The first night of Shahru Ramadhan...A prescription from Ayatullah Tabrizi

A thing which a prudent wayfarer must not forget during the first night of the Holy month of Ramadan is resorting (tawassul) to the impeccable ones (Ma'sumin) in that night. 


It is up to him to stretch his hand sincerely towards the threshold of those exalted saintly personalities; present their blessed, glorious, and beautiful faces as intercessors for our unblessed and polluted (with sins) faces, thus, looking towards the Lord through THEIR splendour and magnanimity because, it is not appropriate and desirable to look towards Him directly with a face blackened with sins, and cheeks rusted with transgressions. Instead, he should plead with them, should open his tongue full of grief and anxiety, and should request them to act as intercessors for pleading his case.


Allah (the Glorious, the Exalted), being the most Compassionate and most Merciful, undoubtedly would accept the plea and intercession of those compassionate and exalted personalities, especially, those sinless noble ones, to whom He Himself has taught generosity and compassion, and allowed them to act as intercessors.


Yes! It is up to the prudent wayfarer to mobilize all his talents, expertise, strength, and endeavours for resorting towards them; crying and shedding tears; pleading and requesting for intercession and support with these exalted saintly personalities; so that through resorting for one hour, he may earn the prosperity for one year, and through such insignificant efforts might achieve huge gains. Also, he should not forget to repeat this resorting and crying every morning and evening, and by sending salutations (upon them) everyday and resorting to them every night, and  should strengthen his commitment towards them.


Another important deed is to take a bath (ghusl) during the first night, all the odd nights, and the first day. It has been narrated in a tradition that: "Whoever undertakes ghusl with running water during the first night of the Holy Month, and pours at least thirty handfuls of water upon his head, they would remain in the state of cleanliness (taharat) till the next Shahru Ramadhan."


And in another tradition taking a bath in the above manner has been described as medicine for the whole year.
Ayatullah Mirza Jawad Maliki Tabrizi; Suluk-i Arifan

The 1st day of Muharram

Muhammad ibn Ali Majiluwayh - may God be pleased with him -narrated that Ali ibn Ibrahim ibn Hashem quoted on the authority of his father, on the authority of al-Rayyan ibn Shabeeb,

“I went to see Al-Reza (s) on the first day of the (Arabic) month of Muharram.

The Imam (s) said, ‘O Ibn Shabeeb! Are you fasting?’

I answered, ‘No.’

The Imam (s) said, ‘Today is the day on which Zakariya prayed to his Lord - the Honorable the Exalted, ‘There did Zakariya pray to his Lord, saying, ‘O my Lord! Grant unto me from Thee a progeny that is pure: for Thou art He that heareth prayer!’’ [529 - Qur’an, 3:38]
And God fulfilled his prayer and ordered the angels to call Zakariya ‘While he was standing in prayer in the chamber, the angels called unto him, ‘(Allah) doth give thee glad tidings of Yahya, witnessing the truth of a Word from Allah, and (be besides) noble, chaste, and a Prophet, of the (goodly) company of the righteous.’’ [530 - Qur’an, 3:39]

Therefore, just as God fulfilled the prayers of Zakariya, the Honorable the Exalted God will fulfill the prayers of whoever fasts on this day, and asks God for something.’
The Imam (s) then added, ‘O Ibn Shabeeb! Muharram is the month in which the people of the Age of Ignorance had forbidden committing any oppression and fighting in. However, this nation did not recognize the honor of this month or the honor of their own Prophet (s).

In this month, they killed the Prophet’s offspring, they enslaved the women, and took their belongings as booty. God will never forgive them.
O Ibn Shabeeb! If you wish to cry, then cry for Al-Hussein ibn Ali ibn Abi Talib (s) who was slaughtered like a sheep, and was killed along with the members of his household.

Eighteen people were martyred along with Al-Hussein (s) who had no equal on Earth.

The seven heavens and the Earths mourned for his martyrdom.

