Table of Contents
The meaning of the word “negligence” has been reserved for the nation whose guidance lies in the tradition of Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) that there will be twelve caliphs after me and the last of them will rise to establish justice and equity in this world. With this distinction, we wish to address those who are associated with Ahle Bait (a.s.) since the beginning.
Negligence here, is based on the effects of the developments that happen, both internally and externally. There is no one in our community who is not attached to his Imam because no matter however misguided he be, as soon the name of our Imam (a.s.) is mentioned, he either stands in his reverence or places his hand on his head bowing. However, if we look closely at the global background of our nation, even though it believes in hereafter, it falls prey to the pomp and splendour of this world. The global background of today’s external world, by the efforts of our writers, preachers, and translators through their compiled books, have been informed to us in the light of the teachings of Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) and actions of our true leaders. We want to draw the attention of our readers towards the relentless efforts of our scholars in awakening us from the above-mentioned negligence.
We firmly believe in the truth of religion, and we know that the religion is better for us in every aspect and our betterments are hidden in it.
Now a very important question here is, despite our profound belief, why do we not benefit from religion? Why do we not find peace and satisfaction in religion instead face humiliation from society while overcoming our problems?
It has become our demeanour to consider ourselves innocent and shift the blame of our misdeeds and negligence to Shaitan.
The question here is “Is the Shaitan so dominant over us that we are helpless before him and we have no authority over ourselves, or do we by ourselves not want to be free from his clutches?”
We do not consider such issues seriously and pass by them too quickly, assuming that our inattentiveness will absolve us of our responsibilities.
Negligence never justifies shortcomings
Is there anyone who is unaware that one day he has to die irrespective of his religion and belief, even the one who rejects all religions, is certain of his death. He knows that one day he has to depart from this word, but despite knowing this fact, he lives as if death will never approach him. He must have visited many tombs and graves and attended many funerals but continues to remain heedless. If people would have been even slightly attentive to it, the state of the world would be different from what it is now.
Ameerul Momineen Hazrat Ali ibn Abi Talib (a.s.) says:
“I have not seen anyone sceptical about a certain event more than the man that every day slips from his hands and brings him closer to death, yet he is deluded by the world. He is not willing to give up his desires and pleasures. Had the son of Adam not been surrounded by his sins, had death been the only event that scatters his very existence and separates him from others and mourns him, then also it was imperative for him to keep away from those things that are going to exhaust him. We are so oblivious to death as if we are never going to see it. We are so immersed in the world and its pleasures that we do not think of reckoning and the consequent punishment.”[1]
We continue to see the departures with our eyes every day and participate in the funerals of our loved ones, the sound of wailing is raised from their homes. We see the demise of all around us, be it children, the elderly, from all walks of life. Yet we behave as if we are never going to counter death.
Can we absolve ourselves from the reality of death by shifting the blame on Shaitan and free ourselves from our responsibilities?
Is Shaitan strong or weak?
One of our approaches is that we never take ourselves to task for our blemishes and always blame others for it, we present ourselves as if we were forced into and did it under coercion. In this way, we consider ourselves free from all kinds of accountabilities.
Due to this approach, we hold Shaitan responsible for all our faults. We render ourselves weak and powerless in front of Shaitan and declare him to be too powerful.
This is also a kind of deception, a self-delusion, whereas the Holy Quran forbids us from worshiping Shaitan, thus: “Do not worship Satan.”[2]. Further, it says: “Surely, the strategy of Shaitan is weak.”[3]
The interesting point here is that Shaitan has absolved himself of taking responsibility of our sins. Shaitan himself states:
“And the Shaitan shall say after the affair is decided: Surely Allah promised you the promise of truth, and I gave you promises then failed to keep them to you, and I had no authority over you, except that I called you and you obeyed me, therefore do not blame me but blame yourselves: I cannot be your aider (now) nor can you be my aiders; surely I disbelieved in your associating me with Allah before; surely it is the unjust that shall have the painful punishment.”[4]
Thus, the cause of our negligence is not Shaitan but we ourselves. It is we who bank on the false assurances of Shaitan and turn away from the true promises of Allah, the Almighty. Shaitan is not powerful, but it is we, who unnecessarily feign to be weak before him. We are powerful due to our faith in in Allah, the Almighty and are negligent of our strength and faith and the cause of this negligence is the love of the world and its pleasures.
Strong Refuge
Allah, the Almighty says:
“Say: Then Allah’s is the conclusive argument.”[5]
Allah, the Almighty, on account of His infinite mercy, has made such arrangements that He has closed all the doors of excuses and pretexts on us. Allah, the Almighty has provided the best means to be safe from Shaitan and all other deceptions. Such exceptional possibilities have been bestowed upon us that can give us victory and dominion in every field. Hence, Allah, the Almighty has closed all the doors of excuses and justifications.
