Wednesday 12 December 2012

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Basic Shia Teachings

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Faith and Practice

SHIA ISLAM IN BRIEF

By S. Saclain [2010 U.K.]

Shia Islam is way of life that God has chosen for human beings.
It is the pure and peaceful way of living according to the
teachings given by God to His Prophet Mohamed. It was explained by his
rightful successor Imam Ali.

People who convert to Shia Islam accept to
accept the following basic doctrines and practices of the faith.



1. SHIA ESSENCE OF FAITH:


Things that Shia Muslims believe:

Tauheed

There is only One True God Almighty, the Creator of the Universe. He is Single. Unique. Perfect. All Knowing, and All Powerful. The Greatest Supreme Being who is beyond imagination. There is nothing else like Him. This is real Monotheism called Tauheed.

Adal

God is always Just. He is never unfair. God commands humans to be just towards others.

Nabawat

Guidance. God choses pious human beings as messengers. They reveal His Divine Will. Prophet Mohammed was the final Messenger. God gave to him Holy Quran as the Perfect Holy Book for humanity.

Imamat

Leadership. God choses pious men to lead humanity. The improve society. These Imams implement Divine order in the world. Imam Mehdi is perfect leader who will establish God's Kingdom of peace and justice over the whole world.

Qiyamat

Afterlife. After our death, there is a Day of Judgement when all humans will be held to account for what they had done during their short life. There is Hell and there is Paradise.



2. SHIA PRACTICES OF RELIGION:

Things that Shia Muslims do as part of their religious duty:


PRAYERS

Remembering God five times a day. Shias combine two prayers and pray 3 times daily.

FASTING

Refraining from food and drink from sunrise to sunset for 30 days in Ramadan.

HAJ

Pilgrimage to House of God built by Prophet Abraham in Mecca.

CHARITY

Helping the poor and the needy. Feed them, clothe them, and house them.

JIHAD

Resisting oppression. Fighting against all forms of injustice and persecution. Stuggling to end tyranny.

PREACHING

Reforming the community towards good morals and away from harmful things.

LOVE

Developing good relations with your family, neighbours and community members.

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Shia Holy Imams

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The Shia Imams

By Saklayn

The foundation of the Shia faith is the belief that the spiritual and temporal leadership of all muslims after the demise of the Prophet is vested in the Imam, who is appointed, like the Prophet himself, by Allah, and who enjoys all the distinctions and privileges of a Prophet. In fact, the Shias regard their Imams as superior to all of the Prophets aside from Prophet Mohammed.

Furthermore, the Shias believe that Imamah, unlike Prophethood, can never come to an end. A famous Shia hadith says “the world cannot exist without an Imam,” and another which says: ”if the earth were to be without an Imam for a single day, it would sink.” Imam is the Hujjah, the Proof of God on Earth. It is essential for God to designate and maintain at all time His Proof upon his Creation. The Universe cannot exist with God’s Hujjah.

First Imam designated by Prophet Mohammed on the order of Allah is Imam Ali. When Ali left this world, his son Hasan succeeded him as Imam. His brother Hussain in turn succeeded him.

When Hussain was slain at Karbala, he left his son Ali Zainulabideen as fifth Leader of the Believers. On his death, his son Mohammed al-Baqir was the Imam. When al-Baqir died, he made his son Jafar al-Sadiq as the sixth Imam. After his death, his son Musa al-Kazim was the Imam of Shia Muslims. When he died, he made his son Ali al-Raza the eighth Imam. After him, came his son Mohammed al-Jawad (at-Taqi), and after him his son Ali al-Hadi (an-Naqi). At his death, his son Hasan al-Askari was the eleventh Imam. When he died at the age of 28, his appointed his son Mohammed as the twelfth and final Imam. But the son went into occultation to return in later days with the Command of Allah. These were Twelve Imams of Shia Muslims.

Prophet Mohammed had said that there would be twelve leaders or caliphs after him. Bible also prophesises that there will be Twelve Princes. Sunni muslims do not know whom the Prophet meant. They do not have twelve leaders. They only look accept the first Imam.

Prophet has also said, I am leaving behind for you two great things, the Koran and my descendents (progeny), if you hold on to both of them, you will never go astray.

This tradition shows that just like Koran is perfect and perfect, the holy members from lineage of the Prophet must also equally be from God, and his family would also be errorless and best guides for humanity.

Shias believe that only God Almighty has the right to decide the leadership. Sunnis choose their own favourite men to lead them.


(17.6.2011)

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Background to Ghadir


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How Ali became the Leader of Believers

By: S. Saclain


The Divine Power and Guardianship, or Valaya, is by the Will of God Almighty. It is given to 12 Holy Chosen Ones. Vilaya began at Ghadir when God ordered His Prophet to appoint Ali as the first Leader of Justice, the Imam. It was Angel Gabriel who came down from the heavens to tell the Prophet that God said it was time to designate Ali the master of the universe. This appointment was to bring Force to Believers. That day were destroyed the hopes of evil people. The year was 632.


God’s Messenger Mohamed left Medina to perform Haj. Except for Valaya, he had already announced God’s commandments to the people. Then Angel Gabriel came down and said:

‘O Mohamed, God sends peace on you, and says: “I have never taken the soul of any messenger until I have completed the Path and established My Proof. Two things still remain which you need to show to the people, the need to do Haj, and the need to recognise Valaya of your successor. I have never left My Earth empty of a Proof; nor will I ever leave it empty. Go, therefore, on Haj with the Bedouins. Show them how to do Haj like you taught them other things”.’

Nabi told his caller and he announced to the people to prepare for the journey to Haj. Over seventy thousand people gathered; the same number as those who went with Musa and accepted Haroon with a pledge. But later they broke their promise and followed Samri and made themselves a cow for worship. Similarly, Nabi took pledge for Ali from the people. But these too broke it later, and followed a Cow and a Samri of their time. They were just like the people who rejected Musa.

Nabi Mohamed performed all the rituals of Haj. At Mina, the Angel Gabriel came down and said:

‘O Mohamed, your Lord sends greeting to you and says: “Time has come for you to come to Me. Therefore, make your last will earlier. Pass your weapon and all the knowledge to your executive and successor, Ali son of Abu Talib, who is My greatest Proof for My creation, and My Logic against them. To him is My Peace. Raise him high as a guiding standard before the people. Remind them of obeying him, and again take the oath from them about My Ambassador, Ali son of Abu Talib, the Master of all believers, men and women. I have never taken the soul of any prophet until I have perfected My Path and completed My favour by establishing Obedience to My Friends and Wrath on My Enemies. Following Ali is the height of My Towheed, the belief in my Path, and completion of My Blessing on My creation. Whoever obeys him has obeyed Me. Whoever denies Ali and accepts the rule of any other person is a Mushrik, a Kafir [an idolater, an infidel]. I will give Hell to those who dislike him and I will give Paradise to those who accept him. Therefore, raise him as a standard because soon I will take you to Myself ”.’

Nabi Mohamed was concerned about the enemies of Ali and their plots, that they would lead many people back to the days of ignorance. Therefore, Nabi asked Gabriel to go back to God and seek guarantee and protection against evil the conspirators. Nabi waited until Gabriel obtained the promise of security from God. Gabriel went and returned, but without God’s promise of protection. Nabi again sent Gabriel back saying, ‘O Gabriel I am worried for Ali. Evil people will not accept him and harm him’. [Gabriel went back to God to ask for what Nabi wished for Ali.]

[In the meantime] Nabi left Maka and headed for Medina. He reached the place Ghadir Khum at ten in the morning. Here Gabriel descended from the heavens and said:

‘O Mohamed, the Almighty God sends His greetings to you, and says: “O Messenger, deliver what your Lord has given to you – about Ali – and if you cannot then you would not have proclaimed His message; and [do not worry] God will protect you against those people”.’

Nabi now called on all the pilgrims to gather together for a sermon. He ordered that a temporary pulpit be constructed for him. Nabi climbed on to the pulpit and stood to deliver the sermon. He said:

"Praise is to God, who is exalted in His unity, near in His uniqueness, sublime in His power, great in His dominance, and knower of all things... There is no other god except Him. Indeed Gabriel came down three times to give me order that I stand in this place and reveal to everyone, black and white, that Ali son of Abu Talib is my brother, my executive and my successor, and the Imam after me. Next to God and Mohamed, he is your guardian. Know that God has designated him guardian and leader for you. Choose him because God has chosen him, and turn to him, because God has appointed him. He is the Imam from God. O mankind, take Ali, because after I am gone, he is the best person in the world. I am leaving behind for you two important things, the holy book of God, and my pure family. If you hold fast to these two precious things, then you will never go astray. I will be asked about them and you will be asked. I remind you of God regarding my family. I remind you of God regarding my family. I remind you of God regarding my family. Therefore, see how you treat them. These two great things will remain together; and they will never separate from each other till they meet me at the Fountain in Heaven. After me there will be leaders who will take people to the fire. On the day of judgement no one will help them. God and I are both clear of them; they will be in the lowest depths of hell. So too will be their supporters, and their followers. Evil indeed is the home of the arrogant. Some people will usurp and replace it with their own kingdom. May God curse the usurpers who dispossess. Indeed your guardian is God Almighty; and your guardian is Mohamed who is now addressing you; and then, after me, by the command of God your Lord, your guardian and leader is Ali. There is no knowledge except what I taught Ali. He is Imam al Mobeen. God Almighty has more right over my life than I do myself; and I have more right over the lives of believers than they have themselves. And I am master of those whose take Ali as their master. I am their master to whom master is Ali. O God, love those who love him and be an enemy to those who hate him; help those who help him; and leave those who leave him! I have now delivered God’s message to you. I have made you hear. O Lord! I ask you to bear witness that I have announced it. [Pause]. God has just sent down to me this message: ‘This day I have perfected your religion for you, and completed My Blessing on you, and chosen Peace as your Way.' O mankind, the honourable and majestic God has perfected your religion through Ali’s leadership. So, now those of you who does not follow him and the Imams of my lineage, till Judgement Day when deeds are shown are presented to God the honourable and majestic, they are the ones whose deeds shall become fruitless and vain, and they shall live in fire forever. This is Ali, my brother, and executor, and the vessel of my knowledge, and my successor. He is the Captain of the Believers, the Imam of Guidance. Your Nabi is the best Nabi and your Wasi is the best Wasi. I am the warner and Ali is the guide. I am the Nabi and Ali is the Wasi. The last of the Imams will be the awaited Mehdi the Messiah. He will restore God’s Kindgom on Earth and all of our rights. On behalf of the Almighty God, I ask you now to swear the oath of allegiance to Ali. So, fear God and give your pledge of loyalty to Ali, Ameer Al Momineen, God’s blessings are upon him and on Hasan and Husayn, and to the Imams after them. God will destroy the treacherous, and He will show mercy to the loyal. Say what I have said, and greet Ali as the Captain of the Believers, and say, ‘we hear and we obey, forgive us O Lord, to You is our return’. And say: 'Praise be to God who has guided us to this; because without guidance from God we would never have been guided.’ O mankind, whoever obeys God and His messenger and Ali and the Imams will attain a great victory. O Lord! Forgive the believers, and send Your wrath upon the disbelievers; and Praise be to God, Lord of the Worlds."