Four thousand angels descended to the Earth to assist him (Imam Hussein) (s). However, Al-Hussein (s) was destined to be martyred. They will remain at his shrine with wrinkled hair until the Riser (Imam al-Mahdi) (s) rises. Then they will be among those who will assist him (s). Their slogan will be Ya li tharat Al-Hussein (Revenge for Al-Hussein’s blood!)
O Ibn Shabeeb! My father narrated that his father (s) quoted on the authority of his grandfather (s) that when they murdered my grandfather Al-Hussein (s), the heavens cried (dark) red blood and dirt.

O Ibn Shabeeb! If you cry for Al-Hussein (s) in such a way that tears flow down your cheeks, then God will forgive all the sins that you have committed whether they be minor or major, whether they be a few instances or a lot.
O Ibn Shabeeb! If you would like to meet the Honorable the Exalted God without having any sins then go to visit (the Shrine of) Al-Hussein (s).
O Ibn Shabeeb! If you would like to accompany the Prophet (s) in the rooms of Paradise, then damn the murderers of Al-Hussein (s).
O Ibn Shabeeb! If you would like to be rewarded just as those who were martyred along with Al-Hussein ibn Ali (s), whenever you remember Al-Hussein (s) say,
‘I wish I was with them and could achieve the great prosperity.’
يا لَيْتَنِي كُنْتُ مَعَهُمْ فَأَفُوزَ فَوْزاً عَظِيماً

O Ibn Shabeeb! If you would like to be in the same high ranks in Paradise with us, then be sad when we are sad and be happy when we are happy, and I advise you to have us since the Honorable the Exalted God will resurrect whoever even likes a rock with that same rock on the Resurrection Day.””

Uyun Akhbar al-Ridha (a) , Part 1, Chapter 28: No. 53

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.

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!

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

The month of the Beloved...‏

“Rajab is the name of a river in Paradise whiter than milk and sweeter than honey. Those who fast one day of (the month of) Rajab, Allah will satisfy them from that river.” Imam Kadhem (a.s)


We have just entered the sacred month of Rajab of the Islamic calendar, which along with the two following months (Sha’ban and Ramadan) signify the most important months of the year. The merits of these months are numerous and the recommended rites in them are in abundance.
Rajab is the month of multiplied savings for our abode in the Hereafter.


It is narrated from the holy Prophet Muhammad (P) to have said: “Behold! Those who fast one day of Rajab they deserve the Great Pleasure of Allah and will be destined from His Wrath, and will close one of the Gates of Hell.” It is also narrated from the holy Prophet (P): “Rajab is the month of repentance for my Community, so repent to Allah much.”


This month is also blessed by the birthday anniversary of Imam Baqir (a.s) on the 1st day (according to some narrations) and specially the birthday of Imam Ali (a.s) on the 13th of this month and the Mab’ath of the holy Prophet of Islam (P) on the 27th of this month.


Remember, however, this is a sacred month which means in as much as the rewards for good deeds in it are in abundance; the punishment of sinning is also more severe.


The following are just some of the main worshipping acts that are recommended in this sacred month.


1. Fasting:
Salem says: I met Imam Sadiq (a.s) in the month of Rajab, whilst there were only a few days left of it. When he saw me he asked: O Salem! Have you fasted at all in this month? I replied: No, by Allah, O son of the Prophet! The Imam said: “Verily, you have missed so much reward that only the All-Knowing Allah knows its amount… I said: O son of the Prophet! If I fast the remaining days of this month would I gain any reward? The Imam replied: O Salem! Those who fast the last day of Rajab that (fasting) will be a security for them from the agony of death….”
Fasting of the first day of Rajab destines the faster one year away from the Hell.
Fasting of three continuous days (Thursday, Friday and Saturday) of Rajab has the reward of 900 years of worshipping (out of Rajab).
Fasting of the 13th, 14th and 15th of Rajab has rewards in abundance! (Pray to God to bless you for it)
Fasting of the last three days of Rajab (or at least the last day of it) will avail (Inshallah) from the agony of death, the fear of death and the punishment of the grave.
Note: If you have any Qada (lapsed or owing) fasting, make an intention for Qada and you will also enjoy the promised rewards of fasting in Rajab.


