UJB – Self conceit

One of the biggest trap, which Shaytan has set for the believers is that of ‘UJB.

‘UJB means ‘self-conceit’.  It is to compare ourselves with others and to consider ourselves superior to others. A person feels he is ajeeb – strange.

If a person says his prayers, or fasts the recommended fasts every time, or recites Quran, Munajaat, Dua’s etc better than others; and he gets the feelings of superiority on account of them over others – it  is ‘UJB. ‘UJB can lead us to Kufr. 

Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (a.s.) has said, “Whoever gets ‘UJB – perishes”.

(Meezan al-Hikmah)

It is related from Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (a.s.) that: “Two persons entered the mosque, one was pious and the other was a transgressor. When they emerged from the mosque after the prayer, the transgressor was pious and the pious turned a transgressor. The reason was that: The pious person came out of the mosque with pride at his piety and the transgressor was remorseful at his past misdeeds”. (‘Ayn al-Hayaat)

UJB  renders all his deeds invalid. Hence, it is essential to strive to be humble and always continue to feel inferior within ourselves.

Imam Ja’ffar as-Sadiq (a.s.) has said that: [One day Prophet ‘Issa (a.s.) came to a sea shore with his companions. He (a.s.) recited: BISMILLAHI BI-SIHHATI YAQEENIN MINHU (In the Name of Allah – with the feeling of certainty on Him) and then began walking on the water. When one of his companions, who was short in height saw this, he too recited: BISMILLAHI BI-SIHHATI YAQEENIN MINHU (In the Name of Allah – with the feeling of certainty on Him) and began walking on the water till he met up with Prophet ‘Issa (a.s.). There, self-conceit entered his heart and he began to drown. He

called out for help from Prophet ‘Issa (a.s.) and the Prophet (a.s.) rescued him.] (Al-Kaafi)

Imam ‘Ali (a.s.) has said, “There is nothing that harms good actions more than self-conceit”. (Ghurar al-Hikam)

INCIDENT OF PROPHET MUSA (a.s.) and the person doing UJB

Prophet Musa (a.s.) was once passing through a barren hill when he (a.s.) came across a cave where a pious man was engaged in prayers. Prophet Musa (a.s.) came and greeted him. The man asked, “Who are you?” and the Prophet (a.s.) said, “I am Musa”.

The man asked, “Are you Prophet Musa?” He (a.s.) said, “Yes!”

Thereupon the man asked Prophet Musa (a.s.) for a favour. He said, “O Musa! For past 100 years I am sitting here praying to Allah and I have done nothing else. Just ask Him what will He (SWT) give me for my efforts?”

Prophet Musa (a.s.) conveyed the message to Allah (SWT) and Allah (SWT) told him, “O Musa! Tell him We shall inform him about his reward tomorrow”.

The pious man agreed and said, “Tomorrow is not far so I will wait”. Now, the pious man had the habit of going every morning to a nearby canal to bath and fetch water. The following morning, as he was going to the canal, he lost his way and reached somewhere else. Since it was extremely hot, he became extremely thirsty and tired. With water nowhere to be seen, he realized that he would die of thirst. Suddenly he saw a man coming towards him. He called the man towards him and asked him for some water. The man said, “There is no water in this wilderness. Whatever little water is there is for me”.

The pious man began to cry and plead for help. Eventually, the stranger agreed to give him a tumbler of water with a condition that he should give him something in return. The man said that he possessed nothing as he had spent 100 years in worship. The man

said, “If you agree to transfer the reward of your 100 years worship, I will give you a tumbler of water”.

The pious man thought that if he lived, he would be able to pray for a further period so he accepted the offer. That evening, Prophet Musa (a.s.) came to him. The pious man said to him, “I have sold my 100 years of prayers for a tumbler of water”. Prophet Musa (a.s.) told him, “I am aware of this and Allah (SWT) has asked me to convey this to you that: If the value of 100 years prayers is one tumbler of water then you must settle the value of the water you have been drinking for over a last 100 years.”

