WHAT EVERYONE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT ISLAM/Acquiring of Knowledge

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Islam is a religion of education and knowledge; it requires of Muslims that they should seriously endeavor in acquiring knowledge. Islam considers the worth of individuals in accordance with their education and knowledge; it considers acquiring of education as a general obligation upon all Muslims. Allah has said in the Holy Qur’an:

“Are those who know equal with those who know not?” (The Holy Qur’an, 39:9)

And say that:

“Allah will exalt those who believe among you, and those who have knowledge, to high ranks.” (The Holy Qur’an, 58:11)

The Holy Prophet (S)1 has said that: “Acquiring education and knowledge is compulsory upon every Muslim man and woman.”2 And he also said: “The most intelligent person is the one who could utilize from other’s knowledge and information and thus increase his own knowledge. The most worthy people are those whose deeds are more and the most unworthy person is the one who is more illiterate than others.” The Commander of the Faithful Imam Ali (a.s.)3 said: “No treasure is more superior than knowledge.”4

Imam al-Sadiq (a.s.) said: “I do not like seeing your youths except in one of these two conditions: ‘Either they should be scholars or students. If it is not so they are negligent, if they are negligent their life would be wasted, whoever wastes his life is a sinner and would enter hell.’”5

Imam al- Baqir (a.s.) said: “Whoever is busy in acquiring knowledge is under the blessing of Allah.”6 The Holy Prophet (S) said to Abudharr: “Sitting for one hour in a meeting of education and knowledge is superior in nearness to Allah than one thousand nights of prayer that in each night one thousand units of prayer is offered.”7

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1. Abbreviation of Arabic, see glossary
2. Bihar al-Anwar, v.1, p-177
3. Abbreviation of Arabic, see glossary.
4. Bihar al-Anwar, v. 1, p-164.
5. Bihar al-Anwar, v. 1, p-170.
6. Bihar al-Anwar, v. 1, p-174.
7. Bihar al-Anwar, v. 1, p-203.

WHAT EVERYONE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT ISLAM/Everyone is Responsible

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Against this greatest danger that threatens the forthcoming generations into irreligiousness and weakness of belief, all individuals of the community are responsible. Guardians of religion, clergies, fathers, mothers, teachers and scholars, speakers, writers and wealthy people, all are responsible.

Yes, we are all responsible and if we do not discharge our obligation in this regard, the future generation would send curses upon us and we would be held accountable on the Day of Judgment.

We must draw a comprehensive plan and perfect program of implanting correct beliefs with reason and logic inside the brains of the simple minded; and must wage a campaign of confrontation against deviated and wrong beliefs. Educational books with simple language should be prepared for them; libraries must be established for this task; books freely or inexpensive should be provided to them and they should be motivated to read these books.

WHAT EVERYONE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT ISLAM/Childhood and Youth

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The best time for nourishment is the period of childhood and adolescence. The fresh page of a mind of a child and a youth is like a photographic film that has not yet been exposed to the light of illumination and is therefore ready for acceptance of any picture upon it.

These simple minds, if they could be nourished in a correct manner and if correct thoughts and beliefs could be presented to them with reason and logic, would make a dent upon their sensitive soul and thus would become a permanent temperament of their essence. Such individuals, no matter what environment they are encountered with and whomever they socialized with, would not become deviated and lost.

If they happened to be in an impious environment, they would not accept the color of that community; instead they would try to change it to their own color. Unfortunately, this large group has been deprived of correct religious nourishment, and has not yet been paid attention to the way they deserve. Normally they have acquired the religious beliefs from their parents without reason, logic, and program. It is due to this very reason that their faith and belief has not been laid down upon a solid foundation and they do not possess a stable groundwork.

Secondly: They have assumed some of the matters which are baseless and futile as definite religious realities, believed in them, and with the same illogical and initial beliefs and thoughts, enter in primary schools, higher secondary schools and from there into the university environment where they associate with the people of different belief and thoughts. Since the basis of their faith is not firm, or with a slight doubt and criticism, they become easily confused and perplexed, and from the point of knowledge and wisdom have not reached to the extent that they could distinguish truth from falsehood and could separate good from bad.

Therefore due to this reason they become cynical with respect to the real religion and remain in the state of bewilderment not knowing what their obligation is supposed to be. Then in that case either they turn their face completely away from religion or at least the basis of their moral ethics or deeds start trembling, causing them to act reckless with respect to their religion. The result of this negligence and incorrect nourishment could be seen explicitly by all and there is no one who could think of a solution in rescuing these innocent individuals from the valley of deviation.

Guarding the Creed

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Imam Mahdi

Imam Mahdi

The Shiite creed, right from its expansion at the time of the Prophet (s.a.w.a.) and Imams (a.s.) was subject to attack by the enemies and more so during the time of occultation. This is because by the twelfth Imam’s absence, they find the arena empty and thus utilise this opportunity by misguiding and deviating the people.