2. Salaat
Salaat is the means of nearness to God for every pious believer.
Every night of the month after the Isha Prayer, offer to two Rak’at Prayers. In every Rak’at, recite Surah al-Hamd and Surah al-Kafiroon once and 3 times: Surah Ikhlaas
On the first Thursday evening of Rajab (10 July this year) there is a special Salaat called ‘Salaat Laylatul-Ragha’eb’. Refer to the books of Du’a for its performance.
Note: Those who have Qada prayers, still they can offer the above Salaats although they do not suffice for their obligatory Qada Salaat.


3. Supplication
There are numerous recommended supplications for the month of Rajab. Some of them are as follows:
Astaghferullah Wa As’aluho Tauba (I seek Allah’s forgiveness and ask Him for repentance)
After every Daily Prayer recite:
“Ya Man Arjooho Lekolle Khayr, Wa Aamano Sakhatahou Enda Kolle Shar. Ya Man Yo’tel-Katheera Bel-Qaleel. Ya Man Yo’tee Man Sa’alah. Ya Man Yo’tee Man Lam Yas’alhu Wa Man Lam Ya’refhu Tahannunan Menhu Wa Rahma. A’teni Be Mas’alati Eyyak Jami’a Khayre-Donya Wa Jami’a Khayrel-Akhera. Wasref Be Mas’alati Eyyak Jami’a Sharre-Donya Wa Sharrel-Akhera. Fa’ennahu Ghayro Manqosen Ma A’tayt Wa Zedni Men Fadhleka Ya Kareem.”  Then say: “Ya Zaljalale Wal-Ekram. Ya Zal-Na’ma’e Wal-Jood. Ya Zal-Manne WaTaul, Harrem Shaybati Ala-Nar.”
Also on the 15th of Rajab, there is a special Du’a called Du’a Omme Dawood. Refer to the books of Du’a for the details of this Du’a.


4. Visitation (Ziyarat)
The first and foremost important Ziyarat in this month is Ziyarat of Imam Husain (a.s).
Visiting Imam Redha (a.s) also is very rewarding in this month.
Pilgrimage for Umrah is also very rewarding in this month.


May The Almighty Allah bless us all to respect this sacred month and accept our worshipping.

WHEN ALLAH WHISPERS

Munajat is a conversation between the lover and the Beloved. It is therefore no ordinary kind of conversation. It is a mutual conversation that entails secrecy and intimacy. Only those who are close to each other secretly whisper to one another. Our holy traditions introduce the canonical prayer as munajat. The Holy Prophet (s) is reported to have said: “O mankind surely when the worshipper (musalli) prays, he whispers (yunaaji) unto his Blessed and Almighty Lord; therefore he must know that with which he whispers.” Whispering to Allah is a phenomenon both encouraged as well as understood. However, very few qualify to be whispered by Allah. Imam al-Sadiq ('a) is reported to have said: "When the Prophet (s) was taken for the nocturnal ascent (mi'raj) and he reached the station where Almighty Allah wanted him to, his Lord Whispered to him." [Bihar al-Anwar, v.18, p.341]. Jabir bin 'Abdillah al-Ansari narrates that the Holy Prophet (s) called Ali ('a) in the battle of Ta'if, and whispered to him. So the people complained and said 'The Prophet (s) whispered to Ali alone, and did not whisper to us.’ Thereupon the Prophet (s) stood and praised Allah and said: ‘O people, surely you claim that I whispered to 'Ali; I swear by Allah, I did not whisper to him; rather it is Allah Who Whispered to Him.’ [Bihar al-Anwar, v. 39, p. 153]. These were examples of the infallibles, for whom such states are understandable. Can other human beings too attain a level in which they have the privilege of being whispered by Almighty Allah? Imam 'Ali ('a) is reported to have said: “In all the periods and times when there were no prophets, there have been persons with whom Allah, precious are His bounties, whispered in their hearts and spoke in the essence of their intellects”. Therefore it is feasible for other human beings to experience such moments of ecstasy as well. One of the instances that raises a person so high that Allah whispers to him is when one sincerely embarks to visit the grave of Imam al-Husayn ('a). If he enjoys sufficient receptivity, he would have the privilege of being whispered by his All-Beloved Creator. Imam al-Sadiq ('a) is reported to have said: “Surely when a person comes out to visit the grave of al-Husayn ('a), for the first step that he takes when leaving his family, his sins are forgiven; thereafter for every step that he takes, he is sanctified until he comes to the grave. When he reaches al-Husayn's grave, Allah Whispers to him, and Says: My Servant, ask Me, and I shall give you, and call me and I shall respond to your call…[Wasa'il al-Shi'a, v.14, p.420]

