Kamaaluddin wa Tamaamun Ni’ma Vol. 2

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Kamaaluddin wa Tamaamun Ni’ma Vol. 2 Author:
Translator: Sayyid Akhtar Husain S.H. Rizvi
Publisher: www.al-islam.org
Category: Various Books

Kamaaluddin wa Tamaamun Ni’ma Vol. 2

This book is corrected and edited by Al-Hassanain (p) Institue for Islamic Heritage and Thought

Author: Sheikh Sadooq
Translator: Sayyid Akhtar Husain S.H. Rizvi
Publisher: www.al-islam.org
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Kamaaluddin wa Tamaamun Ni’ma Vol. 2

Kamaaluddin wa Tamaamun Ni’ma Vol. 2

Author:
Publisher: www.al-islam.org
English

This book is corrected and edited by Al-Hassanain (p) Institue for Islamic Heritage and Thought

Chapter 46: Longevity

1 - Narrated to us Muhammad bin Hasan bin Ahmad bin Walid (r.a.) that he said: Narrated to us Muhammad bin Hasan Saffar from Ahmad bin Muhammad bin Isa from Ali bin Hakam from Hisham bin Saalim from As-Sadiq Ja’far bin Muhammad (a.s.) that he said:

“Prophet Nuh (a.s.) lived for 2500 years out of which 850 years was before proclaiming his prophethood and he propagated faith to his nation for 950 years. After deluge he disembarked from the Ark and lived for another 700 years during which his children lived on the earth. Then one the day the angel of death visited him when he was standing in the sun. The angel greeted him: Peace be on you.

He responded to the greeting, then asked: What is the purpose of your visit, O angel of death? The angel said: I have come to capture your soul. Nuh (a.s.) said: Will you allow me to come to the shade? The angel said: All right. Nuh (a.s.) came into the shade and said: O angel of death, I feel the duration of my life was as much as the time it took me to come from the sun into the shade. Now you may do as you are commanded. The narrator says: Then the angel captures the soul of Nuh (a.s.).”

2 - Narrated to us Muhammad bin Ali Majilaway (r.a.): Narrated to us Muhammad bin Yahya al-Attar from Husain bin Hasan bin Aban from Muhammad bin Uramata that: Narrated to me Saeed bin Junah from Ayyub Ibne Rashid from a man from Abi Abdullah (a.s.) that he said:

“The lifespan of each person of the nation of Nuh (a.s.) was of three hundred years.”

3 - Narrated to us my father: Narrated to us Ahmad bin Idrees Muhammad bin Yahya al-Attar, all of them said: Narrated to us Muhammad bin Ahmad bin Yahya that: Narrated to us Muhammad bin Yusuf Tamimi from Ja’far bin Muhammad from his father from his grandfather (a.s.) from the Messenger of Allah (S) that he said:

“Father of humanity, Adam, lived for 930 years. Prophet Nuh (a.s.) had a lifespan of 2450 years. Prophet Ibrahim (a.s.) 175 years. Prophet Ismail (a.s.) 120 years. Prophet Ishaq (a.s.) 180 years. Prophet Yaqoob (a.s.) 120 years. Prophet Yusuf (a.s.) 120 years. Prophet Musa (a.s.) 126 years. Prophet Harun (a.s.) 133 years. Prophet Dawood (a.s.) 100 years out which he was the king for 40 years and Prophet Sulaiman (a.s.) lived for 712 years.”

4 - Narrated to us Muhammad bin Ali bin Bashshar Qazwini (r.a.): Narrated to us Abul Faraj Muzaffar bin Ahmad: Narrated to us Muhammad bin Ja’far Kufi: Narrated to us Muhammad bin Ismail Barmaki: Narrated to us Hasan bin Muhammad Salih Bazzaz that he said: I heard Hasan bin Ali Askari (a.s.) say:

“After me, my son will be the Qaim through whose long lifespan and occultation the practice of the prophets will be repeated. His occultation will so much prolonged that the hearts of the people will; harden no one will remain steadfast on religion except those on whose hearts Allah, the Mighty and Sublime has inscribed faith and those who would be helped by Ruhul Qudus.”

5 - Narrated to us Muhammad bin Ahmad Shaibani (r.a.) that he said: Narrated to us Muhammad bin Abi Abdullah Kufi from Musa bin Imran Nakhai from his uncle Husain bin Yazid Naufali from Hamza bin Humran from his father Humran bin Ayyan from Saeed bin Jubair that he said: I heard the Chief of the Worshippers Ali bin Husain (a.s.) say:

“In the Qaim is resemblance to Prophet Nuh (a.s.) and that is a long lifespan.”

