Alhassanain(p) Network for Heritage and Islamic Thought

The Good Society

508: The Islamic community is the community that adheres to human morality and societal etiquettes that Islam has brought forward.

509: It is incumbent for every one of us to examine what one’s duties are towards oneself and towards others; what duties and obligations one is required to fulfil, and the prohibitions one must abstain from.

510: Every Muslim individual must convey the teachings of Islam through one’s words and action; must be a patron for every member of the community and responsible for them; promoting virtue and prohibiting vice; calling for Islam and for global Islamic government, through wisdom and beautiful preaching, and argue for that cause with that which is best.[81]

511: It is incumbent for every one of us to know what one’s obligations are, and what prohibitions are relevant to one. The husband must know his obligations towards himself, towards his family, and towards others. Similarly, the wife must know her obligations towards her husband, her children, and towards society. Similarly, the offspring must know their obligations towards their parents. And so too the siblings towards one another, the neighbours, the relatives, and work colleagues.

512: It is binding for every one of us; whether man or woman, young or old, a scholar or a layman to endeavour to acquire a malakah - i.e. second nature - that would protect us from the prohibited conducts, and from failure to discharge our obligatory duties. Subsequently, it is also binding for us to teach and encourage others to do likewise - according to one’s knowledge and abilities.

513: Behave in the right manner and make appropriate use of your life, and after that, it is not important whether or not others have benefited from you or from your interaction with them. Almighty Allah states: [O ye who believe! Guard your own souls: If ye follow (right) guidance, no hurt can come to you from those who stray].[82] There is no statement more candour about self-discipline and anger-management than this verse.

514: Let others criticise us, and indeed we should encourage them to do that. We can then develop our skills and abilities by using the valid viewpoints amongst them.

515: It is imperative that one uses one’s life and time in the best manner and by the maximum amount possible. You never know! Perhaps this illiterate person that you don’t value much today may one day become one of the eminent individuals in the sight of Allah. Or on the other hand, the educated whom you may consider important from the social or scholarly viewpoint - and thus concentrate on more than others - it may be that that individual may not have contributed any benefit, and might pass away without contributing anything that others may benefit from.

516: The majority of mankind are self-centred and comprise their interests at the cost of others, though all the troubles, afflictions, wronging and transgressions are the result of selfishness. This is because [almost] every one of us favour him or herself over Almighty Allah, virtues, morals and the society.

517: Most see themselves on a par with the Almighty, and see themselves on a par with society, and therefore you will find that most people crush everything for their ego.

518: Look at Islam’s simplicity and grandeur, and look at the complication of other systems and their emptiness.

519: We have in the holy Qur’an and the honourable hadith the guidelines for properly addressing coexistence in the arenas of politics, society, economics, family, and [mutual] individual relationships; and we have no better choice but to go back to the teachings of Islam.

520: In every Qur’anic verse, and in every honourable hadith, there is salvation for us from a form of difficulties that we face. So let’s return to the Qur’an and meticulously implement it according to our circumstances, so that Almighty Allah would bring down the blessings of heavens and earth upon us.

521: By nature, mankind thinks well of himself. In the hadith, Imam Ali, peace be upon him, says,“One of you will see the speck in the eye of his brother, but does not see the trunk in his own eye” . In other words, one would see the tiniest faults in others, but does not see one’s own faults regardless how big they may be.

522: One may do something bad, but its bad outcomes or consequences may not appear until ten or twenty years later, or it could be that the bad fruits of some actions may not appear until at the time of death.

523: When one is hit by a calamity one should not be surprised and say,“Why am I hit by this calamity?” The cause of this may go back to [a conduct committed] fifty years before.

524: We do not have the necessary merits and abilities in order to be on the path taken by Imam Husayn, peace be upon him. Imam Husayn upheld the religion. However, we see in our environment that forbidden acts are widespread, our relatives do not observe the obligatory duties, but we are not concerned. If one of our children falls ill and has a high temperature, we will do everything to see to that, but when it comes to the fever of spiritual illness, weakness in belief and faith, and the cancer that devours all faith, we do not care. So let our endeavour be to disseminate the love of Husayn and the teachings of Husayn and thereafter to practice those teachings.