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.

How to attain Intimacy with Allah (swt), how to converse with Him (swt) and how to assess oneself before Him (swt)

[2 minute read + a lifetime thought]

Imam as Sadiq (AS) said:
"When you arrive at the door of the mosque, know that you have come to the door of a great King.

No one may walk into His Courtyard save the purified, and no one is admitted to His Company [mu'anasah] but the truthful. So, attach reverence to your coming to the ground of serving the King, as you would be exposed to a great danger if you were negligent.

Know that He is capable of doing what He likes of justice and grace with you and by you.

So, if He was kind to you with His mercy and favour, He would accept from you little worship and give you much reward for it. But if He demanded from you a share of truth and sincerity, to be just with you, He would block you and reject your worship, even if it is much. He is the doer of what He wants.

Confess to His Presence your inability, shortcoming, humility and poverty, as you have come to Him to worship and to get His Intimacy [mu'anasah].

Expose your secrets to Him, knowing that nothing, covert and overt, of the entire universe, is hidden from Him.

Be, before Him, as the poorest of His servants.

Empty your heart of all occupants that keep you away from your Lord, as He does not accept except the pure(st) and the sincere(st).

Find out in which register your name is recorded.

If you tasted the sweetness of supplication and the delight of addressing Him, and drank from the cup of His mercy and generosity out of His good reception of you and response to you, then you would become suitable for His service. So, enter, as you will have permission and protection.

Otherwise, stop, like the one whose rope has snapped, and his hope has come short, and time has got the better of him.

So, if Allah found in your heart true recourse to Him, He would look at you with the eye of kindness, mercy and leniency, and cause you to be successful in attaining to what He likes and is pleased with, since He is generous and loves generosity for His servants who distressfully resort to Him and burn out at His door for the want of His pleasure.

Allah, the Most High, says: 'Or, Who answers the distressed one, when he calls upon Him, and removes the evil ... ? (Naml:62)"

[Misbahush Shar'iah, ch. 12.]

A fraction of the essence of Muharram

28-53 Muhammad ibn Ali Majiluwayh - may God be pleased with him -narrated that Ali ibn Ibrahim ibn Hashem quoted on the authority of his father, on the authority of al-Rayyan ibn Shabeeb, “I went to see Al-Reza (s) on the first day of the (Arabic) month of Muharram.

The Imam (s) said, ‘O Ibn Shabeeb! Are you fasting?’
I answered, ‘No.’
The Imam (s) said, ‘Today is the day on which Zakariya prayed to his Lord - the Honorable the Exalted, ‘There did Zakariya pray to his Lord, saying, ‘O my Lord! Grant unto me from Thee a progeny that is pure: for Thou art He that heareth prayer!’’ And God fulfilled his prayer and ordered the angels to call Zakariya ‘While he was standing in prayer in the chamber, the angels called unto him, ‘(Allah) doth give thee glad tidings of Yahya, witnessing the truth of a Word from Allah, and (be besides) noble, chaste, and a Prophet, of the (goodly) company of the righteous.’’ Therefore, just as God fulfilled the prayers of Zakariya, the Honorable the Exalted God will fulfill the prayers of whoever fasts on this day, and asks God for something.’

