Alhassanain(p) Network for Heritage and Islamic Thought

Kashaful Salat;

Including the beliefs of Shia

Author: Syed Baqir Nisar Zaidi

Table of Contents

In Honor of 5

Dedication 6

Kalima 7

Important for Every Home 9

Namaz (Prayer) 10

The true beliefs of Shia religion 11

Who is Shia? 11

Description of Shia 11

Beliefs of Shia 13

Usool e Deen (Principles of Religion) 14

Furoo e Deen 15

Love 16

Marifat (recognition) 17

Importance of Marifat 18

Azadari 19

Rules of Azadari 20

Wilayat 21

What is wilayat? 22

True Nade Ali (as) 23

Shirk 24

Adl (justice) 25

Nabuwiat (prophet hood) 26

Description of Nabuwiat (prophet hood) 27

What is naba? 28

Imamate 29

The difference between nabi and imam 29

Twelfth Imam (ajf) 30

Rajat (return) 31

Belief of Infallibility 32

Special characteristics of prophets and imams 33

Day of Judgment 34

Questioning and Answering in the grave 35

Punishment in the grave 36

Barzakh 37

Scale and Bridge 38

Intercession 39

Orders 40

Kinds of Nawahi (forbidden acts) 41

Rules of Purity 42

Rules of wudhu 43

Method of wudhu 44

Things which invalidate wudhu 45

Tayyamum 46

Method of Tayyamum 47

Rules of Namaz (prayer) 48

Timing of prayer 49

Timing for fajr (morning prayer) 50

Time for zuhr (noon prayer) 51

Time for asr (afternoon prayer) 52

Time for maghrib (evening prayer) 53

Time for isha (night prayer) 54

Facing towards Qibla 55

Adhan and Iqama (calls to prayer) 56

Method of Adhan 57

Method of reciting Iqama 58

Place of Prayer 59

Dress of Prayer 60

Rules for leading prayers 61

Things which invalidate prayer 62

Conditions when one should break their prayer 63

Rakat of Prayer 64

Method of Prayer 65

Takbira tul Ahtram 66

Niyyat (intention) 67

Recitation 68

Rukoo 69

Qunoot 70

Sajda 71

Sitting 72

Tashahud 73

Salam 74

Jummah and Eid Prayers 75

Description of Prayer 76

Adhan and Iqama 77

Facing towards Kaaba 78

Absolute Attention 79

Niyyat (Intention) 80

Qayyam 81

Recitation 82

Rukoo 83

Sajda 84

All copyrights reserved

Book name Kashaful Salat

Author Syed Baqir Nisar Zaidi

Publisher Syed Baqir Nisar Zaidi

First Published September 2006

This book is available in all bookstores whose addresses are written in our book Kashaful Ahkam. You can also read our books on the following websites: www.wilayat-e-ali.org andwww.hubeali.com .

In Honor of

This book is written in the honor of Hz Aun (as) and Hz Muhammad (as) ibn Abdullah ibn Hz Jafar Tayyar (as). While helping Imam (as),They were such a perfect example for our youth not only of today but from now until the day of judgment. It isTheir example our youth will follow after the reappearance of Imam Zamana (ajf). When Imam (as) will announce the call for assistance, our children will also say “Labaik” to Imam (ajf) the same way as the elders will.

Dedication

I dedicate this book to my beloved niece, Hinnah Ali, who is eagerly awaiting the publication of this book.

Kalima

I testify there is no god other than Allah. He is unique in His oneness. I testify Muhammad (saw) is the slave and messenger of Allah. I testify Moula Ali (as) is the master of all momineen, imam of all muttaqeen, and wali of Allah, successor of RasoolAllah (saw), and there is no separation betweenThem .

