Alhassanain(p) Network for Heritage and Islamic Thought

HIS BIRTH AND HIS DEATH

His Birth:

Traditionalists and historians know that al- Sâdiq, peace be on him, was born on the seventeen the of Rabi’ al- Awal in the year 80 (A.H.) or in the year 83 (A.H.) Both years are famous for them.

But, we have already mentioned that al- Sâdiq, peace be on him, one time, said to al- Manstir:” Now, I am over seventy years of age.” It was reported on the authority of Mohammed b. al- RabT’, the chamberlain of alMansflr, when he brought him at night to al- Mansür and he said about him:” He was over seventy years of age.” Al- Majlisy, may his grave be fragrant, reported on the authority of Mohammed b. Sa’ id, who said:” He (al- Sâdiq), peace be on him, died at the age of seventy- one.” This report, as you see, does not suit the second report, nor the first one, because they agreed that he was died in the year 148 (A.H.).

So his birth was three years or more before the year 80 (A.H.).

For this reason, there are three reports about his death; the middle of them is the report of 80 years of age. And maybe this report is the first of them.

His Death:

It was said: Al- Sadiq, peace be on him, died on the twenty- fifth of Shawal. And it was said: in the middle of Rajab. The first report is more famous. The historians of the two parties (Sunna and ShVa) agreed that he died in the year 148 (A.H.) as we have already said.

Also the ShT’te writers agreed that al- MansUr assassinated him with poison. It was said that the poison was in the grapes. Also al- Kaf’amy mentioned that in his book ‘al- Musbah.’

Also some Sunni writers have mentioned his death with poison in their books such as Is’âful Raghibin, Nur al- Absâr, Tadhkiratul Khawas, alSwâ’iqul Muhriqa, and so on.

During Death:

When al- Sadiq, peace be on him, was about to die, he ordered some men to bring all his relatives. When they came and sat around him, he opened his eyes and said:” Indeed, our intercession will not include those who scorn the prayers.”[1]

And this shows us that al- Sadiq, peace be on him, gave great importance to prayers. The hours of death did not busy our Imam, peace be on him, from this advice. That is because he was the Imam who paid a great attention to the affairs of the Muslim community to guide it to righteousness till the last breath of his life. And the prayers were the most important thing for which he drew the attention of Muslims.

I think that al- Sâdiq, peace be on him, ordered his relatives to go on praying because people would depend on them in getting righteousness and guidance. So, his will would be stronger on their tongues and because they were the family of the prophet, may Allah bless him and his family. In other Words, he ordered his relatives to go on praying so as not to depend on the intercession of the Prophet because of their nearness from him even if they neglected some rules of the Islamic Law. So, al- Sadiq wanted to draw their attention to the point that their nearness from the Prophet did not avail them unless they carried out the obligations of Allah.

Al- Sâdiq’s wife, Urn Harnida,[2] was astonished at that condition because death did not make him forget this advice. So, she wept when she remembered his condition.[3]

Also during death, al- Sâdiq, peace be on him divided his property among his blood relatives. Moreover, he gave al- Hasan b. al- Aftas seventy dinars. So, his woman slave, Salima said to him:” Why do you give the man who wanted to kilt you with the sword?” He said:” Do you want me not to be among those about whom Allah, the Great and Almighty, said:” And those who join that which Allah has bidden to be joined and have awe of their Lord and fear the evil reckonin.”[4]

“Yes, Salima, Allah has created Paradise and made its smell good, its smell is found from the march of two thousand years, and those who disobey their parents and abandon their blood relatives do not find its smelt.’[5]

Also this guides us to the importance of keeping close relations with our blood relatives after the prayers. Al- Sâdiq explained the dangers of the abandonment of the blood relatives.

Al- Sadiq, peace be on him, not only urged Muslims to keep close relations with their blood relatives but also urged them to keep such relations with those who want to kill them. These are the high, Prophetic ethics.

After Death:

After al- Sadiq, peace be on him, had died, his son al- Kazim, peace be ott him, shrouded him with two garments from Shata,’[6] which he wore when he performed the hajj, with a shirt of his, with a turban belonged to ‘Ali b. al- Husayn (peace be on him), and with a garment which he bought for forty dinars.[7]

al- Kazim ordered a man to tight the house where Abu Abd Allah, peace be on him, lived till he was sent to Iraq as Abu Abd Allah, peace be on him, had done before in the house where his father al- Bâqir, peace be on him, hived.[8]

When al- Sadiq, peace be on him, was carried on his bed and was taken out of his house to be buried at al- BaqT’ (graveyard), Abu Hurayra[9] said:” I (the author) say: And they already began to carry him on the upper part of their BACKs and the shoulders of his carriers. Do you know what are you carrying to the ground?”

A Rock felt off the lofty top of a hillrise.

Al- Sâdiq, peace be on him, was buried at al- Baqi’ (graveyard). He was buried near his father al- Baqir and his grandfathers al- Hasan and Zayn at‘Abidin. He was the last Imam to be buried at al- BaqT’ because his Sons were buried in Iraq except al- Rida, who was buried in Khorasل n.

His Kunya and His Surname:

His Kunya was Abu Abd Allah, Abu Isrna’Tt, and Abu Mflsa. The first Kunya was the most famous one. He was surnamed al- Sâdiq, al- Fâdit, atQâ’lm, al- Kâfit, al- Munjy, and the like. The first surname was the most famous one.

His grandfather Allah’s Apostle, may Allah bless him and his family, surnamed him al- Sadiq. The report about this surname has been mentioned in many books such as al- Kharâ’it Wal- Jarâ’ih, al- Bihâr, vol.11, Kifayatut Athar by ‘Ati b. Mohammed b. ‘Ati al- Khazaz. In the last book, the author has mentioned a tong tradition concerning the surname ‘al-

Sadiq’ on the authority of Abu Hurayra on the authority of the companions of the Prophet, may Allah btess him and his family, who said:” And Altah will bring out the wortd of the truth and the tongue of truthfulness from his BACKbone namely the BACKbone of Mohammed al- Bftqir.” So, b. Mas’fld said to him:” Allah’s Prophet, what is his name?” He (the Prophet) said:” He will be catted Ja’far. He wilt be truthful in his words and actions. Whoever defames him is like him who defames me. And whoever disobeys him isjust like him who disobeys me.”

He (al- Sadiq) was very famous for this surname. So, it became like the name for him. It was enough to mention this surname instead of his real name. People knew him when one called with this surname. For this reason we have made this surname (i.e. al-Sftdiq) the title of our book.

Also his Kunya Abu Abd Allah became as a name for him. It is enough to mention it in stead of his real name and his surname, especially in the traditions.

His Characteristics:

In the book ‘al- Manaqib’, about the characteristics of al- Sadiq, bin ShahrfishUb said:” He (al- Sadiq), peace be on him, was of medium height, of bright face, of black curly hair, of tong nose, of little hair in both sides of the forehead, and of soft skin. There was a black mole on his cheek. And there was redness on his body.

His Visitation:

There is a great reward for the person who visits the believer in Allah whether this believer is living or dead, as many traditions denote that. So, the reward for the person who visits Amir al- Mu’minin is greater. Moreover, to visit the graves of the prophets and of their successors is to commemorate them, to praise their favor, to unite the hearts for them, and to urge people to follow their acts. That is what all the wise of nations hail to commemorate the laudable deeds of the great figures and to renew the memory of their favors and to urge people to follow their example. Besides, to visit the graves of the Prophet and the Imams is to embody the Laws of Allah, the Exalted, which are of the piety of the hearts.

There are two kinds of tradition about the reward which the person gets when he visits his grave: traditions about the visitation of the graves of the Imams in general and traditions about the visitation of the grave of alSadiq in particular.

The first kind of traditions is very many. Some of them are:

Al- RidS, peace be on him, said:” Indeed there is a promiSe between every Imam and his followers. To fulfill this promise is to visit their graves. So, whoever visits their graves with good intention, they will be his intercessors on the Day of Resurrection.”’[10]

Imam ‘Ali, peace be on him, said:” Complete (your hajj) with the visitation of (the grave) of the Apostle of Allah, may Allah bless him and his family, when you go to the Scared House, for to leave it is estrangement. And Allah has ordered to do that. And complete (your haaj) with the visitation of the graves which Allah has ordered you to visit and to seek livelihood near them.”[11]

Al- Sadiq, peace be on him, said:” Whoever visits the Imam whose obedience is a must and grays four ruk’as near his grave, Allah wilt write hajj and ‘Umra for him.”[12] And there are many traditions of this kind. The writers of the books of the visitations have mentioned many of them.

Also the second kind of tradition is very many. Some of them are:

Al- Sadiq, peace be on him, said:” Whoever visits me, Allah wilt forgive him his sins and never dies poor.”[13]

Al- ‘Askary, peace be on him, said:” Whoever visits Ja’far or his father, his eye will never complain (of any illness), no illness will hit him, and wilt not die inflicted.”[14]

HIS CHILDREN

The historians disagreed on the number of his children. But their famous number is what al- Shaykh al- Mufid, may Allah rest him in peace, has mentioned in his book al- Irshftd. In this connection he said:” The children of Abu Abd Allah, peace be on him, were ten:

Isma’il, Abd Allah, Urn Farwa. Their mother was Fatima bint (the daughter of) al- Husayn b. al- Hasan b. ‘Au, peace be on Them. MbI (peace be on him), Mohammed, (his mother was Urn Hanild), al- Abbfis, ‘Au, AsmA’, Fatima. They belonged to various mothers.

Isma’i1:

Isma’il was the eldest of the children of aI- Sâdiq, peace be on him. AlSâdiq loved him very much, and was very kind to him, and felt pity for him.’[1]

Al- Sâdiq, peace be on him, said to al- Mufaddal b. ‘Amr, one of his reliable companions, at the time when Abu al- Hasan Mtlsa, peace be on him, was still young:” This child, namely, Miisa al- Kazim, is the most blessed one for our followers.” Then he said:” And do not forget Ismâ’il.”[2]

These words indicate that al- Sâdiq, peace be on him, transferred the Imamate from Ismâ’il to Miisa. But when al- Sadiq felt that his words would hurt Ismâ’il’s dignity, he said:” And do not forget Isma’il.”

Also al- Sadiq, peace be on him, said:” Ismâ’il was liable to killing twice. So, I asked Allah, the Glorified to raise it (death) from him (Isma’il) and He (Allah) raised it from him.”[3] Besides, al- Sadiq’s words and actions which indicated his love for Isma’il was great. For this reason, a group ofthe Shra thought that Ismâ’il would be the Imam after his father. That is because his father treated him kindly and took care of him, and because Ismft’fl was the eldest of his brothers. And the priority in age was among the marks of the Imamate But the death of Isma’il during the days of his father removed the idea of the Imamate from the heads of that group of the ShVa.

Al- Sadiq, peace be on him, showed great sadness when Ismâ’i1 died. After he had died and his face had been covered, al- Sftdiq ordered those men who were near him to uncover the face of Ismâ’il white he was laying BACK. Then al- SSdiq kissed his forehead, his chin, and his neck. Then he ordered the men to uncover his face and he did as he did at the first time.

When Isma’Il was washed and shrouded, al- S&liq ordered the men to uncover his face and kissed in those places for the third time. Then atSftdiq recited some verses of the Koran and ordered the men to cover his face.

