Letters to the Imam (as)

Ariza

2011-07-16T21:24:00.000-07:00

Asalaam Alaaykum Ya Imam e Zaman (as)!

O Imam! You said, "I will be like the sun
Veiled by the clouds ….”
And I do not see the sun on a dark day.

Yet surely even in darkness my heart beholds you,
And is bleached from the light
Of your radiant, pure soul.

O Imam! I await you!
I await the sun's rays on my face -
The joy of warmth that I remember without having felt!

For surely my heart basks in sunshine,
Delighting in the warmth of God’s Mercy
That made me love you.

'Aritha - send a letter to Imam Zaman (as)

From History Behind Masjid Jamarkan Along with Selected Supplications, translated by Saleem Bhimji:

[Writing letters ('Aritha) to the Imam (as) is one of the best ways for us to keep in contact with him. We are able to express our feelings to him and if we have any difficulties or problems, then we can ask him for help.

In his book, Muntaha al-Amal, the Late Muhaddith Qummi relates from Allamah Majlisi that, 'Whoever has any wish, should write the following Dua down on paper and write his wishes. It should then be placed in the metal enclosure around the grave of an Imam (as), or sealed, wrapepd in mud and thrown in to a river, well, or pond. In this way, it will reach Sahib al Asr wa al-Zaman (as), and he will be obliged to answer one's requests.] Maybe he can get it electronically, too, Allah swt knows.

From Morals and Ethics:

[Ariza can be written to Imam-e-Zaman (as) whenever you feel a need or you are into a problem. No matter how big your problem Imam-e-Zamana is the Imam of our time & HE is a Hujjat from Allah (s.w.t). Allah has granted him the power & because of his existence this entire universe is in existence.

You can write in any language.

Our belief is that Imam as knows about all our affairs and is always ready to help us. He is aware of our action & he helps us even if we don’t ask or seek His (a.t.f.s) help.

“We are never neglectful of your guardianship nor are we ever unmindful of your remembrance”. (Behaarul Anwar, V. 53, pg. 176)

But if we write Ariza to Imam (as) then our belief comes to our action.

After writing the Ariza you can put the same it to Well, or in the earth or you can give it to zari (grave) of any Imam (a.s) which are in IRAQ/IRAN/Medina.

We Should inculcate the habit to write to Imam as whenever we are in difficulty rather than approaching someone who doesn’t have power over anything. Rather than writing a letter to a Minister or President we should write to our Master who has the control of our all affairs by will of Allah swt.

It always goes to Allah (swt). But unlike us, Imams (as) are infallibles and they hold a MUCH greater position in front of Allah (swt) and if we ask them to put forth our request in front of Allah (swt), if we go through them then Allah (swt) is going to accept our prayers faster. As has been said many times, tawassul is not wajib. You can pray directly too.

Your basic intention should be to ask the Imam to intercede on your behalf Insha'allah Imam as will heed your call.

Translation of Dua-e-Ariza

I have written to you O my master, may His mercy and blessing be on you, seeking a favour from you.

I have complained to you for what has happened to me seeking solutions firstly from Allah and then from you for a matter that has obsessed me.

I am helpless in combating the problem and for that I have resorted to seeking help from Allah and from you, knowing the status you have with Allah.

I am confident that you will help me get the solutions to my problems swiftly and that you will intercede on my behalf.

I am helpless and moreover I am sinful, so help O master and present this problem to Allah and I pray to Him that He will solve this quickly.

And grant me victory and success in finding the solution to my problems.

(Write your personal wishes and problems in the provided space - you can write with dots and dashes if you fear someone may read it that you do not wish to see it)

...---...---...---...--..--...---...--...--...--...---...--...---...---....---...-..--..--..--..--..--....--..--..--..--..--..--..--..--..--..--..--..--..--..

I am not able to carry or bear with it. Although I am responsible for the increase of my sins and ignorant about my responsibilities (Wajibaats) from Allah which are given to me.

So help me O my master. Peace be upon you during this time of problems and sorrow.

I present my prayers to Allah before I compensate and before my enemies engulf me, for you have shown me your blessings.

So I pray to Allah for great salvation and near victory with calmness from all fears,

for Allah is Most High and does what he wants. Allah is sufficient for me from the beginning and in my hopes.

Whatever Allah wishes there is neither strength nor any power except in Allah the High, the Great.

*When dropping the Ariza in the sea, we normally recite the following,

addressing Husayn bin Rawh, the 3rd Na’ib of the 12th Imam:

“O Husayn bin Rawh, Salamun Alykum.

I bear witness that you died in the path of Allah and (hence), you are alive and are sustained by Allah.

I am addressing you in your life which you lead with Allah – this is my note and wishes to the master of the Era,the 12th Imam (AS), so please hand it over to him for you are indeed trustworthy”.

Faraj

2011-02-13T16:33:00.000-08:00

2:112

2011-02-11T15:10:00.000-08:00

Truly: all who surrender their whole being to God, and do good, shall have their reward with their Sustainer, these need have no fear, neither shall they grieve.

Who has submitted their whole being to God?

Light Prayer

2011-02-08T05:56:00.000-08:00

O God! Grant me Light in my heart,
Light in my grave,
Light in front of me, Light behind me,
Light to my right, Light to my left,
Light above me, Light below me,
Light in my ears, Light in my eyes,
Light on my skin, Light in my hair,
Light within my flesh, Light in my blood,
Light in my bones.

O God! Increase my Light everywhere.

O God! Grant me Light in my heart,
Light on my tongue, Light in my eyes, Light in my ears,
Light to my right, Light to my left,
Light above me, Light below me,
Light in front of me, Light behind me,
and Light within my self; increase my Light.

Dear Imam (as)

2010-12-17T12:16:00.001-08:00

Bismillah Arahman Araheem

Dear Imam (as)

Asalaam Alaaykum

I am very sorry for all the horrible things that people have done to you and your ancestors. You remain true to God in all ways and those who align themselves against God align themselves against you.

I know you are on the right, but I also know that I am sinful, unrepentant, lazy, loving the world too much, and more sorry and consumed over my own minor troubles or pleasures of this life than what I should really be sorry and consumed or joyful over.

Even so, I hope to be counted as your ally while I have not earned it. I do not find myself as close to you as I should be, given what I know and believe about your status. I do not have any merit to approach you, however I still wish to offer condolence for the sacrifice of all at Karbala and all before and since.

I do not even like to think about those events due to their ugliness. Other people think and cry and reform themselves, and I just do not want to face the sadness and ramifications of the fall of mankind in such acts against godly people. How can I feel sad enough - it seems impossible -and I push it away because I find it hard to bear.

May peace be upon you and all of your allies at all times and in all places.

Fi Amanillah

Spring of Quran

2010-08-04T12:57:00.001-07:00

(Originally written last year for IslamicInsights.com)

In the month of Ramadan, Muslims the world over devote more time to reciting Qur'an. The Prophet (peace be upon him and his progeny) said, "Everything has a springtime, and the springtime of the Qur'an is the month of Ramadan," and "Whoever recites a verse from the Qur'an (in the month of Ramadan) will receive a similar reward as the one who recites the entire Qur'an in other months." Perhaps in zealousness for reward, or from misunderstanding of the saying about reciting the Qur'an, often during this month and even at all times, many Muslims have sadly adopted a practice of hastened recitation without understanding.

One example is the form of Taraweeh prayers in many Sunni communities today – the community is so focused on achieving a certain quantity of recitation in their prayers, one-thirtieth each evening, that they may be tempted to rush through the recitation without any reflection or understanding. The origins of dividing the Qur'an into 30 parts and reciting one part each night in the month of Ramadan is in some writings attributed to Uthman for the purpose of use in the taraweeh prayers. The goal of reciting the whole Qur'an in the month of Ramadan is admirable, but not at the expense of quality over quantity.

The purposes of Qur'an might be described as to remove rust from our hearts, to guide us, to purify us, and to educate us. While there is reward in reciting the Qur'an even without understanding, the true benefit of such a recitation is extremely limited and completely leaves aside the benefits of the Holy Book as a reformer and guider for one's soul.

"A book We have sent down to you, blessed, that men possessed of mind may ponder its signs and so remember." (38:29)

"What, do they not ponder the Qur'an? Or is it that there are locks upon their hearts?" (47:24)

Qur'an recitation should really be slow, contemplative, and reflective. A person hearing, reading, or reciting the Qur'an should be engaged with the text: they should have an emotional response and a rational response to its words, not just a response to the voice of the reciter. The Fourth Imam (peace be upon him), "The Qur'anic verses are treasures of knowledge, and whenever a treasure is opened, you have to see what lies therein. Ponder over the verses of the Qur'an, and learn from them, for they are the best of lessons."

The aim of the many deeds we perform in the month of Ramadan is not reward as much as it is reform or purification. In the springtime of the Qur'an, it should be flowering in our hearts, in order to bear fruit. This cannot be accomplished if the meanings of the words never enter our hearts and minds in the first place, nor if the meanings are not allowed to linger with us, occupying our attention beyond a few passing moments. Understanding the Qur'an can be achieved by reading through translation if needed, reading slowly, and in as small a quantity as necessary to allow the time for processing, responding, and applying what one has read. One verse of Qur'an in translation that is understood and taken to heart and used to reform a person may be of more value than a lifetime of chanting the sacred Arabic text but knowing it only as sound.

Most mosque functions rightly begin with recitation of Qur'an, but sadly, we often find that for many of the reciters and listeners, it is only a beautiful noise and an honored ritual. It is a shell of Qur'an that falls like dried leaves rather than taking root in the hearts. Perhaps if there are people in the audience who do not understand the Qur'anic Arabic, a recitation of Qur'an should never be concluded without a translation, so that understanding might bless the hearts of the congregants. Indeed, perhaps the aforementioned saying of the Prophet – "Whoever recites a verse from the Qur'an (in the month of Ramadan) will receive a similar reward as the one who recites the entire Qur'an in other months." – was really meant to make us focus on each verse more slowly and more contemplatively in this month, not to recite more for more's sake. If that means that fewer verses are recited as a result, then so be it. If that means that the whole Qur'an is not read in the month of Ramadan, but only a portion, there is no sin in that. Is it not better for a community of believers to come together and reflect on the Qur'an than to merely parrot it?

I'm not an expert when it comes to Qur'an reciters, but here is my favorite Surah Yaseen recitation - with transliteration and translation.

areeza 15 shaban

2010-07-26T22:07:00.000-07:00

'Aritha - send a letter to Imam Zaman (as)

From History Behind Masjid Jamarkan Along with Selected Supplications, translated by Saleem Bhimji:

[Writing letters ('Aritha) to the Imam (as) is one of the best ways for us to keep in contact with him. We are able to express our feelings to him and if we hvae any difficulties or problems, then we can ask him for help.

In his book, Muntaha al-Amal, the Late Muhaddith Qummi relates from Allamah Majlisi that, 'Whoever has any wish, should write the following Dua down on paper and write his wishes. It should then be placed in the metal enclosure around the grave of an Imam (as), or sealed, wrapepd in mud and thrown in to a river, well, or pond. In this way, it will reach Sahib al Asr wa al-Zaman (as), and he will be obliged to answer one's requests.] Maybe he can get it electronically, too, Allah swt knows.

From Morals and Ethics:

[Ariza can be written to Imam-e-Zaman as.gif whenever you feel a need or you are into a problem. No matter how big is your problem Imam-e-Zamana is the Imam of our time & HE is a Hujjat from Allah (s.w.t). Allah has granted him the power & because of his exsistence this entire universe is in to exsistence

You can write in any Language or your own too.

Our belief is that Imam as knows about all our affairs and is always ready to help us. He is aware of our action & he helps us even if we don’t ask or seek His (a.t.f.s) help.
“We are never neglectful of your guardianship nor are we ever unmindful of your remembrance”. (Behaarul Anwar, V. 53, pg. 176)

But if we write Ariza to Imam as then or belief comes to our action.

After writing the Ariza you can put the same it to Well, or in the earth or you can put in to to zari (grave) of any Imam (a.s) which are in IRAQ/IRAN/Medina.

We Should inculcate the habit to write to Imam as whenever we are in difficulty rather than approaching someone who doesn’t has the power on any thing. Rather than writing a letter to a Minister or President we should write to our Master who has the control of our all affairs.

It always goes to Allah (swt). But unlike us, Imam as are infallibles and they hold a MUCH greater position in front of Allah (swt) and if we ask them to put forth our request in front of Allah (swt), if we go through them then Allah (swt) is going to accept our prayers faster. As has being said many times, tawassul is not wajib. You can pray directly too.

Your basic intention should be to ask the Imam to intercede on your behalf Inshallah Imam as will heed your call.]
Translation of Dua-e-Ariza

I have written to you O my master, may His mercy and blessing be on you, seeking a favour from you.

I have complained to you for what has happened to me seeking solutions firstly from Allah

and then from you for a matter that has obsessed me.

I am helpless in combating the problem and for that I have resorted to seeking help from Allah and from you.

Knowing the status you have with Allah.

I am confident that you will help me get the solutions to my problems swiftly and that you will intercede on my behalf.

I am helpless and moreover I am sinful:

so help O master and present this problem to Allah and I pray to Him that He will solve this quickly

and grant me victory and success in finding the solution to my problems.

(Write your personal wishes and problems in the provided space - you can write with dots and dashes if you fear someone may read it that you do not wish to see it)

--...............................................................................................................

I am not able to carry or bear with it. Although I am responsible for the increase of my sins and

ignorant about my responsibilities (Wajibaats), from Allah which are given to me.

So help me O my master. Peace be upon you during this time of problems and sorrow.

I present my prayers to Allah before I compensate and before my enemies engulfs me. For you have shown me your blessings.

So I pray to Allah for great salvation and near victory with calmness from all fears,

for Allah is most high and does what he wants. Allah is sufficient for me from the beginning and in my hopes.

Whatever Allah wishes there is neither strength nor any power except in Allah the High, the Great.

*When dropping the Ariza in the sea, we normally recite the following,

addressing Husayn bin Rawh, the 3rd Na’ib of the 12th Imam:

“O Husayn bin Rawh, Salamun Alykum.

I bear witness that you died in the path of Allah and (hence), you are alive and are sustained by Allah.

I am addressing you in your life which you lead with Allah – this is my note and wishes to the master of the Era,

the 12th Imam (AS), so please hand it over to him for you are indeed trustworthy”.

The Passing of Sayyed Fadlullah

2010-07-04T15:28:00.001-07:00

Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un (انّا للہ و انّا الیه راجعون)

Sayyed Fadlullah influenced me in a few profound ways; of all the maraje', I felt a human connection with him. He is the only marja' that I'd ever seen in person; when I went for hajj in 1999 he was also there and I saw him in a meeting room near where our group was staying. He made arrangements to meet with people from the group to answer questions, etc., - he made efforts to be accessible to all. Also, a few of his writings touched me personally. He wrote a short biography of Fatima (as) called The Infallible Fatima (as) - A Role Model for Men and Women that remains the best work about her I've ever seen in English. I also have his World of Our Youth which contains questions and answers in a wonderful readable, mild, informative style. He was a true champion among the elite for the causes of women in particular, and his rulings were found by many women to be easier on a practical level and liberating from traditions that may be more cultural than religious in nature. What I liked about his fatawa is that he explained his reasoning in many cases - very simply and clearly, especially when he differed from the more traditional views, such as on moon sighting for the start of an Islamic month, or rulings about following a marja, and so on - and those explanations always meant a lot to me because they gave me room to reflect, ponder, absorb, and understand. I think those explanations helped to provide the human connection and addressed the need for appealing to reason. Through his website he and his appointees answered questions in a timely manner compared to many others. His Friday khutbas were regularly sent out in e-mail and on his website and he always had good messages and did a lot for the cause of unity worldwide, not only among Muslims but also particularly between Christians and Muslims. He often took strong political stances compared to some other scholars, perhaps due to his position in Lebanon instead of certain other locations where he might have been more restricted - but he also was far removed from hard line absolutist us-them world views, in the true moderate Shia tradition. His death is a great loss.

Obituary of His Eminence, the Religious Authority, Sayyed Muhammad Hussein Fadlullah

In the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful
"To Allah we belong, and to Him we shall return"

"And among men is he who sells himself to seek the pleasure of Allah; and Allah is Affectionate to the servants." (02:207).

"If a 'alim dies, there will be a rift in Islam that nothing, whatsoever, could fill."

At a time we are in most need for him, this great man has died, leaving in the hearts of those who love him a grief that has incorporated all the tragedies of history.

The leader, father, Religious Authority, renovator, guide and human being has left us.

He left with the prayers and the remembrance of Allah on his lips and the nation's causes in his heart.

Finally, his heart has stopped after 75 years that were spent in the struggle for the cause of Allah, as well as in jurisprudence, renewal, opening up on and committing to the cause of the nation and confronting all the powers of arrogance and tyranny…

He left, after a lifetime of embracing the cause of Islam, as a thought a movement, a methodology and a commitment in all the fields of life. He left saying, as he has frequently expressed: "These are my only wishes. I have never had any personal wishes. I lived all my life and strived to be a servant of Allah, His Messenger (p.) and his Household (a.s.), as well as Islam and Muslims."

His most essential advice for the Muslims before his demise was to preserve Islam the Islamic nation and its unity, for he believed that the arrogance would not be defeated unless the Muslim unite and support one another.

He was, with his illuminating mind and radiant soul, a reference, a guide and an advisor to all the aware Islamic movements in the Arab and Islamic worlds that were inspired by his thought and methodology.

His Islamic integrity and originality lead him to institute a school of dialogue with the other on the basis that truth is the child of dialogue.

He opened up on all people and he embodied dialogue in his movement, thought and entire life away from any slogans that lack any realistic content.

He experienced Islam in complete awareness of the responsibility that ought to be shouldered and the line of justice that ought to be followed. He was the mastermind who launched the resistance movements, which inspired from his thought the spirit of confrontation, opposition and steadfastness and were able to achieve big accomplishments and victories in Lebanon and Palestine and any position of Jihad [struggle]…

His main concerns and top priorities were always the big issues of the Arabs and Muslims, knowing that Palestine was his biggest concern since his early age and until his last breath, for he has always said: "I shall not rest until the Zionist entity falls."

His Eminence was a distinguished mark in the movement of the religious authority institution towards being concerned with the nation's pains and ambitions… Actually, this institution guided the people to the light away from backwardness, and shouldered the responsibility, side by side with the people, of building the future and confronted all forms of exaggeration, myth, and Takfir, guided by the path of the Messenger of Allah (p.) and his pure Household (a.s.).

Armed with piety and righteousness, Sayyed Fadlullah stood against the strifes amongst Muslims, for he rejected that they undermine their existence as a result of narrow sectarian fanatic acts. He also called on the nation's aware religious scholars and people to fear Allah when dealing with issues pertaining to people's lives, considering that whosoever knits seditions amongst Muslims aiming to rip apart the unity of Muslims and their word is a traitor to Allah and His Messenger, even if he fasts and prays…

He always strived to make sure that the relations between Muslims and Christians be based on "common terms" and understanding over the mutual issues, and he called for developing the relations between them on the basis of moral and humanitarian conceptions that take part in elevating man's status at all levels, and the value of justice in the face of all forms of oppression.

Actually, he adopted the Quran as a basis for his activist and missionary methodology and jurisprudential and activist movement, for he regarded the Quran as the book of life that could only be really understood by the activist and innovative people…

The Sayyed was known for his modesty, humanitarianism, and supreme missionary morals. His heart encompassed those who loved him and those who did not love him as well, and he used to advise all people to: "Love each other, for love is what authenticates and enables one to be creative and productive… Join us in love away from personal, regional, partisan and sectarian considerations… Let us all meet and gather under Allah's shadow instead of disagreeing in His name…" This can only mean that his pure heart held no grudges or spites towards anyone, for it is he who always repeated: "Life cannot bear spite, for spite is death and love is life…"

Moreover, he believed in the role of the institutions which he considered to be the primary and most essential civilized pillar for the rise of every nation and society… Thus, he established minarets and buildings for knowledge and care, which represented a sanctuary and shelter for the orphan and the needy, and an oasis of ambitions and high hopes for the physically-disabled, and a lighthouse for the learned towards the wide and open horizons, and a haven of security and safety for the sick and the elderly…

O Sayyed, you true master! Your house was and will remain the destination of the seekers of knowledge and whosoever is in need, for the call of "love" towards people, all the people, was your everlasting call.

The poor and the downtrodden were the closest to your heart, and you saw in the youth an aspiring hope, provided that they arm themselves with culture and knowledge…

The heart that filled the entire world with activist Islam, and missionary awareness and humanity that endlessly poured love and good until the last breath… this heart has rested in peace…

O Dear Sayyed, your pure body has rested whilst aspiring to achieve all hopes and ambitions at the level of constructing the present and future of the nation…

You left us having undermined all the conspiracies, threats, distortion campaigns and assassination attempts, be they physical or moral… you left after you surpassed all that and preserved the all-purity of your mind, heart and soul…

O Abu Ali, you left, yet your blessed name will remain curved in the conscience, heart and mind of the nation. O Sayyed, you left, yet you will remain present and vibrant by your thought and methodology in the life of our present and the future generations…

The Sayyed's body has gone, but his soul thought and line will stay with us. The nation whom he loved and made every effort to serve, will continue the march of awareness that he has set out its line throughout his life.

Dear brothers! As we offer our condolences to the entire nation upon the death of this great academic and religious scholar and this great missionary pioneer and struggler. We vow and promise Allah, and we vow and promise you, your Eminence, that we shall proceed with the march that you established its foundations and that we will execute your will that calls us to defend the nation, uphold its unity and maintain the humanitarianism of the Message.

"O soul that art at rest!Return to your Lord, well-pleased (with him), well-pleasing (Him),so enter among My servants,and enter into My garden." (89-27:30).
04/07/2010 A.D 22/07/1431 H

Gift from Hussain (as)

2009-12-23T12:58:00.000-08:00

On the 10th day of Muharram, known as the day of ‘Aashura, in the year 61 A.H. when Imam Abu ‘Abdillahil Hussein (as) came into the tent to bid farewell to his family members, he held the hand of his sick son, Ali ibn al-Hussein (as) and pressed it against his chest. He (as) then said,

“O son! I am teaching you a dua’ which you should remember. Angel Jibrael taught it to my grandfather the messenger of Allah who passed it to my mother Fatima. Whenever you have a special need or are faced with any calamity or crises, or are inflicted with any grief or hardship, then recite the following supplication”:

By the truth of Yaseen (a title of the Holy Prophet) and the Quran full of wisdom And for the sake of Taa-haa (another title of the Holy Prophet) and the great Quran O He Who is able to fulfil the desires of those ask. O He Who knows what is in the heart. O He Who banishes sorrow from the sorrowful. O He Who dispels grief from those who grieve. O He Who is merciful to old men. O He Who provides for infants. O He Who needs not to be explained. Send blessings upon Muhammad and his progeny and fulfil for me…(mention your wishes)

بِحَقِّ يس وَ الْقُرْآنِ الْحَكِيمِ وَ بِحَقِّ طه وَ الْقُرْآنِ الْعَظِيمِ يَا مَنْ يَقْدِرُ عَلَى حَوَائِجِ السَّائِلِينَ يَا مَنْ يَعْلَمُ مَا فِي الضَّمِيرِ يَا مُنَفِّساً عَنِ الْمَكْرُوبِينَ يَا مُفَرِّجاً عَنِ الْمَغْمُومِينَ يَا رَاحِمَ الشَّيْخِ الْكَبِيرِ يَا رَازِقَ الطِّفْلِ الصَّغِيرِ يَا مَنْ لَا يَحْتَاجُ إِلَى التَّفْسِيرِ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ افْعَلْ بِي...

Transliteration

BIHAQQI YASEEN WAL QUR-AANIL ‘HAKEEM WA BIHAQQI TAA-HAA WAL QUR-AANIL ‘ADHEEM YAA MAN YAQDIRU ‘ALAA ‘HAWAA-IJIS-SAA-ILEEN YAA MAN YA’LAMU MAA FID-DHAMEER YAA MUNAFFISAN ‘ANIL MAKROOBEEN YAA MUFARRIJAN ‘ANIL MAGHMOOMEEN YAA RAA-‘HIMA SHAYKHIL KABEER YAA RAAZIQAT TIFLIS-SAGHEER YAA MAN LAA YAHTAAJU ILAT-TAFSEER SALLI ‘ALAA MUHAMMADIN WA AALI MUHAMMADIN WAF-‘AL BEE …….(mention your wishes)

Mafateeh al-Jinaan, page no. 380

Ask your Hajaats after reading this Dua'. Insha'Allah your Duas' will be accepted May Allah swt fulfill all your legitimate wishes with the Wasila of this Dua'

Eid Ghadeer Mubarak

2009-12-06T08:48:00.000-08:00

Eid Ghadeer

As a revert to Islam, Eid Ghadeer is the one Eid that always has made the most sense to me and been the most significant in my worldview. Part of me has found Eid ul Fitr tempered by the loss of the holy days of the month of Ramadhan, and Eid ul Adha significant if you or a loved one is performing the hajj, but otherwise less so. But the Eid al-Ghadeer has always been special to me because it is a celebration of the culmination of Islam - a celebration of the very events that first enabled me to know the status of Imam ‘Ali (as) and the crucial role of Ahlulbayt (as) in the preservation of the True Religion so that I, in 1994, had the blessed chance to discover true Islam for myself. It is only because of Ahlulbayt (as) that I had that chance – without them, the True Religion would have long ago been lost in corruption and time.

I remember feeling exhausted after becoming Muslim. I had spent a year in intensive research, questioning the entire framework of my existence, engaging in deep self-evaluation so that in the end I had turned my life upside down and accepted all the conflict and challenges that would bring my way. But I had yet to scratch the surface of Islamic knowledge and had so far yet to go. I had become aware of the sects and divisions between Muslims, much to my sadness. As a Christian, I had been dismayed by all the man-made churches, none of them holding God’s Truth more than any other. I regretted that I might again find nothing in Islam that provided complete access to Reality.

But then, I read about Ghadeer Khum. The more I read, the lighter my burden became. Here was what I had known must exist – the evidence that God had protected His message from corruption. Every time a revelation from God has come down, man has corrupted it. But the Qur’an has survived because God has protected it, and in Ghadeer Khum I found the means. I felt tears of deep joy and gratitude to find the protectors of the Qur’an, the ones who have lived the real Islam; for without them, I would have no chance of ever finding the truth, I would have remained a deprived wayfarer, unsatisfied with the religions of man’s making.

