Alhassanain(p) Network for Heritage and Islamic Thought

LESSON ONE HUNDRED TWENTY SEVEN: DIVINE CHASTISEMENTS!

ImamBagher (a.s .) says:

إِنَّ لِلّهِ عُقُوباتٌ فِى الْقُلُوبِ وَ الاَْبْدان: ضَنْكٌ فِى الْمَعيشَةِ وَ وَهْنٌ فِى الْعِبادَةِ وَ ما ضُرِبَ عَبْدٌ بِعُقُوبَة أَعْظَمُ مِنْ قَسْوَةِ الْقَلْبِ !

Translation

God has chastisements (for sins and disobedience) in the spirit and body: indigence in livelihood, indolence in worship, but god has not punished any servant with something worse than hard- heartedness.[125]

Brief description

Divine chastisements are indeed reflections of man's actions as well as conclusions and results of his sins. Sometimes these bad ends appear as an unpleasant situation in material life and sometimes as deprivation from cheerfulness in worship and invocation with deity. But the most important and dangerous one is manifestation of crimes and man's ugly deeds in hard-heartedness and cruelty, evacuating man's heart from humanitarian feelings and any philanthropy and sympathy, and this could be the source of a lot of other sins and crimes.

LESSON ONE HUNDRED TWENTY EIGHT: A FORGOTTEN REALITY

ImamSadegh (a.s .) says:

لَمْ يَخْلُقِ اللّهُ يَقِيناً لاشَكَّ فِيهِ أَشْبَهُ بِشَكٍّ لا يَقينَ فِيهِ مِنَ الْمَوْتِ !

Translation

God has not created a certainty without any doubt like death, but it seems that it is a doubt in which there is never any certainty.[126]

Brief description

What a strange phrase, and what a clear interpretation of man's unawareness about the end of life and death.

Man may hesitate in anything and do not believe in any religion, but he do not hesitate that anyway the life will end and should be ended.

But he appears so unaware in this concern as if there would not be any death and end for life!

Thus, he does not prepare himself for receiving it with faith, good deed, purity and virtue.

However, let us be realistic and pure in any condition and age so that we would not be regretful and ashamed whenever our life ends.

LESSON ONE HUNDRED TWENTY NINE: PLACE OF KNOWLEDGE AND WISDOM

ImamKazem (a.s .) says:

اِنَّ الزَّرْعَ يَنْبُتُ فِى السَّهْلِ وَ لايَنْبُتُ فِى الصَّفا فَكَذلِكَ الْحِكْمَةُ تَعْمُرُ فِى قَلْبِ الْمُتَواضِعِ وَ لا تَعْمُرُ فى قَلْبِ الْمُتَكَبِّرِ الْجَبّارِ !

Translation

Cultivation grows on the soft lands, not on the stones! And also knowledge and wisdom sprout on the heart of modest people, not on the heart of unjust arrogant![127]

Brief description

First step in acquiring knowledge is humility, humility towards truth, humility towards teacher, and anyone who knows more than us, and could teach us something.

For this reason, ignorance and arrogance are usually accompanied with each other. Arrogant do not accept to confess to ignorance, and even if a reality is not in concordance with their spirit of their pride and arrogance, not only they deny it, but also oppose it. They do not accept the truth from their coordinates or their subjects and often remain in compound ignorance.

LESSON ONE HUNDRED THIRTY: HEAVY DUTIES OF IMAM

ImamRiza (a.s .) says:

اَلاِْمامُ أَمينُ اللّهِ فِى أَرْضِهِ وَ خَلْقِهِ وَ حُجَّتُهُ عَلَى عِبادِهِ وَ خَلِيفَتُهُ فى بَِلادِهِ وَ الدّاعِى اِلَى اللّهِ وَ الذابُّ عَنْ حَرِيمِ اللّهِ

Translation

Imam is trustee of god on the earth and among god's people, and his proof for the servants and his successor in the cities andsummoner towards him and protector of divine sanctuaries.[128]

Brief description

in this tradition, which is a part of a long tradition in respect to introduction of imamate position, it is referred to five parts of heavy and important duties of imam.

1- Imam is a treasurer and trustee of revelation and protector of all sciences, commands andknowledges of religion.

2- Imam is analive reason and obvious proof and introducer of divine religion.

3- Imam is a divine supervisor and authority and his representative among people.

4- Imam is one who, bids to goodness and forbids of badness and greatest emissary of religion.

5- Imam is a protector of sanctuary of divine religion against the invasion ofenemies.and such person should enjoy divine knowledge and station of infallibility and nobody save god can appoint him.

