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Provisions for the Journey (Mishkat), Volume 2

Thehadith discussed in the text is one of the most comprehensive and rewarding exhortations of the Noble Prophet (S) to one of his most eminent companions by the name of Abu Dharr.

Author(s): Ayatullah Muhammad Taqi Misbah Yazdi

Translator(s): Kelvin Lembani (Muhammad ‘Abd al- ‘Aziz)

Publisher(s): ABWA Publishing and Printing Center

Miscellaneous information:

Provisions for the Journey (Mishkat), Volume 2 Author: Ayatullah Muhammad Taqi Misbah Yazdi Prepared by: Translation Unit, Central Office of Research, theAhl al- Bayt (‘a) World Assembly. Translator: Kelvin Lembani (Muhammad ‘Abd al- ‘Aziz). Editor: Andrewpin. Proofreader: Majid Karimi.

Table of Contents

Foreword. 6

Lesson 25: The Path towards Paradise and Manifestations of Divine Modesty  8

Disapproval of Long- Drawn- Out Dreams and the Difference between Them and Positive Hope 8

The World: Means Or Goal? 9

Attention to the Absolute Self- sufficient Results in Freedom from Want from Other than Allah  11

Remembrance of Death and Manifestations of Divine Modesty. 13

Neatness, A Practice of the Saints [Awliya’] of Islam. 16

Notes 19

Lesson 26: The Role of Pure Supplication and Meritorious Deeds 20

The Concept of Supplication. 20

Differences among People in Supplication and Requests 21

The Importance of Manifesting Indigence and Incapacity in the Presence of Allah  23

The Need to Conform Supplication to Commendable Deeds 25

The Existential Blessings of the Righteous and Upright 27

Notes 30

Lesson 27: The Status of a Sincere Servant in the Sight of Allah. 31

Basis of Man’s Superiority and Pre- eminence 31

The Role of Independence and Sincerity of Intention. 34

a) Independence 34

b) Sincerity of Intention. 38

Notes 40

Lesson 28: The Greatness of Worship and Servitude and its Existential Effects 41

The Witnessing of the Earth in regard to Man’s Deeds 41

Characteristics of the Praise of the Earth and Inanimate Objects 41

The Intelligence and Consciousness of Creatures and How they are Influenced  44

The Expansive Domain of the Light of the Pure Imams (‘a) 45

Deeds do not Remain Hidden from the Eyes of Witnesses 46

Sincerity of Intention in Allah’s Servants Brings about Joy and Pride 47

Sincerity of Intention Brings about Superiority in Works 49

Notes 52

Lesson 29: Devotion and Worship, the Greatest Assets for Humanity. 53

The Parasitic Nature of the World. 53

The Pre- eminence of the Complete Human Being. 54

Paradise, the Dwelling of the Believers and the Friends of the Ahl al- Bayt (‘a) 56

The Companions of Paradise 57

a) The Station of the Prophets (‘a) and the Great Prophet of Islam (S) 58

b) The Station of the Righteous [Salihin] 59

c) The Station of the Truthful [Siddiqin] 59

The Station of Infallibility Especially Reserved for the Chosen Ones of Allah  60

The Importance of Sincere Faith and the Means of Attaining It 62

Notes 66

Lesson 30: The Significance of Invocation of Allah, Constructive Social Interaction and the Criteria for Choosing Friends 67

The Benefits of Reclusion and Solitude 67

The Benefits of Association and Coexistence with Others 69

a) Teaching and learning from other people 69

b) Deriving benefit from other people and helping other people 69

c) Training and educating other people as well as self- edification. 69

d) Friendship and affection with other people 70

e) To derive and bring divine reward. 70

f) Humility and modesty. 70

g) Acquisition of experience 71

Fondness and Brotherhood, Blessings of Allah. 71

The Criteria for Choosing Friends and Associates 73

The Greatness of Invocation of Allah while among the Heedless 76

Man’s Responsibilities regarding His Speech. 77

The Virtue of Sharing Food with a Believer and Abstaining from the Food of Corrupt People 78

