کیوں زندہ و جاوید کا ماتم نہیں کرتے؟

بسم اللہ الرحمن الرحیم

الحمد للہ رب العالمین و الصلوۃ و السلام علی محمد و آل محمد و لعنت اللہ علی اعدائھم اجمعین اما بعد۔۔۔

آیام عزا کی آمد آمد ہے اور یہ آیام جب بھی آتے ہیں تو مکتب حسینی سے وابسطہ افراد ایک مرتبہ پھر امام مظلوم کی بارگاہ میں تجدید عہد کے لئے میدان عمل میں نکل آتے ہیں، مگر جہاں پیروان ولایت حسین اپنے مولا و آقا کی تحریک کو ایک نئی شادابی بخشتے ہیں وہیں پیروان ولایت یزید بھی اپنے آقا کی حمایت میں سرگرم ہو جاتے ہیں اور اس کا ایک زندہ  ثبوت ہر سام محرم کی آمد پر بے سر و پا میسجس اور sms  ہیں جن کی بھرمار ہوتی ہے اور وہ اپنے عقیدے کا اعلان ان اچھوے ہٹکنڈوں کے ساتھ برملا کرتے ہیں۔ ان ہی اعتراضات میں سے ایک وہ گھسا پٹا شعر بھی ہے جو ہے تو اقبال سہیل  کا پر اسے علامہ اقبال جیسی عظیم ہستی سے منسوب کر کے نشر کیا جاتا ہے،جس کا بیسیون بار جواب نثر و نظم دونوں میں دیا جا چکا ہے مگر پھر بھی اس کو جام فتح سمجھ کر پیا اور نکارہ کامیابی سمجھ کر بجایا جاتا ہے اور یہ جدل و فریب لشکر یزید کی جانب سے نیا نہین ہیں کہ وہ باسی اور ۱۰۰ بار کے چابائے ہوے سوالوں سے استدلال کرنے کو اپںی نامنہاد فتح سمجھتے ہیں، پر مکتب حسین کی ہمیشہ سے یہ صفت رہی ہے کہ ان کی دامن میں یزیدی توپ کے ہر گولے کے جواب میں الغدیر میزائیل ہوتا ہے اور ہمیشہ رہے گا۔ کیوں کہ اس شعر کا علمی محاکمہ اور تحلیل اس لئے بھی ضروری تھی کہ اس توپ کے ناکارہ گولے کو عوام کی انکھوں کے سامنے برملا کرنا ضروری تھا جس میں شاعر موصوف نے اپنے زعم میں بڑا فلسفہ بیان کیا تھا اور پھر مجھے اس سے متعلق کچھ سوالات بھی موصول ہوئے اس لئے اس پر قلم اٹھانے کی ہمت کو یکجا کیا گیا۔ تاکہ سب کے لئے یکسان مفید رہے۔

وہ شعر کچھ یوں ہے۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔

روئیں وہ جو قائل ہوں ممات شہداء کے، ہم زندہ و جاوید کا ماتم نہیں کرتے

ائیے اس کا تجزیہ کرتے ہیں۔۔۔۔۔۔ اسلام شہداء کے بارے میں ایک منفرد نظریہ رکھتا ہے جسے حیات کہتے ہیں مگر جو موت و حیات شہداء سے متعلق ہے وہ کیا ہے۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔؟

ظاہر سی بات ہے کہ شہداء کی زندگی وہ مادی زندگی تو ہے نہیں جس لحاظ سے انہیں قبل شہادت زندہ اور ظاہری طور پر اس دار دنیا سے متعلق سمجھا جاتا ہے۔ اسی لئے شریعت اسلام میں شہداء کا ترکہ بھی تقسیم ہوتا ہے ان کے اطفال حکم یتیمان میں بھی آتے ہیں اور ان کی ازراج پر بیوہ کے لفظ کا اطلاق بھی ہوتا ہے۔ اگر ان کے لئے کسی بھی صورت سے موت کے تصور کا انکار کر دیا جائے تو ان کے متروکہ کی تقسیم، ان کے اطفال کی یتیمی اور ان کی ازواج کی بیوگی بلکل بےبنیاد ہے، جبکہ ہم جانتے ہیں کہ شرع مقدسہ میں شہید کی زوجہ کو عقد ثانی کی اجازت حاصل ہے اور اگر کسی شوہردار زن کا مرد زندہ ہو تو وہ عقد ثانی نہیں کر سکتی۔ اسی طرح شہید کے لئے غسل و کفن نہیں ہے مگر اگر یہ تصور رہے کہ اس پر موت کا کسی صورت سے اطلاق نہیں تو پھر اس پر نہ نمار میت ہونی چاہیے نہ ہی دفن کیوں کہ اس کا بھی تعلق موت سے ہے زندگی سے نہیں اور زندوں کو درگور کرنا جائز نہیں۔

تو معلوم ہوا کہ شہداء کی جو زندگی ثابت کی گئی ہے وہ ارتقائے بشریت کا کوئے خاص مرتبہ ہے۔ اب اس طرح سے دیکھا جائے تو اگرچہ اولیائے الہی میں سے کسی پر لفظ شہید کو اصطلاحی طور پر نہ بھی بولا جاتا ہو مگر ان کے لئے موت نہیں بلکہ زندگی جاویدانی  ہے مگر اس کے مدارج باعتبار مراتب تقرب جداگانہ ہونگے۔  رسول اسلام  ص کی متفقہ حدیث ہے جس کو سید علی ہمدانی نے مودۃ القربیٰ کے بلکل آخر کے صفحات میں بھی نقل کیا ہے کہ

“من مات علی حب آل محمدا مات شھیدا”

جو بھی آل محمد کی محبت میں مرا وہ شہید مرا

بے شک فقہی احکام مثلا غسل و کفن کا ساقط ہونا یہ شہید مبارز در میدان سے مخصوص  ہے مگر شہادت کا حصول ہر مومن کے لئے بقدر ایمان ممکن ہے، اور جب مومن کے لئے ممکن ہے تو انبیاء کا تو تذکرہ ہی کیا۔

اب اس مذکورہ بالا شعر کے مضمون پر غور کیجیئے جو کہتا ہے کہ ” زندہ و جاوید کا ماتم نہیں کرنا چاہیے” تو جیسے پہلے بیان ہوا کہ زندگی جاوید حسن عمل سے وابسطہ ہے تو اس سے نتیجہ یہ نکلا کہ ماتم کے قابل وہ ہیں جو انتہائی بد عمل ہوں، اور حسن عمل رکھنے والوں کا ماتم نہیں ہونا چاہیے۔ اب اس شعر سے ثابت ہونے والےنتیجہ  کو ہم قران پر پیش کرتے ہیں کیوں کہ اعتراض کرنے والا بظاہر مسلمان ہے اور اس نے جو کچھ کہا ہے اسے زیر لب تبسم کے ساتھ شاعرانہ کیف کو محسوس کرتے ہوئے نظر انداز نہین کیا جا سکتا کیوں کہ یہ شعر صغری و کبری کو مرتب کر کے ایک پوری قوم کے ایک خاص عمل پر انگشت اعتراض ہے۔

