Arbaeen of Imam Husayn
Author: Shaykh Saleem Bhimji
Publisher: www.al-mubin.org
Category: Imam Hussein
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Arbaeen of Imam Husayn
Author: Shaykh Saleem BhimjiPublisher: www.al-mubin.org
English
Arbaeen of ImamHusayn
Author(s):Shaykh Saleem Bhimji
Publisher(s): www.al-mubin.org
www.alhassanain.org/english
Table of Contents
Arbaeen of Imam Husayn 3
Ziyarat Arbaeen 9
Part One 10
Explanation 11
Part Two 13
Explanation 14
Part Three 15
Explanation 16
Part Four 17
Explanation 18
Part Five 19
Explanation 20
Part Six 21
Explanation 22
Part Seven 23
Part Eight 24
Part Nine 25
Part Ten 26
Arbaeen of ImamHusayn
ByShaykh Saleem Bhimji
What follows in this piece is a brief look at the “Arba‘een ” [the commemoration of 40 days after the tragic events of Karbala] of Imam al-Husayn , peace be upon him. The article concludes with the Arabic text ofZiyarat Arba‘een with full English translation and a brief exposition on certain passages of this powerful and moving visitation.Insha -Allah, a more comprehensive understanding of thisziyarat will be presented in the future.
*****
There are very few mass gatherings in the world today which are entire peaceful and which do not result in the loss of life, and in fact, according to Wikipedia - “the Free Encyclopedia” - of the five gatherings globally seeing over 10 million people, four were in Karbala:
1. An estimated 21 million people visited the shrine of Imam Hussein in Karbala, Iraq duringArba’een on 14 January 2012.
2. An estimated 15 million people visited the shrine of Imam Hussein in Karbala, Iraq duringArba’een in 2011.
3. An estimated 15 million people attended the funeral of C. N.Annadurai in Tamil Nadu, India in 1969.
4. An estimated 10 to 14 million people visited the shrine of Imam Hussein in Karbala, Iraq duringArba’een in 2010.
5. An estimated 10 to 14 million people visited the shrine of Imam Hussein in Karbala, Iraq duringArba’een in 2009
Why is there such a fervent desire for millions to flock to what would have been an otherwise unknown land and for millions to journey there by foot from all parts of the world? This brief article will touch upon the spiritual significance ofArba‘een as seen in the Noble Qur’an and Islamic narratives as well as a short commentary on theZiyarat ofArba‘een .
The sayings of the Infallibles, peace be upon them all, have emphatically guided the believers to be present in Karbala to mark the 40th day after the tragedy of Karbala and in fact, the 11th successor to the Noble Prophet of Islam, ImamHasan al-Askari , peace be upon him, has actually considered this act as being one of the clear and apparent signs of a true believer when he said:
علامات المؤمن خمس: صلاة إحدى وخمسين، وزيارة الأربعين، والتّختّم باليمين، وتعفير الجبين و جهر ببسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
The signs of a true believer are five:
1. 51rak’at ofSalat (per day - 17 of which are the obligatory prayers and 34 which are the recommended daily prayers)
2.Ziyarat Arba‘een ;
3. Wearing a ring on the right hand (anAqeeq ring);
4. Placing the head on the earth (duringsajad in theSalat );
5. Openly pronouncing “بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم ” (Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem ) when reciting the twosurahs in theSalat .
TheZiyarat Arba‘een which we recite in Karbala (and indeed from our homes if we are not fortunate enough to be in Karbala on the 20th of Safar) has been narrated from a companion namedSafwan al-Jammaal from ImamJa’far ibn Muhammad as-Sadiq , peace be upon him, in which the Imam told him to visit ImamHusayn and to recite a specific visitation formula on the afternoon of theArba‘een .
Although there are differences of opinion concerning the date of theArba‘een -e-Husyani - was it in the year 61 AH after the massacre in Karbala, or was it the following year? Whatever the opinion is, the fact remains that the visitation of the blessed grave of ImamHusayn , peace be upon him, and his noble family and friends on the day ofArba‘een is extremely important and is something which each and every true believer will try and perform during his lifetime.
The first such visitation took form when Jabiribn Abdullah al-Ansari paid his respects to ImamHusayn , peacebe upon him. Jabir was a well-known companion of the Prophet whom all Muslims love and respect; and he had witnessedmay wars and battles alongside the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him and his family, and he has narrated manyahadith and in fact, he was so loved by the Messenger that the Prophet would often go and visit him personally!
On one such meeting, Jabir asked his wife that when the Prophet comes that she should not ask him any questions. She narrates that when the Prophet came to their house, she did as she was asked and when Jabir met him, he said: “O Messenger of Allah! Prayers frommyself and my wife are upon you!” The Prophet replied, “Prayers of Allah be upon you and your wife!”
Indeed Jabir had heard numerous sayings from the Prophet in relation to the status of Imam al-Husayn , peace be upon him and he indeed fully understood the lofty status of both grandsons of the Prophet - namely Imam al-Hasan and al-Husayn as carried by the blessed heart of al-Mustafa, and therefore it is of no amazement that he was the first companion, despite his old age, who made the journey to Karbala after he heard of what had happened to the beloved grandson of the Prophet, peace be upon him and his family.
Al-A’mash narrates from ‘Atiyyah al-‘Awfi , who said: “I left with Jabiribn ‘Abdillah al-Ansari , may Allah have mercy on him, to visit the grave of al-Husayn bin ‘Ali binAbi Talib peace be upon him; and when we entered Karbala, Jabir came near the bank of River Euphrates, performed the major ablution (ghusl ) and wore his clothes; then he opened his purse which containedsu’d [a plant with sweet fragrance]. He spread the perfume over his body; thereafter he did not take a step save in the remembrance of Allah, until he neared the grave [of al-Husayn , peace be upon him].”
[Then] he said to me: “Make me touch the grave, and I made him do so. Thereupon he fell over the grave unconscious.”
I sprinkled some water on him, and he gained consciousness.
Then he cried three times:
يا حُسين، يا حُسين، يا حُسين
Ya Husayn …Ya Husayn …Ya Husayn
Addressing al-Husayn , peacebe upon him, he said: “Why is the beloved not responding to the call of the lover? But how can you respond, while your veins have been severed, and your body has been separated from your head?
I bear witness that you are the offspring of the Prophets, and the son of the master of believers, and the offspring of the companion of piety, and the offspring of guidance, and the fifth member of the people of the cloak, and the son of the master of the chiefs, and the son of Fatimah, the mistress of the women; how can you not be so, while the hand of the Leader of the Apostles, peace be upon him and his family, fed you, and you were breast-fed from the breast of belief, and trained in the bosoms of pious people, your weaning accompanied the state of utter submission.
Hence you enjoyed a pleasant state both during your life time and after your death; however, the hearts of the believers are sorrowful due to your separation, and do not doubt about your great position. So upon you be Allah’s Peace and Approval. And I bear witness that you faced what your brother [Prophet]Yahya , peace be upon him, had faced.”
Thereafter Jabir felt the presence around the grave and said: “Peace be upon you and the spirits that have descended in theneighbourhood of al-Husayn , peace be upon him … I bear witness that you were steadfast in your prayers and gave thezakat and you commanded the good and prohibited the forbidden and struggled against the deniers of religion and you worshipped Allah until conviction came to you. I swear by the One Who sent Muhammad as a Prophet with truth; surely we participated with you in what you encountered.”
‘Atiyyah (not understanding this powerful statement made by Jabir) says: I asked Jabir: “How can that be possible, while we did not descend on any valley, nor did we climb any mountainous area, nor did we fight with the sword, whereas the heads of the group of al-Husayn , peace be upon him, have been separated from their bodies, their children were made orphans and their women were made widows?”
Jabir said: “O ‘Atiyyah , I heard from my beloved, the Apostle of Allah, peace be upon him and his family, say: ‘Whosoever loves a nation, will be resurrected with them, and whosoever loves the deed of a nation, will be considered one who has participated in that deed (with them). I swear by the One Who Sent Muhammad as a Prophet in truth, surely my intention and the intention of my companions is according to the intention of al-Husayn and his companions.”
[Then Jabir said to ‘Atiyyah ]: “Take me towards the houses ofKufa .”
‘Atiyyah says: “When we reached a certain point on the way, Jabir said to me: ‘O ‘Atiyyah , may I advise you, for I do not think that I will meet you after this short journey? Love the lover ofAale Muhammad as long as that person loves them, and have aversion for one who has aversion forAale Muhammad as long as that person has aversion for them; for if a person wasto fast and stand in prayer frequently and befriend the lover ofAale Muhammad, then surely if one of their feet was to slip due to excess of sin, the other foot would be firm due to love ofAale Muhammad, for verily the lover ofAale Muhammad would return to Paradise and the one who has aversion for them will return to the Hell Fire.’”
Does the number 40 have any significance?
