Holy Month of Sha'Ban

After Rajab al-Murajab, Shaban al-Moazzam is the second month of Ibadah (worship) in order to make preparations for the grand and majestic month of Ramadhan al-Mubarak - the month of fasting and forgiveness.

Shaban al-Moazzam is a month of high excellence and is dedicated to the Leader of the Prophets, Muhammad (saw). He used to keep fasts during this month and join it with the month of Ramadhan al-Mubarak. He used to say, "Sha'ban is a month dedicated to me. Whoever keeps one fast during my month will definitely go to heaven".

It has been reported from Imam Ja'far Sadiq (as) that on the commencement of this month, Imam Zainul Abideen (as) would gather his companions and address them, "O my companions, do you know which month this is? It is the month of Sha'ban about which Prophet Muhammad (saw) used to say that it is dedicated to him. So keep fasts during this month in the love of your Holy Prophet (saw) and to attain closeness to your Creator. By Allah (SWT) in whose hands is my soul, I have heard from my father, Hussain ibn Ali (as), that he had heard from Commander of Faithful, Imam Ali (as), that whoever keeps fast during the month of Sha'ban in the love of Prophet Muhammad (saw) and to attain closeness to Allah (SWT) will become a friend to Allah (SWT) and on the Day of Judgement will be close to Allah (SWT) by His grace and Paradise will be assured to him."

This is the month of asking for forgiveness of sins, giving alms, charity and fasting. Prophet Muhammad (saw) used to observe fasts during the whole month. Imam Zainul Abideen (as) has said: "Whosoever is in love with Prophet Muhammad (saw), wishes to seek nearness to Allah (SWT) and receive His bounties, favours and rewards in this world and in the hereafter, must connect Shaban with Ramadhan in the matter of fasting and special prayers".

It is also reported from Prophet Muhammad (saw), "Whosoever observes nine fasts in the whole month of Shaban should not fear the interrogation of Munkar and Nakeer. Whosoever observes twelve fasts in the month of Shaban, 70,000 angels will descend over his/her grave on the first night of his burial, the night of Wahshah, to remove his/her fear and loneliness".

Keeping fast on Thursdays of the month of Shaban also carried great significance. It has been reported that the heavens are decorated each Thursday in the month of Sha'ban and the angles pray to Allah (SWT) to forgive all those who fast on that day and their prayers are accepted. It is stated in the reports of the narrations of Prophet Muhammad (saw) that whoever fasts on Mondays and Thursdays of this month, Allah (SWT) will fulfill twenty of his worldly wishes and twenty of his wishes of the Hereafter.

It is recommended to give alms in this month even if it is as small as a half date. Almsgiving in this month brings about rescue from Hellfire. In this respect, it has been narrated that when Imam Ja'far Sadiq (as) was asked about the merits of observing fasting in Rajab al-Murajab, he answered, "Why do you not ask about the merits of observing fasting in Sha'ban." "What is then the reward of him who observes fasting on one day in Sha'ban, Son of the Messenger of Allah?" asked the narrator. Imam Ja'far Sadiq (as) answered, "The reward will be Paradise. I swear it by Allah (SWT)." The narrator then asked again, "What are the best deeds that should be done in the month of Sha'ban." Imam Ja'far Sadiq (as) answered, "Almsgiving and seeking forgiveness are the best deeds in Shaban al-Moazzam. Verily, if anyone of you gives alms in Sha'ban, Almighty Allah (SWT) will breed those alms in the very same way as you breed your small camels. Hence, these alms will be as huge as Mount Uhud on the day of Resurrection."

Recommended Fasts for the Islamic Lunar month of Sha'ban:

1st, 2nd and 3rd of Shaaban. 1st Thursday, Mid-Wednesday and last Thursday of Shaaban. 13th, 14th and 15th of Shaaban.

Any Thursday, Friday and Saturday of Shaaban. The last three days of Shaaban to connect with the Holy month of Ramadhan.

Other Aamal for the Islamic Lunar month of Shaban al-Moazzam:

Recite everyday 70 times: Astaghfirullaha wa as-aluhut Tawbah (I seek forgiveness from Allah (SWT) and beseech Him repentant).

Recite everyday 70 times: Astaghfirullahal Ladhee Laa ilaaha illa Huwar-Rahmanur-Raheemul-Hayyul-Qayyoomu wa Atoobu ilaihi (I seek forgiveness of Allah who is "There is no god save He", the Beneficent, the Merciful, the Ever-living, the Eternal and I turn repentant to Him).

Give as much Sadaqah (alms) as possible.

Recite Salawaat as many times as possible on Prophet Muhammad (saw).

Recite 1000 times the following Dhikr within the month i.e. divide it throughout the month of Shaaban:

Laa ilaaha illallahu walaa Na'budu illa iyyaahu Mukhliseena Lahud-deen walau karihal-mushrikoon (There is no god save Allah, we do not worship save Him, making religion pure for Him only, however much the disbelievers be averse).



Prophet Muhammad (saw) had said that during the night of 15th Shaaban the Almighty Allah (SWT) takes decisions in the matters of sustenance, life and death and welfare of the people.

Next to the "Night of Qadr" the night of 15th Shaban, Lailatul Barat is the most auspicious night (also known as Shab-e-Barat or Night of Baraat). According to Imam Muhammad bin Ali Al-Baqir (as) and Imam Ja'far bin Muhammad As Sadiq (as), the Almighty Allah (SWT) has promised to fulfill every legitimate desire put forward to Him tonight.

Night of Bara'ah or Lailatul Barat is a night in which special blessings are directed towards the Muslims as mentioned earlier. Therefore, this night should be spent in total submission to Almighty Allah (SWT), and one should refrain from all those activities, which may displease Allah (SWT).

In order to observe the Night of Bara'ah or Shab-e-Barat, one should remain awakened in this night as much as he can. If someone has better opportunities, he should spend the whole night in worship and prayer. However, if one cannot do so for one reason or another, he can select a considerable portion of the night, preferably of the second half of it for this purpose.

