Reflections

It was the day before Ashura and the zikr of Imam Hasan (SA). After Amir-ul-mumineen, Ali ibn Abi Talib (SA), Imam Hasan (SA) made peace with Muawiya and continued to spread Islam. During his lifetime, Imam Hasan (SA) journeyed to Makkah Mukarramah twenty five times. Today, the waaz mubarak focused on the elucidation of the surat Al-Rahman in correspondence with Aimmat Tahereen (SA) and Duat Mutlaqeen.

The twenty sixth ayat of Al-Rahman states “Everyone that is thereof will pass away and there remaineth but the countenance of thy Lord, of might and glory.” After the seclusion of Imam Tayyib (SA), his Dai Syedna Zoeb (RA) became his vicegerent, the face of Allah who was at the helm of Dawat. One Dai succeeded another, manifesting the meaning of each ayat, revealed in their name.

Aqa Maula evoked the tears of mumineen with the shahadat of Imam Hasan and Imam Husain. Ja’da, the wife of Hasan (SA) was poisoning the Imam. The poison however, did not have the desired fatal effect as Imam Hasan only remained ill. Ja’da wrote to Muawiya to send heerakani (diamond dust) which she mixed into the water. The poisoned water took its toll on Imam Hasan (SA). In the final moments he called his brother, Imam Husain (SA) and the two embraced, grieving. “O Hasan! Why are you crying?” Imam Husain (SA) asked. Imam Hasan (SA) replied that he was mourning for Husain (SA), remembering the scene of Karbala. Imam Husain (SA) was alone, surrounded by the enemy. The Imam’s body was covered in blood. Husain (SA)’s sword beseeched the Imam, “O Hand of Allah, if you give me permission, I will slaughter your enemies, the enemies of Allah.” But the Imam heard a voice in his ear, “O Husain, you have been faithful in your promise. Now show your state of oppression!”

Reflections

The dark-skinned slave of Bani Riyah died in prison and four men were ordered to see to his burial. Rasulullah (SAW) and his Ashab came upon the sparse funeral procession and Rasulullah (SAW) inquired about the deceased. He then asked Amir-ul-mumineen, Ali ibn Abi Talib (SA), if he recognized the slave. Indeed, Maulana Ali (SA) knew the servant, adding that whenever the dark-skinned man came upon Maulana Ali (SA) he would exclaim, “O Maula! O Ali! O Amir-ul-mumineen! By Allah’s name, I swear that I am devoted to you!” This faith, this steadfast conviction proved invaluable to the slave, for Rasulullah (SAW), Amir-ul-mumineen (SA), Ashab Kiraam and seventy factions of seventy thousand angels prayed namaz on him. “This is the honour bestowed upon the shi’a of Maulana Ali (SA),” Aqa Maula (TUS) stated. The virtues of Amir-ul-mumineen (SA), his descendants Aimmat Tahereen (SA), his Duat Mutlaqeen and his shi’a were the focus of the seventh waaz mubarak.

The walayat of Amir-ul-mumineen (SA) has been obligatory since the beginning of time. Every prophet was sworn in by the walayat of Ali (SA) and subsequently, his progeny Aimmat Tahereen (SA). Allah has given the sovereignty of both deen and duniya to Aimmat Tahereen (SA). When Imam uz Zaman (SA) is in seclusion his vicegerent, his Dai, is present. Amir-ul-mumineen (SA) is the Quran-e-natiq and so is each Imam (SA) in his time. Syedna Taher Saifuddin (RA) writes of Aimmat Tahereen (SA), “The Quran has been revealed in your praise.” It follows that each Dai, the true vicegerent of the Imam, is a surat of the Quran. A surat is a part of the Quran and even individually it is still the Quran. In the same way, each Dai is part of the Imam (SA) and in the place of the Imam (SA) during seclusion.

