What Shall I Answer to my Imam-e-Zamana (atfs)?

Sheikh Zainul Abidin Mazandarani, a student of the author of (the book) Jawahir and (also of) Sheikh Ansari, lived in the city of Kerbala. In connection with his generosity and alms-giving, it has been recorded that he would borrow as much money as he could and then distribute it amongst the needy, and his debts would then be repaid by those coming to Kerbala from India.

One day a destitute arrived at his door and asked for alms. Not having any money with him, the Sheikh picked up his copper jar, handed it to him and said: "Take this and sell it." A couple of days later when his family members realized that the jar was missing, they created an uproar, shouting: "A thief has taken away our jar." When the Sheikh, who was in his library, heard the outcry, he said to them: "Do not accuse the thieves for I am the one who has taken the jar." Once, on one of his trips to Samarrah, he fell seriously ill. Mirza Shirazi paid him a visit and began comforting him, whereupon the Sheikh said to him: "I am not at all fearful of death; my uneasiness is due to the fact that according to our beliefs, when we die, our souls are taken in the presence of the Imam-e-Asr (12th Imam) (peace be upon him). If, at that time, the Imam were to question me: "O' Zainul 'Abidin! With the credibility and esteem that we had bestowed upon you, you could have borrowed a greater amount of money for helping the needy than what you used to; why then did you not do so? … What shall I answer him?'" It is reported that Mirza Shirazi was greatly affected by these words; returning home, he brought out all the religious taxes that lay in his house and distributed them amongst the needy.

(Reference : Anecdotes for Reflection, Volume 3, pg72)

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Farsighted

A Jew lost his invaluable ring and accidentally a poor Muslim fellow found it. When this Muslim came to know that it belongs to that Jew he went to return him. The Jew smiled and asked him:"Do you know its value?"
The Muslim replied:"Yes."
"You found this and you are also a poor and a needy!" said the Jew.
"Yes, you are right." The Muslim replied.
The Jew asked,"Did it not come to your mind that by selling this ring you can live a comfortable life as you had an excuse that it belonged to a Jew?"
The Muslim told him,"Why, I should have thought that way?"
"So why did you return this ring to me while I was not knowing that you have found it?" Questioned the Jew.
The poor Muslim replied:"We believe on the Day of Judgement. I told myself that if I do not give this ring to the owner, then during the accounting of the deeds of the people during qayamat my Prophet Hazrat Mohammad (pbuh) and your prophet Hazrat Musa (a.s.) would be sitting together and you will be complaining about this to your Prophet (a.s.) and then your Prophet (a.s.) would complain to my Prophet (pbuh) that a person belonging from your Ummah (nation) has done such an act. And at that moment my Prophet (pbuh) would not be able to answer him. I have returned this ring so that on the Day of Judgement I save the honour of my Prophet (pbuh).

(Lessons from stories, Mohammad Mohammadi Ishtehardy)

Disrespect Towards Father

Hazrat Yusuf (a.s.) after suffering much calamities and difficulties became the governor of Egypt. His father Hazrat Yaqub who lamented for him for many years of separation became frail and weak.
After he got the news that Hazrat Yusuf is alive and has become the governor he became overjoyed and started his journey to meet him. Hazrat Yusuf (a.s.) also with much fanfare went ahead on the outskirts of the city on his horse to welcome his father.
When Hazrat Yusuf (a.s.) saw the sorrowful eyes of his father he wanted to get down from his horse in respect, but, his status as a governor did not allow him to alight. It was a disrespectful action towards his father. After the meeting between the father and the son, Gabriel ascended by the order of Allah, came towards Hazrat Yusuf (a.s.) and asked him:
"Why did you not get down from your horse while welcoming your father?"
"Open your palm," demanded Gabriel.
When Hazrat Yusuf (a.s.) did so, a light came out from his palm and went towards heaven. Hazrat Yusuf (a.s.) asked Gabriel:
"What was this light which has come out of my hand."
Gabriel replied:"This light was of prophethood which was taken away from your progeny for showing disrespect by you towards your father. Now there won't be any prophet from your offspring."

(Biharul Anwaar, Vol.4)

Control the Temper

Marhum Aayatullah Borojardi (r.a.) was a great marja' of his time. During the time when he was in Borojard (Iran), he vowed that if he becomes angry and furious and could not control it, he will fast for a full year.One day while giving lecture to his students he burst into anger upon a student who was putting silly and illogical questions to him during a discussion on certain topic. He could not control himself and lost his temper on the issue. The vow of Aayatullah Borojardi was broken. Later, he fasted for a whole year to keep his vow.

(Dastanha-e-Olama by Ali Reza Khatami)

Thawban, the Companion of Holy Prophet (pbuh)

Thawban was one of the freed slave of Holy Prophet of Islam (pbuh). He was always with the Prophet (pbuh) at home or in journey. After the passing away of the Prophet (pbuh) he stayed for some years in Syria and later for some time in Egypt. He was present at the time of the victory on Egypt. Thawbaan died at the age of 51.
It is found in rewayaat that he adored the Holy Prophet (pbuh) so much that for a single moment he could not bear his absence. One day Holy Prophet (pbuh) saw him in a very sad mood. He appeared to be weak. Prophet (pbuh) asked him, "O' Thawbaan! What has happened to you? Thawbaan replied:"O Messenger of Allah! I am not ill nor have any pain, but, I am worried about your proximity which I will be missing in the Paradise. As you will be in a higher station and I in a lower position. I will not be be able to see you over there."
At the same moment an Aayat was revealed. " And whoso obeys Allah and the Messenger (Muhammad ), then they will be in the company of those on whom Allah has bestowed His Grace, of the Prophets, the Siddiqin, the martyrs, and the righteous. And how excellent these companions are! " (surah Nisa, aayat 69)
(Biharul Anwaar vol.2 pg. 68)

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."

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)

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)