abu Bakr. The lady of the house in turn replied that the sad demise of Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a) was enough for their remorse as if pointing to the calamities that will soon befell her household and at the same time warning the intruders from carrying out their pre planned and ugly plans. The barbaric intruders led by Umar Ibn Khattab however paid no heed to her pleas and to the sanctity of the sacred house and set it on fire. The pure lady was expecting a child who was cruelly martyred by Umar Ibn Khattab by burning the door and bringing it down on her and making it as a bridge for his cronies to pass over from. We can only narrate the pain and suffering the pious lady must have gone through, we shall however narrate some of her elegies to fathom the pain the lady must have felt.

She (s.a) came to the Mosque and while crying said:

`Oh! Father Oh! My sincere friend

Oh! Abu Al-Qasim , Oh! The helper of the widowed and the orphans

Who do we have for Kaaba and the Mosque?

Who does your saddened and grieved daughter have?"

This elegy hints that the pure lady was left alone without a well wisher and a support. The loneliness of the lady worsened the sorrow as the nation of the father had deserted her.

Add to this grief the bitterness of the usurpation of her inheritance i.e. the estate of Fidak on the pretext that the prophets do not leave any heritance. The sacred lady was taken aback by this conduct of the nation of her father, the nation which her father (s.a.w.a) brought out from the darkness and filth of polytheism and disbelief.

Once when she proceeded towards the tomb of the Prophet; it was difficult for her to walk because her tears covered her eyes and she lost her consciousness. The women rushed to rescue her and when she regained consciousness; she said:

`My strength has been eradicated…My endurance has betrayed me

My enemies have rejoiced at my misfortune…And my grief will kill me

Father! I remain bewildered and lonely…Confused and lonesome

My voice is subdued…My back is broken

My life is disturbed…I find no one, Father, after you to attend to my loneliness

Neither to stop my tears…Nor to support me in times of weakness

Surely precise revelations, the place of Jibrael’s   descendance and Mikail’s location have vanished after you

Father, Motives (of others) have changed…And gates have been shut in my face

Thus, I detest this world after you…And my tears shall be shed for you as long as breath continues to exist in me

My longing for you shall not cease…My sadness for (being separated from) you shall not vanish

Fatima az-Zahra (sa) then cried out loudly:…Father!! With you went the light of the world

Its flowers wither away after blossoming in your presence

Father!! I will forever be sorrowful for you until we are reunited

Father!! Sleeping has left me since we have been separated

Father!! Who is there for the widows and the orphans

Who will we have for the Ummah until The Day of Rising?!...Father!  We became-after you-among the oppressed

Father!! People shun us after you…After we were glorified by your presence among men

Thus, what tear shall not spill on your departure?...What sadness (after you) shall not continue to exist?

Which eyelid shall be smeared with slumber?...You are the spring of faith and the light of Prophets

So how can mountains not sway?...And seas not dry out?

How can the Earth not tremble?...

Father! I have been afflicted with the greatest sorrow, and my disaster is not minor!

Father!! I have been inflicted with the greatest misfortune and the biggest calamity

Angels cry for you, and stars cease to move because of you..Your pulpit (after you) is gloomy, Your pulpit is empty..

Of your secret conversation (with your Lord)…Your grave is joyful for holding you

And Paradise is delighted with your presence…Supplication and prayers

Father!! How gloomy are your meeting places (without your presence)!!

How pained I am for you, until I soon join you!!...How bereaved is Abu Al-Hussan, The entrusted one!!

The Father of your two sons, Al-Hasan and Al-Husayn; your beloved one

He whom you brought up as a youth, and made your brother as a man (Abu Al-Hasan)

The most beloved of your companions to you…Abu Al-Hasan, who was the first to immigrate and help you

Sadness has overtaken us; Crying will kill us…And distress will always accompany us.'

As if it was not enough the people of Madinah came to Ameerul Momeneen (a.s) and complained that her continuous wailing bothered them. None attempted to offer condolence to the grieved lady and instead complained to her husband, as if her wailing was reminding them of the atrocities they have treated the religion of Allah and Ahlebait (a.s) with. Ameerul Momeneen (a.s) built a house for her behind Baqi which later became known as "The house of griefs." Thereafter, with every sunrise, Fatima Zahra (s.a) would take Hasan (a.s) and Husayn (a.s) to that house, and cry until sunset, when Imam Ali (a.s) would come and bring them back home.

However in the midst of great anguish and pain that she went through she did not forsake her most important duty i.e. defending and helping the Imam of her time. When Ameerul Momeneen (a.s) was tied in ropes and forcibly being taken to the caliphs court she forgot all her sufferings and rushed to help the Imam of the time.

In addition she would accompany the Imam of the time to the houses of the people and remind them of their pledge at Ghadeer. However she received the shock of her life when Abu Bakr  accused her and her husband in the following words:

"O people! What is this attentiveness to every aimless speech?!

Where were these claims at the time of Allah's Messenger (as)?

He who heard something should say so!

He who witnessed anything should speak out!

Surely they are (‘Ali and Fatima) like foxes who have no witnesses save their tails!

They instigate every dissension!