When the pious man heard this, he cried out loudly and said,

“O Musa! Tell Allah (SWT) to forgive my sins. Allah is beneficent and merciful”.

Immediately a revelation came:

“O Musa! Tell this man that his remorsefulness has pleased us more than his 100 years of prayers and We have given him the rewards for a thousand years of prayers”.

We should not be boasting about our good actions neither should we consider others as inferior to us in religion and faith, rather we should continue to seek Istighfar lest our good deeds perish on account of our self-conceit.

Let us pray to Allah through the words of Imam Sajjad (a.s.) from Dua Makaremul Akhlaq to help us be away from this sin.

 وَ لا تَرْفَعْنى‏ فِى النَّاسِ دَرَجَةً الاَّ حَطَطْتَنى‏ عِنْدَ نَفْسى‏ مِثْلَها

raise me not a single degree before the people without lowering me its like in myself

وَ لا تُحْدِثْ لي‏ عِزّاً ظاهِراً الاَّ احْدَثْتَ لي‏ ذِلَّةً باطِنَةً عِنْدَ نَفْسى‏ بِقَدَرِها

and bring about no outward exaltation for me without an inward abasement in myself to the same measure!

Message of Hadise Saqlain

Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a) said: "Verily, I am leaving behind two precious things (thaqalayn) among you: the Book of Allah and my kindred (itrah), my household Ahlul Bayt (a.s.), for indeed, the two will never separate until they come back to me by the Pond (of Al­ Kawthar on the Day of Judgement)."

This tradition is one of the famous Traditions among the ‘ulama of the Sunnis and Shi’ites. A large group of the Companions, without any break, recorded this tradition from the Prophet and some of the great ‘ulama say that 30 of the Companions have

mentioned it

The great scholar, Sayyid Hashim Bahrani, in his book, Ghayat al-Maram, mentions this tradition with 39 documentations from the Sunni scholars and 80 documentations from the Shi’ite ‘ulama. Mir Hamad Husayn Hindi, another great scholar who studied this issue further, mentioned 200 Sunnis who have recorded this tradition and he has compiled them in 6 volumes.

Among the individuals of the famous Companions who have recorded this are Abu Sa’id Khudari, Abu Dharr Ghifari, Zayd ibn Arqam, Zayd ibn Thabit, Abu Rafa’, Jabir ibn Matam, Huzaifah, DamarahIslami, Jabir ibn Abdallah Ansari and Umm Salimah.

Since, Islam has offered humanity the most comprehensive value system for all aspects of life, the explanation of this system is of the greatest importance. Let us analyze some points in brief:

1. Who are Ahlulbayt (a.s.)?
A’raj quotes Abu Hurairah who narrates from the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.) that he said,

“Certainly, I leave amongst you two weighty things (saqalain), the Book of Allah, Mighty and Glorified be He – whoever follows it will be on guidance and whoever forsakes it will

be deviated; then my Ahle Bait. I remind you of Allah concerning my Ahle Bait (he repeated this thrice).”

I (A’raj) asked Abu Hurairah, ‘Are his wives his Ahle Bait?’

He replied, ‘No, his Ahle Bait are his progeny and his family and they are the twelve Imams, whom Allah has mentioned in his saying,

“And He has placed a remaining word in his posterity.” (Surah Zukhruf - 43:28.)²

In another tradition, we also read that when the verse was revealed about Mubahilah, the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a) called ‘Ali, Fatimah, Hasan and Husayn, peace be upon them, and said, ‘This is my Ahlul Bayt.’ ³

2. The introduction to the Qur’an and his family as ‘two valuable things’ is clear proof that Muslims must never turn away from these two, especially with the condition in many Traditions where it states that, “If these two are released or freed from each other, you will be lost.”