In other report, al- SSdiq ordered al- Mufaddal b. ‘Amr to collect a group of his companions. Al- Mufaddal collected thirty of them. Among thepi were Abu BasTr, Hamran b. A’yun, and Dawtld al- Raqy. Al- SLliq saida Dawfld:” Dawüd, consider him (Ismâ’Il) carefully, look at him. Is he living or dead?” DawUd said:” He is dead.” Then al- Sâdiq asked 1a companions the same question. So, he said:” Allah, bear witness.” T1a he ordered his companions to wash and shroud Ismi’il. Then he saida” Mufaddal, uncover his face.” al- Mufaddat did. Then he said:” Is he living or dead? Alt of you took at him.” They said:” Our mastera be a dead.” He said:” Have you borne witness? Are you sure of that?” They. said:” Yes.” They were astonished at his continuous question. He said:” Allah, bear witness on them.” Then the companions carried IsmI’Tl to hip grave. When they put him into the grave, al- S&liq said:” Mufadqa uncover his face.” Al- Mufaddat did. Then he said to his companions:” Look at him, is he living or dead?” They said:” Friend of Allah, iaeap a dead.” He said:” Allah, bear witness.” After the companions had buaiqa 3’ Ismâ’il, al- S&liq said to them:” Who is this dead (person) in this grave’ They said:” Ismâ’il, your son.” He said:” Allah, bear witness.”[4]

The person maybecome astonished at the insistence of the Iinnmg asking his companions the same question about the death of Isma’Tl. that to make people know that Isma’Tl had realty died. Then, there w no suspicion or doubt about his death. But, there was no wonder! because the Imam knew that there would be a group of people who believe in his Lmamate because he was the eldest of his brothers an4 they claimed, that he would not die.

In other words, the Imam asked his companions the same question the death of Ismâ’il to make them sure of his death so that they w able to tell people about that. In the meantime the Imam himself, pcaca on him, disclosed the secret after Ismâ’il had been buried and made companions bear witness about his death. In this connection, he said:”a people of falsehood wilt have doubt. They want to put out the 1 Allah.” Then he made a sign to MUsA, peace be on him. Whew companions had buried Ismâ’il, al- Sadiq made them bear witness abo death. Then he took Mflsâ by the hand and said:” He is the truth truth wilt be with him till Allah inherits the earth and whatever on it.[5]

Al- Sadiq, peace be on him, was full of sadness when death o Isma’il. Thus, he knelt with his forehead touching the ground for a long time. Then he raised his head and looked at IsmE’i1 for a short time and looked at his face. Again, he knelt with his forehead touching the ground for a longer time. Then he stood and came into his house and stayed there for an hour. Then he came out of the house with other clothes. His sadness disappeared. After he had washed Isma’It, he ordered one of his companions to bring him the shroud on whose hem they wrote:” Ismâ’il bears witness that there is no god but Allah.”’[6]

The companions were astonished to see sadness disappear from his face. So, one of them asked him: “May I be your ransom, we thought that we would not avail ourselves from you forever when we saw that sadness on your face.” He (al- Sadiq), peace be on him, said:” We, the members of the house, become worried e)ccept when the misfortune comes down. If it comes down, we are patient.”

Then al- Sfldiq offered his companions good food and invited them to eat and urged them to have food. His companions did not see any mark of sadness on his face. So, they asked him about that. He answered:” Of course, I should be as you see me, for I heard the tradition of the most Truthful of the truthful (i.e. the Prophet), (who said): I wilt die with you.”

But when the companions carried the liiler of Ismâ’it, al- Sâdiq was in front of them bare- footed to show his great sadness. In the mean time he ordered the companions to put the tiiler on the ground and uncover the face of Isma’Tl to make people sure of his death. He did that several times till the companions put Ismâ’il into the grave.[7]

When the companions had buried IsmS’il, al- Sadiq sat down and his companions sat around him. He bowed his head, then he raised it and said:” 0 men, indeed, this world is the house of parting, and the house of the change not the house of stability. But the parting of the familiar (person) has burning which one can not push and pain which one can not turn away. However, people are good or bad according to good patience and the good idea. Whoever does not lose his brother, his brother wilt lose him. And whoever does not advance a child, he will be advanced instead of the child.” Then he gave the following line of Abu Kharash al- Hadbty as an example:

And do not think that I have forgoilen his promise

But my patience, Umaym, is good.[8]

When Ismâ’U had died, al- Sadiq, peace be on him, summoned one of his followers and gave him some dirhams to perform the hajj for him (Ismâ’T1) and said to him (the follower):” Surety, if you perform the haj for him (Ismâ’il), you wilt have nine shares of the reward and IsmS’il will have one.”[9]

Ismâ’il died at al- ‘Arrd.[10] The companions of al- Sfldiq carried him on their shoulders to Medina[11] . His grave is welt- known there. Ibm S’Ud demolished his grave as he demolished the graves of his grandfathers. The S’üdis have not allowed anyone to rebuild the graves of the Imams since then.

The kind acts of al- Sâdiq, peace be on him, toward his son IsmS’Tl show us that he loved him, treated him kindly, and had mercy on him. Meanwhile they show us that Isma’Tl had piety and an outstanding merit. But there are traditions which defame his position and his holiness. However, I do not think that these traditions are as equal as those which praise him. In addition to this there are traditions which unveil the defaming traditions and denote that their owners issued them for unknown purposes. Among such traditions is that which the author of al- Khara’ ij wat iarâ’ ih has reported on the authority of al- Watld b. SâbTh.[12] who said:” A man came to me and said:’ Come to show you the son of your Lord’. I went with him. He brought me to some people who were drinking (wine). Among them was Isma’Tl b. Ja’far. I was full of sadness. So, I went out and came to the black stone. Suddenly, I found Ismâ’il leaning against the walls of the House and weeping. He weiled the walls of the Kaaba with his tears.

I came BACK quickly. I found Ismâ’il siiling with those people (who were drinking wine). I came BACK (to the black stone). It was him leaning against the walls of the Kaaba and weeping biiler tears. He said: “I told Abu Abd Allah, peace be upon, about that.’ He said: “Indeed, my son was afflicted with a Satan who appears in his shape.”’

Of course, this is the best tradition about the righteousness of Isma’Tl. Therefore, it is beiler for us to put aside the traditions that defame Isma’il or we must explain that they have purposes other than the apparent ones. Moreover, if Ismâ’il had been as the defaming traditions describe, then alSâdiq, peace be on him, would have not accompanied him everywhere and every time and would have dismissed him as he dismissed his son Abd Allah.

After Ismâ’It had died, people believed that he was not the Imam after his father. But some people believed in his Imamate again, after the death of his father. Those who believed in his Imamate are called the Ismâ’itites as we have already mentioned.

In his book al- Irshâd, al- Shaykh al- Muffd, may Allah rest him in peace, has mentioned that those who believed in his life were not among the followers of his father nor did they were among his reliable reporters. After the death of al- Sadiq, peace be on him, some of them believed in the Imamate of Musa, peace be on him. And the rest became two parties- one party believed in the death of Ismâ’il and believed in the Imamate of his son Mohammed, for they thought that the Imamate was for his father, so the son is worthier of the Imamate than the brother. The other party has insisted on the life of Ismâ’il. Today they are very few. These two parties are cailed the Isma’Tlites. At the present time, we know only those who claim that the Imamate after Isma’Tl is for his grandsons forever.

Abd Allah al- Aftah:

Abd Allah al- Aftah was the eldest son of al- Sadiq, peace be on him, after Isma’il. For this reason a group of people believed in his Imamate, but they forgot that the eldest son should have no defect, white Abd Allah was broad- legged (aftah al- rijlayn). So, people called him al- Aftah (i.e. broad-legged) and those who believed in his Imamate were called the Aftahiya.

Some people accused him of disagreement with his father on some beliefs. They said that he associated the Hashawiya and inclined to the doctrine of the Murajea. So, his father al- Sadiq did not take care of him as he did with his other sons.[13]

His father al- Sadiq admonished him, blamed him and preached him, but admonishment, his blame, and his preachment were alt in vain. One day, al- Sadiq said to him: “What has prevented you from becoming like your brother. By Allah I see the light on his face.” Abd Allah said: “Why? Is not my father and his father one? Is not my mother and his mother one?” Al- Sadiq, peace be oل him, said to him:” He is of my self and you are my son.[14]

I think that al- Sâdiq, peace be on him, meant Isma’il not Mflsa, for Ismâ’il and Abd Allah belonged to the same parents. For this reason, Abd Allah answered him:” Isn’t my father and his father one? Isn’t my mother and his mother one?”

This tradition is enough to show us that Ismft’It had an outstanding merit and lofty position with Allah and his father and that Abd Allah had ignorance and tow position with Allah and his father.

Abd Allah claimed that he was the Imam after his father, for he was the oldest of his brothers. al- Sadiq had told his son al- Kfizim, peace be on him, that Abd Allah would claim the Imamate after him. So, he had ordered him not to dispute with Abd Allah. All these things took place as al- Sadiq predicted.”’[15]

When Abd Allah claimed the Imamate, a group of the followers of aISadiq, peace be on him, followed him. Most of them refused him and believed in the Imainate of MOsa al- Kazim, peace be on him, when they knew that he had a weak proof for his Imamate white Abu al- Hasan, peace be on him, had a strong proof for it.[16]

Hushâm b. Salim and Mu’min al- Taq came to Abd Allah to ask him about the rate of Zakat while there were some people gathering around him. They asked:” What is the rate of Zakat?” He answered:” five per two hundred (Dirahms).” They asked:” What about one hundred (Dirahms)?” he answered:” Two and a half Dirahms.” They said to him:” By Allah, this is what the Murjea says.” Abd Allah raised his hands towards the sky and said:” No, by Allah, I do not know what the Murjea says.” So, they knew that he had no knowledge of Zakat. They left him white they were bewildered. They did not know were to go. Thus they sat at a lane of Medina, wept, and said:” We do not know where to go. Shall we go to the Murjea, to the Qadariya (the Fatalists), to the Zaydis, to the Mu’tazytis, or to the Kharijites?” While they were raising such questions, Husâm saw an old man whom he did not know. The old man beckoned Hushâm to follow him. But Husham was afraid of him because he thought that the old man might be among the spies whom al- Mansflr spread throughout Medina to discover the followers of Ja’far aI- Sadiq, peace be on him, to behead them. So, Husham said to Mu’min al- Tâq:” Go away from me, because I have fear for you and for my own self. He (the old man) wants me, he does not want you. Go away from me so as not to help them to kill you.” Abü Ja’far (Mu’min al- Tâq) went not far away. Husham followed the old man. He was still following him. The old man ted Hushâm to the door of Abu alHasan (lmam Mflsa), peace be on him. He left him there and went away. There was a servant at the door. The servant said to Husham:” Come in, may Allah have mercy on you.” When Husham came in, Abtl al- Hasan, peace be on •him, said to him:” To me! To me! To me! Not to the Murjea, not to the Qadaria, not to the Zaydis, not to the Mu’tazlis, and not to the Kharijites.’ ‘

Husham left al- Kazim, peace be on him. He met Abü Ja’far (Mu’min ailhq). Mu’min al- Taq said to Husham:” What is behind you?” “The guidance,” said Hushâm. Then he told him about the story. Then Hushâm met al- Mufaddat and Abtl BasTr. They alt went to Mtisa, greeted him, heard his words and believed in his Imamate. Then Hushâm met people in groups. All these groups visited MUsâ, peace be on him, except one group such as ‘Ammar al- Sabaty and his companions. So, very few people visited Abd Allah. When Abd Allah knew that Husham prevented people from visiting him, he ordered some people to hit him (Husham) in Medina.’’[17]

Nevertheless, Abd Allah claimed that he was the Imam after his father tilt he died. His days after his father were only seventy. When he had died, the rest of his followers believed in the Imamate of AbU al- Hasan, peace be on him, except very few persons of them.[18] It is they who were cailed the Aftahiya. Theyavere called so because they believed in the Imamate of Abd Allah al- Aftah (i.e. broad- legged or broad- headed).[19] This sect finished after that time in a few years. The last of them were banu (the Sons) of Fudal.

