'O God, carry us in the ships of Thy deliverance, give us to enjoy the pleasure of whispered prayer to Thee, make us drink at the pools of Thy love, let us taste the sweetness of Thy affection and nearness, allow us to struggle in Thee, preoccupy us with obeying Thee, and purify our intentions in devoting works to Thee, for we exist through Thee and belong to Thee, and we have no one to mediate with Thee but Thee!' Imam Sajjad ('A); Sahifa al-Sajjadiyya

Monday 22 March 2010

Imam Sadiq (a)'s advice to Jabir

[Amaali of Sh Tousi]


Abu Ali Hasan bin Mohamed bin Hasan al-Tousi narrates from a chain of narrators going up to Jabir bin Yazid Al-Jo'fi who said:
I served our master, Imam Abu Jaafar Muhammad Bin Ali (a) for 18 years. When I wanted to leave him, I asked him for some advice.
He (Imam Muhammad Bin Ali) said, 'Are you asking me for (more) advice after being with us for 18 years?'
I replied, 'Yes, you are the the sea of endless water whose depth cannot be measured.'
He said, 'O Jabir! Convey my Salaam to my Shia. Tell them that we are not Allah's relatives and that no one can attain nearness to Allah except through obedience.
O Jabir! Those who obey Allah and love us are considered our followers and those who disobey Allah will not find our love helpful.
O Jabir! Has there been anyone who has asked Allah and not found an answer, or has depended on Allah and has been disappointed, or has trusted Allah and has not been saved?
O Jabir! Think about this life as a short, temporary stop. This life is nothing but a horse on which you ride in a dream, and when you wake up you find yourself in your bed, not riding anything nor holding on to a bridle. This life is nothing but a dream in which you are wearing beautiful clothes or having intimate relations with a woman.
O Jabir! In the eyes of the intelligent, this world is a reward for those who have gone astray.
O Jabir!
The statement of 'Laa ilaha Ilallah' is the support for those who invite people towards Allah.
Salaat is the confirmation of (ones) loyalty and the reliever from arrogance.
Zakaat increases sustenance.
Siyaam and Hajj calm the hearts.
Qisaas (retribution) protects people's safety, and
believing in the rights of the family of the Prophet is the core root of the religion.

May Allah make us and you among, '21:49''