Shahadat (Martyrdom) of Hajarat Imam Ali (A.S.)

Today, 21st day of Lunar month of Ramadan is the gloomiest day equivalent to the martyrdom day of Imam Hussain (A.S.) in the battlefield of Karbala (Iraq) for the Shi’ite Muslims. Ramadan 21 is the day of martyrdom of Maula Ameerul Moomineen Ali Murtuza (A.S.). He was killed by Abdurrahman Ibne (s/o) Muljim (May the curses of Allah befall upon him). He hit a blow of poisonous sword on his head for the sake of marrying a wicked woman named Qutam who wanted Imam Ali (A.S.) be finished just for the revenge of her father and brother’s death while fighting against Ali’s army in Jang-e-Siffin. She hypocritically enticed Ibne Muljim towards her with her beauty and young age. She demanded her bridal right of dowry in the form of Ali’s murder first. Though Ibne Muljim was loyal to Imam Ali (A.S.) until he met her, he was entrapped under the influence of Iblees, the Devil with his weakness of mind and turned to be the enemy of Imam Ali (A.S.). He became the victim of delusional temptation of a woman and forgot that he would be caught and executed with the charge of Imam’s murder and his dream of marrying with her would never come true and besides he would have to go to Hell for ever. He was supported by Muawiyah, the Governor of Damascus then and his master minded right hand Marwan (Allah’s curses be upon them). Thus; Ibne Muljim, with his heinous most crime, besmeared his hands with the innocent blood of the Commander of the Faithful.

Hajarat Ali (A.S.) was the son of Abu Talib and cousin of the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH). He was born in the House of Allah, the Ka’bah on 13th of Rajab, B.H. 23. No any Prophet or Divine Personality was ever blessed with such an Honor of taking birth in such a Holy place, the Qibala (point of direction for Prayers). Ali’s mother Janabe Fatima Binte (d/o) Asad stayed in Ka’bah for three days after birth of Ali (A.S.). When she stepped out carrying the child in her arms on the fourth day, the Holy Prophet was already present there to welcome the newly born child in his anxious arms. During the first three days after birth, Ali (A.S.) kept his eyes closed; but as soon as he was lifted in arms of the Prophet, he opened his eyes and saw the face of the Prophet first and with the Divine grace, Ali (A.S.) greeted the Prophet (PBUH) in the words “As-salamo Alykum Ya Rasool-Allah” – (Salutes to you, O, the Messenger of Allah).

Hajarat Ali (A.S.) grew up in hands and company of the Prophet with great care and love. Once he announced that he (himself) and Ali were the pieces of the same Noor (Light) of Allah. Ali (A.S.) remained with the Holy Prophet for ten years so closely and inseparable that he developed his virtues already possessed by birth more flourished. He was one as resembling to the Prophet in character, knowledge, self-sacrifice, forbearance, bravery, kindness, generosity and power of eloquence. From his early infancy, he was used to pray to God along with the Holy Prophet. Every verse of the Holy Qu’ran whether revealed during night or day was first made him hear by the Prophet. Under the Divine mandate, the Prophet of Islam got his beloved daughter Fatimat-ul-Zehra (A.S.) married with him though many were eager to marry with her.

It was the late night of Ramadan 19 when Imam Ali was struck on head in mosque of Kufa but he embraced martyrdom on Ramadan 21. Who-so-ever heard the news of Ali’s death became heartbroken, but Ali’s words were as “By the Lord of Ka’bah, I have been successful!” Imam Ali’s death was the greatest loss to Humanity. He was a divine personality who had given everything to others even he gave up his meritorious position of being the immediate successor of the Prophet of Islam (PBUH) just to preserve the unity of the followers of Islam and avoid the innocent bloodshed of Ummah, the Nation by raising any cause of Civil War. After the death of Hajarat Usman (RA) – the third Caliph, people insisted him to be the Caliph, but he refused. On the third day, just to honor the earnest desire of the people, he agreed for the same. As a Caliph, he re-lit the torch of Islamic learning and progress.

He was severely oppressed during his lifetime but never thought of any revenge. He forgave even his enemies and always helped the needy people. He provided shelter to the orphans and took care of widows. Such a Chosen one servant of Allah was no more on this day of Ramadan 21, leaving the followers of Shi-ite and other schools of Islamic thoughts weeping behind. Centuries have passed to this tragic episode in the history of Islam and still more till the Day of Judgment, he will be mourned and remembered. Hajarat Ali (A.S.) – Allah be pleased with him – was the lover and helper of the Prophet of Islam – Hajarat Mohammed (PBUH), the Mentor of the Universe. Ali (A.S.) was the living example of Knowledge, Love and Tolerance.

