Sajdah and Ruku

Imam Musa Kazim (a.s) addressed Hisham saying: 'O Hisham! Just listen. Almighty Allah created seven skies, seven earths, seven hijabs (veil or curtains). When the Holy Prophet (saw) went in ascension (Mehraj) and his nearness to his Lord was only of two bows, one of the veils was lifted. At that moment the Holy Prophet (saw) said Takbeer (ALLAHU AKBAR - ALLAH IS GREAT) and also recited the words which are being recited in the beginning of every namaaz. Thereafter other veils also went on lifting. He thus recited Takbeer seven times. Then he got the honour from Almighty Allah. He remembered HIM and began to tremble with awe and bowed down upon his knees saying, SUBHAANA RABBIYAL AZEEM WA BI HAMDHI.

When he stood up from the ruku position, he saw that HIS status is far more high. So he went Further down and prostrated on the ground (sajdah) and said, SUBHAANA RABBIYAL AALA WA BIHAMDHI. He recited this zikr (recitation) seven times and his fear was removed. That is why this is ritual became part of namaaz.

Maula Ali (a.s) Pahad on the eve of 13 Rajab, Hyderabad

Anger Management Moral Stories

This is one of those timeless moral stories that teach the importance of restraining bad temper or anger management as per the teachings of Islam.

There once was a little boy who had a bad temper. His father gave him a bag of nails and told him that every time he lost his temper, he must hammer a nail into the back of the fence. The first day the boy had driven 37 nails into the fence. Over the next few weeks, as he learned to control his anger, the number of nails hammered daily gradually dwindled down. He discovered it was easier to hold his temper than to drive those nails into the fence.

Finally the day came when the boy didn't lose his temper at all and learned how to control anger and bad temper. He told his father about it and the father suggested that the boy now pull out one nail for each day that he was able to hold his temper. The days passed and the young boy was finally able to tell his father that all the nails were gone.

The father took his son by the hand and led him to the fence. He said, "You have done well, my son, but look at the holes in the fence. The fence will never be the same. When you say things in anger, they leave a scar just like this one. You can put a knife in a man and draw it out. It won't matter how many times you say I'm sorry, the wound is still there.

The next time you get angry with someone and are about to speak, ask yourself if there was a way to say what you want to say with neutral words. Often the habit of reacting angrily is just that - a habit you learned when you were young and haven't questioned since. You might have become blind to the effect it has on your life.

It is really so that the world reflects back your own attitude. If you constantly wonder why people are angry at you, perhaps it is you who treated them with anger first. Listen to the words and tone of voice you use. And try; really try to speak neutrally to someone who is angry with you. If you know it will be difficult, write the words down first. Rehearse it in your mind. Decide on a prize you will get from Allah (SWT) when you succeed.

Teach your mind intentionally to use respectful words. And you just might find that life begins to feel a lot nicer - because people aren't angry at you anymore.

Our Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) mentions the tongue before the hand. As everybody knows, the 'wounds' caused by the tongue are deeper and more hurtful than those caused by the hand. Besides, one is often prepared to strike more readily, easily and more frequently with one's tongue than with the hand. Slandering, backbiting, reproaching and other similar ways of hurting people are commoner and more difficult to avoid than hurt done by the hand. Further, if a person can refrain from hurting with the tongue, he can more easily refrain from the assaults by the hand. Again, defending oneself against physical assaults is, in most cases, easier than against verbal assaults of, in particular, backbiting and slandering. So, a true Muslim always restrains his tongue as well as his hand from hurting others.

Nazr

The word NAZR is an Arabic word which means "an offering," in its verbal form it will mean "to offer" or "to make a spiritual vow."

Note that NAZR is used in Arabic in a totally different meaning also - "to warn," that is not in this context. Therefore, we leave that for the time.

The Glorious Qur'an has used the word "NAZR" in both meanings. We will only discuss here the first usage, i.e., which is relevant to our discussion here.

Sometimes the word NIAZ is also used in this context. This is a word from Farsi which means "need," and it is its metaphorical use in the sense of an offering.

The basic concept of NAZR is to offer something less valuable in the hope and expectation of receiving something of higher value. The "value" does not have to be material; it could just be honor and dignity. The examples below will explain this notion further.

1. In 5:27-31 the Glorious Qur'an tells the story of the two sons of the prophet Adam (peace be upon him). The two sons of Adam (Habeel and Qabeel, Anglicized names: Able and Cain) made an offering to their Lord, one was accepted and the other was rejected. The brother, whose offering was rejected, became jealous of his brother and in a rage of jealousy and frustration he killed his brother. For that Qabeel's face was darkened, he went crazy and he will bear the burden of every unlawful murder to the Day of Judgement. Note that the word for offering used in the Glorious Qur'an in this instance is Q-R-B instead of NAZR.

