A
long time ago in China, a girl named Li-Li got married and went to live
with her husband and mother-in-law. In a very short time, Li-Li found
that she couldn't get along with her mother-in-law at all.
Their personalities were very different, and Li-Li was angered by
many of her mother-in-law's habits. In addition, she criticized Li-Li
constantly.
Days passed days, and weeks passed weeks. Li-Li and her mother-in-law
never stopped arguing and fighting. But what made the situation even
worse was that, according to ancient Chinese tradition, Li-Li had to bow
to her mother-in-law and obey her every wish.
All the anger and unhappiness in the house was causing Li-Li's poor husband great distress.
Finally, Li-Li could not stand her mother-in-law's bad temper and
dictatorship any longer, and she decided to do something about it.
Li-Li went to see her father's good friend, Mr. Huang, who sold
herbs. She told him the situation and asked if he would give her some
poison so that she could solve the problem once and for all. Mr. Huang
thought for a while, and finally said, Li-Li, I will help you solve your
problem, but you must listen to me and obey what I tell you. Li-Li
said, "Yes, Mr. Huang, I will do whatever you tell me to do."
Mr. Huang went into the back room, and returned in a few minutes with a package of herbs.
He told Li-Li, "You can't use a quick acting poison to get rid of
your mother-in-law, because that would cause people to become
suspicious. Therefore, I have given you a number of herbs that will
slowly build up poison in her body. Every other day prepare some
delicious meal and put a little of these herbs in her serving. Now, in
order to make sure that nobody suspects you when she dies, you must be
very careful to act very friendly towards her. Don't argue with her,
obey her every wish, and treat her like a queen."
Li-Li was so happy. She thanked Mr. Huang and hurried home to start her plot of murdering her mother-in-law.
Weeks went by, and months went by, and every other day, Li-Li served
the specially treated food to her mother-in-law. She remembered what Mr.
Huang had said about avoiding suspicion, so she controlled her temper,
obeyed her mother-in-law, and treated her like her own mother. After six
months had passed, the whole household had changed.
Li-Li had practiced controlling her temper so much that she found
that she almost never got mad or upset. She hadn't had an argument with
her mother-in-law in six months because she now seemed much kinder and
easier to get along with.
The mother-in-law's attitude toward Li-Li changed, and she began to
love Li-Li like her own daughter. She kept telling friends and relatives
that Li-Li was the best daughter-in-law one could ever find. Li-Li and
her mother-in-law were now treating each other like a real mother and
daughter. Li-Li's husband was very happy to see what was happening.
One day, Li-Li came to see Mr. Huang and asked for his help again.
She said, "Dear Mr. Huang, please help me to keep the poison from
killing my mother-in-law! She's changed into such a nice woman, and I
love her like my own mother. I do not want her to die because of the
poison I gave her."
Mr. Huang smiled and nodded his head. "Li-Li, there's nothing to
worry about. I never gave you any poison. The herbs I gave you were
vitamins to improve her health. The only poison was in your mind and
your attitude toward her, but that has been all washed away by the love
which you gave to her."
Sunday, November 25, 2012
Saturday, November 24, 2012
Your mother, your mother, your mother!
The
Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him and his progeny had
now said it three times. Slowly, the man realized why he had done so.
The Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him and his progeny
means that my mother is extremely important, so much so that my duty to
her must be stressed over and over again. Even so, the man's thoughts
ran on, "what about all the others I love and wish to care for?" Still
uncertain and wanting to know more, he once again turned to the Prophet
Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him and his progeny and said, "and
after my mother, who comes after her? Is there anyone besides her?" The
Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him and his progeny then
replied "after your mother, your father." And then? asked the man. "Then
people who are nearest to you," said the Prophet Muhammad, peace and
blessings be upon him and his progeny.
In universal religion Islam, mother has three times more rights over her off springs than their father because of her significant and crucial role in their birth, brought-up and home education.
In another hadith the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him and his progeny has said: "Paradise lies at the feet of mothers." In other words Paradise awaits those who cherish and respect their mothers.
