Italy exhibits Islamic artworks

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Italy has mounted an exhibition of Islamic artworks in the city of Milan, which features pieces from the dawn of Islam until the modern era.

Italy has mounted an exhibition of Islamic artworks in the city of Milan, which features pieces from the dawn of Islam until the modern era.

Organized by Milan Municipality, the event displays Islamic artworks from Egypt, Iran, India and Spain.

The exhibition aims to provide those living outside the Islamic community with a better understanding of the Muslim world.

Muslim immigrants of Italy were provided with the chance to “show their art and go proud saying that we had and we have a very big civilization and we can show it,” director of the exhibition Giovanni Curatola told Press TV.

Over one million Muslims currently live in Italy where Islam is the second largest faith after Catholicism in the European country.

In recent years many Muslims have immigrated to Italy from Morocco, Egypt and Tunisia.

In 2005, the Italian Minister of Interior founded the Council for Italian Islam composed of Muslim people.

“We tend to learn about other people, other religions and other civilizations through our own prejudices and stereotypes,” cultural assessor Massimiliano Finazzer Flory said.

“This is wrong,” he added, saying “Culture is all about questioning our convictions and this exhibition offers people a look at a civilization from a geographical, historical and anthropological point of view but without involving ideologies.”

Milan’s Islamic Art Exhibition will run until the end of January 2011 at the city’s Palazzo Reale.

Translation of “Embryology and Quran” Published in Tajikistan

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Written by Hojat-ol-Islam Abdul-Karim Biazar Shirazi, the book “Quran, Embryology and Conversion of Some Embryologists to Islam” was translated into Tajik language and published in Tajikistan.

Written by Hojat-ol-Islam Abdul-Karim Biazar Shirazi, the book “Quran, Embryology and Conversion of Some Embryologists to Islam” was translated into Tajik language and published in Tajikistan.

The book has been translated by Seifollah Monajanov and published in Tajik Cyrillic alphabet by Iran Cultural Center in Tajikistan.

The introduction of the book, which has been published in 1000 copies, is in both Persian and Cyrillic scripts.

Hojat-ol-Islam Shirazi has got a PhD in Quran and Hadith Sciences, an MA in Islamic History and Civilization from McGill University in Canada, as well as an Ijtihad certificate from the Ministry of Science and Higher Education.

His other published works include the 8-volume collection of “Kashef Exegesis” in Persian and Arabic, “Islamic Sects’ Solidarity”, and “Islam; Religion of Solidarity”.

Sleep habits alters BP in pregnant moms

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JNN 02.10.10 Getting too much or too little sleep can place pregnant women at an increased risk of experiencing pregnancy-related complications, a new study says.

According to the study published in Sleep, expectant moms who get less than five hours of sleep a night are nearly 10 times more prone to preeclampsia

Pregnant women sleeping 10 hours or longer, similarly, were at a greater risk of the complication, although it did not reach statistical significance.

“Our findings, however, are generally consistent with reports documenting associations between habitual sleep duration, blood pressure values, and hypertension in men, nonpregnant women, adolescents, and children,” said lead researcher Michelle Williams.

Insufficient sleep, particularly in the third trimester, alters blood pressure levels in pregnant women through affecting the metabolic and neuroendocrine system of the body.

The condition can subsequently contribute to either pregnancy-induced hypertension without proteinuria or preeclampsia, the study found.

Scientists believe their finding would motivate expectant moms to improve their lifestyle, particularly the sleep habits, in order to lower their risk of developing any pregnancy-related complications.

“Women generally already know that they’re eating well and getting enough exercise for two during pregnancy. Our study suggests that women should also aspire to sleep well for two,” Williams added.

Pre-eclampsia is a medical condition in which the expectant mom experiences pregnancy-induced hypertension) in association with having significant amounts of protein in the urine.

Shab-e-Zarbat (Nineteenth of Mah-e-Ramazan) or Night of attack on Imam Ali (A.S.) at Kufa Mosque

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JNN 29.08.10 Shab-e-Zarbat (Nineteenth of Mah-e-Ramazan) or Night of attack on Imam Ali (A.S.) at Kufa Mosque

On the 19th of Ramadan month (Mah-e-Ramazan) of the year 40 A.H, Imam Ali (pbuh) came to the mosque in Kufa for his morning prayers. Imam Ali (pbuh) gave the call for prayer (Azaan) and became engaged in leading the congregation. Abd-al-Rahman ibn Muljam pretending to pray, stood just behind Imam Ali (pbuh), and when Imam Ali (pbuh) was in a state of prostration, Abd-al-Rahman ibn Muljam dealt a heavy stroke with his sword, inflicting a deep wound on Imam Ali’s (pbuh) head.


The Holy Prophet (pbuh) had prophesied the assassination of Imam Ali (pbuh) and his issues. Regarding Imam Ali (pbuh) he (pbuh) had said, “O Ali! I see before my eyes thy beard dyed with the blood of thy forehead.”

They assassinated Imam Ali (pbuh) at his finest time – the hour of standing before Allah, the Exalted, during a prayer of submission, in the best of days, while fasting during the month of Ramadan (Mah-e-Ramazan); during the most glorious Islamic duties, while preparing to wage jihad, and in the highest and most pure divine places, the Mosque of Kufa.


May joy be to Amir al-Muminin Imam Ali bin Abi Talib (pbuh) and a blessed afterlife!

The crime of assassinating Imam Ali (pbuh) remains one of the most cruel, brutal and hideous, because it was not committed against one man, but against the whole rational Islamic leadership. By assassinating Imam Ali (pbuh), they actually aimed at assassinating the message, the history, the culture and the nation of Muslims embodied in the person of Imam Ali bin Abi Talib (pbuh). In doing so, the Islamic nation lost its guide of progress, and at the most wondrous opportunity in its life after the Holy Prophet (pbuh).

Imam Ali (pbuh) suffered from his wound for three days, and He (pbuh) passed away on 21st of the month of Ramadan (Mah-e-Ramazan) at an age of 63 years.

During these three days, he (pbuh) entrusted his son, Imam Hasan (pbuh) with the Imamate of guiding the nation ideologically and socially. During those three days, as during all his life, he never ceased remembering Allah, praising Him, and accepting Him and His ordinance.

Likewise, he continued giving pieces of advice and directions leading to good, pointing to the right, defining the way to guidance, explaining the course for deliverance, calling for the observance of Allah’s ordinances, and warning against following one’s ill desires and set-backs from not carrying out the divine message.

The following is one piece of advice offered to his sons, Imam Hasan (pbuh) and Imam Hussain (pbuh), as well as to his people, the nation and coming generations:

“I advise you to fear Allah, and not to run after (the pleasure of) the world, even if it may run after you. Do not be sorry for anything from it which you have been denied. Say the truth and act for (Allah’s) reward. Be an enemy of the oppressor, and be a helper of the oppressed.”

“I advise you, my children, my household and all those who may receive my message, to fear Allah, to arrange your affairs well, to maintain good relations among yourselves, for I have heard your grandfather (pbuh) saying: ‘Good relations are better than prayer and fasting in general.'”

“(Fear) Allah when handling matters of orphans. Do not let them starve, nor allow them to be lost as long as you are there.”

“(Fear) Allah in respect to your neighbors, for they were the trust of your Prophet (pbuh). He went on asking us to take care of them, so much that we thought he would make them heirs (of our heritage).”

“(Fear) Allah in respect to the Holy Quran, (take care that) no one may excel you in following its tenets.”

“(Fear) Allah in respect to prayer, as it is the pillar of your religion.”

“(Fear) Allah in respect to your Lord’s House (Kaaba), do not forsake it so long as you live, because if you do you will not be looked upon with respect.”

“(Fear) Allah in respect to Jihad, fight with your wealth, your lives and your tongues, in the way of Allah.”

“Have mutual liaison and give-and-take. Beware of turning your faces from, and of renouncing, one another. Do not abandon bidding good and forbidding evil, lest vicious people may overrule you, and then in such a case, your invocations will not be responded to (by Allah).”

Then he said: “O, Banu Abdul Muttalib, certainly I do not want you to wade through the blood of the Muslims, crying: Amir al-Muminin was murdered. You certainly kill for me no one but my killer.”


“Wait till I die by this stroke of him (Abd-al-Rahman ibn Muljam), then strike a single stroke against him, and do not disfigure his body, for I had heard the Holy Prophet (pbuh) saying: ‘Avoid mayhem even with a rabid dog.'”

Such was the heroic end of this great man! The loss to the Mission and the nation was the gravest after the loss of the Holy Prophet (pbuh).

By the death of Imam Ali (pbuh) the nation lost:

A heroism that had become the song of the time;

A courageous history that has never dreamt of its like;

A wisdom no one can fathom, save Allah;

A purity, the like of which was only in the prophets;

An abstinence from the pleasures of life that could be attained only by the nearest to Allah;

An eloquence such as to be the echo of Book; and

A jurisprudence, and a thorough knowledge of the laws of religion, that made him the ‘gateway of the city’ of the Prophet’s knowledge, and the authority to whom the Islamic nation referred in all its affairs.

Peace be upon Amir al-Muminin the day he was born, the day he was martyred on his altar.

Praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds.

Grand Shia Cleric: Libya Liable for Moussa Sadr Abduction

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Top Shia Cleric “Grand Ayatollah Naser Makarem-Shirazi” says Tripoli should take responsibility for the abduction of a Lebanese Shia leader, who went missing on Libyan soil more than three decades ago.

Ahlul Bayt News Agency, “If an Israeli soldier hides somewhere, the issue is immediately investigated, but on the abduction of a great character like Imam Moussa al-Sadr there is no action,” Ayatollah Makarem-Shirazi said on Thursday.

Speaking to a high-ranking Lebanese delegation on the occasion of the 31st anniversary of the abduction of Imam Moussa al-Sadr, the prominent Iranian cleric described the Lebanese leader as an icon who belonged not only to Lebanon but to the whole Muslim community.

Ayatollah Makarem-Shirazi hailed Imam Moussa al-Sadr’s contributions to Lebanon, the Islamic Revolution in Iran and all Muslims, and called for more active investigation into his disappearance.

Khalil Hamdan, the head of the Lebanese delegation, thanked Tehran for its continued efforts to discover the fate of the senior Lebanese cleric.

Hamdan further referred to inquiries by the Lebanese judiciary authorities and the Iranian parliament, insisting that the cleric was “alive and held in Libya.”

It is widely believed in Lebanon that Imam Moussa al-Sadr, the founder of the Lebanon’s Amal movement, was kidnapped on the orders of senior Libyan officials while on an official trip to Libya in August 1978.

Accompanied by two of his companions, Mohammed Yaqoub and Abbas Badreddin, Sadr was scheduled to meet with officials from the government of the Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi.

In 2008, the government in Beirut issued an arrest warrant for Gaddafi over Sadr’s disappearance.

Shia Muslim Organizations Aid to Pakistani Flood Victims

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The World Federation in partnership with The Africa Federation, the Council of European Jamaats and NASIMCO is launching the Pakistan Flood Appeal 2010. The displaced victims in Northern Pakistan are suffering and The World Federation of Khoja Shia Ithna Asheri (ksimc) is appealing to all communities around the world to donate generously. The World Federation has set a target to collect £ 80,000 for this appeal.

‘If you are reduced to poverty, then trade with Allah (SWT) through giving in charity.’ Imam Ali (AS)

Since 28 July 2010, heavy monsoon rainfall in north-west Pakistan has caused catastrophic floods in different rivers causing more then 1170 dead, misplacing thousands of families and damaging infrastructure. In the worst-affected areas, entire villages were washed away and thousands of people have lost everything. Over 3 million people would be affected and forecasters have predicted more rain in the upcoming days that will cause further devastation. This is the worst flooding in more than 80 years in Pakistan.

PAKISTAN FLOOD APPEAL 2010

The World Federation in partnership with The Africa Federation, the Council of European Jamaats and NASIMCO is launching the Pakistan Flood Appeal 2010. The displaced victims in Northern Pakistan are suffering and The World Federation of KSIMC is appealing to all communities around the world to donate generously. The World Federation has set a target to collect £ 80,000 for this appeal.

The World Federation is working with the Hussaini Foundation to explore the urgent provision of immediate relief and medium to long term assistance to the displaced victims. The Hussaini Foundation has already set-up its relief team and is sending out food parcels to the victims and has undertaken the following assessment in four key areas:

Baluchistan: The areas of Kachhi, Jaffarabad, Kohlu and Sibi districts are most effected hundreds’ of mud houses have been washed out, road links are badly damaged.

Gilgit: Thousands peoples were rendered homeless as torrential rains hit Gilgit. Communication with the rest of the country was put to halt due to landslides from Gilgit to Skardu, Ghizer, Astore and Islamabad.

Azad Jammu and Kashmir: An emergency has been imposed in the upper areas of AJK following high-level floods in river Neelum. Muzaffarabad is affected and many river side houses are badly damaged. The relief efforts from governments and army are underway but an urgent need for food and medicine is needed.

Sindh: The government have alerted the local authorities to gear up and evacuate peoples from the expected affected areas.

The Foundation is also undertaking a detailed assessment from its grassroots sources to evaluate the extent of damage to houses and property, but due to disruption caused by the devastation in the infrastructure and communications networks, this has been challenging. The long-term rebuilding of the affected areas could take several years because of the extent of the devastation.

The World Federation is deeply distraught and concerned about the devastation and loss of lives and strongly appeals to all donors to donate generously. Your contribution will make a great impact on the lives of all those who have lost everything, including their homes and their livelihood.

The momineen are also requested to remember the victims in your Duas.

TO DONATE:

Donate on The World Federation Website

Donate in Canada or USA, (via NASIMCO)

Donate in Europe (via CoEJ)

For more information, please email relief@world-federation.org

15th Shaban the Happy and Auspicious Birthday Anniversary of Imam Mahdi (pbuh)

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15th Shaban:The Happy and Auspicious Birthday Anniversary of ImamMahdi(May Allah Almighty Hasten His Reappearance) Hadrat Hujjat ibn Hasan al-Askari(A.S.) the Twelfth Holy Imam ,Al-Mahdi, Al-Muntazar, Qa’im, Baqi’atullah was born on 15th Shaban in 255 A.H. in Samarrah(Iraq). The Reappearance and Second Coming of Imam Mahdi(A.S.),”the Ultimate Savior and Redeemer of Mankind” and “the Only Hope for Humanity” will save the world from all the evil forces and will grant salvation to humanity. On this Auspicious and Solemn Occasion we extend our Heartiest and Happy Greetings to all the peace-lovers and justice seekers in the world.                             ———————————————————————————————-

15th Shaban:The Happy and Auspicious Birthday Anniversary of Imam Mahdi(May Allah Almighty Hasten His Reappearance) Hadrat Hujjat ibn Hasan al-Askari(A.S.) the Twelfth Holy Imam ,Al-Mahdi, Al-Muntazar, Qa’im, Baqi’atullah was born on 15th Shaban in 255 A.H. in Samarrah(Iraq).

The Reappearance and Second Coming of Imam Mahdi(A.S.),”the Ultimate Savior and Redeemer of Mankind” and “the Only Hope for Humanity” will save the world from all the evil forces and will grant salvation to humanity.

The Qur’anic prophecy of the inevitable victory of Islam will be realized following the advent of Imam Mahdi(A.S.) who will fight the wrong,remedy the evils and will establish a “New World Order” based on the Islamic teachings of justice,virtue and goodness.Thereafter,there will be only one religion that is Islam and there will be only one “Universal Islamic Government” in the world heralding an era of peace,prosperity,eternal bliss,happiness and universal justice.

On this Auspicious and Solemn Occasion we extend our Heartiest and Happy Greetings to all the peace-lovers and justice seekers in the world.

Brief Biography of Imam Mahdi (A.S.)

