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THE HOLY QURAN – PART 20

IMAM ‘ALI BIN ABI TALIB (A.S.) & THE HOLY QURAN (SECTION 6)

TALKING FROM QURAN

Shaykh Mufeed (a.r.) has narrated that:

[After the death of the Holy Prophet (saww), when Muslims appointed Abu Bakr as their Caliph and after they had sworn the oath of allegiance to him, a man came to Imam Ali (as) at a time when Imam (as) was rectifying the grave of the Holy Prophet (saww) with a shovel in his hand.

THE HOLY QURAN – PART 19

IMAM ‘ALI BIN ABI TALIB (A.S.) & THE HOLY QURAN (SECTION 5)

GUIDING THE MUSLIMS FROM QURAN

Imam Ali (as) had the habit of walking into markets and admonishing the Muslims from the Holy Quran against fraud, deceit and cheat. He (as) also recited verses from the Holy Quran to awaken the people who were engrossed in worldly transactions.

Hasan al-Basri reports that:

[Imam Ali (as) once came to Basra in ‘Iraq and entered into its market place. Suddenly his eyes fell upon a person who was deeply engrossed in a transaction. Imam (as) addressed him and said,

THE HOLY QURAN – PART 18

IMAM ‘ALI BIN ABI TALIB (A.S.) & THE HOLY QURAN (SECTION 4)

HIS ADVISES TO HIS SON FROM THE HOLY QURAN –con’t

ABOUT EYES:

And the responsibility of the eyes is to refrain from looking at things that have been forbidden by Allah (SWT), because Allah, the Almighty says: ‘Tell the faithful men to cast down their looks and to guard their private parts”. (24:30)

According to Imam ‘Ali (a.s.), this verse refers to prohibition of looking at the private parts of other people (men & women). Our ‘Ulama (Scholars) have clearly stated that it is Haraam (forbidden by the Shari’ah) to look at the private

The Holy Quran – Part 17

IMAM ‘ALI BIN ABI TALIB (A.S.) & THE HOLY QURAN (SECTION 3)

HIS ADVISES TO HIS SON FROM THE HOLY QURAN

The following are advices of Imam ‘Ali bin Abi Talib (a.s.) to his son Muhammad al-Hanafiyya. Imam (a.s.) has beautifully admonished us all about the bodily organs and their functions in connection to the obedience of Allah (SWT) and His worship. It is important to note that how the Imam (a.s.) has based his advises on the verses from the Holy Quran.

THE HOLY QURAN – PART 16

IMAM ‘ALI BIN ABI TALIB (A.S.) & THE HOLY QURAN (SECTION 2)

GIVING QUOTATIONS FROM THE HOLY QURAN:

As Muslims, we must feel proud to have the Book of Allah (SWT) – the Holy Quran among us. We must recite it regularly with proper understanding and form the habit of quoting from it time and again. This way, we shall be able to remind ourselves about our religious obligations and admonish others too.

THE HOLY QURAN – PART 15

IMAM ‘ALI BIN ABI TALIB (A.S.) & THE HOLY QURAN-(SECTION 1)

RECITATION OF THE HOLY QURAN AFTER BIRTH:

Ibn Shahr Aashoob in his book ‘Manaqib Aali Abi Talib’ has written that Hasan bin Mahboob has reported from Imam Ja’ffar ibn Muhammad al-Sadiq (a.s.):

[Three days after his birth, when ‘Ali, as an infant, was brought out by his beloved mother Fatimah bint Asad from the Holy Ka’bah where he was born, he (a.s.) first saluted his father saying:

“Peace be on you O’ father! And may the mercy of Allah and His blessings be upon you”.

THE LAST WILL OF IMAM ‘ALI BIN ABI TALIB (A.S.)

Birth: 13^th Rajab 600 AD in the Holy Ka’bah, Mecca

Parents: Abu Talib (a.s.) & Fatima bint Asad

Titles: Ameer al-Momineen (Chief of Believers), Asadullah (Lion of Allah)

Death: 21^st of Holy Ramadhan 40 AH in Kufa, ‘Iraq

Buried: Najaf al-Ashraf, ‘Iraq

Imam ‘Ali (a.s.)’s last will to his sons Imam al-Hasan (a.s.) & Imam al-Husayn (a.s.) after he was stuck with a poisonous sword of Abdul-Rahman bin Muljim.

IMAM ‘ALI BIN ABI TALIB (A.S.) - THE FIRST BELIEVER OF ISLAM

‘Umar bin al-Khattab has reported that the Holy Prophet (saww) said, “O ‘Ali, you were the first among the believers to believe, you were the first among the Muslims to embrace Islam, and you are to me like Aaron was to Moses”.

