Ali Mushkilkusha

When we observe life we understand that if there is one thing, there is always another thing to overpower that. For example if there is a hard cardboard which I want to cut with great precision ,I would require a sharp-edged cutter to do that. If I try without the cutter, I may hurt my fingers and may not be able to cut the board with precision. So the cutter has the ability to cut the board perfectly. It can overpower hard cardboard.

There are many such examples in our day to day life which compel us to think in this direction. I was listening to a radio station recently, and in the programme the discussion was on ‘safety tips’ in case of fire while working in a kitchen. The announcer advised the listeners to keep a bucket full of sand in the kitchen as a safety measure in case of accidental fire. During the emergency it can be emptied on the fire and fire will get extinguished immediately. The sand has the ability to overpower the menace of fire. Allah (SWT) has thus created a solution to every problem.

Now, when I generally ask someone about his life, most of the time I would get the answer that life is difficult and full of problems. So let us first find out why life is so difficult? What is the reason behind all problems and hardships which we face? And what is the solution available to all our problems?

In Quran, we are fortunate to have a best guide that can lead us to a better life. So I believe Quran can throw better light on the above issue. Hence, let us search Quran for the reason and May Allah (SWT) make our search successful.

Let us see the following Ayahs from (Surah-e-Hijr, Ayah 39-43):
“Satan ne kaha Ae mere Parvardigar chunke Tu ne mujhe raaste se alag kiya main bhi unke liye duniya main (saazo saaman) ko umda kar dikhaoonga aur un sabko zaroor behkaoonga magar un main se tere nire khare khaas bande ki wo mere behka ne main na aayenge. “

“Khuda ne farmaya ke yehi raah sidhi hai ke mujh tak pahonchti hai. Jo mere mukhlees bande hai un per tujhe kissi tarah ki hukumat na hogi magar haan gumraahon main se jo teri pairvi kare usper tera zor chal jaaega aur haan ye bhi yaad rahe ke un sab ke waste aakhri wada buss Jahannum hai.”

Further in the Ayah from Surah-e-Airaf, Allah elaborates on Satan:
“…Wo aur uska kunba zaroor tumhain iss tarah dekhta rehta hai tum unhain nahin dekhne paate. Hum ne shaitaan no ko unhi logo ka rafeeq qaraar diya hai jo imaan nahin rakhe….”– (Surah-e-Airaf, Ayah, 27)

 It is clear that the moment we get astray and start following satan our problems start. And if satan has got such a power, how can we fight him? We might feel that how can Allah (SWT) expect us to fight someone who is unseen? How can we be saved from satanic menace?

Since Allah (SWT) has created a solution to every problem, He must have created the solution to fight satan as well. Again Quran will guide us to the right solution. So let us search the Quran further.


Let us focus on the following Quranic Ayahs for this:
•(In Surah-e-Taha Musa (A.S) prays to Allah (SWT))
“Aur mere kunbe walon main se mere bhai Haroon (A.S) ko mera wazir bana de uske zariye se meri pusht mazboot kar de aur mere kaam main usko mera sharik bana na hum dono milkar kasrat se Teri tasbih karein aur kasrat se Teri yaad karein Tu to hamari halat dekh hi raha hai. Farmaya Ae Musa (a.s) tumhari sab darkhwastain manzoor ki gayee.” – (Surah-e-Taha, Ayah 29-36)

So Musa (A.S) prayed to Allah (SWT) to make Haroon (A.S) his successor and help. It was Allah’s help which Musa (A.S) was seeking vide his brother Haroon (A.S). And Allah (SWT) granted all that which Musa (A.S) prayed for.

•(In Surah-e-Airaf, Ayah 142, Musa (A.S) instructs Haroon (A.S))
“Aur Musa (A.S) ne apne bhai Haroon (A.S) se kaha ke tum meri quam main mere jaanashin raho aur unki islaah karna aur fasaad karne walon ke tariqe per na chalna.”

• (In Surah-e-Maryam, Ayah 53, Allah (SWT) says this for Musa (A.S))
“Aur Hum ne unhain apni khaas meharbaani se unke bhai Haroon (A.S) ko unka wazir bana kar inaayat farmaya.”

It seems logical from above that It was not only Musa (A.S)’s wish but even Allah (SWT) wished that Haroon (A.S) be the successor of Musa (A.S). Haroon (A.S) was a great help to Musa (A.S) and he was an appointed guide for Musa (A.S)’s quam (community).

If we relate this with Islamic history we will find that in every holy war fought during the time of Rasool (SAW), Mawla Ali remained steadfast and firm in the battle field. Almost all the commentators who have mentioned wars like Badr, Ohad, Khandaq, Khyber and many more vouch for his commitment and faithfulness towards Rasool (SAW) and Islam.

