Day: 18 October 2020

Brotherhood in IslamMufaddal 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”.

Abu 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.

The 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).”

Being Thankful to God (Thanking God)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.

Ibne Sayyaba, a resident of Kufa in Iraq, was a young man whose father had died. The tragedy of the death of his father, coupled with poverty and unemployment, was destroying the soul of the sensitive man. One day while sitting in his house, he heard a knock at the door. He was a friend of his father. After offering his condolences, he said:

 

thousand Dirham”Did your father leave anything for you?”

 

“No”

 

“Then take this thousand Dirham; try to turn it into a capital, and meet your expense from its profit”.

 

Saying these words he went away. Ibne Sayyaba, happy as he was, went to his mother and showing the money told her the story. The same day, he used the money in purchasing some merchandise and opening a shop; and set his heart to it. He made a rapid progress. Soon after he realised that not only he had met his household expenses from the profit, but also the capital had increased to a great extent. Now he thought of performing Hajj Pilgrimage, and approached his mother for her advice. She said, “First you should repay the thousand Dirham which has brought such prosperity to us, and then you may go to Makkah for Hajj.”

 

He went to see the friend of his father, and placing a purse of one thousand Dirham before him, said, “Please accept your money back.” The man thought that Ibne Sayyaba was returning the same money because it was not sufficient for any trade. So he said:

 

“If the amount is insufficient I can increase it.”

 

“Good God, it was not insufficient. It has brought great prosperity to us and since I am now quite well off financially, I have come to repay your money, and to express my thanks to you, particularly when I have decided to go on pilgrimage to Makkah.

 

He came to his home and packed his luggage for Makkah.

 

After performance of the Hajj pilgrimage, he came to Medina and went to see Imam Jaffar as Sadiq (AS) along with other pilgrims. There was a huge crowd in the house of the Imam Jaffar as Sadiq (AS). Being young he chose to sit at the far end of the gathering, and from there watched the people coming and going; and heard their questions and the answers given by the Imam Jaffar as Sadiq (AS). When the house became nearly empty, Imam Jaffar as Sadiq (AS) pointed to him and said:

 

 

Imam Jaffar as Sadiq (AS) said: A believer is the brother and guide of another believer. He does not betray or oppress him, nor does he ever cheat his brother. A believer never breaks his promise.

“What can I do for you?”

 

“I am Abdur Rehman, son of Sayyaba, of Kufa (from the tribe of Bijilly).”

 

“How is your father?” asked Imam Jaffar as Sadiq (AS)

 

“He died”

 

“Ah! Ah! May Almighty Allah (SWT) have His mercy upon him. Did he leave anything for you?”

 

“No, he didn’t”

 

“Then how could you perform Hajj Pilgrimage?”

 

“After the death of my father we were in distress. On one side his death and on the other side poverty and unemployment, were crushing us extremely. Then one day a friend of my father gave me one thousand Dirham and advised me to invest the amount in business. I followed his advice and from its profit I came to perform Hajj Pilgrimage”.

 

Before he could finish his story, Imam Jaffar as Sadiq (AS) said, “Tell me what did you do about the money of your father’s friend?”

 

I refunded the amount on the advice of my mother before coming out for Hajj Pilgrimage”.

 

“Very good. Do you like me to give you an advice?”

 

“May I be your ransom; of course”

 

Imam Jaffar as Sadiq (AS) said, “Be truthful and righteous. A truthful and righteous man is a partner in the wealth of others”.

Two neighbors, a Muslim and a Christian, were on friendly terms. Having concern for one another they used to enquire after each other’s health, and exchanged views from time to time. The Muslim being a devout and religious man spoke high of his religion and the result was that the Christian friend embraced Islam.

 

New Convert to IslamThe night passed and it was nearing dawn. The Christian, a new convert, heard somebody ramming his door. Surprised and restless he shouted:

 

“Who is it?”

 

From the back came a loud voice, “I am so and so”, introducing himself. He was the Muslim neighbor who had the honor of converting him to Islam.

 

“What do you want at this late hour?”

 

“Be quick, put on your clothes and perform ablution, so that we should go to the Mosque together”.

 

The new Muslim performed ablution (Wazu) for the first time in his life and set out to Mosque behind his Muslim friend. They had arrived before time. It was the time for the recommended (not obligatory) prayer after mid-night. They prayed till dawn – the time came for the Morning Prayer. They prayed the Morning Prayer and were engaged in benedictions and invocations till it became perfectly clear. When the new Muslim made a move towards the door, his friend, Muslim neighbor interrupted:

 

“Where are you going?”

 

“I am going home. Since I have finished my Morning Prayer, there is nothing else to do now.”

 

“Wait a while and recite the benedictions till the sun rises.”

 

“Very well, said the new Muslim.”