(Dhakhair al-‘Oqba)

“And warn your nearest relations. And be kind to him who follows you of the believers. But if they disobey you, then say: Surely I am clear of what you do”. (26:214-216)

When the Holy Prophet (saww) received the above command from Allah (SWT) to warn his nearest kin, he (saww) ordered ‘Ali (a.s.) to invite them to a banquet. They came to the Prophet (saww)’s house, forty in number. After

The Last Moments and the Last Wills to the Sons …

I advise you to fear Allah, do not go after this vicious world though it may try to entice you, do not seek it though it may seek you and do not grieve over and pine for things which this world refuses you. Let the eternal Reward and Blessings of Allah be the prompting factors for all that you say and do. Be an enemy of tyrants and oppressors and be a friend and helper of those who are oppressed and tyrannized.

Ali: The Voice of Human Justice

Out of the persons who have narrated the attributes of Imam Ali son of Abu Talib the author of Zakhair al-Uqba writes thus: "His stature was moderate and slightly short. His skin was of wheaten colour and his beard was white and long. His eyes were large and black. He had a cheerful face and was good-natured. His neck was long like a goblet made of silver. His shoulders were broad. The joints of his hands were like those of a roaring lion, because his hands and wrists were completely joined with each other and distinction could hardly be made between them. His hands and fingers were strong, moderately fat and fleshy. His arms were also fleshy in a similar manner.

A Unique Leader in the History of Mankind

By: Dr. S.A. Shahrokhi,
Professor - Khorramabad University.

The history of mankind has witnessed many leaders over the ages. Many of these leaders achieved leadership through might or inheritance and some were chosen as leaders because of certain outstanding qualities that they possessed. Among the latter group there have also emerged some leaders whose works and contribution to humanity cannot be limited to any particular time or place and their life-styles, their works and the sayings of such heroes continue to inspire and motivate people, generation after generation.

Glimpses of the Nahj al-Balaghah - Part 6

Martyr Ayatullah Murtada Mutahhari
Translated from the Persian by 'Ali Quli Qara'i

The World and Worldliness
Renunciation in the Nahj al-balaghah:
Of the frequent themes of the Nahj al-balaghah is strong warning against the dangers of worldliness. Our preceding discussion about zuhd (abstinence) and its aims also serves here to throw light on the meaning of worldliness; because, the zuhd which is strongly enjoined is the very opposite of the worldliness which is severely condemned. To define and explain any one of them is to define and explain the other.

Glimpses of the Nahj al-Balaghah - Part 5

Martyr Ayatullah Murtada Mutahhari
Translated from the Persian by 'Ali Quli Qara'i

Moral Lectures and Aphorisms
Inimitable Moral Teaching:
Moral and spiritual teachings constitute the greater part of the Nahj al-balaghah making up almost half of the book. More than anything else the fame of the Nahj al-balaghah is due to the sermons, exhortations, and aphorisms on ethical and moral subjects. Aside from the moral teachings of the Quran and a number of the sermons and sayings of the Holy Prophet ('s), which are to be considered the source and antecedent of the Nahj al-balaghah, the teachings of the Nahj al-balaghah are without a match in the Arabic and Persian languages.

Glimpses of the Nahj al-Balaghah - Part 4

Martyr Ayatullah Murtada Mutahhari
Translated from the Persian by 'Ali Quli Qara'i

Government and Justice
The Nahj al-balaghah on State:
One of the frequently discussed issues in the Nahj al-balaghah is that of government and justice. To anyone who goes through the book, it is evident to what extent 'Ali ('a) is sensitive to the issues related to government and justice. He considers them to be of paramount importance. For those who lack an understanding of Islam but have knowledge of the teachings of other religions, it is astonishing why a religious personage should devote himself to this sort of problems. Don't such problems relate to the world and worldly life'! Shouldn't a sage keep aloof from the matters of the world and society?

Glimpses of the Nahj al-Balaghah - Part 3

Martyr Ayatullah Murtada Mutahhari
Translated from the Persian by 'Ali Quli Qara'i

Suluk and 'Ibadah
'Ibadah, or service, of the One God and negation of everything else as an object of service and worship, is one of the essential teachings of God-sent apostles-a feature never absent from the teachings of any prophet. As we know, in the sacred religion of Islam, too, worship occupies a preeminent position, with the only difference that worship in Islam is not regarded as a series of devotional rituals separate from everyday life and as pertaining solely to another world. Worship in Islam is located in the context of life and is an unalienable part of the Islamic philosophy of life.

