Alhassanain(p) Network for Heritage and Islamic Thought

Fourth Means, Struggle (Jihad) and Martyrdom (Shahadat)

Struggle waged for the way of God-Almighty, extension of Islamic rule, proclamation of Monotheism (Tawhid), defense of Islamic lands and governance of Qur’anic commands, combating against oppression and arrogance, and for the defense of deprived and oppressed -is considered as one of the great worship, which results in a struggler's achieving self-perfection and spiritual ascension towards God-Almighty. There are plenty of traditions and Qur’anic Verses which describe the special importance attached to struggle. e.g. : God-Almighty says in Holy Qur’an:

الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَهَاجَرُوا وَجَاهَدُوا فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ بِأَمْوَالِهِمْ وَأَنفُسِهِمْ أَعْظَمُ دَرَجَةً عِندَ اللَّهِ ۚ وَأُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الْفَائِزُونَ

“Those who believe and have left their homes and striven with their wealth and their lives in God's way are of much greater worth in God's sight. These are they who are triumphant. (9:20)

And said:

“But he has bestowed on those who strive a great reward above the sedentary. (4:95)

The Holy Prophet (S) has said:

قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وآله: للجنة باب يقال له باب المجاهدين يمضون إليه فإذا هو مفتوح وهم متقلدون بـسيوفهم والجمع فى الموقف والملائكة ترحب بهم

“There is a gate in the Paradise called as the “Gate of Strugglers.” When the strugglers walk towards the Paradise, the gate opens and the strugglers with their swords hanging enter into Paradise passing through a grand welcome by angels, while the other people remain being held up for accounting of their deeds.”1

The Holy Prophet (S) said:

قال النبى صلى الله عليه وآله: فوق كل ذى بربر حتى يقتل فى سبيل الله, فاذا قتل فى سبيل الله فليس فوقه بر

“For every virtue, there is an another higher virtue except when a human being sacrifices his life for the sake of God-Almighty. And in that case there exists nothing superior than that.”2

The Holy Prophet (S) said: “That God-Almighty bestows upon a martyr the following seven blessings;

قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وآله: للشهيد سبع خصال من الله: أول قطرة من دمه مغفور له كل ذنب. والثانية يقع رأسه في حجر زوجتيه من الحور العين وتمسحان الغبار عن وجهه، وتقولان مرحباً بك، ويقول هو مثل ذلك لهما. والثالثة يكسى من كسوة الجنّة. والرابعة تبتدره خزنة الجنّة بكل ريحٍ طيبة أيّهم يأخذه معه. والخامسة أن يرى منزله. والسادسة أن يقال لروحه اسرح في الجنّة حيث شئت. والسابعة أن ينظر في وجه الله وإنّها لراحة لكل نبي وشهيد

1. “When the first drop of blood comes out his body all his sins are pardoned.

2. After martyrdom his head is placed upon the laps of two heavenly maids, who clean off dirt from his face and say -greeting to you, and he too reciprocates their greetings.

3. They dress him in Heavenly clothes.

4. The store keeper of Paradise present him different kinds of perfumes and good smells, so that he may select whatever desires.

5. At the time of martyrdom his place in Paradise is shown to him.

6. After the martyrdom his soul is addressed -you are free to move in the Paradise wherever you desire.

7. A martyr is allowed to witness God's Beauty, which brings a special sort of comfort for every prophet and martyr.”3

God-Almighty says in Holy Qur’an:

إِنَّ اللَّهَ اشْتَرَىٰ مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ أَنفُسَهُمْ وَأَمْوَالَهُم بِأَنَّ لَهُمُ الْجَنَّةَ ۚ يُقَاتِلُونَ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ فَيَقْتُلُونَ وَيُقْتَلُونَ ۖ وَعْدًا عَلَيْهِ حَقًّا فِي التَّوْرَاةِ وَالْإِنجِيلِ وَالْقُرْآنِ ۚ وَمَنْ أَوْفَىٰ بِعَهْدِهِ مِنَ اللَّهِ ۚ فَاسْتَبْشِرُوا بِبَيْعِكُمُ الَّذِي بَايَعْتُم بِهِ ۚ وَذَٰلِكَ هُوَ الْفَوْزُ الْعَظِيمُ

“Lo! God hath bought .from the believers their lives and their wealth because the Garden will be theirs: They shall fight in the way of God and shall slay and be slain. It is a promise which is binding on Him in Torah, the Gospel and the Holy Qur’an. Who fulfilleth his covenant better than God's? Rejoice in your bargain that you have made, for that is the supreme triumph. (9:111)

The above mentioned verse is one of the most beautiful and tender verses of the Holy Qur’an in which the people have been encouraged to participate in struggle, with special delicacy and tenderness. In the beginning the verse says:

“God has purchased of the believers their persons and their goods, and in return gives them Paradise.”

