=> "A sincere thought needs to be nurtured. It is like a seed, which if sown properly can create a beautiful garden around it."
=> "Entrepreneur is a creator. He creates business. He creates opportunities. He creates employment and if he has the vision and has the element of luck with him, he can create empire."
=> "When you learn the art of weighing each thought that comes to you, you have actually found the right doctrine of growth"
Friday, July 16, 2010
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Trueway to Faith
While working with a mobile company I was required to meet a top official of a textile company and present him with the details of the product.
Being an outsider, it was a difficult task as I was not aware of the way to meet such a high profile person. After mustering lots of courage I went to meet him.
At the front office, the manager came to my rescue and directed me to the Executive Assistant of the official. He said that this is the right way of reaching him. I was glad and thanked him.
Later on following the advice of the front office manager, I was successful in talking to the Executive Assistant and eventually met the top official and closed the deal.
Since the top officials are not accessible directly it is the front office from where we get the relevant information about the organization and its close association helps us in getting the right direction to reach the top management.
This, I think has a great resemblance with the way Islam spread in the subcontinent, let us see how?
As per the ayah of Surah-e-Baqra ‘There is no compulsion in Religion’ (Ayatul Kursi, Surah-e-Baqra, ayah, 256). It means that Islam can never spread through force, tact, guile or violence.
Again let us see Allah (SWT)’s instructions to Rasool (SAW) in this regard:
•“Ae Rasool (SAW) tum logon ko apne Parvardigar ki raah per hikmat aur achhi achhi nasihat ke zariye se bulao aur bahas-o-mubahasa karo bhi to aise tariqe se jo logon ke nazdik sab se achha ho. Iss main shak nahin ke jo log Khuda ki raah per se bhatak gaye unko tumhara Parvardigar khoob jaanta hai aur hidayat yafta logon se bhi khoob waqif hai.” – (Surah-e-Nahl, ayah 125)
In the light of the above ayah, it can be said that Islam can spread only through logical reasoning and affectionate arguments.
Now, if we want to put forward our arguments in day to day life, we know that beyond a certain point we tend to lose patience and we end up in a heated discussion with the person who opposes us or we do not want to carry forward the argument any more.
It means the above task was not an easy one, and after Rasool (SAW) there must have been some chosen ones who helped in his mission.
In the following ayah, Allah (SWT) says:
•“Aur tum main se ek giroh aise logon ka bhi to hona chahiye jo logon ko neki ki taraf bulaye aur achhe kaam ka hukm de aur boore kamon se roke aur aise hi log aakherat main apni dili muradein payenge.” – (Surah-e-Aale Imran, ayah 104)
Here Allah wishes to have a specific group of people who can help in spreading the message of righteousness.
Again, in the following ayah of Surah-e-Aale Imran, Allah (SWT) says:
•“Tum kya achhe giroh ho ke logon ki hidayat ke waaste paida kiye gaye ho. Tum logon ko achhe kaam ka to hukm karte ho aur boore kaamon se rokte ho aur Khuda per Imaan rakhte ho aur agar ahl-e-kitab bhi isi tarah imaan laate to unke haq main bahot achha hota un main se kuch to imaandar hai aur aksar badkaar”. – ( Surah-e-Aale Imran, ayah 110)
While in the previous ayah, Allah wished to have a group of people who can spread the right message, here, in the above ayah He has actually addressed them. They are born to preach and spread the message of Islam. They are thus the authority of spreading Islam and bring people towards Imaan.
Ibn-e-Abi Hakim has quoted Hazrat Abu Ja’far that these group of people are Ahl-ul-bait of Rasool (SAW). (Ref: Tafseer-e-Suyuti, Vol 2, P 64)
And Rasool (SAW) has said that:
•“In the love for my Ahl-ul-bait lies the foundation of Islam” (Ref: Selections from Kanz-ul-Ummal, P 94).
Ahl-ul-bait of Rasool (SAW) i.e. Mohammed wa Aale Mohammed are the authority for preaching the religion. They put forward arguments with logic and reasoning the way Allah wanted them to do.
Now when we see the Islamic history, we find that Mohammed wa Aale Mohammed carried out the holy task of preaching Islam only in Arab countries, we may wonder then that how did Islam spread in the subcontinent with 1/3rd of the world’s Muslim population here.
It leads us to think that the people who were responsible for preaching Islam in Indian sub-continent must have been associated with the authority i.e. Ahl-ul-bait of Rasool (SAW).
In the following ayah Quran says about the true preachers of Islam:
•“Aur Hamari makhluqat se kuch log aise bhi hai jo din-e-haq ki hidayat karte hai aur haq hi haq insaf bhi karte hai.” – (Surah-e-Airaf, ayah 181)
While in Nah-jul-balagha Mawla Ali has thrown some light on these trustees of religion and the true preachers.
Let us see the excerpt of Imam Ali’s speech to Kumayl ibn Ziyad al-Nakha’i:
•“If sensible trustees of knowledge and wisdom totally disappear from human society then both knowledge and wisdom will suffer severely, may bring harm to humanity and may even die out. But this earth will never be without those persons who will prove the universality of truth as disclosed by Allah, they may be well-known persons, openly and fearlessly declaring the things revealed to them or they may, under fear of harm, injury or deaths hide themselves from the public gaze and may carry on their mission privately so that the reasons proving the reality of truth as preached by religion and as demonstrated by His Prophet may not totally disappear.”
Then he furthers says to Kumayl that:
•“By God, these (true Knowers) are the fewest in number, but the greatest of all in their rank with God! Through them God preserves His Evidences and His Illuminating-manifestations, so that these (Knowers) may entrust them to their (true) peers and sow them in the Hearts of those like them. Through (those Knowers) Knowing penetrates to the inner reality of true Insight (haqīqat al-basīra). They are in touch with the Spirit of Certainty (rūh al-yaqīn). They make clear what the lovers of comfort had obscured. They are at home with what distresses the ignorant. And their bodies keep company with this world, while their spirits are connected to the Loftiest Station.Those are the ones who are (truly) God’s Stewards on the earth, who are calling (the people) to His Religion. Oh, how I long to see them!” – (Ref: Nah-jul-balagha, saying 146)
As per Mawla Ali (A.S) this earth will never be without these chosen trustees. When we love Mawla Ali we are in Allah’s army (Ref: Surah-e-Maida, ayah 55-56, I have already mentioned this in my article “Ali Mushkil Kusha” with relevant references), and if Mawla Ali longs for someone’s company, what would be his stature? I believe he should be at a highly placed rank among Allah’s army.
Love for Ahl-ul-bait is the foundation of Islam. Islam is Allah’s wisdom and knowledge that means when these True Knowers and Trustees laid the foundation of Islam they actually laid the foundation of love for Ahl-ul-bait amongst their followers. They directed the people who approached them to Ahl-ul-bait and gave them the true way of reaching faith.
Most of the Pir Auliya who came to Indian subcontinent to preach Islam, have written eulogies and munajaat’s in praise of Ahl-ul-bait. Work of great Sufi saints like Hazrat Shams Tabrez (RA), Hazrat Hasan Kabir-ud-din (RA), Hazrat Khwaja Moinnudin Chisti (RA), Hazrat Khwaja Qutub Bakhtiar Kaki (RA) speak volumes about their dedication and love for Mohammed wa Aale Mohammed. Though centuries apart, it was this love which became a guiding force for them to preach religion.
Khwaja Moin-ud-din Chisti (RA) has written “Shah ast Husain, Badshah ast Husain..” in praise of Imam Husain’s martyrdom. And I would like to mention few stanzas of his other munajaat. With this Munajaat he has shown his followers how to pray for salvation:
•“Ya Rab Ba Haqq-e-Sayyede Konene Mustafa Ke ou Shafe-e-Ma-asio Ke ou ma’ambe Ata.”
(O my Lord for the sake of Mustafa the chief of the two worlds, who is the intercessor of sinners and source of bounties).
•“Ya Rab Ba Haqq-e-Shah-e-Najaf anke amadah Dar shane ou Tabarako, Yaseen wa Hal Ataa.”
(O Almighty God, for the sake of Shah-e-Najaf (Ali) about him God revealed Tabarak, Yaseen and Hal Ataa).
In the last stanza he seeks his salavation:
•Daarad Moin ummeed dar aandam ze lutfe Khud Bakhsi wuraa ba shah e shahidan e Karbala.”
(Moin hopes that the Almighty God will forgive him on that day; the day of Resurrection for the sake of the Monarch of the martyrs of Karbala).
We find similar munajaat written by Khwaja Qutub Bakhtiar Kaki (RA) as well. This association of theirs with Ahl-ul-bait directed their followers to the right path and made them successful.
Allah (SWT) says in the following ayah:
•“Aur wo jo sacch ko lekar aaya aur jis ne uski tasdiq ki Khuda se darne waale wohi to hai. Un ke liye un ke Parvardigar ke paas jo jo kuch woh chahenge maujood hai, neko karon ka badla yahi to hai” – (Surah-e-Zumar, ayah 33-34)
Their efforts got appreciated by Allah and people got their desires fulfilled at their shrines. That is how Khwaja Moinnudin Chisti (RA) came to be known as ‘Gharib Nawaz’; Hazrat Hasan Kabir-ud-din (RA) came to be known as ‘Kufr Shikan’ and Nizammuddin Auliya as ‘Mehboob-e-Ilahi’.
