Reward of offering prayer in Masjidul Haraam, Masjidun Nabawi and between Masjidul Haraam and Masjidun Nabawi

Imam Reza (a.s.) narrates from his predecessors that the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) said,

“The reward of a Salaat offered in Masjidul Haraam is more than the reward of a hundred thousand prayers offered in some other mosque.”

Imam Ja’far Sadiq (a.s.) narrates from his ancestors that the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) said,

“The reward of offering a Prayer in Masjidun Nabawi is equal to the reward of ten thousand Prayers offered in any other mosque except the Prayer offered in Masjidul Haraam whose reward is equal to the reward of a hundred thousand Prayers offered in another mosque.”

Hasan bin Ali Washshaa says that he asked Imam Reza (a.s.), “Is the reward of offering Prayer in Masjidun Nabawi and Masjidul Haraam equal? He replied,

“Yes, and the prayers recited between them is equal to 2000 prayers recited elsewhere.”

Reference:

Sawabul A'amaal (English), Pg 57 (Published by As-Serat tours, India)

SHA’BAAN - The great spiritual blessing

The Holy Prophet said Sha’baan is my month”.
Imam Ali bin Husayn Al Zaynul Aabideen (A.S.) told his companions: “The Holy Prophet (Saww) used to observe fast during the whole month of Sha’baan. Therefore whosoever, in love of the Holy Prophet (S.A.), wishes to seek nearness to Allah and receive bounties, favours and rewards in this world and in the Hereafter, must connect Sha'baan with Ramadhan (in the matter of fasting and special prayers). 1) It is highly desirable to observe fast on 1st, 2nd and 3rd of Sha’baan, &  Pray a 2 Rak-a’t Namaaz every night  In every Rak-a’t, after the recitation of Soorah Al Faatih’ah, recite Soorah Al Ikhlaas 11 times.. 2) Give Alms/Charity  in HIS name “What are the best deeds that should be done in Sha`ban.” The Imam (a.s) answered, “Alms giving and seeking forgiveness are the best deeds in Sha`ban. Verily, if anyone of you gives alms in Sha`ban, Almighty Allah will breed that alms in the very same way as you breed your small camels. Hence, this alms will be as huge as Mount Uhud on the Resurrection Day.” (use www.Eternal-Investment.org )
3) Recite 70 times daily: ASTAGHFIRULLAAHALLAD’EE LAA ILAAHA ILLA HUWAR RAHMANO RAH’EEMUL H’AYYUL QAYYOOMU WA ATOOBU ILAYHI According to narrations, the best supplications and invocations that are advisably recited in Sha`baan are the prayers of seeking forgiveness of Almighty Allah (swt) (i.e. istighfar). Hence, to seek Almighty Allah’s (swt) forgiveness seventy times a day in Sha`baan is equal to seeking His forgiveness seventy Thousand times a day in the other months 4) Recite the following 1000 times, whenever the count reaches 1000, at any time within the month, the a’mal is complete: LAA ILAAHA ILLALLAAHU  WA LAA NAA’-BUDU ILLAA IYYAAHU MUKHLIS’EENA LAHUD DEEN WA LAW KARIHAL MUSHRIKOON
5) On every Thursday Fasting is recommended & Recite 2 Rak-a’t Namaaz. In every Rak-a’t, after the recitation of Soorah Al Fatih’a, recite Soorah Al Ikhlaas 100 times. After the Salaam recite Salawaat 100 times  اللّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَآلِ مُحَمَّدٍ In this respect, a Hadith reads that the heavens decorate themselves each Thursday in Sha`ban and the angels pray Almighty Allah, saying, “O our God: (please do) forgive him who observes fasting on this day and respond to his prayers.” The Holy Prophet (saww) is also reported as saying, “If one observe fasting each Monday and Thursday in Sha`baan, Almighty Allah will settle forty of his needs— twenty appertained to the worldly life and twenty to the Hereafter.” 6) Recite the Special Salawaat taught by Imam Ali bin Husayn Al Zaynul Aabideen (A.S.)  7) Recite Munajat e Shabaniyah with presence of heart.

Miracle of Holy Quran ---- Dead body of Pharaoh

In this world We made a curse to follow them: and on the Day of Judgment they will be among the loathed (and despised).'

(Quran 28: 36-42)

فـــــــــرعـون

 

This is the closest picture taken of Pharaoh

Ramesses II

 

Here's the story of France with Pharaoh Ramesses

When Francisco Mitra became the president of France in 1981

France requested from the Egyptian government to host the mummy of Pharaoh

 

For the purpose of running laboratory and archeological examinations on the mummy of the most notorious dictator ever lived on earth

Upon arrival, a very royal attendants were there including the French president himself and all ministers who bowed in honor for the mummy

 

When the ceremony ended, the mummy was carried to a specially-designed section at the Archeology Centre of France

Were it started to be tested by the greatest French archeological and anatomical scientists in order to discover more about such a great mummy

 

The scientists were headed by Professor Maurice Bucaille

Scientists were trying to restore the mummy while Professor Maurice was mainly concerned with how did this mummy die!  

 

The final report of the scientists was released late at night which states that the remaining salt in the mummy is an overt evidence that it was drawn in the sea, and the body was rescued very shortly where it was immediately embalmed to be saved

 

An amazing thing was still confusing Professor Maurice is that how could this body possibly be safer than any other mummy despite being taken out of the sea up until this time

 

 Professor Maurice was writing his final report on what he thought would be a new discovery about saving Pharaoh's body immediately after his death and embalming it

 

And there, someone whispered to him that Muslims claim to know something about the drowning of this mummy

Yet the Professor firmly denied such thing saying that it's impossible to discover this without the development of science and without using his high-tech and complicated laboratories   and computers

 

To his surprise, he was told that Muslims believe in a book called 'Quran' and this Quran narrates the story of Pharaoh's drowning and ensures the safety of his body after his death as to be a Sign to mankind. The Professor couldn't believe his own ears and started to wonder:

 

How can a book existed 1400 years ago speak about the mummy that was only found 200 years ago, in 1898??!!