What a beautiful deal? The buyer is God-Almighty -the Lord of the Universe and Absolute Owner of all the riches. The believers are the sellers who believe in God-Almighty and Hereafter. And the thing being traded is -the eternal Paradise.

Then says:

God Almighty in Torah, Bible and Holy Qur’an -the three great Heavenly scriptures, has registered such promise.

Then says:

Do you know anyone else ?

Who is more faithful to his covenant than God ?

In the end God-Almighty gives glad tidings to believers about such a worthy deal and says:

That is the most supreme achievement.

The Holy Qur’an for a human being martyred in God's path confirms the highest position and says:

وَلَا تَحْسَبَنَّ الَّذِينَ قُتِلُوا فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ أَمْوَاتًا ۚ بَلْ أَحْيَاءٌ عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ يُرْزَقُونَ

“Think not of those who are slain in God's way as dead. Nay they live finding their sustenance in the presence of their Lord. (3:169)

The sentence in the presence of their Lord describes the supreme position assigned to a martyr. Human soul's remaining alive after death is not reserved for martyrs only, rather is applicable to all human beings.

But the distinction of martyrs is the sentence: in the presence of their Lord. i.e. they will continue life -at the most superior positions, and will receive their sustenance at these positions, and naturally the sustenance received by them, will not be similar to the sustenance received by others.

Struggle in God's path and martyrdom are the most greatest and worthiest worships and a martyr through this distinguished means may attain the most subtle spiritual positions. What distinguishes this worship from other worships is its two dimensions, which may be described as follows:

A. First Dimension: The supreme Goal of the struggler

The aim of a combatant is not to safeguard his own interest as well as the interest of his relatives. He is not a selfish or shortsighted person rather he is dedicated to achieve the objectives and goals desired by God-Almighty.

B. Second Dimension: The magnitude of sacrifice

A combatant in order to undertake his spiritual journey, and for the sake of achieving his cherished goal i.e. God-Almighty, invest his most valuable and dearest assets. If a human being offers some donation for a charity it does not mean more than that he has overlooked a certain portion of his wealth; similarly in case he worships, it does not mean more than that he has spent a certain amount of his time and energy.

But a struggler overlooks every thing belonging to him; above every thing else he over looks his own life and surrender his entire existence to God-Almighty with absolute sincerity; he closes his eyes from wealth, power, position, wife, children, and relatives, thus, suddenly surrendering his soul to God-Almighty.

The work done by gnostics and devoted individuals during their entire span of lives, may be accomplished by a struggler either all of it or even may be more than that in a very short time. The matter and materialistic world is too much confined for the exalted and enlightened spirit of a struggler, because of the same reason, like a formidable lion breaks his material cage, as a light winged pigeon flies over the vast illuminated Upper Heavens and from the most superior exalted positions ascends towards their beloved God-Almighty.

If other God's saints, gradually, during entire span of lives were able to attained the most distinguished spiritual positions namely - position of desire, love, witnessing a combatant martyr travels this one hundreds years distance in one single night and, thus, attains the most distinguished spiritual position of God's-countenance (laqa).

If other God's servants by means of invocations, incarnations, sitting and standing seek God's Nearness, a struggler of God's way through tolerance of wounds, pains, hardships, bullets, fragments of mortar shell, and ultimately by sacrificing his own soul attains God’s Nearness; although, there is vast difference between these two.

The battle field possesses a special sort of purity, spirituality, and illumination; it is field of love, sacrifice, action, and enthusiasm; it is a field of competition for getting sacrificed in the beloved’s path, and becoming alive for eternal life. The humming warm communications of the dwellers of trenchement with their beloved possess a special fervor of purity, illumination, and attraction whose examples cannot be seen even inside the mosques and temples.

