Alhassanain(p) Network for Heritage and Islamic Thought

75: Prayer Of Imam az-Zaman (aj)

Numerous authentic books have quoted the correct tradition of Jamal al-Usboo where Sayyid Ibne Tawoos says: The Prayer for Imam az-Zaman (aj) consists of two rakats and in each rakat one should recite the Surah al-Hamd till Iyyaaka Na’budo wa iyyaaka Nastae’en. Then repeat this sentence a hundred times and then complete the Surah. After al-Hamd recite Surah Ikhlaas (Qul Huwallaaho Ah’ad). On completing this prayer we should recite the following Dua:

O Allah! Calamities have become severe and our helplessness is clear and the curtains on it are raised, and the earth has become narrow inspite of its vastness (due to discontinuance of the bounties). We have complaint with the Heavens and You and only on You do we rely; on all severities and hardships. O Allah! Send blessings on Prophet Muhammad (S) and his progeny, whose obedience You have made obligatory on us, and hasten. O Allah the reappearance of the“upright one” (Al Qaim) and manifest his honor. O Muhammad O Ali, O Ali, O Muhammad answer me both of you as you both are sufficient for me. O Muhammad, O Ali, O Ali, O Muhammad help me as both of you one my true helpers. O Muhammad, O Ali, O Ali, O Muhammad you both protect me as you both are my protectors O my master, O the owner of the universe, O master of the time I have complaints, complaints complaints. Help me, Help me, Help me. Give me salvation, salvation, salvation.

I say: A similar Dua with some different wording is mentioned at the end of Part Seven narrating from His Eminence as.

For example: In Makarimul Akhlaq written by Hasan bin Fadl Tabarsi it is quoted from Abu Abdullah Husain bin Muhammad Bazoofari directly for, Najmus Thaqib which in turn has quoted from Kunooz an-Najah of Fadl bin Husain Tabarsi - father of the author of Makarimul Akhlaq - from Ahmad bin Darbi that he said: “It is said from Imam of the Time (aj) that: One who has a need from the Almighty Allah should rise after midnight of Friday eve, perform the bath; go to the place of his prayer, and perform two rakats of prayer. In the first rakat recite Surah Hamd, and when he reaches ‘Iyyaka Na’budo wa iyyaka Nastae’en’ he should repeat it a hundred times. On the hundredth time he should complete the Surah Hamd. Then recite Surah Tauheed once. After that perform Ruku and Sujood and in each of them recite the zikr seventy times. Perform the second rakat also in the same manner. Recite the following Dua before the Namaz. And if you do it, the Almighty Allah will fulfill any of your needs whatever it may be, except that it be for cutting off relations. The Dua is follows:

O Allah, if I obey You, You are worth commendation, and if I offend You, You have proof against me. All ease and relief are from You. Glory be to He Who possesses the power but forgives. O Allah, even though I have offended You, but I have obeyed You in the thing You love most which is believing in You, I have not ascribed an offspring to You and I have not ascribed a partner to You. You have bestowed on me and I have not bestowed anything on You. O my God, verily I have offended You but not as a result of stubbornness, nor to depart from Your service and not denial of Your Divinity; but I have obeyed my desire and Satan has deviated me. You possess the proof against me. You will not be oppressing me if You punish me due to my sin, but if You forgive and have mercy on me, verily You are the Openhanded and Generous. O the Generous. O the Generous…

وَجْهِ الْمُكَابَرَةِ وَلاَ الْخُرُوجِ عَنْ عُبُودِيَّتِكَ وَلاَ الْجُحُودِ لِرُبُوبِيَّتِكَ وَلَكِنْ اَطَعْتُ هَوَايَ وَاَزَلَّنِي الشَّيْطَانُ فَلَكَ الْحُجَّةُ عَلَيَّ وَالْبَيَانُ فَإِنْ تُعَذِّبْنِي فَبِذُنُوبِي غَيْرَ ظَالِمٍ وَإِنْ تَغْفِرْ لِي وَتَرْحَمْنِي فَإِنَّكَ جَوَادٌ كَرِيمٌ يَا كَرِيمُ يَا كَرِيمُ

(recite till you are out of breath)

Then say:

O He that is secured from everything. O He from Whom everything is afraid and cautious of. I request You of Your security from everything and the fear of everything of You, to send blessings on Muhammad and on the family of Muhammad, and to grant security for me, my family, offspring and other privileges You have bestowed on me till I was not frightened by anyone and will not be cautious of anything forever. Verily You have the power over everything. Allah is sufficient for us as an excellent trustee. O He that sufficed Ibrahim against Nimrod. O He that sufficed Musa against Firon, I request You to bless Muhammad and the family of Muhammad and to suffice me from the evils of so and so, son of so and so.