Again in following ayah of Surah-e-Baqra Allah promises:
• “Pus tum Hamari yaad rakho to Main bhi tumhara zikr (khair) kiya karunga aur Mera shukriya ada karte aur nashukri na karo.” – (Surah-e-Baqra, ayah 152)
It was they who laid the foundation of Islam in Indian subcontinent and spread Allah’s message. And Allah has rewarded them immensely; as promised in the above ayah, as we see millions of people from across the world, irrespective of their religion and faith throng to their tombs and shrines during Urs and otherwise to pay respect and homage to these Sufi saints and seek their blessings.
Sufi Saints and Pir Auliya are the trustees of knowledge and Islamic wisdom. It is through them that Islam got propagated in Indian subcontinent. They have sown the seeds of love for Ahl-ul-bait amongst their followers and laid the foundation of Islam. I pray to my Lord to keep me in the companionship of these trustees of knowledge and wisdom so that my devotion and love for Ahl-ul-bait increases manifolds and may I remain steadfast on Your path. Aamin
Being an outsider, it was a difficult task as I was not aware of the way to meet such a high profile person. After mustering lots of courage I went to meet him.
At the front office, the manager came to my rescue and directed me to the Executive Assistant of the official. He said that this is the right way of reaching him. I was glad and thanked him.
Later on following the advice of the front office manager, I was successful in talking to the Executive Assistant and eventually met the top official and closed the deal.
Since the top officials are not accessible directly it is the front office from where we get the relevant information about the organization and its close association helps us in getting the right direction to reach the top management.
This, I think has a great resemblance with the way Islam spread in the subcontinent, let us see how?
As per the ayah of Surah-e-Baqra ‘There is no compulsion in Religion’ (Ayatul Kursi, Surah-e-Baqra, ayah, 256). It means that Islam can never spread through force, tact, guile or violence.
Again let us see Allah (SWT)’s instructions to Rasool (SAW) in this regard:
•“Ae Rasool (SAW) tum logon ko apne Parvardigar ki raah per hikmat aur achhi achhi nasihat ke zariye se bulao aur bahas-o-mubahasa karo bhi to aise tariqe se jo logon ke nazdik sab se achha ho. Iss main shak nahin ke jo log Khuda ki raah per se bhatak gaye unko tumhara Parvardigar khoob jaanta hai aur hidayat yafta logon se bhi khoob waqif hai.” – (Surah-e-Nahl, ayah 125)
In the light of the above ayah, it can be said that Islam can spread only through logical reasoning and affectionate arguments.
Now, if we want to put forward our arguments in day to day life, we know that beyond a certain point we tend to lose patience and we end up in a heated discussion with the person who opposes us or we do not want to carry forward the argument any more.
It means the above task was not an easy one, and after Rasool (SAW) there must have been some chosen ones who helped in his mission.
In the following ayah, Allah (SWT) says:
•“Aur tum main se ek giroh aise logon ka bhi to hona chahiye jo logon ko neki ki taraf bulaye aur achhe kaam ka hukm de aur boore kamon se roke aur aise hi log aakherat main apni dili muradein payenge.” – (Surah-e-Aale Imran, ayah 104)
Here Allah wishes to have a specific group of people who can help in spreading the message of righteousness.
Again, in the following ayah of Surah-e-Aale Imran, Allah (SWT) says:
•“Tum kya achhe giroh ho ke logon ki hidayat ke waaste paida kiye gaye ho. Tum logon ko achhe kaam ka to hukm karte ho aur boore kaamon se rokte ho aur Khuda per Imaan rakhte ho aur agar ahl-e-kitab bhi isi tarah imaan laate to unke haq main bahot achha hota un main se kuch to imaandar hai aur aksar badkaar”. – ( Surah-e-Aale Imran, ayah 110)
While in the previous ayah, Allah wished to have a group of people who can spread the right message, here, in the above ayah He has actually addressed them. They are born to preach and spread the message of Islam. They are thus the authority of spreading Islam and bring people towards Imaan.
Ibn-e-Abi Hakim has quoted Hazrat Abu Ja’far that these group of people are Ahl-ul-bait of Rasool (SAW). (Ref: Tafseer-e-Suyuti, Vol 2, P 64)
And Rasool (SAW) has said that:
•“In the love for my Ahl-ul-bait lies the foundation of Islam” (Ref: Selections from Kanz-ul-Ummal, P 94).
Ahl-ul-bait of Rasool (SAW) i.e. Mohammed wa Aale Mohammed are the authority for preaching the religion. They put forward arguments with logic and reasoning the way Allah wanted them to do.
Now when we see the Islamic history, we find that Mohammed wa Aale Mohammed carried out the holy task of preaching Islam only in Arab countries, we may wonder then that how did Islam spread in the subcontinent with 1/3rd of the world’s Muslim population here.
It leads us to think that the people who were responsible for preaching Islam in Indian sub-continent must have been associated with the authority i.e. Ahl-ul-bait of Rasool (SAW).
In the following ayah Quran says about the true preachers of Islam:
•“Aur Hamari makhluqat se kuch log aise bhi hai jo din-e-haq ki hidayat karte hai aur haq hi haq insaf bhi karte hai.” – (Surah-e-Airaf, ayah 181)
While in Nah-jul-balagha Mawla Ali has thrown some light on these trustees of religion and the true preachers.
Let us see the excerpt of Imam Ali’s speech to Kumayl ibn Ziyad al-Nakha’i:
•“If sensible trustees of knowledge and wisdom totally disappear from human society then both knowledge and wisdom will suffer severely, may bring harm to humanity and may even die out. But this earth will never be without those persons who will prove the universality of truth as disclosed by Allah, they may be well-known persons, openly and fearlessly declaring the things revealed to them or they may, under fear of harm, injury or deaths hide themselves from the public gaze and may carry on their mission privately so that the reasons proving the reality of truth as preached by religion and as demonstrated by His Prophet may not totally disappear.”
Then he furthers says to Kumayl that:
•“By God, these (true Knowers) are the fewest in number, but the greatest of all in their rank with God! Through them God preserves His Evidences and His Illuminating-manifestations, so that these (Knowers) may entrust them to their (true) peers and sow them in the Hearts of those like them. Through (those Knowers) Knowing penetrates to the inner reality of true Insight (haqīqat al-basīra). They are in touch with the Spirit of Certainty (rūh al-yaqīn). They make clear what the lovers of comfort had obscured. They are at home with what distresses the ignorant. And their bodies keep company with this world, while their spirits are connected to the Loftiest Station.Those are the ones who are (truly) God’s Stewards on the earth, who are calling (the people) to His Religion. Oh, how I long to see them!” – (Ref: Nah-jul-balagha, saying 146)
As per Mawla Ali (A.S) this earth will never be without these chosen trustees. When we love Mawla Ali we are in Allah’s army (Ref: Surah-e-Maida, ayah 55-56, I have already mentioned this in my article “Ali Mushkil Kusha” with relevant references), and if Mawla Ali longs for someone’s company, what would be his stature? I believe he should be at a highly placed rank among Allah’s army.
Love for Ahl-ul-bait is the foundation of Islam. Islam is Allah’s wisdom and knowledge that means when these True Knowers and Trustees laid the foundation of Islam they actually laid the foundation of love for Ahl-ul-bait amongst their followers. They directed the people who approached them to Ahl-ul-bait and gave them the true way of reaching faith.
Most of the Pir Auliya who came to Indian subcontinent to preach Islam, have written eulogies and munajaat’s in praise of Ahl-ul-bait. Work of great Sufi saints like Hazrat Shams Tabrez (RA), Hazrat Hasan Kabir-ud-din (RA), Hazrat Khwaja Moinnudin Chisti (RA), Hazrat Khwaja Qutub Bakhtiar Kaki (RA) speak volumes about their dedication and love for Mohammed wa Aale Mohammed. Though centuries apart, it was this love which became a guiding force for them to preach religion.
Khwaja Moin-ud-din Chisti (RA) has written “Shah ast Husain, Badshah ast Husain..” in praise of Imam Husain’s martyrdom. And I would like to mention few stanzas of his other munajaat. With this Munajaat he has shown his followers how to pray for salvation:
•“Ya Rab Ba Haqq-e-Sayyede Konene Mustafa Ke ou Shafe-e-Ma-asio Ke ou ma’ambe Ata.”
(O my Lord for the sake of Mustafa the chief of the two worlds, who is the intercessor of sinners and source of bounties).
•“Ya Rab Ba Haqq-e-Shah-e-Najaf anke amadah Dar shane ou Tabarako, Yaseen wa Hal Ataa.”
(O Almighty God, for the sake of Shah-e-Najaf (Ali) about him God revealed Tabarak, Yaseen and Hal Ataa).
In the last stanza he seeks his salavation:
•Daarad Moin ummeed dar aandam ze lutfe Khud Bakhsi wuraa ba shah e shahidan e Karbala.”