6 - Narrated to us my father that: Narrated to us Ali bin Ibrahim bin Hashim from his father from Muhammad bin Abi Umair from Hisham bin Saalim from As-Sadiq Ja’far bin Muhammad (a.s.) that he said relating the story of Prophet Dawood (a.s.):

“One day Prophet Dawood (a.s.) came out of the house reciting the Zaboor. And when he recited the Zaboor, there was no mountain, no stone and no bird that did not join him in his recitation. Finally he reached a hill on top of which lived a worshipper named Hizqil. When this man heard the mountains, stones and birds reciting the Zaboor he understood that Prophet Dawood (a.s.) was approaching.

Prophet Dawood (a.s.) said: O Hizqil, allow me also to join you on the hill. He replied: No. On being refused the permission Prophet Dawood (a.s.) began to weep. Allah, the Mighty and Sublime revealed to Hizqil to allow Prophet Dawood (a.s.) and to seek His forgiveness. So he held the hand of Prophet Dawood and brought him to the top. Prophet Dawood (a.s.) said: O Hizqil, do you ever feel like committing a sin? He replied: No. He asked: Do you ever feel desirous of worldly pleasures and vices?

He said: Sometimes I feel the urge. He asked: Then what do you do? He said: I go into this cave and by looking at that which is in the cave I obtain lesson from it. So Prophet Dawood (a.s.) entered the cave and saw a throne made of iron on which was a skeleton, and an iron plate was attached to it. Dawood (a.s.) saw the following written on it:

‘I am Urwah bin Salam. I ruled for 1000 years, constructed 1000 cities, married 1000 times and the gist of my whole life is that today I have turned to dust. I am the diet of worms and insects. Thus one who sees me should not desire the world.’”

Chapter 47: Narration regarding Dajjal (anti-Christ)

1 - Narrated to us Muhammad bin Ibrahim bin Ishaq (r.a.) that he said: Narrated to us Abdul Aziz bin Yahya Jaludi in Basra: Narrated to us Husain bin Maaz: Narrated to us Qais bin Hafs: Narrated to us Yunus bin Arqam from Abi Yasar Shaibani from Zahhak bin Muzahim from Nazaal bin Sabra that he said:

“Amirul Momineen Ali Ibne Abi Talib (a.s.) delivered us a sermon; he praised Allah, the Mighty and Sublime, invoked blessings on the Holy Prophet and his progeny (a.s.). Then he said thrice:

‘Ask me, O people, before you lose me.’

Sa’sa bin Sauhan arose and asked with respect, ‘O Amirul Momineen, when will Dajjal appear?’ Imam (a.s.) said, ‘Sit down as the Almighty Allah has heard you and He knows your intention. By Allah, one who is asked is not more knowledgeable than the questioner. But there are some signs and aspects for it, which come one after another, like one step falls after another. If you want I can inform you about it. “Yes, please do, O Amirul Momineen (a.s.),” said the narrator.

The Imam (a.s.) said, “Know that those signs are as follows:

When people would forget the prayers, trusts will be betrayed. Lying would be considered lawful. Usury will become common. Bribes would be rampant. Tall buildings would be constructed. Religion will be sold in exchange of worldly gains. Fools will be in power. Advice will be sought from women.

Relationships will be broken off. Carnal desires will be widely followed. Bloodshed will be considered a minor matter. Forbearance will be looked upon as weakness and oppression will be considered a matter of pride. Kings and rulers will be sinners and transgressors. Ministers shall be liars.

The general public shall be dishonest. The reciters of Quran will be transgressors. False testimony will be acceptable. Sins would be committed openly. Laying false allegations will be a common thing. Sinfulness and rebellion will be rife. The Quran will be looked down upon. Mosques will be decorated. Minarets will be elevated.

Evil people would be accorded honor. Rows, instead of displaying unity would present a scenario of strife. Hearts of the people will be distant from each other. Oaths and promises will be readily broken.

That which has been promised will come near. Greed for wealth will impel people to take women as partners in business. Voices of the singers will rise up high and they shall find much audience. The lowly people shall become the leaders of the community. Male and female singers shall be procured on payment. The people of this age will curse the people of the past. Women will ride (horses).

Women will resemble men and men will resemble women. Witnesses will testify without being asked to do so and other people without recognizing the truth and in other than religion they will give deep thought and give testimony. World would be given precedence over the hereafter. Apparently they would be like wolves but their hearts will be more rotten than carrion.

