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Condolences
on the Occasions of Passing Away Anniversary of
Prophet Mohammad (SAWA) and Martyrdom Anniversary of Imam
al-Hasan and Imam Redha
(PBUT)
Passing Away
of the Prophet (SAWA)
In Ayahs 45 and
46 of the Holy Qur’an God Almighty says:
“O
Prophet! Surely We have sent you as a witness, and as a
bearer of good news and as a warner. And as one inviting to
Allah by His permission, and as a light-giving torch.”
It is an
interesting fact that unlike the missions of the earlier
Prophets, the mission of Prophet Mohammad (SAWA) was and
remains unique. He was entrusted with the message of Islam
at a time when the Arabian Peninsula was plunged in
paganism, corruption and ignorance. Humanitarian values had
sunk rock bottom not only among the Arabs but also among the
supposedly civilized nations of Rome and Persia. Even in
India, China and other parts of the world, humanity was at
its lowest levels. The Prophet soon transformed this
pathetic state, and during his 23-year mission, he knitted
people into the great Ummah called Muslims. The proper name
for the message he preached came to be known as Islam, which
means peace, healthy way of life and submission to none
except the One and Only Creator. It was monotheism at its
peak, and the Prophet became the most excellent of exemplars
for the human race with his impeccable manners and
etiquette. His teachings cleansed people from the filth of
polytheism and disbelief and made them torchbearers of
knowledge and learning. This was the beginning of the great
Islamic civilization.
In ayah 107 of
Surah Anbiya, while addressing the Prophet, the Almighty
says: “We have not sent you but as mercy to the entire
creation.”
He was
prophesied by all earlier messengers including Noah,
Abraham, Moses and Jesus (peace upon them). At the age of 40
he commanded by God to formally proclaim his mission to
mankind. He did it by bearing testimony to the indivisible
oneness of God Almighty with the phrase La ilaha
il-Allah which means There is no god but Allah. The
first one to believe in him was his dear young cousin Ali
(AS), who testified the Prophet’s divine mission by saying:
Ash-hado anna Mohammadan Rasoul-Allah, meaning
I bear witness that Mohammad is the Messenger of Allah.
This was the
public proclamation of Islam, and from then onwards there
was no looking back. For 12 years, the Prophet preached in
Mecca despite persecution before being forced to migrate to
Medina, where the first Islamic state took shape.
In Medina, the
rapidly expanding Muslim community was attacked frequently
by the infidel Arabs and the evil Israelites, sometimes
jointly, but God Almighty always defeated the stratagems of
the enemies of Islam. For 11 years, the Prophet preached and
managed to spread the message of monotheism all over the
Arabian Peninsula. He even sent letters of invitation to
world leaders inviting them to contemplate on truth and
embrace Islam. The 23 years of his mission saw the gradual
revelation of the Holy Qur’an as the final and the most
dynamic code for the prosperity and salvation of the human
race. Then came the farewell Hajj pilgrimage to the symbolic
house of God, the holy Ka’ba in Mecca. Over one hundred and
twenty thousand people from all over Arabia accompanied him.
On the 9th of Zilhijja at Mount Mercy in Arafat
he gave a memorable sermon at the end of which he spelled
out the formula of Islamic faith and unity, by saying: I am
leaving behind among you the Saqalayn or the two weighty
things, the Book of God and my progeny, the Ahl al-Bayt. If
you hold fast to them, you will never go astray for the two
will never part with each other even when they return to me
at the fountain of al-kawthar on the Day of Judgement.
