a guidance to men
and clear proofs of the guidance and the distinction…" (Al-Baqara: 185)
This verse, itself, is enough for someone
who understands the significance of the coming month.
God has explained the greatness of this month in one verse,
from this point of view, this is the month
in which the Quran was revealed.
That too, what a (great) Quran.
The Best of Actions in the Month of Ramazan and the Great Importance of the Martyrdom of Amir-ul-Momineen (A.S.)
In the name of Allah, Most Beneficent, Most Merciful.
"The month of Ramazan is that in which the Quran was revealed,
a guidance to men
and clear proofs of the guidance and the distinction…" (Al-Baqara: 185)
This verse, itself, is enough for someone
who understands the significance of the coming month.
God has explained the greatness of this month in one verse,
from this point of view, this is the month
in which the Quran was revealed.
That too, what a (great) Quran.
"clear proofs of the guidance and the distinction…"
Two titles within one verse,
"Quran" and "Furqan" (clear distinction)
The word "Furqan" bears a lengthy explanation,
The word "Quran", too, demands a drawn out exposition.
What is the "Quran"? What is the "Furqan"?
Our lifetime passed by and we failed to comprehend the realities of this religion.
Firstly, "time" is a proverbial container,
"time" itself, and that which occurs inside it
must both be taken into account.
In the month of Ramazan there exists this special feature that
firstly, the time itself is extraordinary.
The Holy Prophet of God (P.B.U.H.) in a tradition, which bears great importance
because it is a sermon delivered by him
on the last Friday of Shabaan, says:
"Surely, the month of Allah has come towards you,
with divine bounty, mercy and remission".
The month of Allah is moved towards you.
The title (herein) is "the month of Allah"
a month that is attributed directly to the name of Allah.
A comprehension of the greatness of this month is beyond the capacity of the human intellect.
This crucial time period is such that,
all this greatness and awe that
the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) mentioned, saying: "Its days are the greatest of days,
its nights are the greatest of nights,
its hours are the greatest of hours",
all this magnificence is because of one single issue, and that issue is this:
"Surely We revealed it on the grand night
And what will make you comprehend what the grand night,
The grand night is better than a thousand months.
The angels and Gibreel descend in it by the permission of their Lord
for every affair,
Peace! it is till the break of the morning".
All this greatness and awe is because of one factor, and that is
that in this month there exists a night, the night of pre-destination.
In this night all the actions and provisions are decided,
and all these decisions descend upon the (divinely appointed) Plenipotentiary (A.S.),
and he, the Master of the Age (A.S.), graces them with his signature and approval.
The greatness of this month is due to this night,
and the greatness of this night is because of the Quran's descent.
We must utilize this banquet to the utmost.
Pay attention to what I say,
the essence of all the meanings is concentrated into these few words.
First, we must recognize the Quran.
What is the Quran? It is the manifestation of God's glory.
This is why it leaves the mind in a state of total wonder.
The manifestation of God's grandeur and sovereignty exists throughout this book.
Every verse is a treasure trove
this treasure trove has seven inside chambers (seven internal realities).
What lies in each of these inside chambers?
Its text is for the common people,
its indications are for the scholars,
its subtleties are for the saints,
its realities are for the prophets.
Pay heed to the value of your life,
start acting on these ideas from this very day.
This (following) tradition has been narrated by Kulayni Sheikh-ul-Mohaditheen in the book Kaafi,
and by Sadooq Rais-ul-Mohaditheen in the book Thawaab-ul-A'maal.
These two pillars (of religious scholarship) narrate,
and that too from what a source,
from a person who is the "speaking tongue of God".
I will state a summary of the discourse.
If an individual, from the time of his youth, recites the Quran
and this Quran becomes part and parcel of his very flesh and blood,
when this individual dies
his hereafter will take place alongside the respected and pious travellers.
This means that his hereafter will take place alongside Ibrahim (A.S.), the friend of the Merciful,
his hereafter will take place alongside Musa ibn Imraan (A.S.),
his hereafter will take place alongside Isa ibn Maryam (A.S.).
If this individual is a woman, whose spirit has become intermingled with the Quran itself,
her hereafter will take place alongside Maryam bint Imraan (A.S.),
her hereafter will take place alongside the most honest of all women, the daughter of the last Prophet (P.B.U.H.).
Then when he raises his head out from underneath the earth on the Day of Judgement...
If you have been unattentive and ignorant up until now,
from this very moment, start taking the available opportunities seriously.
Whatever you age might be,
start using the training program, which we shall mention just now…
This issue is of such great importance that
the Prophet of God (P.B.U.H.) …please pay meticulous attention here… said:
"If someone recites one Quranic verse in the month Ramadan,
(this recitation) bears the reward of reading the whole Quran".