2. In 3:35 the Glorious Qur'an tells the story of Maryam's (Mary of the Christian scriptures) mother. When a woman of Imran said: My Lord, surely I vow to Thee (rabbi inni nazartu) what is in my womb, to be devoted (to Thy service); accept therefore from me, surely Thou art the Hearing, the Knowing. However, when the child was born, it was a girl (Maryam) and the families were puzzled as to how to send a girl to the Temple. But they fulfilled the vow as they had promised their Lord. And, Maryam was dedicated to serving in the Temple under the guardianship of prophet Zakariyya (peace be upon him). Later she gave birth to Prophet Jesus (peace be upon him).

3. In 19:26 the Glorious Qur'an tells the story when Prophet Jesus is born without a father and the Jews are asking of Maryam about such an implausible situation. So eat and drink and refresh the eye. Then if you see any mortal, say: Surely I have vowed a fast to the Beneficent God (inni nazartu lir-Rahmaani sawman). So I shall not speak to any man today.

4. In the first twelve verses of Sura Dahr (chapter 76) the Glorious Qur'an tells the story of NAZR by the Ahlul Bayt (may our salams and Allah's peace be unto them). The Glorious Qur'an describes the beginning of man and the attributes of a grateful man in this chapter. One of the many attributes of a grateful and faithful person is described in verses 7 and 8: "Because they perform the vow (yufoona bin-nazri) and fear a day whereof the evil is wide-spreading, And feed with food the needy wretch, the orphan and the prisoner, for love of Him."

Nazr by Ahlul Bayt (a.s)

The Hadeeth literature indicates that the Ahlul Bayt (may our salams and Allah peace be unto them all) showed the importance of Nazr by their acts more than once. The following story is recorded in many tafseer books about the revelation of these verses of sura Dahr.

Once the Imam Hasan a.s and Imam Husayn a.s, who were at that time 5 and 4 years old, fell ill. When the Prophet of Islam (s.a.w) , missed them in the mosque, he came to Hazrat Fatima Zahra's (a.s) house to inquire about them. When he was told that they were sick, he suggested that both parents should take a spiritual vow (Nazr) for the children's recovery. So both Imam Ali a.s and Hazrat Fatima Zahra a.s prayed to Allah for the recovery of Imam Hasan  and Imam Husayn (peace be unto them all) and took a vow to fast for three consecutive days when the children became well again. The children did recover from the illness soon after. Both parents set about fulfilling their spiritual vow and fasted. When the children saw that, they also decided to fast with their parents and so did the house-maid, Bibi Fiza a.s. But that day there was no food in Hazrat Fatima's (a.s) house even for breaking the fast. So Imam Ali a.s went out looking for work. He could not find any. But he was able to get three kg's of wool to be spun in exchange of three kg's of barley. Hazrat Fatima Zahra a.s spun the wool all day. She a.s was only able to dispense with one kilo of it. So she took only one kilo of barley ground it into flour and prepared five loaves of bread. While they were all ready to break their fast, someone knocked at the door saying: "O people of the house of the Prophet (s.a.w), I am a poor man and I have nothing to eat, is there anything you could do to feed me." At this Imam Ali a.s stood up, went to the door and gave his loaf to the man. Bibi Fatima Zahra a.s did the same. Watching this, both children also gave their loaves and so did the maid. They broke their fast by water and retired. The next day Bibi Fatima Zahra a.s spun another kilo of wool. So she a.s separated one kilo of barley, ground it into flour and prepared five loaves once again. As they were ready to break their fast, once again, a voice called out from the door: "O people of the house of The Prophet (s.a.w), I am an orphan, I am hungry, could you feed me?" Hearing this, Imam Ali a.s  stood up and gave his loaf to the man, so did Bibi Fatima Zahra a.s , the children and the maid. They all, once again, broke their fast by water and retired. Came the third day, Bibi Fatima Zahra a.s spun the rest of the wool, took the remaining barley, ground it into flour and prepared five loaves. As they were ready to break the fast, a voice called from the door saying: "O people of the house of the Prophet (s.a.w), I am a prisoner, I am hungry, could you feed me?" Hearing this, once again, Imam Ali a.s stood up and went to the door and gave his loaf away to the prisoner. Hazrat Fatima Zahra a.s , the children and the maid did likewise. Every time the person at the door would want to express his gratitude for the kindness, Imam Ali a.s would say: "No, no, we are not looking for any reward from you for this act, we are doing it out of Allah's love."

Now the children had just been quite ill. And they had not eaten anything in three days. The Prophet of Islam (s.a.w), once again entered the house asking about the children. When he looked at them they were shaking like autumn leaves (those are the exact words in the report). Hazrat Fatima Zahra a.s told him what had been going on in the family. At that time the archangel Gabriel a.s came down with a gift of Allah to the Prophet s.a.w. That gift was the verses of Sura Insan or Dahr (chapter 76), which we quote below.