The Imam (s) then added, ‘O Ibn Shabeeb! Muharram is the month in which the people of the Age of Ignorance had forbidden committing any oppression and fighting in. However, this nation did not recognize the honor of this month or the honor of their own Prophet (s). In this month, they killed the Prophet’s offspring, they enslaved the women, and took their belongings as booty. God will never forgive them.

O Ibn Shabeeb! If you wish to cry, then cry for Al-Hussein ibn Ali ibn Abi Talib (s) who was slaughtered like a sheep, and was killed along with the members of his household.

Eighteen people were martyred along with Al-Hussein (s) who had no equal on Earth.
The seven heavens and the Earths mourned for his martyrdom.
Four thousand angels descended to the Earth to assist him (Imam Hussein) (s).
However, Al-Hussein (s) was destined to be martyred.
They will remain at his shrine with wrinkled hair until the Riser (Imam al-Mahdi) (s) rises. Then they will be among those who will assist him (s).
Their slogan will be Ya li tharat Al-Hussein (Revenge for Al-Hussein’s blood!)

O Ibn Shabeeb! My father narrated that his father (s) quoted on the authority of his grandfather (s) that when they murdered my grandfather Al-Hussein (s), the heavens cried (dark) red blood and dirt.
O Ibn Shabeeb! If you cry for Al-Hussein (s) in such a way that tears flow down your cheeks, then God will forgive all the sins that you have committed whether they be minor or major, whether they be a few instances or a lot.
O Ibn Shabeeb! If you would like to meet the Honorable the Exalted God without having any sins then go to visit (the Shrine of) Al-Hussein (s).
O Ibn Shabeeb! If you would like to accompany the Prophet (s) in the rooms of Paradise, then damn the murderers of Al-Hussein (s).
O Ibn Shabeeb! If you would like to be rewarded just as those who were martyred along with Al-Hussein ibn Ali (s), whenever you remember Al-Hussein (s) say, ‘I wish I was with them and could achieve the great prosperity.’
O Ibn Shabeeb! If you would like to be in the same high ranks in Paradise with us, then be sad when we are sad and be happy when we are happy, and I advise you to have us since the Honorable the Exalted God will resurrect whoever even likes a rock with that same rock on the Resurrection Day.”

Uyun Akhbar al-Ridha

Practical Way to increase concentration in Salat – the mysterious ascension of humankind!

Imam Khomeini; Forty Hadith, Twenty Seventh Hadith

‘‘Know that freedom from other work for the sake of absorption in worship is obtainable through:

1. Possessing unoccupied time

2. Possessing an unoccupied heart.

Attentiveness of the heart consists of two matters:

The first of these lies in possessing unoccupied time and an unoccupied heart

The second lies in making one's heart understand the importance of worship.

What is ‘unoccupied time’?

It is that one should set aside a certain time out of his day and night hours exclusively for the sake of worship wherein he should devote himself solely to worship without engaging in any other preoccupation.

If one were to understand that worship is an important thing whose significance is greater than any other activity, or, rather, that it is something of incomparable significance, he would allocate a certain time to it and be careful to observe its timings.

What is ‘unoccupied heart’?

It is that at the time of worship one must disengage himself from mundane engagements and cares and turn his heart away from all kinds of matters and cares and make it entirely empty and unencumbered for attending to worship and supplication with God Almighty.

My dear, consider the prayers you offer to God by comparing them with talk and conversation with one of His insignificant creatures. (a best friend, a spouse, a fiancée,  a tutor etc)

When talking to a stranger, you attend to him with all your attention and are oblivious of anyone else as long as you are engaged in conversation with him.

But why is it that while engaging in communication and prayer with your Provider and the Lord and Sustainer of the worlds you are totally heedless of Him and attentive to other matters?

Is the station and worth of creatures greater than that of the Sacred Essence of the Lord?

Is conversation with them more valuable than supplication with the Fulfiller of needs?

Yes, I and you do not know the significance of supplication with God.

We consider these divine duties as a cumbersome burden, and, of course, a matter that is a cumbrous weight on one will not be significant for him.’’