 

How can that be possible while the ancient Egyptian heritage was discovered only a few decades ago and no one knew about it before??!!

 

 

The Professor sat down pondering on what he was told about the book of Muslims while his Holy Book narrates only the drowning of Pharaoh without saying anything about his body

 

'Is it possible that this mummy in front of me is the one who was chasing Moses??!!'

 

'Is it possible that Muhammad knew this 1400 years ago??!!'

 

  The Professor couldn't sleep that night till they brought him the Old Testament where he read: 'the sea drowned Pharaoh and his army, no one else was left alive' He was surprised that the Holy Book didn't mention about the destiny of the body and that it will be saved

When the scientists were done with the mummy, France retuned it to Egypt, but Professor Maurice couldn't rest for a moment since he was told that Muslims know about the safety of the body. So, he decided to travel and meet anatomy Muslim scientists and there he spoke about his discovery of the safety of the mummy after its death in the sea and so on.

One of the Muslim scientists stood up and simply opened the Quran and pointed to the Professor at one verse:

 

'This day shall We save you in your body, that you may be a Sign to those who come after you! But verily, many among mankind are neglectful of Our Signs'

(Quran 10:92)

 

The Professor was struck when he read that and immediately stood in front of the crowd and said loudly: 'I believe in Islam, I believe in Quran'

 

Then he went back to France with a different face he traveled with.

In France, he dedicated 10 years investigating the scientific discoveries and comparing them with the Quran and trying to come up with one scientific contradiction with the Quran. Finally he quoted one verse from the Quran to be his conclusion:

 

'No falsehood can approach it (this book) from before or behind it: it is sent down by One Full of Wisdom, Worthy of all praise'

(Quran 41:42)

 

 

As a result of all years of his research, Professor Maurice wrote a book that shook all Europe, especially the scientists there

 

'Quran, Torah, Bible and Science:

A Study of the Holy Books in the Light of Modern Science'

All copies were sold out at a very short time

 

I personally visited the Cairo Museum where the mummy is preserved and there you get astonished at the scenery of thousands of people from all over the world visiting the place everyday , unfortunately, many of the tourists there would think: 'Woow, look at that! Amazing!! So nice to see people of all times!! Without realizing the intended lesson that Allah has kept this body a Sign to all mankind of anyone who denies Allah and His messengers.

 

In another chapter in the Quran:

 

'When Moses came to them with Our clear Signs, they said: This is nothing but sorcery faked up: never did we hear the like among our fathers of old!

 

Moses said: 'My Lord knows best who it is that comes with guidance from Him and whose end will be best in the Hereafter: certain it is that the wrong-doers will not prosper.

 

'Pharaoh said: 'O Chiefs! No god do I know for you but myself: therefore, O Haman! Light me a (kiln to bake bricks) out of clay, and build me a lofty palace, that I may mount up to the god of Moses: but as far as I am concerned, I think (Moses) is a lair!'

 

And he was arrogant and insolent in the land, beyond reason, - he and his hosts: they thought they would not have to return to Us!

 

So We seized his and his hosts, and We flung them into the sea: now behold what was the end of those who did wrong!

 

And We made them (but) leaders inviting to the Fire; and on the Day of Judgment no help shall they find.

 

In this world We made a curse to follow them: and on the Day of Judgment they will be among the loathed (and despised).'

(Quran 28: 36-42)

 

So now,

'Has not the time arrived for the Believers that their hearts in all humility should engage in the remembrance of Allah and the Truth which has been revealed to them, and that they should not become like those to whom was given Revelation aforetime, but long ages passed over them and their hearts grew hard? For many among them are rebellious transgressors.

 

Know you (all) that Allah gives life to the earth after its death! Already have We shown the Signs plainly to you, that you may learn wisdom.

 

For those who give in charity, men and women, and loan to Allah a Beatiful Loan, it shall be increased manifold (to their credits), and they shall have (besides) a liberal reward.

 

And those who believe in Allah and His messengers- they are the Sincere (lovers of Truth), and the Witnesses (who testify), in the eyes of their Lord: they shall have their Reward and their Light.

 

But those who reject Allah and deny Our Signs,- they are the companions of Hell-Fire '

Quran 57: 16-19

Invocation for the renewal of allegiance for Imam-e-Zamaan (a.t.f.s.) after every obligatory daily prayers attached

Allama Majlisi in Behaar al-Anwaar, narrates from the book, “Al-Ikhteyaar” of Sayyed Ibn Baaqi, that Imam Sadeq (a.s.) said, “One who recites this supplication after every obligatory daily prayers, then he will certainly get the privilege of seeing Imam-e-Zamaan (a.t.f.s.), in sleep or otherwise.

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيْمِ، اََللَّهُمَّ بَلِّغْ مَوْلاَنَا صَاحِبَ الزَّمَانِ، اَيْنَمَا كَانَ وَ حَيْثُمَا كَانَ، مِنْ مَشَارِقِ اْلاَرْضِ وَ مَغَارِبِهَا، سَهْلِهَا وَ جَبَلِهَا، عَنِّىْ وَ عَنْ وَ الِدَىَّ وَ عَنْ وَ لْدىِْ وَ اِخْوَ انِىْ التَّحِيَّةَ وَ السَّلاَمَ، عَدَدَ خَلْقِ اللهِ وَ زِنَةَ عَرْشِ اللهِ وَ مَا اَحْصَاهُ كِتَابُهُ وَ اَحَاطَ بِهِ عِلْمُهُ.