525: On the occasion of the anniversary of the birthday of Imam Mahdi, may Allah hasten this reappearance, let’s make a pledge with Allah that on this occasion every year we will be in a better state than the previous year.

526: Let the occasion of the anniversary of the birthday of Imam Mahdi, may Allah hasten this reappearance, be the starting point for us; that every one of us will endeavour to reduce one’s weak points and to reform oneself.

527: If we reform ourselves, then it will be Imam Mahdi himself who would come to us before we go to him.[83]

528: Almighty Allah has set a certain limit and criterion for everything, and Allah’s criterion does not change and nor is it contravened [thus, only complying with such a criterion guarantees happiness for mankind.]

529: What is of real concern for a person in a position of authority, is whether his attention was for the perks that come with the job; such as status, respect, distinction, or money and other materialistic benefits; and if these were his motivation to do the job.

530: Let us take heed before it is too late, and let’s learn lessons from stories and experiences of others.

531: The behaviour of just one clergyman pretending sincerity, has a very damaging impact on truly sincere scholars.

532: Let us begin, from now on, the daily practice of assessing ourselves and holding ourselves to account. Each one in their own field of work. Let us purify the self before it becomes even more difficult for us to do so, and before we are inflicted by the veil which would prevent the light of certainty and knowledge reaching the depths of our hearts.

533: The most important issue that we should be aware of, and begin addressing, is the issue of sincerity, and that of eradicating posturing. At every stage we should carefully and meticulously assess our conduct, and should established how much of it is for Allah and how much of it is for our selves.

534: One may manage one’s speech, manners, and appearance, because someone will meet him, or someone may criticise him, or it would be embarrassing to appear improperly before this or that… however, when it comes to the“intention” it is very difficult to manage because no one will see or criticise it except Allah, [and He knows too well our inner intentions] but He may not expose us today… so it is possible to be cunning. On the other hand, training and disciplining the self, and the practice of honesty and sincerity in intention is possible to observe despite all that; because Almighty Allah promised success; therefore one should strive, and success will be granted by Allah.

535: [On the day of judgement] it will be said to the one who was in a position of power;“after much toil and hardship you went through all that for your personal gains and benefits such as status, distinction, money or other benefits, and you achieved them, you worked for fame and reputation, so you deserve nothing in return from us.”

536: How is it possible for one not to complain, get angry, or for signs of resentment not to appear on one’s face, given that in the environment one lives there are different manners and tastes, not to mention the hatreds, animosities, and bickering. One person envies you, another opposes you, another does not agree with you, and so on. Probably one friend makes a certain remark but the other party would not forget even after fifty years; who continues to feel the pain whenever they remember it. But what a great personality is the one who would deny oneself, and resists the self despite all that and continues to sport a smiling face.

537: It is of utmost importance for an individual to overcome one’s self, control one’s nerve and temper, and meet the entire world with a smile and pleasantness.

538: The individual who meet others genially and pleasantly is one who has trained and disciplined one’s self until it has achieved such a degree.

539: We should try to have pleasant friendly faces, not gloomy ones, such that an individual would regret meeting in the first place.

540: Having pleasant friendly faces means to conceal one’s sorrows and worries, which result from the various troubles that one faces in life, and to meet the people cordially with a smiling face.

541: Let’s keep our faces pleasant and upbeat such that if those who are troubled and anxious meet us, we would lessen their worries, not increase them. This kind of conduct impacts the people more than words.

542: You may try to help your friend to put aside his worries by talking to him for half an hour without much success, but meeting him pleasantly with a smiling face will have the decisive factor in improving his condition, though this may not take more than a minute.

543: If one finds out that the truth is not in one’s favour but it’s in favour of one’s opponent - irrespective of the other side being one’s tutor, student, friend, relative, colleague, or any other person - and one admits to that; then this is a quality that is not found except with an individual whose soul submit to reason.