This is part of the speech given by Nabi at Ghadir. Ancients books record a very long three hours sermon.

The Holy Family of Nabi celebrated the day of Ghadir as a Divine Blessing on them and on the entire Creation.

The fifth Imam said, “God’s Way [religion] is based on five things: Salah, Zakah, Sawm, Haj, and Valaya. Nothing was commanded like Valaya was commanded. But people accepted first four and left the Valaya.”

The eighth Imam said, “Example of believers in accepting Valaya of [Ali] the Leader of the Believers on the day of Ghadir is like that of Angels in bowing to Adam; and, the example of disbelievers who left Valaya of the Leader of Believers [Ali] on day of Ghadir is like that of [Satan] Eblees.”

Holy Lady al Zahra said, “After Ghadir, God has left no argument for anyone.” Her father Master Mohammed said, “Transmitting the Ghadir sermon is the greatest act of Amr bil Maruf [calling people towards good]”, and, he also said, “Day of Ghadir Khumm is the greatest Celebration Festival of believers. It was the day God Almighty ordered me to designate His Zikr, my brother, Ali son of Abu Talib as the standard of believers. Through him they will be guided after me. It was the day God perfected the true Religion and completed His blessing on believers. He is happy that Submission to God be their Way.”

The sixth Imam said, “Fasting on day of Ghadir is greater in value than fasting for the entire age of the world. It is the greatest celebration of God. God has not appointed any Nabi but to celebrate this day as Joy. They are all aware of its holiness. In heavens it is known as the Day of the Covenant. You might think that the honourable and majestic God may have created a day more holy than this. Never. By God. Never. By God. Never. By God.”

The eighth Imam said, “Truly the day of Ghadir is more popular in Heavens than it is on Earth. By God, if mankind really knew the value and greatness of this day, the Angels would come and shake hands with them ten times a day.”

Historians also record that Master Mohamed said Ali is Mowla of all pious people, 'If I am your master than take Ali as your master; O Lord, love those who love Ali and hate those who hate Ali, help those who help Ali and leave those who abandon Ali, and turn the truth to where Ali turns.'

After the sermon of Ghadir, the Angel Gabriel flew back to the heavens very happy and praising Ali, his master.

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The Pure Five

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THE FIVE PURE BEINGS

Al Olonzo [2011]


CONTENTS:

1. Holy Rasul Mohammed
2. Holy Lady Fatima
3. Holy Imam Ali
4. Holy Imam Hasan
5. Holy Imam Husain

God’s bless them and place His eternal peace upon them.

IN THE NAME OF GOD THE KIND THE MERCIFUL

Prophet, Fatima, Ali, Hasan and Husain are the five pure beings sent to earth by God to guide seekers of truth to their Lord.

Mohammed was messenger bearing divine code of life for humanity. Fatima was his daughter who provides perfect role model for all females. Ali was warrior super hero and loyal supporter who protected the Prophet and his daughter while they were alive on this earth. He also taught mankind the essence of Prophet’s teachings. Hasan was centre of peace and harmony and kept people away from bloodshed. Husain made the supreme sacrifice in the cause of God in order to save mankind from tyranny and oppression. Today we are free because of Husain.

Here is brief tale of the Holy Five:


# 1. Holy Rasul Mohammed.

Holy Messenger was born in 570 in Mecca and died in 632 in Medina.

When he was 25 he married a business women Kadeja. They had a wonderful and loving marriage. They had a Kasim, but died in infancy. Mohammad is often known as Abu al Kasim – Father of Kasim. Kadeja and Mohammed were patient and hoped in God alone. God was pleased with their faith, and so blessed them with holy Fatima.

When God ordered His Prophet Mohammed to begin preaching, the people of Mecca opposed him accept a few. He was forced out of his town sought refuge in Medina. After ten years of struggle he came back to Mecca. He decided not to punish the pagans for their past wrongs. They converted to his message in large numbers.

This is how the story began of Prophet Mohammed’s Divine Mission.

In the year 610, when Prophet was 40, he went to cave Hira on mount Sur near Mecca. There angel Gabrial came and told him what God wanted him to do. God also sent first verses of the Quran, the Divine Book which is preserved in the Heavenly Tablet.

Chapter began thus: “In the Name of God, the Kind the Merciful. Read in the Name of your lord…”

First Converts: Abu Talib and his wife Fatima binte Asad, Kadeja, Salman, Abu Zar, Amar, Hamza, Abu Bakr.

First enemies: Abu Sufyan, Maweya, Abu Lahab, Abu Jahel, Waleed, Otba, Omeya, Umar, Khalid.

Prophet invited his clansmen to dinner to invite them to one true God and offer them eternal life in paradise. He also told them that if they reject his message then a terrible fate lies for them after death. But they did not believe his message. Instead they mocked him and rejected his offer. Only Ali and his father believe in the Holy Messenger and were saved.

Ibn Jareer al Tabari writes in his book of history that Prophet invited his own clan to help him and on that meeting he appointed Ali as his deputy and heir. That meeting was held on the order of God to give warn his own lose tribe of the impending doom that awaits them in the hereafter.

God commanded the Prophet in the Holy Quran: wa anthir ashiratakal akrabin [‘Warn your near relations’]

Abu Talib allowed the Prophet to use his home to make the divine call. Ali arranged the meal. Prophet’s clansmen came all 40 of them. They enjoyed the food. Prophet announced to them his mission. He said I am the divine messenger sent to you by God Almighty. He has chosen me to guide humanity towards God and towards perfect morals. Prophet warned that there is life after death. All human beings will be raised from their graves to and held to account for the deeds. There will be a terrible day of judgment. All the dead will be brought back to life. They will be judged. Men and women who believed in one true God and lived a good moral life, they would be sent to live forever in paradise. People who rejected their Creator, and who were evil and committed wrong acts in their lives, they would be severely punished. They will be thrown in the fire of hell to abide there forever. It was up to people to prepare themselves to face their Lord on that Day. Prophet said he was sent as a guide to purify people and teach them the book of God. Prophet invited his clan to support him in this holy mission and stand by him. He offered them Paradise. He said that whoever is first to believe in him, he would make him his deputy and heir. No one spoke in support of Prophet except Ali. Prophet asked Ali to sit down and give elders a chance. Again no man accepted the words of the Prophet except Ali. The little boy again stood up and said, I will be your supporter and defender O Messenger of God. Prophet then called Ali to come closer. Prophet put his hands on Ali’s shoulder and said: This is my brother, my inheritor, my heir and successor; listen to him and obey him. Prophet’s kinsmen burst out laughing. They mocked Abu Talib. They said did you hear that, you are told to obey your own son. At that time Ali was only 14 years of age.

Most good books on life of the Holy Prophet record this important event.

First Migration: Meccan pagans began to persecuted those who accepted Prophet’s message. Prophet advised these early muslims to leave the city for their own safety and seek refuge from a pious king in Abyssinia. Some families of muslims left and headed for distant African land. Abu Talib sent his son Jafar to guide and protect these first migrants on their journey.

Death of Guardian and Supporter: Kadeja and Abu Talib were two essential people in life of Prophet. God used them to support His messenger and His message. Kadeja’s wealth and Abu Talib’s protection saved Islam and Muslims in early years when it was still young and under threat from enemies of truth. However, God took them both to Himself in the year 620. Prophet was so saddened that he named it as the Year of Grief. He mourned the whole year the deaths of his beloved life and supporter Kadeja; and his guardian and protector Abu Talib.

First pleage of Akaba: Prophet’s life was now in serious danger when his saviour was no more. However, even after his death Abu Talib had made arrangements to provide safety for Mohammed. Even after death, Abu Talib was protecting God’s messenger.

Abu Talib had contacts in Yathrib. He told them that their wars and t roubles would be over if they came and listened to his nephew’s new message of peace and hope. Some men from Yathrib came and heard the Prophet. They liked the clear and simple belief in one God, Mohammed as His messenger and reward of eaternal life after death. They gave pledge to him and converted to Islam. Prophet told them to return to medina and ask its leaders if they would be willing to come and believe in the Straight Path.

Second Pledge of Akaba: More men came from Yathrib and accepted what Prophet had said to them. They were willing to follow him and accept his teachings.

Hijra – The Migration to Medina: Prophet prepared to leave his home town. He was being forced out by his own people. Meccans secretly gathered in house of Abu Sufyan to plan Mohammed’s murder. One man from man from each clan would stab him at dawn....

This will fool the assassins on the night of escape, Prophet ordered Ali to lie on his bed. He said, "Ali sleep on my bed." Ali agreed. Prophet then told Ali, "my enemeis have made plans to kill me tonight." Ali said, "O Messenger would your life be saved if I lie on your bed?" Prophet said, "O Ali this is night of great danger." Ali said, "but if I die will you live?" Prophet said, "yes, I would live, I would escape safely if you lie on by bed." Ali got on Prophet’s bed. Prophet covered Ali with his cloak. He kissed him and left the house.

Angels were watching this scene in heaven. God asked them, "would any of you give your life for one another." No angel was willing to do that. God said, "why can’t you be like Ali, he is sacrificing his life for his brother. Go down and protect Ali." Two Angels Gabriel and Michael came down and earth and entered Prophet home where Ali was sleeping. Gabriel stood near Ali's head. Micheal stood at the feet of Ali. All night both Angels guarded Ali. They said, "Who can be like you O son of Abu Talib, in heavens Almighty God is proud of you."

