AlMujtaba Islamic Articles > Principles of Islam

TO TURN TO ALLAH (swt) IS FREEDOM FROM THE CHAINS OF IGNORANCE. - PART TWO.

A brief study by: Brother Ali Ja’afary.

INTRODUCTION:

My breath is completely cut off when I think of how much time I wasted. For a large part of my life, I was preoccupied with the most idle and insignificant things. Somehow I always find myself at awe standing at the greatest of doorways, the one which leads to an eternity of wellbeing, happiness, felicity and joy, but above all, the one that leads to our Creator and Lord; ALLAH (swt). The fact is I truly want to leap forward into it and take its responsibilities and its trust, in order to be one of the “true believers”: “And whoever desires the Hereafter and strives for it as he ought to strive and he is a believer; as for these, their striving shall surely be accepted”. (The Glorious Qur’an 17 Al-Isrā’-19), however, I find my wretchedness to overcome me, I turn away from this most important step, my lack of faith fills my polluted heart with foolish fear and I continue to be a Muslim by theory only, far from essence of the “true believer”.

Tawheed: Monotheism

By: Hanif Mohamed

Introduction

Tawheed, monotheism is the belief in one god. In Islam it is the belief in Allah, the one true god. The basis of monotheism in Islam can be seen in the Qur’an where Allah says, “Not a messenger did We send before thee without this inspiration sent by Us to him: that there is no god but I; therefore worship and serve Me.” (HQ21: 25). This idea is the basis of Islam. The purpose of writing this composition is to try to show Muslims and non-Muslims alike that there are many signs that point to monotheism. We will show that man has an innate desire to seek out his Lord. We will also show how nature points to monotheism and also how science and technology has helped man to see the oneness of Allah. It is my hope that this composition is easily understood and will help the readers to have a better understanding of Tawheed.

Administration of the Qur’an and the Sunnah.

By Aneela Sultan.

If we look at authority in the western way, lets say the Prime minister, he always has a deputy to take over his duties should the need arise, this person even if he is not called to stand in for the Prime minister is still seen as the deputy prime minister and when the Prime minister departs, his deputy immediately takes on his role. Islamically, the one we see as an authority is the Prophet and the one who would come after him obviously would be his deputy-also an authority, the question is was there a deputy? We Shia and also it is narrated in the Sunni sources know who was the deputy minister of the Prophet (Imam Ali AS).

TO TURN TO ALLAH (swt) IS FREEDOM FROM THE CHAINS OF IGNORANCE.

PART ONE.

A brief study by: Brother Ali Ja’afary.

بِسمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمَن الرَّحيم

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

INTRODUCTION:

As I prepare myself to expand my Jihad for Knowledge to a more advanced level Insha’ALLAH, I felt I had to write the article, which has been lingering in my soul for quite a long time now. Especially after the multitude of blessings that I have received from ALLAH (swt) ever since I was born, (especially the great blessing of embracing Islam), in particularly this past year, where I had the chance to travel to the Middle East, perform Umrah and make contacts with a large number of different people as well as here at home and had the opportunity to reflect deeply on many different issues. Unquestionably now is the time to put down to words many of the findings I have discovered, in hopes to attain nearness to ALLAH (swt).

Imamate and Leadership - Part 9

Chapter 23

The Imam's Communication with the World of the Unseen
There are those to whom a gate is opened onto the treasuries of the unseen and who become aware thereby of certain hidden truths. This takes place by means of inspiration and illumination, for entry into that sphere by means of mental activity and ratiocination is completely impossible.
Such non-sensory and non-rational perception, made possible by flashes of illumination and inspiration, is a valid way of knowing reality, for although it might appear difficult to justify from the point of view of a mono-dimensional and materialist worldview, there is no scientific reason to deny it

Imamate and Leadership - Part 8

Chapter 21

The Sources of the Imam's Knowledge
The exceedingly precise and profound knowledge possessed by the Imams is derived from their communication with the world of the unseen and from inspiration (ilham).
The Noble Qur'an was also a rich source on which the Immaculate Imams drew for their knowledge. Given the breadth of their religious vision and perception, they were able to derive various ordinances from revelation and to extract all manner of truths from its innermost layers of meaning.

Imamate and Leadership - Part 7

Chapter 19

Confirmation from the Qur'an and the Sunnah
One of the scriptural proofs for the inerrancy of the People of the Prophet's House is the "purification verse" (ayah al-tathir), a verse which depicts their utter purity and their unique character as follow.
"God wishes to remove all filth and impurity from you, O People of House of the Prophet, and to render you utterly free of all pollution." (33:33)

Imamate and Leadership - Part 6

Chapter 16

Who are Those Capable of

Interpreting Divine Law?
The laws that scholars have laboriously elaborated and compiled over the ages to meet the needs of different societies have always stood in need of intelligent and alert interpreters when it came to implementation. The laws of Islam, although they rest on revealed norms and divine guidance, are no exception to this rule.
Certain verses of the Qur'an, which is the fundamental and primary source for deducing anything related to Islam, are not entirely clear in their purport and signification for they do not yield a single, categorical sense. Recourse to exegesis in order to clarify points of ambiguity is therefore necessary.