اََللَّهُمَّ اِنِّىْ اُجَدِّدُ لَهُ فِيْ صَبِيْحَةِ هٰذَا الْيَوْمِ وَ مَا عِشْتُ فِيْهِ مِنْ اَيَا مِ حَيَاتِىْ، عَهْدًا وَ عَقْدًا وَ بَيْعَةً لَهُ فِيْ عُنُقِىْ، لاَ اَحُوْلُ عَنْهَا وَ لاَ اَزُوْلُ اَبَدًا.

اََللَّهُمَّ اجْعَلْنِىْ مِنْ اَنْصَارِهِ وَ الذَّابِّيْنَ عَنْهُ، وَ الْمُمْتَثِلِيْنَ لاَوَ امِرِهِ وَ نَوَ اهِيْهِ فِيْ اَيَا مِهِ، وَ الْمُسْتَشْهَدِينَ بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ.

اََللَّهُمَّ اِنْ حَالَ بَيْنِىْ وَ بَيْنَهُ الْمَوْتُ الَّذِىْ جَعَلْتَهُ عَلٰی عِبَادِكَ حَتْمًا مَقْضِيَا، فَاَخْرِجْنِىْ مِنْ قَبْرِىْ، مُؤْتَزِرًا كَفَنِىْ، شَاهِرًا سَيْفِيْ، مُجَرِّدًا قَنَاتِىْ، مُلَبِّيَا دَعْوَ ةَ الدَّاعِىْ فِيْ الْحَاضِرِ وَ الْبَادِىْ.

اََللَّهُمَّ اَرِنِىْ الطَّلْعَةَ الرَّشِيْدَةَ وَ الْغُرَّةَ الْحَمِيْدَةَ، وَ اکْحُلْ بَصَرىِْ بِنَظْرَةٍ مِنّىِ اِلَيْهِ، وَ عَجِّلْ فَرَجَهُ وَ سَهِّلْ مَخْرَجَهُ.

اََللَّهُمَّ اشْدُدْ اَزْرَهُ وَ قَوَ ظَهْرَهُ وَ طَوَ لْ عُمْرَهُ، وَ اعْمُرِ اللَّهُمَّ بِهِ بِلاَدَكَ وَ اَحْىِ بِهِ عِبَادَكَ، فَاِنَّكَ قُلْتَ وَ قَوْلُكَ الْحَقُّ: ’’ظَهَرَ الْفَسَادُ فِيْ الْبَرِّ وَ الْبَحْرِ بِمَا كَسَبَتْ اَيْدِىْ النَّاسِ.‘‘

فَاَظْهِرِ اللَّهُمَّ لَنَا وَلِيَّكَ وَ ابْنَ بِنْتِ نَبِيَّكَ، الْمُسَمّیٰ بِاسْمِ رَسُولِكَ صَلَّی اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَ آلِهِ، حَتّیٰ لاَ يَظْفَرَ بِشَیْءٍ مِنَ الْبَاطِلِ اِلاَّ مَزَّقَهُ وَ يُحِقُّ اللهُ الْحَقَّ بِكَلِمَاتِهِ وَ يُحَقِّقَهُ.

اََللَّهُمَّ اکْشِفْ هٰذِهِ الْغُمَّةَ عَنْ هٰذِهِ اْلاُمَّةِ بِظُهُوْرِهِ، اِنَّهُمْ يَرَوْنَهُ بَعِيْدًا وَ نَرَاهُ قَرِيْبًا، وَ صَلَّی الله عَلٰی مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِهِ.[1]

---

[1]    Mikyaal al-Makaarim, vol. 2, p. 4; Behaar al-Anwaar, vol. 86, p. 61 narrating from Ikhteyaar of Ibn al-Baaqee.

Three important and beneficial things

* *1. Hazrat Muhammad s.a.w.(PBUH) says that "if a person recite " Ayatal Kursi" after every Farz Namaz then there will be nothing between him and Heaven except Death

* *2. There is a Hadith that says "La Haula Wala Quuatailla billahil aliyul azeem" is such a great medicine that it cures every disease and the most minor disease it cures is "Sorrow" (Gham).

* *3. Another Hadith says "if a person recite surah ikhlaas (Kul huwallahu ahad... ) 10 times in a day then Allahbuilds a palace for him in the Heaven. (Subhaan Allah)" and last but not the least Allah says " spread the knowledge whatever u have "...

Is the Quran enough?

It is abundantly clear that even Islamic scholars are not enough for clarification of Islamic beliefs. There were some people who believed that the Quran was sufficient for the Muslims after the Holy Prophet's (s.a.w.s.) demise. But can we (always) use the Quran to differentiate between the beliefs of different Islamic sects? The belief of various sects is vastly different and Quran enlightens about itself thus: 'If this was not from the side of God, then there would be contradictions in it.' The uniqueness of the Quran lies in the fact that its meaning do not have any contradictions. However, people have been unable to understand the interpretation of Quranic verses completely. When Hazrat Ali (a.s.) sent Ibne Abbas for talks with the 'Khwarij' (Khwarji are those people who separated from Ali (a.s.) after the battle of Siffin and fought against him in the Battle of Nahawan), he said, 'do not bring forth for them arguments from Quran. Quran carries various facts. You will say something and they will say something else (i.e. you will present some verses and they will present other verses) (Nahjul Balagha. letter no. 77)

This means that Quran alone is not sufficient to end discord between Muslims. If Quran was sufficient there would never had been disagreement between Muslims, because every Muslim believes in Quran and even recites its regularly.

Imamat, during the Prophet's (s.a.w.s.) time and after(1)

There is no doubt that no matter how clear and precise divine laws may be, they still need clarification. All nations may have laws in their own languages, yet they require interpreters of these laws.

