GUIDE TO WORSHIP IN MAHE RAJAB & LAYLATUL RAGHAIB

Rajab (Arabic: ب رج‎) is the seventh month of the Islamic calendar. The lexical definition of Rajaba is "to respect", of which Rajab is a derivative. It is the month eagerly awaited by Shia`ne Ali ibne abi Talib (as). It is a start of Spiritual season which ends at Mahe Ramzan. These three months are unmatched in their importance. Praise be to the Almighty and thanks to Him for granting us yet another opportunity to cleanse ourselves of our sins and oversights.This month is the month of Amir Al-Mo’minin `Ali ibn Abi Talib (as) just as it has been mentioned in the ahadith and as we are also told that the month of Sha`ban is the month of the Messenger of Allah (saww) and the Month of Ramadhan is the month of Allah (swt). 
The first night of this month is one of the four nights in the year which it has been emphasized that we should stay awake in prayer and worship.

Fasting In the Month of Mahe Rajab

Fasting is one of the most recommended acts during this spiritual season. It becomes Wajib during the month of Ramadan, but is highly recommended during the months of Rajab and Sha’baan. As will be noted from the Hadith, fasting, be it for only one day during these months, is rewarded with unlimited bounties. In Sawaab al-Aamal wa Iqaab al-Aamal , the Holy Prophet Muhammad (saww) went on to mention the specialties and favors that would be showered upon that person who fasted during this month and for every day he fasted, a different favour and bounty would be graced upon him. Our Holy Prophet Muhammad (saww) said, if a person were to fast one day in this month for the belief and hope of reward from Allah (swt), then he would have earned the pleasure of Allah (swt) and the fast of that one day would put out the anger of Allah (swt) and would cause the doors of the hellfire to be closed for him. If the entire land were to be filled with gold and that gold was to be spent in the way of Allah (swt), then even this act would not add up to the bounties of fasting just one day. There is not a single thing in the world that would perfect that person's reward except for good (from Allah (swt) as long as he was sincere to Allah (swt) (in has fasting). When the evening time comes, ten of that person's prayers would be granted, and if he were to supplicate for anything of the worldly life, Allah (swt) would give it to him, and if it were not given to him, then Allah (swt) would preserve that which is greater (than what he supplicated for) and that which the friends, lovers and chosen ones of Allah have prayed to him for.

Duas for the Month Of Mahe Rajab

Apart from Fasting, other special acts are Istigfhar and giving Sadqah.The Holy Prophet(saww) has said, "Rajab is the month for seeking forgiveness, so seek forgiveness from Allah(swt)"
Giving  Sadaqah (charity/alms) is also highly recommended.

Mahe Rajab is the month Of Munajat, there are few Common duas for this month. Out of all Dua, the most significant is the one which is recited after every Wajib Namaz and it starts with “Yaa Man Arjoho Le Kulle Khair”. 

According to Shaykh Abbas Qummi (ar) in Mafateehul Jinaan, this has been taught by Imam Ja`far as-Sadiq (as). Sayyid Ibn Tawus (ar) has narrated that Muhammad ibn Dhakwan—known as ‘al-Sajjad’ due to his remarkable, long prostration during which he used to weep so heavily that he lost his sight asked Imam Ja`far al-Sadiq (as), saying, “May Allah accept me as ransom for you! We are now in Rajab; Please  teach me a supplication due to which Almighty Allah may help me.” Hence, the Imam (a.s) asked him to write down dua (Yaa Man Arjoho Le Kulle Khair) http://www.duas.org/rajab3.htm

Few duas from Sahifa-e-Mahdi

Shaykh al-Tusi has related that these  Duas has been written by the great Shaykh, Abu Ja'far Muhammad ibn Uthmaan ibn Sa'id (as) [2^nd Naaeb-e-Imame Zamana ATFS] -  to be Recited  on each day of the month of Rajab. For Duas Click http://www.duas.org/12imamdua.htm

Ayyame Baydh

13^th, 14^th and 15^th Mahe Rajab are called as “Ayyaam-e-Baydh” The Luminous days. Imam Jafar bin Muhammad As Saadiq (as) had said: " Who so prays during the nights of “Ayyam Bayz”, in fact, stands at the door of superabundant favours, bounties and benefits available in these months"

27th Rajab Eve & Day of Mab'ath ( official Appointment)
Salmaan Farsi narrates that the Final messenger of Allah (saww) said that there is a day in the month of Rajab on which if a person fasts and does Qiyaamul Lail (ShabeDaari) on that night, he will receive rewards like a person who fasts for 100 years and does Qiyaamul Lail for nights of 100 years. This night is the night of the 27th (Rajab) and the day of the 27th (Rajab). This is the day on which Hazrat Muhammad (SAW) was appointed to Messengerhood,

(Tarteeb Shareef page 781)

Ziarat Rajabiyah

Our near and dear ones are going for Ziyarat-e-Masoomeen (as).There is one Special Ziyarat named as “Ziarat Rajabiyah”. Abu Qasim Husain Ibn Ruh (as) [2^nd Naaeb-e-Imame Zamana ATFS] said "Anyone who recites this Ziarah in any of the Ziarat places of Ahlulbayt(as) , his requests will be granted & all his supplications for Religion & this world would be accepted" 

(Misbaahul Mutahajjid 821, Misbahu Zzair 493, Al Mizaarul Kabeer 203) 

It is highly recommended to visit Holy Shrine Of Imam Reza (as) in Rajab and also to go for Umrah is highly recommended.