The Muslim mother has consequently a great feeling of security about the type of care and consideration she can expect from her children when she reaches old age. As the verse of Noble Qur'an quoted above indicates, thankfulness to parents is linked with thankfulness to Allah, and a failure in either of these respects is indeed a major failure in one's religious duties.
The principles of Islam made explicit in Noble Qur'an and hadith are belief and good conduct, and good conduct begins at home with one's closest relatives. A Westerner who has had close contact with a Muslim society cannot fail to be struck by the love and respect given to parents and the honour shown to old people in general, both men and women, as a direct application of these principles of Islam.
In universal religion Islam, mother has three times more rights over her off springs than their father because of her significant and crucial role in their birth, brought-up and home education.
In another hadith the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him and his progeny has said: "Paradise lies at the feet of mothers." In other words Paradise awaits those who cherish and respect their mothers.
The Muslim mother has consequently a great feeling of security about the type of care and consideration she can expect from her children when she reaches old age. As the verse of Noble Qur'an quoted above indicates, thankfulness to parents is linked with thankfulness to Allah, and a failure in either of these respects is indeed a major failure in one's religious duties.
The principles of Islam made explicit in Noble Qur'an and hadith are belief and good conduct, and good conduct begins at home with one's closest relatives. A Westerner who has had close contact with a Muslim society cannot fail to be struck by the love and respect given to parents and the honour shown to old people in general, both men and women, as a direct application of these principles of Islam.
Thursday, November 8, 2012
Zahir ud-din Babur, the founder of the famous Timurid Mughal Dynasty of the Subcontinent
On 12th of the Islamic month of Jamadi as-Sani in 933 AH, Zahir ud-din
Babur, who founded the famous Timurid Mughal Dynasty of the
Subcontinent, defeated a huge Rajput army of 100,000 soldiers and one
thousand well trained elephants, led by Rana Sanga, the Rajah of Mewar.
This victory, a year after his historic defeat of Ibrahim Lodhi at
Panipat, earned him the title Ghazi.
To fulfill his vow before the decisive battle, Babur ordered his Iranian minister, Mir Abdul-Baqi, to build the famous Babri Mosque on a vacant piece of land in what is now Fayzabad. This historic mosque was destroyed in 1992 by Hindu fundamentalists vandals on the pretext that it was founded on the ruins of a temple, a claim which both historians and archeologists categorically reject. Babur was a noted scholar and poet of Persian as well as his native Chaghtai Turkic.
To fulfill his vow before the decisive battle, Babur ordered his Iranian minister, Mir Abdul-Baqi, to build the famous Babri Mosque on a vacant piece of land in what is now Fayzabad. This historic mosque was destroyed in 1992 by Hindu fundamentalists vandals on the pretext that it was founded on the ruins of a temple, a claim which both historians and archeologists categorically reject. Babur was a noted scholar and poet of Persian as well as his native Chaghtai Turkic.
The Battle of Panipat
On 7th of the Islamic month of Rajab in 932 AH, the Timurid ruler of Kabul, Zaheer od-Din Babar, defeated Sultan Ibrahim Lodhi of Hindustan or Northern India, at the Battle of Panipat. He then took control of Delhi and Agra, thereby laying foundations of the Mughal Empire that would reach its zenith during the rule of the 6th and last "Great Mughal" Aurangzeb, encompassing what are now India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and eastern Afghanistan. After two centuries of glory, the Mughal Empire shrank to Delhi and its suburbs, ending in 1857 AD with the British capture of the last ruler, Bahadur Shah Zafar and his exile to Burma.
Babur was born in Andijan in the Ferghana Valley in what is now Uzbekistan. He was the son of the local ruler Omar Shaikh Mirza, who in turn was a great-grandson of the fearsome Turkic conqueror Amir Timur. From his mother's side he was a descendant of the Mongol marauder, Genghis Khan. A Persianized Turk, Babur, as a protégé of Shah Ismail I, the Founder of the Safavid Dynasty of Iran, had earlier succeeded in gaining brief control of Timur's capital Samarqand, before being driven out by the Uzbeks. Babur's army, which conquered Delhi also included Qizilbash Iranian fighters, who as one of the most influential groups in the Mughal court, would promote Persian language and culture in the subcontinent, as well as the teachings of the Prophet's Ahl al-Bayt, which until then were brutally suppressed in Northern India.