The Holy Prophet's (s.a.w.s.) prophethood can be divided in two parts - his life in Mecca and his life in Medina. The difficulties of Mecca did not allow the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) enough respite to explain the different laws and commands (ahkam) of Islam. His life in Mecca comprised mostly of discussions based on beliefs (aqaed). When he (s.a.w.s.) migrated to Medina and faced fewer restrictions there, he started explaining (in detail) the Islamic commands and law. Although in Medina there was no persecution as in Mecca, but persistent battles with the disbelievers occupied his time. Probably this is the reason we find various methods employed by the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) in the explanations of Islamic laws. Therefore it is necessary for a Muslim to have comprehensive knowledge of Islamic laws and commands if he wishes to follow Islam correctly.

Some Muslims claim that after the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.s.), the common Muslims are enough for the clarification of laws (i.e. the Muslims themselves can clarify the laws and do not need any other medium). The following incident shows how false this perception is. A person at the time of Umar complained to him 'I have not been married for more than six months and my wife has already given birth to a child.' The judge heard the case and ordered the woman to be stoned to death. On the way, the woman saw Ameerul Mo'mineen - Hazrat Ali (a.s.) and beseeched him to rescue her. Hazrat Ali (a.s.) after hearing the entire incident sent the executioners back and asked the Caliph - 'What kind of a judgment is this?' The Caliph said, 'It is not more than 6 months and she has already given birth to a child. This clearly means that she has committed adultery.' Hazrat Ali (a.s.) replied, "Has the Quran not revealed:'and her terms of pregnancy and suckling is 30 months.'

The Caliph replied 'Yes, I have read this verse.' Hazrat Ali (a.s.) said that another Quranic verse (Baqarah: 232) points out, 'Mothers should suckle their children for a complete 2 years.'

'Yes I have read this verse too.' Ameerul Mo'mineen (a.s.) then explained, 'If we subtract 24 months from a total of 30 months, 6 months remain. If suckling period is 24 months, then the minimum period of pregnancy invariably is the remaining 6 months. So a woman cannot be liable for punishment if she delivers a child within that period.'

It is indeed noteworthy that if this was the case with the people that they could not discern the divine command when it was clearly mentioned in the Quran, then what about those laws, which were not clearly specified?? And if this is the situation with the Caliph of the Muslims, then what about the common man??

Last Days of Rajab

 Imām Ja'far ibn Muhammad al-Sādiq  (A.S.) said:

 

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

 

[Reference: Manazile Akherah, Chap # 1, By Shaikh Abbas Qummi]

 

 

It is highly recommended to Observe Fast on 28, 29 and 30 of Rajab

Saying Of Imam Ali a.s.

Kumayl bin Ziyad Nakha'i says that once Imam Ali put his hand in his hand and took me to the grave-yard. When he passed through it and left the city behind, he heaved a sigh and said "Kumayl, these hearts are containers of the secrets of knowledge and wisdom and the best container is the one which can hold the most and what it holds, it can preserve and protect in the best way. Therefore, remember carefully what I am telling you. Remember that there are three kinds of people: one kind is of those learned people who are highly versed in the ethics of truth and philosophy of religion, second is the kind of those who are acquiring the above knowledge and the third is that class of people who are uneducated. They follow every pretender and accept every slogan, they have neither acquired any knowledge nor have they secured any support of firm and rational convictions. Remember, Kumayl, knowledge is better than wealth because it protects you while you have to guard wealth. It decreases if you keep on spending it but the more you make use of knowledge the more it increases. What you get through wealth disappears as soon as wealth disappears but what you achieve through knowledge will remain even after you.

O Kumayl ! Knowledge is power and it can command obedience. A man of knowledge during his lifetime can make people obey and follow him and he is praised and venerated after his death. Remember that knowledge is a ruler and wealth is its subject.

O Kumayl ! Those who amass wealth, though alive, are dead to realities of life, and those who achieve knowledge, will remain alive through their knowledge and wisdom even after their death, though their faces may disappear from the community of living beings, yet their ideas, the knowledge which they had left behind and their memory, will remain in the minds of people".

Kumayl says that after this brief dissertation, Imam Ali pointed towards his chest and said, "Look Kumayl! Here I hold stores and treasures of knowledge. I wish I could find somebody to share it with me. Yes, I found a few, but one of them, though quite intelligent, was untrustworthy, he would sell his salvation to get hold of the world and its pleasures, he would make religion a pretence to grasp worldly power and wealth, he would make this Blessing of Allah (knowledge) serve him to get supremacy and control over friends of Allah and he would through knowledge exploit and suppress other human beings. The other person was such that he apparently obeyed truth and knowledge, yet his mind had not achieved the true light of religion, at the slightest ambiguity or doubt he would get suspicious of truth, mistrust religion and would rush towards skepticism. So neither of them was capable of acquiring the superior knowledge that I can impart. Besides these two I find some other person One of them is a slave of self and greedy for inordinate desires, which can easily drag him away from the path of religion, the other is an avaricious, grasping and acquisitive miser who will risk his life to grasp and hold wealth, none of these two will be of any use to religion or man, both of them resemble beasts having appetite for food. If sensible trustees of knowledge and wisdom totally disappear from human society then both knowledge and wisdom will suffer severely, may bring harm to humanity and may even die out. But this earth will never be without those persons who will prove the universality of truth as disclosed by Allah, they may be well-known persons, openly and fearlessly declaring the things revealed to them or they may, under fear of harm, injury or deaths hide themselves from the public gaze and may carry on their mission privately so that the reasons proving the reality of truth as preached by religion and as demonstrated by His Prophet may not totally disappear. How many are they and where could they be found? I swear by Allah that they are very few in number but their worth and their ranks before Allah are very high. Through them Allah preserves His Guidance so that they, while departing, may hand over these truths to persons like themselves. The knowledge which they have acquired has made them see the realities and visualize the truth and has instilled into them the spirit of faith and trust. The duties which were decreed as hard and unbearable by them. They feel happy in the company and association of things which frighten the ignorant and uneducated. They live in this world like everybody else but their souls soar to the heights of Divine Eminence. They are media of Allah on this earth and they invite people towards Him. How I love to meet them O Kumayl ! I have told you all that I have to say, you can go back to your place whenever you like".