Prophet
Mohammad (SAWA) was now 63 years old and at the end of his
mission. The month of Safar was drawing to its close. The
Prophet was not well. Only two months ago he had returned to
his home in Medina from the Hajjat ol-Weda’ or the Farewell
Pilgrimage, during which he proclaimed to the people, on
God’s command, that after his departure, his cousin and
son-in-law Imam Ali (AS) was his successor. The Seal of
Prophethood who was the most excellent exemplary to the
human race in manners, behaviour and wisdom, named an
equally worthy vicegerent. It was divine wisdom that human
beings ought not to be kept in the dark. Soon symptoms of
sickness began to appear on the face of Prophet Mohammad
(SAWA). He was concerned about the future trend of affairs
and the hardships that lay for the Islamic Ummah. This
increased his grief. Gradually the Prophet’s physical
condition deteriorated. During his last moments his beloved
family, that is daughter Hadhrat Fatema, son-in-law Imam Ali
and grandsons Imam al-Hasan and Hussein (peace upon them all)
gathered around him. He drew Imam Ali (AS) closer and
clasped him to his chest, whispering some of the secrets of
divinely granted knowledge. Imam Ali (AS) later said, the
Prophet in this last embrace opened 1000 doors of knowledge
for me and from each door I opened 1000 doors. The Prophet
fell asleep. He woke up when tears from the eyes of his
beloved daughter fell upon him. He drew her near and
whispered something into her ear at which she first cried
and then felt rejoiced. Later after the passing away of the
Prophet when Hadhrat Fatema (SA) was asked what made her cry
and laugh that moment, she said: "First my father told me
that his hour has come and he would soon depart. This
separation made me cry. Then he told me that I would be the
first from among the family to join him in afterlife. I felt
happy at this tiding."
The Prophet
departed from the mortal world leaving his family in
profound grief, but the light that he had lit will never be
extinguished. By God’s command the last divine Prophet had
passed divine trust to his vicegerent Imam Ali (AS), the
first of 12 infallible successors, the last of whom, Imam
Mahdi will reappear towards the end of time and fill the
world with justice and equity as it was filled with
injustice and oppression. As God says in the Holy Qur’an,
Prophet Mohammad (SAWA) is the finest exemplar for mankind.
He was virtue personified and his model way of life
continues to stand out as a beacon of light for humanity all
over the world, since Islam is the universal religion.
Volumes have been written on the impeccable personality of
the Prophet. Even non-Muslims have paid tribute to his
brilliant characteristics that continue to act as polestar
for people all around the world. Even non-Muslims have
acknowledged the peerless personality of the Prophet.
European researcher Constante Vergil Giorgio, "Muhammad - A
Prophet to be Acquainted has paid glowing tributes to the
Islam and Prophet.
"
Martyrdom Anniversary
of Imam al-Hasan (AS)
A famous statement from Imam al-Hasan says: “The ruin of people
lies in three things: arrogance, greed and envy. It was due
to arrogance that Satan deprived himself of God’s mercy. It
was greed that caused Adam to be expelled from the garden.
It was envy the source of evil that made Cain kill his
brother Abel.”
What a beautiful piece of
advice indeed. It reminds us to be sincere and cautious in
our life. Lets cast a brief glance at the life of the great
man who expressed such dynamic phrases. He was the doyen of
truth and knowledge. He was born in 3 AH in Medina. The
Prophet as per the message conveyed by the archangel
Gabriel, named him “al-Hasan”, which
means excellent and is the Arabic equivalent of Shabar, the
name of Aaron’s elder son. Once the Prophet’s companions had
gathered around him near Mount Hera when Imam al-Hasan who
was just a toddler joined them. The holy Prophet cast an
affectionate look and then addressing the gathering said:
Beware al-Hasan is the reviver of Sunnah or practices. His
deeds are the same as mine. Blessed is the one who is
cognizant of his rights and respects him for my sake.
Respect him for my sake.
Imam al-Hasan (AS)
bore a striking resemblance to the Prophet in manners and
appearance. He was the picture of humbleness, patience and
generosity. Three times in his brief life of 47 years he
gave away in charity half of his entire possessions for the
sake of God, thus earning the title Kareem Ahl al-Bait for
his great munificence. No person ever disclosed his problems
to Imam al-Hasan (AS), but he was provided all sorts of relief
and succour.