In Makarimul Akhlaq it is said: It is narrated that if every believing man and woman recites this prayer, and supplicates sincerely with this supplication, doors of the sky will open in acceptance of it and it will be accepted immediately [or in the same night]. And it is from the mercy of the Almighty Allah on us and on the people.1

In Najmus Thaqib a similar tradition is quoted from Kunooz an-Najah.

The weak author, Muhammad Taqi Musawi Isfahani - may Allah forgive him - says: I had many important tasks that prevented me from this prayer but later through His blessings and bounties of the Imam of the Time (aj) He removed all such impediments.

For example: in Najmus Thaqib, this prayer is mentioned as the Prayer of the Imam of the Time (aj) and he has quoted it from Sayyid Fadlullah Rawandi. And after conclusion of prayer, one as to recite Salawat on Muhammad and progeny of Muhammad, a hundred times and then there is a special supplication for this occasion.

In Jannatul Mawa quoting from Tarikh Qom of Shaykh Fadil Hasan bin Muhammad Qummi from Monisul Hazeen Fee Marifte Haqq wal Yaqeen of Shaykh Abu Ja’far Muhammad bin Babawahy in the chapter of building of Masjid Jamakaran, a long tradition has been mentioned and then it is said: “Imam Mahdi (aj) has commanded this prayer in a special way that is: Recite two rakats prayer and each rakat recite Surah Fatiha and when you come‘Iyyaaka na’budu wa iyyaaka nastae’en’ , repeat it a hundred times. After that recite Surah Hamd till the end. In Ruku and Sujood recite the Tasbih seven times and when you finish the prayer recite tahleel (Laa ilaaha illallaahu), tasbih of Lady Fatima Zahra (as). When you finish that perform a Sajdah and recite a hundred times Salawat on the Holy Prophet (S). Then he said: (And these are Imam’s words): Faman s’allaha fa kaannama s’alla fee baitil a’teeq; One who prays these two rakats prayer is like one who prayed in Holy Kaaba.2

The respected Muhaddith Noori has said regarding the Imam’s statement: ‘and when you finish the prayer recite tahleel’ apparently means reciteLaa ilaaha illallaahu wah’dahu wah’dahu .

I say: Precaution in worship and preparation of fulfillment of needs demands that we reconcile between the mentioned values, that after midnight of Friday, perform the Ghusl and perform this prayer, and after the prayer recite the Tahleel that the Messenger of Allah (S) has taught and said: This is my Dua and the Dua of the prophets is before me and then recite:

There is no god but Allah, the One with no partner to Him. For Him is the kingdom and the praise. He enlivens and causes death. He causes death and He enlivens. And He is the living that never dies. In His control is all the good. And He is powerful over everything.

Then recite the Dua that the Holy Prophet (S) recited on the day of the conquest of Mecca:

There is no god but Allah, the One with no partner to him. He fulfilled the promise and helped His servant and destroyed the confederations through one. Then for Him is the Kingdom and the praise. He enlivens and causes death and He is powerful over everything.

Then recite the Tasbih of Fatima Zahra (as) that is recited after every obligatory prayer. Then recite the special Tasbih of His Eminence as mentioned after his prayer; it is as follows:

Glory be to the One having power, the lofty being. Glory be to the One with majesty and greatness. Glory be to the One with the original kingdom of dignity. Glory be to the One who is dressed in beauty and elegance. Glory be to the One who wears the dress of Noor and dignity. Glory be to the One who sees the spoor of ant on the black hard rock. Glory be to the One Who sees the route taken by birds in the air. Glory be to the One Who is only thus and except for Him none is like it.

Then recite Salawat a hundred times on the Holy Prophet (S) and his progeny. Then recite the Dua that is mentioned in Makarimul Akhlaq and after that recite the supplication narrated by Sayyid Ibne Tawoos; as when you act upon that which we have mentioned, your needs would be fulfilled, Insha Allah. And it is recommended to prolong the Qunoot in that Prayer and recite the words of ‘Faraj’ in it as our master, Amirul Momineen (as) has advised some righteous person in dream and these are the words of Dua:

There is no god, except Allah, the Forbearing and the Noble. There is no god, except Allah, the High and the Great. Glory be to Allah, the Lord of the seven skies and the seven earths and what is in them and what is between them and the Lord of the Great Arsh.

لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ الْحَلِيمُ الْكَرِيمُ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ الْعَلِيُّ الْعَظِيمُ سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ رَبِّ السَّمَاوَاتِ السَّبْعِ وَرَبِّ الاَرَضِينَ السَّبْعِ وَمَا فِيهِنَّ وَمَا بَيْنَهُنَّ وَرَبِّ الْعَرْشِ الْعَظِيمِ .

Note and Conclusion: Sayyid Ibne Tawoos, has mentioned a similar prayer in Prayers of fulfillment of needs on Friday eve and he says: Prayers of fulfillment is two rakats on Friday eves and eves of Eid of Sacrifice. Recite Surah Fatiha till ‘Iyyaaka na’budu wa iyyaaka nastae’en’, and repeat this verse a hundred times and then complete the Hamd. Then recite Surah Qul huwallaahu Ahad a hundred times and in every rakat do the same. Then recite the Salaam and say seventy times: Laa h’awla wa laa quwwata illa billaahil a’liyil a’z”eem. And after that go into Sajdah and recite two hundred times: Yaa rabbi, Yaa rabbi…and ask whatever you need.

Notes

1. Makarimul Akhlaq, Tabarsi, Pg. 339-340

2. Janna al-Mawa, Pg 230, Story No: 8

76: Weeping For Imam Husain (as)

It is an action by which we can fulfill the rights of Imam az-Zaman (aj) and there is no doubt that fulfillment of the rights of Imam az-Zaman (aj) is a medium of achieving the nearness of Allah.

Ja’far Ibne Muhammad Ibne Qooloolay (r.a.) narrates from Imam Sadiq (as) a lengthy tradition on the merits of weeping upon Imam Husain (as):“No eye or tear is more liked by Allah than the eye that weeps on him (Imam Husain a.s.). No one weeps for him except that he has recompensed Janabe Fatima Zahra (s.a.) and helped her in the mourning. He has presented a gift to the Messenger of Allah (S) and fulfilled my right. Everyone shall be raised in Qiyamat weeping except those who weep on my oppressed forefather, Imam Husain (as). Because their eyes will be shining. He would be given the good news and his joy will be apparent from his facial expression. All the creatures would be dreading their consequences except those who had wept on Imam Husain (as). They shall be in absolute security. All the people will gather on the plains of Mahshar but these people shall be standing under the shade of the Arsh (throne) conversing with Imam Husain (as).

They shall not be fearful of the rigorous strictness of the day of accounting. They would be told to enter Paradise but would not do so. They would prefer the company of Imam Husain (as) to Paradise. The Houries of Paradise would be sending messages to them that they are waiting for these people, however, they would be so enchanted by the conversation of Imam Husain (as) that would not pay heed to the Houries.” 1

The phrase“fulfilled my right” indicates that weeping for Imam Husain (as) is an act that fulfills the rights of Imam az-Zaman (aj) and the other holy Imams (as). The reason for this is participation in their grief implies the fulfillment of mutual rights of believers. Because when a believer passes away there are some customs that the Shariah has ordered to be fulfilled. They are of two types: The first type is that we fulfill the rights of the dead and that consist of participating in the funeral, standing by the grave, seeking forgiveness for him, paying Sadaqah on his behalf, reciting prayers on his behalf, mentioning him nicely, etc. And the second type are with regard to his survivors, that is to present condolence to them, praying for them, sharing their grief, sending food etc. to them, and doing good to them; and without any doubt the rights of the Imam (as) regarding this are greater than all the people.

Thus, when the believer mourns for our master, Abi Abdullah (as) the right of the Imam that remains after His Eminence, he is in fact to some extent, fulfilling the rights of the Holy Imam (as) and seeking proximity through it although he can never fulfill the whole of it. This is mentioned in traditional reports recorded from the Holy Imams (as). However to fully explain this is beyond the scope of this book. In the end we will just mention the saying of Imam (as) which clarifies it:“And he would have fulfilled our right.” Thus it is our duty to think upon it.

Notes

1. Kaamiluz Ziaraat, Pg. 26

77: Visiting The Tomb Of Imam Husain (as)

It is an act of goodwill towards Imam az-Zaman (aj) and other Purified Imams (as). By performing this we can please the pure heart of Imam (as). Imam (as) prays for the visitor of Imam Husain (as), day and night.