Ya Ali (as) Madad

So our children do not become accused, it is necessary for us to remove this misconception. When momineen meet each other, they say “Ya Ali (as) Madad”. The other momin will reply “Peer Moula Ali (as) Madad”. Munafiqeen intensely hate this. They say we have changed the way of greeting in Islam. I advise the youth whenever anyone objects to this to tellthem “assalamu alaikum” and “Ya Ali (as) Madad” are not two different things. They are the same. In other words, “Ya Ali (as) Madad” is an easy translation of “Assalamu Alaikum”. The only difference is while others say it silently, we say it openly. For this reason, munafiqeen become jealous. We should remember ‘salam’ is the name of Allah. A vast majority of Muslims recite “Ya Salam” on a regular basis. My Moula Ali (as) is the name of Allah. The meaning of “Assalamu Alaikum” ismay you be in the protection of Moula Ali (as). People hate to hear the name of my Moula (as). This is why they hate hearing “Ya Ali (as) Madad”. They should always remember protection comes through Moula Ali (as) who is the helper of all creation.

Important for Every Home

Bismillah al Rahman al Raheem

Ya Ali (as) Madad

So far I have written books for elders, friends, adults, and women. Their encouragement always renews my energy and enthusiasm. This is the first time I am writing for the youth of my nation. It was a very difficult task, but my friends pressured me in such a way that I had to do as they wished. It is a very difficult task to teach children about. One must teach them in such a way they understand the true beliefs, but at the same time, they do not feel any burden upon their minds. I relied on my Moula (as) who is the helper of the whole universe. My real purpose is to make the youth become accustomed to thinking deeply upon the matters of religion. So when they become adults, they will have enough understanding of their religion that no one will be able to make them deviate from the true path. I have no doubt my Moula (as) will help me, and I will be successful in my purpose.

Basically it is the responsibility of parents to teach their children, but in these fast paced times, men are busy in their jobs and women are busy in the home. They do not have enough time to fulfill their most important responsibility. The result of this is they have left the teaching of their children up to the worldly schools and the maulvis (religious scholars). Now the maulvis have begun to teach the children a “shortened version” of beliefs, and the parents have no objections to this. When the child becomes older, the result of the education gained while under the tutelage of these maulvis becomes apparent. That is the time when the parents start to worry, but the time for teaching their children has passed. Children born in the houses of momineen sometimes disobey or even turn against Ahlul Bayt (as).

The parents are responsible for this. All of the parents must remember on the day of judgment Allah will ask them regarding their children.

In this situation I am forced to write such a book which tells the youth about the true beliefs. Once they fully understand, it will make their foundation strong. When they get older, they will continue their journey towards gaining knowledge and marifat (recognition).

This will keep them firmly on the right path, and also they will become the source of forgiveness for their parents. It is very important to tell them from birth that they are born only in the obedience of Masoomeen (as) not some mujtihid (scholar). If they want to find the solution to any issue, they will find it in the words of Masoomeen (as) not in the fatwas of so called scholars.

Namaz (Prayer)

Prayer is a way for recognizing one’s religion. In reality prayer is the most beautiful way to express one’s belief, but it should not be without marifat (recognition). He must understand not only what he is doing but why he is doing it. This is the basic mistake which every parent makes. They teach their children the method of prayer. Then they think they have fulfilled their duties, and their child has become a namazi (one who prays). This makes their children have a tendency towards blind following. If he has this tendency towards worshiping blindly, then throughout his life he will become more and more deviated from the right path. His relationship with his beliefs will become weaker and weaker. Until such a time will come, when he completely rebels against the beliefs he has been taught. He believes these apparent acts of worship will take him into the jannah (paradise). During this time, shaitan starts to teach him about these beliefs. He becomes a follower of shaitan. He becomes joyous because he feels he now has a guarantee of jannah because of his worship of Allah.

In reality he is worshiping shaitan.

A famous poet, Josh, said:

When someone reads namaz without marifat,

This is a deviation from shaitan

Look around yourself and see how many people have signs of sajda (prostrations) on their foreheads. They only talk about prayer and always keep themselves in wudhu (ablution), but you can see they are the fiercest enemies of Ahlul Bayt (as) in their words and actions. They consider the azadari of Imam Hussain (as) as if it was an ordinary everyday occurrence. They openly insult Ahlul Bayt (as). If you say one word against their so called scholars, there are some who will not hesitate in killing you.

This is a result of the wrong teachings they learned in childhood. They were taught the method of namaz (prayer), but no one explained to them what the true meaning of namaz is. This is why, in our book, we have divided the explanation of namaz into three parts.