The last Ramazaan approached; Maulana Ali (SA) had fought battles against three factions of enemies. Amir-ul-mumineen (SA) spent the last days of his life immersed in prayers, repenting for the sins of his shi’a. “The nineteenth of Shere Ramazan had arrived!” Maula (TUS) exclaimed. “The eve of Qayamat had arrived!” Dawn approached and Maulana Ali (SA) went to the masjid for namaz. Outside in the courtyard, the awiz (geese) that been a present to Amir-ul-mumineen (SA), gathered around him, holding onto his daman. “They held onto Maulana Ali’s (SA) daman and did not let go! How could the shi’a of Ali (SA) let go?” Mumineen we hold onto the daman of Maulana Ali (SA), we hold onto the daman of Maulana Ali’s (SA) Dai. Aqa Maula (TUS) entreated to Allah, “You are crying with me, and I am crying with you! O mumineen, in this world and in the hereafter, may Allah grant you bounty in my fellowship!”

Reflections

Today is the seventh of Moharram—it reminds us of when the enemy withheld water from the Ahle Bayt (SA) and Ashab, blocking the Euphrates with their army of thousands. The progeny of Fatema (SA) remained without food or water for the next three days under the unyielding heat of the desert. The sixth waaz mubarak commenced with the zikr of Fatema (SA) and Aimaat Fatemiyeen (SA), the descendents of Fatema (SA) and Ali ibn Abi Talib (SA).

When written in Arabic Fatema’s name has five letters; uniting the Panjatan (SA). Fatema (SA) is the daughter of Rasulullah (SAW), the bride of Amir-ul-mumineen (SA) and the mother of Imam Hasan (SA) and Imam Husain (SA). Rasulullah (SAW) has said, “He who is devoted to Fatema (SA) is devoted to me and to Allah.” Furthermore, the five letters of Fatema’s (SA) name are testament to the succession of Aimaat Fatemiyeen (SA): five Imams follow five Imams, until Imam Tayyib (SA) and continuing on until the day of Qayamat.

The sovereignty of Egypt belonged to Fatemiyeen Aimaat for many years: from the era of the fourteenth Imam, Imam Moiz (SA), until Imam Tayyib (SA). Even today, historians mark it as the golden era in Egyptian history. Syedna Qazi Noman (RA) narrates a dream Imam Moiz’s saw in the month of Rabi ul Akhar. A battle is being fought against the Imam and he is surrounded by the swords of Rasulullah (SAW) and Ashab. A host of people arrived from among whom the Imam (SA) only recognized his father Imam Mansoor (SA). One saheb approached Imam Moiz and asked, “Who am I?” When the Imam (SA) answered that he did not know, the saheb stated, “I am your grandfather, Ali ibn Abi Talib! (SA)” Amir-ul-mumineen (SA) extended his hand for a sword from those around Imam Moiz (SA). This convinced Imam Moiz (SA) that that indeed was Zulfaqar! Banul Abbas had managed to seize it but it had been returned to its rightful owner, the Aimaat Fatemiyeen (SA). Aqa Maula (TUS) exclaimed, “Imam uz Zaman (SA) is in seclusion – I truly wish that today the Zulfaqar is with the Imam (SA) amongst his treasures!”

The waaz mubarak concluded with the shahadat of Maulatana Fatema (SA). Rasulullah (SAW) had informed Fatema (SA) that she would meet him again in seventy days. Fatema (SA) spent those days grieving for Rasulullah (SAW), bearing the oppression and injustice of the enemy against Ali (SA). Her illness took a great toll on her body. Maulatana Fatema (SA) saved her tears in a bottle and asked Amir-ul-mumineen (SA) to put it in her grave. She declared that if on the day of Qayamat, a mumin or mumina were to be thrown in hellfire, she would sprinkle her tears to extinguish the fire. In the final moments of her life, Fatema (SA) took the wasila of Panjatan (SA) and prayed that mumineen be saved from hellfire. “I am the Dai of Fatema! I am the gulam of Fatema!” Aqa Maula exclaimed. “I have prayed the shahadat of Fatema, do the matam of Fatema with me!” Mumineen stood on their knees and did matam, cried tears for Fatema along with the Fatemi Dai. Maula (TUS) addressed the crowd once more: “O muminaat! This is the time of prayer! May Allah hear my prayers and yours!”