Special Prayers and Aamal for the night of 15th Shaban or Shab-e-Barat:

Do Ghusl (ablution) with the thought of washing away sins and as if it's your last Ghusl
Keep awake for the full night in prayer as it has many rewards
Astaghfirullah Tasbih with attention / Dua-e-Tawba (Repentance)
Surah Yaseen
Recite Ziyarat of Imam Hussain (A.S.)
Recite Dua-e-Kumayl
Recite Dua-e-Nudbah
Dua-e-Imam al Asr (A.S.)

Recite Tasbih: Subhan Allah (Glory be to Allah) ------------------------- 100 times
Recite Tasbih: Alhamdulillah (Praise belongs to Allah) ------------------- 100 times
Recite Tasbih: Allahu Akbar (Allah is the Greatest) ----------------------- 100 times
Recite Tasbih: Laa Ilaha illAllah (There is no lord worthy of worship except Allah) --- 100 times

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Sheikh Abul Aynein

Profile by Aziza Sami

"The Book was revealed in Mecca, printed in Istanbul and recited in Egypt" (Popular Egyptian saying)

Sheikh Abul-Einein She’isha sat upright on the dining room chair. A smile played across his lips, as he listened to the young boy sitting on the sofa in front of him recite the Qur’an. The sheikh gently censured the 12-year-old whenever he went slightly off-key. "You mustn’t let your mind wander back home to your friends that you play with. It’s not enough to have a beautiful voice. You must have a good ear and know how to listen."

Throughout their dialogue, the sheikh was always encouraging. He knows how to hide his inner disappointment. "A good voice, but no concentration," he commented later.

The session between the 83-year-old She’isha, Egypt’s leading Qur’anic reciter, and the young boy from the Governorate of Sharqiya, was part of an assignment which the sheikh has accepted to present two new young readers of the Qur’an to the president every year. The initiation takes place during the official celebrations of Mulid Al-Nabi (the Prophet Mohamed’s birthday) and Laylat Al-Qadr (the night when the first verse of the Holy Qur’an was revealed).

Despite his grand old age, the sheikh still wakes up every day with the first rays of dawn in order to read five parts ( ajzaa ) of the Qur’an. "You must never part company with the Holy Book, or else it will leave you," he explains.

This silent daily ritual acts as a spiritual catalyst, and enables him to maintain the level of artistic and professional excellence which has made him one of Egypt and the Islamic world’s greatest Qur’anic reciters.

She’isha was born in Biyala in the Governorate of Kafr Al-Sheikh. Unlike most Qur’anic reciters, he went to secular schools at both primary and secondary levels. None of his family members had a religious education, or even recited the Qur’an, though at that time recitation was a common trade in the countryside. "It just grew on me. I’d listen to the reciter at funerals, and stay until I fell asleep under his chair."

So the sheikh slowly learnt the Qur’an by listening to others. In particular, he listened to the great master Sheikh Mohamed Rifaat, who he got to know personally when he came to Cairo as a young man. "It is mainly through proper listening that one knows how the Qur’an should be read. It is not simply a matter of following rules which are laid down in books."

Today, as head of the Syndicate for Reciters of the Holy Qur’an, She’isha oversees the affairs of the 5,000 or so Qur’anic reciters who are syndicate members. Having succeeded in establishing a headquarters for the syndicate, "on a par with any of the major syndicates, like the doctors or engineers," his next aim is to raise the pensions currently received by retired reciters from a mere LE15 every month to LE100. "The People’s Assembly has asked for LE1 million to be allotted to the syndicate, but the government obviously has other priorities. I hope I will live a bit longer, in order to bring about an increase in pensions."

Sheikh She’isha received us in his modest apartment in Al-Sibaq Street in Heliopolis on a Thursday at noon. It is Ramadan. He courteously offered us something to drink, "in case anyone is not fasting".

Soon we heard the call for noon prayer coming from just round the corner where the Al-Khulafaa Al-Rashidin Mosque (the mosque of the Rightly Guided Caliphs) stands. The mosque is only a few metres from the house where She’isha lives, which he built himself in the 1960s. Every day he walks to Al- Khulafaa Al-Rashidin, where he is head of the board. The building has seen several extensions under She’isha’s auspices, and is now one of Heliopolis’ leading houses of prayer. An International Institute for Qur’anic Reciting, also founded by She’isha, stands in its grounds, attracting students from different parts of the Islamic world.

The sheikh does not recite there, however. He saves himself for Al-Sayida Zeinab Mosque, where he reads the "Sura of the Cave" each Friday. "The voice is still not bad," he smiles. And as he speaks, you can hear just the hint of a tremor in this voice which so affects its listeners when it lends its powers to rendering the Qur’an.

While we sat with him, the phone rang almost incessantly. There was no wireless hand-set within reach to make things easy for the sheikh. Each time, he would get up and walk over to the old- fashioned telephone which stood on a table in a vestibule outside the sitting room. Yet despite his age, he remains both physically and mentally agile, in no small part thanks to his adherence to "the sacred ritual" of walking for one hour every day round the Merryland Park not far from his house.

One caller was a reporter from the ruling National Democratic Party’s magazine Al-Liwaa Al-Islami. He asked if it was "wrong" for one of today’s popular young singers to recite the Qur’an.

The question appeared strange to the sheikh. For him, it was clearly a non- issue. "What if a singer recites the Qur’an?" he responded. "Wasn’t Sheikh Mohamed Rifaat the mentor of singers and composers like Umm Kulthum and Abdel-Wahab in the 1920s? Did not the great Sheikh Ali Mahmoud, who was Rifaat’s contemporary, sing with his own voice to Abdel-Wahab, showing him how to move from one maqam(scale) to another, or how to make a difficult transition from one part of the composition to the other?"

The furniture in the sheikh’s living room has mellowed with age. There are photographs everywhere — on the wall, on the sideboard next to the dining table, and on the small bookshelf in the corner of the room. One exquisitely printed black-and-white image shows an elegant and well-built young man with jet-black hair and moustache, dressed in suit and tie: it is the sheikh himself, captured on film in the 1950s. In another picture on the wall, he appears as a handsome youth proudly sporting the medal given to him by the king of Iraq in the late 1940s,Wisam Al-Rafidayn (the Medal of the Two Rivers).

Yet another image from the early 1960s taken at the seaside at Ras Al-Bar depicts She’isha, his eldest son Mohamed Hossam, and his wife — a pretty young woman with windswept hair. How did he meet her? "I married her because I loved her," he says, as if in this blunt statement lay the answer. Then he quickly adds: "She was from Cairo, not from a rural background like me."

