Category: Prophet and Imams

Imam Baqir (pbuh): Earning livelihood is a worship

Imam Baqir (pbuh)The town of Medina was burning under the exhalation of the heat of the sun of Hejaz (Hijaz) and was thawing like the benumbed sleepers under the fire of the sky.

The branches of the palms were not oscillating under any breeze and the trees were as weary men sleep-strucken while standing. The camels were sheltering themselves under some shade of the palm branches, exceeding the wall of gardens and were ruminating silently and motionlessly. In the town every being was crawling under a shade and nobody was seen in the palm gardens of the round about, except a rather nice man having a slightly corpulent body which was leaning on the shoulders of a young man, (perhaps his son), who was visiting his farm. He was perspiring from the heat.

His eyes, which were half-closed because of the violent shining of the sun, were so attractive that they recalled the looking of the most beautiful gazelle. His nice feature was adorned with a pretty beard and mustache. But this handsome face was turning to purple under the sun and the drops of perspiration were pouring from his cheeks, like the drops of dew from a wild tulip. They were running from his face and dropping into his chest.

At this moment another man was seen on the plain, which was advancing towards this point. His name was Mohummad Ibn Monkader. He was supposing himself to be a pious and anchorite, a hermit man far from Mormonism. He had a bowed down stature and a weary face. When he reached the corpulent body man who was perspiring under the glow of the sun, busy to supervise his farm, he wondered and said to himself: “See how the greed of the mammon blinds the eyes of wisdom. This man is melting like a candle under the sun. And he is not ready to stop to hurt himself for his avidity. It is better to go to him and to advise him. Perhaps he will be guided.”

When he came near, he knew the man and said: “Oh it’s strange. This man is Mohummad Ibn Ali, Imam Baqir, and the leader of the Shia faith. Why this man is trying for worldly wealth?”

He goes then nearer, stood and greeted the Imam Baqir (pbuh). Imam Baqir (pbuh), was busy with his work and was perspiring and panting. Imam Baqir (pbuh) replied to his greeting. The man halted a while and said: “Is it worthy for a great and pious man like you to come out of home in this hour of the day, to seek worldly wealth? And with this rather corpulent body you have to bear, of course, more pain.”

“If in this moment, (God forbids), your death comes, in what situation are you going to meet Alah (SWT)? No, it is not worthy for you, with this heat and this natural disposition, to be so concerned with mammon.”

Imam Baqir (pbuh) cleaned the perspiration off his forehead with the back of his hand, stopped the work and looked at him.

“If my death in this very moment”, said Imam Baqir (pbuh), “I will meet Allah (SWT) in a state of worship.” You think that the worship is only to pray and to do religious ceremonies? I am living in the world and I have to earn my livelihood. If I do not work I will need the help of some men like you and I have to stretch my hands for begging. I should fear the coming of my death when I am sinning and disobeying my Allah (SWT). At this moment, when I am, working under the order of Allah (SWT), I am trying not to be a weight on the shoulders of my fellow beings.

Mohummad Ibn Monkader, struck with shame, said nothing and continued his way, while he was humming with himself: “Wonderful. I was thinking that I can advise him, but this was myself to earn an advice.”

Moral: You should always try hard to do something by yourself and only when you have tried and can not do it you should ask for help.

Earning livelihood is a Worship:

Earning livelihood is a WorshipWhen Sa’d Ansari responded to the Holy Prophet Mohummad (saw) that his hands were calloused because he used to work with a rope and a shovel to earn money to spend for his wife and children, the Holy Prophet Mohummad (saw) kissed his hand (as an honor) and said: “This is a hand which the Fire (of Hell) will never touch.”
The Holy Prophet Mohummad (saw) said: “There are seventy branches of worship, the best of which is earning a living lawfully.”
Imam Ali (pbuh) said: “Never, never will prosperity be reached by remaining idle and lazy.”
Imam Ali (pbuh) said: “One who is always lazy his hope will be scattered (here and there).”
Imam Baqir (pbuh) said: “Avoid laziness and discontent. These two are the keys to every vice.”
Imam Baqir (pbuh) said: “Refrain (be away) from Laziness and impatience for both of them are surely are the keys of every evil.”
Imam Baqir (pbuh) said: “Laziness harms both religion as well as this world.”
Imam Baqir (pbuh) said: “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!”

