Day: 18 October 2020

Mu’alla, who was a servant of Imam Sadiq (A.S.), narrates the following event:

 

It was a dark, cold night. Our 6th Imam, Hazrat Imam Sadegh (as) was walking along carrying a heavy sack. “Where is Imam Sadegh (as) going with this heavy sack?” I said to myself. “In this dark night perhaps he will find himself in danger. It is best for me to walk along with him and guard him.”

 

I walked quietly along behind Imam Sadegh (as), but I couldn’t think where he was going or what he was carrying. We walked through a few lanes, and then I heard a noise. It sounded as if Imam’s sack had fallen to the ground. I heard Imam’s voice as he prayed, “O Lord, help me this dark night to find what I have lost.”

 

Imam Sadegh (as) in the dead of NightI went closer to Imam Sadegh (as) and could just see that the sack which he had been carrying on his back was lying on the ground. Imam Sadegh (as) was trying with his hands to gather all its contents. I came up to Imam Sadegh (as) and greeted him. Imam Sadegh (as) returned my greeting and recognizing my voice, asked me,

 

“Is it you. Mu’alla?”

“Yes, O Son of Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw)” I replied.

“Will you let me help you?”

 

Imam Sadegh (as) had been carrying loaves of bread and packets of food, and I helped him gather them and put them back in the sack. When the sack was full I asked him if he would allow me to carry it for him.

 

“No”, he said. “It is more fitting for me to carry it. My grandfather Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) used to say that whoever doesn’t think about the needs of the Muslims is not a Muslim, and that whoever sleeps at night with a full stomach while his neighbors are hungry is not a Muslim.”

 

Together we walked along until we came to the lodge of “Bani Sa’idah” where many poor people were living. Hazrat Imam Sadegh (as) put his load on the ground and, quietly, without awakening anyone, began to distribute the food he had brought. He put the share of each person by the side of his head, and, without any one knowing who it was from, we quietly left.

 

Allah (SWT) tells us in the Noble Qur’an: “Give to the poor and distribute from what We have provided you and render them needless, before the Day of Resurrection when you will be sorry for your hoarding of wealth and you will be faced with a severe chastisement.”

 

Checkout how Maula-e-Kainat, Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib (as) was taking care of poor during his time.

Imam Sadegh (as): Al-Mansur, the Abbasid Caliph and the FlyIt was an Abbasid court, with all the splendor. Al-Mansur was the Caliph. Just as Al-Mansur was attending the business to state, a small fly sat on his nose. With a wave of his hand, he whisked it off. But the fly sat on his nose again. This continued till at last Al-Mansur felt greatly disturbed.

 

Turning to our 6th Imam, Imam Sadegh (as), who was present that day, Al-Mansur said: O Son of Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw), can you tell me why Allah (SWT) created these lousy flies? “Yes”, Imam Sadegh (as), said: “So that the mighty and the proud are rendered humble and helpless.”

 

Once the Abbasid Caliph Al-Mansur, decided to kill Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad al-Sadiq (as). For this, he hired 100 illiterate people. The plan was that he would summon Imam Jafar al-Sadiq (as) and when a specified signal was given, they would cut him to pieces with their swords. However, when Imam Jafar al-Sadiq (as) came, they all showed him their respect, despite the signal being given to them. The hypocritical Abbasid Caliph also received Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad al-Sadiq (as) cordially. When Imam Jafar al-Sadiq (as) left, Abbasid Caliph Al-Mansur asked why they had not killed him, they replied, “By Allah (SWT)! We did not know that you wanted us to kill this Holy person; he is kind to us as a father and helps us day and night. How could we kill him?” Abbasid Caliph Al-Mansur had no choice but to keep quiet.

Mufaddal was one of the most remarkable companions of Imam Jafar Sadiq (AS). One day, as he was passing through the market of Kufa, in Iraq, he saw two followers of Imam Jafar Sadiq (AS) quarrelling with each other. Mufaddal came closer and asked them why they were quarrelling. It seemed that the quarrel was over some kind of inheritance and one of them was claiming a sum of four hundred dirhams from the other.

When Mufaddal heard this story, he took both of them to his house. There he gave the money to the claimant, made them friends again and pleaded with them to live in peace.

When they were leaving, Mufaddal told them, “Verily this money is not from me but from my master Imam Jafar Sadiq (AS) who has permitted me to use it for maintaining peace amongst the believers in Muslim Society.”