544: It is rare that you find someone who would wholeheartedly accept a piece of advice.

545: Individuals do not, often, openly submit to the truth, and do not bow and accept that their stance is incorrect; rather, everyone would try to prove that their stance is correct; that he or she is not ignorant, and that he or she is aware of the truth of the matter. To agree that the other is right and accept their viewpoint is a very difficult thing.

546: It is essential that we do not tire or get fed up with the duty of promoting virtue and prohibiting vice, even if the response is little and the effect modest; for Almighty Allah would reward us for our endeavour whatever the result.

547: There is no doubt that an individual’s duties and responsibilities are proportional to one’s knowledge and understanding; with more knowledge comes more responsibilities and obligations.

548: It is incumbent that the present generation does not lose any opportunity to carry out any service or mission for the future generations’ sake, provided this is not done in a way that the same problems and issues would surface for the future generation.

549: If our colleagues and those around us notice that we endeavour to perform our daily prayers on time, they will, often, endeavour to adhere to that too, even if we don’t call on them to do so verbally. This does not mean there are no exceptions, but the point is that practicing what we preach, training, and invitation through practice is thousands of times more effective than verbal invitation. What’s the use when you call on your son to perform the daily prayers on time but you do not make the effort to do that?

550: People would believe in the virtue and good standing of those personalities when they notice that they earnestly endeavour to make sure that their conducts do not contradict their words. These people are normally better off than those who’d listened to thousands of exhortations without seeing practical examples to embody those exhortations.

551: We should endeavour to set practical examples for people, and this is what the holy Imams, peace be upon them, want us to do. This role should not be limited to ourselves only, but we must endeavour to avert people moving away from Islam and religious scholars. If, for example, a member of the clergy behaved in an unacceptable manner, we must try to redress and rectify it, and not simply say;“Oh it’s a personal behaviour and we have nothing to do with it” . We must try to redress it so that this will not lead people to move away from religion.

552: The holy Qur’an that used to lead the Muslims to honour, dignity, and sovereignty, can today be the leader for honour, dignity, and sovereignty that have been taken away from the Muslims.

553: How beautiful it is for the Muslims to set aside a percentage of what Almighty Allah bestows upon them for the poor and needy; for the Commander of the Faithful Imam Ali, peace be upon him, said:“whatever you do, for Allah’s sake, be considerate about the poor and the needy - set aside for them a share of your livelihood.”

554: It is necessary for the honourable people of Karbala, in all their various groups, as part of offering their services (on the various pilgrimage occasions) to reflect to the honourable pilgrims the sublime morals of Imam Husayn, peace be upon him, his great approach, and his guiding and brilliant biography. So that when the pilgrims go back to their families, they would do so while carrying with them the manners of virtue and sublime morals of the folks of Imam Husayn and al-Abbas, peace be upon them. That would therefore be a clear manifestation of the order of Imam Sadiq, peace be upon him, who said;“invite the people through your conducts.”

555: It is imperative that male and female believers make a resolute determination to adhere to good manners towards other believers, relatives or strangers, young and old, men and women, friends and the enemy, etc.

556: Protect your youths; male and female. Endeavour to bring them up faithful and believers in Allah, His Messenger, and the Ahl al-Bayt, peace be upon them. However much Islamic belief they have acquired, endeavour to enhance their belief further.

557: Social manners are the ones that are linked to one’s social life, like the manners and etiquettes of socialising and coexisting with the parents, offspring, relatives, neighbours, friends, students and teachers, and with all people, and indeed with all beings. In this respect Islam has brought forward the best teachings and manners which can be applied, and only by applying them we may guarantee peace and security, harmony and acquaintance, love and compassion between all people and humanity.

