Degrees of Fast observers at Sahri and Iftar; and a prescription for those times

Haj Mirza Javad Agha Maliki Tabrizi

Fast observers from the point of view of their intention (niyyat) for eating at dawn (sahri) and fast breaking (iftar) may be classified as follows:

1. Those who do not make any special intention for eating sahri and iftar and simply eat to enjoy the food taste as well as to make up for the hunger during the fasting.

2. Those who eat sahri and iftar with the intention of enjoying the food taste and make up for the hunger, but at the same time with the intention that eating sahri and iftar are recommended (mustahab) and help a person in his worshipping.

3. Those who eat sahri and iftar because, it is recommended, Allah likes it, and it helps a person in worshipping, but in addition to that also pay due regard to special etiquette and instructions about sahri and iftar - etiquette such as recital of Holy Qur'an, engaging in special supplications before, after, and during sahri and iftar, and praising and thanking Allah (the Glorious, the Exalted).

Special Etiquette
One of the most important etiquette and instruction is the recital of Surah al-Qadr (Power) before taking sahri and iftar as well as recital of the illustrious and illuminated supplication:
"Allahuma rabb al-nur al-'adheem" (Allah is the possessor of great illumination)
which has been given in the book of Iqbal written by the most esteemed and famous scholar Sayyid ibn Taoos.

About this supplication it has been narrated from Imam al-Sadiq [a] that the Holy Prophet [s] has recommended recital of this prayer to Commander of the Faithful [s] Imam 'Ali [a] and said that Archangel Gabriel came to me and said:
"Whoever in the Holy Month of Ramadhan before iftar recites this prayer, Allah answers his prayer, accepts his prayer and fasting, grants his ten requirements, forgives his sins, removes his grief, makes his heart at ease, grants his wishes, makes his deeds to ascend upward with the deeds of prophets and righteous saints, and on the Day of Judgement brings him to His presence with a face illuminated like bright moon."

Suluk-i Arifan; Haj Mirza Javad Agha Maliki Tabrizi

Four major things the 12th Imam will perform...

[Ayatullah al-Uzma Shaykh Nasir Makarim Shirazi]
PART 2

At the head of all the things that the Imam will perform, we see in the tradition that there are four major things which he will do which we summarize as being:

1. Correcting the Theological Beliefs:
“There will not remain a single stone house, mud house, nor a tent upon the entire Earth except the word (teachings) of Islam will be in that place (and thus, polytheism will no longer exist).” [Tafsir al-Qurtubi [Imam Abu `Abdullah Muhammad ibn Ahmad ibn Abu Bakr al-Ansari al-Qurtubi], vol. 12, pg. 300]

2. Completion of the Intelligence: The advancement of knowledge and intelligence will also take place (at this time), just as the late 'Allamah Majlisi  makes clear by quoting a tradition from the Infallibles in relation to this point:
“When our Qaim makes his advent, he will place his hand over the heads of the servants…” It is possible that this means that people will be under the direction and guidance of the Imam. “…so then (through this act), he will gather together their intelligence and complete their knowledge.” [Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 52, pg. 338]

3. Justice and Equality: In the various traditions, it has been mentioned that:
“He (the Imam) will fill the Earth with justice and equality just as it had been filled with oppression and tyranny.” [Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 14, pg. 33]

4. Correction of the Moral Ethical Traits:
From the traditions which speak about the signs at the end of time, we can deduce that removing all of the corrupt ethical traits and bringing back the moral values of Islam back to life will be the duty of the Imam.
There are also traditions which state that before the advent of Imam al-Qaim (as), many corrupt ethical traits such as: adultery, theft, bribery, selling less that what one paid for, the drinking of alcohol, murdering of countless innocent people and other such sins will be very common.
Thus, the meaning of this tradition is that when Imam al-Mahdi (as) rises up to remove and eradicate all of these things, the entire valued and cherished system of moral ethics would already be completely destroyed and it is Imam al-Mahdi (as) who will restore it.

That person who wishes to be a helper of the Imam must work tirelessly in these four points mentioned and the one who does not possess any of these four points within himself, however prays to Allah (SwT) to make him of the helpers of the Imam (as) will see that his prayers will be far from being answered.

If it was made completely clear for what reasons the Imam would make his advent, then this would definitely change the face of the society.

One who does not possess any of these traits can not expect to stand in the ranks with the Imam. Therefore, it is very good that we actively do something to call the attention of the people towards the goals and objectives of the Imam so that all of us can mound ourselves to becoming better human beings.