And that is the reason Rasool (SAW) has said about Mawla Ali that:
•“Ali, you are to me as Haroon (A.S) was to Musa (A.S)
(Ref: Jalalu'd-Din Suyuti in Ta'rikhu'l-Khulafa, page 65; Abu Abdullah Bukhari in his Sahih, Volume III, the Book of Ghazawa, Qazwa Tabuk, p. 54, and in his book Bida'u'l-Khalq, p. 180; Muslim bin Hajjaj in his Sahih, vol II, p 236-7, Sawa'iq Muhriqa, P-30,34 and more)

•“Ali is your guide and all of you are to come to me at the Hauz-e-Kausar… (Ref: Kanz-ul-Ummal Vol2, p. 350)

 So as Haroon (A.S) was a great help to Musa (A.S) so was Mawla Ali to Rasool (SAW). If Haroon (A.S) was the successor of Musa (A.S) appointed by him and Allah (SWT), Mawla Ali was the successor of Rasool (SAW) appointed by him and Allah. If Haroon (A.S) was a guide for Musa (A.S)’s quam Mawla Ali is a guide for Umah-e-Rasool (SAW). Hence call for “Ya Ali Madad” is seeking refuge under a duly appointed guide to safeguard ourselves from ‘satanic misguidance’.

Let us move further in Quran and see whether we can find more proof to above claim. For this purpose let us contemplate on the following Ayahs from Surah-e-Maida:
“Ae Imaandaro tumhare malik sarparast to buss yehi hai Khuda aur uss ka Rasool (SAW) aur wo momineen jo pabandi se namaz adaa karte hai aur haalat-e-ruku main zakat dete hai…” – (Surah-e-Maida, Ayah 55)

All the commentators and researchers are unanimous in their opinion that this refers to Mawla Ali when he gave his ring to a beggar while bowing down in the ‘ruku’. (Ref: Imam Nasai in Saheeh-e-Nasai, Aljam’a Bain-ul-Sihah-ul-Sittah, Sa’labi)

So Allah (SWT) with this ayah appoints Mawla Ali, alongwith Himself and Rasool (SAW) as leader & guide to the Muslim world. Allah further says in the subsequent ayah…

“Aur jisne Khuda aur Rasool (SAW) aur unhi Imaadaro ko apna sarparast banaya to Khuda ke lashkar main aagaya aur issme shak nahin ke Khuda hi ka lashkar ghalib rehta hai.” – (Surah-e-Maida, Ayah 56)

 Life is getting simpler now, accepting Mawla Ali as our ‘malik’ and ‘sarparast’ along with Allah (SWT) and Rasool (SAW) we are amongst the army of Allah which is never defeated. And once in His army our every step is a “Jihad” in Allah’s path. Even when we follow our day to day routine it is a Jihad. Hence call for “Ya Ali Madad” is to be a soldier in Allah’s army which is the greatest honour ever. And no satan can ever create problems for us then.

Now our life is secured as we are in Allah’s army but what happens when we leave this world? We will focus on the following ayahs and contemplate on them:

•“Aur jo log Khuda ki Raah main mare gaye unhain kabhi murda na kehna, balki wo log zinda hai magar tum unki zindagi ki haqeeqat ka kuch bhi shaoor nahin rakhte.” – (Surah-e-Baqra, ayah 154)

•“Aur jo log Khuda ki Raah main shaheed kiye gaye hai unhain hargiz murda na samjhna balki wo log jeete jaagte maujood hai, apne Parvardigar ki taraf se tarah tarah ki rozi paate hai.” – (Surah-e-Aale Imran, ayah 169)


From the ayahs of Surah-e-Maida, which we discussed in above section, we understood that accepting Mawla Ali as our leader along with Allah (SWT) and Rasool (SAW), we are part of Allah’s army till the time we are alive and our every step then is in His path. While the above two ayahs say that if a person dies in Allah’s path he is shaheed, he is alive. I believe that is why Mawla Ali has said this in Nah-jul-balagha that:


“Aur jo log Khuda aur us ke Rasool (SAW) aur unki Ahl-ul-bait ke haq ko pehchante hue bister per bhi dum tode wo shaheed marta hai..” -( Nah-jul-Balagha, Khutba, 188)

 Call for “Ya Ali Madad” gives us entry in Allah’s army till we live. Our life is a jihad in Allah’s path and when we leave this world we are shaheed.