Notes

1. Wasail al-Shi’a, vol. 11, p-5.

2. Wasail al-Shi’a, vol. 11,p-l0.

3. Wasail al-Shi’a, vol., 11,p-9.

Fifth Means, Benevolence and Service to Humanity

According to Islamic doctrine, God's worship and nearness neither can be summarized simply performance of prayer, fasting, Hajj, pilgrimages, invocations, and supplications, nor is limited to presence in mosques, temples, and tombs; instead, discharging social responsibilities, compassion, goodness, and serving God’s servants, if done with the intention of God's nearness, are considered as most superior worships and could become a means for self-building, self-purification, and God’s Nearness.

In Islam, devotion and undertaking spiritual journey towards God-Almighty do not necessarily require living in seclusion, rather could be done together with acceptance of social responsibilities as well as living a perfectly normal social life.

Cooperation in righteous deeds and benevolence; goodness, endeavors in fulfilling the needs of believers and making them happier; defense of oppressed and deprived; taking care of the affairs of Muslims; solving their problems and extending a helping hand towards God's servants, from the Islamic point of view are considered a great worship whose reward is ten times higher than performance of a Hajj pilgrimage.

Their exist hundreds of traditions narrated by the Holy Prophet (S) and Infallible Imams (a.s.) which emphasize the importance of this matter. e.g.: the following has been narrated from Imam al-Sadiq (a.s.) that God-Almighty said:

قال ابو عبدالله عليه السلام: قال الله عزوجل: الخلق عيالى فاحبهم الى الطفهم بهم واسعاهم فى حوائجهم

“My servants are my children, therefore, the most beloved persons before me are those who are kindest towards them and do their best in taking care of their needs.”1

The Holy Prophet (S) has said:

قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وآله: الخلق عيال الله فاحب الخلق الى الله من نفع عيال الله وادخل على أهل بيت سرورا

“The people are God's children, therefore, the most beloved persons before God-Almighty are those whose benevolence reach to God's children, thus, making their families happier full of joy.”2

Imam al-Baqir (a.s.) said:

عن ابى جعفر عليه السلام قال: تبسم الرجل فى وجه اخيه حسنة وصرف القذى عنه حسنة وماعبد الله بشيء احب إلى الله من ادخال السرور على المؤمن

“Smiling of a believer while encountering a fellow brother believer as well as solving his problems are accounted as righteous deeds. There is no worship more beloved before God-Almighty than making a believer joyful.”3

Imam al-Sadiq (a.s.) said:

قال الصادق عليه السلام: من سر مؤمنا فقد سرنى ومن سرنى فقد سر رسول الله ومن سر رسول الله فقد سر الله ومن سر الله ادخله جنته

“Whoever makes a believer happy has made me happy; whoever makes me happy has made the Holy Prophet (S) happy,. whoever has made the Holy Prophet (S) happy has made God-Almighty happy; and whoever has made God-Almighty happy will enter into Paradise.”4

And said:

قال ابوعبدالله عليه السلام: لقضا حاجة امرى مؤمن احب الى الله من عشرين حجة كل حجة ينفق فيها صاحبها ماة الف

“Fulfillment of a believer's need before God-Almighty is more beloved than performance of Hajj pilgrimage for ten times each time spending ten thousands.”5

And said:

قال الصادق عليه السلام: مشى المسلم فى حاجة المسلم خير من سبعين توافا بالبيت الحرام

“To strive for fulfillment of Muslim's need is better than circumambulating around the Holy Kaba seventy times.”6

And said:

قال الصادق عليه السلام: ان لله عبادا من خلقه يفزع العباد عليهم فى حوائجهم اولئك هم الامنون

“God-Almighty has created some of His special servants, that at the time of their needs, people take shelter in them. These are the ones who will be immune from God's Punishment on the Judgment Day.”7

Therefore, as described above, according to Islamic point of view -benevolence, goodness, helping God's servants and to solve their problems are considered as great worships. And if they are done with the intention of God's pleasure will become means for nourishment and perfection of self, spiritual migration and ascension towards God's Nearness.

Unfortunately, a majority of people lack the proper understanding of true Islam, and therefore, have been deprived from benefits of such a large and important part of Islamic worship. In their opinion worshipping and undertaking spiritual journey towards God-Almighty is not possible, except, through prayer, fasting, pilgrimage, supplication, invocation, and incantations.

Notes

1. al-Kafi, vol. 2, p-l99.

2. al-Kafi, vol. 2p-164.

3. Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 2, p-188.

4. Bihar al-Anwar vol. 74, p-413.

5. al-Kafi, vol. 2, p-193.