They fulfill vows and fear a day the evil of which shall be spreading far and wide. And they give food out of love for Him to the poor and the orphan and the captive. We only feed you for Allah's sake; we desire from you neither reward nor thanks: Surely we fear from our Lord a stern, distressful day. Therefore Allah will guard them from the evil of that day and cause them to meet with ease and happiness. And reward them, because they were patient, with garden and silk. (Glorious Qur'an, 76:7-12)

This story tells us that the Prophet of Islam s.a.w, recommended to any family that if and when you are facing a difficult situation or you are distressed, you should do Nazr. In other words, take a spiritual vow that when the problem is over you would offer special prayers or invite friends and relatives for food that has been dedicated to the Ahlul Bayt a.s in Allah's name.

The story is the guiding light for us in our lives. The family of Hazrat Fatima Zahra (peace be unto her) fulfilled their Nazr, but when a more needy person came they gave away their food to him without any regard to their own needs. Glorious Qur'an has made it incumbent upon us to love the Prophet of Islam s.a.w and his holy family and fashion our lives according to how they lived.

Say, (O Prophet), I do not ask you any recompense for this (the mission of Islam), except that you would love my near ones. (Glorious Qur'an, 42:23)

Eating Rice

I.Sadiq(as):"Chaawal umda ghiza hai,bawaaseer(piles)ko dur karta hai.Hum apne bimaaro'n ka ilaaj chawalo'n se kiya karte hain."
[Tehzibul Islam]

HAYYA ALAL FALAH

Har koi chahta hai
ke usay KAMYABI mil Jaye
Lekin

Jab MASJID se din me 5 dafa Awaz Ati h
"HAYYA ALAL FALAH"
Aao kamyabi ki Tarf
koi samjta nahi
Ke jis Chiz ko wo sari Zindgi
Har jaga Talash kar raha hai
Wo to khud Usay apne Pas Bula rahi hai.

Never disappoint a beggar

IMAM ALI (a.s) "O Kumayl, never disappoint a beggar, give him even a grain of grapes or half single date, with Allah the alms given are growing."  (Tuhaf al Uqool Pg 584)

al-Raghaib

It is reported that the prayer of al-Raghaib, prayed on the first Thursday of the month of Rajab will appear in the shape of an adorable, handsome person and accompany the dead person in his lonely grave. Further, these very actions will have weight on the Day of Judgment for them to be weighted on the Scale, and we’ll have to bear that weight on our necks on that Day. Allah remarks:

We have caused every man’s destiny to cling to his neck; and we will bring forth unto him on the Day of Resurrection a book which he will find wide open.

(It will be said to him:) Read your (own) record. Sufficient is thy soul this day to make out an account against yourself.

(al-Qur’an – Chapter 17, Verse 13-14)

Location of Ghadir Khumm

Ghadir Khumm is located between Makkah and Madinah in the vicinity of al-Juhfah.   It was the place where pilgims (hujjaj) from different provinces would part company and take different routes for their respective homes.

The nature of the land along the coastal line of the Red Sea.

A sketch of the path taken the Prophet (PBUH) in his historic Hijrah.

 Al-Ghadir spring that might be the historic spring that was cited in history books in the context of the Farewell Pilgrimage (Hajjat al-Wada')

 Palm trees that grew after stoppage of visitors and their eating of dates in the valley.

 Al-Ghadir mountain where waters run and valleys form in seasons of rain.

 

Ya Allahu

YA ALLAHU [66]
Allah is the proper name of God. 

Allah is cited 2607 times in the Holy Quran.
(a) To seek acceptance of prayers & fulfilment of legitimate desires recite 66 times in the afternoon, or at the time of sunset, or in the late hours of the night.

Nam-e-ABBAS se khushbu-e-wafa aatihai,
Unke Rozese alatash ki sada aatihai,
Jabbhi hum bethe hai ABBAS ke parcham ke tale
Yulaga jaise ke JANNAT se hawaa aati hai

One who begs..

Holy Prophet (saw): Whoever begs in spite of being well-off will b afflicted with headache and stomach pains.

[Bihaar-al Anwaar,V96]

Islamic Coins introduced by Imam Al-Baqir (as)

In the first century of Hijrah, the paper industry was monopolized by the Romans. When the Christians of Egypt learned from the Romans how to manufacture paper, they produced it.  Then following suit of the Romans, they marked the currency notes with Trinity slogan: father, son and Rooh-ul-Qudus (Holy Spirit) which was the slogan of the Christians.