Ishaq:

Ishâq was good, righteous, pious. He was aaurisprudent. People reported traditions from him. Concerning him, b. Kâsib[20] said:” The reliable (person) al- Rady Ishâq believed in the. Imamate of his brother MUsa, peace be on him. He reported the textual nomination about his brother Mflsa, peace be on him, from his father. Also he reported this nomination from his brother ‘Ali b. Ja’far, who was virtuous and pious.[21]

Ishaq was among those who ailended the textual nomination which alKazim peace be on him, made for his son al- Rida, peace be on him, which proves that he was virtuous and pious. When al- Kazim, peace be on him, had died, the sons of al- Kazim brought their brother al- Rida before the judge. al- Abbas b. Mtisa, peace be on him, said:” May Allah make you righteous and enjoin us with you, indeed, below the wilt, there is a treasure and jewels, he wants to hide them and take them instead of us, and our father, may Allah have mercy on him, has given him every thing and left us dependent. Were it not for that I control my self, I would tell you something openly.” Ibrahim b. Mohammed[22] said to him: “Therefore, by Allah, you tell what we do not accept from you and do not believe you about, then you are blamable and defeated with us. We know that you were a liar when you were a child and when you are a grown- up. Your father knew you more than you know yourself if you have good, even though your father knew you outside and inside. He was not ready to trust you even if about two dates. Then his uncle Ishâq b. Ja’far said to him:” Surely, you are shameless, weak, and foolish, I add this (ailitude) to what is sued from yesterday (i.e. to your past ailitudes). Alt people (there) helped him (against Abd Allah).[23]

Apart from b. Kâsib and b. ‘Ayun, other people reported from Ishâq. Some of them were Bark b. Mohammed a1- Azdy, Yaqflb b. Ja’fary, Abd Allah b. Ibrahim al- Ja’fary, al- Washa,[24] and the like.

Mohammed:

Mohammed was generous and brave. He fasted on alternate days. His wife, KhadTja bint (the daughter of) Abd Allah b. al- Hasan.[25] said:” Mohammed never left us on any day with a cloak without coming BACK after havina put it (on someone else). Every day he slaughtered a ram for his guests.[26] He was called al- dibâja (face/visage) because he was handsome.[27]

Mohammed adopted the idea of Zaydis, which urge people to revolt against rulers with the sword. So, he revolted a6gainst al- Ma’mfln in Mecca, in 199 (A.H.) The Jartidi Zaydis followed him.[28]

When people recognized Mohammed as caliph, called him Amirul Mu’minln, and when he summoned them to support him, al- Ridâ, peace be on him, came to him and said:” Uncle, do not let people accuse your father and your brother of lying, for this mailer (the caliphate) wilt not last. Soon, ‘Isa al- Jalfldy came out to fight Mohammed. Mohammed met aI- JalUdy. But al- JalUdy was able to defeat him. So, Mohammed asked him for safety. Then he wore black clothes,[29] went up the pulpit, tendered his resignation, and said:” This mailer (i.e. the caliphate) is for al- Ma’mtln and I have no right in it.”’[30]

When Mohammed wanted to join the army of al- Jatudy, al- Rida summoned his servant MusEfir and said to him:” Say to him (Mohammed):’ Do not come out tomorrow. If you come out tomorrow, you will be defeated and your companions will be kill.

When he says to you: From where have you known that? Say: I have seen it in sleeping.”’ When he (MusAfir) came and prevented him (Mohammed) from going out. Mohammed asked him:” From where have you known that?” Musafir said:” I have seen it in sleeping.” Mohammed said:” The slave slept and did not wash his anus). So, Mohammed faced what MusAfir told him from the Imam.[31]

When Mohammed tendered his resignation, al- Jaludy sent him to atM’mfln: When he came to him, al- M’mUn honored him, made friends with him, bestowed upon him, and gave him a good reward. Mohammed resided with al- M’mfln in Khorasan. He and a group of the sons of his uncle visited him. Al- M’mün suffered from him what no ruler had suffered from his subjects before.

One day, al- M’mün was astonished to see Mohammed and a group of the Talibiyln came to visit him because such a group revolted against him in the year 200 (A.H.). So, the decree came to them and said:” Do not ride with Mohammed b. Ja’far. Ride with Abd Allah b. al- Husayn. However, they refused to ride and stayed in their house. For this reason the decree came:” Ride with whomever you like.” So, when they rode to al- Ma’mUn, they rode with Mohammed b. Ja’far and then they departed when he did.[32]

When Mohammed revolted against al- M’mUn, al- Ridâ, peace be on him turned away from him and said:” I have decided that he and I do not sit under the roof of a house.” ‘Amr b. Zayd, who was on a visit to Abti atHasan (peace be on him), said:” I said to myself:’ This is (i.e. al- Ridâ) orders (people to conform to) charity and relation, and he said these (words) to his uncle.”’ He looked at me and said:” This is of charity and of the relation. When he comes to me, people believe him. If he does not come to me, and I do not go to him, people do not accept his words.”[32]

Among IJie miracles of Abfl al- Hasan (i.e. al- Rida), peace be an him, concerning Mohammed was that Mohammed became ill. Some people told al- Ridâ, peace be on him that Mohammed had tied his chin. So, al- Ridâ and a group of his companions went to him. They saw him tying his chin.

Also they saw Ishaq, Mohammed’s brother, his sons, and a group of the family of Abü Tâlib weeping. AbU al- llasan sat by his head. He looked at his face and smiled. So, those who were siiling became displeased with Abü al- Hasan. Some of them said:” He (Abtl al- Hasan) smiled to express his rejoice at the misfortune of Mohammed. When AbO al- Hasan went out to pray in mosque, his companions said to him:” May we be your ransom, when you smiled, we heard those people saying some words which we hate to hear about you.” Abu al- Hasan, peace be on him, said:” I was astonished to see Ishaq weeping. By Allah, he will die before Mohammed. And Mohammed will weep over him.” Then Mohammed recovered and Ishaq died.’[34]

Although Mohammed lived in Khorasan, he did not surrender to the Owner of the Crown (i.e. al- M’mfln). One day, some people came and told him that the servants of Dhutri ‘âsatayn[35] (the man with two offices) hit his servants to take their wood which they had bought. Mohammed wrapped himself in two cloaks. Then he went out carrying a baton in his hand. He was saying:” Death is beiler for you than living in abasement.” A group of people followed him. He hit the servant of Dhulri’asatayn and took the wood away from them. Some, people told aI- M’mUn about the story. AlM’mfln sent for Dhulri’âsatayn and said to him:” Go to Mohammed b. Ja’ far, apologize to him for that, and give him power to decide what to do against your servants.” Dhulri’Asatayn went to Mohammed. Some people said to Mohammed:” Dhulri ‘asatayn has come.” He said:” He shall not sit but on the ground.” Mohammed had a mat and a cushion in his house. He put the mat aside and left the cushion. When Dhulri’asatayn came into Mohammed’s house, Mohammed asked him to sit on the cushion, but he refused to sit on it and sat on the ground. Then he apologized to Mohammed for that and gave him power to decide what to do with his servant.

Mohammed died in Khorasan. So, al- M’mtin went there to take part in his funeral. When he arrived at his house, he saw some people carrying the liiler of Mohammed. He got down and walked till he entered between the two poles of the liiler. He was stilt walking between the two poles tilt the liiler of Mohammed was put on the ground. He went forward to say the prayer over him. Then he helped people carry the liiler till they reached the grave. Then he entered the grave till people built it. Then he went out of the grave and stood till the companions buried Mohammed. So, Abd Allah b. al- Husayn said to him:” Today, you have become tired, wouldn’t you prefer to ride (your horse).” Al- M’man said:” Indeed, these are bonds of kinship which we have cut for two hundred years.

Mohammed borrowed a tot of money from people. So, Ismâ’it b. Mohammed wanted to seize this opportunity to ask al- M’mUn to pay Mohammed’s debts. While al- M’mfin was standing at the grave, Ismâ’it said to his brother, who was standing beside him:” Let’s ask him (atM’mfln) about the debts of Shaykh (Mohammed).” Before they could uiler a word, al- M’mfln said:” How much debt did MOhammed leave?” Ismâ’il said to him:” Twenty- five thousand dinars.” Al- M’mfln said to Ismft’tl:” May Allah relieve his debts, to whom did he make his will?.” Ismâ’il said to him:” To his son called Yahya in Medina.” Al- M’mün said:” He is not in Medina; he is in Egypt.’[36]

We are aware of him being there. However, we are unwilling to let him know about (our knowledge) of his departure from Medina so that we should not harm him as a result of his knowledge of our dislike of his departure from there.”

‘Ali:

‘All b. Ja’far was great and virtuous. al- Sftdiq trusted him very much. ‘Ati reported many traditions from his brother al- Kazim. Concerning him, in al- irshad, Shaykh al- Mufid, may Allah rest his soul in peace, said:” And ‘Au b. Ja’far was an important reporter of traditions, correct in method with intense piety, and great outstanding merit. He stayed close to his brother Mtisa, peace be on him, and reported many traditions on his authority. He believed in his textual nomination. He cleaved to him strongly. He devoted himself to him. And dedicated himself to him to learn the religious rules from him. He (‘Ati) has famous mailers. He learned them from him (his brother Müsa). He has some answers (for some questions). He heard them from him.

Because of his intense piety, ‘Ati recognized those Imams who came after his brother al- Kazim peace bon him. In spite of his advanced age, his great power, and his famous outstanding merit, he admiiled the truth and conform to it.

One day a man asked ‘Ati about his brother al- Klizim. ‘Ali said to the man:” He (al- Kazim) died:” The man said:” How did you know that? ‘All answered:” His properties have been divided. His women have been married. And his deputar has replaced him.” The man asked:” Who was the deputy after him?” ‘Ali answered:” His son.” The man asked:” What did he do?” ‘Au answered:” He died.” The man asked:” How did you know that he died?” ‘Ati answered:” His properties have been divided. His woman have been married. And his deputy has replaced.” The man asked:” Who is the deputy after him?” ‘Au answered:” His son Abu Ja’far.” The man said to him:” You are an old man, you have a high social rank, and your father was Ja’far b. Mohammed, peace be on them. Why have you believed in this boy?” ‘Ati said to him:” I do not see you but a Satan!” Then ‘Au took his beard and raised it towards the sky and said:” I have no power, for Allah has regarded him as worthier of this position than this white hair.”’[37]

By Allah, this is the piety itself, the submission of the self to the truth, and non- deception by the affairs of the outstanding merit, advanced age, and greatness, which may deceive the soul which incites man to evil.