Notes 81

Lesson 31: The Tongue, A Means of Guidance or Misdirection. 82

Deriving Benefit from the Tongue and Other Members of the Body for the Purpose of Spiritual Ascension and Growth. 82

Method of Deriving Benefit from the Tongue and Avoiding Troubles It Causes 84

Abstaining from Talkativeness and Excess in Humor and Joking. 86

The Diversity in Methods of Guidance 88

A Perspective on the Effects of Speech and Other Deeds 90

The Need to Relate True Speech and Abstain from Spreading Rumors and Hearsay  92

Notes 96

Lesson 32: The Manifestations of Venerating and Glorifying Allah. 97

The Uncomprehended Status of the Prophet (S) and the Pure Imams (‘a) 98

The Relationship between Obedience to Allah and Obedience to the Prophet (S) and the Ahl al- Bayt (‘a) 99

The Need to Respect and Honor the Believers 102

a) Honoring Elderly Muslims 103

b) Respecting the Teachers and Agents of the Qur’an. 105

c) Respecting a Just and Equitable Ruler 107

The Need for a Government and Law in Society. 107

Qualifications of a Righteous and Competent Ruler 108

The Religious Jurisprudent [Wali al- Faqih]: the Most Righteous and Competent Person  111

Notes 114

Lesson 33: The Need to Hold the Tongue and Censure Its Defects 115

The Reciprocal Effects of Deeds or Annulment [Ihbat] and Proscription [Takfir] 115

Censuring of Fault- Finding. 118

Censuring of Flattery and Sycophancy. 120

Censuring of Sarcasm and Verbal Abuse 123

Censuring of Obstinance [Mara’] and Insistence on One’s Opinion. 125

Notes 128

Lesson 34: The Manifestation of Worship and the Role of Mosques in Islam   129

The Concept and Scope of Worship. 129

a) Divisions of Worship. 129

b) Prayer, Zenith of Devotional Service and Proximity [Qurb] to Allah. 130

c) The Philosophy of Divine Legislation for the Preliminaries of the Prayer and Factors for Attention in Prayer 132

The Mosque, Place of Ascension for Lovers of the Beatific Vision [Liqa’ Allah] 134

There is much wisdom in drawing people’s attention to mosques which can generally be divided in two sections: 136

1. Social Wisdom. 136

2. Personal Wisdom. 137

Necessity of Understanding the Importance of Mosques and Their Etiquettes 137

1) Abstinence from shouting and talking loudly in the mosque 140

2. Refraining from false and frivolous conversation. 141

3. Abstaining from buying and selling in the mosque 141

4. Abstaining from frivolous deeds in the mosque 142

Virtues of Being Present in the Mosque for Worship. 142

The Most Beloved Servants of Allah. 143

Notes 146

Lesson 35: The Status Of Piety, Asceticism and Self- discipline 147

The Concept of Piety and Its Relationship with Divine Fear [Khawf] 147

The Importance of Piety and Ways of Attaining It 148

1. One’s attitude about the future 149

2. Attention to knowledge and awareness of Allah in regard to deeds and conduct 149

3. Realization that piety is beneficial even in the world. 149

A Glance at the Levels of Piety. 151

A Glance at the Effects of Piety. 152

1. The effects and role of piety in the perception of truths 152

2. The role of piety in clear- sightedness 153

3. The role of piety in captivating and securing the love of Allah. 154

4. Not having fear and sorrow. 154

5. Receiving divine help. 154

6. Acquisition of dignity and proximity [qurb] to Allah. 154

7. Deliverance from problems and hardships 155

8. The acceptance of deeds 155

The Quality of Accountability and Other Characteristics of the Pious 157

Self- restraint and Asceticism in the Words of the Noble Prophet (S) 159

Notes 162

Lesson 36: Forbearance, Moderateness and Trust in Allah as Stated by the Prophet (S) 163

