Muharram 1 / 2– Ulil Amr, Bayat and Voting

Here is my first entry for this Muharram – your feedback/thoughts/reaction, etc., is welcome and appreciated.

O my Allah make me attend to Your cause, sincerely, in every respect following in Husain’s footsteps in this world and the Hereafter – ( allahumma ja’lnee I’ndaka wajeehan bil husayne fiddunyaa wal aaakherate) – Ziyarat Ashura

Muharram 1 / 2– Ulil Amr, Bayat and Voting

One of the major reasons or events that lead to the events at Karbala was related to the concept of Ulil Amr.

In Qur’an, 4:59, it says “O you who believe! Obey Allah, and obey the Messenger and “ulil amr” – those who are authorized to command from among you.” From hadith in which the Holy Prophet (saw) explained this verse, we know the ulil amr are those appointed by Allah swt, particularly the Imams (sa) of the Ahlulbayt (sa). It is necessary for everyone to seek out for themselves the truth of who are “ those who are authorized to command from among you.”

Imam ‘Ali (as) and Imam Hasan (as) did not recognize anyone as ulil amr other than themselves. Even though they may not have had political rule at any or every time, they believed that they had religious authority over mankind as per Qur’an 4:59, according to the pronouncement of the Prophet (saw) by the command of Allah swt. So they continued to guide people as the religious leaders of the Ummah.

Yazid son of Muawiyah was well-known as a tyrant, and a corrupt ruler. He demanded bayat (oath of allegiance) from Imam Husain (as). He wanted Imam Husain (as) to swear fealty to him as ulil amr. Imam Husain (as) was obliged to refuse because it would be a lie against the appointment and commandment of God to do so, because Yazid was a tyrant, and because if he did so, then the people forever after would be permanently confused as to the real Islam by this recognizing and giving Islamic authority to one furthest from Islam.

It is very clear that an oath of allegiance (bayat) is a serious matter because it indicates support of someone’s agendas and practices. Particularly in the case of Imam Husain (as), to whom believers looked for guidance, giving an oath of allegiance would signal to the common people a direction to go. If Imam (as) is designated by Allah swt as ulil amr, then it is not something Imam (as) or anyone else can give away. None of the Imams (sa) did so, at the cost of their lives for the generations following Husain (as), and not only Husain (as) was faced with this conflict, but it was a source of conflict for the Imams (as) who succeeded him as well.

Given the importance associated with bayat, I think it is wise for us today to examine the concept of voting carefully. A vote is perhaps not as strong as bayat, because it may indicate support rather than allegiance, but that difference may be a minor or even an imagined one, as by voting for someone we are in essence giving them allegiance for their “rule” in whatever office they run for. We may later take that allegiance away, so a vote may be less permanent than bayat.

However, a vote can have lasting and far-reaching consequences. It is known that many Muslims voted for George W. Bush in his first presidential election. In that term, the president entered the U.S. into war in Afghanistan and Iraq, took away numerous civil liberties in the name of security, and committed many more injustices. The president could try to claim that U.S. Muslims supported his actions because they had voted for him.

A vote for a political candidate, like bayat, is a very serious matter and should not be taken lightly. The vote of a Muslim for a candidate should not be for someone who is less than worthy for the position, even if no worthy candidate is apparent. It is possible we could be held to account for whom who gave our votes and allegiances.

There are other kinds of voting besides voting for candidates, and that is voting on issues. In that realm it would seem we as Muslims have a duty to vote for whatever is in line with Islam and against whatever is contrary to Islam. When I say whatever is in line with Islam, I mean that which observes people’s rights and does not oppress, that which would be in accordance with true Islam.

The modern dilemma is that democracy is taken as the gold standard of the day, but democracy is not the way of Allah swt. Since the time of Adam (as), Allah swt has appointed leaders and their successors, and the leaders announced their successors in accordance with the will of Allah swt. Democracy is preached as a process that helps ensure good leaders, but in practice it does nothing of the sort. A king who inherits his rule is no less likely to be judged as a quality ruler than someone voted in by the people.

Today many, many Muslims have in essence given their bayat to democracy. This is one of the greatest tragedies and mistakes of the modern era. But we owe our bayat only to Allah swt, the Prophet (saw) and ulil amr. The Qur’an itself tells us so (4:59). We cannot give bayat to both democracy and to the way of Allah swt, for they are not the same way. Either our allegiance, our minds, our hearts, our souls, our lives are given and dedicated to the way of Allah swt or to another way.

Imam Husain (as) and 72 honorable souls with him gave their lives for Allah swt’s way. They gave their lives that we may be able today to find that way and follow it rather than it being lost to Yazid’s horrible way. If we do not take the task to find the right path and adhere to it entirely, then we belittle and refuse their sacrifice. If we do not give our allegiance to those worthy of ulil amr, those bestowed that rank by Allah swt, then we turn away from the right path. And giving allegiance is not a matter of word only. To the contrary, allegiance by word only is no allegiance at all - it is hypocrisy.

The crux of our duty thus lies in investigating and determining who Allah swt has appointed as ulil amr even in this age and then dedicating every aspect of our lives to obeying Allah swt, the Prophet (saw) and ulil amr. Obedience to whomever is ulil amr would never in any way contradict Allah swt or the Prophet (saw), because obedience to one and to all is the same. One cannot obey Allah swt without obeying the Prophet (saw), and one cannot obey Allah swt without obeying ulil amr.
This is the essence of what I think Karbala is about, both in the era of Imam Husain (as) and in today’s era. This is why I think Karbala is commemorated every year with great fervor amongst the Shia. There is no doubt that love and allegiance, and thus bayat, are closely connected matters.

It is not the way of Allah swt to call for allegiance by us to someone who is not worthy and deserving of our love. True bayat requires that we love the one to whom we give our allegiance, because without the love the bayat is incomplete. Obedience to Allah swt absent the love of Allah swt is incomplete; obedience to the Prophet (saw) absent the love of the Prophet (saw) is incomplete, and obedience to ulil amr (as) absent the love of ulil amr is also incomplete.

If we love someone, then we feel joy at his joys and pain and at his pains and we take care to add joy to his joy and avoid adding pain to his pain. We take care to remember and appreciate whatever he has done for us, and we try to do good for him as well. The Qur’an says that those martyred in the way of Allah swt are not dead, they only appear so to us. But whether someone is alive or not alive, love can continue. If someone is alive today and then not alive tomorrow, we do not love him today and then stop loving him tomorrow. If we ever truly loved someone when he was alive, then we continue to love him when he is no longer with us.

The followers of the right path transcend time. It does not matter if we did not meet someone personally. If Imam Husain (as) was ulil amr of his time, then he is worthy of our love and allegiance even today, just as the ulil amr of our age is still worthy. To do respect of either of them, we have to be devoted to both because their authority is the same authority, their religion is the same religion, their path is the same path.

As a community we need to take care not to separate things from their roots. Whatever we do to commemorate Karbala, that commemoration is not for its own sake. That commemoration has its roots in love, in bayat, in ulil amr. We have duties to fulfill that go far beyond shedding tears, and if we shed tears only and forget the rest we have forgotten everything.

Muharram

Today is 1st Muharram 1427 - the first day of the Islamic new year.

I woke up this morning to 58 degrees, had to crawl under the house while it is still dark out to fix the heater - my mom had changed the filter in it this weekend with me and apparently the same usual problem happened again. But alhumdooleluh right now it is an easy fix. Also maybe having a little health problem, keeping an eye on it insha'allah. I have so many meetings going on as usual. I thought about taking Ashura off but I haven't heard about any programs at Denver and don't know if I can miss the meetings - so we'll see.

I hope to write a little about Muharram each day. This is the season of commemoration of the martyrdoms in Karbala, including Imam Hussain (as). I am not sure what I will write exactly. So first I thought I would ask - what do you want to know? What do you want to talk about? What is on your mind?