Prophet was leaving Mecca in the darkness of night. Abu Bakr followed him secretly and joined up with him. His action risked Prophet’s life. He almost gave Prophet’s position to his enemies who were chasing him. When the trackers were catchnig up with the Prophet, Abu Bakr began to shake with fear and cry for his life. Prophet told him not to make so much noise. Prophet headed for a cave on top of a mountain. It was in south of Mecca, in the opposite direction to Yathrib. Prophet was calm and climbing slowly. Abu Bakr was full of fear and panic. He quickly picked up the Prophet on his back and hurriedly climbed the mountain. Sunni muslims claim Abu Bakr did this was out of love. Shia muslims say, yes it was out of love for his own life, not for Prophet’s safety. Even inside the cave he was crying. Prophet told him, stop crying, you are not going to die. God is with us. We are in His protection.

This historic Escape from Mecca is known as Hijra; and with it begins the Muslim Calendar.

People had kept with Prophet many valuable items. They trusted him. When Prophet left Meccan, he ordered Ali to must return all things to their owners. Ali carried out Prophet’s wished and then left for his hometown. His mother Fatima Bint Asad and Prophet’s daughter Fatima were with him. Some other ladies also were under the care of Ali. It was a difficult mission for a 20 year old. He had to escape Mecca safely. He also had to make sure women were protected from attack and kidnap for next 200 miles. Prophet reached Quba. There he waited for Ali. Prophet built in Quba world’s first Masjid in Islam for Ali. When Ali arrived there, Porphet wept out of happiness and hugged him and kissed him. They rested and then prayed first ever Friday in the holy Masjid. God in the Quran calls it Masjid built on piety. The together they entered Yathrib. The name Yathirb was changed to Medina tun Nabi - City of the Prophet.

In Medina, the Prophet wrote Charter of Rights for all people. All tribes were happy with the Prophet. For his followers, he created the special institution of brotherhood. He teamed two muslims as one. The two brothers would help one another in all times of ease and difficulty.

In Medina, Prophet faced threats from Jews and the Romans; and from not to forget the Meccans. But people of Medina had pledged to defend the Prophet. They voted to accept the Constitution. They had already giving oath of alliegence to the Prophet at Akaba. Therefore, they remained faithful to their word. They defended him in each attack made by the enemies of the Prophet.

Wars launched by the enemies of God:

First battle was Bader. Meccans came with 1000 armed men to fight the Prophet. But Prophet had only 300 men plus Ali. As Ali struck the forces of pagans, Alimghty God again sent Angels to guard him. With Ali’s help, Meccans were crushed. Many of the top leaders of pagans were killed. Bader was the first and most important battle in life of the Holy Prophet. Meccans were furious. They vowed revenge.

Second battle was Ohad. Again Meccans attacked Medina from the rear with a larger force. Prophet had God’s favourite Ali. Meccans were defeated. Muslims won again. Pagans were furious. Pagan leaders of Mecca decided to seek help from Jews against the believers of Medina.

Third Battle was Kandaq. Meccans came to attack the Prophet with an even far larger force. Prophet dug a trench around the city to defend it from the pagan attack. Jews of Medina had peace treaty with Prophet. They had accepted his Constitution which he had written when he arrived from Mecca. But Jews secretly voted to break the Charter. They were envious of the Prophet and jealous of his successes. Jews disliked God’s message and feared His Prophet’s mission. Finally, Jews decided to side with Meccans in finishing the Prophet and his message. Jews attacked from the inside and Meccans from the outside. Meccans managed to cross the trench. They came very close to victory. They were about to slay the Prophet. But Prophet had Ali. Ali defended God’s religion and His Prophet. Ali slaughtered the enemy leader Amr Wud. The Meccans returned home defeated. Treason’s penalty is death. Prophet decided to sort the Jews out. He first killed the traitors. Then Prophet expelled rest of the Jews from Medina. Jews went to Kybar.

Fourth battle was Kybar. Jews used their second city of Kybar to supply and aid the enemies of the Prophet. Prophet then went to Kybar. There Jews were powerful. Their leader Marhab was a legendary warrior in Arabia. But Prophet had Ali. Prophet said, tomorrow is triumph day. God will give success us success through Ali. Ali loves God and God loves Ali; he loves the Prophet and Prophet loves him; he is a warrior of God; he will be victorious; he is a man and not a runner. Prophet gave his flag to Ali. Ali went and slew the beast in one strike. He destroyed the gate of Kybar City. Jews had no option but to surrender to the might of Ali. Battle of Kybar marks the end of Jews in Arabia, and end of peaceful relations between Jews and Muslims. Jewish ties with believers of Prophet Muhammad remain severed to this day.

Mission Accomplished

Prophet had successfully defended his new city and God’s message from all attacks. Now he was powerful enough to take back his hometown. He marched with thousands of men from Medina towards Mecca. Meccans surrendered without any resistance. Conquest was now complete. Quran was also complete. Thousands of Arabs converted to Islam, the true Religion chosen by God. Mission accomplished. Ali was the hero of Islam. Holy Prophet returned to Medina and died in 632 A.D.

Two months before his death, Prophet reaffirmed Ali as his successor. He gave a long speech in praise of Ali. In it he declared: “I am Leader of those who take Ali as their Leader. O God love those who love him and hate those who hate him.”

God’s Prophet was buried in Medina. His holy Mausoleum is the site of pilgrimage for millions of people a year from all over the world.


# 2. Holy Lady Fatima

Fatima was God’s first light. The Almighty God blessed Kadeja and Mohammed with holy Fatima. Prophet said, "my daughter Fatima is highest female in the world." Fatima is the First Lady of the Universe.

How was Fatima born? How did she come to Earth?

God summoned his Prophet to come to heavens. This was an early ascension of the Prophet to the heavens. In far away place, there existed the light of God. It was Fatima. Prophet was taken to a Special Tree in universe. God placed the Light in His Prophet through the Sacred Tuba Tree. Prophet was given Holy Fruit of that Heavenly Tree. In its Fruit was Divine Light of Fatima. Prophet was asked to eat the Divine Fruit. Fatima was now transferred directly into God’s Holy Prophet Mohammed. The Prophet returned to Earth. He was ordered to fast. For forty days the Prophet faste. He did not come near his wife Kadeja. He was in constant worship of God. Prophet remained in deep meditation of God’s Zikr. The year was 603 A.D. God then told Mohammad to sleep with Kadeja in a Holy Union. A Holy Girl was born nine months later. God named her Fatima after His own name Fatir – Originator. It is for Fatima that God had designed and produced this wonderful Universe. God would not have created anything if He did not create Fatima. God told Muhammad, “I would not have created you and Ali from my Light if I had not created Fatima; and the worlds would now have been made if you two were not created.”

Fatima grew up as pious women of highest moral values and integrity. Pagans, hypocrites among muslims and other enemies of God and his Prophet were jealous of integrity of his holy daughter. Abu Bakr wanted to marry Fatima. He even gave his own daughter Aisha to Prophet so that he Fatima may be given to him in return. Umar did the same. He gave his daughter Hafsa in marriage to Prophet hoping to be given Fatima. Fatima was most beautiful like a rose. She was so radiant and bright that Prophet named her Al Zahra, the Shining one. Propher said, "Fatima is a Heavenly Beauty”. Fatima is a hur, a lady of paradise so beautiful and pious that no man knows them in this world. Prophet rejected Abu Bakr and Umar. They were not pious enough. Prophet said; "God has chosen Ali for Fatima."

God Himself arranged the marriage of Holy Fatima. Prophet said, "had God not created Ali, then there would not have been any man worthy of Fatima from Adam to the end of the world."

God married Fatima to Ali and blessed her with two holy sons – Hasan and Husain. Thus was completed the five members of the holy family – Muhammad, Fatima, Ali, Hasan and Husain. God blessed eternally and also their pious children and their believers. Marriage of Fatima and Ali was model for all humanity. They respected and loved each other. Ali used to call Fatima "my Seyyeda" - my guide my leader, my saviour. Prophet said, “Fatima is part of me, what upsets her upsets me.”

During Prophet’s life, Fatima supported him at all times. Even in battle when he was injured, Fatima nursed him like a mother. Holy daughter stood by her holy father in good times and in bad times. She cared for her father, as a mother would look after his son. Prophet said, "Fatima is mother of her father." Holy daughter so loved her holy father. Prophet said that God has placed his pleasure in pleasure of Fatima. He said, "pleasing Fatima is pleasing God. What makes her happy makes God happy. What makes her angry makes God angry." from these holy words, it is as if Fatima is the daughter of God Almighty. God has given Fatima His Own Will. If anyone wants to please God, they would need to please Fatima. If she were upset, then God would never be happy until she is pleased. No greater status has been given by God to any of his creation than the status He has given to Holy Lady Fatima Al Zahra.

God's Holy Messenger Mohammed died in the year 632. His holy daughter Fatima was 28 years old. She cried so much that her eyes were red with grief. In her time of sorrow, only Ali was on her side. Other disciples of the Prophet had turned their backs to his message due to greed for wealth and power. They stole her inheritance. Then in a military coup took power away from her husband Ali, whom Prophet had appointed his rightful successor.

Imam Ali could have slaughtered Abu Bakr Umar and all their thugs. But Prophet had ordered him not to lift his sword. Shedding blood is not the way of the pure. Ali remained obedient to instruction of his master. For the love of God and His Messenger, Imam Ali patiently bore the sufferings inflicted on Fatima. Otherwise, Ali’s divine sword Zolfikar was sufficient to put an end to corruption and oppression carried out after the death of the Holy Prophet.

Bukhari writes in his book of Hadith that Fatima went to demand from Abu Bakr to return her father’s property of Fadak. Fadak was a fertile land won in the Kybar battle. Abu Bakr refused her and she became angry with him. She did not ever forgive him. Some books of history say that Fatima used to curse Abu Bakr after every prayer.

History books say that Ali was tied and dragged to the ruler’s court and forced to give allegiance to Abu Bakr. When he refused, Abu Bakr and Umar took some guards and surrounded Ali’s home with burning torches. They attack the house of Fatima. Umar kicked her. At that time, Fatima was pregnant. She miscarried her unborn baby Mohsin. She died sixty days later due to injuries caused by Abu Bakr’s men.