1. Orderof Prayer

2. Method of Prayer

3. Description of Prayer

This book was written with intense sincerity and love. Please do not consider this book to be just an ordinary work. It is the duty of every momin to make sure this book is available in every Shia home. It is a necessity for every home and will save the upcoming generations from becoming astray.

We did not mention the references in our book. If you wish to see the references, then kindly read our book “Kashaful Ahkam”.

Rabbana taqqabul minna innaka anta asameeh ul aleem

The true beliefs of Shia religion

Who is Shia?

If someone claims to be a scientist but does not know what science is or if someone claims to be a cricketer but has no knowledge of cricket, then no one will accept either of them, as a scientist or cricketer. Likewise, if someone claims to be a Shia but has no knowledge of what a Shia is, then that person can never be a Shia. The whole world will consider him ignorant. It is compulsory on anyone who claims to be a Shia to be aware of the reality of the word “Shia”. It is compulsory for him to know the truth of the Shia religion, beliefs, methods of worship, and those things which not only include one in the Shia religion but also those things which will exclude one from the religion. In short a person cannot be a real Shia simply by labeling themselves as a Shia, or because they happened to be born in a Shia family. No one can be Shia unless they have full knowledge regarding the Shia religion.

There are two kinds of religion, religion by birth and religion by option. In religion by birth, the person has no choice. He is completely dependent upon the family in which he was born into.

This type of religion is totally worthless. This is only a label which is automatically placed upon him. It has no effect upon his personality. In our society, a vast majority of people belong to this type of religion. To Allah, their value is not more than the animals who wander here and there in the jungles. The true religion is religion by option. Whatever religion one selects, he must have solid proofs regarding his choice. This only becomes possible after he has studied the religion intensely and gained all of the knowledge regarding its tenets.

Description of Shia

If you look in the dictionary, you will find many different meanings of the word Shia. For example, follower, group, party, supporter, etc. So when the word Shia is spoken, immediately these questions come into the mind;Whose Shia? Whose follower? Whose group? Whose party? Whose supporters? Unless you find the answer to these questions, the word Shia has absolutely no value. In the time of Ameerul Momineen Hz Ali (as) ibn Abi Talib (as), there were two types of Shia. One was “Shiaian e Ali (as)” and the other was shiaian e muawiaya (la). Later the shiaian e muawiaya (la) changed their name, and only the Shiaian e Ali (as) remained. Because Shiaare so beloved by Allah, He has made such an arrangement where the Shia and Ali (as) are associated with each other for eternity. So now the Shia is one who will be the Shia of Moula Ali (as). He cannot be Shia of anyone else.

This is a great blessing and kindness from Allah that even the shiaian e muawiya (la) do not like to callthemselves ‘Shia’. Whenever the word Shia is spoken, it is meant only for the Shiaian e Ali (as). So we must understand if we call ourselves ‘Shia’, then we are only the Shia of Moula Ali (as). We are the group of Moula Ali (as). We are the party of Moula Ali (as). We are the supporters of Moula Ali (as). Alhamdulilah there is not one single part of our religion which is without Moula Ali (as). Whether it is the kalima, adhan, iqama, namaz (prayer), everywhere you will find Moula Ali (as). If someone excludes Moula Ali (as) from any part of the religion, then he will no longer be a Shia. He will become a munafiq (hypocrite). The meaning of being a Shia is to be associated with Moula Ali (as).We cannot disassociate ourselves from Moula Ali (as) even for the blink of an eye or even if we find ourselves in a loss.

Beliefs of Shia

Shia religion is based upon certain beliefs and ideologies. Anyone having these beliefs is a Shia even if he does not call himself ‘Shia’. One not having these beliefs can never be Shia even if he calls himself ‘Shia’. Allah, His Messenger, and Masoomeen (as) did not separate the beliefs and acts of Shia from each other. They are one and the same. Because beliefs are acts themselves. Acts are beliefs themselves. Because beliefs are exposed through one’s actions, and one’s actions exposes one’s beliefs.