‘Ali's behavior with AbU Ja’far was as the behavior of the person who knew the position of the Imam. That ‘Au was the uncle of the father of Abu Ja’far did not prevent him from adopting that behavior for him. Moreover, he was ready to sacrifice himself for him. One day Abfl Ja’far wanted to have his vein opened. The doctor approached him to open the vein. So, ‘Au b. Ja’far stood and said:” Would that this piece of iron had opened my vein before yours!” Then when Abfl Ja’far, peace be on him wanted to go, ‘Ali b. Ja’far prepared his shoes to put them on.[38]

One day Abü Ja’far, peace be on him, entered the Mosque of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and his family. When ‘Au b. Ja’far saw him, he ran bare- footed towards him. Then he kissed his hand. So, Abfl Ja’far said to him:” Uncle, sit down, may Allah have mercy upon you!” ‘Ati said:” My master, how can I sit down and you are standing?” When AbO Ja’far came BACK, the companions of ‘Au began blaming him (‘Au) and saying to him:” You are the uncle of his father, white you received him in such a manner!” ‘Au said:” Keep silent! Allah, the Great and Almighty, has regarded him as worthier of this position than this white hair. Allah save me from what you are saying. I am his servant.”[39]

This is the holy soul which knew the truth and followed it. The soul which obeyed the righteous rules of Allah.

‘Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, was called al- ‘ArTdy, namely he was ailributed to al- ‘Arid, a place near Medina, where ‘Ati lived and where Ismâ’il died. ‘Au’s children were called al- ‘Andy, too.

Al- Abbas:

In his book al- Irshâd, Shaykh al- Mufid, may Allah have mercy on him, said:” Al- Abbas b. Ja’far, may Allah have mercy on him, was virtuous and noble.”’[40] I (the author) said: “I have found nothing about al- Abbâs’s life except this note wriilen by Shaykh al- Mufid, my Allah rest his soul in peace.”

Müsa al- Kizim, peace be on him:

He was the Imam after his father al- Sadiq, peace be on him, according to the idea of the Imamis. May Allah help us to write the biography of Mflsa al- Kazim. Surely, He is the Giver of help and success.

History is the Best Teacher

We are fortunate because we are not the first ones to arrive in this world. The sky above us has seen the lives of millions of human beings on this planet through the ever-observing eyes of the star. Those people saw happiness and sorrow, brightness and darkness, love and hatred. They indulged in war and peace. In short, they saw thousands of aspects of human life.

Though, prior to us, many people went to their graves taking the secrets of their success with them without revealing them to others and they have been forgotten, yet different parts of the earth and apparently the silent deserted lands and the ruined structures have preserved noteworthy aspects of their lives for us and writers have noted them down for our benefit. Thus this world has become a great training school for us.

We obtain several lessons by studying the pages of history, by researching the lives of men in various parts of the world and by pondering over ancient remnants and can thus become wiser like our elders.

Is it not so that the product of a whole life is only a little ‘experience’?

Does history not make us conversant with the best of experiences? Is not human history a mirror showing the past people in their entirety? The misfortunes and mistake as well as the victories and reasons thereof are clearly seen in this mirror.

In the Holy Quran, the last edition of Divine Guidance for mankind, we find this ordinance of studying the life of past communities. We have been asked to take lessons from the special aspects of their lives.

The commander of the believers, Ali (a.s .) says, “O My son! Though I did not myself live with the people of the past yet I have studied their history thoroughly and attentively. Thus I have been aware of the ups and downs of their time and I know the relevant laws. I have comprehended their history so perfectly that, it seems Iwere living among them.”

History is the best guide for the present generation. Teaching history is much more difficult then teaching physics and chemistry. There are some formulas by which the teacher can teach these subjects nicely. But in case of history it is necessary to think deeply, make research and strive hard to reach the conclusion. Until history teachers do not get themselves satisfied regarding these requirements they cannot fulfill their obligation and cannot get the desired results. On this basis everyone who knows history cannot be called a historian.

A point, which ismore minute than a hair, is that everyone who does not shave off his hair cannot be considered a sage.

We must make efforts to understand the secrets and truths of history. Otherwise it is no use just reading it or only memorizing it. Secrets and truths of history are those bitter medicines which man can obtain with much difficulty. Man can cure both individual and collective ailments by using those medicines.

It is incumbent upon everyone, especially upon the administrators and other managers, to make deep study and research in the history of England, history of the great revolution of France, and, especially the history of Islam and of the last part of the rule ofBanu Umayyah and the revolution of the Abbasids and ascertain the causes of the failures of those who had ruled over the masses for centuries.

As a principle we should cultivate within us a zeal for reading books because it raises the level of thinking, strengthens the mind and offers the treasures of great people free to those who can obtain it. Today the standard of a nation’s progress is measured and its culture weighed by the use of paper by that community. It is said that in Switzerland, which is understood to be the cradle of civilization, taking into consideration its population, the quantity of paper used is much more than any other country. Experts have confirmed that paper used in Tehran is more than the paper utilized by all other provinces of Iran collectively.

Today it can be ascertained how many books are published in a year in a country and how many copies are printed in each edition. It is also calculated how many people benefit from the public libraries in a particular country.

In this way it is determined how much the level of public thinking has risen during the past year and how did it fare compared to other nations.

Secrets of authors are always hidden somewhere in their books. Once when Aristotle intended to publish his book Alexander put a hindrance so as to prevent others from reaching the level of his teacher’s accomplishments.

During the medieval centuries the Popes and Clergy had established an ‘educational society’ and had prevented the general public from reading books so that they (the clergy) might make maximum earnings from the ignorance of the masses and may continue to have total control on them.

A good book adorns morality, builds up the personality and teaches the secrets of life. However useless books should be discarded as harmful books impair ones intelligence.

A wise man has said, “Let me know what you are reading, so that I may tell you what you are.”

Shouphenhauer has said, “Life is more precious than the time spent in reading useless books.”

We must spare some time every day for reading useful books that increase our knowledge and we must consider the book as our best friend. There is no friend in the world better than a book. No one is more sympathetic than a good book in this house of sorrow. In moments of solitude there are thousands of bounties in the company of a book and not a single hardship.

Making Use of Opportunities

People do get enough opportunities and time but they do not take the advantage of this golden key to success and miss the chance due to procrastination. One should not only complete today’s work today but if possible also do the next day’s work today.

Once Abu MuslimKhurasani was asked, “What is the secret of your success?”

His response was, “I have never postponed today’s work for tomorrow.”

Sometimes it also so happens that energy spent in postponing a job proves enough for finishing the same work.

Some students who are not allowed to appear in the March-April examinations and who have to appear in October-November take the maximum advantage of this time and opportunity whereas some waste their time in repenting and in meaningless thoughts until the time of examination arrives. Such pupils not only face failure they also retreat a few steps backward. Some people only shed tears on the past and say:

“Had we purchased that garden we would havea earned much benefit. Had we enrolled in this university we would have become among the VIPs of the country today...”

Such people waste all their time in repenting and shedding tears on ‘yesterday’s grave’, though, if even now, they become wise and restart their jobs they can fulfill all, or at least, some of their aspirations. But they continue to cry on spilt milk.

You cannot repurchase time that is spent. Hence it is better not to sell it in the first place as time is a precious pearl.

Some people have the opposite nature. They think of the future but their worry is so much that in that anxiety, they are unable to do anything during the time that is at their disposal. We have seen students who are always afraid of being debarred from appearing in the examination and who keep on saying, “We are afraid our year will be wasted, we may not be allowed to sit in the examination.”

Such restlessness does not allow them to work and study and they lose the opportunity. How meaningful is this Arabic couplet:

Whatever time is gone is gone and what will come has not yet come so get up and take the maximum benefit of what is in between the two nonexistent moments.

OSaadi ! Yesterday has passed away and the forthcoming tomorrow does not now exist. Hence appreciate the time between the two.

Youth is the most opportune time

Youth is the best time for working, learning and earning. The greatest opportunity inones life is the youth. A young man is like the mountaineer who has reached the top of Himalayas and is full of joy. He has passion, aspiration, hope, zeal and ardor for work. He has numerous capabilities for inventing things. After some years these physical and spiritual powers begin to decrease. Nerves become weak, eyesight becomes feeble, and capacities lessen.

The Master of the Pious, Ali (a.s .) says, “Man understands the importance of his youth and health after losing them.”

The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a .) had given many admonitions to his great companion, AbuZar . One of them was, “Realize the importance of your youth before the advent of your old age.”

A young branch is the adornment of a garden. When it becomes old the gardener pulls it out and throws it away. A young branch produces a new fruit for every flower and the old branch is destined to wither away.

The great and successful people never repent over the past. At the same time no anxiety regarding the future prevents them from performing their jobs at the appropriate time.

Almighty God has given a natural wisdom to every man, which, increases with the passing of age. But, in addition to this natural wisdom, in the light of knowledge and experiments, we also get a sort of acquired wisdom. This acquired wisdom, in fact fosters the natural wisdom and raises it to perfection.

Suppose we have two trees of pistachio. Both are capable of giving nine kilo pistachio. But if we provide fertilizer to one of them, the treated plant would produce twice the pistachios.

Only those people are successful who always and in all available opportunities, be it childhood, youth or old age, polish their natural brainpower or intelligence with the acquired knowledge. And the best time for doing so is youth.

The Holy Prophet of Islam (s.a.w.a .) has said, “Opportunities pass away like the clouds of spring. Success is the right of a farmer who takes advantage of it.”

Those who have valued their time and age never waste their life in futile works. Some scholars have written their books during hours, which are not appreciated by the common people.

For example, Dr.Mardun Cud wrote one of his famous books during the time he got while traveling from one patient’s house to theother’s .

Dr.Borni learned French and Italian languages during the time he got while commuting to his office and back.

The great scholar, the lateMudarris Khayabani had written one of his famous books regarding Persian synonyms during refreshment breaks.

Napoleon had defeated the enemy in the event of ‘Arikula ’ with the help of only 25 companions because the opponent was tired and Napoleon took the advantage of this opportunity and was victorious despite having lesser men.

Some people waste their life and time as if they are the enemies of their own lives and times. Today there are many pastimes that provide less recreation and waste more time.

Of course, tired nerves do require rest and recreation. One should never think that recreation is a waste of time. Because, lacking a stroll, breathing fresh air, viewing beautiful scenes, participating in joyful meetings and all such things give respite to our nerves from tension and add vigor to life.

But at the same time we should not squander our precious life by imagining that every vain and futile pastime is recreation.

Today’s youth mostly turns to television, cinema and magazines for recreation. They should realize that every film is not worth viewing. Nor is every book pleasing, educational, instructive and advantageous.

Crime, horror and sex films are not worthy of appreciation. Rather they turn youth into untimely old age.

Firm Determination

Man, like other animals, also has the power of ‘determination’. In other animals it is controlled by their beastly nature, whereas man’s determination or will must be in control of his brain or wisdom.

