Alhassanain(p) Network for Heritage and Islamic Thought

43: Gift Of A Special Prayer

This can be any special prayer that a momin recites for gifting its Thawab to Imam az-Zaman (aj) or any other Imam (as). There is no fixed quantity of this prayer nor is there a prescribed time for it. It depends upon how much we love Imam (as) and how much we can strive for him. The proof of this virtuous act is the tradition which states that even if we recite two rakat prayer everyday, we can gift its Thawab to one of the Imams. The method of reciting this two rakat prayer is that we start it with seven or three takbeers (Allaho Akbar), or one takbeer in every rakat. After ruku and two Sajdahs, we recite the following Dua three times:

May Allah bless Muhammad and the Progeny of Muhammad the chaste and the pure ones. After tashahud and salam, recite the following Dua:

In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful. O Allah! You are the unblemished One Who bestows safety (to us). O the One with majesty and greatness, bless Muhammad and the progeny of Muhammad, the most pure and clean of the creatures. Exalt them with the most exalted of the blessings.

O Allah these rakats (units of prayers) are a gift from me to Your slave and Your Prophet and Your Messenger, Muhammad bin Abdullah, the seal of the prophets and the chief of the Messengers. O Allah accept them from me and convey them from me and make them the best of my expectations and my hope in You and in Your Prophet (S), and the successor of Your Prophet and Fatima Zahra, the daughter of Your Prophet and Hasan and Husain the grandsons of Your Prophet and Your Awliya (saints) from the progeny of Husain (as). O the guardian of the believers, O the guardian of the believers, O the guardian of the believer.1

Prayer for Hadiya to Amirul Momineen Ali (as)

After reciting two rakat prayer, recite the first Dua of this chapter till“Afzalul Tahiyat was salaam” and after that recite the following Dua:

O Allah, these two rakats are gift from me to Your servant, Your Wali, cousin of Your Prophet, his successor, Amirul Momineen Ali Ibne Abi Talib. O Allah, so please accept them from me and convey them to them from me and reward me with the best that which I hope from You, Your Prophet, successor of Your Prophet, Fatima Zahra, daughter of Your Prophet, Hasan and Husain, grandsons of Your Prophet and His Awliya from the progeny of Husain; O guardian of the believers, O guardian of the believers, O guardian of the believers.

Prayer for Hadiya to Janabe Fatima Zahra (s.a.)

After this prayer recite the following Dua:

O Allah, these two rakats are gift from me to the most purified, and chaste Fatima, the daughter of Your Prophet. O Allah, so please accept them from me and convey them to them from me and reward me with the best that which I hope from You, Your Prophet, successor of Your Prophet, Fatima Zahra, daughter of Your Prophet, Hasan and Husain, grandsons of Your Prophet and His Awliya from the progeny of Husain; O guardian of the believers, O guardian of the believers, O guardian of the believers.

Prayer for Hadiya to Imam Hasan (as)

O Allah, these two rakats are gift from me to Your Servant, son of Your servant, Your Wali, son of Your Wali al-Hasan bin Ali. O Allah, so please accept them from me and convey them to them from me and reward me with the best that which I hope from You, Your Prophet, Your Wali, son of Your Wali. O guardian of the believers, O guardian of the believers.

Prayer for Hadiya to Imam Husain (as)

O Allah, these two rakats are gift from me to Your Servant, son of Your servant, Your Wali, son of Your Wali, grandson of Your Prophet, the chaste, pure and clean and satisfied, al-Husain bin Ali, al-Mujtaba. O Allah, so please accept them from me and convey them to them from me and reward me with the best that which I hope from You, Your Prophet, Your Wali, son of Your Wali. O guardian of the believers, O guardian of the believers.

Prayer for Hadiya to Imam Sajjad (as)

O Allah, these two rakats are gift from me to Your Servant, son of Your servant, Your Wali, son of Your Wali, grandson of Your Prophet, the ornament of the worshippers, Ali Ibne Husain. O Allah, so please accept them from me and convey them to them from me and reward me with the best that which I hope from You, Your Prophet, Your Wali, son of Your Wali. O guardian of the believers, O guardian of the believers.

Prayer for Hadiya to Imam Baqir (as)

O Allah, these two rakats are gift from me to Your Servant, son of Your servant, Your Wali, son of Your Wali, grandson of Your Prophet, Muhammad bin Ali al-Baqir. O Allah, so please accept them from me and convey them to them from me and reward me with the best that which I hope from You, Your Prophet, Your Wali, son of Your Wali. O guardian of the believers, O guardian of the believers.

Prayer for Hadiya to Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (as)

O Allah, these two rakats are gift from me to Your Servant, son of Your servant, Your Wali, son of Your Wali, grandson of Your Prophet, Ja’far bin Muhammad as-Sadiq. O Allah, so please accept them from me and convey them to them from me and reward me with the best that which I hope from You, Your Prophet, Your Wali, son of Your Wali. O guardian of the believers, O guardian of the believers.