(Moin hopes that the Almighty God will forgive him on that day; the day of Resurrection for the sake of the Monarch of the martyrs of Karbala).
We find similar munajaat written by Khwaja Qutub Bakhtiar Kaki (RA) as well. This association of theirs with Ahl-ul-bait directed their followers to the right path and made them successful.
Allah (SWT) says in the following ayah:
•“Aur wo jo sacch ko lekar aaya aur jis ne uski tasdiq ki Khuda se darne waale wohi to hai. Un ke liye un ke Parvardigar ke paas jo jo kuch woh chahenge maujood hai, neko karon ka badla yahi to hai” – (Surah-e-Zumar, ayah 33-34)
Their efforts got appreciated by Allah and people got their desires fulfilled at their shrines. That is how Khwaja Moinnudin Chisti (RA) came to be known as ‘Gharib Nawaz’; Hazrat Hasan Kabir-ud-din (RA) came to be known as ‘Kufr Shikan’ and Nizammuddin Auliya as ‘Mehboob-e-Ilahi’.
Again in following ayah of Surah-e-Baqra Allah promises:
• “Pus tum Hamari yaad rakho to Main bhi tumhara zikr (khair) kiya karunga aur Mera shukriya ada karte aur nashukri na karo.” – (Surah-e-Baqra, ayah 152)
It was they who laid the foundation of Islam in Indian subcontinent and spread Allah’s message. And Allah has rewarded them immensely; as promised in the above ayah, as we see millions of people from across the world, irrespective of their religion and faith throng to their tombs and shrines during Urs and otherwise to pay respect and homage to these Sufi saints and seek their blessings.
Sufi Saints and Pir Auliya are the trustees of knowledge and Islamic wisdom. It is through them that Islam got propagated in Indian subcontinent. They have sown the seeds of love for Ahl-ul-bait amongst their followers and laid the foundation of Islam. I pray to my Lord to keep me in the companionship of these trustees of knowledge and wisdom so that my devotion and love for Ahl-ul-bait increases manifolds and may I remain steadfast on Your path. Aamin
Monday, July 12, 2010
Momin and Imaan
During my induction in one of the prominent companies, the HR manager was explaining me the policies of the organization and what would be my job responsibilities? And what were the expectations of the company from me?
He further elaborated about the employee benefit schemes of the company – the perks and leave entitlement and the performance appraisal system. I was very impressed and I asked him about how soon would I be eligible for all this?
He said that it would depend on successful completion of my probation period of six months. During this period the company would observe my commitment, integrity, my way of carrying out all the responsibilities and above all my dedication to the organization.
If I am successful I would be a confirmed employee having access to all the benefits and perks but If I fail my probation period may get extended and in worst situation I may be asked to leave the organization.
Any company operating in any kind of industry follows the above norms, so if this is so prevalent in business organization can we draw any parallel of this with Islamic organization?
In Quran Allah (SWT) says in the following ayah:
•“Arab ke dehati kehte hai ke hum imaan laye ae Rasool (SAW) tum kehdo ke tum imaan nahi laaye balke yun kehdo ke islam laaye haanlake imaan ka abhi tak tumhare dil se guzar hua hi nahin….” – (Surah-e-Al-Hujuraat, ayah 14)
In the light of above ayah, it can be said that “Being in Islam” and “Being with Imaan” are two different things. Again, it seems that a person is first a Muslim and then he can become a Momin. For a Muslim it is mandatory to offer namaz, fast in Ramzan and go for a Hajj and if he does this he is called a devout Muslim. So how can he become a Momin? It means Allah (SWT) wants Muslims to do something beyond the mandatory to be a Momin. What is that?
Following ayah will help us in our quest:
•“Aur Ae Imandaro namaz pabandi se padha karo aur zakaat diya karo aur (dil se) Rasool (SAW) ki ita’at karo taake tum per rahem kiya jaaye.” – (Surah-e-Noor, ayah 56)
The above ayah has been addressed to “Imaandar Momins “ and it says that apart from our prayers (namaz); Allah (SWT) expects us to be dedicated to Rasool (SAW). It means that being dedicated to Rasool (SAW) is that key parameter, which will transform a Muslim into a true Momin.
Again in the following ayah Quran says:
•“Aur jo shakhs ne Khuda aur Rasool (SAW) ki ita’at ki to aise log un maqbool bandon ke saath honge jinhain Khuda ne apni na’ematein di hai yaane ambiya aur siddiqueen aur shohda aur saalehin aur yeh log kya hi ache rafeeq hai.” – (Surah-e-Nisa, ayat 69)
If we remain dedicated to Rasool (SAW), we get the appraisal of being the chosen one by Allah (SWT). And then we become eligible to get limitless bounties from the Almighty Allah.
So if we carry out our responsibilities of namaz, roza, zakat, Hajj and whatever is being entrusted on us well and above all remain dedicated to Rasool (SAW); Allah (SWT) would confirm us as Momins. And once we get the confirmation of being a Momin, we would get the benefits of Allah’s grace, His limitless bounties and kindness. And we are amongst the chosen people of Allah.
We have been taught the ways of offering namaz, undergoing roza and Hajj. But do we know the way to remain dedicated to Rasool (SAW)? Has Allah (SWT) created such an example which we should follow? And if such an example is there, can Quran throw some light on it?
In Surah-e-Anfal, Allah (SWT) says:
•“Ae Rasool (SAW) wohi to woh Khuda hai jis ne apni khaas madad aur momineen se tumhari taeed ki” – (Surah-e-Anfal, ayah 62)
In the above ayah, Allah (SWT) has informed Rasool (SAW) that He has appointed a Momin, who is a great help to him.
As per the tradition of Abu Hureira, quoted by Ibn-e-Asakir, Rasool (SAW) has said that it is written on ‘arsh’ that there is no God but Allah, Mohammed (SAW) is My slave and My Rasool and I helped him through Ali. (Ref: Durr-e-Mansoor, Vol 3, P 199, Mulla Jalaluddin Suyuti, Tarkih Ibn-e-Asakir, Zainul falli).
Allah further says in the following ayah of the same surah:
• “Ae Rasool (SAW) tum ko buss Khuda aur jo momineen tumhare taabe’ farman hai kafi hai.” – (Surah-e-Anfal, ayah 64)
Here, He endorses the commitment and dedication of Mawla Ali (A.S) and He further says that Allah and Mawla Ali are enough for Rasool (SAW)’s help.
This dedication and commitment has made him “Commander of Faithfull” and the prominent hadees of Rasool (SAW) says:
•‘Momin ka Amir aur Musalmanon ka Sardar Ali hai.” (Ref: Manaqib al Khwarzami, P 85, Karib Minal Lafaz, Faraeed al Samtain, Vol 1, P 149)
Mawla Ali (A.S) is that shining example which needs to be followed. and if we follow him we will know the way to remain dedicated to Rasool (SAW). He is Amir-ul-Momineen and leader of umah-e-Rasool (SAW).
Love for Mawla Ali (A.S) is that key differentiator between a Momin and otherwise. That is why Rasool (SAW) has said:
•“Momin ke naam-e-aa’mal ka uonwaan Ali ki mohabbat hai” (Ref; Sawaiqa Mohraika, P 120, Tarikh ibn-e-Asakir, vol 42, P 7, Tarikh al Baghdad, P 177)
In the following ayah Quran says:
•“Yeh woh log hai jinki roohain farishte iss haalat main qabz karte hain ke woh (najaasat-e- kufr se) paak-o-pakizah hote hai to farishte unse (nihayat tapaak se) kehte hai salaam-un-alay kum jo naikiya duniya main tum karte the uss ke sile main Jannat main ( be-takalluf ) chale jao.” – (Surah-e-Nahl, ayah 32)
In the above ayah the angels send their salams to few chosen people for their good deeds. So what are these good deeds which even angels acknowledge and who are these people?
Rasool (SAW) has said this:
•‘Behold, whoever dies for the love of Aal-e-Mohammed two doors leading towards Heaven shall be opened for him in his grave”. (Ref: Zamakhshari in his Tafseer, Imam Sa’labi in Tafseer-e-Kabeer)
In the light of above hadees it is clear now that ayah of Surah-e-Nahl refers to Momins who die for the love of Aale Mohammed. It means the reference of “Nekiyan” or “good deeds” is the love for Prophet (pbuh) and his holy progeny which even angels acknowledge.