In the beginning of this article we had seen the ayahs from Surah-e-Taha, where Musa (A.S) has prayed for Haroon (A.S), now let us see what are Rasool (SAW)’s prayers for Mawla Ali and his ‘mohib’:

“O our Lord! Love those who love Ali, despise those who will despise Ali; support those who will support Ali, reject those who will reject Ali.” -- (These words were spoken by Rasool (SAW) after the declaration at Ghadir-e-Khum)

He also prayed : “ O Allah! Befriend that one who befriends Ali and be inimical to that who bears ill-will to Ali”- (Ref: Kanzul Ummal Vol 2. P 350)

And Allah (SWT) has said this in Quran:
“Us din yeh (gunehgaar) log sifaarish per bhi qadir naa honge magar haan jis shakhs ne Khuda se sifaarish ka iqraar le liya ho.” – (Surah-e-Maryam, ayah 87)

The above ayah mentions that during the day of judgment, along with gunehgaar there will be certain people who have taken promise from Allah (SWT) and their ‘sifaarish’ will be accepted. Now most of the commentators have written that the word ‘ Iqraar le liya’ or ‘taken promise’ is the promise of loving and following Imams. (Ref: Tafseer Dhur Mansoor, Vol 4, Sawaiq-e-Mohriqa and many more)

We just saw in the above hadees, that Rasool (SAW) prayed to Allah to befriend those who befriend Ali and Allah (SWT) has mentioned in the above ayah that those who have taken promise will be able to seek favours (sifaarish) from Him. Seeking favours is to love and be a friend of Imam. And Imamate started with Mawla Ali. He is Imam-e-Muttaqin. He is Ameer-ul-momineen. Thus loving him gives us privilege to seek favours from Allah (SWT). What an honour!

 Our research has been successful. Quran has given the final verdict. A bucket full of love for ‘Abu Turab’ (Mawla Ali) will save us from the ‘fire’ of Satan. He is the solution to all satanic problems. If we love and accept him as our Mawla and leader from the bottom of the heart, we are guided. We are in the Allah (SWT)’s invincible army, our life is a ‘jihad’ and we die as martyr even if we die on a bed. We become Allah’s friend who can seek favours and whose ’sifaarish’ will be accepted by Him. That is why he is “Mushkil Kusha”. So why not we all together say “YA ALI MADAD”!

The Straight Path: Quran and Ahl-ul-Bait

“When I walk ahead in the journey of life, I want to enjoy the true meaning of life and understand it well. I want to lead a life which is successful. Which is meaningful. But do I have enough understanding? Can I claim that I know how should I conduct well?

Allah (SWT) has given me the answer, He has given me the Holy Quran, which if follow I will live life the way He wants. But again the question may arise whether I have enough of intelligence and knowledge to understand whatever is being instructed? How do I know whatever interpretation I do is right or not? Who is going to certify my understanding?”

With these thoughts in my mind, I went everywhere. I met many a learned people. They had their own explanation but they failed to convince me.

This summer vacation in order to have some fun-time, we all had decided to go to a wildlife sanctuary. Little did I know that this trip would be a real eye opener for me. The idea was to spend some quality time amidst nature and it would be a recreation trip for the children as well. During the visit, we hired a guide who could take us around the sanctuary and help us with our trip. This guide had been with the sanctuary for many years and he knew the place inside-out.

His experience and knowledge helped us in seeing the rarest of rare species and wild animals. And the best part was that he could sense their presence even when the animals were almost half a mile away in a bush. I was amazed, as it was difficult for me to see them even through the binoculars and he was guiding me through his naked eyes. I was impressed by his knowledge and understanding. This he could do because of his thorough understanding of the area. He was the ultimate authority of the sanctuary. I realized the importance of a true guide.

I would also like to share my college days experience. I was a physics student and understanding ‘quantum physics’ was really tough for me. The reference books were in English language and my command over the language is fairly good, yet I could not understand the subject well. Understanding of the English language was not enough to understand the book and the book alone was not enough for me to understand the subject. The need was then to have ‘an expert’, who can be my guide. I found a professor who was willing to help me with the subject and following his guidance I could clear my graduation. I thanked the college authorities for appointing him to help me.

The important lesson I learnt from the above examples is that not necessarily a person who has fairly good command over Arabic language can understand Quran well. He can be well versed with Arabic language but he may not have the understanding of “philosophy of Islamic teachings”.

Now I wanted to have a right guide who is an expert on the ‘Islamic teachings”, duly appointed by Almighty Allah (SWT); the Supreme Authority. I desperately started seeking a true guide and Allah (SWT) answered my prayers in the following aayat.

“Yeh wo Kitab hai jis ka Kitab-e-Khuda hone main kuch bhi shak nahin. Yeh Muttaqi ke liye hidayat hai.”
- (Surah-e-Baqra, Aayat 2)

Allah says that Quran will guide you only if you are “Muttaqi” momin. We may think then there has to be some parameter, some measure to be one. I always wanted to be guided and hence I will claim I am a Muttaqi Momin but then there has to be some proof of my claim.