آیت قران سامنے ہے، جب لشکر فرعون غرق ہوا تو ارشار قدرت ہوا،

فَما بَكَتْ‏ عَلَيْهِمُ السَّماءُ وَ الْأَرْضُ وَ ما كانُوا مُنْظَرينَ (29) الدخان

نہ ان پر اسمان ر ویا اور یہ زمین نے گریا کیا اور نہ انہیں اللہ کی طرف سے مہلت دی گئی۔

ظاہر ہے کہ یہ ایک کنایہ ہے جو ان کی بداعمالیوں پر دال ہے۔ کنایہ میں کسی چیز  کی حقیقت کے  آثار و لوازم کا تذکرہ کر کے ذہن کو اس کی حقیقت کی طرف متوجہ کرایا جاتا ہے نہ یہ کہ اس کی ضد کے لوازم کو بیان کیا جائے، مثلا یہ بتانا ہوکہ صبح ہو گئی ہے تو  یہ کہا جائے گا کہ روشنی ہو گئی ہے یہ نہیں کہا جائے گا کہ اندھیرا ہو گیا ہے جو شام کے لوازم میں سے ہے۔ تو اب دیکھے کہ بقول شاعر رونا اسے چاہیے جو بد اعمال ہو نہ کہ اسے جو خوش عمل ہو اس کا مطلب یہ ہوا کہ رونا بد اعمالی کا نتیجہ ہے خوش اعمالی کا نہیں مگر قران تو کچھ اور ہی کہہ رہا ہے کہ “ان پر اسمان اور زمین نے گرا نہیں کیا”  اس سے ثابت ہوا کہ بد اعمالی کا تقاضہ یہ ہے کہ اس پر نہ رویا جائے، اس کے مقابل جو حسن عمل رکھتے ہوں وہ مستحق گریا ہوں گے۔ تو اب جانے والا جتنا بلند مرتبہ اور مرکز فیوض و براکات ہو گا اس کا اٹھنا اتنا ہی باعث ماتم و گریا ہو گا۔

ہر چند کہ زمین و آسمان کا گریا کرنا مجاز عقلی ہے جیسے ہم کہتے ہیں کہ “پورا شہر گواہ ہے” یعنی کہ اہل شہر گواہ ہیں، اسی طرح  زمین و آسمان کا رونا ان کے اہل کی طرف راجع ہے، مگر اٹھنے والے کی شخصیت پیش خدا کیا ہے، کے لحاظ سے یہ مجاز حقیقت بھی بن سکتا ہے، تو پھر اگر زندہ و جاوید پر اسمان و ز٘مین گریا کر سکتے ہیں جن کا ہر فعل تابع فرمان الہی ہے تو معلوم ہوا کہ ہم اس کا ماتم بھی کریں تو مرضی الہی کے مطابق ہو گا۔

ائیے اب اس معممہ کو دوسرے رخ سے  دیکھتے ہیں۔ شہداء کی خبر حیات ہمیں رسول ص کے ذریعے سے ہوئی تو یقینا آپ اس حیات کے تقاضوں سے ہم سے زیادہ واقف ہوں گے، تو ائیے دیکھتے ہیں کہ تاریخ اسلام میں رسول ص اس حوالے سے کیا عمل کرتے دیکھائی دیتے ہیں۔

کیا جناب حمزہ ع شہید ہیں کہ نہیں؟ ان کے شہید ہونے میں کیا شک ہو سکتا ہے کہ جو سید الشہداء کے لقب سے ملقب ہو۔ سو ان کے زندہ و جاوید ہونے میں کسی کو شک نہیں ہو سکتا۔ مگر حمزہ کی شہادت کے بعد کیا ہوا، خوشی یا گریا و ماتم۔۔۔۔۔؟ خوشی کے شادیانے تھے یا غم کی آہیں اور سسکیاں۔۔۔۔؟ تو اگر حمزہ کی شہادت پر رسول ہنستے ہوئے مل جائیں تو رونا بدعت اور اگر رسول روتے پائے جائیں تو رونا سنت اور خوشی منانا بدعت ہو گا۔

حضرت حمزہ کی شہادت ہوئی ان کی بہن صفیہ روتی ہوئی میدان میں آئیں لاش برادر پر گریہ شروع کیا اس موقعے پر یہ نہیں ہوا کہ رسول ص نے کہا ہو کہ کیوں زندہ و جاوید کو روتی ہو کیا شہید کی حیات میں شک ہے۔۔۔؟ مگر دیکھنے والوں نے دیکھا کہ آپ خود صفیہ کے ساتھ رونے میں شریک ہو گئے۔ 

مدینے پہنچے سب گھرون سے رونے کے صدائیں بلند تھیں حمزہ کا گھر خاموش رسول ص نے کہا کیا کوئی حمزہ کو رونے والا نہیں جب اس کی خبر انصار کو ملی تو  اپنی خواتین کو حمزہ کے گھر بھیج دیا اور گریا و زاری کی صدائیں بلند ہوئیں۔ 

   {تاریخ طبری، جلد ۲، صفحہ ۱۹۱، طبع نفیس اکیڈمی کراچی/ معارج النبوۃ، جلد ۲، صفحہ ۱۶۵ ، ۱۷۹، طبع شبیر برادرز لاہور، اسد الغابہ، جلد ۳، صفحہ ۶۰۵، سیرت الحلبیۃ، جلد ۲۔ صفحہ ۲۲۴ ، البدایۃ و النھایۃ، جلد ۵، صفحہ ۳۷۴ }

[ان مذکورہ کتب کے سکین پجیسس مومنین کی سہولت کے لئے تحریر کے آخر میں دستیاب ہیں]

تو اب ہم یہ سوال کونے کا حق رکھتے ہیں کہ بے شک کہ رسول ص ظاہری طور پر واقعہ کربلاء کے وقت حیات نہیں تھے مگر اگر رسول موجود ہوتے تو کیا ان کی حالت اس سے مختلف ہو سکتی تھی جو اپنے چچا کی شہادت دردناک پر تھی، بلکہ ہمیں یہ کہنے میں کوئی چیز حائل نہیں کہ اپنے نواسے کی شہادت کربناک پررسول کی حالت زار اس سے بھی زیادہ سنگین و بیان سے باہر ہوتی۔ کیوں کہ کجا ایک جنازہ مثلہ شدہ اور کہاں گھر کے اٹھارہ چراغ  جو گھڑوں کی ٹاپوں سے زد پائمالی پر تھے، یہیں سے ہمیں سنت رسول کے بابت آسانی سے علم ہو جاتا ہے۔