Name: Muhammad.
Title: Al-Mahdi, Al-Qa’im, Al-Hujjah, Al-Gha’ib, Sahibu’z-Zaman.
Agnomen: Abul-Qasim.
Father’s name: Imam Al-Hassan (AS).
Mother’s name: Hazrat Narjis (SA).
Birth: Sha’ban 15, 255 A.H.
Death: Still alive but in occultation.
(The hidden Imam who is expected to return)
“The world will not come to an end,” said the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), “ until a man from my family (Ahlulbayt) and of my name shall be master of the world, When you see a green ensign coming from the direction of Khorasan, then join them, for the Imam of God will be with the standards who will be called al-Mahdi.”
“The Mahdi will be descended from me, he will be a man with an open countenance and a face with a high nose. He will fill the earth with equity and with justice, just as it has been filled with tyranny and oppression.” (Biharul Anwar, Majlisi)
Imam Mahdi (AS), the last in the line of the Twelve Ithna Ashari Imams was born on 15th Shaban 255 Hijri in Samarra, Iraq. His father was the Eleventh Imam Hasan al-Askari (AS) and his mother was Nargis Khatoon, grand daughter of the Emperor of Rum.
It was 8th Rabiul Awwal 260 Hijri when our Twelfth Imam led the funeral prayer of his father Imam Hasan al-Askari (AS). He was only Five years old, yet the whole crowd of muslims including the Abbasid caliph of that time Al-Mu’tamid followed the young Imam without question. Once the prayers were over and the Imam went inside the house, that the Caliph realised the full implication and significance of the occasion and he immediately ordered his soldiers to enter the house and search for the young Imam. They did not find any one inside the house. The Caliph was very angry at this incompetence of ministers and other officials who were unable to find a boy of five who had just led the prayers and had just disappeared. The caliph had no inkling of the secrets that God did not want to reveal. He went back to his palace and into the luxurious life of a playboy king while the world around him squeezed his empire into oblivion.
The Imam’s period of lesser concealment began immediately after he led the funeral prayers and disappeared inside the house. This was in the year 260 Hijri.
The doctrine of ‘Ghaiba’ or concealment, declares simply that the Imam has been withdrawn by God from the eyes of people, that his life has been miraculously prolonged, that he has been seen from time to time, has been in correspondence with others, and has maintained a control over the guidance of the followers and the believers and the safety of Islam from its enemies.
In the following few pages we shall try to bring some evidence from the Qora’an and the authentic Hadith of the Prophet to prove the point to interested readers.
This is an essential belief that Imam Mahdi (AS) Sahibuz zaman, is alive and guide’s his followers whenever such need arises. This is based on the verses of the Holy Qur’an that express the idea of Divine Guidance through the Prophets and Imams. “ And among those whom we have created are a people who guide others with truth, and in accordance therewith act justly” . (Sura vii V 180)
“ We shall test you with something of fear and hunger, some loss in goods or lives or the fruits (of your toil), but give glad tidings to those who patiently persevere (Sura 2, V.155)
A great Hanafi scholar Muhammad ibn Muslim cites Imam Ja’afar al-Sadiq (AS) explaining the meaning of the above Verse. Imam indicated that there would be signs indicating the coming (reappearance) of al-Mahdi(AS) which are the means whereby God tests the faithful. “Something of fear” is a reference to masses perishing by contagious diseases; “hunger” is a reference to high prices of foodstuffs; “Some loss in goods” is a reference to scarcity and famines; “Lives” is a reference to mass destruction of human lives, probably global wars; “Fruits” is a reference to lengthy periods of draughts; so when all that happens, then give glad tidings to those who patiently persevere.”
“This is its interpretation,” continued the Imam , quoting Verse 7 of Sura 3, which indicates that “only those who are firmly grounded in knowledge are capable of interpreting the verses of the Holy Qur’an”, adding, “ We the Ahlulbayt are the ones firmly grounded in knowledge”.
In the book “Yanabi al Muaddah”, the Hanafi scholar and Mufti of Istanbul during the Osmani Caliphate in Turkey writes on page 321, quoting Imam Ja’afar al-Sadiq (AS) interpreting Verse 83, Sura III of the Holy Qora’an comments as follows:- “ When the Qa’im al-Mahdi reappears, there will be no land on earth where the Kalima is not said. “This could be a reference to the fact that by the time al-Mahdi reappears, all continents of the world will have muslim populations. They already do now.
After presenting the above proofs from the Qur’an, the following are authentic traditions from the Prophet of God regarding Imam Mahdi (AS).
At the end of Vol.2 of Fara’idh al-simtain and on page 269 Ibn Khaldun’s ‘Mukaddimah’ , it is related from Ibn Abbas, that the Holy Prophet said, “ Ali is Imam of my nation and my successor therein after me, and among his offspring is the awaited Qa’im who shall fill the world with justice and equity as it was filled with injustice and oppression. The Prophet further elaborates, “ beware of doubting, for to doubt the order of God, the Mighty, the Sublime, is apostasy (Kufr). Ibn Khaldun also states that “ When imprisoned with his mother in the house, he entered a sort of well or pit in the house that his family occupies at Samarrah, Iraq, and there he disappeared, but he is to come forth at the end of the age to fill the earth with justice”.
Allama Jalaluddin Suyuti quotes in his book Jalalul- Oyun Vol.6 page 50. “ The Hour shall not come till Al-Mahdi takes charge on earth on my behalf,” said the Messenger of God. Allama Suytu also quotes Imam Ahmed ibn Hanbal that famous companion Abu Said Khadhri quoting the Messenger of God saying, “ I bring you glad tidings of al-Mahdi, God shall send him to my nation, in a time different from your own, and after a series of earthquakes, and he shall fill the earth with justice and equity as it was filled with injustice and oppression. He shall distribute the wealth equitably among the inhabitants of the earth. In the manual in which he sets forth the many duties and privileges of pilgrims, Majlisi has given an accepted form for a short letter in Arabic, which anyone can write, and sent to his Imam of the age. It may be placed on the tomb of any of the Imams, or it may be fastened and sealed, and covered with clean earth and cast into the sea or river or a deep well. In any case it will reach the Hidden Imam andhe will give his personal attention.
There is a famous saying of Imam Hussain (AS) about the twelvth Imam. “ The Ninth of my descendants is the Imam who will rise with the Truth. God will grant life to earth through him after its death. The true faith will supersede all religions through him. His absence shall be lengthy during which many people will go astray. Only a few will remain on the Right Path. They shall suffer pains, people will put pressure on them, saying,” let us know when this promise of the Return of the Mahdi is fulfilled”. Those who will bear the pains and denials patiently will get the same rewards as those who accompanied the Prophet during his expeditions for Jihad.”
Imam Zainul Abedeen (AS) has said, “ Of us one will be born whose birth will remain secret so much so that the people will say that he was not born at all.”
Imam Muhammad al Baqir (AS) is quoted by Kulaini in Al-Kafi, “ Nine Imams after Hussain are destined, the last of them will be al-Qaim.”
Imam Jafar al-Sadiq (AS) is quoted in Ilal al-shaa’i saying, “ The fifth of the descendants of my son Musa will be the Qa’im a descendant of the Prophet (SA).
Imam Musa ibn Ja’afar (AS) was asked once, “ Are the Qa’im with the truth?” The Imam replied, “ I also rise truthfully, but the real Qa’im is he who will remove the enemies of God from earth and will fill it with justice. He shall be my fifth descendant. His absence will be lengthy during which multitudes will turn away from the faith while only a few will uphold it”.
Imam Ali al-Reza (AS) in the above saying of Imam Hussain (AS) that due to the excessive the length of the concealment of the 12th Imam many believers will have doubts about his existence. Many will question the very longevity of his life and the usefulness of his presence as an Imam. Reza said, “ O Da’bil, my son Muhammad (AS) will come when I am gone. After him, his great grand son will be named Muhammad(AS) who will be the Qa’im. He will be awaited during his absence. When he appears, the world shall bow down before him.”
Imam Muhammad Taqi (AS) has said “ The Qa’im will be from amongst us the third of my descendants”.
Imam Ali Naqi (AS) said, “ My successor will be my son Hasan; but what will be your condition during the reign of Hasan’s successor”? Those who were present asked, “Why, what do you mean by that”? Imam replied, “ you will not have the chance to see him, later you will not be allowed to mention his name”. Then the Imam was asked as to how they should mention him. Imam replied, “ You may say that he is the last of Muhammad’s (PBUH) (infallible) descendants. “
Some people asked Imam Hasan al-Askari (AS), “ your forefathers have said that the earth would never be without knowing the sign of Allah (Hujjatullah) till Doomsday, and he who dies without knowing the Imam of his time will die the death of ignorance”. Imam replied, “ That was as true as the shining day. They inquired as to who would be the Imam who would be the sign of the Mercy of God after his death, Imam replied, “ He will be my son, the namesake of the Holy Prophet (Muhammad Abul Qasim). He who died without knowing him will die the death of ignorance. His absence will be so lengthy that the ignorant will wander puzzled and would surely stray from the Right Path. But the Righteous shall remain steadfast and pray for their Imam to appear within their life time”.
All these predictions were recorded since the time of the Holy Prophet who himself prophesied the advent of the Mahdi. (Read this Hadith in the story of the 5th Imam).
As in the above saying of Imam Hussain (AS) that due to the excessive length of the concealment of the 12th Imam many believers will have doubts about his existence. Many will question the very longevity of his life and the usefulness of his presence as an Imam.
To the question of existence, we have seen above the many Verses from the Qora’an and Hadith of the Prophet and all the Eleven Imams. We have also read quotations from the Books of Ahlul Sunna wal Jama’a and many scholars and philosophers from the earliest times to the present.
As far as the longevity of his life, in Qur’anic terms it is not difficult to explain. Prophet Jesus is alive and will come out with the 12th Imam. Prophet Sheeth and Prophet Khidhr are still alive according to the Verdict of the Qur’an. If God keeps his guided ones alive for a certain purpose there should not be any doubt.
As for the usefulness of his concealed existence, there are numerous occasions when the Imam miraculously helped those who called him for help.
During the period of Ghaibate Sughra (the period of lesser concealment) from the time of the death of his father Imam Hasan al-Askari (AS) in the year 260 Hijri, our 12th Imam was seen only by a few people who were appointed his ambassadors (Safeer) on his behalf to convey his teachings to the believers. These Four Ambassadors were as follows:
1. Abu Amr Uthman ibn Sa’id al Asadi. He was a deputy of 10th Imam Ali Naqi (AS) and after his death, of the 11th Imam Hasan al-Askari (AS) and after his death, of our 12th Imam.
Having performed these duties of conveying the messages from the Imam to the believers and the teachings of Ahlulbayt, he died in Baghdad and was buried there.
2. Abu Ja’afar Muhammad ibn Othman al Amri, the son of the first Ambassador was appointed the 2nd Safeer of our 12th Imam. He died in 305 Hijri (917 AD) .
3. Abul Qasim Hussain ibn Rauh Nawbakhti was appointed the Imam’s 3rd Safeer. He was a top ranking scholar and Faqeeh, renowned for his knowledge of all Islamic sciences. He was also a very pious man. Under the directions of the 12th Imam, his 3rd Safeer Hussain ibn Rauh performed his duties as Safeer for the next 15 years. He died in the year 320 Hijri
4. Abul Hasan Ali ibn Muhammad al-Samari. He was the last Safeer of the 12th Imam, succeeding Hussain ibn Rauh as directed by the Imam. He performed his duties for 9 years and died on the 15th Shabaan 329 Hijri (May 15, 941 AD) Having being asked on his deathbed as to who would succeed him, he replied: Providence now wishes to give the matter another shape the duration of which is known to God alone.”
After Abul Hasan there was no Safeer. In this sorrowful year, i.e. 329 Hijri, many scholars such as Ali ibn Babwayh Qummi and Muhammad ibn Yaqub Kulaini, the learned compiler of al-Kafi also died. Besides these events, an extra ordinary phenomenon was also witnessed. In the sky so many stars did shoot that it seemed as if Doomsday had come. That year was namedas the year of the dispersal of stars. After this, followed a dark period because no saffeer was left to directly approach the Imam al Mahdi (AS). It is also related that Imam himself told his last Safeer that there will not be any more appointments of Sofara. When asked what the believers would do, the Imam replied, “follow the Foqaha of our Deen, those who have knowledge of Qora’an, who protect Deen and would not follow their own desires”.
In answering those who question the usefulness of the Imam in concealment, there are numerous occasions mentioned in books of many Ulemas, such as Shaikh Mufid (d413 Hijri) Allama Hilli (d. 726) /shahid Thalith Noorullah Shoostry (d.1019). They have mentioned in their own period as to how the 12th Imam was approached and gave help. All these stories are mentioned in their own books.
Here in this book I would like to mention two such occurrences that happened to those who have told their experiences to me personally. Both of them are now dead and it is important for me to tell these happenings before my own death.
I lived in Najef in the fifties and during my stay there I used to visit Kerbala nearly every week. In the town of Kerbala there was a Dispensary run by the Pakistan Government. The Pharmacist there was one Mr.Rizvi who not only distributed medicine to the poor of Kerbala but also looked after the patients and sometimes even prescribed medicine for them. There was no qualified doctor to attend to the patient. Mr.Rizvi used to go to Baghdad on Friday to get stocks from the Hospital there. On one such occasion when he was coming back by Minibus, the Bus driver stopped at Mehmudiya, half way Kerbala. It was late in the evening. The Bus Driver told the passenger’s that there was something wrong with the Bus engine and he could not proceed until next morning. The passengers would have to provide for their own Board and lodging themselves for the night. Mr.Rizvi was very upset. He had a box load of medicine with him and if he would not be in Kerbala, the next morning his patients would be disappointed and some of them might have to go without any medicine. He was standing by the Road side, in this little town Mehmudiya, some 40 miles from Kerbala. Night was getting darker. People were sitting in dark coffee houses drinking coffee or playing card games etc. As time passed his worries increased. He realised that if he does not move from there soon, some youngsters might come and vandalise his goods and stocks of medicine. So he prayed to God and the words uttered were “Ya Sahebuz Zaman Udrikny” O’Imam of the Time, help me. Moments later, he saw a jeep car stopped right there where he was standing and a very good looking young Arab gentleman got out of the Jeep and told him, “Do you want to go to Kerbala”? He was astonished at this help and said yes, of course I want to go to Kerbala. He said, “put your box in the car and sit beside me”. The man drove the car and arrived in Kerbala an hour later. Without asking him the address of his destination he took him straight to the door of the Dispensary and stopped. Mr.Rizvi got down, brought his box of medicine down and started to look for some money in his pocket to give something to the Driver of the Jeep. When he turned to look for him, there was nothing there. There was no jeep car, no man, nothing. The road was completely empty. He bowed down on the dust of Kerbala to thank God for sending the help through the Imam of the Time. He told me this story personally and he had no doubt in his mind that the help came from the 12th Imam. From that time onward his devotion towards helping the people of Kerbala had increased a hundred fold. He died some years later while still helping his patients in that little Dispensary in Kerbala.
My second story was from the lips of an Englishman, Col.Abdullah Baines. During the 2nd World War he was stationed at the Royal Air Force Base at Habbaniyah, a town some 22 miles south of Baghdad. During the height of the war there was some scare in Britain that Hitler might invade Iraq to grab oilfields. It was 1942 that the Commander of the Base decided to evacuate families of the people living at the base. Col.Baines was given the task of leading the caravan of jeep cars full of women and children from Baghdad to Damascus. They had to pass through the Desert where there was no road and they had to find there way by looking at the stars as Captains of the ship sail in the sea and find there way to their destination. Col.Baines was a Christian but he was well versed in Islamic history and especially the history concerning the lives of the Imams. He had read many books about the 12th Imam and was well aware of the stories of those faithful who believe who receive help from the Imam in their distress. They call the Imam and help comes to them. All the women and children with Col.Baines were all christians and not muslims.
Half way through their journey of this caravan of five jeeps through the desert, they lost their way in a desert storm. They were hopelessly lost, going round and round in the desert, not knowing where to go and how to find their way to Damascus. They decided to camp there. Made a circle of jeep cars and all travellers sat down on the ground to await a miracle to get them out of that endless desert. They did not know what to do. One day and one night passed like that and when the next day’s sun came scorching, all of them were in despair. Water stocks had gone and thirsty children began to demand for water. Col.Baines did not know what to do. Then he remembered that he read somewhere that if you are in such distress, call the Imam of the time for help. He put up his hands in the shape of prayer, closed his eyes and asked in his heart for the Imam to help. He said, “we are all Christians and we may be sinners, but these children with me are innocent , they do not deserve to die in this manner. O’Imam of the Time, help them get out of this desert”. His prayers had not even ended when he saw that two horsemen were coming right through the eye of the storm. They came near the circle of jeep cars, approached Col.Baines, and asked, “ Do you all wish to go to Damascus”. He said “yes of course”. They said, “follow us”. The jeeps lined up and followed the horsemen. They had gone a few miles until the way became clear for them. Their guides told them to go straight to the West and they will reach Damascus. In a few days they all reached Damascus and safety. Col.Baines realised that his prayers to the 12th Imam were heard and help arrived from the Imam.
Once the war was over, Col.Bains embraced Islam, changed his name to Abdullah Baines and after his retirement from the Army, settled in Kent. He has himself told me his story before his death in 1965. He also told me to publicise this as much as possible for this is the truth and people should not refrain from telling the truth.
There are numerous experiences of this kind of help given by the Imam to people in distress who call him for help. Ayatollah al-Jazaeri told us two such stories of his own experiences in Iran when help came from the Imam to people.
Although absent and unrepresented, Imam al-Mahdi (AS) still guides people and defends the faith. Even though unseen, the Imam supervises the world affairs and guides it. This curtain will exist as long as Providence deems it necessary. The time will come, which may be too late for many of us, but when the curtain of absence will be removed, Imam al-Mahdi (AS) will reappear and as predicted by the Prophet, fill the world with justice and equity, discarding the prevailing injustices and oppressions. May God bring about his early reappearance and ease his coming.
We beseech the Most High and Almighty to make our effort of enduring benefit and to help us in disseminating benevolence and guidance. He is the Hearing and Answering.

3rd Shaban, Birthday of Our 3rd Imam Hussain (A.S.)

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Imam Husain ibn ‘Ali (peace be upon him)

Name: Husain ibn ‘Ali
Titles: Sayyid-as-Shuhadaa (Leader of Martyrs)
Kuniya: Abu Abdullah
Birthdate: Thursday, 3rd Shaban 4 A.H. in Madina
Father: Imam ‘Ali Al-Murtaza (peace be upon him), 1st Holy Imam
Mother: Hazrat Fatima (daughter of the Holy Prophet) (PBUT)
Died: (Martyred) Date: Friday, 10th Muharram, 61 A.H.
Place: Kerbala, IraqAge: 57 years
Cause: Massacred along with some of his family members and companions by the army of Yazid ibn Mu’awiya L.A
Buried: Kerbala, Iraq

Birth

On the third of Sha’ban in the year 4 A.H. (1) the city of Medina witnessed the birth of a boy in the house of Lady Fatimah (PBUH) and Imam Ali (PBUH); he was later nicknamed the “Master of Martyrs.” This newly born baby was the second son of a family whom the Prophet of Islam (PBUH&HP) saluted by the name of “Ahl al-Bayt” (people of the house of the Prophet). They were referred to as Ahl al-Bayt after Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP) received the verse of Tat’hir (Purification) (The Holy Quran, 33:33). His mother was Lady Fatimah (PBUH), one of the greatest women in history, whose deep knowing, morality, purity, and other great characteristics are well known to all, a mother whose rank and status is described by the Holy Quran in a whole chapter.