Reflections

The fifth waaz mubarak marks the beginning of the zikr of Panjatan (SA). Aqa Maula (TUS) addressed the congregation saying, “O mumineen! O muslemeen!” Rasulullah (SAW) has given us this great honour and distinction; we are truly mumineen and muslemeen. Rasulullah (SA) is the shajarat (tree), Fatema (SA) its hamal, Ali (SA) its laqah, Hasan (SA) and Husain (SA) are its fruits and mumineen its leaves.

Mohammed-ul-Mustafa (SAW) is the sixth nabi-e-natiq, the last of the prophets until Qaim-ul-Qayamat. The name Mohammed appears in the Quran four times; Rasulullah (SAW) possesses four maratib: nubuwat, risalat, imamat and wasayat. On the 27th day of Rajab-ul-Asab, at the age of forty, Islam was revealed to Rasulullah (SAW). His wife Khadijah (AS) was the first to embrace Islam. After praying five times, Rasulullah (SAW) presented Islam to Amir-ul-mumineen (SA). For eight years, no one embraced Islam except Rasulullah (SAW), Ali (SA) and Khadijah (AS). Then under instructions of his father, Jaffer ibn Abi Talib embraced Islam. Rasulullah (SAW) led the first jama‘at namaz with Ali (SA) and Jaffer behind him. As Islam spread, Mohammed fought twenty eight battles in the span of ten years: Rasulullah (SAW) fought in nine himself. Leading an army of 10, 000 men he took over Makkah.

Musa (SA) and Haroon (SA) were sent to the court of the Pharaoh to set Bani Israeel free. In the Pharaoh’s court there were people of faith, who lived in taqeeyat. When Musa arrived, he prayed salaam on them saying, “Peace be upon those who follow guidance.” This naturally excluded the Pharaoh. In the era of Syedna Taher Saifuddin (RA) a person seemingly close to him invited Syedna to his home before the official celebrations of Maula’s ascension to the office of Dawat. However this person had not yet given his misaaq. He then exclaimed: “You are enlightened and so are we.” Syedna immediately quoted the Quran, “Enlightened am I and those who follow me.” Awliya Kiraam distinguish people of faith from those of pretence.

After Rasulullah (SAW) passed away, the dissidents tormented the Ahle Bayt: Ibne Hani movingly asks, “On the day you celebrated, were you to ask the grave of Rasulullah (SAW), it would answer that Mohammed (SAW) is in great anguish!” Surely Rasulullah (SAW) grieved on the day the enemy struck his beloved Fatema (SA)! Surely Rasulullah (SAW) suffered when they bound Ali (SA) in ropes and hauled him away! Was not his agony greatest on the day Husain (SA) was martyred in Karbala? After Husain’s (SA) martyrdom, Rasulullah (SAW) appeared to Umme Salama in her dream and informed her of the tragedy. Umme Salama saw that the sand of Karbala in the bottle had turned red. She cried tears for Husain and did matam. Syedna Taher Saifuddin (RA) exclaims, “O soul! Forsake this body! O eyes! Bleed for Husain!”

The heartrending shahadat of Rasulullah (SAW) concluded the waaz. In the final s of Rasulullah’s (SAW) life, the Ahle Bait gathered around, cried for the Nabi, cried for Husain (SA). “O mumineen! Rasulullah has passed away!” Aqa Maula (TUS) exclaimed. “O muminaat! Remember the matam of Fatema (SA) and cry for Mohammed (SAW). Let your children remember the matam of Imam Hasan and Husain (SA) and cry for Mohammed (SAW)!”

Reflections

Rasulullah (SAW) has said, “He who visits my grave and prays salawaat on me is like one who does qadambosi in my lifetime.” Mohammed Rasulullah’s Dai, Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin (TUS), delivered the fourth waaz on the day of Jumoa and prayed salawaat on Rasulullah (SAW) and his progeny.