Quartet Meme

Mom and I saw Glory Road tonight. It is formulaic in the sense that it is similar to lots of those sports movies - Coach Carter, Miracle, etc. - which are all good, by the way. It is a nice movie worth watching. It is about the first NCAA team of mostly black players and the coach who fielded them. In their first season at a school no one had heard of they went on to the biggest upset ever in NCAA to win the national title.

We had suicide prevention training this afternoon for teachers at school. A fellow talked about his own son who killed himself. They taught the warning signs and how to respond, etc. He showed that the Bible had no verses condemning all suicides to hell. I've seen people try to commit suicide and known someone who succeeded and had thoughts when I was an emotional teenager. It is one of the most tragic things to have someone in such a state of mind that they decide to that and actually succeed. They have no opportunity left, and the people they live behind have the worst kind of pieces to pick up after. I read the police blotter and know that many people check into motels to kill themselves, but youth usually do it at home. Colorado has the 7th highest suicide rate in the nation as the mountain states as a whole are higher than the rest of the country put together. No one knows why for sure. And you really cannot stop someone who has decided that is what they are going to do - it is out of your hands.

I am very grateful for what Islam gave me in life because I honestly believe I could never find myself in that state (insha'allah) knowing what I know and having what I have through Islam by the grace of God.

Work has been fine but very busy and tiring. The new Problem Solving class so far is a success, so I am happy for that.

The meme:
Four Jobs I’ve Had in My Life

1) Broadmoor Hotel Laundry - the worst one by far - horrible working conditions
2) night shift assembly line packing computer stuff - "interesting" people
3) Mcdonald's and a Mexican restaurant at the mall - definitely work at the mall for fast food - better pace and better hours
4) everything teaching - public school, charter school, tutoring, Sylvan Learning Center, madressa, etc. - that's what I do

Four Movies I Could Watch Over and Over, and Have

1) Thunderheart - I love this movie, always have, but can't really say why. Maybe it just speaks to my native blood.
2) Lord of the Rings trilogy - Takes a lot of time to watch over and over, but these are just fantastic.
3) The Saint - The Saint books are terrible reads, but the movie was fun.
4) Star Trek IV - Always loved Star Trek, especially as a kid when most of fantasies were in Star Trek and I had tons of Star Trek books, figures, etc. Very enjoyable movie.

Four Places I Have Lived

1) Colorado Springs - born, raised, native for three generations.
2) Fort Collins (college) - loved campus, the rest of town was just okay.
3) Troy, NY (summer college internship) - dead place.
4) Knoxville, TN (summer college internship) - way too humid.

Four TV Shows I Love To Watch

1) Mythbusters - I get tired of the reruns but new ones are fun.
2) House - I didn't want to watch it, accidentally did and found I liked it.
3) Nova - I love good documentaries especially about science/archaeology, etc.
4) Sherlock Holmes - the good ones with Jeremy Brett - I have all the DVD's.

Four Places I Have Been On Vacation

1) Four Corners - our most common vacation place that's not just a few hours away. Part of me could live there.
2) Yellowstone - I was 5 but I still remember mud volcanoes, bald eagles and moose, and of course Old Faithful.
3) Southern California / Florida - all kinda the same to me, the standard family vacations, went a few times.
4) Colorado mountains- camping - did some neat things like ghost towning, gem hunting, snowshoeing, etc.

Four Websites I Visit Daily

1) bloglines and then the updated blogs in my list
2) naseeb
3) local news page
4) the district webpage - I have to go through it to enter attendance/grades

Four Favorite Foods

1) good ice cream
2) spaghetti
3) mom's cheese enchiladas
4) a good salad bar

Four Places I Would Rather Be Right Now

1) I like being here at home
2) Vancouver
3) Karbala
4) some isolated self-sustaining, quiet beautiful place

Eid e Mubahila

From ziaraat.com newsletter - not sure I'll have time to write my own piece at this time....

Historical perspective of Eid-e-Mubahila
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Najran was a fertile land located in the Northern mountainous region of Yemen about 20 Kms from Sanaa. About 40,000 Christians inhabited the land divided into 73 small towns. They were idol worshipers historically just like the Arabs but a priest named Femeon, a constructor by profession, preached Christianity in the area of Najran and soon all the population converted to Christianity and Najran became a powerful center of activities of Christians. They also constructed a church and named it 'Kaba-e-Najran'. They prayed and offered various offerings there which resulted in an annual income of about two hundred thousand Dinars which was used for the priest who lived and studied there.

After the conquest of Makkah when Islam started spreading rapidly and the warring groups came under the flag of Islam, the Holy Prophet(sawaw) starting sending emissaries to the tribes who had not yet accepted Islam. In 10 A.H. a similar message was sent to the Christians of Najran and they were offered either to accept the teachings of Islam or live in the protection of Muslims and give 'Jazia' - a kind of fee for protection services. When the Bishop of Najran received this message, he invited all the scholars and influential people of Najran and asked them to think and find a solution to this situation. This news spread rapidly among the masses and some people got infuriated as well but the Bishop of Najran pacified them and advised them to be mindful of the military might of the Islamic regime and try to find a peaceful solution.

Christian mission heads to Madina
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
After deliberations, it was finally decided to send a mission to Madina and have a dialog with the Muslims. A 14 member deligation headed by Aqib Saidawar and Abu Harisa started off for Makkah. Abu Harisa was considered as the greatest Bishop and scholar of the Christian world at that time and Aqib Saidawar was the biggest strategist and negotiator of the time. When the delegation reached Madina, the people got impressed by their lavish dressing and pomp and show since it was the first time that a mission had arrived in such a manner.

When they entered the Masjid-e-Nabawi, the Prophet Mohammad(sawaw) looked at the precious stones, gold and silk clothes that they were wearing and turned away his face and did not pay any attention to them. After a while when no one noticed their pomp and show, they got out of the Masjid-e-Nabawi and met Hazrat Usman and Ubaid-ur-Rehman outside and asked them as to why they were invited by the Muslims and then treated in this manner. Hazrat Usman mentioned that he did not have a clue about that but if they consult Imam Ali(a.s.), he would be able to tell them what was going on. They took the delegation with them and arrived at the house of Imam Ali(a.s.) and mentioned about the whole incidence to him. Imam Ali(a.s.) said to the delegation that they were wearing dresses of silk and ornaments of gold which depicted their superior mentality and that they should take them off and dress simply. Only then the Prophet(sawaw) would allow them to visit him and entertain them. When they followed the instructions of Imam Ali(a.s.), they were allowed to visit the Prophet Mohammad(sawaw) after the Prayers of Asar and have discussions with him.

Proposal of Mubahila
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
After exchange of views on several issues, the delegation did not seem to be willing to accept the observations about the incorrect beliefs of Christianity and the logical explanations proving the incorrectness of their beliefs. At that time Allah(swt) send down the famous Ayat-e-Mubahila of the Quran:

Glorious Quran Chapter 3 Verse 61:

And unto him who disputeth with thee therein after the knowledge hath come unto thee, Say ! ( O' Our Apostle Muhammad ! ) ( Unto them ) come ye, let us summon our sons, and ( ye summon ) your sons, and ( we summon ) our women and ( ye ) your women, and ( we summon ) ourselves and then let us invoke the curse of God on the liars !

Prophet Mohammad(sawaw) recited this Ayat and invited them for Mubahila - praying to God(swt) to destroy and banish the liars.

Mubahila became necessary since the Christian delegation was adamant to accept the truth. After some hesitations the delegations asked to be given one day to reconsider their options and then accepted to have the Mubahila after two days. In their consultations among themselves, the grand Bishop Abu Harisa told his companions that if tomorrow, Prophet Mohammad(sawaw) brings his companions and his tribesmen and military might with him for Mubahila then they should accept the challenge without fear but if he brings only the members of his family, then never accept the challenge.