LESSON ONE HUNDRED THIRTY ONE: CLOSED DOORS WILL BE OPENED.

Imam MuhammadTaghi (Javad ) (a.s .) says:

لَوْ كانَتِ السَّماواتُ وَ الاَْرْضُ رَتْقاً عَلَى عَبْد ثُمَّ اتَّقى اللّهَ تَعالَى جَعَلَ اللّهُ لَهُ مِنْها مَخْرَجاً

Translation

If the doors of heavens and earth are closed to someone, then he chooses piety, god shall relieve him.[129]

Brief description

Sometimes in life all doors are closed to man and wherever he turns, he faces with problems and difficulties.

Such events are an opportunity for awakening the men and returning to god, a corrective return and changing his fate. At this time, if he pays attention to him most heartily, and seeks assistance from his pure essence, divine assistance shall be given to him and breezes of god's mercy would embrace him and the closed doors would be opened wonderfully.

LESSON ONE HUNDRED THIRTY TWO: BEWARE OF MEAN PEOPLE!

Imam Aliebne MuhammadTaghi (Hadi ) (a.s .) says:

مَنْ هانَتْ عَلَيْهِ نَفْسُهُ فَلا تَأْمَنْ شَرَّهُ

Translation

Beware of malady of one who does not assume a dignity for himself![130]

Brief description

In fact, one of the most important factors preventing corruption and malevolence is dignity or at least feeling dignity.Dignified people or those who assume a dignity for themselves, although they may not be ranged dignified in public view, avoid most of evils and bad deeds for preserving their own position. but when they feel that they do not have any reputation, respect and dignity, they would heed nothing.so imam says beware of such people!

And on this account, one of the important points in educating children or men in general iscrea dignity in them so that they feel to possess a special dignity.on the contrary, lowering the dignity of people has a very bad effect in the educational aspect.

LESSON ONE HUNDRED THIRTY THREE: GREAT WARFARE

ImamHasan Askari (a.s .) say:

أَشَدُّ النّاسِ اِجْتِهاداً مَنْ تَرَكَ الذُّنُوبَ

Translation

The strongest warrior for the faith among people is one who gives up the sins.[131]

Brief description

we know that struggle with rebellious desires and sensual desires as the main cause of sins is called the `greater warfare' in Islam, being more important and valuable than struggle with enemies.because this warfare is the means of purification of soul and there would not be any victory because defeats are often the result of weak points.

In the societies stained with sin, the value of this warfare is more obvious and its importance in improvement of social objectives ismore clear .

Victories of prophet (s.a .) in medina was actually the direct conclusion of purification of souls, and spiritual struggles of his companions in Mecca.

LESSON ONE HUNDRED THIRTY FOUR: OCCULTATION OF MAHDI (A.S.)

ImamMahdi (a.s .) said:

اَمَّا الْحَوادِثُ الْواقِعَةُ فَارْجِعُوا فيها اِلى رُواةِ اَحادِيثِنا

Translation

In the various events happening during the major occultation, refer to the narrator of our traditions.[132]

Brief description

Human societies are not organized without proper leadership.for this reason, god has never left his servants without a leader and divine leaders have always existed among them.

Even during the occultation of imamMahdi (a.s .), may our soul be sacrificed to him, first special deputies, and after termination of their period, common deputies were selected by him for leadership of people.the determined, faithful and aware men who are well informed about the great content of Muslim's divine book, Quran, as well as the rule of prophet (s.a .) and school of the prophet's household shall undertake this mission, and anyone, under any other name and title who assumes himself worthy for this rank is rejected.

LESSON ONE HUNDRED THIRTY FIVE: SOURCE OF EVILS

prophet (s.a .) says:

اِجْتَنِبِ الْخَمْرَ فَإِنَّها مِفْتاحُ كُلِّ شَرٍّ

Translation

Avoid wine which is the key of all evils.[133]

Brief description

Although very books and articles are written in respect to harmful effects of wine, and its fatal effects on the nervous, and digestive systems and heart, arteries, liver, kidneys and all organs of body are described and its gloomy results on creation of painful social events with shocking statistics and figures have been investigated by thousands of scientists and contemplative minds, but no phrase could be found as short and comprehensive as the valuable tradition of our prophet which has expressed all facts in one short sentence.

Yes, wine is the key of all evils, obscenities and misfortunes.

LESSON ONE HUNDRED THIRTY SIX: FULFILLMENT OF OBLIGATION IS

The greatest worship.