When two believers are quarrelling, Islam teaches us to make peace between them and not to add wood to the fire. Whoever encourages a fight or quarrel is not a believer, but a devil in the form of a human being.

“Indeed the faithful are brothers (to each other). Therefore make peace between your brothers and be wary of Allah (SWT), so that you may receive His mercy.” (Noble Qur’an, 49:10)

I advise you, and all my children, my relatives, and whosoever receives this message, to be conscious of Allah (SWT), 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.” [The Last Will of Imam Ali (AS)]

Holy Prophet Muhammad (saww) has said, “To look at a brother lovingly for the pleasure of Allah (SWT) is a worship”.

Drinking Alcohol is Forbidden in IslamAbu Baseer was once in the company of Imam Jafar Sadiq (AS), when a woman came and said to Imam Jafar Sadiq (AS), “I have come to ask a question. I am ill. Physicians in Iraq have told me to take liquor. Now I want to know what to do in such circumstances?”

 

Imam Jafar Sadiq (AS) asked her, “Why don’t you drink what the doctors have prescribed for you?”

 

She replied, “As I am your follower, I shall obey what you say. If you permit me, I shall drink it; if not, I shall keep away from it; so that if I am asked by Almighty Allah (SWT) on the Day of Judgement why I did so, I shall reply that I followed the instructions of the Imam of the time.”

 

Imam Jafar Sadiq (AS) turned to Abu Baseer and said: “O Abu Baseer. Did you listen to what this woman has to say? Are you not moved by her faith? Inspite of her illness, she is refraining from taking liquor without the Imam’s permission.”

 

Imam Jafar Sadiq (AS) then turned to the woman and said, “By God, I do not permit you to drink. If you do so, you shall be sorry when your soul reaches your throat (that is at the time of death)”.

 

So saying Imam Jafar Sadiq (AS) pointed at her throat; and asked her three times if she understood what he had said. The woman nodded her head.

 

One of the things which Islam has strongly forbidden is the taking of any intoxicating drink, like beer, wine. They are harmful to the body and mind. Under their influence one loses one’s senses and is apt to commit criminal acts. We read of fatal accidents and crimes committed because of drinks.

 

Even trading in liquor and sitting in bars where people are drinking are also forbidden in Islam, so that there is no temptation in the way of people to taking them.

 

Noble Qur’an says, “O Believers, Intoxicants and games of chance, idols and divining arrows, are abominations devised by Satan. Avoid them, so that you may prosper. Satan desires to stir up enmity and hatred among you by means of intoxicants and gambling, and to keep you from the remembrance of Allah and from your prayers. Will you not abstain from them?” (Chapter 5, Verses 90, 91)

 

The above verses from the Noble Qur’an warn us of the effects of drinking. Our first Imam Ali (AS), said, “Suppose a drop of liquor is put in a well and from its water a land is irrigated. Grass grows on the land and a sheep grazes there. That sheep then gets mixed in a flock of other sheep that have grazed elsewhere. If all the sheep are slaughtered making it difficult to identify the meat of the sheep who had grazed on a land which was irrigated from the water of the well, then I shall not eat any of that meat.”

 

Thus Imam Ali (AS) has emphasized the evil of alcohol.

 

For the sake of our own physical, mental and spiritual welfare, we should always keep away from drinks and gambling.

Work and Earning Livelihood Lawfully, HalalThe dependants of Imam Jafar Sadiq (AS) had increased in number; so had his expenses. Imam Jafar Sadiq (AS) decided to invest some money in trade to meet the increased expenses of the house. He arranged for an amount of thousand Dinars, which he gave to his slave named ‘Musadif’ directing him to proceed to Egypt and to invest the amount in business on behalf of Imam Jafar Sadiq (AS).

 

Musadif purchased some goods usually exported to Egypt, and joined a Caravan of traders, who were taking the same type of merchandise to Egypt.

 

When they reached near Egypt, they met another Caravan coming out of the City. They enquired about each other’s affairs. During the course of conversation, they learnt that the goods, which Musadif and his friends were carrying, were not available in Egypt and were in great demand there. They became very happy at their good fortune. Indeed that was an article of common uses and people had to buy it at all costs.

 

The traders on hearing the good news decided to exploit the situation. They agreed together not to sell the goods at less than hundred percent profit.

 

They entered the city. The situation was same, as they had been told. As previously agreed, they created a black market, and did not sell the goods at less than double the cost.