Black sheep among Prophet’s followers had fatally injured his holy daughter. Before holy Fatima died, she asked Ali, “bury me at night, and do not let Abu Bakr and Umar and others who oppressed me, to come to my funeral.” Ali did as Fatima has willed. Ali buried Fatima at darkness of night without informing the people that holy prophet’s holy daughter has died. No man knows her grave to this day.

It is said Abu Bakr repented his treatment of Fatima. He use to weep and wished he had never been born. He died with huge regrets. God knows what will be his fate.

# 3. Holy Imam Ali

Imam Ali was a pure guide and a legendary warrior from God. No brave or skilled fighter ever defeated him in battle. No wise man or cunning ruler ever outwitted him in debate. Ali’s was a remarkable teacher and outstanding leader. Ali’s sermons and speeches collected in book Nejol Bilaga are masterpieces of eloquence. Only God’s own words in the Holy Quran outweigh words of Ali. God had chosen Ali to defend the Holy Prophet Mohammed, and to lead those who had a heart for God. Ali was named Ameer al Momineen - Commander of the Believers.

Prophet said, “Ali and I were created from one light.” Prophet loved Ali. He made Ali his brother and successor. Ali was most knowledgeable man. He knew the secrets of God. He was aware of the unseen reality of the Universe. Prophet said, “I am the city of Knowledge and Ali is its Gate.”

Books of history and hadith record that before Prophet’s death God ordered him to deliver to mankind their Guardian and Saviour. Prophet went to Ghadir and revealed Ali to humanity saying, “God is my Master. I am your Master. If you take me as your Master, then take Ali as your Master. O God, be a friend to Ali’s friends, and be an enemy to his enemies; help Ali’s helpers and destroy those who leave him; and turn the truth to where Ali turns.”

Sunnis muslims say Ali was not the successor of the Prophet but Abu Bakr was. Shia muslims say no, Abu Bakr did nothing great for the Prophet. Ali was heart and soul of the Prophet. Ali was Prophet’s protector and defender. Prophet appointed Ali as his heir twice during his life. The disagreement on this basic question of succession continues to this day.

Imam Ali always stood with the Prophet. He defended him and protected him with his own life. In every battle, Ali defeated for the Prophet his enemies. When Prophet died he told Ali that most people would turn away his message. Prophet advised Ali to remain patient when most people would turn against him. Ali did not fight for worldly power and wealth. He contented himself with preaching the message of the Prophet and preserving the Holy Quran the Book of Almighty God. For 25 years, the right of Ali as successor and heir of the Prophet taken from him. Ali in obedience to his master, did not fight them, nor cause trouble in the community. He stayed at home and looked after his family and brought up his children on the teachings of their grandfather.

When people became sick of corruption and injustice they went to Ali. Ali became popular ruler in the year 656. He did not want power but people insisted that he lead them.

Immediately he faced rebellion from people. Aisha the wife of the Prophet who held a long grudge against Ali, she raised an army and went to war with him. The widow of the Prophet was urging people to rise against Ali. First Aisha led pagan army and besieged Basra. As a commander in chief, Aisha gave general orders for slaughter of the town. Genocide resulted in death of 10,000 civilians in Basra. Aisha wanted lovers of Ali crushed and defeated by any means.

Second, Aisha faced Ali on a battlefield. It was called Battle of the Camel. Aisha sat on a camel giving orders her troops near Basra. This is not allowed for women, especially wives of the Prophet. God condemns such behavior in His holy book. But Aisha was now leading these men, once the companions of the Prophet. They sided with Aisha. They were out to kill Ali. But Ali defeated them all. Many companions were killed as result of Aisha rebellion against Ali.

Aisha was escorted back to her home in Medina. She remained in her home for a while. Aisha remained neutral for some time. Then she was persuaded by Omeyas to turn people against Ali. Aisha was told that if Ali remained as leader, he would certainly degrade her father Abu Bakr for stealing Fatima’s inheritance from her, and also his succession to the Prophet. Aisha was won over again. She decided to preach against Ali and she succeeded in turning people hearts of people from Ali and towards Maweya whom she considered lesser of the two evils. Maweya wanted to finish Ali because he was a thread to Omeya rise to power.

Maweya led an army of Aisha’s supporters and faced Ali at Siffin. In both battles of Camel and Siffin, many sahabas of the Prophet were killed by sahabas of Ali. Eventually, Ali was murdered by design of Maweya and Aisha. Aisha thanked God when she heard that Ali was no more.

Omeya dynasty was now almost secure. All that remained in the way was two sons of Ali and Fatima, Hasan and Husain. Maweya wanted either to make people hate them, or to assassinate them. He tried to institute public cursing and demonising of Ali and his sons. But people were not accepting this. They knew Prophet Mohammad had loved Ali, Hasan and Husain.

Maweya moved to murder grandsons of the Prophet.


# 4. Holy Imam Hasan

Maweya was now in full control after killing Holy Imam Ali. With help of Aisha, Maweya began to turn people against Hasan. He threatened most of the population and bribed some of the notables of Mecca and Medina.

When Hasan saw people turning against him as they had turned against his father Ali after the death of the Prophet, he decided to step down. It was no point leading a people who did not really want him. Men of God do not rule by force. Maweya was clever. He knew Hasan was not get in his way. To make a popular gesture Maweya let Hasan make demands for stepping down. What could Hasan ask when he is not in power? Hasan said if you are true then make compensation to heirs of victims you have killed and after you death do not designate anyone but let the people chose their own leader. Maweya was delighted as these terms. He knew he would kill Hasan and hence make the treaty redundant. He persuaded Hasan’s wife to kill her husband. She poisoned the holy imam on promise of Maweya to marry her to his prince. He didn’t fulfil that promise.

Hasan stepped down and began peaceful preaching of teachings of his father and grandfather.

Now remained Husain of the original five pure members of the holy family.

Husain convinced Aisha that her actions against Fatima, Ali and Hasan were wrong; and that she had acted against God and now an evil fate awaited her after death. Aisha was 65 and she became sacred. She tried to make amends. She began revealing the truth she has heard from Prophet during his life. Aisha had hidden many good things about Ahlul Bayt. Now she began to reveal them. Maweya was alarmed at Aisha’s change of attitude. Aisha condemned Maweya for insulting Imam Ali. She even accused him of killing innocent people. This was the last straw. Maweya consulted his wise men. He was advised to kill the dangerous wife of the Prophet.

Maweya planned Aisha’s death. She was invited for important occasion. A hole was dug and carpet placed on it. Aisha fell into the trap screaming at Maweya. He showed no mercy to Aisha. He poured cement on top. Aisha was killed. Maweya ordered his men to construct a build on Aisha. The murder of Aisha was thus hidden. No man knows her grave to this day.

After killing Hasan and Aisha, the Omeya tyrant ruler Maweya had plans to kill Husain. But he fell ill and died before he could achieve his evil mission. Nevertheless, Maweya appointed his son Yazid as ruler after him. He told him to “take care” of Husain as matter of priority. He meant Husain should be killed secretly like Hasan was killed with poison.

But Yazid was not an intelligent man. He was stupid. He declared open war on Husain.


# 5. Holy Imam Husain

Husain was holy grandson of holy Mohammad, the messenger of God Almighty. There was no way he would recognise evil brutal dictator like Yazid. When Yazid’s demanded of allegiance, Husain reply was clear and straight. He said, a man like could never accept a man like you. This answer made war inevitable.

People of Kufa were sick of Maweya. They did not want his son as their ruler. They invited Husain to lead them against Yazid. They vowed to obey him as their leader. They wrote letters containing hundreds of signatures in support of Husain.

People of Mecca and Medina did not want Husain. They liked Maweya. Now they wanted to give a chance to Yazid. Son of Omar even campaigned for Yazid. He warned people not to break allegiance with Yazid. But Husain rejected men like him. Evil people like Maweya, Yazid and their followers had no place in religion of God.

Husain set off for Kufa. He took with him his family and friends. Husain caravan was made up of hundred men women and children. As he made his way across the desert, he discovered that Yazid’s governor Ibn Ziyad had crushed uprising in Kufa. Many people were killed. Husain’s cousin Muslim bin Akeel was brutally excecuted; and his sons were massacred.

Husain knew that Kufans were now helpless. He told his party that martyrdom is now the destiny set by God. Those who wish to go back may do so. There is no blame on them. Husain said he would go ahead and offer his life for God. He would sacrifice his children for cause of truth. If Islam is in need of blood, then Husain will happily give it.

On the journey of martydom, Yazid’s army stopped Husain’s caravan. The land was Karbala. Month was Muharram. Year was 680 after Jesus.

On 9th Muharram, Husain gathered his family for final farewells. Husain prayed with them. The next day would be day of blood and sacrifice. Giving blood for God is the way of the pure.

On the 10th day of Muharram, Husain gave a speech. One of Yazid’s commander defected to Husain. He realised he was on the wrong side of destiny. His name was Hur. He quickly changed sides. He repented before Husain. Hur asked Husain to forgive him. Husain hugged Hur, and forgave him. Hur was first to be martyred. God bless him. Hur gave his life for Husain.

General Ibn Saad had cut off water supply to Husain’s camp to pressure him to accept Yazid. Women and children were crying with thirst. Mighty Euphrates flowing nearby was blocked to the grandson of messenger of God.

Weak and thirsty, Husain mounted his white horse and rode to the army. He begged them not to carry out this evil deed of murder. They did not listen. General gave the order: Kill this little band of rebels against Yazid.