In this chapter on determination we do not intend to say that we must hand over the reins of our will or wish in the hands of passionate desires and perform every deed according to beastly nature. In that case we will not rank above an animal and thus will lose our status.

Here our aim is that after giving proper thought if we come to a conclusion that such and such work is beneficial or desirable and that it should be done then we should make a decision to do it and should remain firm on that decision to the best of our ability. We must realize that the more the hardship or difficulty in any work the more is the demand to be firm and unflinching for its performance. Here the secret of success is firm decision or strong will. It removes difficulties and obstacles from the path.

The demeanor and the facial appearance of great people give an idea of their unyielding and firm determination, which pours success on them.

Men with firm decision are always respected in every strata of the society. Others cannot harm them. But people having a weak will power wander like stray dogs and are so frail and shaky that the enemy overcomes them easily.

Reluctance and hesitation is disastrous for success and it is a clear sign of moral debility. Indecision inflicts a fatal blow to carefulness and higher intelligence.

Alexander the Great had said, “One of the secrets of my victories is my strong will. After making a decision I do not like to hesitate in carrying it out.”

Timurlane , Napoleon and Nadir Shah were among the recognized military commanders. They used to delay their decisions but after making a decision they never changed it.

A man with a firm decision is like a soldier on duty who has already received alert orders. Such a man bears all circumstances and no hindrance can block his path. The difficulties in the path leading to his goal are unable to make anything appear impossible in his eyes.

Goethe says, “A man with firm decision and strong will can change the world to his liking.”

In the war ofQudisiyah , the commander-in-chief of the Persian army,Farrukhzaad called a delegate from the commander of the Muslim army. The Muslim commander,Saad binWaqqas , sentRabe bin Amir as his representative. The strong will of this Bedouin Arab madeRustom spellbound.

When he arrived in the court ofRustom , he saw thatRustom was sitting on a golden throne and rich carpets were spread on the floor with gold-threaded pillows on them.

Such deceptive things never awe a man with firm decision and strong will. His determination did not flinch at all that pomp.

When he arrived nearRustom he did not alight from his horse, rather he pushed his animal forward and enteredRustom’s stable in a mounted position. When the servants ofRustom tried to stop him he retorted, “You had invited a delegate from us. I am the representative of the Muslims. If you do not want to see me I will go back.”

Then slowly and silently, with complete ease and seriousness, he approached the throne ofRustom . Walking over the pompous carpets he went forward and sat down on the floor.Then said, “We are not accustomed to such luxury.”

When the interpreter ofRustom asked him why the Muslim army had attacked he replied, “Allah Almighty has put a responsibility on us that we should release God’s slaves from all sorts of oppressions and from the evils of other religions and invite them to abide by and accept the just law of Islam. If they accept our invitation we have no enmity toward them. Otherwise we will fight with them and will either kill or be killed. Either way we reach paradise.”

Observing such a strong determination of this Bedouin,Rustom who was struck with awe, said, “Give us some time for corresponding and consulting our elders.”

“We can give you three days. More delay is not advisable,” said the Muslim representative.

Rustom said, “It seems you are the commander and thus you intend to sign a treaty with us.”

He replied, “No. I am merely a member of the Muslim society. Of course all the Muslims are limbs of a single body. If any one of them gives shelter to others, all the Muslims are bound to concur with it.

The Commander of the faithful, Ali (a.s .) orders his son to have firm determination

The Battle of Camel was fought betweenHazrat Ali (a.s .) and the breakers of the treaty. For making an attack in this warAmirul Mo-mineen (a.s .) had given the flag to his dear son, MuhammadHanafiyah and to fortify his determination he advised, “Even if the mountains around Basra give way, you should not budge from your place, to retreat. Lighten your teeth. Offer your head on loan to Allah. Keep your eye on the last rows of the army. Close your eyes for seeing any adversity and remove difficulties with the special strength of your firm will. Understand that the final victory is in the hands of Allah. Our responsibility is only to fight in the way as shown by Him.”

TheAmirul Mo-mineen sent one of his commanders (Malik Ashtar ) as the governor of Egypt. In his letter addressed to the people of Egypt, Ali (a.s ) had praised his emissary thus:

“O people of Egypt! I have sent to you a slave from among the slaves of Allah towards you. He does not sleep during the hours of danger. He does not fear the enemy in time of peril. For evildoers he is more devastating than fire…Heis one of the swords of Allah, which does not blunt nor it misses its hit.

We can benefit from the precious pearls hidden beneath the ground of our intelligence, wisdom and alertness only if we have an unbreakable determination. Man can advance only in the light of his steel-like will.

What is self-confidence? Only that man may take a decision in the light of his brainpower and then act accordingly. He may regard himself able to perform that task and refrain from those matters, which can weaken his will.

People, who have toured the entire world, possessed positive thinking and who had founded educational institutions and industries had removed the words like ‘impossible’ from the vocabulary of their lives. They viewed everything from the angle of ‘feasible’ and ‘I can’. A man having negative thoughts and weak will not onlyloses the benefit from advantageous opportunities but he also becomes a hindrance in the way of others. He wastes his life in disallowing his inner potentiality and in creating roadblocks for himself.

One of the motives of strengthening the will is love for our aim and zeal in work. First of all man must try to cultivate interest and zeal for his work. Awake or asleep, he must always dream of his work. This should continue until his mind is occupied with that issue every moment.

The gigantic pyramids of Egypt, the lofty palaces of the czars, sky-high mansions, and multi-volume books are the results of unbreakable intention.

The expertise of Russians and Americans in astronomy is skyrocketing only due to their strong will.

Weak willed people are like papers flowing on the surface of the sea. They have no strength of their own. But men with firm determination are like expert swimmers who, with the power of their will and determination, rip the water currents and proceed in the direction of their choice.

Napoleon used to say, “The word, ‘impossible’ should be removed from the dictionary of life.” He used to become very unhappy on hearing words and like ‘cannot be done’, ‘I cannot do’ and ‘I do not know’. He used to say, “Just desire and it will be done.”

Nowadays many ailments are treated by strengthening ones will power. Many difficulties become easy before a firm determination.

In the words of HafizShirazi : There are many dangers in the way toLaila’s house. For taking the first step it is necessary that you should beMajnoon .

Awareness of Circumstances

Before starting any work it is necessary to understand the conditions and demands of the atmosphere and then to draw a program accordingly. Jobs done without first studying the relevant trends often end up in failure.

ImamJa’far Sadiq (a.s .) said, “One who becomes aware of the conditions of his times is saved from a sudden attack.”

This is a very valuable principle. Had the Muslims and other backward communities of the world, paid attention to this rule in the matter of politics they would never have been subdued by the invaders. Many misfortunes are the result of ignorance of and carelessness toward prevailing conditions.

In western Rome Before the advent of Islam, there was no progress at all in arts and science, trade and industry and military affairs, because the people there were so unmindful of the world that when the Muslim army besieged Constantinople their wise men were discussing vain issues as: Can some angel accommodate them on the point of a needle?

History repeats itself. Muslims also fell to such idleness at a time when they were at the peak of their progress and advancement. The eastern states, particularly the heads of Islamic countries were pitiably unaware of the conditions of their masses. They woke up only after the west took control of all sciences and industries.

Even the recurring defeat of the Ottoman Empire did not awaken its rulers. The rulers remained in sleep even after being defeated by the Europeans. Suddenly when they saw enemy planes roaring over their heads they began to open their eyes wide with astonishment.

They could not imagine that it was the work of human beings. Perhaps they were thinking that the flying machines were the handiworks of angels!

The nineteenth century was very important from the viewpoint of discoveries and inventions. But in those days Iran was engaged in internal struggles. Those responsible for such state of affairs were in deep sleep. They were unaware of the conditions of the world.

For example it would not be out of place to mention here that during the reign ofFatehali Shah, Napoleon wanted to conquer India. He intended to snatch away that fertile land from the hands of the British East India Company. In this connection, in order to obtain the support of Iranian public and government, he wrote a letter to the Shah of Iran.

Strangely enough they could not find anyone in the court of the Shah of Iran who could translate the letter of Napoleon for the king.

It was considered inadvisable to get it translated from the embassies of other countries. They were thus compelled to send that letter to the Iranian embassy in Baghdad where there was a French-knowing person who translated it.

Such a dosing nation cannot preserve its political, economical and cultural independence and it has to live under the obligation of others.

A great Iranian poet has given vent to his burning feelings in this connection thus:

We are the ones who had collected tax from kings,then we took away their belt and crown.

We took their royal cap and their throne, which was decorated with pearls and ivory.

We emptied their treasures.

We did not fear storms and high-speed winds.

We were a dreaded topic in China and other countries.

Egypt and Oman were awed by our glory.

Our power was obvious in Spain and Rome.

Granada andAshbila used to obey us.

Saqliya was under our flag.

Royal decree was our sign, which used to cover everything under the sun.

These couplets pertain to the era when Muslims and Iranians were awake. It can be said that the East was proud of the glorious past of the Islamic world. But what is our condition today? The same poet describes:

Alas! This field has been destroyed by flood.

The afflicted farmer went into deep sleep.

The blood of our heart took the color of wine.

The heat of fever burnt down our body.

The cool face turned into a burning one.

The eyes of intelligence too got covered with blood.

The wealth went away and health turned to illness.

Institution of the Pope

The Pope’s grand institution, after a long duration of oppressive rule, got disintegrated, because it had tried to remain in power by creating a cruel court called Inquisition. But it had erred seriously and was unaware of the changes, which had already taken place in the masses. Those changes in the thoughts of the people tended to destroy the wrong thoughts of the clergy and the priests. The church took no notice of those changing trends at all. It was of the opinion that it would be able to stem the flood with the help of oppression, use of force and torture. But this thinking was merely the result of their ignorance of the change in winds. If it had not, at the last moments of its life, prepared a new plan and had it not adapted itself to the new age, no sign of Christianity would have remained in the world today. It cleared its sleepy eyes, changed its course, started schools, colleges and universities and regained its past position through educational service to the society.

The Most Intelligent Man of the East

In the nineteenth century, an ordinary but a very intelligent person (AmirKabir ) rose up. He felt that the misfortune of the easterners was due to the changes, which had taken place in the west. Those changes had created a vast gulf between the people of the east and the west. So long as that gap was not filled the western communities would continue to monopolize Iran.

So he studied the circumstances carefully and realized that it was not the time to fight with swords and arrows. Modern technology has changed the method of production. Gas and steam have subdued all material treasures.

Therefore, AmirKabir , in 1849 AD (1266 HE) established an institution named ‘Daral Funoon ’ (House of Arts & Science). The eastern wing of this institute was completed by the end of the year 1267.

They deputed a reliable person to Vienna who requested the Emperor of Austria to send a commander of infantry, a tutor of artillery, a teacher of mounted police, an expert of mining, two miners, a professor of medicine and surgery and a pharmacist for five or six years and paid each of them a monthly salary of 4000Tomans .

But alas! Traitors of the nation came forward to put off this shining lamp and AmirKabir was killed at the hands of the butchers ofQachar a few years after the establishment ofDaral Funoon in the year 1268.

Observing closely the trends of the world, AmirKabir had realized that a major cause of the backwardness of Iran and other counties was that their economy depended on the west. Iran had become a market of the west-manufactured materials and was only their consumer.