Allah, the Almighty has provided us with the best opportunities and great treasures, it is up to us whether to use them or not. Now, if someone, despite having the access to infinite treasures, does not partake of them and instead remains negligent and continues to express his poverty and destitution, who then is responsible for this poverty and misery? Allah, the Almighty has bestowed us with some exclusive treasures and sources of power, some of them are as follows:
- “Intellect” – By which we can distinguish between good and evil.
- “Free will” – Along with the distinction between good and evil, we have the “free will” to choose either of them.
- “Intention” – After choosing, one can intend to act upon it.
- “Strength and power” – Our limbs and intellect have been given enough strength and power to put our intentions into action. If eyes have been given the power to see, then the power to control the eyelids has also been given.
- “Prophets and Messengers (a.s.)” – Allah, the Almighty has declared humans as the noblest of all creatures by blessing him with immense treasures of intellect, intention and free will. Allah, the Almighty wants man to tread the path of happiness and paradise and not be consumed by hell.
Allah, the Almighty also knew that the carnal desires of man and his love of the world are so enticing that despite being armed with such powerful weapons, he feels week and becomes negligent of these treasures. Hence, Allah, the Almighty turned further merciful and graceful on man and to awaken him from his slumber of negligence and to make him realize the blessings bestowed upon him, He sent Prophets and Messengers (a.s.) who were divinely trained possessing divine knowledge so that they can guide man towards the path of salvation leading to the heaven and that man does not suffer divine punishment due to his negligence.
- “Imam-e-Asr (a.t.f.s.)” – Along with all the above-mentioned blessings and abundant treasures, Allah, the most merciful and gracious, has provisioned a very stable fortress and an impregnable refuge in every era with the blessed existence of a holy infallible and in this era, it is the blessed existence of Imam Mahdi (a.s.).
In the traditions, this impregnable refuge is described as follows. For the sake of brevity, we quote six of them as follows:
(1) “Kahf al-Wara” (Refuge for the creation)
In Ziyaarat-e-Jaame-a-Kabeera, Ahle Bait (a.s.) have been mentioned as “Kahf al-Wara”’. “Kahf” means cave, hence “Ashaab-e-Kahf” means the “companions of the cave”. A cave is a place where man remains safe from external calamities. Imam (a.s.) is the universal representative of Allah and His refuge. Having a place of refuge is one thing and taking shelter in it is another.
Allah, the Almighty has declared the blessed existence of Hazrat Wali-e-Asr (a.s.) as the place of refuge for the entire universe. Now, it is our responsibility to enter into it by acknowledging his Imamat and Wilayat.
(2) Safety for the earth
Hazrat Imam Zainul Abideen (a.s.) says:
“We are the Imams of the Muslims, the proofs of Allah over the entire universe, the leaders of the believers, the guides for the people with illuminating forehead, the master of the believers.
We are the cause of security for the people of the earth just as the stars are for the inhabitants of the sky. We are the ones through whom Allah, the Almighty has prevented the sky from falling on to the earth by His permission. Due to us, the earth has embraced those who live on it. Due to us, rains and blessings descend, and earth unravels its bounties. If one of us is not present on this earth, then the earth will sink along with its inhabitants.
Then Imam (a.s.) said:
Ever since Allah, the Almighty created Adam (a.s.), this earth has never been devoid of the proof of Allah, be he visible and apparent or occult and concealed, and this will be so until the Day of Judgment. Was it not for the proof of Allah, none would have worshipped Allah, the Almighty.”[6]
Everything mentioned in the above tradition is the proof of the blessed existence of Hazrat Hujjat ibn al-Hasan al-Askari (a.s.). Today, he (a.s.) is the means of peace and harmony for all the inhabitants of the earth. The world subsists because of him, and all the blessings of the earth are because of his divine existence. Today, wherever Allah is worshiped in the world, it is because of him (a.s.).
Many more traditions on this topic have been narrated from Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) and the Holy Imams (a.s.). For the sake of brevity, we will not be mentioning them here.
(3) Protection from calamities
It is narrated by a servant named Nasr that:
“Once I was in the service of Hazrat Imam-e-Zamana (a.s.) when he (a.s.) was in the cradle. He (a.s.) said: Bring the red sandal. I presented it to him. He (a.s.) said: Do you know me? I said: Yes, you are my master and leader and the son of my master and leader. Imam (a.s.) said: I did not mean this. I said: Then please enlighten me. Imam (a.s.) said: I am the seal of the successors and due to me, Allah, the Almighty wards off the calamities from my family and my Shias.”[7]
Thanks to the blessed existence of Hazrat Wali-e-Asr (a.s.), not only the minor calamities but the most severe catastrophes that endanger our very existence, are warded off.
