The Event of Ghadeer and the Holy Quran

                                         The Event of Ghadeer and the Holy Quran

Allah, the Almighty says in the Holy Quran, 

إِنَّ هذَا الْقُرْآنَ يَهْدي لِلَّتي‏ هِيَ أَقْوَمُ 

“Surely this Quran guides to that which is most upright”

  Surah Bani Israel (17) – 9

It is evident from the above verse of the Holy Quran that one who follows the Holy Quran will indeed and most certainly be guided towards the most upright and correct path. The Holy Quran is a book of guidance for mankind and Muslims till the Day of Judgement. It is for Muslims all over the world to ponder over it’s verses with sincerity so that they be guided to the upright path. But what does the “upright path” actually means?

Without the explanation from the Holy Infallibles it would be impossible to understand, what the upright path actually means in the above verse?

Fuzail bin Yasaar narrates from Hazrat Imam Baqir (a.s.), 

 عن أبي جعفر (عليه السلام) إِنَّ هذَا الْقُرْآنَ يَهْدِي لِلَّتِي هِيَ أَقْوَمُ‏، قال: يهدي إلى الولاية

Imam Baqir (a.s.) says, “Surely this Quran guides to that which is most upright”. He (a.s.) said, guides towards Wilayat. 

Al-Burhaan fi Tafsir al Quran, Vol. 3, Page 510 

Thus the upright path and correct path is the Wilayat of Ahle Bait (a.s.) and the Holy Quran guides towards this path. The biggest and most prominent announcement of Wilayat of Ahle Bait (a.s.) was on the Day of Ghadeer when the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) announced the mastership of Ameerul Momineen, Ali ibn Abi Talib (a.s.) in front of thousands of companions while returning from the farewell pilgrimage. Let us look into the verses of Holy Quran concerning the incident of Ghadeer e Khum in the light of traditions of the holy Ahle Bait (a.s.) so that we are guided towards the real upright path.

In the light of traditions of the holy and pure Ahle Bait (a.s.) we quote below verses from the Holy Quran which were either revealed on the day of Ghadeer e Khum or just before it. Although there are other more famous verses related to incident of Gadheer but for the sake of brevity and to seek blessing from the Holy Panjetan (a.s) we limit our discussion to the following 5 verses of the Holy Quran.

1st Verse – Surah Zukruf (43) : Verses 79-80 

It is reported in Tafsir e Qummi, after performing Hajjatul Wida, Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) said to all the companions present with him. 

“O people! I leave behind me two weighty things. The companions asked, O Messenger of Allah! What are the two weighty things? Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) said, the book of Allah and my family, my Ahle Bait (a.s.). Then surely certainly this has been conveyed to me by the Knower of Subtitles, and The Aware…” 

When the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a) said this, then few companions gathered together and said, Mohammed (s.a.w.a.), desires that he places Imamat in his family. Then four from amongst them left from there and went to Mecca and entered the Khane Kaaba and they made a promise, and they wrote amongst them a writing, if Mohammed (s.a.w.a.) dies or is killed we will certainly never let this affair (succession and Imamat) return to his family ever. Then Allah, the Almighty revealed this verse, 

أَمْ أَبْرَمُوا أَمْرًا فَإِنَّا مُبْرِمُونَ۔ أَمْ يَحْسَبُونَ أَنَّا لَا نَسْمَعُ سِرَّهُمْ وَنَجْوَاهُم بَلَى وَرُسُلُنَا لَدَيْهِمْ يَكْتُبُونَ

Or have they settled an affair? Then surely We are the settlers. Or do they think that We do not hear what they conceal and their secret discourses? Aye! and Our messengers with them write down.

Surah Zukhruf (43) : 79 to 80

Then Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) left from Mecca for Medina till they reached a place which was called Ghadeer e Khum. Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) taught the people their rituals and mentioned to them his wasiyat. Then the verse 67 of Surah Maidah and verse 3 of the same Surah were revealed on the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.).

2nd Verse - Surah Tauba (9) : Verse 74

يَحْلِفُونَ بِاللَّهِ مَا قَالُوا وَلَقَدْ قَالُوا كَلِمَةَ الْكُفْرِ وَكَفَرُوا بَعْدَ إِسْلَامِهِمْ وَهَمُّوا بِمَا لَمْ يَنَالُو

“They swear by Allah that they did not say [anything against the Prophet] while they had said the word of disbelief and disbelieved after their [pretense of] Islam and planned that which they were not to attain.”

Surah Tauba (9) : Verse 74

Hazrat Imam Jafar Sadiq (a.s.) says, when the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) stood on the day of Ghadeer with Ameerul Momineen (a.s.), there were with him seven people from the Munafeqeen, they were, Fulaan and Fulaan, Abdul Rehman bin Auf, Saad ibn Abi Waqqas, Abu Ubaida, Abu Huzaifa, and Mogaira. The third said, did you look at his eyes, they were as if eyes of a Majnoon – meaning the Prophet (s.a.w.a.) at the time when he stood up and said, my Lord told me, then when he stood up he said, who is having more authority on you then yourselves. They said, Allah and His messenger. He (s.a.w.a.) said – O Allah, bear witness, that of whomsoever I am master, Ali is his master. Then they greeted him with (the title) Ameerul Momineen. Then Gibrael (as) descended and made him Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) aware of their conversation. Then he (s.a.w.a.) called them and asked them, then they denied and swore. Then Allah, the Almighty descended the above verse. 

Tafsir al-Qummi, Vol. 1, Page 301

3rd  Verse – Surah Saba (34) : Verse 46 

قُلْ إِنَّما أَعِظُكُمْ بِواحِدَةٍ أَنْ تَقُومُوا لِلَّهِ مَثْنى‏ وَ فُرادى‏ ثُمَّ تَتَفَكَّرُوا ما بِصاحِبِكُمْ مِنْ جِنَّةٍ إِنْ هُوَ إِلاَّ نَذيرٌ لَكُمْ بَيْنَ يَدَيْ عَذابٍ شَديد

Say, "I only advise you of one [thing] - that you stand for Allah , [seeking truth] in pairs and individually, and then give thought." There is not in your companion any madness. He is only a warner to you before a severe punishment.