It is very much possible that the visitation of Jabir on the 20th of Safar was “by chance” or a “coincidence” and that the 40th has/had no significance and because he reached there on the 20th of Safar that we now too mark this day - or it could be that this day actually does have some mystical and spiritual importance?
In fact, there is spiritual significance to some numbers and this is seen in the Qur’an and the traditions such that the number 40 is repeated in many places of the Qur’an:
﴿وَإِذْ وَاعَدْنَا مُوسَى أَرْبَعِينَ لَيْلَةً ثُمَّ اتَّخَذْتُمُ الْعِجْلَ مِنْ بَعْدِهِ وَأَنْتُمْ ظَالِمُونَ﴾
“And whenWe appointed a time of forty nights with Musa, then you took the calf (for a god) after him and you were unjust.” (Suratul Baqarah , 2: 51)
﴿قَالَ فَإِنَّهَا مُحَرَّمَةٌ عَلَيْهِمْ أَرْبَعِينَ سَنَةً يَتِيهُونَ فِي الْأَرْضِ فَلَا تَأْسَ عَلَى الْقَوْمِ الْفَاسِقِينَ﴾
“He said: So it shall surely be forbidden to them for forty years, they shall wander about in the land, therefore do not grieve for the nation of transgressors.” (Suratul Maidah , 5:26)
﴿وَوَاعَدْنَا مُوسَى ثَلَاثِينَ لَيْلَةً وَأَتْمَمْنَاهَا بِعَشْرٍ فَتَمَّ مِيقَاتُ رَبِّهِ أَرْبَعِينَ لَيْلَةً وَقَالَ مُوسَى لِأَخِيهِ هَارُونَ اخْلُفْنِي فِي قَوْمِي وَأَصْلِحْ وَلَا تَتَّبِعْ سَبِيلَ الْمُفْسِدِينَ﴾
“And We appointed with Musa a time of thirty nights and completed them with ten (more), so the appointed time of his Lord was complete forty nights, and Musa said to his brotherHaroun : Take my place among my people, and act well and do not follow the way of the mischief-makers.” (Suratul A’raaf , 7:142)
﴿وَوَصَّيْنَا الْإِنْسَانَ بِوَالِدَيْهِ إِحْسَانًا حَمَلَتْهُ أُمُّهُ كُرْهًا وَوَضَعَتْهُ كُرْهًا وَحَمْلُهُ وَفِصَالُهُ ثَلَاثُونَ شَهْرًا حَتَّى إِذَا بَلَغَ أَشُدَّهُ وَبَلَغَ أَرْبَعِينَ سَنَةً قَالَ رَبِّ أَوْزِعْنِي أَنْ أَشْكُرَ نِعْمَتَكَ الَّتِي أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيَّ وَعَلَى وَالِدَيَّ وَأَنْ أَعْمَلَ صَالِحًا تَرْضَاهُ وَأَصْلِحْ لِي فِي ذُرِّيَّتِي إِنِّي تُبْتُ إِلَيْكَ وَإِنِّي مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ﴾
“And We have enjoined on man doing of good to his parents; with trouble did his mother bear him and with trouble did she bring him forth; and the bearing of him and the weaning of him was thirty months; until when he attains his maturity and reaches forty years, he says: My Lord! grant me that I may give thanks for Thy favor which Thou hast bestowed on me and on my parents, and that I may do good which pleases Thee and do good to me in respect of my offspring; surely I turn to Thee, and surely I am of those who submit.” (Suratul Ahqaf , 46:15)
In addition, there are numerous traditions which mention the number “40” such as the following:
عن رسول الله (صلى الله عليه و آله و سلام): إنّ الأرض لتبكي على المؤمن أربعين صباحاً
The Messenger of Allah, peacebe upon him and his family, has said: “Indeed the Earth laments over the death of a true believer for the period of 40 days.”
عن الإمام محمد الباقر (عليه السلام) أنّه قال: إنّ السّماء بكت على الحسين أربعين صباحاً
Imam Muhammad al-Baqir , peacebe upon him, has said: “Indeed the sky lamented over the death of al-Husayn for a period of 40 days.”
عن الإمام الصّادق(عليه السلام) أنّه قال: إنّ السّماء بكت على الحسين أربعين صباحاً بالدّم، والأرض بكت عليه أربعين صباحاً بالسّواد، والشّمس بكت عليه أربعين صباحاً بالكسوف والحمرة، والملائكة بكت عليه أربعين صباحاً، وما اختضبت امرأة منّا ولا ادّهنت ولا اكتحلت ولا رجّلت حتّى أتانا رأس عبيد الله بن زياد وما زلنا في عبرة من بعده
ImamJa’far as-Sadiq , peace be upon him, said: “The heavens cried for forty days with blood (weeping) over ImamHusayn ; the earth cried for forty days by being covered with darkness; the sun cried for forty days by being in eclipse and turning red; the mountains were torn apart and dispersed; the seas gushed out and the angles cried for forty days over him. After ImamHusayn’s martyrdom, all of our women stoppedcolouring their hair, using kohl, applying oil, and styling their hair until the head ofUbaydullah ibn Ziyaad was sent to us; and even after that we (all) continued to weep over him.”
In summary, this all points to the reality that there is “something” contained in the visitation to Karbala 40 days after the tragic massacre of Imam al-Husayn , peace be upon him and his family, as the “40th” is not marked for any other Imam nor is it marked for any other Prophet - and perhaps if we are given the Divine Providence (tawfeeq ) to be in Karbala on the 20th of Safar to pay our respects and condolences to the Prophet and the noble family on the supreme sacrifice offered on the 10th of Muharram 61 ah, then we may be able to benefit from the spiritual bounties contained in this spiritual journey to reach our Beloved.
Ziyarat Arbaeen
بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ
In The Name of Allah,The Benefecient , The Merciful
Part One
Sending our greetings of peace, prayers and salutations upon the Master of the Martyrs
أَلسَّلاَمُ عَلىٰ وَلِيِّ اللهِ وَحَبِيبِهِ،
Peacebe upon the intimate friend of Allah, and His beloved!
أَلسَّلاَمُ عَلىٰ خَلِيلِ اللهِ وَنَجِيبِهِ
Peacebe upon the close friend of Allah, and His confidant!
أَلسَّلاَمُ عَلىٰ صَفِيِّ اللهِ وَابْنِ صَفِيِّهِ
Peacebe upon the choicest confidant of Allah, and the son of the choicest confidant [of Allah].
أَلسَّلاَمُ عَلىٰ الْحُسَيْنِ الْـمَظْلُومِ الشَّهِيدِ،
Peacebe uponHusayn , the oppressed, the martyr.
أَلسَّلاَمُ عَلىٰ أَسِيرِ الْكُرُبَاتِ وَقَتِيلِ الْعَبَرَاتِ
Peacebe upon the hostage surrounded by the tightening circle of sorrow and grief, killed by a horde of savages.
Explanation
In the introductory salutations of theziyarat , Imam as-Sadiq , peacebe upon him, discusses the spiritual lineage of Imam al-Husayn , peace be upon him, and mentions that he is the son of the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him and his family - the one who is the most beloved to Allah. Some of the Prophets of Allah are referred to by their titles which they are well-known by; Prophet Ibrahim, peace be upon him, who is known as the Friend of Allah; Prophet Musa, peace be upon him, who is known as the one who spoke to Allah; Prophet Isa, peace be upon him, who is the Word of Allah; ProphetNuh , peace be upon him, who is the Prophet of Allah - keeping in mind that he (ProphetNuh ) was the first one to attain the status ofnubuwwah ; Prophet Adam, peace be upon him, who was the Chosen of Allah and finally, Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him and his family, who is the Most Beloved of Allah.
In regards to the phrase “Peacebe upon you” (السلام عليك ) - many different meanings have been given:
1. As-Salam (The Peace) is one of the names of Allah, the Grand and Majestic and thus in this meaning, we are asking for Allah’s protection to be on Imam al-Husayn , peace be upon him.
2. As-Salam (The Peace) in the meaning of pure and complete submission.
3. As-Salam (The Peace) in the meaning of safety and security.
With these different interpretations given, whose over all meaning is that of safety and security, we can understand that when we greet Imam al-Husayn , peace be upon him, with this phrase, what we are saying is that we, who are visiting the Imam or are reciting this visitation from far away, that we are promising the Imam that no harm or infliction of grief will ever emanate from us unto the Imam - not at that particular time that we are addressing him, nor at any other time - meaning that we will do our best to keep away from breaking the laws which they promulgated.
We understand that their entire purpose of existence was to guide and rectify humanity and to keep us on the path oftawheed and the obedience of Allah and this includes the obedience of all of their teachings - including the moral illnesses such as pride, arrogance, boasting, miserliness, love of the self, love of power, backbiting, etc…
Thus, when we recite these passages we must also work to ensure that we remove all such negative ethical traits from within ourselves so that we do not cause hurt or grief to the Imam.