Salaam from great great grandfather Holy Prophet Mohummad (saw)

Imam Jafar Sadiq (as) narrates from his father, Imam Baqir (pbuh):

One day, I came to Jabir ibn Abdullah al-Ansari (ra) and greeted him. He replied my salutations and because he was blind, he asked me to tell him who I was. I introduced myself: “I am Mohummad, son of Ali, son of Hussain.”

Jabir ibn Abdullah al-Ansari (ra) said: “O! The son of the best human being, come closer!” I went closer. He hugged me and kissed my hands and tried to kiss my feet. I pulled myself away and prevented him from doing so. He then continued: “The messenger of Allah (SWT), Holy Prophet Mohummad (saw), had told me to convey his greetings (Salaam) to you.”

Salaam from great great grandfather Holy Prophet Mohummad (saw)I replied: “Peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah (SWT).” I then asked: “Jabir, what is the story behind this?”

Jabir ibn Abdullah al-Ansari (ra) said: “Once when I was in the presence of Holy Prophet Mohummad (saw), he said to me, ‘O! Jabir, perhaps you will live long enough until you meet a man from my children, whose name is Mohummad, son of Ali, son of Hussain (great great grandson), to whom Allah (SWT) has granted light and wisdom. So, give my greetings to him.'”

Jabir ibn Abdullah al-Ansari (ra) was a great companion (Sahabah) of Holy Prophet Mohummad (saw). He was amongst the companions of Badr. He was a participant in many of the battles of Holy Prophet Mohummad (saw) and Imam Ali (pbuh). Jabir had always been a follower of Prophethood and Imamat. He never neglected the love and affection towards Holy Prophet Mohummad (saw) and Ahlul Bayt. The continuous efforts of him in introducing Imam Ali (pbuh) and his respected children to the public were many. Furthermore, he was the first pilgrim of the shrine of Imam Hussain (pbuh) in Karbala. He became blind near the ends of his life and passed away at the age of 90 (in year 78 AH). It is narrated that he used to sit in the mosque of Holy Prophet Mohummad (saw) and say: “O! Baqir, O! Splitter of knowledge.” The people of Medina thought he had gone mad. Jabir used to say: “By Allah (SWT)! I am not saying nonsense. I personally heard the Prophet saying: ‘O! Jabir, perhaps you will live long enough until you meet a man from my children, whose name and appearance is similar to mine. He will split the knowledge perfectly. So whenever you see him, send my greetings to him.’ So it is the Prophet’s saying, that has given me the impulse to say such words.

Moral: If you are given something to look after or pass to someone else (no matter how small) then look after it well as you are accountable for it.

Complete Contentment with Allah (SWT):

Once, when Jabir ibn Abdullah al-Ansari (ra) had arrived in the presence of Imam Baqir (pbuh), Imam Baqir (pbuh) inquired after his health, whereupon he said: “I find myself in a state such that I give preference to old age over youth, to sickness over soundness of health and to death over life!”

Imam Baqir (pbuh) responded by saying: “(On the contrary) if Allah (SWT) makes me old, I prefer old age; if He desires to give me youth, I prefer youth; if He afflicts me with sickness, I desire sickness, and if He desires to favour me with sound health, I prefer soundness of health. If Allah (SWT) wishes to give me death, I prefer death and if He wills to keep me alive, I desire to live.”

As soon as Jabir ibn Abdullah al-Ansari (ra) heard Imam Baqir’s (pbuh) speech he kissed Imam’s face and said: “The Holy Prophet Mohummad (saw) had spoken the truth.” He (saw) had said: “O’ Jabir! You shall continue to live till you meet one of my children whose name shall be Baqir. He shall split open knowledge just as a cow splits open the earth.”