3. Placing Qur’an beside his family and his family beside Qur’an is proof that as the Holy Qur’an will never be altered and that it will be preserved, the family of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a) had the position of infallibility.

4. In some of these traditions, it has been stated that the Prophet (s.a.w.a) said, “On the Day of Resurrection, I will question you about how you behaved towards these two great souvenirs, to see how you have acted towards them.

5. According to the Prophet's statements, the only way to salvation in the world is the obedience to the Glorious Qur'an and the Prophet's household (Ahlul Bayt).

6. Pond of Al- Kawthar:

Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a) said - "Kawthar is a stream of super excellence, exclusively belonging to me. Only the righteous believers (among my followers) will be allowed to

drink from it. Ali (a.s.) shall distribute the water from it to them. On the day of judgement I will see some of my companions driven, like cattle, away from Kawthar. It will be announced that they are those who, after my departure from the world, deviated from the true religion and introduced innovations (based upon conjecture) to corrupt the faith." 

7. It becomes clear that the leadership of the ummah of Muslims after the Prophet is through ‘Ali (a.s.) and after him, also, through the Imams from this family.(Ahlulbayt (a.s.))

8. Formula for Guaranteed Success -

If we hold on to both (thaqalayn) then our success is a guarantee from Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a) because whatever he (s.a.w.a) has said is from Allah (swt) –

"Nor does he speak out of desire. It is naught but revelation that is revealed."

(Surah Najm - 53:3-4)

Finally, we pray to Allah (swt) to give us taufeeq to follow Holy Qur'an & Ahlulbayt (a.s.) and if we face any problems in this world, we must refer to them only. We must spend our life under this two light (noor of Allah) meaning our actions should be according to the teachings of book of Allah & Ahlulbayt (a.s.) only.

1.    SirahHalabi, vol. 33, p. 308

2.    Kefaayah Al-Asar, pg. 87, Chap. 9, Tr. No. 5;
Behaar Al-Anwaar, vol. 36, pg. 315, Chap. 41, Tr. No. 161.

3.    Mash kat al -Masbaih, p. 568, printed in Delhi and Riyadh al-Nafarah, Vol. 2, p. 248, recorded from Muslim and Tarmidhi.

4.    Sahih Bukhari, Sahih Muslim, Musnad of Ahmad ibn Hambal.

Ayat e Wilayat and Fakhre Raazi

Allah (swt) created this world so that the humans and jinns worship him. And to support them in this cause He (swt) sent his best of the creations i.e. Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) and his Ahlul Bait (a.s.). The Ahlul Bait (a) taught us the way of worshipping Allah. Moreover, mentioning their virtues and sufferings was made a great worship in itself. However, the enemies of Ahlil Bait (a) have always tried to belittle their innumerous virtues. Let us discuss one of the most famous verses from the Holy Quran revealed in the praise of Ahlul Bait (a.s.). Allah (swt) says:

إِنَّما وَلِيُّكُمُ اللَّهُ وَ رَسُولُهُ وَ الَّذينَ آمَنُوا الَّذينَ يُقيمُونَ الصَّلاةَ وَ يُؤْتُونَ الزَّكاةَ وَ هُمْ راكِعُونَ

Only Allah is your Vali and His Messenger and those who believe, those who keep up prayers and pay the poor-rate while they bow

(Surah Maidah – 5: 55)

Looking at the brevity of the article we would not go into the details of the incident as it is popular among the Shias. However, after the incident Allah boasts to the angels and says: O Angels! Did you see this servant of mine whose body is in my worship, his heart is attached to me and he spent his wealth as charity for my satisfaction. I make you as witness that I am satisfied with him and I am satisfied with his caliphs i.e. his progeny.

Then J. Jibraeel revealed the above verse.

However, there were some people who tried to steal this virtue for themselves:

In the Amaali of Shaikh Sadooq it is mentioned that Umar Khattab (l.a.) said: I gave forty rings in the state of Rukoo so that a verse may be revealed in my praise but it do not happen.