The little boy in the photograph is now a grown man. "Mohamed teaches medicine in the United States," explains the sheikh. "He specialises in family medicine, which is an important concept, but one which has still not caught on here in Egypt."

He picks up a framed photograph of Mohamed and his American wife, taken during their wedding, and stands looking at it. He "can’t wait" for them to come with their two sons to visit him at Christmas, he tells us.

The sheikh’s younger son Mahmoud — an agricultural engineer who used to work for the Agricultural Credit Bank — never married. He chose to live with his father after his mother died seven years ago. "I was against this, because he should get married. But he would not change his mind."

His daughter Mona lives in a flat on the floor above him. He will often have his Iftar with her during Ramadan. Mona studied to be a simultaneous translator, but then chose to stay at home and raise her children. Only she, of all his children, has inherited her father’s beautiful voice. None of his offspring recite the Qur’an out loud, he says, "not even as a hobby. They’ve chosen to go on with their professional careers. And if they ever do recite," he adds with a wry smile, "they never do it in front of me."

To receive us, the sheikh is impeccably dressed in a quftan, the traditional garb of men of religion, made from good quality cloth. Still handsome, he cuts a dignified figure. His apartment, however, is extremely simple. Yet he refuses to take any credit for his austerity. "I’m too old really to go anywhere, to travel around the Arab countries or the Gulf and make a lot of money the way today’s reciters do." And of course he is too much a gentleman to mention that none of his "rivals" who are so much in demand can measure up to him in their art.

Today, the sheikh is the last survivor of the generation that grew up alongside the legendary Mohamed Rifaat. His name stands with those of legends such as Mohamed Al-Saifi, Abdel-Fattah Al- Shi’shaai, Khalil Al-Hosari, Mostafa Ismail, and Siddiq Al-Minshawi. The recitation of these great masters demonstrated the supreme beauty of the tradition of Qur’anic rendering, abundant with nuance and expressive melody, which had developed in Egypt. "You know the saying," the sheikh asks, "that the Qur’an was ‘revealed in Mecca, printed in Istanbul, and recited in Egypt’." Though he is quick to add his admiration for the reciting tradition of Iran.

It was She’isha who was solicited by the mufti of the late King Farouk to recite at the first-ever celebration of Ramadan in the royal palace. This event marked the beginning of his fame. In 1939, at the age of 17, he became the youngest-ever reciter to read the Qur’an on the Egyptian broadcasting service, four years after Sheikh Rifaat had started the tradition. More recently, She’isha undertook, in a purely voluntary capacity, to complete with his own voice the inaudible portions of a number of old recordings by Sheikh Rifaat. It was an arduous task, he remembers, "where recording one letter could take up to five hours."

She’isha was also selected to inaugurate the British Broadcasting Corporation’s Arabic service, and later, he would grace Egyptian television with live broadcasts of his Qur’anic reciting.

When he visited Iraq in the late 1940s to recite at the funeral of Queen Alia, the sheikh insisted on responding to a request from the prisoners at one of the country’s jails that he recite the Qur’an live in front of them. Despite his hosts’ protestations, and their fear for "his life", he went ahead. The experience, he says, was "life-changing" — just as it must have been for many of the prisoners.

For the sheikh, religion is "life itself. It is doing things with love and feeling for others. Sometimes when I see a child weeping," he confides, "I feel that I want to cry too."

This is a faith that may seem far- removed from the feverish obsession with boundaries, with ritualistic right and wrong, which characterises the religious rhetoric of today. But for the sheikh, Islam, along with every other religion, means tolerance, empathy in dealing with others, and a sense of humour with which he refuses to part.

Yet not everything is smooth sailing. Traditionally, Egyptian television has broadcast the sheikh’s sublime azan call for sunset prayer each day, and during Ramadan the call would be preceded by a Qur’anic recital. Yet this year, abruptly and without warning, these appearances were cancelled, only a few days before the Holy Month began, for no apparent reason.

The sheikh confides in us that the decision was not only hurtful, but he still does not fully understand why it was made.

Still, there is the Qur’an. When he recites the holy text, which he has recited countless times in the course of his long life, he still dwells upon the interpretation of the verses and seeks a deeper understanding of their meaning. "When you recite the word ’sky’, it must be on the right note, so as to bring the listener the sense of loftiness," he explains. "And when you recite the word ‘earth’, the tone must go down a bit and convey the expansiveness of the earth as it spreads out before you beneath the sky, as it says in the Holy Qur’an."

Once again, we heard the sound of azan al-’asr, the call to afternoon prayer at the Khulafaa Al-Rashidin Mosque, floating in through the window, as if from afar. "It is a question of feeling," says the sheikh, simply. "You must be moved by what you read, for others to be moved by you."

Taken from http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2004/715/profile.htm

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The Seventh Imam Musa Ibn Ja’afar Al-Kazim. A.S.

Born in Madina on 7th Safar 128 Hijri (10.11.745AD). Died in Baghdad Iraq 25th Rajab 183 Hijri (4.9.799 AD) Period of Imamat was 35 years.

Imam Musa Ibn Ja’afar was born during the struggle between the Ummayads and the Abbasids. He was only four years old when Abul Abbas “Saffah”, “The Shedder of Blood”, came to the throne as the first Abbasid caliph. For twenty years he was under the authority of his father, who died ten years before the end of the long reign of Mansur. The Imamat of the 7th Imam extended through the ten remaining years of the caliphat of Mansur, and included the ten years of the rule of Mahdi, one year and some months of Hadi and about twelve years of the reign of Harun al- Rashid. Thus for thirty five years he was the Imam. He held this coveted distinction as the longest period of Imamat of the Eleven Imams.

With six brothers and nine sisters Imam Musa (AS) grew up in a large family. Ismail the oldest brother died at a young age and Musa was chosen by Divine providence to succeed his father as the Imam. There were those among the followers of the 6th Imam who thought that Imamat should be hereditary and therefore the eldest son of the 6th Imam should succeed. They misunderstood the whole concept of Imamat which was neither hereditary nor mandatory for any one person. It was divinely selected and the Imam at his death bed reveals the name of the next Imam.