This reliance on the west, rather helplessness and beggary, had destroyed the capabilities of Iranians. TheIranis had become only the suppliers of raw material to the industries of the west. They were pulling on their days like a daily-waged laborer. Amir put at the disposal of the artist enough capital for the expansion of manufacturing industries.

He established sugar factories inSaari , rope and cloth in Tehran, silk inKashan and Horse-carriages in Isfahan etc. He gave much assistance to cloth manufacturers in Isfahan andKashan , encouraged many experts for preparing new things and making inventions and had also arranged an exhibition of Iranian products in Iran.

All these services rendered by AmirKabir were the result of his awareness about the existing trends and circumstances.

When roads were built in Iran and automobiles started rolling thereon, the joyful journeys on horseback and in horse and donkey carts came to an end. The carriers of mule-litters began to complain so much that, strangelyenough, they even asked the government to cancel the licenses of pannier-owners! All this was the consequence of remaining unaware of the happenings in the world.

Sometimes our businessmen do things, which are disliked by people in today’s world. In fact such deeds of theirs are like waging war against progress. As a result they meet with sure defeat.

Here we become convinced of the importance of a great religious leader’s words who said: Do not fight with time otherwise time will fight with you.

Enemy: A Step-stone to Success

Only he is victorious who has recognized the world fully and who considers his enemy as the first step toward victory.

Intelligent people think that the enemy teaches him how to march towards success, because, the adversary is the best type of mirror with reflects our defects through pen or tongue. It decreases our pride and arrogance and, sometimes, helps in uplifting our hidden abilities.

The advances of the east and the west are the consequence of competition. If competitions come to end, capabilities would not flower. Thus, if there were no struggle between individuals or masses the progress in new inventions too would become stagnant.

Failure is a ladder to success

One of the secrets of success is that we should not fear failures. Rather, we must pick up the sweet fruits hidden in defeat. Failure is like a mirror, which shows us our weaknesses and defects accurately.

Great and wise people consider failure as a bridge to victory. They endeavor to see that the causes of failure are not repeated. In fact they do not consider failure as defeat. What they really fear is that they should never be disheartened or demoralized.

History shows that many victories came after defeats. It is so because the failed person enters the field again with a new determination and spirit and achieves success as he is convinced that the distance between success and failure is very less.

Those who fail but do not get disappointed are the ones to give up so easily. They continue to march forward gradually with a strong will and rest only after reaching their goal.

In the battle ofUhad , Muslims had to taste defeat due to an act of disobedience. But that defeat was so educative that it cleared the road to future success.

Napoleon says, “I have seen so many defeats that I have now learnt how to defeat the enemy.”

And what an apt statement is made by someone else: For those with weak spirit defeat is a fatal poison but for powerful souls it is a ladder to success.

In the Islamic Law, despair is considered a great sin. An apparent effect of defeat is disappointment but since the days of old people have said: The brightness of dawn comes after the end of a dark night.

It is also said that sometimes hope remains hidden behind hopelessness and disappointment. Hope follows hopelessness.

The great Iranian military commander Nadir Shah was determined to conquer Baghdad after capturingKirmanshah from the Turks. He also conqueredSamarrah ,Kerbala , Najaf and some other towns of Iraq and then besieged Baghdad. But very soon,Topal Shah reached there with eighty thousand selected warriors to break the siege.

That army of the Ottoman Turks was armed with heavy artillery and numerically too they were more than the Iranians. During the fighting the horse of Nadir Shah was hit by an arrow, which drowned that animal in blood. The Iranian soldiers imagined that Nadir Shah was killed so they disintegrated and anarchy spread. When Nadir Shah saw this he ordered retreat. Nearly 30,000 Iranians and 20,000 Turks fell in this battle. The Turks took control of the entire artillery and arms of the Iranians. Nadir Shah reachedMandali with surviving soldiers most of whom did not even have shoes on.

In the eyes of the ordinary people this defeat has finished the Iranian army. But what gave salvation to Nadir shah was that he did not accept defeat, as his spirit wastill alive. After returning to Hamadan, he collected fighters from all over Iran and prepared a fresh army within two months. There were at least 2,00,000 men it. Then he went toKirmanshah . From there he went toKarkook and gave a severe defeat to the Turkish army. Then he surrounded Baghdad once more and compelled the Turkish warriors to surrender. As a consequence the Turkish government had to promise that all the Persian lands would be returned to Iran within ten years.

The Persian King plucks Sweet Fruit from a Sour Tree

Behram Shah was very fond of hunting. But he was totally unaware of the conditions of his people. He used to become pleased merely by seeing his well-managed military and the flattering talks of his courtiers. He knew nothing about innocent prisoners languishing in his jails.

In such circumstances a war broke out on the borders of Iran. The king was compelled to ask help from the people. But they did not pay any attention to his call and did not cooperate with him, as he had not cared for them. The king was shocked to see this. He began to think about the reasons of his helplessness before his masses. He realized that there was some irregularity in the government administration, which he did not know, and that irregularity had turned the people against the regime.

One day, he went out of the city in disguise. There he suddenly saw that a man had hung the skin of a dog in front of his tent. The King of Iran went forward, said Salam to that person, introduced himself as a traveler and asked the reason for hanging the dog skin. After much persuasion the man replied, “I was maintaining myself with the help of some sheep that used to graze in this greenery. This skin is of a dog, which used to guard them. My shepherd and I were hopefully thinking of expanding our work. But after a few days the shepherd came and informed me that wolves had taken away a sheep. He brought similar sad news for two or three days continuously. So I became suspicious about the dog. Then the shepherd and I kept a vigil on the dog for a whole night. We observed that the dog had cultivated sexual relations with a female and his passion had allowed the wolves to attack our herd. So we have hung its skin here that people may understand that such is the end of those who accept a responsibility and then show dishonesty in their duty.

This story shocked the king who told himself, “Perhaps, the reason of my failure is that I had over confidence in my courtiers.” Thereafter he personally contacted different sections of the public without informing the yes-men of the court. He found that the unhappy people were not allowed even to complain and that a number of innocent people were imprisoned for not paying ‘illegal’ taxes.

He instantly brought about a kind of basic revolution. He transferred his courtiers, ministers and officers, punished the oppressors and thus regained the confidence of his masses. Soon thereafter he began to get support from all the sections of the society.

The Defeat of Hitler

Hitler had met defeat in the way Napoleon had suffered defeat. Napoleon had marched to conquer Moscow in a severe winter. So he could not succeed and this thoughtless gesture proved to be the cause of his downfall. Had Hitler learnt a lesson from Napoleon’s defeat he would not have repeated his mistake. Hitler invaded Russia in the scorching heat of summer on the 2nd June of 1941. He also saw almost what Napoleon had seen. Initially the German forces got some success and the allies had to retreat. Germans pursued them but thereafter the Germans had to suffer many difficulties in surrounding cities like Leningrad in a very hot season. Russians attacked them severely and the Germans were defeated.

History is the Best Teacher

We are fortunate because we are not the first ones to arrive in this world. The sky above us has seen the lives of millions of human beings on this planet through the ever-observing eyes of the star. Those people saw happiness and sorrow, brightness and darkness, love and hatred. They indulged in war and peace. In short, they saw thousands of aspects of human life.

Though, prior to us, many people went to their graves taking the secrets of their success with them without revealing them to others and they have been forgotten, yet different parts of the earth and apparently the silent deserted lands and the ruined structures have preserved noteworthy aspects of their lives for us and writers have noted them down for our benefit. Thus this world has become a great training school for us.

We obtain several lessons by studying the pages of history, by researching the lives of men in various parts of the world and by pondering over ancient remnants and can thus become wiser like our elders.

Is it not so that the product of a whole life is only a little ‘experience’?

Does history not make us conversant with the best of experiences? Is not human history a mirror showing the past people in their entirety? The misfortunes and mistake as well as the victories and reasons thereof are clearly seen in this mirror.

In the Holy Quran, the last edition of Divine Guidance for mankind, we find this ordinance of studying the life of past communities. We have been asked to take lessons from the special aspects of their lives.

The commander of the believers, Ali (a.s .) says, “O My son! Though I did not myself live with the people of the past yet I have studied their history thoroughly and attentively. Thus I have been aware of the ups and downs of their time and I know the relevant laws. I have comprehended their history so perfectly that, it seems Iwere living among them.”

History is the best guide for the present generation. Teaching history is much more difficult then teaching physics and chemistry. There are some formulas by which the teacher can teach these subjects nicely. But in case of history it is necessary to think deeply, make research and strive hard to reach the conclusion. Until history teachers do not get themselves satisfied regarding these requirements they cannot fulfill their obligation and cannot get the desired results. On this basis everyone who knows history cannot be called a historian.

A point, which ismore minute than a hair, is that everyone who does not shave off his hair cannot be considered a sage.

We must make efforts to understand the secrets and truths of history. Otherwise it is no use just reading it or only memorizing it. Secrets and truths of history are those bitter medicines which man can obtain with much difficulty. Man can cure both individual and collective ailments by using those medicines.

It is incumbent upon everyone, especially upon the administrators and other managers, to make deep study and research in the history of England, history of the great revolution of France, and, especially the history of Islam and of the last part of the rule ofBanu Umayyah and the revolution of the Abbasids and ascertain the causes of the failures of those who had ruled over the masses for centuries.

As a principle we should cultivate within us a zeal for reading books because it raises the level of thinking, strengthens the mind and offers the treasures of great people free to those who can obtain it. Today the standard of a nation’s progress is measured and its culture weighed by the use of paper by that community. It is said that in Switzerland, which is understood to be the cradle of civilization, taking into consideration its population, the quantity of paper used is much more than any other country. Experts have confirmed that paper used in Tehran is more than the paper utilized by all other provinces of Iran collectively.

Today it can be ascertained how many books are published in a year in a country and how many copies are printed in each edition. It is also calculated how many people benefit from the public libraries in a particular country.

In this way it is determined how much the level of public thinking has risen during the past year and how did it fare compared to other nations.

Secrets of authors are always hidden somewhere in their books. Once when Aristotle intended to publish his book Alexander put a hindrance so as to prevent others from reaching the level of his teacher’s accomplishments.

During the medieval centuries the Popes and Clergy had established an ‘educational society’ and had prevented the general public from reading books so that they (the clergy) might make maximum earnings from the ignorance of the masses and may continue to have total control on them.

A good book adorns morality, builds up the personality and teaches the secrets of life. However useless books should be discarded as harmful books impair ones intelligence.

A wise man has said, “Let me know what you are reading, so that I may tell you what you are.”

Shouphenhauer has said, “Life is more precious than the time spent in reading useless books.”

We must spare some time every day for reading useful books that increase our knowledge and we must consider the book as our best friend. There is no friend in the world better than a book. No one is more sympathetic than a good book in this house of sorrow. In moments of solitude there are thousands of bounties in the company of a book and not a single hardship.

Making Use of Opportunities

People do get enough opportunities and time but they do not take the advantage of this golden key to success and miss the chance due to procrastination. One should not only complete today’s work today but if possible also do the next day’s work today.

Once Abu MuslimKhurasani was asked, “What is the secret of your success?”

His response was, “I have never postponed today’s work for tomorrow.”

Sometimes it also so happens that energy spent in postponing a job proves enough for finishing the same work.