If I had not been blessed to know about Ghadeer and appreciate the status and role of Ahlulbayt (as), I would have been left very disappointed after my struggle to find the Truth. While I would have gained the clarity of Tawhid that is in Islam, I would yet know I was stuck in a quagmire of man-made distortions that rip apart the Truth and replace it with ignorance and oppression.

In the Qur’an it is written, "And hold fast, all together, by the Rope which God (stretches out for you), and be not divided among yourselves; and remember with gratitude God's favor on you; for you were enemies and He joined your hearts in love, so that by His Grace, you became brethren; and you were on the brink of the Pit of Fire, and He saved you from it. Thus does God make His Signs clear to you, that you may be guided." (3:103)
Numerous hadith inform us that the Rope is none other than the blessed Ahlulbayt (as).

I feel this ayah resonating deep in the very fiber of my existence. Without the rope, I would have nothing to hold to, no hope for access to God’s Truth. It is a great favor from God for which I owe immeasurable gratitude that I was able to find this rope and try with my best effort to cling to it. I cling to this rope with the love of Ahlulbayt (as) who made my journey to Islam possible, and who have provided me the means to hope for progress on the journey of Truth and salvation from the Fire of Hell. For without Ahlulbayt (as), I could only be on the brink of the Pit of Fire, but by clinging to their Rope I might be pulled away from it.

The Ahlulbayt (as) have given me, and have given all of us, the chance to realize our potentials, the ability to hope, and the opportunity for the complete peace that can only be found in one who has glimpsed the Truth. Therefore, the Eid of Ghadeer is the most joyous and meaningful Eid to me, It is the Eid of hope and opportunity for all of us. May Allah swt bless Muhammad and the family of Muhammad with His greatest blessings and grant them the most fulfilling peace, and may more and more of humanity come to realize the great gift given to all of us when Allah swt perfected religion by securing the role of Ahlulbayt (as).

Eid Mubarak - Hajj

2009-11-27T16:25:00.000-08:00

Ten years ago, I was blessed to go for hajj. Unlike some people who think and prepare for a lifetime before going, my hajj came to me unanticipated. I had found Islam less than five years prior, and I was just out of college without any savings to spend on such a journey. Further, the very concept of hajj was alien - no one in my family had ever traveled out of the country - none of us even had passports - and my non-Muslim family had a very hard time with the whole idea, not understanding its purpose and finding the idea very frightening, potentially dangerous. All they could see was their daughter going off to the middle east with people they didn't know and so they were very worried. But I guess it was meant to be, because somehow everything worked out and I was soon in Saudi Arabia with millions of other pilgrims.

What follows are a few things from my hajj that have stayed with me a decade later.

1. I will never forget the feeling of tranquility and holiness around the Prophet's (saw) mosque and Janatul Baqi in Medina. The desolate, desecrated nature of the graves in Baqi was disconcordant with the holiness that permeated the air and earth in that place. Everyone in our caravan felt very much at home and thoughts of family, jobs, or anything back in North America never had room for entry - it was if a previous life had ended, we had all been reborn, and were living a new life, the real life, finally.

2. I met more Muslims and made more lasting connections on hajj than any other experience. Random Iranian Shia strangers would bestow gifts and kindnesses upon discovering a fellow Shia from another country - even though it was not their country, I often felt like I was being hosted by them, rather than the Saudis; it seemed to me more than it was their place even though they were journeyers like myself. The Saudis I met were excited to see an American, sure I had lots of money to spend that I was holding back on, and if they were Shia, were very cautious about showing any aspect of their belief. The people in my caravan took care of me - I would have been totally lost without their companionship and guidance, as many of them had performed hajj before and always seemed to know where to go and what to do next.

3. Before going for hajj, I had no particular emotional reaction to seeing images of the kaba; but when I actually saw it for the first time in person, I was in tears awestruck. I was just amazed to be there, so far from home, with millions of people from all over the world, and with physical structures that connected me to imams and prophets (as). I knew it was a gift and a miracle to be there.

4. I learned a level of patience and tolerance that I never even thought about before. I saw real poverty for the first time and remember thinking often about the throngs of people who had no accommodations and were just sleeping on the streets, even in dumpsters, and yet, like me, this was a journey of a life time for them, and they'd probably worked much harder to get there than I had. The poverty in Saudi Arabia outside of the main areas pilgrims frequented was stark in contrast to the sometimes gaudy excessiveness that sat right next to it. A pilgrim is not in control during hajj,he or she is just another drop in a sea, and learns to just wait, just endure, just exist, just feel, just be. While in one sense the journey is a very selfish one - one is striving to have this deed accepted and not wasted, you're very special, called there by God while many others were not able to make it - in another sense, the individuality fades away. You're not special on hajj, but rather you're totally unimportant and not unique from anyone else around you - you're focused on the Creator and the spiritual tasks with very little thought of the world, of comfort or discomfort.

4. I remember being really quite surprised to discover that Safa and Marwa were not mountains but smoothed small hills and under a roof at that. Incongruities and surprises like that happened constantly - one minute all would be holy and peaceful, the next you would be jarred by someone's hostility in the crowd, one sight would be as you expect, the next would be entirely different. While the haram was an amazing place, the most memorable experience for me in Mecca was the evening when several thousand Shias filled a plaza to perform Dua Kumayl, courageously organized by Iranian pilgrims. Saudi police in riot gear surrounded us, but the gathering began and ended without incident. Anything is possible with God, and nothing is possible without God - hajj showed me that repeatedly.

5. Coming home from hajj was the hardest part of the journey. Readjusting to normal life was very difficult, because it was like accepting a fake, two-dimensional reality after seeing the real, 3D HD world for the first time. But I could no more explain my physical and spiritual journey to my non-Muslim family than a land-dwelling animal could describe its world to a fish who lived confined to the depths of the sea. I didn't feel glad to be back, and while my parents were so relieved to have me back, I was not the same me that had left them. I discovered the real challenge of hajj came after it was over. When you're back in your ordinary, mundane life, can you hold on to the lessons, relationships, feelings, and spiritual gains outside of that focused, spiritually-charged environment? Or will you let the old you come back and take over?

If not everyone can go for hajj, perhaps everyone can create or find some spiritually-charged environment to be a humble pilgrim in now and then - a conference, a retreat, or a special prayer room in your home with guests that inspire you spiritually. I think we all need to be pilgrims from this world from time to time to help us not get lost in it.

Happy Birthday of Imam Reza (as)

2009-10-30T14:17:00.001-07:00

I bear witness that there is no God save Allah, the One; and there is no partner to share with Him.

I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and His Messenger, verily, he is the lord of the ancients and the moderns, verily, he is the head of the Prophets and the Messengers.

O Allah send blessing on Muhammad, Thy servant, Thy Messenger and Thy Prophet, the chief of all that has been created by Thee, blessings which no one is able to measure other than Thee.

O Allah send blessings on the Ameer ul Moomineen, Ali ibna Abi Talib, Thy servant, the brother of Thy Messenger, whom Thou elected to have Thy Knowledge, made him a guide to show the right path to those of Thy servants who want to be led aright, an evident proof for those who pay careful attention to Thy Message, he managed the affairs of the religion according to Thy system of justice, made application of Thy commands to settle the issues which cropped up among the people, and let Thy will and command rule supreme in all matters; peace be on him, also mercy and blessings of Allah.

O Allah send blessings on Fatimah, the daughter of Thy Prophet, the wife of Thy friend, the mother of the two sons, Hasan and Husayn, the prime leaders of the people of Paradise, she is pure, purified, pious content, wise leader of all the women of the Paradise,
blessings which no one is able to measure other than Thee.

O Allah send blessings on Hasan and Husayn, the two sons of Thy Prophet, the prime leaders of the people of Paradise, Thy established authority among the people, Thy two evident proofs for those who pay careful attention to Thy Message, who managed the affairs of the religion according to Thy system of justice, and made application of Thy commands to settle the issues which cropped up among the people.

O Allah send blessings on Ali bin Husayn, Thy servant, Thy established authority among the people, Thy evident proof for those who pay careful attention to Thy Message, who managed the affairs of the religion according to Thy system of justice, and made application of Thy commands to settle the issues which cropped up among the people, the lord among Thy adorers.

O Allah send blessings on Muhammad bin Ali, Thy servant, Thy representative in the earth, the deeply versed in the knowledge of Prophets. O Allah send blessings on Jaa'-far bin Muhammad, the truthful, Thy servant, the defender of Thy religion, Thy decisive argument over the mankind, the truthful, the just.

O Allah send blessings on Moosa bin Jaa'-far, Thy upright servant, Thy approved spokesman among Thy people, Thy decisive argument over the mankind.

O Allah send blessings on Ali bin Moosa who please Thee most, the chosen, Thy servant, the defender of Thy religion, rightly and justly established by Thee as an authority who made earnest presentation of arguments to promote Thy religion which is the religion of his truthful ancestors, blessings which no one is able to measure other than Thee.

O Allah send blessings on Muhammad bin Ali, Thy servant, Thy chosen representative, appointed by Thy command, who invited people Thy path.

O Allah send blessings on Ali bin Muhammad, Thy servant, the defender of Thy religion.

O Allah send blessings on Hasan bin Ali who put Thy system into practice, the established authority among the people, Thy demonstrator who carried out the mission of Thy Prophet, Thy witness over the mankind, distinguished with Thy excellence, who reminded people to obey Thee and Thy Messenger. Thy blessings be on all of them.

O Allah send blessings on Thy demonstrator, Thy established representative among the people, perfect, growing and everlasting blessings expedite his arrival
and help him, let us be with him in this world and in the Hereafter.

O Allah I seek Thy nearness through my love for them. I make friends with their friends, I oppose their enemies, so, on account of them, give me good of this world and the Hereafter, keep away from me the evil of this world and the Hereafter, the dreadful fright on the Day of Judgement.

Peace be on you, O the representative of Allah!Peace be on you, O the evident proof of Allah!

Peace be on you, O the light of Allah in the darkness of this (ignorant) world!

Peace be on you, O the mainstay of the religion!

Peace be on you, O the Inheritor of Adam, the sincerely attached friend of Allah!

Peace be on you, O the Inheritor of Nooh, the Prophet of Allah!

Peace be on you, O the Inheritor of Ibrahim, the intimate friend of Allah!

Peace be on you, O the Inheritor of Ismaeel, the sacrifice offered to Allah!

Peace be on you,O the Inheritor of Moosa, who spoke to Allah!

Peace be on you, O the Inheritor of Eesaa, who received mercy , joy and ease from Allah!

Peace be on you, O the Inheritor of Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah!

Peace be on you, O the Inheritor of the Ameer ul Moomineen, the representative of Allah, the executor of the will of the Messenger of the Lord of the worlds!

Peace be on you, O the Inheritor of Faatimah Zahra!

Peace be on you, O the Inheritor of Hasan and Husayn, the prime leaders of the people of Paradise!

Peace be on you, O the Inheritor of Ali bin Husayn, the pride of the worshippers!

Peace be on you, O the Inheritor of Muhammad bin Ali, the deeply versed in the wisdom of the ancients and moderns!

Peace be on you, O the Inheritor of Jaa'-far bin Muhammad, the truthful, the virtuous!

Peace be on you, O the Inheritor of Moosa bin Jaa'-far! Peace be on you, O the virtuous and pious guardian!

I bear witness that, verily, you established the prayers, gave the prescribed share to the needy, commanded to do that which is right and lawful, not to do that which is wrong and unlawful, sincerely served Allah, till the inevitable came unto you

Peace be on you, O Abal Hasan, and mercy and blessings of Allah be on you.

O Allah I had left my place of domicile to go towards Thee, and crossed many a town in the hope of getting Thy mercy, therefore, do not disappoint me, do not send me away without awarding that which I need, have mercy on my restless agitation near the son of Thy Messenger's brother, Thy blessings be on him and on his children.

My father and mother are at your disposal O my Mawlaa! I have come to visit you, adore you and take refuge with you from the excesses I indulged into, from the burden of sins I carry on my back, so, in the day of distress, be my advocate before Allah, because you enjoy special privileges in the presence of Allah, and He shows respect for you and brings honour to you.

O Allah I seek Thy nearness through my love and friendship for them (the Ahlul Bayt), I love each and every one of them, from the first to the last, and avoid intimate association with anyone other than the Ahlul Bayt Curse of Allah be on those who subverted Thy "Favour" suspected Thy Prophet to be guilty of falsehood, denied Thy revelation, laugh at Thy representatives, and gave preference to nonentities over the "Aali Muhammad.

O Allah I seek Thy nearness by calling down curses on them, I keep myself aloof from them in this world and in the Hereafter, O Beneficent!

Blessings of Allah be on you, O Abal Hasan!

Blessings of Allah be on your soul and your body! You suffered patiently and exercised self-control, (although) you were truthful and your truthfulness had been confirmed; Allah destroyed him who gave the orders to kill you, and him who carried it out.

Shrine of Lady Masooma (as), Dua Tawassul

2009-10-22T15:06:00.000-07:00

Dua Tawassul is being recited in the video.

"This is video footage of the Shrine of the Holy Lady Fatima Masooma [s] who is buried in the Holy city of Qum, where many pilgrims go for ziyarat.

The value of making a pilgrimage(the ziarat) to the shrine of Masooma-e-Qum is observed by the words of the holy Imams [a]:

1.Imam Al Baqir [a] has said:Whoever performs the Ziarat of Masooma-e-Qum will be rewarded by a place in Heaven.

2.Imam Al Sadiq [a] has said: If you want to earn a place in heaven then perform the Ziarat of Masooma-e-Qum.

3.Imam Al Ridha [a] has said: Whoever attends the Ziarat of my sister is like he has performed my Ziarat and indeed he/she will be rewarded a place in Paradise.

The background track that I have included is the musibat of Fatima [s], the daughter of the Prophet [p]. There are narrations which indicate that one who wishes to do ziyarat of Fatima [s] should pay visit to Masooma e Qum [s].

May Allah accept our ziyarat and may He give us the ability to serve the Master of age Al Mahdi [aj]. "

Here is another video of Dua Tawassul:

Lady Masooma (as)

2009-10-20T05:36:00.000-07:00

IN THE NAME OF ALLAH THE ALL-BENEFICENT, THE ALL-MERCIFUL

FELICITATIONS TO YOU ALL ON THE OCCASION OF THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE BIRTHDAY OF HADHRAT FATIMA MA'SUMA (PEACE BE UPON HER)

10 DAYS OF NOBILITY:

The first ten days of the lunar month of Dhul Qa’dah are celebrated in some Muslim countries like Iran as Daheye Karamat (ten days of nobility). This is because they start with the birthday of Hadhrat Ma’suma (‘a) on the 1st of Dhul Qa’da [173 AH] and meet with the birthday of her sibling, Imam al-Ridha (‘a) on the 11th [148 AH] of the same month. Both are epitomes of spiritual greatness and nobility. Their life histories are brim with lessons for us to learn and emulate. Celebrating such occasions is to remember their personalities and instill in us the spirit of obedience to Almighty Allah. When one beholds the tomb of Hadhrat Ma’suma (‘a) in the holy city of Qum, which in reality serves as its fundamental source of light, one should be overtaken with the purity it exemplifies. Her radiant shrine constantly echoes a very important message for all her lovers: protect yourself from sin and struggle for infallibility. She was known as al-Ma’suma by her infallible brother Imam al-Ridha (‘a) due to her immaculate personality. If we are receptive enough to absorb her message, we would struggle for purity. Celebration in reality is an act of commitment and pledge. We must resolve to flee from sin, in order to celebrate this occasion of joy. Imam al-Ridha (‘a) likewise gives a similar message but in another language: the language of Divine pleasure. The word al-Ridhaa connotes both al-Raadhi (the pleased one) and al-Mardhi (the one whom one is pleased with). In other words He is pleased with what Allah does, and Allah is pleased with Him. He thus enjoys the state of a contented soul (al-nafs al-mutma’inna), whose status is so high, that Almighty Allah addresses it thus: “O soul at peace! Return to your Lord, pleased, pleasing! Then enter among My servants! And enter My paradise!” (89:27-30)The word “jannati” (my Paradise) in the verse refers to the loftiest kind of Paradise, which scholars of authority call “Jannat al-Liqa’”(the Paradise of encountering Allah). Such a station is what has to be experienced and words do not qualify to express. Fortunate are those who are able to visit the radiant shrines of Imam al-Ridha (‘a) and her noble sister Hadhrat Ma’suma (‘a). Mere visitation, however, is not enough. We need reflective minds who are able to draw a world of information by beholding such edifices of light, that can transport every receptive heart to the true meaning of belief, action, love, steadfastness, extinction in the Divine, absorption, revolution, emancipation, concern, etc.

Salams and Du'as
Holy Proximity of Hadhrat Ma'suma ('A) (From Muhammad Khalfan)

Please visit imamreza.net to read more about Lady Masooma (as). Also, here is a book about her at al-islam.org.

Her Ziarat, given to us by her brother, Imam Reza (as):

Allah is the great
Glory be to Allah
Praise be to Allah
Peace be on Adam, the Choice of Allah! Peace be on Noah, the Prophet of Allah,
Peace be on Ibraheem, the Friend of Allah, Peace be on Mosa who spoke to Allah, Peace be on Isa, the Spirit of Allah.
Peace be on you, O Messenger of Allah, Peace be on you, O the best of the Mankind
Peace be on you, O Choice of Allah! Peace be on you. O Mohammed bin Abdullah, the last of the Prophets!
Peace be on you, O Ali bin Abi Talib, Commander of the faithful and the Successor of the Messenger of Allah.
Peace be on you, O Fatimah, the Leader of the women of the worlds,
Peace be on you, O the grandsons of the Prophet of Mercy, and the leaders of the youth of Paradise
Peace be on you, O Ali bin Husain, the leader of worshippers, O Coolness of investigating eyes,
Peace be on you, O Mohammed bin Ali, O the explorer of the knowledge
Peace be on you, O Jafar bin Mohammed, the truthful the benign, the trustworthy,
Peace be on you, O Mosa bin Jafar, the pure, the purified,
Peace be on you, O Ali bin Mosa, the pleased, the gratified,
Peace be on you, O Mohammed bin Ali, the pious one Peace be on you, O Ali bin Mohammed, the pure, the advising guardian, and the trustworthy
Peace be on Hasan bin Ali, Peace be on the successor after him
O Allah, bless your light, the successor and vicegerent of Thy Messenger and Thy decisive argument over mankind
Peace be on you, O daughter of the Messenger of Allah! Peace be on you, O, daughter of Fatimah and Khadeejah!
Peace be on you, O, daughter of the Commander of the faithful! Peace be on you, O, daughter of Hasan and Husain!
Peace be on you, O, daughter of the vicegerent of Allah! Peace be on you, O, sister of the vicegerent of Allah! Peace be on you, O, Aunt of the vicegerent of Allah!
Peace be on you, O, daughter of Mosa bin Jafar! May Allah confer His Mercy and blessing on you!
Peace be on you May Allah grant us your companionship on the day of Judgment
and guide us to follow your footsteps and lead us to your grandfather's fountain andquench our thirst out of it, with Mohammed's own cup in Ali's hand,
Allah bless you All. I ask Allah to grant us, through you, happiness, ease and your companionship,
together with your grandfather on the day of Judgment
and not to deprive us from understanding you. Indeed, He is Protector and Powerful on everything.
O Allah, I seek Thy nearness through my love for you, my enmity for your enemies and my surrender to Allah willingly, not arrogantly my acceptance,
with unshaken faith, what He communicated to Mohammed seeking in that Thy Face! Thy satisfaction, and the next world.
O Master! Stand by us when Allah sits in judgment over us, O intimate of Allah,
O Allah, I ask Thee to make my ending happy, and not to take away what you have given me
There is neither might nor power but with Allah, the Great, the Exalted.
So by Thy generosity, might Mercy and bounteousness, comply with our supplication,
Allah, bless Mohammed, and his pious and pure Progeny and give them abundant peace! O the most Merciful of the Merciful.

Peace be upon Imam Jafar as Sadiq (as)

2009-10-15T21:01:00.000-07:00

Excerpts from his Lantern of the Path:

Thankfulness

With every breath you take, a thanksgiving is incumbent upon you, indeed, a thousand thanks or more. The lowest level of gratitude is to see that the blessing comes from Allah irrespective of the cause for it, and without the heart being attached to that cause. It consists of being satisfied with what is given; it means not disobeying Him with regard to His blessing, or opposing Him in any of His commands and prohibitions because of His blessing.

Be a grateful bondsman to Allah in every way, and you will find that Allah is a generous Lord in every way. If there were a way of worshipping Allah for His sincerest bondsman to follow more excellent than giving thanks at every instance, He would have ascribed to them the name of this worship above the rest of creation. Since there is no form of worship better than that, He has singled out this kind of worship from other kinds of worship, and has singled out those who practise this kind of worship, saying,

وَقَلِيلٌ مِّنْ عِبَادِيَ الشَّكُورُ

Very few of my servants are grateful. (34:13)

Complete thankfulness is to sincerely repent your inability to convey the least amount of gratitude, and expressing this by means of your sincere glorification of Allah. This is because fitting thanks is itself a blessing bestowed upon the bondsman for which he must also give thanks; it is of greater merit and of a higher state than the original blessing which caused him to respond with thanks in the first place. Therefore, every time one gives thanks one is obliged to give yet greater thanks, and so on ad infinitum, and this while absorbed in His blessings and unable to achieve the ultimate state of gratitude. For how can the bondsman match with gratitude the blessings of Allah, and when will he match his own action with Allah's while all along the bondsman is weak and has no power whatsoever, except from Allah?

Allah is not in need of the obedience of His bondsmen, for He has the power to increase blessings forever. Therefore be a grateful bondsman to Allah, and in this manner you will see wonders.

Enjoining what is Good and Forbidding what is Evil

Whoever has not thrown off his anxieties, been purified of the evils of his self and its appetites, defeated Satan, and entered under the guardianship of Allah and the security of His protection, cannot properly enjoin what is good and forbid what is evil; and since he has not attained these aforementioned qualities, whatever affair he tackles in attempting to enjoin what is good and forbid what is evil will be a proof against him, and people will not benefit from it.

أَتَأْمُرُونَ النَّاسَ بِالْبِرِّ وَتَنسَوْنَ أَنفُسَكُمْ وَأَنتُمْ تَتْلُونَ الْكِتَابَ أَفَلاَ تَعْقِلُونَ

Allah said, What! Do you enjoin men to be good and neglect your own souls? (2:44)

Anyone who does that is called upon thus: Oh- traitor! Do you demand from My creation that which you have rejected for yourself and have slackened the reins [in this regard] upon yourself?

It is related that Tha'labah al-Asadi asked the Messenger of Allah about this verse:

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ عَلَيْكُمْ أَنفُسَكُمْ لاَ يَضُرُّكُم مَّن ضَلَّ إِذَا اهْتَدَيْتُمْ

O you who believe! Take care of your souls; he who errs cannot hurt you when you are on the right way. (5:105)

The Messenger of Allah said, 'Enjoin what is good and forbid what is evil, and be forbearing in whatever afflicts you, until such time when you see meanness obeyed and passions followed, and when everyone will have conceit about their own opinion, then you should concern yourself only with yourself, and ignore the affairs of the common people.'

A person who enjoins what is good needs to be knowledgeable about what is permissible and what is forbidden; he must be free from his personal inclinations regarding what he enjoins and forbids, give good counsel to people, be merciful and compassionate to them, and call them with gentleness in a very clear manner, while recognizing their different characters so that he can put each in his proper place.

He must see the intrigues of the self and the machinations of Satan. He must be patient in whatever befalls him, and must not seek compensation from people for that which he instructs them in, nor complain about them. He should not make use of vehemence or passion. He should not become angry for his own sake. He should make his intention purely for Allah, and seek His help and desire Him. But if people oppose him and are harsh to him, he must be patient; and if they agree with him and accept his verdict, he must be thankful, entrusting his affair to Allah and looking to his own faults.

Laylatul Qadr Qur'an

2009-09-12T20:44:00.001-07:00

I like this recitation - it is clear and beautiful to me.

Recommended for reciting on Laylatul Qadr:

Surah Qadr (short Surah, recommended to recite many times)

Surah 44 - The Smoke

Surah 30 - The Romans

Surah 29 - The Spider

Surah 36 - YaSin (Recommended to recite 3 times - here with transliteration - follow along if you wish, insha'allah)

As an aside, I decided the main focus of my prayers, aside from asking for the well-being of my family and loved ones, is simply for contentment in all occasions. I pray for increased gratitude to Allah swt, guidance and forgiveness for those who seek them, blessings on the Prophet (saw) and the Ahlulbayt (sa), good of this world and Hereafter for all believers in all times and places.

Martyrdom Imam 'Ali (as)

2009-09-08T19:58:00.000-07:00

Restatement of History of Islam

The Assassination of Ali

FROM THE SECOND HALF OF 658, MUAWIYA, the governor of Syria, had been steadily escalating violence against the dominions of Ali. Some of his inroads reached Ain-at-Tamar and Anbar, only 170 miles north of Kufa. The men of Kufa were so unwilling to fight against the Syrians that Ali found it impossible to take effective punitive action. Muawiya himself led a raid right across the Jazira from Raqqa to Mosul, and met no resistance anywhere. At last, Ali declared in the mosque of Kufa that he would leave the city with the few of his faithful followers in an attempt to halt the Syrian aggression against Iraq, even if it cost him his life. This threat awakened the citizens of Kufa to the specter of being left leaderless if Ali was killed fighting against the Syrians. They were stung into action and they began to mobilize for defense.

The battle of Siffin had been the first trial of strength between Ali and Muawiya. Militarily, the battle had been a near-victory for Ali, but politically, it had become a stalemate. After some time, it began to appear that Ali would take up the challenge of Muawiya. But just then Ali was assassinated in the mosque of Kufa, and the second trial of strength never took place.

According to the historical accounts some of which are quite plausible, three Kharjis met in Kufa (some say in Makkah) to hatch a conspiracy. Each of them volunteered to kill each of the three leading political figures of the Dar-ul-Islam – Ali, Muawiya and Amr bin Aas. By killing them, it is alleged, they hoped to put an end to civil wars in Islam, and to restore peace to the Muslim umma.

One of the three conspirators was a certain Abdur Rahman bin Muljam. He stayed in Kufa to kill Ali, and the other two went to Syria and Egypt to kill Muawiya and Amr bin Aas. The plans of the would-be assassins of Muawiya and Amr bin Aas, according to the stories in circulation, went awry, and they were captured and were executed.