ہمیں اس وقت یہ خطرہ گلوگیر ہے کہ کہیں تحریر  کا دامن زیادہ تجاوز نہ کر جائے وگرنہ ہم سنت پیمبر ص سے اس کی کئی ایک مثالیں عرض کر سکتے ہیں پر قاری کی طبعیت پر زیادہ سنگینی کے خیال سے اس ہی پر قناعت کرتے ہیں۔

تو اب کس طرح کسی مسلمان کے لئے جائز ہے کہ وہ کہے کہ ہم زندہ و جاوید کا ماتم نہیں کرتے، اور اگر اب بھی کہے گا تو فرمان رسول و سیرت پیمبر ص سے بغآوت ہے

اس کے علاوہ جو شہادت پا کر زندہ ہوا ہو وہ تو ایک طرف قران میں تو زندہ پر رونے کا پتہ ملتا ہے۔ اور اس پر حضرت یعقوب ع کا جناب یوسف ع پر گریا کرنا دال ہے جس سے ان کی انکھیں تک سفید ہو گئیں ۔

تو اب اگر ہم اس شعر کا جواب شعر سے دینا چاہین تو یوں کہیں گے کہ

کیا روئو گے ان کو جو ہلاک ابدی ہیں کیون زندہ و جاوید کا ماتم نہیں کرتے

کیون کہ قران و حدیث تو یہی کہتے ہیں کہ زندہ و جاوید کا ہی ماتم ہونا چاہیے۔ اب اگر کسی کو یہ ناپسند ہو تو وہ ان کو رو سکتا ہے جو ہلاک ابدی ہیں،

یہاں پر میں بس اس بات پر اس تحریر کو ختم کروں گا کہ کہا جاتا ہے کہ رونا بزدلی کی نشانی ہے مگر ہم کہتے ہیں کہ میدان جنگ میں جان جانے کے خوف سے رونا بزدلی ہے مگر کسی خطرناک جہاد میں عدم شرکت کی وجہ پر رونا بزدلی نہیں عین بہادری ہے۔ کربلاء میں زخم کھآتے خون بہاتے مجاہدین نہیں روئے بلکہ بریر اور عبد الرحمن آپس میں مذاق کرتے دیکھائی دیے، حتی کہ اصغر ع بھی مسکراتے دیکھائی دیے، مگر امام سجاد ع ساری عمر آنسو بہاتے دیکھائی دیے۔

تو ہمارا رونا اس وجہ سے ہے کہ ہم اس محاذ میں شامل نہ ہو کر دینا و آخرت کی سعادت کو نہ پا سکے پر اب اس پر آنسو بہا کر اس مقصد سے قرب حاصل کرتے ہیں اور بے چینی سے انتظار میں ہیں کہ کب ہمیں نصرت حق کاموقع ملے اور کب ہمارا خون شہداء کربلاء سے جا ملے۔

دعا ہے کہ ہماری اس سعی ناچیز کو بارگاہ امامت میں شرف قبولیت عطا ہو، اور ہمارے معاصی بے حساب کی مغفرت کا سامان ہو جائے۔ آخر میں خیر طلب بھائی کے بھی ممنون ہیں جنہوں نے ہمیں سکین پیجز عنایت فرمائے خداوند متعال بتصدق آل محمد ص ان کی توفقات میں مزید اضافہ فرمائے۔ امین

                                                                                                 

طالب دعا

                                                                                          سید حسنین رضا بخاری

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Posted in: Ahlebait,History,Inspiration,Karbala,Prophet Muhammed,Thoughts Provoking Articles,world

As soon as the Crescent of Muharram!

As soon as the crescent of Muharram appears in the sky the whole world seems to change into Karbala to pay gratitude to the supreme revolutionist this universe has ever seen. The new Islamic/Hijri year starts with the worldwide commemoration of the greatest sacrifice of Imam Hussain (AS) and the tragedy he endured in the land of Karbala. His sacrifice yielded the most efficacious revolution that changed the course of millions of lives to come.  The impact of the greatest sacrifice, Imam Hussain (AS) endured more than 1400 years ago, is larger than life. The revolution of Karbala is not only an inspiration for the followers of a specific religion rather it sets the guiding principles and an inspirational roadmap for all the mankind, indifferent of the religion they follow, to stand up against oppression and tyranny. Karbala spreads a universal message of non-violent resistance and supreme sacrifice to the cause and in today’s climate of violence, extremism and tyranny; it is more pertinent than ever. For the very same reason prominent leaders, statesmen, scholars, philosophers and historians from different religions and regions of the world paid gratitude to Imam Hussain (AS). Let’s have a look at few of them.