558: It is necessary to have a greater dedication to practically implement the Qur’anic verses that have been forgotten, such as:

The ayah of brotherhood: [The believers are but brethren] 49:10

The ayah of enjoining good and prohibiting vice: [Let there arise out of you a group of people inviting to all that is good, enjoining what is right, and forbidding what is wrong] 3:104

The ayah of freedoms: [there is no coercion in religion] 2:256

The ayah of easing the burden of toil for earning and adhering to coexistence: [and he will relieve them of their burden and the fetters that they used to wear] 7:157

The ayah of the one nation: [Verily, this nation of yours is a single nation] 21:92

The ayah of spreading justice and kindness in all aspects of life: [Allah commands justice, the doing of good] 16:90

And many others …

559: It is imperative to give our utmost strive and endeavour to educate the people and explain the doctrine and belief of the religion of Ahl al-Bayt, peace be upon them, and refute all the doubts that are sprung up against them. This may be achieved through establishing Islamic centres, mosques and Husayniahs, and publishing books to disseminate the teachings of Ahl al-Bayt peace be upon them amongst the people.

The Husayni programs

Introduction

The Husayni majalis are commemoration programs in honour of Imam Husayn, peace be upon him, which normally include lectures, recitation of ziyarah, eulogy poetry and latm; beating the one’s chest as a gesture of grief.

When Imam Zayn al-‘Abideen and Lady Zaynab, peace be upon them, gave their speeches in Damascus introducing themselves and relating what happened on the day of Ashura, the people of Damascus began to realise who those captives were, what happened in Karbala, and they started to sympathise with the family of Imam Husayn, and thus the captives began to gain respect in the eyes of the masses. Yazid feared for his authority and his grip on power, and resorted to a charm offensive and eventually deciding to let those captives go back to Medina. Before going back to Medina they asked to be allowed to mourn and lament for Imam Husayn there and then. They were granted their wish.“Therefore, the houses and apartments in Damascus were vacated for them, and the mourning and lamentation for Imam Husayn went on for seven days.” [84]

So the family of Imam Husayn - amongst them his sisters Lady Zaynab and his son Imam Zayn al-‘Abideen - organised a mourning and lamentation program (majlis) for Imam Husayn at the first opportunity they could have, and this they did at the enemy’s heartland - at the Omayyad’s capital city, and less a month after the martyrdom of Imam Husayn peace be upon him. Editors.

560: The name of Imam Husayn, peace be upon him, reverberates around the world, and his standard flies high in every location. His teachings are those of Allah’s Messenger and of the Commander of the Faithful, peace be upon them and their families, which spread further and further every day. The Husayni commemoration programs are held in his name around the world; thousands of speakers, poets, and writers recite his name, and millions of people are guided to the truth by his blessing.

561: It is imperative that the Ashura season is utilised - through every Sharia-permissible means - to facilitate guidance for people all over the world, through the Husayni commemoration programs, dedicated Husayni groups, procession, and suchlike. The Husayni commemoration programs held throughout the year should also be utilised for achieving the same objective.

562: According to the Shari‘a, grief and anguish is disapproved of in afflictions in general, however, on the occasion of Ashura, this is praiseworthy, rewarded, and indeed it is recommended and commanded to do so for the sake of Sayyid al-Shohada’ Imam Husayn, peace be upon him.

563: The real loser is the one who violates - in any way that may be - the sanctity of the mourning program of Sayyid al-Shohada’ and the Ahl al-Bayt, peace be upon them. Such individuals will not prosper in their lives, nor enjoy any aspects of their lives, not even a drink of water.

564: It is indicative of one’s great honour if one holds a majlis for Sayyid al-Shohada’, peace be upon him. Such a majlis, even if only a few individuals attend them and minimum refreshment served, such programs are of great value in the sight of Allah on the day of resurrection, not to mention that they repel misfortune of this world and the hereafter.

565: Those who do not succeed to hold the majalis for Sayyid al-Shohada’, peace be upon him, from now on, let them make a resolution to hold them in their houses.