On 7th of the Islamic month of Rajab in 932 AH, the Timurid ruler of Kabul, Zaheer od-Din Babar, defeated Sultan Ibrahim Lodhi of Hindustan or Northern India, at the Battle of Panipat. He then took control of Delhi and Agra, thereby laying foundations of the Mughal Empire that would reach its zenith during the rule of the 6th and last "Great Mughal" Aurangzeb, encompassing what are now India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and eastern Afghanistan. After two centuries of glory, the Mughal Empire shrank to Delhi and its suburbs, ending in 1857 AD with the British capture of the last ruler, Bahadur Shah Zafar and his exile to Burma.
Babur was born in Andijan in the Ferghana Valley in what is now Uzbekistan. He was the son of the local ruler Omar Shaikh Mirza, who in turn was a great-grandson of the fearsome Turkic conqueror Amir Timur. From his mother's side he was a descendant of the Mongol marauder, Genghis Khan. A Persianized Turk, Babur, as a protégé of Shah Ismail I, the Founder of the Safavid Dynasty of Iran, had earlier succeeded in gaining brief control of Timur's capital Samarqand, before being driven out by the Uzbeks. Babur's army, which conquered Delhi also included Qizilbash Iranian fighters, who as one of the most influential groups in the Mughal court, would promote Persian language and culture in the subcontinent, as well as the teachings of the Prophet's Ahl al-Bayt, which until then were brutally suppressed in Northern India.
Monday, November 5, 2012
The famous theologian “Sheikh Mufid
Compiled by: Syed Ali Shahbaz
On 3rd of the Islamic month of Ramadhan in 413 AH, the famous theologian, Mohammad Ibn Mohammad ibn N’uman known popularly as “Sheikh Mufid”, passed away in Baghdad at the age of 77 and was laid to rest in Kazemain in the shrine of Imam Musa al-Kazem (AS), the 7th Infallible Successor of Prophet Mohammad (SAWA). Over a hundred thousand people, both Shi'ites and Sunnis attended his funeral, the largest ever in Baghdad, with all weeping uncontrollably. The funeral prayer was led by his worthy student and scholastic successor, Seyyed Morteza Alam al-Huda.
He has left behind numerous works in almost all branches of Islamic sciences, some of which are: “al-Irshaad”, “Ahkaam an-Nisa”, “Aqsaam al-Mowla”, “al-Ifsah fi'l-Imamah Amir al-Mu'minin”, and “Tashih E`teqadaat al-Imamiyah” – the last named is a critical and edited version of his one-time teacher, Ibn Babwaih Shaikh Sadouq's “al-E'teqad”.
Here it would not be out of context to relate how he acquired the epithet “Shaikh al-Mufid” or the Most Beneficial Scholar. It happened that his tutor suggested that he attend the lessons in theology of the Mu’tazalite scholar, Ali bin Eisa ar-Rummani. To quote his own words: I entered his class, and was impressed by the great number of students. So I sat at the end of the crowd, managing to creep forward as members of the assembly left. Then I saw a person enter, saying there is someone at the door from Basra who insists on being admitted. On ar-Rummani’s permission the man entered, and after a long conversation, asked him: "How do you view the event of “Ghadeer” (the day the Prophet, on God’s commandment, proclaimed Imam Ali [AS] as his vicegerent on 18th Zilhijja, 10 AH while returning from the Farewell Hajj pilgrimage) and the report of the “Ghar” (the incident of the cave in which Abu Bakr accompanied the Prophet on the night of Hijrah)?"
Ar-Rummani replied that "the report of “Ghar” was a recognised event, while “Ghadeer” was just a narrative; and a narrative is not as mandatory as a recognised event." The man from Basra then left without making any reply. Then I came forward and said: "I have a question," and being permitted, I asked him: "What do you say about the one who fights a Just Imam?"