Surah Saba (34): Verse 46

It is reported in Tafseer al Burhaan from Yaqoob bin Yazid who says that he asked Imam Sadiq (a.s.) concerning the above verse. Imam Sadiq (a.s.) said, with Wilayat. I asked him, and how is it? Imam (a.s.) said, when he (s.a.w.a.) stood with Ameerul Momineen (a.s.) in front of the people and said “of whomsoever I am master, Ali is his master”, a man slandered him and said, “surely Mohammed (s.a.w.a.) invites us every day to a new thing. It is now apparent that he intends to tie his Ahle Bait (a.s.) around our neck”. Then Allah the Almighty revealed the above verse upon His Messenger (s.a.w.a.). 

The narrator then says, he asked him regarding the second part of the verse, that you stand for Allah , [seeking truth] in pairs and individually. Imam Sadiq (a.s.) replied, pairs refers to obedience of Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) and obedience of Ameerul Momineen (a.s.) and individually refers to obedience of the Imam from their progeny after both of them and by Allah O Yaqoob, it does not mean anything other than this. 

Al-Burhaan fi Tafsir al Quran, Vol. 4, Page 526

4th  Verse – Surah Qalam (68) : Verses 1 – 6

ن وَ الْقَلَمِ وَ ما يَسْطُرُونَ (1) ما أَنْتَ بِنِعْمَةِ رَبِّكَ بِمَجْنُونٍ (2) وَ إِنَّ لَكَ لَأَجْراً غَيْرَ مَمْنُونٍ (3) وَ إِنَّكَ لَعَلى‏ خُلُقٍ عَظيمٍ (4) فَسَتُبْصِرُ وَ يُبْصِرُونَ (5) بِأَيِّكُمُ الْمَفْتُونُ (6)

Noon. I swear by the pen and what the angels write. By the grace of your Lord you are not mad. And most surely you shall have a reward never to be cut off. And most surely you conform (yourself) to sublime morality. So you shall see, and they (too) shall see. Which of you is afflicted with madness.

Surah Qalam (68) – Verses 1 to 6

It is narrated in Tafseer e Furat al Kufi from Hazrat Imam Sadiq (a.s.), when the Wilayat of Ali (a.s.) was revealed, Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) stood in front of the people and said, “Of whomsoever I am Master, Ali (a.s.) is his master”. Then a man said, most certainly he is captivated (fascinated) by this youth (referring to Ali (a.s.). Then Allah revealed this verse, “Noon. I swear by the pen and what the angels write. By the grace of your Lord you are not mad. And most surely you shall have a reward never to be cut off. And most surely you conform (yourself) to sublime morality. So you shall see, and they (too) shall see. Which of you is afflicted with madness.”

Tafseer e Furat e Kufi, Page 495

5th  Verse – Surah Qiyamat (75) : Verses 31 to 34

فَلا صَدَّقَ وَ لا صَلَّى (31) وَ لكِنْ كَذَّبَ وَ تَوَلَّى (32) ثُمَّ ذَهَبَ إِلى‏ أَهْلِهِ يَتَمَطَّى (33) أَوْلى‏ لَكَ فَأَوْلى‏ (34)

And the disbeliever had not believed, nor had he prayed. But [instead], he denied and turned away. And then he went to his people, swaggering [in pride]. Woe to you, and woe!

Surah Qiyamat (68) : Verses 31 to 34

In Tafseer e Furat, it is narrated from Janabe Ammar e Yasir (r.a.) who quotes Janabe Abu Zar e Gaffari (r.a.), that Janabe Abu Zar said the below in a gathering of Ibn Abbas. 

Janabe Abu Zar (r.a.) said, “… O people, do you not know that Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) gathered people on the Day of Ghadeer Khum and he said, “of whomsoever I am master, Ali (a.s.) is his master. O Allah! You love the one who loves him, bear enmity with the who bears enmity with him, help the one who helps him, forsake the one who forsakes him. Then a man stood up and said, congratulation to you O ibn Abi Talib (a.s.) you have become master of all believing man and believing woman today. Then when Mowaiya ibn Abi Sufiyan heard this, he reclined towards Mogaira ibn Shobah and said, I do not acknowledge Ali (a.s.) of his Wilayat and I do not agree to Mohammed (s.a.w.a.) in what he is saying. Then Allah, the Almighty revealed upon his Prophet (s.a.w.a.) And the disbeliever had not believed, nor had he prayed. But [instead], he denied and turned away. And then he went to his people, swaggering [in pride]. Woe to you, and woe!

Tafseer e Furat e Kufi, Page 515

Tradition of Ghadeer in the Books of Ahle Sunnah

Tradition of Ghadeer in the Books of Ahle Sunnah

                                                              بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم  

                                                      صلى الله عليك يا ولي العصر ادركنا                                                   

Despite numerous Ahle Sunnah sources narrating the tradition of Ghadeer, it seems really difficult for the muslims to accept this command of the messenger of Allah (sawa). Denying this clear and direct order of the messenger of Allah is as combating him (sawa). As the order of Ghadeer-e-Khum is not a gentle marginal discussion, rather it is a matter of believe. Every Muslim compulsorily believes that the orders of the messenger of Allah are to be accepted whether we like it or dislike, and the Holy Quran confirms to this in the Surah Hashr 59:7

ومَا آتَاكُمُ الرَّسُولُ فَخُذُوهُ وَمَا نَهَاكُمْ عَنْهُ فَانْتَهُوا ۚ وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ ۖ إِنَّ اللَّهَ شَدِيدُ الْعِقَابِ

" and whatever the Messenger gives you, accept it, and from whatever he forbids you, keep back, and be careful of (your duty to) Allah; surely Allah is severe in retributing (evil)"

Let us quickly delve into the authentic  Ahle Sunnah sources and bring forth clear evidence's of the orders of the messenger of Allah (sawa) concerning the event of Ghadeer.

1. Musnad-e-Bazzar of Hafiz Imam Abu Bakar Al Bazzaar:

 

From Ayesha binte Saad, from her father that the messenger of Allah (sawa) caught hold the hand of Ali (a.s) and said: Do I not enjoy more authority upon the believers then themselves? For whomsoever I am his master then surely Ali is his master.