Mawla Ali (AS) has given an answer to this:
“Hum Ahl-ul-bait ke saath “Muttaqi” momin ke alaava koi dosti nahin rakhta aur badbakht munafiq ke alaawa hamse koi dushmani nahin rakhta. – (Ref, Zakhair ul-ukba).

So if we have love for Ahl-ul-bait, we are Muttaqi Momin and when we become Muttaqi Momin, the Quran is our guide and “Rehnuma”. Their love is the measure and a proof of being a Muttaqi Momin.Allah (SWT) has further said to Rasool (SAW):

“Aur Ae Rasool (SAW) kafir log kehte hai ke tum paighambar nahin ho to tum un se kehdo ke mere aur tumhare darmiyan meri risalat ki gawahi ke waste Khuda aur wo shakhs jis ko aasmani kitab ka ilm hai kafi hai.” – (Surah-e-Raad, aayat 43)

The person who has been given “Knowledge” of holy book is definitely Mawla Ali (Ref: Tafseer-e-Suyuti, Vol 4, P 69, Ahteyaj-e-Tabresi, Tafseer-e-Ayashi).

Also we know that Rasool (SAW) has said “Main ilm ka shaher hoon aur Ali uska dawaza hai” (Ref: Tarikh-ul-Khulafa by Jalaluddin Suyuti, Mustadrak by Al-Hakim, Durr-e-Mansur, Ibn-e-Hajar’s Sawaiq-e-Mohriqa, P 122, P 73 older edition)

 Allah (SWT) has made them ‘The experts’ on His religion and given them ‘entire knowledge’ that is why when we love them we get access to their knowledge and we understand Quran and we are rightly guided.

Now let us see what place “Ahl-ul-bait” hold with reference to Almighty Allah (SWT).

The following aayat will help us understand this better:
“Ae Paighambar ki Ahl-ul-bait Khuda to buss yeh chahta hai ke tum ko har tarah ki burai se door rakkhe aur itna paak rakkhe jitna paak rakhne ka haq hai” - (Surah-e-Ahzab, Aayat 33)Most of the commentators have unanimously agreed that this aayat is revealed to showcase the ‘piety’ and purity of Ahl-ul-bait (Ref: Tafseer Dhur Mansoor, Mulla Jalaluddin Suyuti, Vol 5, P 198-199).

It is also referred as “Aayat-e-Tatheer”. And Hadees-e-Kisa is the tafseer of this aayat given by Jabir Ibn Abdullah Ansari which mentions that it is revealed in honour of Panjetan (A.S).

Allah (SWT) has showcased their piety in many occasions.

• It was ordered by Allah (SWT) to Rasool (SAW) that all the doors of houses which were opening in the courtyard of Masjid-e-Nabwi should be closed except the house of Ali (A.S) & Fatema (A.S). They were allowed to enter the masjid at any time in any given situation. They were always pious to get the entry. (Ref: Major Jarret’s Suyuti’s His., P 175)

We have understood the importance of their love in understanding Quran now let us see their standing vis-à-vis Namaz. Namaz for a muslim is meraj. It is the highest form of prayer which every muslim should offer 5 times a day. It is mandatory to recite Surah-e-Fateha (Surah-e-Hamd) in the beginning of the namaz. If we don’t, we cannot offer the namaz.


In this light let us see the following aayat from the above mentioned Surah:

“Humain siddha raasta dikha, un logo ka raasta jin per tune inaam farmaya…” – (Surah-e-Fateha aayat 4-5)

It has been quoted by famous commentators that the above aayat mentions the path chosen by Ahl-ul-bait. (Ref: Sa’labi writes in his tafseer e tradition from Abu Hureira that “straight path” means the path of Mohammed (SAW) and the children of Mohammed and also confirmed by Waki Ibn-e-Jarrah in his commentary).
Again the namaz is incomplete without offering “durood” on Mohammed wa Aale Mohammed. Let me quote here the famous words of Imam Shafe’i:

“O Ahl-ul-Bait of Allah’s Messenger, your love is a duty imposed upon us in the Holy Quran. It is enough among your great privileges that whoever does not bless you, his prayer is void.” - (Ref: Ibn-e-Hajar’s Sawaiq-e-Mohriqa, P 88, Nabahani’s Sharaf-ul-Mo’abbad; Imam Abu Bakr Shahabuddeen’s Rishfat-us-Saadi)

Namaz the highest form of prayer is incomplete without Surah-e-Fateha and “durood” on Mohammed wa aale Mohammed. Such is their nearness to Allah (SWT) that Zikr-e-Khuda (Namaz) is incomplete without Zikr-e-Ahl-ul-bait (Durood).