What does this mean?
If in this month you recite "Yaaseen" or "Alif-Laam-Meem"
they shall inscribe the reward of a whole Quran into your record.
At that time, how much will a recitation of the whole Quran be worth?
The mind is utterly baffled.
For every complete recitation of the Quran, two things are definite.
One of these two is that we receive salvation and freedom from hellfire,
and the other is that our prayers become granted.
The month of Ramazan creates such (wonderous) changes.
At that time, the result is this
that when a person recites a complete Quran within the month of Ramazan,
this recitation is equal to reciting the Quran somewhere around six thousand and thirty times.
One complete reciation of the Quran, within this particular month, bears such a nature.
In short, plan yourself in manner that you do not let go of this program,
because this is the speech of the leader of your school of thought
and, that too, an utterance from the tongue of Amir-ul-Momineen (A.S.).
These words are found in the will made by him to his son Muhammad Hanafiyah. He says:
"The Quran is the covenant of God.
Plan yourself in a manner that no day passes
without you having read this covenant,
atleast 50 verses.
If you get the opportunity, the more you read the better".
"And recite that which you can from the Quran"
So what does this Quran do? What are its effects?
If this program becomes practically implimented,
and men and women decide, from this very day,
to recite a complete Quran every month,
at that time, what effect will such a recitation cause?
Its effects are this: On the Day of Judgement
God will place two regal robes upon the body of this person,
(and shall place) a crown of greatness upon his head,
(and) shall place paradise into one of his hands
(and) the matter into the other.
Then, it will be said to him, "Go to Paradise,
recite a verse and go to a higher level".
At that time, the result is be that
all the levels of paradise are arranged in manner equal to the total verses of the Quran.
If one acts in accordance to this program,
it is impossible for him, not to reach the highest level in paradise.
This was the first point.
Now, the greater point, and a deeper comprehension of faith, is that
the subtle aspects of religion be undertood.
These realities exist scattered within the traditions.
A collection of these (traditions) is as such:
Now that we know that the Quran is of such a nature,
if read in the manner that we suggest
this very Quran transforms in a way that the mind becomes flabbergasted.
What is that (transformation)? It is this that
if you start from this very day (on the program of) reciting the Quran completely,
and every month you make this intention that
your recitation is for Imam-e-Zamaan (A.S.),
If you do such a thing, what result can you expect?
the results of this act, according to the tradition
narrated by all the great scholars e.g. Sheikh Mofeed, Kulayni, Syed ibn Taaos,
the reward for someone carrying out this work
i.e. reciting the whole Quran for Imam-e-Zamaan (A.S.)
if this be his work, (his reward is that) he shall never become seperated from Imam-e-Zamaan (A.S.).
In short, who understands the worth of such a bounty?
Now, our lives went by and we failed to understand, but we can understand now.
Start with reciting the whole Quran for him (A.S.)
When will you begin seeing its effects?
You shall see its effects when…
if you recite a whole Quran for the sake of Imam-e-Zamaan (A.S.) every month for one year,
on the grand night, when they take your file to be inspected by him (A.S.),
when he (A.S.) gazes upon it, he shall see that
you have recited the Quran for his sake every month for an entire year.
(Now) that Sulayman of all existence who
holds within himself all the lofty characteristics of all the 124 thousand prophets
How shall he act is response to your actions?
This is what we have forgone.
These are the gemstones (that we lost) and our lives flew by and we failed to comprehend.
This was the first issue.
Quran, and just the Quran; and that too, with this specific intention
gifting it to the Imam of the Age (A.S.), the Central Pole of the World of Existence (A.S.).
He who is the deliverer of sustenance
He who is the one whose existence lends stabilty to the earth and the heavens.
The second issue is this that we need to know
what happened during the month of Ramazan?
If you seek to understand then this single word suffices you.
When the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) delivered that sermon pertaining to the month of Ramazan,
all of a sudden, one person stood up.
Who was that person? He was a person
that it is beyond our strength to explain who he was! What he did! Where he ended up!
That person who stood up and
and spoke to the Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H.), who was he? (It was) Amir-ul-Momineen (A.S.)
He stood up and said, "O' Prophet of God (P.B.U.H.)!
What is the greatest of acts within the month of Ramazan?"
The Prophet (P.B.U.H.) replied, and what a reply it was.
Pay great attention to this.