Beliefs and actions cannot be separated from each other. The people themselves divided the Shia religion into two parts, usool e deen and furoo e deen.

Usool e Deen (Principles of Religion)

Asal means root. Its plural is usool. Usool means roots. So the meaning of usool e deen is ‘roots of religion’. According to the scholars, there arefive usool e deen.1 .Tawheed (oneness) 2. Adl (justice) 3. Nabuwiat (prophet hood) 4. Imamate 5. Qiyamat (Day of Judgment). We will discuss this later on in our book

Furoo e Deen

Fara means branch. Its plural is furoo. Furoo means branches. The meaning of furoo e deen is ‘branches of religion’. Because usool and furoo were established by non masooms, there is a dispute regarding this issue. In the beginning, there were six furoo e deen.

1. Namaz (prayer) 2.Sawm (fasting) 3. Hajj (pilgrimage) 4. Zakat (poor tax) 5. Khums 6. Jihad (struggle in the way of Allah), but later they included four more branches. 7. Tawalla (love of Ahlul Bayt as) 8.Tabarra (disassociation from the enemies of Ahlul Bayt as) 9. Amr bil maroof (enjoining the good) 10. Nahi anil munkir (forbidding the bad)

The people take the meanings of ‘amr bil maroof nahi anil munkir’ to be enjoining the good and forbidding the bad. Due to this explanation, there are many Islamic missionaries busy in this act. However, we will find its true meaning based solely upon the sayings of Masoomeen (as).

Someone asked Imam Jafar Sadiq (as), “Moula (as), who is ‘maroof’ which we must invite the people towards?” (Maroof means one who is recognized) Moula (as) replied, “This is one who is ‘maroof’ on the earth as well as in the heavens.” Then the person said, “Moula (as), please explain in detail.” Imam (as) replied,

“Maroof is My Grandfather Ali (as) ibn Abi Talib (as), and munkir is His enemy.” So the real explanation of ‘amir bil maroof nahi anil munkir’ is to invite people towards the wilayat, imamate, and love of Moula Ali (as) and disassociate ourselves from the enemies of Moula Ali (as).

Love

We must know and remember the true root of the Shia religion, its spirit, purpose, destination, beginning, end, apparent, and hidden, is only one thing and that is love. In Usool e Kafi Imam Jafar Sadiq (as) says, “Religion is nothing except love and hate”. It means loving Ahlul Bayt (as) and being an enemy ofTheir enemies is the true religion. After delivering the whole religion, RasoolAllah (saw) asked for the reward of His prophecy to be the love of Ahlul Bayt (as). Quran says, “O’Prophet! Say I do not ask any reward from you except to love My Beloved Daughter Syeda Fatima Zahra (sa ).”

Love has been proven to be the true religion. Without this all other things, regardless if they are usool or furoo, are worthless. They can only be of benefit to you if your foundation is the love of Ahlul Bayt (as). In reality this whole universe was created for love. Its end is also based upon love.

The purpose of the creation of the universe is revealed in this Hadith e Qudsi where Allah says, “I was a hidden treasure. I decided to be recognized. There fore, I created an essence.”

Allah says on another occasion, “O’Ahlul Bayt (as) of Muhammad (saw)! I created this whole universe inYour love. If it had not been for You, I would not have created anything.”

The purpose of creating this whole universe is the love of Ahlul Bayt (as). This universe is worthless without the love of Ahlul Bayt (as). We have looked at the beginning. Now let us look at the end and see what will decide whether one goes to jannah (paradise) or jahannum (hellfire).

Ameerul Momineen (as) says, “I will be standing at the door of jahannum (hell). I will ask it to catch this person because he wasMy enemy. And to leave that person because he wasMy lover in this world.” The jannah and jahannum will be divided upon the basis of love. Our beginning is love and our end will also be love. If someone from their beginning till their end is neglectful of the love of Ahlul Bayt (as), then he should know what his place is.

When it has been decided the center of the beginning and end is the love of Ahlul Bayt (as), it is our duty to make the love of Ahlul Bayt (as) the center of our life. We should only love those who love Ahlul Bayt (as) and hate those who are enemies of Ahlul Bayt (as). As Ameerul Momineen (as) said in “Mani ul Akhbar”, “Be friends toMy friend even if he is the murderer of your father and brother. Be enemy ofMy enemy even if he is your father or brother.”