Those deeds which are beneficial for warding off fear of the grave

One of them is performing Ruku' with entire recitation. Imam Mohammad-al-Baqir (A.S.) says, that a person reciting entire recitation of Ruku' in Namaz will be saved from the fear of the grave. And one who recites.

لااله
الاالله
الملك
الحق
المبين

100 times daily, will be saved from anxiety in the grave, will become prosperous, and the doors of Paradise will be opened for him. It is also related that the person who recites Surah-al-Yaseen before going to bed, and the following Namaz (Namaze Lay latur Raghaib), he will be saved from the terror of the grave. The first night of the month of Rajab is known as Laylatur Raghaib.
The Holy Prophet Mohammad (S.A.W.S.) used to fast on the first thursday of the month of Rajab, and between Maghrib and Isha Prayers recite twelve Rak'at Namaz (in Si sets of two units) as under:
In every Rak'at after Surah-al-Hamd recite three times Surah-al-Qadr and twelve times Surah-an-Naas. After Salaam recite seventy times:

اللهم صل على محمد النبي الامي وعلى اله

Then go into prostration (Sajdah) and say seventy times:

سبوح قدوس رب الملائكة والروح
Then sit erect and say seventy times:

رب اغفر وارحم وتجاوز عما تعلم انك انت العلي الا عظم
 Then again go into Sajdah and say seventy times:

سبوح قدوس رب الملائكة والروح
 It has been related that a person who fasts for twelve days in the month of Sha'ban, Allah will send seventy thousand Angels daily to his grave. And if a person visits an ailing man, Allah appoints an Angel for him who accompanies him in his grave till Qayamat.
 Abu Sa'eed Khudri says, that he heard the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.S) telling Amirul Mo'mineen Ali (A.S.), "O Ali! Give glad tidings to your Shi'ahs that their death will be eased, and they will be saved from the terror of the grave and Qayamat".

Ref :Manazale Akherah

Reward of Hajj and Umrah - 2

Imam Ja'far Sadiq (a.s.) says,

"Allah, the Blessed and the High, has positioned one hundred twenty bounties around Mecca. Out of that sixty are for those who perform circumambulation, forty for those who offer Salaat and twenty for the spectators."

A person came to Imam Musa Kazim (a.s.). Imam (a.s.) asked him, "Are you returning from Hajj?"
"Yes," he replied.
Imam (a.s.) asked, "Do you know the reward of a Hajj pilgrim?"
He replied, "May I be sacrificed for you, I don't know."
Imam (a.s.) said,

"Every pilgrim should enter Mecca for Hajj with extreme humility. When he enters Masjidul Haraam, he should
take small steps out of the fear of Allah. He should perform circumambulation of the Holy Kaaba and offer two rakat Salaat. Allah, the Mighty and Sublime would note seventy thousand rewards for him, wipe his seventy thousand sins, increase his position seventy thousand levels, fulfill his seventy thousand wishes and grant him the reward of freeing seventy thousand slaves each costing ten thousand dirhams."

Reference:

• Sawabul Aamaal (English - Printed by As-Serat Publications),  Pg 79, Hadees 11,12
  

Reward of Hajj and Umrah

Imam Ja'far Sadiq (a.s.) said that when the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) started moving towards Arafah, a Bedouin saw him in the desert and said, "O Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.s.)! I have come to perform Hajj but I am not able to do so because of some problem. I have wealth; tell me something, which I can do and gain the reward of performing Hajj."

The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) pointed at Mount Abu Qubais and replied,

"If you have a quantity of red gold equal to Mount Abu Qubais and you spend it in the way of Allah then too you won't get the reward of Hajj."

Imam Ja'far Sadiq (a.s.) says,

"The people who return from Hajj are of three types – some are freed from the fire of Hell, some become pure of their sins like they were on the day their mothers gave them birth and some protect their family and wealth. These are minimum benefits for a Hajj pilgrim."

Reference:

• Sawabul Aamaal (English - Printed by As-Serat Publications),  Pg 77, Hadees 8,9
  

SHORT STORY ON HIJAB

This is a simple practical explanation for Hijab
A SHORT STORY

A Mufti sat next to a Reverend on a flight.


The Rev asked the Mufti:


What is your occupation?


Mufti: I'm into big business


Rev: But what business exactly?


Mufti: I deal with God


Rev: so you're a Muslim religious leader.. I have one problem with
you Muslims: you oppress your women.


Mufti: How do we oppress women?


Rev: You make your women cover up completely and you keep them in the
homes.



Mufti: I have a problem with you people: you oppress MONEY


Rev: What? How can one oppress money?


Mufti: You keep your money hidden away,

in wallets, banks and safes. You keep it covered up. Why don't you
display it in public if it's a beautiful thing


Rev: It will get stolen, obviously.


Mufti: You keep your money hidden because it is so valuable. We value
the true worth of women far, far more. Therefore, these precious jewels
are not on display to one and all. They are kept in honour and dignity

SUPPLICATIONS FOR THE DAY OF FRIDAY

The Day of Friday

Generally, it is highly recommended to pray for Imam al-Mahdi (a.t.f.s.) through out the day of Friday. Early morning prayers, noon, while going to the mosque, after Asr prayers, in the qunoot of Zohr prayers, in the qunoot of Namaz-e-Jumuah, in the wee hours of Friday, etc. all have been narrated on the authority of our infallible, guided Imams (a.s.) as the times of invocations for our master Saahebuz Zamaan (a.t.f.s.).