Imam Baqir (pbuh) and introduction of new Islamic coins

Imam Baqir (pbuh) and introduction of new Islamic coinsDuring the First Century Hijrah, the paper industry was controlled by the Romans. The Egyptians learned how to make paper from the Romans and they produced it exactly as the Romans did by marking the currency notes with symbols of Christianity, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Abdul Malik Marwan noticed these symbols and was enraged, that Egypt, being a Muslim country used these markings. He at once wrote to his delegates in Egypt instructing them to use the slogan of monotheism in all their correspondence. Papers with the monotheism mark upon it were circulated and reached the cities of Rome. Caesar, the King of Rome, wrote letters to Abdul Malik warning and threatening him that if he did not evade that mark he would issue orders to produce coins with abusive language about the Holy Prophet Mohummad (saw).

This worried Abdul Malik and he immediately called a meeting and consulted with his advisors, but to no result. One of those present suggested that they seek the assistance of Imam Baqir (pbuh). Abdul Malik agreed ordered that Imam Baqir (pbuh) be brought honorably and respectfully from Madina to Syria.

When Imam Baqir (pbuh) reached Syria they reported the matter to him. Imam Baqir (pbuh) said, “Caesar has frightened you, but he will actually not do it. The solution to this is that you place orders to produce a coin with the chapter of Tawheed on one face and name of the Holy Prophet Mohummad (saw) on the other. In this way we will not need the Roman coins any longer.” Then he gave the explanation about the weight and size of the coin. Then he said, “Engrave the name of the city where the coin is made and the year of its production upon it.”

Abdul Malik agreed that this was an excellent idea and followed the orders of Imam Baqir (pbuh) and sent notices to all the Islamic cities to inform them that all business affairs should take place with the new coins, and that the Roman coins were invalid. Whosoever possessed them could exchange them for new Islamic coins. Then he informed a delegate of Caesar about what had been done and sent him back. Caesar was informed about new Islamic coins. His courtiers demanded that he act as per his threat. But he replied, “That is now a futile thing to do because, the Roman coins are not used in the Islamic cities anymore.”

Our 5th Imam, Imam Baqir (pbuh) thus put a constraint upon the influence of imperialism and the destructive plans of the imperialists of that time.

Moral: We should learn what our Imams (as) have taught us. They always know what to do.

Imam Baqir (pbuh) and Fruits of Heaven

Imam Baqir (pbuh) and Fruits of HeavenOnce a Christian asked our 5th Imam, Imam Baqir (pbuh), how it could possibly be true what the Imam Baqir (pbuh) had said about the fruits of Heaven not reducing when they were eaten?

Imam Baqir (pbuh) told him not only was it true but he could give him an example of something being used and not reducing, which was present in this world.

Imam Baqir (pbuh) then continued that when a candle is used to light other candles, even as many as a hundred thousand other candles, the light of the original candle will not get any less.

Moral: Just because you do not understand something in Islam does not mean it is wrong. Allah (SWT) gave us Islam and our knowledge can not compare with His.

Imam Baqir (pbuh) and knowledge

A man one day said to 5th Imam, Imam Baqir (pbuh) “Was the Holy Prophet Mohummad (saw) heir to all the knowledge of the Prophets?” Imam Baqir (pbuh) replied, “Yes” then he was asked whether he had inherited it. Imam Baqir (pbuh) said he had. He was then asked if he could raise the dead to life, restore sight to the blind, and cleanse the leper. Imam Baqir (pbuh) said yes, by valour of Allah (SWT), the most high. He therefore put his hand on the blind eyes of a man sitting next to him and prayed. The next moment the blind man’s eyesight was restored.

By unlawful means:

During the period when our 5th Imam, Imam Baqir (pbuh) was in the captivity of Umayyad caliph, he used to eat very little food. Once, a righteous lady who was the follower of the Ahlul Bayt prepared two loaves of bread by lawful (Halal) means and sent it to Imam Baqir (pbuh) so that he could eat them. The jail warden said to Imam Baqir (pbuh):

“A certain pious lady, who happens to be your follower, has sent these loaves as a present for you and has sworn that it has been made out of lawful means and has requested you to eat them.”