Marifat (recognition)

From our writing you can ascertain the importance of the value of love, but one can only love that which he recognizes. This recognition is called marifat.

Description of Marifat (recognition)

The description of marifat is to recognize one with those attributes which are only associated to him and not with any other. We will make you understand by this example. Suppose two people are standing. Both are wearing black dress. One is wearing white cap and other is wearing a red cap. Both are wearing the same dress, but their caps are different. If you want to call one of them, you will have to call him through such an attribute which is not present in the other. If you say “Oh Mr. Wearing Black Dress”, both of them will look at you.

Because they both are wearing black dress, but if you say “Oh Mr. Wearing White Cap”, then only that person who is wearing a white cap will look at you, not the other. This is marifat. So if you want to gain the marifat of Hz Muhammad (saw), then you cannot gain His marifat through those attributes which are common to all Masoomeen (as). You will gain His marifat through the seal of prophecy because He is the only one that has this attribute. There is no seal other than Him.

Importance of Marifat

How much you love another depends on how great your marifat of that person is. If a scholar dies who lives far away, then you will feel a little grief. If your neighbor dies, you will feel intense grief even if your neighbor is an ordinary person. The reason is you have no marifat of the scholar, but you have the marifat of your neighbor. Likewise, however the more marifat a person gains of Ahlul Bayt (as), the more he will loveThem .

Because it is the desire of Allah that His slaves, servants, and the whole of creation should love Ahlul Bayt (as), then certainly we must love them fiercely. Ordinary love will not be acceptable to Allah. This is why Allah made this wajib (compulsory) upon His creation to gain the marifat of the Imam of their time. Our love for Ahlul Bayt (as) must reach its ultimate pinnacle.

Never consider marifat to be an ordinary act because religion, iman (faith), and the Day of Judgment are all completely dependent upon marifat. This is why RasoolAllah (saw) said, “Anyone who dies without gaining the marifat of the Imam of his time dies the death of an ignorant (jahil), kufr (disbeliever), and nifaq (hypocrite).” Now you can understand the importance of marifat that even if a person, who has prayed his whole life, fasts everyday, has performed hajj will die as a munafiq simply because he did not gain the marifat of the Imam of his time.

If someone asks you how marifat begins, the brief answer is it begins from three things; knowledge, deep reflection, and connecting with your Imam (as) through your heart. However much your knowledge increases, however much time you spend reflecting upon, and however much strong your connection with your Imam (as) is in your heart is how much your marifat will increase. When the marifat increases, your love automatically increases. This is the real purpose of your life. If you do not achieve this, then your whole life becomes worthless. Every passing moment should cause your love to increase. Because RasoolAllah (saw) did not ask for mohabbat (love) as the reward of His prophecy, He asked for muwaddah. Muwaddah is such a love which gets stuck in one’s heart in such a way that if this love is removed from your chest, then the heart will come out with it. In order to have such intense love, one must struggle intensely.

Even the smallest negligence in the marifat of Imam (as) can take one far from his purpose.

Azadari

Every child must keep in his mind that azadari of Imam Hussain (as)is the life of the Shia religion, and a symbol of the Shia religion throughout the world. Gham e Hussain (as) (grief of Hussain as) is the right of His Holy Mother, Mistress of the Whole Universe, Syeda Fatima Zahra (sa ). Even the smallest of negligence can destroy all you have gained. If Syeda (sa ) becomes angry, then your place can only be jahannum. The greatest reason ofHer anger is neglecting the azadari of Imam Hussain (as).