Once when a
person came to the Imam, before saying anything, the Imam
gave him money. The man was deeply surprised and the Imam
smiled and said: "We are the people who instill hopes in
hearts." We donate before a demand is made so as to spare
any embarrassment for persons in need. During the lifetime
of the Prophet, he along with his younger brother, Imam
Hussein (AS), used to frequently accompany the Prophet to
the mosque. Whatever he heard from the Prophet, he would
recount to his mother Hadhrat Fatema Zahra (peace upon her)
on returning home. It was the habit of his father Imam Ali
(AS) to ask him different questions in public so that the
people would become aware of the God-given knowledge of Imam
al-Hasan (AS). No doubt, a famous Hadith from the Prophet
calls Imam al-Hasan and Imam Hussein (peace upon them), as “Leaders
of the Youth of Paradise.”
Imam al-Hasan (AS)
was around 8 years old when the Prophet left the mortal
world. At the age of 37 years following the martyrdom of his
father Imam Ali (AS), he became the 2nd divinely
appointed successor of the Prophet. Imam Hassan (AS) was
known for his farsightedness and used to make judicious
decisions at sensitive junctures. The people pledged
allegiance to him as caliph in Kufa but not all of them were
sincere Muslims. There were many who paid only lip service
to Islam and were easily swayed by the anti-Islamic
propaganda of the crafty rebel governor of Syria, Mu’awiyah
ibn Abu Sufyan. Imam al-Hasan (AS) noticed there were very few
self-sacrificing persons among his companions, since each of
the groups that had pledged political allegiance to him as
the caliph, pursued specific objectives. The Imam knew that
such people lacked the stomach to stand up for justice. Soon
the propaganda of Mua’wiyah deceived most of them, and they
started putting pressure upon Imam al-Hasan (AS) to make peace
with the rebel. The Imam pointed to them the folly of
dealing with hypocrites but they did not listen. Many of
them started deserting the Imam after accepting bribes from
Mua’wiyah. Some even started plotting against the life of
Imam al-Hasan (AS). The Imam sensed the sensitivity of the
situation and in order to preserve the pure and pristine
principles of Islam and the Sunnah of the Prophet, he
decided to enter into truce with Mua’wiyah. After signing
the treaty, although on certain terms and conditions, Imam
al-Hasan (AS) relinquished political rule and retired to his
hometown Medina. His right of caliphate had been usurped but
no one could take from his the God-given spiritual right of
imamate.
In Medina, he
strengthened the intellectual base of Muslims and guided
people towards enlightenment. He promoted moral virtue in
society while Mua’wiyah broke all terms and conditions he
had made with the Imam in acquiring the caliphate. The
people of Iraq realized the folly they had made by turning
their backs on the righteous successor of the Prophet but it
was too late now. The Omayyuds had imposed their tyrannical
rule on the Muslims that would remain forever an ugly blot.
There was a chaos and exploitation everywhere. In Medina,
however, Imam al-Hasan (AS) continued his cultural and social
activities to keep alive the Islamic sentiments of the
people. This was anathema to Mua’wiyah and he contrived to
harm the Imam but he could not do open bodily harm in view
of the position of the Prophet’s progeny and the vivid
memories in public minds of the exemplary rule of social
justice Imam Ali (AS). Finally in 50 AH, through a traitor
in the house, he had a fatal dose of poison administered to
the Prophet’s elder grandson, as a result of which the liver
of Imam al-Hasan (AS) was badly cut and he coughed up its
bloodstained pieces. It was a tragic spectacle. Medina was a
picture of profound grief, and on Safar 28, on the 39th
anniversary of the passing away of his grandfather the
Prophet, Imam al-Hasan (AS) left world for his heavenly abode.
He attained martyrdom and when his body was prevented from
burial beside the Prophet, he was laid to rest in the Baqie
Cemetery.