Husain and his men were butchered one by one by the soldiers of Yazid’s army. His disciples were the first to lay their lives for Husain. The General then slew Husain’s sons. He then processed to kill Husain’s nephews and cousins. These young boys were all massacred on scorching sand of midday sun. Husain’s brother Abbas was standard-bearer. Abbas had made desperate attempts to get water for his young niece Sakina. He managed to reach the river and took some water. But soldiers cornered him. They cut off his hands and then his arms. Husain’s back was broken. Abbas was killed in horrible way. Finally, Husain was left standing alone on the sands of Karbala. He again asked Yazid’s soldiers to consider what they were doing to grandson of the Holy Prophet. The soldiers again demanded Husain to submit to Yazid. Husain would rather die free then live in slavery. Ibn Saad gave orders for murder of Husain. Soldiers stretched their bows and fired their arrows. Husain looked upward to the heavens. It was not rain. The sky showered arrows upon thirsty Husain. The holy saint fell from his white horse. He was on the sand. Who would do the final evil? Ibn Saad wanted a trophy. He sent Shemar. Husain was on his knees before God, pierced with arrows. He made final bows. At this point Shemar came. With his knife he decapitated Husain. The holy grandson of the Prophet was slaughtered like a goat at Karbala. Women saw the horrible scene. They wailed loud. Husain’s sisters and nieces watched this butchery from their tents. Their cries echoed across the Iraqi desert. Screams of Husain's sister Zaynab were unbearable. The weeping of his young daughter Sakina were heard by the entire army. General ordered that all women of Husain's family be bound and taken to Yazid. Soldiers burnt the tents. They tied up the holy ladies. This was the day of terrible day of Ashura. General ordered his soldiers to run their horses on the bodies of the dead. Husain's body was desecrated along with others who lay on the sandy desert. Next day the soldiers left Karbala, carrying 20 human heads on their lances.

With Husain were put to death the five pure beings beloved of God Almighty, the Creator of the Universe.

Husain’s holy shrine is at Karbala; and millions of people make pilgrimage to his sacred grave to seek Divine grace and blessing.


*****

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Family of Fatima

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THE FAMILY OF FATIMA

By S. Saclain (2011)

In God's name, Kind and Merciful.

God's peace be upon Prophet Muhammed and his holy family.

“In the name of God, the kind, the merciful. Say, He is God, the One! God, the Absolute. He does not beget and He is not begotten; and there is nothing comparable to Him.”

This is a brief description looking at important events in life of Prophet and his holy family.

Holy Prophet Muhammed was born in 568. He married Kadeja in 595. Their daughter Lady Fatima was born in 604. Lady Fatima married Ali in 625. Holy Prophet died in 632.

God chose Muhammed as His last divine Prophet to guide humanity towards the truth. Prophet taught people about one true God. He said that after death there would be a day of judgement. God is just and he will judge people. They will be held to account for their actions. Good people will go to paradise and evildoers will be thrown in hell as a punishment. God gave Prophet a pure book – the Koran. It is the most beautiful and powerful book in the world. “This is the book in which there is no doubt, a guidance for the honest, who believe in the unseen, and establish prayer, and spend of that we have given them; and who believe in that which is revealed to you (Prophet) and that which was revealed before you, and are certain of the Hereafter. These depend on guidance from their Lord. These are the successful.”

"God! There is no God except him, the alive, the eternal. Sleep nor slumber overtakes him. To Him belong all that is heavens and the earth. Who is he that intercedes with him except by his permission. He knows that which is in front of them and that which is behind them, while they know nothing of his knowledge except what He wills. His throne is over the heavens and the earth, and He is never tires of preserving them. He is the sublime, the tremendous.
”There is no compulsion in religion. The right direction is now clear from error. And he who rejects false gods and believes in God has grasped a firm handhold that will never break. God is the hearer, the knower. God is the guardian of those who believe. He brings them out of darkness into light. As for those who disbelieve, their patrons are false gods. They bring them out of light into darkness. Such are rightful owners of the Fire. They will live there forever.”

Prophet said "God sent me to make perfect human character."
God said to Muhammed: “We have sent you as a mercy to the whole universe”. “In my Prophet, you have best example to follow”.
If you want God to love you, then there is a condition. It is to obey the Holy Prophet. "If you love God then follow me, then God will love you."
God says: "Take what the Prophet gives you and leave what he forbids you."
In his holy book, God honours the Prophet: “God and his angels bless the Prophet. Bless him O believers with proper blessing”.

Holy Prophet’s parents were Abdola and Amena. He was son of Abdola son of Abdul Motalib son of Hashim a great descendent of Esmael the first son of Ebrahem.

Abra came with elephant army to demolish kaba in 568. Amena was pregnant then. Abdul Motalib asked God to save divine house built by Ebrahem and Esmael. God sent birds to pelt hot pebbles on the army. Fiery stone rain destroyed the evil general and his elephant army.

Amena daughter of Wahab give birth to the Holy Prophet in 568. God would not let Amena be distressed. Divine miracle aided provided safety for his holy messenger.

MARRIAGE

Amena died when Holy Prophet was six years old. His uncle Abu Talib and his wife Fatima bint Asad took care of God’s Holy Prophet. Prophet considered them as his mother and father. They protected him and loved him more than their own sons. Holy Prophet grew up the safety of the home of Abu Talib. Everyone knew him as honest and trustworthy man. Abu Talib often took his nephew on trade caravans to Damascus and Palestine. A christian man Bahira once met the young boy in the year 580. He recognised Muhammed as a divine prophet sent by God. Bahira believed in the holy child and exhorted Abu Talib to guard him from the Jews. Prophet grew up under the protection of Abu Talib.

In 595, the Holy Prophet married Kadeja. Kadeja was pure and honourable woman. She was merchant of Mecca. She sold things in Arabia and Syria and Palestine. She liked Holy Prophet and trusted him. He worked for her and made her profit by his honest dealings. Holy Prophet’s uncle Abu Taleb blessed the marriage and read the wedding ceremony. “All glory and all praise to God, the Creator of Heavens and earth, and all thanks to Him for all His blessings, bounties and mercy. He sent us into this world in the posterity of the first son of Ebrahem and Esmael. He put us in charge of the Sanctuary and made us guardians of His House, the kaba, which is a sanctuary for all His creatures. My nephew, Muhammed son of Abdola son of Abdul Mutalib, is the best individual in all mankind in his intelligence, in wisdom, in purity of lineage, in purity of his personal life, and in distinction of family. He has all the markings of a man destined to be great. He is marrying Kadeja the daughter of Kowelad and marriage gift [meher] is four hundred pieces of gold. I declare Muhammed and Kadeja husband and wife. God bless them both, and may He be their Protector.”

In 600, Abu Talib's wife Fatima Bint Asad went to kaba and gave birth to Ali. A holy son was in God’s house. His name was Ali meaning high. God’s light is with us. Holy Prophet loved Ali as his young brother. Prophet raised Ali, and gave him pure and perfect knowledge of God and things unseen.

Holy Prophet had one daughter whom God had named Fatima. Holy Prophet loved her the most. Lady Fatima was God’s light. “God is the Light of the heavens and the earth. The example of his light is as a niche in which is a lamp. The lamp is in a glass. The glass is as it were a shining star, lit from a blessed tree, an olive neither of the east nor of the west, whose oil would almost glow though no fire touched it. Light upon light. God guides to his light whom he wills. .”
And God speaks to mankind in examples, for God is the knower of all things. Its in houses which God has allowed to be exalted and that his name shall be remembered in them. Do praise him at morning and at evening. Men whom neither merchandise nor sale distracts from remembrance of God and constancy in prayer and paying to the poor their due; who fear a day when hearts and eyeballs will be overturned, that God may reward them with the best of what they did, and increase reward for them of His bounty. God gives blessings without measure to whom He wills.”

In 603, God sent Angel Gabrial bring the Holy Prophet across the universe to tuba tree. Holy Prophet went with Gabriel. “I would not have created this universe had I not created you. I would not have created you had I not created Ali. I would not have created both of you had I not created Fatima.” Holy Prophet arrived at the sacred tree in heaven. There, God placed Lady Fatima in the fruit of tuba tree. Angel gave this fruit of light to the Holy Prophet and he ate it. Holy Prophet came back to earth and slept with his wife Kadija. Lady Fatima was born nine months later. To help Kadeja give birth, God sent holy ladies Mary, Aseya, Safora and Calsom. “Indeed we have given you Cosar [Fountain]; so pray to your Lord and sacrifice. It is your abuser who is cut off.”
“In the name of God, the Kind, the Merciful. Praise is to God, lord of the worlds ;the kind, the merciful; master of the judgement day. You we worship, you we ask for help. Show us the straight path - path of those whom you have favoured; not of those who earn your anger nor of those who go astray.”


Lady Fatima is the night of power as mentioned in chapter 97 of the Koran. "Indeed, we revealed it on the night of power. But what will tell you what the night of power is. The night of power is better than a thousand months. During it the Angels and the Spirit come down by the permission of their Lord, with all decrees. Peace until the rise of dawn." He who knows Fatima knows destiny.

INVITATION TO BOOK OF GOD

Ali and Holy Prophet often went to cave hera on sur mountain near Mecca. In 609 God sent Gabriel to tell the Holy Prophet to begin mission of giving final divine book to humanity. It was Koran the book of God. Gabriel came and read these verses: “In God’s name the kind the merciful. Read in name of your lord, who made man from sticky thing. Read, your lord is most generous; He taught by the pen, taught man what he did not know..."

Ali was first to hear words of God. Ali believed in God and His Holy Prophet and loved the Koran. Holy Prophet and Ali came and told the good news to the family. They all believed. Kadeja, Abu Talib, and Fatima Bint Asad, were overjoyed. They vowed to support the Holy Prophet in his divine work. But the leaders of Mecca opposed him and became his enemies. They persecuted him and boycotted all relations with him. They threatened traders to not sell food and other things to the Holy Prophet. But Prophet was safe with Abu Talib. Abu Talib provided full protection to the Holy Prophet and Kadeja provided her entire wealth to support him in his divine work. It was with help of Kadeja and Abu Talib during years of persecution that the Holy Prophet survived in those hard times. God bless Kadeja and Abu Talib.

When God ordered His Holy Prophet to warn his kinsmen, Abu Talib offered his home for the grand meeting. Abu Talib’s son Ali prepared food as a feast for elders of the Hashimi clan. Initiation was sent to them to come for an important meeting. Elders and their sons came and enjoyed the food. Holy Prophet gathered his kinsmen and presented book of God to them. He told them God had chosen him as divine messenger for the whole world. He informed his clan of his purpose and invited them to join him and help him. He offered them success in this world eternal life in Paradise in next life. All they had to do was to worship on one true God and accept him as God’s messenger. But the tribal chiefs all remained silent. They chose to continue to follow idolatrous ways of Arabia. Only Ali stood up at dinner table and offered to help the Holy Prophet in his divine mission. Ali was only fourteen years old. Holy Prophet was pleased. He placed his hands over Ali’s shoulders and thanked him. “Indeed this is my brother in this world and in next world. He is my deputy and my successor. Do listen to him and obey him“. The clansmen elders burst out laughing. “Obey a little boy!” They mocked Abu Talib: “Your nephew has ordered you to obey your own son hahahahaha.”





