Weakness of Will

Overcoming corruption and guiding the lost ones to the right path are fundamental elements deeply rooted in the Islamic faith, traits which become the part of the spiritual make up of the persons. By relying upon the everlasting power of God, they can subjugate to their will material powers, which are not the sole reality of the world.
In a letter that he wrote to the people of Egypt, Imam 'Ali, the Commander of Faithful, may Peace be upon him, commends spiritual strength and courage of his newly appointed governor, who was a man of perfect faith, in these words:
O people or Egypt! I have appointed for you as governor a man from among the servants of God who allows himself no sleep in times of danger, nor has the smallest fear of the enemy in times of panic. He is severe against the wicked like a blazing fire. He is Malik ibn Harith, of the clan of Banu Mudhij ... He is a sword from among the swords of God: its edge never loses its sharpness, nor its blows ever go amiss.
In the Battle of Siffin, the forces of Mu'awiyah took over the control of the river-bank and intercepted the supply of water to 'Ali's camp. The Commander of the Faithful tried to solve the problem through negotiations. Refraining from armed conflict so long as possible. But Mu'awiyah considered his possession of the river bank as a major military gain, and taking advantage of his position he refused to negotiate. 'Ali's companions had a hard time due to the lack of drinking water. Thereat 'Ali addressed his soldiers as follows:
They are hungry of battle and are asking for it. Now you have no more than two alternatives before you: either to submit to disgrace and indignity, or to drench your swords in blood and obtain water. To live in subjugation is death. Real life is to die while overpowering the enemy and without yielding to indignity. Mu'awiyah leads a party of deceived persons whom he has kept them in the dark about the truth, to the point that they have made their arrows a target of your throats.
This fiery speech created a wonderful change in the morale of 'Ali's soldiers and filled them with the spirit of courage. With a lightning attack they threw back Mu'awiyah's forces from the river bank and took control of it. But, then, with a manly spirit they allowed the enemies to have access to water for their needs.

(by Sayyid Mujtaba Musawi Lari)

Khadija, the beloved wife of Prophet Mohammad (s.a.)

Khadija became a very successful merchant. It is said that when the Quraysh's trade caravans gathered to embark upon their summer journey to Syria or winter journey to Yemen, Khadija's caravan equalled the caravans of all other traders of the Quraish put together.[citation needed] She was known by the by-names Ameerat-Quraysh (Princess of Quraysh), al-Tahira (The Pure One) and Khadija Al-Kubra (Khadija the Great).[citation needed] It is said that she fed and clothed the poor, assisted her relatives financially and provided marriage portions for poor relations.[citation needed] Khadija was said to have neither believed in nor worshipped idols,[citation needed] which was atypical for pre-Islam Arabian culture.

Khadija did not travel with her trade caravans; she employed others to trade on her behalf for a commission. In 595, Khadija needed an agent for a transaction in Syria. Abu Talib ibn 'Abd al-Muttalib recommended her distant cousin Muhammad ibn Abdullah. The experience that Muhammad held working with caravans in his uncle Abu Talib's family business had earned him the honorific titles Al-Sadiq (the truthful) and Al-Amin (the trustworthy, the honest).[7] Khadija hired Muhammad, who was then 25 years old, sending word through her kinsman Khazimah ibn Hakim that she would pay double her usual commission.[citation needed]

She sent one of her servants, Maysarah, to assist him. Upon returning, Maysara gave accounts of the honorable way that Muhammad had conducted his business, with the result that he brought back twice as much profit as Khadija had expected. Maysarah also relayed that on the return journey, Muhammad had stopped to rest under a tree. A passing monk, Nestora, informed Maysara that, "None but a prophet ever sat beneath this tree."[8] Maysara also claimed that while he stood near Muhammad as he slept, he had seen two angels standing above Muhammad creating a cloud to protect him from the heat and glare of the sun.[5]

Khadija then consulted her cousin Waraqah ibn Nawfal ibn Asad ibn 'Abdu'l-'Uzza.[8] Waraqah said that if what Maysara had seen was true, then Muhammad was in fact the prophet of the people who was already expected. It is also said Khadijah had a dream in which the sun descended from the sky into her courtyard, fully illuminating her home.[5] Her cousin Waraqah told her not to be alarmed, for the sun was an indication that the Prophet would grace her home.[5] At this, Khadija considered proposing marriage to her agent.[9] Many wealthy Quraysh men had already asked for her hand in marriage,[5] but all had been refused.