And say: Renew (trouble) after it has cooled down

They seek help from the weak and acquire support from women

They are like Umm Tahal (a woman who was a prostitute during the era of ignorance) whose family chose prostitution for her

Surely if I wish 1 can say a lot; and

had I said (something), would have revealed (much).

But, I will remain silent as long as I am left alone."

Alas! How improper and inappropriate are these words for the most pious and the sacred personalities of the worlds. How aggrieved they must have felt at these words of Abu Bakr ?

Let us join this holy lady in her prayers at the time when the burning door fell on her:

O Allah ! Hasten the reappearance of Mahdi.

Betraying Secrets and Breach Of Promise

Betraying Secrets and Breach Of Promise

Betraying Secrets

Sometimes a person is told a secret and asked not to divulge it to others. It may also be that one learns of a secret regarding another person and is sure that person would prefer that it is not made known to others. These secrets are a form of trust (amanat). To divulge a secret that one has come to know is Khayanat (Betrayal).

The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.) said, ‘Disclosing the secret of your brother is betrayal, so keep away from that.’ [Bihar al-Anwar, v. 77, p. 89, no. 3]

Janabe Abu Zar has related from the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a) that He (s.a.w.a) said: “O Abu Zar, one who sits in company must be cautious of safeguarding trust. For if you expose a secret of your believing brother, you would have committed Khayanat. So, keep away from such things.” [Wasa’il ul-Shia]

The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a) is reported to have said: “Three traits make man a hypocrite even if he prays and fasts: Betrayal of trust, lying and non-fulfillment of promise.” [al-Kafi]

Hazrat Imam Ali bin Abi Talib (a.s.) said, ‘The peak of betrayal is disloyalty to a beloved friend and the breaking of vows.’ [Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 6374]

Harzat Imam Sadiq (a.s.) has said: “One who washes a dead body of a believer and observes caution with regard to the trust is absolved of all his sins.” Someone asked, “How can one maintain secrecy with regard to the washing of a believer’s corpse?” The Imam (a.s.) answered, “He must not tell anyone of the deformities that he might see in the dead body.” [Amali]   

Condemnation of Betrayal in the Holy Quran :

In Surah at-Tahrim the Almighty Allah flays some of the Prophet’s wives (Ayesha and Hafasa) for betraying a secret of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a). Allah, the Almighty has advised them to repent.

“If you both turn to Allah, then indeed your hearts are already inclined (to this).” (Surah at-Tahrim 66:4)

The same chapter also mentions the wives of Hazrat Lut (a.s.) and Hazrat Nuh (a.s.) in the following words:

“Allah sets forth an example to those who disbelieve the wife of Nuh and the wife of Lut; they were both under two of Our righteous servants, but they acted treacherously towards them so they availed them naught against Allah, and it was said: Enter both the Fire with those who enter.” (Surah at-Tahrim 66:10)

At another place the Divine Book states,

 “…but if one of you trusts another, then he who is trusted should deliver his trusts, and let him be careful (of his duty to) Allah, his Lord...” (Surah al-Baqarah : 283)

From this discussion we can be certain that exposing a secret amounts to committing Khayanat. Under all circumstances a secret is a trust, whether the person concerned himself takes you in confidence or you come to know of the secrets by yourself, it is Harām to betray it. If the one whom the secret concerns does not wish his secret to be divulged, then it is Harām and a kind of Khayanat to expose it.

Breach of Promise

The completion of promise is a virtue, which Islam recommends. The breach of promise is a vice, which it prohibits.In Surah al-Isra Allah says :

“...and fulfill the promise; Surely (every) promise shall be questioned about.” (Surah al-Isra: 34)

Similarly the Quran describes truthful and the pious people thus,

“...and those who fulfill their promise when they make a promise..” (Surah al-Baqarah : 177)

The Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a) had promised one of his companions, Abu Haitham Ibn Tayyahan, that He (s.a.w.a) would present him with a slave. Incidentally it so happened that three captives were brought before him (s.a.w.a) - two of whom he (s.a.w.a) gifted away while one remained with him (s.a.w.a). Meanwhile Janabe Zahra (s.a) approached him (s.a.w.a) and requested: “O' Prophet of Allah (s.a.w.a)! Can you grant me a slave or an assistant? Do you not see the effects of the hand-mill upon my hands?” At that moment the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a) recollected his (s.a.w.a) promise to Abu Haitham and said to himself: “Since I had previously promised Abu Haitham, how can I grant my daughter precedence over him, even though my daughter turns the hand-mill with her weak and delicate hands?”

This action of our Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a) speaks volumes about keeping one’s promise.