Some students who are not allowed to appear in the March-April examinations and who have to appear in October-November take the maximum advantage of this time and opportunity whereas some waste their time in repenting and in meaningless thoughts until the time of examination arrives. Such pupils not only face failure they also retreat a few steps backward. Some people only shed tears on the past and say:

“Had we purchased that garden we would havea earned much benefit. Had we enrolled in this university we would have become among the VIPs of the country today...”

Such people waste all their time in repenting and shedding tears on ‘yesterday’s grave’, though, if even now, they become wise and restart their jobs they can fulfill all, or at least, some of their aspirations. But they continue to cry on spilt milk.

You cannot repurchase time that is spent. Hence it is better not to sell it in the first place as time is a precious pearl.

Some people have the opposite nature. They think of the future but their worry is so much that in that anxiety, they are unable to do anything during the time that is at their disposal. We have seen students who are always afraid of being debarred from appearing in the examination and who keep on saying, “We are afraid our year will be wasted, we may not be allowed to sit in the examination.”

Such restlessness does not allow them to work and study and they lose the opportunity. How meaningful is this Arabic couplet:

Whatever time is gone is gone and what will come has not yet come so get up and take the maximum benefit of what is in between the two nonexistent moments.

OSaadi ! Yesterday has passed away and the forthcoming tomorrow does not now exist. Hence appreciate the time between the two.

Youth is the most opportune time

Youth is the best time for working, learning and earning. The greatest opportunity inones life is the youth. A young man is like the mountaineer who has reached the top of Himalayas and is full of joy. He has passion, aspiration, hope, zeal and ardor for work. He has numerous capabilities for inventing things. After some years these physical and spiritual powers begin to decrease. Nerves become weak, eyesight becomes feeble, and capacities lessen.

The Master of the Pious, Ali (a.s .) says, “Man understands the importance of his youth and health after losing them.”

The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a .) had given many admonitions to his great companion, AbuZar . One of them was, “Realize the importance of your youth before the advent of your old age.”

A young branch is the adornment of a garden. When it becomes old the gardener pulls it out and throws it away. A young branch produces a new fruit for every flower and the old branch is destined to wither away.

The great and successful people never repent over the past. At the same time no anxiety regarding the future prevents them from performing their jobs at the appropriate time.

Almighty God has given a natural wisdom to every man, which, increases with the passing of age. But, in addition to this natural wisdom, in the light of knowledge and experiments, we also get a sort of acquired wisdom. This acquired wisdom, in fact fosters the natural wisdom and raises it to perfection.

Suppose we have two trees of pistachio. Both are capable of giving nine kilo pistachio. But if we provide fertilizer to one of them, the treated plant would produce twice the pistachios.

Only those people are successful who always and in all available opportunities, be it childhood, youth or old age, polish their natural brainpower or intelligence with the acquired knowledge. And the best time for doing so is youth.

The Holy Prophet of Islam (s.a.w.a .) has said, “Opportunities pass away like the clouds of spring. Success is the right of a farmer who takes advantage of it.”

Those who have valued their time and age never waste their life in futile works. Some scholars have written their books during hours, which are not appreciated by the common people.

For example, Dr.Mardun Cud wrote one of his famous books during the time he got while traveling from one patient’s house to theother’s .

Dr.Borni learned French and Italian languages during the time he got while commuting to his office and back.

The great scholar, the lateMudarris Khayabani had written one of his famous books regarding Persian synonyms during refreshment breaks.

Napoleon had defeated the enemy in the event of ‘Arikula ’ with the help of only 25 companions because the opponent was tired and Napoleon took the advantage of this opportunity and was victorious despite having lesser men.

Some people waste their life and time as if they are the enemies of their own lives and times. Today there are many pastimes that provide less recreation and waste more time.

Of course, tired nerves do require rest and recreation. One should never think that recreation is a waste of time. Because, lacking a stroll, breathing fresh air, viewing beautiful scenes, participating in joyful meetings and all such things give respite to our nerves from tension and add vigor to life.

But at the same time we should not squander our precious life by imagining that every vain and futile pastime is recreation.

Today’s youth mostly turns to television, cinema and magazines for recreation. They should realize that every film is not worth viewing. Nor is every book pleasing, educational, instructive and advantageous.

Crime, horror and sex films are not worthy of appreciation. Rather they turn youth into untimely old age.

Firm Determination

Man, like other animals, also has the power of ‘determination’. In other animals it is controlled by their beastly nature, whereas man’s determination or will must be in control of his brain or wisdom.

In this chapter on determination we do not intend to say that we must hand over the reins of our will or wish in the hands of passionate desires and perform every deed according to beastly nature. In that case we will not rank above an animal and thus will lose our status.

Here our aim is that after giving proper thought if we come to a conclusion that such and such work is beneficial or desirable and that it should be done then we should make a decision to do it and should remain firm on that decision to the best of our ability. We must realize that the more the hardship or difficulty in any work the more is the demand to be firm and unflinching for its performance. Here the secret of success is firm decision or strong will. It removes difficulties and obstacles from the path.

The demeanor and the facial appearance of great people give an idea of their unyielding and firm determination, which pours success on them.

Men with firm decision are always respected in every strata of the society. Others cannot harm them. But people having a weak will power wander like stray dogs and are so frail and shaky that the enemy overcomes them easily.

Reluctance and hesitation is disastrous for success and it is a clear sign of moral debility. Indecision inflicts a fatal blow to carefulness and higher intelligence.

Alexander the Great had said, “One of the secrets of my victories is my strong will. After making a decision I do not like to hesitate in carrying it out.”

Timurlane , Napoleon and Nadir Shah were among the recognized military commanders. They used to delay their decisions but after making a decision they never changed it.

A man with a firm decision is like a soldier on duty who has already received alert orders. Such a man bears all circumstances and no hindrance can block his path. The difficulties in the path leading to his goal are unable to make anything appear impossible in his eyes.

Goethe says, “A man with firm decision and strong will can change the world to his liking.”

In the war ofQudisiyah , the commander-in-chief of the Persian army,Farrukhzaad called a delegate from the commander of the Muslim army. The Muslim commander,Saad binWaqqas , sentRabe bin Amir as his representative. The strong will of this Bedouin Arab madeRustom spellbound.

When he arrived in the court ofRustom , he saw thatRustom was sitting on a golden throne and rich carpets were spread on the floor with gold-threaded pillows on them.

Such deceptive things never awe a man with firm decision and strong will. His determination did not flinch at all that pomp.

When he arrived nearRustom he did not alight from his horse, rather he pushed his animal forward and enteredRustom’s stable in a mounted position. When the servants ofRustom tried to stop him he retorted, “You had invited a delegate from us. I am the representative of the Muslims. If you do not want to see me I will go back.”

Then slowly and silently, with complete ease and seriousness, he approached the throne ofRustom . Walking over the pompous carpets he went forward and sat down on the floor.Then said, “We are not accustomed to such luxury.”

When the interpreter ofRustom asked him why the Muslim army had attacked he replied, “Allah Almighty has put a responsibility on us that we should release God’s slaves from all sorts of oppressions and from the evils of other religions and invite them to abide by and accept the just law of Islam. If they accept our invitation we have no enmity toward them. Otherwise we will fight with them and will either kill or be killed. Either way we reach paradise.”

Observing such a strong determination of this Bedouin,Rustom who was struck with awe, said, “Give us some time for corresponding and consulting our elders.”

“We can give you three days. More delay is not advisable,” said the Muslim representative.

Rustom said, “It seems you are the commander and thus you intend to sign a treaty with us.”

He replied, “No. I am merely a member of the Muslim society. Of course all the Muslims are limbs of a single body. If any one of them gives shelter to others, all the Muslims are bound to concur with it.

The Commander of the faithful, Ali (a.s .) orders his son to have firm determination

The Battle of Camel was fought betweenHazrat Ali (a.s .) and the breakers of the treaty. For making an attack in this warAmirul Mo-mineen (a.s .) had given the flag to his dear son, MuhammadHanafiyah and to fortify his determination he advised, “Even if the mountains around Basra give way, you should not budge from your place, to retreat. Lighten your teeth. Offer your head on loan to Allah. Keep your eye on the last rows of the army. Close your eyes for seeing any adversity and remove difficulties with the special strength of your firm will. Understand that the final victory is in the hands of Allah. Our responsibility is only to fight in the way as shown by Him.”

TheAmirul Mo-mineen sent one of his commanders (Malik Ashtar ) as the governor of Egypt. In his letter addressed to the people of Egypt, Ali (a.s ) had praised his emissary thus:

“O people of Egypt! I have sent to you a slave from among the slaves of Allah towards you. He does not sleep during the hours of danger. He does not fear the enemy in time of peril. For evildoers he is more devastating than fire…Heis one of the swords of Allah, which does not blunt nor it misses its hit.

We can benefit from the precious pearls hidden beneath the ground of our intelligence, wisdom and alertness only if we have an unbreakable determination. Man can advance only in the light of his steel-like will.

What is self-confidence? Only that man may take a decision in the light of his brainpower and then act accordingly. He may regard himself able to perform that task and refrain from those matters, which can weaken his will.

People, who have toured the entire world, possessed positive thinking and who had founded educational institutions and industries had removed the words like ‘impossible’ from the vocabulary of their lives. They viewed everything from the angle of ‘feasible’ and ‘I can’. A man having negative thoughts and weak will not onlyloses the benefit from advantageous opportunities but he also becomes a hindrance in the way of others. He wastes his life in disallowing his inner potentiality and in creating roadblocks for himself.

One of the motives of strengthening the will is love for our aim and zeal in work. First of all man must try to cultivate interest and zeal for his work. Awake or asleep, he must always dream of his work. This should continue until his mind is occupied with that issue every moment.

The gigantic pyramids of Egypt, the lofty palaces of the czars, sky-high mansions, and multi-volume books are the results of unbreakable intention.

The expertise of Russians and Americans in astronomy is skyrocketing only due to their strong will.

Weak willed people are like papers flowing on the surface of the sea. They have no strength of their own. But men with firm determination are like expert swimmers who, with the power of their will and determination, rip the water currents and proceed in the direction of their choice.

Napoleon used to say, “The word, ‘impossible’ should be removed from the dictionary of life.” He used to become very unhappy on hearing words and like ‘cannot be done’, ‘I cannot do’ and ‘I do not know’. He used to say, “Just desire and it will be done.”

Nowadays many ailments are treated by strengthening ones will power. Many difficulties become easy before a firm determination.

In the words of HafizShirazi : There are many dangers in the way toLaila’s house. For taking the first step it is necessary that you should beMajnoon .

Awareness of Circumstances

Before starting any work it is necessary to understand the conditions and demands of the atmosphere and then to draw a program accordingly. Jobs done without first studying the relevant trends often end up in failure.

ImamJa’far Sadiq (a.s .) said, “One who becomes aware of the conditions of his times is saved from a sudden attack.”

This is a very valuable principle. Had the Muslims and other backward communities of the world, paid attention to this rule in the matter of politics they would never have been subdued by the invaders. Many misfortunes are the result of ignorance of and carelessness toward prevailing conditions.

In western Rome Before the advent of Islam, there was no progress at all in arts and science, trade and industry and military affairs, because the people there were so unmindful of the world that when the Muslim army besieged Constantinople their wise men were discussing vain issues as: Can some angel accommodate them on the point of a needle?