HIJRA AND HELP OF ALI

Holy Prophet’s own clan joined the leaders of Mecca in opposing him and his message. Holy Prophet had to leave this city. He told his followers to escape to Abesinya in Africa, and then to Yasrab in the north. This last migration was hejra. It had to be done in complete secret. This grave event marks year one of Islam. Hejra night was night of grave danger. At night the assassins gathered at the house of Holy Prophet. Their intention was to kill him. Holy Prophet’s life was under threat. Ali volunteered to sleep in Holy Prophet’s bed so to confuse enemies and allow the Holy Prophet to escape. Holy Prophet wept. He kissed Ali and then escaped safely. Ali slept covering himself with Prophet’s cloak. Assassins assumed Prophet was sleeping. They waited till the dark hour to strike.

In heaven, angels around the throne watched this scene. God said: “Would any of you risk his life to save the other.” Angels said no they wouldn’t. God said: “Why couldn’t you be like Ali. He has sacrificed himself to save the life of his brother. Go to earth and protect Ali.” Angels came down and stood at bed of Ali. They sang Ali’s praises and guarded him as he slept. When assassins jumped the wall to attack the Holy Prophet, they found Ali sleeping on the bed. He was only one in the house. They were angry and rushed out to look for the Holy Prophet. Too late, God’s Prophet was saved.

Holy Prophet waited for Ali at Coba. He built a house of worship there in name of Ali. It was first masjid of Islam. When Ali arrived at Coba, he and Holy Prophet both prayed there. Both brothers then together entered Yasrab, city of illnesses. Their light and blessing cleansed the city. Yasrab became a shining light. Its name was now city of God’s messenger. Here the Holy Prophet wrote a charter giving rights to all its citizens. He also made muslims brothers of one another. One man was twinned with another. Both had to assist and help each other through difficult hardships. Ali was brother of the Holy Prophet. Holy Prophet said: “I am the city of knowledge and Ali is its gate”. “O Ali, on the day of judgement, only you and your followers will be successful.” “Ali is to me as Harun was to Musa”. “Ali and I are from one light”. “Love for Ali is true belief and dislike of Ali is hypocrisy.” Disciples of the Holy Prophet used to use this statement to identify true muslims from fake muslims.

DIVINE MARRIAGE

When Fatima reached seventeen, God chose Ali as her husband for her. Holy Prophet said God wants Ali to marry Fatima. God decided this marriage of light in heaven. Hasan and Husain were born from this blessed union of these two pure souls. These grandsons of Holy Prophet were most loved by him. He used to carry them on his shoulders. “Hasan and Husain are leader of men of Paradise”. Paradise is theirs. They are its chiefs. Husan was younger and he often rode his grandfather like a horse in the streets of medina. He used to get on top of his grandfather during prayers in masjid. One day the Holy Prophet was bowing to God while leading men in prayer in his masjid. Husain sat on back of him. Gabriel came and told the Holy Prophet to remain bowing down as long as Husain is on top of you. Holy Prophet said Glory be to God seventy times instead of usual three. Congregation was surprised that Holy Prophet was not getting up and was this late. Holy Prophet explained to them God had ordered him to keep bowing because of Husain. Holy Prophet prophesied that this grandson would one day be killed in karbala. “Husain is from me and I am from Husain”.

Holy Prophet loved his daughter and used to get up when she entered the room. “Fatima is part of me. I am happy if she is happy and I am hurt when she is hurt”. “Nay, God is pleased if Fatima is happy. He is angry if she is angry”. “Fatima is Queen of the universe”. “Fatima is leader of women of paradise.”

God bless you pure lady, you are proof for your father and your husband just as they are God's proofs upon the universe. The cosmos cannot survive without Muhammad and Ali, and it would not been created except for your sake O honourable Zahra.

It is essential for a seeker of truth to be fully aware of contents of Koran, the book of God and to love the holy five sent on earth. Prophet made it so easy for seekers and believers of truth. "I ask nothing of you except love for Fatima." But instead of loving Al Zahra, they oppressed her after her while she mourned her father's death; her inheritence was stolen; her home was attacked, and her husband tied up and forced to accept dictators.

HOLY FAMILY

Holy Prophet loved Fatima and all those who were dear to her. He gathered holy family under sacred cloak. Holy Prophet called Fatima, Ali, Hasan and Husain and covered them under his mantle. He prayed to God: “These are people of my house. Bless them O Lord.” Angel Gabriel came down from heaven with the message from His Lord: “God wishes nothing but to keep away from you all evil and make you perfect O people of the house.” The Angel of light then went under the cloak of the Prophet and sat among the holy family.

These were holy five who loved God the most. God loved these five the most. In them are hidden secrets of God, the Creator of all. They are the Great Ark of Salvation. Prophet said: “My holy family is like the ship of Prophet Nuh. Whoever gets on board is saved. Whoever abandons is drowned”. In 2011, world is witnessing that the tremendous revolutionary power of five is alive.

God revealed in His book many verses about His High Five. They are creation’s guardians. They have authority from God. “Your protector is God and his messenger and believers who pay charity even as they bow to God”. It was Ali who while bowing to God gave his ring to a beggar. “Obey God, and the prophet and those in authority.”

WARRIOR HERO

Ali was a brave man, full of love for God and loyalty the Holy Prophet. Ali always defended God and the Holy Prophet. He fought those who attacked the Holy Prophet with their mouth or with their hand. He protected the Holy Prophet from attacks by enemies. Many times, life of the Holy Prophet came under direct threat. It was Ali who again and again saved the life of Prophet. In the battles of bader, ohad, kandak, and khybar, Ali achieved victory after victory for his master. In badr, Ali alone killed most of the enemies of Prophet. In ohad, everyone ran away out of fear, but Ali remained with his master on the battlefield and defended God’s law and His Messenger. In khybar, when no muslim could defeat evil, Prophet said to his men, “Tomorrow I will certainly give the standard to the man, who is a fighter, who attacks evil repeatedly, who loves God and his Prophet, and God and his Prophet love him; on his hand God has written victory.” Prophet called on Ali and handed him the standard of truth. Ali went and killed enemies of the Prophet and conquered khybar. Ali defeated mighty warrior of Arabia after planting his flag on hard rock. He then uprooted a very heavy gate of khybar and threw it away. All men were surprised. Ali became known as Lion of God, the Hand of God, the Face of God, the Tongue of God, and the Eye of God. It was Ali on whom Holy Prophet relied to protect him. In battle after battle, Ali single handily slews the enemies of the Holy Prophet. Angel Gabriel once shouted: “There was no warrior like Ali. There is no sword like his Zolfekar”.

In kandak all of evil had gathered in its full strength and came nearest to destroying the truth. Evil came very close to killing the Holy Prophet at kandak. Ali was complete truth. Perfect evil and perfect good faced each other. Prophet said: “Complete truth is heading to fight complete evil”. Ali won. Truth lived. Evil was slain. Prophet told his men: “Greatness of the strike of Ali on day of kandak is greater than worship of entire universe”. Ali’s defeating complete evil at kandak was greater then all battles that human had and would fight against forces of darkness. Prophet said “Truth is with Ali and Ali is with Truth; they will never separate from each other.” God loves Ali. He became his eyes, his ears, his hand, his feet. Ali now had divine qualities and powers given to him by his Creator. But he did not often use them, preferring to live as an ordinary man, even sleeping on dusty ground. He was struck with the sword of Eben Molgem and died three days later in the year 661. Ali’s holy grave is in the city of Najaf in Iraq.

CORONATION OF ALI

Holy Prophet was God’s last messenger. Koran was God’s last book. Before his death the Holy Prophet was ordered by God to appoint Ali leader [imam] of pious people. Ali was first of twelve authorities as leaders of those who would believe God and do what is good. God said appointed Ali for the people, because without this effort of my messengers and prophets would be wasted. “Show what God has given you, O Prophet. If you fail in this, then you would not have shown anything to humanity.”

Holy Prophet gathered his followers at place called Ghadir. Holy Prophet gave a sermon designating Ali as his successor. In a long speech the Holy Prophet said: “If I am your master then Ali is your master. O God, help those who help him and oppose those who hate him.”

God sent angel Gabriel to announce a great day. “This day I have made perfect your religion for you and completed my favour upon you, and selected for you Islam as your path.”

Essentially, the religion of Islam is about making contact with one true God through His own chosen representatives. These divine men and women of light are pure and sinless. They are infallible guides for humanity. They are our role perfect models. By loving these men and women, and hence following their ways, God gives human beings success and happiness in this world and in life after death.

Last messenger sent by God to guide humanity towards Himself was Holy Prophet Muhammad son of Abdullah. God gave him the book Koran to give to humanity. When Holy Prophet died in A.D. 632, he appointed Ali son of Abu Talib as his successor according to instructions from God. Thus Holy Prophet left behind Koran and Ali for the all the world. Prophet said: “Teach your children to love my family and love of the book of God.” Ali became known as Leader of the Believers, the Commander of the Faithful, Ameer al Momineen. Prophet said: "I am leaving behind for you two great things, book of God and my descendents. If you hold fast to them you will never go astray." Koran and Ali are the two lights of God.

Prophet predicted that there would be total of twelve divine leaders [imams] from his lineage: Names of the holy leaders are Ali, Hasan, Husain, Sajad, Bakir, Sadiq, Kazim, Raza, Taqi, Naqi, Askari, and Mahdi. The last imam, Al Mahdi is the expected messiah who will come to fill earth with peace and justice. Prophet said Jesus son of Mary will be sent by God to serve under Mahdi. God bless Prophet Muhammad and his holy descendents.

THE WAR ON THE HOLY

Ali was the successor appointed at Ghadir by the Holy Prophet himself. What occurred after Ghadir is a sad and terrible turn of events in muslim history. It began with a coup and ended in brutal slaying of Husain. In fact, killing of Husain, grandson of the Holy Prophet, at Karbala was horrific. God calls it the supreme sacrifice. In history of humanity, there is no equal to martydom of Husain. Holy Prophet foretold that his grandson would be martyred in the path of truth. God had said in Bible He would give major sacrifice near river Euphrates in Iraq. Enemies of God began their persecution of His Holy Prophet and his noble family from the year 11 of Islamic calendar.

