(To learn more about his tragedy scroll down to the previous post)
Nas'alakum Al Du3a....
Monday, November 16, 2009
Imam Al Jawad Martyrdom Condolences...
Imam Muhammad At-Taqi AlJawad (A.S.)
Name: Muhammad bin Ali.Titles: At-Taqi, Al-Jawad.
Kuniyya: Abu Ja'fer.
Father: Imam Ali Ridha (A.S.)Mother: Sabika (also known as Khaizarun).
Birth: 10th Rajab 195 a.h. Madina.
Death: 29th Dhulqa'da 220 a.h. Baghdad. Buried in Kadhmain.
His Parents & Birth
He was the only son of Imam Ali Ridha (A.S.) The Prophet (S.A.W.) had said:
"My father be sacrificed on the mother of the 9th Imam who will be a pure and pious Nubian."
Imam Musa Kadhim (A.S.) had told one of his companions that his daughter-in-law (Sabika) would be one of the most pious of women and to give her his salaams. She came from the same tribe as the Prophet's wife - Mary Copt who bore the Prophet his son Ibrahim (who died in infancy).
Imam Muhammad Taqi (A.S.) was born when his father was 45 years old. Till then Imam Ali Ridha (A.S.) had constantly been taunted that he had no children. When the 9th Imam was born, a brother of Imam Ali Ridha (A.S.) was angry because he would lose out in inheriting the Imam's property and in his jealousy spread a rumour that Imam Ali Ridha (A.S.) was not the father. He was eventually proved wrong by a person who could tell parentage.
ChildhoodThe 9th Imam was 5 years old when his father was called to Baghdad by Mamun Rashid to be his 'heir apparent'. When Imam Ali Ridha (A.S.) was leaving he saw his son putting sand in his hair. He asked why and the young Imam replied that this was what an orphan did.His titles, life & works
He became an Imam at the age of 9. Mamun Rashid thought that as all the rulers before him had oppressed the Imams and their schemes had backfired that he would try to bribe the Imams. He tried to make the 8th Imam his heir apparent and give him power and wealth but that also backfired.
He now tried to use power and wealth with the 9th Imam again but from a much younger age thinking that he would be able to influence him. His main purpose was also to make sure that the 12th Imam (whom he knew would bring justice to the world) would be from his progeny and therefore intended to give his daughter Ummul Fadhl to the Imam for a wife. Mamun still continued oppressing the family and followers of the Ahlul-bayt (A.S.).
Mamun called the young Imam (A.S.) to Baghdad from Madina and offered his daughter. This infuriated his family (Banu Abbas). To prove to them the excellence of Imam even at a young age he arranged a meeting
between Imam and the most learned of men at that time - Yahya bin Athkam.
It was a grand occasion with some 900 other scholars present. Imam (A.S.) was first asked by Yahya:
What is the compensation (kaffara) for a person in Ehraam who hunted and killed his prey?"
Imam replied that there were many more details required before he could answer the question:
- Did the Muhrim (one in Ehraam) hunt in the haram or outside?
- Did the Muhrim know Sharia or not?
- Did he hunt intentionally or not?
- Did he hunt for the first time or was this one of many times?
- Was he free or a slave?
- Was his prey a bird or an animal?
- Was it big or small?
- Had he hunted by day or by night?
- Was he baligh or not?
- Was he repentant or not?
- Was his ehraam for Hajj or Umra?
Yahya was stunned. He looked down and started sweating.
Mamun asked the young Imam to answer the question, which he did, and then Imam asked Yayha a question which he could not answer. The Banu Abbas admitted defeat and Mamun took the opportunity to offer his daughter in marraige to Imam. Imam (A.S.) read his own Nika (the khutba of which is used today) with the Mehr of 500 dirhams. Imam wrote a letter to Mamun that he would also give Ummul Fadhl Mehr from the wealth of Aakhira. This was in the form of 10 duas which were for fulfilling any hajaat (desires) [Chain of narrators upto Prophet - Jibrail - Allah]* . Thus his title Al-Jawad (the generous one).