'Lailatul Raghaib' (Night Of Desires) - First Thursday of Rajab month

Syed ibn Taawus (ar) in Iqbal al-A’mal and Allamah Majlisi (ar) in Ijazate Bani Zuhrah has mentioned the reward of the Prayers of this Night. The Holy Prophet (saww) has said, that these prayers are Means of forgiveness and On the FIRST NIGHT in our grave, the Almighty will send the reward off this prayer in the best,enlightened and eloquent form.When inquired, will reply, ‘My Beloved, glad tidings to you that you have found salvation from every hardship and horror.When asked ‘Who are you?’ By God I haven't seen any one more beautiful than you, I haven't heard a word sweeter than yours or a fragrance better than you?’ In reply ‘I am that prayer which you offered on the eve off the first Friday of the month of Rajab. I have come to you to be your companion in this loneliness to remove from you your fright and horror.Be lest assured that my shelter will be with you until the blowing off the Horn off the Day off Judgment.’

Description of above prayer is as follows:

It is recommended to fast on the first Thursday & between Maghrib & Isha recite 12 Rak’at namaz in six sets of 2 units

In every Rak’at after surah al Hamd recite 3 times Surah al-Qadr & 12 times Surah  Ikhlaas

After completing the full prayer recite :-

Then One must pray Almighty Allah for fulfilling one’s needs, for surely they will be granted Inshallah.

In this Holy Month May ALLAH (swt ) give us Tawfheeq to do as much Istegfaar, recite Duas and do Aamaal and most important to pray for the Reappearance of Imame Zamana (atfs ) and to give more strength  to serve the Hujjat (atfs) in upcoming months  untill we die Inshallah.

Importance of Mahe Rajab

Introduction “Rajab a Gift to the Muslim Ummah.”

The Month of Rajab ulMurajjab is 7th month of the Islamic calendar. It is the month of worship prayers supplications, offering sacrifice and for umarah and Ziyarat e Qoboor e Aimma e Masoomeen (as). Great rewards and special emphasis has been laid in such acts of worship in this month as it appears in the Ahadith of Aimma (as). Much stress is laid upon fasting and umrah in this holy months. In the various books of Ziyarat, great rewards have been mentioned for visiting the graves of holy Aimmas (as) and Holy prophet (saw) in this month.

Allah (swt) has given us this month to excel in our worships,  obedience and seeking forgiveness. Hence, ee must utilize this month to the maximum possible extent to reap benefit and grace of Allah (swt).

وَ بِسَنَدٍ مُعْتَبَرٍ عَنِ الْإِمَامِ جَعْفَرٍ الصَّادِقِ عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ‏ أَنَّ اللَّهَ سُبْحَانَهُ أَعْطَى هَذِهِ الْأُمَّةَ ثَلَاثَةَ أَشْهُرٍ لَمْ يُعْطِهَا الْأُمَمَ الْأُخْرَى: رَجَبٍ وَ شَعْبَانَ وَ رَمَضَانَ، …..

From Imam JafarAsSadiq (as):“Surely Allah (swt) gave this nation three such months which he didn’t bestowed on other nations:Rajab,Shaban and MaheRamzaan….”[1]

Why it is called “Rajab”?

As we see in Majmaul bayan the meaning of رجب  asالتَّرْجِيبُ‏: التعظيم ‏ which means Glorifications, exaltation. Similar meaning can be seen in Lisanol Arab a famous lughat which says

ورَجَبٌ: شهرسموهبذلكلتعظيمهمإِيَّاهفيالجاهليةعنالقتالِفيه،ولايَسْتَحِلُّونالقتالَفيه‏

Rajab is a month named so because it was respected in the era of jahilliya and bloodshed was considered unlawful.

We find in the traditions that this name Rajab is taken from a river of Paradise.

وَ رُوِيَ عَنْ أَبِي الْحَسَنِ مُوسَى ع أَنَّهُ قَالَ:رَجَبٌ‏ نَهَرٌ فِي الْجَنَّةِ أَشَدُّ بَيَاضاً مِنَ اللَّبَنِ وَ أَحْلَى مِنَ الْعَسَلِ مَنْ صَامَ يَوْماً مِنْ رَجَبٍ‏ سَقَاهُ اللَّهُ مِنْ ذَلِكَ النَّهَرِ.