When we have done this, then our ‘Salam’ towards the Imam will be truthful and sincere. It is through the recitation of the greeting and its repetition that we seek spiritual closeness to the Imam and we instill the love for the Imam and his teachings within our lives and we work to remove all of the negative traits which may have built up within ourselves over the years.
Such greetings to the Imam and his companions and family members announce to Allah, the Prophet, the Imam and to our own inner heart that we will not rest until we have removed and annihilated all of the inner demons we carry and that we will also not rest until all external evil forces have been destroyed and reduced to mere mention in the books of history.
Part Two
Martyrdom and the bearing of witness by ImamJa’far as-Sadiq , peace be upon him, in regards to the greatness and lofty status of ImamHusayn , peace be upon him
أَللَّـهُمَّ إِنِّي أَشْهَدُ أَنَّهُ وَلِيُّكَ وَابْنُ وَلِيِّكَ وَصَفِيُّكَ وَابْنُ صَفِيِّكَ الْفَائِزُ بِكَرَامَتِكَ، أَكْرَمْتَهُ بِالشَّهَادَةِ وَحَبَوْتَهُ بِالسَّعَادَةِ، وَأَجْتَبَيْتَهُ بِطِيبِ الْوِلاَدَةِ، وَجَعَلْتَهُ سَيِّداً مِنَ السَّادَةِ، وَقَائِداً مِنَ الْقَادَةِ، وَذَائِداً مِنَ الَّذَادَةِ، وَأَعْطَيْتَهُ مَوَارِيثَ الأَنْبِيَاءِ، وَجَعَلْتَهُ حُجَّةً عَلى خَلْقِكَ مِنَ الأَوْصِيَاءِ،
O Allah! I give witness that beyond a shadow of doubt he isYour favourite and choicest confidant, who enjoys Your confidence andfavour , precisely like his father. You looked to him and elected him inYour cause, picked him and chose him for the good fortune, selected for him the best purified parents. appointed him as a guardian, a leader, and a defender of rights, a true representative (inheritor and progenitor) of guardians, leaders and defenders of rights, gave him a lot and even more from the inheritance of the Prophets, put him forward as a decisive argument, along with the other successors (meaning the twelve Imams) to all of mankind.
Explanation
In this transient world, everyone attains status or worth through a “means” - either someone or something. In this portion of theziyarat , Imam as-Sadiq , peace be upon him, refers to Imam al-Husayn , peace be upon him, as being the representative of Allah and the son of the representative of Allah; and that he is the chosen one and the son of the chosen one of Allah - and even though he comes from such a lineage and possesses such a level of dignity andhonour , however it is through his martyrdom that he was given the greatesthonour .
Indeed, it is through his martyrdom - and what a martyrdom he experienced that Allah granted him the greatest level of felicity and success and in actually when we review history we see thatYazid and his supporters were seeking fame and glory in this transient world and went through many means to try and attain it, however we see that Imam al-Husayn , peace be upon him, and his companions who were seeking nothing other than the pleasure of Allah ended up reaching the status of being the most talked about and mentioned individuals that the world has ever seen.
Part Three
The goals of Imam al-Husayn , peace be upon him, in his uprising
فَأَعْذَرَ فىِ الدُّعَاءِ وَمَنَحَ النُّصْحَ، وَبَذَلَ مُهْجَتَهُ فِيكَ لِيَسْتَنْقِذَ عِبَادَكَ مِنَ الْجَهَالَةِ وَحَيْرَةِ الضَّلاَلَةِ،
He met with deadly dangers, acted justly and fairly, made use of everything belonging to him to pay full attention to give sincere advice; took pains, made every effort, and put his heart, mind, soul and life at the disposal of Thy mission to liberate the people from the yoke of ignorance and the evil of bewilderment.
Explanation
Before leaving for Mecca, Imam al-Husayn , peace be upon him, addressed his half-brother, Muhammad al-Hanafiyah and gave him a will and testament which listed the reasons for his going to Mecca and what he hoped to achieve by his movement - this can be summarized as being, “I am seeking to bring about reformation in the nation of my grandfather, the Messenger of Allah and to enjoin the good and to forbid the evil…”
Through a cursory study of the time of Imam al-Husayn , peace be upon him, we understand that in the 50 short years following the death of the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him and his family, so many changes had taken place in the religion and untold innovations had entered the pristine teachings that the spirit and face of Islam had been altered immensely.
In order to restore the true visage of the religion of the Noble Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him and his family, and to carry the religion forward to future generations, Imam al-Husayn , peace be upon him, saw no other alternative but to take a stand in order to safeguard the religious teachings of Allah.
Through this, the Imam was making a clear proclamation that the current religion, rulers and state of affairs were not in line with the Islamic teachings of the Prophet, and that there was corruption present at all levels. Thus, his movement was to ensure that the original teachings of the religion would be resurrected and reach all parts of the world.
Part Four
A glimpse at the killers of Imam al-Husayn , peace be upon him
وَقَدْ تَوازَرَ عَلَيْهِ مَنْ غَرَّتْهُ الدُّنْيَا، وَبَاعَ حَظَّهُ بِالأَرْذَلِ الأَدْنَى، وَشَرَى آخِرَتَهُ بِالثَّمَنِ الأَوْكَسِ، وَتَغَطْرَسَ وَتَرَدّى فِي هَوَاهُ، وَأَسْخَطَكَ وَأَسْخَطَ نَبِيَّكَ، وَأَطَاعَ مِنْ عِبَادِكَ أَهْلَ الشِّقَاقِ وَالنِّفَاقِ وَحَمَلَةَ الأَوْزَارِ الْـمُسْتَوْجِبِينَ النَّارَ، فَجَاهَدَهُمْ فِيكَ صَابِراً مُحْتَسِباً حَتَّى سُفِكَ فِي طَاعَتِكَ دَمُهُ وَاسْتُبِيحَ حَرِيمُهُ،
But an evildoer, deceived with empty hopes of mean and worthless worldly gains, had pressed heavily on him, and sold out his share (of the eternal bliss) for the meanest and a lowest bargain, betrayed his “Day of Judgment” for a vulgar return, took pride in insolence, fell into the fathom-well of his own base desires, provoked You and Your Prophet to anger, did as the harsh discordant, the hypocrite, the heavily burdened bearers of sin, condemned to Hellfire, advised to him, however, he (the Imam), steadily, rightly and justly coped with them, until in Your obedience, gave his life after which his family was set adrift.
أَللَّـهُمَّ فَالْعَنْهُمْ لَعْناً وَبِيلاً وَعَذِّبْهُمْ عَذَاباً أَلِيماً
O Allah, therefore,condemn them to hell as a denunciation and conviction; and crack down on them with a painful punishment.
اَلسَّلامُ عَلَيْكَ يَا ابْنَ رَسُولِ اللهِ، اَلسَّلامُ عَلَيْكَ يَا ابْنَ سَيِّدِ الأَوْصِيَاءِ،
Peacebe upon you O the son of the Messenger of Allah! Peace be upon you O the son of the first of the successors (of the Holy Prophet)
Explanation
In this portion of theziyarat , Imam as-Sadiq , peace be upon him, describes the killers of his grandfather.
1.Umar ibn Sa’ad ibn Abil Waqqaas was one of the people directly involved in the events of Karbala.Sa’ad who was the father ofUmar was one of the first people to accept Islam during the initial appointment of Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him and his family. He witnessed and went through many hardships in the formative years of Islam and through which Iran was conquered and Islam was brought to that nation and he was also responsible for the establishment ofKufa as a city.
However like many other companions of Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him and his family, the love of this transient world took him over and when the issue of the caliphate came up, he did not support the rights of Imam Ali, peace be upon him, and died sometime between the years of 55 and 58 ah.
Umar ibn Sa’ad , even though he was well-known due to his father’s name and history, he too was a man who was enamored by the material world and was a person whom both the Prophet and Imam Ali did not think highly of and it is for this reason thatSa’ad himself did not leave any inheritance for his son.
Umar ibn Sa’ad played an instrumental role in Karbala as he was the commander of the forces ofIbn Ziyaad . He gathered over 4,000 soldiers fromKufa to stand up against Imam al-Husayn , peacebe upon him.
2.Shimr ibn Dhil Jawshan was anotherperpetrators of Karbala. During the era of Imam Ali, peace be upon him, he was actually on the side of and a fervent supporter of the Imam and fought alongside the Commander of the Faithful in the Battle ofSiffeen againstMuawiyah ibn AbuSufyan , however he ended up “changing” and then supported the likes ofYazid and fought against Imam al-Husayn , peace be upon him, on the day ofAshura , and he committed many atrocities against theAhlul Bayt , peace be upon all of them.
This is an example of the types of people who fought against and killed Imam al-Husayn , peacebe upon him, and his noble family and companion.