This is a very famous narration. When Imam Hussain (as) came into this world and RasoolAllah (saw) heard the news, He went to Syeda (as) with tears streaming from His eyes. Syeda (sa ) asked,

“Father, are you not happy by the birth of Your Grandson (as)? RasoolAllah (saw) said, “My Beloved Daughter (sa), who can be more joyful thanMe ? I shed tears becauseMy ummah (nation) will martyr My Grandson while He is thirsty on the plains the Karbala.” Syeda (sa ) asked “Oh Father, will You be present at that time?” RasoolAllah (saw) replied, “No, My Beloved Daughter (sa), I will not be in this world.” Syeda (sa ) asked, “Will Ali (as) be present?” RasoolAllah (saw) replied, “No, My Beloved Daughter (sa), Ali (as) will not be present at that time.” Then Syeda (sa ) asked, “Will Hasan (as) be present there?” RasoolAllah (saw) replied, “No, My Beloved Daughter (sa), Hasan (as) will also not be present there.”

Then Syeda (sa ) asked, “Will I be present at that time?” RasoolAllah (saw) replied, “No, My Beloved Daughter (sa),You will also not be present there.”

Upon hearing this, the heart of Syeda (sa ) shattered with grief. Syeda (sa ) asked Her Father, “Oh Father, then who will mourn My Hussain (as)?” RasoolAllah (saw) said, “Allah will create a nation whose elders will mourn over the elders of Hussain (as). Their youth will cry on the youth of Hussain (as). Their women will cry for the women of Hussain (as). Their children will cry for the children of Hussain (as).” Upon hearing this, Syeda (sa ) became joyous, and said, “Then I promise I will not enter into jannah until every mourner of My Hussain (as) has entered into the jannah.”

We wrote this hadith to make you aware Allah named the nation He created for Syeda (sa ) ‘Shia’. Their purpose is to mourn Imam Hussain (as). One who neglects this duty will destroy his whole life. It has been proven from Quran that the most wajib act is one which is done for the sake of Syeda (sa ). Every sin can be forgiven, but the angering of Syeda (sa ) will never be forgiven by Allah. Even if someone has crushed his forehead while performing acts of worship for Allah.

Rules of Azadari

If someone’s relative dies in this world, then he leaves aside all other matters, i.e. work, job, etc. and goes immediately to the home of the one who has died. His face shows his grief, and he gives his condolences to the family members of the one who has died. While he is there, his only concern is in his mourning. He does not pay any attention to any other matters. Now imagine who is closer to us than Imam Hussain (as)? How should we express our grief for Imam Hussain (as)? Is it according to the status of a momin to sit in the majalis of Imam Hussain (as) to discuss worldly matters or make jokes?Never. This is not according to the status of a momin. One who does this is not an azadar. He is one who is standing and watching only not one who is participating. Do you know who the Waris (inheritor) of Imam Hussain is (as)? Who is the one who will come and take the revenge of Imam Hussain (as)? Certainly He is the Imam of Our Times (ajf) who sheds tears of blood nonstop in His grief for Imam Hussain (as). Who can have this courage to behave with such non serious behavior in the gathering of Imam Zamana (ajf)? How can one leave the majalis of Imam Hussain (as) where Syeda (sa ) Herself is present to go and perform any other wajibats (compulsory acts)? Only one who has no respect in his heart for Imam Hussain (as) and the Mother of Imam Hussain (as) can do such an act. According to him, the majalis of Imam Hussain (as) is simply a ritual. Children must understand all the wajibats are only wajib (compulsory) after reaching adulthood.

Gham e Hussain (as) is wajib (compulsory) upon children the same way it is wajib upon adults. According to the sayings of RasoolAllah (saw), the Shia children must mourn for the children of Imam Hussain (as) because this is the purpose of their creation. In regards to the rules of azadari, you must remember the saying of Imam Jafar Sadiq (as) in which He says, “Cry on Imam Hussain (as) in the way an old mother cries over the dead body of her young son.”

Wilayat

You consistently hear this word. You also have heard about wilayat e Ali (as) from different scholars and your parents. Not a single principle of religion can be proven without the presence of wilayat; whether it is tawheed (oneness), adl (justice), nabuwiat (prophet hood), imamate, or qiyamat (day of judgment ). The center of the religion is wilayat. One will remain kafir (disbeliever) until he understands what wilayat is. As Imam Jafar Sadiq (as) said, “Wilayat is religion.”

Because wilayat is of such great importance, we thought we should inform you of a few certain things so that when you become an adult, you will not feel as if you are a stranger with this word.