Whom did the Prophet(sawaw) take with him
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Prophet Mohammad(sawaw) selected a place close to Madina for the Mubahila which was then cleaned and prepared by Hazrat Salman Farsi(r.a.) and the next day the Christian delegation reached the designated place. A number of muhajirren and ansaar also gathered at the site. The Holy Prophet Mohammad(sawaw) took with him Imam Hasan(a.s.), Imam Hussain(a.s.), Bibi Fatima(s.a.) and Imam Ali(a.s.) and headed towards the site in a manner that Prophet Mohammad(sawaw) was leading the group holding Imam Hasan(a.s.) and Imam Hussain(a.s.) and Bibi Fatima(s.a.) was behind him and Imam Ali(a.s.) was behind Bibi Fatima(s.a.).

Saad bin Abi Waqas relates that when the Ayat-e-Mubahila was sent down, Prophet Mohammad(sawaw) called Imam Ali(a.s.), Bibi Fatima(s.a.), Imam Hasan(a.s.) and Imam Hussain(a.s.) and said "O my Allah(swt), these are my Ahl-e-Bait" . (Sahih Muslim, Vol.2, Page 287).

Prophet Mohammad(sawaw) sat down under a tree with these weighty personalities and said that when I pray to God, you all should say 'Ameen'. When the Christian delegation saw a woman, two children and only one man with the Prophet(sawaw), they got scared and worried and Abu Harisa chanted "O my christian friends, I am seeing such bright faces that if they pray that God move this mountain from its place then the mountain will be moved. I warn you, do not have Mubahila with them or you all will be destroyed and banished."

The Christian delegation was still amazed and frightened when the brother of Abu Harisa, Karz ibn-e-Alqama stated that "O my fellows, it appears that Mohammad(sawaw) is the same last apostle and prophet that has been mentioned in our sacred books. We should not have Mubahila with them because anyone who had Mubahila with the prophets in the past as well was destroyed. Look around you and observe that the signs of your destruction are appearing." When they looked around, they observed that the entire atmosphere had changed and it appeared that a furious storm is in offing.

Result of the Mubahila
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Witnessing this, they backed off from the contest and requested that their friendship be accepted. Prophet Mohammad(sawaw) accepted their request and asked Imam Ali(a.s.) to write the agreement according to which they Najran tribes accepted to pay 'Jazia' and live under the protection of the Muslims.

Sad Events

On Monday we mark the martyrdom of Ibrahim and Muhammad ibne Muslim ibne Aqeel - killed at the ages or about 8 and about 10 or 11. The story of their last days is here: tiflaan-e-muslim. This is part of the events leading up to the ultimate tragedy of Karbala, or really part and parcel of the overall tragedy.

Last night I went with mom to a basketball game of my brother's high school girl's team out in Hanover. It was an eerie ride out there on the empty eastern plains in the dark because there was this odd fog that hung like a thin sheet over the road just about car level - but only a foot or so thick in most places. It felt a bit like flying through cirrus clouds in an airplane. Unfortunately his girls didn't win this one.

This morning I went up to Denver for madressah. More kids showed up this time so it was more fun to teach. We talked about Eid -e- Ghadeer, the sons of Muslim Ibne Aqeel, and Eid - e - Mubahilah and then they made cards for either Eid e Ghadeer or Eid e Mubahilah with the relevant Qur'anic ayahs inside. (5:3) or (3:58-61). Then we reviewed adhan and iqamah and dress for prayer and then played some Islamic trivia before I left to come home.

I really need to try to motivate myself to do some laundry/dishes/cleaning during what remains of the weekend insha'allah.

A Sad Story:

Jan 21, 3:51 PM EST
Whale Stranded in River Thames Dies

By DAVID STRINGER
Associated Press Writer


LONDON (AP) -- The lost and distressed whale stranded in the River Thames died Saturday as rescue workers ferried it on a rusting salvage barge in an effort to release it in the open sea, an animal rights group said.

The 20-foot-long Northern bottlenose whale had been lifted onto a barge by rescuers and was being taken downriver toward the North Sea when it suffered convulsions and died, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals said.

The whale struggled with the effects of being out of the water as it was ferried toward the Thames Estuary, officials said.

"It was a brave, valiant, but ultimately tragic effort to get the whale to safety," RSPCA scientific officer Leila Sadler said.

Swaddled in blankets on the barge, the marine mammal - watched by thousands in London as it spent two days swimming up the murky river past some of the capital's most famous landmarks - had shown signs of increasing stress and stiffening muscles, an indicator it was in serious difficulty.

"The animal suffered a series of convulsions at around 7 p.m. (2 p.m. EST) and died," Sadler said. "It was already dehydrated, hadn't been feeding and the being out of the water would have, in effect, shriveled the animal's internal organs.

"It was essential to try to take the whale out to sea on the barge - but there was always the risk this would happen."

A crowd of 3,000 people at Albert Bridge in south London had cheered and applauded as the whale was tethered to a sling and lifted by a crane onto the barge Crossness. Rescue crews were heading toward Margate, on the southern English coast, where they hoped to let the whale back out to sea.


"There was a real chance that the rescue attempt could have succeeded, but these type of mammals are very prone to the effects of stress and I'm afraid it all became too much," said Tony Woodley, spokesman for the British Divers Marine Life Rescue group, which led the rescue attempt.

"It was always going to be a race against time to get it to the ocean, especially with the effect being out of the water has on a whale's body."

A veterinarian will conduct a necropsy aboard the salvage vessel to determine the cause of death.

"All the crew on the barge are shattered by the death," Woodley said. "They were tired and exhausted but had been determined to do everything they could to get the whale to safety. It really is a terrible shame."

Experts had warned earlier that the Northern bottlenose whale, normally found in the cold North Atlantic, may not survive. Witnesses said the mammal's snout was bloodied, and photos appeared to show damage to one of its eyes and a number of cuts on its torso.

Earlier, veterinarians and rescuers waded into the river near Albert Bridge to assist the whale, taking medical tests and attaching an inflatable pontoon to the animal as Londoners jammed the riverbanks to watch the drama. Blood samples were being tested at a nearby hospital.

The Northern bottlenose whale - the first seen in the river since record keeping started in 1913 - flailed through the Thames on Friday, passing Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament as hundreds of curious onlookers jammed the shoreline. The animal twice tried to beach itself.

International and local television networks broadcast the drama live, and police were forced to close a nearby bridge as the number of people watching swelled.

The Northern bottlenose whale can reach nearly 30 feet in length - longer than a traditional red double-decker London bus - and weigh nearly 8 tons. The whale was about 40 miles from the mouth of the Thames on the North Sea.

The whales are known as curious animals, readily approaching boats and normally traveling in groups, according to the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society's Web site.

When sick, old or injured, whales often get disoriented and swim away from their pod, said Mark Simmonds, the society's science director.

Some people reported seeing a second whale in a different section of the river Friday.

Last week, marine officials said they saw two bottlenose whales in northeastern Scotland. The mammals are normally seen in northwestern Scotland. That, coupled with the second sighting Friday, could suggest that something is disrupting the whales, Sadler said.

Scientists have said fluctuating ocean temperatures, predators, lack of food and even sonar from ships can send whales into waters that are dangerous for the mammals.

"It's extremely rare for one to turn up in a river in the United Kingdom," said Tony Martin, a senior scientist with the British Antarctic Survey.

© 2006 The Associated Press.

Hamster, snake best friends and EID GHADIR MUBARAK

There is clearly at least one typo in this article (can you find it?), and I suspect Gohan could someday still be eaten or perhaps that Aochan is ill or just doesn't know what food is from not being in the wild, but this is interesting anyway.

The Associated Press

TOKYO - Gohan and Aochan make strange bedfellows: one's a 3.5-inch dwarf hamster; the other is a 120-yard rat snake. Zookeepers at Tokyo's Mutsugoro Okoku zoo presented the hamster - whose name means "meal" in Japanese - to Aochan as a tasty morsel in October, after the snake refused to eat frozen mice.