They shall be stinking and more bitter than aloe. At that time all would say, ‘Hurry up, hurry up. At that time the Baitul Maqdas will be the best place to live in. And a time will come upon the people that everyone will wish to reside in the Baitul Maqdas.”

Asbagh bin Nubatah stood up and said: O Maula! Who would be the Dajjal? He replied, ‘The name of Dajjal is Saeed bin Saeed. Thus one who supports him is unfortunate. And are fortunate who deny him. He shall emerge from Yahoodiya village of Isfahan. He shall be blind in the right eye. The left would be on the forehead like a bloody piece, which would be glinting like the morning star. On his forehead would be inscribed: ‘Kafir’ (disbeliever) which would readable to the literate as well as the illiterate.

He shall jump into the seas. The Sun will follow him. A mountain of smoke will precede him and a white mountain will follow him, which in times of famine will be mistaken to be a mountain of food (bread). He shall be mounted on a white ass.

One step of that ass will be of one mile. Whichever spring or well he reaches, will dry up forever. He will call out aloud which shall be audible to all in the east and the west from the Jinns, humans and satans. He would tell his friends: I am the one who created then shaped. And I estimated and guided. I am your High Lord.

That enemy of Allah will be a liar. He shall be a one-eyed man having human needs, who walks about while your Lord is neither one-eyed nor in need of food. He neither walks nor is there decline for him. He is above all things.

Know that the majority of his followers will be persons of illegitimate birth and they shall be wearing green caps. The Almighty Allah will have him eliminated on a Friday after three hours have passed in the evening on the Uqbah Afeeq at the hands of one behind whom Prophet Isa (a.s.) would pray. Know that! After this will come to pass the Great event.”

Thus we asked: O Amirul Momineen (a.s.), what would that be? He replied, “Daabbatul Arz will emerge from Mt. Safa. He shall be having the seal ring of Prophet Sulaiman (a.s.). When that ring would be touched on the face of a believer, it would brand him to be a true believer. And when it is touched on the face of an infidel it would clearly mark that he is really a disbeliever. So much so that the believer will say to the infidel, “Hell is ordained for you, O infidel.” And the disbeliever will say to the believer, “Tooba is ordained for you, O believer. Alas! If I were also successful and delighted with you this day.”

Thus when the Daabba raises his head he would, by the permission of Allah, the Mighty and Sublime be able to see whatever is present between the east and the west. And it would be at a time when the Sun will rise from the west. At that time the time for repentance would be over and no repentance would be accepted from anyone. Neither would any deed rise up to the heavens as mentioned:…its faith shall not profit a soul which did not believe before, or earn good through its faith…”

Then Amirul Momineen (a.s.) said: “Do not ask me about the conditions following this. This is a covenant that I have made with my dearest one that I would not inform about this to anyone except my descendants.”

Nazaal bin Sabra says that I asked Sa’sa bin Sauhan what Amirul Momineen (a.s.) meant by this? He replied, “O Ibne Sabra, he is the same behind whom Prophet Isa (a.s.) would pray. He shall be the twelfth descendant and he would be the ninth descendant of Husain bin Ali (a.s.). He would be the one for whom the Sun would rise from the west and he shall reappear between the Rukn and Maqaam. Then he would purify the earth and establish the scales of justice. Then no one would be able to oppress another.

Thus the dearest one of Amirul Momineen (a.s.), the Messenger of Allah (S) had taken an oath from the latter that he must not inform anyone about the events after this except his purified descendants, Allah’s blessings be on them all.”

And narrated to us Abu Bakr Muhammad bin Umar bin Uthman bin Fadl Uqaili Faqih that: Narrated to us Abu Amr Muhammad bin Ja’far bin Muzaffar; and Abdullah bin Muhammad bin Abdur Rahman ar-Raazi, and Abu Saeed Abdullah bin Muhammad bin Musa bin Kaab Saidani; and Abul Hasan Muhammad bin Abdullah bin Subaih Jauhari, they said: Narrated to us Abu Yaala bin Ahmad bin Muthanna Mausili from Abdul Aala bin Hammad Narsi from Ayyub from Nafe from Ibne Umar from the Messenger of Allah (S) that he mentioned the same tradition.