It was the zikr of Musa (SA) and Eisa (SA), the fourth and fifth nabi-e-natiq. The theme was that of supremacy – which belongs solely to Awliya Kiraam even though the kingdom may be under enemy rule. Before the birth of Musa (SA) every newborn son was put to the sword in Egypt, under strict orders of the Pharaoh. Fearing for his life, Musa’s (SA) mother put her infant son into a taboot and placed him in the Nile. After a few days, a mumina named Aasiya, the Pharaoh’s wife, saw the taboot in the Nile and opened it. Upon seeing the infant Musa, Pharaoh proclaimed that he should be killed. Aasiya persuaded the Pharaoh to let Musa grow up in the Pharaoh’s own household. Though Musa lived with the Pharaoh, he would not let anyone in the Pharaoh’s house nurse him. With the raza of Imam-uz-Zaman, the Dai of Shoaib Nabi sent Musa’s sister to the Pharaoh and she obtained permission to let Musa’s own mother nurse him. “Marvel upon these wonders!” Maula (TUS) stated. Miraculously, Musa (SA) grew up in the enemy’s house but he was nursed by his mother.

Omar fought against Kisra, the ruler of Persia. His army was suffering in battle and Omar turned to Amir-ul-mumineen (SA) for aid saying, “O Ali! You have resolved all of Islam’s troubles!” Maulana Ali (SA) agreed, and with an army of only five, he took on Kisra’s army. Amir-ul-mumineen (SA) revealed his intention for going to battle – to bring Kisra’s daughter, Shere Banu back to Madina. Omar suggested that she become a slave-girl to one of his sons but Amir-ul-mumineen vehemently opposed this saying that she had embraced Islam. He called his sons, Imam Hasan (SA) and Imam Husain (SA) and asked one of them to choose Shere Banu as a bride. Imamain offered that Shere Banu decide who she would marry. Shere Banu chose Husain; the Arab and the Ajam were merged by this union. The supremacy of Awliya Kiraam, the progeny of Husain (SA) and Shere Banu, will remain until the day of Qayamat.

The king of Rome worshipped at the altar of a statue which he believed to be Ruh-ul-Qudus. He prayed to this statue and offered tribute during times of jubilation and trouble. One mumin became a member of the King’s court and on a momentous day was allowed into the shrine. Upon seeing the statue, the mumin exclaimed that the statue was that of Imam Mustansir (SA) in Egypt. The king sent ten of his best painters to Egypt and ordered them to make a portrait of the Imam. In Egypt when Imam Mustansir (SA) gave them permission to paint – without hearing their request – the painters thought, “O what a glorious king Mustansir is!” The painters etched the portrait of the Imam: however all ten paintings were different. They sought permission the following day to paint once more and again, all ten paintings were different. On the third day they painted a portrait of the Imam Mustansir (SA) and all ten painting were the same. The painters left for Rome in amazement. The Roman king saw the twenty one paintings and marveled at the wonder of Imam Mustansir’s glory. He exclaimed, “Mustansir is truly Ruh-ul-Qudus!” The king embraced Islam and submitted himself to the khidmat and service of the true, divine King.

Reflections

It was the morning of khamees, the third waaz and the zikr of Ibrahim (SA), the khaleel (friend) of Allah. In the tradition of Syedna Moayyed us Shirazi (RA), Aqa Maula (TUS) delivered the faiz of Ale Mohammed to mumineen, the true followers of Ibrahim’s millat.
 

Verily, Haj is the pilgrimage to the hazrat of Awliya Kiraam, Aimmat Tahereen (SA) and during their seclusion, the Duat Mutlaqeen. As one scholar extols, “I know not which of the two is worthier – to do taqbeel of Hajar e Aswad or to kiss the earth at your feet.” To do qadambosi of the Dai is to obtain the sawab of Haj. “O mumineen,” exclaimed Aqa Maula, “you sit at his threshold for hours to obtain the sawab of intizaar us salaat e baad as salaat (waiting for one namaaz after another).”
 