Glimpses of the Nahj al-Balaghah - Part 2

Martyr Ayatullah Murtada Mutahhari
Translated from the Persian by 'Ali Quli Qara'i

Theology and Metaphysics
One of the fundamental issues dealt with in the Nahj al-balaghah relates to theological and metaphysical problems. In all, there are about forty places in the sermons, letters, and aphorisms where these matters are discussed. Some of these pertain to the aphorisms, but more often the discussion is longer, covering sometimes several pages.

Glimpses of the Nahj al-Balaghah - Part 1

Martyr Ayatullah Murtada Mutahhari
Translated from the Persian by 'Ali Quli Qara'i

The World and Worldliness
This is the translation of sections from Martyr Mutahhari's book Sayri dar Nahj al-balaghah. This book consists of seven sections. In the first section the author discusses the two main characteristics of the Nahj al-balaghah; its literary excellence and its multidimensionality, quoted various opinions expressed about Imam Ali's eloquence in general and about the Nahj al-balaghah in particular.

Compilation of Imam Ali's Words and the Classification of Nahj al-Balaghah

By: Muhammad Mahdi Mehrizi
Translated by Mahdi Chamanzar

Compilation of Imam 'Ali's Words
Ever since the early years of Islam, the eloquent wordings of Imam 'Ali (A.S.), especially his unparalleled sermons, have attracted the attention of the literati as well as the common man. Those familiar with the intricate beauties of the Arabic language, had collected or compiled these precious bezels of wisdom, starting from the lifetime of the Commander of the Faithful. As the historian Abu al-Hasan Mas'udi (d. 346 AH) says:

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A Biographical Profile of Imam Ali [a.s]

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In the Name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful

This well-written profile of Imam Ali (a) has been copied from a book by Syed Muhammad Askari Jafari. While providing a glimpse into our glorious history, it provides an unbiased and fair analysis of one of the most important personalities of the first centuries of Islam.

Appointment of Imam Ali (A.S.): Explicit or Implicit?

By Sayyid Muhammad Rizvi
Toronto, Canada

1. Introduction
We have gathered [1] here tonight in memory of the person who has given us our identity as "Shi'a Muslims". We take pride in calling ourselves "Shi'as of 'Ali" - the Partisans or Followers of 'Ali bin Abi Talib (a.s.).
Tonight I am going to talk on the caliphate of Imam 'Ali bin Abi Talib because of questions asked by many people about the recent controversy on "the explicit appointment" of the Imam to the position of caliphate versus "the implicit appointment". Not only adults, but also youths have approached me with this question; and it is my duty to ensure that the beliefs of our youths in the imamate and caliphate of Amir al-Mu'min?n stays firm without any shadow of doubt.

Imam Ali (a.s.) and the Quran.

We have seen so far traditions from the Sunni sources related to Imam Ali (a.s.), which prove the superiority of Ali (a.s.) over all other companions of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.).

Now after proving this fact (superiority of Ali (a.s.)) from the traditions of Holy Prophet (s.a.w.), we now take a look at the Holy Quran and see what it has to say in this regard.

Hazrat Ali (Pbuh)'s Biography

Names: Haidar, Safdar, Eyn Allah, Yad Allah, Saif Allah, Asad Allah
Titles: Amir-al-Mo'meneen, Murtatha, Yaesoob-al-deen, Qasim

Hazrat Ali's Famous Epistle To Malik Ashtar, Governor of Egypt

Note by the Translator

Hazrat Ali, the Great Khalif of Islam, and the first in the line of the Imamat, apart from his abiding contribution to spiritual thought, is known to the Arabic world as a great jurist and man of letters. According to the historian Masudi (Murooj-uz-Zahab Masudi Vol. II, p. 33. Egypt), Hazarat Ali is credited with not less than 480 treaties, lectures and epistles on a variety of subjects dealing with philosophy, religion, law and politics, as collected by Zaid Ibn Wahab in the Imam's own life time. So highly valued are these contributions both for their contents and their intrinsic literary worth that some of his masterpieces have formed throughout the course of Islamic history subjects of study in centers of Muslim learning. Indeed, his reputation seems to have traveled into Europe at the time of the Renaissance; for we find that Edward Powcock (1604-1691) a professor at the University of Oxford, published the first English translation of his "Sayings" and delivered in 1639 a series of lectures on his "Rhetoric".

Imam Ali is he our role?

Imam Ali not only had intense spirituality and knowledge, but his spiritual growth and faith reflected his character through his actions. He was, and still is, known for such great piety and humbleness. We should not only take his knowledge and add it to the rest of our knowledge. Rather, we should take it and apply it to our daily lives. To show the extent of his character, let’s see how Imam Ali dressed, what material possessions he had, and how we can apply it to our thoughts and our effects. Then we need to judge and ask ourselves about our actions.