In a professional career if you do well for the organization you are duly rewarded. You get appreciation for your consistency in commitment and dedication. Now let us see which are the rewards a Momin can expect at the Day of Judgment for his commitment in loving Mawla Ali and his dedication to Rasool (SAW). For this we will see the following two ayahs:
•“Jis din tum momin mard aur momin aurton ko dekhoge ke unke imaan ka noor unke aage aage aur dahine taraf chal raha hoga to unse kaha jaaega ki tum ko bashaarat ho ki aaj tumhare liye woh baagh hai jinke niche nahrein jaari hai jinmain hamesha rahoge yehi to badi kamiyabi hai – (Surah-e-Al Hadid, ayah 12)
•“Khuda ne Imaandar mardon aur imaandar aurton se bahisht ke un baaghon ka wa’ada kar liya hai jinke niche nahrein jaari hai aur wo un main hamesha rahenge bahisht ke baaghon main umda umda makanaat ka bhi wa’ada farmaya hai aur Khuda ki khushnudi un sab se baalatar hai, yehi to badi a’ala darje ki kaamiyabi hai.” – (Surah-e-Tauba, ayah 72)
I would like to conclude with this prayer that O my Lord! Increase my love for Mawla Ali, so that I remain dedicated to Rasool (SAW) and so that I become a chosen Momin slave of Yours. I get appraisal and great rewards in this world and hereafter. Keep my feet planted on the path Your holy Prophet (PBUH) has shown. Aamin
He further elaborated about the employee benefit schemes of the company – the perks and leave entitlement and the performance appraisal system. I was very impressed and I asked him about how soon would I be eligible for all this?
He said that it would depend on successful completion of my probation period of six months. During this period the company would observe my commitment, integrity, my way of carrying out all the responsibilities and above all my dedication to the organization.
If I am successful I would be a confirmed employee having access to all the benefits and perks but If I fail my probation period may get extended and in worst situation I may be asked to leave the organization.
Any company operating in any kind of industry follows the above norms, so if this is so prevalent in business organization can we draw any parallel of this with Islamic organization?
In Quran Allah (SWT) says in the following ayah:
•“Arab ke dehati kehte hai ke hum imaan laye ae Rasool (SAW) tum kehdo ke tum imaan nahi laaye balke yun kehdo ke islam laaye haanlake imaan ka abhi tak tumhare dil se guzar hua hi nahin….” – (Surah-e-Al-Hujuraat, ayah 14)
In the light of above ayah, it can be said that “Being in Islam” and “Being with Imaan” are two different things. Again, it seems that a person is first a Muslim and then he can become a Momin. For a Muslim it is mandatory to offer namaz, fast in Ramzan and go for a Hajj and if he does this he is called a devout Muslim. So how can he become a Momin? It means Allah (SWT) wants Muslims to do something beyond the mandatory to be a Momin. What is that?
Following ayah will help us in our quest:
•“Aur Ae Imandaro namaz pabandi se padha karo aur zakaat diya karo aur (dil se) Rasool (SAW) ki ita’at karo taake tum per rahem kiya jaaye.” – (Surah-e-Noor, ayah 56)
The above ayah has been addressed to “Imaandar Momins “ and it says that apart from our prayers (namaz); Allah (SWT) expects us to be dedicated to Rasool (SAW). It means that being dedicated to Rasool (SAW) is that key parameter, which will transform a Muslim into a true Momin.
Again in the following ayah Quran says:
•“Aur jo shakhs ne Khuda aur Rasool (SAW) ki ita’at ki to aise log un maqbool bandon ke saath honge jinhain Khuda ne apni na’ematein di hai yaane ambiya aur siddiqueen aur shohda aur saalehin aur yeh log kya hi ache rafeeq hai.” – (Surah-e-Nisa, ayat 69)
If we remain dedicated to Rasool (SAW), we get the appraisal of being the chosen one by Allah (SWT). And then we become eligible to get limitless bounties from the Almighty Allah.
So if we carry out our responsibilities of namaz, roza, zakat, Hajj and whatever is being entrusted on us well and above all remain dedicated to Rasool (SAW); Allah (SWT) would confirm us as Momins. And once we get the confirmation of being a Momin, we would get the benefits of Allah’s grace, His limitless bounties and kindness. And we are amongst the chosen people of Allah.
We have been taught the ways of offering namaz, undergoing roza and Hajj. But do we know the way to remain dedicated to Rasool (SAW)? Has Allah (SWT) created such an example which we should follow? And if such an example is there, can Quran throw some light on it?
In Surah-e-Anfal, Allah (SWT) says:
•“Ae Rasool (SAW) wohi to woh Khuda hai jis ne apni khaas madad aur momineen se tumhari taeed ki” – (Surah-e-Anfal, ayah 62)
In the above ayah, Allah (SWT) has informed Rasool (SAW) that He has appointed a Momin, who is a great help to him.
As per the tradition of Abu Hureira, quoted by Ibn-e-Asakir, Rasool (SAW) has said that it is written on ‘arsh’ that there is no God but Allah, Mohammed (SAW) is My slave and My Rasool and I helped him through Ali. (Ref: Durr-e-Mansoor, Vol 3, P 199, Mulla Jalaluddin Suyuti, Tarkih Ibn-e-Asakir, Zainul falli).
Allah further says in the following ayah of the same surah:
• “Ae Rasool (SAW) tum ko buss Khuda aur jo momineen tumhare taabe’ farman hai kafi hai.” – (Surah-e-Anfal, ayah 64)
Here, He endorses the commitment and dedication of Mawla Ali (A.S) and He further says that Allah and Mawla Ali are enough for Rasool (SAW)’s help.
This dedication and commitment has made him “Commander of Faithfull” and the prominent hadees of Rasool (SAW) says:
•‘Momin ka Amir aur Musalmanon ka Sardar Ali hai.” (Ref: Manaqib al Khwarzami, P 85, Karib Minal Lafaz, Faraeed al Samtain, Vol 1, P 149)
Mawla Ali (A.S) is that shining example which needs to be followed. and if we follow him we will know the way to remain dedicated to Rasool (SAW). He is Amir-ul-Momineen and leader of umah-e-Rasool (SAW).
Love for Mawla Ali (A.S) is that key differentiator between a Momin and otherwise. That is why Rasool (SAW) has said:
•“Momin ke naam-e-aa’mal ka uonwaan Ali ki mohabbat hai” (Ref; Sawaiqa Mohraika, P 120, Tarikh ibn-e-Asakir, vol 42, P 7, Tarikh al Baghdad, P 177)
In the following ayah Quran says:
•“Yeh woh log hai jinki roohain farishte iss haalat main qabz karte hain ke woh (najaasat-e- kufr se) paak-o-pakizah hote hai to farishte unse (nihayat tapaak se) kehte hai salaam-un-alay kum jo naikiya duniya main tum karte the uss ke sile main Jannat main ( be-takalluf ) chale jao.” – (Surah-e-Nahl, ayah 32)
In the above ayah the angels send their salams to few chosen people for their good deeds. So what are these good deeds which even angels acknowledge and who are these people?
Rasool (SAW) has said this:
•‘Behold, whoever dies for the love of Aal-e-Mohammed two doors leading towards Heaven shall be opened for him in his grave”. (Ref: Zamakhshari in his Tafseer, Imam Sa’labi in Tafseer-e-Kabeer)
In the light of above hadees it is clear now that ayah of Surah-e-Nahl refers to Momins who die for the love of Aale Mohammed. It means the reference of “Nekiyan” or “good deeds” is the love for Prophet (pbuh) and his holy progeny which even angels acknowledge.
In a professional career if you do well for the organization you are duly rewarded. You get appreciation for your consistency in commitment and dedication. Now let us see which are the rewards a Momin can expect at the Day of Judgment for his commitment in loving Mawla Ali and his dedication to Rasool (SAW). For this we will see the following two ayahs:
•“Jis din tum momin mard aur momin aurton ko dekhoge ke unke imaan ka noor unke aage aage aur dahine taraf chal raha hoga to unse kaha jaaega ki tum ko bashaarat ho ki aaj tumhare liye woh baagh hai jinke niche nahrein jaari hai jinmain hamesha rahoge yehi to badi kamiyabi hai – (Surah-e-Al Hadid, ayah 12)
•“Khuda ne Imaandar mardon aur imaandar aurton se bahisht ke un baaghon ka wa’ada kar liya hai jinke niche nahrein jaari hai aur wo un main hamesha rahenge bahisht ke baaghon main umda umda makanaat ka bhi wa’ada farmaya hai aur Khuda ki khushnudi un sab se baalatar hai, yehi to badi a’ala darje ki kaamiyabi hai.” – (Surah-e-Tauba, ayah 72)
I would like to conclude with this prayer that O my Lord! Increase my love for Mawla Ali, so that I remain dedicated to Rasool (SAW) and so that I become a chosen Momin slave of Yours. I get appraisal and great rewards in this world and hereafter. Keep my feet planted on the path Your holy Prophet (PBUH) has shown. Aamin
Friday, July 9, 2010
Responsible Entrepreneur
As a professional I wanted to achieve everything. I wanted a top designation, I wanted to have enough of authority and power. I wanted to prove a point. As an entreprenuer now, I want success for my company, profits for my investors, growth for my employees and development for my society. It seems from a 'self-centred'... professional it is a transition into a 'responsible' entrepreneur.
Be an Entrepreneur
To get appreciated for the idea which you always believed in but was outrightly rejected initially by others; gives you immense sense of achievement. Finished my presentation amidst lots of applause. Entrepreneurship is something you cherish if you are able to survive the initial storm. Be an entrepreneur and create the difference.
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Imam as Witness
When I had just finished my management studies and was applying for a job in various companies, I was required to draft Curriculum Vitae (CV) which would contain my detailed information. This CV was divided mainly in two parts: Credentials and Reference.