566: Pay particular attention to religious programs (majalis), promote them, also the programs and lectures about Ahl al-Bayt, peace be upon them, and the Qur’an programs. Furthermore, attention should also be paid to the literature and booklets on religious matters, which explains the roots and branches of the religion, the resurrection and the hereafter, and the attribute of Almighty Allah; so that the correct beliefs are conveyed to our sons and daughters.

567: The Imam Husayn commemoration programs (majalis) are the continuation of [presenting] Almighty Allah’s rulings [on halal and haram], and the support and fortification for them, and for the Holy Qur’an, the Prophetic Sunnah, and the teachings of Ahl al-Bayt peace be upon them.

568: The majlis or gathering commemorating Imam Husayn, peace be upon him, has led to an abundance of successes and it will continue to do so.

569: Husayni mourning processions have lofty status and high prestige such that great scholars, dignitaries, and personalities would pride themselves in partaking in these processions.

570: Those who organize and run the Husayni matam programs in fact offer their condolences and sympathy to Allah’s Messenger, peace be upon him and his holy family.

571: It is highly befitting to the faithful everywhere that every one of them - in any way they can - organise and run Husayni majalis and Husayni rites, which are the outward continuation of Almighty Allah’s rites.[85]

572: Amongst the things that please Imam Husayn, peace be upon him, for him to see the rites and programs that are upheld in his name are, in all aspects, accompanied with Islamic virtue and morals; even in the course of debating and responding to sceptics and those who do not observe virtue.[86]

573: We must make sure that the local youths are not deprived of the Husayni mourning programs, and if we know of youths who do not attend such functions, we should encourage them to attend these majalis.

574: We should not give up or lose hope if some of the youths do not respond positively in participating in the Husayni mourning majalis; we should persevere until they join the Husayni programs.

575: Participation and serving in the Husayni majalis have great rewards, but the issue does not end here.

576: Benefit from the blessings of Sayyid al-Shohada’, peace be upon him, as much as possible, and that is achieved through participation in the mourning majalis and promoting them.

577: It is imperative that every one of you should do their utmost to uphold the Husayni mourning majalis and to participate in them throughout the year, for this blessed endeavour will never be in vain; not even by one iota; it will be reserved for you, and will be recorded in your good deeds, by Almighty Allah’s Will.

578: It is possible for you to light the Husayni lantern of guidance in your homes; through holding public Husayni mourning programs, which would be of great honour. If one cannot do so, then they could hold private Husayni mourning programs. Failing that, one could hold Husayni mourning programs for one’s family only, and possibly friends and neighbours.

579: Whoever holds Husayni mourning programs, whether public or private, he would be bestowed great blessings in this world, before the blessings of the hereafter.

580: Attending the Husayniahs and public majalis is of great significance, but it is better that one draws these blessings to one’s home, and if one cannot bear burden of those majalis one should do the minimum. You will see for yourselves how Almighty Allah would shower His blessings through those majalis, and you would be able to give food too.

581: I emphasise on one advice; hold weekly majalis in your houses in the name of Imam Husayn, peace be upon him.

582: Whoever holds a majlis for Imam Husayn, peace be upon him; whether man or woman, in the months of Muharram or Safar, on the day of Ashura or on other occasions, all of that will bring blessings for you.

583: You should endeavour that a week does not pass you by without the mention of tragedy of Imam Husayn, peace be upon him, being made in your homes; in this is the blessings of this world and hereafter.

584: If one was poor and did not have much, let them do what they can afford; like light a candle or a lamp in the name of Imam Husayn, peace be upon him, for a few minutes a week, amongst the family members at home. And if one can do more than that, one should invite one’s neighbours, relatives, and friends for this.

585: After the end of the month of Safar,[87] try to acquire the great honour of holding the Husayni mourning programs (majalis), and I hope that you would encourage others to do that too. That is, each one of you, whether the head of a family, or a young person, should allocate one or two hours of your time to disseminate the teachings and values of Imam Husayn, peace be upon him.

