The Spirit of Christmas – Imam Khomeini (ra)

Lebanese writer and thinker Dr. Hasan AZ-Zain writes, “Imam Khomeini represents a great current in history. The name Khomeini is synonymous with Islamic movement and is something fresh and everlasting. It is impossible to separate the ideas of Imam Khomeini and the movement he generated in view of what is taking place all over the Islamic world and beyond. The Imam’s idea and path are alive and invigorating.”

Imam Khomeini embodied such noble characteristics, on the basis of which he generated the tidal wave of the Islamic revolution and revived in people the spirit of truth, justice, liberty, brotherhood, self sacrifice and defence of righteousness.

Even non-Muslims were greatly impressed by the dynamic personality of Imam Khomeini. French physician, Dr. Louie, who was in his teens in the closing months of 1978, when the Imam made the Paris suburb of Nofel Le Shato as his temporary residence prior to his historic return form exile to Tehran, says, “That day when my father returned home from work he angrily took off his coat, sat on the sofa and said, “This year I have been stalked by misfortune. On one hand the company is facing bankruptcy and on the other, our suburb has lost its peace.” My mother consoled him saying, “Don’t worry, it is said that Ayatollah Khomeini will leave within some days to Iran, so this place will become tranquil soon.”

Louie adds, “I was curious to see this great religious leader of Iran who was in our neighbourhood. I joined reporters who were daily converging on the area and went to the edge of the orchard where Imam Khomeini was staying. I saw an old but enlightened man in robes sitting cross-legged under a shady tree and talking in cool and calm voice. An aura of spirituality oozed from him. I did not realise how quickly that hour passed. I returned home in state of ecstasy and enthusiasm on having seen this divine person.”

Dr Louie continues, “I told my father that if he wanted to see a personality, who inspired the same feelings as Jesus (PBUH), than he should come and hear Ayatollah Khomeini.” My father was at first indifferent and said there was no difference since all priests have the same resemblance. I finally managed to convince my father and the next day we went together to see this great spiritual leader from Iran.

Ayatollah Khomeini’s punctuality very much impressed me. He came on time and sat at the usual place where he used to meet the press. All stood up as a sign of respect to this great Ayatollah. He soon started speaking. Translators were on hand to render his speech into French. Minutes later, I looked at my father’s face. He was listening carefully. There was a glint in his eyes and it was apparent that he was very much impressed by Ayatollah Khomeini.

A few days later it was Christmas. We sat for the celebrations, when the doorbell suddenly rang. My father went towards the door and I followed him. A man with a bouquet of flowers and package of confectionery was standing at the door. He greeted us cheerfully and handed to my father the bouquet and the confectionery, saying, “This is a present from Ayatollah Khomeini.” He congratulated us on the birthday of Jesus (PBUH) and asked forgiveness in a courteous manner if he had disturbed our Christmas celebration. My father thanked the man and stood amazed at all this love and affection from a Muslim divine.

This was a practical lesson from the Marja’ of the time for all of us as to how we should conduct ourselves during this festive season when more than half the world is celebrating the birthday of Nabi Isa (A.S.).

Should we just say, ‘this festival is not for me, or it does not relate to me or I am not interested in it, etc. or should we use this occasion for Tabligh work and portray to the world how beautifully Allah swt has described the sacred birth of Nabi Isa (A.S.) and the spiritual status of his mother, Janabe Maryam (A.S.) in Al-Qur’an?’

It is said that this one incident inspired not only Dr. Louie but also many others in France, to investigate and conduct research on Islam and specially shi’ism.

A shortened ziyarat and serving others!

A scholar has narrated: One summer, we went for ziyarat to Mashad with Imam and several other scholars. There we hired a house.

Our timetable was such that in the afternoons, after one or two hours  rest, we would wake up and would head for the shrine together. After ziyarat, prayers and supplication, we would return to the house and in the pleasant setting of the veranda, we would sit and drink tea.

Imam Khomeini’s <ra> timetable was that he would come with everyone to the shrine; however he would shorten his ziyarat and supplication and return to the house alone. He would sweep and wash the veranda, spread a rug, switch on the samovar <apparatus for making tea> and prepare the tea. When we returned from the shrine, he would serve everyone tea.

One day I asked him: ‘What is this? You shorten you ziyarat and supplications and return home in a hurry in order to make tea for your friends?’

Imam replied: ‘I don’t consider the reward of this act to be less than that of the ziyarat and supplications.’

~ Hujjatul Islam Sayyid Hamid Ruhani

Is ever‑changing world purposive?