And relates from Abil Hasan Musa (as) the He (as) says : “Rajab is the river of Paradise whiter than milk sweeter than honey and whoever fasts on any day of Rajab Allah (swt) will make him drink from that river.[2]

Rajab a Month of Worship and Obedience to Allah (swt).

Salat

Many Salats have been recommended in this month. One such noteworthy salat is the salat taught by Holy Prophet (saw) to Hazrat Salaman Muhammadi (ra), which has great rewards and consists of 30 rakats which has to recited thrice in a 10 rakats on 1^st, 15^th and last date of Rajab. The types and method of Salat are so many that it is not wise to mention it all here. Readers can refer Mafateehul Jinaan or Zaadol Maad and books on supplications. Details description has been given in it.

Fasting.

Here, we would like to bring some traditions which shows us the great reward of fasting in this month. Allah (swt) has opened the gates of his mercy of the fasting one, has forgiven him and his parents and relatives friends and neighbors. Such great benefits, has been narrated in the traditions which motivate us to fast in the month of Rajab.

وَ رَوَى سَمَاعَةُ بْنُ مِهْرَانَ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‏ مَنْ صَامَ ثَلَاثَةَ أَيَّامٍ مِنْ رَجَبٍ كَتَبَ اللَّهُ لَهُ بِكُلِّ يَوْمٍ صِيَامَ سَنَةٍ وَ مَنْ صَامَ ثَمَانِيَةَ أَيَّامٍ مِنْهُ فُتِحَتْ لَهُ أَبْوَابُ الْجَنَّةِ وَ مَنْ صَامَ خَمْسَةَ عَشَرَ يَوْماً حَاسَبَهُ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى‏ حِساباً يَسِيراً وَ مَنْ صَامَ رَجَبَ [رَجَباً] كُلَّهُ كَتَبَ اللَّهُ لَهُ رِضْوَانَهُ وَ مَنْ كَتَبَ اللَّهُ لَهُ رِضْوَانَهُ لَمْ يُعَذِّبْهُ.

Samaat ibn Mehran narrates from AbiAbdillah (as) who narrates from Rasool Allah (swt):                             “ Whoever fast for three days from Rajab Allah (swt) writes for him the fast for the whole year and whoever fast for eight days from it Doors of Jannat are opened for him and whoever fasts for fifteen days Allah (swt) will account him “ Easy Accounting” and whoever fasts in the whole of Rajab Allah (swt) writes  for him His Pleasure (Rizwaan) and for the one Allah (swt) writes His Pleasure He (swt) does not punishes him.[3]

Another tradition is mentioned here which shows the endless the mercy and bounties showered on the one who fasts in Rajab.

فِي أَمَالِي الشَّيْخِ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ بَابَوَيْهِ رَحِمَهُ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ بْنِ إِسْحَاقَ عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ الْكُوفِيِّ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ الْحُسَيْنِ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ فَضَّالٍ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنْ أَبِي الْحَسَنِ عَلِيِّ بْنِ مُوسَى الرِّضَا ع قَالَ: مَنْ صَامَ أَوَّلَ يَوْمٍ مِنْ رَجَبٍ رَغْبَةً فِي ثَوَابِ اللَّهِ تَعَالَى وَجَبَتْ لَهُ الْجَنَّةُ وَ مَنْ صَامَ يَوْماً فِي وَسَطِهِ شُفِّعَ فِي مِثْلِ رَبِيعَةَ وَ مُضَرَ وَ مَنْ صَامَ يَوْماً فِي آخِرِهِ جَعَلَهُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ مِنْ مُلُوكِ الْجَنَّةِ وَ شُفِّعَ فِي أَبِيهِ وَ أُمِّهِ وَ ابْنِهِ وَ ابْنَتِهِ وَ أَخِيهِ وَ أُخْتِهِ وَ عَمِّهِ وَ عَمَّتِهِ وَ خَالِهِ وَ خَالَتِهِ وَ مَعَارِفِهِ وَ جِيرَانِهِ وَ إِنْ كَانَ مِنْهُمْ [فِيهِمْ‏] مُسْتَوْجِبٌ لِلنَّارِ.

From the Amali of Shaikh Abi Jafar Babewiyah (ra) , Narrated to us Mohammed ibn Ibrahim ibn Ishaq from Ahmad ibn Mohammed Al Koofi from Ali ibn Hussain from Ali ibn Fazzal from his father who narrates from Abil Hasan Ali ibn MoosaAr – Redha (as) that He (as) says : “ Whoever fasts on first day from Rajab with the intention for the reward from Allah (swt) Paradise is made obligatory for him , and whoever fasts on the middle of Rajab he is intercedes as in “rabiya” and “mudhar”  and whoever fasts in the last of Rajab Allah (swt) will give him from the kingdom of paradise and he is intercedesfor his father and his mother and his sons and his daughters and his brothers and his sisters and his paternal uncle and his paternal Aunt and his maternal uncle and his maternal aunt and his acquaintance his neighbors even if they deserved to be in Hell.[4]

Umarah and Ziyarat e Qoboor Aimma (as).