His father, Imam Ali (PBUH), hugged his newborn second son in his arms. Imam Ali (PBUH) was the first person who became Muslim, most knowledgeable in religion, and most eloquent in the Arab language. As his exceptional record of self-sacrifice and courage in defending the religion of Allah (SWT) was passed down with the rise and expansion of Islam. He was the one whom Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP) constantly announced as his successor by the command of Allah (SWT).

Naming

On such an auspicious day, Imam Ali (PBUH) took his son to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP), as was the custom of respect, in order for a name to be chosen for his newborn son, just as he had done for his first son. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP) named him ?Hussain? by the order of Allah (SWT). Hussain is the Arabic equivalent of Shubayr in Hebrew. Shubayr was the name of the second son of Haroun/Aaron, the successor of Musa/Moses (PBUH).

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP) once informed Imam Ali (PBUH) about the similarity found between Muhammad and Musa, Ali and Haroun, Shubbar and Hassan, Shubayr and Hussain: “O Ali, your status with respect to mine is equivalent to the status of Haroun with respect to Musa, except there will be no prophet after me.”

The Prophet’s flower

Hussain (PBUH) spent his childhood with Lady Fatimah (PBUH), Imam Ali (PBUH), and especially with Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP). The love and affection Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP) had towards Hussain (PBUH) was so unique that all the companions were aware of it, had frequently seen its manifestation, and had heard of it repeatedly. Moreover, historians have recorded incidents and narrations in this respect. In one account it has been said that the Prophet’s prostration took longer than usual in his prayer. People came to the Prophet and asked, “Were you receiving a revelation or order from Allah during prostration?” Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP) replied, “No, my son Hussain had climbed onto my back; I waited until he wished to come down.” This is an example showing how the best creature of Allah (SWT) treated Hussain (PBUH) while he was in the best state of worship.

The companions had seen Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP) repeatedly put Hassan and Hussain (PBUT) on his shoulders and play with them. At other times he would kiss Hussain (PBUH) and say, “Hussain is from me, and I am from Hussain. May Allah love him who loves Hussain.” In other traditions the Prophet would say, “Hassan and Hussain (PBUT) are my two aromatic flowers from this world.”

Nonetheless, most people knew that the Prophet’s love for his two grandchildren, especially for Hussain (PBUH) was not a usual love of a grandfather for his grandchild. According to the Holy Quran, the Prophet’s (PBUH&HP) actions and words are apart from his desires: “Indeed in the Messenger of Allah you have a good example to follow …” (The Holy Quran, 33:21) On the other hand, although Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP) had other adopted daughters and a son, the specific affection and recommendations were only shown towards Hassan and Hussain (PBUT).

Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH&HP) recommendations and affections for Hussain (PBUH) were in fact portraying an important fact. He would repeatedly inform people that salvation and prosperity can only be found through the friendship and love of Imam Hussain (PBUH). Umar Ibn Khattab narrates from Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP): “Hassan and Hussain are masters of the youth in heaven. Whosoever loves them has loved me, and whosoever has animosity with them, is my enemy.” In another account the Holy Prophet has also said, “You came to awareness by me; you found the right path and were guided by Ali; you were given blessings through Hassan; but your eternal salvation is with Hussain. Be aware that Hussain is a door from the doors of heaven. Whosoever has animosity towards him can never enter heaven.”

In the mirror of Allah’s book

Imam Hussain (PBUH) was still a child when several verses of the Holy Quran were revealed either about or referring to him. One of those verses is referred to as the verse of Mubahilah (3:61). On the day of Mubahilah when a spiritual contest between Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP) and the Christians of Najran was set up to invoke the curse of Allah (SWT) on the liars, Hussain (PBUH) and his family were the only ones accompanying the Prophet. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP) had orders from Almighty Allah (SWT) through the verse of Mubahilah to take Hassan and Hussain (PBUT) as his children with him.

Hussain (PBUH) was one of the five people in regards to whom the verse of Tat’hir (Purification) was revealed. He, his father, brother, and mother were under the Prophet’s cloak when Allah (SWT) revealed to His Messenger: “Verily Allah desires to remove all kinds of uncleanness from only you, O Ahl al-Bayt (people of the house), and to definitely purify you.” (The Holy Quran, 33:33) This verse of the Holy Quran is clear proof of the infallibility of this family and their separation from all sins and mistakes.

In another verse, Allah (SWT) commands all Muslims to love those closely related to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP): “Say: I do not ask of you any reward for it but love for my near relatives?” (The Holy Quran, 42:32). When the companions asked Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP) who these “near relatives” were, the Prophet (PBUH&HP) replied: “They are Ali, Fatimah and their two children.”

Years of youth

Unfortunately, the sweet years of Hussain’s childhood were soon over. He was about seven years old when the Prophet departed from this world, after having said his final words about his Ahl al-Bayt. Alas the Islamic world mourned.

The Prophet’s burial ceremony was not over yet, when the conspiracies were applied to rob the caliphate. People ignored all the numerous commandments and recommendations the Holy Prophet had made in regards to his successor. The great event of Ghadir had been veiled by negligence and disregard, and despite Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH&HP) frequent emphasis on Ali (PBUH) as his successor, his right for Islamic governorship was usurped. Even Fadak, a fertile land given by the Prophet to his daughter, was seized from the Prophet’s progeny by the government. The Prophet’s basil witnessed the harms and injuries caused upon his mother over the conflicts of allegiance, and as a result, lost his mother at the age of eight because of the crisis. The loss of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP) and Imam Hussain?s (PBUH) mother on the one hand, and the oppression upon Imam Hussain?s (PBUH) father on the other hand, in addition to the pressures he faced from the government, were bothering Hussain’s (PBUH) clean soul. This period coincided with the three caliphates’ era.

During this time Hussain (PBUH), as a Muslim and a follower, followed the path of Ali (PBUH) and was determined to defend truth with any opportunity he received, even though he was in his youth. He would warn people about the alterations made to Islam after the demise of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP). In the best of manners Hussain (PBUH), his father, and brother would express their objection to the alterations rulers of their time had made to the religion. In one of the cases for example, the third Caliph had exiled Abu Dhar, a close companion of the Prophet, for the ?wrongdoing? of expressing his complaints about the Caliph’s deviation from the path of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP). Although the Caliph had banned all from bidding farewell to Abu Dhar, Imam Ali, Hassan, and Hussain (PBUT) all went to bid their farewells to Abu Dhar to express their objection. Upon departing, Hussain (PBUH) turned to Abu Dhar and said,

“Dear Uncle, the Almighty Lord is powerful and able. He can change everything that has happened to you. These people seized your comfort, world, and life. Yet, you protected your religion from their deviations; truly you are not in need of this world and the people dependant upon this world. Their world has no value in your eyes, even though they are in great need of your way in life. Strengthen your heart and refrain from greediness and lowliness. Do not fear, and seek refuge in Allah, for perseverance is a sign of faithfulness and greatness.”

Hussain (PBUH) supporter of father

Hussain (PBUH) was about 32 when authority over Muslims was handed back to its rightful owner, as people paid their allegiance to Ali (PBUH). After some time, Imam Ali (PBUH) migrated to Kufah with his sons, and therein established the new capital of the Islamic government. During the span of his father’s rule, Hussain (PBUH) was a true supporter and close assistant to his Imam and father in all political and military stages. He showed his utmost respect to his father and remained obedient to his commands at all times.

Hussain (PBUH) was trained and raised by the greatest defender of Islam; he had learned courage and bravery from his father; and he was seriously involved in the three wars during his father’s Caliphate. In the battle of Jamal, Hussain (PBUH) was responsible for commanding the left side of the army of Amir al-Mu’minin (PBUH). He also achieved the first victory for the army of Ali (PBUH) in the battle of Siffin, where he and his companions freed the Furat (Euphrates) River.(2) Moreover, his role as a witness in the Hakamiyah arbitration between Muawiyah and his father, Imam Ali (PBUH), is clear proof of his active participation in the society.

Hussain (PBUH) a follower of his brother

After the martyrdom of Amir al-Mu’minin (PBUH), Imam Hassan (PBUH), by the will of Allah (SWT) and the recommendations of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP), became the Imam and leader of the Muslims. He took responsibility in leading the Islamic society and in preaching the religion of Allah (SWT).

As in the case of his father, Hussain (PBUH), like a true follower, continued to obey and respect his brother, while remaining firmly obedient in even the smallest matters. His manners and obedience towards his brother was so exemplary that historians have acknowledged and recorded many of the cases. In one example, they have recorded a narration from Imam Baqir (PBUH) as follows: “Due to the high respect that Imam Hussain (PBUH) held for his brother, he refrained from walking ahead of or talking before his brother, Imam Hassan (PBUH).”

As mentioned, Hussain (PBUH) was always in a state of obedience and support to Imam Hassan?s (PBUH) actions in political and social matters, especially concerning peace treaty with Mu’awiyah. Despite the unfaithfulness of all Muslims towards Imam Hassan (PBUH), Hussain, the son of Ali (PBUT), a known character in the world of Islam, defended Imam Hassan’s (PBUH) decision on the peace treaty. Imam Hussain (PBUH) believed peace was the key factor in Islam’s maintenance.

After the peace treaty, Hussain (PBUH) and his brother moved from Kufah to Medina, their birth place and city, in which the Prophet’s shrine was built. In Medina, they continued to educate, enlighten, interpret, and explain the commandments of Allah (SWT) to the people. Not long after, however, Imam Hassan (PBUH) was poisoned and martyred by the order of Mu’awiyah. As Imam Hassan (PBUH) departed this world, the divine position of Imamate was once again passed to the most deserving. His brother Hussain (PBUH) became the next Imam in Islam.

The Status of Imam Husain (A.S.)

Imam Husain (Abu Abdulla) (A.S.) had a lofty position in the Qur’anic verses which mentioned his high position with the position of Ahlul-Bait (A.S.). next to the verses of the Glorious Qur’an like the verse of Purification, Malediction, Affection and others, we quote statements, from the Messenger of Allah (S.A.W.) as additional evidence expressing the lofty position occupied by Imam Husain (A.S.) in the world of Islam and the Muslim Ummah.

Some of them are:
In the Sahih of Tirmidi, The Messenger of Allah (S.A.W.) said:
“Husain is from me and I am from Husain, Allah loves whoever loves Husain.”

2. Salman Farsi is reported to have said: I heard the Prophet of Allah (S.A.W.) saying:
“Hasan and Husain are my two sons. Whoever loves them, then he loves me and whoever loves them then Allah loves him. And whomsoever Allah loves, He will make him enter Paradise. And whoever dislikes them then dislikes me. And whoever Allah dislikes, He will throw him into hell face downward.”

Ali bin Husain (A.S.) said, on the authority of his father, on the authority of his grandfather (A.S.), “The Messenger of Allah (S.A.W.) took the arms of Hasan and Husain and said, ‘Whoever loves me and loves these two and their father, he will certainly be with me on the Day of Judgement.”

Aspects of His Character:

Under the supervision of his grandfather (S.A.W.), his father, and his mother, al-Zahra’ ( peace be upon them all), the aspects of his characters fused together personifying the Message of Allah, the Blessed and Exalted, in thought, action and conduct. Here, we cite some examples regarding him:
Shu’aid bin Abdul-Rahman is reported to have said:
“On the way to Taf (Battle of Karbala’), wherein he was martyred) a mark was seen on the back of Husain bin Ali (A.S.). Imam Zainul-Abideen (A.S.) (his eldest son, and the son who survived the battle) was asked about it. “It is the trace,” he replied, “of the bag, which he puts on his back (carrying food) to the house of the widows, orphans and the poor.”

Another example, reflecting his humble nature is that of his acceptance of an invitation to having food with the poor. He encountered a number of poor men. Having had their food they hastened to ask him to share with them. He dismounted from his horse saying: “Surely, Allah does not like the haughty.” He partook of their food and said: “I have accepted your invitation won’t you accept mine?”
“Certainly, we will,” said they. He took them to his house and said to al-Rabab, his wife, “Bring us what you have been storing.”
One day he was asked, “How great is your fear of your lord?”
“No one would be secure on the Day of Judgement except those who feared Allah” he replied.”

The night before the tenth of the month of Muharram, Imam Husain (A.S.) asked the Ummayad army to delay the battle till the following morning. He said: “This night we want to offer our prayers to our Lord, and we want to ask His forgiveness. He knows that I love to offer my prayers to Him, recite His Book, and pray much asking for His forgiveness.”

25th Rajab Martyrdom Anniversary of Imam Musa ibn Ja'far al-Kazim (A.S.)

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Imam Musa ibn Ja’far al-Kazim(A.S.),the Seventh Holy Infallible Imam of the Shi’ites whose matchless devotion and worship of God has earned him the titles of “Abd-e-Saleh” and “Bab-ul-Hawaij” (The Door to Fulfilling Peoples’ Needs).

The Holy Imam (A.S.) was confined in prisons for 14 years by the ruling Abbasid caliphs and was finally martyred by poisoning in the prison of Baghdad on 25th Rajab, 183 A.H., by the tyrant and cruel Abbasid caliph Harun al-Rashid.

On this heartbreaking and sad occasion we extend our Heartfelt Sorrow and Condolences to all the Shia Muslims and the Lovers of Holy Ahlul Bayt(A.S.) in the world.

Bahraini Shia Muslims Under Severe Torture of Wahhabi Security Authorities

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30 May 2010The Bahrain Center for Human Rights expresses it great concern for the continuous escalation pursued by the security authorities in Bahrain represented in the violence and bloodiness of the authorities in confronting the growing public protests that prevail the Bahraini villages and areas opposing the authority’s policy.                                                                                                                                

30 May 2010The Bahrain Center for Human Rights expresses it great concern for the continuous escalation pursued by the security authorities in Bahrain represented in the violence and bloodiness of the authorities in confronting the growing public protests that prevail the Bahraini villages and areas opposing the authority’s policy.

The BCHR received several complaints from sufferers and victims of this policy, the last which was the young Hasan Ali Darwish (20 years old) suffering severe injuries in the village of Karzakan, last Monday 17 May 2010, due to being shot by the Special Forces live ammo “shotgun” when he was leaving his grandmother’s house and heading towards his house.

The village of Karzakan had witnessed a protest demonstration that led to the intervention of the Special Forces which used live ammo to disperse the protestors. The shooting, which the youth faced, caused a punctured lung which led to internal bleeding.

The 12 splinters he faced have not yet been removed. The local newspapers published a news piece stating that the Public Prosecution ordered the imprisonment of the accused for 30 days in custody.

Two youth from the village of Malkiya suffered from injuries due to firing live ammo “shotgun”[ii][2] at them on Tuesday 13 April 2010, when the youth Abdullah Hasan (18 years old) and Sadiq Ali Abdullah (18 years old) where walking to the baker in the same area, and were startled by the firing of live ammo at them which led to scattered injuries on the bodies of the two youth.

Abdullah Hasan was injured with shotgun splinters on his hand, leg and chest, while Sadiq Ali was injured in the head and other parts of his body. When they turned to the hospital, the security forces were contacted and who interrogated them and kept them under security surveillance, then they were pulled out of hospital by force and taken to prison to face the charge of assembling.

The shotgun fires a bullet that explodes directly after firing it, only to offload dozens of solid balls that get scattered over a wide area in aim of hitting the largest number possible of targets, and this normally leads to the downfall of several wounded amidst the demonstrators.

These solid blocks penetrate the human skin and stop at the bone, and it is difficult to later extract those blocs from the body, as there are still dozens of Bahraini citizens whose bodies suffer from the remains of these metal blocs since the nineties.

It is also difficult to cure or remove these blocs due their small size, and there are many who got killed in the incidents of the nineties due to the indulgence in using this weapon which is intended at hunting small animals and birds.

In another case received by the BCHR which proved the excessive use of force by the Special Forces when dealing with the inhabitants of the Bahraini villages, two students from the Al-Jabriya Industrial School, and they are Mohammed Ammar Ahmed and Sayed Abbas Habib (17 year-olds), were arrested on 14 April.

The bus carrying the students back to their village was driving near the concentration of the Special Forces stationed at the village of Karzakan, and it was filled with the sounds of clapping and singing, which angered the Special Forces and pushed them stop the bus and beat everyone inside and arrest the earlier mentioned students without any legal justification.

Some of the Bahraini village and areas are being besieged with Special Forces for several months, and these forces and the civilian militias belonging to them of foreign individuals brought by the security apparatuses as mercenary forces from several tribes in Syria, Jordan, Yemen or the province of Balochistan in Pakistan.

These forces raid the residents of the Shiite villages and abuse them in a systematic manner, where the villages are stormed and live ammo, rubber bullets and tear gas is used, which leads to the injury of hundreds of people among them elders, women and children.

Several properties, houses and mosques are damaged. The mercenary forces are used to prevent the political seminars and to attack the peaceful protests and demonstrations. The Special Security Forces use armed civilian militias wearing, in some cases, black masks and attack the villages. The description “mercenary” can be applied to these Special Forces that are selected in a structured manner, and from certain countries; to be used security and military wise outside the usual framework of the security and military apparatuses of the country.