Both the historical narrations and the traditions of the Prophet and his family show us that one of the principle reasons for what transpired in Karbala had everything to do with “love of the transient world” and a desire to attain as much of it as possible.
Farazdaq , the famous poet has stated: “In the year 60 ah, I accompanied my mother fromKufa towards Mecca for the Hajj. On the way, we met Imam al-Husayn , peacebe upon him. The Imam asked me, “What is the news fromKufa ?” I replied: “The hearts of the people are withyou, however their swords are with theBani Umayyah …”
To this Imam al-Husayn , peacebe upon him, replied: “Indeed people are servants of this transient world and the religion is but a plaything on the tips of their tongues. They gravitate around the religion so long as it meets their material needs andrequirements, however when they are tested with tribulations and difficulties, very few people hold firm onto the true faith.”
Part Five
Learning life lessons from the Leader of the Martyrs
أَشْهَدُ اَنَّكَ اَمِينُ اللهِ وَابْنُ اَمِينِهِ،
I bear witness that Allah put faith in you like He had full confidence in your father,
عِشْتَ سَعِيداً وَمَضَيْتَ حَمِيداً وَمُتَّ فَقِيداً مَظْلُوماً شَهِيداً
and that you always looked for and collected good and virtue, lived a highly praiseworthy life, and departed from this world a martyr, forsaken and abused;
وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ اللهِ مُنْجِزٌ مَا وَعَدَكَ، وَمُهْلِكٌ مَنْ خَذَلَكَ، وَمُعَذِّبٌ مَنْ قَتَلَكَ
And I bear witness that Allah will promptly fulfill the promise He made to you, and destroy those who left you helpless and punish those who killed you;
وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّكَ وَفَيْتَ بِعَهْدِ اللهِ وَجَاهَدْتَ فِي سَبِيلِهِ حَتَّى أَتَاكَ الْيَقِينُ، فَلَعَنَ اللهُ مَنْ قَتَلَكَ، وَلَعَنَ اللهُ مَنْ ظَلَمَكَ، وَلَعَنَ اللهُ اُمَّةً سَمِعَتْ بِذَلِكَ فَرَضِيَتْ بِهِ
And I bear witness that you kept your promise made with Allah, and strived in His way until what was certain came upon you, so curse of Allah be on those who killed you, and curse of Allah be on those who oppressed you, and curse of Allah be on the people who came to know of it and approved (of all of it).
Explanation
The movement of Imam al-Husayn , peacebe upon him, has taught us many lessons - both on an individual and personal level and also on a societal level - some of which include:
1. Personal and individual:
i . Spirit of monotheism (Tawheed ) and the spirit of connection to Allah;
ii. Servitude to Allah;
iii. Turning away from personal desires and the allures of this world;
iv. Submission to the will and pleasure of Allah;
v. Requirement of studying and knowing all of theDivinely taught values and worth of the human being;
vi. Bravery and chivalry;
vii. Standing firm in the face of difficulties and tribulations;
viii. The spiritual worth of the human being;
ix. Forgiveness and clemency;
x. Not being afraid of death or martyrdom - rather, to accept these wholeheartedly;
2. Communal and societal:
i . Self-sacrifice and thinking of others before oneself;
ii. Loyalty;
iii. Equality of humanity and removal of all forms of discrimination;
iv. Importance of being political aware and active;
v. Enjoining the good and forbidding the evil;
vi. Realizing that the truth does not lie in ‘numbers’;
vii. Standing up to oppression and tyranny and not following the wicked;
viii. Understanding that “politics” is not separate from “religion,” and that “social struggle” and “spiritual action” are one and the same.
These lessons mentioned above are but a drop in the unlimited ocean of the noble Divine teachings which were embodied in the message of the Prophets and their safeguarding at the hands of all of the Imams - specifically Imam al-Husayn , peacebe upon all of them.
Part Six
Renewal of the pledge of allegiance to the Doyen of the Martyrs, al-Husayn ibn Ali, peace be upon them both
أَللَّـهُمَّ إِنِّي أُشْهِدُكَ أَنِّي وَلِيٌّ لـِمَنْ وَالاَهُ وَعَدُوٌّ لِـمَنْ عَادَاهُ
O Allahbe my witness that I make friends with those who love him and oppose those who deny him.
بِأَبِي أَنْتَ وَأُمّي يَا بْنَ رَسُولِ اللهِ
May my father and motherbe sacrificed for you O the son of the Messenger of Allah.
Explanation
This portion teaches us an important lesson which is that our friendship and enmity in life should revolve around their friendship and enmity; we also learn that our happiness and grief and every other emotion and action in our lives should all revolve around Imam al-Husayn , peace be upon him, and that in actuality, we become “extensions” of theHusyani mission.
Since the meaning of “Shia ” is “follower,” it only makes sense that as the “Shia ” of the Imams, we truly follow them in war and peace; in love and hate - if we truly wish to be counted amongst their adherents and followers.
This is the same understanding that we are given inHadith al-Kisa in which we say, “O Allah! Indeed these are myAhul Bayt and my confidants and my supporters. Their flesh is my flesh; their blood is my blood; whoever hurts them has hurt me, whoever displeases them, displeases me, and whoever fights against them, fights against me; I am at war with those who are at war with them and I am at peace with those who are at peace with them and I have enmity with those who have enmity with them and love those who love them. Indeed they are from me and I am from them…”
Part Seven
The pure, untouched genealogy of Imam al-Husayn , peace be upon him
أَشْهَدُ اَنَّكَ كُنْتَ نُوراً فىِ الأَصْلاَبِ الشَّامِخَةِ وَالأَرْحَامِ الـْمُطَهَّرَةِ، لَمْ تُنَجِّسْكَ الْجَاهِلِيَّةُ بِاَنْجَاسِهَا وَلَمْ تُلْبِسْكَ الْـمُدْلَهِمَّاتُ مِنْ ثِيَابِها، وأَشْهَدُ أَنَّكَ مِنْ دَعَائِمِ الدِّينِ وأَرْكَانِ الـْمُسْلِمينَ وَمَعْقِلِ الْـمُؤْمِنينَ
I know and bear witness that you were a Divinely-inspired light in the sublime loins and in the pure wombs, never touched you the dirt of ignorance, nor ever obscurity concealed you in its folds; I bear witness that you are the pillar of the religion - support of the Muslims, refuge of the faithful;
وَاَشْهَدُ اَنَّكَ الإِمَامُ الْبَرُّ التَّقِيُّ الرَّضِيُّ الزَّكِيُّ الْهَادِيُ الْـمَهْدِيُّ
I bear witness that you are a truthful, well-aware, content, intelligent, rightly guided guide (Imam);
Part Eight
A description of the progeny of Imam al-Husayn , peace be upon him
وَاَشْهَدُ اَنَّ الأئِمَّةَ مِنْ وُلْدِكَ كَلِمَةُ التَّقْوى وَأعْلامُ الْهُدى وَالْعُرْوَةُ الْوُثْقى، وَالْحُجَّةُ على أهْلِ الدُّنْيا
I bear witness that the Imams among your descendants are the symbols of “conscious piety” and signs of “true guidance”, the “safe handle”- Islam - and the decisive arguments over mankind;
Part Nine
The theological beliefs (Usul ad-Din) of the followers of theAhlul Bayt , peace be upon them all
وأَشْهَدُ أنّي بِكُمْ مُؤْمِنٌ وَبِاِيابِكُمْ، مُوقِنٌ بِشَرايِعِ ديني وَخَواتيمِ عَمَلي، وَقَلْبي لِقَلْبِكُمْ سِلْمٌ وَأَمْرِي لِأَمْرِكُمْ مُتَّبِعٌ وَنُصْرَتي لَكُمْ مُعَدَّةٌ حَتّى يَأذَنَ اللهِ لَكُمْ، فَمَعَكُمْ مَعَكُمْ لا مَعَ عَدُوِّكُمْ
I declare positively that I have full faith in you, and I know for certain that you will return. I am fully committed to the laws of my religion and certain of my deeds, my mind and heart ready for your return and my affairs carried out in the light of your instructions, until Allah gives you permission, together with you - along with you, and not with your enemies.
Allah
[1:1] In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful.
[1:2] All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds.
[1:3] The Beneficent, the Merciful.
[1:4] Master of the Day of Judgment.
[1:5] Thee do we serve and Thee do we beseech for help.
[2:21] O men! Serve your Lord Who created you and those before you so that you may guard (against evil).
[2:22] Who made the earth a resting place for you and the heaven a canopy and (Who) sends down rain from the cloud then brings forth with it subsistence for you of the fruits; therefore do not set up rivals to Allah while you know.
[2:106] Whatever communications We abrogate or cause to be forgotten, We bring one better than it or like it. Do you not know that Allah has power over all things?
[2:107] Do you not know that Allah's is the kingdom of the heavens and the earth, and that besides Allah you have no guardian or helper?