The Days of Rajab are the best period for visitation of the grave of Hazrat Imam Hussain (as). Numerous tradition have been mentioned in this regards. For the sake of brevity we bring a tradition for this great act of worship.

بِسَنَدٍ صَحِيحٍ عَنْ أَبِي بَصِيرٍ أَنَّهُ سَأَلَ الْإِمَامَ الرِّضَا عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ: فِي أَيِّ الْأَوْقَاتِ أَفْضَلُ أَنْ يَزُورَ الْإِمَامَ الْحُسَيْنَ عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ؟ فَقَالَ عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ: فِي النِّصْفِ مِنْ رَجَبٍ وَ النِّصْفِ مِنْ شَعْبَان‏

With the Authentic chain of narrations from AbiBasir (ra) that he asked Imam Ali Reza (as):“Which is the best time to visit (the grave of) Imam Hussain (as)? Then He (as) Between 15th of Rajab to 15th of Shaban.[5]

And Umarah of Rajab is considered as superior to umrah done in other months. Various tafasir of quran is a witness to it.

944/- ابن بابويه، قال: حدثنا محمد بن الحسن بن أحمد بن الوليد (رضي الله عنه)، قال: حدثنا محمد بن الحسن الصفار، عن العباس بن معروف، عن علي بن مهزيار، عن الحسين بن سعيد، عن ابن أبي عمير، و حماد، و صفوان بن يحيى، و فضالة بن أيوب، عن معاوية بن عمار، عن أبي عبد الله (عليه السلام)، قال: «العمرة واجبة على الخلق بمنزلة الحج، من استطاع، لأن الله عز و جل يقول: وَ أَتِمُّوا الْحَجَّ وَ الْعُمْرَةَ لِلَّهِ‏ و إنما نزلت العمرة بالمدينة، و أفضل العمرة عمرة رجب‏».

Narrated from AbiAbdillah (as):“Visiting is wajib upon the creatures in the place of hajj whoever has the capacity to do it because Allah (swt) said in Quran: “وَ أَتِمُّوا الْحَجَّ وَ الْعُمْرَةَ لِلَّهِ”[6]Surely Umrah was revealed in madina and the best of the Umrah is the Umrah of Rajab.[7]

Rajab a month for seeking repentance “"استغفار

Along with worship and obedience this great month is also a great opportunity for seeking forgiveness of our past sins. Numerous traditions are a witness to it that Allah (swt) is ready to forgive those who seek forgiveness.

One such traditions says that He (swt) orders His (swt) angels to erase the sins of the believers.

وَ رُوِيَ عَنِ الرَّسُولِ الْكَرِيمِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَ آلِهِ وَ سَلَّمَ‏ أَنَّ اللَّهَ تَعَالَى يَأْمُرُ فِي لَيْلَةِ النِّصْفِ مِنْ رَجَبٍ مَلَائِكَتَهُ أَنْ تَمْحُوَ الذُّنُوبَ الْمَكْتُوبَةَ فِي صُحُفِ أَعْمَالِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ.

And it is narrated from Holy Prophet (saw): “Surely Allah (swt) orders His Angels in the night of fifteenth of Rajab to erase the sins written in the scroll deeds of the believers.[8]

A Reminder.

Lastly since we have realized that this month a great opportunity to get our wishes fulfilled sins forgiven and prayers being accepted so lets pray excessively for the Zohoor of Hazrat e Wali e Asr (as) so that this earth can again become the cradle of peace security and justice equity and the Universal statehood of Hazrat e Wali Asr (as) is established.

---

[1]ZaadolMaad quoting from MisbaholMujtahid page number 567 Arabic.

[2]TahzeebolAhkamVol 4 page 302 arabic version (noor 3.5 copy)

[3]Ref: JameulAkhbar page 82 (noor soft copy).

[4] Ref: JameulAkhbar page 82 (noor soft copy).

[5]ZaadolMaad (noor soft copy).

[6]Surah Baqrah 2:196. And accomplish the pilgrimage and the visit for Allah…

[7]Tafsir e Burhan chapter of Umrah of Rajab (noor soft copy).

[8]ZaadolMaad page 25 soft copy.

¹⁰ Duas.org quoting from English translation of ManazelulAkherah by Sheikh Abbas Qummi.

Introduction To The Book : Haqqul Yaqeen

The book HaqqulYaqeen has been written by the renowned scholar Allamah Mohammed BaqerMajlisi (a.r.). 