When Abdul Malik Bin Marwan, the Omayyad Khalifa, saw the mark of the paper and its meanings, he was very annoyed as to why Egypt, which was a Muslim country, used this mark. He at once wrote to his functionary and delegates in Egypt, "From now onwards you must write upon them the slogan of monotheism."

The new papers with the monotheism mark upon it was circulated and reached the cities of Rome. Caesar the King of Rome got informed about it.

He wrote a strong letter to Abdul Malik warning and threatening him that if he did not evade that mark he would issue orders to produce coins with the phrase which would be considered as derogatory to the Holy Prophet of Islam (s.a.w.s.). When those coins would be ready there would be no honor and dignity left over for him (Abdul Malik).

Abdul Malik was dumb-founded. He thought; "If this thing happened I would be the dirtiest of all the Muslim rulers who caused such a thing to happen." He immediately called a meeting and consulted with the officials and dignitaries of his country for many long hours, but to no result.

One of those present said, "The way out of this difficulty and its solution is this that we ask the answer to this problem and riddle from Imam Mohammad Baqir (a.s.) – the 5th Imam of the Shias."

Abdul Malik liked his suggestion and at once ordered his governor in Medina to send Imam (a.s.) honorably and respectfully to Syria, and he himself detained the delegate of Caesar in Syria till such time Imam (a.s.) reached Syria to solve that problem.

When Imam (a.s.) reached Syria they reported the matter to him so that a way is sorted out for its solution.

Imam (a.s.) said, "Caesar has frightened you, he will actually not do it. God will not allow him to do this work. But the solution of it is that you get the industrialists gathered and order them to produce a coin with the Quranic chapter of Tawhid on one face and name of the Prophet [s.a.w.s.] on the other. In this way we will not need the Roman Coins any longer. Then he gave the explanation about the weight and size of the coin. Then he said, "Engrave the name of the city where the coin is made and the year of its production upon it."

Abdul Malik materialized the orders of the Imam (a.s.) and sent a circular to all the Islamic cities that from now onwards all the business affair in the Islamic cities should take shape on the basis of the new coins, and the Roman Coins are invalid. Whosoever possesses them may change them for new Islamic coins. Then he informed the delegate of Caesar about what had been done and sent him back.

Caesar was informed about the affair. The courtiers demanded from him to materialize his threat. But he replied, "This is a futile thing to do. Because, the roman coins are no more used in the Islamic cities."

Some of these coins were exhibited at the British Museum in 1988 at the event of the Islamic Art exhibition in London and a note shown that these coins were minted on the advice of the fifth Imam of Ahlulbayt (as).

Imam by this amazing action put a constraint and checks upon the influence of imperialism and the plans of the imperialists of that day. Allahu Akber.

A'mal for the Month of Rajab

A'mal for the Month of Rajab
which are beneficial at or after death

General
To fast for 4 days is beneficial to save oneself from punishment in the grave.
Whoever fasts for six days in Rajab will find peace in Qiyamat & walk over the Pul-e-siraat easily without accounting.

Night of 1st Rajab
Recite 20 rakat namaaz on the night of 1st Rajab after Maghrib namaaz such that in every Rakat after Surah al- Hamd recite Surah Tawheed once. The reciter & his family will be saved from punishment in the grave & will cross Pul-e-siraat like lightening without any accounting.

1st of Rajab
Recite 10 Rakat Namaaz on the 1st of Rajab such that in every Rakat after Surah al Hamd, recite Surah Tawheed 3 times. A person who prays this Namaaz will be saved from the squeeze of the grave.

Lailatul Raghaib & first Thursday of Rajab
It is related that the person who recites Surah-al Yaseen before going to bed & Namaaz -e -Lailatul Raghaib will be saved from the terror of the grave. The first Friday night of Rajab is known as Lailatul Raghaib. Hazrat Muhammad (saws) used to fast on the first Thursday & between Maghrib & Isha recite 12 Rak’at namaz in six sets of 2 units. In every Rak’at after surah al Hamd recite 3 times Surah al-Qadr & 12 times Surah an Naas. After salam recite 70 times: Allahumma s’ale a’laa muh’ammadin nabiyyil ummi wa a’laa aaleh.
Then go into sajdah & recite70 times: subbuh’un quddoos rabbul malaaaekate war-rooh’
Then sit erect & say 70 times: rabbighfir war-ham watajaawaz a’mma ta’lamo innaka antal a’liyyul a’zeem.
Then go into sajdah & say 70 times: subbooh’un quddoos rabbul malaaekate war-rooh’.

Night of 7th Rajab
The Holy prophet (saws) says that if a person recites 4 unit namaaz on the night of 7th rajab, (such that in each unit after Surah al Hamd recites Surat at Tawheed thrice, Surah alFalaq once, Surah an Naas once. After finishing namaaz recites Salwaat &10 times Tasbeehate Arba’).
Allah will offer him shelter under the Arsh, & give him reward of a person fasting in the month of ramdhan. Till the time he finishes the prayers, the angels pray for his forgiveness. Allah will ease the pangs of death on him & save him from the squeeze in the grave. He will not die unless he sees his place in Paradise, & will be safe from the hardships of Qiyamat.