 

Musadif returned to Medina with a net profit of one thousand Dinars. Happy as he was he went to Imam Jafar Sadiq (AS), and placed before him two bags, each containing one thousand Dinars. Imam Jafar Sadiq (AS) asked:

 

“What is this?”

 

“One of the two bags represents the capital you gave me, and the other one (which is equal to the capital) is the profit I have made.”

 

“Certainly the profit is unexpectedly high. Tell me how could you make so much profit?” “The fact is when we learnt near Egypt that the merchandise we were carrying had become scarce there, we agreed not to sell the goods at less than double the cost; and we did accordingly.”

 

“Glory is to God! You did such a work! You took oath to create a black market among the Muslims! You swore not to sell the goods at less than double the actual cost! No I don’t want such business and such profit.”

 

Then picking up one of the bags, he said, “This is my capital.” He did not even touch the other one, and said that he did not want to have any connection with that.

 

Then Imam Jafar Sadiq (AS) said:

 

“O Musadif! It is easier to fight with a sword than to earn the livelihood lawfully (Halal Rizq).”

The pilgrims had assembled in the land of Mina during Hajj Pilgrimage. Imam Jafar Sadiq (AS) and his companions sitting in a place were eating some grapes placed before them.

A beggar appeared and asked for alms. Imam Jafar Sadiq (AS) took some grapes to give him, but he refused to accept it and asked for money. Imam Jafar Sadiq (AS) told him to excuse him, as he did not have money. The beggar went away disappointed.

After going a few steps he had second thoughts came back and asked for the same grapes. Imam Jafar Sadiq (AS) now refused to give him those grapes too.

Soon after, another beggar appeared. Imam Jafar Sadiq (AS) again took some grapes and gave to him. He accepted it and said, “Thanks to the Lord of universe who gave me my sustenance”. On hearing these words, Imam Jafar Sadiq (AS) told him to wait and gave him two handfuls of grapes.

The beggar thanked Allah (SWT) for the second time.

Imam Jafar Sadiq (AS) again told him to wait and then turning to one of his friends and asked, “How much money is with you?” The man searched his pockets and produced nearly twenty Dirham, which he gave to the beggar at the order of Imam Jafar Sadiq (AS).

The beggar thanking Allah (SWT) for the third time said, “Thanks are exclusive to Allah (SWT). O Allah (SWT)! Thou art the Bestower of the good, and thou hast no companion.” On hearing these words, Imam Jafar Sadiq (AS) took off his garment and gave it to the beggar.

Now, the beggar changed his tone and spoke a few words of thanks to Imam Jafar Sadiq (AS) himself. Then Imam Jafar Sadiq (AS) did not give anything and he went away.

His friends and companions who were present there said, “We thought that had the beggar continued thanking Allah (SWT) in the same manner as before, Imam Jafar Sadiq (AS) would have continued giving him more and more. But when he changed his words and praised and thanked Imam Jafar Sadiq (AS) himself, Imam Jafar Sadiq (AS) did not continue his assistance.”

Moral of the Story: Whenever you get anything remember that although it may be from someone, Allah (SWT) has wished for you to have it. So not only should you thank the person who has given it to you (Jazakallah) but also thank Allah (Alhamdulillah).

Imam Jafar al-Sadiq (AS) had heard that an old man had become famous for his piety. One day, he saw him surrounded by a large crowd. A little later, the man came out of the crowd and distancing himself from them, proceeded alone, whereupon Imam Jafar al-Sadiq (AS) began to follow him. After a short time, Imam Jafar al-Sadiq (AS) observed that he had stopped near a bakery from where he stealthily picked up two loaves of bread. After a short distance, he stopped at a fruit store, picking up two pomegranates in the same manner and once again continued on his way.

 

Justifying Evil Acts in the light of Noble Qur’anAs he walked further, the old man approached a sick person, handed over the loaves and fruits to him and was about to move on when Imam Jafar al-Sadiq (AS) came up to him and said, “I have witnessed something greatly astonishing from you”, and then proceeded to narrate the acts, which he had witnessed.

 

The old man said, “I suppose you are Imam Jafar al-Sadiq (AS).”

 

Imam Jafar al-Sadiq (AS) replied in the affirmative.

 

The man continued, “It is really unfortunate that in spite of being of the progeny (Ahlul Bayt) of Prophet Muhammad (saw) You do not seem to know anything.”