Other famous books penned by the author are:

1.     Bihar-ul-Anwaar (Ocean of Light) – 110 Volumes

2.    Ain-ul- Hayat (Essence of Life)

3.    Miraat-ul-Uqool  (Mirror of Intellects) – 26 volumes

4.    MalaazulAkhyaar (Shelter of the upright people) – 16 volumes

5.    Zaad-ul-Maad (Provisions for the Hereafter)

6.    Tuhfatul-Zaer ( A Gift for the Pilgrims)

7.    Hilyatul-Muttaqeen

8.    Al-Faredh al Tarifah

The book HaqqulYaqeen implies “Certainty of Faith”. The intention of the author for writing this book is as follows:

“It is known from many hadith and Quranic verses that worship without marefah is incorrect and unacceptable. Thus, the first thing, which is obligatory on the duty-bound is to acquire faith. However many people are oblivious of this fact and are ignorant of the religion.

Some people have acquired faith in religious beliefs from other people who are also defective like them. They did not examine it critically and were content to blindly follow others. From the stage of mere conjecture they never stepped to the higher stage of certainty and obedience.”

Hence we see in this book the author has compiled the important principles of belief in brief but sufficient,and presented them in a clear and lucid manner.

This book is a must read for all those who would like to know what are the fundamental beliefs of Shia IthnaAshari Faith.

Fundamentals like Tauheed and Adl are covered in Chapters 1,2 and 3. Wherein the author discusses the existence of the Creator , attributes of Allah and their implications, qualities related to acts of God etc. Since the discussion of Tauheed is difficult the guidance of a teacher may be beneficial.

Tauheed is followed by the discussion on Prophethood which is covered in chapter 4. Here the author discusses about infallibility, miracles of Prophets, qualities of Prophet, Superiority of Imams and Prophets over angels, Miracles of Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s) and Special qualities of Prophet (s.a.w.s).

The discussion of Imamat follows Prophethood in Chapter 5. This chapter occupies major portion of the book, hence indicating the importance of the matter. In this chapter the author brings about the following discussions:

1.     Necessity of Declaration of Imam.

2.    Requirements of Imam,

3.    Qualifications of an Imam.

4.    Specialties of Imam.

5.    Recognition of Imam

6.    Imamate and Superiority of Ameerul Momineen (a.s.) – In this part of the book the author mentions 21 exclusive qualities from quranic verses.

7.    Widely related traditions of the two sects. – In this the author brings traditions on following topics :

a.    Tradition of GhadeerKhum

b.    Hadith Manzelah

c.    Love of Ali(a.s.) for Allah

d.    Special Position of Imam

e.    Truth is always with Ameerul Momineen (a.s.)

f.    Superiority of Imam Ali (a.s.) over all companions as confessed by AhleSunnat

g.    Tradtions from AhleSunnat Books declaring Imamate of Imam Ali (a.s.).

8.    Crimes of those who usurped the right of Imam Ali (a.s.) – This is the most noteworthy part of the book. In this the author has compiled all the misdeeds of the 3 usurpers at one place. For Abu Bakr, the author has brought nine indictments. For Umar, the author has brought eleven indictments and seven innovations which he has introduced in the religion. For Uthman, the author has brought 10 indictments.

9.    The chapter then continues with the discussion of Mahdaviyat and concludes with the discussion on Rajat.

After the discussion of Imamat is complete the author brings the discussion of Resurrection in which he brings proofs of Physical Resurrection, objections against physical resurrection and its refutations. The author also discusses about the stages after death till Qiyamat.

To conclude, we can say, in today’s scenario wherein everyone is preaching his own thoughts on religion and understanding religion on his own whims and fancies, this book offers a ray of hope for those who would like to understand religion from the proper sources of knowledge ie. Quran and Traditions of Ahlul Bayt(a.s.).

May Almighty give us taufeeq to understand the concepts mentioned in this book so that we can gain true marefah of religion.Ameen.

The Reality of TAQWA

The word ‘Taqwa’ is derived from the root ‘waqaya’ which means ‘to safeguard’ or ‘to abstain’. In the Islamic terminology it is defined as the action of restraining oneself from disobeying the commands of Allah. When Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (a.s.) was asked to elaborate on the meaning of the word, ‘Taqwa’ he replied, “Submit to the command (of Allah) and do not go near the prohibited.” It means that one should endeavor to fulfill all the commands of Allah and abstain from the prohibited things. On the basis of this, Taqwa is classified into two types:

The first type of Taqwa consists of compulsory obedience to Allah in fulfilling the compulsory duties (wajibaat) and not leaving even a single duty unperformed. The obligatory commands (wajibaat) are those which, if not carried out, invite the wrath of Allah. Also, as far as possible one should try not to forgo the recommended acts (Mustahabbaat). The recommended acts are those, which if performed earn blessings but if not carried out do not make one liable for punishment.

Types of Taqwa According to Allama Majlisi¹

According to AllamaMajlisi (r.a.) there are four types of ‘Taqwa’

1. ‘Wara-e-Ta’beeri- which means to abstain from the prohibited things.