1) Invocations after Dawn Prayers:

In Behaar al-Anwaar a lengthy supplication is narrated and we have mentioned it in the book Abwaab al-Jannaat fi Aadaab al-Jumuaat. It is a noble supplication, which has been ordered to be recited continuously and is as follows:

اََللَّهُمَّ وَ کُنْ لِوَلِيِّكَ فِيْ خَلْقِكَ وَ لِيَا وَ حَافِظًا وَ قَائِدًا وَ نَاصِرًا حَتّیٰ تُسْكِنَهُ اَرْضَكَ طَوْعًا وَ تُمَتِّعَهُ مِنْهَا (فِيْهِا) طَوِيْلًا، وَ تَجْعَلَهُ وَ ذُرِّيَّتَهُ فِيْهِا اْلاَئِمَّةَ الْوَارِثِيْنَ، وَ اجْمَعْ لَهُ شَمْلَهُ، وَ اَکْمِلْ لَهُ اَمْرَهُ، وَ اَصْلِحْ لَهُ رَعِيَّتَهُ، وَ ثَبِّتْ رُکْنَهُ، وَ اَفْرِغِ الصَّبْرَ مِنْكَ عَلَيْهِ حَتّیٰ يَنْتَقِمَ، فِيْشْتَفِيْ وَ يَشْفِيْ حَزَازَاتِ قُلُوْبٍ نَغِلَةٍ وَ حَرَارَاتِ صُدُرٍ وَ غِرَةٍ وَ حَسَرَاتِ اَنْفُسٍ تَرِحَةٍ، مَنْ دِمَاءٍ مَسْفُوكَةٍ وَ اَرْحَامٍ مَقْطُوْعَةٍ وَ طَاعَةٍ مَجْهُوْلَةٍ، قَدْ اَحْسَنْتَ اِلَيْهِ الْبَلاَءَ وَ وَ سَّعْتَ عَلَيْهِ اْلآلاَءَ وَ اَتْمَمْتَ عَلَيْهِ النَّعْمَاءَ فِيْ حُسْنِ الْحِفْظِ مِنْكَ لَهُ، اََللَّهُمَّ اکْفِهِ هَوْلَ عَدُوِّهِ، وَ اَنْسِهِمْ ذِکْرَهُ، وَ اَرِدْ مَنْ اَرَادَهُ وَ كِدْ مَنْ كَادَهُ، وَ امْکُرْ بِمَنْ مَكَرَ بِهِ وَ اجْعَلْ دَائِرَةَ السَّوْءِ عَلَيْهِمْ...

At its end, say,

اََللَّهُمََّّ صَلِّ عَلیٰ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ عَجِّلْ فَرَجَهُمْ.

A hundred times if you can. We have stated earlier in the light of traditions that his reappearance is the reappearance of all the friends of Allah. For, by it the aims of all of them will be achieved and their goal achieved. It is also recommended for Friday, (like after the Dawn and Noon prayers everyday), one should say,

اََللَّهُمََّّ صَلِّ عَلیٰ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ عَجِّلْ فَرَجَهُمْ.

2) Invocations at Noon:

Its evidence lies in the invocation mentioned in Mikyaal al-Makaarim in the 23rd chapter, and it's a noble tradition, comprising of traditions from the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) and the infallible Imams (a.s.), the best salutations and greetings for the early reappearance of our master Imam-e-Zamaan (a.t.f.s.).[1]

3) Supplications while going Towards the Mosque:

It has come as a recommendation while going to the mosque for the prayers of the two Eids and comprises of the invocation for Imam-e-Zamaan (a.t.f.s.). Inshallah, we shall mention it under the chapter, "Supplications for special times."

4) Supplications after Asr Prayers:

In Jamaal al-Usboo' it has been narrated by Abdullah Ibn Sinan from Imam Sadeq (a.s.) who said,

"On the day of judgement, Allah the Almighty shall raise the days, and Friday shall be raised as leader of all of them like a bride, possessing all the perfection and beauty, presented to the owner of religion and wealth. It shall stop at the door of paradise, with other days behind it, and will intercede for all those who sent more blessings on Hazrat Muhammad (s.a.w.a.) and his holy progeny (a.s.) in it."

Ibn Sinan says, 'I said, How much is considered as more in it? And in which times of Friday is it best to send blessings and salutations?' Imam (a.s.) said,

'Hundred times. And the best time is after Asr.'

He asked, 'And how should I say it?' Imam (a.s.) replied, 'Say hundred times,[2]

اََللَّهُمََّّ صَلِّ عَلیٰ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ عَجِّلْ فَرَجَهُمْ.

Further evidence for its significance is the saying of the majestic Sayyed, Ali Ibn Tawoos (r.a.) in Jamaal al-Usboo' when he mentions the supplication from the respectable Shaikh, Usman Ibn Saeed (a.r.). We too shall make a mention of it, Inshallah.

5) Supplications in the Qunoot of Zohr and Jumuah Prayers:

Its importance has been discussed in the chapter of qunoot.