My credentials would contain information regarding my work, my achievements and my professional degree while the reference would be the names of the prominent people I know in the industry who can vouch for me if required.
While facing one such interview, the prospective employer after looking at my credentials for some time started asking me about my reference. I had mentioned a very prominent name from within the industry as my reference and my interviewer was interested to know how do I know this gentleman?
The course of interview suddenly changed; from credentials it moved to my reference. The employer told me that if you are so close to the reference you gave, I don’t want to know anything else. If he is your reference you are as good as selected. He holds lots of goodwill in the industry and we are sure that he would never refer somebody less worthy.
This made me thinking, the reference should be such that it holds value in the eyes of the interviewer; only then it will work. The other important point I learnt was that however good my credentials are if there is not a single authentic reference who can stand by me my credentials may not give me results. And I may fail to seek a good decent job.
We use references time and again in our day to day life without even realizing this. So, if this is so important in our worldly matters can this hold true in Allah’s court?
In Surah-e-Baqra Allah says that:
• “Aur uss waqt ko yaad karo jab Hum ne farishton se kaha ke Aadam (A.S) ko sajda karo to sab ke sab jhuk gaye magar Shaitan ne inkaar kiya aur ghuroor main aagaya aur kafir ho gaya.” – (Surah-e-Baqra, ayah 34)
Since he refused to bow down to Aadam (A.S), he was kicked out of Heavens:
•‘Khuda ne farmaya tu bahisht se nikal jaa dur ho ja beshak tu mardood hai.’ – ( Surah-e-Hijr ayah, 34)
It is said that Satan was the most knowledgeable amongst the angels. His credentials made him ‘ustad’ of all the angels. There was not a single corner on the ‘arsh’ where he did not bow down in sajda to Allah. It means that he believed in Allah, hence was not a kafir by that sense.
We may feel that then why Allah (SWT) referred to him as kafir in the above ayah? He became kafir as he refused to accept the leadership of Aadam (A.S), the duly appointed khalifa of Allah (SWT). His great credentials were of no use to him and within few moments he lost everything. By refusing to bow down to Aadam (A.S), he rejected that very witness who could have vouched for him in Allah’s court.
The result which can be derived from the above is that the credentials of namaz, roza, zakaat, and hajj may not hold any kind of importance if someone fails to recognize the duly appointed Imam by Allah (SWT). The way Satan was kicked out of Heavens, he too may not enter Paradise ever and all his credentials would be wasted. And as per Allah (SWT) such a person is kafir.
In the following ayah Quran says:
•‘Uss din ko yaad karo jab Hum tamam logon ko unke Imamon ke saath bulayenge, to jiska naama-e-aamaal un ke dahine haath main diya jayega to woh log khush khush apna naama-e-aamaal padhne lagege aur un per resha barabar zulm nahin kiya jayega.” – (Surah-e-Bani Israel, ayah 71)
Mawla Ali (A.S) has said that he has heard from Rasool (SAW) that every community will be called along with its Imam at the day of judgement. (Ref: Durr-e-Mansoor, vol 4, P 194). It means that our entire credentials aside, we will be asked to follow our Imams on that day. Thus it is important for us that whom we choose as our Imam?
In case of Aadam (A.S) it was easier as Allah (SWT) Himself ordered the angels to bow down to Aadam (A.S) and accept his authority. But in our case how would we know whether the Imam we are following is the duly appointed Imam by Allah (SWT)? I believe Quran should be referred again for this purpose. So let me quote few more ayahs in this connection.
•“Aur jis tarah tumhare qible ke bare main hidayat ki ussi tarah tum ko aadil banaya taake aur logon ke muqable main tum gawah bano aur Rasool (SAW) tumhare muqable main gawah bane….” – (Surah-e-Baqra, ayah 143)
The above ayah has been addressed to a few chosen people by Allah (SWT) who are duly appointed bearer of witness and on them Rasool (SAW) is witness. It will be their reference that will take us through in Allah’s court.
It has been recorded by Salim-bin-Qais that Mawla Ali (A.S) has mentioned that we are ‘Ummat-e-aadil” (Just people) and bearer of witness to the people. And Rasool (SAW) is our witness. (Ref: Shawahid Tanzil, Hakim Abul Qasim.
•‘ Aur jo haq jihad karne ka hai Khuda ki raah main jihad karo, Usi ne tumko barguzida kiya aur amur e deen main tum per kisi tarah ki sakhti nahin ki tumhare baap Ibrahim (A.S) ke mazhab ko tumhara mazhab bana diya hai. Usi Khuda ne tumhara pehle hi se musalman farmabardar bande naam rakkha aur iss Quran main bhi. To jihad karo taake Rasool (SAW) tumhare muqable main gawah bane aur tum pabandi se namaz padha karo, zakaat dete raho aur Khuda hi ke ahkaam ko mazboot pakdo wahi tumhara sarparast hai to kya achha sarparast hai aur kya achha madadgaar hai.” - (Surah-e-Al Hajj, ayah 78)
If we focus on above ayah we will find that it is one ayah which is being addressed to someone other than Rasool (SAW). As ayah says that “tumko barguzida kiya” that means he is a chosen one. He is also from the lineage of Ibrahim (A.S). He is ordered to take part in jihad the way it should be, so that Rasool (SAW) is his witness. So who is this chosen and faithful servant of Allah (SWT) who is to fight for Allah’s cause as per His order?
Abdur-Rahman bin Auf has quoted Hazrat Umar, according to him the above mentioned jihad will be at the time when Bani Umayya will be the rulers (Ref: Durr-e-Mansur, vol 4, P 371).
Now, from the lineage of Ibrahim (A.S) whoever has fought against Bani Umayya he is that chosen and faithful servant of Allah (SWT) whom the ayah is addressed to. The above ayah definitely refers to Jihad-e-Karbala and it is addressed to Imam Husain (A.S).
Jihad-e-Karbala was Allah (SWT)’s order and Imam Husain was chosen for that purpose. And Allah (SWT) appointed Rasool (SAW) as a witness to Imam Husain (A.S)’s jihad. So when we mourn and remember the atrocities afflicted upon Imam Husain (A.S) it is our way of saying that though centuries apart, we are with him and would have fought the evil had we been born in that era. This way we make our Imam as our witness and in turn Rasool (SAW) is our witness.
He conducted the jihad the way it should be and taught us the importance of sacrifice, faith, love and unity. He had also displayed the importance of namaz. So lessons from Karbala are also important to improve our credentials.
We have seen what Quran has to say about Imams now let us see few of the hadees of Rasool (SAW) on the subject:
•‘In every generation of my followers there are going to be just and righteous members of my Ahl-ul-bait to counteract the alterations and corruptions which the misguided people will try to make in my religion, to remove false allegations of the untruthful and to contradict the misinterpretations of the ignorant. Beware ! Your Imams (pontiffs) shall be your representatives before Allah. So, be careful whom you adopt as your representatives.” (Ref: Recorded by Mulla (Jami) in his Seerat and also by Ibn-e-Hajar in Sawaiq-e-Mohriqa, P. 90)
•‘Mine will be twelve Amirs. And all of them would come down from the Quraish.” (Ref: Recorded by Jabir Bin Samarah, Saheeh Bukhari, P 628, Saheeh Muslim vol. 2, 119)
So now we have found our Imams. They are from the house of Ahl-ul-bait. They are twelve in numbers and sons of Ali (A.S) and Husain (A.S). If we stick to them and follow them, we will be under their representation during the day of judgment. They will be our witness and our reference in Allah’s court. We improve our credentials by going to pilgrimage to Hajj and we strengthen our references when we go to pilgrimage to pay our homage and respect to Imams.
Yes, finally we can conclude that references do work in Allah’s court, provided the references are of the duly appointed Imams. Here, we draft our own CV, while there Allah (SWT)’s authority will give us our Naama-e-aamal, so even if we try we will not be able to change that. Let us then pray to Allah (SWT) that when we receive our naama-e-aamal along with our credentials do mention the names of Your duly appointed Imams in our reference section, so that we are selected to enter the comfort of Paradise. Aamin.
My credentials would contain information regarding my work, my achievements and my professional degree while the reference would be the names of the prominent people I know in the industry who can vouch for me if required.
While facing one such interview, the prospective employer after looking at my credentials for some time started asking me about my reference. I had mentioned a very prominent name from within the industry as my reference and my interviewer was interested to know how do I know this gentleman?
The course of interview suddenly changed; from credentials it moved to my reference. The employer told me that if you are so close to the reference you gave, I don’t want to know anything else. If he is your reference you are as good as selected. He holds lots of goodwill in the industry and we are sure that he would never refer somebody less worthy.
This made me thinking, the reference should be such that it holds value in the eyes of the interviewer; only then it will work. The other important point I learnt was that however good my credentials are if there is not a single authentic reference who can stand by me my credentials may not give me results. And I may fail to seek a good decent job.
We use references time and again in our day to day life without even realizing this. So, if this is so important in our worldly matters can this hold true in Allah’s court?