* These duas are found in Mafatihul Jinaan (pg 447 - In margin)
Imam lived for a year in Baghdad with Ummul Fadhl. She was very disobedient to Imam. When she found out that Imam had another wife (from the progeny of Ammar-e-Yasir) and that there was also children she was jealous and angry realizing that her father's plan had failed. She complained to her father who also realized that his plan, to keep the 12th Imam in his progeny, had failed. He was enraged and in his rage he drank heavily and went to the 9th Imam's house and attacked Imam with a sword. Both Ummul Fadhl and a servant saw the attack and believed Imam was dead. Mamun on waking next morning realized the consequences of his attack and was thinking of arranging the disposal of Imam's body when he saw Imam well without a scratch on him. He was confused and asked Imam who showed him an amulet which is called Hirze Jawad Imam told him it was from his grand mother Bibi Fatima Zahra (A.S.) and kept the wearer safe from all except the angel of death. Mamun asked Imam for it and Imam gave him one.
Now Mamun was scared and tried a new tactic. He tried to deviate Imam by sending him beautiful girls and musicians. When he realised nothing was working he let Imam return to Madina.
Imam used this time to prepare the masails of Taqleed and Ijtihaad in preparation for the 12th Imam knowing that both the 10th and the 11th Imam would spend most of their lives in prison. He also prepared the people of Madina teaching true Islam knowing that this would be the last time they would be able to receive guidance directly from an Imam for a long time.
Ummul Fadhl continuously complained of Imam to her father who sent her letters back.
Mamun died in 218 a.h. and was succeeded by his brother Mo'tasam Billah. He openly announced that all Shias were not Muslims. He said it was required for people to kill and prosecute Shias, and to destroy property belonging to Shias.
Ummul Fadhl now started complaining to her uncle who was sympathetic to her. Mo'tasam called Imam to Baghdad. He asked Imam to pass judgement of how to punish a thief. Imam said only fingers could be cut as the palms were for Allah (as in Qur'an - it is one of the wajib parts to touch the ground during sajda). As this decision was contrary to the decision of the other 'Ulema' it strengthened the position of the Shias. The other 'Ulema' complained to Mo'tasam.
Death & Burial
With instigation from both the 'Ulema' and Ummul Fadhl, Mo'tasam sent poison which Ummul Fadhl put in Imam's drink and gave it to him. Imam died on 29th Dhulqa'ada at the age of 25 years and is buried near his grandfather in Kadhmain (the 10th Imam gave him ghusl and kafan).
Summary of Imam's Work
It is he who prepared and wrote books for the masails of Ijtihaad and Taqleed which were essential to prepare believers for the ghaibat of the 12th Imam.
Additional Notes
Once when the young Imam was on his way to Baghdad he came across Mamun's party returning from a hunting trip. All the other children on the street ran but the Imam did not.
Mamun asked the young Imam, "Why did you not run away?"
Imam said the road was wide enough for all of them and neither had he committed a sin. Mamun then asked him his identity.
After finding out, he asked Imam what he (Mamun) had in his hands. Imam replied "Allah has created tiny fish in the river. These fish are hunted by the Hawks of the kings and the descendants of the Prophets reveal the secrets".
Saturday, November 14, 2009
25th Zilqad " Dahwul Ardh" The 'Spreading of the Earth' Day
NOVEMBER 13 OR 14 2009
It is the day when the earth was spread for the advantage of human beings. The phrase "Dahwul Ardh" literally means "The spread of the earth". On this day Allah(swt) spread out ALL the land on the Earth under the Ka`bah.
In another tradition it is reported that the first Rahmah & blessing descended on this very day....It is also reported on the authority of Imam Ali bin Moosa Ar Riza (A.S.) that tonight the two distinguished Prophets ie Prophet Ibrahim (A.S.) and Prophet E'esaa (A.S.) were born.
Therefore it is a highly blessed night & day to be spent in the prayers and supplications.
1) Observe fast today. Many benefits have been mentioned of Fasting on this day eg Kaffarah (Penitence) for his sins of seventy (70) years.b. In another tradition, if a person fasts on this day, it would be equivalent to fasting 60 months!