Importance of fulfilling a promise from the view point of traditions :

Hazrat Imam Ali (a.s.) said, ‘A graceful refusal is better than a lengthy promise.’ [Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 2183]

Hazrat Imam Ali (a.s.) also remarked, ‘Do not make a promise that you are not confident of fulfilling.’ [Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 10297]

Hazrat Imam Sadiq (a.s.) said, ‘The promise of a believer to his brother is a vow for which there is no [prescribed] repentance, so he who breaks a promise first disappoints Allah, and subjects himself to His discontentment, as Allah says: "O you who have faith! Why do you say what you do not do?" [Surah As-Saaf : 2] [al-Kafi, v. 2, p. 363, no. 1]

Hazrat Imam Sadiq (a.s.) has also remarked: “There are three obligations in fulfilment of which Allah does not give concession to any: To behave well with the parents, whether they are righteous or sinners; to fulfill ones promise; whether to a righteous person or a sinner; and to deliver a trust (to its owner) whether he is righteous or a sinner.” [Shaikh Saduq : Al-Khisal]

Hazrat Imam Reza (a.s.) said, ‘We, the Ahl Al-Bayt (a.s.), see what we have promised as a debt upon us just as the Prophet (s.a.w.) used to do.’ [Bihar al-Anwar, v. 75, p. 97, no. 20]

Some Ill-Effects of breaking a promise

1.    Loss of trust

2.    Loss of reputation  

3.    Loss of relationship  

4.    Will be termed as a liar 

The one who enters into a promise must adhere to it and not violate it, irrespective of whether the opposite party happens to be a disbeliever or an immoral person, one must not break one's promise with him and cause his life to fall into disarray. Non-adherence to one's promise shall cause one to become hated, its burden shall remain upon his neck like a necklace till the Day of Judgment and Allah shall cause the person's enemies to gain ascendancy over him. Furthermore, if the sanctity of oaths and promises stem from one’s faith and morality they are more likely to be observed.

Biography of Janab Mohaddis Noori (ar)

Biography of J.Mohaddis Noori (ar)

One of the great scholars whose illuminating name spread the light of knowledge over the realm of Islam is Mirza Mohammad Husain Mazndarani – famous as Mohaddis Noori.

His grandfather – Ali Mohammad Mazandarani was associated with the government and wanted his son i.e. father of Mohaddis Noori to be his successor, however he was not interested with the worldly affairs. His father’s name was Allamah Mirza Mohammad Taqi Noori Tabresi (1201 – 1263 A.H.) was a great scholar, and Marje Taqleed of Mazandaran.

Allamah Mohammad Taqi completed his basic education in Isfahan and then acquired religious knowledge from great scholars like Maula Ali Noori and Sayyed Mohammad Mujahid. He returned to his hometown after thirty years from Najaf al-Ashraf and founded a Hauza Ilmiya which spread knowledge of Ma’arif to more than three hundred students.

Mohaddis Noori had four elder brothers and all of them were religious scholars. Their names are as follows

1. Haaj Mirza Hadi – Marje Taqleed after is his father for thirteen years
2. Mirza Ali – Marje Taqleed after his elder brother
3. Mirza Hasan – Scholar and teacher of Usool e Fiqh
4. Mirza Qasim – Teacher of Usool e Fiqh

He had two sisters who were married to religious scholars viz.

1. Mulla Abbas Noori – father of Shaheed Fazlullah
2. Mulla Fathullah Noori – father of Shaikh Moosa Noori

He was born on 18^th Shavval 1254 A.H. in small village Yalu in the city of Noor belonging to Mazandaran province. The entire village celebrated his birth as his father was the Marje Taqleed of his time. He was nine years old when his father expired. He was then under the shelter of his brothers.

Since childhood he was inclined towards gaining knowledge and he did not waste his time on useless things. When he was fourteen or fifteen years old he sought knowledge from Mulla Mohammad Ali Mahlati.

One peculiarity about Mohaddis Noori was that he travelled a lot even though there weren’t many amenities of travel in those days. However, he was very much focused about his travel plans and made maximum utilization of his time. He first migrated to Tehran to learn from Shaikh Abdur Rahim Burujardi. Then, in 1273 A.H. he migrated to Najaf, Iraq along with his teacher and father-in-law. After four years he returned to Iran, however after a short span of time he again migrated to Iraq. This way he migrated to many places including Kazmain, Karbala, Khorasan, Mecca and so on. The important point to not here is that all his travel was for gaining knowledge.

The knowledge, personality and service of Mohaddis Noori was a result of excellent teachers that he had. We shall mention the names of some of them

1. Mulla Mohammad Ali Mahlati
2. Shaikh Abdur Rahim Burujardi
3. Shaikhul Aarifeen Abdul Husain Tehrani
4. Shaikh Aazam Ansari
5. Ayatullah Sayyad Mohammad Hasan Shirazi
6. Aakhund Mulla Sultanabadi
7. Mulla Shaikh Ali Khalili

Mohaddis Noori was very particular about his time as well as very disciplined. One of his students says that he scheduled a work for every hour of the day and acted in accordance to it.

1. He used to write from Zuhr to sunset.
2. After Namaz e Magrib and light dinner he was busy in research till late night.
3. He slept very little and with Wuzu.
4. He used to wake up a couple of hours before Namaz e Subh and recite Namaz e Shab and supplications behind Baab e Qibla. When the Khadim of Haram opened the door, Noori was the first person to enter.
5. After Namaz e Subh he returned home around sunrise and immediately used to go to his library and would be engrossed in research, analysis with his students. He left the library only for some important work or else he stayed there till Zuhr

On Fridays he followed a different schedule where he dedicated many hours in the morning in research especially on Ashura. Later he participated in the Majlis which was held in his house every Friday. He would go on the Mimbar in the end and narrate traditions and concluded it with the Masaaeb of Sayyadus Shohada (as). After Namaz e Juma he would engross himself in cleaning, correction and making a time table for himself. He would then go for Ziyarat of Haram and recite supplications

Mohaddis Noori was responsible for setting up three libraries viz. Tehran, India and Najaf. It is said that the library of Najaf had no match in the entire Iraq and Iran.