When this did not happen they tried to demean the status of Ameerul Momineen (a): It has come in Al-Kafi that Imam Mohammad Baqir (a) said: When the Ayat e Wilayat was

revealed a few companions of the Holy Prophet (s) gathered in the mosque and some of them said to others ‘What is your view regarding this verse’. Some of them replied: If we reject this verse then it is as we have rejected other verses as well. And if we accept this verse then it is a disgrace and shame for us and Ali ibn Abi Talib will get an upper hand over us. A few of them said: We know that whatever Mohammad (s) has said is truth and we accept his mastership but we will not obey him if appoints Ali (a.s.) as Wali e Amr. At that time this verse was revealed “They recognize the bounty of Allah then deny it” means – they accept the mastership of Mohammad while most of them deny the mastership of Imam Ali (a.s.)

Objections of Fakhre Raazi

Fakhre Raazi in his Tafseer has attempted a lot not to conclude this verse on the Wilayat and Imamat of Ameerul Momineen (a) and other Imams (a) however he has failed considerably in his attempt.  How is it possible to hide the sun behind a particle?

He says:

1.    He says that words used in the verse are plural while Imam Ali (a) was the only person who gave charity so how is this contradiction

Answer: Here the Plural tense has not come in the meaning of numbers but has come for totality. Such instances are present in Quran

Those to whom the people said: Surely men have gathered against you, therefore fear them, but this increased their faith, and they said: Allah is sufficient for us and most excellent is the Protector (S. Aale Imran – 173). Here people refers to Naeem bin Masood Asjaee

Then hasten on from the Place from which the people hasten on (S. Baqarah - 199). Here people refers to Holy Prophet (s)

2. He says that Ameerul Momineen (a) knows Quran better than these RAAFEZIs however during the discussion of Shura he brought up the incident of Ghadeer
   
   and Mubahela and other virtues but did not discuss verse. It is because it does not imply to him

Answer: Ameerul Momineen (a) did mention this verse in the Shura. He said: Who amongst you is the person who gave zakat while in Ruku and for whom is the verse of Wilayat revealed except me? Everyone agreed to it.

(Ref: Gaayatul Maraam pg 239)

Not only in Shura but Ameerul Momineen (a) argued with Abu Bakr (l.a.) on the basis of this verse when he (l.a.) snatched away his caliphate. He (a) said: Swear by Allah, With the Wilayat of the Holy Prophet (s) was the verse of Wilayat revealed for me or for you. Abu Bakr (l.a.) said: it was for you.

3. He says that Shias will agree that this verse does not indicate towards the Imamat of Ameerul Momineen (a) because it was revealed in the life time of Holy Prophet (s) when Imam Ali (a) was not the Imam. And even if we accept it we will accept him as the fourth Imam as the time is not mentioned in the verse

Answer: This verse indicates the actual/complete Wilayat of Ameeril Momineen (a) while Imamat and giving orders and Amr bil Maaroof and Nahi an Al Munkar are its necessities and after the death of the Holy Prophet (s) all the above fall under the domain of Wilayat

The above article is a small extract from the book Imam Shanasi by Hazrat Allamah Ayatollah Haaj Syed Mohammed Husain Husaini Tehrani Vol 5 – Discussion on Ayat e Wilayat

Necessity of Tabarra with the enemies of Ahle Bayt (a.s)

Tabarra with the enemies of Ahle Bait (a.s.) is from the acts of  Furoo-e-deen and wajib upon every beleiver. There have always been questions about the method of doing Tabarra. But recently, there have been questions on the necessity of tabarra itself. We intend to present some traditions for our readers to understand the importance and necessity of Tabarra.