Ar-Rummani said: "Such a person would be an infidel." Then, after a pause, he rectified himself and said: "He would be a transgressor." I asked: "What do you say about the Commander of the Faithful, Ali bin Abi Taleb (AS)?” He said: "I believe he was an Imam." So I asked: "Then what do you say about the Day of Jamal and about Talha and Zubair?" Ar-Rummani retorted that both of them had repented. I said: "The Battle of Jamal is a recognised event, while their repentance is a mere narrative."
Upon hearing this, he said: "Were you present when the man from Basra put his question?" I said "yes." Then he asked: "What is your name and who is your tutor?" I said: "I am known as Ibn al-Mu’allem, and my tutor is Abu-Abdullah al-Jual." He said: "Stay where you are." Then he entered his room and came out with a letter, instructing me to hand it over to my tutor. When I gave the letter to my tutor, he read it and laughed, saying: "What transpired between you in his class? He has asked me to confer upon you the title of “al-Mufid” (the Most Beneficial)." I related to him the story, and he smiled.
On 3rd of the Islamic month of Ramadhan in 413 AH, the famous theologian, Mohammad Ibn Mohammad ibn N’uman known popularly as “Sheikh Mufid”, passed away in Baghdad at the age of 77 and was laid to rest in Kazemain in the shrine of Imam Musa al-Kazem (AS), the 7th Infallible Successor of Prophet Mohammad (SAWA). Over a hundred thousand people, both Shi'ites and Sunnis attended his funeral, the largest ever in Baghdad, with all weeping uncontrollably. The funeral prayer was led by his worthy student and scholastic successor, Seyyed Morteza Alam al-Huda.
He has left behind numerous works in almost all branches of Islamic sciences, some of which are: “al-Irshaad”, “Ahkaam an-Nisa”, “Aqsaam al-Mowla”, “al-Ifsah fi'l-Imamah Amir al-Mu'minin”, and “Tashih E`teqadaat al-Imamiyah” – the last named is a critical and edited version of his one-time teacher, Ibn Babwaih Shaikh Sadouq's “al-E'teqad”.
Here it would not be out of context to relate how he acquired the epithet “Shaikh al-Mufid” or the Most Beneficial Scholar. It happened that his tutor suggested that he attend the lessons in theology of the Mu’tazalite scholar, Ali bin Eisa ar-Rummani. To quote his own words: I entered his class, and was impressed by the great number of students. So I sat at the end of the crowd, managing to creep forward as members of the assembly left. Then I saw a person enter, saying there is someone at the door from Basra who insists on being admitted. On ar-Rummani’s permission the man entered, and after a long conversation, asked him: "How do you view the event of “Ghadeer” (the day the Prophet, on God’s commandment, proclaimed Imam Ali [AS] as his vicegerent on 18th Zilhijja, 10 AH while returning from the Farewell Hajj pilgrimage) and the report of the “Ghar” (the incident of the cave in which Abu Bakr accompanied the Prophet on the night of Hijrah)?"
Ar-Rummani replied that "the report of “Ghar” was a recognised event, while “Ghadeer” was just a narrative; and a narrative is not as mandatory as a recognised event." The man from Basra then left without making any reply. Then I came forward and said: "I have a question," and being permitted, I asked him: "What do you say about the one who fights a Just Imam?"
Ar-Rummani said: "Such a person would be an infidel." Then, after a pause, he rectified himself and said: "He would be a transgressor." I asked: "What do you say about the Commander of the Faithful, Ali bin Abi Taleb (AS)?” He said: "I believe he was an Imam." So I asked: "Then what do you say about the Day of Jamal and about Talha and Zubair?" Ar-Rummani retorted that both of them had repented. I said: "The Battle of Jamal is a recognised event, while their repentance is a mere narrative."