 

New Muslim sat and recited the same till the sun rose. When he rose up to go, his friend, Muslim neighbor placed the Holy Qur’an in his hand saying, “Read it till the sun rises a little high. And I advise you to fast today. Don’t you know how much virtues and rewards there are in fasting?” The new Muslim did as he was told, and sat reciting the Holy Qur’an till it was nearing noon. The Muslim neighbor said: “Now it is almost noon; better we perform the noon prayer in the Mosque.” So, the noon prayer (Zohr) was prayed. Then Muslim neighbor said again: “After just a short time, the after-noon prayer (Asr) will be prayed. We should perform that also at the proper time”. The after-noon prayer (Asr) was also performed. Then Muslim neighbor said, “it is almost evening now” and detained the new convert till it was time for evening prayer (Maghrib). When new convert rose up to break his fast, the Muslim neighbor said, and “there is one more prayer remaining.” It is named “Esha” or the sleeping-time prayer.” So they waited nearly one hour for the proper time of this prayer. After that the new Muslim got up and went away.

 

Next day at the same hour of night new convert again heard knockings at the door.

 

“Who is there?”

 

“I am so and so…. your Muslim neighbor. Be quick, put on your clothes and perform ablution to go to the Mosque together”.

 

“As soon as I returned from the Mosque last night, I resigned from your religion. Please go away and find some other idle man who has nothing to do in this world, so that he may be able to spend his whole time in the Mosque. I am a poor man having wife and children to feed. I should better go after my work to earn my livelihood.”

 

Imam Jaffar as Sadiq (AS) relating the story to his friends and companions, said: “In this manner a devoted man after converting a new Muslim, had himself kicked him out of Islam. You must bear this fact in mind and should not trouble the people unnecessarily. You should judge their strength and capacity and act accordingly, so that they develop affinity for the religion and do not run away from it. Don’t you know that the policy of Ummayyads is based on violence, oppression and intimidation whereas our ways and methods are based on leniency, brotherhood and persuasion.”

 

Though the rules of the Sharia (Islamic Law) are called hardship, in reality they are well below our strength and ability. Almighty Allah (SWT) says in Noble Qur’an, “On soul does Allah place a burden but less than its capacity.” (2:286)

• Remember your previous sins with severe repentance and more seeking forgiveness.
• One who disobeys Allah has no knowledge of him.
• Seize the opportunity in asking for du`a on five occasions: (a) After reciting the Qur’an, (b) At the time of azan, (c) When an oppressed invokes assistance, (d) When two armies are facing each other seeking martyrdom, (e) At the time of raining.”
• Whoever recites the Holy Qur’an while standing in prayer, Allah Almighty will bestow a hundred blessings for every letter; whoever recites it while sitting in prayer, Allah will reward with fifty blessings for every letter; whoever recites the Qur’an outside of prayer, Allah will grant ten blessings for each letter.
• The height of perfection is excellence in the understanding of the religion, endurance in hardships and administration of the affairs of life according to one’s means, in the right measure.
• Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (AS) once said to one of his companions: “O Jabir it is not enough that a person says; I am a Shiah and I love the Prophet (SAW) and the Prophet’s family and the Imams. By Allah, a Shiah is the one who is perfectly pious and obedient to Allah’s commands. Anyone else is not a Shiah no matter how much they say they love Hazrat Ali (AS) and no matter what they call themselves. O Jabir Our Shiahs are known by these signs: (a) They are truthful, trustworthy and loyal; (b) They always remember Allah; (c) They offer their prayers, observe fasts, and recite Qur’an; (d) They help their neighbors, take care of orphans, and say nothing but good of people; (e) They act nicely towards their parents; (f) They are worthy of peoples trust and confidence.
• Imam said, Our followers are of three kinds, one who follows us but depends on others, one who is like a glass involved in his own reflections, but the best are those who are like gold, the more they suffer the more they shine.
• Imam Baqir told Jabir: O Jabir, if I had expounded for you our belief and tenets we would have destroyed ourselves. In any case, we are relating for you traditions that we collected from the Prophet, just as people collect gold and silver.
• I admonish you regarding five things; if you are wronged, do not commit wrong doing to others, if you are betrayed, do not betray anyone, if you are called a liar, do not be furious, if you are praised, do not be jubilant, if you are criticized do not fret and think of what is said in criticism, if you find in yourself what is criticized about you, then you are falling down in the eyes of God; when you are furious about the truth, it is much greater calamity then your falling down in the eyes of the people. And if you are opposite of what is said (in criticism) about you, then it is a merit you acquired without having to tire yourself in obtaining it.
• Imam Muhammad Baqir (AS) says that Imam Ali once said: There were two things in this world, which softened the Wrath of Allah and prevented its descent upon man: One has been taken away from you; hold the other steadfastly. The one which has been taken away from men is the Holy Prophet and the one which is still left with them and which they must hold steadfastly is repentance and atonement for sins because Allah at one place in the Holy Book addressed the Holy Prophet and said Allah would not punish them while you were among them nor while they were asking for forgiveness. (Surah Anfal, 8:33)
• The scholar who derives benefit from his knowledge is better than 70,000 devotees.
• “Indeed if you are good in teaching the people and do not show pride towards them, then Allah will increase you from His favor. However if you prevent them from learning your knowledge, then it is incumbent upon Allah, the Great and Almighty, to deprive you of knowledge and its splendor and to drop your position from the hearts of people.”
• “I hate the person who is jobless and who merely lies on his back and says, ‘O Allah! Give me sustenance! He asks Allah to do him a favor while the small ant comes out of its ant colony to seek its livelihood!”