Nimrud ordered Ibrahim to be thrown into a fire in a manjaneeq (catapult). Allah sent Jibraeel to ask Ibrahim (SA) if there was anything he desired. Ibrahim declined. When Jibraeel questioned the prophet if he desired anything from Allah, Ibrahim (SA) declined once again. Ibrahim was thrown into the fire. By Allah’s command the fire turned into a garden. Jibraeel asked, “O Ibrahim! What manner of friend of Allah are you! I know not your secret.” Ibrahim answered that he had faith in Allah and His will: if it was His will that Ibrahim be burnt in the fire, the prophet would abide by His will.
 

Abbas Alamdaar (RA), the son of Ali ibn Abi Talib (SA), was present during the battle of Siffeen. Even in his youth he was a valiant fighter. He was fondly called Qamr-e-Bani Hashim (the full moon among the sons of Hashim). Amir-ul-mumineen (SA) loved his son dearly. When Abbas (SA) fought at Siffeen, Maulana Ali (SA) was anxious about Abbas, lest he should die on the battlefield or come to harm by the evil eye of the enemy. Muawiya had in his army, a powerful warrior who was equivalent to ten thousand men. Upon hearing Muawiya’s order that he fight Abbas, the warrior refused and said he would send one of his seven sons instead. One after another, Abbas killed all seven sons in battle and then eventually the stalwart soldier himself. Abbas approached his father, bowed down in sajda and Maulana Ali (SA) kissed his forehead. When Amir-ul-mumineen (SA) lifted the veil from his son’s face everyone was amazed to see that the youth who had vanquished the enemy was none other than the young Abbas ibn Ali (SA). Maulana Ali then sent Abbas away saying, “O beloved son! This battle is not for you! You shall accompany Husain to Karbala!”
 

Dawood Bagh in Mumbai was the venue for many wedding receptions and happy occasions during the era of Syedna Taher Saifuddin (RA). Mumineen would invite Muqaddas Maula (RA) to their receptions at a time apart from the other guests so that they could give Maula due respect. Syedna refused saying, “I am with mumineen! I am not separate from them! My karamat is greater when I am with mumineen!”

On the eve of Ashura, Imam Husain (SA) spent the night in worship. “If Husain does not pray than who will?” Maula asked. “He is the servant of Allah and so are we.” His worship is a paradigm for mumineen for all times. Jibraeel descended upon Husain with a host of angels and asked - if Imam Husain (SA) so wished, the angels would destroy the enemy. Husain looked at Jibraeel and asked, “What is Allah’s will?” How could Jibraeel answer? His eyes were filled with tears. “It is Allah’s will that you choose martyrdom!”

Reflections

On the second day of waaz, those aboard the safina of Dawat, listened to their Dai, their captain, deliver blessings and guidance. Rasulullah (SAW) has likened the Dawat of Panjatan (SA), Aimaat Tahereen (SA) and Duat Mutlaqeen to a ship sailing through a turbulent ocean: he who boards the ship will safely reach the shores; he who doesn’t will surely drown. Aqa Maula (TUS) assuaged mumineen’s fears and stirred their hearts by reminding them that to survive each mountainous wave of the stormy seas of hayula, they must shed tears for Imam Husain (SA). These tears will lead to the safety of the shores, where Awliya Kiraam are waiting to receive them, saying, “These are Husainiyeen! They have cried for Husain!”

The ship of Dawat has sailed through the ocean, with Awliya Kiraam at the helm, battling the waves of fitnat (uprisings). Fitnat after fitnat rose against the Dawat; hardship in this world is inevitable. The devotion of Hasan bin Nuh (RA), and Maulaya Raj (RA) during critical times of fitnat are exemplary. During Syedna Taher Saifuddin’s (RA) era, one mumin urged Syedna to take a decision against the dissidents heatedly adding that the safina of Dawat would otherwise sink. Syedna Taher Saifuddin (RA) instantaneously replied, “The ship may thrash about in the waves but it will never sink!”

