Bibi Fatima Zahra (peace be upon her) said: “The one who sends up to God his pure and sincere worship, God the Almighty sends down for him that which will be of most benefit to him.” (Tanbih al-Khawatir)
The month of holy Ramadan enjoys a special importance in the Islamic calendar. As the Holy Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) said: “It is Allah’s Own month.” It is the chief of all months and the most glorious one. Continue reading
19th, 21st & 23rd Nights of the Ramadhan month are called the Nights of Laylatul Qadr.
The month of Ramadhan has been singled out for special worship (`Ibadat) and exclusive favours. It is a month unlike other months. One reason for this, as defined by the Qur’an, is because the Holy Qur’an was revealed in this month. Says Allah in Sura alBaqarah: The month of Ramadhan, that in which the Qur’an was sent down; a guidance for mankind, and clear signs of guidance and distinction (2:185). In fact, according to a hadith of the 6th Imam (a), the other holy books were also revealed in this month.
Among the nights of Ramadhan is one special night, which is better than a thousand months (HQ, 97:3). Good deeds performed on that single night are equal to those performed over a thousand months. It is the Night of Power (Laylatul Qadr), when the Qur’an was revealed. Some commentators believe it was the night when the Qur’an was brought down from Baytul M`amur (Heavenly abode), for Jibrael to reveal in parts to the Prophet (s). Others say it was the night when the Prophet received the entire Qur’an, but was asked to transmit it as and when the occasion demanded. Continue reading
The following incident has been narrated by Shaykh Saduq on pp. 84-85 of his Al-Amali:
Muhammad ibn Ibrahim says that Ahmed ibn Muhammad-al- Hamadani says that Ali ibn al-Hassan ibn Fadal quotes his father quoting al-Hassan’s father Imam Ali bin Musa al-Rida (as) who in turn quotes his father Imam Musa ibn Ja’fer (as) quoting his father the master of martyrs Imam al-Husain ibn Ali ibn Abu Talib (as) saying that the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) delivered a sermon once in which he said: Continue reading
The month of holy Ramadan enjoys a special importance in the Islamic calendar. As Holy Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) said: “It is Allah’s Own month.” It is the chief of all months and the most glorious one. As we already know, ‘Fasting’ is one of the important pillars of Islam and it is the very month of Ramadan during which fasting has been made obligatory for all adults and sane Muslims. By fasting during Ramadan, a Muslim besides discharging an obligation imposed upon him by Allah (SWT), becomes entitled to great reward in the Hereafter. On the other hand, any lapse in the matter amounts to a great sin. Fasting is an article of worship, the knowledge about the performance or otherwise whereof rests only with Allah (SWT) and the person concerned. Hence, it is Allah (SWT) alone who will reward that person for it, on the Day of Judgment.
Everything has a spring and the spring of Holy Quran is the month of Holy Ramadan. Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (A.S.)
The blessings of Ramadan are not limited to fasting alone, because the performance of all sorts of worship and good deeds during this month is also a source of great Divine favor. The revelation of the Holy Quran commenced during this very month and it is therefore the duty of every Muslim to read and try to understand the meaning of the Holy Quran and thereby gain an insight into the Divine secrets enshrined therein. It brings peace and illumination to the mind and imparts purity to the soul. Continue reading
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1ـ رسولُ اللهِ (صَلَّيَ اللهُ عَلَيهِ وَ آلِهِ): الصَّدَقةُ تَسُدُّ سَبعِينَ باباً مِن الشَّرِّ. |
| 1– The Prophet (SAWA) said, ‘Charity blocks seventy doorways to evil.’[Bihar al-Anwar, v. 96, p. 132, no. 64] |
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2ـ رسولُ اللهِ (صَلَّيَ اللهُ عَلَيهِ وَ آلِهِ): الصَّدقَةُ تَمنَعُ مِيتَةَ السُّوءِ. |
| 2– The Prophet (SAWA) said, ‘Charity prevents an undignified death.’[al-Kafi, v. 4, p. 2, no. 1] |
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3ـ رسولُ اللهِ (صَلَّيَ اللهُ عَلَيهِ وَ آلِهِ): تَصَدَّقُوا وداوُوا مَرضاكُم بالصَّدَقَةِ؛ فإنَّ الصَّدَقةَ تَدفَعُ عنِ الأعراضِ والأمراضِ، وهِيَ زيادَةٌ في أعمارِكُم وحَسَناتِكُم . |
| 3– The Prophet (SAWA) said, ‘Give charity, and cure your sick ones through the giving of charity, for verily charity repels accidents and illnesses, and is a source of increase in your life spans and your good deeds.’[Kanz al-`Ummal, 16113] |
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4ـ الإمامُ عليٌّ (عَلَيهِ الّسَلامُ): الصَّدَقةُ دَواءٌ مُنجِحٌ . |
| 4– Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘Charity is an effective cure.’[Nahj al-Balagha, Saying 7] |
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5ـ رسولُ اللهِِ (صَلَّيَ اللهُ عَلَيهِ وَ آلِهِ) :أكثِرُوا مِنَ الصَّدَقَةِ تُرزَقُوا . |
| 5– The Prophet (SAWA) said, ‘Increase your charity and you will be given [increased] sustenance.’[A`alam al-Din, p. 333] |
“You are the Clear Book in which
every letter manifests a true meaning.”
-Amir al Momenin Ali
(7th Century)
Amir al Momenin Ali replied, “Of which nafs are you eager to become aware?”
“Is there more than one nafs?” asked Komeil.
“Yes, explained Amir al Momenin Ali, there are four: nafs of growth; nafs of sensibility (animal spirit); nafs of pure intellect; and nafs of wholeness and Divinity. Each one of the nufus (plural of nafs) has powers and qualities of its own.
Nafs is an Arabic word (cognate of the Hebrew word “Nefesh” נפש) which occurs in the Qur’an and means self, psyche, ego or soul. In its unrefined state, “the ego (nafs) is the lowest dimension of man’s inward existence, his animal and satanic nature.” Nafs is an important concept in the Islamic tradition, especially within Sufism and the discipline of gnosis (Irfan) in Shia Islam.
In Islam there is a lot of emphasis placed on moral behaviour. Continue reading
“9th of Rabi al-Awwal is the day of Eid. It is our greatest Eid and the Eid of our followers.” (As narrated to Ahmad ibn Is-haq al-Qummi by Imam Muhammad al-Hadi (A)
With heavy hearts, we take this opportunity to bid farewell to the Martyrs of Karbala as the Ayyam-e-Aza come to an end. We will have to wait for another year to witness and experience maajlis, matam, Ashura, Arbaeen, mourning, and azadari at this scale. As we remove the black cloth from the walls, we salute the Martyrs of Karbala and declare that we are with you, we are with you, surely we are against your enemies. We will endeavour to perform your Ziyarat, and will endeavour to shed tears in your remembrance every Thursday night. Furthermore, we will strive to apply the principles you stood for in our daily lives; the foremost of which is dedication and loyalty to the Imam of the Time (A). Continue reading