Those who truly and sincerely await the Imam of the age (a.t.f.s.) are responsible for defending the creed and ideal of Imam and answering the satanic doubts and inspirations of the enemies with all their might. Imam Hadi (a.s.) says:

“If during the absence of your Qaem, there remains no scholars who invite thepeople towards him and defend his religion with divine proofs and arguments and free Allah’s helpless slaves from the trap of Satan and the enemies…, none would remain except those who turn their backs to Allah’s religion and become apostates.”1

  • 1. Tafsir al-Askari (a.s.) / 345.

MANNER OF AWAITING

Unanimity for Assisting Imam az-Zaman

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Imam Mahdi

Imam Mahdi

Numerous reasons have been mentioned for the occultation and concealment of Imam az-Zaman (a.t.f.s.). Among them, we may mention the fickle and unfaithful attitude among the people. About Imam az-Zaman, Khwaja Nasir- uddin Tusi writes: “His existence is grace and his domination yet another grace; his occultation and concealment is due to us.”1

If the people desire their Imam’s advent, they must get united by heart in this respect and must manifest this holy union in their deeds too. In the case of past nations too, if a prophet would voluntarily go into hiding and the people would sincerely and unitedly pray to Allah for the return of the said prophet, Allah would grant their wish.2 In this regard, Imam az-Zaman (a.t.f.s.) has recommended us to follow the same path. In his lofty address to Shaikh Mufid (413 A.H.), Imam (a.t.f.s.) says:

“If our Shias (may Allah give them the opportunity of obedience) would be firm on their promises whole-heartedly, our meeting would not be delayed and they would see us much sooner; a seeing that is accompanied with true recognition with respect to us. Thus, nothing keeps them far from us save their unpleasant actions that we become aware of and which we don’t reckon to be worthy.”3

  • 1. Kashf al-Merad / 388
  • 2. Kamaluddin /130 & 132
  • 3. Kamaluddin 2/85; Ghaibah –Tusi/292 & 293

MANNER OF AWAITING

Patience and Resistance Against the Enemies

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Imam Mahdi

Imam Mahdi

Considering that the period of occultation has stretched too far, the enemies take undue advantage of the situation and taunt and vex the followers of Imam az-Zaman (a.t.f.s.). Some say: He has not been born. Another group writes: He has come and left! Yet, some consider the Shias to be liars and label them as superstitious and ignorant people!

As we truly know and conceive that Imam az-Zaman (a.t.f.s.) is alive and present, we should adopt patience and not allow the least doubt to enter our hearts.

Imam Husain (a.s.) says:

“From us are the twelve guided ones. The first of them is Amir-ul- Mu’minin, Ali-ibn-Abi Talib and the last of them is the ninth from my progeny who is the Imam establishing the truth. Through him, the Almighty Allah will make alive the earth after its death and will make the righteous religion to prevail over all religions, though the enemies may averse. For him is the ‘ghaibah’ (occultation), due to which a group will forsake religion while another group would remain steadfast and consequently vexed. They would be scorned and sarcastically addressed: ‘If you tell the truth, then when will this promise turn out true?’1

Know that anyone who forbears and tolerates the teasing of the enemies during occultation is like one who participates in the holy Jihad accompanying the Prophet (s.a.w.a.).”2

  • 1. Yasin (36)/48
  • 2. Kamaluddin 1/317

MANNER OF AWAITING

Sorrow and Grief for Imam of the Age

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Imam Mahdi

Imam Mahdi

Among the signs of love and affection for something or someone is that after missing or losing that thing or person, a person is overtaken by grief and sorrow and farther up, tears roll down his cheek.

If we reflect nicely, we shall perceive that from the viewpoint of faith, Imam az-Zaman (a.t.f.s.) is the most beloved personality to be loved and his absence a great calamity.

Didn’t the holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) say:

“A slave (of Allah) has no faith unless his love for me is more than himself and his love for my Ahl al-bayt is more than his family members.”1

Sayyed-ibn-Taoos says to his son, Sayyed Muhammad: “O my son, Muhammad! I advise you, your brother and anyone who reads this book to deal correctly with the Almighty Allah and His Messenger (s.a.w.a.) and to follow their recommendations and glad tidings about the advent of our master, Mahdi (a.t.f.s.). For, I have witnessed a plenty the words and deeds of numerous people in opposition to what Allah and His messenger wish so.

For instance, if he loses someone, a horse, a dirham or dinar, his thought will at once focus on them and he will earnestly strive to find them. But I have not found anyone so engrossed over the matter of delay in Imam’s advent as they are over such petty issues. Besides, they are not disturbed by Imam’s absence as they are by losing such petty things. So, how can such a person claim that he has recognized the right of the Almighty Allah and His messenger (s.a.w.a.) and that he believes in the Imamat of Mahdi (a.t.f.s.)?”2

Those who sincerely await Imam az-Zaman (a.t.f.s.) and are in grief and sorrow until his reappearance should manifest their grief by heart and shed tears of blood for his separation.