Ibne Qooloolay has quoted Imam Sadiq (as) in Kamiluz Ziaraat:“One who visits the tomb of my (great grand) father (Imam Husain a.s.), has performed an act of goodwill towards the Messenger of Allah (S) and has respected our relationship. The back-biting of such a person is haraam and his flesh is haraam for hell-fire.” 1

In the same book, through the author’s own chain of narrators it is narrated from Abdullah bin Sinan that he said: I asked His Eminence, Abu Abdullah Imam Sadiq (as): May I be sacrificed on you, your father said: One dirham spent in the way of Hajj is counted as a thousand. Then what will be the value if one undertakes a journey to visit your forefather, Husain (as)? He replied: O son of Sinan, each dirham will be considered as a thousand thousand - till ten thousand, and in the same proportion would his levels be increased and the pleasure of Allah will be better for him. And the Dua of Muhammad (S) will be there for him and the Dua of Amirul Momineen (as) and the Holy Imams (as) also.2

In the same book, it is narrated through the author’s own chain of narrators that Imam Sadiq (as) said:“The deed loved most by Allah is the visitation (Ziarat) of the tomb of Imam Husain (as). The deed of a believer loved most by Allah is making the Momineen happy and the condition loved most by Allah is that a person weeps in prostration.” 3

Through the author’s own chain of narrators it is narrated from Muawiyah bin Wahab that he heard Imam Ja’far Sadiq (as) supplicating the Almighty Allah and beseeching Him: Send Your mercy for me, my brothers and visitors of the grave of my forefather, Husain (as). Those who spend from their funds put their bodies into trouble, for the sake of goodness to us, and in hope of reward and a good turn for us, and to please Your Prophet (S), and to follow our command, and making the enemies angry, so that through this they may obtain Your satisfaction.

So [O Allah], reward them through Your satisfaction on our behalf, and keep them in Your safety, day and night, reward their families and children, who stay behind in the best way. And be their supporter, and keep them safe from the evil of every evildoer and every weak and strong creature, and the evil of Shaitan of men and jinns, and reward them with the best for forsaking their native place and make them return safely to their families, children and relatives. O Allah, indeed, our enemies flay them for undertaking a journey to visit our graves, but do not make this fault-finding to forgo turning to us. In such a way that they should oppose our opponents. Thus, have mercy on faces colored by the heat of the sun. And have mercy on cheeks that fall on the tomb of His Eminence, Abi Abdullah al-Husain (as), and have mercy on the eyes that weep for us, and have mercy on the hearts that are aggrieved for us, and have mercy on the cry that is raised for us. O Allah, I have entrusted those bodies and souls to You till You bring them to the side of the Hauz on the day of the great thirst…4

It is a very lengthy tradition and we have quoted only that which is needed here. And this proves that it makes all the Imams (as) very pleased when we perform this action; it is fulfillment of their command, a good turn to them and a way to show enmity to their enemies.

In the same book, through the author’s own chain of narrators it is narrated from Muawiyah bin Wahab from Imam Ja’far Sadiq (as) that he said to Muawiyah: O Muawiyah, do not leave the Ziarat of the grave of Imam Husain (as) due to fear, because if one leaves it for fear, will be in such regret that he would wish his grave was next to his (Imam Husain’s) grave. Do you not like that the Almighty Allah sees your person and shadow between those for whom the Messenger of Allah (S), Ali, Fatima and Imams (as) pray?5

Through the author’s own chain of narrators it is narrated from Halabi in a lengthy tradition that he said: I asked His Eminence, Abu Abdullah Imam Sadiq (as): May I be sacrificed on you, what do you say about one who leaves the Ziarat of Imam Husain (as) when he could do it? He replied: He has done Aaq (broken off relations) to the Holy Prophet (S) and us and considered light the command to him in this regard. And the Almighty Allah will fulfill the needs of one who goes for this Ziarat, and the Almighty Allah makes him sufficient in all the worldly affairs that are important to him, He widens his sustenance, what he spends is returned to him, fifty years’ sins are forgiven, when he returns, no sin will remain in his account but that it would be washed off, when he passes away, the angels descend and give him bath and open a door to Paradise. When he is raised in Qiyamat, he will be told: For every dirham you spent, there are a thousand for you, and the Almighty Allah has stored it for you.6