Martyrdom Anniversary of Imam
Redha (AS)
Today, our
eyes are moist. Our hearts are in grief on the martyrdom
anniversary of the 8th Imam who was poisoned by
the cruel caliph Mamoun in 203 AH. Let us first take note of
one of the famous sayings of the Imam. Imam Redha (A.S.) in
one of his famous statements to his disciple Seyyed
Abdul-Azim al-al-Hasani (peace upon him), says:
“O '
Abdul Azim! Convey my regards to my friends and tell them
not to be tempted by Satan; and instruct them to be truthful
and trustful, recommend them to be silent and refrain from
useless discussions and arguments and to be close to each
other and to visit each other because that would make them
close to me, they should not be busy in annihilating each
other; because I have sworn that whoever would do that and
would make one of my friends angry I would request Allah to
punish him in this world very severely and would be among
the losers in the hereafter. Tell them that the Beneficent
Allah has forgiven their sins, except the sins of those who
were polytheist, or who persecute one of my friends or would
have bad intentions in regard to him. In these cases Allah
would not forgive him unless he would repent and stop doing
evil actions. If he would not repent, he would become
faithless and would lose our friendship and love. I take
refuge in Allah, against that!"
Today the last
day of the month of Safar is a public holiday in Iran.
Millions of pilgrims have converged on Mashhad from all
around the country and from other parts of the world to pay
their respects at the shrine of Imam Redha (AS). What is the
mystery of this devotion, which after the passage of a
millennium and two centuries, grows more and more for the
Prophet’s Ahl ol-Bayt or Household. The huge flow of the
faithful to the magnificent golden-domed mausoleum in
Mashhad, is proof of the spiritual power of the Prophet’s
infallible descendants who continue to rule the hearts of
faithful Muslims. Among the pilgrims to the holy shrine are
sick persons from different parts of Iran and the world. The
Ahl ol-Bayt are the repositories of divine knowledge and
there is much to learn and mould our lives properly by
contemplating on the immortal role they played for the
peace, prosperity and salvation of mankind.
Lets cast a
glance at the exemplary life of Imam Redha (AS). His name was
Ali and his kunya or agnomen was Abu’l-al-Hasan. He was born in
Medina on 11th Zil-qa’da in the year 148 AH. He
was 35 years old when the mantle of divinely designated
leadership fell upon him on the martyrdom of his equally
illustrious father Imam Musa AL-Kadhim (AS) in the prison of the
notorious tyrant Haroun Rashid in Baghdad in 183 AH. For the
next twenty years he guided the Muslims and in view of his
sublime characteristics acquired the epithet of Redha, that
is, the one who is fully contented with God’s will.
He was a
perfect model of virtue. He was pleasant in manners. He was
never seen spitting, never stretched his feet in front of
visitors, never speak impolitely and never interrupt the
conversation of anyone. He had a beautiful smile on his
face. When eating he would never hesitate to eat with the
servants and in fact preferred that the poor people should
first be fed before he took his own simple and meager meal.
Imam Redha (AS) told his companions that God the Glorious
bestows mercy on those who keep alive the path of the Ahl
al-Bayt. When asked how one should keep alive this path, he
replied: Keeping alive our path means acquiring the
teachings of us the Ahl ol-Bayt and passing it on to other
people. If people become acquainted with out teachings they
will follow our good deeds and words. Abu Salt Herawi, who
was one of the close companions of the Imam, says: "In
Medina Imam Redha (AS) used to sit in the Prophet’s Mosque,
where it was the habit of the Ulema to gather and discuss
different issues." Whenever any of these scholars reached a
dead end and had no clue to any issue, they used to refer to
the Imam and he would provide the correct and satisfactory
answer. His knowledge was God-given and covered every topic
under the sun. It ranged from spiritual and cultural issues
to the realm of science and medicine. There is an important
book attributed to the 8th Imam in the medical
field and is titled Tibb or-Redha. It has been translated
into several languages and contains important prescriptions
and valuable guidelines including cure for different
ailments and proper dietary and hygienic habits.
Imam Redha (AS)
was also active in debates with scholars of the various
schools of thought including atheists. His logical
discussions and his citing of rational proofs used to
convince all those scholars who came into contact with him.