What is wilayat?

The literal meaning of wilayat is to have full command/authority over another, but this explanation is incomplete.

Wilayat is a combination of three things. If only one of the three is missing, then it is an incomplete wilayat.

1. Knowledge

2. Power

3. Commandment

We will explain what wilayat is by using a very simple example so the true meaning of wilayat will become stuck in the minds of the youth.

A person’s job is making pots. Every intellect will agree that first of all he has to have the knowledge of how to make the pots. If he is unaware of the method of how to make pots, then he will never be able to make pots. Here the first condition is fulfilled, and he has full knowledge of how to make pots.

Now this person has knowledge, but he is paralyzed. His hands and legs arenon functioning. In this case even though he has knowledge, he cannot do the work because he does not have the power/ability to do so. If he is not paralyzed, then he will be successful in his purpose, and the second condition will be fulfilled.

Now he has knowledge as well as power, but still he cannot make pots because he does not have command over the soil used for making pots. When he gains command over the soil for making pots, then all three conditions will be fulfilled, and he will be able to make pots.

We gave this simple example so you would be able to understand the initial aspects of wilayat. If we had given an illogical and very difficult example, then certainly it would be difficult for you to understand. A vast majority of people think wilayat is also a designation or title like nabuwiat (prophet hood) or imamate. This is a major misconception. If wilayat was a designation, Allah would never have called Himself ‘wali’ because He is the one who appoints others as prophets and imams. You must believe wilayat is not a designation. It is the highest level of authority and command.

We have given you the basic information regarding wilayat, but the most important thing is that giving life, death, rizq (sustenance), children, health, and help are all under the scope of wilayat. So the essence which is the absolute Wali of Allah (as), whose wilayat is the wilayat of Allah is the creator, the one who gives life, who gives death, who gives rizq (sustenance). Without this essence no one would be able to recognize Allah. That essence is our Moula Ameerul Momineen Ali (as) ibn Abi Talib (as) who is mahzer (manifestation) of all the attributes of Allah. Our Moula (as) is our destination. We are His Shia. Whatever we ask, we ask it from Him. This is why we read Nade Ali (as) all the time.

True Nade Ali (as)

“O’Rasool (saw)! Call upon Ali (as) for all the wonders are revealed from Him. You will find Ali (as) to beYour helper in every hardship. All the sufferings and worries will be removed by the help of Ali (as). With the help of Ali (as)! With the help of Ali (as)!With the help of Ali (as)!”

Tawheed (Oneness)

You know very well every creation as a point of origin.If someone asks you, who conceived you? You will say your parents. If he asks again, who conceived your parents? You will reply, their parents. This process of question and answer will not finish until it reaches back to the beginning of creation. You have to believe in such an essence who is the creator of the whole universe, but has no creator.

The whole universe is dependent upon Him, but He is not dependent upon anyone. He is unique in His oneness. He is completely unlike any of His creation. If a single attribute of creation is found in Him, then He will also become a creation in need of a creator which is impossible. He cannot be compared. He is creator of all. There is no creator other than Him. This belief is called tawheed (oneness).

Hz Ameerul Momineen (as) said, “The beginning of religion is to gain the marifat of Allah.” It means before believing in tawheed, it is compulsory to gain the marifat of Allah. Unless and until we know who is that essence in which we believe and worship, our beliefs based upon ignorance are completely worthless. Believing in tawheed and worshiping blindly is like shooting an arrow in the dark. Concerning the marifat of Allah, every child is aware of the fact that every thing is recognized through its attributes. In the same way, Allah is recognized through His attributes. Every attribute of Allah is revealed through Masoomeen (as).