Many great scholars have the honor of being his students. These students were not ordinary but very great scholars who command great respect amongst Shias. Some of them are

1. Shaikh Buzurg Tehrani – Author of ‘Az-Zariyah’
2. Shaikh Abbas Qummi – Compiler of Mafatihul Jinan
3. Ayatullah Shaikh Mohammad Husain Kashiful Ghitaa
4. Sayyed Abdul Husain Sharafuddin Aameli
5. Shaikh Ismail Isfahani
6. Shaikh Mahdi Noori ibn Haadi Noori – his nephew

The magnum opus of Mohaddis Noori is his book which is an encyclopedia of traditions called ‘Mustadrakul Wasaael Mustanbatul Masaael’ in which he brought twenty three thousand traditions from fourteen infallibles. Two-Third of the traditions are regarding Ahkaam and the rest of the book covers science of knowledge and study of traditions. This book which is a result of his life time hard work and research is based on the book Wasaael us Shia of Shaikh Hur Ameli. Some of his other works are

1. Mawaake’ Nujoom – His first book written at the age of 21
2. Nafsur Rahman fi Fazaaele Sayyedina Salmaan
3. Darul Islam – 2 volumes (regarding Dreams, their interpretations and Akhlaq)
4. Faslul Khitaab
5. Ma’alemul A’bar
6. Mizaan us Samaa – this book proves that Holy Prophet (s) was born on 17^th Rabi ul Awwal and not on 12^th
7. Kalemae Tayyib – Traditions and Akhlaq
8. Jannatul Maava – Incidents of meeting with Imam Zamana (a)

There are more sixteen books to his credit however all cannot be mentioned here.

This is a very short article on a great scholar whose work we still benefitting from. To maintain brevity we have omitted many great characteristics, incidents and works of Mohaddis Noori

Please recite a S. Fatiha for this great aalim and humble servant of Ahle Bait (as)

IMPORTANCE OF PRAYING NAMAZ ON TIME

IN HIS NAME AND BY THE HELP OF HIS LAST HUJJAT (ATFS)

NAMAZ

The Holy religion of Islam has attached such an importance to Salat that it has made it obligatory (wajib) for every Muslim under all circumstances. If one cannot recite Salat in standing posture, he should recite Salat in sitting position. If he is unable to recite Salat even in sitting position, he should do so in lying down. In any case under no circumstances a man is exempted from reciting Salat.

We read in the Holy Quran that one of the attributes of H. Ibrahim (a.s) was that he invited his wife and children to prayers. And we also read in the Holy Quran that he (a.s) requested Allah the Almighty that he himself and his progeny establish prayer till the Day of judgement.

"O my Lord! Make me one who establishes regular prayer and also (raise such) among my offsprings. (Surah Ibrahim 14:40)              

  

Hence, we learn that it is not obligatory for the head of the household to only say his prayers. But also, he is responsible to gently direct the members of the family by advicing and encouraging them too.

       

The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a) says: "Prayer is the pillar of faith. If it is accepted by Allah(swt), the other worships will also be accepted and if it is not accepted, the other worships will not be accepted either."

 In many traditions the Holy Prophet(s.a.w.a) has called prayer, the apple of his eye. Negligence of prayers, or quitting to perform this great worship will cause us to lose the possibility of the mediation (shafa'at) of the Holy Household(pbut) on our behalf, losing the possibility of benefiting from God's Mercy, and never being allowed to enter Heaven. When the people of Heaven will ask the people in hell as to what brought them there, they will say: "We were not of those who prayed." (Surah Muddaththir 74:43).

Let us summarise a few traditions which show the importance of prayers :

1. Pray the prayer in its appointed time, and rush it not so as to be at leisure, delay it not beyond its time due to preoccupation and know that each and every one of your deeds depends upon the prayer.

2. One who delays his prayer after its time will not attain our intercession.

3. He who forsakes his prayer to the extent that he misses them without excuse- all his deeds are for nothing.

4. He who abondans the prayer is cursed in Torah, cursed in the Gospel(zaboor), cursed in Psalms (injeel), cursed in the HOLY QURAN, cursed on the tongue of Jibra'eel, mika'eel, Israfeel and on the tongue of the Holy Prophet(s.a.w.a).

5.Safeguard the times of the prayer, for the servant is not safe from occurances.          

6. Waste not your prayer, for he who wastes his prayer- Allah(swt) will raise him with Qaroon, Pharoah and Haman (may Allah curse them and humiliate them). It is proper for Allah(swt) to enter them into the fire with the hypocrites. So woe to him who safeguards not his prayer

 7. He who abondans the prayer deliberately- his name is recorded on the door of the fire, in the list who enter.                                                            

8. The vilest of the vile and of disbeleif is the man who hears the exalted Allah's summoning him to the prayer and calling him to the prosperity , yet does not respond.                                                

9. The best deeds before Allah(swt) are the prayers in its time, kindness to parents and jihad in the path of Allah(swt).                

