Reflections

7th waaz – 8th Moharramul Haraam, 1425 H – Dubai

In the beginning of today's Waaz Mubarak Huzurala (TUS) related the zikr of the slave of Bani Riyah. When he died his janaza was followed by seventy groups of seventy thousand angels. They formed a visible blackness in the sky. The scene was one to invoke fear. Rasulallah (SA) and those with him got up and went in its direction. There they found a janaza being carried by just four people. The body was that of Bani Riyah's slave, his skin was dark and he was in chains. He had died in those chains, imprisoned by his owner for misdemeanours. But the mass of angels following his janaza were there because this Mumin, whenever he met Molana Ali (AS) would always profess his true love for him and would say that only a Mumin will love you and only a kafir will oppose you.

A Mumin is the creation of the teenat (radiant essence) that remained after the creation of Rasulallah (SA) and Molana Ali (AS). However, the teenat that created us has been sullied by earthiness and thus the light is no longer as pristine. However, our love for Awliyaullah (AS) means that we will be granted their shafa'at (intercession) just as in the case of the slave of Bani Riyah. Inspite of all his sins, his pure love for Ali (AS) meant that all of those angels accompanied his janaza, Rasulallah (SA) prayed the janaza namaaz and Molana Ali (AS) vouched for his salvation.

Awliyaullah (AS) are committed to a Mumin's welfare in both this world and the hereafter. In 1269H famine struck Kutch and Nagar in India. Syedna Abdeali Saifuddin (RA) instructed Mumineen to come to Surat where Allah's Dai would look after them. Twelve thousand Mumineen arrived in Surat and for eleven months Syedna provided them with food and shelter. It was no small undertaking and had to be highly organized. In this way Syedna nourished them not only in body but also in soul.

This act of philanthropy did not end here - with just a short-term solution. During the time they were in Surat they were also given employment and were paid for their work. The money was held in a trust until the time came for them to leave Surat. At which time they were given this money to help them re-establish themselves in their hometowns.

The benefits a Mumin enjoys by his attachment to Awliyaullah (AS) are, naturally, absent when one looks to others to find them.

Huzurala (TUS) related the zikr of an aaraabi who pledged to enter Islam along with his adherents on condition that Rasulallah (SA) gave him one hundred camels of a special breed. Rasulallah (SA) accepted the condition but passed away before it could be fulfilled. The aaraabi came to Abu Bakr who replied that Rasulallah (SA) had not left any such camels. The aaraabi left disappointed but as he left he met with Fadhal bin Abbas who heard his story and directed him to Molana Ali's (AS) house.Molana Ali (AS)gave him the promised camels and he and his followers embraced Islam.

Huzurala (TUS) spoke of the poor amongst Mumineen saying that they should not extend their hands to seek aid from outsiders.
"No! No! No!" Huzurala (TUS) insisted, "Those in need should come to us and ask. We will give in the cause of Allah! It is no favour….. I am your father, your Dai, your center, your magnet. May Allah suffuse you with barakaat."

Huzurala (TUS) reminded Mumineen that smoking and all other forms of intoxicants were forbidden. Around the world today smoking in particular has become a fashionable act but it does not behoove Mumineen to indulge in it. It is forbidden to us, we are the people of a pure essence and it is incumbent on us to distance ourselves from such contaminants. If others do it then let them, it has no relevance to us. A stain will stand out on white clothing in a way that it will not on dark clothing - we are the people of whiteness and should always remain pure from intoxicants of any type.

Amirul Mumineen (AS) may have kneaded his own bread and worn old clothing but it was not out of poverty. He tilled thousands of acres of land and the proceeds from it were used to feed Mumineen.

Amirul Mumineen's (AS) lifetime of dedication to the salvation of Mumineen would culminate in his final declaration of fowz (victory) for his Shias when he was struck down in the mehrab of his masjid in Kufa. This fowz has been made possible because of the unbroken succession of Aimmat Tahereen in Molana Ali's (AS) progeny and the succession of Duat Mutlaqeen (RA) during the period of satr.

On this day Mumineen around the world were joined together as one to listen to Huzurala's (TUS) waaz in a worldwide satellite broadcast. Additionally we all shared in the barakaat of Huzurala's (TUS) niyaaz.

It has become a sunnat hasanah in the last three years that Huzurala (TUS) invites Mumineen wherever they are around the world to one niyaaz during Ashara Mubaraka. "All of you accept my invitation and dine, I will be very pleased and will pray on your behalf. Eat leisurely, mindful of etiquette, saying Bismillah and praying salawaat upon Husain. I hope that not a single Mumin will miss the barakaat of the mawaaid of Imam Husain."

May Allah preserve our beloved Aqamola in sehat and aafiyat, to nourish all Mumineen in body and soul for all time to come.

Ameen