Imam Ali as once replied to a group of ten learned men who said, “We seek your permission for our putting a question to you.â€
Imam Ali as replied, “You are at perfect liberty.â€
They said, “Of knowledge and wealth, which is better and why. Please give a separate answer to each of us.
“Imam Ali as answered in ten parts:
1. Knowledge is the legacy of the Prophets; wealth is the inheritance of the Pharaohs. Therefore, knowledge is better than wealth.
2. You are to guard your wealth but knowledge guards you. Therefore,knowledge is better.
3. A man of wealth has many enemies, while a man of knowledge has many friends. Hence, knowledge is better.
4. Knowledge is better because it increases with distribution, while wealth decreases by that act.
5. Knowledge is better because a learned man is apt to be generous while a wealthy person is apt to be miserly.
6. Knowledge is better because it cannot be stolen while wealth can be stolen.
7. Knowledge is better because time cannot harm knowledge but wealth rusts in course of time and wears away.
8. Knowledge is better because it is boundless while wealth is limited and you can keep account of it.
9. Knowledge is better because it illuminates the mind while wealth is apt to blacken it.
10.Knowledge is better because knowledge induced the humanity in our Prophet to say to GOD “We worship thee as we are your servants,†while wealth engendered in Pharaoh and Nimrod the vanity which made them claim god-head.
This article aims to illustrate the importance placed upon the household of the Prophet (SAW) in the Holy Quran and how this is furthered through both Shi'ite and Sunni sources. The love of this progeny is a duty upon every single Muslim, and it is thus essential that we understand:
Analysis of the 'Verse of Purification', as it is commonly called, 33:33, provides a very clear starting point in developing this understanding. This verse was revealed in accordance with the event of the cloak (Kisa') 1:
Al-Tirmidhi narrates that 'Umar b. Abi Salamah, who is a step son of the Prophet (SAW) (SAW), reported from his mother, Um Salamah, that the Prophet (SAW) (SAW) asked, Ali, Fatima, Hasan and Husayn, to come under his cloak, and that he then said: "O God! These are my household <Ahlulbayt>.Remove all uncleanliness from them, and purify them a <thorough> purification!" Then God revealed the verse: "Allah only desires to take away any uncleanliness from you, O people of the household, and purify you thoroughly 2"Um Salamah says:" I was there and I asked the Prophet (SAW), am I one of your household? The Prophet (SAW) (SAW) replied you have your own place, you are good" 3
Looking beyond the extract normally cited, to the rest of the verse, shows that it begins speaking about the wives of the Prophet (SAW) prescribing restrictions upon their lives because they are not like other women, as mentioned in the verse before this. For this reason many argue that the wives of the Prophet (SAW) are amongst the "Ahlulbayt", however a closer look at the verse, in addition to the hindsight of the above Hadith, evidently shows that this is not the case. The notable change from the grammatical feminine plural form whilst speaking to these wives, to the general masculine plural form indicates a change in topic and audience.
Furthermore, as Shirk (polytheism) is referred to in the Quran as an impurity and iniquity4, the term 'pure' goes to contrast this idea, showing that the purified ones by God, would be only those whose lives had never been polluted by polytheism5 as opposed to the wives of the Prophet (SAW) who were not free from such an impurity, before they embraced Islam. This affirms the idea of the five members of Ahlulbayt mentioned above who are compared to the ark of Noah by the Prophet (SAW), where those who embarked on it were saved and those who turned away from it perished.6
Having established who the household are, it is important to show the significance given to them in the Quran. This is highlighted by the event of Mubahala with the Christians of Najran, 10AH. The Christians were offended by verse 3:59 in which Jesus is likened to Adam in his humane nature, and approached the Prophet (SAW) asking him as to why he had been abusing Jesus. The revelation of verse 61 of the same chapter at this point called upon a Mubahala whereby the curse of God is invoked upon those who lie. The Christians of Najran agreed to this contest. On the 24th of Dhil Hijja and at the appointed hour, a huge crowd, standing in wait, saw the Holy Prophet (SAW) with Hussein in his arms, Hassan walking beside him, Fatimah Zahra close to his heels and Imam Ali just behind her-as his sons, women, and selves, in accordance with the verse7. The Holy Prophet (SAW) raised his hands to the heaven and said: "O my Lord! These are the people of my house"8.