2. Al-Mataalib-ul-Aaliya of Hafiz ibne Hajar Al-asqalaani:

...From Ali (a.s): Surely the Prophet (sawa) came to the tree at khum, then he caught hold of the hand of Ali (a.s) and said, do you not bear witness that Allah (TWT) is your Lord? They said yes. He (sawa) said do you not bear witness that Allah and His messenger have more authority on you then yourselves and that Allah and His messenger are your Masters? They all said yes. He (sawa) said then for whomsoever Allah and His messenger are his master then surely this (Ali) is his master…

3. Kitaab Ash-Shariyah by Al-Imam Al-Muhaddis Abu Bakr Al-Aajerii:

...then he caught hold of the hand of Ali ibne Abi taalib (a.s) and said “Allah is my Master, and I am the master of all the believers and of whomsoever I am his master then Ali is his master…”

4. Musnad of Ahmad bin Hanbal:

...That the Prophet (sawa) on the day of Gadheer-e-Khum said: “of whomsoever I am his master then Ali is his master…”

5. Sahih-e-Sunan Ibne Maajaa along with the certification from the salafi Shaikh Al-albaani:

...then he caught hold of the hand of Ali (a.s) and said am I not having more authority on the believers then themselves? They all said yes. He (sawa) said am I not having more authority upon every believer then they have on themselves? They all said yes, the he (sawa) said “then this (Ali) is the authority for whomever I am the master, Oh Allah help who helps him, Oh Allah be enemy to the one who has his enmity…”

It is evident from the above mentioned proves that the incident of Ghadeer-e-Khum is not a hidden fact in the muslim books, rather the scholars of traditions consider it as Sahih, Asnaad-us-Sahih and mutawatir khabar.  it has been well documented, now the question to our readers is that why has the nation not given due right to this incident and why such an important incident is kept hidden or not known or heard at all by the masses? Can a just muslim ponder on the reason for this? The only reply we can think of is hostility towards Ameer-ul-momeneen Ali (a.s). On the other hand we observe that this same muslim nation strives hard to magnify every fake and forged merit of those who snatched the right of khilafat from Ali (a.s), for example the tradition of "My companions are like star's…". It is this same innocent nation that becomes extremely clever to extrapolate this tradition and prove the khilafat of the opposition, while their scholars of traditions treat this news to be fake and forged:

The Salafi Shaikh Albaani considers this tradition "My companions are like stars…" as fabricated, and goofed. Also he considers the chain of narration as unreliable, and the narrator to be a fabricator and this is a classical fabrication from him.

 If this prejudice is kept aside and the event of Ghadeer is analysed based on the traditions that are found in the books, the conclusion that can be drawn is extremely clear and evident.

Thus in the light of the event it becomes obligatory on everyone who submits to the messenger ship of the Holy prophet (sawa), to also submit to the mastership of his successor, his cousin, the first amongst them to believe and the foremost amongst them to submit, the spouse of his (sawa) daughter, and his (sawa) flag bearer, Amirul-Momeneen Ali ibne Abi Talib (a.s). 

Be sincere in your intentions, and struggle hard to recognize the truth, and halt for a moment ponder and think so that you reach the truth and follow it.

Protecting oneself from Show off (Riyaakaari) while serving Imam Zamana (a.t.f.s.)

Imam Jafar Sadiq (a.s) has said:

“If I would have met him (al-Mahdi), I would serve him for my entire life.”

(Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 51, pg. 148)

Serving the Imam to the best of one’s ability is another responsibility of a true believer. Assisting Imam (a.t.f.s.) can be accomplished through helping his friends, followers and the Shi’a of the Imam, fulfilling their needs, alleviating the difficulties and solving issues which may come up their lives all of these are ways in which one can assist the Imam of the time.

In addition, establishing gatherings for the remembrance of the Imam (a.t.f.s.) or to write and spread the teachings in relation to him, etc if these are done with the intention that one wishes to assist the Imam, then they are counted and recognized (by Allah) as being things done to help the Imam.

Therefore, we see that there are many ways in which one can assist the Imam, however they must be performed with the intention that they are being done with the purpose of assisting him.

What happens if a person serves Imam (a.t.f.s) with the intention of Show off (Riyaakaari)?
1. One Who “Shows-Off” is a Mushrik and a Hypocrite

It is narrated from Imam Muhammad Baqir (a.s.) and Imam Jafar Sadiq (a.s.) :
“If a person performs a good deed to achieve Allah’s pleasure and the reward in the hereafter; but also intends to please other people, then he will be termed as a Mushrik.”

(Bihār al-Anwār)

It is concluded from the authentic traditions that one who tries to show-off in religious matters is a mushrik and a hypocrite. He is inevitably condemned to Divine punishment. It is one and the same whether his show-off concerns the obligatory acts or the recommended acts.

Similarly, he may simply exhibit outward piety or his aim may be to acquire honour and respect among the people. Even if he has a dual aim (of showing off and fulfilling his obligation) his act is classified as Shirk. A few Qur’anic verses are quoted for the benefit of the readers:

1) “Surely the hypocrites strive to deceive Allah, and He shall requite their deceit to them, and when they stand up sluggishly; they do it only to be seen of men and do not remember Allah save a little. Wavering between that (and this), (belonging) neither to these nor to those.”

(Surah an-Nisā’ 4:142)

2) “So woe to the praying ones, who are unmindful of their prayers, who do (good) to be seen.”
(Surah Ma’ūn 107:4-6)

The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a) said,

“Certainly what I fear for you most is the lesser Shirk.”

Someone enquired, “O Prophet of Allah(s.a.w.a), what is meant by lesser Shirk?” He replied,
“It is Riyah when Allah would reward His creatures for their deeds on the Day of Judgement He would address those who committed Riyah thus, ‘you approach those, to please whom you had performed all the deeds in the world. And obtain your rewards for your deeds from them’.”

(Bihār al-Anwār).

Is it possible to receive rewards from them? Absolutely not!

2. Riyakār person will also fail to achieve his aim in this world

Apart from the punishment in the Hereafter and cancellation of good deeds the Riyakār person will also fail to achieve his aim in this world. In the world it had been his intention to achieve honour among the people but instead he would have to face humiliation and shame.

On the contrary, one who performs good deeds for the Hereafter will achieve honour in this world too. The following verse of Surah al-Kahf says:

“… therefore whoever hopes to meet his Lord, he should do good deeds, and not join anyone in the service of his Lord.”

(Surah al-Kahf 18:110)

The tafsir of this ayat is as follows: “Someone performs a good deed not for seeking Allah’s pleasure, but to obtain praise and admiration from people, so that people may see and hear him and he may become famous. He is like the one who has an associate with Allah in his worship. One who conceals his worship acts from the people (and reserve them solely for Allah would finally be given an honourable position among the people, by Allah. While one who exhibits his worship; his weaknesses are exposed by Allah and consequently he is degraded.”