But instead of indulging, Aochan decided to make friends with the furry rodent, according to keeper Kazuya Yamamoto. The pair have shared a cage since.

"I've never seen anything like it. Gohan sometimes even climbs onto Aochan to take a nap on his back," Yamamoto said.

Aochan, a 2-year-old male Japanese rat snake, eventually developed an appetite for frozen rodents but has so far shown no signs of gobbling up Gohan - despite her name.

"We named her Gohan as a joke," Yamamoto chuckled. "But I don't think there's any danger. Aochan seems to enjoy Gohan's company very much."

The Tokyo zoo also keeps a range of mostly livestock animals, and promotes "cross-breed interaction," according to Yamamoto.

But Gohan and Aochan's case was "was a complete accident," Yamamoto said.

----------------------------

Thursday (17th Dhu Al-Hijjah 1426) is Eid Ghadeer.

So Eid Ghadeer Mubarak everyone!

Imam Ja'far as-Sadiq (a) was asked if there was Eid for Muslims besides Friday, Adha and Fitr. Imam replied, "Yes, there is one more Eid which is most great in holiness (a'adhamuha hurmatan)." The person asked him which Eid that was. Imam said:"It is the day when the Messenger of God declared Amirul M'mineen his vicegerent, saying: WAMAN KUNTU MAWLAAHU FA-'ALIYYUN MAWLAAH (Of whosoever I am the Mawlaa, 'Ali is also his Mawlaa). And it is the 18th of Dhil-hijjah."

From Kitab al-Irshad - Some information on Imam 'Ali (as) that may give some perspective on Eid e Ghadeer

(This part gives) an account of the Commander of the faithful, peace be on him, the first of the Imams of the believers, of the rulers of the Muslims and of God's (appointed) successors in religion after the Apostle of God, the truthful one and the trusted one, Muhammad ebn'e abd'allah, the seal of the Prophets, blessings on him and his pure family.

(He was) The brother of the Apostle of God and his paternal cousin, and his helper (wazir) in his affair, his son-in- law (being married) to his daughter, Fatima the chaste, mistress of the women of the universe. (The full name of) the Commander of the faithful is Ali ebn'e abi'talib ebn'e abd'ul'Muttalib ebn'e Hashim enb'e abd'Manaf. (He was) the Lord of the testamentary trustees of authority (wasiyyin), the best of blessing and peace be on him. His kunya was Abu al-Hasan.

He was born in the Sacred House (i.e. the Kaba) in Mecca on Friday, the thirteenth day of the month of Rajab, thirty years after the year of the Elephant (c.570). Nobody before or after him has ever been born in the House of God, the Most High. (It was a mark) of him being honored by God, the Most High, may His name be exalted, and of his position being dignified in its greatness.

His mother was Fatima, daughter of Asad b. Hashim b.Abd Manaf, may God be pleased with her. She was like a mother to the Apostle of God, may God bless him and his family, and he (the Apostle) was brought up under her care.

He was grateful for her kindness and she was among the first to believe in him and she emigrated with him in the group of the emigrants. When she died, the Prophet shrouded her with his own shirt in order to protect her from the insects of the earth, and he laid her to rest in her grave in order that, through that, she might be protected from (the crushing pressure of) the
narrow space within the grave. He dictated to her her last words (which were) the statement of the authority (wilaya) of her son, the Commander of the faithful, peace be on him, so that at the examination after burial, she would be able to reply with those words. He singled her out with this great favor because of her position with God, may He be magnified and exalted,and with him, peace be on him. The report of that is well known.

The Commander of the faithful, Ali b. Abi Talib, peace be on him, and his brothers were among the leading members of the second generation of descendants of Hashim. In this way he gained two marks of nobility, through his growing up under the care and education of the Apostle of God, may God bless him and his family.

He was the first of the family of the House and of the Companions to believe in God and His Apostle. He was the first male whom the Prophet, may God bless him and his family, summoned to Islam and who answered.

He never ceased to support the religion and to strive against the polytheists. He constantly defended the faith and fought against those who supported deviation (from the truth) and despotism. He spread the teachings of the sunna (the practice of thc Prophet) and the Qur'an, judged with justice and enjoined (people) to do good.

He was with the Apostle of God, may God bless him and his family, twenty-three years after the (coming) of the (prophetic) mission. Of these, thirteen years were in Mecca before the migration when he shared with him
all the persecutions and bore most of his hardships.

Then there were ten years in Medina after the emigration when he defended him against the polytheists and strove with him against the unbelievers. He protected him with his own life from the enemies of religion until the time God, the Exalted, took (the Prophet) to His heaven, raised him to the highest place in heaven and bestowed His blessings and peace on him and his family. On that day the Commander of the faithful, peace be on him, was thirty-three years of age.

On the day of the death of the Prophet, may God bless him and his family, the community differed over his Imamate. His Shia who were all the Banu Hashim, Salman, Ammar, Abu Dharr, al-Miqdad, Khuzayma ebn'e Thabit - the man who is known as the possessor of two testimonies - Abu Ayyub al-Ansari, Jabir b. Abd Allah al-Ansari Abu Said al-Khudri and people like them among the important emigrants and Ansar, (all these) maintained that he was the successor (khalifa)
after the Apostle of God, may God bless him and his family, and the Imam.
(They did this) because of his outstanding merit (fadl) above all mankind, through the fact that there were gathered in him the qualities of outstanding merit, judgement and perfection, such as him being the first of the community to enter the faith, his superiority over them in knowledge of the laws, his precedence over them in fighting (jihad) and the distinction which set him apart from them in the extent of his piety, asceticism and righteousness.

Furthermore he had been specially singled out by the Prophet from among (all) his relations because of (the qualities) which no other relation, apart from him, shared with the Prophet and because of the nomination (nass) of his authority (wilaya) by God, may God be magnified and exalted, in the Qur'an where He, may His name be exalted, says:

"Your authority (wali) is God and His Apostle and those believers who perform the prayer and pay alms (zakat) while they are bowing (in prayer)." [ V 55 ]
It is known that no one except him paid alms while bowing (in prayer).

It has been established in language that wali means "the most appropriate for authority" (awla), without there being any opposition (to this definition). If the Commander of the faithful, peace be on him, was, by the stipulation of the Qur'an, more appropriate for authority among the people than themselves because
of his being their wali according to the textual nomination (nass) in the Clear Explanation (i.e. the Qur'an, tibyan), it was obviously necessary for
all of them to obey him, just as obedience to God, the Most High, and obedience to His Apostle, peace be on him and his family, was required because of the information about their authority (wilaya) over creatures which is given in this verse with clear proof.

(Another reason for their support for the Commander of the faithful was) because of what the Prophet, may God bless him and his family,said on the day (of the assembly) at his house. He had especially gathered the Banu Abd al-Muttalib there in order to make the (following) solemn pledge:
"Whoever helps me in this matter will be my brother, my testamentary trustee (wasi) my helper (wazir), my heir and my successor after me."

Then the Commander of the faithful, peace be on him, stood up before him among all the gathering of them, and on that day he was the youngest of them, and he said:

"O Apostle of God, I will help you."

Then the Prophet, may God bless him and his family, said:

"Sit down, you are my brother, my trustee, my helper, my inheritor and successor after me."

This is a clear statement about the succession (after the Prophet).

In addition, there is also what (the Prophet), peace be on him and his family, said on the day of Ghadir Khumm. The community had gathered to listen to the sermon (in which he asked):

"Am I not more appropriate for authority (awla) over you than yourselves?"

"Yes",

they answered.

Then he spoke to them in an ordered manner without any interruption in his speech:

"Whomsoever I am the authority over (mawla), Ali is also the authority over."

Thus he (the Prophet) required for him (Ali), through laying down obedience to him and his authority (over them), the same authority as he had over them, and which he made them acknowledge and which they did not deny. This is clear (evidence) of the nomination (nass) of him for the Imamate and for succession to his position.