These “mercenaries” are granted materialistic and job privileges that the citizens working in the same unit and same jobs do not get. They are given housing, travel tickets and are thrown into political disagreements which they are not a part of, and they are trained in a special manner to raid the villages and humiliate the residents.

The votes of these mercenaries were also used, after actively granting them the Bahraini citizenship, to marginalize the parliamentary elections of 2006, which is a matter that is expected to be repeated in the coming elections. The BCHR believes that targeting the Shiite villages on a regular daily basis by using foreign forces from a Sunni sectarian background, aims at creating sedition between the people of the country of the two sects, and to deepen the differences and sectarian tensions.

This policy was met with utter rejection by the civil society institutions and human rights organizations in Bahrain.In a fourth incident that happened in Sitra area, north of the capital, a car carrying two youth who are Yousif Ahmed Hubail (28 years old) and Hasan Ahmed Hubail (21 years old) – the brothers of one of the wanted – was stopped by civilians in order to arrest them without knowing the reason behind that. When the two youth refused to obey these civilians due to them being unaware of their identities, the civilians severely beat the two youth.

It later turned out that these civilian forces had come to arrest their brother (Hubail), and who was not in the car they were driving.

Yousif Hubail and the Bruises Caused by Beating

On the same day, the two youth submitted a notification to the Sitra district police station; however they were surprised that the nature of categorizing this case changed from them being plaintiffs to defendants, on the charge of attacking security men while carrying out their official duty.The majority of the villages and areas of Bahrain witness rising public tensions, and semi-daily confrontations with the Special Forces.

The demands of the protestors are usually presented in stopping the systematic sectarian discrimination against the Shiite sect, whose pace increased since the arrival of the current King to the throne, and to stop the policy of the political naturalization in aim of changing the demography to manipulate the results of the elections, and to stop the continuous arrests of the people of these villages, and to end the established torture in the Bahraini prisons, and to stop bringing, funding and training foreign mercenary forces. Also, of the reasons for protests is the increase of poverty level among the citizens and the pervading corruption amidst the ruling class and the class surrounding it, and the authority being a party in inflaming sectarian disputes between the Shiites and Sunnis, and marginalizing the role of the Parliament and excelling in humiliating the loyal representatives of people in it.The Bahrain Center for Human Rights recommends:
1. Stop bringing firearms of all kinds, and to refrain from the use of excessive violence against the demonstrators;

2. Stop bringing and exploiting the non-Bahraini mercenaries with a sectarian agenda in the various security apparatuses.

3. Set up an independent commission of inquiry, to investigate the issue of using excessive force, and the illegal exploitation of foreigners, and to bring the ones responsible for it to trial;

4. Initiate an actual dialogue process with the pillars of society to resolve the crisis the country is going through, and to stop resorting to security solutions

Costs of the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars

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English Radio correspondent Mehdi Geramifard has interviewed Beau Grosscup, professor of international relations at California State University in Chico and author of the book: “Strategic Terror, the Politics and Ethics of Arial Bombardment.” The interview deals with costs of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars by the US administration which has passed 1 trillion dollars for the American taxpayers.

Crisis of the American Occupation of Iraq Monday, June 07, 2010

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The confirmation of the results of Iraqi parliamentary elections and the continuation of talks to form new government in the country were among important news regarding Iraq during the past week.

Iraqi Premier Nouri Maliki early last week went to the holy city of Najaf and met and discussed with the most senior religious authority of Iraq Grand Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Sistani about the country’s domestic situation. The meeting was carried out in a situation where the Al-Iraqiya Coalition led by Ayad Allawi once again called for the foreign meddling in Iraqi domestic affairs.

A meeting with Maliki, the head of Supreme Iraqi Islamic Assembly Ammar Hakim and former premier Ibrahim Jafari was another event that attracted the attention of the media.

Maliki’s trip to Kurdistan shows the serious move by the State of Law Coalition for getting the viewpoints of Kurds and Shiites closer for forming the new government.

The sending of the first Iraqi ambassador to Kuwait after twenty years represents Baghdad’s determination for removing the differences.

The increase of terrorist attacks in Iraq following the release of several terrorists in US-controlled prisons without the agreement of Baghdad government discloses the US role in the recent violence in Iraq.

Iraqi Premier Nouri Maliki early last week met and discussed with Grand Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Sistani in the holy city of Najaf. The meeting was carried out while the head of Al-Iraqiya List Ayad Allawi a few days earlier in a meeting with Ayatollah Sistani had asked him to back the formation of the government by the Coalition. But Ayatollah Sistani had refused to do so. Many political observers believe that in view of the status of religious authority in Iraqi social life, the victorious groups in the elections are seeking to take advantage of the role of Ulema and religious authorities for resolving the political standoff in Iraq. Although Ayatollah Sistani has not so far supported any political group, he has stressed that the new government should be formed as soon as possible. At the same time, the Iraqi National Alliance has also reminded that the country should go out of the current standoff quickly.

The head of State of Law Coalition Nouri Maliki, the head of the Iraqi Suprme Islamic Assembly Ammar Hakim and the head of National Reformation Ibrahim Jafar last week met and discussed with eachother in Baghdad. Finding a solution to break the existing standoff in the talks concerning formation of the government was the main motivation of holding a meeting between the three officials. At present, Nouri Maleki, Ibrahim Jafari and Adel Abodlmahdi are among the choices of the Shiite coalitions for assuming the premier post. After the confirmation of the parliamentary elections results, the formation of government is the most urgent priority. Thus, the biggest parliamentary faction should immediately introduce the candidate for premier post. In view of this fact, it seems that the victorious coalitions in the lections will have busy days ahead.

As Mohamamd Hussien Bahrol-Ulum arrived in Kuwait as the first Iraqi ambassador after twenty years, Baghdad-Kuwait ties entered a new phase. The ties between Kuwait and Iraq came to halt when Iraq attacked Kuwait in 1990s. The event has had adverse impacts on the type of relations between the two countries insofar as despite the collapse of Saddam’s regime, there is still unfavorable atmosphere in the two countries’ ties. It seems that Iraq is going to take a high step in normalizing relations with Kuwait by sending its ambassador to the country. Assuring Kuwait that Iraq is no longer a threat to the country was another reason for sending Bahrol-Ulum as the first Iraqi ambassador to Kuwait after twenty years. However there are still some issues that can overshadow relations between Iraq and Kuwait. The debate over Kuwaiti debts from Iraq due to Iraq war against the country and the issue of the fate of Kuwaiti captives and the war missing are among the current problems between Iraq and Kuwait that should be solved.

The disclosure of the relation between the releasing of terrorists detained in the US-controlled jails with the recent insecurities in Iraq has left no doubt that the United States is behind the instability in Iraq. The spokesman for Baghdad Operation Headquarters Qassem Atta has said that 86 terrorists have been arrested during the past two months who have been kept in the US-controlled Buka prisons. The United States without informing Iraqi forces and intelligence agencies has released a large number of them. These terrorists most of whom have been Al-Qaeda members have been placed at the commanding level after release. Evidence shows that these terrorists were involved in the recent operations in different Iraqi cities. What is important is that the released terrorists have been trained in the US-controlled prisons. All of this shows that the US circles have relations with Al-Qaeda.

Although the Washington officials claim that they are fighting with terrorism and Al-Qaeda in Iraq, there are numerous documents and evidence showing that the US circles are financing and arming terrorist groups in Iraq.

African Shia Leader's speech on Az-Zahra (AS)'s Birthday + Pic

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The Shia Islamic Movement in Nigeria organizes Birthday Anniversary of the Leader of all Women of the Worlds Sayyidah Az-Zahra(AS). Hundreds of thousands of believers graced the occasion which took place at well decorated  Fudiyyah Islamic Center (F.I.C.) Zaria  on Thursday the 20th J/Thani 1431(3/6/10).

The Leader in his lengthy inspiring speech started by congratulating the Ummah on the Auspicious Birthday Anniversary of  Sayyidah Az-Zahra(salamun Lahi alaiha) and that of Imam Khomeini(QS) which coincided with hers’.

Sheikh Zakzaky said Sayyidah Fatimah (salamun Lahi alaiha) being the only  ‘son’  of the Prophet of Islam Muhammad (SAWA) through which his progenies will come  from is a respect to him. Islam is the final Message to humanity upto the End of Time and for this fact Almighty God wanted to protect the  Message so He  exalted  her  Children to the Position of Imamate. A Position which Prophet Ibraheem prayed for and  was granted after passing through God’s test.

Imamate is an exalted position in the sight of God which surpassed that of messengership and Prophethood as evidently understood when Prophet Ibraheem (AS) , being Messenger and Prophet, prayed for it.Sheikh Zakzaky explained adding that Allah Almighty has confined the exalted status to the Children of the Prophet who came though his ‘son’ Fatimah and cannot be questioned   on that.

He explained further that Sayyidah Az-Zahra due to her purity and exalted status could not have had a matching husband other than  Imam Ali(AS). Had it been Ali was not created it would have meant Sayyidah (AS) could not have had a husband. This goes to show that Islam being the final message to humanity upto the Last Hour,  could have ended with the demise of the Prophet, had it been there was no Sayyidah Fatimah’s who is the mother of the holy Imams (AS). The prophet must have heirs since his Leadership, which will remain with his children who are his heirs through his blessed daughter,   is upto the Last Day.

Members of Ahlul Bayt(AS) are bestowed with outstanding knowledge by God which cannot be quantified. Even Shia scholars like Kulaini and the like who wrote volumes of books on all aspect of jurisprudence, proved to be unequal.

The special status of Sayyidah Az-Zahra(AS) cannot be questioned. Those who opposed her status are people who are contaminated with bad culture which affected their thinking about woman. A Culture which degraded a woman to nothing; a culture which considers a woman as an asset- a view very popular in the pre-Islamic Arab. These are people who  have doubted the status of Sayyidah Fatimah(AS). Sheikh noted.

The Prophet in many occasions mentioned the lofty status of Ahlul Bayt(AS) and with this,  those who opposed their special  status engaged in creating and assigning status also to their favourites after the Prophet.  For example a book was written by one of their Ulema to express the qualities of their leader Yazid bin Mu’awiyyah(LA).

The Necessity of Seeking knowledge.

The need to acquire knowledge is of utmost necessity in order to know and appreciate  status of Sayyidah Fatimah(AS). Her supplications, compiled in some books, reveal more about her deep wisdom and knowledge which can only be compared with that of Imam Ali(AS). Her Sermon of Fadak contains a lot as reported by Sayyidah Zainab(AS).

The ways for acquiring knowledge have been simplified in this age of Information Technology especially with the Internet. Therefore one can access information and knowledge that were not easily accessible before.

Her Ascetic life….

Her ascetic life is something  to reckon with. She had a farm-Fadak,  which used to generate about 200,000 dinars annually, but out of generosity Sayyidah used to give out everything as charity to the needy and poor. Ascetism does not mean one should not posses  wealth, rather not to be attached to  it. Sheikh Zakzaky noted

In addition to this, Sayyidah used to receive revelation from God too. Since Some servants of Allah among the Israelis received revelation why then not the Ummah of the Prophet especially the chosen ones among them!?

International Women Day

Today is the International Women day for the Muslims. It is the day which Muslim Women should remember Sayyidah Fatimah (AS)’s  life with view of emulating her.

Alas, the society we live today inherited some bad cultures from the past which still exist and some were as a result of our coexistence as Nigerians. Therefore, those who want bring about a change shall be different, our characters must conform with Sharia.

Sheikh Zakzaky lamented that presently divorce is being carried out by Muslims at will without following the six steps as outlined in the Holy Quran. This originated from lack of true knowledgeof Islamic laws . Also the enemies of Islam misunderstand the Quran and opined that Islam permits beating of women. The word  Darb in Arabic has many meanings. And in this context it means strike action just like prisoners go on hunger strike not beating . The Character of the  Prophet Muhammad (SAWA) is the Quran and he explained  its meaning practically , it was never reported that the prophet had beaten his wife even though sometimes they behaved like other women.  So beating of women is not Islamic.

Parachinar : Another GAZA in Pakistan.

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JNN 05.06.10 Today the  World is Mourning On the Martydom of Peaceful Activits of the Freedom Flotilla and looks helpless in lifting the three year Old Blockade of GAZA Strip , as the Residents are fighting the Oppression of the Terrorist state of Israel, And the same is the Policy of the Israeli backed Terrorist Groups  , May it be Tehrik e Taliban Pakistan , Sipah e Sahaba Pakistan , Lashkar E Jhangvi , or the Punjabi Taliban , for the last three years the Kurrum Agency Head Quarter Parachinar is also under siege , and faces a Blockade , as this is the Only area in the Tribal Belt with the Shia Majority . The Residents following the path of Ahlul Bayte , the true path of Islam , have resisted the yazidi TALIBAAN , since there inception, so they are being punished for that for Propagating the real spirit of Islam , and not the Yazidi / Wahabi Islam , which is the creation of the Enemies of Islam as well as of Pakistan.

The leading Ulema and Scholars of The Shia Community , have reminded the Government of this seizure repeatedly and asked for removal of this  Blockade of ParaChinar by the Terrorist , and have demanded an Army Operation against these Militant Terrorists , which till now have not taken place , which has cut off Parachinar from the rest of the Country till to date.

The three-year Long blockade of Parachinar has deprived the territories’ half a million residents of food, fuel, medicines and other necessities. The Residents of Parachinar have fought bravely y from the Wahabi Saudi funded Terrorist, working to destabilize & Disintegrate Pakistan, our Beloved country . These Residents have a number of times even fought beside Pakistani forces in the hour of there need, but now there are left alone to fight there Battle for survival. But still they  are ready to fight side by side with Our countries Armed Forces to cleanse our Beloved Pakistan , from the rouge elements of  Taliban and there supporting Terrorist Organizations.

The World should also consider the Worsening conditions of not only the GAZA Strip But also of the Helpless and Innocent Resident of Parachinar, as the Zionist regime, is trying to destabilize not only the Middle East , but also the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. Which is called the Fort of Islam.

Nigeria Islamic Movement marks Imam Khomeini(QS) week

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The Academic Forum of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria organises a five-day( 1st to 4th of June 2010) programme to mark the annual Imam week at Congo Conference Hall of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria.

The Academic Forum of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria organises a five-day( 1st to 4th of June 2010) programme to mark the annual Imam week at Congo Conference Hall of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria. The programme comprises of lecture, presentations, film show and book fair.

On Tuesday the 1st of June being the opening day Sheikh Muhammad Turi delivered lecture on Imam Khomeini(QS) views on Leadership generally known as Wilayatul Faqeeh.

Sheikh Turi explained in detail how the concept of Imam’s wilayatul faqeeh was misunderstood by some scholars even during his time and how the Imam, through wisdoms and provisions of Sharia, was able to clear the dust on the issue.

The Speaker highlighted on the importance of leadership as displayed by the late Imam and of course his concept of Wilayatul Faqeeh which made Imam an outstanding figure amongst Scholars.

Others who spoke t the occasion are Dr. Abdullahi Danladi and Mallam Ibraheem Aqeel.The Participants, after the lecture, watched pictures of Imam Khomeini depicting various events of his life such as his exile to Iraq, Turkey and France; his life before and after revolution and many other events

21st Anniversary of Departure of Imam Khomeini

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The ceremonies marking the 21st anniversary of demise of the Founder of Islamic Republic of Iran late Imam Khomeini (May his soul rest in peace) was held in late Imam’s holy shrine, today (Friday), in the massive presence of the revolutionary and pious people of Iran.                                                                                        

Today, Friday June 4, marks the 21st anniversary of departure of Imam Khomeini. The Father of Islamic Revolution Imam Khomeini passed away in the year 1989 at the age of 87; a decade after the victory of Islamic Revolution.

The people of Iran and many of the freedom-seeking people across the world were deeply saddened by the demise of late Imam. The people had lost their popular leader; their source of emulation; and their pioneer of true Islam.

The massive participation of the people in the funeral of late Imam Khomeini (May his soul rest in peace), was a reminder of the glorious and epic presence of people on February 1, 1979, which was the day in which late Imam returned to Iran after 15 years in exile. The global official news agencies estimated that nine million people took part in late Imam’s funeral.

Therefore, the departure of late Imam, like his existence, became the source of awakening and movement.

Following the departure of late Imam (May his soul rest in peace), the Assembly of Experts immediately convened a meeting. Following the presentation of late Imam’s testament by the then President Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei, the Assembly of Experts started consultations for choosing a successor to late Imam. Finally, Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei, who was one of the prominent followers of late Imam, and was one of the prominent figures of the Islamic Revolution, was elected for this major prophecy with the unanimous votes of the Assembly of Experts.

Currently, 21 years after the sad demise of late Imam (May his soul rest in peace), the Iranian nation continues to be devoted and loyal to the pure thoughts of lmam Khomeini.

Today (Friday), on the 21st anniversary of departure of late Imam (May his soul rest in peace), people have once again vowed allegiance to the Founder of Islamic Republic of Iran, late Imam Khomeini, and the Leader of Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei.

This year, like previous years, the followers of late Imam Khomeini (May his soul rest in peace), from tens of countries worldwide, have gathered in late Imam’s Holy Shrine, alongside convoys of pilgrims, who have arrived in Tehran from different cities across the country, to once again commemorate the memory and valuable ideas of late Imam and to once again vow their allegiance to the Leader of Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei, the righteous successor to late Imam Khomeini (May his soul rest in peace).