Love for Ahl-ul-bait makes us Muttaqi, we understand Quran and our prayers are accepted by Almighty Allah.

Allah (SWT) has made their love mandatory for every muslim in the following aayat:
“Ae Rasool (SAW) tum kehdo ke main apni tableegh-e-risalat ka apne karabatdaron ki mohabbat ke siwa tumse koi sila nahin maangta” – (Surah-e-Shura, aayat – 23)

By consensus of opinions of various writers, commentators, compilers the above-mentioned aayat refers to the Prophet’s own kith and kin and not of the mass of the Prophet’s followers. Here “al qurba” refers to Ali (A.S) & Fatema (A.S) and their children. (Ref: Sa’labi, Suyuti, Baidhavi, Bukhari, Muslim, Ahmed ibn Hambal, Allama Zamkhashri Vol 3, P 68).

In the Muslim world there is some difference of opinion, as many of the scholars believe that here karabatdaron (al qurba) means relatives of muslims, but above references and few of the christain scholars who translated Quran say that it is love of relatives of Prophet (pbuh) which Allah (SWT) has indicated in the above aayat. I am mentioning few of the translations:

• George Sale: “Say, ‘I ask not of you, for this my preaching, any reward, except the love of my relations.”
• J.M.Rodwell: “Say, ‘For this I ask no wage of you save the love of my kin”.
• E.H.Palmer: “Say, ‘I do not ask for it a hire-only the love of my kinsfolk.”

With the above reasoning we understand that without the love for Ahl-ul-bait, neither can we understand Quran nor will our namaz be complete. That is why Allah (SWT) has made their love compulsory on us.

Allah (SWT) has definitely bestowed His limitless grace on Ahl-ul-bait. And such is the greatness of Ahl-ul-bait that Allah (SWT) has made them His authority over the Muslim world.

We will understand this in the light of the following aayat : (Surah-e-Nisa, aayat 59)
“O ye who believe! Obey God and obey the Apostle and those vested with authority from among you”

The above aayat was revealed to establish the authority of Mohammed wa aale Mohammed as per the tradition of Jabir Ibn Abdullah Ansari (Ref: Rowzatul Ahbab page 134-135, Vol II).

Further Rasool (SAW) has said that: “Main tumhare darmiyan do giranqadra cheezein chhode ja raha hun in dono main har ek dusre se barhkar hai: Allah ki kitab aur meri itrat, dekho tum mere baad in ke saath kya sulooq karte ho. Ye dono ek dusre se juda nahin honge yahan tak ke Hauz-e-Kausar per mujhse mulaqat karenge.”
(Ref: Sahih Muslim, part 7, Kitab fada'il al¬ Sahabah [Maktabat wa Matba`at Muhammad `Ali Subayh wa Awladuhu: Cairo] pp. 122-123, Mustadrak, 3:109, al-Muslim, 15:180, Masnad, 4:367)

This is also called ‘Hadees-e-Saqlain’, where saqlain means weighty or heavy things. This tradition was spoken by Rasool (SAW) on four major occasions, such as at Arafat (Tirmizi, 5:328), at Ghadir Khum (Nisai, 96:79), at Prophet's Mosque in Medina (Ibn Atiyyah, 1:34) and in Prophet's chamber during his last illness (Ibn Hajar, p. 89). This showcases the importance of this message in the eyes of Rasool (SAW).

This also establishes “Mohammed wa aale Mohammed” as an authority on the religion. So if Quran is Noor, Mohammed wa aale Mohammed are also Noor. If Quran is ‘flawless’ Mohammed wa aale Mohammed are ‘infallible’. If Quran is ‘ILM” Mohammed wa aale Mohammed are ‘Aalim’ If Quran is holy, Mohammed wa aale Mohammed are ‘pious’ and ‘purest of all’. No other creation of Allah (SWT) is as pious and as great as them.

Quran ‘mentions’, Ahl-ul-bait ‘ delivers’. Quran mentions Jihad and namaz, Imam Husain (A.S) in karbala displayed how should we conduct in Jihad and what is the importance of namaz. Quran mentions “tawakkal” and Mawla Ali displayed that on ‘Shab-e-Hijrat’ by sleeping amidst the enemies on Rasool (SAW)’ bed. Quran ‘instructs’ and orders while Ahl-ul-bait are ‘example’ we need to follow to understand Quran.

So if we read Quran in isolation, we are not “Muttaqi” and hence we fail to understand Quran. Also without love of Ahl-ul-bait our prayers are not accepted. The result is we don’t reach the true-path and we may risk getting astray. But if we follow them we understand Quran, our prayers are accepted and we are always on the straight path which leads to salvation.