The Kharjis had been defeated at Nehrwan, and most of them had perished in the battle but a few had escaped. Abdur Rahman bin Muljam was one of those who had escaped. He was consumed with the desire to kill Ali, and was in quest of an opportunity to do so. By a coincidence, he met a Kharji woman, one Qattama, whose father and brothers had also been killed in Nehrwan, and she too had nursed an undying hatred of Ali.

Abdur Rahman fell in love with Qattama, and proposed marriage to her. She told him that the price of her hand was the head of Ali ibn Abi Talib. This only strengthened Abdur Rahman in his resolution. He promised his inamorata the moon if she asked for it, but she said that nothing was of interest to her if she could not get the head of Ali ibn Abi Talib!

Abdur Rahman bin Muljam carefully worked out his plans to kill Ali. A few other trusted Kharjis also volunteered their services to him, and together they rehearsed the assassination. Abdur Rahman bin Muljam took one extra precaution – he put his sword in deadly poison, and let it soak in it for three days.

On the morning of the 19th of Ramadan of the year 40 A.H., Ali came into the Great Mosque of Kufa, and called Adhan (the call to prayer). He took his place in the alcove, and moments later, the worshippers began to arrive. They stood behind him in serried ranks, and the prayer began. Standing in the front row, with other worshippers, were Abdur Rahman bin Muljam and his confederates. They were watching Ali's movements. In the folds of their cloaks, they were carrying swords burnished to a high sheen, and soaked in poison.

Just when Ali touched the ground with his forehead for sajda, Abdur Rahman bin Muljam stepped out of his row, and crept into the alcove. And just when Ali lifted his head from the ground, ibn Muljam struck the fatal blow at his forehead with such deadly force that it split open.

Blood squirted from Ali's forehead in several jets, and he exclaimed:

"By the Lord of the Kaaba, I am successful!"

The members of the congregation realized what had happened, and as soon as they concluded the prayer, they surrounded him. His sons, Hasan and Husain, carried him to his house. A physician came, and tried to dress the ghastly wound but could not stop the bleeding. The blow of the sword was fatal anyway, but the poison from its blade was also spreading rapidly in his body. The Arab historians say that it was the second time that Ali was wounded in the forehead, the first time being when, in the battle of the Trench fought in 627, the sword of Amr bin Abd Wudd cut through his shield and helmet, and struck it. His forehead still bore the scar left by the sword of Amr.

This is the account left by the Arab historians of the assassination of Ali, and it has been accepted as authentic by the vast majority of the Muslims.

Though this account has the authority of "consensus" of the historians behind it, its authenticity, nevertheless, is suspect on the grounds of "circumstantial evidence." There are too many "coincidences" in it.

No one questions the fact that it was Ibn Muljam who killed Ali. But was it his own idea to kill him? It is quite probable that the idea was planted in his mind by someone else who used subliminal techniques for doing so. Ibn Muljam didn't know that he was only a cat's paw, and he went ahead and killed Ali.

At this time no one in Dar-ul-Islam was more interested in the assassination of Ali than Muawiya. The plot to kill Ali, the skill displayed in its execution, and its success, show the touch of consummate subtlety and a high degree of professionalism which were characteristic of Muawiya alone, whereas Ibn Muljam was nothing more than a bumpkin. Muawiya employed the same "skill" in removing from the scene, real or fancied threats to his own security and power, on numerous other occasions in later times, with the same results.

Muawiya's spies had informed him that Ali was making preparations for the invasion of Syria. In the battle of Siffin, Muawiya had not responded to chivalrous treatment by Ali. This time, therefore, Ali had decided, not to fight a lingering action but a swift one that would quell Muawiya's rebellion, and would restore peace to the embattled empire of the Muslims. Muawiya also knew that Ali had, this time, both the ability and the resolution, to bring the conflict to a speedy and successful conclusion. His only hope, therefore, for his safety in future, as in the past, lay in the succor that he could get from his old and trusted "allies" – treachery and intrigue. He, therefore, mobilized them, and they didn't disappoint him.

Muawiya made the act of the assassination of Ali look absolutely spontaneous and convincing by making himself and his crony, Amr bin Aas, the potential and intended "victims" of the conspiracy and fanaticism of the Kharji anarchists. But both of them "escaped" assassination by a rare "stroke of good luck." One of them "fell ill" on the day he was to be "assassinated," and did not go into the mosque; the other did not fall ill, but went into the mosque wearing his armor under his cloak. He was "attacked" by his "assassin" but was "saved" by his armor. "Falling ill" would have been an indiscreet act, and would have exposed both "victims." In this manner, "illness" and the armor "saved" both Muawiya and Amr bin Aas from the daggers of their Kharji "assassins."

But Ali was not so "lucky." He did not fall ill, and he did not put on his armor when entering the mosque. In the mosque, Ibn Muljam was awaiting him with a sword soaked in poison. When Ali rose from sajda, he struck at his forehead, and cleft it. The blow proved to be fatal.

Most of the Arab historians wrote histories which were "inspired" by Muawiya and his successors. He was of course free to inject any account into those histories. He, therefore, managed to save himself and Amr bin Aas from the indictment of history, and it was Ibn Muljam alone who went down in history books as the real and the only villain of the crime.

By a coincidence, the assassination of Ali took place on the eve of his invasion of Syria.

Though the Kharji anarchists had aimed their daggers at all three of the leading political figures of the Muslim world, viz., Ali, Muawiya and Amr bin Aas, by a coincidence, the latter two escaped the attempts on their lives, and Ali alone was killed.

By still another coincidence, the two men who escaped, i.e., Muawiya and Amr bin Aas, were intimate friends of each other, and both of them were – coincidence again – the mortal enemies of the third, i.e., Ali, who was the only one to be killed.

There are too many mysterious coincidences that saved the lives of Muawiya and Amr bin Aas but took the life of Ali.

Ali spent the time still left to him in prayer and devotions; in dictating his will; in giving instructions to his sons, ministers and generals regarding the conduct of the government; and in urging them all never to forget the old, the sick, the poor, the widows and the orphans at any time.

Ali declared that his elder son, Hasan, would succeed him as the head of the Kingdom of Heaven on Earth, and as the sovereign of all Muslims.

Though Ali was steadily weakening from the loss of blood and from the action of poison, all his faculties were sharp and clear right to the last moment. To all those people who came to see him, he said that they ought to be aware, at all times, of the presence of their Creator in their lives, to love Him, to serve Him, and to serve His Creation.

The poison had done its work, and on the morning of the 21st of Ramadan of 40 A.H., Ali ibn Abi Talib left this world to go into the presence of his Creator whom he had loved and served all his life. He was "God-intoxicated." His greatest ambition in life was to wait upon his Creator, every moment of his existence, and he realized it, and this is the meaning of his exclamation in the alcove of the mosque when he felt the edge of the sword at his forehead: "By the Lord of the Kaaba, I am successful."

Hasan and Husain washed the body of their father, draped it in a shroud, offered the funeral prayers for it, and then buried it silently at midnight at Najaf Ashraf, at some distance from Kufa. No markings were placed on the grave, and the grave-site was kept a secret, as desired by Ali himself.

Ali, Islam's greatest saint, hero, statesman, philosopher and martyr, had left this world, and the world was not to find a man sublime like him to all eternity.

Many among the Muslims were the mourners of Ali's death but none mourned him more dolorously than the Dhimmis (the Jews, the Christians, and the Magians). They were utterly heart-broken. And when the sick, the disabled, the cripples, the orphans and the widows in the empire heard that he had died, they felt that their world had collapsed. He had been a father to them all. He had taken them all by the hand. He had taken them all into his prayers. Many among them did not know until after his death that it was he who had fed them and had taken care of them. He had taken all mankind into his grasp.

Whereas Ali was accessible at all times to the poor and the weak, his own greatest anxiety and fear were lest any of them be inaccessible to him. It was only in his dominion that the Dhimmis (non-Muslims), the powerless and the defenseless enjoyed complete security. No one could terrorize them or exploit them. With his death, their security was gone forever!

It is a truism that exercise of power cannot be combined with saintly purity, since once a man assumes responsibility for public affairs, the moral simplicities within which it is just possible, with luck, to be able to lead a private life, are soon hideously complicated to an extent that precludes all clear distinctions between right and wrong. This truism, however, has its own exception – in Ali. He upheld principle, in public life as in private, regardless of cost. He invariably put the right thing ahead of the smart thing, regardless of cost. The source of the principles which guided his private and public life, was Al-Qur’an al-Majid as it was also the source of his political philosophy.

Ali has many critics and enemies but they cannot point out a single instance when he deviated from a principle. They cannot point out any conflict between his thought and speech on the one hand, or between his speech and deed on the other. He was consistently consistent in thought, speech and action.

Ali represented the ultimate triumph of character and ideology. He was a rare combination of love of God, devotion to duty, strength tempered with tenderness, symmetry of disposition, and inflexible integrity. His greatest legacy to the world of Islam will remain forever his sublime character.

Month of Ramadhan Daily Duas 1-5

2009-08-23T10:40:00.001-07:00

Day 1 Dua

Day 2 Dua

Day 3 Dua

Day 4 Dua

Day 5 Dua

Shahr Ramadhan Kareem!

2009-08-21T21:03:00.000-07:00

In the name of Allah,
The Beneficent, The Merciful

Praise belongs to God who guided us to His praise
and placed us among the people of praise,
that we might be among the thankful for His beneficence
and that He might recompense us for that
with the recompense of the good-doers!

And praise belongs to God who
showed favour to us through His religion,
singled us out for His creed,
and directed us onto the roads of His beneficence,
in order that through His kindness we might travel upon them to His good pleasure,
a praise which He will accept from us and through which He will be pleased with us!

And praise belongs to God who appointed among those roads His month,
the month of Ramadan,
the month of fasting,
the month of submission,
the month of purity,
the month of putting to test,
the month of standing in prayer,
in which the Qur'an was sent down as guidance to the people,
and as clear signs of the Guidance and the Separator!

He clarified its excellence over other months
by the many sacred things and well-known excellencies which He placed therein,
for He made unlawful in it what He declared lawful in others to magnify it,
He prohibited foods and drinks in it to honour it,
and He appointed for it a clear time which
He (majestic and mighty is He) allows not to be set forward and accepts not to be placed behind.

Then He made one of its nights surpass the nights of a thousand months
and named it the Night of Decree;
in it the angels and the Spirit descend
by the leave of their Lord upon every command,
a peace constant in blessings
until the rising of the dawn
upon whomsoever He will of His servants
according to the decision He has made firm.

O God,
bless Muhammad and his Household,
inspire us
with knowledge of its excellence,
veneration of its inviolability,
and caution against what Thou hast forbidden within it,
and help us to fast in it
by our restraining our limbs
from acts of disobedience toward Thee
and our employing them
in that which pleases Thee,
so that we lend not our ears to idle talk
and hurry not with our eyes to diversion,

we stretch not our hands toward the forbidden
and stride not with our feet toward the prohibited,
our bellies hold only what Thou hast made lawful
and our tongues speak only what Thou
hast exemplified,
we undertake nothing but what brings close to
Thy reward
and pursue nothing but what protects from
Thy punishment!
Then rid all of that from the false show of the false showers
and the fame seeking of the fame seekers,
lest we associate therein anything with Thee
or seek therein any object of desire but Thee!

O God,
bless Muhammad and his Household,
in it make us attend
to the appointed moments of the five prayers within
the bounds Thou hast set,
the obligations Thou hast decreed,
the duties Thou hast assigned,
and the times Thou hast specified;

and in the prayers make us alight in the station of
the keepers of their stations,
the guardians of their pillars,
their performers in their times,
as Thy servant and Thy messenger set down in his Sunna
(Thy blessings be upon him and his Household)
in their bowings, their prostrations, and all their
excellent acts,
with the most complete and ample ritual purity
and the most evident and intense humility!

Give us success in this month to
tighten our bonds of kin with devotion and gifts,
attend to our neighbours with bestowal and giving,
rid our possessions from claims,
purify them through paying the alms,
go back to him who has gone far from us,
treat justly him who has wronged us,
make peace with him who shows enmity toward us
(except him who is regarded as an enemy
in Thee and for Thee,
for he is the enemy whom we will not befriend,
the party whom we will not hold dear),

and seek nearness to Thee through blameless works
which will purify us from sins
and preserve us from renewing faults,
so that none of Thy angels will bring for Thee
the kinds of obedience and sorts of
nearness-seeking
unless they be less than what we bring!

O God,
I ask Thee by the right of this month
and by the right of him who worships Thee within it
from its beginning to the time of its passing,
whether angel Thou hast brought nigh to Thee,
prophet Thou hast sent,
or righteous servant Thou hast singled out,
that Thou bless Muhammad and his Household,
make us worthy of the generosity Thou hast promised
Thy friends,
make incumbent for us
what Thou hast made incumbent
for those who go to great lengths in obeying Thee,
and place us in the ranks of those
who deserve through Thy mercy the highest elevation!

O God,
bless Muhammad and his Household,
turn us aside from
deviation in professing Thy Unity,
falling short in magnifying Thee,
in Thy religion,
blindness toward Thy path,
heedlessness of Thy inviolability,
and being deceived by Thy enemy, the accursed Satan!

O God,
bless Muhammad and his Household,
and when in every night of this month's nights
Thou hast necks
which Thy pardon will release
and Thy forgiveness disregard,
place our necks among those necks
and place us among the best folk and companions
of this our month!

O God,
bless Muhammad and his Household,
efface our sins
along with the effacing of its crescent moon,
and make us pass forth from the ill effects of our acts
with the passing of its days,
until it leaves us behind,
while within it Thou hast purified us of offenses
and rid us of evil deeds!

O God,
bless Muhammad and his Household,
and should we go off to one side in this month,
set us aright;
should we swerve,
point us straight;
and should Thy enemy Satan enwrap us,
rescue us from him!

O God,
fill this month with our worship of Thee,
adorn its times with our obedience toward Thee,
help us during its daytime with its fast,
and in its night with prayer and pleading toward Thee,
humility toward Thee,
and lowliness before Thee,
so that its daytime may not bear witness
against our heedlessness,
nor its night against our neglect!

O God,
make us like this in the other months and days
as long as Thou givest us life,
and place us among Thy righteous servants,
those who shall inherit Paradise,
therein dwelling forever,
those who give what they give,
while their hearts quake,
that they are returning to their Lord
those who vie in good works,
outracing to them!

O God,
bless Muhammad and his Household
in every time, in all moments, and in every state,
to the number that Thou hast blessed whomsoever
Thou hast blessed
and to multiples of all that, through multiples
which none can count but Thee!
Surely Thou art Accomplisher of what Thou desirest.

Dua for 1st day

O Allah be pleased with my fasts, in this month, as Thou gives credit to those who (sincerely) observe fasts; and (be pleased with) my special night prayers, in this month, as Thou give credit to those who pray (sincerely) in the night; direct me to be on guard and pay attention to free myself from the lethargy of forgetfulness; O the God of the worlds overlook my wrongdoings, and grant amnesty to me, O He who shows sympathy to the wrongdoers

Munajaat al Sha'baniyya

2009-08-06T21:35:00.001-07:00

15 Shaban Ariza

2009-08-06T21:10:00.000-07:00

Translation of Dua-e-Ariza

I have written to you O my master, may His mercy and blessing be on you, seeking a favour from you.

I have complained to you for what has happened to me seeking solutions firstly from Allah

and then from you for a matter that has obsessed me.

I am helpless in combating the problem and for that I have resorted to seeking help from Allah and from you.

Knowing the status you have with Allah.

I am confident that you will help me get the solutions to my problems swiftly and that you will intercede on my behalf.

I am helpless and moreover I am sinful:

so help O master and present this problem to Allah and I pray to Him that He will solve this quickly

and grant me victory and success in finding the solution to my problems.

(Write your personal wishes and problems in the provided space - you can write with dots and dashes if you fear someone may read it that you do not wish to see it)

.... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... ....

I am not able to carry or bear with it. Although I am responsible for the increase of my sins and

ignorant about my responsibilities (Wajibaats), from Allah which are given to me.

So help me O my master. Peace be upon you during this time of problems and sorrow.

I present my prayers to Allah before I compensate and before my enemies engulfs me. For you have shown me your blessings.

So I pray to Allah for great salvation and near victory with calmness from all fears,

for Allah is most high and does what he wants. Allah is sufficient for me from the beginning and in my hopes.

Whatever Allah wishes there is neither strength nor any power except in Allah the High, the Great.

*When dropping the Ariza in the sea, we normally recite the following,

addressing Husayn bin Rawh, the 3rd Na’ib of the 12th Imam:

“O Husayn bin Rawh, Salamun Alaykum.

I bear witness that you died in the path of Allah and (hence), you are alive and are sustained by Allah.

I am addressing you in your life which you lead with Allah – this is my note and wishes to the master of the Era,

the 12th Imam (AS), so please hand it over to him for you are indeed trustworthy”.

Shabe Barat Mubarak

2009-08-06T11:02:00.000-07:00

The 15th of Shabaan is also known as Neema-e-Shabaan and it is also remembered as Shab-e-Barat among Muslims. It is a highly virtuous night during which our last Imam Mohammad Mehdi(atfs) was born.

Night of 15th of Shabaan 1430 A.H. is the night between 6th and 7th of August in almost all parts of the world. Please re-confirm with your local Mosque/imambargah for the exact occurrence in your location.

Special presentations about 15th of Shabaan:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Main page of 15th Shabaan : http://www.ziaraat.com/events/neemashaban/neemashaban.php

Summary of Aamal : http://www.ziaraat.com/events/neemashaban/summary.php

Aamal in Urdu from Mafateeh-ul-Jinaan : http://www.ziaraat.com/events/neemashaban/frommafateeh.php

Aamal in PDF File : http://www.ziaraat.com/events/neemashaban/aamal_mubin.pdf

Aamal in PDF File: http://www.ziaraat.com/events/neemashaban/aamal_duas.pdf

Areeza-e-hajat in Arabic and English : http://www.ziaraat.com/events/neemashaban/areeza.php

Online Mafateeh-ul-Jinaan:
http://www.ziyaraat.net/findbook.asp?Escritor=All&Tema=All&orderby=titulo&idioma=All&srchwhat=mafateeh

Dua e Ghareek (Supplication of the Drowning Man)

2009-07-08T11:23:00.000-07:00

Imam Sadiq (a.s.) said:

"After this a time of such doubt will befall you and you will be without the visible signs and a guiding Imam. And no one shall be able to achieve salvation from this except those who recite 'Du'a -e-Ghareek'.(supplication of the drowning man)

"O Allah! O Beneficient! O Merciful!
O One who changes/turns the hearts! Give my heart steadfastness in Your religion"

"Ya Allaho! Ya Rahman! Ya Raheem!
Ya Muqallebal Quloob!
Sabit Qalbi Ala Deeniak"

Imam Ali (as) Wiladat Mubarak

2009-07-06T13:15:00.001-07:00

The story of Imam Ali (as)'s birth.

Taking Account of Himself

2009-07-06T09:05:00.000-07:00

It was asked from Hazrat Ali (as): How should a person take account of himself?

Hazrat Ali (as) replied:

When a person ends his day, then he should turn towards himself and say ‘O self! This day that has passed will not return. Allah (SWT) will ask you about how you wasted your day. He will ask you about the actions you performed, whether you remembered Him and praised Him? Whether you fulfilled a right of your fellow believer? Did you remove a difficulty that befell upon a believer? Did you protect his children in his absence? Did you safeguard his rights after his death? Did you – on account of your position – prevent anyone from backbiting your believing brother? Did you help any Muslim throughout the day? (Cross-posted from here).

Dua Mashlool

2009-07-02T18:25:00.000-07:00

In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
O Allah, I beseech Thee with Thy Name; the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Benign.
O Lord of Majesty and Generosity; O Living; O Self-Subsisting, O Ever-living, there is no God but Thou. O Thou that art "He" of whom no one knoweth what "He" is, nor how "He" is, nor where "He" is, except "He."
O Lord of the Great Kingdom and Supremacy. O Lord of Honour and Omnipotence:
O Sovereign Lord, O Holy One! O Peace; O Keeper of Faith; O Guardian O Revered One; O Compeller; O Superb. O Creator
O Maker of all things from nothing; O Artist; O Beneficent; O Administrator; O Severe (in wrath); O Inventor; O Restorer; O Originator; O Most Loving: O Praised; O Adored. O Thou that art distant yet near; O Answerer of pray
er; O Observer; O Reckoner. O Innovator; O Exalted; O Unassailable; O Hearer. O Knower; O Wise; O Bountiful; O Forbearing; O Eternal; O Lofty; O Great.
O most Compassionate; O Giver of all good; O most perfect Requiter of good and evil; O Thou whose help is sought for. O Majestic; O Glorious; O Trusted; O Guardian; O Alleviator of suffering; O Fulfiller of hopes;
O Guide; O Magnanimous. O Giver of guidance; O Commencer; O First; O Last; O Evident; O Hidden. O Established; O Everlasting; O Knowing; O Ruler; O Dispenser of justice; O Equitable; O Thou that disjoineth and uniteth; O Pure; O Purifier; O Powerful;
O Almighty; O Great; O Magnificent. O One; O Matchless; O Eternal; O Absolute; O Thou that bareth none and is born of none; nor is there equal to Thee anyone nor hath Thee any spouse; nor any bearer of Thy burden; nor any consultant to give Thee advice; not does Thou need any supporter; nor is there with Thou any other deity; There is no God but Thou, and Thou art far exalted with great excellence above all that which the unjust folk do say concerning Thee
O High and Lofty; O most Glorious; O Opener; O Diffuser of fragrance; O Tolerant; O Helper; O Victorious; O Overtaker; O Destroyer; O Avenger; O Resurrector; O Inheritor; O Seeker; O Conquerer; O Thou from Whom no fugitive can escape. O Acceptor of repentance; O Ever-forgiving; O Great Bestower; O Causer of all causes; O Opener of doors (of relief and salvation); O Thou that answerest howsoever Thou art invoked. O Purifier; O Giver of manifold rewards; O Excuser; O Pardoner; O Light of all lights; O Director of all affairs. O Ever Blissful; O All-Aware; O Protector; O Luminous; O Seer; O Supporter; O Great. O Lone; O Unique; O Everlasting; O Upholder; O Eternal and Absolute. O Sufficer; O Healer; O Fulfiller of promises; O Deliver. O Benefactor; O Beautifier; O Bestower of grace; O Grantor of favors; O Gracious;
O Peerless. O Thou that being Exalted overwhelmest; O Thou that being Master of all hast absolute power; O Thou, who being hidden art well informed; O Thou that being disobeyed forgiveth; O Thou Whom no thought can fully comprehend; nor sight perceive nor from whom any impression is hidden, O Nourisher of Mankind; O Ordainer of every destiny. O Thou of Exalted position; O Thou Formidable in Thy foundations; O Changer of times; O Acceptor of sacrifice; O Thou full of favors and benefactions; O Lord of Honor and Supremacy; O All Merciful; O most Compassionate; O Thou that has each day a distinctive Glory while no aspect of Thy Glory is erased by the prominence of another aspect. O Thou that art present in every place.
O Hearer of all voices; O Answerer of prayers; O Giver of success in all requirements; O Fulfiller of all needs; O Bestower of blessings; O Thou that taketh pity on our tears. O Thou that raiseth from the pitfalls; O Thou that relieveth agonies; O thou that art the Cherisher of good deeds. O Thou that raiseth men in rank and degree; O Thou that accedeth to requests; O Thou that bringeth the dead to life; O Thou that gathereth together that which is scattered.
O Thou that art informed of all intentions; Thou that restoreth that which has been lost; O Thou that art not confused by a multiplicity of voices; O Thou that art not harassed by a multitude of petitions; and Whom no darkness can hide or cover; O Light of heaven and earth. O Perfector of blessings; O Averter of calamaties;
O Producer of zephyrs; O Gatherer of nations; O Healer of disease; O Creator of light and darkness; O Lord of generosity and munificence; O Thou (on) whose throne no one can set foot! O Thou more generous than the most generous; O Thou more munificent than the most munificent; O Thou most keen of hearing than the most keen of hearing; O Thou more keen of vision than the most perceiving; O Protecting neighbor of those that seek Thy neighborhood. O Refuge of the fearful; O Patron of the faithful;
O Helper of those that seek Thy help; O ultimate Goal of those that aspire. O Companion of all strangers; O Friend of all the lonely ones; O Refuge of all outcasts; O Retreat of all persecuted ones; O Guardian of all those who stray. O Thou that takest pity on the aged and decrepit; O Thou that nourisheth the little baby; O Thou that joineth together broken ones;
O Liberator of all prisoners; O Enricher of the miserable poor; O Protector of the frightened refugees; O Thou for Whom alone are both destiny and disposal; O Thou for Whom all difficult things are simple and easy; O Thou that doth not need any explanation. O Thou Mighty over all things; O Thou Knower of all things. O Thou Seer of all things. O Thou that maketh breezes blow; O Thou that cleaveth the day-break; O Reviver of the spirits;
O Lord of Generosity and Clemency; O Thou in Whose hands are all keys. O Hearer of all voices; O Thou earlier in time than all that have passed away; O Giver of life to every soul after death. O my Means of defense in confronting hardships; O my Guardian in strange lands; O my Friend in my loneliness; O my Master in my bliss; O my Refuge at the time when the journey doth tire me out and my kinsfolk hand me over to my foes and all my comrades forsake me. O Supporter of those who have no support;
O Guarantor of those who have no guarantee; O Wealth of those who have no wealth; O Means of those who have no strength; O Refuge of those who have no refuge; O Treasure of those who have no treasure; O Helper of those who have no helper; O Neighbor of those who have no neighbor. O my Neighbor that art adjacent;
O my Support that art firm; O my God that art worshipped by virtue of positive knowledge; O lord of the Ancient House (the Ka'ba); O Thou full of loving and kindness; O nearest Friend. Liberate me from the choking fetters, Remove from me all sorrow, suffering and grief, Protect me from the evil that I am unable to bear, and help me in that which I am unable to do.
O Thou that didst restore Yusuf unto Yaqub; O Thou that didst cure Ayyub of his malady; O Thou that didst forgive the fault of Dawood; O Thou that didst lift up Isa and saved him from the clutches of the Jews; O Thou that didst answer the prayer of Yunus from the darkness; O Thou that didst choose Musa by means of Thine inspired words; O Thou that didst forgive the omission of Adam and lifted up Idris to an exalted station by Thy mercy;
O Thou that didst save Nooh from drowning; O Thou that didst destroy the former tribe of Ad and then Thamud, so that no trade of them remained, and destroyed the people of Noah aforetime, for verily they were the most unjust and most rebellious; and overturned the ruined and deserted towns;; O Thou that destroyed the people of Lot; and annihilated the people of Sho'aib; O Thou that chose Ibrahim as a friend; O Thou that chose Musa as one spoken unto; and chose Muhammed (Thy blessings be upon him and his Progeny) as Thy Beloved;
O Thou that gavest unto Luqman wisdom; and bestowed upon Sulaiman a kingdom the like of which shall not be merited by anyone after him; O Thou that didst afford succour unto the two-horned one against the mighty tyrants; O Thou that didst grant unto Khizr immortality; and brought back for Yusha, the son of Nun, the sun after it had set; O Thou that gave solace unto the heart of Musa's mother; and protected the chastity of Mariam, the daughter of Imran;
O Thou that didst fortify Yahya, the Son of Zakaria against sin; and abated the wrath for Musa; O Thou that gave glad tidings of (the Birth of) Yahya unto Zakaria; O Thou that saved Ismaeel from slaughter by substituting for him the Great Sacrifice;
O Thou that didst accept the offering of Habeel and placed the curse upon Qabeel. O Subduer of the alien hordes for Muhammad - the blessings of Allah be upon him and his Progeny - bestow Thy blessings upon Muhammad and his Progeny and upon all Thy Messengers and upon the Angels that are near Thee and upon all Thine obedient servants.
And I beg of Thee all the requests which anyone has begged of Thee with whom Thou has been pleased and unto whom Thou has assured the granting thereof, O Allah, O Allah, O Allah, O Most Merciful, O Most Merciful, O Most Merciful, O Most Beneficient, O Most Beneficient, O Most Beneficient, O Lord of Majesty and Grace, O Lord of Majesty and Grace, O Lord of Majesty and Grace. Through Thee, Through Thee, Through Thee, Through Thee, Through Thee, Through Thee,
Through Thee I beseech thee with the help of all the Names whereby Thou hast named Thyself, or which Thou hast sent down in any of Thy inspired Scriptures, or Which Thou hast inscribed in Thy knowledge of the unknown;
and (I beseech Thee) in the name of the honored and exalted positions of Thy Throne, and in the name of the utmost extent of Thy Mercy as expressed in Thy Book (the Quran) and in the name of that which "If all the trees on earth were to become pens and all the seven seas ink, the Words of Allah could not be fully written down."
"Verily Allah is the Honored, the Wise"; And I beseech Thee with the help of Thy Beautiful Names which Thou has praised in Thy Book, saying,:Unto Allah belong the beautiful names -- so call ye Him by Them; And Thou hast said "Call unto Me and I shall answer you; and Thou has said,
"And when My servants ask something of Me, lo, I am near, and I grant the prayer of the supplicant when he asks anything of Me, so pray ye unto Me and believe in Me, that ye may be made perfect; And Thou has said, "O My servants who have wronged yourselves, despair not of the Mercy of Allah; verilly Allah forgiveth all the sins; verily He is the Forgiving, the Merciful."
Therefore I pray unto Thee, My God, and I ask Thee, My Cherisher and Sustainer, and I hope from Thee, my Chief, and I crave Thy acceptance of my prayer, O my Protector, even as Thou hast promised me, and I call upon Thee even as Thou hast commanded me --
So, do unto me what pleases Thee to do, O Generous One! (Here the Devotee should pray for the fulfillment of his valid desires.) And all Praise be to Allah, the Cherisher and Sustainer of the worlds,
and the blessings of Allah be upon Muhammad and all His Holy Descendants.