Prayer for Hadiya to Imam Musa Ibne Ja’far (as)

O Allah, these two rakats are gift from me to Your Servant, son of Your servant, Your Wali, son of Your Wali, grandson of Your Prophet, Musa bin Ja’far the heir of the knowledge of the prophets. O Allah, so please accept them from me and convey them to them from me and reward me with the best that which I hope from You, Your Prophet, Your Wali, son of Your Wali. O guardian of the believers, O guardian of the believers.

Prayer for Hadiya to Imam Ali Reza (as)

O Allah, these two rakats are gift from me to Your Servant, son of Your servant, Your Wali, son of Your Wali, grandson of Your Prophet, Ali Ibne Musa ar-Reza. O Allah, so please accept them from me and convey them to them from me and reward me with the best that which I hope from You, Your Prophet, Your Wali, son of Your Wali. O guardian of the believers, O guardian of the believers.

Prayer for Hadiya to Imam Muhammad Taqi, Imam Ali Naqi and Imam Hasan Askari (as)

Recite the Dua by the method mentioned above and just replace the name of the particular Imam (as) till you come to Imam Sahebuzzamaan (as). Then recite the following Dua:

O Allah, these two rakats are gift from me to Your Servant, son of Your servant, Your Wali, son of Your Wali, grandson of Your Prophet, on Your earth, and Your Proof on His creatures. O Allah, so please accept them from me and convey them to them from me and reward me with the best that which I hope from You, Your Prophet, Your Wali, son of Your Wali. O guardian of the believers, O guardian of the believers.

The venerable Sayyid Ali Ibne Tawoos says in Jamalul Usboo: Perhaps we don’t see the joy in replacing these gifts or for saying to ourselves that the Infallible Imams (as) are needless of these gifts; or perhaps from the aspect that they seek forgiveness and do it everyday many a times; that they (as) are needless of your gift; but you are not needless that you don’t send gifts to them, and that your words reach to them; just as the Almighty Allah is needless of these things. Thus in your intention whenever you begin these acts it should be that the Almighty Allah guides you in success and security:

يَمُنُّونَ عَلَيْكَ أَنْ أَسْلَمُوا ۖ قُلْ لَا تَمُنُّوا عَلَيَّ إِسْلَامَكُمْ ۖ بَلِ اللَّهُ يَمُنُّ عَلَيْكُمْ أَنْ هَدَاكُمْ لِلْإِيمَانِ

They think that they lay you under an obligation by becoming Muslims. Say: Lay me not under obligation by your Islam: rather Allah lays you under an obligation by guiding you to the faith. (Qur’an, Surah Hujurat 49:17)

You are same as a scholar has said:

I dedicate this to his respectable assembly and there is nothing except this. I don’t have anything that I can gift to him. Like the sea on which the clouds rain while the fact is that it is not in any need of it because what is raining is taken from the sea only.

It is that you consider prayers as too many or that you are inclined you have finished them so that you may go out to obtain your success, then you should know that this is obtained through bestowal of Allah, the Mighty and Sublime and His great Awliya of Allah and their sincerity in worship of Allah, the High and the Mighty for you, especially when you have the belief that if the proofs of Allah had not been there for the people Allah, the Mighty and Sublime would have neither created the earth nor the heavens, or any creature in the world, or Hell and Heaven for the Hereafter.

Neither He would have initiated any bounty nor mercy, thus do you consider all the acts and deeds to be intended for anything other than the criterion of acceptance or you expect reward from someone else, because their sincerity in worship is through the excellence that the Almighty Allah has given to them for their success.

Thus when your deed measures upto their criterion, you should gift it to them so that you may obtain their rewards and if the generality of their bestowals and excellence had not been there you will not obtain it. And if you really know the right of Allah, the Mighty and Sublime and their rights by the kindness of Allah, the Mighty and Sublime and you know how many rights of theirs are trespassed day and night, you will know that it is in need of seeking excuse. And this is what a poet has said:

“Since you have accepted a lowly gift from me, I consider your acceptance to be on the basis of one of your mercies. And its acceptance in your view would be more an act of favor and grace, as the heart of your devotee from being humiliated and disgraced, gets honor. And your devotee becomes its source of thankfulness due to your prominent position, and in taking up the rights that I am unable to fulfill.”

A co-religionist said to me: I consider myself and my deeds so small and lowly that I should gift it to them? I said: Why don’t you consider yourself lowly in serving Allah, the Mighty and Sublime, that you praise and thank Him and that you perform all the duties? While the fact is that He is greater than every great personality? Thus it does not matter if you consider yourself small with regard to their deputies, especially that they accept your service to them.2

Notes

1. Jamaal al-Usboo, Pg. 15

2. Jamaal al-Usboo, Pg. 20

44: A Special Prayer In A Particular Time For Hadiya Of Imam az-Zaman (aj)

Sayyid Ibne Tawoos relates the following in his book Jamaal al-Usboo: It is recommended to recite eight rakat prayer on Friday. Four rakats may be presented as hadiya (gift) to the Holy Prophet (S) and four rakats to Fatima Zahra (s.a.). Then four rakats should be recited on Saturday and made hadiya to Amirul Momineen (as). In this way every subsequent day recite prayer of four rakats and gift (hadiya) to each succeeding Imam (aj).