Imamate and Leadership - Part 5

Chapter 13

The True Nature of the Holders of Authority
After the death of the founder of Islam and the emergence of a whole series of verbal disputes concerning the caliphate and succession to the Prophet, the question of the "holders of authority" (ulu 'l-amr) came to the fore as a controversial topic bound up with the various intellectual and political currents of the day. Naturally, the expression had not been foreign to the vocabulary and thoughts of the Muslims in the past; people had been acquainted with it since the very dawn of Islam and used it in their discourse.

Imamate and Leadership - Part 4

Chapter 10

Reliance on Unsound Criteria
The atmosphere at the Saqifah was such that even if impartial and concerned people had been present they would have been unable to present matters in their true light. The privileges that those gathered there claimed for themselves as their title to the caliphate derived neither from the Book of God nor from the Sunnah; not even one of those present mentioned piety, wisdom, moral probity, profound knowledge of the bases and ordinances of Islam, or freedom from pollution by sin, as a qualification for exercising leadership of the Muslims. They totally ignored all the true criteria and attributes required for the office that are intimately connected with the spirit of Islam and the Qur'an.

Imamate and Leadership - Part 3

Chapter 7

Irresponsible Attitudes of the Companions
Here the following question arises. Given the fact that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him and his family, proclaimed 'Ali to be his legatee (wasiyy) and successor (khalifah), emphatically designation him as the leader of the Muslims both at Ghadir Khumm and on other appropriate occasions, how did it happen that after the death of the Most Noble Messenger his Companions (sahabah) ignored God's command and abandoned 'Ali, that noble and precious personage, decided not to obey him, chose someone else to be leader in his place, and entrusted the reins of rule to him?

Imamate and Leadership - Part 2

Chapter 4

The Objection of 'Ali to the Decision of the Companions
Some people ask why at the meeting held in the Saqifah 'Ali, peace be upon him, did not raise the issue of his appointment at Ghadir Khumm by the Messenger of God, peace and blessings be upon him and his family, to be his successor. Why, they ask, did he not tell the Migrants and the Helpers that he had been appointed by the Prophet so that nobody had the right to contest the succession with him or to claim the caliphate? Had the thousands of people who had been present at Ghadir Khumm forgotten what they had witnessed?

Imamate and Leadership - Part 1

Lessons on Islamic Doctrine
Ayatullah Sayyid Mujtaba Musavi Lari
Translated by:
Hamid Algar
About the Author
Sayyid Mujtaba Musavi Lari is the son of the late Ayatullah Sayyid Ali Asghar Lari, one of the great religious scholars and social personalities of Iran. His grandfather was the late Ayatullah Hajj Sayyid Abd ul-Husayn Lari, who fought for freedom in the Constitutional Revolution. In the course of his lengthy struggles against the tyrannical government of the time, he attempted to establish an Islamic government and succeeded in doing so for a short time in Larestan.

Fundamentals of Islam

Monotheism

The basis of all Islamic ideology is the belief in the oneness and uniqueness of God, or, in Arabic “tawheed.” All the other beliefs of Islam are built upon this foundation.

Allah (God)

Is God dead?

"Creation of God, the pattern on which He has made mankind; there is no change in the work of God. That is the standard religion, but most among mankind do not understand." Holy Qur'an (30:30)

They claim that ‘God’ is dead. They should have said that ‘gods’ are dead. The confusion arises when false ‘gods’ are identified as GOD.

“IMAMATE A DIVINE COMMAND’’ - Part 4 The Final.

A discourse by: Brother Ali Ja’afary Stump.

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

Imam Hussayn (a-s);

Imam Hussayn (a-s) the Warrior of Tawhid and the Saviour of Islam:

Imam Hussayn the Chief of the Martyrs (a-s) said: “None is in peace on the resurrection day except the one who fears ALLAH (swt) in the world”. (Bihar ul-Anwar vol. 449, p. 192)

“IMAMATE A DIVINE COMMAND’’ - Part 3

A discourse by: Brother Ali Ja’afary Stump.

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

Brief review:

Let us review what we have discussed so far in this discourse. We started it all with an explanation of the phrase in the Qur’anic verse: “follow what ALLAH has sent down” (The Holy Qur’an 2 Al-Baqarah 170) and how it was our duty as Muslims to follow this Divine Command. We looked at how Islam was the perfect religion chosen for us by ALLAH (swt) and we were commanded to follow our beloved Prophet Muhammad (saww).

“IMAMATE A DIVINE COMMAND” - PART 2

A discourse by: Brother Ali Ja’afary Stump.