مَنْ عَمِلَ بِمَا افْتَرَضَ اللّهِ عَلَيْهِ فَهُوَ مِنْ أَعْبَدِ النّاسِ

Translation

Whoever fulfils his obligations, will be among the most votary people.[134]

Brief description

Worship is neither restricted to serve the people, nor to praying and fasting.rather , the greatest worship is that everyone shallfulfil his obligatory duties in each section.which worship is higher and more manifest than this?the worship which could change a society into a flower garden and present any goodness and prosperity.fulfillment of obligations has a wide concept including worship obligations, in addition to social and human duties as well as necessary and economical services, and thereby alienation of those who have left their necessary obligations and perform discretions and assume themselves votary withislam is clarified.

LESSON ONE HUNDRED THIRTY SEVEN: INHABITANTS OF STARS

Imam Ali (a.s .) says:

هذِهِ النُّجُومُ الَّتى فِى السَّماءِ مَدائِنٌ مِثْلُ الْمَدائِنِ الَّتى فِى الاَْرْضِ مَرْبُوطَةٌ كُلُّ مَدِينَة اِلى عَمُود مِنْ نُور

Translation

These stars in the heaven are cities like the cities of earth, each city of them is connected (with the other cities) through a column of light.[135]

Brief description

It is very selfish to suppose that our earth is the only inhabitable sphere and millions of celestial spheres are all unutilized, silent and without any inhabitant.

Today, the scientists have made calculations on the existence of life conditions in the celestial spheres and are sure that millions or hundred millions of these spheres have some inhabitants, and most probably many of them may enjoy more developed civilizations and several times superior than civilization of earth inhabitants because life has been started thereon thousands or millions of years before the earth.above tradition is one of the scientific miracles of Imam Ali (a.s .) which he has mentioned in 14 centuries ago.

LESSON ONE HUNDRED THIRTY EIGHT: QURAN AND GRAVITY LAW

ImamRiza (a.s .) told one of his friends:

اَلَيْسَ اللّهُ يَقُولُ بِغَيْرِ عَمَد تَرَوْنَها فَقُلْتُ: بَلى قالَ: ثُمَّ عَمَدٌ، لكِنْ، لاتَرَوْنَها !

Translation

Does god not say that heaven is erected upon an invisible pillar?i said: yes.he said: so there is an invisible pillar that you do not see it.[136]

Brief description

Nowadays, it has been proved that celestial spheres are fixed in their circuits thanks to the balance in gravity and repulsive forces.gravity attracts them towards each other like a great chain, and repulsive force escapes them from each other and their complete balance has caused to revolve in their circuit without any change and lean, and suspend in the immense space on this invisible pillar.was there any interpretation more eloquent than above for expressing this reality in that time when these mysteries were not yet discovered?and isn't this one of the scientific miracles of our great leaders.

LESSON ONE HUNDRED THIRTY NINE: MYSTERY OF MOUNTAINS!

Imam Ali (a.s .) says:

وَ وَتَّدَ بِالصُّخُورِ مَيَدانَ اَرْضِهِ

Translation

Shaking and movement of the earth is prevented by mountains.[137]

Brief description

Nowadays, it has been confirmed that as gravity of moon is effective in the flux and reflux of seas and tides up their water twice a day, with difference of one meter and more and even 15 meters in some parts, it is also effective on the solid crust of earth and lifts it up for 30 centimeter and then lifts it down. but solidity of earth crust due to existence of mountains, the roots of which are connected to each other and have created a mail network round the earth prevents its more effect.

In fact, if there were not mountains and earth crust was not solid, and they were always in flux and reflux,was there any peace for us?islamic leaders have mentioned this reality 14 centuries ago.

LESSON ONE HUNDRED FORTY: MICROSCOPIC ANIMALS

ImamRiza (a.s .) says:

اِنَّما قُلْنا «الَّطِيفُ» لِلْخَلْقِ اللَّطِيفِ... وَ ما لا يَكادُ عُيُونُنا تَسْتَبِينَهُ لِدِمامَةِ خَلْقِها، لا تَراهُ عُيُونُنا وَ لاتَلْمُسُهُ اَيْدِينا !

Translation

We call god all-subtle due to creation of very fine and small animals' the animals which wecan not see them for being too small, and our hand does not feel them.[137]

Brief description

what you see above is a small part of a long tradition whichFat'h ebne Yazid Gorgani has narrated from ImamRiza (a.s .), in which it is described that `these animals are so tiny that are never felt, and are scattered among the waves of seas and barks of trees, and deserts and plains'.

This tradition which is written about one thousand years ago has been left as a memorial of that Imam (a.s .) and has been issued hundreds of years before discovery of microscopic animals by Pasteur, and this is a clear scientific miracle.