Again the next Friday recite eight rakat Namaz and gift Thawab of four rakats to the Messenger of Allah (S) and of four rakats to Fatima Zahra (s.a.). Again on Saturday recite four rakat prayer and make hadiya to Imam Musa al-Kazim (as) and till Thursday next continue to pray four rakats everyday and give hadiya to each Imam (as) in turn. Then on Friday recite a four rakat prayer for hadiya of Imam az-Zaman (aj) and after two rakats recite the following Dua:

O Allah, You are peace, the peace is from You; all peace returns to You, O Lord, cause us to live with Your peace, O Allah, these units of prayer from me are dedicated to the Proof (Hujjat), son of al-Hasan, so, O Allah, bless Muhammad and the progeny of Muhammad and extend it to him, O Allah, bestow on me the best of my hope and expectation in You and Your Prophet, may Your blessings be on him and his holy progeny.

In place of so and so son of so and so recite the name of the particular Masoom for whose hadiya we are reciting the prayer.

45: Reward Of Reciting Qur’an For Imam (aj)

Ali Ibne Mughira is quoted in Al-Kafi that he asked Imam Kazim (as),“My father had asked your respected grandfather regarding the complete recitation of Qur’an every night and he told him, “Yes it can be completed every night.” When my father asked about completion of Qur’an in the month of Ramadan he received the same reply. So he used to finish reading the complete Qur’an forty times during the holy month of Ramadan.

After him I continued this practice. On the day of Eid, I complete a Qur’an for the Holy Prophet (S) and after him for Amirul Momineen (as) till I reach you. So tell me how is this act of our considered by your goodself? Imam (as) said,“Your reward is that you shall be in the company of those exalted personalities.” The narrator said,“Such a high reward?” Imam (as) said three times,“Yes.” 1

I say: The point of evidence in this is that the apparent meaning of the statements of Imam (as) consists of the reward upon those deeds is from the aspect that they should be gifted to the Holy Prophet (S) and the Imam and the proximity is to them and it is not the above mentioned quality of the Imams. Rather, it is learnt from the statement of the narrator that when he gifted the reward of reciting one complete Qur’an to Imam Musa Kazim (as) and when the Imam was alive, therefore he said: Since that time I am in this condition…and the Imam praised his actions and certified their correctness.

The conclusion derived from this tradition is that: It is recommended to gift the reward of reciting the Qur’an to the Holy Prophet (S), Lady Fatima Zahra (as) and the Holy Imams (as). That which supports this matter is that the dedication of Prayer to them as was mentioned previously. There are other proofs also that can be derived by those who study the traditional reports. I beg to the Almighty Allah for the sake of Muhammad and his progeny, to give me and all the believers Taufeeq to perform this meritorious deed.

Notes

1. Biharul Anwar, Vol. 98, Chapter 5, Pg. 5

46: Tawassul And Seeking Intercession Through Imam az-Zaman (aj)

The proof for the above acts during the period of Ghaibat is that Imam az-Zaman (aj) is the ‘Babullah’ the door of Allah, through which people enter. Imam (as) is the sole channel of achieving Allah’s satisfaction. He is the one who will intercede for us with Allah. He is that same name of Allah whose tawassul is ordered for us. As mentioned in the traditions in the explanation of Qur’anic verse:

وَلِلَّهِ الْأَسْمَاءُ الْحُسْنَىٰ فَادْعُوهُ بِهَا

And for Allah are the most beautiful names. So call Him by them. (Qur’an, Surah Araaf 7:180)

The Imams have said: By Allah, we are those beautiful names about whom the Almighty Allah has commended the people to call Him [supplicate Him].1 There are many other proofs but this much would be sufficient for those with insight.

In Bihar, it is narrated from our master, Imam Ali Reza (as) that he said: Whenever you are involved in hardships and calamities you must ask for the help of Allah, the Mighty and Sublime through us, and that is the interpretation of the verse:

وَلِلَّهِ الْأَسْمَاءُ الْحُسْنَىٰ فَادْعُوهُ بِهَا

And for Allah are the most beautiful names. So call Him by them. 2

In the same book it is narrated from Qabas al-Misbah in the discussion of supplications of seeking mediation from the Almighty Allah through the Holy Imams (as): Seeking mediation of our master:

In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful. O Allah! I ask You by the right of Your Wali and Hujjat the Master of the Age that You make easy for me all my affairs. And suffice me against all oppressors and unjust and traitors and remove them away from me. Bestow me with the companionship of Hazrat as I have reached to the end of my efforts. And suffice me against all enemies and sorrows and griefs and in the religion and children and all of my people and my brothers and all the affairs related to him. Amen O, Lord of the worlds Amen.3

In Biharul Anwar it is narrated from Oddatud Dai quoting Salman Farsi that he said: I heard Prophet Muhammad (S) say: Indeed, Allah, the Mighty and Sublime says:“O My servant! Has it not happened that someone asks a big thing from you but you are not willing to fulfill it unless he brings the person most beloved to you to persuade you to fulfill those desires for the sake of that intercessor?