The ayat 56 and 57 of Surah Ahzab point to the essentiality of Tawalla and Tabarra both. The holy quran says :

إِنَّ اللَّهَ وَ مَلائِكَتَهُ يُصَلُّونَ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ يا أَيُّهَا الَّذينَ آمَنُوا صَلُّوا عَلَيْهِ وَ سَلِّمُوا تَسْليماً (56)

إِنَّ الَّذينَ يُؤْذُونَ اللَّهَ وَ رَسُولَهُ لَعَنَهُمُ اللَّهُ فِي الدُّنْيا وَ الْآخِرَةِ وَ أَعَدَّ لَهُمْ عَذاباً مُهيناً (57)

33.56: Surely Allah and His angels bless the Prophet; O you who believe! call for (Divine) blessings on him and salute him with a (becoming) salutation.

33.57: Surely (as for) those who speak evil things of Allah and His Apostle, Allah has cursed them in this world and the here after, and He has prepared for them a chastisement bringing disgrace.

In the above verses, the first verse Allah sends salutations on the Prophet and in the immediate verse after it Allah sends lanat on those who trouble the Prophet. This clearly indicates that both tawalla and tabarra are equally necessary.

Love and hatred is part of Imaan:

We find traditions which tell us that Imaan is incomplete without Tawalla and Tabarra. In Kafi, Shaikh Kulayni brings a chapter called

باب الحب في الله والبغض في الله

He has brought 16 traditions in it.  One of these is as follows:

5- عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنْ حَمَّادٍ عَنْ حَرِيزٍ عَنْ فُضَيْلِ بْنِ يَسَارٍ قَالَ: سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الْحُبِّ وَ الْبُغْضِ‏ أَ مِنَ الْإِيمَانِ هُوَ فَقَالَ وَ هَلِ الْإِيمَانُ إِلَّا الْحُبُّ وَ الْبُغْضُ ثُمَّ تَلَا هَذِهِ الْآيَةَ- حَبَّبَ‏ إِلَيْكُمُ‏ الْإِيمانَ‏ وَ زَيَّنَهُ فِي قُلُوبِكُمْ‏ وَ كَرَّهَ إِلَيْكُمُ الْكُفْرَ وَ الْفُسُوقَ‏ وَ الْعِصْيانَ‏ أُولئِكَ هُمُ الرَّاشِدُونَ‏ «3».

From Fuzayl bin yasar, he says, I asked Imam Sadiq a.s. concerning love and hatred, whether they are from Imaan ? He a.s, replied weather Imaan is other than love and

hatred? Then he a.s. recited the verse of Quran, Surah Hujarat:7 “…but Allah has endeared the faith to you and has made it seemly in your hearts, and He has made hateful to you unbelief and transgression and disobedience; these it is that are the followers of a right way...”

What is Tabbarra?

Our discussion for today is tabarra. The meaning of Tabarra in Qamoos is as follows:

تَخَلَّى عَنْهُ وَقَطَعَ الصِّلَةَ بِهِ

To be unconnected from it or cut relations from it. To distinct one selves from it. To send lanat upon someone and to dissociate. Tabarra is babe Taffaul, one of its application is to do ijtenaab or avoid or distance.

One of the ways to distance ourselves from the oppressors is through verbal expression. When we do laan on something we express verbally our distance from it.

Laan actually means to pray to Allah that He removes His mercy from that person upon which Laan is sent.

Hazrat Ibraheem (as) expresses Tabaraa openly against the disbelievers:

(60) الممتحنة : 4 قَدْ كانَتْ لَكُمْ أُسْوَةٌ حَسَنَةٌ في‏ إِبْراهيمَ وَ الَّذينَ مَعَهُ إِذْ قالُوا لِقَوْمِهِمْ إِنَّا بُرَآؤُا مِنْكُمْ وَ مِمَّا تَعْبُدُونَ مِنْ دُونِ اللَّهِ كَفَرْنا بِكُمْ وَ بَدا بَيْنَنا وَ بَيْنَكُمُ الْعَداوَةُ وَ الْبَغْضاءُ أَبَداً حَتَّى تُؤْمِنُوا بِاللَّهِ وَحْدَهُ …..