The most renowned Indian political and spiritual leader Mahatma Gandhi said: “I learned from Hussain how to achieve victory while being oppressed.” Gandhi is believed to have studied the history of Islam and Imam Hussain (AS), and was adamant of the opinion that Islam represented not the legacy of a sword but of sacrifices of Imam Hussain (AS) and his unrivaled companions. Gandhi said: “My faith is that the progress of Islam does not depend on the use of sword by its believers, but the result of the supreme sacrifice of Hussain (A.S.), the great saint.”
Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of independent India (1947–64) deemed Karbala to represent humanity strength and determination. He writes: “Imam Hussain’s (AS) sacrifice is for all groups and communities, an example of the path of righteousness.”
Dr. Rajendra Prasad the first president of independent India (26 January 1950 – 13 May 1962) describes the supreme sacrifice of Imam Hussain (AS) as universal. He writes, “The sacrifice of Imam Hussain (AS) is not limited to one country, or nation, but it is the hereditary state of the brotherhood of all mankind.”
Sir Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan , the first Vice President of India (1952–1962) and subsequently the second President of India (1962–1967), writes “Though Imam Hussain (AS)gave his life years ago, but his indestructible soul rules the hearts of people even today.” It goes without saying that no revolution in the history of mankind had or will have such a huge impact.
Sarojini Naidu, the first Indian woman to become the President of the Indian National Congress and the first woman to become the Governor of Uttar Pradesh state, expresses her views about Imam Hussain (AS) as: “I congratulate Muslims that from among them, Hussain (AS), a great human being was born, who is reverted and honored totally by all communities”.
Clearly inspired from the victory of Imam Hussain (AS), Scottish historian and essayist Thomas Carlyle elucidates: “The best lesson which we get from the tragedy of Cerebella is that Husain and his companions were rigid believers in God. They illustrated that the numerical superiority does not count when it comes to the truth and the falsehood. The victory of Husain, despite his minority, marvels me!”
The Professor of Arabic at the University of Cambridge and a British orientalist Simon Ockley (1678-1720), writes about the final speech of Imam Hussain (AS): “Then Husain mounted his horse, and took the Koran and laid it before him, and, coming up to the people, invited them to the performances of their duty: adding, ‘O God, thou art my confidence in every trouble, and my hope in all adversity!’… He next reminded them of his excellencies, the nobility of his birth, the greatness of his power, and his high descent, and said, ‘Consider with yourselves whether or not such a man as I am is not better than you; I who am the son of your prophet’s daughter, besides whom there is no other upon the face of the earth. Ali was my father; Jaafar and Hamza, the chief of the martyrs, were both my uncles; and the apostle of God, upon whom be peace, said both of me and my brother, that we were the chief of the youth of paradise. If you will believe me, what I say is true, for by God, I never told a lie in earnest since I had my understanding; for God hates a lie. If you do not believe me, ask the companions of the apostle of God [here he named them], and they will tell you the same. Let me go back to what I have.’ They asked, ‘What hindered him from being ruled by the rest of his relations.’ He answered, ‘God forbid that I should set my hand to the resignation of my right after a slavish manner. I have recourse to God from every tyrant that doth not believe in the day of account.’” - [The History of the Saracens, London, 1894, pp. 404-5] 
Ignaz Goldziher (1850-1921), the Famous Jewish Hungarian orientalist entitled the 10^th of Muharram as the Black day. He writes: “Ever since the black day of Karbala, the history of this family … has been a continuous series of sufferings and persecutions. These are narrated in poetry and prose, in a richly cultivated literature of martyrologies – a Shi’i specialty – and form the theme of Shi’i gatherings in the first third of the month of Muharram, whose tenth day (‘ashura) is kept as the anniversary of the tragedy at Karbala. Scenes of that tragedy are also presented on this day of commemoration in dramatic form (ta’ziya). ‘Our feast days are our assemblies of mourning.’ So concludes a poem by a prince of Shi’i disposition recalling the many mihan of the Prophet’s family. Weeping and lamentation over the evils and persecutions suffered by the ‘Alid family, and mourning for its martyrs: these are things from which loyal supporters of the cause cannot cease. ‘More touching than the tears of the Shi’is’ has even become an Arabic proverb.” - [Introduction to Islamic Theology and Law, Princeton, 1981, p. 179]
Member of Parliament Edward Gibbon, considered as the greatest British historian of his time writes writes about Imam Hussain (AS) in his most important work, The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire: “In a distant age and climate, the tragic scene of the death of Hosein will awaken the sympathy of the coldest reader.” (The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, London,1911, volume 5, p. 391-392)
Peter J. Chelkowski, Professor of Middle Eastern Studies, New York University, writes about the atrocities Imam Hussain (AS) endured: “Hussein accepted and set out from Mecca with his family and an entourage of about seventy followers. But on the plain of Kerbela they were caught in an ambush set by the … caliph, Yazid. Though defeat was certain, Hussein refused to pay homage to him. Surrounded by a great enemy force, Hussein and his company existed without water for ten days in the burning desert of Kerbela. Finally Hussein, the adults and some male children of his family and his companions were cut to bits by the arrows and swords of Yazid’s army; his women and remaining children were taken as captives to Yazid in Damascus. The renowned historian Abu Reyhan al-Biruni states; “… then fire was set to their camp and the bodies were trampled by the hoofs of the horses; nobody in the history of the human kind has seen such atrocities.” - [Ta'ziyeh: Ritual and Drama in Iran, New York, 1979, p. 2]
Reynold Alleyne Nicholson(1868-1945), an eminent English orientalist, and widely regarded as one of the greatest Rumi scholars, writes, ”Husayn fell, pierced by an arrow, and his brave followers were cut down beside him to the last man. Muhammadan tradition, which with rare exceptions is uniformly hostile to the Umayyad dynasty, regards Husayn as a martyr and Yazid as his murderer.” - [A Literary History of the Arabs, Cambridge, 1930, p. 197 ] 

 The views of English novelist Charles John Huffam Dickens’ about Imam Hussain (AS) are a slap in the face of the shameless and so called Muslim Scholars of the likes of Zakir Naik: “If Husain had fought to quench his worldly desires…then I do not understand why his sister, wife, and children accompanied him. It stands to reason therefore, that he sacrificed purely for Islam.”
I will leave you people with a saying of Imam Hussain (AS), as a concluding note, in which he explains the mission of his sacrifice in his own words. Imam Hussain (A.S.) said: “I have taken this stand not out of arrogance or pride, neither out of mischief or injustice. I have risen to seek reform in the community of my grandfather. I would like to bid good, forbid evil, and follow the tradition of my grandfather and my father ‘Ali bin Abi Talib.”

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Posted in: History,Imam hussain in unknow muslims eyes,Inspiration,iraq,Karbala. Iran,nadeem sarwar 2013 nohay,nawhy,Thoughts Provoking Articles,world

The Pledge of Ashura

O mourners of the most supreme sacrifice in the realm of humanity! O you Azadaar of the Chief of Martyrs and his family! O you whose hearts are softened and your souls tear apart from the reminder of the supreme tragedy of Ashura! Are YOU prepared to face the day of Ashura?
Ashura – the day when the hardest of hearts have melted, the cruelest of tyrants have mourned, the laws of nature have inverted. Ashura is the day that calls for change, the day that calls for revolution. No matter how magnanimous or how tiny the revolution is, no matter at what level (societal or individual) the change can be, but change is inevitable on the day of Ashura!
Ashura in its all-encompassing glory is and always will be the inspiration of stark thinkers and revolutionaries. It pushes individuals into the direction of inner self reformation which manifests in the society as good actions and noble behavior, thus creating an outer revolution! This is how we can see an actualization of the essence of “Every day is Ashura, every land is Karbala”.
As we enter into the day of Ashura, we must let our hearts explore the depths of the supreme revolution of Imam Hussain (peace be upon him), delve our hearts and minds into how and why the spirit of Ashura has inverted human nature and the essence of human relationships of father-son, husband-wife, mother-child, and so on. How intensely do we experience the grief surrounding this day in the words of Ziyarat Ashura:  ”…More than the personal grief that torments anyone who is in great agony, sorrows which have no parallel and overshadow all calamities that took place in the history of Islam, for that matter, throughout the whole universe.”
Oh Shias of Hussain! Know that on this day, the one who is the most intensely aggrieved is the Imam of Our Time (may Allah hasten his reappearance). On the day of Ashura, what will you communicate to your Master and your Leader of the Time? What vow(s) will you make to the “avenger of the Martyred ones in Karbala”? How will you yearn to assist him in his much awaited revolution?
On this day as we read the Ziyarat Ashura and try to connect our hearts with the heart of our Imam (as) and embark on these words: “I make peace with those who made their peace with you, I search out and confront those who waged war against you, I make friends with those who stood by you, I strive against those who came in conflict with you”, ask yourself if you know who the enemies and the friends of the Ahlul Bayt are in today’s world. Ask yourself how successful you have been in keeping this promise with your Imam over the years.
To put it briefly, we have two characters before us that stand out from the day of Ashura. On the one hand we have Umar ibn Saad, who in his complete knowledge (Ma’rifah) of the Ahlulbayt, betrayed them and waged war against them. On the other hand we have Hurr ibn Yazid al-Riyahi, whose conscience could not tolerate the torture and seclusion of the Ahlul Bayt, leading him to leave the path of Yazid and tread on the path of martyrdom with the truthful ones. On the day of Ashura, let us pledge to become the Hurrs of our time; let us give in our lives, our hearts and our souls to the path of everlasting truth and infinite bliss – the path of Imam Hussain and his grandson, the Imam of Our Time.