Let it be known to you that the most honorable and supreme creature with Me is Muhammad and his brother Ali and the Imams who are the medium of nearness to Me. Be aware that whoever has a great desire and wishes for a benefit or removal of a harm, if he calls on Me through Muhammad and his pure progeny, I will fulfill his desires far better than fulfilling the desire of one who has taken the most beloved creature of God as an intercessor.”

Notes

1. Usool Kafi, Vol. 2, Pg. 618

2. Biharul Anwar, Vol. 94, Pg. 22

3. Biharul Anwar, Vol. 94, Pg. 35

47: To Ask From Imam (aj) And Address Him In Supplications

As mentioned in the Ziarat of Imam (aj), he is the one who fulfills the needs of the universe. He is the one from whom people seek justice as mentioned in the case of Abul Wafa and as recorded in Biharul Anwar and other traditions. He is the solid refuge of the Ummah, and the last resort of the helpless, the backward, the shelterless people. He saves the people who are in terror. He is the guide of those who are in search of protection. The same thought is expressed in the supplication of Imam Zainul Abideen (as) for the month of Shaban, concerning his infallible forefathers.1 Also in Ziarat-e-Jamea we find the following words: One who attached himself to you was successful and he is safe from the misfortunes of both the worlds.2

There are many other proofs also for this, rather it can be said that the duty of the subjects as we see in the general life of the people, is to take the help of the leader in important matters and to defend themselves from the enemies in every time, as had been the manner and custom of the people of Wilayat and Gnosticism, that they used to present their complaints and needs to their Imams (as) as is clear in most of the traditions. Rather it can be said that: Among the benefits of the existence of Imam (as) and his duties is to help the helpless and to give refuge to the refuge seekers.

Rather, without any doubt if a person is having a leader who commands power, and if this person is oppressed and his friends direct him to the leader to complain to him about his afflictions, if that person does not do this, he will be chastised by his own people why he did not put forth his request. From this aspect it can be said: When we fail to put up our important matters and needs to the Imam of the Time (aj) we would have to face humiliation and censure, because we have ignored the duty that the Almighty Allah has made incumbent on us as is seen in the interpretation of the Imams (as) regarding the following verse:

انْتَشِرُوا فِي الْأَرْضِ وَابْتَغُوا مِنْ فَضْلِ اللَّهِ

Then disperse abroad in the land and seek of Allah’s grace. (Qur’an, Surah Jumua 62:10)

Thus it is the duty of all of us, that in all our problems we should not seek the help of anyone except the Imam of our time because if we fail in this duty we would have to face humiliation, become worthy of criticism and be from among the losers as mentioned in the verse:

قَالُوا أَلَمْ تَكُنْ أَرْضُ اللَّهِ وَاسِعَةً فَتُهَاجِرُوا فِيهَا

Was not Allah’s earth spacious, so that you should have migrated therein? (Qur’an, Surah Nisa 4:97)

Also we have been ordered to enter the houses through their doors and the Almighty Allah has made the Imam and Divine Proof His door in every period of time, to approach Him and we have been ordered to beseech the Almighty through the mediation of the Imam.

Now that you have understood this matter, I will say: It makes no difference whether the Imam is present or in occultation because he is having a perfect sight and hearing as alluded to in the Ziarat that is related from himself and no aspect of the people is concealed from him as mentioned in the most widely related traditional reports. Hence this is confirmed for us that walls, mountains and curtains do not serve as obstacles between the Imam and people as mentioned in traditions.

Apart from this the following tradition of Al-Kafi testifies to this meaning: Imam Hadi (as) was asked in a letter that a person desires to ask special favors from Imam (as) and tell him some of his secret matters just as he does Munajaat (beseeches) to the Almighty. Imam (as) replied,“If you need anything, just move your lips, you shall get response.”

The author of this book, Muhammad Taqi Musawi Isfahani - may the Almighty Allah keep his faith firm in the world and the hereafter - says: One year in the past I had accumulated many debts and was in very difficult circumstances. But soon the month of Ramadan approached; so at dawn I prayed to His Eminence (aj) and mentioned my problems and after sunrise when I returned from the Masjid and went to sleep, I heard His Eminence saying to me in my dream in Persian: You must observe patience for sometime, so that I may receive some money from my special friends and send it to you.

When I awoke, I found the atmosphere fragrant and my sorrow had gone away. After some days a brother in faith sent me an amount of money through which I repaid my loans. He delivered the money to me saying: This is from the Imam’s share. And praise be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds and the giver of bounties.

Note: We should know that in the matter of seeking the Imam’s help there is no restriction of language and time. What is important however is the purity of the heart, full attention, regret from sins, perfect faith and correct belief. However it is preferable to use the patent supplications and codes that are prescribed for this purpose as they are most effective to gain the Imam’s attention and proximity. We shall mention them at the end of the books, Insha Allah.