 

Imam Jafar al-Sadiq (AS) asked, “What act of ignorance have you noticed from me?”

 

The man said, “But do you not know that God has said in the Noble Qur’an “Whoever brings a good deed, he shall have ten like it and whoever brings an evil deed, he shall be recompensed only with the like of it”.

 

On this basis, since I have stolen two fruits and two loaves of bread, I have four sins in my account, but on the other hand, since I have given it in the way of God, I have earned forty good deeds. Reducing four from forty, I still have thirty-six good deeds in my account; a pity that you possess no knowledge of such computations!”

 

Imam Jafar al-Sadiq (AS) explained to him, “But have you not heard this verse of the Noble Qur’an, which says: “Allah only accepts from those who guard (against evil)”. [5:27] You have earned four sins by stealing those four items and four more sins for giving them to someone else without the permission of the owners, so you have collected eight sins but not a single good deed.”

 

Later, Imam Jafar al-Sadiq (AS) said to his companions, “With such interpretations and justifications, not only do they mislead themselves, but others as well.”

Basra is a big city and the main port of Iraq. It is situated at the mouth of river Euphrates.

 

There, in a big mosque, people used to assemble to discuss various subjects on Islamic rules and laws. A famous learned priest/clergyman by name Amr Bin Ubeid was once preaching on the subject of Imamate (An Islamic term referring to “leadership” of Imams who followed Prophet Muhammad (saw) in leadership of Islam, according to Shi’a belief). He was surrounded by a big crowd of people who were asking various questions on the subject. Suddenly, a young and intelligent student of Imam Jafar al-Sadiq (AS) by name of Hesham, entered the gathering and sat down in the first row. He addressed the priest saying that he was a stranger and would like to ask some questions. On getting the permission to do so, he asked the following:

 

Hesham: First, Sir! May I please know if you have eyes?

 

Amr: Young Boy! Is this a question to ask?

 

Hesham: Whatever it may be, this is my question to which I shall appreciate your answer.

 

Amr: Alright! You are at liberty to ask, even though it is a foolish question.

 

Hesham: As I have already asked, Sir, may I please know if you have eyes?

 

Amr: Yes, I have.

 

Hesham: For what use are they?

 

 

According to a verse (2:124) of Noble Qur’an, Imamate is a station that was granted to prophet Ibrahim al-Khalil (pbuh) after that great test, trial by Kalimat (words). According to traditions that are consecutively narrated (mutawatir) and which both Shi’a and Sunnis have related, this station was also placed in Ahlul Bayt of the Prophet Muhammad (saw).

Amr: With eyes, I can see faces of people and color of various things.

 

Hesham: And you have a nose also?

 

Amr: Yes. I do have one.

 

Hesham: What is its function?

 

Amr: I smell the scent and odor by it.

 

Hesham: And do you have a mouth?

 

Amr: Yes I do have.

 

Hesham: For what use is it?

 

Amr: I can talk to people or taste food and drink with it.

 

Hesham: Do you have ears?

 

Amr: Yes, I have two ears.

 

Hesham: What is their function?

 

Amr: I can hear voices by them.

 

Hesham: And do you have a mind?

 

Amr: Almighty has bestowed me with that also.

 

Hesham: What is its use?

 

Amr: With that I am able to distinguish things whatever is felt by the other senses like hands, eyes, ears, nose, tongue etc. In case of a difference, I am able to solve with its help. In case of a doubt, I can dispel with it and be sure.

 

Hesham: So, does it mean that despite being sound and healthy, all these organs cannot function independently without the help of the mind.

 

Imamate is guidance we needAmr: No, No! None of the organs can function independently without the help of the mind.

 

Hesham: Why is it so? After all, the organs are perfect and strong enough to differentiate between things?

 

Amr: Young Boy! When any organ has some doubt about a thing, which it smells, sees or tastes, it brings the matter to the mind and it is the mind, which confirms the truth and removes the doubt.

 

Hesham: So, from what you have said, do you want me to understand that Almighty Allah (SWT) has created and designed the mind to guide the organs and remove doubts?

 

Amr: Yes! It is so.

 

Hesham: So the mind is a necessity, otherwise the organs could not work independently.

 

Amr: Yes.

 

Hesham: Please Sir! Proclaim your opinion with fairness and justice on this point also. If Almighty Allah (SWT) has not left the organs of man’s body without the guidance of the mind, how is it possible that Almighty Allah (SWT) could leave millions of His creatures without an IMAM to guide and solve their problems arising out of doubts and conflicts? Should not our common sense accept this fact?