The Christians were shaken by the brilliant glow radiating from these faces. Abdul Haris lbne Alqama, the greatest scholar among them said: "Verily I see a divine light on the face of our combatants; I am beholding such faces among them as can make the mountains move from their spots if they pray to God"
The Hadith of 'Al Thaqalayn' (Two Weighty things) goes to further this prominence given to the household of the Prophet (SAW):
"I am leaving behind two weighty things: One is the book of Allah in which there is guidance and light, adhere to it. The second are the members of my household." He repeated three times: "I remind you to the members of my family". Husain said to Zaid: "Who are the members of his household? Are not his wives his family?" He said: "The members of his family are to whom acceptance of Zakat is forbidden."9
Through this, the necessity of the household for the guidance of Muslims is accentuated. Similar versions of this hadith go further in narrating that, if adhered to, these two weighty things will prevent anyone from going astray10. The countless narrations of this Hadith, including Al Dhahabi and al-Bukhari, weaken the idea of the Quran and Sunnah11 (actions of the Prophet (SAW)) as being these two weighty things. Even then, it would be worth mentioning that the concept of the weight of the household does not contradict the Sunnah, or the way of the Prophet (SAW), but is incorporated within it.
Having seen only some of the merits of the progeny of the Prophet (SAW) as mentioned in a variety of sources, it is therefore of no surprise that it is our duty to love them and follow their way. We see that verse 42:23 is a direct command to the love of 'Al Qurba' (near relatives) who were none other than Ahlulbayt12. Their love accompanied by the action upon it, as implied by the word "Mawadah", is an ideal that we must desire to attain in order to be like them.
It is also of no surprise that guidance and leadership stems from such a pure household who were closest to the Prophet (SAW). In verse 4:59, we see that we are ordered to "Obey God, the Prophet (SAW), and the Leaders from amongst you". This obligatory obedience, coupled with the idea that we are told in verse 76:24: "Do not obey one who is a sinner or a disbeliever", illustrates that a leader must be sinless and amongst such a pure progeny. This concept of divine leadership is brought to the fore in verse 5:55:
"Verily, your guardian is (none else but) God and His Apostle (Muhammad) and those who believe, those who establish prayer and pay the poor-rate (zakat), while they be (even) bowing down (in prayer)"
This indisputably refers to the occasion where Ali gave his ring to a beggar whilst in bowing13 thus alluding to his guardianship, or divine authority on Earth. The grammatical form of "guardian" being in its singular form shows that the 'Wilayat' of all three is essentially one in nature.14 The use of the word "Innama", as used in 33:33, goes to emphasise Allah's decision, and show that it is final and fixed.
The event of Ghadeer Khum is also important in justifying this divine authority given to Ali, who the Prophet (SAW) referred to as "Himself". On the Prophet (SAW)'s farewell pilgrimage, 10AH, when for the first time such a magnitude of Muslims were in his presence at a place called Khum, the Prophet (SAW) addressed them from a pulpit for three hours. Before the speech the revelation of verse 5:67 was given, as confirmed by some Sunni Sources15: "O Messenger! deliver what has been revealed to you from your Lord; and if you do it not, then you have not delivered His message, and Allah will protect you from the people; surely Allah will not guide the unbelieving people."16
The Prophet (SAW) then spoke and amongst the nearly one hundred verses from the Quran, he also said on the virtue of Ali:
"O men and women! Allah is my Mawla (Lord-Master). I am the mawla of the faithfuls. I have a clear authority over their souls, And of whomsoever I am the mawla (this) Ali is his mawla. O Allah! Love him who loves Ali, hate him who hates Ali."17
Immediately after this proclamation, verse 5:3 was revealed as confirmed by some Sunni Sources18: "This day I have perfected for you, your religion, and have completed my favour on you, and have chosen for you Islam, as religion." Amongst those to congratulate Ali on his leadership were Umar, Abu Bakr and Uthman19: "Well done Ibn Abi Talib! Today you became the leader (Mawla) of all believing men and women."
Verse 70:1 provides this event with a powerful ending. Abu Ishaq Thalabi, in Tafsir al Kabir, as well as the Shi'ite sources, relates this verse to the incident where Harith ibn numan al Fahri asked God to fling a stone at him if what the Prophet (SAW) had said about Ali being mawla, was true. Walking back to his camel, Harith was killed by a stone that was flung at him from the sky thus fulfilling what the verse describes as: "A questioner questioned concerning the doom about to fall"20
In conclusion, the progeny of the Prophet (SAW), who are a beacon for all Muslims, should be used as a primary guide in a World flirting with corruption and falsity. Their love, allegiance and belief in the concept of the guidance they can offer, are qualities which we should perfect in order to converge towards the purer ideal.