The most hopeful ayah in the book of Allah

Tafsir al-Ayyashi, by Muhammad b. Mas’ud al-Ayyashi, from Abu Hamza Thumali, vol 2, p.161

Once, Amir al-Mu'mineen Imam Ali (a) was sitting with some people and he asked them, "Which verse from the book of Allah gives you the most hope?"

Some of the people quoted:
إِنَّ اللّهَ لاَ يَغْفِرُ أَن يُشْرَكَ بِهِ وَيَغْفِرُ مَا دُونَ ذَلِكَ لِمَن يَشَاء وَمَن يُشْرِكْ بِاللّهِ فَقَدِ افْتَرَى إِثْمًا عَظِيمًا
"Allah does not forgive shirk but he grants forgiveness for all but that (sin) to whomever he pleases" (Surat al-Nisa). He (a) said, "That is good but it is not the one." [4:48]

Then others among them quoted,
قُلْ يَا عِبَادِيَ الَّذِينَ أَسْرَفُوا عَلَى أَنفُسِهِمْ لَا تَقْنَطُوا مِن رَّحْمَةِ اللَّهِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ جَمِيعًا إِنَّهُ هُوَ الْغَفُورُ الرَّحِيمُ
"Say, O' My servants who have committed excesses against themselves! Do not despair of the mercy of Allah! Surely Allah forgives all sins..." (Surat al-Zumur). He (a) said, "That is good but it is not the one." [39:53]

Then others said that it is the aya:
وَمَن يَعْمَلْ سُوءًا أَوْ يَظْلِمْ نَفْسَهُ ثُمَّ يَسْتَغْفِرِ اللّهَ يَجِدِ اللّهَ غَفُورًا رَّحِيمًا
"Whoever does an evil deed or is unjust to himself and then does istighfaar will find Allah to be Forgiving and Merciful" (Surat al-Nisa). He (a) said, "That is good but it is not the one." [4:110]

Others said it is the aya:
وَالَّذِينَ إِذَا فَعَلُواْ فَاحِشَةً أَوْ ظَلَمُواْ أَنْفُسَهُمْ ذَكَرُواْ اللّهَ فَاسْتَغْفَرُواْ لِذُنُوبِهِمْ وَمَن يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ إِلاَّ اللّهُ وَلَمْ يُصِرُّواْ عَلَى مَا فَعَلُواْ وَهُمْ يَعْلَمُونَ
"(The pious are) those who, when they commit an evil act or are unjust to themselves, do dhikr of Allah and istighfaar for their sins. And who can forgive [literally: cover the stain of] sins except Allah?..." (Surat Aal-i-Imran) but the Imam (a) again said, "That is good but it is not the one." [3:135]

The people then fell silent and the Imam (a) asked them, "What else, O' assembly of Muslims?" They said, "Wallaah, we have nothing else to say."

He (a) said, I heard my beloved, the Messenger of Allah, say: The most hopeful ayat in the book of Allah is
وَأَقِمِ الصَّلاَةَ طَرَفَيِ النَّهَارِ وَزُلَفًا مِّنَ اللَّيْلِ إِنَّ الْحَسَنَاتِ يُذْهِبْنَ السَّـيِّئَاتِ ذَلِكَ ذِكْرَى لِلذَّاكِرِينَ
"And establish the prayers (wa aqim al-salaata) at two parts of the day and in the first part of the night. Indeed good acts wipe away evil deeds. This is but a reminder to those who are mindful" (Surat Hud, verse 114).

Supplication that moves the Arsh of Allah

(Bihar al-Anwar 92: 190)

"One of the supplications of Jesus with our chain of narrators to Sa'id ibn Hibatullah al- Rawandi, may Allah have mercy on him, from the book, Qasas al- Anbiya' (Stories of the Prophets), with a chain of narrators to Imam al-Sadiq ('a) from his forefathers, peace be with them, that the Prophet, may the blessings of Allah be with him, said,
"When the Jews gathered before Jesus ('a) to kill him, as they imagined, Gabriel ('a) came to him and covered him with his wing. Then Jesus looked at him carefully. There was writing within Gabriel and it was:

اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَدْعُوكَ بِاسْمِكَ الْوَاحِدِ الْأَعَزِّ وَ أَدْعُوكَ اللَّهُمَّ بِاسْمِكَ الصَّمَدِ وَ أَدْعُوكَ اللَّهُمَّ بِاسْمِكَ الْعَظِيمِ الْوَتْرِ وَ أَدْعُوكَ اللَّهُمَّ بِاسْمِكَ الْكَبِيرِ الْمُتَعَالِ الَّذِي ثَبَّتَ أَرْكَانَكَ كُلَّهَا أَنْ تَكْشِفَ عَنِّي مَا أَصْبَحْتُ وَ أَمْسَيْتُ فِيه

'O Allah! I call You by Your most mighty name, al-Wahid (the One), and I call You, O Allah, by Your name, al Samad (the Everlasting Refuge), and I call You, O Allah, by Your single name, al-A dh im (the Majestic), and I call You, O Allah, by Your exalted name, al-Kabir (the Great), by which all Your pillars stand firm, remove the troubles I have morning and night.'