Is this the only reward we expect from them? No, not at all. Allah (SWT) has made them our leader and He has placed limitless bounties on us if we love them and do whatever Rasool (SAW) has told us. As per the words of Rasool (SAW) :

“Whoever dies for the love of Aal-e-Mohammed shall be a martyr; and behold, whoever dies for the love of Aal-e-Mohammed shall die as one whose sins have been forgiven.” He has further added that “And behold that whoever die for the love of Aal-e-Mohammed, Allah shall make his grave the visiting place of the Angels of mercy”. (Ref: Zamakhshari in his Tafseer, Imam Sa’labi in Tafseer-e-Kabeer)

Finally I got all the answers to my initial thoughts. I have found the true-path now. I know now how to understand Quran and whom to follow. I pray to my Lord that keep me steadfast on the straight path so that I understand Quran, my prayers are accepted by Thee and I get the certificate of salvation and under the able guidance of Aal-e-Mohammed I am successful. And my life is meaningful. Aamin.

Man Kunto Mawla

I find myself too small to write something on as grand as this subject “Man Kunto Mawla ho fa hazaa Ali-un Mawla”. But I do wish to clear certain misconceptions regarding the above Hadees of Rasool (SAW) vide this article. May Allah (SWT) give me enough strength and knowledge to do the justice.

In the Muslim world there are many differences regarding the true meaning of “Man Kunto Mawla…”. There are a few amongst us who claim that “Mawla” stands for a “friend”, while there are many who say “Mawla” means a “Master”. Now, I don’t think any Muslim would want to deliberately create confusion, as we all wish to understand and follow whatever Rasool (SAW) has asked us to do. The entire confusion has occurred since Arabic is a tricky language and the word ‘Mawla’ in Arabic has various meaning one of them is “Friend” and the other is “Master”.

But before I begin my explanation, let me quote you an interesting example. Being a businessman I am always inspired by stories on leadership and I read an interesting book “Straight from the gut” which is a biography of Jack Welch, who is the most admired CEO of the business world and who built the GE Company. In his book he writes that while deciding on his successor he observed many of his juniors, started short-listing them in his mind and eventually decided to give the mantle of leadership to Jeffery Immelt in the year 2000. Though he decided well in advance he was looking for an opportune time to announce his successor and future leader of GE Company. All the major stakeholders, business associates and senior employees were present in the ‘succession ceremony’. Now after the ceremony if I would have asked him that whether the announcement about Jeffery Immelt in front of this large gathering was to tell all of them that he was a well-wisher and a friend of the company or was it to announce him as a future leader? What would be his reply? I think probably he would say:

“What a foolish question to ask. Jeffery Immelt has been a true friend of the company for so many years. He has proved that by serving the company with great commitment. I have full-faith in his capability and that is the reason he is the new leader, who would take the company to new heights. All this pain was to announce him as a leader.”

True Jack, in life there can be hundreds of friend and if on every new friendship we call people and do the announcement, our entire lives will be spent in organizing get-togethers.

Now keeping this in mind, let me come to my topic and let us contemplate on the following aayat.

“Ae Rasool jo hukm tumhare Parvardigar ki taraf se tum per naazil kiya gaya hai pahoncha do. Aur agar tum ne aisa nahin kiya to samjhlo tum ne Us ka koi paigham hi nahin pahonchaya aur tum daro nahin Khuda tum ko logon ke shar se mahfooz rakhe gaa aur Khuda hargiz kafiron ki qaum ko manzil e maqsood tak nahin pahonchata.” –
(Soora-e-Maida, Aayat 67)

This aayat was revealed in Ghadeer-e-Khum, when Rasool (SAW) was returning to Medina after offering his last Hajj (Ref: Tafseer al Kabir by Fakhr al Din Mohammed ibn Umar al razi (1357/1938), Umdatul Qari fi Sharh Sahih al Bukhari - by Al Ayni, Tafsir al Nisaboori, v6 P194)

So we understand from the above aayat that there was one specific “order” which Allah (SWT) had given to Rasool (SAW) much before the revelation of this aayat. And this order was of such a great importance that failing of this may not lead to completion of religion.

At this point Rasool (SAW) announced “Man Kunto Maula fa hazaa Ali-un Mawla” in front of the huge gathering of 120000 Muslims. (Ref: Sahih Tirmizi, V2, P298, Bukhari, V5, Book 59).