Whispered Prayer of Imam Ali (as)

2009-06-30T22:01:00.000-07:00

Very powerful dua

Rajab Mubarak

2009-06-26T21:21:00.000-07:00

Ya Imam e Zaman (as), Adriknee, for the whole world, the chaotic world. May Allah swt bless you with all blessings and help us to be your army, your followers, your friends, your servants.

Wiladat Imam Baqir (as) Mubarak - may we learn from you sincerely.

Greatness of Fatima (as)

2009-06-17T12:50:00.001-07:00

Hilarious Conversion Story

2009-04-13T05:27:00.000-07:00

Dua Tawassul

2009-04-11T17:18:00.002-07:00

Recited by ladies in Stanmore UK:

2009-04-06T05:13:00.000-07:00

The 11th Imam was once asked of the signs of a mo'min (believer).He listed the following signs.

There are a few qualities here I need to improve on, how about you?

He is one prays 51 rakaats of salaa daily.
He prostates on Khake Shafaa.
He wears rings on his right hand.
He repeats the verses of Azhan & Ikama.
He recites "Bismillah" loudly in Salaa.
He prays his Fajr Salaa before the stars disappear and his Dhuhr prayers before the sun starts to decline.
He recite Qunoot in Salaa.
He dyes his hair and beard.
He recites 5 takbirs in Salatul Mayyit.

Imam once wrote in his letter to Ali ibne Babweh Qummi:

"Praise be to Allah. As you are from our shias so I advise you:

• Be pious and virtuous
• Forgive and pardon the mistakes of people
• Suppress your anger
• Do sila-e-Rehmi (do good with your relatives)
• Help the needy
• Get acquaintance with Holy Quran
• Establish prayer (salat/namaz) and perform ibadat

follow my commandments and induce others to do so. "

Imam Sadiq (as) - Lantern of the Path

2009-03-14T12:09:00.000-07:00

The roots of conduct have four aspects: conduct with Allah, conduct with the self, conduct with creation (i.e. people), and conduct with this world. Each of these aspects is based upon seven principles, just as there are seven principles of conduct with Allah: giving Him His due, keeping His limits, being thankful for His gift, being content with His decree, being patient with His trials, glorifying His sanctity, and yearning for Him.

The seven principles of conduct with the self are fear, striving, enduring harm, spiritual discipline, seeking truthfulness and sincerity, withdrawing the self from what it loves, and binding it in poverty (faqr).

The seven principles of conduct with creation are forbearance, forgiveness, humility, generosity, compassion, good counsel, justice and fairness.

The seven principles of conduct with this world are being content with what is at hand, preferring what is available to what is not, abandoning the quest for the elusive, hating overabundance, choosing abstinence (zuhd), knowing the evils of this world and abandoning any desire for it, and negating its dominance.

When all these qualities are found in one person, he is then one of Allah's elite, one of His close bondsman and friends (awliya')

Bondage is an essence, the inner nature of which is lordship (rububiyah). Whatever is missing in bondage is found in lordship, and whatever is veiled from lordship is found in bondage. As Allah said,

سَنُرِيهِمْ آيَاتِنَا فِي الْآفَاقِ وَفِي أَنفُسِهِمْ حَتَّى يَتَبَيَّنَ لَهُمْ أَنَّهُ الْحَقُّ أَوَلَمْ يَكْفِ بِرَبِّكَ أَنَّهُ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ شَهِيدٌ

We will soon show them Our signs in the universe and in their own souls, until it will become quite clear to them that it is the truth. Is it not sufficient as regards your Lord that He is a witness over all things? (41:53)

This means He exists both in your absence and in your presence. Bondage means ridding oneself of everything, and the way to obtain this is to deny the self what it desires and to make it bear what it dislikes. The key to this is abandoning rest, loving seclusion and following the path of recognition of the need for Allah.

The Holy Prophet [s] said, 'Worship Allah as if you see Him. Even if you do not see Him, He sees you.'

The letters of the Arabic word for 'bondsman' ('abd) are three; 'ayn, ba' and dal. The 'ayn is one's knowledge ('ilm) of Allah. The ba' is one's distance (bawn) from other than Him, and the dal is one's nearness (dunuw) to Allah with the restriction of neither contingent qualities nor veil.

The principles of conduct have four aspects, as we mentioned at the beginning of the first chapter.

Greetings on the Birth Anniversary of Imam Sadiq (as)

Prophet Muhammad (saw) - Most Influential

2009-03-14T11:50:00.000-07:00

Felicitations of Milad un Nabi (saw)

Eid e Zahra Mubarak

2009-03-07T04:42:00.001-08:00

Surah Tawba: Verse 36

إِنَّ عِدَّةَ الشُّهُورِ عِندَ اللّهِ اثْنَا عَشَرَ شَهْرًا فِي كِتَابِ اللّهِ يَوْمَ خَلَقَ السَّمَاوَات وَالأَرْضَ مِنْهَا أَرْبَعَةٌ حُرُمٌ ذَلِكَ الدِّينُ الْقَيِّمُ فَلاَ تَظْلِمُواْ فِيهِنَّ أَنفُسَكُمْ وَقَاتِلُواْ الْمُشْرِكِينَ كَآفَّةً كَمَا يُقَاتِلُونَكُمْ كَآفَّةً وَاعْلَمُواْ أَنَّ اللّهَ مَعَ الْمُتَّقِينَ {36

“Verily the number of months with Allah is twelve months in Allah's Book (since) the day He created the heavens and earth. Of these four are sacred. That is the established religion, so be not unjust therein to yourselves” (9:36).

[Tafsir]
Mohammad bin Ibrahim Al-No'maani narrated from Ali bin Husain, from Mohammad bin Yahya Al-Attar, from Mohammad bin Husain Al-Raazi, from Mohammad bin Ali Al-Koufi, from Ibrahim bin Mohammad bin Yusuf, from Mohammad bin Isa, from Abdil Razzaq, from Mohammad bin Sinaan, from Fudhail Al-Rassan, from Abi Hamza Al-Thomali, who said:

I was with Imam Baqir (as) one day.

After people left, he (the Imam as) said to me:
O Aba Hamza! The rising of our Qa'em (as) is one of the imperative matters of Allah that will not be changed. Therefore, those who meet Allah, doubting that which I am about to say, will meet Him as disbelievers who deny Him.

Then Imam (as) added:
May I sacrifice my father and mother for the one whose name is my name, whose title is my title, and who is the seventh Imam after me.

May I sacrifice my father for the one who will fill the earth with justice and equity after it will be filled with inequity and oppression.

O Aba Hamza! Paradise is forbidden for those who meet him but do not submit to him the same way they submitted to Mohammad (S) and Ali (as). Their abode shall be Hell, and how terrible is the abode of the oppressors!

Praise be to Allah that the following verse is a more clear and enlightening argument (about the Qa'em as) for those whom Allah has guided and upon whom He has bestowed His Beneficence. Allah says, “verily the number of months with Allah is twelve months in Allah's Book (since) the day He created the heavens and earth. Of these four are sacred. That is the established religion, so be not unjust therein to yourselves” (9:36).

However, simply knowing the names of the months like Muharram and Safar cannot be “the established religion” because even the Jews, Christians, Zoroastrians, and the rest of mankind from among our followers and enemies know the names of the months also.

The “twelve months” mentioned in this verse refer only to the (twelve) Imams who rise with the religion of Allah. The “sacred” one (in this verse) refers to the name of the Commander of the Believers, Ali (as), for whom Allah derived a name from His own name, Ali, just like He (derived the name) of the Messenger of Allah (S) from His name, Mahmoud. Furthermore, three of Ali's sons share the same name (as the Commander of the Believers as): Ali bin Husain, Ali bin Musa, and Ali bin Mohammad (as). Therefore, this name (Ali), which is derived from the name of Allah, is “sacred” through the sacredness of Allah. May Allah's blessings be on Mohammad and his honorable family.

Al-Ghaibah by No'maani 43

Burial place of Imam Ali Naqi (as) and Imam Hasan Askari (as)

2009-03-06T05:45:00.000-08:00

A verse that doesn't apply until the return of Imam (as,ajtf)

2009-02-28T15:30:00.001-08:00

وَقَاتِلُوهُمْ حَتَّى لاَ تَكُونَ فِتْنَةٌ وَيَكُونَ الدِّينُ كُلُّهُ لِلّه فَإِنِ انتَهَوْاْ فَإِنَّ اللّهَ بِمَا يَعْمَلُونَ بَصِيرٌ {39}

“And fight them till there be no mischief; and the religion is wholly Allah’s” (8:39)

Shaykh Al-Kulayni narrated from Ali bin Ibrahim, from his father, from bn Abi Umair, from Omar bin Odhaina, from Mohammad bin Muslim, who said:

I asked Imam Baqir (as) about the verse, “And fight them till there be no mischief; and the religion is wholly Allah’s” (8:39)

The Imam (as) replied:

The Ta’weel of this verse does not apply yet. The Messenger of Allah (S) allowed people to stop fighting because of his circumstances and those of the people. However, if this verse had applied to him, he would not have allowed them to stop (fighting) until everyone believed in monothism and polytheism was destroyed.

Al Kafi 8:201

Ayyashi narrated through his Isnaad from Zorara, from Imam Sadiq (as), who said:

My father was asked about the verse, “And fight them till there be no mischief; and the religion is wholly Allah’s” (8:39).

He replied:

The Ta’weel of this verse does not apply yet. Those who see the rising of our Qa’em (as) will see the Ta’weel of this verse. The religion of Mohammad (S) will prevail everywhere and there will not be any polytheism on the land, just as Allah says. (Tafseer Al-Ayyashi 2:55, Tafseer Majma’ Al-Bayaan 4:543)

ziarat rasool (pbuh&hf)

2009-02-23T18:48:00.001-08:00

O Allah! Send blessings on Muhammad and on the children of Muhammad. In th name of Allah, the Beneficent the Merciful. I testify that there is no god save Allah; He is One; there is no associate (partner)with Him. I testify that you are His Messenger, and you are Muhammad son of Abdullah; and I testify that you had delivered the Message of your Lord, advised and warned your followers (Ummah) like a sincere friend, and strived, leaving no stone unturned, against heavy odds, in the cause of Allah, with wisdom and good advice. Strong and powerful support from the Truthful (Allah), was put at your disposal; (and) you had been kind and compassionate to the believers, (but) was harsh with the disbelievers, and had sincerely served Allah, till the inevitable (what was certain) came unto you. So Allah made you reach the highest stage of glory and honour. (All) praise is for Allah (only) who saved us through you from the polytheism and going astray.

O Allah! Send blessings on Muhammad and on his children.

Thy blessings and invocations of thy Angels, (of) Thy Prophets and Messengers, (of) Thy pious servants, (of) the people of the heavens and the earths, and (of) those who glorify Thee, (O the Lord of the worlds), from among the ancient and the present, be on Muhammad, Thy servant and Messenger, Thy Prophet, Thy confidant, Thy volunteer, Thy intimate friend, sincerely attached to Thee, purified by Thee, Thy favourite, the best essence from Thee, chosen in preference by Thee from Thy creation, and gave him surpassing superiority and eminence in wisdom and character, subtle ways and means, highest stations, and put him on the pedestal of (praiseworthy) fame and fortune; found his position enviable the men of old and the men of later time. O Allah, Thou said: “And if, when they had wronged themselves, they had but come unto you and asked forgiveness of Allah, and asked forgiveness of the Messenger, they would have found Allah forgiving, Merciful.” O my Allah, therefore I turn repentant to Thy Prophet (S.A.), asking pardon for my sins, (so send blessing on Muhammad and on his children), and be kind to me. O our chief, direct yourself, and your “Ahluh Bayt” towards the Most praised Allah, Thy Lord and my Lord, in the matter of my request

Recite 3 times:

for verily we are Allah’s and verily unto Him shall we return.

Then recite:

With love and longing for you, we move, O dearest friend, in your direction, because the misery has increased, since revelation (Wahi) has been cut off, and we lost you. Verify we are Allah’s; and verily unto Him shall we return.

O our Chief! O our Messenger of Allah! Blessings of Allah be on you and on the pure and pious people of your house.

Today is Saturday, your day, and I in its hours, take refuge with you ; seek your nearness, (so) receive me with open arms, let me be near you, because you are very kind, love to be hospitable, chosen and assigned to give asylum and refuge, (therefore) make me feel at home, a most generous friendly welcome, take us under your shelter, a most reliable protection; in the name and for the sake of your belief in Allah, and your Ahlul Bayt’s belief in Him, and the status He has assigned to them, whereby you (all) took into your keeping His Wisdom, Verily He is the most kind of all who show kindness.

O Allah! Send blessings on Muhammad and on the children of Muhammad.

True Follower

2009-02-20T05:38:00.000-08:00

I always used to wonder what it would take to be a true follower of the Imam (may Allah hasten his appearance) until I read this story:

Sahl Khorasani approached Imam Sadiq (a.s.) and complained:

“Why is it that in spite of the truth being on your side, you do not stage an uprising? At the present time, there are one hundred thousand of your Shiites, who upon your orders, would immediately unsheathe their swords for battle.”

The Imam (a.s.), with the intention of giving him a practical answer, ordered the furnace to be lighted. He then instructed Sahl to jump into the flames.

Sahl said, “O’ My Master! May God shower you with His grace and favours! Do not place me in the fire. I take back my words and request you to withdraw your instruction too.”

Meanwhile, one of the sincere companions of the Imam (a.s.), by the name of Haroon Makki, happened to arrive. Just as he entered, the Imam (a.s.) told him to take off his shoes and walk into the hot furnace. As soon as Haroon heard the Imam’s (a.s.) order, he entered the furnace and sat within the flames.

The Imam (a.s.) then turned to Sahl and started to brief him about the circumstances prevailing in Khorasan, as if he had been there to witness the events taking place.

After a while, he said to Sahl, “Get up and have a look inside the furnace.”

When Sahl peered into the furnace, he saw Haroon sitting cross-legged and unharmed inside, surrounded by the fiery flames.

“How many individuals like this one exist in Khorasan?” the Imam (a.s.) questioned Sahl.

“ By Allah! Not a single person like Haroon Makki exists in Khorasan,” replied Sahl.

The Imam (a.s.) then explained, “I shall not stage an uprising when I do not have even five sincere companions. (And do remember) we are very well aware as to when we should stage an uprising.”

(Ref: Hikaayat-ha-e-Shanidani, vol. 4, pg. 65; Safinah al-Bihaar, vol. 2)

The story of Haroon Makki tells me what level of faith I need to have in order to be the follower and helper of our present Imam.

Do I have that kind of faith?

Surah Yasin

2009-02-15T10:56:00.000-08:00

Ziyarat Arbaeen

2009-02-15T10:28:00.000-08:00

Why Arba'een?
Significance of Arba'een and the Performance of the Ziyarat of Arba'een
Imam Hasan Al-Askari (a.s.) includes the performance of Ziyarat-e-Arba’een as one of the five marks for a believer, in addition to reciting 51 raka of sala, audible recitation of Bismillah, wearing a ring on one’s right hand, and doing sajda on dust. (This hadith has been narrated by Sheikh Tusi in the book Tahthib).

Why is so much importance given to the performance of the Ziyarat of Arba’een and the observance of Arba’een (40 days of mourning)?

Ziyarat, as we all know is a visitation, which in essence, is the act of speaking with and visiting our role models. Of course the physical manifestation of the ziyarat is actually being present in Kerbala to perform the Ziyarat of Arba’een, but, in reality, that is not possible for every believer. So does making ziyarat while not in Kerbala give one the same benefits? Ahadith tell us that performing the Ziyarat of Imam Hussain (a.s.) far from Kerbala would hold the same significance as being in the land of Kerbala, as long as the person performing the Ziyarat has truly understood the status of the Imam and seeks to emulate him.

Imam Muhamed al-Baqir (a.s.) states that the heavens wept over Imam Hussain (a.s.) for forty mornings, rising red and setting red. As we complete 40 days of remembrance of our Imam, we re-assert our pledge of obedience and loyalty to him,

“I bear witness that you are the Imam (who is) the upright, the pious, well-pleased (with Allah), the pure, the guide and the rightly-guided.
I bear witness that you fulfilled the pledge of Allah and you struggled in His way…I am a friend of whoever befriends him ...”

By performing the Ziyarat of Arba’een, we pledge that we will continue to follow the path of justice and righteousness and will reject injustice and speak up against the oppressors of the time,

I am an enemy of whoever is his enemy

In essence, we make a promise to continue to mold our lives according to the teaching of Imam Hussain (a.s.).

But why is it that we mourn and remember Imam Hussain (a.s.) for a period of forty days and then move on?

Our Prophet has said, “The earth mourns the death of a believer for forty mornings.” Therefore it appears that the deceased should be remembered and mourned over for a period of forty days. Performing an act for a continuous period of forty days is also known to help one to not just form a habit, but also to carry on the practice for the rest of his life.

If we look at studies dealing with bringing a lifestyle change, we notice the time period emphasized to bring about a change is usually 6 weeks which is about the same time period as 40 days (to be exact it is 42 days).

In the book 40 Days to Personal Revolution: A Breakthrough Program to Radically Change Your Body and Awaken the Sacred Within Your Soul, the author Baron Baptiste explains the significance of forty days:

Why forty days? Because the number 40 holds tremendous spiritual significance in the realm of transformation. Jesus wandered in the desert for forty days in order to experience purification and come to a greater understanding of himself and his mission. Moses and his people traveled through the desert for forty years before arriving at their home in the holy land. Noah preserved the sacredness of life by sailing his ark for forty days and forty nights. According to the Kabbalah, the ancient Jewish mystical text, it takes forty days to ingrain any new way of being into our system….

Reciting particular duas for a period of 40 days is highly recommended in our practices as well.
The unit 40 (forty) is said to be very effective. If a particular Duaa is recited 40 times, or 40 people gather to recite it, or it is recited for 40 days then its effectiveness is highly increased. (Duas.org)

It is reported from Imam Ja'fer Sadiq (a.s.) that whoever recites Dua-e-Ahad for forty days, after morning prayers will be amongst the helpers of the 12th Imam (a). Visitation of the shrine of Imam Hussain (a.s.) as well as Masjid-e-Sahla for 40 consecutive Thursdays is also very highly recommended and is one of the acts that promises a visit from the 12th Imam (ajtf).

Thus, as we perform the Ziyarat of Arba’een and commemorate the Arba’een, 40 days of mourning of Imam Hussain (a.s.), we hope and pray that this forty days of remembrance of Imam Hussain (a.s.), brings about a transformation in us by which we can continue to follow the path of Imam Hussain (a.s.) and carry on his message of upholding justice with true faith and a strong sense of sacrifice!

Refs:
A’maal of Muharram and Safar (Tayyiba Publishers)
Kerbala and Beyond by Yasin T. Al-Jabouri
The Miracle of Ziyarat-e-Ashoora
Commentary on Ziyarat Ashura, translated by Saleem Bhimji from the work of Ali Asghar Azizi Tehrani
Kitab al-Irshad, translated by IKA Howard, authored by Sheikh Al-Mufeed
(from duas.org)

Peace be on the favourite of Allah, Peace be on the beloved friend of Allah, His distinguished hero! Peace be on the choicest confidant of Allah, sincerely attached precisely like his father! Peace be on Husayn, who gave his life in the way of Allah, a martyr, underwent untold hardships Peace be on the hostage surrounded by the-tightening circle of sorrow and grief, killed by a horde of savages.

O my Allah I give witness that beyond a shadow of doubt he is Thy favourite and choicest confidant, who enjoys Thy confidence and favour, precisely like his father!
Thou looked upto him and elected him in Thy cause, picked and chose him for the good fortune, selected for him the best purified parents, appointed him guardian, leader, and defender of rights, a true representative (inheritor and progenitor) of guardians, leaders and defenders of rights, gave him much and more from the inheritance of the Prophets, put him forward as a decisive argument, along with the other successors (of the Holy Prophet-the twelve lmams) to the mankind. He met with deadly dangers, acted justly and fairly, made use of everything belonging to him to pay full attention to give sincere advice, took pains, made every effort and put his heart, mind, soul and life at the disposal of Thy mission to liberate the people from the yoke of ignorance and evil of bewilderment, but an evildoer, deceived with empty hopes of mean and worthless worldly gains, had pressed heavily on him, and sold out his share (eternal bliss) for the meanest and lowest bargain, betrayed his "day of judgement" for a vulgar return, took pride in insolence, fell into the fathom- well of silly stupid follies, provoked Thee and Thy Prophet to anger, did as the harsh discordant, the hypocrite, the heavily burdened bearers of sin, condemned to Hellfire, advised to him, however, he (the Holy lmam), steadily, rightly and justly coped With them, till, in Thy obedience, gave his life after which his family was set adrift.

O my Allah, therefore, condemn them to hell as a denunciation and conviction; and crack-down on them with a painful Punishment. Peace be on you O the son of the Messenger of Allah! Peace be on you O the son of the first of the successors (of the Holy Prophet)! I bear witness that Allah put faith in you like He had full confidence in your father, and that you always looked for and collected good and virtue, lived a highly praiseworthy life and departed from this world a martyr, forsaken and abused; I bear witness that Allah will promptly fulfill the promise, He made to you, and destroy those who left you helpless and punish those who killed you; I bear witness that you kept your promise made with Allah, and strived in His way till what was certain came upon you, so curse of Allah be an those who killed you, curse of Allah be on those who oppressed you, curse of Allah be on the people who came to know and approved.

O my Allah be my witness that I make friends with those who love him and oppose those who deny him. I, my father and mother, are at your disposal 0 the son of the Messenger of Allah. I know and bear witness that you were "light" in the sublime loins and in the pure wombs, never touched you the dirt of ignorance, nor ever obscurity concealed you in its folds; I bear witness that you are the pillar of "Deen", support of the Muslims, refuge of the faithfuls; I bear witness that you are a truthful, well-aware, content, intelligent, rightly guided guide (Imam); I bear witness that the Imams among your descendants are the symbols of "conscious piety" and signs of "true guidance", the "safe handle"-Islam, and the decisive arguments over mankind; I declare positively that I have full faith in you and I know for certain that you shall return. I am, fully committed to the laws of my religion, certain of my deeds, my mind and heart ready for your return, and my affairs carried out in the light of your instructions, till Allah gives you permission, together with you, along with you, not at the same time with your enemies. Blessings of Allah be on you, on your souls, on your bodies when you are visible, when you are invisible, on your perceivable aspects, on your innermost genius be it so, O Lord of the worlds

Imam Sajjad (as), peace be upon you

2009-01-25T09:02:00.000-08:00

O Allah send blessings on Ali bin Husayn,
the lord among (Thy) adorers,
whom Thou selected for Thy pure friendship,
and, in his lineage, appointed his offspring as the true guides (Imams) who truthfully guided the mankind,
and for that purpose repeated them, one after another,
as Thy own preferred choice.
Thou kept off uncleanness far from him,
elected him in preference over others,
and appointed him as the rightly guided guide.
O Allah send blessings on him, much and more blessings than Thou had bestowed upon any of the descendants of the Prophets,
till Thy blessings enthrall him with joy and delight,
in this world and in the hereafter. Verily Thou art Almighty, All-Wise.

اَللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى عَلِيِّ بْنِ الْحُسَيْنِ سَيِّدِ الْعَابِدِينَ‏
الَّذِي اسْتَخْلَصْتَهُ لِنَفْسِكَ وَ جَعَلْتَ مِنْهُ أَئِمَّةَ الْهُدَى الَّذِينَ يَهْدُونَ بِالْحَقِّ وَ بِهِ يَعْدِلُونَ‏
اخْتَرْتَهُ لِنَفْسِكَ وَ طَهَّرْتَهُ مِنَ الرِّجْسِ وَ اصْطَفَيْتَهُ وَ جَعَلْتَهُ هَادِياً مَهْدِيّاً
اللَّهُمَّ فَصَلِّ عَلَيْهِ أَفْضَلَ مَا صَلَّيْتَ عَلَى أَحَدٍ مِنْ ذُرِّيَّةِ أَنْبِيَائِكَ‏
حَتَّى يَبْلُغَ بِهِ مَا تَقَرُّ بِهِ عَيْنُهُ فِي الدُّنْيَا وَ الْآخِرَةِ إِنَّكَ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيم

My Condolences O Imam Zaman (as)!

2009-01-07T09:26:00.000-08:00

May Allah swt bless ontheD for this beautiful project.

01. Intro

No beats, just plain words
No streets, just hot plains
No planes, just horseback
No peace, it’s all change
From the days of new mosques
When the idols fell down
Purification of the black cube
A kingdom, but no crown
A time without worry
A light that came down
Until he was buried
'Cos now the pure went muddy brown
And now it's all changed
The prince became a criminal
A threat to new ways
It's insane to think that once he sat on the shoulders of big names
And now he lies on hot sands
No water, so no sweat
Whilst new kings make new evils
And sit on his chest.

02. This Is Karbala

This is for the thinkers
The dreamers
Believers in The Unseen
Minds that hold oceans
Eyes that drop tears
Arms that reach the skies
When calling He who is near
This is for the brothers and sisters
Who live in fear
Of bombs flying overhead
And their heads on a spear

This is for the young
This is for the teens
This is for the ones who want to find The Deen
This is for the wayward
The struggling
The many men
In the world working hard
For a Penny or a Yen
Or Dollars or Pounds
For the ones who for their families
Leave their small towns
To go and find the bread and butter
To help another
Brother don't you worry
Sustenance is with Allah

This is for the mother to be who's throwing up
Whilst teaching the next generation growing up
The Surahs and Ayats and stories and lessons
Fighting with herself to have courage and patience
While her husband drinks away his life, depressed
This is for all those who face any form of oppression
This is for the people left without a home or shelter
This for the children with broken bones and scars
For those who know only war and violence

This is for the peace-less
For those cut to piecesThe defense-less
The meek
The honest
The preachers
And this is for those who don't know a thing
Except striving for riches and cars and bling
For the ignorant, the blind
The losers with slave minds
The animals on the outside but whose souls are kind

This is for the whole for the part for The One
For the living and the dead
For the fathers and the sons
For the old, the middle aged and the new born
This is for those in the womb yet to find a form
This is for every soul and soul-less creation
For angels and djinn
For kith and kin
For sinless and sinners
For losers and winners
For everyone and everything

This is Karbala
This is Ashura
This is Hussain

03. Baynol Haramain

Bismillah Al-Rahman Al-Rahim

My mind is on the waging war
My hands are on a keyboard
My feet are busy running
My stomach is very hungry
My eyes are on my watch
My ears hear an impatient boss
I do this everyday
A routine so mundane
My blood is pumping through my veins
A reminder of the love and pain
An obsession with two beautiful names
Abbas and Hussain, Abbas and Hussain
This world thinks I am insane
Abbas and Hussain
My heart is Baynol Haramain
Abbas and Hussain

I travel around the globe
Like an orbiting probe
Observing the world I loathe
People in the same mode
In every city, town and road
That's why silent I will remain
I'm quiet while you complain
Your life is such a drain
Chasing yourself without happiness attained
Plus your silly religion
You call it human intuition
A broken soul with no spiritual mission
I laugh at everything you claim
Your routine is so mundane
The domain of Karbala is my only aim
My heart is Baynol Haramain
Abbas and Hussain, Abbas and Hussain
My heart is Baynol Haramain  Abbas and Hussain
Your depth is shallow
Your thoughts are confusion
You seek truth but your beliefs are an illusion
You sit and ask how though?
You study at an institution
Yet you still have no conclusion
That's why I remain in seclusion
It's funny that you call me strange
Your perception needs to change
The blood pumping through my vein
Is a reminder of love and pain
An obsession with two names
Abbas and Hussain, Abbas and Hussain
This world thinks I am insane
Abbas and Hussain
My heart is Baynol Haramain
Abbas and Hussain

The mystics, they've missed it
Ironically they're calling me a misfit
They ponder on existence
Yet the answer is simplistic
Let me show it to you in a single sand grain
Still they call me deranged
They say intercession has little gain
But I have no question
It has allowed me to fly like a crane
These mystics are superficial
They are surely not crystal
They are stuck in one dimension
You may not want to listen
But for those joining this expedition
You won't need a car, plane or train
It will start in the brain
Then your heart will link up the chain
By now you too may think I am lame
So silent I will remain
Oh what a shame
This joy I feel inside may never be explained
Supreme tranquility witnessed and obtained?
Only if you put your heart in Baynol Haramain
A reminder of love and pain, every heart can ascertain
This is the main feeling I can no longer contain
This is why the world thinks I am insane
My heart is Baynol Haramain
Abbas and Hussain

04. Prostration

As I lay my head down on the ground reciting
"Subhana Rabbi al-A'la Wa Bi Hamde"
Gateways open in front and behind me
Below the hell fire and heaven up above me
Fly the flight mini Me'raj in my mind
I see bright visions like flames in the night
Scattered on levels like basses and trebles
Tremors in my heart take me back to remember
Another head in prostration reciting and thanking
Arrows in his back still he lies there reciting and thanking
I hover just above him trying to get nearer
Four or five beasts approaching and I hear
A crashing, a smashing, a thunder
A murder!
I try to get closer but I can't move any further
His last breath was strong before they severed his airways
I wish I could stop it but like I'll say again I'm helpless and restless
I get pulled back down
Back down to my tablet
Raise up my head, it aches as I recite
"Astaghferullah Wa Atoobu Ilaik"

And I can't wait to witness another sign

05. In My Dream I See A Monk

He knelt, knees on the hard stone, his hands clenched together
And his nose gently tucked between the palms as he recited the Hail Mary
He was isolated from the rest, and he dedicated his life to worshipping The One
Although he reached him from a different path away from the evils of man
He was a humble being, a sincere Monk
Enlightened by a visit of another noble, this was not a normal visit
Not stopping to say Hi and Bye
But stopping to shine some light in the dark and gloomy abode where he resided
It was the most comforting visit he'd ever received, but he couldn't understand why he wept
As he stared into the pupils of a severed head, resting on a rock
Like that head couldn't endure anymore hardships
But suddenly, it was as though his soul was baptised by a gaze
Reaching through his skin and grabbing onto his heart
Resuscitating it with a million volts. A direct connection he made with this stranger
Imam Ali said that the utterances of a face often give away the thoughts
How he could read a head without a corpse
And recognise this from a young age he was taught that crocodile tears aren't caught
By angels, they let them slide
Although he had no sins, he still begged for forgiveness from this stranger for everything
Just everything
He endured the oppression, then felt the sorrow, then reflected
He saw himself in the eyes, only he didn't think of himself as special
Everybody at one stage wants to do some soul searching
He didn't need to look any further, his years of worship
Abstaining from what was even made lawful for him
He saw himself in the stranger and took care of him like a brother
But the irony of this visit was that the Monk was looked after
He was taken care of, he was sheltered, he was comforted, revived
His confusions dealt with

Kissed the forehead of the head and embraced it
Smelt a sweet fragrance, recognised it and traced it
A cloth his forefathers had preserved, belonging to one of the Prophets
He knew this was no ordinary
Nah, not a figure, just a head
A descendant of a Prophet
Only a criminal could have caused this magnificent face to bleed!
By the decree of Jesus! He commanded the head to speak
There was no response so he tried again, but this time
Using the beautiful name of Mary
He noticed a change of expression on the face
A painful, panicking look. A tear dropped from the eye
The Monk shook and understood why he cried
He broke down at once and felt at one with the head, because he too has lost his mother
So he prayed for his new brother with the only prayers he knew
He praised The Creator, then the head praised Him too
He now understood why his heart felt so light
As he sat face to face on this more silent night
The eyes somehow told him to lower his gaze
The overwhelming urge to bow down and prostrate
Gave him more humility than he had ever felt
He had surely met the one for whom he prayed for when he knelt
For all those years, craving the presence of a man without a name
He didn't imagine he would meet him in this place, or in this way.

06. Past Tomorrow

You left this world at ransom
To pay that hefty price
And who would have thought the Prophet's grandson
Would have pay it with his life?
Hussain your name sends shivers that even my hardened could feel
And the tears that follow are of a sorrow so real
They bore witness to The Most High
But how quickly words are born on our hasty tongues
And how quickly they die
They bore witness to your grandfather Muhammad (pbuh)
Lest they had forgotten his name
Lest they had forgotten who sent him, his message and his claim
Truth is, they forgot him even before his time came
On Thursday, paper and pen
As he lay in pain
The Prophet who lived, suffered and died for our guidance
But they had the nerve to call him insane!
Now that's insane
If that isn't then what is?
And can you explain why they butchered his grandson
Why they slaughtered Hussain?
They bore witness to your mother, unparalleled amongst her kind
And they knew his father Ali, the Commander of the Faithful
What's clear is your killers weren't in command of the nafs
And no they weren't faithful

Truth is the religion died
And if it wasn't for your death it would have been
Lost beneath our numbered breaths
And so your memory lives on
A revolution and a new dawn
Echoing across the endless valleys of time until today
Where we say we worship truth but we lie in falsehood
Surrounded in a world of true evil and false good
Caught in a web of social depravities
Decay and corruption by which they promise ease
A world of fatal morality, of spiritual mortality
Where the hearts of men are lost before they are found
And God's purpose for man on earth is drowned
By so many shouts of evil!
Shouts so frail yet spiritually lethal
I look at the graveyard of man
Peering into the rectangle that awaits me
Struggling against the winds that sedate me
The numbing intoxication borne from the cup of this world
Blinding man from God and The Path is blurred
But you taught me better than that
Hussain you taught me better, in fact
You taught me to die than to live dying
You taught me to live in truth and to die trying
Hussain, who thought they knew of sacrifice until they heard of
Your beloveds ruthlessly murdered before you?
Who knew of patience until they heard of what you had to endure?
And I know it tore you
To watch those you love and whom God loves pass before you

And Zainab
How many tears can an eye shed?
And how many drops has your heart's sorrow bled?
He brutally butchered your family
And rendered the arid sands of Karbala red
But still you looked the tyrant in the eye and said
I see nothing in it but beauty
To die in the way of truth, it is our duty
Fighting the armies of oppression and cruelty
For with surety our blood is not spilt in vain!
Nor our suffering lost nor our pain
But man knows no bounds and is quick to forget
They took his life and they didn't regret
But alas!
His death gave us life
We're forever grateful for that, lest we forget
For even over a thousand years later
And your blood still soaks this scorching sand
But your memory lives beyond this land
Karbala
Where a struggle took place and a sacrifice so grand!
Karbala
Neither time nor space can quell our sorrow
Karbala
Where Yazid dies
And the memory of Hussain lives past tomorrow.

07. Voicemail

So this brother said
"We don't know what's in their hearts"
That maybe they repented but if we go back to the start
The First Cause, the One Lord and if we truly repent
Would we do the same evils again? Let's not pretend
Or play games of pretense repentance means turning to him
But surely they turned away from, back on their heels like it was warned and revealed
To the Messenger, may be you're right brother
We can't see in the night, we can't see in the dark
We can't reveal what's in their hearts but we can read history
The repercussions of their actions and the resulting misery
And yeah! They make claims to the Deen, but Hussain turned around
And took Names of supreme beings!
But still they turned back like fools
Made attacks with their tools and
I'm certain that Allah is Just!

Blue, White and Red

"Dad, I think I might go and join the army" The young boy said
"Good for you son!" The father replied
"Go and learn to march in step under the glorious Blue, White and Red!"

Left, right, left, right and we all march to our death

"It will make you a man and I personally believe there is much to be said for the ethos
That for once in your life you think about someone other than yourself
The army builds hospitals, schools, stuff and character!"
So off the young man went, happily he took the King's shilling
And became fully trained in the art of killing and barrack living
He marched in step, him and many other young lads
And they all marched five abreast across a foreign and barren land
They saw things they might have never seen, alien cultures, beguiling creatures
And all the while above their heads the unfurled Blue, White and Red fluttered
Trapped between the moon and the sun

Left, right, left, right and they march until the battle is done

The young boy wonders
"Who pays the piper to keep the piper playing? Does the drummer know when to muffle his drum?
What purpose do I serve? And if I should die here who will tell my mum?
I would like to meet the hereafter with no fear, to know myself and find no shame
Lurking beneath the crimson ribbon upon my chest. When death comes, as it must
How glorious would it be to know that in the lightness of my soul I can trust?"

On the banks of the Euphrates the convoy swept
Left, right, left, right is the movement of the glorious dead

A look to the left, the reeds across the river shimmered in a sky of blue overhead
Then red, the gold sun set upon this garden of Eden
"Let us rest our weary leaden feet for a little while on this here bank
Nineteen years old and I'm tired! My back aches laden with packs
I beg you bruvs please, just before we set up camp!
Birds of spring, children playing, we could reminisce of loves I knew
Happier times, anything, that removes me from you"
A cry of anguish snatched in the throat. Only Nineteen years old and stepped on a mine
As the sky wept red tears, our boy looked around him
Fell to the ground, eyes transfixed to the place where his friend had stood
Oh how many days have passed since Hussain lost his head?
And yet here we are again, back at the beginning. Armageddon
Under the glorious Blue, White and
Maybe a century from now another foreign convoy will pass by this spot
And there will be no commemorative plaque honouring the dead, no choice words will be said
Just the wind, sand and dust. Nothing more than a hint, something hanging in the air
A barely uttered guess, that whispered prayer
Like a flag dancing with the breeze
As soft as leaves falling from the tree
Is it nothing to you, all ye that pass me by
That a man did lay down his life for his friends?

08. Euphrates

You tried to reach me , but they stopped me from reaching you
Why do some curse me?
If only they really knew the anguish that I went through
I knew you were arriving, so I prepared a fresh new layer
Cleaned myself of any impurities that might have come and deposited around me
So with my force I crashed into the rocks and polished the river bed
I went to great lengths for sufficient sustenance
I knew I was being blessed with your presence and I was going to be fed
Tired of giving life to others, I wanted revival
Your thirst was left hanging and the fountains of paradise were awaiting your arrival
And I'm left here still clinging onto the shores of survival
I tried to, believe me Master I tried to
Guide myself through
But they stopped me just how they stopped you
And I want the world to know, even the souls that have passed on
Those who spoke and still to this day speak ill of me
That on that scorching day when the sun shone it's sizzling rays
Directly upon me I remained cool
Yet angered, collected
Imprisoned although surrounded by thousands
Neglected by the presence of you Master!
I was created out of love for you by God!
Those people who say you craved me, how dare they insult you?

I once heard from another source that you said
"Attachment to God, detaches men from all else"
Your heart was with your family and companions, your soul with your maker
There was nothing left for yourself
As they blocked my view in the direction of your camp, I swerved in distress
I noticed the lamp had gone out for a minute
My flow froze still
Overheard the whispers that they wanted to kill
Your sons and your daughters, said you must just give up until
You're pushed so far and against my will
I was taken by beasts, consumed by insanity
They used me as bait, they used me for anarchy
Humiliated me and made me a mockery
Took me for granted and so arrogantly chanted!
Hurled abuses at your children, the evil laughs I had to hear
I sensed a sense of tranquility coming towards, coming near
At that point my vision was not very clear
In the distance I imagined, I prayed to Allah
Like a thirsty man in the desert when he sees a mirage
A flag swiftly to rescue me and with a quick charge
he arrived by my side, he fought his way past. O' Abbas!
I felt his hand on my shoulder, dragging me to go with him
I was thirsty for the chance to be with the children
And as a part of me departed, so did a part of him
From the left and the right, the opportunity was slim
For me to be the saviour, for me to quench thirst
And for me to be the first to bring
Refreshing news to the grandson of the Prophet
But no! The evil, jealous creatures succeeded to stop it

And as Abbas turned his back to me, my heart splashed to pieces
He lifted me up, then let me go
Like his brother Hussain, his heart was with his family
And with Allah was his soul!
And the moment we came crashing down together and as a whole
We crushed the hopes of a three year old girl
But her prayers weren't for me, I know full well
That her prayers were for her uncle to return but when we fell
He requested to not be taken back to the camp in his state
I'm the one who was ashamed, but he insisted and took the blame
For not bringing me back to see the innocence
I scattered there defenseless, devestated I was not present to help them
Instead I looked on from afar, from a distance
All I could see was violence and resistance
Still surrounded by wild creatures, snatching my rights,
Usurping my generosity to any good that came by,
I cried, shed, I shivered. A river of tears formed right near the women
Who looked on at me disappointed, grieving
And as a current went down me, Abbas was not breathing!

I've always been at one with my maker
Had to let the years pass and not be gifted by the beings who didn't yearn for me
But revered me to a level. They gave me life, and they let me settle
And after all the years and all the lies
How the culprits used me, forced me to break ties
I steady flow on, how Hussain's father advises us
To take the form of water, any shape, low or high.
I always acknowledge no matter what happens
A calamity is a blessing in disguise

09. So We Would Stand

The stain of blood wept
The pain of one single day culminating the Prophet's message
And in name its vein
Lest we stand for what our masters fell for and slain
Tears rain from out of the shame
That left a strangle hold on the ageless
Battle between our souls and the never ending aimless desires of life
Imam Hussain was right
While those who stood against Hussain represent desires
And we repent the fires of Jahannam through our love though not present to fight
We pledge our blood to seek the love of those who died
More than five centuries old stories are told
Kept by those who hold his truth close and know
The real meaning of what it is that they did for us
They bled for Islam to be saved from the evils that clutched
By the people keeping these was illegal unjust
And for the future of the world to see the need for Allah
Seeking the meaning did they die just 'cos their place was denied?
Did the family of Rasul give life so we would sit here and cry?
Ask yourself deep inside, why, and maybe we'll find
But first we need to understand why, did our Imam rise?
So we would stand!
For what is right in the face of the wrong
So we would stand!
Against ourselves to conquer Shaitan
So we would stand!
To implement al-Islam in our lives
So we would stand!
In the morning before the sun rises
To chant the praises of God when we would wish to be sleeping
If we neglect our Salaat our Imam’s not concerned by our weeping
And we think, we really accomplish a lot
They spent their wealth and gave their lives in the ways of Allah
The Prince of Martyrs forever will be remembered by all
Those who love the Ahlul Bayt, and defenders of God
The banner of the blood stain surrendered to God
Imam Hussain forever etched in the flesh of my heart

10. free/hur

It takes only a second
It takes only one second
It takes only one second to change your destiny
To chose a path of glory or a path of victory
History will dictate forever his victory
'Cos he changed his path in an instant, in a second
He went from arch enemy to praised friend
From cursed and evil to blessed to the end
In a second
He travelled from shackles
A dark and poisoned soul
A long protracted death in his death bed
Clutching his silver and gold
A tearful end
Wishing he'd done it all differently
To a quick flight to his Lord
Sword drawn, action taken
No care for this world, just Hussain
No mistakes, no regrets
Lest anyone should say
Anything other than the fact that this man was, is
And always will be Free
'Cos he made his mind up in a second
'Cos it takes only one second
It takes only one second
To change your destiny

11. Who's Sane?

Who's sane?
Is it the tyrant ? Or the slain?
Is it the savage? Or the brave?
Tell me who's sane?!
The drunkard? Or the slave?
And by the slave, I mean the slave of The Most High
The slave who was most high, but not more than The Most High
I tell you no lie
Seventy plus people against an army of thousands
Imagine how cowardly were those guys?
But who was sane enough to stand in the face of evil because he knew that He was in his side?
Oh My Lord!
The Oneness remains alI times from sunset to sunrise
Sunlight to moonlight
A few switched over, but none went to the darkside
Who's sane to give this all up in a second for a cause whether it's wrong or right
And not even the tyrant embraced responsibility for his actions
Because he was quick to blame others and quick to deny
Spilling the blood of a present sent from above, not even the worldly love
Could make an oppressor such as this one proudly keep his chin up real high
Now the question still lies, and Hussain is the reply
And when I say Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)
Yeah, the Prophet they did deny
Who's sane? Who's free from sin?
Tell me who qualifies to be master of man and djinn?
Allah is the father from without and within
And Hussain is the one who fed the orphans, gave charity
Helped the old, spoke the truth, never backed down
Yeah that's him!
Hussain is the one who buried his brother, buried his father and buried his mother
And still came out smiling
So for you to not even read about him or pay him no attention
Go on Youtube, Google dot com or Ask Jeeves about him
Because you must be insane to not recognise who's sane/Hussain

12. The Truth They Say

They say the truth knows no name
It journeys from stranger to stranger
Land to land 'til its lost in distant valleys
And it is not known from where it came
It's softly uttered by the masses
Whispered between their souls 'til a time passes
Where it's shouted across canyons and rooftops
And the truth is told
It's like a gentle scent that has just eased out of a crimson rose
The scent is guarded by humble servants
Who chose God and whom God chose
They treasure it
Vigilantly watching where it goes
Lest the swift is smelt by foul souls
For God knows they cannot fathom its beauty
For them the truth is foul, putrid with no semblance to a rose
They cannot bear its pleasant fragrance
And are quick to mask its horrid scent
They cringe their faces in disgust
And are doubtful of what is sent
They are doubtful of the truth
Who sent it and its scent
But every so often there comes a dove
Whose graceful wings smell of the rose
And wheresoever the dove flies so to its scent goes
But the hunters spot the dove and its scent
And they line up in uneven rows
Casting their bows towards the dove
And it's not long before its met with their arrows
And so the earth is drenched in red
And it's not long before it's said
Why haven't the heavens sent their scent
And man wanders to and fro
Wondering where the truth went.

13. The Bazaar

I wake in the early hours in preparation for today
And I've got a very strong feeling I'll sell a lot for some reason
I lay out a carpet on top of a table with fine ornaments, rings and necklaces and
I'm able to mend any broken valuables it's my means to a living; to feed my wife and my children
But before I open up I say In The Name of Allah, and after that I send blessings and salutations
To the precious Messenger
'Peace be upon you O' Apostle of God'
Muhammad, son of Abdullah
Through your love make my day run smooth
Bring me many customers, let my sustenance increase by your prayer
A few hours pass and I've sold very little!
Mended a pair of shoes, and for the amount that I received, that task wasn't so simple
But still I thank Him for providing me with just enough for some bread, you see
My mother named me content and I look ahead
A sea of people burst into the market, it seems like a celebration of some kind
Everyone's dancing and clapping and chanting
But I better focus on selling and not be distracted, still I enjoy the sight of the acting
It seems to be a re-enactment of a battle, all these strangers tied up like cattle
I want to see this closer, they must be criminals
But in between the heads on the spears
I see some children crying and shouting, hysterical
And the ladies tied up, they must have done something unforgivable
But now they've got to answer to Yazid or as he's known the 'Commander of the Faithful'
As more and more people enter my stall is surrounded
The main attraction being the captives
I've got an ounce of hope they might just come to me
Maybe I'll be able to take some of their jewelry
After all, they've probably committed a disgusting atrocity
Nah, I better not, however tempting it might be
I must remember my source for living is the Almighty
'Keep a sincere heart and work hard'
These screams drowned in laughter send haunting murmurs to my hear
Something doesnt make sense
As they come closer, I see illuminating bright lights radiating from those divided heads
One in particular catches my eye
Looks like a child. He can't be older than Fourteen or Fifteen
And next to him a handsome young man with sharp features
This seems impossible. I want to know, who are these people?
And right behind that one I'm disgusted by what's approaching
It's a tiny head
What crime did this child commit?

The owner next door starts throwing stones at them. I stay observant not re-acting
This scene reminds me of stories my mother used to tell me
The Prophet of God walking through Mecca being ambushed by stones and garbage
Battered by ignorance
The image it paints to me is like a ball of light gliding through a dark forest at night time
Twigs and beasts getting in the way but the light still shines no matter how surrounded it becomes
For a moment I get carried away, not noticing my new customer
I bypass the possibility of my morning prayers being answered now
I wonder if I'm being tested or if it's just a cruel joke
They spat, poked, hit with their bare hands
Boiling water being splashed by the woman in the upstairs level
This angers me heavily and I shout in fury. My eyes can't endure anymore

"Do you know who we are?"

A man with a heavy burden on his back says
And i'm not talking about the chains he's covered in
It's sickening. His neck looks awkwardly forced into a spiked metal collar
And the weakness of his voice goes unheard by all the deaf animals present
Laughing in his face
The state he's in doesn't suit him. He looks like a young man
But with the calamity of the heavens and the earth inside him
He goes on to say

"Do you know who you throw rocks at and humilliate?"

With very little capability he still tries to shelter some children
From the rain of rocks and boiling water
He seems to be purposely getting in their way
So they dont reach the women and children
He's crouched down slightly and I wonder
Now I see the ropes and chains attached to him
Are also attached to those who are younger
If he stands up straight the little ones are forced to walk on their toes
So whatever comfort they can get he puts himself through discomfort

I fight my way through these foul excuses for human beings
Trying to reach the front to approach the one I see enduring humilliation
With such humility, such patience, such courage, such bravery is rare to find
So I struggle past the crowd to ask the questions in my mind
I think, then I say, "Oh stranger, who are you?"
He answers

"Have you read the word of God?
We are the ones who are spoken about as the Near Ones"

I don't understand so I tell him to carry on
But before he could speak, a witch threw burning wood on his turban
It caught fire. I swung my arm out to brush it off but his skin was already burnt
And I learnt that these people were not criminals, in fact
The guilty were rejoicing around an innocent pack
He utters a verse from The Book of Guidance

"Say! I do not seek any reward for the message except the love
for the Near Ones"

I'm still confused as he's still near me
I'm asking him to tell me, he can just about hear me

"We are the People of the House whom God has purified"

My eyes paralysed at his face, my essence now sanctified
He's forced to move on and I reach out to grab him
He slips from my hand but I cling onto the rope
The rope thats wrapped around him. I grasped onto it with my life
My prayer this morning for sustenance surely answered
Somehow I have to stop this from happenning!
My heart races faster but theres soldiers all around me! The crowds getting louder!
For a second I think of my shop and there are customers waiting
But in light of all this making money seems pointless, I hate this!
The chosen ones of God have been taken captive
But now I know who they are
This bazaar, suffocates me I need to escape
To be with the prisoners to suffer their fate

I take the loose end of the rope and tie it around my neck
Hoping that they'll drag me into heaven with every step
The crowd pull me back and I couldn't get free
I'm back at my stall and it means nothing to me!
I spent my life selling meaningless jewelry
But in the space of a few hours my meaning became complete
My sustenance increased forever in my heart and mind
Imam Zaynul Abideen (pbuh).