Upon hearing this, he said: "Were you present when the man from Basra put his question?" I said "yes." Then he asked: "What is your name and who is your tutor?" I said: "I am known as Ibn al-Mu’allem, and my tutor is Abu-Abdullah al-Jual." He said: "Stay where you are." Then he entered his room and came out with a letter, instructing me to hand it over to my tutor. When I gave the letter to my tutor, he read it and laughed, saying: "What transpired between you in his class? He has asked me to confer upon you the title of “al-Mufid” (the Most Beneficial)." I related to him the story, and he smiled.
Thursday, November 1, 2012
The Meaning of Salawaat
Sheikh Mansour Leghaei
In the
Name of Allah; the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful
“
Allah and His Angels send blessings on the Prophet, O you who believe!
send your blessings on him, and solute him a thorough salutation”.
(33:56) One of the best ways to know the personality of great men is to
study their literature and listen to their words. As Imam Ali states in
Nahjul-Balagha : "Man is hidden behind his tongue” meaning by our words
we introduce ourselves not with our certificates.
Different people according to their job use different jargons.
Politicians have their own jargons, as physicians do, as drivers do etc.
The jargons of truck drivers are different from professors. Therefore,
when people talk you can more or less depending on your skills in this
field can tell which class of society do they belong to.
Today, being the birthday anniversary of Imam Reda (a.s.) I would like to present to you a very fragrant flower from the garden of Imam Reda , i.e. a wisdom word of him. The Hadith is regarding the meaning of Salawat, something that we every day offer many times. However, many of us may not know enough if any about the significance of it.
First of all lets read the Hadith:
Sheikh Sadouq one of our distinguishing Olama' who was living in the 4th century AH has written a book named ‘Oyoun-Akhbarul-Reda' meaning ‘the fountains of the wisdom words of Imam Reda' . I quote the Hadith under the consideration from this book.
Imam Reda (a.s.): “O Allah ! send your blessings onto the one that Daily Prayers is honored with having the Salawat on him'.
Salam and Salawat on the Prophet is an established fact in the Quran. In Sura 33 Aya 56 we recite:
“ Allah and His Angels send Salat on the Prophet, O you who believe! send Salat on him, and solute him a thorough salutation”. (33:56)
As far as I know sending Salam and Salawat to the prophet of Islam, is one of the distinguishing characteristics of our Prophet, of which the previous prophets were deprived. Muslims across the world from the time the above Aya has been revealed up to the Day of Great Judgment are bound to send their Salawat onto the Prophet of Islam. Muslims five times a day when they call for Adhan and Eqama and even in their daily Prayers send their Salawat onto the Prophet of Islam.
This is due to the Divine Promise that “And We raised high for you your esteem” 94:4)
The Etiquette of Presence
When you are at the presence of a highly respected person you use high titles, like : His Eminence, Dr. Sh. etc. However, when he is absent and we are talking about him we may not bother about those titles. In Islamic Erfan the abpve expression is used firstly for Allah (s.w.t) and then for 14 Infallible. Muslim Gnostics believe they are and they should be always at the presence of Allah and the 14 infallible, and hence, they always mention those name with high respect. I don't ever remember that Imam Khomeini (r.a.) ever mentioned the name of Allah (swt) without any of His Divine Attributes.
Salawat on the Prophet and his pure progeny comes in this regards.
The Virtues of Salawat:
1. the most valuable deeds in your Scale:
2. An atonement for the sins:
“Whoever, can not make an atonement for his sins, then he should repeatedly send Salawat on the Prophet and his Ahlul-Bait, for it destroys the sins thoroughly.”
3. A key to the grant of supplication:
There are many Hadiths stating that in order to have your supplication granted start your supplication with Salawat and end it with Salawat. Because, Salawat is an absolutely granted supplication and Allah (swt) is more merciful than to accept the beginning of your supplication and the end of it , but does not grant the one in the middle.
4. Remembering the Prophet is equal to remembering Allah:
“Whoever remembers God will receive 10 rewards, and whoever remembers the Prophet will receive 10 rewards, for Allah has joined His Messenger to Himself.”
According to a Hadith fro Imam Reda (a.s.) Salawat is equal to Tasbih, Tahlil and Takbir.