10. A believer who safeguards, the obligatory prayers and prays them in their time, is not among the heedless.

Also it is mentioned in the book Greater Sins by Shaheed Allama Dastghayb Shirazi that, the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a) says that, A person who neglects prayer and is lazy in its fulfillment is punished with fifteen calamities by Allah(swt). One of these six are related to his life, three are with regard to the time of death, three occur in the grave and three calamities strike in Qiyamat  i.e when he will emerge from his grave (for final accounting).

THE SIX CALAMITIES WITH REGARD TO HIS LIFE ARE:

1. The Almighty Allah (swt) reduces his life span.
2. He terminates his sustenance.
3. He makes the signs of righteous people to disappear from his face.
4. None of his good deeds will be accepted and he will not be rewarded for them.
5. His invocations will not be accepted.
6. The supplications of righteous people will not benefit him.

THE THREE CALAMITIES TO BEFALL HIM AT THE TIME OF DEATH ARE:

1. He will die a death of degradation and disgrace.
2. He will die in hunger.
3. He will die in a state of such a terrible thirst that even if he were to drink all the streams of the earth his thirst will not be quenched.

THE THREE PUNISHMENT THAT SHALL REACH HIM IN THE GRAVE ARE:

1. An angel will be appointed over him to give him squeeze and chastise him.
2. His grave will be dark and horrifying.
3. His grave will be made narrow.

THE THREE CALAMITIES WITH REGARD TO QIYAMAT ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1. The angel will be pulling him for accounting in such a way that other people be a witness of it.
2. His accounting will be very strict.
3. The Almighty Allah(swt) will not look at him with mercy, will not purify him and there is a terrible punishment for him.

The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a) said: " When the worshipper stands for the prayer, mercy descends upon him from the stores of the heavens to the stores of the earth. It encompasses the angels, and angel says. 'If this worshipper knew what is in the prayer, he would not stop praying.'

When we have realised the importance of Namaz, we should know that emphasis have been laid on praying the namaz on time. We find a tradition from Hazrat Ali (as) wherein instructs

ـ الإمامُ عليٌّ (عَلَيهِ الّسَلامُ) ـ مِن كتابِهِ لمحمّدِ بنِ أبي بكرٍ ـ: اِرتَقِبْ وَقتَ الصَّلاةِ فَصَلِّها لِوَقتِها، ولا تَعَجَّلْ بها قَبلَهُ لِفَرَاغٍ، ولا تُؤخِّرْها عَنهُ لِشُغلٍ.

Imam Ali (AS) wrote in a letter to Muhammad b. Abu Bakr, ‘Observe the timing of the prayer and perform it at its prescribed time, neither hastening to pray it earlier in order to be free of it, nor delaying it because of some work.’[Bihar al-Anwar, v. 83, p. 14, no. 25]  

So also, we find that Imam al-Baqir (AS) said, ‘Know that the earliest time is always the best, so hasten to perform good whenever you can. The most beloved acts in the eyes of Allah, Mighty and Exalted, are those that the servant performs regularly, even though they be few in number.’[al-Kafi, v. 3, p. 274, no. 8]  

Lastly, let us know that a our worth is also related to our namaz timings. We find a tradition of the Prophet (SAWA) who said, ‘The worth of a man with respect to his religion is measured by his diligence to keeping up his daily prayers [at their specific times].’[Tanbih al-Khawatir, v. 2, p. 122]  

Lastly, May Allah(swt) keep us and our family members always on the right path, give guidance to all of us to perform our wajibats and keep all of us among the people who establish prayers at all times and on time as ordrained by the Allah(swt). 

DUTIES TOWARDS PARENTS

IN HIS NAME AND IN THE REMEMBRANCE OF HIS LAST HUJJAT (atfs)

DUTIES TOWARDS PARENTS

وَقَضَى رَبُّكَ أَلاَّ تَعْبُدُواْ إِلاَّ إِيَّاهُ وَبِالْوَالِدَيْنِ إِحْسَانًا إِمَّا يَبْلُغَنَّ عِندَكَ الْكِبَرَأَحَدُهُمَا أَوْ كِلاَهُمَا فَلاَ تَقُل لَّهُمَا أُفٍّ وَلاَ تَنْهَرْهُمَا وَقُل لَّهُمَا قَوْلاً كَرِيمًا

“And your Lord has commanded that you shall not serve (any) but Him, and do good to your parents. If either or both of them reach old age with you, say not to them (so much as) “ugh” nor chide them, but (always) speak to them reverent speech”  - Surah Al – Isra’, 17:23

Islam ranks the obedience to parents second only to Allah. The extent to which one has to regard his parents and obey them is peculiar only to Islam. None shall even raise his voice higher than the voice of his parents - nor look towards them even eye to eye - nor walk in advance of them - nor address them with their names. Nothing shall be done to bring disrepute or blame on them from the people and if they be believers, the children should pray for their salvation, and if they be disbeliever, they might be gently invited towards the right belief and goodness. If man cannot venerate the ones responsible in bringing him in this world, he will never be able to acknowledge truly the Only One Creator of all mankind.