The Abasid caliphs were always on the alert with this distinctive source of Imamat and our 7th Imam was fully aware of this danger. The Caliphs were on the alert to discover any real or imaginary disloyalty with the Imam or his followers and they would immediately put them under arrest. This natural anxiety, however, does not appear to have seriously interrupted his life as an Imam. He continued to disseminate Qora’anic teachings as his father Imam Ja’afar al-Sadiq (AS) used to do through the Islamic schools opened in Madina during the life of the 5th Imam.

Ibn Khalikan related that caliph Mansur saw in his dream Imam Ali (AS) who was reciting the verse from the Qur’an, “O’Muhammad, were you ready therefore, if you had been put in authority, to commit evil on the earth and to violate the ties of blood.” Mansur sent for his favourite companion Ibn Younus at night and told him of his dream. He then said,” bring me Muasa Ibn Ja’afar.” The Imam Musa ibn Ja’afar was brought in all the way from Madina to Baghdad. When he arrived Mansur embraced him and said to him, “Abul Hasan, I have just seen in a dream Ali Ibn Abi Talib (AS) who was reciting this verse. Give me your assurance that you will not revolt against me or against any of my children. Imam replied, By Allah I have no such intentions. The caliph then gave him a thousand dinars and restored him to his family in Madina.

This story give us some idea how these Abasid caliphs were so afraid of the Imams of Ahlulbayt that in spite of their total lack of evidence for any kind of revolt against their earthly power, they would not leave them alone. From time to time the Imams were brought in from Madina, kept in Baghdad either on house arrest or inside prisons under the most difficult of conditions. But it was the Imams great Divine Characters that managed to keep them going in the most severest of conditions. It is because of these uncertain times that the Imam said,

“How base is the world for a people, unless God give them joy; and how great is this life , if God is not angry with them.” Total submission to the Will of God in all circumstances.

It was widely known that Imam Musa Ibn Ja’afar had been given powers of healing. Once he was passing by a house and heard little children weeping. He enquired as to why they were crying. He was told that they were orphans and their mother had just died and now they had no one to look after them. He went inside the house, made two prostrations and prayed to God for her life. Moments later the woman stood up well and in good health. People who saw this and cried out,”Behold it is Jesus son of Mary.”

Once Harun al Rashid was visiting Madina. He went to the mosque of the Prophet near his grave and said, My Salams to you O’cousin of our fathers. Imam Musa was there who saluted the grave of the Prophet with the words, My Salams to you O’our grand father. At this Al-Rashid was disconcerted and went away angry.

This occurrence was sufficient to explain his first summons from Al Rashid to come to Baghdad. There he was kept in prison. But after nearly a year in prison Harun saw in a dream that an Abysinian slave was rushing towards him with a javelin and telling him to release Musa Ibn Ja’afar or he will slay him. Harun immediately called the head of the prison and told him to release the Imam and give him thirty thousand Dirhams. When this man reached the door of the prison he found Imam was waiting for him and welcomed him, saying how quickly he had come to release him. The man said how did he know. Imam replied “I saw the Holy Prophet in my dream who told me to recite these words and then I will be released from prison for I had been put here unjustly." The man asked what were those words, Imam replied,

“O thou who hearest every voice,

O thou who lettest no opportunity escape;

O thou who clothest the bones with flesh

and who wilt raise them up after death;

I invoke thee by thy Holy name, and by that great and splendid name which is treasured up and closely hidden, by that name which no created thing shallever know;

O thou who art so mild and whose patience is never equalled;

O thou whose favours never cease and can not be numbered, set me free. (Masudi, Muruj el Dhahab)

So you see what happened. The superintendent of prisons was flabbergasted and released the Imam immediately, organised an escort for him to take him to Madinah.

Character and Virtues

Imam Musa Ibn Ja’afar (AS) was one of the illustrious Imams who God had set a paragon of moral excellence. Each member of this noble family possessed cardinal virtues. Naturally in some individuals a particular virtue is dominant and more conspicuous. The seventh Imam excelled in tolerance and forgiveness, so much so that he was entitled al-Kazim, the suppressor of anger. Never was he heard speaking roughly or harshly to anyone. Even in the most unpleasant situations, he was seen smiling bearing the pain gracefully. This was in accordance with the saying of his ancestor Imam Ali (AS) that the faithful keeps his grief confined in his heart with a smile on his face.

One State official of Madina was a persistent source of harassment to the Imam. He even used abusive language regarding Imam Ali.(AS) But our 7th Imam always directed his followers not to retaliate in the same abusive manner. When his malmanner became too rude to be tolerated, Imam’s followers sought permission from the Imam to retaliate against him. The Imam appeased them, promising to decide the matter in his own way.

Pacifying his followers, the Imam went to that man on his Farm and treated him with such noble benevolence that the man felt ashamed of his conduct and subsequently changed his attitude and altered his conduct. Explaining his policy to his followers, the Imam asked,“ Was my behaviour better than the methods you suggested?” They admitted that it certainly was. He thus carried out the instructions of his great ancestor Imam Ali(AS) which is recorded in Nehjul Balagha to subdue the enemy with benevolence since it is more effective than trying to defeat them with the same methods. No doubt this requires a correct judgement of your adversary’s nature. Imam Ali (AS) has therefore warned not to use this policy with the vile and mean, or they will be encouraged to do more mischief.

To vanquish the enemy with goodness certainly requires the foresight the Imam possessed. Strictness is permissible only when the enemy’s continuous vile conduct justifies retaliation or the use of force. If not, these dignified Nufus preferred to deal with that kind of person gently so as to have a valid pretext against the opponent and leave no ground for him to justify his aggression.

This was the noble method usually adopted by all members of Ahlulbayt. Imam Ali (AS) even on his death bed behaved liberally with Ibn Muljim who had dealt him a mortal blow only the day before. Imam Musa Ibn Ja’afar(AS) showered his generosity on many of his relatives even when he knew that some of them were envious of him and conspired with the ruler of the time Harun al-Rashid.