2 - Narrated to us Abu Bakr Muhammad bin Umar bin Uthman bin Fadl Uqaili Faqih through this chain of narrators from his Mashayakhs from Abi Yala Musili from Abdul Alaa bin Hammad Narsi from Ayyub from Nafe from Ibne Umar that he said:

“One day the Messenger of Allah (S) prayed the Morning Prayer with his companions. After that he arose and accompanied by his companions reached to a house in Medina and knocked the door. A lady emerged and asked: What do you want, Abul Qasim? The Messenger of Allah (S) said: O Abdullah’s mother allow me to go to Abdullah. She said: O Abul Qasim, what do you want from Abdullah? By Allah, he has lost his mind and he speaks to himself. He is disputing with me in a very important matter. The Holy Prophet (S) said: Let me see him. She said: Are you prepared to meet him at your own risk? He replied in the positive. She said: Come.

So he entered the house to find him covered with a shawl and shivering and muttering to himself. She told him to keep quiet and to sit up. This is Muhammad. He has come to you. So he fell silent and sat up. The Messenger of Allah (S) said: What is wrong with him? May Allah’s curse be upon him. If he leaves me I can tell you if he is that same one. After that the Holy Prophet (S) said: What can you see. He replied: I can see truth and falsehood and I can see a throne on the water. The Messenger of Allah (S) said: Will you testify the oneness of Allah and my messengership? He replied: Rather you testify the oneness of Allah and my messengership! Because Allah has not made you worthier than me for it.

On the next day again the Messenger of Allah (S) prayed the Morning Prayer with his companions. After that he arose and they came to that house and knocked the door. A lady emerged and said: Please come in.

They saw that he was atop a date palm, singing a song. His mother said: Shut up! And come down. This is Muhammad and he has come to meet you. That man fell silent. The Messenger of Allah (S) said: What has happened to him? Allah’s curse be on him! If he leaves me I can tell that he is the same one.

On the third day again the Messenger of Allah (S) prayed the Morning Prayer with his companions. After that he arose and they came to that house and saw that he was baaing with a sheep. His mother said: Keep quiet. This is Muhammad and he has come to meet you. He became quiet and sat down.

On that day some verses of Surah Dukhan had been revealed and the Prophet has recited them in the daily prayer that day. The Prophet again asked him: Do you testify that there is no god except Allah and that I am the messenger of Allah? He said: Rather you should testify to the oneness of Allah and that I am the messenger of Allah because Allah has not made you more rightful than me for it.

The Messenger of Allah (S) said: I have concealed something from you. Tell me what it is? He replied: Smoke. Smoke. The Holy Prophet (S) said: Keep quiet, and remember that you will not proceed before your appointed period and you will not reach to your aim. And you will get only as much as is decreed for you.

Then he told his companions: O people, Allah, the Mighty and Sublime did not send any prophet but that he warned his nation of Dajjal and Allah, the Mighty and Sublime has kept him alive till your time. When you fall in doubt about him you should remember that your Lord cannot be one-eyed. Indeed the Dajjal would be astride an ass and the distance between the two ears of the ass will be one mile. He will be accompanied with Paradise and Hell and a mountain of bread and a stream of water. Most of his followers will be Jews, women and ignorant ones. He will roam through the whole earth except for the Holy Kaaba in Mecca, and the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina.”

The author says: People of malice and denial accept all such reports and they consider, correct reports about Dajjal, his occultation, long age and his advent in the last period of time. But they are not prepared to accept that the Qaim is present, that he will remain in occultation for a long time and then finally reappear and fill the earth with justice and equity as it would be fraught with injustice and tyranny.

This is despite the fact that we have traditions from the Prophet and the Imams regarding the Imam’s name, lineage and occultation. And there are traditional reports on prolongation of occultation. The aim of their denial is to put out the light of Allah and invalidate the matter of the Wali of Allah. But Allah will perfect His light even though polytheists may find it distasteful. Our opponents say that the reason of their denial is that the traditions regarding the Imam and his occultation that are present in our collections are not in their books of traditional reports.

This is the same argument that apostates, Hindus, Jews, Christians and Zoroastrians give for denying the prophethood of the Holy Prophet (S). They also say that the reports you quote with regard to his miracles and evidences, are not found in our books. Through this we prove the falsity of those reports. If we accept the objection of our opponents to be true, what would be done with the objection of those who deny the Holy Prophet (S) who are more than the deniers of the Imam? In the same way our opponents also object that they also cannot understand how the age of a person can exceed the age of the people of his time like it is thought about our Imam.

Thus we shall tell them: You agree that it is possible for the age of Dajjal in occultation to exceed the age of other people, and in the same way you admit to the longevity of the accursed Iblees; yet you don’t accept this could be possible with regard to the Qaim, inspite of the fact that there are traditional reports with regard to his occultation, long lifespan and his reappearance and advent after the divine command. Such traditions have also been presented in this book. This is further supported the tradition of the Holy Prophet (S) that says: Whatever had passed in the previous nations, the same will come to pass in this, exactly.