60.4: Indeed, there is for you a good example in Ibrahim and those with him when they said to their people: Surely we are clear of you and of what you serve besides Allah; we declare ourselves to be clear of you, and enmity and hatred have appeared between us and you forever until you believe in Allah alone….

Allah calls this expression of tabarra of Hazrat Ibrahim and his followers as uswatun hasana.

We find the companion of Hazrat Imam Zainul Abedeen (a.s) famous as Yahya ibne Ummut taweel pronouncing this same verse facing the grave of Umar and Abu Bakr in Masjide Nabi and declaring his Tabarra against them.

Those who send lanat are acknowledged in the Holy Quran

We see that in the Holy Quran Allah has sent Laanat openly and has also introduced a group that sends lanat and called them laenoon:

(2) البقرة : 159 إِنَّ الَّذينَ يَكْتُمُونَ ما أَنْزَلْنا مِنَ الْبَيِّناتِ وَ الْهُدى‏ مِنْ بَعْدِ ما بَيَّنَّاهُ لِلنَّاسِ فِي الْكِتابِ أُولئِكَ يَلْعَنُهُمُ اللَّهُ وَ يَلْعَنُهُمُ اللاَّعِنُون‏

2.159: Surely those who conceal the clear proofs and the guidance that We revealed after We made it clear in the Book for men, these it is whom Allah shall curse, and those who curse shall curse them (too).

There are duas and ziyarats where the Holy Ahle Bayt (a.s) have taught us to do Lanaat and also have elaborated the reward in it like ziyarat Ashura, Dua Saname quraysh, the salwat of Thursday night etc.

Faith is rejected with slightest love for enemies of Ahlulbayt (a.s):

Tabarra talks of keeping enmity with the enemies of Ahle Bait (a.s.). It requires us not to keep any kind of friendship, love, sympathy for them. Any kind of soft corner for the enemies of Ahlulbayt (a.s.), for whatever reason,  will spoil our faith altogether. It is against the concept of Tabarra. We quote a couple of traditions for the same:

  وَ قِيلَ لِلصَّادِقِ ع إِنَّ فُلَاناً يُوَالِيكُمْ إِلَّا أَنَّهُ يَضْعُفُ عَنِ الْبَرَاءَةِ مِنْ عَدُوِّكُمْ فَقَالَ هَيْهَاتَ كَذَبَ مَنِ ادَّعَى مَحَبَّتَنَا وَ لَمْ يَتَبَرَّأْ مِنْ عَدُوِّنَا 

It was said to Imam Sadeq (a.s.), "So and so person expresses his love for you (Ahle Bait a.s.) but weakens in expressing his enmity against your enemy." Imam (a.s.) retorted, "Alas! He has lied who claims our love but did not express his hatred against our enemy." (Behaar Al-Anwaar, vol. 27, p. 58, H. 18)

…وَ الَّذِي بَعَثَ مُحَمَّداً بِالْحَقِّ لَوْ أَنَ‏ جَبْرَئِيلَ‏ وَ مِيكَائِيلَ‏ كَانَ فِي قَلْبَيْهِمَا شَيْ‏ءٌ لَأَكَبَّهُمَا اللَّهُ فِي النَّارِ عَلَى وُجُوهِهِمَا.

Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.)…By the one who raised Mohammed with truth, if Mikaeel and Jibraeel had in their hearts even a thing (love of enemies) Allah would throw them in hell on their faces (Behaar Al-Anwaar, vol. 45, p. 339, H. 5)

Tabarra requires us to disregard kinship with the enemies of Ahle Bait (a.s.)

Those people who have troubled the Holy Ahle Bayt (a.s) deserve the lanaat of Allah and also the laanat from believers. Be it any personality, however great its appearance would seem. The criteria for greatness should be taqarrub to ahle bayt (a.s) and not any relations. A real lover of Ahle Bayt is the one who is ready to break any ties for the sake of Ahle bayt (a.s), even  if it be as lofty a relation between father and son.