Born in the House of Allah, the Ka’bah was attacked in the mosque while he was in Prayer late at night. He was titled with the identity of the Lion of the Lord by the Prophet, the bravest hearted with tenderness as well. He devoted his whole life for the willingness of Almighty Allah and his Prophet in the services of the mankind. His spiritual and worldly ethical lessons are well expressed in his sermons collected in the form of the Book – Nahjul Balagah. In the entire history of Humankind, it is a note-worthy fact that Ali (A.S.) and his successor Imams – the sons, grand sons and great grand sons, all in number of 11 were martyred one after one either with sword or poison during the course of almost over two and half centuries. The 12th Imam Al-Mahdi (A.S.), the Just Leader of Humanity is alive with the will of Allah, but hidden in the eyes of the people and his Appearance is awaited.

To conclude, I would very politely confess that my few words in this precise Article have fallen short to give proper justice to the life and works of the Imam Ali (A.S.). I would justify my statement by quoting the Prophet of Islam (PBUH) in his Hadith (Saying) as “I am the city of knowledge, but Ali is the gate of the city and through him only my knowledge can be acquired.” How co-incidental it is that Imam Ali (A.S.) lived the age of 63 years equivalent to the age of the Prophet of Islam (PBUH)! The servant of Allah and His Prophet physically died in 40 A.H. on this day and was buried in Najaf-e-Ashraf (Iraq), but he is spiritually alive in the hearts of not only his Shias but the rest all who are familiar with his glorious life and character.

May Almighty Creator of the Universe keep his soul in Proximity of Him with His Chosen Ones in heaven.

Khuda Hafiz*

Duagir**

– Valibhai Musa

Notes:-

* Khuda Hafiz = May God protect you

** Duagir = Praying for you

@ PBUH = Peace Be Upon Him

@ A.S. = Alayhi Salam = Salutes to you

 

Charity (ભાવનાનું મૂલ્ય)

Click here to read Preamble in Gujarati
Charity is emphasized in every religion of the world. Somebody said, “Every charitable act is a stepping stone towards heaven.” This may be true for a religious person, but what about those people who do not believe in Heaven or Hell and not even believe in existence of God. It makes no difference to God if anybody created by Him believes Him or not. He is always kind and merciful for all His creations, either the Believers or Non-believers. The slogan of those Non-believers is “God is nowhere.” But, ask them to talk to a victim of any disaster who might have got help through charity by any individual or organization at the right moment. That fellow will invert their slogan in this way, “God is now here.” But, here our topic is about charity and we leave them here to experience the critical situation in their lives and; perhaps a day may come, when they may be compelled to change their attitude of a Non-believer.

My article in Gujarati will follow this preface, but before that, I want to add something here in brief for my Non-Gujarati readers. I shall quote one of my favorite personalities – Sir Winston Churchill in this regard. He said, “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” Further, he said: “Even the poor should give something to charity.” The last words will reflect in my Article that follows. Mother Terasa also said, “It’s not how much we give, but how much love we can put into giving.” This will also be qualifying to my scanned blog. Giving something is better than nothing while doing charity. Frank Tyger quotes, “If you cannot lift the load off another’s back, do not walk away; but try to lighten it.”

In my opinion and also in yours, when we give something for charity to any needy person; it is not any obligation or favor to him, but is merely the payment of royalty on behalf of God for what we use as the raw material of what we produce and earn if we are a manufacturer. If we are a businessman or professional, we pay the levy of our intellectual property borrowed from Him. If we are a farmer, we use land, water, seeds etc. provided by Him. If we are a laborer, we pay Him for the physical strength He favored us. Nothing is ours, everything is His. Even we-ourselves are in existence at His will and our every breathe is dependent of Him. Hajarat Imam Ali, in a sermon, said, “When a man dies, his relatives ask how much wealth he has left. While the angels look to see how much he had given in charity, in the path of the God.”

Summing up, the God loves those who love Him, but loves those more who love their fellow-men. Now, proceed further to read my blog in Gujarati and try to co-relate it to the content of this preface:

charity.pdf