(al-Kāfi)

3. The Riyakār Person Deceives Himself Alone

Someone enquired from the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a) as to how could salvation be attained on the Day of Judgement? He replied,

“It could only be possible if one does not deceive Allah. Certainly if anyone tries to deceive Allah he is himself deceived by Allah (i.e. he is repaid for his deceit) and Allah takes away belief from him. If he possesses reason he should know that in trying to deceive Allah, he is only deceiving

himself.”
“How can Allah be deceived and defrauded?” a person asked. The Prophet (s.a.w.a.) continued,

“The person fulfills all his religious obligations but his aim is to please someone other than Allah. Fear Allah and restrain from ‘Riyah’. On the Day of Judgement the deceiver (Riyakār) will be addressed by four titles,

‘O Kafir, O Sinful, O Crafty one, O Loser, your deeds are nullified and the reward of your deeds is lost. Today you have no worth whatsoever. Go and seek the reward of your deeds from those, to please whom you performed your acts.’

(Muhajjatul Baidha, Bihār al-Anwār)

4. His (Riyakār Person) Worship will lead him to the Fire Of Hell

Abu Basir has narrated from Imam Jafar Sadiq (a.s.) that he said,

“On the Day of Judgement a person would be brought forward. He had performed Salāt in his life. He would be told that you have prayed but your intention had been to show-off, so that people may appreciate your worship. This person would be cast into the fire. Then a reciter of the Qur’an would be brought. He would be told, ‘at the time of reciting the Qur’an, your intention had been to exhibit your sweet voice so that people may appreciate your tone.’ This one shall also be tossed into the fire. The third person to be presented shall be one who had died a martyr in Jihad. He would be told that, ‘Your intention while fighting was to make a show-off your strength and valour.” He shall also be led towards the fire. The fourth person had been a charitable man. He would be told, ‘your intention in giving charity was that people may call you generous.’ Then he would also be led towards Hell.

(Layali Akhbār).

5. The Fire of Hell Weeps Due to the Deceitful Ones (Riyakār)

The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) has informed,

“Certainly the fire of Hell and the people of Hell would cry for help due to the deceitful ones.”
Someone asked, “O Prophet of Allah (S). How would the fire cry?” He replied,
“The fire would scream and cry for help due to the intensity of the heat of that fire in which the Riyakār people would be burning.”

What to do in order to protect one from show off?

1. Ask Forgiveness

If someone has committed Shirk with regard to the acts of worship, he must repent sincerely and have a firm determination not to repeat his mistake. He should intend to perform all his deeds in the future for the sole purpose of achieving Allah’s pleasure.

2. Make Your Intention Pure

Purity of intention with respect to a deed has the same significance that the soul has for the body. Absence of the purity of intention during worship takes man further away from Allah (s.w.t.).

The Holy Qur’an contains numerous verses in this regard. A few of them are quoted below:
1) “And they were not enjoined anything except that they should serve Allah, being sincere to Him in obedience.” (Surah al-Bayyina 98:5)

2) “Say: I am commanded that I should serve Allah, being sincere to Him in obedience.” (Surah az-Zumar 39:11)

3) “Say: My Lord has enjoined justice, and set upright your faces at every time of prayer and call on Him, being sincere to Him in obedience.” (Surah al-Ar’āf 7:29)

4) “Say: I am only a mortal like you; it is revealed to me that your god is One God, therefore whoever hopes to meet his Lord, he should do good deeds, and not join anyone in the service of His Lord.” (Surah al-Kahf 18:110)

Imam Jafar Sadiq (a.s.) says,

“If one intends to do a small act with the sole intention of pleasing Allah, Allah causes this small deed of his to be manifested on a greater scale upon the people. (On the contrary) if someone performs the greatest of deeds which causes him physical tiredness and exhaustion due to wakeful nights, while his intention had been to acquire the praise of people, his deed would be reduced to a trifle by Allah and manifested on the people.” (till the people begin to dislike him.) (al-Kāfi)

Finally, we pray to Allah (swt) to protect us from show off and its disease as mentioned by Hazrat Imam Ali (a.s) - The words of the one who shows off are beautiful, but in his heart there is an internal disease. (Ghorar al-Hikam)

Taken From

1. Greater Sins

2. The Last Luminary and Ways to Delve Into the Light.

Significance of بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم might seem to be only 4 words or 19 alphabets but Allah, the Almighty has bestowed immense greatness and effect to these words.

In some traditions بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم is referred to as a verse (ayat) from the Holy Quran, for example, Hazrat Imam Sadiq (a.s.) says – Whenever either for going to the toilet or for any other reason you remove your clothes say the verse  بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم  so that Shaitan does not get a chance to see you. In this tradition بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم is referred to as a verse.

In many other traditions بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم is referred to as  اسمor name of Allah. For example, Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) says - بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم is from the lofty names of Allah, the Almighty. Due to the uttering of these blessed and holy names, Allah gives the servant whatever he asks for.

Also the very powerful and effective Dua, Dua e Mashlool starts with these words,

اللهم إني أسألك باسمك بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

O Allah! I beseech you, with your name, Bismillah hir Rahman nir Rahim

It is clearly evident from the fact that the first name of Allah that a supplicant calls out while reciting Dua e Mashlool is بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم and also from the two traditions mentioned above that the recitation of بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم has significant effects. We see in these two traditions at one place while reciting بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم safeguards a person from Shaitan and in the other instance due to the recitation of  بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم Allah, the Almighty bestows the servant whatever he wishes for.

Perhaps it is for this reason that saying بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم is highly recommended in traditions before starting any work or before any action. Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) says, Every action from the action of life, if it does not accompany the name of Allah, it will not bear any result or fruit.

Similarly, we also find traditions where the holy Imams have cautioned against not starting any work with بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم. It is reported that Imam Sadiq (a.s.) said, there are many from our Shias who forgo  بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم while starting their work and Allah makes them encounter hardship or discomfort so that they realize this.

It is also not at all surprising that Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful out of his infinite Mercy has apportioned huge rewards for the one who recites بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم.

Ibn Masood narrates from Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.), anybody who recites
 بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم, for every word Allah will write in his book four thousand good deeds, remove four thousand from the bad deeds and raise his level by four thousand.