The only way of recognizing Allah is by recognizing Masoomeen (as). This is why Masoomeen (as) said, “Our marifat is the marifat of Allah.” Anyone who is negligent in the marifat of Muhammad (saw)wa Aal e Muhammad (as) has not recognized Allah. Such a person’s tawheed, beliefs, iman, acts, etc will be false. It should also be clear that mentioning any attribute of Allah other than through Masoomeen (as) is real shirk. We call Him through different attributes.For example, Khaliq (creator), Raziq (Sustainer), Ghaffar (All Forgiving), Alam (All Knowing), Qadir (Subduer). These attributes are Masoomeen (as) which act as a wasila (source) between us and Allah. It is not possible to believe in Allah and worship Him without recognizing the wasila (source). As Allah Himself has ordered us in Quran, “If you wish to consult with Allah, then you must find a specific wasila (source).” If we reach at this specific wasila, then we have reached Allah. This is the pure tawheed. When Masoomeen (as) were asked,

“What is the meaning of Allah being All Knowing and Subduer?” Masoomeen (as) replied,“ It means Allah created such essence who is All Knowing and Subduer.” Without recognizing this essence, believing Allah is All Knowing and Subduer is absolutely worthless.

Shirk

Allah has promised in Quran that every sin can be forgiven except for shirk.

So now it is wajib (compulsory) upon every momin to know what is shirk. It is not possible to get away from shirk if you do not understand what it is. The meaning of shirk is to include another in the attributes of Allah.

1. Believing Allah and His creation have the same attributes is called shirk fil safaat (shirk in attributes).

2. Believing the acts of Allah are done with the help of another is shirk fil fail (shirk in acts).

3. Believing there is another whom we should obey or believing there is another who has the same rights over us as Allah and believing their obedience is wajib (compulsory) upon us is shirk fil amr (shirk in obedience).

Now because:

1. Every attribute of Allah is revealed through Muhammad (saw)wa Aal e Muhammad (as).

2. Every act which we associate to Allah is fulfilled through Masoomeen (as).

3. The orders of Allah and His obedience were revealed through Masoomeen (as). Therefore obedience toThem is the same as obedience to Allah.

The complete explanation of shirk is this:

“Believing Muhammad (saw) wa Aal e Muhammad (as) are human like us. The attributes, acts, and obedience of Allah can be revealed from other than Masoomeen (as).”

We have briefly explained the truth regarding shirk. As your knowledge and intellect grows, you will be able to look around yourself and inshaAllah will immediately recognize those who are practically committing shirk. I am sure in order to protect yourself from shirk you will keep yourself far from such people and places.InshaAllah.

Adl (justice)

Second basic belief of Shia religion is adl. The opposite of adl is zulm (oppression). The meaning of adl is to put everything in its correct place. For example, a cap can be worn on the head. So the cap will always be on one’s head even if it is very ordinary. The same way the place for shoes are one’s feet. It does not matter how expensive they are. They will always be on one’s feet. If someone acts against it, then it is called zulm (oppression). The belief of Shia is that Allah is adil (one who does justice). He can never be an oppressor. No attribute of oppression can be associated with Him because He is free from every fault.

If you look around the whole universe, you will see every thing is dependent upon adl. Allah has given every particle a particular place.

If a single particle changes its place slightly, then the whole system of the universe will be destroyed. The foundation of beliefs and acts is also adl. If you lower the status of Muhammad (saw)wa Aal e Muhammad (as) and give others a higher status than Them, this is the true zulm (oppression). If someone claims to be Shia and still does these acts, then in reality he is destroying the Shia religion.

Nabuwiat (prophet hood)

Allah wants to send ever lasting blessings upon His creation, but adl demands only those who prove to be deserving of such blessings will receive them. One who does not deserve cannot receive such blessings because it goes against adl. When one becomes deserving of the blessings of Allah, only then will he fulfill his purpose of creation. That is the love and marifat (recognition) of Ahlul Bayt (as). It is compulsory to consistently inform the whole of humanity what is their purpose of creation. In this way, they will not have any excuse. Allah Himself cannot come to the creation. Therefore He created representatives. As His representatives,They convey His message to His creation. This process is called nabuwiat (prophet hood), and the representatives are called prophets. We are the nation of Hz Muhammad Mustafa (saw) bin Abdullah (as) bin Hz Abdul Muttalib (as).

Description of Nabuwiat (prophet hood)

Naba is an Arabic word meaning ‘news’. The word ‘nabi’ is derived from naba.

A prophet is one who receives messages from Allah and then conveys those messages to the creation. Unless you understand naba, you cannot understand nabuwiat.