6. Bihar al-Anwar vol. 74, p-311.

7. Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 74, p-318.

Sixth Means, Supplications (Dua)

The supplication (dua) is one of the best worship through which one may attain self-perfection and God's Nearness. Because, of this reason God-Almighty has invited his servants to offer supplications. God-Almighty says in Holy Qur’an:

وَقَالَ رَبُّكُمُ ادْعُونِي أَسْتَجِبْ لَكُمْ ۚ إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَسْتَكْبِرُونَ عَنْ عِبَادَتِي سَيَدْخُلُونَ جَهَنَّمَ دَاخِرِينَ

“And your Lord hath said: Pray unto Me and I will hear your prayer. Lo! Than who scorn My service, they will enter Hell disgraced. (40:60)

And said:

ادْعُوا رَبَّكُمْ تَضَرُّعًا وَخُفْيَةً ۚ إِنَّهُ لَا يُحِبُّ الْمُعْتَدِينَ

(“Oh mankind!) Call upon your Lord humbly and in secret. Lo! He loveth not aggressors. (7:55)

And said:

وَإِذَا سَأَلَكَ عِبَادِي عَنِّي فَإِنِّي قَرِيبٌ ۖ أُجِيبُ دَعْوَةَ الدَّاعِ إِذَا دَعَانِ

“And when My Servants question thee concerning Me, then surely I am nigh. I answer the prayer of the suppliant when he crieth unto Me. (2:186)

The Holy Prophet (S) has said:

قال النبى صلى الله عليه وآله: الدعا مخ العبادة

“The supplication (Dua) is the soul of the worship.”1

Imam al-Sadiq (a.s.) has said:

قال ابو عبدالله عليه السلام: الدعا حق العبادة قال الله: "ان الذين يستكبرون عن عبادتى" الايه, ادع الله ولا تقل ان الا مرقد فرغ منه

“Supplication is worship, because God-Almighty says: ' You must continue to seek God-Almighty and should never say: It is all done.”2

And said:

قال ابو عبدالله عليه السلام: عليكم بالدعا فانكم لا تقربون بمثله ولا تتركوا صغيرة لصغرها ان تدعوا بها, ان صاحب الصغار هو صاحب الكبار

“You should never quit supplication in all circumstances, because you will never find any other substitute like supplication in attaining God's-Nearness. Even, for insignificant3 and minor affairs one must supplicate, and because of their being insignificant supplication should not be abandoned, because, after all the Master of petty affairs happens to be the same Master of large affairs.”4

God's Servant must supplicate because his entire existence needs God-Almighty. Because, a human being in essence is absolutely poor, needy, and dependent; and in case he becomes deprived of God's blessings even for an instant, he will be destroyed as though he was never existed.

Whatever, reaches to a servant is bestowed from God-Almighty, therefore, a servants should admit this primordial dependency by his tongue and should confirm his poverty, servitude, and needs, through his practical actions, which is the real meaning of worship.

At the time of supplication a human being remembers God-Almighty, establish humming communications with him, and like a humble servant with tearful eyes presents his needs before God-Almighty the Owner of Absolute Riches. By abandoning his hopes from the world of poverty and wants, he establishes his link with the Most Supreme Source of all Blessings and Perfection.

Flying upward from the world of poverty, he succeeds in witnessing the Beauty of God's Essence, through his esoteric eyes. The state of supplication and humming private communications with God-Almighty is one of the most pleasurable and beautiful condition of a servant which will never be exchanged for any price by God's saints.

Refer to al-Sahifah al-Sajjadiyyah5 and other supplication books and study the details of humming communications of Infallible Imams (a.s.) of the Prophet's Holy Progeny. Establishing communications with God-Almighty and hoping that He will accept the supplications, brings tranquility, and assurance for the suppliant's heart.

If a human being, while facing lives hardships for solution of his problems and difficulties, does not seek refuge in God-Almighty, then how could he show perseverance against them and have assurance for continuation of his life?