[2:115] And Allah's is the East and the West, therefore, whither you turn, thither is Allah's purpose; surely Allah is Ample giving, Knowing.
[2:116] And they say: Allah has taken to himself a son. Glory be to Him; rather, whatever is in the heavens and the earth is His; all are obedient to Him.
[2:117] Wonderful Originator of the heavens and the earth, and when He decrees an affair, He only says to it, Be, so there it is.
[2:118] And those who have no knowledge say: Why does not Allah speak to us or a sign come to us? Even thus said those before them, the like of what they say; their hearts are all alike. Indeed We have made the communications clear for a people who are sure.
[2:138] (Receive) the baptism of Allah, and who is better than Allah in baptizing? And Him do we serve.
[2:139] Say: Do you dispute with us about Allah, and He is our Lord and your Lord, and we shall have our deeds and you shall have your deeds, and we are sincere to Him.
[2:140] Nay! Do you say that Ibrahim and Ismail and Yaqoub and the tribes were Jews or Christians? Say: Are you better knowing or Allah? And who is more unjust than he who conceals a testimony that he has from Allah? And Allah is not at all heedless of what you do.
[2:163] And your Allah is one Allah! There is no god but He; He is the Beneficent, the Merciful.
[2:186] And when My servants ask you concerning Me, then surely I am very near; I answer the prayer of the suppliant when he calls on Me, so they should answer My call and believe in Me that they may walk in the right way.
[2:245] Who is it that will offer of Allah a goodly gift, so He will multiply it to him manifold, and Allah straitens and amplifies, and you shall be returned to Him.
[2:255] Allah is He besides Whom there is no god, the Ever-living, the Self-subsisting by Whom all subsist; slumber does not overtake Him nor sleep; whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth is His; who is he that can intercede with Him but by His permission? He knows what is before them and what is behind them, and they can- not comprehend anything out of His knowledge except what He pleases, His knowledge extends over the heavens and the earth, and the preservation of them both tires Him not, and He is the Most High, the Great.
[3:2] Allah, (there is) no god but He, the Ever-living, the Self-subsisting by Whom all things subsist
[3:5] Allah, surely nothing is hidden from Him in the earth or in the heaven.
[3:6] He it is Who shapes you in the wombs as He likes; there is no god but He, the Mighty, the Wise
[3:18] Allah bears witness that there is no god but He, and (so do) the angels and those possessed of knowledge, maintaining His creation with justice; there is no god but He, the Mighty, the Wise.
[3:26] Say: O Allah, Master of the Kingdom! Thou givest the kingdom to whomsoever Thou pleasest and takest away the kingdom from whomsoever Thou pleasest, and Thou exaltest whom Thou pleasest and abasest whom Thou pleasest in Thine hand is the good; surely, Thou hast power over all things.
[3:27] Thou makes the night to pass into the day and Thou makest the day to pass into the night, and Thou brings forth the living from the dead and Thou bringest forth the dead from the living, and Thou givest sustenance to whom Thou pleasest without measure.
[3:29] Say: Whether you hide what is in your hearts or manifest it, Allah knows it, and He knows whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth, and Allah has power over all things.
[3:109] And whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth is Allah's; and to Allah all things return
[3:129] And whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth is Allah's; He forgives whom He pleases and chastises whom He pleases; and Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.
[3:148] So Allah gave them the reward of this world and better reward of the hereafter and Allah loves those who do good (to others).
[3:150] Nay! Allah is your Patron and He is the best of the helpers.
[3:160] If Allah assists you, then there is none that can overcome you, and if He forsakes you, who is there then that can assist you after Him? And on Allah should the believers rely.
[3:189] And Allah's is the kingdom of the heavens and the earth, and Allah has power over all things.
[4:1] O people! be careful of (your duty to) your Lord, Who created you from a single being and created its mate of the same (kind) and spread from these two, many men and women; and be careful of (your duty to) Allah, by Whom you demand one of another (your rights), and (to) the ties of relationship; surely Allah ever watches over you.
[4:45] And Allah best knows your enemies; and Allah suffices as a Guardian, and Allah suffices as a Helper.
[4:126] And whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth is Allah's; and Allah encompasses all things.
[4:131] And whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth is Allah's and certainly We enjoined those who were given the Book before you and (We enjoin) you too that you should be careful of (your duty to) Allah; and if you disbelieve, then surely whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth is Allah's and Allah is Self-sufficient, Praise- worthy.
[4:132] And whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth is Allah's, and Allah is sufficient as a Protector.
[4:133] If He please, He can make you pass away, O people! And bring others; and Allah has the power to do this.
[4:134] Whoever desires the reward of this world, then with Allah is the reward of this world and the hereafter; and Allah is Hearing, Seeing.
[5:40] Do you not know that Allah, His is the kingdom of the heavens and the earth; He chastises whom He pleases; and forgives whom He pleases and Allah has power over all things.
[5:98] Know that Allah is severe in requiting (evil) and that Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.
[5:120] Allah's is the kingdom of the heavens and the earth and what is in them; and He has power over all things.
[6:1] All praise is due to Allah, Who created the heavens and the earth and made the darkness and the light; yet those who disbelieve set up equals with their Lord.
[6:3] And He is Allah in the heavens and in the earth; He knows your secret (thoughts) and your open (words), and He knows what you earn.
[6:13] And to Him belongs whatever dwells in the night and the day; and He is the Hearing, the Knowing.
[6:14] Say: Shall I take a guardian besides Allah, the Originator of the heavens and the earth, and He feeds (others) and is not (Himself) fed. Say: I am commanded to be the first who submits himself, and you should not be of the polytheists.
[6:15] Say: Surely I fear, if I disobey my Lord, the chastisement of a grievous day.
[6:16] He from whom it is averted on that day, Allah indeed has shown mercy to him; and this is a manifest achievement.
[6:17] And if Allah touch you with affliction, there is none to take it off but He; and if He visit you with good, then He has power over all things.
[6:18] And He is the Supreme, above His servants; and He is the Wise, the Aware.
[6:46] Say: Have you considered that if Allah takes away your hearing and your sight and sets a seal on your hearts, who is the god besides Allah that can bring it to you? See how We repeat the communications, yet they turn away.
[6:47] Say: Have you considered if the chastisement of Allah should overtake you suddenly or openly, will any be destroyed but the unjust people?
[6:59] And with Him are the keys of the unseen treasures, none knows them but He; and He knows what is in the land and the sea, and there falls not a leaf but He knows it, nor a grain in the darkness of the earth, nor anything green nor dry but (it is all) in a clear book.
[6:63] Say: Who is it that delivers you from the dangers of the land and the sea (when) you call upon Him (openly) humiliating yourselves, and in secret: If He delivers us from this, we should certainly be of the grateful ones.
[6:64] Say: Allah delivers you from them and from every distress, but again you set up others (with Him).
[6:65] Say: He has the power that He should send on you a chastisement from above you or from beneath your feet, or that He should throw you into confusion, (making you) of different parties; and make some of you taste the fighting of others. See how We repeat the communications that they may understand.
[6:102] That is Allah, your Lord, there is no god but He; the Creator of all things, therefore serve Him, and He has charge of all things.
[6:103] Vision comprehends Him not, and He comprehends (all) vision; and He is the Knower of subtleties, the Aware.
[6:133] And your Lord is the Self-sufficient one, the Lord of mercy; if He pleases, He may take you off, and make whom He pleases successors after you, even as He raised you up from the seed of another people.
[6:162] Say. Surely my prayer and my sacrifice and my life and my death are (all) for Allah, the Lord of the worlds;
[6:163] No associate has He; and this am I commanded, and I am the first of those who submit.
[6:165] And He it is Who has made you successors in the land and raised some of you above others by (various) grades, that He might try you by what He has given you; surely your Lord is quick to requite (evil), and He is most surely the Forgiving, the Merciful.
[7:180] And Allah's are the best names, therefore call on Him thereby, and leave alone those who violate the sanctity of His names; they shall be recompensed for what they did.
[7:196] Surely my guardian is Allah, Who revealed the Book, and He befriends the good.
[9:51] Say: Nothing will afflict us save what Allah has ordained for us; He is our Patron; and on Allah let the believers rely.
[9:78] Do they not know that Allah knows their hidden thoughts and their secret counsels, and that Allah is the great Knower of the unseen things?
[9:115] It is not (attributable to) Allah that He should lead a people astray after He has guided them; He even makes clear to them what they should guard against; surely Allah knows all things.
[9:116] Surely Allah's is the kingdom of the heavens and the earth; He brings to life and causes to die; and there is not for you besides Allah any Guardian or Helper.
[9:129] But if they turn back, say: Allah is sufficient for me, there is no god but He; on Him do I rely, and He is the Lord of mighty power.
[10:31] Say: Who gives you sustenance from the heaven and the earth? Or Who controls the hearing and the sight? And Who brings forth the living from the dead, and brings forth the dead from the living? And Who regulates the affairs? Then they will say: Allah. Say then: Will you not then guard (against evil)?