In the tradition of Abdullah bin Hammad Basri it is narrated from Imam Ja’far Sadiq (as) in which the Imam has mentioned the excellence of the visitor to the grave of Imam Husain (as) till he said:“And as for that which will be with for him is that we shall be blessing him day and night…”

In the tradition of Safwan Jammaal from Imam Ja’far Sadiq (as) it is mentioned: If the visitor of Imam Husain (as) knew what joy he conveys to the Messenger of Allah (S), to Amirul Momineen (as), to Fatima and Imams (as), to martyrs of us, Ahle Bayt, and what he gets through their prayers and how much reward he would get in the world and the hereafter and what reward is stored with Allah for him, he would wish that he is not seen at home for the rest of his life…7

Notes

1. Kaamiluz Ziaraat, Pg. 127, Chapter 46

2. Kaamiluz Ziaraat, Pg. 128, Chapter 46

3. Kaamiluz Ziaraat, Pg. 146, Chapter 48

4. Kaamiluz Ziaraat, Pg. 116, Chapter 40

5. Kaamiluz Ziaraat, Pg. 126, Chapter 45

6. Kaamiluz Ziaraat, Pg. 128, Chapter 46

7. Kaamiluz Ziaraat, Pg. 297, Tr. no. 15

78: Excessively Cursing The Umayyads, Openly And Secretly

If there is no occasion for Taqayyah, fear or personal or social constraint it is recommended to narrate the evil deeds of Bani Umayyah and curse them from the pulpits and in gatherings. It is one of those acts that make one eligible for Allah’s proximity. Shaykh Sadooq writes in Khisaal that the Messenger of Allah (S) told Ali (as),“O Ali! Bani Umayyah will curse you and for each of their curse an angel will curse them a thousand times. After his reappearance Qaim (aj). will curse them for forty years.” 1

I say: It means Imam (as) will command his followers to curse the Bani Umayyah from every pulpit and in every gathering throughout the world. The period so mentioned is in retaliation of the hate propaganda unleashed by Bani Umayyah to malign the name of Ali (as). It is the worldly punishment of the evil deeds of Bani Umayyah. And if it meant that His Eminence, himself alone curses the Bani Umayyah, it was not restricted to a time limit. It is not restricted to the period of reappearance of His Eminence, because he curses them all his life. We can conclude that this tradition proves the excellence of arranging for cursing Bani Umayyah and it is one of the ways of gaining proximity to the Imam of the Time (aj). Thus it is appropriate that a believer must arrange for this regularly, especially at the beginning of the day and night after obligatory prayers and also continue it at all times.

That which proves our point is a narration that Shaykh Tusi has mentioned through the author’s own chain of narrators from, Imam Muhammad Baqir (as) that he said: When you conclude the obligatory prayer, do not move till you have cursed Bani Umayyah.2

Among all the things that prove that cursing Bani Umayyah and other enemies of the Holy Imams (as) is a type of help to the Imams (as) through our tongue, it is mentioned in Tafseer Imam Askari (as) that: O son of Allah’s Messenger! I am unable to help you physically, except that I am fed up with your enemies and curse them. This is only what I can do. So what about my fate? His Eminence said: I was told by my respected father that he had heard his father and he from his father that the Holy Prophet (S) said: Anyone who is unable to help us, Ahle Bayt, and he, sitting in loneliness, curses our enemies, Almighty Allah uplifts his voice and takes it to all the angels from underground to high heavens. Then all angels join him in cursing the one he is cursing. Then the angels praise the lover of Ahle Bayt and pray for him: O Allah! Pour Your mercy on this man as he did whatever he could in Your path. Had he been able to do more, he would have certainly done so. At that time, a voice comes from Almighty Allah: O angels, I have answered your prayer and sent mercy on his soul and admitted him in the group of My selected servants.

In addition to this, we should know that love and regard of the Imams (as) cannot be obtained except through cursing their enemies and except through being aloof from the enemies of Ahle Bayt (as). And without any doubt, the Bani Umayyah are their enemies and what all they have not done to the Imams (as) by way of enmity? How much they have tortured them and their friends? Thus curse of the Almighty Allah be on them till the heavens and the earth endure.