When Jesus ('a) called him by this, Allah revealed to Gabriel, 'Raise him to Me."' Then the Messenger of Allah, may the blessing of Allah be with him, said, "O children of 'Abd al-Mutallib! Beseech your Lord by these words. By Allah, in Whose hand is my soul! No servant has called upon Him with these words without the throne being moved, and without Allah saying to the angels, 'Bear witness that I, verily, answered him for these words and gave him what he asked in the transient world and in the term of the hereafter."' Then he said to his companions, "Beseech [Allah] by these words and do not delay [His] answer."

Cure in the Ha'air of al-Husayn [a]

The Chief Scholar, Ibn Qulawayh al-Qummi, Kaamil al-Ziyarat, Addendum

My father and Muhammad ibn Hassan both narrates to me from Hasah ibn Mattil, from Sahl ibn Ziyad, from Abi Hashim al-Ja'fari (refers to Dawud ibn Qasim ibn Ishaq ibn Abdillah ibn Ja'far ibn Abi Talib [as] who was one of the high ranked and noble companions of the AhlulBayt [as] and the companion of Imam Rida, Imam Jawad, Imam Hadi and Imam al-Askari [as])

When Abul Hassan (Imam al-Haadi [as]) was ill, he sent for Muhammad ibn Hamzah and I.Muhammad ibn Hamzah arrived there before I did and told me that Imam [as] kept saying, 'Send some one (on my behalf) to the Haa'ir! Send some one (on my behalf) to the Haa'ir!'
I said to Muhammad ibn Hamzah, 'Why did you not say that you would go to the Haa'ir (on his behalf)?!'

Then I went to the Imam [as] and said, 'May I sacrifice myself for you! I will go the Haa'ir.'
Imam replied, 'Plan it carefully, for Muhammad cannot keep this matter hidden from Zayd ibn Ali and I do not want him to find out about this.'

I mentioned this to Ali ibn Bilal and he asked, 'Why does the Imam [as] want to send someone to the Haa'ir while he is (as sacred as) the Haa'ir?!'
I went back to Askar (Samarra) and went to visit the Imam [as]. When I was about to leave, the Imam [as] asked me to stay. Once I felt comfortable, I mentioned that which Ali ibn Bilal had said.
Therefore the Imam said:
'Why did you not reply to him saying that the Messenger of Allah [saw] used to circumambulate the Kaaba and kiss the Hajar al-Aswad even though the sanctity of theProphet [saw] and even a believer is greater than the sanctity of the House of Allah?!
(Moreover), Allah ordered him (the Prophet [saw]) to go to Arafah and stay in it (while he is more sacred than Arafah). This is because these are places in which Allah loves to be called upon.
And I love to have someone pray for me in a place where Allah loves to be called upon, and the Haa'ir is one of these places.'

 Similar narration 
Al-Amili, Wasail al-Shia, v.14, p. 537 (Extract from 'The Sacred Effusion', Sh Muhammad Khalfan)

It is narrated that Imam al-Sadiq (a) once got ill, and ordered someone who was near him to tell his people to hire someone, so that he may pray for him near the grave of al-Husayn (a). So they found a person, and told him to do what is required.
He said: I will go, but al-Husayn (a) is an Imam who must be compulsorily obeyed (muftarad al-ta'a) and he (i.e. Imam al-Sadiq [a]) [likewise] is an Imam who must be compulsorily obeyed.[Aren’t they equal in status?]
So they went to Imam al-Sadiq (a) and informed him what the person had said. The Imam (a) said: What he said is correct. However, is he not aware that Allah has places, wherein supplications are accepted. And that spot [i.e. near the grave of al-Husayn (a)] is among those places.

LAYLATUL QADR

lengthy but a vital piece - in preparation for the grand night!


1. Is there a need to prepare for Lailatul Qadr?
In order to answer this, let us define what the word PREPARE means?


Simply, put it means to make ready or fit, to bring into a suitable state, to make one ready 
For e.g. when we want to prepare a meal, or go out for an event, we must have a GOAL in mind. 
As in what is my end result, the final dish or my final destination where I wish to end up. 