As to what may have led to his final imprisonment, we find that it is stated by Al-Fakhri that there were some of the relatives of Musa Ibn a’afar who were envious of him and carried false reports about him to Al-Rashid, saying, “The people paying him the Khums, or one fifth of the property, are accepting the Imamat and he is about to revolt against you”. They brought this report to Al-Rashid so frequently that it made him anxious and agitated. He gave the accuser some money to keep bringing him more information. But it is related through authentic sources that this relative of the Imam did not have the chance of enjoying that reward for espionage, for as soon as he reached Madinah, he suffered a serious illness and died from it. It was in that year that Al-Rashid went on the pilgrimage, and when he arrived in Madina, he arrested the Imam Musa Ibn Ja’afar, brought him to Baghdad and imprisoned him under the care of al-Sindi ibn Shahik. (Al-Fakhri-Ibnul Tiktika)

This agrees with Majlisi’s comment in Bihar al Anwar that “Harun took him from Madina ten days from the end of the month of Shawwal 177 Hijiri. Then Harun set out for Makka and took the Imam with him when he returned to Basra and had him imprisoned with Issa. About one year later he was taken out of the Basran prison and taken to Baghdad. He was put in prison there under the watchful eye of the most cruel person named al-Sindi. Majlisi goes on to say that the Imam died in his prison and was buried in the cemetery of Qoraish on the south side of Baghdad.

Al-Fakhri adds,” Al-Rashid was at Rakka and sent orders that he should be put to death. They then brought a number of so called reputable men to Karkh to act as coroners and to testify publicly that the Imam died a natural death.

The place he was buried was a cemetery of the Qoraish. But soon this place became the focus of pilgrimage on the grave of the Imam. A town grew around the grave yard. The name of the town became Kazimiya, the town of the Imam Kazim (AS) A reputed school of theology was founded in this town which is still a source of learning for many students from all over the world.

Dua Al Nudbah

Friday Dua

Ziyarat Warith

Dua Kumayl

Thursday Dua

Reminder, Imam Al Kazim Martyrdom

In a few short days, it is the Anniversary of the martyrdom of the Seventh Imam
Musa al-Kazim,

Mother: Hamidah
Kunniyat: Abu al-Hasan
Laqab: Al-Kazim

Birth: Born in Madina on 7th Safar 128 Hijri
Martyrdom: He was poisoned in the prison of Harun al-Rashid in Baghdad in the year 183
A.H. He is buried in Kazimiyyah in Iraq. Died in on the 25th of Rajab.

The Life of Zaynab binte Ali (AS)

Taken from
The Victory of Truth
The Life of Zaynab binte Ali
Zahra Publications, Karachi, Pakistan

Name: Zainab
Title: Siddiqa-e-Sughra
Kunyat: Umm-ul-Massaib
Born at: Medina on 5th Jamadi ul Awwal
Fathers Name. Hazrat Ali-Al-Murtaza (AS)
Mother's Name: Janab e Fatema Zahra (AS)

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Ziyarat of Hazrat Zainab (AS)

The following ziyarat (verbal salutation) for Bibi Zaynab (AS) is traditionally recited to obtain divine blessing while visiting her shrine (in this case, in Damascus, Syria). It can also be recited at any other time in remembrance of the example of courage and submission that she presented to the world, particularly on the acknowledged days of her birth, death, and during the month of Muharram.

Peace be upon you, Oh daughter of the Chief of prophets.

Peace be upon you, Oh daughter of the Master of the sanctuary and the banner.

Peace be upon you, Oh daughter of him who was made to ascend to (highest) heaven and reached the station of two bows' length (to Allah) or even closer.

Peace be upon you, Oh daughter of the Leader of the pious.

Peace be upon you, Oh daughter of the support of the sincere friends (of Allah)

Peace be upon you. Oh daughter of the Leader of the Deen.

Peace be upon you. Oh daughter of the Commander of the faithful.

Peace be upon you, Oh daughter of him who struck with the sword of two blades.

Peace be upon you, Oh daughter of him who prayed towards the two qiblahs [Jerusalem, then Mecca].

Peace be upon you, Oh daughter of Muhammad, the chosen.

Peace be upon you, Oh daughter of Ali, the content (with the decree of Allah).

Peace be upon you, Oh daughter of Fatima, the radiant.

Peace be upon you, Oh daughter of Khadija, the elder.

Peace be upon you. Oh righteous one, pleasing (to Allah).

Peace be upon you, Oh learned, rightly guided one.

Peace be upon you, Oh generous, noble one.

Peace be upon you, Oh pious, pure one.

Peace be upon you, Oh you who were thoroughly tested by sufferance like Husayn, the oppressed.

Peace be upon you, Oh you who were kept far from your home.

Peace be upon you, Oh you who were held captive in cities.

---

Angelic Appelation

It was five years after the Muslims had accompanied the Prophet (PBUH&HF) and his family in the migration (Hijrah) to Medina, when the Holy Prophet's daughter, Hadrat Fatima (AS), gave birth to a little girl.'

When her father, Imam Ali (AS), saw his daughter for the first time Imam Husayn (AS), who was then almost three years old, was with him. The boy exclaimed in delight,

"O father, Allah has given me a sister."

At those words Imam Ali (AS) began to weep, and when Husayn (AS) asked why he was crying so, his father answered that he would soon come to know.

Fatima (AS) and Ali (AS) did not name their child until a few days after her birth, for they awaited the Prophet's return from a journey so that he could propose the name.

When finally the baby girl was brought before him he held her in his lap and kissed her. The Angel Jibra'il came to him and conveyed the name that was to be hers, and then he began to weep. The Prophet (PBUH&HF) asked why Jibra'il wept and he answered,

"O Prophet of Allah. From early on in life this girl will remain entangled in tribulations and trials in this world. First she will weep over your separation (from this world); thereafter she will bemoan the loss of her mother, then her father, and then her brother Hasan. After all this she will be confronted with the trials of the land of Karbala and the tribulations of that lonely desert, as a result of which her hair will turn grey and her back will be bent."

When the members of the family heard this prophecy they all broke down in tears. Imam Husayn (AS) now understood why earlier his father had also wept. Then the Prophet (PBUH&HF) named her Zaynab (AS).

When the news of Zaynab's birth reached Salman al-Farsi, he went to Ali (AS) to congratulate him. But instead of seeing him happy and rejoicing he saw Ali (AS) shed tears, and he too was apprised of the events of Karbala and the hardships that were to befall Zaynab (AS).