This person is The Seal of the Prophets (P.B.U.H.) and the Essence of all Existence (P.B.U.H.).
i.e. If all of existence reaches perfection, it would have reached the level of prophethood;
If the level of prophethood reaches perfection, it would have attained the level of messengership;
If the level of messengership reaches perfection, it would have reached the level of being "Holders of the Book";
If the "Holders of the Book" reach perfection, they would have reached the level of the "Owners of Greatness";
now all of those who attained this highest level
if all of them were purified into an essence, this essence would be the Seal of the Prophets (P.B.U.H.).
Muhammad is not the father of any man amongst you,
but he is the messenger of Allah and the Seal of the Prophets". (Al-Ahzaab: 40)
These are the words of God.
The Seal of the Prophets (P.B.U.H.) is someone that
when God speaks to him in the Holy Quran, He says:
"By your life!" The night when he took him on the heavenly accension
A trip that God praises Himself for having carried it out.
this is the Seal of the Prophets (P.B.U.H.).
"Glorified be He Who carried His servant by night
from the Inviolable Place of Worship to the Far distant place of worship" (Al-Israa: 01)
Amir-ul-Momineen (A.S.) stood up in front of such a man and said:
"O' Prophet of God (P.B.U.H.), what is the greatest of acts within the month of Ramazan?"
(the Prophet) declared: "Abstinence from things deemed unlawful by Allah".
Abstinence from things declared prohibited by Allah is the best of acts with the month of Ramazan.
(Protecting) the stomach from prohibited sustenance,
the eye from looking at strangers,
(This) abstinence (from all prohibited things) is the greatest of acts.
After having said these words, (the Prophet) cried.
If the Seal of the Prophets (P.B.U.H.) weeps, surely all the 124 thousand prophets scream out in grief.
When tears swell out of his eyes,
Jibraeel, Mikaeel and Israafil tremble (with sorrow).
When the heart of the Seal of the Prophets is broken,
and his tears flow down from his eyes,
the heavens, the seat of divine power, the tablet and the pen of destiny all shake (in response to his pain).
He wept and said, "O' Prophet of God, why do you cry?|
(the Prophet) said, "O' Ali, my tears are for that moment
in this month, when your head shall be struck (with a sword)".
This is the month of such an individual.
Now, a sane man must ponder,
an event that has not yet happened,
the Seal of the Prophets (P.B.U.H.), who is the central pole of all of existence,
who represents the crown jewel of all of humanity, past, present and future, weeps for a split head.
What is the responsibility of this state on the 21st of Ramazan?
Alas, a lifetime went by. How dearly we have been at fault?
People argue that they are fasting,
how can a mourning session be held alongside this fast
O' you simpletons! Know the worth of this bounty,
if you come out onto the streets while fasting
and mourn his split head, beating your heads and breasts (in sorrow)
(if you do this) then on the day of your death, the Seal of the Prophets (P.B.U.H.) would take your head into his hands and place it to rest upon his own thighs.
He said, "O' Ali, He who killed you, killed me!"
This is the bounty we have lost.
Then he said, "O' Ali, you are my soul"
"You are like my very own self"
"You are (made) from my earth (the earth from which God created me)"
What is the meaning of these word?
Mourning on the 21st day is mourning for the Seal of the Prophets himself.
Mourning groups who come out (on this day)
come out (to commemorate) the martyrdom of the Seal of the Prophets himself.
What is the meaning of these word?
Mourning sessions held (on this day), are (mourning sessions) for the Seal of the Prophets himself.
If mankind were to comprehend, not only would the Shi'a
commemorate (the martyrdom) of Ali (A.S.) on the 21st by beating their heads and chests,
but if mankind were to understand, all humans, where were they may be,
would commemorate the 21st by wearing black mourning suits in remembrance of Ali (A.S.).
This is Amir-ul-Momineen (A.S.).
I will say one word, and that word will suffice.
In the epistle written by him to Malik-e-Ashtar,
the world must listen to these words, (he) said:
"O' Malik! Treat the people in this manner"
pay attention to these words and understand them. He said:
"O' Malik! All those who are your subjects
are such that they are not excluded from one of these two denominations,
they are either your brothers in faith,
or they are like you in creation".
Now, observe what his actions are vis-à-vis the infidels,
(when) his actions vis-à-vis the infidels (are such) then (what must) his action be in case of Muslims.
He said: "Malik ! Keep within your heart mercy, love,
and softness for all people,
even the infidels".
This is the government of Islam.
This is an Alawi government.
(he) said five things, the mind is baffled (by these words)
(he) said: Mercy,
two: Love,
three: Softness,
four: Forgiveness,
five: Forbearance,
for everyone.
Be it a Muslim or an infidel, a Jew or a Christian.