And it has been mentioned that many prophets and Divine Proofs had long lifespans. Like Prophet Nuh (a.s.) who lived for 2500 years. And the Quran say that he lived in his nation for 950 years.

We have also presented the tradition whose chain of narrators is mentioned in this book that it says: In the Qaim there is resemblance to Prophet Nuh (a.s.) and that is having a long lifespan. Then what is the reason that you cannot understand this and that you consider it impossible? You should in fact accept it because the existence of the Imam is proved by the traditions of the Holy Prophet (S).

Accepting the existence of the Qaim is necessary just as it is necessary to accept that the People of the Cave slept in their cave for 309 years. If the latter report can be accepted then the former is also worthy of acceptance. How are the reports of Wahhab bin Munabba and Kaab bin Ahbar accepted when there is no statement of the Messenger of Allah (S) vouchsafing their truthfulness? Their traditions do not fit any logic. While people are in doubt and they deny whatever has been related by the Holy Prophet (S) with regard to Qaim, about his occultation and his reappearance, even though it is about a true fact. Is it anything other than a willful denial of truth?

How can the opponents say that a person cannot exceed the age of the people of his time while the statement of the Messenger of Allah (S) is true that all the practices of the past nations will be repeated in this Ummah, especially in well known aspects. Now which aspect is more well known than that of the Qaim? Who is it that is mentioned by the people of the east and the west? Who is it that is mentioned by those who believe in him as well as those who deny him?

Thus if the occultation of the Qaim has been proved invalid even though there are authentic traditions of the Holy Prophet (S) it would in fact prove the invalidity of the prophethood of the Holy Prophet (S) because he has informed about the occultation of the Qaim. Thus in this way the prophethood of the Prophet will be proved false. Although the opponents accept that the Prophet said regarding Ammar Yasir that he would be killed by a rebellious group, and that the beard of Amirul Momineen (a.s.) would be dyed in the blood of his head, he said regarding Imam Hasan (a.s.) that he would be martyred through poison, and that Imam Husain (a.s.) would be martyred through the sword.

Then why don’t the opponents deny his sayings stating the occultation of the Qaim and his name and lineage etc? Indeed the Prophet was true in all his statements and held particular views. No one can have perfect faith till one does not accept the decisions of the Prophet and submits to all his commands without there being the slightest doubt. This is what Islam is. Islam means submission and obedience and one who brings a religion other than Islam, it would not be accepted and such a person will be a loser in the hereafter.

The most surprising fact is that our opponents narrate that Prophet Isa (a.s.) passed through Kerbala and saw a herd of deers. When he moved closer he saw that they were weeping. Seeing this Prophet Isa (a.s.) sat down and his disciples sat around him. Thus Isa (a.s.) cried and his disciples also cried even though they did not know why he had sat down and why he was crying. They asked: O spirit of Allah and His word, why did you cry?

He asked: Do you know this land? They said: No, we don’t. He said: It is the land where the son of Ahmad, the prophet of the last period of time and son of the Purified Batool (s.a.) who is an image of my respected mother, Maryam will be martyred and buried. The dust of this land is purer than musk because it is the burial ground of this oppressed martyr. And the essence of the prophets and his progeny is such.

These deers talk me to me and they say that they graze on this land in devotion to the oppressed Imam as a result of which they feel secure over here. After that Isa (a.s.) split their droppings and smelt them and said: O Lord, preserve these dropping in this state so that the father of the martyr may smell them and obtain comfort. Thus those droppings remained till the time of Ali (a.s.). When Amirul Momineen (a.s.) passed from there he smelt those droppings, cried and informed about the impending tragedy of Kerbala.

Our opponents accept the veracity of this incident and agree that those droppings remained for more than five hundred years and there was no difference in their freshness and smell. The passage of time did not affect them in any way. But they don’t accept that the Qaim of Aale Muhammad, the Imam of the Age is alive. And that he will rise with the sword, eliminate the enemies of Allah make the religion of Allah dominant while there are authentic traditions of the Prophet and Imams in this regard which mention his name, lineage, his long occultation and which also state that the practice of the previous nations with regard to long lifespans has been decreed for this Imam. This denial is only due to malice, bigotry and obstinacy against acceptance of truth. [We seek Allah’s refuge from humiliation].