Supplication is a believer's arsenal through which he struggles against disappointments and despairs, and seeks help from a hidden super natural power for solution of his difficulties and problems. The Divine-Prophets and Infallible Imams (a.s.) always utilized this arsenal and have recommended it strongly for believers. Imam al-Ridha (a.s.) said to his companions:

عن الرضا عليه السلام انه كان يقول لاصحابه: عليكم بسلاح الانبيا فقيل وما صلاح الانبيا؟ قال: الدعا

“Use the arsenal of Prophets.” What is the arsenal of prophets? He was asked. “Supplication”. Replied the Imam.”6

Imam al-Baqir (a.s.) said:

قال ابو جعفر عليه السلام: ان الله يحب من عبادة المؤمنين كل عبد ودعا فعليكم بالدعا ففى السحر الى طلوع الشمس, فانها ساعة تفتح فيها ابواب السما وتقسم فيها الارزاق وتقضى فيها الحوائج العظام

“God-Almighty, among .the believers loves the one, who supplicates a lot; and I recommend you to supplicate specially at the time of dawn until sun-rise, because, at this time the gates of Heaven are opened; people's sustenance is distributed and their great wants are granted.”7

The Holy Prophet (S) has said:

قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وآله: الدعا سلاح المؤمن وعمود الدين ونور السموات والارض

“Supplication is believer's arsenal; is the pillar of religion and light of the earth and sky.”8

Supplication is a worship rather is the soul of all worships and brings eternal rewards. It is a believers ascension to Heavenly Kingdom, makes the supplicant's spirit perfected and nourished and helps suppliant to attain God’s Nearness. The Commander of the Faithful Imam ‘Ali (a.s.) said:

قال امير المؤمنين عليه السلام: الدعا مفاتيح النجاح ومقاليد الفلاح وخير الدعا ما صدر عن نقى وقلب تقى وفى المناجات سبب النجاة وبالاخلاص يكون الخلاص فاذا اشتد الفزع فالى الله المفزع

“Supplication is the key of prosperity; the best supplication is the supplication which comes out .from pure chests and pious hearts; supplication or hymns with God-Almighty results in salvation; and through means of sincerity one is saved from adversities and wickedness, therefore, when hardships become intense one should seek refuge in God-Almighty.”9

Therefore, supplication is a worship that if done properly in accordance with relevant conditions will result in suppliant's attaining self-perfection and God's Nearness, and these results certainly depends upon the rank and degree of the supplication. Because, of this reason a Lord's servant at any place, under any circumstances should never be negligent from this great worship, since a supplication is never going to be ineffective, although it may not produce immediate and apparent results.

It is possible that sometimes the grant of suppliant's wants might be delayed; or may be they will not be fulfilled in this world; but even this is not without wisdom; because, occasionally a believer's demand are not in his real interest and a Wise God knows better what is really good for his servant.

Therefore, a servant should always stretch his hands before the Almighty Omnipotent God, and should supplicate for his wants. If it is deemed appropriate his wants will be granted in this world. But, sometimes God-Almighty thinks it appropriate to delay the grant of his servant so that he does more intensive humming communication. with Him, thus, attaining higher exalted spiritual positions.

Sometimes, divine expediency dictates that his grant should not be granted in this world so that he should remain continuously engaged in God's Remembrance, and receive a much better reward in the next world. The Holy Prophet (S) said:

قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وآله: رحم الله عبدا طلب من الله‌ حاجة فالح الدعاء استجيب له ‌او‌ لم يستجب ‌له‌ تلاهذه الايه وادعوا ربى عسى ‌ان‌ ‌لا‌ اكون بدعاء ربى شقيا

“May God-Almighty bless the servant who seeks his needs from God-Almighty and pleads for their fulfillment through supplications whether his wants are granted or not. Then he recited the following verse:10

وَأَدْعُو رَبِّي عَسَىٰ أَلَّا أَكُونَ بِدُعَاءِ رَبِّي شَقِيًّا

“It may be that in prayer unto my Lord, I shall not be unblessed. (19:48)

Imam al-Sadiq (a.s.) said:

عن ابي عبدالله عليه السلام قال: ان المؤمن ليدعو الله عز وجل في حاجته فيقول الله تعالى: أخروا إجابته شوقا إلى صوته ودعائه فاذا كان يوم القيامة قال الله: عبدى! دعوتنى فأخرت إجابتك, وثوابك كذا وكذا ودعوتنى فى كذا وكذا: فأخرت إجابتك وثوابك كذا وكذا. فيتمنى المؤمن أنه لم يستجيب له دعوة فى الدنيا مما يرى من حسن الثواب

“Sometimes a believer supplicates for a need before God-Almighty; but, He orders His Angels to delay the grant of servant's needs, because, He loves to hear his voice and supplication more. Then on the Day of Judgment says to him:

'Oh My servant! You called me but I delayed your request, now in return I will bestow upon you such and such reward and so and so supplication. ' Hearing it the servant would say: I wish none of my needs would have been granted in the world. ' He says so because he sees the excellent rewards of Hereafter.”11

And said:

قال الصادق عليه السلام: إحفظ أدب الدعاء وانظر من تدعو وكيف تدعو ولماذا وحقق عظمة الله وكبريائه وعاين بقلبك علمه بما في ضميرك وإطلاعه على سرك وما تكون فيه نجاتك قال الله تعالى: وَيَدْعُو الانسَانُ بِالشرِّ دُعَاءَهُ بالخَيْرِ ، وكان الانسَانُ عَجُولاً وتفكر ماذا تسأل ولماذا تسأل والدعا إستجابة الكل منك للحق وتذويب المهجة في مشاهدة الرب وترك الاختيار جميعا وتسليم الامور كلها ظاهرا وباطنا إلى الله تعالى فإن لم تأت بشرط الدعاء فلا تنتظر الاجابة فانه يعلم السر وأخفى. فلعلك تدعوه بشيء قد علم من سرك خلاف ذلك

“Be careful about the etiquettes of supplication, and pay attention as to which personality are you talking, how do you beseech Him, and for what purpose is He implored?

“Think about the Majesty and Splendor of God-Almighty, and look inside your heart and know that He is aware of whatever is contained therein,. He knows about your heart' s secrets and the truth and falsehood hidden therein. Be careful, to identify correctly the path of your salvation or misfortune lest you request a thing from God-Almighty which contains your destruction while you imagine your salvation in it. God-Almighty said in Holy Qur’an:

“Man Prayeth for evil as he prayeth for good, for man was ever hasty. (17:11)

“Therefore, think correctly regarding what do you want from God-Almighty and for what purpose is it required. A supplication will be accepted only if you exert absolute concentration of your entire existence towards God-Almighty; melting your heart while witnessing His presence; abandoning all your disposals, and absolute surrender of all affairs with sincerity to God-Almighty. So, if you did not act in accordance to above mentioned conditions of supplication do not look forward for its acceptance.

“Because, God-Almighty is aware of all your secrets and mysteries. Perhaps you beseech God-Almighty for something, while you know that your intention is opposite to your request.”12

Notes

1. Sahih Tirmidhi, vol. 2, p-266.

2. al-Kafi, vol. 2. p-407.

3. Even if one need's an insignificant thing like shoe's laces, one must pray and ask God-Almighty [Tr].

4. al-Kafi, vol. 2, p-467.

5. Al-Sahifah Al-Sajjadiyyah: includes certain supplications quoted from Imam Zain al-Abidin ‘Ali b. Hussain b. ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib (a.s.). He is one of the Imams belonging to the household of the Prophet whom Allah has kept pure and free of defilement. The Imam was the fourth in line of the Imams of the Prophet's household. Imam ‘Ali ibn al-Husain (a.s.), was born in the year 38 A.H. or, perhaps as is conjectured, a little before that and lived for a period of 57 years.

Imam al-Shafi considered Imam “‘Ali ibn al-Husain (a.s.) as the most supreme jurist of all the people of Medina” Abd al-Malik bin Marwan said to him, “in the area of religious sciences, in devotion and piety, you have been granted that which no one before you has had other than your ancestors”. Further Umar bin ' Abd al-Aziz said, “The light of this life, ' the beauty of Islam is Zain al-Abidin”

Al-Sahifah Al-Sajjadiyyah represents and stands out as a profound social work of the time and a reflection of a supreme endeavor to meet the exigencies of spiritual ordeals facing the society at the time of the Imam. But beyond this it is a profound collection of supplications in the divine tradition, a unique compilation which will remain throughout the ages as a gift to mankind, a work of moral inspiration for worldly conduct and a torch of guidance.

Human begins will constantly remain in need of this heavenly souvenir; and the need increases whenever Satan comes to increase the allurements of the world for people, and by its fascination to keep them in bondage [Tr].

6. al-Kafi, vol. 2, p-468.

7. al-Kafi vol. 2, p-478.

8. al-Kafi, vol. 2, p-468.

9. al-Kafi, vol. 2, p-468.

10. al-Kafi vol. 2 p-475.

11. al-Kafi, vol. 2, p-490.

12. Haqayaqi-Faiz, p-244.