2. ‘Wara-e-Saleheen’- To abstain from doubtful things so that one may not commit a Haraam act.

3. ‘Wara-e-Muttaqeen’- To abstain from permissible things so that one is absolutely protected from ‘Haraam’.

4. ‘Wara-e-Sadeqeen’- To avoid everything that is not religious so that one may not waste precious time in useless acts, even though there may not be any risk of committing a sin.

Deeds (Actions) Without Taqwa = zero (0) Nullified

The Holy Prophet (S) said:

“On the Day of Judgement there would be people whose good deeds will be as heavy as the mountains of Tahama. Inspite of this it would be ordered that they be tossed into the fire of Hell.”

Upon this someone said, “O! the Prophet of Allah (S), were these people performing Salāt (prayers)?”,

“Yes, they used to pray, and fast, and also spend a part of the night in worship. But, whenever they chanced upon something which gave them pleasure, they used to rush to it without thinking whether it was right or wrong.”

Lack Of Piety – Spoils The Foundation

Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (a.s.) said,
“Strive more to perform good deeds. However if you cannot perform a good act (at least) do not disobey (the commands of Allah). Because if one lays the foundation of a building and does not spoil it, then, even if the progress is slow, the building will definitely rise. (Conversely) The person who lays the foundation and at the same time spoils it, then it is sure that the walls of this building will never be raised.”²

Taqwa - Best Provisions for the Hereafter

Allah says in Holy Quran - “For those among them who did good and acted piously there will be a great reward."³

Imam Ali (as) said,

While returning from Siffin, Imam Ali passed along the cemetery of Kufa. Addressing the graves he said: "O you, who are lying in horrible and deserted houses. O you, who are shut up in the dark graves, who are alone in their abodes, strangers to the places assigned to them; you have gone ahead and preceded us, while we are also following your steps and shall shortly join you. Do you know what has happened aver you? Your houses and property was taken up by others, your widows have remarried, this is what we can tell you of this world. Can you give us some news about things around you?" Saying this, Imam Ali turned to his companions and said, "If they are permitted to speak they will inform you that the best provision for the next world is piety and virtue".4

Taqwa – Self Purification & Cure For Psychic Diseases

The Commander of the Faithful Imam' Ali (A) said:
"Piety is the only cure for wickedness of your heart. It is the Divine Light to expel darkness of your heart. It is a remedy for your ailing mind. It is the only way of improvement for your corrupt soul. It purifies your conscience. It brings back sight to the eyes blinded by ignorance of truth."5

A Beautiful Garden - Prepared For Pious Ones

(133) وَسَارِعُواْ إِلَى مَغْفِرَةٍ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ وَجَنَّةٍ عَرْضُهَا السَّمَاوَاتُ وَالأَرْضُ أُعِدَّتْ لِلْمُتَّقِينَ

"And hasten towards forgiveness from your Lord, and a Garden whose width is (as) the heavens and the earth, prepared for the pious ones."

-the Holy Quran (3:133)

Finally, we conclude with this tradition from - Imam Ja’far ibn Muhammad as-Sadiq (a.s):

“A person who would like to be among the companions of al-Qa’im should be in a state of (active) waiting (Intidhar), and perform all of his deeds with Wara’ and with the most beautiful etiquette and then one will be counted as being in a state of (true) waiting (Intidhar). Then if such a person was to die and al-Qa’im was to make his advent after this, then that person would receive the reward as the one who witnessed his (al-Mahdi’s) advent.”

[Biharul Anwar, Vol.52, Pg.140; al-Ghaybah of al-Nu’mani]

So, we must all pray to Allah to give us taufeeq to acquire taqwa as He wants & include us among his (a.t.f.s) companions.

1.     Greater Sin, Vol.1

2.    Iddat’ud-Dai, page 235

3.    Holy Quran (3:172)

4.    NahjulBalagah, Saying No.129

5.    NahjulBalagha, letter no.198.

Oppressions of Harun al-Rashid (l.a)

Like any other Abbasid and Umayyad, the Holy Ahlebait (a.s) and Shias suffered heavy calamities under the rule of Harun al-Rashid (l.a).  He martyred Imam  al-Kazim (a.s), the notables of the Shias and the progeny of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a), swallowed Allah’s wealth like camels swallow the spring plants, spend the properties of the Muslims lavishly on his base and carnal desires and on warring against the Ahlebait (a.s). 

Let us list down his acts oppressions:

1   Gifts to Singers

He went too far in spending on the singers. He spent huge wealth and properties on them instead of channelizing them towards the common welfare.

    Gifts to the Poets

Likewise he spent generously on the poets who showered false praises on him and giving him the qualities of the pious, the protection of the religion and one keeping it. They described him as the shadow of Allah on earth. They said that Allah would not accept deeds except through Harun’s pleasure and showing obedience to him. They also said that if Harun was discontented with someone, then prayer and acts of worship would not benefit him.