Note: It should be noted that there are some points that we mentioned and some we did not…for example the statement of Imam (as):“And curse all the Bani Umayyah.” It shows that all Bani Umayyah are cursed without any exception, in spite of the fact that our scholars have mentioned among friends and confidantes of the Imams (as) some persons whose genealogy goes back to Bani Umayyah and without any doubt, cursing the friends of the Holy Imams (as) is haraam. And the Almighty Allah has said:

وَلَا تَزِرُ وَازِرَةٌ وِزْرَ أُخْرَىٰ

And no bearer of burden shall bear the burden of another. (Qur’an, Surah Anaam 6:164)

Allah, the High and the Mighty has also said:

كُلُّ امْرِئٍ بِمَا كَسَبَ رَهِينٌ

Every man is responsible for what he shall have wrought. (Qur’an, Surah Tur 52:21)

We can sum up and say that what is meant is that all those who are as inimical to the Imams as Bani Umayyah even though they may belong to some other tribe, they are also included in it. Since those who are similar in essence are counted as one, even though they be different in genealogy. In the same way one who is having love and regard to Amirul Momineen (as) and the Imams (as), to whichever tribe he may belong, he will be counted as a doer of good. This can be proved from the saying of Almighty:

وَنَادَىٰ نُوحٌ رَبَّهُ فَقَالَ رَبِّ إِنَّ ابْنِي مِنْ أَهْلِي وَإِنَّ وَعْدَكَ الْحَقُّ وَأَنْتَ أَحْكَمُ الْحَاكِمِينَ .

قَالَ يَا نُوحُ إِنَّهُ لَيْسَ مِنْ أَهْلِكَ ۖ إِنَّهُ عَمَلٌ غَيْرُ صَالِحٍ ۖ فَلَا تَسْأَلْنِ مَا لَيْسَ لَكَ بِهِ عِلْمٌ ۖ إِنِّي أَعِظُكَ أَنْ تَكُونَ مِنَ الْجَاهِلِينَ

And Nuh cried out to his Lord and said: My Lord! surely my son is of my family, and Your promise is surely true, and You are the most just of the judges. He said: O Nuh! surely he is not of your family. (Qur’an, Surah Hud 11:45-46)

There is a tradition of the Holy Prophet (S) that he said: Salman is from us, Ahle Bayt. And the saying of the Imams (as): Our Shias are from us and they shall return to us.

In Tafseer Burhan etc it is narrated from Umar bin Yazid Thaqafi that he said: His Eminence, Imam Sadiq (as) told me: O son of Yazid, you are, by Allah, from us. And I asked him: May I be sacrificed on you, from Aale Muhammad? He replied: Yes, by Allah, from them only. O Umar, have you not seen the following verse in the Book of Allah?

إِنَّ أَوْلَى النَّاسِ بِإِبْرَاهِيمَ لَلَّذِينَ اتَّبَعُوهُ وَهَٰذَا النَّبِيُّ وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا ۗ وَاللَّهُ وَلِيُّ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ

Most surely the nearest of people to Ibrahim are those who followed him and this Prophet and those who believe and Allah is the guardian of the believers (Qur’an, Surah Aale Imran 3:68). 3

And have you not read the following?

فَمَنْ تَبِعَنِي فَإِنَّهُ مِنِّي ۖ وَمَنْ عَصَانِي فَإِنَّكَ غَفُورٌ رَحِيمٌ

Then whoever follows me, he is surely of me, and whoever disobeys me, You surely are Forgiving, Merciful. (Qur’an, Surah Ibrahim 14:36)

There are numerous traditions in this meaning but what we have related so far would be sufficient for the people of insight.

Notes

1. Khisaal, Vol. 2, Pg. 579

2. Tahdhib, Vol. 2, Pg. 109, Tr. no. 179

3. Tafseer Al-Burhan, Vol. 1/290 &

79: Active Involvement In The Fulfillment Of Rights Of Brothers-In-Faith

One of the actions that can earn the Imam’s (as) pleasure is active involvement in fulfillment of mutual rights. Considering this duty unimportant tantamount to consider the right of Imam (as) insignificant because traditions state that the relationship of Momineen with Imam (as) is that of father and sons and since friendship and goodness to children is friendship and goodness to their parents. The same shall apply with regard to the rights of Momineen.

Also that ignoring this matter is same as considering the Imam unimportant.