In Surah-e-Baqra Allah says that:
• “Aur uss waqt ko yaad karo jab Hum ne farishton se kaha ke Aadam (A.S) ko sajda karo to sab ke sab jhuk gaye magar Shaitan ne inkaar kiya aur ghuroor main aagaya aur kafir ho gaya.” – (Surah-e-Baqra, ayah 34)
Since he refused to bow down to Aadam (A.S), he was kicked out of Heavens:
•‘Khuda ne farmaya tu bahisht se nikal jaa dur ho ja beshak tu mardood hai.’ – ( Surah-e-Hijr ayah, 34)
It is said that Satan was the most knowledgeable amongst the angels. His credentials made him ‘ustad’ of all the angels. There was not a single corner on the ‘arsh’ where he did not bow down in sajda to Allah. It means that he believed in Allah, hence was not a kafir by that sense.
We may feel that then why Allah (SWT) referred to him as kafir in the above ayah? He became kafir as he refused to accept the leadership of Aadam (A.S), the duly appointed khalifa of Allah (SWT). His great credentials were of no use to him and within few moments he lost everything. By refusing to bow down to Aadam (A.S), he rejected that very witness who could have vouched for him in Allah’s court.
The result which can be derived from the above is that the credentials of namaz, roza, zakaat, and hajj may not hold any kind of importance if someone fails to recognize the duly appointed Imam by Allah (SWT). The way Satan was kicked out of Heavens, he too may not enter Paradise ever and all his credentials would be wasted. And as per Allah (SWT) such a person is kafir.
In the following ayah Quran says:
•‘Uss din ko yaad karo jab Hum tamam logon ko unke Imamon ke saath bulayenge, to jiska naama-e-aamaal un ke dahine haath main diya jayega to woh log khush khush apna naama-e-aamaal padhne lagege aur un per resha barabar zulm nahin kiya jayega.” – (Surah-e-Bani Israel, ayah 71)
Mawla Ali (A.S) has said that he has heard from Rasool (SAW) that every community will be called along with its Imam at the day of judgement. (Ref: Durr-e-Mansoor, vol 4, P 194). It means that our entire credentials aside, we will be asked to follow our Imams on that day. Thus it is important for us that whom we choose as our Imam?
In case of Aadam (A.S) it was easier as Allah (SWT) Himself ordered the angels to bow down to Aadam (A.S) and accept his authority. But in our case how would we know whether the Imam we are following is the duly appointed Imam by Allah (SWT)? I believe Quran should be referred again for this purpose. So let me quote few more ayahs in this connection.
•“Aur jis tarah tumhare qible ke bare main hidayat ki ussi tarah tum ko aadil banaya taake aur logon ke muqable main tum gawah bano aur Rasool (SAW) tumhare muqable main gawah bane….” – (Surah-e-Baqra, ayah 143)
The above ayah has been addressed to a few chosen people by Allah (SWT) who are duly appointed bearer of witness and on them Rasool (SAW) is witness. It will be their reference that will take us through in Allah’s court.
It has been recorded by Salim-bin-Qais that Mawla Ali (A.S) has mentioned that we are ‘Ummat-e-aadil” (Just people) and bearer of witness to the people. And Rasool (SAW) is our witness. (Ref: Shawahid Tanzil, Hakim Abul Qasim.
•‘ Aur jo haq jihad karne ka hai Khuda ki raah main jihad karo, Usi ne tumko barguzida kiya aur amur e deen main tum per kisi tarah ki sakhti nahin ki tumhare baap Ibrahim (A.S) ke mazhab ko tumhara mazhab bana diya hai. Usi Khuda ne tumhara pehle hi se musalman farmabardar bande naam rakkha aur iss Quran main bhi. To jihad karo taake Rasool (SAW) tumhare muqable main gawah bane aur tum pabandi se namaz padha karo, zakaat dete raho aur Khuda hi ke ahkaam ko mazboot pakdo wahi tumhara sarparast hai to kya achha sarparast hai aur kya achha madadgaar hai.” - (Surah-e-Al Hajj, ayah 78)
If we focus on above ayah we will find that it is one ayah which is being addressed to someone other than Rasool (SAW). As ayah says that “tumko barguzida kiya” that means he is a chosen one. He is also from the lineage of Ibrahim (A.S). He is ordered to take part in jihad the way it should be, so that Rasool (SAW) is his witness. So who is this chosen and faithful servant of Allah (SWT) who is to fight for Allah’s cause as per His order?
Abdur-Rahman bin Auf has quoted Hazrat Umar, according to him the above mentioned jihad will be at the time when Bani Umayya will be the rulers (Ref: Durr-e-Mansur, vol 4, P 371).
Now, from the lineage of Ibrahim (A.S) whoever has fought against Bani Umayya he is that chosen and faithful servant of Allah (SWT) whom the ayah is addressed to. The above ayah definitely refers to Jihad-e-Karbala and it is addressed to Imam Husain (A.S).
Jihad-e-Karbala was Allah (SWT)’s order and Imam Husain was chosen for that purpose. And Allah (SWT) appointed Rasool (SAW) as a witness to Imam Husain (A.S)’s jihad. So when we mourn and remember the atrocities afflicted upon Imam Husain (A.S) it is our way of saying that though centuries apart, we are with him and would have fought the evil had we been born in that era. This way we make our Imam as our witness and in turn Rasool (SAW) is our witness.
He conducted the jihad the way it should be and taught us the importance of sacrifice, faith, love and unity. He had also displayed the importance of namaz. So lessons from Karbala are also important to improve our credentials.
We have seen what Quran has to say about Imams now let us see few of the hadees of Rasool (SAW) on the subject:
•‘In every generation of my followers there are going to be just and righteous members of my Ahl-ul-bait to counteract the alterations and corruptions which the misguided people will try to make in my religion, to remove false allegations of the untruthful and to contradict the misinterpretations of the ignorant. Beware ! Your Imams (pontiffs) shall be your representatives before Allah. So, be careful whom you adopt as your representatives.” (Ref: Recorded by Mulla (Jami) in his Seerat and also by Ibn-e-Hajar in Sawaiq-e-Mohriqa, P. 90)
•‘Mine will be twelve Amirs. And all of them would come down from the Quraish.” (Ref: Recorded by Jabir Bin Samarah, Saheeh Bukhari, P 628, Saheeh Muslim vol. 2, 119)
So now we have found our Imams. They are from the house of Ahl-ul-bait. They are twelve in numbers and sons of Ali (A.S) and Husain (A.S). If we stick to them and follow them, we will be under their representation during the day of judgment. They will be our witness and our reference in Allah’s court. We improve our credentials by going to pilgrimage to Hajj and we strengthen our references when we go to pilgrimage to pay our homage and respect to Imams.
Yes, finally we can conclude that references do work in Allah’s court, provided the references are of the duly appointed Imams. Here, we draft our own CV, while there Allah (SWT)’s authority will give us our Naama-e-aamal, so even if we try we will not be able to change that. Let us then pray to Allah (SWT) that when we receive our naama-e-aamal along with our credentials do mention the names of Your duly appointed Imams in our reference section, so that we are selected to enter the comfort of Paradise. Aamin.
Friday, June 25, 2010
The Path to Salvation
As the saying goes “All is well that ends well”. I have observed that most of the time whenever somebody suggests a book or a film to me, I invariably ask him about the ending. I would read only that book or see only that film which has a happy ending.
Films and books are work of fiction, they may not have any bearing on the real life; even then we are concerned with the happy ending. So if we are so concerned about a fictional thing, we need to think whether we are concerned about real life as well? Are we doing enough to ensure that our ending is happier?
We work hard to become a doctor, or an engineer or a professional so that we earn status and dignity and bring happiness to our lives. In this world we are fully empowered to decide and act . But what happens after that? What happens after we leave this world? How do we ensure that our life hereafter is happy where we have to live forever? When do we work to improve our life after death?
So, it means that in this very life, since we have the power to act and decide; Allah (SWT) must have suggested us ways to make our life happier and blissful after death. Let us then strive to find the path to salvation. Allah (SWT) has promised that if we take one step in His direction, He will take ten steps. So let me start my steps and Insha’Allah at the end, we will find Him.
Allah (SWT) has spoken to us through Quran. So let us reflect on few of His holy ayahs and this will surely guide us to the path of salvation.
In the following ayah from Surah-e-Baqra, Allah (SWT) has spoken about resurrection:
•“Aur Khuda bahot jald hisab lene wala hai….., aur Khuda se darte raho aur yaqeen jano ke ek din tum sab ke sab uski taraf qabr se uthaye jaoge..” – (Surah-e-Baqra, ayah 202-203)
The ayah says that Allah (SWT) is surely going to check the accounts. Again the ayah further says that we all will have to gather in front of Him after resurrection. But the following ayah from Surah-e-Anam says:
•“Us ko aankhein dekh nahin sakti na duniya main na aakherat main aur Woh logo ki nazaron ko khoob dekhta hai aur Woh bada bareekbeen wakifkaar hai..” – ( Surah-e-Anam, ayah 103)
This may confuse us, as we feel that if He is not to be seen then why has He said that we all will have to be gathered in front of Him? Both the above ayahs are true and that is our faith. This leads us to think that Allah (SWT) must have appointed His representatives who will conduct the justice on His behalf.