In another tradition the reward of saying بسم الله  is described as below:-

Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) says, Anyone who says بسم الله, Allah makes for him seventy thousand palaces in Paradise of Yakut. In every palace seventy thousand rooms of white pearls. And in every room seventy thousand beds made of green gems (chrysolite) and on every bed there will be seventy thousand angels dressed in silk and gold.

There are many traditions which have been reported with regards to
 بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم. Below are few of them.

Saying بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم before Dua

Holy Prophet (sawa) said – A dua which has بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم  at the beginning never gets rejected.

Saying  بسم الله before sleeping

Holy Prophet (sawa) said – Everytime when a servant says بسم الله before sleeping, Allah the Almighty says to the angels – account is breath as worship till morning.

Safety from Fire

Ibn Masood narrates from Holy Prophet (sawa) – If anyone desires to safeguard himself from the blaze of fire then he should bring the words بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم  on his toungue. It has nineteen alphabets and every alphabet will act as a shield against the flames of fire.

Safety from the evil of Shaitan

If a believer after Namaz e Subh without moving from his place or without talking to any one while facing the Qibla recites بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم respectfully 100 times he will be safe from the evil of Shaitan in his daily life and will also prosper.

The body becomes pure if بسم الله recited at the time of Wuzu

Imam Ja’far Sadiq (a.s.) says, One who utters a name of Allah while performing ablution his whole body will become pure. All his sins between two ablutions will be wiped off. One who does not utter a name of Allah while performing ablution only the parts of body concerned with ablution will become pure and not his whole body.

The greatness and magnificence بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم is clear from the traditions mentioned above. It has also come in traditions that Allah, the Almighty bestowed wisdom to Hazrat Luqman (a.s.) because of his respect for بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم. One day Hazrat Luqman (a.s.) saw a paper on which بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم was inscribed. He picked it up and ate it (out of respect). Allah bestowed him with wisdom.

We quote here one incident to further emphasize on the miracles which is possessed in the words بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم.

Ayatullah Dastagaib e Shirazi has mentioned, it is mentioned in some of the Tafasirs that the king of Rome wrote a letter to Ameerul Momineen (a.s.) and complained about a strange headache to him and sought a remedy for the same from him. He mentioned that whatever treatment he has taken so far has not benefited him. Hazrat Ameerul Momineen (a.s.) gave the messenger a cap and told him to put this cap on the head of the king when his headaches.

The messenger gave the cap to the king and thereafter every time the king would feel pain in the head he would wear the cap and on wearing the cap he would be relieved of the pain. It happened a few times that his head would ache and on wearing the cap it would go away. They thought let’s see what Ameerul Momineen (a.s.) has done that the cap is so effective. The king ordered the cap to be cut and opened. They found that inside it, it was written بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم.

We conclude this discussion with this tradition on the reward of saying
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

It is narrated there is a type Hoori on whose faces Allah, the Almighty has inscribed in Noori letters – on the right cheek it is inscribed, الله  محمد رسول. On the left cheek it is inscribed علي ولي اللهand on their foreheadالحسن و الحسين  is inscribed and on their lips بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم is inscribed and Allah has created them for those who  say بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم with magnificence and recognition (عظمت و معرفت)

Rights Of Orphans

Orphan-hood is a pressing issue all over the world. It is the time when orphans are considered as the vulnerable inhabitants of the world, discriminated and stigmatized by society, deprived of their fundamental rights and often deceased with their inheritance privileges, struggling for basic life needs and most of the times subjected to child labour.

When the situation entails to their rights three issues are always highlighted:

They should be treated as a common person of society i.e. they should be provided with every facility a common citizen is supposed to avail including food, shelter, health and education as a fundamental right.
If they are left with property of their parents, their inheritance should be guarded till they become adult. They have complete right to know their origin i.e. when it is known it should not be hidden from them.

Islam has strongly emphasized on their rights as the word "orphan" is mentioned 23 times in 12 different forms in 12 different chapters of Holy Quran. As quoted

‘’Serving the orphans is a vow made with God’’ – (Holy Quran, Chapter 2, verse 83)

According to UNICEF statistical report, over 153 million children are orphans, out of which only 7 million are guarded by institutional care worldwide. Interpreting the majority being abandoned, most of the times the absence of a fatherly figure to look up to, it is painfully easier to wander into land of lust, thereby, a cause of chaos not just for them self but for society as well. Hence they need guardians to look after them. Islam has already defined the resolution to skirt with all these aforesaid issues and secured their rights.

Hazrat Ali (a.s.) states that:  ‘’ A person who keeps his hand over an orphan's head with love, Allah will reward him with as much kindness as the hair which were touched by the hand.’’

Islamic financial law assures security of orphans hailing from all economic stratas: ones with little financial means or those who inherit adequate wealth from their parents, as stated:

‘’And give to the orphans their property, and do not substitute worthless (things) for (their) good (ones), and do not devour their property (as an addition) to your own property; this is surely a great crime’’  (Holy Quran, Chapter 4, verse 2)

According to a tradition from Imam Jafar Sadiq (a.s.):

‘’Allah, the Almighty has stated in the Holy Quran two punishments for a man who has deprived the orphans of their possessions. After death he will be thrown in hell and on earth his orphans will meet the same treatment as had been meted out to the orphans, by him.’’

According to another tradition one of the quality of the companions of Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.s.) is the one who doesn’t usurp the property of orphans. (Kitabe Jahan b’ad az-Zuhur, p. 125-126)

However, in spite of these values, many of the orphaned children continue to experience emotional problems and little is being done in this area of emotional support. Since they are the broken heart children they require moral support as well. Holy Quran clearly sets a tone for the treatment of orphans in Islam:

And when there are present at the division the relatives and the orphans and the needy, give them (something) out of it and speak to them kind words. (Holy Quran, Chapter 4, verse 8)

"Treat not the orphan with harshness" (Holy Quran, Chapter 93, verse 9)

In another tradition it is stated that when an orphan cries, the sky trembles. At that time the Almighty God says that the person who comforts and soothes the crying orphan (whose mother and father are taken away from him) will be rewarded Heaven, compulsorily, by God.

Keeping in mind all these tenets we should remember the last words of Imam Ali (a.s.):

“Beware! Beware! Do not ever be neglectful of orphans. I warn you again, never leave an orphan hungry and unprotected.”

"Helping the weak is the best charity." (Al-Shaykh al-'Ansari, al-Makasib)

May Allah give us the taufeeq to take care of the orphans from amongst our relatives, acquaintances and believers.

Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.s.) & Janabe Zahra (s.a.)

One of the most pure and strong relationships that Allah has made is that of a mother and son. This attachment becomes even stronger for the mother who is being snatched of her rights and tortured and knows that her son will avenge her. She then waits for that moment and prays to Allah for him. She also prays for those who help her son. Janabe Fatima Zahra (sa) was oppressed and Inshallah, Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.s.) will avenge her. Given below are few traditions that have the mother and son in the same tradition.

Tradition 1 –  Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.s.) is from the progeny of Janabe Zahra (s.a.)

عَنْ سَعِيدِ بْنِ الْمُسَيَّبِ عَنْ أُمِّ سَلَمَةَ قَالَتْ سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص يَقُولُ‏ الْمَهْدِيُ‏ مِنْ عِتْرَتِي مِنْ وُلْدِ فَاطِمَة

From Abu Saeed bin Musayyib from Umm UmmSalmah, she said that I heard from Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) saying: Mahdi (a.t.f.s.) is from my progeny from the children of Fatima (s.a.)

Ref: Al-Ghaibah of Tusi, Pg. 186

Tradition 2 -  Tafsir of Surah Qadr

فُرَاتٌ قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْقَاسِمِ بْنِ عُبَيْدٍ مُعَنْعَناً عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ‏ أَنَّهُ قَالَ‏ إِنَّا أَنْزَلْناهُ فِي لَيْلَةِ الْقَدْرِ

Mohammad bin Al-Qasim bin Obaid Mo’ananan narrated from Imam Jafar Sadiq (a.s) said: Surely we revealed it in the grand night.

اللَّيْلَةُ فَاطِمَةُ وَ الْقَدْرُ اللَّهُ فَمَنْ عَرَفَ فَاطِمَةَ حَقَّ مَعْرِفَتِهَا فَقَدْ أَدْرَكَ لَيْلَةَ الْقَدْرِ وَ إِنَّمَا سُمِّيَتْ فَاطِمَةُ لِأَنَّ

The night is Fatima (s.a.) and Qadr is Allah (s.w.t.). Then who recognized Fatima (s.a.) with her true recognition has certainly comprehended the Night of Qadr and she is named Fatima (s.a.)

الْخَلْقَ فُطِمُوا عَنْ مَعْرِفَتِهَا أَوْ مِنْ مَعْرِفَتِهَا الشَّكُّ [مِنْ أَبِي الْقَاسِمِ‏] وَ قَوْلُهُ‏ وَ ما أَدْراكَ ما لَيْلَةُ الْقَدْرِ لَيْلَةُ

For surely the creatures are away from her recognition and His (s.w.t.) saying “and what will make you comprehend what is the grand night”

الْقَدْرِ خَيْرٌ مِنْ أَلْفِ شَهْرٍ يَعْنِي خَيْرٌ مِنْ أَلْفَ مُؤْمِنٍ وَ هِيَ أُمُّ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ‏ تَنَزَّلُ الْمَلائِكَةُ وَ الرُّوحُ فِيها

“the grand night is better than a thousand months” means (Janabe Fatima (s.a.)) is better than a thousand believers and she is mother of believers. “the angels and the holy spirit descend in it”

 الْمَلَائِكَةُ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ الَّذِينَ يَمْلِكُونَ عِلْمَ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ ص‏وَ الرُّوحُ الْقُدُسُ هِيَ فَاطِمَةُ ع‏ بِإِذْنِ رَبِّهِمْ مِنْ كُلِّ أَمْرٍ

And Angels are believers who have the knowledge of progeny of Mohammad (s.a.w.a.) and the Holy Spirit is Janabe Fatima (s.a.).

“With the permission of their lord; peace it is till the break of dawn”

 سلامٌ هِيَ حَتَّى مَطْلَعِ الْفَجْرِ يَعْنِي حَتَّى يَخْرُجَ الْقَائِمُ‏ ع‏

Means till the reappearance of the Qaem (a.t.f.s.)

Reference – Tafsir e Furat e Kufi, Page 581

Tradiiton 3 – Names of successors from the progeny of Janabe Zahra (s.a.)

مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ الْحُسَيْنِ عَنِ ابْنِ مَحْبُوبٍ عَنْ أَبِي الْجَارُودِ عَنْ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع عَنْ جَابِرِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ الْأَنْصَارِيِّ قَالَ: دَخَلْتُ عَلَى فَاطِمَةَ ع وَ بَيْنَ يَدَيْهَا لَوْحٌ فِيهِ أَسْمَاءُ الْأَوْصِيَاءِ مِنْ وُلْدِهَا فَعَدَدْتُ اثْنَيْ عَشَرَ آخِرُهُمُ الْقَائِمُ‏ ع ثَلَاثَةٌ مِنْهُمْ مُحَمَّدٌ وَ ثَلَاثَةٌ مِنْهُمْ عَلِي‏

Mohammad bin Yahya narrated from Mohammad bin Husain from IbnMahboob from AbiJarood from Imam Mohammad Baqir (a.s.) from Jabir Ibn Abdullah Ansari (r.a.) he said: I went to Janabe Fatima Zahra (s.a.) and she had the Tablet (Lauh) in her hands. In it were the names of successors from her children and I counted them to be 12 . The last of them was Qaem (a.t.f.s.) and three of them were Mohammad and three of them were Ali

(Note: This does not include Hazrat Ameerul Momineen (a.s.))

Ref: Al-Kafi: Vol 1 Pg. 532

Tradition 4

وَ عَنْهُ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ سُلَيْمَانَ عَنْ دَاوُدَ بْنِ النُّعْمَانِ عَنْ عَبْدِ الرَّحِيمِ الْقَصِيرِ قَالَ قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع‏ أَمَا لَوْ قَدْ قَامَ قَائِمُنَا لَقَدْ رُدَّتْ عَلَيْهِ الْحُمَيْرَاءُ حَتَّى يَجْلِدَهَا الْحَدَّ وَ هُوَ يَنْتَقِمُ لِأُمِّهِ فَاطِمَةَ ع مِنْهَا قُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ وَ لِمَ تُجْلَدُ الْحَدَّ قَالَ لِفِرْيَتِهَا عَلَى أُمِّ إِبْرَاهِيمَ قُلْتُ فَكَيْفَ أَخَّرَهُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ لِلْقَائِمِ قَالَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ بَعَثَ مُحَمَّداً ص‏ رَحْمَةً وَ يَبْعَثُ الْقَائِمَ ع نَقِمَة

Imam Baqir (a.s.) said: When our Qaem will rise, Humairah will be brought to him till he whips her revenging his mother Fatima (s.a.) from her. I said: May I be sacrificed on you, why will she be punished. He said because of her falsehood on the mother of Ibrahim. I asked: Why will Allah postpone for it for Qaem? He (a.s.) said: Allah raised Mohammad (s.a.w.a.) as mercy and he will raise Qaem (a.t.f.s.) as an avenger.