2) Have a Ghusl (bath.)
3) Pray a 2 Rak-a't Salaat at the time of "Chasht"" (After sunrise and before breakfast time) as under"
(i) In every Rak-a't, after the recitation of Soorah Al Faatih'ah, recite Surah Ash Shams S 91- 5 times
(ii) After the Salaam say: LAA H'AWLA WA LAA QUWWATA ILLAA BILLAAHIL A'LIYYIL A'Z'EEM
[There is no power and no strength except Allah's the Highest High, the Al-mighty.]
Then recite the following dua'a: MP3 dua NEW
O He who tolerates lapses, bear with my false steps,
O He who responds to supplications, answer to my prayers.
O He who pays attention to (all) voices, hear my cry, and have mercy on me, overlook my wrongdoings and opposition,
O Owner of might and majesty
YAA MUQEELAL A'THARAATI AQILNEE A'THRATEE YAA MUJEEBAD DA-A'WAAT AJIB DAA'-WATEE YAA SAAMI-A'L AS'WAATI ISMAA'-S'AWTEE WAR-H'AMNEE WA TAJAAWAZ A'N SAYYI-AATEE WA MAA I'NDEE YAA D'AL JALAALI WAL IKRAAM
Then recite the following dua'a, mentioned in the "Misbah
| O Allah, (Who) spread the Kaa'bah, split the grain of corn, mitigates hardships, alleviates sorrows, I ask Thee today, [one of the days, belonging to Thee, which on account of their privileges, and availability of Thy unrestricted mercy (in them), have been declared important, given preference over (other days), and exclusively specified for the believers], to send blessing son Muhammad, Thy high-minded, great-hearted and generous servant, (whom we will) meet, very soon, on the promised Day of Judgement, (who) opened that which was kept locked and shut, and invited to truth, in every walk of life; an on his "Ahl ul Bayt" (children), the pure (above board) guides, giving light to people to sustain harmony and unity, and have the authority to admit into Paradise or sent to Hell;
and (I ask Thee to) settle me in the ever luxuriant land, and lodge me in a lovable comforting house, in the midst and company of Thy close friends and people who have been selected and chosen for Thy neighborhood, make my meeting with thee a blissful occasion, (so that it takes place) keep me alive adhering to good in my day to day life here, free from waywardness and indecent indulgence, before the appointed time comes to an end, (then) O Allah let me reach the cistern (center) of Thy Prophet, Muhammad, blessing of Allah be on him and on his children), and quench my thirst there, thoroughly, in plenty, gliding the wholesome water pleasantly down the throat, never to be thirsty again, never to be kept away from it once I am there, never to be driven off, and let it be my most reliable preparation, quite sufficient for the questioning session on the day when witnesses will be brought. O Allah curse the oppressors from beginning to the end, who stirred up trouble and took possession of that which rightly belonged to Thy trustworthy representatives. Damn their theoreticians and their associates; O Allah, send Thy trustworthy representatives at once, wrongs done to them may be redeemed their "Qaa-im" (living representative may be given his rightful opportunity to appear, appoint him to give currency to Thy religion and to establish