History repeats itself. Muslims also fell to such idleness at a time when they were at the peak of their progress and advancement. The eastern states, particularly the heads of Islamic countries were pitiably unaware of the conditions of their masses. They woke up only after the west took control of all sciences and industries.

Even the recurring defeat of the Ottoman Empire did not awaken its rulers. The rulers remained in sleep even after being defeated by the Europeans. Suddenly when they saw enemy planes roaring over their heads they began to open their eyes wide with astonishment.

They could not imagine that it was the work of human beings. Perhaps they were thinking that the flying machines were the handiworks of angels!

The nineteenth century was very important from the viewpoint of discoveries and inventions. But in those days Iran was engaged in internal struggles. Those responsible for such state of affairs were in deep sleep. They were unaware of the conditions of the world.

For example it would not be out of place to mention here that during the reign ofFatehali Shah, Napoleon wanted to conquer India. He intended to snatch away that fertile land from the hands of the British East India Company. In this connection, in order to obtain the support of Iranian public and government, he wrote a letter to the Shah of Iran.

Strangely enough they could not find anyone in the court of the Shah of Iran who could translate the letter of Napoleon for the king.

It was considered inadvisable to get it translated from the embassies of other countries. They were thus compelled to send that letter to the Iranian embassy in Baghdad where there was a French-knowing person who translated it.

Such a dosing nation cannot preserve its political, economical and cultural independence and it has to live under the obligation of others.

A great Iranian poet has given vent to his burning feelings in this connection thus:

We are the ones who had collected tax from kings,then we took away their belt and crown.

We took their royal cap and their throne, which was decorated with pearls and ivory.

We emptied their treasures.

We did not fear storms and high-speed winds.

We were a dreaded topic in China and other countries.

Egypt and Oman were awed by our glory.

Our power was obvious in Spain and Rome.

Granada andAshbila used to obey us.

Saqliya was under our flag.

Royal decree was our sign, which used to cover everything under the sun.

These couplets pertain to the era when Muslims and Iranians were awake. It can be said that the East was proud of the glorious past of the Islamic world. But what is our condition today? The same poet describes:

Alas! This field has been destroyed by flood.

The afflicted farmer went into deep sleep.

The blood of our heart took the color of wine.

The heat of fever burnt down our body.

The cool face turned into a burning one.

The eyes of intelligence too got covered with blood.

The wealth went away and health turned to illness.

Institution of the Pope

The Pope’s grand institution, after a long duration of oppressive rule, got disintegrated, because it had tried to remain in power by creating a cruel court called Inquisition. But it had erred seriously and was unaware of the changes, which had already taken place in the masses. Those changes in the thoughts of the people tended to destroy the wrong thoughts of the clergy and the priests. The church took no notice of those changing trends at all. It was of the opinion that it would be able to stem the flood with the help of oppression, use of force and torture. But this thinking was merely the result of their ignorance of the change in winds. If it had not, at the last moments of its life, prepared a new plan and had it not adapted itself to the new age, no sign of Christianity would have remained in the world today. It cleared its sleepy eyes, changed its course, started schools, colleges and universities and regained its past position through educational service to the society.

The Most Intelligent Man of the East

In the nineteenth century, an ordinary but a very intelligent person (AmirKabir ) rose up. He felt that the misfortune of the easterners was due to the changes, which had taken place in the west. Those changes had created a vast gulf between the people of the east and the west. So long as that gap was not filled the western communities would continue to monopolize Iran.

So he studied the circumstances carefully and realized that it was not the time to fight with swords and arrows. Modern technology has changed the method of production. Gas and steam have subdued all material treasures.

Therefore, AmirKabir , in 1849 AD (1266 HE) established an institution named ‘Daral Funoon ’ (House of Arts & Science). The eastern wing of this institute was completed by the end of the year 1267.

They deputed a reliable person to Vienna who requested the Emperor of Austria to send a commander of infantry, a tutor of artillery, a teacher of mounted police, an expert of mining, two miners, a professor of medicine and surgery and a pharmacist for five or six years and paid each of them a monthly salary of 4000Tomans .

But alas! Traitors of the nation came forward to put off this shining lamp and AmirKabir was killed at the hands of the butchers ofQachar a few years after the establishment ofDaral Funoon in the year 1268.

Observing closely the trends of the world, AmirKabir had realized that a major cause of the backwardness of Iran and other counties was that their economy depended on the west. Iran had become a market of the west-manufactured materials and was only their consumer.

This reliance on the west, rather helplessness and beggary, had destroyed the capabilities of Iranians. TheIranis had become only the suppliers of raw material to the industries of the west. They were pulling on their days like a daily-waged laborer. Amir put at the disposal of the artist enough capital for the expansion of manufacturing industries.

He established sugar factories inSaari , rope and cloth in Tehran, silk inKashan and Horse-carriages in Isfahan etc. He gave much assistance to cloth manufacturers in Isfahan andKashan , encouraged many experts for preparing new things and making inventions and had also arranged an exhibition of Iranian products in Iran.

All these services rendered by AmirKabir were the result of his awareness about the existing trends and circumstances.

When roads were built in Iran and automobiles started rolling thereon, the joyful journeys on horseback and in horse and donkey carts came to an end. The carriers of mule-litters began to complain so much that, strangelyenough, they even asked the government to cancel the licenses of pannier-owners! All this was the consequence of remaining unaware of the happenings in the world.

Sometimes our businessmen do things, which are disliked by people in today’s world. In fact such deeds of theirs are like waging war against progress. As a result they meet with sure defeat.

Here we become convinced of the importance of a great religious leader’s words who said: Do not fight with time otherwise time will fight with you.

Enemy: A Step-stone to Success

Only he is victorious who has recognized the world fully and who considers his enemy as the first step toward victory.

Intelligent people think that the enemy teaches him how to march towards success, because, the adversary is the best type of mirror with reflects our defects through pen or tongue. It decreases our pride and arrogance and, sometimes, helps in uplifting our hidden abilities.

The advances of the east and the west are the consequence of competition. If competitions come to end, capabilities would not flower. Thus, if there were no struggle between individuals or masses the progress in new inventions too would become stagnant.

Failure is a ladder to success

One of the secrets of success is that we should not fear failures. Rather, we must pick up the sweet fruits hidden in defeat. Failure is like a mirror, which shows us our weaknesses and defects accurately.

Great and wise people consider failure as a bridge to victory. They endeavor to see that the causes of failure are not repeated. In fact they do not consider failure as defeat. What they really fear is that they should never be disheartened or demoralized.

History shows that many victories came after defeats. It is so because the failed person enters the field again with a new determination and spirit and achieves success as he is convinced that the distance between success and failure is very less.

Those who fail but do not get disappointed are the ones to give up so easily. They continue to march forward gradually with a strong will and rest only after reaching their goal.

In the battle ofUhad , Muslims had to taste defeat due to an act of disobedience. But that defeat was so educative that it cleared the road to future success.

Napoleon says, “I have seen so many defeats that I have now learnt how to defeat the enemy.”

And what an apt statement is made by someone else: For those with weak spirit defeat is a fatal poison but for powerful souls it is a ladder to success.

In the Islamic Law, despair is considered a great sin. An apparent effect of defeat is disappointment but since the days of old people have said: The brightness of dawn comes after the end of a dark night.

It is also said that sometimes hope remains hidden behind hopelessness and disappointment. Hope follows hopelessness.

The great Iranian military commander Nadir Shah was determined to conquer Baghdad after capturingKirmanshah from the Turks. He also conqueredSamarrah ,Kerbala , Najaf and some other towns of Iraq and then besieged Baghdad. But very soon,Topal Shah reached there with eighty thousand selected warriors to break the siege.

That army of the Ottoman Turks was armed with heavy artillery and numerically too they were more than the Iranians. During the fighting the horse of Nadir Shah was hit by an arrow, which drowned that animal in blood. The Iranian soldiers imagined that Nadir Shah was killed so they disintegrated and anarchy spread. When Nadir Shah saw this he ordered retreat. Nearly 30,000 Iranians and 20,000 Turks fell in this battle. The Turks took control of the entire artillery and arms of the Iranians. Nadir Shah reachedMandali with surviving soldiers most of whom did not even have shoes on.

In the eyes of the ordinary people this defeat has finished the Iranian army. But what gave salvation to Nadir shah was that he did not accept defeat, as his spirit wastill alive. After returning to Hamadan, he collected fighters from all over Iran and prepared a fresh army within two months. There were at least 2,00,000 men it. Then he went toKirmanshah . From there he went toKarkook and gave a severe defeat to the Turkish army. Then he surrounded Baghdad once more and compelled the Turkish warriors to surrender. As a consequence the Turkish government had to promise that all the Persian lands would be returned to Iran within ten years.

The Persian King plucks Sweet Fruit from a Sour Tree

Behram Shah was very fond of hunting. But he was totally unaware of the conditions of his people. He used to become pleased merely by seeing his well-managed military and the flattering talks of his courtiers. He knew nothing about innocent prisoners languishing in his jails.

In such circumstances a war broke out on the borders of Iran. The king was compelled to ask help from the people. But they did not pay any attention to his call and did not cooperate with him, as he had not cared for them. The king was shocked to see this. He began to think about the reasons of his helplessness before his masses. He realized that there was some irregularity in the government administration, which he did not know, and that irregularity had turned the people against the regime.

One day, he went out of the city in disguise. There he suddenly saw that a man had hung the skin of a dog in front of his tent. The King of Iran went forward, said Salam to that person, introduced himself as a traveler and asked the reason for hanging the dog skin. After much persuasion the man replied, “I was maintaining myself with the help of some sheep that used to graze in this greenery. This skin is of a dog, which used to guard them. My shepherd and I were hopefully thinking of expanding our work. But after a few days the shepherd came and informed me that wolves had taken away a sheep. He brought similar sad news for two or three days continuously. So I became suspicious about the dog. Then the shepherd and I kept a vigil on the dog for a whole night. We observed that the dog had cultivated sexual relations with a female and his passion had allowed the wolves to attack our herd. So we have hung its skin here that people may understand that such is the end of those who accept a responsibility and then show dishonesty in their duty.

This story shocked the king who told himself, “Perhaps, the reason of my failure is that I had over confidence in my courtiers.” Thereafter he personally contacted different sections of the public without informing the yes-men of the court. He found that the unhappy people were not allowed even to complain and that a number of innocent people were imprisoned for not paying ‘illegal’ taxes.

He instantly brought about a kind of basic revolution. He transferred his courtiers, ministers and officers, punished the oppressors and thus regained the confidence of his masses. Soon thereafter he began to get support from all the sections of the society.

The Defeat of Hitler

Hitler had met defeat in the way Napoleon had suffered defeat. Napoleon had marched to conquer Moscow in a severe winter. So he could not succeed and this thoughtless gesture proved to be the cause of his downfall. Had Hitler learnt a lesson from Napoleon’s defeat he would not have repeated his mistake. Hitler invaded Russia in the scorching heat of summer on the 2nd June of 1941. He also saw almost what Napoleon had seen. Initially the German forces got some success and the allies had to retreat. Germans pursued them but thereafter the Germans had to suffer many difficulties in surrounding cities like Leningrad in a very hot season. Russians attacked them severely and the Germans were defeated.