And as per the subject under discussion i.e. “Preparing for Lailatul Qadr” our GOAL is to take full benefit/make full use of the BOUNTIES & RAHMA that Allah (swt) bestows opens us in this night of LAYLATUL QADR.


It is important that we first understand the significance of LAYLATUL QADR in order that we know what sort of ‘ingredients’ are required for our preparation to reach the Ultimate Goal which is earning the pleasure of Allah (swt) 


2. What is Laylatul Qadr therefore?
You are all aware of its importance so I will just briefly re-run through it 


In surah AL Qadr Allah (swt) clearly states: "Surely We revealed it (the Holy Qur'an) on the grand night. And what will make you comprehend what the grand night. The grand night is better than a thousand months. The angels and Gabriel descend in it by the permission of their Lord for every affair, Peace! It is till the break of the morning." (97:1-5)


Allah (swt) is inviting all the believers for a Divine feast; the invitation which has been brought by the messengers. Allah (swt) is the host, his most favorite angels are the servants and the believers are the guests. The table isDivine blessings spread with  containing all sorts of rewards and favors. Though the eyes cannot see them nor the ears hear them not the human hearts imagine them, yet the bounties are all kept in readiness to be awarded to the guests in accordance to her actions.


Lailatul-Qadr is a blessed night because the Almighty brings down during it goodness, bliss, and forgiveness for His servants. It is a feast which has come with a message that shows one the way to achieve happiness in both the worlds. Laylatul Qadr is a feast for the spirit, a feast of worship and prayers.


Ahadith indicate that the fate of every believer for the coming year is decreed on this night. 


When our Prophet (saw) was asked how man could enjoy the favors and good grace of proximity to, and mercy of, Allah (swt) he quoted Nabi Musa’s (as) supplication: 
“Oh My God, I seek proximity to You; He (Allah) said: Proximity to Me is for him who stays awake on Laylatul Qadr
“Oh My God, I am in need of Your Mercy; He said: My Mercy is for him who shows mercy to the poor on Laylatul Qadr
“Oh My God, I am in need of the passport to cross the bridge; He said: that is for him who give alms on Laylatul Qadr 
“Oh My God, I am in need of the trees in Paradise and their fruits; He said: that is for him who seeks forgiveness on Laylatul Qadr
“Oh My God, I seek deliverance from fire; He said: that is for him who remembers Allah on Laylatul Qadr
“Oh My God, I seek Your good pleasure; He said: that is for him who says a two rakat prayer on Laylatul Qadr


On another occasion Nabi Musa (as) said: “Oh My God, are You far away that I shout to You, or are You near that I whisper to You?” He said: “O Musa, I am sitting together with you!”


3. What do we therefore have to remind ourselves about Laylatul Qadr? 
That it is: 
• A unique once in a year opportunity to do a life times worth of activity.
• Full of long lasting blessings 
• The night of unsurpassed grandeur when the absolute Grand God revealed the Grand qur’an through the Grand Wahy - Jibraeel into the heart of the Grand Holy Prophet (saw)


• A once in a year occasion for influencing our future destiny - “QADR” - taqdeer. The Masumeen have explained to us that god in his infinite wisdom had planned the system of the universe in such a way that every persons destiny will be determined on a yearly basis in the angelic spheres through the agency of the imam of the age. Who is the leader and focus of the whole spiritual world) this gives MANKIND a unique opportunity to influence his own future (gains, loss/health/sickness, richness/poverty/ etc by performing certain acts, e.g. dua salat, sadaqah, jihad, acquiring knowledge, quran recitation etc.


• The night when the whole multitude of angels and the great spirit (ruh) descend on earth, greeting and praying for the believers and conveying messages to the Imam of age. 


4. Do we than still need to PREPARE OURSELVES FOR LAYLATUL QADR after knowing its significance?


Yes, Let us imagine for a moment that we are invited for a special feast by the president of our country, who also tells us in advance that he is going to reward us with magnificent gifts as per the way we present and behave ourselves during the feast -


 What would we do ? 


After the initial euphoria, we would leave no stone unturned to present themselves in the best possible manner. Preparations of what to wear, how to get there, what will I speak with the president, If I have to go through his secretary what will I say to him, what sort of gifts will I take with me, what sort of conversation with I have with him, all this and more will be thought about, rehearsed and re-rehearsed. Correct me if I am wrong!!