6) Supplications during the Sermon of Friday Prayers:

Its emphasis has been underlined in the tradition of Muhammad Ibn Muslim, from Imam Muhammad Baqer (a.s.), as narrated in Al-Kafi and Al-Wafi. Then refer to it and ponder over it.[3]

7) Supplications during the Final Hours of Friday:

Its importance can be gauged from what has been narrated after Dua-e-Samaat. It is the time when one can expect the invocations to be accepted. In the book Jamaal al-Saaleheen, the following supplication has been narrated,

اََللَّهُمَّ اِنِّىْ اَسْئَلُكَ بِحُرْمَةِ هٰذَا الدُّعَاءِ وَ بِمَا فَاتَ مِنْهُ مِنَ اْلاَسْمَاءِ، وَ بِمَا يَشْتَمِلُ عَلَيْهِ مِنَ التَّفْسِيْرِ وَ التَّدْبِيْرِ الَّذِىْ لاَ يُحِيْطُ بِهِ اِلاَّ اَنْتَ، اَنْ تُصَلِّىَ عَلیٰ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ اَنْ تُعَجِّلْ فَرَجَهُمْ فِيْ عَافِيْةٍ، وَ تُهْلِكَ اَعْدَائَهُمْ فِيْ الدُّنْيَا وَ اْلآخِرَةِ، وَ اَنْ تَرْزُقَنَا بِهِمْ خَيْرَ مَا نَرْجُوْ وَ خَيْرَ مَا لاَ نَرْجُوْ، وَ تَصْرِفَ بِهِمْ عَنَّا شَرَّ مَا نَحْذَرُ وَ مَا لاَ نَحْذَرُ، اِنَّكَ عَلیٰ کُلِّ شَىْءٍ قَديِْرٌ وَ اَنْتَ اَکْرَمُ اْلاَکْرَمِيْنَ.

In some other reliable books, another supplication has been mentioned that has to be recited after Dua-e-Samaat and it is as follows:

اَللَّهُمَّ بِحَقِّ هٰذَا الدُّعآءِ، وَ بِحَقِّ هٰذِهِ اْلاَسْمآءِ الَّتِىْ لاَ يَعْلَمُ تَفْسِيْرَهَا وَ لاَ يَعْلَمُ بَاطِنَهَا غَيْرُكَ، اِفْعَلْ بِىْ مَا اَنْتَ اَهْلُهُ وَ لاَ تَفْعَلْ بِىْ مَا اَنَا اَهْلُهُ، وَ انْتَقِمْ لِىْ مِنْ ظَالِمِىْ، وَ عَجِّلْ فَرَجَ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ هَلاَكَ اَعْدَائِهِمْ مِنَ الْجِنِّ وَ اْلاِنْسِ، وَ اغْفِرْ لِىْ مَا تَقَدَّمَ مِنْ ذَنْبِىْ وَ مَا تَأَخَّرَ، وَ وَ سِّعْ عَلٰى مِنْ حَلالِ رِزْقِكَ، وَ اكْفِنِىْ مَؤُنَةَ اِنْسَانِ سَوْءٍ، وَ شَيْطَانِ سَوْءٍ، اِنَّكَ عَلٰى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيْرٌ، وَ الْحَمْدُ للهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِيْنَ.

Note:

The author of Mikyaal al-Makaarim writes, "Know that the day of Friday enjoys a special particularity and relationship with our master Imam-e-Zamaan (a.t.f.s.) from various aspects. Hence it is essential that we should make the necessary preparations in it for him (a.t.f.s.). We have discussed about it in the book Abwaab al-Jannaat Fi Aadaab al-Jumuaat but we shall hint about these over here as a reminder for those who possess intellect.

a) It's the day of his birth

b) Imamate was transferred to him

c) The day of his reappearance

d) His domination over his enemies

e) It the day when he shall take the oath and covenant for himself from his infallible ancestors (a.s.)

f) Allah the Almighty has particularized him with the title of Al-Qaem for this day

g) It (Friday) is one of his titles.

We have mentioned even more reasons. Those who are interested can refer to the aforementioned book.

[1] Mikyaal al-Makaarim, vol. 1, p. 393.

[2] Behaar al-Anwaar, vol. 95, p. 90.

[3] Al-Kafi, vol. 3, p. 422, The Chapter of Preparation of Imam for Friday prayers and its sermon, H. 6.

Death of a Believer

Imam al-Sadiq (AS), when asked, 'Does a believer hate it when his soul is being taken?', said, 'By Allah no, when the angel of death comes to him to take his soul he will be anguished and the angel of death will say, 'O friend of Allah, do not worry, because by He who sent Muhammad (SAWA) I am more compassionate and caring for you than a merciful father if he was to be with you. Open your eyes and see.' He said, 'And the Messenger of Allah, the Commander of the Faithful, Fatima, Hasan and Husayn and the Imams after him will all appear and it will be said to him, 'This is the Messenger of Allah and….your friends…and there will be nothing more beloved to this person than for his soul to leave and meet the caller.'[al-Kafi, v. 3, p. 127, no. 2]

Reward of offering five times’ prayers on prime time

Imam Ja'far Sadiq (a.s.) says,

 "O Abaan! One who offers obligatory prayers five times and that too on prime time, he will go to Allah with an assurance on the Day of Judgment and Allah would make him enter Paradise. And for a person who did not offer prayers on time, Allah has choice whether to punish him or forgive him."

2. Imam Ja'far Sadiq (a.s.) says that the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) went to the mosque one day. Some of his
companions were present there. He said,

"Do you know what your Lord has conveyed to you? Your Lord has said, 'One who offers obligatory prayers five times and that too on prime time, he will come to Me with an assurance on the Day of Judgment and I would make him enter Paradise. And for a person who did not offer prayers on time, I have choice whether to punish him or forgive him'."

Reference:

• Sawabul A'amaal (English), Pg 56 (Published by As-Serat tours, India)
  

Top Shia cleric dies in Lebanon

Sun, 04 Jul 2010 07:55:14 GMT

Lebanon's leading Shia Muslim cleric, Grand Ayatollah Fadlallah died on July 4, 2010.

Lebanon's leading Shia Muslim cleric, a key figure in the founding of Hezbollah, has died aged 74, hospital sources have said.

Grand Ayatollah Fadlallah died in a Beirut hospital on Sunday where he was admitted on Friday for internal bleeding.

Grand Ayatollah Sayyed Mohammed Hussein Fadlallah was regarded as Hezbollah's spiritual guide after it was founded in 1982.