[10:32] This then is Allah, your true Lord; and what is there after the truth but error; how are you then turned back?
[10:56] He gives life and causes death, and to Him you shall be brought back.
[10:107] And if Allah should afflict you with harm, then there is none to remove it but He; and if He intends good to you there is none to repel His grace; He brings it to whom He pleases of His servants; and He is the Forgiving, the Merciful.
[11:6] And there is no animal in the earth but on Allah is the sustenance of it, and He knows its resting place and its depository all (things) are in a manifest book.
[11:7] And He it is Who created the heavens and the earth in six periods, and His dominion (extends) on the water, that He might manifest to you, which of you is best in action, and if you say, surely you shall be raised up after death, those who disbelieve would certainly say: This is nothing but clear magic.
[11:123] And Allah's is the unseen in the heavens and the earth, and to Him is returned the whole of the affair; therefore serve Him and rely on Him, and your Lord is not heedless of what you do.
[13:8] Allah knows what every female bears, and that of which the wombs fall short of completion and that in which they increase; and there is a measure with Him of everything.
[13:9] The knower of the unseen and the seen, the Great, the Most High.
[13:12] He it is Who shows you the lightning causing fear and hope and (Who) brings up the heavy cloud.
[13:13] And the thunder declares His glory with His praise, and the angels too for awe of Him; and He sends the thunderbolts and smites with them whom He pleases, yet they dispute concerning Allah, and He is mighty in prowess.
[13:15] And whoever is in the heavens and the earth makes obeisance to Allah only, willingly and unwillingly, and their shadows too at morn and eve.
[15:24] And certainly We know those of you who have gone before and We certainly know those who shall come later.
[15:25] And surely your Lord will gather them together; surely He is Wise, Knowing.
[15:49] Inform My servants that I am the Forgiving, the Merciful,
[15:50] And that My punishment, that is the painful punishment.
[15:86] Surely your Lord is the Creator of all things, the Knowing
[16:1] Allah's commandment has come, therefore do not desire to hasten it; glory be to Him, and highly exalted be He above what they associate (with Him).
[16:2] He sends down the angels with the inspiration by His commandment on whom He pleases of His servants, saying: Give the warning that there is no god but Me, therefore be careful (of your duty) to Me.
[16:3] He created the heavens and the earth with the truth, highly exalted be He above what they associate (with Him).
[16:19] And Allah knows what you conceal and what you do openly.
[16:23] Truly Allah knows what they hide and what they manifest; surely He does not love the proud.
[17:43] Glory be to Him and exalted be He in high exaltation above what they say.
[17:44] The seven heavens declare His glory and the earth (too), and those who are in them; and there is not a single thing but glorifies Him with His praise, but you do not understand their glorification; surely He is Forbearing, Forgiving.
[19:64] And we do not descend but by the command of your Lord; to Him belongs whatever is before us and whatever is behind us and whatever is between these, and your Lord is not forgetful.
[19:65] The Lord of the heavens and the earth and what is between them, so serve Him and be patient in His service. Do you know any one equal to Him?
[20:5] The Beneficent Allah is firm in power.
[20:6] His is what is in the heavens and what is in the earth and what is between them two and what is beneath the ground.
[20:7] And if you utter the saying aloud, then surely He knows the secret, and what is yet more hidden.
[20:8] Allah, there is no god but He; His are the very best names.
[20:98] Your Allah is only Allah, there is no god but He; He comprehends all things in (His) knowledge.
[22:6] This is because Allah is the Truth and because He gives life to the dead and because He has power over all things
[22:18] Do you not see that Allah is He, Whom obeys whoever is in the heavens and whoever is in the earth, and the sun and the moon and the stars, and the mountains and the trees, and the animals and many of the people; and many there are against whom chastisement has become necessary; and whomsoever Allah abases, there is none who can make him honorable; surely Allah does what He pleases.
[22:61] That is because Allah causes the night to enter into the day and causes the day to enter into the night, and because Allah is Hearing, Seeing.
[22:62] That is because Allah is the Truth, and that what they call upon besides Him, that is the falsehood, and because Allah is the High, the Great.
[22:63] Do you not see that Allah sends down water from the cloud so the earth becomes green? Surely Allah is Benignant, Aware.
[22:64] His is whatsoever is in the heavens and whatsoever is in the earth; and most surely Allah is the Self-sufficient, the Praised.
[23:79] And He it is Who multiplied you in the earth, and to Him you shall be gathered.
[23:80] And He it is Who gives life and causes death, and (in) His (control) is the alternation of the night and the day; do you not then understand?
[23:84] Say: Whose is the earth, and whoever is therein, if you know?
[23:85] They (disbelievers) will say: Allah's. Say: Will you not then mind?
[23:86] Say: Who is the Lord of the seven heavens and the Lord of the mighty dominion?
[23:87] They will say: (This is) Allah's. Say: Will you not then guard (against evil)?
[23:88] Say: Who is it in Whose hand is the kingdom of all things and Who gives succor, but against Him Succor is not given, if you do but know?
[23:89] They will say: (This is) Allah's. Say: From whence are you then deceived?
[24:35] Allah is the light of the heavens and the earth; a likeness of His light is as a niche in which is a lamp, the lamp is in a glass, (and) the glass is as it were a brightly shining star, lit from a blessed olive-tree, neither eastern nor western, the oil whereof almost gives light though fire touch it not, light upon light, Allah guides to His light whom He pleases, and Allah sets forth parables for men, and Allah is Cognizant of all things.
[24:36] In houses which Allah has permitted to be exalted and that His name may be remembered in them; there glorify Him therein in the mornings and the evenings,
[24:41] Do you not see that Allah is He Whom do glorify all those who are in the heavens and the earth, and the (very) birds with expanded wings? He knows the prayer of each one and its glorification, and Allah is Cognizant of what they do.
[24:42] And Allah's is the kingdom of the heavens and the earth, and to Allah is the eventual coming.
[24:64] Now surely Allah's is whatever is in the heavens and the earth; He knows indeed that to which you are conforming yourselves; and on the day on which they are returned to Him He will inform them of what they did; and Allah is Cognizant of all things.
[25:2] He, Whose is the kingdom of the heavens and the earth, and Who did not take to Himself a son, and Who has no associate in the kingdom, and Who created everything, then ordained for it a measure.
[25:58] And rely on the Ever-living Who dies not, and celebrate His praise; and Sufficient is He as being aware of the faults of His servants,
[25:59] Who created the heavens and the earth and what is between them in six periods, and He is firmly established on the throne of authority; the Beneficent Allah, so ask respecting it one aware.
[26:9] And most surely your Lord is the Mighty, the Merciful.
[26:140] And most surely your Lord is the Mighty, the Merciful.
[26:159] And most surely your Lord is the Mighty, the Merciful.
[26:175] And most surely your Lord is the Mighty, the Merciful.
[26:191] And most surely your Lord is Mighty, the Merciful.
[26:217] And rely on the Mighty, the Merciful,
[26:218] Who sees you when you stand up.
[26:219] And your turning over and over among those who prostrate themselves before Allah.
[26:220] Surely He is the Hearing, the Knowing.
[27:65] Say: No one in the heavens and the earth knows the unseen but Allah; and they do not know when they shall be raised.
[27:73] And surely your Lord is the Lord of grace to men, but most of them are not grateful.
[27:74] And most surely your Lord knows what their breasts conceal and what they manifest.
[27:93] And say: Praise be to Allah, He will show you His signs so that you shall recognize them; nor is your Lord heedless of what you do.
[28:69] And your Lord knows what their breasts conceal and what they manifest.
[28:70] And He is Allah, there is no god but He! All praise is due to Him in this (life) and the hereafter, and His is the judgment, and to Him you shall be brought back.
[28:88] And call not with Allah any other god; there is no god but He, everything is perishable but He; His is the judgment, and to Him you shall be brought back.
[29:19] What! Do they not consider how Allah originates the creation, then reproduces it? Surely that is easy to Allah.
[29:20] Say: Travel in the earth and see how He makes the first creation, then Allah creates the latter creation; surely Allah has power over all things.
[29:21] He punishes whom He pleases and has mercy on whom He pleases, and to Him you shall be turned back.
[29:22] And you shall not escape in the earth nor in the heaven, and you have neither a protector nor a helper besides Allah.
[29:60] And how many a living creature that does not carry its sustenance: Allah sustains it and yourselves; and He is the Hearing, the Knowing.
[29:61] And if you ask them, Who created the heavens and the earth and made the sun and the moon subservient, they will certainly say, Allah. Whence are they then turned away?
[29:62] Allah makes abundant the means of subsistence for whom He pleases of His servants, and straitens them for whom (He pleases) surely Allah is Cognizant of all things.