All this ‘tension’ in honor of an invitation from the President of a country. Lailatul Qadr is an invitation from the President of all Presidents, The Supreme One. Do we need to make preparations for this night?


Undoubtedly, we must start our preparations way ahead of time, after all going by human fitra, there is more than profit that can be got from this feast of Lailatul Qadr unless out of sheer carelessness we end up amongst those negligent and idle ones, who do not achieve anything except tiredness, loss and eternal doom, who will gain nothing except regret and cry out aloud on the day of Reckoning:


"Ah! Woe upon me! In that I neglected (my duty) towards Allah."


5. What sort of Pre-preparations are needed before the advent of this grand Qadr?
Jibrael was asked; "What has the Almighty Allah done on this night with the wishes of the believers among the nation of Muhammad (pbuh)?" He answered, "The Almighty Allah has looked upon them on this night and forgiven them, all of them, except the following: 
“One who is addicted to drinking, One who severs his ties with his kin, and One who is a trouble-maker."


We have been advised to beseech Allah (swt) during the whole year before the arrival of the Night of Power, to keep us alive for this night, 


• To bestow upon us the towfiq to remain vigilant during this night and pray for blessings and forgiveness.
• To bless us that we are able to do the best of deeds on this night
• To comprehend fully the importance of this night which is superior to one thousand months.
• To pray that we can become one of the favorites of Allah (swt) and be blessed with His love, learning, nearness, union, pleasure, together with health, happiness, and welfare;
• To yearn and act so that Allah (swt) be so pleased with us in such a manner, that after this night He would never be displeased us again.
• To pray that our Aimma esp. the Imam-ul-Asr be pleased with us & intercede on our behalf


6. How to Prepare oneself for The Night of Power (Lailatul-Qadr).


(I) Preparing Mentally
• Strive to keep Allah (swt) at the fore of one’s mind the whole night long.
• All the Ibadah done should be recited in the state of being completely awake, aware, conscious, and with a live heart
If one feels that one will not be able to concentrate then start reciting from now "We are from Allah and towards Him is our return.” - Holy Qur'an (2:156) for it is considered as a tragedy if one can not in this night receive the divine grace in supplications


"Their prayers ascend upwards and reaches Allah, their words are accepted, and Allah loves to listen to their prayers the way a mother likes her own child."


Is not it shameful that the prayers which ascend upwards should be recited from the tip of the tongue, while the heart and soul remain occupied in worldly affairs?


Many a times, one feels that one cannot ‘properly’ perform a certain ibadah and so decided to forgo it. One should not do listen to this ‘waswas’ instead, one should perform it & more, for acceptance lies in the Hand of the Mercy of Allah (swt).


(ii) Preparing Physically
The other preparations to be done for this night are, 


• for worshipping in this night a suitable place, dress, and perfume should be arranged in advance (comfortable dress which does not distract us)
• paying alms during this night - to the people who really deserve financial support
• Follow the translation of the duas in order to understand what you are reciting for lutf is only got when one knows what one is reciting.


(iii) Preparing spiritually 
• increase ones eagerness for receiving the promised bounties and blessings;
• select worships and deeds which are more in harmony with ones mood 
• When one stands for prayer, or any other ibadah, to briefly spare a moment to think about the wisdom of that action/its meaning etc for e.g. Why am I standing towards Mecca? To realize that when I stand on my two feet, it indicates my hope and fear about the acceptance of my worship
• Resorting (Tawassul) to Ahlul-Bait [a] - With persistence, supplicating in a polite and soft manner, with words and content arousing their sympathies, should beseech them for bestowing upon us the grace of being vigilant during this night.
• Crying and Shedding Tears: that during these nights ones fear, humility, tears, crying, anguish, and lamentation be increased as much as possible. 
The Learned Scholar Hajj Mirza Javad Agha Maliki Tabrizi (r.a.) in his book (Suluk-i Arifan) Spiritual Journey of the Mystics tell us that One of the best method is that one should tie ones hands around ones neck; should pour dirt upon ones head; should place ones head against a wall; sometimes one should stand and sometimes one should cry; should imagine oneself at the scene of Judgment Day; and the way sinners are rebuked with harshness, then one should imagine and be scared least Allah (the Glorious, the Exalted) orders: "Seize ye him, bind ye him, burn ye him in the blazing fire, and make him march in a chain whereof the length is seventy cubits." - Holy Qur'an (69:30-32)
Then one should cry: "O' Thou are the most compassionate, and Thou Who are the shelter of unsheltered ones!" "Where is Your vast blessing? Where is Your infinite forgiveness? Where are Your love and benevolence?" Ask for forgiveness of past sins in the most appealing manner with a promise to try never to return to the sins again - a TAWBA in every sense of the word Present ones requests before the Almighty with full hope that they will be answered. The Prophet (S.A.W.) when asked what one should invoke Allah during these nights, said: "Ask for your safety (here and in the hereafter)".