Be careful that the rights of an infidel are not transgressed upon within the parameters of your government.
The world must mourn (the martyrdom) of a man who speaks in this manner.
The secrets of these words
are understood by great scholars like Sheikh-e-Ansari.
Henceforth, he goes on to say: "with everyone…"
Pay great attention to this.
This means that within a state that
bears the banner of Islam and the Alawi government,
all the people of that state, even the infidels,
must be treated in a manner…
O' Malik ! Your subjects has faults, has shortcomings
O' Malik ! Your subjects make mistakes
be they intentional or unintentional, if they make mistakes
you must act with them in a manner
in which you desire God to act with you.
Now, is it not justified that the whole world mourn the martyrdom of such an individual?
When will Ali ibn Abi talib (A.S.) be recognized?
Someone who acts with the infidels in such a manner,
how must he have acted with regards to the Muslims?
What is of importance is this that the mind becomes awe struck:
the Roman empire, the Persian empire were all presented to him
they were all within his power,
think about these facts,
the university academia must ponder upon these facts,
the scholars of the nation must focus their attentions to these facts,
they must comprehend what a great situation it was.
Someone (of such great power) that today's Iran was but a simple province of his state,
The roman empire and the persian empire were under his feet.
One day a jew came forward and said:
"O' Ali ! This chain mail armour that lies there is my property".
He said: "This chain mail is my own, it fell from my hands"
(the jew) said: "O' Ali ! This chain mail armour is mine
and I won't give up unless you present yourself in front of a judge".
Think about this,
such a man, that too a man
that, in terms of spiritual worth, 124 thousand prophets stand beneath his banner.
(the Holy prophet said): "Adam and all others (from amongst the prophets) are under my banner"
and that banner in held by the hand of Ali ibn Abitalib (A.S.).
From the other side, he even has temporal authority in his grasp,
(with all this power) he came slongside the jew and presented himself in front of a judge.
The judge saw the chain mail armour in the jew's hand
and decided that the armour belonged to the jew.
Now, think (upon this matter).
The judge decides the matter against him, and in favor of a jew.
Amir-ul-Momineen (A.S.) gives the armour to the jew,
(upon seeing this) the jew falls to Ali's feet.
He declares: "O' Ali ! The armour is your,
I carried out all these acts so as to
see whether this religion is the same as the one prophesied by Musa (A.S.).
my claim was false!
You decided to come to court with me,
you faced legal scrutiny because of me,
and even accepted the judgement of the judge in favor of my (false) claim.
My objective was to see whether you were the same man as the one
about whom Musa (A.S.) had prophesied that he shall be the heir of the Seal of the Prophets .
I bear witness that there is no God but Allah"
He fell onto his feet,
became a Muslim, Ali gave him the armour,
even granted him 70 dirhams.
This jew became a martyr, while fight in defence of Ali, in the battle of Siffeen.
This is Ali ibn Abitalib (A.S.)
This is the charter of his government.
This is his character and action.
Where else has the world seen a man
(to whom) the seven continents and whatever lies underneath their skies,
is granted
so that he may steal away a single piece of grain from the mouth of an ant,
and he prefers to give away all those seven continents,
rather than taking a single piece of grain from the mouth of an ant.
For (the martyrdom of) such a man, all of humanity must mourn.
Who was he? What did he do? What was his life?
From the day when he was born within the house of God
the house of God became his place of birth,
and the house of God became the place of his martyrdom.
In history, no one else enjoys such a position.
Being born within the house of God,
being martyred in the house of God.
The mind is baffled.
In the morning, when he came to pray,
he spent that night as a guest in his daughter's home.
His daughter had prepared for her father, a father who ruled one fourth of the world,
meaning that the west and the east were under his control,
(she had prepared for him) food that consisted of a piece of barley bread, some salt and a quantity of milk.
When he sat down to eat, he said:
"When have you see your father eat two dishes during a single meal?"
(His daughter) came forward to pick up the salt so that her father may eat the bread with the milk.
He said, "let the salt be, take away the milk"
He ate the bread with the salt, why?
(Because) he did not want there to be a person in Hijaz or Yamana who
would eat a meal of lower standard than that of Ali.
This is a man that when his head was split by a sword
Jibraeel cried out from in between the heavens and the earth:
"By Allah ! The pillars of guidance have collapsed,
By Allah ! The steadfast support has been torn apart".
"O Allah, be, for Your representative, the Hujjat (proof), son of AlHasan, Your blessings be on him and his forefathers, in this hour and in every hour, a guardian, a protector, a leader, a helper, a proof, and an eye. until You make him live on the earth, in obedience (to You), and cause him to live in it for a long time.