By Ayatollah Shaheed Beheshti

We have said that the world of nature is constantly changing and transforming, from an atom to a galaxy, everything is in motion and in the state of `becoming’. To be static and at rest is impossible.

Science has to some extent discovered the causes of this motion, but it has given no clear answer as to why this world is so constantly changing and `becoming’.

In which direction is this world moving? What is its goal and for what purpose?It must be understood that a man’s point of view in regard to the general motion of the world, directly affects his out­look on the goal of his life and the direction of his efforts.

With regard to the answer to the above questions, there are three theories worth consideration:

(a) Aimlessness: On the basis of this theory the development of the world has no aim or purpose and cannot be interpreted sensibly. Everything is surrounded with a mystery and meaninglessness.

This approach is applied not only to be general motion of the world, but also to the birth of man and his actions and efforts. According to this theory, which is known as nihilism, man’s life is meaningless.

In our times the idea that the world has no meaning and no value has become the basic doctrine of a number of philosophical and social schools.

The fact is that this situation is, more or less, the reaction of the conditions faced by humanity in the present day societies.

The man of machine age has become a captive of the big industrial wheels and is tired of the rules, regulations and discipline imposed on him by the respect of machine and mechanical production. He finds himself to be a captive in the hands of the exploiters, and is like a thing having no will and no personality. Any procedure prescribed for him is only a step towards taming and enticing him to serve the interests of others.

Man is fed up with all these restrictions, unnecessary rituals and hard and fast regulations. He is confused by the propaganda…

Origins of Jannat Al-Baqi Cemetery

Literally “Al-Baqi” means a tree garden. It is also known as ” Jannat Al-Baqi ” (th garden of heaven) sanctity, since in it are buried many of our Prophet Muhammad’s relatives and companions. The first one who was buried in Al-Baqi was Uthman bin Madhoon. Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) ordered certain trees to fall to bury his dear companion and place two stones over the grave.

The next year, Prophet Muhammad’s son Ibrahim, was buried in this cemetery too. After these incidents, inhabitants of Medina started to to use that site for the burial of dead people and this site had gradually witnessed considerable extension. About seven thousand from the companions and relatives of Muhammad (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) were buried there.

Henceforward, over the centuries, Al-Baqi cemetery remained a sacred site till our days.

First destruction of Al-Baqi Cemetery

The belief in visiting the graves and the shrines of prophet’s was considered by the Wahhabi’s to be idolatry and un-Islamic. Those who differed from this belief were killed.However, the rest of the Islamic World viewed those graves with deep reverence. It was highly revered and even Allah’s apostle companions asked to be buried near the prophet’s grave in this cemetery.

In 1218 AH, the Wahhabi’s entered Mecca and…

Hijab – State of mind enjoined upon both men and women in Islam!

 

Hijab is a state of mind enjoined upon both men and women in Islam. At the heart of its purpose, Hijab is about maintaining or elevating the dignity of every individual regardless of gender and preserving the ability of individuals to feel the natural sense of modesty, the loss of which is a serious spiritual sickness.

There are two overarching principles to Hijab for men and women according to the Qur’an:

1. Lowering your gaze: This means you should avoid looking at, listening to, or otherwise observing anything that damages your natural sense of modesty and shame, as well as anything that causes you to feel temptation to sin or causes attraction toward someone with whom you could not lawfully act on it.

2. Guarding your modesty: This means you should avoid revealing anything about yourself, whether through how you dress, how you speak, what you say or write, or other means, that would cause damage to your natural sense of modesty and shame, or tempt you to sin, or cause you to be attracted to or to attract someone with whom you could not lawfully act on that attraction.

The requirements of Islamic modest dress are based upon these two principles. Dress should be such that it guards your modesty and aids you in lowering your gaze and does not make it unnecessarily difficult for someone else to lower their gaze and guard their own modesty.

On Disbelief and it’s Causes!

Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Hammad ibn ‘Isa from Ibrahim ibn ‘Umar al-Yamani from ‘Umar ibn ‘Udhaynah from Aban ibn abu ‘Ayyash from Sulaym ibn Qays al-Hilali from Amir al-Mu’minin, A…li ibn abu Talib, recipient of divine supreme covenant, who has said the following:

“Disbelief is established on four pillars: Sinfulness, Extremism, Doubt and Skepticism.”