Ref: Al Mahasin Vol 2 Pg. 339 

We pray to Allah to hasten the reappearance of Yusuf e Zahra (a.t.f.s.) and include us amongst his servants. 

Munafiq – Meanings, traits and signs

Surah Munafiqoon

Surah Munafiqoon is the 63^rd Surah of the Holy Quran and it was revealed in Madina and hence it is called as Madani Surah. It was revealed during the battle of Mureesah also called as Bani Mustaleeq in the fifth year of the migration. This Surah outlines the behavior of the hypocrites.

The meaning of the word منافقون:

The word منافقون is a noun i.e it is an اسم and it is in the condition of رفع. i.e it is an اسمِ مرفوع. It is مرفوع  because the hypocrites are the doers of the action i.e. they come to the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a) and falsely testify to the Oneness of Allah and the message of the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a).  The word منافقون  is also جمع مذکر  as we find the alphabets و  and ن at the end of the word.

Literal meaning of a Hypocrite:

In dictionary the meaning of the word منافق is as follows:

The hypocrite, the double dealer, the double tongued, deceitful, double faced, insincere, two faced, dishonest, foxy, fraud, fraudulent , trickster, tricky.

In the light of the above meanings it is clear that  منافق is a person who is exhibiting faith and disbelief while he is on the contrary. This makes him very dangerous for Islam and Muslims as he is a hidden enemy.

Terminological Meaning:

In Islamic terminology Munafiq is the one who makes an outward show of faith while he infact does not believe in what he says.

Origin of the Word:

The word نفاق has originated from the habit of certain animals like rabbit that dig two or more holes for them in the earth so that if they are attacked by an enemy from one hole they can escape from the other.

Let us see this surah in brief:

The hypocrites came to the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.) showing themselves as believers whereas they were not. They used to make their (false) faith as a shelter and turned away from the path of Allah. Their outward appearance was very awe-inspiring and they were always very afraid (lest they be exposed). They are our enemies we should be very careful. When they were called towards the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a) they turn away with pride. They stop people from spending in the way of Islam.

It is the approach of the hypocrite that they come to us in the garb of Islam and attempt to weaken our roots. They also stop people from the path of Allah as the surah says:

فَصَدُّوا عَنْ سَبِيلِ اللَّه‏

It is narrated thus by Allamah Sayyad Hashim al Husaini al Bahraani (a.r) in Tafseer al Burhaan:

The path which the hypocrites stop people from is the path of the Successor of Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a) i.e. the path of Ameerul Momeneen, Hazrat Ali ibn Abi Talib (a.s). Surely evil is what they do, they believe in the messengership of the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a) and disbelieve in the mastership of his successor, therefore Allah has put a seal on their heart and they will not understand...

And when it is said to them come and believe in the Imamat of Ameerul Momeneen (a.s) so that the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a) seeks forgiveness for you they turn away their heads in pride.

The rejection of the Wilayat of Ahlebait (a.s) is such a sin which will never be forgiven.

Allamah Hashim Bahraani (a.r) further continues while explaining the 22^nd  verse of Surah al-Mulk:

أَ فَمَنْ يَمْشِي مُكِبًّا عَلى‏ وَجْهِهِ أَهْدى‏ أَمَّنْ يَمْشِي سَوِيًّا عَلى‏ صِراطٍ مُسْتَقِيم‏

What, is he who walks on his face better guided or he who walks upright upon a straight path?

Surely Allah has struck an example for those who reject the mastership of Ameerul Momeneen (a.s). They are like the one who walks on his face and is not guided. The right path i.e صراط مستقیم is Ameerul Momeneen (a.s).

They further accuse the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a) and say:

إِنَّ مُحَمَّداً كَذَّابٌ عَلَى رَبِّهِ وَ مَا أَمَرَهُ اللَّهُ بِهَذَا فِي عَلِي‏ًّّ

Surely Muhammad (s.a.w.a.) has forged a big lie upon his lord and Allah has not ordered this (Wilayat) of Ali.

Allah has given them a fitting reply saying:

إِنَّ وَلَايَةَ عَلِيٍ‏ تَنْزِيلٌ‏ مِنْ رَبِّ الْعالَمِينَ. وَ لَوْ تَقَوَّلَ عَلَيْنا مُحَمَّدٌ بَعْضَ الْأَقاوِيلِ. لَأَخَذْنا مِنْهُ بِالْيَمِينِ. ثُمَّ لَقَطَعْنا مِنْهُ الْوَتِين‏

Surely the Wilayat of Ameerul Momeneen Ali ibn Abi Talib (a.s) is a revelation from the lord of the worlds . And if Muhammad (s.a.w.a.) was to say anything from his whims we surely would take him (cut) by his jugular vein.

Then Allah orders the messenger to be grateful to Him for this great bounty of the Wilayat of Ameerul Momeneen (a.s.).

Signs of a Munafiq:

There are certain signs of a hypocrite. We should be aware of these and make a sincere attempt to save ourselves from these lest we fall in the abyss of hypocrisy.