586: We should know that when we succeed in holding Husayni mourning majalis the credit for all that goes to our fathers and forefathers, and therefore we should always remember them. We should also know that we too could leave the imprint and influence upon our generations through our determination to serve the cause of Sayyid al-Shohada’ Imam Husayn, peace be upon him.

587: Just as those who serve the Husayni processions will achieve great rewards, in the same way those who hinder and oppose those precessions will face misfortune and wretched consequences.

588: Whoever causes obstructions in the path of the Husayni processions, deliberately or unknowingly, he will see his punishment in this world before the hereafter.

589: Throughout history whenever the Husayni majalis and processions were subjected to repression and pressure, they radiated evermore and became stronger. And whenever the number of opponents of these majalis and precessions increase, these programs harden and become more rooted.

590: The remembrance and commemoration of Ahl al-Bayt, peace be upon them, brings the blessings, amongst which is the health and safety of the offspring. So, whoever wants his offspring to be good and pious, he should attract the blessings to his house through holding the majalis of remembrance of Ahl al-Bayt, peace be upon them, according to his ability.

591: If one is able to hold the Ahl al-Bayt’s remembrance majalis every day, that would be of great benefit, and if one is not able to do that, then one should do so once every week, or once a month, or at least once every year.

592: It is imperative to exercise great effort to revere the Husayni rites, build Husayniahs, and organize mourning programs and processions, set up Husayni groups (hay’ah), and to globalise the manifestation of sorrow and grief in all their forms in streets and public areas, towns and cities, etc. This is the ideal means to attract the people to the religion in order to open their minds and free their selves, and, through this, to be inspired to every good, and in this way they would be enabled to attain happiness and prosperity in all their forms in this world and in the hereafter.

Knowledge

593: The admirable knowledge is the knowledge that its seeker may benefit from in this world and in the hereafter, as well as others benefiting from it too.

594: The knowledge that does not benefit its possessor would not advance him other than by distancing him from Almighty Allah.

595: You should know that by knowledge it is meant the fundamentals of religion, the rulings of Islam, its ethics and etiquettes, as well as guiding the straying.

596: The faithful who devotes his life in the cause of Almighty Allah and in His obedience, spends his time praying, fasting, reading the Holy Qur’an, going to hajj pilgrimage, should set aside the major part of his time in seeking knowledge (‘elm), and by ‘elm I mean:

1. The Fundamentals of the Religion (osool al-deen),

2. The Rulings of Islam [on the halal and haram] (ahkam al-Islam), and

The Ethics and Etiquettes of Islam (akhlaq & adab).

597: He who specialises in one field of knowledge and dedicates all his effort and endeavour for that, will attain the highest degrees therein, and will surpass the one for whom that field of knowledge was [only] one of his interests.

598: Let us read about Islam and about other religions too, and then compare them. In the middle ages a scientist would have been killed merely for expressing his opinion on a certain subject matter, even though it was purely scientific, and had nothing to do with religion or divine laws.

599: The beneficial knowledge is not compared to the struggle and the extent of learning, even though these two are desired too.

600: Knowledge is essential, since one does not know what [situation] one would come across, how should one deal with it or react to it, such that one would not be one of those that [becomes clear to them from Allah that which they never suspected].[88] So he gives to charity thinking that his giving is a good deed, or writes [books and articles], gives lectures, assuming that these are good deeds, then it becomes apparent to him that they were [counted as] bad deeds. We religious scholars must pay attention to this crucial matter more than others.[89]

601: If knowledge is a Light, why doesn’t Almighty Allah cast it in the hearts of all the people, even though it does not constitute a loss for Almighty Allah. When any one of us gives or donates something, this would definitely constitute a loss for him; even if one dedicates half an hour of his time to teach, then that would be a loss of half an hour from his lifetime. But in the case of Almighty Allah, it does not constitute a loss no matter how much He gives. Therefore, why doesn’t He cast the light of knowledge in the hearts of all his servants? In reply we would say, because the donor is discerning. In other words, He distinguishes between the sincere and the non-sincere; thus He gives the sincere individual what he deserves.