Imam Ali (a.s.) in the eyes of Non-Muslims

Saying:
"Ali was so popular even among the non-Muslims that when he died, all the Christians, Jews and Zoroastrians of Kufa, particularly their women and children who were personally looked after by Ali, lamented his death and wept as one does for one’s father. Mourning was observed even in Jerusalem and the Lord Bishop also could not restrain his tears."(Prof. M. G. Reynold’s Book on Islam, Chapter 3.)

The Birth of Imam Ali, Ameer - al - Mu'mineen (a.s.)

Twenty-three years before the Hijra, on the thirteenth of Rajab, a miraculous birth took place. Fatima-bint-Asad, the wife of Abu Talib, was Divinely Guided with sudden labor pains to the Holy Kaaba. As her immense labor pains weighed her down, Fatima knelt before the Kaaba and began praying to Allah to make the birth of her child comfortable and easy. Before she knew it, the walls of the Kaaba miraculously split open by the Will of Allah.

Imam Ali, The Commander of The Faithful

Twenty-three years before the Hijra, on the thirteenth of Rajab, a miraculous birth took place. Fatima-bint-Asad, the wife of Abu Talib, was Divinely Guided with sudden labor pains to the Holy Kaaba. As her immense labor pains weighed her down, Fatima knelt before the Kaaba and began praying to Allah to make the birth of her child comfortable and easy. Before she knew it, the walls of the Kaaba miraculously split open by the Will of Allah. Fatima entered the Kaaba, and then the Holy walls reunited and joined as one.

Who Will Enter Paradise

It is related that a companion of Amir al-mu'minin called Hammam(1) who was a man devoted to worship said to him, "O' Amir al-mu'minin, describe to me the pious man in such a way as though I see them."

Amir al-mu'minin avoided the reply and said, "O' Hammam, fear Allah and perform good acts because 'Verily, Allah is with those who guard (themselves against evil), and those who do good (to others)'" (Qur'an, 16:128). Hammam was not satisfied with this and pushed him to speak.

Imam Ali Ibn Abi Talib (AS)
The Only Divinely Chosen Successor To The Holy Prophet Muhammed (saww).

By: Brother Ali Ja’afary Stump.

“In the Name of ALLAH the Merciful, the Compassionate”

Islam the champion of loving and respecting the Prophets and their successors:

Second Infallible Sayings

One who develops the trait of greediness and avarice invites degradation; one who keeps on advertising his poverty and ill-luck will always be humiliated; one who has no control over his tongue will often have to face embarrassment and discomfort.

Tired and exhausted with the water-skin on her back, she was gasping and going towards her house where innocent children, their eyes fixed at the door, were eagerly waiting for the arrival of their mother. On her way, an unknown man approached her. He took the water-skin from her and placed it on his back. The door opened and the children saw their mother entering the house with a stranger. He placed the water-skin on the ground and said:

The Brother of Imam Ali (AS)

Aqueel arrived as a guest at the Government House in the days of the Caliphate of his brother, Imam Ali (A.S.). Imam Ali (A.S.) made a sign to his elder son Hassan al-Mujtaba (A.S.) to offer a garment to his uncle. Imam Hassan (A.S.) presented to him a robe and a cloak. The night came; the weather was warm. They were sitting on roof-top having amiable talks. It was time for dinner. Aqueel considered himself to be the guest of the Absolute ruler of the Muslim world and expected an extraordinarily colorful and rich dinner. But to his surprise it was the most ordinary and simple one. He said: "Is this all the food?"

Ali Ibn Abi Talib (AS)

Birth

On the 13th of the month of Rajab, twenty-three years before the migration of the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) a child was born in the family of Abu Talib, the light of whom kindled the whole World. Kunaab Mecci narrates about his birth: "We and Abbas (Ibne Abdul Mutalib) were sitting together when suddenly we saw Fatima bint-e-Asad moving towards the Kaabah in the condition having delivery pain and saying "Oh God I have faith in you and the Prophet (i.e., Abraham) who by your command laid the foundation of this house. O God! I swear you by the same Prophet (P.B.U.H.) and swear you by the child in my womb make this birth comfortable and easy for me."

His Last Will and Testament

Imam Ali's (AS) last will to his sons Imam Hasan (AS) and Imam Hussain (AS) following a fatal blow on his head during morning prayers by Ibn Muljim (A Kharijite):

My advice to you is to be conscious of Allah and steadfast in your religion. Do not yearn for the world, and do not be seduced by it. Do not resent anything you have missed in it. Proclaim the truth; work for the next world. Oppose the oppressor and support the oppressed.

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