These representatives must be as divine, as just, as pious and as capable as Allah (SWT) wants them to be. Who are they then?
In the Surah-e-Qaaf, Quran says:
•“Aur har nafas iss shaan se aayega ke ek haankne wala aur ek gawah us ke saath saath hoga” - (Surah-e-Qaaf, ayah 19-20-21)
•“Aur haankne wale aur gawah ko hukm hoga ke tum donon har munkir sar kash ko jahannum main daal do…” (Surah-e-Qaaf, ayah 24)
The above ayah refers to Rasool (SAW) and Mawla Ali (A.S) as the two who would throw the evil doers into the hell fire. (Ref: Masnad Ahmed bin Hambal)
That must be the reason, Rasool (SAW) has said about Mawla Ali (A.S) that:
•“Ali Jannat aur Dozakh ka taqseem karne wala hai”. (Ref: Sawaiq-e-Mohriqa, P 126, Yana Be-ul Mawwadat, vol 1, P 163)
Allah (SWT) is not to be seen in this world; neither will we ever see him in the next world. Allah (SWT) has chosen Rasool (SAW) and Mawla Ali (A.S) as the judges on the Day of Judgment who would punish the sinners and reward the momins. They are as divine, as just, and as pious and as capable as Allah (SWT) wants them to be, after all they will be deciding on behalf of Allah (SWT). So when Allah says that we all will have to be gathered in front of Him, logically it seems we will be gathered in front of Rasool (SAW) and Mawla Ali (A.S) and thus if we remain faithful to them we can have a happy ending to our lives.
Let us take few more steps in this direction. Quran says regarding Adam (A.S)’s birth in the following ayahs:
•“Aur Ae Rasool (SAW) woh waqt yaad karo jab tumhare Parvardigar ne farishton se kaha ke main ek aadmi ko khamir di hui mitti se jo sukhkar khan khan bol ne lage paida karne wala hoon.”
•“To jis waqt main usko har tarah se doorast kar chukoon aur usmain apni taraf se rooh phoonk doon to sab ke sab uske saamne sajde main gir padna…” - (Surah-e-Hijr, ayah, 28, 29)
Allah (SWT) created Adam (A.S), perfected him and then made him His khalifa and ordered the angels to bow down in ‘sajda’ to him. Thus he was above angels in stature. We also know that eventually Satan did manage to lure Adam (A.S) to disobey Allah (SAW). How is this possible? I often think that since Allah (SWT) had perfected Adam (A.S), then Adam (A.S) had all the power and strength to overpower satanic temptations. How could he be lured by Satan? And if he was lured then it must be Allah’s Will. So why did Allah(SWT) allow this to happen? Since the entire mankind was to come into existence through Adam (A.S)’s lineage, Allah (SWT), it seems wanted to set a precedent for mankind through this incident. So what is it that Allah wants us to find? Let us now reflect on the following ayah:
•““Phir Aadam ne apne Parvardigar se (Mazerat ke chand alfaaz sikhe), pus Khuda ne un alfaaz ki barkat se Aadam ki tauba qubool kar li beshak Wo bada maaf karne wala Maherbaan hai”. (Surah-e-Baqra, ayah 37)
Allah (SWT) taught Adam (A.S) some words seeking forgiveness, and through these words he was forgiven. It is now clear why Allah had allowed Adam (A.S) to get lured by Satan, after perfecting him. This is the precedence Allah wanted to set, that whenever we go astray or we do get lured by satanic temptations, it is through these holy words that Allah would forgive us.The commentators and Islamic scholars have agreed that these holy words (mentioned in the above ayah) through which Adam (A.S) was forgiven are the names of Panjetan Paak i.e. Mohammed (SAW), Ali (A.S), Fatema (S.A), Hassan (A.S) and Husain (A.S). (Ref: Durr-e-Mansur, Suyuti, vol 1 P 16). Again Allah (SWT) has said in the following ayah of Quran:
•““Ae Imaandaro Khuda se daro jitna Us se darne ka haq hai aur tum (deen) Islam ke siwa kisi aur deen per hargiz na marna aur tum sab milkar Khuda ki rassi mazbooti se thame raho…” – (Surah-e-Aale Imran, ayah 102 )
Allah (SWT) wants us to hold His rope tightly so that we remain steadfast on his faith and Imam Ja’far-as-Sadiq (A.S) has said that the rope of Allah are we Ahl-ul-bait of Mohammed (SAW). (Ref: Imam Sa’labi, Tafseer-e-Kabeer, Sawaiq-e-Mohriqa, Chapter 11, Part 1, Imam Abu Bakr – Rishfat-us-Saadi).
We are on the right direction as Allah has shown us His rope - it is Ahl-ul-bait, so if we love them and hold them tightly we can reach Allah. In case if we falter and may get deviated from the straight path, the holy words; names of Panjetan Paak (Mohammed (SAW), Ali (A.S), Fatema (S.A), Hassan (A.S) and Husain (A.S)) will bring us forgiveness for our misdeeds just as Adam (A.S) was given forgiveness.
We know that Allah (SWT) wanted to punish the people who had disobeyed Nooh (A.S) and hence He had ordered Nooh (A.S) to prepare an Ark which would save him and his near and dear ones from the worst natural calamity of flood, which Allah had sent. Nooh (A.S) ordered everybody to embark the ark, but his son disobeyed saying that the mountains would save him. Nooh (A.S), then prayed to Allah (SWT) to save his son, to which Allah replied in the following manner:
•“Khuda ne farmaya ae Nooh (A.S) tum ye kya keh rahe ho hargiz woh tumhare ahel main shaamil nahin, beshak woh badchalan hai.” - (Surah-e-Hud, ayah 46) “
Nooh (A.S) was the Nabi of his time and it was mandatory that his command be respected and followed. His own son disobeyed him and hence he was drowned and he died.
Now, let us see who were saved then:
•“Aur Hum ne Nooh (A.S) ko aur kashti walon ko najaat di aur us kashti ko tamam aalam ke liye ek nishani qarar di.” – (Surah-e-Anqaboot, ayah 15)
The people who responded to the call of their Nabi (Nooh (A.S)) and embarked the Ark were saved by the wrath of Allah (SWT).
Rasool (SAW) is Khatemun Nabiyeen and he is Sardar-e-Ambiya and it is mandatory for us to follow his instructions and be obedient to him. He has said that:
•“Behold my Ahl-ul-Bait are like the Ark of Noah; whoever embarked it was saved and whoever turned away from it was destroyed.” (Ref: Mustadrak by Imam Hakim, vol 3, P. 151)
• He has also said that “Whoever wishes to live and die like me, and to abide in the Garden of Eden after death should acknowledge Ali as his patron and follow the Ahl-ul-bait after me, for they are my Ahl-ul-bait and they have been created out of the same substance as myself, and endowed with the same knowledge and understanding.” (Ref: Tabrani in Mu’jum-ul-Kabeer, Shafe’I in his Musnad reproduce the tradition from Ibn-e-Abbas, Kanz-ul-Ummal, Vol 6, P 217, Masnad Ahmed Ibn-e-Hambal)
The way people were saved from the fury of flood when they had followed Nooh (A.S) and embarked his Ark, we will be saved from all kind of fury and calamities if we respond to Rasool (SAW)’s call and embark the ark of Ahl-ul-bait and consider Mawla Ali as our patron and guide. That is the path to salvation.
We have reached where Allah (SWT) wanted us to reach. Rasool (SAW) and Mawla Ali (A.S) are the appointed judges on the day of judgment and hence being faithful to them is being faithful to Allah (SWT). Obeying them is obeying Allah (SWT) and that will give us salvation. Mohammed (SAW) wa Aale Mohammed (SAW) are that rope of Allah that keeps us steadfast on the path of salvation. It is their holy names through which Allah (SWT) forgives our sins and misdeeds. Mohammed (SAW) wa Aale Mohammed (SAW) are that everlasting Ark, if we embark it we will be saved. We will get salvation. We will have a fairytale ending of “Living happily ever after”. Let Allah (SWT) then gives us enough strength to hold His rope and embark the Ark of Ahl-ul-bait till we live. Aamin.
Films and books are work of fiction, they may not have any bearing on the real life; even then we are concerned with the happy ending. So if we are so concerned about a fictional thing, we need to think whether we are concerned about real life as well? Are we doing enough to ensure that our ending is happier?
We work hard to become a doctor, or an engineer or a professional so that we earn status and dignity and bring happiness to our lives. In this world we are fully empowered to decide and act . But what happens after that? What happens after we leave this world? How do we ensure that our life hereafter is happy where we have to live forever? When do we work to improve our life after death?
So, it means that in this very life, since we have the power to act and decide; Allah (SWT) must have suggested us ways to make our life happier and blissful after death. Let us then strive to find the path to salvation. Allah (SWT) has promised that if we take one step in His direction, He will take ten steps. So let me start my steps and Insha’Allah at the end, we will find Him.
Allah (SWT) has spoken to us through Quran. So let us reflect on few of His holy ayahs and this will surely guide us to the path of salvation.