law and order by marking out the boundaries to end the domination of Thy enemies. O Allah send blessings on him and on all his forefathers, and let us be his companions and familiar friends, bring us back to life so that he takes us in his service, so far as we prove ourselves his staunch supporters during his tenure. O Allah make us reach his days of renaissance and follow his leadership, and see with our own eyes his (golden) era, send blessings on him and favour us by conveying his message of goodwill to us, peace be on him and Allah's mercy and blessing be on him. ALLAAHUMMA DAAH’IYAL KAA’-BAH WA FAALIQAL H’ABBAH WA S’AARIFAL LAZBAH WA KAASHIFA KULLI KURBAH AS—ALUKA FEE HAAD’AL YAWM MIN AYYAAMIKAL LATEE AA’—Z’AMTA H’AQQAHHA WA AQDAMTA SABQAHAA WA JA—A’LTAHAA I’NDAL MOO—MINEENA WADEE-A’TAN WAILAYKA D’AREE A’TAN WA BI—RAH’MATIKAL WASEE—A’H AN TUS’ALLIYA A’LAA MUH’AMMADIN A’BDIKAL MUNTAJAB FIL MEETHAAQIL QAREEBI YAMAT TALAAQ FAATIQI KULLI RATQIN WA DAA—I’N ILAA KULLI H’AQQ WA A’LAA AHLI BAYTIHEE AL—AT’—HAARIL HUDAATIL MANAAR DA—A’A—IMIL JABBAAR WA WULAATIL JANNATI WAN NAAR WA AA’—T’INAA FEE YAWMINAA HAAD’AA MIN A’T’AAA—IKAL MAKHZOON GHAYRA MAQT’OO—I’N WA LAA MAMNOO—I’N TAJMA—U’LANAA BIHIT TAWBAH WA H’USNAL AWBAH YAA KHAYRA MAD—U’WWIN WA AKRAMA MARJUWWIN YAA KAFIYYU YAA WAFIYYU YAA MAN LUT’FUHU KHAFIYYUN ULT’UF LEE BI—LUT’FIKA WA AS—I’DNEE BI—A’FWIKA WA AYYIDNEE BI—NAS’RIKA WA LAA TUNSINEE KAREEMA D’IKRIKA BI—WULAATI AMRIKA WA H’AFAZ’ATI SIRRIKA WAH’—FAZ’NEE MIN SHAWAAYIBID DAHR ILAA YAWMIL H’ASHR WAN NASHR WA ASH—HIDNEE AWLIYAA—IKA I’NDA KHUROOJI NAFSEE WA H’ULOOLI RAMSEE WAN—QIT’AA—I’ A’MALEE WAN—QIZ”AAA—I AJALEE ALLAAHUMMA WAD’—KURNEE A’LAA T’OOLIL BILAA ID’AA H’ALALTU BAYNA AT’BAAQITH THARAA WA NASIYANIN NAASOONA MINAL WARAA WA AH’LILNEE DAARAL MUQAAMAH WA BAWWI—NEE MANZILAL KARAAMAH WAJ—A’LNEE MIN MURAAFIQEE AWLIYAAA—IKA WA AHLIJ—TIBAAA—IKA WAS’—T’IFAAA—IKA WA BAARIK LEE FEE LIQAAA—IKA WAR—ZUQNEE H’USNAL A’MAL QABLA H’ULOOLIL AJAL BAREE—AN MINAZ ZALALI WA SOOO—IL KHAT’AL ALLAAHUMMA WA AWRIDNEE H’AWZ”A NABIYYIKA MUH’AMMADIN S’ALLALLAAHU A’LAYHI WA AALIHEE WAS—QINEE MINHU MASHRABAN RAWIYYAN SAA—IGHAN HANEE—AA LAA AZ’MA—U BAA’—DAHU WA LAA UH’ALLA—WIRDAHU WA LAA A’NHU UD’AADU WAJ—A’LHU LEE KHAYRA ZAADIN WA AWFAA MEE—A’ADIN YAWMA YAQOOMUL ASH—HAAD ALLAAHUMMA WAL-A’N JABAABIRATAL AWAALEENA WAL—AAKHIREEN WA BIH’UQOOQI AWLIYAAA—IKAL MUSTAATHIREEN ALLAAHUMMA WAQ—S’IM DA—A’A—IMAHUM WA AHLIK ASHYAA—A’HUM WA A’AMILAHUM WA A’JJIL MAHAALIKAHUM WAS—LUBHUM MAMAALIKAHUM WA Z”AYYIQ A’LAYHIM MASAALIKAHUM WAL—A’N MUSAAHIMAHUM WA MUSHAARIKAHUM ALLAAHUMMA WA A’JJIL FARAJA AWALIYAA—IKA WAR—DUD A’LAYHIM MAZ’AALIMAHUM WA AZ’HIR BIL—H’AQQI QAAA—IMAHUM WAJ—A’LHU LIDEENIKA MUNTAS’IRAA WA BI—AMRIKA FEE AA’—DAAA—IKA MUWTIMARAA ALLAAHUMMAH’—FUFHU BI—MALAAA—IKATIN NAS’R WA BIMAA ALQAYTA ILAYHI MINAL AMRI FEE LAYLATIL QADR MUNTAQIMAN LAKA H’ATTAA TARZ”AA WA YA—O’ODA DEENUKA BIHEE WA A’LAA YADAYHI JADEEDAN GHAZ”Z”AA WA YAMH’AZ”AL H’AQQA MAH’Z”AA WA YARFIZ” AL BAAT’ILA RAFZ”AA ALAAHUMMA S’ALLI A’LAYHI WA A’LAA JAMEE—I’ AABAA—IHI WAJ—A’LNAA MIN S’AH’BIHI WA USRATIHI WAB—A’THNAA