Middle of month of Rajab & the night of 16th&17th Rajab
To recite 30 rakat namaaz in the middle part of the month such that in each rakat after Surah alHamd recite Sura Tawheed 10 times is beneficial to save oneself from punishment in the grave. In the same manner to recite the above naamaz on the night of 16th &17th Rajab is also beneficial

22nd Rajab
To recite the following 8 Rak’at namaaz on the 22nd of Rajab is beneficial during death. In each Rakat after al-Hamd , recite Surah Tawheed 7 times. After finishing Namaaz, recite sawaat 10 times & recite Astaghfirullah Rabbi wa atooboIlayh 10 times.

24th of Rajab
Fasting on the 24th of Rajab carries great reward. One of its merits is that the angel of death comes in the form of a handsome youth carrying a bowl of the pure drink(Sharaabe Tahoora) & offers it to the dying man. The dying person drinks it & dies in peace.

Last day of Rajab.
For the person who fasts on the last day of Rajab, Allah will save him from the after effects of death.
 

Reference: English translation of Manazelul Akherah by Sheikh Abbas Qummi. Pl refer other books for more aamal for Rajab.

Regular A'amal & Dua'a for Rajab

1)The Prophet (saw) is reported as saying Allah will be merciful & forgive the one who recites following dua 100 times & immediately gives alms
I ask the forgiveness of Allah. There is no god save HIM alone without having any partner. And I repent before HIM.   Astaghfirullaha alladhy la ilaha illa huwa wahdahu la sharika lahu wa atubu ilayhi.    .أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللّهَ الَّذِي لا إلهَ إلاّ هُوَ وَحْدَهُ لا شَرِيكَ لَهُ وَأَتُوبُ إلَيْ 

2) One hundred thousand rewards will be given to one who recites 1000 times
There is no God save Allah   =  La ilaha illa allahu      
لا إلهَ إلاّ اللّهُ
 
3) Repeat 70 times in morning  & 70 times in the evening :
I ask forgiveness of Allah & I repent to Him -Astaghfirullaha wa atubu ilayhi     أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللّهَ وَأَتُوبُ إلَيْهِ.
then raise your hands & say .......   
O Allah forgive me & accept my repentance  "allahuma aghfir li wa tub'alayya"     ُاللّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِي وَتُبْ عَلَيَّ.
 
4) Repeat as many times
I ask Allah for forgiveness and I pray to HIM to accept my repentance -Astaghfirulaha wa as aluhut tawba     أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللّه وَأَسْأَلُهُ التَّوْبَةَ.

5)It is recommended to seek forgiveness saying 1000 times
I ask Allah the Lord of majesty & honor to forgive all my sins & offences -Astaghfiru allaha dhaljalali wal ikrami min jami i aldhunubi wa ithmi"      ُأَسْتَغْفِرُ اللّهَ ذَاَ الْجَلالِ وَالإكْرَامِ مِنْ جَمِيعِ الذُّنُوبِ وَالآثَامِ.

6) Great rewards are mentioned for reciting Sura Tawhid ( Ch112) 100 times, especially on friday. Also to recite Sura Tawhid 100 times in one night is like fasting for 100 yrs

7) A person who fasts on 3 days in this month Thursday, Friday & Saturday  will be awarded with reward of 100 yrs of worship

8) Repeat the following 3 times (i to x) each morning & evening for forgiveness:
i) Sura Fatihah ii) Ayatul Kursi iii) Sura Kafirun iv) Sura Tawhid  v) Sura Falaq  vi)Sura Naas  vii) Say 'Subhanallahi walhumdulillahi wa la illa ha illa allahu wallahu akbar wa la hawla wala quwata illa billahi al'aliyul azimi
سُبْحَانَ اللّهِ،وَالْحَمْدُ لِلّهِ،وَلا إلهَ إلاّ اللّهُ،وَاللّهُ أَكْبَرُ،وَلا حَوْلَ وَلا قُوَّةَ إلاّ بِاللّهِ الْعَلِيِّ الْعَظِيمِ. (All glory be to Allah; all praise be to Allah;there is no god save Allah; Allah is the Greatest; and there is no might and no strength save with Allah, the All-high the All-great.)
viii) Allhumma salli al muhammadin wa aali muhammadin'  اللّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَآلِ مُحَمَّدٍ) 
ix)'Allahumma ghfirlil muminina wal muminati' اَللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَالمُؤْمِنَاتِ. (Allah please forgive the believing men & women) x) Astaghfirulaha wa atubuali أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللّهَ وَأَتُوبُ إلَيْهِ.
 