In the following ayah from Surah-e-Baqra, Allah (SWT) has spoken about resurrection:
•“Aur Khuda bahot jald hisab lene wala hai….., aur Khuda se darte raho aur yaqeen jano ke ek din tum sab ke sab uski taraf qabr se uthaye jaoge..” – (Surah-e-Baqra, ayah 202-203)
The ayah says that Allah (SWT) is surely going to check the accounts. Again the ayah further says that we all will have to gather in front of Him after resurrection. But the following ayah from Surah-e-Anam says:
•“Us ko aankhein dekh nahin sakti na duniya main na aakherat main aur Woh logo ki nazaron ko khoob dekhta hai aur Woh bada bareekbeen wakifkaar hai..” – ( Surah-e-Anam, ayah 103)
This may confuse us, as we feel that if He is not to be seen then why has He said that we all will have to be gathered in front of Him? Both the above ayahs are true and that is our faith. This leads us to think that Allah (SWT) must have appointed His representatives who will conduct the justice on His behalf.
These representatives must be as divine, as just, as pious and as capable as Allah (SWT) wants them to be. Who are they then?
In the Surah-e-Qaaf, Quran says:
•“Aur har nafas iss shaan se aayega ke ek haankne wala aur ek gawah us ke saath saath hoga” - (Surah-e-Qaaf, ayah 19-20-21)
•“Aur haankne wale aur gawah ko hukm hoga ke tum donon har munkir sar kash ko jahannum main daal do…” (Surah-e-Qaaf, ayah 24)
The above ayah refers to Rasool (SAW) and Mawla Ali (A.S) as the two who would throw the evil doers into the hell fire. (Ref: Masnad Ahmed bin Hambal)
That must be the reason, Rasool (SAW) has said about Mawla Ali (A.S) that:
•“Ali Jannat aur Dozakh ka taqseem karne wala hai”. (Ref: Sawaiq-e-Mohriqa, P 126, Yana Be-ul Mawwadat, vol 1, P 163)
Allah (SWT) is not to be seen in this world; neither will we ever see him in the next world. Allah (SWT) has chosen Rasool (SAW) and Mawla Ali (A.S) as the judges on the Day of Judgment who would punish the sinners and reward the momins. They are as divine, as just, and as pious and as capable as Allah (SWT) wants them to be, after all they will be deciding on behalf of Allah (SWT). So when Allah says that we all will have to be gathered in front of Him, logically it seems we will be gathered in front of Rasool (SAW) and Mawla Ali (A.S) and thus if we remain faithful to them we can have a happy ending to our lives.
Let us take few more steps in this direction. Quran says regarding Adam (A.S)’s birth in the following ayahs:
•“Aur Ae Rasool (SAW) woh waqt yaad karo jab tumhare Parvardigar ne farishton se kaha ke main ek aadmi ko khamir di hui mitti se jo sukhkar khan khan bol ne lage paida karne wala hoon.”
•“To jis waqt main usko har tarah se doorast kar chukoon aur usmain apni taraf se rooh phoonk doon to sab ke sab uske saamne sajde main gir padna…” - (Surah-e-Hijr, ayah, 28, 29)
Allah (SWT) created Adam (A.S), perfected him and then made him His khalifa and ordered the angels to bow down in ‘sajda’ to him. Thus he was above angels in stature. We also know that eventually Satan did manage to lure Adam (A.S) to disobey Allah (SAW). How is this possible? I often think that since Allah (SWT) had perfected Adam (A.S), then Adam (A.S) had all the power and strength to overpower satanic temptations. How could he be lured by Satan? And if he was lured then it must be Allah’s Will. So why did Allah(SWT) allow this to happen? Since the entire mankind was to come into existence through Adam (A.S)’s lineage, Allah (SWT), it seems wanted to set a precedent for mankind through this incident. So what is it that Allah wants us to find? Let us now reflect on the following ayah:
•““Phir Aadam ne apne Parvardigar se (Mazerat ke chand alfaaz sikhe), pus Khuda ne un alfaaz ki barkat se Aadam ki tauba qubool kar li beshak Wo bada maaf karne wala Maherbaan hai”. (Surah-e-Baqra, ayah 37)
Allah (SWT) taught Adam (A.S) some words seeking forgiveness, and through these words he was forgiven. It is now clear why Allah had allowed Adam (A.S) to get lured by Satan, after perfecting him. This is the precedence Allah wanted to set, that whenever we go astray or we do get lured by satanic temptations, it is through these holy words that Allah would forgive us.The commentators and Islamic scholars have agreed that these holy words (mentioned in the above ayah) through which Adam (A.S) was forgiven are the names of Panjetan Paak i.e. Mohammed (SAW), Ali (A.S), Fatema (S.A), Hassan (A.S) and Husain (A.S). (Ref: Durr-e-Mansur, Suyuti, vol 1 P 16). Again Allah (SWT) has said in the following ayah of Quran:
•““Ae Imaandaro Khuda se daro jitna Us se darne ka haq hai aur tum (deen) Islam ke siwa kisi aur deen per hargiz na marna aur tum sab milkar Khuda ki rassi mazbooti se thame raho…” – (Surah-e-Aale Imran, ayah 102 )
Allah (SWT) wants us to hold His rope tightly so that we remain steadfast on his faith and Imam Ja’far-as-Sadiq (A.S) has said that the rope of Allah are we Ahl-ul-bait of Mohammed (SAW). (Ref: Imam Sa’labi, Tafseer-e-Kabeer, Sawaiq-e-Mohriqa, Chapter 11, Part 1, Imam Abu Bakr – Rishfat-us-Saadi).
We are on the right direction as Allah has shown us His rope - it is Ahl-ul-bait, so if we love them and hold them tightly we can reach Allah. In case if we falter and may get deviated from the straight path, the holy words; names of Panjetan Paak (Mohammed (SAW), Ali (A.S), Fatema (S.A), Hassan (A.S) and Husain (A.S)) will bring us forgiveness for our misdeeds just as Adam (A.S) was given forgiveness.
We know that Allah (SWT) wanted to punish the people who had disobeyed Nooh (A.S) and hence He had ordered Nooh (A.S) to prepare an Ark which would save him and his near and dear ones from the worst natural calamity of flood, which Allah had sent. Nooh (A.S) ordered everybody to embark the ark, but his son disobeyed saying that the mountains would save him. Nooh (A.S), then prayed to Allah (SWT) to save his son, to which Allah replied in the following manner:
•“Khuda ne farmaya ae Nooh (A.S) tum ye kya keh rahe ho hargiz woh tumhare ahel main shaamil nahin, beshak woh badchalan hai.” - (Surah-e-Hud, ayah 46) “
Nooh (A.S) was the Nabi of his time and it was mandatory that his command be respected and followed. His own son disobeyed him and hence he was drowned and he died.
Now, let us see who were saved then:
•“Aur Hum ne Nooh (A.S) ko aur kashti walon ko najaat di aur us kashti ko tamam aalam ke liye ek nishani qarar di.” – (Surah-e-Anqaboot, ayah 15)
The people who responded to the call of their Nabi (Nooh (A.S)) and embarked the Ark were saved by the wrath of Allah (SWT).
Rasool (SAW) is Khatemun Nabiyeen and he is Sardar-e-Ambiya and it is mandatory for us to follow his instructions and be obedient to him. He has said that:
•“Behold my Ahl-ul-Bait are like the Ark of Noah; whoever embarked it was saved and whoever turned away from it was destroyed.” (Ref: Mustadrak by Imam Hakim, vol 3, P. 151)
• He has also said that “Whoever wishes to live and die like me, and to abide in the Garden of Eden after death should acknowledge Ali as his patron and follow the Ahl-ul-bait after me, for they are my Ahl-ul-bait and they have been created out of the same substance as myself, and endowed with the same knowledge and understanding.” (Ref: Tabrani in Mu’jum-ul-Kabeer, Shafe’I in his Musnad reproduce the tradition from Ibn-e-Abbas, Kanz-ul-Ummal, Vol 6, P 217, Masnad Ahmed Ibn-e-Hambal)
The way people were saved from the fury of flood when they had followed Nooh (A.S) and embarked his Ark, we will be saved from all kind of fury and calamities if we respond to Rasool (SAW)’s call and embark the ark of Ahl-ul-bait and consider Mawla Ali as our patron and guide. That is the path to salvation.
We have reached where Allah (SWT) wanted us to reach. Rasool (SAW) and Mawla Ali (A.S) are the appointed judges on the day of judgment and hence being faithful to them is being faithful to Allah (SWT). Obeying them is obeying Allah (SWT) and that will give us salvation. Mohammed (SAW) wa Aale Mohammed (SAW) are that rope of Allah that keeps us steadfast on the path of salvation. It is their holy names through which Allah (SWT) forgives our sins and misdeeds. Mohammed (SAW) wa Aale Mohammed (SAW) are that everlasting Ark, if we embark it we will be saved. We will get salvation. We will have a fairytale ending of “Living happily ever after”. Let Allah (SWT) then gives us enough strength to hold His rope and embark the Ark of Ahl-ul-bait till we live. Aamin.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)