[29:63] And if you ask them Who is it that sends down water from the clouds, then gives life to the earth with it after its death, they will certainly say, Allah. Say: All praise is due to Allah. Nay, most of them do not understand.
[30:25] And one of His signs is that the heaven and the earth subsist by His command, then when He calls you with a (single) call from out of the earth, lo! You come forth.
[30:26] And His is whosoever is in the heavens and the earth; all are obedient to Him.
[30:27] And He it is Who originates the creation, then reproduces it, and it is easy to Him; and His are the most exalted attributes in the heavens and the earth, and He is the Mighty, the Wise.
[31:25] And if you ask them who created the heavens and the earth, they will certainly say: Allah. Say: (All) praise is due to Allah; nay! Most of them do not know.
[31:26] What is in the heavens and the earth is Allah's; surely Allah is the Self-sufficient, the Praised.
[31:34] Surely Allah is He with Whom is the knowledge of the hour, and He sends down the rain and He knows what is in the wombs; and no one knows what he shall earn on the morrow; and no one knows in what land he shall die; surely Allah is Knowing, Aware.
[32:6] This (Allah) is the Knower of the unseen and the seen, the Mighty the Merciful,
[33:54] If you do a thing openly or do it in secret, then surely Allah is Cognizant of all things.
[34:1] (All) praise is due to Allah, Whose is what is in the heavens and what is in the earth, and to Him is due (all) praise in the hereafter; and He is the Wise, the Aware.
[34:2] He knows that which goes down into the earth and that which comes out of it, and that which comes down from the heaven and that which goes up to it; and He is the Merciful, the Forgiving.
[34:24] Say: Who gives you the sustenance from the heavens and the earth? Say: Allah. And most surely we or you are on a right way or in manifest error
[34:48] Say: Surely my Lord utters the truth, the great Knower of the unseen.
[34:49] Say: The truth has come, and the falsehood shall vanish and shall not come back.
[35:10] Whoever desires honor, then to Allah belongs the honor wholly. To Him do ascend the good words; and the good deeds, lift them up, and (as for) those who plan evil deeds, they shall have a severe chastisement; and (as for) their plan, it shall perish.
[35:15] O men! you are they who stand in need of Allah, and Allah is He Who is the Self-sufficient, the Praised One.
[35:16] If He please, He will take you off and bring a new generation.
[35:17] And this is not hard to Allah.
[35:38] Surely Allah is the Knower of what is unseen in the heavens and the earth; surely He is Cognizant of what is in the hearts.
[35:41] Surely Allah upholds the heavens and the earth lest they come to naught; and if they should come to naught, there Is none who can up- hold them after Him; surely He is the Forbearing, the Forgiving.
[36:76] Therefore let not their (disbelievers) speech grieve you; surely We know what they do in secret and what they do openly.
[36:77] Does not man see that We have created him from the small seed? Then lo! He is an open disputant.
[36:78] And he strikes out a likeness for Us and forgets his own creation. Says he: Who will give life to the bones when they are rotten?
[36:79] Say: He (Allah) will give life to them Who brought them into existence at first, and He is cognizant of all creation
[36:80] He Who has made for you the fire (to burn) from the green tree, so that with it you kindle (fire).
[36:81] Is not He Who created the heavens and the earth able to create the like of them? Yea! And He is the Creator (of all), the Knower.
[36:82] His command, when He intends anything, is only to say to it: Be, so it is.
[36:83] Therefore glory be to Him in Whose hand is the kingdom of all things, and to Him you shall be brought back.
[37:1] I swear by those who draw themselves out in ranks (angels)
[37:2] Then those who drive away with reproof,
[37:3] Then those (believers) who recite, being mindful, [37:4] Most surely your Allah is One:
[37:5] The Lord of the heavens and the earth and what is between them, and Lord of the easts.
[37:182] And all praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the worlds.
[39:62] Allah is the Creator of everything and He has charge over everything.
[39:63] His are the treasures of the heavens and the earth; and (as for) those who disbelieve in the communications of Allah, these it is that are the losers.
[39:64] Say: What! Do you then bid me serve others than Allah, O ignorant men?
[39:65] And certainly, it has been revealed to you and to those before you: Surely if you associate (with Allah), your work would certainly come to naught and you would certainly be of the losers.
[39:66] Nay! But serve Allah alone and be of the thankful
[40:3] (Allah is) The Forgiver of the faults and the Acceptor of repentance, Severe to punish, Lord of bounty; there is no god but He; to Him is the eventual coming.
[40:62] That is Allah, your Lord, the Creator of everything; there is no Allah but He; whence are you then turned away?
[40:63] Thus were turned away those who denied the communications of Allah.
[40:64] Allah is He Who made the earth a resting-place for you and the heaven a canopy, and He formed you, then made goodly your forms, and He provided you with goodly things; that is Allah, your Lord; blessed then is Allah, the Lord of the worlds.
[40:65] He is the Living, there is no god but He, therefore call on Him, being sincere to Him in obedience; (all) praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the worlds.
[41:47] To Him (Allah) is referred the knowledge of the hour, and there come not forth any of the fruits from their coverings, nor does a female bear, nor does she give birth, but with His knowledge; and on the day when He shall call out to them, Where are (those whom you called) My associates? They shall say: We declare to Thee, none of us is a witness.
[42:4] His is what is in the heavens and what is in the earth, and He is the High, the Great.
[42:9] Or have they taken guardians besides Him? But Allah is the Guardian, and He gives life to the dead, and He has power over all things.
[42:10] And in whatever thing you disagree, the judgment thereof is (in) Allah's (hand); that is Allah, my Lord, on Him do I rely and to Him do I turn time after time.
[42:11] The Originator of the heavens and the earth; He made mates for you from among yourselves, and mates of the cattle too, multiplying you thereby; nothing like a likeness of Him; and He is the Hearing, the Seeing.
[42:12] His are the treasures of the heavens and the earth; He makes ample and straitens the means of subsistence for whom He pleases; surely He is Cognizant of all things.
[42:19] Allah is Benignant to His servants; He gives sustenance to whom He pleases, and He is the Strong, the Mighty.
[42:31] And you cannot escape in the earth, and you shall not have a guardian or a helper besides Allah.
[42:49] Allah's is the kingdom of the heavens and the earth; He creates what He pleases; He grants to whom He pleases daughters and grants to whom He pleases sons.
[42:50] Or He makes them of both sorts, male and female; and He makes whom He pleases barren; surely He is the Knowing, the Powerful.
[42:51] And it is not for any mortal that Allah should speak to them, they could not bear to hear and they did not see.
[43:84] And He it is Who is Allah in the heavens and Allah in the earth; and He is the Wise, the Knowing.
[43:85] And blessed is He Whose is the kingdom of the heavens and the earth and what is between them, and with Him is the knowledge of the hour, and to Him shall you be brought back.
[44:7] The Lord of the heavens and the earth and what is between them, if you would be sure.
[44:8] There is no god but He; He gives life and causes death, your Lord and the Lord of your fathers of yore.
[45:36] Therefore to Allah is due (all) praise, the Lord of the heavens and the Lord of the earth, the Lord of the worlds.
[45:37] And to Him belongs greatness in the heavens and the earth, and He is the Mighty, the Wise.
[46:33] Have they not considered that Allah, Who created the heavens and the earth and was not tired by their creation, is able to give life to the dead? Aye! He has surely power over all things.
[48:7] And Allah's are the hosts of the heavens and the earth; and Allah is Mighty, Wise.
[48:14] And Allah's is the kingdom. of the heavens and the earth; He forgives whom He pleases and punishes whom He pleases, and Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.
[50:15] Were We then fatigued with the first creation? Yet are they in doubt with regard to a new creation.
[50:16] And certainly We created man, and We know what his mind suggests to him, and We are nearer to him than his life vein.
[51:56] And I have not created the jinn and the men except that they should serve Me.
[51:57] I do not desire from them any sustenance and I do not desire that they should feed Me.
[51:58] Surely Allah is the Bestower of sustenance, the Lord of Power, the Strong.
[53:42] And that to your Lord is the goal,
[53:43] And that He it is Who makes (men) laugh and makes (them) weep;
[53:44] And that He it is Who causes death and gives life,
[53:45] And that He created pairs, the male and the female.
[53:46] From the small seed when it is adapted.
[53:47] And that on Him is the bringing forth a second time;
[53:48] And that He it is Who enriches and gives to hold;
[54:49] Surely We have created everything according to a measure.
[54:50] And Our command is but one, as the twinkling of an eye.
[54:51] And certainly We have already destroyed the likes of you, but is there anyone who will mind?
[55:77] Which then of the bounties of your Lord will you deny?
[55:78] Blessed be the name of your Lord, the Lord of Glory and Honor!
[57:1] Whatever is in the heavens and the earth declares the glory of Allah, and He is the Mighty, the Wise.
[57:2] His is the kingdom of the heavens and the earth; He gives life and causes death; and He has power over all things.