14. Too Great To Be Contained By Any Tomb

Walk the way of the downtrodden
Righteous grandaughter of the Holy Prophet will never be forgotten
Hold up and rewind, pause your mind
Let me take you to a desert scene
And introduce you to this Magnificent Queen
Her sight is serene
Protesting the injustice even today it can be seen
Truth turned obscene
It's painful to describe what she was seeing
This blessed human being
Whose grandfather brought our beautiful Deen
Whose father held the flag of truth the color green
Whose mother did the kindest things
Whose brothers are the finest beings
Whose nephew is Zaynul Abideen
The sister of Hussain
Allah please bring
Me closer to her path
Away from Your wrath
The egotistical trap
The only mystical map
Will lead you directly to her physical task
Patience, is what she has
More so than more so
To an atom's weight and every morsel
Zainab is so great, I learned this from my Lord though
You know her reputation is no exaggeration
She marched through that desert dehydration
Seeking the death of dignity rather than life of humiliation
Her voice awakened the nations
A speech that has effected all generations
A deep spiritual sensation
Death is nothing more than instant gratification
You can't have heaven when your deeds are damnation
So you better start regretting all the time you're wasting
Her sons were maybe eleven when Yazid's army came to face them
Aun and Muhammad took their journey to eternity
Two verse thousands that's the only thing burning me
She told her brother please don't worry, see
These sons of mine only want to shine
Serving Islam at this moment and time
The only words they could find
Were "mother don't cry, we'll be just fine"
Fi-Amaani-llah
We are only men of Allah
Though their were enemies every way they turned
Allah was the goal and surely they returned
The sky cried blood while the sun's eyes burned
What have I have learned from this phenomenal plight
Zainab, is Light
Zainab, is Might
Zainab, is Right
Zainab, my sight
Zainab, my fight
Zainab, my strife
Zainab is embedded in my heart day and night
The Magnificent Queen, omnipotent light beam
Your aid is real not like a faded dream
You prayed still and made it mean
Patience before Allah is holier than anything
So when the bird sings
And the earth swings
I know what your worth brings
From the hurt of the worst king
A tyrant and a cursed feign
Everything holy he was breaking
There is definitely a problem when truth is forsaken
And the holy rights are taken
So young person, why are you waiting?
Sir, Madam, Agha, Khanom, Sheikh, Sheikhat
What excuse do you have?
Submitting to haraam, why do you do that?
When Zainab was bruised bad
Yet still had energy to move as
A calculated punch, to crunch down the munkar
From the Ummayad Minbar
But O' Muslims you still sin far
Beyond what Shaitan urged
Have you forgotten Zainab's words?
Have you forgotten the pain Ahlul Bayt (as) endured?
You think you living in a different time than hers
Whether you are a doctor, a stay at home mom, or a nurse
You go out and play soccer, then you come home, steal, lie and curse
With your wallet and purse
What can you buy when your life is going Bye! Bye!?
And you have forgot Allah come first
O' Muslims our condition is the worst
Everyday weaker and weaker but we're still calling ourselves believers
Ya Zainab your place is in the heart of the true truth seeker
And mine has so much room
You are too great to be contained by any tomb
Our love for you is so latent
And your spot in our hearts is vacant
Ya Zainab, Princess of Patience
I must be blatant
Shia means follower
So I follower her
And Allah covers me like a blanket
O' Zainab, O' magnificent Queen
My blood sheds tears and my heart screams
Each and every night of Arbaeen

15. The Killing

I don't think I could ever describe your pain
But here goes
Bismillah, I begin in His Name
You came from the land of peace
To the land of tribulations
From the birthplace of freedom
To that patch of soil soon to be the shrine of nations
Hundreds of generations beseeching the Lord in prostration
That we too may get the chance to attain that level of salvation
So I send peace, blessings and countless salutations
To you O' Hussain for your patience
Is the only reason I can think of that saved the religion
Kept it intact, in fact no
The patience of your sister had a massive impact
On the hearts of believers and non believers alike
But let me take a step back
And let them all know what occurred
What calamities and tragedies
The heavens and the earth
Had to witness on that day
When they say the skies rained blood!
And the mountains shook
And angels and djinn threatened to bring armies to their knees
But you stayed resolute and took no attention of their cries and pleas
And if you're thinking why I haven't yet mentioned your sons
Nephews or brother
It's because I haven't yet had the strength to utter their names
Without making the ink on my page run
Give me courage
O' son of Zahra
To remember the oppression that you had to suffer
Yeah, I can see visions when I close my eyes
I see two brave warriors side by side
Tearing through ranks like a knife trough paper
Effortless, well of course, they're the progeny of Ja'far
Their mother told them to live up to their heritage and name
To give everything for you
I'd ransom my soul for them
Aun, Muhammad
Valiantly aiming to reach as far as their horses could carry them
As close to the oppressor Omar Sa'ad
Separating these two was the only chance they had
You looked on, tearful as they were each attacked
Falling, not calling for help
Just calling greetings to their mother
It's hard to continue but I can't forget your brother
Hassan or his son, Qasim
Or his mutilated body
To whom death in His way
Was sweeter than honey
I see all three soldiers, clearly
Bloody

And as the sun rises higher, approaching its peak
It's apologetic for the heat
It's forced to give off
Little girls and young boys feel the thirst of three days
Take every last ounce of strength that remained
The Thirst! They cry loudly
And one man steps forward
Previously restrained, now roaring like his father
"I will be the saviour, I'll even die for Sakina!"
I wonder if he knew he's give both arms for Sakina
Desperately racing back from the generous Euphrates
Haters gathered around
Ready, in waiting
To break your back my Master,
Oh how you must miss him
Al-Abbas, Alam-dar, the moon of Bani Hashim
It's a struggle for me just thinking about what happened
How did you witness such atrocities and not call out to your mother
To bring down the curses of the maker on these vile creations
My heart breaks when I remember your patience
Especially when your beloved asked permission
To go out to those creatures
And teach them a lesson about who they were oppressing
But their hearts were now locked
The only ones worth saving had already seen the truth
And are lying on that plot of land known as Karbala
Truly they are remembered in this world
And are free in the hereafter

And Master
I'm in awe and amazement
And I've got a lump in my throat
Holding back the tears isn't easy how did you cope?
Sacrificing your flesh and blood
A beautiful Eighteen year old son
May my life and my parents be ransom
To that young man who cried
"I am Ali, son of Hussain, son of Ali!
How dare you attack us?
We are the progeny of the Prophet you claim to love!"
And yet they surrounded him
One by one, all at once
Attacking with spears, stones, arrows
Until he too succumbed to the calls of his maker
Whilst you could only look on, and wait
In patience
Who's left with you now?
I can't see anyone
The whole world can hear your call for help
Over a thousand years on
But our answers aren't the ones on that land, on that day
You hear them when we worship Allah and pray
For the souls of those that sacrificed everything
To keep the Satan at rest
So we can hear Allahu Akbar
When the sun rises and when the sun sets
But it hasn't set yet
There's one more soul except yours to offer
Little Ali Asghar
The prayer of his mother
There was moment when she thought he'd passed on
Starved of water
Alas! He survived, only to continue in his thirst and be slaughtered

My Master
No-one can blame you for going
Backwards and forwards
Backwards and forwards
Backwards and forwards! Holding six months of love in your arms
It's unbelievable he almost conquered an army with his tongue
Until Hurrmala decided to end his little life
With that arrow with
Three heads
Not one
You had no choice but to smear the blood on your face
The Heavens and the Earth couldn't handle it I guess
I wonder had the Earth had the courage
To hold him in his place
Knowing that hours later, he'd be taken
His body disgraced
Your heart must yearn
To have him alive and well
But surely we are from Allah, and surely to Him we all return
And now the hour has come
And the sun begins it's decline
But the moon isn't willing to be a witness
To the crimes that will no doubt take place
Once your protection disappears
It appeared to me in a dream
That I was alive on that night
And made my way to Karbala and saw
The devastation after Ashura
But I was helpless
All I could do was cry and beat my chest
When I woke I remembered your severed head
And what it must have seen
Happening to those women and children
It had to have been
Worse than what was done to you by Shimr
By Allah my heart bleeds for you
And the oppression your suffered
But I cry
Not only for your pain but
For my Master Ali who was tortured
But that's another eulogy
I don't think I have it in me
I'm praying for more tears
But my eyes are dry and empty
Fourteen centuries of grief
And I swear it'll never end
O' Aba Abdullah!
I promise to send
Peace and blessings
On the Prophet and his family
And real friends
To make war with those who make war with you
And befriend whom you befriend

Great books

2009-01-06T05:28:00.001-08:00

Self Building

Al-Siraj The Lantern

Lantern of the Path

Forty Hadith

Greater Sins

Glad Tidings of Mustafa for the Shia of Murtaza

Al Qaem in Qur'an

Those last two are put online so it looks just like the real book -
and the fortyhadith has the arabic in it online too, very well done.

My favorite Qur'an translation is not completely online, but you can see parts.

Salatul Layl / Namaz e Shab / Tahajjud / Night Prayer

2009-01-04T16:41:00.001-08:00

Dua Alqamah/Safwan Recited after Ziarat Ashura

2009-01-04T16:39:00.000-08:00

O Allah! O Allah! O Allah! O He who gives answer to the cries of the persecuted! O He who pulls out the grief-stricken from agony and anguish! O He who comes to help those who shed tears in helplessness! O he who brings relief to those who cry for help! O He who is close by, nearer than my jugular vein! O He who makes peace between heart and mind; O He whom people search in the highest and noblest perspectives; in true and evident distinctions! O He who is Beneficent and Merciful in His authority! O He who knows what the furtive eyes betrays and what the secretive hearts conceal! O He whom do not deceive those who do everything in secret! O He whom intermingled voices of the countless callers (supplicants) do not stop from giving answer to each and every one! O He whom wants and needs of the infinite needy do not put in confusion for attending to one and all separately! O he whom clamorous determined pleading of petitioners do not upset! O He who reaches and takes hold of everything that tries to escape! O He who keeps together and brings into harmony people who know and understand! O He who examines the souls when they present themselves before Him after death! O he who, each day, has (new) distinct glory! O Fulfiller of wants and needs! O He who gives confront and respite in distress! O He who liberally satisfies those who solicit His favours! O He who stands by and follow close upon those who humble and fervently call on Him! O He who effectively support those who make sincere efforts! O He who is equal to and can do anything instead of another in the matters concerning all things; and nothing, in the heavens and the earth, can be out of the reach of or is free from His hold. I beseech Thee in the name of Muhammad, the last Prophet, and Ali, the commander of the faithfuls, in the name of Fatimah, the daughter of Thy Prophet, and in the name of Hasan and Husayn. I direct myself towards Thee, through them, in my address, through them I try to get a hearing, through them I put forward my case to get Thy favours, in their names I make a request to Thee; bound to Thee by oat, living a life according to Thy commands, I carry out my pledge by every means, in the name of the love and devotion Thou has for them, and the influence and status they enjoy in every dimension of Thy will, the superior most pre-eminence in wisdom and character Thou bestowed upon them to transcend above everything in the whole universe, in the name of Thy name Thou revealed to them in trust, on account of which Thou chose them in preference over everything found in the heavens and the earths, through which Thou built their syndrome, developed to perfection their surpassing excellence in knowledge, learning and deeds, out of all the rest of the people, till their completeness surpassed the total achievement of all the people put together; I request Thee to send blessings on Muhammad and on the children of Muhammad; (and) look into the causes of my sorrows, anxieties, burdens, and do away with them, let me be equal to, sufficiently instructed, while dealing with my important enterprises and efforts, (and) carry out and fulfil my obligations, set me free from the clutches of poverty and from the pangs of hunger, let me have enough to live upon, free from the need to turn to others, let me be an adequate match for him who, I am afraid, shall create trouble, thwart the schemes of the one who, I am afraid, shall treat me harshly, let him, who, I am afraid, shall vex me, come to grief, expose and rebuke him, who, I am afraid, shall slander me, layout a plan to defeat him, who, I and afraid, shall try to deceive me by stratagem, take notice and act swiftly against him, who, I am afraid, shall treat me unjustly, take me into Thy custody to keep safe from the one who, I am afraid, shall tyrannize me, exercise Thy supreme authority to keep him in check, who, I am afraid, shall rule over me, outwit him, who, I am afraid, shall lay traps to deceive me cunningly, make ready a fitting reply to him who, I am afraid, shall oppress me; keep off from me the obstinate deceit of the vindictive malicious, and the crafty artifice of the cunning imposter. O my Allah put an end to the intentions of him who desires to destroy me, outwit him who makes plans, keep off from me his deceit and intrigue, his hostility and fancy, keep me aloof, refusing to have anything to do with him, in whatever manner, on any occasion, as Thou wills. O my Allah divert his attention from me and involve him in his own over bearing anxieties which Thou will not cut down, in misfortune which Thou will not make easy to deal with, in waywardness from which Thou will not lead him back on the right path, in spiritless laziness which Thou will never change into fruitful activity, infamy and disgrace from which Thou will not allow him to rise to the surface, in broken fortune which Thou will not let get set. O my Allah let contemptible disgrace stick like a leech on the forehead between his two eyes, expose him to emptiness in every effort he makes, let wicked inclination, distraction and inactivity cut deep into his body and soul, in order that Thou diverts his attention from, me, absorbed in his own pursuits that do not free him to employ himself at another, make him think no more of me as he has willfully neglected and forgotten Thee, take away from me and throw overboard his attention, interest, communication, influence, support, and perverted thinking every evil he commits or draws it on himself, let everything he does go waste, defective and incomplete, and do not give any letup so that he is kept fully preoccupied and gets no time to pay attention to me or think of me. Give enough to me, O He who effectively and completely gives satisfaction. There is no one other than Thee who gives sufficiently, because Thou alone gives enough, no one else gives to the seeker’s satisfaction except Thee. Thou dispels the clouds of sorrows, no one else, save Thee can free the grief-stricken from cares. Thou comes to help, no one else, except Thee, can do a favour when called for help. Thou art near, ready to avert the danger, no one else, save Thee, is close enough to stand by in the hour of trouble. Comes to grief he who relies upon his own friends instead of Thee; or looks for his own supporters in place of Thee; frightened, cries for help having some one else other than Thee in mind; terrorized, runs away from the danger to a place of escape outside of Thy guaranty, and takes refuge in an asylum not watched over by Thee; and tries to bring himself to a place of safety through the help of created beings, excluding Thee, the Creator, Therefore, Thou art my trust, my hope, my retreat, my refuge, my security, unto which one can run for safety, for this reason I call for thy help, and seek Thy support to carry out my affairs easily and successfully, through Muhammad and the children of Muhammad I present myself before Thee, try to draw Thy attention and ask for salvation. So I beseech Thee, O Allah! O Allah! O Allah! Because (all) praise is for Thee (alone), and also prostration in thankfulness, thou alone listens to complaints, Thou alone is called upon for help. So I beseech Thee, O Allah! O Allah! O Allah! In the name of Muhammad and the children of Muhammad to send blessings on Muhammad and on the children of Muhammad, to put to flight the sorrows, the anxieties, the burdens, now surrounding me from all sides, just as Thou made Thy Prophet free of his sorrows, anxieties and burden, and saved him from the terror of his enemies, in such manner as Thou made him to do so, let me also do the same, let me be free of care as Thou gave him joy, heart and confidence, let me have enough and be contended as Thou gave him sufficiently. Send away from me the terror that frightens me, the encumbrance that I find burdensome, the anxieties that wear me down, freeing me from their impact. Make me use my means freely to carry out and complete my business or employment, and do anything requisite instead of another, which may make me anxious about my affairs in this world or the hereafter. O Ameerul-Mu’mineen! O Abaa Abdullah! So far I am live and the days and nights follow each other I invoke Allah to send blessings on you forever and ever. May Allah not make my this pledge of physical and spiritual close association with you (both) the last fulfillment, and may Allah not separate me and you (both) from one another. O my Allah let me have a meaningful existence as Muhammad his descendants had lived, and die as they departed from this world, take to and carry out completely their creed; and raise me for the last judgement alongwith the people dedicated to them, and do not cut (us) in two (groups), even for the flash of an eyelid, ever, either in this world or in the life of the hereafter. O Ameerul Moomineen! O Abaa Abdullah! I come nearer to (you both) to establish close physical and spiritual relationship, and thereby seek nearness to Allah, my lord Nourishes and your lord Nourisher, through you I direct myself towards Him, and request you to speak in favour of my immediate at hand needs and wants I have put before Allah. So please speak well of me because, of course, with Allah your thoughtful judgement is highly credible, your disposition enjoys conclusive preference, your action keeps step with precise acumen, and a sure means of approach to gain His favour. I looked for and went through all possibilities and finally brought myself over to you in the hope of obtaining, speedily and successfully, fulfillment of my demands, their final settlement and favourable execution by Allah on account of your recommendations on my behalf to get Allah’s approval. So, let not my “seeing the light” be a bitter and “fallen short” change of heart, but make my “accepting the true faith” resolution a turning point leading to preference and full satisfaction in the matter of the disposal of my wants and needs; and direct me to bring myself over to that which Allah wills and commands. (because) there is no power and no might save Allah. I commit my case to Allah, anything neglected or taking place behind my back shall be taken care of Allah, I entrust Allah with the management of my affairs, and say: Allah is sufficient and enough, Allah pays attention to whoso makes a request to Him, there is nothing for me in that which is on the other side (in opposition) of Allah, and you, O my leaders, ultimately that which my lord Nourisher wills takes place, and happens not that which He wills not. There is no power and no might save in Allah. Unto you (both) I have come with love and affection, motivated under Divine incentive. May Allah not make my this pledge of physical and spiritual close association with you (both) the last fulfillment. I take advantage O my leader, O Ameerul Moomineen, O my friend to whom I have surrendered, body and soul, and you O Abaa Abdullah, O my leader, and pay respects with love and affection, nonstop, (till) do not carry embracing days and nights, closely embracing it, to you, if Allah so wills, without ever being separated, in your names I beseech Him, that He wills it and does it because verily it is He who alone is praised, and he brings about beautiful things. I see the light and bring myself over to you, accepting the true faith, sorry for my earlier ignorance, thankful to Allah, always hopeful of getting His favour, never giving into despair, nor losing heart, ever ready to be near you, coming back again and again to see you, never “not longing” for your nearness, but, if Allah so wills, shall be always in your neighborhood as and everyday habit. There is no power and no might save in Allah. O my leaders I long for you and love to be in your company though the worldly people looked at it with indifference and kept aloof from your friendly intercourse. May not Allah let me fall short of in that which I hope for and in that which I look long and attentively to establish everlasting reunion with you. Verily He is near and gives positive answer to prayers.

ziyarat jamia

2009-01-04T16:36:00.001-08:00

Peace be with you, O the Messenger of Allah!

Peace be with you, O the Prophet of Allah!

Peace be with you, O he who is chosen by Allah as the most select of men;

and the custodian of His revelations!

Peace be with you, O my Mawlaa!

O Leader-in-Chief of the faithfuls!

Peace be with you, O my Mawlaa!

You are the decisive argument of Allah over the Mankind, the (only authorised) gate (passage) unto His wisdom, the executor of His Prophet's will, his successor, after him, among his followers; may Allah curse and #### the people who usurped your rights, made a stand against you and then deserted, and I seperate myself from them and their followers to take refuge with you.

peace be with you, O Fatimah, free from worldly and sensuous concerns!

Peace be with you, O the pride of the whole mankind!

Peace be with you, O daughter of the Messenger of Allah, the Lord of the worlds, (Allah's blessings be on you and him)!

Peace be with you, O the mother of Hasan and Husayn!

May Allah take appropriate action against the people who usurped your rights, and took away from you that which Allah made lawful for you,

I seperate myself from them and their followers to take refuge with you.

Peace be with you, O my Mawlaa!

O Aba Muhammad, Hassan, the pure and just who gave his wealth to the poor!

Peace be with you, O my Mawlaa!

May the curse of Allah be upon the people who killed you, ganged up against you to make a bargain, and formed an alliance to oppose you,

I seperate myself from them and their followers to take refuge with you.

Peace be with you, O my Mawlaa!

O Aba Abdillah, Husayn son of Ali, blessings of Allah be on you, on your father, on your grandfather, Muhammad, (blessings of Allah be on him and on his children),

may the curse of Allah be on the people who deemed shedding of your blood lawful;

may the curse of Allah be on the people who killed you and thought with impunity that it was permissable to tear the thy womanfolk;

may the curse of Allah be on their comrades and followers;

may the curse of Allah be on those who did the spadework and prepared the ground to make your killing possible;

I seperate myself from them and take refuge with Allah and you.

Peace be with you, O my Mawlaa!

O Aba Muhammad, Ali son of Husayn!

Peace be upon you, O my Mawlaa!

O Aba Jaa'far, Muhammad son of Ali!

Peace be upon you, O my Mawlaa!

O Aba Abdillah, Ja'afar son of Muhammad!

Peace be upon you, O my Mawlaa!

O Abal Hassan, Moosa son of Jaa'far!

Peace be upon you, O my Mawlaa!

O Abal Hasan, Ali son of Moosa!

Peace be upon you, O my Mawlaa!

O Aba Jaa'far, Muhammad son of Ali!

Peace be upon you, O my Mawlaa!

O Abal Hasan, Ali son of Muhammad!

Peace be upon you, O my Mawlaa!

O Aba Muhammad, Hasan son of Ali!

Peace be upon you, O my Mawlaa!

O Abal Qasim, Muhammad son of Hasan!

the authority in force!

Blessings of Allah be on you and your pure and pious family.

O my masters!

All of you are my advocates to obtain remission for my wrong-doings and lapses.

I believe in Allah and in that which has been given to you, the last of you is as dear and near to me as the first.

I separate myself from gods of magic, sorcery; and the idols of Lat and Uzzaa.

O my masters, I make my peace with those who submit to you,

I take the field against those who wage war on you,

I oppose those who commit injustice to you,

I make friends with those who stand by you, till the Day of Judgement.

May the curse of Allah be on those who took liberties with you and usurped your rights.

May the curse of Allah be on their comrades, their followers and on those who propagate their ideology.

I take refuge with Allah and (all of) you.

ziyarat Ashura

2009-01-04T16:26:00.000-08:00

Arabic/English text and information about this Ziyarat

'Aritha - send a letter to Imam Zaman (as)

2008-12-27T12:07:00.000-08:00

From History Behind Masjid Jamarkan Along with Selected Supplications, translated by Saleem Bhimji:

[Writing letters ('Aritha) to the Imam (as) is one of the best ways for us to keep in contact with him. We are able to express our feelings to him and if we hvae any difficulties or problems, then we can ask him for help.

In his book, Muntaha al-Amal, the Late Muhaddith Qummi relates from Allamah Majlisi that, 'Whoever has any wish, should write the following Dua down on paper and write his wishes. It should then be placed in the metal enclosure around the grave of an Imam (as), or sealed, wrapepd in mud and thrown in to a river, well, or pond. In this way, it will reach Sahib al Asr wa al-Zaman (as), and he will be obliged to answer one's requests.] Maybe he can get it electronically, too, Allah swt knows.

From Morals and Ethics:

[Ariza can be written to Imam-e-Zaman as.gif whenever you feel a need or you are into a problem. No matter how big is your problem Imam-e-Zamana is the Imam of our time & HE is a Hujjat from Allah (s.w.t). Allah has granted him the power & because of his exsistence this entire universe is in to exsistence

You can write in any Language or your own too.

Our beleif is that Imam as.gif knows about all our affairs and is always ready to help us. He is aware of our action & he helps us even if we don’t ask or seek His (a.t.f.s) help.
“We are never neglectful of your guardianship nor are we ever unmindful of your remembrance”. (Behaarul Anwar, V. 53, pg. 176)

But if we write Ariza to Imam as then or belief comes to our action.

After writing the Ariza you can put the same it to Well, or in the earth or you can put in to to zari (grave) of any Imam (a.s) which are in IRAQ/IRAN/Medina.

We Should inculcate the habit to write to Imam as whenever we are in difficulty rather than approaching someone who doesn’t has the power on any thing. Rather than writing a letter to a Minister or President we should write to our Master who has the control of our all affairs.

It always goes to Allah (swt). But unlike us, Imam as are infallibles and they hold a MUCH greater position infront of Allah (swt) and if we ask them to put forth our request in front of Allah (swt), if we go through them then Allah (swt) is going to accept our prayers faster. As has being said many times, tawassul is not wajib. You can pray directly too

Your basic intention should be to ask the Imam to interceed on your behalf Inshallah Imam as will heed your call.]
Translation of Dua-e-Ariza

I have written to you O my master, may His mercy and blessing be on you, seeking a favour from you.

I have complained to you for what has happened to me seeking solutions firstly from Allah

and then from you for a matter that has obsessed me.

I am helpless in combating the problem and for that I have resorted to seeking help from Allah and from you.

Knowing the status you have with Allah.

I am confident that you will help me get the solutions to my problems swiftly and that you will intercede on my behalf.

I am helpless and moreover I am sinful:

so help O master and present this problem to Allah and I pray to Him that He will solve this quickly

and grant me victory and success in finding the solution to my problems.

(Write your personal wishes and problems in the provided space - you can write with dots and dashes if you fear someone may read it that you do not wish to see it)

---- ...... ------- ...... ----- ...... ------- ...... ------ ..... ------ ..... ------ .... ---- .... ---- .... ----- ... ----- ... ----- .... ---- .... ---- .... ---- .... ---- .... ---- .... ---- .... ---- .... ----- .... ---- ..... ---- .... ---- .... ---- .... ---- .... ---- .... -----.... ---- .... ---- .... ----.... /// ---- --- ..... ---- ''''' .... ----- .... ----- .... ----- ..... ----

I am not able to carry or bear with it. Although I am responsible for the increase of my sins and

ignorant about my responsibilities (Wajibaats), from Allah which are given to me.

So help me O my master. Peace be upon you during this time of problems and sorrow.

I present my prayers to Allah before I compensate and before my enemies engulfs me. For you have shown me your blessings.