A vocal critic of the United States, Ayatollah Fadlallah used to slam US warmongering policies in the Middle East, particularly its alliance with Israel.

Born in Najaf, Iraq, Fadlallah studied Islamic sciences in Najaf before moving to Lebanon in 1952.

In the following decades, he delivered many lectures, engaged in intense scholarship, wrote dozens of books, founded several Islamic religious schools, and established the Mabarrat Association.

Through that association he established a public library, a women's cultural center, and a medical clinic.

The Grand Ayatollah was the target of several assassination attempts, including the CIA-sponsored and Saudi-funded March 8, 1985 Beirut car bombing that killed 80 people.

Fasting on the 24th of Rajab

Fasting on the 24th of Rajab carries great reward (Sawab). One of it's merits is that when the Angel of death comes to remove his spirit (Rooh), he comes in the form of a handsome youth carrying a bowl of the pure drink (Sharabe Tahoora) and offers him to drink. The dying person does so and dies in peace.

 

 

[Reference: Manazile Akherah, Chap # 1, By Shaikh Abbas Qummi]

SUPPLICATIONS For The Day of Thursday & EVE OF Friday

SUPPLICATIONS FOR THE DAY OF THURSDAY AND EVE OF FRIDAY

1) The Day of Thursday

The author of Mikyaal al-Makaarim says, "The importance of praying for the reappearance of our master, Imam-e-Zamaan (a.t.f.s.) can be seen from what the renowned Sayyed (Ibn Tawoos) has written in Jamaal al-Usboo'. He writes, 'From the duties of Thursday, it is recommended to send blessings on the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) a hundred times, and it is recommended that he should say,

اََللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلیٰ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ عَجِّلْ فَرَجَهُمْ.

"ALLAHUMMA SALLI ALLA MOHAMMADIN WA AALE MOHAMMADIN WA AJJIL FARAJAHUM"

In another narration, recite 100 times, it has many benefits:???

 

اََللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلیٰ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ عَجِّلْ فَرَجَهُمْ، وَ اَهْلِكْ عَدُوَ هُمْ مِنَ الْجِنِّ وَ اْلاِنْسِ، مِنَ اْلاَوَ لِيْنَ وَ اْلآخِرِيْنَ.

"ALLAHUMMA SALLI ALLA MOHAMMADIN WA AALE MOHAMMADIN WA AJJIL FARAJAHUM WA AHLIK ADOWAHUM
MINALJINNE WAL INSE MINNAL AWWALEENA WAL AAKHIREEN"

Further endorsement of what we have said also lies in the traditions which state that it is the day when our deeds are presented before the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.) and the infallible, holy Imams (a.s.). According to some other traditions, on this day, Imam (a.s.) calls for his Shias and followers.

Hence, it is appropriate for a believer that he suffices for his master, helps him in his invocation treading on his path, and in conformity with his Imam's deeds.

The traditions concerning presentation of deeds are in abundance, mentioned in Usul al-Kafi, Basaaer al-Darajaat, Tafseer al-Burhaan.[1]

 

 

[1]     Refer Tafseer al-Burhaan by Sayed Hashim Bahraani under Surah Taubah: 105, "And say, 'act all of you, for soon Allah, His Messenger and the Believers, shall see your deeds'." {One can also refer to Behaar al-Anwaar, vol. 23, ch. 20, p. 333, where the great Allamah Majlisi (a.r.) has brought a complete chapter under the subject – Translator}.

The Eve of Friday

Great emphasis and stress has been laid on praying for the last Imam, al-Hujjat, al-Muntazar (a.t.f.s.) on the following accounts:

a)       The significance of the day of Friday for a number of reasons which we shall indicate, Inshallah. Thus, it is appropriate that we should invoke for our Imam (a.s.) on its eve.       

b)      It is the eve of the presentation of deeds, according to the author of Lataaef al-Maaref.

c)       It has come in some of the authentic Shiite books that among the deeds of the eve of Friday is that you recite a hundred times,

اََللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلیٰ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ عَجِّلْ فَرَجَهُمْ، وَ اَهْلِكْ عَدُوَ هُمْ مِنَ الْجِنِّ وَ اْلاِنْسِ، مِنَ اْلاَوَ لِيْنَ وَ اْلآخِرِيْن

"ALLAHUMMA SALLI ALLA MOHAMMADIN WA AALE MOHAMMADIN WA AJJIL FARAJAHUM WA AHLIK ADOWAHUM
MINALJINNE WAL INSE MINNAL AWWALEENA WAL AAKHIREEN"

َ
The renowned Shaykh Abu Ja'far al-Tusi (a.r.) writes in Mukhtasar al-Misbaah while mentioning the rituals for the eve of Friday, "Send salutations on the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) in the following manner,

اََللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلیٰ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ عَجِّلْ فَرَجَهُمْ، وَ اَهْلِكْ عَدُوَ هُمْ مِنَ الْجِنِّ وَ اْلاِنْسِ، مِنَ اْلاَوَ لِيْنَ وَ اْلآخِرِيْنَ
.

A hundred times or as many times as possible.[1]

d)      The author of al-Najm al-Saqib[2] has listed the recitation of Dua-e-Nudbah among the recommended acts of the eve of Friday, as much as it is preferred on the day of Friday.

e)       Numerous traditions have exhorted invocations for the eve of Friday, in addition to the fact that it is recommended that a believer should give preference to praying for his master Imam-e-Zamaan (a.t.f.s.) over his own self.

f)       It has been suggested to pray for all the believers, men and women, in this night, then he (a.t.f.s.) of course is more worthy than any other believer to be prayed for.

 

 

[1]     Behaar al-Anwaar, vol. 89, p. 288.

[2]     Mohaddis Husain Noori (a.r.) – Translator.