The niyyat of a mumin exceeds his amal. Rasulullah’s (SAW) amal was to spread Islam throughout the world and his niyyat was to spread the dawat of Imaan alongside Islam. The amal of Imam uz Zaman (SA) is to grace the people who have accompanied him in seclusion while his niyyat, that which is far worthier, is to grace Duat Mutlaqeen with divine faiz and guidance. Maula (TUS) reminded us to cry tears for Imam Husain, “If a mumin cries on seeing you cry, let that sawab be yours. When I cry seeing your tears, let that sawab be yours. And when you cry seeing my tears let that sawab also be yours.” On hearing the news of Aqa Maula’s admittance to Saifee Hospital, mumineen agonized over the welfare of their Dai. But today, mumineen were consoled by the sight of their beloved Maula on the takht, delivering waaz with powerful oratory. Maula acknowledged the dua, the prayers and deeds of mumineen for his convalescence. Maula mentioned that Saifee Hospital was flooded with get-well-soon cards and that bouquets of aqeeda covered an entire floor. The captain of Dawat, our beloved Maula, reminded us of the day of Qayamat - a day when there shall be no refuge. For salvation one must take hold of someone’s hand. “And whose hand will you hold but the hand of Allah?” Maula questioned. “O mumineen! I am the hand of Imam uz Zaman! I am his gulam! I am the Dai of Husain!” Sobs filled the hall and amid the chorus of “Maula Maula!” we witnessed a sight that will be etched in our hearts forever as our Dai stretched out his own hand and said, “O mumineen, take my hand!”

Reflections

The tree once green and leafy, had withered with longing for Amir ul mumineen (SA) who had not visited it for a long time. Not until Jabir stroked the tree with his hand (as directed by Maula Ali (SA)) did the tree blossom once again. The desire of the tree bears a striking parallel to the sentiments of mumineen who had thirsted to behold their Maula (TUS) reciting the shahadat of Imam Husain (SA) from the takht.
 

The moment arrived! Mumineen called out “Maula, Maula” with arms outstretched as tears of gratitude for their Maula’s (TUS) recovery misted their eyes.
 

The focus of today’s bayan was the ‘ayat sharifa: “Seest thou not how Allah sets forth a parable? A goodly word like a goodly tree whose root is firmly fixed and its branches reach to the heavens.”
 

Aqa Maula’s (TUS) interpretation of this ayat consisted of seven wujuhaat. In the last of these wujuhaat the Kalemat Tyyeba is Imam uz Zamaan (SA) and the Shajarat Tyyeba Maulatuna Hurrat ul Maleka (SA). The word “Maleka” is the phonetic inversion of the word-Kalemat. Maulatuna Hurrat ul Maleka (SA) sent precious jewels to Imam Amir (SA) and likewise presented the modest offering of Duat Mutlaqeen (RA) to the Imam (SA), urging him to accept their khidmet and sacrifice.
 

In opposition to the Kalemat Tyyeba and Shajarat Tyyeba is the analogy of the Kalemat Khabisa and Shajarat Khabisa. Aqa Maula (TUS) explained that the Kalema Khabisa corresponds to the very first Iblees, and then to the enemies of the Anbiya (AS), Awsiya (AS), Aimmat Tahereen (SA) and Duat Mutlaqeen (RA). The enemies of Rasulullah (SAW) massacred Islam, just as they massacred his grandson in the scorching desert sands of Kerbala.
 

The venue for Ashara Mubaraka this year is Saifee Mahal, the residence of Syedna Taher Saifuddin (RA) and Aqa Maula Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin (TUS). Syedna Taher Saifuddin (RA) must be truly pleased to behold the sight of his son and successor delivering the zikr of Imam Husain (SA) in Saify Mahal and moving the congregation to tears and matam of Ya Husain! Ya Husain!