 

On hearing this logic argument, and having no answer to give, Amr Bin Ubeid kept silent and went into deep thinking.

 

Hesham was a deeply learned person and one of the closest companions of Imam Jafar al-Sadiq (AS) from whom he had obtained his knowledge.

 

Note: There is a Hadith, according to which Prophet Muhammad (saw) said: “If (as few as) three persons go on a journey, they must appoint one out of themselves as their leader.” From this one may infer to what extent our Prophet Muhammad (saw) regarded as harmful the disorder and absence of an authority that could resolve social conflicts and serve as a unifying bond among individuals.

Imam Musa Kazim (as) said: “If there is a walnut in your hand and people say that it is a pearl, their saying will not benefit you in any way when you know that it is actually a walnut. And if there is a pearl in your hand and people say that it is a walnut, their saying will not harm you in any way when you know that it is actually a pearl.”

Imam Musa Kazim (as) said: “Indeed cultivation and growth takes shape in a soft, even land and not in a rocky (barren) land. Likewise, wisdom grows and develops in a humble heart and not in a proud, vain and arrogant heart.”

Imam Musa Kazim (as) said: “Always say the right thing although it may lead to your loss.” “It is better to be defeated on principle than to win on lies.” Arthur Calwell

One day Haroon Rasheed sent some robes to Ali bin Yaqtin to honour him. Among their number was a black woolen cloak adorned with gold like the robes of kings. Ali bin Yaqtin dispatched those robes to Imam Moosa Al-Kadhim (as). Among their number he (also) sent that cloak adorned with gold. Ali bin Yaqtin added some money which he had already prepared specifically for him as the fifth of his money (Khums – tax for the Imams) which he was going to pay him.

When that reached Imam Moosa Al-Kadhim (as), he accepted the money and the robes but returned the cloak by the hand of the messenger to Ali bin Yaqtin. Imam Musa Al-Kadhim (as), wrote to him: “Keep it and do not let it leave your hands. For an event will occur to you because of it when you will have the need of it with him (Haroon Rasheed).”

Ali bin Yaqtin was suspicious about it being returned to him and did not understand the reason for that. Some time later, Ali bin Yaqtin changed (his attitude) towards a servant who had a special position with him and he left his service.

The servant knew about Ali bin Yaqtin’s inclination towards Imam Musa Al-Kadhim (as). He was acquainted with the money, robes and other things (Ali bin Yaqtin) had sent to (Imam Musa Al-Kadhim (as)) on every occasion. He (went and) informed on him to Haroon Rasheed. He told (Haroon Rasheed) that (Ali bin Yaqtin) maintained the Imamate of Imam Musa Al-Kadhim (as) and paid him a fifth of his money each year, and also that he had given him the cloak with which the Commander of the faithful (Haroon Rasheed) had honoured him at such-and-such a time. Haroon Rasheed burned with anger and was furious. He declared: “I will expose this situation. If the matter is as you say, his life will be destroyed.”

Abbasid Caliph, Haroon Rasheed immediately sent for Ali bin Yaqtin to be brought. When he appeared before him, Haroon Rasheed said: “What have you done with the cloak which I bestowed upon you?”

“Commander of the faithful,” (Ali bin Yaqtin) replied, “I still have it in a sealed chest and there I keep perfume with it. In the mornings I open it and look at it to gain blessings from it. I kiss it and then put it back in its place. Every night I do the same thing.”

“Bring it, immediately,” Haroon Rasheed ordered.

“Yes, Commander of the faithful,” he answered. Ali bin Yaqtin summoned one of his servants and told him: “Go to such-and-such a room in my house. Take the key for it from my custodian and open it. Open such-and-such a box and bring me the sealed chest which is in it.”

It was not long before the servant returned with the chest still sealed. Ali bin Yaqtin put it before Haroon Rasheed and told him to break the seal and open it. When Haroon Rasheed opened it, he saw the cloak in it folded and laid out in perfume.

Haroon Rasheed’s anger became pacified and he said to Ali bin Yaqtin: “Return it to its place and go away righteously. I will never disbelieve you again on the word of an informer.”

Haroon Rasheed ordered a magnificent gift to be sent after him and he had the informer flogged with a thousand lashes. After he had been flogged about a hundred lashes, informer died.