5. The best Word (Dhikr) in the Holy Mosque:
Someone came to Imam Sadiq (a.s.) and said to him that he visited the Holy Mosque in Mecca . During his rituals he could not remember any other supplication except Salawat. The Imam replied you had remembered the best supplication.
6. Salawat ,a treatment to amnesia.
It is practically proven that Salawat will treat the forgetfulness.
7. Daily Prayers is invalid without Salawat.
All of the Maraje' agree that Salawat in Tashahod is compulsory and on the condition it is not mentioned intentionally then the Prayers is invalid. Also, Shafe' and Hanbali hold the same opinion for the second Tashahod.
Today, being the birthday anniversary of Imam Reda (a.s.) I would like to present to you a very fragrant flower from the garden of Imam Reda , i.e. a wisdom word of him. The Hadith is regarding the meaning of Salawat, something that we every day offer many times. However, many of us may not know enough if any about the significance of it.
First of all lets read the Hadith:
Sheikh Sadouq one of our distinguishing Olama' who was living in the 4th century AH has written a book named ‘Oyoun-Akhbarul-Reda' meaning ‘the fountains of the wisdom words of Imam Reda' . I quote the Hadith under the consideration from this book.
Imam Reda (a.s.): “O Allah ! send your blessings onto the one that Daily Prayers is honored with having the Salawat on him'.
Salam and Salawat on the Prophet is an established fact in the Quran. In Sura 33 Aya 56 we recite:
“ Allah and His Angels send Salat on the Prophet, O you who believe! send Salat on him, and solute him a thorough salutation”. (33:56)
As far as I know sending Salam and Salawat to the prophet of Islam, is one of the distinguishing characteristics of our Prophet, of which the previous prophets were deprived. Muslims across the world from the time the above Aya has been revealed up to the Day of Great Judgment are bound to send their Salawat onto the Prophet of Islam. Muslims five times a day when they call for Adhan and Eqama and even in their daily Prayers send their Salawat onto the Prophet of Islam.
This is due to the Divine Promise that “And We raised high for you your esteem” 94:4)
The Etiquette of Presence
When you are at the presence of a highly respected person you use high titles, like : His Eminence, Dr. Sh. etc. However, when he is absent and we are talking about him we may not bother about those titles. In Islamic Erfan the abpve expression is used firstly for Allah (s.w.t) and then for 14 Infallible. Muslim Gnostics believe they are and they should be always at the presence of Allah and the 14 infallible, and hence, they always mention those name with high respect. I don't ever remember that Imam Khomeini (r.a.) ever mentioned the name of Allah (swt) without any of His Divine Attributes.
Salawat on the Prophet and his pure progeny comes in this regards.
The Virtues of Salawat:
1. the most valuable deeds in your Scale:
2. An atonement for the sins:
“Whoever, can not make an atonement for his sins, then he should repeatedly send Salawat on the Prophet and his Ahlul-Bait, for it destroys the sins thoroughly.”
3. A key to the grant of supplication:
There are many Hadiths stating that in order to have your supplication granted start your supplication with Salawat and end it with Salawat. Because, Salawat is an absolutely granted supplication and Allah (swt) is more merciful than to accept the beginning of your supplication and the end of it , but does not grant the one in the middle.
4. Remembering the Prophet is equal to remembering Allah:
“Whoever remembers God will receive 10 rewards, and whoever remembers the Prophet will receive 10 rewards, for Allah has joined His Messenger to Himself.”
According to a Hadith fro Imam Reda (a.s.) Salawat is equal to Tasbih, Tahlil and Takbir.
5. The best Word (Dhikr) in the Holy Mosque:
Someone came to Imam Sadiq (a.s.) and said to him that he visited the Holy Mosque in Mecca . During his rituals he could not remember any other supplication except Salawat. The Imam replied you had remembered the best supplication.
6. Salawat ,a treatment to amnesia.
It is practically proven that Salawat will treat the forgetfulness.
7. Daily Prayers is invalid without Salawat.
All of the Maraje' agree that Salawat in Tashahod is compulsory and on the condition it is not mentioned intentionally then the Prayers is invalid. Also, Shafe' and Hanbali hold the same opinion for the second Tashahod.