Notes

1. Iqbal, Pg. 687

2. Biharul Anwar, Vol. 102, Pg. 130

48: Inviting People Towards Imam (aj)

This is one of the most important and obligatory duty. The validity of this is evident from traditions that speak of the duty of Amr bil Ma’roof (Enjoining Good). In addition to this, it is an established fact that after the Imam (as) the best creatures in the world are the followers of Imams (as) who invite other people towards their Imamate.

This is also proved from the following traditions: Indeed! The religious scholar who teaches people their religious subjects and invites them towards their Imam is better than 70,000 worshippers. In another tradition from Sulaiman bin Khalid it is reported he asked Imam Sadiq (as) that there was a family who was perceptive to his advice, so should he invite them to Imamate? Imam (aj) replied, “Yes! The Almighty Allah says:

O you who believe! Save yourselves and your families from a fire whose fuel is men and stones. 1

Here it will be sufficient to just mention the exegesis of the following verse in Tafseer Imam Hasan Askari (as):

وَإِذْ أَخَذْنَا مِيثَاقَ بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ لَا تَعْبُدُونَ إِلَّا اللَّهَ وَبِالْوَالِدَيْنِ إِحْسَانًا وَذِي الْقُرْبَىٰ وَالْيَتَامَىٰ

And when We made a covenant with the children of Israel: You shall not serve any but Allah and (you shall do) good to (your) parents, and to the near of kin and to the orphans… (Qur’an, Surah Baqarah 2:83)

Imam (as) said Indeed the Messenger of Allah (S) said: The worst orphan is one who has been separated from his Imam and cannot reach him; and when he needs guidance in a religious matter he does not know what is the Imam’s opinion regarding it. Hence one who is learned in our sciences, if he is near, should guide one who is ignorant of the law of the Shariah. And know that, one who guides him and brings him to the right path, he would be our comrade and companion in elevated ranks of Paradise. This tradition is narrated to me by my father from his forefathers from the Holy Prophet (S).

Amirul Momineen (as) said: A Shia of ours who is a scholar of our laws, if he brings out our weak Shias from the darkness of ignorance into the light of knowledge that we have bestowed him, on the Judgment Day he would arrive in the fields of gathering, wearing a crown of heavenly light. Its light will reach to all the people of the gathering and he will be wearing such a dress that the whole world and what its contains cannot equal a strand of this dress.

Then a proclaimer will call: O servants of Allah, know that! He is the disciple of a scholar of the progeny of Muhammad (S). All those whom he took out from the darkness of ignorance in the world, should become attached to his light, so that he may take them out of the perplexity of darkness of Judgment Day to Paradise. Thus he will take along with him to Paradise, all those he had taught a good matter, removed the lock of ignorance from his heart, removed some doubt or explained something.

A woman came to Lady Fatima Zahra (s.a.) and said: My mother is very old and she has a doubt about a point of Prayer. She sent me to inquire about it. Lady Fatima told her about it. She again asked something and Lady Zahra (s.a.) answered her. Again she asked the same thing and Her Eminence (s.a.) answered her again. She argued ten times and every time she got the same answer. Then she became ashamed of asking the question again and again and said: O daughter of Messenger (S). I don’t want to give you more trouble.

Fatima (s.a.) said: Don’t worry, you may ask whatever you like. If a hundred thousand gold coins are offered to a man to carry a heavy load to the roof, would it be unpalatable to him? The woman said: No. Fatima said: Such a quantity of natural pearls are fixed as wages for every question for me as are more than enough to fill the space between the earth and sky. That is why it should not be unpalatable to me to answer these questions. And I have heard from my respected father (S) that on the Judgment Day, our Shia scholars will be bestowed with robes of honor for their knowledge and their efforts in guiding people.

So much so, that each of them will have a thousand robes of Noor. Then a proclaimer will say by the command of Allah: O those who took care of the orphans of Aale Muhammad (as), who were separated from their real parents that is the Purified Imams (as), your disciples and orphans are present here, whom you protected and gave them clothes. Now adorn them with garments of Paradise just as you adorned them with clothes of knowledge in the world.

The scholars will then adorn their disciples and orphans, according to the level of knowledge they had learnt from them. So much so, that some orphans will receive a hundred thousand robes of honor. In the same way these orphans will distribute robes of honor to their disciples. Then Allah will order to again give robes of honor to the guardians of these orphans. Again they will get robes of honor. Thus they will be doubled. And after distributing robes of honor to their disciples, their remaining robes will be doubled. The same will be done with the disciples.

Then Fatima (s.a.) said: O maidservant of Allah, a strand of those robes is a hundred thousand times better than all that is in the world, because all those thing are offensive.

Imam Hasan Mujtaba (as) said: If an orphan of Aale Muhammad (as), being separated from Imams, wanders in ignorance and is supported and taken out from his ignorance; and matters doubtful on him are clarified by a person. This person in relation to one who takes care of an orphan, feeds him and give him water, is like the sun in relation to the Suha star.