Among the traditions that prove this matter is one narrated from Mualla Ibne Khunais that he asked Imam Sadiq (as) regarding the rights of believers. Imam (as) said,“The momin has seventy rights but I shall inform of only seven of them because I fear you would not be able to bear it and I love you much.” The narrator said,“Insha Allah I shall be able to bear it.” Imam (as) started,“Do not eat to satiation if your momin brother is hungry, do not dress up if he is unclothed, guide him in every matter, and prefer for him what you prefer for yourself. If you have a maidservant, send her to him so that she may do his household chores. Always remain busy in fulfilling the needs of the momin brother. If you do this, you have connected your Wilayat to our Wilayat and our Wilayat to the Wilayat of Allah.” 1

In the same book, Mufaddal Ibne Umar narrates from Imam Sadiq (as) that he said,“Those of you who please a momin should not think that they have pleased that momin alone. By Allah! They have made us (Imams) happy, rather by Allah, they have made the Messenger of Allah (S) happy.” 2

In the same book, through the author’s own chain of narrators it is narrated from His Eminence, Abul Hasan (as) that he said: Every believer brother that comes to a believer for help is a divine mercy; thus one who accepts him, is joined to our Wilayat which is joined to the Wilayat of God. But if he deprives him from fulfilling his need, even though he may capable of it, the Almighty Allah will appoint in his grave a serpent of fire which will remain with him till Judgment Day and he would be forgiven or punished [as he is having other sins or not] and since the seeker of the need has not accepted his excuse, his position is worse.3

In Biharul Anwar it is narrated from Imam Musa Kazim (as) in a tradition that he said: One who fulfills the need of one of our followers, it is as if he has done it for all of us.

In Kamiluz Ziaraat it is narrated from Imam Reza (as) that he said: One who cannot visit us, should visit our righteous friends, reward for visiting us will be written for him.4

A similar tradition is also narrated from Imam Musa Kazim (as) with the addition: And one who cannot do a good turn to us, should do it to a righteous friend of us, a reward for doing a good turn to us will be written for him.5

I say: There are many traditions that are narrated on this topic. We have presented only a sampling of them to prove our point. But here we would also like to mention that which is narrated by Zaid Nursi6 in his book, Asl, since it is having a lot of benefits and many important points. He says: I asked Imam Ja’far Sadiq (as): I fear that we are not believers. His Eminence (aj) said: Why it is so? I said: I don’t see anyone among us for whom money is not as important as his brother-in-faith. And that in our view the value of money is more than that of the brotherhood that was established by Amirul Momineen (as). Imam (as) said: No, you are believers, but your faith will not reach to perfection till our Qaim does not arise. At that time, the Almighty Allah will gather your intellects and you shall be perfect believers. And if there are no perfect believers in the earth the Almighty Allah will take up to Him and you will not recognize another earth and will not recognize the heavens. Rather, by the One in Whose hand is my life, indeed, there are believers around the world, for whom the value of the world is not more than a wing of a mosquito. And if what is in the earth and what is over it, had been turned into red gold and made to stick to one of their necks and he removes it, he would not even know what it was that had been there on his neck and what has been thrown away since it was valueless for him. They are those whose life is hidden, and their native place has changed from one place to another. Their bellies have shrunk due to fasting. Their lips have dried up due to too much Tasbih. Their eyes have become weak due to weeping too much. Their faces have become yellow for lack of sleep. These are the signs that the Almighty Allah has mentioned about them in Taurat, Injil, Qur’an, Zaboor and the scriptures:

تَرَاهُمْ رُكَّعًا سُجَّدًا يَبْتَغُونَ فَضْلًا مِنَ اللَّهِ وَرِضْوَانًا ۖ سِيمَاهُمْ فِي وُجُوهِهِمْ مِنْ أَثَرِ السُّجُودِ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ مَثَلُهُمْ فِي التَّوْرَاةِ

You will see them bowing down, prostrating themselves, seeking grace from Allah and pleasure; their marks are in their faces because of the effect of prostration; that is their description in the Taurat. (Qur’an, Surah Fath 48:29)

The paleness of their faces is due to keeping awake in the nights. They are good to their brothers-in-faith in hardships and good times and the times of hardships they sacrifice their money for their needy brothers. The Almighty Allah has described them as follows:

وَيُؤْثِرُونَ عَلَىٰ أَنْفُسِهِمْ وَلَوْ كَانَ بِهِمْ خَصَاصَةٌ ۚ وَمَنْ يُوقَ شُحَّ نَفْسِهِ فَأُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُونَ

And prefer (them) before themselves though poverty may afflict them, and whoever is preserved from the niggardliness of his soul, these it is that are the successful ones. (Qur’an, Surah Hashr 59:9)