Chapter 48: Report about the Gazelles in Nainawa

Narrated to us Ahmad bin Hasan Qattan, alias Abu Ali bin Abde Rabb, a tradition scholar from Rayy: Narrated to us Ahmad bin Yahya bin Zakariya Qattan: Narrated to us Bakr bin Abdullah bin Habib: Narrated to us Teem bin Bohlool: Narrated to us Ali bin Asim from Husain bin Abdur Rahman from Mujahid from Ibne Abbas that he said:

“I was with Amirul Momineen (a.s.) during his expedition to Siffeen. When we reached Nainawa at the banks of the Euphrates, Ali (a.s.) called out aloud: O Ibne Abbas, do you recognize this place? I said: I don’t recognize it, O Amirul Momineen. He said: If your awareness about it were like mine you would not have passed it without lamenting like I lament. Ibne Abbas says:

Then he wept till his cheeks were wet with tears and his tears flowed onto his chest. Ibne Abbas says: On seeing him cry we also began to weep. After that Amirul Momineen (a.s.) said: Ah! Ah! What do I have to do with the progeny of Abu Sufyan and progeny of Harb which is an army of Satan and a group of disbelief?

Then he said: Have patience, O Abu Abdullah, because your father has also suffered the same cruelties at the hands of such tyrants as you suffer. Then he asked for water, performed the ritual ablution and prayed as long as Allah willed.

Then he continued his discourse after stopping to perform the ritual prayer. He said: O Ibne Abbas! I said: Here I am, my master. He said: If you want I can tell you what I saw in dream which was as clear as wakefulness. I said: Master, your eyes slept, what you saw in the dream must be good. He said: I just saw many persons landing here from the sky. They held white flags and wore glittering swords around their necks.

They drew a line around this area and I saw that the branches of the trees of this area drooped low and suddenly fresh blood began to surge through the desert. I saw my son, Husain thrashing his limbs in the sea of blood and pleading but no one came to help him.

The white and luminous persons who had come from the sky said to Husain in a loud voice: Be patient, O progeny of the Messenger, you shall be killed at the hands of the worst of the creatures. O Abi Abdullah (a.s.), the Paradise is eager for you.

After that those luminous persons came to me and offering me condolence said: O Abul Hasan, congratulations to you that the Almighty Allah will brighten your eyes on the Judgment Day due to the martyrdom of Husain when the people would be standing before the Lord of the worlds. After seeing this I woke up. O Ibne Abbas, I swear by One in whose hands is my life that the truthful Prophet Abul Qasim (S) informed me: You will pass through this land when you would be fighting the tyrants.

This land is Karb-o-bala. My Husain will be buried at this place. And with him would be buried 70 persons from my and Fatima’s progeny. This land is famous in all the seven heavens and the folks of heavens talk about the land of Kerbala just as they speak of the Kaaba, Medina and Baitul Maqdas. After that Ali (a.s.) said: O Ibne Abbas, search for deer droppings in this desert. By Allah, neither have I lied nor did the Messenger of Allah (S) lie to me.

The dropping shall be yellow like saffron. Ibne Abbas says: As per the orders of Amirul Momineen (a.s.) I began to search for the droppings and at last found them in a heap. I called out aloud: O Amirul Momineen (a.s.) I have found those same droppings that you told about. Amirul Momineen (a.s.) said: Allah and the Messenger said the truth.

Then he came forward, picked up the droppings and smelt them. Then he said: These are the same droppings that the Messenger of Allah (S) has informed about. Then he said: Know that, O Ibne Abbas, these are the same droppings that Isa bin Maryam (a.s.) had smelt. When Prophet Isa (a.s.) passed through this desert with his disciples, he saw a herd of deers and they were weeping. Seeing this Prophet Isa (a.s.) sat down and his disciples sat around him.

Thus Isa (a.s.) cried and his disciples also cried even though they did not know why he had sat down and why he was crying. They asked: O spirit of Allah and His word, why did you cry? He asked: Do you know this land? They said: No, we don’t. He said: It is the land where the son of Ahmad, the prophet of the last period of time and son of the Purified Batool (s.a.) who is an image of my respected mother, Maryam will be martyred and buried.

The dust of this land is purer than must because it is the burial ground of this oppressed martyr. And the essence of the prophets and his progeny is such. These deer talk me to me and they say that they graze on this land in devotion to the oppressed Imam as a result of which they feel secure over here. After that Isa (a.s.) split their droppings and smelt them and said: They smell of grass that grows here. O Lord, preserve these dropping in this state so that the father of the martyr may smell them and obtain comfort.