7. Recommended Ibadah to be performed on The Night of Qadr:
WE are advised that this night be divided into 3 parts - 
1st part to be allocated for Gaining Knowledge - Najhul Balagha, Tadabbur etc
2nd part to be allocated for Meditation (not when you are too sleepy) 
One should not forget to select a period for having a private union between oneself and ones Creator and
3rd part to be allocated for Salatul Layl to connect with Nawaafil with Subh prayer


Suggested ways to get the maximum of this blessed opportunity
1: Imam al- Sadiq (as) quotes “On all these nights, it is recommended that you perform the ghusl twice: once at the beginning of the night, and once at its end”. 
When performing the recommended ghusl, to remember that while god likes physical cleanliness, more important He loves inner cleanliness of the heart, from immoral character e.g. jealousy, greed, etc. Thus resolve to clean the soul also by TAUBAH + JIHAD of NAFS


2: When praying 2 rakat namaz of recommended prayers with 7 times surah tawheed, make efforts to concentrate on the message of tawheed and get the heart to believe that truly GOD ALONE is ALL -powerful/All Merciful/Independent etc. therefore we should fear none BUT HIM, hope from none BUT HIM, we should ask from none BUT HIM


3: After the salaah when repeating ISTEGHFAR 70 times try to first be really repentant for serious mistakes done, sincerely ask for forgiveness either by: 
(a) recalling 70 different sins OR 
(b) feeling remorseful for 10 sins of the 7 main organs: eyes, ears, tongue, hands, mouth, stomach + private parts OR 
(c) some particular sins that you may have committed repeatedly OR
(d) recalling the variety of punishments of different sins and finally resolve NOT TO Repeat them in the future, then only can one realistically expect to deserve the reward the HP has promised “Whoever performs this act will surely be forgiven by the Almighty even before here rises from his place".


When opening the qur’an and praying for your needs with the intercession of the qur’an, realize that while the qur’an is a cure for spiritual illness, it only benefits the pious ones and the evil doers are deprived of its illumination. Thus increase the chances for qur’an intercession to work on your behalf by earnestly following the rulings of the qur’an.


While placing the qur’an on the head. Remind yourself that true salvation can only be achieved by always keeping the rules of qur’an ahead of us to follow. The fact that we put the Qur’an on our head is a sign of respect and reverence. We beseech Allah by the thaqalayn - the speaking and the silent Qur'an. - Holy Qur'an (39:56) 


As you seek intercession of the Al mighty (bika ya al…) and the 14 infallibles realize that God is limitless Ounces of Mercy and the Ma’sumen pure agencies for the distribution of divine mercy to all creations.


While performing Ziyarah of Imam Husein (as), remind yourself that on this august night, the souls of 124,000 Prophets (peace be upon them all) visit Imam, who is aware of our inner spiritual reality and is hurt and repulsed by our record of repeated evil deeds, indifference to God’s commandments; thus, we should avoid disgracing ourselves in that great audience of Imam. Also, associate the themes in the ZIYARAH of: 


• Firm bond of love and obedience of God (SALAT).
• Economic betterment of community (ZAKAT).
• Overall mobilization of forces towards virtue (AMR BIL MA`RUF).
• Overall cleansing of evil from society.
• All-out war in all spheres of life to promote truth (JIHAD).
• Tremendous endurance of all ensuing difficulties (SABR).
• Complete distancing (LA`NAH) from all forms of injustice (DHULM) with destiny- shaping opportunity of this night and resolve to become on active player in improving the future in preparation for the REAPPEARANCE OF AL-MAHDI.


8. How to Farewell the Night of Power (Lailatul-Qadr) One should resort (tawassul) to the M'asumin - to whom that night belongs - should submit ones deeds & worship to those exalted ones, with a heart broken, with grief & shedding tears, should request them to make those deeds as righteous, and request them to intercede with Allah (swt)


9. The Day of Power (Qadr) 
According to Ahadeeth both the night and day are interconnected, as far as their worth, value, esteem, and splendor are concerned, i.e. if the day is esteemed and honorable, the night of that day also possesses the same distinction and vice versa. Therefore, we must appreciate the importance of the Days of Power and like the Nights of Power, should celebrate them by sincerely performing worships and righteous deeds.