عَنْ أَبِي وَلاَدِ الْحَنَّاطِ قَالَ: سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللٌّهِ (ع) عَنْ قَوْلِ اللٌّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ } وَ بِالْوَالِدَيْنِ إِحْساناً { مَا هٌذَا الإِِحْسَانُ؟ فَقَالَ: الإِِحْسَانُ أَنْ تُحْسِنَ صُحْبَتَهُمَا وَ أَنْ لاَ تُكَلِّفَهُمَا أَنْ يَسْأَلاَكَ شَيْئاً مِمَّا يَحْتَاجَانِ إِلَيْهِ‏.

Abu Wallad al-Hannat narrates that he once asked Imam as-Sadiq (as) about the meaning of the words of Allah (in the Qur’an): (And be good to parents.”).The Imam (as) replied: “Being good to them means to accompany them in a good manner and never to wait for them to ask you for what they need.” Biharul Anwar, Volume 74, Page 79

عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللٌّهِ (ع) قَالَ: لَوْ عَلِمَ اللٌّهُ شَيْئاً أَدْنَى مِنْ أُفٍّ لَنَهَى عَنْهُ وَ هُوَ مِنْ أَدْنَى الْعُقُوقِ وَ مِنَ الْعُقُوقِ أَنْ يَنْظُرَ الرَّجُلُ إِلَى وَالِدَيْهِ فَيُحِدَّ النَّظَرَ إِلَيْهِمَا.

Imam as-Sadiq (as) has said: “Had Allah known of a thing more trivial and insignificant than the word ‘ugh’, he would have forbidden it (to be spoken to the parents).  Uttering ‘ugh’ (to the parents) is the mildest form of ill conduct towards the parents.  One of the ways in which a person can be regarded as being disowned by the parents is that he casts a hard and stern look upon them.”

Al-Kafi, Volume 4, Page 50

First and Foremost is Mother

عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللٌّهِ (ع): قَالَ جَاءَ رَجُلٌ إِلَى النَّبِيِّ (ص) فَقَالَ: يَا رَسُولَ اللٌّهِ مَنْ أَبَرُّ؟ قَالَ أُمَّكَ. قَالَ ثُمَّ مَنْ؟ قَالَ أُمَّكَ. قَالَ ثُمَّ مَنْ؟ قَالَ أُمَّكَ. قَالَ ثُمَّ مَنْ؟ قَالَ أَبَاكَ‏.

Imam as-Sadiq (as) relates that once a person approached the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a) and asked: “O’ Prophet of Allah!  Towards whom should I exhibit goodness and kindness?”  The Noble Prophet replied: “Towards your mother.”  The man then asked: “And after that towards whom?”  The Noble Prophet again said: “Your Mother.”  He asked again: “And then?”  Once again, he replied: “Your mother.”  For the fourth time the man asked: “And then?”  This time he said: “(Then towards) Your father.”  Biharul Anwar, Volume 74, Page 49

In yet another verse Of Holy Quran , Allah  specifically explaining the pain taken by mother.

And (God says:) “We have enjoined upon man goodness towards his parents: his mother bore him by bearing strain upon strain, and his utter dependence on her lasted two years: (hence, O man,) be grateful towards Me and towards thy parents, (and remember that) with Me is all journey’s end. Surah Luqman, 13 :14

Rights Of Father

عَنْ أَبِي الْحَسَنِ عَلِيِّ بنِ مُوسَى (ع) قَالَ: سَأَلَ رَجُلٌ رَسُولَ اللٌّهِ(ص) مَا حَقُّ الْوَالِدِ عَلَى وَلَدِهِ؟ لَهُ‏. يَسْتَسِبُّ قَالَ: لاَ يُسَمِّيهِ بِاسْمِهِ وَ لاَ يَمْشِي بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ وَ لاَ يَجْلِسُ قَبْلَهُ وَ لاَ                         

.

Imam ar-Ridha (as) narrates that a person once asked the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.): “What are the rights of the father upon the son?”  The Noble Prophet replied: “He should not call his father by name, he should not walk ahead of him, he should not sit until his father has seated himself and he should not do such acts as a result of which people abuse his father.” Biharul Anwar, Volume 74, Page 45

Best way to gain closeness to Allah (swt)

قَالَ الصَّادِقُ (ع): بِرُّ الْوَالِدَيْنِ مِنْ حُسْنِ مَعْرِفَةِ الْعَبْدِ بِاللٌّهِ إِذْ لاَ عِبَادَةَ أَسْرَعُ بُلُوغاً بِصَاحِبِهَا إِلَى رِضَى اللٌّهِ مِنْ بِرِّ الْوَالِدَيْنِ الْمُسْلِمَيْنِ لِوَجْهِ اللٌّهِ.

Imam as-Sadiq (as) has said: “Goodness towards the parents is an indication of a person’s excellent cognizance of Allah.  This is because there is no worship that can take a person towards the happiness of Allah faster than exhibiting respect towards his Muslim parents for the sake of Allah.”