Source :- http://www.nooryouthonline.com
The Family TreeBelow shown is the lineage of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW); however the line should not be confused with the term Ahlulbayt spoken about above. The twelve Imams are believed to be amongst this infallible household, and those who are descendents of the Prophet (SAW) are referred to as Sayids.
<img src="ttp://www.nooryouthonline.com/pics/art03.gif" title="Family Tree of Prophet Muhammad (SAW)" alt="Family Tree of Prophet Muhammad (SAW)" mce_src="ttp://www.nooryouthonline.com/pics/art03.gif" align="middle">
Everything that Allah made valuable in the world is covered and hard to get to. Where do you find diamonds? Deep down in the ground covered and protected. Where do you find pearls? Deep down at the bottom of the ocean covered up and protected in a beautiful shell. Where do you find gold? Way down in the mine, covered over with layers and layers of rock. You've got to work hard to get to them.
Our body is sacred. We are far more precious than diamonds and pearls, and we should be covered too.
The pea is a splendid plant. It proudly displays its strong green Hijab (Hejab). It protects it from the hot and cold weather and guards it from insects. Allah has blessed the pea with a special Hijab (Hejab), because without it, the seeds would scatter, dry up and die.The jewel of the sea, the pearl, has been given a very tough and rugged Hijab (Hejab) - oyster shell. It protects it from sea animals and keeps it sparkling and shining inside.
However, the most beloved of Allah in all His creation is the Muslim Girl who wears the Hijab (Hejab). She knows it is a gift from Allah. It protects her from haram, injury and mischief. She wears it knowing it gives her dignity, beauty and respect. So precious she can be that she hides herself beneath her Hijab (Hejab).
A Beautiful story about Hijab
One day, a brilliantly beautiful and fragrant flower with attractive colors met a pearl that lives far in the bottom of the sea and has none of these characteristics. Both got acquainted with each other.
The flower said: "Our family is large; roses and daisies are members of the family. And there are many other species that are various and countless; each has a distinctive scent, appearance etc."
Suddenly, a tinge of distress appeared on the flower. "Nothing accounts for sorrow in your talk; so why are depressed?" The pearl asked.
"Human beings deal with us carelessly; they slight us. They don't grow us for our sake but to get pleasure from our fragrance and beautiful appearance. They throw us on the street or in the garbage can after we are dispossessed of the most valuable properties; brilliance and fragrance."
The flower sighed. And then the flower said to the pearl: "Speak to me about your life! How do you live? How do you feel it? You are buried in the bottom of the sea."
The pearl answered: "Although I have none of your distinctive colors and sweet scents, humans think I am precious. They do the impossible to procure me. They go on long journeys, dive deep in the seas searching for me. You might be astounded to know that the further I lay, the more beautiful and brilliant I become.
That's what upraises my value in their thought. I live in a thick shell isolated in the dark seas. However, I'm happy and proud to be in a safe zone far from wanton and mischievous hands and still the humans consider me highly valuable."
Do you know what the flower and the pearl symbolize?
Think, Think, Think...
You will find that: The flower is the unveiled woman (who shows her charms) and the pearl is the veiled woman (who conceals her beauties).
Source :- ezsoftech.com/stories/mis31.asp
Every single person born on the Earth looks for only one thing from the day of birth till the day of death. That thing eludes most of the people throughout their lifetime, some get it for a brief period of time and some of us who are fortunate enough have it for their whole life.
The thing is PEACE.
How many of us are at PEACE with Allah?
How many of us are at PEACE with ourselves?
How many of us are at PEACE with our relatives?
How many of us are at PEACE with our neighbours?
How many of us are at PEACE with our colleagues?
How many of us are at PEACE with our environmnet?
The above questions are arranged in order of their importance.If we are not at peace with Allah then we blame him for all our miseries and difficulties. We fail to see the bounties bestowed upon us and we seldom thank the Almighty for numerous gifts provided to us.
When we are not at peace with Allah then how can we be at peace with (Allah's) Creation. So we neglect ourselves (Creation) and are not at peace with ourselves. Most of us do not pay proper attention to ourselves in terms of exercise for body,mind and soul.We fail to provide the body,mind and soul the nutrition they deserve. The exercise for mind is the work in which you take interest and food for the mind are the books and reading material which help you succeed in your work. Soul's exercise is prayer and food is books of divine wisdom.
When we are not at peace with ourselves (Allah's Creation) then how can we be at peace with our relatives,neighbours,colleagues and environment. Relatives,neighbours,colleagues and environment are also creation of Allah. When you see all the chaos in this world most of these are a result of an individual, a society or/and a country not being at peace with the other Creations of Allah.
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