On a final note, our destiny to large extent can be changed in this very night and much depends on us, how we decide to utilize both the night and the day of Qadr and for that matter each single moment of this blessed month of Ramadhan. 


Let us therefore pray together that we may be granted the Tawfiq to be able to do the A’maals of Laylatul Qadr in its correct essence, that we may be granted the Maghferah and that we may earn the Pleasure of Allah (swt) in such a manner that our lives take a positive turn in a manner that we may earn the salvation for both this world and the Hereafter. Ameen 


A humble request that we remember each other in our prayers and especially those we do not forget our Marhumeen...


Rabbana Taqabbul Minna……………
Source : http://www.dartabligh.org/

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

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!

Salaat - from the heart of Rumi; and the Angelic Figure

In this connection it is said
that two rak‘as of prayer are better
than the world and all it contains.
This does not apply to every person.
The person to whom this applies is one
who considers it more serious
to miss two rak‘as than to lose the world and all it contains,
that is, one for whom it would be harder to miss
those two rak‘as
than to lose possession of the whole world.


Be always at work scraping the dirt from the well.
To everyone who suffers, perseverance brings good fortune.
The Prophet has said that each prostration of prayer is a knock on heaven's door.
When anyone continues to knock, felicity shows its smiling face.


WHO IS THIS ANGELIC FIGURE WHO IS SO PARTICULAR OF THE TIME OF MEETING HIS ONLY BELOVED?

"The very same day he [Imam Khumayni] prayed his zuhr and asr prayers with wudu'.
From an hour before noon, he asked whoever came to him: 'How much time is left for mid-day?'
And his aim (behind this) was that he should not delay in praying at the beginning of its time.
From 3.30 afternoon an overwhelming anxiety overcame all (of us). The treatment had reached at a point when, following utmost efforts by the physicians and the Hospital personnel, everyone was in wait for a miracle to transpire.
During Maghrib, the doctors, considering their awareness of his sensitivity toward prayers, called him and said: 'Agha, it is time for prayer.'
Imam Khumayni, who was unconscious from 1.30 afternoon, attended to this voice. All of us witnessed that he prayed his Maghrib prayer in that state of restlessness by moving his hands and eyebrows."
Firishte I'rabi

Sunnah of the Aimmah ('as) for the Hujjah ('aj)

Allamah Amini in Al Ghadeer narrates,
'It was narrated that when Da'abal read his poems before Imam Ridha (as) and mentioned the Hujjah (may our souls be sacrificed for him) by his saying:
If not because of he whom I hope for his coming today and tomorrow;
My soul could have cut off due to sadness;
There is no doubt in the coming out of the Imam;
He shall rise by the name of Allah and His blessings.
Imam Ridha (as) would lay his hand on his head and respectfully stand up to pray for his quick relief and reappearance.


It was narrated from our master Imam Al Ridha (as) in his seating in Khurasan, when he stood up when the word 'Al Qaaim' was mentioned resting his head on his honourable head, saying,
O Allah, may You hasten his relief and make his coming very easy' and he also mentioned some of the significance of his government.


Muhadith Nuri mentioned in his book 'Annajmu Thaqib': this type of dignity when this name is mentioned is usual between the shiah all over the world especially within the Arabs, non Arabs, Turkish, Indians, and others, even among our Sunni brothers. [Ilzamu Nnasib 1:271]


Imam Sadiq (as) was once asked the reason for standing up when the word 'Al Qaaim' (the nickname of the Imam) is mentioned and he said,
'...because he shall have a long occultation and due to his much kindness to his wellwishers, he looks at whoever remembered him with his nickname, as the symbol of his government and lost for his loneliness. It is among respect to him by standing up in humbleness before him and seeking from Allah (swt) the quick relief and appearance of the Imam.' [Ilzamu Nnasib]


Sayed Murtada Mujtahidi Sistani
Sahifah al-Mahdiya

How to get closer to the Imam of the time

An important lesson from Sheikh Hassan Ali Isfahani

The Sheikh had engaged himself right from his youth with his worships and Islamic devotion, and endured a lot of inconveniences in order to attain some spiritual ranks. He wrote up a compilation that comprised of mysteries and which he did not expose or divulge to the general public.

My late father Muazzam (may Allah raise his position) told me about this write-up of Sheikh:
'Verily Sheikh Hassan Ali Isfahani towards the end of his life has given this book to late Ayatullah Sayyid Ali Ridawi.'