Imam Sadiq (a.s.) says:

“Know that he would remain in concealment for a while and he would be un- remembered (by the people) until they would say: he has died! He has been killed! To which valley he has gone?! And O the eyes of believers, shed tears for him.”3

In this connection, Agha Hamadani recommends recitation of Dua al-Nudba. He says:

“It is recommended that every Friday, the friends of Hazrat, men and women gather in a mosque or other holy place and recite this dua with utmost grief and sorrow and lament for the occultation of this radiant sun and separation of this dearest soul on earth.”4

  • 1. Bihar al-Anwar; 17/13. Also, refer to same; 27/86 & 112.
  • 2. Kashf al-Muhajah / 206, chapter 150.
  • 3. Ghaibah-Nu’mani /152 & 153.
  • 4. Takaleef al-Anaam/189.

MANNER OF AWAITING

Praying for Imam of the Age

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Imam Mahdi

Imam Mahdi

Prayer for hastening Imam’s advent is a command from Imam az-Zaman (a.t.f.s.) himself. As he (a.t.f.s.) says:

“And pray abundantly for hastening the ‘faraj’ (respite) [i.e. Imam’s advent], for that is your very respite and deliverance from entanglements.”1

The divine ‘faqih’, Mirza Husain Nouri writes:

“Among the duties is to pray for the safety of the blessed life of Imam (a.t.f.s.) from the satanic evils of men and jinn and to earnestly call for his quick victory and triumph over the unbelievers, atheists and hypocrites. This it is a kind of manifestation of servitude and one’s consent to Allah’s promise that such a precious figure that is nourished in the reservoir of His Power and Mercy and covered by the curtain of greatness and splendour will be made manifest and the world will be lightened by his rays.”2

About the stimulus of praying for Imam (a.t.f.s.) of the age, Ayatullah Sayyed Taqi Musawi Esfahani writes:

“Praying for someone is the outcome of love for that person. And the main motive behind love and friendship is that one reckons that person’s existence to be a blessing. In fact, goodness in anyone is expedient and is the cause of love towards him. Thus, the more perfect one’s personal acquaintance of a person’s blessed existence and the more perfect his love for him, the greater would be his attachment in prayers to his existence….The more a believer’s knowledge of Imam (a.t.f.s.) and the more his perception that Imam’s existence is a blessing, the more perfect would be his love too. And the more perfect is one’s love, the more would be his endeavours in praying for Imam (a.t.f.s.).”3

  • 1. Kamaluddin; 2/85 & Ghaibah-Tusi/292&293
  • 2. Najm-Saqeb/508
  • 3. Kanz-ul-Ghanaem/52 & 53

MANNER OF AWAITING

Preparedness for Assisting the Imam of the Age

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Imam Mahdi

Imam Mahdi

Allah, the Almighty says:

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اصْبِرُوا وَصَابِرُوا وَرَابِطُوا وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ

“O you who believe! Be patient and excel in patience and remain steadfast, and be careful of (your duty to) Allah, that you may be successful.” (Surah Ali- Imran, 3:200)

Imam Baqir (a.s.) interpreted this verse as follows:

“Adopt patience while following the religious laws and forbear the harms inflicted by your enemies and be ready for serving your Imam for whom you are awaiting.”

The necessity for preparing oneself for assisting the Imam of the age (a.t.f.s.) at the time of his advent arises from his armed uprising by which he shall cleanse the earth of tyranny and oppression. For this reason, a Shia is supposed to mobilize himself for that day which would occur all of a sudden. Imam Sadiq (a.s.) says:

“Every one of you must make ready something for the uprising of the Qaem even though it may be an arrow.”1

  • 1. Ghaibah-Nu’mani/320

MANNER OF AWAITING

Serving the Imam of the Age

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Imam Mahdi

Imam Mahdi

Imam Sadiq (a.s.) was asked: ‘Has the Qaem been born?’ Imam (a.s.) replied:

“No. If I were to meet him I would serve him all my life.”1

Ayatullah Sayyed Muhammad Taqi Musawi Esfahani says: This tradition signifies that serving the Imam (a.t.f.s.) is the highest form of worship and the most beloved form of obedience. This is because Imam Sadiq (a.s.) who has spent his noble life only on the path of divine worship and obedience says that if he met the Qaem, he would serve him all his life. Thus, it becomes clear that striving to serve the Qaem is the highest form of obedience and the noblest way of gaining proximity to Allah as Imam Sadiq (a.s.) has preferred this to all other forms of worships and obedience.2

  • 1. Ghaibah-Nu’mani/245
  • 2. Mikyal al-Makarem; 2/220

MANNER OF AWAITING