So I pray to Allah for great salvation and near victory with calmness from all fears,

for Allah is most high and does what he wants. Allah is sufficient for me from the beginning and in my hopes.

Whatever Allah wishes there is neither strength nor any power except in Allah the High, the Great.

*When dropping the Ariza in the sea, we normally recite the following,

addressing Husayn bin Rawh, the 3rd Na’ib of the 12th Imam:

“O Husayn bin Rawh, Salamun Alykum.

I bear witness that you died in the path of Allah and (hence), you are alive and are sustained by Allah.

I am addressing you in your life which you lead with Allah – this is my note and wishes to the master of the Era,

the 12th Imam (AS), so please hand it over to him for you are indeed trustworthy”.

Dua Kumayl

2008-12-27T11:51:00.000-08:00

O Allah! Bless Muhammad and his progeny.

O Allah! I beseech Thee by Thy mercy which encompasses all things And by Thy power by which Thou overcometh all things and submit to it all things and humble before it all things And by Thy might by which Thou hast conquered all things And by Thy majesty against which nothing can stand up

And by Thy grandeur which prevails upon all things And by Thy authority which is exercised over all things And by Thy own self that shall endure forever after all things have vanished And by Thy Names which manifest Thy power over all things And by Thy knowledge which pervades all things And by the light of Thy countenance which illuminates everything O Thou who art the light!

O Thou who art the most holy! O Thou who existed before the foremost! O Thou who shall exist after the last!

O Allah! Forgive me my such sins as would affront my continency O Allah! Forgive me my such sins as would bring down calamity

O Allah! Forgive me my such sins as would change divine favours (into disfavours (O Allah! Forgive me my such sins as would hinder my supplication O Allah! Forgive me such sins as bring down misfortunes (or afflictions) O Allah! Forgive my such sins as would suppress hope

O Allah! Forgive every sin that I have committed and every error that I have erred O Allah! I endeavour to draw myself nigh to Thee through Thy invocation And I pray to Thee to intercede on my behalf And I entreat Thee by Thy benevolence to draw me nearer to Thee And grant me that I should be grateful to Thee and inspire me to remember and to invoke Thee

O Allah! I entreat Thee begging Thee submissively, humbly and awestrickenly To treat me with clemency and mercy, and to make me pleased and contented with what Thou hast allotted to me And cause me to be modest and unassuming in all circumstances

O Allah! I beg Thee as one who is passing through extreme privation and who supplicates his needs to Thee and his hope has been greatly raised by that which is with Thee

O Allah! Great is Thy kingdom and exalted is Thy greatness Thy plan is secret, Thy authority is manifest, Thy might is victorious and subduing and Thy power is prevalent throughout and it is not possible to escape from Thy dominion

O Allah! Except Thee I do not find any one able to pardon my sins nor to conceal my loathsome acts Nor have I any one except Thee to change my evil deeds into virtues There is no god but Thou glory and praise be to Thee I have made my own soul to suffer I had the audacity (to sin) by my ignorance Relying upon my past remembrance of Thee and Thy grace towards me

O Allah! My Lord! How many of my loathsome acts hast Thou screened (from public gaze) How many of my grievous afflictions (distresses) hast Thou reduced in severity And how many of my stumblings hast Thou protected, how many of my detestable acts has Thou averted, and how many of my undeserving praises hast Thou spread abroad!

O Allah! My trials and sufferings have increased and my evilness has worsened, my good deeds have diminished and my yokes (of misdeeds) have become firm And remote hopes restrain me to profit (by good deeds) and the world has deceived me with its allurements and my own self has been affected by treachery and procrastination

Therefore, my Lord! I implore Thee by Thy greatness not to let my sins and my misdeeds shut out access to my prayers from reaching Thy realm and not to disgrace me by exposing those (hidden ones) of which Thou hast knowledge nor to hasten my retribution for those vices and misdeeds committed by me in secret which were due to evil mindedness, ignorance, excessive lustfulness and my negligence

O Allah! I beg Thee by Thy greatness to be compassionate to me in all circumstances and well disposed towards me in all matters My God! My Nourisher! Have I anyone except Thee from whom I can seek the dislodging of my evils and understanding of my problems?

My God! My Master! Thou decreed a law for me but instead I obeyed my own low desires And I did not guard myself against the allurements of my enemy He deceived me with vain hopes whereby I was led astray and fate helped him in that respect Thus I transgressed some of its limits set for me by Thee and I disobeyed some of Thy commandments;

Thou hast therefore a (just) cause against me in all those matters and I have no plea against Thy judgement passed against me I have therefore become (justifiably) liable to Thy judgement and afflictions

But now I have turned Thee, my Lord, after being guilty of omissions and transgressions against my soul, apologetically, repentantly, broken heartedly, entreating earnestly for forgiveness, yieldingly confessing (to my guilt) as I can find no escape from that which was done by me and having no refuge to which I could turn except seeking Thy acceptance of my excuse and admitting me into the realm of Thy capacious mercy

O Allah! Accept my apology and have pity on my intense sufferings and set me free from my heavy fetters (of evil deeds) My Nourisher! Have mercy on the infirmity of my body, the delicacy of my skin and the brittleness of my bones O' Thou!

Who originated my creation and (accorded me) my individuality, and (ensured) my upbringing and welfare (and provided) my sustenance (I beg Thee) to restore Thy favours and blessings upon me as Thou didst in the beginning of my life

O' my God! My master! My Lord! And my Nourisher! What! Wilt Thou see me punished with the fire kindled by Thee despite my belief in Thy unity?

And despite the fact that my heart has been filled with (pure) knowledge of Thee and when my tongue has repeatedly praised Thee and my conscience has acknowledged Thy love and despite my sincere confessions (of my sins) and my humble entreaties submissively made to Thy divinity?

Nay, Thou art far too kind and generous to destroy one whom thyself nourished and supported, or to drive away from Thyself one whom Thou has kept under Thy protection, or to scare away one whom Thy self hast given shelter, or to abandon in affliction one Thou hast maintained and to whom Thou hast been merciful

I wish I had known o' my Master, my God and my Lord! Wilt Thou inflict fire upon faces which have submissively bowed in prostration to Thy greatness, or upon the tongues which have sincerely confirmed Thy unity and have always expressed gratitude to Thee, or upon hearts which have acknowledged Thy divinity with conviction, or upon the minds which accumulated so much knowledge of Thee until they became submissive to Thee, or upon the limbs which strove, at the places appointed for Thy worship, to adore Thee willingly and seek Thy forgiveness submissively?

Such sort (of harshness) is not expected from Thee as it is remote from Thy grace, o' generous one! O' Lord! Thou art aware of my weakness to bear even a minor affliction of this world and its consequence and adversity affecting the denizen of this earth, although such afflictions are momentary, short-lived and transient

How then can I bear the retributions and the punishments of the hereafter which are enormous and of intensive sufferings, of prolonged period and perpetual duration, and which shall never be alleviated for those who deserve the same as those retributions will be the result of Thy wrath; and Thy punishment which neither the heavens nor the earth can withstand and bear! My Lord!

How can I, a weak, insignificant, humble, poor and destitute creature of Thine be able to bear them?

O' my God! My Lord! My King! And Master! Which of the matters shall I complain to Thee and for which of them shall I bewail and weep? shall I bewail for the pains and pangs of the punishment and their intensity or for the length of sufferings and their duration?

Therefore (my Lord!) If Thou wilt subject me to the penalties (of hell) in company of Thy enemies and cast me with those who merited Thy punishments and tear me apart from Thy friends and those who will be near to Thee, then my God, my Lord and my Master, though I may patiently bear Thy punishments, how can I calmly accept being kept away from Thee?

I reckon that though I may patiently endure the scorching fire of Thy hell, yet how can I resign myself to the denial of Thy pity and clemency? How can I remain in the fire while I have hopes of Thy forgiveness?

O' my Lord! By Thy honour truly do I swear that, if Thou wilt allow my power of speech to be retained by me in the hell, I shall amongst its inmates cry out bewailingly unto Thee like the cry of those who have faith in Thy kindness and compassion And I shall bemoan for Thee (for being deprived of nearness to Thee) the lamentation of those who are bereaved, and I shall keep on calling unto Thee: "Where art Thou o' Friend of the believers! O' (Thou who art) the last hope and resort of those who acknowledge Thee and have faith in Thy clemency and kindness; o' Thou who art the helper of those seeking help! O' Thou who art dear to the hearts of those who truly believe in Thee! And o' Thou who art the Lord of the universe."

My Lord! Glory and praise be to Thee, wouldst Thou (wish) to be seen (disregarding) the voice of a muslim bondman, incarcerated therein (the hell) for his disobedience and imprisoned within its pits for his evildoings and misdeeds, crying out to Thee the utterance of one who has faith in Thy mercy and calling out to Thee in the language of those who believe in Thy unity and seeking to approach Thee by means of Thy epithet "the Creator, the Nourisher, the Accomplisher and the Protector of the entire existence"?

My Lord! Then how could he remain in torments when he hopefully relies upon Thy past forbearance, compassion and mercy?

And how can the fire cause him suffering when he hopes for Thy grace and mercy and how can its roaring flames char him when Thou hearest his voice and sees his plight? And how can he withstand its roaring flames when Thou knowest his fraility? And how can he be tossed about between its layers when Thou knowest his sincerity?

And how can the guards of hell threaten him when he calls out to Thee? "My Lord", and how would Thou abandon him therein (the hell) when he has faith in Thy grace to set him free?

Alas! That is not the concept (held by us) of Thee nor has Thy grace such a reputation nor does it resemble that which Thou hast awarded by Thy kindness and generosity to those who believe in Thy unity I definitely conclude that hadst Thou not ordained punishment for those who disbelieved in Thee, and hadst Thou not decreed Thy enemies to remain in hell,

Thou wouldst have made the hell cold and peaceful and there would never have been an abode or place for any one in it; but sanctified be Thy Names, Thou hast sworn to fill the hell with the disbelievers from amongst the jinns and mankind together and to place forever Thy enemies therein

And Thou, exalted be Thy praises, hadst made manifest, out of Thy generosity and kindness, that a believer is not like unto him who is an evil-liver.

My Lord! My Master! I, therefore implore Thee by that power which Thou determineth and by the decree which Thou hast finalised and ordained whereby Thou hath prevailed upon whom

Thou hast imposed it, to bestow upon me this night and this very hour the forgiveness for all the transgressions that I have been guilty of, for all the sins that I have committed, for all the loathsome acts that I have kept secret and for all the evils done by me, secretly or openly, in concealment or outwardly and for every evil action that Thou hast ordered the two noble scribes to confirm whom Thou hast appointed to record all my actions and to be witnesses over me along with the limbs of my body, whilst Thou observeth over me besides them and wast witness to those acts concealed from them?

Which Thou in Thy mercy hast kept secret and through Thy kindness unexposed and I pray to Thee to make my share plentiful in all the good that Thou dost bestow; in all the favours that Thou dost grant; and in all the virtues that Thou dost allow to be known everywhere; and in all the sustenance and livelihood that Thou dost expand and in respect of all the sins that Thou dost forgive and the wrongs that Thou dost cover up O' Lord! O' Lord! O' Lord!

O' my God! My Lord! My King! O' Master of my freedom! O' Thou who holdeth my destiny and who art aware of my suffering and poverty,

O' Thou who knoweth my destitution and starvation, o' my Lord! O' Lord, o' Lord! I beseech Thee by Thy glory and Thy honour, by Thy supremely high attributes and by Thy names to cause me to utilise my time, day and night, in Thy remembrance, by engaging myself in serving Thee (Thy cause) and to let my deeds be such as to be acceptable to Thee, so much so that all my actions and offerings (prayers) may be transformed into one continuous and sustained effort and my life may take the form of constant and perpetual service to Thee

O' my Master! O' Thou upon Whom I rely! O' Thou unto Whom I express my distress!

O' my Lord! My Lord! My Lord! Strengthen my limbs for Thy service and sustain the strength of my hands to persevere in Thy service and bestow upon me the eagerness to fear Thee and constantly to serve Thee

So that I may lead myself towards Thee in the field with the vanguards who are in the fore rank and be swift towards Thee among those who hasten towards Thee and urge eagerly to be near Thee and draw myself towards Thee like them who sincerely draw themselves towards Thee and to fear Thee like the fear of those who believe firmly in Thee and thus I may join the congregation of the faithful congregated near Thee (for protection)

O' Allah! Whosoever intendeth evil against me, let ill befall on him and frustrate him who plots against me and assign for me a place in Thy presence with the best of Thy bondsmen and nearer abode to Thee, for verily that position cannot be attained except through Thy grace and treat me benevolently, and through Thy greatness extend

Thy munificence towards me and through Thy mercy protect me and cause my tongue to accentuate Thy remembrance and my heart filled with Thy love and be liberal to me by Thy gracious response and cause my evils to appear fewer and forgive me my errors.

For verily, Thou hast ordained for Thy bondsmen Thy worship and bidden them to supplicate unto Thee and hast assured them (of Thy) response

So, my Lord! I look earnestly towards Thee and towards Thee, my Lord! I have stretched forth my hands therefore, by Thy honour, respond to my supplication and let me attain my wishes and, by Thy bounty, frustrate not my hopes and protect me from the evils of my enemies, from among the jinns and mankind o' Thou! Who readily pleased, forgive one who owns nothing but supplication for Thou doest what Thou willest o' Thou!

Whose Name is the remedy (for all ills) and Whose remembrance is a sure cure for all ailments and obedience to Whom makes one self sufficient; have mercy on one whose only asset is hope and whose only armour is lamentation O' Thou! Who perfecteth all bounties and Who wardeth off all misfortunes!

O' Light! Who illuminateth those who are in bewilderment! O' Omniscient! Who knoweth without (acquisition of) learning! Bless Mohammed and the Descendants of Mohammed and do unto me in accordance with that which befitteth Thee,

and deal with me not in accordance to my worth May the blessings of Allah be bestowed upon His Apostle and the Rightful Imams from his Descendants and His peace be upon them plentifully.

Dua Nudba

2008-12-27T11:48:00.000-08:00

In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful.

Praise be to Allah, the Lord of worlds. And blessings of Allah and peace be on our Chief Muhammad, His Prophet, and on his children.

O my Allah All praise is for Thee for that which Thou decided upon and resolved in the matter of Thy friends, whom Thou purified for Thyself and Thy religion.

When wisdom and high rank from Thee, prostrated themselves in adoration before them (from the Bountiful Preserving Lord), for whom neither there was any decreased, nor dispersion thereafter, then Thou stipulated for them piety and righteousness.

While they were in this mean and crooked world, free from its pomp, vanity and false enjoyments, Thy overreaching authority made known their identity; and equipped them with sincerity and perfection stood surety for them and communicated intimately with them, sent the news of their auspicious arrival in advance, and praised them in clear terms for the benefit of one and all.

Fell down on the ground in prostration Thy Angels before them, Thou chose them to reveal Thy Words, gave them Thy wisdom as a gift, set them up as the (only) medium to reach Thee, the only means to the eternal land of peace and happiness.

One dwelled in Paradise until Thou sent him on (as the first Prophet). One was made to cruise the "Ark", and had been rescued, and kept safe from destruction through Thy mercy.

One was chosen and prepared for Thy Mission, as (Thy) Friend, (who) made a request to Thee for a good report in (his) later generations, so Thou approved and complied with, exalted them and gave them authority.

One was spoken directly through the Tree, his brother was appointed his successor and helper. One was brought in without a father, was given clear proofs, and was supported with the Holy Spirit.

For each Thou prescribed a Divine law, and set up a traced out path, each was appointed a guardian-executor, (and each) fulfilled the duty after being kept safe and protected, in the term of establishing Thy religion, a witness and argument over Thy servants (mankind), Lest the truth staggered from its firm stand and foundation, and the falsehood conquered the hearts of the people, and might not say a single man:

"If only Thou had sent a Messenger unto us as a Warner, to show us the path of wisdom and guidance, so that we might have followed Thy revelations before we were (thus) humbled and disgraced!"

Then Thou made plans to bring out the wonderful advent of Muhammad, (Send blessing on him and on his children). So Thou just as chose him master of Whosoever Thou created, made him (whom Thou Selected), pure, clean and the best, exalted and praised him (whom Thou elected), surpassed in generosity and liberality while bestowing high-mindedness and beneficence upon him (whom Thou took in confidence and relied upon); made him leader-in- chief of (all) thy Prophets, and sent him to the troubled world of men and jinn, among Thy servants, lowered and humbled before him the Easts and the Wests, under his total control was brought all affairs, exalted his soul in Thy heavens gave over to him the knowledge of what took place and what will happen, concerning facts and operation of creation.

Then invested him with awe and majesty, Jibraeel, Meekaaeel, and distinguished Angels stood around; him at his beck and call, gave Thy word to him that Thou would make his religion prevail over all religions, however much the idolaters may be averse.

Thereafter acknowledged his atonement and provided good and perfection for his children, allotted for him and his
children the first sanctuary appointed for mankind, at Becca (Mecca), a blessed place, a guidance to the people, wherein are plain and clear signs; the place where Ibrahim stood up to pray, and whosoever enters it is safe.

Thou said:

" Allah's wish is but to remove uncleanness far from you, O "People of the House", and purify you with a thorough
purification."

Thereupon Thou settled conclusively fee (recompense) of Muhammad (Thy blessings be on him and on his children) love for them, in Thy Holy Book.

So Thou said:

"Say (O Muhammad): I ask of you no fee (recompense) therefore, save love of (my) Kinsfolk."

And Thou said :

" Whatever recompense (return) I have asked for you, (it) is only for yourselves."

And Thou said:

"I ask of you no reward for this, save that, whoso will, chooses a way unto his Lord."

Therefore they are the (only) means to (approach) Thee, the (only) medium to get Thy favours.

So Thou certainly did not let his hard work go waste, and gave authority to his successor, Ali ibne Abi Talib, (Thy blessings be on them both, and on this children), a guide. At the time when he was made a Warner and a guide for every people, said he (the Holy Prophet), their Guide, in a public meeting overflowing with people;

" Of Whomsoever I am the Mawla (Lord, Master) Ali is his Mawlaa. O Allah! be a friend of him who is a friend of him, be an enemy of him who is an enemy of him, help that man who helps him, forsake that man who forsakes him" and said:

"Of whosoever I am the Prophet Ali is his Chief." And said: "I and Ali are (one basic root of) a tree, and the rest of mankind are like diverse plants, he proclaims the position (relationship) of Haaroon to Moosaa."

Therefore he told him: "I am to you as Moosaa was to Haaroon, but certainly there is no Prophet after me.

" His (Ali's) life partner was his (Muhammad's) daughter the chief of the women of the worlds. Lawful was for him (Ali), in "the mosque", that which was permitted to him (Muhammad), all doors were closed, except his door. He (Muhammad) gave his knowledge and wisdom into his (Ali's) keeping.

He said:

"I am the city (centre) of knowledge and Ali is its gate. Whoso desires to approach and dwell in the city of knowledge and wisdom should come through its door."

Thereafter he said:

"You are my brother, successor and inheritor, your flesh is my flesh, your blood is my blood, your truce is my truce, your fight is my fight, faith is blended, mixed and mingled (part and parcel) in your flesh and blood, just as it is compounded in my flesh and blood, you shall take charge of the reservoir of my inheritance, you are the fulfilment of my religion, you shall execute and keep alive my "way of life", your friends and followers shall speak with authority, command respect and hold the torch of good manners and refinements, their faces will be all around me in the eternal land of peace and bliss (Paradise), in my close company. Were it not you O Ali, the faithfuls would not know the truth after me.

" After him (Muhammad) be (Ali) was the guide for the wanderers, a bright light in the blind darkness, the strong rope of Allah, and the right path, did not ever hold back kindness and compassion from the common people, nor ever made excuses or delay to give priority to the matters of religion, nor blew his own trumpet nor felt proud of his glory, did the same thing the Messenger used to do, (Blessing of Allah be on them both and on their children) put an end to misinterpretation, did not lose temper, for the sake of Allah, if any one turned to mud-slinging and name-calling. He had thrown the proud tribal chiefs of Arabia into a fright, destroyed their heroes , attacked and dispersed their cavalries, because of which hatred and deep grudge took root in their hearts.

Badr, Khaybar, and Hunain created jealousy and envy in them, therefore, united they joined hands to oppose him, and came out in great number to fight against him, till he destroyed all deserters, who had swerved from what was right, the shameless who deviated from true religion, while he was carrying out the important mission. Killed him a malicious criminal, a contemporary, serving the interest and following the doctrine of earlier impudent villains.

An unparalleled and outlandish approach was applied to the directions of the Messenger of Allah,(Blessings of Allah be on him and on his children), concerning the "Guides" (Imaams), one after the other.

The narrow-minded obstinate "ummah" did not care for and had ill-feelings towards him. Flocked together to pass up and deny his connection with his family, and pushed his children out of their way, but a handful of sincere faithfuls kept their promise and dutifully upheld the rights of his children; Some were slain, some were held prisoners, some were sent to distant foreign lands, and they met face to face (when came upon) their destiny (martyrdom).

That which is given to each (of them) as reward of good deeds is the best recompense, since the earth belongs to Allah, and He gives it for an inheritance to whom He wants from among His servants, and the (good) end is for the God-fearing wise; glory to our Lord! Verily the promise of our Lord must be fulfilled; Allah does not break His word, He is Almighty, Wise.

So be purified and refined by making known and remembering the choicest children of Muhammad and Ali, blessings of Allah be on them both, and on their children. The heartbroken, in tears, make their hearts bleed, together with them, the deeply moved perceptive men of letters describe their wisdom and liberality, as they themselves used to do, eyes of sensitive and thoughtful people are full of overflowing tears, their voices choked up with emotion; they cry out to protest against the injustice done, they call up dumb and insensate souls to stir and take notice.

Where is Hasan? Where is Husayn?

Where are the children of Husayn? The whole good, one and all!

The truth altogether! Where is the regular unbroken vital connection?

Where is the on going sequence of desirable goodness?

Where are the clear source and spring of Light (vision and insight)?

Where are the lively vivid handsome faces?

Where are the distinctly visible pioneers?

Where are the "know all the answers" scholars who communicated and made clear the religion of Allah? The fundamentals of knowledge and wisdom!

Where is the 'Everlasting legacy of God"? (never ever is the "family of Guides" without One).

Where is the impenetrable defence who broke the back of the oppressive tyrants?

Where is the "awaited saviour" who will set the have-nots and the depressed on their feet?

Where is the "The Hope" who will put and end to tyranny and oppression?

Where is the "preserved guaranty" who shall give new life to rule of law and refined way of life?

Where is the "Chosen in preference good" who shall raise the spirits of the people and give currency to justice and fairplay?

Where is the "hope-giving confidante" who shall make full use of the "Book" and define the sphere of action? Where is he who shall blot out dogma in the matter of religion and his (Muhammad's) children?

Where is he who shall break up meddlesome trouble and tampering?

Where is he who shall pull down the foundations of confusion (polytheists) and hypocrisy?

Where is he who shall stamp out corruption, vice, reaction and injustice?

Where is he who shall trim the outgrowth of despair, longing and hardships?

Where is he who shall erase the traces of unfairness and self- seeking conceit?

Where is he who shall untie the twisted knots of falsehood and disruption?

Where is he who shall separate senselessness and insolence from the people?

Where is he who shall tear up by the roots obstinacy, corruption and apostasy? Where is he who shall love dearly the favourites of Allah and take pains to tame and train the transgressors?

Where is he who shall make people familiar with "words of wisdom"?

Where is the ultimate (Divine) source of plenty and prosperity?

Where is the "Divine aspect" the God-fearing may look up to?

Where is the link that connects the cosmic complex?

Where is the authority who shall communicate and make known the true point of view?

Where is the author of the conception of peace, fairplay and welfare?

Where is the defender of the traditions of the Prophets and their children?

Where is the investigator of the blood of the Martyrs of Karbala?

Where is he who shall get the upper hand over the perpetrators of crime and greed?

Where is he who shall not rest until he answers the cries of help when called upon?

Where is the foremost leader of the people the just, the truthful and the wise?

Where is the son of the chosen Prophet? The son of Ali Al-Murtaza!

The son of Khadejah, the resplendent! The son of Fatimah, the great!

My father, my mother, and I turn to you for protection and sanctuary.
O Son of the favourite Leaders!
O Son of the distinguished nobles!
O Son of the rightly guided Guides!
O Son of the most refined high-minded liberals!
O Son of the select generous Guardians!
O Son of the polite and pure purifiers!
O Son of the impartial judges!
O Son of the open handed hosts!
O Son of the mature teachers!
O Son of the brilliant fulfillers!
O Son of the clear and precise arguments who penetrated deep (into the domain of mind)!
O inheritor of the made known prophesy!
O inheritor of the clear preaching!
O inheritor of the evident signs!
O inheritor of the exact science!
O inheritor of the widely sought after culture and customs!
O inheritor of the milestones of glory and greatness!
O inheritor of the extraordinary events!
O inheritor of the reason that had been put to experiment!
O inheritor of the Right Path!
O inheritor of the Message that made deep impression on mankind!
O Son of him who is in the "Mother of the Book" kept with Allah, the Highest High, the All-wise.
O inheritor of the convincing proofs!
O inheritor of the genuine evidence!
O inheritor of the distinctly visible demonstration!
O inheritor of the decisive information!
O inheritor of the absolute joy and happiness!
O inheritor of "T'aa-haa" and clear wisdom!
O inheritor of "Yaa seen" and "Zaariyaat"
O inheritor of "T'oor" and "A'adiyaat"
O Son of him who "drew near and came down till he was two bows' length or nearer." (The Highest High came near and received him gladly). If I but knew the destination of your purposeful journey!

To which isolated land did you go? Good, pleasant and satisfying? Or otherwise? Or in well guarded concealment? It breaks my heart (when) I look at all that has been created, but cannot see you, nor hear a whisper about your whereabouts, nor any secret communication!

It is disheartening to know that you are attending to and watching over the disorder and confusion, and I, in the thick of
violent turmoil, am far away, unable to give report of injustice.

I eagerly long for you who is out of sight, but has not forsaken us.

I eagerly long for you who has departed and is invisible, but is not far from us.

I eagerly long for you who inspires love and deep affection, and the faithful men and women take delight in your memorable glory. So we are excited with a longing desire.

I eagerly long for you who is worthy of acceptance and lawful driving force of belief and conviction, never weary or annoyed.

I eagerly long for you who is the root of praise and distinction, never can be uprooted.

I eagerly long for you who is always tender, gentle and comforting, never makes one's affairs worse instead of better.