Imam Husain Ibne Ali (as) said: One who takes care of an orphan of ours who is separated from us due to our concealment, and instructs him about our sciences that he has learnt, till he brings him to the straight path, Allah tells him: O My kind and sympathizing servant, I am more deserving of kindness and forgiveness. O My angels, prepare a hundred thousand palaces in Paradise for him, for each letter that he has taught and provide him all the good things in it.

Imam Zainul Abideen (as) said: Allah revealed to Prophet Musa (as): O Musa, endear Me to My creatures and endear My creatures to Me. Musa (as) asked: My Lord, how can I do that? Allah said: Remind them of My bounties and bestowals. If you bring back one who has ran away from Me or missed the right path, this deed will be better than worshipping Me for a hundred years in such a manner that you fast all days and pray all nights. Musa (as) asked: My Lord, who is it that avoids you?

Allah revealed: One who is disobedient. Musa (as) asked: Who is it, that has gone astray from Your path? Allah said: One who does not know the Imam of his time, who may have taught him the manners of Islamic laws and method of worshipping Allah, through which he may gain the pleasure of Allah. Or that after recognizing him, he has separated from him and is unaware of the ways of religion.

Amirul Momineen (as) said: Convey the good news of great rewards to our scholars.

Imam Muhammad Baqir (as) said: The scholar is like one who has a candle through which he provides light to others. Hence all those he provides light, pray for him. In the same way, through his candle of knowledge, a scholar removes the darkness of ignorance and perplexity. Hence the one whom he provides the light of his candle and through which he takes him out of perplexity and frees him from ignorance, is one who has been saved from Hell fire.

Allah gives him a reward for each hair of the one he has saved in such magnitude that it is more than giving a hundred thousand bags of money in charity in the way Allah has not commanded. Rather such charity will be a trouble for the giver. But Allah will give him a reward, which is greater than that of praying before Holy Kaaba.

Imam Ja’far Sadiq (as) said: Our Shia scholars will ascend to the boundary, which is joined with the boundary of Iblees and his militant deities; and they keep them away from attacking our weak Shias. They do not allow Iblees and Ahle Bayt-haters from becoming dominant upon them. Thus one who is capable of this, is a hundred thousand times better than one who fights Jihad against the people of Rome, Turkey and Khazr, because they protect the religion of our devotees from the attacks of the enemies of religion and remove sorrow and troubles from them.

Imam Musa Kazim (as) said: A scholar who teaches an orphan of ours who is away from us, something he is in need of, and saves him from deviation and ignorance, is more distasteful to Iblees than a thousand worshippers because that worshipper only wants to save his own self whereas the scholar wants to keep an eye on his own self as well as others from the hands of Iblees and his transgressing disciples. And in the same way he is much better in the view of Allah than a hundred thousand worshippers.

Imam Reza (as) said: On Judgment Day the worshipper will be told: You were very good that you protected yourself and others people from sorrow and trouble; hence you may enter Paradise. Although this scholar got more than you because he saved the people from enemies and increased the bounties of Paradise for them and obtained the pleasure of Allah for them.

Then that scholar will be addressed: O protector of the orphans of Aale Muhammad (as) and the guide of their weak devotees and friends, wait a little, and intercede for those who obtained or learnt something from you. He will stop on hearing this, and after interceding for them, enter Paradise along with his ten men who had obtained knowledge from him and those who became disciples of disciples till Qiyamat. Now see what is the difference between these two stages.

Imam Muhammad Taqi (as) said: Those who support the orphans of Aale Muhammad (who are separated from their Imam and confused and perplexed in their ignorance, caught in the hands of Shaitan and our hateful enemies) and saves them from their clutches and frees them from their confusion, removing the temptations of Satans, defeating them and become victorious through the evidences of their Lord and the proofs of their Imams over the Ahle Bayt-haters; they are having as much excellence over other people just as the heavens are superior to the earth and are superior to the Empyrean, the throne and the curtains. And they have as much precedence over the worshipper as the full moon is superior to a dim star in the sky.

Imam Ali Naqi (as) said: If after the occultation of your Qaim (aj) there had not been scholars who invited people to him, guided them to him, protected the religion of Allah through His arguments and evidences, taken out people from the clutches of the deception of Iblees and his transgressing disciples and Ahle Bayt-haters, no man would have remained on the religion of Allah and all would have apostatized. But they control the reins of the weak Shias just as the boatman steers the ship. It is these who are excellent and honorable in Allah’s view.

Imam Hasan Askari (as) said: Our Shia scholars who take care of our weak friends, will appear on Judgment Day, with a beautiful crown on their heads. Light will emanate from them and illuminate the field of resurrection which is as wide as a distance of three hundred thousand years’ travel. All those who have received their support and freed from ignorance by the light of their knowledge will cling to a branch of their light.