Ayatollah Khamenei's Tribute to Imam Khomeini

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In 1989, not only the Iranian nation but the Muslim ummah as well as all the world’s oppressed, lost the greatest ever leader of modern times. He was the Father of the Islamic Revolution and the Founder of the Islamic Republic, Imam Khomeini (may his soul rest in peace). He was a unique Leader who showed humanity how to have firm faith in God in order to overthrow corrupt and dictatorial systems. Barehanded, Imam Khomeini inspired the Iranian Muslims to topple the armed-to-the teeth British-installed and US-supported Shah in February 1979, and thereafter for a little over ten years he was at the helm of affairs to guide the dynamic Islamic Republic system through the stormy seas of plots hatched by Global Arrogance led by the Great Satan, the US. The Late Imam Khomeini’s worthy successor, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, continues to pay glorious tributes to that Sage of the Age 21 years after his passing away that we commemorate on June 4.

Ayatollah Khamenei, while paying homage to the immortal legacy bequeathed by Imam Khomeini to the Iranian nation, the Muslim ummah, and the world’s oppressed masses, says the political school founded by the Imam caters to the modern man’s needs and provides a perfectly new path for all humanity on the basis of Islam. The main characteristic of the people’s movement set in motion in Iran by Imam Khomeini is its Islamic nature. It has gifted the Iranian people with most effective style of government. As Ayatollah Khamenei points out, under circumstances when Godless rulers of the Muslim world ignored Islam, Imam Khomeini revived and revitalized religious teachings to restore people their human dignity. The Late Imam considered all Muslims a monolithic Ummah and spread the message of brotherhood and unity among world Muslims. Islamic unity was considered one of the prime goals of the Imam. Ayatollah Khamenei says: “Today all Muslims around the world feel indebted to Imam Khomeini for showing the political power of Islam to change international equations in the quest for justice. The Intefadha of the Palestinian people against the Zionist usurpers of their homeland owes its inspiration to Imam Khomeini’s ushering of the Islamic Revolution in Iran. Imam Khomeini’s imprint on the anti-oppression aspects of the Islamic movement is all evident today, whether in Palestine or whether in Lebanon, against the state terrorism of the usurper state of Israel. In many other countries, Muslim youths have been inspired by Islamic teachings thanks to Imam Khomeini.”

Ayatollah Khamenei says in Imam Khomeini’s political school, human dignity is essential and is a powerful and effective instrument for achieving the goals of Islam. As a result, people’s votes play a basic role. Certainly from the Imam’s viewpoint people play effective role once they are united. This is evident by his transformation of the Iranian people into a solid and united nation on the basis of Islam. Ayatollah Khamenei drew attention in this regard to the immortal words of the Late Imam that the key to victory is unity of words, and if there is no unity of words, the Iranian nation cannot take a step forward. And God certainly helps those who are resolved to knit ranks as brothers-in-faith. Imam Khomeini was without the least doubt the most wise and prudent leader of modern times. He was totally indifferent of his worldly position. Ayatollah Khamenei who like the Late Imam leads a simple life points to the luxurious and selfish life of world rulers, even among Muslim states, and says: The Imam showed that the true leader of Muslims ought to lead a pious life by abstaining from luxurious palaces. Like the Prophets of God, he should be accessible to the masses, by frequenting the Hosseiniyeh and tackling people’s problems. Ayatollah Khamenei notes that in today’s materialistic world, Imam Khomeini revived the values of spirituality and showed the power of ethics that are never separate from either politics or social life. In other words, he showed that politics devoid of spirituality is devilish work, while politics on the basis of religious teachings and spiritual teachings is a form of worship and to the betterment of human dignity. These values are the key to the success of the Islamic Revolution and the failure after failure of Global Arrogance.

Whole Village in France Converted to Shia Islam + Picture

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He (Muhammad) continued to say that his villages in France has converted to Islam and followed the creed of Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them), explaining that the village embracement of the Islamic religion and the doctrine of the prophet’s household members was due to Dr (Mohamed Tijani)       Accompanied by an Islamic delegation from France, the Islamic thinker and scholar, Dr. Muhammad Tijani has pay a Visit to the holy Shrine of Imam Hussain peace be upon him (The grandson of the Prophet Muhammed. He is appointed by God as the third successor of the Prophet SAW according to Shia Muslims). After the visit, the delegation has met with the Secretary General of the Holy Shrine Sheikh (Abdel Mahdi al-Karbalai).

In a statement to the correspondent of NON14, on Thursday, Mr Tijani said that “this is the fourth visit, which I have the honour to pay to the holy shrines in Iraq after the fall of the dictatorship, and during each visit, I notice that there are developments in Iraq as whole and in the holy shrines in particular,” he added that “In this trip I came along with Mr (Abdul-Karim Mohammed), a Muslim French man who has converted to Islam since he was 15 years old and followed the doctrine of Ahl ul-Bayt (Shia Islam) through me more than thirty years ago, and his French Muslim wife as well. “

For his part, Mr Abdul-Karim Mohammed has told NON14 : “I came, accompanied by Mr. Tijani and my wife (Zahra), who is French and who has converted to Islam and became a follower of Ahl ul-Bayt (the prophet Household Members A.S). He has elaborated: ” I have embraced Islam since my young age, and met my wife, who embrace the same thoughts that I embrace, so it was a good occasion for marriage. I was participating in the congressional prayers that were held by Imam Khomeini in France, although i had not knew him; however Dr. Tijani introduced me to his character at that time.

He (Muhammad) continued to say that his villages in France has converted to Islam and followed the creed of Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them), explaining that the village embracement of the Islamic religion and the doctrine of the prophet’s household members was due to Dr (Mohamed Tijani). The French Muslim (Abdel Karim Mohammed) described his feelings when he entered the pure Shrine of Imam Husain A.S as someone who entered a jewel in Paradise […]. He added “I was very excited to visit the Infallible Imams peace be upon them where I knew them before, but I did not had the privilege of visiting their Holiness, pointing out that this visit, is according to an invitation extended by Tijani to them and they are now hosted by Imam Hussain peace be upon him and he is full of happiness with his wife in the vicinity of the pure Imams. “

On the other hand, the French visitor has expressed surprise of what is announced by satellite TVs and the media, especially on the European ones about the security situation in Iraq; stating that what he saw and touched during his stay in Iraq, is on the contrary of what he had heard of from those western channels.

The history of Al-Azhar University; Shia or Takfiri

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The grand structure of the thousand-year old al-Azhar University and Mosque stands majestically across the Nile River in the Egyptian capital Cairo.                                                                                                                                  The grand structure of the thousand-year old al-Azhar University and Mosque stands majestically across the Nile River in the Egyptian capital Cairo. Like the Nile, it is the symbol of Egypt. Al-Azhar was built in 359 AH by the Shia Muslim Fatemid dynasty that claimed descent from Hazrat Fatema az-Zahra (peace upon her) the immaculate daughter of Prophet Mohammad (blessings of God upon him and his progeny). Hence, Azhar is a derivative of Zahra which means the Radiant in Arabic. Over two hundred years later after its foundation al-Azhar along with Cairo and the whole of Egypt fell to the Kurdish invader Salaheddin Ayyoubi, who despite his expelling of the Crusaders from Bayt al-Moqaddas, persecuted Shia Muslims and weakened the status of al-Azhar as the leading centre of Islamic teachings. Like the Mongols, who ravaged the eastern Islamic lands and destroyed the written heritage of Muslims, the Ayyoubids also burned hundreds of thousands of books in Cairo and other cities because of their prejudice towards the followers of the Prophet’s Ahl al-Bayt or Blessed Household. Thereafter, al-Azhar turned into a centre of Sunni teachings, especially following the fall of Muslim Spain to the Christians that made the scholars of Andalusia flock to Egypt. Gradually, over the centuries, al-Azhar emerged as a centre of different sciences but it was soon to lose its independent status. In 1954, Egyptian ruler, Jamal Abdun-Nasser, seized the control of al-Azhar and ended its independence by placing it under direct control of the state with the power to appoint and dismiss its Dean. Ever since al-Azhar has became a tool of ruling Egyptian regimes.

However, despite state control al-Azhar’s international fame has remained as students and scholars from various countries come to Egypt to learn. It started branching into other fields of science in the early 1950s before the state takeover, especially when the then Dean Sheikh Mahmoud Shaltout founded the colleges of medicine, technology and science. His other measure was setting up of a special centre of learning for female students at al-Azhar. Another important measure of Sheikh Mahmoud Shaltout was to strengthen Islamic unity by recognizing the Ja’fari or Shia Muslim jurisprudence as one of the five mainstream schools of Islam. It is also interesting to note that in the 1920s and 1930s the then Dean of al-Azhar, Sheikh Hasan al-Bishri, had a long correspondence with Lebanon’s famous Shia Muslim scholar, Allamah Seyyed Abdul-Husain Sharafeddin al-Muwavi, which resulted in the publishing of the famous book, al-Muraja’at that has been translated into English as the “Right Path”. It is a very fascinating Sunni-Shia dialogue with convincing proofs for strengthening Islamic unity, and has been translated into major world languages.

Last March, following the death of Dean Mohammad Tantawi, the Egyptian government has appointed Ahmad at-Tayyeb as the new Dean. The change comes at a crucial time when President Hosni Mubarak who has ruled Egypt for almost the past three decades with American support and by crushing all opposition, is grooming his son Jamal to take over the presidency. It is also unfortunate that al-Azhar, despite its Islamic prestige, never objected to the policies of President Mubarak including his over dependence on the Americans, his relations with the illegal Zionist entity, his building of the steel wall on the borders of the Gaza Strip to deny access to the outside world to the besieged Palestinians, and his banning of the popular Islamic Brotherhood party and other Islamic groups from actively participating in the country’s political process. As a result, al-Azhar has seen the eroding of its credibility, both among the Egyptian people and in the Muslim. It would be interesting to see what policies the new Dean will follow, especially when Mubarak is facing tough challenges to his rule from all quarters with calls for change and not dynastic rule by the Egyptian Muslims.

Observers, however, consider Sheikh Ahmad at-Tayyeb as an apolitical person more interested in scholarly pursuits and solidarity among Islamic schools of jurisprudence. According to Secretary-General of the Tehran-based World Assembly for Proximity among Islamic Schools of Jurisprudence, Ayatollah Mohammad Ali Taskhiri, the new Dean of al-Azhrar opposes extremist or Takfiri/Salafi ideas that brand other Muslims as infidels. But Ahmad at-Tayyeb has taken illogical and irrational stances, perhaps on government orders or under pressure from extremist groups inside and outside al-Azhar. In an interview with the Saudi/Wahhabi funded al-Arabiyya TV channel, he said al-Azhar counters any effort for spread of Shia Muslim teachings in any Muslim state. This is not surprising in view of the fact that last year Saudis provided 86 million dollars to al-Azhar. It should be recalled that the late Sheikh Tantawi had explicitly aired his views against Wahhabism, saying there is no such denomination in Islam. Thus it would be interesting to see how the new Dean confronts Wahabbi/Salafi ideas, especially in view of the tendency towards the teachings of the school of the Prophet’s Ahl al-Bayt among Egyptians who centuries ago used to be Shia Muslims. This revival has alarmed both the Egyptian government and the Saudis who are pressuring Sheikh Ahmad at-Tayyeb Wahabbi to bow to their dictates at the expense of Islamic solidarity.

Israel Can’t Take My Ice Cream Stick from Me Anymore 1982 when Israel invaded Lebanon.

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1982 when Israel invaded Lebanon. I was nine years old and my father had promised to give me half a Lira (Lebanese pound) to buy ice cream. But the footage showing Israeli tanks crossing the border into south Lebanon was enough to deprive me of my treat for the rest of the day and deprive southerners of their freedom for the next 18 years. I’m not sure about the relevance of this lead to the rest of the article, but I think this retrospection is as useful as looking at the post 2000 withdrawal of Israeli occupation forces from most of south Lebanon.

The pullout was not just an event; it was a historic precedent. True, Israel withdrew from Jordan and Sinai after Amman and Cairo were coerced to sign agreements with the triumphant, undefeatable, and arrogant Zionist state.

THEY FLED UNDER RESISTANCE STRIKES, NOT IN LINE WITH UNSCR 425
However, this was not the case in Lebanon. After 18 years of occupation and war of attrition waged by the resistance, Israel decided to cut its losses and escape, yes escape. “It wasn’t a withdrawal and it wasn’t a retreat…We ran away, pure and simple,” Col. Noam Ben-Tzvi, the last commander of the Israeli occupation forces western sector in south Lebanon, told Haaretz last week. Ben-Tzvi was not in denial; he did not attribute the withdrawal to Israel’s implementation of UN Security Council resolution 425 that stipulates Israel withdraw from Lebanon after its first invasion in 1978.

“Hiding behind UNSC resolutions has always been an Israeli policy,” Lebanese political analyst Michel Samaha told Al-Manar Website. “Then Prime Minister Ehud Barak and his Foreign Minister David Levy were maneuvering with the military leadership and they went to negotiate with UN S.G. Kofi Annan to cover the Zionist state with another international resolution that binds it to implement resolution 425 on the one hand and set new conditions on Lebanon. However the strikes of the resistance and its operational performance in the south forced Israel’s political and military echelons to make a dramatic 24-hour pullout before issuing a new UN resolution,” Samaha added.

LARSEN INVENTED THE BLUE LINE
Still, Israel sought to persuade the international community that its withdrawal was in line with the Truce Line as stipulated in the Truce Agreement signed between Lebanon and Israel in 1949. “Annan and then US Secretary of State Madeline Albright conspired to send Terje Rød-Larsen to delineate a Blue Line instead of implementing resolution 425. The aim was to make the pullout look like a full withdrawal according to the Truce Line. So Larsen invented the Blue Line and the Lebanese government cried foul because of the many gaps that kept Lebanese areas, including strategic spots and water sources, under occupation,” Samaha said.

“Our main concern was to determine the international border, but the Israeli enemy had changed the landmarks in several border areas,” Ret. Gen. Amine Hotait, who was the head of the committee to verify the Israeli pullout, told Al-Manar Website. “We started our mission based on official maps, but the Israelis made use of the so called ‘rolling borders’ and sought to delineate a new line that served its avarice, so it demanded a delineation based on more advanced methods. The United Nations adopted the Blue Line but we refused to recognize it as the international border since it missed at least 13 points. After tough negotiations we managed to gain back ten points, and three points remained outstanding: Rmeish, Odayseh, and Metula,” Hotait said.

From a legal point of view, the Blue Line is of no value and does not establish any right for any party. “The idea of the Blue Line was terminated when the Lebanese committee concluded its mission,” the retired general explained.

THE ISRAELI WITHDRAWAL HAD ITS IMPLICATIONS
Speaking to Al-Manar Website, expert in Israeli affairs Helmi Moussa said that some Israeli leaders still have their regrets because the withdrawal was unilateral and without agreement. “The existential threat is cumulating in Israel because of this pullout, especially that their home front has since then become a target for rocket attacks, when prior to the withdrawal they only had to sacrifice 25 to 30 soldiers on yearly basis to preserve their home front security,” Moussa, who writes for the Lebanese daily Assafir, said.

ISRAEL IS WEAKER THAN A SPIDER WEB
The Israeli pullout could not have materialized if it were not for the support of Iran, Syria, and the popular and official positions in Lebanon, particularly during the first term of President Emile Lahoud with PM Salim Hoss and then during Lahoud’s second term with PM martyr Rafiq Hariri. Nevertheless, the internationally backed Israeli move cleared the way for Tel Aviv to demand a similar pullout of Syrian forces from Lebanon and engage in “peace” talks. Israel’s incomplete pullout and its constant threat to Lebanon rendered the years-long pressure on Syria a failure. In 2005, Hariri was assassinated in Beirut and the Syrian leadership decided to speed up the pullout in that same year.

In 2006, Israel waged war on Lebanon with the aim to crush Hezbollah once and for all and to get even with the party’s Secretary General Sayyed Hasan Nasrallah who – in his famous speech in Bint Jbeil May 25, 2000 – described Israel as an entity ‘weaker than a spider web.’

“Sayyed Nasrallah’s speech in Bint Jbeil established three fundamental principles: First, he described Israel as an illusion and fixed the notion that Israel can be defeated while stressing the necessity to mobilize forces to confront and win over this enemy. Second, the resistance did not act as a party independent from the Lebanese but acted on their behalf because he did not ask for power sharing in return for the sacrifices and the victory; this is why Hezbollah was embraced by the people of Lebanon en route to the 2006 victory. Third, the resistance does not replace the state or its institutions, and this is why, unlike other revolutions throughout history, triumphant Hezbollah did not go on a vendetta spree against those who had collaborated with the Israeli occupation; it left this mission to the Lebanese authorities,” Ret. Gen. Amine Hotait told Al-Manar Website.

SLA AGENTS AND MOSSAD NETWORKS
The failed 2006 war proved Israel’s networks of Mossad agents in Lebanon were useless, and by 2010 dozens of these spy networks were dismantled.
“What’s been said recently about the fate of Antoine Lahed’s South Lebanon Army (SLA) and their suffering in occupied territories highlights another aspect of Israel’s weakness and failure to protect its agents as they promised them. In fact this negatively affects the performance of Israel’s Mossad (mainly in Lebanon) which constitutes the backbone of Israel’s security,” Helmi Moussa said.

“Shortly before the pullout, the Israeli enemy had grasped two facts: First, they cannot rely on their agents as the Israeli leadership predicted the SLA’s breakdown; surprisingly enough, this army of collaborators broke down much faster than Gabi Ashkenazi and his staff had expected. Second, the political and military leaderships were helpless vis-à-vis the sophisticated resistance which dealt the Israeli occupation army and the SLA very severe blows. This same helplessness was the main reason why the so called ‘Four (Israeli) Mothers’ Movement’ came to being and eventually pressured Tel Aviv to take the decision of immediate withdrawal,” Michel Samaha told Al-Manar Website.