One day, when Zaynab (AS) was about five years old, she had a strange and terrible dream. A violent wind arose in the city and darkened the earth and the sky. The little girl was tossed hither and thither, and suddenly she found herself stuck in the branches- of a huge tree. But-the wind was so strong that it uprooted the tree. Zaynab (AS) caught hold of a branch but that broke. In a panic she grabbed two twigs but these top gave way and she was left falling with no support. Then she woke up. When she told her grand father, the Prophet (PBUH&HF), about this dream he wept bitterly and said,

"O my daughter. that tree is me who is shortly going to leave this world. The branches are your father Ali and your mother Fatima Zahra, and the twigs are your brothers Hasan and Husayn. They will all depart this world before you do, and you will suffer their separation and loss."

---

Growing up in Medina

Zaynab (AS) shared with-her brothers and sister the extraordinary position of having such examples to look up to, emulate and learn from, as her grand father, the Prophet of Allah (PBUH&HF) her mother Fatima (AS), daughter of the Prophet, and he'r father Imam Ali (AS), cousin-brother of the Prophet. In the pure environment that enveloped her she absorbed the teachings of Islam that her grandfather imparted, and after him her father. Here too she learnt to master all household skills with great proficiency.

She had barely attained the tender age of seven when her beloved mother passed away. Her mother's death had closely followed her cherished grand father's passing away. Some time later Imam Ali (AS) married Umm ul-Banin, whose devotion and piety encouraged Zaynab (AS) in her learning.

Whilst still a young girl she was fully able to care for and be responsible for the running of her father's household. As much as she cared for the comforts and ease of her brothers and sisters, in her own wants she was frugal and unstintingly generous to the poor, homeless and parentless. After her marriage her husband is reported as having said,

"Zaynab is the best housewife."

From very early on she developed an unbreakable bond of attachment to her brother Imam Husayn (AS). At times when as a baby in her mother's arms she could not be pacified and made to stop crying, she would quieten down upon being held by her brother, and there she would sit quietly gazing at his face. Before she would pray she used to first cast a glance at the face of her beloved brother.

One day Fatima (AS) mentioned the intensity of her daughter's love for Imam Husayn (AS) to the Prophet (PBUH&HF). He breathed a deep sigh and said with moistened eyes,

"My dear child. This child of mine Zaynab would be confronted with a thousand and one calamities and face serious hardships in Karbala."

---

Womanhood

Zaynab (AS) grew into a fine statured young woman. Of her physical appearance little is known. When the tragedy of Karbala befell her in her midfifties she was forced to go out uncovered. It was then that some people remarked that she appeared as a 'shining sun' and a 'piece of the moon'.

In her character she reflected the best attributes of those who raised her. In sobriety and serenity she was likened to Umm ul-Muminin Khadija, her grandmother (AS); in chastity and modesty to her mother Fatima Zahra (AS); in eloquence to her father Ali (AS); in forbearance and patience to her brother Imam Hasan (AS); and in bravery and tranquility of the heart to Imam Husayn (AS). Her face reflected her father's awe and her grandfather's reverence.

When the time came for marriage, she was married in a simple ceremony to her first cousin, Abdullah ibn Ja'far Tayyar. Abdullah had been brought up under the direct care of the Prophet (PBUH&HF). After his death, Imam Ali (AS) became his supporter and guardian until he came of age. He grew up to be a handsome youth with pleasing manners and was known for his sincere hospitality to guests and selfless generosity to the poor and needy.

Together this young couple had five children, of whom four were sons, Ali, Aun, Muhammad, and Abbas, and one daughter, Umm Kulthum.

In Medina it was Zaynab's practise to hold regular meetings for women in which she shared her knowledge and taught them the precepts of the Deen of Islam as laid out in the Holy Quran. Her gatherings were well and regularly attended. She was able to impart the teachings with such clarity and eloquence that she became known as Fasihah (skillfully fluent) and Balighah (intensely eloquent).

In the thirty-seventh year A.H. (after Hijrah), Imam Ali (AS) moved to Kufa to finally take up his rightful position as khalifah. He was accompanied by his daughter Zaynab (AS) and her husband. Her reputation as an inspiring teacher among the women had preceded her. There too women would throng to her daily sittings where they all benefitted from her erudition, wisdom and scholarship in the exegesis of the Qur'an.'

The depth and certainty of her knowledge earned her the name given to her by her nephew, Imam Ali Zayn ul-Abidin (AS), of 'Alimah Ghayr Mu'allamah, 'she who has knowledge without being taught'.

Zaynab (AS) was also nicknamed Zahidah (abstemious) and 'Abidah (devoted) because of her abstemiousness and piety. She found little of interest in wordly adornments, always preferring the bliss and comfort of the Next World over that of this world. She used to say that for her the life of this world was as a resting place to relieve fatigue along a journey.

Humble and of high morals, her main concern was to strive to please Allah and in doing so she avoided anything which was the least bit doubtful.

The Holy Month of Rajab

The Holy month of Rajab is full of blessings and mercy. The Ahlul Bayt (a) have described it as assabb (أصب), meaning that the blessings of Allah pour down in abundance during this month on believers who observe its rites like heavy rain (on dry earth).

Sayyid Tawoos in his Iqbaal al-Amaal (one of the main sources of mafatih al-jinaan) says that be aware that when you enter the month of Rajab, you enter a sacred month of haraam (prohibition).

Allah(swt) has set aside four months in the year wherein fighting is prohibited. These are known as the months of haraam. Of course, fighting for unjust causes and attacking innocent people in other months is also unlawful but these four months have the additional sanctity that Allah, the Master, has entirely prohibited fighting and battle among his servants.

In the calendar, the last month of haraam we had was the month of Muharram. Muharram too is a sacred month, yet we know that in the sad history following the death of the Prophet (s), so-called Muslims violated the sanctity of this month. After cornering the grandson of the Prophet (s), his blessed family, and his noble companions in the desert of Karbala, they desecrated the sanctity of Muharram and committed the greatest disobedience of Allah ever by battling with Imam Husayn (a) and sending him and those who fought with him to their martyrdom -- even though fighting was prohibited throughout the month.