They would leave his presence intellectually reformed in an
age when alien thoughts were flowing in unchecked in Islamic
lands and confounding the beliefs of Muslims. One of his
famous sayings reads: Among the signs of understanding and
comprehension are self-control and acquisition of knowledge.
Imam Redha’s
(AS) encouragement to enlighten minds and souls attracted
the attention of the Muslim Ummah. It also aroused jealousy
in the rancourous hearts of the usurper Abbasid regime. The
caliph Mamoun considered the 8th Imam an
impediment to his rule and dreaded the idea that if people
became aware of the brilliance of the Prophet’s infallible
descendant they would turn against the Abbasids. For this
reason he contrived a plan to remove Imam Redha (AS) from
Medina which was the center of all activities. He dared not
do bodily harm for fear of alienating the people and
therefore with the help of his crafty Vazir Fazl bin Sahl he
devised a plan to bring Imam Redha (AS) to his capital Merv
which was then in Khorasan and is presently in Republic of
Turkmenistan. The Imam resisted at first but the pressures
grew upon him and in the year 201, he left Medina and
traveled to Merv under an Abbasid escort. He was taken
through different routes so that people, especially the
followers of the Prophet’s Ahl al-Bayt, had no proper
knowledge of his journey. The caravan especially avoided
such important cities as Kufa and Qom but to the surprise of
the Abbasids whenever people learned about the Imam’s
presence, they flocked to him.
A very famous
incident happened when Imam Redha (AS) halted briefly in the
city of Nayshapour in Khorasan. It is said that tens of
thousands of people, among them 17,000 scholars, came to
greet the 8th Imam and insisted that he relate to
them an important Hadith. The Imam smiled and said on the
chain of authority of his father, grandfather and
forefathers right up to the Prophet who was informed by the
archangel Gabriel that Allah the Glorious says:
"The
testimony there is no god but Allah is My impregnable
fortress and whoever enters it is safe from My wrath."
The scholars
wrote down this Hadith and when the camel of the Imam rose
up to leave, he said: "But there are certain
conditions and I am one of these conditions." This
was a clear reference that without attachment to the Imam
Redha (AS) and other members of the infallible Ahl al-Bayt,
one cannot hope to enter this impregnable fortress and
become immune from divine wrath. This famous saying is also
known as the Hadith of the Golden Chain.
When the Imam
reached Marv, the Abbasid caliph along with his courtiers
came out to receive him and showed much outward respect. He
then offered Imam Redha (AS) the caliphate, an offer that was
politely refused with the words: If the caliphate is your
right you should not give to others what is rightful for
you, and if it is not your right then you cannot give to
anyone that which does not belong to you at all. The answer
of the Imam frustrated Mamoun’s nefarious designs but he
resorted to another stratagem and under veiled threats
forced the Imam to agree to become his heir apparent. Mamoun
thought that by this ruse he would legitimize his rule over
Muslims and at the same time calm down uprisings that used
to occur in different parts of the vast Islamic realm from
North Africa to Khorasan for the sake of the Prophet’s Ahl
ol-Bayt. He wanted to tarnish the image of the Imamate in
the vain hope that worldly power would make Imam Redha (AS)
shun his spiritual simplicity. The Imam, however, saw
through the plot and accepted on condition that he will not
interfere in state matters.
In
Merv, much to the detriment of Mamoun, Imam Redha’s (AS)
popularity grew among the people and the crafty Abbasid
caliph found himself ignored. He now began to think of evil
plots. One day while in the city of Tous, he forced the 8th
Imam to eat poisoned grapes as a result of which the
Prophet’s successor left the mortal world, a martyr. He was
laid to rest in Sanabad, which became famous as Mashhad-e
Redha or the Place of Martyrdom of Imam Redha (AS). Today, Mamoun and the Abbasid oppressors have vanished without any
trace from the face of the earth, but Imam Redha (AS) reigns
supreme, ruling hearts and minds, not only in Khorasan but
also all over the world. A famous statement of the 8th
Imam reads: Life is pleasant and good for those who benefit
others and extend their grace to others. |
