Tuesday, October 23, 2007

Wine during the month of Ramadhan

Najjashi, a poet who was always near and around Hadhrat Ali (a.s.).
Through his poetry he motivated the army of Imam Ali (a.s.) against Moawiyah (son of Abu Sufiyan and father of cursed Yazeed).
Najjashi participated in number of battles along with Hadhrat Ali (a.s.).
Once he was deceived by Shaitan. During the holy month of Ramadhan he consumed wine. He was brought in the presence of Ali (a.s.) and his bad action was proved.
Imam Ali (a.s.) himself struck 80 lashes to Najjashi for his consumption of wine and put him in jail for a night.
Next day, Imam Ali (a.s.) called him again and gave 20 extra lashes. Najjashi protested: "O Master of the believers! why these additional lashes?"
Imam (a.s.) replied: "These 20 more lashes are for your boldness for doing this action in this holy month of Ramadhan."

Saturday, October 20, 2007

Sincere Salaat

Two healthy camels were brought for the Holy Prophet of Islam (s.a.). Holy Prophet (s.a.) turned towards his followers and announced: "Can anyone among you prays two rak'ats with sincerity and worldly thoughts does not enter his mind while doing so? I will reward him with one of these camels." None of them spoke, there was still silence. He repeated this a few times. But, the companions did not move from their place. Ali (a.s.), stood up and accepted this challenge saying,"I will perform such kind of Salaat."
Holy Prophet (s.a.) replied: "Nice, go on."
Hazrat Ali (a.s.) started his Salaat. While he was performing it and was near completion. Jibraeel descended to the Holy Prophet (s.a.) and whispered to him that Allah the Almighty says that to give a camel to Ali.
Holy Prophet said to Jibraeel: "My condition was, that during the performance of Salaat the world should not come into the mind, but, when Ali was in Tashah-hud, he was thinking that which healthy camel he will select."
Jibraeel said:"Allah the Almighty says that Ali was thinking for the healthier camel so that he can slaughter it and distribute its meat to the needy and the destitute. His intention was for Allah and not for himself nor for this world."
Holy Prophet (s.a.) handed over both the camels to Hazrat Ali (a.s.). Allah praised Ali (a.s.) in the following ayat:
" "
The Holy Prophet (said): "Anyone who performs two rak'ats of Salaat and does'nt bring the worldly thoughts in his mind, Allah is satisfied with him and He forgives all his sins."

Was the heart of your brother with us?

The first war during the statesmanship of Hazrat Ali (a.s.) was battle of Jamal (camel). His army became victorious.
One of his followers who was present in this battle said: "I would have loved if my brother was also among the warriors and would have witnessed that how Allah made you victorious upon the enemy, he would also have been very happy & joyous and would have received the reward for his participation."
Imam Ali (a.s.) asked: "Was the heart and thoughts of your brother with us?"
He said: "Yes."
Imam (a.s.) replied: "For this reason he was also virtually present with us in this battle."
He (a.s.) continued: "Not only he, but, all those who are in the spine of their fathers and womb of their mothers are in the battle along with us if their thoughts and beliefs are similar to ours. They are wholly with us who have arrived in this world. Through them the belief and Religion gets strengthened."
(Beharul Anwaar)

Thursday, October 18, 2007

Shedding of the sins

Abu Usman says: I was sitting along with Salman-e-Farsi under a tree.
He took a dried branch of that tree and shook it, all the dried leaves dropped down.
Then Salman said to me: "You don't ask me why I have done like this?"
I said: "Why you did this?"
He answered: "Once I was sitting under a tree with the Holy Prophet of Islam (pbuh). Hadhrat caught hold of a dried branch of that tree and shook it, all the dried leaves fell on the ground."
Then he (pbuh) said: "Salman! You did not ask me why I have done this action?"
I said: "Why you have done this O Messenger of Allah?"
He replied: "When a Muslim performs his Wudhu properly and then
attends to his Salaat five times a day, his sins shed in the same
manner as the dried leaves of this tree."
(Biharul Anwaar)