    Spending on Gluttony

Harun spend lavishly on food. He spend ten thousand dirhams on it a day and his servants cooked thirty kinds of foods for him thus violating the verse of Allah ‘Eat and drink but do not be extravagant’. This was when the common people i.e. his subjects could barely gather a livelihood.

    Spending on base desires

Harun also slipped deep into the abyss of carnal desires through slave girls. He also married the slave girl of his brother who had taken the oath from him that he would not marry her after the formers death. He also spent lavish amounts on other slave girls

 Spending on Jewels

Harun was very fond of jewels and precious stones that he spent a lot of money on buying them. He had a ring of hundred thousand dinars, an emerald bar longer than a cubit, wore a very precious -like ruby crown whose value was hundred thousand dinars. Moreover he scattered jewels over his slave girls without reckoning.

    Indifference to Ignorance and progress of people

Harun al-Rashid (l.a) did not appoint any amount of money to spread knowledge and sciences and to remove the ignorance from the people. This was for the reason that he knew that if people are educated they would ask for their rights and be inclined to the Ahlebait (a.s). Besides he did not spend anything on developing the economy and industry in the country.

   The torture on Alawis

Harun al-Rashid (l.a) inherited from his grandfather al-Mansur strong enmity toward the Alawis and from the beginning of his reign, he treated them rudely and wreaked his wrath upon them. He swore by Allah to uproot and kill them. He said:

 “By Allah, I will kill them (the ‘Alawis s) and their Shi‘ites (followers).”

The imprisonment, beating and killing of Alawis became common practices.  He sent a big group of them to the fields of execution, buried part of them alive, threw many of them into the dark cells of prisons, and subjected them to other painful tragedies. The following is an account of some of them

Harun committed the most horrible crime history has recorded against them. He ordered a group of them to be executed on one night in a sorrowful way. Hamid b. Qahteba, a headsman, related that terrible tragedy. ‘Ubayd Allah al-Nishapuri narrated, saying: “I came in to Hamid b. Qahteba in the month of Ramazan. He ordered a lunch to be brought. 

Then he invited me to have food, so I said to him:

‘O Emir, this is the month of Ramazan. I am not sick, nor have I an illness that makes fast breaking obligatory. Perhaps the Emir has an excuse in respect with that.’ 

He said to me: ‘I have no illness that makes fast breaking obligatory. Then he wept.’” 

After he had had the lunch, ‘Ubayd Allah turned to him and asked him about the reason for his weeping, and he answered him:

When I was at Tus, Harun sent for me at a dark night. When I stood before him, he asked me:

How is your obedience to the Commander of the faithful?

I sacrifice my soul and property for him.

So Harun bowed his head, and then he let me go. Shortly after that he sent for me. When I stood before him, he asked me:

How is your obedience to the Commander of the faithful?

I sacrifice my soul and property for him.

So Harun smiled, and then he allowed me to go. When I came into my house, the messenger came for the third time, saying: “Respond to the Commander of the faithful.” 

When I stood before him, he asked me:

How is your obedience to the Commander of the faithful?

I sacrifice my faith and religion for him.

So he smiled and said:

“Take this sword and carry out the servant’s orders.”

I took the sword. The servant walked in front of me until he led me to a closed house. There was a well in the middle of the house. In it there were three closed rooms. He opened one of them, and I found in it twenty persons; they were ranging among old, middle-aged, and young. Then he said to me: “Indeed, the Commander of the faithful is commanding you to kill these (people); they all are the sons of ‘Ali and Fatima.”

He took them out one by one, and I beheaded them. Then he threw their bodies and their heads into the well. Then he opened the second room where there were twenty persons and said to me: “Indeed, the Commander of the faithful is commanding you to kill these (people); they all are the sons of ‘Ali and Fatima.” He took them out one by one, and I beheaded them. Then he threw their bodies and their heads into the well. Then he opened the third room where there was twenty ‘Alawis s. He took them out one by one and ordered me to kill them. I executed nineteen of them, and there remained an old man, who said to me: “Woe to you! Which an excuse will you have on the Day of Resurrection when you meet my grandfather, Allah’s Apostle, may Allah bless him and his family, and you killed sixty persons from among his grandsons? So I shook all over with fear. A violent shock befell me, so the servant looked at me angrily and rebuked me. For this reason I killed that old man and threw him in that well.

8.  Banishing the Alawis

Immidiately after ascending on throne, Harun al-Rashid (l.a), issued a royal decree ordering the ‘Alawis to be immediately banished from Baghdad to Yasrib.

Harun al-Rashid (l.a) practiced a severe pressure on the family of the Prophet. When they came to know that he detested and hated them, they lived in disguise and wandered from place to place in a state of fear lest someone should recognize them. The soldiers went too far in following and pursuing them; the intelligence and the security forces spread to look for them. They arrested some of them, sent them to graves, prisons and to some of Harun’s ministers, that they might send their heads as gifts on his birthdays.