The very important question we left off with at the end of part one was: why did the Islamic Ummah not “follow what ALLAH has sent down” (Qur’an 2-170). If we know without a doubt exactly what the command is, then how can we not follow it? Both in the Holy Qur’an (the book which all Muslims believe fully to be the great miracle of ALLAH, HIS word and HIS command and undeniable proof), and the Prophet Muhammad’s (saww) Sunnah (teachings, law), point to Ali ibn Abi Talib (a-s) as the successor of the Prophet (saww) to all people. Before we answer this question: Let’s take a closer look at the status of the Prophet’s (saww) Ahlul-Bayt (a-s).

“IMAMATE A DIVINE COMMAND” - PART 1

A discourse by: Brother Ali Ja’afary Stump.

And when it is said to them: Follow what ALLAH has sent down, they say: “Not that! But we will follow what we found our fathers upon”. What? Even though their fathers were void of wisdom and guidance? The parable of those who disbelieve is as the parable of one who calls; but they hear nothing, except a call and a cry. Deaf, dumb and blind, so they understand not”. (The Holy Qur’an 2 Al- Baqarah 170-171).

Usool -ad-Deen (Roots of Religion)

Tawheed - (Oneness of God) - The most fundamental aspect of all beliefs revolves around the total acceptance of the Absolute and Perfect Creator. Belief in the Originator of all causes and effects with no effect on Him and that He is One, Everliving, Beneficent and Merciful. He has neither a colleague nor a partner. He begets not, nor is He begotten, and there is none like Him. The Almighty God is Unique and is Absolute in the Absolute sense. No entity in His Universe can ever comprehend His true state and none should even bother to try for it will lead to futility and insanity.

Arguments against Trinity
By Allamah Tabatabai

"It is not meet for a man that Allah should give him the Book and the Judgment and Prophethood, then he should say to men: "Be my servants rather than Allah's;" but rather (he would say): "Be worshippers of the Lord because of your teaching the Book and your reading (it yourselves)". Or that he should enjoin you that you should take the angels and the prophets for lords; what! would he enjoin you with unbelief after you are Muslims (Submitting Ones)?" (3:79-80)

Praise of Allah

Since man's mind has more to do with relative ideas, that is to say his ideas are of relative things, even in the understanding of those of His attributes which the Qur'an mentions, man is liable to go astray and fall into error. It is owing to this shortcoming of the human mind that there are many verses in the Koran which attribute to Allah's purity from imperfections which have their seat in the native deficiency of our thoughts.

Mercy of Allah Manifested

And hold fast, all together, by the rope of Allah, and be not divided among yourselves; and remember with gratitude Allah's favour on you; for ye were enemies and He joined your hearts in love, so that by His Grace, ye became brethren; and ye were on the brink of the pit of Fire, and He saved you from it. Thus doth Allah make His Signs clear to you: That ye may be guided. [Holy Quran]

Jesus in Islam

Q. What does Islam say about Jesus?

In the Qur'an, stories about the life and teachings of Jesus Christ (called 'Isa in Arabic) are abundant. The Qur'an recalls his miraculous birth, his teachings, the miracles he performed by God's permission, and his life as a respected prophet of God.

Misfortune: Why do tragedies take place?
by Ali Adam

When calamity strikes, after the initial shock there usually comes a time for contemplation and examination. During this time questions such as, “Why did this have to happen to me?” commonly arise. In addition, latent religious beliefs are brought to the fore in an attempt to cope with such calamities. These beliefs are then examined in order to attempt to explain that which has occurred. A coherent explanation is, however, often seen as remote, particularly as emotions are often charged and rationality tends to lose out at times of trial and tribulation. In taking a step back it is possible to identify the essence of the problem. The problem arises out of a broader issue and that is the attempt to reconcile the occurrence of pain and suffering with the seemingly contradictory assertion that there exists a just, good and wise God. For surely such a God would intervene and prevent such things from happening? Whilst many books has been written on this, in the short space of this article, I shall limit the discussion to misfortune (ibtila’).

Are Prophets of Allah not Sinless?
By Ali A. Khalfan
May 07, 2005

In the name of Allah:

Preface:

This article and study is our response to an article written by Mr. Azzam on March 27, 2000 titled, “Sinlessness of Prophets in the Light of the Qur’an”

Attributes of Allah swt
By Ayatullah Muhammed Beheshti

Many names and attributes of Allah have been mentioned in the Qur'an.

"He is Allah, besides whom there is no god. He has knowledge of everything, whether perceptible or imperceptible. He is the Beneficent, the Merciful. He is Allah, besides whom there is no god, the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One, the Giver of peace, the Keeper of faith, the Supreme, the Mighty one, the All powerful and the Majestic. Exalted be He above what they associate with Him. He is Allah, the Creator, the Originator, the Fashioner. His are the most beautiful names. All that is in the heavens and the earth gives glory to Him. He is the Mighty, the Wise". (Surah al‑Hashr, 59:22 ‑ 24).

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