I eagerly long for you who is just and equitable beyond a trace of doubt, does not take severe action until misbehaviour
trespasses the limit.

O Master! How long and unto what is to be directed (my) request for friendly attention concerning you? And what is the message? It makes me sad to get favourable reply from anyone other than you, but to be duped and cheated in the end. It casts a gloom upon me that you suffered hardships and the chicken hearted deserters left you alone.

It is painful for me what took place for you from them and that which had happened. Is there a helper with whom I may cooperate and take pains? Is there a restless with whom I may share when action is taken? Is there a faint twinkle of evidence to make me willingly take up the trouble?

Do you O Son of Ahmed have means and ways to arrange our meeting? Can you once cleverly guide the course of time, so that we may obtain our wish?

When shall we abridge the gap that separates us from the vision so that we may refer to the authority? How long shall we keep waiting for your pleasing satisfying essence and quality?

Already the period of expectation has lasted too long! When shall we receive our share from you and have our minds set at rest? For we have fixed our eyes upon you and strive with perseverance.

When shall we be happy, and see your beautiful form and fine aspect? Groups of cheerful willing disciplined helpers, in
great numbers, gathering around you to carry out one work after the other!

You fulfilling (every promise) and giving joy, heart and confidence (to the faithfuls); filling the earth with justice; making your enemies follow the law and accept the revolution; taking the wind out of the haughty and the boastful, and those who knew but denied the truth; breaking the back of the proud and the arrogant; uprooting the roots of the unjust; and we-singing the praise of Allah, the Lord of the worlds.

O my Allah! Thou disperses the clouds of sorrows and hardships.

Unto Thee we turn to ask for help against the enemy; for Thou (alone) helps and guides. Thou (alone) puts into good order affairs of this world and shall make better the Hereafter. So come to help!

O He Who is called to help the helpless, Thy servants, surrounded by calamities. Show them the face of their Leader.

O the Mightiest Almighty. Allow him to put an end to evil and corruption, and satisfy his Love ( for the faithfuls ) and
dislike (for the sinners).

O He Who, from the "Arsh directs and controls all creation, and unto Him is the return, final and ultimate.

O my Allah! We are Thy servants, longing for Thy friend (appointed authority), who reminds us of Thee, and Thy Prophet, who was created as a refuge and asylum for us, established as a foundation and spring of truthfulness for us, and was made the Leader-Guide of the faithfuls.

Convey to him our heartfelt congratulations and welcome. Make us feel more deeply for him.

O Lord! Very Kindly, make his headquarters our place of domicile and dwelling abode, and fulfil Thy promise by returning him to us as our Leader Guide, so that he takes us to the eternal land of peace and bliss, where we shall rub elbows with Thy sincere servants who shed blood to pronounce the Faith.

O Allah send Thy blessings on Muhammad and on the children of Muhammad. Bless his ancestor Muhammad, the Messenger , the foremost Leader, and bless his progenitor, the succeeding Leader, and his great grandmother, the ever truthful, Fatimah daughter of Muhammad, and his chosen virtuous forefathers, and send blessings on him, superior, whole, conclusive, staying, numerous, and full, not ever bestowed (even) on any of Thy sincerely attached and pious friends from among Thy creation. Bless him with blessings, (that) cannot be counted in numbers, cannot be "proximated" in space of time, cannot be consumed in terms of having nothing remaining.

O my Allah! Set up truth, destroy falsehood, show the right path to Thy friends, humiliate Thy enemies, and do it
without interruption, (through him).

O my Allah! Unite us with him. Let us be friends with his ancestors. Give us courage to disperse those who oppose and try to prevent him, and make them stay in their shame and disgrace for ever.

Help us to discharge the duties made incumbent upon us by him, and make every effort to obey him, keep from that which is declared unlawful by him, rely upon him to get his approval. Let us be with him when he makes peace, and frees mankind from fear, gives currency to love are kindness, brings bliss and happiness, spreads good and virtue, so that we may do our best to promote his cause through Thy mercy, and win victory for Thee.

Accept our prayers, forgive our sins, fulfil our desires, give us means of livelihood, unrestricted, make less our hardships, meet our demands in full (through him). Turn towards us Thy kindness and loving aspects, and bring us close to Thee. Turn the eyes of Thy mercy upon us, to bring to fullness Thy kind favours, and after that do not ever let them disappear in the name of Thy generosity, and give us the opportunity to quench our thirst from the spring of his great grandfather (Kawsar), (blessing of Allah be on him and on his children), using his cup, filled by him, fresh and pure, sufficient, wholesome, clear and cool, not leaving any desire thereafter, O the Most Merciful.

Hadith al-Kisa

2008-12-27T11:47:00.000-08:00

In the name of Allah, the All-Merciful, the All-Compassionate
Fatimatuz-Zahra, the daughter of the Prophet, peace be on them, is to have thus
related ( an event ) :
My father, the Prophet of Allah, came to my house one day and said to me : "Peace be on you, Fatimah"
I replied : "And upon you be peace"
Then he said : "I feel weakness in my body"
I said : "Allah protects you from weakness, father"
He said : "Fatimah, please bring Yemeni cloak and cover me with it"
So, I brought the Yemeni cloak and covered him with it.
Then, I looked at him and saw that his face was shining like a full moon with its
glory and splendor After a while, my son Hasan came in and said : "Peace be on you, mother"
I replied : "And upon you peace, O light of my eyes, and the delight of my heart"
He then said : "Mother! I smell a fragrance so sweet and so pure as that of my grandfather, the Prophet of Allah"
I replied : "Yes. Your grandfather is lying underneath the cloak"
Hasan went near the cloak and said : "Peace be on you, my grandfather, the Prophet of Allah; May I enter the cloak with you?"
He replied : "And upon you peace, my son and the master of my fountain (Kauthar), you are given the permission to enter"
So, Hasan entered the cloak with him.
After a while, my Husain came in and said : "Peace be on you, mother"
I replied : "And upon you peace, O light of my eyes, and the delight of my heart"
He then said : "Mother! I smell a sweet fragrance like that of my grandfather, the Prophet of Allah"
I replied : "Yes. Your grandfather and your brother are lying underneath the cloak"
Husain stepped towards the cloak and said : "Peace be on you, my grandfather, the Chosen of Allah; May I enter the cloak with you?"
He replied : "And upon you peace, my son and interceder of my followers, you are given the permission to enter"
So, Husain entered the cloak with them.
After a while, Abul Hasan, Ali bin Abi Talib came in and said : "Peace be on you, O daughter of the Prophet of Allah"
I replied : "And upon you peace, O father of Hasan, and the Commander of the faithful"
He then said : "Fatimah! I smell a sweet fragrance like that of my brother, (my cousin), the Prophet of Allah"
I replied : "Yes. He is underneath the cloak with your two sons"
So, Ali went near the cloak and said : "Peace be on you, Prophet of Allah; May I enter the cloak with you?"
He replied : "And upon you peace, my brother, my legatee, my successor, and my standard bearer, you are given the permission to enter"
So, Ali entered the cloak with them.
Then I stepped forward and said : "Peace be on you, my father, O Prophet of Allah; May I enter the cloak with you?"
He replied : "And upon you peace, my daughter, O part of my self; you are given the permission to enter"
So, I entered the cloak with them.
Getting together underneath the cloak, my father, the Prophet of Allah, held the two ends of the cloak and raised his right hand towards the heavens and prayed :
"O Allah, these are the people of my Household (Ahlul-Bayt). They are my confidants and my supporters.
Their flesh is my flesh and their blood is my blood.
Whoever hurts them, hurts me too.
Whoever displeases them, displeased me too.
I am at war with those at war with them.
I am at peace with those at peace with them.
I am the enemies of their enemies and
I am the friend of their friends.
They are from me and I am from them.
O Allah! Bestow Your Blessings, Benevolence, Forgiveness and Your pleasure upon me
and upon them. And remove impurity from them and keep them thoroughly pure"
Then the Lord, Almighty Allah said :
"O My angles! O Residents of My Heavens, verily, I have not created the erected Sky, the stretched earth, the illuminated moon, the bright sun, the rotating
planets, the flowing seas and the sailing ships, but for the love of these Five lying underneath the cloak"
Gabriel, the trusted angle, asked : "Who are under the cloak?"
The Almighty answered : "They are the Household of the Prophet and the assets of Prophethood. They are : Fatimah, her father, her husband and her two sons"
Gabriel said : "O Lord, May I fly to earth to be the sixth of them?"
Allah replied : "Yes. You are given the permission"
Gabriel, the trusted, landed near them and said : "Peace be on you, O Prophet of Allah. The All-Highest conveys His peace on you and His greetings and says:
"By My Honor and Glory, O My angles! O Residents of My Heavens, verily, I have not created the erected Sky, the stretched earth, the illuminated moon, the bright sun, the rotating planets, the flowing seas and the sailing ships, but for your sake and love"
God has given me permission to enter the cloak with you. May I join you, O Prophet of Allah?"
The Prophet replied : "And peace be on you, O trusted bearer of Allah's Revelations! you are granted the permission"
So, Gabriel entered the cloak with us and said to my father : "Allah sends His Revelations to you" Verily Allah's desire is to remove blemish from you, O People of Household (Ahlul-Bayt) and purify you with a perfect purification"

Then Ali said to my father: "O Prophet of Allah, tell me: What significance has Allah reserved from His grace for this gathering of ours under this cloak?"

The Prophet replied: "I swear by He who rightfully appointed me a Prophet and selected me with prophethood as a saviour: this episode of ours will not be recounted in any gathering from the gatherings of the people of the earth where a group of our shias and lovers are present except that there will descend upon them mercy! And angels will encircle them asking Allah the remission of their sins until the assembly disperses!"

So Ali said: "In that case, We have attained success, and our Shias have attained success, by the Lord of the Ka'bah!"

Then the Prophet replied a second time: "O Ali! I swear by He who rightfully appointed me a Prophet and selected me with prophethood as a saviour: this episode of ours will not be recounted in any gathering from the gatherings of the people of the earth where a group of our shias and lovers are present and there be a person present full of grief except that Allah will remove his grief! And no person in distress except that will dispel his distress! And no seeker of any wish except that Allah grants his wish!
So Ali stated: "In that case, by Allah! We have attained success and felicity, and our followers also have attained success and felicity, in this world and the hereafter, by the Lord of the Ka'bah!"

Ziarat to Imam Zaman (as) for Fridays

2008-12-27T11:42:00.000-08:00

O Allah! Send blessings on Muhammad and on the children of Muhammad.
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful.

O Allaah send blessings on Muhammad and on the children of Muhammad. In the name of Allaah, the Beneficent, the Merciful. Peace be on you, O the decisive argument of Allaah on His earth ! Peace be on you, O the ultimate link of Allah with the mankind ! Peace be on you, O the truth and enlightenment of Allaah whom the guided on the Right Path follow and imitate, and who gives heart, joy and confidence to the faithfuls! Peace be on you, O the just, pure and refined, rendered formidable! Peace be on you, O the “Wali” (beloved favourite of Allaah, a friend, a helper) who always gives sincere advice! Peace be on you, O the means and medium of liberation and assurance ! Peace be on you, O the spring and essence of life ! Peace be on you. Bleessings of Allaah be on you and on your pure and pious family. Peace be on you. May Allaah fulfil, at once, in advance , the promise He made with you – to shower mercy and make distinctly visible (your) leadership. Peace be on you, O Loving Protector ! I am your friend and follower, well aware of your priority and ultimate purpose. I come near Allaah, the Highest High, through you and your family. I look forward to be there when you come, at your disposal for making known the truth. I request Allaah to send blessings on Muhammad and on the children of Muhammad, and make room for me amid those who have fixed the look upon you, who shall comply with your instructions and help you against your enemies, and let me be present before you along with all your friends. O loving protector ! O the Man of the moment ! Blessings of Allaah be on you and on your family. Today is Friday, a day you are expected to come; the faithfuls will be free of cares and troubles when you shall arrive, and with one strike shall put an end to the intrigues of the infidels. I, O the Loving friend, in these hours, seek your hospitality and friendship. You, O my Loving friend, are kind and generous, a true son of the kind and generous forefathers, always inclined by nature to be hospitable and friendly. So give me a warm welcome and make friends with me. Blessings of Allaah be on you and on your family.

O Allah! Send blessings on Muhammad and on the children of Muhammad.

Dua Hujjat - for safety of 12th Imam (as) or Dua Imam Zaman (as)

2008-12-27T11:36:00.000-08:00

Dua Al-Faraj

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Dua Faraj

2008-12-27T11:29:00.000-08:00

Kafami says in his book Baladul Amin that if a wrongfully confined prisoner recite this dua'a he will soon be set free.
If a person find himself surrounded by misfortunes or intrigues he must recite this dua'a to come through tight situations, deadlock and crises.
This dua'a is attributed to the living Imam Sahibuz zaman.It brings immediate help from our living imam.

bismi

BISMILLAHIR RAHMANIR RAHIM
ALLAHUMMA S'ALE A'LAA MUHAMMAD WA AALE MUHAMMAD

O Allah, terrible was the calamity, and its evil consequences are visible, the covering has been removed, (all) hopes have been cut off, the (plentiful) earth has shrunk (with very little to spare), the heavenly blessings have been withheld. You alone can help, we refer our grief and sorrow to You, we have full faith in You, in the time of distress, as well as in good fortune. O Allah, send blessings on Muhammad and on the children of Muhammad, whom we must obey as per Your command, through which we become aware of their rank and status, and let there be joy after sorrow for us, for their sake, right away, in the twinkle of an eye, more rapidly than that. O Muhammad, O Ali, O Ali, O Muhammad, Give me enough, because both of you provide sufficiently. Help me, because both of you help and protect.

O our master, O the living Imam, HELP! HELP! HELP! Reach me! Reach me! Reach me!

At once, in this hour. Be quick, be quick, be quick, O the most merciful, for the sake of Muhammad and his pure children.

Dua Tawassul

2008-12-27T11:13:00.000-08:00

O Allah, I beseech Thee, and turn towards Thee, through Thy Prophet, the Prophet of Mercy, Muhammad, may Allah Bless him and his Progeny, and grant them peace. O Abul-Qasim, O Messenger of Allah O guide of mercy, O intercessor of the community, O our chief, O our master, We turn towards thee, seek thy intercession and advocacy before Allah, we put before you our open need; O intimate of Allah, Stand by us when Allah sits in judgement over us.

O Abul Hasan, O Commander of the Faithful, O ‘Ali, son of Abu Talib, O decisive argument of Allah over mankind, O our chief, O our master, We turn towards thee, seek thy intercession and advocacy before Allah, we put before you our open need, O intimate of Allah, Stand by us when Allah sits in judgement over us.

O Fatima Zahra, O daughter of Muhammad, O Joy to the eye of the Prophet, O our chief, O our master, We turn towards thee, seek thy intercession and advocacy before Allah, we put before you our open need, O intimate of Allah, Stand by us when Allah sits in Judgement over us.

O Abu Muhammad, O Hasan, son of ‘Ali, O elected one O descendant of the Messenger of Allah, O decisive argument of Allah over mankind, O our chief, O our master, We turn towards thee, seek thy intercession and advocacy before Allah, we put before you our open need, O intimate of Allah, Stand by us when Allah sits in judgement over us.

O Abu Abdallah, O Husain, son of ‘Ali, O Martyr O descendant of the Messenger of Allah, O decisive argument of Allah over mankind, O our chief, O our master, We turn towards thee, seek thy intercession and advocacy before Allah, we put before you our open need, O intimate of Allah, Stand by us when Allah sits in judgement over us.

O Abu Muhammad, O ‘Ali, son of al-Husain, O Zayn al-Abidin, O Prostrator before Allah O descendant of the Messenger of Allah, O decisive argument of Allah over mankind, O our chief, O our master, We turn towards thee, seek thy intercession and advocacy before Allah, we put before you our open need, O intimate of Allah, Stand by us when Allah sits in judgement over us.

O Abu Ja’far, O Muhammad, son of ‘Ali, O knowledgeable one, O descendant of the Messenger of Allah, O decisive argument of Allah over mankind, O our chief, O our master, We turn towards thee, seek thy intercession and advocacy before Allah, we put before you our open need, O intimate of Allah, Stand by us when Allah sits in judgement over us.

O Abu ‘Abdallah, O Ja’far, son of Muhammad, O truthful one, O descendant of the Messenger of Allah, O decisive argument of Allah over mankind, O our chief, O our master, We turn towards thee, seek thy intercession and advocacy before Allah, we put before you our open need, O intimate of Allah, Stand by us when Allah sits in judgement over us.

O Abu Ibrahim, O Musa, son of Ja’far, O tranquil one, O descendant of the Messenger of Allah, O decisive argument of Allah over mankind, O our chief, O our master, We turn towards thee, seek thy intercession and advocacy before Allah, we put before you our open need, O intimate of Allah, stand by us when Allah sits in judgement over us.

O Abul Hasan, O ‘Ali, son of Musa, O devoted one, O descendant of the Messenger of Allah, O decisive argument of Allah over mankind, O our chief, O our master, We turn towards thee, seek thy intercession and advocacy before Allah, we put before you our open need, O intimate of Allah, Stand by us when Allah sits in judgement over us.

O Abu Ja’far, O Muhammad, son of ‘Ali, O generous, Taqi’ and pious one, O descendant of the Messenger of Allah, O decisive argument of Allah over mankind, O our chief, O our master, We turn towards thee, seek thy intercession and advocacy before Allah, we put before you our open need, O intimate of Allah, Stand by us when Allah sits in judgement over us.

O Abul Hasan, O Ali, son of Muhammad, O guide (Hadi) and pure one (Naqi), O descendant of the Messenger of Allah, O decisive argument of Allah over mankind, O our chief, O our master, We turn towards thee, seek thy intercession and advocacy before Allah, we put before you our open need, O intimate of Allah, Stand by us when Allah sits in judgement over us.

O Abu Muhammad, O Hasan, son of ‘Ali, O Wise one and warrior, O descendant of the Messenger of Allah, O decisive argument of Allah over mankind, O our chief, O our master, We turn towards thee, seek thy intercession and advocacy before Allah, we put before you our open need, O intimate of Allah, Stand by us when Allah sits in judgement over us.

O inheritor of al-Hasan, O successor, O upright one, O Proof, O awaited upriser, O Mahdi, O descendant of the Messenger of Allah, O decisive argument of Allah over mankind, We turn towards thee, seek thy intercession and advocacy before Allah, we put before you our open need, O intimate of Allah, Stand by us when Allah sits in judgement over us.

O our chief , O our master, O my chiefs, O my Masters, I turn to Allah through you, O my Imams, my supporters on the days of my destitution. I seek your advocacy before Allah, I request you to speak in my favour before Allah, obtain pardon for me from Allah, and deliver me from my sins, through my love of you and nearness to you, obtain deliverance (for me) from Allah O my chiefs, O close friends of Allah, may Allah bless all of them, and curse the enemies of Allah who have oppressed them and will oppress them so be it, O Lord of the worlds.

Ziyarat Ale Yasin

2008-12-22T12:35:00.001-08:00

Bismilla hir rahman hir rahim

Peace be upon (the) progeny of Yaseen.

Peace be upon you, O the caller of Allah and place of manifestation of His signs.

Peace be upon you, O the door of Allah and the devout one of His religion.

Peace be upon you, O the vicegerent of Allah and the helper of His truth.

Peace be upon you, O the proof of Allah and the Guide of His intention.

Peace be upon you, O the reciter of Allah's book and its interpreter.

Peace be upon you in your night and in your day.

Peace be upon you, O the remnant of Allah on His earth.

Peace be upon you, O the covenant of Allah, which He took it and He fastened it.

Peace be upon you, O the promise of Allah which He guaranteed it.

Peace by upon you, O the manifested flag

and the one who is filled with knowledge and the help

and the far-reaching mercy a promise which is not a lie.

Peace be upon you while you are standing

Peace be upon you while you are sitting.

Peace be upon you when you are reading and explaining

Peace be upon you when you are praying and supplicating.

Peace be upon you when you are bowing and prostrating.

Peace be upon you when you are saying "There is no God except Allah' and (when) you are saying 'Allah is greater (than what He is described).'

Peace be upon you when you are praising (Allah) and seeking forgiveness.

Peace be upon you when you enter the morning and the evening.

Peace be upon you in the night when it envelops

and the day when it becomes manifest. Peace

be upon you, O the leader, the protected one.

Peace be upon you, O the prior hoped one.

Peace be upon you by the collections of the salutations.

I call you as a witness, O my Master, certainly I

testify that there is no god except Allah, He is alone, there is no partner with Him.

And indeed I testify that Mohammad is His servant and His Apostle;

There is no beloved except him and his progeny.

And I call you as a witness, O my Master certainly Ali, the commander of the believers, is His proof.

And Hasan is His proof. And Husayn is His proof.

And Ali, son of Husayn is His proof.

And Muhammad, son of Ali is His proof.

And Ja'far, son of Mohammad is His proof.

And Moosa, son of Ja'far is His proof.

And Ali, son of Moosa is His proof.

And Muhammad, son of Ali is His proof.

And Ali, son of Mohammad is His proof.

And Hasan, son of Ali is His proof.

And I testify that indeed you are the proof of Allah.

All of you, the first and the last.

And surely your return is a truth, there is no doubt in it.

The day when belief of none will benefit himself who previously

did notbelieve or acquired a goodness through his belief. And indeed death is a truth.

And indeed Naakir and Nakeer is a truth.

And I testify that indeed the scattering (stage of Qiyamat) is a truth and the raising is a truth.

And indeed the bridge (over hell) is a truth and the watching place is a truth.

And the balance is a truth and the gathering is a truth

And the accounting (of deeds) is a truth and the Paradise

and the hell is a truth. And the promise (of reward) and the threat (of the punishment) in them is a truth.

O my Master, one who opposes you is unlucky. And one who obeys you is lucky.

And I am a friend for you, acquitted from your enemy.

Then testify whatever I made you a witness upon it.

So the truth is whatever you are satisfied with. And the untrue is whatever you are angry with.

And the goodness is whatever you ordered. And the evil is whatever you have prohibited from.

So lam abeliever in Allah, He alone, there is no partner with Him.

And (I am a believer) in His Apostle and in the commander of the believers.

And in you O my Master, the first among you and the last among you. And my help
is intended for you. And my love is purely for you. Amen! Amen ! (Accept! Accept!)

Short Ziyarat to the Imam (as)

2008-12-20T18:28:00.000-08:00

Shorter Version:

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

Peace be upon you O Master of the Age and Time.
Peace be upon you O Successor of the Most Beneficent.
Peace be upon you O Partner of the Qur'an.
Peace be upon you O Splitter of the Proof.
Peace be upon you O Imam over mankind and Jinn.

May Allah hasten your return and make easy your reappearance;
and place us amongst your helpers and aides.

May the Peace, Mercy and blessings of Allah be upon you, your Righteous fathers and your Pure grandfathers.

Dua Al-Ahad

2008-12-20T10:21:00.000-08:00

Sayyid ibn Tawus, Kafami and other Ulama, narrate from various books that Imam as Sadiq (as) has said:

"Whoever reads the following Dua for forty days straight makes a promise with Allah (swt), and he will be one of the helpers of al-Qaim (ajtf), and if one dies before the rise of al-Qaim, then Allah will raise one up from the grave so that one may be able to help the Imam. Allah will grant one who reads this Dua 1000 good deeds for every letter recited and will forgive 1000 sins for every letter recited."

Bismillah Arahman Araheem. Allahumma sale ala Muhammad wa ale Muhammad.

O Allah, the Sustainer of the Great Light, the Exalted Throne, and the tempestuous sea, the revealer of the Taurat, Injil and Zabur, the Sustainer of the shade and the heat, the Revealer of the great Qur'an, the Sustainer of the honored angels, Prophets and the Messengers:

O Allah, I beseech You by Your benevolent countenance and its brilliance and eternal kingdom; O the Ever Living, O the Self-subsisting, by Your name which illuminates the heavens and the earths and by Your name by which the predecessors and the posterity are reformed, O the Everpresent before any living thing existed and the Everlasting even after all life will cease. O Ever-living even when there was no life at all, O One who resurrects the dead and brings death to the living, O Ever-living, there is no God except You.

O Allah, convey to our Master, the Imam (as), the guide, the guided, the one established in authority by Your command, may Your blessings be on him and on his pure ancestors, from all the faithful male and female, in the East and the West of the world, in the plains or on the mountains, on the lands and in the sea, and from me and my parents, blessings that equal in weight the "Throne" of Allah, the ink of His words and such as only encompassed by His knowledge and covered by His book.

O Allah, I renew on the dawn of this day and all the days of the remainder of my life my pledge, covenant and allegiance to him, as my obligation, which I shall neither ever contravene nor neglect.

O Allah, include me amongst his helpers, defenders, those fulfilling his wishes and commands, his defenders, the fore-runners to carry out his intentions and those to be martyred in his presence.

O Allah, should death intervene between me and his reappearance -- the death which You have made inevitable on Your servants -- let me out from my grave covered in my shroud, my sword unsheathed, my spear poised responding to the call of the caller in the cities and deserts.

O Allah, grace me with a sight of the appearance of one rightly guided and the finest of the praise worthy and cool my eyes with a light of one in whom I am attentive and hasten his return, render his reappearance smooth and widen his path and lead me onto his path and cause his orders to be executed and strengthen his back. O Allah, populate Your cities through him and revive your servants for indeed You have said and Your words are true: 'Mischief has shown its face on the lands and in the seas on account of what the hands of men have wrought.' (Qur'an 30:41)

O Allah, present this from us to Your friend and the son of the daughter of Your Prophet who bears the name of Your Messenger until he destroys all untruth and manifests the truth fully.

O Allah, make him the refuge for Your oppressed servants and a helper for him who has no other helper besides You and the reviver of the commandments in Your book which has been neglected and the strengthener of the sciences in Your religion and the traditions of Your Prophet. May Allah's blessing be upon him and his progeny.

O Allah, please him among those whom You have protected from the oppression of the oppressors.

O Allah, please Your Prophet Muhammad, may the blessings of Allah be upon him and his progeny, and those who will obey the invitation of the Imam and have mercy on our state of abasement after his appearance.

O Allah, spare us this grief from this Ummah by his reappearance and hasten his reappearance for 'verily they (hypocrites) regard it to be far distant and we see it very near' (Qur'an 70:6-7) by Your mercy, O the most Merciful.

[Strike one's right thigh three times and each time recite the following:]

Hasten, Hasten, O My Master, O Master of the time ---- Al'Ajal, Al'Ajal, Ya Mawla Ya Saahiba- Zaman.