LESSON ONE HUNDRED FORTY ONE: ONLY A NAME FROM ISLAM

Imam Ali (a.s .) says:

يَاْتِى عَلَى النّاسِ زَمانٌ لا يَبْقى فِيهِمْ مِنَ الْقُرآنِ اِلاّ رَسْمُهُ وَ مِنَ الاِْسْلامِ اِلاّ اِسْمُهُ، مَساجِدُهُم، يَوْمَئِذ عامَرَةٌ مِنَ البِناءِ، خَرابٌ مِنَ الْهُدى

Translation

A day will come for people in which only letters and drawings from Quran and a name from Islam have remained among them. Muslims' mosques are improved in view of building and are ruined in view of guidance.[139]

Brief description

Wecan not say that this strange prediction has been fully proved nowadays or it is concerned with future, but surely we are witnessing some examples of it here and there and it is surprising that such Muslims complain from retardation as if they suppose that only `the name of Islam' and `drawings of Quran' is sufficient for them.they have accepted and applied neither Quran as a training book for man's education, nor Islam as a `school' with a mental and practical procedure.

can you find a real Islamic society has been retarded or has not been honored in the world?

LESSON ONE HUNDRED FORTY TWO: CRITERION FOR ASSESSMENT OF INTELLECT AND IGNORANCE

Imam Ali (a.s .) says:

اَللِّسانُ مِعْيارُ اِطاشَةِ الْجَهْلِ وَ اَرْجِحَةِ الْعَقْلِ

Translation

Tongue is the criterion for assessment of insolence or ignorance and scale of intellect and wisdom.[140]

Brief description

The most important window of man's soul and key of his personality, and best means for assessment of degree of intellect of each man is his tongue.The tongue which unveils the curtains through a simple and seemingly unimportant rotation and reveals the angles of man's soul.

On this account, most of Islamic instructions are focused on correction of tongue and warnings and notices are repeatedly made in the speeches of our great leaders and obviously complete correction of tongue is not possible without correction of soul and mind, but we can overcome a lot of painful consequences of inappropriate movements of tongue through silence and self- control.

LESSON ONE HUNDRED FORTY THREE: HIGHER THAN FAVOR

ImamHadi (a.s .) says:

اَلشّاكِرُ اَسْعَدُ بالشُّكْرِ مِنْهُ بِالنِّعْمَةِ الَّتى أَوجَبَتِ الشُّكْرَ لاَِنَّ النَّعَمَ مَتاعٌ وَ الشُّكْرَ نِعَمٌ وَ عُقْبى

Translation

One who is grateful for a favor, his prosperity for his gratefulness is more than his prosperity for the favor, because favors are the means of life in this world and gratitude is the capital of this world and the other world.[141]

Brief description

Considering this fact that gratitude is not merely appreciation by tongue, rather it is practical appreciation and also using each favor in its proper place, it is clarified that gratitude for a favor results in blessings and properties so that favor itself is very insignificant comparing with it. Using the favors for god's satisfaction and his servants' content is a capital both for honor of this world and also eternal prosperity of the other world, while a favor itself may be only a material blessing.

So gratitude is higher and more valuable than the favor itself.

LESSON ONE HUNDRED FORTY FOUR: REVIVAL OF DOCTRINE OF THE PROPHET'S HOUSEHOLD

ImamRiza (a.s .) says:

مَنْ جَلَسَ مَجْلِساً يُحْيى فيهِ اَمْرُنا لَمْ يَمُتْ قَلْبُهُ يَوْمَ تَمُوتُ الْقُلُوبُ

Translation

One who sits in a meeting in which our doctrine is revived, his heart shall not die when the hearts die![142]

Brief description

It is clearly inferred from the above sentence that the inevitable duty of followers of the prophet's household is to revive their programs in their meetings, knowing their doctrine, perceiving the spirit of their speeches, and becoming familiar with their instructions and that is to say their meeting should be a meeting of correction and readiness for life, not the meeting of amusement, asking requirements and thinking about personal troubles and desires and disregarding human, social and belief concerns.such a meeting will revive hearts and awaken the thoughts.

LESSON ONE HUNDRED FORTY FIVE: TRUST TO SECRECY

Islam's prophet (s.a .) says:

اِذا حَدَّثَ الرَّجُلُ بِحَديث، ثُمَّ الْتَفَتَ فَهِىَ اَمانَةٌ

Translation

When somebody says something and looks about himself, his speech is a trust and secret (and we shall try to keep it).[143]

Brief description

Trust has different forms in Islam, including faithfulness in keeping people's secrets.this is considered so important in Islam’s view that disclosing people's secret is introduced as one of the capital sins.moreover , for proving something to be a secret, it is not necessary for the speaker to ask and request and emphasize on being a secret and keeping it.rather , the least sign is sufficient for understanding this reality.if somebody looks about himself and examines for presence of another person is adequate for keeping his speeches as the secrets of a Muslim brother.