Now if I ask Allah (SWT) after this aayat and hadees are revealed, that whether Mawla stands for a “Friend” or a “Master”, Allah (SWT) probably He would tell me that:

“Don’t ask such foolish questions again. Ali is always been a true friend of Islam. Have you forgotten, Badr, Ohad, Khandaq, Khyber….He was always there to serve the religion time and again. This revelation is ofcourse to establish his supremacy above others. We have rewarded him with “leadership” as under him the religion will reach newer heights.”

The logical conclusion which we can derive from above is that by accepting Mawla Ali as our leader after Rasool (SAW) our Islam gets completed. We thus become “True Muslim”

Again Rasool (SAW) has said about Mawla Ali:
• “Ali thoddi tak Iman se labraiz hai” (Ref: Yana ba ul mawwadat, vol. 2, Page 27)
• “Kul ka Kul Iman aaj Kul ke Kul Kufra ka saamna karne nikla hai” (This he spoke when Mawla Ali went to fight with Amr-bin-abadewad in Jung-e-Khandaq Ref: Imam Ahmed bin Hambal & Nisaee, page 8. Ibne Abi Shiba Vol 4, P 326. Kanzul Ammal Vol 6, Page 352, 407)

In the following aayat, Allah (SWT) endorses whatever Rasool (SAW) has said:

“Qasam hai sitare ki jis waqt ke woh utra. Tumhara rafeeq na bhatak gaya hai aur na bahka hai. Aur wo khwahishe nafasani se kuch nahin kehta. Jo kuch woh kehta hai woh nahin hai magar Wahi hai jo uski taraf bheji jaati hai. Usko badi quwwaton waale aur badi aqal waale ne taalim kiya.” - (Soora-e-Najam, aayat,1-5 )

It means that without Allah’s consent Rasool (SAW) would not speak. In this light Mawla Ali is “Kulle Iman” by Allah (SWT) and Rasool (SAW) both; so if we wish that our “Iman” gets complete we should look towards Mawla Ali and try to follow him. Loving and following him will make us “Mukammal Momin.”

Allah (SWT) has further said in the following aayat:

“Ae Imandaro agar tum Khuda ke deen ki madad karoge to Woh bhi tumhari madad karega aur tumhain saabit kadam rakhega.” - (Soora-e-Mohammed, aayat 7)

By keeping our Islam and Iman intact, we can help Allah’s deen. And that would happen if we follow Mawla Ali and accept him as our leader. In the above aayat Allah has promised that He will help us if we help His deen, so logically when we call for our leader and master by calling “Ya Ali Madad”, Allah (SWT) bestows His limitless grace and help on us as we are protecting our Islam and Iman i.e. our deen.

Ya Ali Madad.

Wasila and Shirk

In my quest for finding the true path which Allah (SWT) has propagated in The Holy Quran, this is my humble attempt to discuss and understand the concept of "Wasila" which most of us mistake it as 'shirk'. We tend to do it as we don't want to get deviated from the true path, as we love Allah and wants to follow Him and obey Him as far as possible.

When we see our lives, we see that we come to this world vide our parents. Allah says that He gives us birth, but we never see Him, instead we see the mother giving birth. Allah says that it is He who raises us but we find that our parents take pains to raise us. Now if we start ignoring our parents and dont look after them by saying that "you did not do anything, it is Allah who has given me birth and raised me". Allah (SWT) will never like this and He will surely punish us. He does not like us to be disrespectful and ignore the 'wasila' which he has chosen for the specific purpose. We see a child demanding many things from his parents. Can this be 'shirk' ? no it cannot be it is a right wasila from which Allah will grant a child whatever he needs. So 'wasila' is chosen by Allah and asking and seeking things vide a wasila is asking from Allah Himself.

Let us understand with one more example. I teach and I am a visiting faculty. Many students look up to me for fulfillment of their knowledge. I become a wasila for their 'ILM". Allah imparts them knowledge and He appoints me to deliver that. Now, if my intentions are good and I am honest with my teaching I will be an expert on the subject. People will praise me and love me. Now can this be 'shirk' no it cannot. It is Allah's will that I get reward for my good "intention" and hardwork.

Again, I cannot be the wasila for subjects other than 'advertising' on which I am not good. I cannot teach engineering nor medical science. So it means that Allah has created me as a wasila for one aspect of knowledge.

Now let us try to understand the importance of Mohammad (SAW) and wa aale Mohammad (SAW) in this light. We will first see the following aayat from Surah-e-Baqra (Aayat 124).

"Ae Rasool (S.A.W) Bani Israel ko woh waqt bhi yaad dilao jab Ibrahim (A.S) ko unke Parvardigar ne chand baton main aazmaya aur unhone pura kar diya to Khuda ne farmaya Main tumko logon ka peshwa banane wala hoon. Hazrat Ibrahim (A.S) ne arz ki aur meri aulad main se. Farmaya haan magar mere ahad per zaalimon main se koi shakhs faaez nahin ho sakta."