We quote the tradition of Imam Sadiq (a.s) regarding the bad qualities of a Hypocrite:

الْمُنَافِقُ قَدْ رَضِيَ بِبُعْدِهِ عَنْ رَحْمَةِ اللَّهِ تَعَالَى لِأَنَّهُ يَأْتِي بِأَعْمَالِهِ الظَّاهِرَةِ شَبِيهاً بِالشَّرِيعَةِ وَ هُوَ لَاهٍ وَ لَاغٍ وَ بَاغٍ بِالْقَلْبِ عَنْ حَقِّهَا مُسْتَهْزِئٌ فِيهَا وَ عَلَامَةُ النِّفَاقِ قِلَّةُ الْمُبَالاةِ بِالْكَذِبِ وَ الْخِيَانَةُ وَ الْوَقَاحَةُ وَ الدَّعْوَى بِلَا مَعْنًى وَ اسْتِخَانَةُ الْعَيْنِ وَ السَّفَهُ وَ الْغَلَطُ وَ قِلَّةُ الْحَيَاءِ وَ اسْتِصْغَارُ الْمَعَاصِي وَ اسْتِيضَاعُ أَرْبَابِ الدِّينِ وَ اسْتِخْفَافُ الْمَصَائِبِ فِي الدِّينِ وَ الْكِبْرُ وَ حُبُّ الْمَدْحِ وَ الْحَسَدُ وَ إِيثَارُ الدُّنْيَا عَلَى الْآخِرَةِ وَ الشَّرِّ عَلَى الْخَيْرِ وَ الْحَثُّ عَلَى النَّمِيمَةِ وَ حُبُّ اللَّهْوِ وَ مَعُونَةُ أَهْلِ الْفِسْقِ وَ الْبَغْيِ وَ التَّخَلُّفُ عَنِ الْخَيْرَاتِ وَ تَنَقُّصُ أَهْلِهَا وَ اسْتِحْسَانُ مَا يَفْعَلُهُ مِنْ سُوءٍ وَ اسْتِقْبَاحُ مَا يَفْعَلُهُ غَيْرُهُ مِنْ حَسَنٍ وَ أَمْثَالُ ذَلِكَ كَثِيرَةٌ وَ قَدْ وَصَفَ اللَّهُ الْمُنَافِقِينَ فِي غَيْرِ مَوْضِعٍ قَالَ تَعَالَى‏ وَ مِنَ النَّاسِ مَنْ يَعْبُدُ اللَّهَ عَلى‏ حَرْفٍ‏ فِي التَّفْسِيرِ أَيْ‏ فَإِنْ أَصابَهُ خَيْرٌ اطْمَأَنَّ بِهِ وَ إِنْ أَصابَتْهُ فِتْنَةٌ انْقَلَبَ عَلى‏ وَجْهِهِ خَسِرَ الدُّنْيا وَ الْآخِرَةَ ذلِكَ هُوَ الْخُسْرانُ الْمُبِينُ‏ قَالَ تَعَالَى فِي وَصْفِهِمْ- وَ مِنَ النَّاسِ مَنْ يَقُولُ آمَنَّا بِاللَّهِ وَ بِالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ وَ ما هُمْ بِمُؤْمِنِينَ. يُخادِعُونَ اللَّهَ وَ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَ ما يَخْدَعُونَ إِلَّا أَنْفُسَهُمْ وَ ما يَشْعُرُونَ. فِي قُلُوبِهِمْ مَرَضٌ فَزادَهُمُ اللَّهُ مَرَضاً قَالَ النَّبِيُّ ص الْمُنَافِقُ مَنْ إِذَا وَعَدَ أَخْلَفَ وَ إِذَا  فَعَلhَ أَسَاءَ وَ إِذَا قَالَ كَذَبَ وَ إِذَا ائْتُمِنَ خَانَ وَ إِذَا رُزِقَ طَاشَ وَ إِذَا مُنِعَ عَاشَ وَ قَالَ أَيْضاً مَنْ خَالَفَتْ سَرِيرَتُهُ عَلَانِيَتَهُ فَهُوَ مُنَافِقٌ‏ كَائِناً مَنْ كَانَ وَ حَيْثُ كَانَ وَ فِي أَيِّ زَمَنٍ كَانَ وَ عَلَى أَيِّ رُتْبَةٍ كَانَ‏

The hypocrite is the one who is satisfied with being away from the mercy of Allah the High (i.e. he is not eager to attain the mercy of Allah), he brings with him the actions which are like the Shariat (prayers, fasting, etc) while in his heart he is a rebel, a mocker at the right of the action, making a joke of it, and the sign of a hypocrite is indifference to (speaking a ) lie (i.e. a hypocrite is not truthful in his speech) and the trust i.e. amaanat that is kept with him, and he claims without meaning it, and his eyes are untrustworthy (i.e look at prohibited things) , he is extravagant and erroneous, he has very less of shame, and he considers the disobedience of Allah as small and insignificant, and he wastes the pillars of religion, and considers the calamity

on the religion as light, and pride, and love of appreciation, and envy, and preferring of world over the hereafter, and preferring evil over goodness, and rushes to gossip and slandering, and loves vain and useless things, and helps the corrupt and rebellious people and opposes the goodness, and seeks to find fault of the good doers, and praises what he does of the evil, and accuses the good that others do and many other qualities like it. And Allah has described the hypocrites thus:

And among men is he who serves Allah (standing) on the verge, so that if good befalls him he is satisfied therewith but if a trial afflicts him he turns back headlong , he loses the world as well as the hereafter , that is a manifest loss.

And Allah, the Almighty describes them as thus:

“And there are some people who say: We believe in Allah and the last day; and they are not at all believers.They desire to deceive Allah and those who believe, and they deceive only themselves and they do not perceive.There is a disease in their hearts, so Allah added to their disease and they shall have a painful chastisement because they lied.” Surah Baqarah (2): 8 – 10

Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a):

Surely the hypocrite is the one when he promises he violates, and when he acts he does evil, and when he speaks he says a lie, and when he is trusted he breaches the trust, when he is given sustenance he splurges, and when he is deprived he persists.

Then Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a) while explaining the general rule to identify hypocrites says:

And the one whose external appearance goes against his internal state is a hypocrite whoever he is, wherever he is, in whatever place he is and on whatever position he is.  (Misbaah ash Shariyah pg 146)          

Let us pray to Allah to keep us steadfast on the Wilayat of Ahle Bait (a.s) and keep us safe from hypocrisy and disbelief.

Here we enumerate some benefits of reciting this blessed Surah – Surah al Munafiqoon:

It is narrated from Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a): “One who recites this Surah he will be saved from hypocrisy and doubt in religion and if it is recited upon the sick or one in pain Allah the high will cure him. Insha Allah.”

Imam Sadiq (a.s): “It is obligatory upon every believer, when he is our Shia that he recites on the Friday morning, Surah Jumuah and the Surah of سبح اسم ربک الاعلیٰ and in the prayer of Zuhr, Surah Jumuah and Munafiqoon , then when he does it is like he has acted like the messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a) and his reward upon Allah is paradise.”  (Tafseer al Burhaan under the Tafseer of Surah Munafiqoon)