Furthermore there is (the Prophet's), peace be on him and his family, statement to him at the time of setting out to Tabuk:

"You are in the same position with respect to me as Aaron (Harun) was to Moses (Musa) except that there is no prophet after me."

Thus he required him (to have) the office of helping (i.e. administering) and to be characterized by love and outstanding merit over everyone. (He also required) his deputizing for him both during his life and after his death. The Qur'an gives evidence for all that coming to Aaron (Harun) from Moses, peace be on them, when God, may He be magnified and exalted, said in
giving a report of what Moses, peace be on him, said:

"Make Aaron, my brotherly a helper for me from my family. Give me support through him and make him participate in my affair so that we may glorify You much and we may remember You frequently in that You have been a watcher over us."
[ XX 29-35]

God, the Most Exalted said:

"Your request is granted Moses." [ XX 36 ]

This (verse) confirmed that Aaron had a share with Moses in prophecy, and in
helping in delivering the message and his support was strengthened through
him by his aid. (Moses) also told him of deputizing for him (when he said):

"Deputize for me among my people. Act for (their) benefit and do not follow the path of the corrupters." [ VII 142 ]

This confirms his succession by the precise statement of revelation.
Therefore, when the Apostle of God, may God bless him and his family, gave all the ranks which Aaron had from Moses to the Commander of the faithful, peace be on him, in the same extent, except for prophecy, (all such things) were required of him as helping the Apostle, giving him support, outstanding merit and love, because these qualities were definitely required by that. Then by the clear statement there is his deputizing for him during his life and "after the
prophethood" which (gives evidence of his succession) by specification of the exception, (of Prophethood) when he excludes him from it by mentioning "after".

The Imamate of the Commander of the faithful, peace be on him, was for thirty years after the Prophet, may God bless him and his family. For twenty-four years and six months of these he was prevented from administering the laws (of the office and had to) exercise precautionary
dissimulation (taqiyya) and withdrawal.

For five years and six months of these, he was troubled by wars against the hypocrites, those who broke their pledges, the unjust and those who deviated
(from the religion) and he was plagued by the sedition of those who had gone astray. In the same way the Apostle of God, may God bless him and his family, had been prevented from (administering) the laws (of his office) through fear and through being spied upon, and through being a fugitive and through being exiled, so that he had no power to fight the unbelievers and
no means of defending the believers. Then he emigrated and for ten years after the emigration he remained making war on the unbelievers and being troubled by the hypocrites until the time that God, may His name be exalted, took him unto Himself and made him dwell in the gardens of Paradise.

The death of the Commander of the faithful, peace be on him occurred before dawn of Friday, the twenty-first of the month of Ramadan, in the year 40 A.H. He was a victim of the sword. Ibn Muljam al-Muradi, may God curse him, killed him at the mosque of Kufa, which he had come out to in order to wake the people for the dawn prayer on the night of the nineteenth of the month of Ramadan.

He had been lying in wait for him from the beginning of the night. When he (the Commander of the faithful) passed by him while the latter was hiding his design by feigning sleep amid a group of people who were asleep, he (Ibn Muljam) sprang out and struck him on the top of his head with his sword which was poisoned.

He lingered through the day of the nineteenth and the night and day of the twentieth and the first third of the night of the twenty-first. Then he, peace be on him, died a martyr and met his Lord, Most High, as one who has been wronged. He, peace be on him, knew of that before its time and he told the people of it before its time. His two sons, al- Hasan and al-Hussein, peace
be on them, performed (the tasks) of washing him and shrouding him according to his bequest. Then they carried him to al-Ghari at Najaf in Kufa and they buried him there. They removed the traces of the place of his burial according to his bequest which was made about that to hath of them by him, because of what he,
peace be on him, knew about the regime of the Umayyads (which would come) after him, and their hostile attitude towards him. (For he knew) the evil action and abuse to which they would be led by their wicked intentions if they had been able to know that (place). His grave, peace be on him, remained hidden until al-SAdiq Jafar ebn'e Muhammad, peace be on them, pointed it out during the Abbasid regime. For he visited it when he came to visit Abu Ja'far (al-Mansur) while the latter was in al-Hira.

Then the Shi'a knew of it and they began from that time to make visitation to his (grave), peace be on him and on his pure offspring.

On the day of his death he was 63 years of age.

Ref:
Kitab al Irshad - Pages 1 - 6
(The Book Of Guidance)
By Shaykh al Mufid
Translated by I.K.A Howard

There are numerous amaal recommended - see duas.org or ziaraat.org for more information.

Think you know Pike? Guess again

Part of the series celebrating 200 years since the "discovery" of Pikes Peak by "American" explorer Zebulon Pike - interesting history - of particular interest to Colorado Springs folks since the majestic mountain graces our skyline.

By ED SEALOVER - THE GAZETTE

In the 200 years since Zebulon Pike explored this region, historians have struggled over whether to label him as hapless or heroic.

This, after all, was a man who slogged through snow without socks in a failed attempt to climb the peak towering over the Plains, yet survived a frigid winter without losing men to death or defection. Pike was an ambitious and obedient soldier, but when he was captured by the Spanish, he surrendered without a fight.

History lovers still debate Pike’s abilities and accomplishments as an explorer, but they agree on this: He was an excellent spy.

But just whom was he spying for?

Pike’s adventure was spurred by the Louisiana Purchase, the same land deal that launched Meriwether Lewis and William Clark on their trek to the Pacific. President Thomas Jefferson bought 820,000 acres in the West from the French in 1803, and he and others were eager to explore the new lands.

Jefferson handpicked Lewis to be his eyes and ears in the territory, but Pike got his travel papers from a man who turned out to be one of the great scoundrels in U.S. history.

James Wilkinson, commanding general of the Army, first tapped Pike to explore the upper Mississippi River and find the source of the waterway in 1805. Pike returned 8½ months later with “disappointingly meager” results, according to a National Park Service account. He produced no accurate maps and failed on his mission to persuade prominent American Indian leaders to meet with U.S. military leaders.

Still, less than three months later, Wilkinson had another job for the 27-year-old soldier, and this was the one that sent him to the Rockies.

Pike’s journey has to be seen in the context of the suspicion and hostility between the United States and Spain over the boundaries of the Louisiana Purchase.

“The thing from today’s perspective . . . is he was right in the middle of a Cold War,” Pioneers Museum Director Matt Mayberry said. “We could have gone to war at any moment with Spain over what was the definition of the Louisiana Purchase.”

Before Pike left on July 15, 1806, he and Wilkinson discussed that he might be caught while wandering so close to Spanish territory. They even laid out a plan of how Pike would say he was lost and allow Spanish troops to escort him and his men through their land, an event that would “gratify our most sanguine expectations,” according to a letter from Pike.

Pike headed west with one civilian doctor and 23 military men from the St. Louis area with few skills. In his journal Pike wrote that he served as “astronomer, surveyor, commanding officer, clerk, spy, guide and hunter.”

For the first three months, they meandered through present-day Kansas and Nebraska. In October, they reached the Arkansas River, where Pike sent some men downstream and took the majority northwest to find the source of the Red River.

Spanish troops sent out an expedition to find Pike almost as soon as he began the journey. A National Park Service history notes that while Lewis and Clark would have been concerned their mission would be compromised by such attention, Pike reported with pride that he was being hunted.

He was not to be found for three more months, though — months when the men endured a rugged winter. Pike spotted the peak that would be named after him on Nov. 15, when starvation and frostbite were setting in.

In the midst of this misery, one member of Pike’s party made a strange move. Dr. John Robinson left, supposedly to collect a debt near Santa Fe. Not surprisingly, he was quickly found by the Spanish, who sent out patrols.

This, said Colorado Historical Society chief historian Modupe Labode, seems a sign that Pike wanted to be caught. The Spanish took him and his men into custody in February.