LESSON ONE HUNDRED FORTY SIX: SIGN OF BELIEF ISLAM’S

Prophet (s.a .) says:

اِذا سَرَّتْكَ حَسَنَتُكَ وَ سائَتْكَ سَيِّئَتُكَ فَاَنْتَ مُؤْمِنٌ

Translation

When your good deed makes you happy and your bad deed disturbs you, you are a believer.[144]

Brief description

Islam says that all men are born with a pure primordial nature, nature of belief and love to goodness.taints and sins may affect gradually on man's spirit and soul and change it and turn it totally.however , until man is interested in goodness and hates badness, the spirit of belief and first pure nature still exist in him.

miserable people who are not only disturbed by their bad deeds, but also glory in them and or when they do a self-sacrifice, righteousness, forgiveness and justice become regretful, they are unbelievers.

LESSON ONE HUNDRED FORTY SEVEN: FIRST CONDITION IN EACH WORK

Imam Ali (a.s .) said toKomeil :

ما مِنْ حَرَكَة اِلاّ وَ اَنْتَ مُحْتاجٌ فِيها اِلى مَعْرِفَة

Translation

There is not any movement and work unless you need insight, familiarity and knowledge for performing it.[145]

Brief description

If we reflect on the wide sense of `not any movement', we will become familiar with the extent of Islamic programs and will find that Islam is not merely a series of worships and invocations and or belief missing practical programs.rather it has a program for personal life and all social concerns as well as human attempts and endeavors, first article of which is intelligence and knowledge of realities.it considers all movements and attempts fruitless and at least with a little effect without adequate knowledge and correct guidance.

LESSON ONE HUNDRED FORTY EIGHT: IMPORTANCE OF GUEST

The prophet (s.a .) said:

اِذا اَرادَ اللّهُ بِقَوْم خَيْراً أَهْدَى اِلَيْهِمْ هَدِيَّةً. قالُوا وَ ما تِلْكَ الْهَدِيَّة؟ قالَ: اَلضَّيْفُ

Translation

When god will on happiness and prosperity of a nation, he will bestow them a gift.they asked, `what is that gift'.he replied, `guest'.[146]

Brief description

That is true.guest is the gift of god, a valuable and honorable gift.but the material world in which all affections are lost, guest has no sense. Rather, it is a troublous and strange and unreasonably beloved being.so it rarely happens for someone to invite another or to be invited unless for material, commercial and political relations.

While the Islamic countries and the families in which religious customs are still alive, guest is honored and respectable as a divine gift although he may not have any family relation.

LESSON ONE HUNDRED FORTY NINE: RESPECT AND AFFECTION

ImamSadegh (a.s .) says:

لَيْسَ مِنّا مَنْ لَمْيُوَفَّرْ كَبيرَنا وَ لَمْ يَرْحَمْ صَغيرَنا

Translation

One who does not respect the adults and does not display affection to the children, does not belong to us.[147]

Brief description

Human societies are like he extensive caravan which is continuously moving.the infants are born by the mothers, and children grow up and adults become old and the old die and nobody isexcepted from passing this caravan.

Herein, the adults usually are more experienced and have deeper insight and have been the source of numerous services during their life if they had been conscientious, and all calculations indicate that they should be respected and youths and adolescents should consider their reverence.

And since children are fresh and at the beginning of their life, should be loved and foundations of their prosperity should be constructed sincerely by theadults, and this is the way and customs of a humanitarian and progressive society.

LESSON ONE HUNDRED FIFTY: RESERVE FOR YOURSELF IN THIS WAY

Imam Ali (a.s .) said:

ما تَقَدَّمَ مِنْ خَيْر يَبْقَ لَكَ ذُخْرُهُ وَ ما تُؤَخَّرُهُ يَكُنْ لِغَيْرِكَ خَيْرُهُ

Translation

Whatsoever you send in advance shall be reserved foryou, and whatsoever you postpone, its benefit would be only for the others (and its responsibility is on your burden).[148]

Brief description

Mammonism is found in the today's world more than before without considering the main objective and philosophy of wealth.

those who amass wealth madly, and do not care for its ways in view of legitimate, illegitimate, injustice and justice, do never think that they can neither accompany the great wealth with themselves, nor eat all of them.only a heavy responsibility is on the burden of its owner; amassing, leaving and going and then bearing all of its responsibilities.