From the above aayat it is clear that Allah (SWT) did aazmaish of Ibrahim (A.S) and when he was successful, Allah made him Peshwa and Imam. He then prayed that his progeny should also be Imam and Peshwa and we know that Mohammed wa aale Mohammed i.e. all 12 Imams and Janaba Fatema (SA) and Huzoor (SAW) are descendants of Ibrahim (AS). So Allah granted his wish.

Again Allah says that he did the aazmaaish of Ibrahim (A.S) and that was the qurbani (sacrifice) which Allah wanted from him of Ismaeel (A.S). We all know the entire incident. It means that Allah does aazmaaish of His chosen servants and then He grants them with his limitless grace.

Now let us see the life of Mohammad (SAW) Wa Aale Mohammed (SAW) and their aazmaaish on various occasions. There are many but I will restrict to the followings:

1) When Huzoor (SAW) was a child and when he became orphan. Hazrat Abu Talib (A S) raised him, supported him and did everything to protect him from his enemies. He was always ready to sacrifice his children to save the holy prophet. During the nights he would exchange the bed on which Huzoor (SAW) would sleep with his child's so that if somebody with ill-intention wants to harm the prophet, he would harm Hazrat Abu Talib (A.S) children instead. Allah appointed Abu Talib (A.S) as guardian to the prophet.

2) During "Shab-e-Hijrat" when there was a threat on the life of Huzoor (SAW). Maula Ali came to his help and he slept on Huzoor (SAW) bed for the entire night. If somebody would have attacked on that night, Maula Ali would have got harmed and not Huzoor (SAW). He was ready to sacrifice his life for the sake of Allah.

3) We all know that Imam Husain (A.S) sacrificed his entire family for the sake of Allah. Ibrahim (A.S) was asked sacrifice his one child,which he tried by keeping his eyes closed, while Imam Husain (A.S) sacrificed his entire family in front of his open eyes. Why would not Allah (SWT) then grant them with his "Will" then?

When we look this logically we can understand why Allah said in Surah-e-Ambiya that

" Aur Ae Rasool (SAW) Hum ne tum ko tamam alamon ke liye rehmat hi karke bheja hai".

And Rasool (SAW) has said that "Main aur Ali ek hee noor se hai"

He has also said that "Husain mujh se hai aur main Husain se hoon"

From the above it is clear that in both the worlds (Duniya and Aakherat), Mohammed wa Aale Mohammed (SAW) are the wasila for Allah's Rehmat. So when we seek "rehmat" and "madad" from them we are not doing 'shirk", we are infact going to a right wasila from where things will be granted. So it also means that whoever Mohammed (SAW) wa aale Mohammed (SAW) wishes Allah will bless him. Their wish is Allah's wish.

Since Mohaamed (SAW) and wa aale Mohammed (SAW) had clear intentions and honest with their quest to follow Allah's path, Allah rewarded them with his "Will". And when we praise them, Allah is happy as we are praising Allah by praising His wasila. If I deliver a good lecture and students praise me and that cannot be shirk as Allah has rewarded me for my hardwork, similarly praising Mohammed (SAW) and his progeny cannot be a 'shirk' as Allah has rewarded them for their faithfulness and honesty.

Blogger Buzz: Blogger integrates with Amazon Associates

Blogger Buzz: Blogger integrates with Amazon Associates

Failure is an Opportunity!

Failure is the first stepping stone to success. I failed to secure distinctions in my higher secondary and I could not become an engineer. Instead today I am an entrepreneur working on my own terms and independent.

Had I been an engineer, I would have been still working with a blue-chip company, may be. I gained a lot when I failed to secure distinctions. Today, I feel it was an opportunity in the form of a failure.

Star Entrepreneurship Award at International India Innovation Summit

Hearty Mart's founder and Managing Partner – Nadeem Jafri is proud to receive the “Star Entrepreneurship Award” on behalf of Team-Hearty Mart at the Summit held in Mumbai on 11th Feb. This award is conferred for the continuous innovation in the field of rural based organized retail and creation and nurturing of rural entrepreneurs.

As per the Global Chairman Mr. Tony Blanchard “As an appreciation for his good work and contribution to Innovation we are delighted in conferring Nadeem Jafri – founder & Managing Partner, Hearty Mart with the Star Entrepreneur Award at our reputed summit”. The Indira Group who organized the event, chose the Star Entrepreneurs after great research and due diligence for their inspiring achievements. The past awardees in the event had been India’s growing and well known companies like Suzlon, Tata Motors, MindTree, Toyota Kirloskar, Jubiliant Organosys and the like.