Imam Baqir (pbuh) refused to accept the loaves and asked for them to be returned to the lady. “Tell her: We know that your food is lawful; however, since you have made it reach us by unlawful means, it does not befit us to eat it,” he said.

Imam Baqir (pbuh) said:

Imam Baqir (Splitter of knowledge)”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 Mohummad Ibn Ali (pbuh) says that Imam Ali (pbuh) once said: “There were two things in this world which softened the Wrath of Allah (SWT) and prevented its descent upon man: One has been taken away from you; hold the other steadfast. The one which has been taken away from men is the Holy Prophet Mohummad (saw) and the one which is still left with them and which they must hold steadfast is repentance and atonement for sins because Allah (SWT) at one place in the Holy Book, Noble Qur’an addressed the Holy Prophet Mohummad (saw) and said Allah (SWT) would not punish them while you were among them nor while they were asking for forgiveness.” (Surah Anfal, 8:33)

Note: 5th Imam, Imam Mohummad Ibn Ali (pbuh) received the title of Baqir (Splitter of knowledge) due to his ample knowledge of Deen and his enthusiasm to teach to other people.

Tears of Rasulullah (saw): How much do you Love Rasulullah (saw)?

Tears of Rasulullah (saw): How much do you Love Rasulullah (saw)?Suddenly, there was a person said Salaam. “May I come in?” he asked the permission to enter.

But Fatimah daughter of Muhammad (saw) did not allow him to enter the room. “I’m sorry, my father is ill,” said Fatimah daughter of Muhammad (saw) turned back and closed the door.

Fatimah daughter of Muhammad (saw) went back to her father who had opened his eyes and asked Fatimah, “Who was he, my daughter?”

“I don’t know, my father. It’s the first time I’m seeing him,” Fatimah daughter of Muhammad (saw) said gently.

Then, Rasulullah (saw) looked at his daughter with trembled look, as if he wanted to reminisce about every part of her daughter’s face. “Know one thing! He is who erases the temporary pleasure; he is who separates the companionship in the world. He is the angel of death (Ezraeel),” said Rasulullah (saw).

Fatimah daughter of Muhammad (saw) bore the bomb of her cry. Then, Rasulullah (saw) ask his daughter to allow the angel of death (Ezraeel) to enter.

The angel of death (Ezraeel) came toward him; But Rasulullah (saw) asked why Jibril (Gabriel) did not come along with him. Then, Jibril was called. Jibril was ready in the sky to welcome the soul of Habibullah and the leader of the earth.

“O Jibril, explain me about my rights in front of ALLAH (SWT)?” Rasulullah (saw) asked with a weak voice.

“The doors of sky has opened, the angels are waiting for your soul. Paradise opens widely waiting for you,” Jibril said. But, in fact, those all did not make Rasulullah (saw) relieve, his eyes were still full of worry.

“You are not happy to hear this news?” asked Jibril.

“Tell me about the destiny of my people in future?”

“Don’t worry, O Rasulullah. I heard ALLAH (SWT) told me: I make Paradise Haram (forbidden) for every one, except the people of Muhammad,” Jibril said.

It became closer and closer, the time for the angel of death (Ezraeel) to do his work. Slowly, Rasulullah’s soul was pulled. It was seemed that the body of Rasulullah (saw) was full of sweat; the nerves of his neck became tight.

“Jibril, how painful this Sakaratul Maut is?” Rasulullah (saw) uttered a groan slowly. Fatimah daughter of Muhammad (saw) closed her eyes, Imam Ali (as) sat beside her, bow deeply and Jibril turned his face back.

“Am I repugnant to you that you turn your face back O Jibril?” Rasulullah (saw) asked to the deliverer of Wahi. “Who is the one who could see the Habibullah in his Sakaratul Maut,” Jibril said.

Not for a while, Rasulullah uttered a groan because of unbearable pain.

“O ALLAH (SWT), how greatest is this Sakaratul Maut. Give me all these pains, don’t to my people.” The body of Rasulullah (saw) became cold, his feet and chest did not move anymore. His lips vibrated as if he wanted to say something, Imam Ali (as) took his ear close to Rasulullah. “Uushiikum bis salati, wa maa malakat aimanuku” – “take care of the Salaat and take care of the weak people among you.”