MY ICE CREAM STICK THAT ISRAEL CAN’T TAKE AWAY FROM ME AND MY CHILDREN ANYMORE
Today Israel is still threatening Lebanon with war, carrying out large scale exercises to prepare its home front, and making replacements within the top military brass. The resistance leadership has expressed full readiness to deal Israel another blow should it decide to wage war. Syria and Iran have also warned Tel Aviv against making another “foolish mistake”. Until the next war begins and ends, Israel would continue to be the fake entity that destroyed armies and occupied countries in a matter of days, but then defeated at hands of a few determined men and women in Lebanon.

I’ve seen it in 2000 and I’ve lived it in 2006 and I know that what I had seen in 1982 is forever gone. Ever since liberation was fulfilled, I’ve never missed a Resistance and Liberation Day without having an ice cream stick, and today I’m seeing that my children follow suit.

Letter from CDHRAP to Amnesty International on Discrimination Against Shias

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Regarding the human rights conditions in Saudi Arabia , the committee for the Defense of Human Rights in the Arabian Peninsula (CDHRAP) respectfully urges you to raise concerns about religious freedom and related human rights.                                                                                                                                   JNN( News Agency), The chair of the Committee for the Defense of Human Rights in the Arabian Peninsula Mr. Mohammad Abul Azeem al-Hussain sent a letter to the Amnesty International urging it to raise pressing concerns about religious freedom in Saudi Arabia and to press the Saudi Arabian authorities to release the religious prisoners in Saudi Arabia .

The complete text of the letter follows:

Dear Amnesty International ,

Regarding the human rights conditions in Saudi Arabia , the committee for the Defense of Human Rights in the Arabian Peninsula (CDHRAP) respectfully urges you to raise concerns about religious freedom and related human rights.

The Saudi government continued to commit abuses against members of the Shi’a minority.

Despite Saudi government claims undertaking some limited reform measures , the Saudi government marginalizes and systematically discriminates against the Shia community in the country through implementation the policy of discrimination , and persists in banning all forms of public religious expression other than that of the government’s own interpretation of one school of Sunni Islam and even interferes with private religious practice.

The members of the Shi’a Muslim community suffer systematic political, social, cultural as well as religious discrimination.

In this letter , I would like to draw your attention to three specific cases.

1- Munir Baqir Ebrahim Al-Jassas, 30 years , a Shi’a human rights defender in Awwamiyah of al-Qatif , was still held in solitary confinement for seven months the intelligence service in Al-Dammam .

Al-Mahbahith al-‘Amma (General Investigations) of al-Qatif summoned Munir Baqir Ebrahim Al-Jassas on November 7, 2009, and held him in solitary confinement under the charge of criticizing the ill-treatment of Saudi government against Shiites through his website “Tahara” .

Some members of al-Mahbahith al-‘Amma raided Al-Jassas’s house  and confiscated his personal possessions .

Al-Jassas has had no access to legal assistance following his arrest , and has not been kept informed of charges against him .

2-  The citizen (Reza Abdul Aziz al-Ghasham ) 23 years , from the town of al-Mobarraz in al-Ahsa , was detained on 8 June 2008 when some members of al-Mahbahith al-‘Amma raided his bookshop , arrested him under the charge of trading Shi’a religious books.

Saudi authorities called his wife and subjected her to a long investigation. His father Sheikh Abdul Aziz al-Ghasham (a prominent Shiite religious scholar , Imam al-Montazar mosque in al-mobarraz town of al-Ahsa ) visited him for one time , and saw the signs of torture on his son’s body.

His family was not informed of the reasons of his arrest , also was denied family visit.

3- The Government continued to detain nine of Shi’a citizens ( Hani Abdul Rahim al-Saygh , al-Qatif / Sihat ; Abdullah Ahmad al-Jarrash , al-Qatif  / al-Qala’a ; Hussain Moghayis , al-Qatif / al-Bahari ; Abdul Karim Hussein al-Nemer  ,  al-Dammam , al-Ahsa ; Sayyid Mostafa alQassab , al-Qatif  / Mayyas ; Sayyid Fadhel al-Alawi , al-Qatif / al-Jaroudiyah ; Mustafa Ja`far al-Mo`llim , al-Qatif / al-Jaroudiyah ; Ali al-Marhoon , al-Qatif / al-Jaroudiyah ; Salih Mahdi Ramadhan ,  al-Qatif /al-Jaroudiyah ) in al-Ha’ir prison over thirteen years . They have been arrested as suspects in the aftermath of the 1996 bombing of the U.S. military installation at al-Khobar bombing without charges or trial.

The Saudi authorities actions against the mentioned detainees infringe on internationally guaranteed rights of freedom of expression and religion . Universal Declaration of Human Rights protects the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion .

These actions breach also the Saudi Law of Criminal Procedure which its third Article stipulates that:

No penal punishment shall be imposed on any person except in connection with a forbidden and punishable act, whether under Shari’ah principles or under the statutory laws, and after he has been convicted pursuant to a final judgment rendered after a trial conducted in accordance with Shari’ah principles.

Also the Law of Interrogation Authority and Public Prosecution in Article 3 which says : Monitoring and inspection of prisons, detention centers and any places where criminal sentences are executed, as well as hearing complaints of prisoners and detainees, insuring the legality of their imprisonment or detention and the legality of their remaining in prison or the detention centers after the expiry of the period, taking necessary steps to release those imprisoned or detained without a legitimate cause and applying the law against those responsible for such action .

We urge you to press the Saudi Arabian authorities to release the remaining religious prisoners in Saudi Arabia on humanitarian grounds .

Sermon of Lady Fatima (a)

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Praise be to Allah for that which He bestowed (upon us); And thanks be to Him for all that which He inspired; and commended in His Name for that which He Provided: Form prevalent favors which He created, And abundant benefactions which He offered and perfect grants which He presented; (such benefactions) that their number is much too plentiful to compute; Bounties too vast to measure; Their limit was too distant to realize; He recommended to them (His creatures) to gain more (of His benefaction) by being grateful for their continuity; He ordained Himself praiseworthy by giving generously to His creatures; I bear witness that there is no God but Allah Who is One without partner, a statement which sincere devotion is made to be its interpretation; hearts guarantee its con tinuation, and illuminated in the minds is its sensibility. He Who can not be perceived with vision; neither be described with tongues; nor can imagination surround His state.

He originated things but not from anything that existed be fore them, and created them with out examples to follow. Rather, He created them with His might and dispersed them according to His will; not for a need did He create them; nor for a benefit (for Him) did He shape them, But to establish His wisdom, Bring attention to His obedi ence, manifest His might, lead His creatures to humbly vene rate Him, and to exalt His decrees. He then made the reward for His obedience, and punishment for his dis­obedience, so as to protect His creatures from His Wrath and amass them into His Paradise.

I too bear witness that my Father, Muhammad, is His Slave and Messenger, Whom He chose prior to sending him, named him before sending him; when creatures were still concealed in that which was transcendental, guarded from that which was appalling, and associated with the termination and nonexistence. For Allah the Exalted knew that which was to follow, comprehended that which will come to pass, And realized the place of every event. Allah has sent him (Muhammad) as perfection for His commands, a resolution to accomplish His rule, and an implementation of the decrees of His Mercy. So he found the nations to vary in their faiths; Obsessed by their fires, Worshipping their idols, And denying Allah despite their knowledge of Him. Therefore, Allah illuminated their darkness with my Father, Muhammad, uncovered obscurity from their hearts, and cleared the clouds from their insights. He revealed guidance among the people; So he delivered them from being led astray, led them away from misguidance, guided them to the proper religion, and called them to the straight path.

Allah then chose to recall him back in mercy, love and pre ference. So, Muhammad is in comfort from the burden of this world, he is surrounded with devoted angels, the satisfaction of the Merciful Lord, and the nearness of the powerful King.

So may the praise of Allah be upon my Father, His Prophet, Trusted one, the chosen one

from among His creatures, and His sincere friend, and may peace and blessings of

Allah be upon him.’

Fatima (A) then turned to the crowd and said:

‘Surely you are Allah’s slaves at His command Prohibition; You are the bearers of His religion and revelation; You are Allah’s trusted ones with yourselves; and His messengers to the nations. Amongst you does He have righteous authority; A covenant He brought unto you, and an heir He left to guard you; That is The eloquent book of Allah; The truthful Quran; The brilliant light; The shining beam; Its insights are indisputable; Its secrets are revealed; Its indications are manifest; and its followers are blessed by it. (The Quran) leads its adherents to goodwill; and Hearing it leads to salvation; with it are the bright divine authorities achieved, His manifest determination acquired, His prohibited decrees avoided; His manifest evidence recognized; His satisfying proofs made apparent, His permissions granted, and His laws written.

So Allah made belief to be purification for you from poly theism.

He made Prayer, An exaltation for you from conceit.

Alms -A purification for the soul and a (cause of) growth in subsistence.

Fasting an implantation of devotion.

Pilgrimage -A construction of religion.

Justice -A harmony of the hearts;

obeying us (Ahlul-Bayt) Management of the nation.

Our leadership (Ahlul-Bayt), Safeguard from disunity.

Jihad (struggle)  a strengthening of Islam.

Patience -A helping course for deserving (divine) reward.

Ordering goodness (Amr Bil Maruf)  Public welfare.

Kindness to the parents  A safeguard from wrath.

Maintaining close relations with one’s kin -A cause for a longer life and multiplying the number of descend ants.

Retaliation (Qesas)-For sparing blood (souls).

Fulfillment of vows-subjecting oneself to mercy.

Completion of weights and measures -A cause for preventing the neglect of others’ rights. Forbiddance of drinking wines an exaltation from atrocity.

Avoiding slander -A veil from curse.

Abandoning theft-a reason for deserving chastity.

Allah has also prohibited polytheism so that one can devote himself to His Lordship.

Therefore; Fear Allah as He should be feared, and die not except in a state of Islam;

Obey Allah in that which He has commanded you to do and that which He has forbidden, for surely those truly fear among His servants, who have knowledge.’

Lady Fatima Zahra (A) then added:

‘O People! Be informed that I am Fatima, and my father is Muhammad I say that repeatedly and initiate it continually; I say not what I say mistakenly, nor do I do what I do aimlessly.

Now hath come unto you an Apostle from amongst yourselves; It grieves him that you should perish; Ardently anxious is he over you; To the believers he is most kind and merciful. Thus, if you identify and recog nize him, you shall realize that he is my father and not the father of any of your women; the brother of my cousin (Ali (A)) rather than any of your men. What an excellent identity he was, may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him and his descendants Thus, he propagated the Message, by coming out openly with the warning, and while inclined away from the path of the polytheists, (whom he) struck their strength and seized their throats, while he invited (all) to the way of his Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching He destroyed idols, and defeated heroes, until their group fled and turned their backs. So night revealed its dawn; righteousness uncovered its genuineness; the voice of the religious authority spoke out loud; the evil discords were silenced; The crown of hypocrisy was diminished; the tightening of infidelity and desertion were untied,

So you spoke the statement of devotion amongst a band of starved ones; and you were on the edge of a hole of fire;(you were) the drink of the thirsty one; the opportunity of the desiring one; the fire brand of him who passes in haste; the step for feet; you used to drink from the water gathered on roads; eat jerked meat. (Lady Fatima (A) was stating their lowly situation before Islam) You were despised outcasts always in fear of abduction from those around you. Yet, Allah rescued you through my father, Muhammad after much ado, and after he was confronted by mighty men, the Arab beasts, and the demons of the people of the Book Who, whenever they ignited the fire of war, Allah extinguished it; and whenever the thorn of the devil appeared, or a mouth of the polytheists opened wide in defiance, he would strike its discords with his brother (Ali, (A)), who comes not back until he treads its wing with the sole of his feet, and extinguishes its flames with his sword. (Ali is) diligent in Allah’s affair, near to the Messenger of Allah, A master among Allah’s worshippers, setting to work briskly, sincere in his advice, earnest and exerting himself (in service to Islam); While you were calm, gay, and feeling safe in your comfort able lives, waiting for us to meet disasters, awaiting the spread of news, you fell back during every battle, and took to your heels at times of fighting. Yet, When Allah chose His Prophet from the dwell of His prophets, and the abode of His sincere (servants); The thorns of hypocrisy appeared on you, the garment of faith became worn out, The misguided ignorant(s) spoke out, the sluggish ignorant came to the front and brayed. The he camel of the vain wiggled his tail in your courtyards and the your courtyards and the Devil stuck his head from its place of hiding and called upon you, he found you respon sive to his invitation, and observing his deceits.

He then aroused you and found you quick (to answer him), and invited you to wrath, therefore; you branded other than your camels and proceeded to other than your drinking places. Then while the era of the Prophet was still near, the gash was still wide, the scar had not yet healed, and the Messenger was not yet buried. A (quick) undertaking as you claimed, aimed at preventing discord (trial), Surely, they have fallen into trial already! And indeed Hell surrounds the unbelievers. How preposterous! What an idea!

What a falsehood! For Allah’s Book is still amongst you, its affairs are apparent; its rules are manifest; its signs are dazzling; its restrictions are visible, and its commands are evident. Yet, indeed you have casted it behind your backs! What! Do you detest it? Or according to something else you wish to rule? Evil would be the exchange for the wrongdoers! And if anyone desires a religion other than Islam (submission to Allah), it never will it be accepted from him; And in the hereafter, he will be in the ranks of those who have lost. Surely you have not waited until its stampede seized, and it became obedient. You then started arousing its flames, instigating its coal, complying with the call of the misled devil, quenching the light of the manifest reli gion, and extinguished the light of the sincere Prophet. You concealed sips on froth and proceeded towards his (the Prophet) kin and children in swamps and forests (meaning you plot against them in deceitful ways), but we are patient with you as if we are being notched with knives and stung by spearheads in our abdomens, Yet-now you claim that there is not inheritance for us! What! “Do they then seek after a judgment of (the Days of)ignorance? But How, for a people whose faith is assured, can give better judgment than Allah? Don’t you know? Yes, indeed it is obvious to you that I am his daughter.

O Muslims! Will my inheritance be usurped? O son of Abu Quhafa! Where is it in the Book of Allah that you inherit your father and I do not inherit mine? Surely you have come up with an unprecedented thing. Do you intentionally abandon the Book of Allah and cast it behind your back? Do you not read where it says: And Sulaiman inherited Dawood’?

And when it narrates the story of Zakariya and says: `So give me an heir as from thyself (One that) will inherit me, and inherit the posterity of Yaqoob’ And: `But kindred by hood have prior rights against each other in the Book of Allah’

And: Allah (thus) directs you as regards your children’s (inheritance) to the male, a portion equal to that of two females’ And, If he leaves any goods, that he make a bequest to parents and next of kin, according to reasonable usage; this is due from the pious ones.’ You claim that I have no share! And that I do not inherit my father! What! Did Allah reveal a (Quranic) verse regarding you, from which He excluded my father? Or do you say: `These (Fatima and her father) are the people of two faiths, they do not inherit each other?!’ Are we not, me and my father, a people adhering to one faith? Or is it that you have more knowledge about the specifi cations and generalizations of the Quran than my father and my cousin (Imam Ali)? So, here you are! Take it! (Ready with) its nose rope and saddled! But if shall encounter you on the Day of Gathering; (thus) what a wonder ful judge is Allah, a claimant is Muhammad, and a day is the Day of Rising. At the time of the Hour shall the wrongdoers lose; and it shall not benefit you to regret (your actions) then! For every Message, there is a time limit; and soon shall ye know who will be inflicted with torture that will humiliate him, and who will be confronted by an everlasting punishment. (Fatima then turned towards the Ansars and said:) O you people of intellect! The strong supporters of the nation! And those who embraced Islam; What is this short-coming in defending my right? And what is this slumber (while you see) injustice (being done toward me)? Did not the Messenger of Allah, my father, used to say: A man is upheld (remembered) by his children’? O how quick have you violated (his orders)?! How soon have you plotted against us? But you still are capable (of helping me in) my attempt, and powerful (to help me) in that which I request and (in) my pursuit (of it). Or do you say: “Muhammad has perished;”

Surely this is a great calamity; Its damage is excessive its injury is great, Its wound (is much too deep) to heal.

The Earth became darkened with his departure; the stars eclipsed for his calamity; hopes were seized; mountains submitted; sanctity was violated, and holiness was encroached upon after his death. Therefore, this, by Allah, is the great affliction, and the grand calamity; there is not an affliction-which is the like of it; nor will there be a sudden misfortune (as surprising as this).

The Book of Allah-excellent in praising him-announced in the courtyards (of your houses) in the place where you spend your evenings and mornings; A call, A cry, A recitation, and (verses) in order. It had previously came upon His (Allah’s) Prophets and Messengers; (for it is) A decree final, and a pre destination fulfilled: “Muhammad is not but an Apostle: Many were the apostles that passed away before him. If he died or was slain, will ye then turn back on your heels? If any did turn back on his heels, not the least harm will he do to Allah; but Allah (on the other hand) will swiftly reward those who (serve Him) with gratitude.” O you people of reflection; will I be usurped the inheritance of my father while you hear and see me?! (And while) You are sitting and gathered around me? You hear my call, and are included in the (news of the) affair? (But) You are numerous and well equipped! (You have) the means and the power, and the weapons and the shields. Yet, the call reaches you but you do not answer; the cry comes to you but you do not come to help? (This) While you are characterized by struggle

known for goodness and welfare, the selected group (which was chosen), and the best ones chosen by the Messenger for us, Ahlul-Bayt. You fought the Arabs, bore with pain and exhaustion, struggled against the nations, and resisted their heroes. We were still, so were you in ordering you, and you in obeying us. So that Islam became triumphant, the accomplishment of the days came near, the fort of polytheism was subjected, the outburst of was subjected, the outburst of infidelity calmed down, and the system of religion was well-ordered. Thus, (why have you) become con fused after clearness? Conceal matters after announcing them? Turned on your heels afterothers with Allah) after believing? Will you not fight people who violated their oaths? Plotted to expel the Apostle and became aggressive by being the first (to assault) you? Do ye fear them? Nay, it is Allah Whom ye should more justly fear, if you believe!