9) A two Rak`at salat each night : ie 30days x 2 units ,Surah al-Fatiha 1 once followed by Surah al-Kafirun 3 three times and then Surah al-Ikhlas 1 one time and then after the salaat is finished, lift your hands up and say :-  mushaf font
There is no creature or entity worthy of worship except for Allah, the One who has no partners. To Him belong the Dominion and to Him is all Praise, He gives live a the Dominion and to Him is all Praise, He gives live and He causes to die and he is the Everliving and will never die. and He causes to die and he is the Everliving and will never die. In His hands is all goodness and He has power over all things and to Him return all things and there is no strength or power except with Allah, the High, the Grand. O’ Allah! Send your prayers upon Muhammad and the Family of Muhammad the Prophet, the Unlettered.”    لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ   لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَ لَهُ الْحَمْدُ يُحْيِي وَ يُمِيتُ وَ هُوَ حَيٌّ لَا يَمُوتُ بِيَدِهِ الْخَيْرُ وَ هُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْ‏ءٍ قَدِيْر   ٌوَإلَيْهِ الْمَصِيرُ،   وَلا حَوْلَ وَلا قُوَّةَ إلاّ بِاللّهِ الْعَلِيِّ الْعَظِيمِ،  اللّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ النَّبِيِّ الأُمِّيِّ وَآلِهِ.
"La ilahaha illallaahu wah’dahoo laa shareeka lahoo lahul mulku wa lahul h’amdu yuh’yee wa yumeetu wa huwa h’ayyun laa yamootu bi-yadihil khayr wa huwa a’laa kulli shay-in qadeer
wa ilayhil mas’eer wa laa h’awla wa laa quwwata illaa billaahil a’layyil a’z’eem allaahumma s’alli a’laa muh’ammadinin nabiyyil ummiyy wa aalihee

10 ):Sayyid Ibn Tawus has also reported from the Holy Prophet (a.s) that if one offers a four-Rak`ah prayer on Friday in Rajab between the obligatory Zuhr and `ASr Prayers in each Rak`ah of which the Surah of al-Fatihah is recited once and the Ayat al-Kursiy is repeated seven times and the Surah of al-Tawhid is repeated five times and then the following invocation is repeated ten times :
I seek the forgiveness of Allah and I pray Him for accepting of my repentance.    astaghfiru allaha alladhy la ilaha illa huwa wa asaluhu alttawbata    أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللّه وَأَسْأَلُهُ التَّوْبَةَ.
If one offers this prayer, Almighty Allah will decide for him, from the day on which this prayer is offered up to the day of his death, one Thousand rewards a day, and will give him a city built with ruby in Paradise for each verse (of the Holy Quran) that he recites, and will give him a palace built with white pearls in Paradise for each letter that he recites from the Holy Qur'an, and will give him in marriage the Women of Paradise, and will be satisfied with him completely, and will include him with the (true) worshippers, and will seal his life with happiness and forgiveness... etc

IMPORTANT DATES IN RAJAB

1st - Mawled Imam Muhammad Al-Baqir [as]
3rd - Martyrdom Imam Ali Al-Naqi Al-Hadi [as]
10th - Mawled Imam Muhammad Al-Taqi Al-Jawad [as]
13th - Mawled Amirul Momineen Ali Ibn Abi Talib [as]
14th - Birth of Prophet Ibrahim [as] (according to another source 1st Zhul Hajjah)
15th - Wafat of Lady Zaynab [as] (according to another source 14th Rajab, 16th Zhul Hajjah)
25th - Martyrdom Imam Musa Al-Kazim [as]
26th - Night of Me'raaj & Ba'tha of Prophet Muhammad [s]
28th - Imam Hussain ibn Ali [as] leaves Medina for Karbala

Month of Rajab

The Prophet (s) said, 'Rajab is the month of God, Shaban is my month and Ramadan is the month of my Community.' God gave us twelve months in the year, eleven of which are ours and one of which belongs to God. What rewards God will give his servants in His month, no one knows, not even the Prophet (s). The work of prophets and angels stops in the month of Rajab. They are not allowed to know what rewards God is going to give His community...

Help me remember...

YA RAB, when I lose hope, help me to remember that your love is greater than my disappointments & your plans for my life are better than my dream's !!

Fazilat (merit) of Reciting the Qaza of Namaaze Shab

If one missed the Namaaze Shab one can perform its Qaza during the day. If one has missed Namaaze Shab there is a great merit in performing its Qaza. Thus there is a tradition from Imam Jafar Sadiq (a.s) in Tafseee Ali Ibne Qummi that a person said to Imam (a.s), "May I be sacrificed for you, sometimes I miss Namaaze Shab for one, two or three months and I perform it during the day, is such a thing allowed?"