“Outside the room, there were cries shouted each other, Sahabah (Companions) held each other. Fatimah daughter of Muhammad (saw) closed her face with her hands and, again, Imam Ali (as) took his ear close to Rasulullah’s mouth which became bluish.

“Ummatii, Ummatii, Ummatii” – “My people, my people, my people.” And the life of the noble prophet ended.

Could we love each other like our prophet Muhammad (saw)?

Allahuma salli ala Muhammadin wa aale Muhammad (O Allah! Bestow Peace on Muhammad and his Descendants)

How deep is Rasulullah’s love to us? Indeed Rasulullah (saw) really deserves best of our LOVE than everything in this world as shown in the following narration.

Thawban, the Companion of Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw):

Thawban, the Companion of Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw)Thawban was one of the freed slaves of Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw). He was always with the Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) at home or in journey. After the passing away of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) he stayed for some years in Syria and later for some time in Egypt. He was present at the time of the victory on Egypt. Thawban died at the age of 51 years.

It is found in Rewayat (narration) that he adored the Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) so much that for a single moment he could not bear his absence. One day Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) saw him in a very sad mood. He appeared to be weak. Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) asked him, “O’ Thawban! What has happened to you? Thawban replied: “O Messenger of Allah! I am not ill nor have any pain, but, I am worried about your proximity which I will be missing in the Paradise. As you will be in a higher station and I am in a lower position. I will not be able to see you over there.”

At the same moment an Ayat (verse of Noble Qur’an) was revealed. “And whoso obeys Allah and the Messenger, and then they will be in the company of those on whom Allah has bestowed His Grace, of the Prophets, the truthful, the martyrs, and the righteous. And how excellent these companions are!” Noble Qur’an (4:69) [Bihar al-Anwar vol.2 pg.68)]

O Messenger of Allah! Indeed, I love you:

Aishah reported that a man came to the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) and said: “O Messenger of Allah! Indeed, I love you more than I love myself, and I love you more than I love my family, and I love you more than I love my children. When I am at home and I think of you, I am unable to contain myself until I can come to you and look at you. When I think about my death and your death, I know that when you enter Paradise, you will be raised to where the Prophets are. But, if I enter Paradise, I am afraid: will I be able to see you?”

So, the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) did not answer him at all until Jibril revealed to him: “And whoever obeys Allah and the Messenger, then they will be in the company of those on whom Allah has bestowed His Grace – of the Prophets, the truthful, the martyrs and the righteous. And how excellent these companions are!” [an-Nisa, 4:69]

[Silsilat al-Ahadith as-Sahihah; #2933]

Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) and his six true friends:

In the third year after Hijrah (Migration), some members of the Ozal and Qareh tribes who resided near Makkah and apparently had the same origin with the Quraish tribe went to the honorable Prophet Muhammad (saw) and said, “Some members of our tribes have chosen Islam as their religion. Please send some Muslims to our tribes to teach us the meaning of religion, Noble Qur’an, Islamic principles and laws.”

Having heard this, the glorious Prophet Muhammad (saw) chose six of his Sahabah (Companions) to go with them. The leadership of those six was on the shoulders of Marand ibn Abi Marthad or Asem ibn Sabet.

Holy Prophet Muhammad’s (saw) messengers set off with that group and left Medina. They continued their way till they arrived in the domicile of the Hozail tribe and they alighted there. Holy Prophet Muhammad’s (saw) friends, were resting when suddenly a gang of people from the Hozail tribe attacked them with their swords.

Getting aware of the situation, the Holy Prophet Muhammad’s (saw) friends immediately went to their weapons and got ready to defend themselves.

The attackers swore that they would not intend to kill them but to hand them to the people of Quraish in Makkah in return for some money. They offered them a deal. Three of them including Asem ibn Sabet replied, “We never accept the meanness of dealing with Mushrikeen (polytheists).” They fought and were killed.

Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) and his six true friendsThe other three, Zaid ibn Dasaneh, Khabib ibn Oday and Abdullah ibn Tareq did accept and yielded.

The people of Hozail bound them with rope tightly and set off for Makkah. Abdullah ibn Tareq, getting near to Makkah, loosened the rope on his hands and reached his sword but the enemy did not waste any time and killed him.

Zaid ibn Dasaneh and Khabib ibn Oday, at the end of the trip, were sold in exchange for two captives of Hozail in Makkah.

Safvan ibn Umayyah Quraishi bought Zaid ibn Dasaneh. Safvan’s father was killed in the battle of Badr or Ohud so he intended to take his revenge on Zaid ibn Dasaneh and kill him.

Zaid ibn Dasaneh was taken out of Makkah. The people of Quraish gathered to see the scene. Zaid ibn Dasaneh came in with steady steps and there was no sign of fear on his face.

Abu Sufyan was watching the scene. He thought that it was the best time to make Zaid ibn Dasaneh insult the Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) because it was the last moments of his life. Abu Sufyan went to Zaid ibn Dasaneh and said, “Do you not wish now that Muhammad was in your place and we would cut his neck while you would go to your wife and children comfortably?”

Zaid ibn Dasaneh replied, “I swear by Allah (SWT) that I do not like to see a thorn in the Holy Prophet Muhammad’s (saw) foot while I am resting at my house beside my wife and children.”

Abu Sufyan glared at him with his mouth open in surprise and then he turned his head back to the people of Quraish and said, “I swear by God I have not seen somebody’s friends love that person as much as Muhammad’s friends love him.”

Holy Prophet Muhammad’s (saw) friends loved him so much that they even could not see his foot injured with a thorn.

Having seen this love, Abu Sufyan, one of the arch enemies of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw), confessed that he had not seen somebody to be loved as much as Muhammad.

After a while, it was time for Khabib ibn Oday to be hanged so he was taken out of Makkah. Khabib ibn Oday asked them to let him say his Salaat (prayer). They let him and he said his prayer very humbly but quickly.

Then he turned to the people and said, “I swear by Allah (SWT) that if you did not accuse me of being frightened of death, I would say my prayer more.”

They bound him to the gallows tree. Then Khabib ibn Oday’s voice was heard while he was praying to Allah (SWT) in such a spiritual way that many people were influenced by it and some threw themselves on the ground.

What Khabib ibn Oday saying was is, “We performed the mission given to us by Your Messenger (saw), please let him know about what happened to us this morning. O Allah (SWT)! See these cruel people, destroy them all and do not let even one of them live.”

By Martyred, Morteza Motahhari in Attraction and Repulsion of Imam Ali (as)

Farsighted [Save the honour of Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw)]:

Farsighted [Save the honour of Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw)]A Jew lost his invaluable ring and accidentally a poor Muslim fellow found it. When this Muslim came to know that it belongs to that Jew he went to return it to him. The Jew smiled and asked him: “Do you know its value?”

The Muslim replied: “Yes”

“You found this and you are also a poor and a needy!” said the Jew.

“Yes, you are right.” The Muslim replied.

The Jew asked, “Did it not come to your mind that by selling this ring you can live a comfortable life as you had an excuse that it belonged to a Jew?”

The Muslim told him, “Why, I should have thought that way?”

“So why did you return this ring to me while I was not knowing that you have found it?” questioned the Jew.

The poor Muslim replied: “We believe on the Day of Judgement. I told myself that if I do not give this ring to the owner, then during the accounting of the deeds of the people during Qayamat my Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) and your Prophet Moses [Hazrat Musa (as)] would be sitting together and you will be complaining about this to your Prophet Moses [Hazrat Musa (as)] and then your Prophet Moses [Hazrat Musa (as)] would complain to my Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) that a person belonging from your Ummah (nation) has done such an act. And at that moment my Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) would not be able to answer him. I have returned this ring so that on the Day of Judgement, I save the honour of my Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw).

Moral of the story: Think like a Muslim, act like a Muslim and love Allah (SWT) and Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) like a true Muslim.