Nevertheless, I see that you are inclined to easy living; dismissed he who is more worthy of guardianship (Ali (A)); You secluded yourselves with meekness and dismissed that which you accepted. Yet, if you show ingratitude, ye and all on earth together, yet, Allah free of all wants, worthy of all praise. Surely I have said all that I have said with full knowledge that you intent to forsake me, and knowing the betrayal that your hearts sensed. But it is the state of soul, the effusion of fury, the dissemination of (what is) the chest and the presentation of the proof. Hence, Here it is! Bag it (leadership and) put it on the back of an ill she­ camel, which has a thin hump with everlasting disgrace, marked with the wrath of Allah, and the blame of ever (which leads to) the Fire of (the wrath of Allah kindled (to a blaze), that which doth mount (right) to the hearts; For, Allah witnesses what you do, and soon will the unjust assailants know what vicissitudes their affairs will take! And I am the daughter of a warner (the Prophet) to you against a severe punishment. So, act and so will we, and wait, and we shall wait.’

Great Shia personality; Grand Ayatollah Sayed Muhammad Mufti al-Shia Moosavi Expires + pic

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Ahlul Bayt News Agency (ABNA.ir), HOLY CITY OF QOM, Iran: Ayatollah Al-Uzma Syed Muhammad Mufti al-Shia Moosavi Ardbaili passed away on Wednesday in holy City of Qum in Iran. He was 82. The late Ayatollah was considered amongst the famous religious teachers and he authored dozens of religious books and translated hundreds of books.

There will be closed holiday in religious Madaris during these days. A statement issued from the headquarters of the Maktab-e-Tashih says that Ayatollah Mufti Al-Shia Urdbaili spent all his life in serving the religion. The gap created by his demise could not be filled.

His funeral ceremony will be start today (20.5.2010) at 17:30 from Imam Hasan Askari (as) mosque to holy shrine of Hadrat Masumah (sa).

Memoir of Ayatullah Mufti Ash-Shia Al-Mousavi

Translated by Ghulam Shabbir on the direction of Allama Syed Hussain Muqqadasi

In the name of Allah the merciful, the beneficent

Praise be to Allah who created pure and perfect man in between knowledge and those who possess knowledge, by his generosity regarded scholars the end of hope of hopeful person & on the basis of his justice preferred the pen of one who knows and acts accordingly to the blood of martyrs and termed them as blessings to all of his creatures. He bestowed preference to the memory of those who served for Shariat to the memory of nameless people and gave them all such things, which non-else has ever been given.

I bear witness that Allah is one and there is no partner unto Him; nor is there any god except him.

No doubt Muhammad (PBUH&HP) is His servant and His prophet corroborated by Rooh-al Quds and Aql-e-Kul; one who was the most gentle & consummate man, took pity on all weaklings, poors, indigents, orphans and all other destitutes.

Knowledge is one of such things as has been applauded and appreciated in Islam and Muslims have been urged to attain it. Quran bears many verses in this regard, which stress upon the importance of knowledge, its attainment and applause of scholars.

The creator of universe ordered for deliberation, and prudence, and has eulogized the man of understanding (olulalbab) and not only this but only those who are possessed of knowledge are said to be God-fearing.

As is stated:

“Those of His servants only who are possessed of knowledge fear Allah”

Surah xxxv/xxviii (The originator)

“Say, Are those who know and those who do not know alike? Only the men of understanding are mindful” (The companies/ix, Surah/xxxix)

Likewise several hadiths from Holy prophet (PBUH&HP) and His vicegerents Aaimma Masoomeen (A.S.) have been reported.

Hazrat Imam Jafar Sadiq (A.S.) quotes Holy Prophet (PBUH):

“A learned has such preeminence on adorer as the full moon on fourteenth has on all the stars and no doubt the scholars are heirs of prophets.”

All these hadiths state the significance of knowledge, the dignity and degree of scholars, subordination to them, the patronage of scholars in proclaiming the laws of religion, their being trustee of Allah, the angels spreading wings for them, birds in the sky & fish in water craving mercy for them. Even Imam (A.S) regards scholars as his assistants and attorneys.

He (A.S) states further:

“Among the fuqaha (theologians) one who guards himself against sensuality, concupiscence, refrains from least and greed, is amendable to Lord’s orders; people must follow such theologian.”

Likewise Maktab-i-Ahlebait (school of prophet’s descendants) has never been without the teacher and the student even for a single day. Right from the early days of Islam to this day it has extended the best service to Islam. The conspicuous proof is the emergence of four thousand scholars in various fields of knowledge from the great school of Hazrat Iama Jafar Sadiq (A.S).

The branch of knowledge which has been the most stressed upon and for which people have been urged to attain is Fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence) because in it lies the system and order of this world and the benefit of the world hereafter; as it is the law of Shariat (the divine law) and he who acts upon it is successful both here and hereafter.

Maktab-i-Ahlebait is particular in that there has always been opportunity for Ijtihad i.e. interpretation and reinterpretation of Islamic laws. That is why in every era there emerged unprecedented scholars, the most pious men of the time, ulema and fuqaha (theologians).

This booklet comprises of brief biography of Hazrat Ayatullah al Uzma As-Syed Muhammad Mufti Ash-Shia, Al-Mousavi (Dama Zilluhul Aali) and his family. Further, about his teachers, his own teaching services rendered in Hawza and his general welfare works have been mentioned. May Allah’s graciousness be always with us to write more, in future, on various other aspects of his great personality (Aameen)

Brief Biography

His Good Name

Muhammad-bin-Muhammad Taqi bin Murtaza bin Naqad Ali bin Mir Ali Raza bin Hussain Al-Mousavi. He was born on 10th of Rajab-ul-Murajab 1347 A.H. in Ardbail (known as Dar-ul-Irshad) – a city of Iran.

Ayatullah al Uzma As-Syed Muhammad Taqi Mufti Ash-Shia Ardbaili was his father who died in 1361 A.H. He was considered one of much followed theologians. He was also leader of his city. His Risala-i-Amalia (journal) was published on 18th of Zilhajj 1336 A.H under the title of “Shajara-tut-Taqwa”. The second journal “Zakhirat-ul-Uqba” was published in 1344 A.H. he had been the pupil of Akhund Khurasani, Syed Kazim Yazdi, and Syed Muhammad Isfahani Fasharki.

His Grandfather

His grandfather’s name was Ayatullah al Uzma Syed Murtaza Khalkhali Ardabaili. He too was one of the venerable Maraje Uzzam. On his return from Najaf-i-Ashraf, he laid the foundation of great Hawza-i-Ilmia in Ardbail, which produced several Ulmas. Students, not only from Iran, but also from various other countries like Badkoba, Sherwan, Siliyan, Ierwan, Nakhchwan, Lankran, and Aazarbaijan came to this Hawza to seek knowledge. He was the pupil of Sahib-i-Karamaat and Sheikh Ansari (R.A). He left this world on 1317 A.H.

His respected Uncle

His uncle, Faqih-i-kamil Syed Ahmed Mujtahid, the pupil of Sheikh Hassan Mamqani and Fazil Sharbiani, was one of those precedent theologians who saved their city against the wickedness of enemies.

His second uncle, Syed Musa Faqih Murtazavi who was great worshipper and a pious man, had the degree of Ijtihad (interpretation and reinterpretation of Islamic laws) from great maraje like Ayatullah al Uzma Syed Abu Al-Hassan Isfahani, Muhaqqiq (researcher) Naeeni and Muhaqqiq Iraqi.

His respect worthy mother

She was the daughter of Syed-ul-Ulama As-Syed Baqir Al-Ardbaili Al-Najafi who was awarded ijaza-i-ijtihad (Permission for interpretation and reinterpretation of Islamic laws) by Syed-ul-Ulama great Marje As-shaikh Muhammad Taqi Ash-sherazi in 1335 A.H. He was son of Ayatullah Syed Habib Ullah Al-Athari Ardbaili who was the grandson of Mujtahid-i-Akbar Syed Hussain and nephew of Muhaqqiq Karki al-Aamli. He was Shaikh-ul-Islam in the regime of Sultan Tahmasab Safawi in Ardbail.

His Progeny

The sustainer of the world bestowed him seven sons. Three of them are scholars:

1.Hujjatul-Islam Aaqai Syed Muhammad Taqi (R.A)

2. Hujjatul-Islam Aaqai Al-Haj Syed Muhammad Zaki (R.A)

3. Siqa-tul-Islam Syed Abul Fazl (R.A)

His pedigree

His lineage reaches to Syed Ibrahim Al-Asghar surnamed Al-Murtaza the son of Imam-I-Hamam Musa bin Jafar (A.S) who has been talked about in the books of genealogies.

His dynasty

His family is one of those the most ancient and learned families whose members reside in cities like Najaf-i-Ashraf, Tehran, Ardbail, Khalkhal, Qazween & Rasht. This family has always been exerting for the attainment of knowledge & wisdom. There have been several theologians, scholars, authors & poets in this noble family who have been leading the masses as a prelate (Mujtahid) in their spiritual and worldly problems. This is why the pages of the books of tazkira and rijal are full of their excellence learning & compositions.

His conduct & attentions

In 1361 A.H, on the day of Hazrat Imam Muhammad Taqi (A.S)’s martyrdom, his father departed in Ardbail, who left the whole city in affliction and people arranged Majalis-i-Aaza for forty days and on 40th day much honoured & preferred Ayatullah al uzma Syed Younis Ardbaili attired him the spiritual apparel with his own hands and put Amamah (a religious turban) on his head after which he left for Mash’had Al-Muqqadas.

In 1363 A.H, he performed the duties of imamat in his father’s mosque (which is known as Masjid-i-Bazar & masjid Syed Ahmed) on the consent of his worthy uncle Syed Musa faqih. Although he was quite young yet people used to participate in his Jamat (gathering for prayer) with pleasure and zeal, for his amiable nature and belonging to praise worthy dynasty and the mosque used to fill with Namazis to its full capacity. Not only this but very often people used to take his ablution water as a benediction and solicited him for Dua (prayer); he was of the rank of his ancestors in religious affairs.

He was known for his continence, abstinence & decency in his family and the city where as among the learned (ulama) and the seekers he was famous for the mode of equity and man of wisdom.

Acquisition of knowledge

He showed quick, sharp and brimful mind in the acquisition of knowledge. He got his education of ‘Moqaddemaat’ from distinctive ulmas (teachers) of Ardbail and his father’s pupils. He learnt ‘Rassail’ from Ayatullah Shaikh Ghulam Hussain Gharvi and ‘Makasib’ from his worthy uncle Ayatullah Syed Musa Faqih Murtazavi.

Left for Qum

In 1367 A.H, he left for Hawza-i-ilmia Qum for further education. For Dars-i-Kharij in Fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence) he joined the lectures of Ayatullah al uzma Brojurdi who was delivering his lectures on Salat (prayer) in those days.

For discussion on ‘Baye’ (buying & selling) he took lessons from Ayatullah al uzma Syed Muhammad Hujjat. He participated in the class of Ayatullah al uzma Roohullah al-Musawi Al Khomeini (R.A) for discussion on principles of Fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence). Debate on Taharat (cleanliness) was learnt in the classes of Ayatullah al uzma Syed Muhammad Muhaqqiq Damad (R.A). To have an insight in the enigmas of philosophy, haiyyat & tafseer he attended the bountiful lectures of Allama Syed Muhammad Hussain Tabatabai (R.A), along with this he himself delivered lectures on high level on “Rasa’il”, “Kifaya”, “Makasib” & “Manzooma”.

In summer vacations when he came back in his own country, he used to guide the people & helped them in their religious problems. He was also used to perform Imamat in his ancestral mosque.

Migrated to Najaf-i-Ashraf

Zeal for the acquisition of knowledge did not end and his thirsty nature for knowledge and cognizance led him leave for Najaf-i-Ashraf in 1374 A.H. and he attended the lectures of following chosen, excellent highly esteemed ulamas (scholars) and Maraje Uzzam:

1.Marjae Aaliqadar Ayatullah al uzma Syed Mohsin Hakim (R.A)

2. Marjae Aaliqadar Ayatullah al uzma Syed Mohammad Shahroudi (R.A)

3. Marjae Aaliqadar Ayatullah al uzma Syed Abul Qasim Khoie (R.A)

For quite a long period he attended the lectures of Ayatullah al uzma Sheikh Hussain Hilli (R.A) on Asool (principles) & Fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence) and he sought maximum learning from him. For more than ten years he remained under his guidance and kept on writing his lessons till the day when he was talked of one of the keen pupils of Sheikh Hussain Hilli (R.A). He has compiled a complete lesson of esteemed teacher on Asool (principle)& urwah (path).

In 1388 A.H, after performing Hajj and taking leave of Ayatullah al uzma Sheikh Hussain Hilli (R.A), he started teaching Fiqh & Asool. At the same time he began research and composition.

Back in his country

A delegation of venerable personnels reached in Najaf-i-Ashraf Ardbail in 1379 A.H and requested Marjae Aaliqadar Ayatullah al Uzma Syed Mohsin Hakim to send Aaqae Mufti ush Shia as his attorney to explain divine code of life to the people in Ardbail. Hence, in view of their constraints and requisition Ayatullah al Uzma Hakim (R.A) sent him to Ardbail. However, he never wished that Mufti ush shia should ever leave Najaf-i-Ashraf. Aaqae Mufti ush shia left Najaf-i-Ashraf for Ardbail on 16th of Zeeqaadh 1379 A.H. and arrived on 24th Zilhajj.

As soon as the people came to know of his advent, particularly great ulamas and khutbaas (preachers) they came out at a distance of twelve Farsakh (Miles) to welcome him and gave him a magnificent reception.

In 1380 A.H., when Marjae Aalam-i-Tashayyo Ayatullah al Uzma Brojurdi departed for the world hereafter, people of Aazarbaijan under the guidance of Aaqae Mufti ush shia started to follow Ayatullah al Uzma Syed Mohsin Hakim (R.A) and they always turned to him in all their problems and masail-i-shariat.

After his one and half year stay in Aardbail he went again to Najaf-i-Ashraf to restart his learning activities.

Compositions

He has all the speeches delivered on Asool & Fiqh, which he wrote while attending the lectures of his teachers in Najaf-i-Ashraf and Qum. The detail is as under:

In Hawza-i-Ilmia Qum

The book on bae (Buying & selling) by Hazrat Ayatullah al Uzma Syed Muhammad Hujjat (R.A).

The book on Salat (prayer) by Hazrat Ayatullah al Uzma Syed Agha Hussain Brojurdi (R.A).

The book on Taharat (cleanliness) by Hazrat Ayatullah al Uzma Syed Muhaqqiq Damad (R.A).

He wrote “Mabahis-i-Ilfaz”& discussion on “La jabar wala tafweez bal amar bain al amrain” in Dars-i-Asool by Hazrat Ayatullah al Uzma Syed Roohullah Al-Mousavi Al-Khomeini (R.A).

In Dars-i-Manzooma & Asfar by his great teacher Allama Taba Tabaie (R.A) he wrote his theories as marginal notes in his books.

Hawza-i-Ilmia Najaf-i-Ashraf

“Salat ul Musafir wal Jama’ah” & some important things about Hajj by Hazrat Ayatullah al Uzma Syed Mehmood Shahroodi (R.A).

A complete composition of Asool-i-Fiqh by Hazrat Ayatullah al Uzma Syed Abul Qasim khoie (R.A)

A complete composition of Asool-i-Fiqh by Hazrat Ayatullah al Uzma Sheikh Hussain Hilli (R.A) and “Bae-o-Khiyaraat” in Fiqh, “Taharat” a discussion of urwat-ul-wusqa

A tract on “La Zarar wala Zaraar”

Sharah Kifayah

A treatise on doubted apparel

A Pamphlet about “Ilm-i-ljmali” (Brief knowledge)

Qaida “Iqrar-o-Raza’a” and several other magazines on important discussions along with summaries in a book titled “Fiqh-i-Mabsoot”

This is an argumentative book in which important things of Fiqh have been discussed in the light of Qawaid-i-Asoolia, Quranic verses, sayings of Masumeen (A.S) & Asool-i-Amlia. He also wrote on “Ilm-i-Ikhlaq” & “Ilm-i-Nafs”. He also wrote marginal notes on “Asfar” & several other books.

His Risala-i-Amlia – “Towzeehul Masa’il & Masa’il-i-Mustahaddisa”, Minhaj-us-saleheen” are in two volumes. He wrote valuable books on “ Manasik-i-Hajj” and “marginal note on Urwah”.