After that Amirul Momineen (a.s.) said: O Ibne Abbas, these droppings have remained till now and due to such along time they have become yellow. This place is Karb-o-bala. Then he said in a raised voice: O Isa bin Maryam, may Allah not bless the killers of Husain, those who help his enemies and those who did not help Husain.

After saying this Amirul Momineen (a.s.) wept much. I also began to weep. Finally the Imam fell down unconscious. On regaining consciousness he picked up some droppings and tied them in a corner of his shawl and told me also to pick up some. Then he said: O Ibne Abbas, when you see fresh blood flowing in them you should know that my son has been martyred in this land.

Ibne Abbas says: I used to take care of those dropping more than anything else and always carried them tied up in my sleeve. One day I was sleeping at home. When I awoke I saw that my sleeve was smeared with blood and blood was oozing from the droppings. I got up and began to lament.

I said to myself: The son of Allah’s Messenger has been martyred and my master, Ali (a.s.) has not lied. He never informed me of something that never materialized because the Messenger of Allah (S) used to tell him many things which he did not tell others. When I emerged from the house I saw a dust storm enveloping the whole of Medina and nothing was visible.

As if it was a solar eclipse. The walls of Medina had turned red. It seemed as if blood had been sprinkled upon them. So I sat down and began to cry. I said: By Allah, Husain is martyred. At that moment I heard a call from unseen which was saying:

O progeny of the Messenger, be patient as the exhausted son of Batool, has been killed. And the trustworthy angel descended in lamentation of this oppressed martyr.

Then I heard him cry and I became very sad. I remembered that day it was the month of Mohurrum and the day of Ashura.

When the news of the martyrdom of Imam Husain (a.s.) reached Medina it was learnt that he had been martyred on that day only and those who were with him used to say: We also heard that same voice. But since we were in the battle we could not make out whose voice it was. We think it was Khizr. Bliss of God be on him and Husain; and may Allah curse those who are pleased at the handiwork of the killers of Husain.”

It is mentioned in narrations that Hababa Walbiya met Ali Ibne Abi Talib (a.s.) and also other Imams after him; and she lived till the time of Imam Ali Reza (a.s.) and no one denies her long lifespan. Then why should the longevity of the Qaim be denied?

Chapter 49: Regarding Hababa Walbiya

It is narrated that Hababa al-Walbiya met Amirul Momineen (a.s.) and the Imams (a.s.) after him, and that she lived till the time of Imam Reza (a.s.) and no one has denied the long age of Hababa. Then how can they deny the long age of the Qaim?

1 - Narrated to us Ali bin Ahmad Daqqaq (r.a.) that he said: Narrated to us Muhammad bin Yaqoob: Narrated to us Ali bin Muhammad from Abi Ali Muhammad bin Ismail bin Musa bin Ja’far from Ahmad bin Qasim Ijli from Ahmad bin Yahya alias Kurd from Muhammad bin Khadai from Abdullah bin Ayyub from Abdullah bin Hisham from Abdul Kareem from Amr Khathami from Hababa Walbiya that she said:

“I saw Amirul Momineen (a.s.), peace be upon him, among [some of] the shurtatu ‘l-khamis1 , he had a two-pronged horsewhip with which he was tapping [the shoulders] of [some] fishmongers selling al-jarri, al-marmahi, and az-zimmar, saying to them: ‘O sellers of [fish like] the monsters [musukh] of Banu Israel and [like] the army of Banu Marwan [Ibn al-Hakam].’ Furat Ibn Ahnaf stood up before him, and said: ‘O Amirul Momineen (a.s.), what is the army of Banu Marwan?’ “[Hababa] said: “He said to him: ‘[This is a name I give] to groups who shave their beards and curl their moustaches and become monsters (musikhu).’2

I have not seen anyone speak in a more composed way then he [did then]. I followed him, and continued in his steps, till he sat down in the rahbah (open space) [facing] the mosque in Kufa]. Then I said to him: ‘O Amirul Momineen (a.s.), what is the evidence of the Imamate, may Allah have mercy upon you?’ “

She said: “He said: ‘Give me that small stone,’ and he pointed to a stone. I gave it to him, and he made an impression on it for me with his seal. Then he said to me: ‘O Hababa. When someone claims the Imamate, if he can make an impression like the one you see, know that he is the Imam who must be obeyed. In nothing with the Imam wants [to do], will anything [he needs] be far from him.’”

She said: “Then I went away, and [later] Amirul Momineen (a.s.), peace be upon him, passed away. And I came to al-Hasan, peace be upon him, when he was sitting in the place [in the rahbah] of Amirul Momineen (a.s.), peace be upon him. They were asking him question. He said: ‘O Hababa al-Walbiya!’ I said: ‘Yes, my Master.’ He said: ‘Give me what you have with you.’ “She said: “I gave it to him and he made an impression on it as Amirul Momineen (a.s.), peace be upon him, had done.”

