Tribute to Bahjat al-‘Aarifin:

He was known as Bahjat al-‘Aarifin (the splendor of the Gnostics) and profusely emanated the light of devotion, such that lovers throughout the world were fascinated by his noble spirit. He was well-known for his absorption in prayer, where the true munajat (mutual whispering) between the lover and the Beloved is clearly revealed. In most cases, the awe and veneration of the Infinite would apparently overcome him and he would weep from the depths of his heart in prayer.

Although the world came to know him after a long period of his life of splendor, this elevated spirit was known to enjoy great stations of spiritual perfection since his youth. He personified religion in both its exoteric as well as esoteric dimensions. Exoterically he revealed his brilliance as a faqih (referral authority in Divine laws), and esoterically he exhibited the splendor of an absorbed mystic in the alley of the beloved. One of the significant things which powerfully emanated from that great ‘aarif was his steadfastness on the path of the only Beloved. The Holy Qur’an says: “Indeed those who say our Lord is Allah, and then are steadfast, angels descend on them saying: Fear not, nor be grieved, and receive good news of the garden which you were promised…” (41:30)


Some of his spiritual teachings to those thirsty in pursuing the path of spiritual development are as follows [see: http://www.mtb.ir/]:
1- There is no litany [ dhikr - word of remembering God] more exalted then the litany of action; and there is no litany of action higher than abandoning sin in [one’s] beliefs and acts of devotion. And apparently, abandoning sin in the absolute sense without continual self-vigilance cannot take place.
2- Among the dictums of ‘Ali (‘A) is: “Know that every action of yours is according to your prayer (sala).” You must protect your five times daily prayer in the beginning of their times and with total inclination to Him (Almighty is He), and God-willing you will not lose felicity.
3- We must deal with [the holy] traditions and read them, for [the] cure is in them.
4- If a person realizes the purpose of creation, he would find it extremely sweet to [die as a martyr and] be restored back to life seventy times.
5- The prayer of night (salat al-layl) is the key to occasions of Divine succor (tawfiqaat)
6- It is these very supererogatory (mustahabb) acts that make the human being attain a great station.
7- The reason why we are left behind is our consumption of doubtful wealth; and doubtful wealth brings about doubts and ambiguity.
8- God knows when a human being send greetings to Muhammad and his progeny (i.e. recites salawat) one time and gifts that to the deceased soul, what kind of meaning, form and reality it has!

When a scholar of the caliber of Ayatullah Muhammad Taqi Bahjat (may Allah elevate his noble spirit) tears the curtains of this material world and releases the bird of his spirit from the cage of the corporeal body, the moths of love residing in this terrestrial realm suffer a loss which cannot be recuperated. Bahjat al-‘Arifeen not only served as a lamp for expounding the Shari’a (the Islamic laws), but also as a master for guiding towards the tariqa (the path) which leads to the haqiqa (the Ultimate Reality). The human being fundamentally has been brought in this transient world for this very purpose. The word shari’a which we commonly translate as the Islamic law literally signifies mawrid al-maa’ al-jaari (‘the entrance of flowing water’). When we say shari’at al-Furat, for example, we mean “the entrance of the flowing waters of Euphrates”. But Religion only serves as the shari‘a for those of us who would really like to “enter the flowing spiritual waters” and benefit from the same so that we may attain the haqiqa (Absolute Reality).
Although Bahjat al-‘Arifin is not among us, the brilliance of his splendor can still be felt. Rather, when does the splendor of such a lamp ever fade? Which lamp was lit by the teachings of Muhammad and His infallible progeny (peace be upon them), and did not turn immortal and eternal?

By Sh. Muhammad Khalfan

An Important Rule Often Neglected 26

A Code of Practice For Muslims in the West : Women's issues » General Rules
Fatawa of Ayatullah al Uzama Syed Ali al-Husaini Seestani


450: It is not permissible for a woman to expose the top part of her feet to a non-mahram onlooker. However, she is allowed to keep her feet —top as well as sole— exposed during salat, if she is in a place where she is immune from the looks of a non-mahram person.

Allah's praise from one of His beloved servants (as)

(and a little souvenir at the end)

Al-Zuhri related from Sa'id ibn al-Musayyib.
He said: The people were not going out of Mecca until Ali ibn al-Husayn (Al-Sajjad), the chief of the worshippers (upon him be peace) went out. 
So he went out, and they went out with him.
He stopped in one of the way stations and prayed two rak'as. Then he glorified God - I mean with this glorification - during his prostration. 
There was no tree and no clod of earth that did not glorify along with him, so we were frightened.
He raised his head. 
He said: O Sa'id, are you frightened? I said: Yes, O son of the Messenger of God! 
He said: This is the greatest glorification. It was related to me by my father from his grandfather from the Messenger of God (God bless him and his Household).
No sins remain with this glorification.
When God (majestic is His majesty) created Gabriel, He inspired him with this glorification.
It is God's greatest name.

One of his Glorifications of Allah (Sahifa Al-Sajjadiyya - Number 56 - please refer to the arabic recitation online)

1  Glory be to Thee, O God,
          and I beg Thy loving care! 
2  Glory be to Thee, O God,
          and high art Thou exalted! 
3  Glory be to Thee, O God,
          and might is Thy loincloth!
4  Glory be to Thee, O God,
          and mightiness is Thy cloak! 
5  Glory be to Thee, O God,
          and magnificence is Thy authority! 
6  Glory be to Thee, All-Mighty!
          How mighty Thou art! 
7  Glory be to Thee!
          Thou art glorified in the highest!
          Thou hearest and seest what is under the soil!
8  Glory be to Thee!
          Thou art witness over every whispered conversation!
9  Glory be to Thee,
          the place where every complaint is put down! 
10  Glory be to Thee,
          present in every assembly! 
11  Glory be to Thee,
          object of great hopes! 
12  Glory be to Thee!
          Thou seest what is at the lowest depth of the water! 
13  Glory be to Thee!
          Thou hearest the breaths of the fish
          in the lowest depths of the oceans! 
14  Glory be to Thee!
          Thou knowest the weight of the heavens! 
15  Glory be to Thee!
          Thou knowest the weight of the earths! 
16  Glory be to Thee!
          Thou knowest the weight of the sun and the moon! 
17  Glory be to Thee!
          Thou knowest the weight of the darkness and the light! 
18  Glory be to Thee!
          Thou knowest the weight of the shadow and the air! 
19  Glory be to Thee!
          Thou knowest the weight of the wind,
          how many times it is greater than the weight of a dust mote! 
20  Glory be to Thee,
          All-holy, All-holy, All-holy! 
21  Glory be to Thee!
          I wonder how any who knows Thee could fear Thee not! 
22  Glory be to Thee, O God,
          and Thine is the praise! 
23  Glory be to God, the All-high, the All-Mighty!