They will be picked up and raised to such a height that they will reach to the level of the High Heavens. Then they will be taken to their mansions in the vicinity of their teachers and their Imams; and Ahle Bayt-haters, who come in contact with the lights of their crowns will become blind, deaf and dumb; and the most severe flames will be appointed for them, which will pick them up and take them to the blazing Hell and put them in the center of it.2

Also, that which supports this matter is the saying of Allah, the Mighty and Sublime:

ادْعُ إِلَىٰ سَبِيلِ رَبِّكَ بِالْحِكْمَةِ وَالْمَوْعِظَةِ الْحَسَنَةِ ۖ وَجَادِلْهُمْ بِالَّتِي هِيَ أَحْسَنُ

Call to the way of your Lord with wisdom and goodly exhortation, and have disputations with them in the best manner. (Qur’an, Surah Nahl 16:125)

The evidence of this verse consists of three points:

First: Even though it is addressed to the Messenger of Allah (S) it is meant for all in general like in the case of the verse:

إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَكْتُمُونَ مَا أَنْزَلْنَا مِنَ الْبَيِّنَاتِ وَالْهُدَىٰ مِنْ بَعْدِ مَا بَيَّنَّاهُ لِلنَّاسِ فِي الْكِتَابِ ۙ أُولَٰئِكَ يَلْعَنُهُمُ اللَّهُ وَيَلْعَنُهُمُ اللَّاعِنُونَ

Surely those who conceal the clear proofs and the guidance that We revealed after We made it clear in the Book for men, these it is whom Allah shall curse, and those who curse shall curse them (too). (Qur’an, Surah Baqarah 2:159)

And the verse:

وَلْتَكُنْ مِنْكُمْ أُمَّةٌ يَدْعُونَ إِلَى الْخَيْرِ وَيَأْمُرُونَ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَيَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ الْمُنْكَرِ

And from among you there should be a party who invite to good and enjoin what is right. (Qur’an, Surah Aale Imran 3:104)

It is mentioned in traditions that Qur’an is according to the Arab saying: ‘I am telling it you but it is directed to your neighbor.’ In addition to this, reason shows that the aim of sending of the prophets, appointing of successors and placing of scholars to disseminate knowledge and making it incumbent on the people to ‘ask those who know’, is to identify the path of God and to obtain salvation and success. Thus it shows that it is the duty of every enlightened Muslim to invite to the path of the Almighty Allah.

Second: Without any doubt, ‘path of Allah’ denotes a way, by treading which, one can obtain Allah’s pleasure and satisfaction, just as there is no doubt that the way is recognition of the Imam and following him, and it is something without which it is impossible to obtain Allah’s pleasure, even though one may be a believer in the oneness of God and prophethood.

In the same way a person can never obtain salvation and success, if he does not recognize the Imam of the Time (aj) and follows him, even though he may be having faith in all the other Imams (as). This point is mentioned in the tradition of Imam Ja’far Sadiq (as) in which he says: One who believes in the Imamate of all the (eleven) Imams but denies the twelfth is like one who believes in all prophets but denies His Eminence, Muhammad (S).

It is so because the position of intercession is accorded specially to our master Hazrat Hujjat (aj) as stated in a tradition of the Holy Prophet (S) describing the scene of Judgment Day that we quoted in volume one also in which he said:“Mahdi is their intercessor” , in spite of the fact that the Imams and prophets would also intercede on Judgment Day.

In Ziarat Jamia it is mentioned:“You are the great medium (Sabeel) and the solid path…” Although this does not contradict the interpretation of the word ‘Sabeel’ as the religion of Allah, etc., as we have already explained that the perfection of religion cannot be achieved without recognition of the Imam. Therefore the Almighty Allah says:

الْيَوْمَ أَكْمَلْتُ لَكُمْ دِينَكُمْ

This day have I perfected for you your religion. (Qur’an, Surah Maidah 5:3)

After the Holy Prophet (S) had appointed the Caliph and emphasized the recognition of His Eminence (aj) and the Imam who were to come after him. Thus it can be concluded that it is prohibited to conceal the truth and it is obligatory to call towards the recognition and obedience of the Imam of the Time (aj) as per the command of the blessed verse.

Third: It is that inviting to His Eminence according to exigency of condition of the invitees in defect and perfection is of three types; sometimes it is obligatory to act upon all the steps of invitation and sometimes it can be achieved only through some of them. Thus the first step is to invite through wisdom. That is why in the verse of Qur’an, it is mentioned before discussion and debate.

And wisdom in some traditional reports is interpreted as the recognition of the Imam and being away from greater sins for which the Almighty Allah has decreed hellfire. In some other instances it is through recognition and contemplation on religion. Methods other than these are also mentioned in traditions.