As the group was escorted to Santa Fe, Pike made mental notes of the placement of forts and the size of the garrisons. He had long meetings with priests along the way to gather information. Pike even worked on biographical sketches of Spanish military officers.

After Spanish authorities in Chihuahua determined Pike had ulterior motives, they grabbed his papers and ordered him to stop taking notes. He kept scribbling, though, and hid notes in empty gun barrels as the group was escorted across Texas to the United States.

Pike’s journals were mundane in his description of American lands and showed little imagination, Labode and others said. The confiscated journals were forgotten until 1907, when Mexico returned them to the United States.

But Pike perked up during his detour through Spanish territory. His writings on the trip home chronicled the people of New Spain, natural resources and military arrangements. The National Park Service describes his work as “the first adequate report on the Spanish provinces of North America ever brought back to the United States.”

“That he was able to make fairly extensive notes and keep them hidden and return with them intact, that was incredible,” said David Heidler, an author and history professor at Colorado State University-Pueblo. “In terms of informing the (American) government of things they wouldn’t have known about otherwise, it was a pearl without price.”

By the time Pike was released on July 1, 1807, his commanding officer, Wilkinson, was on trial for treason. The exact nature of the Burr-Wilkinson Conspiracy has never been determined.

Some historians think Wilkinson and Vice President Aaron Burr wanted to separate the Louisiana Territory from the rest of the country by force. Others say they wanted to raise a private army, invade Mexico and overthrow the Spanish. Still others think it might have been a benign mission to encourage commerce with the Spanish.

Both were tried and acquitted. It was learned later, however, that Wilkinson had sworn allegiance to Spain and was on its payroll.

Pike was linked to the conspiracy because of his relationship with Wilkinson — his loyalty remained long after Wilkinson was no longer his commander, Heidler said. Pike was never accused of being a part of it, though, and was cleared. He died in the War of 1812.

“I really do think he was following orders, and he interpreted following orders very literally,” Labode said.

No examination of Pike’s life is complete without considering his journeys through Spanish lands, where he might have done his best work.

As an explorer, Heidler argued, Pike was a conundrum of failure — someone who drew inaccurate maps and got badly lost but kept the loyalty and confidence of his men. But as a soldier doing reconnaissance in a foreign country, he did a good job of gathering information and relaying it to his government.

Mayberry called Pike “the explorer most of us would be” — a man who made mistakes and seemed generally dumbfounded by the West.

“I think that Pike was touchable in a way Lewis and Clark never were to me,” he said. “Certainly he should be remembered because of what he did, even his failures had a significant impact on American history.”

Then, asked whether Pike was an explorer or a spy, Mayberry considered the question, smiled and replied:

“I think Pike would say, ‘Absolutely, I was a spy.’”

CONTACT THE WRITER:

636-0184 or ed.sealover@gazette.com

Imam Ali Naqi (as)

Monday is the birth anniversary of Imam Ali Naqi (as), tenth Imam.

"Born in Madina 5th Rajab 214 Hijri ( 8.9.829 AD). Died in Samarrah, Iraq 3rd Rajab 254 Hijri ( 1.7.868) aged 40 years. Period of Imamat 34 years.

The period of Imamat of our 10th Imam coincided with the decline of the power of the Abbasid Empire. They were threatened by the Turks and had to move the Capital from Baghdad to Samarrah. He was only 6 years old when his father Imam Muhammad Taqi (AS) was martyred in Baghdad when poisoned by Mu’tasim Billah Abbasi. Our Imam lived in Madina for the remaining 8 years of the reign of Mu’tasim and 5 years of the reign of Wathiq Billah. It was when Mutawakkil became caliph in 236 Hijiri (847 AD) the Imam was called over to the Abbasid capital Baghdad. Mutawakkil, was the most cruel and deadly enemy of the Ahlulbayt (AS), who tried to drown the Grave of Imam Hussain (AS) in Kerbala by diverting the waters of the Eupheretes River. But by a miracle the river water encircled the grave and did not go over it in spite of the fact that the surrounding ground was higher. When the Caliph failed in his action of drowning the grave he ordered that the whole area should be turned into farmland but when horses failed to take the plough over the grave, he realised his folly. Eventually he left the hallowed ground as it was but as long as he lived he forbade any pilgrimage to the Shrine of Imam Hussain (AS). History tells us that pilgrims to the grave of Sayyidush Shohada (AS) did continue to go in spite of the danger to their lives. Indeed many were killed on their way to the Shrine but the enthusiasm to visit the grave never subsided.

It was during the reign of Mutawakkil that our 10th Imam was brought to the presence of the Caliph from Madina to Baghdad. Yakubi writes in his history of the time that once the raiding party of soldiers found the Imam on his prayer mat and took him away to the caliph in the same state. Mutawakkil was engaged in his nightly drinking and frolics and asked the Imam to join him. Imam declined replying, “ A liquor such as that was never yet combined with my flesh and blood”. The half drunk caliph asked the Imam to read some po. Imam said that he did not indulge in such habits. But when the caliph insisted, the Imam recited the following lines (Ibn Khalikan narrated the story word for word).

“Protected by valiant warriors they passed the night on the summit of their mountains but these mountains did not protect them. After all their power and pomp they had to descend from their lofty fortresses to the custody of the tombs. O’what a dreadful change their graves had hardly received them when a voice heard exclaiming, “ Where are the thrones and the crowns and the robes of State? Where are now the faces of the delicate, which were shaded by veils and protected by curtains. To this the tomb replied. The worms are now revelling upon these faces. Long were these men eating and drinking, but now they are eaten by the worms in their turn.”

Many wept listening to these words uttered by the Imam. Caliph left the Imam alone for a while, but still kept him under house arrest. In the end Mutawakkil died in the hands of his protectors, the Turkish guards, and his son Muntasir became the next caliph.

Mutawakkil died in 250 Hijiri and Muntasir Billah assumed the caliphate. He ruled only 6 months. On his death Musta’een was enthroned. But soon he was also beheaded and succeeded by Mu’ta’z Billah. All this time our 10th Imam was either in Madina, or called by the Caliph to Samarrah where he spent the last days of his life under house arrest.

Hardships Suffered by the Imam During This Period

Caliph Mu’tasim remained preoccupied with war against the Byzantinians and also with the troubles created by the Abbasids tribesmen in Baghdad. But he did not harrass the Imam who carried his responsibilities peacefully. After Mu’tasim,Wathiq Billah too ,treated the Imam fairly. But later when he was succeeded by his brother Mutawakkil, son of Mu’tasim, the period of persecution and tortures began in full scale for the Imam and for all members of his family. This ruler exceeded all his predecessors in bearing animosity towards Ahlulbayt.

Our 10th Imam’s main occupation in Madina, whenever he was left in peace by the Caliphs in Baghdad, was to impart his knowledge to the people. He attracted pupils in large numbers from the provinces where adherents of Ahlulbayt were strongest, namely Iraq, Persia and Egypt. During the Eight years of the Caliphate of Mu’tasim and throughout the period of Wathik we do not hear that the Imam was molested. One of the most famous traditions he is said to have related, that had been written in the Sahifa by the hand of Ali Ibn Abi Talib (AS) at the direction of the Apostle of God, and inherited by the Imams from generation to generation is related.

It was that the Prophet had defined faith (Iman) as contained in the hearts of men, and that their works (A’amal) confirm it, whereas surrender (Islam) is what tongue expresses which validates the union. (Masudi,Muruj’l Dhahab.V.vii p 382).

Although the person of the Imam was not touched by the tyrannical caliphs for a while, there was always suspicions about his activities. Masudi narrates one such occasion when our Imam was called by Mutawakkil who was not happy about the methods of teachings in the schools in Madina. Mutawakkil asked the Imam a question. “What does a descendant of your father have to say in regard to Al-Abbas ibn Abdul Muttalib?” Imam answered, “What would a descendant of my father say O’Amir, in regard to a man whose sons required his people to obey, and who expected his sons to obey God.” Caliph was pleased with this reply and let the Imam go.”