    Defaming the Ahlebait (a.s)

Harun al-Rashid (l.a) employed all his efforts and abilities to destroy the ‘Alawis and defame them. He gave huge sums money to poets to malign them.

Harun al-Rashid (l.a) gave enormous properties to a poet because he satirized Ahlebait (a.s) the members of the house, peace be on them, praised the ‘Abbasids, and indicated that he was worthier of the Prophet than the ‘Alawis .

            Banning the mention of virtues of Ahlebait (a.s)

He severely punished those who mentioned the virtues of Ahlebait (a.s) to the people. Thus Muslims in his black period were afraid of mentioning the laudable deeds of Ahlebait (a.s). No poet dared to praise them or lament for them. If anyone did that he was subjected to vengeance and torture. He attacked the closest of all the people to the Prophet, may Allah bless him and his family

            Demolishing the Shrine of Imam Husayn (a.s)

Harun al-Rashid (l.a) was unable to the rage when he saw the Muslim masses frequently and in groups visit the shrine of Imam Husain (a.s). He ordered the Holy Shrine and the neighboring houses to be demolished. He ordered the nabk tree beside the Holy Grave to be uprooted. Moreover he ordered the land of Kerbela to be ploughed, that he might efface the traces of the Pure Grave. However, Allah took vengeance on him and he died in Khurasan before the end of the year.

      Executing the great figures of Alawis 

The tyrannical, Harun, ordered a large group of the ‘Alawis great figures to be executed and assassinated, while they were the best of the Muslims in knowledge, piety, and sticking to religion. As an example we mention Yehya b Abdullah:

Yehya b. ‘Abd Allah b. al-Hasan b. al-Hasan b. ‘Ali, the Commander of the faithful, peace be on him.

His kunya was Abu al-Hasan. He was a man of great importance and a high rank. He had a remarkable position with the Muslims. The progeny of the prophets was recognized through his face.He was among the great men of knowledge and virtue. He narrated hadith (tradition) and narrated many traditions on the authority of Imam Ja‘far al-Sadiq, peace be on him. He narrated traditions on the authority of his father, his brother, and Aban b. Teghlub. Mukauwal b. Ibrahim, Bekkar b. Ziyad, Yehya b. Musawir, and ‘Amru b. Hemmad narrated traditions on his authority. When Malik b. Anas saw him, he rose for him and seated him beside him.

He grew up in the house of Imam al-Sadiq, peace be on him. The Imam gave him many of his sciences and appointed him as one of his testamentary trustees. When he narrated traditions on the authority of

Yehya was among the heroes of the revolt of the martyr leader of the (Battle of) Fekh. He played an active role in it. He along with his companions struggled for a long time, that they might establish justice and equality in the areas of the Islamic society and to remove the government of the oppressive from among the ‘Abbasids. When the ‘Abbasid troops arrested al-Husayn and killed him with that fearful and painful way, Yehya hid himself; and then he along with his brave companions escaped. They walked through the countries seeking a refuge.

Yehya had fear for himself and his companions of Harun. So he along with seventy men from among his companions secretly and in disguise went to al-Daylem.

       Oppression on Imam al-Kazim (a.s)

Harun al-Rashid (l.a) did not leave any stone unturned in torturing the holy Imam (a.s). In 179 A.H. he ordered the arrest of Imam al-Kazim (A.S.). The holy Imam (a.s) was captured and sent to Basrah.  He (a.s) stayed in prison for a year and was sent to Baghdad and imprisoned there for a long time. After that, he was imprisoned under Sindi bin Shahak (l.a), the cruelest in word and deed against Imam al-Kazim (a.s). 

He ordered the beating, stripping and cursing publicly of Yahya Barmaki because he provided some comfort to Imam al-Kazim (a.s) in prison. 

Harun al-Rashid (l.a) also tortured the companions of Imam al-Kazim (a.s) like Muhammad bin Abi Umair Azadi who was imprisoned in the prisons of Harun al-Rashid (l.a) for about ten years and was severely punished .  Ali bin Hashim bin Barid, Abdulla bin Alqama, and Mukhawwal bin Ibrahim Sahdi were also imprisoned by Harun al-Rashid (l.a) in his prison called Matbiq where they remained for twelve years.

Harun al-Rashid (l.a) also ordered the Imam (a.s) to be given over to Fadl bin Yahya, who imprisoned him in one of his houses and put him on house arrest.

Harun al-Rashid (l.a) also ordered two his officers to kill Imam al-Kazim (a.s) but they refused to carry this heinous task. He finally ordered the cruel Sindi ibn Shahik  (l.a) to kill Imam and Sindi ibn Shahik (l.a) accepted it gratefully.

Last but not the least Harun al-Rashid (l.a) seated himself on the caliphate which belonged to Imam al-Kazim (a.s).

May Allah curse those who oppressed Ahlebait (a.s) and their shias.