Biharul Anwar, Volume 74, pg.77
 

عَنِ الصَّادِقِ (ع): قَالَ بَيْنَا مُوسى بْنِ عِمْرَانَ يُنَاجِي رَبَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ إِذْ رَأَى رَجُلاً تَحْتَ ظِلِّ عَرْشِ اللٌّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ. فَقَالَ: يَا رَبِّ مَنْ هٌذَا الَّذِي قَدْ أَظَلَّهُ عَرْشُكَ؟ فَقَالَ: هٌذَا كَانَ بَارًّا بِوَالِدَيْهِ وَ لَمْ يَمْشِ بَالنَّمِيمَةِ.

Imam as-Sadiq (as) related: “Once when Prophet Musa (as) was engaged in a conversation with his Lord, The Mighty, The Glorious, he observed a person beneath the `Arsh (Throne) of Allah, whereupon he (as) asked:  O’ My Lord!  Who is this person, who is being sheltered by Your `Arsh?”  Allah replied: “This person had been kind and good towards his parents and never indulged in slandering (them).”

Biharul Anwar, Volume 74, Page 65

Disrespect Of Parents

عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللٌّهِ (ع) قَالَ: مَنْ نَظَرَ إِلَى أَبَوَيْهِ نَظَرَ مَاقِتٍ وَ هُمَا ظَالِمَانِ لَهُ لَمْ يَقْبَلِ اللٌّهُ لَهُ صَلاَةً.

Imam as-Sadiq (as) has said: “Allah shall not accept the prayers of a person who looks at his parents with hatred, even if they have been unfair to him!”

Al-Kafi, Volume 4, Page 50

قَالَ أَمِيـرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ (ع): مَنْ أَحْزَنَ وَالِدَيْهِ فَقَدْ عَقَّهُمَا.

The Commander of the Faithful (as) has said: “One who causes his parents to become sad has indeed been disowned by them.”

Biharul Anwar, Volume 74, Page 64

Cause of Displeasure of  Imam Of the Time

عن أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ (ع) قَالَ: إِنَّ أَبِي نَظَرَ إِلَى رَجُلٍ وَ مَعَهُ ابْنُهُ يَمْشِي وَ الإِبْنُ مُتَّكِئٌ

 عَلَى ذِرَاعِ الأََبِ قَالَ فَمَا كَلَّمَهُ أَبِي (ع) مَقْتاً لَهُ حَتَّى فَارَقَ الدُّنْيَا.

Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (as) relates: “Once my father saw a person and his son walking together.  As they walked, the son was leaning against the arm of his father.  (This act of the son was so abhorrent and infuriating to my father that) he (as) never spoke to him throughout his life.”

Biharul Anwar, Volume 74, Page 64

Dua For Parents

وَاخْفِضْ لَهُمَا جَنَاحَ الذُّلِّ مِنَ الرَّحْمَةِ وَقُل رَّبِّ ارْحَمْهُمَا كَمَا رَبَّيَانِي صَغِيرًا

And make yourself submissively gentle to them with compassion, and say: “O my Lord! have compassion on them, as they brought me up (when I was) a child.” Surah Al-Isra’, 17:24

May ALLAH (swt) give us tawfeeq to obey our parents which will cause the pleasure and happiness of Hazrat Hujjat (atfs) and will take us closer to our creator, ALLAH, The Most High.

Summary of Surah Munafiqun

In His Name and in the remembrance of His last Hujjat (atfs)

Summary of Surah Munafiqun

What is Hypocrisy?

The opening verse of the Surah Munafiqun explains the meaning of a Hypocrite thus:

إِذَا جَاءكَ الْمُنَافِقُونَ قَالُوا نَشْهَدُ إِنَّكَ لَرَسُولُ اللَّهِ وَاللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ إِنَّكَ لَرَسُولُهُ وَاللَّهُ يَشْهَدُ إِنَّ الْمُنَافِقِينَ لَكَاذِبُونَ

When the hypocrites come to you, they say: “We bear witness that thou are indeed the Messenger of Allah.” Yea, Allah knows that you are indeed His Messenger, and Allah bears witness that the hypocrites are indeed liars (Surah Munafiqun: 1)

The word hypocrite (munafiq) is derived from the Arabic word ”nifaq” or hypocrisy. The term hypocrite refers to a person whose inward reality differs from his outward appearance, one who is two-faced or a double-dealer. Hypocrites do not use logic or rational reasoning to achieve their personal goals or profits; instead, they unjustly oppose the majority. As long as conditions permit, they will obstruct the majority, but because of their fear of the majority or their love of profit, they pretend to be friends with the majority, united to them.

Let us now look into the signs of a Hypocrite as indicated in the Surah munafiqun in Quran.

Signs of Hypocrite:

In the opening verses of this Surah, Allah reveals some signs of the Hypocrite thus:

1)اتَّخَذُوا أَيْمَانَهُمْ جُنَّةً

The hypocrite makes use of oath a screen for his misdeeds

2)وَإِذَا رَأَيْتَهُمْ تُعْجِبُكَ أَجْسَامُهُمْ

Their exterior (appearance) pleases you

3)وَإِن يَقُولُوا تَسْمَعْ لِقَوْلِهِمْ

Their speech is appealing

4) كَأَنَّهُمْ خُشُبٌ مُّسَنَّدَةٌ

But, They are brittle in strength – worthless as hollow pieces of timber

5) يَحْسَبُونَ كُلَّ صَيْحَةٍ عَلَيْهِمْ

They consider every cry against themselves - fear and agitation dominate the hearts of hypocrites

Another topic dealt in this Surah is with respect to Hypocrite and repentance.