His status among scholars

He obtained ljaza-i-ijtehad (license for interpretation and reinterpretation of Islamic laws) & ljaza-i-Riwayat (to narrate) from great Ulamas, Mashaikhs and Mujtahideen. The writing of these ijazas is evidence of his abilities. He is known as mark of equity, abstinence, research & keen observation. This small treatise does not allow me to quote all such statements but only as a specimen one line from the letter of Ayatullah al uzma Syed Mehmood Shahroudi (R.A) is mentioned here which he wrote on 26th Zeeqaad 1390 A.H when he was leaving for Iran:

“I deem him quite essential in Najaf-i-Ashraf in all possibilities as Hawza-i-Ilmia needs him and others like him.”

Social services

He has played an important role for the welfare of the deprived & wretched people of society and showed bountiful magnanimity in building Institutions for public good, schools & mosques. Similarly he permitted some Momineen for the disbursement of obligations of revealed law (wajoobat-i-shariah) in the interest of the destitute & the poor.

His morals

He has good morals, is tender hearted, has almost all virtues and is like his proceeding ulamas in “Ser-o-Salook”. His majlis (sittings) are never without Zikr-i-Khuda”, “Rawayat”, “Hadith-i-Ahl-i-bait (A.S) Fiqh Masa’il & Asool.

He is quite unprecedented in treating the destitute with attention and ceremony, in knowledge, clemency virtue, piety & veracity.

In his conversation and “Masa’il-i-Shariah” he speaks with depth of thought and constancy.

Deported from Najaf-i-Ashraf

In 1396 A.H. Iraqi authorities adopted the policy of deportation of hundreds of intrepid of Imam-i-Zamana (A.S) from Hawza-i-Ilmia Najaf – the then centre of ulams and Mujtahideen-i-Shia & Maadan-i-uloom-i-Aal-i-Muhammad (A.S). They issued orders of expulsion of the teachers and the students of Iran, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Turkey & other countries, and this order was issued so that the enemies of Haq-o-Imamat i.e. Allah and Imam may express pleasure on the annihilation of auspicious Hawza Najaf-i-Ashraf – the pride of Shia & Muslim Ummah.

Hence, the government started arresting people. Aaqae Mufti Ush Shia (R.A) was also arrested. First along with many others, he was in (Khan An Nisf) prison, which is midway from Karbala to Najaf. Then, all alone, he was confined in a small cell. There after shifted in the prison of Najaf-i-Ashraf. Later, the agents brought him home and ordered to leave the country within two hours.

Hence, with his family he proceeded to Iran, and stayed in adjacency of Bargah-i-Hazrat Masooma (A.S) to start teaching, writing and solving the problems of the people.

He was made principal attorney of the head of Hawza-i-Ayatullah al uzma Hazrat Syed Abdul Aala Sabzwari (R.A) in connection with the selection of attorneys and representatives in Islamic countries after the death of Ayatullah al uzma Khoie (R.A). He was also consulted in important matters. This is, conspicuous demonstration on his abilities and trust.

Ayatullah al uzma Sabzwari (R.A) remembers him in these words:

Moassesa Imam Muhammad Taqi (AS)

US forced American Muslim into exile

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An American Muslim civil rights group has charged the US government of forcing an American citizen into exile because of his faith.

According to Press TV, the Washington-based Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) has called on the US Department of Justice to look into the matter.

CAIR said 29-year old Raymond Earl Knaeble IV, has been placed on a no-fly list and has been unable to return home from Colombia since March.

According to CAIR, Knaeble this week flew to Mexico in hope of traveling to the Mexican-US border, but he instead faced lengthy interrogation by Mexican officials before being sent back to Colombia.

The group says it is illegal for a US citizen to be denied entry to his own country while he is not charged with any crime and such actions undermine the US Constitution.

Israeli guard tears inmate's Quran

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Tearing of Islam’s holy book of Quran by Israeli prison guards has sparked new outrage across Palestine against Tel Aviv regime’s religious bigotry.

A detainees’ society reported the sacrilegious measure, asserting that an Israeli prison guard in Ashkelon jail seized a prisoner’s Quran during a cell search and tore it into pieces.

Palestinian Authority Chief Justice Sheikh Tayseer al-Tamimi issued a statement on the incident on Monday and strongly condemned recurring insults on Islamic sanctities by Israeli forces. The move reveals the extent of “extremism, religious hatred and racism in Israel,” he said.

The sheikh said it was not the first occasion during which “Israeli forces have disrespected the Noble Quran, having done so in the al-Arroub refugee camp and in Megiddo prison.”

Tamimi stressed that religious books, including the Quran, should be respected by followers of all religions. “But Israeli guards do not do so,” he regretted, saying he held the Israeli regime and Israeli Prison Service responsible for the insult.

Last month, assailants who looked like Israeli settlers broke into the Bilal Ben-Rabah Mosque in the village of Hawara, near Nablus. They sprayed graffiti, including a Jewish Star of David, on the walls of the mosque alongside the name of the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) in Hebrew and set fire to two cars outside the building.

Extremist settlers also vandalized a mosque in the West Bank village of Yasuf in December. The vandals attacked the holy site overnight and burned prayer mats and a book stand with sacrosanct, Islamic texts. They also sprayed threatening messages on the mosque walls reading, “Get ready to pay the price” and “We will burn all of you.”

Indian lives 70 years without food, water

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Scientists with India’s Defense Research Development Organization said they are closely studying a man who says he has gone 70 years without food or water.
Prahlad Jani, 82, had shown no signs of ill effects after six days under observation without food or water, The Daily Telegraph reported Thursday.
Jani said he is a “breatharian” living on a “spiritual life-force”, the British newspaper said.
Scientists said they may be able to learn from Jani’s physiology.
“If his claims are verified, it will be a breakthrough in medical science,” said Dr. G. Ilavazhagan, director of the Defense Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences.
“We will be able to help save human lives during natural disasters, high altitude, sea journeys, and other natural and human extremities. We can educate people about the survival techniques in adverse conditions with little food and water or nothing at all”.

Scientists with India’s Defense Research Development Organization said they are closely studying a man who says he has gone 70 years without food or water.
Prahlad Jani, 82, had shown no signs of ill effects after six days under observation without food or water, The Daily Telegraph reported Thursday.
Jani said he is a “breatharian” living on a “spiritual life-force”, the British newspaper said.
Scientists said they may be able to learn from Jani’s physiology.
“If his claims are verified, it will be a breakthrough in medical science,” said Dr. G. Ilavazhagan, director of the Defense Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences.
“We will be able to help save human lives during natural disasters, high altitude, sea journeys, and other natural and human extremities. We can educate people about the survival techniques in adverse conditions with little food and water or nothing at all”.

Outlawed Lashkar-e-Jhangvi top terrorists killed by Armed forces in Kohat

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Sources in Kohat Police informed that the government forces were killed 34 Taliban terrorist in the operation against terrorists in Dera Adam Khail in the suburbs of Kohat city.
According to the Shiite News, Three terrorists were identified as the members of the outlawed terrorist organization Laskhar-e-Jhangvi an armed wing of terrorist organization of banned Sepah-e -Sahaba.
The terrorists were identified as Abdul Rauf Baloch alias Mama Raufa, Abdul Latif alias Colonel Tofan and Azeem Mazvia, all the three terrorists have belonged from Dera Ismail Khan, most violent city of the NWFP province of Pakistan.
These terrorists were involved in the suicide attacks, bomb blasts and target killings incidents against the Shiite community of Dera Ismail Khan, which claims thousands of lives of innocent Shia’s of D.I.Khan.
The terrorists of outlawed organization had also involved in the suicide attempt on Pakistan Muslim League Shia Member of National Assembly Rasheed Nawani at his residence Bhakkar.
It may be noted here that the Armed forces of the country has been started an operation against the Taliban terrorists in Kohat city to prevent the area from the heinous activities of the terrorists.
Though the killing of top three Wahabi terrorists were the disaster for the terrorist network in the NWFP province but there is a need to initiate comprehensive army operation against the terrorists of outlawed organizations at grass-root level to prevent the life of Pakistani citizens.
People of the Dera Ismail Khan demanded of the Government to immediately arrest the Khalifa Abdul Qayum, the main supporter of terrorists in Dera Ismail Khan for the lasting peace of the city.
This is important to mention here that these terrorists group led by Khalifa Abdul Qayum was also involved in the attack on Milad-un-Nabi (SAWW) holy procession in Dera Ismail Khan, which shows his heinous desires.

Iran Vice-President: Hezbollah Capable of Confronting Israeli Aggression

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Hezbollah Secretary General Syed Hassan Nasrallah on Sunday met with Iranian Vice-President of the Shura Council Muhammad Rida Taj Al-Deeni and his accompanying delegation. The meeting addressed both local and regional issues.

Following his meeting with Hezbollah official in South Lebanon Sheikh Nabil Qawouk on Sunday, Taj al-Deeni said that new Israeli threats are part of Tel Aviv’s psychological war. He added that the Islamic Resistance in Lebanon, Hezbollah, is capable of confronting any new [Israeli] aggression.

According to Taj al-Deeni, the July 2006 War proved that Israel is not invincible, and the war’s outcome set an example for the Islamic World. “Youth throughout the Muslim World can confront colonial schemes and global arrogance,” he said.

He added that Hezbollah’s resistance reflects Lebanon’s ability to face the “

Are You Ready For Hajj?

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“Yallah Hajji!”One of the many popular phrases that our dear hajjis bring back as memories of their holy pilgrimage.

But there is much more than new Arabic words and some classic halal fast-food to keep as memories from this spiritual journey; although both of those are pluses!

Although I personally have not gone to Hajj before; I have family and friends who have. I have been also been blessed to have done Umrah and there are so many wonderful things about the experience.

In Islam it is encouraged to go as soon as possible, and also obligatory, if you have the means, and are of age. Many times we hear our young Muslim brothers and sisters saying they will go when they are married, or when they are older, and that they are not “ready” yet. It seems almost as if we have made a Hajj a task, like taking a standardized test. We have heard how hard it is, to plow through the crowds of people, how the heat (when the month is during the summer) is unbearable, and even how complicated and full of do’s and don’ts the pilgrimage is.

We need to take a minute and think back to why Allah (swt) has made this act obligatory on us. Why does He want us to, once in our life, go and take this trip, and make circles around the Holy Kaaba? And if I am 23 or so, why would I have to go on my own if I’m able, shouldn’t I go when I get married? Or when will I have a better job? Let’s think about all the beautiful acts of Hajj and ask why they are so important to experience as soon as possible, yes, even as a youth.

During Hajj, we wear the Ehraam, and are dressed in simple white cloth in order to resemble our death clothes. Ehraam allows us to be equal with the millionaire next to us, or the poor family in front of us. It represents true Islamic values of equality and simplicity. Many youth today are busy running around making money so they can buy brand names, drive expensive cars, and just be better than the next person. This experience is to take your mind to levels where it belongs. To think in terms of simplicity and equality, that each person is not judged, and will not be judged on the Day of Judgment, by their brand names, but by the level of their faith. Were they at the level that they took upon the commands of going on Hajj as soon as possible? Or were they too busy saving for materialistic things and waiting to do it on the tomorrow that is not guaranteed to even come?

Another act that one is required to complete on this spiritual journey is throwing the stones at the (Devil) “shaytaan.” Instead of us throwing stones at our parents, and our life trials; we need to see the real shayateen (Devils) that are holding us back from being the justice-loving, and forgiving people that our Creator has made us. We need to begin throwing stones at our desires, our jobs that take away time from our families and communities, our hate for our brothers and sisters, and the list goes on and on.

Many times we see youth who do embark on this spiritual journey, and come back with a fresh new mindset and goal as to how to live their life, dedicated to Islam and to becoming more pious. Many times we see youth who go and become so engrossed in the literal aspects of Hajj, that they tend to forget about the symbolism. The fact that it is the one time, where all Muslims are gathered, together, at their Creator’s home, meeting new people, discussing issues that pertain to them, and helping each other through personal struggles, is a great thing. Many youth are too involved in finding a way to touch Hajar-e-aswad, which is fine, and it might mean a big deal, but what about touching your fellow brother or sister’s heart. What about helping an old lady or man to do their Tawaafs? Which, in your mind, is more important under the banner of hajj? This is only food for thought, not a fact.

Youth, who love socializing, should take the opportunity, if able, to go on hajj as soon as possible. Aside from studying the process, and the Fiqh rules, there is no way to prepare for this pilgrimage. Do we think that those who died in the stampedes that took place a few years ago were prepared? Do you think they were not worried about their jobs, or money? Of course, but Hajj is a spiritual journey, for when one is feeling lost and confused, as they study and realize each action they perform in those few days, and if they truly and sincerely ponder on it, they will only be filled with awe.

Many youth have been blessed to go at a young age, and return feeling inspired, and required, to become better Muslims. Everyone is obligated to know more about their religion, so they may better their lives, and in return teach others about Islam. Many young girls who do not practice wearing the Hijaab, have returned and naturally felt the desire to wear the Hijaab. Many young people have gone, and poured their hearts out to Allah (swt) and returned to nothing but the answer to their prayers. Who would want to pass up the opportunity of having a clean slate?

For those youth who are unsure of why Allah (swt) has commanded us to this ritualistic act, go for yourself, experience it, and find out why. We cannot question and think and take no action to find our answers. For when you see the Holy Kaaba for the first time, it is an unbelievable and heavy feeling in your heart. And as you circle around this holy structure, this unexplainable feeling of confidence and love for your religion will flow into your heart.

May Allah (swt) bless each Muslim with the chance to perform the Hajj pilgrimage, this year, and every year!

Gratefulness: The Essence of Islam

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One of the best gifts Allah swt has granted mankind is the ability to feel and express gratitude. Being grateful at the most basic level is very simple and very beneficial. It is simple because it requires no special knowledge, skill, equipment, or preparation – anyone can access the gift of thankfulness. Yet most of us fall short of the mark in expressing due thanks for what others do, and probably all of us owe far more thanks to Allah (swt) than we even understand. However, improvement is also simple: just make it a practice to notice blessings and kindnesses, to think about them, and to honor them.

One reason gratitude is beneficial is because it improves relationships, – whether interpersonal or with our Creator. When we can feel and express appreciation for God’s blessings or other’s kindnesses, affection grows. But the personal benefits are also great; a thankful heart is a content and awed heart. Even in times and circumstances of hardship, we always have much to appreciate. When we acknowledge this, our burdens are easier to bear.

Imam Sadiq (as) wrote in Lantern of the Path, “With every breath you take, a thanksgiving is incumbent upon you, indeed, a thousand thanks or more. The lowest level of gratitude is to see that the blessing comes from Allah irrespective of the cause for it, and without the heart being attached to that cause. It consists of being satisfied with what is given; it means not disobeying Him with regard to His blessing, or opposing Him in any of His commands and prohibitions because of His blessing.”

Our breathing comes without thought, and yet each breath is a blessing. The struggle for breath is an agony that we are usually spared thousands upon thousands of times without thanking for it. If the gift of breath is taken from us, we will die; breath is life. It is but one of countless examples of blessings from God we owe thanks for. At the very least, we should appreciate that it is a gift from God, be satisfied with the gift, and never use the gift of breath for anything opposing Allah swt. One could possibly say that if we truly wish to express gratitude for the gift of breath, we must never allow ourselves to purposely breathe in any haram substances and we must never use our breath to utter any lies, backbiting, or other haram speech. For even if we claim to feel gratitude, the proof of real thankfulness comes in our actions. If we are thankful for a gift, we will not be careless with it. If someone gave you a birthday present you really loved, you would use it with caution in order to protect it. Similarly, if we are truly grateful for the blessing of breath, we will use it with caution, too.

Imam Sadiq (as) continues:
“Be a grateful bondsman to Allah in every way, and you will find that Allah is a generous Lord in every way. If there were a way of worshipping Allah for His sincerest bondsman to follow more excellent than giving thanks at every instance, He would have ascribed to them the name of this worship above the rest of creation. Since there is no form of worship better than that, He has singled out this kind of worship from other kinds of worship, and has singled out those who practice this kind of worship, saying,

وَقَلِيلٌ مِّنْ عِبَادِيَ الشَّكُورُ

Very few of my servants are grateful. (34:13)”

Expressing thanks to God is a great form of worship, and at the minimum is part of our daily prayers. Allah swt has taught us that when we give thanks, blessings increase. Not only is this true about the blessings directly from God, but it applies for gratitude to the blessings of Allah swt that come from people as well. For example, a child who demonstrates true appreciation for Eid gifts or quality time spent with daddy inspires the giver to happily continue to give to that child, while a child who seems to take a gift for granted or does not seem to like or appreciate it may find the giver less generous in the future. God is not in need of our thanks and is not hurt in the least by our ingratitude, but gratitude enriches us immeasurably. “Allah is not in need of the obedience of His bondsmen, for He has the power to increase blessings forever. Therefore be a grateful bondsman to Allah, and in this manner you will see wonders.” (Ibid.)

Even feeling and expressing gratitude is itself a merciful blessing from God.
“Complete thankfulness is to sincerely repent your inability to convey the least amount of gratitude, and expressing this by means of your sincere glorification of Allah. This is because fitting thanks is itself a blessing bestowed upon the bondsman for which he must also give thanks; it is of greater merit and of a higher state than the original blessing which caused him to respond with thanks in the first place. Therefore, every time one gives thanks one is obliged to give yet greater thanks, and so on ad infinitum, and this while absorbed in His blessings and unable to achieve the ultimate state of gratitude. For how can the bondsman match with gratitude the blessings of Allah, and when will he match his own action with Allah’s while all along the bondsman is weak and has no power whatsoever, except from Allah?” (Ibid.)

The world would be a better place if we were more grateful to Allah swt and to others. Therefore, I would like to publicly thank God for His continued mercy toward me, and to thank my parents for their love. Those few words are not adequate at all, but should not be left unsaid