Our reason for reporting this issue was the important point mentioned by Sheikh Hassan Ali Isfahani at the end of his book, which is incumbent for those who wanted to pass through the spiritual stages to benefit from it, as follows:

'I wish all I would have done in my readings, litanies and so on, for the purpose of reaching spiritual ranks, should have been done for the purpose of nearness to my master, the leader of the time (may Allah hasten his reappearance).'

Take note of the speech of this religious and divine man who was well known among the Sunni and Shiah, how he has shown his regret for all the good jobs he has put forward hoping to have done that for the purpose of nearness to the Imam of the time.

There is no doubt that Sheikh Hassan Ali Isfahani was possessing spiritual strength and it is hard to get these type of states; with all this he is still having the notion that all he has done throughout his life was just for the nearness to the chief of this world of existence.
The great example for anyone (in any field he belongs to) is to copy from the experience of the great men of that field and to benefit from their struggles throughout their life and from what they have achieved most specially to focus on the last period of their life.

Be very careful of this point: to benefit from the important experience of the great men increases the spiritual value in ones life.

Try in your deeds what Sheikh Hassan Ali Isfahani has experienced which he has written in his book.
Offer your prayers, supplications and other aspect of your worship in nearness to Allah (swt) so that you can be closer to his caretaker, our master, the Imam of the time (aj) and cast off little ambition. This is a reality which will benefit you a great deal.

Sahifah al-Mahdiya
Sayed Murtada Mujtahidi Sistani

Salawat Sweetens Honey

Once the Holy Prophet (s) was sitting with Amir al-mu’minin 'Ali (a) in the middle of a garden, which contained many trees, and was very fertile.
A bee came towards them and started circling above them for quite some time...


The Holy Prophet (s) addressing 'Ali ('a) said: Indeed this bee has made us his guests today. It said to me: I have placed for you some honey in that specific place. So send your brother Amir al-mu’minin to the place so that he may bring the same.
Thereupon Imam 'Ali ('a) stood up and brought the honey.


[Then] the Prophet (s) addressing the bee said:
O bee, surely your food is from the roses of flowers, and that is bitter [in taste]; so how does it change into sweet honey?
The bee replied: O Messenger of Allah, surely the sweetness of the honey comes from the blessing of mentioning your blessed name and the name [s] of your pure progeny; when we draw the nectar of the flowers we are inspired to invoke blessings upon you and your infallible progeny three times; therefore when we eat, the mention of salawat  turns our honey sweet.
[Khazinat al-Jawahir was lama’aat al-Anwaar, p. 586]

An Important Rule Often Neglected 12

Islamic Laws : Wudhu » Introduction
Fatawa of Ayatullah al Uzama Syed Ali al-Husaini Seestani



254. While performing Wudhu, it is obligatory to wash the face and the hands once, and it is recommended to wash them twice.
Washing them three or more times is haraam. As regards to which washing should be treated as the first, it will depend upon washing the face and hand thoroughly, leaving no room for precaution, with the niyyat of Wudhu.

So, if he pours water on his face ten times with the intention of the first washing, there is no harm, but when he will then wash with the niyyat of Wudhu, it will be called the first time. Thus, he can go on pouring water on his face several times, and in the final wash, make the niyyat of Wudhu. But if he follows this procedure, then the face and the hands should be washed once only, as an obligatory precaution.

'Friday-mind-stimulator'

'Your society will pass through a period

= when high positions will be given only to those who defame others, = when vicious people will be regarded witty and
= the just will be regarded weak,
= when charity will be considered as a loss to wealth and property,
= when support and help to each other will be considered as favour and benevolence and
= when prayers and worship to Allah will be taken up for the sake of show to gain popularity and higher status, 
= at such times regimes will be run under the advice of women and the youngsters will be the rulers and counsellors of the State.'

Imam Ali, Nahjul Balagha, Saying 102

'I swear by the time,

(is it nearly time?)
Most surely man is in loss,

(aforementioned = loss?)
Except those who believe and do good, and enjoin on each other truth, and enjoin on each other patience.'
(Am I faling prey?)

[Quran 103: 1-3]

An Important Rule Often Neglected 11

Islamic Laws : Obligatory acts relating to Namaz » Qiyam (to stand)
Fatawa of Ayatullah al Uzama Syed Ali al-Husaini Seestani

975. If he recites something Mustahab (IN SALAH) while in motion, for example, if he says Takbir while going into Ruku or Sajdah, his Zikr will not be correct but his namaz will be valid. Bi hawli lahi wa quwwati Aqumu wa Aq'ud should be said in the state of rising.