And in the same connection Masudi quotes another incident, which Ibn Khalikan has incorporated in his description of our 10th Imam Ali Al-Hadi(AS) “Secret information had been given to Mutawakkil that the Imam had a quantity of arms, books and other objects for the use of his followers concealed in his house, and being induced by malicious reports he was led to believe that the Imam aspired to the Empire. Once Mutawakkil sent some soldiers of the Turkish guard to break in on him when he least expected such a visit. They found him quite alone, locked up in his room, clothed in a hair shirt, his head covered with a woollen cloak and his face in the direction of Makka. He was reciting Verses of the Qur’an expressive of God’s promises and threats, and having no other carpet between him and the earth than sand and gravel. He was carried off in that attire, and brought in the depth of the night, before Mutawakkil. When the caliph asked his captors about the arms and ammunitions found they said, there was nothing in the house which presents a threat to the throne. The caliph was ashamed of his misdeeds and let the Imam go.

During the Sixteen years of the Imamate, Imam Ali Naqi (AS) had become famous throughout the Islamic world. Those who loved to learn the teachings of Ahlulbayt always flocked around him. In the 4th year of Mutawakkil’s reign the Governor of Madina Abdallah ibn Hakim started harassing the Imam. He sent hostile reports against him to Baghdad. He wrote to the Caliph that the Imam was assembling lot of supporters here which could be a danger to the security of the State. Imam became aware of this animosity and in order to counteract, he wrote a letter to Mutawakkil explaining the personal enmity of the Governor of Madina against him. As a political step Mutawakkil was quick to dismiss the Governor. At the same time he sent a regiment under the command of Yahya ibn Harthama who explained to the Imam in a friendly way that the caliph wished him to stay in Baghdad for a while. He can then come back to Madina. The Imam knew well the motives behind this request. He realised that the polite invitation meant his banishment from his ancestral city. But to refuse to go was equally impossible for it would have resulted in forcible departure. Leaving the sacred city was painful to him as it had been for his respected forefathers, i.e. the Imam Hussain (AS) in 60 Hijri, Imam Musa ibn Ja’afar in 170 Hijiri and Imam Ali Al-Reza in 200 Hijri and also of his father Imam Muhammad Taqi in 220 Hijri. This type of harassment had almost become a heritage. Mutawakkil’s letter was respectful to the Imam and the military detachment which was sent to escort the Imam was actually a deceitful show. So when the Imam reached Samarrah and the Caliph was informed, he neither arranged for any reception no for his stay. He was ordered to be accommodated in the wilderness of the city with beggars. Although the Ahlulbayt as the descendants of the Prophet were gladly associated with the poor and the destitute, and they did not covet luxurious living, Mutawakkil meant to insult the Imam. The Caliph hhim over to the custody of his Secretary Razaqi and prohibited his meeting with others. It was almost a house arrest for the Imam.

It has been seen during the imprisonment of Imam Musa ibn Ja’afar(AS) that his moral charm had softened the cruel hearted guards attitudes towards the Imam. In the same way Razaqi was also impressed by the greatness of the Imam Ali Naqi (AS) and began to provide for his comfort. This leniency could not remain hidden from Mutawakkil who transferred the Imam to the custody of Sa’id, a cruel and ruthless man in whose imprisonment he spent twelve years. In spite of all the hardships he had to suffer there, the Imam passed his time in Ibadah. He prayed during the night and fasted during the day. Although confined within the four walls of the house in Samarrah, his fame spread rapidly throughout the Provinces of Iraq. Every household in the city of Samarrah seemed to know the whereabouts of the Imam and somehow they got knowledge of Islam and of Ahlulbayt from him.

Fadhl ibn Khaqan, a secret follower of Ahlulbayt , had risen to the post of Minister in the cabinet of Mutawakkil solely by virtue of his intellectual and administrative merits. On his recommendation, Mutawakkil ordered that the Imam’s imprisonment be changed to a house arrest. He granted him a piece of land and allowed him to build a house and live there. Sa’id was directed to keep a close watch over the activities of the Imam. His house was often searched for subversive activities but nothiwas ever found.

During this period too, Imam Ali Naqi (AS) set an admirable example of trust in God, ignoring all worldly gains. In spite of permanent residence in Samarrah, the Imam neither made a protest to the Caliph, nor did he ever ask for any favours. The same worshipping and hermit-like life that he led during his imprisonment was passed in this state of house arrest. The tyrant changed his behaviour but the saint had maintained his own. Even in such circumstances he was not allowed to live peacefully. His followers were not allowed to approach him openly to gain the true Islamic knowledge from the Imam. But he endured all hardships for the sake of giving knowledge to all who seeked that from him. Mutawakkil knew that and continued with persecuting the followers of the Imam.

Another event of these wretched times was equally painful. Ibn as-Sakkit of Baghdad, the acknowledged scholar of lexicography and syntax, was tutor of Mutawakkkil’s son. One day the cruel ruler asked him: “Are my two sons more respectable than Hasan and Hussain?” Ibn Sakkit was a true follower of Ahlulbayt. On this question he could not control his feelings and flatly replied, “ Not to speak of Hasan and Hussain(AS), Imam Ali’s slave Qanber is more respectable than both of your sons”. Hearing these words Mutawakkil was outraged and ordered that Ibn Sakkit’s tongue should be cut off. The order was carried out immediately leading to the death of the most excellent artist of the time and a true follower of Ahlulbayt. Imam Ali Naqi, was not himself physically connected with these events, but each of these was a like a blow of the sword not striking the neck but torturing the soul. Mutawakkil’s cruelties caused common hatred and even his own children set their hearts against him. One of them Al-Muntasir, conspired with his slave Al-Rumi to murder his father while he was asleep using his own sword, thus the world had a sigh of relief. The death of the tyrant and the caliphate of al-Muntasir were proclaimed. After the assuming of power, Al-Mustasir revoked the unjust orders of his father. The Visiting of the Shrines of Najef and Karbala were permitted without any restrictions. The tombs received minor repairs. The Caliph’s conduct towards Imam Ali Naqi (AS) was also fair. But this Caliph’s life was short and he died after a brief rule of only six months. After him, Al-Musta’een too displayed no maltreatment towards the Imam.

As stated, Imam Ali Naqi(AS) had built a house in Samarrah and did not go back to Madina either of his own free will or under the orders of these rulers. Due to his continued stay there and the lack of interference by the regime, the students, thirsty for knowledge, thronged around him to learn the teachings of Ahlulbayt. This alarmed Al-Mu’taz so much that he decided to end the sacred life of the Imam. He arranged through some courtiers to mix poison in his food. The Imam died soon after eating the poisonous food.

Imam Ali Naqi’s conduct and moral excellence were the same as those displayed by each and every member of this sacred house. Whether in Imprisonment, confinement or freedom, in every case these sacred souls were engaged in worship and in helping the poor and the needy. Totally refraining from desire, greed and wordly ambitions, they lived dignified in misfortune, dealt fairly even with their foes. To help the destitute, were the qualities marking their conduct. The same virtues were reflected in the life of Imam Ali Naqi (AS).

During imprisonment, the Imam had a grave dug up ready by the side of his prayer mat. Some visitors expressed concern or surprise. The Imam explained, “ In order to remember my end I keep the grave before my eyes.”