Here is brief account of what is happened to Prophet, Ali, Fatima and their descendents:

People who followed Holy Prophet and Ali his true successor, they became known as Shia [Party] of Ali. Others denied Ali, and refused to obey God's wishes. They rejected the choice of God, and abandoned Ali. Immediately after the death of Holy Prophet in 632, they met in Sakifa and selected their own men to lead them. First of these illegal rulers were Abu Baker, then Omer, then Osman, then Muaweya, then Yazid, and so on. Their reign was ruthless. These dictators persecuted the friends and family of the Holy Prophet.

Abu Baker killed many disciples of the Holy Prophet who did not accept him and wanted Ali as God had commanded. To slay them, he used pretext that they are refusing to pay religious charity. Abu Baker also confiscated property of Muhammad. The Holy Prophet’s daughter Fatima should have inherited lands of Fadak, and other estates. But no inheritance was allowed for daughter of the Holy Prophet.

Omer attacked the house of Fatima, daughter of Holy Prophet. Omer tied Ali with ropes and dragged him before Abu Baker in order to force Ali to recognise the new regime in Medina.

Osman placed all former enemies of the Holy Prophet as governors across muslim lands.

Muaweya went to war with Ali in 656. He had Ali and his son Hasan killed.

Yazid massacred Husain and family of the Holy Prophet at Karbala in 680.

Within 50 years of Holy Prophet’s death, the knees of muslim rulers were in blood of holy family, and thousands of innocent muslims.

Even Holy Prophet’s wife Aisha took part in mass killings of muslims in Basra. She long held hatred for Ali and his children. Aisha approved orders given to Omeyas' army to slaughter the lovers of Ali. In battle of jamal, she sat on a camel and commanded her forces gathered against Ali and his friends.

This was a very short summary of events in early years of Islamic history. The books of history provide full details of the terrible oppression endured by Holy Prophet Muhammad's family following his demise.

"Indeed, this Koran guides one to what is straight forward, and reassures believers who act honourably that they shall have a great reward. Yet we have prepared painful penalty for those who do not believe in the hereafter."

“By the period of time, indeed man is at a loss; except those who believe and do good works, and exhort one another to truth and exhort one another to be patience.”

“Say: O disbelievers! I worship not that which you worship; nor worship you that which I worship; and I shall not worship that which you worship; nor will you worship that which I worship. To you be your religion, and to me my religion.”



“Say, I seek refuge in the Lord of the dawn, from the evil of that which He created; from the evil of the darkness when it is intense, and from the evil of malignant witchcraft, and from the evil of the envier when he envies.”

“Say, I seek refuge in the Lord of mankind, the King of mankind, the God of mankind; from the evil of the sneaking whisperer, who whispers in the hearts of mankind, of the jinn and of mankind.”

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Divine Ghadir

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GHADIR - THE DIVINE DAY

Importance of Day of Ghadir

Al Olonzo (8 June 2011)


Ghadir day is the day of God. On this day God's love and mercy for mankind reached its peak. This is a brief account of the holiest day in human history.

In 632, Prophet Mohammed led his disciples on final Haj. He told them that his time of death was nearing and that he would soon leave them. Thousands of people accompanied him on his farewell pilgrimage.

After completing the pilgrimage in Mecca, Prophet along with his disciples headed back home to Medina. When they reached the place called Ghadir Khumm, the Mighty Angel Gabriel came to him and gave him a very important message. Prophet received the order from Almighty God to halt the caravan and deliver this crucial mesasge from God. Gabriel revealed to the Prophet the intruction from God:

“O Messenger! Convey that which has been revealed to you from your Lord. For if you do not do this, then it is as if you have not delivered His message at all. God will protect you from the people.” (Quran 5:67)

Prophet halted immediately. It was the valley of Ghadir. It was noon. Sun was scorching hot. Prophet and his disciple prayed noon prayer all together in large congregation. Multitudes of people were around him. He asked that a temporary pulpit be made. His disciples made him a platform made from camel saddles and other things in the vicinity. Prophet ascended the pulpit and delivered a long speech in praise of Ali.

“O people! Know that shortly I shall answer the call of The Truth (God) and will no longer be among you – I have a responsibility (to God) and you too have a responsibility (towards Him). I am leaving behind two weighty things to you as a trust. One is the Book of God. The other is my lineage, the Ahlul Bait. These two shall never separate from one another. O people! Do not attempt to be forward with the Quran and my family. Do not be negligent in your actions towards these two, because if you do so, you shall be destroyed.”

Prophet then called Ali to come to the pulpit. He took his hand and raised his arm high.

“Who has more of a right over the believers than their own selves? God is my master, and I am the master of all the believers; and I have more right and authority over the believers than they have over their own souls. To whomever I am his master, this Ali is also his master. O God! Befriend him who befriends him (Ali) and oppose he who opposes him.”

This is a a great day, a day of celebration. With Ali's appointment as succssor and guardian of Muslims, God's entire message had now been revelaed. That day was a momentous and grand day in history, a day of divine blessing in which God’s favour for mankind and a day in which Divine religion was completed. Ghadir is the day of Islam, the day of Quran and the day of Ahlul Bayt. God promises great reward for anyone who marks and honours this holy day.

Angel Gabriel once again descended from Heavens by the order of God. This time he revealed the following verse of the Quran:

“On this day have I completed your religion for you and perfected My bounties upon you and am pleased with Islam as being your religion.”

Here are some Hadith tradtions recorded in books of Shia mulsims who love Imam Ali.


Hadith 1: The Eid of the Khilafat and Wilayat

Ziyad ibn Muhammad says, “I went to see Imam Jafar and said to him, “Do the Muslims have an Eid other than Juma, Fitr and Adha?”

Imam Jafar replied:

“Yes, the day which God’s Messenger appointed Imam Ali [as leader].”

Hadith 2: The Best Eid of the Muslims

Prophet said:

“The day of Ghadir Khumm is the best Eid of my nation. It is the day on which God, the High, ordered me to mention the appointment of my brother, Ali son of Abu Talib as the flag and standard of my nation. People shall be guided by him after me and this is the day in which God completed the religion and perfected the bounties upon my nation and on which He was pleased with Islam as their religion.”

Hadith 3: The Great Eid of God

Imam Jafar said:

“This is the greatest Eid of God, and every Prophet appointed by God celebrated this day as an Eid, and knew the sanctity of this day. The name of this day in the heavens is the Day of the Allegiance and Well-Known Pact, and on the Earth this Day is known as the Day of the Promise which is taken and the Day of the Gathering of those who witnessed (the event).”

Hadith 4: The Eid of Wilayat

Imam Jafar was asked: “Do the true believers have an Eid other than Fitr and Adha and Friday?”

Imam Jafar replied:

“Yes, they have one which is even greater than these ones and that is the day when Imam Ali was designated by God’s Messenger with the Wilayah (at Ghadir Khumm) which rests on the necks of all the men and women.”

Hadith 5: The Day of Renewal of the Oath of Allegiance

Imam Jafar said:

“This is a great day. God has magnified the sacredness of this day for the true believers and perfected the religion for them and completed upon them the bounties and renewed the pledge which He had taken from them (previously).”

Hadith 6: The Eid of the Heavens

Imam Jafar said:

“The Day of Ghadir is more well known in the heavens than it is on the Earth.”

Hadith 7: An Incomparable Eid

Imam Ali said:

“Surely this is a highly recognized day, on it the help was brought, and the station (of the one who was worthy of it) was elevated, and the proofs (of God) were made manifest. This is the day when from a pure station, words were clearly and straightforwardly stated, and this is the day of the completion of the religion and the (day) when the promise and pact were taken.”

Hadith 8: A Very Beneficial Eid

Imam Jafar said:

“I swear by God that if people knew the true greatness of this day, the Angels would shake hands with them ten times every day … and God would grant a person who recognizes (the greatness of this day) what can not be enumerated.”

Hadith 9: A Luminous Eid

Imam Jafar said:

“The Day of Ghadir, in comparison to eids of Fitr, Adha and Friday, is like the moon in relation to the rest of the planets.”

Hadith 10: One of the Four Divinely Appointed Eids

Imam Jafar said:

“When the Day of Judgement comes about, four days shall hasten towards Almighty God, just as a bride hastens towards her bridal chamber: The day of Fitr, the day of Adha, the day of Friday, and the day of Ghadir Khumm.”

Hadith 11: The Day of the Message and the Wilayat

Prophet said:

“O assembly of Muslims – those who are present must convey the following to those who are not, “I advise the person who believes in me and has confirmed me to accept the Wilayat (of Ali). Now surely the Wilayat of Ali is my Wilayat, and my Wilayat is the Wilayat of my Lord. This is a pledge from my Lord which He commanded me to convey to all of you.”

Hadith 12: The Day of Feeding Others

Imam Jafar said:

“ Surely this is the day when God’s Messenger appointed Ali as the flag for the people and made known his greatness and succession; and he fasted on this day as a sign of thanks to Almighty God. This day should be taken as one of fasting, feeding others, establishing ties with brothers (in faith), and on this day is the pleasure of the Most Merciful (al-Rahman) and the rubbing in the dust (humiliation) of the face of Satan.”

Hadith 13: The Day of Gifts

Imam Ali said:

“ When you meet each other (on Ghadir), shake hands with one another with greetings (of peace) and exchange gifts on this day and let those who are present convey this to those who are not, and let the rich person give something to the poor, and the powerful one to the weak, as God’s Messenger commanded me to (also) do this.”

Hadith 14: The Day of Protection

Imam Ali said:

“ How shall the state of that person be who has taken the responsibility upon himself for a number of the believing men and believing women (on Ghadir) since I personally have guaranteed that person protection from disbelief and poverty, in the presence of God, the Most High.”

Wasail Shia, vol 7, p 327

Hadith 15: The Day of Thanks and Happiness

Imam Jafar said:

“ This (Ghadir) is the day of worship and prayers and thanks to God and His praise, and is a day of happiness due to the obligation which God has laid upon all of you in regards to our Wilayat, and surely I love to see you fast on this day.”

Hadith 16: The Day of Doing Good to Others

Imam Jafar said:

“ Giving one penny to a brother in faith and who has recognised (Ghadir) is equal to giving one thousand pennies (on other days). Therefore on this day, give to your brothers and make all of the believing men and believing women happy and delighted.”