Dividing the Camels

A person was about to die,and before dying he wrote his Will which went as follows:
"I have 17 Camels, and I have three sons. Divide my Camels in such a way that my eldest son gets half of them, the second one gets 1/3rd of the total and my  youngest son gets 1/9th of the total number of Camels."
After his death when the relatives read his will they got extremely perplexed and said to each other that how can we divide 17 camels like this.
So after a long hard thought they decided that there was only one man in Arabia who could help them: "Imam Ali ibn Abi Taleb (as)."
So they all came to the door of Imam Ali ibn Abi Taleb (as) and put forward their problem.
Imam Ali ibn Abi Taleb (as) said, "Ok, I will divide the camels as per the man's will."
Imam Ali ibn Abi Taleb (as) said, "I will lend one of my camels to the total which makes it 18 (17+1=18), now lets divide
as per his will."
The eldest son gets 1/2 of 18 = 9
The second one gets 1/3 of 18 = 6
The youngest gets  1/9 of 18 = 2
Now the total number of camels = 17 (9+6+2=17)
Then Imam Ali ibn Abi Taleb (as) said,
"Now I will take my Camel back."

Real Life Story of an University Student

 Story of Fatema in her own words:
I was sitting in my room and thanking Allah SWT for making my dreams come true. Of course , this is just the beginning, I thought to myself.
I had joined one of the best colleges in India , this was the only thing I had been thinking of for last two years while studying and finally I was here ... I was extremely Happy!!!
A week passed , and I was called to the dean's office and He said, "You can't go to the Laboratory (Lab) for your 'practicals' with your Hijab, you should wear a Lab dress ( short shirt with half sleeves and pant ) and you cannot wear your head scarf either, coz' in the lab while working with the equipment, your dress may entangle or catch fire and your dress code is not congenial to the lab environment"
I was taken aback, in a flash of a moment, all my dreams were shattered …. The first thought that came to my mind was "I CAN'T GIVE UP MY HIJAB" and next came the question "Can I give up my dream??? …"
I am not a girl who gives up easily, I decided to fight….
I went to the principle and explained him my situation and told him I will not take off my hijab and I can't wear the Lab dress. However what I can do is I can wear a Lab coat over my regular dress along with my Head scarf… He said "NO, we can't change our rules for one student. For years, this is the rule and if you want to study here , you will have to follow it.."
I kept insisting …...finally he said, "Go and speak to the Head of the Department (HOD) of your department and if he permits you, I have No problem."
I came back to hostel and told this story to my seniors, They all said.. "WHAT!!! Your HOD !!!… Impossible .. Mr.Joshi is the Hitler of the college and no student has ever dared to go and speak to him.. He will reject you in a minute. The principle didn’t want to PERMIT you, since you insisted, he sent you to Mr.Joshi, cause he knows Mr.Joshi will never allow you and no one can argue with him. So Forget about it"
I was very sad but I had hope.. I prayed to Allah SWT for help .
Next Morning, I went to my HOD Mr.Joshi's room, OH GOD, How scary the moment was.. I still remember it… I knocked the door, with his strict and harsh voice , he said "Come in"…
I entered the room..he didn’t even look at me.. He was reading something… while his head was in the papers he said "What do you want?"
With shivering voice I said " I am a Muslim and my religion doesn’t allow me to wear a lab dress and I cant give up my Hijab. I need your permission to wear my hijab in the lab."
As I said this, he looked at me and asked me "Are you a shia?"
I was surprised as no one knew I was a shia.. I said "Yes"
Next thing he said was " Permission granted " and he signed a paper which I had brought with me which says I have a permission to wear hijab in lab and I don’t have to wear a lab dress, instead I can wear a Lab coat :)
I was in tears… I was Happy.. Surprised… shocked!!!
Then he asked me to sit and said don’t be surprised… I know everything about Shias and I respect them for their values.
Then he asked " Do you want to know how I know about them?"
He started his story.. He said " When I was a young boy , aroung 12 years old, and Hindu Muslim riots started off in India, Hindus were killing Muslims and Muslims were killing Hindus. We used to live in a Muslim area and our parents were scared that Muslims would come and kills us... The situation was bad . That time our neighbors promised my parents that they'll keep me with them till the situation becomes better and my parents had no other option but to leave me with them, and go to another town.
They were shias.
I stayed with them for almost a month and they took care of me like their own son.. I saw them praying, reciting Quran and abide by the laws of Islam. Also just because, I was a Vegetarian, they didn’t cook non-veg, till I was there. so that I don’t feel uncomfortable. I still consider that lady as my Mother. I know you people very well.
From now on, anyone says anything about your Hijab, just tell them my Name and you will have no problem"
Indeed, after that day in my 4years of life, no one ever said anything about my Hijab. I not only had permission to wear my Hijab comfortably but now I had some one to protect it…. Alhamdullilahi Rabbil A'alameen...
Dear friends, all I want to tell you is if you strive in the way of Allah SWT, He definitely helps you as promised.
Is it not the grand plan of Allah SWT, that a shia family helped a 12 year old kid, who grew up to become the HOD of department, who in turn protects the Hijab of a Muslim girl…. Truly as told by the Ahlul Bayt… "HAVE FAITH IN ALLAH SWT, HE is the best planner."
Its never late… you can start Today.. and Allah SWT will help you through means that you've never imagined.
Ws Salam