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Posted in: Ashura,History,Imam Ali,Inspiration,Islam,Karbala,Prophet Muhammed,Thoughts Provoking Articles

The Effects of Hajj as Seen by the Infallible Imam (as)

Someone asked Imam Baqir (AS) : Why Hajj has been named ” The Hajj of God’s House”? Imam said: It means that the pilgrim has reached salvation.
Imam Ali Ibn Hossain Zeinol Abedin (AS) says: perform Hajj and Omreh rituals in order to be safe and sound, to make it better living for your family and make a better life.
Imam Ali Ibn Hossain Zeinol Abedin (AS) says: Pilgrim of God’s House will be forgiven, and he is entitled to go to heaven and his family and possessions will be safe and immune.
The prophet of God (p.b.u.h) stated: Everyone who wants the world and the hereafter should perform hajj rituals. Abdollah Ibn Fazl says: « I said to Imam Sadiq (AS) that I have too many debts, I have a big family and I can’t afford the Hajj costs. Teach me a prayer. Imam stated: Say after each obligatory prayer: “May the blessings of Allah be upon Muhammad and his progeny, and pay my debts in this world and the hereafter. “
I said to him, ” I know what the worldly debts are but what are the debts of the hereafter? ” He said: “Hajj”. The prophet of God (p.b.u.h) looked at the strings of camels taking Hajis to the pilgrimage of God’s House and said: They don’t take steps unless it is taken as a good deed, they don’t take steps unless it vanishes a sin of them. And when they finish their ceremony of Hajj, they will be told: “You have made a building, don’t destroy it. Your sins are forgiven. From now on, do good deeds. »
Imam Baqir ( P ) said : Everyone completing a recitation of the Holy Quran in Mecca won’t die unless he sees the Prophet (p.b.u.h) and his own place in the Heaven.
Imam Sadiq (AS) said: The best ways to pray God include silence and going to His House.
Imam Baqir (AS) said: God does not accept the Hajj and Omreh whose costs have been paid for through illegal means property. (Religiously prohibited) It’s been narrated from Isaac Ibn Ammar that Imam Sadiq (AS) said: O Isaac, everyone who circumambulates God’s House one time, God writes down 1000 good deeds for him, vanishes 1000 of his sins, gives him 1000 rewards, plants 1000 trees fro him in Paradise, gives him mercifully the recompense for delivering 1000 slaves.
When he reaches “Moltazem”, 8 doors of Heaven open and he is told: “Enter whichever door you wish”. Isaac said: “I said to Imam that all of those are for a person who just circumambulates God’s House”? Imam stated: “Yes. Wouldn’t I teach you a bigger recompense? ” I said: “Please, teach me. ” He said: “Everyone who does something for his faithful brothers, God will give him the recompense of 10 circumambulations.”
Imam Baqir (AS) said: One prayer in the Masjid-ul-Haram is 100000 times more valuable than one prayer in any other mosques.
Imam Sadiq (AS) said: The most Favorable place for prayer to God Almighty is Saay. (That is a holy place in Mecca) . Because there every stubborn and proud person becomes meek.
Imam Sadiq (AS) said to Ibn-Abi-Yafour: Pray very much in the Prophet’s mosque, for praying in this mosque is equal to same 1000 prayers in other mosques, except Masjed -ul- Haram that same prayers in this mosque is equal to same 1000 prayers in the Prophet’s mosque. Imam Sadiq (AS) said: Someone who visits a Hajj pilgrim and shakes hands with him, it is as if he has touched the Hajar-ol-Asvad.
Imam Sadiq ( P ) says regarding ” Ramye- Jamarat ” : With every stone that a Haji throws at Jamarat, a big fatal sin is vanished from his soul.
Imam Ali ibn Hossain (AS) says: When Haji sacrifices in the desert of Mena (that is a place near Mecca) , his sacrifices will be the price of his freedom from the fire of the Resurrection Day. The sixth Imam (AS) says: As one of you perform Hajj and finish it with the pilgrimage to Medina, that pilgrimage is the sign of Hajj’s completion.
Imam Sajjad (AS) says: A person, who accepts responsibility for the family and financial matters of a Haji, has the same reward as a Haji has himself. It is even as if he has performed Hajj himself.
Imam Sadiq (AS) says: Religion will be living so long as Kaaba is living.
Imam Baqir (AS) says: Respect people who had performed Hajj and Omreh, because you are obliged to respect them.
The Prophet of Islam (p.b.u.h) has been quoted a saying: What is meant by obligatory prayers; Hajj rituals and other rituals is to remember God, so what is the use of verbal praise whelming your mind, you don’t think of the greatness of Allah.
Imam Sadiq (AS) says: People who do Hajj and Omreh are justified to God. God will grant them whatever they have asked. If they pray he will accept, if they intercede, He will accept and if they remain silent, He himself begins to give them generously His favor and He grants themand instead of each derham, He will grant them thousands of derhams.
Imam Sadiq (AS) says: Hajis who return from God’s House appear in three categories: One group are those who are free from fire of Hell.One group who are purified of their sins as if they are born again. The third group are the people who come back with the guarantee of their families and properties, and this is the least a Haji enjoys.
Imam Sadiq (AS) says: When you decide to go to Hajj, free your heart from anything that may keep you away from God.
The great Prophet of Islam (p.b.u.h) says: In 4 occasions the doors of sky are opened and prayers will be accepted ; on the occasion of coincidence of the rows of fighters in the cause of God, when it rains and in the time of getting up for saying prayers and at the time of looking at the great Kaaba.
Imam Sadiq (AS) says: As long as a person is looking at Kaaba he will receive rewards and his sins are forgiven.
Imam Bagher (AS) says: There are three things that are headed by God. His book, which is His order and light. His House which is the kiblah(that is the direction to which Muslims turn in praying) and He just accepts full attention to this direction and the Etrat (that is the household of the Prophet of Islam (p.b.u.h) ).
Imam Sadiq (AS) says: God has provided 120 types of blessings around Kaaba, 60 of these blessings will be given to circumambulatores, 40 of them will be given to prayers and 20 of these blessings will be for people who look at Kaaba.
Regarding settlement in Arafat Imam Baqir says: none of good and wicked people would settle on the Arafat’s mountain unless God accepts their prayers ; the chastes benediction for the mundane and afterlife matters will be accepted but the wicked prayers will be accepted just for their mundane matters. A man asked Imam Sadiq (AS) in Masjid- ul- Haram: Who commits the greatest sins? Imam said: “Someone who settles in Arafat and Mashar, and he does the ceremony of Saay between the mountains of Safa and Marveh, and circumambulates around the God’s House, then he prays at the back of the Maghame Ibrahim (AS) but doubts whether God forgives him ornot.