Salawat in the universe:
The entire universe is asking the blessings for the Prophet. ‘Allah and His Angels are sending the blessings to the Prophet'. This is why the Prophet is ‘the blessings for the universe'. Following this natural process the believers are recommended to send the blessings onto the Prophet.
As a matter of fact, all of the Islamic rules are harmonious with the natural laws. That's why Islam is called the religion of nature (Fetrat). The universe is constantly asking the blessings for the ‘blessing of the world' and therefore the believers are also recommended to follow this natural law.
The entire universe is asking the blessings for the Prophet. ‘Allah and His Angels are sending the blessings to the Prophet'. This is why the Prophet is ‘the blessings for the universe'. Following this natural process the believers are recommended to send the blessings onto the Prophet.
As a matter of fact, all of the Islamic rules are harmonious with the natural laws. That's why Islam is called the religion of nature (Fetrat). The universe is constantly asking the blessings for the ‘blessing of the world' and therefore the believers are also recommended to follow this natural law.
The
Meaning of Salawat:
P1: Salawat is the plural form of Salat which simply means ‘to call' (Do'a). The reality of calling is that the person who calls tries to attract the attention of the one who is called to. This type of attracting the attention if it comes from a higher is called Rahmat (blessing) and if it comes from a lower is called Do'a (pray).
P2: It is an established fact in Islamic Erfan that the existence of the Prophet Mohammad (saww) is the first existent came from Allah. In other words, his existence is on the peak of the cone of the creation. That means the blessing of existence which contains all other blessings comes to the prophet first and then goes to others. The prayer of people to Allah does not reach Him unless through His Messenger, as the blessings of Allah does not reach His creatures unless through His Messenger.
Therefore, the Salawat of Allah to the Prophet since it comes from Allah the Omnipotent, He is sending the constant blessings to His Messenger and hence, the Prophet becomes ‘ Rahmatun-lelalamin' (blessing for the universe). As, the Salawat of people to the Prophet is to pray to God to send His blessings to them through the Prophet who is Rahmatun-Lelalamin.
Salawat of the Angels: As the Imam (a.s.) stated in the above Hadith , the Salawat of the angels is ‘Tazkeiah' . Tazkeiah means to exonerate and immaculate. What does it mean?
Each one of the angels is the resemblance of one of the beautiful attributes of God. No angel can ever resemble all Divine beautiful attributes. Whereas, the Prophet, being the most perfect man, held all of the Divine beautiful attributes. This is why his statue is higher than the angels. To this end, the angels are constantly exonerating and immaculating the Prophet in the sense that he is free from their efficiency. This is the meaning of prostration of the angels before Adam. That means the angels are the servants of the Prophet and his Ahlul-Bait.
P1: Salawat is the plural form of Salat which simply means ‘to call' (Do'a). The reality of calling is that the person who calls tries to attract the attention of the one who is called to. This type of attracting the attention if it comes from a higher is called Rahmat (blessing) and if it comes from a lower is called Do'a (pray).
P2: It is an established fact in Islamic Erfan that the existence of the Prophet Mohammad (saww) is the first existent came from Allah. In other words, his existence is on the peak of the cone of the creation. That means the blessing of existence which contains all other blessings comes to the prophet first and then goes to others. The prayer of people to Allah does not reach Him unless through His Messenger, as the blessings of Allah does not reach His creatures unless through His Messenger.
Therefore, the Salawat of Allah to the Prophet since it comes from Allah the Omnipotent, He is sending the constant blessings to His Messenger and hence, the Prophet becomes ‘ Rahmatun-lelalamin' (blessing for the universe). As, the Salawat of people to the Prophet is to pray to God to send His blessings to them through the Prophet who is Rahmatun-Lelalamin.
Salawat of the Angels: As the Imam (a.s.) stated in the above Hadith , the Salawat of the angels is ‘Tazkeiah' . Tazkeiah means to exonerate and immaculate. What does it mean?