Availability of medicines is one thing, and its proper use is a different thing. The existence of such a revered Imam is the great bounty of Allah. It is on us to benefit from his blessed existence. We encounter calamities because we do not turn towards to our Imam Hazrat Hujjat bin al-Hasan al-Askari (a.s.). We cannot absolve ourselves by placing the blame entirely on Shaitan. It is now time to wake up from the slumber of negligence if we have not done so far.
(4) Protection (from sins) and a place of refuge
Dua-e-Nudbah is one of the most prominent supplications in the era of occultation, and it is highly recommended to recite it every Friday. Our scholars have confirmed its authenticity. In the last part of this supplication, we read thus:
“O Allah, we are your servants who are desirous of Your representative (on this earth) who has been mentioned by You and Your Prophet.
Whom you have created as a guardian and a refuge for us.
You have appointed him as the source of our security and refuge.
And whom you have appointed as Imam for the believers amongst us.
So, convey our greetings and salutations to him.”
The five attributes of Hazrat Wali-e-Asr (a.s.) mentioned in the above sentences of Dua-e-Nudbah are those which Allah, the Almighty has placed in his blessed existence for us. They are as follows:
- Ismat – Ability to protect from sins, a means of staying away from sins.
- Malaaza – Fortress, place of refuge.
- Qiwaama – Life, support of life.
- Ma’aza – Place of refuge.
- Imam – Imam, guide, leader.
Allah the Almighty has declared Hazrat Wali-e-Asr (a.t.f.s) as the strongest fortress for the whole world to be safe from sins and all kinds of calamities. This fortress is so vast that the entire universe can take shelter in it. At present, the primary cause of all the problems in the world, rather the only cause, is neglect and distance from this firm refuge. We are taking shelter with those who are themselves are caught up in all kinds of difficulties and calamities. Until the world takes shelter in this strong fortress, not only will the difficulties not end, but they will continue to increase exponentially.
The only way to seek refuge in this fort is to turn towards him for guidance in every step of life along with the belief in his Imamat and Wilayat.
(5) One who answers our pleas
One of our responsibilities in this era of occultation is to recite “Dua-e-Ahad” daily after the morning prayer. According to a tradition, one who recites this Dua continuously for forty days and dies before the reappearance of Imam (a.s.), will be brought back to life during the reappearance and included among the companions and helpers of Hazrat Hujjat (a.s.). For each word of this Dua, Allah, the Almighty will grant him one thousand good deeds and forgive his one thousand sins.
After mentioning about the sorry state of this world and that it is the result of man’s own actions, the only solution to all of them is the reappearance of the beloved son of Hazrat Fatema Zahra (s.a.). Let us ponder on this sentence:
“O Allah, make him a supporter and helper for those oppressed servants who have no supporter and helper other than You.”
It should be very specifically noted that Hazrat Wali-e-Asr (a.s.) is not amongst those who neglect to fulfil their responsibilities. Rather, he (a.s.) is among those responsible servants whose efforts are always worthy of praise in the presence of Allah, the Almighty. Moreover, he (a.s.) is from the progeny of the Holy Prophet Mohammad (s.a.w.a.) about whom Allah says in the Holy Quran as follows:
“We have not revealed the Quran to you that you may be unsuccessful.”[8]
“Rise to prayer in the night except a little, Half of it, or lessen it a little.”[9]
There is absolutely no delay by Imam (a.s.) in responding to the supplications of the oppressed and the helpless ones, but all the shortcomings are from our side. Our example is like a person who has a luxurious house to live but instead of living in it, he wanders and chooses to live on the pavements and then, laments over his troubles. He can get rid of all his problems once he starts living in it.
(6) Continuous care and remembrance
Hazrat Wali-e-Asr (a.s.) wrote in one of his Tauqeeaat (letters) addressed to the great scholar of jurisprudence and trustworthy Shaikh Mufid (a.r.) regarding his continuous care and remembrance in relation to solving the problems of the Shias:
“Surely, we are not negligent of your affairs nor are we heedless of your remembrance, were it not for our continuous protection, severe tribulations would have befallen you and the enemies would have destroyed you.”[10]
Today, despite being caught in all kinds of problems, differences, ignorance, sins, immorality…, our continued existence as a nation with dignity is only due to the blessed existence of Hazrat Wali-e-Asr (a.s.).
Hazrat Wali-e-Asr (a.s.) always protects and supports us in every walk of life. We conclude this article with the following incident:
No one came to rescue
The eminent and reliable traditionalist Mirza Husain Noori (a.r.), in his book “Jannatul Maawaa” (pg. 292, incident no. 47), has narrated the following incident from the very reliable and authentic scholar Janab Ali Rashti (a.r.).