This person commits the greatest sin.”
Imam Hossain ibn Ali (AS) says: Shake hands with Hajis and the people whom have performed the Hajj rituals and Omreh and salute them before they make sin.
Mohammad ibn Sannan has been quoted a saying that once Imam Reza (AS) wrote to him, ” The reason why Mena (A place near Mecca)was named Mena is that Gabriel (A great angel) said to the Prophet Ibrahim (AS) in this place: Ask God whatever you wish. “
Imam Saiq (AS) says: Haji will have the light and mien of Hajj as long as he has not committed a sin.
The Messenger of God (p.b.u.h) says: O people perform Hajj rituals with full awareness and religion and don’t come back from Hajj unless you decide to give up committing sins and repent instead. The Messenger of God (p.b.u.h) says: The reward of Hajj is Paradise and the atonement of any sin is Omreh.
The Messenger of God (p.b.u.h) says: There are some kinds of sins that are just forgiven in Arafat.
Imam Sadiq ( P ) says : Frequenting between Safa and Marveh is a means to underestimate a tyrants.
Imam Baqir (AS) says: Begin your Hajj from Mecca and finish it to us.
Imam Sadiq (AS) says: Looking at Kaaba is an act of worship.
Imam Ali (AS) says: Don’t abandon Hajj rituals because you will be punished.
The Prophet of God (p.b.u.h) said to Imam Ali (AS) : O Ali, someone who is able to do Hajj but he avoids doing it is a great sinner.The Messenger of God (p.b.u.h) said to Imam Ali (AS) : O Ali, someone who postpones Hajj rituals until he dies, God will send him as Jewish or Christian in the Resurrection Day.
Imam Sadiq (AS) says: If people abandon Hajj of this House, they will be immediately punished.
The Prophet of Islam (p.b.u.h) has been narrated a saying: the fighters in the way of God and the Hajis and those who do Omreh are guests invited by God.
The great Prophet of God (p.b.u.h) has been quoted a saying: Hajj resembles Jihad (which is the Holy war in the way of God) .
Narrated from the great Prophet of Islam (p.b.u.h) that he said: What a nice Jihad is Hajj. Imam Ali (AS) says: 4 Heavenly places exists onearth: Masjid -ul- Haram, the mosque of the Prophet, the mosque of Bayt -ol- Maghdes and the mosque of Koofeh.
The great Prophet of God (p.b.u.h) says: Perform Hajj in order to be independent.
The great Messenger of God (p.b.u.h) has been narrated a saying: Sustaining wealth for the journey of Hajj is like sustaining in the way of God and God will reward it 100 times more.
The great Prophet of Islam (p.b.u.h) has been narrated a saying: If someone gives Eftar (which is a meal eaten after fasting) to any faster or sends a Muslim into Hajj, or mobilizes a fighter or accepts the responsibility of his family, he is entitled to equal spiritual reward.
Imam Sadiq (AS) says: Entering Kaaba is like entering into God’s Mercy.
The great Messenger of God (p.b.u.h) has been narrated a saying: God forgives a Haji and whoever that he asks forgiveness for.
Imam Sadiq (AS) said: God is the guarantor of someone going to Hajj. If God wants him to be alive, he will come back to his family and if God gets his life, he will enter the Paradise.
Imam Sadiq (AS) says: When a Haji enters Mecca, God puts 2 angels for him to keep his prayer, Say and circumambulation, When he stands in the Arafah, they beat on his right shoulder and say: ” Don’t worry for the past, see what you will be in future.”
Imam Ali (AS) says: someone who goes to Hajj and Omreh, he is in fact going to God and God honors his guests and forgives them.
The great Prophet of Islam (p.b.u.h) has been narrated a saying: The fighters in the way of God and the people performing Hajj and Omreh are God’s guests. God invites them and they accept and they ask God and God grants.
The great Prophet of Islam (p.b.u.h) has been narrated a saying: 3 groups go towards God: Fighters, people who perform Hajj and people who perform Omreh.
Imam Sadiq (AS) says: One Hajj is better than the world and everything that is in it and an obligatory prayer is better than 1000 Hajjs.
Imam Sadiq (AS) says: No act is better than the Hajj except for Jihad and martyrdom in the way of God.
Imam Sadiq (AS) says: There is nothing better than Hajj but the daily prayer.
The great Prophet of Islam (p.b.u.h) has been narrated a saying: Paradise is the reward for an accepted Hajj.
The Prophet of God (p.b.u.h) was asked: ” What is the best work?” He said: ” Faith in God, Jihad in the way of God and an accepted Hajj.The great messenger (p.b.u.h) said: Hajj is a minor Jihad.”
Imam Sadiq ( P ) says : Saying an obligatory prayer is better than going to Hajj for 20 times and going to Hajj is better than a House,full of gold which is given away as donation and alms.
Imam Sadiq (AS) says: One Hajj is better than releasing 70 slaves.
Imam Baqir (AS) says: Hajj and Omreh are 2 bazaars of the hereafter. The person who does Hajj and Omreh very often is the God’s guest. If God keeps him alive, he is kept forgiven and if God gets his life, he will enter the Paradise.
Imam Reza (AS) says: Hajj and Omreh vanish sins and poverty as a furnace vanishes impurities of Iron.
Imam Baqir (AS) says: There are 3 things which their spiritual rewards include both afterlife and this world: Hajj; which vanishes poverty, alms; which removes poverty, and goodness; which makes life last longer.
Imam Sadiq (AS) says : A Haji never becomes poor.
The great Prophet of God (p.b.u.h) says: Travel to have a healthy body and do Jihad to gain booty and go to Hajj to be independent.
The Prophet of God (p.b.u.h) has been narrated a saying: Someone who wants to go to Hajj should hurry up.
Imam Sadiq (AS) says: If someone can afford Hajj but he postpones it without any logical excuse until he dies, he has violated one of Islam’s injunctions.
The great Prophet of God (p.b.u.h) has been quoted a saying: Someone who doesn’t perform his obligatory Hajj rituals without any severe illness or essential need or any other reasons until he dies, he has died as a Jewish or Christian.
Imam Sadiq ( P ) says : No one will be deprived of Hajj rituals unless because of a sin, and this is under conditions when God forgives most sins.
Imam Sadiq (AS) said to Isa, the son of Abi Mansour: O Isa, if you can eat bread and salt and go to Hajj, do it.
Imam Sadiq (AS) said: If someone performs Hajj twice, he will be in mercy and blessing as long as he is alive.
Imam Sadiq (AS) says: Someone who goes to Hajj for 3 times, he never becomes poor.
Imam Sadiq (AS) says: Someone who goes to Hajj for 10 times, God will forgive all his sins.
Imam Sadiq (AS) says: In every month of the year people can go to perform Omreh, but the best month is Rajab. (The 7th lunar month).
Imam Sadiq (AS) says: To God Mecca is the most favorite place.
Imam Ali ibn Hossain, Zeinol Abedin (AS) says: Feeding in Mecca is like fasting in other places and fasting one day in Mecca is equal to fasting one year in other places and walking in Mecca is a prayer itself.