FEE KARRATIHI H’ATTAA NAKOONA FEE ZAMAANIHI MIN AA’—WAANIHEE ALAAHUMMA ADRIK BINAA QIYAAMAHU WA ASH-HIDNAA AYYAAMAHU WA S’ALLI A’LAYHI WAR—DUD ILAYNAA SALAAMAHU WASSALAAMU A’LAYHI WA RAH’MATULLAAHI WA BARAKAATUH It is desirable to recite the Ziyaarat of Imam Ali bin Moosa Ar Riza (A.S.) 25th Zilqad " Dahwul Ardh" The Spreading of the Earth Day & birthday of Prophet Ibrahim (A.S.) and Prophet E'esaa (A.S.) Almighty Allah in Surat al-Nazi'aat 79:30 speaking clearly about dahwul ardh says: "and the earth-after that He spread it out (dahahaa).." 1. What is Dahwul Ardh ? "Dahwul Ardh" - the 25th of Dhulqa'dah, according to a tradition of the Holy Prophet (s) reported by one of his Sahabi - 'Abdullah bin Mas'ud , is the day when the earth was spread for the advantage of human beings. The phrase "Dahwul Ardh" literally means "The spread of the earth". In another tradition it is reported that the first Rahmah & blessing descended on this very day. Hence it is a very important occasion indeed. According to a tradition of the Holy Prophet (s), whosoever fasts on this day his fast would equal 70 years of fasting. Having known these merits, should we limit our celebration with fasting and the expression of joy, or should our struggle transcend beyond that? This obviously would depend on our vision about this important day. And in order to understand properly the importance of this day, we should understand the earth better. Understanding the Earth Better We would like to now ask the Holy Qur'an two basic questions about the earth: A) WHY WAS THE EARTH CREATED? The Holy Qur'an in chapter 20, verse 53 says:"He who appointed the earth to be a cradle for you." Allamah Tabataba'i in his Al-Mizan says:"Thus Allah stationed man in the earth to live an earthly life, so that he may earn a provision for his heavenly and exalted life, in the manner that a baby is stationed in the cradle, and is brought up for a more sacred and developed life..." (vol. 14, pg. 171) From this we come to realize that the earth was created as a preparing ground & means for human perfection and the purity of the heart. Sadly, however, many a people, instead of maintaining it for a good Hereafter, tend to destroy it for selfish gains. B) DO THE HUMAN BEINGS EMPLOY THE EARTH FOR THE PURPOSE IT WAS CREATED? The Holy Qur'an in chapter 30, verse 41 clearly talks of a people who instead of practically thanking Allah (swt) by utilizing the earth for its sacred purpose cause mischief therein and subsequently face its evil consequences: "Corruption has appeared in the land and sea, for that men's own hands have earned, that He may let them taste some of that which they have done, that haply so they may return." And in chapter 7, verse 10, Almighty Allah says:"Indeed We made you live in the earth and made therein for you the means of livelihood; little is it that you thank." In this verse, "little is it that you thank" should not merely taken as "verbal thanks," for the reality of "shukr" is to use the gift for the purpose it was created. |
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