Shaikh Ali Rashti narrates:
“After being blessed with the Ziyaarat of Imam Husain (a.s.), I was returning to Najaf al-Ashraf passing through river Euphrates (Furaat). I embarked on a small boat to cross the river between Karbala and Tuwairij. The passengers in the boat were residents of Hilla and Tuwairij. I noticed that the passengers were engrossed in fun and amusement except for one person who looked very dignified, and signs of nobility were clearly visible on his face. His fellow travellers made fun of his religion, but he shared his food and drink with them. Seeing all this, I was very astonished.
Our boat reached a place where the water was shallow, and we had to disembark. As we walked along the banks, I happened to accompany the same person. I asked him why he remained away from his fellow travellers and why did they criticize his religion. He said that they were his relatives from Ahle Sunnah, his father is a Sunni, and his mother a Shia and due to the favour of Imam Mahdi (a.s.), he became a Shia. I asked him the reason of converting to a Shia.
He said: My name is Yaaqut and I sell oil near the Hilla bridge. One year, I went out of Hilla to purchase oil from the surrounding villages. I travelled some distance, purchased the oil, loaded it on my mule, and was returning along with other people. We halted at one place, and I fell asleep. When I woke up, I found that all my fellow travellers had left, and I was alone. My route was through the desert full of wild animals and the nearest habitation was many kilometres away. I was very much afraid of the wild beasts and was also extremely thirsty.
I continuously pleaded my caliphs for help and through their intercession, begged Allah to save me. I cried a lot but to no avail. At that moment, I remembered that my mother had said that one of our Imams (a.s.) is alive whose agnomen is “Abaa Saalih”, who helps the lost ones, the oppressed and the weak. I promised to Allah that if he (a.s.) saves me, I will embrace the religion of my mother and become a Shia.
I called him for help and suddenly, I saw a man with a green turban walking along with me. He showed me the way and ordered me to adopt the religion of my mother and taught me a few things that I forgot. He said: Very soon you will reach a village where all the residents are Shias. I said: My master, will you not accompany me? He said: I cannot because many people are seeking my help and I need to go and help them. Saying this, he disappeared. After walking a few steps, I reached that village one day before my fellow travellers.
I returned to Hilla and went to meet the chief jurisprudent (Faqih), Sayyed Mahdi Qazwini. I narrated my story to him and learnt religion from him. I asked him what I should do to have the honour of meeting Imam (a.s.) again? He said: Go for Ziyaarat of Imam Husain (a.s.) on the eve of Thursdays for forty weeks.
I started going for Ziyaarat from Hilla every week until only the last week was left. I left Hilla on Thursday with the intention of Ziyaarat. When I reached the entrance of the city, I saw that the officials of the tyrannical and oppressive rulers were verifying every one’s passport and visa. I neither had a passport nor any money to pay them, and I just stood there perplexed. There was a huge crowd at the entrance. I wanted to sneak out and enter the city somehow but there was no possibility of it. Meanwhile, I saw Hazrat Saahib al-Amr (a.s.) appearing as a student with a white turban on his head. On seeing him, I called him for help. He took me with himself and made me enter the city while none of them saw me. On entering the city, I looked for him among the people, but could not find him. I stood there in amazement while looking around for him.”[11]
Let us plead before our Imam Hazrat Hujjat ibn al-Hasan al-Askari (a.s.) in every difficulty and trouble, involve him in the affairs of our lives, present all our problems to hm after the daily morning prayer, and ask him for guidance and help. Be certain that he listens to us, not a single aspect of our life is hidden from him.
We must wake up from the slumber of negligence and present ourselves in his blessed service. We should be certain that we are neither orphans nor heirless instead, we have an Imam (a.s.) who is an affectionate father, a guardian and a strong refuge.
[1] Da’aaemul Islam, vol. 1, pg. 222, Al-Mau’ood, issue 12, pg. 6
[2] Surah Maryam (19), verse 44
[4] Surah Ibrahim (14), verse 22
[5] Surah An’aam (6), verse 149
[6] Kamaaluddin, vol. 1, pg. 207; Amaali Shaikh Saduq (a.r.), pg. 112 quoting from Mikyaalul Makaarim, vol. 1, pg. 93, h. 213
[7] Mikyaalul Makaarim, vol. 1, pg. 91, h. 207. The author of Misbahul Lughaat has written on pg. 72 that here, calamity refers to that affliction that melts (ruins) the body.
[8] Surah Ta-Ha (20), verse 2
[9] Surah Muzzammil (73), verses 2-3
[10] Al-Ehtejaaj, vol. 2, pg. 323, Mikyaalul Makaarim, vol. 1, pg. 47, h. 8
[11] Mikyaalul Makaarim, vol. 1, pg. 47-49, h. 59