Therefore Sayyid Tawoos notes that the blessed arrival of the month of Rajab brings with it a renewed sense of security and peace as we hope to be protected by the rule of Allah, our Master, from warfare and fighting from other fellow servants of Allah. We haven’t felt this spirit of protection for five months since the month of Muharram. Sayyid Tawoos makes a further interesting observation. In this month, how bad would it be if servants were to disobey Allah by fighting each other? But even worse than that, when servants are protected from each other, how disrespectful and ugly would it be if a servant were to react to this blessing of Allah by warring against his Master, by disobeying Him and sinning?

The most important act of this month is seeking forgiveness of Allah (istighfar) that helps in moving aside the curtains that cover our hearts. In this respect repetition of the lineاستغفر الله و اساله التوبة (astaghfirullaaha wa asaluhu at-tawbah) has been recommended.
It is perhaps is in this month that Imam Zayn al-Abideen (a) used to spend his nights in Makkah in front of the Ka’bah reciting this line while in sajdah:الهي عظم الذنب من عبدك فليحسن العفو من عندك (ilaahee, `adhuma adh-dhanbu min `abdika, falyahsunil `afwu min indik)O My God! Great indeed is the sin from your servant. Is it not therefore fitting and proper that you should forgive him?

Dua Rajab

The dua “يا من ارجوه لكل خير” (yaa man arjoohu li kulli khayr) is commonly recited after prayers during this month. Many people have unknowingly misinterpreted the tradition accompanying the dua and make these common mistakes:

- The tradition says to hold your beard in your left hand while moving the index finger of your right hand. It doesn't say to move your hand or your arm. Swinging your arm around left and right doesn’t fit with what the tradition says. Instead, keep your arm and hand steady and still and move only your pointing finger back and forth.

- The narration actually says that the Imam (a) held his beard and moved his finger throughout the whole dua

- not just the part that begins with يا ذا الجلال و الاكرام (ya dhal jalaali wal ikraam). This can be proven by carefully examining the whole tradition.

- Women are exempted from the accompany rites and can simply recite the dua while lifting their hands towards the sky as is typical when asking from Allah.

July/Rajab Calender

This is a Calender For the month of July/Rabaj

Salamun 3alaikum dear visitors!!!

Everyone is welcome to post something!
Even just to say hi!

Nadi Ali (AS)- Bassim Al-Karbalaei

Dua of Friday - Friday Supplication

The Story of Hazrat Fatima (SA) daughter of the Holy Prophet.

The Prophet of Islam had only one daughter named Fatima. Her mother Khadija had two other daughters from her two earlier marriages. When The Prophet married her, both daughters came with her mother to live in the house of the Prophet. Hazrat Fatima (SA) was born five years before Bethat when Muhammad (SA) was about 35 years old and her mother Khadija was about 50 years old. She has many other titles. Zahra (Lady of Light) and Syedatun Nisa al Alamin (Leader of the women of the worlds). The Date of her birth was 20th Jamad al Akhar.

After the death of her mother Khadija, she looked after her father the Prophet of Islam so devoutly that Muhammad(SA) used to call her “Umme Abiha”, i.e. the mother her father. This was the hardest time for the family because in the same year Abu Talib who was the protector of Muhammad(SA) from the animosity of the Qoraish also died in the same year as Khadija. Muhammad (SA) married Umme Salama, an old widow after the death of Khadija to have someone to look after the household chores. When Umme Salama was requested to tutor the child Fatima (SA), the wise woman replied “How can I tutor one who is the personification of high virtues and purity. It is I who should learn from her.” Her childhood, therefore, was passed in a very chaste and modest environment. It was then that she saw her revered father preaching Islam in the most hostile atmosphere. The hostility of the Qoraish after the death of Abu Talib and Khadija was the strongest. Fatima saw and dressed the wounds sustained by her father due to the stones thrown on him by the non- believers who were ho to the preaching of Islam. She might have heard and seen that certain wretched women hurled rubbish on her noble father. She might have learnt of the plans made to put an end to her fathers life. But from all these things Fatima was neither frightened nor disheartened. She comforted her father, tended to his wounds even at that tender age. The entire family was blanketed with clouds of sorrowful gas a result of the almost daily humiliation and mockery to which her most revered father was subjected.

Migration

When the migration took place, Fatima was left in Makka with the rest of the Family which included her step mother Umme Salama, Ali’s(AS)mother Fatima binte Asad and many others. Ali(AS) was in charge of the family. He stayed in Makka for another 3 days to give back the deposits to the Makkans who entrusted these to the Prophet for safe keeping. After fulfilling this duty Ali(AS) brought the family to Madina

Marriage

After one years stay in Madina when Fatima(SA) was about 18 years old that proposals for marriage began to be received by the Prophet who politely refused to accept by simply saying that it is in the hands of Allah, that he was awaiting Allah’s decree in this matter.

Fatima (SA)was the model of Prophet’s teaching among women just as Ali(AS) was the best embodiment of his instructions and manly qualities among men. They were the most suitable couple to be married. But Ali(AS) was too modest to speak about it. After some persuasion from friends he finally went to see the Prophet in the mosque and proposed for marriage. Prophet told Fatima about it and asked her whether she would approve. After receiving her consent the marriage of Fatima(SA) and Ali(AS) took place in the simplest possible manner. Ali(AS)sold his shield of armour for 200 Dirhams,brought the money to the Holy Prophet who added a similar amount and asked his companions to buy household goods to set up home for the Holy Family.Marriage was solemnized by the Prophet himself and after marriage the couple went to live in a separate house next to the House of the Prophet around the Mosque.

Children

Hassan(AS) was born in the 3rd year of Hijra, Hussain(AS) was born in the 4th year of Hijra, Zainab was born in the 6th year of Hijra, Umme Kulsoom was born in the 7th year of Hijra.

It was in the same house that the famous Verse of Purification (Sura 33.Verse 33) was revealed on the Holy Prophet and its narration by Fatima has become so famous that it is read in every muslim house as Hadith-e-Kisa. The Reading of this Hadith brings blessings to the household.(Tafseer-e- Kabir by Al-Razi).

It was in the same house where this blessed family fasted for three days continuously without eating any food giving away their Iftari to a beggar, an orphan and a prisoner who arrived at their door and asked for food. The Verse in Sura Dahr revealed in praise of their extremely charitable act in the way of Allah.

It was in the same house where every morning the Holy Prophet stood outside and said loudly “Assalamo Alaikum Ya Ahlebaitin Nubuwwah” Peace and blessings on the people of the Household of the Nabi.