Each one of the angels is the resemblance of one of the beautiful attributes of God. No angel can ever resemble all Divine beautiful attributes. Whereas, the Prophet, being the most perfect man, held all of the Divine beautiful attributes. This is why his statue is higher than the angels. To this end, the angels are constantly exonerating and immaculating the Prophet in the sense that he is free from their efficiency. This is the meaning of prostration of the angels before Adam. That means the angels are the servants of the Prophet and his Ahlul-Bait.
How to
perform the Salawat:
What appears in the Quran about the way Salawat must be conducted is to send it on to the Prophet. There is nothing regarding ‘Aal' (his pure family).
To this end, the Shiite will be questioned as why and on which basis do they add ‘Aal' to the Salawat ?
The answer of this question lies down under the circumstances in which the Aya was revealed.
Most of the interpreters of the Quran have quoted that once the Aya under the consideration was revealed , the companions asked the Prophet of Islam; O Messenger of God ! we know how to say Salam to you but how should we send Salawat onto you (which was something new for them). The Prophet (saww) replied: Say:
‘Allahuma salle alaa Mohammad wa Aale Mohammad Kama Salayta Alaa Ibrahim Ennaka Hamidun Majid.'
Apart from numerous Sunni resources who have quoted the above Hadith, Imam Reda (a.s.) in a debating meeting with the distinguishing Sunni scholars has mentioned the Hadith and all agreed upon its accuracy.
More over, there are some other Hadiths in which the Prophet has warned people to send an incomplete Salwat onto him. When he was asked what did he mean by incomplete Salawat , he replied: that is to send a Salawat to me and not to join my Aal with me.
It is interesting to quote that Muslim in his Sahih has opened a chapter under the heading:
‘ Chapter of Salat on the Prophet'
He has mentioned only two Hadiths in that chapter about the way the Salawat ought to be conducted. In the both Hadiths it is mentioned to say: Mohammad and Aal Mohammad. However, it seems Muslim himself or perhaps the publisher has ignored the contents of the chapter and when on the top of the chapter the name of the Prophet has been mentioned it is typed in front of it : Sallalahu alayhe Wa Sallam, the ‘Aal' is omitted.
In short, one of the reasons that the Prophet (saww) added his ‘Aal' to his name could be the Aya of Mobahila.
What appears in the Quran about the way Salawat must be conducted is to send it on to the Prophet. There is nothing regarding ‘Aal' (his pure family).
To this end, the Shiite will be questioned as why and on which basis do they add ‘Aal' to the Salawat ?
The answer of this question lies down under the circumstances in which the Aya was revealed.
Most of the interpreters of the Quran have quoted that once the Aya under the consideration was revealed , the companions asked the Prophet of Islam; O Messenger of God ! we know how to say Salam to you but how should we send Salawat onto you (which was something new for them). The Prophet (saww) replied: Say:
‘Allahuma salle alaa Mohammad wa Aale Mohammad Kama Salayta Alaa Ibrahim Ennaka Hamidun Majid.'
Apart from numerous Sunni resources who have quoted the above Hadith, Imam Reda (a.s.) in a debating meeting with the distinguishing Sunni scholars has mentioned the Hadith and all agreed upon its accuracy.
More over, there are some other Hadiths in which the Prophet has warned people to send an incomplete Salwat onto him. When he was asked what did he mean by incomplete Salawat , he replied: that is to send a Salawat to me and not to join my Aal with me.
It is interesting to quote that Muslim in his Sahih has opened a chapter under the heading:
‘ Chapter of Salat on the Prophet'
He has mentioned only two Hadiths in that chapter about the way the Salawat ought to be conducted. In the both Hadiths it is mentioned to say: Mohammad and Aal Mohammad. However, it seems Muslim himself or perhaps the publisher has ignored the contents of the chapter and when on the top of the chapter the name of the Prophet has been mentioned it is typed in front of it : Sallalahu alayhe Wa Sallam, the ‘Aal' is omitted.
In short, one of the reasons that the Prophet (saww) added his ‘Aal' to his name could be the Aya of Mobahila.
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