The Imam died in Sarammara, the funeral was attended only by his son Imam Hasan al Askari who led the funeral prayers and arranged his burial, laying him to rest in his house." (From the Kaaba and its People at al-islam.org)

Eid ul Adha Mubarak

Muslim ibne Aqeel (ra)

On the 8th of Dhol-Hejjah Hadhrat Moslem (AS) was left alone and wandered in the streets of Koufah – a place where 18,000 men had taken oath of his support just a few days earlier but then all but a few abandoned him. He went to a house in the darkness of the night and requested some water to quench his thirst. A lady named Tau’aa gave him water and when she knew who he was, she invited Hadhrat Moslem (AS) inside for shelter. 
When the son of Tau’aa came home, he knew about Hadhrat Moslem (AS) and immediately reported to ibn Ziyad who sent a big force of men to capture Hadhrat Moslem (AS).  Hadhrat Moslem (AS) realized the danger to the house of Tau’aa and came out with his sword in his hand and started fighting the challenging men. He pushed them back 3 times killing about 150 men.  His attacks were so fierce that people thought he would kill everyone of them but then the fighters of ibn Ziyad dug a trench and tricked Hadhrat Moslem (AS) who was already very tired and severely hurt into the trench. All of a sudden about 50 men pounced on him and he was captured in chains and brought to the court of ibn Ziyad who ordered his execution after a dialog. Hadhrat Moslem (AS) was brought to the roof of Dar al-Amarah. He was reciting Allahu Akbar all the way.
Imam Hosain (AS) was on his way from Makkah to Koufah when at one stage, he said “Wa alaik as-salam”.  Hadhrat Abbas (AS) inquired who was he answering and he said, “My brother Moslem has sent his last salam to me from the roof of Dar al-Amarah”. Then Imam (AS) asked Hadhrat Abbas (AS) to see between his fingers and Hadhrat Abbas (AS) saw that Hadhrat Moslem (AS) was about to be executed. He held out his sword and asked Imam Hosain (AS) that he sends him by his powers of Imamat to Koufah to help Hadhrat Moslem (AS) but Imam (AS) said that this was the will of Allah (SWT) and that Moslem (AS) was not alone there. 
Hadhrat Abbas (AS) saw that as the head of Hadhrat Moslem(AS) was chopped and his body was falling on the ground, a lady clad in black was standing at the footsteps of Dar-al-Amarah and Hadhrat Moslem (AS)’s head fell on her lap.  Imam Hosain (AS) said, Abbas do you know who that lady is?  It is my mother Zahra (SA) who has gone to Koufah to be with my brother at the time of his martyrdom.
Imam Hosain (AS) called the daughter of Hadhrat Moslem (AS) and started caressing her. She asked what was so special that Imam (AS) was treating her like an orphan is treated. Imam Hosain (AS) gave her the tragic news and the little girl started weeping. Everyone hugged her, kissed her and caressed her.
The 4 year old Sakinah bint al-Hosain (AS) was also watching this and gathered an idea in her mind that the orphans are treated in this special way. When she became orphan on the day of ‘Ashoura’ – she had expected the same but what she got from the cruel army of Yazid (LA) was slaps and torture and unending cruelties.
(www.ziaraat.com)

Heat gun wins Wacky Warning Label Contest

The Associated Press

DETROIT - A warning that consumers shouldn't use a heat gun that produces temperatures of 1,000 degrees as a hairdryer has won an anti-lawsuit group's award for the wackiest label of the year.

The Wacky Warning Label Contest, in its ninth year, is conducted by Michigan Lawsuit Abuse Watch as part of an effort to show the effects of lawsuits on warning labels.

"When judges see it as their job to dismiss cases that are rooted in frivolous theories, we'll see fewer wacky labels and more fairness in the courts," said Robert B. Dorigo Jones, the group's president.

The $500 first prize went to Tom Brunelle of Holland, who spotted the heat gun warning.

The $250 second prize award went to Jam Sardar of Grand Rapids for a label on a kitchen knife that warns: "Never try to catch a falling knife."

Third prize of $100 went to Alice Morgan of La Junta, Colo. She found a cocktail napkin with a map of the waterways around Hilton Head Island, S.C., printed on it that cautioned: "Not to be used for navigation."

An honorable mention went to Kirk Dunham of Seabrook, Texas. He found this warning on a bottle of dried bobcat urine used to keep pests away from garden plants: "Not for human consumption."

Baqir (as)

Sunday is the death anniversary of 5th Imam, Muhammad Baqir (as).

He was about three and a half years old and present in Karbala when his grandfather, Imam Hussein (as) was martyred there.

A few of ahadith narrated from him:

The person who loves for the sake of God & detests and despises for the sake of God and gives for the sake of God is among those whose faith has achieved completion.

Indeed faithful is one who when pleased and glad his pleasure does not make him enter into sin and falsehood, and when unhappy and angry his anger does not oust him from the right course. And when he gains power his power does not make him commit excess and oppression and make him go for a thing upon which he does not have any right.

I recommend you to have 5 virtues:
1. If you have endured oppression and tyranny, you do not oppress anyone.
2. If you have been lied to, you do not lie.
3. If you have been contradicted and falsified, you do not get annoyed or vexed.
4. If you have been praised do not get pleased and glad.
5. And if you are vilified and disparaged do not be impatient and apprehensive.

Do contemplate and ponder about what is said about you. If you observe and come to know about something which exists in you then do know that to lose your honor and falling down in God's view is a greater calamity than lost respect in the eyes of the people. If what people said about you is false, then you have earned a reward and recompense for their saying against you.

Humility and humbleness means to be pleased and content sitting in an assembly at a place lower than your status and honor, saluting anyone you meet and abandoning dispute even if you are right.

Nobody remains safe from sin unless he guards his tongue.

Hold the present day in esteem; tomorrow - it is not known to whom it does belong.

The ugliest and most evil of earnings is the gaining of interest.

The one who teaches a chapter of guidance to the people will have a reward similar to all those who would act upon it and nothing would be subtracted from the reward of those who act upon it. And the one who teaches a chapter of misguidance he will have the burden similar to each one who acts upon it and nothing will be subtracted from the burden of those who follow the misguidance.

Cat calls 911 to help owner, police say

The Associated Press

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Police aren't sure how else to explain it. But when an officer walked into an apartment Thursday night to answer a 911 call, an orange-and-tan striped cat was lying by a telephone on the living room floor. The cat's owner, Gary Rosheisen, was on the ground near his bed having fallen out of his wheelchair.

Rosheisen said his cat, Tommy, must have hit the right buttons to call 911.

"I know it sounds kind of weird," Officer Patrick Daugherty said, unsuccessfully searching for some other explanation.

Rosheisen said he couldn't get up because of pain from osteoporosis and ministrokes that disrupt his balance. He also wasn't wearing his medical-alert necklace and couldn't reach a cord above his pillow that alerts paramedics that he needs help.

Daugherty said police received a 911 call from Rosheisen's apartment, but there was no one on the phone. Police called back to make sure everything was OK, and when no one answered, they decided to check things out.

That's when Daugherty found Tommy next to the phone.

Rosheisen got the cat three years ago to help lower his blood pressure. He tried to train him to call 911, unsure if the training ever stuck.

The phone in the living room is always on the floor, and there are 12 small buttons - including a speed dial for 911 right above the button for the speaker phone.

"He's my hero," Rosheisen said.

small thing but nice

Yesterday I bought a 2006 calendar. I was buying groceries and just picked the one that appealed to most out of the selection available - happened to be a Winnie the Pooh one with neat colorful graphics. I got home and put it up and noticed it has some major Islamic dates in it! It has dates for Eid al Adha, Muharram 1, Ashura, Ramadan 1, and Eid ul Fitr. Even says "begins at sundown".... Anyway that was just a little thing that made me happy....

Beautiful and Powerful Words of Imam Sadiq (as)

Do not covet anything avariciously; for if you ignore it, it will come to you anyway, if it is destined to be yours. Then you would find ease in your heart with Allah swt, praise for leaving it.

But you will be blamed for your haste in (instead) seeking it, for not trusting Him, and for not being content with the decree. Allah swt created this world the same as a shadow: when you chase it, it tires you out and you can never catch up with it. If you leave it alone, it follows you inexorably, and gives you not cause for fatigue.

Imam Sadiq (as), Lantern of the Path