There was so much respect in the heart of the Holy Prophet for Fatima(SA) that whenever Fatima(SA) arrived in the mosque of the Prophet, the Holy Prophet stood up to respect her. This gesture was also to show the companions respect for women generally which was lacking in the Arabian society of the day.

These acts of the Prophet were to show the companions that this house and its occupants have a special place in the way of Allah and that this status should be maintained after the death of the Prophet. Unfortunately this was not done as the Holy Prophet intended his companions to do. History tells us some very sad moments connected with this house.

After the death of the Prophet when Ali(AS) did not come out to give his oath of allegiance to Abubakr, the door of the house was burnt down to get him out and in the process Fatima(SA) was injured. Her 5th unborn child died because of this harsh action of some of the companions and she herself died within 3 months of the death of her Holy father.

The following lines of poetry show her ordeal after the death of her holy father very clearly.

“After the death of my father My sufferings were so great that if such hardships fell upon days, the days would turn into nights.”

Fatima(SA) was a symbol of womanhood in Islam. How a daughter, a wife and a mother should behave in their ordinary lives. She was devoted to her father, looked after him when he was in distress by the hands of the non-believers of Makka, she was the exemplary wife, queen of her household yet fair to her maid servant Fizza to divide household chores between herself and the maid servant, she was a devout wife and the most loving mother to her children.

There were occasions when there was no food for the family, but she would never complain. Once Ali(AS) went out to do some work to get food for the family but returned empty handed. Fatima asked Ali(AS) what happened to the food. Ali(AS) said that he did earn some money and bought food, but while on his way home he met some poor hungry persons and gave away all the food to them. When the Prophet heard of this situation he brought some food for the family and told them that Ali’s charitable act was of the greatest value in the eyes of Allah.

The whole family was thankful to Allah and there were no complaints against anyone.

She would go to the mosque of the Prophet to participate in the prayers with all the ladies, she would go out in the battlefield to tend the wounded. In the battle of Ohud when her father was injured she tended him, cleaned his wounds, put some burnt wool on the wounds to stop blood flowing. When the Holy Prophet recovered, he thanked her for her great work in the battlefield.

Death Of Hazrat Fatima(SA)

On 3rd of the month of Jamad al Thani Hazrat Fatima(SA) died. This was about 90 days after the death of her Holy father. Asma binte Umais in the same house to help her household work tells the story of her death in a very moving manner. When the day arrived she prepared food for her children, then she told Asma that she was going to her prayer room. She would say Takbeer loudly at various intervals. When Asma does not hear the sound of Takbeer she should go out to the mosque and tell Hazrat Ali(AS) about the death of his wife. If in the meantime the children come home give them food before telling them about the death of their mother. Hasan and Husain arrived and Usma brought some food for them. They said they do not eat without their mother and she had to tell the children of the death of their mother. Both entered the prayer room and stayed with her for a while. Hazrat Ali (AS)arrived and prepared for the last rites. When he was giving her last bath he cried loudly. Asma asked the reason and he said he could not bear to see the wound by her side when the door of the house fell on her due to commotion by some of the companions of the Prophet when they all wanted Ali(AS) to come out of the house for the oath of Allegiance to Abubakr. After performing the last rites she was taken to the cemetery of Baqii in the darkness of the night for burial. Very few family members were present at the burial of the daughter of the Prophet. Some historians say that she was buried in her own house which became part of the Masjid-e-Nabavi during the reign of Umavi Caliph Umar Ibne Abdul Aziz.

Jannatul Baqii

This is a plot of land not far from where the mosque of the prophet stood and the houses of his companions around it were built as living quarters. This land was used as a cemetery for the muslims.

The famous writer Mustafawi writes in Nuzhatul Qulub, “The cemetery of Madina called Baqii lies to the west of the town and here is seen the grave of Ibrahim, Prophet’s only son and also the grave of his daughter Fatima. There are graves of Prophets grand son Imam Hasan, Imam Ali Ibnul Hussain Zainul Abedeen, Imam Muhammad Baqir and Imam Ja’afar Sadiq (AS).

For centuries there has been a marble slab over their graves and on this is written:

IN THE NAME OF GOD THE MERCIFUL THE COMPASSIONATE

PRAISE BE TO GOD WHO SUSTAINS THE NATIONS AND WHO GIVES LIFE TO DEAD BONES.

HERE IS THE TOMB OF FATIMA,THE DAUGHTER OF THE APOSTLE OF GOD AND THE QUEEN OF THE WOMEN OF THE WORLD.

HERE IS ALSO THE TOMB OF HASAN IBNE ALI;

HERE ALSO IS THE TOMB OF ALI IBNUL HUSSAIN;

HERE IS ALSO THE TOMB OF MUHAMMAD IBNE ALI AL BAQIR;

HERE IS ALSO THE TOMB OF JA’FAR IBNE MUHAMMAD EL SADIQ.

MAY GOD FAVOUR THEM ALL.

The cemetery of Baqii was destroyed by the Wahabis in 1932.

. A modern writer describes the scene as such: ^1.

When I entered the Baqii the sight which I saw was as if it were a town which had been raised to the ground. All over the cemetery nothing was to be seen but little indefinite mounds of earth and stones, pieces of timber, iron bars, blocks of stone and a broken rubble of cement and bricks strewn about. It was like the broken remains of a town which had been demolished by an earth quake. All was a wilderness of ruined building material and tombstones, not ruined by a casual hand, but raked away from their places and ground small.”

The writer of this book also visited Baqii in 1995 and found that the authorities have erected a wall around the whole area of Baqii incorporating also the jewish part of the cemetery in it to make it into one huge cemetery. A platform was built just outside the wall where people can stand and see the graves of the Holy Masoomeen and shed a tear or too. People were allowed to enter the inner circle of the wall after the Fajr prayers for two hours but were not allowed to go near the graves. They had to stand about 30 feet away from the place and can see the outlines of the graves. Besides 5 Masoomeen,there was a mark for the grave of Hazrat Fatima Bine Asad, mother of Imam Ali(AS).

This is Jannatul Baqii where the most beloved daughter of the Holy Prophet together with her children and grand children lie in wilderness without even a tomb stone over them.