Imam (a.s) said, "By Allah! this action is the cause of the vision of your eyes." And he repeated this sentence thrice.

Ishaq bin Ammar has related Imam Jafar Sadiq (a.s) that he quoted his father who quoted the Holy Prophet (saw) that when a persons the Qaza of Namaaze Shab the Almighty Allah expresses His pride before the Angels and says, 'O Angels! See he is performing the Qaza of that which I have not made obligatory on him. Be witness that I have given him salvation.' - Biharul Anwaar Vol. 87 Pg. 202

If while performing the Namaaze Shab and the dawn appears, for example the dawn appeared after oerforming four rakaats one shoudl perform the rest of the prayer without recommnded rituals, However if one has not prayed four rakaats, one should complete the two rakaats, then offer two rakaats of the Nafila of the Morning Prayer, then two rakaats obligatory morning prayer and after this he should recite the Qaza of the rest of the Namaaze Shab. Or if he has not even begun reciting the Namaaze Shab and the dawn arrived one shoudl recite two rakaats of Nafila of the Morning prayer and then two rakaats of the Obligatory morning prayer. And after the Morning prayer he should recite the Qaza of Namaaze Shab.

A scholar visiting China

A Muslim scholar (sheikh) was on a visit to China to give a series of lectures to the local Muslim community. One day, he was Scheduled. To give a lecture at a local hall and was about to take a taxi along with his  companions to that location. They got into the taxi and the Sheikh asked about the length of time it would take to get to the lecture hall. The taxi  driver, through the interpreter, answered "Two hours."

The Sheikh immediately turned to his companions and said: "well, we can't  sit in this taxi with the driver for two hours and not tell him about our  religion. If we did that then we would be no different than any other  non-Muslim or kaffir who uses this taxi. We are the people that Allah(SWT)chose to carry His message and honoured us to be Muslims. It is our duty to tell this person about Islam." However, the driver was a native  Chinese and didn't have a common language with the Sheikh. They
had to communicate through an interpreter.

Sheikh to interpreter: "Ask the man if he believes in any religion?" Driver: "No, I don't believe in religion. I just get up in the morning, go to work and earn money. At the end of the day, I collect my money, go buy some food and drink for my family. What do I need religion for?" Sheikh (thru interpreter): "Ask this man if he has ever heard anything about Islam." Driver: "Not much. I've seen a tape once and showed Muslims as violent people. I don't know much else." Sheikh (thru interpreter):"Ask him about computers. What does he think of computer?" Driver: "I think the computer is an excellent invention. It is very useful and very sophisticated."
Sheikh: "Does he think that the computer could have invented itself or does  he think that a human being invented it?"
Driver: "A human invented it, of course. It is not capable of  inventing itself."
Sheikh: "Which one is more complicated the computer or the human being?"
Driver: "The human being is more complicated, of course."
Sheikh: "O.K., if the computer must have been invented by a human being, then it follows that a human being (which is more complicated) must also have a creator."
Driver: "O.K."
Sheikh: "In Islam, we believe that Allah is the creator of human beings and  all other beings. Fine, now let's move on. Assume that you have never seen a computer before and never heard of it. If I brought a
computer to you and  gave it to you, would you know what to do with it? Would you be able to use  to its full potential?"
Driver: "No, I wouldn't."
Sheikh: "Now, if I gave you a catalogue for the computer, then you will be able to better use it? Correct?"
Driver: "Correct!"
Sheikh: "In Islam, we view Quran as the catalogue used by human beings to manage their lives. Without this catalogue, they will ruin themselves! Now,  if this inventor of the computer assembled the machine and printed the  catalogue, what would be the next step? He would need to train some  engineers and others on how to spread the message about this machine. These  people would, in turn, train others and others until everyone knows about  the machine. In the example of Allah and Quran, the prophets of
Allah play  the role of the engineers. They learn the message and teach it to others so  that the message will spread. Prophet Muhammad (saw) is the final messenger  of Allah and he was ordered to take the message to all human beings." 

By this time, the trip was coming to an end and they almost reached the lecture hall. But the Sheikh can see that there were tears coming out of the driver's eyes. The words of the Sheikh were having a significant effect on this driver. Driver: "These ideas are very interesting to me. Do you mind spending 15 more minutes with me to tell me about this religion?" The Sheikh agreed to spend those few minutes with this person and did. The man asked many questions and seemed genuine in his desire to learn more about this religion. At the end of these few minutes, the driver said:  "I want to join this religion of yours. How do I do that?" He was told that  all he needs to do is say: "I bear witness that there is no God but Allah  and I bear witness that Muhammad (saw) is his servant and messenger." Allahu Akbar!! Sounds simple, doesn't it? A taxi trip in the crowded streets of a Chinese city brings the light of Islam into the heart of a Chinese man. A man who started his day as an atheist never suspected that
he will end his day as a Muslim. There are many people out there who are thirsty for the message of Islam. Gaining them as Muslim brothers and sisters could be as simple as this TRUE story.