A comprehensive corollary of these matters is knowledge and action. It can also be related to the dictionary meaning of the word of ‘wisdom’, because it is derived from Hakama which means the rein used for controlling animals. In the same way, knowledge and action, keeps the person within the obedience of the Almighty Allah and outside the control of Satan. Therefore it is mentioned in a verse:

إِنَّ الَّذِينَ اتَّقَوْا إِذَا مَسَّهُمْ طَائِفٌ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ تَذَكَّرُوا فَإِذَا هُمْ مُبْصِرُونَ

Surely those who guard (against evil), when a visitation from the Shaitan afflicts them they become mindful, then lo! they see. (Qur’an, Surah Araaf 7:201)

وَمَنْ يَتَّقِ اللَّهَ يَجْعَلْ لَهُ مَخْرَجًا

And whoever is careful of (his duty to) Allah, He will make for him an outlet. (Qur’an, Surah Talaq 65:2)

It is from this aspect that the Almighty Allah has said:

وَمَنْ يُؤْتَ الْحِكْمَةَ فَقَدْ أُوتِيَ خَيْرًا كَثِيرًا وَمَا يَذَّكَّرُ إِلَّا أُولُو الْأَلْبَابِ

And whoever is granted wisdom, he indeed is given a great good and none but men of understanding mind. (Qur’an, Surah Baqarah 2:269)

Thus one who has got the Taufeeq for knowledge and action, has in fact obtained the recognition of the Holy Imams (as) and it is ‘a lot of good’. This would make you know that ‘a lot of good’ has been interpreted in traditions to be the recognition of Amirul Momineen (as) and the Holy Imams (as). It is same as stated in the saying of Imam Ja’far Sadiq (as) that:“We are the actual ‘good’ and its branch is obedience of the Almighty Allah and our enemies are the real ‘evil’ and knowing them is disobedience of the Almighty Allah…” please pay attention on this point so that the matter becomes clear for you. From what we have mentioned above it is known that invitation to His Eminence is having four ways:

One: Inviting with the help of wisdom of knowledge

Two: Inviting through wisdom of action

Three: Inviting through good exhortation

Four: Inviting through debates and discussions

Now that you have understood this, I say: Inviting through wisdom of knowledge, with reference to the obligation of recognition of someone who invites to Him and value of Marifat and its mediums are known through explanations of qualities and excellences and signs of that person, and also the explanation of the duties of people towards them and to mention the sources of his proximity like…

Invitation through practical wisdom with discipline and order of the inviter which is his duty in each of the mentioned stages, and to arrange that which will be obtained through motivating a person to fulfill the rights of the Imam and perfect his recognition. So that a person of recognition may follow the one who invites to Imam (as); whereas the ignorant person begins to be curious and questioning. Such type of call leaves effect on the hearts and achieves its aim. Therefore Imam Ja’far Sadiq (as) has said: Be a caller of people without using the tongue.

As for exhorting in the best way; through advice and motivation and warning and explanation of knowing the Imam and his rights that have been trespassed and abandoning those who consider them unimportant and carelessness in fulfilling their rights that bring hardships and their punishments, etc…according to the requirement and that which is the source of following the Imam (as), will be achieved.

As for the best way of debates; it is narrated from Imam Ja’far Sadiq (as) that he said: That is through Qur’an. And it is narrated from Imam Hasan Askari (as) that he said: This debate is through proofs and evidences, and not that you reject a truth or claim a falsehood.3

I say: Each of the above points can be explained in detail but it is beyond the scope of this book and this is sufficient for the wise; but some more points will be mentioned in the 52nd duty, Insha Allah.

Notes

1. Usool Kafi, Vol. 2, Pg. 211

2. Tafseer Imam, Pg. 339-345

3. Tafseer Burhan, Vol. 3, Pg. 253, Tr. no. 2

49: To Take Care Of The Rights And Duties Towards Imam (aj)

The rights of the Holy Prophet (S) and after him the Imams (as) have precedence over the rights of all other people in the world. And Allah has bestowed them this high station. He has selected them among all the people and made them the medium of bestowing the mankind with every kind of benefit.1 The Holy Imams (as) have said regarding their rights,“The right of the Almighty Allah is for us.” Thus observing the rights of Imam (as) is a medium of gaining Allah’s proximity. And to consider his right unimportant is distancing oneself from Allah and earns His anger, as mentioned by Imam Sajjad (as) in Dua Abu Hamza Thumali: Or may be You found me considering Your right less important and distanced me from You.2

Notes

1. Al-Kafi, Vol. 1, Pg. 537

2. Iqbal, Pg. 71

50: Humility And Soft-Heartedness While Remembering Imam (aj)

It is very important to soften ones heart while remembering Imam (aj). We should be particular in attending the assemblies of his Shias so that our heart is further softened and to remember the rights and the calamities of Hazrat (aj). We must also keep away from all such acts which cause hardening of the heart and to distance ourselves from everything that cause regret and wistfulness, as mentioned by Almighty Allah:

Has not the time yet come for those who believe that their hearts should be humble for the remembrance of Allah and what has come down of the truth? And (that) they should not be like those who were given the Book before, but the time became prolonged to them, so their hearts hardened, and most of them are transgressors.

According to traditions, the above verse was revealed with regard to Imam az-Zaman (aj) and its interpretation points towards Ghaibat. Here the phrase,“But the time became prolonged to them,” refers to the period of Ghaibat.