Imam Baqir (AS) says: Someone who prostrates in Mecca is like the person who sheds his blood in the way of God.
The great Prophet of God (p.b.u.h) has been narrated a saying: No days are like the first ten days of Zi-hajjeh (12th lunar month) when God likes people to pray in.
Narrated from the great Messenger of God (p.b.u.h) a saying: Touching the Hejar ol Asvad (which is a holy black stone in Mecca) and Rokne Yamani will vanish all sins.
Imam Ali Ibn Hossain Zeinol Abedin (AS) says: When the night of Arafat and the first hours of the Mena day come, God presents his dearestAngels to the people standing in Arafat and Mena.
Imam Sadiq (AS) says: When people rest in Mena, a proclaimer on behalf of God proclaims that, if you wish my satisfaction, I am satisfied.
Imam Sadiq (AS) says: The major Hajj is day of sacrifice.
The Messenger of God (p.b.u.h) says: Ramye Jamarat (that is part of Hajj rituals in which pilgrims throw stones at satans) will be rewarded in the resurrection day.
Imam Baqir (AS) says: If someone dies in one of these 2sanctuaries (that is Mecca or Medina) , he will be appointed without any fear in the resurrection day.
Imam Sadiq (AS) says: God likes serving food and sacrificing of sheep in Mena.
Imam Sadiq (AS) says: When a faithful man shaves all his hair in Mena and buries it. In the resurrection day, every hair will recall its owner’s name.
Imam Ali (AS) says: The Zamzam’s water (which is a holy well near Kaaba) is the best water on earth.
The great Messenger of God (p.b.u.h) has been narrated a saying: Someone who circumambulates God’s house 7 times and says two units of prayers in the back of Magham (which is a holy place in Kaaba) and drinks Zamzm’s water, all his sins will be cleared.
The great Prophet of Islam (p.b.u.h) says: Drinking the Zamzam’s water is a cure for every illness.
Imam Sadiq (AS) says: Nothing but daily prayers is better than Hajj.
The great Prophet of Islam (p.b.u.h) says: When you finish Hajj rituals, you are so pure as if you have been born again.
Imam Ali (AS) has said in his will that: For the sake of God, For the sake of God, It’s the right of your Lord’s home to not be left alone until you live, because if it is left alone, you won’t stand a chance against God’s punishment.
Imam Saiq (AS) : No place is more favored by God except the place of running (Masaa) because there is where any selfish or cruel person will be humiliated and disrespected.
Imam Ali (AS) : Don’t you see that the Glorious God ever since Adam’s time till the end of the world has tested people with rocks that areuseless as well as harmless, blind as well as deaf, and with all his respect, built them into a place where people gather round.
Then, it was placed in the most rocky, plantless, and harrow canyon which was between the toughest mountains, hottest pebbles, and waterless-springs that was very far from plains, somewhere no camel, horse, cow, or sheep could grow fat. If the Glorious God with all his respect were to place his home and the Hajj’s ceremonial place somewhere else that was in the middle of gardens, springs, plains full of trees, fruit, and close houses and villages, and where fields full of wheat, gardens full of flowers, fine land and sure enough however simple the examination is, the reward will be little.
Imam Saiq (AS) in answer to Hesham the son of Hekam ‘s question about the reason of achieving the Hajj ceremony and circumambulating the Kaaba, replied: God created humans, and commanded them to obey the religion and what’s best for them in this world and placed Hajj to join his people from the east and west of the world (and so that they get to know what each other are up to) and so that the merchants that take goods from town to town would profit. And so that leaders and the camel keepers would gain something as well.
And also so that the God’s Messenger’s traces would be known and his words would not be forgotten. If every tribe or person were to settle in his / her own city or land, they would banish, and their cities would be destroyed, they would have a financial decrease, and everything would be kept silent, this is the true reason of Hajj.
Imam Bagher (AS) : Hajj is peaceful for the soul.
Imam Sadegh (AS) : I’ve never seen anything remove and replace poverty with wealth as fast as continuously going to the pilgrimage of God’s home.
Imam Sajjad (AS) : The right of Hajj for you is to know that through this you enter your God’s bounders and you turn to him instead of sinning, and because of this your sorrow is accepted and you have achieved what God has asked you to do.
Imam Baqir (AS) : Having complete Hajj is like meeting with the Imam.
Imam Kadhim (AS) : Following the verse: Whoever is blind in this world is also blind in the second world and even more mislead. ImamKadhim (AS) commented: That’s someone who postpones the required Hajj and keeps saying I’ll go this year, I’ll go next year until he / she finally dies, and we warp their body and keep eyes of people.
Abdur Rahman the son of Kosair: I went to Hajj with Imam Sadiq (AS) and on the way; his excellency went on a high mountain and looked at people from up there and said: There’s so much commotion and so little Hajis.
Imam Baqir (AS) : Whoever comes to pilgrimage this house is not accepted if he/she doesn’t have these three traits: 1. Self-restraint from sinning. 2. Forbearance to control his / her anger with. 3. Treating his / her companions properly.
Imam Sadiq (AS) : If someone goes to the pilgrimage of God’s home with religiously prohibited money, and says, ” Oh my Lord, I ‘m here (Labbayk) (In return) he’ll /she’ll hear: No, you are not here and no you are not worthy. And if someone goes to the pilgrimage of God’s home with religiously legitimate money will hear: You are here and you are worthy.
The Holy Prophet Muhammad (AS) said: Whoever goes to Hajj with religiously prohibited money, then says: I’m here, oh God,I’m here (Labbayk Allahomma Lababak) God will answer: No, you are not here and no your Hajj should be of your own.
Imam Sadiq (AS) : There are two kinds of Hajj: Doing the duties of Hajj for God and doing the duties of Hajj for people, whoever goes to Hajj for God, is rewarded with heaven, and whoever goes to Hajj because of people, on the Judgement Day, his / her reward will be given to those people.
Imam Sadiq (AS) : Whoever dies on the way to Mecca or coming back from Mecca will be rid of fright, fear, and nervousness on the Judgement Day.
Imam Sadiq (AS) : Whoever dies while wearing the pilgrimage’s garb, will later rise saying I’m here (Labbayk) .
Imam Sadiq (AS) : Regarding the verse (And whoever reaches there is safe) said, Any human that enters the Holy Shrine and turns to it is safe from God’s anger and if any kind of animal or bird enters, they should not be annoyed or forced out until it has left the Shrine itself.
Imam Sadiq (AS) : People lose their Imam but his excellency is present in the Hajj ceremonies and sees people, but people don’t see him.