By Allah, they are ones who are successful and whenever you see a believer, you should respect him and when you see a person with opposite qualities you must keep away from him. When the night comes upon them, they consider the earth of Allah as their beds and dust as their covering. They put their cheeks on the dust so that their Lord be pleased with them and that He may release them from the fire of Hell. When morning comes on them, they mix with the people, but they are not identified among them. They keep away from the common path and consider water good and pure. Their bodies may be tired and in hardships but people get rest and comfort from them. Thus in the view of people they are the worst creatures but in the view of Allah they are the best. When they speak, they are not testified for, and if they express interest no one is prepared to allow them to marry in ones family.

When they sit in a gathering, they are not recognized and if they are gone, no one goes out in search of them. Their hearts are full of the fear of Almighty. Their tongues are full of remembrance of Allah [or silent]. Their breasts are repositories of divine secrets. Thus if they find someone worthy, they speak to him a little and if they don’t find any worthy man they keep their tongues locked and hide their keys.

There is a fixed and hard tie on their mouths, more stable than the mountains. And nothing could be taken from them. They are treasurers of knowledge, mines of forbearance and wisdom and followers of prophets, the truthful ones, the martyrs and the righteous. They are so clever that when the hypocrites see them, they consider them dumb, blind and stupid while the fact is that there is no dumbness, blindness and stupidity among them. Indeed, they are most intelligent, eloquent, forbearing, wise, pious, chosen by Allah. Humility to the Almighty Allah has made them quiet and due to the fear of the Almighty and to maintain the divine secrets they have kept their tongues closed.

How eager I am to be with them and to mingle with them, and how much their absence has made me sad, their company will remove my grief. Search for him and when you find him and take up their light, you will be guided, and you will be successful in the world and the hereafter. Among the people they are the most successful.

Their ornament is concealing divine secrets, Namaz, Zakat, Hajj, fasting, equality and help of brothers-in-faith in times of prosperity and hardships. Thus this light is their ornament and pleasure. What fortunate people, they are heirs of Firdos Paradise and they will reside therein forever. And they will reside with the folks of Paradise in Firdos which is garden of Paradise. They are the ones for whom Hell will try but they would be happy and content in Paradise. And that is what the people of Hell will say:

وَقَالُوا مَا لَنَا لَا نَرَىٰ رِجَالًا كُنَّا نَعُدُّهُمْ مِنَ الْأَشْرَارِ

What is the matter with us that we do not see men whom we used to count among the vicious? (Qur’an, Surah Saad 38:62)

In their view, they were evil. Thus the Almighty Allah will raise their stations till they see them and this will cause the people of Hell to despair and they will say: Alas, if we could return and be like them, as indeed they were the righteous and we were evil. And this despair will remain with the folks of Hell forever.

And in Biharul Anwar quoting from Amali of Shaykh Sadooq through the author’s own chain of narrators it is narrated from Jabir Jofi that he said: We were a group of people who came to Imam Muhammad Baqir (as) and after that we performed the rituals of Hajj and other worship acts. Then we bid farewell to him, and said: O son of Allah’s Messenger, give us advice. His Eminence (aj) said: Your strong ones should help the weak and the wealthy of you must help the poor. And one who intends good for his religious brother, it is as if he has wished good for himself.

You must keep our secrets and don’t expose them to the people. And think well on our matter and take care of what is related to you, and accept what you find compatible with Qur’an and reject what does not tally with Qur’an. And when the matter becomes doubtful for you, you must leave it to us so that we may explain it to you as it has been explained to us.

Thus if you are like I have advised and you don’t leave it, and if one you dies before the advent of our Qaim (aj) you will get the reward of a martyr. And if you live till that time fight on the side of Our Qaim and get martyred, you will get the reward of two martyrs. And if you kill one of our enemies in the presence of the Qaim you will be eligible for the reward of twenty martyrs.7

Notes

1. Usool Kafi, Vol. 2, Pg. 174

2. Usool Kafi, Vol. 2, Pg. 189

3. Usool Kafi, Vol. 2, Pg. 196

4. Kaamiluz Ziaraat, Pg. 319, Chapter 105

5. Kaamiluz Ziaraat, Pg. 319, Chapter 105, Tr. no. 2

6. Zaid Nursi was a companion of Imam Musa Kazim (as) who lived in Iraq.

7. Amali, Pg. 145