[57:3] He is the First and the Last and the Ascendant (overall) and the Knower of hidden things, and He is Cognizant of all things.
[57:4] He it is who created the heavens and the earth in six periods, and He is firm in power; He knows that which goes deep down into the earth and that which comes forth out of it, and that which comes down from the heaven and that which goes up into it, and He is with you wherever you are; and Allah sees what you do.
[57:5] His is the kingdom of the heavens and the earth; and to Allah are (all) affairs returned.
[57:6] He causes the night to enter in upon the day, and causes the day to enter in upon the night, and He is Cognizant of what is in the hearts.
[57:29] So that the followers of the Book may know that they do not control aught of the grace of Allah, and that grace is in Allah's hand, He gives it to whom He pleases; and Allah is the Lord of mighty grace.
[59:1] Whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth declares the glory of Allah, and He is the Mighty, the Wise.
[59:22] He is Allah besides Whom there is no god; the Knower of the unseen and the seen; He is the Beneficent, the Merciful [
[59:23] He is Allah, besides Whom there is no god; the King, the Holy, the Giver of peace, the Granter of security, Guardian over all, the Mighty, the Supreme, the Possessor of every greatness Glory be to Allah from what they set up (with Him).
[59:24] He is Allah the Creator, the Maker, the Fashioner; His are the most excellent names; whatever is in the heavens and the earth declares His glory; and He is the Mighty, the Wise.
[61:1] Whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth declares the glory of Allah; and He is the Mighty, the Wise.
[62:1] Whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth declares the glory of Allah, the King, the Holy, the Mighty, the Wise.
[64:1] Whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth declares the glory of Allah; to Him belongs the kingdom, and to Him is due (all) praise, and He has power over all things.
[64:2] He it is Who created you, but one of you is an unbeliever and another of you is a believer; and Allah sees what you do.
[64:3] He created the heavens and the earth with truth, and He formed you, then made goodly your forms, and to Him is the ultimate resort.
[64:4] He knows what is in the heavens and the earth, and He knows what you hide and what you manifest; and Allah is Cognizant of what is in the hearts.
[65:12] Allah is He Who created seven heavens, and of the earth the like of them; the decree continues to descend among them, that you may know that Allah has power over all things and that Allah indeed encompasses all things in (His) knowledge.
[67:1] Blessed is He in Whose hand is the kingdom, and He has power over all things,
[67:2] Who created death and life that He may try you, which of you is best in deeds; and He is the Mighty, the Forgiving,
[67:13] And conceal your word or manifest it; surely He is Cognizant of what is in the hearts.
[67:14] Does He not know, Who created? And He is the Knower of the subtleties, the Aware.
[76:28] We created them and made firm their make, and when We please We will bring in their place the likes of them by a change.
[76:29] Surely this is a reminder, so whoever pleases takes to his Lord a way.
[76:30] And you do not please except that Allah please, surely Allah is Knowing, Wise;
[76:31] He makes whom He pleases to enter into His mercy; and (as for) the unjust, He has prepared for them a painful chastisement.
[85:12] Surely the might of your Lord is great.
[85:13] Surely He it is Who originates and reproduces,
[85:14] And He is the Forgiving, the Loving,
[85:15] Lord of the Arsh, the Glorious,
[85:16] The great doer of what He will.
[92:12] Surely Ours is it to show the way,
[92:13] And most surely Ours is the hereafter and the former.
[112:1] Say: He, Allah, is One.
112:2] Allah is He on Whom all depend.
[112:3] He begets not, nor is He begotten.
[112:4] And none is like Him.
Angels
[2:97] Say: Whoever is the enemy of Jibreel, for surely he revealed it to your heart by Allah's command, verifying that which is before it and guidance and good news for the believers.
[2:98] Whoever is the enemy of Allah and His angels and His messengers and Jibreel and Meekaeel, so surely Allah is the enemy of the unbelievers.
[13:10] Alike (to Him) among you is he who conceals (his) words and he who speaks them openly, and he who hides himself by night and (who) goes forth by day.
[13:11] For his sake there are angels following one another, before him and behind him, who guard him by Allah's commandment; surely Allah does not change the condition of a people until they change their own condition; and when Allah intends evil to a people, there is no averting it, and besides Him they have no protector.
[35:1] All praise is due to Allah, the Originator of the heavens and the earth, the Maker of the angels, messengers flying on wings, two, and three, and four; He increases in creation what He pleases; surely Allah has power over all things.
[42:5] The heavens may almost rend asunder from above them and the angels sing the praise of their Lord and ask forgiveness for those on earth; now surely Allah is the Forgiving, the Merciful.
[43:19] And they (disbelievers) make the angels, them who are the servants of the Beneficent Allah, female (divinities). What! Did they witness their creation? Their evidence shall be written down and they shall be questioned.
[50:17] When the two receivers (angels) receive, sitting on the right and on the left.
[50:18] He (man) utters not a word but there is by him a watcher at hand (recording the deeds of man).
[53:27] Most surely they who do not believe in the hereafter name the angels with female names.
[53:28] And they have no knowledge of it; they do not follow anything but conjecture, and surely conjecture does not avail against the truth at all.
[70:4] To Him (Allah) ascend the angels and the Spirit in a day the measure of which is fifty thousand years.
[79:3] (I swear by) And by those (angels) who float in space,
[79:4] Then those who are foremost going ahead,
[79:5] Then those who regulate the affair (that the day will come)
[82:10] And most surely there are keepers (angels) over you,
[82:11] Honorable recorders,
[82:12] They know what you do.
[86:1] I swear by the heaven and the comer by night;
[86:2] And what will make you know what the comer by night is?
[86:3] The star of piercing brightness;
[86:4] There is not a soul but over it is a keeper.
Asahab Al-Kahf, People of The Cave
[18:9] Or, do you think that the Fellows of the Cave and the Inscription were of Our wonderful signs?
[18:10] When the youths sought refuge in the cave, they said: Our Lord! Grant us mercy from Thee, and provide for us a right course in our affair.
[18:11] So We prevented them from hearing in the cave for a number of years.
[18:12] Then We raised them up that We might know which of the two parties was best able to compute the time for which they remained.
[18:13] We relate to you their story with the truth; surely they were youths who believed in their Lord and We increased them in guidance.
[18:14] And We strengthened their hearts with patience, when they stood up and said: Our Lord is the Lord of the heavens and the earth; we will by no means call upon any god besides Him, for then indeed we should have said an extravagant thing.
[18:15] These our people have taken gods besides Him; why do they not produce any clear authority in their support? Who is then more unjust than he who forges a lie against Allah?
[18:16] And when you forsake them and what they worship save Allah, betake yourselves for refuge to the cave; your Lord will extend to you largely of His mercy and provide for you a profitable course in your affair.
[18:17] And you might see the sun when it rose, decline from their cave towards the right hand, and when it set, leave them behind on the left while they were in a wide space thereof. This is of the signs of Allah; whomsoever Allah guides, he is the rightly guided one, and whomsoever He causes to err, you shall not find for him any friend to lead (him) aright.
[18:18] And you might think them awake while they were asleep and We turned them about to the right and to the left, while their dog (lay) outstretching its paws at the entrance; if you looked at them you would certainly turn back from them in flight, and you would certainly be filled with awe because of them.
[18:19] And thus did We rouse them that they might question each other. A speaker among them said: How long have you tarried? They said: We have tarried for a day or a part of a day. (Others) said: Your Lord knows best how long you have tarried. Now send one of you with this silver (coin) of yours to the city, then let him see which of them has purest food, so let him bring you provision from it, and let him behave with gentleness, and by no means make your case known to any one:
[18:20] For surely if they prevail against you they would stone you to death or force you back to their religion, and then you will never succeed.
[18:21] And thus did We make (men) to get knowledge of them that they might know that Allah's promise is true and that as for the hour there is no doubt about it. When they disputed among themselves about their affair and said: Erect an edifice over them, their Lord best knows them. Those who prevailed in their affair said: We will certainly raise a masjid over them.
[18:22] (Some) say: (They are) three, the fourth of them being their dog; and (others) say: Five, the sixth of them being their dog, making conjectures at what is unknown; and (others yet) say: Seven, and the eighth of them is their dog. Say: My Lord best knows their number, none knows them but a few; therefore contend not in the matter of them but with an outward contention, and do not question concerning them any of them.
[18:23] And do not say of anything: Surely I will do it tomorrow,
[18:24] Unless Allah pleases; and remember your Lord when you forget and say: Maybe my Lord will guide me to a nearer course to the right than this.
[18:25] And they remained in their cave three hundred years and (some) add (another) nine.
[18:26] Say: Allah knows best how long they remained; to Him are (known) the unseen things of the heavens and the earth; how clear His sight and how clear His hearing! There is none to be a guardian for them besides Him, and He does not make any one His associate in His Judgment.