Shirk (Polytheism - To associate anyone or anything with Allah)

The first of the Greater Sins is to associate anyone or anything with Allah. That is to attribute partners to Allah. Regarding Shirk we have received clear traditions from the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) as well as Hazrat Ali (a.s.), Imam Ja'far as-Sadiq (a.s.), Imam al-Kazim (a.s.), Imam Reza (a.s.) and Imam Jawad (a.s.). 

Imam Ja'far as-Sadiq (a.s.) says:
"The greatest of the Greater Sins is to attribute partners to Allah."
(Wasaaelush Shia) 

The following verse of the Holy Quran asserts:
"Surely Allah does not forgive that anything should be associated with him, and forgives what is besides that to whomsoever He pleases, and whoever associates anything with Allah, he devises indeed a great sin."
(Surah Nisa 4:48) 

It means that whoever dies as a polytheist, there is no chance of his salvation. Although Allah may forgive any of those who have committed any other sin. Allah says:
"Surely whoever associates (others) with Allah, then Allah has forbidden to him the garden, and his abode is the fire; and there shall be no helpers for the unjust."
(Surah Maidah 5:72) 

Also the Holy Quran states:
"Do not associate aught with Allah; most surely polytheism is a grievous inequity."
(Surah Luqman 31:13). 

"And whoever associates anything with Allah, he devises indeed a great sin."
(Surah Nisa 4:48) 

Every Muslim knows fully well that Shirk is a Greater Sin. So it does not seem necessary to quote the Quranic ayats and the traditions of Masoomeen (a.s.) in this regard. However, since it is important to understand the true meaning of Shirk we shall quote the relevant statements in order that people may keep aloof from this infamy. The Holy Quran says,
"And worship Allah and do not associate anything with Him."
(Surah Nisa 4:36)

Mushrik (Polythiest) is the opposite of Muwahhid (Monotheist). Tawheed is the primary pillar of faith. It has various aspects. In the same way Shirk also consists of different types:
1) Tawheed and Shirk with regard to the Essence of Allah
2) Tawheed and Shirk with regard to the Attributes of Allah
3) Tawheed and Shirk in actions
4) Tawheed and Shirk in Obedience
5) Tawheed and Shirk in worship
May Allah provide us the Tawfeeq to discuss these different aspects in detail

How the Ahlul Bayt (a.s.) are the People of Remembrance (Ahle Zikr)

Numerous traditions have reached us which explicitly state that the 'Ahle Zikr' mentioned in the Quran are the Holy Ahle Bayt (a.s.). One such tradition is the statement of Imam Reza (a.s.) in the court of Mamun:
"We are Ahle Zikr."

Sunni scholars present at the meeting objected to this statement and maintained that Ahle Zikr in the Quran means the Christain and the Jews; and Zikr refers to the Injeel (Bible) and Taurat (Torah). Imam Reza (a.s.) replied:
"Glory be to Allah! How is it possible? How could Allah command the Muslims to refer to the Christians and the Jewish Scholars? If we refer to them they will consider their religion to be the true one and better than Islam, and will invite us to their point of view. Will you accept this invitation?"
(Oyoon-e-Akhbaare Reza).

Mamun interjected, "Can you support your claim with the Quranic proof?" The Imam said,
"Yes, Zikr means the Holy Prophet and we are his people (Ahl). To prove my point I quote the following ayat:
"O (those) who believe! Allah has indeed revealed to you a reminder (zikr), an apostle who recites to you the clear communications of Allah."
(Surah Talaq 65:10-11). 

Shahristani a Sunni scholar has reported that Imam Ja'far as-Sadiq (a.s.) and Hazrat Ali (a.s.) said:
"We are the People of remembrance (Ahle Zikr)".

Another argument is that since Allah has mentioned only in brief many of the important subjects in Quran, He must have appointed a point of reference for the guidance of the people, which would provide a detailed explanation to the subject. And this reference point is undoubtedly the Progeny of Muhammad (Aale Muhammad) in whom Allah has reposed His Knowledge and His secrets, not known to any of His other creatures. Those who desire knowledge and truth will forever be dependent on Ahlul Bayt (a.s.) and remain attached to them with love and devotion. And this devotion for the Ahlul Bayt itself is a blessing, which fetches Allah's rewards and Mercy.

Reciting 100 verses from the Quran

I.Ali(a):Whoever recites 100 verses from QURAN, ALLAH will reward him blessings equivalent to all good actions of inhabitants of earth

[Jamiul Akhbar]