An Important Rule Often Neglected 22

A Code of Practice for Muslims in the West: Work and Investment » General Rules
(page 146 and pg 150 in the printed copies)
Fatawa of Ayatullah al Uzama Syed Ali al-Husaini Seestani

249: It is not permissible for a Muslim to buy products of the countries that are in a state of war with Islam and Muslims, for example, Israel. (See the question-answer section below.)

265: Question: Is it permissible to buy goods from companies that allocate part of their profits to supporting Israel?
Answer: We do not allow that.

Listing the brands: http://www.inminds.co.uk/boycott-brands.html

An Important Rule Often Neglected 21

Islamic Laws : Congregational prayers » Rules of congregational prayers
Fatawa of Ayatullah al Uzama Syed Ali al-Husaini Seestani


1476. The follower should not say Takbiratul ehram before the Imam.
As an obligatory precaution, he should not say the takbir until the takbir of the Imam is completed.

Proximity through Al Hussein

[A form of Tasbeeh & the 7 Takbeer's before Salaah]

Through my chain of transmitters reaching Shaikh ut Taifa Abu Ja'far Toosi, who relates from Shaikh Mufeed, who relates from Ibne Qawlawayh, from his father, from Sa'ad, from Barqi, from Sulayman bin Muslim Kindi, from Ibne Ghazawan, from Isa bin Abi Mansoor, from Aban bin Taghlib, who relates from Imam Ja'far as Sadiq (a.s) that he said,
"The sorrowful sigh over the oppression which have been inflicted upon us is glorification, and grief upon us is worship. And guarding our secrets carries the reward of struggle in the path of Allah."
Then he retorted,
"Verily it is necessary that this tradition be written in gold."

In the book Manaqib it is quoted through Hafs bin Ghiyas from Imam Ja'far as Sadiq (a.s), that one day the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s) prepared to recite the Prayers and Imam Husain (a.s) was standing besides him. The Prophet recited the Takbeer (Allaho Akbar) and Imam could not pronounce it. The Prophet repeated it again but Imam could not do so.
The Prophet repeated his Takbeer seven times and on the seventh time Husain recited it correct­ly.
Imam Sadiq (a.s) says that thus reciting Takbeer seven times before starting the Prayers (Salat) is recommended (Sunnah).

Karbala - a lofty aspect!

One very important dimension of the Institution of Karbala overlooked by so many of us is its spiritual dimension.
Scholars of gnosis (‘irfaan) however have contemplated over this dimension and narrated so much for us to learn and benefit.

In order to make us closer to tangibly perceive the inner dimension of the Karbala event, perhaps the most eloquent revelation is that of Hadhrat Zaynab (‘a), the daughter of Imam ‘Ali (‘a) when asked by Ibn Ziyad how Allah dealt with her brother (Husayn ('a)) and family.
It is narrated that when this was asked, she said: Maa ra’aytu illa jameela (“I did not vision save beauty”). O Zaynab (‘a), when we narrate the tragedy of Karbala nothing but sorrow develops and increases in our hearts.


What other version of Karbala do you have? What beauty is this that whereas you were able to comprehend, most of the narrators of the tragic incident were in oblivion? It is here when we come to realize that beyond this material realm of plurality and conflict (tazaahum), is a realm of unity, harmony, love and beauty which can only be perceived by those who are spiritually united with that realm.


Sayyid Muhammad Husayn al-Tehrani in his Spirit Immaterial (Ruhe Mujarrad) quotes his mentor in ‘irfaan (Divine gnosis), Sayyid Haddad al-Musawi to have said:
“Ashura is a day of which if only a fraction were to be unveiled for the spiritual wayfarers and ardent lovers, it would keep them in a state of bewilderment out of extreme ecstasy until the end of their lives, and they would fall into the state of prostration until the judgment day, out of gratitude to Allah.” (http://www.maarefislam.com/).


Here is Zaynab (‘a) with a lofty spirit, and here is Karbala with all the different calamities. Whereas others beheld what apparently transpired, her penetrating vision tore the veils of this transient realm and apprehended the kernel which according to her was nothing save beauty.


She was of a personality who would tangibly understand and experience the prophetic tradition “Paradise is under the shadows of swords” (Al-jannatu tahta zilaal al-suyoof). She had complete realization of her father’s statement “calamities are bestowals of Allah” (Al-masaa’ibu minhun min Allah”)…
by Sh. Muhammad Khalfan