The Lofty Status of Forbearance 163

Forbearance, Befitting of the Saints [Awliya’] of Allah. 166

Moderateness and the Difference between It and Lenience and Compromise 168

The Prophet’s (S) Lack of Lenience in Regard to the Polytheists 170

The Station of Trust in Allah. 174

Trust in Allah and Making Use of Material and Spiritual Means 175

The Relationship between Piety and Trust in Allah. 178

Notes 181

Lesson 37: Divine Providence and Divine Decree and the Role of True Faith  182

Submission to Truth, the Means of Averting Worries 182

A Brief Look at Predetermination and Divine Decree [Qada wa Qadar] 184

The Station of Certitude [Yaqin] and Its Levels 186

1. Certain knowledge [‘ilm al- yaqin] 187

2. Certain vision [‘ayn al- yaqin] 187

3. Certain truth [haqq al- yaqin] 188

The Saints [Awliya’] of Allah and Contentment with Allah’s Decree 189

A Look at Patience [Sabr] and Its Significance 193

The Effects of Preferring the Will of Allah over One’s Own Will 196

Notes 200

Lesson 38: Knowing Allah and His Wise Order 201

Man and His Relationship with Allah. 201

Attentiveness to Allah in Difficulty and Ease 204

The Need to Seek Assistance from Allah. 206

Results of Knowledge and Certitude in Regard to the Wise Management of Allah  210

The Role of Hardships in the Process of Man’s Perfection and Spiritual Ascendance 212

Notes 214

Lesson 39: The Criteria of Value In the Words of Allah, the Exalted. 215

Faith and Good Deeds, The Criteria of Man’s Superiority. 215

Worthwhile Deeds from the Viewpoint of Islam. 217

The Importance of Integrity in Cultural and Religious Programs 221

The Importance of Intention and Inner Inclinations 222

The Way to Purify Motives and Intentions 224

Notes 225

Foreword

In the Name of Allah, the All- beneficent, the All- merciful

The invaluable legacy of the Household [Ahl al- Bayt ] of the Prophet (may peace be upon them all), as preserved by their followers, is a comprehensive school of thought that embraces all branches of Islamic knowledge. This school has produced many brilliant scholars who have drawn inspiration from this rich and pure resource. It has given many scholars to the Muslim ummah who, following in the footsteps of Imams of the Prophet’s Household (‘a), have done their best to clear up the doubts raised by various creeds and currents within and without Muslim society and to answer their questions. Throughout the past centuries, they have given well- reasoned answers and clarifications concerning these questions and doubts.

To meet the responsibilities assigned to it, theAhl al- Bayt World Assembly (ABWA) has embarked on a defence of the sanctity of the Islamic message and its verities, often obscured by the partisans of various sects and creeds as well as by currents hostile to Islam. The Assembly follows in the footsteps of theAhl al- Bayt (‘a) and the disciples of their school of thought in its readiness to confront these challenges and tries to be on the frontline in consonance with the demands of every age.

The arguments contained in the works of the scholars belonging to the School of theAhl al- Bayt (‘a) are of unique significance. That is because they are based on genuine scholarship and appeal to reason, and avoid prejudice and bias. These arguments address scholars and thinkers in a manner that appeals to healthy minds and wholesome human nature.

To assist the seekers of truth, theAhl al- Bayt World Assembly has endeavored to present a new phase of these arguments contained in the studies and translations of the works of contemporary Shi‘ah writers and those who have embraced this sublime school of thought through divine blessing.

The Assembly is also engaged in edition and publication of the valuable works of leading Shi‘ah scholars of earlier ages to assist the seekers of the truth in discovering the truths which the School of the Prophet’s Household (‘a) has offered to the entire world.

The Ahl al- Bayt World Assembly looks forward to benefit from the opinions of the readers and their suggestions and constructive criticism in this area.

We also invite scholars, translators and other institutions to assist us in propagating the genuine Islamic teachings as preached by the Prophet Muhammad (S).

We beseech God, the Most High, to accept our humble efforts and to enable us to enhance them under the auspices of Imam al- Mahdi, His vicegerent on the earth (may Allah expedite his advent).

We express our gratitude to Ayatullah Muhammad Taqi Misbah Yazdi, the author of the present book, and Mr. Kelvin Lembani (Muhammad ‘Abd al- ‘Aziz), its translator. We also thank our colleagues who have participated in producing this work, especially the staff of the Translation Office.

Cultural Affairs Department

TheAhl al- Bayt (‘a) World Assembly