Hypocrites and Repentance

The 5^th and the 6^th verse of this chapter clearly says that there is no guidance for the hypocrites, this is because they are haughty and proud and do not believe in the intercession of the Prophet (sawa):

وَإِذَا قِيلَ لَهُمْ تَعَالَوْا يَسْتَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ لَوَّوْا رُؤُوسَهُمْ وَرَأَيْتَهُمْ يَصُدُّونَ وَهُم مُّسْتَكْبِرُونَ

“When it is said to them, 'Come, the Messenger of Allah will pray for your forgiveness,' they turn aside their heads, and you see them turning away their faces in arrogance.”

سَوَاء عَلَيْهِمْ أَسْتَغْفَرْتَ لَهُمْ أَمْ لَمْ تَسْتَغْفِرْ لَهُمْ لَن يَغْفِرَ اللَّهُ لَهُمْ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يَهْدِي الْقَوْمَ الْفَاسِقِينَ

“It is the same for them whether you pray for their forgiveness or not. Allah will not forgive them. Surely, Allah guides not rebellious transgressors.”

It is due to their ignorance combined with pride (rebellion) that their hearts are sealed and now even if the Prophet (sawa) seeks forgiveness for them Allah shall not forgive them.

Hypocrites’ Dangerous Plans

In verse 7 and 8 of this surah Allah revels their plans towards the muslim, they try to make situation tough for the muslims by withdrawing financial support or by boycotting the muslims, but Allah declares that the treasures of Heavens and earth belong to Allah but the Hypocrite are not knowing it.

هُمُ الَّذِينَ يَقُولُونَ لَا تُنفِقُوا عَلَى مَنْ عِندَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ حَتَّى يَنفَضُّوا وَلِلَّهِ خَزَائِنُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَلَكِنَّ الْمُنَافِقِينَ لَا يَفْقَهُونَ

“They are the ones who say, 'Spend nothing on those who are with Allah's Messenger, to the end that they may disperse (and leave Medina).' But to Allah belong the treasures of the Heavens and the Earth; but the hypocrites understand not.”

يَقُولُونَ لَئِن رَّجَعْنَا إِلَى الْمَدِينَةِ لَيُخْرِجَنَّ الْأَعَزُّ مِنْهَا الْأَذَلَّ وَلِلَّهِ الْعِزَّةُ وَلِرَسُولِهِ وَلِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَلَكِنَّ الْمُنَافِقِينَ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ

“They say, 'If we return to Medina, surely the more honorable (element) will expel from there the meaner.' But honor belongs to Allah and His Messenger, and to the Believers but the hypocrites know not.”

The Shaane Nuzool of the above verse refers to the incident that took place after the war of bani Mustalaq. Interested readers may refer to the book of Ayatullah Jafar Subhani  -  Hypocrites A commentary of Surah Munafiqun

The real value of world

The surah finally concludes by virtue of bringing to our attention the real value of this world and how a servant of Imame Zaman (atfs) should treat this world as and should look at the world to benefit in the hear after.

1)    Our wealth and children should not deviate us from our focus (service of hazrat), lest we become the loosers.

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تُلْهِكُمْ أَمْوَالُكُمْ وَلَا أَوْلَادُكُمْ عَن ذِكْرِ اللَّهِ وَمَن يَفْعَلْ ذَلِكَ فَأُوْلَئِكَ هُمُ الْخَاسِرُونَ
“Oh believers! Do not Let your riches or your children divert you from the remembrance of Allah. If any one acts this way, the loss is his own.”

2)    We should sacrifice our wealth for Hazrat (atfs) in our life itself, else we would end up in a situation where the angel of death comes in front of us and our wealth of this world is of no use to us.

“وَأَنفِقُوا مِن مَّا رَزَقْنَاكُم مِّن قَبْلِ أَن يَأْتِيَ أَحَدَكُمُ الْمَوْتُ فَيَقُولَ رَبِّ لَوْلَا أَخَّرْتَنِي إِلَى أَجَلٍ قَرِيبٍ فَأَصَّدَّقَ وَأَكُن مِّنَ الصَّالِحِينَ

”“Spend something (in charity) out of the substance which We have bestowed upon you, before death should come to any of you and he should say, 'Oh my Lord! Why didn't you give me respite for a little while? Then I would have given (largely) in charity, and I would have been one of the righteous.'”

3)    We should know well that this life is going to end and there is no respite to the appointed time of death and no noe knows when it will come to us.

“وَلَن يُؤَخِّرَ اللَّهُ نَفْسًا إِذَا جَاء أَجَلُهَا وَاللَّهُ خَبِيرٌ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ

”“But Allah will not grant respite to any soul when its appointed time when has come, and Allah is well acquainted with (all) that you do.”

Let us from this brief summary ensure that we strive hard towards the service of Imame Zaman (atfs) and make each moment of this life count in his service and ensure that our soul leaves our body in a state that our head rests in the laps of our Aziz.