Sinfulness has four branches: harshness of manners, blindness of heart, neglect, and arrogance. Whoever behaves in a harsh manner belittles the truth, hates the people of profound understanding and persists in great sins. Whoever becomes blind of heart forgets to remember (the truth), follows guesses, opposes his Creator and Satan turns bold toward him. He asks forgiveness without repenting, feeling humble and without being unaware of sin. Whoever is neglectful and careless commits a crime against his own soul, turns himself upside down and thinks of his misguidance as guidance. Yearnings deceives him, remorse and pangs of guilt seize him and when the matters settle and the curtain is raised, he finds it to be what he did not expect. Whoever is arrogant to obey the commands of Allah doubts and whoever doubts, Allah overpowers him and humiliates him by His Authority and makes him little by His Glory as he has played deceit against his Honorable Lord and has gone to extremes in his affairs.

“Extremism is of four branches:

The Last Will of Ali ibn Abi Talib (AS)

Imam Ali’s (AS) last will to his sons Imam Hasan (AS) and Imam Hussain (AS) after the attempt on his life by a stab from Ibn Muljam:

►My advice to you is to be conscious of Allah and steadfast in your religion. Do not yearn for the world, and do not be seduced by it. Do not resent anything you have missed in it. Proclaim the truth; work for the next world.

►Oppose the oppressor and support the oppressed.

►I advise you, and all my children, my relatives, and whosoever receives this message, to be conscious of Allah, to remove your differences, and to strengthen your ties. I heard your grandfather, peace be upon him, say: “Reconciliation of your differences is more worthy than all prayers and all fasting.”

►Fear Allah in matters concerning orphans. Attend to their nutrition and do not forget their interests in the middle of yours.

►Fear Allah in your relations with your neighbors. Your Prophet often recommended them to you, so much so that we thought he would give them a share in inheritance.

►Remain attached to the Quran. Nobody should surpass you in being intent on it, or more sincere in implementing it.

►Fear Allah in relation to your prayers. It is the pillar of your religion.

►Fear Allah in relation to His House; do not abandon it as long as you live. It you should do that you would abandon your dignity.

►Persist in jihad in the cause of Allah, with your money, your souls, and your tongue.

►Maintain communication and exchange of opinion among yourselves. Beware of disunity and enmity. Do not desist from promoting good deeds and cautioning against bad ones. Should you do that,the worst among you would be your leaders, and you will call upon Allah without response.

►O Children of Abdul Mattaleb! Do not shed the blood of Muslims under the banner: The Imam has been assassinated! Only the assassin should be condemned to death.

►If I die of this stab of his, kill him with one similar stroke. Do not mutilate him! I have heard the Prophet, peace be upon him, say: “Mutilate not even a rabid dog.”

Lectures by Dr. Murtaza Alidina on Laylatul Qadr!

The night of Al-Qadr (Decree) is better than a thousand months (i.e. worshipping Allah in that night is better than worshipping Him a thousand months, i.e. 83 years and 4 months) – [Holy Quran 97:3]

19th Night – Listen/Download

21st Night – Listen/Download

23rd Night – Listen/Download

The Benefits of Hunger by Shk. Khalil Jaffer

The Benefits of Hunger
by Shk. Khalil Jaffer

 

When the respected ulama speak of ‘hunger’, remember they mean through the means of fasting and not any self-prescribed form of starvation. As long as you keep this in mind – the path of the Ahl al-Bayt (‘a) is the path of moderation and there is no extremism in Islam.

Hunger (al-ju’u) has its own taste (ladhdha). Wa maa adraka maa ladhdhat al-ju’u? We often talk about our favorite foods and how we cannot get enough of them, but there is nothing more delicious and sweeter than hunger. But this taste only comes when you learn to ‘sit’ with your hunger and not ‘mind’ it. When you have abstained from the foods that your egoic self is addicted to, in particular processed foods (that we call ‘junk food’), and you never longer associate hunger with ‘pain’, you will experience a constant sense of emptiness within you, even when you are not fasting. And if you persevere further, it brings peace and calm instead of irritability and agitation (that is found initially and because of which most of us give up). And if you persevere further, you will find concentrating in your worship becomes easy. And if you go on further, you will find the remembrance (dhikr) of the Almighty comes to you naturally even when you do not plan to do so.

This is because He is always calling out to our hearts and talking to us. But the heart is veiled from Him due to the ‘heaviness’ of the physical form. When the heart is attuned to ‘listening’ to the true Beloved, then all other signs follow: tears out of love for Him, awaking in the night to call out to Him and worship Him. The constant desire to be alone with Him, to fall into prostration frequently, to thank Him and to express love for Him.

And if you go beyond that…

Do you Remember your Imam (atf)?

An inspirational & must watch video regarding the importance of remembering the Imam of your time.