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Posted in: Benefits,History,Imam Ali,Islam,Prophet Muhammed,Shia

15 habits to be wary of..

The Holy Prophet (S) said: “When my Ummat (followers) will acquire fifteen habits they will be visited by disasters:
1) When the booty will be treated as personal property;
2) and trust will become like a booty of war;
3) and charity will be (disliked) like a loss;
4&5) and man will obey his wife and disobey his mother;
6&7) and will be generous to his friend and tyrant to his father
and voices will be high in the Masjides;
9) and a man will be respected as a safeguard against his evil;
10) and the leader of the people will be the worst of them;
11) and men will wear silk;
12) and people will keep singing and dancing girls;
13) and will keep musical instruments;
14) and will drink intoxicants;
15) and fornication will increase;
At that time expect red storms or depression of land-mass or changing your faces like the image of animals and the victory of your enemy upon you and then you will not be helped (by Allah).”

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Posted in: History,Islam,Prophet Muhammed,Quotes,Shia

Who Are the Shia of Imam Ali (as)?

The Prophet (peace be upon him and his progeny) was asked by Ibn Abbas about the verse of the Holy Qur’an, “And the Foremost Ones are the foremost ones: they are the ones brought near to Allah” (56:10-11), to which he replied, ‘This refers to Ali and his Shia – they will be the foremost to enter Paradise, the ones brought near to Allah through His Magnanimity over them.” (Amali al-Tusi)
What Does it Mean to Be a Shia of Ali?
God has made the love of Imam Ali an incumbent article of faith. Only a believer would love Imam Ali, and only a hypocrite could ever hate him. Imam Ali is the friend of the believer through a natural human inclination towards perfection and lofty morals – attributes possessed by Imam Ali. However, history has recorded many individuals who claim love the Commander of the Faithful while displaying tendencies antagonistic to such love. According to the Prophet, the guardianship of Imam Ali is an obligation all humans will be accountable for on the Day of Judgment: “I swear by the Magnificence and Glory of my Lord that Ali is the door to God that leads to Him. Ali is Allah’s ‘Straight Path’, and it is the guardianship of Ali that Allah will ask about on the Day of Judgment.” ( Amali al-Saduq)
Narrations such as these may give some of us a sense of comfort, because we are led to believe that we are safe both in this life and the hereafter through our love of Imam Ali. However, the conscious believer should recognize that many of us have yet to realize what it truly means to love Imam Ali with both our hearts and our tongues. What does it mean to be a Shia of Ali today, in a world filled with corruption and the promotion of the greatest of sins?
The Shia of Ali Are Humble and Aware
Imam al-Baqir (peace be upon him) explains the need for humility and God-consciousness in anyone claiming to be a Shia of Ali ibn Abi-Talib: “Our Shia are none other than those who are consciously wary of their duty to Allah and obey Him. They are known solely for their humbleness, their humility, their returning promptly whatever is entrusted in their care, and their abundant remembrance of Allah.” (Tuhaf al-Uqool) It is not possible to merely claim one is a Shia while remaining oblivious of one’s duties towards God, the Holy Prophet, and the Purified Household. This awareness of our duties in Islam establishes both humility and a firm foundation of faith and practice.
The Shia of Ali Are Able to Control their Speech
Wonder of wonders! How can it be that the same tongue that invokes blessings of Allah on Ali backbites about a fellow believer? Imam al-Sadiq has warned us to be cognizant of the dangers of the tongue and its hindrance on our faith: “O Shia community, be an adornment for us [among people], and not a disgrace to us. Say good words to people, guard your tongues, and restrain yourselves from mindless chatter and offensive speech.” (Amali al-Saduq)
The Shia of Ali are Pious and Noble
It is not enough to claim one is a Shia through speech and not actions! In fact, the title Shia is not a characterization we are born with, but rather one that is earned by those who are steadfast in their duties to God. Imam al-Baqir advises on our true identity as Shias and those loyal to Imam Ali, “Do you think that it suffices for one to say that he likes Imam Ali and he is his follower, but does not do anything to support his claim? Or he says that he likes the Prophet, who is even better than Imam Ali, but does not take his example and follow his deeds and act according to the Prophet’s tradition? Just having love for the Prophet is of no use for him. Therefore, be conscious of God, and act in such a way as to attain what is near God, since there is no relation of kin between God and anyone. The one most loved by God is the one who is the most God-conscious, and the noblest one is the one who fears God and obeys Him. I swear by God that it is not possible to get close to God unless by His obedience, and we do not hold the key to relief from the Fire of Hell, and no one has any authority over God. Whoever is obedient to God is our friend, and whoever disobeys God is our enemy. No one can attain our friendship unless through God-consciousness and good deeds.” (Tuhaf al-Uqool)
The Shia of Ali Are Careful about Prayers
In his last will and testament, Imam Ali stresses the importance of prayers to his Shia, “Fear Allah in relation to your prayers. It is the pillar of your religion.” Imam al-Sadiq on his deathbed also mentions prayer and states, “Verily our intercession will not avail one who takes his prayer lightly.” (Wasail al-Shia) He has also said, “Test our followers at three occasions: during the prayer times [to see] how much importance they give it; and by our secrets to see how they protect our secrets from our enemies; and with their wealth to see how they help their brothers in faith with it.” (Bihar al-Anwar)
We cannot claim to be a Shia simply because we were born into the sect, or because we claim love Imam Ali. Indeed, the status of the Shia of Imam Ali is great and exalted, and therefore, so are the duties and responsibility in our faith and actions. By claiming to love Imam Ali, we must also love his great qualities and strive to implement them in our daily lives and actions. In many traditions, our Imams state their Shias are those who hold themselves accountable everyday for their actions and are those who improve their conduct every day. We ask God to grant us the honor of being among the followers of the Commander of the Faithful in this life and the next.

source: http://islamicinsights.com/religion/religion/who-are-the-shia-of-imam-ali.html

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Posted in: Ahlebait,History,Islam,Shia