She said: “Then I came up to al-Husayn, peace be upon him, who was in the mosque of the Messenger of Allah, may the blessing and peace of Allah be upon him and his descendants. He beckoned [me] to approach and greeted [me]. Then he said: ‘With me is the evidence which proves what you want [to know]. Do you want [to know] the evidence for the Imamate?’ I said: ‘Yes, my master.’ He said: ‘Give me what [you have] with you.’ and I handed him the stone; he made an impression on it for me.”

She said: “Then I came up to Ali Ibn al-Husain, peace be upon him, and I had reached such an old age that I trembled; I was then 113 years old. I saw him in Ruku and sujud, busy with worship. I had no hope [that he would show me] the sign. Then he pointed at me with his forefinger and my youth returned to me.”

She said: “I said: ‘O my Master, how much of the world has passed away, and how much remains?’ He said: ‘As for what has passed away, it can be told; but what remains cannot.’ “She said: “Then he said to me: ‘Give me what [you have] with you,’ and I gave him the stone; he made the impression on it for me. Then I came to Abu Ja’far, peace be upon him, and he made the impression on it for me. Then I came to Abul-Hasan Musa, peace be upon him, and he made the impression on it for me. Then I came to ar-Reza, peace be upon him, and he made the impression on it for me.”

Hababa lived nine months beyond this, according to what Abdullah Ibn Hisham has mentioned.

2 - Narrated to us Muhammad bin Muhammad bin Isaam (r.a.) that he said: Narrated to us Muhammad bin Yaqoob Kulaini that he said: Narrated to us Ali bin Muhammad that: Narrated to us Muhammad bin Ismail bin Musa bin Ja’far that: Narrated to me my father from his father Musa bin Ja’far from his father Ja’far bin Muhammad from his father Muhammad bin Ali (a.s.) that:

“When Imam Ali Ibne Husain (a.s.) prayed for Hababa Walbiya, Allah returned her youth and when he pointed to her with his finger she began to menstruate although she was 113 years old at that time.”

The author says: When it is possible for Hababa Walbiya that Allah returns her youth due to the prayer of Imam Ali Ibne Husain (a.s.) when she was 113 years old and she lived for nine months after meeting Imam Ali Reza (a.s.) why is it not possible for Allah to keep the Qaim young and alive? And that He may keep him alive till he would fill the earth with justice and equity as it would be fraught with injustice and tyranny? In addition to this clear authentic traditions have been recorded from the Messenger of Allah (S) and the Holy Imams (a.s.) regarding the Qaim.

Our opponents also narrate about Abu Duniya Muammar Maghribi that his name was Ali bin Uthman bin Khattab bin Marra bin Muwayyad. At the time of the passing away of the Holy Prophet (S) his age was around three hundred years. After the Messenger of Allah (S) he served Amirul Momineen Ali Ibne Abi Talib (a.s.) and when the rulers of the time asked him the secret of his long age he said that he had drunk the elixir of life. He remained alive till the age of Muqtadar. Our opponents do not even accept his death. Then why do they deny the long lifespan of the Qaim?

Notes

1. A group from the companions of Amirul Momineen (a.s.) who pledged to fight with him to the death and not to give up till victory was obtained. It consisted of five or six thousand men, and was formed after the battle of Nahrawan. One of their commanders was Qays Ibn Saad Ibn ‘Ubadah al-Ansari. They disbanded after the assassination of Amirul Momineen (a.s.) and the truce arranged by the Imam al-Hasan, peace be upon them both. (See al-Kishshi, pp.5-6, 103,110; al-Ikhtisas, p.2.)]

2. The custom of shaving the beard and curling the moustache belonged to the Persians. In contrast with this, the custom among the Arabs was to grow a long beard and trim the moustache. After the time of Amirul Momineen (a.s.), in the time of the descendants of Marwan Ibn al-Hakam (2/623-reigned 64/684-65/685), it became the custom among the court and the army to adopt the Persian style. Since the Arab style was recommended by the religion, the Persian fashion came to be thought of as a kind of religious monstrosity. Thus the fish are compared, as regards their monstrous form, with the “monsters” (musukh, pl. of mamsukh: turned monster) who adopted shaved beards. The hadith thus contains a prophecy by Amirul Momineen (a.s.), peace be upon him, to the effect that a style will be adopted.]