Hadith 17: The Day of Joy and Happiness

Imam Jafar said:

“Surely this day (Ghadir) is a day of festivity, joy and happiness and it is a day of fasting as a sign of thanks to God, the Most High.”

Hadith 18: The Day of Congratulations and Felicitations

Imam Ali said:

“When your assembly adjourns, may God have mercy on you, then show generosity towards your dependants, kindness to your brethren, and gratitude to God for what He has bestowed upon you. Come together that God may unite you, do good to one another that God may increase your mutual love; and congratulate one another for God’s favour as He has given you the good tidings of a reward many times greater than previous or future Eids, except an Eid like it [when Ghadir falls on a Friday].”

Hadith 19: A Day of Greeting and Disavowal

Imam Jafar said:

“May I be sacrificed for you! Do the Muslims have a festivity other than the two Eid celebrations?” The Imam replied, “Yes O Hasan! (There is one) greater than these two and much worthier than them.” The companion replied, “And what day is that?” The Imam said: “The day upon which Imam Ali was appointed as the flag (of guidance) for the people.” The companion then asked, “May I be sacrificed for you! And what should we do (on this day)?” The Imam replied, “You should fast on it, O Hasan, and recite many prayers upon Muhammad and his family and disavow yourself towards God from all of those who oppressed them; surely the Prophets (of the past) also commanded their successors to consider the day of their appointment a day of celebration and Eid.”

Hadith 20: The Eid of the Successors

Imam Jafar said:

“ On this day (Ghadir) you should remember Almighty God, on this day through fasting and worship and through remembering Muhammad and the family of Muhammad since surely God’s Messenger had advised Imam Ali to take this day as a day of Eid, and this is the same thing which the (previous) Prophets also did; they too advised their successors who took this day as a day of Eid.”

Hadith 21: The Day of Dedication and Prayers

Imam Jafar said:

“The worth of pious deeds performed on this day (Ghadir) is equivalent to eighty months, and one is advised to frequently remember Almighty God, and send blessings upon the Prophet, and that a man be generous to his family.”

Hadith 22: The Day of Seeing the Leader

Imam Ali Naqi al-Hadi said:

“The Day of Ghadir is the day when the Prophet appointed his brother Ali as the flag for the people and the Imam after him.”

Hadith 23: The Day of Praising God

Imam Reza said:

“God will grant a person who visits a true believer on (Ghadir) seventy types of Divine Light in his grave and will expand his grave. Every day, 70,000 Angels will visit him in the grave and they will grant him the glad tidings of Paradise.”

Hadith 24: The Day of Visiting and Doing Good

Imam Jafar said:

“It is (on Ghadir) advisable for you to become close to God the Most High, through good deeds, fasting, prayers, establishing family ties and establishing ties between brothers. The Prophets did the same thing when they appointed their successors, and also advised them to act similarly.”

Misbahul Mutahajjid, p 736

Imam Jafar said:

“Surely it is recommended to pray inside Ghadir Mosque, because verily the Prophet introduced the Leader of the believers to the people here and this is the spot in which Almighty God made known The Truth.”

Hadith 26: Salat on the Day of Ghadir

Imam Jafar said:

“A person who performs a two units of prayer any time he wishes (on Ghadir), though it is best that this (Salat) be performed as close to the time of Noon as possible, because this is the time at which Imam Ali was appointed at Ghadir Khumm as the flag of the people. Prayer is as if the person had been present on the Day (of Ghadir Khumm).”

Hadith 27: Fasting on the Day of Ghadir

Imam Jafar said:

“Fasting on the Day of Ghadir is equivalent to fasting the time span of the (existence of the) entire world – meaning that if a person were to live a life of the entire existence of the world and were to fast this whole time, the reward for this fasting would be equivalent to fasting (this one day of Ghadir).”

Hadith 28: The Day of Congratulations and Smiling

Imam Reza said:

“ This is a day of congratulations and felicitations in which you should greet and congratulate one another. When a believer meets another, one should say, ‘All praise belongs to God who has made us amongst those who hold firm to the Wilayat of Imam Ali and the Imams; and this is a day of smiling at other people and those of true faith.”

Hadith 29: The Prophet and the Wilayat of Ali

Abu Saeed reports:

When the day of Ghadir Khumm came, God’s Messenger commanded the caller to call out people for Salat. Then he took Ali by the hand and said:

“O God! He who accepts me as his master, Ali is also his master. O God! Be a friend to any person who is a his friend, and be an enemy to any person who is his enemy’.”

Hadith 30: Living the Life of a Prophet

Prophet said:

“A person who wishes to live the life that I lived and wishes to die the way I die, and wants to reside in the perpetual Paradise which has been promised to me by my Lord should accept the Wilayat of Ali son of Abu Talib, because he will never drag you away from the path of true guidance and he will never misguide you.”

Hadith 31: The Prophet and the Imamate of Ali

Jabir ibn Abdullah al-Ansari reports:

I heard God’s Messenger say to Ali son of Abu Talib:

“O Ali! You are my brother and my successor and my executor and my caliph over my nation both during my life and also after my death. Those who love you, love me; and those who hate you, hate me; and your enemy is my enemy.”

Hadith 32: The Pillars of Islam

Imam Baqir said:

“Islam is built on five foundations: Salat, Zakat, Sawm, Hajj and Wilayat; there was no call to any of these resembling that which the people were called towards in order to accept the Wilayah on the Day of Ghadir.”

Hadith 33: The Perpetual Wilayat

Imam Reza:

“The Wilayat of Ali has been written in all of the books of the Prophets; and God did not appoint a single Messenger except (under) Prophethood of Muhammad and the succession of Ali.”

Hadith 34: Wilayat and Tawhid

Prophet said:

“The Wilayat of Ali son of Abu Talib is the Wilayat of God; love for him is worship of God; following him is an mandatory requirement from God; his friends are the friends of God, and his enemies are the enemies of God; fighting with him is fighting against God; and making peace with him is making peace with Almighty God.”

Hadith 35: The Day of the Cry of Despair of Shaitan

Imam Baqir said:

“Iblis, the enemy of God, cried out four times: The day when he was cursed; the day when he was sent down to the Earth; the day when the Prophet was officially commissioned; and on the Day of Ghadir.”

Hadith 36: The Wilayat of Ali is the Fortress of Tawhid

Almighty God has said:

“The Wilayat of Ali son of Abu Talib is My fortress, so whoever enters into My fortress will be protected from My fire.”

Hadith 37: The Successor of the Prophet

The Prophet said:

“O Ali! I am the city of knowledge and you are its gate and no one can enter into the city except by going through its gate … You are the Imam of my nation and you are my successor. Blessed is the person who obeys you and depraved is the person who disobeys you. One who follows you will succeed, while the one who turns away from you will be in a loss.”

Hadith 38: Islam in the Shadow of Wilayat

Imam Jafar said:

“The Foundational Pillars of Islam are three: Salat, Zakat and Wilayat. No one of these will be valid unless accompanied by the other two.”

Hadith 39: A Thousand Witnesses

Imam Jafar said:

“O Hafsa! I am surprised at what happened to Ali son of Abu Talib! Despite having tens of thousands of witnesses he could not claim his right when in reality a person needs only two witnesses to claim what is rightfully his!”

Hadith 40: Ali , The Commentator of the Quran

Prophet said on Ghadir:

“Ali is the explanation (Tafsir) of the book of God and the one who calls others to it. Verily, that which is permitted and forbidden is more than what I can explain to you; what I command you as permitted and forbid you as prohibited, is all from one position. I was commanded to take your allegiance and your pledge to accept what I brought from Almighty God, regarding Ali, Leader of the believers, and the Imams after him. O People! Ponder and understand the verses (of God’s Book), observe those that are clear and do not follow those that are unclear; for by God no one can explain to you its limitations or clarify its meanings except the one (Ali) whose hand I am holding.”

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Muhammad Chronology

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CHRONOLOGY

Life of Prophet Muhammad


510 C.E. - Death of great-great father Hashim.
550 C.E. - Omeyas clan envies the Hashims.
570 C.E. - Death of father Abdullah.

571 C.E. - Birth of Muhammad in Mecca
576 C.E. - Death of mother Amina.
578 C.E. - Death of Grandfather Abdul Muttalib.
578 C.E. - Uncle Abu Talib takes in Muhammad.
582 C.E. - Journeys to Syria with Abu Talib.
588 C.E. - Marriage to Khadija.
598 C.E. - Birth of cousin Ali in Kabah.
606 C.E. - Birth of daughter Fatima.
610 C.E. - Quran starts to be revealed.
610 C.E. - First converts: Abu Bakr, Khadija, Ali.
613 C.E. - Invitations to close relatives.
614 C.E. - Public declaration of Islam.
615 C.E. - Persecution begins.
616 C.E. - Hijra to Ethopia.
617 C.E. - Boycott against Prophet begins.
620 C.E. - Mehraj, Journey to the Heavens.
621 C.E. - Deaths of Khadija and Abu Talib.
621 C.E. - Pledges at Aqaba.
622 C.E. - Hijra to Yathrib, Medina.
623 C.E. - Constitution of Medina.
624 C.E. - Battle of Badr with Meccans.
624 C.E. - Qibla change from Jerusalem to Mecca.
624 C.E. - Marriage of Fatima with Ali.
625 C.E. - Battle of Uhad with Meccans.
625 C.E. - Birth of grandsons Hasan and Husayn.
627 C.E. - Battle of Khandaq with Meccans.
627 C.E. - Expulsion of Jews for treason.
628 C.E. - Treaty of Hudabya with Meccans.
628 C.E. - Letters sent to Rulers.
629 C.E. - Battle of Khybar with Jews.
629 C.E. - Battle of Muta with Romans.
630 C.E. - Conquest of Mecca.
630 C.E. - Battle of Hunayn with pagan tribes.
632 C.E. - Farewell Pilgrimage.
632 C.E. - Ali appointed successor at Ghadir.
632 C.E. - Quran is completed.
632 C.E. - Death of Muhammad in Medina.

632 C.E. - Abu Bakr becomes new ruler.
634 C.E. - Umar becomes the ruler.
644 C.E. - Uthman becomes new ruler.
656 C.E. - Ali becomes the ruler.


[Olonzo 8.8.12]

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