19- وَ رُوِيَ عَنِ الرِّضَا ع أَنَّهُ قَالَ: كَمَالُ الدِّينِ وَلَايَتُنَا وَ الْبَرَاءَةُ مِنْ عَدُوِّنَا ثُمَّ قَالَ الصَّفْوَانِيُّ وَ اعْلَمْ‏  أَنَّهُ لَا يَتِمُّ الْوَلَايَةُ وَ لَا تَخْلُصُ الْمَحَبَّةُ وَ لَا تَثْبُتُ الْمَوَدَّةُ لآِلِ مُحَمَّدٍ إِلَّا بِالْبَرَاءَةِ مِنْ عَدُوِّهِمْ قَرِيباً كَانَ أَوْ بَعِيداً  فَلَا تَأْخُذْكَ بِهِ رَأْفَةٌ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يَقُولُ‏ «1» لا تَجِدُ قَوْماً يُؤْمِنُونَ بِاللَّهِ وَ الْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ يُوادُّونَ مَنْ حَادَّ اللَّهَ وَ رَسُولَهُ وَ لَوْ كانُوا آباءَهُمْ أَوْ أَبْناءَهُمْ أَوْ إِخْوانَهُمْ أَوْ عَشِيرَتَهُمْ‏ الْآيَةَ

It is narrated from Imam Reza (a.s.) that he (a.s.) said, "The perfection of religion is (acceptance of) our mastership and expressing enmity towards our enemies." Safwaani

says, "Know that mastership will not be complete, love will not be pure and adoration for the progeny of Muhammad (s.a.w.a.) will not be firm except by expressing enmity towards their enemies, whether near or far. So let not any kindness for them seize you. Surely, Allah - Mighty and Majestic be He - says, 'You will not find a nation believing in Allah and the Day of Judgment befriending those who act in opposition to Allah and His Apostle, even though they were their (own) fathers, or their sons, or their brothers, or their kinsfolk;..till the end of the verse'. (Surah Mujaadilah (58): Verse 22)

(Behaar, vol. 27, p. 58, H. 19)

We quote the example of bayat of Janab Mohammed Ibne Abu Bakr (ar) at the hands of Amir ul momeneen (a.s)

فَقَالَ أَشْهَدُ أَنَّكَ إِمَامٌ مُفْتَرَضٌ طَاعَتُكَ وَ أَنَّ أَبِي فِي النَّارِ

…I bear witness that you are the Imam whose obedience is compulsory and that surely my Father is in Hell.

(Behaar, vol. 333 p. 584-5, H. 727).

We need to understand the importance of keeping enmity with the enemies of Ahle Bait (a.s.). When befriending somebody, entering into some kind of business relations, family relations etc we need to be prejudicial towards the enemies of Ahle Bait (a.s.). This prejudice is the essence of Tabarra. Traditions have warned us against entering into marriage contracts with their enemies, traditions have warned us against befriending their enemies.We are warned of helping the enemies of Allah and Ahle Bait (a.s.).  We need to know that any and all kinds of contact with the enemies might result in giving some space, creating some kind of love towards the enemies of Ahle Bait (a.s.) which will result in corruption of our faith. Let us review our life and locate areas which needs improvement with regards to Tabarra.

Let us end by seeking the sustenance of Tabarra through the words of Ziarat Ashura :

فَأَسْأَلُ‏ اللَّهَ‏ الَّذِي‏ أَكْرَمَنِي‏ بِمَعْرِفَتِكُمْ‏ وَ مَعْرِفَةِ أَوْلِيَائِكُمْ، وَ رَزَقَنِي الْبَرَاءَةَ مِنْ أَعْدَائِكُم‏

“Then, I make a plea with Allah to honor me by giving me the recognition of yourself and your friends and provide me with the sustenance of being disassociated with your enemies”