Watch Your Shoes

I went to see Imam Jafar Sadiq a.s while I was wearing black shoes. 
He (a.s) asked me, ‘Why are you wearing black shoes?’ Don’t you know that there are three attributes for them?’ 
I said, ‘May I be your ransom! No. What are they?’ 
The Imam (a.s) said, ‘They will weaken your vision, weaken your sexual drive and make you depressed. Moreover, it is part of the apparel of the oppressors. You should wear yellow (skin,brown) shoes, since that would sharpen the vision, improve your sexual drive and reduce your depression. It is part of the Prophets’ apparel.”
Narrated by Han’nan ibn Sadeer
Al khisal pg 178

The Poem of Farazdaq

Once, during Hajj time, when Hisham son of 'Abdul Malik was circumambulating the Ka’aba amidst a huge crowd, he tried many times to kiss al-hajar al-'aswad. However, due to the enormous crowd, Hisham did not get a chance and helplessly sat at one corner and glared at the people.
Suddenly he saw a thin, good-looking, divinely-bright personality gradually advancing towards al-hajar al-'aswad. The people respected him and involuntarily moved back so that he could easily reach al-hajar al-'aswad. The people of Syria who were around Ibn 'Abdul Malik asked him: Who is this man ? Hisham, even though he knew that personality very well refrained from introducing Imam and instead lied and said: I don’t know him.

At this moment, a poet by the name of Farazdaq who enjoyed special freedom and liberty un-hesitantly recited some poems and in this way, introduced Imam al-Sajjad ('a) very nicely. Some of the verses of his poem are as follows:

“He is someone who, the soil of Bat-haa is aware of his footprints and Ka'ba, the House and its exterior are well-acquainted with him;
He is the son of the best servants of Allah; He is pious, pure, holy and well-known.
If you are unaware of him, he is the son of Fatima, (daughter of the Holy Prophet (s) ).
Soon, when he will touch al-Hajar-ul-Aswad, it will not release his well-recognized hand.” [7]

The poem of al-Farazdaq had such far-reaching effect that Hisham became wild and angry and immediately ordered for his arrest. When Imam ('a) became aware of this matter, he consoled al-Farazdaq very much.

Unfair and Discriminatory

The plaintiff registered his complaint against Ali ibn e Abi Talib (‘a) in the court of the ruling Caliph Umar ibn e Khattab. As per rules, both parties had to be present for the proceedings to take place. Umar sat in the caliph’s chair and called both parties inside. According to Islamic routine, both parties sat next to each other, so that there be no sign of discriminatory behavior on the part of the court.

 Umar called the plaintiff by name and told him to stand before the judge. After that he looked at Imam Ali (‘a) and said, ‘Abul Hassan, please stand beside the plaintiff’.
 Ali (‘a) looked upset and annoyed when addressed thus. Noticing the obvious change in Ali’s (‘a) countenance, Umar remarked, ‘Ali, do you find standing beside the plaintiff annoying?’

 ‘No! The cause of my displeasure was the fact that you did not comply with the Islamic code of behaviour in court. You called me with great respect by my Kuniya, ( title of respect), whereas you addressed the plaintiff curtly, by name. This is unfair and discriminatory, thus, annoying,’ replied Ali (‘a).

The Right Groom

Someone came to a father, asking him for the hand of his daughter in marriage: ”Sir I am ready to pay her any Mahr she wants! I have already a house and a car … If you let me marry your daughter, I would treat her like a princess”

The father told him:“There is only one Mahr you can pay! For that, I will ask you one question, if you give me the right answer, I will let you marry my daughter… I won’t ask you to give my daughter wealth, house or high status; I want you just to give me the right answer for my question!”
The boy was so happy and he accepted the condition of the father.
The father looked straight into the eyes of the young man and asked :”In which time the Adhan of Fajr (call for fajr prayer) is called exactly?“
the young man’s face turned to red then yellow, he replied after a long time thinking: ”I guess it’s at 4am? no … I mean 3 maybe?! Honestly Sir, I don’t know!”
... “Dear son” said the father smiling: ”I don’t care of your high status or your bank account! My daughter is so precious, she is like a princess to me with her Hijab and purity so she needs someone who treats her like a queen! No one would make her happy more than a man who fears Allah and obeys Him. Only a righteous husband would give her an unlimited happiness by helping her to get closer to Allah ”